Strangers on Nar Shaddaa

[Salis]

Salis tossed her blaster into the air and caught it in its holster, chuckling for a moment at the trick before she walked out of her freighter and onto the world. There was always business one could find here, she left keeping the ship safe to her droids. She wore her usual armor but let her hair flow more easily now, it was white in spite of her age. Just like her pale skin and the light scars across her mouth, hidden by the rebreather mask, a result of digging too deep into the dark side of the force.

She didn't do that too much anymore, sure she still used it, and tried to learn more. But she wasn't as dedicated to the dark side as she used to be. Her eyes were not always yellow at least, that was something she at least didn't have to hide. As she walked, Salis kept a look out. She didn't exactly have a plan. She was going to refuel, take a look around, and see what interesting things there was. If there was a bounty out, she might follow that. Or whatever it was she thought might be interesting.

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

Another day began in the smuggler's moon and Ashla got ready for her routine, saving her blaster pistol on her holster the Togruta move to the docking bay of Nar Shaddaa, that was the best place to scout for something to steal as she had a nice view of who is new in the planet, who are experienced bounty hunters and who are easy targets.

Tho this time she didn't find anyone that could be consider a target there was one person that caught her attention, a woman exit from a freighter wearing a black armor that made a huge contrast to the white hair and pale skin that the woman showed, it was interesting to say the least as Ashla has never seen some one with those characteristics or specially looking so young.

Well one thing is for sure, now the Togruta has to follow her and see what she does, who knows maybe she can get something out of this, keeping good distance and hiding in the crowd the girl follow this mysterious woman

[member="Salis"]

 

[Salis]

For the most part, Salis would be unaware of the Togrutat ([member="Ashla Saris"]) following her, there were many people around her watching people, so feeling a sense of being watched was pretty regular. She wasn't the only one looking for bounties of course, and she did look like the type of person who might have had one on herself. She eventually came across a holo-poster for some Bith with a large scar over his head. Made the already comical looking creature look more like a deformed wart then something to fear.

She groaned and recorded the information down before calling over a merchant, quickly checking of fuel prices and trying to enquire about possible crew members but waving the merchant aside as it was getting nowhere. She rolled her shoulders, she still felt like she was being watched, just a constant feeling. She looked around for a few moments trying to catch anyone staring at her from a hiding spot, and regardless of if she saw anyone, would move on, starting to backtrack to her ship to make sure it got fueled up with occasional inquiries on bounties or jobs, and sometimes on possible crew members. Most of which she ended up saying no about because of various reasons, sometimes simply being that they were "to irritating to spend more than five minutes with."

Soon she'd end up back at her ship and start getting the fueling started, than stand outside it and watch out, still hoping to catch that feeling of why she felt like she was being watched.

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

Following the woman carefully Ashla manage to discover that she was a bounty hunter as she saw the woman recorded information on a bounty from a holo-poster, it was odd as she didn't look like a mandalorian or regular bounty hunter the Togruta usually sees on Nar Shaddaa, then again the Smuggler's moon was home to all kinds of criminals and bounty hunters.

She took a quick glance at the Holo-poster when the woman leave and check a small bounty for a Bith, the Togruta shrugged as for all she know about the Bith they weren't that troublesome to get but credits are credits, maybe they could team up to get it and split the bounty? Tho this woman looks capable enough to hunt anything by herself so she probably wouldn't want a companion.

The girl resume her goose chase and follow back the woman to the bay and saw her get into her ship, well now there was two options play fool and act as nothing happen or go with the previous plan and see if they can team up at leas for this bounty, seems easy and credits are credits, even if it's not a 50/50 split the Togruta would be fine.

She walked in front of the freighter and wave her hand hoping for the bounty hunter to notice her

[member="Salis"]

 

[Salis]

Salis saw her Police droid come out for a second but got distracted when she saw [member="Ashla Saris"] waving at her and gestured for the droid to go back inside the ship, Salis straightened up and walked over to the Togruta female fairly quickly, perhaps this was who was following her? Either way, she wanted to learn more.

"What's up?" she asked, her voice rather casual and even welcoming, she wanted to see what the girl had to say, they were pretty close to the same height, though the differences by species and appearance were rather clear, even the outfits they were were quite different. Though neither gave off high class.

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

A casual "what's up" was not what she was expecting but it's definitely a nice start means that the woman is not as bad as she looks otherwise she wouldn't bother with the casual tone, no one in Nar Shaddaa do, Ashla glanced the bounty hunter now that they were in front of each other it would be the best opportunity to have a better look and she knew that the other would do the same

"Saw you checking a holo-poster" Said the girl not hiding her intentions as she quickly point at the bounty hunter and then herself suggesting a team up "It'll be faster if we work together"

Simple and straight to the point the less she needs to speak the better, sometimes the Togruta struggle with words as she never fully learn galactic basic, while she fully understands it speaking it is a different story.

"Ashla Saris, thief" She introduce herself

 

[Salis]

Salis raised an eyebrow as the girl pointed out her intentions, ok, not totally untrue sure. She also seemed to have a bit of an accent, or perhaps was just not yet used to basic. That was possible, Nar Shaddaa had some crazy lifestyles. She took a quick look at her, especially after [member="Ashla Saris"] actually gave her name and then even called herself a thief.

Something that got a little bit of an amused giggle out of the former sith, "That's one heck of a way to introduce yourself." in spite of the words, none of it sounded condemning and Ashla might even be able to see the amused smile from behind the rebreather, Salis reached out her hand, "You know what screw it sure come along, might have to kill you if you try and steal from me though, don't do that, very bad idea. I never liked betrayal."

She held up a warning finger, but it wasn't said in a cruel tone, just to be sure she understood that Salis wasn't messing around on the matter, ​"But hey otherwise, hop in. You got any stuff to bring? What can you do that can actually help me?"

The questions she asked kind of came as an afterthought. Even someone completely untrained Salis could figure out how to use, she'd protected people who couldn't fight, and used people for other purposes before. Though here she realized she'd be a little more open. Her life was a life of exploration now! Why not​ bring some random person onto a ship. Especially one willing to wave down a bounty hunter proposing themselves as a thief.

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

That went much better than expected, if anything Ashla was ready for a rejecetion, there was no reason for Salis to take her in specially after introducing herself as a thief, then again a petty thief is much better company than any other criminal you'll fine in Nar Shaddaa, she wasn't even bother by the threat of the Bounty Hunter.

"I know who should I and shouldn't I mess with" Said Ashla with a smug smile, being honest while Salis might have something of value inside of the ship the Togruta wasn't dumb enough to steal from some one that is way above her in experience

Now to answer the other question, did she had anything to bring? Well yes, moving the right side of her coat the girl revealed a holster with a DL-44 blaster pistol and that's about it, literally is the only thing of value she has right now and a nice way to answer the last question, what can she do to help?

"Stealth" Another quick and short answer, but shooting and stealth weren't rare skills that just a few had, anyone on Nar Shaddaa has them is like the basic for survival in the Smuggler's moon, but there were two skills she was sure not everyone had, she pointed at her montrals "Thanks to them Togrutas have much better hearing, I can keep track of conversations from distances and not look that suspicious" And if somehow that's not enough the last skill could be of use to hunt the Bith without really starting a fight "I do know my way to any man's heart" She said with a flirty tone, if there was one thing she knew for sure is that a woman talking seductively was an easy way to catch any men of guard

[member="Salis"]

 

[Salis]

Salis chuckled again at "who should I and shouldn't I mess with", good knowledge to follow. Though she did furrow her brow when all that Ashla showed when asked about what she had to bring, was the pistol at her side. She could almost feel pity for her actually. To have so little.

And in answer to the other question, Stealth. Well that was fair. She had mentioned herself a thief. However she hadn't completely finished apparently, gesturing to the Montrals and mentioning what they could do, to which Salis's smile returned, that was indeed a useful ability. And finally "I do know my way to a mans heart" which caused Salis to chuckle again. That too, was a useful ability. And Salis could recognize that especially as a Togruta of looks, she'd be able to pull it off.

"Well that's good to me, hop on board," She said gesturing to the ship, and taking off her rebreather as she started walking up to board her freighter, they were taking off soon and there weren't many people around right now so she didn't care too much. She reached out a hand for the Togruta to shake while slipping a veil over her mouth in place of the rebreather, hiding the scars, "I'm Salis Marai, been a fighter almost all my life, so war, combat, assassinating, that's nothing new to me. But I've mostly been a hunter and mercenary for the past year-ish. Been fun so far but I'm always up for trying new things. Guess you ended up being one of them. You'll have to excuse my lack of a crew, I've got an astromech, a pretty high tech police droid who helps with the ship and other things, and a droid with guns for hands. But you're actually the first legitimate living crew member, so congrats on that I guess?"

Salis was actually pretty excited to see what Ashla could do, she had a few ideas, they could do a little research while taking off on the Bith, decide if he was worth the attempt, and while they did that talk about whatever came up.

[member="Ashla Saris"]





OOC:
My last post for tonight, I should really go to sleep. Quite fun so far though.

 

[Ashla Saris]

Ashla nodded and enter the ship as Salis gave approval, once inside she accept the handshake and listen to the Bounty Hunter's own introduction, it seemed that Salis had a life full of action something that the Togruta didn't know how to react, on one side she wouldn't have expected less on the other lsounds like a tough life

"That's rough, tho it seems you enjoy it" Again, something that she would've expect of someone with her looks

Once the droids where introduce the first thing she did was walk towards the astromech and kneel in front of it to have a better look, she saw a lot of droids on Nar Shaddaa but never had the chance to be so close to one, she then look to the other droids and they looked like the best company for a bounty hunter

"I Can see why I'll be the first, quality droids" With company like that and the fact that Droids are loyal to their owner there is no doubt that they are preferred over some one with a will of their own that can backstab you in any minute "Must've took you a while to get all this" Said the Togruta impressed not only for the droids but the ship too "It must be fun have a ship of your own and do whatever you want whenever you want"

The Togruta nod to herself she made the right choice this time, it might be just one job and done but the experience she may get from this and a possible future ally are things she can appreciate, also her split on the credits for the hunt that's important too

[member="Salis"]

OOC: I was already asleep xD, glad you're enjoying it because I'm having fun too!

 

[Salis]

Salis nodded rather emphatically at the mention of the she enjoyed it, "It's basically what I live for." she answered. Fun, the joy of the fight. It was why she became, and left, the Sith. She started working on the control, glancing over her shoulder as she saw the Togruta looking at the droids, and mention how it might have taken her awhile. All in all, the answer was in some ways yes. However it wasn't planned, Salis got money for her work as a Sith Knight, and kept all of her own things she found. But never had anything to use it on until she left, so this was what she bought with all that built up earnings. She had to admit, it was a good choice.

Again Salis lifted her head as Ashla said something,

"It must be fun have a ship of your own and do whatever you want whenever you want"

. It made her life sound so much extra free, to be fair, it was. That was pretty's much exactly what her life was, she did what she loved for a living, and could stop for extended periods of time if she really wanted to. Again though she somehow felt an odd sense of pity. Oh well.

"Yeah, it's the life I enjoy, freedom." She said leaning against the pilots chair, just as more information came up on the Bith as it all finished loading in, she casually started sliding through it, trying to check on the planets he had reportedly been spotted on. There were only so many reports, that kind of a look was pretty easily recognized. And he seemed to stick relatively near to Nar Shaddaa, probably didn't know how to get work elsewhere and was too scared to try.

Salis let out a hum, "Say, while you're here, care to co-pilot? Not sure you know anything but we can see. Or just discuss what we're gonna do once we find this dude. Or whatever, gonna start the ship up to get us going either way though."

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

"Basically what I live for" She makes it sound so easy, it actually makes the Togruta what she herself would do once she has her own ship and can move out of the smuggler's moon, right now living to see a new day was all she did, no bigger goal or bright future waiting for her, she kinda admires a little how Salis can be so confortable living just to fight and face any danger on her way.

"I'd like to say I enjoy my freedom too" But while she was free now there wasn't much to enjoy, not until she has a clear objective and reason to live besides surviving "Did you choose this life or it was the only one you had?" The girl asked curious, probably she chose it otherwise she wouldn't enjoy it but who knows?

Ashla walked to cockpit and sit on the co-pilot seat, looking at the controls in front of her the eyes of the Togruta widened as she literally had no idea what any of the buttons and levers did, she looked at the bounty hunter with a confuse expression and letting out a nervous laugh she said

"The only time I flew by myself was an escape pod" And Ashla is pretty sure that an escape pod does not count as experience to co-pilot a ship let alone a freighter

[member="Salis"]

 

[Salis]

Salis nodded her head as Ashla mentioned she'd enjoy freedom too. But had to look up in thought as she asked about if it was something she chose or the only life she had, "That's...a good question. I guess chose? But, it wasn't like I would have looked forwards to the other option. My parents were merchants, but I'd never have made it as a merchant. I...was already a bit of a troublemaker."

She smiled as Ashla got up tot he controls with a nervous laugh, and brushed away a hand on the issue, "Well that is unfortunate. Ok ok, here, see these." She started pointing to certain switches, "These are for the engines, that ones for the shield generator, flip them on just starts up the ship, doesn't make it go anywhere. The lights will light up green if the engines are on and working. Red if the ship recognizes an issue." She pointed to a panel on the side as she explained more, and would end up moving onto the control in front of her"That shows life support systems, how well they're working. You could turn it off, but don't do that unless you're leaving the ship. Now to take off, we'll flip all those on. Alright, so for now I'm just gonna guide you. If you nearly mess up, I'm still in the captains chair, I'll just override you ok. There is where we take off. I'll show you the hyperdrive after we get into space so just touch what I tell you to. You wanna give it a go?"

Salis waited for a response, she had an unusual desire to try and make sure the Togruta would be able to take care of herself after their job, and being able to pilot was a very important aspect of that. At the very least she needed to know how.

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

Ashla nodded and look at every button and switch that Salis pointed while giving her instructions, so many things to have in mind even with clear instructions and explanations it wasn't easy to understand, one thing was for sure the Togruta had a new born respect for pilots, but alright better give it a try.

First she flip the swtiches that the bounty hunter pointed as the engines and shield generator, she waited some seconds as she hear the engines of the ship starting and a green light litted, that meant no problems so the next step should be to take off, first she checked that the life support was OK and on then she flipped the last switches that Salis pointed

"Everything seems good" She said still with a nervous tone "What do your parents think of this life?" The girl asked to keep the casual talk going and help her to ease herself

[member="Salis"]

 

[Salis]

Salis nodded as she said everything seems good, it was all going well so far, "Pull like this as we go up and keep it like that until I say stop, gonna sit down for this but don't worry, if you can't hold it that way I'll get it." she explained gesturing for the controls so that the ship would rise a certain way and speed to exit the atmosphere, when Ashla mentioned Salis's parents the mercenaries eyes turned down and away.

She frowned, "I...don't know. I haven't seen them in...eight years. They'd probably hate me. They were merchants, you see. But, like I said, I was always a fighter. Even back then, it's just...killing was so easy, and, well, they knew it was me even if nobody else did. Life was harsh, I was just helping. But, they didn't see it that way." she sighed, looking into the viewport, "I left the first chance I got to people who saw what I was good at. I don't know if I regret it or not. But I do wish I knew what happened to them after I left. I never...tried to find them again."

Another sigh and she shook her head smiling again, "Sorry sorry, that...really wasn't something you had to know. My life wasn't awful I don't mean to make it sound that way, at least all my choices were my own. But how about you? What truly prompts you to get out? Curiosity? Fear? Just a need to escape and get out?"

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

Ashla follow the Bounty hunter's instructions and soon the ship took off, all in all the Togruta still didn't fully understand everything but she was proud that manage to make the ship fly out of Nar Shaddaa's atmosphere, her smile fade once she hear the story of Salis and now she fully regretted to have asked about her parents.

"It's OK, sorry to bring the topic" She said reassuring her companion "At least you're happy with your life and choices"

And that was most important to not have many regrets, to enjoy her freedom as much as she could, that's a nice way of living, while Ashla wasn't fully thrilled with the fights and assassinations if it's what Salis is happy doing who is she to judge everyone should do what they want with their life, in any case it was now her turn to answer.

"Freedom" Easy as that, her main motivation was to be free and be her own boss "When you're a slave that'll be your main motivation even if no one owns you anymore" As of now she was free in the sense that she was not a slave anymore yet she was still trapped in Nar Shaddaa so the motivation was still there "It'll be easy to join a crew and go away but it wouldn't be my choice as I'd just follow a group, Togrutas believe in survival of the fittest so I'm trying my best to get out by my own" The girl let out a sigh as she saw the infinite void that was the galaxy in front of her, one day she'll explore it on her own, but for now it'll be best to focus in the task at hand

 

[Salis]

The flight was at least going well even after Salis's little issue, and they were soon off the subject, and finally onto something a little more interesting. Just now learning of Ashla's motivation, and even a piece of her past as she mentioned she'd been a slave. That made sense, it wasn't the most pleasant of worlds, and surely not for a Togruta female. Personally, Salis had never really cared to much about slavery. She didn't find it really mattered one way or another, there were certain cruelties she might not go beyond unless certain circumstances dictated it, but she didn't think slavery was as big an issue, just not something she'd ever personally done herself.

And it was an understandable motivation, while Salis couldn't sympathize as she'd never felt a similar experience, she could empathize for it. And then a little more came from the Togruta as she mentioned not joining a crew, but wanting rather to go on her own. Salis smiled and tapped a hand on her seat, "Well I'll certainly wish you luck then, and hopefully after all this, maybe meet again at some point. You've got quite an adventure ahead of you and maybe this will be a good start off point."

She brought up the information they had on the Bith they were after, and set in coordinates into the system giving some little instruction on how to handle it. It'd be close enough that it wouldn't be a huge issue she figured. "What do you think you'll do with the credits though? It won't be enough for much more then a very very small ship maybe? If I could suggest it, take jobs that you can hitchhike on for awhile. And keep your credits in a safe place. That way, when you do have enough, you can upgrade a bit so that you can actually live with what you're using. I'd advise better equipment but that's all up to personal choice, and hey if you're gonna be willing to try and seduce your targets, extra armor is not gonna help you there. I don't really have that option, pale as a sheet and scars all over my mouth, I'll have to fix that someday."

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

Hearing the approval and best wishes of the bounty hunter put a smile on the Togruta, her looks made a huge contrast to her overall attitude which as odd as it is Ashla thanks Salis being so friendly, she had doubts about this partnership but those have fade away quickly, being honest the Togruta wasn't sure what to do once she was out but definitely hope to meet the bounty hunter again, as huge as the galaxy is she has heard many people in Nar Shaddaa comment with a smile how small it is.

"I'd say for my first out of the planet experience, things go well" She chuckle "I'm learning to flight a ship that'll be useful for when I have mine"

That said she follow the instructions given by Salis and directed the ship to the coordinates the bounty hunter show her, then the subject of what would she do with her part was brought up, interesting topic and once again the advices of the pale woman were thanked but she already had an answer for it and it was a simple one

"As long as it's able to fly I'll be good with any ship" Most people surely would want something of quality and not accept any junk with wings but the Togruta had a different way of viewing things "My belongings don't need to be the best in their kind as long as they're serviceable to my survival I'm fine with it" She was a Togruta after all, in Shili you won't find top nocht technology specially when the race loves to be in touch with nature ​"We learn to survive with the minimum, to hunt, to camouflage and many other similar abilities" If you're smarter than your enemy and take advantage of your surroundings you should be able to take anyone, even something small as having the high ground on a fight could make the difference

That said better equipment doesn't sound bad but what could she use? Armor would be a hinder to her stealth and agility as helpful as it is to be pretected, if you are fast enough to dodge and not get hit that protection is not that helpful as armor can be heavy and weigh you down.

"Agree, I won't be making anyone fall for me if I look like a discount storm trooper" Ashla chuckled "Got to let the fools take a look at the merchandise before getting shot, right?"

[member="Salis"]

 

[Salis]

Salis clapped her hands together as she mentioned things were going well so far, "Well, splendid then." she said. She listened as the woman mention being fine with any ship and shrugged, perfectly fine. Salis just had a personal preference for quality. But perhaps, growing up on that world would make her standards for equipment a bit less high. She nodded in agreement at the mention of learning to use the minimum, a good thing to do. Though something Salis did not practice too often.

She chuckled at Ashla's final comment, "Right on!" she responded enthusiastically. Salis herself had never really gone that route, well, she had taken advantage of others distraction, but she was always too focused on the kill to consider more manipulative tactics. Not that it mattered anymore. But she could appreciate the practice of the method still.

As they started to travel down into the planet Salis would start checking her equipment making sure everything was ready. It was one Bith, and there were two of them, so she didn't imagine she'd need all that much. She looked over at Ashla and furrowed her brow, "Do you carry a communicator on you? That might make it easier so we can come in from different angles if we need to."


Given how close they were already to the planet and origin point of the report, she figured this mission shouldn't take too long as long as their target didn't leave the planet, and if they could locate him fairly swift enough. These types tended to gravitate towards cantinas, casiono's, and the darker alleys. Not that that was that uncommon to find anywhere near Hutt space.

[member="Ashla Saris"]

 

[Ashla Saris]

The Togruta was happy that everything was going smoothly with the ship, for a first flight to nothing go wrong was a good achievement for her and to top it all of she was having a pleasant conversation with Salis, Ashla was having so much fun that for a second she forgot that they were going on the hunt of someone, fact that she remember when Salis asked if she had a communicator.

"I'm a thief, I work alone so never had use for one" She answered with a sigh, it was obvious that she was not prepared for this kinds of jobs, one reason that she never took bounties and prefer stealing "If you have one to spare I'll be grateful, otherwise we'll come up with something" It's a Bith how hard can it be to take him down? Those guys are mostly scientist or musicians "Maybe we can use one of your droids to scout and gather info before making our strike"

[member="Salis"]