Ask Takodana Leading the Way

[Song Wren]

Another day, another hunt.

It had been several weeks since she last took in the young woman she met on Hoth: Sera Jex. Although their relationship was strictly professional, a bounty hunting partnership rather than a bond between a Mandalorian and her foundling, Song knew the young woman was on the path towards it. What she witnessed on Hoth, the girl’s raw strength and speed, told her she had the potential to don on armor of her own. To become a Mandalorian.

However, to prove she was ready, Song wanted to se how Sera would fare on a real hunt, than a run-of-the-mill bar fight.

They were going after a bounty, an estranged Mon Calamari noble. His capture would mean Sera’s initiation into the Bounty Hunter’s Guild, but for Song? It meant initiation into the Way. If she succeeded, Song would train her like nobody had before. She would help provide her a set of armor, like her own, and the namesake of Clan Wren. A Mandalorian in spirit, as much as mind and body.

As her ship touched down on the clearing outside of Takodana castle, rebuilt since the days of the First Order. According to the Guild report, it was where the Mon Calamari noble was last seen and heard, before he ventured out into the wilderness of space. The Mandalorian hoped to have a few questions answered there.

The ship’s landing ramp hissed, and daylight spilled through. Looking over to Sera, who she had become much friendlier with since their first encounter, Song asked her, “You ready for this?”

The bounty hunter already knew her answer, though.

@Caught in Strangereal

 

[Sera Jex]

She was terrified. Not in the usual way she used to. Looking over head at all times worrying about having to make the next dash and the constant fear that had riddled her life. No, this was something new, something different for her. Sera was scared because she wanted to finally do something right and to succeed. It was evident in the way she had meticulously looked over and cleaned her DL-44 again and again on the ship ride to Takodana, or the report and information about the bounty she scoured over hundreds of times.

It all of this was due to what this meant for Sera. For years her life was a miserable blur and it felt like she was nothing but a jinx, everything just going more and more wrong especially as it kept lurking in the back of her mind trying to take over her. At her lowest moment though she had something go right for her and now she was being offered a chance. A fresh start, and once in her new skin a new identity. It was everything she could want. It was everything she needed but it wouldn't be granted to her for free. Everything had a cost though and she was going to show that she deserved to be granted this chance.

She looked onward as her eyes would receive the first flicker of light on the planet. She looked forward, took a long breath as the fresh air eagerly filled her lungs and looked back at River. Already she was getting more used to the helmet that stared back and her mind was adjusting to it and she even starting to feel more and more comfortable around him. Well, was she ready?

"You bet, now let's go do some fishing" She replied with a bit of a jest. Though underneath her mind was already turning to the hunt. A little bit of reading and research she was already trying to get a picture. The family this guy belonged were wealthy but legally so, no criminal ties or scandals... or they just hid them really well. Nothing too high profile in terms of scandals and the bounty had barely a public picture to him. Nothing out of the ordinary and well the stipulation to be brought in alive indicated that well they at least cared about him living. He just vanished from Mon Cala one day and now turned up here. Runaway likely, and chances are one that had no idea what he was doing. Which should mean a pretty big trail to follow.

Sera began to walk towards the castle, slightly taken aback by the beauty of the structure and the location in general. She always had been on the move but she had to admit so far she was already considering this place to become a regular sight for her. Coming up to the entrance, she immediately noticed the sign All are welcome (no fighting). She heard a bit about this place and apparently it was the perfect watering hole for scoundrels and runaways alike. Before entering she would stop and turn the Mandalorian.

"Alright, we head in, question the staff, try not to create a scene and hopefully not have a repeat of Hoth. Hopefully we'll get a lead, otherwise we'll ask any of the patrons if they've seen him. That all sound good to you?" She asked already wanting to run her guide through her thought process to make sure she wasn't already screwing things up. She felt like she was going about this the right way but already there was niggling doubt in her mind that she just wanted calmed.

@Feng Mian

 

[Song Wren]

A rust-bucket droid hobbled past them on their way to the entrance of the castle. Flags and banners too many to count hung over the courtyard. A hundred shades of a hundred colors. The insignia of Clan Wren, a silhouette of a wolf on a backdrop of yellow, stood out among them. Song had visited the planet several times before, but it never failed to inspire a sense of grandeur inside of her. How so many banners can come together into a single place.

Made her wonder if, one day, the Clans of Mandalore might come together again.

The thought passed her like a fleeting shadow, as Song slammed back into the moment, and back to the young woman beside her. Standing at the door, she listened to what she had to say, one eyebrow raised. A thin smile tugged at her lips. By the way she phrased it, sounded like Sera was taking point on the hunt. Not that Song minded. This was her initiation. Let her do what she thought was best.

“Alright, alright, whatever you say,” she said, jokingly raising her hands like she were surrendering to her demands. She chuckled softly. “But yeah. Sounds good to me.”

With that out of the way, they slipped into the castle. Almost immediately, Song was met with the sound of laughter, the musk of spotchka, and a feeling of home. The tavern was well-lit with windows to the lake outside, overhanging lamps and a hearth burning in the center of the room. It was busy, full of travelers from every walk of life, but not too packed.

She and Sera earned a few looks, but nothing like the suspicious glares she was used to as a Mandalorian. She felt strangely welcomed. However, now wasn’t the time to stand around and revel in the tavern life. They had a bounty to catch. So, without further ado, Song turned to Sera and gestured her forward. It was her turn to lead the way.

@Caught in Strangereal