High Risk Expectations

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]The odds were never completely in her favor she had a few things that often went against her, weak battle skills and lack of confidence in her own abilities.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She had however done ok with surviving. Arla smiled, yes that is one thing that is done well surviving. Arla thought about the time she had gone back for the pretty marbles that she had found scattered beneath the skulls of the dragons in that god forsaken cave. The Cave which had actually been what had saved her life. Falling into it had kept anyone from finding her while she took some time to cover from her fall.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Arla reached over and rubbed her arm, it was sore again. It was her mind that made it so she knew this she had not fought in any battle that would aggravate the injury, so that left only her mind.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She owed Kal Kandossii a drink, and it was time to pay up. She didn’t like owing anyone anything, so she sent word and asked him to join her. She seemed to spend far too much time in this favorite watering hold of the mando’ad they were beginning to know her name. This in some places was the goal to go someplace where everybody knew their name.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]It was not her goal. She had been working on the side lately learning how to fix small weapons. Her fingers were small enough that they were able to work with some of the smaller parts, it was a profession that took patience. But that she had a supply off.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She looked toward the door, where was Kal, late it would seem.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][member="Kal Kandossii"][/SIZE]

 

[Kal Kandossii]

"You cheating snake!" Kal stood kicking his chair back across the floor as Ben jumped from his seat shouting back, "You lying piece of osik!" Ben was in his beskar'gam while Kal was in civies. But that didn't stop him from dropping the blade from it's forearm sheath and catching it nimbly in his right hand. "It's called bluffing you shabla di'kut!" Kal snarled back.

The other people shoved back from the table as Ben's hand hovered over his pistol in the tie down holster. Looking mildly amused Kal mocked him. "You fancy yourself a gun slinger huh? You go for your gun and I'm going to pin you to the wall vod." Kal winked at him but the cold edge in his voice spoke volumes.

"Ah hell, take the credits." Ben threw his cards down and turned but his hand flashed down for his blaster. Kal's blade flew unerringly into the hand flashing down. Because Ben had removed his gauntlets the knife pierced the hand with such force that it drove it into the wall. Moaning as blood ran down his fingers Kal collected his credits before walking over and grabbing the hilt of his knife.

"You're lucky I got a previous engagement that I'm late for or this wouldn't be over." Twisting the blade as he removed it he watched as Ben fell to his knees holding his injured hand to his chest. Walking backwards Kal left and began making haste for the bar where he was to meet up with Arla. Pushing the doors open he entered and spotted the redhead. As he swaggered over with a grin he gave her a nod as he sat next to her. "Started without me?"

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

Arla laughed and shook her head, "Of course I did, for all I know you might have forgotten and then I would have missed out on having a very nice drink" She was relieved her showed up afterall she would have felt bad had he stood her up. "So sit, and order a drink I do owe you one" Or he at least had made it so she would owe him one.

"So, what kept you tonight, regale me with your adventures" she took a draw on her drink. What did he do when he wasn't being a smart alec.

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

 

[Kal Kandossii]

Kal's eyes crinkled as he grinned at her laugh. It was a nice sound, solid, throaty, not too high pitched that sounded like a horse nor too low to make him wonder if she was packing a pistol where she shouldn't Chuckling slightly he tapped the bar with a nail to let the bartender know he was ready to order when the man made his way over to him.

Placing his arms on the bar he leaned over to slyly appraise the woman with him. "You do owe me for watching your shebs. Then again considering the view perhaps I should be buying you that drink." Smirking he had a feeling she didn't take compliments to gracefully but he covered the pause when the bartender came over. "I'll have an ale, whatever you have on tap. Keep it frothy and keep it comin'."

Turning back to her he scratched his chin thoughtfully. "What have I done today? Saved a damsel in distress, rescued a poor orphan boy, played cards with a Duke and won, a little knife play, and now having a drink with a vod who owes me a drink. Helps that she's not hard on the eyes. Course I'm a catch, the great white whale. So you're in good hands." Taking a deep drink of his ale he sighed contentedly before eyeing her. "What about you? Today been fun? What about future plans?"

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

She didn't know whether to believe him or think him a braggard. He was forward that much was sure and that was something she wasn't too use to, it made her wonder what he was up to.

"Oh. just taking some classes on how to fix small arms, its quiet, requires great thought and it fixes something that could save a life." She took another drink, "As for the future, had not thought about it today. I'm sure there are things I need to do" She thought to herself but I don't know that I want to do them.

"Cards with a Duke, did you mug him at the star port first?"

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

 

[Kal Kandossii]

Listening to her talk he began shaking his head. "No, no, no, no, no. What did you do fun today? What do you like to do? What make you feel alive?" He took another drink. "As for mugging the poor duke, I did at the card table. Anyways I'm rich." He smirked again, the one that was cocky and sure as well as mockingly condescending, just a bit of seriousness in it to make you unsure what exactly he was going for.

Finishing off the mug he tapped his glass for a refill. "I mean yeah, building stuff is cool and fun. One of my favorite things to do is making new armor. But for me it's about playing with fire, a big hammer, and cool weapons." He laughed lightly as he collected his mug, freshly refilled, and took another drink.

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

"For fun" she thought about the day, nothing had been for fun. "I guess this is the fun for the day, this drink with you" It was an obligation that she needed to fulfil. Why was he so curious about her emotions, her state of "fun"

"Do you have fun every day like you have described?" If that was his fun, when was he serious.

 

[Kal Kandossii]

"I can see why this would be the fun of the day for you. I'm awesome." He winked. "It's okay to admit that I bring the fun and make everyone smile. Hell, I make myself laugh sometimes. Sure I might be by myself and tell a good joke, but I crack myself up." He chuckled in amusement. "I'm kidding ... about telling myself jokes. I am awesome it's okay to admit it."

After another drink he slid the mug back and turned to look at her with confusion. "What's the point of living if we aren't enjoying ourselves? So why put off til tomorrow the fun you could have today?"

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

And he's self centered she thought, she leaned back some. yeah with him acting like the mandalorian gift of all things wonderful she didn't think the'd have much more to say to one another.

"I have responsibilities to be done, I have fun when time permits, and when there are people to have fun with. I don't have a host of friends to as you say have fun with." Her friends, her clan, and even then they were often doing their own thing, which is what she was doing lately.

"Tell me a bit about your family, please" She liked hearing about families.

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

 

[Kal Kandossii]

A shadow crossed his face when she asked him to tell her about his family. His grin, for a split second, seemed a grimace as his eyes looked distantly, not behind her but in memories. There was pain there. But just like a light switch the moment of vulnerability was gone and back was the crass look in the eye.

"My family. Well let's see. I'm part of the Kandossii clan which my wonderful brother is alor. He's married and they are expecting. So kudos to them for that." Again he looked away lost in a memory as he took a moment to take a slow drink from his ale. In a different tone, deeper and with a bit of a rasp, he continued to speak as he looked into his mug.

"My brother and I, well, we didn't see much of one another growing up. It wasn't until we were both adults that we reconnected. But even now sometimes , well most of the time, we look at each other and all we see is a stranger that we should have known better." Paused he sat still until he snapped out of his reverie.

"Anyway I have vode that I've met and bonded with. They are as much my family as Atin is. More so most times. We hunt together, work together, fight together. And we are all smiths so we talk plenty shop talk. What about you and your family?"

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

"I was adopted into Clan Ordo, I have sisters, Anija and Evi, and the youngest Ginnie. They all have their lives, training, you know things that keep them busy. I rarely see them unless there's some disaster. And then there's Aran he is trying to run the company for buir."

She shrugged again, "I was left as you know, and all I know is my adopted family. So I guess its better, it could be worse." A lot worse she thought.

"You enjoy being a smithy, its the one time you actually sound happy not all blustery." She smiled, why did he come across like that and then just snap something new.

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

 

[Kal Kandossii]

Caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Too perceptive this one. His fingers lightly drummed on the bar as he thought about his answer. It didn't take long for he knew it well. "I been a lot of things. But being a smith seems to feel like 'who' I am. A merc kills things. A hunter tracks things. A fighter , well, fights things. I do all of them and do 'em well. That may be a bit prideful on my part but it's true. And I am proud."

He glanced down as he let his voice trail off. A sigh came out this time, one tired. "I love being mando'ad, it's in my blood and it's my choice but sometimes it just feels as though we are all dead already. I look at history and I see war. That's all there is. And we are always there fighting on one side or the other. And we do it shabla well. But all it seems to be is just a teeter totter between the jedi ans sith. I'm just tired of fighting the jetii and dar'jetii wars for them. I'm rambling now."

He picked up his mug of ale and held it looking at the brew. "We need a real mand'alor who understands that it's time to stop fighting other's wars and fight our own. For our future. Sorry that's my uncle's voice coming out of my mouth. As for smithing that's my calling. To take beskar sand, or other metal, and to shape it it's like creating life. Being in control. When you are stoking the flames and hammering out the impurities it's therapeutic. It's being able to forge something with care, determination, even love. Something we mando'ade need. A lot of the clans are like tight knit families but many of us are orphans, not that we aren't adopted quickly, but wee carry the loss with us. Forging helps to keep the demons at bay."

He took a drink then mentally shook himself. Great company I am. I went from me to morbidity of a past that haunts. "We all have our demons. And we all have our way of dealing with them. Just so happens mine is with drink and fun."

Standing he slapped the bar. "A round on me! Su cuy gar ner vode!" The patrons in the bar answered with shouts of "vor'e". "Oya!, or "Kandossi!". He winked at the redhead as he sat back down with his mug.

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

"Its good that you know yourself. Perhaps I do not know myself so well. " She took another Fri k, for the first time she was running out of words.

"Demons, what is yours?" Had she missed it. She thought back quickly. "Yes think we are all tired of fighting." Arla had been in a few. Her family had been in them all. So many. She felt small for a moment. The he was up buying everyone a drink. She shook her head, and smiled.

He winked. Oh yes to make her feel like they had a shared secret. "I've been thinking about Tattooine" she said for no reason.

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

 

[Kal Kandossii]

"Dessert planets. All that sand always getting in the wrong places. And so hot. And that osik hole has two suns. Two! Why do you need two bakers?" He shook his head. "But the bars have a great ambiance. Gotta admit that." Green eyes watched her and realize her mention of Tatooine was a brief view inside.

Leaning forward he ran a hand through his shaggy hair. "Tell me about Tatooine." A small smile of encouragement. "Maybe you know yourself better then you think. If not maybe I can help." He winked at her again. "Not like that, well not necessarily like that." He was being himself but he honestly was offering his help if she wanted it, for what it was worth.

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

Tell him about Tatooine, "the planet really is more than what you might think. The endless seas of sand that sparkle under the moonlight. The canyons that echo of a life that can no longer be had. And the people are exactly what you think villians, scum, and farmers. Every once in a while you can find a gem or two but you have to really look." She smiled a bit more.

"When I was a kid, I fell into a cave" She wouldn't tell him why she fell into the cave her escape from the Hutt's palace had been painful the bouncing down the falls not her finest moment. She shook her head, " in the cave there were some skeletons and a dieing krayt dragon. It was amazing to see them there, watching how they tried to fight for the last breath, to say they had been there, they were fierce and then the light disappears. And its just bones...a remant. But Tatooine can be beautiful, just have to look"

She looked over at him, and wondered would he think her a fool.

 

[Kal Kandossii]

He listened with rapt attention. Sure his lips splayed a smirk but it was his eyes that showed real focus as he absorbed the words she spoke. It wasn't just a place to her. It was home. Where ever she may go it was Tatooine that whispered to her. The beauty of the planet was described from someone who lived and loved it. Sure there were under currents of pain but wasn't that the price for bittersweet memories?

Shaking his head with slow deliberation he leaned back. "You miss it don't you? The night skies, the crisp cool air, the hidden truth of nature and how a being can battle for every ounce of life?" He watched her carefully and saw the wistfulness in her gaze of visages in Arla's mind's eye. "Hidden gems if one was but to look closely. I think I know of what you speak." He smiled as he raised his glass and took a drink. "Ever want to return again?"

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

She nodded agreeing, "I miss the beautify I found there but not the ugliness the way people use one another because they don't have enough credits to eat on." Arla took another drink, "and yes I've gone back and managed to get myself captured by the raider, beaten within an inch of losing my life. So I guess the question really is, am I going back again" Arla considered it, "yes I will be until I find the answers."

It probably wouldn't make much sense to anyone but her but she knew why she had to keep going. Without the answer she felt as if she was not whole no matter how much they taught her or rewarded her or anything like that she felt incomplete. The answer to the question had to be on Tatooine and there had to be an answer.

"You probably think I'm a glutton for punishment" She was saying and asking at the same time.

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

 

[Kal Kandossii]

"Glutton for punishment? No. I think you are looking for something that you have decided you can only find on Tatooine. And you won't stop til you get it. That's being driven." He smiled at her as he took another drink. "And maybe a bit obsessive. But it's alright, you make it look cute instead of crazy."

He winked at her as he ordered a beer. Taking it in his hand he turned back to face her. He understood the need for answers and seeing things through. It burned as an unquenchable fire inside until you found what it was you were looking for. "So, Red, what are the answers you're looking for? And when do you go back?"

[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[member="Kal Kandossii"]

A bit obsessive, that made her laugh, she knew it was more than a bit. But he did have it right she would get answers she was driven to get them had to have them. She had never really told anyone what she was looking for. Course not many knew that she was doing all of this.

Should she tell him, he was asking. She looked down for a moment and then back up, "I want to know what happen to my parents, and maybe once I have that I can understand everything else" Yes her parents were a key to her obsession, why why why if they were mandalorian then why would they leave her???

"As for going back" the last trip went badly but she was healed now, "As soon as there is a break I'll go" It wasn't until he asked that she made that decision. It was as good a time as any.

 

[Kal Kandossii]

Listening to her speak of parents made him think of his own, long dead. He had never met his parents. It didn't make him less or more of who he was in his mind. But things might have gone differently if he had been raised by them and not his uncle who was a quiet man prone to going on hunts and to war and taking his little nephew along. But if it wasn't for his uncle he would probably not be a beskar smith, and that one thing made his loss of his parents less painful and more bittersweet.

"You ever want a dashing young man to go on that trip with you, let me know. But please bring a lot of sunscreen lotion. You'll need it." He smirked as he tilted his near empty mug. "I definitely understand wanting to know who you came from. You have any siblings floating out there?"

[member="Arla Balor"]