Credits Will Do Fine

[I'nu]

Credits Will Do Fine

Sunlight bloomed in a splash of magenta, tangerine and vanilla in the sky. This was the usual. Bespin was a beautiful planet. Cloud City was a beautiful city. People took it for granted. No one marvelled at the exotic, because it became usual. It made it easy to track the tourist. I'nu wasn't a tourist though.

It was before Lando took over. The days when the New Order was new, and I'nu's father was more than an ex-champion. A lot had changed since those times, but I'nu remembered. Even as he stared at the heavens, leaning out the building, he knew. Behind him roamed a crowd of common folk that didn't even know his father's name.

He could be proud though. He could still hold his family name high, but he didn't. I'nu introduced himself by first name alone. The follow-up to "Hi" had been the same since he first had come to Bespin. That was one thing that didn't change. That was one thing that wouldn't change.

"Next ticket to space docks."

He was at the shuttle. Time had come to get off this rock and back somewhere important. Not that important, of course, it was a junk yard. But it was his junk pile, and that was somewhat important enough to act like he was in a rush. It was something to blend in with the rush for. Not like anyone was going to ask him what he was there for, just he wanted to be usual, not unusual. His parents had done enough to make him the odd ball out.

Hands dipped in his pockets, conserved, reserved, and quick, he filled the crowd like an ant in line. Movements were single-file, and the group was clumped. A few chit-chatted about the food in the lower levels compared to the cuisine. Others squabbled over their hotel treatment, but no one talked about anything meaningful. Just chit-chat, and I'nu didn't want to listen.

All he wanted to do was get back. All he wanted to do was get away.

[Zenas Codrey]

Zenas kept his hands clenched in the pockets of his clothes, eyes focused on the back of the neck of the person in front of him. He was trying very hard not to freak out in the crush of people, to resist the need to set fire and lash out and clear enough space around himself to simply breathe. There were no other Togruta among the crowd, which made him more nervous still, but in the tides of sapient beings he still thought it would be difficult for any bounty hunters to find or apprehend him. If he ever, ever saw that human Inquisitor again, Zenas would end him on the spot.

An iridonian suddenly tripped to Zenas's right, smacking him into a somewhat smaller being on his left. He spun to glare at the Iridonian, his triple lekku lashing across the face of I'nu, who he'd bumped into. Feeling that, too, Zenas shoved back against the Iridonian, clearing enough space to his right that he could step back and look at the man on his left.

[I'nu]

When locked in line, there isn't much thinking. One after another is the rule, and its understood throughout the galaxy. From the smallest worlds, to the biggest, people knew how to go about in single-file. Or at least, they grasped the concept. The only problem was execution. Anytime I'nu found himself in line there was trouble, especially when crowds formed. Any bunch could turn hectic, quick. Even the slightest shove required a polite, quiet apology. People had their bubbles, invisible as they were, and intruding on that space meant the defense mechanism came into play. No one liked that fight or flight response, it always had the potential to get messy. And most folk didn't like things messy; they liked things organized, like lines.

This line wasn't organized.

It was the only explanation I'nu could come to when the three tendrils flocked his way. All he saw were stripes, and all he felt was a sudden smack across his face. At first, he was confused. I'nu had been lost in thought. There wasn't any time to move, dodge, or even try to no avail. From blink to pop, he was stirred awake and alive. His eyes darted off to the source, and it was red. Going from stripes to red had to be some sort of primal signal for carnal behavior, but I'nu kept himself at bay.

A facade rolled over, and he smiled. Not truly polite, but it was evident he was trying to make good. His hazel eyes met the man's, and he stared for a slight moment until his words trickled out.

"Y'gotta watch where y'flip those things, man," he laughed. Then, shot his eyes off, back into the crowd. A thought began to nag him, but he couldn't grab hold to it...yet.

It was something about that red, and those stripes. Togruta were an interesting race, but not that interesting. This guy was different. There was a thing about him....

[Zenas Codrey]

Zenas managed to reply only with an impatient noise, narrowing of Force-tainted eyes, and aggravated twitching of his triple lekku. He moved the two at the sides of his head to drape over his shoulders, but there was nothing to be done about the one trailing from base of his skull and down his spine. He hunched as the tide of people began to swell into the space he cleared, but he was acutely aware now that people were looking at him. Das't but he hated having to be low-key.

[I'nu]

A few faces looked over.

I'nu still didn't get it. The thought was still boiling in his brain, and he couldn't get rid of the stench. The smell was coming from the Togruta. Even as he grunted, looked away, and I'nu stood right next to him it was all futile. I'nu just couldn't wrap his mind around it.

Then, it accured, in a blast. The memory came through like a holo-feed, and his eyes flutter into a blinking fit. Five days back the words was circulating, and rumor was abound. I'nu was on his shift again, and it was his last. Even in the high-ups, folks talked. Some big bounty had been recently put on some Togruta. One of those crazy old coots from the past, holding onto the crazier religion was the word, but I'nu paid it no mind until he got back to the motel.

Down there the word was big. Most people were stuck on subjects like those. Bounties were a big thing, and an easy come up for some scavenger looking for good credits. Before he even got to his door he had gone through two conversation, filled with description (probably off), but intense as ever.

He didn't expect to be so close to the prize though. I'nu wasn't even the hunting type, but how could he refuse. A sly, devilish nature coax his lips into a smirk. For a moment, he would play dumb. The line was moving. Soon the shuttle would be landing, and then it would unfold.

I'nu was quiet. Too quiet. His feet didn't even rustle when he moved.

[Zenas Codrey]

Zenas shuffled along in line, keeping tightly to himself, careful not to touch anybody else. Ahead of the queue the shuttle off Bespin was settling down, preparing to unload the sentients who, for whatever reason Zenas couldn't distinguish, actually wanted to be on Bespin's Cloud City. Zenas sidled up to a stop beside I'nu as the line halted again. Only a mere 15 meters to the shuttle...he couldn't wait.

[I'nu]

The skies were lit with beauty, don with chance, and balm with potential. I'nu didn't even gaze up. Everything was on the line, his ears, eyes, and nose. Each sense was potent, filled with the Cathar genetics his father prided himself in. Also, there was the training. More than a bundle of years had been handed down in skill from the father to son, and whether the boy knew it or not it made him keen. The cunning trickery accomplished by a toned body and mind could be more than most could handle. Even if the mutt was a bit rusty.

As the line shifted, shuffled, and went adrift with impatience, he timed himself. Each move was visualized, imagined, painted in his mind. I'nu could see it playing out. A grin rose on his lips. Those lips fluff, even, smooth held too many words to say. Instead, he wouldn't talk. No, he'd only act. All his emotions would be in his action. Desperation, fear, hate, understanding & ignorance all would flesh out in his quick effort for more, for cash, for credits.

It was sudden when it happened. The crowd heading out the shuttle was sprawling out, yet still were too close. A few wayward travelers had bumped into each other as the two lines stupidly intersected. Everything about this potentially hazardous moment would be used as a guise. I'nu dressed in the seconds with total glee. The grin that had rose had yet to fade. It still blossomed with devilish twist that made the smile almost a smirk, and the sparkle in his eyes almost an abyss. With one swift, quick push, he banged up against a traveler heading out.

The man was an Ithorian. Tall, lanky, calm, and unprepared. When the two hit, the Ithorian almost fell. Actually, he would've, if it wasn't for I'nu's hands reaching out. Before the big hammerhead could find the ground, he was being twirled off to the side. Instead of a meeting with the floor, he was introduced with a thud to Zenas the Togruta. I'nu had grabbed the Ithorian by his swinging arms as he had fell, and twisted him about, catapulting him at the target. It was only one step to the process, but it was a worthwhile step.

Already he had made some distance, and aimed to take the bounty off guard. Plus, he had used the Ithorian to separate the two. With a bounty that high, this guy had to be dangerous. I'nu wasn't up on all the data - he was no hunter - but he was intuitive. That was enough, at least for now.

[Zenas Codrey]

Zenas turned the Ithorian by his ridiculous flat head and shoved him back the way he came, looking about for whoever the hell it was shoving people about. He was through with having inferior, traitorous sapients breathing on him and bumping into him. His eye swiftly searched, but for the most part the people were trying to ignore the ruckus. Nobody looked guilty, but Zenas was sure that one of them might be guilty and faking innocence. Though it seemed something was missing in the space where the Ithorian was struggling to his feet.

[I'nu]

As the Ithorian struggled, the mutt plotted. His next move had already been calculated. It had already been presumed, and now was the point to assume it. Position set, he squated, letting his calves do the rest of the work. Eyes high, but focused, he pushed off the earth with some light assistance from his hands and went flying over the crowd. No eyes shot up, they were too fixed on the people ahead, and the shuttle.

Perfect.

I'nu came down with his fist first. The target was the Togruta's face. All the long days under his father's training would come to work.

Teras Kasi, don't fail me now...

[Zenas Codrey]

In the crowd, Zenas hardly noticed the additional movement above him. Flying creatures had been scavenging about all through the wait for dropped bits of food; he nearly ignored it when his montrals helpfully let him know that something big was dropping towards him. Zenas looked up in time to take the punch on his forehead. He staggered into the sapients behind him and stood to full height as he recovered.

"What the hell!" Zenas recognized the mutt as the man he'd accidentally lashed with his lekku. It didn't occur to him that I'nu might be after the bounty; he thought the elaborate punch to be an act of vengeance, and tried to play the part of a victim. "What was that for!?" Sadly, Zenas had never been good at this sort of thing. "You das't stupid runt! I'll kill you!" There wasn't much distance to close, and so Zenas took one long stride, seeming to float off the ground as he came inside and made a straight punch that sought to avenge his throbbing forehead.

[Jehkran Dmath]

--Delete--

[I'nu]

Skill was key. Teräs Käsi brought skill, and I'nu had it. But more important was the door of experience. So many "once upon a times..." could come to mind, memories of moments like these and such. I'nu didn't have the time. Muscle memory was better than a nostalgia on anyday, especially this one. Before the position could be registered, impulse set in. Trained instincts, and poise trailed through his body as he let the vengeful bounty swing and he swept away.

Straight as the punch was, it held flaws. Too much was exposed, and I'nu let his punch fly by as his side-step opened room for the stomach. An upper-cut was the strike of choice, and not too much power had to be put in it. He was leaning into it, and that momentum would be use to I'nu's advantage...

...Hopefully.

Long drawn out battles were...tiring.

[Zenas Codrey]

Zenas caught I'nu's fist and yanked, side-stepping to let the first-time bounty hunter's momentum carry him past his position. The fight had broken up the line, and now they stood in a ring of people. They helpfully caught I'nu, but Zenas wasn't going to give any quarter. He moved back in, striking with the outside edge of his hand.

[I'nu]

The mutt was in a muddle. I'nu was stumbling already from the extra momentum, and crowd, but Zenas fist made it worse. It came in hard. The edge pushed in his cheek, letting spit fly out as his feet jumbled off to the side. All around the ring watched astound. One even assisted, persisting the fight go on, with a little shove. I'nu wasn't going to allowed to fall.

That would end it up.

And with the push, came the follow-up. I'nu let the crowd help, but they weren't doing the ground work. While his feet regained balance, his hands balled up and went flying. In a twirl, he let gravity play out. His fist came back in a sling-shot fashion, jabbing for the face like a slashing blade. Ferocity torched the young man's face, debunking the innocence that once was for the chance to show the visage of a true warrior.

The battle was on!

[Zenas Codrey]

Zenas swayed and clamped down on the urge to use the Force. It wouldn't do to reveal himself just to deal with his indignant traveller, but the conflict of what he needed to do as opposed to what he wanted to do was hazing his mind. I'nu's punch snapped him back to reality, and Zenas stepped in to make a knee strike. Around him the crowd howled insults and jeers, and somewhere in the back of it all he could hear spaceport authority trying to get to the conflict. The crowd wasn't ready to oblige them yet, so Zenas ignored it. At least that's one thing that won't be distracting him.

[I'nu]

The young mutt was in a swirl. His foot work was sloppy. Legs crissed and crossed as he tried to regain his balance. It was all of folly. Just like his sense of expectations in this bout were folly. Before he could make clear the crowds uproar. Or decipher the smell of a sort of toxin singeing the air from afar, he felt. It was pain. The agony enthral his body, sourced at his stomach.

A knee had hit him.

I'nu took his eyes off the surroundings, and focused them. Zenas was there, and though the punch had hit, I'nu was disorienated. There was no way to confirm much the moments after. All the little mutt knew was he was doubling over, backing away. Hands firm on his stomach, he used them in hopes of holding at bay the ache.

Then, he dove. His feet were barely on the earth, barely touching the ground, and he was bull-rushing. Pain had evolved into rage, and he was using it to tackle Zenas. No way I'nu was going to walk away from this fight bruised and battered. Not in his head he wasn't. It would be totally unacceptable.

[Zenas Codrey]

Zenas braced himself, catching I'nu's charge, but staggered back almost into the crowd. He could feel the heels of his boots threatening the toes of the inner ring before he halted the advance, but when he pushed back, he found he couldn't move the mutt. He got stubborn, leaning into his opponent, determined to shove him back.

[I'nu]

The mutt wasn't going to give up. He needed the credits more than anything. I'nu could hear the cha-chinging in his head. This was fun. This was great. All he had to do was get him down. Then, maybe, he could get the others to hold him down.

He'd be on easy streak if he could just...just...push him a little further.

"C'mon," he grunted, arms wrapped around firm, and feet digging into the ground. The young Cathar and Zeltron mix didnt have momentum to back him anymore. All he had was sheer strength and force, and he hoped that would be enough.

[Zenas Codrey]

Zenas found I'nu to be as immovable as a stubborn animal. He turned himself and the force each man had been exerting moved them past one another, breaking the deadlock. He stumbled back to the center, losing his footing and coming down on one knee.

[I'nu]

I'nu stumbled off. The momentum took him into the crowd, only to bounce back. He stared at the man, panting. Each heave of air filled with more than the last, as he tried desperately for a balance. He had to take the opprotunity. He had to take the upper hand.

One last heave, and he dove again. This time he was less reckless. There was more grace, accuracy, and beauty in his steps. His feet didn't leave the ground, but he was head-long forward. Arms out, one was balled into a first, ready to thrash the Togruta's cheek.

Just a single hit would do...hopefully. Aslong as he connected, that upper hand would be his.