Tunnel Snakes Rule: Spectator Edition! [Day 7, MA]

[Nelk]

Nelk walks into the bar with confidence and finds a seat at the bar with a good view of a monitor. She calls the barkeep over and asks for a tall glass of Airag, as well as ask to place a bet. "1,000 credits on Qar Offee to win it." She was hoping her little racer-boy friend would pull through and make her a nice little profit, but if he didn't at least she'd enjoy chastising him.

"High roller," Torr walks up behind her, "could it be that someone is sweet on a certain green skin?" He teases arrogantly. "200 credits on Qar coming in second! Another 200 on Korvin Hikarrin."

Nelk laughs, "please, I just have confidence in his abilities. I've got creds to burn anyways."

[Soleene Stryss]

"Nothing you need to apologise for," Raven assured her sister. "Not your burden to bear, though... I don't know. I feel like if I ask Dredgen about it, he'd probably suggest something violent as the answer, Praxton would probably advise offering guidance."

At that particular subject, Raven wasn't sure if she agreed with her partner. But it had never been a topic she had needed to give much thought before. Mand'alor on the other hand, she felt pretty sure what his answer would be.

"You may choose to do as you think is best though. I won't stop you. Perhaps you know better than I do, having spoken more to him." Making your own calls, for better or worse, was part of the way of life.

"Well, I have to admit that my gut instinct was telling me to sock him when he thought Mand'alor was a pretender..." She shrugged with open hands. "And I was thinking that someone closer to Mand'alor in the leadership would make a better call. So there, that's pretty much what I was waiting on. The choice is made, sister."

"So, what's your opinion on jetpacks?" She asked as a way to change the topic.

[Raven Cadera]

A nod was her response to Soleene's decision. She would've supported her choice either way, but most of all she supported that she made her own call.

There was no point in dwelling on the subject though, so she gladly accepted the topic change. "Gosh, I kinda hate it, to be honest," she laughed softly. "Don't get me wrong, they're incredibly useful with those who have learned to fight in the Rising Phoenix-style, and keeps you mobile in a fight. Or just go cruisin' I get, but... oof, I like my feet on the ground, you know."

Her knuckles rested under her chin for a moment. "I am trying to learn it though. Just takes a while." Bad memories and all too.

[Korvin Hikarrin]

Dhel helps with a small hop into that kiss, laughing as they part. "Hey, careful. Wouldn't want to throw your back out right before the race!" Granted, she's small enough that she's probably not much of a challenge for anyone to lift. Rising up on her toes, she adds a peck to his cheek. "For luck!"

"You and Ruby ready?"

She glances at Nara. "You need to add a camera to one of the guns, then you'd always have it."

"Gives good advice, doesn't she, Nara?" Korvin jokes with a smile. "And yes," he says, "I think we're ready. Feeling very lucky today," he says a little louder, making sure all his friends hear. "Very lucky," he repeats, giving Dhel an intent look and proud smile.

"I hate to run," he says to everyone, even catching Lassa out of the corner of his eye. "I'm so glad you're here, and Ruby and I will see you all at the finish line," his smile is broad, but genuine, and there's a pause for a moment like he wants to say something else, but that moment passes.

[Soleene Stryss]

"I know I'm getting ahead of myself, especially without much practice of my own...but as you mentioned, it seems like it would be really good in a fight. Feet can only take you so far. You're going to feel less silly when around people with blasters when you're coming at them with a blink of an eye. I guess I thought about it the same way before but I'm warming up to the idea. I still won't take it to just get around, especially when you have to share the space with the odd droid and whatever is hanging in the air."

She looked in Clay's direction. "I wonder if that would qualify as a ride in this race."

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

"But you've got a race, we know." Bringing one hand up to his cheek, she adds, "stay safe, eh? That's a wild looking route," before leaving him to his preparations.

(headed out to work, after this)

[Raven Cadera]

"I know I'm getting ahead of myself, especially without much practice of my own...but as you mentioned, it seems like it would be really good in a fight. Feet can only take you so far. You're going to feel less silly when around people with blasters when you're coming at them with a blink of an eye. I guess I thought about it the same way before but I'm warming up to the idea. I still won't take it to just get around, especially when you have to share the space with the odd droid and whatever is hanging in the air."

She looked in Clay's direction. "I wonder if that would qualify as a ride in this race."

She chuckled warmly. "Nothing wrong with getting excited for the future. After this is concluded, I wouldn't be surprised if the Forgemaster will have your armor ready. Jetpack won't be far behind. You know Dredgen would probably be glad to show you the ropes with it... as long as you're prepared for his endless joking at your expense when you struggle."

At the mystey of whether or not a jetpack would qualify, Raven mused, "I personally don't see why not."

[Soleene Stryss]

"Ooof, Dredgen?" She said as she placed a hand on where her ribs would be found as if she took a hit there. "I mean, I guess he shouldn't take it easy on me at all and it is all part of the price of admission so fair is fair at the end of the day. People should remember that scars are both internal and external."

She gave a shrug as she mentioned an aside. "And if they're not egg puns, honestly, how bad could it be?"

[Raven Cadera]

"Oh?" she sounded a little intrigued and amused at the same time. "Sounds like he's been giving you a rough time already?"

[Soleene Stryss]

"What? Dredgen or...?" She said before dropping her hand from her side and waving it off. "Nah, nah. It's nothing like that. Don't worry about it. I guess I can feel rather short when it comes to jokes, sometimes. Eggs, I've only been around him twice and I think I might have had my fill already. I'm sure he's a great guy and all that being friends with you."

[Raven Cadera]

"I meant Dredgen," she said with a low chuckle. Manny would probably throw his back out trying to get rough with the Mandalorians.

"As for Manny, he's a good friend. Great help, hardly asks a question if you need a favor of him." A lot of this searching had been much more difficult without his help. "His brain-cell may be lonely, but he isn't." While a common phrase in Mando'a, Raven didn't mind sharing it with Soleene in Basic, as her voice conveyed the friendship she felt with the rather strange egg-obsessed dumb-dumb.

"Having friends like him, it's taught me that there is value in friends who are not also our brothers and sisters. It's a strength too."

[Soleene Stryss]

"Of course," she was quick to nod in agreement. "I think Manny and Jyrvess were also part of what went on at Kamda, too? I wouldn't have thought you would have them around if they were a liability of any sort. I do understand the value. Especially, in my circumstance, some of us had to start as friends before becoming family."

"Hm, then..." she murmured with a bit of a contemplative pause. "Does that mean that they might...?"

[Raven Cadera]

Catching the intent of the question, Raven still took a moment before responding. "Maybe," came the first reply.

"Manny... probably no. Not only doesn't he have a warrior's mindset, but he's... I think he would be happier doing his own thing, flying around the galaxy with friends. If I was going to be tactical about it, I'd say he'd also be more useful for our people as an outsider who is also our friend." Different contacts, different approaches, not wearing a distinct armor and helmet that was easily recognisable.

"As for Jyr," there seemed to be a smile to her words, "I think maybe. Not this year, or the next, but... I think she might be enjoying it. She's focused on her goals, but I think she could find a place among us easily. How many outsiders can say that they can offer advice to our leader, eh?" That, and Raven felt there was a closeness between Jyr and Kagr, even if she wouldn't openly point it out.

"Don't think I ever got a chance to ask how you became a part of us. But it's not a story you have to share."

[Soleene Stryss]

"I could see the reasoning in that. Kind of let him do his thing and catch the news whenever he comes back. Although, I get the vague feeling that he'll be disappointed to never live the dream of never getting an egg-shaped helmet to complete his act." She said dryly as a joke.

"Hm, it just seems like a matter of time until they pull her in, then. I'll just have to keep my eye on her in the future." She nodded on that note.

"Aw, well..." Soleene said with a sigh as she put her hands on her hips and looked among the crowd here. She had been dropping bits and parts about her past casually already, so it seemed fair that she should share something with her sister. Nobody told her how far she had to go back at least. "When I started doing mercenary work some recent years ago and navigating my way through the uncertainty of the Outer Rim, I've crossed paths with a family of Mandalorians. Sometimes jobs out there end up being a bigger mess and other people get roped in. A whole lot of toughs collecting protection credits was holding a farming commune hostage on some temperate rock in the middle of nowhere. They needed some extra bodies."

"It was supposed to be a one-and-done deal. And it was, initially after we chased them away. Of course, the galaxy just seems to have a roundabout way of making it seems like it's a far smaller place." She said with a turning motion of her hands. "A few Jobs led to adventures and then to missions...then finally to trust with Clan Stryss. I kind of wondered if they probably thought I was following them around, which was not the case...but yeah, they adopted me."

[Raven Cadera]

"An egg-shaped helmet." She laughed, holding her side for a brief moment to not get too carried away with that visual.

A few deep breaths however, and she could give Soleene her full attention. There was something to Raven's posture and the way her visor remained on Soleene that indicated she was enjoying hearing the story, and she concluded by nodding slowly. "Sounds like you found eachother along the way then. It's a strange galaxy out there, but warriors recognize warriors. I'm honored that it brought you to us, and we are now sisters."

Her gaze turned for a moment away, as it seemed like the race would start soon. "Someday you'll have to share the stories of your adventures."

[Soleene Stryss]

As horrifying as the idea of it was, Soleene could allow herself a slight chuckle regarding that joke. "Hah, it would be something, wouldn't it?"

Hopefully, it would never happen.

"Seems like it's how things worked out. Thank you, great to be here, sister." She said with a few small nods on the matter, perhaps sounding a bit humbled and appreciative of Raven's words.

She caught the sound of the chime and followed Raven's gaze to the race at hand. "Someday, you might need to feed me a few drinks before that happens...Okay, Clay and a bunch of other racers..."

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

Dhel offers Tens a grin. "Oh hey! Yeah, it's been an age since I was down here at all, but..." she gestures at the race prep, catches Korvin's wave, and rises up on her toes to wave back over the folks gathered.

"Well. the 'kid' if you mean Korvin there is part of how things are. Nice to have some dancing with the singing, so to speak, you know? Moved out to the spaceport for a bit...which is a whole story, but gives everyone more room at home with Pa back." Her grin seems a bit more held in place for a moment, before she continues on. And you should stop by the Cave sometime. Been doing some pairing up with Sholua...green gal? I'm sure you've seen her dance before."

Tilting her head around him a little, she watches Nara set up with a laugh. "Oh, well, I guess we'll have a real cheering section going."

"But how've you been then? Not in my neck of the woods as much, getting work?"

(ooc refresh, since things got busy!)

When the racers return to getting ready for the starting signal, Dhel returns her attention to Tenzing. "Didn't forget about you...ok maybe for a second there. Rude to kiss someone while thinking about someone else, in my opinion. How've you been?"

[Tenzing]

Tens had watched the whole thing unfolding with slightly detached amusement. He was pleased for them, but also hoped the kid wasn't about to get his heart broken.

"Listen to Dhel now, watch yourself out there!"

Turning to her he smiled warmly. "Yeah, pretty good thanks. Busy. Plenty going on in the Ol' City, that's for sure." His thoughts turned to his unexpected date from the night before and the smile lingered. "What about you? Still playing at the Cave?"

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

Tens had watched the whole thing unfolding with slightly detached amusement. He was pleased for them, but also hoped the kid wasn't about to get his heart broken.

"Listen to Dhel now, watch yourself out there!"

Turning to her he smiled warmly. "Yeah, pretty good thanks. Busy. Plenty going on in the Ol' City, that's for sure." His thoughts turned to his unexpected date from the night before and the smile lingered. "What about you? Still playing at the Cave?"

Tucking her hands in her pockets, she nods. "Yep. Most nights. Have a dancer joining me for some of them recently on the pole. Bigger draw, for sure." If she's jealous, there's no hint of it. "Come by when you're able."

But she does catch the lingering smile, "any good, suitably-scrubbed-to-protect-your-clients, stories from everything going on in the City? Hanging out in the Upper more to meet folks like Korvin? Or just into swoop racing lately?"

[Torr Po]

Nelk laughs, "please, I just have confidence in his abilities. I've got creds to burn anyways."

"Sure you do," Torr laughs. He then waves for the bartender and orders a mead. Turning back to Nelk, "Things have been moving quickly these last few days!" His drink arrives and he takes a few self contented sips. "Last nights encounter made me think again on studying certain things..." He refers to the inquisitor. "How she enhanced her already impressive abilities. I don't think I was even doing anything to her. And here I'd already sworn off utilizing the force." He clicks his tongue. "Perhaps I should... reevaluate my thinking of the matter." He rubs his chin thoughtfully.