Private Private Practice

[Vyn Daldoure]

He winced as she put the jack into his collar bone, it was nothing she did, It had just been broken once or twice and the cartilage expanded when his wounds healed from the trauma. He was hoping she'd be able to get data on the implant, Vyn's med droid was more of a trauma unit than a specialized one, he figured the sensor suite in his ship just wasn't strong enough to pick it up.

"Far as I'm aware. Never knew my grandfather, my three uncles had several implants. My Father however."
He though about when the coroner had him come in to confirm the identify everyone that had died that day. He remembered reading the medical synopsis, he'd been hit by a turbolaser, directly. Yet the remains were telling.

"From what the coroner could tell he had upwards of thirty implants." Alora Vizsla was digging up old thoughts he learned to just live with, though it wasn't bad memories, just mind bending ones.

He watched her with laser focus as she spoke, the words of understanding, familiarity. In a moment of clarity Vyn never knew he needed, he realized that all of a sudden he wasn't alone in the galaxy, suddenly whatever tension filled him melted away as his body relaxed in the chair. "You too?" There was a new unspoken understanding for him.

"Yeah for most people it's adjusting to a new life, but for myself- or maybe I should say us. it was just life." He tried not to make assumptions, but he had a feeling that was a part of life they'd shared. "Thank you, for all of this." He said that a bit quieter then he had been speaking. Honestly it was a miracle he was speaking at all, usually the most people got out of Vyn in terms of a response was a nod or grunt of disapproval or approval.

It was time to change the subject though, and since he'd been so talkative he figured, why not keep up the strange behavior. "What about you? What do you get up to when not scanning broken war vets?"

 

[Alora Vizsla]

Sounded like Vyn's family certainly had history with cybernetics. Might explain why his gear had held out so long despite the wear and tear. Sure, he'd maintenance them, but cybernetics weren't magically stronger than flesh. Neglect of either would end your run at life real quick. She nodded with Vyn's description of the father having thirty implants.

Alora's eyes flickered before she looked back to Vyn from the readout at his realization. There was a bit of a misconception on his part, but he changed the topic and she had to contemplate whether backtracking was appropriate or just... self indulgent.

"Oh, you know," Alora shrugged her metal shoulders, "running blockades, flying straight through warzones, transporting unofficial cargo. I like using the latest, cutting-edge gear, but very few people that deserve it can afford it. So, I make up the difference how I can." Just a little light crime to help the masses. "In my free-time?" She looked up at the ceiling for a second. "Walking on the beach. Sampling local cuisine. Rock-climbing."

"Rock-climbing?" The Gambit echoed. "That is the tamest sport you engage over my objections."

She laughed in response to the outrage. "What about you, Vyn? You like to do exciting things, or relaxing things between jobs?"​

Vyn Daldoure​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

Vyn watched her as she worked and spoke like she'd done it hundreds of times before, to add it sounded like Alora Vizsla enjoyed her work, it was almost relatable to himself. He figured everyone got their own rush from certain things, Alora seemed to be a good fruit, steal from the rich give to he poor. A nod of approval quickly gestured. After all once Vyn had left the NIO he went right to working for the Hutt's though he didn't really know if bodyguard work really counted as "crime."

His gaze steadily shifting from the upper bulkhead where the voice came from, before back to her. "I like how you talk about it. Your work. The climbing. You clearly know how to decompress. Especially if you're ship is concerned for your well being."

He though about it for a second, relaxing or exiting, Definitely not exiting, he got his rush being shot at or getting into a fist fight with a Trandoshan. That was enough excitement for him. "I like to tinker with gadgets. I've made a few exoskeleton devices that link into my internal implants, though I mostly do that as a way to make work easier so maybe that's not relaxing."

"It's been a few years, but I'm a surprisingly good dancer, not like nightclubs or boybands on Denon, but Ballroom, classical dance." it was usually reserved for when he had to attend something diplomatic back when he was a soldier, but it was one of the few skills he was forced to learn that actually interested him "Speaking of classical, I also play the Valachord, it's a way to decompress. I'm pretty good too. Played for the Hutt I worked for, though I was more coerced into it when the player he hired got shot for cheating."

A beat, longer then he intended before the corners of his mouth tugged. "Hey you find a beach with a cliff that has no patrols or pirates let me know, maybe I'll try rock climbing."

 

[Alora Vizsla]

"Gam?" Alora nodded. "Yeah, we look after each other."

She exchanged a look at the data for that of Vyn as he described his own proclivities. A soft chuckle followed his mention of building devices that link with him. "Building them can be relaxing. Just because it results in something you can use doesn't mean it can't be relaxing." Unless he turned that into a source of money then the need to keep the income coming made it much less enjoyable. "I know I enjoy a little tinkering now and then, myself." Though she couldn't say she'd made accessories as Vyn had.

"Dancing?" Classical dancing? "I like to think I'm pretty good on my feet too, but I don't dance a whole lot." Maybe she spent too much time shooting things. Well, it was a living. "And you play the Valachord?" Vyn followed up answering an obvious question about that. Being a replacement for someone that got shot must have been fun.

A quizzical look came over Alora at Vyn's quip. No patrols or pirates? What kind of beaches did he usually go to, she wanted to joke. "Careful, Vyn, I travel quite a bit. Bet I can find one of those before you find me playing a classical instrument."

She made a few taps on a pad and nodded. "Good news is your implants aren't faulty. Bad news is now you'll have me making sure they stay that way." Alora chuckled.

With the pad set on the side table nearby, Alora focused entirely on Vyn as she reached out to disconnect the diagnostic port. "Rock climbing on a beach sounds like a great idea. Great views. Sound of crashing waves. If you're interested, I can show you the ropes. Literally."​

Vyn Daldoure​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

Great what did he just sign himself up for? He'd make a quiet chuckle, the kind that came from his chest more than his lips. Vyn angled his shoulder towards he as she removed the input from his port. He'd sit upwards rolling his shoulder once she'd removed the diagnostic input, not out of necessity, more out of habit.

"Came in here for one scan, now I have a climbing instructor and a health monitor? If this becomes a daily thing I might charge rent." He said dryly with a slight tug at his lips, the beginning of a smile, but one with a void behind it.

She mentioned showing him how to climb, or well at least showing him how to do it traditionally no cybernetics, just rope, grip strength, and a clenched up evac port. It sounded right up Vyn's alley. "Yeah... I think I'll take you up on that climbing offer. It's been a couple dozen cycles since I've really taken a break, so. Whenever you're free."

He stood, grabbing his shirt and slipping it back on, blowing air out his nose like he'd finally put his armor back on.

For being a literal, hardened machine built for war, he'd always though it was stupid that he was self-conscious about his scars. Why didn't he wear them with pride? They we're proof he was still alive, proof he'd done his service, proof that he wasn't that scared little boy in this villa all those years ago.

Didn't matter. he just dislike how people looked at him.

His Gaze dancing between the ground and Alora Vizsla "Well, Doc Vizsla what's the verdict on my little surprise? Does it need to come out? Or am I safe for that little excursion we're planning?"

 

[Alora Vizsla]

HEADER

"That's just it, Vyn, I'm always free. Unless I choose not to be. Self-employed. Self-made woman. Well, partnership-made woman. Gam had a hand in it. Long story." And probably on levels Vyn couldn't possibly imagine. "So, you got any cliffs here that need climbed? We should start somewhere small first. Work up to the breath-taking view at a beech." Best to figure out all the fundamentals before you started introducing distractions that could have you plunge to your death. At least it'd be a beautiful last thing you saw?

Alora watched the scar-riddled man get dressed for a moment. "You definitely have the body of a warrior. Hard. Hardened." She fist-thumped her beskar-covered chest. "If you like, we can trade stories. Or complain about hard-asses. Whatever."

Vyn inquired about his status, bringing the conversation back around to why they were even together. "Gam and I would need to study the schematics closer before making any decisions on its removal. Implants like these can be just as dangerous coming out as they are going in. For now, it doesn't look like it's going to kill you -- the opposite, in fact -- so let's leave it in there. You ever feel the need for it to be removed, or it starts malfunctioning, then we can talk." Certainly no need to pull it now. Well, of course they'd like to study it, but they got some scans they could run simulations on, and it was Vyn's implant so totally his choice.​

Vyn Daldoure​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

"Tons of cliffs, one or two of them being quite close." He pulled his sleeves down in a calculated fashion like he'd done it a hundred times before in the exact fashion. "Though small isn't the word I'd use. Iridonia doesn't really do "gentle"." The make up of the planet was hostile, Arid, and dry. The cliffs were steep and Jagged. Though if Alora was up for it, his home planet wouldn't' stop him.

Vyn raised his brow at the mention of his build "Some of it was the upbringing, some of it was a result of being an Imperial... all in another life." His words word dry, but not cold. Much like his home. His gaze centered on her armor, taking in the pristine craftsmanship and structure. He'd worked with Mandalorians during the war, some very closely, some were even better friends than collogues. "Stories work, though mine are more the kind you drink spotchka by the bottle to forget... but I trust you so it might be time to remember some."

He stepped closer to Alora Vizsla , eyes flicking to the datapad as he ran the options through his head. There were many species in the galaxy that lived for centuries, he just happened to be the one Iridonian capable of the same feat. As long as it wouldn't kill him he might as well leave it be for now, deal with the discomfort, and not risk any bad fallout from ripping it out of him prematurely. "It stays until it doesn't."

"If you feel like conquering one of those cliffs while you're here, let me know. I might not be as graceful, but I can follow a rope."

 

[Alora Vizsla]

"Not letting appearances deceive you, huh?" Alora smiled. Her frame wasn't nearly as built as Vyn's. Some would assume the toned muscles would make up for perceived skill. Well, she had plenty of secrets. Good for him not to make any poor assumptions; not that this was a battle.

"If you're ready for a go. Depending on the cliff, you might find the first time isn't quite as hard as you might think." So long as your instructor knew what they were doing. Enough places for his hands or feet and it wouldn't matter how tall the thing was. Within reason. Though with all those implants of his, Vyn could probably weather even a long climb without much trouble.

"Your ride, mine, or we hiking it?" How close was 'quite' close to Vyn? Not that she'd complain about a walk. Well, she might complain, but only for engagement purposes. They could avoid the war stories for now seeing how Vyn preferred a solid drink for that, and drink didn't go well with climbing. Not at all.​

Vyn Daldoure​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

He made a slight chuckle under his breath. Vyn passed her closely not with bravado or worry, simply just movement. He had walked to the exterior of her ship. picking up his things, primarily his gun belt, wrapping it around his waist. The rest was already in a pack which he would shoulder. "Those are some dangerous level of optimism."

Climbing was nothing new, he'd been forced to climb some of the smaller cliffs on repeat to build endurance and core strength. Small was relative, a short two, midway to three story climb. He was taking them do something a bit taller.

Vyn punched in a code to his communicator as a near by whirring started, his speeder pulled out of the main Villa and pulled up to the duo, he secured the pack with all of his equipment to the read of the ride. "I have to admit, while I'm ready, this will be strange. It's not a race to the top like combat training right?" He was used to sprints not marathons when it came to any sort of climbing activity. Yet here he was more exited than how it truly came across.

He'd mount the bike hitting a few switches to put it into manual, testing the throttle as the repulsorlift roared. He looked behind him to the passenger seat and motioned with his head for Alora Vizsla . It was close enough to not need a ship, close enough for a walk, but he figured why not save their legs for the climb. "Hop on, we'll be there before the Womp Rat sings."

 

[Alora Vizsla]

"Optimism is always in stock aboard Gambit," Alora replied with a slight shrug. "Anything else and we'd be stuck in a cantina nursing drinks, idling away as the hours pass by." Well, she would anyway. Hard to fit Gam inside a cantina. So that probably meant she'd be on the Gambit drinking those hours away instead of a cantina. Well, the company would be better. The smell. Really, not a whole lot was better in a cantina if you were trying to get away from it all. Did that mean all those drunk scumbags were hopeful someone would intrude on their private time? Nope. Most of them would soon as shoot you as say hello.

Well, fine, they'd probably perk up at her presence. Pervy scumbags.

She slipped the medical device away and made sure to stow the tools in the cyber lab. You never knew when a speedy get away would be needed, and she would be beyond cross if all her tools were laying on the floor when she got back. They weren't cheap either!

As Vyn called their ride, Alora moved across the Mechanic's Bay to a locker to begin pulling out a pack and making sure it had all the gear. Don't worry, Gam, we'll be fine. I'll make sure he doesn't get hurt.

I'm more concerned about you.

Alora smiled as if to herself at the worry-wart remark.

Vyn's partner strode out of the bay just in time as the speeder pulled up. "So, uh, you're not expecting anyone, right? I don't need to setup a parking beacon? Anyone tries to park on top of Gam and they're going to get a thumping." Worth asking. Vyn didn't seem like the type to get tons of guests, especially while the villa was being worked on, but it didn't take much to make sure.

"A race?" Alora held out the pack of gear to be stowed. "That'd be fun, but you wanted to learn, right? Not much time to take in all the lessons if you're focused on getting first place. Always time to race, but you only get one chance to learn how not to die. Well, once chance more or less as you are." Could always replace whatever organics bit remained with cybernetics, of course. Provided she got him back to Gam in time. Not exactly the ideal outcome though.

At Vyn's direction, the colorfully topped woman hopped into the passenger seat. The bike might shift a bit more than Vyn would expect from someone of Alora's build getting on board. Probably from the armor she wore. "Oh? Will there be a womp rat singing where we're going? Now we're talking."

Vyn Daldoure​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

Yeah Vyn understood the need to keep looking forwards when all else seemed to scrape and pull at ones stagnation. Optimism. Not a sentiment he held to close. No he was a pragmatist, if he let himself drown in a bar then all he'd done. All he'd survived. it would be weighing him down, that was something Vyn couldn't afford.

"Heh. No, no more visitors. Your ship should be fine without a beacon."

He'd take her pack and reach over helping her secure it "Oh don't get me wrong, I am here to learn, it's just going to be a weird change of pace. I'm used to getting things done as fast as I can. Not pacing myself." He was the type that when he started something it needed to be over quickly and with the most efficiency possible. Yet now here he was getting ready to take his time on a scenic climb. It was an odd thought, that was all.

His feet stretched out to stabilize the speeder as she got behind him. "No its a figure of-" He chuckled lowly.

Once Alora Vizsla got, on Vyn twisted the throttle as they set of, the scattered low hanging red trees passing them as they headed for the cliff "Sometimes it shows up, but you need to dance for him to actually start singing." He jested.

The minutes passed, the trees parted, and before them was a rocky spire around six story's high. These features dotted the planet, and on top was a Plateau. "Hope this will do?" They parked as Vyn hit a few switches the speeder powering down.

 

[Alora Vizsla]

At least she wouldn't need to worry about Gambit being cross about someone trying to land on him. Alora gave Vyn Daldoure a wink.

"Trust me, I don't like it either. All that slow and steady stuff is for droids." A boisterous laugh followed suit before she hopped on the speeder.

Soon enough they were rocketing away with Vyn getting cheeky. Better for him to get humorous, in her opinion. Life was full of sorrow and disappointment; she understood the pains that came with it. Why shouldn't she approve of others using her own coping mechanism? "I don't think Womp Rats want a Mandalorian dancing. We tend to stomp on the ground a lot with plenty of shouting." Nothing must please creatures in burrows more than a bunch of beskar-wearing people stomping about in unison.

Once they arrived, Alora swung off and gave Vyn's choice a look. Her honey brown gaze rose and fell along the cliffside for a few seconds. "Yeah, this'll do. Solid places to plant your hands and feet. Doesn't look like it's about to collapse. Not too brittle." She turned about to grab the bag with all the equipment. "So, first thing's first, I'll go over the harness. Just because your implants can probably regenerate your spin or something doesn't mean you want to experience it snapping because you just wrapped a rope around your waist." A rope was a rope, in some people's estimation. Yeah, no. Harnesses existed for a reason. And that reason was to distribute the stress of sudden and desired halts in downward momentum over a larger areas than a single vertebrae.

The bag would drop and she'd pull out the harness and rope to help Vyn get strapped in. "Have you used one of these before?" Alora pointed to the rings on the wide belt as she held up one end of the rope.

​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

He looked up as she assessed the cliff, he was afraid of heights as a kid, then he was pushed off a cliff and got over that fear real fast. "I don't know, I think you'd make a good dancer with enough practice, most of your people have fantastic coordination so that's step one."

hitting switches his speeder shut off with a small whine. Unmounting as he listened to her go over the finer details about what makes a good casual climb worth it, she pulled the harness out of her bag of supplies as he nodded along with her explanation. "Yeah... that ones less of a "took a fall" and more incase a Wookie decides dropped me over their knee..." A broken back was the last thing he wanted. He took the harness from her and untangled it.

"Yeah I actually wear one quite often for my Jump pack. Plenty of times before too though not for climbing like this, usually It was to keep me hooked into a dropship." He spread the harness out like a pair of pants, putting each leg through the harness, pulling it up and buckling, and tightening it around his waist.

Vyn approached the surface, sticking his hands into the coarse dirt and rubbing them together before turning to Alora Vizsla . "So how do we get the rope up there?"

 

[Alora Vizsla]

"Ey," Alora finger-gunned Vyn, "dropships. At least I know you don't get airsick. So probably not going to hurl by being so high off the ground, huh?" Much as a harness was unnecessary, Alora managed to slip her's on in short order, slip a few tools into it, and heft the rope in one hand. No need for a bulky pack. They weren't camping at the top this time.

Then Vyn asked a question that caused her honey-brown eyes to widen as they fixed on the man. "How else?" She flipped open a pouch on her own belt to dust her hands. "By hand." She broke out in laughter immediately afterward.

"So, we'll secure the rope through your harness so you can release it if you need to, but it'll catch if you fall. We'll use these," she drew out a spike, "to periodically anchor ourselves to the cliff face. Little bit at a time we'll ascend until we get to the top." The end of the rope would be secured on Alora herself, of course, where she could slip it through the anchors as they went.

Alora strode toward the cliff with a wave of her hand. "Come on, I'll show you some of the basics on how to find purchase and take some of the weight off when you aren't busy huffing it from one hand-hold to the next." It was an endurance sport, after all.

Vyn Daldoure​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

"No, no need to worry about me getting sick." Vyn watched her get into her own and was half tempted to take his, along with his boost pack, out of the bag he'd brought along. No... He was going to do this like it was meant to be done, fun, with the proper tools to keep him up there.

He broke what seemed to be a smile at her laughter. Though Vyn looked more like an awkward kid on photo day, one of the corners of his mouth tugged upwards like there was a wire in his cheekbone meant to pull it. That was the best he could do. Though it was clear while he'd scaled walls, cliff, and buildings in a combat zone. It was all done with more equipment than simply climbing for fun would require, gloves and with Gripton tech, his boost pack, ascension cables. The works. This? This was grip strength and determination. He liked it.

Vyn followed Alora Vizsla 's instructions about the rope taking several of the spikes and clipping them into a point on the harness. Then mimicking her movement to attach the rope into his gear. "Endurance-" He caught himself. This was her element, his was getting things done the most efficient way he could, so when he remembered he could just pump himself with epinephrin he was going to say something, but decided against it

"Yeah that's a good idea. Wouldn't want our hands to cramp up right? He followed gazing at the stone and finding points on his own he figured might make good hand holds.

 

[Alora Vizsla]

Alora went through some basic techniques near ground level. Her hooney-brown eyes regarded him time to time to determine when he had a firm grasp of what she was talking about. Some of it he probably didn't even need her to cover. Maybe most of it, but perhaps Vyn hadn't really thought about it before. "Packs are cool, but climbing with just your hands makes it a challenge. Do it enough and maybe you start climbing without any gear at all. Gambit hates when I do that." Worry-wart of a ship. Like Alora's grip would falter.

"Well, enough of me droning on. Ready?" At some point it really all came down to you just had to do a thing. Talking only conveyed so much information. Vyn would do alright.

She'd take the lead to fix the anchors along the way so if Vyn did slip it'd be a short drop and nothing more. "Remember to breathe," was all she said as she took the first leap upward and affixed herself to the cliff with all limbs.

Vyn Daldoure​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

It was odd to Vyn. Alora Vizsla was not like most of the people he knows. Killers for sport. Degenerates who thrive on scummy acts. People who'd rob their mothers blind if it got them ahead in life.

Alora was a like a ray of sun through overcast skies, a break. And a welcome one.

"Yeah... I'll follow you."

Vyn reached up and slipped his hand onto a jutting portion of the cliff-face. His muscles clamped down, and he hoisted himself up to the next handhold on upper body strength alone. Finding his footing next as he adjusted to the nuance of doing this for fun. On one hand there was no rush. On the other hand he didn't know how to feel about doing this willingly without his kit.

Vyn looked up at her. "You're quite the free spirit aren't you?" It was less of a question and more of a statement. If her own ship disliked the idea of her free climb. Then it was clear she'd done it more than once. His gaze found the next hand hold as he pulled himself further along.

Though it was impressive. Here is a woman who was climbing, not under duress, but for recreation. Her form was immaculate too. Each hand placement read like she'd done this more times that she'd openly admit. Vyn on the other hand did not look like a climber. He probably looked closer to a soldier who just happened to know a bit about scaling a vertical surface when needed.

"Can I ask. What do you get out of this? Climbing things for fun I mean. Is it the adrenalin? Or more satisfaction?"

 

[Alora Vizsla]

Alora had to hold herself back, not because of Vyn exactly, but because the cliff itself wasn't her usual challenge. Something like this she'd be tempted to scale at about the speed the man expected with a pack. That was when she was alone though. For cause. Doubtful he'd appreciate her getting so high so quickly and vainly trying to keep up. Wouldn't be much of an educational experience looking like a show off.

Still, restraint was its own challenge, right? Not one she really enjoyed exercising though. Did that quite a bit already around others. Alora needed her outlets to just let go and tear through something. Better a mountainside than bottled up emotions getting let loose on people around her.

Vyn had a question though, which Alora answered as she threw herself up to the next hand hold, "Pretty much." Maybe it was a statement, but it was good to talk. Gambit kept saying that anyway. "Maybe you didn't see my helmet, but its isn't your usual T-visor." In fact it was closer to a straight line which was not at all traditional for a Mandalorian. Well, when you built your own suit you got to decide on the function and fashion.

Every now and then Vyn's "instructor" would take a peek down at him to make sure he was doing alright. She tried not to do it too often so he'd notice. No one wanted to feel like they were karking it all up and needed monitored constantly. On the other hand, it'd be irresponsible not to at least make sure he was pacing himself and not about to pass out or something. Easy to make little mistakes that grew with time. Endurance tests were no joke.

When Vyn dropped a real question, however, Alora stopped her ascent. After a moment she pivoted away from the cliff face with one hand and one foot her perch on the rock. It was so she could look down at him with her honey-brown eyes. "Honestly? There isn't a whole lot left to lose even if I fell. So it's kind of like, why not, you know?" Her eyes lifted to peer out away from the rock they were climbing. "You get to see some pretty amazing views. Sense of accomplishment of doing something almost no one else would dare." A chuckle followed suit. "And yeah, little bit of a rush."

"What do you hope to get out of it, Vyn?" Why was he humoring Alora in foregoing a jetpack?

Vyn Daldoure​

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

Vyn pulled himself from place to place. He was more than keeping up, he was right on her heel. However he did notice that she could probably scramble up the bluff like a Wookie on a Wroshyr. This was his pacing. Any faster and Vyn wouldn't be keeping pace with Alora, he'd start falling behind.

Vyn was going for the hard-to-reach hand placement's, lunging up and grabbing obvious portions that could support his weight. Her technique was much more refined, using leverage to keep pace and not tire out. It was something he should have been thinking of. Though it was pretty hard for him to tire out and the climb so far had barely dented his stamina pool. "Hmm- Free spirit might have been an understatement." He let a low chuckle out from under his breath as he kept ascending.

He understood not fitting in. Imagine, a Zabraki Imp? He was there because he was useful, if the war had ended before he left the NIO he would have been discharged, he knew that. His worth had been measured in violence.

Was that all he is? A weapon? Yeah. Vyn assumed that was the case. Yet, here he was trying to be more than a blaster.

Vyn was going to say something a bit deeper about the fall comment. But no. "Try not to fall please. Can't have my teacher eat rocks before I do." That's right. It wasn't his place to tell her to live. He'd been right where she was a hundred times over. After all only a man with a death wish would volunteer to hunt Sith until it broke him.

He looked up at Alora Vizsla with that same dead pan look he'd had all day. It wasn't that he was choosing not to give a facial reaction. That's just the one that seemed to be stuck there. "Touché." He anchored himself in by his knees and leaned of the cliff face stretching his arms out like he had no idea. "It's selfishness I think. I'm trying to prove to myself that I can enjoy something that isn't... fighting. Or more accurately committing violence."

Vyn shook his head and looked out towards his childhood villa.

"I think I love it so much because it's all I know. And I do. Love it. My first memories are of fighting family. Or Death-row convicts. All in that arena over there. You fight at full tilt, think smarter than the other person, then prove your better than them. But I'm trying to find something else to love, It's just hard." Vyn would never not be a fighter. Fighting was spice for him. An addiction he'd never kick. But he'd be naive to say it was healthy, and he sure as hell didn't want it to be the only thing in his life that brought him joy.

 

[Alora Vizsla]

Alora smirked down at Vyn as he showed he was no spring chicken. Bold move. Not half as inexperienced at this as she thought, but he hadn't tried to stop her from the basic overview earlier. Another one of those useful skills learned for war, but not fully fleshed out for a challenge? Not just anyone could pull that off. Man did have the core for it though; she'd seen that much earlier.

"There's a part of you that doesn't want to. It's the part that relishes in the sense of overwhelming control and release. A chance to let loose, forget everything and everyone else, and just scream at the world." Aside from her jaw moving in order for her to talk, Alora hadn't moved a muscle.

It was a few seconds after she finished that she finally blinked and her eyes shifted slightly aside and back again. "Don't see why you think enjoying anything else is selfish though. Its your life. Is it indulgence not to surrender to addiction or madness? Whatever keeps you on that side of the line is good in my book."

There were moments when the mask slipped even among vod. Alora was protective of people in her lives and when someone thought to hurt them -- even unintentionally -- it was difficult to remain in control. Fortunately, the twisted smile and fire in her eyes usually did the trick getting people to shut up in those situations; enough time purchased to lift the mask back in place.

"You know," Alora pivoted back in toward the cliff, "if rock climbing isnt your thing, there's always sky diving. Orbital drops. Mandalorians know everything that is about falling out of a perfectly good orbit and hitting a bullseye," she quipped as she reached up to resume their ascent.

Vyn Daldoure​