Populate High Steaks | ME Populate of Vaal

[Adelle Bastiel]

Tags: Dreidi Xeraic | Tessa Thayne | Raum Varad

Dreidi spoke of focus, of not letting things weigh one down. And for the most part, Adelle agreed—focusing on the next right step was key in a galaxy filled to overflowing with conflict and suffering. But there was use in feeling the weight of matters, of allowing the emotions brought on to live and breathe even if they could never dwell.

He leaned into the edge of the table, chest heaving, grin wide, eyes sparkling with mischief. "What's that?" he bellowed, voice carrying across the hall. "You don't like our singing?" He kicked another plate for emphasis, meat tumbling onto the floor. "You averse to fun, friends?"

Heads turned, some scowling, some laughing, some wiping spilt drinks from their armor. Raum didn't flinch. "Maybe," he said, swaggering along the length of the table, "maybe you all should join me!"

“When the Hells freeze,” Adelle murmured, taking a long drink from her ne’tra gal. The young woman next to her seemed to be of the same mind, pouring more alcohol for herself.

But then Dreidi sang.

Adelle’s eyebrows rose. The pale-skinned warrior had talent. Maybe they should’ve arranged for her to have a dedicated space to sing tonight.

Then the young woman not drunk enough for the raucous singing positively launched a bread roll like a missile at the boisterous Mando’s forehead, nailing him with a satisfactory thump. Adelle laughed freely.

“I like your style,” she told the bread-slinger. “What’s your name?”

She smiled for the first time that night, playfully. “So I know not to get on your bad side.”