Bridging the Gap

[huntressofworlds]

Nar Shaddaa Flashback
Before the Destruction of Mandalore


Nar Shaddaa, the planet stood almost as a beacon of refuge from the oppression of the Imperium. A planet that one could lose themselves in, a planet that sprawled as a massive city, rich with technology and even more potent with it's criminal undertones. It wasn't a place that she thought she'd ever have ventured to if it weren't for the dire need for additional knowledge and supplies for her Clan. The blockade of the Mandalore Sector was a tough thing to bear, one which required a daring escape from those Imperial vessels. It was a good thing that she'd made it out of the Sector without any Imperial entanglements. It certainly would've made a tragic ending to such good intentions considering her ship held no weapons and only minimal shielding.

The one good thing about Nar Shaddaa however was it's abundance of Bacta and medicinal compounds considering the Hutt's control of Thyferra. It was where she'd restock her vessel with as much of it as she could store. She'd only arrived a few days ago, having made a few contacts planet wise, she'd even secured an invitation to a medical conference in one of the towering spacescrapers in the middle of the business district. Soon though, soon. In the mean time she had to venture to some less than legitimate outlets to secure some equipment that she needed. Equipment that was of Imperial nature. She'd certainly be spending some credits to acquire it, it was fortunate that she saved all those chits, considering she wouldnt be able to access her accounts on Jakelia.

In the mean time though, walking through the denizens of Nar Shaddaa it was almost calming to be able to wear her armor, the sigils on her shoulder plates were old Mando'a for a medic. The red stripes that ran down along the outer edge of her arms and along the front of her leg armor was a good offset to the dark gray main coloring of her armor. Her fiery red hair hung about her face, and her eyes were set and focused ahead of her, the occasional glimpse through a few passing shop stands, a look along the wares being offered and peddled. Moving about the market was something she hadn't experienced in a long time back on Jakelia, even just for a moment she let her lips curl to just a very slight smile, one could almost forget the wars and oppression of her people. Almost.

 

[Grimlock]

The streets of Nar Shaddaa were a cesspool of criminal activity, though that criminal activity would aid Dex and the rest of Clan Skirata tremendously. Unlike his other Mandalorian brethren he had no need to slip past a Sith blockade thanks to the timely decision by their former Alor to move to the frigid planet of Alzoc III. This made travel throughout the "free" sectors of space less difficult, though he felt for his fellow Mando'ade and their current situation. The question of whether or not the Brotherhood should rally to assault the Imperium fleet blockading Mandalore was brought up multiple times and put down each occasion. They knew that their numbers that barely met 1000 held little hope of standing up to the Imperium and their massive armada of ships and soldiers, even if the Clans resorted to guerrilla warfare.

However there was a reason for the presence of the Mandalorian on the planet. Weapons, and other vital equipment to repair the A5 Juggernaut and Canderous Tank they had scrounged up during the run on their ancestral Kyrimorut. Fuel cells were also vital to the continued operation of the vehicles. He had a contact on the planet that would be able to help him fill the Sho'sen dropship's hold with enough fuel cells and other equipment to continue operating for another few months without having to return to the "civilized" worlds.

Glancing around the street he stood on, he saw the rain darkening the duracrete paths though felt no rain against his own skin, thanks to his beskar'gam. The direction his gaze fell caused hapless civilians to jump out of the way in fear he was staring at them. A fully armored Mandalorian was an intimidating sight in just basic colored beskar'gam, though Dex was sure to be an even more terrifying image thanks to the skeletal visage of his armor. The death smile that adorned his buy'ce gave him the image of a long forgotten god of death making his way through the huddled masses of the Hutt's corrupt empire looking for another victim. Turning on a heel, he started his way down the market stalls eyeing the wares they had in case there was something he needed.

 

[huntressofworlds]

The rains were felt by Jintara, more specifically due to the fact that she wasn't wearing her helmet, with it clipped to her hip she calmly walked through those drops that were falling. It had only just started raining, growing heavier as she headed onward. By the time she crossed paths with the full armored male with the death smile painted on his helmet. While someone in armor wasn't exactly something that was uncommon for Jin to behold, that it was on Nar Shaddaa and the face on the helmet was certainly enough to draw her ashen gaze to focus on him. Her eyes scanned him, taking in the pattern of his armor, the craftsmanship. Certainly Mandalorian forged battle gear.

She canted a gaze up towards Dex's visor as she made a simple comment in Mando'a, "Kandos beskar'gam." She supposed it was the only sure way to know if whomever within that set of armor was a Mandalorian or not, even if he was taller than her, almost towering over her in those plates of hammered metal. He was formidable, if he was indeed a Mandalorian he was likely a skilled warrior. Already she was trying to spot clues as to who he was. Of course, there was always the suspicion that he could be some Imperial imposer.

Jintara had seen more than a few patterns of armor, but Dex's armor was of unique construction and scheme. It certainly would be hard to miss and forget it, should one cross it in an unfavorable way. Taking a glimpse at the booth that the armored man seemed to be presented before she let her eyes scan along the selection of firearms. Unique makes and models. Most she could recognize, some she couldn't, never seen them before. While she'd never been majorly into weaponry, aside from her issued weapons she'd really never had use for them in the past, she was a medic, an oath to do no harm. Even still these days it probably would do her well to have another at her disposal.

"Any good deals?" she finally asked.

 

[Grimlock]

The pace of the falling rain had increased in the few minutes it took him to arrive in front of the weapons vendor. Inside his beskar'gam he remained completely dry, immune to the elements around him. He heard a smaller voice speak the words of his people as he glanced down to find a shorter woman adorned in gray beskar'gam holding the livery of a medic. "Vor'e, vod'ika." replied Dex as he observed the woman's features. Her fire red hair was the first thing to draw his attention as the wind seemed to pick up. He could hear his kama as it fluttered about his legs while his shoulder cloak whipped across his back revealing the black stripe down the left arm reserved specifically for Mandalorian warriors who had served in the Protectors.

"Nothing worth spending hard earned creds on." replied the Mando as he dismissed the stand, turning to face the woman. There upon the left chestplate of his armor sat the sigil for Clan Skirata. Almost on cue, a padding could be heard as a massive Strill made it's way into view. One might try and explain it away as a stray left by some long dead Mando, though the duraplast plates molded to image beskar'gam it wore showed Clan Skirata's mark as well. The large mass of skin and duraplast came to it's masters waist standing, though it appeared to be rather large as it planted a haunch on the ground next to Dex. "Hello, Ad'ika." spoke the larger Mando as he rubbed the Strill behind the ears with a armored hand, lavishing affection on the creature next to him.

He was unsure whether he should trust the woman before him since there was so much strife within the clans at the moment. Naturally, the greater clans had rallied together to form The Brotherhood, though that didn't mean the Sith hadn't heard about them and planted spies within their ranks. "What brings you to Nar Shaddaa, vod'ika?" asked the man as he looked her in the eyes from behind his death grin.

 

[huntressofworlds]

The rain might’ve soaked her head by then, those crystal drops running down along her face, dripping from her soft chin, down those fiery red strands of her hair, down onto her armor and rolling on down till it had dripped off down near her feet, but she didn’t seem to mind the rain. Truth was, Jin had been exposed to a lot of climates, climates that weren’t as nice as just rain. She’d endured it then on the battlefield and she’d endure it now. She wasn’t about to melt.

She did, however, bring her hand up and wipe away one of those wet strands from her face before taking a glimpse back up towards that big towering warrior before her. Listening to his words it was a bit comforting to hear him answer equally in their native language, it meant he was indeed a proper Mandalorian. Clan Skirata’s mark hadn’t gone unnoticed, but until now she wasn’t certain if the person within was a Skirata or if they’d killed one on the past.

So it appeared she was standing in the middle of a market on a rainy evening with a member of Clan Skirata. She knew his sigil well, she was a doctor and even if she hadn’t known the man inside the armor personally, she had seen those markings before. Likely even treated a Skirata a time or two in the past.

She chuckled just a bit as he told her there was nothing worth spending her credits on. She’d have to take his word for it, she was better at knowing which modules to buy for medical hardware then she was at which blaster was the best blast for her credit. Her slight half grin given as she turned her attention away from him and focused over on the rapidly approaching beast and duraplast. She tensed a bit, her hand instinctively went to her sidearm, though she didn’t withdraw it.

She calmed a bit when the creature plunked down next to the man she’d been speaking with and he spoke to it by name, giving it a rub. Her hand casually settled back at her side again as she canted her head just a bit and examined the animal before her. Was then she remembered why she was so leery around them as that odor drifted to her, she cringed a bit and gave a slight squint.

“Ugh. I almost forgot about the stench of Striile since I’ve been gone from home.” She commented.

His question to her though drew her almond colored eyes back up towards that painted helmet. She gave a little bit of a shrug before she looked on down the rows of vendors before she finally decided to answer, “Supplies for my Clan. Hutts control the Galaxy’s bacta, I figured it would be a good place to start here, secure some operating equipment while I’m at it.” Looking back to that visor she gave a slight smile as she returned the question, “ And what brings a fierce Skirata vod to the Smuggler’s Moon?”

 

[Grimlock]

Continuing to rub the Strill behind the ears, he watched as Jorbe turned it's golden eyed gaze on the woman at her comment about the Strill's scent. It's ears flattened against it's head as it glanced up at Dex with a small whine before settling it's gaze on the woman again. "Don't worry, Jor'ika." spoke the man as Jorbe let it's tongue fall out of it's mouth at the rub. The Mando watched as she brushed her hair rain soaked hair from her face while he observed her armor. He hadn't noticed right away due to the placement of the medic's sigils that she was a Bralor causing his eyes to narrow a bit underneath his helmet. He had recently met Bralors on two different occasions, both of which ended with them attempting to kill him yet failed. The fact this woman knew he was a Skirata and had not attempted to drive a blade into him was a decent sign. Perhaps one of the larger Bralor remnant that held onto their honor.

Hearing her own question, he gave the Strill a small pat on the head. "Supplies as well. If anyone can get anything, it would be the aruetiise living here." answered the man as he saw there was a call coming in on his personal comms. Turning off his external speakers, he answered the call as a slimy voice assaulted his ears. "We hear there is a Mandalorian looking to buy some.... items.. Is this true?" asked the voice as Dex cocked his head to the side. "Only if I can be assured the goods are reliable. I won't pay for broken down gear. Nor will I tolerate being cheated. Contact me when you have the goods I asked for and a location." spoke Dex before cutting the comms.

Glancing back to the woman in front of him, he could venture a guess she knew he was on the comms given the slight bob of his head as he spoke the Hutt dealer. Turning his external speakers on once again, he nodded to the her. "Sorry bout that. Surely the Bralors can't be hurting for Bacta that badly hidden in your mountain fortress?" spoke Dex before continuing to rub the Strill behind the ears.

 

[huntressofworlds]

Jin gave a slight nod towards the man before her, a slight chuckle given to the idea of the markets on Nar Shaddaa being able to get what she needed if there was a need. She did in fact notice that the man before her had switched off his speakers, seemed to be holding a conversation by the looks of it. In the mean time she knelt down slightly, fishing out a strip of jerky from one of the pouches at her hip, last strip she had she extended it out towards the Strill, careful to watch for those vicious looking teeth. Whatever the reason for it was, it seemed the Mandalorian before her had made a pet out of the stinky little fellow.

Though after the carnivorous little creature had devoured that little strip it appeared her Mandalorian counterpart had finished his conversation, prompting an apology from him. She pushed herself back up to her full height and gave him a slight grin to the comment about Norg Bral. She shook her head a little bit and smiled.

“You Skirata have it made out in the galaxy." she teased. "The blockade of the Mandalore Sector means no new supplies, no fresh Bacta. After the Clan Wars we were pretty low as it was, then the Blockade made things even worse. These days we save the good stuff for the most severe wounds.” Jin pointed out.

“It’s hard being a doctor and knowing there’s much better ways to heal wounds and having to resort to the most crude ways to save lives. Reminds me a lot of the days when I was a field medic. These days we need every Mandalorian we have.” She pointed out with a smile to follow.

“I’m Jintara.” She finally formally introduced herself, extending her hand out to greet him. “Though most just call me Jin.”

 

[Grimlock]

Nodding as the woman spoke about the shape of the Mandos within the blockaded sector gave him a flash of rage. He hated being on the outside and not being able to rush through the blockade to help his fellow vode from the clutches of the Imperium, though as The Brotherhood had established with him being one of the most vocal on the issue, any assault on the Imperium that was conventional would end in failure. "We made a judgement call. Don't think we ran like cowards." spoke the Mando in response to her statement about Skirata being out of the sector. Meanwhile Jorbe licked it's chops as it attempted to get as much of the lingering jerkey flavor from it's chops.

"We do what needs to be done with what we have." replied Dex when she pointed out how it reminded her of her days as a medic. He held a sigil that stated he was a medic himself and he knew exactly what she meant. He had long known how to perform a tracheotomy with a vibroblade and a clean piece of fuel line, though he had also learned there were easier ways to do so that wouldn't carry risk to the patient. "Your words hold more truth than you know. Every Mando will be needed for when we take the fight to the Imperium." replied Dex.

When she introduced herself, extending her hand. He extended his own, gripping her forearm in the traditional Mando greeting. "Well met, Jin. I'm Dex." introduced the man as he felt the weight of the Strill against his waist. "But where are my manners. This slobbering mess is Jorbe. My closest friend and ally."

 

[huntressofworlds]

Shaking her head just a little bit at Dex’s comment she looked right up to where his eyes should be so he could see the sincerity of her words as she answered him. “I think you’re anything but a coward Skirata.” She smiled a bit. “I remember a few of you fighting in the Clan Wars, some of the best warriors I can say I’ve ever seen in action.” She replied, “One was a good friend, he covered me while we were in the field.” Jin pointed out. While it was easy to isolate one’s self to Clans, Jin wasn’t the isolationist sort. True she wore the sigils of one Clan on her armor, but the blood of many Clans had once stained her hands. She wasn’t the type to pick and choose, perhaps it gave her a greater appreciation for the varying members of the Mandalorian Clans, having worked with various members of several of them through her medical career. They each had their own ways of doing things, even some varying beliefs, but they all believed in one thing – that they were Mandalorian.

She gave a nod to him as he spoke about doing what needed to be done. While it was true, it didn’t mean a proper doctor shouldn’t strive to do things the best way they could be done. Perhaps it was a gift from growing up in a more privileged Clan, her familial Clan of Reau were well known through the Sector as doctors, medics and researchers. Growing up in a family like that required one to be good at the field. Jin hadn’t disappointed.

“It’s a fight I hope we see soon.” She answered, extending her hand past Dex’s and gripping him at the forearm just as he did with her own she kept hold of the armored bracer and made a slight bow of her head.

“Pleasure to meet you Dex.” She answered, taking a glimpse towards the Strill she chuckled just a little bit, “You too Jorbe.” she responded with a smirk. At least it hadn’t eaten her hand off.

Her eyes returned back to Dex’s again before she released hold of his forearm and let her hand settle back to her side. Her eyes lofted skyward slightly as she examined the rain falling all around. It wouldn’t due to try and purchase any kind of sophisticated equipment out in this, the rain alone could ruin several thousands worth of credits in a matter of seconds.

“Unfortunately I don’t think I’m going to find what I’m looking for out in this mess.” She finally surmised verbally before looking back to Dex again. “Don’t suppose you know of any reputable dealers of medical supplies?” she asked him, giving a slight nod towards the medic sigil on him. Seemed in her time while Dex was on his communicator she’d been studying his armor markings a bit more in detail.

 

[Grimlock]

"We only do what we can." replied Dex after she had said the Skirata's were some of the best. "It's what happens when you have four centuries of combat along with some clone DNA thrown in. Makes a rather concussive mixture." added the man with a small smirk from behind his helmet. He had seen the Bralors in combat throughout the years and respected the honorable ones as fierce warriors and brilliant tacticians. His father always told him that they were direct descendants of Fi and Parja Bralor, though there was no way to know and so Dex had never bothered to worry with it.

"The day will come when the Imperium feels the wrath of the Mandalorians once more." spoke the man from behind his death grin as he felt a strength in the woman's grip. A good sign that every Mando looked for when they greeted each other. A sign you could lift and carry a wounded comrade from the fire and to the medical personnel. Then again, being a medic she no doubt had to carry much larger men from the fire. "The pleasure is ours." answered the man as he dipped his helmeted head in response before breaking the seals with a hiss.

"It's been far too long since I've seen another of the clans outside." stated the Mando as he removed his helmet, clipping it to the back of his belt. He lifted his scarred face to the sky as he felt the rain fall upon it. Finally he turned his gaze back to Jin. "If we were in the Oyu'baat, this would be an almost normal day for us." added Dex as he spoke of the ancient tapcaf that had more than likely been destroyed during the firebombings.

Hearing her next question, he thought for a moment. "I can't say I do. We managed to move most of our medical equipment with us. However the contact I'm going to meet may have the equipment you're looking for."

 

[huntressofworlds]

Jin chuckled just a little bit, a slight grin holding the tug of her lips as she replied back to him, “It wouldn’t surprise me to find we all have a bit of clone DNA in us these days. Though none quite so strongly as your Clan.” She pointed out, having been over a thousand years since the Clone Wars, though Jin couldn’t really even tell her full lineage back aside from that she was indeed a true Reau. She’d never really needed to look, family was family, regardless where they’d come from. With her having joined Bralor there was no difference there for her, they were as close to family as she had these days, she certainly trusted them like it.

Jin indeed had a good grip, and was well built beneath that armored covering she wore. She had drug warriors from the battlefield to where she needed to get them, though she couldn’t say she’d enjoy returning to that line of work, it was more than often since the Clan Wars had ended that she’d found herself in more dire situations requiring her to get she and her patient to safety before she could operate on them.

“Likewise.” She answered to the length of time between seeing other Mandalorians outside of the blockade. “Very few are lucky enough to make all the blind jumps out of the Sector to get to a hyperspace lane and from Imperial space.” She pointed out. Though she was surprised to watch Dex release his helmet and remove it. Her eyes settled onto his bold browns, watching him as the rain fell upon his scarred face. When his eyes lowered back down from the sky towards hers, she almost shied away at that lock of their eyes, almost, though it did make her grin just a little as he spoke about the Oyu’baat.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Keldabe.” She pointed out, “I never got to go to the Oyu’baat. Maybe once I return back to Mandalore I can find time.” She gave a bit of a nod, “I’ll have a drink for us both.” Unless Dex was planning a recent return to Mandalore itself, which she doubted. Sadly though Jin would never get to return to the Mandalore Sector before the entirety of Mandalore would be destroyed in the coming storm.

His following comment though drew a slight perk of her brow as she listened to him speak of his contact and possible equipment that she was looking for. She gave a slight nod to him, “Perhaps you can put us in contact with each other?” she suggested, “I certainly would be indebted for any assistance you could provide, perhaps enough to buy you a drink? I doubt we’ll find a good Mandalorian Tapcaf, but I imagine there’s no lack of beverage on Nar Shaddaa.” she offered, though giving a slight chuckle before running her fingers through her hair again and adding, "Though perhaps after I find a place to dry off."

 

[Grimlock]

He listened as the woman spoke of the clone DNA no doubt flowing through most Mandos, saying nothing in response as she continued to speak about the Mandos lucky enough to make the blind jump to a new hyperspace lane that wasn't patrolled by the Imperium. Jorbe meanwhile had taken to walking around the two of them in a circle almost like it was patrolling to detect an ambush should it occur. "The arm of the Imperium is long. Not long enough though." spoke the Mando as he watched the way she almost shied away from his gaze. A small uplift at the corner of his mouth showed the extent of his amusement at the action. Yet she held his gaze. Something most did not or could not do.

"You've been missing out then. The Oyu'baat is the place where clan doesn't matter. Mandalorians from all over the sector gathered there. Legend was the pot they made the stew in hadn't been cleaned once since the tapcaf was started long before the Clone Wars." stated Dex as he found himself chuckling at the memories. The first time he had come face to face with his Alor was at the Oyu'baat. Little did he know those simpler days would be tainted with brutal infighting and Sith occupation. Slowly he fell to the day that Lyon boarded a Juri class freighter with the orders that Dex was Alor and he would return once he found himself.

Snapping back to the present, he gazed at the woman as she spoke of having a drink for the both of them. "Be sure to do that. Tell them I sent you. I'm sure there are a few free drinks waiting for me back home." said the man with the same small upturn of his mouth. "Anything to help a fellow vod. I'm just waiting for a call. Gives us time to find somewhere with drinks and a towel." added Dex as he motioned to her soaked red hair.

 

[huntressofworlds]

“A fortunate thing for us both.” Jin replied, referring to the arm of the Imperium. Had it reached much farther then there was a good chance she and Dex may have never crossed paths here on Nar Shaddaa. A shame that would have been indeed.

As Dex gave her that amused little grin and spoke of the Oyu’baat, about the legendary pot. She chuckled just a little bit and smiled at the Mandalorian before her, bowing her head just slightly almost smiling ear to ear as she answered, “ Sounds like you’d need a doctor after eating out of that. I think I’ll stick to something more sanitary.” She teased before looking from Dex’s chest plate back up to those focused firm brown eyes.

“I’d like that Dex.” She answered, trying his name out for the second time in their conversation, once more accented with her strong Jakelian accent. Her focused turned down along the street, ideally she’d find a refresher some place and dry herself off, but she very well couldn’t go barging in with Dex in tow. Some how she doubted that would go over well.

Her own curled lips held as she made a nod with her head towards Dex’s own hair, “You’re getting pretty drenched yourself.” She curled her lips into a slightly larger grin as she nodded her head across the street towards what appeared to be a small pub of some sorts, the sigils on the sign both displayed drink and food. “Looks good.” She commented, with a slight glimpse back towards Dex.

“The hair. I mean, Pub looks promising too.” She added, starting to walk towards it.

 

[Grimlock]

A chuckle escaped his lips as she said the Oyu'baat may not have the most sanitary food. "An excellent thing you're a doctor then. Self diagnosis." replied the man as he reached an armored hand to scratch at his neck while she continued to speak. She seemed trustworthy enough, though Dex never let his guard down if he could help it. When she made mention of his hair, he pushed it back as he felt water run down the back of his neck, being absorbed by his bodysuit. Reaching to his neck next, he pulled the tattered scarf he wore and quickly attempted to dry his hair as much as possible before replacing his helmet. It was hardened against EMP, and other elements but he wasn't about to chance shorting out his eyes and ears because of wet hair. To the casual onlooker the scarf appeared to be nothing more than that. A tattered, ratty scarf. But to someone who had fought against the Jedi and Sith it was much more. It was a symbol of the warrior wearing it. Each one a slightly different shade of brown or tan with an occasional black thrown into it. A piece of Jedi and Sith cloaks taken by the Mando throughout his years of combat.

"Works for me." replied Dex from behind his death smile once more as he started to follow her. The large Strill needed no invitation as it figured the desired location and trotted through the front door ahead of the two Mandalorians. The shout of the bartender could be heard just before Dex crossed the threshold of the pub. What was loud and boisterous moments before became deathly quiet as the patrons stared at the two Mandos who had just entered. Most of them stared at Dex with a quiet resignation no doubt having a bounty on their heads as their eyes flitted across the weapons littering his belt. Though most stopped on the lightsaber. A battered piece of metal that had once been the weapon of a Jedi Knight, though no more. Pried from the dead fingers of the Jedi who had killed a good friend of the Mandalorian. The eyes then darted to Jin in her own armor. Most of them eyed her hungrily, though the wary few who knew anything about Mandalorians averted their gaze quickly.

"The Strill is with me. That won't be a problem will it?" asked the Mandalorian as he stared at the bartender from behind the skeletal mask. N.. No problem. All Mandos good here." replied the beady eyed Weequay behind the counter.

 

[huntressofworlds]

Jin chuckled just a little bit, “ Being a doctor has saved me more times than not.” She responded as she headed on with Dex towards the pub. She waited long enough to watch him dry off with the cloth then replace his helmet back atop his head. He looked quite menacing with it, though rough and rugged without. She wasn’t entirely certain that he would’ve been less threatening without the helmet, though the looks from the occupants of the establishment were certainly priceless.

Jin didn’t say anything, merely stood next to Dex as the room drew to a silence and that commanding tone came from Dex’s vocalizers, cutting through the silence as he asked if there would be a problem.

She smirked a bit at the quaked voice from the bartender as she glimpsed towards Dex with a curl of her lip before she headed on in, place was small enough to not have more’n two dozen inside. Small three to four member band playing though, music was decent enough, not that mind numbing repetitive dull beat at some of the larger Cantinas. Jin didn’t frequent the larger places much, preferring to try out some of the more local places, those with a bit of character to them. Was a habit she supposed. Support the locals instead of the big businesses.

Heading over towards one of the booths that emptied out as soon as she neared she sat down in the already warmer spot. Her hands reached and unrolled one of the cloth napkins on the table and brought it up, drying her hair on it as best she could before running her fingers through it, combing out some of the mess as her eyes scanned to focus on the bartender as he looked towards her. Her eyes gave a brief scan over the specials chalked on the board above the bar and held up two of her fingers, signaling the second on the list. A good dark stout. Probably not the Mandalorian choice, but it would do for some socializing with the Skirata she’d just met.

Her eyes returned back to Dex once more as she gave him a slight grin. “Do you always get that reaction out of people when you walk into a crowded place?” she teased with a wink and a smile.

 

[Grimlock]

Ignoring the rest of the patrons in fine fashion as was his custom, he followed Jin to a nearby table waiting until she had taken a seat before settling into a chair that gave him a perfect view of the door. "Seems to be the normal reaction." replied Dex from behind his helmet as he felt a nudge at his leg. Glancing down, he saw Jorbe had let his muscular form fall to the floor next to him with a clatter of duraplast plates. "Seems more than a few of them have other thoughts on their mind though." spoke Dex as he saw a few of the patrons still eyeing the woman with a hunger in their eyes. Though once they saw the grim smile gazing in their direction they averted their eyes once again.

Breaking the seal on his helmet once again, he set it on the ground next him as was custom with Mandalorians. No sooner had he set the piece of armor on the ground a hurried clatter could be heard as a Twi'lek serving girl rushed over with a tray holding two large steins of dark ale. Quickly trying to get the glasses off the tray and onto the table as quickly as possible, before Dex raised a hand to stop her. The woman stopped nervously as her lekku quivered in a way that the Mandalorian could only imagine was fear. "Does he treat you well enough here?" asked the Mando as the Twi'lek gave an unconvincing nod. Dex nodded in understanding before reaching into a belt pouch and fishing out a high denomination credit chip, sliding it across the table to her. I'll deal with it. Use that to get yourself something nice."

Lekku still shaking wildly, the Twi'lek hesitantly reached out and took the chip as she noticed the 10,000 stamped across it. It was probably more than she made in a year as she quickly placed it in her pocket before nervously nodding her thanks and leaving the table.

 

[huntressofworlds]

Jin watched in silence as Dex took his seat next to her. Her eyes were guided way though towards those staring towards her as Dex made his comment about other thoughts on a few of them. Her attention refocused back on her Mandalorian counterpart next to her as she gave a low chuckle. “Wish I could say it was new, but it happens often. Chick in armor’n all.” She replied. "Don't worry though. I can handle 'em."

Around the same time the Twi’lek came along with their drinks. Nervously sitting them on the table Jin watched her, listened to the interaction between she and Dex as her hand reached out and took the stein and drew it near, swallowing down some of the liquid before sitting her glass back on the table as Dex slid that credit chit across the table towards the waitress.

When she’d taken it and then made her escape away from Dex’s stare Jin smirked and extended her hand, resting her own atop of Dex’s to draw his focus back to her own. Jin spoke low, but let the slight smile linger, just enough to show a bit of her white behind her lips.

“Was a nice thing you did there. What’re you going to do about him though?” Jin asked, taking a glance towards the bartender before returning her focus back towards Dex. “More importantly..” Jin smiled a bit larger, “ Going to do it before or after we pay for the tab?” she teased, trying to lighten the situation – and people said she had a dull bedside manner.

 

[Grimlock]

The older Mandalorian felt the woman's hand atop his own, momentarily seizing up from the unexpected contact, turning his attention back to Jin. Prolonged contact was something that made the man uncomfortable though he couldn't place why. A small chuckle left his lips as he carefully pulled his hand from underneath her's and grasped the stein in front of him, taking a small pull of the dark liquid. It wasn't tiihaar, but it wasn't the worst he had ever tasted. "The same thing I do about every individual I see taking advantage of an innocent. With pure violence." replied the man with a smile showing just how little he differentiated between violence and normal everyday interactions.

"Before the tab. I don't want to dig for money in his pockets. I don't know where he's been." spoke Dex before taking another drink of the ale.

 

[huntressofworlds]

Jin gave a slight chuckle of her own in response, equally taking a drink of her own before her eyes returned back towards Dex’s again, a slight smirk lingering on her lips as he told her how he intended on responding. She rest her elbow down on the tabletop and brought the same hand she’d touched Dex’s with up, resting her chin against her hand just slightly as she considered.

“As a doctor I have to suggest a more peaceful solution..” she smiled in return, a little bit of that grin lingering as she glimpsed down towards Dex’s hands on that stein just for a moment before looking back up at him with that nefarious look in her eyes.

“Though as a female and a warrior, I hope you teach him a lesson he’ll never forget.” She teased in response.

“And you’re probably right. He does look like a greasy little fellow doesn’t he?” she commented with a glimpse back towards the bar before she swallowed down a little bit more of her own drink and diverted her gaze back towards Dex’s brown eyes.

“Your Alor must be proud to have such a brave and formidable warrior in his ranks, you remind me a lot of the guys I served alongside in the Clan Wars. Good guys the lot of ‘em. More than a few fortunate I was a medic and could stop bullet holes in a moments notice.” She smiled a bit larger towards her Mandalorian counterpart, “Do I need to get out the sponge syringes?” she looked to the pouch at her hip playfully before glancing back to the Skirata across from her.

 

[Grimlock]

Another chuckle entered the air between the two Mandalorians. "I've never been one to listen to the doctors orders." spoke the man as he gave a smirk at her next statement. "Nothing to worry about. He's going to regret ever taking advantage of the poor lass." added Dex as he took another short drink from the stein giving a small sigh at the taste of the dark amber liquid.

Jorbe continued it's silent vigil from where it lay next to Dex, one eye open as it occasionally glanced toward the door, then to another patron before darting back to the door.

Dex listened as she spoke of his Alor and how he must be proud to have the Mando within his ranks. "My Alor..." spoke the man as his mind immediately found itself recalling the last time he had seen Lyon Skirata. In the hangar of the Skirata's Alzoc III compound, speaking of fire and loss. The words that would shake Dex to his core as he was made Alor of the Skirata aliit, only to watch Lyon step up the ramp of a Juri class freighter and disappear into who knows where. The only mementos were a transmitter to be used should he need to get in contact with man and an empty room reserved for the Skirata Alor that Dex had yet to move into.

Snapping back to the present, he gave Jin a small smile. "He is a good man and an even better friend. I fought with him at Coruscant and again during the Clan Wars." spoke the Mando, taking another drink. "You're too young to have fought in the Second Civil War of our people before the last Galactic War. It's something I envy you. We shouldn't be fighting against our own vode. I fought with the Separatists during the war. I guess you could say in both civil wars." spoke Dex as he thought for a moment.