Fake another death and I'll strangle you [Jak]

[Josh Dragovalor]

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

So apparently, he was alive. And instead of telling him that, he'd been god knows where and hadn't contacted him. And the only time he did was now, to pick him up from New Ithor. He didn't know whether to pick him up, or leave him to rot there for only speaking to him when he wanted something. But, he had been his best friend at once point. Even if he was a piece of chit. So the Final Dragon landed on New Ithor.

The door would open, and out stepped the young man. It'd been a long time since Jak would have seen him. His hair had grown out a little, the overly compassionate and naive Jedi that Jak had known was gone. He didn't need his robes this time, this was a more personal occasion. He stepped out, his eyes fierce, still torn between picking him up and just leaving him here. He wore a black leather jacket, a blue shirt, black pants and armored boots.

The former Grandmaster stepped down the ramp, gazing around the area looking for some sight of Jak.

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak seemed to fade out of the trees, eyes still slightly wary.

"... hey Josh? ... That you? Is it really you?"

It wasn't that he was paranoid or anything, but... better safe than sorry, and far better to err on the side of caution.

"Sorry I haven't really contacted you... I've... been really out of touch... on purpose."

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

And there he was. He'd been gone nearly two years, now that he thought about it. And just now he'd decided to contact him for the sake of a LIFT? He allowed Jak to speak, but his expression remained the same. A little twitch here and there maybe, but he let him speak. But that didn't justify a damn thing. He was out of touch on purpose, huh?

Finally, he moved, his fists curling and twitching. "You.... You...." He began quietly. He shot Jak a hard glare and then-

CRACK

"YOU nerf herder!"

He was mad. It wasn't often that he was mad, but he was mad. And justifiably so. He had cracked Jak about as hard as he could, and considering that strength of his that people knew of... Well, that was going to hurt.

"I thought for SO LONG that the tart Circe and her karkbuddy Kaine KILLED YOU! I have spent so long wanting that vixen DEAD because of what she did to you! I MOURNED YOU, YOU SELFISH JACKASS!" He yelled, about ready to punch Jak again. "And for all this time, you've been alive. You were just like all the other "friends" I had, cut contact when you felt like it, and the only reason you bothered even contacting me again is because you WANTED SOMETHING! How the hell could you?" The Jedi would bark. "You haven't changed a damn bit"

He really wasn't the same Jedi anymore.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak was flat on his back in the dirt. He felt his jaw, brows rising in mild surprise. "I hihhnk ihh brohen," he said, snapping it back into place with the sound of a breaking tree branch. "And I deserve it, and more.

"No, I wasn't killed. I went into hiding on purpose, I'll tell you why." He sat up, but just rested his arms on his knees, looking up at Josh. "I didn't contact you because I wanted something from you. I contacted you because A, you're the only one I can trust for anything, B, because I don't want something, I need it. I have almost nothing, save for my life. I don't have a ship, I don't have any credits... and, I don't have a good apology."

Jak slowly rose to his feet. "I didn't contact you because of one, very singular reason. Circe wants me back to her. If she is a spider, I was the fly she loved... and the only one that got away from her, really." He scratched the back of his neck, somewhat embarrassed. "She knows I know you, and again, if she's a spider, she's got a web of followers strung up along behind her, hanging on her every move. I didn't dare contact you for fear of her. And, since you thought me dead, hopefully, so did she."

He shrugged apologetically, cause that was really all he could do. "I know this means nothing to you, but... I'm sorry. I really am. I'm an nerf herder, I'm worse, I'm a parasite, I'm stupid cause I never listen to you... so I came to you. Cause, you've never actually hurt me."

The stupider one of the pair sighed. "I went into exile because... because Emily's dead. I found what was left of her ship smeared across an asteroid." A lump rose in his throat, and he forced it down. He was over this...

"My life has been intertwined, irrevocably, around one person. And she needs to die." Here he looked up at Josh. "So, I called you here because I need your help.

"I need to kill Circe."


[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh didn't regret it. Punching Jak. Berating him. Every word he spoke was true and it was something the plant man needed to hear. He had caused Josh so much pain, and never once seemed to think about what it would do to him. He shook his head when the fool would start talking about Circe.

"Last time I spoke to her, Jak... She taunted me. Taunted me about what she did to my brother. Taunted me about what she did to you. I'll never forgive that. She wouldn't get information out of me because I would have burned her into nothing but a stem before reducing her to ashes" he spoke, one of his hands suddenly covered in crackling flames. He meant it literally...

"I know full well she's a black widow. I'm someone who can resist her charms. And sink the itsy bitsy spider down the water spout. I wouldn't have sold you down river, and you knew it" be remarked.

His gaze softened when Jak mentioned that Emily died, and he let out a sigh. He couldn't stay too mad for long, it seemed. Jak then asked his request... And he nodded faintly.

"I'm sure by the time we get an opportunity, one of the hundred other enemies she's made will probably put her down. But..." He began, taking a breath. "If the opportunity presents itself... Then fine. I'll help you"

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak allowed himself a weak, cringing smile. All things considered, this was actually going well; he had kind of expected this, though maybe not this bad. Still.... he was drawing on what fragments remained on their friendship. He sighed. "Thanks, man... I... yeah. I've been a terrible friend. I can only blame myself; I learned how to be a loner from my dad; he only had one or two people he could barely call friend, and those were his business partners. So... I'mnotcallingyouabusinesspartner!" he rushed, taking half a step back. "I'm just saying... well... You're kind of the only one I ever managed to maintain a relationship with." Then he winced, and muttered, "Wow, Sandrow. Nice going."

Wondering if he was really trying too hard, he asked, "... Soo... do you wanna go get a beer or somethin'? For... old time's sake."

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The blonde crossed his arms, and let out a sigh. "That's no excuse" He remarked flatly. "I've been a loner most of my life too, but that doesn't mean I can just go around lying to my friends like that. Or what friends I have left" He added, raising an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I learned on my OWN to be loyal to my friends and co-workers, and I haven't had a father since I was 5. You're a grown man, Jak. You have to learn to take responsibility for what you've done" He spoke, shaking his head. He wasn't usually this harsh on people, but... Jak needed it. Seriously.

To his question, he gave another sigh in resignation and shrugged casually. "Oh, why the hell not?"

But after a moment.... He raised an eyebrow when he came to a realization.

"Wait a minute... No! You JUST said you had no credits!" He accused, shooting Jak a look. He was NOT falling for that one. "You're not sticking me with the bill, considering I'm already paying docking fees and fuel costs just to come pick you up"

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"No, no, I hear you. I'm... I am sorry."

As to the accusation: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, I said I have no credits. I'm an idiot, but I'm not that much of an idiot. Being a hacker pays well: I've got a large sum under three anonymous accounts. Trust me, I could probably pay for your ship. Money is no object."

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"..... Then why didn't you just get a shuttle out of here?" The Jedi would ask, raising an eyebrow. He really didn't approve of him hacking people's accounts but... Well, he wasn't galactic law anymore. Not much he could arrest him for seeing as he wasn't part of the Republic anymore.

"Alright, alright. Since I paid for the docking and fuel... You're covering the tab" He remarked, with a cheeky smirk suddenly crossing his face.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Because I'd rather hang out with my friend," Jak said, simply.

"And I'll pay the tab, sure," he grinned. "Though I'd like to see how many glasses more I can put back than you."


[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"..... Fine. You got me" He remarked with a laugh. "Fair move there, Sandrow. You win this round" He added, but then a grin crossed his face when he brought up the idea that he could outdrink HIM!

"HAH!" The Jedi Master would respond to that. "While you've been hiding from your psycho ex wife, I've been perfecting my technique, Sandrow! There is NO way in hell you can drink me under the table!" He remarked, nudging his friend with a laugh. It was just like old times it seemed. And while he was still mad at Jak for all of the crap, the least he could do was put it aside for a good time, especially if that meant Jak was picking up the tab.

"By the way, while we're there? We're picking you up a good girl. Whether she's a keeper, or a bar wench, I don't even care!" He joked with a laugh. "By your whining and complaining, you need one! So! Lead the way, Sandrow. I've never been here before, so... I have no clue where the cantina is"

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak grinned smugly. "We'll see."

"Tch. What, you figure third time's the charm, or something?" he said. "Yeah, the biggest city's about a few thousand k southwest of here. There's gotta be a good bar there, somewhere."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi smirked back. "Trust me. You'll see" He remarked.

"Well, then let's go" He added with a shrug. Sounded like it wouldn't be far. "Just hope you got enough to pay the tab, and still know how to when you're drunk off your ass" He cracked.

"And sure, why wouldn't third time be the charm? We'll get you a nice Twi'lek from Zeltros or something. They love to party!" He joked.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Meh, shouldn't be a problem," he smirked. At the latter comment, Jak rolled his eyes and winced a little. "Riiiiight. Well, based on my previous relationships, I think I may land someone in the next, oh... 90 years. Still, I'm a plant, so I got time, then."

He headed to the ship. "This yours, or a rental?"


[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Well, I thought I had someone for keeps, but you know what happened" He remarked frowning a bit. "She died too. I know full well how it feels to lose someone you love" He added as they walked toward the ship. "But... I gotta keep trying, y'know? Destiny has a weird thing where it always works out. I mean, I thought leaving the Order was the worst thing to happen to me. But it ended up being like taking off a pair of infrared vision goggles. I saw everything. All of a sudden, I'm not blinded by loyalty anymore. I see goods, I see bads. I see the truth that was in front of me all along. So... While it sucks that my so called 'friends' stabbed me in the back and don't talk to me anymore, I feel like I've grown up since. So... Chit happens, but it's usually for the best" He added, with a casual shrug.

At his remark about his ship, he rolled his eyes. "Jak. This is the same ship the last time you saw it. And the time before that. And the time before that. And the time before that. It's too old to be a rental at this point" He snarked. "Just get on the damn ship, and we'll pick out a bloody cantina. Or we can order a load of drinks online, have them transported, have the droid pilot the ship, and just drink ourselves to death on the ship"

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Yeaaahhh... happened twice for me, buddy boy," Jak grinned. "All the same... I'm not exactly looking for love at the moment... More like a job. So... Let's go to a cantina, yeah."

Taking a passenger's seat, he re-familiarized himself with Josh's ship. "I'm not piloting," he reminded Josh. "Remember last time?"

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Only had one girlfriend to speak of myself" The Jedi remarked. "Not my fault I go for the committed and loyal ones instead of the first schutta I see" he snarked. The cut of his jib would be hard to miss. Pretty easy to see what he was talking about. "Alas, it'll happen. Juuuust gotta, you know. Do whatcha can" he added.

"Cantina it is then" Josh would remark as the ships doors would close behind them. "Go see the navigation system and find us somewhere we can get drunk off our asses" he remarked. "As for piloting? My droid will" he added, motioning toward the nearby R4 droid. "He tends to do the flying. I never was much of a pilot myself"

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"OW. DUDE. HARSH," he groaned, faking pain. "And anyway, I actually did have the intelligence to leave her dead. It was Emily that... well... I thought something was happening." He sat in silence for a moment, before clapping his hands together. "RIGHT, well. We should be there soon, aye?"

He wasn't particularly excited about the hook-up thing.... but alcohomol? He could do with some alcohomol.

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi would shrug, and shake his head in return. "Intelligence isn't your strong suit, as stated by the fact that somehow you still haven't rid yourself of her" He would remark flatly as he folded his arms in irritation. "If I don't want anything to do with some people... Then I don't. It's simple as that. I haven't seen the people who had me booted from my position ever since. And thank the Force for that" He remarked. "You've been able to hide from Circe, but you've alienated yourself in the process. You didn't have to do that" He added. "Just... Use your damn head. Or what's left of it"

"Regardless... Aye. We should" He said as the R4 unit would begin piloting the ship as it soared into the air. "This better be a good cantina if we have to fly there" He remarked with a smirk.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak gestured helplessly to himself. "Josh. I can't fething help it. Everything I am, ever since I left Omega Pyre? It's all because of her. Everything good, everything bad - and... that includes Emily - is all a direct product of the... tch, the monster that she made me."

A solitary flower grew out of Jak's hand, a rose. He held it, gently. "I thought it was a gift.... the ultimate tool..." Then he crushed the flower, viciously, and it melted back into his skin. "Well... tool is right. I was nothing more than a stepping stone, and I was too blinded by love and by power to see otherwise. As cliche as that sounds." He looked at Josh with a wry grin. "So yeah, I alienated myself. From everyone and everything - Why? Because even the way I met YOU," here he jabbed a finger in Josh's direction, "was through Circe. And before her, Omega Protectorate - and they kind of want me dead. So... exile seemed the only way to go."

He stretched out a hand. "Can you scrape up enough compassion to forgive a stupid plant?"

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]