Ask Nar Shaddaa Building Blocks

[Makari de Nolay]

The Smuggler's Moon. A den of vice, greed, and sin. Flashing lights on towers so high it obscured the stars, casting neon shadows to the peons beneath. For some, this planet was a paradise of lawlessness and freedom, where the ethical restrictions went to die a quick and painless death.

For a senator who was already untethered to such petty problems, the whole planet stunk of industry. It was as if someone had made a whole world of Coruscant's lower levels - a stinking pile of refuse that served as an idol to the greedy Hutt gods that ruled over. Conveniently, though, it was a place where one could find things of tremendous value.

Or so he had been told. Strutting through the garbage-lined streets of Nar Shadda, Makari quickly checked his datapad. Three mechanics in a row said the parts he was looking for were impossible to find. To be fair, it was rare. The Sullust Motors AE430 was only produced in a one-year run over fifty years ago. Finding the right anti-grav repulsor for the engine, which was custom-built by Sullustan hands, was a near impossible task. It's why they discontinued the product in the first place - even for a luxury market, the maintenance was too particular to realistically keep up with.

But when he thought about taking the half-built speeder currently waiting in his ship's hangar out to drive, he could feel the hairs bristle on his chest. The smooth, responsive power steering and rear side-thrusts made it a favorite for drift racing during its brief lifespan on the market. He imagined speeding down the Alsakan rivers and cityscapes, rolling down the convertible top, and sharing a cigarra with a beautiful passenger.

He let a sigh slip from his lips. It looked like it was not to be. But there was one last stop - Sleek's Shinies. Makari stopped outside, peering in the window for a moment to fix his hair. He rain a slender finger through his long locs and practiced a smile, before noticing a caf stain on his immaculate blue velour suit. He groaned to his security droid. "Make a note for me to get this pressed, please."

Might as well get it over with. Maybe there were some dreams that not even the Senator of Alsakan could make true. But maybe, with a little luck and a lot of help, he could get his speeder just yet.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

— Image

Location: Nar Shaddaa, Sleek's Shinies — 17:37

___Inside, Makari could see Sleek standing behind her counter. The Fiani woman had her goggles on, doubled over what appeared to be a child's airscooter. Her BD-series unit stood on the counter, using the flashlight built into one of its photoreceptors to illuminate the airscooter as she worked.

___The shop was impressive enough, at least by Nad Shaddaa's standards. Where most others might be dirty or disorganised, Sleek's was well-kept and neatly set up. Several standing shelves lined the open floor, with others hung up on walls, all filled with various items and other components for anything anyone could need. Droids, skiffs, starships, you name it, it was somewhere. It was an impressive collection, to say the least.

___"Almost done, buddy, just keep it steady a li'l bit longer," Sleek murmured as she finished the last adjustments on the toy. "There, that should get it runnin' again. Why en't we try it?" she asked her companion as she slid the cover back over the engine housing. The Fiani sat up, pressed the power button, and the airscooter powered. Smiling with satisfaction, Sleek raised her hand to her BD unit, which promptly responded by giving her a high-five with its clamped foot. With her work completed, Sleek turned the scooter off.

___"That'll make li'l Asara's face light up," Sleek beamed. "Poor thing was on the verge-a tears when she and 'er mom brought it in. Can't wait t'see that smile," she said as she spun on her stool to face her computer and begin typing. "I'mma let 'er mom know it's done. Di-Gi, go get one-a the loader droids t'come pick it up?" Sleek asked, her droid responding by trilling and scurrying away.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

Makari chose the worst possible opportunity to step inside, colliding directly with Di-Gi just as they were scuttling out the door. Makari grimaced () as the thought of droid lubricant further ruining his tailored suit ran through his mind. He quickly recovered his composure, though, and he took a polite bow to the droid. "My apologies, friend, I wasn't paying enough attention..." His eyes scanned across the room as he searched for an organic form to speak to. Suddenly, his eyes caught the raven-haired Fiani. A beauty in this dung heap of a moon. He strode cautiously towards her, carefully avoided the tightly-packed shelving filled floor-to-ceiling with junk and treasures.

"Hello!" He wiped down his hands, to offer for a firm shake to Iko. "Makari. It's a pleasure. Listen, I won't waste too much of your time." He had been so disappointed by the day so far, he imagined this one would dissappoint, too. Might as well get it over with. His green eyes flecked across the counter, seeing if he could immediately identify the repulsor unit. No dice. "I'm looking for a Sullust Motors anti-gravity unit. It has to be compatible with a model from 108 ABY." Which was truly the difficulty - finding a part from nearly fifty years ago.

"Any chance your store has it?" A shot in the dark, but there was still hope.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___As Makari kicked Di-Gi, the droid chirped and whirred with confusion. It looked up at the man, the focusing rings of its large photoreceptor spinning as it adjusted its view. It beeped as Makarai apologised and resumed scurrying away, seemingly unbothered by the accident.

___Sleek looked up as the man called out for her. "'Sup," she said. Before she could welcome him to the store, he launched into speaking. She took his hand to return the gesture, listening to his request. Her yellow eyes gazed into his as he specified the part and the compatibility requirements, her other hand lazily reaching out to grab a drink sitting on the counter. The straw met her lips, and a loud, obnoxious slurp echoed from inside the cup when she drank.

___"Nice t'meet ya, too. Name's Sleek, if y'happen t'care," the Fiani woman grumbled, finishing her noisome slurping once Makari stopped talking. "I prob'ly got one in the back. I kin check m'inventory on the computer, but what in blazes y'need a part that old fer?" Sleek asked as she released Makari's hand and set down her drink to resume typing. "Can y'even afford it? A repulsorlift what's older'n I am prob'ly en't gonna cost y'any less'n ᖬ5,000. Even that might be a conservative estimate."

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

"Oh, you're the Sleek." Of Sleek's Shinies. He supposed it tracked. What was most surprising was that small businesses still existed on Nar Shadda at all; most of the other places he had stopped in had been chains, fronts, or otherwise owned by Hutts or mega corporations, or, oftentimes, some horrid, dismal fusion of the two. He ignored her slurping, as the customs of the barbarians that lived on this moon no longer phased him, and he listened to her explanation.

When she asked about the purpose of this purchase, a smile rose to his face. Perhaps naively, he was eager to share about his pet project to anyone who would listen. He tapped his droid companion, who in return displayed a holographic image of the convertible speeder he hoped to build. He zoomed into a diagram of it, interacting with the haptic feedback of the hologram to show exactly which piece he was missing. The last piece of the puzzle for a beautiful vehicle.

"Sullust Motors realized a vehicle that was too good to be true before either of us were born. The perfect racing, city driving, and cruising speeder. I've been building this, part-by-part, for years." Sometimes, even with his own hands! "Well, me and a team of droids." They kept shaking hands as the two spoke, only stopping when she finished slurping. She would feel the wiry, calloused hands of a soldier. "And we're almost done."

Could he afford 5,000 credits? He almost scoffed at the question. His suit cost nearly that much, and he got that just for driving the speeder around! "Price won't be an issue." At this point, if she had the repulsorlift, he would pretty much sell half of Alsakan to get it. "Do you do installation, too? I have the speeder docked on my ship." The sooner he could get this beauty out on the road, the better.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___"Yup, the Sleek," the woman echoed his realisation. As Makari showed Sleek the projection, she whistled. "Yer tellin' me. I en't never thought I'd see a genuine AP-0," she murmured, her interest visibly piqued as her ears bobbed and her tails swished. "No wonder ya en't been able t'find what y'need. They called it the Street Blaster Bolt, and fer good reason. That 289-hirep repulsorlift could be modified'n overcharged real easy, so they flew off shelves."

___The woman resumed tapping away at her computer.

___"Not t'mention the custom cool-burnin' injectrine engines and the variable exhaust nozzle on each-a those thrusters, combined with a repulsorfield t'generate better traction control? Yer lookin' at the dream speeder-a street racers'n collectors alike," Sleek mused, passion clear in her voice, her body language speaking volumes as both tails excitedly wagged.

___"I gotta say, though. Yer real bold—or arrogant—comin' t'Nar Shaadaa, tellin' someone that price en't a problem, and that y'got a piece-a pretty like that squattin' in yer bird. Real good way t'get yourself swindled, stabbed, shot, or robbed. Possibly all four in that order," she said, looking up at Makari as she finished typing. "Lucky fer you, I en't gonna fleece ya. Might come as a surprise t'someone like yerself, but Nar Shaddaa en't completely chock full-a scum. Only mostly."

___Sleek reached over and grabbed a datapad. She powered it on and set it in front of Makari, on which the display read 289-HIREP RPLSR — x1. She had what he needed.

___"I do installation, but we're gonna get t'some common ground first," she said. "Obviously, with how quickly y'came in here an' talked up a storm without lettin' me speak, it's apparent en't no one else had one-a these. Jus' me," Sleek stated confidently. "I'll sell it'n install it, but first thing's first: it's obvious yer from some sorta uppity, stuffed-shirt, prim-an'-proper glitterworld. Y'probably got notions 'bout me, notions I en't fond of, considerin' y'dropped all common courtesy 'bout lettin' me talk. Maybe 'cause y'think I'm some backwater idjit," she continued. "If y'really want this part, yer gonna respect me. Ya en't gotta like me, but yer gonna respect me, an' yer gonna treat me with respect. Y'do that, I'll do the same t'you, an' we'll both go on our merry with a mutually beneficial transaction."

___Sleek slid the pad to Makari.

___"Second, I'm givin' ya a real reasonable price. That's 'cause I got one condition," she began again. "When we're finished, y'let me take 'er fer a ride. Yer welcome t'join, too, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I en't keen on turnin' m'nose up at it. I reckon I get t'enjoy a novelty speeder, and you get t'see that folk like me'n you got more in common than y'might think."

___The Fiani woman stopped speaking. She gazed up at Makari.

___"That's the deal. Take it'r leave it."

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

Makari had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. These Outer Rim types and their projection. All he needed was a part, not a lecture about how to treat people. All he had done is enter her shop and politely try to buy a piece of equipment. It had been a long day of disappointment - surely, the moon's occupants were well used to scams, tricks, and dastardly scheming. And now she wanted, what, respect? How could that be defined? If coming into a place of business and asking to do business was disrespectful, what egg shells would he have to step on to get the respect of these podunk slicers? It wasn't his fault that they carried no sense of shame or self-respect.

In doing so, she had made a great deal of assumptions about him. His background, his world. Some accurate, sure, but how could he respond to an assumption of disrespect when the Fiani was doing that exact thing?

He wasn't a bullshitter, though, unlike most of the upper crust of the Core. "Respect comes at the price of respect. I truly don't care if you think of me as some - what did you call it? 'Uppity, stuffed-shirt, prim-and-proper glitterworlder'? All I want is to finish this speeder." A pause, but not a punctuated one. "And once it's done, not only will you have my respect, but my permanent adoration. That certainly warrants a ride."

His face remained placid, the trained, cool look of a diplomat. His eyes softened at her obvious delight in the craft. Perhaps the "More in common, indeed. I've only seen videos of it, but this beast glides through corners like it's moving on melting butter. I'd like nothing more than to share that moment with another who appreciates the craftsmanship."

He smiled at the thought. He hadn't been able to really cut loose since he took on the Senatorial robes. Maybe he was being stuffy. He thought of his parents - their ever-polite, ever-bored, ever-indifferent, proper attitudes. It was revolting. The thought that this was who he was becoming hit a nerve. He had sworn to be different. And yet, here he stood, preening like a peacock in an impoverished slum. He had lost his path.

"Fuck it. You've got a deal."

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___"Then I do believe we got ourselves an arrangement. Y'just get that bill footed'n I'll go get the part," Sleek responded, rising to her feet to make her way to the back. Once she had Makari's consent for mutual respect, anything else he said regarding their thoughts about one another was important. They could dislike each other all they wanted, but as long as the due regard was there, they could both benefit.

___Di-Gi meandered back into the shop shortly after Sleek disappeared, making his way to the counter to hop on top of it. The small droid looked up inquisitively at Maraki, tilting its head with a curious whir and a series of soft beepings. Sleek returned through the door with the box in her hands and set it on the counter next to her droid. She opened it up to allow Makari to see the part.

___"One 289-hirep repulsorlift," she stated. "How y'wanna do this? Y'wanna bring 'er here, or y'wanna take me t'yer bird?" the Fiani asked. "Either way, I'll make do. Y'want me t'look fer any other parts y'might need while we're at it? I got quite the collection."

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

He really should have brought the speeder with him. It would've been to hard to lug around, though. "If it wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience for you, you're more than welcome on my ship." There was a cargo hold with a small repair bay where the speeder was waiting. They could just zip on back to the ship.

He offered his credit chit to purchase the item outright immediately. Thinking about other parts - none came to mind. Unless..."I've been thinking about a leather interior for it. Would make the seats more comfortable. What do you think?" He waves his hand idly as he continued to ponder. "Nevermind, never mind. Maybe once you see it with your own eyes, you can offer some reccomendations to me."

He patted his security droid gently on the back. "My attendant here can lead us back to the ship." Maybe once they were back at the ship, he could get a cappuccino, too. In the meantime, he just had to enjoy the company he was with. "Do you mind if we walk?" Much as he had stuck his nose up at it, he enjoyed the thrill of just walking through a new place with a fresh set of eyes. Walking it with a local could make it that much more interesting.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___"Nah, won't be an inconvenience," Sleek replied, dismissively waving a hand before closing the box. The woman hoisted it up to hold it in her arms and walked towards the door. At least the two would have protection on their way back. Sleek was reasonably known and liked on Nar Shaddaa, but that didn't make her immune to being held up and robbed.

___"Yeah, better t'see it afore makin' a decision like that," she answered. "Di-Gi, get the place locked up," she instructed her BD unit as they left. "I en't mind walkin' at all. S'a good workout, anyway," Sleek told Makari as her droid companion interfaced with the electronic lock once they were outside. The Fiani paused to let Di-Gi catch up, who promptly bounded into the air onto Sleek's back to grip the fabric of the woman's tank top. Once he was situated, she began walking toward the spaceport.

___"Sorry 'bout earlier, fer what it's worth," Sleek said as they walked. "I dunno if y'want an apology, but there y'go. Used t'folk like yerself walkin' in, assumin' I'm some barbaric, bottomfeeding idjit just 'cause I chose t'work on Nar Shaddaa," she continued, glancing over at Makari. "Felt like ya en't care 'bout who I was. Who knows, maybe ya don't," Sleek confessed, her gaze turning forward again, "but I'll admit I were in the wrong t'be all tetchy. Hope I en't give too bad-a first impression."

___It would be idiotic to scare off a man as well-off as Makari was, but the apology was sincere despite that. Sleek's image for her store was pristine by Nar Shaddaa's standards, and she intended to keep that intact. The woman prided herself on her service, and the last thing she wanted was a blemish on that record. Of course, she also realised that the man was just as enthusiastic about vintage landspeeders as she was. He was here for a passion project. It stood to reason that he'd be excited, and she had gotten fussy for no substantial reason.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

Makari chuckled lightly as she apologized, good cheer pouring over them both. He gently lifted a hand to pat her shoulder, delicate velour sleeves brushing against her utilitarian shoulder straps. They had gotten off on the wrong foot, certainly - Makari viewing all of Nar Shadda as a lifeless dung heap, Sleek resenting the senator's attitude. However, it was this shared passion that delighted them both, that made him almost giddy.

"It's me who owes the apology. You're doing me a great service. Thank you." He brushed his locs out of his face to share a genuine smile. As they passed through the crowded streets of Nar Shadda, flanked by their respective droids, he felt elated. He was near the end of years worth of effort - bringing a relic of a vehicle back to life. Better yet, the mechanic who would put on the final touches was a true connoisseur with a passion for the craft. Her discerning taste would certainly come in handy.

He began to regale her as they spoke, searching in his mind an explanation as to how this passion project began. "I used to be in the military." Lieutenant de Nolay. A brief time spent in the military before the Republic disintegrated, but a memorable one.. "New Republic Navy. We went to visit a friendly FWA world, Sullustan." Back before Chancellor Xerxes disgraced them all by assaulting the Free Worlds. "Saw my first SoroSuub Trade Show. Have you ever watched? A big, extravagant demonstration of all next year's products. It was amazing, as I'm sure you can imagine." He gestured widely to communicate the scale of the event. It was huge - halls fulls of new droids, computer technologies, weapons, and, best of all, speeders. New car designs from across the galaxy couldn't compete with the luxurious, elegant, and quick movement of a Sullustan speeder.

"They had a decomossioned AE340 shell there. And all I could think about was the 110 ABY Galactic Grand Prix. Where Skap Demonds took home gold in that cherry red AE340." He whistled, thinking back to his first watch of the race. It was with his mentor, a man named Montiplex, back on Alsakan. He became a racing fan after the first view. "It's one think to have the body. But the parts! And shipping them all over the galaxy! And, even harder, trying to find a mechanic on Alsakan who works with vintage Sullustan motor vehicles." He clicked his tongue, tut-tutting the close-mindedness of his own Alaskani. "I've been building it slowly ever since."

Around them, the din of the city was nearly deafening the now soft-spoken senator. He snapped back to the present at the loud honk of a passing speeder on the street. He had been lost in thought, in nostalgia, to a simpler time. Where all that mattered was assembling a car. "Tell me about your time in this business. You get to work on vintage speeders a lot?"

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___"Maybe we both messed up," Sleek corrected Makari as he insisted he owed an apology. She was not beyond admitting and owning her mistakes, and she would not let Makari be the one to shoulder all the blame.

___"Military, eh? Well, s'pose that explains a few things," Sleek cackled. She listened as Makari told his tale, and though she might typically disregard her clients' stories, something about Makari compelled her to listen. What it was that inspired her, she didn't know. Maybe it was his fondness for vintage vehicles or the equal footing the two extremes now found themselves on.

___"I remember that race," Sleek sighed fondly. "The way he pulled ahead-a Jiso Jissard last minute, keepin' it neck-and-neck straight t'the finish. The judges deliberated fer so long on that verdict," she laughed. The woman hadn't kept up with racing in a while, but that race was something she would remember for the rest of her days. Sleek recalled the exact cherry red Makari spoke of and the precise design and specs of the AE340 he used to steal that victory.

___"I en't even wanna try t'imagine how many creds dealerships would charge fer a part that en't bein' manufactured no more, much less the shippin' fer it," Sleek groaned, rolling her eyes with a shake of her head. "That problem's why most mechanics don't bother learnin' 'bout vintage vehicles. What're the chances they're ever gonna see the ruttin' thing? Well, either way, y'just so happened t'find one-a the last true gearheads what'll learn 'bout any and all kinds-a vehicles."

___Then came the question everyone always asked her.

___"Been doin' it since I was a kid," Sleek answered. "I lived in Teakroof on Fiana, if y'ever heard-a that world. En't gotta lotta tech, really, only what y'see at the spaceports, and even fewer mechanics," she elaborated. "I went t'the spaceport when I were four, maybe five years old, saw all the starships and fell in love immediately. Wanted t'learn all 'bout 'em, went there every day, hangin' out with the techs that taught me as they could. I turned into a proper spec junkie. I could tell ya the specs-a nearly every craft from every major shipwright at the time."

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

A shared enthusiasm for speeders would carry their conversation forward as they lazily wandered towards Makari's sleek diplomatic cruiser. Along the way, he made an effort to enjoy the walk. He stopped for street desserts - a delicious shaved ice covered in fruit-flavored sugar - getting a red cup for himself and a blue one for Sleek. Nibbling the slowly-melting shard of ice, he continued to listen to what she said in relation to their environment. Her world was low-tech and, it seemed like, had low industry. Nar Shadda was an ecumenopolis, with peoples from all over the galaxy exchanging in the latest and rarest tech on the market. The contrast was enormous.

As he listened, the pair slowly made their way towards Makari's ship. When they finally reached his ship, the remainder of his ice treat melted into the cup. It mattered not, though, for the real treat is ahead. The hangar doors opened on his carrier as he approached the ship - he saw the craft they had been waiting for.

Beautiful, polished, cherry red. It was beautiful - all the both of them had been waiting for. "She's all yours. Feel free to take a peek."

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___When Makari stopped to indulge in the many delights of Nar Shaddaa, Sleek happily waited. She was starting to think she had him pegged wrong when they first met if he enjoyed the simple pleasures. The woman gratefully accepted the shaved ice offered, tucking the box under one arm to hold the cup. A simple smile played on her lips as they walked and talked, eating the shaved ice, stopping to enjoy small things most never would expect to see on a planet like this.

___When they arrived at the hangar, Sleek finished her treat and disposed of it appropriately. She might seem uneducated to most people, but she was undoubtedly not barbaric, and her respect for a planet and its environment—even an ecumenopolis like Nar Shaddaa—was still engrained in her from her time on her homeworld. As they entered, her eyes fell on the speeder.

___"Shiny," Sleek said, breathless. "It's one thing t'see it in a holo, and somethin' else entirely t'see it in person," she murmured as she approached it. The Fiani set the box on the ground and examined her person, ensuring her outfit was clean of any dirt, grime, or oil that would tarnish the interior, and stepped inside. Sleek made herself comfortable, an expression of pure, unabashed wonder plain on her face. Her hands gently gripped the steering wheel.

___"This is a fine piece-a pretty," she cooed. "It's a ruttin' honour t'even have the privilege t'work on somethin' like this, 'scuse my language," Sleek murmured in awe. She stepped out of the speeder and stood, hands on her hips, to admire it a moment longer. "I'll be sure t'treat her real gentle. En't gonna stand fer sullyin' this in any way. Di-Gi, go get that hovercreep over here so's we can get started," she instructed, her droid tittering in affirmation before bolting away.

___"I know y'said y'been workin' on this fer a long time, but just how long's it been again?"

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

He admired her enthusiasm towards the craft - and how gently she treated it. He thought back to his time collecting the vehicle once more, stay close by while she worked. He leaned back on the rear bumper of the speeder, lazily stretching his arms to the back of his head as he thought. "At least five years, collecting all the parts for it. But the dream has been lifelong. I imagine you understand." The feeling he had for this car was a deep nostalgia, a splendor towards the galaxy, that he hoped completing could recapture.

In truth, part of his feared that this was the end of the journey. That, once finished, the car would be an empty piece of art that gathered dust in some garage. He feared he was becoming boring. A test drive at top speed would certainly live up to his boyhood dreams, and the wanton days of Alsakani youth in general.

He watched as droid and Fiani worked diligently, and chipped in to occassionally find or fetch a part, a wrench, anything that would make him seem useful. "You're a fellow connoisseur. I know she's safe in your hands." He was absolutely parched though. "Might I offer you something to drink? I have a vintage Corellian bourbon, or some Alsakan vino verde." Was it inappropriate to offer a mechanic drinks on the job? "Or, juice?"

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___"Five years," Sleek whistled as Di-Gi pushed the hovercreep over. "Sign-a someone what's all-fired passionate 'bout their project. I seen some folk give up after a few months," the woman grumbled as she sat on the hovercreep, placing the box in front of her to remove the repulsorlift from it. With her tools and repulsorlift, the woman laid on her back and slid under the speeder to install it.

___Makari's and Di-Gi's assistance was invaluable as she worked. She never came out from underneath the speeder, working diligently on installing it as quickly as possible. As the man offered her a drink, Sleek chuckled.

___"Juice'r water'd be fine," she answered underneath the vintage vehicle. "I en't real good at holdin' m'liquor, and I'd prefer not t'be buzzed anyway while workin' on this pretty. I en't never fergive m'self if I nicked her 'cause I were tipsy," Sleek explained. "I also fully intend t'get behind the wheel once we're done, and I en't wanna be outta sorts fer that, neither. I'd feel mighty bad if I even so much as scratched her, I def'nitely en't wanna crash," she finished, finally scooting out from underneath the vehicle. Sleek sat up, raising her arms over her head to stretch her muscles.

___"'Preciate yer offer, though. Juice or water'll work just fine by me."

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

She was a whiz with machines, that much was true. "Water it is." With a snap of his fingers, a protocol droid disappeared into the deeper reaches of the hold. When the doors opened to the ship, Sleek could get a peak into the finery of a diplomatic craft. Deep, yellow lighting adorned carpeted halls covered in art and color. It seemed pristine - just like the Senator himself. But, besides the throng of droid attendants, very quiet. Almost lonely.

Hers was the question of the hour - who would have the first ride? Makari thought of a diplomatic solution. "Let's play a round of lizard-toad-snake. Winner gets the first ride." Droid attendants sauntered in with fine spring water in its bubbly and non-bubbly gloriousness. Makari opted for a glass of the bubbly. He outstretched a palm, ready to play lizard-toad-snake.

However, he was as terrible at this game could be, and his face and body mechanics totally gave away any element of cleverness or supply he could have hidden. The Fiani mechanic could practically see the toad formed by his hands before they had even started counting. It would be impossible for her to lose this round - and she would win the coveted first trip around Nar Shadda in the car of both their dreams.

Lizard-Toad-Snake roll: 1/20

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___Sleek gratefully accepted the water offered to her, removing the cap on the bottle to chug down almost half the bottle in one quaff. She pulled it away from her mouth with a placated sigh, her ears perking up as Makari suggested playing Lizard-Toad-Snake to decide who would be the first to drive the speeder.

___"A'ight, suit yerself," she responded, holding her free hand out to prepare for the game. The woman watched Makari's hand as they prepared, witnessing the wondrous spectacle of him losing before they started. It took every ounce of self-restraint Sleek had not to burst into raucous laughter at the abysmal performance of her opponent. A part of her wanted to take pity on him. It was his speeder, and she was doing little more than helping restore it to its former glory.

___...but this was Nar Shaddaa.

___Sleek formed a snake with her hand as they threw out their forms. With a wide, dung-eating smile, the woman looked up at Makari and shrugged. "Looks like she's mine fer the first drive," she said with a playful laugh. She brought the water bottle to her lips to finish the rest before laying down on the hovercreep again to slide back under the speeder. "I didn't expect ya t'know that game, pretty boy. I figured a distinguished guy like yerself prob'ly had all kinds-a... y'know, fancy games and stuff t'play. Y'played lizard-toad-snake when y'were a kid?"

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

Pretty boy. He wasn't sure whether to balk or blush at that. He took it as a compliment, fixing his braids to his face and giving the prettiest smile he knew how to give. "Oh, come on. This is a classic. What, did you think I spent my childhood arranging silverware?" Sure, that was part of it, but he had so many other interests and projects from childhood. "We played a lot as kids. You know, Nar Shadda and Alsakan are both ecumonopoles - both cities with active, thriving lives." Perhaps on different spectrums. Alsakan, a carefully manicured image of prestige and nobility with an ancient culture in its massive, thriving city-state. Nar Shadda, a lawless, free, mix of galactic cultures and peoples, all under the thumb of the cartels. The differences were stark, but the city life was universal.

"Looks like you beat me, fair and square." Honestly, he was disappointed, but he wouldn't pout about it. Riding the speeder was all that mattered. He took the opportunity to inspect the craft - make sure it was absolutely perfect for its first drive. His outfit, too; sleek, blue velour. He imagined the two of them speeding across the landscape, carefree, at top speed.

"I might not be much of a mechanic, but I grew up tinkering on Alsakan. Messing with old data pads, old tech, old cars. Maybe it's part of what gives me an appreciation for the craftsmanship today." Getting into trouble, more like. Messing with toys that didn't belong to him, taking apart droids and vehicles, just to get a sense of the inner workings. It was like clockmaking, the whirring beauty of machination.

Makari's eyes gleamed with excitement as he watched Sleek work. "I can't wait to see her in action," he remarked. "And Sleek, I want you to enjoy this drive to the fullest. Feel the wind in your hair and the power of that hover-engine beneath you. Cheers, to the both of us." He tilted his glass of sparkling water towards her, hoping to make a satisfying clink between their two drinks.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___"Nah, figured ya prob'ly learnt somethin' like B'shingh," Sleek cackled with amusement. The woman went silent as Makari continued to speak at length about his childhood, drawing comparisons between Nar Shaddaa and Alsakan. She intently listened as she worked, applying the finishing touches to ensure the repulsorlift was secure. Once Sleek was confident with her work, the woman pushed herself out from underneath the speeder and kicked it away.

___"Whatever the reasons y'got into it, I'm glad it brought ya here," Sleek said, looking at Makari as she dusted her hands off. "Yeah, excited t'hear this loth-cat purr. Cheers t'us," she said, raising an invisible drink to toast the senator. "Speakin'-a which, she's ready t'go. Ready t'give her a drive?" the woman inquired as she circled the speeder. However, instead of going to the driver's side, Sleek went to the passenger side and stepped in to take a seat. She folded her arms, hands behind her head, and looked at Makari again.

___"Ya en't really think I were gonna take first drive-a this pretty from you, did ya?" Sleek asked. "Y'been workin' on this fer five years. Five years. I en't never been in the business-a swindlin', 'specially over a silly game-a lizard-toad-snake, and I sure en't gonna swindle ya outta yer passion project y'been workin' on fer so long. Now that'd be a real crime," she stated with a grin, moving one of her hands to gesture towards the empty driver's seat.

___"So get in, fire it up, and let's go full burn."

@Fine Dining Set