Private Drinking Buddies

[Nora Laan]

Raxus has a bit of history to it. Most especially when it came to exiled political figures. Nora was one of them. Upon her arrival she had set up a residence for herself. There were no assistants that came with her. She came alone. However that didn't bother her. Unlike most of the elites of New Cov; she did not come from a long line of politicians. On the contrary her parents were blue collar workers that ran a brewery. Nora had used the knowledge gained from their multitude of customers to successfully run a mayoral campaign for Ilic City. Years later she elevated her position even further by being New Cov's first ever Prime Minister.

Unfortunately, what was to be her life's triumph became New Cov's doom, the details of which she had gone over far too much. It was a smart powerplay by her opponent. However Nora had chided herself for not spotting it sooner. Yet it was better to be safely exiled than to be sitting somewhere in jail. Here she is able to plot her return and New Cov's freedom.

But first thing's first. The only eyes and ears that she could trust within that invading government had turned out to be someone that she had gotten close to. Unexpectedly, as well. And although they were not a couple, they did share some witty banter, some drinks, and some nights out. He was a fan of drinking good stiff drinks like she was.

And a stiff drink was what she needed these days. And it always went down better when there was someone to share a good bottle with. So Nora sent out a message, knowing that it could take a while for a response. But good things come to those who wait.

~Dear Joran,

How are you doing? I hope that you are doing well enough for a bit of travel. I have a bottle of the finest Scotch waiting for you on Raxus. Would you care to try it? It'll be worth the trip, I promise you.

Nora.~

Tag: Joran Del-Finn

 

[Joran Del-Finn]

"Joran!" A voice called out to him, piercing the darkness. The voice belonged to a young woman with an accent of high society.

"Here!" Was his reply.

He could could hear the clicking of her heels growing closer but was somehow still surprised when the room was bathed in light.

"What are you doing back here?" She asked him while he tried to blink away the sudden pain of the light, his eyes having grown accustomed to the darkness.

"Trying to leave," he told her.

Joran Del-Finn. No, Captain Joran Del-Finn. Uhh, no, Senator Joran Del-Finn was seated at his (relatively) new desk in his (relatively) new office on Malastare of which he was the (relatively) newly elected senator of the world, which itself was (relatively) new to the Royal Naboo Republic.

His campaign on the world had come as surprise to many, especially those who had seats of power in Theed. They thought his ambition to be localized and why would they not when he had first approached them with a Naboo first set of ideals. That campaign had taken him only so far and the attacks on Naboo had put a real damper on his quest for elevation. Malastare however was a world that needed a firm hand to take control and it allowed him a voice in the matters in Theed that he'd been unable to achieve on Naboo itself.

His campaign may have been a surprise but not as surprising as his win which was politically speaking a landslide. It was true that Joran had used to his advantage the seeming lawlessness of the world to push his agenda forward but in the end the means would be justified.

"You're trying real hard, I see." The young woman in heels told him, her eyes fixed on the half empty bottle of bourbon sitting next to his elbow.

Blaire Sal-Soren did not miss much and that was why Joran had hired her. Well, for that reason and a few others, most having to do with her last name.

"We do need to leave if you wish to arrive in something approaching a timely manner." She explained.

They were set to travel to New Cov, the newest planet set to join the republic, for a charity auction. Joran would go as a representative of the senate and Malastare while Blaire would represent his business interests, namely as head of Fortune's Favor limited's equity and acquisitions division. Which meant she had control of his credits and where they went. She was as new to that job as he was being senator but Joran trusted she was the right woman for the job.

Before Joran could push himself away from his desk, he received a message. For reasons he could not put his finger on he felt compelled to open it right then and there and was glad he did.

"Nora? Nora Laan?" Blaire asked from over his shoulder. Joran hadn't even noticed her come around the desk let alone peer over him to read his message, he was so wrapped up in the name of the sender. "Prime minister of New Cov? Shiraya's heart there's been no sign of her for so long now. Do you think it's really her?"

Joran did think this message was authentic. He did not know why exactly. This was no encrypted channel, there was no code words, and yet Joran could not help but feel certain this was truly Nora.

"New plan. You go to New Cov with Dagos."

"Dagos?" He heard Blaire ask, almost disappointed.

"Aye, your sister mentioned something about a knighting ceremony. Dagos would enjoy being there for something like that."

Dag would like it even if he would never admit it. The boy acted like the Jedi was something he no longer cared about but Joran knew him better than that. Joran knew what kind of man he was and he was a good man and every day he spent squandering his gift of The Force, being a smuggler and ne'er-do-well in Joran's employ was another day wasted.

"If I'm going with Dag, then…"

"You are going as my representative. You speak for me as senator and you spend my credits. You keep Dagos out of trouble,"

"And instead of this party you are going…"

"To Nora."

Blaire did not ask for further clarification and he would not provide any.

In a few days time he would be on Raxus.

Nora Laan

 

[Nora Laan]

A short reply affirming the day of arrival was all that Nora needed. She took great care and keeping as much out of her message that she could. Afterall, electronic communications are so easily intercepted, and this was something that she wanted to be strictly a private affair.

Raxus was by no means a short journey, so she was well prepared for it to take a while. Also there was the chance that he wouldn't just drop everything and come running because she called.

Or would he? Did he? Nora was soon to find out.

---

Days later Nora stood at the designated landing pad. Alone. She brought no entourage or staff. The former Prime Minister wasn't the only one sent offworld, afterall. Her blonde, wavy hair was neatly brushed, her make up soft and more on the natural side. She wore slacks, vest and a blouse. And although she had planted on a smile as soon as she saw the ship descending towards where she stood, her eyes carried with them a multitude of emotions.

There was no telling how today will go.

Tag: Joran Del-Finn

 

[Joran Del-Finn]

It had been many years since Joran Del-Finn had been on Raxus. A decade or more if he had to guess. He and his mentor Rendar Fortune had come to the world when Joran was barely old enough to grow a beard. It was a place of exiles and on that particular trip Joran and Rendar had actually smuggled someone off the planet. Some banker's son or some such that had gotten in a spot of trouble. It wasn't the first time he had learned this lesson but it was one of those that reinforced the idea that the law only applied to those too poor to circumvent it.

The last time he had been to Raxus it had been with Jedi N'Tasha, acting as her pilot and escort.

By The Force he hadn't thought of that trip in ages. That made him sad. He thought constantly of N'Tasha Horouk, though, now he seemed to realize he could never think of anything but her death…

Joran brushed away the thought of dead lovers with a swallow of whiskey. His ship touched down and he exited down the ramp. The shipyard like most was bustling with all manner of energy. Workers, droid and sentient alike went about their jobs.

The landing pad he had chosen was however empty save for one person who awaited his arrival, the very person he came to see.

Joran beamed at Nora as he approached. He was dressed rather casually for him. Slacks, black shoes, a turtleneck top. He had not come as Senator Del-Finn nor had he come to try and sell himself as Captain Del-Finn either. He came to support a friend. Force knew he had few enough of those.

Joran reached Nora and leaned down to kiss her lightly on the cheek in greeting.

"Nora, luv. You look wonderful. How are you?" A strange question because he had some idea of how he was but still he wanted to make sure she was not hurt any more than she should be.

Nora Laan

 

[Nora Laan]

The smile on her face remained as Joran approached, only this time it was a little more genuine the nearer that he got. She took in his casual attire which was quite different from the last outfit that she saw him wearing. However it perfectly matched what she needed right now. No business, no politics, just two dear friends.

As he kissed her cheek, she leaned into it a bit to allow the kiss to linger a little longer than a meer peck would do.

In response to his question, she found herself resorting to her usual public disclosure. "Hello Joran. It's great to see you, as always. I could use a drink. How about you?" Nora half turned so that she could hook her arm up with his and lead him to her residence. "I've got the scotch waiting for us. How was your journey? I'm sorry that it had to be a long one. But I'm working towards changing that. One step at a time."

Nora knew of Joran's promotion to Senator. Something that she was sure to touch on later. However, she didn't bring him here because of his political position. She brought him here because he was her friend; and about the only person in this Galaxy that she trusted. And right now she needed that.

Tag: Joran Del-Finn

 

[Joran Del-Finn]

Joran Del-Finn was a long ways removed from being some pimply-faced teenager harboring a crush. He didn't get butterflies in his tummy. He was a grown man, a Mandalorian, a bounty hunter, a killer. The galaxy was old hat to him, he'd been nearly everywhere he could think it worth to be and a hundred places more that weren't worth the breath to speak their names and yet.

And yet when Nora lingered just slightly in their embrace turning something professional into something…else, he could not say something more, when she lingered he definitely felt something.

"Hello Joran. It's great to see you, as always. I could use a drink. How about you?"

"A stiff one." He told her through a smile. A genuine one not the one he put on during negotiations.

"I've got the scotch waiting for us. How was your journey? I'm sorry that it had to be a long one. But I'm working towards changing that. One step at a time."

"A simple trip, Luv. I'm not mad about it either, feels good to be back flying and not sitting through meetings and on the plus now that my feet are back on the ground, I get to look at your beautiful face."

Joran's arm intertwined with Nora's like they had done it a thousand times before and he escorted her from the landing pad and toward her new and hopefully temporary home.

"It really is a joy to see you, Nora."

Joran told her as they walked. He left it unsaid that he wished it were under different circumstances. He would of course do what he could to help her but for now he was just. happy to be with her again

Nora Laan

 

[Nora Laan]

The compliments were very much appreciated. Nora could not help but feel comforted by him. It was almost as though nothing for them had changed at all. It was like time had just decided to stand still, and that everything that had gone on in their lives recently did not exist. And Nora relished in that feeling. She took it in and held it close in the same manner that she held onto his arm. A lot of her stresses seemed to just fade away. It was an odd thing for her to experience, and there was little doubt in her mind that she had no intention of having it end straight away.

"You flatter me, Joran. And those efforts have earned you a top spot in my good books." Nora winked at him and gave him a sly smile, much as she used to during their moments of exchanging wktty banter. She then led him away from the landing pad and towards some rows of houses while she spoke. Her pace was casual and not rushed in the slightest. The weather was sunny and warm, the atmosphere calm and pleasant, as though they were in some resort town. In some respects, they were. "You are the only person that I have contacted since I had arrived here. And words cannot express how grateful that I am that you made the journey. So thank you."

They past the row of houses, and she then turned them away from the sidewalk and through a forested park. The tops of the rooves of another row of houses lay beyond them. "Raxus is a lovely planet, and rather fitting since it used to be the planet that Imperial exiles used to be sent to. I'm bound to gain some good connections here. But none will be able to match you, of course. No one else can hold their liquor like you can."

Nora brought him to one of the smaller houses. Unlike a lot of the politicians in New Cov, she did not come from a family with immense wealth. Instead her family's income was a modest one. And so this far journey was an expensive one for her. The house was not bought, nor was the furniture. Instead everything was rented. Only some of her possessions travelled with her, while the remainder were stored on New Cov. She opened the door for him after unlocking it and led him inside, only choosing that moment to unhook her arm from his. "Please make yourself at home. It's not much, this house, but it'll do. I don't need to worry about security. Not unless the planet came under attack. But I honestly doubt that'll happen any time soon."

Nora went to the cabinet in the living room and opened it. Inside of it were some of the bottles of scotch, rum, whiskey and others that she managed to bring with her from home. Picking out a dark bottle of scotch; she took that and two glasses, setting them on a tray. "Did you want your scotch on the rocks?"

Tag: Joran Del-Finn

 

[Joran Del-Finn]

Joran accepted Nora's gratitude with a bright smile, placing his free hand over the one she wove through his arm and giving her an assuring squeeze. She didn't need to thank him. He hadn't really done anything but come to see her but he was happy to make her happy.

In truth Joran felt some shame in the whole situation. He knew of the political unrest on New Cov. He knew that Nora's political opposition was not afraid to use underhanded tactics. He had been on New Cov himself with Nora when that same opposition had turned sections of the populace from protestors to an angry mob and used that mob to try a physical attack on Nora herself. If Joran had not been sharing a nightcap with her, there was no telling what could've happened.

And now as they strolled through the park, on New Cov, new leadership was being put into place by The Royal Naboo Republic of which he was at standing Senator, though he had been given no chance to voice his displeasure. The galactic situation being what it was with world after world being displaced and moved to whole new regions of the galaxy, emergency measures had been put into place. The Republic moved quickly to bring new worlds under her cloud in what was presented as altruism. Many worlds were grateful for The Republic, New Cov may even be grateful at the moment but the betrayal it took to get there would not be soon forgotten.

Joran half listened as they walked though the park and Nora extolled the virtue of Raxus and her history as refuge for exiles. Joran was more concerned with scanning the tree line and the looming neighborhood for threats.

"It's a lovely home Nora," he told her as she led him to the living area. She went straight for the liquor cabinet and Joran smiled.

"I'll take mine however you're having yours." He told her. "You really should consider some security, Luv. I can get a pair of good rifles here in a couple days. Guns I trust. From outside The Republic. You'd never have to see them. I'll buy one of the houses on the block, stick them there. I just want you to be safe."

Nora Laan

 

[Nora Laan]

Nora gave a small nod in response regarding the house that they stood in. It wasn't home for her, but it wasn't a bad place to reside in for the time being, either. For as far as she was concerned, this situation was only temporary. "The owners have treated it well. I'll be sure to do the same."

She poured the scotch into two glasses, keeping the ice for another time. Afterall, she didn't feel like having her drink watered down. It was far better to keep the scotch pure.

Carrying both glasses she gestured for him to join her on the sofa after handing him his glass. She sat herself down, giving him room. Afterall, she didn't want to crowd him, no matter how much she longed to lean against him for support.

The offer of having hired guns was respected. However Nora didn't want to cause him too much trouble, or too much expense on her account. And yet the look in his eyes told her that he was already commited. If she were to decline, would he still do it anyways? More than likely the answer to that would be a resounding yes. "If you insist, then how could I say no? I will pay you back for it, credit by credit. It will just take a bit of time."

Nora had a sip of her scotch. "You're not going to be getting into trouble for helping me, are you? Although if you had to go into exile as well, then you could always come and join me here." She gave him an amused smile, however there is some measure of truth in what she had said. He will of already purchased himself a home here, afterall. So that would make a move into exile a little bit easier than her own.

Tag: Joran Del-Finn

 

[Joran Del-Finn]

"Don't say no," he told her. "And don't you dream of paying me for it neither." He was very firm on this point. Kind, yes, but firm. Joran had credits enough for it and he certainly wasn't put out of the way by owning another hole he could run to if it came to it.

"Being able to trust in your safety is payment enough, Luv."

If he were younger he would stay with her himself. Frell, if he were younger he would take New Cov back for her. Now though? Now he was too deep, too close to…he was too close. The thought made him sour with guilt.

Joran Del-Finn, a coward.

Who would've thought? Nora would be safe. He had no doubt about it. Joran the Mandalorian turned smuggler, who found himself as a senator was not short on reliable guns for hire and he himself had work that needed to be done to secure his position amongst the politicians and noble families of the republic but Nora would never be far from his thoughts.

Joran sipped his scotch in the silence that followed her question. He did not think he would face any consequences for supporting her. Not that he was making an open show of it but he would if he thought it would help her. That was for later though. Now was securing her safety, if not her comfort, everything else came after that.

"No, the little queen has more on her mind than what secrets I have in motion. Besides, I'd like to see her try."

Joran sipped more of his drink, his eyes eventually spotting something of great interest. Joran walked across the room where he found a speakerbox. Joran poked at a few buttons and what do you know? Music.

"I owe you a dance,"

Nora Laan

 

[Nora Laan]

Now, normally Nora would offer up some kind of rebuttal. Afterall she was not a woman that liked to carry any debts; most especially such a personal one. However the look in his eyes, coupled with the tone of his voice bade her to keep her stubborness at bay.

Instead she merely gave him a small nod. "Thank you. Although I could throw in a few bottles of my finest liquor from my collection for you too." Nora had a sip of her scotch, a bigger one than before, for she needed it to help her to detach from the seriousness of her situation. Her penchant for witty banter with Joran was hiding behind the shadow of what her path in life had led to. And in some respects, she had wondered if perhaps he was going through a similar thing himself. Afterall, he had yet to even sit himself down.

He then remarked on the little queen being too busy to worry about his secrets. However she knew how the politics in most circles worked. The queen might be too busy to notice him supporting an exiled politician, but others under her employ were not as busy. So Nora made a promise to herself to not call upon Joran so often, lest suspicions begin to raise, which could then lead to questioning about his whereabouts. And she couldn't allow that to happen this early on. Not when there was so much to be done to secure the freedom of New Cov.

Nora raised a curious brow as Joran wandered off to the music box. And that look of curiosity turned into an amused smile shortly thereafter once he had reminded her of a promise unfulfilled. "That you do." She quickly downed the rest of her scotch and set the glass down on the end table. And after taking a breath, she rose to her feet and approached him. "So are you a man with two left feet, or are you a man that could sweep any dance competition?" Nora had a guess that he was somewhere down the middle, like herself. But one can never tell in this day and age.

Tag: Joran Del-Finn