A Friendly Approach

[Arekk]

GOLBAH CITY​

The Cantina​

​

Ar'ekk had been sitting by the bar for a handful of minutes, shortly having arrived off-world. The strong smell of alien-esque booze reeked around the place and the patrons loudly talking and laughing in the background. A loud tune played by the band made the whole joint vibrate amazingly although for the Jedi's luck a good glass of strong Kriff laid in front of him. Although the bartender did not engage Ar'ekk in conversation, he felt that was way better than having to deal with anyone else.

He gave the occasional glance over his shoulder, staying aware of those already drunk and looking for the occasinal unwarranted fight to prove a point or how strong they are. Regardless, he was prepared for such an eventuality if the situation led to that point. Beneath his robes was hidden his lightsaber at a close reach to lethally finish any altercation with immediate effect. The drink he was having was very strong and this made feel light headed, grimacing at the taste. His eyes were fixed on the door as if he was waiting for any incoming clients.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

A loud conversation erupted from nearby Ar'ekk, a male's voice rose in apparent irritation at being turned down by a short, white haired woman. Standing up as tall as she could, she gave a warning to him to leave her alone. He didn't listen and flames erupted from her fingertips as he closed in to try and assault her.

The flames weren't much more something a candle or match could produce in size, but he didn't heed her warning and when he came in, her fingers lightly touched the sides of his head. His hair burst into flames and he flinched away as the head engulfed his head. Screaming, he grabbed something wet and doused his flaming head. The cinders had started to fall and as the reached his filthy clothing that caught on fire too.

As he frantically tried to put his fire out, Aevan reached out a leg with a firm kick to his torso sent him almost flying backwards into the wall behind him.

"I said leave me alone, you farking knucklehead!"

The flames on her fingers had disappeared as soon as they have appeared and her flesh was fine. No damage had been done to her.

Letting out a final grunt, the woman turned to walk over to the bar and get herself another drink.

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

The whole commotion seemed to have grasped Ar'ekk's attention as he sat by the bar with a glass in his hand. A young lady being threatened by a group of drunk patrons had finally upset her and she showed them the wrong side of the stick, providing a convincing demonstration of not to mess with someone you don't know and specially if you're in such a bad condition you can't even hit back. After the altercation, she had decided to take a seat near the young Jedi and asked for a drink. He gave this girl a nod as he raised his glass, approving what she had done.

"Bartender, I'll pay for her drink." he said to the guy behind the bar, passing along a credit chip to cover for the duo's drinks. His glass was half empty already.

Ar'ekk did not feel he should engage her in a conversation as of yet just so she could calm down for a few minutes. It would be reckless to upset this unknown person so that would be the best course of action for now. He gave her the occasional glance, expecting she would remain cool and so the individuals in the background who continued to drink like there was no tomorrow.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

Aevan looked over at Ar'ekk as he nodded and then told the bartender he would pay for her drink. She accepted it and raised her glass slightly in his direction before taking a sip. He didn't approach her, but that was more than likely due to the aura of irritation that bordered on anger than anything else. It may have been due to her ability to Shape, but she didn't think that was the case.

After taking a few more sips of her drink and calmed down enough to not lash out at some unlucky soul, Aevan picked up her glass and walked over to the man that had paid for her drink. People were coming and going, but enough had seen her display that they moved out of her way as she moved chairs. Sitting down next to him, she looked into her glass a moment and then over at him.

"Thank you."

It was short, sweet and to the point. He had seen what she did, but wasn't scared off like the others.

"I'm Aevan."

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

"Ar'ekk."

His answer was more than enough as well although being slightly more friendly towards her. The toast between them was exchanged with him raising his glass at the same time as she did, taking a sip and grimacing at the strong taste of his beverage.

"That was quite a demonstration." he said with a smirk upon his face or at least some of it, because half of a mask covered his face. Regardless, the whole mood of the cantina swinged from worried to once again relaxed. The tension in the air was no longer there and the whispers turned into loud shouts and laughs again.

He exchanged glances with [member="Aevan Kitaki"] before focusing on his glass that seemed to get emptier as their stay prolonged in the cantina.

 

[Riamah]

Aevan really wasn't familiar with how to respond when somebody was friendly to her. Many were polite, but not friendly. The almost warmth she picked up off Ar'ekk was a stark contrast to the cold she displayed consistently. It wasn't that she was cold, but that she had given up on actually having true friends. While she could be friendly and sociable, there was always something distant about her.

He gave his name and they shared the toast and drink. A few moments of silence between them as they did that and he commented on her Shaping ability.

"I did ask him to leave me alone, but he wanted to press the issue."

Taking a drink after speaking only loud enough for Ar'ekk to hear, she looked at him. His hazel eyes met her blue for just a moment before he turned his gaze to his glass. Her own drink was smaller than his and she finished it off. Setting the glass down, she turned her head to look at the man she had set on fire. He would be fine and his hair would grow back quickly.

Looking back at Ar'ekk, she did give him half a smile.

"Do you think the lesson was learned?"

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

Ar'ekk had always been a reserved individual and known to keeping to himself, being a lone wolf amongst his peers. He had always worked great alone than with other people but that was his natural personality although that changed during the war where he had to demonstrate his leadership and teamwork skills to carry his squad to victory, which he eventually did at some extent. However, the most sensitive side of him seemed to pour from time to time but rarely regardless.

He looked back at the guy that she had taught a lesson who was sitting with the rest of his friends and with his obvious missing hair. The young man could not help but release a small laugh.

"I don't know what the lesson was but he will definitely think twice before picking up a fight."

The whole situation seemed to be amusing for Ar'ekk, a dire contrast of what the Jedi had taught him to do. But who could blame him? Having spent many years away from the Jedi and their ideals, codes and such. If his master saw him right now he would indeed be very disappointed so he decided to not show much enjoyment from now on.

"What brings you to a place like this?" he inquired, looking at [member="Aevan Kitaki"]'s blue eyes. It wouldn't hurt to know more, at least he had hoped to that point.

 

[Riamah]

"Ah the lesson was to listen to a lady when she says no."

For once, Aevan let out a small chuckle, it wasn't cruel in her mind. There were times she enjoyed being mean, but not today. That display was caused by the need to get him away from her. The action had it's desired outcome and the man had nothing much more than a bruised ego and a bald head.

The small bit of amusement shared between the two strangers made Aevan feel almost warm. A bit of her normal chill chipped away and her cold gaze softened a little.

Ar'ekk asked what had brought her into this place and she tipped her head in the direction of her now empty glass.

"It wasn't anything more than to have a drink actually. This desert world reminds me of home a bit and I forget how much drink is actually needed. What about you?"

She now turned to face him, resting an elbow on her counter next to her and her other hand rested at her side.

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

In that instant, he wanted to avoid drawing too much attention to himself in a town like this. Having been told to come to Golbah City by an anonymous message in the Holonet meant that it he could be lured into a trap or other kind of dilemma but nothing screamed "Danger!" so far, at least that's what he thought in that moment.

"I am not sure. I needed to refuel my ship but I decided to stay and look around." he replied back to the girl with both of his elbows resting on top of the counter. His mask started to become annoying by blocking one side of his view so he couldn' take a good look at [member="Aevan Kitaki"]'s face. Ar'ekk removed the mask that covered half of his face and revealed some gruesome yet old and healed scarrings that he had gotten during the war years ago.

"Do you miss home?" The question was straightforward since he felt she was being honest to the young Jedi. It wouldn't hurt to know more about her and vice versa considering she was the first person he met in this planet. You usually don't meet people in a scum-filled cantina.

 

[Riamah]

The need to refuel his ship, she understood and sometimes that took longer than expected. Ar'ekk was looking forward as he spoke and she watched as he reached up to remove the mask he wore. On the side of his face it was scarred. Having worked with flames through her life, she knew what a burn scar looked liked. If pity were something she could easily feel, she would have felt it for him. Or maybe sympathy was a better word, either way she did not offer any words on his scarring. Only a slight finger twitch of a hand showed any reaction.

He followed up with the question on if she missed her home. Almost wishing for another drink, Aevan opted for a glass of water.

"Have you seen anything of interest while here, Ar'ekk?"

The water arrived and Aevan picked it up to take a drink of while considering just how to answer him.

"Yes and no. At home I was basically royalty because I could Shape, but I had no real friends."

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

He was well aware of what staring at his wounds seemed for others and he did not seem to bother at all by their reactions, many of them being truly different. No need for sympathy was required from anybody, he thought to himself as the wounds and the war had become just part of the past. It didn't matter anymore what people thought anymore of his obvious wounds, he had already seen his fair share of gruesome reality on the battlefield and nothing else would break him more than that.

Ar'ekk nodded to acknowledge her answer regarding home. Royalty? That must had been a difficult life given that you're expected to become something much greater as the heir of some crown. A different contrast to Ar'ekk's life during his childhood, being an orphan and living basically on scraps to try and survive with his foster family.

"I've been sitting on this cantina for an hour. I can't say I have seen much of this place." he said with a broadened grin upon his face, remembering the stunt she pulled against the drunk patrons early ago.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

Both of their more guarded or neutral reactions to the revelations of the other was promising to establishing a realtionship. He accepted that she didn't offer sympathy at his scarring and then she didn't think he would treat her any less than she deserved. While she didn't expect to be treated like royalty and be waited on hand and foot, she hoped for respect.

His answer was filled with humor and he had a smile on his face.

"I'm pretty new to Golbah City myself. Not familiar with local sights or anything of the sort."

Taking a drink of the new water, Aevan set the glass back down on the counter.

"I really don't know if there's much to see. I'm sure there is, but I only come to town when I need something. You say you stopped here to refuel. Where are you headed?"

The question was to make conversation and get to know him better. In time she could see asking about his past, maybe even how he got burned. That might be something better left unasked at this time.

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

His idea to remain undercover in an unknown city as Golbah was the primary task to avoid being detected by The Exchange, after all he stole the legendary Ebon Hawk from their hands. Regardless, he did not sense anything strange about the girl sitting next to him. No aura of darkness and ill intentions and the Force was very direct in those type of terms.

Respectfully he replied to her inquiry,

"Coruscant. I'm tracing back old memories and clues."

Ar'ekk was pretty reserved regarding personal matters and even more if they were family related. His demeanor changed when he reminisced on those painful memories, having lost his loved ones years ago to the local crime lords shortly after he left to Yutan to train with the Jedi Order.

"We could take a look around. I think we're in the good part of town." he suggested to her.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

"Old memories and clues. That sounds intriguing."

Sensing a change in his demeanor, Aevan wondered what had caused it. She narrowed her eyes slightly, but didn't look at him in a mean or judgmental way. The look was curious, but she didn't give voice to it. If he wanted to answer, then he would on his own without her prompting.

If he was curious about more of her past, he didn't show it like she did for him. Giving him half a smile and her eyes returning to their normal look, she shook her head slightly.

"I really do not think there IS a good part of town."

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

"At least we're enjoying a good drink." he said with a light-hearted smile.

There was no need for him to reveal his past, it was not the time or the place to speak about it anyways. He was intrigued about Avean's life however, being part of royalty is no easy thing for someone young as her. Much of you is expected and you're supposed to be to a higher standard than most people.

"It must be tought to be part of a royal family. I wouldn't understand it."

Her constant mentioning of Shaping also left the young Jedi intrigued, who did not hesitate to ask as well.

"I've seen what you can do. When did you discover such power?"

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

"This is true."

At his words, she picked up her glass and took a sip of it. It was simple water, but it was good going down. He thought being royalty would be difficult, but it really wasn't. School for her was different than what others would have gotten, but that was about it. Shaking her head before she spoke, she set her drink down again.

"It wasn't tough at all. The difference was in what education I got over that of others. I also didn't have many work duties."

She could have been almost anything as a shaper and had enjoyed the arts. Focusing on mostly music and dance, she incorporated fire into the mix.

"It manifested when I was very young. From there I was taken and adopted into the royal family. All shapers of any element become royalty."

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

"That's not how I imagined royalty could be, guess there's no difference at all."

Already having two drinks in his system, he left the glass by the counter so the bartender could take it away from him as he left a credit chip to cover the duo's beverages. His understanding of royalty meant being held to ridiculous standards, attending the most expensive places you can think of and generally do stuff that most impoverished people could never do in their pitiful lives. What a surprise, he thought.

Being a 'shaper' was a new term for the young Jedi, having not heard of the subject before. Perhaps it was a power that could only be reached through the Force but that would only be a wild guess made by him without any substantial background.

"You're an orphan." the man said, his voice modulated by the mask that he wore by need and not for the simple menacing look.

Ar'ekk took a brief moment before continuing,

"It is certainly useful to fend off obnoxious people, that's for sure."

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

"I'm sure there are different standards of royalty depending on where you come from."

Shrugging her shoulders, she looked at him again. Noticing he had put his mask on again after finishing his drink, Aevan did not ask about it. She was used to looking at burn scars and would rather he not wear it if it was to cover those.

Looking away before she spoke with a glance to the ground, "my biological parents are still alive. I'll just never see them again."

Turning her attention to him again, she let out a small chuckle at his comment.

"Yes, I suppose it can be. Lucky for you, I like you."

With that, she gave Ar'ekk a true smile and a light elbow to the ribcage.

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

Ar'ekk gave a cheeky smile to Aevan before he put the mask back in its original place as she mentioned the latter. The reason of this was not to cover the scarring but solely because he couldn't spend large amounts of time without the mask which acted as a breathing regulator, overall aid to his lungs and for the scarring's constant treatment to avoid possible infections.

"Hah, I like you too. Should I call you your Highness?" the young Jedi said in jest, reciprocating the feeling and also lightnening the mood of the duo.

His open palm clasped the bartender's shoulder to ask for two more drinks, his round to pay. The beverages were less strong than the ones they had before, Ar'ekk not wanting to feel light headed and tipsy on his way out of the cantina.

"You cannot burn my hair anyways, like that guy." he pointed at the guy sitting behind his back who Aevan had given him a demonstration of not to mess with a powerful lady like her, his laugh coming out spontaneously and that was very contagious.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

The smile and words did indeed lighten the mood slightly, though it really hadn't been that stressful. At least not to Aevan. Another drink was set down for them and she took it. It wasn't water like she'd had earlier, she wondered what it was.

"What is this?"

Holding it up for Ar'ekk to look at before taking a sip. It was a blue clear drink and quite sweet.

"This is quite good whatever it is."

Not bothering to give a second thought, she finished it off quickly and set the glass down on the counter. Shaking her head when he asked what to call her, she had a small smile on her face.

"Just Aevan is fine."

He pointed to the now partially bald guy that wasn't looking at them anymore and was probably doing his best to forget the white haired woman. Already having that small smile, she did grin at him.

@Ar'ekk