Making Trouble

[Phoenix]

The armpit of the galaxy. That's what Nar Shaddaa was in so many ways. Dak hated this planet for a lot of personal reasons, and yet he found himself here again. The fact that everything was already going to pieces was all the lovelier. He and Talia had been tracking a prize through the undercity who had a pretty price on his head. It was only a short while later that they had found out that not everything was as it appeared.

Whether the two of them had been jumped for their armor, because of who they were tracking, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, was still a mystery, but what was clear was that there was more than one person down here wanting them dead.

Dak was crouched - pistol in hand - behind what was formerly a street vendor's booth. Now, it was riddled with gunfire and the front had been halfway blown off. His rifle was left behind on the Revenge - something he now regretted but hadn't anticipated a full gunfight in the streets - but he had extra ammunition for his pistols, so there was that plus.

He moved up, firing his pistol in the direction of gunfire (though not hitting anything) and crouched back down. On three I'll give cover, you move to the flank and see if you can catch these kriffers with their pants down, he growled, annoyed at being caught in such a situation at all. One... two... three... he said, moving up once more and unleashing a pair of shots at one of the men hiding behind a speeder fifteen meters away.

 

[Sreeya]

"How the kriff did this happen?" Talia sighed under her breath. Having done operations like these many times prior, she didn't think anything could surprise her anymore. However, once in a while she found herself up shit creek without a paddle and this was proving to be one of those. She ducked as a bolt whizzed by where her head had been seconds prior, "Damn it!" She was crouched near Dak, daring to peer over the side to see if she could spot anyone. She knew where the shots were coming from, but she couldn't place how many there were.

As Dak mentioned he'd cover her, she nodded, slowly creeping around the booth. As soon as he counted to three, Talia bolted to the side, pausing momentarily behind a speeder as more shots rang out. One of the men had come out to aim and Dak's cover picked him off. Talia used this as an opportunity to advance some more, drawing up her rifle. The men turned their focus back on Dak, peppering him with shots as soon as they lost one of their own. The former bounty hunter took this opportunity to lob a primed grenade towards where the shots were coming from. The attempt proved to be useful, the small explosion resulting in pained cries. For now, the shots stopped coming, giving Talia a clear shot at the alley that connected towards where they needed to go. She quickly commed Dak, "Coast is clear!"

With that, she darted down the alley, coming to a pause at the bar district. Neon signs flashed everywhere and scantily clad men and women littered the street. This was the underbelly of the underbelly, her datapad placing their target in one of the establishments on this strip. Talia glanced back towards where Dak would emerge. Though the planet was full of criminals, a grenade was enough to draw anyone's attention, and the quicker they placed more distance between them and the incident the better.

 

[Phoenix]

Dak popped up to fire again, sending bolts before retreating and slapping a fresh powerpack in once more. The streets shook and the deafening sound of a grenade filled the air. Screams filled the air and Dak popped up once more to see that it was finished off. His eyes scanned behind the sights of his pistol but found no more targets.

We should get moving, he said, practically reading her mind. They'd been through this drill plenty of times before. He slid his pistol away as he began to walk away. So, do you think there's ever going to be a moment when we actually succeed at sneaking into a place? he groaned, thinking of all the times they had tried and failed to sneak into a place only to end up having a gunfight within minutes of arrival. More of the same, I guess? he said, and she would probably hear that smug smile behind his helmet.

Anyway, any clue where we're going to find this scumbag? he asked, more rhetorical than anything as he looked at his own datapad. Gotta love the neon district, yeah? he said as a rather attractive woman walked down the street with very little on by way of clothes. Hmm, six down on the left, he said as he nodded down the strip.

Everyone seemed to be giving them a wide-berth, probably because of the armor, though Dak still planned to have a good time later. We're getting drinks after this, he said matter-of-factly.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia didn't need to be told twice and began to shuffle away from the alley. As he muttered about sneaking, Talia scoffed, "I think that's a pipe dream at this point. Better question is why we keep bothering to try. We should just go in with guns blazing," Talia kept her eyes trained ahead, more than happy that people were staying out of their way. She had made a point of staying out of the media as much as possible, and she was finally given space when she traveled without anyone recognizing her right away. As he asked where their target was, she shrugged, "Probably has his face buried between the tits of some twi'lek somewhere."

She kept walking, momentarily following Dak's gaze to see him oggling a woman walking by. The sight brought a scoff from her, "You ought to be buying her a drink," She jutted her chin towards the woman before returning back to the task at hand. Talia came to a pause at the lounge in question, presenting a fake ID to get in. No longer famous or not, it was always better not to go by her real name. She got in easily enough, the lounge appearing to be a classier establishment than what she'd expect along this strip. The patrons were scantily clad still, but ornately dressed. The dancers on stage had elaborate costumes and feathers adorning them, moving lewdly to the music.

Talia ignored all of it, looking around to spot the VIP areas, "Our guy is the showboating type. He'll most likely be sitting somewhere surrounded by women and acting richer than he is."

 

[Phoenix]

Dak had a half-smile behind his mask still as Talia grumbled about the woman he was eyeing but he didn't say anything. He'd never known Talia to turn down a drink or a smoke before. Now she might dump you immediately afterward but she'd take the drink at least.

He kept moving down until they found the location they were looking for. Or at least if the tracker was to be believed. They slipped inside, and Dak didn't have to worry about having fake IDs, he didn't have nearly the fame that his drinking buddy did. The fact that she always seemed to hate her fame and just want to be left alone struck him as funny. People had killed for that name recognition and power and here she was trying to get away from it all.

He did feel like he was a bit underdressed though as he made it inside, but that was business sometimes. To say that this place was "fancy" might have been an overstatement, though. Of course he is. I'll be sure to get him a lot of attention when we drag him out of here bloody and screaming.

He wandered through the crowds of people as nonchalantly as possible, short enough that people didn't really see him until he was right next to him. The combing took longer than expected but before long, he caught site of a man - dark skin, dark suit, and slim look - surrounded by no less than three gorgeous women. He looked over his shoulder, nudging Talia with a shoulder and nodding slightly toward their man. I think that's our gentleman, yes? Care to do the honors?

 

[Sreeya]

Talia whistled as she spotted him, "He's quite the looker," She admitted out loud. It wasn't often that her marks were attractive. Usually they were fat, disgustingly looking sleazeballs that came across large sums of money. This one was entirely comfortable where he was and he genuinely had the interest of the women around him. Talia grinned as he asked if she wanted to do the honors, "You know it," With that, she took her helmet off for the first time that evening, her much longer blond hair now falling to her shoulders, piercing blue eyes gazing ahead at her target, "He has guards on him. I'll try to lure him away."

With that, she sauntered right up to the table, immediately getting glares from the other women there. With her long hair, she looked entirely different from the bounty hunter with short, black cropped hair. Talia grinned down at the man, "Got room for a Mandalorian here?" The man was gazing at her in awe, looking at her armor and the pretty face beneath it, "Sure baby have a seat," He unceremoniously shoved one of the women aside to make room. Talia didn't think twice before sitting down, immediately playing the part. She had put years into schmoozing and being a socialite to where she could talk her way into anyone's pants if she needed to.

After only about twenty minutes or so, the man was attempting to wave his guards away, arm snaked around Talia's waist as he began to walk back towards the private quarters. Talia only glanced back at Dak to make eye contact enough to suggest that he take care of anyone following. In order to pull this off discreetly, he needed to take care of the guards and allow her to quietly kill the target.

 

[Phoenix]

Maybe you should be buying him a drink, he said in a mimicking voice, stifling a laugh at his slight mockery as she mentioned how good looking the man was. In no time, she was off to the races, eyeing her and her long her as she did her work. Problem was, he couldn't stare too hard or people might get suspicious and he couldn't just start talking to people either, because who wants to do that?

Instead, he caved and popped out his cigar, lighting up and making the most of the downtime, leaning back in a chair, popping his feet up and watching the evening's entertainment at such an angle that he could also watch Talia. Another fifteen minutes and she was moving, so Dak was too. He snuffed the cigar and popped his helmet in place, in awe of her ability to work so easily. But then, that was what she did: get people to do what she wanted.

Two of the guards took up positions outside the private quarters and Dak realized there was going to be some way he needed to get them away. He bit his lip a moment, watching the two men stand there idly before getting an idea. A few credits and one of the patrons spilled her drink on one of the men. He disappeared to the bathroom, Dak right behind him and never came out.

The other, Dak handled a bit more aggressively, pushing him into one of the curtained rooms for "private viewings" before plunging a blade under his chin. A napkin wiped most of the blood off his armor and blades and he took a position just outside the door, waiting for Talia to finish their business.

 

[Sreeya]

Meanwhile, Talia glanced all around the private room to see if they were being recorded. From the looks of it, he preferred to keep things private. He began to run his hands along her sides, all too eager to get down to business. The lack of anyone bursting in through the door suggested that Dak was taking care of the guards. Talia offered a sweet smile before bringing up her gauntleted arm, a thin blade protruding to cut right into his throat. He sputtered and bled for a moment dropping dead. Talia watched him curiously, sending the information back to the bounty board. However, she had the nagging feeling that this had been far too easy...

Meanwhile, one of the women that had been sitting on his lap from before abruptly came up behind Dak with a group of burly men with her, "Him! He walked in with the woman!" It was the woman that was shoved aside by the target before. The men immediately began to move towards Dak to nab him. Talia was done with her part of the job and she opened the door to walk out. She walked down the corridor to come face to face with the situation, "Dammit Dak," As per usual, discretion was out the window already. Talia quickly drew a blaster, ducking as one of the men shot at her. The sound of blasterfire spooked the patrons, screaming and shouts erupting.

People began running in all directions, Talia quickly rushing towards the crowd to blend in. The dancers stopped moving and were screaming their heads off. One of them took off her heavy platform heels and chucked it directly at one of the men's heads, thinking him to be some sort of attacker. The entire lounge turned to chaos and other criminals began to shoot their blasters as well. Within seconds it became an every man for himself situation where muggings and assaults took place.

 

[Phoenix]

This was going so well. They were actually being stealthy and sneaking around. Was this going to be a successful.... nope. He hadn't even DONE anything? He was just standing there!? How had he... oh never mind, he'd probably jinxed it. Too good to be true. He turned toward the men, one hand raised and the other blocked by his turning body, which immediately produced a trishot that emptied into the two nearest men.

He jumped back, diving behind a small divider between tables as more gunfire erupted. He slapped in a fresh powerpack, spotting Talia firing as well. Everything had turned into complete chaos with most people not even knowing who they were shooting at. He moved toward Talia, standing just as someone decided to punch him in the face. Ironically, while it didn't feel good for the Mandalorian, it likely broke the other man's hand. Idiot, he thought as he returned the favor and punched him with a phrik-reinforced glove... in the stones. That sent him to the ground.

Come on! he shouted, grabbing a piece of her shoulder armor for only a moment and pulling toward one of the back exits he'd seen. He burst out into the night air once more, sounds of gunfire following him and now there were screaming patrons in the streets. People were looking their way even now and he looked around for an easy route out. We need to get out of this area, now!

 

[Sreeya]

Talia was in a bad mood. When Talia was in a bad mood, people died. The commotion hadn't bothered her, but as a bottle sailed across the air and conked her aside the head (mercifully helmet was back on), she was beyond enraged. She sprayed blasterfire in the direction of the bottle, not caring if she was killing civilians or armored soldiers. As one of the guards attempted to grab her by the arm, she quickly reached down and ignited one of the sabers on her hip, swinging it in an arc to cut right through the man's arm. The man screamed out in pain, Talia turning right as Dak reached for her to nudge her out.

It was a tremendous amount of effort to power through the crowds without being trampled or shot. Patrons were running everywhere, performers screaming and tripping over one another to escape. The exits were clogged and she followed Dak towards the back exit as most people funneled to the front. Talia ran at a table, jumping up and leaping clear off to scale over the heads of a large swath of people. She landed in a crouch, slamming her way through the door and skidding outside. Their escape caught the attention of a large amount of people also scrambling to get out, and even people on the outside were looking at them.

Talia quickly nodded at Dak, making a beeline for a side alley. The alley was dark and had a few people very heavily on drugs. They barely looked at them as they passed, entirely too deep into their hallucinogenic state. Talia spotted a large dumpster and moved to couch behind it, "Let's wait here for a moment. We need to let the commotion die down," Right as she got done speaking, a homeless man walked by near them and squatted down to poop, "Oh for kriff's sake!"

 

[Phoenix]

Dak followed quickly behind Talia, ducking into the alleyway and behind the dumpster. He could hear shouting on the streets outside that was a combination of panicked civilians and a few guards shouting about where the Mandalorians had gone. He figured it was only a matter of time until someone ratted them out.

He turned at Talia's exclamation just in time to see the man pop a squat, his face twisting into a grimace. Hey, take it somewhere else buddy, he said, sticking the barrel of his pistol in the man's face. Ah, no ovicer, I'm perfectly *hiccup* sober, yoou c'n breathilize meh, he said, and promptly wrapped his mouth around the end of the pistol and began to blow into it....

Dak would have been lying if he'd said that he didn't have the temptation to just pull the trigger, but instead he shoved the pistol forward, ramming it into the man's throat and causing him to fall back, gagging, leaving a long string of saliva on the end of his gun. Ewww... he said, trying to wipe it off on a piece of discarded newspaper.

Meanwhile, the shouting continued but the adventures of the alleyway weren't finished. Another woman with a toothless grin and sagging skin wandered up to Talia. Hi there, sweetie, could you spare a few credits for an old mother? I need to feed my kids tonight. Never mind the fact that Dak was pretty sure she was well beyond child-bearing years and smelled of all sorts of drugs and alcohol. He highly doubted this would be going toward any kids.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia watched the exchange take place with morbid curiosity. She was about to tell Dak not to bother as it would only escalate, and it did. The man put his nasty mouth right on the gun, copious amount of spit that carried who knew what diseases slobbering all over it. Talia had to bite back from gagging as the man toppled back from Dak's gesture, landing in a small pile of his own poo, "Okay we need to lea-"

That was when the old lady came up to ask about money. Talia attempted to wave the woman off, but she got more and more angry. In the end, she grabbed an old grocery bag full of goodies from dumpster diving and attempted to hit Talia with it, "Oh HELL no am I dealing with this!" Talia caught the incoming bag and yanked the old lady down physically via bag. She then grabbed the slobbery gun from Dak and clobbered the lady over the head with it, covering her mouth as she attempted to shriek. The woman sunk to the ground, out cold, while the pooping man was now scrambling to get away, pants still around his ankles. If Dak didn't move quick enough, he would also be covered in...yeah.

"Kriffing unbelievable," She shoved the gun back at Dak, springing to her feet and stepping out from behind the dumpster right as a bunch of guards began to move across the alley. Talia froze where she was, observing quietly as a few of them stepped in and began to question the drugged up dwellers up front. She slowly motioned for Dak to start following as she stepped back.

"HERE! OSSIFERS! THEY HERE! ARMOR MEAN PEOPLE!" The pooping man would be their undoing.

 

[Phoenix]

Dak tried to stifle his laugh as the old woman began hitting Talia with her bag of crap, though the smile faded a moment later as he watched in horror as Talia clubbed the woman. Not because he was horrified that the woman was being clubbed but because his pistol was touching her... the poor pistol had suffered enough. Dak narrowly dodged some poop from the squatter (that pun though) before Talia was handing his pistol back. Dak took it back, looking down at it with a scowl and disgusted grimace.

Uh... yeah, he said, refusing to actually holster his pistol and infect the holster further. I need a disinfectant... Meanwhile, down the alley, Dak heard some slurred speech from the squatter that was clearly giving away their position. Kriff... Feet shuffled down the alley and it was clear they needed to move again. Dak was already backpedaling.

The alley led to another street, this one bustling and busy with speeders. He hurried quickly down the street, spotting some disinfectant wipes at a street vendor. Yes, it was necessary to take the time for this. He grabbed them as he walked by, dropping all but one on the ground and wiping down the end of his gun, letting out a satisfied sigh. Much better, he muttered.

They needed a better way to blend in, as most people here weren't wearing armor. They didn't stand out like a sore thumb, but they wouldn't be too hard to track. See, you vetoed the ponchos, NOW look where we are. We could have had ponchos and been incognito! he grumbled, knowing she wouldn't be having any of the poncho idea, though he was correct.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia skidded to a halt as he abruptly stopped at a street vendor, "Are you kidding me?! We're kind of in a hurry here!" Her exasperation was wholly ignored as he grabbed some wipes and began to shuffle along while cleaning his gun. In a way she couldn't blame him. If she didn't know how much he cherished his guns, she would have asked him to simply discard it. As they came out into the new street, she saw all the speeders and people around them. If it were less crowded, she could have stolen one of the speeders, but it was entirely too busy. Quick glances around told her they were safe for now.

For the time being, she took her helmet off again, trying to blend in as much as possible. As Dak mentioned the ponchos, Talia couldn't help but laugh, "For once, I think you might actually be right about the ponchos. It would've worked as an effective poop shield," She had to laugh as she recalled the bizarre incident. Talia glanced around till she spotted another club nearby that was jam packed with patrons, "Come on, let's go where the crowds are," She didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to start a scene at a packed club again. The last incident had been disastrous. Their ship was still quite far away and they would have to double back from where they were. As a result, they needed to lay low for a while before they could make their way back.

The bass thumped had enough to make her insides vibrate as she stepped into the club. There was a hazy fog inside, the lighting low with a lot of blues and purples. It was the perfect place to hide out as no one could make anyone out. Talia had to elbow past dancing and writhing bodies, some of them attempting to grab at both her and Dak. She resisted the urge to start violence, making her way over to the bar. She turned over to Dak and yelled so he could hear, grinning, "Well, you said you wanted to get drinks!"

 

[Phoenix]

He had no shame about his pistol and happily slipped it back into its holster. He wanted his pistol clean, not covered in gunk. Dak had such a moment of satisfaction when she said that ponchos would have been helpful. It felt like the sweet taste of victory. Ha! See, ponchos are for winners, he said, smiling and chuckling as he slipped his helmet off, clipping it to his belt.

Oh yes, let's go where the crowds are... he said with all the excitement of a man being dragged to hobby lobby by his wife. Even so, he knew she was right and followed quickly after, a grimace on his face as he watched her disappear into a club. He grimaced before pushing in behind her, feeling himself groped as he moved through, trying to push past the people that were rubbing themselves all over him as they gyrated to the music.

The music was all but deafening in here but he finally made it to the bar next to Talia. I think I'm going to need more than one for this place! he yelled over the music. Next to him, some weird looking half-bug woman was taking shots of something and he pointed to her while talking to the bartender. We'll have whatever that is! he shouted, quickly slamming it back when it came his way.

This wasn't what I had in mind when I said drinks! he yelled over the music, which dissipated right as he finished his sentence, leaving him screaming unnecessarily and eliciting an eye roll. Typical... he said as another shot slid across to them both. What'll we drink to? he asked, raising the shot. Drink to drinking? he asked with a chuckle, not suggesting they drink to their departed Mandalore.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia laughed as she saw the uncomfortable look on his face as he finally emerged to sit next to her. Within moments, the bartender set down two steely blue drinks in front of them. Talia threw the shot back and ordered two more, turning to Dak with a grin, "No? What did you have in mind then?" She clinked her glass against his, "Let's drink to still being alive! It's more than we can say for a lot of our comrades," Her expression faltered for just a moment as she thought about Ral. However, it passed as soon as it arrived, surprising even her.

As she took another shot, she felt it hit her at once, her head beginning to buzz, "Ahh I needed this," The music was beginning to flow and she began to tap her feet, getting into the groove of the ambiance. She glanced over at the dancers on stage, watching the way they moved to the music. Perfumed scents hit her nostrils and she couldn't deny she was in a happy place at that moment. Talia glanced back at Dak, "Been a rough couple weeks..." She couldn't help but have her mind wander to Ral. The death of the Mand'alor was still sudden and abrupt in the end. As Mandos, they always risked death, but experiencing it was still no less difficult. Dak knew about the 'relationship' she and Ral had, though she couldn't imagine his perspective on it. Most others thought them to be a long term couple, though her closer friends found the concept comical with Ral simply chasing.

"I think there will be civil war," Talia took yet another shot, slamming the glass down, "Probably some new shit that'll want to rule our people and the rest of us thinking he should kriff off. Can't wait..."

 

[Phoenix]

Dak was all too eager to slam back a few more rounds. The last thing he wanted was to sit around sober for the rest of the day. Somewhere quieter... more bar-ish, less club-ish! he shouted over the music. Oh well, alcohol was alcohol, right? A lopsided grin formed on his face at her drinking suggestion and he gave a nod. To being alive! And to being so this time next year!

He raised his drink and gave a more sober nod as she mentioned the last couples weeks. He'd been there, losing people he cared about, though it had been years now. He wasn't particularly mourning over this one. He and Ral had met more than a few times but never grown particularly close. If there was one thing he'd learned over the recent war it was that leaders came and went. I'd say "sorry for your loss" but I'm sure you're sick of hearing that. So instead, I'll buy you another round like a real friend, he said, signaling for two more and already feeling looser than normal, letting out a contented sigh.

You're probably right, he said as she mentioned civil war. That was just how it seemed to work with their people. They came together for a bit and then they ripped each other's guts out a few years later. Don't suppose you're going to throw your name into the ring again? Couldn't convince you, could I? he asked with a knowing grin. He would have supported her in a heartbeat but he highly doubted she wanted the spotlight again. Who do you think should take it? he asked, surprised at how political the conversation had turned. Dak never cared much for clan politics, it was part of why he enjoyed being a protector, but now with the clans no doubt preparing to split apart again, he may not have the luxury of neutrality.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia half smiled as he ordered a drink instead of having a pity party. In many ways, this was what she preferred, as she did poorly in the realm of feelings. As the two drinks slid up to them, she laughed, "That's what I'm talking about!" She threw back the shot, feeling the full effects of alcohol now. She had to keep laughing at his comment about throwing her name into the ring, "You know me well enough... do you think I ever wanted that shit? One moment I'm killing Prudii and the next I'm kriffing Mand'alor. The title they gave me was right - Reluctant!" She grimaced at the memories of being Mand'alor. For the life of her she couldn't fathom why anyone would willingly want it, "I figure I'd shank them if they're awful and support them if they're not."

She quirked an eyebrow at Dak, "Surprised you never wanted to go for it. Even someone like me ended up with the damn title," Talia's words were slightly slurred, and she couldn't deny she was getting a progressively better mood. She reached down and put a cigarra between her lips, lighting it at once. She finally gave up on ever kicking the habit at this point, "The ship keeps moving, man...no matter who's at the wheel."

 

[Phoenix]

He shook his head. Nope, never thought you'd want it, but hey, I think you did a moderately mediocre job, he said, with a smile that said he was just teasing her. He could understand not wanting the title, he'd never wanted it himself. Some people just weren't built for it, though there was no denying that where Talia went, others followed. That in and of itself was indicative enough that she was good for it.

Dak's eyebrow curled up and his lips twisted into an amused grin. Me as Mandalore? You kidding? I'd make a piss-poor Mandalore. Wouldn't know the first thing to do with it even if I weren't a nobody, he said, waving the comment off. That it does. Speaking of ships, think we should probably head back to mine? I've got plenty more alcohol and victory cigars, he said with a smile. Victory cigars had become a staple of their adventures and he was all too eager to gain more reason to kick back, drink, and smoke.

He flicked his head toward the exit, slapping down credits on the bar. She'd no doubt be able to figure out that this was at least in part because he didn't like the club environment, though the alcohol had already begun to turn the noisy, hot, and horrible environment into much less of a repulsive condition than he would have normally thought. Still, he'd rather be on his own.

They made it out to the street and the nightlife was already in full swing. Vendors lined the sidewalk and Dak paused to take a look at the various places, not in any particular hurry anymore. The back alleys were as filled with "squatters" as before, but he didn't have a lot of need or intention of traveling down those again yet. So, what are your plans now? he asked. You never really struck me as the "settle down" type.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia had to laugh, "Boy you really hate clubs, don't you?" She shook her head, quirking an eyebrow as he slapped down enough credits to cover them both, "You weren't kidding about buying," She muttered quietly, realizing that the bill was quite high. Nevertheless, she nodded at his suggestion, sliding off her seat and realizing she was way drunker than she originally believed, "Whoa..." She stumbled forth, grabbing his shoulder to stay on her feet, "Damn, clearly I need to get out more," She shook her head, slowly walking behind him as he led the way out of the club.

The streets were buzzing with activity, drunkards and party-goers at every turn. There was a variety of sights, sounds and smells all around them and vibrant life everywhere. Being drunk made it so the otherwise sleazy strip had a charm of its own. Talia tunelessly hummed to herself, laughing at the catcalls she got every now and then. Being tall for a woman, she stood out more than most, and being in armor on top of it got her extra attention. She was used to onlookers, and she didn't mind it so much. Talia was still nervous about their pursuers from earlier, and she wasn't stupid enough to be completely off alert. She knew she'd have a more difficult time reacting to sudden attacks and she was extra perceptive as a result.

Dak's question caught her off guard, her eyebrows raising, "Truth be told, I thought I was headed in that direction....but it felt kinda forced and not really me," She shrugged, "I haven't thought about it. I think I want to get away from Mando space for a while since it'll be a shitshow for the claim to the title. My cousin can do the Duke business and bring the clans together. I'll go chill out in some outer rim world. And you? You're not getting any younger."