revivalproject | Party at the Blue Bantha!

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Party at the Blue Bantha!

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: The Blue Bantha in Coruscant's entertainment district
WHAT: A party!
WHEN: The last day before they leave.
WARNINGS: Fun times? Probably drunkenness.

After having found this place on an outing with Echo, Obi-Wan had decided he rather liked this one particular establishment they stopped at. So for their last evening on Coruscant, the Jedi had the place rented out. A network post also going up inviting everyone for one last hurrah before they have to go back to Temba.

Welcome to the Blue Bantha Bar and Grill!

Everything is very blue. A bright blue neon sign advertises the joint in the entertainment district. Its letters in Aurebesh with a little bantha head shaped neon light next to it as well. The lighting inside is distinctly blue as well. There is a mounted bantha head placed on the far wall above the bar, its fur having been dyed blue. Clearly it is the mascot of this place.

There are tables and booths in varying locations for people to sit. With the tables having bantha hide rugs under them that look reminiscent of shag carpet, while the booth seats have bantha hide upholstery as well. There's a band playing in one corner with space for people to dance. While on another side there are screens broadcasting sporting events from across the galaxy. Feel free to place bets on who you think will win!

Even the staff are either blue, or are wearing blue. It won't be uncommon to have a blue scantily clad Twi'lek waitress serving you. The long bar also has blue neon lighting with several stools to sit at, in which you can order whatever drink your heart desires on their menu.

Speaking of the menu, everything is made with bantha products. That is what they specialize in. Several types of Jawa Juice, a kind of beer made from fermented grains mashed in bantha hides, can be found here. As well as Bantha Blood Fizz, a sparkling drink made from purified bantha blood in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. And of course they serve several drinks featuring blue milk, from just the plain stuff to several alcoholic concoctions. There is also food of course! Bantha steak, bantha burgers, bantha stew, and other meat dishes are served as it's pretty much this galaxy's equivalent of beef. You can even get desserts made from blue milk such as cheesecake and ice cream.

Have fun! The Temba group have this establishment all to themselves for the night!

((OOC: This is a mingle log so go nuts!))

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"Given that they believe the storms are the thing they need help with, they probably don't see any reason for anyone to have weapons. Of course, that changed once they found themselves in a pinch, but I think they're still on the wary side."

Once Ikora was ready, Cayde started along through the dingier sector. "No we haven't," he replied with a dry chuckle. But it could have been worse, he figured. At least these aliens didn't outright want them dead like so many in their system.

"It is very hard to shoot a storm." Unless it was a Stormcaller, of course. Ikora made sure to cover Cayde's blindspot. The helmet had to limit his vision in some way though Sundance probably compensated with radar even hidden away.

It was her Warlock nature that made her hope to experience a storm sooner rather than later. She had braved the storm to be a Stormcaller, though she rarely used the spec. She could brave these strange storms as well, she imagined.

"'specially since there's no known core to it." It probably wouldn't be surprising to Ikora at all that Cayde had tried. His helmet hid the knowing smile as he noted where Ikora took up position as they went along. They'd known each other so long that looking out for each other this casually was just like breathing.

Light as the subject of the storm was kept, the phenomenon itself wasn't something that the Exo himself looked forward to experiencing again, especially not if it brought with it familiar faces. Taniks, he could probably weather again. Seeing Andal however had hurt, especially with the way his old friend had looked at him.

"No eye?" Ikora frowned. Every storm had an eye to it. A calm center to stand in while the world raged. It was fairly good proof that the storms were not natural beyond the mental manipulation.

Of course she would cover for Cayde's blindspot. It was natural instinct to protect her fireteam but especially Cayde. After everything that happened in his future where she couldn't protect him she needed to make sure.

There were plenty of phantoms that lurked in her past. Less with her reconciliation with Osiris. She still planned to stand in the storm and experience it even if it brought back painful memories. "It will be interesting to try and withstand a storm with no eye to catch your breath."

"Storm was pretty big, couldn't pinpoint one. We were coming in with the ships and then the power gutted out on all of 'em. We crash landed before we could try to get a better sense of anything. It was hard enough trying to find the city walking through it all."

Cayde was just glad Sundance was there when she was, not that her readouts made too much sense when he was the only one seeing the things he saw, but it saved him from wasting more bullets than he initially had with that phantom of Taniks. Didn't explain why he could still feel the warped Fallen's shots despite not being real.

"Heh. You are the only one that would probably ever look forward to that of our group," he said with a dry chuckle, weaving his way through the denser walkway as more people were about the market area they'd come upon. He casually turned down an alley off the main area.

A storm with no eye to catch your breath... He thought on those words, recalling the old radio tower-like thing he'd help scope out back in Temba.

"What Warlock doesn't want to walk into the storm?" They embraced it. As chaos swirled around them, they were the calm center. It was never a surprise when Warlocks were called crazy.

She dodged around an alien with large bug like eyes and thin, proboscis mouth. There was a lot more variety here than on Earth. Of course, their only allied race were the Awoken and only those who had left the fleet.

And then they were in an alley. With anyone else she might feel uneasy but Cayde wouldn't lead her anywhere they couldn't handle together.

"In our own ways we both walk into the unknown. My unknown happens to be a bit more esoteric than yours."

"True, but there's only one Warlock, and one Hunter to understand a Warlock's tendencies," Cayde pointed out with a grin that while unseen could definitely be heard.

The lights along the way flickered ineffectually here and there, the rest providing a dimly lit path to side doors marked by old, scratched up or stained plaques. "And my unknown hopefully holds some shiny goodies somewhere," the Exo said cheerfully as he came to a stop by an open door, giving a couple of knocks alongside the metal frame before stepping inside.

It was crowded inside with shelves of old equipment and crates, but along the walls were racks of a few firearms, most having had previous owners but still in good condition. It wasn't that well lit, casting most of the merchandise as silhouettes, and mixed in with the scent of grease and metal was something more pungent, almost incense-like. Behind a crowded counter a red-skinned Devaronian sat, the point of one of his two horns broken off, a cybernetic implant mounted where his right eye would be. Lifting his head and breathing a wisp of smoke out, he grinned sharp teeth as he caught sight of the two.

"<Cayde! And friend- always welcome, good business you bring!>"

"Hey now, none of that, Zarv. Let's keep it in English. Er, Basic."

"You know my Basic not good," Zarv almost pouted, straightening from behind his workspace.

"Good enough for business," Cayde countered, which the Devaronian conceded with a sly grin.

"Yes, good enough. What you look for? New friend for the lady?"

"We'll just have to help the others understand then." Because it would probably startle a few people to see someone willingly and eagerly walk into a huge storm. It wasn't something most people considered a good day or a good idea. Warlocks were different.

The alien's language was difficult to understand and she made a note to get Ophiuchus various language dictionaries while they were here so the ghost could translate for her.

"Why do you have for shotguns?" she asked as she studied the shelves. "And a sidearm. A scout rifle."

Ikora was mostly an up close fighter but she liked a little balance. A scout rifle for range and a sidearm for midrange. Shotgun for when she was very close.

"Oh, the lady has taste." The alien got up and started to pull down guns from racks, laying them out across the counter.

Ikora walked over to inspect them. She listened while the alien explained the various types of weapons.

Cayde took up a position by one end of the counter, resting his hip against it as he folded his arms.

"'course she does, she hangs around with me," he quipped as he glanced over the selection the Devaronian had brought out. Ikora needed no help in choosing her own weapons, and while he probably didn't need any more himself, he always liked to look.

"Don't forget that discount you promised the last time," he reminded, bringing a brief scowl to Zarv's face, but then what businessman liked to discount his wares? Cayde's shoulders shook in a brief chuckle at that as he continued. "Oh, and if you got any fun things in since the last time I came by? Planning on heading off-world soon so this might be our last chance in a while to get some decent equipment."

"May I?" Ikora asked, gesturing to one of the weapons.

"Go ahead. It has strong kickback. The lady might like a blaster rifle instead?"

Ikora's smile was deceptively friendly as she picked up the weapon. She was familiar with weapons. A strong kick was not a deterrent. There would be nothing like Invective here.

She looked down the sight, checked the stock and inspected the weapon. She would have liked to fire it but she doubted that would be allowed. It was lighter than she expected though. She set it back down and picked up what looked more like a scout rifle.

"That a blaster. It's better. Less kick."

Grinning knowingly to himself, Cayde let Ikora continue to look over things as he stepped away from the counter to browse. Not that browsing was easy in this shop considering most things were hidden in crates. Naturally he'd found that out the first time he'd browsed, and while Zarv was not very eager about having people poke through the merchandise he'd tried to keep out of sight, he'd come to tolerate Cayde's nosiness knowing that at least he'd come away with more credits once all was said and done.

It didn't stop a mild look of annoyance from creeping upon the Devaronian's face as he continued to assist Ikora, especially as the helmeted Exo started eyeballing a crate that had considerably less dust than the others. "-oh! The slugs, I have them," he said abruptly, allowing Ikora her time to inspect the next weapon as he shuffled over to the other end of the counter to pull out a heavy box. "Outer Rim, just come in. Is one that I think match you... What you call? Bunot?"

That was one way to get Cayde to stop nosing around. "Bullet," he corrected, but he covered the way back to the counter in several quick steps, slipping a loose bullet from a pouch to compare with the boxes of ones Zarv had set out. Content that would keep the Hunter preoccupied for the time being, Zarv slipped back to Ikora's end of the counter.

Ikora chuckled as Zarv cleverly and cleanly distracts Cayde from investigating where he's not wanted. It was quite nicely done.

She took her time with each weapon, examining them closely, and considering them on their own merits. Nothing here will be Banshee-44 quality or Golden Age quality. Nothing here will take the place of her trusted Invective. She will take something reliable in the meantime.

"This one," she said as she set a light blaster to the side. "This feels good." It was similar to a sidearm and felt comfortable in her hands. She still hadn't found something heavier.

Ikora looked around again and spotted what looked like a long rifle on the wall. "That?" she asked, pointing.

"Oh, very dangerous. Disintegrates. Ammo very hard to find."

"Ah. Expensive, you mean."

"'m sure where we're going that would make the ammo doubly hard to find," Cayde murmured from where he leaned against the counter, studying his bullet against one from the boxes Zarv had left him to peruse, one slug held between each thumb and forefinger.

The Devaronian shrugged, glancing from the Exo to Warlock. "For collectors and ones who seek...interesting. Also deep pockets do help," he smirked.

Cayde finally straightened up, slipping his bullet away and returning the other to one box, pulling it aside from the others with a pat. "I'll take these. They better not blow up in my face."

"Not why you wear helmet? Soong peetch alay." Zarv chuckled, and while Cayde didn't speak a lick of Huttese he figured he was probably being insulted. "You done shopping?" he instead asked Ikora.

It certainly sounded like an insult. Cayde and his fantastic people skills.

"These three," she said with a nod to the blaster pistol, a slug rifle, and a heavier shotgun like weapon. A fairly standard array. She drew out the apparently endless money card available to them and held it up where the merchant could see. "And ammo."

Only when he had placed a satisfactory amount of ammunition on the counter did she hand over the card. Ikora wanted to have a comfortable amount for their return. She couldn't rely on her powers at the moment. These would have to do.

Zarv finished with Ikora's transaction before putting Cayde's through, making sure no extra bullets had somehow slipped into the box in the meantime. After a bit of back and forth with the Hunter, he relented and offered Ikora a battered case for her purchases. Then he gave the two Guardians an oil-slick grin.

"Thank you for your businesses," he said.

Cayde made sure they had everything packed up before giving the weapons dealer a nod. "Thanks Zarv. Best of luck to you." He figured it was better keeping things vague.

"Thank you." She took her case of weapons with a nod to Zarv. She gestured for Cayde to go first as they left. She felt more confident with weapons at her side. She would figure out how to hide them under her armor once they were back at the ships.

On the streets again she considered Cayde. "You make interesting friends quickly. A weapons dealer who looks rather fierce."

She wondered what other friends Cayde had made during this trip.

Hardly one to argue in taking point, Cayde made sure Sundance wasn't picking anyone lingering too close outside before stepping outside. He still cast a look down both ends of the alleyway before he started to retrace their steps back to the landing platform, ever on the alert.

"I think that's a general trait for Devaronians. Anyway, helps making acquaintances of particular interests if you're going to be around a place as long as this," he said, grinning over his shoulder, or at least it wasn't too hard to guess that he was.

Annoying as the helmet was, it had helped him to get conversations going where not wearing it wouldn't have gotten his foot in the door. He supposed he wasn't too bothered by it. They got their business, he got the things he needed, some stories were swapped. It was like a broader gaming table, and at the end of the day they'd all have to go home, happily breaking even.

"Need anything else while we're out here or you just wanna head back?"

"No, I think I have what I need now." She would get herself books and datapads later. Walking around this endless city with a few weapons in hand was probably not illegal but she imagined no one would be terribly happy to discover it.

"We should safely store these." She was quiet for a moment as they walked along together. "Have you been happy here?"

Cayde seemed happy but he always did hide his emotions behind quips and teasing. She had rarely seen him angry or sad in all the time they had known each other. It was quite an accomplishment given the hundreds of years their friendship spanned.

But she wanted to be sure now he had found a place for himself in this group and he was content.

That was a point he wasn't going to argue. All the gleam and glow of the city wasn't going to stop anyone from trying to take what they wanted if it seemed in their interests, and Cayde knew that firsthand.

He laughed at the question though. "I'd be happier if I could just do things without the damn helmet. And absolutely ecstatic if we were allowed to go off on our own ships as we please."

There was a lot of opportunity here that a month couldn't cover, and you couldn't dangle one planet in front of a Hunter without giving him cause to wonder what sort of other frontiers were out there to explore. It was just one big tease, which just snapped you back to reality like a rubber-band. That sort of thing just made you exhausted.

"We're just stalling," he said on a more serious note. "At least once we get back to Temba, the things we do will mean something."

"No, Cayde." Ikora gave him an indulgently exasperated look. "I don't want to know if you're happy on this planet. I want to know if you're happy with these people?"

Cayde made friends easy, of course, with his outgoing personality but he didn't have many close relationships. She knew she was one of the few who was close to the Exo and even then she didn't know all of his secrets.

He didn't know all of hers either.

But they looked after each other for centuries. Ikora wanted to know that he had forged bonds here or started to.

Ah, he missed that look. Cayde stopped, the landing pad not too far beyond them now.

"It's not the City," he finally said. He could be himself here but only with a helmet on in most cases, as there was still a line drawn between who and what he was because of the strange robotic divide that was here. People here were all right, but they had an interesting mental block that seemed to dig in its figurative heels the moment a humanoid droid started being interested about things more strictly associated with organic life.

His chuckle was low but more evident for the subtle shake of his shoulders. "Anyway, we're just passin' through. Don't know that the Agrii do many return trips, but even if they do, who knows if it'll be the same timeframe?" he said as he turned to continue to the taxi service. "Although if we do come in at some later point and there's something in the records about some crazy but fashionably tasteful droid stirring up trouble at whatever they use for dates and years around here, then I'd still consider I've done my job."

"And the other people? The ones we share ships and our fate with?" Ikora had to wonder if Cayde was deliberately dodging that point. He knew this visit was temporary. She knew it as well. She didn't expect him to get attached to anyone here.

But the others? The ones they had to work with and trust? She wanted to know his judgement of them. If he had made lasting bonds which was difficult for a Guardian. The people of the City were not immortal, only the Guardians. They saw many people be born, live, and die.

These strangers from other Earths and other universes were probably the same but bonds were important. She would worry if he had closed himself off.

He made up for the inability to see the roll of his eyes with the rest of his body in the way that he set his hands at his hips and tilted his head at an exaggerated angle. "Gosh mom, you asking if I've been making friends while you've been gone?"

The Exo got them queued up for a taxi and turned back to Ikora, arms folded. "They're good people," he said, picking up on her question more seriously. "Well most of them," he had to add as he thought about Kaz, but he still had to admire the kid's slyness. Definitely had to watch that one.

"I like 'em. I think some of them would even make good Guardians for the things we've gotten up to." He laughed lightly, shaking his head. "...but I keep reminding myself they aren't, so I gotta make sure we don't get too carried away." And yet Tony's the one that had put his own safety at risk here and there when the Hunter had gotten himself in a fix. But people here weren't used to Guardians and their ability to just hop back up and brush off the dust after a bad turn.

"I'm not letting anything happen to anyone so long as I'm here." He'd made up his mind on that a good while back. Temba wasn't his city, but it wasn't any of theirs either. Which didn't make it fair, but if they were just all borrowing space for a while then they could pretend it was theirs, at least a little. He'd gotten attached to people here more than he'd anticipated, but then with only so many people in one big shared space, it was impossible not to. His answers still kind of skipped around the point, but Ikora would know what he meant. She'd see it in the bar he'd made, just so people could all come together when they wanted. He wanted to enjoy the company of them all while he could.

"Yes."

That was exactly what she was asking. Cayde could adjust to just about any situation. Hunters were incredibly adaptable and used to being alone but every Guardian did better, was better, with a trusted fireteam to rely on.

If he did not make friends, he should at least be able to rely on these people. If he couldn't do that... well, she was here now. He could always rely on her.

She listened with a little smile as he talked. It didn't seem like she had anything to worry about. He had clearly become attached to these people. Which put her at ease for a few reasons. She could trust these people if Cayde trusted them.

"You've done well here," she said with a small nod of approval. "I'm glad."

Cayde had turned back towards the open platform, watching the traffic that buzzed back and forth in the air beyond. He wasn't sure what to say, really. It wasn't like he thought he'd be graded on social skills by his fellow Guardian the moment one popped up here- but then it would be Ikora. He doubted anyone else he knew would have asked him such questions.

"Anyway, our ride's here," he finally said as he saw a speeder pull in, trying not to sulk as he trotted over to the vehicle, waving Ikora over.

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