Iron Chef: Abregado-Rae [Rekha Kaarde]

[Dekkan Fray]

DO or DINE​

​

Abregado-Rae​

​

The holo-net hadn't been so laser focused on a particular incident in the Galaxy since the Gulag Plague was running rampant. The fall of Coruscant was the spectacle to circulate, and every holocast news program available was running their different take on this event that had shaken the Core worlds. The Jedi, the Sith, it was the oldest battle in the Galaxy, a war that would likely continue to rage until the Force stopped appointing followers to bicker about it. Coruscant however wasn't just a hallmark of the Jedi Order, it was also the primary location for the Galactic senate, where representatives congregated to discuss, deliberate, and delineate about issues that affected the Galaxy at large. The senate was a touchy subject that not many who saw Dekkan Fray would surmise that it ran in his background. The humble and mostly quiet man who manned the counter at the Do or Dine had a sordid and long history that had once been so controversial that it had also been playing on holocasts around the Galaxy.

The muted panels above the diner counter, and one on the far wall at an angle continued to stream coverage -- catching the coral blue of Dekkan's gaze ever so often. A simple shake of his head was all he regarded the news with now. Like anything else, this too would pass, but the people on that core world, the billions of people, they had a much bigger problem now. Raze and ruin was a tactic he knew all too well, and the images of burning buildings, and the temple being razed to the ground was not something he enjoyed, no matter his sordid history with the capitol planet. Business was slowing down around this time, only a few people here and there, but most were keeping to themselves, and the wait staff was taking care of their orders. Old Patch, while known for being a smuggler's haven was a rather peaceful place when you got used to it. It stayed out of the lime light, and wasn't the stronghold of any militant occupation. Granted the barony was part of the Protectorate, but that just kept anything major from causing too many problems.

In an off-white cloth work shirt and dark grey trousers, Dekkan wiped down the counter, collecting crumbs into a waste basket beneath the metallic surface. The diner was a good investment, and he'd kept it running rather well. Having survived the Dark Harvest, and making sure that other trouble didn't come his way, most people felt at ease within the classic feel of his eating establishment. That was his main rule - he'd feed anyone who could pay. Even some that couldn't afford it, he'd throw charity two every once in a while. He could read people rather well, tell if they were being straight. Most were too humble to admit they needed a hand-out and he got that. He'd been there before, and he had been just as stubborn. The other main rule of the place was a zero tolerance on trouble brewin'. He had and still would put anyone out of his diner for making ruckus.

"Just about an hour till close folks." Dekkan said in an off-handed comment. Night had fallen outside, the simple foot traffic and the canals the flowed between the streets could be heard outside, while the lights in the diner provided ambient illumination to the darkening skies. He generally gave the call around this time, just so people knew that he'd be starting to close up shop, and some menu items wouldn't be available until the next day. Something akin to Bocce came back from his short order cook in the kitchen, and he bellowed something back just as indecipherable. The Weequay was not exactly a pleasant person, but his job wasn't personal relations, he was there to cook, and aside from Dekkan, he was the best in the city. The cuisine wasn't gourmet all the time, but he could get to that level in a pinch.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Coruscant, she had heard it whispered a hundred times. Rekha still needing to find a slicer who could hack in and get her credits released from the Coruscant banking system. She had to work on a garbage scow in order to make it to Abregado Rae. The only reason they hired her on was because she was female it gave them something to try and maul when the mood hit them, thank got most of the work was done by droids and that she could fit in places the crew couldn't.

Rekha had found some water well liquid she hoped it had been water to wash the grime from her face, she still wore the clothes she woke up in. People were beginning to keep a wide berth when they came within a few feet. Yeah, she even still had on her faux ewok slippers. She stood outside the diner, looking up at the sign, ok maybe she could wash a dish, or two for a cup of stimcaf. She was almost ready to barter her soul for a shower. She had been too concerned with taking her clothes off on the scow she didn't trust the men to steal them. They were ready to stand in the corner by themselves her clothes so they might not but still she wouldn't risk it. Still carrying her blaster, and the chit she decided to chance going inside.

She pushed back her hair, it wasn't fluffy anymore, it was rather flat and quite greasy looking. She pulled her shirt down some, she could at least be presentable. "FRAK" she shook her head. Maybe she'd just ask for some water, and use of the restroom. Five or ten minutes of peace alone. She looked at her slippers once a comfort now the only thing between her and being barefooted.

Ok, there had to be people hear who knew her code name and would help her out. She hoped.

Taking a deep breath, closing her eyes she pushed the door open and walked inside. She looked up at the guy wiping down the counters, she smiled. Yep it was uncomfortable, and customers were staring. Ok, doing her best to keep her head up she walked as far away from everyone as she could and still take a seat at the counter. She thought she saw one man gagging, yep it was bad. She sat there at the counter wanting to crawl under a rock, but she refused to hang her head, she came by her situation honestly and had kept some parts of her pride in tact to get here. So. Gag if you must she thought, but you don't know how far I've come.

She looked around place was nice, clean...she didnt quite fit in..oh an hour till closing. She could work with that, some water and the rest room and she'd be on her way. She hoped they didn't charge for the water.

[member="Dekkan Fray"]

 

[Dekkan Fray]

With the extensive amount of traveling around the Galaxy, Dekkan had never found himself to be a prejudiced person, as it would take someone green as goblin-moss to hold any sort of xenophobic state among the giant mixing pot as their galaxy. There was something though a bit special as seeing another human in a sea of near-humans and other biological interpretations of their species. Even so, their species had been centrally involved in some of the most paradigm shifting events the Galaxy had ever known. It was always more of a pleasure to see someone that he understood on an anatomical and dietary level than most of his customers. Having to stock certain highly alien food stuffs was always something he regretted in this profession. Some of the stuff the other species of the galaxy were able to digest, well it only turned the diner owner's stomach just looking at it raw. The same could be said of the human's cuisine he supposed by those less accustomed to their preference.

The digital chime rang above the door as it parted to introduce the woman who looked far worse for wear than the general Old Patch populace. She'd certainly seen better days, and her current condition was drawing stares, not only from the other customers, but Dekkan's wait staff did a double take in silence at Rekha's entrance. A calm smile rested loosely against Dekkan's aging face while his coral blues stuck on her smile. An observant look over her several day old clothing, and those slippers. Was that Ewok fur? He could't be sure, given their current matted, and messed condition. Slippers were certainly an interesting look for city travel. He'd dealt with Mandalorians in full armor, Sith in ceremonial robes, and even some species who thought that naked was a fashion statement. He rarely rose a brow, but her current state brought one on as she took her seat.

"Evening. I'd say good, but I'm fairly certain that isn't true." Dekkan offered as he flipped the towel over his right shoulder, both hands coming to rest on the edge of the counter. "Got something on your mind, or would you like a menu, miss...?" Names weren't always important, but this one looked like she had a story to tell. He could spin a few himself, even several he wouldn't outright share with a Moross priest on their own sabbath. Fray was a private person when it came to personal matters, but this was business, and he was a good sounding board when he was in operational mode. He'd always been a decent conversationalist, when he put forth the effort. A simple flick of his eyes to one of his waitresses, giving a bit of an unflattering gaze which cut the woman's opinion of the new customer out of her facial expression. He worked on silent correction as much as he could.

He'd been there though, in that state. He'd sunk low, lower than he cared to remember. Going through a journey of becoming humbled was never a pleasant experience. It did however teach him a bit about compassion, and concern for others. It had taken years to carve out of the man, to instill in his demeanor. At times he thought that process was more of an up-hill battle than the one he fought when he was convinced he was doing right by his brother. He was wrong on both counts though, but that was neither here nor there. Here however was a chance to possibly give some aide, and see what he could do for another fellow human struggling in the vast black.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha tried hard not to look around not to see the look of rejection in their eyes. BUT what did they know, how she could feel her anger rising how could they sit there all clean and satisfied look at her and judge her! They didn’t know they. Rekha stopped her train of thought, what did it matter what others thought she knew the truth, and if any of them had half a brain cell they’d wouldn’t be looking at her that way.

She exhaled hard as she let the thought go, for a moment her gaze fell to the counter before her oh she had been like this before and gotten out of it. She was just going to have to hang on until she could claw her way back out of this.

Just as she was considering a worst case scenario she heard the voice of a man, taking her gaze from the counter top with its bits of speckled dust embedded into the design to look into a pair of aged blue eyes.

“Well depends on your idea of good. Good, made it here, and still breathing so it’s a good day” She smiled again at him. Menu. Oh how she would love a menu, “actually I’m” she wouldn’t say she was down on her luck right now that could be seen as looking for a hand out, and while she could use one she wouldn’t beg.

“Just needing a glass of water, and the restroom” She could wash up in there she hoped. Her skin itched from being dry and dirty, her hair felt matted to her head, her nails were jagged and dirty, and who knew what her face really looked like. But a little water and she could at least wash some.

Jade green eyes stayed gazing into blue orbs as she smiled the smile touched her eyes she was angry about her situation but she wouldn’t let her situation rule her. She was still herself.

“Sorry I didn’t come more formally dressed but I didn’t realize there was a dress code involved here, my secretary neglected to” Rekha laughed, “inform me” she still giggled. She had to keep her sense of humor otherwise misery would claim her. She reached up and pushed her hair back further keeping it from covering her face.

She was immediately grateful though that he had talked to her like she was anybody else and if there was any problem with her.

[member="Dekkan Fray"]

 

[Dekkan Fray]

Well that wasn't the truth, and it wouldn't take observation on the level of a former soldier to identify that. Her personality though mimicked his own - the defense mechanism of dealing with trouble in the mask of humor, and a bit or sarcasm. That was something he'd grown accustomed to in the years prior, and it was something he recognized in others. He however wasn't one to refuse what people said they wanted. If they were going to attempt to make do, he wasn't going to prod them in a different direction. The Tyer native understood pride and self-sufficiency, he knew about making it on your own, and not relying on other people for hand-outs. Beneath the dirt and the grime, and the three day old clothing he could see a woman who had been at the top of her game not long ago. He didn't know the circumstances, and frankly wasn't looking to pry into that Pandora's Box, but he still saw right through the facade to someone who was still maintaining.

"Kark, must of forgotten the notary on the missive. All's good though, you're a day late and it's casual..." What day was it? Dekkan turned to flip through a flimsi calendar and stab his digit at the current day of the month. "...well it's always casual today." A smirk touched his face as he returned to the counter and lifted a clean glass from the rank right below, taking the time to dab off extra moisture from the rim. His foot kicked open the cooler below and he produced a frosty pitcher of ice-cold water and slowly began to fill it up in front of Rehka, though his eyes never looked towards the glass, but remained on her. He was searching for expressions, even micro expression that would give him some more to go on. This wasn't normally what he did for just a water, but he wanted her to see this, to understand that even an order like that was going to be treated with the same care he put into crafting the diner's specialty.

Drawing his hand forward, he slid the glass right into her palm, though his hand hovered there, watching her movements. Her voice didn't sound horse, but he suspected a clean glass of water might have been a little out of her reach in whatever she had been going through. It didn't take the likes of Arkanian scientists to deduce what she wanted the bathroom for, but he knew that would be a jury rigged situation in and of itself. She was making do with what she could find at this point, and perhaps there was a bit of assistance that he could offer without really troubling himself or wounding her current pride. When Rehka would move to claim the glass, Dekkan's calloused hand would lightly rest atop her on, stalling the movement of the glass as he leaned a little closer.

"Stay here till after close, and you can use the refresher upstairs. It's not five Corellian stars worthy, but it's miles above the restroom." Dekkan offered in hushed tones before his hand relinquished it's placement and he let her have the glass of water. He'd not pressure her, but there was an out. If she lasted through the hour, and let the rest of the patrons leave, she could have the privacy of a refresher, and not have to worry about judgement calls from people she didn't know, and people who didn't know her trials. She could take either play though, the water was on the house and restroom was available and right around the corner.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[member="Dekkan Fray"]

His eyes never left her this was something she had been taught to, body language, the look in the eye did they look away. She would not look away even as she watched him fill her glass. It was cold she could feel it already, and better yet it was definitely clean. She stretched her hand out to touch it, the cool, the condensation all of it in a simple touch. Before she could curl her fingers around the glass his hand touched hers.

It was all she could do to not yank it away. She wasn't accustomed to strangers touching her, she clenched her teeth hard as he leaned closer and whispered his offer. The offer of a refresher, oh that sounded so good. She really could use one. She could use a lot of things but a shower. She did not drop her gaze but she nodded an acknowledgement to him.

An hour it would seem forever. She smiled though, can't be any worse than sitting locked up in a small cage waiting for someone to come with the key. Lord what had she been thinking that day. Oh she knew she wanted to see how big something had to be to be comfortable in the cage, turned out she was too big and in her struggles the door had shut and she was locked in. Eventually Jarrod had figured out he had not seen her and came and pulled her out. So, an hour she'd do it.

She make sure of something before hand. She watched him he didn't seem the type to try and well steal her clothes, so perhaps the offer was a good one. It was hard to know who to trust and she had to start somewhere. She nursed that glass of water like it needed mouth to mouth to survive. Tiny sips followed by the tilting back of her head as she enjoyed the taste of the water how the clean taste danced across her tongue, how cold it was.

She watched as tables rose up paid and left familiar phrases of good night from the locals who came in a lot, nods of gratefulness from the ones passing through. The hour finally passed and Rekha stil had a quarter of her water left. She looked at the man behind the counter, why would he offer? She knew why, same reason she fed the ones who couldn't pay, she had been there. So it was safe to say he had sat in her shoes, well slippers at least once maybe twice.

The door closed and silence filled the diner. Rekha stood up, her back hurt from sitting she half turned and stretched. "they probably think I'm getting ready to rob you" She half smiled as she tilted her head toward him. "My hair feels like its crawling, is it?" She hoped she had not picked up any hitchhikers.

 

[Dekkan Fray]

Time marched on at the Do or Dine, as the patrons finished up their meals and their respective discussions. His wait staff cashing them out, and fixing to-go boxes for those that lingered over their food too caught up in the company to bother finishing. On occasion, Dekkan would call back to his short-order cook for some final preparations to be made for the next morning's opening hours. The dialect was certainly Bocce, but it was broken. Those that were regulars had it pegged that Fray and his short-order cook had developed some kind of pseudo language that both of them understood, but neither could really define. Even the waitresses weren't really keen on picking up what they had been speaking. Within the hour that passed however, Dekkan hadn't been back to check up on Rekha. He gave the woman her space, allowing her to observe and enjoy her water. Aside from a few glances her way, he was content to let her sit at the counter as he assumed she was counting down every minute on his large circular clock above the entrance to the back room.

"Goodnight you two." Dekkan said, after a small hug was given to him by the Twi-lek and Zabarak that had been running tables. The two had collected their siazable tips and were apparently going to head to the LoBlue Cantina for some evening dancing. His staff were like family to him, since he never really had one of his own. The waitresses were like daughters, and they respected him and his authority, but also saw him as more of a Father figure. The cook was a different story, but he had already shuffled out of the diner from the back loading entrance into obscurity. In the years he ran this place, no matter how close he got with the Weequay, he didn't even know if the man lived on the planet itself. They talked business, and that was just about it. The real mystery here that he wanted to get a better read on was the only one left in his diner after his staff had clocked out and locked the door behind them.

"Not if they know me." Dekkan replied to Rekha's comment about robbing him. A smirk accompanied the retort as he wiped down the counter and adjusted the auto-tint on the windows. Darkened lines ran across horizontally and widened until they had obscured the view in, while just darkening the gaze outside. Fray wasn't a man to be robbed, and those that had an incling about his personality and how he viewed this diner knew that it would a poor career choice to try and take anything from him without his consent. He had that movement about him, that air of authority that wasn't pushed or prodded. He just had that manner about him, no matter how peaceable he seemed to be. "Nothing a handful of gel couldn't fix." Fray replied as he moved around the counter and pushed the kitchen door open, and flicked on the light.

"Back here" The kitchen was off-set to the right hand side, while the pantry and main storage of the diner rested to the left with the delivery door and his mechanical mule resting to the side. Up ahead, Dekkan pulled on a panel to his right and the staircase unfolded from his loft above. Above there was a meager apartment that served as Dekkan's actual home above the diner proper. A light illumined the entrance and lead up towards the living quarters. Stepping aside and allowing her to walk up, he wasn't about to follow her though. "Refresher is up to the left, and there's a sanitizer behind the closet doors, if you want to get your things clean. I'll be down here when you're done." And with that he'd leave her to her own devices and give her some privacy. While he wasn't big on trust, he also didn't see her being much of a problem. And unless she came down carrying any of his personal affects and asking penetrating questions about their history - he most likely wouldn't mind what she did up there either. He was already walking away from the staircase and back into the diner to prep for tomorrow's opening hours.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha got the hint that he knew how to take care of himself it was good when in the business of dealing with strangers never knew who would pull the blaster and who wouldn't. When he said back here she moved cat like skittish as she walked waiting to see what was around the corner. The entry to the refresher had some of the gadgets that she would have employed. She did not move closer yet she looked at him now she was trying to figure him out.

Knowing that everything depended on trust, she have to trust him now as she walked past him to go up the stairs she didn't say anything yet she had to be sure that he didn't have an ulterior motive. She moved cautiously up the stairs looking back down seeing that he wasn't following, did that mean someone waited up there. She hit the top step and peered around the corner, again looking back he wasn't there he wasn't even seen. So he wasn't going to folllow at all. Ok. She looked all around first, touching nothing but finding no one else either.

Rekha exhaled hard then went to the refresher, and the sanitizer oh god was this really going to happen. She stripped off everything, laying the blaster on the table beside the refresher. She was going to take it inside with her. She threw everything into the sanitizer, and then turned on the refresher. She stepped in forgetting the blaster too over whelmed by the simplest of pleasures hot shower. She stood there till her fingers pinched up from too much water finally her nails looked clean, her hair would fluff again, and her feet would not be black. Those were just a few of the things she thought as the water cascaded over her, and she enjoyed soap bubbles.

About a half hour later she emerged putting on her clothes, and her slippers. Her hair would be dry shortly. And still there was no sign of the guy at the counter. Damn. A real gentleman. She made her way back down a bit more bright eyed than before. "Thanks I really needed that, more than you can possibly know" she practically shouted out at him. As she smiled broadly some of her humor and sarcasm beginning to seep up from the dark place it had hidden. She moved around until she found him so he could really hear her and see that she was very grateful.

"I'm Rekha Kaarde to whom do I owe the thanks of a shower and clean clothes?"

[member="Dekkan Fray"]

 

[Dekkan Fray]

Once the scent of steam and shampoo would fade from the area, another aroma would waft up towards the descending figure of Rekha. A mixture of seasoned nerf-steak, pan seared Corellian potatoes, and the feint wisps of a sun-spot cocktail would become the dominant scent. In the half an hour the woman had spent in the refresher upstairs, Dekkan had set to making a meal for the two of them. He had already made a habit of eating around this time - enjoying the privacy of an intimate meal after a long day's work. The grill boasted two sizzling chunks of nerf meat that held a liberally seasoned surface, leaving the flames to lick the fat off and radiate the salty scent. A pan of Corellian potatoes was currently being tossed up to let the contents flip over and fall back into the pan. Evidence of green garnish and herbs were also in the mix, making a sort of pan-fried hash. It was obvious he knew his way around the kitchen, and he wasn't just the front-man for the diner. Most of the recipes that were introduced into the menu were actually creations of his.

"In here." Dekkan called out as he heard the voice of his evening company step down the stairs expressing her gratitude. His coral blue eyes shifted to her as she stepped through the swinging door. "Almost look like a new person, bet it feels that way too." Fray offered as he set the pan down and lowered the heat source so it could just simmer for the time being. A few stalks of celery were liberated from a long cylinder of ice-water and put onto his cutting counter. A long and gleaming blade was drawn from a rack with which he began to finely chop the vegetable into much smaller pieces. The motions of the knife to the celery were precise and very fast. The speed and precision was something that was a bit higher in caliber than that of your favorite gourmet chef. He had training in other places, in another life. Leveling the flat end of the knife against the chopped ingredients, he lifted the entire portion and tossed them into a smaller pan that held a condensed rue that he planned for an additive sauce to the steak.

"Just someone whose glad to help. Dekkan's the name though." He offered in a non-chalant manner. He didn't think much of it, but he was pleased that she was grateful. Moving back over to the steaks, he used a pair of tongs to check the underside and then flip each one. "Hope you don't mind, but I generally eat dinner around this time, and I'd be a son of a sith harlot if I didn't invite you to do the same." He really felt that way too, and he'd grown accustomed to cooking for others as a way to express himself. Oddly enough, the ritual had started back when he was working on Seltos. Having made dinner for a woman who had been sent to kill him, or collect credits of which he didn't have to his name. It was an unusual way to start a tradition at the very least, but it had opened himself up to the idea that something he was good at could be used to help other people. For a time, he was so focused on himself, on revenge and destruction, that it felt good to create, to give back. It was just a small part of a process of redemption that he was working through.

"So, Rekha Kaarde - what brings you into my diner in such a state?" He asked, but the tone of it implied that it was very casual. If she didn't want to tell, Dekkan was the first person who wouldn't deny her privacy. Force knows he had a litany of skeletons in his closet that he didn't talk about. While he talked though, he was about the business of getting the food onto the plates. Nerf steak came to each plate, a healthy 10 ounce portion, followed by half of the potato hash covered in herbs and seasoning. Finally a drizzle of the rustic celery rue was poured over the steak itself. The plating spoke of something a little more elegant from training in his past and the desire to make it appetizing. People ate with their eyes first.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

It felt like pounds of dirt had been lifted off her skin that continuous feeling of something crawling all over her was gone. "Almost a new person, cleaner outer shell, same old insides" She watched Dekkan cook one thing she had learned from Jarrod. She paused Jarrod her right hand had died in the attack, she sighed and said a few words about missing him. Dekkan was skilled with a blade he held it with the grip of an experienced well trained chef and cut with precision.

"I could never do that" She pointed to where he was slicing through celery, "probably take the tips of my fingers off adding an unusual protein to someone's dish" She could smell it her stomach growled again, as her mouth watered. She had to swallow quickly she thought for sure she would drool. Dinner, she as hesitant it had been a few days and to eat something this heavy she wasn't sure but it smelled so good. "I didn't realize Sith had harlots" She tried to smile she moved a little closer to look.

What brings her there hell what could it hurt to tell him. "I was on Coruscant, the new regime is...not the old" She looked at him he had to know what she meant. Who didn't. Those that could feed on the misfortune of others had moved in quickly. Yeah he knew people ate with their eyes if it looks pretty, smells great you've beaten half the battle of getting someone to try it. Add in half starved and its a shoe in.

"What brings you to Abregado-Rae?" She knew the one reason people came here, but did he. He had to. But she would wait to see what he said. So far he seemed like the forthcoming as long as it didn't cross any lines type. She could handle that. She could also use the kindness right now. But. She couldn't live on the kindness of strangers, even ones that could cook.
[member="Dekkan Fray"]

 

[Dekkan Fray]

Two plates of freshly cooked food were swept up into calloused hands, littered with the signs of work and age as he offered them both into her grip. A side head bob indicated the direction towards a booth by one of the tinted windows where they could have their meal. The simplistic setting of knife and fork were already laid out across from each other. Stepping over to the cooler, he pulled out a couple of sun-spots from the chilled section. The glass bottles clinking lightly as he headed out to the dining room himself. He hadn't a dinner companion in sometime, and he was looking forward to a bit of time where he could have some one on one conversation with someone who he wasn't trying to buy, barter or trade with. That was most of his actual lasting conversations in Old Patch, and it was nice to have a break from the monotony.

"I'm a fan of a life that's a bit more simple. Been around in the black most of my life - seen enough, and needed something more stable." He offered. There was truth in those words, but a lot of it was missing or hidden behind vague sentiment. He wasn't one to really open up, but he also wasn't being dishonest about his reasons. "Place like Coruscant, old or new in power - it's just too busy a place for man of my tastes. This place wouldn't last a month on a rock that crowded based on rent alone." He offered while taking a seat and placing the bottles down, for each of them. Once the plate was in front of him, he lifted his bottle and slid it against the edge of the counter. In one smooth motion the metallic cap popped right off the tap, flipping through the air and right into his palm as he snatched it away. "Besides, feeding people with a don't ask don't tell policy pays well." Dekkan gave a small smirk as he sat back and flipped the napkin open. "Dig in."

He wasn't one to stand on ceremony when he ate. There was no formality to it, but he was a fan of taking his time. He'd rushed through so much of his life, lived a very adrenaline filled youth that to take the time and savor was something he enjoyed. He hadn't always enjoyed the benefit of having time on his hands, and that was one of the many things he was looking to correct this the latter half of his lifespan. Coral blue eyes shifted up as he sliced into the meat of the perfectly cooked nerf-steak on his plate. Rekha was one of the refugees from the Coruscant debacle, that much was clear. He wasn't about to share his personal tastes on Coruscant above it's active cityscape. There were things about Dekkan he didn't share with anyone, and he likely would go to his grave with a plethora of those secrets. Digging the tines of his fork into the potatoes, he slid a bite into his mouth, savoring the herb roasted flavor of the crisp outside, and the tender and soft center.

"So what's the rest of that story, or do I have to wait till it hits the holo-net?" He asked, gesturing lightly up with his knife to the holographic displays mounted above the diner's counter. They were still running stories related to Coruscant, and he expected that to be about another month before something worse came along to attract them. Reporters, they clung to disaster like mynocks to powercables.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She accepted the plates a little off guard but being adaptable she quickly understood take the plates go to the seats. She could smell the food now it wafted up towards her nose, she took a breath as her nose wrinkled up. It smelled so good. Damn. She moved easily now a bit of her confidence having come back. She slid the plates down with a practiced hand of her own, serving people she knew about that. Usually it wasn't herself and a guest. When was the last time she actually did something that was for her. She drew a blank and realized it had been that long. Damn.

She could hear him still talking, "Yes rents are bad, insurance worse, and then there's that whole clientele thing that you have to build" Yes it had taken her months to get people to accept the new ownership, the new design, the new name, The Lucky Lady. Her shoulders sagged a moment she was supposed to be the lucky lady. She did not feel too lucky then her japoor snippet tattoo was hidden beneath her clothes but Rekha knew it was there and this had been the one time it had half failed her. She slid into a seat looking down at the plate. She waited for her benefactor to sit as well.

On que he was there and just as quickly dinner began. Rekha knew to be cautious to prevent herself from being sick. She sliced small pieces of the steak off working on it cutting each piece precisely. A habit she had that made people stop look, she would cut everything on her plate before she began she didn't know why she did it she just did. So far Dekkan had not really asked her anything she wouldn't tell anyone else. Rest of the story.

"Oh you know there's always a story." She bit her lip as her fork speared a piece of the meat, and a bit of potato she wanted a perfect bite. Lining it up to her pastel pink lips the fork slipped in and Rekha took her first bite of solid food. She chewed slowly as if it were her last meal, the flavors coated her tongue she could feel herself salivating again. This was good, really good.

"I have a place there, it's in need of help. But the new local regime was making it hard for me so I need to get some credits together so I can rebuild." Was she going back there, yes eventually The Lucky Lady was hers and she would not give it up without a fight. "Its called The Lucky Lady" She smiled and looked over her jade green eyes met his cobalt blue. "So you don't like Coruscant, is there a story there?" She chewed, and reached for her water.

"Everyone's got a story [member="Dekkan Fray"], just a matter of knowing what chapter they are in" She could feel the spices in her mouth. "And Dekkan, where did you learn to cook?" She smiled.

 

[Dekkan Fray]

Twilight had fallen on Old Patch, the foot traffic outside the Do or Dine was negligible at best, and only the street lamps along the border of the silent canals lit the district. Adobe comprised dwellings had long since shut out their amber glow in the windows, and people had settled in for a good night. This was the time of day however that Dekkan had the most time to himself. Normally eating a meal alone or going over the menus and cleaning up the place for the morning. He was a quiet man now, someone who internalized a lot of things, and only let out what he'd allow people to know. Tonight was one of the few times he had company for his evening meal, and despite the litany of questions in trying to figure him out -- he felt good about having some company. Lifting the glass bottle to his lips, Dekkan took a long swig before setting it back down. The sun-spot was a favorite of his, it tasted of spiced cider, and had that tonic kick to the pallete. It wouldn't even give you a full buzz unless you downed a few of them, or had a super low constitution for alcohol, of which he didn't.

"That's all people really have ya know, stories." He offered a slight shrug of his shoulders in a non-committal fashion while he went through the motions of slicing up the nerf-steak into smaller strips. He'd rendered the fat away, to leave the meat easy to slice through, and just about medium-well. "It must of been back over a decade ago I suppose, doing an odd-job with my brother. Got separated and ended up in this diner. I should have been out in about ninety seconds, instead I spent it talking to the owner for the next three hours." Dekkan explained, recalling the talk he had, like it was yesterday. "Wasn't exactly known for being a nice guy, often had other purposes for the knife if you catch my drift." His hand took the serrated knife, and spin it between his fingers, flipping it back around and setting it onto the table. "Anyways, next two months, he showed me everything he knew about food. Taught me I could do something other than destroy with my knife, taught me how to create."

That wasn't a huge secret either, he'd told it to a couple of other people through the years. Most didn't ask because when the diner was open, it was his short-order cook that was serving up dishes. People didn't peg him for a chef unless they knew him from the market place. A few bites of steak and potatoes later, and he downed it with another sip from the bottle. The Irony of the name of her bar wasn't lost on the man. She'd made her bed in Coruscant and the Sith took it right out from under the Republic. At one point in his life, he'd have savored that as victory, but now it was just a tale being told. It hadn't affected him that greatly, but he'd long since given up on caring about that former Republic staple in the Galaxy. He supposed however that finding the Do or Dine and striking something of an accord with him granted her a fair amount of luck, not that it was helping her business any.

"Coruscant's just too big in the britches for me, always has been. You get that important and things start to skew. Power corrupts, and don't let anyone ever tell you different. If they do, their either lying or trying to sell you something -- and probably both." Dekkan admonished Rekha in a knowing fashion. There was hints to his past in his phrasing, but nothing that could be guessed at. She'd have to be clairvoyant to piece together his jigsaw puzzle, and he wasn't banking on a human having that ability unless the Force was with them in a mighty fashion. Neither of those scenarios seemed likely. "You plan on going back, making sure they don't shut it down completely, or are you looking to start over somewhere else?" He wasn't offering to let her setup shop in Old Patch. No, he understood competition well enough, but if she needed coin, he wasn't opposed to having her work for some of it here at the diner. Just until she could get back on her feet, and get those feet into some proper boots. "How's the sauce?"

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Darkness it hid a multitude of sins that people wanted to hide from even Rekha Kaarde. She looked across the table at her benefactor something about the weather worn look of his skin, the wrinkles around his eyes all told her he had seen it and done it and this. Her gaze moved around the diner, this was his piece of heaven in the galaxy. Whatever came through the front door was easier to handle that anything that lay behind him.

Rekha made up another perfect bite of food, meticulous to a T. She had eaten many meals alone at her desk going over inventory or thinking about what the special of the day should be for tomorrow. Bar food was not quite like diner food. Bar food was quick usually eaten with the fingers and complimented almost any drink she could make or pour. She slid the fork between her lips again taking in the needed food. She was grateful it was real food and not a protein bar.

Stories yeah they all had them, "I've heard a lot of stories some of them make you root for the hero, others make you want to find the bad guy and pound him to an inch high." She listened to his story strange how things happen, and all for the better it seemed. "Looks like you've done alright for yourself" She chewed slowly.

Rekha laughed as he told her about his view of Coruscant, "Oh there's lots of good people there, some of them just need a break." Rekha paused for a minute, "there's people there that don't know anything about stealing just trying to make it through" Yes make it to the next day, the next month, the next meal. Rekha's problem was she always tried to see the good in people even when they stole from her. She once told Jarrod that they probably needed the credits. One had, another just did it for the thrill. Rekha taught him about thrills around, Jarrod held him by his feet and offered to drop him. Safe to say they never saw him in the bar again.

"I haven't decided, I got credit locked up there that I can't get my hands on. The bar is all I have, and it was left to me to take care of." She made a face, lips formed a tight line as she remembered the broken windows. "But if I'm logical I should probably find some work to do till I can get thing figured out" She wiggled her toes inside her slippers, comfy as they had once been they weren't really meant for continual wear.

"Sauce is great, never had anything like it before. Is it a secret recipe?" She smiled at him as she put together another bite. She needed a place to sleep tonight too. Or she could stay in the spaceport. again. Her back was killing her. "Tell me do you get a lot of freighters through here [member="Dekkan Fray"]?"

 

[Dekkan Fray]

Dekkan had carved this little scrap of nowhere out for himself. He'd paid for it with blood, sweat, and tears. There were credits involved somewhere along the way, but he'd done everything he could to acquire this place for himself. Out of the entire Galaxy he called this place his home, and his livelihood. In more than a few ways the Do or Dine reflected an image of himself onto everyone that passed through that door. He was a simple man of meager means - and he'd learned to live in that state the hard way. This was not just a place of business to the man that sat across from Rekha, this was a testament to redemption. It was a slow up-hill battle that he didn't truly think he'd ever finish, but everyday brought him a little bit closer, a little further along that journey. There was a lot of destruction in the man's wake, and a great deal of it had been done in the name of vengeance. A once broken and cold-hearted man bent on destruction - and it would of been his undoing had it not been for people like the brunette before him. People that had seen the good in him, people that had taken the time to slowly put the pieces back together from a once shattered soul. He owed a lot to them, and this was his small way of trying to give back.

Their conversation was a quiet one, layered with hints from each other's past, and touched on briefly here and there. They were just getting to know each other, but at least for Dekkan this was therapeutic in a sense. He didn't exactly show gratitude the way most people did, but his was dished out in acts of kindness. Physical gestures were his way of expressing compassion, as he didn't hold a lot of stock in words and phrases. They could be empty, meaningless, or even downright deceptive. Men were not measured by the words that they said, but by their actions were they defined. It went both ways though, his actions had defined him in the past, and for the last few years he'd been trying to reconcile the man he was, with what was left. Bites of the nerf-steak were taken while he watched with a coral blue gaze as the almost ceremonial way that Rekha arranged her food and devoured it to savor. Did the cook in him good to see someone so methodically taking everything in with such measured respect.

"There's a lot of folk out there that don't, and that's why we do what we do." He included her in that phrase as he gestured between himself and her with the tines of his fork. "It's about the choices really, people are capable of a great many things, but it's their choices on how to handle the Galaxy that really shape them." He didn't have the same notion that people were inherently good, only that they had the capacity not to be a complete back-birth, and be decent to others. He attempted it, not with the same grace that she did apparently. Long as people didn't start anything in the diner, and were willing to pay (or work for their meal), they wouldn't be turned away. Stealing, well he handled that a bit differently. "Sometimes they just need the proper nudge." He advised while taking another long swig of the sun-spot and plucking a bit of the sweet-roll from the side of his dish to devour.

"Fair to say I know a bit about that feeling. This place is my home - and that's as literal as it gets, as you've seen." He mentioned resting against the back of the booth, his hands laying palm down against the cool metal surface of the shared table space. "I could use some part-time help if that'd interest you. I can't pay much, but at least you'd have some credits to throw around." He thought about the offer for a moment before speaking again about another opportunity. "I also seem to have some local grace with the Barony of the planet, the Protectorate could probably help out too, with a good word." One he'd be willing to give. She was a determined woman, and she wasn't looking for handouts or at least outright asking for them. It wouldn't hurt him either to speak to the HK-36 unit about her condition, and what she'd be looking for. Only droid he knew that could simulate compassion. He however would get back to that offer, as she mentioned the sauce.

"It was until about an hour ago when I put it together. I've been something of an experimental chef these last few years. Glad it turned out well." Dekkan offered a small smile in appreciation, adding in that end comment while dabbing his lips with a napkin. A small chuckle escaped his lips as he thought about her question. "This planet could give the Smuggler's moon a run for it's money. We get freighters of all kinds coming through the ports in the Capital, even a few coming around Old Patch. I don't get off planet much myself, but there's more than a few spacers that get their meals here on a near daily basis." As far as he could recall, he'd not left Abregado-Rae in the space of three years, and he wasn't looking to anytime soon.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha had a feeling that [member="Dekkan Fray"] was the kind of guy that needed to perform actions in order to get his point across, whether it be through kindness or the end of a blaster. She suspected that when he had an opinion or a point to be made she'd know it. This offer he had just laid out for her was opportunistic it gave her security while still allowing for her to leave when she thought it was time. Course time was the thing, how much time would it take to figure out what to do about the Lucky Lady. She could start over but she felt she had betrayed a friend by not staying there and seeing it back to itself. She had failed to protect and take care of it. But who could have seen this.

We do what we do, we do what we must to survive and fight another day. She did not say it to him but she thought it. The place was her's the deed in her name while they could take it from her by legal actions, the Lucky Lady would always be hers. Rekha had to hold onto that. Choices, yes it was about choices she was listening to him much like she had listened to someone else a time ago, and that had worked out for her. She just couldn't seem to let go of this rock in her chest.

She had looked away outside as if the answers to everything could be found there written in some secret code to tell her it was alright. He had moved setting back further her jade green eyes turned back to him. She could use the job, it could at least put a roof over her head for a bit. She wiggled her toes inside her slippers, she could perhaps buy a decent pair of boots.

But now he had mentioned something she was not familiar with, "Protectorate?" Her voice rose slightly asking the question. "What do you think they would do for me?" She needed information about that before she would say yes to it. She learned a long time ago, don't jump in you tend to get burned.

 

[Dekkan Fray]

There was a steely resolve in the words of the woman before him. It rang a truth inside the spirit of the diner owner, spoke of how he felt about this place, about the few things in the verse that he truly cared about. He liked that about her, felt a common thread with Rekha that he hadn't seen in many. They both knew what it was like to fight for what you believed in. Dekkan had literally done the same thing, but it was a misguided attempt. He knew that know, and had for sometime. The scars of that life were many, but most were in the mind and in the soul. Faded over time, but still present, still visible, and still haunting him on a daily basis. He could see that she, like himself had a debt to pay, and no matter the amount - it was a heavy burden.

The knife and fork slid through the meat, as bite after bite was taken in slow progression. Dekkan seemed to be matching her pace, though he hadn't done the prep work of making bite sized portions on the plate before digesting a single morsel. He was very much a meat and potatoes kind of fellow, but he'd widened his palette considerably in the last few years. Trying new ingredients, some he wasn't even aware of as existing in the Galaxy. With so many planets, nations, systems, and sentient life - he had been introduced to a world of new possibilities. Some were less desirable than others, and yet some were even far more delicious than he would of originally thought. It was a passion that kept him together, kept him focused and working to improve. Without the diner, without being able to lead this life, he didn't want to consider where he'd be. He already knew the answer to that.

The fact that he was offering so many options to the woman wasn't exactly his normal style. He understood the need for self sufficiency, but he'd not been given much in the time when he most needed it. It had also been a matter of blatant pride with the man, that even at his lowest, he scarcely turned to anyone for him, much less accepted it. The first test has been the refresher, whether or not she'd sit and stew for an hour to get the reward. What she had now though were options, given by a willing friend in the Galaxy who wanted to see her get back where she belonged.

"The Protectorate owns this world, and most of them surrounding it. It's militant, but boasts independence." Dekkan had done a bit of homework the first few times that the HK-36 unit had showed up in his diner. He didn't like to be caught off-guard. He'd seen the rise to power, and the overall change in the government here on Abregado. The droid was the Baron here now, and he'd helped Dekkan out and the other citizens time and again. For the most part Dekkan liked what he saw, but he wasn't directly involved. He stuck to what he knew, and what he wanted. This diner's success meant everything to him and he was fiercely protective. What happened outside didn't necessarily concern him, though he kept a weather eye. "I've got some local favor with the Baron, and although he's a droid, the Protectorate wouldn't treat you badly. If I were a younger man, they might have been my choice." He offered a small shrug and took another bite. His younger days were spent doing the very opposite of cooperating, but she didn't know that or need to at this point.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha pierced a piece of the steak with nothing else than the tines of the fork in her hand, her mind thinking through her options that lay before her. She tried not to growl low in her throat as she thought, a sign that she was not happy. Well anyone who knew her well enough would know she was not happy. She placed the morsel in her mouth and chewed slowly.

The fact that [member="Dekkan Fray"] had taken time to notice her, treat her fairly, and make sure she would survive another day. She at this point owed him no matter what. She had to admit that the tension she had felt when she walked in was melting away giving her time to relax, and enjoy a sensation of safety. Something she felt she had been robbed of.

So what could it hurt to see if this Protectorate could help her, earn her some credits, maybe find her a slicer. The thought made her smile as a bit of mischief touched her eyes, thoughts formed. She looked to Dekkan. She wondered did the little wrinkles around his eyes come from laughter or hardship, goddess willing a combination of both. It was easier and more acceptable in her mind to see him as a hardened by fire man who had learned lessons to pass on. Then as someone who lived vicariously or frivolously.

She set the fork down deal with the here and now Kaarde she thought and don’t be stupid about it. She took a deep breath she had thought through as much as she needed. “Ok Dekkan we both know I’m down on my luck and need a break. As well as time to regroup, and think of a plan of action that would provide what she needed. “So.” She swallowed some of her pride she had wanted to do it on her own but she had to admit if only to herself she couldn’t do it alone this time.

“I can use the job, even if it’s part time. So.” She set her shoulders ready to find out what a little information, “wages, and tips, and meals included.” Was it a statement, or a question. Don’t dictate she reminded herself, “is that what you’re offering?”

She growled again softly, she really needed to control that part of her. “And if the Protectorate can help I’m willing to accept the help.” God she felt as if she had just bartered her soul. “I just need to know what they expect in return” There was usually a cost involved, arms, legs, first born or worse allegiance.

She reminded herself it wasn’t forever, it was temporary and she could leave whenever she wanted she was no one’s prisoner. She tried to be humble, to show her softer side that let people help her. But it was hard, and that rock her in chest just got heavier.

 

[Dekkan Fray]

The amount of Dekkan's reactions was inversely proportionate to his age; growing less and less pronounced with time - and moving into a more subdued and subtle nature. Thus the times that Rekha literally growled (even in suppression) it only warranted a lofted black and graying brow before the man returned to his nearly finished meal. Even sparing glances of her face and posture told the tale clear as day. She was fighting her pride here in this booth - contesting the self sufficiency she was born and bred with, and trying to compliment it with the offered assistance. It wasn't easy for her and it was obvious. Fray had a similar mindset, though his insistence on solving his own issues had been weathered by time and age - where now help was not so much abstained from, but also not always looked for. There were folk in the Galaxy that were genuinely altruistic, and he'd like to think he'd become one of them. Perhaps not as immediately trusting, or compassionate as others - but he believed that he did a good deed here and there simply because it was the right thing to do.

"I know what it's like." Dekkan offered as he finished off the sweet roll that was dipped in the remnants of the celery rue. "Looking a gift bantha in the mouth just to see it was planning to shoot you." A slow nod was offered before he slid the plate from his part of the table and replaced it with the sunspot bottle, digits just hanging on the glass neck, as he turned it back and forth. Coral blue eyes having long lost their youthful shine rested on the glass reflecting the dim lighting between them. "This Galaxy doesn't breed trust so well - but take it from someone whose seen the worst in people." His eyes lifted for a moment and set on her own. "There are people still trying to do right by folk out here. I'm not saying blindly trust, because that's just a big ol' game of kick the Rancor - but don't give up on hope. It is rare, but it still exists." Dekkan relaxed back in the booth drawing the bottle to his lips and taking the last swig. He was relaxed by now, something few people rarely saw with him. The apron was off, the work was done, and now he was genuinely taking it easy in his diner.

"My girls will get you settled with the run-down of the shift, and I'll put out a call to the droid in the morning. If your having trouble trusting an organic, a droid should do well enough. He's actually incapable of deception." A small smirk touched his face remembering the conversations he'd had in this very spot with the unit formally branded as a Hunter Killer. He was about as human as a droid could get in his book, and that was saying something. "That's just logistics though, and it can wait till morning hours." A small yawn was stiffed by his hand as he casually glanced at the holofeed on mute above the counter. It was getting late and he was normally getting upstairs at this point for bed. She still needed a place to say, and without a credit to her name - he wasn't about to shut the door on her tonight.

"We are gonna have to do something about you sleeping in some freighter though. It's not much, but the bed's yours upstairs if you want it. I've got a cot in storage up there. One night isn't gonna break me, so when you get tired, I'll get it setup and you can get a good night's sleep for...well however long it's been since you did." He offered a shrug. Dekkan was far from what anyone would call a creep. He was genuine in his actions, and he meant what he said. This wasn't some great sacrifice to offer her the bed, it was far and above more comfortable than a cot, but this wasn't a five star resort on Spira. He just didn't see the need to force her out in the dead of night in Old Patch - in slippers of fake Ewok fur.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

How interesting that he knew this sensation, that one that said you're giving everything up so you can live and your trusting a stranger would could shoot you in your sleep. She smiled though he might be thinking the same of her. She looked down at the plate knowing she couldn't finish it she meant no insult to him it was a wonderful meal her stomach just wasn't up to .....yet. Give her time and she'd show him her appetite, voracious as it was.

He was trying to let her know it was ok that he was offering help not a commitment for life. She nodded, she could appreciate that. When she had been able she helped those she could, and she would again it would just take time. Time. Her shoulders dropped for a moment, time that seemed so fleeting slipping through her fingers so quickly that she could barely keep track of it. And now once again back at zero time was what she needed.

For all his lack of words when he started explaining about his girls, and the shift she felt better. "Good it's been a while since I waited tables all the time but got to be like riding a swoop, you get back on and it comes back to you" she hoped.

She did feel herself stiffen when he mentioned the bed she had spent the last week avoiding men's bed's. As soon as he mentioned a cot she felt all the air she had been holding leave in one giant sigh of relief. She shook her head slightly she had to relax she really did.

"Dekkan" she wasn't really giving him a chance to say anything else, "I appreciate the help, I " She stopped, "don't know how I"ll repay you, but I will" it was her bond, her honor, and she'd fulfill it. "I seem to run in sprees" She didn't realize she had kept talking, "goes good for a while and then it doesn't." She had only adopted family her own probably forgot her long ago, and there was no one trying to find her right now. She wasn't...special. What a stupid thought that was. She must be tired.

"I'll take the bed, and be grateful for it" Very grateful, she saw his yawn which quickly brought one of her own, "Its been a long........." she couldn't bring herself to say day it felt like a month in a day. And she was tired, "you" she shifted rather nervously her question was innocent enough but she felt odd having to ask, "have something I can sleep in?"

Ok, she needed ...........stuff.

[member="Dekkan Fray"]