Nesting On Jakku

[Songbird]

Inner Rim
Jakku
Niima Outpost

Jakku was a rather quiet desert planet. The only things of note were the scattered starshi graveyards, from battles centuries earlier. Most were picked clean, with only the scraps remaining.
This drove the residents to more and more extreme measures to make a living; classic tale of a crime metropolis in the making. It was sad, in a way. Most would turn a blind eye, or join in themselves.
But as a small spacecraft slipped down towards the surface, Jakku was about to play host to someone who had a different intention than most.

As the interceptor landed on the sand, the residents of Niima Outpost looked up for a moment, curious as to who deigned the settlement worthy of their presence. An astromech droid lowered from his spot in the hull as the canopy opened, the pilot leaping over the side of her ship. She gazed at the glorified camp from behind her orange goggles, adjusting her bomber jacket. The locals shrugged off the new arrival, returning to their activities.

The galactic vigilante known as 'Songbird' looked over Jakku. Yup. Just as much of a dump as she had suspected. She'd seen at least two spice deals in the fifteen seconds since she had left her ship. The Talravani's instincts told her to stop the deals, but she knew that she had to bide her time. She hasn't had time to get her bearings, and was surrounded by potential shooters. Her cop training told her to wait, to find the best moment.
So she set R6 to purchasing parts and fuel for the Jackdaw while she took a look around.

Her hands twitched near the holsters of her stun blasters as she walked among the various tents and buildings, her brown eyes darting around behind her goggles, looking for danger, or a situation in which to intervene.
And soon, she found one.
A small alien being accosted by two human thugs. She knew their type well; grew up here, no good at scavenging, so they robbed the ones that were.
She would take care of this right quick.

As one of the thugs threatened the alien with a knife, Songbird tapped the other's shoulder. He lazily turned, one of his eyebrows raised.
"The hell do you wa-"
He was interrupted by her fist striking his jaw, sending a mixture of blood, saliva, and a couple teeth into the air.
He dropped like a rock, his comrade whirling, the knife still in his hand.
"What the-"
Songbird's knee sailed into his groin, the thug emitting a high-pitched squeal as he dropped the knife, clutching his bruised privates.
Songbird chuckled at them, kicking the knife away.

"Might want to consider a new line of work, loves. Bullies get what they deserve, in the end."
She held two fingers to her head in a mock salute, her grin reaching nearly ear-to-ear.
"Cheers, loves."
She walked away, leaving a bewildered crowd whispering behind her.
Damn, she needed some water.

[member="Veronica"]

 

[Veronica]

( This, means that she is thinking )

Jakku. Known to those who didn't live on Jakku as, just merely a massive ball of sand and ship debris. It's sands were littered with ship debris and vehicle debris from across the ages. A half-buried Star-Destroyer hung overhead like a giant rock arch, making both natural shelter and natural shade for those who lived upon Jakku's sandy surface. The sand reached upwards across the Star-Destroyer, like a wave...hitting up against a large boulder...slowly eroding it away. Stripping it of everything, until it became a mere skeleton of what it once was. In fact, the Star-Destroyer in question had split fifty years earlier, allowing a whole new area inside of the vessel to live in. Though, no one decided to live up their except a few. It had been picked clean centuries ago, yet still strangely people lived there. Will, one person in particular. She lived near the entrance of the broken Star-Destroyer, allowing her a good vantage point out across all of the terrain below for all to see. Her name...was Veronica.

Veronica had decided to try and take a stroll through Niima Outpost to try and get some rations. Now, she wasn't planning on paying for the rations. After all...who would pay for rations when they could be easily stolen. Well...save for the giant Gamorrean guard who overlooked the rations while his master, a chubby and dusty Zabrak sold the rations for unbelievable prices. That...and he sold 'protection' from his goons. Those who would pay the fee, would be 'protected' from any harm from the local Crimelords. Though, this Zabrak, Tirk was his name, merely threatened the inhabitants to buy protection. How did they buy protection? They raided any remaining ships for parts. That...or they merely stole from their friends and family to protect themselves.

Veronica tightened the dull & faded sports jacket around her shoulders before proceeding down the worn path that was apparently the 'street.' Twirling her water canteen around her wrist, her ocean blue eyes darted around quickly to make sure it was clear so that she could steal some rations. That is, before she saw [member="Songbird"] walking around along with an extra Gamorrean guard. Veronica cursed under her breath before turning around and making her way back to where the nearby hill was where she lived. She walked up to the mouth of the hill where it connected to the sandy surface of Jakku before plopping herself down in disappointment. Uggh, hopefully today would get better...but who knew...

 

[Songbird]

As she maneuvered through the makeshift settlement, Songbird became more and more disgusted with this Force-forsaken planet. Listening to the conversations around her, she became aware that the only real source of food on this planet were these horrible 'portions', which were ridiculously expensive. Great. Some nerf-herder with a hard on for showing off his power was in control.
Reminded her of the slums of Talravin, where she had spent her youth. The vigilante spotted someone nearby. A girl with light brown skin, and a faded jacket. She'd seen the type far too much, especially during her time as law enforcement.
Grew up in a shet place, no choice but to pick-pocket and steal just to survive. Street urchins were nothing new for Songbird, or the woman behind the goggles.

Behind the obscuring orange glass of the goggles, Songbird watched @Veronica. She watched the girl, saw her stare at the rations, then leave to go to a hill.
The woman's heart went out to the girl, and she bit her lower lip. Dammit.

A few minutes later, Songbird stared at the rations in her hand, her pockets a few credits lighter. She sighed, cursing her bleeding heart. The woman then trudged towards the girl she had seen, using her hand to block out the rays of the sun.

As she got close, she smiled, waving to get the girl's attention.
"'ello, love! I couldn't help but see ya in the market, and I came to offer a trade."
She point to the canteen on her person.
"I'll give ya these rations for a couple sips of your water, love. Whaddya say?"

 

[Veronica]

Veronica jumped slightly in place to see [member="Songbird"] approach her despite everything else that was going on around her. Why is she approaching me of all people? Did she see me try to steal some rations?! Dozens of thoughts began racing through Veronica's mind at what the woman approaching her might be about to do, say or even what the woman was currently thinking about. Veronica's heart began to beat faster and faster as the woman got closer to her. Though...then the woman smiled. A warm, reassuring smile...saying that she wasn't there to cause her any harm...that she just want to possibly talk with her. Will, hopefully that was true. Veronica's right hand went upwards...twirling her ocean blue hair nervously. She still didn't know what the woman wanted. She just hoped...that it wasn't anything bad or that the woman was going to threaten her. Lucky for her, the woman was merely offering a trade for her water for some rations.

Veronica's eyes looked upwards towards the woman who stood above her. She had no idea what to do. She wanted the rations...that was a definite. Not just for herself...but for an animal who lived up in the broken star-destroyer with her. All of Veronica's instincts were telling her to not do the deal with the woman...along with to ignore the woman. But...Veronica just felt as if she should trust this woman, despite her instincts telling her otherwise. So, her hand reached downwards, before removing the canteen from her belt before patting the ground to her right, gesturing to the woman that she could sit down. After she had gestured to the woman that she could sit down...Veronica handed the woman the water before actually talking to the woman. Her voice carried with it's self a nervous tone yet a grateful tone as well. What was most noticeable about Veronica, was that she held a mix between a mild and heavy English Accent. Veronica held the accent due to the large amount of diversity upon Jakku. It was like Courscant in a way, just minus all of the nice modern technology and plus tons and tons of sand and desperation. That, and Jakku held crashed starships whereas Courscant held starships that weren't crashed and that could still fly. Speaking of starships...Veronica, well...she couldn't fly a starship. Sure, she has seen crashed starships but had never known how they would or could fly. She had never bothered as it had seen a rather cumbersome and boring initiative when everything was picked clean like a bull skull in the Sahara desert. "Uhm...s-sure...also...y-you can sit down if you'd like.......I-i don't mind..."

 

[Songbird]

Well, this girl was a bit of a Nervous Nelly. Understandable, given their location.
Songbird kept smiling as she plopped next to the girl, grateful to not be sitting in the pilot seat, for once. She had been cooped up in the Jackdaw for several days, with naught but R6 for company. She supposed that was the life of a vigilante; always flying to the next planet in trouble, forever cuffing some lowlife and leaving him for the cops.
Force, she couldn't remember the last time she sat to rest with organic company.

That was why she sighed with exhausted relief as she sat, exchanging the rations for [member="Veronica"]'s canteen. She eagerly took a few sips, enjoying the water flowing through her lips and down her throat.
"Thanks, love. 'fraid I'm not quite used to this bloody desert, yet."
The girls accent was startlingly similar to her own; perhaps the girl had Talravani ancestry? Oh, well. Songbird wasn't too worried about an accent of all things.

She stuck a hand towards the girl, her brown eyes glowing with warm feelings behind their orange goggles.
"Call me Songbird. What's your name, love?"
The girl was attractive, in a lost-puppy sense. Not that the Talravani would ever dream of taking advantage of a situation like this. The thought made her internally shudder, though the smile on her face was maintained.
She wasn't great at interactions, but she liked to think of herself as warm and friendly.

 

[Veronica]

((Sorry, on mobile atm, so sorry if their are mistakes))

Veronica's sea blue eyes kept their gaze upon [member="Songbird"] rather intently. But, what her eyes focused on the most…was the warm reassuring smile that the woman gave her. It's just…you don't see much of that out on Jakku. Out on a scrapyard desert planet where anybody would decide to kill you probably if they needed the metal scraps to feed themselves. Veronica had seen so few smiles in her life so far living upon Jakku, it had made her almost forget how to smile. Almost, that is! In response to the warm and reassuring smile that the woman gave her, Veronica smiled back at her. Her smile was just as reassuring as the woman's, yet it carried with it an innocent nature yet still a warm one as well. The innocent nature was hidden behind the reassuring and warm tone given off from Veronica. Though…it's not like she noticed. After all.…a smile can tell a thousand words!

Veronica couldn't help but keep on smiling once the woman who now sat to her right was saying that she wasn't quite used to the bloody desert. She couldn't help it…and a small laugh came out at that. Veronica want typically one to laugh. Not because she was cruel, evil or just plain depressing. No, she mostly didn't laugh because she normally didn't get any jokes that people had told her. She took jokes literally, mostly due to never having much interaction with people…cause Jakku reasons! After laughing slightly, Veronica turned her attention towards the woman who sat across from her as she outstretched her hand and said her name aloud. So…Songbird is her name? Wow…that's a rather unusual yet bloody amazing name! Though…it's probably a nickname, but I'm not one to probe! In response to Songbird now asking Veronica her name, Veronica outstretched her hand as well before shaking Songbirds hand in her own before responding. Veronica's voice came out as warm as before, though luckily this time, for Songs sake…she didn't sound nearly as nervous as she had earlier.
"…Nice to meet ya' Songbird! Names Veronica…well, Veronica Jocelyn, or Falcon as people call me 'round here! But…h-hey, you can call me whichever you prefer!……also, hey sorry about sounding nervous earlier! I just…normally don't have time to interact with people and people just normally don't want to react with a girl who has blue hair…so, sorry again!"

 

[Songbird]

Songbird nodded to herself as the girl introduced herself. @Veronica. A good name. Though she had to raise her eyebrow at the mention of the girl's nickname; Falcon. Another person with a bird-related name, also with a Talravani accent? Small galaxy.

The woman couldn't help but chuckle slightly at Veronica's introduction. This girl had to be one of the most awkward people she had ever met in her quest for justice. But it wasn't a negative, quite the opposite, in fact. Songbird found the girl's awkwardness cute, and endearing.

"It's quite alright, love. I appreciate just about any company."
The woman took another swig of the canteen, smacking her lips as she finished, a happy smile on her face.
"I spend just about all my time flyin' around the galaxy, feels like. It's nice to sit with good company and just rest."
Her gaze returned to Veronica, her dazzling grin still on her face.
"'sides, I like your hair. It's unique, and matches your eyes. Reminds me of home. Most of the planet's a bloody big ocean, you see. Crystal clear water, far as the eye can see. Just about the exact opposite of this bloody place."
Songbird took one last pull of the water, then wiped her mouth as she handed the canteen back to Veronica.
"Thanks for the water, love. Really hit the spot."

 

[Veronica]

Veronica's smiled continue to appear upon her face despite not looking towards her new company, Songbird. Her attention was still directed towards Songbird though, but her eyes were directed towards the horizon, overlooking the outpost below. From up here, it looks just as bad as it ever did. Yet, from this distance, it looks almost peaceful? That's a strange thing to think…but today's been strange so far, strange in the good way! Veronica was so far enjoying the company of Song, it wasn't often she was able to meet somebody who wanted to talk to her and steal her stuff. That, and she normally didn't find many people with an accent like hers or even a bird-styled nickname like hers. It was either a very big coincidence or destiny…though it was probably just a coincidence.

Veronica's gaze was torn from the sight of the camp back towards [member="Songbird"] when she said she was appreciating the company. Once the words registered in Veronica's mind, she couldn't help but get a warm feeling within her heart. Not a warm feeling because it was hotter than it usually was, no. But a warm feeling just from the smile words that Song told her. Not many people had previously said that to her before, so when hearing it again since so long…Veronica just felt all warm and joyful upon the inside. Despite the current situation about living on Jakku.

Veronica's sea blue eyes were still fixated upon Song when she said some more things. First, it was that she flew around the Galaxy a lot doing who knows what. Veronica wasn't a ship person, not that she wasn't fascinated by them. But more on the line that she just never learned nor knew the inner workings or how to fly a ship. What Veronica heard next was supposing. Song told her that back at her home, it was the opposite of all of the sand and junk 'round here. Instead, it was practically all water. Crystal blue water, water that your eyes could penetrate through and behold the majesty of everything below the waves. Just the mere thought of that causes Veronica's smile to blossom at that. Veronica, she had never seen but the water that was held on Jakku…but hearing that their was actually clean crystal clear water covering planets…it just blew her mind away. Sure, Veronica assumed that other planets had things other than just sand…though that was just merely within her dreams. She never would've imagined that a planet could actually be filled with water. The mere revelation of that from Songbird, just send dozens upon dozens of thoughts into her mind.

Veronica noticed after a few seconds of daydreaming about water planets, that Song was handing her back her water canteen. At first, she hesitated. She wasn't one to take back stuff after she had given it to somebody. Such as, giving her rations the week earlier to some poor children who were starving. Though, Veronica took it anyways as to not make it anymore awkward for the moment. Once she had, she brought it up to her lips and drank some before bringing it back down and pulling the cap back over the mouth of the canteen. After doing so, she clipped it back unto her belt before staring back out towards the camp below. Which…was doing what it usually did. Occasional muging in the street, brawls between two or more people and then the occasional spice trades behind tents. Jakku was certainly a crime-ridden planet, that was a definite. But, from what she had heard about Tatooine…it was more civilized there yet still just as corrupted if not more. Once Verinica caught that Song had told her that she as thankful for the water, she couldn't help but smile. Helping one soul at a time…no matter how small the challenge was. Though…that did bring a thought to Veronica's mind. So, she decided to pursue it through asking Song a question.
"Hey…what're you doin' in this bloody place? Of all the places you could be…w-why would you want to be here? You don't have to answer…I'm just curious…!"

 

[Songbird]

While she spoke, Songbird watched [member="Veronica"] out of the corner of her eye. The sense of wonder on the girl's face when she spoke of Talravin's oceans warmed the vigilante. It reminded her just why she did what she did. She did it because this galaxy needed a hero. Someone to stand up for the weak, for the small, for the ones who couldn't stand up for themselves. More than that, the galaxy needed someone to inspire hope.
And if that meant telling a girl on Jakku that oceans existed, then she would gladly do it. Was she the most qualified? Probably not. She was just a former cop from Talravin with a penchant for piloting and justice.
But no one else seemed to want to do it, so until she died or someone better stood up, Songbird she would remain.

As for [member="Veronica"]'s question, it made the woman pause. Why was she on Jakku? Why did she go anywhere she did? Nothing she did seemed to ever make a difference, no matter how many thugs and criminals she took care of.
Still.

"Well, love, in case you hadn't noticed, Jakku is a bit of a dump. It's a place where bullies rule, just because people are scared of 'em."
The woman gave a grin.
"I happen to not be scared of bullies. So I thought I'd come in and help tidy up a bit."

Saying it out loud helped cement it in her own mind; she was here to help people.

"Helps that this place is far, far away from Talravin. Nothing left for me there."
Her gaze turned to the girl beside her.
"What about you? You were born here, right? Ever thought about leaving?"

 

[Veronica]

Veronica's gaze was fixated upon [member="Songbird"] as she sat there, taking in her appearance. From the brown bomber jacket that hugged Songs figure, to the orange goggles that now hung 'round Songs neck. Which allowed Veronica to fully see Songs eyes without the orange goggles obstructing how Songs eyes looked. Her eyes were a dark hazel-brown with swirls of light lavender which blended into the light hazel with hung 'round the dark brown upon the outer part of Songs pupils. Veronica was transfixed by her eyes. They were so beautiful, they told a story…one of beauty, hope and one that helped all those around them, despite what backgrounds they may hold within their past.

Veronica's gaze and attention focused more intently upon Song as she answered Veronica's question. So...Song is here to try and help people? Wow…kind of like me…trying to help other people. I would've never expected to meet somebody who did other things like me…or who tried to be a vigilante like myself. Veronica smiled at that thought before her thoughts were turned away as Song had asked her something. She was asking…whether she wanted to leave Jakku! Veronica figured that she wasn't offering to take her away fromJakku, but you would never know. She was hesitant to answer to Song at first, afraid of what she may say or think. But…Veronica decided to go for it anyways.

"Uhm…wow I would've never expected this. You…y-you're a vigilante as well? Wow……I-it's just so much to comprehend. I mean…I try to help people here…b-but it's hard. A-also…yes, I've always wanted t-to leave Jakku and explore the Galaxy. And yes…I've spent my whole life here upon j-Jakku…I…I never even knew my family, n-not even if I h-had o--"

Veronica had cut herself off quickly so that she didn't continue. It always made her uncomfortable talking about not knowing her famil…yet alone knowing if she had a family at all. Veronica's sea blue eyes drifted away from Song before looking off into the distance. Veronica's emotions we're all clouded at the moment, as if fog was obstructing them. Though one emotion kept on pushing through the veil, sadness. Veronica tried to fight back some tear so that [member="Songbird"] wouldn't see her cry, but she just couldn't. She sniffles slightly before crying about never really having or knowing a family. She just hoped, wished that Song didn't she…she didn't know what Song would think and she was also afraid about what she may think