Open Tatooine The Banthas Poodoo

[Cornelius]

Wumph!

Cornelius landed face-first into the sandy road outside Bar Bar Drinks. A Cantina of reasonably good repute (for Tatooine anyway), he had been working there for several days - before a patron of the Cantina had taken offence to a limerick he had told to them. He stood up, dusting himself off as a rush of sand fell from his cape. Collecting his seven-string hallikset, Cornelius looked around for a new place to ply his trade.

"Nor'baal, the Hutt, thought he was sly,," he muttered to himself as he sauntered down the road, his red cape fluttering gently behind him. "In his palace, with credits piled high." he the musisicuan continued, whilstling to himself. He cut quite the figure on the distant desert planet, a bright blue tunic cut from fine Nabooian silk, a bantha-hide belt and shoes enabling him to strut with confidence as he clocked The Banthas Poodoo, another Cantina.

"But his head was so dense," he chuckled to himself as the bored looking bouncer clocked he had no weapons and waved him in Like a Gamorrean's sense," Cornelius bowed to the guard and made his way up to the bar "A Hutt whose smarts were bone-dry!" the muscician concluded his limerick just as he arrived at the bar.

How anyone would have taken insult from such a ditty was beyond him.

Leaning against the bar, he waved over the server who hastened over quickly - it was a slow day in the Cantina clearly. "Looks a bit dead in here?" he started, as the barman nodded dispondently in agreement. Cornelius smirked, smelling the whiff of opportunity...

OOC - Open to all.

 

[Talon Caillte]

Tatooine was Talon’s newest favorite place in the galaxy, declared his inebriated mind to the only person that mattered to him ever, himself.

“Well thought, you old goat,” mused Talon as he sipped his ale. There was a mild slur to his voice, but to his untrained ears it just made him sound more like the locals. He’d been drinking since he’d landed on the planet. Coronet City had strict rules and regulations surrounding alcohol and public intoxication, Tatooine on the other hand… well, as long as you weren’t bothering other people everyone else just kinda minded their own business. The level of professional discretion was perfect for his up and coming criminal career as the best theif in the galaxy. Now, he just needed a client.

About that time the door to the establishment hissed open draping a dramatic looking gentleman in a silhouette as he entered the bar. Talon sniffed. There was an unpleasant smell that reminded him of those big herd animals that were so popular on this planet, what were the called again? Bampa’s? Yeah, that sounded right.

Having grown up in the sewers of Coronet City, Talon, learned not to judge a being by their scent, and since that guy was the newest to enter the young man figured he might as well go see if he could make a friend. Sidling up to the bar on legs that felt like they belong to someone else Talon said, “Mafternoon *Hic*, nnnamsh, Tralon. BERST FIFE in the Boonaverse! At your shervace!” He said with a wobbly flourish of a bow.

@Nor'baal

 

[Cornelius]

As the strange man sidled his way over, Cornelius found himself trying to discern which specific regional dialect he was trying to converse in. It could have been a localised form of basic, he wondered - able to understand what the man was saying, just about.

"The fife?" he asked. If what the man said was true, then this was a match made in the heavens - for the fife was a noble instrument indeed. If this stranger was the 'best' (on the planet perhaps) then Cornelius would stand to gain much from working with him.

"A noble instrument!" he exclaimed, pleased to have made acquaintance with another of his craft. "Cornelius Vaspar Waxdrilliangorbameth, the Second, at your service sir." he extended his hand in greeting, and ordered another drink of the man.

Studying him more closely, Cornelius detected a distinct musk from the man. Alchohol? No, not a man of his obvious character at this time of day. It must be some form of local cologne. "Tell me, where did you school?" he asked, seeking to know more of this mans obvious education standing.

 

[Talon Caillte]

"THE FIFE!" Talon jubilantly replied when asked. The guy then called him a "Noble instrument," which delighted the drunk street rat more than he'd ever admit to his sober half. There was something about the association to nobility that had always felt right in his mind. Afterall, who was he to say he wasn't some long lost prince from some forgotten planet? It was totally plausible, nay, it was totally probable. He was starting to wonder why he'd never thought of it before when his new friend decided to share his name, and what a name it was.

Talon tried multiple times to repeat what he'd been told, but got tongue tangled half way through each time until he took a sip to clear his throat and confidently said, "Cornelly Vespys Wax squared," he offered a handshake at the Cornelly on the left, he wasn't entirely sure when his friend had multiplied, but that was alright the more the merrier.

"School? Bahhhhh, shit on school, school is for fools, please you must know this!" Talon exclaimed with a fiery passion. "I'm a student of the galaxy, a wayfaring learner apt to know as much as he can, everywhere I look I see an opportunity to learn, to grow!" To the bartender, Talon said while gesturing to Conelly, "You believe this guy?"

The Barkeep grunted, "Nope." Then returned to polishing glasses.

"Enough about me, what about you dear, Cornelly? Please, regale me with your story!" Talon wasn't sure where the super flowery language was coming from, but he was kinda into it. Maybe he really was a prince?

@Nor'baal

 

[Cornelius]

He was a curious man, this Piccolo Prodigy, Cornelius realised. A real local character, that much was certain. "Cornelly Vespys Wax squared, you say?" he laughed heartily, waving his hand in the air like Talon was, to replicate this refined form of local greeting. "Close enough, my friend! Close enough! You've captured the essence of it splendidly."

The street rat's passionate dismissal of formal education earned an enthusiastic agreement from Cornelius. "Ah, you've got the spirit, my dear fellow! Who needs the confines of a classroom when the galaxy itself is the greatest teacher?" He raised his glass in a toast, earning a skeptical grunt from the unimpressed bartender.

As Talon urged Cornelius to share his story, the flamboyant bard leaned back with a theatrical flourish. "Oh, my tale is a tapestry woven with threads of glamour, music, and," he leaned forward, and whispered huskily "- lovers!" He glanced around, ensuring his audience was captivated. "Born into opulence on the vibrant world of Naboo, I chose the path of a troubadour over the mundane life of finance and privilege. A celebrity, they called me!" he lied with fluency.

He took a dramatic pause, leaning closer to Talon. "But I am more than a name on a canceled holo-show. I am Cornelius Vaspar Waxdrilliangorbameth the Second, a lover of life, seeker of adventure, and a connoisseur of all things exotic!"

As the narrative unfolded, Cornelius couldn't help but wonder if there was a kernel of truth in Talon's playful suggestion of nobility. The whimsical idea lingered in his mind as the cantina atmosphere swirled with music, laughter, and the promise of unconventional friendships.

 

[Talon Caillte]

Talon’s vision swam as if it were as pickled as he was, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying Cornelly’s appraisal. So when the other man proposed a toast, Talon couldn't think of anything he wanted to do more in his entire life. So as his new bestest friend in the whole galaxy finished he shouted, “Huuuuuzahhhh, Never in the galaxy has there been a more eloquent individual!” Talon wasn’t exactly sure why he’d adopted Cornelly’s style of speech, but it felt right in his current state of inebriation.

As the other man regaled him with the story of his life, Talon listened with rapt attention. “Ooooo, spicy!” he responded to Cornelly’s Lovers comment. All the best stories had those things in it. Talon’s eyes widened, he could have sworn he’d seen Cornelly somewhere before, but now knowing he was a celebrity, it all made sense. He had to have seen the guy on the holo.

Huh, Talon, a lowly orphan from the sewers of Coronet City was best friends with a Celebrity. Suck it mom and dad. Then revelation hit Talon in the face like a sloppy wet towel. In response to Cornelly’s story Talon slurred, “Dude, me too, like all of that minus the holonet show, congrats by the way that was probably really cool,” of course, none of it had been even kinda close to Talon’s actual life.

In truth, he was little more than a runaway kid, but that kind of honesty mixed with his current level of drunk manifested a sort of “Yes and'' energy he couldn’t regulate.

“Where’s the next adventure taking you Cornelly? Can I come?” On the scale of terrible ideas, meeting someone on Tatooine and joining their crew was pretty high on the list, but it wasn’t like he was really thinking right now, besides— he took another drink— what’s the worst that could happen. Then he felt a rough shove from behind and the beer he’d been holding spilled all down his front.

“Oy!” he brayed, spinning around in a sudden fury, “You wot mate?!” he barked standing to look the asshole who’d just bumped him in the eye. Unfortunately as he stood… he only came up to the beings chest. It was a furry one. Very furry, and from just above the crown of his head he heard the throaty warble of a pissed off Wookie.

Talon’s father always used to tell him it was better to do something you were afraid of than live with the fear of it. In that very moment, he realized his dad was a fucking moron.

“My mistake Mr. Shag, I’m assuming your name is Shag because that carpet you’re covered in is THICK!” he tried, but as it turned out the Wookie wasn’t into perfectly crafted jokes at their expense. The beastman’s meaty hands clasped Talon by both shoulders and with an ease that was equally terrifying as the beings stature, he lifted Talon up off the ground and flung him to the side.

His bellow of, “Cornelly!” acted as the blaster shot at a track and field meet. As soon as his body collided with a Rodian, who he prayed to all the gods alive wasn’t Peef, the inevitable Tatooine bar brawl began.

@Nor'baal

 

[Cornelius]

Amidst the chaos of the cantina, Cornelius couldn't help but revel in Talon's spirited response to his toast and storytelling. "Huzzah indeed, my friend! Your enthusiasm is music to my ears," he declared with theatrical flair, raising his glass once more to acknowledge the camaraderie.

As Talon shared his own embellished tale of a life paralleling Cornelius's, the flamboyant bard found himself in stitches. "A kindred spirit, my dear Talon! Perhaps our destinies were entwined by the cosmic weaver herself!" Cornelius proclaimed, utterly unfazed by the creative liberties taken in their newfound connection.

Talon's proposal to join Cornelius on his next adventure was met with an exuberant grin. "Why, my dear friend, the adventure is always where I find myself! And yes, you're most welcome to join my escapades!"

Before the conversation could further unfold, the rowdy interruption came in the form of a furry behemoth – a Wookie. Talon's brash attempt at humour, unfortunately, failed to diffuse the tension, and chaos erupted. Cornelius, caught off guard by the sudden bar brawl, instinctively ducked and weaved through the tumult, narrowly avoiding an airborne chair.

"Talon! My fearless companion!" Cornelius called out, spotting his newfound friend amidst the pandemonium. Without a second thought, he darted towards the fray, his hallikset slung over his shoulder as if it were a weapon of choice.

As the scuffle escalated, the cantina transformed into a battlefield of flying fists, broken chairs, and indignant alien roars. Yet, in the midst of the mayhem, Cornelius couldn't help but revel in the absurdity of the situation, his laughter blending seamlessly with the cacophony of the Tatooine bar brawl.

 

[Talon Caillte]

Talon was flying, which was concerning because he couldn’t normally fly, fear pierced the veil of drunkenness just before collision, as the greatest “Fife” player in the universe smashed into a pug nosed human.

As if his body was the blaster bolt fired to start the party, the bar exploded into chaos. Fists flew, bottles broke, and as if on queue, the music picked up! From the floor, Talon popped up to his feet in a full shimmy as he navigated his way toward an exit, any exit, then he heard his name and Cornelly came crashing back into his mind. He watched in awe as the celebrity lunged into the frey. Galvanized by his new found friend’s display of manliness, Talon stopped his shimmy and started throwing hands.

Context was key when communicating and knowing how to deliver a deliberate and clear statement was absolutely crucial in high stress situations. Talon had been drinking since the dawn of the first sun. Talon could not do anything he knew he needed to do.

“CORENELLY!” Thunk! “I’M” Thunk! “COMMING!” Thunk!

Surprisingly concise and dramatically punctuated with a connecting punch in between each word. The two kindred spirits had been separated by a mass of entangled angry bodies, but Talon wouldn’t let his new best friends valorous display die in vein. A scarred faced Duro got body slammed by a monstrous Rodian, which gave Talon pause.

Never in his life had he seen a being more ripped. This fucking thing had muscles popping out in places that made Talon question his understanding of Rodian anatomy. He made a mental note to look up common signs of steroid use, then promptly forgot because he was practically black out drunk at this point.

The next thing Talon knew he was bent over outside in the blazing sun. He spit and the acrid taste of vomit nearly caused him too… well, vomit. Tears streaked down his face and snot ran down his chin. He was a fucking mess. He swiped across his face with his sleeve and sniffed before trying to stand.

“What in the fuck happened?” he groaned.

Nor'baal

 

[Cornelius]

Amidst the chaotic brawl, Cornelius, having momentarily abandoned his hallikset for a more hands-on approach, observed Talon's wild movements with a mixture of amusement and concern. The collision with the pug-nosed human seemed like a scene straight out of an absurd holodrama, and Cornelius couldn't help but appreciate the unpredictable charm of the unfolding spectacle.

As Talon popped up from the floor with an unexpected shimmy, Cornelius couldn't suppress a chuckle, even as the brawl intensified around them. The celebrity bard, however, was swiftly drawn back into the fray by Talon's boisterous call.

"Cornelly!" Thunk! "I'm!" Thunk! "Coming!" Thunk!

The rhythm of Talon's words, punctuated by connecting punches, echoed the chaotic cadence of the cantina brawl. Inspired by his newfound friend's enthusiasm, Cornelius waded back into the midst of the melee, arms flailing in a combination of self-defense and an attempt to maintain some semblance of rhythm.

The frenetic energy of the bar brawl reached its peak, and Talon, in the midst of the madness, found himself bent over outside in the blazing sun, a stark contrast to the dimly lit cantina. As he groaned and questioned the events that transpired, Cornelius stumbled out of the cantina, catching his breath.

"My dear Talon! A whirlwind of revelry and fisticuffs, that's what happened!" Cornelius declared with a theatrical sweep of his hand, still caught in the infectious spirit of the moment. "A tale to be told, my friend, for the ages! Now, onwards to the next chapter of our extraordinary adventure!"

With that, Cornelius extended a hand to help Talon up, a grin on his face that hinted at the prospect of more unforeseen escapades on the horizon.

 

[Talon Caillte]

Through a gurgle of vomit, Talon chuckled. It might have been the first real chuckle he’d had in his whole life. This moment had been surreal on an existential level. He had no doubt that the majority of events that had taken place on this afternoon under the twin suns would mark a monumental moment in his life as the, soon to be, greatest thief in the galaxy. He also knew, deep in the back of his mind, that there was no way in hell he’d remember any of it.

Talon whipped his mouth and took Cornelly’s hand. At least when he woke up out of this drunken stupor he’d be among friends. At least he hoped.

The drunkard shaded his eyes and looked out of the dank alley and out into the horizon of the desert planet. The twin suns were closing in the completion of their race across the sky. The clouds were a conflagration of golden hues. Talon took a deep breath… it smelled of stale beer and vomit, but that wasn’t the point! This was the beginning of something new, something grand!

“Lead on Cornelly, lead on!” he said following the troubadour out of the alley and on to the next adventure.

@Nor'baal