A Commen Taste In Pie

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae had vaguely remembered someone he had met, someone that Stardust had introduced him to. He had met them before hand as well, a merchant were they? Darben tried to research their name, thinking that perhaps he could get back to doing his job. Not only that, but he wondered what they were a merchant for. So he set a meeting in his shop rather than his office, he had been sticking to that place a lot. His home.

"Renla!" he called out. Instead came down the droid that had been gifted by Rex, followed by Renla. It was like their personal pet, despite how aggressive it sometime looked. It acted friendly. "We're going to have a visitor soon, so please tidy up?" She nodded. She had grown into a young adult, at least twenty though sometimes she still acted like a child. Up she went as Darben waited for @Ra'a'mah to arrive.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

It had not been that long ago since Ra had visited Commenor. Her first and only time there had been to attend an auction put on by Gray Raxis to help the Mandalorians in their recovery. She had been adopted into the Raxis clan by Stardust and she had taken her sister to that auction. While they were there Ra had met up with Darben again.

Prior to that, they had met in passing in an opening ceremony for an embassy within Commenor territory. It was at that meeting she had learned he was the Minister of Trade for Commenor. Herself being a merchant, she felt they would work well together. They just needed to meet, chat and get to know each other, she supposed. So when a message was sent for her to come to Commenor and meet up with him, it was not a great surprise.

The location was his home as opposed to an office, but this would not be the first time she met somebody in a setting such as this. Her own home, she kept entirely separate from business. Instead of arriving in one of her grand merchant ships, she brought her own. A simple freighter where she had started her business many years ago. She left her droid companions on her merchant ship and came down alone.

Arriving at the requested time, Ra still dressed for business. She wore dark pants and a dark green shirt with her purple cloak over that. Not expecting any violence, she wore no weapons and her hair was down instead of braided.

Walking up to the door, she raised a hand to announce herself with a knock and stepped back to wait for the door to open.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae spun about in his chair behind the counter, tapping away at a datapad. He would have organized to meet in the office, but much had happened and he rathered to stay in a spot to himself. Humming lightly, he kept his eyes glued to the screen. Trade information, whatever he could gather on @Ra'a'mah and her merchant expertise where he could. Who she worked for, or worked with. Darben heard the door open and lifted his head to see a red-headed woman. He recognized her almost instantly. "Ra'a'mah? I'm not sure if you remember me, I met with you and Star at a party?" He stood from behind the counter, reaching over to shake hands.

Then he heard a robotic growl as something came charging down the stairs. "Rexy down!" The droid stopped in it's tracks at the bottom steps, and sat down. Renla came down the stairs wearing one of her common green dresses and she gave a light wave. "Crazy place, huh?" he found himself asking through what may have just become awkward. "Anyway, I asked you here for some business proposals. I recall you were in the trade business as well?"

 

[Ra'a'mah]

The information Darben would learn about Ra would leave out much of her history prior to her time with the Metal Lords. Just bare bones would be there and some of it would be fraudulent, but not entirely wrong. What would be found is she grew up in an orphanage on Coruscant, then a blank time period when she held various jobs there and was picked up as a merchant for the Dominion. The rest of the information would be visible and would indicate her Metal Lord and then Coalition ties as lead of the merchant fleet.

Giving Darben a nod and reached out to shake his extended hand.

"Yes, Ra'a'mah Numare, but please just call me Ra. Easier to remember and pronounce. Prior to that, Lady Kay pointed you out to me at the opening of an embassy. However that day we did not actually meet, Mr. Skirae. It is nice to see you again, this time without so many other people around."

Letting god one his hand, she turned when she heard the familiar tone of a robot. Looking at the droid and back to Darben, there was a bit of a surprised look on her face.

"I also have one of the Rakghoul Droids. Perhaps ours can meet up. Maybe they will get along...or plot to murder us in our sleep."

He got back to business ​and brought up why he asked her to visit him.

"Yes, I lead the merchant fleet and travel around the galaxy."

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae pulled his head back after they shook hands. He shrugged, indeed perhaps they had not so formally met. "Indeed it is. I prefer quieter meetings anyways." He turned to Renla as she suddenly appeared by his side, or perhaps he was just oblivious, all focus to his visitor as it tended to be when someone came by. "This is my daughter, Renla" he introduced, gesturing towards the Twi'lek young women. She smiled, bowing respectably.

Then he looked down at the droid which had moved to his other side, sitting it's behind against the ground. "Yes perhaps the-wait, plot or murder?" He paused for a moment, then grinned as he realized the joke behind the words. Or at least Darben was assuming it was a joke. "So, this merchant fleet. Is it tied to a faction, or travel around? I am Minister of Trade, if you did not know or recall. So perhaps I was thinking that we could organize something?"

 

[Ra'a'mah]

She couldn't help but to agree when he said he preferred quieter meetings and Ra nodded at that. At the almost sudden appearance of his daughter at his side and her introduction, she couldn't help but assume she was adopted. In a way it would be much like she and Stardust were sisters, adopted into the same clan by each other.

"It is nice to meet you, Renla."

Giving both of them a smile, she shared the joke with Darben about the Rakghoul droid. He then brought the conversation around to the fleet which she commanded.

"It was started with the Metal Lords and then moved to the Coalition. I'm on the move with it through the various governments and their areas. Opening and maintaining trade with them. Now my future is in flux. What do you have in mind?"

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Renla smiled at the greeting. She usually smiled upon meeting someone new if she liked them, and it was apparent that Renla liked Ra. Darben couldn't even pick out why, but Renla was usually picky about who she liked. To be liked by her was almost the same as a massive compliment. And plus Rexy had calmed down, though that was because Darben had told the droid to settle.

He listened to what exactly Ra's trade fleet did and had done. "Well, something similar to that. Open up trade negotiations to Commenor...maybe even my little business I have here if you don't mind that." He was slowly starting up a business, at least he was working on that. Skirae Emporiums. It had been a dream to start a business. A goal of his. And now he believed that it was time to put it all into action.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

It felt nice for the young woman to accept Ra. Having recently taken lessons on being more empathic, Ra was able to sense her open acceptance of her. So far this meeting was off to a good start. There had been another change within Ra recently, with the fall of the Coalition at the hands of the Sith Empire, she had cut all ties with them and no longer claimed to be one of their number. It was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders and it might be obvious in how she carried herself.

"Lady Kay mentioned I should speak to you when we met at the embassy opening. Well, things got busy for me and when we met at the auction, there wasn't much time to talk business really. Wasn't the purpose of there though."

Darben said he had a business of his own he was interested in getting a move on and that was something Ra would be fully supporting of.

"What is your project?"

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae sat down in the counter, pulling up his datapad before him then. He sifted through some things on it as @Ra'a'mah spoke to the Minister of Trade. He glanced up towards her, he was surprised to hear that. Lady Kay had recommended it? It sounded like her, such a kind woman she was. And yet also always thinking to business and managing through. "Lady Kay is a kind hearted, good leader." He had opened up to her on many occasion as well.

"Opening stores just like this one!" Of course, there was one problem. "There is a problem with that, working alone...but I'll manage through and I've got Renla" he added.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

The two of them worked in the same field, so it shouldn't have been too surprising to have Kay suggest they meet. When he said Kay was good leader and kind hearted, Ra agreed totally. Nodding, she listened at Darben continued on about his idea.

"Working alone. I know that feeling very well. In fact, most of my crew are droids. So in reality, about the only time I have contact with people is when I'm making connections or delivering cargo. Even then, I might get greeted by droids that are used for unloading. It's surprising just how much time is spent alone."

He did have his daughter to work and Ra though of a question to ask.

"A minister, don't you have people that work under you?"

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae nodded, yes working alone would be a tough job. He picked up a glass he had from under the counter, and a bottle of Commenori Brandy from a compartment also under there. Then he pulled out a second glass, thinking they might be here a while. "Funny thing about that, I prefer to work alone. I could have many people working under me, and in some ways I do. I just choose to have them go about their business while I oversee. This business of mine I have is more of a personal ambition." He gestured towards the second glass after filling up his own. "Care for some?"

 

[Ra'a'mah]

She couldn't help to agree to a point about working alone. It allowed the freedom to prioritize what needed to be done and then the bit of pride that came with finishing the job. Watching as he took out a couple of glasses and some brandy, offering her one as he poured his own.

"Yes, please. That would be nice."

He mentioned he was more of a distant observer of his workers, allowing them to do what they needed to do and probably only stepping in if he noticed something was wrong. Such was the prerogative of the person at the top. She was more hands on and involved herself as much as she could in the day to day of her fleet.

"Most businesses start as simple personal ambition."

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae went right to pouring her a glass and serving it up to her, pushing it across the counter. As he took some sips, he waved at Renla as she went out, Rexy following close behind. He had almost forgotten that she was going out today. "You be back soon" he said to her, looking past Ra'a'mah to his daughter who smiled and waved back, nodding to Darben. Then back to the topic at hand they went, with the business at hand. That he could very much agree to.

"Yes, indeed they do...so how do you feel about setting up some sort of connections?" the Minister asked, taking another swig from his glass of brandy. "Always forget how good this is...."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Generally Ra went for sweeter drinks when she did have them, but knew what a good drink tasted like. Accepting the glass, she took a drink with him and waved as his daughter left with the Rakghoul droid. Turning her attention back to Darben, she listened to what he had to say about his business and setting up connections.

"Well, my fleet is connected already with the Metal Lords, Coalition, Outer Rim, Silver Jedi, Alliance and the Republic Remnant. Pretty much all the governments that don't relate to the dark or imperial mentalities."

Since this was his personal business and not one of Commenor, she did not mention the previous connection with them.

"What is it you're trying to market?"

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae was almost amazed at hearing how many connections this fleet had. "That's a lot of connections....and connections are good" he murmured at the end, taking another drink. Quite interesting and widespread. Just how large was this fleet? And what sort of trade did they do? A certain area, like food and supplies, or military supplies, or perhaps a jack-of-all-trades type of fleet? He shrugged to her question.

"Really, anything. For now it's just souvenirs, jewelry, gemstones, clothing." He gestured to the many items in his little Emporium. Such things were here. "I plan to open another store sometime. Where, I'm not sure yet. Somewhere in Commenor Systems Alliance Space."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"One way to look at my position and role, I an importer and exporter. The go between various people or governments. I could take samples of what you want to sell to other markets and see if they are interested in what you offer."

As Darben motioned to what he was interested in marketing, Ra wondered if he wanted to look beyond Commenor then he pretty much answered her unspoken question. However, she wouldn't offer to open additional stores, but market his goods.

"Well, if you think you want to expand in your marketing, I'm the one to talk to. I would deal with bulk though. Meaning large quantities and that might be more than you're looking for."

It sounded like he wanted something on a smaller scale than what she was used to.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben thought on this suggestion. It sounded like something he could try with. He smiled at this, then gave a nod. "If it is something you think you could do...why not, I can go with it" he answered. Give the galaxy a sample of what he could give, then perhaps maybe, just maybe he could get this chain of his opened up. Yes, perhaps he could then.

Then he put a hand to his bearded chin. By bulk? He didn't have much, but he could try to work some things up. Start with small things. "Well jewelry shouldn't be too hard...and clothing, that would be much easier." If he tried with both at the same time then perhaps it could work. He took a drink from his glass. It was nice, but he was starting to feel a tingle in his mind. Darben was beginning to think that maybe drinking right now was a bad idea.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Lifting up a brow, Ra would take her own little datapad out of a pocket in her cloak. Pressing a few buttons, she would set it on the counter between. On there it would show the cargo dimensions of the ships she had in fleet. She would leave it there for him to look over and judge on if they were too large for him. They could carry a lot more than what he had on display.

Picking up the glass, she took a sip of the drink with him. Ra knew her limit and would not drink more than the one even if Darben offered her another. A clear head was better than one clouded.

"What is unique about Commenor clothing and jewelry, Mr. Skirae?"

Setting the empty glass down, she put it out of their way so it wouldn't accidently get knocked off and broken.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae emptied his own glass into himself, and he could already feel the buzz. This was definitely a lightweight day, and yet he was not regretting it. Not yet at least. Despite the buzz he tried to keep his own composure as Ra'a'mah asked him a question about the clothing and jewelry of Commenor. He stood up from the counter, taking a few steps before almost stumbling. "I'm...good" he said to himself, then off he went to one of the aisles.

From there he brought back a silken blue dress and a necklace with a yellow chrysopaz gem in it. "This is a chrysopaz gem. They are abundant on Commenor." Then he held up the dress. "The silk of this dress is specially made, and fashion is one of the high-end productions from Commenor. Ask anyone from Commenor and they will say so to you" he said with a smile to her.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

She may not have much to drink often, but one drink like this would not make Ra feel buzzed and it allowed her to connect with her clients. There were times, like now when Darben was feeling that drink and it could allow her to exploit the situation. However, she didn't really want to. They had met before and established a passing relationship in knowing each other. Plus she had no logical reason to do anything of the sort to Darben.

Accepting the necklace when he held it out to her, Ra took a look at the quality of the stones and workmanship of it. Looking at the dress, she set the necklace down on the counter to run her hands across the fabric he held out.

When she finished, Ra looked at Darben and saw that smile he had. He was proud of the work his culture had and she nodded.

"If these items can only be made or found on Commenor, that would make them difficult to get outside of the system. Very likely there is a market them."

It was good news for him and Ra returned that smile.

[member="Darben Skirae"]