Objective: Festivals - Local Party
Tags: Open
To Rath, today was just like any other day as the festivities were starting to kick off into high gear. All the while he spent his morning by himself, in his apartment, with no intention of going out despite it being a day off for him. Days off while in the military was a rare treat by itself, but even back in the academy days Rath never really endorsed himself. He preferred to keep everyone at an arm's distance and no closer than that as it would keep his second life hidden as it has been for years. Additionally Rath was never the type to go out anywhere unless he had a goal in mind. These goals tend to not be fun and instead usually involve work somehow.
Today Rath was planning on making a new set of armor, or an Aegis to be precise. Only this time instead of cold climate oriented Rath decided to use bits and pieces of being sneaky in the darkness out of inspiration from multiple encounters. The Aegis he made previously worked wonders when he's in arctic terrain and even against lightsabers due to the ultrachrome and phrik materials. However outside of arctic environments, if it is so much as humid even in comfortable temperature it would quickly become uncomfortable to operate in. So he wished to develop a more comfortable yet effective Aegis.
However not everywhere he goes would be in such an environment. In fact, lately the places he had been sent to were involved with warm weather. Especially in urban areas, so Rath had to think of a new way to be able to comfortably move about without having to worry about the temperature too much.
However, these thoughts and his research were suddenly disturbed by the nuisance of a buzzer that indicates somebody is at his door. A sigh of annoyance escaped from his lips before he set down his tools and reluctantly walked over to the door. There was a terminal next to the front door to which displayed a camera feed that showed a certain pair that Rath has not seen in for some time. One was an average short blonde guy with casual yet a tad bit expensive clothes which Rath recognized to be Rex. The other was a lanky guy with dirty brown hair garbed in a red coat that does stand out compared to how people normally dress for the festival. If Rath hadn’t known better, he would’ve assumed these people were trying to get him into a bar with them. However a small voice as a memory recalled a certain twi’lek who expressed great concern regarding Rex’s absence of just about everyone. So Rath opened the door with the intention to question Rex rather than listen to whatever excuse they had in mind.
Rex had that ridiculous toothy grin on his face upon seeing Rath while the other guy who was now recognized to be Jaxter Briggs. Another member of the Spear project in fact, and also the one who lost to Rath in a couple of spars. Rath wore a plain long sleeved black shirt with sweatpants like he had no intention of leaving his apartment today.
”Rex, where in the Force did you crawl under? Pearl has been worried sick about you.” The mention of Pearl was met with recognition on Rex’s expression, of course it wasn’t her real name, but the twi’lek preferred to be addressed as Pearl.
”Oh really? Well she has no reason to worry for I am just fine. Come on, get dressed and let’s go party with the rest of the people.” Rex urged the young man in hopes to persuade him. Rath had this indifference air about him as he honestly could not express how much Rath didn’t care for it. Jaxter chimed in of course.
”If we’re lucky, we might even find ourselves a date.” Rath resisted the urge to just close the door on them as Jaxter thought that would work.
”You guys go on and have fun then. I don’t have much interest in this kind of thing.” Even with the shut down as it were, Rex appeared like he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
”Think of it as my way of thanking you for saving my life. I’ll buy you a round and we can call it even.” It was barely noticeable with the grin on Rex’s face, but there was a strained silent voice that almost cried out. Or perhaps Rath was looking into it too much?
”You don’t have to do that, I am content with your words alone.” With that Rath was about to close the door when Rex suddenly put his foot and hand at the door that caused Rath’s yellow eyes to squint. Rex’s expression started twitching like it was taking an effort to keep even a smile on his face.
”Please Rath… If you hadn’t excluded me from that operation, chances are I would’ve been dead along with…” Rex couldn’t bring himself to say anything about what happened to the squad, or how Rath ended up being the sole survivor of the squad with a single family. Rath wasn’t the type of guy to allow emotions to cloud his mind when it mattered, hence was why he often came across as a cold man. However even he could feel guilty as despite his survival he not only helplessly watched his squad perish one by one to the Rakghouls, but Rath had to kill some of the infected before they turned.
Jaxter became silent as his eyes was suddenly focused on a couple of bystanders within the complex. Unfortunately a lot of people know that Rath keeps to himself when he’s home and rarely ever is seen communicating with other people. So that drew some attention from the nosy neighbors albeit they were dressed for the festival as well. In the end Rath couldn’t restrain the sigh which escapes from him before his hand drops to his side.
”Fine. Come in if you want.” Rath offered before he went to get changed in a dark short sleeved shirt with a black leather jacket. Of course there was stripes of red along the sleeves on his jacket as well, and with slacks and boots he was ready to go. Of course his short black hair remained the same. Rex and Jaxter looked him over with a curious stare. Without too much hassle, the trio made their way over to where common folk would celebrate at.
”So tell me, is there a special someone that you’re crushing on?” Jaxter randomly directed the question to Rath. Frankly there was a lot that they didn’t know about Rath despite him being in the military for years. Rath simply shook his head in dismissal, wishing to drop the topic altogether.
”Is it Alora Veniz? Ta’beka? Hailey?” Jaxter was listing off every name of females they had encountered in the Spear program, and Rex was quiet as he didn’t want to interfere yet Rex was also curious as well. All of the names however Rath was indifferent about as they walked along the streets. Then Jaxter started listing off noblewomen to which Rath shut that down quickly.
”Stop. That would never work as I am not a noble, or anyone popular.” And frankly he would rather keep it that way. However the next name that came from Jaxter honestly made Rath question the guy’s sanity.
”Even the Empress Ingrid?” There was a whole moment where even Rex was looking at Jaxter silently questioning him. Jaxter shrugged his shoulders.
”Hey, I am just listing off people that i’ve seen you interact with. Are you even interested in romance?” Rath’s tongue almost gave out his personal opinion on that subject. Romance invites an early grave for the reckless and becomes a target from any enemies that are made. However he held his tongue and sighed.
”It’s not that I’m not interested, I’m just not looking for it right now.” That was half of a lie, part of him visions what it would be like if he let someone close to him, but the other part knows that would pose too great a risk of exposure. Truthfully, if there was someone like that, Rath would rather not lie to them about something significant that can affect both of them.
Eventually they reach the plaza where the festival was taking place. There was dance, music, and more happening closer to the center. Rex met up with Pearl who actually had quite the temper and was giving Rex an earful. Jaxter caught sight of someone that attracted his attention and broke off from the group. Leaving Rath by himself as he tucks his hands in his pocket and sought after a stall that sold drinks.
Truthfully Rath would rather forget what had happened at Qina. That was a memory he wished his mind could forget as it certainly was not a place that Rath could be proud of. Sure he saved some lives, but being the sole survivor makes the universe seem bigger than it really is. The space that was once filled was gone, or so Rath felt, so he sought comfort through food and drink.
