OTA - JEDHA - NEUTRAL CANTINA

[same_eyes]

Jedha is a hot, dry planet where life has to be fought for day after day. It's a holy planet, with ruins of the ancient order of the Jedi rumoured to be out there in the desert for anyone determined enough to find them.

It may be a tense time on Jedha, with the Empire and Rebellion fighting in other parts of the galaxy, but here in Maz's Cantina, neutrality and non-violence are strictly enforced.

Find a chair, order a drink, and try to get along despite the tense atmosphere. Whether you're Imperial or Rebel, Resistance or First Order, Jedi or Sith... all are welcome, so long as you pay for any broken furniture.



[ooc: It's Star Wars season, so let's start this up again! Any character from any Star Wars franchise is welcome, even OCs and AUs of characters from other fandoms put into a Star Wars setting. Have fun!

TEMPORARY RULE: no spoilers in top level comments, mark them if they're in later comment chains. Thank you!]

Comments

Chirrut Îmwe

[theforceiswith]

There's a blind man sitting in the doorway, dressed like a monk. He'll call out proverbs to anyone passing by, in case you'll stop and listen-

"The winding path to peace is always a worthy one, no matter how many paths it takes."

He'll talk with anyone who approaches, but he won't drink. It's rude to drink on the job.

Meet the bouncer.

[ouzel]

"Does the winding path imply multiples of the same?"

Cassian may have already been drinking and he might find talking to bouncers easier than talking to patrons anyway, three drinks in or not.

[lightsaver]

The last place Luke expected to hear vague advice was from a bouncer at a Cantina, even big, supposedly reputable Cantinas like this one. He stops to look around and make sure he's the one being addressed, causing the small tri-pedal alien behind him to ram unexpectedly into his calves, but once he's done apologizing and being cussed out in a language he thinks he's better off not understanding at the moment, he turns back towards the blind man.

The thing is, it sounds exactly like something he'd have expected Old Ben or Yoda to say. You know, old and venerated—but likewise vague and a touch frustrating. Just like them. (That's not very charitable and he feels a smidge guilty even thinking it.

"... What does that mean?"

Luke is a simple lad, see.

[nojedi]

I've heard that saying before.

[There are no Jedi here, but that doesn't mean there's no one trained in the use of the Force. Ahsoka pauses as she passes, shutting her eyes and feeling the eddies of the Force as it flows through this man. He's not strong with the Force, not like the Jedis she used to know were, but he's certainly connected.

And he cares about it, which considering how many people have started thinking it's a myth, is kind of nice.]

K-2SO

[ktwo]

Working behind the bar is a lanky Imperial droid, but he would sooner make an inappropriate quip than serve you your drink.

"What will it be this time? If you don't think you've had enough already. Which I do."

[ouzel]

"Fortunately no one listens to bartenders complaining about how much they've had to drink, this time.

I don't know what I want." Hah. Hahhaa. The universe is giggling at Cassian right now. "Surprise me."

[rawrgwawggr]

[The big furry guy abruptly SLAMS A HUGE PAW DOWN ON THE BAR, snarling and baring a whole lot of very sharp-looking teeth. He can do without the editorial comments about his alcohol capacity, thanks.]

[parsecs]

Corellian brandy with a side of cutting out the commentary. [Han tosses a few credits on the counter.] You make a lot of money telling customers not to drink?

Kylo Ren

[fulfils]

[Don't ask how this works. Ren certainly isn't.

He's just wishing that someone on this Force-forsaken planet new about temperature control because he's dying inside his black robes. The helmet's been abandoned on the seat next to his; he's staring into the middle distance trying to remember if there's a meditation for keeping kriffing cool.

No, he doesn't want to talk to you. Don't sit there.]

[protocoldroid]

[ General Organa would be very interested to know that Kylo Ren is on Jehda, but the rules of the cantina prohibit C3PO from contacting her.

He'll just have to keep an eye on him until he leaves the cantina. ]

Excuse me, is this seat taken?

[defectingpilot]

[ Guess who's sitting there? It's Bodhi, still in his imperial pilot costume and holding a drink from the bar.

He should really ask to sit there, right? It would have been smarter And you'd think all those black robes would be warning him away. But somehow the fact everyone else around the dude in black was avoiding him, made Bohdi want to sit there more. Weird logic, with this one. ]

Buy you a drink?

Re: Kylo Ren

[grand_mf]

[There's something...really, strikingly familiar about Kylo Ren.

Tarkin can't put his thumb on it, but his instincts have never steered him wrong; he knows that face. But he can't remember why, or where.

The young man looks decidedly uncomfortable in his own skin, unhealthily pale and sweating. Easy enough to figure out, if he was already this out of sorts.

Tarkin makes his way swiftly over, standing over him, hands set behind his back]

Do I know you from somewhere?

Grand Moff Tarkin

[grand_mf]

[Here on Imperial business, Tarkin knows it's futile to hope that he'll get through this unmolested by one person or another. He sincerely hopes that both the magnitude of the Empire and his own reputation will keep most of the scum at bay, and that he can conduct his business here peacefully. He may be dressed in Imperial gray, but that isn't to say he's about to call in the full might of the armada down on this place.

In fact, all he has currently is a commlink that lines up with a lone ship orbiting the planet. Bringing any more force than that would disturb the tentative neutrality, and he has no interest in upsetting potential allies just yet.]

[badnewsbears]

[ He doesn't know how or why the Grand Moff is here when he should by all accounts be long dead, but Mitaka knows better than to get on the bad side of one of the most ruthless leaders in Empire history.

He approaches Tarkin with a tall glass of icy blue liquid in hand, complete with a tiny paper umbrella. ]

A drink for you, sir. I'm told it's quite refreshing.

Bodhi Rook

[defectingpilot]

[ Bodhi is just curled up at the bar and nursing his drink, staring into it like it might hold some cosmic answers to the chaotic world he's got going on right now. It's not his first time in the bar.

Might not be his last either.

Buy him a drink.]

[ouzel]

[ Cassian orders him something light, fizzy, and as unlike the desert as possible. Because it looks like he needs it.

When the drink comes and the bartender indicates Cassian, he raises his glass in a toast. ]

galen erso | will avoid spoilers

[crystallography]

[ Jedha is hot and dry make no mistake about it, yet Galen can't help himself and just has to wander around (much to the Empire's dismay). There could be kyber crystals left over somewhere.... It's a pipe dream but hard to resist; Lyra had loved excavating and so Galen is more than happy to take a page from her book for once.

There's some old saying about the best laid plans and Galen soon finds himself lost. He's also somehow managed to lose his empire escort and he's now also in Maz's bar. One could wish for aircon but that doesn't mean it suddenly materializes and the scientist tugs at his collar a bit, oblivious to the fact he sticks out like a sore thumb in his uniform.]

[ouzel]

You look like you need a drink, [ Announces the man sitting at the bar, who has watched this science officer meander in, alone. He's not the only Imperial inside, but he's the only one who doesn't seem comfortable in his uniform, so there's...that.

It means something, but Cassian is a little too inebriated to decide what it is. ]

Something with a small tap or a big punch?

some asshole in a cape

[deathstars]

[As planets go, Jedha isn't the worst Orson's been to, but that's about all it has in its favor. Dusty and parched, the only relief from the heat outside is in the cooler confines of this cantina. He sticks out, undoubtedly, in a crisp, white rendition of an officer's uniform, but the tentative truce holds. For now.

Besides, he's spent many, many hours in cantinas and dives and everything in between. He'd say it was a relic of a misspent youth, but that isn't entirely true - he learned more about how people functioned there than in any lecture hall. He's never had cause to regret it.

Keeping his back to the wall, Orson nurses his drink and watches the room will well-practiced ease. This is just another chance to learn.]

[badnewsbears]

[ Being raised as he was on tales of the Empire, Mitaka instantly recognizes the man in the white uniform as the visionary creator of the Empire's greatest weapon. He may be a mere lieutenant, but he can't let this opportunity slide. ]

Director Krennic, sir. May I... buy you a drink?

cassian andor

[ouzel]

[ The thing about neutral places is that you can see nearly anyone doing nearly anything, and that is part of the draw to them in general.

Another thing about neutral places is the underlying worry that it won't remain neutral for long.

Thus; there's a man at a booth in the corner, nursing his second drink, occasionally looking up and around but mostly just keeping to himself.

He keeps narrowing his eyes at something, though.

Come bother him. ]

[nojedi]

[Neutral ground. Ahsoka will believe that when she gets out of this with her head still attached to her body. But it's a nice dream. She takes a seat next to Cassian, her cloak carefully covering her lightsabers.]

Any trouble so far?

Dopheld Mitaka

[badnewsbears]

[ There is a meek young man in a First Order uniform trying to remain unnoticed along the edges of the crowd. He's come to Jedha on leave but is still paranoid that one of his superiors will catch him associating with the rougher folk of the cantina. He eyes the crowd with a tentative, wary glare, too timid to even order a drink.

Perhaps someone should buy him one. ]

Ahsoka Tano

[nojedi]

[There's a Togruta woman in the corner wearing a cloak. It shadows her face and covers the two lightsabers attached to her belt. But don't let that fool you into thinking she's not paying attention. Ahsoka, or Fulcrum depending who you ask, has been part of the Rebellion for a long time now. While the cantina may be neutral territory, she doesn't especially want to give away her identity to just anyone. Sooner or later, she has to leave, and she'd rather not have to fight her way out once she leaves the front door.

Still, for those who want to exchange stories or tidbits of information, she's a good person to talk to. Or those who are strong in the force might notice her presence. She isn't Jedi or Sith, but she's certainly strong.]

Sabine Wren

[paintbombs]

[Just outside the diner there's a woman in Mandalorian armor spray painting the walls in brilliant colors. It's hard to tell exactly what it is... depending on what angle you look at it from, it looks like either a space battle or a serene wilderness scene, star destroyers and x-wings merging seamlessly into bounding beasts and flowing grasslands. And it all comes together into the symbol of the Rebel Alliance.

Is she supposed to be doing this? Probably not. But it's hard to deny its beauty.]

Han Solo

[parsecs]

[Last year, Han so helpfully gave everyone the talk, but this year, everyone's a little older, a little wiser, and Han has other important lessons to teach.

Specifically, how to play Sabacc. He's got a deck and he's going through the cars and explaining the rules and the different ways to lose. If he's with the right person, someone who really, really needs his help, he'll tack on an additional lesson. He waits til he's sure no one else is looking before he reveals one last card.]

This here's a skifter. Getting caught with one of these can mean death in some circles, but it can also help you win. Or help other people win. Keep an eye out for anyone tapping the corners of their cards too much. Might mean they're cheating. You don't want anyone cheating unless it's you, got it?

family reunion time

[fulfils]

[How does this keep happening. Why does this keep happening. Why can't Ren see this coming and avoid it???

In the absence of a catwalk and a bottomless pit, he's slouching to show his displeasure.]

Your wife would not be impressed to find you teaching others the virtues of cheating.

Chewbacca

[rawrgwawggr]

[Although he might be sitting at an out-of-the-way booth in the back, this being is still kind of hard to miss, being a Wookiee and all. He doesn't look too happy to be here, but that might just be a normal look for him. He's got a big furry paw wrapped around a tall glass festooned with umbrellas and fruit skewers, grumpily sipping from it through a straw. Approach at your own risk.]

[parsecs]

[Han stalks over and takes a seat next to him.]

How prepared for takeoff is the Falcon? Not saying we're definitely making a hasty exit but the big ugly guy over there thinks I'm cheating at Sabacc.

rey | star wars - spoilers ok since ... she's 34 years in the future

[forcevisions]

[ thirty-four years is a long time, and things in jedha have changed, but not a lot.

instead of the empire, it's the first order. especially violent and subversive branches of the resistance. rey picks her way through, here for none of it, disconnected in a way from the unrest of war. jedha was once home to a great temple, and she's here to find it, no matter how many problems she bumps into along the way—

and bumps into is really the best way of it, for the streets are too narrow for anything else. ]

Ciena Ree

[swornoath]

[It's honestly disgraceful that they have to be neutral in a cantina that's crawling with terrorists.

Ciena wears her uniform proudly, the one that marks her as a Captain in the Imperial Navy and holds her drink close to her chest as she glares around at the various known Rebels that surround her. Any one of them could have been responsible for the destruction of the Death Star and the deaths of so many of her friends on board, and she can't do anything against them.

All she can do is wonder if maybe one of them knows Thane. Not that she'd dare ask. She can't afford to have her loyalties split. She swore an oath to the Empire and she means to keep it.

So she sips slowly at her beverage and glares daggers at anyone who seems like they might not love the Empire.]

aurelia (kryze-kenobi) | an oc!!!

[implausibilities]

ooc | for this post, she's the secret jedi-duchess baby who doesn't realize she's force sensitive, raised in secret by korkie kryze. she knows little of her father, more of her mother, and aspires to be in politics even during these difficult times.

[ korkie told her there would be days like this, layovers during long trips for her own safety. were she raised as a lady and daughter of a duchess, she might react differently, but since the fall of new mandalore, the surviving members were forced to go into hiding. they dispersed, working quietly in the shadows. korkie had taken her to corellia, sent her off to diplomacy school when she was ready and eager to follow her mother's footsteps.

she would smile, probably, at the demand that everyone remain neutral in this cantina, though aurelia herself knows that neutrality during a time of war can oftentimes lead to even more death and destruction. what she has learned from her mother's memory is that one must never compromise, to hold fast to one's values.

her hood remains over her head as she leans over the stew placed before her. there's something in the air in jedha, something that reaches all of her senses and sends a tingle down her spine. she doesn't know why. it's best that she doesn't draw any more attention to herself. ]