Your Place In All This

[Arekk]

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LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

The good side of the galaxy at last.

Nar Kanji was a distant memory, a fragment of the past. The job he accepted from Gorda the Hutt to wipe out the Kanjiklub's presence from the planet and take over all their operations was a success which in consequence took a big toll on Ar'ekk both mentally and physically.

Relaxing in a hot tub in one of the major health facilities of Ethos City, the man's clouding thoughts seemeed to dissipate as the water evaporated into the thin air. The warmth of the water touching his dry skin full of scars (A living and walking image of war, sort of speak) was nothing but mere bliss.

The place was as unisex as it could be and nobody seemed to bother or mind each other despite wearing nothing but a towel or bathing suits to drape their bodies. In a place like this? You only want to disconnect yourself from the outer world.

It was working for Ar'ekk.

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[Lirka Ka]

Lirka maybe felt a hint of nostalgia, the monarchy of Thustra had places like these in abundance. Though, rather crude was this one in comparison. Artsy folk they were.

This was about the rarest occurrence, like, a new system forming, or just finding three billion credits. Lirka had allowed herself to both: not have her two meter tall blade on her, not wear her armor. And actually show herself more than she had in easily three decades, one could be grateful.

But she gave off a malign aura, and looks of venom. That didn’t mean she stopped having the attitude of a pit-fighter. Troublesome as it was. In due time, the woman slid herself into the same hot-tub. Not even so much as giving a glance to the man here with her.

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

Ar'ekk let his body float on the water while his eyes remained closed, lifting his feet upwards a little and letting the water drip through his toes until he submerged them once again. After a few minutes of solitude in his tub, which was big enough to fit two people at once, he felt a presence sliding into to enjoy and relax just like he was doing.

Malign aura or not, Lithios was the home to many individual that walked different paths in life and he wasn't one to judge on looks. The woman looked troubled by something, a common sensation shared by most of the people enjoying themselves in the water or on the massage tables.

"First time here?"

He opened one eye, a grin forming on his face that quickly dissipated as he spoke out to the girl. His skin expelled steam like a cauldron heated up to a thousand degrees.

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[Lirka Ka]

“Yes.”

She didn’t pay him much heed, she didn’t get along with people very well. Generally a side effect from pit fighting for a good two plus decades. Of course, doesn’t mean she’d totally ignore people all the time. Maybe the heat put her in a better mood than usual.

“I prefer actually being able to carry a weapon.”

That wouldn’t shock any. The woman just had the look of a fighter, or a killer. Maybe both, being both quite muscular and her icy blue eyes holding a wicked glint to them. When she actually had them open, they added to the strangest part of the Sephi. And showed just how natural artistically minded the race was. Her body, especially the face was filled with high contrast: deathly pale skin, extremely dark hair, and a swirling blue tattoo that ran from her face all the way to her upper back.

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

"You are not alone on that feeling but a warrrior needs a time out from time to time. It affects your mind and your body if you don't care for it."

In fact, the presence of one another was acknowledged at a minimal rate at best and that was fine. Social interaction wasn't her forte and the man was simply trying to enjoy his time chilling on a hot tub while engaging a female who loved being armed in conversation. Lithios was truly something else.

"Let me guess." He said while pausing mid-sentence. "Contract killer?"

His body floated on the water while his face submerged deeper in a slow manner, still being able to hear what she had to say. Long ago, he learned that the only way to truly know somebody was by fighting them.

Could this be true for Lirka? Maybe, maybe not.

Not everyone shares that vision.

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[Lirka Ka]

“I trust people in a place like about as far as my weapon can reach.”

More or less, she didn’t like being so exposed. Everyone had their more human moments, even a ruthless hunter like her. Rather have a weapon to dissuade those sorta folk. And of course, Lirka had a lot of enemies. And she just had a towel loosely wrapped around her body for protection.

She wasn’t surprised by the question, and had no issue answering.

“Mercenary work, Bounty Hunter, was the best pit-fighter in the Choah belt for over a decade.”

She left out “former Princess”, but anyone who had been to Thustra and seen high ranking Sephi knew they had a distinct accent to their voice. Which she had.

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

"I wouldn't trust anybody on Lithios. I agree with you."

Once upon a time he would be a prude but not anymore. Hiding his scars? Not anymore either. They had become part of him over time and to accept himself as he looked was key to stay sane. Marks of a warrior planted on his body, a living and walking sorrowful story.

"Interesting line of work. We share some things regarding that, totally."

Lirka was way too well spoken for your average person on this planet, the way she carried herself was reserved but also cold and calculating. Ar'ekk was good at reading people by the way they showed themselves to others through talking or simply gesturing, body lingo giving small clues about them.

"Well, try to enjoy yourself. This is a luxury for most."

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[Lirka Ka]

"Emphasis on the most."

Lirka didn't hide her noble birth, she just found it so unimportant now that she didn't mention it. It had been easily over 80 years since she was actually referred to as a Princess. Though she was still young in Sephi eyes, to many races in the Galaxy that had been a lifetime ago.

"Small galaxy, easy money. I've met more than my fair share of people in the line of work."

She brushed it off, more than enough of their type in her life. More than enough people she'd come to dislike, never broke that pit-fighter mindset. They were rivals.

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

"Big words to say on a place like this."

He scoffed at her comment. It wasn't wise to be as confident and cocky in a city like this, Ethos City was twisted in ways you'd never imagine. But each to their own, she had the experience and did not hesitate to show it off.

"I don't know about you but I'm enjoying this retirement. It's utopic but good."

Nobody really retired from the life of crime, the underworld would always looming over your shoulder like a crow as a sign of a bad omen. You pledge yourself to an idea, an oath and you're done forever. No going back unless it's in a coffin.

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[Lirka Ka]

“I have a good century or two left till I’m old enough to retire.”

Lirka was quite young, for a Sephi. Maybe comparable to a 26 to 30 year old human. But the age gap between the two was immense. She was near ancient to a human.

“What are they going to do? Stab me? Shoot me? I have more tricks than just swinging around a big sword.”

Force Sensitivity. A potent weapon indeed, and with years of “practice” now in her belt she was able to preform a small but lethal handful of abilities.

 

[Lirka Ka]

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

"Better late than never, regardless of age. I'd prefer to enjoy my youth."

Ar'ekk was relatively young too as he was in his mid twenties. Young, agile, athletic. Built to be a warrior, trained hard over the years to accomplish everything he knew. Being proficient at three or four lightsaber techniques plus experience with blasters was nothing short of impressive.

"You never know. They say that when you're about to die you don't hear it or see it coming."

The gift he was given gave him the upperhand in battle, being a former Jedi Knight was certainly a plus considering the training and knowledge he obtained from a very young age. But that was long ago and even though he kept a lightsaber on his utility belt, using his K-16 blaster pistol became more common.

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[Lirka Ka]

"Callin' me old?"

He should be honored, faint even. He had just witnesses an even rarer event. Lirka actually made a joke. Amazing the strange and bizarre things you see in places like this. She even ended the thing with a very short and gruff chuckle, she knew she was ancient compared to his type. She was still quite young though, for her people at least and those rare species that lived even longer than her.

"Maybe for the normal folk. I feel it in you too, we have those shiny gifts. No one gets the upper hand in surprising us."

Lirka was deceptive, she never really showed just how "potent" her force sensitivity could actually be after having over a century to "practice" with it.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

"Don't get me wrong, to us mortals you look young."

He followed up with another chuckle. That was something he provoked and was very good at, make someone else laugh. Part of his personality that somehow faded throughout the years and resurfaced during this last period of his life. It was good.

"That's right. But we are not invincible, regardless of what shiny gift there's within us. Cautious steps, easy life."

Using his open palm to bring a tray with a bottle of champagne and two glasses with telekinesis, Ar'ekk poured both glasses with the liquor and handed one to Lirka. Perhaps she didn't drink but it was worth the try, after all they were enjoying themselves in a hot tub wearing nothing but towels wrapped around them.

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[Lirka Ka]

What idiot wouldn't accept free booze? While Lirka may have been a pompous little girl at one point. She was a tried and true denizen of the underworld. Of course, she tested the thing out to see if there was any notable poisons. Deeming it safe she sat up some and took a ship.

"Not half bad."

Though she preferred some of the harder cheap stuff you got down in sleazy Cantinas now. It was funny, it matched her personality far too well. The rougher and gruffer parts instead of the fine quality like this. Oh how far one can fall.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

"I prefer stronger drinks, the type of booze you'd get from a grimey bar south of Ethos City."

It didn't matter what type of drink as long as it was heavy and made him forget most days after 6 PM. Drowing on his sorrows had become a daily thing for him, mourning the loss of a loved one. Someone he didn't like to speak about, it was too recent, too real. "I want to forget.", his mind said.

The water was still warm but getting out of the hot tub was something he had in mind pretty soon, unless Lirka wanted to stay. Sipping from his glass and looking at the Sephi woman for a moment, he finally spoke out.

"Which is why I might hit a club tonight."

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[Lirka Ka]

"Is that some attempt at an invitation?"

Lirka had serious doubts a man like this, from what she had gathered in her short meeting, would just announce his plans to the whole place. Adding in the offer of champagne as well, gave her a reasonable assumption what he may have intended. Of course, Lirka was gruff about it. Maybe half insulting as much as she was barely, to the tiniest amount possible, teasing.


[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

"Take it as you please."

He was cryptic about his affairs and certainly did not reveal more than what people needed to know, though he was very straightforward when asked a question. No one would dare to question him here, on Lithios, he had a reputation and that was worth more than any credit chip out there.

Whatever Lirka saw behind his offers were nothing but mere dreams, there were no double entendrés concealed behind whatever Ar'ekk spewed out in their conversation.

"But I'm done having a bath for today."

That being said, he gently placed the glass of half-empty champagne on the tray and carefully stepped out of the hot tub soaking wet. Waiting for a moment before departing for the locker rooms, the man gave Lirka a last glimpse and a cocky smirk.

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[Lirka Ka]

“I’d have to call you a moron if you’d think I’d accept.”

Good booze made Lirka much more pleasant, and the response held her usual gruff manner but less the usual malice that came with such a thing. Shrugging at his leaving, she took the rest of the booze for herself. Stuff wasn’t half bad, now that she had downed enough of it. It seemed, maybe, for once Lirka would relax.

of course, she could also relax after this half pleasant encounter didn’t end with someone getting a broken nose.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

LITHIOS​

Financial District, South Ethos City ​

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INTERACTING WITH: [member="Lirka Ka"] ​

"Even if you did, you wouldn't live to tell the tale."

Back with a complete outfit that included a black leather jacket and matching jeans, Ar'ekk once more spoke out with that cocky tone of his. It was out of his personality, sure, but to survive on Lithios you had to show your rough edge to others. He wasn't intimidated by Lirka or anyone for that matter.

"Enjoy the booze, it's on me after all."

Turning around to leave without watching behind his back, he found himself back on the rainy streets. The weather looked about the same as when he walked in early that evening and the sudden change of a hot tub for the cold wind was unwelcome.

Direction? Unknown.

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