Open Tatooine Lost In The Storm

[Draco Salem Virtus]

Spoiler: Draco's Guitar pickin' IC

Tatooine
Wastelands
2200​

Draco Virtus would be sitting on a old busted down sandcrawler on its side. The night was set in and Draco was laying on his back looking up at the plethora of stars and zips of shooting stars and ships passing by every now and again. The fire was cracklin' as his little makeshift pit was filled in with rocks and wood. He hand a flask of whiskey next to him among with the rest of his kit. His helmet off to the side and his cowboy hat on instead. Off in the distance were large clouds and heavy winds. A dust storm, it wasn't coming in his direction but it was at least a mile out or more. It gave a bit of a eerie backdrop as he just stared up at the stars and took it all in. He really did love Tatooine. Even if during the day it was hot enough to skin you..But during the night it was of something else. It was much better than some hustling and busy city surrounded by species going in every direction and the rush of city life. Draco would plop a smoke in the corner of his lips and light it as he layed quietly on his back. Reflecting was often a big thing for him and he enjoyed it. Taking a long drag of the smoke as he glanced over to the storm in the distance and back to the night sky above him. There was nothing near him. Just a big ass plain of sand and scattered rocks.

Taking another drag he felt inspired a bit by the storm and slowly reached over from his little kitbag where his guitar was rested on. He began to slowly finger pick the strings quietly as his legs were crossed over with one foot in the air, tapping it while he was on his back. Loud crashes of rocks falling off canyon cliffs echoed in the backdrop. Picking away he would hold a note long enough to let one hand be free and take a sip of his flask and set it back down to continue strumming away. Life was short, you only had so much time on this world and Draco wanted to enjoy it. The only thing that kept him sane from his job, killing, dealing with stress, arguing, the day in and out of trying to keep peace in a near like lawless place. Letting a long drag of his cigarra in the corner of his mouth as he let out a exhale. His speeder bike down below the sandcrawler and tucked away in case the storm got worse or he could jump into the old sandcrawler for the night but he wasn't overly concerned.

"Damn this whiskey is good."

He couldn't help but chuckle thinking of how so many are out there this night, running around, trying to find rich and fame..To be glorious and in a mad rush to be someone when they'll just be another name jotted down on a death certificate. No point in getting lost in the storm of life. Just ride it out and enjoy every minute of being able to be there to witness it unfold as years of your life go on. He couldn't help but laugh with his gravel like southern twang as it always seemed good whiskey and good nights like this always made him go into such deep shit.

 

[Kotii Solus]

The recently purchased zephyr swoop rattled a little between Kotii's legs as he drove it across the col Tatooine sands. The whine of the repulsor engines was faint and quickly left behind by speed at which the Mandalorian was moving.

Darkness had come and he was sure he could see light up ahead. A single fire near the blocky silhouette of a large decommissioned sandcrawler. There only looked to be one individual but part of Kotii knew this could be a place for an ambush. Still, he knew that if what he was looking for was around this area then he would have to deal with any possible lookouts.

Slowing down and coming to a stop, the Mandalorian looked through his blaster rifle's scope to see any distant details. The horizon didn't yield any pinpricks of light that told him there was any civilization nearby or possible camp. Re-slinging the weapon and starting off again, the red armored Mandalorian approached at a slower pace so as not to startle the stranger. Maybe he knew something about Jabba's Palace.

@Exhilian

 

[Draco Salem Virtus]

Draco Virtus would be plucking away as his lit smoke was burning slowly and leaving a small little smoke trail in the air before slowly dissapearing. The fire crackled and the sounds of rocks in the canyon were echoing in the distance among the storm. He heard a engine of some thrumming as he couldn't exactly pin point it. The Tatooine cowboy was pretty relaxed as he turned back to strumming the guitar and listening to everything around him. Holding the note to pick up his flask and take a mouthful before hearing footsteps close in toward him. He didn't reach for anything or jump. Just stayed in his exact position as he finger picked the guitar and layed on his back. "Howdy partner." was all he said to the darkness around him as his foot tapped in the air.

As he waited for a reply he would wonder what someone was doing out here at this time of night. Draco did have his pair of Oathbringers on him but he felt as if it was trouble it would've made an attack instead of making itself known. Only time would tell though as for now he enjoyed his view and his smoke. Taking a long drag of his smoke and letting it exhale through his nose as he let it hang in the corner of his mouth and burn slowly. The small glowing end only merely a small dot in the dark next to his fire on the old rusted sandcrawler.

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music IC [Recurring]

It was a long, hard road ahead and just as far behind. The speeder bike plowed across the dirt, kicking up a storm of dust to rival the dust storm still about a mile out. The rider was not traveling toward it but toward his prey. They had taken something that did not belong to them, as scavengers liked to do, but had been too quick and devious before the Ranger had a chance to catch them. Still, he could not leave behind what they had stolen. He had to get it back.

There was a light in the distance, more an ember, but the naked flame was more than anything in the naked night where a desert sea covered the world and dried out any hope of picking up a trail. The vehicle he was after had left one but the winds had been relentless where he had come from. Yet his binoculars had just then shown that the candle yonder was the light of a campfire—upon a sandcrawler. Jackpot.

Moments later and Zad arrived at the scene expecting his thieves to have suffered from an accident. Surely they would be scampering nearby and would not leave their prize possessions behind. Approaching closer, there was no sign of the Jawas; just the signs of a different kind of vehicle beside an abandoned sandcrawler.

Zad had not been scared of his little enemies enough to sneak up. His arrival would be loud and clear. The bike kicked up a cloud before coming to a stop beside the sandcrawler. Exiting with an unslung rifle, he leveled it with his advance, ever curious of the guitar twanging away. Is that...

“...Draco?” The Ranger was posted up without a care in the world, drinking and smoking and playing music, which is almost exactly what Zad would have been doing right about now. “Small world.” Zad grinned, lowering his blaster. A gust tickled the campfire’s flames as well as his long leather coat. “Simple times..."

@Exhilian @Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

The Mandalorian remained straddled on his bike until his bike came to a stop. The performer greeted him friendly. It was a bit strange but aside from that Kotii wasn't sure what to make of it. He was about to respond when the sound of another's approach came.

Kotii slunk into the shadows as the smoke blew in front of the man's own face. The fire that was between himself and the guitar stranger which would have made his eyes to not be so well adjusted for the dark beyond. Quietly, he moved around until he spotted the approach of a man he recognized. The drawing of his vibroblade came out of his sheath and remained silent. His left hand rested on the grip of the holstered blaster. Nobody else. Black Hand relaxed and approached from a different side of the fire this time, allowing Zad to see him. "Small indeed."

Looking to the one Zad had called Draco, the Mandalorian would pan back to the other with the twang of the plucked guitar reaching out into the darkness beyond the trio. The man wouldn't be surprised if even some Tusken Raiders came by. "That all you?" He jutted the chin of his helmet in the direction of the sandcrawler behind Draco. He made his way to the partially submerged remains of a damaged gonk droid before sitting down on it. "Jawas might eventually come back if you didn't vape them all." Kotii addded, refering to the lack of any bodies. The Mandalorian still didn't know who Zad really was or who his affiliates were.

One of his hands reached into a pouch and pulled out a plain durasteel tin with a badger paw engraving on it. With the flick of a gloved thumb he opened it and showed a few hand rolled cigaras. An infused blend of recreational spice and tabac that suited the Mandalorian's personal preferences. Not enough of a vice to give him even much more of a worry in this setting. It was better than drinking though he would have liked a sip of Tihaar. The Mandalorian hadn't had any since entering the system.

Pulling the his helmet off, he set it to face the fire beside him and revealing his facial features underneath. A scar running across his right brow to temple was visible in the flickering fire light. The Half covered face still had a mask that covered the lower half. Kotii pushed the tip of the cigara into his mask before he could get a grip on it with his mask still on. Lighting it up, the Mandalorian took a long drag, letting the ember on the end glow bright, almost giving his crimson eyes a the hints of a calm fire.

@Exhilian @Die Shize

 

[Draco Salem Virtus]

Draco Virtus would turn his head ever so slightly at the Mando and was about to say something before ANOTHER engine came throttling up into the darkness. The first person was being all movey n' shit. Probably thought ol' Draco was apart of a gang and had some amateurs around waiting to jump the boys. Very quickly the the second bike approached and someone got off. "My oh my, popular spot eh?" he chuckled as he strummed his guitar ever so quietly while he puffed his smoke in the corner of his mouth waiting to see who else has joined the just met duo. Just before the vehicle approached he heard the Mando ask if anyone else was around.

"Just me, partner." he strummed his guitar chuckling as he heard someone on the second vehicle get off and approach. A familiar voice called out and Draco kind of made a weird quirk but kept playing. "Well i'll be double dog damned.." he said allowed as it was Zad approaching from the black abyss around the fire. It seemed the other two have met before. "Glad to know y'all are pals. Not in the mood for a shootout on such a fine night." he chuckled as he took another long drag and exhaled it up into the night air as the stars were shining bright across as far as the eye could see. Hearing the remark on Jawas Draco would chuckle. "They ain't be coming around, they left this long ago..Broke down and everytime they try comin' in through thems canyons the Tuskans raise hell.

Some burial ground or somethin'. They don't like anyone goin' through." he shrugged as he held a note on the guitar and lifted the flask to his lips for a mouthful before setting the flask back down on his side. It seemed the ol mando was at ease and Zad stood among them. "Grab a spot partner, gunna be a long night before that storm clears over." he would toss his flask at Zad for him to catch as he also leaned over and tossed a stick in the fire that he a little pile of them next to his feet. Strumming away quietly. "Now what in this planet are y'all two runnin' around here for?" it was odd to see anyone else but him out here, except Tuskan's and Jawas.

"My place ain't to far from here if that storm gets any closer, should be fine tho" He chuckled with his gravel southern twang and started playing a new tune.

Spoiler: Draco's New tune

@Darasuum @Die Shize

 

[Zad Ruzed]

A world that just gets smaller and smaller… Seeing a Ranger he knew was one thing, but a Mandalorian he had met before? There was no mistaking the paintjob. Zad had seen those colors back in Mos Eisley, and sometimes you just knew a Mandalorian by the other items on their beskar’gem or whatever and how they carried themselves.

You could never tell whether a Mandalorian meant murder or not, particularly with blaster and sword in tow, but as Kotii sat down Zad realized that he just may have no need for his own blaster after all. The removal of the helmet, the face that followed, the evidence was clear. Kotii.

Zad was content with listening to the dialogue for now, squinting his eyes at the mention of the Mando and himself and being ‘pals’ as much as the lack of Jawas in the area. ‘Long ago’ could be long ago or long ago. Whatever that means. Tuskan Raiders could be a whole other problem.

At his partner’s gesture, Zad took a seat by the fire, thanking its heat with a kiss from his cigarette before he exhaled smoke into the cool night. He caught the flask with a nod, took a deep swig, gestured toward Kotii to catch if he wanted a sip or passed it back to Draco if not.

“Lookin’ for Jawas,” Zad grinned, the irony not lost on him just like the iron on his hip. “Stole somethin'...important...from me. Thought this crawler might be theirs and it just might be but maybe not.” He sighed smoke. “You?”

Draco had his own story as he stroked that guitar like a woman resting in his lap, but Zad’s question had twanged toward Kotii. What had brought a Mandalorian into the dust?

@Exhilian @Darasuum

 

[Klepti Uutkik]

It was a long day of hanging out with his old friends. They were kinda of assholes until he came back as a Ranger. Nonetheless he felt at home. Klepti was enjoying this time on Tatooine.

After a while hanging out he needed to go take a piss. So he went around the corner and began. Then he heard noise. What was that? He had just finished up and came back around to see everyone gone.

“Seriouslie? nutik bakan..”
(Seriously? Not again..)

Klepti decided to grab his stuff and began walking in a general direction of the safest place to go. At least he thought it would be. He should have expected his friends to just leave. They never were the nicest.

After a while he came across a sound. Music? Huh, someone is out here playing music. Maybe it was time to get some good trades in real quick. Klepti had some good trade material. So he figured he would go see if they had anything to offer. His little legs began picking up the pace as he made his waddling run out to the sound.

Once he got there he noticed the same tow Rangers from his induction. Well that’s good he supposed. Should be safe. Unfortunately when he was running up he couldn’t see the Mandalorian in the way and ran right into his backside face first. Just a face full of Mando ass. He fell back and his hat fell off. He lied in the sand as he began wiping his hands at his face, as if to clean it off.

“Nyeta Nyeta !! Wauh Tiwih hell !! Juwi shmuck !!”
(No no!! What the hell!! You shmuck!!)

The little Jawa had stopped to look up and see a man in armor. It was glorious. Good trading material. Too bad he had stuck his ass in Klepti’s face. The Jawa would have offered a good deal for it. Pfft. Loser.

As the Jawa stood up and dusted his hat off and then made his way to say hi to his friends he tried to shoulder bump the Mando like a bad ass, but the solid weight of the Mando shifted Klepti’s weight and set him off balance.

“Tiwih hell Juwi manko Uta folo aseewa?”
(The hell you made of fat ass?)

Then the Jawa turned to face his friends and had spread his arms wide as he hugged Zad’s legs. The moved to do the same to Draco. After his greetings he had only one legendary question,

“Tequila?”

@Die Shize @Exhilian @Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Kotii gave a mild murmur in comment and gave another look around. He wished he had more advanced heads up display with vision modes. But those were more expensive and not frequently found at a convenient price. Some of his armor and equipment wasn't even purchased. It had been earned from jobs and contracts or through exchanges. All the same, the man adapted and dealt with limited resources and endured like so many of his kind.

"Nope..." He commented on the Tusken Raider territory simply. "I imagine they don't like trespassers. Just be glad they aren't making frequent excursions." It was a similar sentiment to Mandalorians after all.

When Zad offered the flask he gave a wave of dismissal and shook his head. He was fine with the spice and tabac blend for the time being. It was less inhibiting than alcohol, not to mention easier for keeping his mask on.

From out of nowhere, a Jawa launched itself like a springing lawn dart almost towards the partially submerged gonk droid and where it met Kotii's butt cheeks. The sentient desert rodent's clumsiness sent Kotii into the standing position and leveling a blaster into its face. The glowing eye illuminated the tip of the weapon that gave the faintest hum of being charged and ready to add a hole in the Jawa depending on its action. Kotii's Jawa wasn't very good but he could make out the important parts. "Tougher stuff than you can bite off." he retorted in basic and imagined how far he could punt the Jawa though he would maybe lose sight of it in the dark. However the brown robed shorty seemed to be chummy with the other two. The Mandalorian double checked his person and made sure the Jawa hadn't stolen anything from him or his nearby speeder bike.

@Exhilian @Die Shize @Scoobert

 

[Draco Salem Virtus]

Draco Virtus would perk a brow at Zad as he was on the hunt for Jawas. "They do love shiny metal shit..Or anything really." he chuckled as he took a drag of his cigarra and exhaled it up in the air. Glancing back over to the Mando as he seemed pretty relaxed...As relaxed as a Mando could get. "Yeah I run into Tuskans a good bit. Spent my life out here." as he looked over at the mando. He was about to ask his business but Draco never had his question answered as by the time the Mando refused the flask a small little Jawa came out of the god damn darkness like a Lothal Cat. He went straight into the ass cheeks of the Mando and Draco literally raised an eyebrow as he was surprised the damn Mando never put a hole into the thing.

"Uutkik?" he thought to himself as it started cursing and insulting the Mando..Yep that was definitely ranger Uutkik. The savage little Jawa drank triple their bodyweights combined of Tequila at the Ranger induction ceremony not to long ago. Draco thought he would've died from Alcohol poison but he must've been the Jawa that kept on truckin'. Draco would let out a chuckle as the Jawa came running over and was hugging both the rangers legs and asked him a question he thought he'd never ever hear from that Jawa again.

"Nyeta tequila around here" [ No Tequila Around here ] He said back in Jawaese as he chuckled. "Why Akriwi Juwi so Bok out Uta here?" [ Why are you so far out of here? ] as he took another drag and strummed his guitar quietly before also looking over at the mando. "What about you, partner. Why you out here?"

@Darasuum @Die Shize @Scoobert

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music OOC

The sound of Jawaese made Zad spring from his seat with his rifle in hands. Little shits! Was his first thought as he reckoned himself to a reckoning with the Jawas who had stolen his certain something and prized possession.

What he got instead was no Jawa in a hood but in a hat, and that hat was unmistakable; sensational, perhaps, for it just might have saved the Jawa from getting its head blown off—by two blasters instead of just one.

Zad lowed his rifle with a “Phew!” and watched the Jawa dance before his arms wrapped themselves around his own legs. Caught off guard, the bigger Ranger hesitated, looking toward his partner, Draco, for support then at his acquaintance, Klotii, for much of the same. I… I… What do I do?

Zad settled for giving Klepti a pat on the back like a father might do to a son, and suddenly he discovered that he was smiling the entire time. Adorable little guy...I gotta say…

Last time these three Rangers had crossed paths was back aboard the Lighthouse in one little party sponsored by one Corran Velt. Klepti had gotten as drunk as a skunk or would-be desert rodent and had lasted as long as Corran Velt would have after just three shots.

Giving the Jawa another drink tonight? Well...as good an idea as a bad one...and this time only my idea… Zad scratched his head, the memories coming back, and was content to remain in his seat with a cigarette between his lips and his own flask of whiskey out of his pocket. He, too, was curious as to Kotii’s unfinished answer of what had brought him out here.

@Exhilian @Darasuum

 

[Klepti Uutkik]

Klepti stood by and listened to the disappointing answer of no tequila. The little Jawa didn’t mind though. He walked over to a small rack and sat on it as he looked at the armored man.

The armor itself was quite nice. Klepti was sure he wanted it. It wouldn’t fit him, but it would definitely sell for a pretty penny. He was debating on if he should steal the set. A lot of money could come his way, or he could be nice and just let the guy have it.

Klepti looked back to answer why he came out here in the first place.

“Ikee Ibee oota hegana M'tunabay Tiwih shoowatiki oota Uik'wanna Eyeta”
(I be out here doing the hanging with friend)

Klepti set his bag down on the ground next to him as he turned his head to the armored weight haver. Then he spoke to rebuttal what the metal man had said to him.

“Ikee Wuawd Uiuokka ghanus Juwi wuik juna mada Uta supido oha Sumiwi ehcina Kukiwi Huat.”
(I would have guessed you were just made of stupid or some stuff like that.)

The Jawa spoke with his hands making as many gestures to translate for him. Implying the stupid part, even though he knew he could understand Jawaese. Kelpti was just glad to make it to his two friends and meet a stranger, of whom he may or may not have taken some metal ball thing from the belt of. It had a red button on it. The Jawa would keep it hidden for safe keeping.

@Darasuum @Exhilian @Die Shize

 

[Kotii Solus]

The man looked across at the one playing the instrument. He had learned a few strings in his own time and found it relaxing to play and express himself. Though he rarely played in front of others let alone outsiders. Kotii wondered if the man meant he shot Tuskens more often than had amicable dealings with them.

The others were just as curious about the mysterious helmeted figure with the elite warrior culture. Who wouldn't? The tip of his cigara burned red-hot as he took a drag before exhalling through the mask making a curtain of smoke curl up infront of his face.

"...you talk a lot osik, for someone that doesn't say much." He said with no small hint of apathy, letting the Jawa know it was minimal effort put in to counter his insults.

"I'm heading to Jabba's Palace...looking for other Mandalorians that might be there." He and Zad had already met one another along with a third, Laren Vano, back in Mos Eisley. He had said as much to the dark skinned human just as much back then.


@Exhilian @Die Shize @Scoobert

 

[Draco Salem Virtus]

Draco Virtus perked a brow as he continued his guitar playing amongst the trio. Well this was a rather unusual group but any company that isn't trying to kill him was always a welcome bonus for the Cowboy Ranger. Sitting up and kicking his feet to lightly cross over another he would glance at his little ranger friend. " and Ookwass Dawa Huist Eyeta Ashuna? "[and where did this friend go?]. It seemed the little Ranger never caught much of a break as Draco chuckled and was rather fond of his little friend. He was like a small but rowdy little buddy he came to like.

Taking a drag of his cigarra as he finished it and tossed it off to the side. Exhaling the smoke as he finally got the answer from the Mando after he was done his retort to the little Ranger. "May I ask why you're seeking others such as yourself partner?" he took a mouthful of his whiskey and set it back down to his side. Draco never knew much about Mandolorians other than the fact they were fierce warriors and had great armor.


The storm began to head in their direction, It was picking up speed and the dust storm was whipping violently creating a cloud of darkness and dust in its wake. Rocks falling off canyons became louder as Draco glanced over to the direction of the approaching storm. "I wreckin' she'll be on top of us in the hour." he looked back down to his speeder bike as it seemed the night was going to be short. Disappointing as Draco was enjoying the scenery and relaxation of the night. He never got much of a break from Ranger duties so he tended to enjoy when possible.

@Die Shize @Darasuum @Scoobert

 

[Zad Ruzed]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

Zad couldn’t help but chuckle at the smaller Ranger’s words. Jawaese was easily understood by the bigger Ranger who had spent enough time on Arvala-7 and Tatooine to accommodate the tongue. Smaller Ranger? Little guy? Jawa? He mused. Why do I find it easier to not simply say little guy's name..?

As the storm coughed something fierce a ways off yet, Zad stole a look and blew smoke toward the dust clouds. A whirlwind like that was not something any one of them wanted to be caught up in but, on the other hand, an hour off was still an hour off and this Ranger hadn’t finished his smoke yet.

“Ah...should probably move out soon,” Zad sighed after having just gotten comfortable among the fire and the friends that shared it. “I got Jawas to hunt,” he cleared his throat. “Eh...no Jawa sitting beside me, that is, but still…” Another swig of whisky to wet his whistle before twisting the cap. “I reckon rangers and palaces will still be there when I settle my business…”

Zad nodded toward Draco just then. “And you, partner? Where's Draco off to next after he strums the strings and ends the night?”

@Exhilian @Scoobert @Darasuum

 

[Klepti Uutkik]

Of course Draco was wondering who the friend was. Though Klepti wasn't a snitch. So his answer was short and sweet,

"Wauh Eyeta"

Then he turned his attention directly to the other ranger Zad. Di-did he just..? Surely he wouldn't have made that racist comment right in front of Klepti. The Uutkik is about to Uutkik his ass. Klepti ran straight to the nearest rock and throw aiming at Zad... but missed entirely. Instead it flew and hit the Mandalorian's helmet. It was a graceful throw, it flew in an arc and eventually landed just making a quiet *tink* sound, bouncing off the Mandalorian iron.

Klepti was in shock. He got into the universal athletic position and readied himself for a tussel with the warrior. Instead of apologizing the Jawa simply talked some more trash talk,

"Juwi Da niti Uwanna ano Uta Huist futta aswa"
(You do not want any of this fat ass)

This would be one fight that the Mando didn't want. Klepti was trained in the ways of the Great Jawa. Legend has it that the Great Jawa was the only Jawa to reach 5'5". They were a fierce trader, and hunter. They were the quickest draw in southern Tatooine. Now the Mando stood waist to head with the fierce Klepti. Do not mistake his shortness and cuteness for weakness. He's like a honey badger. And honey badger don't give a f...

@Darasuum @Exhilian @Die Shize