[Day 4, MA: Closed] The Cookout

[Meiyokashi]

Two ships lay to rest in a large clearing somewhere amid the vastness of the violet forest. Come to the center with tables, plates, and few chairs the gathering of two families born of violence commences. Rounds of beer pour from their illicitly obtained stockpiles as the cups drain with speed but never run dry.

At the center of the festivity roams the daring pirate captains, as all enjoy the splendor of their gifts. Captain Irevessa herself never bowing but paying respect to the older gentleman recently arrived: a pirate with a harsh face, scarred arms, and hairs of gray dashing up the sides.

[Soleene Stryss]

This was a pretty quaint spot for a party, it wouldn't have been her first pick when it came to hosting such a gathering. There were just too many things that could jump at anyone and hide in the wilderness, that was only counting the wildlife at that. However, it seemed the focus wasn't exactly on swatting away bugs away or the grilled food that was being offered. She was also sure that everyone here was armed in some way, if trouble found them or they found trouble.

Soleene wasn't exactly partying or drinking, especially when she didn't feel completely at ease. Even when the Enclave held such a gathering, she found more comfort standing at the periphery and keeping watch. From what she gathered, there was plenty to learn regarding this relationship.

[Meiyokashi]

[Please roll a Perception check vs Hard, two setback for crowd.]

[Soleene Stryss]

Soleene did like to fancy herself as being watchful and vigilant, but was she observant? She supposed she was looking for trouble that was obvious and that sort either typically fired shots at her directly or punched her right in the face. More subtle trouble or dealings was less glaring to her and likely slipped by under her watch.

Day 4 - Mid Afternoon: Perception at Hard with 2 Setback: 2eA+3eD+2eS 0 successes

[Meiyokashi]

What would elude a warrior who was ever looking for trouble? Well, the lack thereof. Despite the dangerous people present no one here seemed to be bringing active hostility. Everywhere she looked she only found jovial faces and competitions fueled with camaraderie. Everyone here was someone sharing of the singular purpose and identity.

Well, almost everyone.

[Sofia Hargrave]

"Some reason I wasn't sure if you would come," a familiar voice approaches from off to Soleene's side. A bottle of booze in both hands, one extended in the warriors direction. Finding herself an empty barrel nearby Sofia perches herself nearby to Soleene as she joins her watch.

[Soleene Stryss]

Soleene crossed her arms together as she leaned back on a tree before letting out a sigh. If people were looking like they were having a good time, she supposed that it wasn't something she should get up in arms about. Sure, there was likely something more underlining here at the party but that was something she would leave to other people or deal with later. Besides, if it was something underneath the surface, what could she do about it now?

She pushed herself away from the tree and turned toward the direction of the familiar voice. The Mandalorian still had her helmet on but she took the offered bottle from Sofia nevertheless. There was an audible snicker from underneath her helmet. "Heh...Is that so? And leave you out to dry with your new family and employers here? That wouldn't be very nice and not like me at all. I owe you that much, at the very least. I hope they're still treating you well here."

[Sofia Hargrave]

"Well enough-" she says. Sofia looks out over the crowd finding Irevessa among them, beside her there is the other Captain whom boasts loudly but inaudibly from this distance. Surrounding them are some of the lieutenants under Irevessa that Soleene has come to know and others that must follow the other Captain.

"Being the captains pet is a position of comfort, after all," she says with a wide grin, but Soleene could notice the distance in her gaze. "I have to be here- but you know you don't have to be? Could find your way into the employ of one of those folk back at the rest stop and leave everything behind ya know," she says, and alike to admitting her regret for saying it takes a long drink from her bottle.

[Soleene Stryss]

"...I suppose, it does come with, its perks," she said with a slow nod at the matter, "I'll admit that I don't know much about the inner workings of being a part of a crew like this. I've always imagined that being a part of an outfit like this would kind of expects you to become a fixture of sorts."

That was perhaps to say that she always assumed that Sofia wanted more freedom in her life but then again, this was the longest they've hung around in the same world. How long was she hanging out on Bellionas before they met?

Soleene found herself tilting her on the proposition. "What's this about now? Do you mean this party or this world? You're making it sound like I should have a reason to not want to be here and I'm still seeing plenty of reasons why I should be."

[Sofia Hargrave]

"World," she says, a touch surprised but the way her eyes move down and away suggest to the realizations she faces. Shaking her head she sips from her drink, raising the glass then to the sky.

"You have an Empire bearing down upon you who wants nothing more than to kill anyone wearing that armor," she says, and gives a little point toward it. "A murderous leader who.. seems to want to fight? Far as I've seen, doesn't look like any of you are much getting ready to leave. And.. you're.. not a bad person? Not like the stories I've heard of Prayton Saxon," she says his name, venom held back slips through.

[Soleene Stryss]

Even dressed in her armour, the expression of bemusement was pretty obvious on Soleene as she found herself more confused at everything she was saying. She gave a glance at the bottle she was holding for a moment before making the decision that she was going to hold on to this drink instead of passing it to Sofia. While what she was implying was a bit on the suspicious side, Soleene might have let that slide, given their previous history together.

She inclined her head once before expressing her thoughts. "Yeah, I know that much about what's involved in this wager when it comes to staying on this world. I was the one who warned them of this happening and I suppose this is where we're going to make our stand. I can't exactly just up and leave them, as good as a decision that might look at the moment. I leave now, I'll just be right back where I started a few years ago, just another sucker wandering around the galaxy."

[Sofia Hargrave]

"If you leave now you don't die for some scumbag who doesn't care a lick for you over.. whatever else is in his brain," she says, that touch of sour in her voice pulling her gaze away from Soleene and focusing out on the party.

Which brings to attention...

[Meiyokashi]

An older male, the other Captain that came here to meet with Irevessa. Charcoal black skin, a mottled grey beard sharply framing his statuesque jaw. Covered in all sorts of mix-matched finery with a fondness for gleaming gold bands. With a grandiose wave he approaches the women broad smiled.

"A Mandalorian! Well, our little endeavor is bound to make good use of your talents, reputed as your lot are-" his hand rises," and I swear by all the galaxies riches I will be sure you are paid well for your help," he laughs generously.

[Soleene Stryss]

Okay, the first time, Soleene might have been willing to overlook. The second time, this was something that was clearly bugging Sofia and not a case of ad-libs. She did her darndest to maintain her patience here "...is there something about you and me following Mandalore I should know about? Some sort of history I should know here?"

"It's no problem at all," said with a momentary glance given to Sofia. "Honestly, I'm not so fussed about the credits. I can't speak for all of the Mandalorians in the area but I think we're more concerned with staying put and intact. It just so happens that our interests have lined up here. I'm Soleene. I don't think we had a chance to talk."

[Meiyokashi]

Soleene's momentary glance reveals the sight of Sofia walking away from her, beer in hand.

"We have not! I am Fabian, and might I say it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Soleene," Fabian speaks with an unbreakable joviality, offering his hand toward her. "Still- should you have need Soleene you will always be welcome to a share of my spoils. For now I shall look forward to us bloodying the Empire together," he smiles.

[Soleene Stryss]

Despite herself, Soleene found her gaze lingering on Sofia as she walked away. She did manage to withhold a sigh from the present company as she turned her gaze back to Fabian before her.

"Yep, a pleasure here too, Fabian," she said a touch dryly. It wasn't meant to be a slight on him in the slightest, just some emotions she had to juggle at the moment on short notice. Her posture straightened once more as she took the offered hand with a firm grip, perhaps expecting the same from such a personality. "I'm happy to take you up on the offer. While I'm all humble now, I'll keep a lookout for what might be useful to the cause later on. If it put a dent in the operation on our mutual enemy here, I'm sure that is already favour enough. Our friends are in short supply. We'll need to stand on each other shoulders just to punch up, you know?"

[Meiyokashi]

Fabian grasps her hand just as firm, a man that held a strength of form as well as personality. Laughing a little much in that charming way that makes one feel appreciated though it secrets in a dark tint.

"Oho! Yes.. yes, stand on one another's shoulders indeed," he chuckles, shaking his head. "Soon we will have that chance with the plan my dear Ire has. Which-" he raises a finger to his lips- "she told me not to tell you this but your roll will be pivotal to our success. I was surprised! So soon you meet and already she trusts you with something so important. My Ire is quite the friend to have, and you have made one in her and I," he says, smile beaming.

[Soleene Stryss]

Soleene let out a little chuckle at that with a shrug of her shoulders. "I'm the lynchpin of all this plan, huh? Not exactly something you should keep a secret from someone without wanting to disappoint them and I'm not all that great on surprises, you know? But, thank you for the heads up, Fabian. I am here to work and I'm always open to do some heavy lifting if that's what the job asks of me. Sorry, I couldn't wrangle anyone else out with me but I'm sure I can find at least one more person once things get rolling."

[Meiyokashi]

"You hear that?" he says boisterously. Wrapping his big hand around Soleene's back onto her shoulder her jerks them both forward back toward the party. "That is the brain of a go getter! Someone who will make moves, shake towers, and maybe even rustle the Empire a little!!" he laughs generously.

"Now isn't that right gent!?" he calls out to the group.

All those gathered turn toward Soleene and Fabian to raise their glasses and cheer in turn. All in agreement with Fabian's suggestion as ant good pirate band should be. Sofia is not among them.

[Soleene Stryss]

Soleene didn't expect all of the attention to be suddenly placed on her at the party. Thankfully, the armour only helped her with looking confident with her posturing, despite not entirely agreeing with Fabian outright. She gave a nod at the crowd before her and raised up her bottle to join them in their show of support. "Hey, I'm all about rustling the Empire, especially when they've deserved some pushback for a very long time. I'm pretty sure we can pull it off if we all push hard enough. You all seem like a capable lot, especially if you put your shoulder into it!"