A Zeltrochiss & a Zabrak Walk Into a Bar... (Zatten Black)

[Avery Rose Garter]

For a cantina, things were oddly quiet. Well, as quiet as they could be with the usual drunks wandering around and picking fights. But no one had been shot yet or maimed too badly, so nothing could really be counted against this being a decent night. Yet, anyway. These silent observations were made by the Zabrak woman who sat near the back of the bar, sipping her drink as she watched those patrons already inside while observing those who came through the door with a careful eye. Without the benefits of Force sensitivity to aid her, she had to go largely by first-impressions and past experience to judge the character of those who passed her by. And her reasoning hadn't failed her yet.
One hand flitted to her waist to brush against the grip of her blaster pistol, the feel reassuring. Nothing warranting the use of the weapon had occurred just yet, but as the night wore on many people became more rowdy. And, well, she'd seen enough of what could happen when it came to drunken violence. Almost subconsciously she reached up to lightly trace the burn scar on the right side of her face. It wasn't something she'd obtained in any sort of fight, true, but she wasn't keen on adding to it, or receiving another. The first experience had been more than enough for her, and she wasn't keen on reliving it.
With a quiet sigh Kadrak took another sip of her beverage, smirking slightly at the sounds of commotion from the other side of the room. She rested her hand on the grip of her blaster pistol now. Maybe not so quiet after all.

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

A seedy bar on a seedy world in a seedy sector. My kind of place. My pink skin and good looks betrayed my Zeltron ancestry, but only the color of my eyes, and the workings of the mind behind them, would ever mark me as being, a least partially, a member of the Chiss race. I grinned at the thought of the sweet-smelling liquor that permeated the air outside. I could smell good food, too.

I stepped in, observing the denizens of the cantina, as well as looking over them for possible weapons and weak points. I could see the old man ten feet away, with his collapsable rifle stowed in his jacket. He was moving almost arthritically, but I had no doubt that the man could probably jump me and have the barrel of that rifle warming up my body in under twenty seconds.

When I stepped to the bar, I was pleased to see a rather pretty Zabrak woman sitting at it. I wasn't surprised at her presence, so much as wondering what she had hidden up her sleeve in order to make a living on Nar Shadda.

"Hello there, miss. I wonder if you'd like me to buy you a drink?"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"Hello there, miss. I wonder if you'd like me to buy you a drink?"
At the question Kadrak gave pause and turned to the man with a slight smile, nodding in greeting. "I've already got one for now, but I do appreciate the offer." She studied him for a moment, having pinned him as Zeltron by the skin-tone, though her eyes were curious. Perhaps there was some Chiss blood in him as well, though how much she couldn't be certain. Ancestry aside, she could tell that he would make interesting company. Whether it was for the good or the bad was hard to say just yet, but she did carry her weapon for a reason, after all.
"If you'd like I could buy you one, however. I'm sure you'll have the chance to repay me later, anyhow. The night is young, and much is yet to happen." She glanced across the bar for a moment before looking back to him and fishing around in a pocket, coming up with a credit after a moment and flipping to him. "You'd best get yourself something, instead of just standing there. Then we'll see what the rest of the night brings, eh?" With a slight smile that had a bit of a teasing edge to it she took another swallow of her drink, setting it on the edge of the bar. For the moment she'd moved her hand away from the blaster at her waist. This one she could trust...for now.

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

This one was a fast thinker. I wouldn't have been surprised to find out that she'd recognized my Chiss blood along with the rather obvious Zeltron features. I took the proffered credit, sat down, pulled my own out and winked at the Zabrak. As I winked, I took note of the cognac in her hand, and the scar above her eye. I had a feeling she was also checking for telltale details about my clothes and physique.

"Corellian Whiskey for me, and another cognac for the lady, here. I have a feeling you might need it, my friend, before your visit is over. Also, drop a cube of Wroshyr sap in the whiskey for me. Thanks."

I spun in my chair, grinning widely at the woman sitting next to me.

"You have good taste in drinks. And in weapons. I'd bet money that you have at least two holdout blasters hidden on your person, and possibly even a shiv or two. You've clearly been to Cartel space before. Now, I'll be impressed if you can figure out what I'm hiding."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

At his appraisal she laughed quietly and shrugged. "Perhaps you're right, perhaps you're not. At this point I'm not inclined to reveal all too much of what weapons I may or may not have on my person. But there's a good chance you're right. On all counts." Kadrak returned the wink and looked him up and down, remaining silent for a long moment. "I'd pin you as a spacer from how quickly you managed to make that assessment. There's a chance you could be Force sensitive, but having been to this bar a time before I wouldn't put too many credits in the wager. As for weaponry...a blaster pistol and a vibroblade at least, possibly a grenade or two. On the off chance that you are a Force sensitive, I'd guess a lightsaber as well." She took another drink. "And from the looks of you I'd say quick on the draw as well. Of course, by the end of the night we might have cause to test that."
Having spoken her piece she leaned back, thankful that there was a back on the stool. There was something different about him, that much she was certain of. Something set him far apart from the common rabble, and it wasn't just his unique heritage.

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"You're right, of course. A heavy needler under my jacket, concealed frags, and more than a few blades on my person. I would never carry a lightsaber... They both attract more attention than one would probably want, and fail to provide the object lesson that a truly customized weapon does. Any Jedi or Sith can carry a lightsaber, and several pirates do, as well. It brings the pirates notoriety, but it is a mark of the status quo among Force Users."

I decided a mind game or two was in order.

"And you're right, of course. I'm a black sheep among the Force Users, so to speak. Jedi, but passionate. Dark, but merciful. Sharp, but guarding. Honorable, but devious. Genius, but alcoholic. My kind is frowned upon among the Jedi, and I relish in the ire."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"I've made it a point not to care all that much of what goes on with the Jedi or Sith, myself. In the end it all ends up being about either semantics or politics, neither of which I have any interest in. So you'll have to forgive me for my apathy in that respect. From what I've seen of both sides to the argument it seems to me that they're all too focused on domination and control. Nothing I have too much interest in. I'd rather concern myself with me and mine, and worry about what the rest of them think later. It's safer for everyone involved that way."
Kadrak tilted her head curiously and flashed a half smile. "A walking contradiction, then. That only makes you all the more interesting a conversation partner, you know." She shook her head. "As far as I'm concerned, in the long run it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. You have to be happy with you. If you aren't, then you can change things. But as far as what the Jedi, Sith, or some random stranger thinks..." She scoffed quietly. "I could care less, and I would recommend you follow the same philosophy. It's much less bothersome.
As for myself, I'm more of a...well, freelancer isn't quite the right word, as I belong to a few groups myself. A mechanic in all respects, a spacer in some, and an adventurer at heart, I suppose. Whatever keeps life interesting."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Whatever keeps life interesting..."

I smiled crookedly and took a rather large pull at my drink. The wroshyr sap was giving it a much sweeter flavor than it would normally have, and I loved it.

"Everything keeps life interesting. The day life is no longer interesting or meaningful os the day your mind begins to die. Then you're just going through the motions. I analyze everything to keep my brain and my body active. The way a person moves, how they're armed, what they drink. Before I even stepped in, I could already guess that there was a spice addict in here just from the sweet smell. I could guess that there was glazed barbeque being made, because of the signature smell of melting wroshyr tree sap. It's the little game I play with myself."

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

He was a quick thinker, she would give him that. An interesting one to talk to as well. From just the few moments they'd spoken she had no doubt that he'd calculated any possible replies. It had been a time since she'd spoken to someone who gave her a challenge and thought similar to here besides. This time she'd chosen the right cantina, and the right person to talk to.
"I do hope you realize you're only making yourself all the more enjoyable to talk to. It's not often you meet someone who thinks worth their time, these days. Even less so in a place like this." She gestured to their surroundings, where it was obvious the patrons were only becoming more inhibited every time they walked up to the bar. "However, I wouldn't say there's just a singular spice addict. From what I've seen of this place before, I'd say two or three. Maybe more. But I wouldn't go doubting the resident Force sensitive." Kadrak looked to him with a taunting glint in her eye and the faintest of smirks, finishing the last of her drink and glancing briefly to the bartender as he sat the one the man had already paid for earlier in front of her. "Quite the gentleman, as well."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Gentleman, eh? In that capacity, I'm obligated to warn you of the very drunk Nikto coming up behind you.... With something that appears to be a shard of glass. You have fifteen seconds before he reaches the maximum distance where he can actually hit you."

I took another gulp of whiskey, and closed my eyes. I felt the Nikto go flying with the push from my mind.

"Free of charge. And barkeep, I suggest you remove that man, or I might have more fun than he can deal with."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak already had her blaster drawn and had turned to aim before the man was sent flying across the room. With a pointed look to the Zeltron hybrid she holstered the weapon, albeit slowly and with a smile. "Taking all of the fun out of things, now. It isn't that I don't appreciate the warning, but I haven't had the chance to test my marksmanship in a while. And from such a distance it would have been almost too easy, you have my thanks."
Without missing a beat she relaxed to a degree once more, glancing to the offender as he was all but tossed out of the establishment. "I'm afraid he won't be the first of the night, but I find myself unable to complain too much. It just wouldn't be a cantina on Nar Shaddaa without a few drunken fights and an attempted murder or two. Maybe a successful shot or two if they decide to keep it up. Though I wouldn't dare take away the prospect of you protecting me. That would just be rude." She flashed a grin at that.

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I returned the Zabrak woman's easy grin.

"Actually, I was rather hoping to try some of that excellent barbeque. It's not that I don't enjoy throwing people around like ragdolls whenever they attack pretty women, but I'm hungry as a Wookiee."

I received the steaming plate of thickly glazed meat, and grinned, looking up at the woman again.

"You want some?"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak shrugged and met his gaze easily with a smile of her own. "I have no doubt in my mind that you're always so eager to protect people. And by the end of the night you'll have had your fair share of tossing people around, I'm sure. Whether it's by aid of the Force or otherwise. Or maybe they won't, now that they know someone as fierce as you is protecting me." She winked, disregarding the second beverage that had been placed in front of her. For now.
"I've already eaten myself, but I wouldn't want to deny you the opportunity. Especially not after that display earlier. You definitely aren't the average Jedi, that much is certain. Not that you'll find me complaining." Another grin accompanied by a quiet laugh before she raised the glass to her lips once more.
"What brings you here, pray tell? It's not often we get the chance of entertaining such esteemed company, you know. And with someone like you I don't believe that it's just a coincidence."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"This is my favorite bar in the galaxy. The food's amazing, the drinks are strong, and the music's pretty good. Also, I love jumping from that terrace up there. So much fun."

I grinned at the woman.

"Anyway, all this conversation, and no names came up. We'll have to fix that."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"In the galaxy, huh?" She glanced to the terrace for a moment before looking back to him. "Interesting method of entrance. What made you change your mind and simply walk in this time?" As she continued to drink she was able to feel her mind beginning to cloud, and knew it was time to set the alcohol aside. Drinking was nice to a point, but once it began to obscure any judgement calls she knew it was time to stop. Besides, she was never one to allow herself to become very truly intoxicated.
"If you don't mind I think I'll be done with the drinking for tonight. Not to offend you, of course. The name's Kadrak Jalaan, at your service, should you find yourself in need of a mechanic. Now, I suppose I should answer my own question. I came here to relax, mostly, and get away from anything regarding whatever wars may be going on, in the known galaxy or otherwise. It isn't that I'm particularly busy with any of them, but regardless all of the talk about death and whatnot gets old."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Yeah, I'm hardly ever at the Silver Temple for that precise reason. I get sick of the seriousness and the violence. Just drinking and being happy is far better."

I grinned as I dug into the sweetened meat. It tasted amazing.

"Honestly, this bar is like my home. Lord knows I spend more time here than there."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak raised a nonexistent eyebrow. "I never did see the Jedi as the violent type, but I suppose a few rumors heard while on the job aren't all that reliable. And besides, there are divisions within the simple idea of what being a Jedi is that I stopped trying to keep track of long ago. All of the semantics are just that: titles that won't win you a battle, let alone a war." She shrugged and stretched for a moment. "But my opinions are just that, and I won't bother you with them. Both of us did come here to get away from it all."
There was a sound of commotion from the other side of the bar, and she turned her head to see two blasters drawn that were visible from her vantage point. "Well, someone insulted the wrong person, or there's a bounty to be collected and we'll have the chance to watch. I've spent enough time in more than a few bars to know what to look for, but regarding this one..." She glanced to him with a half smile. "I might have to consult the resident expert. And you never did get around to introducing yourself."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I grinned at the lady.

"I'm Zatten Black. Jedi, swordsman, and boozer. Also, on occasion, slicer, con-artist, and scoundrel."

I took a couple bites of my barbeque and continued.

"And, as you've already noticed, I'm part-Chiss. Lived on Zeltron for most of my childhood, learned some stuff, and then ran off into space. Fun, fun, fun."

I took a short gulp of whiskey, and winked at the Zabrak lady.

"So, who're you, pretty one?"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"Who am I..." At his question she leaned back, thinking for a moment. "Well, I already told you my name, unless you've already forgotten. More or less a freelance mechanic, as I said before. Lived on Iridonia for the majority of my childhood, worked on a few ships here and there. My affinity for machines was figured out relatively early in my life, so that's what I was raised doing for the most part. Left once I was satisfied enough with everything, wound up finding a few people that share my same mindset, and here we are. Nothing too remarkable or unheard of, but it landed me here talking to you, so who am I to complain?" She returned his wink.
With a quiet chuckle she shook her head. "Pretty, now? I've never put much stock into looks myself, but if you insist I suppose it would be rude of me to object to it. It is your gentleman's opinion, after all."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"I would hope you'd agree with me. I'm usually right, after all. And Iridonia's nice... I like cities. And people from the city seem to be more aware of their surroundings, Miss Jalaan. Danger sense or whatever."

I took another couple bites of food, and grinned.

"So, I have no doubt that your danger sense is just as evolved, if not more so than most Jedi. And even besides that, I believe that Zabraks have some of the most evolved mental capabilities of all. So, if I seem a bit forward... Well, I mean it."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]