LOCATION: Netherworld, Lamaredd
Objective: Unlock the
Past
Equipment:
Cybernetics |
Jet Pack | Beskar’gam | Weapon load out | The Echoy’la Sun
Tag: [
Darth Senthral
] [
Darth Tennacus
]
The patterns and sounds of the Tavern washed over Jhira. A healing rumble of life, hope and defiance. Another sip of her spicy drink, as Jhira watched the dancers coax tips from the politicians and protection from the warriors. The urge to
teach came over her; dancers often had both the spiritual and physical strength to make good warriors. At least once someone taught them they could hit
back.
Before the reckless, suicidal impulse could propel her away from the bar, the patterns around her shifted, revealing a tall, striking man pacing towards her. He simply claimed the seat beside her, a natural confidence in the smooth, natural way her drink was refilled without her so much as seeing credits exchanged.
A man filled with as many contradictions she, judging by his gear. An old, dirt-stained cloak in a warm, earth-brown, balanced by an elegantly understated vest. Rag-tag armor, battered but well-fitted, was lovingly settled upon his cloak. The poor armor did not match the perfect balance and warrior’s physique he carried. Nor more did the simple brown-and-cream garb match the patrician good looks or the cultured, educated voice tinged with the accent of the Core Worlds. What was
any core-worlder doing risking life and limb for a poverty stricken planet on the edge of Wild Space? This was the
end of the Corellion Run; not even the great galactic corporations had chosen to step in when the alien, raptor-like
Ssi-Ruuk threatened.
A smile flared at his compliment and insight, then turned thoughtful at his reason for buying her a drink. Not a man accustomed to mercenary work, just yet. It was the truth outsiders didn’t like to think about.
Every contract, every job cost friends and family their lives. Mock though the regulars did, they could not possibly match the shear, desperate passion that any well-run mercenary company brought to each mission.
They were not faceless to each other; only to
Aruetti. To utsiders.
At a loss to how to give the comfort needed, Jhira settled for touching her drink to his, offering the classic warrior’s toast,
“Absent friends.” The words conjured the ghosts of the dead, inviting them to partake in the celebration of life. The very heart of
aay’han, the bittersweet celebration of those quiet, perfect moments that both took joy in the still living, and mourned those lost. A deep swallow of the spicy, fiery liquor sought to mask her pain. Gold flakes lingered upon her lips, echoing the golden glint in the haunted, antiqued bronze eyes which studied Rhys so steadily.
“Welcome to the Outer Rim, Rhys. I’m Jhira.” she gave a graceful gesture, indicating not merely the room or the planet, but the whole sector.
“We are all the walking wounded, here. What brings you all this way to oppose these creatures?”