Private Rest Your Head

[Aren D'Shade]

Great, just great...she had been discovered and had to abandon her home pretty much. Luckily, Aren had several safehouses. These were from her days as a Shadowrunner for Darkwire. Technically, she still was, but that network had been mostly silent for a while.

Teleporting outside one of them, she noticed right away it wasn't locked. That might not be anything bad, as a few others did know of these places. Taking one of her tools out of her bag just in case she needed it, she knocked on the door and opened it.

She wasn't brandishing the wrench but held it at her side. Not seeing anybody in the front area, she relaxed and just hoped it had been unlocked.

"Hello!?"

Moving in one more step, she closed the door behind her and locked it. She didn't want to be surprised by any unexpected visitors that might be tracking her. Though she felt it was too early for that to be an issue.

Drewick Tivak

 

[Drewick Tivak]

Drewick had been on his own for a very long time. He couldn’t remember a time where he was surrounded by others. It was for the best. At least that was what he always told himself. Getting attached got you hurt, especially when that person ends up getting hurt because of you.

He had discovered the safe house a while ago. Seemed abandoned at the time and he needed a place to stay for a while. Since no one was coming back to it, he made it his own. He couldn’t understand why people left good places unoccupied but it wasn’t his problem. If they didn’t want it, then it was his for the taking. That was just how it was.

When the knock came, Drewick pulled his blaster to his hand. He had no plans to use it however couldn’t be too careful, especially with strangers.

“Who goes there?” He started moving towards the source, rounding the corner to find a woman with a wrench in her hand. Was she the owner of this place or just someone like him, a traveler looking for somewhere to crash.

He looked her over again, taking mental note of her features. “Can I help you?”

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Noticing the blaster in his hand, her wrench wasn't going to do much good against that. Neither of them had their respective weapons raised, so that gave Aren a bit of hope that this wasn't going to turn violent. Holding one hand open, she dropped the wrench. It hit the carpeted floor with a solid thud, and her now empty hand joined the other.

"I'm Aren D'Shade, and this is one of my safehouses. How long have you been here?"

Making herself comfortable, she leaned against the locked door. This also kept him trapped without a way to escape. Unless he could also teleport like she could. If things did turn violent, she had tricks up her sleeve that she could use.

"Who are you?"

Asking him the same question, she was calm as she looked at the young man in her secret home.

Drewick Tivak

 

[Drewick Tivak]

When the woman dropped the wrench, he eyed her slowly before ultimately returning the blaster to the bedside table via the force. His guess was correct. She was indeed the owner…which meant he was in her space. “I’ve been here for a few months.” He folded his arms, watching her lean against the door. “You must be rolling in credits if this is only one of your places. At least enough to keep power running.”

When she inevitably asked who he was, his face remained neutral. “Drewick Tivak.” After a moment of eye contact, he turned and returned to the living room area of the safe house. “I’d say make yourself at home but doesn’t quite fit when you’re the owner.”

He sat on the couch, putting his foot up on the table. “So what brings you back to this safe house? On the run or simply in the area?” It wasn’t his business but it didn’t hurt to ask.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"I might be, but who knows? I don't pay for anything. All in the trick of technology and manipulating certain things."

Once he had disarmed himself, she stood up and moved into her kitchen. Pulling open the door of the fridge, she looked at the empty shelves and then at him.

"What's your choice of food and drink? I'm going to be staying here for a while, and it looks like you can use something more than rations bars."

Closing the door, she opened a cupboard and pulled out a mug to get some water. It was about the only thing this place currently had.

"Hiding out. I uh...ruffled some feathers."

Without going into any details, those might come eventually.

"Did you just need a bed and a place to stay?"

Drewick Tivak

 

[Drewick Tivak]

So it wasn’t that she was loaded. Just resourceful. That kept you alive. He could appreciate that. “Not bad.” He had a charming devil may care grin on his face.

Now introductions were out the way, she seem quite chill. Well as chill as one could be when they realize that a stranger started living in your property.

She pointed out that she’d be staying a while and asked what he cared to eat. It was a surprise that she wasn’t kicking him out for her own accommodations. Doubly so for her offering to prepare a meal. “Bantha burgers are nice. So are bantha steaks. As for beverages, not a big deal for me.”

The place was empty food wise. Drewick never knew if he’d have to abandon the place so he kept ration bars and if he needed a hearty meal, he’d stop at a cantina or something. Also didn’t help that he was a terrible cook.

Turned out she was on the run from something or someone. “Guess they didn’t take too kindly to that.” He turned to face her.

She had asked if he just needed a place to stay. “Yeah. I don’t usually stay in one place for an extensive period of time. Can sometimes attract problems. Though, here’s been quite calm and quiet so I guess I’ve been hanging around longer than I usually would.”
Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Aren tapped a few controls on her datapad, sending the shopping list off to be delivered. A short while later, EL appeared in the flat, her humanoid form moving with smooth precision, a crate of ingredients balanced effortlessly in her arms.

"Shall I prepare the meal?" EL asked, her voice smooth and feminine, carrying that faint undercurrent of dry amusement she'd somehow picked up from her owner.

"Yes, burgers," Aren said, leaning back against the counter. "Bantha style. Nothing fancy, get them done."

EL moved toward the compact galley, motions fluid and deliberate as she began unpacking supplies. The sizzle of meat hit the small grill, followed by the warm scent of toasted buns and spiced sauce. Within minutes, the air was thick with the promise of real food—something that didn't come vacuum-sealed or taste like recycled air.

Aren shot him a glance, a smirk tugging at her mouth. "Don't get used to this. EL only cooks for guests if they're entertaining enough. And don't even think about complaining—she remembers."

"I do," EL replied evenly without turning around, sliding a perfectly cooked patty onto a bun.

The droid plated the burgers with impeccable presentation and set them on the table with quiet grace. Aren folded her arms. "There you go. Survive the meal without insulting her culinary skills, and maybe I won't throw you out after all."

EL paused beside the counter, head tilting just slightly as her optical sensors flicked toward him. "I would recommend doing so," she added lightly. "The last guest didn't take criticism well either."

Aren chuckled. "See? She's already warming up to you."

Drewick Tivak