Dust and smog clouded low within the dimly lit streets of the Refugee sector, causing the short bouts of crowds to pull up their coat collars as they hustled on their way. Crudely built stalls meshed against the Nar Shaddaan sector’s buildings, their current owners’ wares resting haphazardly in display. Merchants called out in hushed hollers as they tried to catch the attention of passerbyers. Those who walk to close would often experience the occasional face looming out of the darkness, asking if they ‘would like to buy this three faced watch.’
It was within these crowds, a lone figure walked. Not unusual for these streets, however, not to many carried two very out in the open weapons strapped to their backs. The wild crop of white hair adorning the woman's head radiated the flickering sign lights of the shops jammed behind the stall, an attention drawer if there ever was one.
Sithspit!
Zujenia cursed herself mentally. Her current state of anger was redirecting her mind to mild annoyances, in this case, towards her lack of cloak or scarf to help blend in with the locals easier. She had given it away to an elderly woman on the frigid transport to this unfortunate community.
Back then, the Half-Ryn had been fine, dead set on checking up on a couple groups of aliens she had helped escape ill fates. Wary of sending all refugees to Kiast in the case the Grand Master discovered the planet and repeated the same action against it as he did with New Tython, Zujenia had sought out Nar Shaddaa to provide at least temporary shelter. She had taken extra measures in ensuring their safety here: establishing a contact and host for them, providing extra credits, etc. That was until the Knight had stopped in front of their door, opening it to a scene of gore and chaos. But it wasn’t the Inquisitorious who had slayed them; the tossed drawers and furniture, the lack of cash all pointed to the Sector’s own populace.
Karking Glitbiters!
A tan fist cracked against the metal siding of a wall within the narrow alleyway she had just turned into. Zujenia retracted it with a slight grimace, blood already pooling along the sliced knuckle. She squeezed the hand tighter, absorbing the pain. Stark brows furrowing, the Half-Ryn leaned against the building. Her thoughts prevailed over the market din, jumbling out of the knotted mess of self-loathing and remorse.
I...I signed them to their deaths…
Orange and purple flickering lights drew the dark amber eyes of Zujenia to a small hole-in-the-wall cantina. Exhaling, the Knight shifted her weight, pushing off the filthy wall, and approached the establishment. The door opened to a dark room barely lit by the red lamps hanging above. Tables and chairs were filed in an unorganized manner along the wall with little space between them to maneuver. A few heads turned to watch the new arrival enter, but most quickly returned their attention to the more important matter at hand, their drinks.
Zujenia beelined straight towards the bar’s counter and over the low jazz she requested a whiskey. The cool surface of the glass felt good against the skin and for once in a long time, the woman was set on washing her problems away, for now. She took a sip, her gaze wavering over the nightly crowd until it rested upon a familiar symbol.
Taldryan.
The hooked design was printed on the right shoulder of black and white cladded Human. It sent the hair on the back of her neck standing as the urge to leave failed to beat down her curiosity. Despite the age old rivalry between Arcona and Taldryan, Zujenia herself had not experience much of the clan, save for meeting a couple in Shadow Academy classes or in the Antei Combat Center. Zujenia’s gaze lingered as she took in his long, tied-back brown hair, the silver-streaks within rippling under the lights as the man seemed to tease the individual to his left. The Half-Ryn was just noting the sleeveless state of his left limbs when a pair of blue-green eyes met hers.
Time to go…
Turning her head slowly to her glass, she swished the remainder of the drink back and counted to three. She stood and casually headed towards a door set farther into the room, presumably the back entrance. The entry opened into a courtyard that was only a few meters wide and several more long. Clumps of debris littered the ground and piled up within the corners. Several barrels and crates set along the buildings’ edges. Dark amber eyes caught sight of the large metal fire escape, its lowest level hanging just out of normal reach. With a quick burst of speed and strength, Zujenia could easily scale the structure and disappear without notice. Thus, she headed towards it, only to halt in the middle of the small area — her mind having other plans.
What happened to leaving? the Knight wondered as she pivoted on her heel, making her way back to the entry. Willing the Force to her, its tendrils wove together in a blanket of light and shadow that swiftly hid the Half-Ryn from sight. Her back pressed against the cold durasteel of the wall beside the door and she waited.
“Hey, Lady! Come back, you look like you could use another drink — ” a man’s voice called out with the mechanical swoosh of the door opening, interrupted swiftly by Zujenia. Her arm launched out, grabbing hold of the Taldryan’s wrist and pulling him closer as her cloak fell. A knee came up to collide with his gut and the Knight followed through with the maneuver, twisting her torso around to toss the larger individual behind her. Pushing back a strand of hair lying in front of her face, the same hand continued behind her back and retrieved the long pole of her electrostaff. Leveling it at the man’s eye level, her thumb swiftly activated the electric ends, sending it crackling to life with purple energy.
“What I really could use is beating the crap out of someone.” Zujenia responded coldly, her shoulders set aggressively. Golden eyes narrowed as the corner of his mouth curled upward in a faint grin.
“Doubt you will,” the man jumped to his feet, his left hand unclipping the curved cylindrical shape at his side. Tossing it lightly into his right, the amethyst blade humming to life as he turned sideways. “Let’s do this.”
Wasting no time, Zujenia launched forward, quickly arcing the staff towards his side. The Taldryan flicked his wrist, saber fluidly countering the blow. With a hiss, she snapped a fast reversal of her arms, sending the opposite end into a stabbing jab. Again, the Human blocked it. Stepping into her blow, he spun around and aimed his lightsaber at her torso. A wave of warning flushed over the Half-Ryn and paired with natural reflexes, she quickly rolled out of the way — the slugthrower on her back making it a bit awkward.
Halting in a crouch, Zujenia swiped at his leg, attempting to knock it out from beneath him. The man jumped easily to evade it, bringing the purple blade down in a precise strike. Continuing with her momentum, the Knight spun around whipping the end of her electrostaff to counter the blow. Purple energy and electricity sparked together as blue-green and amber eyes locked challengingly.
“Name’s Aiden by the way. What’s yours?” Deshra said lightly, an enthused spark in his gaze.
Hell if I tell you. I may be foolish in starting this, but I ain’t enough to answer.
Zujenia’s nerves screamed out with the Force urging her into jumping backwards. Her footing slipped on a bit of debris and while attempting to regain her balance, she saw the sharp silver edge of a wrist blade miss her by a few centimeters. It took a couple backpedaling steps to recover from the trip, unintentionally giving the two space.
Alright, Zujenia, get a level head on finally. This is ridiculous! No! The Half-Ryn’s mind roared against herself as she glared unto the Taldryan and sunk into a deep stance.
