Private Shred The Limits

[Haro Aven]

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LOCATION: OUTERRIM TERRITORIES > SITH HOLY WORLDS > KORRIBAN > KOR'ETHYR ACADEMY​

EQUIPMENT: BODIE | TERRABOARD | BASIC PROVISIONS​

OBJECTIVE: TEST OUT THE TERRABOARD PROTOTYPE WITH Naamino Zuukamano ​

TIMESTAMP: AFTER THE SITH HOLY WORLDS TOUR...BEFORE PRIME DAY NIGHT FIREFIGHT​

At the edge of Kor’ethyr, where the academy grounds met the vast dune sea stretching out for miles beyond, Haro Aven readied his newest creations in anticipation of testing them out with his buddy, Naamino Zuukamano . He was calling it a Terraboard—essentially a hoverboard of sorts, originally designed as part of a school project for his advanced engineering class. His time on Korriban had inspired him to develop a form of transportation that had both practical use and entertainment value–something capable of conquering the harsh desert terrain from the massive dunes to the snow-capped mountains in a more direct and dangerous way than a speeder bike or other traditional ground transport ever could. Plus, they were fun to use and would make whoever was riding one look super cool. He’d been working on the design for a while now, and he’d always envisioned surprising his buddy with a test run of the prototypes when they were ready, but this outing wasn’t just about the Terraboard.

Despite their initial differences, he and Naami had developed a bond neither of them had expected—one catalyzed by their shared connection to Leshanna Dromar and the trials they’d endured together as acolytes of the Sith Order. Particularly since they’d saved each other’s lives in the invasion of Woostri, the two had become rather inseparable, but things had been a bit… tense between them as of late. Though it had been exciting at first, navigating their relationships with Leshanna had proven to be more complicated than anticipated, especially considering none of them had much experience in the field. Haro couldn’t help but feel like he had been exceptionally encouraging and patient with Naami about their girlfriend, and he was growing frustrated about the ways that respect was not being reciprocated. In fact, the closer they all became, the more volatile Naami seemed to get. Sometimes the Zabrak seemed enthusiastic about the arrangement, then he'd suddenly get all mean and possessive about it.

Then there was Lysander von Ascania ... Since making amends after the incident on the return flight from Woostri, he and Haro had been spending more time together. They’d discovered a shared interest in music—not just listening to it but making it—and arcade games. He'd also introduced Haro to the “magical plant that has a way of solving all of life’s little problems,” as he liked to call it, and they'd both been using it liberally. So, there may have been a couple times when Haro was busy hanging out with Lys, or whatever, and spaced about a plan he’d made with Naami or left a few of his comm-messages on read. The last time that happened, it resulted in a brief but heated spat between Naami and Haro that was still fresh.

Haro hoped that surprising Naami with the Terraboards and spending their day off from school playing around out in the dunes might help things feel a bit better in a way that didn’t require trying to talk about it yet. Fortuitously, the day was clear and crisp, the winds were calm—the perfect conditions for a little joy ride, Haro thought as he unfolded the two prototype boards from their compact position and laid them out atop the sand.

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[Naamino Zuukamano]

Outfit:
Belt of Strength, Field Com-Scan Link,
Well Worn Boots, Athletic Wear

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His teenage years simultaneously seemed to stretch on forever and also flew by as if at light speed. So much had occurred over the passing months that it was almost difficult to keep track. Naami had a beautiful girlfriend, his military career was accelerating, and he had a tight knit circle of friends.

One particular friend, his best buddy Haro, had been through a lot of Naami's most significant trials and tribulations with him. Including near death experiences and something even more harrowing than that; figuring out how to be a good boyfriend.

That they'd had ups and downs would be a serious understatement. It was more accurate to say that their original contention and the tight knit friendship that had grown out of it had been much like a pod-race on jet fuel with braking systems disabled. When it was good, it was great. When it was rough, it was really rough.

In recent weeks, contention seemed to be rising between the half-kage and zabrak regarding what little free time they had and how that was allocated. It felt all too common these days for his attempts to hang with Haro to be met with silence or excuses. Not to mention the the over abundance of confidence the lean, quick witted mechanic had when it came to Leshanna

That tension had boiled over more than once into spats between the teens, but thankfully it had mostly stayed between Haro Aven and Naami. Despite their differences, they always seemed to be able to transmute or dispel the conflict. So when Naami received an invite to hang, the zabrak eagerly agreed— forgoing the last of his Wartime Logistics homework, which he'd finish that night, in favor of finally having time with his best friend.

Cresting a small hill on the westernmost edge of Kor'ethyr, Naami trotted to the agreed upon spot wearing last year's flight suit. The perfect fit for an adventure while not sacrificing looks. He wasn't sure what Haro had planned exactly but he was glad to enjoy a break from the academy grind.

"So glad that Kor'ethyr's favorite boy genius finally has some time to kick it," Naami said with a grin and just a faint edge to his voice when Haro came into view.

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[Haro Aven]

"So glad that Kor'ethyr's favorite boy genius finally has some time to kick it," Naami said with a grin and just a faint edge to his voice when Haro came into view.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Haro stood up straight from where he knelt beside the Terraboards and turned to face his friend. He rolled his eyes at the passive aggressive comment but he grinned despite himself and planted his fists on his hips, though his demeanor was a bit more reserved than usual. He wore dark tactical pants and one of the long sleeve base layer shirts Naami had given him under his trusty leather jacket with a backpack on his back, goggles hanging around his neck, and what looked like a bulky watch at his wrist.

"Hey buddy. It's good to see you too." Haro greeted as Naami trotted up to him, his own tone mirroring that faint edge which he soon disarmed with a playful punch to his friend's shoulder.

"Oh, we're kickin it alright!" he added with a pump of his fist, his enthusiasm suddenly bubbling up as it couldn't be contained any longer.

"Hope you're ready for some fun 'cause this—" he hopped up onto one of the two boards laying dormant in the sand and crouched into an action pose, hands held out as he leaned side to side as if pretending he was already riding it "—is gonna blow your fething mind!"

He excitedly motioned for Naami to come stand on the other one beside him. "Come 'ere!"​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Taking the punch with nothing but a faint grunt of acknowledgment and that same grin, Naami swatted back playfully, cuffing the side of Haro's head to ruffle his hair a bit as the leaner boy bounced around.

"What's all this then, academic project or somethin?"

His tone was curious, genuinely so, and he stepped forward as he was bid. However, the zabrak didn't yet step up. Nudging the edge of the thing with one booted toe, Naami cast mildly cautious eyes over to where Haro Aven stood.

"Better not be prankin' me, Aven. I'll noogie you til yer bald as me if ya are."

Then he finally stepped up onto the board as directed.

 

[Haro Aven]

Haro loosed a loud bright laugh at the idle threat, and his eyes twinkled eagerly when Naami finally stepped up onto the board.

"Oh c'mon, trust me!" He used that slightly whiny tone he often favored with his buddy before he added impishly, "I promise it won't bite."

Pulling another of the bulky wristwatch-looking devices from his pocket, he powered on Naami's board. The repulorlifts whirred to life, a row of lights lit up along the edge, and Naami could feel the board shift his boots into the correct position before locking his feet into place. It took a moment to calibrate to the weight of its rider and to the sandy terrain beneath it before it lifted to hover just above the ground. Haro instinctively reached out to offer balance support to his buddy given the sudden change in elevation, an elated grin lighting up his face.

"Here." He grabbed Naami's wrist and secured the device to it. "This is part of how you control it. Oh!"

Realizing he'd almost forgotten one of the most important safety features, he pulled a metallic belt device from his backpack before he wrapped it around Naami's hips and secured it in place. "And this will keep you from getting too bruised up if you fall off."

Once Naami was all set, he activated his own board and hovered up beside him.

"Most of the movement is actually pretty intuitive though. Has to do with where and how you shift your weight," Haro instructed, shifting his weight onto his front foot a bit which caused his board to drift forward.​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Shock and no small amount of awe made the zabrak's eyes go wide as the board shifted and affixed to his feet. His arms shot out to reach for Haro just a moment after his buddy was already offering support.

"Ahhh WHA-?!"

Naami's stomach lurched with the sensation, but soon was replaced by a giddy upwelling of dawning realization and excitement. His wide eyes traveled to the device being affixed to his wrist, still combating the sensation of wobbliness. They soon dropped to his own waist where Haro affixed a grav-belt as he chattered on happily about his creation.

Speechless for a while longer, Naami couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the loopy sensation he felt when Haro rose on his own board and the zabrak had to balance on his own. The expression of cautious curiosity suddenly turned to that of a little kid set loose in a candy shop.

"Whoa Aven! These are like… Like all terrain hoverboards er'somethin?"

Gingerly he tested a lean forward but quickly spooked himself by leaning a little too hard which actually drew a yelp from his throat as he corrected the move quickly.

 

[Haro Aven]

Every little moment of excitement and uncertainty the reveal coaxed from his buddy was infinitely satisfying, but the yelp caused Haro to burst into a fit of bright, mirthful laughter.

“Ye–hehe–eah,” he finally managed to respond, then took a deep breath in an attempt to rein in his giggles before he continued.

“That’s exactly right! I’m calling them Terraboards! They can handle all kinds of terrain and they’re super durable but also lightweight ‘cause they’re made of alusteel—same stuff they use to build Star Destroyers hulls! These are just the prototypes though. There’s tons more features I wanna add! Like a solar sail attachment,” he rambled excitedly, pulling the goggles up over his eyes.

In his usual display of uncanny grace, Haro effortlessly leaned forward and tilted one edge inward so that he zipped around Naami in a tight circle before pulling up alongside him on the opposite side from where he’d started. He was grinning from ear to ear and Naami could see his bright green eyes twinkling with that familiar adventurous thrill even behind the shaded goggles.

"So you ready to ride or what?" He poked Naami's chest playfully.

"Race ya to the spire!" He called before he took off into the dunes and toward the spire they'd hiked to on their first ruck march together.​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Still feeling unsteady on the board, but quickly adjusting to the odd equilibrium it inspired him to find, Naami listened wide eyed as his buddy rambled happily on. A wide grin began to spread across his face and he muttered his praise before Haro continued on.

“Beyond wizard, buddy— fething genius stuff.”

Naami tried to follow the circle his best friend made with his eyes but the quick turn nearly brought on a dizzy spell. Then the poke to his chest made him rock back, something he was entirely unaccustomed to given how sturdy and grounded he usually was. His instincts told him to be cautious learning a new mode of transport, particularly one where his body was so exposed. However, that sensible and practical thought immediately fled his mind as Haro playfully challenged him to a race and sped off.

Instinct kicked in and it was like Naami’s prey drive combined with his highly competitive spirit to pump straight into an adrenaline boost. The zabrak leaned heavily into acceleration and sped off in hot pursuit of his wily friend, barking a fierce laugh into the wind as he did.