(D7 MM) The Way Forward

[Nekoinu]

Treya stared down at the two relative newcomers to the ship gathered before her. One had been there for a bit, first as an unannounced guest. The hunter, still wearing his hood and helmet, stood there with his arms crossed.

The other was Sarana, the Chagrian woman left behind by her mentor. She was in much more casual wear, though still kept her spear slung over her shoulder.

The clan matriarch remained silent, scrutinizing the two, and waiting for the input of the new initiates also gathered.

[Phoebe Wren]

Dressed in her street clothing and wearing the armor-bodyglove underneath, Phoebe wondered how in the blazes she was going to persuade the matriarch to let the two come along.

[Riza]

There was a summons, a call for attention, and so Riza answered. What she was surprised to see, of course, was the hunter's presence on the ship once more. As far as she'd known, he'd not interacted much more with the crew but perhaps Treya had offered him some credits for his assistance and he'd come hoping for more.

Thus, Riza did find a place to wait around dressed similarly casually. Prepared to go and collect her weaponry duly waiting for her.

[Axel Ward]

Axel was there, scowling and with crossed arms. Scowling and crossing his arms was pretty normal for him, but his scowl seemed a bit darker, and his crossed arms were a bit more flexed than usual.

He wore his usual tank top and fatigue pants, which perhaps made it possible for a careful observer to spot that he was carrying his stealth vibroknife. Or perhaps not.

[Coryn Kusat]

Coryn was in his scout armour and fully loaded - the CorSec permits meant he didn't feel awkward despite looks it got him planetside. Besides, he had a shitload to do today.

He looked ready for action but also curious about who the other newbies was. The hunter received a nod, while the Chagrian got a polite smile.

[Nekoinu]

Treya nodded to the initiates and then turned to the other two. "I've taken the liberty of assembling some dossiers," she said, "So, if you'd like to talk about yourselves, you can start before that, eh?"

"Very well, I'll start," the hunter said. He took a step forward and folded his hands behind his back. "You can call me Keh'ral. I haven't gone by that for over a decade so most of my exploits aren't under any name.

"As for who I am, I took an open bounty on Riza there." He pointed at the Chiss and then waved it off. "For whatever reason, I decided it'd be more interesting if I helped her out. Then I ended up helping her out too," he continued, pointing at Phoebe.

"Maybe it's because I was tired of wandering around. I couldn't say." He patted his rykk blade. "I can fight and I'm one of the best trackers in the galaxy."

[Riza]

"He's a good tracker," Riza said, confirming that thought. "Though," she began, about to speak of her understanding of the flippancy of his loyalty. How likely it might be that he would simply turn against them on a dime should it be in his better interest.

But, instead, she smirked at the hunter and closed her mouth. "I wonder where we'd fit him," she teased the notion, passing the hunter the knowing glance. She'd promised she'd speak positively on his behalf if it came here, the deed was done and payment had come due.

[Axel Ward]

Surprisingly, the hunter's words made Axel's scowl soften, just a little. Axel gave him a slow nod.

He still didn't trust him worth a damn. But he understood him a little.

[Rose Sorenn]

Rose stood quietly near the back, arms folded, listening. Her usually cheerful countenance has been replaced with knitted brows, lips pressed together thoughtfully.

[Coryn Kusat]

"What do you know about Mandalorians Keh'ral? I figure a Bounty Hunter would be a useful addition to the crew. It's a different mindset though."

[Nekoinu]

"Can't say I know more than what people would normally know," Keh'ral answered. His masked visage scanned the room and then he shrugged. "Are you saying I should join? I didn't really think about it, honestly. Though I would just stick around for the ride until it was time to go, but..."

[Phoebe Wren]

"Anyone can become a Mandalorian, if they want, and they prove themselves worthy to a clan that will take them in," Phoebe offered in an encouraging tone for both of them.

[Nekoinu]

"Very well," Keh'ral said. He dipped his head. "If you'll have me, then I think I'll give it a shot."

Sarana stepped forward next, sheepishly smiling at everyone. "Hey, if you don't know me yet, I'm Sarana," she said. She looked over at Phoebe and waved. "We've been through a bit together.

"Anyways, I'm not sure if I should be traveling the galaxy by myself a bit to find my identity. But maybe sticking around with you guys will let me do that."

[Axel Ward]

Axel snorted. "I think that's about half of us. Including him, from the sound of it." He jerked a thumb at the hunter.

He shrugged. "What's one more? If Phoebe's vouching for you, I'm all for it."

[Coryn Kusat]

Coryn shrugged. "Hey. You can wander a long ways before you realise what you were looking for was inside. What is it that you do Sarana?"

[Nekoinu]

"What do I do?" Sarana echoed, as if asking herself. She then laughed it off. "Well Keh'ral and I are actually rather similar since we were mentored by the same individual." The chagrian looked over the masked fellow and then smirked. "I don't think I'm as good at tracking someone but I bet I'm a bit better with people than he is.

"Eh," Keh'ral said with a shrug, "I won't argue with that."

"I'd negotiate contracts because I was the only one that wasn't horribly awkward to converse with. But I suppose I picked up some of the awkward."

[Riza]

"Him," Riza points at the hunter, "I understand. Bloodthirsty bastard as he is," she inclines her head in his direction as a manner of course. Intending, of course, not to mean it as an insult but just an admission of fact.

"You," she then focuses more fully on Sarana once more, "sound to me like a child looking for a fun trip on a cruise. While I doubted our hunter here," she indicated Keh'ral once more but didn't look away from Sarana this time, "would wish to join up with a Mandalorian clan. You, I do not even begin to see your reasoning for wanting to be a part of this life. Or, if you even fully understand the implications of what you wish to sign up for."

[Phoebe Wren]

"I think what my blue bunk-mate is doing is summarizing well why we could need someone like Sarana," Phoebe shrugged before crossing her arms over her chest.

"We got a few people who know how to talk and deal, but one more who can hold a conversation doesn't hurt. Would get us more work in the future, which the Clan will need since we're not looking to turn to piracy or the like."

[Rose Sorenn]

Rose crossed her arms and wished she’d brought a mug of kaff with her. She was inclined to agree with the chiss, “if we’re putting words in other people’s mouths, I think what Riza is looking for is a little more commitment to the cause than: maybe sticking around.”

[Coryn Kusat]

Coryn nodded. "Yeah, if you're serious about joining us then you need to know what you're in for. We're forming a Clan here. It's like a family, you don't just 'stick around'. You'll need to learn the language, follow the Resol'nare. But if you're prepared to embrace it then great."

He looked around at the assembled group. "So, before we get too much further along: we've got a solid lead on the Hangman. Me and Axel found out he's been chasing an old acquaintance of mine. Dennah Valtair. Short story: she's bad news. But Cadera is after her, so we've got an opportunity."