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

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak watched him for a moment as he began to reminisce. "I can't help but notice that, unlike most people, you've been getting more serious as you keep drinking, instead of the other way around." A smile quirked the corners of her mouth. "Of course, it could just be because you're one hell of a Zeltron, as you put it. And that wouldn't surprise me at all."
She tilted her head curiously as he began to speak more and more of his leaving his homeworld. "If you don't mind, I'd certainly be interested in hearing more of this tale. And if you happen to have any questions in return about any period in my life I'll do you the same courtesy and answer. Though you'll forgive me if I'm not clear on some of the answers. Although I was raised on Iridonia, my studies weren't too focused on the history and culture of my people. That isn't to say that I'm completely unaware of it, but you know what I mean, I hope."
She drummed her fingers absently on the counter as she waited for his reply, completely intrigued in the conversation despite her outward idle appearance.

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

A crooked smile tugged at the side of my mouth, and it held fast.

"Of course I'd like to hear you talk. I love good conversation, especially if it lasts a while."

My grin widened, and I spun my chair around a bit to face Kadrak.

"And you can hear about my life whenever you want. But I'd need to be really drunk to talk about my childhood."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

With a shrug she spoke, "Mine wasn't much to talk about, really. Average parents, average life, up until I got offplanet and into the galaxy. That's when things got a lot more interesting. I won't force you to talk about anything, but if you're struck with inspiration for a story or two, I wouldn't mind if you decided to regale me with one of them. I'm sure they're all full of your heroic escapades in protecting the damsels in distress. You won't find any here, I'm afraid. Some of us prefer to save ourselves." One hand dropped to the blaster pistol holstered at her hip with a teasing smile.
Kadrak glanced up to the terrace as movement, watching for a moment as the bodies of the men were being moved out of the establishment. "Hopefully no one will be too torn up about our friends back there. I'd hate to have offended anyone by getting rid of a few thugs. They were decent in a fistfight, I'll give them that much. Everyone always underestimates the woman of the group when it comes to things. And it'll always be their downfall."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Like I said... You underestimate women on Zeltros, you get pretty hurt pretty fast. You never have to worry about that."

I smirked and drank some more.

"The only tale I could 'regale' you with at the moment would be the time I crashed my first skyhopper into a building. Otherwise, most of my stories begin, climax, and end in drinking."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"Saying that it's your first skyhopper implies that there's been a second and third time, and so on. And regardless of how a tale begins or how it ends, it's the content that matters. Arguably drinking wouldn't affect anything. Well, unless the contents of the entire story is drinking, in which case that would change things." She laughed quietly and shook her head. "See, as you drink you become more lucid, meanwhile I keep repeating much of the same thing over and over again. That hardly seems fair, in the grand scheme of things."
She nudged her glass to the side with her elbow as she rested her arm on the counter, turning her chair slightly to face him. "You'd probably have to ask me questions about a few things before I really begin to think of stories. Although, there is the time when I got this nice little scar, but other than that things have been quite uneventful. I haven't had any firsthand experiences with the war either, despite being irritated with this or that person from some major political power or another that acts like they own the galaxy. That's always fun."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"I never really got into the war myself. Too many perfectly good boozers and pirates hopping into the uniform of one side or another. Annoys me to no end. The one time I did anything that could have even vaguely affected the war was when I killed a few Jedi Knights for attacking my house."

I smiled sadly.

"Your reaction to my change has been the friendliest so far. I've been shot at, stabbed, and called a demon over it."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak shrugged. "I don't really fight for one side or the other. I fix ships, mostly, or unjam blasters for those doing the fighting, and the like. Sometimes I get off time to tinker with things and upgrade my own arsenal, which is when things get more fun. Makeshift traps are one of my favorite things, but it can get dangerous. Especially when you add explosives into the mix." She gestured absently to the scar over the right side of her face. "That played a part in how this happened. Nowadays I use less volatile materials. Well, mostly. Sometimes I can't help myself." She flashed a grin at that.
However, her expression quickly sobered once he mentioned the change. "I didn't see a reason to shoot you, I don't have a knife on me right now, and even if I did, I wouldn't stab you. And, finally, I don't believe in any god, gods or spiritual beings, so you being a demon is out." She ticked each statement off on her fingers. "All in all it was a damn amazing thing, truth be told. And it seems like it's helpful in a fight too, which is always a bonus."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Traps, eh? My traps usually turn out just being mines or big obnoxious spikes coming out of the ground. Not always lethal to people, more to the vehicles they ride. The only vehicle I have is pretty heavy, so that doesn't happen to it much."

I drank some more, and smiled.

"I build tech and stuff, by the way. I'm the guy who gets the call when the other Knights and Padawans get sick of their robes getting shredded to bits."

And then my grin faded as I thought about my transformation, again.

"As long as you think it's good, I might keep at the transformations.... But I hope you don't mind if I stab the next guy who tries to spray holy water on me. Or garlic. I hate garlic."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

With the nonchalant way he regarded the reactions of others to his transformation Kadrak couldn't help but crack a grin. "What you do to them is your business. I can't help but thinking that by the way you phrased things you're implying that we travel together. And if so, the answer is indefinitely a yes. I've needed someone to run with who doesn't mind my constant fidgeting with machines, and you might just be it. That is, if you don't mind. I wouldn't want to impose myself on you. But please, do feel free to stab, maim or otherwise injure the next person that tries to exorcise you. I look forward to it."
She tilted her head and nodded. "We might have to collaborate. Nothing can go wrong with big explosions...most of the time. But the more subtle things can be just as rewarding. Tripwires, an electrical something or another, subtle sabotage...the list goes on and on. Fiddling with their ships and planting something where they least expect it can be fun, too. There are plenty of things to do when you put your mind to it."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I couldn't help but grin back. I rolled my eyes a bit, too.

"Oh, no... My subtle hints weren't as subtle as I thought. Of course I think we should tramp about together."

I took another big gulp of my drink.

"As long as I can beat up stray exorcists, feel free to use any weird gadgets you want. Whatever booze I haven't stashed sufficiently is yours. And whatever explosives you manage to create without destroying my stuff are welcome. Except for stakes.... Those make me feel like a vampire."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"A vampire? I was under the impression that you were a demon. My mistake, good sir." Kadrak looked over at him with a half-smile and a wink, her curiosity in the man peaked once more with his agreement to them traveling together. "If you keep up all of this talk of supernatural creatures you might have someone try to vanquish you right here. Not that I'd mind the show you'd provide. It would be entertaining, I think."
She shrugged and shifted in her chair. "I try not to make a habit of destroying things with my gadgets, whether it's on purpose or no. Wait, that was phrased badly. I try not to destroy things that belong to people I like with my little trinkets. And you're on that list of people who are on that retinue, though I find it seems to be growing by the day.
Now, we'll probably have to take your ship, since I find myself in lack of one at the moment. I like to think I'm at least decent at fixing things up, and since you mentioned you dabble in it finding spare parts or upgrading things shouldn't be too much of a hassle. We have the entire galaxy at our fingertips, now. The only question is, where to go first?"

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Wherever we go, I'm staying away from Voss for a bit. Too many Jedi in one place. Some of them really don't like me."

I smirked at Kadrak, and kept drinking.

"And Zeltros is out. Apparently I could get shot as a traitor there. But where else would you like to go? My ship's brand-new and ready to hop anywhere."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak studied him for a moment with an amused smile playing across her lips. "I find it hard to believe that anyone would really hold a serious grudge against you. You really are a likable person. I can't speak for those on Zeltros, however. They may have their reasons, they may just dislike you simply because you exist. But the past is in the past, and they can move on and get over it, as far as I'm concerned. No one can fix what has happened, but everyone can have a part in shaping the future." She paused for a moment before laughing softly and shaking her head. "Now I'm starting to sound like a Jedi. No offense meant to my present company. And my company for quite a while, perhaps forever, with us traveling together now.
Coruscant is always a place to start. There's plenty of trouble to get into in the more seedy areas, and there are people with the right connections everywhere. We should be able to catch wind of something or another interesting going on that we want to take part in."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"Coruscant, eh? Let's go stir up some trouble!"

I grinned wildly, and gulped down the rest of my drink.

"The Sith so rarely see right under their noses. It's really funny. Took them nearly a month to realize that the Omegapyre was massing an army to take it back. I mean, we're not talking the 501st, but it was some serious firepower. Of course, the Sith had all their Knights and whatnot there, and the Pyres got beat up. Brilliant strategists, that bunch."

I chuckled a bit, as I thought of the look on the Sith's faces when the Pyres showed up. Must've been priceless.

"Anyway, let's go... I have a feeling we'll be back here sooner than I care to admit."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"You might have to tell me a few tales. I'm afraid I don't have too much experience in dealing with the Sith. And if I have, then they were probably a customer of mine. Which reminds me. If we do wind up getting chased either around or offplanet, I should be able to rig something that'll either deter them or make sure they never fly again. Depending on which you decide is more fun at the moment. I don't mind a good explosion myself, and from what I've heard of the Sith no one would miss one or two." Kadrak shrugged and stood, stretching momentarily.
"You know, I love spending time in places like this, don't get me wrong, but I'd rather be moving around regardless. Something about wanting to keep my hands busy. It isn't that I don't enjoy spending time with you, because I do. And even if I didn't, we are going to be travleing together, so I'd better get used to it right quick." With a wink she grinned. "I can't see them minding that we're on the planet. Much. You did say you were more or less a Dark Jedi, so I can't see why they would care all that much. But then again, they sound just as stuffy as the Jedi, sometimes. Emperor this and order that. Boring."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"I don't mind Sith or Jedi in general, just the ones that happen to take exception to my existence on their planets.... Which is about 90 percent of them. And then I usually take exception to their weapons in my face... Until they can't take exception to anything."

I rolled my eyes at Kadrak's comment about the Emperors and Orders and whatnot.

"Religions.... It's why we can't have nice things. Or maybe cults would be more accurate."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Kadrak tilted her head. "By that logic the Jedi and Sith both are a cult. Well, the Sith, at least. I've always seen the Jedi as the more spiritual types, what with them being so concerned about not being tainted by the dark side and whatnot. Mind you, I only have rumors and the occasional customer to go by on all of this, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Though you're an exception to every rule. I can't see you as being much of a cultist, and you don't seem like the overly spiritual type. Or any kind of spiritual type at all. So yes, they are the reason we can't have nice things."
She flashed a grin and shook her head. "I'm sure you make quick work of them. Distract them with your looks and let your sword or blaster do the rest of the talking. But maybe I'm overstepping my bounds by assuming that everyone finds you attractive. I can't see why they wouldn't, though." She winked at that.
"Well...what do you say we get out of here and on our way to Coruscant? Unless you'd rather find some place to crash for the night before flying. It doesn't seem like any of the drinking's inhibited you at all. Much."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"To tell you the truth, I sort of camped out in my walker... Cheap and has spinny chairs."

I grinned crookedly again, and laughed a bit.

"Somehow, it feels better sleeping in a 'nest' of pillows in a bipedal machine, than sleeping in a custom-made bed on a climate-controlled ship. Go figure. Of course now that I'm with a lady, I should probably get a hotel room or something, at least for you. You don't want to sleep in the camper with me, I bet."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"You'd lose that bet, and any credits you had along with it. There are plenty more uncomfortable places and positions to sleep in than in a nest of pillows, as you put it, in a walker. So I can't complain about it at all, really. Unless you're absolutely hellbent on buying a hotel room just so your conscience can rest at ease, in which case go right ahead. But I think I'll manage. There are plenty worse people to be traveling with, after all. I'd say so far you've cut me a pretty decent deal." Kadrak looked to him with a playful grin. "Unless, of course, there's something you're not telling me?"
"And besides, I don't think I'd be too comfortable in a hotel, all things considered. Too many people in one space, and I've had not so great experiences with places like that. Plus, it's too much of a hassle to really bother with renting a room and then dealing with everyone else when there's a perfectly good alternative. Or at least, I don't see the sense in it."

[member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

"So, the walker it is... Good thing, too. The rest of my money's there. And I wouldn't mind having somebody else around. Camping ain't fun solo."

I paid for the last round of drinks, and winked at Kadrak.

"Of course, I'd rather have a pretty woman next to me, than another guy in a tent, any day. And oh, look.... Somebody's finally noticed the goons at the front door. Some more trouble's gonna happen, I'd say. Fun, fun, fun!"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]