Ask Here There Be Dragons

[Endyr Ratheon]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Raza’nante.
That was her name.
Not so much a Mando’a term.
Wasn’t really a Mandalorian word.
It was an amalgam of words and terms.

The “ra” in “aaray”—translates into “pain”.
“Za” / “sa” in “bui’tsad” for “family, lineage”.
And the perverse “nante” of “nade” in “anade”.
Of which, the term meant “everyone, everybody”.

Raza’nante…
All of our agony…
You spread your wings…
Gold black bands and rings…
Death’s bird from sky—go fly!
Cry high—sing bright—my might!

And she falls from the sky!
She came from outer space!
Soars beneath the sunlight!
From star’s darkness—brighter!
That Kom’rk-class transport/fighter!

She was a Mandalorian’s hawk.
Part of the Mandalorians’ flock.
Eyes in the sky as they walk.
Steel beneath feet—gawk.

And she lands on planet!
But it isn’t Dantooine!
It sure ain’t Tatooine!
This is Ventooine!
Vent-oo-who?

Where does it feature?
Just listen to teacher!

Ventooine is a planet located within the Ventooine system of the Outer Rim Territories.
The database said as much to a Mandalorian’s stark dark face with a T in nose’s place.

Mando don’t need the history, sweets.
Gives a pat to the console with hand.
Raza’nante…
Let’s get naughty…

A Mandalorian’s falcon flies in.
Above mesas and mountains.
Daybreak—a welkin’s quake—
Tea—Earl Grey—stomach ache.
Mando is alone with an iron head.
Lifts it and sips beneath a helmet.

“Di’kut—errrr—Crux—ya there, bud?”
Crux the Di’kut is of course a kriff.
No dog, wolf, but still an animal.
Not a Mandalorian—not that bull.
Thinks a Mandalorian in his cockpit.
“We are approaching targeted city.
If you're turnin' tossin' 'n' sleepin'.
Wake up, haircut, and get pretty."

Raanbaatul was a grand city, he was told.
It would be a dang pity if his lead got cold.
Mando flies in, dips down, sets in, his ship.
He was born for this, for war, and for more.
Now he lived for one thing: To kill the Praxor.

@Sicadorito

 

[Crux]

The only thing Crux knew about Ventooine was the spice. Their kind was a little too strong for his liking, but he had dealt with it once or twice before. But that was far from the reason he was here today.

There was revenge to be had.

Though he didn’t have any personal stake in the matter, he was getting paid well for this. On a lesser note, it was a decent cause from what Endyr had told him. Though as the Mandalorian referred to him once again as di’kut, it would earn him a slight scowl from behind the visor.

“Already prepped.” He had with him all his gear, and was ready to go all in for those credits. Maybe he’d use them to buy some new fancy plasma grenades, he mused.

As the ship approached the city, he would turn to Endyr from his seat in the cockpit. “Where can we find Praxor? I don’t reckon she’s going to be smiling and waving at us when we land.”

@Die Shize

 

[Endyr Ratheon]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Crux would get his answer without it coming from that helmet’s visor.
They were already on their way to the landing right there in that city.
“Hmm let’s see, behind the left door, behind the right door is Praxor.”
A Mandalorian is vague, goes with his license plate, much and more.
Raza’nante has landed, that Kom’rk like a comet, hangar, open door.

A Mandalorian has parked his ship in a designated space for parking in.
Swats away a teenager brigade checking his gal out—the Mandalorian’s.

“Kriff the kark off, di’kut patrol."
Black visor—T—dark and bold.
“Do it now 'fore I kill you all.”
That did make 'em scatter...
Didn’t even need a blaster.

Mando meets Crux, his pet wolf, in the open dock of a parking lot.
Crux isn’t a Mandalorian, doesn’t have enough meat, but has a job.

“My prey won’t be smiling or waving, you got that right.”
A Mandalorian is armed and dangerous—guns at sides.
“She might even be waiting for me, to kill me—well…try.”
Day Praxor would end Ratheon? When di’kuts could fly.

They’re walking now.
From yard—into town.

“I don’t know piss from kriff where she is.”
Few Mandos around—eyes from her, him.
“But I know where Mandos go for business.”
In this city, on this world—on Ventooine that is.
The Mandalorian emotes with forefinger forward.
“Cantina. Like where I met ya. Bounty hunter’s door.”

@Sicadorito

 

[Crux]

So this was a two-way street, Crux soon found out, the hunters were hunted. The scales were tipped in their favor, though— it would be two on one.

“Huh. And I thought you all weren’t the type.” With all he’d seen on the Holonet and heard from Endyr, he hadn’t figured Mandalorians to be regulars of local cantinas. His employer didn’t seem to like alcohol much. And, from what he’d seen, they fought a lot, even compared to hardened criminals or bounty hunters like him. The property damages bar owners would have to pay if rivals somehow came in on the same day at the same time must have been insane.

“Well, if that’s where you think she’ll be.” After doing a little sightseeing in the town, the pair would end up in front of a Ventooine-a Cantina. Cutesy name. It soon wouldn’t be, however, if their target was inside.

Opening the door, the interior looked like any other. It was only when he started looking around that he realized he didn’t know what Praxor looked like, but anyone with Mandalorian armor might have been a red flag. At first glance, it didn’t look like anything, but what was that shiny glint in the back of the room? Crux would head in to take a closer look.

@Die Shize

 

[Endyr Ratheon]

Spoiler: Music IC

All weren’t the type?
The heck did that mean?
Am I…uh…kinda rhyming?
Mandalorian headshake at guy.
Should spar him. But not the time.

It was a ‘few’ Mandalorians about.
Not ‘a few’ Mandalorians around.
Odd buckethead at entrance.
Had a green white helmet.
He saw not much else.

…In yet another cantina…
…Mando’s gonna get ya…
…Black and gold helmet…
…Red and gold helmet…
…One is of Clan Ratheon…
…Other’s of Praxor Clan…

“Ventooine-a Cantina.”
Mando’s beak repeats.
At a bar, tender speaks.
“Name of this place…”
He has a simple face.
“Mean a thing to ya..?”
“Nah but it kinda rings.”
“So what’ll ya have?”
“I’ll take…a…drink…”
Bartender kinda blinks.
Mando shrugs at man.
“Ah just gimme a beer.”
Sets a glass right here.

“This isn’t a Mando cantina.”
Turns on stool to Crux’s ear.
“But ya see that ballerina?”
Finger forward into a corner.
Points at a purple black helm.
Beside that green white helm.

“There’s our best bet, friend.”
But neither guy was a friend.
“Might be our door to Praxor.”
Mando stands, grabs glass.
Drinks beer. Tastes…fear…
But it’s not his. Hers for him.
He hoped she was quaking.
No…she’s also Mandalorian.
“Grab the whiskey druk, Crux.”
Old man’s drink.
Wasn’t his thing.
“And let’s go say hello.”
So, like that, off they go.

“Hello.”
Says a black gold Mando.
Black visor is expressionless.
Shadows in windows—darkness.
A wolf stands beside him—can bite.
Not exactly Mandalorian but Crux can fight.
Right now they stand at the table of the two guys.
Green white beside purple black—T-visors—those eyes.

“Su’cuy, friendo!”
Says other Mando.
“I am Drak Krando!”
Hand is up in a heyo!
“I am of Clan Hippo, yo!”
How he’s a Mando, tho…
Well Mando doesn’t know.

“I’m Endyr Ratheon.”
Table does listen in.
“And this is Wolf…”
Dark visor lifts higher.
Crux could correct the other.
But this way had that cover.
“We’re looking for a Mandalorian.”
They figured out he wasn’t after them.
“A woman. A woman of…red gold skin.”

@Sicadorito

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Unwavering…
She had to be!
Cannot waver!
Can’t be weak!
She’s a woman!
No—more than!
A Mandalorian…

A Mandalorian stands atop a mountain.
At the peak—brown rock cradling feet.
Boots and greaves beneath a helmet.
But not on her head—doesn’t wear it.
The beskar of Mandalore’s in her skin.
On her pauldrons—weapons—burdens.
The weight of clan on shoulders—urges.
Sunlight on cheeks—wind in hair—whips.
Forged In Fire…my family…mother…my kin.

And that Mandalorian, she takes to a knee.
Between gloved fingers, her hand cups dirt.
Lets it fall through cracks—like ash on earth.
Sighs—a warrior’s kind—rises—breathes…

“Evla Praxor…of Mandalore…”
A mother…so…much more…
Her palm opens up to the sun.
Like pauldron’s sigil—that one.
Signet on the other—black anvil.
Daughter like Mother—no damsel.
Two women—warriors—handfuls!
Daughter watches earth in the wind!
We are of Mandalore! Her children!

Stands amid the mesas and mountains.
Our clanswoman…Praxor Mandalorian.
Born for war like fathers, mothers before.
She sees an ocean of land but even more.
Behind each rock, beneath the peak, a door.
Behind the door, a face, and it has a name.
Endyr…Ratheon… Death is to be your fate.

Mandalorians bred and built to conquer the stars.
They had made the attempts over and over again.
Yet, this one was not interested in such conquest
She’s born of the sun, from hammer, in the dark.

She stands alone, a woman on that mountain.
It feels…smaller…a hill…drowned in a fountain.
The woman must perish thoughts so cherished.
Because a Mandalorian’s mind is…of vengeance.
Red gold beskar’gam from a Mandalorian’s clan!

Yet…Praxor does not stand alone, no, not alone!
She stands with someone—yes, blood and bone!
Another woman, from another clan, but a comrade.
Her armor, blue and white, true might—Zaia Krodas.

“I received intel from Shaddaa, vod.”
Brown eyes gaze beneath sunlight.
“A man of gold and black of night…”
A man is bold to come for a fight.
Then again…he’s a Mandalorian.
“...Endyr Ratheon…seeks me…”
She turns to Zaia—eyes in eyes.
“So be it. Perfect. The hunt is on.”

A woman is a Mandalorian!
A Mandalorian is warborn!
A Mandalorian is a woman!
Born in steel, she's ironborn!

@Sicadorito

 

[Crux]

Turned out that glimpse of light he saw was indeed the ceiling light reflecting off of a Mandalorian’s helmet. Only it wasn’t the Mandalorian they were looking for; they’d found a purple hippo instead.

“Red-gold skin? Sure ya aren’t looking for a Zeltron or summun?” Drak Krando put a hand to his chin. “Wonder how Zeltrons would hold up bein’ Mandalorian. Can’t be easy fightin’ when everyone’s busy swoonin’. Hey wouldn’t ya look at that, those were some sick rhymes!” Crux exchanged a glance with Endyr before shrugging. Whatever this Clan Hippo thing was, its members appeared to have more of a fun side than Clan Ratheon. The bounty hunter didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

“He meant armor,” Crux added in for good measure. The hippo leaned back suddenly, throwing a hand up in the air.

“Ahhh, so that’s what ya meant! Shoulda said it sooner.” Drak nodded seriously. “‘Course. You don’t get many Mando fellas around here.”

“Where did you see her?”

“Dunno, in the street somewhere. I stop by to say hi, introduce myself like I did with y’all, and boom! This blue chick gets all awkward all of a sudden and off she and the red one go to hike on a mountain or somethin’.” A mountain, that was good to know. Crux glanced at Endyr.

“There’s only one near here. Mount Machla.” Although… locating a Mandalorian on a mountain where she could be anywhere was going to be difficult. But at least they had a place to start.

@Die Shize

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Ratheon. Zaia recognized that name. She wouldn’t forget it, either. After the attack on the ship, she knew that it was personal. The Mandalorians in black hadn’t boarded to take the corvette— they wanted the lives of the beings on it.

Now, Endyr Ratheon sought Casany herself, the real target. But Casany wouldn’t be fighting alone.

“Let him come. We can take him.” Her helmet at her side, she looked proudly at her vod. “We took the Unwavering back; we can handle another man.” Nothing had stopped them so far, and she saw no reason that this one would. Justice would be served— an eye for an eye.

The mountain they were on overlooked the lesser ones beneath it, in the moment Zaia felt like she was standing above the world. The dark clouds billowing on the horizon, however, reminded her more of this serenity that wouldn’t last. Ratheon was coming, and it would rain blood. She took a breath, eyes meeting Casany’s.

“Let the hunt begin,” she agreed.

@Die Shize

 

[Endyr Ratheon]

Endyr Ratheon
Crux
Ventooine-a Cantina

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

Drak Krando rando-rambles about Zeltron Mandalorians.
Kriff they find Clan Hippo any karkin’ way? Endyr thinks.
This one said something about some…sick…rhymes…
Rhymes again. Rhymes between lines…in my…head?

A Mandalorian shakes his head.
Mando’s kinda man—him—yes.
Shut the kark up…
Get on with it, di’kut.

Endyr exchanged a glance with Crux before shrugging.
Mandalorians could kill each other when not hugging.
Endyr forgave himself for not clarifying “red gold skin”.
Wouldn’t forgive Clan Hippo for being called ‘Mandalorian’.

Finally, the Hippo stops wagging his tongue, starts to speak.
Says something about a mountain, red gold skin, a blue chick.

Mount Machla… You’re gonna need a helluva lotta bacta…
A Mandalorian, Mando man again, Endyr Ratheon, curls fist.

“Let’s get the kriff outta here then.”
Offers his wolf his black-eye head.

“Sure ya dun wanna stay for some lemonade?”
Black visor blinks at a definitely different drink.
“That…well…lemonade, that ain’t. That’s vodka.”
“Ahhhhh kark a koala… Wish my visor could blink!”
“...Uh…”

…Mount Machla…
…Comin’ to ya…

---

Endyr Ratheon
Crux
Mount Machla​

A Mandalorian stands outside a mountain.
Its peak is sandy, fairly pretty, stabs a sky.
A Mandalorian gives his wolf a black eye.
“Ya ever…well…fought a Mandalorian?”

There was a reason he asked that question.
From behind his black gold visor and helmet.
This Mandalorian gazes at a mountain range.
His prey is located in it, Machla nestled within.

Buried within, yes, somewhere there is a door...
Ratheon will open it, go explore, for Clan Praxor.
To stomp all over her, face and visor, break bone.
Kind of like what he'd do next time to Clan Hippo.

@Sicadorito

 

[Casany Praxor]

Casany Praxor
Zaia Krodas
Mount Machla

Spoiler: Music OOC

...What is dead...may never die...
But rises again...harder...stronger!

She stands but she isn’t Iron Man.
Warborn, ironborn—Iron Woman!
She’s a Mandalorian!
Casany Praxor!
Mountains!
Doors!

She came on a ship.
The Unwavering.
Crusader.
Aids her.
Crew.
Too.

True Mandalorians.
They call themselves.
For good reason—well.

Mandalorians…
Can be different.
She is not poetic.
But…magnetic…
Not in personality.
The Force, actually.

Power…untapped.
Not for this…Man.
Never explored.
Never before…
That…door…

She thinks about it.
But she doesn’t do it.
It's not the time for it.

“Alor.”
Calls Ivor.
Of Mandalore.
Crosses fist on chest.
Salutes captain and friend.

Now upon the mountain’s peak.
There stands not two but three.

“Warrior, what have you learned?”
Casany Praxor turns to her third.
He was yet just one in a number.
Not just—she is like their mother.

Yet…Alor Praxor has a new second.
A sister she has come to confide in.
Within a wind across mountains vast.
Stands white blue beskar: Zaia Krodas!

“Vods…do you see that?”
And it flies from the sky!
It is not her corvette yet!
Descend—lands nearby!

The Unwavering sleeps beneath her feet.
Whoever owns the other ship’s not her team.
Can I…can I… Breath is chilly between her teeth.
No...can I...sense…sense…his…Endyr’s…presence?

A Mandalorian blinks herself out of it.
In her hands, her fingertips power fist!

“...I think we are going to have company…”
The ship in the distance lands by mountain.
“Steel your spirit and get ready to look mean.”
Gold beskar, Mandalore’s iron—a red fountain!

@Sicadorito

 

[Crux]

Looking at the mountains, the similarity to Tatooine’s was uncanny. But they were rocks, after all, and rocks didn’t change much when they were here or there. These ones were here long before them and would stay long after they were gone… unless someone were to blow them up, of course.

That brought back memories of a particular plasma grenade on a ship.

“I s’ppose you can say I have,” Crux answered, folding his arms. He only briefly glanced at Endyr before turning back to look at Mount Machla ahead. “They fight hard. But they’re not invincible.” He recognized how that might sound to a man with as much pride as Ratheon. “No offense.” His visor hid that crooked smile.

“She won’t know what’s coming. You’ll get your revenge, and I’ll get my money.”

@Die Shize

 

[Zaia Krodas]

As Ivor came to speak with Casany, Zaia had her eyes on the sky. The brilliant blue was quickly being overtaken by dark gray as it heralded the arrival of a new ship. It flew to land a short distance away, and then she put on her helmet to flick on her scout HUD.

“Not one of ours,” she confirmed before quickly glancing at the Praxor Alor. If it was Endyr, how had he found them so quickly? Then she remembered the awkward encounter with the Clan Hippo man in the street, and cursed inwardly. Somehow, things always managed to get more complicated.

“They’re heading this way. It’s Ratheon…” She knew the armor, but who was that walking next to him? She zoomed in a little more. “And there’s another one. Doesn’t look Mandalorian.” As they got closer, she would switch off her HUD, crossing her arms as she took a step up a ridge to get a better look. When they were in hearing range, she would call out to them.

“We’ve been expecting you. Never thought you’d stoop so low as to hire a bounty hunter to settle a score.”

@Die Shize

 

[Endyr Ratheon]

Endyr Ratheon
Crux
Mountain Range

Spoiler: Music OOC

From tavern to mountain, they had come.
They were Endyr Ratheon—and one Crux.
A wolf, tough voice, promoted from Di’kut.
A wolf could bite, fight, help kill every one.

A Mandalorian has beef with a Mandalorian.
Clan Ratheon vs. Clan Praxor—they're at war.
A Mandalorian has meat—for wolf, will feed.
Will help his master kill them all—everyone.

A Mandalorian was…always a Mandalorian.
Praxors and Ratheons were not always at war.
Endyr, however, well…he always knew war.
War—never changes—same wall—same door.

The dawn of Endyr had come on Concord Dawn.
Where the warriors were born: the Protectors.
Defenders of Mandalore—those warriors gone.
Clan Ratheon remembers them: iron and brawn.

A Mandalorian was not always vengeance-seeking.
Not against Casany Praxor; there were others before.
A Mandalorian was always a Mandalorian—and a pirate.
Endyr Ratheon—He Was A Pirate—yes—one of true grit.

A pirate knew how to chase down his targets.
To hunt—for ships and heads on the markets.
A pirate might not be a ‘bounty hunter’ per se.
Treasure—which is hunting bounties anyway.

Outside a mountain stands—the Raza’nante.
A minute to fly in from cantina to mountain.
More than that, a ship could carry a pirate.
But a better fit could carry Mandalorians!

The vessel lands beneath where eyes might see.
But it is not stealthed and more of a ‘rental’ OOC.
It is yet rather like Casany Praxor’s...Unwavering.
Though—really—that is yet to be made officially.

Iron Head is the name of Man’s corvette.
Did not carry pirates—but Mandalorians.
Enough to rival Casany Praxor’s again.
Blood would be spilled—on mountains.

“A man doesn’t take offense to the truth.”
Crux—a lesser Man—but spoke truth too.
“My people are tough but we can be killed.
A Mandalorian has killed Mandalorians still.

A Mandalorian has armor—black gold beskar!
Has weapons, has fists—to tear bones apart!

“How about that? Revenge. Money.”
Tilts head to a peak beside a ramp.
Warriors come out—each a Man.
“Same thing, in a way—funny…”

Black gold beskar stand by Iron Head.
They’re Endyr’s Mandalorians. The best.
Their black visors, dark wings—the helmets.
Melted, iron-forged, ironborn—hearts like steps.

A Mandalorian stands before the score of them.
He’s a warrior, he is their commander, he is Endyr.

“Ya’ll know me. Know I can fight. Know I can kill.”
Black eyes into black eyes—of darkness—built.
“You can too. Arm up, arms up—come with me.”
Mandalorians at the door again! Built for victory!
“Helm ‘n’ a’den! Come with me to find Casany!”

@Sicadorito

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music OOC

A ship.
In the distance.
Like a ship at sea…
A ship…in an ocean.
A ship…for…killing…

He’s here…
…Endyr…

A Mandalorian had felt it even
Before Zaia had announced it.
She felt her fingers form a fist.
Revenge—she does believe in.

The corvette had descended.
Nestled beneath a mountain.
It was one beside…that one.
On whose peak is Casany.

Ears peak to moving feet.
And yet there is no army.
Came alone it did seem.
Man and—another man.

One is…the Mandalorian.
Of that Praxor was sure.
The other has a helmet.
Not of beskar—melted.

The latter is piss in a bladder.
The former has her attention.
Casany, that is, that woman’s.
Mandalorian fist beside a fist.

Black gold is that man’s cloth.
His metal, his iron—his skin.
A helmet was on his head.
A helmet was on her head.
Both black T’s, wings—wroth.

“We’ve been expecting you.
Never thought you’d stoop
So low as to hire a
Bounty hunter
To settle
A score.”

“This is no bounty hunter, doll.”
Tilts his head to Crux and all.
“This is my wolf. Has claws.”
Endyr—kinda Mando outlaw.

Yet, Casany knew his loyalty.
It lied with the Mandalorians.
Who sided with Sith royalty.
Hence war between them.

At the one door: Clan Praxor.
On one end: Clan Ratheon.

“Hm, blue and white beskar.”
Gestures to Zai with an arm.
“I recognize it: Clan Krodas.
And I know you can kick ass.”

He knew Cas could too.
“I got no beef with you.”
A sister does not leave!
A warrior helps breathe!

“But…don’t get in my way...
Or you’ll feel Ratheon pain.”
His visor…is one of hate!
At Casany, casts a gaze!

“Praxor. I’m here to close your door.”
A man had tried to and failed before.

A woman can tilt her helmet too!
At two men—a pair of dog food!

“Nope. You’ll be bleeding on the floor.”
Gestures at desert rock with an arm.
“You’ll soon be screaming my name.”
Mandalorians blink—not in that way.

“This mountain will be your grave.”
Something that Ratheon may say.
“So you came all this way for nothing!
You came here only to die…Ratheon!”

“...”
“...”
“...”
“...”
“...”
"????”

@Sicadorito

 

[Crux]

As Crux stood among the pumping and roaring crowd of black-clad Mandalorians, eager for blood, he wondered about his place in all this. He knew already that this was a personal dispute, for one woman killing another man’s father, but wasn’t this taking it a little too far? That kind of thing happened all the time where he was from, and while he could understand Endyr’s rationale, involving this many others against one woman surely wasn’t necessary.

Would that mean he’d have to split his pay a few dozen ways? Crux’s visor hid his frown.

“Yep… let’s find Casany.” And onwards they marched.

Blue and white confronted them first, in the stead of red. That was… unexpected. What was a little girl doing in a gang fight like this? A gang fight— that was all it was. She taunted them, but Crux was used to such things.

Then spoke a woman that Crux immediately knew was none other than Casany Praxor. The way she spoke, the way she carried herself, it was undeniably Mandalorian and it was almost reminiscent of Endyr, in a way.

“You’re mistaken,” he called back, hand resting on the hilt of his blaster. “We’re not the ones who’ll be bleedin’.” On Endyr’s call, he was prepared to put a blaster bolt right through that woman.

@Die Shize

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Apparently, the man they’d spared on the Unwavering had done his job, told the tale of what happened. That was why Endyr, as brave of a face he put on, had brought others with him, recognized her and called her out asking her to stand down. This was not the honorable duel of two Mandalorians, these were pirates against the true Mandalorians.

“If you don’t have beef with me, then don’t take it personally when I crush you.” Zaia clenched her fist. She surveyed the dark visors gathered behind the Ratheon, briefly meeting the one of the non-Mandalorian who looked back at her. His hand was on his blaster, and she wondered if he would even be able to draw it before he found a bolt through his head.

Now, she didn’t know about the others, but she was quite eager to skip the bravado part and get to the actual fighting. However, she wouldn’t be the first one to pull the trigger, especially if it was between Cas and Endyr. She would stay by her vod’s side, no matter what.

“Just give me the signal when you’re ready,” she said through her comms, finger just above the button that would activate her jetpack.

@Die Shize

 

[Endyr Ratheon]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Three Mandalorians.
With Crux, four of ‘em.
They stood in the open.
Where’s the rest of them?

Endyr Ratheon—knows where his are.
They are neither too close nor too far.
Yet he did not have the only corvette.
There was another under gold red.

Maybe they'd have it out—there and then.
Not the rest, no armies, just man and woman.
Crux, a Mandalorian’s pet, could have it with white.
That woman who was also blue—they too could fight.

Mr. T.
Mando's black wings.
Guidin' me.
Looks in the black eye of enemy.
Eyes into eyes.

“You know my words: Ours Is The Wrath.”
A woman gazes—and a man gazes back.
“And I know yours, Praxor: Forged In Fire.”
A bird, an eagle maybe, flies over, higher.

But a Mandalorian already has two wings.
Helps him kill dogs, di’kuts; lets him sing.
He has killed his enemies, killed before.
Closed the doors—queue Clan Praxor.

“So let’s do this. Forge our wrath.”
One woman versus the one man.
“Forge it in fire—from a blaster.”
They know this call: of a draw.

“...”
“...”

Visors, and they line up.
Three are of Mandalore.
But Crux does know war.
Gunslingers total to four.

Endyr Ratheon, he steps aside.
Away from Crux, off to the right.
Right hand hovers above right thigh.
And above the handle of a Westar-55.

Right now Ratheon and Praxor are both alive.
In soon time, only one of them would survive.
A Mandalorian finds footing beside a rock wall.
As a Mandalorian, he stands alone—stands tall.

He looks up, discovering a pattern with his HUD.
“When the eagle makes its next pass…we draw.”

Spoiler: Combat Summary

Target: Casany Praxor

Coin Flip
Result: Heads
Reason: First shot

Dice Roll
Result: 11
Reason: Damage dealt

@Sicadorito

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music OOC

A woman…
Mandalorian…
Ironborn…
Born in iron…

“When the dromons came to Mandalore.”
Spoke a Mandalorian's father.
“You were of course not yet even born.”
“Where is Mandalore, Father?”
“It is…far, far away from here.”
“Can we...can we go live there?”
“Not yet, dear. We remain here.”
Mandalorians...we feel no fear...
“One day you will return. Reclaim.
She was glassed, but glass is dust.
You will go back. Restore our name.
Mandalore! Mandalore! In our blood!”

Those words were spoken.
From a father to a daughter.
But they were for all Mandalorians.
Sons, mothers, daughters, fathers.

Casany Praxor lost her mother.
Thanks to the man before her.
She would never forgive him.
Even if he was Mandalorian.

We are born for this!
We are born for war!
I shall have my vengeance!
Beating chest! Dying breath!

The battle is in her skin!
In Anvil! A Mandalorian!
HAMMER AND ANVIL.
Her armor is her iron!
Of steel—a woman!

Ours Is The Wrath.
So spoke that man.
Forged In Fire.
Burning brighter!

He wanted to duel.
Endyr Ratheon.
Fury—it’s her fuel.
A Mandalorian’s!

If space is an ocean.
The sky is a sea, then.
Beneath clouds, two wings.
Of an eagle, brown—flying.

“I don’t go down easily, Ratheon…”
Steps aside from Zaia—to her right.
Right hand above holster—right thigh.
Hovering above a blaster—an MWC-45.

Endyr Ratheon. A man had been a pirate.
She knew enough of a man’s reputation.
“And...this is one woman you won’t kriff...”

Spoiler: Music OOC

Eyes in eyes.
Two black eyes!
They glimpse the sky!
There at an eagle’s flight!
Blaze the flame, blaster fire!
Gunslingers, warriors—fighters!
And the blasters are so very bright!
Blasters kiss—firelight—quite a bite!

-POP!-
-FWOM!-

Casany Praxor’s hand whips handle from her holster.
Finger on the trigger, squeezes a shot from shoulder.
Fire is in her, inside her, her heart—FORGED IN FIRE!

But Endyr Ratheon is quicker on the draw!
He drills a blaster bolt toward his opponent!
It hammers into her chest, strikes like a claw!
She holds her ground—victory—she owns it!

That woman—manages to let a shot of her own fly.
But she is thrown off by the shot upon her beskar.
Her own bolt soars into Endyr Ratheon’s armor.
Misses chest—instead strikes shoulder—right.

She’s moving by this point, darting off to the side.
The woman missed her initial target—that is fine.
It was a chance shot but it made her enemy spin.
He rushes for cover; a kiss upon beskar pauldron.

Spoiler: Combat Summary

Target: Endyr Ratheon

Coin Flip
Result: Tails
Reason: Loses first shot

Dice Roll
Result: 16
Reason: Damage dealt

@Sicadorito

 

[Crux]

That eagle. It flew by once, twice. When the blasters went off, so did the bird, changing its course and flapping its wings once as it glided off farther into the mountains. Crux’s attention was on the blue one now, and a split second after Endyr shot, he would send one out of his own blaster.

He found some cover behind a boulder a few feet away from Endyr. He heard the thudding noise of a bolt striking the rock, sending a small shower of dust to come off the top and onto his helmet. Brushing it off, Crux would turn around to fire one shot at the other woman in his sight— Casany. She was the primary target anyway, and once she was out, he assumed that his job was done. Whether Endyr wanted to continue the fight was up to him.

“I’m going after Praxor,” he said through comms. With that, he would click the activation button of a thermal detonator and toss it over the rock and at the pair of Mandalorians. It wasn’t aimed to kill, but to buy some time. Their targets had the slightly higher ground, and there was no way he was running up that hill straight into their waiting blasters. The moment he heard it explode, he would move up far enough through the dust cloud so that they were on the same elevation, firing another shot at Casany. There was less cover here, but at least he wouldn’t have to hide behind boulders for the duration of the fight.

@Die Shize

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“Cas!” Zaia didn’t have time to see if her friend was doing alright, though, because a second bolt was coming right her way. Her jetpack immediately activated and pushed her into the air, allowing her to make a jump a good distance to the side, and she recognized that this bolt had come from the bounty hunter. Kriffing di’kut.

The moment her boots touched the ground again, she would fire once at the boulder he was hiding behind, trying to get him to come out. But then another bolt came from the other side of the rock, and this time it was aimed at Casany. That would only leave Endyr unaccounted for, and Zaia wouldn’t let him get the element of surprise.

Activating her jetpack again, Zaia would fly in the direction of where he’d come from last, just in time to avoid the explosion that rocked the ground behind her. It hadn’t been too close to where they’d been standing, but close enough to potentially knock someone off their feet.

As soon as she saw Endyr, she would fire two shots at his back while still in the air, ready to move aside should he shoot back. She would take Endyr and drag him by the ears to Cas if she had to— let her deal the final blow. For now she would aim to incapacitate him.

@Die Shize