No More Blood (Open to All)

[Gio]

(OOC: Reading his bio preffered, but not required. Link in sig. Hope to have fun! =))

Seval took a long drag from his cigarette. The nictotine filled his lungs with an intoxicating bouquet of nicotine and tar. It was his last one. He swore by it this time. It had been over three months since his honarable discharge. He never thought it was honorable. It was forced. Since that mission...

"You'd kill me, to save yourself?! YOU BASTARD!"

Click, bang. Random noises filled his brain. He couldn't relax. The cantina was quiet that night emulating a serenity on Courescant that he'd never felt before. But his anxiety, this feeling of utter disturbnce and unrest, it couldn't leave him. He'd become so cold, so empty. He wasn't a man anymore. he was a coward. a coward who'd kill his best frieend to save his own life. Now, all he had was his armor and his TEC helmet. Even his blaster was taken away when he was discharged. The only reason he had the armor, was because the blood recognition software wouldn't allow anyone else to wear it. Money was short. He bought cheap cigs and beer and with his check from the military, all he could afford was a small studio on the west side. Horrible neighborhood.

So much had happened. 505,000 credits in his pocket disappeared with the purchase of some black market firearms and a charge pack for his suit and helmet. All he had now was a cortosis Kris and a heavy, .44 12 round slug thrower revolver. He had about 5 reloads on stripper clips inside his ammo pouch. Finally, he flicked away his cigarette, realising it was closing time, 1:00 AM. Some religious thing with the owner. Seval never felt too strong about a God per se, he just felt there was something out there...something that had been ignoring him for a while. He hrew on his helmet and went out into the streets. Towering buildings and still busy airspace left him wanting more of a personal meet up for the night. He wanted, nay, needed a female touch. But what were the odds tonight. He wandered out into a nearby botanicalgarden, which was open at late night. Some scattered CPU's displaying the Holo Net, obviously for use by patrons. Many men and women met here for dates, but tonight, it was oddly abandoned. A holo projector hng from the sealing, projecting the Holo Net browser icon. No women, hell, not even a companion or an open ear. He sat himself on a nearby bench, letting his small control of force un tense his muscles. He needed someone to talk too, fight, argue with. anything. He didn't need anymore blood, but he needed to beleive in his humanity once again. he readied his Kris, leaning back, waiting for anyone or anything to prve him human again.

 

[Cailst]

Apollo walked through some of the streets of lower Coruscant at night. To be honest, it didn't sound like a wise idea, but it could be entertaining. Plus, there'd be a bit of a chance to get more money. After all, he was short again, after that gig with the kid ran out. The kid sure brought in money but after that little brat told the police, Apollo was on the move again. Now, he was in some other sector, and he alternated his name again. Now, he was using his original name from Alsakan, Adde Muse.

After walking around for a while, he saw some man on a bench. Perhaps he'd have some money. Definitely would be pretty useful for the rent and maybe some food. Maybe he could even get a stable enough job to get back into the preacher business, those were good days indeed.

"Sir, have you listened to good music recently?" He said as his hand went above his shoulders to pull a fiddle out of his knapsack. His other hand pulled out a bow and he set it to the strings.

 

[Lanx]

Azakeia walked at a moderate yet deliberate pace through the botanical garden. She'd found a couple places to stay on Coruscant, but she still couldn't figure out exactly why the hell she'd booked passage here. Her life was in danger on Nar Shadaa, but she was at least twice as likely to be recognized here. She was lucky enough not to be asked to identify herself upon arrival. If her identity was found, she'd be right back in a psych facility. Right back where she last saw him. She had done away with him, but his face still haunted her.

Perhaps the desire to emerge back into the world she once knew was what pulled her here. But her defense layer put that idea down quickly. Surely it was nonsense... there was no going back anymore. She was stronger now, able to take care of herself. Maybe she helped a few people here and there, but she tried to convince herself it was only for the profit. There's only survival... nothing else to life. Though she couldn't deny herself the pleasure of her medical work for long. Her trip to Coruscant made even less sense in that light; her chances of opening an off-the-record practice were quite slim.

Azakeia was suddenly pulled from her thoughts by the glint of a blade. She froze and spun towards the sight, gripping a scalpel tightly, just under her sleeve. In front of her sat a man in Republic uniform, holding a blade at his side, just ten feet in front of her. She looked him squarely in the eye, and asked softly and coldly, "What are you doing here?"

 

[Gio]

"Sir, have you listened to good music recently?

Seval's force energy dispersed. He raised and inquisitive eyebrow. He stood and walked over to the fiddler, a man who seemed down on his luck, just as he was. A man who had seen his fair share of sorrow. But loitering was against the....

"Frack the law." He muttered to himself as he came to the fiddler. He reached into a side pocket on his pack, pulling out about five credits worth of change. i was a waste, but maybe some music could soothe him. He placed the small pile of change at the new man's feet. Removing his helmet, revealing his face to truly capture the music Seval took a deep breath.

"Play something for the soul..." He said half heartedly, hoping the fiddler could play better thann he dressed. He quickly put down his helmet, and resheathed his Kris.

Just as quickly, he returned to the woman who had approached before. she was some type of beauty. Flowing blonde hair a nice tone, quite a nice body. He realised he was staring.

"I'm sorry mam. seval Tarik, Ex-Republic Special Operator. Just a man down on his luck. And you are?"

Seval attempted to start a cobersation with the newly arrived female. Just what he had prayed for.

 

[Cailst]

Adde adjusted a few knobs here and there getting the pitch exact. As he did that, he saw the bit of change. Would pay for a food item or two, he'd need to play pretty good to get some more so he could actually buy something significant. Looking around, he turned and saw some other fellow coming up.

"Listen here," He said to the newcomer.

He then pulled the bow across the strings and began his song. Music erupted not only from his fiddle and voice but also some mysterious ambient noises appeared. They'd be useful in the song which was a blatant rip off of some tune he caught on Taris. Hopefully, Hutt stations didn't broadcast anywhere near Republic planets. And with another swish of the bow, he began singing the first verse.

"The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind 'cos he was way behind: he was willin' to make a deal.
When he came across this young man sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot.
And the devil jumped upon a hickory stump and said: "Boy let me tell you what:
"I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player too.
"And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.
"Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the devil his due:
"I bet a fiddle of gold against your soul, 'cos I think I'm better than you."
The boy said: "My name's Johnny and it might be a sin,
"But I'll take your bet, your gonna regret, 'cos I'm the best that's ever been.""

 

[Lanx]

Azakeia observed the man's expression, watched the ways his eyes moved up and down her body. Good, she thought to herself, Just another lonely man... can't be too dangerous. She judged by his look that he wasn't looking to harm or identify her, at least not just yet. And with his current visual indulgences, she figured if he changed his mind she'd be able to convince him otherwise.

There was something about him, though; something that didn't quite fit in. She'd known one too many ex republic soldiers... and that one too many had ended her life as she had known it. But this man was different... he no longer hungered for battle, it seemed. He wasn't trying to prove anything, and he didn't introduce himself with a kill count or any other kind of machismo. These things alone allowed her to relax her grip on the blade in her hand.

"Azakeia," she said slowly, letting the threatening tone subside. A rather beautiful Alderanian accent entered her speach. "I'm not exactly sure why I'm here... or if I can go back..." Her defense mechanism kicked in suddenly, scolding her for showing such weakness to him. Her face hardened a bit again, and she spoke, this time like the first, with a cold, sterile, middle-upper class Coruscant accent. "Just out for some fresh air."

 

[Gio]

"Azakeia...what a beautiful name."

Seval smiled brokenly. He was tired, not physically, but mentally. He'd take it easy tonight. Out of what seemed nowhere, the fiddler played something, something marevelous. The eery clangs and bangs of the street emphasized the fiddle as it played an almost cheery tune about the Devil and a boy named Johnny in some place called Georgia. The acoustics, the rythm. It was hypnotic. He felt the urge to smile.

"I like what you're playing man! Keep it goin'"

With that Seval dropped a whole twenty more credits. What a stupid move. But right then, he didn't care, all he wanted to do, was relax. and maybe chat up this new female in his presence.

"So Azakeia, that's a nice accent. Where you from?" Seval asked tapping his foot ever so lightly

 

[Cailst]

Nice, twenty more credits, a grocery bill for a day or two. At least eating normally. But with some "exotic" soup, he could go for a week or two on that money. Still, there was a lot more he'd need. Then again, playing at night to one stranger wasn't his main means of obtaining money. Or even two people, though hopefully the girl would be generous as well. Larger crowds were where it was at.

Going for some more verses, his fiddle was playing like a charm.

"Johnny you rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard.
'Cos hells broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals the cards.
And if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold.
But if you lose, the devil gets your soul.

The devil opened up his case and he said: "I'll start this show."
And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow.
And he pulled the bow across his strings and it made an evil hiss.
Then a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this.
When the devil finished, Johnny said: "Well you're pretty good ol' son.
"But sit down in that chair, right there, and let me show you how its done.""

 

[Lanx]

She payed little attention to the nearby musician. She didn't doubt that he had some skill, but the folky brand of music he was offering tonight was not exactly to her taste. She heard him say her name, and it comforted her in some inexplicable way. To be more than just the Night Surgeon, to be addressed for some reason besides needing healing with no questions asked: it was so refreshing. She longed to tell him her real name... for a moment she almost spoke aloud the syllables, "Dr. Valara Azarkin", in her rich Alderaanian accent.

She couldn't comprehend this effect! Why did she suddenly want to break through the secrecy, tear down the barrier she'd spent so many years putting up for herself. Maybe he seemed honest and sincere. Maybe she really believed he was another person weary of existing on the terms of others... hiding behind another persona, lest the ugly truth of the past continue to wreak havoc in the present. She so much wanted to be open at this moment, and that terrified her. The defense mechanism was flaring like never before, becoming very afraid of this man. But the inner mind of Valara felt no fear whatsoever. The thing that had kept her alive for the last years and the person she was before that were now set against each other.

"Ahh... Alderaan," she said, almost absent mindedly. She managed half a smile and continued, "Thank you for noticing..."

What in hell's name are you doing?! Azakeia was torn... inner turmoil was boiling up, but on the outside she was simply warming. Not too much... she still felt the comfort of the steel blade nestled secretly in her hand, but just enough to be noticeable. Azakeia may be who she is now, but first she was Valara... and at this moment, Valara was speaking for the first time in two years.

 

[Gio]

Seval was torn. the expression portrayed by this woman held meaning. She wasn't just jittery she had something to hide. She was scared, angry. Years of interrogation left him with an innate ability. Simple hand gestures, lip movements, even a hand gesture. She seemed so constrained. something was boiling inside of her, a passion. Maybe for the past, the future? It didn't matter. e inched closer, non threateningly. He almost wanted to know. What was hiding there?

"It really is a beautiful accent." Seval gave a comforting smile. He wanted to portray a personable guy, because he was. His Force Sensitivity hinted at something. Something wasn't right suddenly as he looked her over. A knife. If she had been a hostile he could have been....wait, she wasn't a hostile. Seval pulled himself out of his body, trying to tell it that there was no longer a war for him. He didn't have to be so tense, so on edge all the time. He needed to ease some tension here. As he softly floated back to reality, he smiled even more gently. He looked towards the fiddler, body still towards her.

"Keep it going man, I like the way you play."

He once again turned his attention to her.

"So, far way from home eh? Vacation?" he chuckled lightly.
"What brings you so far from home i mean?"

 

[Cailst]

Adde kept up the pace with the song. No more credits were arriving at his feet but perhaps once he was finished, he could get some. Regardless, he was listening to the conversation to some degree. Not so much that it would stop the passion of the music, but enough to gather some details so he could get in it once he was done.

Still, he continued playing enjoying every beat of the song. It was pretty fun to play and the helpful background music made it moreso fun.

"Fire on the mountain, run boys, run.
The devil's in the house of the risin' sun.
Chicken in the bread pan, pickin' out dough.
"Granny, does your dog bite?"
"No, child, no."

The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat.
He laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet.
Johnny said: "Devil just come on back if you ever want to try again.
"I told you once, you son of a gun, I'm the best that's ever been."

And he played fire on the mountain, run boys, run.
The devil's in the house of the risin' sun.
Chicken in the bread pan, now they're pickin' out dough.
"Granny, will your dog bite?"
"No, child, no.""

And with that, he put his fiddle down and the random ambient and mysterious music source disappeared as soon as he finished.

 

[Lanx]

She smiled again. It almost felt foreign now, to smile. Those who knew her reputation on Nar Shadaa would never even think to offer her any kind of compliment. This man, though, flattered her. That made her smile.

Her body relaxed a bit as well... she shifted her weight to one up and tucked her scalpel back up into her sleeve pocket. With a quick flick of the wrist she could have it at the ready once more, but at this point it wasn't needed. Still with the remnants of a smile on her face, she looked around her, semiconsciously fulfilling Azakeia's demand for security, while simultaneously allowing her to ponder her own situation for a moment.

The truth was she didn't know how to answer his question. Home What the hell did she know about home anymore... She'd lived for years on Coruscant, but in truth her home was the source of the accent he was commenting on. Her home was Alderaan. Or was it? It had been so long since she had been back, and suddenly she found herself remembering. Suddenly the tragedy of who she was, who she had become, came flooding towards her. No, she couldn't afford to think of her home. She couldn't allow herself to be back there... that part of her past could not exist.

Strength, she encouraged herself. That person is over, done with. She would have died long ago... dragged a blade across her own throat rather than the one who deserved it.

"I... well," she stammered for a moment, trying to answer him without betraying the battle going on within her. She could tell he wasn't an idiot, and his purposefully calm and caring demeanor hinted to her that she wasn't as good at hiding things than she had thought. Either that or he had the force, but she doubted that. "Um, I actually used to live here," she said, clearing her throat for a moment. Shit... why did I say that?! "You know... hasn't half the universe at one point?."

She shrugged, looking down, crossing her arms and dragging her toe in front of her. Suddenly she felt awkward... something that only happens when interpersonal emotion is allowed to come into play. Biting her lower lip, she looked up and asked, "Do you have another cigarette?"

OOC: Last post for tonight.... gotta work in the morning!

 

[Hidden-shadow]

Ressan was in the lower parts of Coruscant. The heavily dressed man looked around as he started to hear music. He was looking around tring to find where it was comming from. It wasn't hard to hear it since everything on the lower levels were total shit. He looked at his armor. He thought he should change but he didn't. He needed his armor from his thick armored chest. To lightsaber on his belt. If you examined him more carefully he had a blaster rifle on his back along with a three foot sword vibroblade. He also had a shotgun goin horizontally on his lower back. He listened closly. Still looking around for where the beat was. Hopefully he would see somebody near him heading in the direction of the music.

(OOC: lol devil went down to Georgia. nice man.

 

[Gio]

With a senitment like that, Seval redrew his statement. Whatever she was hiding wasn't brutal, or dangerous, just painful. Poking open wounds never helped anyone. Only time. Only time could help this woman heal. As the music finally faded out into the night, along with all the ambient noises, Seval noticed he had been fully tapping hs foot along to the fiddler's tune. It was stupendous, for sure, well deserving of the last 50 credits in Seval's pocket. It seemed odd really. He was clad in full metalic-tendon armor, with pitch black sking tight cargo's covering his legs and metallic "boots". Talking up a strangely soft spoken, attractive female at !:00 AM, listening to fiddle music. He chuckled slightly.

"Of course, Azekeia. Two minuts."

Seval casually walked over to the musician who had finished playing.

"Fantastic job Johnny, I can see how you won!" Seval joked, hinting that the musician was the boy mentioned in the fiddle story. Seval dropped his last fifty credits in the man hand. Hopefully noone would catch on to how broke he really was. Casually, once again, he came to his satchel. Inside was the revolver, five reloads worth of ammo, an insta-food packet, his Kris in a sheath, his TEC helmet, and a pack of cigarettes labeled, "Corlboro". One of the better cheap brands, they were of medium quality. He eased them out, trying not to reveal any of his belongings. after succesfully fishing them out, Seval inched over to Azekeia. He dug out one for himself first, lighting it with a Pippo lighter in his pocket. He took a deep puff and waved for the musician to come to the table where he now stood.

"Need a cig Johnny?"

He finally handed a fresh cigarette and a lighter to Azakeia. In the distance a heavily dressed man could be heard coming by, but seval only wanted to focus on the company at hand.

"So Azakeia, smoke alot?"

 

[Hidden-shadow]

Ressan was walking down the narrow passage. He saw a bouncer.

"Great another one."

Ressan said to himself in his Scottish accent. He tried the back approch. Nothing, no back entrances or back ducts. He had no choice the frontle approch was the only way. He walked up to the bouncer. The bouncer said to Ressan.

"Welcome. Come inside. Just don't start anything."

Ressan gave the man a wierd look and shrugged. He walked inside and got a booth in the dark. By himself. A waitress came by and he ordered something. He leaned back and rubbed his face. After getting kicked out of another club for being to heavily armed. He didn't feel safe by wearing just normal clothing.

 

[Cailst]

"Wouldn't mind one, thanks also for the credits! It ought to help out with the Alderaanian noodle soup that I've been subsisting on." He shared.

He also put the fiddle back in his knapsack. Hopefully, tomorrow, it'd help with bringing in a bigger crowd to get some more money. Could pay off rent. Unless he could get some roommate to help pay it off. Maybe these strangers could help out. After all, they were nice enough to help out with credits. And his poorness could contribute to a good sob story, after all, he did have a lot of weird events go on in his lifetime. Getting something out of it would be helpful.

 

[Lanx]

Azakeia took the cigarette and lit it, taking a deep, long first drag. She held it for a moment before letting rise out again from her lungs, softly wafting up past her face into the night air. She could feel her tension melting further away, and sudden dose of nicotine sent a pleasureful tingle down her back. She handed him back the lighter and moved past him to the edge of the botanical garden. "No... not really," she answered somewhat absently over her shoulder. She sent a quick glance over her shoulder to let him know he was welcome to follow, for now. She leaned forward against the railing, looking off at the light of Coruscant.

"This place is like a living organism... with organs, veins, arteries, nerves," she mused, coldly. Azakeia was speaking now through Valara. She may have made a step forward this evening, but her overarching view of the world, of the galaxy, was still quite dominated by the cold, calculating Azakeia. "But you can't kill it like another similar organism. No punctured artery, no eviscerated organ would kill it altogether. It's... an amoeba. Or something." Taking another long drag, she shook her head and watched as her falling ashes danced downward into the nothingness of a Coruscant abyss.

 

[Gio]

Living organisms. I had ben a while since he had heard that phrase. His employers weren'y much ino he market for living organisms. More dead ones then living. As a response o he fiddler, Seval handed him the ligher and a paicularly straigh cig.

"Never did catch your name John boy."

Stepping back out into he street where Azakeia looked out, Seval took anoher long drag, this time puffing out and pulling in without using his hands.

The full moon lit night made the sky seem endless, even in he overpopulated city.

:It's hard remembering what a living thing is. Your past can haunt you. Playin wih he devil doesn't leave you feeling very alive. We've all got our demons. Hell, look a myself. Tours and tours. So many passed a my hands ha they bear a permanen crimson. And for what? A fracking peice of armor and a pat on the baack. I've been losing myself since hen."

He realised he was going ono a diffren subjec, bu he felt his company knew his pain. he fiddler peddled money, he must have had a soul crushing story or wo. And he female, probably he same.

 

[Hidden-shadow]

Ressan overheard the man talking about his problem. He stood up and walked up to the man. Ressan said to the man in his Scottish accent.

"I couldn't help but overhear your problem. I
think I can help you out."

Ressan then pulled out 500 credits and handed them to the man. Ressan spoke again.

"As you can see I am a bounty hunter. But I'm off duty. I get paid a lot. I mean like 10,000 credits months."

If you need any help just let me know. And by the way my name is Ressan."

 

[Lanx]

Azakeia tensed as the next man drew near. The fiddle player seemed harmless enough, but the unexpected stranger giving out charities? A bounty hunter, nonetheless? This alarmed her. She switched cigarette hands and discreetly slipped her scalpel into her right hand. She stared at him coldly, threateningly. Nobody was that kind.