Open Tatooine Free Liberty

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC

Damn cantinas… Zad thought as he turned his glass on the countertop. They were so cliche. Looking for a story? Head to a cantina. Grabbing for an adventure? Go to a cantina. Itching for mystery? Here’s your cantina. Scratching for mischief? There’s your cantina.

Still, The Rusty Nail was the kind of establishment that Zad Ruzed went to when he needed to clear his mind with some amber whiskey that would in turn open his thoughts to some shrouded mystery of that which he had brought with him.

He dared not lay it upon the counter as he stared at the bar with a glass of whiskey before his person. The ‘object’ was far too out of the ordinary to randomly expose it. Many of the patrons and attendants in this Mos Eisley cantina would not take kindly to seeing it or the man who was sporting it.

So the man kept it concealed in his coat. No one would see it. Only a certain someone with a certain sense focused enough on finding it would notice it. That seemed unlikely in a random bar on Tatooine.

“That what I think it is?” The Bothan bartender nodded toward his patron while cleaning a glass.

“Uhhh…” Zad blinked. Apparently the ‘something’ was not as hidden as he hoped it had been. He nonchalantly tucked that side of his jacket over his person. “...Don’t mention it.” The words came with a rather modest tip of credit chips that was actually rather above average. The bartender smirked and moved on.

Hell, the last thing this Ranger needed was someone seeing the ‘something’ he had tucked away behind his jacket. It had taken a run-in with a Blackwell technician and a brush-up with a P1-D3S droid to keep it. He just needed to figure out how to find out who the shiny silver hilt belonged to...

 

[Kotii Solus]

The clinking steps of the Mandalorians gate preceeded him as he entered the Rusty Nail. The red and black plates shifted slightly against his body as he made his way to the bar. Attracting no small amount of stares, as was expected of a Mandalorian, most people had seen the rough side of the galaxy in these parts and so averted their gazes when the cold T visor turned in their direction.

Across his back, the Mandalorian was carrying his zook-10 longblaster with a paired python on his hip. The two Blackwell manufactured weapons had served him well in the past year of use and were beginning to show some of the man's personal wear and tear despite his attentive upkeep and maintenance after each job.

"Short Isle...unless you have tihaar..." A voice came from behind the helmet and was directed to the bothan bartender. Beside him, Kotti noticed the man who looked like he was trying hard to not attract too much attention to himself. "I don't know what that is and we're all out of ice." The bartender said gruffly and followed the answer with a regarding gaze towards Kotti. "Spotchka then, and hey..." Kotti stopped the bartender before he fully turned away. "...seen any others of my kind around?" The Bothan gave him another look and shook his head. "Not as far as I can remember. Ask around though."

Karking trade lanes. It'll be weeks before I get a decent taste again. He thought to himself with a blank expression on his face that matched his stoic helmet. A mildly disappointed nasally sigh came from the man as he stood quietly and waited. The inside of the establishment was a cooler environment than being directly outside. The rest of the patrons seemed to be keeping to themselves for the time being. "How about you..." He gave chin jerk to the stranger at the bar beside him. "...any other Mandalorians pass through here?"

@Die Shize

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Zad sighed over his glass of whiskey, smoke escaping between his lips before disappearing against ninety-nine bottles of booze on the wall. He had not counted but the number was probably close. So was a Mandalorian who had approached the bar. He was everyone’s eye candy, it seemed. Another buckethead with a funny way of drinking.

Zad had seen it before: some Mandos were A-OK with taking their helmet off, some would lift the bottom just enough to slurp, and others sucked through a straw. They were an interesting people, Mandalorians.

The Ranger had met his fair share. Sector Rangers and Mando bounty hunters sometimes crossed paths while tending to the same targets, after all, and the galaxy was filled with individuals and organizations that had a penalty on their back as much as a price.

It was hard to forget the color patterns of those ironclad warriors who had crossed Zad’s own path. At least one of them had also ordered spotchka. The two of them had talked for hours. She had knocked on his door the next morning in a hurry to retrieve the helmet she had almost forgotten.

As the blue drink was pushed toward the Mando man, Zad realized he was being spoken to by someone other than the bartender. He crossed his brows at Buckethead. “Sure…” He flicked ash into a tray. “Let’s see there was...Rando, Cando, Pando, Lando and Mando.” Each name introduced with a finger and a thumb.

“Sorry, partner,” Zad smiled, his one moment of fun coming to a close. “Ain’t seen your kind in a minute. ‘Least not in this armpit of the galaxy.” Mos Eisley saw its fair share of Mandalorians but this Ranger had not lingered long enough today. “Though...there was one boy in beskar hopping into the spaceport now that I think of it… Or maybe out of it.” He shrugged. “Why?”

@Darasuum

 

[Laren Vano]

Laren had decided it was a long day. Time to drink. He pulled his ship out of hyperdrive and entered the atmosphere of Tatooine. It’s been a while since he had come back here. Mos Eisley most definitely missed the purple and black armor, at least that’s what he tells himself.

After landing the Unforced in an open hangar, he stood up in his cockpit. “Alright buddy sit tight, I’ll be back later for you to make fun of.” The little droid beeped and booped as Laren left. On his way out he stopped to tell his tactical droid Cryptic “Hey keep an eye on him will ya? He’s a little hyper today.” The droid nodded and gave a thumbs up like Laren taught.

Once the second half of the Vano brothers stepped out and into the sand he took a deep breath and simply said “Wow this place... really sucks.”

He then started towards his favorite cantina “The IronHorse” but unfortunately it was closed due to construction.

“Well what the kriff am I supposed to do now!?” Laren called out with both arms spread open.

“What a load of-“

Then he was interrupted by a local passing him saying “Shut up! The Rusty Nail is right down there, go drink your problems away there buckethead.”

Laren could appreciate the honest feelings of the man and leave him be with only the retaliation of a middle finger. Only one thing left to now. Time to go drink.

Laren started walking down as he stopped to watch a person in Mandalorian armor enter the establishment. Laren stood outside, confused. Who could it be? Cas? Nah too tall. Srucayr? Nah too small. Me? Wait.. haha silly.

The Mando, Laren, decided to go ahead and keep heading that way and simply watch from a distance. When he entered surely eyes were on him, cover blown. Oh well. Let’s go ahead and sit next to this guy. He stood at the corner of the bar area to where no one was behind him and he could see all other party members.

“That armor yours? Or did you steal it?”

Laren of course with reason was skeptical but this was only for a safety precaution. For the other members of the cantina.

@Darasuum @Die Shize

 

[Kotii Solus]

Even behind the T visor, Kotti gave the man a blank look as he took it seriously for a moment. The helmet turned to look away from him and then back again at the mention of beskar.

"Trying to reach friends and family." He answered the Ranger. There were numerous members of the Mandalorian people that were scattered throughout the galaxy. His own clan had been isolated for some time and he hoped to connect with some of his cohorts. "When did you see them? Was he alo-" It was probably for the best that he was interrupted by another Mandalorian. There were more questions that Kotii wanted to add but knew it would be overwhelming and unlikely return an answer for his enthusiasm.

Kotii looked the Mandalorian beside him up and down. "Copaani mirshmure'cye, vod?" He didn't care if the warrior beside him was a Mandalorian. It pissed him off and raised the hairs on the back of his neck to be considered a thief. The badger sigil on his shoulder plate moved a bit more into view. But maybe this was the beskar wearing individual that Zad had referred to. "I could ask you the same thing."

@Die Shize @Scoobert

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

A Mandalorian trying to reach friends and family… Zad sipped on those words as he looked away. It sounded as conventional as convenient. Mandos were all about ‘friends and family’ but there was probably more to the story and he did not much care to hear it. Still, he was not one to be so rude as to avoid answering a question even if he was in this cantina of this armpit on this planet to ask the questions himself.

They were both interrupted as yet another buckethead entered the scene. Circus in town? Zad asked with merely an exchange of looks with the bartender who was asking the same silent question. Then Zad’s eyes narrowed at the newcomer. Were those the same colors he had seen at the port? True, he tended to remember a Mando’s paint job but that one from earlier had been glanced at from a distance.

As Mando’a was exchanged like blind drinks, Zad was at a loss and just blinked. Hopefully the pair of buckets would not resort to their leet-speak even as Black and Red finished in Basic to Black and Purple.

“Look, if either of you stole your armor . . . ” Zad trailed off. He was about to flash his badge before thinking better of it. Clearing his throat, he took another sip. “ . . . Then you probably left some angry naked owners behind. But whatever your beef, this ain’t the place for it, right, barkeep?”

Barkeep nodded while reaching a hand beneath the counter. It would not take a Mandalorian visor to see through that little gesture, nor the undercover Ranger’s as one hand held a glass but the other also reached beneath the counter toward the holster at his hip.

@Scoobert @Darasuum

 

[Laren Vano]

Acceptable. Laren asked him the Golden question for Mandalorians, this was common in the world. People wanted the clout. Laren had to be sure of the man in armor. Laren ordered a drink before leaning against the bar.

“I’m Laren Vano, of clan Vano. We were wiped from existence by a force user, who I killed. Now I am the second of two that remain and I wear my fathers armor proudly. Now who are you?”

Laren proceeded to remove his helmet to drink what the bartender brought to him. His favorite. Correllian whiskey. Mmm, smooth. Then he looked over to see a man next to the Mando. Now this is a face Laren did not know. Now was the best time to ask.

“What about you stranger? Got any hidden armor you wanna tell me about? Or you just one of those normies that think all we’re good for is killin and drinkin?”

Laren pulled a barstool over and sat on it while he placed his helmet onto the bar counter. He let his eyes show along with his blonde hair. Not as traditional but then again, Laren hadn’t seen the Mandalore in over 7 years. Wasn’t much point to devote everything to someone that doesn’t know you’re alive.

@Darasuum @Die Shize

 

[Kotii Solus]

The man to Kotii's left gave some sage advice he hoped any would heed that heard it. A pause hung in the air after Laren introduced himself. At least with that much Kotii would be willing to now give an introduction of himself now. "Kotii Solus, of House Solus." They were more than just a clan, even if they were far from what they once were. Kotii had never killed a Force user though. "Condolences." Black Hand said simply and gave the Mandalorian a nod. His own armor inherited from the melted down armor of others. Shared with the adopted foundlings. His armor was not composed entirely of pure beskar. Only the vambraces below the elbow were made of the pure Mandalorian iron.

Kotii looked towards Zad again. He had looked like he was triyng to hide something but everyone had their secrets."He was just telling me about a potential aruetii with beskar."

@Die Shize @Scoobert

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Phew. Zad could breathe relief as the two Mandos exchanged names, clans and houses instead of grenades, blasters and roundhouses. Mandalorians were a curious folk indeed. They held such pride for themselves, their families, their people, and could switch from staring each other down with those dark, dark visors to sharing drinks. The Ranger preferred the latter right about now.

Zad raised his own to both Mando men. “Only the armor beneath my shirt. Not that it holds up as much as yours.” He shrugged. “Killin’ and drinkin’ ain’t a problem though, friendo.” By the stars had he done his fair share. With the badge, without the badge. “Except for right here and now.” No need to beat a dead bantha though. His two new friends would not be tearing this place apart anytime soon. Hopefully.

“Name’s Zad.” He sighed out the burn of strong whiskey. “Zad Ruzed. Like Kotii says, I’m pretty sure I glimpsed another one of you friendly folk at the spaceport on my way into town.” He looked between both Mandalorians. “Though, I’m willing to bet that Laren here isn’t the Mando you’re looking for.” He focused on Kotii. Laren had shown his face but this other guy had yet to. “What paintjob are you looking for? Maybe that will jog my memory.”

@Darasuum @Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

The conversation seemed on an up. There’s a fake somewhere, and it was established that Laren wasn’t the faker. This is great. Just a trio of alcoholic badasses drinking together.

Then he heard the words. Paint, and job in the same sentence. In fact, the comment was supposed to be casual and surely he didn’t mean any disrespect to to the colors they bare.

“Our colors we bare are in respect of what we stand for. My purple color you see gives me luck. Explains why I’m still alive to this day. My black, stands for justice. I seek justice in the death of my parents. Only one way to be sure no one suffers the same fate.. riddance to those who use the force to their own will. Instead of the benefit to others. He keep inform you of why he bares his colors.”

Laren had waited the answer of the other Mando, and took a drink while he listened. Surely there were reasons everyone wore what they did, and often times that reason was enough to earn the respect of those who understood. Everything happens for a reason, so everyone wears what they do for a reason.

@Die Shize @Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

The crimson armored bounty hunter stayed quiet as Laren answered first. The Mandalorian took the time to unseal his own helmet finally. Placing both hands and setting the helmet down on the counter to face him, his face underneath would surprisingly have a second mask underneath.

Kotii would actually answer Zad and not just Mando-splain things. "...or you could just tell me what you remember." His gloved hand reached for the drink while the other would pull down the black face covering momentarily. The red irises of Kotii's eyes were calm and non-threatening. The blue spotchka was quickly drained from the glass and the mask returned to cover his fair skin. He wasn't looking for any in particular Mandalorian so if the old man's memory was that fuzzy or was trying to extort credits from him in some way then it would fall short.

"I'll give a guess. Were the plates green?" There was no point worrying about the paint job of a customized set of armor that may get a new coat of paint. Zad was the type who just was bored and alone and wanted to mess with the walking slabs of armor. "Why do you think he wasn't one of us?" Kotii wondered if the man knew Mandalorians well enough to be able to tell pretenders from the genuine article.

@Die Shize @Scoobert

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Zad cocked a brow as Laren spieled to him the respected colors of the Mandalorians. The Ranger had been more interested in the colors that Kotii was looking for than what their own meant. Granted, their dye did look quite fine, but he would likely forget what black and purple meant by the time their conversation came to a close. Or by the time I finish my drink.

Finally, Kotii took his helmet off. Zad would not have cared one way or the other but it was easier to talk to someone whose he eyes could see and read.

Though, this Kotii might have been getting the wrong idea about the man sitting before him. Maybe Zad’s words would help clear the air. “Nah, that ain’t it—the part about me being secretive and such that is. Just tryin’ to be kindly. As for the plates?” He sipped and sighed. “Seemed Mando enough to me but I didn’t really stay and stare. Spotted this figure at a distance, leaving their ship; sun was out, plates might have been green or blue, green-blue, like teal maybe . . . ”

Zad shrugged. “Like I said, I didn’t get a good look, had no reason to, but I ain't holding anything back, partner.” Kotii could roll with that if he wanted to. Zad was content to light up a cigarette and wait.

@Darasuum @Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

Laren sat in silence. A blank expression on his face. His eyes locked on his drink as he listened. Then he downed a little more of his drink before he decided to speak up. Surely whoever that was had left by now and that it wouldn’t matter one way or another.

“They’re probably long gone. Why are ya looking for more of us? Some kinda vendetta or are you looking for a reunion? Trust me there’s a lot of us that are either dead, or just don’t want to be found. Gotta respect those wishes. The ones I’ve met, usually do their own thing.”

Laren let his eyes move to the pair of individuals. His eyes had little to no expression. He tapped the table for another drink and then back to the two.

“I know a couple. If you are looking to meet more of us I can take you to them. If not, well let’s drink and be off huh? Gotta love having the liberty to do what you want huh?”

The Mando sipped on his whiskey as he sat. Then noticed a smoke in the hands of the man by the name Zad. And gestured to let him take a hit. Sure it wasn’t the best ciggy but it’ll do. Laren needed a stress reliever.

@Die Shize @Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Kotii regarded Zad, scrutinizing him with a sideways look before looking forward again. "Hmm" An almost growl-like murmur came from him that wouldn't have been audible to anyone not beside him but was followed by a nod of his masked face. "Thanks." It didn't sound like who he was looking for necessarily but it might warrant a look later.

Laren's voice spoke up and had some value to it, which was why Kotii wasn't leaving the Rusty Nail this moment. Turning to look at his fellow Mandalorian and giving him a cocked eyebrow look, Kotii would provide an answer for the numerous questions. "Jabba the Hutt...you've heard of slug right?" Perhaps for some Mandalorian tribes that were always on the run they didn't have territory of their own to claim. The same was the case for various portions of Mandalorian space. "I'm looking to claim what's our's ner'vod."

@Die Shize @Scoobert

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

At the prompt for a smoke, Zad was not one to refuse. He whipped his pack out and popped a cig for Laren to take at his leisure. He even offered to light it for him.

Returning to posture, relaxed and all, he squinted his gaze at the mention of “Jabba the Hutt. He certainly had heard of the slug. The fat gangster (the Hutt, to simplify) was a bit of a legend. A living legend? Sure. Also a dead one.

Zad did not know a whole lot about Mandalorians or their traditions, including their colors, so he didn’t really know what a nervod was but it sounded like a nervous vod. “Vod”, well, the Mandos used that word enough for this Ranger to know that it meant something like ‘sibling’ if in the same way he might say “friendo”.

“Jabba, huh?” Zad mused. A Ranger could read enough reports to learn of history’s criminals and their associates. He could also just be brushed up enough on Tatooine to know that Jabba once ran with one other Mandalorian. That one’s armor? It was—

“Green.” He blew a cloud of smoke, his memories no longer cloudy, and sealed the deal with a drink of whiskey. “That Mando’s armor at the port? Their plates?” He looked between both Mandos before settling on Kotii. “They weren’t teal. They were green.”

He wasn't sure if that's what Kotii was looking for but if he was chasing a lead in order to claim what was his or theirs or whozitwhatzit then there you go.

 

[Laren Vano]

After a long drag of the cancer stick, he noticed the words of his fellow Mando. Jabba the Hutt. That’s a name Laren hadn’t heard in a long while. Only really in history books and on throwback news channels.

Then the other man had began to speak of the one in Mando armor. Then that it was green. Laren hadn’t the slightest idea why that mattered to him. Then he realized what the man was thinking.

“Listen, friendo, there is a lot of Mandalorians out there wearing the color green. The legend of Boba Fett has concluded to just that. A legend. That was over a hundred years ago. He’d surely be dead by now.”

Laren took another puff of the cig, then took a quick drink while motioning to the Mando with his hands.

“Don’t think I forgot about you. That sounds intriguing. I might have the same ideas you do. Unfortunately I don’t run into Mandalorians every day so I can’t exactly get them to join up for a bigger picture type of deal... Just to be sure though.. what exactly do you have in mind vod?”

@Die Shize @Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

When Zad clarified with more confidence in his account Kotii gave him another look before a nod followed. Laren seemed to pick up on which Mandalorian he was talking about. Turning away from Zad he cocked an eyebrow at Laren. Kotii couldn't help but give a slight smile underneath his mask. The visibility of which barely showed but would tell the man he was confident in his own heading.

Then Laren began to speak like Kotii had offered him something and the Echani-offshoot's brow furrowed ever so slightly. He had not been intending on anything specific. "Travel to Jabba's Palace, check it out...yeah that's about it." He didn't want to say 'there might be a tribe of Mandalorians hiding out there' in front of Zad.

@Die Shize @Scoobert

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

“Damn…” Zad sighed at Laren’s insistence that the legend would not be returning anytime soon. Though it was a sarcastic sigh. “Look, Mando, thinking about Jabba made me think about Boba which made me remember the green paintjob at the spaceport.” He shook his head.

“Though, clearly I’ve been confused the entire time. I thought Kotii over here was looking for a specific Mando. Clearly he’s just looking for more Mandos. Well, there’s one Mando,” he nodded at Laren. “And a third Mando in green armor waltzing around somewhere in this armpit of the galaxy, if you want to recruit that Mando for your band of merry Mandos.” Flicked his cigarette.

Hell what did Zad care? He wasn’t as interested as these guys were when it came to their people or chasing down some Hutt’s legend or whatever. Again, he was just trying to be helpful. If Kotii wanted to settle for just two Mandalorians instead of three then power to him.

On the other hand, Zad was also the one in need of some help and his fellow Rangers could not be approached for this one. “Still, you Mandalorians can be a pain but so can I, I’m told, and painful enough to go visit the palace of some dead Hutt.”

Would these two bucketheads turn him down? Probably. “See, I am looking for someone in specific, and they just might be hiding out around the same place you boys are going to.”

@Scoobert @Darasuum

 

[Laren Vano]

Hmm. Sounds like a good time to Laren. He was in. It was time to do something productive. And get out there in the endless sand fields.

“Alright, I am down to go with ya if cherry bomb there is wanting to go.”

Cherry bomb being Kotii. He figured he would start making some jokes here and there. Laren’s lips created a smirk. The he took a drink. Laren hasn’t seen the place yet. It would be interesting to see for sure.

He had seen quite a lot. He just hadn’t any reason to go there. It was not exactly the safest place from the stories he’s heard. Though today he’ll find out just what it was truly about.

@Die Shize @Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Kotii nodded a little and gave another look around the cantina as he listened to Zad. There it is. Just as he has suspected, the man had his own secrets and motivations. It showed that they were at least becoming less of strangers. The guy still seemed like a bit of a rugged merc or hunter.

"Who are you expecting to find there?" He asked reasonably. The Echani offshoot thought it was an appropriate question ahead of time. If they were going to be heading into a dangerous situation with a target that had danger associates then there were things to consider.

"I already have the location on my nav. I take it you all have transport that can cross the Dune Sea?" The man shelled out a few extra credits for the drink. He was finishing up and getting ready to leave. Kotii had a bike he had purchased earlier that day. But if they had something like pack animals or speeders of their own then that would work. He didn't want to just fly right over the place with the Werda Kom'rk.

@Die Shize @Scoobert