Out of The Woods

[Anastasia Rade]

Mandalore
Oyu'baat

The family Anastasia had made on Mandalore was very important to her. If it were not for them she would still be a slave, dead or out somewhere lost in the galaxy. There was one whom stood out to her among the rest and she looked up to him as one would an overly protective older brother. She had worked hard to make him proud and to show she wasn't a lost cause. She saw the now Mandalor in a different light than others. Not many got to see the softer side of the Mandalor. She was one of those people.

Ever since he had taken on all of these new responsibilities she hadn't had the chance to spend as much time with him. She missed her big brother but understood he had more important obligations than listening to her ramble on about a guy she was seeing. As such the opportunity to tell Azrael all about Cryax never presented itself. Ana instead simple told him she was seeing someone and wanted him to meet him.

Ana had fallen hard for the Chiss slicer she had originally hired to dig into her past for her. He was handsome, smart, funny, and caring. Cryax made her feel unbelievably special. At the end of the day she was able to come home to him.

This meeting between the three of them was very important to Ana. She wanted the brother she loved to meet the man she loved. The young woman wasn't looking for approval more just sharing her life with her brother.

As she sat at the table awaiting the arrival of [member="Azrael"] Ana found Cryax's hand and gave it a light squeeze. As nervous as she was about this meeting she knew he was probably terrified. She could see him worried that the king of the Mandalorians was going to make him fight him for Anastasia's hand. Well, maybe not that extreme but something similar.

She suspected a lot of questions and not the cute fluffy ones. The line of questions she fully expected would be the tough ones. He was her brother after all and she didn't expect this to be easy on either of them.

Even as her mind raced at everything that could go wrong she kept calm as she took a sip of her beer. Ana needed to keep it together for [member="Cryax Bane"]. The fact that he agreed to this meant the world to her.

"I promise he doesn't bite," she grinned as she squeezed his hand again. Az would like him, he had to.

 

[Cryax Bane]

Hailing from the Outer Rim himself, Cryax was familiar with Manda'yaim as the home of the Mandalorian war clans, but had never been to the planet in the flesh. It was a beautiful land, blanketed with forrests, jungles, and seas. Cryax thought it was almost nearly as beautiful as the woman who had brought him to the planet, Anastasia Rade, his new girlfriend. The young Chiss was hopelessly smitten with the Mandalorian witch, and was happy, albeit extremely anxious, to meet the man she called her brother, a man who had rescued her from a fate worse than death.

As they sat at their table, Cryax, his leg bouncing up and down nervously, took a large sip of his ale in the hopes that the alcohol would calm his rising pulse rate. It didn't help that he felt woefully out of place among the Mandalorians. The tall, lanky Chiss stuck out like a sore thumb among the crowded cantina's patrons, many of them powerfully-built chieftains and soldiers. Meeting Ana's brother in and of itself was enough to put him on edge, but once Cryax found out that the man was the Mand'alor, he just about riled himself up into a full-blown panic attack and was now resisting the urge to crawl underneath the table.

As Ana squeezed his hand, he leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. He chuckled lightly and whispered. "If you say so, ch'eo ch'acah, but to be honest, I'm more nervous to face your brother than I was a Black Suns interrogator on Kessel."

[member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

There could be no denying that life had become far more complicated and diverse for the young half-blood of the Mando'ade. How his life had changed in such a short span of time was unfathomable to his mind when he recalled the years of unchanging circumstances where the back breaking labor of the scrap yards had once been his only world. The devices of his youth had been simple and commonplace - a far cry from the man that the Mandalorians had shaped him into. No longer existing solely to pass another day and earn his keep - the man was left to juggle a far more impressive and daunting set of responsibilities that he was still trying to get used to. The days were longer, the hours seemed to never end, and his focus had to continually shift from one of the varied and sundry fields of being Mand'alor. While it was regarded as an honor to rise to that accolade, it was not without a price. One of those key payments was that of his time, something that kept shifting back and forth demanding attention as he edged himself into a role that he was ever surprised of how his predecessor and Buir had managed. However, as the saying went - sometimes you had to just make time for the things that would matter most.

Light spilled into the scene of the Oyu'baat shredding the more dimly lit atmosphere with Keldabe's sun kissed radiance. Eclipsed only by a shadow that outlined familiar beskar'gam to any of the vode that had been around in the last year or so. Though it would take those without their HUD's online to recognize exactly who had just stepped through the threshold and entered the sanctum of sweet ne'tra gal. Charcoal gray and deep maroon played across the impressive expanse of the Mand'alor only to be greeted by a wash of strong thundering tones. Drinks raised in the air as the Mando'ade within toasted the arrival. Mandalorians rarely saluted - they were not a militia in mindset, they were a family of brothers and sisters. Warriors all of them in their own right, but there was far more enjoyment in the ranks than stringent order. Even a few of them rising from their seats to clasp wrists with his right gloved hand and gave a hearty pat on the back. If the stories bore any weight - Azrael was one of the youngest to be recognized as Mand'alor - but the reception he got in here was a breath of fresh air to enjoy the large and ever expanding allit he watched over. The crimson visor shifted towards the barkeep, and his right hand held up three digits for which a curt not was offered and the order started to be filled. He hadn't come to simply spend time in the Ouy'baat and pass time - he had come here as a request from his little sister.

Frame shifting and locking onto the two targets - his HUD already bringing up specs on what was in the databanks at the time. Unfortunately there wasn't much to go on from the Mandalorian records. Height, weight, species and apparent age was about as far as the readouts would go, but what really mattered was what Anastasia thought of this young and lanky Chiss. Inwardly the crease of his brow and roll of his eyes was kept private as his armored frame paced towards the table where his little sister and the slicer were sharing a hand hold. He had to imagine this was to comfort the poor boy as he was about to meet not only Anastasia's big brother, but also the defacto leader of the Mandalorian people. A smirk touched the half-blood's face while he approached the table. His bionic left arm gleaming in the light tipped with razor sharp alchemized metallic digits came out first and slammed palm down on the table before them, enough to rattle the metal surface. Silence reigned as the crimson stripe of the T-visor shifted to seemingly glare at Cyrax with all the weight of the Mandalorian legend baring down on him in judgement. For a moment he held the gaze - locking visor against crimson eyes, boring into the very soul of the matter. A moment later the snap of mag-seal tech lifted the mouth guard that fell flush with his buy'ce, revealing the smirk on his lips.

"Relax kid. You're in good company." A gentle chuckle escaped his lips. Truth be told, if Cyrax wasn't welcome on Mandalore, or in the sight of Azrael, he wouldn't have made it to the table, let alone past the port gate with the Protectors. He owed a lot of that though to Anastasia. Having a Mandalorian escort (especially the sister of Mand'alor) held some good weight with the vode. Personally he just wanted to see how much he could spook the Chiss before he relented from being an intimidating force. The mouth plate snapped back into place before he un-clipped the helmet altogether and lifted it from his face. A slight crimson sheen played over the visage due to his half-blood heritage, but the smile was at least somewhat calming - despite it being there for Anastasia. The helmet placed before the empty seat in which he'd share soon. "Su cuy'gar Ana'ika. Me'vaar ti gar?" Mando'a spilled from his tongue as he crossed the small distance to wrap his arms around his sister and pull her in tight for a fierce hug of appreciation. He missed Anastasia, and though he kept a weather eye on her progress, he didn't get to spend nearly as much time with her now as he would have liked to. After a hearty embrace, Azrael took to his seat and glanced over at Cyrax, the smile fading to a placid calm.

[member="Anastasia Rade"] | [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

Bringing Cryax home was a big deal for her and not a step she had taken lightly. Ana wouldn't have brought just anybody home to meet Azrael as she knew how precious of a commodity time was for him. Cryax was different though and special unlike any other man she had met. She could see herself by his side always. Anastasia knew he felt similar after all he was here.

She knew that despite her reassurance he more than likely felt out of place. Being surrounded by a bunch of big Mandalorian men could be quite intimidating.

Her hand squeezed Cryax's once again as she heard Azrael enter the cantina. She swore he drew more attention than she did when she got all dolled up. All the clamoring stopped though as soon as he pounded his hand on the table nearly knocking over drink. Ana kept it together as well as kept herself from making a face. There was no need to scare Cryax more than he already was.

Letting go of his hand for the time being she got up to return her brothers tight hug. She missed him tons and was happy to be able to sit and share a drink with him.

"Ni cuyir pirusti. Bic b jate at ret' tug'yc. Me'vaar ti gar?" The words just rolled off her tongue as if it was nothing now. There was a time in which she had trouble but now Mando'a was second nature to her.

As she took her seat Ana switched to basic so that Cryax would be able to understand and be apart of the conversation. "This is Cryax Bane, the guy I told you about. He's the Secretary of the Red Ravens. Cryax, this is Azrael, Mand'alor, head of Clan Skirata, owner of Mandal Motors and the most important title of all my elder brother." She had wanted to add now let's all get along but decided against that. Azrael had a whole slew of titles and it was daunting.

[member="Azrael"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Suddenly all eyes were glued to the door, and when a powerfully built man with some very impressive cybernetics walked in, instantly commanding the entire cantina, Cryax knew that had to be Ana's brother, the Mand'alor. Sure enough he made his way across the cantina to them. When Azrael slammed his bionic arm down on the table, it startled the jumpy Chiss so badly he knocked over his ale, spilling the pungent liquid all over his pants. Way to make a great impression. Cryax blinked as the man stared him down, his glowing red eyes tempted to dart away. Instead he raised his chin and met the man's gaze. Cryax had come along way from the socially awkward introvert he was when he started working for the Red Ravens. The old Cryax would have averted his eyes, if not avoided the whole situation to begin with.

Then the man laughed and softened up, and Cryax chuckled along with him a bit nervously. After he greeted Ana with a big bear hug, and they spoke a few words in their native tongue, both Azrael and Ana settled in at the table. Cryax suddenly realized he had no idea what Mandalorian customs were for formal greetings, and he had completely forgotten to ask Ana. Plus the guy was like a king or something. Was he supposed to bow? Kark it, he was just going to have to wing it.

Then Ana introduced them to each other and Cryax learned the man had too many titles to count. The Chiss stood up and, with an awkward but polite grin, offered a sweaty palm to shake. "I've been dying to meet you. Ana here tells me so many good things about you."

[member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

Within the recent changes that had taken the half blood from the ranks of the Mandalorians to that of the position of highest leadership, none was so paramount to him as how his scope of vision had to change. No longer could he simply rely on personal feelings, attitudes, and judgments. Azrael now had to think with the entire culture in mind - a task that was admittedly both hard to accept and train himself to do. Constantly asking himself the question of what was best for the vode steered him into situations and circumstances that were necessary, but unwelcome in his own mind. The decisions he made, and deals he struck were not only going to affect him - but they would affect every child of the Manda. This, more than most, was the largest burden he carried, and the newest one he had to come to terms with. It was a learned trait, but something that wouldn't exactly win him any popularity contests anytime soon. Still he wished to be as much of the man that the vode knew him to be as he could - and especially around those he counted as closer family in his Allit. Though Anastasia was a woman he rescued from the slave pits of the Graug, he counted her as a sister as if she had been born of his same mother. He didn't love her any less. She may have not been blood, but the bond was even stronger than genetics. When she requested him to come and meet the Chiss, he didn't have a second's hesitation in clearing some time to acquiesce.

"Jahaala ner'vod." A simple answer, though the truth of the matter was the positions he held were weighty, but he'd carry that burden as did his A'lor and Buir with the inner strength he received from the support of the Mando'ade. He had also never been one to outwardly complain about anything - a trait he had learned early on in the scrap yard that would do you no favors to voice those matters. Gray eyes shifted to the crimson red that had kept his level gaze tight on his crimson visor until Azrael broke the tension with a smirk and a chuckle. The boy did well, not flinching in his presence, but holding his gaze in respect. Mandalorians often incited fear or worry in the aruetiise, but Bane was holding his own. A favored reaction for one that was dating his sister - as he'd hate to see a wimp claiming her affections. "Welcome to Mandalore, Cyrax." A warm greeting in both tone and cadence as he watched the blue skinned man rise from his chair and offer his hand. Azrael had done that before, attempted to shake hands with the pair of Mandalorians who had saved his life on Ord Mantell. While he was aware of a deeper custom, it seemed he'd have to show Bane the Mandalorian way of shaking hands. The gloved digits of his right reached out, but passed the sweaty palm, and struck his fingers around the wrist in a hearty (but not crushing) grip. Practiced grace with a crushgaunt was imperative, else he'd not only crush Bane's bones, but everything else he handled while wearing his beskar'gam. The weight was there though, and the strength he held in that hand. "Have a seat, and I'll get us some real drinks." Azrael finished up releasing the grip and flagging down the tender who was ready with the three pints of black ale - the traditional Mandalorian beverage.

"To Ana'ika, you've come a long way vod, may your battles be glorious. Oya!" Raising his mug of net'ra gal towards Anastasia's and Cyrax's own for a hearty clash before the first sip would be taken and a smile of satisfaction washed over his face. Letting the mug collide with the table, a sigh of pleasure escaping from the liquid that resembled black tar, and burned with a hearty fire. Mandalorians were notorious for drinking rather harsh brew, thankfully his Zeltron heritage afforded him two livers, which meant not only could he weather pretty much any beverage, but could likely drink any other vod under the table. "The Ravens have been making waves recently, starting to be a major player in the galaxy. What exactly does a secretary do for them?" He asked, steering the questions into territory Bane would most likely be comfortable speaking about without tripping over himself in trying to save face. He'd get to questions of their relationship a bit later if he had cause to be concerned. He trusted his sister, and her choices - but he wasn't above vetting someone just to be on the safe side. Azrael had a protective streak for those he cared about, and being on the wrong end of that was a poor life decision. With the current goings on in the galactic warring arena, he'd heard word about the Red Ravens and their aversion to the Black Suns. They seemed to be similar, but up until now he really didn't have a contact to get first hand information. Most of what he knew was hearsay, and he preferred a more competent source.

[member="Anastasia Rade"] | [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

After surviving the handshake with his hand still intact, Cryax sat back down, and taking a sip of the deliciously strong black ale, Cryax smiled at the imposing Manda'lor.

"On paper? My job with the Red Ravens is administrative. I'm a pencil pusher." He chuckled lightly. "I take minutes, keep track of all the day-to-day operations, and offer some HR training to new recruits. I also man the IT help desk." He grinned and lifted his glass to his lips, giving Anastasia a wink, unconsciously resting his hand on her thigh.

"Off the record? I'm a bigger player. What most people don't know about me is that I'm one of the most-closely connected men to Mr. Rigger himself and the other top brass, except for maybe Sigourney who I never really get face-time with. Lysle has even started entrusting me with leadership roles that extend beyond the usual diplomacy and trade stuff." Unsure of how many details to reveal, he paused and shrugged. "I'd like to keep it that way for appearances. It's astounding how malleable people are when they underestimate you." Where the Chiss lacked in physical presence, he obviously made up for with a cunning intellect.

The Chiss matched the man with a question of his own. "So, what's it like being the Manda'lor?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Azrael"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

She had come a very long way from where she had been when Azrael met her but at the same time Ana knew she had a long way to go. The two men didn't know it but she was actually in therapy for her "issues". She was hoping the therapist could help her move past a few things as she knew liquid therapy wasn't such a great option.

Ana was glad to see the two men closest to her getting along so well. It meant a lot to them that they did. Cryax was holding it together pretty well which gave her the opportunity to relax herself. The only thing that worried her was the black ale. While Ana could hold her liquor she knew Cryax wasn't too good at doing that.

The two were much more alike than they probably realized at the moment. Besides caring about Anastasia she found that they both enjoyed working on their projects. Cryax still had bits and pieces of droid and computer parts around his place no matter how much she cleaned up. He was an engineer without really being one. Ana on the other hand still had a lot to learn. She had made her own armor but besides that she hadn't done much more. "You know Cryax is a little bit of an engineer himself. His office is filled with mechanical and droid parts." She grinned taking a sip of her ale.

Life would also be easier for if the two organizations were to get along and not be enemies. That was a topic for another time of course as she knew it best to take this one step at a time. First she needed to get her brother to like Cryax.


[member="Azrael"] [member="Cryax Bane"]