In a small and primitive tavern, located on a trade route that linked Montellian Serat and Assarda, Devaronian farmers and villagers alike congregated inside. Spotted amongst them were interstellar travellers, mostly hunters searching for their next trophy kill to bring home to their Core World clubs, yet all mingled amongst one another. Tales were told, glasses clinked, tears wept by those unable to handle their liquor. Some travellers who sought to experience a night with the local population would spend their hard earned credits on both booze and rooms above. An average night in the village of Hulis, to say the least.
“Ay, then I told her ‘You ain’t never met a man like me!” a burly man laughed as he drew in a crowd at the bar. A select few of the other patrons bit to his tall tale, leaning in with laughter and questions. Others simply rolled their eyes, cocked an eyebrow and proceeded to drink their beverages.
“Sure, sure. You sound like every Chadwick that comes through here, pal,” the Devaronian bartender replied as he wiped down a glass. “Big and strong and full of steel… Until shit hits the fan and you’ll cower like the rest of ‘em,” This comment, the boastful brute did not abide. Shooting upward from his stool like a roided rancor, he slammed the counter with both hands. The sound echoed through the bar but a few of the more astute noticed that it was in parallel with the sound of something being dropped on the floor above.
“Boy, I’ve seen more broken bones and shattered skulls than you’ve seen tits!” the man bellowed, spawning a snicker from a nearby elderly Devaronian man.
“That ain’t sayin much,” he chuckled in unison with the cheerful crowd as they jested their local barkeep, un-phased by the toxic masculinity of the traveler. “Just sit down, lad. Ain’t no one here gonna pick a fight with ya so lose the attitude,” Instead, the man turned and faced the senior and pointed a thick finger in his direction.
“Best believe it, old man! It would take an act of fate to put me on my ass! An asteroid falling from the sky! A-”
As he spoke, a second and much louder impact was heard from the ceiling that silenced the entire bar. As everyone glanced up to the ceiling, the old and rotting timbers that served as trusses began to crack loudly before finally giving way. Two beings fell from the sky and landed directly atop the ogre of a man. One, a wiry young Devaronian being strangled by a young woman in a leather jacket.
”That…. Hurt…” Aska groaned as she held her target between her bicep and forearm. It seemed that the descent not only silenced the blowhard beneath her but had also sapped any fight that remained in the Devaronian.
“Alright! Alright! I’ll tell you where he is! Just… Let me go!” the man forced out between struggling breaths. Releasing the man from her grip and pushing him aside, the young clone stood above him as she worked on regaining her own wind, proceeding to look up through the hole she had created, willfully ignorant of the shocked and prying eyes of the bar patrons.
”Alright Ali!” she huffed. ”Get down here! He’s decided to cooperate!” Reaching into her pocket, Aska tossed a handful of credits on the counter without acknowledging anyone as she grabbed the man by his collar and began to guide him into the dark street. ”Sorry for the mess,”
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