First We Feast (D6, MA)

[Raven Cadera]

"Yeah, they ain't no joke. Not exactly those spooks I've been running from, but... well, I've been looking over my shoulder a lot too. Imps and other enemies, alike." Perhaps some of it was an exaggeration in her mind, having been running scared for so long.

"I'll be honest, I don't know a whole lot about... your people. Karkarodons." Not the other people he was a part of. "Solitary hunting, or as a group?"

[Tranq Sayzin]

"Small tight-knit, hyper competitive groups." He nodded, this time taking a popper and enjoying it in one bite. The heat was pleasant, as was the cooling sensation of the cream cheese. "Karkaris society wasn't really all that unified. From what I understand. I really... wasn't raised there. So I'm not really the best example to ask about that." He chuckled nervously.

"But we're all fiercely independent, and tend to embrace competition and personal achievement. From what I read as a youngling."

[Raven Cadera]

Her smile became more of a thin line with her lips pressed together as his words reminded her that the Jedi took their recruits very young from their families. Which to her seemed... strange. Sure, Mandalorian culture was quite supportive of adoption, but taking foundlings away from existing families wasn't something she had heard of before.

"Sounds familiar. Tight-knit and competitive groups, that is," Raven gave a small chuckle, leaning back in her seat as the new round of drinks arrived and she grabbed a wing for herself.

"Sorry for asking. I... forgot how the Jedi do things. Didn't mean to make it awkward or bring back bad memories from your loss."

[Tranq Sayzin]

"Don't apologize." He raised his glass to her, before taking another drink. "Can't feel bad about something you never had. I was too young to know my family story when I was found. Can't get attached to family when you don't know who they are." He exhaled as he let out a dark, half-laugh. "Never said anything about the problems of when you get attached to your fellows, or to your troops, or to your master." His mouth curled slightly, sneering again.

"You're supposed to take solace that they're one with... everything... when they're gone. And that you can still feel them. But it's not like sitting next to them, talking with them... learning... growing. It's an emptiness that eats you up inside."

[Raven Cadera]

She took a slower sip this time with the new beverage in hand.

"Well, death happens to us all. It's neither friend or foe, as some would say." Coming from a warrior culture, death was an inevitable fact of life. "I... don't think I've ever felt the presence of the ones who are gone, but I know that their souls have passed on to the Manda. They lived good honorable lives. When we join the Manda, we are all one."

Raven took paused to finish the wing in her hand. Cleaning the meat of the bone was not as effective as Tranq's method.

"... I just never understood why they would deny y... their people the bonds of family. Of brotherhood. When you have something worth fighting for, something worth defending, that's when your blood burns with righteousness in battle."

[Tranq Sayzin]

"Because you would put those attachments over everything else. Was the thought, anyway." He shook his head. "How could you selflessly serve the Republic, and all the people there, if you would put the needs of your attachments over the needs of the whole. Doesn't make sense when you think about it, though."

A sigh, as he slumped back in the booth. "It's supposed to be selfless service and selfless compassion. But it... denies a basic aspect of being sentient. At least, that's what I've come to think since everything."

[Raven Cadera]

She nodded and rested her elbows on the table. "Well, that's what it seems like to me, but I also admit that I'm an outsider looking at the whole thing from another viewpoint. There's a lot about their ways that is unknown to me. And will probably always be. Same way that many outsiders think it's strange how I and my people do things, but... that's just how it is sometimes."

"Still, I think that you, and others like you," because there were probably other survivors scattered about, "can start things a new. Well, maybe not anytime soon, given the current state of things, but once we've knocked 'em down a few pegs... yeah, I think that's doable."

[Tranq Sayzin]

"Maybe. Maybe it has to be different. Maybe they lost their way." Tranq offered the Mandalorian a small smile, especially at knocking the new order down a few pegs. "More than a few pegs. I'd say all the way down." The predator watched the warrior, and nodded. "But I am glad to have your belief that it could be remade, and rebuilt. It means a lot."

[Raven Cadera]

"Yeah, well, if I want to believe in a different future for my own people, I gotta believe it could be possible for you guys too," she admitted honestly, swirling the beer around in her glass a few times. "Besides, sure, yours and mine might've fought in the past, but that's just good times. Two of the strongest apex predators facing eachother."

Thousands of years ago, Raven might've spent time reminiscing about war crimes with the infamous Canderous Ordo.

"You're strong people, and I doubt you're the only survivor. You'll overcome this and grow stronger."

[Tranq Sayzin]

"As will you and yours." He nodded, and grinned, that predatory gleam of a hunter in his eye, and showcased in those too sharp teeth. "Our peoples clash was written about for centuries. When we face off, it'll just add to that tapestry. And every time we stand back to back, it'll be in even better depth of context."

He raised his glass to her. "To Apex Predators."

[Raven Cadera]

"Heh, I'll drink to that. To Apex predators!" While nowhere near rivalling the impressive grin of a shark, Raven's own grin was still fierce.

Her glass clanked against his, and she followed up with a deep and hearty swig.