Much Too Young

[Aren D'Shade]

The young woman wanted to leave Zakuul, but didn't have a ship of her own. That wasn't an issue for her, she could always steal one. So Aren told her parents, packed up some of her belongings and one of her pets. Among her belongings were the tools she would need to accomplish her goals.

Setting out for the spaceport, Aren moved through the crowd listening to her music. Her pet sat comfortably on her shoulder and appeared to be listening to the music as well. If anybody looked at her oddly, she didn't notice. Of course, this was normal for the girl and no harm had happened to her so far in her life.

Arriving at the spaceport, she casually attempted to walk in. The security stopped her and scanned her bag, gave her a tag for it and permission to enter. There was a clear direction or order given to seek out transport and pay for a ticket when she made it clear she was leaving.

For somebody that actually had credits, getting a ticket wouldn't be an issue. However Aren wasn't planning on spending any money. She was going to steal a ship of her own. So turning to walk past the various ships in dock, she found one that looked perfect.

An older ship and it wouldn't have much a code to break. It would be so easy to get into. Taking a quick look around to make sure its owner wasn't near, Aren walked directly to it and squatted down to get the items out of her bag that she would need. Focused on this task and her attempt to open it, she did not know when its owner came up.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

ZAKUUL​

Unknown Regions, Wild Space​

​

Zakuul was a backwater planet known for having possessed almost no contact with the rest of the galaxy due to its position, something that had changed the past hundred years. But sometime prior to 3637 BBY, the planet was conquered by the builders of Iokath meant to be one of the many worlds to be used as live testing sites for their weapons. Though its unknown what happened, the early Zakuulans eventually immigrated to the planet and lived there becoming a superstitious people who lived in tribes led by three Force-sensitive leaders known as Matriarch, High Shaman and Champion. In those early days, the Zakuulans believed in a deity known as Zildrog who was a mentor and guide to warriors and could gift unto them the Breath of the Dragon, a spiritual boon.

A world with a significant southern ocean and swamps that cover the planet's surface including the Endless Swamp, a semi-solid area filled with massive, overgrown trees. The planet also had a unique connection to the Force being balanced between the light and dark sides of the Force. This brought interest for the half masked Jedi Knight, who had recently arrived to the capital city aboard the legendary Ebon Hawk. The Force was the sole purpose that moved him to seek this knowledge and learn more from the Zakuulan culture. Shortly after touching the ground, Ar'ekk went to the spaceport's information desk to collect a datapad that would come in handy when exploring the wonders of the city and its underbelly.

A sensation drilled in his forehead in a rather urgent manner, a vibration ingrained on his mind that told him to get back to the freighter. Feeling stranged about such feeling, he rushed back to the Ebon Hawk and made a fun discovery. This young girl with a pet on her shoulder and a headset blasting loud music that made her unaware of his presence was trying to slice the freighter's door with her tools. He stood behind her and crossed his arms with wide grin in his face and expecting for her to turn around.

This would make a very fun surprise.

[member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

The girl was bobbing her head to the music she was listening to and only turned her head when her pet knocked the side of headset off her ear. Her eyes narrowed at him and she moved to replace it when out of the corner of her eye she saw somebody standing behind her.

Standing up faster than she should have, Aren hit her head on the open door of the panel she was just slicing into. The shock of that contact caused her to drop the two tools she had been using to try and open the ship. At that moment, the door actually opened and she let out a small groan as she rubbed her head.

Whoever he was didn't actually appear mad and wearing a goofy grin on his face.

With one of her ears uncovered, her hair askew from when she rubbed her hand through it after hitting her head and the pet on her shoulder...it was a wonder he wasn't laughing at her instead of just grinning.

Moving so not look like she was just trying to break into the ship, Aren went to pick up her two tools. Not a word was said by her. Her pet had other things to say though and let out a squawk at him.

Attempting to shush the pet, she rubbed him on his back.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

The sudden cold realization that someone stood behind you without being aware of their presence was always a scary thing to experience, Ar'ekk not being a stranger to such events although they included blasters aimed at you and ready to fire. This girl that looked no less than twenty years old bumped her head against the metallic edge of the Ebon Hawk's door when he clashed glances with the half masked Jedi himself.

Her tools plummeted against the ground and was left with nothing to 'defend' herself, if that was the girl's intention in that moment. Ar'ekk continued to look at her with a goofy smile upon his face which eventually turned into a contagious laughter. The entire ordeal was amusing to himself, not having this good of a laugh for years now.

"Trying to get somewhere?"

The Ebon Hawk's metallic ramp descended and allowed anyone in sight aboard the legendary freighter but even if she made it to the cockpit, the ship would only turn on with Ar'ekk's special code, a voice identification system and other security systems put in place to lock her down.

[member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Whoever this grinning man was did not stop Aren from picking up her tools. As she expected that grin turned into laughter, but it was fully contagious and she couldn't help but join in. It was almost like they mimicked each other and they were oddly similar.

He still didn't appear to be upset, as if he knew her attempt was going to be a failure even if she ran into the ship to steal it. Not making any moves to stop her, she picked up those tools and replaced them in her bag. As she did that, her pet hopped off her shoulder and looked up at him with a loud squawk.

It seemed to think he answered the man's question and went back to Aren to stand by her side. It might not be a dangerous creature but it appeared to be acting like a guard of the girl. Lowing her hand, she helped him back up to her shoulder and he got comfortable again.

"Trying to and failing to leave."

She was caught and wouldn't be able to escape easily if she tried. So Aren stayed where she was sitting on the ground, hair still a mess and headset knocked off her ear.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

Her expressions were eerily similar to his once he noticed that upon her face, a somewhat familiar occurance that hadn't happened to him before. But he quickly brushed off that thought and his eyes lingered on the little pet squawking and moving, now placing its little feet on her shoulders. Aren was a mess with hair all over the place and the headset getting in the way.

"Leave Zakuul? Why?"

The question was a simple way of getting to know this particular girl who had something strangely alike to himself, yet couldn't quite grasp what it is. Someone so desperate to leave their homeplanet to seek an adventure you'd only live in dreams. Utopic.

"Listen, I know you're trying to steal my ship and all but know I'm not angry. Name's Ar'ekk."

His lightsaber reflected brightly due to its golden-esque design as it rested on his utility belt, you could probably determine he was a Jedi or a simple Force user because of it.

After the introduction, the young Jedi Knight offered her hand to Aren. It was okay.

[member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

After the porg resettled himself on her shoulder, the man asked why Aren wanted to leave Zakuul. She shrugged her shoulder without the bird on it before answering. Not wanting to get into great detail in case this man was with the First Order or had any form of loyalty to them.

"I don't like what is going on, so want to leave."

He admitted he wasn't mad even though she was trying to steal his ship. Providing his name and as he moved to offer her his hand, the light glinted off the lightsaber hilt on his belt.

"Aren D'Shade. Slicer, at your service. I owe you one for not having me arrested."

Making no comment on the saber, she took his hand and stood up to give it a shake.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

"Ar'ekk Daesharacor, Jedi Knight. It'd be appropiate if I told you my full name, so there it is."

Their last names were also freakishly similar in terms of wording and whatnot and the young girl's face resembled the half masked man's when younger but in a female version. Who is this girl? Why does he feel some sort of connection with the Force? A tremor within his chest and mind kept going off, as if it was indicating him something about this person but he refused to see it with his eyes. Your sight betrays you, don't trust it.

"Listen, I came to Zakuul to only buy some parts for the ship. You want a way out? You're better off not stealing people's ships. Where are you headed, Aren?"

Slicer. She could be useful aboard the Ebon Hawk, the work of a mastermind in computers was never good enough.

[member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

He provided his full and she nodded. Something was similar there. It was odd their names were very similar, both starting with the letter A and even similar surnames. Just chance it had to be. However, the yet unnoticed slant of their eyes was the same. She also had one of her ears covered with her headset, but the shape of them was similar as well.

Ar'ekk said he was on Zakuul to purchase parts and told her it would be easier to get off the planet by not trying to steal a ship. Shrugging her shoulders and displacing her porg, Aren reached up to steady him. Letting out a squawk of displeasure, it gave her a dirty look. Pointing to him, she would hold her hand out for him to jump on if he wanted to for an introduction.

"This is Skeeter."

Setting him back on her shoulder, Aren turned her attention back to Ar'ekk.

"As for getting off world, it would be easier with credits. Those I'm sort of lacking so decided to take a ship. An older one, easy to get into and well, here I am."

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

The porg was cutesy yet annoying at the same time, although he didn't mind its presence at all. As it squawked, Ar'ekk let out a brief smirk in exchange as he acknowledged its existence out of courtesy. Walking up the ramp and conversating with Aren, he heard her side of the story of why she was in a sudden urge of departing from Zakuul. So fiery, so determined at such a young age. It reminded him of his teenager days.

"I don't run a charity here. I could possible take you on board, a slicer is always helpful but you've gotta contribute. All I ask is you behave and do as you're told. Don't want any drama."

There it was. The offer was made to the young slicer girl to take, the Porg settled on her shoulder squawking in apparent excitement as they'd be partaking in another adventure. He had a kind heart and some might take him by dumb, but something about this young lady had peaked his interest. Too many similarities, coincidences of some sorts.

[member="Aren D'Shade"]

 

[Aren D'Shade]

As if something clicked, Ar'ekk accepted her presence and offered her a spot among on his ship. In saying he wasn't into charity and expected her to do some form of duty, Aren nodded. He wanted her to behave and do as she was told...the look she gave him wasn't challenging him, but it showed a hint of rebellion.

"I don't plan on causing drama. Just want away."

Following him onto his ship, Aren could see a few things that could be fixed up to be in better condition, but overall it was a well kept ship.

"I'll keep the things running I know I can fix. If it's already broken, I'll get it working. Got all my tools too."

Lifting her bag, she would indicate where they were.

"Got a bunk for me?"

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

Their glances clashed and she could see the fiery attitude in her eyes, oddly similar to himself at her age. While a rebellion would be nice, that'd be something overboard. Motioning her inside the freighter and strutting in an upwards motion on the metallic ramp as it closed behind them, they would finally be inside the ship.

A cozy interior that has been untouched yet cleaned up after a milennia of stories.

"Take that bed. Just make sure everything's tidy when you wake up. Shower has hot water too, keep the bathroom clean when you're using it. And absolutely no eating or coming to the cockpit unnanounced."

Simple rules to follow. But like everyone in their blood line, they'd defy the rules and go beyond. Striving for more. To defy such laws.

"Do you understand?"

[member="Aren D'Shade"]