#caldus urianarr

[cinlat]

I couldn't help myself. Fynta would 100% make Caldus drive everywhere.

[cinlat]

Life Day (2024)

Fynta frowned into the dregs of her drink while festive music failed to lift her spirits. She should be sitting in rage-inducing traffic on Nar Shaddaa, not watching Imperial soldiers bully merchants for information they didn’t have.

A shadow loomed over Fynta’s table. A shadow that Fynta ignored. “You should be aiding in the search, Hunter.” The smooth, pompous voice slid over Fynta’s senses like silk. She recognized the pressure of the Force and discarded it with a wide grin at the Sith.

”You paying?” Fynta would rather avoid a manhunt, especially one looking for her. When she made it back to base, she’d need to figure out how or who tipped off the space station’s security. It couldn’t be a coincidence that the station had gone on lock down within an hour of her arrival, or that they were looking for a Republic spy. Besides, she was stewing in her own self pity and didn’t have the energy to play games with Sith. 

He was a young Sith with a slight build, probably human once. Cybernetic enhancements blocked much of his face, but there was no denying the red eyes of the truly corrupt. The Sith drew back his shoulders. “As a citizen of the Empire, it is your duty to aid the Sith in all matters.”

”Good thing I’m not an Imperial citizen,” Fynta answered. She slapped a hand onto the unmistakable helm resting on the table. “I answer to the Mand’alor, and lately, he answers to credits. Without that, I’m on vacation.”

It was a gamble. Though Fynta had received training to protect her mind, not much could stop an angry Sith from crushing her throat. Only that T-shaped visor stood between her and death. The Sith didn’t know that Fynta didn’t belong to a clan or that no one would reign down hell should she miss a check in. She would be mourned, maybe even missed, but not much else. 

With a sneer, the young Sith waved forward two of his guards. “This one doesn’t leave your sight.” Fynta lifted her still empty cup to the Sith’s retreating back while the soldiers took seats at the adjacent table. Fynta ordered them drinks since they were stuck babysitting her. Neither touched them, but at least she tried. 

Fynta ignored the soldiers and their faceless glares. She was halfway through an article about the upcoming advancements to her favorite blaster model when another shadow invaded her space. Fynta huffed a sigh and prepared to give whichever soldier had grown a pair a piece of her mind when her comment sputtered. A grizzled Nautolan stood above her wearing a grin wide enough to display her sharp, yellow teeth. 

“Gift from the hulking mass at the bar.” Black eyes glittered with amusement as she set a thimble of dark liquid on the table. Fynta lifted a brow at the Mandalorian specialty, earning a wink from the old bar wench as she trundled off with a swagger that her bowed back had yet to steal.

Fynta sniffed at the overtly sweet Tihaar. It was a fifty-fifty shot that someone had paid the old woman to spike it, but she was beyond caring. She’d been looking forward to this Life Day. A torturously jolly round of sweets, light shows, and festivities with her favorite person. Caldus had the week off and had laid out enough holiday holos to ensure Fynta got many, long naps. Instead, she was stuck on an Imperial space station, avoiding a man hunt and pissing off Sith. At least one of those things brought her cheer.

Motion drew Fynta’s attention as a form slid into the booth across from her. “For fuck’s sake,” she muttered into the Tihaar, intentionally ignoring her likely suitor. That seemed to be the theme of the day, not that it had worked out so far.

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to get the attention of a pretty woman these days?” He hadn’t made it halfway through his grumble before Fynta’s gaze snapped up to the tusks curling away from a familiar faceplate. She didn’t need to see his face to know that he was grinning.

”How?” It was the only question that mattered, given that his affiliation with the Republic military was more public than hers. 

Caldus leaned an arm across the back of his booth with a reverberated laugh. “You’re not the only one good at your job.” He nodded to the soldiers, who seemed to take it at face value that two Mandalorian would meet in a bar with or without their interference. 

“I know but…” Fynta let the question die. It was too close to personal information spoken allowed in enemy territory. She shouldn’t be surprised. Caldus had been their tracker back when they’d hunted together. Every target they’d brought in was because of him. Still, Fynta had never had his skillset turned on her. And the speed at which he’d found her was almost insulting.

Caldus leaned his elbows on the table, and Fynta met him in the middle so that when he spoke, the words were only for her. “I’ll always find you, cyare.”

A strange tightness constricted Fynta’s chest even as she laughed. Leaning back, she gestured at Caldus’s helmet. “I didn’t think they were letting anyone in.”

The server droid chirped, igniting a menu display for their convenience. Caldus made a few selections while Fynta watched him, still not entirely sure this wasn’t a fever dream brought on by bad Tihaar. When he was done, Caldus sighed. “They’re letting ships land, but no one is allowed to leave.” He removed his helm, wiggling those bushy brows at Fynta. “They thought I was an ugly Gamorrean.”

Fynta barked a laugh, ignoring the way the two soldiers shadowing her glanced up. She kept her attention on Caldus, refusing to let their moment be ruined. “I think you’re beautiful.” Caldus answered with a grin wide enough to show off his tusks and the blunt teeth behind them. 

Food and more drinks came and went while Fynta and Caldus carefully danced around topics they didn’t speak about. There were updates from Verin, who had kept in touch with both of them as best as he could. Redacted stories from missions and everyday life. Finally, Caldus leaned back and patted the armour over his stomach. He watched Fynta scrape the rest of her dessert from the plate, then turned to the soldiers. “My girl and I are going to enjoy the sights.”

Neither soldier objected as Caldus stood to full height, taking up the space between their tables. He palmed his helm and slid it into place, then offered a hand to Fynta. She accepted, pulling her helmet on as well.

Once sequestered in the privacy of her small sanctuary, Fynta opened a line to Caldus. “Where are we going?” The soldiers waited until they had reached the door before following. 

“To the theater,” Caldus answered with that damned grin. “You didn’t think that you were getting out of the holo-athon, did you?”

Fynta groaned because it was expected, letting Caldus pull her under his arm when she feigned an escape. In truth, there was nowhere else she’d rather be.

Happy Holidays all!!!

[cinlat]

Enjoying some drinks and taking in the sights while stranded on an Imperial Space Station.