Taanab: Pick up the Tab

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Sometimes Eddard got a chance to relax.

Oh not often - most of the time he was busy with one thing or another - but sometimes he had no work to do and his own ambitions could be put on the back burner for a time. This was one of those times. He had been assigned to Taanab, an agricultural planet, to put out feelers for any local rebel cells in the area, any signs of treason.

And there was honestly nothing.

Taanab was sleepy, boring and full of farmers. Sure, sometimes the farmers griped about things like taxes but that was just normal. People weren't unhappy when they were complaining - in his experience, if someone was vocally complaining about something then it tended to be nothing major at all.

But that same token however, it was when people didn't say anything about their situation at all when you had to worry - that, to him, meant that they were unhappy but they wanted to keep it quiet.

Wanted to be able to deny that they were unhappy in the first place.

But now wasn't the time for work - one of his fellow graduates was in the area, a woman he had gone to the academy with, and they had agreed to meet up for drinks. Drinks in this place were the best kind - numerous and cheap.

@christhebarker

 

[Zarya]

It had been some time since she had a break. since the onset of the Mandalorian rebellion and the civil war she has been stationed on Taanab waiting for further orders whether they be to attack or defend, so they were just doing drills, for the most part, ready themselves for what was to come next. she was surprised when an old classmate contacted her to say he was on Taanab and they should meet up for drinks. she agreed.

Taanab was one of many bread basket worlds that were still left in the true empire's hands, life there was quiet and simple, a stark contrast from Coruscant's politics and crowds. being honest to herself she prefered it at here but if she wanted to make real change in the empire she needed to play in the political games Coruscant but those thoughts were not needed tonight, she needed to enjoy tonight so pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind.

Zarya entered the bar, wearing her usual get up with her saberstaff clipped to her belt. She would be instantly recognisable to Eddard with her still bright Amaranth skin and purple hair. she drew more than a few eyes from the local patrons when entering, it didn't take long for her spot Eddard across the room in a booth. she smiled on seeing him, his face bring back some memories from their younger days.

"long time no see, pretty boy" she spoke jestfully as she approached him at his booth, 'pretty boy' was the nickname she gave during their time at the academy on Ossus because that's what he was a pretty boy and he knew it. "now, are you going to be a gentleman and buy a lady a drink?" she smirked as she sat across from him, leaning forward on her crossed arms looking into his eyes.

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

She stood out like a sore thumb.

She was dressed like a Sith, which he was as well, but it was harder to be discreet with a saberstaff like hers. Not only that but her skin colour was rather eye catching and obviously not pure human so would draw attention.

Most of these hicks had likely not seen any true aliens and she was as close as they were going to get. That, combined with the fact that she was obviously a Sith, meant everyone noticed her but no one was going to be approaching her any time soon.

Hopefully she didn't mind - Eddard preferred it as it discouraged people from talking to him.

That bloody nickname.

"Please don't call me that." He replied, a little bluntly before he softened slightly and nodded, waving the bartender over, "Probably best I had - I'm not sure these people would serve you otherwise."

The bartender glared at Zarya but accepted the order and returned with a large pitcher of the local beer. Eddard poured it out,

"So what are you doing on this back water Zarya?"

@christhebarker

 

[Zarya]

"why not? if anything it a compliment since you are handsome," she saw this face was less than amused "Fine, Eddard it is then." she sighed conceding this small thing to him for now.

his comment about not being served was likely true many didn't like aliens and even looking human wasn't enough in their eyes, the glare from the bartender pretty much confirmed. she had grown used to it since aligning with the IR and has learned ways to deal with it and she didn't want to do that in front of her classmate right now, so she would let it slide for now.

"military deployment" she put bluntly with no enthusiasm "The empire wants Taanab defended since it's at the border with the traitors and provides a large amount of food it's a prime target for attack or at least that's what they told me." she finished by taking a sip of beer he just poured and producing a small grimace from her.

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

He paused for a moment.

He had... well he might have been a little bit harsh. Looking at her, he turned away for a second before deciding that being a kark to her wasn't exactly going to be building any bridges. He rubbed at the stubble on his chin for a moment, sighing as he looked down at the table.

"Pretty is much worse than handsome." he told her before waving a hand, "If you want to call me something... I suppose you could call me Ned."

It was a nickname that he allowed some people to call him from time to time. Honestly, it made them feel closer to him and he didn't really care what people called him so long as it wasn't something he perceived to be an insult.

Like Pretty Boy.

Taking a sip of his beer, he joined her in grimacing a little bit. Seemed that the local stuff had a kind of bitter taste that he didn't very much like. Oh well. He took two cigara's out of a metal case, handing one to her before lighting them both with the Force. If she refused he'd keep it on the table for later. The bartender looked to be on the verge of saying something about his smoking but he just stared the man down until he went quiet.

"So you're bored." he noted idly before humming, "Don't suppose you would be willing to accept a temporary placement back in the core to assist me with a few missions would you? I'm asking reliable people."

Left unsaid was that it would get her away from this karkhole.

@christhebarker

 

[Zarya]

"No thank you, I don't smoke." she said waving him off with her hand, she sat back after the offer of the cigara, relaxing more.

she laughed slightly "that's one way to put." she was bored alright she wants to take fight the 'old' empire unify this empire before it's late but here she was on guard duty.

"a few missions? my-my colluding with an alien, what will the other bluebloods think." she said jokingly but it was a serious concern since it could tarnish his reputation in some circles, she didn't personally care what others thought of her but things were different for him. "but yes I would like nothing more" that last was more serious , she did want off this planet.

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

She didn't smoke?

Well he supposed it was good that one of them was looking after their health because he was well aware that he was probably smoking far too many of these damned things as it was. But he enjoyed them so he was unlikely to change his ways. Instead he took a pull of his own as he tucked the offered cigara away back in the case. Humming, he could see that she was, indeed, bored of what she was doing and probably not too interested in why her superiors wanted her doing it.

Doubtlessly some of them just wanted her doing things that were of no consequence because she was the xeno girl.

"They'll think I'm eyeing you up to be my mistress." he joked in utter deadpan, "It's not uncommon in the core as I'm sure you're aware and noble houses can afford it."

He paused for a beat before smirking faintly.

"A jape, naturally."

His eyes sharpened as she actually answered his question though. He nodded once.

"You'll be doing the Empire's work but I must warn you Zarya..." he blew some smoke out slowly, "It will not be pleasant but it is an ugliness that must be undertaken for the betterment of the Empire as a whole. Can you do that?"

@christhebarker

 

[Zarya]

so man still had a sense humor in him after all, all that poking he finally poked back. she was beginning to worry he was all business and no fun, she was glad this wasn't the case.

"who's to say I wouldn't accept, I'd think we make a hell of a power couple," she jested back in deadpan, winking at as well after his joke.

Ugliness. she faced the Ugliness of the empire every day for just being a zeltron, she faced it when she watched her adoptive mother die at hands of assassins in front of her and again when she watched home she grew up in burnt to the ground as her shuttle left for the academy. she had likely seen more ugliness than Eddard could imagine, so she could handle whatever was to come especially if it's for the betterment of the empire.

"yes"

she answered with a deep coldness he voice, her eyes staring directly into his not look away as she said it. A great seething anger lay under her voice, so much so she subconsciously began projected the emotion on to Eddard.

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Enjoying the smooth taste of his cigara and the not-so smooth taste of the local beer, he raised an eyebrow when she shot back with a quip about how they would be a power couple. Had it come from someone else he might have believed they were actually angling for it.

Not Zarya though.

"I didn't think I was your type." he deadpanned right back, blowing some smoke in her general direction with the faintest of smirks, "I'm a bit pale after all."

He was a bit pale to be honest but the pale eyes and yellow eyes was really rather expected of a Sith human. It was always in style in the Core these days too. He watched as she reacted to what he had said. He didn't know what part she had reacted to, but he didn't really need to.

Feeling her projected anger, his eyes flashed a brighter yellow in response.

"Good."

He stubbed his cigara out against the table.

"Grab your stuff - we're going into town."

/Exit
@christhebarker

 

[Zarya]

With the flash of Eddards eyes, she realised what she was doing, breaking eye contact she looked down before closing her eyes and calming herself down, she thought she had come to terms with what happened that night, but she guessed it was a wound that would never fully heal.

she opened her eyes, as she heard the hiss of the cigara being put out. she didn't bring much with her unless he meant her possessions back at barracks, that mostly just clothes and books. she could send for them later if they left the planet. so she stood up with him and followed him into.

/End Thread