Within the tropical waters of the Paracia Ocean north of the eastern horn of the Selenian continent known as Apaec, was a diminutive atoll. Chosen for its remoteness and climate, the tiny island’s rainforests would serve as the ideal location for something the newly appointed Deputy called a “team-building exercise.”
He’d invited both established Marshals and prospective members to participate in just that, instructing them to bring their standard gear and anything they possessed that would be useful for lengthy stays in the wilderness.
The requisition of a few transport shuttles from House Galeres ensured that those without ships of their own made it to the rendezvous point on the atoll’s coast, as well as bringing any supplies they’d need.
With the Water Kitten moored atop the pale sands behind them, Bril Teg Arga stood with his hands folded behind his back. He occasionally glanced to the sunny-skinned Nautolan standing to his right, who smiled brightly and offered a brief “Oya!” to encourage him. After responding with a smile of his own and a kiss, he turned his head to the transport shuttles upon hearing the mechanical hiss of their doors opening.
It was time to greet the folks who would be serving alongside him.
Emere Galo’s leather combat boots hit the sandy shores of the small ring-shaped island after jumping from the shuttle. Her face scrunched up to shield her dark eyes from the beaming Selenian sun. It reminded her to drop the aviators which rested on top of her loose bun down to the bridge of her nose. No stranger to island life, she ensured her gear was somewhat light to prevent herself from overheating, clad in a loose-fitting black tank top that revealed the mosaic of tribal tattoos that covered both her arms. Her gray cargo pants and utility belt were additional storage for items she normally carried on her person. Her compacted scatter gun was on her left hip and her back carried a simple scout containing survival essentials.
The Ilohan proceeded to where a pair stood, her gaze set only on the Zabrak. “Deputy Arga.” Her greeting was dry and succinct yet respectful paired with a single nod, her hands clasped behind her back.
A mandatory “team building exercise” was not something she cared for. As long as no one stabbed her in the back, there was nothing more to build. Team building happened truly in the heat of battle—where brothers and sisters are born for adversity. Where the test of character begins and potentially ends. That being the case, she made the obligatory trek to secure her position within the Dajorran Marshals.
Upon seeing Emere emerge from the ship, Bril lifted a hand in a more informal greeting than what the Human woman had elected to use. “Bril is fine,” he noted, “Though I won’t stop you from the formal address. It’ll just take some getting used to.”
From his position in the Collegium to his new appointment in House Galeres, the young Zabrak had suddenly found himself viewed as an authority of some sort by many within the Brotherhood’s premiere research institute and his own clan. It had its perks, but he couldn’t help but feel like it was all a bit too formal for his tastes. Hopefully, his nonchalant demeanor wouldn’t grate on his new team members.
“You’re Emere Galo, right?”
Were it not for her shades, Bril might have noticed her dark eyes narrow slightly at his flippant gestures and speech. The Zabrak was barely twenty and it showed. His mannerisms did not instill confidence but that meant there was potential room for growth so she would not underestimate him. There was no reason to. Yet. A once-over of his dossier revealed he was skilled in his field and was not an idiot and young enough to be her son.
There was a single nod from the tattooed Human at his question.
“Galo is fine, Deputy,” she said, preserving the formality and what she should be called.
Jeez. This lady was intense. But that checked out for such a decorated soldier. Minnie was intense in her own way for that same reason. Matter of fact, so was Evelyn. Come to think of it, he knew a lot of women who seemed like they could take on the Galaxy and then some.
“Well, Galo. I’m happy that you answered the call. Looking forward to working alongside you,” he replied with a smile, hoping the gesture would help ease the awkward tension that hung in the air.
“And this is Minnow.”
He gestured to the Nautolan standing at his side, who greeted Emere with the same sunny disposition she always had.
“Heya! Kit–I mean Bril–spoke highly of you after reading your dossier. Love your tattoos, by the way.”
“Just a simple trip away from home and a roof and air conditioning…” Elly grumbled to herself as she hopped off of a generic Galeres transport ship, her boots thumping onto the ground thanks to her heavy frame. She brushed part of her mane away from her face and placed her hands on her hips. The first thing the lawyer did once she was back on solid ground was look around for a particular yellow and pink Nautolan, the one who had helped her prepare the day prior. It didn’t take long to spot her alongside that one Bril guy. With a quick, calming breath, Elly adjusted the straps of her backpack along her chest and made her way over.
It was a short walk over, and Elly was already thankful she had forgone a long-sleeved shirt and wore a simple green tee instead. She had been on Selen for months, and still, she hadn’t been able to adjust well to the more tropical climate. She walked up to the trio and made it a quartet, offering a small wave to Minnie in hopes of not interrupting things too much.
“Likewise,” Emere said plainly with a single nod. Her gaze was drawn by the Nautolan as she was introduced.
Hearing her dossier being highlighted was unexpected. There were not many accolades or accomplishments besides her serving some of the Brotherhood’s wars. It dawned on her that they were attempting some kind of small talk. Flattery was not a unique strategy, but it was not hers. As far as they could discern, she had no visible response or reaction at the mention of her dossier.
“Appreciate it,” Emere said in recognition of Minnow’s compliment of her tattoos. Her features remained as stone as another party approached the group. She took a step back, signaling she had no desire to continue speaking but was keen on observing the young pair, reminiscing on a time she was that young.
The towering Firrereo was not hard to miss. Her gear looked a little light and by her features, she was young as well. Emere unclasped her hands from behind her back, resting them on her utility belt as an officer would.
“Emere Galo,” she preemptively said to the six-foot-something woman before she could launch into any preliminary questioning.
Miralukla shifted nervously in his seat as the shuttle landed. R3 drove around the ship, checking on different components, and preparing for departure. A young man sitting at the piloting chair said nothing. He was only waiting for Kaled to gather his courage and depart eventually.
Nehoma was against his brother’s wishes to leave for this so-called “team building”…thing. His mind, as Echani put it, wasn’t still quite stable for meeting others.
“Well..” Kaled said as he finally stood up and covered himself with the hood from his robe. “I’ll be going.” Echani only nodded, not quite in the mood for talking. R3 happily beeped and wobbled around Kal, expressing the satisfaction that his master finally decided to leave his household. “Whach over my ship while I’m gone?” Miraluka said with a cheerful smile, waiting for his brother’s reaction. “Mhm,” Nehoma hummed as he was preparing the engines for departure.
Miraluka finally stumbled out of the ship without falling off of the platform…this time. As his small shuttle departed, Kaled could smell the freshness in the air. The sounds of water softly hitting the beach, the leaves on trees moving softly as the wind blew across the surface. He could sense the small creatures, moving around around and across from him. For him, who only could see darkness, they looked like small stars lighting a night sky. Then, after getting a better perspective of his surroundings, Kal noticed a few people up ahead. Slowly walking over he debated how to greet the individuals. Miraluka didn’t really recognise their presence with his senses, so he decided to try and make a good first impression.
Aaaa, what to say! Maybe just a hello? No…that’s too bland. What if they look at me funny? It’s not like I’ll notice. Maybe just a simple hi then? Ahh no, what if there are some officials here? Hi is just not that official.
“Hello, fellow…Ar-clansmen!” Kaled said with an awkward smile and a wave. Ar-clansman! Oh crumbs…
Elly stood patiently and waited for Emere to finish and take a step back. Emere’s mannerisms reminded her of someone who must have some experience in a military setting, something the Firrerreo truly hoped wouldn’t get in the way of an interesting time out here on this island.
”Ellisyn Kendis,” She responded, looking down to address her properly. “I like your sunglasses,” she commented in her very not at all awkward way of trying to start conversations. Her eyebrow perked at the arrival of another being, this one being tall like herself and Bril.
Just like she had with Bril and Emere and Minnie, Elly offered the newcomer a wave
Bril lifted his head in a nod when Elly arrived. Although he was aware that she and Minnie had continued to hang out, he hadn’t seen her since their meeting on Kasiya. At least this was under better circumstances.
“Good to see you,” he said plainly before shifting his attention to the third arrival.
He was a Miralukan, the only one expected to arrive here today, which meant this must’ve been Kaled Atros. “Greetings, Kaled. I’m Bril. Thanks for coming.”
<@470977462285893652>
Lulaire grinned at seeing the forming group.
“Hidey ho there!” She waved at them. She wore overalls that looked waterpoof and one that someone would take if fishing or in swamplands. She had a long sleeve shirt rolled up and on her left arm, they would see old slash scars in different random locations. Her hair was up in a top messy bun to keep it off of her face. She had matching long rainboots to match. On her right hand, she was holding a bucket and there was … weird sounds.
“I caught us some gorgs! Dinner on me tonight, hope yall like roasted gorgs. Unless yall like to eat them alive, best to let me know and I’ll be sure to clean them up very well for yall but it may take longer, cause gotta get clean water and such. Though I would say just eat them raw, good for ya immune system!”
Kaled’s concurring smile slowly despaired away as he heard Bril’s voice.
“Nice to see you too! Hehe… sorry old habits.” Miraluka scratched the back of his hood as he laughed a bit at himself. Notecing a movement from Elly, waved back trying to keep a cool head and his excitement to a minimum.
“Oh sorry, just caught up in a moment. Nice to meet you Master Bril. As you know my Kaled…I mean name! Names Atros! I mean Kaled Atros! Yes…thank you for inviting me… Nice to meet all of you…”
“Oh mi gosh,” Minnie gasped at all of them starting to gather, laughing at Kaled’s address with a wink. “You don’t have to call him Master! The only master around here is me, and then it’s Mistress! And usually just for him,” she added in a stage-whisper, which wasn’t whispering at all. “Kaled! Nice ta meetcha! Welcome in! This is Elly, she’s super great and AMAZING, and I guess we got gorgs!”
The Nautolan looked a little…unenthused at that as the other Fierrerro trotted up. Galo was going to be some work. Talk about Gallows kind of gal. But at least she’d been able to tell Elly in time she’d need more than her jammies and a night mask.
“I’ll uh…take mine cooked, thanks. Kinda weird to eat my own kind raw, yanno?” She shimmied her hips while gesturing to herself. “Amphibian here, not a fish. This is a great place to swim, beeteetubs! You’re all gonna love it! OYA! AND! AND! Don’t listen to him too much,” she shoved at Bril, “I have actual life things, got a generator and all my polishes and we’re totally doing manipedis and mimosas later!”
A look of surprise appeared on Bril’s face when he heard a very … particular accent on the new arrival. It was familiar to him, and the reason why made him crack a grin. He almost never used the Force to send actual messages to Minnie’s mind, but this would have to be an exception because of how amusing it was.
Meowdy, y'all.
Once Lulaire actually arrived, he greeted her with a smile and nod before peering into the bucket. “Never had gorgs, before. Can you make them spicy?” he asked.
Once Kaled began to speak, Bril chuckled nervously while rubbing the back of his head.
“No, no. I’m not a master to anyone. I have enough responsibility as is.” And he wasn’t even experienced enough to be anyone’s master. That he’d been selected to lead the Marshals, even with his skills taken into account, was a surprise. Perhaps even a gamble–at least, that’s what he’d gleaned from the doubt he’d gleaned from the minds of a few members of his House.
He nearly went pale when Minnow mentioned him calling her mistress and moved his hand to give her a discreet pinch in the side.
“Once everyone is here, we’ll start unloading everything from the shuttles so we can set up camp. After that, I’ll be leading us on a hike through the rainforest.”
<@315438760428961793> <@244244163002892288> <@470977462285893652> <@216702440140046336> <@301514304845381632>
“Haaum…”
A deep bellow of a sound echoed back into The Revenant from the Ghtroc 720 Light Freighter’s hatch – the ship looking much like a hardshelled aquatic reptile beached. Paumgon Lfin stood there at the threshold, regarding the expanse of sandy shore, lapping waves and jungle. A furrowed expression was on his large bulbous head set between broad shoulders without a neck. In fact, all of him was large and bulbous in someway. The man was built like a cargo transport speeder, over two and a half meters tall, a meter wide, and weighing nearly half a tonne. His girthy figure shrouded the coiled muscles beneath and when he walked down the hatch, it sunk into the sand a few centimeters.
The sunlight above caught the faint grey ripples and spots of the Herglic’s dark blue grey body. He rolled his shoulders, shifting the large camping pack on his back with a giant bedroll strapped to it – containing all the essential equipment a quick read on the holoweb dug up. He wore an off white tank top that exposed some of his light pink-white chest and shown off the two white birthmarks on his biceps. Top that all off with two chest blaster holsters and massive combat boots, and a pair of grey cargo shorts with the biggest pockets imagineable. Paum twisted his torso in order to look back at the Zabrak behind him with ruddy brown eyes and concave pupils, another haurum escaping the air hole on top of his head.
“Perhaps it is not too late to turn back, take the ship and go do some bonding of our own,” he rumbled, “Or what do you bet we camp upon the sands here?”
<@227960499948486666>
The group that gathered was interesting to say the least. Emere watched as each person joined them on the set of the atoll, each one unique. The woman with the gorgs (which Emere would be willing to try alive, dead and raw, dead and roasted) possessed an eccentric accent. Arga’s addition of making them potentially spicy sounded like a good idea. Then the Miraluka using ‘master’ so casually made her faintly wonder where he was from but not enough to ask.
Manipedis? Mimosas? The Ilohan’s disappointment remained hidden beneath her stoic features. Her brow quirked at the mention of a hike through the rainforest. Now the kid was starting to speak her language.
Another shuttle approached, a wide ship that resembled a sea creature. Emerging from it was a broad-bodied Herglic that made both of her brows raise in surprise. It was rare that a shuttle contained another ship within it. She had never taken on a Rancor before but surely a creature this size was a close second. Hidden behind it was a Zabrak, certainly a potentially less formidable foe.
Lulaire got distracted for a moment before-
“Heyo!” Her hand went into the bucket and she grabbed one of the slippery gorg and threw it at Bril.
“I know that look anywhere! It done look like my Bafforr had found a dead thang to roll on. Like it was best Life Day ever. What did ya sense?”
Then realization hit.
“Oh dung on ma boot! I need that gorg!” She started to chase after it.
Bril was too lost in thought to notice the gorg flying toward him until it was too late. The amphibian bounced off of his head and careened into the nearby sand. He as so shocked that she had actually done that that he couldn’t find any words. Instead, he turned and flexed his fingers to envelop the gorg with the Force, catching it in midair.
Then, he promptly returned it to the bucket. “Just a quick vibe check. Nothing major.”
Meanwhile, as the mercenary duo unloaded, another pair came from the shuttle. A near-human and a Ryn. The man’s thin ruddy stripes on his tan skin, his vibrant green and auburn hair all spoke of his selenian heritage. Ronpa Jaillita was dressed in simple army fatigues, his medic vest donned and a pack strapped to his back – though it felt weird not to be carrying the holostretcher he usually had during exercises and deployments.
Standing a good foot under him yet leading the way, the old Ryn woman had red-brown fur, white hair streaked heavily with the greys of age and braided over her shoulder, the dark skin peaking through on her face and of the holey chitinous nose there. She was short, barely one and a half meters tall, with a lithe and athletic build showing of her fitness for her age. Vai wore grey are my slack, a off white long sleeve that has seen some things based off of the faint halos of lingering stains, and a green medic vest. She too had a pack with the bare essentials and carries med pack for support on this camping trip. A slugthrower rifle slung over her shoulder.
The pair idly chatted as their boots crunched on the sand. Vai’s tail curled slightly to keep the white tufts on the tail tip from touching the beach. “Sea creature encounter,” the senior medic stated with confidence.
“Camp related accident,” Ronpa stated after some consideration. “Much more likely than some venomous creatures.”
“Fair point.”
Their debate and betting on ‘how"s the team will step in the fire’, finished as they joined those gathered. Vai nodded to those gathered, a simple greeting – and watched the gorg fly. Perhaps both Ronpa and her were wrong. Gorg inflected injuries weren’t on their radar.
For a moment she saw Arga’s features seem to concentrate a little too hard. It seemed she wasn’t the only one to notice, which grew her suspicion further.
“A what check, Deputy?” Emere found herself asking out loud after witnessing the heavily accented Firrerreo pelt a gorg at their team leader. Certainly there was a more reasonable approach than throwing objects for a situation such as this.
While she waited to hear the Zabrak’s reply, two more approached the crowd. A Ryn and near human she had trouble identifying due to his unique features and skin patterns.
Not a sound out of either of them. Emere dipped her head in acknowledgment of the older Ryn’s silent greeting.
Kaled smiled and listened to Bril explaining his situation when it came to titles and Minnie’s comments as well as introducing Elly. He was a bit embarrassed with the whole ordeal and stood silent for a moment before coming up with the perfect thing to remedy his “Master” comment.
“Worry not…aaa, Bril? Bettle…team leader?” Miraluka’s head shifted to the side as if trying to salve some sort of riddle in his head before clapping his hands together. “Yup, sorry. You will do great! My apologies about the Master honorific, it is just a…force of habit ya know? I do not doubt, that even for a second, you will be a great Master someday. So you have my full support in anything you put your mind to!”
When he finished, Kal gave Bril a thumbs up…even though he missed his general vicinity. He turned to the rest of the group, not trying to be rude, giving them a wave.
“Hello, Minnie! Nice to meet you! Oh, you too Elly! Nice to meet all of you here.“ He tuned to the rest. "Have to apologise for my absence there were some…” Kaled’s mechanical arm twitched under his robe before finishing the sentence. “Family problems… Hahaha…Need any help with something?”
As the Starlight approached the atoll, Meero could see the other ships and shuttles were already dropping everyone off. “Oh! Looks like the others are already arriving. Lola, could you tell Asani we’re here?” the kushiban told his little L0-LA droid as he prepared to land.
“Alrighty~” the little droid beeped and flew off.
The blue-striped XS Stock Light Freighter landed gently right next to the area where the shuttles were dropping everyone off. As the Starlight powered down, Meero stretched, hopped from his seat then left the bridge. He made his way to the ship’s boarding ramp and opened it, feeling the warm, salty beach air blowing in. The Kushiban’s ears then perked up as he heard a voice behind him.
“Excuse me, Master Meero.”
Meero turned to see the ship’s medical droid floating towards him while holding his Essentials Kit.
“Hm? What’s up, Doc?” The lagomorph said adjusting his glasses.
“I took the liberty of packing your bag with things you might need during your stay here, sir. There’s also a bacta pouch if you have any injuries.”
As Meero happily took the bag, Lola flew towards them while beeping: “I let her know! She said she’ll be out in a moment.”
“Thank you both so much.” Meero smiled at both droids. “Now Lola, you’re in charge of the ship while I’m gone. Take care of her, alright?”
“Yessir!” The little droid beeped happily. “Hear that, Doc? I’m in charge.”
“When are you not?” Doc said floating back to the medical bay.
Meero chuckled at the two droids then stepped outside. His normally white fur turned a soft yellow as he felt the warmth of the sun and heard the sound of the waves. sigh “Blue seas and clear skies. What a beautiful day.”
“She seems too happy to be left in charge.” Asani chuckled, following Meero down the ship ramp while checking her gear. Her armor and weapons were at the ready at all times, never hurt to double check though. She contemplated removing her helmet for a moment but decided against it.
“It is beautiful” she commented to Meero once she had managed to stand beside him. She looked around spotting the group they should join. “I hope its as easy to handle as it is beautiful though.“ she was weary of things that seemed too peaceful.
“Guess we should introduce ourselves…” she seemed unwilling to handle the talking.
Elly smiled upon seeing Lulaire, happy to have at least one more familiar face. She barely covered her laugh when Lulaire threw a small lil creature at Bril. The firrerreo waited and watched as the group grew and grew. She hadn’t realized how many people would be on this little trip when she had accepted the invitation, and it was admittedly quite overwhelming. An uncomfortable environment and a bunch of strangers, what a day to be alive.
As more and more people arrived, Elly just offered more waves and slowly tried to slink away, drifting a bit closer to Minnie, seeing as she was the one there she trusted and all.
“Any excuse to boss Doc around.” Meero laughed for a moment as Asani stepped out of the ship and the boarding ramp closed behind them.
He looked in the same direction Asani did and noticed the group ahead. “Yeah, I guess we should.” The Kushiban’s cheeks flushed a gentle blue as he held out his hand. “Shall we?”
Asani sheepishly held his hand and the two lagomorphs went towards the group. “Excuse us!” Meero called out as they approached. “I hope we’re not late.”
“Hey now, Miss Thang, the only amphibian who gets to slap him is me,” Minnie warned jokingly, throwing finger guns at the woman, her rose gold beskar vambraces flashing in the sunlight, an odd compliment to her adorable dress that looked like an ice cream dream, short and bunched in the bellish skirt with little stars embroidered all over, puffy shoulders and strapless, a soft riot of color. Bright pink golashes and a sporty pink and blue headband holding back her short headtails completed the look. “And it’s vibe check, Galo! V-I-B-E. Yanno, get a feel for things! The general feeling, like of music in a room vibrating through you! I dunno if that’s the actual etymology tobehonest ‘cause yanno the holonet goes deep and sometimes there’s conflicting sources of how the memes make it into the common Basic lexicon, but– vibes! How you feel. How it be. Thoooo he is supposed to ask before he does that deliberately, Mister.”
And as if to capitalize on her earlier comment to Lulaire, she pointedly pinched him on the rear, half in retaliation for his retaliation.
So said, the tiny Mandalorian Nautolan shifted on her feet, body language open and welcoming, while still scooching a bit closer to Elly, who she could tell was hovering closer to her like a gal pal safety net. She beamed and waved at the new arrivals bouncing up.
“OHMYGAEWD HEY ASANI!” she hollered to her sleepover buddy. And that had to be the Meero. Holding hands! Oh the group chat would hear about this. She’d take twenty holos for Siva and Sof. “Hi Meero!” And then to the Ryn and Selenian, “Hi hi, welcome in! Don’t worry if you miss names, we’ll make sure we do introductions and stuffs once everyone’s here! I have this great ice breaker game.”
The crimson Zabrak that followed Paum out of the ship seemed more dressed for battle than camping. She wore her typical black Nightsister garb that she had already started to regret in the humid air. Though her rifle was in the duffle bag she carried at her side, her pistol and blade hung ready at her belt. The missive had said ‘standard gear’. This was her standard.
Vreva took pause before stepping off her ship. Her yellow eyes took in the scenery around them, appearing somewhat content before her gaze shifted to the gathering crowd. Her brow knitted together as she crossed her arms over her chest. She tossed back her long black braids.
Though her first thought had been to chide Paum for his apprehension, she had some of her own. “It’s not the camping that has me worried. At least we have gear. How many are in this Battleteam, again?” How many were she expected to ‘bond’ with during this trip?
At least try… Vreva rolled her eyes at the thought.
“Guess we should introduce ourselves, at least,” she grumbled as she set off across the sands to the gathering.
Flouncy sundresses, bubbly personality, pinching butts, and Ice breaker games.
The Nautolan was…interesting and not what Vai expected when hearing the call. Ronpa muttered under his breath about the games, less enthused than her own indifference. She chuffed at that and hooked her thumb onto her belt. Her yellow eyes idly noted the rest in the group, another nod to the Kushibans, her eyes landing on a familiar Miraluka.
“Kaled, good to see you well, boi!”
<@470977462285893652>
A hand found the Zabrak’s tattoo’d visage when his beloved mentioned continued. Surely, this was not the appropriate setting to mention such intimate details, even if it was in a joking manner.
“It’s weird when I ask,” he admitted, “Besides, the vibes were just kind of … floating around out there. I didn’t go looking for them or anything.”
Most of the new arrivals were those he didn’t recognize, but there were some familiar faces amongst the bunch. In particular, he raised a hand to wave at Asani and Vreva. It’d been months since he’d seen either of them. And it appeared the former had found herself a beau of her own? Good for her.
He took the time to either wave or nod at the others, making a mental note of who each of them were–information he recalled from the dossiers he’d pulled. Eleven members of the Marshals were gathered there. It wasn’t the complete list of members, but it was still a good showing, nonetheless.
“It’s good to have you all here,” he announced, projecting his voice so the group could hear him. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Bril Teg Arga. A relatively new member of Clan Arcona, and a lead researcher at the Aurora Collegium of Sciences. I’m happy to be afforded the opportunity to lead this team. But I hope not to just be your leader, but to be your comrade and equal.
The kind of bond that I want all of us to have won’t be built in a day, of course, but I hope that today will aid in familiarizing ourselves with one another.”
Paum had simply shrugged at the question, he hadn’t bothered to look up much when they got assigned. Her grumbling was.a.bit of solace for his reluctancy. He followed along, a giant brick wall of a shadow. Once at the group, another Zabrak spoke up and announced himself as the leader of this crew. The Herglic nodded, a movement that rolled his shoulders forward to dip his protruding head.
“Heard and understood. I am Paum…hauum,” the noise expelled like a breath hum through his airhole as he corrected himself, “Paumgon Lfin.”
Seeing this was a good time for introductions, Vai hopped on the train, her cinnamon brown tail flicking, “Vai, combat medic.”
“Greetings. Ronpa Jaillita, also medic,” the auburn haired Selenian beside her informed.
Seeing that introductions were happening, Vreva gave a small wave in greeting to the others. “Vreva. I hit things.” That basically summed up the core of her responsibilities. At least the responsibilities she enjoyed.
“Looking forward to getting all chummy with you all,” she added in an even tone. She offered up a half smile that was more of a grimace.
When the two Kushiban reached the group as they were all introducing themselves, Meero waved at everyone and gently cleared his throat. “Hello everyone! I’m Meero. Pilot and mechanic. I also look forward to getting to know you all.” The little lagomorph said with a smile.
Miraluka stood still, patiently waiting for his turn debating how to best summarize his specialty. Before he was just a combat medic with some lightsaber-fighting experience. But there were some new abilities he learned while observing other members of the clan.
After a minute of his debate, Kaled noticed that no one else was speaking. So, with the lack of better judgment, Miraluka removed his hood that revealed his newly scared face. Some small cuts on his cheeks went almost underneath his blindfold, and one very long one that was going from one side of his throat. And to all of that, Kelad just continued to smile.
“Oh, right!” He stepped forward. “Hello to all of you! My name is Kaled Atros, you can call me Kal. And…well I am a medic? A bit of a fighter? And a general nuisance to the enemies.” Miraluca giggled to himself. “Oh and if I get myself locked in a janitorial closet again don’t worry. It happens…from time to time.”
Lulaire did her best to pay attention but it didn’t help that the gorg keeps trying to jump out of the bucket, distracting the Firrerreo.
“Stay. Put.” She muttered under her voice and silently for no one to hear her. She missed half of the introductions. Oh no. There was a pause and quiet as she looked up and gave a sheepish grin.
“Hidey-ho there! I be Lulaire and- Oh hey Elly!” She smiled at seeing a friend here. THat was SO awesome that Elly was part of Marshals too. It made sense, after what they went through.
“Ya know, Astrila has been asking for ya since ya two took a roll in the hay.”
<@301514304845381632>
“Minnie!!! Long time no see! And yes this is Meero” her armor hid her face but her voice revealed her cheery disposition when near the male kushiban. It was clear that they were either dating or she was quite attached to him.
“Any other interesting creatures or are we the only harbeingers of fun?” she asked a hint of humor in her tone as she looked around for familiar faces. It seemed Minnie and Bril might be the only ‘familiar’ faces for the time being. Whatever they might be up to in this little training at least she had a few familiar faces to rely on.
Vreva gave an appraising regard to each in turn as they introduced themselves. Size, stature, posture, visible weapons, possible hidden weapons. The two Kushiban were given the briefest glance in proportion to their stature. Kaled received more of a lingering stare of curiosity at his scars and a slight smirk. She would have to keep an eye on him and the gorg hunter. Meatshields. Meatmeatmeat. An itch at the back of her mind caused a shudder to roll through her. She shook it off and furrowed her brow as she tried to focus.
“Where’d you get the scars?” Vreva asked Kaled bluntly, figuring she might as well start up small talk. Or her version of it, at least.
<@470977462285893652>
“Now now, Vreva, that’s a bit forward of an ice breaker, yanno? Kal, you don’t have to answer if you don’t wanna, but if you wanna share we can totes listen!” Minnie enthused, and then pulled note cards covered in gel pen out of her pack.
Powerful, wide wings beat the air and kicked up sand as a large Aiwha descended from the sky a safe distance from the gathering group. As the massive amphibian landed, a large, musclebound Zabrak in dark leather armor dismounted, both boots sinking into the soft sand. He gave a quick command in Zabraki to the large beast and turned as it let out a sound that was more similar to a whale’s song than anything that would typically be found in the sky. Once again, sand flew in all directions as the Aiwha took off and flew out over the ocean and dove beneath the waves.
The Sith strode across the beach toward the group. Some were familiar, many less so. “Good morning, friends. It is a wonderful day for a hike.”
“Don’t think you’ll have to worry about that out here, Kaled,” Bril answered with a smile. “And if everything goes to plan, no one will fall into a ditch or anything, either.”
Shifting his attention to Asani and Meero, he tilted his head. “Minnie and I are plenty fun, too, you know.”
While his tai'shan spoke with Vreva, whom he was also happy to see on less stressful terms than their last meeting, he shifted his attention to the sky upon feeling a distant presence that he hadn’t felt in months.
“Karran,” he said to himself, though louder than he intended. Once the larger Zabrak landed on the beach and made his approach, Bril was the first to greet him. Extending his hand to grasp his Sith counterpart’s, he smiled brightly before speaking in Zabraki.
“The sun finds you well, brother,” he said, a traditional Iridonian greeting. He transitioned back to Basic so as to not isolate any of the others present. “It’s been far too long, friend.”
“Val'teo,” Emere greeted with a lot more fondness than any of the rest of the group. They went back and she remembered him being a delightful spar and tattoo artist.
Karran smiled and responded, “May it rise to your back and set before your eyes, friend.” He clasped Bril in a brotherly embrace. “Much too long. I hope it will not be so long again.”
He broke the embrace, and opened himself to the rest. “Emere, it has been far too long since you’ve graced my eye as well.” His own memories of their history came rushing back as well.
“I was talking about Minnie Meero and I” Asani replied, humor in her tone as she teased. “But maybe youll prove me wrong.” she poked, a gentle challenge to the one who had arranged this very gathering.
Bril raised an eyebrow. So, she did have more emotions that she was hiding beneath the surface. She tried to hide it but he felt it in the Force. And he seent it.
Lulaire totally and really appreciated the beautiful mount. It was well taken care of and obviously healthy. It was also one of the many creatures she wanted on her farm but that was where her family draw the line.
Sadly.
No longer distracted, the golden skin of the Firrerreo quickly became silver as she paled and felt sick to her stomach.
The human folded her arms over her chest, her posture seeming to relax some. “Indeed.”
Her eyes drifted over his form, her brow lifting as she noticed his arm. “Lose a fight?”
“Well, now that I’m Deputy Bril now,” he paused to look at Minnow to utter a quick “meowdy” before turning back to his friend, “Hopefully I can drag you along on all kinds of missions.”
To Asani, he made a face back at her, before extending a finger for a playful shove with the Force. “I shall. I’m like, the funnest person I know!”
Karran’s jaw tightened at the mention of his cybernetic. It was still a sore topic, but Emere could not possibly know that. “I would call it a draw, but I am still here. He is not.”
Her eyes caught the rippling of his jaw and the shift in his tone. There was no need to dwell on the topic then. She nodded once in acknowledgement then moved on. “New ink? I think I’m hurt you didn’t hire me for the job.”
There was the slightest smile on her lips. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the Firrerreo become pale, her brow raising. The Human knew little about their kind, however it was common knowledge that their skin changed from being scared or angry. Perhaps it was the Aiwha. Emere showed no obvious concern for the near-Human.
Ellisyn’s cheeks blushed a soft silver tone as Lulaire oh so elegantly mentioned how she fooled around with Astrila the last time she was there on her fellow Firrerreo’s farm. She crossed her arm over her chest and grabbed her bicep. “Look, it’s not my fault she didn’t give me her contact info,” Elly mumbled in defense, knowing full well she was the one who left before Astrila ever woke up. She let the words of the others in the group wash away that small little interaction.
The arrival of a large Aiwha was more than enough to break Elly out of her stupor, its large wings blowing a slight artificial breeze towards the group, enough to force her hair to flutter behind her and quickly make her realize how warm her mane was making her. While the people conversed and a large, familiar Zabrak approached, Elly reached into her pocket, produced a hairtie, and put her hair into a ponytail behind her.
She noticed two things in the upcoming moments. She noticed Lulaire’s skin turn from its usual, beautiful gold to a striking silver, just as her own cheeks had done before, and she also realized the Zabrak that approached was none other than Karran Val’teo, the man she had met while exploring the wilds of Selen during one of her first visits. She remembered promptly leaving after a discussion about the morals of murder and how nobody truly deserved to die, so this would certainly make for an interesting interaction.
The lawyer let Karran speak to the rest of the group while she walked over to Lulaire and stood right by her side, “Hey, what’s got you so spooked?” She asked quietly while giving her a gentle touch on the shoulder.
“It is a long story, but one I will gladly share with you another time. I am not hard to find, and you should know that you would be a welcome guest any time.”
Lulaire shook her head with a smile as the silver faded and the warm gold started to return. Her slow and steady breathing was helping.
“Nah. Not spooked. Somethin’ else but it be a’right.” Lulaire explained honestly. She glanced down to the bucket full of gorgs.
“A hike huh? Suppose I can let them go since they would be escapin’ anyhoo.” She walked over to one of the wetland areas covered by tall grass and gently tilted the bucket for the gorgs to get out.
Emere’s features didn’t change as he shared this information with her. She lifted the aviators off of her eyes to meet his gaze. “When?”
Not one for vague plans, she needed him to name a time and place.
Elly let her hand fall from Lulaire’s shoulder as she walked away. She didn’t believe the woman was alright for even a moment. Her tenure as a lawyer had helped her tune in on subtle body language of both those on the bench and those in her waking life. So, being the concerned friend she was, she followed the Firrerreo down to the wetland and grass. Once far enough out of earshot she asked yet again, “What’s going on?” Elly was glad to be away from the tall Zabrak, trying to avoid her promise to let him spar with her someday after spending a day saying she couldn’t fight at all
Karran smiled once again. “Whenever you wish.”
She was a woman of schedule. Order. Procedure. He could respect that. But he could also have a little fun at her expense.
“But if you insist on a specific date, when we are done here, my homestead is between here and Estle, just off of the mainland. You could stop off and refresh yourself before heading home. Food, rest, or anything else you need?”
Emere’s brow furrowed slightly, her eyes narrowing as he seemed to double down on the vague details. As he continued to speak, the crease in the middle of her forehead began to fade.
“Deal,” she said simply, letting the sunglasses rest on the bridge of her nose again. “I caught the transport here so if your Aiwha has room, I could go back with you.”
“I do not think that will be an issue.”
Bril clapped his hands together. “Alright. Muscles, help me start setting up the camp.”
“Very well. Plenty of time to catch up later.” The Zabrak quickly went to work.
Vreva scowled as she was chided by the Nautolan. “I mean I’m willing to talk about mine. But fair enough.” She rolled her eyes and shrugged off her duffle bag since it seemed they were staying put for now.
The sound of approaching wings drew her attention skyward, and that attention lingered as the Zabrak made his introductions. If the Nautolan had said anything else to Vreva, she would not have noticed at first. Though the other Zabrak seemed familiar, she couldnt quite place where whe had seen him before. After catching herself staring, she pulled her gaze back. “Definitely an entrance,” she murmured.
“Anyways, what’s the cards for?” she asked Minnie, gesturing to the stack in the Nautolan’s hands.
Lulaire was rather confused to what Elly meant. She had already moved on.
“Hmm? Nothin’ much, just releasin’ them gorgs here. Figure we can hunt them later or try to get a different kind of food. Though I shouldn’t assume, I reckon not all of them eat meat, huh?”
“Games!” The Nautolan said gleefully, electing to say hi to Karran again later when he wasn’t reuniting with old friends, like Galo, and maybe more hmmhmm. She could totes tell. “Yanno, just some fun little intro type stuff! Like Two Truths and a Lie, or Guess I Am, and I’ve even got some Safe For Work Never Have I Ever in here…”
“Right… Never want to assume.” Elly said with a bit of disdain for herself for misunderstanding the situation. She hated being wrong. Maybe Lulaire was unique in how sensitive her skin was able to change, but nonetheless, she seemed to be fine. “Glad you’re alright.” The lawyer left Lulaire’s side and made her way back up and over to the rest of the group, where Minnie was offering a variety of ‘getting to know you’ games.
Meero chuckled seeing the gorgs hop away from the bucket. “I mean catching gorgs does sound fun. But I won’t be eating them, thank you.”
“Oh no, perfectly fine.” Miraluka smiled waving his hand to Minnie. “I love to talk to new people. Gets my blood pumping a bit you know? And honestly, I didn’t know it was that much visible.”
That was probably the worse lie Kaled ever told to someone. He knew exactly how bad it was from Nehomas detailed description. Debating for a moment he turned his head over to Verva. Simulating eye to eye contact so that it doesn’t feel weird talking to someone that is in other direction.
“It was…Ahhhh…Well to make an awkward story as short as possible. Kidnapped, tortured for information, one day one cut.” As he was talking, Kaled tried to number all of the things that happened on his fingers.
After a small moment of debating thing in his head, Miraluka shrugged. “Yes that’s probably it. Oh! And the occasional kicking on the side. Just too keep it fun.” The smile now looked more sour and forceful. It looked like he was not telling the whole story.
“But that’s my story! How about you Verva?” He clapped. “Yes! Verva. Can’t really tell, because….you know. Cloud’s.” He giggled as he pointed in her general direction.
<@244244163002892288> <@227960499948486666>
“They’re riding fraking airbusses now…that swim…okay,” Paumgon muttered to himself as he witnessed the massive Zabrak man’s arrival.
Staying where he was, his attention naturally went towards the conversation next to him. Surprised he was not that scars were Vreva’s conversation starter and he chuffed lightly, an airy huff through the top of his head. The mention of games intrigued him in a ‘I’d like to watch sort of way.’ But hearing of the Miraluka’s plight made the Herglic clear his throat. That’s rough, buddy.
Leaving Vreva to converse and seeing Karran start making camp, Paum shifted off to the side and dropped his pack. Fishing out a rolled up, bread new tent he spread it out on the sand, then immediately scrutinized the bit of flimsiplast that came with it. Those instructions were his tenets to guide him and the Herglic stuck to them…or as best he could. He managed to erect the tent but several pieces were unused and the whole thing teetered haphazardly.
To make matters worse…He sincerely doubted the entrance, let alone the rest of the tent, was too small to accommodate him.
With Kaled unloading a truly tragic story wrapped up in denial and levity, call a therapist omhygod, Minnie seemed to be watching this whole tent affair with a sympathetic cringe. She edged around Vreva as Kaled kept talking and approached the big guy, putting her hands on her hips.
“Yanno, you’re like, one of the only people I’ve ever met even bigger than my brothers. One is 7-feet ish and about as wide as you in muscle…the other has another foot, not as bulky tho. Don’t think there’s any tents made for them either. But I can show you how to make a nice lean-to! Sleeping outdoors here on Selen is pretty chill compared to a lot of planets, yanno, cause it stays warm overnight, and it’s no battlefield. Just get you some shade and you’re good!”
“It can be hard to find a properly sized tent.” Karran agreed. “Personally I tend to lean toward a hammock between two very sturdy trees and a canopy above for the rain.”
The Zabrak had finished a number of smaller tents that now stood with neat, taut sides.
“Hey there, Karran,” Minnie greeted, seeing an opportunity now. They’d not had much close time since their first meeting, but she couldn’t forget his graciousness for it all.
“Minnie, it is always a pleasure. How is your brother?”
Karran thought back to the encounters he had had with Foxen, and the several stab wounds that had come with it
“Foxxie? He’s…well, hanging in there,” the tiny yellow Nautolan trailed off, though a practiced listener might hear the slight pull in her words, the push of great, and Bril would know the telltale pink at the tips of her headtails. Her skin betrayed her too easily. It wasn’t a lie, really, he was physically okay, now. But what him and Flyndty had just been through. And add on top of it Foxen being just really fraking stupid and self sacrificing and broken too djdkksnfnfks– “Not a…story for right now. They’re recovering though. And a little bit ago he and Flyndty just took a vacation to Kasiya! Can you believe it’s the first one he’d ever been on in his life? I’m so happy for them! There’s pictures, I’ll share sometime. How’s you and Diyrian?”
Seeing Elly wandering over, she waved and held out an arm for side hugs to the woman.
“Ellybelle! Come meet Karran! You two can match muscles.”
<@301514304845381632>
Elly half froze for a moment at the invitation. It was bound to happen sooner rather than later. She walked on over to the group gathered and smiled a tad bit nervously at the towering Zabrak. Her heart always fluttered a tad when someone was actually taller than her.
“Match? I’m pretty sure I’ve got him beat.” She said, leading with a joke <@467973085006659594>
Paum turned and shifted massive shoulders to note the small Nautolan lady beside him. A chuff unwittingly escaped him at the mention of her having seven, eight foot brothers. Then again, he was not familiar with Nautolans, perhaps the males just are big. The thought turned to a sigh of a ‘haaum’ through his airhole as he considered her words. It was a principle thing, the tent dimensions stated it should and then it didn’t, and he was definitely not bothered that a conversation focused on his size was occurring.
A three fingered hand rubbed the back of his round head, “So it seems. A lean-to will have to do. Someone else can have this,” he gestured to the light weather resistant canvas before adding, “Thanks.”
“Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind next time,” Paum nodded to Karran about hammocks. His eyes did clock to the side once and regarded the trees, if they could even withstand his weight. Seeing the pair engage in conversation, the Herglic opted to hold introductions and listen, noting names and familiarity. Minnie, Karran, Ellybelle…which might be a nickname.
Vreva nodded solemnly as Kaled recounted his scars’ story. Though it didn’t paint the full picture, it was enough to earn the approval of the red Zabrak. “Hope they got theirs,” she murmured.
“As for mine, I got most of ‘em in the ring. Fighting’s my life.” Certainly not the whole of it, but she didn’t feel the reason to explain further. “Scars mean we survived, yeah?” She tilted her head to the side and gave a softer smile. “Keep me patched up, and you’ve got my eye on your six.”
She looked towards Paum as though to check if she was doing the 'bonding’ correctly. However, he seemed busy with the camping part of the venture, and also seemed to be struggling with it.
“Yeppers,” The Firrerrero replied to Elly. She was bothered but only for a hot minute. After all, what did all those years of training do for her when she was younger?
Lulaire finished releasing the gorgs as she nodded to the Kushiban, “Yea, I figure ya might be the ones that do be eating no meat. Then again, maybe we be finding something else for those that does, later on. And hopefully we can find something for yall too.” She glanced over to the heavily armored Kushiban and rose her eyebrow.
“Did they not get the memo that it be camping time?”
Asani stared at the gorgs as they hopped away, wondering just how quickly she could gather a few or if there was anything larger in the area, only to have her attention be redirected.
“Im Mandalorian. Weapons and Armor are my religion. And this is survival training. I may not always have my weapons and am hard pressed to be out and about without my armor.” she replied. Either she was intense or she was messing around, her tone wasnt giving any clear indication to either side. “And in a dangerous situation I’ll at least be a bit safer.” she continued.
She took a glance at the others, inspecting the area, taking note of what everyone was up to before she might start setting up any shelter for her and Meero.
Emere set aside her scout pack and joined Karran in building up the camp silently. Perhaps it was seeing the sparring partner she had a stalemate with but she did sustain a few nicks from the equipment on her hands.
“Yeah. Guess it does.” Miralukas voice was more lower. Although still smiling, his voice changed to a more serious tone. He did survive, there is no doubt about it, but a part of him was still there. Back in that dark room.
“In any case,” Kaled clapped, straightening himself back up. “You have no reason to fear, I’ll always try my best to keep you all safe. If I managed to heal the wound during aunt Socorea’s pregnancy, everything else would be a easy enough. Oh, and thank you.” He bowed slightly twords Verva. Not really knowing how to express his gratitude for any further protection that she offered.
Noticing others had already started setting up camp, Meero went ahead to the area where they were putting up the tents. The little lagomorph scanned the area looking for a proper flat surface.
When he found a spot he liked, he brushed aside any rocks, branches and thumped his foot around making sure the ground was firm. “Ah, just right.” He said smiling and putting down his bag. The kushiban then waved at Asani while hopping excitedly. “Asani! Over here! I think this spot is perfect!”
Hearing her name be called she looked to Meero, “Coming!” she shouted while walking over, her tone showing obvious cheer beneath the helmet. She was happy to assist her fellow kushiban.
Taking a glance at the area she nodded “its good! want me to dig a small moat around? To keep any water or potential creatures off?” she suggested. She noticed others setting up and looked for the familiar faces of Minnie and Bril who seemed to be caught up in conversation.
“That would be great!” The little kushiban began rummaging through his bag, took out anything they needed to set up camp and sorted it all neatly. “Ok ready!”
In the midst of the conversations happening around him, Bril found his mind traveling elsewhere. For his Nautolan, she’d no doubt recognize the distant look in those ice blue eyes of his as a sign that he was “communing” with the Force, as he often called it. A few minutes passed before he finally snapped out of it with a light shake of the head, at which point he politely nodded to those gathered around him before excusing himself to help the others set up camp. It took them the better part of thirty minutes to set everything up; tents and bedding were put into place, as was a communal area that sported a portable generator and makeshift seating arrangements arranged around a fire pit,
By the end of it, Bril had removed the outermost layers of his obsidian robes, leaving them to hang loosely around his waist. A loose-fitting short-sleeved tunic remained, its breathable fabric allowing a breeze that rolled in from the nearby sea to pull heat from the exposed skin of his arms and neck area.
Once that was finished, he turned to face the rest of the group, offering a gentle smile while watching them finish the last of their tasks.
As Karran finished his assigned tasks, he stood and wiped the sweat from his brow. He was beginning to feel his armor sticking to his skin. A part of him regretted wearing leather to a tropical beach, but on Selen, one could never be too cautious.
He saw Bril standing by, observing the rest of the group. He followed his superiors gaze and scanned the crowd. Everyone present appeared to be in good spirits.
He pivoted on his heel and approached the fellow Zabrak.
“Bril, if I may speak, I have found that a bit of friendly competition is always a good warmup. Nothing too serious, but perhaps some wrestling or a game of ‘King of the Hill’ on one of the surrounding dunes might be fun. It let’s us guage each other’s combat prowess and understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Though she’d been ready to follow her Kitty on a hike, even camping, and had respectably lined up to do so as he stripped – ✨oh, yes ✨ – Minnie’s brows went up as Karran came over to suggest an alternative. She couldn’t help but snort.
“You and your fighting people, huh?” she asked, cocking a hip. “Let’s put down a lotta rules then, mmkay? No weapons, no horns stabbing, no broken bones, no powers…”
The clear reference to how they’d met in the first place was not lost.
Bril cupped his chin in his hand while considering Karran’s suggestion. That could work, especially because some of the people present didn’t seem well equipped – either due to lack of equipment or because of their stature – for a long hike through the Selenian wilderness.
“Been too long since I had a proper spar,” Bril said, “Good idea, my friend.”
Then, he looked to Minnie and chuckled. “You’re one to talk, love.”
<@244244163002892288>
“Hey now, we’re talking about war games,” she protested, pointing at him. “That was a true Mandalorian duel to the death. Kyr'akaanam.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean that. Just a general commentary about your people’s love of combat. Probably even more than my own, if we’re being honest.”
He smiled sheepishly and rubbed that back of his head. “It’s why we hit it off so well, even if things had a … rocky start.”
She seemed mollified by the correction of his meaning and sideways compliments to her people. The Nautolan grinned and tiptoed up to kiss his cheek quickly, lest his image be ruined.
“Rocky can be worth it. It was meeting you.” Then she pulled back and flexed an arm. “Alrighty, then, Queen of the Hill. In the Erinos name, you’re all going to bow down and kiss my boots.”
Elly held crossed arms as she listened to the proposal of ideas. She had been bouncing between Minnie and Lulaire, trying to stay close to someone she knew in such a tumultuous situation for her. New people, no suit, and plenty of lies to keep up with. It was sure to be a blast.
The lawyer rose a brow when Minnie mentioned a duel to the death she had shared with her boyfriend. She wanted to comment and question but held her tongue.
The subtlest sensation of warmth bridged the space between them–as close to a blush in the Force as one could get, probably. “It was definitely worth it, pur'ka.”
Once he’d snapped out of his state of internal swooning, he clapped his hands together. “Queen or king of the hill it is, then. I, of course, am betting on myself. I am a professional, after all.”
He sounded a bit smugger at that last statement than he normally did.
“Monarch of the mound it is.”
Karran walked to the pair of sturdy trees he had strung his hammock between and began the tedious process of removing his armor. Buckles, straps, laces. First he removed the bracers, then pauldrons, and finally the chestpiece. Each of these, he placed, almost ceremoniously, on the hammock. His lips moved silently as if in prayer.
Gradually pieces of skin were revealed, weaving a tapestry of scars, tattoos, and muscle. The entire left side of his torso and face were one large burn scar, well-healed, but still prominent. The traditional, scrolling Zabraki tattoos had been done over them. Dozens of other scars painted his body, some fine and thin, others thick and knotted. Some were precise and clean, as if from a well-honed blade; others were rough and savage, like the claws of large beasts. The entirety of his left arm was cybernetic, coated in a matte black synthskin.
Finally, he placed his lightsabers upon the neatly stacked armor and turned back to the group in only his billowy; silken pants, as well as the leather kama and boots.
Elly’s eyes definitely strayed just a tad as Karran was removing his armor. Why he had decided to show up fully kitted out was beyond her. She knew full damn well if she showed up in her armor she’d die from heat exhaustion in minutes.
“What is Queen of the Hill?” The Firrerreo asked the group at large
“Aw naw naw. Yall go on and have ya fun. I wrestle enough at home with buncha four legged creatures.” Lulaire decided to hang out on the side and simply watch.
“War game. You pick a position, like a hill, and fight to hold it, just like a foothold on the battlefield, but more old school,” Minnie explained. She started stretching a bit, down into a splits, her ice cream dream skirt poofing out, beskar braces shining in the sunlight. “Rules vary, yanno. Like I said. We keep this simple. No powers or weapons or intentional injuries. Contact is allowed. Last one standing wins.” She looked up to Bril and winked. “Wanna pick the hill, Kitty?” <@1056685516441006091>
Vreva turned from Kaled when she noticed the others gathering and went to join them. A wide grin spread across her features at the thought of a challenge.
“Don’t mind working up a little sweat. Can take a dip in the water afterward.” Her gaze drifted appreciatively to the bared skin of her two fellow Zabraks, then to the Nautolan doing splits, then to Paum.
“You joining us, Paum-Paum?” she asked the big Herglic as she stepped over to him. She bumped her hip against his. “Think it was my win last time. Want some payback?”
A symphony of pops began sounding as the Sith stretched his limbs and back.
“These terms are acceptable. No tricks, just simply pure physical ability.”
“Then you should be a natural at it, then,” Bril commented, offering the Firrerreo Jedi a smile. “Don’t be shy. This is the perfect moment to show what you’re made of.”
Once he heard Minnie’s question, he nodded before turning to scan the area. There was a dune that rose a bit higher than the others, likely compacted as the tides washed up dirt vegetation from the sea floor. “That seems like a good spot.”
Once that was finished, he removed his undershirt as well. The younger of the two Zabrak had yet to tattoo his torso or arms like his Sith counterpart had, yet he sported a similar musculature despite being leaner in comparison. What did stand out, though, were the long scars resembling an animal’s claw marks that ran across his chiseled abdomen–his Brotherhood welcoming gift.
“So, who will be going first?” he asked while looking around to each person gathered there. “Volunteers? Or should I pick at random?”
Listening to the others, Kaled took a moment to think if participation in a game was a good idea. His brother told him that exposing himself to physical activities was an unwise course of action, as not all of the injuries healed properly.
But disregarding Nehoma’s advice, Miraluka loosened his hood and undid the top. Taking off some extra gear, he stood in just the sleeveless shirt, pants, and boots exposing the remainder of the scars that were underneath the clothing. Pale skin scared by the small cuts and deep gashes was easily visible for all to see, but despite that, the slim frame of the Arcanist moved elegantly and with caution as he folded his clothes and put them on the side with the rest of his equipment.
He took a small screwdriver, adjusting the cybernetic as he stepped forward to try and get Bril’s attention.
“I would be interested in participation,” Kaled said as he raised his left arm that had a screwdriver in it. “Didn’t have good training in some time, and it would be fun to get a little dirty.” On the eye, Miraluka seemed more sickly than healthy, given his slim frame, but the eagerness was there to prove himself to the rest of the team.
“Oh, I’ll volunteer as tribute,” Minnie called gamely, popping up from her splits and stalking forward. “Unless somebody else wants to?”
“Alrighty, that should do it.” Meero said adjusting his glasses after just finishing setting up the tent which, compared to the two little kushiban, was comically large.
When he heard the others talking about participating in a game, his ears perked up and he turned to Asani who had just finished digging a moat around their tent. “What do you think, Asani? That seems up your alley. Gonna participate?”
<@142850390738731009>
“Im happy to join the fray” Asani stated, her helmet may have hidden her facial expression but her voice showed all her cheer.
“No armor though, that’s no fun” she began taking off her helmet and proceeding to begin to remove the rest of her armor. It was quite curious to see how different the kushiban looked, ears perked up the notch in her ear visible. The giant tent and moat behind them made them somehow seem smaller still, even cute.
“Im up for a little fun!” Asani yelled while approaching the others and waving to Meero to join. Or at least to get closer to observe.
“I suppose it’s fitting for me to begin things for us, then,” said Bril while interlacing his fingers so he could stretch his arms high above his head.
After taking his place atop the mound across from his beloved, he turned to address those who’d gathered around them. “The objective is to use your strength, speed, or skill to knock the king or queen of the hill off. Since Minnie was the first to volunteer, she’s the queen.”
He turned his head back to her. “You ready, pur'ka?”
While it seemed fun, Meero was very aware he wasn’t much of a fighter and wouldn’t last on the hill against those participating. He was more than happy to simply observe and cheer everyone on. “Good luck, my star.” He said while happily nuzzling Asani’s nose.
“Bow before me, baby boy,” Minnie teased, climbing up onto the chosen hill as spectators gathered closer and turning to sink into a combat stance several Mandalorians present would recognize. “OYA!”
Elly crossed her arms and smirked. Both combatants were formidable to say the least, but she was very interested in seeing how Bril would do without having the force to rely on. She had never seen either of them fight but the lawyer had complete faith that Minnie would have the Zabrak on the ground in mere minutes
“Things are going to go a bit differently than they have in the past, my dear,” he smirked while entering a traditional whiptree stance: legs staggered and rooted, arms bent and held out with his fingers pointed toward her.
I’m going to put you on your back again, the Nautolan signed at him, large but not as slow as she normally did, her hands returning to their places raised at angles to keep her elbows high for hitting, arms for blocking.
Seafoam eyes tracked his stance, and slowly they circled, flirting at it a moment, that first move. Whiptree involved throwing, pulling, pushing, grappling; it was just the sort of thing to remove her from her position, steal the throne. If he got hands on her, he’d toss her or dislodge her, and gravity would take it from there.
So she wasn’t going to let him.
Before Bril took another step up the hill, the tiny Nautolan rushed him, their heights level at this difference of slope for exactly what she needed. Her front foot slammed down to push off as she leapt up with her back leg lifted and bent, spinning out to crack her knee right into his horned head. Her Zabrak toppled backwards out of his stance and down the hill like a felled tree, though he was hard-headed and -hearted enough and experienced enough to turn the fall into a reverse roll, to control it and get his legs back under him. He stood even as he swayed, shaking his head like his ears were ringing. Minnow Erinos bounced on her booted toes, her skirt loose around her legs and bracers shining, still atop the hill and waiting for his return, her gaze merciless, but the wide grin on her face making it far different from their first fight, a death match, or any other time he saw her in combat. No, now she tilted her head back and cackled dramatically like a holovillain.
“I AM THE BOBA LORD! FEAR ME! KNEEL BEFORE YOUR QUEEN, YOUR MAND'ALOR.”*
He tilted his head upon registering what she signed to him and did his best to quickly sign a reply before their match commenced. They’ll be plenty of time for you to do that later, love.
But unsurprisingly, she had nearly managed to do just that in their first exchange. The blow certainly rang his bell a bit; she was highly proficient of using every ounce of her weight to her advantage, after all.
“I see I’m going to have to cut back on those late night boba trips,” he smirked before diving forward low, extending his hand as if he was going to pluck her ankle out from under her. But it was just a feint to get her to react, at which point he shifted his weight into a handstand on that same hand so he could send one leg sailing in an arc down toward the top of her head.
The blow struck true, a suitable repayment for the blow she landed just moments earlier. His favorite Mandalorian hit the ground, but managed to roll and kip-up before he had the opportunity to push her off her sovereign territory. But when she rose to her feet, she noticed that he was already in her face with a smug grin.
“Hi, Bril here.”
Seafoam eyes narrowed with a sharkish ferocity up at him.
“Oh, if this is for the boba, then it’s on, Arga,” she swore back at Bril Here, mindful of those dancing kicks his sand-blood martial arts could throw her for a loop on. Literally. She wasted no time striking out again, quickly raining a salvo of spinning elbows and knees at him that her Zabrak rapidly pushed away, using flat palms and short steps the barred her. But she still had the high ground, and the chained ferocity of her people’s attacks were, much like his, an art. Their art, however, was war.
As Bril caught one of her arms and yanked her out of her stance into him, Minnow dropped any resistance, letting the momentum carry her and launching into it as she jerked her knees up tight to her chest. He effectively pulled her balled self into him, only for her to use that (very nice) chest as a springboard when she thrust both feet back out as hard as she could, planting against his weight instead of the ground to push off. The air left him in a huff as he once again went down the hill, and she landed on her side and rear at the top, sliding down a foot or so in the dirt and sand before she leapt back to her feet and climbed back up to stand tall (as she could).
And down he went, sliding down the hill on his back until he slowed to a stop at Karran’s feet. He sprang back up shortly afterward and dusted himself off.
“The Boba Lord’s reign continues, for now … who’s going to challenge her next?”
“Come and get it, OYA OYA!” Minnie hollered like she was hyping up a crowd. She clapped her hands. “Come on, now. Where my ladies and theydies at? Asani babes? Ellybelle? I won’t hurt ya, promise. Or am I gonna hafta settle for kicking Zabbros down all day?”
Elly shook her head and chuckled, raising her hands up “I’m going to be no challenge for you.”
“Ellllllly,” the Nautolan whined. “It’s not about a challenge, it’s team-building! Just push me a little. You can lift like ten of me. Believe me, Foxxie trained me, and he’s tall as that guy,” her thumb jerked at Karran, “and thicker than either of you.”
Karran put a hand on the shoulder of his brother-of-horns, his Zabrakoriff.
“I will avenge you.”
The Sith looked up the hill at the small Nautolan. For a moment, he reconsidered charging up like a freight gravtrac and bulldozing the small woman. But then she spoke of her brother, their training, and how bigger than him.
He was quickly over his conflicted feelings.
“I have never once skipped leg day. Foxen is not thiccer than me.” He may have confused Minnie’s usage of the word for how Zig would have spoken, but the intent remained the same.
He planted his stance in the sand, placing his right foot forward, ready to spring forward and charge up the hill.
Emere had set her gear down, and removed her aviators at the mention of a competition. Who was she to turn down a challenge? And it was time to finally settle the score with Karran. “I’ll take on anyone. Especially Karran.”
The nuzzling helped build up the kushibans confidence even more. “I will my sweet meiloorun” shed say, her face flushing blue. Hearing Minnies taunt she looked over and started smiling. It seemed less like a sporty smile and more like she was up to no good.
“Ive been fighting a giant woman since I was half my size I can take you!” she yelled approaching the area, giving others a chance to go first while she began hoping in place a bit swaying side to side preparing for something.
“Do we need to get the measuring tape?” Minnie called down as he planted himself, rolling her eyes. “Sorry, pookie, but it’s just true. I gotta deal with being this short, you gotta deal with Foxxie being stupid triple-cresh thick and still that fast. And stupid. Now c'mon. Prove how big you are.”
Sand kicked up behind the Zabrak’s feet as he rushed up the hill. The sweat that had beaded and collected along his musculature fell behind him as moving air pulled it back. As he neared the much smaller Nautolan, he dropped his torso, almost as if to ram his head directly into her stomach, but shifted and aimed his shoulder for the spot inches beneath her sternum. Once he made contact, he would then return his body upright in an attempt to throw her, much like a rampaging Reek would to a smaller creature.
Minnie didn’t even try to brace, recognizing the charge for what it was, that of a running beast. Instead, she loosened her muscles, trying to prepare as best she could for the impact and minimize it. Briefly, as Karran came upon her, lowering into the charge, the image of her brother’s torso full of holes, not from bullets but from those horns, flashed in her mind’s eye: the sheer blankness Foxen had exhibited despite his shaking, the way Flyndt had screeched when back then she’d never even heard him raise his voice above short mutters to her, the way Foxen had flinched back from her taking a step towards him. Her stomach clenched into a knot, as if cringing in anticipation of piercing, and then–
The Zabrak’s shoulder shifted in, and caught her in the chest, knocking air out of her while suddenly she was being thrown like a ragdoll. She tried to recover, to claw for a hold on his bare, slick skin or those very horns, but having tensed, it hurt, and there just wasn’t much to grab. The tiny Nautolan kept going, gravity’s familiar, mocking lurch juking her stomach like she did the yoke of her ship before impact.
Down the other side of the hill. She rolled into it, wheezing, and stopped herself with a snarl and palms and bare knees scraping in the dirt and grass. She scented her own blood on the air in that breath.
Frak you.
Oh, sure, Foxen had agreed to the spar. He’d made his choice, Kymis. Well frak him. Frak always respecting his choices, frak the way he tortured himself over frakking Flyndt, frak the love isn’t staying, commitment isn’t staying and the way she couldn’t do or say anything and the inevitable shit show that awaited and frak that pit and the animals and the reek and frak. Motherfraking. Karran Val'teo.
Pretending to be down would have been smarter. So would a stealthier approach.
-
Minnow pushed herself back up with a scream of actual rage and raced back up the side of the hill, cresting it on her shorter legs just as Karran strode across the top to presumably peer down for his query. She slid into a skid, one foot forward, and swung the other knee as hard as she could with her full hundred-something pounds behind it.
Right into the knee Foxen had snapped in that stupid, stupid spar.
Minnie was not weak. Karran was strong, but she was definitely not weak. The impact of her kick was enough to force his leg to buckle and drop.
He grit his teeth and grabbed onto her ankle with both hands. His words came calmly through his grinding teeth.
“Rage is powerful. Righteous fury is potent. But only when you exercise absolute control.”
With a grunt he heaved and tossed the smaller Nautolan down the hill toward Bril and stood
“I know, BOY,” the Nautolan spat back in Mando'a seconds before she was thrown. There wasn’t a Mando'a saying for being explained something you already knew very well, but that was because their people didn’t do it. The unasked for bit of lecture from Karran of all people only pissed her off more, and she knew when she came up from rolling through the dirt that she wasn’t okay for this. “Forfeit!” she yelled in Basic, barely managing not to go off on the man. “Since you’re giving out advice, shabuir, take some just as unasked for: DON’T.”
Dammit or going off a little.
The Nautolan spun on her heel, waving back over her shoulder, more of a military snap to her next statement, “Next up! Someone go! It’s a team drill!” Then quieter to Bril as she brushed past him, “Taking ten.”
The tiny Nautolan soldier marched off, passing the constructed tents without another word.
Bril blinked. “Well, that took a turn I wasn’t expecting,” he admitted, reaching up to rub the back of his neck while looking at the others. “But these things happen, as I’m sure we’re all aware.”
He certainly was no stranger to training sessions getting heated. During his time training for shockboxing matches in the Belkada, he’d seen a few friendly spars turn into full-fledged brawls.
“We’ll have a brief intermission and continue once I’m back. Be thinking about who among you is going to challenge Karran for the lord of the hill spot.”
A brief wave ended his address, freeing him to catch up to Minnie with a light jog. He didn’t say anything at first. preferring to give her a minute to breathe while he stood with his fingers interlaced behind his head. That familiar pulse of gentle warmth spread across their bond to succor any lingering anger she felt. Only when she gave him some sign of her approval of the psionic gesture did he address her aloud.
“You okay, love?”
Eventually Minnie exhaled hard, more of a sigh, gentled by what she considered the magic equivalent of a brain hug. She leaned her weight on one foot to press onto his side briefly, nudging in a silent thanks.
“Yes, no, fine,” she muttered, clicking her tongue. It was grueling how hard it was to not do that automatically even still, to share more. “Just…stirred up some anger I didn’t think I had at him, I guess. And a buncha other feels with Foxxie and kark. And I don’t fight friends angry. Even if they do gotta just mansplain. But I’ll chill out. Talk about it later, promise. Go take care of the troops.”
He looped his arm around her to briefly pull her into a side hug.
“I’ll take you to get boba later and we can talk about it then,” he smiled, “You did beat me again, after all. You coming back with me?”
That got a short, strained chuckle out of her, appreciation for the attempt but also sourness for the following loss. “I…I guess. Don’t want them thinking anything. Might message Foxxie tho, see if he responds.” She straightened up again, settling into a pilot’s parade rest, and blew out another puff-cheeked breath. “Okie, okie, okie, tits up, oya.”
The tiny Nautolan turned to trot back with her Zabrak.
“Just tell him I said I’m sorry for eating Flyndt’s snacks, he’ll respond.”
He chuckled while giving her a little hip bump as they walked back to the others.
“So! Who’s going to challenge the big guy? Any takers? Or will I have to pick someone?”
“Slow down there, Palpatine, we’re not trying to start a war. I say that and he might show up,” Minnie replied, picking a spot next to Elly and touching her arm. With thoughts of her brother in mind, her outburst seemed even worse, and her tone turned serious as she addressed her civilian friend. “Hey, sorry you had to see that and that I called on you, I know fighting isn’t your thing at all and should be respecting it better. Just ‘cos it’s my culture doesn’t mean it’s something to share without your consent.”
<@301514304845381632>
Elly lightly bumped her side into MInnie. “Don’t worry about it, seriously.” She tried to assure her friend. “I love your culture, and it’s nice when you share it with me. It’s just hard when there’s also a crowd.” She chuckled softly. “Here, how about this. Want me to go get him back for you?” She motioned to the Zabrak atop the hill
Minnie gaped at the woman, but then quickly rearranged her expression into a fierce grin, playing into it and bumping Elly back. “Oooh, gurl, that’s what I’m talking about!” she tried to hype, despite a sudden concern and a glare at Karran that promised if he hurt their civilian friend, she would end him. “Babygirl, please do. Avenge me for I am forsaken! Carry on…the boba…kingdom!”
Dramatically Minnie started a slow motion collapse, dragging herself down Elly’s side and then throwing her arm over her eyes.
Bril just … stared.
Even with her eyes covered, Minnie’s other hand raised in a one fingered salute, probably the first bit of language she had ever learned thanks to her brother.
The lawyer raised a brow as she watched Minnie dramatically fall to the ground, a death caused by the shame of losing a battle like a true warrior. “Worry not, my friend.” Elly tried to be dramatic, having only little practice from playing with Sulla. “You shall be avenged, and your legacy solidified in the annals of history.” The firrerreo couldn’t hold back the smile on her face as she played along with the joke.
She took a couple steps away from her friend and towards the hill. “You ready to go up there?” She asked the man atop the hill <@467973085006659594>
The Sith bowed before assuming a prepared stance. One leg back to brace for impact. The other forward ready to push back. Arms up and ready to wrap around his assailant.
“I was born ready.”
The fingers of both hands twitched toward himself in the universal ‘come get some gesture’.
While Karran bowed, Elly did a couple of little jumps in place, rolling her head back and loosening up just a bit before steadying herself and gazing up the hill at the mountain of a man. This was gonna be a challenge. On her way here, and even while the game was starting, she had been considering whether or not she should give up this whole ruse of being helpless. After all, these weren’t normal folks. They were supposedly people who could be trusted and wouldn’t come after her family. So after Karran threw her friend around like a ragdoll, Elly was determined to show everyone what she was really made of.
Without words, she charged up the hill towards the Zabrak, taking rapid and measured bounds.
Karran waited for his opponent to reach the top and prepare. He eyed her up and down, trying to guage her capabilities. He had fought or sparred most of the people present, but she was an unknown factor. Not diminutive, but still smaller than him, but that meant little. Minnie was not to be underestimated, and neither was the Firrerreo.
When Elly was ready, he began. He ducked low to wrap both arms around her waist and heaved to toss her over his shoulder. He felt muscles tighten reflexively. She wasn’t weak, that was certain.
With a grunt, he twisted his body and let her own momentum continue carrying her over his shoulder to fall onto the sand. Not far enough. He’d hoped to end this bout in a single move. But now he could learn what she was truly made of.
The firrerreo adjusted as much as she could whilst mid-air to make for a slightly more controlled landing as opposed to seeming as if she was just helplessly tossed. She couldn’t be disqualified just yet. She had a friend to avenge. Quickly realizing that a blitz wasn’t the answer to her solution, Elly made for a more measured and martial approach. She ran on up at a more reasonable pace and slowed before leading into their little skirmish with a small twirl that led to a vertical jump to get the height necessary to swing her whole body to power a kick across the side of Karran’s head.
Karran was slow to react. He’d expected his opponent to go low and take his footing rather than aim for his head. Elly’s shin connected and his body moved with it. He twisted and rolled down the hill, unable to stop his own momentum carried by his mass until he reached the bottom.
When he finally came to a stop, he chose to remain where he was for a moment before standing. When he did he turned to face the Firrerreo with a stern look before cracking a smile and bowing.
“Well fought, Ellisyn. I hope we have a chance to fight again.”
Two challengers had already bit the dust. Paum stood beside Vreva and watched the ordeal pan out, hands in his pockets, chilling. His blue-grey brow raised as the massive Zabrak went sailing and rolling down the hill. If the Herglic had placed any bets, he would have lost. A good thing his cred purse was on the ship.
Karran didn’t stay down for long, Paum leaning back as he watched him hop back up. He cleared his throat and turned to Vreva, nudging her. “You gonna challenge someone or keep watching?”
“`Ellisyn’s eyebrows raised in response to Karran’s gesture. She hadn’t expected him to take the loss as humbly as he did, but it was nice to see, so she mirrored his bow.
"Likewise,” she intoned.
Then, she straightened her posture and looked to the rest of the group, wondering who was next to step onto the mound.“`
The short woman saw her chance then, using her powerful legs she decided she was going to make an entrance to remember.
Moving back a bit she then ran toward the “king” of the mountain, hopping with quite some speed she managed to extend her legs toward Ellys face.
Kushiban moved faster than she expected. The blow landed, dazing Elly for a moment and pushing her back down the hill. But she regained her footing, and rushed Asani to throw a drilling low side-kick to her chest.
Although she was small, Asani was quite hardy. The blow landed yet the sand cushioned her enough for her to hold onto Elly, even if she was a bit smacked shed refuse to show it.
Managing to hold on to the larger competitors leg she pulled, hard, likely harder than necessary in order to catch her enemy off balance and tumble them down.
Try as she might to keep her balance, Asani's masterful use of leverage and her body weight was enough to send Elly tumbling down the side of the mound.
Seeing as no one else stepped up to the mound to challenge the Kushiban, Emere did. As much as she wished it was Karran, she learned quickly not to underestimate her opponent. Though it was a curious situation to watch what was essentially a porg take down a rancor, her judgements of Ellisyn remained in her head.
The Human was wordless as she took a fighter’s stance, meeting the short furry alien’s gaze.
Asani felt eyes trained on her and turned to face her new opponent. Her body held high, ears normally hidden by her helmet pointed upwards. Her fur off white as the reflection of the sand made her hue mix a bit. Her ear tips changed color to match her oponents eyes, taking her own fighting stance.
Emere was the first to launch an attack on the Kushiban, aiming for an aggressive attack to launch the smaller species with a sweeping kick to the gut.
Althoug she had seen the attack coming and had prepared for it, her body was not used to sand as a terrain, having trained on it far too long ago. Emere landed the kick. Although Asani was winded, she held onto their leg so as to avoid being launched in the air. Once the movement stopped she looked up, eyes black with red at the center. “My turn!” She launched herself at Emeres face, jabbing and kicking.
Emere raised her arms to deflect the barrage of furry appendages from hitting her visage. Unfortunately, the a few of the hits landed, causing the Human to lose her footing on the mound with a grunt. She remained silent as she assumed a defensive position, her dark eyes trained on her oppnent. She was determined not to be taken down again by the Kushiban on the final round.
Asani would not let up, attacking as much as she could. Emere loosing her footing only served to the kushibans advantage before she backed off from her opponent, giving her another chance at an attack.
Seeing as her opponent retreat was a little disappointing. Even so, Emere prepared a charge at the smaller species, reaching out with her hands to grab Asani by the head, to spin and slam the furry species into the mound.
The shorter woman expected this, somehow its always an attempt at grabbing her, like a toddler being scolded.
She used this leverage, the foreard momentum and grabbed the arm as it approached, using her smaller frame to manouver and lock her legs onto her enemies neck. She hoped it would not only tumble them down but give her the opportunity to get them to surrender.