A Dame in the Desert (Ask if interested in joining in)

[Aika Kawakami]

~In a small spaceport on Tatooine...~​

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A small sigh escaped her lips as her gaze remained on a minuscule pebble hovering, twisting about, before her eyes. Of course, the small piece or gravel was being manipulated by someone. One particularly adept at the art of turning things to suit her needs. Though, unlike most times, this was not being done for some sort of meditation. She wasn't trying to clear her mind, nor was the pebble of any particular interest to her. In truth, she was bored, and simply killing time. While such a thing was unlike her, there was little more she could do at this point.​

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Her head turned from the ever floating rock towards her transport, just enough to allow her to eyes to glance over her shoulder at the transport behind her. The same one that she took everywhere, and anywhere. The expression upon her face could do little more than turn to a cringe as the sounds of metal on metal contact and tools hard at work, danced their way into her ears. "Hey! So what's the deal anyway? Are we getting out of here, or not?" Her voice echoed as it rolled into the vessel, hitting the ears and bringing a response from the one within.​

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"Being impatient isn't like you, Counselor. Maybe you need another one of those mandatory vacations." A deep laugh followed the words of Captian Valen, Aika's loyal pilot and personal security guard. Even as he chuckled, a cold shiver found its way down his spine. Even though he could not see her, he was well aware of the look he was probably receiving. "Eh, but in all seriousness, we'll be getting out of here. Though, likely not for a good while. I'll have to search around for some spar parts. Nothing too bad, but we're not going anywhere without replacing them. Not unless we want to get spaced as soon as we leave the atmosphere."​

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"Wait... So, what your saying is.." "Relax, Counselor. At least for the next few hours, we're grounded." Her head leaned back slightly as she looked toward the ceiling, a groan of utter frustration slipping from her lips as the news settled in. "Fantastic...just wonderful. What am I supposed to do now?" "I'd say take in the sights, maybe grab us a bite to eat. It'll be a while before able to take off." As much as Aika didn't want to hear it, she knew he was telling her the truth. They were stuck on the desert planet for the time being.​

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As the realization set in, the pebble she had been manipulating dropped to the ground, albeit softly. "You'll contact me once we're ready for take off, yes?" "Of course, but until then, make yourself at home." Before his words had even ceased, Aika had stepped off. As she reached the door, her hand extended outward, pressing the button on small panel at the side of the door frame. Within a second, the door had slid open, and the intense sun and heat of the planet seemed to be attacking her. Squinting to attempt to keep the sun from her eyes, she stepped from the door to the outside world, her entire figure now being enveloped in the radiating waves form the planet's two suns. With a groan, Aika peered about as beings of all types came and went.​

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"I hate the heat...and this planet."​

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~Local Time - 09:24~​

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[Visper Jast]

Tatooine was hardly Visper's planet of choice, but circumstance had left her stranded here. It had been several weeks, and she had begun to learn the ins and outs; seedier places to avoid or get lost in, where one can avoid the brutal midday heat, and the demand for mechanics. That last one had led her to a small hub where space vessels came and went. She had just finished assisting repairs on a freighter that had touched down not long ago, but was currently busy tending to an astromech droid under the shade of a makeshift canopy beside the entrance into a building. Business today was good. Visper had felt particularly inspired this day and worked with a particular cohesion and diligence.

Yet something was coming her way, the inner premonitions she had begun to trust told her this.

Visper felt at peace with a hydrospanner in hand, deep in the electronic and mechanical innards of droids, devices, and ships. It was one of the few things capable of calming her mind, a mental escape. She relished it, and allowed the feeling to flow through her completely. One attuned with the Force could sense this living conduit, and the concentrated energies gathering and moving through her.

The repair work she did certainly helped to pass the time, and had the additional benefit of getting a number of credits to her name -- although some did take advantage of her naivete and short-changed her. She had yet to find a suitable pilot willing to take her off the planet for the amount she had obtained, but it was only a matter of time.

The young girl was enveloped in her work as a figure emerged from a vessel not too far from her, and paused, taking in the heat and the diverse group of individuals going about their business.

[member="Aika Kawakami"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

~Tatooine Local Time - 10:01~​

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Of all the planets in the entire Outer Rim...no, the entire galaxy.. How is it that I end up stuck on this dry, desolate, dust-ball of a planet? ​

Well, it was you who let Valen bring us here.​

Don't pin this on me. I had no idea we were even in this system, let alone this close to this place.​

Your right. Lets blame him. Shall we string him up now for all to see? Or wait until he fixes the ship, then float him instead?​

...Float him?​

I assume that's what bodies do in space since there is no gravity.​

We are not spacing him. There's a reason I keep him around.​

And that is a reason I will never come to understand.​

It is not for you to understand. Simply to accept. Now, I fear the heat will only increase as the day goes. Time to seek shelter of some sort..​

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With her mental conversation with herself now over, Aika's eyes panned the scenery, not that there was much to see. You know, other than sand, people, and buildings made of....well, sand. There was hardly a way to see exactly what types of places were around, let alone somewhere slightly inviting to rest at. Nonetheless, standing there like a statue wasn't going to get the job done, and considering that it was only morning still, no doubt the rays from the two suns would continue to raise the temperature. With no other option at hand, her hands moved to her jacket, unzipping it before removing it from her body. Instantly, her body seemed to cool. Not by much, but it was better than nothing. She brought her jacket down behind her, stopping at her hips as she used the sleeves to tie it around her waist. With that done, her feet began to shuffle as she sauntered across the sand. Destination; no idea.​

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The walk about had only been happening for a few minutes, but something was amiss, and it was easy for her to sense. Eyes from all over seemed to staring at her, their glances drawing in as if she were painted every color of the rainbow. It didn't make any sense. What reason was there for her to attracting such attention? She hadn't spoken to soul, nor did she carry any type of weapon, so there was no way to know her affiliation. Odd as the circumstance was, she pressed on, moving through the crowds as time continued on.​

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~10:11~​

Her eyes blinked as her shuffle came to a halt, watching as a man carried a few small item from the door a shop, not more than ten feet from her. Aika was certainly no technician, but even she knew starship parts when she saw them. It was an opportunity to possibly get herself off the desolate, sand planet even quicker. With an increased pace, she hurried to the open door way, slowing her steps as she reached, Peeking around the door frame, she only confirmed what she already knew to be true. Within were parts, a plethora of different parts seemingly for all types of ships. She had hit the jackpot. Sort of.​

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"Oh, a visitor? And an off-worlder, at that. Come. What is it that I can do for you?" The voice caught her attention as her eyes bounced to the back of the room. There stood a rather muscular looking Twi'lek, polishing what looked to be some type power cuplink....maybe? Aika brought herself around the frame fully, arms crossing over her chest as she presented herself.​

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"What makes you believe I'm from off-world?"​

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The Twi'lek simply laughed at the question before gesturing towards her with his hand. "No one that lives here can afford such impressive looking clothing. Not to mention I highly doubt one could find anything black around these parts. Not to mention your putting on a bit of a show with that look."​

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Unsure of what he meant, Aika glanced down at herself, and the truth stared right back at her. Taking off the jacket left the black tank-top underneath, which meant the bit of cleavage she had was on full display. It didn't help that her pants hugged each and every curve of her lower body. In short. she really didn't leave much to the imagination. "Look, nevermind all of that. I need you to look at my ship, and find me the parts I need to make it fly again." Her eyes looked back up once more, meeting those of the shop's owner. "I don't have anything to pay you with, but I'll trade you. A favor for a favor. What do you say?"​

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The male's expressed was that of one intrigued, as was his nod. "It's rare that type of agreement works around here, but considering you can't run anywhere, I suppose I can trust you. My old partner, Kalris. I need something he has. They are schematics, he carries them everywhere he goes. Return them to me, and I'll assist you. Simple, yes?"​

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The rolling of her eyes and grunting was more than an audible no. "And just how am I suppose to find him? This isn't a small port, you know."​

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"Oh, he's not hard to find. He frequents a bar, not too far from here, everyday. Usually around 12:00 or 13:00. You'll find him easy."​

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"And how am I supposed to know when I find him?"​

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"He never goes anywhere alone. Just look for someone who is surrounded by at least three, no, four others. That will be him."​

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"With all this information, why don't you do it yourself?"​

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"Because I am but a simple man who sells junk parts. But, you.... I have the feeling you are something much more."​

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With a simple sigh, Aika turned and left from the door, her feet heavy as she moved with a purpose. Thoughts within her mind raced among one another, all of them coming to the same conclusion...​

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If he crosses me...​

He won't live to see this day end.​

[member="Visper Jast"]

 

[Aika Kawakami]

~Tatooine Local Time - 10:49~​

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Time seemed to simply drag on, as did her trek through the semi-crowded spaceport. While her mind was focused on the task at hand, namely finding the cantina she was searching for, she couldn't help but continually drift back to the conversation with the male Twi'lek not too long ago. Aika could accept that she stood out a bit. Hell, most of those around here were clothed in garments that would match the sand. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder if she truly stuck out in such a way? Was she really drawing that much attention? Sure, she'd noticed a few onlookers as she passed by, but there couldn't honestly be that many beings that were watching her. After all, she'd all but been a ghost and an afterthought, even when it came to the Silver Sanctum. To suddenly be the center of attention when one was so used to slipping through the cracks and shadows was a bit...unnerving to one such as herself.

Still, her head shook slightly as Aika tried to perish the thought. Now was neither the time, nor the place for such self examination. The prime directive had to be finding a way off the Outer Rim planet, no matter the cost. Well, the cost couldn't be too high, as the coin in her pockets did not flow that deeply. As a matter of fact, it was pretty shallow. Hell, a puddle after a misty rain was deeper than her pockets at this point and time. But that was a matter to deal with at another time, A time when she wasn't loosing weight by the minute thanks to the seemingly endless downpour of sweat she was experiencing.

As her hand raised to once more wipe the sweat from her brow, Aika's eyes took notice of something. Just a few meters ahead, on a corner, was a small building. Music emitted from the doorway as a patron wandered inside, before closing behind him. It was the first place as such she had seen since her quest of retrieval began. There was no way to positively know if this was the place the male had spoken of, but it was definitely worth a shot.

At the very least, we can cool off.
Indeed. I grow increasingly weary of this heat.
At the very least, we might be able to pull some information about his guy from someone in there. Can't be too many cantinas around, you know.

~11:02~


The doors slid open as she approached, seemingly welcoming her to a cooler haven. However, the sensation was short lived. As she stepped through the passageway, the music came to an abrupt halt, nearly every being within turning in her direction. Aika's eyes panned over the area, looking over the beings within as they returned to endless stare.

"What? Something on my face, or do all of you simply not like what you see?"

The small quip seemed to work as most of the patrons busted out in a ruckus laughter. Just as suddenly, the music begin blaring again as everyone returned to their conversations, all but ignoring her. In truth, she preferred it that way. It was much easier to slip in an out if one was unnoticed, though finding her target still was proving to be a more difficult task than imagined. And she had no thoughts that such a quest would be easy.