Open Log - 001

[stabgremlin]

WHO: Cipher Nine & You
WHERE: Around Risa
WHAT: Vacation!
WHEN: During the stay on Risa
WARNINGS: Mentions of drug-use & drug withdrawals.


[A - Markets]

Mysterious spending money and disliking possible puppet masters aside, Aden had already spent quite a lot of time wandering the markets. He'd bought trinkets, supplies, entertainment. Even a stringed instrument and instructions on how to learn to play it. After all, he didn't need the Force to foresee that there would be time to learn to play it in the future.

He'd also bought a collection of knives- just in case. If he had proper ones, he wouldn't need to spend his time scavenging for supplies back on Agra 10, after all, nor possibly having to resort to merely making himself shivs for self-defense.

Today, he was merely looking around- and avoiding certain things that he would eventually need to do.


[B - Nightclubs]

Not so much dancing, not so much joining in, but he did visit the bar of each nightclub he visited, going to a different one each evening and night- for something to drink, while they had access to it. Every night was spent drinking, watching people come and go- and looking for substances a bit stronger than alcohol. After all, he couldn't deny that the spice withdrawals he was going through wasn't affecting how he was relating to other people, his mood often fluctuating- especially with his brain damage, the headaches that wouldn't go away.

Still, either he wasn't looking hard enough, or there wasn't really a market for it on Risa.

So sitting by the bar most of the night it was- not quite inviting others to come chat, but not seeming as though that was something he'd turn down, either.


[C - Beaches]

Swimming wasn't really his thing, but the beaches were nice.

Much like the nightclubs he visited, he couldn't really be found in the thick of things. He didn't swim, or spend his time playing on the beach. Instead he'd found himself a nice spot to sit and watch, beneath a parasol, and with a drink in one hand, a fan in the other, using it to keep himself cool.

He also had a picnic basket with him, full of food that was made with local ingredients- though he'd obviously not bought it prepared the way it was. It seemed more like he'd made the food himself from scratch- it was as close to Chiss cuisine he could get, making things himself.


[D - Wildcard]

(Anything else you might think of! Aden's exploring most of the planet, after all. The glowing gardens, any shop, relaxing in the shade here and there!)

Comments

A

[deal_me_in]

"Bullets. You know, loaded in a cylinder, fits in one'a these babies- no? No bullets. Not even for uh...'recreational hunting'?"

A strange inquiry to be sure, but perhaps even stranger, the figure making it. He was geared up for travel and had certainly seen his fair share, the ends of his hooded cloak in tatters, his leather armor worn but plenty serviceable, the silver showing along the edges of his greaves where the yellow finish had long chipped away. A gloved hand patted a holster at his hip and the large black and white handcannon within it.

"Okay, okay fine. I'll just try somewhere else." He ignored the look from the vendor that suggested he'd have little luck elsewhere as he turned away, his distinctly metal features more visible, his glowing blue optics scanning the rest of the place in hopes of finding something more promising.

[stabgremlin]

"You got to keep your weapon?" Aden exclaimed, spotting the stranger- stranger indeed, compared to the Risans. There was no question where this... Man? Droid? Something inbetween? Came from. Not a native, but one of them. One of the Agrii's unwilling saviors.

"Wow, unfair," He commented, coming up at him to get a better look at it. Even without any ammo, at least he'd gotten to keep it- unlike himself who'd arrived sans blaster rifle or vibroblade, all those comforts of home.

"I mean, shame about the ammo and all, but at least you've got it," He said, putting a hand to his chin, looking thoughtful. He wondered if making ammo was something they'd be able to do on Agra 10, and if so, if there would be a way to making his own rifle, "Cipher Nine, by the way. Not a creep, just a weapons enthusiast, not quite local cranky asshole, and insert description of your own."

[deal_me_in]

At first the Exo thought it was an accusal, his hand falling over the grip of his gun as though to hide the thing. Optics shuttered briefly in a blink as he saw the blue-skinned man who approached him then. He was too blue to be an Awoken. Huh.

"I'll say!" he said, jumping on the comment of unfairness. "What good's a gun with no ammo? But yeah, guess I'd be right ornery if I didn't have my ol' Ace of Spades. Still kinda sore that everything else is gone..." Which was to suggest he had more than just a gun and missing ammo.

He jerked his horned head up from a glance where he was sorely missing his Hunter knife, giving the other another once-over before nodding as he stuck out his hand in offering of a shake. "Cayde," he replied in turn. "-Hunter Vanguard, appreciator of weapons and enthusiasts alike, and very confused as to where the hell I am and what that confusing message the kidnapper left was all about because it looked like a five year old wrote it."

[stabgremlin]

"Still luckier than I am. No blaster rifle, blaster, no blades, no poisons beyond what I make for myself," Aden sighed, crossing his arms and looking suitably irritated, "Been buying a whole lot of knives while I'm here, admittedly, but it's not quite the same."

Not quite the same indeed.

"Nice to meet you, Cayde. Despite the strangeness of this all."

Even stranger for him, it seemed, something Aden hadn't really thought of, "You must have arrived recently, huh? Not that I'm old hat myself, exactly... Still, I'm willing to share what information I have, should you want it."

[deal_me_in]

"Wait, rewind that- they have knives here?!" No ammo was certainly unfortunate, but Cayde wasn't going to say no to having a knife or any other weapons to supplement his missing ones, really. He didn't bat an eye at the mention of poisons, not that he'd be worried about that sort of thing given his state of being.

He shrugged. "I guess if you call waking up in a fancy bedroom you didn't go to sleep in as an arrival, yeah. Honestly, I can't even remember going to bed in the first place. Then I wake up with a tablet on my face. Not even sure I wanna know what kinda seeds they mean to suck. Normally I wouldn't complain about a vacation but uh... a little head's up and stuff would've been appreciated."

At that he'd glanced over his shoulder as though to look for someone else's agreement on the matter before hesitating as he recalled an important point. For someone who wasn't organic his facial structure still managed to be quite expressive, metal plates shifting in the suggestion of a furrowing brow and a frown before he shook his head and looked to Cipher Nine again.

"Anyway. Info. Info's good."

[stabgremlin]

"Not quite the kind of knives I'd like. But even a kitchen knife's better and more durable than a shiv in a pinch. Not that there aren't advantages to snapping a blade off in someone's squishy bits, but it's not always the outcome you'd want, you know?"

He seemed like the kind of guy who'd know what he meant, at least.

He snorted then, very nearly laughing, but reigned himself in.

"As for the way you arrived, better than what I got. I got dumped into the middle of a storm in a post-apocalyptic hellscape. I'm still wringing water out of my good clothes."

An exaggeration, but whatever.

"Anyway, short of it is- this is not the usual planet our fellow captives are on. That would be a place called Agra 10, the aforementioned post-apocalyptic hellscape. The Agrii- that would be the species our kidnappers are- kidnapped us to help save their planet from energy storms. Regardless of if we want to play at being saviors, I'm afraid."

Aden hadn't really thought about the logistics of someone being pulled in while they were off-world. He'd probably be double as confused as he had been, and quadruple as pissed off. Poor guy, really, waking up here without any real clue.

[deal_me_in]

There was visible disappointment about Cipher Nine's findings of kitchen utensils but Cayde still nodded in agreement. "Guess beggars can't be choosers, eh?" If you had to improvise, well, at least you'd be using something that was still weapon-shaped.

As the man launched into his summary of things, the Exo folded his arms as he listened. "Uh-huh, uh-huh, okay..." he nodded. It wasn't a very favorable situation so far as he could see, but Cipher Nine had made it very clear. He scowled.

"...okay, but are we getting like...paid or something?" If they were expected to be doing something crazy like save a homeworld, they had to be getting something out of it, right? Not that he wouldn't help someone in need, but he kind of took it a little personally to be kidnapped in order to do it.

[stabgremlin]

"Beggars can't be choosers, no... But we can still complain just a little."

And he certainly had much to complain about. Not that he felt he'd been doing entirely too much of it, but still. It wasn't like he'd take getting kidnapped and jerked around with a smile. He wasn't the man he once was, but it wasn't like that man was completely gone either. Just buried a bit deeper down.

"And honestly, there aren't enough credits in the world... Which is to say, I doubt it... Doing it out of the kindness of our hearts seems to be what they expect. I mean, I guess being here is part of paying us back, but..."

He wouldn't personally count it.

[deal_me_in]

"Complain? I can do that."

Maaaybe not just yet, because this was new territory and he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth when he never got to take a vacation back home. Granted his idea of a vacation was more along the lines of traipsing around dangerous territories and shooting things, but he can live with a little R&R, sure!

Like as he'd have plenty of time to actually complain later. Still, Cayde wasn't about to disappoint, and so of course with his doubts of being compensated for their trouble confirmed, he sighed heavily, a believable action despite the likely fact that he had no lungs.

"Eh, well maybe this is a start." They did appear to provide them with spending money. By his tone it didn't sound as though the Exo himself were completely sold on the idea either.

B

[beholding_archivist]

Aden may or may not spot Jon in the back of the club one of those nights, seated comfortably at a table with a young Risan. The local is the one speaking the entire time while Jon simply watches, and listens. His tape recorder is sitting on the table, recording away. Maybe once during the tale Jon manages to tear his attention away and take a quick look around, spotting a Chiss but not recognizing him. Their brief, previous conversation had been mostly done in an audio format after all.

So Jon doesn't pay the Chiss any mind, instead turning his attention back to the Risan - The first actual victim he has found himself in months. The first he permits himself to take since his kidnapping. Maybe he could have gone another week without. Maybe a month. But he felt weak and the opportunity has been there and... He could regret this later.

Once the Risan has finished and is just sitting there with a perplexed expression, Jon picks up his recorder and leaves the table, heading over to the bar in a determined way. Determined to wash down his meal with a strong drink before heading to his room. Maybe have a cigarette on his way there.

He greets Aden with a short nod of acknowledgement, yet doesn't verbally address him as he takes the seat next to the Chiss. Jon may be polite enough for a quick greeting, but remains antisocial enough to not attempt to set up a conversation. Instead, he orders his drink and sets the recorder down on the bar before him, his burn-scarred hand lingering on the small device longer than necessary. When he lifts it off, it may become clear why: His hand is visibly trembling. Jon makes a small, displeased sound at it and mutters a single word to himself.

"...Christ."

[stabgremlin]

If there is anything Aden is, despite everything about his outward appearance, it's observant. As a Cipher Agent of Imperial Intelligence, that is- after all- a requirement of his job. Expendable agent, because the Sith Empire saw anyone as expendable, but immensely skilled at his job. Had he not been, he would have died long ago.

So he'd spotted him. Even recognized him.

And when he came to sit beside him, he heard that muttered word, as well, seemingly focused on his own drink as he was.

"Well, don't you look like you've gotten yourself into some illegal substances," The Chiss commented, noting the way he was trembling, "Can I bother you to give me the explanation on who or what Christ is while you're here?"

[beholding_archivist]

And of course Jon doesn't fail to recognize the voice. He doesn't forget. Anything. Ever. It's part of being the Archivist, he assumes. Of existing to see and experience everything. Of being the avatar of the Ceaseless Watcher.

And despite all he is supposed to be, the Archivist cringes at the Chiss's words, eyes narrowing and glancing sideways.

Not that one.

His ordered drink is being set down in front of him while Jon considers his response and he shifts his shaking hand to rest against the cool glass, steadying it. He could certainly argue that knowledge isn't illegal. His means of obtaining it, however... Maybe questionable.

"Jesus Christ." Jon replies tightly in what may be considered an explanation by some, but to others might rather appear as an extension of the previous exclamation upon discovering the presence of a person he has already deemed bothersome. To Jon, at this very moment, it's both.

He shifts his glance away from Aden and sets it onto his drink, his mood soured "Of course I would run into you, would I."

[stabgremlin]

"A name, then?"

It sounds like it. Not a name Aden was familiar with, but definitely a name. Name of a person, rather than a place. Of course, it didn't give him the explanation he really needed, which was, why the name was used in the way it was.

Still, it could wait.

Instead of prying further, he took a sip of his own drink, glancing over at the other man, "Of course. If you didn't, life might have gone as planned, right? That you always run into exactly the person you don't want to see, that might as well be some sort of universal rule."

Unlike the last time they spoke, Aden wasn't going out of his way to be rude, instead having a slight amused tone to his voice- not rude, nor mocking. Just slightly amused.

"At least I find it to be so, at any rate."

[beholding_archivist]

"A name." Jon confirms curtly, not really willing to go into lengthy explanations. Not at this moment, anyway.

Though he does notice and will appreciate the lack of any further rude commentary and, in fact, permits himself a brief snort in response to Adens observation and raise his own glass to take a long drink from it. As he sets the glass back down, a second tape recorder appears on Aden's other side. A different model as compared to the one Jon carries with him. Bigger and heavier. It clicks on softly and starts recording, instantly drawing Jon's attention to it.

"I'm not exactly used for anything to go as planned anymore. So I am hardly in a position to be surprised." He points past the Chiss at the recording device "Can you hand me that, please?"

Why, yes. He may not be happy to have met the rude Chiss again, but that doesn't mean he has lost his manners altogether.

[stabgremlin]

"Guess we're similar there," Aden commented, picking the recording device up when the other man pointed at it, and handing it over without a fuss.

"There you go."

Aden supposed his mood was better at the moment than the first time they spoke. He downed the rest of his drink, and gestured to the bartender that he wanted another. A few empty glasses already stood on the bar, suggesting that he'd been at this for at least a little while.

[beholding_archivist]

"Thanks." comes the simple response as Jon takes the recorder, watches it record for a while before turning it off and opening up the tape compartment to retrieve the tape, muttering softly to it "Not sure what you're hoping to record here..."

He sets the device back down on the bar and the new tape on top of his more portable recorder. The spawned ones don't stay around long, that much he has figured out by now at least. Though they are rarely as easily caught as this one.

"This planet is supposedly a pleasure planet." Jon finally remarks while looking back over to Aden and reaching for his own drink once more "You hardly seem to be enjoying yourself." Just a plain observation. Or an assumption. Though he may really be the last person to judge anyone about how they have fun.

[stabgremlin]

"I rarely do," Aden replied, picking up his drink as it was put down in front of him and knocking it back, draining the glass, and then motioned for another.

"Maybe I should be enjoying this while it lasts, but I know what we're going back to, and wallowing in bitterness is better at setting the mood, wouldn't you agree?"

He was halfway joking about that, offering a slight smile, "Maybe I'm just thinking about the pleasure planets I'm familiar with already. The populace here seems happy but... What guarantee do we have that there's nothing sinister behind it."

The Hutts and their palaces where everything was fine on the surface until you began digging, shady puppet masters pulling strings... Not that Aden wasn't taking advantage of being here, he just had a healthy amount of suspicion. The bitterness though, that he'd brought with him from home.

A

[killikambassador]

Vector is out getting some supplies, and thinking about getting a trinket or two. Perhaps a necklace or brooch. He's already gotten a few new pieces of clothing, and is currently eyeing another store. Looking over, it's easy to spot the odd man out in the crowd. Because that man is blue.

"Aden," Vector walks over to the Chiss.

[stabgremlin]

Aden was the observant sort. But being occupied in his own thoughts, he didn't notice Vector until it was too late- until his name had been said, and the other man had made his way over to him. From his body language, perhaps Vector would be able to see that he was tempted to bolt in the other direction, a sort of tenseness to his body language.

He didn't though.

"Vector," He greeted, fixing his eyes on the ground, "Out doing some shopping?"

[killikambassador]

It saddened Vector to see the Chiss want to run, to push him away. Sure the Chiss was a little rough, but he wasn't a bad person and he was kind to Vector. Why did he act so nervous around him?

"Indeed we are. We bought some new clothing."

[stabgremlin]

"Probably a good idea."

They had agreed to meet up once the storm passed. But then they'd gone to Risa, and Aden had decided to avoid him. Because it hurt to not be recognized by him. Because Vector deserved to be around people who were better than him, people who didn't have the same steep learning curve to become someone better that he was still working on.

"I have my own shopping to do, I should probably..."

Go is what he should say, but instead he trailed off, reaching up to twist strands of dark blue hair around a finger, still not lifting his gaze.

[killikambassador]

"Perhaps we may accompany each other," Vector suggested. Now that they'd met in person, Vector could see his aura. It was blue, which wasn't unusual for a Chiss. A sort of cobalt blue. Quite a lovely color and hue.

"We are not busy, and we would love another chance to speak with you."

[stabgremlin]

"I'm sure there must be something better for you to do than tag along with me. You'll get bored, you know."

It was said softly, not in the sort of tone that was rejecting his company. Still, there really did have to be someone who was better for Vector to spend time with here than him. Someone kinder. Less sullen and less negative.

Someone who suited him better than he ever could.

"I can't think of anything interesting to talk about, either."

[killikambassador]

"That cannot be true. You are an Imperial agent, you have surely been on many missions and seen many worlds."

Vector put his hand on Aden's arm, the gesture a comfort, and also to keep him tethered.

"Will you tell us your full name?" He was assuming that Aden had one, and that Aden was just his core name.

[stabgremlin]

"You were-" Aden began, before shaking his head. What was the use of telling Vector that he'd been there with him, on all those missions. That together they had left Alderaan and traveled the galaxy. That Vector also had gone off on his own, found their lost kin.

That Empire and colony now tentatively worked together.

It was the future for Vector. And here, he could make a different future for himself. One without the suffering that tagging along with him had brought. So he just shrugged a shoulder, to cover for the reflexive flinch when Vector reached out to touch him, "My full name? I abandoned it when I left the Ascendancy."

Not a lot of people in the Empire who bothered learning how to say it, either. A more human name had just been easier to adopt.