Open [Corsin] Socially Acceptable

[Roland Rook]

THEME​

"I don't know about this..." Roland's uncertain tone was still clear from behind his helmet as he stared at the bottle before him. The brandy from Savareen was a dark transparent color that still made the ripples visible under the dim outdoor bar lighting. "Eh...what the hell. Gimme a double." The gloved hand at Roland's side came up and tapped the counter top.

Turning from the bar, the Captain look over at the rest of the area. There was a beautiful resort pool and plenty of sun bathing space. The bright blue Corsin sky and the whispy clouds encouraged a relaxed mood. Roland's shoulders rose as he took in a breath and then let out some of the built up tension.

Aside from the pool and field, there was a place for an open fire and comfortable deck seating. Music played from some speakers on the side of the building but were connected to the inside of the house. It was a rented establishment with top class rooms amenities for the Sector Rangers and their guests to enjoy. It was about time some of them took some time off. Many Rangers sacrificed a lot for the sake of others and he was glad to have an opportunity for that weight to leave their shoulders.

A firm clink came as the glass of brandy was presented to Roland. Raising it, he stopped and reached to grab a straw off to the side. Dropping the small plastic tube in the glass he brought the other end under his helmet. It was a peculiar sight and drinking high quality booze through a straw was questionable in its own right. However Roland could only smile as he tasted the liquor on his tongue.

Soft and distant coastal bird cries brought the man's eyes out towards the ocean. The sandy beach where tourists gathered was only a short distance away. Cries of happiness, scoring points in games and the sound of the Corsin afternoon wafted over the party. The scent of salt felt revitalizing to the man letting him appreciate the fresh air that only a real planet could have. Bringing the straw back under his helmet, Roland found himself quickly downing the contents.

The glass would return to the bar empty before long. "Another." He replied, not wanting to have to deal with holding a drink in his hand later on. Maybe the others were still getting back from other errands or just arriving. Other expenses had been paid covered for the Sector Rangers invited including some free water skiing lessons, some fishing, reef exploring, and more. Whatever the case, Roland would put a hand in his pocket as he enjoyed the music that played.

The smell of grilled food began to waft over from where nerf burgers were being cooked. The Captain hadn't gotten a chance to meet up or hang out with his fellow Sector Rangers much. Still, drinking on an empty stomach was not an option. Plus, the Mandalorian made sure to have some extra spicy Mandalorian condiments available for some. There was a chance some of them would just want to move to the beach with a couple of beers later but he w just wanted to make sure people could kick their feet up and have a good time.


ooc: Relaxed social for Rangers and others (within reason) enjoy!
@Killa Ree @christhebetrayer @TerranSteel @Sreeya @Eccles @Kestrel @Forsythe Crowholde @Zay @Nefieslab @Wit @Raydo

 

[Indy Sati]

The last time Indy was on vacation... it had been a few months. Longer, perhaps, that she was on Corsin, enjoying the quiet, the waves, the warm sun...

Long violet hair was tied back into a lazy braid, dressed in a black bathing suit and a tied skirt in dark blue around her waist. Even from here, she could feel the music, the happy, relaxed feelings, and distant voices of others laughing and socializing. In one arm, propped against her hip, was held a simple box. The Jedi sauntered in, a wide smile on her lips as she squinted. She was looking for one particular person... and when her eyes lighted on him, she couldn't help the little smirk that touched her lips as she looked at his back.

Oh, even from here she could tell the Ranger wasn't having fun, and that just wouldn't do.

Stepping from the sun to shade, she leaned against the bar, giving him her widest, friendliest smile. "Well, hey there handsome. Are you waiting on anyone?" A cheeky grin lit up the Jedi's features as she set the box on the bar, glancing over to the barkeeper with a grin. "Just a beer, thanks. Local brew if you wouldn't mind."

It had been a long time since she could take a break, and though it was mostly a place for Rangers, she couldn't resist the chance to back to a place with sun, surf, and sand. Perhaps also she could lure Roland into dancing. Or see fellow Jedi... who knew. The day was still young enough to relax and sink into the easy rhythm of Corsin. And there were guests allowed... she had to admit, part of her was curious what guests of Rangers entailed, other than nosy archeologists.

@Darasuum

 

[Bast Emblai]

The speeder driver was taking the longest possible route to the party, or at least that was how it felt to Bast. He’d likely charge her extra credits, too, no doubt used to tricking tourists. Alas, it was a petty non-crime that she could only glare disapprovingly at him for the duration of the ride.

Roland had kindly invited her to a Ranger gathering, but the message had been a bit more than a request. They had been struggling. The Sith’s hold was as strong as ever and crime was rampant. It was a strategic morale boost that she was obligated to attend for the sake of her fellow officers. Capt. Rook outranked her, and although respectfully declining wouldn’t be a direct violation or an order, it felt like one.

Sighing, she put on a pleasant smile to match her semi-but-not-too-formal suit and stepped onto the curb. Her hair was down for the occasion and she nervously ran her fingers through the smooth strands. No going back now. She faced down criminals. She faced violence and death unflinchingly. This was a karking party. Still... the last time she had seen the captain was for the training at Outpost Blue, where had witnessed a rather poorly disguised moment of panic. The uncomfortable instance was seared in her memory, but perhaps he had forgotten it. Why was she stressing so deeply about this? It occurred to the woman it would be easier if she were undercover. Then she would not have to be herself.

The chimes on the gate clinked as Bast let herself in. What was the etiquette? Should she have knocked on the gate? She could clearly see Roland and another woman, Pantoran, standing together. So she was early. She would have gone back and waited if it were not obvious that the woman had been standing at a waist- high cobblestone wall, deliberating for the last minute. The lieutenant strode stiffly up to the bar, smiling at Roland and the other woman, unsure of whether to introduce herself or let them finish the conversation.

“Just a water, thank you.”

@Darasuum
@Killa Ree

 

[Jericho Trench]

Jericho cursed as his taxi pulled up to the gates. @Bast Emblai had invited him for another outing, this one less likely to involve a shootout then others. And he cursed again as he looked at the fancy gate. Whoever threw this shindig together had some creds to blow. He was rocking the combat boots, jeans, and leather jacket, but this time opted for a fancier button up shirt, and a bandolier to really pull together the look.

A quick look around and he'd tuck in the shirt. All she said was 'Party, back me up, or else'. He had no idea who was going to be here, why it was here, or what they even really had to celebrate. But, if it was an open bar and maybe had some karaoke, it wouldn't be a total wash.

He kinda just strolled on in, slapping the chimes with his hand as he walked under. Fancy. Eyes scanned the party before he saw her, just being awkward. Sighing, he just slid up to the bar beside her. "I don't know what you dragged me to, but.. I better get some crab puffs." He would then offer a nod to the other pair at the bar.


@Kestrel @Darasuum @Killa Ree

 

[Corran Velt]

Sun. Sand. Surf. Corsin was like no other world Corran Velt had ever been to. And he had been to a lot of worlds. Luxury like this was something he had only dreamed of as a working-class kid. When that invitation came to his datapad, the blond ranger quickly accepted. Since Ranger Velt had turned into Lieutenant Velt, work had been non-stop. Sleep had been rare. Cases just kept on piling up. This party was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime getaway. He'd have to try his best actually break through the stiffness of work and shrug off the burden of professionalism. To his credit, Corran actually looked more casual than usual. He always seemed to wear a jacket though.

Passing through the gate and following the walkway, childlike wonder glowed in sky-blue eyes. So much green. Beautiful tile and grounds. A rushing beach with a smattering of tourists. It even came with a crystalline pool! It didn't take long for him to spot someone he knew. Even with her hair down. Wow. She looked... nice with her hair down. Younger. The Corellian woman stood with a man he didn't know, but that didn't deter Lieutenant Velt from approaching. "Bast," he said with a friendly nod and a grin. A polite nod of greeting was also supplied to the other man. "Nice jacket. I like it."

Without ceremony or explanation, Corran took off his jacket and tossed onto a nearby pool lounger. He looked at Bast as he lifted his t-shirt up and over his head, tossing it right after the jacket, and began unbuckling his pants. "Mind watching my stuff for a second?" The belt buckle clanged as the pants hit the duracrete, revealing black and blue swim-trunks underneath. The blond man kicked his pants over to their resting place and began a dead sprint towards the water. As he neared the edge of the pool where the ledge ended and air began, Corran caught a glimpse of Roland with a pretty Pantoran. "Captain Rook!" He shouted aloud as he leapt into the air, bringing his right hand up for a crisp salute. The young man kept this pose, rigid as if on the parade ground, right until he hit the pool water with a moderate splash.

Oh yeah. It was party time.

@Kestrel @Darasuum @Killa Ree @Rhogar

 

[Darmus Onn]

Darmus would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the extra credits he got for his side-gig with Czerka corporation and he had even decided not to just take a taxi over from the spaceport. Instead, the veteran ranger had rented a fast boat and had spend a short hour cutting through the salty Corsin sea at high speeds. Honestly, he hadn't felt this alive in ages and he was glad he wasn't holed up in his stuffy apartment on a planet that was just one giant crowded city.

He had traded in his city-world attire for something more befitting Corsin's climate and he was glad he did for when he slowed the boat down to a halt next to the pier he was instantly greeted by the hot air of the coast. "Fill her up," he grinned to the resort's harbor master as he tossed him the keys and a credit chip. Luckily he was out of sight from the pool area the ranger service had rented for the occasion and he could safely assume he wouldn't get any awkward questions.

Walking up through what he could only describe as a small park that featured a slow incline and little rocks that told him where to go, Darmus was right on time to see a blond kid take a sprint and jump into the pool. "Kriff," Darmus frowned and took his personav from his back pocket, "am I in the wrong place?" Nope, the personav definitely showed he was right on the money and yet.. he looked at the other people gathered, wondering if there were more children around, but.. ah, well.. a man in summer dress, but still wearing a full-face helmet? That must be Captain Roland Rook. He was definitely at the right place. He would greet his superior later, get his name checked off on the attendance list for not disobeying orders, but first he needed a stiff drink and a place from where to enjoy the sun.

The sun. Kriff, it had been so long since he had the opportunity to relax in natural light and watch a real sunset. Making his way over to the bar he spotted Bast, (@Kestrel), how could he not, she looked how he felt when he was still on Coruscant, plus she seemed to be drinking water. "Bast," he leaned against the bar a few stools away from her and her companion and pointed towards one of the fruity cocktails on display to make clear to the bartender that's what he wanted. "That suit not too hot?" He couldn't help but be worried about her. He had first met her on Outpost Blue when she was tortured and made into a cripple only expensive coreworld surgery could fix. Then on Nar Shaddaa she didn't really seem like she had that edge you needed to survive in their line of work.. well, hopefully Corsin would do her good. A fruity drink might, too.

 

[Poet Severino]

If there was one thing Poet learned from his parents about party invitations, it was to find ways to avoid declining said invitation – more so if it came from one's superiors. To be fair, the half-Morellian could easily admit that it was the stupidest advice he had ever heard, and he would've hated it with a passion if his Mom didn't take part in laying down the aforementioned advice as if it was law.

The sun was too bright for his liking, there were a lot of irritating tourists in the beach, and here he was feeling sulky and undeserving of being a part of this social gathering Captain Roland Rook – legendary Sith Slayer or something –had set up in the wonderful world of Corsin. Poet had been on desk duties for so long that he had forgotten what it felt like earning the right to a relaxing day off. In between burning his retinas while he sorted one file to the next for a whopping eight hours a day and lying awake in the darkness of his room during bouts of insomnia, the young Ranger had been easily dismissive of his own contribution to the Sector Rangers. Others would remind him that paperwork was as important as bagging criminals, but who gave a womp rat's butt about the former, really?

And yet despite his apprehension the young Ranger found himself answering the invite with a confirmation that yes, he would attend the social. If only for the benefit of allowing those who were invited to bring a guest or two. Poet would have taken his little sister with him, but she was... well, dead. His Dad was busy playing the Jedi hero once again, so that left him with the most important person in his life–

No, lovers suck. What would he do with a girlfriend or a boyfriend, anyway? Demanding little kriffers. His work was his wife – or husband, whichever the masses preferred, really – and his only love.

"Skippy, where did Mom say she's going again?" he asked the astromech droid that was beeping quite contentedly beside him. Poet, clad in a simple beach getup, was currently lying on one of the lounge chairs that lined up the swimming pool nearby. Unlike the other Rangers who have just recently begun arriving, Poet and his Mom actually came to the resort early – praise be to mothers who wanted to make good impressions on the party's host by coming early, huh?

"Mrs. Severino is currently at the spa, Mister Grumpy McGrumpface," the happy little droid replied in a series of trilling beeps. "Should I follow after her? Keep her safe from the horrible spa organics and droids?"

The Ranger simply rolled his eyes at the astromech's attempt at being a smartarse. Droid probably developed the personality to counter his, and he couldn't even begrudge the tin can of it.

"Nah, probably best we leave her be," he said, closing his eyes and trying to enjoy the sun. "I mean, she's the reason why I took a huge bite outta this invitation so she can finally relax, even just for a day. You know how it is at home – I'm a grown-arse dude and yet she keeps me alive–"

His words – bordering on heartfelt, it nearly made his skin crawl – were cut off when he felt a spray of water hit him. Dark brown eyes snapped open and Poet sat up just in time to see Lieutenant Corran Velt (@TerranSteel) in the pool.

"Son of a–"

Skippy, accustomed with the catankerous Ranger's usual bouts of carefully targeted annoyance with a complete disregard for seniority and superiority, let out a loud series of beeps with the hopes of distracting Poet from raging at the innocent lieutenant who really did nothing wrong. The droid circled Poet's chair, chanting about beers and nerf burgers in droidspeak and making false diagnoses about the half-Morellian's blood sugar beginning to run low.

"Maker be damned, Skippy! Get me a can of soda from the bar, stat!"

"You shall have it, McGrumpface, even if you forgot to say please!"

Scurrying off on it's ball-type wheel, the droid dutifully headed straight for the bar where the Captain (@Darasuum) and a beautiful Pantoran woman (@Killa Ree) were currently talking about. The concept of flirting was something Skippy did not understand, but it knew how to show basic manners unlike it's surly owner who was currently glaring daggers and vibroknives at Lt. Velt.

" 'Scuse me, organics! Mayhaps one of you would be kind enough to provide me a can of soda for my Bossman over there? Yes? Thank you! Just put it on top of my head, yes, thank you kindly! A million thanks! The can of soda you will so kindly procure for me will surely stop a murder! Yes, thank you!"

This was going to be a really long day.

@Eccles @Kestrel @Rhogar

 

[Trys Aran]

Trys almost considered not showing. Her son had been on Holo as a Jedi and she had been captured by Sith for a prolonged period of time. And they had been inside her head. She had caught more than a few wary glances her way from Rangers, and she knew she made others uncomfortable. While normally these things never bothered her, Trys didn’t feel like piling onto the stress that Rangers faced everyday.

However, she ultimately decided to show because she genuinely missed being around the others. Her mind was still foggy, and she knew familiar faces would trigger memories and shape it back together. Trys hadn’t been to a beach in a long time, and she knew she had no excuse to wear her jacket this time.

Probably for the first time ever, Trys showed up wearing a tank top and black jeans, her full sleeve and shoulder tattoos on full display. Her hair was styled, studs lined her ears and she had shades on. Trys made her way to the bar shortly after Velt splashed into the pool.

She took a seat next to a familiar face, turning to give the man a nod (@Eccles), “‘Ey Darmus, nice to see you still alive and kicking,” Trys said with a grin. She caught Bast past him and gave her a nod in greeting as well, “Emblai,”(@Kestrel) Trys recalled vaguely, having worked with her what felt like forever ago.

She glanced over at Rook (@Darasuum), “Cap,” She said simply, “Thanks for bringing us all together,” Trys ordered herself a local beer as well after hearing the Pantoran order one. The woman clearly had good tastes. (@Killa Ree )

 

[Sakas Zareen]

Sakas wasn't entirely sure why she was here - she was not comfortable outside of her armor, especially when she'd had to leave her guns behind. Her big guns were still on the ship as well so she couldn't even swing her rotary cannon around when people started getting too cosy. Still, she needed time off so she had answered positively when Captain Rook had brought it up in some group chats and the like.

Though the alcohol and clear skies was doing wonders for her reservations about the whole experience.

Set up along the bar from Roland and some others she didn't know, she took a sip from a glass of bourbon she had been poured by the bartender. She was still eyeing Roland however, confused as to how the Mando was going to drink with his helmet on... a straw?

"A straw?!" she called out without meaning to, "That's what you use? Awww come on, I had credits on some kind of..."

She waved a hand at Roland.

"So kind of Emergency Induction port!"

She sighed and pulled out some credits.

"Who had 'Fancy Mando Tech' as the way Cap Rook drank with the helmet? Cus we lost boys and girls... anyone who had straw come on and collect your credits." she asked with a grimace, even as she spotted Lieutenant Aran showing up as well, raising a glass to her, "Hey LT! What you drinking? Haven't had chance to buy you a round yet!"

@Eccles @Kestrel @Forsythe Crowholde @Darasuum @TerranSteel @Rhogar @Killa Ree

 

[Nick Shaw]

Nick wasn't the biggest fan of parties. He attended his fair share during undercover work and maybe that was why he always felt a little on edge. He arrived and there was a large crowd around the bar. It was no surprise that it would be the main attraction at a cop party.

He spotted Trys and smiled. It was good she was out and about. Being alone after everything she had gone through would eat at anyone. She had a crowd around her so he opted for one of the poolside lounging chairs, nodding to those he recognized.

He lowered himself down, several bones making more cracking sounds than they should at his age. He reached up with a metallic hand and placed on sunglasses before leaning back in the chair. As much as he disliked gatherings like this and the casual clothes, he had to admit this was kind of nice. He even found himself dozing off a bit, though that was probably from working the night before.

 

[Roland Rook]

The Mandalorian was beginning to feel the brandy work its way through the rest of his body. Along with the refreshing breeze gliding to his senses was the coming sensations of inebriation. Roland took a sip of his newest drink as he saw the beautiful blue figure of Indyana. Underneath his helmet he smiled as she walked up to the bar. After the Pantoran had arrived there were others that quickly began making their appearance. "Su cuy'gar. I was just waiting for good company but it seems to have arrived." He answered partially in mando'a, before turning a little to the side. "No offense." The apology was directed towards the bartender. They simply shrugged and used their eyes to glance at the tip jar. After the Jedi was served her beer he made sure to put in some extra credits, especially because he knew he might get significantly more drunk later and forget.

Roland wanted to compliment Indy on her swim suit and found his eyes linger on her golden stare before looking to greet the arrival of other familiar faces. Sakas spoke up and earned a shrug from the Mandalorian followed by a chuckle. "Sorry to disappoint. Maybe during zero Gee training." He gave a quickly glance towards Trys to see if how she reacted to hearing that, remembering he had brought her some brandy but had held off on drinking any. "I'm happy to be a part of it. It's good to have you here." Remembering their talk on Chandrilla he hoped she knew how genuine he felt.

The same went for Bast who he knew tended to keep to herself. She had ordered only water for now and he was about to suggest something stronger when he heard Corran shout his name. Turning, Roland saw just in time an airbourne wave of water surge from where it had been sent from the pool. The Mandalorian was swayed back by the force of the spray that soaked most of the front half of his body and his drink. The water dripped from his helmet as Corran came back to the surface. Roland set the glass aside and unbuttoned his vest to let it fall onto the pool side patio. A few tattoos would be visible as the white wet shirt left little to the imagination. "....you call that a cannon ball?"

Roland had every intent to give Corran a run for his cannon-balling money. If anybody had avoided the water from the blonde ranger's move, they would see Roland form turn into a ball and cause a splash of water to fly out in all directions. He was already drenched so there was no point in worrying about it now. After this he would have to take off the shirt and just wear the trousers and his helmet. The man however hadn't even taken his shoes off before jumping in. Too late now.

@Kestrel @Sreeya @Killa Ree @Nefieslab @TerranSteel

 

[Indy Sati]

She felt her cheeks warm slightly at his words, but a smirk touched her lips as she grinned."Lucky me, then. I found the best company." As more joined, she nodded to each of them, but at Trys' ordering the same she offered the woman a wordless toast and a smile, only dissolving into a chuckle at being splashed by water the first time from some tow-headed youth...

And then Roland doing the same!

The chuckle dissolved into a full-throated laugh as she was also spattered by spray, golden eyes glimmering. "Dangerous game you boys play," she called out, untying her sarong from around her hips. Even in the dimmer light, the sleeve tattoo on her right arm became visible, as did the one on her leg. The left arm tattoo wasn't visible quite yet, however, but the sharks inked there were joined with a white outline of an s-shaped figure that wasn't filled in yet. She smirked, leaving the skirt and taking a swig of beer before setting it down on the bar next to the wrapped box; guess unwrapping could come later.

"Excuse me," she murmured to those lingering around the bar, then surged forward for a neat leap. Springing forward, she sliced neatly into the water with a clean dive, mindful of both the blond kid and the crazy Buckethead, smiling as she dove in for the bottom, then neatly surfaced for air again.

The water was cool and cleared her head; she was tempted to dive in again, holding her breath, but there was no need to startle anyone who wasn't aware of her affiliations or abilities underwater. After all, not everyone trusted the Jedi, and so she would just be one of the crowd.

@Darasuum @Sreeya @Kestrel @TerranSteel @Nefieslab

 

[Poet Severino]

If Skippy had the capacity to make facial expressions, Poet was sure that the astromech droid would be pouting glumly by now. It seemed that it's attempt at being charming was promptly ignored.

With an exasperated sigh, the half-Morellian paused from drilling holes into Lt. Velt's skull and he stood up from his seat to go to the bar himself. He knew he should quit falling for the droid's false diagnoses – hells, Skippy didn't come to him with a medisensor attached – but there was just something so endearing about the annoying tin can's attempts to stop him from blowing a gasket every time a minor incovenience came his way.

He reached the bar in record time just as Captain Rook took off after the blond lieutenant and launched himself straight into the pool – casual suit and all. For Poet, everything seemed to happen in slow motion: Skippy turned to face its owner just as a huge splash of water threatened to douse the droid. In a few yet hurried strides Poet went down on one knee to cover the droid, taking the full brunt of the water splashing his back. Skippy, for its part, tucked itself neatly and snugly for cover under Poet's towering frame, only wheeling away as water began to drip down it's owner's front.

Now positively drenched, the half-Morellian Ranger closed his eyes and adopted a pained expression, slowly lifting a hand to push his sopping fringe off of his face.

"Skippy, go stay with Mom at the spa, alright?"

"But Grumpy–"

"Just go."

With a dejected beep, the astromech hurried off to follow it's owner's command. Poet stood up, clothes sticking wetly against his skin. He would have launched himself into the pool as well with the fury of a supernova if he hadn't caught wind of the bet he'd partaken in sometime ago. Ranger Zareen's disappointment was unmistakable, and so instead of raging at two of his superiors for splashing him with an ungodly amount of water, Poet turned and walked towards Sakas instead.

Poet's dark gaze met the Mikkian's and promptly swiped the credits from her hand.

"Thanks for the donation," he told her, brows knotted as he started to count the credits he rightfully earned. "There's a gap on the legendary Sith Slayer's helmet for a reason, you know, and it's" he made a show of pocketing the credits "for the straw."

Unaware that he had mixed up Rangers regarding the title of Sith Slayer, Poet gave Lt. Aran a quick but crisp salute when he caught sight of her.

@Nefieslab @Sreeya

 

[Sakas Zareen]

Sakas grumbled good-naturedly about the straw but she wasn't really too put out about it. It had been a friendly betting pool after all so it was no more than about twenty credits. Besides, what fun was making a bet if you knew you were going to win? Still, she shook her head at Captain Rook as though she were disappointed.

"Letting us all down here Cap..."

Raising an eyebrow at the soaking wet form of Poet as the rookie came wandering over to her, Sakas eyed the young man with a bemused air. Taking another drink of her bourbon, she finished it off and set the empty glass down against the bar with finality. The credits were swiped quickly and she raised her open palms.

"Hey no need to be grabby kid." she teased him, standing up from her bar-stool to step up closer to him, her tentacles bouncing slightly as she grinned at him, more or less eye-level with the young man due to her height, "You want some more action then rookie?"

She smirked.

"Lt Aran, Ms Sith Slayer ma'am, I got a challenge for you that involves showing the kid here who kicks more arse." she admitted before calling out to Captain Rook when the Mando surfaced, "Cap! Get up here - I've got two hundred credits that says Captain Rook can hold a handstand for longer than Lt Aran... AFTER they've both just downed two shots."

Sakas turned to the bartender and paid them to start pouring out four shot glasses worth of premium alcohol.

@Sreeya @Darasuum @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Bast Emblai]

Bast swirled her water contemplatively, trying to look as if she were perfectly content sitting by herself, deep in thought. It felt rude to eavesdrop on Roland’s conversation, but she could hardly talk to herself and cut the silence. They thought she was strange enough already, messed up in the head. Talking to someone who wasn’t there was not likely to paint her as sane and composed. She ordered another water. On the plus side, the Corellian woman would not cost much to the host in terms of drinks. Thankfully, backup arrived quickly in the form of Jericho Trench. The man had the body of a club bouncer with an easygoing smile. When he slid onto the stool next to her, she felt more at ease, as if a brick wall separated her from the rest of the party. For all practical purposes the effect was the same.

“You know the drill. If we have to suffer, we suffer together.“

A few more guests appeared, all looking casual and relaxed. A familiar, youthful face emerged from the growing crowd. “Bast!”

“...Corran.” Her smile was warm, albeit slight. Perhaps it would not be so bad. They had worked out everything they had needed to with Ilana, so very little contempt remained. He was an old friend and his presence was always a welcome one. Introductions were in order. Hopefully he would not think there was anything between them. Jericho had been her brother’s good friend, been at the explosion and recounted it to her later, when she could not recall the mission that had left a web of silvery shrapnel scars on her back.

Rather than introduce himself, however, Corran slipped off his jacket and discarded his shirt. It took Bast a moment to mentally catch up and look away. Just as she was about to extend a hand and hopefully prevent further stripping, it occurred to her that he was in a swim suit. It was a pool party. Of course he was. She needed to relax. Without another word to her or the man beside her, he made a beeline for the pool in a dramatic cannonball, soaking everyone in a three meter radius. The Lieutenant shook her head almost imperceptibly. Her suit was dripping. No sooner had she thrown a mildly annoyed look at the blond ranger did Darmus appear. They had both aged ten years in the span of one, but it did not seem to dampen his ‘if you have to die, might as well be happy about it’ attitude. Still, behind his joking smile, his eyes looked worried.

“You are right.” It was uncomfortable to wear the dripping outfit anyway. Bast peeled off the wet fabric of her shirt and trousers, hanging them neatly to dry on the back of a lounge chair. Her swimsuit was of a simple athletic variety, making no attempt to hide prosthesis that crept up her back. Most of them knew of her accident anyway. Shaking her head once more, this time at herself, she ordered a drink.

@Darasuum
@Rhogar
@TerranSteel
@Eccles

 

[Corran Velt]

Water rushed up Corran's nose and past his ears. The pool fully submerged him in a warm, chlorinated embrace. He hadn't gone swimming since his childhood, but the boy from Commenor loved the water. Jersan Velt, his mother, claimed he learned to swim before he could walk. After a few seconds of bliss, the blond ranger resurfaced with a deep inhale and a grin. Man, it felt good to swim again. He had only barely blinked the water from his eyes when a terror greeted him. A soaking wet Captain Rook (@Darasuum), helmet still on and shoes to match, was already mid-air and leaping into the pool with abandon. Corran looked up, eyes wide, realizing the Mandalorian's trajectory. "Oh-"

Whatever word was suppose to follow was drowned by an impressive tidal wave. The splash was powerful enough to submerge the lieutenant back under. He tumbled, spinning and turning under the water. Sense of direction vanished entirely. Only surefire way was up. A few powerful arm strokes returned the blond ranger's head back to air and he gasped it in. Unfortunately his eyes were still closed and another flutter of his arms sent him backing into someone else. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Corran apologized quickly. A knuckle rubbed his eyelids followed by two quick blinks. It was that Pantoran woman again (@Killa Ree). When had she jumped in the water. "I didn't see you there."

After the tsunami of a cannon-ball subsided and Roland resurfaced, Corran would accost him almost immediately. "How drunk are you, sir?! Jumping into the pool practically fully dressed. How can you even --" It would be only then that he'd see the tattoos. For someone as straight-laced as the Mandalorian had appeared, the ink was surprising. Come to think of it... a number of guests had tattoos. The Pantoran woman. Captain Rook. Lieutenant Trys Aran.

Wait. Trys!?

Tattoos ran up her arm all the way to her shoulder. Corran glanced down at his own body. Clear, shaven, athletic but unaltered. Well, save for the blaster mark on his side and the scar across his face. Had he missed some initiation requirement that mandated ink? In minor embarrassment, he let his torso slide beneath the water leaving only his neck and above exposed. Maybe the waves of the shifting pool might obscure anything to be teased about.

 

[Jericho Trench]

"Yeah, you know me Bast, always just suffering along with ya." he said with a smirk. Then Corran arrived, and he watched the two talk with an amused smirk. He couldn't tell if she was just being awkward or if there was a history. Then the little blond boy started to strip. "Damn man, you trying to blind me, huh?" Trench would say with a smirk before signaling for another Corellian Whiskey.

Then Blondie left, belly flopped, and now him and Bast were a tad wet. Then some other guy started talking to Bast about the hotness of her suit, the guy was kinda creepy, kinda old. Trench's gaze shifted back to Bast, just to shift away as she started to strip down to her bathing suit. "Ya know, you left out the part that this was a pool party." he'd say with a laugh. "So, who's the flopping Ken Doll?" he asked once he was looking back her way.

He looked around the bar, just as his whiskey arrived and he glanced at the older mans drink. "That any good?" he would ask before taking a sip of his whiskey.

@TerranSteel @Kestrel @Eccles

 

[Poet Severino]

A grin would have spread across Poet's face, lighting his features, if he wasn't sporting a perpetual "I don't give a shite" expression whether he meant it or not. As such, the Ranger simply shrugged at Sakas's teasing.

He raised an eyebrow at the Mikkian when she approached. More action, huh? Never one to back down from any sort of challenges – within reason, of course – he stepped closer to her, not really towering but still imposing enough with his broad shoulders and penetrating gaze. Poet leaned forward, almost touching noses with Sakas, as he ground out through gritted teeth,

"Bring it."

There was a flash of annoyance in his voice at being called a rookie – and worse, a kid. But given her teasing, Poet let them slide for now. Maybe being called a rookie was somehow befitting, given that he had spent more hours doing office work than field duties after the accident. Perhaps if he had been more careful that day he wouldn't be reduced into something as a rookie in his colleagues' eyes–

Ah, but it did not matter at the end of the day, did it? He was still a Ranger, and he would always be even if he would have to endure being called a rookie because he'd been out of the loop for quite a while.

Red bloomed on Poet's impassive face when Sakas called out to Lt. Aran with the title he had been labeling Captain Rook. Perhaps he had been out of the loop for far too long to make a mix up like that. The half-Morellian schooled his expression, the blush on his face the only indication of his embarrassment towards his freshly revealed blunder. He took a step back just as Sakas turned towards the bar.

"Two hundred?" he asked her as he moved to settle on a bar-stool to her left. Poet tutted disapprovingly and decided to raise the bar a little higher – maybe in an attempt to save his pride, who knew. "Make it three."

Dark eyes swept over the Mandalorian captain, then to the lieutenant who was the rightful holder of the legendary Sith Slayer title. He mentally assessed each of his superiors, taking notes on body types, height, weight, and other such factors before placing his bet on one of the candidates. Mind made, he signalled for the bartender to bring him a can of soda after they were done pouring the shots.

"Three hundred credits," he told Sakas as he swiped the can from the counter. "My money's on Lt. Aran."

...not because he was trying to make up for his blunder, no. Poet was no suck up. He really was just convinced that the lieutenant could beat the captain.

@Nefieslab @Darasuum @Sreeya

 

[Trys Aran]

It took only a few minutes of being here to realize that she could get comfortable. She drank her beer, missing the splash of water because neither Roland nor Corran were actually massive enough to create tidal waves. She glanced over towards the pool area, spotting Nick (@Raydo) and returning the smile. He was possibly her closest friend throughout the years, and even her lapse in memory didn’t change that.

The sight of the captain jumping into the pool was entertaining, and Trys shook her head before turning back to face forward. She barely took another sip when one of the Rangers she hadn’t worked with before threw down a challenge. Trys’s eyebrows rose, and she cast a sideways glance at the Captain and… was that Velt pretending to be invisible? As always, she gave him a look of polite bewilderment before looking back at Roland again. (@TerranSteel )

“Why not,” Trys said, surprising herself. She turned back to the bartender, snapping her fingers, “Four Sithspit shots.”

It was bright red and burned like hell going down and was insanely strong. Just the kind of shots to do before a challenge. Trys stood to do the shots, waiting for Rook to come out of the water.

@Nefieslab @Darasuum

 

[Nick Shaw]

He stirred as he was splashed with water, opening his eyes and seeing various people jumping in the water. He thought about getting up, joining in the festivities but he was so tired and the chair was comfortable.

Nick's eyes closed again and dozed back off. It wasn't a particularly deep sleep, he was aware of various sources of commotion around him but it all seemed to blend together.

He shifted slightly, getting more comfortable.