[Renelo Social] Booze, Blades and Mando'ade

[Dargeth The Hunter.]

As he watched Xotomi leave to help her husband with the arguing pair he watched the man Elias rise and walk away, their leader had been right in his word’s but looking at Elias he could see in him the same thing that rested in himself. He knew the war was taking it’s toll and even though he had not been here that long he had suffered as much as the rest to the Sith, grunting as he watched the man he looked to Xotomi and simply murmured “ he is like a sun, burning, with so much anger, but no way to direct it but outwards, everywhere, you get to close and you will burn “. He knew his word’s spoke of his own deeper thought’s and he grunted and allowed himself to lightly grasp the drink and swallow the content’s, he had spent the entire time in the Renelo clan trying to find out what had happened to his former Mentor but so far had not found anyone who had heard of him returning.

As he suddenly felt his senses tingling he managed to throw his body into a twist and catch the large ball of fur that was his Vord-cat, as he grunted he felt it slam into him with a yowl of frustration at having been caught out and his lips curled into a sly grin as he grasped it’s ear’s and ruffled them sharply. He smiled lightly and pressed his forehead to the animal’s and found himself whispering a soft murmur of happiness, the Vord-cat it seemed these day’s was the only thing it could trust apart from those in the clan on the same mission as himself.

 

[FallenKeeper]

Lux arrived at the table, now holding a mug of ale. A sense of uneasiness took root at the back of Lux's mind. Dealing with people was not his strong point, perhaps that was a blessing in his line of work. No friends, no liabilities. Still there was always the yearning to be part of something. In the past it was a weak twinge but now it was all he wanted. If anything he was going to try. "Lux Hunk," he said, introducing himself by name alone as he sat at the table and took a hard gulp of his ale. The strong aroma filled his nostrils as the liquid washed down his throat and left a splashing sensation in his empty stomach. He hadn't eaten all day and drinking on top of that was going to make the woman's words have a bigger echo.

He sat there in what seemed like awkward silence hoping someone would speak. The current events in the ring were still within his awareness. He had learned to pay attention all around.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

Sisk turned to Talossas, shaking his head slowly. He reached out and clasped the shorter man by the shoulders, his heavy hands a comforting touch. Locking eyes with the half-breed, he opened his mouth, making sure his words were heard by all. "There is no penance needed, vod. I am not one to judge, I am one to preserve. You're a good man, and a good warrior, and I will not let this incident taint that view of you in the eyes of your fellows." He squeezed his shoulders lightly, and continued. "We are here to build up our brotherhood, and to do that, we must be willing to trust. I trust that you are repentant, and to me, that is enough. Get yourself taken care of, and then we'll have our toast."

He released Talossas, and turned to the gathering. He pointed to the sparring rings, and raised his voice. "Any who wish to test their mettle, I am more than willing to test your skills. Prepare the ring the way you wish, and I will return to show you the error of your ways." With his challenge said, he followed Elias, his long legs eating up the distance behind the Al'verde. As he caught up to him, he grabbed his shoulder and spun him around, his voice hard and demanding.

"You are going to tell me exactly what that was all about."

 

[Arisalin]

Elias thought he had been left to brood, and to him that was good as he stormed down the hallway. Drunken thoughts mixed with truthful feelings shifted about in his mind, and he discerned neither of them as what they were. It was all just real to him. Everything seemed to make sense in a horrible way, and when he tried to think about it he would just become angry. Heavy feet caught his attention approaching from behind but he ignored them. Then a firm grip spun him around and he came face to face with the Alor. "You are going to tell me exactly what that was all about." The voice cut through the dim hall, and Elias as if in a dream felt himself knock the other's hands from him and step back.

Reality hit of what had just happened. He barely remembered the question, but kept his face calm as he met Sisk's eyes with his own. "I thought I made it perfectly clear Sisk."Elias murmured tilting his head forward a bit eyes still locked with the other. Even he had no idea what was hidden behind his own stare, so much was running through his mind at once. "Dral'shya will be expecting me, so say what is it you need sir?"

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

Sisk's eyes narrowed, staring into Elias'. "What I need is for you to be a leader, and build our unity, not rip it apart." His voice was a low growl, hard and angry. "You have a responsibility, and that falls before everything. Before your personal vendettas, before your anger, before your very self. I brought you to the fore because I trusted you, I trusted your temperament, and I trusted your judgment. Getting drunk and questioning the very survival of the aliit is shameful, and beneath you." His voice softened slightly, and he looked straight into Elias' hard eyes, fighting back against the man's will with his own. "You know that we can't fight the Empire right now. We don't have the manpower, we don't have the firepower, and we don't have the ability. You know this. You have a keen mind, and a desire to make your people better. I know this, and I expect one of my al'verde to contain his ire and fight for something larger than his own personal grudges." Letting go of Elias' shoulder, Sisk stepped back slowly, his head shaking.

"Maybe I made the wrong choice."

 

[Arisalin]

Elias stared into the others eyes silently. His anger slowly cooled as Sisk spoke, and he took what felt like a verbal beating. Every word came across and he heard it all to well. When Sisk had finished Elias was out of the energy to say much. He turned and leaned against the wall, eyes opposite of him as he sat down. He meant no disrespect by ignoring his Alor for as long as he was now. Almost thirty seconds passed, and then he brought himself to speak. "It all feels so pointless Sisk..."

"We all fought alongside for so many years. Alongside the Sith even. For what? A list of the dead and a pile of dust?." Elias blinked slowly and swallowed. "I'm tired of fighting my own people. Our Mandalore dies, a single man, and all of the Clans fall." He looked over at Sisk and met his eyes once more. "I've watched my brothers and sisters die all these years just to be pushed into a corner to cower." His voice hardened as he finished, bitter and with a slight warning tone. Elias was far from agreeing with Sisk, but he resolved to not cause a problem in the near future.

"I'm sorry."

 

[Mistress]

Xotomi did not go to aid her husband in front of everyone. Certainly she would never embarrass him like that. Just about everyone turned their attention onto Sisk and Elias. And from where she sat aside those she had invited to the table, Xotomi could have heard a pin drop. It was a pivotal moment. Worry etched its way across her brow.

All in fun Sisk had challenged anyone to spar him, but Elias had suddenly disappeared. Sisk followed. Much concerned, Xotomi stood at her place at the table for a better view, but she could not see them. The familiar sound which broke the silence, was that of her son and daughter's exuberant giggling as they entered the ring, an action which caused the immediate expulsion of the arrival of any others who, seeing his children, felt it not their right to interfere now.

Haron and Nakshi awaited giddied for their father to return to spar with him.

 

[Intratec]

Seda appeared behind Sisk a few seconds after he had taken a step back, doubt coloring his words even as he shook his head. She carried a large, portable hot box and thermos atop it. Savory scents filled the air as she placed it on the ground before Elias. Even she could feel the tension still in the air but the Ruus'alor persisted despite this confrontation. Crouching before the moody Mandalorian, she opened the hot box to show him the contents.

"Red Gourd and Gi Dumpling Soup, Warm Gravelwheat Bread with butter, Tiingilar and thick slices of ne'tra gal-basted Roast Shatual. With fresh Uj cake for dessert." Closing it, Seda unscrewed the thermos. "Behot-infused Shig to drink." Closing it as well, the younger of the three Mandalorians placed a comforting hand on Elias' shoulder. "I don't know what's going on between you and Sisk right now, Elias. But I'm not about to let you leave without something to take home and enjoy if you decide to go." Patting his shoulder once, Seda got to her feet; giving Sisk a helpless look before going back into the hall. Her voice rang out in mock anger then.

"You! What did I tell you about trying to sneak bits of the shatual before it's served!" The dull *Thwok!* of a knife planting itself into wood heard afterward. There was a round of nervous chuckling followed by, "Jeez, she makes your ba'buir seem cuddly! Maybe you should marry her, eh?" This brought on an uproarious round of laughter. Seda's voice holding an edge of mild humor laced with warning, "Watch it, vode. I'm armed."

 

[Dargeth The Hunter.]

As he sat and watched his leader and his brother in arm's argue in conflict he winced softly knowing what it must look like to the clan, the fact that internal conflict was forming was not a good thing and he raised an eyebrow watching the woman Seda trying to smooth thing's over. She had been the one to lead him on his first mission and he found himself chuckling softly at the whiplash like threat to someone sneaking a bit of food, then the knife slamming into the wood and he raised his eyebrow and rose to glance at the culprit in question. Seeing him looking like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar he watched him move to pull free the knife, a split second later he froze as his hand was skimmed by the thin throwing spike as it lodged into the wood with a small *Thwock*.

As the man looked for the source of the weapon he saw Kyouteki simply stood with a finger raised in warning as it moved from side to side, he of all people knew that touching another's blade was the same as wearing their armour and he looked to Xotomi and simply murmured " I will be back, let my companion watch your children ". As he let out a soft whistle the Vord Cat's head appeared in the crowd and he clicked his finger's twice and pointed to the children in the arena, the cat slid in almost like it was sauntering and he sat before them and let out a content mrowl of satisfaction as it lifted a paw to clean.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

The Empire will pay, Elias. the dead will have their justice, and the living will be able to lay them to true rest. But we can't strike out just yet. We have to build our strength, train our warriors, and ensure that when we strike, it will be more than an inglorious death. We're going to hurt them, but we have to be ready." Sisk's eyes were sincere and serious, imparting the gravity of the situation. "You will have your blood, Elias. You just have to be patient. We are Mandalorian. we do not cower. We bide our time, and strike at the ideal momment. You should know this better than the rest. Hold your ire, and save it for the true enemy."

 

[Arisalin]

Elias nodded. He would wait. He would fight for his Clan until the end of his days - but he vowed then to himself to fight the Imperials at every opportunity possible. "I will do as you say." He turned and lifted his helmet. Sliding it over his face, it sealed with a hiss and click. "Have a good night Sisk." Another salute, this one carried with a feeling of obedience instead of the anger that had been shown earlier, and Elias turned and started away. It had been a long night.