Shadows of Bankor

This was a dive, a ehole in the wall, a bar with the minimum of stools and an overhang to protect from the elements this is where she liked to come after work to spend her time. Her hair was in a tight bun and she wore a simple stained black shirt with technicians trousers and heavy boots, it was obvious she worked at the foundry.

She tapped her stiff drink, this was the kind of place he would have hated and that was why she felt safe here, well a safe as she could feel in Rygor.

A very out of place individual walked through the door. This establishment matched the description of the right sort of place to find what he was looking for and so he entered with the confidence of one who doesn't know what he's stepping into.

"Black Sands cactus moonshine." He orders simply unsure what exactly he was ordering, but trusting the recommendation of Sinnya.

The droid bartender served up the drink with a mechanical painted on smile.

The woman barely moved as she took another sip.

Ru'ni noted the apparel, it wasn't exactly a uniform, but he had seen a few people in similar attire. Most of them had ID badges from the Foundry, which was enough for him to keep a safe distance. Here, in this close proximity though, such behaviour could be more noticeable.

Lifting his drink in greeting to the female client, he takes a cautious sip. It's no stronger than the stuff his tribe brewed with fungi and milk, but the taste is very different. He coughs as the pungency of the drink mixed with the softened spines of the cactus for which it is named tickles his throat slightly.

"It's not smooth but it will get you drunk," she said softly.

"I hate it."

"Ah," Ru'ni responded with a slightly reddened face from the experience as he places the drink back on the bar, glaring at it balefully.

"I must thank my friend who recommended me the experience then, drunkenness is not something I specifically aim for this evening. and I must thank you for warning me before I fell too deep into my cups. Miss...…" He asked with a questioning tone to the last word.

"Trion is fine, and you are?" she said laying her head on the counter looking up at him.

"Ru'ni," he replied politely. "Of the Orosini tribe of the Aznuri."

He was a little confused by Trion's body language and questioned her about it.

"Are you okay, Miss Trion?"

"Just tired," she said languidly.

"Aznuri?"

Trion sat up slowly and said, "One of the exiles? I think that's right? Never talked to an Aznuri before."

"Yes, and no." Ru'ni started to explain. "Yes Aznuri, but not an exile. Although I do provide those who no longer live among their people some taste of their true homeland from time to time."

"I bring supplies and foodstuffs from the forest to the Enclave sometimes. They help provide things we can't make ourselves. Only small, little things. Our culture is proud and would not lean too heavily on the technological trappings of the urban lifestyle."

"Must be nice to be free of these trappings," she mused.

"It is a lifestyle I enjoy, but it is not for everyone. I have not spent enough time here to make a true comparison either, to be honest. Whenever one of our own feels the pull of the galaxy at their souls they are free to seek their path. We mourn their loss, but some return, though rarely for long."

"It definitely seems....simpler."

"So what do you feel when you are here in the city... Ru'ni?" she asked. She pushed her drink away slightly and focused her eyes on him.

"Like a fish plucked out of the stream and flopping on the riverbank. There's so much wonder and spectacle, so different from home, but if I spend too much time here I feel like I can't catch my breath."

"How do you cope in here? I mean to make the credits?" He asks, not sure how taboo such a subject is.

She laughed and said, “It’s fine, I work at the foundry, it’s a living and everyone one says it pays well so I should feel fortunate but the hours can be long and keeps me away from doing what I enjoy… but what I enjoy does not give me enough creds to get by.” Trion reached up and undid her bun shaking her hair out.

“I can’t just go though, people depend on me. So I guess that is how I cope.”

"Responsibilities." Ru'ni empathizes with a small sigh. "I understand what you mean, but the circle of life turned before you were born and will continue after we are long gone. It is heartening to hear that some out here still have the well being of others in mind though. Too often have I heard the shaman's lectures about the self serving nature of the outside world, the individualism and lack of community."

He smiled at the raven haired woman. "But one must find balance, duty with joy. What would you like to be doing?"

"I don't know, anymore. I used to think it was singing, I love it, but it has brought me nothing but... problems," she said honestly.

"The fact you still say you love it, in spite of the problems you say it brings you, says much more than the simple words you speak." Ru'ni observes.

"Besides, I think everyone around here are finding problems. I don't think you're alone in that boat."

She laughed and said, "Yeah you're right, forget about it."

"There are real problems out there, bigger than... it does not matter."

Ru'ni shakes his head slowly.

"A community values the wellbeing of all its people, when one individual has problems, we all have problems. I can't solve the big problems, but maybe I can help with a little one?"

"My problem is big and small," she said honestly.

"Kriff it, I had someone, it didn't work out and now they are trying to make my life... complicated and won't accept that things are not as they want it to be."

"Some people do not accept change well." Ru'ni opined, realizing that this simple statement could well explain the Aznuri way of life, their avoidance of technology and reliance on their simple way of life.

"Maybe we can provide them with a new diversion or obsession?"

"I don't think they understand that notion. To them life is about winning and losing, and losing is not a possibility," she said hoping that made sense.

"It's not so much that they want you, but they don't want anyone else to have you? That does not sound very healthy, for anyone." Ru'ni thought out loud, but in a low voice. If Trion was this concerned about the situation, he would try not to circulate the drama too much.

"I assume this...other party is someone of means and position, given the way you've described them?"

"I guess I am attracted to men of power," she joked darkly.

"He's an Imperial officer."