Side RP (Pedric & Shi'tal)

Era

## Arrival on Dubrillion - 19 Mar, 2012

This is continuation of the RP between Shi'tal and Pedric placed before Shi'tal returns to fix up SPY near the end of the previous session .

\*\* Shi\*tal nods, before going to find where Pedric had gone. \*\*

\*\* Shi\*tal finds Pedric at the comm panel.... \*\*

\*\* Shi\*tal hovers at the entrance, not really wanting to intrude, but waiting for him to take notice of her \*\*

Pedric: "All right. Deal." She hears as he hangs up the comm. He sits back, and seeing the shadow of her in the doorway he turns. "Oh. Hello. Need to use the comm?"

Shi\*tal: "No. Arkoh said you were making the deal for the hyperdrive. Wanted to see if I could help."

Pedric: "It's done already. I contacted an old friend. I got a good deal." He tells her the specs and the price. ( .75 past lightspeed. 23,500)

Pedric: He calls Arkoh to relay the news to him too.

\*\* Shi\*tal nods appreciatively. "That's a good price," she says as she walks in further toward him. \*\*

Pedric: "He tried to charge me more. I talked him down." He says proudly.

\*\* Shi\*tal smiles back, and with a laugh adds "I doubt he would have gotten away with it." She moves to take a seat in the chair next to him. \*\*

Pedric: "So. You were telling me about your uncle before.... Unless you don't want to talk about that." He sighs as thoughts of Tal likely come back, "I'd understand."

Shi\*tal: "No... it's ok. You're actually the first person I've ever really told. It helps to talk about him." She looks over at him, concern creasing her brow. "How are you holding up?"

Pedric: "I'm doing all right. It's difficult. I've never had to. To watch my own back before."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs. "I know that all too well... Antos... my uncle we were a team so long it's odd." \*\*

Pedric: "Yeah. Tal helped me become who I am. I didn't really have any drive after. Some things happened in life. He pushed me to keep going. And protected me along the way."

\*\* Shi\*tal nods. "I wish I could say it gets easier, the only thing you can do is adapt and hope his death wasn't meaningless." \*\*

Pedric: "Oh. It won't be. I just hope I get a shot at more of those Yuuhzan Vong." He pulls out a datapad. "I have the perfect way to honor him. Want to see what I am really looking for and working on?"

\*\* Shi\*tal nods. "You'd trust me with that?" \*\*

Pedric: "Should I not trust you?"

\*\* Shi\*tal shrugs "You just seem so secretive.. Reclusive." \*\*

Pedric: "Oh. Sorry. I get that way when I am really focusing on something. No, as long as you're not trying to steal my money, well, we can be friends."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs. "Other than to live, I have no need for wealth so I think you’re fine there. We'll talk if Arkoh doesn't pay me." \*\*

Pedric: "Well maybe you could be my new bodyguard if things don't work out with Arkoh."

Pedric: He smiles feebly.

Pedric: "Anyway though." He turns on the datapad, "He was just showing me this before... And he said this was the armor he always wanted."

Shi\*tal: "We shall see.. for now I’m content to be his mechanic and right now I think this ship needs me more, which means my fee just went up," she laughs.

Shi\*tal: At the mention of armor she gets quite. As a mandalorian armor was close to her heart. "My brother Kel loves looking at this sort of stuff.. He crafted my own armor."

Pedric: He displays the armor. It's powered, vacuum sealed, has heavy weapons, jet pack, etc. Every bell and whistle ever imagined pretty much.

Pedric: "I've never been into it before. But in his honor, I am going to have it built, and wear it."

Pedric: Apparently is hasn't hit him yet that he'll need experience in armor first. Might want to break it to him gently.

Pedric: "Oh. You have a brother? How big is your family?"

Shi\*tal: "Did he ever say what the composite would be?" she asks looking at the details and then at his mention of wearing it she glances up at him. "Do you have any training in armor?"

Pedric: "There's a note here that says it's light, to not reduce speed or movement. But I don't see the exact composite. I don't truthfully understand it all."

Pedric: "I am trying to make sense of it, but the schematics are all here, so I just have to find a company that can produce it."

Pedric: He looks at her curiously, "Training?"

Shi\*tal: "Oh... you'll be in for a surprise then. A Mando pretty much grows up in their armor, but most people have difficulty adjusting to it. You might want to pick up a set of light armor so you can get used to it till your set is produced. It's almost as deadly to go into a fight without armor as it is going into a fight with armor you have no training in using."

Shi\*tal: "If you don't mind sharing.. Maybe my brother can help. Sure you could work out some deal with MandoWorks."

Pedric: "Oh? Well if you know they could produce it. Mandolorians do make the best armor. Aside from paying the cost of the armor, I am planning on investing a considerable amount in the company that does the production."

Pedric: "Do they just do armor, or other weapon development as well?

Shi\*tal: "There's MandalMotors which focuses mainly on starships and MandalWorks manufactures weaponry and has delved into armor... Mostly armor personal to each clan though so they manufacture more for consumers.

Pedric: "Could they handle this suit then?"

Shi\*tal: "If not them.. I know an armorsmith who would enjoy the challenge."

Pedric: "Ok. Well, I will have to look into them. Can you put me in contact with your brother, and this armorsmith?"

Pedric: "But on your word, they're pretty close to being my choice already. Just have to do some checking. Always do before investing."

\*\* Shi\*tal has a last look at where the composite materials are listed to see if she'd make sense of it before handing it back. "Well.. that'd be easy as they're one in the same," she says smiling with a shrug. \*\*

Pedric: "I see." He smiles. "So I should get some armor to wear first? Tal still has his armor. Brings it with us just in case. I could have it fitted."

Pedric: "Though... Hmm." He goes into thought.

Shi\*tal: "If you're serious about training, I can help you. As well as fitting it."

\*\* Shi\*tal notices him spacing out. "What?" \*\*

Pedric: "Well. Tal's armor. It's... He was a storm trooper."

Pedric: "We kept it from people because, well, obvious reasons."

Shi\*tal: "Oh.. hmm indeed... We could always paint it and modify the helmet. Or you could just wear it in training on the ship for the time being."

Shi\*tal: "Or skip the helmet all together. But definitely paint it

Pedric: "Yes. That would be best. I hope it doesn't change your thoughts of him."

\*\* Shi\*tal shakes her head. "Mandalorians don't hold grudges like that." \*\*

Pedric: "Good. He was a good man."

\*\* Shi\*tal nods her head taking his word for it, she goes quiet for a moment as she looks out over the console. "Six... You asked how many siblings I have. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters." \*\*

Pedric: "That's a big family. Only me in mine.... You said something before. About your father favoring them? Is that too personal?" It's pretty clear he doesn't usually have actual conversations with people.

Shi\*tal: "It's more he favors my brothers... Malena, Tamara and I, we learn what are brothers do as it's expected of us to be able to protect our family, but it is they who can be expected to be taught by buir, to learn his trade if they have the mind to. My mother was Coruscanti, adopted into the clans when she married my father. She wasn't raised into this life like we were. It made things, difficult though she did her best."

Pedric: "Well I can't wait to see you in battle then" He says with just a hint of a suggestive tone, "I'm sure you'd put most to shame."

Pedric: "And I understand having a less than supportive father."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs as a bit of the old Pedric surfaces and pats her rifle slung across her back appreciatively. "I've come to terms with it. Antos became my father in all but name." She cocks her head, "Your father.. what does he do? He must be some hot shot CEO or something to push you away." \*\*

Pedric: "Ha! Well, now he's just an investor like me. He used to be in another line of work. I never really knew him though. I grew up in boarding school. And when I was around 12, just before the war ended, he changed occupation, and changed my school too. That's when he hired Tal to start watching over me. So Tal really was my mentor, and more like a father to me."

Shi\*tal: "And your mother? She had no say?"

Pedric: "My mom and I have a good relationship. But she is very submissive to my father. To a fault, really." He says with anger in his voice, and he mutters something in another language.

\*\* Shi\*tal frowns at his outbust of anger and reaches out to catch his hand. "Perhaps she is strong in some way. One has to be when they are coupled with a strong willed man or they lose themselves completely." \*\*

Pedric: He relaxes as she catches his hand, not sure whether to take it back or not. "I. I'm sure she is."

Pedric: "Sorry for my outburst. I just don't have a lot of respect for him is all."

Pedric: He laughs, "And I have no idea why I'm telling you all of this."

\*\* Shi\*tal nods and gives a half hearted laugh as well. "Because sometimes the words just need to come or you will just burst." \*\*

Pedric: "I'm sure it has to do with my weakness for a pretty face as well."

Pedric: "But yes, it does feel good to share with someone."

\*\* Shi\*tal doesn’t release his hand, instead she continues to hold it, gently rubbing the back of it with her thumb. She blushes slightly at the compliment, the motion stopping. \*\*

Pedric: When she stops, he nervously starts a similar motion against her hand.

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs nervously, "Sorry, I'm just not used to such compliments." \*\*

Pedric: "Well you should be."

Shi\*tal: "I was probably a gawky girl when I left my home with my uncle... no one would really see me but him. And well... such compliments would have been odd coming from him."

\*\* Shi\*tal smiles shyly, and laughs. "Then hopefully I'll learn to stop blushing every time you do. \*\*

Pedric: "And perhaps I'll learn to stop shaking when holding your hand." He says with a smile.

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs. "With all the pretty girls I've seen you with... I'm surprised." \*\*

Pedric: "Well. Maybe things are changing."

Pedric: He says with a different tone than you've ever heard before. Sounds almost genuine.

\*\* Shi\*tal cocks her head. "Have you never felt anything for the women you've been with?" \*\*

Pedric: "Aside from raw attraction? Not really. I know I may come across as not being too bright, but I know they're just after money."

Pedric: "Tal always said I should set higher standards." He adds thoughtfully.

\*\* Shi\*tal frowns. "I'm sorry..." she says \*\*

Pedric: "Sorry for what?"

Shi\*tal: "That you've had to deal with such... gold diggers." she says with a laugh having to figure out the appropriate word.

Pedric: "Well. I did kind of invite that type..."

Shi\*tal: "Yes.. I suppose you do at that," she says with a laugh and then she cocks her head with a thought. "And probably made you an easy target on your last... attack. What was she after? The Twi'lek."

Pedric: "I don't really know. I have been trying to figure that out. Though I did find one of my computers was tampered with when you all were off the ship. Maybe she wanted some information off of it."

Pedric: "Fortunately though, she didn't get any of my actual information."

Shi\*tal: "Oh? That's good at least. It does seem odd she came aboard the way she did. She must have thought she could subdue all of us easily and get away."

Pedric: "Or might've just tried to go unnoticed until the ship reached port, and sneaked off."

Shi\*tal: "Arkoh did catch her in the act," she shrugs. "At least it seems no lasting harm was done."

Pedric: "Indeed. I just can't figure what she was after. There was no holonet access, so she couldn't have drained my accounts. She must've known that."

Shi\*tal: "Maybe it was the information? Or you yourself she wanted," she shrugs again. "It's too bad she's dead. Dead bodies rarely give answers."

Shi\*tal: "We could always try identifying her, I suppose."

Pedric: "Probably not worth the time. Why would she be after me though? I haven't done anything." He then thinks, "... Much of anything... To. Many people." Sounding less confident by the second.

Pedric: "But I doubt people are hired to kill or kidnap over business dealings."

Shi\*tal: "What.. you think maybe there's a bounty on your head?" she smiles slightly.

Pedric: "I doubt it. But that isn't the most far-fetched thing I've thought of so far."

\*\* Shi\*tal seems to ponder it for a long moment, "Well.. whatever the reason, you're going to need to be more careful. Someone obviously wanted you or whatever you have." \*\*

Pedric: He nods.

Pedric: "I might have to check with my contacts. See if there is in fact a bounty on me. That wouldn't be good. Especially if my father found out."

Shi\*tal: "Maybe he'd try to help you?" she suggests.

Pedric: He laughs loudly. After a little while, he calms down. "My father hasn't helped me since.... Well, I guess if you count my conception as helping me."

\*\* Shi\*tal frowns at the outburst. "What would he do then?" \*\*

Pedric: "No." He changes his voice to mimic his father's," 'Pedric, you fool! How'd you go an get yourself caught? I knew I raised some sort of idiot. Go solve your own damn problems.' " Changing back to his normal voice, "That would be about it."

Shi\*tal: "That's.. awful," she says, but for some reason she doesn't seem very surprised. "Especially to one's own family."

Pedric: "Yeah. The only way he'd truly care is if it would in some way jeopardize him or his money."

Shi\*tal: "In my culture... such parents would have been disowned by their children. The act alone is a great dishonor for any Mandalorian parent."

Pedric: "Sounds like a good culture." He says with a laugh.

Pedric: "And it's not both of them. Just him. My mom would help if she could. But her hands are tied."

Shi\*tal: In a gesture of comfort her other hand comes to rest on top of his. She has no words of comfort. "Perhaps one day she will find the strength to," she says at last.

Pedric: "I guess we'll see."

Pedric: He seems distracted by her hands enveloping his.

Shi\*tal: "What is it?" she asks again.

Pedric: "Hm? Oh. Sorry. What is what?" He says, almost blushing.

Pedric: He says showing a rare loss for words.

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs, her hand coming up to touch his cheek. "Now you're blushing." \*\*

Pedric: Once her hand reaches his cheek, he locks eyes with her. Without giving it any more thought, he moves in for a kiss.

\*\* Shi\*tal meets his gaze with her brown, intelligent eyes. She leans in, her eyes closing as their lips meet. Hesitant at first, and unsure she seems to follow Pedric's lead, her hand moving from his cheek to his shoulder. \*\*

Pedric: Finding that he isn't instantly rejected, his hand moves to her cheek as they continue to kiss. His other hand moves to her shoulder as well.

Shi\*tal: With their hands no longer entwined her newly free hand finds purchase behind his neck, the action seeming to bring them closer together. Gaining confidence in the kiss, she lets it deepen, her mouth opening slightly.

Pedric: He puts his hand on her waist, and moves it slowly upward. Then, as he realizes their current surroundings, "Should we go somewhere more private?"

\*\* Shi\*tal pulls back, dizzy from the kiss. It takes her a moment to register his words, and his hand working its way up her baggy shirt she put on overtop her tank. She blinks as she casts her own glance around. "No telling when the others will get back," she affirms. \*\*

Pedric: He stands up, and taking her by the hand leads her to his quarters.

Pedric: Once they arrive, he closes the door. He then turns and puts one hand on the back of her head and the other at her waist, and continues as they were.

edit
Mature Content

\*\* Shi\*tal was about to say something but her words get lost as their kiss from earlier is resumed. Her hands find his waist and rest there a moment before working at the bottom of his shirt to find the bare skin underneath. \*\*

Pedric: His hand also moves along bare skin from her waist upwards again, lifting her shirt as it goes.

Shi\*tal: A shiver rushes through her body as his hand traces a line up her back and she pulls back from the kiss. Without much ado, she pulls on his shirt, pulling it up further to be removed fully.

Pedric: He takes this cue to remove her shirt also, and pushes her gently back against the bed.

\*\* Shi\*tal tosses his shirt to the side as he guides her backwards, stopping only when she bumps into the edge of the bunk. Her fingers trace a line up his chest to his shoulders as she walks only to have them trace back down the length of his arms. Before she reaches the bed, she's already removed her tank, it joining the rest of their clothes on the floor. \*\*

Pedric: He pushes her down onto the bed, and takes the opportunity to remove her (pants?).

Shi\*tal: Her skin tight pants relent only a little till he finds the closure, the fabric having molded to her skin and seem to be part of a protective set of clothing she wears under her armor. It takes her a moment to kick off her boots for him to get them off completely, but under them she's completely nude, her tattoo starting on her stomach ending just below the pant line.

Pedric: (and... now that it's been brought up again, what is the tattoo of?)

Shi\*tal: (( a tribal spiral tattoo, I haven't really decided if she has the one on her shoulder, though I had though the faces could be a tally of her successful bounties... \*shrug\* idk ))

\*\* Shi\*tal is actually quite ticklish where he traces his finger across the nearly perfect tattoo, her recent encounter with the Vong marring it on a place on her side. Grabbing his hand she pulls him up toward her, and after being relieved of the rest of his clothing their bodies join in the union only two people can share. \*\*

Shi\*tal: Her body is still shuddering from the ecstasy as she snuggles in close to him, her head coming to rest on his chest and her leg crossing his in an effort to remain close to him. Her fingers begin to trace a design absently on his chest.

Pedric: He aids her efforts by holding her very tightly.

Pedric: He also starts to trace at nothing on the small of her back.

\*\* Shi\*tal lets out a sigh as her body finally relaxes and the full wave of endorphins takes their course. \*\*
Pedric: With his other hand, he begins to caress her thigh that is resting on top of his leg.

Pedric: He gives her a kiss on the forehead.

\*\* Shi\*tal gives a small laugh at the light kiss. Nuzzling up closer, if it was even possible she says simple. "I wish we could stay like this." \*\*

Pedric: He sighs, sounding entirely content, "It would be nice. But at least we can find respite from the harshness around us."

Shi\*tal: "Harsh, complicated lives," she adds, and matching his sigh she let's her eyes close. "Could almost forget everything here."

Pedric: "And I won't be going anywhere until I have to." He says squeezing her tighter, for a second.

\* Shi\*tal had stopped the idle motions on his chest when her eyes had closed opening them again she gazes up at Pedic's face. \*\*

Pedric: He, already looking down at her, meets her gaze.

Pedric: He seems to study her face. She might not know it, but he looks at her in a way he never has looked at anyone before.

\*\* Shi\*tal perhaps looks her young age of 17 now as their eyes meet, her expression unsure. \*\*

Pedric: Not entirely sure the cause of her unsure look, he moves his hand from her thigh to her cheek, and gives her a reassuring smile.

\*\* Shi\*tal grabs his hand as it touches her cheek bringing it to her lips to kiss before holding their entwined hands together between them. Whatever doubts she seems to be having is hidden as she burrows her head in his shoulder again and she sighs. \*\*

Pedric: "You seem nervous." He says gently.

Shi\*tal: "I'm trying not to think about it," she says, unburrowing her head so as not to be mumbling but still not meeting his gaze.

Pedric: "Think about. What?" He says curiously.

Pedric: He starts back at caressing her back.

Shi\*tal: "Well..." she says drawing it out slightly, supposed reluctance making her take her time. "I realize it's probably unlikely I'm going to get to keep you."

Pedric: "And why is that?"

Pedric: He sounds almost taken aback at the implications that someone would want to keep him.

\*\* Shi\*tal looks up at him, wondering if she'd upset him at her thought. "It's just... I doubt you ever intended on staying here, you're just here as a passenger, but well... This is the first place in a long time that I've felt I can belong. I can't help but believe you can do better than the sort of life I'd have to offer." \*\*

Pedric: He chuckles a bit, "I've actually spoken to Arkoh about sticking around. I've been all over. And well, it would seem I've only just found the second person in life that actually wants to get to know me. I think I'll stick around for a while."

Shi\*tal: "For awhile," she repeats softly, the words seeming to take a moment to process. "Then I guess I better take advantage of it," she says pulling herself up till she can kiss him.

Pedric: He kisses her back. Pulling away just enough to speak, he whispers, "Tell you what. I'll leave when you do."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs softly, it catching in her throat as she borrows her head again into his shoulder, her body tensing. \*\*

Pedric: Feeling her tense up, "Is something wrong?"

\*\* Shi\*tal mumbles something into his shoulder. \*\*

Pedric: He smiles a bit, "Oh. Is that all?"

Pedric: "Seriously though. I didn't get a bit of that."

Shi\*tal: It takes her a long moment and then she unburies her face. "I think it's better that way," she says with a frown. "It's nothing really. Just me being foolish again," she says giving a half hearted smile.

Pedric: "Well that doesn't sound good." His curiosity really getting the better of him, "Tell me."

\*\* Shi\*tal 's hand moves to stroke his cheek. "Can't you just leave it be. Let this moment last as long as it can? ... Please?" she asks, and it's obvious she's not one to make such pleas. \*\*

Pedric: "... If. That's really what you want."

Pedric: "As long as everything is ok."

\*\* Shi\*tal gives him a relieved smile. "It will be," she says before leaning in to kiss him. \*\*

Pedric: He kisses her gently. Continuing to caress her back, and taking a curious look on his face, "So..." He hesitates, "Nevermind."

\*\* Shi\*tal is aware she had just asked him to drop a topic and not wanting to push merely says, "If you're sure." Her fingers stroking his cheek again, before moving to light touch his neck. \*\*

Pedric: "No... It was. Something else."

Shi\*tal: "Something else?" she asks, prompting him to see if he'd continue.

Pedric: "Well..." Again, a rarity, he seems to be struggling to find words,"I just can't help but wonder... You seemed a little hesitant earlier.... Ah, nevermind..."

Shi\*tal: "Hesitant," she echoes dully, her fingers working over his ear lobe before moving to hover over his heart. "What is it you wonder?" she asks bluntly.

Pedric: "I'm sure it wasn't, but... That. Wasn't your first?" He says, hoping it doesn't sound horrible.

\*\* Shi\*tal can't help but smile as she teases, "Do you find some pleasure in corrupting virgins?" \*\*

Pedric: "No!" He says quickly before realizing she's teasing, "No. I. Don't know as I've never actually done that anyway."

\*\* Shi\*tal is in the middle of laughing at Pedric's expense when the intercom goes off. The sound of Arkoh's voice making her jump and she mumbles a curse. With a sigh she says, "It lasted while it could." and stumbling slightly in the dim light goes to respond to the call. \*\*

\*\* Shi\*tal comes back to the bed, collecting their clothes on the way. Standing nude before him she sorts them, tossing his trouser and shirt over his legs. \*\*

Pedric: He sits up. "Thanks. So. About the crew? Are we going to say anything?" He asks as he puts his clothes on. Admiring her body while he can before she covers back up.

\*\* Shi\*tal steps into her pants. "Is it their business to know what we do?" \*\*

Pedric: He looks as though he doesn't really know the answer, but decided on a guess, "No."

Shi\*tal: "Then there you go... I'm not saying we lie to them about it, just that we don't go proclaiming it to the first of our crew mates that we see."

\*\* Shi\*tal fastens the skin tight pants into place and reaches for her tank. \*\*

\*\* Shi\*tal glances up for a moment a thought occurring to her. "Or to anyone else for that matter..." \*\*

Pedric: He looks as though he is already having to bite his tongue.

Pedric: He offers a nod.

Pedric: Having gotten his clothes back on, he stands up.

Shi\*tal: "Besides.. if I keep showing up from your quarters, I'm sure it won't take them long to know. This is a small ship, with a small crew." With her tank slipped on she leans forward to offer him a kiss, before sitting down to work on her boots

Pedric: He returns the kiss. "Yeah." He ponders the thought of sharing quarters, "And will you be? Staying with me?" in a curious tone, not a negative one.

\*\* Shi\*tal pauses in her efforts to adjust the straps. "Unless you'd rather I not..." \*\*

Pedric: He puts his hands on her shoulders, "Honestly. I'd prefer if you did. Stay, that is."

Pedric: "I've never. Had. Anything like that."

Shi\*tal: "Then you shouldn't ask such silly questions," she teases, finishing with the strap and standing up. With a sigh she steps in to embrace him, her arms encircling his waist and her head resting on his chest. "First for me too," she admits.

Pedric: Not sure about that last bit being an answer to his former question or not, he decides not to ask, and embraces her.

\*\* Shi\*tal sighs heavily this time. "Should go... Are you coming? I know he didn't call but we'll need your help transferring her memory." \*\*

Pedric: "Yeah. I'll come along." He says, looking around, "I must have left my computer out there."

\*\* Shi\*tal steps away, grasping his hand as she leads the way out. "It would seem so.. but I doubt you'll need it for this." \*\*

Pedric: He follows along.

## Some time during the expected down time on Dubrillion - 21 Mar 2012

Pedric: Pedric is in the cargo bay that houses his belongings. He appears to travel heavy. From the looks of it, he may not even really settle at all. Many of the bags and cases have been opened. He has many fine clothes, and lots of random belongings. It would seem he has found what he was looking for though. He has a case sitting open in front of him, with the worn armor in it. He looks at it perplexed, clearly trying to figure out how to even put it on.

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs lightly at his perplexed expression and after setting her gear to the side she moves up behind him, sliding her arms around his waist. "How long have you been staring at it?" she asks, attempting to keep the humor out of her tone, the fact he hasn't her expression yet probably helps. \*\*

Pedric: He laughs. "Not long. Took me the whole morning to find it. Bet you can't guess who the organized one between Tal and I was."

Shi’tal : "Tal was a soldier," she says simply, the fact alone explaining quite a bit about him. Coming to his side, she bends down to pick up another of the pieces examining it and checking its state of repair.

Pedric: He nods.

Pedric: The armor is in as good condition it can be for its age. It appears to have sustained some damage, but has been repaired.

Shi\*tal: "And like a good soldier he took care of his armor... good, less work there in that regard" She turns and looks Pedric up and down. "Do you have something in mind for kute... er what you'll be wearing under the armor?"

Pedric: "I was gonna go with... Something."

Pedric: "No. I know there has to be an under suit of some sort."

Pedric: "But just for fitting and practice, that won't be necessary, will it?

Shi\*tal: "For now, it may be ok, but it's best to train with whatever you're going to use. We can go into town tomorrow and see if we can find something," she says before going over to the other trunks of clothes to see if she could find something that would work. Something long sleeved and as tight fitting as possible.

Pedric: He thinks. "I do have something. An underlining I've used a couple times when I've traveled to colder planets." He says as he goes to try to find it in the mess of luggage.

Shi’tal: "That should work... It needs to be thick enough to protect your skin from the plates, but still be able to move easily in it." As she looks over the clothes she folds them back up, and puts them into a neat pile to the side of the trunk she pulls them from. Looking at the amounts she asks, "Why do you need so many?"

Pedric: "Well. You just kind of collect them over time. When making business deals and such, people judge you immediately off your appearance. If you don't have the newest clothes, then you've already lost something in their mind."

\*\* Shi\*tal looks at the clothes in mild disbelief, obviously never having need of a fashion sense. \*\*

\*\* Shi\*tal is not having luck in her current trunk and after putting the garments back in moves on to the next one. \*\*

Pedric: "When we go to get a more official under suit, we'll have to see about getting you some nice clothes. Maybe a dress or two. If you're interested." He also sifts through another trunk. "Aha! Here it is."

Shi\*tal: "A dress?" she repeats flabbergasted. "Why would I need a dress? What's wrong with my clothes?" she asks looking down at probably her only change of clothes, though as she wears pretty much the same thing maybe she just has multiples.

Pedric: "It was just a thought. You don't need anything. Just thought you might want something. You'd look good in one." He says turning to check her out.

\*\* Shi\*tal composes herself and finishes putting what she had pulled out away. She stands, her hand on her hip as he looks her over. \*\*

Pedric: He just grins at her, almost a smirk really.

\*\* Shi’tal gives him a what are you smirking at kind of glance before approaching him and taking the suit from his hands holding it up to get a better look at it. \*\*

Pedric simply laughs as she takes the suit.  “Will that work?”

Tossing the garment back at him she responds with a yes. Before turning away and going back to looking over the various pieces once more

He removes his clothes, and then begins putting the suit on.  Once it’s all on, he looks at the armor.  Then looks at her still browsing his belongings, “Are you looking for something?”

She shakes her head and turns from looking over the piece of armor in her hands. Looking him over appraisingly she nods in satisfaction. “That will work. Now here... I’m going to show you where everything goes.”

He smirks, “Oh I think I know where everything goes.”  Pausing for a second, “Oh, you meant about the armor.”

Shi’tal can’t but to laugh as she hands over the plate. “Let’s see how good a student you are shall we?” she teases and begins to direct him in where the different pieces go, interrupting him to adjust here and there for fitting purposes, marking where the different plates would have to be adjusted once removed.

“I think I can handle this.  I excel at pretty much everything.”  He says cockily.  Not clear if he’s joking or not.

Giving him a small smile and a nod, she says, “We shall see cyar'ika. We shall see.”

Taking the armor back off, “It can’t be too difficult, can it?”

Laying out each piece before him as he takes it off, she gives him a knowing smile and indicates the stack. “Give it a try.”

He spends a little while looking over the armor.  He does his best to figure which pieces are going to overlap, and where.  After some thought, he begins by placing the pieces on each calf/shin.  He then goes about the same on the thighs.  He reaches for the breastplate, but then stops himself.  He then reaches for the forearm pieces, and places them on.  Moving from there to the bicep sections.  Then finally, he places on the breastplate, “How’s that?”

Had been standing with her arms crossed watching with an amused expression on her face as he puzzled over the armor plates. After taking a long moment to look over his handiwork, she nods “Good. Now just keep practicing till you can do it in your sleep.” Without another word she reaches for one of the ill fitting plates, taking it over to a tall crate to set it on to work. Using various tools kept on the ship far larger than anything she might carry in her toolkit she slowly gets the pieces fit.

He watches her work for a second.  And then continues to practice as she had instructed.  “I think this will be better when you’re done making them fit.  Then I can actually walk around in it.”

Bringing over the finished piece she gives him a smile. “Oh, we’ll be doing much more than just walking.” Giving him a laugh she grabs the rest of the pieces in turn, the process taking a few hours, but slowly with each piece the armor would probably start feeling a bit more comfortable.

He inspects the suit again and again as she completes pieces.  “That.  Feels right.”  Hearing her comment, and playing innocent, “We’ll be running too?”

“And a manner of other exercises,” she comments walking away to complete the next piece. “Jumping jacks, push ups...” she lets the list trail as she holds it up to make sure she fits it correctly.

He frowns at the thought of all that.  He doesn’t look like he’s seen too much, if any physical training at all.  Very bright and intellectual, but not physically gifted it would seem.  With the exception of the bedroom of course.

Smiles reassuringly at him as she notices his expression. “It takes a significant amount of endurance to wear armor continually, especially in unfavorable circumstances. Last thing you want is to be out of breath.”

He nods.  “Makes sense.  I guess I’ll have to bulk up a bit.”  (He is pretty scrawny afterall)

Her smile grows wider as she comments with a wink “You could use some muscle, woman like strong looking as well as attractive men you know.”

“Well, I have strength of mind.  And I may not be strong yet, but I think I can please well enough to compensate.  Seemed so last night at least.”

Shi’tal laughs and with a shake of her head of bemusement goes back to the task at hand. Finally done she hands over the last of the plates and immediately has to cover up a yawn. She has after all been working double time to get the ship ready for launch.

Half his body still encased in armor, he goes to her and places his hand on her shoulder.  “You should rest.  You don’t want to tire yourself out.”

Smiling up at him tiredly she stands on her toes to give him a kiss. “I can manage. I’m not a stranger to lacking sleep.”

“Well it’s getting late anyway.  I can practice some different things while you work tomorrow.”  He says trying to get her to rest.

Touching his cheek gently she lets him know through the act she was touched by his concern. “Then to bed we shall go.”

## Dinner on Dubrillion - 24 Mar, 2012

Pedric: Pedric has been working hard with getting used to the armor. But one day, while the rest of the ship is busy with the repairs/installations, he goes out to see what the planet has to offer. After several hours, he returns. Anticipating Shi'tal might be about done with work, he heads straight to their quarters. When she enters, there is a box on the bed with a bow on it. Pedric isn't in the room at the moment. Presumably in the cargo area next over.

\*\* Shi\*tal eyes the box for a moment. "Pedric?" Dropping her gear to the side, she approaches it and waiting to see if she gets a response continues to stare at the present. \*\*

Pedric: The doors to the cargo bay open up. He stands there in one of his fanciest looking suits. "Are you going to open that?" He gestures toward the box.

\*\* Shi\*tal glances over at him in the doorway, the presence of the gift suddenly overwritten by the fact he's all dressed up. She stares for a moment with a frown, a suspicion forming as to what might be inside. As an answer she turns back and pulls on the riboon of the bow, and slides the lid off. \*\*

Phoenix: He must have been thinking about one of the previous day's conversation, because inside is a very elegant, black dress. "I guessed at your size. But I am pretty good at that sort of thing. Should work. You can wear it when we go out tonight." Maybe he has always had a romantic side, or maybe part of his day was spent watching romantic holovids..

\*\* Shi\*tal doesn't seem to hear what he says as she reaches out to pull out the dress, rubbing the fine, silky material between her fingertips. "Going out?" she asks, dumbfounded. Holding the dress out in front of her she seems to be taking it all in, apparently amazed he had even gotten her the dress to begin with. \*\*

Phoenix: "Well, you've been working a lot. Thought you deserve a little fun." He says with a smile, "We have a little while. I'm sure you want to wash up first."

Shi\*tal: "Yes... that would be a good idea." she says having only washed up enough to not be filthy. "How much time?" she asks.

Pedric: "A little less than an hour."

Shi\*tal: "Alright then," she says and with the dress in hand she passes by him, planting a kiss on him before heading toward the refresher. Though what the others would think of her suddenly appearing in a dress hardly crosses her thoughts.

Pedric: He smiles and returns the kiss.

\*\* Shi\*tal emerges from the fresher all squeaky clean, her long red hair mostly in an updo with spiralling tresses falling about her bare shoulders proving she can clean up remarkably well. Her feet are bare as she moves across the deck plating having enough sense to know boots don't match. \*\*

\*\* Shi\*tal holds out the heels. "I'm going to kill myself in these," she remarks to Pedric. \*\*

Pedric: "Come now. You mean to tell me I can walk around and work out in armor, and you can't even walk in heels?" He says teasing.

\*\* Shi\*tal mutters something unintelligible and leaning against the bulkhead puts the shoes on one by one. After a wobbly of testing her balance in them, she walks toward Pedric as if to show him her head held high. However just a couple steps away she trips and her composure falters. \*\*

Pedric: He steps forward and reaches out to catch and help steady her.

Pedric: "Better take my arm until you get more comfortable with them."

\*\* Shi\*tal nods in agreement, taking a tight grip at first on his proffered arm until she's steadied enough to walk. "Are you going to tell me where we're going?" \*\*

Pedric: "We're going. Around."

Pedric: He smiles as they leave the ship.

\*\* Shi\*tal rolls her eyes and lets Pedric lead her out to whatever plans he had obvioulsy made. \*\*

Master\_GM:

Pedric having found a cozy little place where Pedric has purchased the top balcony, normally not available to the public. The waiter directs you to your seats the sea breeze lightly moves through the air and cross the table and table clothe causing it to billow. The waiter bring a menu of Dubrillion's finest, mainly made of seafood cusines. "Is there any wine you would like to order? Might I suggest Ithorian Wine?"

Pedric: "Sounds perfect." He responds to the waiter. He then begins to look over the menu.

Master\_GM: "I will be back. I will give you a moment to order." The male Twi'lek waiter nods and heads toward the kitchen.

\*\* Shi\*tal takes the menu, but leaves Pedric to answer about the wine. She casts a glance over it, growing dizzy by the array of choices and unsure what exactly most of it was. "Uhm... what looks good?" \*\*

Pedric: Realizing she has probably never had fine cuisine, "Well, it depends. Do you like food with a salty taste? Or a sweeter taste? Or neither?"

Shi\*tal: "Sweet is always good. Spicy too."

Pedric: He looks at her. "I think I forgot to say something very important."

\*\* Shi\*tal sets down the menu, the decision of what she was to eat having been decided. She looks up at him as she reaches for the glass of wine the waiter had poured for them taking a testing sip. \*\*

Shi\*tal: "And what is that?"

Pedric: "You look stunning."

\*\* Shi\*tal was apparently not expecting it and blushes as she beams at him. "Thank you," she says. "The dress is beautiful," she says, her fingers going to touch the silky fabric once more. \*\*

Pedric: He smiles, "I'm glad you like it. It took me a while to find something that would suit you. Had to be the most beautiful one I could find." He then turns to take in the view. The sun is about halfway set, and lights begin to come on around them.

Pedric: Turning back to her. "Everything had to be perfect."

\*\* Shi\*tal gaze follows his out toward the view. It only returns to him, their gaze meeting when he expresses his desire. "It's all very beautiful. You must have gone through a great deal of trouble." \*\*

Pedric: "Not too much, really." He says,"So. Tell me something about you. Something I don't yet know."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs. "I've already told you a great deal." \*\*

Pedric: "Yes. But a lot of serious things. What of better times and such?"

Master\_GM: "I apologize for the wait." The waiter says as he returns with two glasses and a bottle of wine. He pours them a glass each. The pink liquid fills the glasses and it looks a little bubbly. "Have you decided on what you would like or do you need some more time?"

Pedric: When the waiter returns,"We've made our decisions. For the lady, berbersian crab. She likes it a little on the spicy side. And I will have the bloat eel." He says as though it's something important, then realizes again that she probably doesn't know what that is, and wouldn't be impressed.

Master\_GM: "All right I will take it into the kitchen." He smiles and removes himself from the vicinity.

\*\* Shi\*tal thinks for a moment. "I grew up on a farm," she starts. "On a clear day before the harvest my brothers and sisters and I would play in the stalks. Father would get so mad when we'd trample paths through." \*\*

Pedric: He looks as though is imagining the scene. "How old were you at that time?"

Master\_GM: The waiter returns and clears his throat. "Excuse me, sir."

\*\* Shi\*tal smiles. "10, Malena and I would play tricks on our older brother, Jalek, who was always so serious. He always said he was too old to play such games but there he was leading us all with little Tamara following behind the best she could." \*\*

\*\* Shi\*tal pauses as she looks up at the waiter \*\*

Pedric: He laughs at her story, then being caught by the waiter, "Yes?"

Master\_GM: "I am sorry to inform you, but the local medic has left planet, we would be unavailable to serve bloated eel at this time."

\*\* Shi\*tal frowns. "Why would you need a medic to eat an eel?" \*\*

Pedric: "If it isn't prepared properly, it can be fatally poisonous." He says answering her question, "That is disappointing. Have any other variety of eel then?"

\*\* Shi\*tal frowns, not liking the sound of that one bit. \*\*

Master\_GM: "Might I suggest the Greco Eel, it is the closest to what you would like to order, but it no where close to the delicacy you wanted." He offers.

Shi\*tal: "It's not poisonous is it?"

Master\_GM: "Not at all."

Master\_GM: He says with a nod.

\*\* Shi\*tal nods apparently relieved by the answer. Taking a sip of the wine she lets Pedric make up his own mind \*\*

Pedric: "Well, I will go with the other option then." He pauses, "Though. This is somewhat upsetting." He says, surely the waiter understanding his tone.

Master\_GM: He nods sorrowfully.

Master\_GM: He walks back to the kitchen.

\*\* Shi\*tal swirls the contents of the wine glass around as she regards Pedric. "Were you actually trying to poison yourself?" \*\*

Pedric: "And. Why would I do a thing like that?

Pedric: He says with a nervous laugh.

\*\* Shi\*tal gives a uhuh before taking another sip and setting down the glass. "Now you tell me something," she prompts. \*\*

Pedric: He looks as though he has to concentrate to remember something from his life that was truly enjoyable.

Pedric: "I think my favorite times were when I was learning how to use computers."

Shi\*tal: "What did you like about the lessons?"

Pedric: He laughs almost maniacally,"The applications of it."

\*\* Shi\*tal cocks her head not following what he's found so funny. "Such as?" \*\*

Master\_GM: The waiter returns to the table with two serving trays. "Dinner is served." He says setting the dishes and down and removing the lids reveals some well presented meals.

Pedric: "Well. I started a side business. I excelled in classes. But some others didn't, and wanted to keep getting money from their parents. So I.. Adjusted grades. This also then found its way into further opportunities later..." He trails off as the waiter arrives.

Pedric: Taking his silverware, he begins to eat his meal very properly.

\*\* Shi\*tal looks at him aghast as he admits he had been cheating in school. She schools her expression as the waiter presents their meal. She gives him a thanks and waits for him to leave. She's going to say something then thinks better of it. What's perhaps surprising is she has impeccable table manners though obviously it's been awhile since she's had to use them. \*\*

Pedric: Seeing her expression, "Do you not approve? I was a lot younger at the time."

Shi\*tal: "I suppose you could be appluaded for ingenuity... but it's still benefiting from cheating."

Pedric: "Well. I only did it because..." He pauses, unsure if he should explain or not.

\*\* Shi\*tal takes a bite of the crab, her eyebrows raised waiting for him to continue. \*\*

Pedric: "Well, my father told me when I was 15 that he would be cutting me off when I graduated. I would have to make it on my own. So, I had to start earning some money."

Pedric: He sighs, apparently he had wanted to avoid the topic of his father.

\*\* Shi\*tal stares down her plate, "And did he? Cut you off?" \*\*

Pedric: He smirks, "He thinks so."

\*\* Shi\*tal smiles. "Hacked his accounts?" \*\*

Pedric: "Yes. I realized where I could make better money. I found a way into his accounts, and whenever I saw a transaction taking place that was over 100,000 credits, I would removes no more than 5,000 for myself. Over about a year and a half, I had enough capital to start my own investing." He takes another sip of wine, "And that's one of the biggest reasons my father hates me and doesn't trust me. He doesn't know where I got my money from." He pauses and throws on his voice impression of his father," 'I don't trust anyone that I don't know or can't find out where their money comes from.' "

\*\* Shi\*tal braves a smile at his mocking imitation. "At least I can say he deserves it." Taking a final bite of her food follows it with a long drawl of the wine. \*\*

Pedric: He laughs, "You say that. And you haven't even met him."

Pedric: "I'm afraid he's much worse in person."

\*\* Shi\*tal shrugs lightly. "You certainly give him a poor review." \*\*

Pedric: He says as he finishes his food, and then takes the remaining sip of his wine.

Pedric: "Well I never knew him, and he never made any attempt to get to know me. Though, if we keep this conversation up, I think we may need the rest of that bottle of wine."

\*\* Shi\*tal nods in agreement finishing off her glass in a very unladylike way. She's staring down at her empty plate as she mutters. "I have met him." \*\*

Pedric: He looks confused. "R. Really? When?"

\*\* Shi\*tal looks up at him, her expression seeming to become harder as she replies. "The day my uncle died. No... the day your father let him die." \*\*

Pedric: He looks at her, hoping she isn't about to attack him. Being that there isn't anything he can do, he snaps his fingers and signals for the waiter to go ahead and bring the whole bottle.

Pedric: "Well... What?"

Master\_GM: "Sir, I don't suggest you keeping the bottle. This is powerful in large quan..."

Pedric: He pulls out a large amount of credits and hands them to the waiter, taking the bottle.

Master\_GM: He shrugs and takes the money walking off.

\*\* Shi\*tal stares down at her plate once more, breaking any eye contact she had initiated with Pedric. She waits till the waiter leaves once more before speaking again. "I don't blame you.. I never have. I don't hold grudges like that... But... It wasn't a coincidence I'm on the Errant Star." \*\*

Pedric: Suddenly, starting to feel distraught,"So... You're..." He stops, trying to piece it all together, taking a drink of the wine, forgetting manners, he drinks straight from the bottle.

\*\* Shi\*tal doesn't say anything, her gaze still downcast. \*\*

Pedric: Pedric puts, slams really, the bottle down. He sways a little, but seems to be mostly there, he didn't drink too much really, but is a lightweight, "So. You said he let your uncle die?"

Pedric: "Please explain. I'm trying my very hardest to not jump to conclusions."

\*\* Shi\*tal nods and looks up and slowly begins to tell the story, the memory still painful. "Your father, Moff Adol Valton," she says distastefully. "Hired us to track down a man. We specialized in bringing back our targets alive, and that's just what your father wanted. It took us awhile, but finally we located him in a bunker at the edge of the Beltain system. Surrounded by guards it was well fortified, we were going to have to storm the place to get to access. We had to use what we knew about him to gain access. Our target had an appetite for attractive women and would occasionally invite dealers inside...." she pauses for a moment ensuring he's following. \*\*

Pedric: He nods along with her.

Shi\*tal: "My uncle took the place of one of these traders and together we were able to infiltrate the facility. Unfortunately, our target got wise on us. As we were departing, he managed to escape his bonds and in the process of subduing him Antos was shot and our target was severely injured. When we rendeavoused with your father, he was displeased with our results, refusing to pay us. He laughed at my request to at least provide aid for my uncle and sent us on our way. Antos died in my arms just hours away from reaching the nearest planet."

Pedric: Pedric, for the first time she's seen him, is completely dumbstruck. So much so, he can't even reach for the bottle.

\*\* Shi\*tal doesn't remove her gaze from him. "For the better part of a year I've been looking for a way to get to him.. To get justice... and.. and then... I found you. And for a moment, I thought if I could get close enough to you.. maybe you would tell me, and this would all be over." She shakes her head, now at a loss for words to continue. \*\*

Pedric: "So... I'm just a tool for your revenge?" He says, sounding very hurt.

Pedric: "Your. 'Justice'?"

Pedric: He pushes himself away from the table, clearly thinking about walking away.

\*\* Shi\*tal ducks her head, shamed. "At first... but then I got to know you and it all changed." She looks up as he pushes himself up from the table. "Pedric... I wouldn't be telling you all this unless it had." \*\*

Shi\*tal: "I don't care about it anymore... My uncle is dead and finding your father won't bring him back."

Pedric: He looks at her intently. Looks of distrust, hurt, and curiosity all pass over his face.

Pedric: He would seem to be figuring out how he can know for sure if he can trust her or not.

\*\* Shi\*tal stands slowly, glad at least he hadn't stormed off. "Nothing I've told you has been a lie, cyar'ika. Ask me what you will and I'll answer it as truthfully as I always have." \*\*

Pedric: "How did you know his real name and position? Surely he didn't use them."

Pedric: "How did you find me? We've had no contact at all for a couple years."

Shi\*tal: "He did. He must have thought as long as he was within power in the Imperial Remnant he couldn't be touched... He was right of course, until he fell from grace."

Pedric: "And? About finding me?"

Shi\*tal: "I made it my business to learn everything I could about him... once I learned about you.. I made it my business to know your habits as well. Including your use of the Errant Start. Once the bounty turned up for all information for your father and his family, there was an influx of leads. It was just a matter of getting here first."

Pedric: "Bounty?"

Pedric: He looks as though he's starting to get a headache.

\*\* Shi\*tal nods "120,000 for information on the whereabouts of your father and any relations." \*\*

Shi\*tal: "Your father pissed off a great many powerful people when he left the Remnant."

Pedric: He looks at her, and speaking in her native tongue,"Swear to me that this is all true. On your honor as a mandalorian."

\*\* Shi\*tal walks around the table to his side and hesitantly puts her hand over his. "Ori'haat," she says with solemnity. \*\*

Shi\*tal: (( "It's the truth, I swear - no bull." ))

Pedric: Staring at her hand over his, he can't seem to find words.

Pedric: He seems to be very lost in thought.

\*\* Shi\*tal takes it as a reassuring sign he didn't just pull away. "I'm sorry, Pedric... I have hurt you grievously, but I just needed you to know the truth. I couldn't live with the falsehood caring the way I do about you." \*\*

Pedric: "I appreciate the truth." He then continues to think,"So... The bounty? It's for information? About him OR his family?"

Shi\*tal: "Yes, on your whereabouts."

Pedric: "Well then. I guess I'll have to find him. I am one of the few who may be able to actually do it. And, as long as he's at large, I'll be sought out... And I'm the one who's easy to find. He's got all his fancy, palatial ships to travel about the galaxy in."

Pedric: "His own staff. His own soldiers. His network. He'll hide and not even give me a second thought."

\*\* Shi\*tal can't help but to smile with relief as she comes closer to him daring to put her head on his chest. "Does the name Castin Melvar mean anything to you?" \*\*

Pedric: "Yes. That's an old alias of his."

Shi\*tal: "I think he's using it again."

Pedric: "That was the name the first account of his that I hacked was under."

Shi\*tal: "The name kept popping up in my research but I could never pin anything substantial on it."

Pedric: He stands up, places his hands on her shoulders, and looks into her eyes.

\*\* Shi\*tal doesn't move away from his gaze. \*\*

Pedric: "We'll find him. But. I need you to promise that you won't try to kill him, unless it's entirely necessary. For the safety of my mother and myself, we'll have to hand him in to those who placed the bounty."

Shi\*tal: "I'm not a killer Pedric.. I don't know what I would have done with him when I found him..."

\*\* Shi\*tal realizing she hadn't really promised anything she adds. "I promise that I won't try to kill him." \*\*

Pedric: "Thank you."

Pedric: Pulling her into a hug, "Well then. Seems we've become unlikely allies."

Shi\*tal: In his embrace, she buries her head into his chest and wraps her arms around him. "Perhaps, we'll both finally get what we want... Closure."

Pedric: "Perhaps." He squeezes tighter as she buries into his chest.

Pedric: He lets go after a minute or two. "With all of this, it may be more difficult, but. I did have more planned for the evening."

Shi\*tal: "Let's go home," she suggests, pulling back only slightly to look up at him. "Unless what you had planned was important?"

Pedric: "It wasn't. Home it is then." He reaches over to cork the bottle of wine, and takes it along, "I did pay about 200 credits too much for it..."

\*\* Shi\*tal shakes her head in amusement, feeling much lighter than she's felt since coming about the Errant Star. "I'll never get used to how you can just... throw away money like that. I was raised to be much more frugal." \*\*

Pedric: "I think you would get used to it if you had it. Tell you what. Tomorrow, after you get done working, we'll go to some shops. You can get whatever you want on my dime."

\*\* Shi\*tal glances up at him. "My family is actually very well off. We toil in the fields because food needs to be grown. My father brings in a surplus from his position as the head starship designer of MandalMotors. I have never been lacking in anything material I may desire my whole life..." \*\*

**Pedric: "Oh." He says, hoping he didn't offend her.**

Pedric: "I probably should be more frugal. But I just never have been. As long as I am making enough to spend. Well, why not spend?"

\*\* Shi\*tal looks at him. "I suppose we tend to be a bit more practical about things. Money, though, doesn't buy everything," she smiles up at him. \*\*

Pedric: "It doesn't?" He jokes.

Shi\*tal: "I think you more than anyone would know," she says, though it's obviously not teasing but stating a fact

Pedric: "I do know that. Was just joking."

\*\* Shi\*tal grips his arm and beams up at him. Distracted she trips suddenly, her grip tightening on his arm as she catches herself. \*\*

Pedric: "Still not entirely taking to the shoes? We can go get some different, flats if you like? I'm guessing they're probably hurting a good deal too?"

Pedric: \*different ones

Shi\*tal: "Who ever invented these things obviously didn't have to wear them," she comments.

Pedric: He laughs. "Want to go find some better ones then? You can get rid of those if you like."

Shi\*tal: "Sounds like a plan. I'd rather not by tripping all night," she says with a laugh

Pedric: He leads her to the shops he found earlier, where her current ensemble came from.

\*\* Shi\*tal looks at the varied array of stalls and shops, most of the former closed for the night. As they walk she eyes the different wares. \*\*

Pedric: "See anything you like?"

\*\* Shi\*tal takes her gaze from the window's protecting the wares to look up at Pedric. With all seriousness she says, "I have everything I need." \*\*

Pedric: Pedric smiles and kisses her. "Seriously though. Do you want any replacement shoes?"

Shi\*tal: "For these yes."

\*\* Shi\*tal as if to make a point she trips again \*\*

Pedric: "Go ahead and pick some out then."

Shi\*tal: "You realize I would just pick boots right... We've been through this."

Pedric: He laughs, "I guess I'll make the selection then." He looks around until he finds a good pair. Black, but much more like sandals. "These should suit you more. I don't think they sell boots here."

\*\* Shi\*tal tries them on gladly, standing up and letting out a sigh of relief. "Much better." \*\*

Pedric: "Good." He purchases them, coming back, "Well. Now where to?"

Shi\*tal: "Let's just walk... It's been awhile since I've been able to breath anything except recycled air."

Pedric: "Sounds like a plan. Come to think of it, I can't remember a time for myself either."

Pedric: He holds out his arm.

\*\* Shi\*tal takes it, though this time not so much out of need but for a desire to be close to him. Not being any hurry, she continues to glance through the windows of the various stores as they go past, not really caring where they go. \*\*

Pedric: "So you're a bounty hunter?" He asks after they've been walking for a while.

Shi\*tal: "I was... I lost the heart for it when Antos died."

Pedric: He puts his arm around her now, apparently bringing up some painful memories,"Sorry. I guess we won't go there then."

\*\* Shi\*tal shakes her head. "It's fine... Because of that last job... I guess I just became... afraid. A part of me believes he died as a result of something I didn't do..." \*\*

Pedric: "Well I can't be sure, but I would bet that isn't the truth." He says grasping and bringing her tighter against him.

Pedric: "But that isn't the way he would want you to think."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs. "No... probably not. He'd probably be cursing up a storm." \*\*

Pedric: He laughs, "I wish I could've met him."

Shi\*tal: "Me too." Though if Antos hadn't died she likely would never had sought out Pedric in the first place, and the thought causes her to frown.

Shi\*tal: However she won't let it get her down for long cause a moment later as she looks up at Pedric she can't help but to smile.

Pedric: The same thought must cross Pedric's mind. And without her, Tal still would've died, and he would be completely alone. Without saying anything, he wraps her up in as much a bear hug as he can muster.

Shi\*tal: "Umph... You're. Crushing. Me cyar'ika." she says, but returns the hug, rubbing his back all the same.

Pedric: He relents. "Sorry."

Pedric: "It does sound like Tal and Antos would've gotten along well."

Pedric: "Though I'm sure..." He chokes up a bit.

\*\* Shi\*tal rubs his back more vigorously. "What is it?" \*\*

Pedric: "Oh, I'm just sure you treated Antos better than I... I mean, I think I did, but who knows."

Shi\*tal: "I'm sure he understood... He did stand by you all those years, no one would do that unless they cared," she says to comfort him.

Pedric: "Well I did pay him well. That drives plenty of people to do things they wouldn't normally do. I don't know, I guess I just am worried I could've done more."

Pedric: "I mean, he was the only person who ever mattered to me. And I don't know if I ever got that across."

Shi\*tal: "I'm sure you did.. I remember how worried he looked after the attack. It wasn't the look someone would give if he was just worried about not getting paid."

Pedric: "I do hope you're right."

Shi\*tal: If she's not, he's not exactly around to refute her words, and if he could see her face as she hugs him he probably would have thought the same. Her expression is schooled with a smile as she backs away enough to touch his cheek with the back of her fingers.

Pedric: Looking at her as she touches his cheek,"But having now found the second person that means something to me, I am not going to risk it again." He says as leans in to kiss her.

\*\* Shi\*tal returns his kiss with vigor, her own desires echoing his. Now set free of her guilt it seems she's opened up quite a bit more. \*\*

Pedric: Wrapping his arms around her, he doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon.

\*\* Shi\*tal let's their kiss deepen, the world around her fading to be encapsulated only by them. \*\*

Shi\*tal: After a long moment she pulls back and glances around. "We're causing a scene," she says indicating the people walking past staring at them.

Pedric: Not used to caring about such things,"Is. That a problem?"

Shi\*tal: "Only in so far we're not reported for public indecency.... your description may not help your anonymity."

Pedric: He sighs,"I never have been very good at keeping a low profile."

\*\* Shi\*tal smiles at him. "Good thing you have me... Maybe I can keep those hunters off you." \*\*

Pedric: "Good thing I have you indeed." Pausing, "So, do you figure that's what that twi'lek was after? Knocking me out and hacking my computer and all?"

Shi\*tal: "Er... I hacked your computer."

\*\* Shi\*tal says sheepishly \*\*

Pedric: "You? Hacked my computer?"

Shi\*tal: "Well.. yes, very clever by the way leaving misinformation on there," she can't help but to laugh. "What's so surprising, that I was capable, or that I did it?"

Pedric: "Well. I just think how fortunate it was that the twi'lek came aboard. Perfect cover, really. And yeah, getting a second computer to put false information on was Tal's idea."

Shi\*tal: "Yes... it did work out rather well. Especially when for a while I thought you were getting suspicious."

\*\* Shi\*tal shrugs lightly, a couple curling tresses of hair falling off her bare shoulders. \*\*

Pedric: He laughs, "Well I was a little. But I didn't have any evidence on anyone."

\*\* Shi\*tal grabs his arm, meaning to direct him to walk on. \*\*

Pedric: He walks along with her.

Pedric: "So when did things change then? As far as I go?"

Shi\*tal: "When you opened up to me..." she says.

Pedric: He nods.

Shi\*tal: "You just had to be so... wonderful," she says with a laugh.

Pedric: He laughs also,"Well I think that has to be a first. Someone calling me wonderful. I usually get much more colorful descriptions."

Shi\*tal: "I hope at the time you deserved them..." she teases.

Pedric: "Oh I deserved plenty more."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs again. "I bet I've had my fair share of name calling as well." \*\*

Pedric: "Oh? From your siblings?"

\*\* Shi\*tal shrugs her shoulder lightly. "Children can be mean sure, I'm more referring to aruetiise." (traitors, foreigners, outsiders) \*\*

Pedric: "What would they say?" actually sounding protective, even though there is nothing particularly freightening about him.

Shi\*tal: "It doesn't matter. Their ignorance betrays them."

Pedric: "Their mistake though. Thinking you're someone to pick on."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs. "It does tend to be a hard lesson." \*\*

Pedric: "Did they not know you were a mandalorian?"

Shi\*tal: "You'd be surprised how many people insult a Mando to their face... well helmet."

Pedric: "They must not know their history."

Shi\*tal: "LIke I said.. Ignorance. It doesn't help there are those in the clans which give us a bad rep."

Pedric: "This is true."

Pedric: "Though, I am not too informed on the current affairs of your people."

Shi\*tal: They find themselves in front of a balcony overlooking the water. She heads toward it and leans against the banister looking out over the water and the night sky.

Pedric: He walks up and wraps his arms around her from behind.

Shi\*tal: "Not much to tell really. Once could say the Mando change without really doing so. We have our times of peace and of war. We ready ourselves for the day Mandalore call us to battle and the cycle repeats."

Phoenix: "Sounds tiresome."

Shi\*tal: "Not really... It's been our way for generations."

Phoenix: "You don't seem to think much of it though."

\*\* Shi\*tal glances over her shoulder as Pedric leans into her. "I was raised to fight, to protect my family and my clan. For many it's an occupation. War is in our blood, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate times of peace. We just aren't disillusioned to the point of believing it will last forever." \*\*

Pedric: He nods. "I see."

Shi\*tal: "Do you?" she asks

Pedric: "I think so. It's just different from my upbringing. Traditions and what not."

\*\* Shi\*tal nods. "We were raised almost in two different worlds." she comments \*\*

Pedric: "I wouldn't say almost. We were. You were raised a fighter. I.. Well. Not so much." He says, almost ashamed sounding.

\*\* Shi\*tal turns to face him, her back pressing against the railing as she leans back to look at him. "There's more than one way to be a fighter... It's a matter of heart not whether you're a warrior." \*\*

Pedric: He gives her a puzzled look.

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs as she touches his cheek. "You stood up to your father... in a way. Hacking his accounts. If you weren't a fighter you wouldn't have done that." \*\*

Pedric: He looks as though he is processing what she is saying.

Shi\*tal: "You wouldn't be going after him either," she adds.

Pedric: He nods, apparently this is different that how he had been thinking.

Pedric: "So... Ah, nevermind."

\*\* Shi\*tal brings him in for a kiss before she turns around to look out over the water once again. She breaths in deeply, the sea lingering in her senses. \*\*

Pedric: He takes the kiss in. As she turns around, he wraps his arms around her again, this time tighter however.

\*\* Shi\*tal is quiet for a long time as she looks out over the ocean. "Do you... do you have a plan on how to find him? Your father I mean." \*\*

Pedric: "He's a hard person to pin down. I have only one idea. (But I haven't cleared it with the GM yet, so...)"

\*\* Shi\*tal nods being a case in point in that Pedric had been easier to locate than his father.

Pedric: "He likes to stay on the move. Something I do too. But I don't have the fortune he does... Yet. I can't afford to own my own ships and pay an entire staff and all."

\*\* Shi\*tal frowns. "How did he amass such a fortune in the first place?" \*\*

Pedric: "I don't know really. Maybe his little saying about not trusting people you don't know where their money comes from is true though. I don't trust him."

Shi\*tal: "Maybe if we could figure it out we could trace him," she shrugs lightly at the thought, dismissing it as soon as she mentioned it

Pedric: "I doubt it. I always at least got the feeling it's old money. Been around for a while. Either that or he stole it. Somehow."

Shi\*tal: "Or knew enough to blackmail people."

Pedric: "That is also a possibility."

Pedric: "No. I'll figure out how to track him down though. If worse comes to worse, all ships have to settle down at least some time. And ships are registered, so if we have to, just find and track his ships to find him."

Pedric: "And I can also see about hacking back into his accounts to see where his transactions are being made, etc.

Pedric: "

Pedric: "There are options."

\*\* Shi\*tal nods and leans back against him, shivering slightly in the cooler air now that night has fallen. While pretty it doesn't offer much protection from the wind. "Till then.. you'll have to stay anonymous." \*\*

Pedric: "I'll. Need help with that."

Shi\*tal: "If I could find you... someone else could too and they may just turn in your whearabouts rather than face you directly."

Pedric: "How did you find me anyway?"

Shi\*tal: "A great deal of research, bribes, and luck," she says.

Pedric: "There's no short story version?"

Shi\*tal: "When I couldn't find your father directly I went in search of those I thought might still be in touch."

Shi\*tal: "Apperently the people who placed the bounty thought up the same thing, but fortunanetly I had the ideas months ahead of them."

Shi\*tal: "That is the short story," she says with a laugh and then grows serious as she contemplates something. "Maybe it would be best of Pedric left the Errant Star. Take up an alias for awhile. Throw hunters off your scent."

Pedric: "Oh? And what should my alias be?" He says in a tone that indicates his ideas of names are likely not serious at all.

Shi\*tal: "We'd have to talk to Arkoh.. but considering things have just gotten more dangerous, maybe a hired gun. Who would expect Pedric Melvar to be sporting armor and working as a merc?"

Pedric: He laughs. "No one that knows me."

Shi\*tal: "Think about it.. but I think it should go into effect before we leave here, and it'll have to be made believable."

Pedric: "Yeah. It's a good idea. Would shortening my name work? What if I just went by Ric?"

\*\* Shi\*tal thinks about. "It could work, but anyone who may come around asking questions may get wise.: \*\*

Pedric: "I don't think I'd be too good at coming up with serious names though. Any ideas?"

Shi\*tal: "I could give you a Mando name," she says with a shrug. "Let me think on it."

Pedric: "Yeah. Get a mando name, and then get that armor. I'd practically be a mandalorian."

\*\* Shi\*tal can't help but laugh, and with a shake of her head she leans back more against him. "Practially... but not yet." \*\*

Pedric: "Not yet? You mean it could actually happen?"

Pedric: He then realizes how giddy he must have sounded. "I mean. That could be cool."

Shi\*tal: "Not all Mandos are born into the clans... Most of my siblings were adopted, but only because my father realized they had mandokarla. They were adopted and given a new life in our family. After that where they came from didn't matter anymore. We call it cin vhetin. It means virgin snow."

Pedric: "Is there a ceremony or something? When you become a mando?"

Shi\*tal: "Oh yes.. it involves an intense ritualistic cleansing and lots of pain," she says, but after a long moment he can tell she's laughing.

Pedric: He laughs as well, "Well how am I supposed to know?"

Shi\*tal: "When the time comes... you will know."

Shi\*tal: "Until then... learn."

Shi\*tal: "You already have a command of our language, which is amoung our tenets."

Pedric: "Yes. It's a good language. I've learned many, but yours is a special one."

Shi\*tal: "Special?"

Pedric: "I enjoy it more than most."

\*\* Shi\*tal laughs. "It's an easy language to learn when one is given the opportunity to do so. \*\*

Shi\*tal: "In your studies did you hear this rhyme?

Ba'jur bal beskar'gam,

Ara'nov, aliit,

Mando'a bal Mand'alor—

An vencuyan mhi."

Shi\*tal: Education and armor,

Self-defense, our tribe,

Our language, our leader—

All help us survive.

Pedric: He thinks. "It sounds familiar. It's been a few years though. It's part of the tenets, right?"

\*\* Shi\*tal nods. "The Resol'nare. We learn it as children to help us remember and then when we're older we take the vow." \*\*

Pedric: "The vow?"

Shi\*tal: "To uphold the Resol'nare."

Pedric: He nods.

Shi\*tal: "We take it when we're around 13 as part of our rights of passage."

Pedric: "Well. I will learn. Now that I have you to teach me. If you think I have what it takes."

Shi\*tal: "I do, but whether you're ready will be up to you."

Pedric: "I am. I want to be able to defend myself." He looks at her,"And. Others."

\*\* Shi\*tal looks up at him, at first she smiles but then it turns into a frown. "It's not that.. You'd have to be willing to go to war for no other reason than because Mand'alor has called you to." \*\*

Pedric: "Well. If I am going to do something, I have to go all in. Same principle applies to business."

\*\* Shi\*tal smiles up at him again, though apparently not entirely convinced. "Let's get you comfortable in armor first." \*\*

Pedric: "Yes. It surely won't be an overnight thing. But something to work toward."