Ask It's Not Dinner, It's Drinks

[Jericho Trench]

Coruscant, Level 389

Sal's Saloon​

Trench had arranged for this meet, mainly due to the worries of his longtime friend and essentially, little sister @Bast Emblai . He didn't know all the situation, he just knew it had to do with @Corran Velt . Having worked the night shift the last three days, he was enjoying his first day off in two or three weeks. So, he could only think of one place to go: Sal's. It was a dive, one he had visited with Zad before the Ranger returned to the Outer Rim, but it was as close to home as Trench was going to get. They had cold drinks, and hot food. It also helped that Sal, a Zabrak was an avid fan of the Sector Rangers and that he'd been seeing Kalyzza, one of his bartenders.

He slowed his new ride to a stop in his personal spot, and powered down the engine, removing his comm to send a quick message to Kaly to let him know he was there. He let his current song come to an end before glancing at his comm again and powering it up. "Bast, hey kid. Come on through Sal's and drink with your brother, yeah? Besides, I got someone I want you to meet." He was about to exit his speeder again, when he thought better. He flicked his comm back on and searched through the list of Sector Rangers. "L.T, it's Trench. Meet me at Sal's, level 389. I think it's time we had some discussion." He'd cut the comm and pocket it, exiting the speeder and walking around the front of it to enter the bar.

He strolled to his usual spot, dressed in his usual attire. His badge was still on him, despite being off duty, only it was tucked under his shirt. He shot a grin to Kaly as he slid into his seat and flagged her down. "You already know what I want."

"Here? Now? Jericho.. I'm on the clock." she teased. "Double?" she asked as she turned to the shelf behind her and grabbed a bottle. "And.. are we doing anything tonight?"

"Always a double. And maybe, depending on how long this goes. I invited Bast." Trench said with a smirk.

"-The- Bast? Uh-oh, Officer. You're bringing kin around me now."

"Yeah, yeah, ain't like that. It's not dinner, it's drinks." He would take her hand as she set his glass down. "Thanks. Now don't do nothing weird or embarrassing. I'm also inviting Lt. Velt, so don't let that square jaw do nothing silly to you or I'll have to put him in a forever box." Jericho said with a laugh. He'd turn in his seat to watch the Huttball game, where none other than Bom Trady was mopping the floor with the rival team. "Kriffin android..." all he had to do now, was wait.


@TerranSteel @Kestrel

​

 

[Corran Velt]

The message from Jericho Trench was an unexpected one. Last time he saw the other Ranger was at the pool party on Corsin. Corran hadn't even noticed the comm in his pocket buzzing but he listened to the voice-message twice. Mostly because he didn't hear the whole message the first time. Level 389 wasn't too far down from where he was anyway seeing as he was already out on the town. Sal's sounded familiar too. Mentioned in passing by other Sector Rangers stationed on Coruscant maybe. Lieutenant Velt flagged a droid-taxi with a few waves of the hand and was jetted down to Level 389.

The door to the bar slid open and a bearded man of athletic build took a few stunted steps inside. Everything had a rustic and homey look to it. A place where regulars could come after work every day and laugh away problems with a few beers. Corran's dulled, overcast eyes scanned the establishment for the man who summoned him. There. Sitting at the wood-looking counter with a lithe humanoid woman was Trench. The blond ranger approached his fellow law enforcement officer in an uneven gait. "Hey Trench, thanks fooooooor... inviting me."

Corran was dressed in nothing like his official attire. He wore a T-shirt that was loose around his torso but hugged his chest and arms. It was untucked from the practical pants he had donned that they themselves were tucked into heavy boots. For those who knew him, the bearded man's stature was casual and slouched - the opposite of his disciplined and rigid style. Some days were good days. Others were bad days. Tonight? Tonight had been a bad night. Memories of snow-white hair and hidden smiles couldn't be shaken. So, he turned to what other people often turned to in such times.

Alcohol.

When Trench had left his message, Corran had already taken his first drink of the night. A shot at some sports-themed bar a few levels up. It had started taking effect only 15 minutes after throwing it back. He rarely drank, maybe once a year, and only socially. Resistance to liquor and beer was low where more regulars would have some tolerance. Corran took a high stool next to his fellow ranger and gestured two fingers to the female bartender, "Hey, I'm Corran. Can I get uh... what did you get, Trench? I'll have whatever he's having."

@Kestrel @Rhogar

 

[Bast Emblai]

Whenever Bast had a problem of the personal nature, she had two people she would turn to: Corran Velt, best friend, and Jericho Trench, honorary older brother. It was because of this that one late night, she had called her childhood friend and asked to talk. She had been watching Sylvi for the day, but when the young girl‘s father came to pick her up, something seemed off. He gave her the usual nod, but he was quiet. He looked tired. In response to her raised eyebrow, he only shook his head, and only when shown the finger-painting Sylvi made (and the subsequent mess in the kitchen that Bast was mopping up), did the man truly smile. Trench’s suggestion had been the usual, a good old dose of the spirits and a talk. Whatever Corran needed, she would listen. Having Trench there would be a huge help. He always knew what to do.

When her brother had died, and he had brought the news, he made her tea before sitting her down and telling her. He did not seem to mind that she did not talk or even breathe for what felt like hours, or that she did not begin to sob like most did. Jericho understood. He would understand this, too.

Still, it was with some amount of surprise that she received the transmission to go to Sal’s. “Give me ten” she said simply and hopped onto her speeder. She had spent enough evenings alone.

Bast arrived in her typical style- black dress pants and an olive colored button-up chemise, hair in a braid. Sal’s was dimly lit but clean. She stood at the door a moment scanning the small crowd. It wasn’t late yet, but people had begun filtering in. Trench sat at the bar, amiably chattering away with… Corran? Even with the slouch and the casual attire, she could pick him out. Something had to have been wrong. He never slouched.

Approaching, she smiled, punching Trench lightly in the shoulder and patting Corran’s. Indeed, his eyes were dark. Perhaps this was why she had been called over for drinks. “Now- you didn’t tell me it was going to be a whole party or I would have parked closer. I’ll have water to start with, thanks.“ Hopefully there would be no need for anything stronger.

@Rhogar
@TerranSteel

 

[Jericho Trench]

Kaly would nod past Trench and the man would twist in his stool to see the venerable lieutenant trudging on his way. The man looked blasted, this was something Bast hadn't warned him about. But, he could improvise, he was good at that. So he just offered a big grin to Corran and even hopped from his stool to ensure Corran plopped into his own stool properly.

"Hey L.T. you look good tonight. Been making the rounds of all the spots?" He'd clap the other Ranger on the back, helping him sit a little straighter. "Yeah, babe, set him up with what I got." he'd say to the bartender.

She'd smile warmly at Corran. "Well it's good to meet a legend, love. Name's Kalyzza." she'd say before moving away to get a second drink of what Trench ordered.

Trench was about to say something to Corran when Bast appeared and he shot her an even bigger grin as she punched his arm. "Hey, girl. How you doing? Finally got tired of sticking ya big bro up, eh?" he teased with a laugh before pulling her into a quick hug. "Don't worry, I will get you a Liftr for the trip to your speeder."

Boy, with these two, did Trench actually feel old. He was a decade older than Bast and nearly two older than Corran. It was either gonna be an easy night or a painful night. Kalyzza would return, setting down two drinks- one in front of Corran, the other where Trench was sitting, before sliding down to where Bast was. "Water? Or the tea, he had me stock for you." she'd ask as she nodded her head at the older cop.

@TerranSteel @Kestrel

 

[Corran Velt]

Ranger Trench was not someone that Corran had ever worked with in the field. He only knew of the man, really, from his best friend and partner Bast Emblai talking about him. Yet Trench still welcomed him as a friend. A firm hand clapped onto the blond ranger's back and he barely caught himself from the counter. "No, no, Trench. This is only stop number... TWO!" He lifted two fingers and reached towards the other man's face with them, in case he couldn't see. The woman behind the bar introduced herself with a smile and Corran waved her off using the two-fingered hand, forgetting temporarily he had more fingers. "Legend? I'm not... a-a-a legend. What'cha say your name was? Kyla? No, wait. I can do this." He winced and tapped his temple. Cogs in his head turned and ground against one another. A snap of the fingers indicated an idea had finally been produced. "Kalyzza!" He called after her as she prepared the drinks, "Kalyzza. Hi."

Tipsy or buzzed? Regular drinkers had words for how far along they were into their cups. Lieutenant Velt had heard them many a time but wasn't certain how to describe his current condition. He could still walk, though everything felt heavy, and his chest felt warm instead of the vacuum of emptiness it had been feeling for weeks. A hand patted the bearded man's back again. His head whipped over to face Trench first, thinking the other man had patted him again. Seeing that wasn't the case, Corran darted his gaze over his other shoulder and saw an extremely welcome surprise.

"Baaaast!" Corran shouted with nearly unbridled joy. He clumsily rose from his stool, catching his foot on one of the legs, before giving her a one-armed hug. There was no other soul in the entire galaxy that had shared in his adventures than her. It also helped they were practically identical in morals and conduct both professionally and personally. Well, except for tonight. When the blond ranger pulled back from the friendly embrace, Bast would see that the jovial attitude was surface deep. Corran's sky-blue eyes were a wall-cloud of grey. Dull and sunken in. Even his smile seemed withered and fatigued.

That didn't stop the liquor-courage infused man from talking though. "Wow, you look great. You know you look great? Trench, am I right? Bast looks so pretty." He glanced between the two other off-duty rangers, looking for confirmation. It was obvious this wasn't flirtation but the compliments of a close friend. Corran's body felt heavy again so he backed up against the counter and propped himself up by the elbows. "So, um, what's the occasion?"

@Kestrel @Rhogar

 

[Bast Emblai]

To be in the presence of friends, family really, gave the Corellian the closest semblance to the thing called happiness she could get. The professional veil was lifted and she could laugh, cry, and pour out her heart without a care. Trench had even told them to stock tea. She ordered some, smiling widely. “Stand you up? It’s more like I don’t want to sit in on yours and Kaly’s dates. There’s only so much I can tolerate, even for you.“

Bast received both embraces, warm smile melting into one of concern as Corran drew her close. She could smell the alcohol on his breath. He had tripped getting up and his normally eloquent speech was slurred slightly. The man was tipsy, and not just a little bit. The woman hovered nervously next to him until he was safely seated once more. A meaningful glance at Trench indicated she had not anticipated the unexpected state her partner was in either.

She had seen him drink a couple of times, socially, but the Lieutenant was renowned for his discipline. At the moment, he was at least two deep and they had just arrived. Hopefully he had taken a droid taxi because there was no way he was driving home. Something was off. She could ask him when he was sober, provided he wanted to talk.

She furrowed her brows his rambling flattery. It was kind, yes, but that sort of compliment was rarely given and had come seemingly from out of the blue. “Uh… thanks. I had a meeting today. How many drinks have you had Corran?” Whether or not her answered, she turned her attention back to Jericho. Bast very much wanted to know the occasion as well.

@Rhogar
@TerranSteel

 

[Jericho Trench]

Oooh boy, this cat was at stop two, drink two, and he was already shooting to be the next big Rocket Ranger. "Two? Oh shih, ya don't say. Ya a real, drinker now, my man." Trench would say with a smirk.

Kalyzza would laugh with Corran. "Kalyzza, that's right." she'd lean over to Trench, her words only loud enough for him to hear. "They're so cute when they're wasted.."

Bast also wasn't the only one to help Corran back into his seat after his little drunken cha-cha to hug her. "The Corellia Ball, Huttball, kriff overall working together." Trench continued to tease. At the blond Lt's compliment, Trench would look between the two, his hand holding Corran in place in the stool. "She's just her natural look."

"Jericho, she's a vision! Look at her!" Kaly would say as she slid over a glass of tea for Bast. "Now you two can drink on his tab and I'll make sure he pays for it." She'd then slide down the bar to help some other wandering patrons.

"He's at two." Jericho would say as he clapped Corran's back again before sliding into his stool beside him. "So, L.T, I been hearing some real weird things from the grapevine. Melinda, the secretary. I know she's tight lipped, but she always has a taste for chocolate. Said the Chief got it out for you. Spill. We're here, for you to vent, bud. No repercussions, no judgement. Just some good ol fashioned drinking and laughs."

@TerranSteel @Kestrel

 

[Corran Velt]

Answering Bast's question was easy. Corran didn't have to count hardly at all. "Just one. A shot from some sports bar a few levels up. Maybe it was kind of strong," he said uncertainly, before picking up the glass Kalyzza had supplied and jiggled it towards his best partner, "This makes two." A buzzed smirk appeared on his face. A quick sip of the beverage forced that smirk into a grimace. Yeah, it was obvious the bearded man was not a drinker.

As any good comrade, Trench also confirmed Corran's current drink count. Probably good to have someone check that math anyway. Another firm pat to the back almost made him swallow wrong mid-sip. A friendly grin agreed with the other man's jovial attitude. Jericho was quite welcoming to a guy he rarely talked to. The clap on the back was followed by something much less welcome.

All the buzzed frivolity in Lieutenant Velt's face drained like blood from a gushing wound. A grim storm gathered. His grip tightened around the glass in hand, as if slowly strangling it. That terrible time. Everything had collapsed around him. Another death of a friend. Chief Hudson practically spat in his face. His heart had ripped clear from his chest and tossed into a blackhole. A mere echo of that time drove him to drink tonight. Recollecting it all in full? That made his stomach riot.

Grey, darkened eyes swiveled to look at Jericho directly. Corran's face was as lifeless and solid as duracrete. He spoke with a concentrated monotone, "He's heartless." To anyone who knew the blond ranger's past, uttering something so vague and yet so defiant towards leadership was... telling. Instead of a sip, he tilted back the alcohol and let it burn down his throat before leveling off. "The things he said. Callous. Uncaring." A finger jabbed towards Trench. "He said Captain Roland Rook died a pointless death. Pointless! How many other good Rangers has he said that about? Rook died in combat! Against SITH no less. And the Chief had the gall to sit behind a desk and decide what is pointless and what isn't."

Under furrowed brows, disgust welled in those empty eyes. "Compared to what he said to me... that was the worst." Corran's voice trailed off, his gaze now settling off into the mid-distance of the bar. He ceased swaying entirely, reinforced by the dark void that nested within his chest since the worst time of his life had hatched it. The bearded man's jaw shifted from one side to the other, as if grinding stone. "He blamed me for everything..."

@Kestrel @Rhogar

 

[Bast Emblai]

Well, at least Corran could still count to two. After another couple, she was not sure he would be able to do even that much. She forced a smile and took a seat between her friends, watching carefully to make sure the blond Lieutenant wouldn’t somehow manage to tip himself off the bar stool. Perhaps she shouldn’t be so hard on him. He’d helped her save face before, pulled her out of the violent sea of flashbacks and panic. The least she could do was make sure he did not do or say anything he would regret. She owed him at least that much. Still… had he ever drunk this much? What was up?

Bast smiled at Kalyzza’s compliment, taking the tea. As much as she appreciated the men’s kind words, she felt like she and the other woman were secretly rolling their eyes together. She would remember to tip a few extra credits.

There was only a brief moment of amicable peace during which Bast sipped the strong tea before Trench broke the silence. It was about the chief. Hazel eyes glanced nervously around. Chief Hudson was not beloved among the Rangers, but she was not about to let her best friend lose his job over something he probably wouldn’t even remember saying. She had never met the man in person, but after the Outpost he had refused to let her resume duty for months. The only companion she had while people were dying was paperwork. A cold indifference arose when she thought of him. There would be drinks, perhaps, but likely not laughs.

Corran’s words were biting. Even though they were not directed at her, she flinched, raising a hand to stroke his shoulder, the instinct to calm breaking through, trying to lower his pointed finger. It was not that he was wrong to be angry. Trench was right, they would listen without judgement, support. Still, seeing someone who was an anchor so shaken unnerved her. He really shouldn’t be allowed to drink more than he had or he might become utterly inconsolable. His eyes were already welling near the edges.

“Captain Rook died heroically. Everyone knows that, don’t worry.” Don’t Worry? What was she even saying? He deserved to be angry. What right did she have to stop him, to placate the boiling rage? “No. I mean- he was very wrong to say that. Sitting back and pretending he could have done better is at best tone-deaf and at worst cowardly” She looked around hurriedly again. Thankfully no one had glanced up. Helplessly, she looked to her brother. Surely he would know what to say.

@Rhogar
@TerranSteel

 

[Jericho Trench]

Kaly would offer Bast a knowing smile accompanied by a wink, before tending to other customers, though if any of them needed something she was never too far to swing back to service them.

Though Trench was normally good at hiding his emotions, the clear disdain brewing for the Chief would show with every small reveal of Corrans words. Did he think Rook shouldn't have been near Dathomir? Sure, but the man died in the line of duty which meant it was a good death. It was at that point in the narrative, that Bast would see Trench's jaw clench. The knot in his head, it was the same look he had before he went into deep cover for months at a time. No superior had a right to say that crap about their people. They could think it, but they couldn't voice it. That alone, made Trench want to just walk in and blast the old guy, but.. he wouldn't. Nono, he needed to bring the Chief down with the power of the law. Let the old bastard sit in a cell with people he got arrested.

"That old piece of shit said that? What he do? Blame you for the prison? For Vera? Or did he laugh about that death too?" Trench asked, his voice low so only the other two could hear, he would down his shot as he mulled over Corrans words. The man may be tipsy, but it was common knowledge that Corran wasn't one to start rumors, so if the LT said the Chief said all this shit, it was likely true.

His gaze would shift to Bast, whose shoulder he squeezed. "Ya know what, Corran. That don't matter. You're a good cop. Now Kaly here, is going to set up a row of tasty shots, you're going to down em, and then, we gonna hit the dance floor, aight?" As he spoke, both hands would clap Velts shoulders and give them a squeeze.

@TerranSteel @Kestrel

 

[Corran Velt]

Bast's supportive stroke of Corran's shoulder did little to calm the emotions unfettered by liquid courage. She of all people would know that her partner of years in the service always prided himself on rigorous professional discipline. Heat radiated from his being; a veritable bonfire of suppressed injustice. Trench's response was outrage. Bast's was of calming support. Both acted as fuel for the growing conflagration. The bearded man snarled silently, flashing one of his canines in inebriated disgust. "He blamed me for all of it. The prison break. The escape of the Sith prisoners. Vera's death. Our defeat. He wasn't even there to see what we saw," Corran spoke in a terse, low voice. He tipped back more of the alcohol in hand. It burned down his throat like the others before it. Stars, drinking was hard.

The promise of a row of shots didn't elicit any visible change in the blond ranger. Gloom and vexation shadowed his usually sunny demeanor. It was like he barely was in the same dimension as those around him. Trench's broad hands squeezing his shoulders made the hollow, pained eyes look up into the other man's face. "I was offered the rank of Captain." The sentence hung in the air like the scent of decaying corpses. "On the condition... I capture a Sith Lord or higher rank in their sick cult and detain them for good. If I failed, I would be fired from the Sector Rangers." Corran's jaw tightened and bit down like chewing leather. A final gulp perished off the last of the beverage in hand. The glass hit the counter hard; ice clanking together loudly.

Floodwaters broke through the dam. "Then a bad week turned into the worst of my life." Velt's shoulders shuddered, strangling something dark within and forcing it back to the depths. An outburst erupted nonetheless. "My love - the mother of my child - left me! The same week!" His empty glass shot into the air like a defiant torch. "I was going to propose! DAMN IT!" The tumbler came back down onto the counter so hard that it cracked. Corran's eyes blinked at the damage. Regret crept onto his face. "I'm sorry... I..." the blond ranger apologized quietly, "I can pay for that."

@Kestrel @Rhogar

 

[Bast Emblai]

At Corran’s snarl, the Bast retracted her hand. Attempting to deescalate the situation had not been as effective as she had desired. Waves of anger rolled of the blond man. She shifted uncomfortably. The tea was hot. She sipped it carefully, letting the soothing liquid slip easily down her throat. It was going to be a long evening. If this tea could give her peace and patience, it was worth all the credits on this side of the galaxy.

“Are you really sure another round of shots is a good idea?” Bast’s voice was low enough that it wouldn’t carry to Corran’s ears, or that was the hope. Obviously he had a rather… low tolerance. The simple fact was both unfortunate for his liver and for whoever had to make sure he got home safely, likely her. It wasn’t that she minded. It was a simple favor. Still, the woman felt that every ounce of alcohol he knocked back loosened her grasp on control over the situation. She needed to be able to make things right.

The more her long-time work partner spoke, venom dripping from his every word, the more it became clear she couldn’t make things alright. At the mention of a promotion, she raised her head, raising her eyebrows in surprise. Perhaps there would be some good news after all.

“Congr—“ The next sentence cut her off. Hazel eyes fell. She blushed slightly in embarrassment. It wasn’t a promotion opportunity. It was a test. Mouth twisting in disgust, she bit her tongue. How dare the Chief Hudson say such a thing. Velt was one of the best rangers and everyone who wore the badge was aware. Did he see Corran as a threat? The remaining vestiges of respect she had stored in vain hope melted away. What a coward.

He heaved, unable to hold back the tide of pain. Ilana had left him. That cold woman. The one who couldn’t help but mentally dissect every move she made. Bast liked Ilana because Corran loved her. He had been happy. It was just assumed the doctor had been as well. Did she really grow so bored of him so quickly? But surely she loved him. Bast had seen it. And they both loved Silvi. More than anything else. Would she still be able to see her godchild?

At the shattering of glass, the lieutenant jumped back. Ice slid across the counter. She wiped up the mess with a napkin solemnly. A red stain bloomed on the napkin. A small chip of glass had been lying dangerously next to her mug and cut her thumb. Bast quickly drew back and folded her hands around the napkin. Kalyzza could take care of the rest. It would only make the situation worse if by some indirect measure, she had been hurt a friend.

Bast had expected a cold anger, an agressive mirror to Ilana’s indifference, but none came. Only sadness. She didn’t understand. They could have been so happy. So, she simply listened. Poor Trench. It was doubtful his guest wanted to dance anymore.

@Rhogar
@TerranSteel