#berek payne

[cinlat]

@actualanxiousswampwitch since you asked, here is a height comparison of the crew (I’ve been meaning to do this, you just gave me an excuse). Caldus and Altan are indeed, large boys. It just so happens that Khem is bigger. Khalu is tiny.

Adding Cinlat and Verin for giggles below.

[cinlat]

Berek: Tattooine- excellent, I must go shopping. Wouldn't want to sunburn.

Fynta and every other Mando on the crew: Just wear the beskar you big idiot.

[cinlat]

I have DONE it. I wrote a whole thing. 39 chapters of a story COMPLETE. Now for editing. I'm going to give myself a week to edit each chapter, then I'm going to post them instead of obsessing. You get what you get, but it'll be finished at least.

[cinlat]

”Not to put a damper on the plan.” Berek popped open a soda and took a long drink. “But I don’t have any fancy beskar to keep my ass whole.”

”What happened to that durasteel stuff I got you last time?” Fynta twisted to fasten her chestplate and caught Caldus staring. He glanced away, sitting to pull on his boots. Fynta forced her attention back to the Zabrak who was turning a deeper shade of crimson. “What did you do?”

Berek rubbed the back of his neck and answered with a pained laugh. “You ever bet on a sure thing and a swoop bike explodes on the starting line.”

Sighing, Fynta plopped onto her bed, forearms resting on her knees. “Who did you lose it to?”

”Card shark at the Slippery Slope.” Berek held both hands up when Caldus growled. “Easy big guy, it was an honest mistake.” Fynta shoved to her feet with a halfhearted glare at her long time friend. “Fine. First, we shake Berek’s armour free. Then we take back the docks.

[cinlat]

”Did you leave any hot water for the rest of us?” Berek’s wide grin announced that he knew their secret. Thankfully, the Zabrak didn’t say anything else about it as he slid two plates onto the island and gestured for them to sit.

Fynta all but snatched the fork from Berek’s hand and dug in. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the first bite touched her tongue. Caldus had the decency to thank their chef, and Fynta nodded and pointed her fork at the Cathar to piggyback off his gratitude.

Berek sipped at a green smoothie, one of those healthy, earthy things he’d always liked. “I tossed the articles I couldn’t save and treated the others. I figured you could get your own clean clothes.”

”Have a lot of practice getting blood stains out?” Caldus asked between bites. For all his decorum, he’d nearly cleaned his plate too.

Fynta held hers out for seconds while Berek answered. “Field medic, remember? You don’t want to know the shit I’ve been covered in.” He handed Fytna’s refreshed plate back and pointed. “The rest is for Altan. He’s a growing boy with twice the stomachs.”

[cinlat]

Caldus was still brooding on that thought when a too jolly voice boomed through the crowded restaurant. “Fynta fucking Wolfe!”

Glancing up, Caldus caught the grin that spread across Fynta’s face before she even looked up. She stood, opening her arms to a Zabrak who quickly advanced on their table. “Berek Payne in my ass.” They embraced, chuckling and slapping backs like old friends.

A character felt the need to introduce himself like...five chapters early last night. So, I let him. Berek has arrived.

[cinlat]

“Are you two alive or not?” Berek groused over the comm. “Because if not, I’m about to light this place up. Just need to know how long to wait.”

Fynta grunted and jerked against Caldus’s back. He wanted to check on her, but there were too many men in front of him to risk it. A moment later, her weight returned and they pushed forward. “Three minutes,” she growled. This time, pain colored her words.

”Oh thank whatever deity didn’t want you in his afterlife.” Berek revved an engine. “Get to me asap, because I found a new toy I want to try. We probably shouldn’t be touching the ground when it goes off.”