Open Drink Up Me Hearties

[Jace Darklighter]

King's Tap Cantina, Byblos​

Open to Jedi, Rangers, and allies.

Stepping into the cantina, filled to capacity with members of the Byblos Defense Fleet, Jedi, Sector Rangers, and a bunch of other folks who had helped repel the Sith, you would have to be blind and deaf to think of it as anything other than a celebration. When the Sith had showed up almost everyone he knew had expected things to end in disaster. The Sith declaration on the Holonet had still been fresh in everyone's memory, and there was no doubt in their minds that they did not have the strength to resist the Sith. That's when they had showed up, Jedi and Rangers. Their arrival had turned the battle on its head, given them a fighting chance and then lead them to victory. Byblos was safe because of them, and while the higher ups might do what higher ups did and make proclamations of thanks and gratitude, the soldiers and pilots who had been up in the air had their own way to give thanks.

Word had been sent out to every Jedi and Ranger on the planet, both those who had fought and those who had showed up in the aftermath to help out. Many a Jedi had arrived to help treat the injured and more Rangers had showed up to beef up the planetary forces in case of another strike by the Sith. Almost all were gathered here today, drinking, chatting, celebrating their victory.

Jace smiled a bittersweet smile as he watched his friends enjoying themselves. This would be his last day as one of them, he had spent the last few days talking to a bunch of Jedi and he was due to fly out the next day to begin his training. Grabbing a beer from a passing server, he rushed into the fray and downed the drink in one long swig.

"To victory!!"

Cheers rang out across the cantina, and more drinks were brought out, one pushed into his hands to replace the one he had just downed. The party had begun.

 

[Vahn Berand]

A little green and black BG droid rolled about near the entrance of the cantina, twittering anxiously. The dome-shaped head on top of the spherical body habitually turned to scan the double doors whenever they opened to allow a new patron entrance.

Then, the droid beeped excitedly as the doors opened once more to reveal a familiar sight; a silver and grey robed Jedi grinning nearly from ear to ear. They had last seen eachother days before; just before the battle where the Jedi had given a bittersweet 'See you later'.

“Ralta!” Vahn said, crouching low enough to pull the little spherical droid into his arms. “We did it, girl!” He turned in a circle holding the droid up, spinning briefly before turning to set her down.

“We sent them packing! Kicked them straight out of free space!” he crowed. The little droid extended a thin pair of manipulator arms while chirping happily. Vahn could then be seen holding them, and performing a jaunty little dance with the BG unit while squatting over to meet somewhere near her height.[/abox3

 

[Drow Venn]

Defeat tasted terrible but victory wasn't all that much better either.

Drow had been in enough battles to have grown accustomed to the curious mixture of feelings that arose when one won a battle. There was the initial relief that the fighting had stopped and you were no longer at risk of dying at every second. Then, the elation that the tide had turned and your side had emerged victorious. That feeling lasted for a few seconds before it was replaced by the sinking realization at how many of your friends died to accomplish that victory. Drow was accustomed to it but the Pamarthens he'd brought along were not.

Out of the 20 E-Wing fighter pilots that Drow had flown with from Yavin IV to reinforce Byblos, only a few remained to celebrate after the battle. Some were clearly taking it harder than others. There was Davidge, whose nephew had been blown up by a missile today, the young lad not quite as adept a pilot as his uncle was. Kerrilyn, who was only 19 and had never fought a battle before today, looked as though she was wavering between being about to punch the next person who talked to her and burst out crying. Roland, who always was ready to crack wise, for once, was silent.

Drow had been there before and knew what his younger self would have wished someone had told him when he'd experienced his first battle. The Ishi Tib hit a spoon to his bottle, making a loud clinking noise that quieted the morose din of the assembled Pamarthens.

"We lost good people today." the Ishi Tib said to the assembled Pamarthens near the table. Glasses were raised and murmurs of agreement sounded throughout the room.

"But how would those who are gone want us to carry on? Would they want us to wallow in grief and self-pity? Or would they want us to honor their names, continue the fight that they were proud to be a part of, and celebrate in a battle that they helped us win?!?!" Drow said, doing his best to rally the troops. There were some cheers and words of encouragement.

"Tonight, we celebrate what they helped us achieve! And tomorrow, we will mourn those who were snatched from us too soon. And the next day, we'll avenge them!" Drow swore. That got the pilots going. Loud cheers sounded off as drinks were clinked and promises of revenge were made between the pilots. Drow knew that swearing revenge wasn't exactly the most Jedi-like of things but he knew soldiers. And sometimes, a bottle of beer and a friend to share it with did more for grief than platitudes about the Force ever could. As his men went about and mingled with the other Jedi and the Byblos Defense Force, Drow went to bar and got another drink.

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC

Zad had not been in the fight. If he had, things might have turned north or south. The Ranger had a way of getting into trouble as much as out of it, giving as many shots as he took (more or less) and sometimes returning to HQ with a “That’s a plus one to your body count, Ranger Ruzed, and a minus one to your promotion” but, eh, oh well. Some people just needed to lose and the Sith were one such people.

He had come to Byblos to help defend it from further incursions so early in. Some people hated to lose and would try to win back what they had lost as quickly as possible. The Sith were one such people. The Ranger would not wait next time and would be ready to bring the fight to them if they even dared to bring it back to Byblos.

For now, Zad sat at the bar sipping from a glass of whiskey and blowing smoke from a cigarette. The holo wasn’t playing anything special; just a podrace whose pilots wore odd names like ‘See Ya’ and ‘Neffy’s Lap’ and ‘Free Nuts’ and ‘The Bad Surgeon’. Whatever, he didn’t know these folks but they put on a good show. Though, one did just crash right there and then…

Just then, an Ishi Tib strolled on up to the bar to order another drink. Zad blinked his way. He didn’t recognize him but he did recognize the table he had come from. It evidently seated one of those Jedi Samurai who had helped in the battle.

“Put that one on my tab, barkeep,” Zad conveyed to the bartender as he bought the Ishi’s drink. Then he gave the latter a nod in greeting. “Zad. Zad Ruzed.” Zad thought about flashing his badge but decided against it. “Sector Ranger.” He extended his right hand instead and hoped his counterpart would shake it.



@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

Drow did indeed shake the offered hand, grateful that the planet's warm reception to the Jedi. Already, he'd found a mechanic willing to do some work to help repair his damaged Y-Wing. Then Drow took the seat next to Zad.

"Appreciate it friend!" Drow said. "Were you fighting up there with us? Some interesting days in the galaxy I have to say. It's like everything I ever read about history decided to repeat itself"

@Die Shize

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Zad didn’t know much about the Jedi. For that matter, he didn’t know about much of anything where it did not pertain to hunting down thugs out on the edges of existence. He had befriended a few Jedi in his day, however, and so far he might be on a roll when it came to this latest one sitting next to him.

“Nope,” the Ranger answered coolly. “I was a little late to the game but I’m here now so never too late, I reckon. Would have been nice to share in the ass-kicking but oh well. Plenty more asses to kick.” He shrugged. “What’s your name?” An empty glass parted from his hand. “Yep, interesting days, partner, interesting days…” Another tap, another pour. Zad raised his whiskey to the Jedi.

“To interesting days and all the ass-kicking that comes with them!”



@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"I think I've had my share of interesting days to be honest. I'd prefer to just retire with a nice garden now." Drow replied honestly to Zad. The bartender came over with another drink and Drow took it, tipping the man a couple credits.

"I actually used to run with a pretty bad mercenary crew called Roughtide before giving the warrior monk thing a try. Gave me my fill of ass kicking" Drow said as he drank before wincing when he remembered who he was talking to.

"I probably shouldn't be telling a Sector Ranger that. I'm probably in your files." Drow said, mostly joking but also with a twinge of guilt when he remembered the things he'd used to do for money. Some legal, some not but all morally questionable to say the least.

@Die Shize

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Zad was left hanging with his toast hanging in the air but he was not one to sit on ceremony so down the hatch. In truth he could relate to Drow’s sentiments on having had his share of interesting days. Here the Ishi was talking to a Human in his forties with a few careers filled with crime and not always on the right side of it. Drow apparently could relate.

“Hey, buddy, I’m in my own files.” Zad humored out a humph and felt like a bottle was in order so ordered one. He was only a couple drinks in altogether but planned on changing that as celebrations continued. Such as they are.

“I never had the warrior monk’s calling but I did have some unique ones of my own… Before I was a Ranger I was a merc like you.” He took a sip and let that settle on his tongue. “Grew up in a world of crime, tried to ride the line between it and the law as hired muscle, then went for the law when the Sector Rangers found me and gave me a badge!” He smiled and retrieved something from his coat. He liked this part.

Spoiler

@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"Ooh laminated, nice. The only badge they give us is the laser sword. Although it seems to get you in just as many places." Drow chuckled as Zad showed him the badge. Noticing the Sector Ranger ordering more drinks, Drow quickly finished his own and got replacements. But before the drinking started, Drow felt he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't ask the man one thing.

"Say, you Rangers wouldn't happen to be working on anything against the Sith would ya? You ever need some Jedi backup, and I'm there. We've been taking the fight to the Sith recently and if the Rangers are planning on hurting the Sith too, I want in. Anything you need." Drow offered Zad.

@Die Shize

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Zad couldn’t help but chuckle back at Drow’s comments about the laser sword serving as a badge all on its own. It made sense which made it even more amusing. After showing his own badge, the Ranger pulled it back but did not tuck it away, instead turning it beneath his gaze as though the ID might have meant much and more than it meant little and less. The hell does that even mean? He sighed, lighting up another cigarette, making sure the smoke blew away from his newfound friend.

Said friend had just asked Zad the million credit question and he was pleased to hear it. Unfortunately, rough and tumble Ruzed was not really the Ranger to appeal to when it came to the finer points of his organization or the meatier machinations. He was a drifter humbling it out on the fringes of the galaxy to make sure that the dust did not settle on those who needed to blow it away from the dirt kicked up by the cruel and the criminal coming their way. The hell does that even mean?

“Corran.” Zad tucked his credentials away and thought little more of them. “Corran Velt.” The name had slipped out of nowhere. “Lieutenant Corran Velt, to be precise... He’s making waves and creating winds out there in the stars. A prime player in the Sector Rangers if ever there was one.” He shrugged. “He’s also my friend.” Another swig just then. “Which I guess is a winded way of saying that this Ranger you’re talking to is always up for taking on Sith and down for doing it with you Jedi but the L.T. knows more about both than I do.” Another puff just then. “Maybe I can reach out to him on both our behalfs?”

@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"Now that's something to drink to!" Drow shouted, raising his glass and nodding enthusiastically at the idea of talking to this Corran Velt. As far as Drow knew, he'd never met the man but it sounded as though a working relationship with him could be good for all involved. The Sector Rangers had already proven to be valuable allies to the Jedi Order; Drow remembered helping an investigating team out once with tracking down a Sith while a Ranger blastboat had helped save his hide while defending Byblos. But such matters could be dealt with in the morning. For now, there was drinking to be done.

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Well hey! This Jedi was quite a guy. He was definitely not afraid to drink, share drink or hold drink. Zad’s experience of Jedi was perhaps slimmer than other Rangers, not that he made an active effort in knowing other Rangers, but he had known enough to know that not every Jedi tended to drink.

Finally, the Ranger had a drinking partner and he was a Jedi. Zad greeted the raised glass with his own, clinking it in midair before gulping back. “Then we got a deal, partner.” He offered to pour Drow another one from his own bottle but if not he would top just his own glass.

This is what it was all about: Jedi Order and Sector Rangers sharing drinks, shaking hands, getting along and singing songs (that last part to come later depending on number of drinks between now and then). Corran could wait. For now, Zad settled for a little more interest in his counterpart turned companion.

“You seem pretty eager to help out. Not just your own or us Rangers, mind you, but the galaxy at large.” Zad shrugged, detecting how obvious his own words were when it came to a Jedi. “I guess I just mean that you seem...fearless?” Did he have him pegged? “Might that be the Roughtide in you?” He grinned.

@Drow Venn

 

[Drow Venn]

"Eh...probably." Drow said, downing another and now starting to feel very good about life in general. He ordered another one, remembering the last time he'd gotten drunk. It had been at a teen's birthday of all things and oddly enough, he and Crix Aran had been there on official Jedi business. Dealing with puking first-time drinkers and teenage heartbreak had been quite unpleasant and Drow was much happier with this current situation.

"My old line of work meant that I never was afraid of death much. Didn't change when I joined up with the Jedi either. I guess the only thing I fear now is dying before I'm able to make up for all the bad I've done..." Drow said, taking another swig, his thoughts now becoming more somber.

"Don't know if I'll ever be able to square up that debt honestly. Especially nowadays with the war. I've been doing some questionable things lately to fight the Sith..."

@Die Shize

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Damn… Zad found himself staring off into the distance at Drow’s words. It was a bit of the drink, sure; the kind of mood you came into as more and more alcohol came into you, where thoughts and feelings had a way of wrapping around one another like two lovers in bed or two haters in battle. I guess the only thing I fear now is dying before I’m able to make up for all the bad I’ve done…as well. A deep guzzle just then as though toasting to himself.

“Questionable things, eh?” Zad blinked at his drinking buddy. By the stars had the Ranger done some ‘questionable things’ in his time and would do plenty more if it meant putting bastards behind barriers. The ends justified the means. Right..?

“Look,” he sniffed, a waft of smoke curling up his nostrils before he flicked the lingering ash. “Way I see it, you Jedi are doing what others either won’t do or can’t do. You’re out there waving your...your…” He searched for it. Couldn’t find it. “...Wands and your hands to defend those people who won’t or can’t. You do it with a sense of code, of justice, of a kind of care and concern for your fellow galactic citizen that goes above and beyond taking out the trash.” Though...I guess that’s what I do every day…

“Hey,” Zad grinned. “On that note, you know what? You Jedi and us Rangers, we may just be more alike than we are different. With a blaster or a...lightsaber—” Huzzah! “—We excel at taking out the trash.”

@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"That's a good sentiment. I do bad things so the other Jedi don't have to. Way I see it, I already have a moral debt to the universe so what's a couple sins tacked on to my principal?" Drow asked, finishing his latest drink and gauging the human's reaction. It felt good to have someone to talk to about this who could actually relate to what he was saying. As much as he loved the Order and held high esteem for its members, not everyone there could necessarily understand his perspective or what it's like living with a moral burden.

"As for trash, I like to believe that anyone can change. I sure did. But I also know that a dead enemy is unlikely to bother you again."

@Die Shize

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Zad nodded his head with a stiff upper lip at the mention of paying off a moral debt. Even if it might never get paid off. “Less sins than the ones you erase when you help out those who need it, I reckon.” He drank after Drow, the taste of his whiskey suddenly bittersweet. It was a code he lived by; had to, needed to, or else he might lose focus on what it meant to be alive. What it means to have hope.

The galaxy had shown him what hopelessness was like and he knew he could switch down that dark path if he let himself; keep his blaster but unburden himself with the badge…

“I guess we both changed, friendo,” Zad sighed like an old man. Or just a man getting older. “But when you have an enemy like the Sith, an enemy that will without question do the opposite of help this galaxy, well, at one point do you stop questioning the things you do to stop that enemy?” The question was for both of them but Zad looked at Drow as he asked it. “Where do any of us draw the line?”

@Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

"I'm starting to wonder that myself..." Drow mused as he took another sip, only to realize that his bottle was once again empty. Jeez, he couldn't remember the last time he'd pounded them back this hard. Aw well, it was after a well-earned victory so the Jedi was willing to cut loose a bit tonight.

"Look, I might not be sober enough to remember in the morning but let's swap holo frequencies. You seem like a decent guy and I have a feeling us teaming up could put a whole lot of hurting on the Sith." Drow said, offering the man his commlink to do just that. He didn't quite know what he wanted to do yet but he was sure his sober self could think of a few plans in the morning...

/ExitThread

@Die Shize