Private Humble Beginnings, Not So Humble Actions

[Gavin Restur]

Meanwhile, in the lower levels of Coruscant...​

Gavin was currently on a decently high catwalk, leaning against the railing. What was in his hands, and currently pressed up against his eyes, was a pair of binoculars. What was he currently doing? Well, stalking the entrance of a building. Why's he doing that? He's waiting for a certain person to walk out, of course. Who's that person? Glad you asked.

Cern Treege is a Rodian male, with red skin and purple eyes. Cern Treege was seen earlier today wearing a brown shirt, black pants, and white shoes. Cern Treege may be even wearing a cloth over his face, probably for it to act like a mask. Cern Treege, according to informants that Gavin spoke to, likes to frequent this building-- the building a question, being a pretty popular brothel, which was just popular enough that many of those in the criminal underground knew of its existence, while not too popular that the authorities catch wind of it.

And Cern Treege, importantly, has a bounty on him.

You see, Cern Treege has quite the list of crimes he's wanted for. Extortion, robbery, breaking and entering...he even has a few unpaid parking tickets, the scoundrel. Regardless, typical underworld thug. Your typical criminal. And when Gavin initially took the contract, that's all he was expecting to get into. You always hear about the typical criminal, but no one ever talks about actually arresting them. However, if you're an up-and-coming bounty hunter like Gavin is, it's these exact types of contracts you have to take to start building up your reputation. Sure, he's made somewhat of a name for himself recently, but he isn't quite a household name. Far from it, actually. Those deep in his line of work might've heard his name once or twice, but it was usually drowned out by hundreds of other names. People tend to forget, for every criminal that exists, there's usually some type of authority figure working against him.

But Gavin's not here to get his name lost within the others. When he initially took up bounty hunting and mercenary work as a serious career path, that's when he was in it for the money, sure. He did used to live in the slums himself, after all, and a means of making reliable income is appealing to anyone, especially if it's a lot of it (potentially). But the more work he did, and the further deep he got into this line of work, the more he found himself...liking the reputation, actually. It wasn't exactly fame yet, but some people actually knew his name, without him knowing theirs. While being a really well-known bounty hunter might have some downsides too it, it just felt...good, to be known.

And that's exactly why this next bit of information on Cern Treege is the most important.

Sure, the contract says he's wanted for extortion, robbery, breaking and entering, and not giving the government money. However, what the government doesn't know, is that Cern Treege is tied in with a pretty big spice smuggling group. And not only is he "tied in" with this group, he and this group are so far deep into it, that they actually run a spice mining operation. And for it to go even deeper than that, Cern Treege is thought to be one of the "assistant managers" of this spice mining operation! Crazy, right? The things you learn, if you let people talk.

And that's what's so appealing about this line of work. How something small, might end up being like a new water source on Tatooine-- valuable. That, right there, is why Gavin feels like he's found his calling. Hunting these thugs, getting paid, and making a name for himself. And speaking of thugs, here he comes now...

Gavin watched as a Rodian male, with red skin and purple eyes, wearing a brown shirt, black pants, and white shoes, with a cloth hanging off from his neck that could easily be raised to act like a mask, walked out of the building. Some people seemed to be waiting for him, as they greeted him after he had exited. And after a moment of conversation, the group of about 5 guys, including Cern Treege, started walking off.

"...theeeere you are."

The binoculars are quickly stuffed away in his satchel, as he took a moment to adjust his coat, and his hat. After, he had leapt over the catwalk, using a nearby pole to sliiiiide down onto the floor. Once he was on the floor, he started making his way in pursuit of the group.

The chase, was on.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

The lower levels of Coruscant always had a smell — duracrete dust soaked in oil, desperation, and too much synth-ale. But Valery had long since stopped wrinkling her nose at it. Tonight, she wasn't a Jedi Grandmaster. She wasn't even Valery Noble. She was just "Lyn," another off-the-radar smuggler with a blaster on her hip and a sharp eye for trouble.

Leaning against the wall beside the brothel's side entrance, her leather trousers creaked slightly as she shifted her weight. One gloved thumb hooked lazily in her belt. The low glow of a nearby sign threw red light across her face and the open collar of her shirt. She looked bored. Relaxed. But her eyes — those sharp amber eyes — were watching everything.

Especially the front door.

Then, movement. The Rodian emerged just as her contact said he would — red skin, brown shirt, the telltale gait of someone who thought they were safe because they were surrounded. Five total, maybe six. She didn't flinch, didn't move right away. Just pushed off the wall with casual grace and started forward, her hand brushing the grip of her blaster in passing.

But then—

Out of the corner of her eye, someone else moved. Not part of the group. Not a civilian. No drunken swagger or idle loitering — this guy was focused. Valery slowed a half-step, eyes narrowing as she watched him weave into the street after the group, coat flaring behind him.

Another hunter?

Her brow lifted slightly, amused despite herself.

"Interesting," she murmured under her breath, adjusting the angle of her approach to tail the tail — just close enough to learn more, just far enough to avoid being seen. The Rodian wasn't the only mystery walking out of that building tonight.

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

The thought of someone seeing him and maybe getting a bit suspicious did cross his mind, seeing how he did just...borderline throw himself off a catwalk. But, he figured he was at enough distance away, and that most people really don't care enough to do or say anything about it. Besides, most people just don't pay enough attention to their surroundings to notice, anyway.

And, at least for now, he didn't notice someone following him. Normally, he can take a look at someone, and read them like a book because of their body language. However, it's a bit hard to read that body language if the person is...behind you. And you don't see them.

But, anyway. His focus was currently on the group a bit of ways in front of him...-- who just turned into an alleyway. Could you ask for a more perfect setup? His target and his small group of friends, going off in a small, secluded area. One where there isn’t too much cover, they’re all in one direction, and they’re not expecting a damn thing.

He pressed himself up against the wall just before the entrance to the alleyway, fitting on his respirator, and taking a moment to look over what he has with him. He’s got his two DG-29 Heavy Blaster Pistols, which will probably be the only things he really uses, here. He's got his respirator, which he...probably won't use, but the vocoder makes his voice sound cool. Obviously he's got his force pike...oh, who even cares. He's got exactly what he needs for this. So let's get it done.

The small gang were currently passing around death sticks to each other, just hanging out. But, their time of enjoyment would come to a screeching halt, when the bounty hunter's voice spoke up.

"...Ceeeeeeeern, Treeeeeeeege."

A drawl out of the man's name, as he stepped into view. Walking a bit into the alleyway itself, to clearly show that he's blocking the way. His head tilted down low so that his hat was covering his face, his hands low, thumbs hooked underneath his belt. Taking a few slow, deliberate steps forwards, before halting.

There was a tilt of his head up, "You've got quite the record, my friend. And quite the price tag."

The Rodian, and all of his pals, were glaring daggers at the bounty hunter. The tension was certainly rising.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery lingered at the edge of the street just before the alley, half-hidden in the shadow of a recessed doorway. Her arms were crossed loosely over her chest, one shoulder pressed to the duracrete wall, her weight on one booted leg. She didn't make a sound — didn't have to. The tension in the air was already crackling like ozone before a storm.

Her amber eyes were fixed on the scene unfolding just ahead.

Ceeeeeeeern, Treeeeeeeege…

The name rolled out like smoke, and Valery's brows lifted a notch. So the stranger has a voice, she thought, mildly impressed. And not just any voice — the kind that echoed off alley walls and promised hell wrapped in bravado. She didn't step forward. But her right hand casually dropped to rest near her blaster, fingers brushing the worn grip.

Across the alley, the gang had stopped passing around the death sticks. Their posture shifted, shoulders squaring, hands lowering toward holsters. Even amateurs had instincts, and danger — real danger — set those instincts buzzing. The Rodian, Cern Treege, stared the newcomer down, and Valery saw the change hit his eyes.

Not fear.

Calculations.

He took one step forward, the gang fanning out just slightly behind him, enough to show they were willing to fight — or at least make it look that way. Then he spoke, voice harsh and nasal through his half-raised mask, "You just bought yourself a corpse, stranger," Cern hissed. "Walk away now, and maybe I only break your jaw."

Valery's smirk was slow, amused. She shifted a little in the shadows, just enough that her silhouette might become visible — just enough to be noticed.

Now this… this could get fun.

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

Before he continues with the Rodian, he needs to make something clear to his pals.

"Any of you even try to reach for your blaster, and all of you will be dead before a single body hits the floor."

And he did mean it, as his hands slid along his belt. Pushing aside the fabric of his coat, to reveal his own holstered blasters. While unarmed and melee combat was what he "specialized" in, he's gotten good with using blasters. Really good.

Body language is his sweet spot, his forte. His eyes had been darting all over these guys, not out of any nervousness or anxiety, but purely to watch what every single one of them of doing. How their hands move, where their eyes are looking, the expressions on their faces. Cern Treege doesn't seem to be like one to back down, but maybe his boys don't find themselves wanting to throw their lives away for him.

"I'm just here for Cern, I don't have any qualms with the rest of you..." Yet. Until they likely get bounties of their own later. "And speaking of mister Cern..." Diverting his attention back towards the man.

"Talk like that, is a good way to find yourself being referred to in the past tense. Your bounty says to bring you in alive, but that's because they don't got a clue as to your true schemes. Once they do, the gloves are off."

"So I would suggest, for you, your friends, any family or loved ones you may have...to surrender, and come quietly."

Does this ever work? In the decent amount of bounties he's done over time, it's worked maybe...once or twice. But, that doesn't mean that he doesn't have an obligation of letting his targets have the opportunity to surrender peacefully. They just rarely do.

He kept his hands near his blasters, his eyes turning to a squint. Ready for the smallest of movements, the slightest of shifts, t-

He notices someone moving out of the corner of his eyes, tilting his head somewhat to look over, and taking his eyes off the group for a moment. Does Cern have more friends?

Greeaaaat...

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery saw the exact moment things went to hell. It wasn't Gavin's warning — though it was delivered with admirable cool and just the right hint of theatrical menace. It wasn't even Cern's scoff, or the way his fingers twitched near his belt. It was the eyes of the thug to his left. Wide, panicked. A rookie mistake.

The instant his hand moved, Valery moved too.

Blasters cleared holsters with a snap of motion and the alley exploded into sound and light. Red bolts screamed through the misty air, one sizzling off the wall just centimeters from Valery's head. She dropped low, pivoted out of the doorway and into a quick, tight crouch, her pistols in hand.

Snap-hiss-crack.

Two stun bolts leapt from her weapons — blue rings of charged plasma — and caught the closest gang members mid-draw. They dropped like sacks of grain, their weapons clattering uselessly beside them. Cern, of course, had already ducked behind his men — the Rodian's cowardice as predictable as it was useful. Valery didn't have to look at Gavin to know he'd seen it too.

Her eyes flicked his way for half a second — just enough to read the angle of his stance and the calm in his posture. Good. She had her answer.

Valery shifted, one knee braced against the ground as she sighted down her next target.

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

Of course it had to be the split second he took eyes off of the group, that was when they decided to start shooting.

It was fortunate that the first bolt had missed him, as it gave him the opportunity to realize what was happening, and divert his attention back ahead. He was able to twist his head and body, avoiding bolts that would've legitimately hit him otherwise as his own blasters are yanked out from their holsters. He didn't spare the time to properly extend his arms forwards to aim, keeping them low at his waist to start shooting as quickly as possible.

In contrast to the other's use of stun rounds, he decided to not spare such niceties to the group of thugs. After all, they're trying to blow his head off, and he doesn't appreciate that. Bolts of yellow streak out from his blasters, and fly down the alleyway. One of them strikes a target square in the stomach, causing them to keel forwards, before dropping to the ground.

By now, Cern and whoever was left started to hightail it out of there, running down the alleyway while keeping their blasters pointed at the pair, maintaining their fire. Gavin had pressed himself up against the wall to his left, watching the bolts of red fly past. Continuing to lay down his own fire, though unfortunately none hit their mark.

It was about now, that he finally took the moment to actually look at the other. Glancing at her up and down, though mostly just to try and get a read on her body language. She hadn't shot at him, so that's always a plus. Whether she was some other bounty hunter, a civilian who decided to join in the fight, or someone looking for revenge-- he didn't particularly care. What he currently cares about, is the Rodian and whatever remains of his gang currently fleeing.

After the shared moment of looking to each other, he looked back ahead. Feet began to pick up, as he booked it in pursuit. Like hell was he going to let them get away.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery caught the streak of yellow bolts slicing through the smoke, saw the way Gavin moved — quick, efficient, no hesitation. A little rough around the edges, sure, but there was precision in it. Purpose. And most importantly, when he glanced her way, he didn’t flinch. Didn’t shoot.

She grinned.

As their eyes met for that fraction of a second, she gave him a wink — subtle, but unmistakable. She wasn’t here to compete. She was here for Cern too.

Then the Rodian and his crew broke and ran, blaster fire still barking behind them like a chorus of rabid hounds. Valery surged forward from her crouch, blasters still drawn, long strides eating up the space between her and Gavin as she fell into step just behind him.

“They’re trying to lose us in the side streets,” she called over the hiss of blaster bolts and booted feet pounding duracrete. “And those shots...” Her voice dipped lower, sharp and amused. “They’ll have half the lower levels listening in. We don’t have long before more eyes — or reinforcements — show up.”

Her eyes flicked down the alley, already tracking the paths ahead, mapping escape routes, bottlenecks, and blind corners.

“Hope you’re faster than you look, mystery man,” she smirked, “Because I’m not losing that Rodian.”

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

Huh. She seems interesting.

The wink had elicited a brow to raise, though it quickly lowered. At the least, it told him that she was on his side. Further proven by her talking to him. Which is a good thing, seeing how much of a good shot she was. Dropped two of them like it was nothing.

["We don't have long before more eyes — or reinforcements — show up."]

"I know, I know! We'll get him before any of that happens." Cern and the remaining goons had rounded the corner at the end of the alley, at this point. Right back into the civilian population.

["Hope you're faster than you look, mystery man, because I'm not losing that Rodian."]

This had garnered another look towards her, though it had caused a few chuckles to emit out from his respirator's vocoder. "I've got plenty of speed, mystery woman, the real question is if you'll be able to keep up!"

The pair rounded the corner themselves, now. The small grouping of criminals were visibly seen fleeing off to the left, shoving bystanders out of the way. Gavin continued his pursuit for a few moments, but he decided it was about time to kick it up a notch. With a press of a button on his wrist gauntlet, his rocket boots sparked to life, with a few brief blips of flame spewing out-- before, he took flight. Half of his face was covered by his respirator, but the woman could tell he was giving her a cheeky look.

He flew up into the air, traveling much faster now, and starting to close the distance. The remaining members of Cern's gang had elected to start shooting their blasters up at him. He knew he was in an area now where he could no longer afford to miss, so he brought up his arms to properly aim his blasters. Holding them for a second, before two bolts of yellow shot out. Both hit their marks, with the remaining gang members collapsing down on the floor.

Cern was all alone, now.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

The heat from Gavin's rocket boots seared the air as he lifted off beside her, and Valery couldn't help but grin as flames cracked against the alley walls. He wasn't just fast — he had flair. Cheeky bastard.

"Show-off," she muttered under her breath, amusement dripping from the word.

But Valery wasn't one to be left behind. With a breath that barely touched her lips, she reached inward — not for strength or aggression, but for stillness. For precision. The Force surged through her like a current, coiling in her limbs, humming beneath her skin. And then she moved.

One moment, she was standing in the alley; the next, she was streaking through the chaos like a bolt of lightning.

Not a blur — clean. Controlled. Every stride calculated, every pivot on booted heel cutting tight around scattering civilians and collapsing vendor stalls. Where Gavin brought fire, Valery brought wind and shadow — the kind that slipped past notice until it was already there.

Ahead, the Rodian darted through the last of the crowd, his clawed hands scrabbling for something at his belt — maybe a commlink, maybe a smoke grenade. Desperate. Cornered. Valery's amber eyes narrowed. She reached out with the Force again, this time delicate, subtle.

A whisper of pressure. A nudge.

The Rodian's foot clipped the edge of an uneven duracrete slab — one that hadn't been loose a moment before. His stride caught mid-step. He stumbled forward violently, limbs flailing as momentum betrayed him. Then thud — he hit the ground hard, skidding forward with a sharp yelp and a scatter of credits spilling from his belt pouch.

Valery closed the distance in a heartbeat, planting a foot beside his ribs and leveling one of her blasters at the back of his head — not firing. Just claiming the kill.

"You're fast," she called up to Gavin with a smirk, not even out of breath. "But we're faster."

Then, to the Rodian beneath her boot, cool and quiet:

"Don't move."

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

After taking out the remaining gang members, he had elected to give a glance back to see where the woman had b- oh shit she's fast. What the hell?

His eyes were only just able to keep up with the precise and quick movements of the other, watching her smoothly make her way through the crowds of people, and to where the Rodian was. The conveniently raised slab seemed too convenient. Add that with the practically inhuman speed...

...is she a Jedi? Or, at least, one who can use the powers that they have...

He lowered himself from the skies, landing back on solid ground as the flames sputtered out from the rocket boots, before halting completely. With a brief twirl of his blasters, they are slid back into their holsters. Looking over the Rodian with a blaster aimed at the back of his skull, then to the one aiming said blaster. A single exhale was let out, mentally cleansing out the adrenaline and rush.

With a stride over, reaching into his satchel before a pair of stuncuffs are removed. Lightly tossing them over to the woman. "Here, go ahead and put these on 'im."

Stepping around, as his hands returned back to where they were most comfortable: resting against his belt. Taking a moment to look across the scattered credits on the floor. "Those were some quick moves there, mystery woman. Too quick..." As he looked back to her. Not spoken distastefully or rudely, but more as a means to give her an opportunity to fill in the blanks.

"More than quick enough for our friend, 'ere. Ain't that right, Cern?" To which, the Rodian gave an exasperated sigh in response.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery caught the stuncuffs mid-air with an easy flick of her wrist and crouched beside the Rodian. Her blaster never wavered as she snapped the cuffs around his wrists with smooth, practiced efficiency — one click, then another. The Rodian muttered something low in Huttese, but a sharper glance from her silenced him immediately.

"You're done running, Cern," she said, voice even, cool.

She stood, adjusting her stance with a quiet sigh — not tired, just resetting. Then, in one unhurried motion, she raised a hand and ran it back through her tousled brown hair, brushing a few stray strands from her face as the heat of the chase finally began to ebb. Her gaze lifted to Gavin, sharp and amused.

"You guessed it," she said, her smirk deepening just slightly. "I'm a Jedi." Her head tilted, and she gestured down at the groaning Rodian with a casual nod.

"So, bounty hunter — I'm guessing this one's worth something to you?" A brow lifted. "Go ahead. Take him in. I don't care about the credits." She stepped aside, hands settling at her belt as she let the calm settle around them again.

"Just wanted to make sure he didn't slip away."

A glance his way, more measured now.

"You always chase your marks with that much fire, or am I just lucky today?"

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

Fun fact: he can understand Huttese. Whatever slight or insult Cern had concocted in that stupid little brain of his was understood by Gavin, though he elected to not jump on it too much. The stern (and frankly, intimidating) look from the Jedi was most certainly enough to pipe the scoundrel down, though Gavin elected to throw in a free boot to the ribs with no extra charge, with a, "Quiet, you." mixed in as well.

["You guessed it, I'm a Jedi."]

His gaze would raise back over to the woman after she had spoke. "Figured. I appreciate your help, then." Could he have handled this all on his lonesome? Absolutely. But, he's never one to say no to some help.

["So, bounty hunter — I'm guessing this one's worth something to you? Go ahead. Take him in. I don't care about the credits."]

"You're correct that he's worth something. Cern Treege here, on top of his posted crimes by the Alliance, turns out to also be deeply involved in the spice trade. 'Assistant manager' at one of them mines, is what I heard. One of them, at least. While I ain't know that going in, I think turning him in will help make the galaxy just a bit more safe." Sparing another glance down to the Rodian, before looking back over. "And I'll, gladly, take him off your hands for you." His hands lifted for a moment, pressing a button on his wrist pad. Calling for his ship to come near his location. He'll have to drag Cern over to it, but that's alright. Hands lowering back onto his belt, after.

["You always chase your marks with that much fire, or am I just lucky today?"]

This had earned a bit of a chuckle. "Weeeeeeeell," Another drawl. "I just do what I think needs to be done. Besides: once those bolts start to fly, well...all bets are off, aren't they?"

He took a moment to look around. By now was when people started to gather somewhat. A trail of bodies had led towards the pair, and sirens could be heard in the distance from the responding authorities. Reaching into his coat, as a small badge is taken out. Just a means of showing that he has legitimate authority.

The badge was fastened onto the front of his belt to display it clearly, before looking back over to the woman. A slight tilt of his head. “So, mystery Jedi, you got a name at all? Or do you intend to remain as a mystery.” Spoken in a lighthearted tone, keeping a calm and relaxed posture.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery watched the subtle play of muscle as Gavin delivered that extra boot — a little punctuation mark on a job well done. She didn’t stop him. The Rodian had earned worse. Still, she arched an eyebrow at the gesture and offered a dry, amused, "Very diplomatic."

As Gavin spoke, explaining the spice trade connections, her expression shifted from light to something more serious — not hard, exactly, but thoughtful. She respected that kind of clarity. The job and the reason behind it. When he called for his ship, she gave a curt nod and stepped aside to let him claim his prize.

"He's yours," she said simply, a faint crease between her brows as the sirens crept closer. "The kind of scum who profits off spice doesn’t deserve a clean getaway." Her tone carried weight — not dramatic, just resolute.

Then came the drawled answer to her question, and she glanced at him sidelong, a spark of humor cutting through the grit of the aftermath. His badge flicked into place, catching a bit of light.

She smiled.

"Name’s Valery," she said, finally giving it, letting it sit between them like a handshake without the gesture. "And I suppose it’s only fair that I know yours too, then?"

Her gaze flicked over him once, quick and appraising. Just enough to be noticed. Then she cocked a hip and folded her arms, "You up for drinks?" A smirk followed, playful but unmistakably sincere. "To celebrate."

A beat.

"First round is on me."

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

["Name's Valery, and I suppose it's only fair that I know yours too, then?"]

"Valery..." A mental note of the other's name, letting it roll off the tongue. Followed by a few nods to himself. Valery, Valery. Committing it to memory. "Pretty name you got there, Valery. The name's Gavin, and it is...mighty fine, to make your acquaintance." Lifting one of his hands up from his belts, to give a brief flick to the brim of his hat. "I don't know much about you Jedi folk, but the past few minutes have left quite the sweet taste in my mouth." And a clear indication as to how scarily powerful they could be. Seeing how fast one of them could move...they could lob off heads before the person even notices.

["You up for drinks? To celebrate."]

["First round is on me."]

Ain't that something. An offer for drinks, and she's paying for the first ones? Talk about a new water well on Tatooine-- yes, he thought of that joke earlier. He likes it. "That's mighty kind of you, Valery, and I feel like it would be quite the rude gesture for me to decline."

A moment was taken to glance behind himself once more. By now, the authorities had actually arrived-- securing the bodies and blasters of the formerly-alive criminals, starting to section off the area, etc. Looking back towards her, after. "Here-- I need to wrap up all this mess, plus take our friend here into custody. How's about you find a place while I'm busy getting everything sorted, and I'll meet you wherever you decide. Sound like a plan?" He could just hand the Rodian to the authorities here and have them take him in, but like hell is he going to run the chance of some bum cop taking the credit for their hard work. Besides, he finds quite the enjoyment in turning in bounties himself.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery gave Gavin a slight incline of her head, her smirk curving a little wider at his compliment. "Mighty fine, huh?" she echoed with a teasing note. "You sure you're not part diplomat after all?" But she didn't press. She liked the way he talked — casual, honest, just sharp enough to keep things interesting.

When he suggested she find a place, she glanced toward the street, already picking up on the hum of sirens and shuffling boots from the local authorities. Cleanup had begun, and their night didn't have to end here.

"Deal," she said, stepping away as Gavin began sorting out his bounty. "I'll find something close — nothing too fancy, but strong drinks and good shadows."

With one last glance over her shoulder, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the side street.

---

A short walk later, Valery pushed through the doors of a cantina tucked between a pair of repair shops, its sign flickering overhead like it couldn't decide whether it was open or daring her to enter.

Inside, warm light glowed against dark wood and industrial fixtures. The music wasn't loud, just rhythmic enough to pulse under the quiet murmur of conversation and the occasional clink of glass.

Her entrance didn't go unnoticed.

Valery drew eyes without meaning to. A slow sway in her hips. A flick of her hand through wind-tousled brown hair as she crossed the room and heads began to turn. She didn't look around to see who was watching. She just took her seat at the bar and turned her gaze to the bartender.

"Whiskey," she told the bartender, voice low and clean.

The man nodded and turned, and Valery let her eyes wander across the room from beneath her lashes — half watching the door, half savoring the rare stillness of a job complete.

Now it was just a matter of waiting to see if Gavin would keep his promise.

She had a feeling he would.

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

It would take a small bit of time, but sure enough, the man would eventually push himself through the doors. Head tilted low as the brim of his hat covered his face for a few moments, though it eventually lifted up. Eyes would scan across cantina briefly, before locating the woman. And thus, a casual stride over. His appearance had...much less of a reaction from the occupants of the cantina, as anyone who had looked over did so more out of instinct.

"There she is." In greeting as he approached, easing himself down into a seat next to her. Taking a few moments to glance around the cantina-- she definitely wasn't kidding about the "nothing too fancy" part. But, he's spent his time in worse places.

After the tender had finished serving Valery, he spoke up. "Something sweet but, not too sweet." Attention diverting back to the woman, after. "I've got to say, I do appreciate your help back there with Cern. Though, I've the need to ask-- were you following him, too? At least in my eyes, you did show up out of no where. Was this a case of revenge, merely wanting to see this particular guy locked up...?" Definitely interested in hearing what the other's reasonings were, because he wasn't lying when he said that she, at least to him, appeared from thin air. If she wasn't in it for the money, what was she in it for?

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery felt him before she saw him — that calm swagger. She didn't turn right away, just let a smirk curl at the corner of her lips when his voice rolled in beside her.

She glanced over, amused. "You made it. Guess I owe you that drink." When his order was in and the bartender shuffled off again, she turned slightly to face him, forearms resting lightly on the edge of the bar. Her whiskey glass caught the light, half-full and untouched.

"I was following him," she admitted, voice low but not secretive. "The Rodian. He's been on our list for a while. Not just for spice trafficking, though that's bad enough. He's got ties to some dangerous groups for all sorts of crime."

She took a sip of her drink, let the burn settle before continuing.

"I tracked him to this sector and was waiting to make a move when I spotted you tailing him. Figured you might stir the pot, so I waited to see how it'd play out. Didn't expect a bounty hunter with rocket boots, but…" she smirked again, "I've learned to adapt."

Another sip. Her gaze held his now, steady and warm.

"I'm not in this for credits. I'm a Jedi — it's justice I care about. Making sure people like him don't get to vanish into the cracks and keep hurting others." She leaned back a touch, shoulders easing.

"I let you take him because I do understand that this is your job, and I saw no reason to get in the way of that. We both have what we wanted, hm?"

Gavin Restur ​

 

[Gavin Restur]

["I'm not in this for credits. I'm a Jedi — it's justice I care about. Making sure people like him don't get to vanish into the cracks and keep hurting others."]

["I let you take him because I do understand that this is your job, and I saw no reason to get in the way of that. We both have what we wanted, hm?"]

He had fallen quiet as she spoke, fully attentive to her and her words. A hand lifted up, rubbing over his jaw for a brief moment. "...would seem like we did."

The tender had returned shortly after with his drink, and he would wrap his fingers around the glass. "Don't know about you, but I'm rather satisfied with how it played out. Few crooks jailed, some of 'em dead...and Cern where he belongs." Taking a sip, afterwards. Sweet, but not too sweet. Setting the glass back down. "Though, seems like we were both in for a surprise: you weren't expecting a man with rocket boots, and I wasn't expecting no Jedi." Letting a smile show itself, keeping his tone lighthearted.

"You'll have to forgive my ignorance, but is this essentially all you do? Hunt down criminals and fight those...what're they called...-oh! Them Sith?" His knowledge in terms of how the Jedi operate was pretty much nonexistent. At the most, he knew that the Jedi and Sith exist, and that they have weird space magic that makes things fly.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Smuggler Outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery watched him over the rim of her glass, amused by the way he asked — honest curiosity without a hint of malice. That wasn't as common as she'd like. Most people thought Jedi were either glorified monks or laser-sword enforcers. She took another sip, let the taste linger, then set her glass down with a soft clink. One hand lifted, fingers pushing through her hair in a slow, absent sweep as she angled her body a little more toward him.

"Well, rocket boots and bad guys are part of the job," she said with a soft smile, "But they're far from all of it."

Her fingers dropped from her hair and curled loosely around the glass again. The light caught her amber eyes as she leaned in just slightly — not for secrecy, but because it was easier to explain that way.

"Jedi also provide humanitarian aid — food, supplies, medical care, whatever's needed in crisis zones. We mediate disputes, help with diplomacy between governments, and sometimes even counsel individuals or families dealing with trauma." She paused, letting that settle. It wasn't all glammer and duels. It was fieldwork, empathy, patience. Hard choices that didn't always come with a clean solution.

"We try to be where we're needed most. And sometimes that means swinging a saber." She smirked again. "Other times, it means spending hours listening to two farmers argue about irrigation rights."

A beat passed, then she lifted her glass in a small toast.

"Balance, right?"

Her tone was light again, but the words carried that same quiet weight she always carried — the sense that behind the calm and the teasing, there was someone who believed in what she did.

"Still glad you walked into my op?" she asked with a teasing brow, that smirk lingering just a little longer this time.

Gavin Restur ​