Ask Tatooine Sand stays. All else changes

[Jafan Jakar]

The outskirts of Mos Esla

"Ya e'um pukay." (I wont sell) Jafan sighed and shook his head. "What do you mean you won't sell?! It's a fair price for a speeder bike, especially one that looks like it'll fall apart at any moment!"

The jawa was silent for a moment and then responded again in Jawaese. "Nyeta, Speeda Theek Yuyu." (no speeder run right) Jafan looked at the tiny creature for a moment and turned around. "Never mind then, I'll find a speeder somewhere else.." He shook his head as he walked away. Filthy creatures, I should just kill them all and take the speeder, but that would draw unnecessary attention...I need a drink after this debacle.

Jafan made his way through the streets of Mos Esla until he found a bar which appeared to be at least slightly hygienic. He entered the bar which appeared to be a bit more civilized than the other bars he had been to. He noticed an empty table at the far end of the bar which gave him a good overview of the entire place, he moved over there and sat down with a sigh before signalling one of the Twi'lek bartenders. "What can I get you sir?" The male Twi'lek asked. "I'll have a glass of Corellian Whisky." Jafan then took out a cigarette and lit it as the bartender walked away and brought him his drink moments later.

Jafan leaned back in his chair and watched the other patrons, seeing if there was anyone in there who might be worth talking too.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She hated Tatooine.

She hated the heat. The sand. The crowds of people... though with the control exercises with Kai, it had gotten easier to manage with the crowds, that didn't mean she enjoyed it any more than she already did. She stood at the bar, elbows crossed. It was only an interlude, on her way to another job, but she loathed it all the more for its' steep prices and slummy atmosphere. "Refill on yours?" the barkeep asked her, and flat amber eyes gazed at him. "Couple extra, yeah," she rasped a dry reply, tucking long white hair behind one ear.

She was dressed simply, in a white synthweave top and black slacks, her jacket slung over one arm and medical bag at her feet.

Perhaps it was time for a change of pace... but she really hated this place. Suppressing a scowl, she took another swig of her drink, amber eyes assessing the thin crowd around them, and then the newcomer. Something about him was familiar... the feelings, perhaps, of a familiarity she'd only experienced with a handful of others in this galaxy.

Her eyes narrowed, and she took another swig, careful not to look in his direction.

She was bored of this place already, and was keen to move on. If this was like Kai, she doubted he would be keen to discuss anything that she wanted to know.

Time would tell.

@Nerovec

 

[Jafan Jakar]

Jafan looked around the bar and nobody drew his attention until he spotted her. Perhaps it was her snow white hair or the fact that she had a medical bag at her feet, he noticed her amber eyes briefly looking at him when he entered, at least he thought she looked at him he wasn't quite sure.

Nevertheless she stood out in the crowd of ruffians and brigands so he finished his whisky in one go and walked towards the bar, a lit cigarette in one hand and his empty glass in the other. He stood next to her and motioned the bartender for a refill. He glanced at her for a moment with his green eyes thinking of what to say to her and not come off as a total buffoon.

The twi'lek refilled his glass and he gave him a small nod and spoke to him in twi'lek. "Arn nu" (thank you) The bartender smiled and nodded before walking off to serve the other patrons.

He took a drag off his cigarette and turned his head towards the girl, exhaling the smoke through his nose before speaking. "I do not believe I have ever seen you in Mos Espa before, are you new in town?" What a dumb question to ask, was that really the best you could come up with? Perhaps the heat of this dust bowl is finally getting to me. He thought to himself.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

At first, she assumed he wasn't talking to her. Many wouldn't, to be frank her own demeanor was enough to send others packing. Slowly, amber eyes slid towards him, and she simply stared for a beat or two, expression neutral as she contemplated what exactly to speak.

He looked young. Out of place for these thirsty dust-pushers... and definitely not one of the local yokels. Another oddbody traveler like herself... she supposed she could deign to socialize.

Only for now.

"I'm not." Two words rasped plainly, as she took a sip of her drink, giving him a clear survey from head to toe. "Not from here, either, and not here for pleasure." Her eyes flicked towards the exit, where she could see nothing but heat shimmers and unwashed bodies picking along with all manners of beasts and worthless, barely-patched together tech.

"I'm assuming you're local?" she inquired calmly, swirling the last of her drink. Shame there wasn't ice; she wouldn't have minded something cooler to ease the temp of this place.

Still, it was odd such a male would want to be close to her vicinity; most, as though by instinct, didn't want to look in her direction, be close, much less talk to her or look her in the eye. Perhaps he was bored.

@Nerovec

 

[Jafan Jakar]

Jafan watched the woman's eyes and listened to her speak, she seemed...out of place, perhaps as much as himself. She had an air of mystery surrounding her which intrigued him.

He chuckled when he heard her question. "No I am not, and I am also not here for pleasure. I pity those who come to this filthy dust bowl for pleasure, I wouldn't want to be found dead not to mention alive on this planet, alas I have some business here I have to take care of, and this is one of the few planets which is quiet enough for me to come and relax and gather my thoughts.."

He stopped himself from talking further, he did not want to appear as though he was rambling. He finished his cigarette and stubbed it out before lighting another one and offering one to her. "Judging by the medical bag by your feet I'm going to assume you do not smoke but nevertheless it would be impolite not to offer you one."

He watched her for a second with an inquisitive look. "I don't mean to pry but since you are not here for pleasure I assume you're here for business as well?"

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She allowed him to talk it out, to speak his piece and finish her drink. He was not a dull boy, at least; though his age was indeterminate, as most in the galaxy were, he seemed younger than her by more than five years, and not quite completely calloused to the galaxy. Not yet. She tilted her head in agreement when he mentioned few came here for pleasure; all too true, unfortunately this was no luxury resort.

Gather his thoughts, though?

He was a curious sort... perhaps as curious as she was. "Don't assume," she replied dryly, taking the offered cigara and allowing hers to be lit, before taking a deep drag. Unlaced, not like cigaras she had in other company... she exhaled between pursed lips, giving him another flat stare. "You can say that... I'm here for a bit of both. My gain is someone else's loss." Briefly, she thought of the supplier that tried to stiff her... and took another inhale.

Cleaning off after that hadn't taken long at all, and she had the supplies she needed. "Perhaps I am here for leisure... and to see who can divert me." She slanted him a curious look, and then a faint smile. "You're a sharp one; how long, do you think, a small place like this lasts without someone getting a vibroknife between their ribs for a deal? A week? Two weeks?" It was really an aimless question; she had no point.

She inhaled again, holding it a beat before exhaling through her nostrils.

Thus was the entropy of the galaxy. And even with research through the Force, her curiosity was left unfulfilled.

@Nerovec

 

[Jafan Jakar]

Jafan couldn't help but chuckle as she took the cigarette. "Won't happen again." He said with a grin.

He listened inventively to what she had to say, she was a smart woman, that much he could gather, but she did not give much away as to her purpose or her current mood, as she always appeared to talk very plainly and straight to the point, which was a characteristic he could appreciate.

Jafan was amused by her question and thought for a moment. "Well looking at the clientele of this place I'd wager...four days, which is quite impressive for Tatooine. I'm glad I have a ship and can leave at any moments notice." He said with a small smile.

He watched her take another drag from the cigarette and watched her with a casual glance as he inspected her from top to bottom, she was a gorgeous woman to look at for sure, although he could tell she was not human with her white skin and hair she looked almost like a ghost, but she had the most astounding amber eyes which seemed to stare right through you.

He smiled and extended his hand. "My apologies I forgot to introduce myself, Jafan Jakar. It's a pleasure to meet someone with class in this place."

As he waited for her to shake his hand he also took another drag and exhaled the smoke through his nose.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She exhaled again, a low rasping chuckle following. Truth be told, she was too tired to pretend, to put up a mask and hide away. For a moment, her gaze flickered towards his hand, but did not take it at first. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she did.

He would feel her hand would be ice cold, despite the heat of Tatooine.

"I don't know about class. But I am Doctor Ilana Morata."

She wasn't certain if he would shorten it or not; she was so used to people calling her Doc that she rarely knew her own name any longer. Common occupational hazard, to be frank.

@Nerovec

 

[Jafan Jakar]

Jafan smiled softly as he felt the coldness of her hand. "I did not expect your hand to feel this cold...I assume you are not cold, I reckon nothing on this planet is. Has it something to do with your anatomy?" He seemed genuinely curious.

He let go of her hand and looked straight into her eyes, his eyes appeared as cold as her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ilana, a beautiful name for a beautiful creature." He said with the same soft smile.

He took another drag of his cigarette, not breaking eye contact at any moment, she'd feel an energy emanating from him, perhaps this was something she had sensed before, if she had she would know what it was.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She raised a brow at his questions, instead taking a slow drag of her cigara after releasing his hand. "I feel fine," she deadpanned, eyes half-shuttering to a cool, remote expression. His compliment made her brows raise subtly again, and she leaned back, arms crossing beneath her bust.

"Thank you," was the curt response, lips twitching ever so subtly like a smile. But yet the eyes remained cold. Yet there was that feeling from him...

"From anywhere yourself?" she replied coolly, tapping out the cigara on a tray. She'd bite for information... but there was a feeling about him. A feeling all too familiar, actually.

@Nerovec