Not the First Time Around the Block

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra nodded at the points she felt she had and shook her head at the last. Patience wasn't one of her strongest points. She noticed he perked up as he answered. This was really something he was passionate about. Striking a bargain though, she was an ace at that and she actually broke a small smile at him.

"Patience is one thing I lack, but that is more with people and some situations. Bargaining though, I always win. If I'm able to avoid killing I will, but sometimes you have to."

He spoke confidently in his knowledge and Ra couldn't help but lean forward in her seat and look across the table at him as he spoke. Taking a drink of her sweet ale, she almost wondered if she could make a good hunter. Shaking her head slightly, more mentally than a physical thing. Her duties with the Dominion while only a small portion of her life kept her busy and she didn't have as much time as she used to. The occasional job like the one leading here were what she could do.

"What is the average time it takes to bring in a bounty?"

That would probably be the best answer to have before strongly considering this as an optional job.

The tiredness Kerx was feeling wasn't shared by Ra, but the nexu sleeping in the kitchen was dreaming the sweet dreams of a wild cat.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

"If you lack patience, then it can be hard to get through a bounty. But it's fine. It comes with time. When I first started out on my own I was very impulsive and impatient. But over the years I have learned it. It becomes a very important asset."

The Whispering Death was thinking about the time when the Cathar that gave him a scar. That was a perfect example of how is impatience was displayed. Though he did not feel like sharing it because he did not want to bore his friend, he could not help but think about it. Here he was in a Cantina on Ord Mantell and he saw his bounty walk in.

Acting impatient, as he was looking for the guy for 4 days, he slammed the gun on the table. Then this happened and that happened and what do you know? Kerx got a scar on his eye, blinding it. He liked that memory, until the part came when he slammed the gun on the bar counter...

Then Ra asked what was the average time to turn in a bounty.

This question was really broad, as any bounty can very on its time to complete. Usually ranking from a few days to weeks. Kerx decided to reply with:

"It depends on the environment and the job you are doing. Sometimes it can take me a few days for some jobs and weeks for another. If I had a bounty on Tatooine it would take me about 3 days I would say because Tatooine is very open. But if that bounty was on someplace big like Coruscant, then it would take me a bit longer to find them."

He hoped he did not confuse Ra on it. Plus Kerx really loved talking about what he does. With all of the explaining, the bounty hunter was feeling more and more awake with every sentence...

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"Maybe it is an age thing? I would have said the way one is raised, but if your father raised you, then it couldn't be that or you would have had it when you started."

Faces could be aged by a life style, but Ra felt Kerx was older than her by around eight years. He wore his scars on his face and she was glad he took of his mask around her. Ra didn't ask for the details of any of his targets, but if wanted to tell her stories, she would love to hear them. They would be more exciting than her boring life.

She thought about the cost associated with making her ship into a hunter ship and did another mental shake of her head. At this time, it wasn't an option for her. Who knows what might happen in the future. Maybe she would learn she was heir to a great fortune or that she was royalty of some kind and hidden away when she was little. Maybe she could take on smaller jobs, save up the money from them. Being away weeks at a time though in her position, she didn't think would work out too well.

"That amount of time is crazy to spend on one job. At most, mine takes me away for a week. Depending on what is needed of course."

The longer something took though it might pay more, certainly something for Ra to consider.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

"Indeed, jobs take time and that is what I like most about them. While I am on a bounty, I usually take a look around, get to feel my surroundings. But that's just me. Most hunters just wanna get paid and leave.
They do not think of anything else.But I did think indeed that your jobs would take about a week or so. Only once or twice I was asked to get some families to other planets.

So I guess I kind of know what it is like for your job. But all of these questions you are asking about Bounty Hunting, are you wanting to possibly become one?"

This was Kerx's most curious question yet. Whenever Ra was speaking of bounty hunting and asking question associated with the profession and art, deep down The Whispering Death was wondering if she was considering becoming one. But who knows, maybe she just wants to know more about Kerx and nothing else.

He would understand that she would want to know more about him as they only meant because of a fight in a poor part on Concord Dawn.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra listened to what he had to say and understood the differences between most hunters and what he said about himself. If the truth was told, she would probably fit into the other category, but not killing just to kill. That wasn't something she would do if she could avoid it. Kerx said he could relate to her job and she nodded. With all of her questions, his next one didn't really surprise her much and she took a sip as she thought about her answer.

"I like knowledge and the only way to get it to is to find out about different things. Right now," she shook her head slightly as she spoke. "No, it is not something I could do right now. My ship would need to be overhauled and I just don't have the credits for that."

Setting the bottle down, she looked at him before continuing.

"To answer your question, yes possibly."

It just couldn't happen right now.

"How long have you been hunter?"

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Kerx understood she couldn't be a hunter. He knew where she came from not having enough credits and such. Before his days of hunting, Kerx and his father would pinch every little credit to get some food. But after the first bounty, Kerx decided to use it for things that the family needed. But she did say possibly yes, but overall she just could not right now, and The Whispering Death did not mind.

After her answers, she asked The Whispering Death how long he has been hunting for. Man, those were the days of a rookie. Kerx would do absolutely anything to re experience that again. He was going back to his first bounty, and how his father was a total bad ass in the Cantina. Kerx let out a smile and chuckled. He then answered Ra's question

" Since I was 17. When my birthday rolled around my Father gave me this pistol..." Kerx got out his blaster and set it on the table next to his drink. " I kept it and never used anything else in the galaxy. I would repair it and clean it of course, but I always use it. Then I got this cloak. My father said it was his when his father gave it to him. Then after all of those gifts he took me for my first bounty. Those days as a rookie I wish I can live again."

Kerx took another sip of his drink and put his blaster away in his cloak. He was still remembering those days, before Thrax.....

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Kerx didn't hesitate to answer her question about how long he had been a hunter, though he didn't actually give her a time frame. Instead it was the age when he started. Now she could take a guess at his age, but that didn't mean it would be accurate. He had a smile and chuckle with the story and for the moment looked happy. After he took a drink, he face became somber again at a memory.

"I wouldn't change my past for anything really. It made us who we are today."

She watched as he took the gun out and set it on the table. It was only out while he spoke and he put it away after.

"I can't shoot a blaster well at all. So if a hunter needs one of them, then I'd need lessons."

She had only actually used her blaster a couple of times, but one of the instances it had done its job and she had gotten out alive along with her companion. It had also brought to her a fear of robots that she had never gotten over.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Kerx heard what Ra had to say after. He agreed. If his past were any different, then he would not be the loyal bounty hunter he is today. Now matter how much he hates it, he had to give his father's death some credit into getting Kerx the skills and aptitudes of a true bounty hunter. Without that, The Whispering Death would still be a softie which would have resulted his death so long ago.

Then the hunter heard that Ra can't shoot a blaster.

" Well hunters don't need a blaster, it is just what I was trained with. Some hunters I see fight with daggers, electrostaffs and more. I have even seen one hunter fight with her own light whip and nothing else. If you have skill with those lightsabers then use them instead of trying to learn a blaster. Anyone can be a hunter."

Kerx took another sip of his drink and awaited a response from Ra....

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra could tell his agreed with her assessment that their past made a person who they are today and left it at that. His next statement surprised her a little.

"I would have assumed to be a hunter, you needed to know how to shoot a blaster. Like being a Jedi or Sith with a lightsaber. Like a badge indicating the line of work. My skills are related to hand to hand or with hand weapons."

She also had the Force, but he didn't know that yet. It's not that she intentionally kept it a secret, just it hadn't come up in conversation. He had already seen one of her sabers, so may be able to add it up and realize with her saying she could use the Force.

"What kind of training is there? I mean besides me learning how to be patient."

Taking a drink, she spoke with a little humor, knowing one of her weaknesses.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

" Nope. I would think that the only trait considered to be metaphorically a badge would be the helmet or get up. Usually hunters wear all kinds of different gear and I virtually never see and hunters wearing the same thing. "

Kerx then heard Ra ask what kind of training is there. She spoke with a little humor on it which probably indicates that patience may be a weakness. But none the less Kerx was loving all of these questions. It really felt like a Teacher to Student thing. But it is indeed a shame that Ra can't afford to spend her life as a hunter right now. But it did not hurt into educating her what goes into it.

" Charisma. You gotta learn how to talk the right way to the right people. Agility and Dexterity. You gotta be fast for what's to come on your jobs. Mental Toughness. When one of your jobs is a royal pain, that normal because all jobs can be a pain. You just have to get through it with mental toughness and execute accordingly. I think that's all I can think of as of now but I am sure there's more. "

Kerx took another sip of his drink which was starting to get empty. He was also thinking about the many jobs he had that required Agility, Dexterity, Charisma and Mental Toughness. They all were present day in and day out but to The Whispering Death charisma had to be one of the main ones due to all the people he would persuade to get some sort of lead on a job.

@Ra'amah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"So all hunters wear a head covering of some sort?"

Clothes or gear were unique to each person, though some dressed in similar fashions, none were exactly the same. The question almost sounded stupid, but Ra had spoken it already and couldn't take it back now. Hopefully, Kerx didn't think it sounded dumb. He hadn't exactly said that though. Giving herself a mental kick to the rear, she still waited for his answer.

"I have all those qualities luckily. Street fighting can provide two of them. As for mental toughness, well I run this little business of mine so that's got to count for something. It also goes hand in hand with the charisma part. If that wasn't there, I wouldn't get the jobs I do."

Noticing both of their drinks were near empty, she offered more. If he said yes, she would get him another. She was done drinking though.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

" Mostly yes. Either a mask, hat, or something else. Kind of tradition if you think long enough about it. But if someone doesn't wear something to cover their selves it's no big deal. It just means now people know who they are. If that happens then they can die more easily than others. "

Kerx liked the question. He saw Ra's face act as if that was a stupid question, but it wasn't. It was something a potential hunter needed to know. Cover up the face or you're dead. When Ra told Kerx that she had all of those qualities, he was more than impressed. That meant anytime she could be a bounty hunter.

She already fits the description and attributes of one. While she was talking, The Whispering Death took another drink of his ale before it was depleted. She offered Kerx another one but he declined. He couldn't afford to get into a pit of darkness with drinks. Just one and that's it for him. He was wondering how much time had passed. He didn't have anything so he he asked Ra.

If it was too late he might head back to his ship to be ready for the morning unless Ra insisted he stay in her ship, but either way Kerx would not linger on Ra's answer like it was the end of the world...

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"Ah I see. Well, then I'm honored you trust me enough to reveal who you are. Doesn't a face covering hinder sight though?"

Ra had never worn a mask or head covering to hide her identity other than the hood on her cloak to hide her hair.

Two more questions popped into her mind and she decided to ask both of them while they were still in there and not just part of a jumbled mess.

"How often do you actually have to fight your target? What happens if you accidently kill one that was requested alive?"

Kerx asked what time it was and she had to look.

"Well, if you go to bed with the birds then it's past your bed time."

Saying that with a small smile, she fell silent. She was on her way off the planet when they met, but would probably just spend the night here. Ra didn't have another job lined up so for now, she had all the time in the world.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

" A face covering usually doesn't hinder eye sight. At least, not for me. My right eye is blind and a cybernetic in the other so having a mask on doesn't decrease my sense of vision. "

" I almost always have to fight my target, unless they want to die which is rare for me. They would probably want to be killed after going through hell trying not to which does not make sense to me. But either way, you almost always have to fight your target to get paid. But if you actually kill the target and he was requested alive, then you either don't get anything or the contractor doesn't care and just gives you the credits. "

Kerx was thinking about these questions Ra asked carefully. They were pretty good questions regarding hunting and he had no problem answering them. In fact, a few of those situations happened to him. But it was only when he was a rookie. Now, he obliges 100% to the bounty he is given.

When Kerx asked what time it was Ra replied meaning that it is pretty late, especially if Kerx was already to be asleep. He didn't, so he let out a small chuckle to give more to the atmosphere. Ra fell silent, so Kerx thought he might ask some questions about her. Of course, he would not ask anything regarding her friend or anything.

" Where did you get the lightsabers? I hear they are the weapons of either the Jedi or Sith. But it looks like you aren't affiliated with them in any way."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra gave Kerx her full attention as he answered. She blinked them a couple times as he spoke and remained silent. They did take on a thoughtful look though. She wasn't opposed to violence, but tried to avoid it. He said most targets put up a fight.

"Wouldn't it just be easier to try and capture them from a distance?"

Her questions gave him things to think about and a comfortable silence fell between them as they talked. Her answer about the time caused him to chuckle a little and she returned with a comfortable smile. He asked about her lightsabers and she set one of the hilts on the table. The other she kept up her sleeve. Pointing to the one and motioning to the other before she spoke.

"A friend of mine gifted them to me. Well, the parts to make them. I put them together on my own. Yes, they weapons of the Jedi and Sith. You are correct, I'm not either one."

She held it out to him to see if he wanted to take a closer look at it. If he didn't, then she would replace it up her sleeve.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

" It would be much easier to capture them from a distance if you have something like a stun net or something that can immobilize a bounty. That is actually easier and safer once you think about it. Good question. It goes in well with the Bounty Hunters Creed. One of the phrases is, No bounty is worth dying for. "

The Bounty Hunters Creed, now that's something every hunter should follow. It was a set of rules for a bounty hunter to make them stronger, better. It outlines everything they should do for a bounty. No bounty is worth dying for, people don't have bounties only acquisitions have bounties, capture by design kill by necessity, no hunter shall slay another hunter, no hunter shall interfere with another hunt, in the hunt one captures or kills never both, and finally no hunter shall refuse aid to another hunter. That was a code for every hunter and they were expected to follow it, but of course there are variables to this and so on that can contradict this creed.

Then Ra answered on Kerx's lightsaber question. She said she was given the parts to make them and she put them together. She also said she is neither one. Interesting. Ra then held one of them to Kerx.

He took it with the up most of care, like holding a baby. He examined the hilt. It was a very nice design. Everything about this weapon was amazing and graceful. It was truly a weapon built for peace or chaos. He handed it back to Ra.

" Lightsabers are really nice weapons. They can used in a lot of scenarios that can help the user in many different ways. Truly a weapon of elegance. "

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

When Kerx handed her the hilt back, she replaced it up her sleeve and nodded at his answer about the capturing of targets.

"Even the sith and jedi have their codes they live by. In a way, I have my own code, but it's nothing formal. It's just mine."

Ra had kept up the business her captain had started and taught her. Looking across at him, she tilted her head indicating her real interest.

"What is the code? And you didn't need to treat the hilt like it was an infant. I beat them up pretty good at times."

Chuckling a little as she said that, Ra waited on his answer.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Kerx saw Ra's head tilt and could immediately tell she was interested in the creed. He did not want to keep her waiting so he told her.

" The creed goes like this:

No bounty is worth dying for.
people don't have bounties, acquisitions have bounties.
Capture by design, kill by necessity.
No hunter shall slay another hunter.
No hunter shall interfere with another hunt.
In the hunt one captures or kills, never both.
Finally, No hunter shall refuse aide to another hunter.

This is something I will live by, sometimes. There can be a lot of outside variables and such that ca contradict some of these statements but for the most part I follow them to the absolute point. And I never held a lightsaber before. I thought it would ignite on me or something!"

Kerx let out a laugh this time, and not a small chuckle. This was something true. He looked over to Ra. What would she think of that? he had not even laughed at anything in so long. If anything he was depressed, angry, and confused until he met Ra. She made everything in his life disappear. It felt nice. He bore a nice smile to her, and awaited on what she had to say...

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra listened to the code and put it to memory as best she could. Maybe she would incorporate some of it into her own personal she uses. It made sense to do that.

"One point is of interest. What if two hunters take the same bounty? Is that just not done? I understand about the killing parts though. If you noticed, I didn't actually kill those thugs. Just disarmed one of them."

She gave him a small wink at her phrasing and joined in with his laughter about the sabers.

"Think of them like a blaster."

Taking it out again and ​setting it on the table between them, she would point at it.

"The business end is open. While each one is different, mine have like a flat panel that turn them on and off. Give it a try if you want."

If he did, Kerx would be the first person to use one outside of herself.

[member="Kerx Zyron"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

" Well usually two hunters taking the same bounty usually does not happen, unless they are in a team or the job requires more than once person. But if someone does take a bounty it is only for that person, and anybody else

would know because of the bounty list. They can check on current bounties and sees who has them. "

He heard her remark about "disarming" one of the thugs. He smiled.

Then Ra took her saber out again and mentioned it was like a blaster. She explained how each one had a switch to turn them on and off. She insisted on giving it a try.

He picked up the lightsaber, gripping it with both hands. He saw the button and pushed it. The lightsaber gave a crackling noise and ignited with a nice purple color. He felt powerful with it. This is so cool! He thought. He asked Ra a question.

" This thing is an absolute beast. But aren't there crystals in these things? How do you get them? "

@Ra'a'mah