Private New Ground (Jedi and Mandalorian)

[Master Jake Judah]

New Alula City
Starport, Seventh Moon of the Gas Giant Lila, Qena System

Still irritated at having drawn a diplomatic duty to meet with representatives of the Intergalactic Banking Clan on Muunilinst, Jake was further tempted to anger by the Legacy's chief engineer, who insisted they bring the frigate in for temporary repairs at a local star port. It would delay his return to Coruscant and his newest apprentices, but the inevitability of the need drove the decision. They landed in the Qena system, close by, and with the right facilities to swap out the necessary components.

With the delay in the span of hours, Jake took himself off the ship and to a starport cantina, for a quiet and non offensive drink, to pass the time, and reset himself, away from the barely controlled chaos of his ship in a time of duress. The crew, a story for another time, were most eccentic, but they did get the job done well enough. They, he and the ship had been together a long time, and through many trials.

Wearing a plain brown robe, Jake pushed back his traveler's hood as he entered the not too well lit cantina, which was about a third full, and with a quiet ambience of background conversations in dozens of languages, and some sort of tinny electric music playing quietly out of bad speakers. "What'll ya have?" Asked a droid bartender who looked ridiculous in a pompador wig and with an exaggerated outer rim accent.

"Fruit Juice." Jake said. "We got Gnostra berry." Replied the droid. Jake nodded and put down some credits in payment for the drink. When it arrived, he took it, appreciating that the beverage was very well chilled, almost to the point of freezing over, and it actually might be gnostra berry. Wonders never ceased, he thought, turning away from the bar to stand and look back out the entrance towards the star port. Maybe they'll even get the ship put back together on time.

You just never knew. The Master amused himself listening in on the various conversations to see which he could pick up. Mostly he caught the swear and curse words, he was fascinated by the endless diversity of alien invective, hearing several things among the various discussions that could make a Hutt blush. He sipped at his icy juice, which really was gnostra berry and tasted fantastic. He was for sure getting another one. Already he'd stopped worrying about the damned ship. Mission accomplished.

Elise Ahana-Gwyneira

 

[Elise Ahana-Gwyneira]

Taking herself out of the Galactic Alliance's bubble for the time being, Elise decided that perhaps, it was time to return to Archais once again. If course, Elise ran into a little problem. A problem that she could have entirely avoided by being careful. Her ship... ran out of fuel. And so, she stopped at the Qena system, at New Alula City, to refuel. While there, she also realized that she had left her last stop without buying shampoo. And so, after grabbing a bottle of shampoo from the local pharmacy, she was ready to head back to her ship.

When she saw a bar, however, she paused. She had plenty of food in her ship, but curiosity took hold of her. What was the food like at Alula City? With a scoff of amusement, she entered the bar.

Now, Elise was a Mandalorian through and through. But on the casual trip through town, she opted to wear far more casual clothes. Her red cloak trailed behind her as she sported a bright scarlet top and faded sienna pants. With a blaster at her side, she adjusted her hood's clasp. In the process, her Mythosaur pendant, worn as a necklace, slipped below her shirt.

The place was quite busy. So many people and cultures meshed together, blurring the effectiveness of Elise's own Force Sense. The Ajayid shook her head, walking towards the counter as she passed some vulgur language that made her blush.

At the counter, Elise greeted the droid with a smile and asked for most popular dish. As the droid rolled off, Elise turned to sit down at a high stool, when...

"What's a pretty babe like you doing in this joint, eh?"

Elise was starting to regret choosing to just enter this bar, instead of looking for a nicer restaurant.

Elise's smile melted away as she gave to togruta eyeing her a sideways glare. She pointed to the blaster as her hip, a silent warning.

The togruta was too drunk to catch the hint. He took a step closer, looming over her. The scent of spice was strong, but Elise had a strong tolerance towards substances, hardly choking at the odor.

"What species are you? Some kind of near human? Pointy ears, red eyes, don't add up! Exotic either way..."

Elise stuck her tongue out in disgust upon being called exotic. The togruta took another step forward, she stepped back. "Back off. I'm not interested."

The togruta just snickered, "Aww, gimme a chance, babe. I can-"

He reached for her. Physical touch. The shaman in Elise avoid touch due to the potential of random psychometry attacks. It shot off her defenses, driving up her adrenaline. And that triggered the Mandalorian in Elise Vizsla.

"I said!" Elise grabbed his arm, pulling it into a lock as she stepped closer, swiping her leg towards his feet, "Back off!"

In one, fluid motion, he thudded into the ground. As he shouted in pain, the entire bar turned to witness the newest fight. Elise took no notice, slamming her foot into his back as she still held his arm. In the movement, her pendant slipped out from her shirt. The Mythosaur of Mandalore caught a glimmer of window light, shining brightly for a long moment.

Elise gritted her teeth, "Won't you leave me alone now?"

From the crowd, an amused twi'lik male called, "Ha! That's the third time this week, Ashuk! Karabasting hoth!"

When Ashuk started begging for Elise to let him go, and that he would leave her alone, Elise immediately loosened her grip and removed her foot. She took a couple paces back... then extended her hand to help her up. She had used Mandalorian Core by instinct in her defense, and by that experience her psychometry was being kind to her today. She could offer to help this fool up. But he opted to stand himself, only to be shouted at by the barkeeping droid.

"Ashuk! Do I have to throw you out again?!"

"Oh, shut your mouth, droid! And for the last time, that wig looks ridiculous on you!"

The entire bar burst into laughter before returning back to their own business. Elise rolled her eyes as Ashuk slunk away, and she turned to the counter, seeing that the droid placing her food down.

"That was a satisfying takedown, ma'am. This one's on the house! Boss and I both hate that guy."

Elise gave the droid a cheerful smile, whispering, "I think your wig is charming."

The droid bubbled in excitement and rolled away, "Boss! Someone finally complimented the wig! And beat up Ashuk again!"

Elise giggled as she took a spoonful of local hash, shoveling it into her mouth.


Master Jake Judah