I Gotta Ax You Something

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Ord Mantrell
An Ax To Grind Cantina
18:57
​

When it came to socializing with fellow members of their organization, Skuld had to admit she was a little lacking in the name of name-grabbing and title sharing. She just followed general orders and kept to her own sketches.

But with that thought in place, sometimes a Deucalian just needed a break from routine and needed to find something else to occupy her time.

So here she was.

This place was what really catered to the shady, the bottom feeders and those that really wanted some steam to be blown off. What could be better than brews and ax-throwing? Mind, these were primitive; no vibroweapons or thermals, which meant her Elduröxi was not permitted to be thrown, but... could a woman really be picky?

Tonight, however, was a special night. It was an invitation to a name she had heard whispers of. A man with talents to possibly help her get her what she needed later on, and the place to meet with sounded the best in her own mind. Drinks and ax competitions... what could go wrong?

She was already standing in one booth, hefting the weapon with a refined eye. It was balanced well enough, but the weight could be deceiving. One mug was already empty; she hadn't been waiting long.

She hefted her arm back, and watched the weapon sail with a satisfying thunk. Maybe he would be early too, but she wasn't going to scan the crowd looking for him.

Kark, she didn't even know what the man looked like.

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

Gillian Rel did many things for the company, handing many of the less above board things the company had to do to get ahead of their competition. It was work the Gil was well suited for.

He had started all over not too long ago, leaving his life on Nar Shaddaa behind and coming here for a fresh start. Things weren't any less complicated, in fact, they were likely more complicated here but Gil enjoyed his work enough to stick around.

He had received an invitation a few days ago from a woman who he knew only in reputation. She had helped him with a job recently but the two had never met. He was quite curious as to what the invitation was for, but it was at a bar so Gil decided there couldn't be too much to lose.

He had never actually been to this bar, but it seemed like his type of place. It reminded him of the dingey places he had grown up around Corellia. Half the bar had been turned into an ax-throwing range which Gil was intrigued by, though he much preferred shooting that any type of up-close weapon.

He knew what the woman looked like, vaguely so he was fairly confident when he spotted a woman lifting one the axes up to her shoulder. He waited for her to finish her throw before speaking. "Nice throw," he commented. "I assume...Skuld?" he asked waiting a second before extending a hand. "Gillian Rel."

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Skuld knew it was out of the ordinary to just ask someone casually out to a cantina. Especially considering that the pair had never met before. Perhaps not many people considered drinking and throwing axes a good way to blow off steam, but for her it was not only ideal, but a novel idea that she might convince Tagal to add to their station later.

Of course, she was about to step forward to retrieve the blade from the target when she heard a voice. Unfamiliar, but no one else would dare to know her name; in fact, most patrons seemed very, very content to keep their distance far enough from the tall, glowering woman.

So when she turned around, she was somewhat surprised the male was taller than her. His appearance was no different than most other species she had seen, including that of another companion of hers, Armides. Yet for some reason she found herself blinking in surprise to be identified so easily.

Well... she wasn't in armor. So the stigma had yet to appear, or the judgement. "Ja..." came the voice, somewhat wary. But the name instantly cleared whatever stiff wariness that she held before, posture instantly melting as she took his hand, giving it a firm shake. Icy blue eyes met his head on, and a rare smile touched her lips, head tilted slightly.

"Vell met, Gillian. You're early. Care for a try?" waving a hand to one of the weapons. She had no doubt the man was busy... but to say she wasn't intrigued was another statement entirely...

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

She a good a handshake, he would give her that. She also looked like she could throw a Wookie through a window if she wanted to. He was sure he could find more work for her, especially given her track record. "Please, just Gil. he said on second thought about his name. He had never been a fan of his full name but never passionate enough to change it.

He looked down at the axes that lay on the table. "Sure, why not." he said with a shrug moving up to the table. A server approached them asking if they wanted anything to drink. "I'll have a whiskey." he said looking to his new ax throwing partner to see if she was getting something. The server would walk off the fetch their order as Gil turned back to the table.

"So I have done a good bit of knife throwing, but I can't say I have thrown axes before." he said picking up the ax, hefting it in his hand to try and get a feel. He looked over to get a look at someone else throwing. "Here goes nothing.." he said.

He drew his arm back and threw the ax. It flew towards the target, but he didn't have the rotation right and the handle slammed into the target as the ax bounced away. Well, this should be an interesting night..." he joked.

The server came back with the drinks and he took a sip from the glass before sitting it back down at the table. "So, what can I do for you Ms. Stark?" he asked, no longer able to hold in his curiosity. "Or is tonight about simply embarrassing me?" he said with a laugh.

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She nodded once, with a hum of satisfaction. Not many dared to meet a Deucalian in the eyes; the fact that this Elven male had no difficulty doing so pleased her. "Gil then," she affirmed, the grin widening just a bit when he turned and decided to join in for the game. Not many did... it was a difficult thing to do, even for her it took years to properly throw.

"Another beer," she affirmed to the server, her accent thick enough that the woman seemed to pause, then nod slowly. Arms crossed beneath her bust as she watched him throw for the first time, brows raised slightly when the handle hit first. At least he hit the target with one end.

Although, she was somewhat relieved that he hadn't accidentally let it fly before going forwards. That was always a rookie mistake, she had the scars to prove it. She chuckled, a deep rumbling sound as she trekked forwards to yank hers out of the wood, and bent to scoop his up, setting them aside to snag the next ax.

"Just Skuld," came the calm comment, eyeing the next ax with a slight frown. "And nei, if I vanted embarrassment, I vould have brought you shopping." It was true; some of her outfits definitely raised eyebrows. But it wasn't her fault she had acclimated to icy cold and bitter temps; the rest of the galaxy was too warm, and she dressed accordingly, social graces bedamned in most cases.

Icy blue eyes glinted with amusement; at least the male was sociable. It made it easier on her; she hated small talk, almost as much as being in a public setting as a speaker or being on a hot planet. Both never boded well results.

He probably knew her kill sheet well enough by then for that fact to settle in the social equation.

"Nei, what I need..."

She paused, then lifted her arm. Curled it. When the ax released, it bit deep into the wood, and she huffed in slight dissatisfaction. Too far up. She knew the heft was too bottom-centered.

Thankfully, this was only sport.

"Is someone who can help in... acquiring things. Records, ship plans. Blackwell does not yet have shipyards." She checked behind her as she strode forward, to make sure he had not decided to throw his yet before yanking hers out once more. "Be careful; some of these axes do not hold their weight. They are unbalanced; do not throw like knife, that is all wrist. These are all elbow, forearm." But the smile seemed friendly enough; she'd had a drink in, it helped somewhat.

"In return, I vill help how I can."

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

He rolled his sleeves up as she returned to the table. He raised an eyebrow "I think you would be hard press to embarrass me there." he said with a chuckle. Gil had spent the last few years as one of the owners of a strip club, he had seen just about every style of clothing and none of it really phased him anymore. Besides, if he was as muscular as she was he would show it off too. Gil had always been thin, it didn't help that he had spent his childhood half starving to death the majority of the time.

As she began to discuss what she had asked him to come here for his interest piqued slightly. "And you have a plan for Blackwell to obtain a said shipyard?" he asked. They had mostly been into manufacturing small arms to sell to the public and militaries, but if they managed to gain access to a shipyard and could begin selling starships, it could really take the company to the next level. His mind was already racing with ideas.

"What exactly do you need...acquired?" he asked taking another drink from his glass before stepping back up to the table. He hefted the ax in his hand as she gave some advice. He wasn't the proud sort and nodded as she spoke, thankful for the help.

"Elbow and Forearm..." he repeated as he pulled the ax back and throw it. This time he sent the thing rotating too quickly, and again it bounced off the board and clattered to the ground. "At least I know I could probably give someone a solid bruise if it came down to it.." he said with a shrug as he retrieved the ax.

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She chuckled along with him. She liked this man. He did not seem hard to like; most social circumstances got her hackles raised early on.

But then again, most people would not shop with a Deuc. Too much of it, apparently, was her selecting outfits that made most in the galaxy blush. She never understood it; most places were too warm for her armor, and the thermal function was only necessary when she revisited Ando Prime...

Or if she ever chanced upon the wilds of Hoth again... or what was left of it.

She nodded once, frowning slightly. "Ja. Kuat is a safe bet... but obtaining one elsewhere to design my own models would be ideal." She frowned, striding over to where the drinks were set. A slender black datapad was perched upon it in sleep mode apparently; she tapped it to life, frowning to herself.

"Most companies, like Starburn, are not bad for giving a shipyard... but they do not have all resources to make building new ship ideal." Her fingers typed over it; long strings of text in Deucalic flashed by, flipping between old sketches and new ones. "What I need are plans for ships that are not expensive to build," she muttered, showing a glimpse of an RX-5 model. It seemed to have been snapshot in a hangar.

"These are not difficult build. Can probably make it better... but..." she shrugged, powering it off.

Arms crossed as she watched him throw his next, with a huff of approval. "At least you hit your target; most of my people can barely do that."

She did not mention that most of her people preferred shooting... and were fine raiders instead. The compliment would be taken wrong. At least he actually hit it... it seemed to be a sight better than most of the other patrons here.

"Nei, these are terrible anyways, blunt and heavy. You will get it eventually." Hands went to her hips, mindful to wait until he retrieved his before tossing hers. It hit, but it was just shy of a perfect mark. She huffed an amused breath before jogging lightly back to retrieve it.

"Most designs are fine, ja. But they need... refining." Perhaps it was the wrong word, but it was the closest she could think of.

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

He looked over the documents she had brought with her. So there had been business. That was a relief. His track record with women and sharp objects had been not the best, but business was something he could handle.

Gil took another sip from his glass before the waitress brought out another. "Kuat is fine, but they make big ships there. We need something smaller, a place where you can develop your ships away from the prying eyes of other companies." he said. The wheels in his mind were spinning. This had actually been an area he had wanted to expand into to.

"I can help with that." he said as he scratched as chin nodding. "Yeah....this is definitely doable." he said growing excited. P

He whistled as she threw an almost perfect throw. She retrieved her ax and he picked his up. "Alright, I think I got it this time." he said replaying her advise in her head. He took a deep breath and let the thing fly. This time it rotated perfectly before sticking into the target. It wasn't quite on the mark as Skuld's had been but he would take it.

"I think the alcohol just had to take effect, I'm no good sober." he said with a grin.

"You'll need a team." he said jumping back to business. "I am sure that can be arranged as well if you have not already done so." he said raising an eye in question.

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She nodded along with what he was saying, absently humming out a breath with a pleased grin. Someplace isolated...? She could live with that, and then some. In fact, it was better because then she could finally work in peace... and perhaps work without worry of others stealing her plans from her residence. She could finally set up a proper drafting office.

"That would be lovely, ja, but there aren't many places that simply sell ship manufacturing plants," she commented easily, but a smile suddenly split her features, and black eyebrows raised slightly. "Do able? Really? First good news I've had in a while," she continued, grinning suddenly with an easy affability.

She snorted with a grin at his comment of drinking, raising her own to take a quick sip. "Not for me; drinks do not do my aim credit."

She shrugged slightly, a black brow arched while the other lowered, grin still in place. "Nei, but getting one will never be hard. I have a feeling we know many of the same people."

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

He smiled at her skepticism. She brought up a valid point. It wasn't as easy as just ordering a factory off the holonet. "If it was easy, everyone would have a factory cranking out ships." he said with a chuckle.

Give me some time and I am sure I can find us a place. You will be building ships in no time." he said with a nod. He meant it to. This was something the company needed to be involved with. He had enough to pull to get it done. She would see.

He shrugged at her comment. "You look like a woman who can handle her drink just fine." he said with another laugh before taking another drink.

"So now that I am an expert ax thrower and all. Care for a friendly bet?" he said raising an eyebrow. He always performed better when credits were on the lines, besides it made things interesting.

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She had strode back to snag another gulp of her drink, when he brought up holding drinks... and then friendly bets.

A deadly combination if there ever was one. Was she game?

Absolutely.

An absolutely wicked grin cracked on her face, icy eyes glinting and a rolling chuckle vibrating in her throat. "I have the feeling when you say friendly bet, it means I lose all on hand and my boots. But ja. I'm game. Vhat did you have in mind?" She set her drink down, tilting her head.

Though... then again, maybe she could finally win at something. Malmhaus was kicking her butt in Pazaak anyways, might as well earn her dignity in a way she was comfortable with.

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

He downed the rest of his drink in a single swallow before sitting the glass back down on the table. He grinned at the expression on her face. Good. She was a gambling woman. He wasn't sure he partner with someone on a project if they weren't willing to take a gamble every now and then.

He titled his head slightly at the expression, slightly confused by what she meant entirely but he got the gist of it. He laughed a second later looking down at her boots. "They are nice boots...but I don't think they would fit me." he said with a shrug.

"But hey, if those are your terms, then I accept." he said with a grin of his own. Best two out of three tosses wins, winner takes the losers shoes." he said offering a hand to shake on the bet.

"After you.." he said motioning to the axes laying on the table.

*Just roll 3d10 somewhere and I will also roll. You can add +2 to your rolls since she is a good bit more experienced than Gil.*

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She laughed too, when he actually did look at her boots. It was true, the male was lighter than her perhaps, though a few inches taller. No doubt he was also much more dexterous; she could outlast quite a few hits, however, and survivability in the cold often worked in her favor.

When it was cold, however.

But in places like here... it could almost get too warm. To most, wearing a light tank shirt, leggings and boots was not really a decent option, but truth be told she stopped caring about decency long ago.

She knew she was getting soft when the ax's heft didn't feel right. Too many hands mishandling these, not to mention poor repairs...

But for a poor workman to blame fine tools seemed rather apt. And now that she was warmed up with drink and easier conversation, perhaps she could blame that on poor throws.

The first one was decently off the mark; at least in the second ring. The second and third, however, were in the third, right atop each other. If it were a person, it would not mean death, but they would be down a limb.

That didn't really work in favor if you were being shot at by a live target, however.

She grimaced, then gave a self-depreciating chuckle, shaking her head.

"Verður að vera meira stressuð en ég hélt..." she muttered quickly, giving him a raised brow and a more sardonic smile. "Have fun, Gil. And remember forearm and elbow."

Spoiler: DICE

Shenanigans roll

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

He downed the last bit of his drink as she finished her last throw. He was feeling confident, though that was likely the booze more than anything. It wouldn't be the first time he had lucked out on confidence alone but he knew this one was a longshot.

He swung his arm around as if he was stretching. "Time to bring this home." he said picking up one of the axes before sitting it down and picking up another one. "Yeah, this was is it." he said. He walked up to the line, nodding at the advice again.

Gil drew the ax back and let it fly to the air. He missed the target altogether, it clanged against the wall as he let out a burst of laughter. "Maybe the last drink was a mistake." he said still giggling. He looked down at his shoes, mock sorrow at the imminent loss of the trusty pair of boots.

Whether it was fate, the alcohol, or sheer dumb luck he took the next two throws. As the ax sank in on his third throw he had to resist his mouth dropping to the floor. He had actually won. "I think I have a perfect spot to display my trophies." he said looking down at her boots, wicked grin on his face.

"Alright, off with them." he said, still laughing with joy.

Spoiler: Dice Roll

Ax em' a question

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She whistled low in appreciation. So he was either blessed by the Gods... or she was a good teacher. She would have to go with being fortunate with both drink and drinking aim. She did not partake often for several reasons, mostly because she could appreciate a clear head far better than most could.

She could also appreciate a good arm and eye better than most.

She laughed hard, however, at his cheeky attitude, and bent away. Slowly, both were chucked off, and she perked a brow with a smirk when she quite literally handed them over, not in the least perturbed. He would find them both oddly heavy... between the heel plating, toe plating and protective inserts in the calf, they were hefty pieces of their own right.

Even in civilian clothes, Skuld was never underprepared, or underarmed.

She perked a black brow, chuckling. "I think only a few will ever understand your sense of a trophy. But it means I buy myself a better plated set of boots."

@Raydo