Bridal Duel

Bridal Duel
Date of Scene:	05 June 2025
Location:
Synopsis:	Caine and Volken duel at Thaelin's wedding.
Cast of Characters:	159, Volken Mons, Ellari Zin

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Athena (159) has posed:
Volken won't get much of a chance to gather his thoughts - mere seconds after the baron turns on his heel and heads for the ballroom, the massive Mandalorian will hear the sound of glasses clinking, typically the signal given before a toast or speech was given. He'll be able to hear the room hush, and as he presumably makes his way inside, he'll see Caine standing to his feet and approaching the dais, apparently to give some kind of speech as best men usually do. A few glances are cast Volken's way - some of them probably had seen the dossier while he and Caine had been arguing. But no one comments, at least.

Meanwhile, when Varen arrives at the spaceport, the infatuated young Mandalorian male immediately says to Ellari, "Well? I'm here, are you going to tell me where we're going? And why?"

Volken Mons has posed:
"Mm..."

Volken merely does a dull rumble of discontent as he watches this happen and moves his great bulk towards the back of the room. He stands there, arms folded and head bowed slightly so that his chin rests atop his enormous chest. Overall - a fairly stand offish presence as he glowers towards the speech being given and then begins to search the room with his eyes to see the looks being given his way. He says nothing, however. A remarkable feat, really.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari nods and motions for Varen to follow her onto her ship.

    Once inside, assuming he follows, she finally begins to explain. "We will be headed off-planet, to Jedha to meet with Master Trassa Volk. We believe he may be able to help us."

    There's a bit of a pause before she continues. "Now that I have been honest with you, why don't you do the same and tell me if you really are an expert slicer or not."

Athena (159) has posed:
Lady Solstice approaches Volken with a smile, and pulls out a chair for him. "Why don't you sit?" she says quietly, just as Caine comes to stand just behind the podium. His gaze scans the crowd, resting briefly on Volken with an unreadable expression before addressing the crowd. "Many of you may find it distasteful that I've been given this honor," he begins, "But that is not why I'm grateful and undeserving of it..."

"A... Jedi?" Varen follows, then says, his brown furrowing. He lowers his voice. "We would go to our sworn... enemies?"

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari sighs and rolls her eyes, having expected that reaction. "Yes, I know it sounds crazy and it probably is, but we have very few options at this point. We need an outside party, and the Jedi are rather keen on justice and defending the innocent and all that, I'm sure. They are not the sort to lie or backstab, unlike some of -us-..." she shakes her head. "Besides, based on what I have heard from Volken, some of them may not be all that bad."

Volken Mons has posed:
Her arrival is timely. He had -just- been about to message Ellari but he immediately freezes as she arrives.

"Ah...well... If The Lady insists." he says after an awkward pause. He then slowly lowers his great bulk down into the offered chair before turning his gaze back towards the podum just in time to see Caine's glance.

Volken merely arcs an eyebrow but says nothing and then he leans backwards to test the sturdiness of the chair beneath him.

Athena (159) has posed:
"So... What will the Jedi help us with? Deciding if Jorn is truly guilty or not?" he says, looking more and more uncertain by the passing second.

The Lady smiles, ignoring the moment Volken had frozen in middle of messaging Ellari, and takes a seat next to Volken. Well, so much for messaging Ellari back in a timely fashion.

"There has been no truer vod than Thaelin Thyssel. We've known each other since birth, and he has never failed to be loyal or righteous, even when the choice was hard. And I'm truly happy he has found a fine woman, equal in merit and honor to himself to wed. Best wishes to my brave, kind, and unwavering cousin and vod, Thaelin Thyssel, and his beautiful bride, Sanza K'oen."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "Let's be fair now." Ellari folds her arms. "It's your turn. You answer my questions first, then I will answer more of your questions."

Volken Mons has posed:
THe giant looks at Lady Solstice for a few seconds as she sits next to him but then turns his attention back tot he podium as the speech is given. Volken inclines his head, listening and then is forced to shrug lighlty to himself while lifting an eyebrow. It was a good speech..though he's not surprised at Caine's ability there.

Athena (159) has posed:
"...fine," Varen says. He avoids eye contact with Ellari, then shrugs. "I can get by. That's all I'll say about that," he says.

Caine holds up his glass as he concludes his speech to propose a toast, and everyone once again clinks glasses. Lady Solistice, who's sitting next Volken, offers hers up next to his. "To their happy union," she says, "and prosperity. May their generosity never exceed their wealth," she murmurs. "Say, I heard you were getting a share of the dowry, just like the rest of the wedding party. What do you plan to do with that districts promised you?"

Volken Mons has posed:
"Not sure yet..." answers Volken after he lowers his drink and....truthfully speaking honestly there.

"..I hadn't thought that far ahead. I tend to...take things one step at a time as I get inspired. At least I'll have it to do somethin' with it I suppose.." he rumbles.

He then casts a quick glance down at her, "...Hm...why do you ask? Like you said, I'm not the only one getting something...."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "Mm. Fine, then the best answer I can give you is that I am not sure yet at this point. That is why we are going to meet Mast Volk, and see what he has to say. Then I will know more." Ellari tells him.

Athena (159) has posed:
"I was just curious," the Lady says, her helmet masking her expression. She does, however, take it off after a few seconds to take a sip of her drink. "You seem like the type averse to politicking and bureaucracy in all forms, but correct me if I'm wrong," she says. "Besides, that'd require for you to be on Mandalore more than than just once a year too, you know.

Varen seems a bit skeptical of her answer. "Alright, then," he says. "We're leaving, now? Just us?"

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "No, Volken and Jorn should be joining us soon." Ellari replies, shaking her head and checking her commlink to see if either of them have updated her...

Volken Mons has posed:
"What can I say. I like money." remarks Volken, giving her an almost sharkish grin as she questions him. He studies her as she removes her helmet. His hadn't been on in quite some time so the full expanse of his expressions has been on display.. including his narrowed eyes and smug smile as he answers her.

He then looks away, "As to being on the planet..I dunno. Maybe. Maybe I wanna settle down. Maybe I wanna find me a wife of my own. Maybe I hire folk to sweat the small details while I do my thing and bring in more credits from off world efforts. Who knows. WHy? You got some tips?"

Athena (159) has posed:
Varen sighs, deflating. "-Both- of them?" He rests his chin in his hands. "But why? Surely shouldn't one of them stay here to keep on eye on ... things?"

Lady Solstice smiles. "Well, not really. Unless you're looking for some? I did, however, want to you let you know that if you're looking for a wife, a real estate agent who knows the lay of Mandalore like none other, and hired help to help manage things while you're away -- I can help arrange that. I do happen to know a wide variety of folk around here."

Volken Mons has posed:
"Oh yeah? I'll keep that in mind. Maybe I can get you to put in a good word for me with ..... Ellari Zin. She's kinda cute. As to the rest, I'm sure I'll lean on you for some advice...pretty soon. Course Thaelin's been raised pretty well. He probably owes me a few tips considerin' what I've been through for his wedding."



Volken grins, full toothed at the Lady and then finally begins to rise, lumbering up to his full height. "'Scuse me for a minute. Gotta go drain myself, if you know what I mean." He collects his helmet and bows his head respectfully to Lady Solstice.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "If they both wish to come, yes. Jorn has to, as Volk needs to speak with him face-to-face. As for Volken, it is his choice." She arches a brow at Varen. "Why, do you have a problem with it?"

Athena (159) has posed:
Lady Solstice's brow goes up when he says he'd like for her to put in a good word for him with Ellari. "Interesting," she says, "I'll see what I can do," she says with a nod. "Very well. We'll speak soon, then, Mons." she says demurely. "Hurry back. The first dance will commence soon."

Varen pauses. "No," he says. "It's... not a problem. Jorn I understand, but Volken ... " His lips press into a thin line. He must have still been jealous over that little incident.

Volken Mons has posed:
"No promises. Takes me awhile but I'm sure you dont' want to hear all the details." Volken's grin is mildly goofy now but he turns and starts off before she can say anything else.

To his credit - it looks like he -does- head for what passes for the rest rooms though upon entering it, he slows to see if anyone is around and then waits for it to become empty before moving in fully, unzipping upon finding a full sized urinal and then...proceeding to find relief.

Hands free even! It's a good excuse and one that works well for him as it's unlikely anyone will dare to approach him.

<<I'm stuck at the wedding.>> he finally answers Ellari. <<I have to duel Caine. You're on your own. Remind them that I've helped them twice if you need to. Jedha and rescuing one of their 'foundlings' from a fighting pit.>>

Ellari Zin has posed:
    Ellari rolls her eyes. Speaking of Volken, her commlink lights up and she checks the message. "Well it seems you are lucky, he is otherwise occupied at the moment so perhaps he will not join us at the moment."

    |I see. If they require persuading I will be sure to remind them. I certainly hope you are victorious over that sorry excuse for a fighter...please do not hold back. Anyway, let me know once you're finished. If Jorn has not yet arrived we may as well wait.

Athena (159) has posed:
Outside, Volken will start to hear music playing. He should probably head back... at some point.

Varen doesn't say anything. He simply folds his arms and looks way haughtily. "So... we leave as soon as Jorn arrives?" he says.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "Yes." Ellari confirms, nodding. "Look, stop with the long face. If you want to be here, then act like it. If you don't, then please be on your way. No one will hold anything against you if you do."

Volken Mons has posed:
He waits. Stil going. Going. Going. Then the the commlink picks up her response. Volken reads and then rumbles mildly annoyed before typing out another message back to her.

<<If Jorn arrives don't wait for me. I'm in the wedding party so if I bail on the wedding it'll just make things worse. Lady Solstice is still trying to smooth talk and manipulate me. I'll be needed here to deal with some other factors that have come up. >>

"Ugh...why am I doing this again?" he complains, needing the occasional reminder. He just shakes his head and continues. Still going, going, going....

The music starts playing but he can hardly go out just yet! Plus ..this is quite literallly the last thing he wanted to do.

Athena (159) has posed:
"Fine," Varen says. He folds his arms, and doesn't reply to her comment. "Well, while we're waiting, I might as well have a crack at whatever it is you did want me slice."

A minute or so after the music starts playing, Er'gi comes in, and sees Volken at the urinal. "Do you think he'll keep his word?" he asks. "The Baron, anyway."

Volken Mons has posed:
Volken grunts, placing one hand on his hip and letting the other arm fall to his side now to now fully attend to this momentary reprieve. Still going!

"Er'gi!" he rumbles at the arrival of the other large man, rolling the r in his name in a playful manner. Clearly the giant has become fond of the other one, starting to file him in the same category that contains Thaelin.

But he grows serious soon enough, looking up slightly to glance over his shoulder.

"..I dunno vod. Well. No. I doubt he will but...I have to try vod. It was Thaelin's idea, it was. Smart kid."

He falls silent save for the sound of him doing his business still and then he adds, "Course if I lose somehow...I guess the real question is will I keep mine."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    |Yes that is what I meant. If Jorn arrives we will go, but you know where to find us once you are finished. Good luck, Volken...

    "That will have wait until Jorn arrives, but I will tell him to fetch the drives from his ship." She then turns to her comms and starts to do just that.

Athena (159) has posed:
"You must," Er'gi says, although whether that's in reference to winning or keeping his word, the other doesn't specify. "You're second on the dossier. The first dance is ending soon... I look forward to seeing you fight again, vod." Then he finishes his business and exits the refreshers.

For a moment, Varen looks impatient. "Well you said we could visit the refectory around the corner," he says after a moment. "And we're doing nothing but waiting, so..."

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "I don't know when Jorn will arrive. Perhaps you should go, and pick out something." Ellari offers. "Then we can enjoy it together on board."

Volken Mons has posed:
"Nngh."

Volken's grunt is non committal as he hears Er'gi's words. The premise of just abandoning his promise to Caine if he would lose hasn't completely left him. As a Mandalorian he's always been on the fringe of 'proper behavior' after all .. But at the same time, he realizes now that if he -was- to break his word it might bounce back on Thaelin and the others. Damn.

"I guess I just gotta win then." he rumbles, still continuing his business ...and doing so for a good while after Er'gi leaves.

When he's -finally- finished, he proceeds to attend to sanitzation - he's not a barbarian after all - an then starts to slowly tromp back outside to the rest of the party.

Athena (159) has posed:
Varen pauses briefly, deflating just a little. Then he finally says, "....alright," quietly, and makes his way out of the ship. He returns half an hour later, with a box full of expensive looking pastries. "I hope you like jogan fruit," he says, chuckling softly.

When Volken arrives on the scene, he'll catch the tail end of the first dance. For the first time in days, Thaelin actually seems happy, though that look of tiredness still hasn't left him.

Once the dance has concluded, both he and Sanza don their traditional clan armor for their first fight - a staple of Mandalorian wedding culture, apparently. Volken might notice that most of the guests are relatively drunk, as well, and being as loud as possible when making bets on who'd win the first fight.

Volken Mons has posed:
He had been drinking quite a bit - as evidence by his recent activities - but Volken doesn't get drunk easy. This gives him a good bit fo clarity and amusement as he observes the guests. IT's only a matter of time before something gets out of hand. He'd almost welcome that, actually, considering the other things that lay ahead.

With Er'gi gone and the others attending to their business...there's little for him to od and none for him to speak to so he just watches as the fight readies itself to begin, slowly folding his arms again as he does so.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "I like it just fine." Ellari replies, examining the pastries he has purchased. Well, he certainly hadn't spared any credits. She is still somewhat full from the party, but they do look enticingly delicious. "Thank you."

Athena (159) has posed:
At the end of the first fight, things already start to escalate a bit. A few drinks are thrown, someone gets a bloody nose and stumbles to the refreshers without retaliating.

But Volken won't have much time to think about it, since Caine is already making his way to the ring, donning his armor and drawing his sword.

"...fine?" Varen deflates a little again. "Well, why don't you try them, at least? Let me know what you think?" He gives her an anxious look.

Ellari Zin has posed:
    "I'm sure they're delicious. At least they look it." Ellari replies, taking one of them and tasting it, then nodding.

    "So, tell me...have you ever been to Jedha?" she asks. "Tell me what you've been up to all these years. And actually tell me this time. Stop being so frustratingly vague. If you think that will somehow impress me then you're sadly wrong."

Volken Mons has posed:
Seeing this, Volken lifts his helmet up and dons it and then begins re-fastening his own armor back on and then slipping his hands down into his energized knuckle dusters.

"Wish me luck, vod." he says after passing by Er'gi..and then he starts to make his way towards the dueling ring to join Caine and any others who may be up on it.

He takes a moment to briefly look for Thaelin..but then refocuses his attention on making his way over

Athena (159) has posed:
"No," Varen admits. "I haven't ventured outside of Mandalorian space. Well.. except for maybe a couple of times." He sighs. "In all honesty, I haven't done much, Ellari. I graduated from primary school, went to work as a janitor at a local repair bay in Sundari, then eventually was hired as security at the impounding yard." A pause. "What have -you- been doing all these years?"

Er'gi nods in silent well wishes, watching Volken enter the ring. Thaelin at the north side of the ring, watching, lips pressed together in a thin line as if to say, "Do what you must."

Caine surveys him quietly, his weapon draw but angled down. He's clearly waiting for Volken to make the first move...