Private Twice The Pride, Double The Fall

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

The markets of Equator City were more noisy than normal. A major shipment arrived recently, a massive cargo freighter that housed all manner of exotic wildlife across the galaxy. Many of them are dangerous beasts to be sold to fight in blood sports across the planet. Because of all the animals the market had felt more like a zoo full of raving auctioneers than a typical commercial district. Many of the beasts were displayed blocks of carbonite for safety. The legality of this particular event is being disregarded thanks to the ‘benevolence’ of the planet’s Grand Protector.

The woeful lack of law enforcement also allowed plenty of other illicit traders to sell their merchandise more freely and openly as well. Arms dealers, drug traffickers, info brokers, and slavers. The latter being why Troy had come to this unbearably humid world.

Currently a Rodian woman was in distress. Standing by a tree and looking up into its canopy. Above her was a stubborn feline that had managed to get itself stuck in the tree. It was a loth-cat, he paced back and fourth around the branch confidently. Almost as if mocking its owner below.

The woman stomped her foot on the ground and mouthed off some sort of native expletive before sensing something approaching her. Turning around she looked up to notice an outlander standing over her. A man with silvery pale hair and dark spectacles hiding their eyes. Troy looked down at the rodian woman and glanced up to see the smug loth-cat above. Quickly putting two and two together.

Casually Troy raised his hand up and faced his palm towards the cat. In an instant the feline was harshly yanked by an invisible tether and summoned to his grip. Letting out a loud and startled “Reow!!” Before Troy’s clawed digits scruffed it at the back of its neck. Causing the rodian woman to gasp after witnessing her pet get so harshly manhandled. It took a second for the animal to process what had just happened before it started hissing and thrashing its legs around trying to claw at Troy. The silent arkanian only handed the agitated feline back to its owner. Once the two were reunited the cat clung to her tightly and continued to let out anxious growls. All the while she held the loth-cat securely she looked up at Troy with her large, dark, pupilless eyes. Half grateful to have her pet safe and half indigent over how he solved her problem.

Troy still didn’t say a word but a slight cocky smirk formed on his lips before he began to move past her. Only then did the woman express a few shaky words of gratitude.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

Braze had originally come to Rodia hoping to score some special tea, meant as a gift, or maybe an apology, for a friend. It was supposed to be a simple errand. Yet, as always, the galaxy had other plans. The streets around him thrummed with lawlessness; crime blossomed in the shadows, unbothered by patrols or codes.

He could have reported it, once, back when he was still part of the New Jedi Order. But lately, the galaxy felt like it was unraveling at the seams. There wasn't much a single wayward Jedi outcast could do without stirring up more trouble than he solved.

He did wonder, briefly, if the so-called High Republic even knew what was happening within its own borders. Then again, names changed like the seasons and the scents in the wind, and somehow, it was always the same people sitting in the same old marble halls, and the same circles of power deciding who belong, and who didn't. The truth of the matter was simple enough...

The Force, doesn't care what's stamped on the letterhead.
He drew his cloak a little tighter and kept walking. The galaxy could keep its politics; he still had tea to find.

The thought passed like warm breath on a cold pane of glass, and he let it fade. There were simpler things worth chasing tonight.... Still, if the High Republic wouldn't look after its borders, maybe someone had to... even if it was just one stray knight and his conscience.

A sudden cry cut through his thoughts as a startled feline was plucked from a tree. Braze turned toward the sound, gaze narrowing as he caught sight of what the Arkanian had done. His brow furrowed, a faint frown ghosting across his features. The faint ache of disapproval swelled in his chest. He'd seen enough beings handled roughly for one lifetime.

"You know, there's a difference between helping and handling. Most people use a ladder. You've a strong hand; Though too strong for something that small."

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

Once he was addressed Troy glanced over at the short pale thing. Squinting some from behind his opaque glasses. They certainly weren’t a native to Rodia, that was for sure. “Well aren’t you quite the little critic. However you wanna describe it, it’s not a problem anymore and that’s what’s important at the end of the day.”

The Arkanian was clad in a flowing poncho draped over his shoulders. Under it a dark jumpsuit covered the rest of his body. “Now run along Little Tourist, I’m sure you’ll find a petting zoo around here somewhere with all the animals.” Troy said dismissively before turning away from the young Echani.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

Braze gave him an odd look, snowy white brows arching as he folded his arms across his chest. His gaze swept Troy from head to toe in slow appraisal before settling on the dark lenses that hid the man's eyes.

"For someone so sure of himself, you sound awfully desperate to prove it. I think you've gotten a little too big for your britches, youngling. Best mind your manners and temper your theatrics; the Force shouldn't be used so wantonly. Misuse it again and I'll teach you the difference between bravado and being broken; maybe then you'll learn why restraint matters."

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

“Tsk… Are you trying to get on my bad side, Brat? I don’t need you telling me how I choose to conduct myself.” Braze spoke about The Force like they knew it, as well as if they could also contend with Troy. Could they be some sort of Jedi? No they couldn’t, what kind of Jedi would be wasting their time on a world like this? They’ve got much bigger fish to fry with their foolish warfronts. Either way Braze was clearly agitating Troy.

Despite the Arkainian’s arrogance he didn’t exude the malice and darkness of a Sith or similar practitioner of the Dark Arts. There was a sense of balance within Troy, albeit a rather precarious and rickety balance​

​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

"Your bad side? I wasn't aware you had a good one. You mistake warning for provocation, youngling." Braze replied simply. He tilted his head slightly, pale hair shifting in the humid breeze. "You should be careful who you pick fights with, least you write a check your body can't cash. "

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

Braze really was getting on the Arkainian’s nerves. Seemingly caught off guard by all the antagonizing. “Wh-What is going on? What am I even doing?” Troy seemed annoyed with himself that he was even letting the echani brat get to him as easily as they did. There was a reason he was here afterall, he had things to do besides going back and forth with Braze.

“What do you want? Just to nag bother me? Because I ain’t looking to pick fights with small fries like you, and I got an appointment with a certain merchant around here that I need to get to.”​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

He regarded Troy with the faintest hint of a smile, the kind that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"That pull was clumsy, and your technique poor. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should."

His arms folded loosely across his chest, voice level, almost conversational.

"Then stop talking and get to it. You stopped yourself. I've got more important things to do than school some stray on how to leash his ego, anyhow. Best you run along and do your chores, pup."

Braze stepped past him without another glance, the dismissiveness deliberate, meant to sting more than any saber could.

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: @Braz

“And what would you know about good technique, Skim-Milk?” Troy replied, commenting on the pale milky white complexion of the boy. His concealed eyes watched as Braze walked past him before his arm shot down towards the back of their collar. His clawed hands gripping their clothes tightly before hoisting them up off their feet. Making the echani level with himself.

“Don’t tell me your some sort of Imperious Jedi.” If that was the case Troy was getting some bad luck this day running across someone like that.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

His feet left the ground, but Braze didn't struggle.

"Since nuance clearly isn't your strength, I'll say this slow; if you don't set me down in the next three seconds, you'll learn why they call me Battlemaster."

They were spoken softly as they didn't need volume to promise pain.

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

“Oh well now I know you’re full of chit. But if that was actually true it would be pretty funny knowing that Jedi have resorted to making their padawans battlemasters.” If that were the case then the Jedi really were in dire straits. Which could be celebrated at a later date. Still Troy didn’t let Braze down. By now others were beginning to take note of the two young men having a scene. Many of them likely thinking that it was some sort of sibling dispute.

 

[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

Braze sighed a quiet, almost disappointed sound. True enough, he didn't need to struggle. He simply stole the air itself.

A subtle twist of the wrist, a ripple through the Force, and suddenly the space around Troy shifted. The Arkanian would find his breath faltering, lungs tightening as if the very air had been drawn away, like his next inhale had been quietly stolen before he could take it.

But Braze wasn't done. His leg coiled upward, hooking neatly around Troy's arm. His free hand caught the wrist, adding torque to the motion as his body turned.

Then, with the precision of a fighter who'd drilled the motion a thousand times, Braze's other foot snapped up, a clean, explosive mule kick aimed straight for Troy's face.

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

The air had gotten much thinner. Had Troy been holding his breath and forgot to breathe. No, the air was certainly getting thinner. Very odd considering how hot and heavy the swampy air of Rodia has been before now.

It was a good distraction, making him concerned and confused over what was going on. He didn’t connect it to the echani, as he was ignorant of elemental shaping.

The physical maneuver was one that he hadn’t expected either. Twisting their form around his arm before he suddenly felt a boot against his face. Forcing his chin as the unfamiliar sensation flared through his head and body. Needless to say the Arkainian was shocked. Looking back at Braze the Echani would likely tell that being struck in such a way was not a common experience for the Zeison Sha “warrior”. His glasses now were very crooked on his face and exposed his pearly white eyes. Making him squint as if looking into a bright light over how hot Rodia’s climate was.

Troy snarled and tightened his grip on Braze before pulling his arm back with the boy. Troy then did something akin to an underhanded throw. Using The Force to harshly toss and tumble Braze across the ground like a bowling ball towards a wall. Launching Braze not unlike the use of ballistikineisis. ​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

Braze was ready for it. The moment he felt the shift in balance, he tucked into a hard forward roll, body snapping low to the ground. It wasn't just 'luck'. He'd seen it coming, mapped it out in his head several moves ahead, and he was already moving with the flow of the fight.

The boots he wore weren't just for show. Fixed to the heels were small, cruel devices that looked like how spurs were often attached, but carried a far deadlier purpose. Being picked up like that was exactly why he'd made them. As his body rolled through the throw, his legs moved with the force, turning that momentum back on his opponent.

The inside of his foot came up as he spun forward, the hidden blade flashing in a clean, practiced arc toward Troy 's groin. The only thing that saved him was luck and timing. The blade tore through fabric with a sharp, ripping sound that split the noise of the scuffle.

Braze hit the ground shoulder-first, the impact rolling through his frame. He twisted off the momentum, planting his feet against the wall and springing back. He planted a palm, and drove himself into three quick back handsprings. Dirt and grit kicked up around him. His body moved fast, precise, a streak of pale and motion. He flipped high, twisting backward over Troy. One hand brushed the man's shoulder as if using him for balance, while the other reached out in a lightning-fast grab for his glasses.

He landed low, knees bent, boots grinding against the floor as he caught himself. Chest rising, breath sharp, a smirk cutting across his face. He was ready for whatever came next.

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

The feeling and sound of a slice through his pants at a vulnerable spot had Troy give a moment of pause. He didn’t feel any pain, just an uncomfortable closeness to it. I worked well enough as a distraction for Braze to tumble back his way as if he’d tossed a human shaped bouncy ball off the wall.

Then came the blinding light. Troy grimaced and squinted his milky eyes as the heat of Rodia came into full view. The hot air itself was too bright for him. Turning to face Braze he looked now as if someone had turned on the lights in a dark room he’d been held up in.

“Ahg! That does it!” He mouthed off, still short of breath. Reaching out he gripped the air. Telekinetically getting a full fist of Braze’s collar and yanking the young ehcani towards him. Rushing forwards to meet the boy half way Troy would strike out with his other arm to harshly clothesline the Jedi with some surprising force.​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

Braze had just finished putting on the circular lenses when he felt the yank on his collar hit like a hook behind his shoulders. He let his body go loose for a breath, chin tucked, shoulders rounding with the pull. The clothesline came fast. He stepped in to it, turning his chest to the strike to bleed it of bite as soft to solid was employed, Troy finding striking Braze much akin to slamming his arm in to duracrete. Braze's forearm rose to catch Troy's bicep with surprising speed. His hips pivoted and the contact became like a handle.

The small Echani slid under the arm, hooked at the elbow, and pulled in a tight circle to drag the Arkanian off his center-line. The motion was that of pure economy. No energy wasted wasted on flair as Braze focused on executing the angles and correct leverage. If he found the bend, he would try to bump Troy's balance with a heel check at the ankle and crowd him into the space between two vendor crates.

"Lesson one," Braze said, voice low as he took a steadying breath and let it out in a controlled function. "Control your breath or the fight owns you."

The hidden blade at his heel glided against fabric as he cut a harmless ribbon along the poncho's 'sleeve' to keep Troy guessing. It was just a sharp tug and the sound of fiber parting. He wanted the man angry and off rhythm, though decidedly not maimed.

"Lesson two. See your target."

With a cheeky flick of telekinesis, Troy's poncho was yanked up over his head like a blanket, momentarily blinding him.

Braze shifted again. His palm rose near Troy's chest, gathering pressure in the air to make the next breath feel heavy. He would attempt to pop a short palm to the sternum, just enough to reset distance and send a painful message as he would cease his wind manipulation but try and wind Troy all the same.

"Stand down, pup. Find some humility before it finds you."

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

Troy would attribute his shortcomings here to being nearly blinded by the heat. Since needing to make excuses for himself right now was greatly needed. Braze’s manuver played out without a hitch.

His arm stung some from the impact of striking Braze’s hardened body but beyond that he didn’t seem too fazed as he was tossed onto the ground. Laid out on his back against the ground looking up into the sky. Having used The Force to cushion the fall a great deal. His racing mind wondered what he was even doing now.

He let out an aggravated sigh before beginning to pull himself back up off the ground with no real rush. But at the same time he suddenly felt his now tarnished poncho yanked up over him before feeling his chest get struck suddenly. However, it wasn’t quite as impactful as Braze might’ve imagined. Feeling as though they first had to punch through an invisible layer of thick syrup before connecting with his sternum. “Ah! Ow…” Troy said as he fell back down and brought his own hand up to feel the area that had been attacked.

“Cha wana du boga noga, Trulan nee wankpah.” Said someone from behind the two of them. There was now a trio of Rodians sternly eyeing the two snowy haired foreigners.

“Eh, junogo ip haou weena?” The lead rodian asked in their native tongue before crossing his arms. It would seem as though Troy and Braze had been agitating the locals with their little spat. ​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Troy

Braze turned about and just... planted himself down right on top of Troy taking a seat on his fallen opponent. He crossed one leg over the other. He looked up at the two that approached, not quite focused on them so he missed what was said. He looked back down at Troy. " Well?"
Braze took the glasses off and neatly placed them back on to Troy's face balancing them on the man's nose.​

 

[Troy]

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Location: Rodia, Equator City
Tag: Braze

“Uhg…” Troy exclaimed as the younger one sat down on him. Still managing to make it a tad harder for him to breathe. He too only heard part of what the Rodian said to them. “What, didn’t you hear him? He’s aski-” Troy found himself cut off by the placement of the glasses on his nose.

Flinching his arm up to catch the much needed spectacles before concealing his eyes with them once more. “They’re asking what the hell we’re doing and that we should stop. They think you’re being a nuisance, and I would have to agree.”

Then the lead rodian seemed to say something that struck a nerve within Troy. Something about sibling rivalries. “Fna ho koru gep, imo hotka regil nvtuta offshoot.” The arkainian responded, his tone came off rather indignant as he did.

A second later The Echani would feel an invisible pressure pushing him up off of Troy from his rear. Freeing up enough space for the arkainian to quite literally pull himself up. His body moved up off the ground as though it had been tugged on by an unseen tether. Remaining straight and unbent for the entire motion until he got up onto his feet once more.​

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[Braze]

Tags: Troy ​

Braze tsked as he stepped up onto his own two feet, looking at the Rodians first before glancing back to Troy. A strip of the Arkanian's cloak was still wrapped around his wrist as he wagged his index finger in front of Troy's face.

"That's no way to speak to your new master. You would do well to learn some manners," Braze scolded, tone half-teasing, half-authoritative as he scolded the Arkanian.

He turned slightly toward the watching Rodians, offering a polite smile as he gestured between himself and Troy.

"Apologies. Early training tends to be messy. You have to use a firm hand with the hard-headed."

He looked back at Troy, "You should be thanking me. Most don't get a second chance to learn manners."