We all missed Arkley and so did I. After the comment of Ark wearing an uniform, I had to doodle it inbetween things. Maybe I’ll do a more polished version some day, seeing as I know diddly squat about military uniforms and all that.
Also happy birthday @awkwardtimezone :D
There were only a handful of things Arkley would never, ever in his life imagine he’d do. Among these list was wearing a damned uniform. Yet, here he was, all fancy and posh among other attendants of the ball.
The source behind all the evil had started with nothing but a simple holocall...
“Ark!” an all too familiar voice started before a blue, holographic image followed when Ark put through the call. A woman with a mess of curly hair and scars adorning her face popped up. It was Ixshli. Her tone was overall friendly, but there was something behind it, too. “How busy are you?”
“Why hello to you too,” Ark started. He absently stroked his beard while pondering over the question. “I have nothing of importance planned for the foreseeable future. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, no reason at all,” Ixsh smiled innocently. Ark knew better than to trust that smile. “Actually, there’s a reason.” And there it was. The Jedi shook his head in good humour, waiting for her to go on. “Why don’t you come and meet me on Coruscant in the Flying Thranta?”
As far as Ark recalled, the Flying Thranta was a relatively remote cantina. He may have grabbed a drink or two there at some point. Ixsh had a tendency to drag him into friendly reunions. “I didn’t expect another round so soon, but I see no harm done.”
“Hey, look now,” Ixsh began to counter. “I’ve told you it’s the irresistible beard,” she’d add with a grin. “But I’ll see you soon!”
With goodbyes exchanged, the call ended. Time to get going.
--
The Flying Thranta was exactly as Ark remembered it. A little bit run down on the outside, while stuffy air lingered in the locale. The clinking of classes, a handful of shady patrons, laughter and the smell of cigarettes combined into a classical scene of the perfect location for smugglers, thirsty individuals and some other criminals. Maybe the occasional bounty hunter. Seeing as Ixsh had been the latter, it was no wonder she frequented the cantina when she had the chance.
Speaking of Ixsh, Ark spotted her as she waved him over. Of course, he had sensed her before seeing her. One of the perks of being Force sensitive. Once having approached, he was instantly greeted with a hug. Some things never changed.
“So what are you having today? That horrible concoction you call a drink?” he asked in a half serious, half joking tone. How Ixsh bore with the Reactor Core, he had no clue.
Ixsh snickered at the remark. “No, no, no. I actualllyyyy...” she started, before peering around inconspicuously. “...Have a surprise for you.” With a nod spared to Ark, she signalled him to follow as she began to make her way toward the backroom.
“A surprise?” Ark repeated. What kind of a surprise prompted a meeting in the back of a cantina? When she so pleased, Ixsh was good at hiding things or twisting words.
The backroom was vacant, spare for the duo that had entered it. Ark didn’t spot anything inside either that could hint toward the surprise. Well, aside from a box placed on top of a table. When Ixsh shut the door behind them, he could tell she was more tense now than she had before. She even bore an awfully neutral expression.
“Alright, not a surprise, really.” She held a small pause, hazel eyes coming to linger on Ark. “You know how I had... or well, have ties with the SIS?”
Oh boy. “Yes.” He fell silent for a brief moment. “I thought you quit?”
Ixsh shook her head. “Not quite. I work on and off.” Upon mentioning that, she slowly trailed toward the box. “I was supposed to meet up with another asset, but he had some... things come in the way.” That was one way of putting someone potentially dying. Or being captured. A small frown formed on Ark’s face before Ixsh continued. “Basically, I needed him to accompany me to a ball. Military kind of. With all that fancy bullshit and politicians sucking off one another kind of deal.”
Spy things were far from Ark’s usual dealings. Why hadn’t she contacted someone else? “Ixsh--” Ark said, and was about to continue, but said woman was on a roll.
“I know, I know. You’re probably thinking ‘why me?’ To be honest, I didn’t consider you initially, but you look like the guy who was supposed to be here and there’s no time to make new documents and disguises.”
Ark’s frown only deepened when disguises was brought up. Military ball and disguises... This was leading to something awfully horrid. “...Ixsh--”
“So I called you since I can trust you and because I need a ticket in,” she finally finished, allowing Ark to finally interject.
“I am not putting on an uniform.” They looked uncomfortable, stuffy and stars knew how the pants would sit. Pulling one on was out of question. “In fact, what in the blazes were you thinking of? I came to have a friendly chat, not-” he gestured toward the box where he supposed the disguises were “-to be dragged off out of my element into some schemes of yours.” He sounded far from pleased, which was understandable.
A sigh escaped from Ixsh. She’d foreseen the reaction. “I initially tracked some low life hunter, but the rabbit hole went deeper than I thought, and now I’m having to deal with some officer who’s potentially selling secrets and funneling resources to the Empire. He rarely shows his face, but he’s coming to the ball. I have one shot at this,” she’d say in return. Never did her gaze falter as she spoke. Clearly, this mission meant a lot for her.
They could have continued to argue. Ark could have walked out at any given moment, too. The topic of doing it for the greater good of the Republic and aiding its rebuilding phase would have more than likely surfaced as well. It was a mess.
Taking a deep breath, Ark let out a long, long exhale while he rubbed the bridge of his nose, eyes shut. Damn it. Damn it it all. When he reopened his eyes, he accusingly pointed at Ixsh, tone awfully stern. “You owe me. Big time.”
A faint smile tugged at her lips as she proceeded to slowly nod. “I know.”
I spent a sleepless night going through your swtor before I asked a question and it was good to go through and I went back so deep. But on another question to go with this you banner on this blog, what is them two relationship? You can link but I'm just. I went so far and missed that
I’m …. a little confused by the question? I don’t think I’ve received any of your other notes, unfortunately. As for the banners, I take it you mean the ones visible on the Tumblr App? I’m not sure which account you’re talking about so I’ll do both:
Quartervirus: Azil’mort and Laz’ab
Azil’mort is played by @gelarts, who hasn’t been very active on SWtoR since the timeskip. He was Laz’ab’s physician-cum-psychiatrist and slowly build a fragile trust with his patient over the course of many, many years. Apart from a few silly, out of character drabbles between the two of us, theirs is a platonic relationship and often a strained one.
AwkwardTimezone: Arkley and Ixshli
Ixshli is a bounty hunter played by @kangeera, who I ran with a few times before the timeskip. Since KotFE she contacted Arkley and convinced him to come out of hiding. They are friends, and despite her unhealthy attraction to his beard there is nothing else going on. To the best of my knowledge Ixsh has a husband, and R is married to the Jedi Code.
I managed to salvage this ugly motherfucker into the latter. Have a timeskip Ixshli. I struggled with this piece for months, lost the original file and things. Still don't know how to do floofsypoofs hair.
Arkley finally comes out of hiding to meet with an old friend. Following this snippet.
Arkley watched through the cockpit of the ship as the speeding starscape gave way to a dazzling glowing planet. The roaring fire as they burned through the atmosphere gave way to ruddy clouds, and then the cityscape of Nar Shaddaa fell away before them. The Jedi’s usual calm demeanor was ruined by the shuddering of the freighter, which made him grab the seat’s arms with a desperation that made the Twi’lek beside him laugh.
“It’s just a landing, I’ve done them a thousand times before,” Val’ezim chuckled, eyeballing the Jedi. He could only gulp as he fought to keep his eyes open despite the dizzying lights and skyscrapers whipping by.
Force but he hated flying.
There was also a nervous knot in his gut that didn’t help his discomfort, a nervousness at meeting his old friend again after so long. As the ship veered off the skyways and down towards the less desirable parts of the city he found himself leaning forward in his seat and craning to see out the windows. Silly, really. He wouldn’t be able to spot her from here. Ixshli would likely be huddled deep inside a grubby cantina by now, expecting to meet an unknown contact with a bounty deal.
She had no idea her Jedi friend was on the Smuggler’s Moon.
Nar Shaddaa was one of the handful of ecumenopolises that existed in the galaxy, and part of it reminded Ixshli of her home planet. She shook her head to clear her thoughts—now was not the time to get sentimental. Burying her head deeper in to the collar of her jacket, she made her way down the narrows streets in a beeline for the cantina. There had been a potential job offer, and she would take what she could get, even if it meant meeting in the scummiest ports of the Hutt city.
Taking a turn to the left, her hazel eyes peered up at the neon sign that flashed the cantina’s name into the night. This was the one. With a deep breath, Ixshli ventured inside.
The atmosphere was what you would expect from a secluded watering hole this side of the city. The air was stuffy with smoke and crowded with a collection of species from all corners of the galaxy. A dozen alien dialects filled the room to the ceiling, with a few loudmouths projecting above the din.
Paranoia lurked at the back of her mind as the surveyed the crowd. One never knew what could happen in a place like this, why had she agreed to meet the contact here? Steeling her nerves, she casually made her way to the counter and got the bartender’s attention. Moments later he’d poured her a glass and the bounty huntress drank slowly, a mask of neutrality firmly planted on her face.
All she could now was wait. She had the feeling the contact would spot her first, such was the perks of sporting curly, red locks with the alias ‘Red’.
Val’ezim was the first to enter the cantina. It wasn’t his first time confronting Red, but hopefully it would go better than the last. Arkley waited for several minutes outside. He loitered by the door, watching a band of scruffy-looking vagabonds as they huddled around smoking deathsticks. Once he was sure the smuggler had had enough time to make contact he slipped in behind a crowd of noisy Weequays. He was dressed in more civilian clothes, hood pulled up and obscuring his face.
It wasn’t hard to spot Ixshli standing by the bar. The Twi’lek sidled into the seat opposite her dressed in a battered leather duster and broad hat. He hesitated, then took off the cloth wrap concealing the bottom half of his face.
“Hey, before you shoot me this time, can I just say you’re looking well today,” he added quickly.
Ixshli glanced up from her drink at the newcomer, eyes narrowing while she forced a smile. Despite her thinly-veiled disgust she still looked rather alluring, but the grip on her glass tightened in an attempt to stop her hands sliding down to the blasters at her hips.
“You son of a Hutt,” Isxh muttered under her breath, leaning towards him over the counter. “I ought to muss that pretty face of yours, so don’t tempt me further. That’d be a real shame, wouldn’t it?” She took a loooooong sip from her glass before only slightly relaxing her posture. “What do you want?”
Val raised both his hands and sat back. “Hey, relax! I paid you back in the end, didn’t I? Every last credit accounted for. But we’re all a little strapped for cash these days, and that’s why you’re here, isn’t it?” He grinned broadly at her scowl before crossing his arms over his chest. “Anyway, you’re going to like it this time, I promise.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose as if trying to stave off an incoming headache. “Well? Don’t keep me waiting.”
The Twi’lek chuckled. “He said you might be impatient. I’m sorry Red, I lied. I don’t really have a job for you, I just dragged you all the way down here to annoy you. Oh, and also so it would be that much easier for him to find you.”
With a wink the Twi’lek slipped from the chair and had scurried away through the crowd before she could protest. Before Ixsh had the chance to retaliate a voice came from behind her—a familiar voice, if slightly rougher than she last remembered.
“Ignore him, this isn’t supposed to be an ambush.”
“He?” She scowled, but Val was already gone. She made a mental note to shoot first and ask questions later next time, pulling a hand impatiently through her short, messy hair. Her hand froze in place when the familiar voice appeared out of the blue.
Unable to believe her ears, Ixshli turned around slowly, drink all but forgotten as she came face-to-face with a man she hadn’t seen since all those years ago. Dumbstruck at first she stood as still as a statue with both hands clamped over her mouth. A few moments later a stupid grin slowly spread across her lips and her eyes grew wide.
“… I’ll be damned,” was the first thing out of her mouth. “I didn’t expect to see you anytime soon, considering how things have been.”
Arkley grinned sheepishly and gestured with his hands in a kind of ‘Here I Am’ before finally closing the distance between them. He pulled her up into a big ole’ hug, squeezing her tight. He was smiling from ear to hear; he’d spent so long in the company of Jawas he’d almost forgotten what real human contact felt like.
Finally he set her back down and took a step back, looking her over with a critical eye. “Well … I don’t see any new scars, so I guess that’s a good thing.” He himself had hardly changed save for a slightly more disheveled tousle to his hair—he could probably do with a visit to a salon—and few greys beginning to streak his beard. He reached up and stroked it pensively, as though suddenly self-conscious.
“How have you been?”
Had they been somewhere less public Ixshli’s reaction would have been far less subdued. Thankfully she managed to hold back her initial excitement and returned the bear hug appropriately, burying her face into the hoodie he wore. His beard tickled her ear and she smiled against his arms.
She could have stood there for God’s knows how long, but there would be more hugs in the future now that her friend was back. Straightening up, she resumed leaning her back against the counter.
“I’ve managed to keep out of trouble,” she announced proudly. “Erm … well, sort of.” She cleared her throat and eyeballed the Jedi, scanning him from top to toe with a small gesture.
“I see you haven’t changed much either,” she mused with a smile. “As for me, I’ve managed to keep busy, though it’s hard to find proper work these days unless you know the proper channels.”
Was the eyeing the beard? Nope. Totally not. That’s why she twisted herself to face him more as she took another small sip from the glass.
He returned the grin. “Good to hear. Seems like you’ve been doing well for yourself; Val was telling me on the way in that you’ve crossed several smugglers’ watch-list in case of bounties on their heads.” He wiggled his eyebrows before lowering his voice.
“It’s funny, I would have thought the invasion would have been more disruptive. But it looks like there will always be jobs for the less reputable types.” A wink. If he noticed her attention to the beard he didn’t show it, choosing instead to gesture at the serving droid and ordered himself a drink.
“A watch-list, huh? Who knew I’d be that popular to look at,” Ixsh joked, before she too lowered her voice and adopted a serious tone.
“It depends on whether one accepts contracts from the Eternal Empire or not,” she muttered. “Hell, a whole Mandalorian clan has a bounty on their heads because they managed to piss them off, and the Promenade’s turned into something of a shooting gallery as well. Seems like each week something happens there.”
“Well, my opinion might be biased. I’ve spent almost the last five years staring at Jawas every day,” he huffed, giving her a quick wink. His expression fell at the news, however.
“That’s a shame. I was on Tatooine when your message found me. There were raids and attacks every other week if we were lucky, and that planet is a dust-ball at the edge of the galaxy. Still, I may have to rethink my opinion on Hutts. Of all the clans vying for power in this galaxy, I never thought they would be the ones to survive something like Zakuul.”
“Tatooine? No wonder you look a bit crispy.” She grinned, crossing her arms as she heard him out. “I was actually thinking of stopping by there. Someone’s put a bounty on a certain sand person, but the risks might not be it.” She nodded, “Hutts are rather resilient as it turns out. It was more or less the others that suffered the worst.”
Arkley sighed heavily and leaned his elbows on the bartop. “It’s always the innocent who suffer in times of war. I fought you know, tried my damndest to make a difference and save who I could.”
A long, drawn-out silence as he took another drink, eyes staring dead ahead but seeing nothing. “We split up, Tel’nara and I. She was a Knight herself by then, and she had her own separate missions. I lost contact with her some years into the skirmishes against Zakuul. I can only hope she is okay.”
Dangerously close now to sounding whimsical, he cleared his throat and directed his attention back to her. “… So it was great to hear back from an old friend again. I should have reached out sooner.”
Ishli’s smile faded completely, lips pressed into a thin line. “If you want I could have a look about and see if anything on your former Padawan turns up,” she offered. She knew all too well what it felt like to lose both friends and loved ones to the uncertainty that followed the Eternal Empire.
“I know it’s not been easy for … you know, you space wizards,” she added. The Jedi really had gotten the short end of the stick in the whole conflict from what she had seen. Sparing him a sympathetic look, she added, “receiving love letters is rare these days, and I can’t exactly call folks up in the middle of the night either.” Perhaps an apology for taking so long to seek him out?
Arkley scoffed and shot her a wry look. “Oh, were you expecting a love letter? I thought I explained the Jedi Code thing to you. That was five years ago, I’ll understand if you need a recap.”
She groaned at that. “Oh, please. I was more concerned that you got stung by the sun and couldn’t remember it anymore. Or well, at least I’d hoped so. A lecture is the last thing I need,” she returned with good humour.
His brows shot up. “And you ‘need’ something else from me, is that it?” There’s a naughty lilt to his tone and he hides his expression behind the rim of his glass, downing the rest of his drink. When he slides the it away he turns to face her fully, leaning only with one elbow against the bar.
“Five years is a long time, but I’ve gone longer without breaking my Code.” Another little wink.
Ixshli bit back a comment or two. “For now your company is enough. I’ll let you know if I need something,” she countered with a smirk. A low whistle, “you’re aware you’re setting yourself up for bad ‘breaking the Code’ and lightsaber-handling puns, right?”
He waved away her words. “You say that like I’ve never heard them before! I spent almost my whole life in the Order, remember …”
A grin played once more across her lips. “Oh yeah? Have you heard about the time the Jedi crossed the road, then? To get to the Dark Side?”
“That’s what happens when you ‘release your anger’, as it were.” Another wry raising of the brow, but he’s quick to change subject with another clearing of his throat. “Come now Ixsh, you can’t have called me out of hiding just to Needle my Code.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle at his words. “Yes—all of this was a devious plot just to lure you out of hiding in order to break the Code you’re pretty much married to,” she joked. “In all seriousness, I had no idea where you’d gone and I thought it would be nice to catch up, make sure you’re still alive. And don’t tell me my little message didn’t brighten your day. I know those twin suns are nasty, but …”
He reached out and grabbed her head to give her a good noogie, tousling her hair before pulling her into another buddy-hug, arms squeezing her around the shoulders.
“Of course I missed you, silly. I missed everybody, but the Eternal Empire was merciless when it came to hunting down Jedi and Sith. I didn’t want to risk anyone else’s lives by dragging them into that, and even once the Order disbanded I still tried to do what I could to ease the suffering of others.”
He glanced around the cantina. “Do you want to take a seat somewhere more private? You can tell me everything you’ve been up to and bring me up to speed. I’ve been out of it for a while, my intel might be out of date.”
Instinctively, Ixsh threw her hands out to protest the ruffling of her hair, only to find herself pulled into a hug. Her arms stuck out awkwardly at first before she managed to return it.
“Aww, and here I thought flattery didn’t suit you.” She followed his gaze around the room before spotting an empty table through the crowd. “Over there,” she nodded in the general direction. “I’m more concerned that you’ll need a seat. It’s gonna take a while to go through everything.”
“Oh, trust me darling,” he drawls sarcastically, “I am a master of sitting quietly for hours. It’s another one of those Jedi traits you hate so much.”
Arms still looped around her shoulders, he picks their way through the crowd. The table is tucked out of the way in a dim little corner of the cantina, and after a brief sweep for any bugs he gestures for Ixshli to sit.
“Ladies first.”
“Why, sweetheart,” she crooned. “You love with the same passion you hate with,” she continued in an exaggerated manner, the crowd barely parting for the two as they pushed through.
“Such a gentleman,” she mused as she dumped her rear onto the seat. “Why don’t we start with what you know already?”
Arkley exhaled heavily, scooting into the corner as far as he could until he was leaning against the wall.
“Whoof, where do we begin? I know the Eternal Empire hit everyone at once and threw everything into chaos. Communications was one of the first things they attempted to cut, but we were getting reports from all across the galaxy of simultaneous airstrikes. I myself saw those rows and rows of battleships descending through the clouds.
“Jedi and Sith alike were fighting side-by-side in the midst of it all, old enemies forgotten in the light of this new threat … I find it heartbreaking, that it took the apocalypse for people to see their similarities instead of their differences.”
He paused and furrowed his brows. “I heard the death toll rise by the hour, by the minute. First people counted the numbers, then began estimating the losses, until finally everyone gave up keeping track and we just heard as each planet fell. I lost contact with Tel’nara and most of the Jedi at that point. We were scattered thin across the entire galaxy, and I barely survived myself. I heard the Republic military was decimated, and the Empire fared no better.”
His shoulders sagged as he let out another long sigh. Arkley had always been a bit of a dreamer, an optimist in the face of insurmountable odds and decades-long rivalries, still hoping the Empire and Republic might be able to overcome their differences. Such a crippling attack had weighed on him heavily.
“I contacted my family only once after that and helped ferry them onto a shuttle. They left for the Outer Rim—biological family, honey, don’t give me that look. My mom, niece, brother-in-law, that sort of thing—and I went to Tatooine to lie low. I hoped I would be far enough not to draw attention, but close in case of an emergency.”
Ixshli rests her head on her hands as she listens. He’d summarized the early stages of the war which hadn’t lasted long; everything had been wiped before people had a chance to understand what was happening.
She frowned at the mention of family. Most Jedi she knew didn’t have any, or else cut their ties with them as they did all emotional anchors. “The Outer Rim’s been pretty nasty in certain sections; Tatooine’s one of the worst off. Several gangs were wiped into oblivion in a single day and people have stayed low ever since.”
Arkley nodded. “I noticed. At the very least the skirmishes kept me busy, sometimes leaving my little hovel to relocate villagers and farmers before they got caught in the crossfire. My family didn’t settle there though, but on another lesser-known planet in the Outer Rim I have kept to myself. They’re doing alright. Surviving.”
An uncomfortable silence settled over the table; it was going to be a long night. “I more or less left my … job”—Ixshli wasn’t keen on mentioning what exactly it was she’d done for a living—“on Coruscant prior to the attacks. The months after that were hell. I … did manage to settle down on Lesso for a little while, repairing everything from speeders to datapads.” She had always did have a knack for tinkering. “It was a nice peaceful planet, great scenery and only a few cities. I moved out three years ago when Zakuul finally caught up to it. I wasn’t able to continue my searches, hit-and-run, or shipping operations.”
She leaned across the table and lowered her voice. “A friend of mine has formed a colony in the meantime. It’s difficult to get there, but it’s a haven for refugees. I’ve been staying there ever since … there’s even some Jedi there, too.” She watched him eagerly. Hopefully that last bit of news gave Arkley some hope.
His eyes flicked between hers when she hesitated. “Lesso? Can’t say I’ve heard of it, but I’m glad you managed to find some work. You seem to be doing alright for yourself at least, staying on top of the game.” He sighed. “I feel I’ve stayed away too long, but after so many years in hiding I wasn’t sure how to leap back into the fray … or if I wanted to … Jedi, you say?”
She nodded. “If anything, some people ship themselves off to Vendaxa. It’s right along the Corellian run and not too far from Tatooine either. There’s some underworld activity, yes, but refugees sometimes venture out there. Maybe your family would be safe.”
Staying in one place had never been easy for Ixshli, and even after all this time she still struggled to remain on one planet for long. “Luckily, we’ve”—those included in the ‘we’ remained anonymous for now—“managed to convince the owner of the place to move the refugees out to the colony. And yes, there are plenty of Jedi. We keep finding new ones every month, including sandy old hobos, like you.”
Arkley studied her as he scratches his beard absently. “Well if you’re trying to convince me to move in with you, there’s no way I’m shipping my family there as well. Nothing makes the Dark Side more tempting more than a weekend at my mother’s,” he drawled. “The Corellian run? Easy to move people in and out along that route in the case of an emergency, isn’t it? That’s why it’s so popular for smugglers.”
Ixshli snorted. “That, and there are only so many people I can fit in my closet or under my bed,” she quipped, meeting his gaze. “More or less; it’s the largest hyperlane and is harder to keep track of with all the ongoing traffic. Not to mention all the branches you can switch to along the way.”
“Huh.” He nodded thoughtfully. “Well uh … well thank you. It’s definitely an option I’ll consider, Force only knows my mother is probably tired of seeing dust-clouds every afternoon.” Yet more beard-scratching. And nodding. “I’m useless with hyperlane know-how. Hate flying, as a matter of fact. I was sure I’d ground my teeth down with all the bumping Val’s ship was doing.”
She smiled at that. “If you ever need anything just let me know, I’m more than happy to share what I have, it being treacherous times and all that. Besides, some real company might do you some good after all those Jawas and womp rats.”
She arched a brow at the latter statement. “I’m sure I could offer a ride more suited to your tastes.” It took only a blink of an eye until Ixsh realized what she’d said. “Wait—that sounded wrong …”
Arkley raised a brow and let out an involuntary snort of laughter. “Well that wouldn’t set it apart from anything else you’ve said today so far. It’s not that, though, Val’s a fine pilot I just … don’t like .. flying. I have two feet and I like them on the ground!”
“Now you’re just trying to make me look bad,” Ixsh quipped, absentmindedly pulling her hand through her hair as was her habit when not wearing a helmet. “Heck, you’re the second Jedi I know who fears flying, I think I’m starting to see a pattern here.”
He gave her a look. “It just makes me feel ill, is all.”
“… And that’s why you should invest in a jet pack. There’s only so much you can do with space magic,” Ixshli perked up. Then again she’d been attached to one for most of her life and had been flying since a very young age.
Arkley inhaled deeply and gave a sigh that sounded like he’d rather not think about that.
“I’ll stick with the Force, thanks. It’s been much more reliable in my experience. Although if you’re offering a ride I won’t say no. I only hired Val for a one-way ticket, what I do now is up to me.
A mischievous grin crept across Ixsh’s face. “I swear I’ll fly as carefully as if you were a senior citizen.” She may have crossed her fingers behind her back. “Got any specific plans in mind, or do I get to take you wherever I want?”
Some of her glee siphoned through and the Jedi gave her a searching look. “We’re not using your jetpacks, are we …”
“What? Noooooo … maybe only if the ship crashes. Or if you really want to. I know a few good spots if you’re looking for scenery around here,” Ixsh added with a wink.
Arkley began wiggling his way out of the seat and shot her a sideways glare. “Riiight. You know, if you’re looking for an excuse to stroke my beard, you need only ask.” He was on his feet now and offered her a hand with a slight bow at the hips. “Milady.”
Biting her lower lip to fight back another grin, Ixsh snickered. “Now look who’s desperate for love and affection.” She took his hand with a shake of her head. “You’re not planning any fancy, posh restaurants are you … good Sir?”
“On Nar Shaddaa? Fancy restaurant? I think you’re forgetting which rock you’re on!” He leaned forward and poked his beard at her mockingly. “No, I think I ought to slum it in a hostel somewhere around here and keep a low profile until I figure out where to go. I’m not in any hurry to rush back to Tatooine.”
“You’d be surprised,” Ixshli mused; there were at least a few fancy establishments for the upper class around here. Tourism and all that.
She swerved back in an attempt to dodge the incoming beard but wasn’t fast enough. Having been violated by the Holy Beard that abided the Jedi Code, Ixshli muttered something incomprehensible under her breath.
“Hostels are sleazy and lousy,” she protested. “I’ll be staying on Nar Shaddaa for a couple more days. You can come crash in the crew quarters, save some credits while you’re at it and have a free meal.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose,” Arkley declined for modesty’s sake. “Credits still seem to be good around these parts and I have a bit stashed from before the Eternal Empire. I’m sure I can find something suitable. All a Jedi needs is a quiet corner and a pillow. Besides, what better way to experience Nar Shaddaa than to slum it in some grubby, sleazy hole!”
Ixshli shrugged but nodded understandingly. “Whatever helps you sleep at night. I can point you in the direction of a place or two I know.”
Arkley nodded his thanks and followed her as she picked their way out of the club. “That would be most helpful, thank you.”
Leaving the hive of activity behind them, the two stepped out into the quiet streets of Nar Shaddaa. The narrow roads were dim and cluttered with wrecked speeder bikes and parts, the drunk and the homeless sleeping on the curbs while traffic screamed by overhead. His expression somewhat hidden by his beard, the Jedi smiled.
“They call her ‘Red’. I wonder just how she got that nickname. Even with those scars all over that face, I’d say she’s a solid seven-point-five. I’ll have to pursue this one close again…”
For beauty is nothing but the beginning of the terror we can just barely endure, and we admire it it so because it calmly disdains to destroy us.
— Rainer Maria Rilke, "The First Elegy"
ca 3644 BBY
It was not unexpected for the rain to fall through the thick clouds on Kaas. The dark sky was an endless sight, only lit by the flashes from thunder. For the Imperial inhabitants, it would have been a familiar view. But, unlike them, the young Mandalorian walking down the streets of the Imperial capital was experiencing the awe-striking sights of the towering buildings for the first time. She tried to contain herself, but new surroundings always stirred energy and giddy in her. For too long had she suffered from staying in the filthy streets and frozen landscapes. Turning around and looking up at the skyscrapers, her visor would be immediately covered in water drops. But she didn't mind.
"Ixshli," the male a few step ahead of her would say. "Is there ever a time when you're professional?" he'd ask, tone somewhat amused.
Gaze tilting down, Ixshli put her arms up in mock surrender. "Aww, Arkady, you know I’m a complete pro," she'd return jokingly. Even if Ixshli was naive for most of the time, she knew when to switch it off. The armoured man scoffed, proceeding to snort shortly afterwards.
"You should be representative here. Think of what---" Arkady would being, but would be cut off shortly.
"Yes, brother, I know," Ixshli would say with a sigh. Arkady had looked after her ever since she'd been brought in from Axxila and introduced to the clan. Changing a life of poverty and life in the orphanage to that of a Mandalorian clan and family had been pleasant -- training excluded. But she didn't complain. Ixshli now had a family and couldn't offer a single complaint about it. "But I mean, we still have time before the meeting, right?"
Arkady had slowed down his steps so that he could match the speed of Ixshli's, armoured boots hitting puddles as the two walked on. Armoured gauntlet raised, he'd come to scratch his neck. "Aye, but--"
"Then let's have a tour!" Ixshli would announce, full of excitement. She'd then remember to lower her voice a bit so that possible bypassers wouldn't be disturbed. Skipping forth so that she stood in front of Arkady, Ixshli beckoned him onward. "I mean it's not like we get the chance to be in the heart of the Empire every day anyway," she'd add. Unable to protest, Arkady merely followed Ixshli, offering an idle comment every now and then whilst the duo passed various sights.
Eventually coming to the centre of the capital, Ixshli came to a halt on the upper walkway whilst her gaze lingered on the tall buildings. The Mandalorian enclave was in sight. Silence lingering in the air, aside from the rain hitting the ground, Ixshli removed her helmet. Seeing things with one's own eyes was different than the view through a HUD. Shutting her lids for a few in order to adjust her eyes faster, she'd open them soon enough. The rain immediately came in contact with her face, drops running down her features. Freckles adorning her tanned skin and hazel eyes accompanying the mess of wild, red hair that had been put up with care, there was no mistake that Ixshli was human.
She loved the rain. There had never been a time back on the ecumenopolis of Axxila during her time when the streets had been washed with the refreshing feeling and scent rain could offer. Nowadays, it was a luxury she could experience every so often. Despite the fact that her hair would be a pain to dry and fit back into the helmet, Ixshli didn't mind.
For a while, the duo, both clad in black and orange armour, made idle conversation whilst awaiting for the arranged meeting to begin. Time drawing near, Ixshli pushed herself away from the railing, helmet held beneath her arm. Perhaps she should've paid more attention to the fellow pedestrians, rather than allowing her thoughts to linger, seeing as she almost bumped into someone. Barely avoiding the incoming man, who bore a duster and was somewhere near her age or perhaps older, Ixshli took a step back, immediately sparing him an apologetic smile. She hoped she hadn't pissed him off -- but it was hard to tell, seeing as the man was bearing a face-gaiter, merely offering a glimpse of a facial scar, alongside with green eyes. Ah, her favourite colour. Ixshli had always dreamt of running barefoot on vast fields, back when she was stuck in dirt, grime and---
"Oy!" Her thoughts were interrupted. Dammit, she'd drifted off again, Arkady being on the move. "We ain't got all day!"
Ixshli scolded herself for a second or two, before she'd hastily put her helmet back on, before she'd break off into a small jog in order to catch up with her fellow clan member.
...Little did she know that she would run into the man years later.
Rax sticks his head into a few rooms until he finds her (in the cantina). When he spots Red across the room, he grins, strolling straight up to her. Disregarding any kind of personal space he leans down, puts his hands on her cheeks and plants a hard kiss on her lips.
Red would've been seated on one of the couches, a cane resting against the arm rest. She'd gathered a few more scars onto her face, making it appear as if she'd truly gone through a meat grinder, her cheek and lips suffered the worst. She was about to greet Rax, until any form of words were cut off efficiently by the kiss. Her eyes would widen from the action, rendering Red completely dumbstruck, cheeks growing red to suit her name.
Rax quickly lets her go, grinning. "I just did that 'cause I can now."
I've been thinking about illustrating this scene for a while and it turns out someone has a birthday today so here you go SButt
