Ask Coruscant When the Damsel is a Dude

[Ruus’all Solus]

"A bit of both is good. Balance is always nice." Ruus nodded to Zaia after she answered his questions. Did she have a path to follow? Ruus'all didn't believe in destiny but he did believe in purpose. For the Mando-Jedi, his purpose was to serve the Jedi and the Galaxy in any positive way he could.

What was Zaia's?

Then, an idea popped into Ruus'all's head, but before he could get it out Zaia had asked him some questions in return.

"Woah, now- I wasn't driving that speeder. I kicked the driver out of it and it hurled it's way into an empty apartment building. Or at least I hope it was empty." Ruus chuckled a bit, sitting back in his chair in a relaxed manor. "And I do like the heat. Or...more of just being warm than anything else. You've got a nice little flamethrower, too." He complimented the lady's gear- which was nice indeed. Ruus remembered a day when he used to use a jetpack and flamethrower with even a jetpack missile! But after being brought up in the Force by the Jedi, he gave those trinkets and gear back to his Clan for someone else to use in his place.

"I make just about anything. Everything I've got on me was made by yours truly." He smirked. Ruus'all knew very well how hard it was to work a forge, but it was quite a valuable skill to have and hone. "I've got my own personal hut on Yavin. Maybe I can take you on a field trip sometime." Ruus didn't want to give Zaia the wrong idea. He wasn't going to recruit her as a Jedi- just teach her how the basics of becoming and Armor and Gunsmith while enlightening her about his combined cultures.

The big double-wamo!

The history behind the Jedi Order and the Mandalorians was a little rough, and like Russel Monti always said, 'There's always room for progress'. Ruus'all thought that maybe he could mend the fissure between the two people. Then, the Sith would be outnumbered two to one, assuming Kotii became the Manda'lor or something.

"What's your Clan name anyway? Or are you a freeloader?" Ruus teased again with a childish giggle.

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“That was an apartment building?” Zaia exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Civilians could have gotten hurt.” Then again, there hadn’t been too many people around when she’d gotten there. If a group of thugs wielding blasters and clubs chasing someone down a street on speeders wasn’t enough to convince them to get out of the area, she didn’t know what was.

She gave him a nod of thanks when he complimented her flamethrower. “It was my mother’s. I earned it after I finally beat my combat instructor in Teräs Käsi. Not that it took ten years for that to happen.” She chuckled at the memory.

Zaia had to admit, she was quite impressed when Ruus’all said that he’d created all his gear. The man really did seem like a jack of all trades— a Jedi to an armorsmith, who could have known?

“A field trip, huh? I’ll have to see about that one.” She smiled. Just then, the server came back to the table with their food, placing their respective dishes in front of them.

“Thanks,” she said before turning back to Ruus’all. When he asked if she was a freeloader, she gave him an offended look as she took a bite of her stew.

“Clan Krodas. Of course I’m not a freeloader. My clan always taught to never take anything for free. You don’t want anyone to have any sort of leverage over you,” she said in between bites, then raised her eyebrows. “In this case, I think saving your life is payment enough.” Is it, though? He didn’t need me. I might have to owe him one.

“What about you? Do you have a clan? Or did you pledge yourself to the Jedi?”

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

"I wasn't born into Clan Solus, but they got me before I could form complete sentences." Ruus chuckled. "Isn't all of this impressive smith-work proof enough that I ain't no freeloader?" He retorted with a mischievous smirk. The question about the Jedi was eventually going to come, and Ruus'all had prepared for it- even before he ever met Zaia. Many Mandalorians asked such questions, trying at Ruus'all's honor and integrity, but Ruus didn't need to prove anything to anyone. He already knew who he was and what he fought for and that was enough for him.

"Solus will always be my family, Zaia. Concord Dawn will always be my home." Ruus said a little more seriously, his smile turning back into it's warm and friendly grin. "But the Jedi...they found me for what I was and didn't try to suppress my gifts. Ever since I was little I had no goals, no morals, and not much to really live for. Don't get me wrong, I lived for Clan Solus and all...but I think you know what I mean. I was lost. Then Russel Monti found me. He gave me purpose. Hope. The drive to be better and fight to make this galaxy the kind of place I would've wanted to have been born into." Ruus explained passionately.

"He taught me how to forget how to hate. Now I don't hate nothing. Not even the Sith- I don't condone a thing they do, but hate gives them power and it's hard to hate people who are so pitiful, heheh." Ruus's cheeky smile and chuckle came back. The Mando-Jedi wasn't lying either. There wasn't a good reason to hate the Sith. Sure, there were reasons to dislike them, but to truly hate and seek to destroy something was the way of the Sith and Ruus'all wouldn't ever fall under such impressionable feelings. Russel Monti had done well in teaching the once young and reckless EX-foundling.

"If they weren't so murderous and power-hungry, they'd be no different from the Jedi besides the whole Dark Side thing and the actually pretty awesome red blades." The warrior noted thoughtfully before shoveling some food into his mouth. After swallowing, he muttered gratefully about the great food before slamming his fist on the table.

"Damn those Sith! If they weren't so evil and created such a terrific reputation for this sick-ass blades, I'd totally have one right now. Red's my favorite color next to blue and white!" He giggled again.

"But with that aside...I hope you have some direction Zaia, of Clan Krodas. Everyone needs a path to follow- I just hope yours doesn't end in either of us having to fight each other. I'd hate to ruin your pretty face, heheheh."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Zaia listened to Ruus’all’s story, thinking about all he’d just said to her. Somehow, even though she hadn’t been through the same thing, she felt like she understood him. Having a purpose was what truly kept one going. And if Ruus’all didn’t find it within his clan, as much as he seemed to love them, who was she to judge him for it? She’d left her clan for a reason too, even if it was just temporarily. Now she wasn’t even sure if it was temporary anymore, but she pushed that aside.

“Hate is a powerful feeling,” Zaia agreed. “Though I’ve never heard the Sith being described as pitiful before,” she added with a slight grin in response to Ruus’all’s smile returning. She gave him a nod when he mentioned that they would be like the Jedi if not for the way they thought about the galaxy. It was true.

At his final comment, Zaia smiled. “Thinking about us fighting already? Must be the Mando part of you,” she teased with a chuckle. “I know it doesn’t look like it, or at least I don’t think so, but I like you, Ruus’all. I really do.” She took another bite of her stew, but found her appetite starting to wane when picturing herself fighting him. It was one thing to fight a Jedi, and a whole other thing to fight a Mandalorian. But both? That would be difficult indeed.

It wasn’t the prospect of fighting a Mando-Jedi that she was afraid of though— it was the thought of facing Ruus’all. Sure, he was a great warrior, but she didn’t think that she’d be able to strike the final blow if it was required of her.

“If it ever came to us meeting on opposite sides of the battlefield,” she said, looking down at her stew, “I wouldn’t be able to do it.” She glanced up at Ruus’all, then smiled at him again, though sadly. “I pray that doesn’t ever happen, though. I wouldn’t want to ruin your charming face either.” She gave him a lighthearted wink at that to hopefully lighten the mood a little.

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Ruus'all sighed happily.

"I believe you." He said. Zaia was just a kid and she was acting like more of an adult than Ruus'all did most days. She really was something special and Ruus'all didn't want to let go of her just yet.

"With that aside, I think you're a pretty badass Mando, from what I've seen- And I grew up with Kotii Solus!" Ruus chuckled, trying to lighten the mood as he could sense Zaia's growing sorrow from the remark he had made earlier. It was mainly an expression, but Ruus'all knew there would always been conflict with the Jedi and the Mandalorians. Maybe if Ruus played his cards right with Zaia, they could be the pair that mended the tattered and torn culture of both the two opposing organizations. Ruus'all really liked Zaia, too, and he believed that they just had their first moment.

"I like to throw down myself, when I'm not outnumbered fifty to one- but with you I'm pretty sure I can face any odds." Ruus'all hoped his Princess Charming got the memo. He loved her. And Ruus wasn't one who believed in love at first sight, but by Kad, she was gorgeous! Both on the outside and inside, which made her even more attractive.

"So what do you say? Wanna be work buddies?" Ruus'all chuckled.

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“Ha. Thanks for that,” Zaia replied with a grin. She was glad to put the topic of fighting aside, for once in her life. Even though she’d been raised to despise the Jedi, she’d found out through her own experience that they weren’t as bad as they sounded in the stories. Heck, the first Jedi Zaia had met hadn’t been quick to judge even if the woman had walked in on her about to beat up a Rodian. And Ruus’all… Ruus’all was just something else, she thought with a fond smile.

“Somehow I don’t doubt that,” she teased. The look on Ruus’all’s face made her wonder if he felt the same way, and she felt a flutter of hope in her chest. Nah. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Still, she allowed herself to keep the thought of what they could be— the bridge between the Mandalorians and the Jedi.

“Work buddies? Sounds perfect to me,” Zaia said with a smile. She finished the last few bites of her stew, then pushed the bowl aside. “You still need to get that recording to the authorities, right? Once we do that, we can work out the terms.” She smirked, glancing over at his plate. “Whenever you’re ready.”

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

"Let's get out of this place- I've got like...fifty somethin' druggies to put behind bars, heheh." Ruus'all stood up and gestured for Zaia to go first out of chivalry. The Force was calm and focused- nothing disturbed it for now, anyway. They'd have to stay on their toes and watch each other's backs in case there was a suprise ambush.

Ruus then placed his helmet over his head again and rolled his shoulders like he was about ready to get sprinting, though he wasn't going to run the distance the closest police station was. There was a tram they could take to an elevator to get to the right level, then they could either catch a short ride or walk to the station from there.

Nonetheless, the Mando-Jedi was psyched to be hanging around with Zaia. She took his whole 'I'm a Jedi Now' thingy pretty well, and Ruus'all was grateful for it.

"You like fist fights or swordfights? I like both. Both are fun."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“You sure you aren’t a sector ranger too?” Zaia teased, rolling her eyes before putting her helmet back on as well. Ruus’all was kind enough to let her go first, and so she made her way outside the diner. She would definitely be coming back here some other time— in her opinion, it was better than any other place on Coruscant. Especially with Ruus’all here.

“Fist fights all the way,” she said in response to his question as they walked. “I think I could handle myself with a sword, but there’s nothing more satisfying than landing a good punch. Or kick, I guess. Especially when I get to smack a pirate in the face.” She got weird looks from a couple passing by, but then they seemed to realize that she and Ruus’all were Mandalorian and decided to move along quickly. Zaia grinned to herself in amusement. It was always interesting to think about how people all over the galaxy had widely varying lifestyles.

“Speaking of swords. Do you have a lightsaber? I thought all Jedi carried one, but I haven’t seen you use it today,” Zaia remarked casually as they approached the tram station. She looked around to see if any of the thugs were here, but it didn’t look like there were any nearby. “You don’t have to show me, though. It would draw too much attention anyway.”

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Ruus took out his lightsaber and tossed it over to Zaia. "Don't point it at your face and if anyone asks, it's a flashlight, heheh." The Mando-Jedi noted. The craftsmanship of the Lightsaber was probably one of Ruus'all's best and that tool she held was his most prized possession. It was his signifying piece of being a true Jedi Knight and his key to unlocking a better understanding of the Force.

"I don't think I'm much older than you...but the adventures I've had with that thing kinda got me growing a little more mentally. There's so much out there, Zaia. It's why I prefer to chill out and relax. Getting all caught up in your head with all the good and bad can drive one crazy so it's easier to just keep things simple. Do what you can do and move on." Ruus'all was a lot more relaxed now that he was with her. He could feel his pulse slow while he walked next to the fellow Mando.

"The Jedi taught me how to have peace. Now, even in the heat of battle, I can remain calm and at ease." Ruus'all sighed happily. "I still get adrenaline and all, but instead of getting tunnel vision as everything happens in a blur, I can focus and everything slows down." He wasn't sure if any of this would make sense to her.

"It's not even a technique used through the Force- anyone can use it if they put their mind to it." He offered gently.

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Before she knew it, Ruus’all had tossed his lightsaber over. “Didn’t I just say- oh, forget it,” she said as she put a hand to her forehead. “A flashlight it is.”

She knew that it was special to him though, and she made sure to handle it with care. As she turned it around gingerly in her hands to get a better look at the saber, she realized just how different it was from the one she’d seen Bri carry with her. This was Ruus’all’s own unique creation, an elegant weapon that would accompany him wherever he went.

“It’s beautiful,” she said with a smile as she turned to him, and though she knew he wouldn’t be able to see it, she assumed that he’d be able to hear it in her voice. “I could say the same about relaxing and keeping it simple. Only I don’t get much time for the former.” She chuckled ruefully at that.

When Ruus’all spoke of being at peace during battle, Zaia nodded in understanding. “It’s something my teacher talked about when I was still training. He’d always say to not let your emotions get ahead of you in a fight. It could cause mistakes. As for actually following that advice…” Zaia trailed off for a moment in thought. “I could still use some work. It’s reassuring that I don’t have to use the Force to do that, though,” she added, watching as their tram pulled into the station. She handed Ruus’all back his lightsaber, giving him a nod of appreciation as she did so.

“Thanks for trusting me with this, by the way. I know it means a lot to you.”

@Charles

Spoiler: Edit

Color change cuz I forgot I was using green for this thread oops

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

When they arrived at the tram, Ruus let Zaia go first again and followed in behind her. The tram began to move with a quick lurch, and they would soon be at the elevators. The Force shifted, however, and Ruus didn't get the same safe feeling he got when he walked with Zaia. Something to keep note of for sure.

"You'll get the hang of it. Progress, not perfection." Ruus'all shrugged. He appreciated the compliments she made, and because he was used to speaking to others with masked faces, he was a little more attune at depicting what was genuine and what wasn't. Zaia was as honest and sincere as you could get.

"Do me a favor and hold to it for a bit- just until we make it to the station." The Mando-Jedi wanted to extend his note of trust with her and this was probably the best way to do it. Besides! If stuff got dicey he could hurl it into his hands using the Force anyway. He suspected that he wouldn't to, but you know, just in case.

"My tinglelies are telling me something is up, so uh, not to worry you, but just keep on your toes." Ruus said in a low tone so only she could hear. "Don't worry about the saber, just hold on to it for now." He said reassuringly. That was when he realized the strange stares coming from some of the tram patrons. Ruus'all was used to people glancing at his Mandalorian garb, but this was unsettling and significant.

"Got word from a friend...of two Mandalorians escaping with, oh what did he call it again?" Began a Cerean covered in tattoos. "I think it was 'Revealing Footage', heheh. You two know anything about that?" Ruus'all's senses were going beserk- he felt murderous intent flood the entire tram.

Damn it... Ruus'all flexed his hands subtly.

It's a trap!

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“Alright, if you insist,” Zaia said as she drew her arm with the saber back to her side. She was surprised that he was letting her have it for this long, given how much it meant to him. Maybe it was his way of showing trust, she thought. With her free hand, she held onto a nearby seat to steady herself as the tram began to move.

She looked up at Ruus’all’s quiet warning, scanning the tram for any potential troublemakers. That was when she realized that every single being in here was staring at them. And not in a good way. After the tattooed Cerean sitting next to them asked his question and Zaia glimpsed Ruus’all’s hand move slightly, she knew for certain that their troubles were not over just yet.

The tram exploded into chaos when the Cerean launched himself at Ruus’all. Zaia was about to knock him aside when a Rodian grabbed her arm and shoulder from behind and slammed her into the wall. Big mistake. She kneed him hard in the abdomen and tossed him aside, stepping over his torso to sock another one of the thugs who’d decided that pulling out a knife was going to do anything in the face.

“You doing alright over the-” Zaia’s question was cut off when someone kicked her legs out from underneath her. Oof! She fell onto her back, about to pick herself up when she saw the Feeorin standing over her pull out a blaster. She winced at the sight, then remembered something. Ruus’all’s saber! She still had it clutched tightly in her hand.

Turning the hilt quickly in her hand so that the emitter was facing the Feeorin, she ignited it and watched as the cyan blade went through his chest. She switched it off and got to her feet immediately afterwards. The thug slumped down in front of her, and then she heard a cry from somewhere else in the tram.

“That one’s a Jedi!” Zaia looked around for Ruus’all. How had they figured that out so quickly? But then she realized that nearly everyone was looking at her and the saber in her hand. Dank farrik.

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Everything slowed down as Ruus lightly jumped into the air, tucking his legs below him like a lithe ninja as the Cerean went right underneath him and into the pole the Mando had been standing in front of. Before touching the ground, Ruus'all extended his leg to kick the Cerean in the back of the head, which knocked his noggin into the metal pole once again.

Then he heard someone call someone a Jedi after hearing the familiar snap-hiss of Ruus'all's own lightsaber being activated and deactivated. He turned to see a dead Feeorin behind Zaia, who didn't look dead at all- Thank Kad!

So, to lighten the mood, Ruus pressed a button on the underside of his left gauntlet that activated two HD speakers on both sides of his hip, attached and nicely fitted to his utility belt to avoid awkwardness in movement. Music began to play from the speakers and Ruus immediately began grooving along to tune.

"This'll be a walk in the park!" Ruus'all called back to Zaia as he put his fists out in front of him to get ready for the coming brawl.

First, a Devorian charged the Mando-Jedi, who charged back in a game of chicken. However, Ruus'all lost the game after he slid on his knees and back, using the Force to violently propel the horned-devil off the floor and into the ceiling. As Ruus'all slid back to his feet and the Devorian fell face first into the floor behind him, a Rodian drew a blaster on Ruus, but due to the Rodian's shock from the display of the Force powers Ruus had, he was a little slow giving the Jedi the chance to predict the blaster shots- something Padawan's trained to do before they made their actualy lightsaber.

The bolts both ricocheted off Ruus'all's Beskar gauntlets, but as Ruus prepared a counter attack, the Zabrak standing next to the Rodian activated a yellow electro whip that lashed around both of Ruus' wrists like handcuffs.

The Mando-Jedi winced and yelled in pain as the electricity convulsed up and down his forearms- but he was not finished yet! He mustered up the strength abruptly pull back and over his left shoulder, pulling the unprepared Zabrak right into Ruus'all's riased and extended foot before yanking back over the opposite shoulder, leading the Zabrak into another kick to the face. The Rodian panicked, sending stray shots in Ruus'all's direction, but the red and green Mando used the stunned Zabrak as a shield who took the shots for Ruus instead of the other way around.

Now mortified by accidentally killing his comrade, the Rodian stopped and dropped his blaster, clasping his hands at his temples in realization of what he just did. Ruus'all threw the limp Zabrak at the Rodian, using the Force to barrel the body into the green alien so the slid all the way to the other end of the tram.

After picking up the electro whip, Ruus'all looked back at Zaia through his T-visor. Hopefully she understood the advantage they had if everyone on the train thought they were both Jedi.

And just as the song changed, new cronies and thugs joined the brawl, stepping over the felled Zabrak and his depressed Rodian friend who were still on the ground. It was a band of four more of the most menacing looking Feeoirns Ruus had ever seen in his life. They were all jacked as hell- mostly likely due to steroids -and were all glossy black with creepy red skull tattoos all over their bodies.

"Yo, Zaia- in case I don't make it out alive, tell my Clan that I was the one who stole all those speeders." He called to his sterling rescuer.

Man, I haven't even kissed her yet!

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Was that… music? It sounded oddly cheerful considering the circumstances. Zaia looked over in the direction where it was coming from, though she was already sure who was responsible.

Zaia smiled briefly when she heard Ruus’all’s remark and met his gaze. He really is something else.

Just then, someone came up behind her with a blaster, but this time she was prepared. She knocked the weapon out of their hand, and without even seeing who it was she flipped them over her back, pulled out her own blaster, and shot them in the back. She looked back over at Ruus’all, and he seemed to be doing well on his own, with a Zabrak lying limp beside him. She ducked when the Rodian he’d thrown with the Force flew over her head.

“He’s a Jedi to-” Zaia knocked the guy out before he could finish, but the others seemed to have caught on. She was glad that Ruus’all had revealed it though. It would surely put some fear into the remaining gangsters, thinking that they were dealing with not one, but two Mandalorian Jedi. As the song changed, Zaia saw the four new guys that had appeared.

“Oh, what a song this one is,” she muttered as she made out some of the lyrics, though she couldn’t stop herself from smiling just a little bit. She flicked her wrists to activate her daggers.

“You’re not going to die, utreekov,” she called back to Ruus’all. Not if I can help it.

One of the Feeorins turned back to face her, and Zaia made a come here gesture with her hand. The bulky gangster rushed at her, and she stepped aside at the last possible moment and tripped him with her foot, grabbing his arm as he leaned forward for a punch. The oldest trick in the book. She yanked it back until she heard a crack, then cut the man’s scream short as she reached over and sliced the front of his neck. Seeing this, one of his buddies pulled out a blaster and pointed it in her direction, but Zaia was able to dive out of the way in time to grab the guy’s feet and pull him so that he lost his balance and fell. She quickly put him out of his misery with a shot to the back of the head.

The other two looked to be ganging up on Ruus’all and trying to take him on at the same time. They were going to regret that. Before they could make a move, Zaia shot them both in the torso so that they crumpled down right in front of the real Mando-Jedi’s feet.

“Told you,” she said.

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

"Are they fake?" Ruus asked one of the opposing Feeoirns who looked confused now as the slowly approached. "Is what fake?" Said the other Feeorin who narrowed his eyes into slits.

"Your muscles- are they fake? They look fake. Like rubber. You know, Feeorins in general look like rubber. I mean, I hope you're made out of rubber," The Feeorins, both enraged, rushed the Jedi who whipped the Electro whip around the wrist of the first brute while leaping into the air to avoid getting tackled by the second one. Ruus'all landed behind the one who's wrists was currently being electrocuted and tugged the whip back a couple times, grazing the Feeorin's big burly shoulders like a saw as his own fist was bashing himself in the fast.

"Why you hitting yourself? Why you hitting yourself? Why you hitting yourself?" Ruus'all jeered with a grin, before the Feeorin stopped hitting himself and violently pulled his wrist over his head. Ruus wished he had let go of the whip because now was flying over the Feeorin, his chest landing straight into a kick from the second Feeorin who had missed a potentially very fatal sack.

Ruus would've yelped from the pain, but his broken ribs restrained his breathing so Ruus could only hoarsely muster out, "Dick move!" Before taking another kick to the head, knocking the Mando-Jedi aside into the seats.

Dazed and confused, Ruus'all blinked a few times and shook his head to get himself back into the game right as the first brute prepared for a punch. Ruus dodged to the left so the meaty black fist only hit metal, creating a really nasty crunch followed by the screams from the injured Feeorin. "That's gotta hurt!" The second brute, still in a rage tried kicking Ruus again, but the Jedi jumped lightly, avoiding the kick, and time seemed to slow down again as he awaited for the perfect moment in which his waist lined perfectly in between the two thugs, extending both of his legs into a perfect split, his armored boots nailing both aliens right in the temples.

Both Feeorins waddled around for a bit, stunned from the blow to the head. Ruus wasn't a poor sport, so he let the two gather themselves and awaited for a second assault. The two shook themselves off and roared as they both sprinted towards the Mando in a pickle at full speed.

Their mistake.

Ruus simply took a step back, allowing for the two brutes to slam into each other like two freight trains playing chicken. Both Feeorins went down, so Ruus'all turned to see how Zaia was doing.

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

As Ruus’all was handling the remaining Feeorins, Zaia dealt with the rest of the tram. Anyone that made a move was instantly met with a blaster bolt in the head. She knew very well that there were no innocents in this car. They’d either been kicked out at the stop before theirs or were simply thrown out by the brutes.

Soon there was no one left conscious in the car except for her and Ruus’all. The rest were either dead or knocked out, as Zaia saw when she turned around to find the two Feeorins slamming into each other, swooning before they dropped to the ground. After the two gangsters fell, it was otherwise quiet except for the humming of the tram, the same way it had been when they’d gotten on. There was calm before and after the storm, she mused.

Stepping over the Feeorins so that she was standing a bit in front of Ruus’all, Zaia pulled off her helmet and held it at her side. “I have to say. You don’t seem to be afraid of getting your hands dirty in a fight, for a Jedi,” she said with a grin as she slid her blaster back into its holster. “They didn’t stand a chance.” She briefly glanced at the Feeorin lying on the floor. The other one had managed to sit up and was rubbing his head. Zaia kicked him in the temple, and he fell again.

“We should be at the elevator soon,” she said, turning back to Ruus’all. “I’m half-expecting another trap, but I doubt these guys were able to get the word out fast enough. They couldn’t have expected to be able to take down two Mando-Jedi.” She smiled at that, then her gaze grew more serious.

“By the way. I don’t want to hear you saying anything like that again, Ruus’all,” she warned, giving him a frown. “You’re not going to die. Not while I’m around.”

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

"I cross my heart and hope to die." Ruus'all teased again, after listening to Zaia's understandable words. "I really love your confidence, though. It's kind of hot, heheh." The Mando-Jedi chuckled and deactivated the electro-whip and holstered it away under his battle skirt. There wasn't anyone else in the galaxy he'd rather be fighting alongside with than the Mando woman in front of him. She was definitely a keeper and Ruus wasn't letting go of her just yet.

He found himself gazing at her through his T-visor, thinking about how unstoppable they were together. Ruus found another purpose to live for- and that was Zaia Krodas. Yes, he was a Jedi. Yes, he was a Mandalorian of Clan Solus. And yes, he was sure he had found the love of his life. Maybe he was rushing things a bit- but Ruus liked taking things slow and steady anyway. He loved the whole wooing part of relationships as well. Now, he just had to find a way to ask her.

"All jokes aside, you really rocked that lightsaber. Mind if I take it back?" He asked, taking a few steps toward her so he was standing a foot or two away. <"I want to fight by your side forever and always, Zaia. The galaxy will have no chance against us two, and us two alone."> He said seriously, leaning in a little closer to take his saber into his hands while she still held on to it. "I've got some business on Kashyyyk that needs taking care of- just a few giant spiders is all. Want to tag along again for another rousing adventure with yours truly?"

In almost perfect timing, the tram doors swung open to shocked pedestrians who blinked in awe as they laid eyes on both of the Mandalorians standing over the unconscious (and some dead) thugs from the recent fight. Damn podestrians! They ruined the moment! Ruus let out an audible sigh of disappointment, trying to block out the bustling and murmuring of the civilians.

"It'll be a date!" Ruus exclaimed sheepishly.

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“You better not,” Zaia warned as she shook her head in disapproval. Then she grinned at his next comment. “So not cute anymore, eh? Glad we cleared that up,” she said smugly, looking back at his visor. If they hadn’t just been in a fight with a train full of gangsters, she would have wondered if the helmet was necessary— it covered too much of his handsome face.

Ruus’all took a few steps towards her, and she found herself staring at him and wondering what he was doing, or rather, what she should do, before he asked her for the lightsaber back. “Oh.” She looked down at the weapon in her hand, having completely forgotten that she’d been holding it. “Right, of course.” But as she was about to hand the saber over, she smiled down at it in her hand after hearing Ruus’all’s words. He sounded so serious that she couldn’t help but feel the urge to tell him that she felt the same way. She didn’t say that out loud though, and instead focused on handing back his saber and his next offer. Just the thought of spending more time with him, even if they would be dealing with giant bugs, was attractive.

As the doors slid open, Zaia didn’t even pay the pedestrians any attention, all of it concentrated on Ruus’all. “I’d love to,” she said with a grin before giving him a wink. “We are work buddies now.” She put her helmet back on and turned to leave the train before his next words made her stop in her tracks(no pun intended).

“A date?” Now the eyes of the pedestrians trained on the two of them were starting to bother her. Thank goodness her helmet was on— her face was turning as red as the lightsaber of a Sith. She turned back to Ruus’all and gave him an awkward nod, unsure how else to react. For Kad’s sake, you’re ruining this for yourself. She cleared her throat. “Sure thing.” She sighed inwardly at her own ineptitude, then gestured at the building that held up the turbolift.

“Come on, we’re almost there,” she said, gesturing for him to follow before quickly turning around and making a beeline for the elevator. When she stepped in alongside Ruus’all, Zaia dared not meet his gaze, instead looking out at the train, the civilians that had gathered around it, and the cleanup crew that just arrived.

“We’re lucky we got out of there alive. Not just anyone can take down a whole car of criminals,” she commented, crossing her arms as she leaned against the glass.

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Ruus'all laughed and giggled his way to the elevator after the fight they had just gotten out of. He was a little sore, but nothing he wasn't used to. Zaia was a pretty intense warrior- something that wasn't really a huge surprise given the fact that she was a Mandalorian, but still, her ruthlessness and quick thinking were very attractive in Ruus'all's culture.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure nothing will try to bother us again, heheh." Which reminded Ruus'all of the date he needed to figure out. "Um, There's this place on this random planet I wanted to clean out later. Would you be interested in something like that?" There was a lead on who his father was, and though he didn't want to share that information at the moment, he did need someone to cover his back. Saleucami was crawling with Nexu and other aggressive predators with multiple limbs, eyes, claws, teeth, and...you get the point.

The elevator door opened and Ruus'all let Zaia exit first. The station was a lot closer than Ruus'all had realized, which meant the wonderful time he was having with Zaia Krodas was going to come to an end.

"I've got an open schedule, so whatever time works for you will work for me."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

“We’re gonna be the cleaning crew?” Zaia smiled in amusement. “Sure.” Though she sounded nonchalant, she was quite eager to see what Ruus’all had planned. It was definitely not going to be an actual house cleaning, if anything it would be the complete opposite. Mandalorians and Jedi… neither did things the easy way, and Ruus’all was both. Double trouble, but in a good way.

She gave him an appreciative nod as he let her go first out of the elevator. “So do I. It’s not like I have anything better to do.” Unfortunately, it was true. Without a ship, there weren’t many places that she could go, but for right now there wasn’t anything stopping her from going over to the police station just a minute’s walk away. As they approached the building, Zaia paused just outside and tilted her head towards Ruus’all.

“I’ll stay out here unless you need me. I’m not a witness or anything, so I probably won’t be of much use.” She shrugged, then opened the door for the Mando-Jedi as she smirked. “After you, Officer Solus.”

@Charles