Care for a Coffee? (Reis, Observer)

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya'anu had experienced a rather busy day. She'd gone to sleep the night before, curled up next to Nika, her rescuer and her protector, but when she'd woken up in the morning the green woman had been gone. That had caused momentary panic when the Lethan ex-slave saw she was alone, but it didn't last.

Nika had taken her to eat breakfast (marking the first time Sinya had regularly eaten three distinct meals since before she was a slave), and then from there she'd been taken out to see a variety of people and places.

The very first had been a Doctor, a female Tholothian. The dark-skinned woman had examined the bullet wound in Sinya's shoulder, using some kind of medical technology to heal up the skin, keeping a kolto patch on it to promote healing. She'd promised there would be no scar on her reddish-pink skin, and Sinya had just nodded dumbly.

Next they'd gone to a shopping center of some kind, which was the very first one Sinya had ever seen. Nika had taken her into a shop that sold a wide variety of women's clothes, and while the green Twi'lek had heavily influenced her much-shorter charge's selections, Sinya's own fledgling preferences had still broken free.

There had been a row of saris on display in the window of some exotic shop, and in her smallest and most tentative voice, the freed slave had said that maybe she might be interested in looking at them, if Nika didn't mind, and if it wasn't a bother, and if they weren't too expensive.

While Sinya had never found out what the price had meant, she'd walked out of the shop wearing a purple and blue sari just her size. It flowed down and covered her, and she didn't feel exposed for once. Nika had tossed the old slave garments into the trash, and holding hands, she'd led Sinya out to a coffee shop in one of Theed's more picturesque streets, next to a river, and there she'd ordered drinks for both of them.

Sinya herself had remained extremely quiet and extremely wary as the day progressed, and she'd also been completely unable to determine what to order off of a menu big enough to occupy three full boards. It also hurt that she couldn't understand most of it, as it was in the Aurebesh, which she couldn't really read. Even Hutt letters were terribly difficult for her to read.

Now though, the petite red Twi'lek was sitting at an outside table with an enormous cup of some chilled drink in her small hands, sipping periodically as she looked nervously around the crowd. Nika had just disappeared to go use the restroom, promising Sinya that it would be all right.

However, Sinya was nervous. The teenager's sapphire eyes were filled with a nervous fear, as if something terrible could happen at any moment now that Nika wasn't within arm's reach. The fact that Naboo was safe didn't even find a way into her mind.

[Reisier]

Ah, Naboo. Beautiful, unadulterated, peaceful Naboo; the planet of verdant hills, rolling plains, gentle breezes, and beautiful oceans, there was nothing more Amaris Sataj could ask for.

She could enjoy the mild weather, enjoy a nice meal, and for the first time in months, actually relax. Of course it was business that had brought the woman to the beautiful planet in the first place, but it was one that definitely did not involve her getting shot. For the past couple of months, her work had been fast-paced; the Zelosian constantly forced to be in the run from one threat or another. Sure, it had made things pretty interesting for her, had increased her reputation in Nar Shaddaa, but it had been chaotic as heck.

But, not this time, not here; not in the planet of Naboo.

All Amaris had to worry about was to smuggle some artwork from Theed into Coruscant – a rather well-to-do art collector was looking for ways to not pay taxes on the one of a kind pieces and had approached the Zelosian as a result. It might not make a good story to exchange in the Drunken Drummer, but it was definitely nice not to worry about getting her head blown off for once.

After the relatively short meeting with the art collector, mostly to set up a time when the artwork would be loaded unto Decipio, Amaris had taken comfort in wandering the city of Theed. As a necessity more than a whim, the woman had first made her way into a small market of sorts. She wandered the area for a good hour or so, picking up supplies – namely food. For whatever reason, Amaris always forgot to pick up that supply. Sure, a bottle of Whyvern’s reserve and other colorful spirits were readily available for the female, but anything of real substance, constantly escaped her mind.

Bag of supplies in hands, the Zelosian eventually began to walk once more. Each step taken carried her deeper into Theed; Amaris was led away from the markets and into a curious shopping center of sorts. The place buzzed with life – people making their way across the area packages of fine fabrics, perfumes, and cosmetics in hand. Music from street performers filled the air, as did the bubbling of a fountain in the middle of the area. ‘Maybe I should buy something for mom while I am here. She would definitely appreciate it.’ But the thought quickly escaped her, replaced instead by a rumbling in her stomach. Oh yeah, food. Had she even eaten anything today?

Amaris closed her eyes, pinching at the bridge of her nose. She didn’t particularly feel like eating, but her body was demanding a good meal, and with a complain rumbling in her belly, the Zelosian was on her way. It was mostly curiosity that drew her into the little café. In appearance, it was nothing extraordinary, though it could definitely be described as adorable and quaint. And thankfully, it was fairly empty – that is, if you didn’t count the two Twi’leks in the room. Fumbling with the bags, a small curse uttered under her breath, Amaris made her way in. Quickly, quietly, the Zelosian dumped the bags into an empty chair, before sitting herself down.

It didn’t take long for a waiter to approach the female with a menu. She quickly ordered – a sandwich to keep her stomach under control. “Would you like a tea or fruit juice with that?” Yeah, it would definitely be a good idea to order something to drink as well. Amaris scrunched up her nose, glancing up quickly at the waiter. “Does the tea have sugar?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Amaris scratched the nape of her neck, “Uhh, I’ll pass. Just gimme a coffee – flying this afternoon.” The male shot her a strange look, but he quickly waved her statement off, simply saying that he’d be back with the order soon. Amaris took the time to make herself more comfortable – taking off her jacket, she slung it on the back of her chair. Green eyes studied her surroundings, eventually falling unto the red twi’lek who seemed increasingly uncomfortable after time. Amaris cocked her head curiously, clicking her tongue.

After a few seconds of simply watching the Twi'lek that grew increasingly uncomfortable with each passing second, Amaris called out, “Uh... you okay there?”

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya nearly jumped when the red-headed woman spoke to her, though if she'd been looking away she might not have noticed. It was a little hard for her to imagine strangers choosing to speak to her of all people.

The Lethan Twi'lek girl still hadn't quite grasped that she wasn't a slave anymore, and that people did treat her as an equal. She didn't understand that not talking was considered disrespectful.

The speaker was a human, or something very similar, with red hair and a very pretty face. She was also much taller than Sinya, though they were both sitting. That was a little intimidating, but she seemed nice...

The former slave stared for a second with her large blue eyes, an uncertain look on her face as she tried to piece together whether the woman was really nice, or whether she was, well not. Also, the Twi'lek teenager was running through her mind trying to decipher the words the woman was using.

It was Basic, and she'd learned bits and pieces of it with time. But she hadn't used it at all in at least two years, and it felt very rusty.

"Oh K?" Sinya repeated in confusion.

What was oh, and k? Did she think her name was K? Or... No, it was okay. Okay meant everything was good, didn't it? She was reasonably sure it did. So the stranger was asking if everything was good, there.

Where was there? In the coffee shop, at her table? Or did she mean it generally...

"Oh yes, much okay. Thanks you. I is jus nervoos." Sinya smiled feebly as she answered, her eyes resuming their darting path around the tables. Her voice was heavily accented, and her Basic was poor enough to make any instructor cry.

Of course, the red Twi'lek didn't know it was so bad. She was completely unaware of just how bad her Basic was, as she relied much more often on Ryl or Huttese. It made her wonder how she was going to survive on Naboo.

Nika was always the answer. She would take care of Sinya. Everything would be OK with her around. Now she just had to come back from the bathroom.

[Reisier]

The female listened, a small smile on her lips, trying her absolute best to make sense of what the scarlet Twi’lek said; truth be told, for a second, Amaris wasn’t entirely sure she could understand her. As lovely as her thick accent sounded to the Zelosian’s ears, the heavy staccato and broken verses made her smile dumbly as a response. She did try, however, to follow what she said, hanging unto every word as if her very life depended on it. Sadly, things didn’t seem to work as well as Amaris had hoped.

Instead, the Zelosian was left smiling dumbly after the female finished, nodding politely as she feigned a sense of understanding. It could be a conversation that could have easily ended, left Amaris and the female free to go about their business, but the Zelosian’s brain was unwilling to listen to reason. Instead of leaving the Zelosian to sip her coffee quietly, she soon began to speak – fueled by a single word by the Twi’lek, nervoos.

“Ner – voos?” She repeated slowly, her eyes meeting the Twi’lek’s vibrant blue. Was that some type of dish or something of the like? “Nervoos…” Her mind turned the word again and again, changing the tempo, the speed, anything to make some sense of it before she looked like an utter idiot. “Nervoos,” ner—oh. OH! Nervous! The female was nervous!

Her face flushed a pale green, mostly out of embarrassment, and Amaris couldn’t help but hope that she didn’t insult the Twi’lek. Yet, the Zelosian quickly recovered, giving a small nod of the head. “Yeah, I can see how a café can make you nervous.” She grinned brightly, head nodding to their surroundings, “Though, pretty sure this shop shouldn’t cause you any problems, the people here look pretty nice.”

Amaris’ eyes glistened as she studied the curious Twi’lek further, her cheeks perking up as she gave something of a little smile. It was small, weak, almost nonexistent, but it was still visible. It puzzled Amaris, however, how utterly out of place the Twi’lek seemed to be. Sure, she was dressed in beautiful fabric Naboo was known for, and yet, she seemed almost uncomfortable. The Zelosian shifted, arm draped over her chair, her head slightly tilted to face the pretty, nervous, little thing.

Her expression softened slightly, a cup brimming with hot coffee brought to her lips. “I’m going out on a hunch here,” She added after a few seconds, eyes locking into the Twi’lek’s own, “…but I’m guessing, sweetheart, you’re not from around here.” As if the accent hadn’t been the first clue.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya blushed too, as she realized the woman didn't understand her Basic. It had been such a long time since she'd used it. She'd been fifteen or sixteen, and waiting tables in the family restaurant, and she'd learned a few phrases here and there, that had stacked up into rather good comprehension all things considered. But her lips hadn't formed a single word in that language since before she'd become a slave.

In other words, it was a miracle she could remember anything.

Of course, the language gap cut the other way too.

The woman saw how coffee could make Sinya nervous, and shopping wasn't a problem because the people looked nice. Or something like that.

"Oh yes, peoples looks much nice," Sinya said tentatively in a barely audible whisper, trying to agree with the woman before putting her lips to the straw and sucking up a mouthful of the frozen coffee beverage she was drinking.

The next statement the woman made also prompted a little confusion, though this one was easier to understand. She went outside on a hunch? That part was a complete and utter mystery to Sinya, as she didn't understand either the colloquial meaning of 'hunch' or the idiom of 'going out.'

What she did understand was 'you're not from around here.'

"I am come from Sleheyron," Sinya answered softly. "There is much nicer on Naboo. I am see stars at night."

What she was trying to convey was that Naboo was a beautiful planet, where you could go outside at night and see gorgeous twinkling lights in the sky, rather than just city lights coloring the smog a yellow-orange.

Of course, with her terrible grasp of Basic, it probably didn't come through well.

[Reisier]

Woah boy; she may have kinda, sort of made the poor Twi’lek even more uncomfortable than before, a noticeable blush now spread across her scarlet skin. Amaris hadn’t noticed the blush when it first appeared across the Twi’lek’s face, she had been far too distracted sipping on her coffee. But, now that her attention had settled back on the female a few tables away, the anxiety in the air was pretty damn obvious – so much so that Amaris was sure that they could probably cut it with a knife. Amaris tried her very best to put on a pleasant smile, a soft grin that graced pulled at her full lips.

Thankfully, the tension once felt quickly diminished, shattered by the Twi’lek’s voice. Amaris’ eyes flicked up to the female once more – vibrant green orbs locked into stunning blue. A small smile touched her features, the planet name more than enough for her to understand. Sleheyron, the slave world; even before she started working for the Typhoon, even before she left her home in Zelos II, there were stories of that wretched planet – of the viciousness that struck whoever was unlucky enough to touch its ground. It was like a curse – a parasite that never left the Galaxy’s side. It was a place many knew of, but which most preferred to ignore.

“I,” Her voice faltered for a second, eyes flicking to the cup she held in her hands. No, there was no point in expressing her full understanding of the planet. There was no point in making this poor thing relieve any thought of that place, as fleeting as it was. Amaris chuckled, relaxing a bit into her chair, head tilted gently to the side, “Well, glad to hear you like Naboo then.” Her words were soft, slow, making sure to not further upset the girl. “It’ll take some getting used to, but sure you’ll be able to call it home before you know it.”

“Ah, the stars – I’ll take your word for it,” Though, she much rather not have to experience nighttime for whatever reason. Honestly, anyone that knew Amaris, was well and aware of the Zelosian’s absolute hatred for the night. Not only did it compromise her abilities as a whole, but it made her jumpy as well. Well, and it should go without saying, but her fear for the night caused her to be teased in more than one occasion by her friends – the jerks, that’s what she got for telling people her secrets.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Take some getting used to. Call it home. Those were funny phrases that required a little thought from Sinya. It took some of what? 'Getting used to' meant becoming familial with? No, that wasn't right. Familiar with. That was it. So it took some becoming familiar with, which meant?

Confused, the red Twi'lek moved to 'call it home.' Of course, no sooner had she done so than it clicked. 'Took some getting used to' meant that she wouldn't become familiar with it for a while. So after a few long seconds of silence, it clicked.

She'd have to get used to it, but it could be home.

Sinya started to beam, but quickly that look died on her face and she frowned as one more phrase wormed its way into her mind and demanded to be understood.

'Before you know it.'

So she'd get used to her home before she knew it was her home? Or was it that it would be her home before she knew it? How would she know it and when?

Basic was such a confusing language.

The petite Lethan girl stared intently at the floor, trying to puzzle through what it meant without an iota of success. However, she was worried to just ask. Sinya didn't want to bother the nice woman, or be a nuisance.

In a way it was so much easier being a slave. You just danced, and didn't say anything. But now she had to be normal, and she had to talk in this odd language with strangers.

What would Nika do? Sinya asked herself in silence. The answer that came was to be confident, and to just talk. So the Lethan girl tried to do just that.

"Excuse, I am wonder what 'before you know' mean. You can speak Huttese maybe please?"

[0bserver]

A line to the restrooms.

In a half-empty cafe. Really? Yep, such things happen every once in a while, and Nika was the lucky girl to run into one today. Standing opposite to the closed door, finger tapping at the wall with irritation, and eyebrow twitching. She had no idea what the person inside was doing, but, judging from the sounds... Uh... I reaaaaally don't want to know...

She came to this fine establishment with her new friend, Sinya, earlier today. After a rather long run to the doctor's, and an even longer run across the mall to find the lethan twi'lek some clothes. The latter proved to be a rather challenging task. Not because there was no clothes, oh no. There were plenty, for any kind of taste ranging from refined and official to trash. The problem was getting Sinya to choose for herself. And not copy Nika, or obediently accepting any variant the merchants were offering. Nika knew their kind - they would say 'It fits you perfectly!' even if you decided to wear a pair of underpants on the outside. The green twi'lek was watchful over that.

Nika never had problems with choosing clothes, really - her outfit was generally one and the same, for all situations. Now, when on Naboo, she needed not to wear her armor, so it was replaced by a black shirt, and a sleeveless jacket with many pockets over it. The lower body remained the same - tight pants, and a blaster hanging from her hip. Never know when you'll need one.

Eventually, she got her turn, and left the room as soon as possible. The twi'lek was in a hurry, she knew that Sinya had a habit of getting anxious whenever she wasn't around to keep her company. And this bathroom break took long enough. The green twi'lek's eyes darted left and right, before spotting the sari-wearing lethan... talking to a stranger! And a somewhat dumb smile appeared on Nika's face for a while.

D'aaaw, would you look at that, she's already making friends!

And then a sign of worry crossed the woman's face, her stopping in her tracks before she could even make a step towards Sinya and the table. Nika knew the red twi'lek well enough to guess that if she showed up right now, the convo would be broken, Sinya silencing and talking only when nudged to. It was part of the 'slave behavior' that kept affecting her. Maybe if she practiced talking to strangers more...

I think I'll just be waiting, right here... - she thought, pulling a chair and sitting at the nearest table possible, trying to stay outside of Sinya's view. And almost ignoring the fact some guy was already occupying that table.

- Err... excuse me, miss... but...

- Shhh... quiet, I'll leave soon.

Nika knew she could not be 'missing' for too long. Or Sinya would get worried again...

[Reisier]

For a bit, it looked almost as if the Twi’lek had begun to open up. The shy, nervous smile that had once graced her features had disappeared, replaced by a beaming grin that surprised the Zelosian. Amaris returned the momentary smile, thoroughly enjoying the lightness that the conversation had. It wasn’t every day that Amaris could talk to someone relatively normal – someone who didn’t drag her around in crazy misadventures or almost got her killed. It was a nice change of pace.

Amaris sipped her coffee quietly, amused by the expressions that crossed the Twi’lek’s face – scrunching up momentarily as if trying to process some curious thought. It was adorable in its own way, reminding the smuggler of a child – expressive and bright. It was hard for her to imagine the Twi’lek being stuck in a horrible situation in Sleheyron; though, knowing the place, that was the most likely case.

Amaris shifted slightly, turning her attention to her table once more as the waiter returned with her lunch and refilled her cup of coffee. The Zelosian had leaned in slightly to her plate, sandwich in hands and mouth dropped stupidly when the Twi’lek peeped. It was almost pitiful, the way she seemed terrified to ask if Amaris could explain the expression in Huttese. Amaris pursed her lips, straightening up lightly as she returned the sandwhich to her plate – she could always eat later if worse came to worse. “Oh, sure.”

Huttese was such a heavy language, so to say. It was thick and slow, using long drawn-out verses and thick staccatos. It was a language Amaris had come to know well enough over the years; though, generally speaking, the Zelosian preferred to not use it, even in Hutt territory. While Amaris would have preferred to continue the conversation in basic, if anything for mere laziness to try and remember the language, she did try her very best to humor the female.

“Chut chut,”

It felt odd to feel the thick, heavy words rolling off her tongue, reminding the Zelosian of oil. A smile touched her lips, turning her body to face the lethan again, “What I meant is that you will soon see Nabboo as your home.” Her voice was slower than she generally spoke in and full of properness she had forgotten long ago.

“Excuse my Huttese, it has been quite a bit since I have last used it.”

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Much to Sinya's relief, the woman replied in Huttese.

That alone took a huge burden off, and the Twi'lek let out a held breath, the tension in her shoulders fading away a bit. Well, more than a bit. Now she didn't feel so on edge, so nervous. Even if talking was still hard, she wouldn't sound so... Terrible.

The Lethan girl had learned Huttese at the same time she learned Ryl, so she was equally at ease with both. For her, the former was her 'public' language, and the latter was 'private.' She could converse this way, if she forced herself, but she wouldn't have to labor so much to string together words.

"Thank you, I understand now," Sinya said in her most polite and deferential tone.

So much could be learned from body language and facial expressions. For Sinya, there were a few constants when she dealt with anyone except Nika. Her body was limp and completely still, without even a hint of motion. It was a sort of stoic resignation, but chillingly, she always seemed to be in constant anticipation of being hit. The worst however was her eyes.

Those sapphires always seemed distant, and she never made eye contact for longer than a fleeting second. That second always died when she said something herself, when she ventured an opinion or a comment beyond what she'd specifically been asked.

It was in that way that she looked at the table and not at the other woman as she spoke something nonessential, as she ventured an opinion.

"Your Huttese is much better than my Basic."

Even though it was a fact, it was still her own opinion, and she was loath to ever let that much leak out. If it hadn't been so blatantly obvious she probably wouldn't have spoken anyway.

[Reisier]

“You are most welcome.” Amaris smiled, head propped up against an open hand. Amusement fleeting through the Zelosian’s features as she watched her counterpart relax. In an instant, the woman that once seemed impossibly tense, had relaxed. Amaris’ expressions softened, a placid smile etched across her lips – even if she felt utterly uncomfortable speaking the thick language, Amaris wouldn’t take her decision back. She was glad, genuinely happy that she was able to help out in this simple little way. But the delight she had once felt quickly disappeared, replaced instead by concern.

It had happened so subtly that the Zelosian didn’t even notice it – the return of the Twi’lek’s resignation, her fear, came as a complete surprise. For a second, Amaris wasn’t even sure if she should continue to stare, green eyes looking for something she could say to help it desist.

Instead, Amaris voice carried on with the simple conversation they had without skipping a beat, a small smile gracing her gentle features. “You are much kind,” she said, her voice slow. Her brow was knotted slightly, lips moving slightly before her voice followed. Every word carefully thought out before stringing the sentences together. She didn’t want to make a mistake; well, at least she didn’t want to make a potentially embarrassing mistake – like she had done so when Abd was teaching her the language for the very first time. She grimaced slightly. Nearly lost them a job after mistakenly calling someone’s mother a whore. It took several hours of talking and striking them a deal in order to fix Amaris’ mistake. For a good while after that, Jacobson had prohibited her from talking during the exchanges, which, considering the man often opted to threaten anyone that so much as looked at him funny, said a lot.

“It is strange to use the language outside of Hutt planets,” She commented after a few awkward seconds, a nervous laugh trailing her lips. “…but it is not a bad thing – it will just let me practice it.” Amaris added soon after, partially afraid that the lethan would feel compelled to return to basic – if only to appease her. Honestly, if that were the case, Amaris would feel slightly guilty.

The Twi’lek’s voice surprised Amaris, making her attention shift to her once more. Actually, she was surprised the female thought her Huttesse was any good. It was almost comical in its own, special way. “Your basic is very good. Much better than you know.” She chuckled with the same lighthearted vivacity that encompassed everything she appeared to be, “Practice will make it better. You will be an expert soon.”

[0bserver]

(I skip my turn here, for one round between you guys)

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

The other woman said it was strange to use Huttese outside of Hutt space, Sinya's eyes widened.

She was imposing. Not in a physical sense, but by forcing her language to this nice stranger. That had an immediate feedback onto the red Twi'lek, and she slumped and stared dejectedly at the floor, humiliated she'd made such a massive faux pas. What had she been thinking?

Sinya was fearful, and she forced herself back into the role of slave. For a while there she'd been free, but she'd started dictating the terms, pressuring the woman into speaking the wrong language when the Twi'lek herself was supposed to be the one sacrificing. She wasn't supposed to be egotistical and force someone to talk to her.

Even when the other woman dialed back her initial statement, Sinya wasn't soothed. She'd forced herself back into the subservient and submissive role she knew best, and not even the praise could fix that.

While her inclination now was to be quiet as the grave, Sinya realized that doing that would be like a slap in the face, an outrageous offense.

And outrageous offenses were always met by pain. A fist to the face, a knee to the stomach, a shock prod to the ribs. That was a connection drawn in her mind that not even a long, long life in freedom could save her from. As long as she lived, Sinya'anu would associate such behavior with such punishments.

"I speaks Basic then. I no want to be problem."

With her polite utterance, in Basic, completed, the lethan Twi'lek fell silent again and stared at her frozen coffee drink, hands folded neatly in her lap. Her fingers gently rubbed the soft fabric of her sari. It was either silk, or something that closely mimicked it. And that was nice.

It was so nice of Nika to get her such beautiful clothes-

Nika. Where was Nika?

Sinya looked around the room with fright, unable to find Nika, as she was rather cunningly hidden behind a rather chubby Ithorian, and directly behind the red girl's back. The result was a rising nervousness that could blow into panic, and then catatonia.

[Reisier]

The unusually demure smile that crossed the Zelosian’s lips was quickly forgotten, erased by the lethan’s voice. The comfort, as fleeting as it had been, that had once covered the red-skinned female’s lips left suddenly. Her body, Amaris noticed through a worried frown, shut-out all their surroundings. To her, the strange reaction was similar to a retreat back into shelter, away from everything that could potentially destroy her audacity. It made the woman tilt her head, brow knotted in clear worry as she studied her shrinking frame.

For a second, Amaris was unsure of what she could say or do, so instead she sat in silence, transfixed by the awkward silence they shared. Yet, within the seconds that came and went, a small smile crossed the Zelosian’s lips, a small gesture she had shared only with her siblings when they felt unsure. The softness that came across her features were foreign to most that knew the woman in a professional level; in fact, if ever questioned on it, they would dismiss it as a nuisance, some sort of odd gossip.

The words that came next from the woman were equally soft, measured slightly, but honest nonetheless, “It is no problem at all,” The Huttese words followed, their heavy staccato rumbling through her throat, “I could use the practice.” She smiled, a bit more freely, rubbing the back of her neck rather unceremoniously.

Still, it felt odd to the woman, awkward even, how the conversation lingered. How the Twi’lek still seemed unsure whether or not to continue in the Huttese language, the Zelosian, in turn, unsure of whether she should press on it further.

Minutes later, after some deliberate attempts to change the conversation, dictated by the slightly odd opening and closing of her lips, Amaris sighed. It was an odd, soft sound that escaped her – she was frustrated with herself in a way, on how she seemed unable to hold a semi decent conversation with the poor girl. Amaris chewed on her lip relentlessly, eyes flittering between the coffee in her hand, to the small figure in the other table.

Finally, a broad smile crept up the Zelosian’s lips, a small laugh released, “What is your name, may I ask?” She spoke after a sip, the sentence a slow burr – it was hard for her keeping the formalities intact, free from any curse that managed to snake its way across the woman’s lips. Amaris brought the cup to her lips, sipping the dark liquid gratefully. “I feel extremely rude for not having had asked you before.” A small clink returned the cup to the table.

Amaris, further tried to encourage the female’s response by adding soon after, “I am Amaris, it is nice to meet you, miss…”

[0bserver]

Well, guess it was the time to make an appearance.

Nika had been observing Sinya from afar, and partially enjoying the amount of discomfort that she caused to the person, who's table she occupied. He must have been a shy sort, or just bewildered by her brash invasion. Nevermind, that was not important!

The green twi'lek knew, that whenever the lethan ended up in a "dangerous situation", she would slowly drift into that catatonic state, and it would take at least an hour to make her snap out of it. Such were the consequences of being a broken Hutt slave... She sighed, feeling that warmth of compassion rising in her chest again. Eyes drifted to the side, looking a bit guilty, before Nika shrugged it off, and stood up, almost dropping the chair, and went towards the table, where the two females were.

- I'm baaaaaack! - she exclaimed loudly, mostly to catch the red Twi'lek's attention and relieve her of her tensions, before pulling a sit to herself, and turned her head, to look at the "new person" with an attentive, almost studying gaze. She didn't seem like a bad person... but Nika could guess a trained body underneath that garb. The girl was pretty sure that this one is not just your average visitor to the cafe. The green Twi'lek turned her head towards Sinya, and said:

- Oh, I see you made a new friend, while I was gone? You weren't mean to my little Sinya, were you? - Nika chuckled, petting the Lethan's head affectionately. Her question was serious - she was right here for a few minutes, watching and listening. But it was a way to start a conversation. However, the part where Amaris had introduced herself had slipped her attention.

- I'm Nika, by the way. And you're... not from around here, are you? - that was more of an uneducated guess rather than an educated one. It was just a hunch. But Nika didn't care - she trusted her inner feelings always. Even when commonly they wouldn't be making sense...

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya turned abruptly, and her face lit up. While she didn't let out so much as a peep, there was a full and comprehensive change that went over her. It was very much like the affections of a puppy who had seen its master return, if the puppy had remained still and silent. And was, of course, sentient.

Slaves, no matter how well-fed, well-treated, and happy, never instigated any kind of physical contact with their master. Sinya hadn't fully realized yet that she wasn't a slave. When she acknowledged that fact fully, she might change and become bolder. Might.

Nika patted the much shorter Twi'lek on the head, where her right headtail met her skull, and Sinya smiled happily at her protector.

Her silence might easily have been taken as any number of things. Fear, resentment, anger, bitterness, sadness. In actuality it was none of these things. She was actually happy, quite happy, but Nika hadn't called on her to speak. And if the master didn't call on her charge to talk, then the charge had to remain silent.

That was the etiquette of slavery. The chief law in a strict Canon that rarely changed across the galaxy in fact.

Sinya looked back at the other woman and her gaze darted between the two as she awaited the pretty human, or near human, woman's response to Nika. Would she like her?

So far Sinya liked the stranger, but if Nika didn't, then Sinya's duty was clear. She'd just have to stop liking her, or pretend not to. Otherwise she might disappoint Nika, and how could she bear to do that? Nika was so kind and generous, this was the least Sinya could do.

The red Twi'lek picked up her iced coffee again and sipped at it through the straw, her sapphire eyes taking in absolutely everything.

[Reisier]

The Twi’lek remained silent, no matter Amaris’ attempts to lighten-up the conversation or, for that matter, make the conversation return to life. It didn’t particularly bother the woman, the rediscovered silence, that is. In fact, part of Amaris enjoyed the stillness. She smiled graciously at the Twi’lek before returning her attention to her meal, which had sat forgotten for the past couple of minutes.

Amaris shifted, turning her head to the side and found herself staring at the café. The hazy shadows of the leafs outside dragged from their place, spilling into the shop’s warm floor. Save the clinking of silverware and glassware, the café was silent, undisturbed. It was a homey – full of warm sensations she had not experienced in many years. It was odd – but not necessarily unwanted; it just made her a bit homesick, if one could even call it that. She didn’t miss Zelos, she didn’t miss her home; rather, the Zelosian missed her family, the people she loved. That’s what she missed.

A small frown was drawn across Amaris’ brow, teeth pulling gently at her lip. But the Zelosian wasn’t allowed to dwell too much on the thoughts,; not longer after they began to stretch across the woman’s mind, a voice suddenly spoke up. Amaris glanced over her shoulder to meet the second woman – and apparently the one the red Twi’lek had been accompanying. Her expression softened slightly, small smile drawn across her lips. She nodded her head at the green lethan, emerald eyes following as she settled next to her companion.

Amaris chuckled slightly as the woman spoke, the smile never wavered from her lips, “Ah, I really hope I wasn’t being mean.” She rolled the crisp napkin between her fingers, wiping the breadcrumbs that clung unto her skin. “I thought we had a very nice,” if slightly awkward at times, “…conversation.” Nevertheless, it was refreshing – a change of pace to the smuggler’s potentially hectic life.

“I’m Amaris,” She started after the woman’s introduction, “…it is a pleasure to meet you both Nika and Synia.” She nodded her head at each lethan in turn. The pleasantries were short lived when Nika returned the attention to the Zelosian. Amaris smiled nervously, “And you have a keen eye there,” she started, rubbing the back of her neck. “…just making a pit stop to be honest with you.”

“And you two, I hope you don’t mind me asking, are you from around here?”

[0bserver]

What could Nika say?

She liked this woman. Although, truth to be told, it didn't take much to be liked by the green twi'lek - all you have to do is be friendly. And the zelossian woman was friendly alright - both to her and to Sinya. The latter was making her especially happy - the poor lethan had to learn that there are kind people out there, besides Nika, and that they could be met anywhere, even in a silly cafe.

Though it's probably a hard thing to believe, having lived in Hutt space for so long... It's where the bad people live...

Nika remembered how her dad was describing Sleheyron. She had asked him about it when she was a child, after hearing two mercenaries talking about someone "giving a good price" for something over there. She remembered her father being most appalled by the question, and he told her that it was a bad place, and that she should never go there.

Ironically, he was completely right. And the two twi'leks were here right now, because they managed to escape a horrible fate on that planet. But it wasn't something Nika would rattle off to any stranger. At least... not immediately. But the green girl liked to brag.

- Well, yes and no... I'm from Ryloth, but been living around here for more than a decade, so... I guess you could consider me a local. Sinya's ... not from here. But she lives here with me, until I manage to locate her parents. - she summarized it all in a few short sentences. And her intentions once again proved true, considering Sinya. Nika wanted to find the girl's family, in an effort to restore what was broken, a piece to click into place. The green twi'lek had spent many years away from her own family, and knew the feeling, how hard it was, to be kept apart...

- So, you're on Naboo for a pit stop? Y'know, my father works at the stardocks as a mechanic. If you have anything broken in your ship, he can fix it for you, and for a cheap price as well. He's the best mechanic out there!

Though the last sentence was mostly unshakable faith in her Dad's skill, but he indeed charged little for his services. It was mostly due to the fact he was a twi'lek, and human and humanoid customers tended to choose other mechanics rather than him. So he had to attract people with price...

And besides, they were a modest people. Didn't need that much...

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

With Nika back, Sinya was happy as a clam again, sipping on her iced coffee. It was sweet and milky enough to offset all the bitter, and honestly it was the first time she'd ever had any kind of coffee. Her petite stature hadn't come from consuming too much caffeine as a child after all; it was genetic.

Her small hands were wrapped around the cup, and she was just sipping up the very bottom of it with a loud noise when Nika mentioned parents.

It was all the red Twi'lek could do to not tug at her protector's sleeve and ask when her parents would come. She was so eager for that, so excited to see the shadowy figures she could hardly remember again. She just knew in her heart that as soon as she saw papa and mama, her memories would come rushing back, and the gaping hole in her soul would mend.

Everything would be beautiful and happy again, and she'd never have to worry about a thing.

However, there was just one thing that troubled her.

Until.

That meant Sinya had to leave Nika. And Nika was good, Nika took good care of Sinya. Without Nika, Sinya was alone and scared.

Since Nika was talking in Basic, Sinya replied in her own pidgin fashion, interrupting for the first time since she'd been freed, an act of bravery inspired only by her fear of losing Nika.

"But I seez you still Miss Nika? Yes please?"

The look of mingled hope and fear in her enormous blue eyes would be enough to melt anyone's heart, and the nervous twitch of her headtails reflected that look perfectly to a Twi'lek audience.