Faction Under The Stars (MU)

[Zephyr Krayt]

The community of Mandalorians gathered in a forest clearing after earning their respite from the day’s battle. Some of their allies had not fared so well and were relegated to the nightshift which ensured the majority of soldiers could sleep without fear of being attacked. They were far enough removed from the battle that they didn’t need to concern themselves with being spotted by the smoke of the fire or the occasional eruptions of laughter.

They had someone on lookout, but the atmosphere was relaxed. After all, they were in their element. Many of their ships were miles away where they would be safe from the heat of the battle and the soldiers used tents to create a small retreat for them to regroup at as they had been at the conflict for several days and still there was no end in sight.

The group gathered around the fire as the day came to a close and over the fire a pot of tiingilar was stationed and some of the more relaxed people were sipping on tihaar, though they knew better than to take it overboard tonight. Some were in their armour and some were in comfortable clothes that were suitable for sleeping in. A few had chosen to get an early night but their comrades were not making it easy on them with their disruptive noise.

Zephyr was sitting on the floor by the fire, petting the mooka that lay beside him, until a finger by the fire beckoned to him, picking out the lone Mandalorian for not being engaged in conversation. He pushed himself to his feet and approached the person who had called for him who handed him two bowls of tiingilar and instructed him to hand them out. The pair made their way around the group until everyone who wanted a bowl had one before returning to their seats with their own.

He sat cross-legged on the floor which the mooka saw as an opportunity to nestle in the Mandalorian’s lap as best he could, though he was a little too big with his tail feathers and kept moving around. “Do you mind?” He asked the creature who relented and settled again on the floor beside him. Usually he would leave his companion at his ship while working but as the battle was expected to last several days he brought the pet along and left him at the camp during the day.

The Mandalorian fished out a couple of pieces of meat from the stew and dropped them on the ground in front of the mooka but immediately regretted it as the mooka looked up at him expectantly for more. “No, you’ve already eaten.” He told the pet who still insisted with his eyes. “Kai, no.” He told him more sternly so the pet wandered off, circling around other Mandalorians in search of food. The talking quietened down while people tucked into their dinner but there were still pockets of conversations. "So... Does anyone have any stories?"

Kreslin Westwind Aro Vizsla Kranak Vizsla Aloy Vizsla Eliz Krayt Adenn Kyramud Adeen Markiff Jan Kryze Shai Maji Kragr Krayt Tan'yill Vizsla Stardust Solus Skirae Venku Bralor Mig Gred

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Eliz was chilling by the fire for quite a bit of time. Combat. More battle. For a Mandalorian prospect he hadn't seen much. He really should of seen more, but with everything that happened to Mandalore it made more sense to keep him safe to his father. Now, though, was his time to learn. Tonight though? He was a kid, roasting marshmallows over the fire and listening to the stories of the older Mandalorians. He gave a nod to Zephyr Krayt as the older Mando came by.

He knew him. They were both from Clan Krayt after all. He flashed a smile to the pet. Kai was an adorable creature, though Eliz wasn't entirely sure what it was. His gaze went back to the roasting lump of sugar and egg. It was just about done.

 

[Tan'yill Vizsla]

TAG: Aloy Vizsla , Zephyr Krayt, Eliz Krayt , Stardust Solus Skirae ​

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The closer she came to the group of mandalorians gathered in the clearing, the more of the buzz reached her ear-cones. Casually swinging the buy'c by her side, all the sounds came naturally to them, which was a relief after wearing the advanced but closed piece of armor through sweat and blood during the battle. Her grey beskar'gam with blue stripes certainly could use a wash and a polish after this.

The wounded was getting treatment from the medics, or what close to professionally trained medics the Union got. Some was more trained than the other, but they all shared a burning dedication to their task in general and the Unions cause in special. With each day coming to an end, it had slowly settled in her, the fact of serving a cause not only driven by credits and power. Sure, that odd feeling sometimes appeared still, especially when thinking of the fact that she regulary fought beside people now - and most of them actually good! Not to mention trying to open herself up and be nice on occasions like this one! Though, everything was made so much easier when thinking of the redheaded doll that she had to thank for this; Aloy. Red. Her love, to whom she was in so much gratitude of and had promised to never fail. Ever.

Where was that awe-inspiring woman, anyway? Tan knew she was around somewhere, but her hazel gaze did not fall on her on the way over to the lit fire and a stew of sorts simmering in the pot. The man bossing over tonights dinner handed her two bowls of hot stew which her curiousity could not help but to inspect.

''What is it?'' Tan asked shortly before her gaze and neutral face fell on the man.

''It's called tiingilar, miss. And it's not for the faint of heart, let me tell you that. It'll give your stomach a challenge and have your nose hairs burn.'' the man remarked with a prankish smirk.

''Oh, believe me I know that feeling too well, thank you very much.'' she uttered with a roll to her eyes and sigh leaving her lips, memories of spice burning her nose coming to her mind. She turned but at least left the man with a small but polite nod and smile, representing a real thank you for the dinner.

Tan made her way over to the nearest free spot around the fire, ending up beside one of the young ones ( Eliz Krayt ). She gave a nod to the mandalorian inviting them to tell a story (Zephyr Krayt). She was not going to be the first one, or even the last one though.

''Hey, kid. You fought in the battle?'' she said without looking at him, as she settled down with the helmet by her feet and the two bowls of this tiingilar on the other side of the fallen tree trunk. Maybe if she would have looked more closely at the kid she would have recognised him from Aloy's Name Day celebration a couple of days ago, but the fire drew her and most of the other mandalorians eyes as they awaited the first story of what could be many of this night of well earned respite.

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[Stardust Solus Skirae]

War, her way of life, each battle just made the damned drums beat louder. Every time she slayed a enemy before her she felt a sickened joy, each time her adrenaline coursed through her veins she felt more alive then when she played some politician.

Above the camp three shuttles soared right over with a low goan, finding a suitable spot they made way and landed carefully, the doors slowly opened as one had fresh troops eager for battle marching out and started to quickly get to task receiving orders, one had supplies, weapons, thermal dets, food, medical supplies, and other items. The third was a personal one a lot smaller then the other two, the door hissed open as a towering twilek was revealed, her armor painted with the colors of clan solus, the medallion of a battlemaster at her side within sight, her fiery gaze looked about the canopy as she nodded and started dout. The emerald dragon herself had arrived to battle behind her was a small group of six mandalorians bearing the new symbol of her group known as the beskar brotherhood, these were force using mandos and this battle here was to be the first test. However first they needed to make sure everything was good around here

Dispering the group went to help out, stardust herself moved for a fire she could make out one form she recognized easily, smiling she spoke up hearing the other mandalorian speak

I have plenty to tell, should everyone have the time

 

[Zephyr Krayt]

Zephyr's gaze followed the mooka as it snooped around his comrades strategically for food; some of whom relinquished small parts of their meal to the pleading mooka at their feet. Still, he listened out in case someone answered his question and his gaze shifted to the green Twi'lek when she declared she had plenty to tell.

As Mandalorians, many of the experienced warriors would have plenty of stories and legends to tell, though some of the younger and more inexperienced Mandalorians weren't quite as saturated with such stories. Zephyr had many stories of trial and error from his Mandalorian career but they were only usually told among friends. He didn't have many he was willing to share with the older and more greatly respected Mandalorians.

"The night is young." He replied. An invitation for Stardust to share what she was willing. A few moments later, the mooka trotted back to the Mandalorian and happily perched himself beside its owner, content.

Stardust Solus Skirae Tan'yill Vizsla Eliz Krayt

 

[Strider Garon]

The animalistic sound of a ship making reentry would catch the Mandalorians ground side's attention. The puffs of atmosphere and the violent rumble and shimmer of hull broke the silence of the night sky, a noise that the transports prior would of made when they made planet fall. But for Stardust Solus Skirae , this ship would catch her attention. The Familiar roar of the two oversized KDY sublight engines stressing against the fall was a dead give away to anyone that was familiar with the ancient AIAT/i gunship known as the 'AVRIL'. A ship that belonged to her father in-law Strider Garon, who had been missing in action for the last five years. Last report was he fell on Ryloth during the AOC backed rebellion against CIS. No body was recovered so he was Labeled MIA.

The old man was at the controls, his hands firmly gripping the W shaped yoke and throttle controls. A beacon only active to the Garon family was signaling on the scanners, a blip that brought Strider to Carida. He had been a prisoner and forced to live in absolute isolation for the last five years. He has no clue who took him for unmarked Droids were his wardens. No torture, just the maddening loneliness of a five by five cell. Just as mysterious of his capture was his own release. When he was last part of the galaxy, his home world of mandalore was in the savage hands of the Sith Empire. Now according to his holonet connection, that truth does not exist anymore but he was not going to risk a blunt homecoming and cut his freedom short. He needed to connect With the mandalorians, the ones he could trust. So when he activated the Garon beacon tracker, he was sadden to see not many active and the closest was his daughter-in-law.

The Avril landing struts extended from her under belly as Strider skillfully landed the old amphibious gunship beside the other mandalorian transports. Seconds later the engines would be cut and the rear loading ramp would descend. Strider could see the fire from the cockpit of the Avril, with the multiple armor clad bodies around it, with a few making their way to investigate the newly arrived. The old man rose from his chair, attaching his helmet to the mag lock on his utility belt. He made quick work traversing to the aft of his ship and to the now open loading bay doors. He could feel the night breeze coming through the exposed opening and he took a deep breath of the fresh air. Even though The Avril was pretty much a second home to him for decades, being cramped in such tight quarters wrecked on his nerves. Even wearing his armor felt awkward as he had been stripped of all article of clothing during his imprisonment.

Strider walked down the ramp, his worn tattered yellow shoulder cape and leather kama flapped in the light wind. Those that were looking for proof that his was the missing Strider had it the moment they bared eyes on his grizzled facial features, his unmistakable scars and yellow hued bionic eye. The Hound of Keldabe was no longer MIA.

 

[Tan'yill Vizsla]

The bonfire gave warmth to the mandalorians gathered around in natural circle, its dancing flames was mesmerizing as well as soothing, and it threw light and shadows around the forest clearing. The surviving mandalorians was a mixed bag of characters from all around the known galaxy, most of them spoke mando'a but also basic and other languages could be picked out in the quiet buzz. It was no different than visiting a cantina on some backwater planet, after delivering contraband to the local crime lord. What was different was that you could choose your own corner, minding your own business. In this kind of company, you had to build and earn trust so that you could rely on your fellow mandalorian during a fight. Aloy as well as Stardust, her sister, had taught her that and she had grown used to that. Still, Tan was not the most talkative mandalorian among the ranks.

Elbows resting on her knees with the bowl of tiingilar warming her hands, she took a spoonful of the hot and spicy concoction while she waited for the kids answer. Maybe he did not recognise her, or maybe he had lost someone during the battle and was not in the mood to talk. Either way, she would be there in what way she could if the kid wanted to talk. Speaking of the devil, a familiar voice was suddenly heard over the buzz.

''I have plenty to tell, should everyone have the time.''

Breaking her gaze into the flames, Tan could confirm that it came from her older sister that now appeared from behind the feasting crowd and across the ring around the bonfire. Her tall stature, grand and stately as it was, brought with it a certain kind of respect. The kind that would be expected of an older sibling, even if they had been away from each other since childhood. They were now reunited, being so in the most mandalorian of ways; through a fight that would have been long and drawn out if it not were for the Mand'alor, catching everyones attention with the speech to his people after the liberation of Mandalore. For a while it seemed that none of them would budge. Tan certainly would not, having been taught the bloody trade since her teens, even if she had her doubts of winning knowing that Star was a force user. She offered to dance, and Tan rarely turned down a challenge and especially not while being totally new in the ranks. It would have been totally crazy, that was for sure. Thinking of it, they might have needed that fight between themselves even if it ended closer to a draw than anything else. It was a strange but not completely improbable thought.

Tan chewed down another spoonful of tiingilar as she silently watched her sister step forth to tell a story. If Star saw her before she begun, she would not at her with a slight smile on her lips. The bond between blue and green would never break again, as would not the one between blue and red.

Stardust Solus Skirae Zephyr Krayt Eliz Krayt Strider Garon

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

She smiled upon her sister, the last of her old life, the sibling she had been separated with all those years ago and both had been damned to a life of living hell growing up...now they would bo more split from one another and stardust would ensure that. Inhaling the scent of something spicey she smiled at the smell as she glanced to Zephyr Krayt when he spoke, coming closer she took a seat

oh let's see what story should I start with

While she racked her brain for a old battle a noise pierced her cones, she glanced around and up to a very familiar ship, at first she didn't believe it but ten suddenly her helmet picked up a beacon transmitting a signal any garon would receive. Picking it up she quickly stood as she watched the ship slowly gather and around it a crowd gather. Moving at a brisk pace she gently tried moving past some folks before growing irritated and crouched low before she lept right over the people and landed a little roughly in front of them to see Strider Garon exiting his ship

She stood there stunned, they had looked for him...but had assumed him just gone from the universe but yet now the man no...her ba'buir by marriage stood before them all

ba'buir strider?

She asked still slightly unsure

 

[Zephyr Krayt]

The Mandalorian finished the remaining contents of his tiingilar and placed the bowl on the ground which the mooka immediately beelined for and began to lick whatever remnants were left in a desperate attempt to get more food. Zephyr smiled while watching his companion and pulled a glove off to feel the creature's feathers against his hand as he pet him once he curled up again.

A rumbling from above alerted the Mandalorians to a new presence so Zephyr replaced his helmet to use the enhanced vision to try and identify the ship. Even upon closer inspection, he didn't recognise it but those around him didn't seem too alarmed so he didn't become too concerned, though he got to his feet with a few others who went to seek out the newcomer once they had landed.

He left the mooka resting peacefully where he was and joined the curious others as they approached the ship. Even when the pilot stepped out, the Mandalorian didn't recognise the man but he looked around the faces of the other Mandalorians present and it was suggested some of them knew who he was by their surprised expressions. Zephyr's own confused expression was concealed by his helmet so no one offered an explanation but he imagined all would become clear in time.

Stardust Solus Skirae Tan'yill Vizsla Strider Garon Eliz Krayt

 

[Tan'yill Vizsla]

The sound of a ship approaching brought the casual buzz and gossip to a halt, before eyes, optics and sensors were directed at the sky to identify the newcomer. None but the mandalorians involved in this battle and their allies was supposed to know of their location, which kept the rutians mood calm and unaltered. The sound of engines never stopped the former mechanics guesses of what make and model they were, this one would be Kuat made, and big ones too. She saw her sister stand up and could almost immediately read that she had a hunch of who the captain of the ship was.

Tan put the bowl down beside her on the log and rose to her feet. She left the helmet on the ground in front and threw the boy a glance.

''You watch that I'll give you fifty credits, okay?'' she said, her hazel eyes was neutral but spoke of that she would honor such a deal. She stuck to her deals and held her promises, or at least strived for it. It made no difference if it considered bashing sith skulls in or giving a kid his earned credits. She stepped over the log and walked over to and up beside Star.

''Ba'buir?'' she asked, almost as curious and unsure as her green sister, and glanced over to the ramp and the cape wearing man that was walking down it.

Stardust Solus Skirae , Strider Garon , Zephyr Krayt, Eliz Krayt