Fire Rhodes

[Kenth Typho]

​

~Refueling Station X21-Y~​

~Deep Space~​

[member="Kassey Daklin"]​

Two days ago we left Tatooine behind, that dusty ball of mud that had been our home for our entire lives. Still remember the days at the lake, the parties that went on ‘til the two suns settled down behind the horizon, everlasting supply of alcohol to keep us going. Those were the days, when things weren’t so complicated, when the Sith hadn’t knocked the Republic’s teeth out and when a smuggler’s job was to simply get some of that contraband from here to there.

Shet’s different these days though, and I ain’t sure what to think of it. Elia… heh, that little spitfire knows exactly what to think of it. The land of opportunity, she calls it, a world where we could operate without qualms of troubles. Money streaming into our pockets with little to no effort.

I still had a few contacts up on Coruscant, they made the transition almost painless, a vouch here and there, and we were ready to take up our place at the Rotary Club. But it would take us a little bit longer to get to the Imperial Center, a few more days give or take.

Meanwhile, the ship needed some repairs- did the best I could with the materials available to me. El was tired, Louise was out cold too, so I decided to see what else there was to do at ‘Ex twenty one’.

Found myself at a bar, ain’t nothing too pretty. Half circular with the bartender’s back against a thin wall, separating him from the cook. Seemed that they were trying to use their space as efficient as possible.

‘Scotch.’ I managed to say, between taking out a cigarette and lighting up. ‘On the rocks.’

 

[Julianna Nero]

There were more people here than she cared to have around at a refueling station, but it wasn't overly busy as it could be at some planet spaceport, especially the big name planets, too. But she did find it hard to gather herself up a little better at a bar, immediately, she wanted to say...Corellian Brandy, on the rocks, with a twist, but that didn't work out quite well anymore. Once she walked up, instead of saying what was out of habit, she nodded towards the bartender.

"Brandy, please...Luranian with a Roonan twist, if you could." The rough looking bartender gave her a little bit of a gruff noise, while Kassey was left rolling her eyes and then she leaned forward on the bar. Her hand went into her long, dark locks of hair while she waited, looking quite worn out and exhausted as it were. She had been on a long trip, several days now with a run, and between that and dodging all of the people trying to capture her because of what was being carried, she wasn't having the best of runs...she'd mark this down as never transporting from the people she took the job from, ever again.

She cracked her neck, and while it gave her some relief, she couldn't help but to think to herself how much nicer it would be if she had more ways to relax a little better. When the bartender came over with her drink, she sat out the credits on the bar, and he took them gladly. "Say, you don't know of anyone that gives a massage around here, do you? Maybe some kind of jet tub or something?" A joke of course, but the bartender groaned to her smiling nature.

"Tough crowd," she replied back, but with a smile she took a sip of her drink....if that was Roonan lemon then it was a bad one. With a slight cringe, she pushed it off for the time being and looked over, since she had that smell of smoke heading her way. Not that it bothered her, but it just reminded her of past times. With a gentle smile, she gave the man a nod before she spoke herself.

"If you don't mind me asking, is there anything else to do around these parts?"

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Kassey Daklin"]

Life is easy around these parts. Few if any people really wanna talk, out here they just wanna get on with their lives, get a drink, smoke it up and maybe hitch up a date for the lonely night, ‘bout it really. But then ya got the few strangers that ain’t all that, for some reason this life hadn’t turned them bitter or silent, naw they were as talkative as could be.

I was just taking another hit from the cigarette when this girl settled down nearby, nothing too special. Six foot nothing, fair skin that made ya think those thoughts and brown eyes that just exhaled warmth and a sudden lust for life. And the only thing I could think was a prayer that she wouldn’t talk to me.

But life never gets ya what ya want.

Looked over to her, one eyebrow raised itself automatically, before I remembered. This ain’t no Tatooine, girl probably hadn’t even heard of the Coldwell family. The eyebrow wouldn’t mean a thing to her, which made me sigh just a little bit.

‘Refueling station, miz.’ boulders being grinded to dust, that’s how the voice would reach her. A slow, deliberate hum vibrating through the air. ‘Ain’t anything ‘ere sides a drink and a death stick freeloader in the corner.’

More words spoken than I ever had to. Dems the days.

But for some reason I couldn’t help myself, not sure what it was, might never find out and that’s fine.

‘Whatcha looking for?’

 

[Julianna Nero]

"Refueling station," Kassey replied back to him, a more sincere little smile on her face finally, before she took another look around. It was a reminder of where she was and the question, as moot as it could be, still hung with her and made her curious about the things that one could do here. This was no place to vacation or getaway, this was a refueling station, but perhaps Kassey just needed that little boost of life, and that would be the key. She inhaled deeply, her eyes closed, the smell of sweat, alcohol, smoke, oil...one might think it would be disgusting, but Kassey was just reminded of home.

She realized then his form, his rough attitude, but she liked it. It was almost a curse for her, since she did know the key to destruction with men, and that was the dangerous men...the ones that looked like they could get in a fight and come out of it just as good looking, the kind that were dominant...those were the ones that she desired the most.

Kassey bit the inside of her cheek, and her eyes looked over him, something very familiar, so she moved just a little closer so his voice wouldn't need to carry so much, even though she still enjoyed it just as much. At the mention of the man in the corner, it made her eyes glance around on instinct to the corners, and in return she had another slight smile. "At least then, the deathstick freeloader in the corner must be making a good living, if that's all there is to look forward to." Kassey let a chuckle escape her lips, right before she took her drink to her lips yet again.

But, what a question, right? What was she looking for? Slowly, Kassey sat down her glass and cleared her throat. "What a wonderful question. But what is that anyone is looking for? A break from the norm, a little excitement. But me? I guess I don't really know what I'm looking for, not yet. However, when I find it..I'll know exactly what it is." Maybe it was the exhaustion from traveling so much...maybe it was because she hadn't talked to anyone in so long, so now was a good time to hold a conversation.

[member="Griffin Coldwell"]

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Kassey Daklin"]

Girl had some sass on her and that was probably what kept me interested, if you could call it even that. In some ways it was refreshing to meet a face that wasn’t immediately intimidated, scared or hostile at the sight of my face. Ya, she ain’t ever heard of no Coldwell and that suited me just fine, meant that I didn’t have a reputation to live up to, didn’t need to try to be the tough guy in the crowd.

What’s in a name, son?

I exhaled some smoke, tapped the top of the cigarette against the lit and then snorted just a little bit.

‘Sounds exhausting, if ya ask me.’ Or perhaps it was simply something that I never really made myself familiar with, there had been a routine back at home, a way of life that wasn’t really interrupted anytime soon.

Part of me had liked it, made things clear, reasonable.

You weren’t surprised by anything, but strangely enough sitting here and listening to the soft chirp of the lass made me think that might be… it wasn’t as exhausting. Maybe she had a little point or two.

‘Know where yare heading?’

Or maybe I had one too many drinks, the jetlag was hitting up on me and I really needed to get some fresh air with the freeloader in the corner.

 

[Julianna Nero]

Kassey looked down at her drink for a moment while she listened him saying that it was exhausting in that situation. "Exhausting, maybe you're right. If that's the idea then I can't complain, I'm exhausted myself." It's not as though she were ready to call it a night, she had so much in her head, on her mind, sleep was probably the last thing on her mind for the time being. Kassey inhaled once more, letting those familiar scents hit her. While she might have heard of the man, she didn't stay on Tatooine too long...she, too, liked the atmosphere, no matter how many times she denied ever enjoying the place. Even with the painful memories that the planet held, it was somewhere she liked to visit, not to do work, but the name...yes, that might have been familiar if she were to hear it.

He asked her if she knew where she was headed, and with that question came a slight nod of her head. "Now that is an answer I do know. I'm on my way to Zelros. I know I still have a ways to go, but I have a shipment I need to drop off there." Just the idea of going back there, it made her think more about exactly where it was that she needed to head to..so much happened on that planet, so many memories, but just one person responsible for such.

"Even though I debated on declining the job...I always seem to get myself into trouble when I go there." Kassey chuckled quietly, before she looked back up and over towards him. "And what about you? Do you know where you are heading?"

[member="Griffin Coldwell"]

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Kassey Daklin"]

Zelros.

Couldn’t say I had ever heard of that particular planet, then again she probably simply had meant Zeltros and I hadn’t heard her correctly. Might be the exhaustion speaking, or the drinks between either of us. Point was, Zeltros was a known quantity to me- hadn’t ever been there myself note. That stuff was far too intense for someone like me, wouldn’t have been surprised if after setting two feet on the ground I would have woken up with naked, blood on the cuffs and maybe a pretty girl straddling me. (if only I would be so lucky.)

Point was, it tipped me off on what kind of person I could be talking to. Not that there had been many other possibilities when ya run into someone in a dive such as this one, but Zeltros? Only a couple of things are being transported there and most are illegal in at least twenty star sectors.

‘Zeltros, huh?’ filling the space between the cogs running behind the mind and wordless space it left between the two of us. ‘Sounds exciting.’

Only the barest of movement signified the shrugging of a shoulder at the posed question, it ain’t no secret of mine where I was going.

‘Coruscant.’

Our holdings had been moving to the Imperial Center for many a week now, the Coruscant Rotary Club would receive us with… well perhaps not open arms, but they wouldn’t be adverse against having the likes of us working for ‘em.

Took another shot of the scotch, letting it swirl and burn. I wondered if she was working for someone, or if she was working on her lonesome.

‘Who you transporting for?’

Such a blunt question wasn’t usually asked, just wasn’t done in a delicate business such as theirs. But I hadn’t ever been known for subtlety, that was more my sister’s job, heh.

At least when she wasn’t busy bashing some poor soul’s skull in.

 

[Julianna Nero]

"Zeltros." Kassey said with a small nod of her head, and then she took another sip of the drink, which was followed by a cringe. At least on the party planet of pleasure, Kassey would be able to get a much better drink than she bargained for up here. Her eyes went into the distance of the place, scanning around, seeing what kind of folk walked through to the bar. A lot of them reminded her of Tatooine, dusty, dirty, she could tell who was a mechanic and who was a pilot. While Tatooine was never her real home, it was much more of a home than she ever had...that and her ship, of course.

"Exciting? Maybe. That place is swimming with things to do, but I can't be involved with all of that while I'm working...there's always too many distractions.." Her voice faded off as she looked down in her drink, and while she stood there, debating on another, he told her that he was going to Coruscant. She had a bit of a smirk, and she leaned a little closer. "Coruscant has to be my favorite place to go. Most of my work came from there....there's always work to be had on Coruscant.

As to who she was transporting for, Kassey let out a brief chuckle. "A hutt, actually...trying to get back into their good graces. Once you have red in your ledger by a hutt, work is slim pickings."

[member="Griffin Coldwell"]

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Kassey Daklin"]

Ain’t that the truth.

At least that is how it used to be in the past, but shet’s changes quicker than… well I didn’t have a ready and made metaphor at hand. But it changes quickly, that’s for sure and the current Galaxy didn’t have much use for the Hutts. Not after the Ravens decided to go all ham and take Nar Shaddaa, not after Danger fething Arceneau tightened her own grip on Tatooine.

Not after the One Sith took Coruscant and the Coruscant Rotary Club popped up in its underworld to show the world its own brand of wicked injustice. The CRC dealt in anything, spice, organs, human trafficking, assassinations, ya name it and they probably did it.

Without regards for the Hutts, probably.

Grunted in acknowledgement at Coruscant, ya always could find some cash there. Finally finished the drink and set the glass on the counter.

‘If ya ever wanna earn some cash.’ I told her, gruff voice growing softer to not be overheard and perhaps for her to lean in even more. ‘Finding yourself at Coruscant, ask around for the Coldwells.’

Ah… there was that name that used to haunt kids at night and send shivers up anyone’s spines.

‘Could getcha some work, without having to deal with em Hutts.’

 

[Julianna Nero]

If you ever wanna earn some cash....man, that was always the prefix to some really bad offers to be made, she thought to herself.

However, it didn't seem like he was that type, thank goodness, she didn't feel like attempting to punch a man in the face that looked as though he could crush her just by the look in his eyes. But yes, that was most definitely a turn on if that were to ever arise. As she tried to shuffle away the idea of what he might look like behind closed doors, she concentrated more on what he said, and that was work.

That name though...that name rang a few bells. She looked impressed and perhaps even puzzled at the moment, trying to figure it out. "Coldwell..." A lot of her past was jumbled, but she thought that she definitely heard the name. "I'm assuming that's you then, Mister Coldwell." Kassey smiled as she pushed the confusion off for a moment. "It's a pleasure to meet you, especially if you're willing to give me some work.

[member="Griffin Coldwell"]

 

[Kenth Typho]

[member="Kassey Daklin"]

A nod, followed by the last pull of the cigarette before finally grinding it down in the tray. There ain’t much to say, some would have maybe tried to brush up their egos some more, others would have boasted something or anything, but like my papa had always told me.

What’s in a name, son?

Everything, pa. Even though you were worthless and ruined everything you touched, you had that one thing right. Kudos to you. So instead I took look at her, a good look and finally asked of her.

‘So, whatcha ride?’

The question could be interpreted in many ways, but in the end I was an engineer at heart. Part of me was genuinely interested in what kind of ship she used for her operations, and the other parts… well they were more interested in those lips.

But all in due course, perhaps. Ain’t no need to rush anything.

 

[Julianna Nero]

Kassey watched him, with curious eyes, and with every motion that he made, she wanted to know more about him. Maybe it was because she was tired of the slobs that she ran into, or the ones that constantly hit on her when she was actually trying to do something. He was her type, but he was much different than she thought he would. That just goes to what she's always said...Never believe in expectations, Kassey believed in the results that came with it.

He asked her what she rode, but then it seemed that the tables have turned in her mind, at least a little bit. "Would it be too much to say...guys just like you?" Kassey asked, but it was with no sultry look or eyes that danced with mischievous undertones. It was followed by a chuckle, she was in a good mood, why not tease him for a little bit?

"Seriously though, I have an old ship...some call it too old, I just call it..vintage." Kassey raised the glass to her lips, taking the last sip out of her drink before she sat it back down. "I have an XS Stock Light Freighter. Heavily modified. It belonged to my dad, and I just...kind of took it over myself. But it's always giving me troubles, and I am not the best mechanic to work on that...it might not be much, but she's got it where she counts."

"Kassey, by the way." She told him and stuck out her hand so that he could shake it with hers. "Kassey Daklin."

[member="Griffin Coldwell"]