Nora Roan sat in a corner booth at the Lararyc Strill (Drunken Strill) tavern, a popular watering hole in Mandalor’s capital city of Keldabe. She stirred her herbal tea drink with a spoon, letting the bag steep in the hot water. The dark haired huntress knew her cousin would be on time, Saviin was always reliable. Evaar on the other hand would be characteristically late.
Almost on cue, a roar of welcome announced Saviin’s arrival at the tavern. The tall lavender haired woman was well known among the patrons, as was her pet Strill, Edee. Mugs were raised in greeting as she weaved her way through the tables towards Nora’s quiet booth, Edee clambering along at her heels.
“You had to bring the animal...†Nora said flatly, fishing the tea bag out of her mug and squeezing the water from it.
“Aww, c’mon Nor’ika, he likes you!†Saviin said with a smirk. The Strill flopped over on it’s side wiggling it’s six legs, begging to have it’s belly rubbed. “See,†Saviin pointed.
Nora made a snorting sound, but obliged by extending her leg and giving the creature a brief rub with her boot. Edee groaned happily and rolled on the flooring. The huntress turned her attention back to her tea. “I’m surprised they let you bring him in here...†she commented.
Saviin’s brows raised, “Why not? He’s a Strill, and this IS the Lararyc Strill Tavern, is it not?â€Â
“Just don’t get him drunk this time...â€Â
Saviin slid into the booth across from Nora, “So what is it this time?†she asked, pulling a vibro-blade from her waist, “What excitement awaits us dear cousin?†The lavender eyed woman began idly picking her nails with the tip of the blade.
“Wait until Evaar gets here...†Nora replied, glancing at the chrono on the wall with displeasure.
Saviin noted Nora’s expression, “Don’t be too hard on her, you were once that age...â€Â
Nora’s eyes narrowed slightly, “When I was her age I was already married with a newborn son...â€Â
Saviin shrugged, “Well times are changing...girls are waiting longer and longer to tie the knot...â€Â
“Time is not generous to Mandos... If she waits too long all the young men will either be married already or dead...â€Â
Saviin returned her knife to its sheath and made a face at Nora, “What’s gotten into you? Evaar’s a fine girl, she’ll do alright....â€Â
“I just worry that’s all...â€Â
The tavern doors opened and a young girl came rushing in at a trot. “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!†she was saying as she approached the booth, “I know I’m late....but I was talking to a young man about his speeder bike, and then he wanted to take me for a ride....â€Â
Nora arched a high brow, “Did you go?â€Â
Evaar shrunk a bit, “Y-yeah....â€Â
One corner of the huntress’ mouth turned into a smile, “Good...â€Â
Saviin gave the young girl a playful nudge, “Was he cute?†she teased...
Nora swirled her tea with a smirk, “Alright ladies...we’re here for a reason,†she reminded them, but her tone was gentle. “Lets get down to business...â€Â
Nora reached into her vest and pulled out a datadisc, “I’ve been appointed to retrieve an artifact...†she began, inserting the disc into her data pad. An blue holo image flickered to life, rotating over the screen of the pad. “This is what we are after...†she announced.
“An old helmet?†Evaar asked with a crinkle of her nose.
“This is no usual helm.....†the dark haired huntress continued, “It once belonged to a Null ARC. It contains data that the Mand’alor requires.â€Â
Saviin put her elbows on the table, leaning in closer. “Don’t tell me the old man himself is sending us?â€Â
“He’s not,†Nora replied, “He’s sending me....and I’m taking you two along for the ride.â€Â
Evaar’s green eyes were wide with fascination. “You spoke to the Mand’alor?†she asked in an awed whisper.
“More like he spoke to me....I mostly listened and did a lot of agreeing.â€Â
“Great, so we find this buy’ce, nick it from whoever has it, and then peddle back here as fast as we can....†Saviin summed up, “Back before dinner, eh?â€Â
“Hardly...†Nora corrected, “The helmet is kept in a vault at a high security depository on some obscure planet...†She took a sip of tea from her mug, “I don’t they’ll let us in if we ask nicely...â€Â
Evaar still sat with a stunned expression on her face. “Did you talk to him today?†she asked, still hanging on the fact that Nora had talked with Fett.
Nora made an exasperated sound, “Yes....this morning.â€Â
“What did he sound like?†the young girl begged to know.
“He sounded like a busy man giving instructions for a mission.†Nora said sternly, “We didn’t discuss the weather, if that’s what your meaning...â€Â
Evaar slumped back into her seat with a frown. Edee rose up and put his head on the girl’s lap, as though sharing her disappointment.
(OOC: I know its kinda long winded, but I wanted a set good beginning scene )
"There's only one thing that scares a Mando man......and that's a Mando woman..." - Karen Traviss, "A Practical Man"