Open [Arkania] Shine Bright

[Kotii Solus]

(Open. May turn into a series of threads with various winter and holiday themes)​

Hauron Solus struggled to carry the heavy blaster rifle a little along with the weight of a jetpack. Kotii hadn't told his son the proper way to carry it at first but then showed him since the length of it exceeded the younger badger's height. "Why do I have to carry this?" The mikkian was still getting used to wearing armor. But his only other armament was a blurgg blaster pistol and that was nothing.

The Alor of House Solus on the other hand carried the sidearm that had helped with his early reputation as a bounty hunter and his own sniper blaster. Presently the two badgers were marching to a greater altitude. "You need to get used to the weight. Be glad the clan has the resources to spare." Kotii turned to look at the foundling as they walked. The man had told him things could get dangerous and be unpleasant. Still, the stubborn kid had said yes without hesitation, his mind made up. Now Hauron did his best to straighten up and pull the carbine across his chest in a sling.

"Why aren't we flying there?" Hauron asked curiously. "Wouldn't it just be faster to have landed nearby in the ship or taken an air speeder?" Enduring the cold and the climb were not something he was enjoying it seemed. Kotii couldn't blame him. "Dragons, Hauron. You don't fly around dragons unless you have a death wish." The warning about the apex predators sunk in as even he didn't want to risk tempting a dragon in flight.

Kotii had taken up a private contract under his Bounty Hunter's Guild alias, Black Hand. The Mining Guild was in need of some special hunting expertise as one of their precious diamond mines was at risk of shutting down. The culprit being a ferociously territorial arkanian dragon that has recently taken up residence. The client thinks that it may be a male getting closer to a female in a neighboring area that had previously existed in harmony.

"So...the big blasters are for the dragon?" The armored mikkian continued to ask questions as they approached a wintery village. "They're for what ever is needed." He explained, keeping in mind the jetpack missile in his suit. The normal pair of dart launchers had been replaced as they served little use for Kotii's current mission purposes. "But why bring the jetpacks if we're not going to use them?" The weight of the propulsion devices were also something the young badger wasn't used to. "Hope that we don't need to use them. They're so that if it grabs you and flies up and then drops you, you won't die." Dragons were not idiots. In fact they were intelligent enough to trick hunters frequently. The man was not going to ignore the majesty and respect they demanded in equal parts. Their primal ferocity was only matched by their cunning.

Kotii gestured towards one of the snow covered buildings with numerous blinking lights. "Let's get inside. There should be others meeting us. This'll be the last place before heading into the wilderness." Kotii watched the boy's stay confident and wanting to remain. The structure they entered looked almost ramshackle but sturdy enough cantina to withstand the turbulent altitude. The business inside was a bar of sorts though one without a band playing presently though an outdated holoprojector was playing Life Day commercials with thematic jingles. At least it was warm.

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Ruus'all needed to get out more of the temples on Yavin IV and this was the perfect opportunity.

Ruus'all was decked out in his Beskar'gam with his WESTAR-17 Carbine at the ready and his Lightsaber buckled to his utility belt just as a precaution. He had heard of the dragons on this planet and knew what they were capable of, however, he also knew what he was capable of as well and wasn't afraid of fire-breathing lizard. Not yet, anyway. He chuckled behind his helm and set out from his U-wing towards the mountain his Alor had started upon.

Ruus'all had caught up rather quickly, using the Force to help sate his endurance enough to push through the awfully cold snow and the even colder gushes of wind that made his spine chill. After a while, he saw two personages wearing their own armor and sighed with relief as his trek could finally slow down.

"Greetings, exalted one." He gave the Alor a quick bow before giving the kid a small solute. "Is it alright if I tag along?" He tilted his head a bit earnestly, waiting to hear any sort of notation of approval from his Alor. Ruus'all was mainly excited to get this adventure started- whatever it was. But if it concerned dragons, he was in one-hundred and two percent. Ruus remembered his first experience with any sort of 'dragon' that being a Krayt Dragon on Tatooine. Russel Monti had been there to assist in the endeavor of trying to put the beast down before it became a fully fledged adult. Ruus'all kind of wished he had a smaller sand-worm of his own that could keep him company whenever he got lonely.

Might get lucky, today. I heard this dragon was burning everything up, but who knows...still might get lucky- I'm feeling pretty lucky. Just won a toaster from a giveaway after needing a toaster. Man, I love toast...

@Darasuum

 

[Haldir Eressëa]

Haldir Eressëa, Knight of the Jedi Order, was a doting and protective older brother today.

It wasn't as if he stopped being an older brother to Hasebe whenever he was upholding his duties to the Jedi Order. But Haldir sometimes couldn't divide being a Knight from being an older brother, his attention too focused from one identity to the other that he had to shed one in order to give undivided attention to another. It was a flaw he was continuously working on, and today he was determined to apply his efforts to the correction at hand.

Clad in identical winter gear the brothers easily blended in their surroundings, their white hooded coats offering near-perfect stealth amid the layers of snow around them. Haldir pushed aside the snow using the Force to make a path for him and his younger brother when he noticed that Hasebe was starting to lag behind. A wave of the hand was all it took to erase their tracks, and he gestured for the younger Erennor to walk beside and not behind him.

It had been months since Haldir last saw Hasebe, months since he'd been given permission to come and visit his brothers. With Hyarantë still in a coma, Haldir promised that he would look after Hasebe as much as the older Erennor twin would. And with Life Day coming ever closer, the Arkanian Knight granted one wish Hasebe had been bugging him about for the past months they've spent apart.

"We're only going to take a look from a safe distance, alright?" Haldir quietly told his little brother as they finally caught sight of snow-covered buildings from a distance. "If I sense the dragon becoming even the least bit aggressive, we're leaving."

"Got it, Nii-chan. I promise I won't be a burden!"

A burden, huh. Hasebe knew that he was and would never be a burden to his older brothers.

The pair made their way towards the settlement, mindful of their hunting gear and the masks that concealed their features. Hasebe's feline mask stared up at Haldir, one finger pointing at a particular establishment where he noticed an armored figure enter. Gold eyes shone with curiosity as they shifted from their brother to the building. Nodding once in affirmation, the brothers approached said building, with Haldir venturing in first and Hasebe following suit.

Pale blue gaze swept from one figure to another until they alighted upon not one, but three Mandalorians (@Charles, @Darasuum). Mildly curious as to what their reasons for being here were, the Knight thought back to his conversation with his cousin Chie earlier that day about miners and dragons. Haldir didn't have all the facts readily available for investigation, but were the Mandalorians here for a dragon? Or were they simply bounty hunters on a job?

He felt a tug on his sleeve as he was leading his brother to a table near the window and found Hasebe staring at one of the Mandalorians, the youngest in the group judging by their height and what build he could make out from the armor.

"They're a kid like me," signed the younger Erennor. "Do you think they're looking for the dragon, too, Nii-chan?"

"It's impolite to stare, Hasebe," he replied to his little brother instead but Hasebe wasn't deterred, golden gaze still fixed upon the Mandalorian in question three tables over.

"They won't know I'm staring," countered the younger Erennor. "I'm wearing a mask."

"A mask that's fixed directly towards the one you're staring at," the Knight gently reprimanded. The Mando child wasn't blind. Surely they've already caught sight of another child staring blatantly at them, mask be damned. "I guess I'll be able to see your progress in your diplomatic skills first hand today."

Spoiler: OOC

Edited. I was half-asleep when I wrote this, sorry.

 

[Kotii Solus]

The crunch of the cold frozen water and dirt under foot came to a halt outside the cantina as a voice called out to Kotii. The door to the cantina remained closed as Kotii's booted feet turned and his body followed to face the latest arrival. Behind his visor the Alor analyzed there respectful individual, taking in his armor coloring, weaponry and sigils. "We'll talk inside." He replied simply, preferring to not stand out in the cold either, even if it was for greetings.

Finding themselves inside where it was warm, Kotii took a seat facing the entrance. Hauron came along side him and leaned his carbine not far from him. The young Mandalorian raised a gloved hand half way up his chest but stopped short of touching his helmet, remembering they were in public. His shoulders sank a little at not getting to take the bucket off yet and enjoy some tea or something better. "Do they have coco?" Hauron asked and titled his helmet to look towards his father. "mando'a." Kotii said which elicited an almost audible eye roll. The young mikkian repeated himself this time in Mando'a. Kotii gave him a nod of approval before replying. <"I'll ask when the crisp-e-o comes around."> The automaton was moving behind the counter at the bar but seemed to be making its way towards the table of armored warriors.

The redish toned helmet of the Hauron looked towards Ruus'all and tilted his head to the side curiously. <"So what kind of animal is that?"> He asked and pointed towards the man's left pauldron. The teenager had little experience with the beasts of the galaxy. It was no surprise to Kotii that Haurnon didn't recognize the head of a krayt dragon. They had yet to travel to Tatooine. Plus the kid still was a struggle to get to do his basic education. Single fatherhood while running a Mandalorian House was hard.

Another pair of individuals entered the cantina and found themselves a table. As a Mandalorian, he knew most people assumed that wherever his helmet was faced, that was what he was looking at. Thus he learned early on it was easier to emote certain feelings with simple body language. The two latest arrivals were interested in the group of Mandalorians judging by their posture and body language. What was more, one of them did not lessen their interest as time would pass through the order. "A cup of caf and two cups of coco if you have it." The droid waited until Russ'all gave his order too before leaving to come back with an extra cup. Kotii intended to mix his caf and coco together and make a mocha drink.

<"That one on his other shoulder is what I'm wondering about. But keep your eyes on the pair across the cantina"> The Alor said to his son. But he knew the green and red armored man could probably speak Mando'a if he was wearing the armor. Unlike Hauron, Kotii had experience and knew the symbol of the Jedi Order when he saw it. The lightsaber on his belt added to the mystery yet to be revealed.

Spoiler: ooc

OOC: @Forsythe Crowholde i don't think your characters would be able to tell Hauron is Mikkian cuz helmets and all. Just assuming it's just from narrative standpoint and not the characters actual meta knowledge.

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

<"It's a Krayt Dagon, bud. Killed a couple with a good friend of mine."> Ruus'all explained to Hauron and the gestured to the other symbol. <"This is the Jedi Order crest. I'm a Mando-Jedi! Your dad and the rest of Clan Solus will always be my family, but I've decided to take on a new path that suits me. I wear this armor as a reminder of my home, family, and heritage and I wield my lightsaber in remembrance of my new-found purpose. Take my advice, kid- find a purpose and make sure it's a good one. It's the only way to live, these days."> Ruus'all finished in his native language.

Then his gaze shifted to the Alor of his Clan, "I don't mean any disrespect being here, Kotii. Just helping out where I can." He said with a nod.

Two more figures were present, seemingly a strange alternate version of Kotii and Hauron with their masks, but Ruus'all felt the Force a little more prominantly with the older fellow. This guy was a Jedi- Ruus could tell -but he couldn't quite remember which one.

"Wassup, dudes!" He waved to other duo and gesture for them to take seat with the other members of Solus.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Darasuum

 

[Etr Wyara]

Cold as the planet was, We were going hunting. I hadn't ever seen a dragon before, Adenn stated they're Immense Beings and that this would be the cap on my Verd'goten. An end to the last couple years of Training.
"Why don't we use signets?"
I asked adenn, he replied quickly;
"The Signets of mandalorians are for individual Valor. The Clan has always held that Beskar'gam is passed on from one generation to the next. You're Valor is known to the Clan via our sagas and legends. If you're granted some high honor or special signet from the Mand'alor then that'd be something to keep on your person. That might even qualify for you to begin a cadet branch. The Light of Besk'in is our clans signet. When it Glows again it'll be shown on the battlefield. The Valor and Glory belonging all to Clan Rytt."
I thought a lot about the Lightsaber in the clans possession. Adenn always referred to it as being "the promise of Clan Rytt and all Mandalorians"
I looked at the Alor, Inquisitively
"When will it be repaired?"
He seemed to think for a moment;
"That's been a question for 500 years, Boy. It will be repaired when Kad Ha'rangir sees fit for us to take up that mantle."
The town was quiet, frozen and the smell of burning wood lingered in the air. Adenn Stopped and pointed at a cantina;
"Let's get inside and have some tea."
I nodded and we entered the Cantina, the warmth striking my face almost immediately. The contrast was so that it nearly shocked me. There were a few other Mandalorians, Younger ones, older ones, jetii ones.... a good mix overall. The Droid server came over and Adenn ordered 2 cups of tea. We sat and drank, enjoying the heat.
"Looks like Clan Solus, I wonder if they're Hunting dragons too. The old Badgers are quality warriors and hunters if Dolworth was any standard."
I laughed at the memory of our friend.
"Helluva cook too. His Tingiilar was The hottest thing that ever entered my mouth, that's for sure."
Adenn laughed now. Je ushered over the Crisp-e-o and paid for some Sweet biscuits and jam to head their way. With a message:
"Clan Rytt Says Jate oya'karir"


@Forsythe Crowholde @Darasuum

 

[Haldir Eressëa]

Haldir found no reason to conceal his presence in the Force, and in return he felt another. He'd felt it when he entered the establishment with his brother, and it became a little more pronounced when the Mandalorian clad in green and red armor called out to the brothers and gestured for them to join the bucketheads' table. Hasebe, for his part, felt part-mortified and -embarrassed at being caught staring.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he signed to his brother, an amused smile on his face. Haldir then gazed at the green and red armored Mando, and a look of recognition appeared on his face.

"What should we do?" asked Hasebe in a whisper, voice frantic, as his focus shifted from the gathered Mandalorians then back to his older brother. "I think that one Mando wants us to join them."

Before the Knight could reply, another pair of Mandalorians showed up, increasing the party to five. Although the newcomers haven't approached the first group yet, Haldir knew that it was only a matter of time before they did. Instead of opting to decline Ruus'all Solus's offer, the Arkanian took out a single coin from his many pockets and handed it to Hasebe. With a gesture for the younger Erennor to flip, Haldir's masked visage turned towards the Mando-Jedi with a polite nod.

Although puzzled, Hasebe did as was instructed, flipping the coin and showing Haldir the result. Tails. The older between the two rose from his seat, followed by the younger. The pair approached the three Mandalorians, booted feet oddly muted against the floor, and halted before the gathered three. At Haldir's lead, the brothers bowed lightly in greeting and as a show of respect.

"F-Forgive me for staring," Hasebe began, voice unmistakably young and feminine. Beneath the cover of his vulpine mask Haldir raised one brow – the little one must have been using one of their female cousin's voices. "It's– It's my first t-time seeing Mandalorians in person, a-and I was just so i-i-intrigued... I-Im sorry if I offended you in any way!"

Haldir, on the other hand, made no gesture to show that he recognized Ruus'all from his armor. The Arkanian Knight currently had no intention of revealing his identity as a Jedi – even his saber was carefully hidden within the folds of his wintercoat. The saber – and his mastery of the Force – were currently reserved for the dragon Hasebe wanted to see. But only of the dragon in question became hostile and threatened the younger Erennor's safety.

"Fancy meeting you here, Knight Solus," he adressed Ruus'all in Chie's voice – the one he used most whenever he felt the need to verbally speak while in the Temple or with other Jedi. "Care to introduce us to your friends?"

...There went not revealing his identity as a Jedi.

@Darasuum @Charles @Timmen

 

[Kotii Solus]

From behind his black visor, Kotii continued to eye Ruus'all. The fact that he was a Jedi wearing armor was something he had only considered in passing moments of idleness. The only precident for the concept was Tarre Vizsla, the first and only Mandalorian Jedi that Kotii could recall to date and wielder of the darksaber. At least he wasn't afraid to say who and what he was. <"Sounds lonely."> He said, commenting on how unique his clansmen's life style must be. He didn't envy him. <"None taken."> Besides, he could tell that Hauron was taking a liking to Ruus'all. <"Solus stick together. That's what my pa always says."> His voice chiming in to assure Ruus'all. Hauron knew his father could be a bit stoic and reserved at times. Even after a few years, the foundling was still getting used to it.

Kotii recognized armor and an accompanied figure that entered the festively decorated cantina. Adenn Rytt and his ward joined them and eventually made their way over to a table. Some food and a message was given to the droid and after recieving it, Kotii made sure he made relative visor-contact with Adenn to give him and Etr a nod. The younger one had been seen with Adenn before but never introduced.

Two beings that had been watching them finally approached. Kotii's gauntleted hands remained above the table but his eyes tracked the two winter garbed hikers. They clearly knew Ruus'all as they identified him as a Jedi Knight. The badger's visor looked at the one who spoke, giving a look at the feminine sounding stranger second and then looking back at Ruus'all waiting for the expected introduction while his cooling mocha continued to swirl in front of him.

@Charles @Timmen @Forsythe Crowholde [abox3]

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

"Yeah, man...You, too." Now Ruus'all felt really bad. Why couldn't he recognize the Jedi in front of him?? He had the decency of remembering Ruus'all! Wracking his brain for literally any sliver of information he could snag to figure out who his name was.
"Oh, Hold-Ear, right? Or something like that- sorry, I barely know our Council Members' names, heheh." Ruus chuckled a bit, a little embarrassed by the situation.

Then Kotii and his son spoke up, giving Ruus a quick exit out of the awkward convo with Haldir and what seemed to be his son. Why did everyone decide to have kids to make Ruus feel bad about not wanting kids?? The Force was a bitch sometimes.

<"Really? I've never thought it to be lonely. I've got a kickass girlfriend, a cool mentor, like a couple hundred friends all over the galaxy- Jedi or not. Maybe it's perspective, bud."> He shrugged as his gaze shifted from the Alor to Hauron. The kid really got the whole Mando-Message that Ruus'all still did his best to live by. <"That's right little man! Tell you what..."> Ruus'all pulled out his dataphone and began typing his emergency number that he usually gave to beings under witness protection when Ruus decided to help out the Sector Rangers, then, if Kotii accepted it or not, his own dataphone would receive the number as well.

<"If you guys ever need my help, I've got your back. Just call the number and I'll be there faster than you can recite the Resol'nare.">

@Darasuum @Forsythe Crowholde @Timmen

 

[Haldir Eressëa]

Ruus'all Solus was an interesting study as much as his fellow Mandalorians were. The Mandalorians as a whole were interesting either way. But Haldir was not here to quench his curiosity towards the warrior people and their creed, and while he was more interested about the reason for the Mando'ade gathered here he had the sense and sensibility not to ask.

Besides, it was his younger brother's curiosity that brought them out in the snow and into this establishment.

Keeping true to the voice he used, Hasebe's giggle at Ruus'all mispronouncing Haldir's name remained feminine. The brothers were equally amused that the introductions the older Arkanian Offshoot asked of his fellow Jedi Knight didn't come, and instead the Jedi-Mando spoke to his fellow Mandalorians in their tongue. Judging by the look the older between the two other Mandos expected the same introduction from the Solus Jedi. Hasebe's gloved hands flew to cover his concealed mouth to keep his amused giggling muffled.

It seemed the introduction wouldn't come at all, so Haldir took the initiative. He gave his still giggling brother a light pat on the back, and, sharing a look, the masked siblings both gave Ruus'all's companions a respectful nod each.

"Jedi Knight Haldir Eressëa," the Knight began, giving emphasis on the correct pronunciation of his name – not to spite nor mock Ruus'all, no – then placed a gloved hand on his brother's shoulder. "My sibling, Hasebe."

"I-I am honored to make your acquaintance," greeted the younger Erennor, and though his borrowed voice was still tinged with shyness it was now also laced with a hint of pride and a healthy amount of respect. Hasebe wasn't lying when he said it was his first time seeing Mandalorians, after all.

"I have no business asking what your reasons for being in Arkania, but maybe I can ask for assistance?" the masked Knight offered, vulpine mask gazing from one T-visor to the next. Subtly tilting his head to the other pair of Mandalorians occupying another table, Haldir laid out why he and his brother were braving the cold outside in the first place. "We're looking for an Arkanian Dragon. Not to capture it or anything – my sibling just wanted to see one in the flesh. We will, of course, compensate for said assistance. But only if you're interested, we shall not force you if you refuse."

@Darasuum @Charles @Timmen

 

[Kotii Solus]

<"Sounds glorious."> Hauron replied with a hint of awe in his voice. The kid had also grown up on stories of the legendary guardians of peace. It was only natural for him to be interested in a combination of the two. Kotii would accept the contact information, putting it into his comlink for the time being. <Thanks.">

This was technically the first time Black Hand was meeting a Jedi. Not only that, he was meeting two plus a sibling. He wondered if that meant Haldir's relative was a padawan. "H-hi" Hauron greeted Hasebe. He smiled friendly underneath his helmet.

"Call me Black Hand." The man's measured voice was matched by a nod of his helmet towards Haldir. He didn't introduce Hauron on purpose. The teenager had yet to earn a status in the Bounty Hunter's Guild so until then Kotii hadn't given him an alias. The badger didn't want to give the Jedi his true name, all things considered. His helmet cocked slightly to the side as he examined the equipment the Jedi had come with.

When it came to the matter of their business on Arkanian and a dragon they weren't necessarily prepared. In fact it was probably going to turn into a life or death situation. The tone switched to be a more icy than the weather outside. Things had become proffesional quickly. "Arkanian dragons aren't a danger to take lightly, even for a Jedi Knight." He wasn't refusing, but he needed to make sure they understood that just being within a dragon's hunting grounds made their life expectancy drop. "I take payment upfront. You also have to swear on your lightsabers you won't get in the way of me and mine. That also means following my directions. Is that satisfactory?"

@Charles @Timmen @Forsythe Crowholde