Lost Causes

[Breanna Volsh]

[member="Orick T'ane"]​

​

The information on her linked her to a crime organization that she walked away from and committed a crime against them in order to leave. Some would have thought it brave, other cowardly. Either way Bree would reclaim her heritage and begin life over as soon as she fulfilled the promise she made.

It was bitter sweet though fulfilling a promise to parents that were not alive to see it, but honorable enough to know that they raised their daughter properly enough to know to keep her word, and do what they had asked. Parents could not ask for more than that and that would alleviate some of the guilt she felt when she had decided to stay on Nar Shadaa the first time.

She let go and then looked at him, she didn't think he understood fully. She could also see it in his face and his body language he was uncertain well there was only one way to deal with that, and as far as she was concerned she had done it. She had come clean on everything. It made her feel funny she couldn't put words to how it made her feel, only that it did.

Her hand slid down his arm, and the she held his hand, "We walk, and talk, eat, and drink and then get ready for the final leg" What waited for her at home so uncertain. But even if it was death at the hands of the Sith, she would take this time to live as Zeltrons did. Free and enjoying life.

 

[Orick T'ane]

He smiled and nodded, he didn't want to ruin this little break for her, she had seemed so happy for a most of the day. He felt bad about how things were turning out, but he didn't want to walk into a bad situation either, " Fantastic, there's a nice looking restaurant next to the water down the boardwalk a bit. I'm glad that we have at least found a way to balance that out. I don't want to ruin this for you, that smile I saw earlier is one of the best things I have seen on a long time."

He was glad that she was holding his hand, he wanted her to know that he was trying to make up for the way he had reacted to her revelation. He didn't think it through as much as he probably should have, but it was too late to take anything said back, all he could do was show her that he was still all in. Her mission was important to her and he had signed on for the entire ride, regardless of what dangers await.

[member="Breanna Volsh"]

 

[Breanna Volsh]

[member="Orick T'ane"]​

​

She looked over at him still smiling "You know food can be very pleasurable. There are many dishes that elicit responses, and not the expensive dishes. If you give a woman chocolate, not cold chocolate, but warm liquid chocolate take a piece of sweet fruit dip it in the chocolate and then place it on the center of the tongue, in human females its the center of the tongue. The mixture hits the roof of the mouth, the smell is inhaled it will give them shivers, and make them smile."

They walked along as she babbled she paused for a moment, "it just came to me that my father's place on Nar Shaddaa it specializes in teaching pleasure." She laughed, "everyone thinks brothel when they see it" She began to laugh again, "but it's all pink inside, and the menu is about" Her cheeks grew a bit deeper shade of pink, "a variety of touching, of foods, of music...it's a wonderful place. You should go there my father is a great."

She bit her lip for a moment, "he was" she swallowed hard but smiled remembering him was bittersweet. "He was great at making people feel comfortable." She did not linger on him it was still painful. If they had died of old age it would have been only a little easier to handle, but they had been murdered. Taken too soon, and that made her angry and kept the pain of their absence fresh in her mind.

"I had tried college when I was on Nar Shaddaa, but got side tracked" She thought of Rex.

Clearly at the end of all this she wondered would she still be Breanna.

She squeezed his hand seeking a comfort that she needed and she hated asking for. "So a bottle of wine, some..good food. What are you in the mood for?" She was changing the subject.

 

[Orick T'ane]

She obviously enjoyed talking about her culture and how it was used for pleasurable experiences. She was smiling broadly as the memories of her father, of the thnigs they had done together, and of the club that her father owned, well that she owned now. He felt bad for her in that regard, she may have been part of a shadow organization but she was still mentally fragile on the sense of how cruel the galaxy could be.

He hoped that she would remain strong long enough for her to grow tough enough to survive. " Perhaps you can try college again, once things have settled down." He said, hoping that perhaps once they did finish there quest she could find a small moment of peace in her life.

He nodded and smiled, " Wine and food sound great, I think there's a neat little restaurant along the boardwalk that serves fresh seafood, how does that sound?"

[member="Breanna Volsh"]

 

[Breanna Volsh]

[member="Orick T'ane"]

"Sure seafood, sounds good" Her head turned in different directions still taking in the sights and sounds of Naboo. The stories that were told of a noble woman who dared to love a Jedi Knight. How their love was doomed from the very first look and how his betrayal broke her heart and killed her. Ohhh the romantic story that could twist any woman's heart into mush.

The lights lit the path the ivory circles that seemed to have dripped onto the walkway showed the path. The carpet of stars above them as far as the eye could see giving hope to lovers for a hundred years. Each twinkle a reminder of home, there was soft music drifting upon air. It seemed to snake it's way from the small restaurant to the ears of everyone nearby, music wrapped its warmth around her she could feel it beginning to seep into her soul.

It was not a lively beat it was slow steady and then a woman's voice began to whisper the words

There's someone I'm longing to see​

I hope that he, turns out to be ​

Someone who'll watch over me​

The closer they got the clearer the words became there was a gentle swell to the music

I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood​

I know i could always be good​

To one who'll watch over me​

The singers voice was rich and soulful Bree could almost hear the emotions in the words, the woman had been hurt but wasn't ready to give up

Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key​

When they reached the front of the restaurant Bree was more interested in the singer than the song. Even though she still held fast to Orick's hand her attention was drawn to the woman on the stage who like a pied piper had lured Bree in.

Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me​

Bree sighed and looked back at Orick, "Have you ever heard such a beautiful voice" She smiled and then looked back inside. Bree felt as if someone had looked inside her and spoke the unspoken words.

 

[Orick T'ane]

He watched her as they walked along the boardwalk, she had seemed to have gotten some of the joy back into her eyes and she was once again enjoying the moments that they were having. He really did want her to have fun at the beach with him, he just was sure of how things ended now. Her head seemed to never stop moving as they walked, one thing or the other would catch her eye and she would stare at it intently, her eyes remembering everything about it. He envied her the ability to share the joy of those around her, he could only imagine how much better a day like today could be with an ability like that.

He heard the music coming from the small restaurant and knew that's where they would be eating. He could see it in her face, she was mesmerized by it. It was a melodic tune, but it sounded almost sad to him, the singer wishing for someone to watch over her. He could feel the emotion of the song and knew it was a was meant to be a love song, but he only felt the sorrow in her voice at the lack of a lover and not the desire to find one.

He shook his head as [member="Breanna Volsh"] asked him about the song, " No I haven't, she have a perfect voice for a song like that. I suppose that this song was the key to finding out where we were going to eat." He said to her, motioning for her to move towards the small restaurant.

 

[Breanna Volsh]

[SIZE=12pt]Bree heard the words and understood the meaning but it was the voice the emotion in the voice that rippled with every word. A voice that could make you feel the words within your soul was it a trait of the species she did not know she only knew that the woman’s voice touched her inside.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The vibrato of her voice Bree could just absorb Bree really loved music. She looked at Orick, ‘Ok” she nodded and moved in the direction that Orick wanted her to go. She tried not to be too disappointed not to listen to the singer a bit more.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]A small little restaurant that have the old world ambiance deep rich stained woods, lights with mosaics of color, the soft glow that made it say come in, rest, what would you like?[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Bree stepped carefully it was a bit too much, high class. She would enjoy this for certain but as much as it made her feel warm inside, she just felt that if she touched something broke it, they’d be presenting a bill.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]BUT. She could still hear the woman singing[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]I'm livin' in a kind of a daydream[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]I'm happy as a queen
And foolish though it may seem[/SIZE]
To me, that's everything
​

[SIZE=12pt]The words made Bree think of her day today, a daydream and feeling like a queen. She smiled at Orick as they were taken to a table. The chair was pulled out for her to sit she nodded a thank you smoothed her dress and sat down.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The mere idea of you[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=12pt]The longing here for you[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=12pt]You’ll never know[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=12pt]How slow the moments go[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=12pt]Till I’m near to you[/SIZE]​

​

[SIZE=12pt]The menus were placed before them, “ohhh thank you” They walked away giving them time to look.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“This is very nice Orick, do you eat in places like this often. Like each time you complete a run?”[/SIZE]

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

He smiled as he watched [member="Breanna Volsh"] enter the restaurant. she had this habit of seeing everything and it was fun to watch because she saw the wonder in all of it. He could still hear the woman singing in the background and it added to the ambiance of the place. He was glad he chose the small restaurant, it was making Bree happier and he was enjoying the comfortable feel of the place.

They were seated with little trouble and he took the offered menu and nodded to the waiter. " I'm usually in a hurry after a job. Most of the time i have several jobs lined up back to back. Once I offload one cargo, another gets put on and I'm off. Usually I try to keep my down time on planets to just a couple of hours, unless there's a specific reason to stick around, like today for instance." He smiled. " Bring independent means I only work when I go out and get it, so if I take too many days off, or I decide not to string runs together, then I'm at risk of being broke."

He glanced at the menu briefly, he wasn't really concerned about what he ate, he was just hungry. He had picked the place mostly for her. " Do you see anything on the menu that you like?"

 

[Breanna Volsh]

She nodded so then he could use a steady source of income, she might be able to help with that soon. Depending on some things. Now as for the menu, "Everything. What is this. Esss ca got." She looked over the top of the menu. "My mom always said that when we go to places to eat. Order something we can't make at home. I don't think she ever made that."

Bree made a face. "O look some kind of tuber with g. R. Lic. " she sounded out words she was unfamiliar with. There were other things. Steak. Yes! Some kind of fowl. Soup!!! Bree loved soup.

Bread. Oooo bread with a fruit called Tom a toes. She laughed.

"What about you, see anything you want?"

[member="Orick T'ane"]

Spoiler

sorry short I'm a bit tired

 

[Orick T'ane]

He laughed as [member="Breanna Volsh"] tried to pronounce many of the dishes on the menu, " Escargot is a type of shelled slug, they are quite good. Garlic is a seasoning that is typically used in moderation, it can be really strong, but it's good as well." He looked down at the menu, knowing that a steak was what he wanted to eat. He always loved a good steak when he was planet side, and this looked like the kind of place that would serve a good one.

" Your mom was right, when you never know when you'll have it again, you have to go all out. Order it all if you want, try some now are get the rest to go. " He said as he placed the menu down on the table. " You seem to have learned a lot of good thing from your parents, this journey we are on is a great way to honor them. I'll make sure you see it through to the end." He hoped that it didn't put a damper on the evening but he felt that she should know that her quest was a good one.

"Maybe they have a sample plate for some of the stuff so you can try it all."

 

[Breanna Volsh]

[member="Orick T'ane"]​

​

She smiled seems she had made him laugh. "A shelled slug? You mean like crawls on the ground slug?" He said it was good, she trusted him she had to. Her life was in his hands so if he said it was good she believed him. Even though her face didn't say she believed him she could feel her nose wrinkled up as her mouth turned down. Grlic is a seasoning, so. ok. So many different things.

"My mom was right about a lot of things, you would have liked her too. She had this way of making everything, and I mean everything seem meaningful and fun. Bree looked over at Orick for a moment and then back to the menu. She nodded when he said he quest was honorable. "The chest has everything that represents my family, heirlooms, documents, instructions." She took a deep breath, "Do you think someone there will tell me what they did with. She looked down gathering strength to say the words, their remains?"

Killed in the streets she imagined that they were, disposed of in a very sithlike manner involving fire of some kind.

When he mentioned a sample platter, she smiled, "Will they do that? Can we do that?" Her eyes lit back up. Bree felt she honored her parents by living her life to the fullest like now. Now meaning enjoying life, knowing what was important, and seeing everything as if it were the very first time. Living a life not just living. Such a difference, she looked at Orick again.

If she left him with anything she hoped it would be to know that life is short and one must life life, not just have a life and exist.

 

[Orick T'ane]

He nodded, " Yes it crawled on the ground. It's thoroughly cleaned and it's really tasty, you should try it." He looked over the menu, looking for a sampler platter of some kind. He saw something that resembled the platter in something they called a 'sampler plate'. He would have to order one of those for sure.

" I'm not sure what anyone would have done to the remains, however I can say that If they were anything like you then they were taken care of. Your'e a shining example of how they raised you, and that means a lot. You're a good person and it tells me a lot about them by how you are now. " He was trying to get her to think positively about it, and he was serious abut her being a good person and he hoped that she knew it

The waiter returned ans he smiled, " Have you made a decision?"

Orick nodded, " We will have two of the sampler plates, And if you could mix them up a bit, that would be great. We really want to experience the full flavors of your restaurant. Also a bottle of your best wine. " he handed his menu to the waiter and watched as [member="Breanna Volsh"] handed hers to him as well.

 

[Breanna Volsh]

[member="Orick T'ane"]​

​

"should try it" she mouthed she looked at Orick it was difficult but..."Ok..sure why not"

She was listening to Orick when he talked about the remains yes her parents had raised her well except for a few bumps along the way which were to be expected but she wasn't on Zeltros when they died and would someone else have taken the great care that she would have. She didn't know, she hung her head for just a moment offering up a bit of a prayer to whatever greater being might be listening.

"My father had two businesses one on Zeltros the other on Nar Shaddaa. I'll likely after everything go to Nar Shaddaa, will you come visit? I mean..we're still friends right?" She tilted her head looking at him she didn't have many people in the galaxy, right now she could count how many she had on one hand, and he was sitting across from her.

"I can show you some of the places there, the safer one....well they were safer." She laughed a little, "They might not be now" Then she thought about the past and wondered did [member="Jericho"] still wander the ways of the Nar Shaddaa. Would she see him again? She didn't know so much had changed. She understood now more than ever why he did what he did. If she were truthful with herself she missed The Ghost.

Bree let go of the menu she could still hear the music it was a bit softer now it was a bit sadder but still Bree hung onto the sound of her voice it still resonated deep into her soul.

She looked over, "Orick will you dance with me?"

I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day and through

In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children's carousel
The chestnut trees, the wishing well

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way

 

[Orick T'ane]

"Of course I'll come and visit, I often have business on Nar Shaddaa. I'd love to stop by to see how you're doing. you have been a wonderful change of pace for me on this trip and I'm glad to call you my friend." He hadn't known her for a long time, but he did know that she was a very genuine person and honestly only want to do something meaningful for her family. She was fun to be around and was the kid on person that he only imagined he would ever be, he was lucky to have a friend like her.

He laughed a bit at her offer of safer places. He knew that the most profitable business didn't take place in the safer spots of Nar Shaddaa. " I know where a lot of those spots are. The Red Ravens have a couple of casinos that are dangerous if you're stupid enough to start trouble. Most of my best runs come from the dangerous areas of Nar Shaddaa. It's mostly Safe if you know what to avoid."

He nodded at the waiter brought out a bottle of wine and two glasses. They were both filled and the waiter smiled before he walked off, leaving the bottle on the table. Orick stood and held out his hand for [member="Breanna Volsh"]. " I'd love to dance with you Bree."

 

[Breanna Volsh]

Bree could feel nothing but positive sensations from [member="Orick T'ane"] and that made her feel very good. "Well you must becareful on Nar Shaddaa Orick many times things are not what they seem to be" She smiled much like the young girl she felt like and took his hand, her fingers naturally curled around his as she rose up.

They walked to the dance floor the music began whoever was selecting the music for tonight must be part zeltron as each song seemed to reflect a mood that Bree was going through.

Once in a while give a thought to me once in a while
Once in a while will you try to give one little thought to me
Though someone else may be nearer your heart
Once in a while will you dream of the moment I shared with you
Moments before we two drifted apart

In love's smoldering ember one spark may remain
If love still can remember, the spark may burn again
I know that I'd be contented with yesterday's memories
Knowing you think of me once in a while​

​

This has been one of the best days of my life Orick, thank you for everything. Bree put her arms around his neck and swayed with the music, occassionally she would plant a kiss on his cheek her contentment with life and how it was right now was a wonder. She did not think about anything in the past, or what was ahead she only thought of the moment.

The wine and good food would be waiting for them on their return and this would be an adventure all by itself with its odd sounding seasonings and slugs. She shivered as she thought slugs....she tried not to make a face. She listened to the music

Music touches the soul Orick you can always find meaning in it.

The song changed over to something a bit more lively but still with the same unlying theme

How lucky can one guy be​

I kissed her and she kissed me​

Like the fella once said​

Ain't that a kick in the head?​

​

The room was completely black
I hugged her and she hugged back
Like the sailor said, quote
"Ain't that a hole in the boat"​

​

Bree laughed, "What are they saying in this song?? it sounds so lively" She leaned back just a litlte as she smiled and hung on to Orick as they danced.

Soon they saw the waiter go back through, "I think it's time to eat slugs and funny sounding seasoning"

 

[Orick T'ane]

He smiled as she warned him, " It'll be ok. I have a few contacts that always keep an eye out for me. I'll be fine, but thank you for the concern." He was having a fun time as well, and he was glad that she was feeling better. He didn't want her memory of this day to be ruined by what had happened earlier. Her let her put her arms around him as he placed a hand on either one of her hips. He was gentle yet firm in his placement. It was designed to be intimate yet friendly at the same time.

They danced for some time and he just led her around the dance floor, she was graceful and she kept up easily enough as they moved. He didn't say anything, not because he didn't have anything to say, but because she was enjoying the song and he didn't want to ruin the moment for her. The song changed into something a bit faster and he smiled, he had heard this song before and it was a fun song.

" He's talking about how love makes you feel sometimes, he kissed the girl and she kissed him back, and it felt like his brain got rattled from it because he didn't expect the kiss to be so amazing." He said with a slight chuckle. He knew the song and occasionally played it when he was able to.

He laughed as she wanted to eat, she had a habit of quickly changing her mind on what she wanted ot do, it was almost child like fascination with the world. He wondered if it had to do with her species or if it was just a trait that she had, either way he smiled as they made their way back to the table.

[member="Breanna Volsh"]

 

[Breanna Volsh]

[member="Orick T'ane"]​

​

"So a kick in the head is a good thing, and a hole in the boat is that the same, cause that's sinking, and most don't want to sink" She was a bit bouncy every where but that was because of her excitement so many things assaulting her own senses, her own abilities to keep reason. And..well.

They were back at the table and Bree was looking at the plate before her, mostly her interest lay with the slugs. She picked up a tiny fork looked at Orick, "They want you to take small bites" She held up the fork for him to see. She looked at it, and then the plate...she bit her lip.

She looked over to Orick again, "Is there a special way to eat the slugs?" Her blue eyes went from his plate to the fork she wanted to do it right but she just felt that if she touched it with her fingers that it would. She looked over and another woman was holding it with the spoon...ohhh she thought. She picked up her spoon and set the slug in its shell against the spoon, she glanced over at the woman to make sure she was doing it right, "I think I got it" She took the tiny fork and made a quick move to stab it, it slipped from the spoon flew across to the other table which caused the other woman to miss her own hers arced into the air and came down in the man's she was sitting with's glass. ""oh my" She tried not to laugh.

The waiter came over to try and help but the butter from the slugs had spilled to the floor which caused him to go skating for a moment, as his feet could not grip the floor and he landed on his back side looking up.

Bree was having a terrible time holding it in, she was going to laugh.

She reached for her glass of wine...while sheepishly looking at Orick..."OOpps"

 

[Orick T'ane]

" In the sense of the realization you're in love yes." It made sense to him for these odd terms, but he guessed that for her, being from a species that showed their love so openly, odd terms to describe it probably seemed odd.

He laughed as she picked up the small fork. " It's for the escargot. You'll.." He stopped as she began to figure it out. He tried not to laugh at her as she began trying to pull out a snail. He noticed that she had almost gotten it figured out, but she wasn't holding the spoon the right way. He was just about to reach across the table to help her when the shell went flying. He watched it slip over and caused the other woman's shell to fly into a drink. The waiter, witnessing the entire scene tried to help and slipped, only making the entire scene more interesting.

Orick stood quickly and helped the man back on to his feet with a smile, " Are you alright." He was smiling and trying not to laugh at the situation. The waiter quickly excused himself and walked off.

Orick shook his head and laughed slightly, " Here let me help you." He said. He was already standing so helping [member="Breanna Volsh"] with the escargot. He took her spoon and the small fork and expertly slipped the snail snail out of it's shell and handed the fork to her, " There you go." He said and he returned to his seat across from her.

 

[Breanna Volsh]

[member="Orick T'ane"]​

​

She watched the waiter retreat, and the looks from the table across from them and then up into the eyes of Orick who was now treating her like a child and removing the slugs from the shells. "I would have got it" she smiled and whispered, "a few more shots into her glass I think is all it would have taken" She continued to smile even as Orick went back to his seat.

"My Mom said we should not play with our food, but I will wager she never had slugs to eat" Bree looked down at her plate the few that Orick had taken out did not move.

​

Bree looked at them sliding them with her fork, "They aren't moving, but" she took a smell of them, carefully she stabbed one with the tiny fork and held it up, examining it to see if there were any remnants of it being a slug. She tilted her head. "Ok, here goes nothing"

Bree put the morsel into her mouth it felt kind of odd on her tongue, the butter made it slimy, but she liked the gar lic taste but the slug was kind of earthy, like dirt..she started to chew it. Her nose wrinkled up and she closed her eyes. "Its not bad" she started with another, this time taking a bit of bread and putting it with the slug and the butter. It gave it a texture that she could tolerate. "I think I like them on the bread...what did you think of them?"

She reached for a glass of wine she took a sip, and then drank half the glass trying to find a way to get the dirt taste out of her mouth.

 

[Orick T'ane]

He hadn't taken the snails out of the shell for her because he didn't think she could, he had done ti to help her because he was being nice. " I know you would get it eventually, but I fear the other guests may become a bit nervous." He replied to her with a smile. He listened to her speaking about her mother again and he knew that losing her parents had been tough, but she had a plan and he was sure that it would work out for her.

He returned to his food and began to pick at the many things on the plate. He was taking a bit of each item on the plate. He loved all of it and knew that he wouldn't be eating this good again anytime soon. He listened to her as she poked and prodded the snails. He tried not to laugh at her as she did, every experience for her was an awesome experience and he envied her in that moment.

" They are pretty good with the bread, yeah." He said, pulling out out of the shell on his plate. " I like them, I know they have a bit of a earthy taste to them, but I find it a connection to the ground. I'm in space so often, that it's a nice reminded that there's a ground to return to."

She was washing it down with a lot of the wine, he supposed that it wasn't a dish for everyone, but he would enjoy it for as long as he could.

[member="Breanna Volsh"]