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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 14, 2012 9:55:40 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 14, 2012 9:55:40 GMT -5
The young girl had been called a slave by to many costumers today. Slavery On Tatooine was common, yes but for some reason no matter how many times she told this bozo he wouldn't get it through his thick Bith Skull.
I TOLD YOU!....I'M NOT HIS SLAVE!!!
With that the Bith backed away from the counter shocked. Ryla looked to the door that lead outside and noticed funny looks being shot inside. She almost wanted to say something to them but at the moment she heard the Bith say something to the translator droid that the shop keep had put in,
''Tell your slave not to raise her voice to a costomer...''
The droid translated and spun not to look at Ryla but the shop owner who had heard her yelling most likely and had come up behind her without her noticing.
She saw the Bith walk out without his parts to his moisture vaporator and then she turned around to look at her temporary employer, the Rodian who had taken her in when she got to the dust ball.
He said something in the native Rodian Language that she didn't understand and she shot a look of question to the Translator droid.
''He says that's the third costumer this week that you've made leave...and that if you keep it up you won't be here much longer, he's surprised someone hasn't taken you away and tried to sell you to Hebba.''
It isn't my fault they keep insulting me.
She said with an eye roll away from the droid. The Rodian Put her stack of credits on the counter for her payment even though it was extremal small she snatched them up. And looked to the Rodian remembering that he had said he wouldn't pay her money to hey until she had found a ship to leave on, which she hadn't.
Uhh...whats that for?
''You'ss cost me to much business lil' girl you'ss on your own now.''
The Rodian Said in Basic as he turned and hit the door switch on the wall, she stood outside the shop as the door slide shut.
She stood some more and let a sigh out. She had roughly 130 credits which was enough to by a few days worth of food, or a ticket off Tatooine, she would half to still one or the other.
She went to the first restaurant and being Tatooine it also had a bar in one corner, she sat down alone and got more funny looks as if every one in the room was wondering if some parent would be joining her at the table.
Then the fun part happened the waitress stepped up and got her order of a Bantha Burger and a soda, then actually asked,
Would someone be joining you?
She took a breath and looked up at the Togruta Waitress and spoke as calmly as she could without giving a hint that she was actually alone,
Not really.
The one subject she hated was if she couldn't find her father and then being asked about him...
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 16, 2012 18:36:21 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 16, 2012 18:36:21 GMT -5
It was Tashra Gly's first time in Mos Espa. She'd been born and raised in Anchorhead, and had never strayed more than a few miles away, beyond the occasional venture into the Dune Sea. Her adoptive parents had distinctly hated those occasions, but they'd given her permission to head over to Mos Espa for the day with a bush pilot who'd promised to pay her for mechanic services this way.
The young Togruta found it was very much like Anchorhead, only the buildings were in different places, and more people were speaking Huttese. Luckily she was bilingual so it didn't bother her.
Somehow she'd strayed into a restaurant, probably because of that rumbling in her stomach, and she'd sat down. What had come next had surprised her greatly.
Before he was a slender, feminine shape with rusty-orange skin, blue and white headtails, and beautiful towering montrals! Another Togruta! Tashra had honestly thought she was the only one on the whole planet, and now it was suddenly like finding she had family! The girl made a sound that could be best exemplified as 'squee!' And immediately proceeded to fawn over her new role model.
Over the course of an hour of nibbling at a steak, 'Sparky,' as her friends called her, had discovered the woman's name was Reesh, and she'd come from Shili three years ago. Also in that time, Tashra had learned ten words in Togruti and changed her life goal to waitress.
Reesh came over to Tashra and pointed to a human girl alone at a booth. The woman laid a hand on Tashra's shoulder and whispered a suggestion.
"Why don't you go over there and say hello, she looks lonely."
Eager to please her new role model, Tashra darted over there as her table was cleared and slid into the seat across from her.
"Hi, I'm Sparky. You look lonely, what's your name?"
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 16, 2012 20:54:34 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 16, 2012 20:54:34 GMT -5
Ryla had almost jump out of the seat when another over eager Togruta skidded into the seat across from her.
"Hi, I'm Sparky. You look lonely, what's your name?"
Sparky was a most likely a nick name, she had met a few Togruta's while working in shoppes across the Galaxy on her travels and none of them had the name Sparky.
It didn't matter Ryla needed someone to talk to right around now any way, and nicknames where fine.
Uhh...Hello? She started off scratching her head and shifting her bag over from one side of her lap to the other.
...My name's Ryla...Luna, and i guess I am a bit lonely.
Ryla knew of the dangers of talking to strange people, but it was also the strange ones that usually let her fly with them to other worlds. So it was at times like these that she had to take a leap and hope for the best.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 16, 2012 22:47:02 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 16, 2012 22:47:02 GMT -5
Tashra nodded.
"Yeah, Reesh said you were."
The Togruta girl cocked her head curiously, and looked at the human girl with inquisitive amber eyes. She wasn't exactly good or experienced at playing psychologist, but she wasn't too hard to talk to.
Tashra Gly was straight forward, bright and optimistic, with a child's wonderful naivete. She always seemed to see the best in others, and nothing of Ryla's appearance suggested anything suspicious or less than wholesome about the girl.
"So Ryla, why are you lonely? Are you visiting Mos Espa, or do you live here? Do you have many friends? Do you have a best friend? How 'bout droids, do you like droids?"
Tashra paused, realizing she'd just rattled off a ton of questions. She honestly hadn't thought about it until a second ago. She chuckled a tiny bit at that.
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 16, 2012 23:12:39 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 16, 2012 23:12:39 GMT -5
"So Ryla, why are you lonely? Are you visiting Mos Espa, or do you live here? Do you have many friends? Do you have a best friend? How 'bout droids, do you like droids?"
Ryla took a sip of the soda while the Togruga girl was asking those questions, She found a bit of humor in the girl, intentional or not the Togruta was funny.
It was fine by Ryla, she had time to shoot and answer questions,
Tons of 'em,
Lonely because I'm a traveler searching for my father, I don't have many friends i unfortunately don't stay on one place to make many, I am only visiting yes, And I've never really had many experiences with droids, the closest machines I've had experience with is Ships and any thing that needs fixing, that's kinda' how i support myself, fixn' ships and stuff.
She smiled as she tried to run through the questions the Togruta had asked making sure she had answered at least most of them.
She had a smile on her face for the first time in a while, she had actually stopped moving long enough to put one on.
How 'bout you? What do you do for work, what can i learn about you?
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 17, 2012 3:41:58 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 17, 2012 3:41:58 GMT -5
"No way," Tashra said animatedly, not for a minute doubting that someone so young could actually repair a ship. Her mind didn't really work that way. She wasn't geared to see deception or lies, so she just kind of walked into them like an unwary pedestrian who ran into a spider web spun across a walkway.
"I fix things too. All kinds of things. Ships and droids, and speeders. I love them all."
The Togruta girl beamed pleasantly, full of pride at her job description, for which she earned a reasonable disposable income, though most of it she disposed to her adoptive parents. Still, there was enough for fun stuff.
One thing did confuse her a little.
"I don't really know why you'd want to know about me. I'm all boring, not cool and exciting like Reesh. But I guess I can tell you anyway. My name is Tashra, and my parents used to live in Anchorhead. My mom was a scientist into geology, and my dad was a hunter. They both died when I was little though, so now I live with my new parents. They're both nice enough, but they're not Togrutas like me. Dad's a human, mom's a Twi'lek. They're OK though."
The teenage girl stared off at the wall for a second in what might have been a hint of melancholy before abruptly speaking again.
"Hey, do you like to read? I love reading."
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 17, 2012 11:30:09 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 17, 2012 11:30:09 GMT -5
"I fix things too. All kinds of things. Ships and droids, and speeders. I love them all."
Sparky said sort of surprised. Ryla Responded but clearing
Yeah...usually only small things on them and stuff like that, never anything to terribly big.
The Togruta told Ryla a short story that explained her life, enough about it to satisfy Ryla and convince her she was at least a nice person, hopefully.
Then she asked again,
"Hey, do you like to read? I love reading."
Ryla gave a bit of a shrug, I guess it depends on the book, though with my life style i guess i don't get to read often. Uhh...whats your favorite book? Ryla was trying her best to keep the conversation going, it was one of the first friendly conversations she'd had in a while. She partly didn't want it to end...
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 17, 2012 20:13:15 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 17, 2012 20:13:15 GMT -5
Tashra's face showed a conflicted expression when asked her favorite book.
This was one of those things where people just didn't understand. Somehow she didn't get why people didn't like romantic stories about exotic places and beautiful people. Strange as it seemed to her, lots of people didn't like those books. And she felt awkward when she brought up the topic and people laughed or mocked her for it.
Sparky was an honest girl however, and she was notoriously bad at evading questions. Her tendencies were direct, and subterfuge was foreign to her.
She answered honestly. And exuberantly, committed to her choice.
"It's called 'The Lights of Coruscant,' by Vicki Starrunner, and it's an amazing book. It's all about this poor human maid who meets a rich Senator, and they fall in love. Then there's also a spy ring after them, and it turns out Rochelle's parents were actually nobles from Alderaan, so she gets this big royal wedding at the end when she meets her parents again, and they all live happily ever after."
When she finished, Tashra smiled in as ridiculously dorky and happy a way as possible, pleased with her own retelling, and reliving the happy memories of her favorite tale.
She kept that stupid grin on her face for a few long seconds before it returned to a generally happy smile.
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 17, 2012 20:32:30 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 17, 2012 20:32:30 GMT -5
"It's called 'The Lights of Coruscant,' by Vicki Starrunner, and it's an amazing book. It's all about this poor human maid who meets a rich Senator, and they fall in love. Then there's also a spy ring after them, and it turns out Rochelle's parents were actually nobles from Alderaan, so she gets this big royal wedding at the end when she meets her parents again, and they all live happily ever after."
Ryla gave a half smile toward Sparky before answering,
Never heard of it. She shrugged as she finished her last two bites of the Bantha burger, and slurps of the drink.
She looked around for any one who looked like a pilot, only for a few seconds before returning her attention to Sparky, she wasn't about to be rude and maybe the girl had transport or someone she knew did. But it would have to be something to bring up later, for now she needed company, and Sparky was able to give that.
So... now what to talk about?
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 18, 2012 16:37:14 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 18, 2012 16:37:14 GMT -5
Tashra Gly was, in no sense of the words, a great conversationalist. Her ideas of good conversation were usually not intellectually stimulating, and usually centered around her latest role models, life goals, mechanics in general, or the romance novels she was so fond of.
Usually the conversations were a little one-sided, with the listener not particularly fond of the speaker, unless gifted with deep wells of patience.
Tashra was, charmingly, oblivious to that. So naive, so gullible. All her intelligence was centered around mechanical parts; wheels and cogs, circuits and drives. When it came to social interactions, she was like a child lost in the woods.
Somehow she'd managed to make it relatively safely in life despite all that. Probably by virtue of never being the prettiest or most feminine girl, not being the paragon of desire who attracted attention.
When she spoke, the Togruta's words were carefree as always.
"Oh, I dunno. We could talk about just about anything. Like books, or ion reactors. Or Reesh. We could talk about Reesh. Did you know her father on Shili is a hunter? My dad was a hunter too. Y'know, I never thought being a waitress could be so exciting, but I totally want to do it now. Just think of all the interesting spacers you can meet!"
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 19, 2012 15:01:03 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 19, 2012 15:01:03 GMT -5
"Oh, I dunno. We could talk about just about anything. Like books, or ion reactors. Or Reesh. We could talk about Reesh. Did you know her father on Shili is a hunter? My dad was a hunter too. Y'know, I never thought being a waitress could be so exciting, but I totally want to do it now. Just think of all the interesting spacers you can meet!"
Ryla was cleaning her rappers and bits of paper onto the tray to throw it away when she was ready to leave.
I've been into a couple of strange bars i could tell how it could be exiting. She gave an admitting shrug.
Uhh...what type of ships you repair, i think you said something about Anchorhead, is that where your from? If so why are you in Mos Espa?
Ryla was actually trying to see if there was a ship she could hide in, but she would stick around and talk with the girl that Ryla was actually finding amusing. she seemed scatter brained, not exactly in a bad way, but it was true.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 20, 2012 0:36:00 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 20, 2012 0:36:00 GMT -5
"I can repair anything!" Tashra said proudly.
It was almost factually true, and she'd never met a challenge she couldn't overcome with time and the right equipment. Granted she'd never tried fixing a hull breach on a star cruiser or replacing the carpet on a luxury yacht...
Still though, the Togruta girl was a pretty handy mechanic.
"And yup, I'm from Anchorhead. Born and raised. I just got a free ride here in an airspeeder because I fixed it and the pilot couldn't pay. It was pretty fun, I'd never flown before you see, and I was worried I might have motion sickness, but I did just fine and I never used the barf bag or anything. The pilot was real happy with me."
Sparky beamed as she spoke, an irrepressible young soul if ever there was one.
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 20, 2012 12:53:37 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 20, 2012 12:53:37 GMT -5
"I can repair anything!,
And yup, I'm from Anchorhead. Born and raised. I just got a free ride here in an airspeeder because I fixed it and the pilot couldn't pay. It was pretty fun, I'd never flown before you see, and I was worried I might have motion sickness, but I did just fine and I never used the barf bag or anything. The pilot was real happy with me."
Ryla couldn't help but smile,
Sure Ryla didn't get exactly what she wanted, but she was sure that Sparky could be counted as a friend.
Err...Any way i could come along with you? Back to Anchorhead i mean. Help you out at the shoppe maybe? I kinda just lost my only real source of money and I'm stuck with only 130 credits, that i somehow need to turn into food and a ticket away from here.
Ryla wouldn't stay long, at Sparkys shop, just long enough to find a nice ship leaving the planet and pay for passage off world, But her in tire plan would fall apart if she didn't secure a ride back to Anchorhead.
I'm not hard to feed and I'm pretty useful, when it comes to your trade expesialy.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 21, 2012 2:40:32 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 21, 2012 2:40:32 GMT -5
"Uh," Tashra said uncertainly as she scratched one of her headtails, "I'm not really, cuz I don't exactly own the house or anything. My parents, well they're not actually my parents, they'll have to make the decisions. I dunno what they'd say about it."
To be fully honest, the Togruta girl hadn't been expecting such an offer. Request. Thingy. It kind of came out of the clear blue sky without warning, and she genuinely wasn't sure what to do with it. She didn't want to be heartless, but she honestly didn't know if she could just parade the girl in to her guardians and ask them to house a complete stranger she'd met in a different city.
Life wasn't easy for her parents, OK, not parents. There was always a shortage of something, and Tashra was wearing old clothes as an example of that. They certainly didn't eat much, and if not for Tashra's supplemental income, she might not have had any luxuries.
Somehow she doubted they'd be able to house the girl, but what was she supposed to say to the kid?
The orange-skinned girl stared awkwardly at the mud ceiling above her, twiddling her thumbs together as she weighed over what to say.
"OK, I'll get you to Anchorhead at the least, maybe you can find a ship going offworld from there or something."
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 21, 2012 12:34:35 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 21, 2012 12:34:35 GMT -5
"Uhh...I'm not really, cuz I don't exactly own the house or anything. My parents, well they're not actually my parents, they'll have to make the decisions. I dunno what they'd say about it."
Ryla was about to say she could just stay in the Shop or what ever, but she wasn't quite sure how things would go by saying that.
Oh...
Ryla's eyes showed he was sad, but then a handful of words changed that.
"OK, I'll get you to Anchorhead at the least, maybe you can find a ship going offworld from there or something."
Ryla almost jumped out of her seat, with joy.
Really?! you mean it?! Thank you!
She said all at once As she stuck her hand down to her right boot pocket unzipped it and took the credits out of it, zipped it back up and placed them on the table.
About 20 Credits payed for the meal, drink, and a decent tip. For the first time in a while Ryla didn't mind spending that much at a single table. Of coarse she spent that much when working but at the moment she was out of the job. And now had only about 110 credits.
I can be ready to go when ever you want!
Ryla said excitedly.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 21, 2012 20:10:36 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 21, 2012 20:10:36 GMT -5
Tashra was half-expecting to be knocked over by a hug from the younger girl judging by the reaction, but that was not the case, possibly due to the table separating them.
When Ryla suggested going, the Togruta girl shrugged.
"Okay, I guess we can go now."
Sparky rose from the booth and stretched, the tools on her toolbelt jangling with the movement, and then she waved at Reesh.
"Bye Reesh!" She said exuberantly before walking out the door into the bright sun and oppressive heat of the desert world she knew so well.
Her boots kicked up little clouds of dust with every step as she made her way back to the port area where she'd left the pilot. She was whistling a popular tune as she walked along, but her thoughts were on Perry.
Her droid was at home, helping out her 'family.' She really did miss his company on this trip, now that Reesh was out of sight. It was good to have a real friend.
In a desire to make conversation, Tashra asked a question.
"So Ryla, how long you been on Tatooine anyway?"
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 22, 2012 9:28:21 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 22, 2012 9:28:21 GMT -5
"Okay, I guess we can go now."
Ryla nodded, OK then i guess...
Ryla would be happy to leave Tatooine in her past, and just before they made it to the docking port Sparky Asked,
"So Ryla, how long you been on Tatooine anyway?"
Ryle slung her back pack off the shoulder it was on and then onto the other,
Oh about a week now i think, enough to get twice the Money i have now and spend it on some food, now i got barely enough for a ticket off world. From what you said you've been here a long while, sense birth or what? is it better then just a passing visit like me?
Ryla asked looking up at the slightly taller woman, squinting at the twin suns behind her.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 23, 2012 16:11:07 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 23, 2012 16:11:07 GMT -5
"Yup," Tashra confirmed. "17 years here. It's OK by me."
It was surprising the girl had been there for a week. Most people Tashra knew, or had met, were either on Tatooine for a long time or just passing through on their way to Ryloth. Tatooine wasn't exactly a desired destination.
The Togruta girl led them through the streets to the docking bay where she'd left the pilot, only to find him gone, and his airspeeder missing. Promptly she grimaced and rubbed her temples.
This wasn't good. It was really bad. They were a thousand miles of inhospitable desert away from Anchorhead, and deserted. Moreover, Tashra was confused, and she felt bad.
He'd seemed like such a nice guy, how could he have just left her here alone?
Sparky winced and she looked at Ryla.
"Guess we uh, have to find another way."
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last online Nov 22, 2021 3:14:38 GMT -5
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Sept 23, 2012 21:24:18 GMT -5
Post by Adobi-Wan Kenobi on Sept 23, 2012 21:24:18 GMT -5
"Yup, 17 years here. It's OK by me."
Ryla nodded at the older Togruta, then they entered into the hanger; the empty hanger.
Ryla stopped and asked with out looking at Sparky,
What are we in the adjoining hanger?
Then she did turn to look at Sparky who was rubbing her eyes, Ryla could easily tell she was either lost, or deserted.
Ryla sighed and scratched her head behind her pony tale,
"Guess we uh, have to find another way."
The thing Ryla was always worried about in her travels was, being abandoned, being sold or traded, or abused and miss treated, to put it lightly.
That's why she usually thought ahead, and either hid away on the ship or made sure it was more "official". Also why she dressed like a boy, she still looked girlish, but dressing that way still helped a bit.
Ryla looked around for some sign of a speeder that was going to Anchorhead, finding no schedules, or any thing really.
Well...what about those short guys that are all over the place? Jewe's, Jowa's? Something like that, i hear they have huge transports!
Ryla added trying to be cheerful and hopeful at the same time, hoping for a good response from Sparky.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Sept 23, 2012 23:06:00 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Sept 23, 2012 23:06:00 GMT -5
"Jawas," Tashra corrected with a shudder.
They were smelly and weird, and they lived in these old Czerka sand crawlers that were left behind from the failed mining expeditions. They also scavenged everything and anything, hoarding it all and bringing it to moisture farms and small settlements to trade.
"I don't even know where the nearest group of them is, and can you imagine being stuck in a crawler with them for two days? They're all weird, and they smell funny."
Tashra sighed.
"This isn't good. This really isn't good."
The Togruta girl walked out from the docking bay and started to run through her options, which weren't many. Jawas... Bribery? Stowing away?
She had to do something, but she just couldn't think of what to do.
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