Oh, I Don't Know...

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

[member="Arekk"]


Lori was just your average, fun loving, trouble starting, prankster extraordinaire teenager. Perfectly capable of getting herself into and out of messes. Although most of her messes were family related, i.e. getting herself into trouble with her brother.

But right now she wasn't with any of them. She had been training with the Mandalorians, learning to be tough, to fly and to look after herself. In the Mando culture, she was already considered an adult.

So now it was time to do some adulting and explore!

Although given that she was technically a Princess, she didn't have to worry about regular adult things like getting a job for credits. Credits came easily for her.

Today she found herself on Lithios. Although she really just stumbled onto the planet as it wasn't listed on any of her little fighter's star charts. Could have been a glitch though.

After spotting some people laughing and going into a bar, Liri decided to follow suit and see whether or not it was the kind of place that she'd be kicked out of.

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

The Paradise Nightclub was not the place for a teenage girl such as Loreena to enjoy, filled with the most unthinkable scumbags and psychopaths that this side of Ethos City could chew out. Why Ar'ekk was having a drink there, though? Well, that's because he knew people and his line of work drew him to places like this one. You could call him out all you want but having a strong but great drink beats anything.

Grimacing at the taste of his beverage and knocking down his third cigarette of the night, the man looked over his shoulder to spot a very young teenage girl standing in the middle of the nightclub while the rest of the patrons spoke in hushed voices, judging every movement and gesture she would make. Totally out of her element, what was she doing?

"You know her?" Ar'ekk asked the Rodian bartender Lekk as he blew smoke out of his nostrils. His reply was a negative.

"Never seen her before. You should get here out of here before the Weequays over there start to take interest."

So he spun in his seat and walked over to Loreena, cigarette dangling inbetween his lips.

"What are you doing here?"

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori had spent nearly a year so far in Mandalorian company. So she was used to a rough crowd. The ruffians in this club didn't intimidate her as much as they should.

But she was also a teenager, and they believed themselves to be invincible, didn't they? That is until something brought them to reality.

Lori pretended not to notice the whispering that went on as she stepped further inside. Maybe they recognized her, maybe they didn't. Either way, not all of it could be good.

[member="Arekk"] approached her then. Lori raised a brow as she looked up at him. "I could ask you the same thing, mister. I'm thirsty.
I came for a drink. Isn't that what everyone else does here?"

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

The lights flickered harmoniously above their heads, his eyes sizing the girl up and down in an attempt to read her body language. She showed confidence and determination but that wasn't an indicative Loreena found herself in the right place at the right time.

The club was a hotspot for criminals, a known hub for illegal activities. He was not going to let her mingle with the crowd sorrounding them, even though he did not know the girl whatsoever.

"A drink? No way. Listen, I don't know you and you don't know me but I'll make you a favor. This isn't a place for you, believe me."

He pondered heavily for an alternative option, there was a vendor outside they could use instead.

"I will buy you a soda on our way out. Fair enough?"

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori studied [member="Arekk"] for a moment. It was obvious that he didn't want her here. But not in the way that he was kicking her out. On the contrary, he seemed to be trying to protect her.

Her eyes darted around the club, while she kept her head still, studying those within that whispered as well as those that didn't. Perhaps the man trying to offer her a bribe in order to get her to leave was correct. This probably wasn't the place for her. Maybe if she came in a little better armed...

"Alright, mister. But I'll hold the drink. I don't want to end up being drugged or something..." That'd be bad. However could she explain that to her parents and guardians?

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

Soon, the loud music and smoke-filled air was replaced by the smell of wet pavement and downpouring rain over their heads. Sorrounding them were countless of food vendors and less than legal individuals trying to lure you into traps that would only suck the credit chip out of your pockets without much effort.

"Of course, I'm a stranger. But not a bad one, I probably saved your life. What were you thinking?"

The talk reminded him of Aren, his younger sister. She was just like Loreena: Defiant, reckless, overconfident but also someone with a good heart. He was no stranger to this thing but if it meant saving someone from getting their butt kicked or life endangered, he'd do it again and again.

"I'm having one too, alright? Just so you don't suspect of me."

Reaching for one of the stalls and exchanging credits for two sodas, Ar'ekk uncapped his bottle and drank first. Eyes lingering on the young girl, he spoke out again.

"What's your name? I'm Ar'ekk."

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori lifted the hood of her coat over her head as they started to walk through the rain. She scoffed under her breath as [member="Arekk"] scolded her on going into that club. But he was older, had more experience and she was slowly learning to take such things into account.

She walked alongside him, partly wondering why he was treating her in such a way. Maybe she reminded her of someone. Regardless, she wasn't too bothered.

Her eyes studied him as she too took a soda and opened it before taking a large sip. "I'm Lori.
Did you grow up here?" She kept her full name and titles out of this. She hardly ever let anyone know, for they'd probably treat her differently if they did know.

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

His preoccupation for the girl's life had dissipated like the rain droplets touching the cold pavement. The temperature dropped drastically as his every exhale resulted in water vapor releasing into the thin air. Ar'ekk sought warmth for his hands inside the pockets of his blazer, wondering if Loreena felt the same cold as him.

"I wish. But no, I'm not from here. You?"

She looked familiar, reminiscent of someone or some people he had met earlier in his life but couldn't quite put the right words to his thoughts.

"Where are your parents, anyways? You shouldn't be roaming the streets late at night."

Something told him that Loreena had some sort of attunement with the Force as her aura became more vibrant by the minute. It was very interesting...

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori sipped her soda, glad that her coat was somewhat insulated. The hood helped as well to keep the warmth of her body from escaping through the top of her head.

She blinked at [member="Arekk"] 's words. He WISHED that he was from here? It wasn't any place special. In fact, it was downright depressing. "I'm not from here either."

Her eyes rolled as he asked her about her parents. Although that was probably a natural thing to ask, she just didn't feel like she needed to have a babysitter all the time. "They are back home, I think. Or at least my mom should be.
My guardians are somewhere in Mando space. I just figured that I'd do a bit of exploring." Lori gave him a sly grin. "Where are your parents?"

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

Lithios wasn't so different to Coruscant and Nar Shaddaa in terms of lifestyles and dangerous streets packed with thugs and deadbeats but it was a nice change from his homeworld. The rain was captivating and to be lost in the sea of people without having to worry about getting recognized was bliss.

"I see."

Well, he acted like the actual big brother he was but Ar'ekk meant no harm with his comment. The best approach would be to treat Loreena as the teenage girl she was instead of thinking she was still a baby, that would definitely help.

"Mandalorian Space, huh? That explains a lot."

The question took him by surprise.

"Dead. At least that's what I think, never met them."

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori blinked as she looked to [member="Arekk"] . His comment on how her saying that she was from Mandalorian space had explained a lot. Just what did he mean by that? Her boldness? Her lack of fear in dangerous places? Or maybe it was her confidence? "What does it explain?"

She frowned a little as he spoke of never seeing his parents. "I can't imagine not knowing who my parents are. I'm sorry to hear that...Who raised you?"

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

He preferred to keep to himself about that, no need to explain himself the man thought. But hey, if you say something you better make sure the other person actual understands you.

"Nothing, don't worry about"

The personal questions were getting to close for his own comfort too but he continued to respond swiftly, Ar'ekk nothing to hide.

"I imagine, sounds like your parents are good people. Me? The streets were the only thing I knew, so I held to that."

He didn't like to talk about his adoptive family, Sorren and his mother. Good people always die no matter how hard you try and he continued to beat himself over what happened to them. So many what ifs...

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori lightly shrugged her shoulders. Maybe she was starting to look a little like a Mandalorian, although she didn't have the armour yet. Not even a bucket. Nope. She just had her jetpack abd goggles. The jetpack she made all by herself too!

She nodded in agreement as [member="Arekk"] said that her parents spunded good. And they were too! Well....her Dad mostly was anyways. But she didn't want to get into any of that. Especially in a place like this.

"I'm sort of learning the streets myself. Or rather, the whole Galaxy. It's a lot....different than home. But thankfully I've not run into real trouble yet!" She laughed and sipped her soda, not quite understanding how close she was to danger in that club.

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

Lori resembled him too much when he was a little kid: Eager to go on an adventure, to roam the streets and learn things on the fly. Too energetic for his own sake, a total dreamer.

"That's why you gotta be extra careful, make sure your sorroundings are safe. Don't forget that."

He said while throwing the soda bottle into a trashcan nearby, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"What are you going to do now? Check the rest of the city out?"

It was difficult to communicate with a teenager, the topics of conversation were pretty much null and the age difference made things harder to explain himself. She was free to take the reigns of the chat and subsequent activities, it was nice to not be in charge for a change.

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori did her best to not roll her eyes as [member="Arekk"] mentioned safety. She had started to, but then stopped herself. He only meant well. But still...there was such a thing as being overprotective. "Yeah but...I can't live my life in a safety bubble. If it was best to do that, then I wouldn't of left home. I wouldn't of let my mom encourage me." Which was true. But she also did it to keep her mind off of missing her brother.

She wasn't finished her soda yet. Not like he did. Lori was only halfway through her bottle. She shrugged her shoulders at his questions. "I suppose so. Then pick out a place to sleep for the night.
My little fighter is too cramped of a space. Where would you recommend?"

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

"I guess you're right. Gotta dive right into it if you want to know just the way of how things are."

Ar'ekk couldn't help but agree on that with Lori. She looked old enough to defend herself and to get to know the rest of the Galaxy, adventure into the nastiest places you could ever think of simply to see how it feels. To gather experience and to make sure to get something out of that.

"Nowhere, really. Most people will rip you off as soon as they see you, hotels are tourist traps."

Ugh. Whatever he'd say next would sound strange and even more coming from a stranger despite his intentions being nothing but good, after all he tried to save Lori. A place to crash? He could only think of his and even that one could get crowded fast but there was a spare guest room, it wouldn't hurt.

"I live on the other side of town, the "good" part. It's a small apartment but I could fit you in the guest room for the night."

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori smiled a lottle before having another sip of her soda. At least [member="Arekk"] agreed with her on some things. She gave him a sidelong glance as they walked, her mind going over at least a hundred questions that she had for him. But not everyone liked to be pestered with endless questions, so for now she kept quiet.

"Tourist traps? Here?
It doesn't really lpok like the kind of place that has amusement parks. I guess it's all gambling stuff, huh?"

She blinked a little as Arekk offered that she stay in his guest room. Would that be wise? Lori looked to him fully then, reaching out with her instincts or the Force, if you eill, to study him and see if he was planning anything untoward. But she couldn't find it. If anything, she just got the sense that he just wanted to see her safe. "That'd be nice, thank you. I'll pay you for your troubles of course. You shouldn't come out of this empty handed. I already owe you for the soda."

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

He had a good soul, always there to lend a hand to those who needed it regardless of the circumstances. Besides leading a life doing things for bad people, he tried to stay sane by abiding to a set of self-imposed rules. Nothing could interfere with his other life, the one on Lithios where he had absolute control of himself and everything that sorrounded him.

"I should've said traps. They'll let you stay for the night but will steal everything from you."

They walked under red holographic trees that flickered thanks to the rain coming down with conviction until they reached the main lobby of his apartment complex. Ar'ekk had the best view of the whole building above ninety-something levels, most of Ethos City was visible from up there.

"No need to pay me, trust me. I have enough money to afford a place like this, you're free to stay as long as you need it."

A turbolift would take the two of them directly to his apartment once they found shelter within the lobby from the weather outside.

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[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

"Ahhhh traps. Well I'm a light sleeper, usually. I got that from pranking my brother a lot.
Sometimes he'd get me back, but not usually when I'm asleep, cause I tend to wake up whenever I'm touched or can sense someone in the room." It was a useful trick. Gave her less of a chance of being caught by surprise.

Holo-trees were just so bizarre. She was quite used to the real thing. Commenor was nice and lush, full of life. This world was full of life too, but not quite the same kind.

Lori followed along with him, entering the lift that would take them to his apartment. "How'd you get rich?
Are you a retired general or something?" He reminded her of her guardians. It was easy to assume that he was a warrior of some kind. Whether or not he was retired remained to be seen.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Loreena Arenais"] ​

The door to his apartment automatically opened when the duo stood infront of it, being welcomed by the warmth of a controlled temperature interior and a robotic female voice that called out for the owner's name with a very characteristic yet charismatic accent.

"Welcome back, Ar'ekk Daesharacor and visitor."

Removing his muddy shoes and leaving them to one side of the doorway, Ar'ekk expected for the girl to do the same that way they would not make a mess out of the wooden floor. He liked to roam around his place bare foot most of the time if not always but it was only polite to take your shoes off after walking on the cold and dirty pavement.

"Your room's to our left, one bed and an armoire to keep your stuff in. You can come and go as you please, use everything you need anytime. Shower, holoscreen, computer, kitchen, etcetera. No limits, just try to be tidy."

The man's home was a haven for a teenage girl such as Lori, having so many luxuries and being able to be independent without having to rely on anyone else. Besides, he was pretty laidback when it came to enforcing housekeeping rules.

"Any questions?"

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