Ask Nar Shaddaa Float on By

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___Sleek took the water as it was offered to her, lifting it to begin taking slow sips from it. The smooth, crisp texture of the water was a welcome reprieve from the warm stinging of the alcohol in her tea. It wouldn't help sober her up faster—that would only happen with time—but it helped hydrate her and revitalise her energy, even if only marginally.

___"What, yer offerin' t'stay the night at my place? Figured you'd shack up in a motel," Sleek chuckled. She had never had company stay home with her. "Yeah, prob'ly en't a bad idea t'head home after this. Sorry if it weren't as long as y'thought it'd be," she continued, taking another drink of her water. The woman glanced over at L'Arra, then at the droid waiter sifting around the bar to various tables. They still needed to pay, and Sleek wouldn't let her companion take that.

___"If y'reach into the right pocket-a my jacket," she said, gesturing with her head, "you'll find my credit chip. Get the meal squared away," Sleek insisted. "I know y'said you'd cover it, but lemme have this one, yeah? I charged y'too much fer repairs and now yer babysittin' me, so lemme do this and feel a li'l better 'bout this whole shindig," she finished with an embarrassed laugh.

@TheDudeMike

 

[L'Arra]

"I got a nice comfy ship, don't need no motels," L'Arra said. "No need to be sorry at all." There really wasn't, Sleek was not only fixing her ship, but repairing that IG unit too. Though, those would have to wait for tomorrow it seems. No biggie, no foul. L'Arra would have her little droid help Sleek into bed, and L'Arra would crash out on her ship.

The droid brought the check, and for the first time, it was L'Arra's time to get nervous. Sleek wanted her to reach into her pocket? That was a one way trip to jail with several charges. Not that Sleek would do that to her, but on principle, it was against L'Arra code of conduct. L'Arra might seem trashy to some, but she was still classy and respectful when the time came to be.

"Mmmmm, no," L'Arra said with a grin, taking the check and using her own credit chip on it. She slid out of the booth, and helped Sleek out as well, holding her by the small of her back and her arm as L'Arra led her to the door. The walk back would take a little longer than the trip there, but eventually they made it back to Sleek's shop.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___When L'Arra declined to pay for the meal with Sleek's credit chip, her face contorted in a pout. As much as she wanted to protest, Sleek had largely spent her energy. She settled for glaring disapprovingly at the other woman as she carefully shimmied out of the booth, gratefully accepting her help to her feet.

___"I'm refundin' part-a yer repair cost," Sleek grumbled as the two returned to the shop. The conversation was minimal, not because Sleek didn't want to speak with her companion but because she couldn't figure out what to discuss. Her ineptitude at small talk was showing. She could speak at length about starships, their specifications, and anything related to the world of mechanics. Casual conversation was an entirely different story.

___As they approached the shop, Sleek reached into her pocket to remove and activate her holo. The two could hear the sound of tiny metallic footsteps from inside the shop, and momentarily, the door unlocked. Sleek pushed it open and stepped inside.

___"Thanks, Di-Gi," she said. Her droid warbled curiously. "Yep, I'm fine, L'Arra took care-a me," the woman assured her droid. "Lock it back up and get t'chargin' fer tomorrow. M'bedroom's upstairs," Sleek informed L'Arra, walking towards a short flight of stairs to begin ascending. They entered a door leading to the apartment of her complex, opening into an expansive living room with a small kitchenette built into the side of the wall on a sunken-in landing to their left. The two continued forward through another door leading to Sleek's bedroom.

___The room was surprisingly large, with a wide, king-sized bed butted against a wall with a large window displaying Nar Shaddaa's skyline. The space was mostly empty, besides a desk with a computer, a rug, and the bed.

___"Thanks fer yer help," Sleek said, looking over at L'Arra as they entered her bedroom. "I, uh, I 'preciate it," she continued, looking into the other woman's eyes. Sleek's arm lowered to the small of L'Arra's back as if to invite her in, followed by hesitation. She lowered her arm and looked towards her bed. "I can prob'ly make it from here. S'pose y'wanna go back t'yer bird t'get some sleep."

@TheDudeMike

 

[L'Arra]

L'Arra helped Sleek to her room, standing at the doorway. She stayed silent for a moment, looking into Sleek's eyes. Hells she wanted to throw her on the bed, but it wouldn't be right. L'Arra wasn't drunk yet, but Sleek was. Instead, L'Arra took a hold of Sleeks hand and kissed the back of it gently. "You'll thank me for sleepin' in my own ship in the morning," she said. "We can worry about everything else then."

With that, L'Arra turned and exited the room, making her way back to her ship. She'd have a few more glasses of Corellian bourbon before bed, but sleep soundly through the night.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___Sleek sighed quietly with disappointment as L'Arra turned and left. She closed her eyes and hung her head as she shuffled across the room to her bed. She had hopes and aspirations for how the night would go, and not a single one of them were fulfilled.

___"Y'messed up, Sleek," the woman murmured to herself, turning to fall onto the bed on her back. Her head hit the pillow, and she stared at the durasteel roof above. "Had t'go make a ruttin' idjit-a yerself. En't able t'hold yer drink, terrible at conversation, and now yer goin' t'bed alone, again," Sleek muttered, watching the ceiling twist and turn in her vision. She elicited a wry chuckle and shook her head.

___"What'd y'expect, anyway?" she asked herself, rolling onto her side. "Ya en't never been able t'seal the deal with anyone. Prob'ly never will," she finished speaking to herself, her eyes closing as the drifted off to sleep.

---

___The following day rose, and despite the potential of being a little hungover, Sleek was up early and dutifully working in the front of her shop. She had retrieved the IG unit from the hangar while L'Arra was still asleep and had spent the morning working on it after a generous mug of coffee and a home-cooked breakfast.

___"Di-Gi, nudge that servomotor over here?" she asked, holding her hand out to the droid. It obliged and nudged it into her fingers. "Thanks," Sleek said, picking it up to begin soldering it into place. "Should be the last piece t'put in, then we can give it a memory wipe. Should be good t'go by the time she wakes up."

@TheDudeMike

 

[L'Arra]

The sounds of working being were what L'Arra woke up to. Who the hell was... Oh right, she'd spent the night in her ship in Sleek's shop. Wouldn't do any good going out, smelling of booze and looking like a bag of ass. L'Arra took a quick shower and brushed her teeth, throwing on a touch of eye liner and a too-big-for-her t-shirt with some sweatpants, and headed down the ramp.

Making her way over to Sleek, L'Arra stretched her arms up with a yawn. "Hey there pretty lady," she said. "Feelin' better?" It was clear that Sleek had been up and working. The IG unit looked almost as good as new. Putting her hands on her hips, L'Arra began to inspect the droid from afar, her curiousity getting the better of her.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

(!)Content Warning: Cleavage

—Image

___Unlike L'Arra, Sleek did look everything L'Arra tried not to. She had showered that morning and gotten herself a change of clothes, but to say she was in poor shape was an understatement. It was evident the night hadn't been kind to her, her face shadowed by sleeplessness. She glanced at the other woman as she stepped inside, offering her a smile.

___"Mornin'," Sleek greeted her before turning back to her work. "Yeah, feelin' okay. I en't throw up, so that's good," she chuckled as she applied the finishing touches to the droid. "Was just wrappin' up the droid. It's got a shiny new vocoder, fresh servomotors, all the bits'n'bobs t'make it work like it's fresh off the line. Even prettied it up with fresh paint," Sleek continued, picking up a datapad jacked into the cognitive unit. The woman tapped the screen to begin the memory wipe.

___"If yer int'rested, I saved a plate-a breakfast fer ya. Said I were gonna treat ya t'proper Fianese cookin', and I intended t'deliver. It's sittin' on the counter," Sleek added, pointing towards a wrapped-up plate of food with her thumb. "If y'check yer account, you'll notice yer 'bout ᖬ6,000 richer. That's a ᖬ5,000 refund, plus ᖬ1,000 fer dinner and... the babysittin' fee," she finished with a laugh, turning on her stool to face L'Arra.

@TheDudeMike

 

[L'Arra]

Sleek looked a little rough, but she was there enough mentally to be able to work. She really was a girl that enjoyed what she did. L'Arra had to respect it, and even admire the hustle. The IG unit was looking good as new, and Sleek's rattling off of the things she did instilled a confidence that the droid was going to work out great. Wouldn't be a friend by any means, but it would be a good business partner if there ever was one.

The plate of breakfast was exactly what L'Arra was looking for, albeit, not originally the breakfast she was looking for. The food looked delicious, and within seconds it was gone. L'Arra licked her fingers, between a playful grin. "That's some good food," she said. "If I'd known you cooked like that I would have just brought my bar down from the ship, and we coulda stayed here."

Despite Sleek mentioning L'Arra's account, L'Arra didn't check. She wasn't worried about credits or anything. Moving back over to Sleek and leaning on a workbench, L'Arra shook her head. "Hey, we've all been there. No harm no foul," she said. "I've been dragged out of bars in the mornin' by my feet." L'Arra laughed at the memories of her buddies in the Navy having to drag her to formation. She could barely stand up, so they left her in the back where the commanding officer couldn't see.

Her expression got softer then. "You certainly know how to keep a girl interested, Sleek. How's about next time we skip the bar and drinks and just have some dinner?"

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___Sleek sat and watched L'Arra enjoy her cooking while the memory wipe ran its course. A smile played on her lips as her companion devoured the meal, a sense of satisfaction in her chest from watching someone else enjoy her cooking so much.

___"Glad y'liked it," Sleek responded. "Well, if ya en't hard pressed t'leave, y'can always—" She was interrupted as the datapad chimed the completion of its task. The mechanic turned towards the droid, tapping the screen to finish the wipe and begin uploading default settings. She set the datapad down on the counter as she concluded, pursing her lips thoughtfully. Did she finish what she was saying before she was interrupted? Recalling her night's beratement of herself, perhaps it was better not to. She had made a fool of herself enough already.

___"S'just a li'l embarrassin'," Sleek spoke up, turning on her stool to face L'Arra as she walked behind the counter to lean against the workbench. Someone walking behind her counter was a touchy subject for the woman, but she elected not to say anything this time. "Anyway, ya en't here t'listen t'me be hard on m'self."

___Sleek rose to her feet as the datapad continued updating the IG unit's systems. She meekly smiled as L'Arra complimented her supposed 'intrigue,' though Sleek felt compelled to refute it. It was a rough night for her in various ways, but she retained the awareness to avoid putting herself down in front of the woman she hoped to leave a good impression on. Sleek lifted a hand to the back of her neck, rubbing at it as she walked closer to the woman.

___"Yeah," she answered. "Sounds nice. I'd like that. What, uh, what kinda plans y'got once yer droid's all finished up?"

@TheDudeMike

 

[L'Arra]

L'Arra watched Sleek struggle a bit to get a hold of herself and what she wanted to say. Sleek probably wouldn't see it but L'Arra thought it was the cutest thing. "My buddy used to say all the time, 'why be hard on yourself when you can let someone else be hard for ya?" She said. L'Arra gave Sleek a wink with a fanged grin.

The question about her plans was one she had to think about. She never really planned too far ahead, but if she had to guess she'd be moving yet another shipment of something or other. Maybe even another hunt. "I don't know where I'm going next just yet, don't have any jobs lined up yet," she said. "Can guarantee I'll be comin' back here if I survive the next job!" She realized as she said it that she had left her dark humor out a little. Ah, what's done is done.

"Next time I'm back, you bring the dinner and I'll bring the drinks. Might even add a candle or two," she said, changing the subject. As dark as her humor could get, she didn't quite like talking about her own mortality.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___Sleek's face flushed a dark shade of crimson when L'Arra cracked her joke. The cheeky smirk from the other woman didn't help, making the mechanic chuckle nervously as her eyes darted away. Despite her bold advances during their initial meeting, it wasn't hard to tell Sleek was easily flustered and particularly innocent.

___As L'Arra made light of the possibility of not coming back, Sleek's mind churned with possibilities. Being raised on Fiana, and growing up around the myriad traditions and beliefs of the Fiani people, life and death were primary fixtures. Like many in Teakroof, she grew up being taught to live every day to the fullest. What if L'Arra didn't come back? Not because she didn't want to, but because something happened to her before she had the chance. The galaxy was a dangerous place, and nobody was immortal.

___"What about," Sleek began, taking another step towards L'Arra, "stayin'... here another night?" she asked, lifting a hand to her hair to comb her fingers through it. "Y'know, if y'wanna. Ya en't got no jobs lined up and y'keep talkin' 'bout this dinner so much that I'd kinda like t'do it afore y'leave." Sleek looked up at L'Arra again, her hand lowering from her head to reach out towards the other woman's waist. She hesitated, too nervous to follow through, and pulled her hand back.

___"Shop's closed today other'n what I'm doin' fer you. Y'could go get those drinks, we could go upstairs, spend the day together sippin' drinks, have a nice lunch or dinner together, then go... t'sleep," Sleek murmured, her voice trailing off. "Y'can leave in the mornin'... but maybe y'wanna save all-a that fer next time, I dunno."

@TheDudeMike

 

[L'Arra]

The sight of Sleek, as tired as she was, having confidence was a stark contrast to the previous night. Gone was the word stumbling girl that could barely get out what she wanted, and in was someone that definitely knew what they wanted. Even so, the decision to stay wouldn't come lightly. With the extra credits Sleek had returned, L'Arra wasn't in too much of a rush to get going, and as long as the port authority didn't see her ship there for three days straight she wouldn't have to pay the docking fees again. Guess that meant L'Arra was staying.

"I guess I could," L'Arra said. The hesitant reach out sealed the deal. L'Arra finished the job, reaching out and pulling Sleek in by the hips. A fanged grin crossing her lips. Her ears and tail twitching excitedly. "Hells, why not." A free hand found adventured it's way up Sleek's right side, gently blazing a trail until it reached her cheek, and then L'Arra's lips pressed into Sleek's.[abox3]

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___A smile lined Sleek's lips as L'Arra agreed to stay for another night. A warm, joyful flutter filled her chest, dispersing what fog of sleeplessness still clouded her mind. Behind Sleek, her tail swished erratically, betraying her excitement about having the woman stay and keep her company. Finally, things she had hoped for the previous night were coming true.

___Then L'Arra's hands lurched forward to seize Sleek by her broad hips, pulling her in. Sleek gasped with startled alarm, her chest suddenly against her companion's, the distance between them no longer present. The mechanic's ears shot up to stiff points from the surprise of suddenly being so close to the other woman, her heartbeat pounding loudly. Her breathing was quiet and erratic, both from being startled and experiencing something like this for the first time.

___"G-Glad t'hear it," Sleek murmured breathlessly, further words stifled by L'Arra's lips meeting hers. Her eyes remained open momentarily before fluttering shut, leaning into the kiss enthusiastically. Sleek instinctively lifted her arms to curl them around the other woman's neck, pressing her body against L'Arra's as close as possible. She broke the kiss only when her droid companion warbled. She forgot he was there.

___"Di-Gi, y'mind... uh, lettin' the two-a us have some time alone?" she asked the BD unit, who promptly chirped and bounded away without hesitation. Sleek chuckled nervously. "Sorry 'bout that," she murmured. "Y'wanna... go get those drinks and go upstairs? Get comfy?" Sleek asked, her arms uncoiling to lay on L'Arra's shoulders.

@TheDudeMike

 

[L'Arra]

L'Arra gave a fanged grin to the BD-unit as it scampered off, then turned back to Sleek. Things would have been a whole lot different if she hadn't taken the time to shower and brush her teeth. She'd have to remember to thank some form of deity later for that. Wouldn't be fair to keep Sleek waiting in the mean time.

"Lead the way," she said, taking a hold of Sleek's hand. She'd let Sleek lead her upstairs to the very bedroom L'Arra had brought her back to the night before. This time, things were much, much different. By the time Sleek would turn around in her bedroom, L'Arra's clothes would be off and in a pile behind her. L'Arra strut by her, stretching upwards just before she made it to the bed.

She twirled around, falling back onto the comfy mattress, a seductive smile targeted right at Sleek.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___Everything was a blur. Sleek's heart raced, causing the woman's memory to lapse in the moments leading up to their short walk up the stairs to her bedroom. They were there in the blink of an eye, and before she knew it, L'Arra was bearing herself. Sleek's eyes were transfixed on her companion, gawking with flushed cheeks. She had never been in a situation like this before, and now that she was, she almost didn't know what to do.

___L'Arra's smile answered her questions and provided the guidance her mind needed. Sleek disrobed herself, offering a view of herself no one had ever seen except her mirror. She was soft and luscious, defined by some vague musculature from her lifetime spent as a maintenance worker. There were a few pockmarks over her stomach and shoulders, likely incurred from accidents or hazards associated with her job. Despite those imperfections, she was undoubtedly a visual of an effeminate figure in its extremes.

___Sleek shuffled towards the bed with some visible apprehension, but she quickly forgot it once she lay with L'Arra. The disquieted voices in her mind were subdued, replaced by euphoric bliss like Sleek had never before experienced. The time together was slow, passionate, and careful, her partner as attentive and cautious as she could muster because of Sleek's anxiety and inexperience. It was something to relish, not hurry through for hollow gratification. The first time was the most memorable, and L'Arra ensured it was a time worth remembering.

___They wrestled, laughed, and shared in a mutual passion. They explored and experienced, and they fumbled. They bonded. At the end of it all, Sleek lay breathless, slow, deep breaths escaping her as she lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. The view was the same, but the atmosphere was different. Sleek viewed it through a different lens: one of satisfaction and joy instead of loneliness and sorrow. It was strange how much a different perspective could change her view of a sight she had stared at for hours on end for days and months.

___"L'Arra?" Sleek asked, turning her head to look at the Fiani next to her. At first, she hadn't realised it, but her arm was around the other woman's shoulders, holding her close. "Would y'mind if I came on a job with ya sometime?" she inquired. "I know, prob'ly outta nowhere, but... I en't travelled much. I'd like t'see more-a the galaxy with you sometime, if you'll have me."

@TheDudeMike

 

[L'Arra]

Take her on a job? The kind of jobs L'Arra usually went on were pretty dangerous. The last two alone ending up in a firefight with a practically indestructible droid, and a run in with an apex predator. Granted, that droid now worked for L'Arra, and could probably be assigned as a guardian for Sleek if shit were to hit the fan. Having that little BD unit around to keep the ship up and running wouldn't be a bad gig either.

"I suppose I could," she said, pursing her lips, her ears twitching in thought. "You sure you want to? Galaxy gets pretty dangerous; s'pecially around the types I hang out with." Then of course there was the idea that once they started the job they'd have to finish it, even if Sleek no longer wanted to. There'd be no turning back until the job was done.

L'Arra rolled over, stretching, and enjoying her back cracking. "If you really want to, sure. I'll go get us a job," she said. Sliding off the bed, she made her way to her pile of clothes by the door and slipped into her clothes. She'd have to change into her actual clothes before heading out to the cantina to pick up the job still. She gave Sleek a warm smile before heading downstairs to her ship.

@Remileah

 

[Yoshiko "Sleek" Ryder]

___"I'm sure," Sleek answered with a reassuring smile. "I know it can be dangerous. It en't like Nar Shaddaa's a real safe place, y'know," she continued with a chuckle, watching the woman roll over and stretch. As L'Arra stood up, Sleek rolled and hung her legs off the side of the bed. She pushed herself to her feet, her legs wobbling a little bit. It would be best for her to take it slow and easy.

___"Yeah, I'd like t'go at least once," Sleek reaffirmed as she crossed the room to dress herself again. Once fully clothed, she followed the other woman downstairs and bid her farewell as she approached her ship to leave. "Y'be safe out there. I en't want nothin' t'happen afore y'get the chance t'come back." Once L'Arra was gone, Sleek entered her shop and opened up to begin business as usual for the day.

@TheDudeMike