Best Little Diner on Rendili [Open to All]

[Ibby]

"How're things holding up, Mr. Tharik?"

"F-fine, Ms. Zen. E-everything's going s-smoothly b-back here."

Zendaya smiled at Cran Tharik's response. The kid, a human who was barely 21, had been working under Zen since she'd first opened the diner, and yet he insisted on calling her "Ms. Zen." Not that she minded, of course. When the woman had first found Cran, he'd been the worse for wear; now, however, he was much happier. Even with his job as the dishwasher and janitor.

Next, she looked at her cook, a 40-year-old Twi'lek male named Sham'vida. "What about you, Sham? Keeping up with the orders?"

The Twi'lek clutched his heart with one hand while flipping a burger with the other. "Ea, sei goma'eo! Your lack of faith in me wounds my heart! A part of me just died inside!"

She let out a laugh. "If that was true, then you'd be completely dead by now."

The cook turned around and winked at her. "Touché, boss."

Shaking her head in amusement, Zen turned away from the window in time to catch her waitress, a young Sullustan named Nien Go, coming back with a basket full of dirty dishes. "Here, let me take this, hun." The woman relieved Nien of the basket, asking, "How are the customers doing?"

Nien let out a weary huff. "There's so many folks here today! It's nuts! But don't worry Zen, I'm handling things."

"Alright well, if things start to get too much I can always leave the bar and help, alright?" As the Sullustan nodded and darted off to take another order, the woman took the dishes into the kitchen, setting them down next to Cran before heading back to the bar.

Today was busy, indeed. Granted, it was lunch hour, and that time was always filled with people, but she'd not seen a crowd this big. Briefly, she wondered if perhaps her little Diner was starting to gain a good reputation. Yeah, wouldn't that be nice, she thought. More folks, more income, and a bigger bonus for my staff. Zen allowed herself a brief smile at that before heading over to help another customer.

 

[Tanalth]

Rendali was always a decent place to visit, and even better when you were there on business to begin with. Such was the case with Jenna who had been there due to an assignment for the Omega Protectorate. It was simple enough, mainly a covert survalence mission in order to gain info on one of the upper class citizens who, as it turned out, was using his business as fronts for illegal weapons shipment activites. The money he gained from that was also used to fund for a personal gang of mercenaries under his belt. Thankfully with everything gained it would be easy for the court, as well as the Potectorate itself, to take action.

And with everything out of the way and plenty of time before the shuttle off-world would arrive, Jenna was eager to at least get a decent meal before her long trip. As luck would have it she'd heard about this diner owned by [member="Zendaya Selah"] and figured it would be the best place to try. She knew it would be better than half the food they served at the shuttle terminals, or the meals they served on planes. She always said how they tasted like something made by a Hutt while he drooled all over it.

Upon arriving at the diner Jenna was suprised to see how packed it was; worrying if she would be abel to find a seat. Thankfully there was one at the bar area which she quickly claimed before anyone else could come in and take it. Even saying "Score" to herself under her breath.

After that she waited until someone would arrive with a menu for her before taking a look herself, curious to try whatever they had to offer.

 

[Jynnan Tonnyx]

Kerrel wasn't even sure why he was on Rendili again. He'd just been here a few weeks ago, and he'd made a bunch of money shooting (and lightsabering) up small-time criminal holdings. But that wasn't important. What was important was that Winter was giving him a 'feed me, you bastard' stare, and both dog and master were of one mind on the subject. So, they'd walked into a diner, as Kerrel needed a milkshake, too, and where could you get a milkshake, but a diner?

It was crowded in there. Winter joyously barreled past, and even under, people to get to the bar area. He put his paw on a seat, and Kerrel rewarded the dog with a scruffle of his hair for saving it for him. The huge white dog promptly hopped up on his hind legs, looking at the woman behind it with his big-eyed pleading look. His master just rolled his eyes, and turned to see who was next to him. There was a pretty, dark-haired woman sort of idly leaning on the bar, and he smiled at her before turning back to the woman behind the bar, and ordering.

"Coffee, please. Black."

[member="Jenna Templar"] [member="Zendaya Selah"]

 

[Jonathon Patches]

[member="Zendaya Selah"] [member="Kerrel Di Marzullo"] [member="Jenna Templar"]

There was always strength in numbers. Numbers were safe. Numbers were friendly. Numbers could be manipulated to one's benefit, or in Patches case this particular afternoon, numbers meant cover. It's not like Patches was running from any person(s) in particular in his usual fashion. There were no sirens going off, not nexu patrols giving chase, no Imperial troopers hot on his tail. As far as he was aware, he hadn't crossed or upset any force users today... yet, he mused to himself with a smirk.

However, numbers afforded certain luxaries that dark alleyways and dive bars couldn't provide, and that was anonymity. No one paid much attention to Patches when there were far more interesting people around. So it was with a bit of a stroke of luck that Patches found this littler diner - of which he'd never heard - and made his way into the hustling and bustling joint.

Patches was on Rendali for business as usual. One of his contacts was into a number of illicit trades - smuggling, gun running, racketeering to name a few - was looking into running for political office, and required Patches unique services to tie up a few loose ends before they made their intentions public. Being a high ranking official and upper class citizen, they had the coffers and pockets to make such a run; there were just some skeletons that needed to remain in the closet, which is where Patches came in.

As he entered the diner, he thought he heard a bell that was drowned out by the many conversations that were going on. Charming, he thought to himself.

Seating appeared limited at the tables, so Patches was left with one of the few vacant spots left at the bar; no worries though, as people would more likely stare at single person at a table for four vs an individual at a bar. The server, whom appeared a bit under stress, just nodded at Patches to take a seat where he saw fit. Patches pointed to the bar, and the server nodded him through.

Taking a seat at the end of the bar that would face the exit, Patches nodded to the server as she made her rounds, waiting until she worked her way to his end, as he nodded.

"Corellian Whiskey, twelve years if you have any..." he said, then paused for a moment, glancing over his shoulder to a clock on the wall, he returned his attention to the bartender. "Oooooh... is it too early? It's too early right?" he asked, though it was more him just wondering aloud.

"Make it an iced t..." he paused again, and turned his head to the clock again, his lip curling upwards as he shrugged, and turned his attention back to the bartender, "Whiskey. Corellian. Twelve years," he said assuredly this time, as he added "It's five o'clock somwhere, am I right? And a menu too please," as he nodded to the other patrons at the bar, as they no doubt had heard his back and forth musings.

"Hi," he simply said with a smirk.

 

[Ibby]

[member="Jenna Templar"]

"...and here's your pie! I hope you enjoy it," Zen said with a smile to the Duro. As he nodded his thanks, already digging in, she noticed a young woman come in, followed by two men and...a dog. Never had a dog in here before, she thought in amusement.

Snagging three menus, Zen went to take care of the woman first. "Hi there," she greeted warmly. "Welcome to Zen's Diner. Here's a menu if you like, and I'll go ahead and give you time to peruse it while I take care of these two gentlemen over here, alright? Alright. Just flag me or my other waitress down when you're ready."

[member="Kerrel Di Marzullo"]

Now, this fellow was interesting. Not only did he have a giant dog, but he was also strong in the Force. Zen wondered idly if he was a Jedi, but soon dismissed the thought. It didn't matter, anyway. He was a customer.

"Hi, welcome to Zen's Diner." Laying down another menu, Zen gave the large dog a smile and a brief scratch behind the ears before taking down the man's order. "Alright, got it. I'll also bring out some water for your pooch. Here's a menu, in case you have the munchies or anything. Anyway, I'll have your drink here shortly, just let me take care of this other gentleman real quick."

[member="Jonathon Patches"]

As soon as Zendaya made her way to the third man, he launched off into his order. At least, something that might have resembled an order. Good thing she knew how to follow along.

"Unfortunately we don't carry Corellian whiskey. We do, however, have Corellian ale, or Johrian whiskey if you're intent to have some sort of spirit. Here's the menu as you requested, so while you're looking at that I'm going to take care of another customer's order right quick. Just flag me or my other waitress down when you're ready."

Fortunately, the bar area was where all of the drinks were stored, so it didn't take long for Zen to get the second man's order together.

"Alright, here's a cup of coffee, black, and a bowl of water for the handsome dog." Setting the cups down on the counter, she looked back up. "Have you thought of anything else, or do you need more time?"

 

[Tanalth]

Once the waistress had arrived Jenna smiled and nodded, giving a quick thanks before she had to run off and deal with the other customers. That gave Jenna time to overlook the menu and see what she would be interested in. RIght away her eyes went for the salads, the better meal to stay in shape as much as she did, and browsed through the selections.

As she did she couldn't help but notice the one man who'd arrived after her with a dog. She thought it was odd on one had told him to take it outside, since a diner wasn't the best place for such a big animal to be. Stil if it was fine with them then Jenna wouldn't say anything, at least not out loud. Because in her mind she couldn't help but think of the health hazards that would come from having a dog around people's food. Still it was a pretty dog.

After that she'd flagged down [member="Zendaya Selah"] after she'd served [member="Jonathon Patches"] and said "Yes, hi. I'll have the Galatic Salad with a fizzwater. Please." She thanked her as she walked off before waiting for her meal, hearing the man, Patches, give a sudden 'hello' to which she repsonsed "Uh....hi."

[member="Kerrel Di Marzullo"]

 

[Jynnan Tonnyx]

Kerrel grinned at the woman who gave him the coffee, and sighed contentedly when he took a sip. The hot liquid would have its intended effect soon. Then he turned his smile on the woman who was staring at Winter. He ruffled his furry friend's hair, and nodded towards her. The huge canine barked happily and tilted his head at the woman, as if asking why she was staring at him. The exiled prince pushed his friend's face back towards the bowl of water on top of the bar, and looked at her again.

"Winter's just saying hello. This is totally normal."

He ruffled the dog's hair again, and laughed, brushing the fur off his right hand and holding it out to shake.

"I'm Kerrel."

[member="Jenna Templar"] [member="Zendaya Selah"] [member="Jonathon Patches"]

 

[Ibby]

[member="Kerrel Di Marzullo"] [member="Jenna Templar"] [member="Jonathon Patches"]

Zen saw the young woman try to flag her down, so she excused herself from the man and the dog. Whipping out her pen and writing pad (she liked to keep things old-school), the owner of the diner took down her order.

"One Galactic Salad and a fizzwater, coming up!" With that, she tore the paper off the pad and turned towards the open window between the bar and the kitchen. "Sham!" she called. "You got another order!"

The Twi'lek grunted an affirmative, not bothering to look away from the grill. Shaking her head slightly in amusement, Zendaya set about preparing the fizzwater. A few moments later she was setting the glass down at the woman's spot. "Here's your fizzwater, dear. Your salad should be out shortly. Would you like to keep the menu, in case you want dessert or do you want me to get it out of your way?"

 

[Jonathon Patches]

[member="Zendaya Selah"] [member="Kerrel Di Marzullo"] [member="Jenna Templar"]



He smiled at the woman seated next to him, whom seemed somewhat startled at Patches informal hi. A bit strange, considering Patches was quite certain given her appearance that he wasn't the first man to ever approach her before. Strange, he thought for a moment. His informal greeting seemed to have startled her. She was either deep in thought, waiting for someone else... or something else was at work. Patches would have to probe further later; curiousity always tended to get the better of him.

However, his current attention was quickly diverted to the saddening news that Corellian Whiskey was not on the menu today, a pang of heartache and sorrow trailing down his throat where the fiery liquid should have been instead.

No... whiskey? he mused to himself, his eyes searching the menu frantically. No surprise at all, the bartender was correct. He chuckled lightly as he said, "I'll pass on the Johrian... Whiskey ain't supposed to be blue or green where I come from... the Corellian Ale will be fine," he said slinking his shoulders slightly in defeat.

Patches folded up the drink menu and placed it to the side, as his eyes lazily scanned the food menu, before his eyes caught a glimpse of...

Is that a dog? he thought to himself, his eyebrows furrowing in a bit of disbelief. Proving his earlier point, it didn't take long for the man with the furry friend to greet the lady between them... and using a pet no less as a pick up.

If there is one hair from that mutt in my food... he mused to himself, then sighed slightly as he finished, well... there is pretty much nothing I am going to do about it.

 

[Tanalth]

As the dog barked at her Jenna was worried he was going to pounce or something. Thankfully his master had informed her he was only being friendly. A big relief too, given she wasn't exaclty the type who got along with animals. At least not these days.

"Oh good..." she said, a little relieved. Though she did worry he might get too friendly with her leg, as some dogs tended to do. Still she looked up to Kerrel, as he was called, and said "Uh, hi. I'm....Luaren." she said, given a flase name due to trying to stay undercover.

It was all part of her more secretive dispotion to keep most information about herself secret. No telling fi she was dealing with people who were potentially spying on her or could eventually become enemies. It wasn't as big of a galaxy as people thought, at least in her case.

When her drink had arrived and the waitress asked about the menu she said "No, it's fine. I may end up havign as sweettooth later on. Thank you."

[member="Jonathon Patches"] [member="Zendaya Selah"] [member="Kerrel Di Marzullo"]

 

[Ibby]

Zen nodded as she took away the menu. "No problem." Setting it underneath the countertop, she walked back over to the other fella who'd asked for the whiskey. It took all of her willpower not to laugh at the guy's heartbroken expression over learning there was no Corellian whiskey.

As she began to prepare the ale, Zen said over her shoulder, "Don't worry, Bergmerf, our ale is just as good." Finishing the last two steps in the process, she brought the glass over and set it down. She was about to ask if he'd decided on anything to eat yet when she heard Sham.

"Oi, boss lady! One Galactic Salad, ready to serve!"

Laughing, Zendaya turned and picked up the plate. "Sham, you better watch your mouth or else... no pie for you!"

"That would wound me if you hadn't already crushed my heart!" the Twi'lek replied, grinning. In the background, Zen could see Cran laughing quietly at them.

Shaking her head in amusement, she set the plate down in front of the younger woman. "One Galactic Salad, dear; fresh from the kitchen. Do you need anything else?"

[member="Jonathon Patches"] [member="Jenna Templar"] [member="Kerrel Di Marzullo"]