A Friendly Approach

[Arekk]

"I don't know how it's called."

He shrugged as he grimaced at the taste of the drink, putting the glass down on the table. The Jedi wasn't an avid drinker by any means but a few shots wouldn't hurt anybody as long as he stayed alert and not under the effects of the beverages.

Ar'ekk gave the girl a brief smile when she mentioned her name after playfully mocking her royalty status without any mean intention behind those words.

"It's my pleasure to meet you. I'm Ar'ekk." he offered his hand to Aevan from across the table, politely introducing himself. He used the standard etiquette to meet someone, unaware if there were other ways of saying hello to someone besides a handshake. Regardless, the young man showed his respects to the lady before him.

"I don't want to sound noisy but allow me to ask you something. What you'll be doing after this? I was thinking in giving Golbah a look around." he inquired with a cautious tone, not wanting to sound like a creep.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

"That's ok, my friend."

The last two words were out of her mouth before she even knew she said them. Friends for her were nothing more than people than she socialized with on Kro Var. Nobody was a true friend.

They shook hands and shared their names.

"It is good to meet you as well."

Aevan gave him her best attempt at a smile. He asked what she would be doing after they finished with their drinks.

"I was going to wonder around and see if there were any supplies I needed really. Nothing very important. If you want company, we can look around together if you want."

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

Ar'ekk stoop up from the table as he finished drinking from his glass, acknowledging the girl with a nod as she said so and after they finished introducing themselves. He had enough of the obnoxious music and smoky interior of that cantina, filled with scumbag criminals and a bunch of other individuals that belonged to a cesspool.

"Lead the way, Aevan." he pointed towards the exit, opening the door for her to step outside. The sun hit their eyes bright enough to make them squint for a moment, the interior of the cantina being way too dark for anyone to stand it.

"After a few drinks, I'm amazed we can walk without stepping over our toes." the young Jedi said in a humorous manner, revealing a wide smile underneath the mask. He was of a good mood in that moment, a strange thing to witness due to his usual reserved demeanor.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

Her drink was already gone and it had been the only alcohal she had while there. Aevan wasn't feeling tipsy at all since her previous drinks had been water. Ar'ekk stood up after finishing his drink and requested she lead the way out.

Opening the door for her, she took a moment to allow her eyes to adjust to the brighter light that was outside. When they had, she looked at her new friend and sort of just shrugged her shoulders.

"Is there anything you need? Myself, I can't think of anything I need. Maybe a weapon of some sort?"

She didn't have one of her own and relied on her shaping ability to keep herself protected.

"You're the one that's been drinking, not me."

With a bit of humor, she replied back and held an arm out for him take if he wanted to.

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

"I could use some parts for my freighter. They shouldn't be to difficult to find."

More than a shopping spree, they'd be walking along Golbah City's most secure parts with many things to offer such as shops, parks and other appealing to the eye kind of places that such metropolis had to offer to their off-worlders. He wrapped his arm around Aevan's, carrying her along as she was royalty. That seemed to amuse the young Jedi, pretending he was taking care of someone important by doing so.

They walked for a few minutes into the streets of Golbah City which were not really crowded at that time of the day. Many people were inside their shops either working or browsing things to purchase. As any other place, the market was as vivid than ever. You could find weapons, spacecraft parts, food, medical supplies and anything else you can think of.

If there was something certain in that moment, it was that they were safe. The landscape was pleasing to the eye, lots of police forces were roaming the streets and the overall busy streets made the the sorroundings feel alive.

​

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

Turning her head to look up at him when Ar'ekk spoke, her blue eyes looked over his features. While he wore the mask, it hid his scarring and made him look intimidation. It didn't scare her at all, having talked to and gotten to know him a little in the cantina.

It was comfortable walking with him arm in arm, him taking the lead. A small warmth filled what was normally a chilled heart. This may be nothing more than an afternoon outing, but Aevan could feel there might be something more if they spent additional time together after today. Even if it was going to be a friendship, she almost felt like they could be more.

"Do you work on your own ship? It was never an area I really learned about. I mean I can at least fly my ship, but that's about it. Leaving the care of it to mechanics if something goes wrong with it."

Nodding her head in the direction of what looked like a hardware shop, she pulled on his arm to lead him in that direction.

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

The more they walked together, the more it became a pleasant feeling for both. After a long time without truly feeling someone's warmth, Ar'ekk was in great company. Perhaps there was a chance of something sparking in the future but as such it was uncertain. Clouded, you could say yet not impossible. They were getting to know eachother just right there and then but potential existed, if they could see beyond them.

"I'm not an expert by any means whatsoever but I've got quite a ship in my hands." he slowly revealed details about the millennia-old Ebon Hawk, no wanting to go deeper as The Exchange could be after the freighter since Ar'ekk stole the freighter from their grasp in Nar Shaddaa a few months ago.

He got carried away by Aevan towards a modest hardware shop, a Toydarian sitting outside with a holographic newspaper of some sorts in his hands.

"Aaaaahhh! Welcome to Nivok's shop, eh? Take a look around. I've got everything you need, eh? He-he-he-he-he!"

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

The feeling of safety and comfort provided by Ar'ekk was nice to Aevan. Since being banished, she had needed to take care of herself. For once she felt that maybe she could let her guard down, allow somebody else to take care of her. At least for a short time. Any relationship that might happen would be on equal footing. Each of them pulling their weight.

She listened to him talk about his ship and how he could repair it a little. As they walked, he told his tale about the ship, but kept some details shadowed. The reason was clear to the young woman and she didn't press him for clarification. If they found a private location or a way to be alone, she might. Ships though really weren't an interest for her.

Walking up to the shop, they were greeted by a toydarian with him saying his shop had everything they would need. Highly doubting the man could offer her anything, she gave him a look that indicated this.

"What do you need for your ship, Ar'ekk?"

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

The Toydarian flapped his wings about as he sorrounded the duo standing in front of him, clearly putting his business tricks into work but they were unfaded by his attempts to sell anything. In sight, just bare scrap although something valuable had to be there for the Ebon Hawk. The Jedi pointed at a rusty hypedrive that had the size of a medium rock hidden underneath a junkpile of dismantled droids.

"I want that. What's your price?" The young man said, pointing at the obvious hyperdrive part hidden before them.

Novka turned to their left side and spoke,

"Oooh! You wanna buy hyperdrive, eh? The' help you fix your ship, you know. You not find a better deal anywhere, I think. Eh? I give to you for fifty thousand credits!"

Ar'ekk's eyes showed amusement and surprise, a spontaneous laugh irradiated the hardware shop. It was clear enough that he found the price outrageous even for a rusty and old hyperdrive. This became a moment to show off for Aevan as Ar'ekk made a hand gesture to perform an old Jedi mind trick, however it only worked with the weak minded.

"Five thousand credits. No more, no less."

"Kin chasa du Jedi. No bata tu tu. No wega mi condorta." The Toydarian countered.

You look like a Jedi. Whatever it is... you can have it for five thousand.

To his surprise it worked perfectly, being the first time he had used such trick on anyone at all. Ar'ekk expected more from a Toydarian as they were known to be hard to deal with and usually very smart when it's about business.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

The shopkeeper followed them around like a hawk and kept his eye on them. It almost started bothering Aevan and she gave him a few dirty looks, but kept silent. Ar'ekk saw something he wanted and the toydarian was at their side in a heartbeat.

It was a hyperdrive and the price he asked was outragious and even Aevan knew it wasn't worth that much. The bartering began, but it was over almost as soon as it started. It went from 50,000 credits to 5,000 in a wave of a hand, litterally.

Looking up at Ar'ekk, she wondered how he had accomplished getting the price to lower so quickly and agreed on.

"Nice job."

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

He felt proud of himself after pulling that ancient trick on a dishonest shopkeeper. Unfortunately, that wouldn't stop him from ripping off other innocent people. Regardless, the young Jedi paid the Toydarian the five thousand credits in a small datachip at and he was handed the hypedrive in a small backpack, which he carried on the cybernetic arm's side.

"Thanks." He replied with a high spirited tone. It's been a while since he had been in great company and felt good about himself overall after years of blaming his persona for multiple occurances of the past. Aevan literally brought his soul back into his body, his heart raced everytime their glances clashed.

"Where would you like to go now?"

They stood in the middle of the busy street, ignoring the heavy traffic around them.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

Aevan looked at the item in the bag on his other arm and took a hold of his free one. They left the shop the same way the arrived, arm in arm. His voice displayed he was in a good mood and he seemed considerably more relaxed than what he had been in the cantina.

A gust of wind came along and blew her hair in front of her eyes for a moment. Shaking it back, Aevan wished for her crown back to hold her hair out of her eyes. Never again would that crown adorn her head though. She was no longer royalty and had to remember that.

"I thought of a couple things I could use. Maybe something to hold my hair out of my eyes and a weapon. Other than the flame, I have nothing."

While it was usually all that was needed, something extra would be nice.

"Is there anything else you might want here?"

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

Ar'ekk closed his eyes as the gust of wind strook their faces, some dust getting in his only visible eye that ended up getting irritated. He moved away the hair off Aevan's face as she seemed to struggle with it, his cybernetic reaching slowly and moving it aside. The bag he carried was heavy since the hyperdrive weighted a few kilos and was rather big however it wasn't that much to deal with.

The young Jedi nodded as she mentioned the need to purchase a weapon to defend herself, a smart choice to be done anywhere. Pretty certain they could find whatever she needed in what seemed Golbah's open market area. He picked a brief moment to respond her last question, a smile forming beneath his mask.

"I think I've got everything I want, right here and now."

A fuzzy warm feeling invaded his mind and body, the Force glowing with complete strenght. A bond could be formed with certainity should they decide to know more about eachother, give themselves a chance. What he just said however could be taken as a flirting attempt or a general expression, it was pretty clear though.

"Not sure about you, though." He said with a coy smile and his eyes wandering around trying to find answers in a brief silence that just formed.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

Aevan allowed him to finish getting her hair out of her eyes. No dust had gotten into them luckily since her hair had blocked that. A simple nod came from him in reply to her answer on somethings she might need from the market. She started looking around after she asked her own question.

He was wearing his mask, but through that, she could hear the smile in his voice as he answered her last question. Looking up at him, she returned that smile. Her blue eyes actually showing what she felt instead of being cold. It was a true smile and for probably like the first time in her life, she felt accepted.

Her hand went down to grasp his and hold it if he allowed it. Instead now of walking arm in arm, they were holding hands. More like a couple and not something they were before.

"Does that answer the thought?"

She answered with slight half smile and warm feeling in her chest.

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

Their heartbeats raced in a seemingly increased speed as they held hands, a rushing yet exciting emotion flowing through their bodies. Although they just had recently met, the bond created seemed to be something out of destiny. Perhaps the Force had something in store for them in the near future, a positive thing. Ar'ekk held her hand tightly as they walked along the street that apparently were no longer busy as they were before yet a handful of people walked back and forth in many directions.

"It really does." He countered, letting out another laugh but this time of relief.

The different stands on their right side offered many things for customers such as clothing, scavening items, self-defense weaponry and anything you could possibly think of. Whatever they needed it could be found right here on this market that looked pretty endless, filled with street vendors selling their merchandise and whatnot.

He was happier than ever. It's been a long time since he felt that way and it was good.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

He held her hand tightly, but not uncomfortably as they walked together. Only a few people now strolled the market, either returning to work after a break or going home. Looking up at the sky, Aevan noticed it was probably the last. The sun was starting to go down, but the lights of the market kept things lit up for people to see.

"I think the market might be getting ready to close."

She looked at the ground for a moment and then at her companion.

"Would you like me to cook you something from my home? I'm not the best by any means, but do what I can."

This gave them the chance to speak privately, get to know one another and not worry about prying eyes or ears. It also meant they would be alone and even though they had just met, she wondered what might happen.

 

[Arekk]

The sun had started to settle down and the horizon turned into orange as the evening came about, the street vendors putting their merchandise away as the market had begun to close for the day. A cold breeze could be felt all of the sudden as if the weather drastically changed.

"I would be more than glad. Really don't think that I'll be departing Golbah City anytime soon." He replied back.

Ar'ekk began to feel the pressure of the heavy hyperdrive contained inside the backpack, his shoulder starting to feel numb and hurtful at the same time. He looked back at his companion into her crystal clear blue eyes and nodded, appreciating the gesture.

"We should go, the streets get really dangerous at night. Can always visit the market early tomorrow morning as the sun rises."

They would be alone that night. Who knew what might happen by then? He was glad that she had put some sort of trust into the young Jedi, a very big demonstration of a kind soul.

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

With her free hand, Aevan pulled her cloak a little closer together to keep the new evening chill out. While she should be used to it, it was still a shock at times. He accepted Ar'ekk accepted her offer of dinner and she turned to lead him in the direction of the room she had in town.

"Agreed. Luckily I already have the food needed to make dinner."

Giving him a large smile, she had almost a skip in her step.

"With my fire and your bag, I bet we could off any attacker, but yes I agree. My place is simple, just enough for two people though."

That morning she had set on the stove enough food for her. She would have to make something extra to go along with the dinner, but that wouldn't be too difficult to accomplish.

@Ar'ekk

 

[Arekk]

"Imagine throwing this bag into someone's face. That would hurt big time."

They laughed at the many jokes made by both that evening as they walked towards Aevan's room she had in town. He wasn't able to sleep for a few days no due to waking up several times to nightmares of past occurances, flashbacks of hurtful times that wouldn't let him have a good night's rest.

Although she would have to make extra food for her companion it wouldn't be much of a hassle as the young Jedi didn't eat much and could always bring something over from his own freighter. Regardless, the evening would be much more relaxed and enjoyable should anything arise.

"It's getting colder now but not as bad as the Hawk's quarters."

[member="Aevan Kitaki"]

 

[Riamah]

"Only do that though if somebody tries to challenge us. Which I highly doubt anybody will do."

Her time so far in Golbah had been relatively peaceful, Aevan kept to herself and went about her daily life. Taking it one day at a time, she had learned to take care of herself instead of relying on others. It was a big change from what she was used to, but was slowly growing accustomed to it.

The lights turned on around them as the sun went down, the air grew almost cold, but her place wasn't too far from the market. Leading the way, Aevan pointed to it as they got close and brought them to the door. Opening it, she moved in first and turned the light on.

The unique smell of the food filled the dwelling and Aevan stopped to take her cloak off to hang up in a closet near the door. Her place was pretty small and simple. A main room with a kitchen and refresher on the first floor and then upstairs was a single bedroom and another refresher.

"Make yourself at home, Ar'ekk. Give me a few minutes to get dinner together."

With that she moved into the kitchen and get some extra vegetables cooked up for them. As she did this, she wondered what the evening had in store for them, but didn't speak her thoughts aloud.