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

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak grinned and shrugged. "It does come in handy, certainly. Especially when one prefers to spend their time on planets like this in places like these. I like to think that some of it comes from past experience rather than it just being something more naturally occurring, but that's just me. After all, some of us aren't born to be Jedi. No offense meant, of course." There was a teasing glint in her eyes as she spoke, to add a sense of lightness to the statement.
"Evolved mental capacities or no, I do appreciate your forwardness with things. I've had more than a few people underestimate me just because I'm a woman, believe it or not. It's become a pastime of mine to surprise them in more than one aspect. I'll bet you've already guessed a few of them yourself, just from your very first assessment." She glanced across to where things had settled for now, making a mental note of which patrons remained from the encounter and which had disappeared, along with who had weapons still close at hand while watching for anything concealed. "They settled their disagreement, it seems. And no one was hurt too badly, for once."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"They've gone and run off. Probably, the guy still sitting scared the others off."

I ate the last of my food, then pushed the empty plate away. My expression was finally serious.

"Nobody is born to be Jedi. They're created, either by force, the Force, or by experience. Very few people originally intend to become Jedi... And I consider that group to be insane."

I grinned again.

"So, I basically consider most of the strict Light Jedi to be certifiably insane... Honestly, I think the Sith are more lucid. But I disagree with their methods."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"I can't say that I bother enough with their orders to really care much who happens to be in power or whose doctrine is preferable over what. Call it my danger sense or whatever you will, but at the rate things are going the Jedi and the Sith both are going to end up tearing the galaxy to pieces before any real agreement can be met. The Jedi, or at least the Republic's idea of Jedi, are too bent on peace and diplomacy to take any decisive military action. And the Sith are too used to fighting to get what they want that they won't listen to reason. Sometimes compromise is necessary, but both of them are too full of themselves to do it." Kadrak sighed quietly and broke the tension with an easy smile. "In my opinion all of them have their own insanities. It's a matter of how you view things personally."
She hummed softly under her breath as she observed the few others that had recently entered the cantina, noting the way they swaggered in as if they owned the very planet itself. "Could mean trouble later, unless they happen to be friends of yours?"

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"If they make trouble, there's gonna be a small case of dead going around."

I took another pull at my whiskey, and glared darkly at the newcomers. But I kept talking, not wanting to incite anything.

"The Silver Jedi, specifically, are viewed with contempt and even borderline hostility by the Republic. But the Sith and the Republic, along with the Protectorate and the Mandalorians, will destroy this galaxy eventually. We're quickly falling into another Galactic Civil War. The galaxy will coalesce into two larger factions again, and the war will make the Yuuzhan Vong invasion look like a snowball fight."

I turned and grinned weakly at [member="Kadrak Jalaan"].

"No reason to dwell on it. It's sentient nature to engender conflict, and I just stay out of it unless it's right in front of me."

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

She nodded. "Exactly. As long as it doesn't concern me or mine, I don't see a reason to get too involved in it. Maybe keeping an eye out for anything major, but other than that it's business as usual. Doesn't hurt to have a few very interesting people to talk to in the meantime, however." Kadrak gave him a pointed look and a small smile to indicate just who she was referring to.
Casting another glance to the newcomers she studied them more carefully now, scrutinizing each one personally. "Do let me help this time, if you'd be so kind. I know it's in your gentleman's nature to protect people, but I like to think I can hold my own fairly decently, blasters or no. In fact, I haven't had a chance to brush up on my unarmed combat lately, so an engagement of that sort would be interesting. But I'm not going to invite conflict. Let them believe what they will about their supposed superiority, as long as they keep to themselves I'm content to let them think whatever keeps them happy. Wouldn't want to spread too much of that death around. I've heard it's terminal."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Very terminal."

I laughed a bit, finding the joking phrasing of such a serious idea very funny.

"Of course, good conversation does help distract me from my annoyance at their kind in general. I'd really rather not get involved, or have you get involved if it's possible to avoid... But you can have the first crack at 'em."

I grinned.

"If they shoot back, though... It's better if I step up. Ablative vests are good for this sort of thing."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak let one hand rest lightly on the handle of her blaster pistol, more out of habit in this sort of situation than anything. "If they do shoot back this'll likely all turn to a chaotic firefight. Everyone here's probably eager to shoot some person or another, and that would give them a good excuse. But this time around I'll wait for them to start something. Not that I'd ever get in the habit of antagonizing someone just for amusement. That would be horribly rude of me." She flashed a smile and rolled her eyes.
"In all relative seriousness, however...given our position, finding substantial cover should this become a firefight shouldn't be too much of a challenge. We'll have to watch where the bolts are coming from, because they might not be the only ones gunning for us at the end of the night. Sometimes all it takes to provoke people is breathing. Then again, all of this planning could be for nothing and just go to waste. It ruins the fun, but it's also one less thing to have to worry about."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"If breathing is insulting, I intend to insult everything and everybody!"

I grinned at the lady.

"Nobody would take offense if you started something... That would distract from blasting the crap out of anything that moves. Of course, I'd rather drink and talk until something actually blows up. Much more fun talking to you than fragging gangsters. Even if all this planning goes to waste, joking about it is good."

I drank some more.

"Also, there are far worse ways to waste time than talking to a pretty Zabrak lady."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak looked to the group for another moment before looking back to [member="Zatten Black"]. "I have this feeling that you'd be the one to consult for how to start things. Any ideas as to how to provoke our friends? I've made it a habit to try to stay out of these things, unfortunately, but spending time with you should fix that up right quick. You don't strike me as the type to wait for the fun to come to you. Unless I'm mistaken."
A slow, coy smile turned up the corners of her mouth. "And there are far worse things to do to kill time than talk to a devilishly handsome Zeltron hybrid. If you keep this up you'll be one of my favorite people to talk to. And we wouldn't dare want that to happen."
She shrugged. "As for the planning, it is fun, I agree. Strategizing with a likeminded person has its perks, certainly. Though I'm not sure about using any of your grenades in here. Too much of an enclosed space, unless you have something up your sleeve that you haven't revealed yet. And it isn't something I'd put past you, either."

 

[Zatten Black]

"Why use grenades when I have a sword?"

I drew Blacktooth from its hiding place in the back of my long jacket, then concealed it beside my leg.

"A grenade is too much collateral damage. Using a sword fits my sense of showmanship. And my blaster fits my love for precision."

I drew my long-barreled needler and winked at Kadrak.

"Now what's better than a devilishly handsome guy? I sure hope the answer is a well-armed, devilishly handsome guy. Because that's me."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

With a quiet laugh Kadrak drew her own blaster, keeping it low under the bar so as not to alert the other patrons immediately. If they were smart they would see it, but that was exactly what she was counting against in a place like this. By this time, she assumed many of the others to be drunk or at the very least past the point of noticing the subtle things. "Of course that's the answer. I wouldn't dream of it being anything else. Besides, it's always nice to know that someone isn't afraid of a fight or two. Or averse to starting them, sometimes."
There was a quiet 'click' as she flicked the safety of her own blaster off, a small smile playing on her lips. "In a place like this grenades are too much to worry about, I agree. But there are exceptions to every rule, of course. This one being one that has numerous people or groups to choose from."
She studied his blade for a moment. "And I have no doubt that you're an excellent swordsman at that. Here's the chance to put it to the test, hmm?"

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Oh... You haven't seen me change yet."

And then I changed, not physically, but mentally. My eyes glowed redder, pupils disappearing, with the appearance of a fire growing in them. My grin probably seemed to turn sharper, showing slightly pointed teeth. And last of all, my sword glowed slightly with the Force.

"They're in trouble, now..."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak was about to ask exactly what he meant by changing when he did just that. She studied his new appearance more with curiosity than anything, noting how his blade showed a faint aura around it that could only be the cause of his drawing on the Force. The others at the ar were beginning to notice something off about the both of them and a few had shied away, though no one had drawn any weaponry just yet, or at least nothing too noticeable. She didn't bother with keeping her own weapon too low either, holding it openly.
She shifted position in her chair so that it would be easier to move quickly, ready to duck and find cover or advance shooting at a moment's notice. "After you, then. With your recent changes it seems that you're one more suited to starting these shootouts rather than finishing them, no offense intended."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I grinned wildly.

"Of course, m'lady."

I leapt up over the entrance terrace, and the grisly-looking newcomers took a step away from me.

"You wanted trouble, huh? Well, hello from Blacktooth!"

The first gangster would have been sliced in half if not for the thick armored vest under his clothes. As it was, he probably had a broken rib or two, and I bashed his skull with Blacktooth's pommel. The second man practically ran into the blade, and I shook him off. There were three men left, grim-faced mercenaries.

"I'd take care of you, too, but the lady wanted a crack at a few of you."

And with that, I leapt backwards over the terrace, and landed a few feet away from Kadrak.

"Fun."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak took a much less flashy approach, not having the Force to rely on for easy entrances and smooth exits. She made her own way to where the men now stood, firing on one before he could get a mark and meeting the other two in the middle. Instead of disregarding her blaster in close combat like most were wont to do she continued to use it as more of a blunt weapon at such close range.
One of the men threw a punch that she ducked, turning and bringing the one down who had made his way behind her with a well placed shot to the head. "And there was one..." With what could be considered the most difficult aspect out of the way she holstered her blaster and resorted to simple unarmed combat, taking the opportunity to refresh her skills in that regard as well.
Blocking his hits for a time she saw a pattern in his movements and danced to the side, ducking almost unnecessarily low to pluck his own vibroblade from the sheath on his leg, stabbing upwards into his stomach and ending the fight quickly. "A pleasure."
Having finished with her fun she made her slow, calm way back to where [member="Zatten Black"] sat, sliding into a chair next to him. "Not bad, not bad at all."

 

[Zatten Black]

When my adrenaline slowed, the change reversed, and my features began to go back to normal.

"I love a good fight. Makes me real thirsty, though. 'nother round, bartender."

I grinned at Kadrak, and took my drink from the bartender.

"I'm duly impressed. Never seen a girl fight like that off of Zeltros."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak shrugged and took a sip of the drink she'd set aside earlier despite saying that she was done for the night. "As you said, I've had some experience in Cartel space. This isn't my first unorthodox fight on some less than salient planet, and I'm positive it won't be the last. However, it is my first round fighting alongside someone else. And I have to say, I am impressed. Perhaps I'll have to see about learning more about fighting with a blade. It certainly has its uses when you don't want your opponent to necessarily see things coming. Or when you want more of an up close experience."
She reached down to flick the safety back on her weapon, having already holstered it, and pulled a credit chip from a pocket, sliding it across to the bartender. "For any damages done or feelings hurt when we disposed of our friends back there."
With that out of the way she turned back to him. "How exactly is it they fight on Zeltros, then?"

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Like cats. Scratching, clawing, biting. The works. And that's just day to day. An actual street fight could get really bloody. And sleeping with Zeltron women can be almost as bad."

I smiled crookedly and took a sip of the whiskey.

"If you've ever heard any rumors about Zeltron women, ten to one they're accurate."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"I haven't heard any rumors myself, but from what you said of their tactics in a fight it seems they like to put on a show more than anything. Not that I'm trying to judge, but typically when you fight, it's to win more than anything. Otherwise there isn't a point in getting the blasters out, or the knives, or any other weaponry. You can fight like that to entertain on the HoloNet, but not when it's necessary. Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer to fight with any tactics necessary to win or at the very least get out relatively unscathed, and alive, preferably." Kadrak shrugged. "But that is, after all, just my humble opinion."
Flashing a grin she raised her own glass to her lips and took a long drink before setting it down on the counter again, remaining silent for a long moment as she gathered her thoughts. "It seems that the Zeltron men fight quite valiantly, despite whatever the women may do. Or perhaps you're just one exception to the rule, that could be it."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"I'm simply one hell of a Zeltron. But I've met some really amazing fighters among my species that tramp the stars."

I took a drink out of my new glass.

"Courting on Zeltros is hard. The women scream and throw things. The men read poetry and learn to duck. I never learned to duck, anyway. After I got exiled, I came into the habit of stopping things with the Force."

I grinned widely at Kadrak, and drank some more. I noticed that I was getting more and more serious, which tends to happen when I overdrink. But that tends to be the only time I can be serious.

"Of course, I sometimes miss it. My departure from home definitely wasn't voluntary."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]