Mr. Slender
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Poster of the first Non-Admin Character
Posts: 290
Posts: 290
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Post by Mr. Slender on Mar 5, 2015 21:24:26 GMT -5
Midway through trying to shrug up his sense of worthlessness at the end of telling his story, it suddenly hit Bax that popping off about being an ex-imperial was a bad idea in a lot of circles. Kara was the first person he'd had spent extended time together with, that wasn't a cellmate, in a long time. The junker knew better, but just accidentally let it slip.
Just from his time in service to the Empire, and knowing first hand how terrible they can be to people, Bax wouldn't be offended if someone thought his old job involved disposing of bodies instead of actually garbage.
"Well, I didn't want to be a junker at all in the first place. I thought I was trading up a predetermined destiny of running my family's night club until I make the next heir, for a life cruising the stars with my brother and the strongest navy in the galaxy. Sounded great at the time. Now, I even feel like apologizing just for being a garbageman for the Empire..." He explained, before ending with a purposely big bite out of his food, so he could think of what best to say next.
"So, what had you originally wanted to go to Nar Kaaga for?" Bax asked, after chewing up his thoughts and the nuns.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Mar 5, 2015 21:36:25 GMT -5
"I didn't," Sikaara replied. "I had no particular desire to go anywhere, but I don't stay too long in the same place."
That was simply the reality, she didn't chart any deliberate course. Things simply happened.
If she were to steer any particular course, it'd be best to make it some wild planet where she could enjoy actual earth beneath her feet, and fresh air. That would be a pleasant change of pace... But then again to a spacer like Bax, that would probably seem like insanity. The type to fly about in the vacuum of space again and again... They weren't typically the type to enjoy slowing down on the same planet for months or years. It was landfall and departure, with a few days of shore leave in between. Anything else would probably just sound foreign.
"It's really all the same to me," Kara explained. "If possible though, I'd like to find some pleasant place to stay a while."
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Mr. Slender
[invalid text
Poster of the first Non-Admin Character
Posts: 290
Posts: 290
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Post by Mr. Slender on Mar 5, 2015 22:08:37 GMT -5
"I love to visit new places, just for the sake of going, but I don't have enough time to stay and enjoy even the best ones. Gotta always be on the hunt for my next chance." Bax stated calmly, while adding another bone to the growing pile on the counter.
Deep down the junker liked to think Kara was the same way. The major differene between the two was that she made friends who eventual turn into enemies, and most people he met during business always assume he's evil then grow friendly later.
"In have business to handle in a few days, but I'll come back to Nal Hutt to take you somewhere more pleasant to stay. If that's what you want of course. The smell of swamps and Hutts doesn't sound too good to me." Bax offered, cursing himself for being so quick to help his new friend like this so soon.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Mar 5, 2015 22:14:33 GMT -5
For the second time Sikaara would have raised an eyebrow. The idea of being dropped off was fine, that much 'charity' was understandable if only for wishing to be rid of her. But the promise of a return? Now that was suspiciously generous. If Sikaara had observed anything from the professional spacers like Bax who worked job to job, it was that charity was never free. This sounded far too suspiciously free. What precisely did he gain?
Honesty or not, old habits died hard and she didn't immediately yell 'bullshit.'
"In exchange for?" Sikaara did prompt.
Nothing was truly free. He'd want something, the question was how easy it was to deliver on her end.
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Mr. Slender
[invalid text
Poster of the first Non-Admin Character
Posts: 290
Posts: 290
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Post by Mr. Slender on Mar 5, 2015 22:32:58 GMT -5
"Work has been a bit stale lately, and I want somewhere to go. I don't care where, right now. I usually can find a market for used imports or exports wherever I go, but besides that, consider it a short vacation. I'm not asking you for anything." Bax explained casually, before taking another long sip of wine
"I didn't plan on meeting up with you anymore after we landed on this chosen destination, if that's what you're worried about." He added with a small smirk. The junker knew Kara's short inquiry had been geared to determining what favors he wanted in exchange for his help, but wasn't sleazy enough to ask for another chance to get laid like that.
With that said, Bax estimated he'd be getting laid at list twice due to his help/intervention.
"Any locations come to mind where you'd want to go?" He asked, while picking up another piece of nuna, before putting it quickly back down, after deciding to leave the grease alone for now.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Mar 6, 2015 10:58:35 GMT -5
The Togruta wasn't quite sure if the excuse was fully true, but it was at least plausible. The protestation about not wanting anything regular had a ring of truth though. It was his prerogative.
However he had offered her a choice. The question was which planets were in reasonable range, no free trip would be afforded to the far end of space. Yet she had little desire to stay in Hutt Space, it was typically not a safe option, even if there were some nice rural planets. The potential of winding up in a slavery she'd have to work her way out of was too real with long duration stays. As to planets just outside...
Bothawuii was supposedly beautiful. However given the Bothan penchant for double-crossing and trouble, Sikaara considered that little better. Besides, being a liar on a ship with another liar was bad enough, being a liar on a planet of liars was far worse.
But... New Cov. That was a very real option. 'Dangerous' wild deterred casual intervention, the gathering potential of valuable plants could net some excellent pay. And there was always a nice spaceport to help her off planet.
That was it.
"New Cov," Sikaara answered. "A little far, but the best option."
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Mr. Slender
[invalid text
Poster of the first Non-Admin Character
Posts: 290
Posts: 290
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Post by Mr. Slender on Mar 6, 2015 11:38:48 GMT -5
Bax had been expecting his togruta friend to name one of the nice resort places, full of easy marks and careless security, but the choice of New Cov was an odd pick to him. It was populated enough to find some kind of hussle for her to pull off, yet for him it might be a tad harder than usual.
Besides a less vicious planet or a super defoliant, he didn't see an obvious market for his usual wares. Any notable crash sites or wreckage still undisturbed would more than likely be already overtaken by the jungle, and obviously out of his reach. Bax had never been to New Cov before, but he was starting to hate it already.
That being said, he didn't have a job lined up after his delivery to Garqi, so he could afford to kill a few days. Plus, it might be a good place to info hunt for the lead of a new find. You never know.
"Alright, if that is where you want to go. I'm kind of curious why there of all place? Can't be for the scenery." He asked with an arched eyebrow.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Mar 6, 2015 22:55:17 GMT -5
Kara smirked a little. It was funny to see that look of confusion he had. Humans and nature never got along well.
"For me, yes scenery. I've been on plenty of planets with ecology as 'lethal.' What New Cov has going for it is easy work. I can get out there and harvest select plants easily. It's also warm, the facilities are nice, and the tapcafs are well-stocked and comfortable."
That was, she mused, about the size of it.
He probably wasn't too thrilled. But then again, it'd been his offer.
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Mr. Slender
[invalid text
Poster of the first Non-Admin Character
Posts: 290
Posts: 290
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Post by Mr. Slender on Mar 6, 2015 23:20:23 GMT -5
Bax had to match Kara's smirk with a concerned frown, just for the fact he knew she had to be getting a kick out of this. Her words said made it seem like the place was no different then a walk in a decent park, but beyond that it had the air of a challenge about it to him. As if he couldn't survive in the elements like her.
Which was absolutely true, but it was for exact situations like this sentients invented high powered weapons and fast vehicles.
"I see. At the risk of putting us both on a collision course with our goals, I might take my chances with the jungle. There has to be a profit waiting out there." Bax stated with his own smirk, hoping to get his point across. Playing games with Kara was the same as playing with fire, yet no one could deny it'd be more interesting then lounging in a
Tapcaf for a few days.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Mar 7, 2015 10:25:10 GMT -5
Judging by Bax's response, Sikaara wagered he was either following a sense of adventure or the head that wasn't on his shoulders.
It didn't seem like a macho response. He had to know it wasn't going to be sunshine and easy-living for him. He wasn't going in blind, and clearly he knew of New Cov. It was likely he saw the same thing she did, a pay day in the future. He was also smart enough to know that despite the fact she was unreliable, they could mutually benefit. Her field expertise with his ship expertise could yield some extremely lucrative results. Lucrative enough to finance goals. Or to blow with a luxurious three weeks or so on Pantolomin.
"Why dear Bax," She said slyly, "Are you suggesting that we go into business together?"
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Mr. Slender
[invalid text
Poster of the first Non-Admin Character
Posts: 290
Posts: 290
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Post by Mr. Slender on Mar 7, 2015 10:48:31 GMT -5
At that moment, just staring into Kara's eyes and hearing her silky voice, Bax imagined the near future between the two, and it didn't paint a pretty picture. His earlier sense of foreboding again loomed over the ending of a partnership between them. The road to that point seemed bright and full of all sorts of pleasures, but could that be outbalanced by an abysmally bad outcome?
Bax liked to think no.
"I guess I am, but let's play it by ear for now. See how this is going to work out, before we commit to anything I guess." The junker stated with a slight grin, truly hoping he wasn't signing his own death warrant.
"Let's go ahead and get this out of the way too, if we find something you like a whole bunch, don't try to kill me over it like those other two. I'm willing to give it up for the most part if you ask, we both know there is always another score in the galaxy. I'd like to keep things civil between us." Bax explained, really hoping Kara took his words to heart. He wouldn't kill her over stuff, but messing around with his well being was another story.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Mar 7, 2015 11:06:47 GMT -5
Sikaara's expression visibly changed, away from a coy and flirty smile full of amusement and to a tight almost pained expression. Like clouds crossing over the sun or a sudden surge of cold wind on a warm day, the result was sudden and surprising. She looked wounded in a way.
"I don't like killing people," The Togruta replied, arms folded over each other. It was closed body language, and it showed he'd touched on something of a nerve. The strange truth was that she wasn't a killer. Not with people. Her pod sabotage had been intended as a delay originally. Not as killing. Yes she was a predator, and she hunted. But the assumption she killed her partners regularly stung. To her mind, he didn't understand. It was precisely why she lied, it was easier to set up the right narrative, to prompt the other into feeling what she wanted.
"I toyed with you a little because you were nervous, and I found that adorable. But I don't like killing people. I'll lie. I'll cheat, steal, and seduce. But I don't kill anyone I don't have to. What I kill, I do to stay alive. That goes for food and enemies."
That was a finer point of Togruta honor she couldn't shake, but which somehow she doubted Bax would believe.
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Mr. Slender
[invalid text
Poster of the first Non-Admin Character
Posts: 290
Posts: 290
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Post by Mr. Slender on Mar 7, 2015 11:32:23 GMT -5
As with anytime he held a conversation with a woman, or anyone really, Bax finally stuck his foot in his mouth once again. Since meeting Kara the only range of emotions he'd seen were mostly upbeat, so it was really disheartening to see her look hurt.
"Kara...I didn't mean any offense. I'm sorry, I jumped to conclusions." Bax tried to explain with a frown, but imagined it fell it deaf ears. He truly wanted to reach toward and hug out his differences with the togruta, yet didn't seem wise after only just meeting her. The inability the junker felt to express just how sorry he felt besmirching her reputation was probably nearly as painfully to him as the insult had been to Kara.
"I know I shot Torve earlier without batting an eye, but I'm not much of a killer myself. I don't believe in wasting lives if I don't have to. Even when we first meet I had my blaster set on stun when I went to get it, I just wanted to protect myself, not hurt you or anyone else I could've found in the pod. Especially you. Can you forgive me for calling you a killer, Kara? Please?" Bax pleaded, silently hoping he wouldn't have to resort to grovelling. He would, but it's not a good look.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Mar 7, 2015 19:13:07 GMT -5
Kara's eyes flitted up and down, surveying how Bax was approaching that. His apology was sincere, just... Vigorous. Almost desperate. It was certainly polite of him, but it was also more than she'd expected. When offended, she'd fully expected either a casual and somewhat dismissive response, or flat out skepticism. This was far in excess of that expectation. With that said, she still wasn't used to apologies. She rarely gave them. Well, honestly. And the last time she'd heard one... She couldn't even recall while thinking about it.
"It's okay," She managed. "You didn't know. And most people just make assumptions."
The Togruta finished the glass of wine she'd been neglecting, and stared at a particular section of wall for a few seconds. It just felt... Troublesome. Very troublesome. All this honesty was hard. Lies were easy, but this made her think about herself, about who she was. And that... She didn't like that. Not at all.
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Mr. Slender
[invalid text
Poster of the first Non-Admin Character
Posts: 290
Posts: 290
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Post by Mr. Slender on Mar 7, 2015 19:51:12 GMT -5
A smile returned to Bax's face after his togruta friend decided to forgive him. A slow chuckle escaped his lips thinking about how thick he'd laid on his apology. The junker meant every word, but sometimes being too passionate about what you're saying could be a turn off to some folks.
Following Kara's example Bax finished off his wine with a couple of good gulps, while wondering more about his interesting connection to her. By both of their own admission they were kindred spirits of sort, but with their natures was it really possible to have a genuine partnership, relationship, or hell even a friendship between them.
Again, Bax liked to think something was there. Friendship at the very least.
"Thanks, for being understanding. It won't happen again. I hope this doesn't hurt our chances at a partnership." He stated with a hopeful smirk.
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