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Shadow-Phoenix-Rider — Showdown Part 2
Published: 2013-06-12 08:28:48 +0000 UTC; Views: 1267; Favourites: 5; Downloads: 0
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Contains spoilers to the finale of Chapter 1 of the Smuggler's story in SWTOR. If you have no reached this point and do not wish to be spoiled, please do not continue, though how you're here if you missed the first part of this story, I have no clue.



The Skylark just escaped in the nick of time; just as they'd flown around fifty parsecs away from the abandoned vessel before it crossed the event horizon and was swallowed whole by the black hole, removing all trace of the slaughter preportrated and the resting place of the Jackal of the Stars.
The Skylark was on course to Nar Shaddaa now, to finally complete the mission they'd been working on. Bowdaar had been revealed to have been okay, if a little bit woozy from the gas. Corso had taken Bowdaar's place in the med bay to treat his wounds, and Zavvi was in the cargo hold, running a rag over Hewie's blade, cleaning it of Skavak's blood. She set the blade to one side, looking at the blaster pistol she'd picked up, examining the scuffed spot again in the light. She spotted some traces of Aurebesh, in handwriting she was familiar with as being Corso's. Was this Torchy? It seemed likely, with it being in Skavak's possession and all.

The sound of Corso's heavy boots made her stand and turn, laying the gun on the workbench. He looked very uncertain, hovering in the cargo hold doorway and his eyes looking everywhere but at her. When they did make eye contact, she noticed there was fear in the expressive brown orbs, making her heart tighten; Corso rarely showed true fear, except in matters related to her, she realized. The fear when she's been bitten by the rakghoul, fear when the slavers had attacked her, fear when the Sith had tried to turn him against her. He swallowed hard.
"Captain." He began. "You mind if I shut this door? I, I wanted to talk with you about somethin'..." He looked at her, earnestly waiting for her response. Zavvi sighed.
"Go ahead." She replied. Corso nodded, stepping through and fiddling with the door controls to close the door. He turned back to her, and breathed a sigh out, an attempt to calm his nerves.
"Captain...What you did to Skavak...I know he deserved gettin' shot in head, but cutting that off..." He shook his head. "Captain, why did you...? Sure, I know you were pissed with him, but I never thought...It was just an idle threat! I didn't mean..." He swallowed again. "I didn't think you'd actually do that to him."

Zavvi closed her eyes. Well, it finally happened; Corso had finally challenged about what she'd done in her imprenetrable rage. She should tell him the truth. That she had an accident several years ago and the brain damage makes her do awful things if she can't control her anger. But a part of her was frightened. Those two words, 'brain damage'. If she told him, what would he think of her? A psychopath? A serial killer just waited to happen? As soon as this job was done and he got his gun back, she could see him running as far as he could from her. And somehow, that very thought made her heart whimper with pain. He was so trusting and gentle and nice and to see even him turn his back on her hurt more than she could believe.
"He...He tried to kill you, Corso. He said awful things about you, about me. He tried to feel me up!" She spoke, fear wavering her voice. She wanted so desperately to crawl under a rock and hide until he went away, but she knew Corso, and Corso wouldn't just leave her. He'd just sit and wait and wait and wait until she came back out and told him the truth. And then he'd run away, she reminded herself bitterly.
"I know, Captain." He replied. "And that's deserving of death, but not, not what you did to him."
"What makes you think he didn't deserve it?"
"Captain, you trussed him up like some wild hog you caught fresh from the jungle! That's just...I dunno, it's just not right, Captain." He said, before his voice softened. "You're not like this usually, Captain." She turned away, and was trying to find a response to get him to stop prodding, but the replies died on her tongue. What could she say to him? She heard him move closer, feeling his breath gently wisp across her lekku.
"How would you know?" She managed. A pause, and a sigh.
"I...wasn't exactly truthful when I told you what me and your sister talked about on Carrick Station." He said, stepping back. "I know what happened to you, Captain. Your sister told me."

Zavvi froze as his words hit home.
"You...You knew?" Her voice was a couple of decibels above a whisper. He nodded, stepping forward again.
"Yeah. I knew." His smile was small, slightly hesitant. "I didn't wanna tell you straight away, 'cos...I didn't want you to think that I thought of you any different just because of an accident."
"But...But what I did to Skavak. What I did to you, and the other people that I lost my temper on...I just...I just can't stop..." She wrapped her arms around herself. His calloused hands found their way on her shoulders, and she noticed he'd only recently shedded his gauntlets.
"So you keep your anger under wraps so you won't hurt anybody?" Corso said, just leaving his hands there for now, letting her know he was there, and with her. She nodded fractionally.
"It's not like I don't know what I'm doing...I just, just..." His hands moved from her shoulders, gently lifting her lekku up so he could pull her into an embrace, the headtails draped over each of his shoulders. She tensed. "Stop pretending to care, Corso. I know you think I'm a psycho."
"Zavvi, look at me." Corso drew back, turning the Twi'lek around to face him with a little more force than he'd have liked to have used against her. "I might not've known you before what happened, but to me you're a good person. You've done lots of good things for people. You put yourself on the line to get a rakghoul plague vaccine made, you've always been there to make sure good people aren't gettin' trampled on, and I saw you bring King Ulgo to his knees." He cupped her face in his hands. "Sure, when you get all angry an' dangerous it does scare me, and it reminds me never do anything that would ever cause that to happen to you. But..." A brief pause. "Zavvi, I know you can never put it behind you, but if you let it sit on your shoulders all your life..." He sighed, and she could see old pain in his eyes. "I still think about my parents and my sister. What I could've done to save them. But I don't let it consume me, 'cos if I do, I don't think I could keep goin'. You're real strong, Zavvi, and it hurts to know that you're letting this bring you down."
"It's always with me, Corso, you don't understand..."
"I know. I know I'll never be able to truly understand what its like, but I know my Captain, and my Captain wouldn't let it stop her. She's keep going despite everything and dare anyone to think she's weak." He smiled. "And it doesn't make any difference to me, whether you took a blow to your head or not. You're still Captain Zavvi to me." And I still love you.

Zavvi just couldn't believe it. She wasn't sure if she was just dreaming; how was it that Corso didn't mind that she was brain damaged and did horrible things to people when she was angry? She didn't deserve this affection, this care...
"W...Why, why me, Corso?" The mercenary frowned slightly, tilting his head to the side with a confused look.
"What do you mean, Captain?" He asked.
"I'm sure there's a girl out there who deserves you more than me-" She was going to say more but Corso was already shaking his head.
"There's no-one else I want, Zavvi." He said, a fire to his gaze she hadn't noticed before.
"You'll get hurt..." She murmured softly.
"Maybe I do. But it's like fightin'. You don't go into it if you're scared of getting dinged up." He smiled warmly. "And for you, Captain, I'd go into any fights you want or need me to." He reached up, a finger gently tracing one of her cheek tattoos.
"Corso..." Then she was in his arms, and though she was pressed up against his durasteel armour, she could feel the warmth and security from his embrace, soothing away her anxieties and fears. She felt a infusion of warmth to her heart, and it was only now that she realized she was crying, tears rolling down her cheeks. The Twi'lek had held them back for so long that a simple hug had released them; the gesture had far more meaning that first appearances suggested. The young man seemed to sense what was happening, and just held her, gently stroking a lekku to calm her.

They stayed like this for a while, neither knowing how much time had passed. Bowdaar and SeeTwo didn't disturb them; not even knocking on the cargo hold door. Eventually Zavvi pulled away from Corso, rubbing away the remains of her tears as he looked down at her kindly.
"You alright now, Captain?" He asked. She nodded.
"Y-yeah, I'm better now." A slight smile grew on his lips.
"Good. I don't like t' see you sad, Captain. It ain't right." He felt his heart flutter as a rueful smile appeared on her face.
"Alright, alright farm boy, stop laying on the flattery. I don't even know what you're after." She said. He chuckled, lifting his hands up in surrender.
"I'm not after anything, Captain! Honest! I just want to see you happy!" He grinned. "Besides, you did say my job was to cheer you up."
"Yeah, okay, maybe I did. Doesn't mean you have lay the praise on..." She folded her arms, trying to grip back her strong Captain persona.
"Okay, Captain." Corso shrugged. "But I think you deserve it." She snorted.
"Not after what I did to Skavak, Corso. I know he was a douchebag but-"
"But that's behind us, Captain." The Mantellian said, interrupting her before the mood could turn sombre again. "He ain't hurt any one ever again, and I bet that the galaxy won't mourn his passing. If fact, I think you did it a favour."
"Yeah, but-" Corso put a hand on her shoulder, refusing to let her protest.
"Captain. You did as you did, Skavak is dead and we got the treasure. There's no use worryin' about it any more. Live an' learn, as that old mercenary told me."
There was a pause as the conversation closed, an awkward silence descending.
"Soo...Are we done here? You've got what you wanted off your chest." Zavvi broke it first, raising an eyebrow. Corso blushed slightly, shuffling his feet.
"Oh yeah! With all that was happenin' and all, I totally forgot!" He looked up at her shyly, hands linked behind his back. "Captain, I was meaning to ask you...Skavak was fightin' with Torchy..." He scowled slightly, the emotion quickly bleeding away. "I was just wonderin'...I know it was all crazy out there, but...did you maybe...pick Torchy up?" His brown eyes were filled with hope, almost like an eager puppy looking for a treat.
Zavvi felt a wash of relief spread over her for her good thinking to pick up the gun and take it with her; her suspicions had been correct and was glad that she wouldn't have to tell him his beloved gun was in the belly of a black hole, lost forever.
She reached behind her, fingers guiding the pistol into her hands, turning it to rest barrel first in her palms.
"Well, it's your lucky day, Corso." She saw his eyes light up and felt her heart miss a beat. He looks far too cute like that. She held out the BlasTech ALT-25 to him, which looked in a fairly sorry state compared to the care Corso bestowed upon his weapons. "She's all yours. Use her in good health."

Joy erupted across the Mantellian's features, and he practically swept the gun up into his arms (fortunately the safety was on), his accent getting thick with his elation.
"Torchy!" He cried. "It's good to have you back, girl." He nuzzled the firearm with enough affection that Zavvi felt a pang of jealousy, though it really didn't make sense, being that Torchy was a gun and all. "I'm not letting another touch you ever again." Corso cooed, before he frowned. "Damn Skavak, he tried to file off Torchy's name! The way he's been treatin' her, it's a wonder his blasters still work." Zavvi shook her head as he moved over to the workbench, looking for his tools. "Don't you worry girl, you're back with me now. I'll make sure you're back to your old self in no time."
The smuggler rolled her eyes, chuckling. As Corso sat down to attend to the blaster, she patted his armoured shoulder.
"I guess I'll leave you two alone for a while..." She said, smirking. She began to move away before Corso caught her arm, gently tugging to get her to turn to him, his eyes shining like stars.
"Thank you, Captain." He smiled up at her, briefly debating whether to pull her in for a kiss, before deciding against it, letting her go. "I really mean it."
"I know you do, Corso." A grin. "Now, you better attend to your lady, hmm? I'm sure you don't wanna disappoint her." She winked at him, before palming the door open and walking out to talk to Bowdaar and attend to her ship.
"But Captain-!" Corso's call was too late, his captain already out of the door and earshot. He gave a little sigh. "You're my lady..." He murmured. After a pause, he turned back to Torchy. "Yes, alright, I fell in love with her whilst you were gone..."


Zavvi knew it wouldn't be long before the Skylark dropped out of hyperspace by Nar Shaddaa, and they'd land and give Risha and Nok the reliquary. And eventually, she'd get the remaining contents of the treasure, if it was worth something. The Twi'lek couldn't help thinking that it was a dud, though it might have been her paranoia talking. She shouldn't doubt Risha; she'd saved Corso and her life by getting them to a hospital after a fight with a Sith, when most clients would've left them for death. No, she did trust Risha; there would be something good in that treasure chest, and she'd made sure no-one had opened it, despite the innate curiosity at what exactly the Drayens were after.
The Twi'lek smuggler stretched out in her pilot's seat like a contented cat, glad for the moment to finally relax. Sure, Rogun the Butcher's bounty hunters were still out there, sniffing for her blood, but right now, she felt calm. And she'd make sure the crew would get paid and have some time to rest and recharge before they went back to the grind once more, and to hopefully more mundane runs.

She was pondering what exactly she was going to celebrate this job done when she heard Corso's heavy boots cross the floor. She found that odd; she knew he was very experenced at repairing and upgrading blasters and vibroblades alike, but surely restoring Torchy would've taken longer than this? Still, she turned to see him, noticing he'd stripped off the durasteel platings, remaining in his black cortosis underarmour, which she assumed was more comfortable then carrying about that weight all the time. Under the tears in the fabric were glimpses of white bandages, bulging slightly to cover the wounds, though some gaps revealed untouched areas of tanned skin, and Zavvi was very aware she was staring at them for a while before she remembered to tug her eyes back up to his. Luckily, he seemed not to have noticed, but his eyes were shy, and he looked nervous. Not as nervous as he'd been when he'd been about to ask her about why she'd cut Skavak as she did, but more an embarrassed nervousness, like he'd been before he'd asked to court her. Well, this should be interesting...

"Hey Captain?" He began, shuffling his feet in that adorably awkward way. "Can, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead, Corso." Zavvi spoke with a smirk, watching his blush bloom on his cheeks. "I think I recall telling you that you shouldn't be shy to ask for help or anything..."
"Y-Yeah, you did, Captain." He nodded, blush bright. He hesitated, and the Twi'lek couldn't help just rubbing it in.
"So, what is it, farm boy? Or did you just come here to admire me?" She grinned as the blush scattered all the way to his ears. She really shouldn't do this to him, but he was just tempting her far too much.
"W-Well, Captain, I was just wonderin'..." He swallowed. "After we finish this job, we'll have time to ourselves, right? I was jus'...Do you have any plans? For after this job?" One of her eyebrows raised with interest.
"And what if I have, farm boy?" She asked.
"I-It's nothing too important." He replied. "I jus' wanted to you if we could...I dunno...Go and get a drink together. Just us two."
The smuggler was pleasantly surprised by his offer, though she couldn't help her mischeivous grin.
"Corso Riggs, are you asking me out?" She grinned widely, as despite his reddening cheeks, he managed to grin back just as cheekily.
"Why yes, ma'am. Yes I am." He replied, grinning as Zavvi got to her feet and swaggered over to him, pressing a finger to his lips.
"That's 'Captain' to you, farm boy!" She laughed, Corso gently swatting her hand away. "Anyway, where were you thinking we go?"
"Well, that's jus' the thing, Captain. I'm not really familiar with the cantinas on Nar Shaddaa, and I was wonderin' if you knew of a place we could go. Maybe somewhere that ain't so rowdy?"
"I thought you liked rowdy?" Zavvi spoke, grinning as he gave her a look. "No, I understand Corso, and if I'm honest with you, I'd like some peace and quiet too. Lucky for you, I know just the place; the Nexu's Den, just a way off the Promenade. I did jobs for the owner when I just starting my solo smuggling career, so he'd be happy to let us in. Because I did a good job, you understand."
"That sounds a good place." The young man nodded. "But how can you be sure it's a quiet place?"
"Brawls happen once a week, not once a day, and the bouncers'll chuck you out if you even look shady. It tries to make itself out to be a little bit a cut above the rest. Prices are a bit higher because of it, but I can wrangle us out a deal." The Twi'lek explained.

"Much obliged, Captain." The Mantellian smiled. "How long 'til we're back on Nar Shaddaa, Captain? Just wonderin' if it's worth me hitting the sack for a while." Zavvi wandered back to the console, checking the parameters.
"No, not really worth it, farm boy. We'd probably get there just as you'd been getting settled." A smirk. "Atl east we'll be spared your snoring." The mercenary was perturbed by this.
"I don't snore that much! Do I?"
"From what Risha's told me, you sound like a ronto with a sore throat." Corso snorted.
"Bet she's never heard what a ronto sounds like, being all stuck-up and all."
"Perhaps, perhaps not." Zavvi shrugged. "Did you fix Torchy?"
"No, she'll take more time. I better gear back up though, if Nar Shaddaa ain't too far away. Call me if ya need anything, Captain." Corso said, walking off the bridge, Zavvi watching his backside as he went with a grin. She found it a strangely compelling hobby.

As she turned back to the swirling expanse of hyperspace, the captain of the Skylark somehow knew that although one adventure was ending, there were many just waiting amongst the stars. But first, a break. A break with a handsome farm boy, it turned out. She grinned.
It didn't get much better than that.

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