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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
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Apr 17, 2012 19:18:59 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 17, 2012 19:18:59 GMT -5
That wasn't a yes. This was the only thing that went through Vako's mind. He was looking for something that would pass for a yes, or a no. What he got was something that in his mind was neither. What he got was something that he considered a dodge. A dismissive response, which was meant to get him off of it. But Vako never let up so easily.
Deciding to let it by for the moment, Vako waited while the man brought up a new idea. It wasn't much of a subject change, but Vako never hesitated to talk about himself.
"I don't shoot a blaster for a price." Vako pointed out. "I shoot a blaster... to shoot a blaster." In a sense Vako wasn't lying. He had gotten involved as a soldier specifically because it was all he really knew. He only worked as a mercenary because it was the easiest way to shoot, and there wasn't a very good mercenary army he was aware of at the moment.
He could always go to the Sith and fight, but they were too small and weak. He wasn't likely to find himself in a situation like he had with his final days in the "Black Rock Brigade". At the same time he wouldn't go with the Republic because they held back too much and were fairly weak as soldiers.
Seeing his opportunity, Vako pressed on about this "soldiers" past. "Now what sort of things were you... seeing... back in the day?" Vako asked, his wings still flapping quickly. He reached over and took a bit of the food on his small plate and chewed on it while he waited for the answer.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
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...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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last online Jun 22, 2023 19:35:57 GMT -5
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Apr 17, 2012 21:04:16 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 17, 2012 21:04:16 GMT -5
Shooting for the sake of shooting. Horst uttered a small, amused grunt as he again finished his drink. He had heard plenty of reasons for fighting over his lifetime, ranging from justice to money. Shooting just for the sake of it never ceased to humour him. He wouldn't pretend that he didn't like fighting; he did, but he didn't do it just for the hell of it. There had to be something to gain.
The Toydarian wasn't going to let his question go though. As soon as he answered, the next words out of his trunk-cover mouth was about the smuggler's past again. Horst tried not to tense up as his past again became the subject. He was ready to lie through his teeth by this point, but the subject was still uncomfortable.
"What was I seeing?" Horst questioned, pretending to give it serious thought. In reality he had answered this question more times than he liked, but nevertheless he found the inquirer always felt a little more satisfied if he seemed to give it a moment of thought.
"Oh, I saw what any shooter would see." The smuggler used his hands as he spoke. "Private armies, rebels, even the occasional government boy." In truth, the smuggler was being honest. As he spoke, he thought back to the numerous rebellions, mercenaries, and rogue government agents he and Giog's Rancors would face on a regular basis. It was the truth; just the slightly abridged truth.
"And you?" Horst asked. If he was going to be pressed, it was only fair that this guy give in equal measure. "What have you seen?"
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
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Apr 17, 2012 21:59:09 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 17, 2012 21:59:09 GMT -5
"I've seen..." Vako started as he finished another bite of food that was in his mouth. "Stupid people trying to kill other stupid people." He picked up another piece of meat but he kept it in his hand this time as he continued. "I've seen big creatures, rip the limbs off of little creatures."
Vako tilted his head to the side as he visualized the next thing he'd seen. "I've seen a young child pick up a pistol and try to save his village." Vako stopped a moment and brought his head back to a level place, he wasn't finished. "And seconds later seen him be cut down... and seen the spirit in his eyes fade away as a Trandoshan killed him with a smile."
As Vako finished, he had a smile trail back across his face. "In general, I've seen nothing." He didn't feel bad about what he'd seen, or what he'd done. He did what he had to do in the life he'd chosen, and he was very satisfied with it. He wasn't the sort that reveled in the bad things he did, but he most certainly didn't brood over them. Vako was just one of many that did what he did, because it was what he did.
Shifting focus back, Vako took a drink from his large container. Once again he felt rather energized from the large concentrated beverage. Flapping his wings harder and drifting forward towards the bar, place his arm on it, Vako kept up his front. "Private armies and rebels you say?" Vako asked with his snide smile coming back into place.
He took that to mean just one thing. He took in two quick sniffs of air through his trunk. "I smell Republic." The man may have just been talking about what he'd fought with, but Vako had been referring to what he'd fought against. Realistically Vako didn't have a problem with the Republic, but he didn't have a problem with tearing into a minority.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
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...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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last online Jun 22, 2023 19:35:57 GMT -5
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Apr 17, 2012 22:23:49 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 17, 2012 22:23:49 GMT -5
"I smell Republic."
So that's how we're playing this game. Horst dropped his charade; it was obvious now that he wasn't dealing with some random, chatty drunk. This guy was talking for a purpose now, and he was still in his right mind. That meant he was probably the most dangerous person in the room right now.
Horst again tried to relax himself as best he could. He was no expert on body language, but by this point he figured his discomfort was pretty obvious. The smuggler was nonetheless determined to try and end this little conversation the same way he had entered it; alive. The Toydarian's life? Horst could take it or leave it.
"Republic, hmm?" Horst's voice dipped a bit. He knew better than to allow that word to roll through a conversation and expect nothing from it. The Republic's position as the galactic bullseye made it controversial, and when alcohol, drugs, and hot blood was added to the mix, things tended to sour quickly. Combine all that with the fact that the Republic would sooner see us all shackled and you have a lovely public opinion.
"I might have dealt with the bueracrats at some point," the smuggler continued softly, his voice adamant and bulletproof. Horst wasn't great at reading people, so that left self-exertion. This was the point of no return, and the smuggler wanted to make it dead obvious to this barmate of his. He rested his hand on his revolver, carressing the hilt slowly. He managed to put out one last lie. "It was good work at the time. I shot high and low, and it was worth it. That a problem?"
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
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Apr 17, 2012 22:43:26 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 17, 2012 22:43:26 GMT -5
Vako placed his arm on the bar, just behind his plate. He did not sit down, he had too much energy going through him to sit down. He took another drink from his container and stretched his mouth. "Problem?" Vako echoed. His eyes moved up, but his mouth remained closed. "Problem for some of them maybe." Vako waved his three fingers out towards the crowd at the dance floor. "But not for me." Vako revealed.
Taking a bite of meat, Vako chewed. "What do I care about the Republic?" Vako asked. "I happened to be on the right side of the line when I saw them." He tapped on his trunk as he spoke. He had indeed fought against the Republic, and had won every time.
Sipping a bit more of his drink, Vako realized he was making quite a bit of headway in emptying the container. He'd soon have to go get himself a new one, but he was fine for the moment. The plate of food was still fairly full, and that would keep him occupied for a while.
Vako hadn't made a point of noting it, but he had seen the man move his hand down, and could only assume he'd put it on a weapon. It didn't bother Vako much, it wasn't as though he was looking to grab his own. But it was easy enough to see the tension in the human, and Vako seemed to be on he right trail in figuring out who he was.
"So..." Vako began, his eyes looking towards the ceiling. "Enlistment or... higher." The human was very large, and seemed to hold himself a little bit higher then the average bounty hunter that happened to find themselves shooting at the same thing the Republic was.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
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...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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last online Jun 22, 2023 19:35:57 GMT -5
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Apr 18, 2012 12:15:31 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 18, 2012 12:15:31 GMT -5
Alright then. Horst actually managed to release some of the tension in his back as Vako described his lack of concern with Horst's past. The smuggler sighed before feeling the rim of his empty glass. He knew the words spoken by the Toydarian could very well be lies, but the lack of consideration and emotion behind them convinced the veteran that he was being honest, at least.
That still, of course, didn't mean he was going to be honest (though he'd love to be). All Vako's confession meant was that the smuggler could be a little more forth-coming, allowing him to use some of his older, more honest fibs.
"Enlisted," Horst responded, becoming sentimental for a moment. In all reality, he had gone to (and paid for with blood, sweat, and tears beyond the average snobby cadet) officer's school. Even still, Horst had never really felt like that meant much of anything; in his entire life the only thing that being an officer had changed in him was the little title the government used to put before his name. Beyond that? Jack squat.
Horst leaned back, half pretending and half actually relaxing and stretching his contorted spine. If he wasn't in immediate danger of getting shot, he might as well try and not exert himself. "I was part of a group of misfits you've probably never heard of." The smuggler grinned warmly as he recollected his first few years. Those had been the days. "We had some official name, some number, but we always went by what people called us." Horst chuckled as he repeated the name so many had used to call his men. "'The Acklay's Foot.'"
And just like that, Horst could imagine his years as Captain Horst Stellar and the Acklay's Foot. He could still see the battered faces of unmotivated and lazy boys become the hardened, determined faces of men. He could still hear the shouts of ridicule and jesting transform in yells of admiration and commendation. Those were the days when he would wake up every morning and smile. He was happy, achieved, and maybe even a little proud.
Now what was he? A drunken smuggler in a party of scum trying to forget he had ever been anything more.
Horst sighed again before rapping on the counter for the barkeep. If he could still remember, he wasn't drunk enough. As he waited, he turned to face Vako, sitting up and unintentionally displaying his full stature.
"How about you Vako. Have any memories of better days past?"
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
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Apr 18, 2012 13:27:22 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 18, 2012 13:27:22 GMT -5
The man’s size didn’t leave anything for Vako to doubt in terms of being enlisted. He did seem to hold himself with an air of superiority when it came to those that were around him, but that could just be attributed to him being from the Republic. It did leave enough for Vako to presume he hadn’t stayed at the lowest rank they had. He was old, so he probably had made it to some standing.
”When it comes to an individuals stories of the Republic.” Vako mentioned. ”I’ve never heard of anything.” Vako was lying, but only partially. His implication was that he knew fairly little about what the Republic did, when in fact he was a very well researched being. But as far the stories of people went, he really didn’t know much.
Slipping one of the blades on his center finger, he cut a piece of meat in half. ”Better days past.” Vako echoed again as he cut the meat again. Grabbing it he brought it up with his hand. ”There was a time with the Black Rocks that we attacked a Wookiee colony.” Vako had a large smile form on his face and he chuckled. He tossed the meat into his mouth and chewed quickly. ”That was a very good day.”
Vako despised Wookiees. Was it right for him to take the actions of a few and attribute it the whole? Most would say no, but Vako disagreed. ”They’re strong… hahaha… but they get stupid.” Even seeing Wookiees put Vako on edge, and if there was one thing that never bothered him, it was putting them to the bolt.
Washing down the meat with another drink from his container, Vako came up with his own question. ”Did your…. Acklay.” Vako began, only remembering the first part of what the man’s unit was called. ”ever see any actual and heavy fighting?” Vako imagined the answer to a question like that was no. The Republic hadn’t been known for getting into large skirmishes in recent memory, but he couldn’t be sure.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
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...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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last online Jun 22, 2023 19:35:57 GMT -5
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Apr 18, 2012 14:12:47 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 18, 2012 14:12:47 GMT -5
((OOC: We've gotta hell of a pace going here. I like it!))
"That depends on your definition of heavy fighting," Horst answered as the barkeep arrived. The smuggler tapped his glass, and the bartender promptly proceeded to refill it with Corellian Whiskey. Horst waited for the drink to be served, and then began to sip it again. This time around, however, he drank far more slowly. Reminescing in times past instead of forgetting them always had a way of bringing a sort of happy peace into the smuggler. He liked the feeling, but it was bitter-sweet; he knew it could never stay.
"If you're talking about the war," Horst continued, eyeing Vako, "then no, we never saw heavy action. This was before the war." The smuggler tried again to get a bead on just what this guy's aim was. Is he just passing the time? If he's here to kill me, he would've tried already by this point. The smuggler raised an eyebrow. What are you doing, Vako?
Horst dismissed his thought temporarily and continued his response. "If, however, you're talking about gritty warfare, then yeah, we did that." Horst held up his hand and slowly counted on his fingers the things they had fought. "Pirates and bandits, mercenaries funded by crimelords, and even crowd control when everything else didn't cut it." Horst looked at the counter blankly for a minute, remembering the hell he'd put those soldiers through. It wasn't the frontlines, but at some point it had ceased to matter; they did what any soldiers shooting at the Sith nowadays did, and that meant something.
"We were fighting the wars that didn't count as wars."
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
Padawan
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Apr 18, 2012 17:29:32 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 18, 2012 17:29:32 GMT -5
Moving his eyes to look to his right, as though he was envisioning a response that was demeaning, Vako though about the fact that it was obvious he wasn't talking about the current war. Had he been referring to the current one, he'd have mentioned it specifically. And this man seemed distanced enough from his time in service that it wasn't likely he had anything to do with it.
When Horst began to talk about the things he'd actually fought against Vako gave a harsh chuckle. "So us in essence." Vako's finger moved around in a whirling motion to signify everyone around them. In general, everyone fit into at least one of his categories. Vako himself had fit into the mercenaries funded by crimelords.
Seeing the man begin to stare off and in Vako's opinion brood, he rolled his eyes. This was something Vako never did. He didn't have friends in the battles and campaigns he'd been a part of. When most people were getting killed off, Vako generally payed attention to species make up. And that let him think of them as just stupid animals.
"In general, I've seen many wars that were wars." Vako explained. "That's what the varying planetary histories have them as anyway." He began to nod as he spoke. "That and massacres."
Even down to his time as a soldier for Toydor in the war fought over food, it had come down to there just being a great deal of massacres. He'd been fortunate enough to find himself in the force of the majority, or at least better equipped, for most of his time. And when the enemy was fighting and dying, and they were losing few, massacre was the only real way to describe.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
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...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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last online Jun 22, 2023 19:35:57 GMT -5
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Apr 18, 2012 23:11:13 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 18, 2012 23:11:13 GMT -5
Horst grimaced a little as Vako made the connection from Horst's former enemies to his present company. The mercenary was right; he had gone from hunting and fighting these people to sitting down and drinking with them. It made him take a second look; who were these folks?
"I suppose you're right," the smuggler admitted, swirling his drink before sipping it again. The whiskey was warm and brazen, and made Horst smile. At least some things were simple. "It's just that the entire reason I enlisted was to try to not wind up here." The smuggler sighed. "So much for that."
The Toydarian went on to describe his own past; shooting for, as he himself put it, the sake of shooting. Horst nodded as he spoke; he had easily heard a war on side called a massacre, and the other a legitamite battle. He had been in enough of those himself to say which they were, but no one ever took it from the guy that had been their.
"It's amazing what people will say, isn't it?" Horst chuckled, hoping to shift the conversation to less of a history lesson and more of war-story-swap. "Not so much their reasons why, but rather the numerous different theories they'll imagine and take as facts," Horst snapped his right hand, "just like that."
Horst smiled and sipped his whiskey again. Fianlly, someone relatable. "Any regrets?"
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
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Apr 19, 2012 0:10:57 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 19, 2012 0:10:57 GMT -5
In his face, Vako could see that the man was somewhat disheartened by the fact that he was at the party. It was one of those situations where one realized that they had become something they never wanted to be. Vako had had a similar situation years earlier, but it passed quickly. But that transition was small. This man looked as though he had stood on top of a mountain, and suddenly fallen into a canyon deeper then he could imagine.
Vako felt no sympathy. Moreover he had to keep himself from laughing. He was a very mean spirited creature and the thought of such a thing happening to someone, especially someone in the Republic, was something he found hilarious. He managed to keep himself from doing so, but it didn't stop his grin.
When Horst began to go on about the change in facts, Vako waited until he was finished before he would say anything. He took a short sip as he paused to listen, but the whole time he was thinking about the best way to tell him he was wrong. When he stopped, Vako gave two clicks out of the right side of his mouth and turned his head slightly. "That goes under the assumption that they weren't massacres." Vako pointed out.
He reached with his left hand onto his belt and wrapped his fingers around the handle of the short sword on his belt. He quickly pulled it out, and lifted it up. His lips pressed together, he stabbed the sword down into the bar. It gave a loud crash as it did, and his plate and container jumped. The sword barely got through the flat surface, but it did just enough so that it would stand. " When they were using just these." Vako said holding his left hand flat to gesture towards the sword. "Its hard to saw it wasn't a massacre... when we were using just these." Vako plucked a detonator off of the belt that was on his chest, and held it in his hand.
He put the detonator back on the belt, but he left the short sword in the bar. He grabbed his drink and looked across at the bar. He began to have his own moment of envisioning the past, though he was doing it to look for an answer to a mental question, not to reflect. "I don't remember why we were there." Vako admitted. He then had a confused look sweep across his face. "I think it had something to do with seeds." He shrugged.
Typically Vako made a good point of knowing what he was doing and why. But that was early in his time, and he wasn't able to ask many questions.
Lifting the drink back to just below his trunk he remained looking across at the back wall. "But regrets?" Vako repeated. As he thought about it he gave a cackle with a closed mouth. "Perhaps not using more of, just these." He said pointing at the detonator on his belt again. "When we were up against that tribe of filthy fur, soon to be slave, beasts."
Vako making another attack on Wookiees wasn't uncommon. He had a distaste for many species in the galaxy, but wookiees were the ones he hated the most. He had a habit of repeating himself when it came to his beliefs and biases, and that was not likely to change.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
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...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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last online Jun 22, 2023 19:35:57 GMT -5
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Apr 20, 2012 12:32:06 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 20, 2012 12:32:06 GMT -5
Horst chuckled as Vako pointed out the fact that all battles were massacres. The Toydarian was right; in the end, one side was killing the other. They might have their reasons or justifications or enabling claims, but in the end the battles were just that: massacres.
The merc then became a little lost in thought as he stabbed the bar counter and handled a small detonator he had on his person. Horst wasn't sure what to make of it; was a sword less effective than a detonator linked to a modern explosive? It could've been less the actual killing and more the idea of killing up close with your own two hands, but Horst still just didn't see it; killing was killing.
Then the Toydarian, just for a moment, seemed to really show some emotion. He described his adventure with the Wookies, or rather his adventure against the Wookies. Horst wouldn't pretend to know the Toydarian well, but so far tonight, Vako hadn't used more emotion than in ridiculing the Wookies. Horst raised an eyebrow; what exactly made this guy so hostile to a bunch of furry tribals living in trees? Had they done something to him? Horst doubted it, but a certain level of dislike was definitely there.
"Call me crazy, but do I hear a little anger there?" Horst asked. It was a bold question, but after recieving enough of those tongith himself, he was ready to shoot a few of his own.
Before the Toydarian could answer, a Zabrak woman arrived next to the smuggler. She remained silent for a moment, then waved down the bartender. As she did, she pulled from her pocket a small picture. As Horst again sipped his whiskey, which he managing to keep in the glass far longer, he happened a glance at the picture. On it was his face, along with his full name and even his former rank. The woman whispered to the barkeep for a moment, and the barkeep seemed to think about what she said. He then shook his head, whispered back, and departed.
Horst immediately turned his head away. Chances were that if she recognized him, he would begin to have a very poor night (or rather a night poorer than this one was already). Horst dashed his eyes over to Vako, and then again toward the woman. He needed a plan, and he needed it fast.
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
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Apr 21, 2012 12:22:38 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 21, 2012 12:22:38 GMT -5
Grabbing his sword and pulling it out of the bar, Vako slipped the weapon back into it's proper place. He used his still extended finger blade to jab into another piece of food and ate it. It was a bit crunchier then he had expected and it had to press hard with his teeth. After he swallowed it he ran his tongue around his tusk. There was no damage, but that was no surprise.
When Horst mentioned his aggression against wookies, the Toydarian thought on how best to respond. "I wouldn't say anger." Vako replied to the accusation. "I would say..." Vako paused a moment finding the right words. "Unrelenting hatred." He nodded finding that to be most appropriate.
Not stopping, he continued on with his distaste. "Brainless, primitive, rugs, who's only use in the galaxy is to be picked up by this slave group or that." He finished. "Which your people are very good at seeing done." Vako gave a horrid smile after he said that. He didn't care about slavery, especially not with wookiees. As far as he was concerned that was all they were for.
It was then that Vako noticed that Horst didn't seem to be paying very close attention to what he was saying. That didn't bother him, it happened all the time. But what he noticed was why he was paying attention. The woman that had just come up beside him, and asked the bar tender something. Horst seemed to be looking at her through his peripherals, and as she moved away, he darted his head back.
That was something Vako found very interesting. He wasn't sure exactly what the circumstance was, but something was a bit off. "See something more not to your liking about the party, Horst?" Vako asked, rather loudly as he dropped a piece of food down his throat as he looked up, almost like he was feeding himself. He brought his eyes back down and went to grab another piece.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
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...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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Apr 21, 2012 14:43:51 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 21, 2012 14:43:51 GMT -5
Horst sighed as the Zabrak woman slipped back into the crowds. Horst watched her silently from the corner of his eye. He had expected there to be people at the party looking for him, but as of that point, he hadn't seen anyone hounding him.
The smuggler slowly turned back to Vako. The Toydarian's face had contorted to a look of utter distaste, and Horst managed to catch his last snippet of Wookie hate. As the smuggler relaxed again, he detected Vako's comment about the human affinity for slaving. If he had heard that comment twenty years ago, he would have tried to defend, but after some of the things he had seen both in and out of the service, he simply nodded in agreement. The smuggler began to drink again.
"See something more not to your liking about the party, Horst?"
Horst stopped mid-sip. Would it be smart to tell Vako about his bounty? On the one hand, Vako didn't seem like the bounty-hunter type. He was generally apathetic to his work, and also seemed like he could care less about a Republic bounty. On the other hand, he was still relatively new to Horst, and the smuggler knew better than to spread secrets among strangers with guns.
He'll dig for it if I don't come clean. Horst resumed drinking, and finished his swig of whiskey with a satisfied "Ah." Then he turned to Vako. "Just a complication or two catching up to me," Horst answered, revealing enough to give a hopefully satisfying answer.
At that point, something occurred to Horst; something he hadn't thought of initially. "Have you ever worked for a man who goes by Mr. Frouten?"
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
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Apr 23, 2012 15:51:39 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 23, 2012 15:51:39 GMT -5
Vako looked over at the Zabrak woman that had walked p. It seemed that his attempt at causing trouble hadn't quite fallen the way he had hoped. Vako had really only said his name so loud in an attempt to discern if he was on the run, and in particular if that woman who had arrived was looking for him.
Though he hadn't directly had success, Vako took a sip from his container with a smile, knowing that the the man was at least in some sort of trouble. Vako fortunately was never in trouble. He owed no one anything, and no one owed him anything. He just fought and drifted. The man however did not seem to have such a life.
Flapping his wings at an angle to bring himself over the bar, Vako put his container down. "No." He answered. "In general, I don't work for or with anyone whom I have to call...mister." Vako practically spat the last word. He took it as a sign of status, and one that didn't describe him. Typically it described those that thought highly of themselves, or more specifically, thought of themselves as higher then Vako. This never sat well with him.
Using his foot, Vako tapped the stool that had been where he was flying. It had been in his way for quite a while and he was tired of it. The stool dropped back and fell to the ground. "What is your complications with Frrrrr..." Vako once again forgot the name of the person in question. "Fr-al ucha chi bo'ta" Vako finished the name by speaking in the language of his people, really just saying "Something something" for the rest of the name.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
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...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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Apr 24, 2012 20:35:06 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 24, 2012 20:35:06 GMT -5
Vako punctuated his question with a crash from the stool he was hovering above. Horst could barely hear the smash over the roar of the party behind him, but the sounds still made him blink in discomfort.
"We have a long and, uh..." Horst considered for a moment, "colorful history." The smuggler finished his whiskey again. He would never describe everything to Vako, but by this point sharing his odd story to the merc seemed okay. Not only did Vako seem apathetic toward Horst's personal history, but he also didn't seem to be connected to it in any way.
"To make a long story short, the guys hates me." Horst asked himself the same question he had asked himself so many times when he was locked in that room of the hangar off of Kuat: Why did Fro hate me beforehand? Horst had always tried to convince himself it was because of Mr. Important; he hadn't taken the offer right off the bat, and Mr. Frouten hounded him for it.
... then again, Mr. Fro seemed like a man who held grudges. And if it had been because of Mr. Important, Horst would have been abducted long before Mandalore.
"He basically kidnapped me and forced me into labor for a year. I escaped, and another year later, here I sit."
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
Padawan
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Apr 25, 2012 13:31:10 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 25, 2012 13:31:10 GMT -5
Adjusting the strap over his shoulder, Vako positioned his blaster rifle in a way that was less bothersome to him. He was fairly strong, but he still weighed a fraction of what the average sentient race in the galaxy did, so all the weight took it's toll over time. Still Vako found it necessary to have it with him at all times.
His Republic originating companion appeared to go in and out of evident fear and none. Vako took it as something just about anyone who had come from such a place would do in their current surroundings. But as he began to the elaborate on the circumstances of his discomfort, Vako had a different sort of take on it.
"Republic soldier captured, and forced into labor service." Vako couldn't help but laugh at the irony. He knew that the Republic didn't tend to work with such practices, but Vako and many he'd fought with saw that as option one, right before option two, which was execution of prisoners. Generally they did a bit of both. But this was mainly because fringe military groups didn't have much in the way of prisons.
Flying back over closer to the bar Vako grasped more food. This time it was more then he had before, and he put a lot of it into his mouth at once. He chewed through its juicy tenderness and tore it to bits with his teeth. "Best be careful though." he began with a mouth full of food. He swallowed it and then continued. "Most everyone here supports the expansion of slavery." Vako tilted his head to the right. "Myself included."
Washing the food down with a quick drink from his container, Vako forced his lips out as he thought of something. "But if your a run away slave, why come here? Why not run back to your precious galactic capitol and live the nice life?" This didn't make much sense to Vako. He knew that when you were in a tricky situation, it was best to stay in safe ground, and not play the odds.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
1,616 posts
628 likes
...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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last online Jun 22, 2023 19:35:57 GMT -5
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Apr 27, 2012 14:28:41 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 27, 2012 14:28:41 GMT -5
Horst's smiled widened a little as Vako summed up the that year of his life in one sentence. The Toydarian was taking the story seriously, but at the same time was also having a bit of fun with it. If that had happened a year ago, Horst would have been offended, but now he had to admit it sounded more like a cheesy metaphor than an actual experience.
Horst's smile dampened at the mention of the obviously pro-slavery crowd that surrounded him. As both an Acklay and a Rancor, Horst could count for days the number of times he and his men would bust slavers, slave camps, and slave convoys (with some help from the Navy, of course). Slavery on the whole gave the smuggler a bitter taste in his mouth: the idea that you'd take another thinking, breathing person, even if of another species, and chain them down and treat them like animals?
I'd become an activist if it wouldn't kill me.
When Horst realized that Vako was referring to him as a runaway, he paused. Was I really enslaved? He was put to work, held captive, under constant surveillance and threat of death, and kept totally secluded.
An educated slave I suppose. After all, most slaves couldn't fix starships.
"That's not an option," Horst replied to Vako's question. Under normal circumstances, Vako was right; Horst would've simply returned home and maybe restarted Rorry's old shop. But as it stood, this wasn't the case.
"Between an influential crimelord operating out of the Core Worlds after me with who knows how many resources combined with the small fact," Horst sighed as he continued, wishing what he was saying simply wasn't so, "that I'm wanted by the government of the Republic as a deserter and possibly a traitor, depending on how the brass pieced everything together, I'm pretty much ensured no chance of flying on back to the Core and sitting on my laurels."
Horst gasped slightly trying to reclaim some air to his lungs. That was a mouthful.
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last online Apr 9, 2021 13:59:41 GMT -5
Padawan
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Apr 27, 2012 16:18:37 GMT -5
Post by Vako on Apr 27, 2012 16:18:37 GMT -5
"Ha! Vako laughed hard at the reveal of Horst being wanted by the Republic. It was hilarious, especially to him. This guy could not have picked a worse set of circumstances to be in. Some may venture to presume Vako was at risk even being near him, but he wasn't involved with any of that. The idea that he was wanted by both sides of the law was utterly hysterical.
Vako laughed so hard that a bit of the food he'd eaten a moment a ago came back up his throat. He stopped, but kept his smile as he swallowed it all back down between closed lips. "How very appropriate." Vako said taking a drink to wash down all that had come up. It had left an acidic taste in his mouth, and that needed to be gone for him to continue.
"Your a species that can be seen everywhere..." Vako started. .... And you're not welcome anywhere!... ahahaha" Vako continued laughing. He began to slow a bit, but still was laughing. Chut Ch'ut zo tami co go'ro." Vako mocked, referring to Horst as the stupidest creature alive.
As Vako got control of himself again, his mind began to work once more towards advantages. "So what possible good do you think it is sitting out here?" Vako asked. "Many of these people are wanted too.... but that doesn't mean that they don't sell each other out to the law on a daily basis." Vako pointed out. "I'm actually surprised you're here... it's common for bounty hunters to sit outside of these things, and nab some easy credits up as everyone leaves." Vako was referring to himself, but the thought had crossed his mind once or twice.
He wasn't in a need for money, so if he was going to do it, then he'd be doing it for the sake of doing it.
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Fromikeable
Keeper Of The Techxts
1,616 posts
628 likes
...and I'm comin'! *guitar riff*
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last online Jun 22, 2023 19:35:57 GMT -5
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Apr 27, 2012 23:15:23 GMT -5
Post by Fromikeable on Apr 27, 2012 23:15:23 GMT -5
Horst sighed, exhausted by the conversation. The Toydarian meanwhile laughed his brains out at the irony: as he put it, Horst was welcome nowhere...
He's right.
Vako was interrupted by a small episode of choking, but as soon as he managed to resume his breathing, he uttered something in a foreign tongue Horst knew was an insult. The smuggler's face steeled a bit: it may have been a funny story, but had the Toydarian been in the same circumstance, Horst was sure he would have a very different response.
"I might be wanted, but that doesn't mean I don't eat any more," Horst began, trying to sound a bit more serious. Irony was one thing, but the smuggler was willing to avoid, for the sake of his temper, any more hysterical frivolity at his past; something he didn't regularly share, and tolerated laughter about even less. "Food costs credits, and it's hard to settle down and start a business or get a job when staying in one place long enough means doubling your chance of being brought in." Horst pushed his now long-empty glass forward for the bartender to nab. "That leaves smuggling."
The bartender arrived and pointed at Horst's glass. The smuggler nodded, and the container was swooped up and taken away. Horst watched the bartender leave, only to notice further down the bar the Zabrak was back. He looked at her...
... and she looked back.
"I don't throw my past around like a cold, ya' know. You get the apparent pleasure of hearing it because so far you haven't tried to shoot me," Horst explained, eyeing the Zabrak. She had immediately darted her eyes away and pretended to be occupied with her neighbor. She stole one last glance before again departing the bar. Horst slowly returned his gaze to Vako, this time keeping his hears sharp for movement to his rear and turning his head so as to see the crowd periferally.
"As for bounty hunters, I think the fact that I'm sitting here is a good testament to the fact that I can keep myself out of any custody."
Or the grip of death, depending.
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