Work, work and more work

[Dominik Sanmarco]

Crystaall stood right outside the hangar, staring at its empty space, her back to the streets of the Underworld. It is in the middle of the day and she pulls back her hair as she turns to the streets watching people walk by, some of them looking at her suspiciously, some of them waving at her. Closing her eyes, she walked into the door on her left, entering her shop. The many pieces of equipment, armor, weapons and the like were all over the place, it was just a cluster of things. Crystaall scratched her head and looked around her shop, seeing no one there and took a deep breath. "Not many people for the past few weeks. Wonder if Luva has caught anything with that bounty she took. Damn well better bring my ship back." Crystaall took off her utility belt and slams it on the counter as she opens up one of her holo-projectors. A small image of the planet of Coruscant appears and she begins staring at it heavily. She was always able to leave this planet, but she was never given a reason to, so she made this place her home. She turned her life around, and now she felt like she was stuck like a broken hyperdrive. As she stared at the planet image she turned it off, put it back in her pocket and vaults over the counter, knocking down her utility belt by accident. She picks it up and puts it back on. She carefully takes out on of her pistols and begins taking it apart, making sure she made its repairs perfect. A purple astromech comes whizzing by, wailing as Crystaall doesn't pay attention to it.
After a few minutes as the wailing continues she says, without looking at the droid, "R4, when was the last time I told you not to use the forge." The droid sputters and whimpers as it begins reversing. "That's right, I said it yesterday... and the day before... and the day before that. It's not because I hate you, its because you are technically and physically incapable of using it. You're an astromech droid, not a humanoid genius." As she puts the pistol back together she stares at the open window of her shop and places the pistol back in its holster. "The old gang... man what I would give to see them again. Better than waiting for a damn customer. I've fixed all these weapons for too long to ever be interested in doing it.... again. No one brings me anything good to work on." And with that, Crystaall begins to slowly fall asleep with her arms and head laying on the rusted counter.

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

With neat silent steps he wondered around the lower streets of Coruscant, under sith rule the planet had changed from the sprawling play ground it was to him during the waning days of the old republic as they seemed to have been called now.
One plus to him though was the fact that there were no pesky jedi around to put him into a stasis booth for nearly a millennium for simply being what he was. His manner of walking belayed the fact he was of high born birth to many around him, and if that wasn't enough he was dressed like one as well, wearing a well made coat over his clothing. He had been particularly bothered by would be muggers that quickly shirked away once he bared his fangs to them, superstitious nonsense always had it's uses, not to mention drew in a Twi'lek woman who ended up becoming a meal, of course he only took what he needed and left the woman a little disoriented was all, well that and bite marks.
The whey-faced gentleman eyed a small shop in one of the streets he walked and with a small curious smile he began to walk towards it. Stopping only at a small stall to buy a coffee and a Crumblebun, a pastrie he was quite fond of. With slow deliberate steps he entered the shop as he finished the crumblebun and took a small sip of coffee. 'A bit messy but what isn't here on the lower levels.' He thought as he looked around, stopping once he saw the sleeping shops owner. With a slight smile he walked back out and came back with another coffee and placed it next to the woman but held onto it as he spoke to wake her up, so she wouldn't spill it all over the place. "Excuse me Miss but should a shopkeeper really be asleep during opening hours in this neighborhood?" He asked in a well-mannered tone as he waited for her to lean up before sliding the newer coffee cup to her and taking a sip of his own, his expression saying 'You look like you need this.' "Were are my manners I am Azriel Zadimus, at your service, and who might you be my sleepy store keep? and what is it you sell?" He said holding humor in his voice as he teased her just a little for falling asleep on the job.

[member="Crystaall"]

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

Crystaall slowly picked her head up to stare at the man that stood in front of her with a mug. For the first few moments, she had the feeling that this man was a customer, a man with the possible needs of a mechanic, or maybe to buy one of her custom armor sets. Maybe he even had a ship to repair. Her eyes lit up and she went from sleepy, to wide-awake in just a moment. She swiped the mug from him, chugged some of it down and then looked at him. She nearly spit up the drink as she noticed his clothing. Crystaall took a small step backwards and set the mug down slowly. His clothes weren't those of the Underworld. He could be one of those damn bureaucrats, he could be a rich Sith, perhaps an officer of sorts. Her face was dead quiet until she ran his question through her head. He didn't even know about this place, and he used manners. Nor did he have a violent tone. That meant he wasn't... evil... but that didn't mean he wasn't one to watch. She gave the man a small grin, he was probably confused to all her facial reactions. She pointed her finger to several of the weapon and armor displays and then stared the man down.

"This is is the Underworld mechanic shop, The Broken Gears. We repair and sell weapons and armor, and will fix up any ship you bring in. Any offsite repairs or builds will cost you a lot. The only thing I can't fix is a laser sword. Next time you wander into a shop, make sure you read the sign."

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

Azriel was confused by the rapid change in facial expressions but then chuckled a little at her reply. "My apologies madam, I didn't see the sign clearly as I walked in here." He then said as he took a sip from his own coffee and placed it gently on the counter, his fingernails trimmed but also reminiscent of claws given how they were filed to subtle points. "Do you perchance make armor and weapons as well? I am in need of some good clothing to wear under my clothes should a situation turn a little dire. I would also be quite interested in a sword cane if you could manage that as well." He then said as he adjusted his coat a little and wiped some dust of the left sleeve, yet his tone remained polite and respectful.
He looked human besides how pale he was and his pointed ears, which would suggest a selphi or a half-selphi. He was well groomed as well with his shoulder long hair combed perfectly back and tied with a small bow behind his head. His eyes were strong and sharp, a trait he had used to intimidate a few of the weak willed would-be muggers, and pale blue near transparent irises. He definitely didn't belong in the underworld but it was like he didn't care at all about it.

[member="Crystaall"]

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

Crystaall took a deep breath and nodded to the man. She certainly hadn't seen a man like him, but she wouldn't turn down credits. A sword cane? She slowly thought. That was something she had never heard before. The combination of the two sounded odd, but it wasn't like she hadn't heard of swords made in odder appearances. She motioned for R4 to go to the back room as she pulled out a datapad and placed it on the counter, going through the many materials she had at her disposal. She looked at it for a few seconds, cracked her knuckles and then tied her hair into a ponytail as she began speaking again. "So, light body armor I could do, just need the specific design of whether you want full body or just chest. As for the, uh, sword cane..... I need to know if you want it to be actual metal or a vibro-blade. I can make either or. I also need to know if you have a specific request for the sheathe. I'm assuming you want a sheathe, yes?" Before he could answer, Crystaall began backing away from the counter and started tapping her chin, going through her head the many ways she could make this. She looked at the man for a few moments and said, "400 credits at least. The sword-cane is not something I can just 'know' how to make. It'll take at least an hour to come up with the design, another hour to make it and correct any mistakes I make, which could take a half-hour at most. Another to get the body armor right....." She pulls out a type of tape-measure and stares at him blankly, holding it up so he could see it. "May I?"

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

Azriel smirked a little at her seeming rapid responses. "Go right ahead, but I believe you are missing something with the sword cane it is a sword hidden in a sheath made to look like a cane so while it is sheathed it serves the function of being a cane. The armor would be most welcome to be full body besides my head and hands, after all a gentleman doesn't conceal these things." He then said ending with what he thought was a little joke as he assumed the position of allowing the woman to measure him. "I must ask though would you perhaps part with your name so I can know who's measuring me?" He then said gesturing for her to wait before she measured him and moved a hand into an inner pocket of his coat and placed 200 credits on the table and then moved into the same measuring position again. 'She is a bit odd but she looks like she knows what she is doing at least' He thought as he watched her every move around him.

[member="Crystaall"]

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

"Full body, huh?" She almost couldn't figure out why a rich looking man like him would need full body armor. Well there was always the possibility of a firefight, but it's very rare people like him see them up close. Crystaall shrugged her shoulders as she hoped over the counter. From there she began measuring. When she heard him ask her name she took a long pause in the middle of her measuring, and then began measuring again, not answering the question. Once she finished she went behind the counter and began typing things into her datapad. She looked at him and almost waved him away with her right hand. She slammed her hand on the counter and looked up from the datapad giving him a small grin. "It's going to take me at least 6 hours, so, unless you feel like being on these streets at night, I wouldn't come back until morning. Names Crystaall by the way. And I understand what you meant by sword cane... just.... not the words I expected." And with that she goes straight to work, constantly going from the backroom to the forge on the far wall of the shop. She was obviously hard at work, and honestly, she wouldn't care if the man left or stayed. He wanted to see her work, he was more than welcome. From time to time she'll mutter a few things under her breath about her ship.

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

Azreil watched her work while he finished his coffee, not a delectable drink but it was a step above swill at least. Her muttering every now and then caused his curiosity to pique and he walked a little closer to her but made sure he wasn't in the way as she worked on the forge. "Excuse me but I cannot help but ask, but are you missing your ship perchance? You seem to mutter about it every now and then." He asked her as his pale blue eyes ran over her fingers as they worked on his order.
A full body suit would come in handy if a chosen prey decided to make things difficult for him, and the sword cane would also serve that purpose. Now all he needed was an elegant blaster or slugthrower to reach those attacking him, he could not touch directly.
His expression however showed he was curious and might even be persuaded to help her should she need it.

[member="Crystaall"]

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

Looking up from her work, and then returning to it immediately Crystaall began speaking in a tight tone, it was obvious that she was a little angry, but beneath this anger she was concerned. ​"My co-owner is a bounty hunter. Normally she doesn't take this long to complete her bounties, she really excels at it. The only problem is, it's been 6 months. She doesn't take this long. I also miss being able to work on my ship." She took a deep breath and continued working. She was honestly worried, but her focus was on finishing this man's request.... even though he at first didn't even know what her place did. She took a few moments to look around at all the numerous weapons she had. A clicking on her wrist began to sound off and Crystaall stopped her work to look outside the large window that showed the streets. Outside the window in the streets there were, for lack of a better term, thugs roaming the streets and a few civilians here and there running and screaming. Crystaall sighs and returns to her work, un-holstering one of her pistols and putting it on the work bench next to her. "Don't intervene. It's not worth your time, or their lives. The only time I'll intervene is if they attack my shop."

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

Listening to her as she spoke he placed his fingers gently around his chin while he thought on the matter. Hearing the clicking he followed her gaze out the window and saw the ruffians roaming the streets. 'As things change the more they stay the same huh..' He thought as he watched them scare a woman away with a rather childish 'boo' like scream at her. "I have a ship of my own if you wish I can take you to your friend to allow you to check up on her, it is the least I can do for you since you are finishing my order on such short notice and in such a short time." He then said as he absentmindedly watched out the window as if he was merely people watching through it. In his mind though he was merely wondering why [member="Crystaall"] would set up shop in such a location.

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

Crystaall grinned at his request and lifted up her left wrist for a moment and then continued working. "That won't be necessary. I know when she gets back due to this little device, it's only a matter of minutes. I appreciate the concern though." With that she began to finish up more of the armor, as well as beginning work on the sword cane. She took a few second breathers here and there, having been awhile since she actually did any work. About thirty minutes later both of them would hear the low roar of a large star ship, and Crystaall got a smile on her face. With the loud doors of a hangar closing, five minutes afterwards another woman would come out of the back room. She wore what looked like Mandalorian beskar'garm with what looked like an old Clone Wars clone helmet that was painted the same color as her armor, a Navy blue. Without looking at her partner, and her partner giving Azriel an odd look with a raised eyebrow, Crystaall let out a long whistle. "Go on. Say it already. 'What were you doing? Why did it take so long? Do you realize that's my ship too?'." The woman said in a mocking tone. She scratched her short hair which was a light orange, her green eyes still focused on Azriel. "You do know-" "-that there's a man standing there? Yes. First time in the past few weeks I get to create something." "Don't think you're better than me." "Don't think you can make my ship work better than I already have." The other woman gives a smirk to Crystaall and then she waves her hand politely at Azriel. "Luvarix Isho at your service. I can only assume she hasn't caused you too much trouble?"

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

Azriel couldn't help but smile at the friendship the two woman shared, something he found was a rare treat within the galaxy. He listened to their banter and held in a chuckled as it was the polite thing to do in his mind, once the other woman introduced herself he smiled at her and gave a light bow to her. "My name is Azriel Zadimus and I am at yours. Your friend here had caused me no such thing as trouble in fact I believe she is rather helping me out actually." He then said as he politely gestured towards [member="Crystaall"] and then placed both hands behind his back as he took a few steps away from her so he was sure he wasn't crowding her. "Although I must confess miss Crystaall Isn't much of a conversationalist while she's working." He then said with a teasing smirk towards Crystaall before he remembered something she had said earlier. "Miss crystaal earlier you said that my words were something you did not expect how so?"

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

Crystaall continued working until she heard the question. She took a small pause nd then immediately went back to her work, talking over her tools' noise. "I didn't expect it, because the concept of a sword cane exists, but you know, most people prefer blaster pistols, carbines, vibro-swords.... they don't really ask for something like this. So, I didn't expect it." Luvarix nods her head at this and walks to the backroom in silence. There's a few loud noises a crash, a lot of curse words, some yelling at Crystaall, and then Luvarix comes back out in just natural clothing. "Not even going to acknowledge the man's name. Typical you." "I'm. Working." Luvarix sighed and looked back at Azriel. "I'll go ahead and apologize for her Mr. Zadimus. If she was a diplomat, there'd be screams from the conference room, and she'd be the only one leaving." "We've had this conversation, you know I'm not a fan of politics." "You're also not a fan of Sith, but we still live in the capital." "How about we keep tht topic to a dull roar, huh?" And with that Crystaall began to silently work once more, it did take her a couple more hours to get the job done, and Luva would go to the backroom and test-fire her weapons.

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

Azriel smiled at Luvarix and politely bowed to her. "I believe it is a creators privilege to be a little eccentric after all in this day and age it is rare trait." He said then with a wide smile as he walked to her. "I must admit I am a little famished would either of you want anything to eat?" He then said as he felt his stomach growl a little, having a body like his made him a little frustrated at times having to eat regularly and to have to get energy from others. [member="Crystaall"] seemed like quite the dedicated craftswoman and it made him smile at that, now he just had to hope she was as skilled as he gave her credit for.

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

Crystaall took a long breath and loudly said, "We'll be fine. She's more than likely tired, and I need to finish this. Eating would only get in the way of my work." Crystaall attempted to say this as politely as she could. She didn't want to offend the man, but, she also wanted to make it clear that she wasn't particularly interested. She was hard at work, and she refused anything to get in her way while doing so. She actually managed to finally finish most of the armor and went directly to focusing all of her attention to the sword cane now. It wasn't going to be the best thing created, but it'd certainly do its job.

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

Azriel gave her a little bow. "My apologies [member="Crystaall"] I only meant to give you something to eat but I understand that you wish to be left to your work." He then said as he moved to place his comlinks contact details on the counter. "I shall leave my contact information on the counter and take my leave for today." He then said as he gave a curtsy bow to both women as he bid them a good night and then left the shop to look for a place to sleep as well as some succulent individual to feed on.

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

Crystaall simply nodded to the man as he left his contact information, and Luva just gave him a small wave. Luvarix took the information and logged it into both the business server and then entered the data into their personal datapad. Through the entire rest of the night Crystaall worked on the armor and sword. After finishing her work on both of them, Crystaall looked over Azriel's combat information, and then immediately go to rest in her ship. It was a good feeling resting on her actual bed. With a deep breath she fell asleep. Crystaall moved a lot in her sleep, and around early morning she began thrashing in bed, forcing herself to fall out of bed and wake herself up. Taking a deep breath, she widened her eyes and looked at her bed, seeing the lightsaber that was under her pillow shining brightly with light. It wasn't turned on, but it was brighter than the engines of her ship. Crystaall took the hilt and hid it in a small container and went to sleep. She would wake up and finish up on the sword that morning, and would look a little more nervous than normal.

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

[member="Crystaall"]

Azriel had found a few to feed on in the form of a few gangsters that tried to rob him. This only served to amuse him as he let his eyes glow a red tint as he then proceeded to tear their throats out one by one, he left the youngest of the group live though as it was simply a girl with bad life choices. "Leave and never go back to a gang again." He simply commanded the little girl as she ran away terrified from him. 'Why did I spare her anyway?' He thought as he then sighed and took his fill from the half dead around him and left them to rot in an alley.
The night however wasn't easy as he found a place to stay and while his clothes were being washed he rolled a little in his bed, nightmares plagued him of his victims as well as the jedi pair that had locked him away for a millennium in a stasis booth. He woke up in a cold sweat as the clock reached around 9 am in the morning and he swallowed as he steadied his breathing. "Che..." He let out as he decided to take a shower and wash whatever was left of yesterday's blood off him.

 

[Dominik Sanmarco]

[member="Azriel Zadimus"]

Even with Crystaall's uneasy feeling, she still finished the job. Made out of common refined durasteel, the armor and sword were sure to do good work for it's user. Of course laser swords were a different story, but she didn't really think the man dared to enter combat with someone who wielded one. After polishing the sword and sliding it into the sheathe, she placed the cane on the counter, as well as made sure she fixed the armor well enough to where Azriel could wear it under his clothing. Most men of his stature don't like to show they are prepared and give the enemy a moment to prepare how to counter their target's defense. It's always best to let the enemy think they have the situation under control. Of course the armor would need repairs from time to time, but its not like he'd always have to come back here, a simple craftsman would be able to fix this as long as they studied the material. All Crystaall did was make sure the man could take a few blaster bolts before his opponent would be an actual problem. Resting in a chair right behind the counter of her store, Crystaall unhinged her right arm, gently taking the prosthetic arm off and inspecting it, later doing the same with her left arm. "Thankfully, I haven't entered combat in a few years. You girls are still kicking as if I just made you."

 

[Narfi Hróðson]

Once he was washed and well groomed he put on his freshly washed clothes and made himself presentable. He paid for his room and then left towards the shop coming into it as [member="Crystaall"] had removed her prosthetic arm. "Oh excuse me I can return at a later time if this is a bad time." He said politely as he gestured with his hand towards the arm now on display it would seem on the counter. He moved a bit more gracefully now that he had, had his fill and hunger wasn't gnawing at the back of his mind to distract him. He looked at the prosthetic as he walked toward the counter and noticed the sword cane, it was beautifully crafted and he smiled to himself. 'Seems I made the right choice in asking her to craft this.' He then thought before looking at Crystaall with a polite smile.