Post by Meira on Jan 6, 2014 17:53:09 GMT -5
Name: Joaquim Ignasi Alcanas Ybarra deVela
Race: Human (Humani)
Age: 28
Birthplace: The Hydian Princess, vacation travel vessel, Zeltron space
Allegiance: Self
Status: Vagabond Mechanic
Rank: Expert
Height/Weight: 5'10"/160
Appearance:
Ximo is of lean, but average proportions. His dark brown hair is slightly curly and hangs about to his shoulders. When needed, Ximo will tie it back and has even been known to braid a portion from time to time. Facial hair is almost always present, but trimmed short. His complexion is fairly light compared to his people, but still carries that exotic glow the Humani are famous for.
On a ship, Ximo moves with a certain grace that comes with a lifetime spent on space-faring vessels. But on land, Ximo’s movements are more rigid and uncomfortable. He would say that the ground doesn’t move right, that it lacks the familiar hum of a ship’s engine.
Most often, Ximo can be found in a stained jumpsuit, covered in grease or oil, with the upper half often pulled down and tied around the waist, exposing an equally dirty tank top or nothing at all. As a mechanic, his hands a calloused and rough, but exceptionally dexterous and nimble. If not barefoot, Ximo wears sandals or, grudgingly, boots. Around his neck, Ximo wears a braided leather cord with a clear crystal pendant which he can be seen kissing when in need of bona sort (good luck). The crystal, while holding no monetary value, is Ximo’s most precious possession and is never removed from his person.
Each of Ximo’s forearms bear tattoos. His on his right is a compass done in black and red with the words segueix teu propi cami (go your own way) written around the middle. His left forearm is marked by a series of black bands of different sizes.
Right:
Left:
Personality:
Laid back and quick to laugh, Ximo is very much a “go with the flow” kind of guy. He is fond of drinks and games of chance, a nice cigarra, and the company of women. Ximo is not above using his “exotic” accent and native language to draw in women, and for the most part this works for him. He is a believer in good times and would prefer to live his whole life in such. Settling disputes over a few bottles of wine is preferable to split knuckles and busted lips, after all.
Aside from drinks, gambling, and women, Ximo’s passion is for engines. In fact, he often speaks of them as if they were women, naming them and speaking to them like lovers. To Ximo, every engine is unique, with a life of its own, and should be treated as such.
Like most Humani, Ximo is superstitious, though life among the estrani has taught him to hide it well. His crystal pendant necklace, given to him when he was a young boy, was infused with bona sort by his aunt, a talented vident who told him he would come to no harm so long as he wore it. He never takes it off. In accordance with his superstitions, Ximo has an aversion to all canine creatures, sentient or not, and is particular about how people enter and leave the places where he is living; one must be invited and greeted to enter, and bid farewell when they leave.
Though it is difficult to draw out his anger, Ximo is no coward. He is a prideful man and will rush head-on into a fight if he feels insulted. He does not forgive such slights easily and is known to hold a grudge, even if a silent one, for a long time.
Due to a life spent almost entirely in the infinite expanse of space, Ximo is uncomfortable on the surface of planets. He handles this well enough, but he tends to be the first back on ship when it's time to leave. Furthermore, Ximo has a fear that has extended into the realm of phobia, ypogeiophobia to be exact; a fear of being underground. Similar to claustrophobia, ypogeiophobia is the irrational fear of being trapped, crushed, or dying underground. His fear differs from claustrophobia in that enclosed spaces in and of themselves do not frighten him. Ships, after all, don't tend to be known for their wide open spaces. It is specifically the ground that brings out his fears. The exact opposite of space, being underground means no escape. The burial rituals of many cultures confound him to the point of revulsion. Luckily, Ximo has never had to face this fear, and he hopes he never will. But he does have nightmares.
Ships/Vehicles: n/a
Equipment:
On Ship: A full work bench with a vast array of tools and gadgets.
On his person:
1 standard blaster pistol
1 holdout blaster (in boot holster)
1 multipurpose scanning tool/plasma cutter Click!
1 arm braced datapad (remotely connected to the scanning tool)
Stats:
Strength - Average
Agility - Average
Intelligence - Average
Charisma - Average
Combat Training:
Brawler: Adept
Melee: Unskilled
Ranged: Novice
Other Training: (Unskilled, Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master)
Engine Repair/Maintenance: Expert
General Electrician: Adept
Wooing: Adept
Pure Dumb Luck: Adept
Biography:
Joaquim Ignasi Alcanas Ybarra deVela, more commonly known as Ximo, was named very deliberately -even by Humani standards. This was a necessary action, as his parents didn’t much care for the idea of living their entire lives away from their families and people. So, while most Humani children are named to honor relatives, Ximo was named in order to mend a deep and persistent wound between two families. And it worked.
Paulo Alcanas Ybarra deVela, Ximo’s father, had fallen victim to the beauty and intelligence of Estrella Rubio Trujillo deVela. The problem with this is that, for at least three generations, the Alcana and Rubio families had practically been enemies. The details on the origins of the feud is different depending on which family tells the tale, but an objective statement would be that they fell into a great disagreement over the ownership of certain shipping and trading rights between an outer rim mining colony and a buyer within the corporate sector. So great had been the feud that the mining colony and corporate buyer sought business elsewhere and neither family ended up with the contract. Needless to say, any mixing of the two families was strictly forbidden.
Even still, Paulo and Estrella found themselves madly in love and willing to run away from everything that they knew in order to be together. The two made their escape only a few days into a Junta, catching a ride with a sympathetic crew away from Junta station. They found work aboard a large estrani travel liner, Paulo as an engineer and Estrella as a cook. It was hard work, but they were together and happier than they could ever have imagined. Two years later, their son was born. Paulo and Estrella decided to name him after their fathers, Joaquim and Ignasi, in hopes that he would one day give the two men reason to lay their indignation aside. However, when the child was three and the next Junta time came around, Paulo and and Estrella decided to stay away, fearing the wrath of their families. There were other Humani working on the liner, too poor to make the sojourn to Junta Station, and so the small community of families celebrated their people’s history and culture in the belly of an estrani ship. Looking back, Paulo and Estrella would say that they had most definitely made the right choice.
Ximo grew, a happy child, and was soon found under his father’s feet wherever he went. Like many young boys, he wanted to be just like dad, and Paulo was more than happy to show him how. So, when not being watched by one of his Humani “aunts”, Ximo tagged along with his father while he performed his duties aboard the vessel, when permitted. Ximo loved the crawl spaces and hidden areas his father revealed within the walls and floors, but had been terrified when first brought into the vast engine room.
Though his memory of the event changed with time, Ximo had practically wet himself at the sheer size and noise of the massive sublight engines and hyperdrive cores. The six year old boy had clung to his father’s leg, begging to leave, but Paulo insisted that Ximo stand tall at his side. There was nothing to fear. Slowly, Ximo came to learn this truth. By his eighth birthday, Ximo had come to love the roar of the engine room.
Not long after that birthday, his parents told him that they would be making the trip the Junta that year. They had received word from one of Paulo’s cousins that his father, Joaquim, was ill and would not likely last much longer. They took the journey with one other Humani family, arriving at Junta Stating in just a few days.
Their return had caused quite a stir among their families and to Estrella’s dismay, her father refused to see them. Paulo’s father also seemed reluctant to acknowledge the eloped couple, but superstition proved stronger than his ire, and the old man asked for them, fearing that holding onto such hate would keep his spirit lost in this world, never to join the Flux. His words to the couple were civil, though obviously not entirely heartfelt. But when he saw the boy who bore his name, his icy heart cracked and then melted. Never mind he also held his rival’s name, this child was of his blood and Joaquim could not deny him. Two days later, Paulo had the honor of holding his father’s hand as he passed away.
Word of this spread to Estrella’s family and, not to be shamed by the likes of an Alcana, Ignasi invited his daughter, her husband, and their child to his home, where he learned that he too was honored in the boy’s name. Ignasi was not so sentimental as Joaquim, but he did relent and blessed his daughter’s family.
In the spirit of family, Paulo came to an agreement with Estrella’s brother Jorge. Ximo would live with Jorge and his wife Belle, who both worked aboard the Trujillo family ship. Jorge was a mechanic, much more specialized in engine repair than Paulo was. With him, Ximo might find his calling. And so, teary eyes but trying to look brave, Ximo said goodbye to his parents and began his shadow years.
The Trujillo ship was not as large as the liner Ximo had known as home for eight years. But it was alive. From day one, Jorge gave Ximo jobs to do. They started off small; taking things to different people, holding tools while Jorge worked, and so on. But Jorge was constantly reminding Ximo to watch and listen; to learn. This was the most striking difference between the estrani liner and and Humani ship. On the line, Ximo was tolerated while tagging along with his father. Here, Ximo was expected. His age mattered little. Humani children learned quickly to hold their own.
For the few hours a day that Ximo was not with his uncle, he could be found with a number of other children in the “classroom” where his aunt Belle taught them all their lessons, from reading to the ancient histories of their people; mathematics to the mysteries of the flux and what might await them in the future. Belle was a talented vident and used her abilities to help the children seek out a future and trade that might bring them bona sort and a happy life. She had little to say for Ximo. He was a strong and talented boy who already seemed to know the path that lie ahead of him.
At any other time, Ximo was free to run and cause havok with the other children. They were wild and terrible creatures, always getting into trouble and then running off while adults scolded them and shook their heads. Had he not come to live with his aunt and uncle, Ximo would never know these basic Humani childhood adventures. The estrani were so much colder and uptight in regards to children.
By the time the next Junta arrived, Ximo had stolen kisses, been rejected, cursed a thousand times by frustrated neighbors, and had learned enough to know that he wanted to pursue engine repair and maintenance as his trade. He was happy to see his father and mother again when they returned to the Junta. Jorge and Paulo discussed the boy’s progress, both with proud grins. But this reunion would be short lived, for it was time for Ximo to find a mentor. He was no longer a child, and the true test of his skills and ability to learn would now begin. He followed along with his father and uncle through Junta station, meeting with a number of ship captains and crewmen before they finally struck a deal.
Anton Herrero Gaspar deVisio was an old man, slow to move, but still quick witted. He worked for a reputable crew and had been their mechanic for ages. But it was time to admit that he might not live forever and so, with the permission of his captain, Anton took Ximo as an apprentice. Ximo said farewell to his family once again, embracing his aunt and uncle with equal affection as his own parents. Belle gave him a crystal pendant necklace, bidding him to wear it for protection. Ximo promised her that he would as he kissed her forehead and turned to leave. He was sad to be leaving them once again, but this time, there were no tears in the young man’s eyes. The promise of adventure was far too great.
The crew that Anton worked with were known for their independent nature. And among the Humani, that is saying something. Their captain, Bernard, hadn’t been to a Junta in at least 15 years; not because he couldn’t, or didn’t want to. He simply preferred to work. Bernard was a deep spacer and those who worked for him either learned to love the quiet black, or they didn’t last long on the crew. Ximo would prove to be of the former.
No time was wasted once he joined the crew. As soon as Melodia Llunyana had disengaged from Junta Station, Anton was introducing Ximo to his first love. The engines of this ship had been put through quite a lot and Ximo quickly learned that they had a life and mind of their own. Anton, of course, was well familiar with the ship’s moods and tendencies and was patient as he taught Ximo how to sense what she needed. Ximo was surprised at the intricacy and detail that he was learning from Anton. As most young men his age, Ximo had been fairly certain that he already knew everything worth knowing. It took only a few days under Anton’s tutelage for Ximo to realize just how wrong he had been.
The work was hard. The weeks and months between ports with only the company of a handful of sour men were lonely. But Ximo came to love the ship and her men as his own family, scraggly as they might be. They did not give him leeway, as he’d been given as a child. He was not coddled or comforted. They treated him as the man he was expected to be, and in time, Ximo became that man.
With these new brothers, Ximo had his first taste of alcohol and later spent the night being laughed at as he heaved and retched in the head. He was included in meetings and decisions that affected the whole crew. On his sixteenth birthday, Bernard consented to a rare two night stay on Zeltros where the other men made it their mission to find Ximo a woman. They taught him how to keep a neutral face while playing cards. And all the while, Ximo learned to know and love every inch of Melodia LLunyana’s engines and electrical systems until he was as familiar with them as he was with his own body.
Not long after Ximo turned 18, Anton’s years began to take their toll on the man. He became frail, both of body and mind, often unable to leave his own cabin. It became a ritual for Ximo to bring the old man his meals and to sit with him at night and read aloud from old books and stories that Anton had loved in his youth. Just as he’d come to know the ship, Ximo had learned so much about his old mentor.
Anton had led a simple life, very much like the one that was unfolding before Ximo. He confessed that his only regret was never finding a woman to be his wife. “Brothers are a blessing,” he’d said, “but there is no substitute for a good woman.” With so much of life ahead of him, Ximo found it hard to take Anton’s words to heart. There was time; so much time for that, and more. When Anton passed away, both Ximo and Bernard held his hands. A crew member who was not cut out for the deep space life offered to take Anton’s remains to his family at the next Junta. The man left and, just like that, Ximo was the ship’s sole mechanic.
It was almost painful to think of how Anton’s passing hardly changed anything in the routines of life on Melodia Llunyana. Out of everyone, it was Ximo who bore the brunt of the loss. But Bernard kept them working and it was hard to miss his evenings reading to Anton when Ximo was often asleep before his head hit the pillow. But Ximo did miss him and, while the work was a good distraction, it didn’t fill the void his mentor had left behind.
Soon, shore leave transformed from an exciting time for exploration and curiosity into a beeline for the nearest cantina or gambling den. Ximo gambled or drank away whatever money he saved from their jobs. More than once, Bernard had to send a man to drag him back to the ship. By the fifth time, the captain called Ximo to his small office for a heart to heart.
Being a man of few words, Bernard kept things brief. Ximo had become a liability and Bernard could no longer trust him. He understood the loss that Ximo was going through, but he would not tolerate his behavior any longer. As they were already en route to pick up a delivery in the Outer Rim, Ximo would see the job through to completion with the rest of the crew, but when they arrived at Fondor to deliver their cargo, Ximo would go his own way.
No one mentioned it, but the rest of Ximo’s final voyage on Melodia Llunyana was marred by awkward silence and apologetic looks. By the time they arrived at Fondor, Ximo was almost grateful to be leaving. He could hardly stand the shame of it all. Taking his final pay, Ximo thanked Bernard for the years they’d worked together, slung his rucksack filled with his few personal belongings over his shoulder, and set out into the network of shipyards in search of a new crew to take him on.
He worked with a number of crews in the three years following his departure from Bernard. Most jobs were one-offs; a ride, a bed, and a meal in exchange for some simple repairs. He met many people of all different species, slipped deeper into gambling and drinking, fell into the bad graces of some nefarious men, escaped, vowed to live sober, broke his vow, loved women, forgot them, found others, and on and on and on. In that time, he received his first tattoo; an ancient compass design with the words segueix teu propi cami around the center. He’d told the artist the meaning, but the man didn’t seem to care what it meant, just that Ximo had the money to pay him.
The time for the Junta neared again, but something kept Ximo from finding his way back. He told himself it was circumstance, money, but it was something deeper than that. Ximo had nothing to show for the life he’d spent away from his family. How could he go back to them with nothing? This truth, above all else, was what drove Ximo with a new purpose. He found a crew, by pure luck and an unwillingness to take no for an answer. With this new ragtag bunch, Ximo’s life began to turn around.
This crew was young, bold, and unafraid to toe the line of what might be considered “legal”. They were led by one Ferrik Nodd, a gruff man from the core, fond of chewing on old cigars. His first mate was a Nautolan named Cam Dro. Nick and Nina, twin Zeltrons rounded out the crew as muscle and pilot, respectively. What they didn’t have was a mechanic, and Ximo was happy to take the job. Their ship was an old XS model called Wayward Dream and keeping it afloat was no simple task. The engines and electric systems had been modified and patched beyond recognition of its stock beginnings. Ximo was happy for the work, however, and never complained.
Slowly, they made a name for themselves as a crew that was unafraid to take risks. They ran jobs mostly for the corporate sector, moving product that clients preferred to keep off the books. They had some connections with the Hutts, but Ferrik was not keen on becoming too familiar with the cartel.
Ximo grew fond of this new family he’d found. Ferrik was a strong leader, and fair. Cam loved a good game of chance. Nick was a riot of a man, able to stomach more alcohol than Ximo had ever seen, who taught Ximo how to box. And Nina… Ximo hadn’t spent prolonged amounts of time in the company of women since he was a child. None had ever been on Bernard’s crew, and they’d never stayed in any one place long enough for Ximo to know any for more than a night. So it was no surprise that he became enamored with Nina.
He found himself finding reasons to visit the cockpit, just to catch a glimpse of her. At mealtimes, he was deliberate in where he sat, hopeful that it would land him in a place next to her. When she laughed at his jokes or smiled at his accent, he could feel his chest swell in victory. The other men knew, of course, what was going on. It was a quiet joke among the rest of the crew for some time until Nina finally caught on and took it upon herself to let Ximo know he was barking up the wrong tree. He was embarrassed, for sure, and disappointed. But at their next port of call, Nina became his wing man and he learned to love her as a dear friend and ally in the never ending hunt for bedfellows.
Four years into their life as a crew and family, Ferrik informed them that he’d locked in a contract that would take them far out into the Outer Rim. He was tight lipped about the details, which was out of character for him, but he promised them all a big payout, so no one asked questions. They arrived on Sernpidal and were met by a group of armed and armored soldiers guarding the shipment. The crew and the ship were searched and then the containers loaded onto the ship. Before they left, Ferrik received a threatening reminder of what would happen should they fail to complete their contract. He didn’t seem pleased to be spoken to like that in front of his crew.
Wayward Dream left Sernpidal with its mysterious cargo and they were half way to Agamar before Ximo even knew where they were going. The crew discussed what might be in the containers at every meal, but Ferrik shouted them down, telling them to keep their thoughts to themselves. He seemed to become more and more on edge as they neared their destination. Ximo also felt uneasy about this job. Everyone knew that tension between the Sith Empire and the Republic was intensifying, and here they were… bringing a mysterious shipment from the planet of one faction to a planet of the other. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
When they arrived at Agamar, They were met by seemingly common dock workers. But a close inspection of their build and their faces belied their military nature. Ximo exchanged nervous glances with Nick and Nina while Ferrik and Cam collected their money. No one dawdled when it was time to leave. Ferrik had been right, though. They did get a big payout from the job. But a few weeks later, news of disease wreaking havoc on Agamar crops left them all with a foul taste in their mouths.
Ever since that job, Ferrik changed. He was more uptight and quick to anger. He relied more on posturing and coercion to run his crew than the inclusive methods he’d used in the past. They all slowly lost their say in how the ship was run and what jobs they took as Ferrik held on tighter and tighter to his command. Nina was sure he was having a hard time coping with what they were sure they’d done. Ximo could relate. Between that guilt and Ferrik’s iron grip, it was becoming harder and harder to enjoy his life with this crew.
What sealed the deal in Ximo’s decision to leave was a chance encounter with an Humani couple during a layover on Commenor. The two were on their way to the Junta -had it really been five years already?- and welcomed him to come along with them. They gave him directions to where their ship was docked and told him they’d be leaving in the morning. Ximo rushed to find Nick and Nina and asked them what he should do. They confessed their own desires to leave the crew and, while they had hoped he would come with them, they encouraged him to go visit his family now that he had the chance. In the spirit of their friendship, the three went out for a few last drinks and even ended up getting matching tattoos. Nick thought it was a little too sentimental, but they kept the design simple with a series of black bands of varying thickness, and he conceded.
When they returned to the ship, Ximo gathered his things and said his goodbyes with Nick and Nina before going to Ferrik and Cam to tell them he was leaving. Ferrik quickly angered, demanding to check Ximo’s bags to be certain he wasn’t stealing. He flat out refused to pay Ximo for the last job they’d run, saying that his disloyalty forfeited his share. Cam, for his part, was silent during the encounter, but shook Ximo’s hand when he walked him out of the ship. The next morning, Ximo was on his way back to Junta Station, eager to embrace the family he hadn’t seen in fifteen years.
When he arrived at the Junta, he went quickly to where the Trujillo House ship was docked and made his way to the living quarters that had been his own home for five years as a child. When he knocked on the door, he was elated to see his own mother answer it. She screamed in surprised and then welcomed him in with a hug that threatened to break his rib cage. Once inside, Ximo found his father, uncle, and aunt all pushing to be the first to welcome him back. When all had embraced, they introduced him to Anabella. The girl hid behind her mother’s skirts at first. Only five years old, she was the child Belle had been dreaming about for years and had almost given up hope of ever meeting. After the family settled down to dinner, Anabella finally ventured far enough away from Belle to sit next to Ximo. Later that evening, she fell asleep in his lap as he and his father and uncle shared a bottle of wine around the fireplace.
Ximo told them the stories of his life since he’d left them all those years ago. He did not shy away from the low points any more than he did his proudest moments. When he was done, he waited for their judgement. He’d been honest about his life and the choices that he had made in it and, though he feared their rebuke, he needed to know how they saw him now. The brothers sat in silence for what seemed to Ximo to be an age. Belle came and collected little Anabella, Estrella cleared their empty glasses from the side tables, and still they said nothing. When Ximo began to fear they might turn him out, his father finally spoke.
“Mistakes in life are unavoidable.” he said, his eyes lifting from their gaze into the fire to connect with Ximo’s own. “A man does his best not to repeat them.” A gentle smile lifted the corners of his lips. “Ets el meu fill, Ximo. Meva Sang. I am proud of you.”
Though his family had tried to convince him to stay in the weeks of the Junta that followed, Ximo knew that he was not meant to work on some House ship the rest of his life. His journey home had brought him what he needed; the reassurance that he was a good man in the eyes of his family. With that lifting the burdens his heart had carried for so many years, Ximo said goodbye yet again and set out to find a new home in the galaxy.
Roleplay Sample:
"Listen, kid. It's policy. Either give me a home address or get out and we'll gladly keep the money."
"Who are you calling kid, eh?"
"Sir."
"I tell you already, I want the money now. Just give it to me here and we can be done. Why is this a problem, eh?"
"Read the fine print. Grand prize winnings will be delivered into the winner's bank account once a home address can be verified."
"This is ridiculous. I gave you my account, check it. Is valid!"
"Your address, sir..."
"I live where I go. You see this bag?" Ximo held up a rucksack for the casino teller to see. "This is my home."
"Are you some kind of beggar?" The man couldn't have looked more bored.
"I am Humani." Ximo replied, his voice lowering into an angry hush. He ground his teeth together. "I have family aboard the Trujillo House ship. Jorge and Belle Rubio Trujillo deVela, Deck 7 of Trujillo House Vessel, Nomadic Humani Nation."
The man behind the plastile window typed the information into his terminal. A moment, later, a soft approval tone sounded. "Congratulations, Mr. Alcanas. Your winnings will be deposited within the next 5-7 business days. Is there anything else I can help you with?" The man's face said go away now, so Ximo shook his head.
"Gracies." he said, pulling the strap of the rucksack more securely onto his shoulder and turning away. He'd hoped to have the credits in his account immediately, but five days was better than not at all. He supposed he could survive another week or so on Druckenwell... especially if it meant he was several thousand credits richer.
Race: Human (Humani)
Age: 28
Birthplace: The Hydian Princess, vacation travel vessel, Zeltron space
Allegiance: Self
Status: Vagabond Mechanic
Rank: Expert
Height/Weight: 5'10"/160
Appearance:
Ximo is of lean, but average proportions. His dark brown hair is slightly curly and hangs about to his shoulders. When needed, Ximo will tie it back and has even been known to braid a portion from time to time. Facial hair is almost always present, but trimmed short. His complexion is fairly light compared to his people, but still carries that exotic glow the Humani are famous for.
On a ship, Ximo moves with a certain grace that comes with a lifetime spent on space-faring vessels. But on land, Ximo’s movements are more rigid and uncomfortable. He would say that the ground doesn’t move right, that it lacks the familiar hum of a ship’s engine.
Most often, Ximo can be found in a stained jumpsuit, covered in grease or oil, with the upper half often pulled down and tied around the waist, exposing an equally dirty tank top or nothing at all. As a mechanic, his hands a calloused and rough, but exceptionally dexterous and nimble. If not barefoot, Ximo wears sandals or, grudgingly, boots. Around his neck, Ximo wears a braided leather cord with a clear crystal pendant which he can be seen kissing when in need of bona sort (good luck). The crystal, while holding no monetary value, is Ximo’s most precious possession and is never removed from his person.
Each of Ximo’s forearms bear tattoos. His on his right is a compass done in black and red with the words segueix teu propi cami (go your own way) written around the middle. His left forearm is marked by a series of black bands of different sizes.
Right:
Left:
Personality:
Laid back and quick to laugh, Ximo is very much a “go with the flow” kind of guy. He is fond of drinks and games of chance, a nice cigarra, and the company of women. Ximo is not above using his “exotic” accent and native language to draw in women, and for the most part this works for him. He is a believer in good times and would prefer to live his whole life in such. Settling disputes over a few bottles of wine is preferable to split knuckles and busted lips, after all.
Aside from drinks, gambling, and women, Ximo’s passion is for engines. In fact, he often speaks of them as if they were women, naming them and speaking to them like lovers. To Ximo, every engine is unique, with a life of its own, and should be treated as such.
Like most Humani, Ximo is superstitious, though life among the estrani has taught him to hide it well. His crystal pendant necklace, given to him when he was a young boy, was infused with bona sort by his aunt, a talented vident who told him he would come to no harm so long as he wore it. He never takes it off. In accordance with his superstitions, Ximo has an aversion to all canine creatures, sentient or not, and is particular about how people enter and leave the places where he is living; one must be invited and greeted to enter, and bid farewell when they leave.
Though it is difficult to draw out his anger, Ximo is no coward. He is a prideful man and will rush head-on into a fight if he feels insulted. He does not forgive such slights easily and is known to hold a grudge, even if a silent one, for a long time.
Due to a life spent almost entirely in the infinite expanse of space, Ximo is uncomfortable on the surface of planets. He handles this well enough, but he tends to be the first back on ship when it's time to leave. Furthermore, Ximo has a fear that has extended into the realm of phobia, ypogeiophobia to be exact; a fear of being underground. Similar to claustrophobia, ypogeiophobia is the irrational fear of being trapped, crushed, or dying underground. His fear differs from claustrophobia in that enclosed spaces in and of themselves do not frighten him. Ships, after all, don't tend to be known for their wide open spaces. It is specifically the ground that brings out his fears. The exact opposite of space, being underground means no escape. The burial rituals of many cultures confound him to the point of revulsion. Luckily, Ximo has never had to face this fear, and he hopes he never will. But he does have nightmares.
Ships/Vehicles: n/a
Equipment:
On Ship: A full work bench with a vast array of tools and gadgets.
On his person:
1 standard blaster pistol
1 holdout blaster (in boot holster)
1 multipurpose scanning tool/plasma cutter Click!
1 arm braced datapad (remotely connected to the scanning tool)
Stats:
Strength - Average
Agility - Average
Intelligence - Average
Charisma - Average
Combat Training:
Brawler: Adept
Melee: Unskilled
Ranged: Novice
Other Training: (Unskilled, Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, Master)
Engine Repair/Maintenance: Expert
General Electrician: Adept
Wooing: Adept
Pure Dumb Luck: Adept
Biography:
Pre Birth-8
Joaquim Ignasi Alcanas Ybarra deVela, more commonly known as Ximo, was named very deliberately -even by Humani standards. This was a necessary action, as his parents didn’t much care for the idea of living their entire lives away from their families and people. So, while most Humani children are named to honor relatives, Ximo was named in order to mend a deep and persistent wound between two families. And it worked.
Paulo Alcanas Ybarra deVela, Ximo’s father, had fallen victim to the beauty and intelligence of Estrella Rubio Trujillo deVela. The problem with this is that, for at least three generations, the Alcana and Rubio families had practically been enemies. The details on the origins of the feud is different depending on which family tells the tale, but an objective statement would be that they fell into a great disagreement over the ownership of certain shipping and trading rights between an outer rim mining colony and a buyer within the corporate sector. So great had been the feud that the mining colony and corporate buyer sought business elsewhere and neither family ended up with the contract. Needless to say, any mixing of the two families was strictly forbidden.
Even still, Paulo and Estrella found themselves madly in love and willing to run away from everything that they knew in order to be together. The two made their escape only a few days into a Junta, catching a ride with a sympathetic crew away from Junta station. They found work aboard a large estrani travel liner, Paulo as an engineer and Estrella as a cook. It was hard work, but they were together and happier than they could ever have imagined. Two years later, their son was born. Paulo and Estrella decided to name him after their fathers, Joaquim and Ignasi, in hopes that he would one day give the two men reason to lay their indignation aside. However, when the child was three and the next Junta time came around, Paulo and and Estrella decided to stay away, fearing the wrath of their families. There were other Humani working on the liner, too poor to make the sojourn to Junta Station, and so the small community of families celebrated their people’s history and culture in the belly of an estrani ship. Looking back, Paulo and Estrella would say that they had most definitely made the right choice.
Ximo grew, a happy child, and was soon found under his father’s feet wherever he went. Like many young boys, he wanted to be just like dad, and Paulo was more than happy to show him how. So, when not being watched by one of his Humani “aunts”, Ximo tagged along with his father while he performed his duties aboard the vessel, when permitted. Ximo loved the crawl spaces and hidden areas his father revealed within the walls and floors, but had been terrified when first brought into the vast engine room.
Though his memory of the event changed with time, Ximo had practically wet himself at the sheer size and noise of the massive sublight engines and hyperdrive cores. The six year old boy had clung to his father’s leg, begging to leave, but Paulo insisted that Ximo stand tall at his side. There was nothing to fear. Slowly, Ximo came to learn this truth. By his eighth birthday, Ximo had come to love the roar of the engine room.
Not long after that birthday, his parents told him that they would be making the trip the Junta that year. They had received word from one of Paulo’s cousins that his father, Joaquim, was ill and would not likely last much longer. They took the journey with one other Humani family, arriving at Junta Stating in just a few days.
Their return had caused quite a stir among their families and to Estrella’s dismay, her father refused to see them. Paulo’s father also seemed reluctant to acknowledge the eloped couple, but superstition proved stronger than his ire, and the old man asked for them, fearing that holding onto such hate would keep his spirit lost in this world, never to join the Flux. His words to the couple were civil, though obviously not entirely heartfelt. But when he saw the boy who bore his name, his icy heart cracked and then melted. Never mind he also held his rival’s name, this child was of his blood and Joaquim could not deny him. Two days later, Paulo had the honor of holding his father’s hand as he passed away.
Word of this spread to Estrella’s family and, not to be shamed by the likes of an Alcana, Ignasi invited his daughter, her husband, and their child to his home, where he learned that he too was honored in the boy’s name. Ignasi was not so sentimental as Joaquim, but he did relent and blessed his daughter’s family.
In the spirit of family, Paulo came to an agreement with Estrella’s brother Jorge. Ximo would live with Jorge and his wife Belle, who both worked aboard the Trujillo family ship. Jorge was a mechanic, much more specialized in engine repair than Paulo was. With him, Ximo might find his calling. And so, teary eyes but trying to look brave, Ximo said goodbye to his parents and began his shadow years.
8-13
The Trujillo ship was not as large as the liner Ximo had known as home for eight years. But it was alive. From day one, Jorge gave Ximo jobs to do. They started off small; taking things to different people, holding tools while Jorge worked, and so on. But Jorge was constantly reminding Ximo to watch and listen; to learn. This was the most striking difference between the estrani liner and and Humani ship. On the line, Ximo was tolerated while tagging along with his father. Here, Ximo was expected. His age mattered little. Humani children learned quickly to hold their own.
For the few hours a day that Ximo was not with his uncle, he could be found with a number of other children in the “classroom” where his aunt Belle taught them all their lessons, from reading to the ancient histories of their people; mathematics to the mysteries of the flux and what might await them in the future. Belle was a talented vident and used her abilities to help the children seek out a future and trade that might bring them bona sort and a happy life. She had little to say for Ximo. He was a strong and talented boy who already seemed to know the path that lie ahead of him.
At any other time, Ximo was free to run and cause havok with the other children. They were wild and terrible creatures, always getting into trouble and then running off while adults scolded them and shook their heads. Had he not come to live with his aunt and uncle, Ximo would never know these basic Humani childhood adventures. The estrani were so much colder and uptight in regards to children.
By the time the next Junta arrived, Ximo had stolen kisses, been rejected, cursed a thousand times by frustrated neighbors, and had learned enough to know that he wanted to pursue engine repair and maintenance as his trade. He was happy to see his father and mother again when they returned to the Junta. Jorge and Paulo discussed the boy’s progress, both with proud grins. But this reunion would be short lived, for it was time for Ximo to find a mentor. He was no longer a child, and the true test of his skills and ability to learn would now begin. He followed along with his father and uncle through Junta station, meeting with a number of ship captains and crewmen before they finally struck a deal.
Anton Herrero Gaspar deVisio was an old man, slow to move, but still quick witted. He worked for a reputable crew and had been their mechanic for ages. But it was time to admit that he might not live forever and so, with the permission of his captain, Anton took Ximo as an apprentice. Ximo said farewell to his family once again, embracing his aunt and uncle with equal affection as his own parents. Belle gave him a crystal pendant necklace, bidding him to wear it for protection. Ximo promised her that he would as he kissed her forehead and turned to leave. He was sad to be leaving them once again, but this time, there were no tears in the young man’s eyes. The promise of adventure was far too great.
13-18
The crew that Anton worked with were known for their independent nature. And among the Humani, that is saying something. Their captain, Bernard, hadn’t been to a Junta in at least 15 years; not because he couldn’t, or didn’t want to. He simply preferred to work. Bernard was a deep spacer and those who worked for him either learned to love the quiet black, or they didn’t last long on the crew. Ximo would prove to be of the former.
No time was wasted once he joined the crew. As soon as Melodia Llunyana had disengaged from Junta Station, Anton was introducing Ximo to his first love. The engines of this ship had been put through quite a lot and Ximo quickly learned that they had a life and mind of their own. Anton, of course, was well familiar with the ship’s moods and tendencies and was patient as he taught Ximo how to sense what she needed. Ximo was surprised at the intricacy and detail that he was learning from Anton. As most young men his age, Ximo had been fairly certain that he already knew everything worth knowing. It took only a few days under Anton’s tutelage for Ximo to realize just how wrong he had been.
The work was hard. The weeks and months between ports with only the company of a handful of sour men were lonely. But Ximo came to love the ship and her men as his own family, scraggly as they might be. They did not give him leeway, as he’d been given as a child. He was not coddled or comforted. They treated him as the man he was expected to be, and in time, Ximo became that man.
With these new brothers, Ximo had his first taste of alcohol and later spent the night being laughed at as he heaved and retched in the head. He was included in meetings and decisions that affected the whole crew. On his sixteenth birthday, Bernard consented to a rare two night stay on Zeltros where the other men made it their mission to find Ximo a woman. They taught him how to keep a neutral face while playing cards. And all the while, Ximo learned to know and love every inch of Melodia LLunyana’s engines and electrical systems until he was as familiar with them as he was with his own body.
Not long after Ximo turned 18, Anton’s years began to take their toll on the man. He became frail, both of body and mind, often unable to leave his own cabin. It became a ritual for Ximo to bring the old man his meals and to sit with him at night and read aloud from old books and stories that Anton had loved in his youth. Just as he’d come to know the ship, Ximo had learned so much about his old mentor.
Anton had led a simple life, very much like the one that was unfolding before Ximo. He confessed that his only regret was never finding a woman to be his wife. “Brothers are a blessing,” he’d said, “but there is no substitute for a good woman.” With so much of life ahead of him, Ximo found it hard to take Anton’s words to heart. There was time; so much time for that, and more. When Anton passed away, both Ximo and Bernard held his hands. A crew member who was not cut out for the deep space life offered to take Anton’s remains to his family at the next Junta. The man left and, just like that, Ximo was the ship’s sole mechanic.
18-23
It was almost painful to think of how Anton’s passing hardly changed anything in the routines of life on Melodia Llunyana. Out of everyone, it was Ximo who bore the brunt of the loss. But Bernard kept them working and it was hard to miss his evenings reading to Anton when Ximo was often asleep before his head hit the pillow. But Ximo did miss him and, while the work was a good distraction, it didn’t fill the void his mentor had left behind.
Soon, shore leave transformed from an exciting time for exploration and curiosity into a beeline for the nearest cantina or gambling den. Ximo gambled or drank away whatever money he saved from their jobs. More than once, Bernard had to send a man to drag him back to the ship. By the fifth time, the captain called Ximo to his small office for a heart to heart.
Being a man of few words, Bernard kept things brief. Ximo had become a liability and Bernard could no longer trust him. He understood the loss that Ximo was going through, but he would not tolerate his behavior any longer. As they were already en route to pick up a delivery in the Outer Rim, Ximo would see the job through to completion with the rest of the crew, but when they arrived at Fondor to deliver their cargo, Ximo would go his own way.
No one mentioned it, but the rest of Ximo’s final voyage on Melodia Llunyana was marred by awkward silence and apologetic looks. By the time they arrived at Fondor, Ximo was almost grateful to be leaving. He could hardly stand the shame of it all. Taking his final pay, Ximo thanked Bernard for the years they’d worked together, slung his rucksack filled with his few personal belongings over his shoulder, and set out into the network of shipyards in search of a new crew to take him on.
He worked with a number of crews in the three years following his departure from Bernard. Most jobs were one-offs; a ride, a bed, and a meal in exchange for some simple repairs. He met many people of all different species, slipped deeper into gambling and drinking, fell into the bad graces of some nefarious men, escaped, vowed to live sober, broke his vow, loved women, forgot them, found others, and on and on and on. In that time, he received his first tattoo; an ancient compass design with the words segueix teu propi cami around the center. He’d told the artist the meaning, but the man didn’t seem to care what it meant, just that Ximo had the money to pay him.
The time for the Junta neared again, but something kept Ximo from finding his way back. He told himself it was circumstance, money, but it was something deeper than that. Ximo had nothing to show for the life he’d spent away from his family. How could he go back to them with nothing? This truth, above all else, was what drove Ximo with a new purpose. He found a crew, by pure luck and an unwillingness to take no for an answer. With this new ragtag bunch, Ximo’s life began to turn around.
23-Present
This crew was young, bold, and unafraid to toe the line of what might be considered “legal”. They were led by one Ferrik Nodd, a gruff man from the core, fond of chewing on old cigars. His first mate was a Nautolan named Cam Dro. Nick and Nina, twin Zeltrons rounded out the crew as muscle and pilot, respectively. What they didn’t have was a mechanic, and Ximo was happy to take the job. Their ship was an old XS model called Wayward Dream and keeping it afloat was no simple task. The engines and electric systems had been modified and patched beyond recognition of its stock beginnings. Ximo was happy for the work, however, and never complained.
Slowly, they made a name for themselves as a crew that was unafraid to take risks. They ran jobs mostly for the corporate sector, moving product that clients preferred to keep off the books. They had some connections with the Hutts, but Ferrik was not keen on becoming too familiar with the cartel.
Ximo grew fond of this new family he’d found. Ferrik was a strong leader, and fair. Cam loved a good game of chance. Nick was a riot of a man, able to stomach more alcohol than Ximo had ever seen, who taught Ximo how to box. And Nina… Ximo hadn’t spent prolonged amounts of time in the company of women since he was a child. None had ever been on Bernard’s crew, and they’d never stayed in any one place long enough for Ximo to know any for more than a night. So it was no surprise that he became enamored with Nina.
He found himself finding reasons to visit the cockpit, just to catch a glimpse of her. At mealtimes, he was deliberate in where he sat, hopeful that it would land him in a place next to her. When she laughed at his jokes or smiled at his accent, he could feel his chest swell in victory. The other men knew, of course, what was going on. It was a quiet joke among the rest of the crew for some time until Nina finally caught on and took it upon herself to let Ximo know he was barking up the wrong tree. He was embarrassed, for sure, and disappointed. But at their next port of call, Nina became his wing man and he learned to love her as a dear friend and ally in the never ending hunt for bedfellows.
Four years into their life as a crew and family, Ferrik informed them that he’d locked in a contract that would take them far out into the Outer Rim. He was tight lipped about the details, which was out of character for him, but he promised them all a big payout, so no one asked questions. They arrived on Sernpidal and were met by a group of armed and armored soldiers guarding the shipment. The crew and the ship were searched and then the containers loaded onto the ship. Before they left, Ferrik received a threatening reminder of what would happen should they fail to complete their contract. He didn’t seem pleased to be spoken to like that in front of his crew.
Wayward Dream left Sernpidal with its mysterious cargo and they were half way to Agamar before Ximo even knew where they were going. The crew discussed what might be in the containers at every meal, but Ferrik shouted them down, telling them to keep their thoughts to themselves. He seemed to become more and more on edge as they neared their destination. Ximo also felt uneasy about this job. Everyone knew that tension between the Sith Empire and the Republic was intensifying, and here they were… bringing a mysterious shipment from the planet of one faction to a planet of the other. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
When they arrived at Agamar, They were met by seemingly common dock workers. But a close inspection of their build and their faces belied their military nature. Ximo exchanged nervous glances with Nick and Nina while Ferrik and Cam collected their money. No one dawdled when it was time to leave. Ferrik had been right, though. They did get a big payout from the job. But a few weeks later, news of disease wreaking havoc on Agamar crops left them all with a foul taste in their mouths.
Ever since that job, Ferrik changed. He was more uptight and quick to anger. He relied more on posturing and coercion to run his crew than the inclusive methods he’d used in the past. They all slowly lost their say in how the ship was run and what jobs they took as Ferrik held on tighter and tighter to his command. Nina was sure he was having a hard time coping with what they were sure they’d done. Ximo could relate. Between that guilt and Ferrik’s iron grip, it was becoming harder and harder to enjoy his life with this crew.
What sealed the deal in Ximo’s decision to leave was a chance encounter with an Humani couple during a layover on Commenor. The two were on their way to the Junta -had it really been five years already?- and welcomed him to come along with them. They gave him directions to where their ship was docked and told him they’d be leaving in the morning. Ximo rushed to find Nick and Nina and asked them what he should do. They confessed their own desires to leave the crew and, while they had hoped he would come with them, they encouraged him to go visit his family now that he had the chance. In the spirit of their friendship, the three went out for a few last drinks and even ended up getting matching tattoos. Nick thought it was a little too sentimental, but they kept the design simple with a series of black bands of varying thickness, and he conceded.
When they returned to the ship, Ximo gathered his things and said his goodbyes with Nick and Nina before going to Ferrik and Cam to tell them he was leaving. Ferrik quickly angered, demanding to check Ximo’s bags to be certain he wasn’t stealing. He flat out refused to pay Ximo for the last job they’d run, saying that his disloyalty forfeited his share. Cam, for his part, was silent during the encounter, but shook Ximo’s hand when he walked him out of the ship. The next morning, Ximo was on his way back to Junta Station, eager to embrace the family he hadn’t seen in fifteen years.
When he arrived at the Junta, he went quickly to where the Trujillo House ship was docked and made his way to the living quarters that had been his own home for five years as a child. When he knocked on the door, he was elated to see his own mother answer it. She screamed in surprised and then welcomed him in with a hug that threatened to break his rib cage. Once inside, Ximo found his father, uncle, and aunt all pushing to be the first to welcome him back. When all had embraced, they introduced him to Anabella. The girl hid behind her mother’s skirts at first. Only five years old, she was the child Belle had been dreaming about for years and had almost given up hope of ever meeting. After the family settled down to dinner, Anabella finally ventured far enough away from Belle to sit next to Ximo. Later that evening, she fell asleep in his lap as he and his father and uncle shared a bottle of wine around the fireplace.
Ximo told them the stories of his life since he’d left them all those years ago. He did not shy away from the low points any more than he did his proudest moments. When he was done, he waited for their judgement. He’d been honest about his life and the choices that he had made in it and, though he feared their rebuke, he needed to know how they saw him now. The brothers sat in silence for what seemed to Ximo to be an age. Belle came and collected little Anabella, Estrella cleared their empty glasses from the side tables, and still they said nothing. When Ximo began to fear they might turn him out, his father finally spoke.
“Mistakes in life are unavoidable.” he said, his eyes lifting from their gaze into the fire to connect with Ximo’s own. “A man does his best not to repeat them.” A gentle smile lifted the corners of his lips. “Ets el meu fill, Ximo. Meva Sang. I am proud of you.”
Though his family had tried to convince him to stay in the weeks of the Junta that followed, Ximo knew that he was not meant to work on some House ship the rest of his life. His journey home had brought him what he needed; the reassurance that he was a good man in the eyes of his family. With that lifting the burdens his heart had carried for so many years, Ximo said goodbye yet again and set out to find a new home in the galaxy.
Roleplay Sample:
"Listen, kid. It's policy. Either give me a home address or get out and we'll gladly keep the money."
"Who are you calling kid, eh?"
"Sir."
"I tell you already, I want the money now. Just give it to me here and we can be done. Why is this a problem, eh?"
"Read the fine print. Grand prize winnings will be delivered into the winner's bank account once a home address can be verified."
"This is ridiculous. I gave you my account, check it. Is valid!"
"Your address, sir..."
"I live where I go. You see this bag?" Ximo held up a rucksack for the casino teller to see. "This is my home."
"Are you some kind of beggar?" The man couldn't have looked more bored.
"I am Humani." Ximo replied, his voice lowering into an angry hush. He ground his teeth together. "I have family aboard the Trujillo House ship. Jorge and Belle Rubio Trujillo deVela, Deck 7 of Trujillo House Vessel, Nomadic Humani Nation."
The man behind the plastile window typed the information into his terminal. A moment, later, a soft approval tone sounded. "Congratulations, Mr. Alcanas. Your winnings will be deposited within the next 5-7 business days. Is there anything else I can help you with?" The man's face said go away now, so Ximo shook his head.
"Gracies." he said, pulling the strap of the rucksack more securely onto his shoulder and turning away. He'd hoped to have the credits in his account immediately, but five days was better than not at all. He supposed he could survive another week or so on Druckenwell... especially if it meant he was several thousand credits richer.
