Private Steel Aprons & Old Lightsabers

[Varek Fenn]

A solid year and a couple thousand credits later, Varek had found himself to be an exceptional chef. He truly left the life of war and combat behind and traded it for a life filled with pure ingredients. For Varek, cooking was better than seeing the end of a barrel, or worse, hearing the sound of a humming red saber. Part of him deep down missed it though. Fighting for something that mattered more than his current 3,500 square foot cantina. In truth, he was barely an owner of the place. His few thousand credits made what it was today possible. A crowded cantina filled to the brim, the capacity of the guest was clearly over the allowed limit, but that didn't stop the drinks from flowing and the food from being delivered perfectly hot.

The sizziling splatter from below the steel pan hissed, steam rising to the air as an aroma of seasoned Shaak filled the kitchen. A sudden beeping from the back far wall chimed loudly, to allow the other chef to rush and pull the first dutch oven from the nanowave appliance. The burst of spices and beautifully simmering local mushrooms began to take over. The roasted meat perfectly sat above a sprinkle of greens and noodles. The braised shaak was cooked medium rare, the slight charred edges were from a process of searing. All before being placed into the oven for the final result, that was now placed in front of Varek.

"Chef! The next batch of the Braised Ala Shaak is ready!" A young male Clarodian yelled, after placing the goregeous meat onto the duratsteel countertop. Varek looked at the horns first and then shifted his yellow eyes to the young man.
"Excellent, Yamir." Varek's tone was gruff, but pleased. "Now go drop the last of the fresh pasta. We have two more tables and the kitchen is done for the night."
"Yes, Chef!"

Varek moved quickly, grabing a few utensils and lightly removing the shaak meat from the dutchy. With precsion the meat fit into the sizziling oil and fresh garlic. He began to slowly turn it, searing the mid sections of the juicy delight. The oil fused into it and the sheer pink color of the meat began to lightly turn brown. The timing had to be perfect and the internal clock of Varek's mind began to clock it. Then the greens were added, leaving the sauce to stew on the side with the fresh pasta floating to the top. A step that had to take place before Varek was ready to have it enter the pan. In a brisk motion of pure refinement, he sliced into the meat. With satisfaction he waited, his eyes glowing with intensity as he watched the garlic glaze over the fresh greens with a spatula. Then he twisted the meat over and before he gave a second thought, poured the brown sauce and noodles into the mix. A burst of flame roared beneath the pan, but instead of concern a smile reached Varek's face. He peered out of the kitchen window, taking notice of the immense crowd.

"Yamir! Let's get that last dish done, we are almost ready to serve!"
"Heard, Chef!" Yamir responded quickly and rushed to the other side of the kitchen island. More spices and a few herbs were needed for the final garnish. He knew all too well that the Crimson Chef wasn't going to find forgetting acceptable. That was just the way things were. It might have been a rough opportunity to work as a chef for a cantina, but truly, Yamir was to learn all he could from Varek and respected him for his craft.

A few minutes passed and the plates were steaming hot and ready to be whisked away into the front half of the cantina. Varek, wiped his head dry and turned the burners off before taking a deep breath.

Another successful rush.

Varek grinned and looked to Yamir. The kid had spunk and he was learning everyday. Still, that didn't mean the kitchen was going to clean itself.

"Start with the prep station and work your way to the sink over here. I'm taking a break, if you need me..." Varek paused, looking out into the sea of all the guests through the long window into the bar. "I'm going to have a drink at the bar."

He pushed the swinging doors open, a brisk rush of cool air slammed into him and his Lekku slightly twitched. His tall red image taking up the entire frame of the walkway before proceeding. A few people gave him a nod or two of acknowledgement. As he sat down onto the old wooden stool, he could overhear the satisfied customers with their food. He smiled, lifted his finger to the bartender and waited for his usual.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: smuggler outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Sometime before Return...

Valery had not intended to stay long.

That was what she had told herself when she stepped into the cantina. One drink, perhaps two, and then she would figure out where she was going next. It had been a simple plan. Simple plans had always been easier to make than to follow, however.

She sat at the bar with one elbow resting against the worn countertop, a metal cup held loosely in her hand. The years had changed her appearance only in small ways. Her dark hair had been pulled back into a high ponytail, leaving a few loose strands around her face. She wore a fitted white blouse with the sleeves rolled to her elbows, the fabric laced together at the front and left slightly open at the collar. It had been tucked into dark trousers, practical enough for travel but it was far removed from the robes and armor she had once worn almost every day. A simple belt rested around her waist, though there was no lightsaber hanging from it. Only her blaster pistol to avoid unwanted attention.

She took another drink and watched the crowd around her. People laughed over their meals, glasses struck against the bar, and somewhere behind her, the kitchen continued its relentless work. The comforting smell of seared meat and spices lingered in the air.

Valery had spent the better part of a year fighting after the Galactic Alliance fell. She had gathered rebels, moved supplies, planned strikes, watched people disappear and kept going because there had always been another thing that needed doing. Then, one day, she had simply stopped.

Now she was coming back, and she had no idea what that was supposed to mean just yet. The Galaxy had changed once again, and she needed to find her bearings.

Her gaze drifted toward the kitchen as the last plates disappeared into the crowd. The chef eventually emerged, taking his place at the bar after the rush. Valery studied him for a moment before looking down at her drink again.

She could leave. She had become very good at leaving. Instead, she turned slightly on her stool and glanced toward Varek, a faint smile forming at the corners of her lips.

"The food here smells considerably better than anything I've eaten lately." She lifted her cup in a small gesture toward the kitchen.

Varek Fenn ​

 

[Varek Fenn]

Varek took it all in as he waited for his drink.

The sheer rush of people in the cantina was a sight to behold. Just a short year ago, he was staring at electrical wires hanging from the ceiling, cracked walls, torn seats and a torched bar counter. Some of the charm still remained though. Like the small burn marks that lingered along the inside walls of the counter he currently sat at. The dents and tiny hole in the wall near the restroom. Even the names of himself and the other owners into the wooden border at the entrance door.

It made him smile just thinking about it, it made him happy.
​

"The food here smells considerably better than anything I've eaten lately."

The voice tore him away from his thoughts. His chiseled jawline tightened into a wider smile at the compliment. He turned his head, his montrals slightly twitching as he did. His gold eyes locked with Valery's deep peach eyes. It was brief and although she had grabbed his attention, he looked back at the bartender as she raised her mug. He gave a nod to speed the process up before turning back to her.

"You're too kind." Varek's voice was deep, but soothing. "I'm getting better everyday, at least that's what the regulars keep telling me."

The Crimson Chef looked her up and down, her attire was screaming smuggler, but Varek knew better. She was a different breed, everything from the tight pony tail, small, but athletic frame and the two blasters at her curve hugging waist. To a soldier she would have been considered "hot for her age," but Varek noticed something far more special about her in terms of natural beauty.

Valery's scar over her left eye.

Varek had his own scars from his time as a soldier, but to him, her scar was like a quiet map on her skin. A tale that told him exactly where she had been and what she had endured. Part of him felt for her, having known he bore deeper wounds than her own, even if they were hidden beneath his chef coat. In those few seconds of realization, he was already connected to her.

"What brings someone like you to a place like this?" Varek's eyes glistened with curiosity and he leaned turning fully sideways to give Valery every ounce of his frame. To her, she wouldn't see the tone and muscular body beneath, she wouldn't see the old soldier. Instead, she would see his vascular forearms, the tight fit of his black chef jacket, his prominent chin and thick neck. She may have noticed his obvious black, white and red lekku widely hanging across the front of his bulky shoulders. Lastly, but certainly not least she would have noticed his large well defined hands.

Without little notice for the two nearly full mugs being delivered, Varek stared into her endless tangerine pools before he slid her drink back to her.


Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: smuggler outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery's eyes followed his as he turned toward her, and the faint smile on her lips grew when he gave her a proper look. She returned the favor without much shame. Her gaze traveled from his montrals to the broad shoulders beneath his chef jacket, then lower toward those rather impressive forearms and hands. By the time her eyes found his again, the smile had shifted into a knowing smirk. Whatever thoughts had occupied her before coming inside, he had managed to distract her from them rather effectively.

"Someone like me?" Valery asked, amused. She reached for the mug he had slid back toward her and took another drink, using those few seconds to consider how much she actually wanted to say. The answer was very little. She had spent too long making herself difficult to find to start explaining her life to a handsome stranger over the first round of drinks.

"I'm just passing through," she eventually said, which was technically true enough. Her fingers remained curled around the mug as she turned a little more toward him on the stool. "Right now, I'm mostly interested in a good drink, something worth eating, and not thinking too hard about where I'm going next." Her gaze dipped across him once more, slower this time, before settling back on those golden eyes. Valery took another sip and let the silence linger just long enough to make the meaning behind her expression difficult to miss.

"And perhaps some entertainment." The smirk returned as she set her mug down. Her path would be hard the coming months, so she knew she'd have to take time to eat well, hear stories and spend time around the people of the Galaxy. She could not allow herself to be disconnected any longer.

Varek Fenn ​

 

[Varek Fenn]

Varek couldn't help but smile.

Not the practiced smile he gave customers when they complimented the food, either. This one came naturally, pulling slightly at the corners of his mouth as he watched her over the rim of his mug.

"Entertainment, huh?"

His montrals twitched faintly. He took another drink, mostly because it gave him something to do with his hands. There was something about her. He couldn't quite put his finger on it yet. Maybe it was the way she carried herself. Maybe it was the scar. Maybe it was simply the fact that she looked at him like she wasn't particularly interested in pretending she wasn't attracted to him.

Varek respected that.

"Well," he said, setting his mug down, "you're certainly in the right place for at least two of those things."

His eyes wandered briefly toward the kitchen.

"Food and a good drink." A small pause. "The other one..." His golden eyes returned to hers. "That depends." He chuckled under his breath and shook his head. His hand moved across the counter as he reached for a small plate. He set it down between them, pushing it gently in her direction.

"Here."

There were a few small bites on it, something he'd been experimenting with earlier that evening.

"Don't ask what it is." The grin returned. "If you like it, I'll tell you." He leaned back against the bar, finally allowing himself to relax a little. "And if you hate it..." His shoulders rose in a casual shrug. "I'll pretend I never saw you eat it."

For the first time, the flirtation in his expression gave way to something warmer.

"You know..." He glanced around the cantina. "I remember when this place was practically falling apart. Wires hanging from the ceiling, half the seats torn to pieces, walls looking like someone had used them for target practice."

His fingers tapped lightly against the wooden bar.

"Some of that damage is still here." He looked back at her. "I like it that way." There was a quiet fondness in his voice now. "It makes for a good reminder that things don't have to be perfect to become something worth keeping."

His eyes settled on her scar again. He didn't stare.

Didn't ask. He simply understood that some things were better left alone until someone decided they wanted to talk about them.

"So.." Varek Said, picking up his cold drink again. "You've got somewhere you need to be." He took a slow sip. "Maybe that's why you don't want to think too hard about where you're going next." He took another moment to consider his words as she turned towards him. "Either way, you don't seem too interested in getting there tonight." A faint smile crossed his face.

His gaze lingered on hers. There was a clear attraction to her and his massive frame leaned slightly closer to her.

"Eat something, have another drink." A beat passed. "and maybe we'll see if we can live up to your expectations, when it comes to entertainment."



Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: smuggler outfit
Weapons: Blasters

Valery glanced down at the plate he'd pushed toward her, then back up at Varek with a suspicious little squint. "Don't ask what it is?" she repeated. "Hmm, suspicious," she said jokingly. Still, she picked up one of the bites without hesitation. She turned it between her fingers briefly before popping it into her mouth, her expression deliberately unreadable while she chewed. Varek could wait for his verdict. After a few seconds, her eyebrows lifted and she reached for another.

"Fine. You can tell me what it is." Valery pointed the second bite at him. "And I'll take whatever else you recommend. I'm trusting the chef tonight, so don't disappoint me."

Her attention shifted to her mug when he mentioned another drink. She finished what remained and slid it toward him, though her eyes stayed on his. "Another sounds good, but only if you're having one with me." She leaned against the bar a little more comfortably. Whatever destination awaited her tomorrow could remain there without her for one evening.

When Varek leaned closer, Valery made no effort to create distance between them. Instead, her gaze dipped briefly toward his lips before returning to those golden eyes. His choice of words had certainly not escaped her. "My expectations?" she asked, amusement warming her expression. "Careful. Those tend to be rather high."

"But I suppose I'm willing to give you a chance." She settled back onto her stool and gestured toward the drinks with an innocent expression.

"Food first. Another drink." Her eyes wandered over him once more. "Then you can show me exactly what kind of entertainment this place has to offer."

Varek Fenn ​