Ask Lothal An unplanned night of trouble

[Rakiss Vano]

The night was young in one of the larger cities on Lothal and was alive with all sorts of walks of life. Crowded and heck-tic, we come to see a decent sized club/and bar inside where people drinking, and dancing. Music was heard throughout the club, then we see the bar area and some tables near by, sitting alone is a lone mandalorian. It has been a few days since he had finished a bounty he had collected, more to the fact he was avoiding going back to his clan feeling a need to destress. A good drink helped and the lack of nagging from his brother was bliss to this quiet individual. His helmet off and a drink in his hand he runs his free hand through his short black hair, and sighs. His brown eyes scan the room slightly feeling a little out of place, to be honest he wasn’t the best at social antics but non the less he was happy to be off the clock for once, just seeing what the night would bring.

 

[Vri Nama]

Lothal. Why did she have to come to Lothal?

When Vri bought her first starship and left Coruscant for the first time, she expected to end up somewhere exotic and new, preferably with new and exotic substances to try or locals to play with. But no, her first off-world assignment brought her to Lothal, where she had to beat some payments out of a gambler in hiding from the Syndicates. So because of one overweight Sullustan's phenomenally bad luck, Vri had to come to a farming planet where the animals smelled like hot kark, the people smelled like the animals, and the buildings smelled like the people. Needless to say, she took out her frustration on the poor, blubbering fold-face and what was left of his poor, unfortunately kneecaps.

After wiping the blood off her boots and gloves, Vri decided she was in desperate need of a drink so she dropped most of her kit off on her new ship, the Trog, and headed to the nearest city to find a proper club. She hoped at least that a planet full of farmers would have access to decent, homegrown booze and not cheap imported stuff. At least the music was proper get-sweaty-dancing music and not some twangy nonsense, so as Vri walked into the building she seamlessly melded into the crowd on the dancefloor, navigating to the bar on the other side.

"I'm gonna need some real good whiskey on this counter, asap." As the young bartender moved to grab a bottle and a glass, Vri panned over the bar and spotted a very interesting figure at the far end: a Mandalorian.

After meeting Tal, Vri had come to learn about the warrior culture of the Mandalorian people and how it made them really fun to hang out with, in or out of their armor. Or maybe that was just Tal, but Vri wasn't one for subtle cultural distinctions, she saw beskar and she started grinning.

"You know what, send that glass down to the Mando in the corner, and tell him there's more where that came from if he comes over here." The bartender initially rolled his eyes, but Vri slipped him some extra credits and a look that could shrivel a Wookiee's spine, so he eagerly complied.

"With the compliments of the...lady, by the bar." The visibly uncomfortable young human brought the single shot to the Mandalorian before pointing back to the purple-mohawked Rodian at the bar. Vri, being subtle as a carpet bombing campaign, openly waved at the man and gestured for him to come over.

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

Deep in thought the human mandalorian was brought to reality after being spaced out by a young worker at the club. The boy had relayed the message sent by what Rakiss could only describe as an interesting character. Among the crowd she sure stood out and didn’t appear half bad to the mando. That was saying something coming from him, at first he was taken off guard by the message being pretty quiet and more the strong silent type around people unless his younger brother. But he was alone and didn’t really know how to react but he figured he’d see what this was all about. “That’s who sent this drink?” he says as he glances to the female that had done so. The worker nodded and walked away, she was looking at him now, seeing what Rakiss would do, he was a fighter who didn’t leave much time for personal time and not the biggest people person. But he saw this as a challenge to his comfort zone, and had his father taught him anything it was to never run from challenge. “ok Rakiss stay calm, let’s see what this is all about, keep it cool like always.” he said to himself and stood up grabbing his helmet and holding it in one had and his drink in the other. Walking over he scanned her with his eyes sizing her up, getting to the counter he stops and took the shot she had gifted him in front of her and placed the glass on the counter. Then speaking to her first “thanks for the shot, either ya poisoned me which wouldn’t surprise me. Or something else guessed I should come over and find out. If I may ask who are you? If you don’t mind me asking.” he said sitting down next to her and making eye contact his dark brown eyes trying to figure out what she was all about.

 

[Vri Nama]

Vri watched as the Mando made his way cautiously over to the bar, carrying the drink like it was a high explosive and scanning around the room as if he expected to get hit by a sniper any second now. The man was a little paranoid, either because he lived a dangerous lifestyle or because he was a fugitive from someone powerful and dangerous. Either way, it meant he was good in a fight and that meant more fun for her.

"If I wanted you dead, Mando, I would have just blown your head off." She scooted the glass back toward the man with her finger. "I sent that drink your way because you're the only person in this building that looked fun. The name's Vri, by the way, what should I call you?"

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

Once Vri had been blunt with her words, it came back to Rakiss to do the same. “you wouldn’t be the first to try, and by no means the last.” seeming to ease up just a tad, she seemed dangerous..... but that wasn’t bad, it was rare to find people this blunt and open other then the clan he called family. So he didn’t see the harm sticking around for a bit. Setting his helmet on the counter as a small sign of being at ease but still aware of his surroundings, he then speaks to Vri again. Rakiss...... I go by Rakiss, I’m not all that special, my line of work just makes a few people..... inhospitable toward me. Judging by the way you carry yourself Vri... I assume you’d understand, am I right? If I am, I can only guess the type of fun your talking about, the kind that ends in words...loud ones from a blaster” he said glancing at her, he wanted to see how she responded, he could tell trouble when he saw it but the question in his head was what did that mean for him? Either she was just a fellow hunter like him who needed a brake just as he did. Or she was someone paid to either “take care” of him or one of his clan. He didn’t know but he was used to not knowing, either way he’s find out and see where this all led to. He wasn’t the oldest or wisest but he was curious all the same.

@The Captain

 

[Vri Nama]

This guy really was high-strung, huh? Vri reached across the counter and grabbed the shot, taking down in one easy swallow before waving the bartender down to top the glass off. Maybe she could get some liquor into this guy if she just put his mind at ease, then maybe this could turn into an entertaining evening.

"Yeah, Rak, I shoot people. A lot. And I figured you do too, so I called you over to see if you wanted to share a drink." She gunned her second shot just as easily as the first. "I got no interest in picking a fight with you, at least not a real one. So, if you wanna drink and talk for a minute I'm all ears. If not, you can at least pay for a lady's drink before you head back to your corner."

Was she being rude? Absolutely. Was she kind of provoking this heavily armed Mandalorian? Obviously. Did she care? Not at all.

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

She was blunt.... But to him it was welcome to the mandalorian culture so he liked it in a way. Another shot making its way to Rakiss’s hand he down it all the same. She was dangerous, but that kept life interesting. Supposing he could let up a little since no ones tried to kill him yet. “yea I do and I also took you for the same type. Seems hunters like us can spot another pretty easy. In any case I don’t see a reason why I couldn’t share a drink with you... I mean it’s been a while since I’d had time of recent to drink. But I suspect I can still take you shot for shot. So ok Vri I’ll bite, if ya wanna talk that’s fine never shared much about myself but drink is present and helps to relax, something I think I need for once. Anything past that well..... guess only time will tell right.” He says as he drinks a shot once again, placing the glass back on the counter, he tilts his head down slightly to hide a small grin. This usually silent man was enjoying himself so far, either it be by the drink in his system or the sense of freedom of responsibility for the first time from his duty to his clan. Rakiss by walking over had entered what he say as a game and even if people didn’t know..... he likes games. So he sat and waited to see what would this new found companion would ask of him or do, keeping his cool but thoughts slightly eager as they sat in the club.

@The Captain

 

[Vri Nama]

Hunters? Vri wasn't sure who this guy thought she was, but the second he mentioned being able to drink her under the table, she stopped caring. Nobody challenged her honor as a drunk and got away with it, no matter how well armed or dangerous they turned out to be.

"Oh, you don't just get to slip that under the radar." She jabbed his chestplate with her finger. "You think you can out drink me? You gotta put your money where your mouth is."

She was barely done talking before she stood up and waved over the bartender, who dutifully (if begrudgingly) stopped what he was doing.

"I want two bottles of good whiskey and a pair of shot glasses, asap!" As the man nodded and began to assemble the items for Vri's impromptu drinking contest, she turned back to Rakiss and gave him a smug grin. "So, tough guy, what are the stakes for this little contest?"

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

Wiping the grin off his face and looking back to Vri as she tapped his armor. He was pleased with the reaction he got out of her but he couldn’t let her see that. But In his head he was thinking now. He stood up and leaned against the bar and then directed his gaze to his helmet seeing his reflection in it. His face and the scar on it. The music blaring in his ears he says to himself “Hmm the prize for what you could win if you were able to outdo me. Let’s see..........” Thinking hard now he looks to Vri as the bottles are brought over he grabs one and inspects it then says. “Ok look, I don’t know what you could want but how about this. You get one free favor, anything ya want no questions asked. As well as anything else I can offer that I have on hand.....except any of my armor, this stuff has let’s say...... more personal value than physical wealth, but anything else goes. Plus I’m sure you can figure it as we drink and talk, now what do I win (When) I out drink you?” He then starts to pour the first shots, he didn’t know what to expect but he was pretty confident that’s why he took the risk of a no question favor. The mando knew how to get things done and this would be no different just in a different “Playing field” finally the first round of drinks were poured and he took on glass in his hand and offered the other to Vri Rakiss had issued a challenge and now he had to defend his claim. In this club the night was young and he had needed an outlet to blow steam and he in fact had found such an outlet.

@The Captain

 

[Vri Nama]

Normally, when someone offered to pay her in favors Vri was inclined to kick that person between the legs, usually with the boot that had a spring loaded knife in it. Coming from a Mandalorian, however, a favor was no small thing as a well trained and well armed Mando was less a human being and more of a walking tank. She could think of all sorts of interesting ways to cash such a favor in, a long list of people that she wanted to see blasted, burnt, and/or blown up.

"Well, first off I'm going to win this contest." She said, taking her drink the second it was poured and gunning it effortlessly. "Second, I think a favor for a favor sounds like a good exchange. I'm pretty dangerous myself, and I imagine you've got a few problems you wouldn't want people asking questions about either. Besides, unlike you, I'm perfectly willing to let you take my armor off."

And on that provocative note, Vri poured out the next round of shots for them both. While Rakiss was undoubtedly tough, Vri had a serious advantage over him, in that alcohol was probably the least toxic thing she put in her body regularly. She had already taken two shots before the contest started and she felt fit as a bandfill.

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

Rakiss kept composure and he drank one of the shots he poured....... that was until he heard the last bit of Vri’s last comment, almost chocking and his face went slightly red. He had never once been in a relationship nor even fun on the fly. Having little bit to no fun and growing up at a very young age to help him and his younger brother survive a life alone together. Yep when it came down to it he was the most innocent in that sense then anyone in the galaxy, he was skilled in many ways and killed more times he could count but this.... he was caught off guard by even this sly comment. His head spun for a minute “Jeez! I’ve never blushed in my life, the hell is wrong with me! Get it together Rakiss! Act like a damn mandalorian and keep your head!” He thought to himself knowing she could see him be thrown off. Swallowing the liquor with ease he recomposes himself and reply’s back. “I see.....hehe glad we figured the terms” he laughed sheepishly then continued being a little less sure about what he had just, or rather what Vri had just tricked him into all the while trying to make it seem he was in control. “Anyway the nights just started by the looks of it. I’ll pour the shots and we can see how long you can handle, and to make it fair you get first shot at a question ladies first like my father beat into me. As well as we both know liquor makes people all too eager to share as they go. If I remember correctly you did say you wanted to chat, so......what can I enlighten you with?” So he starts to pour another shot, if only his younger brother could see him he would loose his mind. The way he held himself now was nothing like the leader of a clan and a brother had ever acted but here he had to approach this different. If he acted stiff it wouldn’t help him, his brother always did try to loosen him up and to now nothing his attempts could do worked. But Vri..... her dangerous and blunt nature, not to mention the liquor he had downed before this point and the shots he was currently taking. Made him different a side of him no one saw or at least rarely saw, and if Vri had it her way he was would plung in so deep he wouldn’t remember a lick of most of it by the time he recovered. People danced, drank, and music blares around him but he was focused or at least as much as he could as he spoke again. ”So Vri what’s on your mind?” With what the mandalorian was planning he may never get a chance to talk open like this, the booz helped, and it might as well be with a stranger he just met, he had almost died so many times. With his biggest crazy idea about to be put in play within time, he would enjoy this as best he could.

 

[Vri Nama]

Vri took a great deal of delight in watching the otherwise stoic and well spoken Mandalorian suddenly choke on his own words and turn several shades of red. Tal was always unshakably smug, so watching a beskar-clad hardcase crumble in the face of a little innuendo was deeply gratifying. In fact, she almost missed the part where she was supposed to ask Rakiss a question, as she was too busy enjoying her drink and his flustered face.

"Alright, I got something in mind. What is a Mandalorian doing here, in the shrak-end of the galaxy, drinking in a nightclub and wearing full armor?" That really was the Bantha in the room for her, figuring out why she'd crossed paths with a Mandalorian so far from anywhere you might expect to find such a well armed individual.

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

Rakiss listened to vri’s question and it was pretty good he had to admit, their wasn’t a lot of his kind around and even more so out in a planet like this, so as they drank he told her what she wanted to know. “Two reasons......one is I just finished a job, planet over, there was a target I needed to hit anyway. Not to mention they had some information I wanted. So some poor guy asked me to take care of said target and I did and got paid well for it so a win-win. Two I’m fond of this world, me and my younger brother spent a lot of times here scavenging what we could and any odd ball targets we could handle. The mandalorian traditions say to always train the younger generation to fight and win, our parents did that alright but they been dead for a while now. This was the planet me and him ran off to at around 16 and he was 14. So this place was good for a couple dangerous kids to run around. Not to mention now that our clans running again I’ve been...... needing a break from that and my younger brother.” Then thinking to the armor he was still wearing, needing to explain that he pours another shot and drinks before he continues, letting the alcohol loosen him up further. ”This armor I rarely take off...... trust me I do but not a whole lot. This armor has deep ties to me than anything else in this galaxy.” he pauses at what he was saying but kept going. “I had to take it off my dads cold dead body.” The mando pauses again letting that painful memory come back to him briefly and to the scar that almost cost him his right eye. Then he spoke again, “The way I see it.... anyone wants the prize of mandalorian armor shouldn’t try it. Some get lucky but this is more than armor it’s got ties no one should mess with, I’ve had people try to claim mine and they all are buried. If they want it try but it will have to be taken off my dead body same as my father before I give it up.” He realizes his demeanor and lights up a bit off it, hating the memory of his clans near extinction. “Other than that.... hehe.... I just needed a drink, some time out of the work routine helps every now and again, that explain it well enough?” At this point Rakiss looked at Vri and wondered what she thought of all he'd just said, the booze started to take more of him with each shot and he wouldn’t let up the drink anytime soon until he either couldn’t or passed out but for now he just wanted to have fun. He had found it indeed, and he was now passing the time by keeping up with Vri who was just as eager to down shots and get bragging rights.

@The Captain

 

[Vri Nama]

Well that was...far more extensive than Vri had expected. Kid brothers, dead parents, clan honor, and a whole lot of other stuff that she didn't fully understand, even in her semi-sober state. But, if there was one thing she could commiserate with, it was putting people in the dirt when they stepped to you, especially when valuables were on the line. A lot of rats ate good in her old neighborhood when someone decided to hassle the 'hawk, and people caught onto that fact pretty fast.

"Well then..." She topped off their glasses and raised hers for a toast. "Here's to frying any kriffer who ticks us off!"

She paused to gun down her shot, taking a second to enjoy the burn of high quality whiskey running down her throat before turning back to Rakiss.

"Alright, so what do you want to ask me?" She was genuinely curious to see what Rakiss asked of her, the man seemed pretty antisocial.

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

Rakiss thought for a moment after another shot, the drinks were making him slip a little, and now he had his turn to ask something, he looked at Vri and spoke “So..... why are you here? I have my reasons and I’m sure you have your own. What made you walk in here into the game we find ourselves playing?” he knew she had already raised hell or was planning on it she seemed the type. He then looks to his glass it was full again..... had he filled it?.... how many shots was this now? He raises it to his lips again and started to drink, if his mind went fuzzy he didn’t care all he was focused on was the drink and Vri. He spoke again “As well as what should a stranger like myself know about you? I don’t take you for the bland lived type.” He said waiting for a response, Vri had kept this interesting so far and he knew she wouldn’t disappoint now. He was having fun even if he hadn’t shown it outwardly as much as he could, but the he drank it would come out all the more. He didn’t have to worry about the eyes of those who knew him, this was a place I’d freedom and he would savor it as long as he could. Looking at Vri he was glad he had decided to come on this night to this club, this mando had more person then most knew under the armor, he had just been so tight and wrapped up even he had forgotten that, but this seemed t remind him of better times.

 

[Vri Nama]

Yeah, she saw that question coming, it was only fair in a sort of tit-for-tat kind of way.

"Well to be totally honest, a guy who owed some buddies of mine a LOT of credits was hiding out here, so I dropped by to revoke his kneecap privileges." That was pretty much as honest as she could get without mentioning the Five Syndicates or the Son-tuul Pride, neither of which she was ready to reveal just yet. Rakiss was being pleasant so far, and seemed to understand the concept of beating money out of people, but the Syndicates had a lot of enemies even among themselves so Vri knew not to open her snout and spit that information out.

As for the drinks, she was pretty sure she was six drinks in, but her math wasn't good when she was sober and she was starting to get a real good buzz going.

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

Rakiss let out a genuine grin, call him crazy all you wanted but he started to chuckle a bit “Looks like you put the poor thing out of commission, those are always fun. The old (I don’t have to kill you, just make sure you live to remember me) those always make my brother laugh. Call me a lunatic but how can ya do certain lines of work and not make it enjoyable.” his chuckling starts to come down and he glances at his glass he picks it up and drinks yet another shot probably 5 at this point he didn’t know his buzz did feel nice though, and he started to speak again. “So how did you get wrapped up in what you do? I won’t pry all that much just curious.” He said as he glances at her, he had his own reasons and didn’t care who knew, he sat there and waited for her to respond, not to mention they still had plenty of alcohol to go whether they drank it or not he was having a good time.

 

[Vri Nama]

"YES!" She practically shouted it across the bar, not caring who heard. And it seems like everybody heard and nobody was happy with the interruption.

"You get it! If you don't enjoy what you do, you'll be miserable!" It was really refreshing to meet someone in a bar in the middle of nowhere who seemed to understand her love of wanton violence and intimidation. That definitely earned another drink, and in fact Vri had so many drinks at this point she wasn't even sure about the question-answer order anymore.

"School guidance councilor." She joked without missing a beat. "He said I could have a real bright future in beating kark-kickers senseless, so how could I say no?"

She burst into laughter, not especially quiet or feminine laughter either, but a deep and genuine cackle full of snorts and counter-banging. Now she was really starting to draw some ire from the other club goers.

@Alejandrø77

 

[Rakiss Vano]

Hearing the reaction after so much booze made the mandalorian start to chuckle.... seeing the reaction from the club around them he didn’t care the slightest. After his laughing fit with Vri he smiled slightly and looked around, the liquor had hold of him by this point and he didn’t really understand it. Looking back at Vri he told her “Hehe looks like we got ourselves an audience watching. As I see it we have two choices, we can either sit here and keep drinking, and say screw these guys, and I may just scare them a little..... or we can say screw these guys and take these bottles and go see what trouble we can stir up.” He then gave a devilish grin glancing at the crowd that noticed the temptation in his eyes to challenge any of them who didn’t mind their business. The young mandalorian had drank enough to lossen himself up fully, now he was a new person just itching for anything to set something off of any kind he didn’t care. The music stuck in his head and a dangerous man out of his sober thinking. Now smirking and looking at Vri, a taste of trouble in his eyes waiting to see what she wanted to do either way he was down for anything at this point not giving the slightest thought past what he wanted to do to have fun in this moment.

 

[Vri Nama]

Even in her currently, buzzed state, Vri could read the room and knew that the locals might not appreciate another outburst. Especially since the next outburst might be a little more volatile than the last, as she tended to get punchy after a few bottles, or at least more punchy than usual. Figuring that someone was going to get hurt either way, it was probably better to head out while she was sober enough to evade local authorities. Plus, taking a Mandalorian on a run was always two barrels of fun and Vri figured this wasn't going to be the exception.

"I say we make a break for it." Taking a second to make sure the bartender wasn't looking right at her, Vri reached around the bar and grabbed three random bottles of alcohol before racing to the door.

"Hey!" It didn't take the bartender long to notice the theft, but by that time Vri had already muscled her way across the dancefloor and toward the nearest exit, trailing laughter with Rakiss hopefully close behind.

@Alejandrø77