Ask Corellia Marketplace Meeting

[Newton]

Coronet City - Corellia​

A normal day in on Corellia, more specifically in Coronet City, although it does have bleak weather. Stil, Newton Arden had business to take care of on Corellia, and having taken care of it, he is right now in the market place of the city. He would be dressed nicely, and would have his normal droid entourage with him M7 to flanking him to his left and L3-35 to his right. It's Newton's off time now, he would start strolling around the market place, seeing if anything catches his fancy by some chance before they leave. It's a crowded market place, and Newton glancing around did notice some odd looks his way.

He stopped by the vendor selling some small arms, like varying kinds of blaster pistols. Nothing to fancy. What caught his fancy was the shop that had some droids. That's his main interest. "Heh, Really?" his feminine-voiced protocol droid. "Of course you would" snarkily ribbing his owner. Newton would look back "It will be just a few, won't be here long." "Right..." L3 replied teased back again. After mentally sighing and rolling his eyes, he would then browse the shop, the owner would look at him and droid companions oddly.

Once, he had enough, he would head out, not quite finding anything that sticks out. More or less the usual models of droids he's seen before. "Told you it wouldn't be long, we ready to leave" he gestured to his droids "Sounds good to me" L3 replied. "Deet, deetdeet" his astromech droid replied. "Alright then, lets get out of here."

They would begin to exit the market place...

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[Lyra Mantel]

Coronet City was crowded, though no more so than she was used to, the large marketplace squeezed shoulder to shoulder as they shopped the street vendors. Lyra could only imagine the cantinas would be worse, but she hadn't been there long enough to find out, though plenty long enough for her to have found herself in a spot of trouble. It was a rather unfortunate talent of hers, one she wasn't proud of.

It had only been a few days since she had arrived, but she had spent every last credit to her name to get here, leaving Nar Shaddaa and her bounties behind. This was supposed to be a new start, but so far it was the same dark hole she'd always been in, with no means of escape.

Her guts rumbled, a sharp and familiar, hungry pain, tensed in her empty stomach. It had been a few days since she'd stolen enough credits to feed herself, but she had made an unfortunate error in selecting her target and had been on the run from him and a few of his friends since.

Having spotted one of them amid the crowds, she slid around a corner and began to run through the narrow alleyways to find the shortest path to the edge of the market. Lyra was sure he hadn't seen her, but she did look over her shoulder to make sure no one had followed her.

There was little time for her to come to a stop before colliding with the L3-35 droid, though she did try to dig her heels into the cement. The sound of her head hitting metal rang out and, for a moment, she saws stars, reaching back to catch herself as she toppled over. A short pained and surprised gasp escaped her, vision blurred as she looked up to the undistinguishable figures in front of her.

Lyra was out of breath, but she did manage to huff out a quiet and unconvincing "I'm sorry" from where she now sat on the ground.

@Faster Than Light

 

[Newton]

As they were in the process of taking their leave, Newton spotted in the corner of his eye a figure moving fast, but it happened too fast, he then saw a woman coliid with L3.

L3 staggered a bit, but her frame held up. As the trio turn to face the woman, L3 had some choice words "Watch where you are going next time?" L3, like most of her make and model didn't tend to mince words. Even with her female robotic voice modulator you could hear annoyance. Newton had an unchanging stern expression, but he doesn't have a reason not to be civil . "Don't worry about it" he'd reassure the lady after she apologized, he'd glance at his snide assistant droid, then he'd look back to the stranger. "You alright?" the Blackwell roboticist asked calmly.

Newton would then glance in the direction she came from, came from an alleyway, not seeing anything that sticks out. Both his droids haven't said anything else, with them both standing by.

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[Lyra Mantel]

It took her a moment to recover enough to stand again, picking herself up off the ground and dusting the dirt from her clothes. Her cheeks flushed pink and she inhaled a deep, embarrassed breath. Lyra wasn't hurt, but her pride had been threatened. In fact, she could hardly look at the man or his companion, opting instead to glance back to the alley to be sure that no one had followed her.

Only when she was sure that no one else was there, did she turn back and release the breath she had been holding, straightening her posture and taking a slight step back from him. "I am sure that I'll be fine. Thank you."

Lyra looked up at him and then over at the L3 unit. "It wasn't intentional and should not happen again." There was a slight pause as she worked to regain her composure, taking another deep breath. "Again, I apologize."

Nodding her head apologetically, she turned to leave before she drew any more unwanted attention, hoping that her apology would satisfy the droid and the man enough that they might let her slip away. It was dangerous to stand out in the open like this, given her current situation. Lyra didn't have the credits to pay the man back and didn't want to find out what sort of connections he had or create any more trouble for herself than she already had.

 

[Newton]

L3 has no chill, Newton thought as she observed the lady in front of her. The colour her cheeks were turning pink, her body language... Even Newton could tell when something is just off with someone. Newton looked towards L3 with a scolding look, then the Blackwell employee turns back towards he lady. Still though, feels rather rude for their exchange to end on this note, as she is about to leave. "No, I should apologize for my... assistant's behavior. " Newton watched as L3's face turned, with a smirk. Even though droids aren't good at showing facial expressions, L3's reaction was as clear as day, pretty much a 'you did not just say that' reaction. She looked like she was about to leave, but maybe not yet if he's engaging with her.

He would "You sure you are okay? " he asked, just to be sure "Would you care for a drink? On me?" he offered. L3 kept silent, not saying anything else while Newton's little astro droid M7 watched things go down. Newton isn't really in a rush to leave Corelia per-say really. Time is money as they say, but Newton is in a good mood to offer drinks to strangers, and feeling nice with the lady. If she decides not to take him up on his offer, no skin off his bones though.

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[Lyra Mantel]

Not a moment before she was about to slip away into the crowded streets, the man spoke up again, this time to apologize to her. It wasn't entirely necessary given she would have been equally as irritated if someone had crashed into her, but it did cause her to pause. Lyra looked over her shoulder at him, the pink of embarrassment faded from her cheeks. His droid assistant looked absolutely appalled that he would apologize on her behalf, but he didn't seem to notice or, perhaps he wasn't bothered.

"I am sure." She responded, turning to face him again. Of course, even if she hadn't been, she likely wouldn't have admitted it. Lyra had spent too much of her life alone to even consider letting someone in; the idea was foreign and their interaction a bit uncomfortable, though not fault of his.

It was probably written in her expression as she quietly mulled over her response to his offer. Would it have been rude to decline? Could she even trust that he was genuine and that there wouldn't be some ulterior motive behind it all? Though, the alcohol might numb the pain in her otherwise empty stomach.

"One drink wouldn't hurt, if you're sure you want to offer. I'm not the greatest of company."

 

[Newton]

He nodded his head as he accepted, he'd scan the distance to see if there was a place to drink now that she accepted. "Alright, lets go over there." he pointed towards one cantina, whose sign says it's the Sleeping Bantha. But before he would look towards L3 "L3, return to the ship." he would dismiss his assistant droid. "Yes sir, don't mind if I do." she would start waddling her way over there, taking her leave and boarding on the ship. "M7, you can come with." the astromech droid would be happy to come. "Deetdeet deet" . The droid would be rolling behind Newton as he makes his way towards the Sleeping Bantha.

He'd hold the door open for the lady, should she decide to come through. Inside, the Sleeping Bantha is moderately busy, there are some patrons already at the bar, but there are two seats unoccupied next to each other, which he would gesture to. "Shall we?" he would ask.

If she accepts, Newton would sit down. The bartender at this point would be busy serving another patron. If Lyra would sit down as well, Newton would then look towards her and introduce herself. Might as well while they are waiting on the bartender. "Well, suppose good of a time as any for introductions. I'm Newton. Newton Arden. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." he would nod his head towards her. Now, will the lady introduce herself as well.

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[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra followed him inside the Sleeping Bantha, keeping a bit of distance between them. It wasn't like her to trust strange men, or anyone for that matter, and she had doubts about having accepted his offer. It would have been rude to back out now though, and so she quietly slid into one of the unoccupied seats at the bar. Her eyes scanned the patrons for anyone familiar, but her eyes were drawn back to Newton as he interrupted her silence with introductions.

"Oh, well," she paused, giving him a bit of an awkward smile. "I am Lyra Mantel. It is a pleasure to meet you too, Newton. Though, I don't think your droid friend would agree. She didn't seem very pleased with you."

Turning on the bar stool to face him, she fidgeted nervously with her hands in her lap. It was probably quite apparent to anyone normal individual that she didn't converse with people often. It wasn't something that had ever come natural to her, even through the time she had spent in the orphanage in her youth. Lyra had always been on her own, untrusting and independent. Silence was in her nature, unless it was necessary for her to lie her way in or out of situations, but genuine conversation was foreign.

 

[Newton]

Ah, so her name is Lyra Mantel. He did have smirk when she remarked that his droid friend didn't seem very pleased. "Oh I wouldn't worry about her, droids of her model always tend to be sassy and rude and sometimes a handful." he would shrug while keeping his smirk for a bit longer. "Really though, she has proven to be a good assistant and will always be loyal to me. She will be fine." He did have to give credit to where credit is due.

Now the bartender would come to the two to ask what they wanted, Newton wasn't much of a drinking person himself, after scanning some of the advertised drinks and prices on the top of the wall, he would slowly decide "Corellian Twister please." he would then turn to Lyra "And what would you like to have, it's on me again." he asked nicely, reminding her just in case. He doesn't mind the price-tag either.

@MatureContentWarningx

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra retreated a bit into her own space, sinking into the bar stool as she watched Newton scan the advertised drinks. It seemed rather obvious to her that he didn't spend much of his time in cantinas such as this one, but why then had he invited her? The answer probably wouldn't make much difference to her, but still she was curious. What had Newton seen in her that so many others hadn't? It would surely remain a mystery.

"I'll have a Retsa, no ice." It only diluted the drink and the empty pains in her stomach needed to be numbed. She paused as though she had forgotten something and then turned slowly back to the bartender. "A Retsa, no ice, 'please'." A charming smile stretched across her lips, one she had practiced many times, and only when he turned away did she sink back into her chair with a sigh.

"So, you've spent a lot of time with your droids then?" Her attention fixated again on Newton, trying desperately to find something to talk with him about. It was so foreign to have company or for anyone to take even the slightest of interest in her. Lyra could feel her anxiety mounting, tapping her foot against the ground.

 

[Newton]

The bartender would then get to work on the drinks after Newton would slap down some credits on the bar and and collecting them. Newton would then look towards Lyra again ask she asked him a question, does he spend a lot of time with his droids, oh yes he does. "I do actually. I'm am a roboticist with Blackwell, L3 is my assistant." Newton would then look down upon his astromech droid, which is still accompanying him, of course. "This is M7". M7 would been make a few happy sounding beeping noises while facing Lyra he'd look back on Lyra. "M7 says 'Hello' to you". Just in case Lyra doesn't understand droidspeak. After a pause, he would continue "I made him from scratch with spare parts when I was still in grade school." he would have a smile. "But yes, droids are my specialty, suffice it to say."

And then he would ask about his new acquaintance. "So, what's your story?" he asked Lyra. They are sharing, it's only fair. Newton did hear her foot tapping against the ground, but didn't think of anything of it. Probably waiting for the drink. If so though, it wouldn't take too much longer, as the bartender would lay them both on the counter for the two to enjoy.

@MatureContentWarningx

 

[Lyra Mantel]

To be very honest, Lyra knew little about droids or their different ranges of functionality. They weren't too often allowed admittance into the bars she had frequented on Coruscant and those who were, remained silent observers most of the time. It had never made much of a difference to her though; she had never been one for companionship. It was hard to trust warm flesh, let alone a pre-programmed metal unit. Still, she smiled at M7 when he trilled his greeting, even though she didn't quite understand him.

"Hello to you too." She reached for her drink as the bartender placed it beside her and lifted it to her lips. The warm burn of alcohol ran down her throat and into her empty stomach, which growled a bit in protest.

"If we're being honest, I don't think you'd be interested in my story." Lyra placed the half-emptied glass on the bar beside her and frowned a bit. "Besides, I'd much rather hear more about your work as a roboticist. It sounds like honest work." She flashed Newton a charming smile, doing her best to advert his interest in her nightmare of a background.

It was anything but one to be proud of.

 

[Newton]

M7 responded with friendly beeps after Lyra replied back with a friendly greeting towards it. M7 thought she was nice, although the unit normally is cheerful and seems optimistic.

Back to Newton, "Oh really?" the Blackwell employee replied with and kind of, sort of wondered.. She doesn't seem keen on sharing her backstory, although he doesn't find any reason to press on at the moment. "It is pretty honest work" he would agree on that. "It's was my dream to be able to design and build droids. At Blackwell Technologies, it gets no better for me than to be able to do this at a high level. There we get to design, get to innovate, construct, and leave our clients and partners satisfied with our work." Suffice it to say, Newton is loyal to the megacorporation's brand.

The roboticist would take a sip of his drink. Admittedly Newton is not much a frequent drinker, although sometimes is fine. He paused from talking there, just in case Lyra has any questions ."How is the drink"?" he would kindly ask her as well.

@MatureContentWarningx

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra felt the familiar burning of alcohol in an empty stomach, idly swirling the drink in her glass as she waited for it to pass. The longer she listened to Newton, the more uncomfortable she felt; not for anything he had done, of course. He was kind and she couldn’t fault him for that, but he was an honest man and she couldn’t bring herself to be the same.

Her entire life she had spent without a care for how others viewed her; she was independent, a survivor by any means, but she had indeed done some horrible things and sitting in his presence somehow made her feel regretful of them when she hadn’t before. She hid a frown.

“Better than they make them in the slums on Nar Shaddaa. Though, admittedly, it has been a while.” She raised the glass to her lips and took another sip, letting it settle in her stomach once more.

“Have you worked for Blackwell Technologies very long? You sound very passionate about what you do. Committed to them.” Lyra leaned on the counter, still holding the now near emptied glass in one hand.

 

[Newton]

Newton snickered as she quiped about Nar Shaddaa, that's a good one, Newton would raise his glass as well and take another sip of his.

Then she inquired about his length at Blackwell Technologies, it hasn't been so long so long really, it's been a few years. "Not really yet, just a few years." he answered that. "And yeah, I find droids fascinating." he said, putting emphasis on the last word of what he spoke. "Well, I find their construction, how they work, and their movement marvelous. I do like seeing their mechanical frames in action, being able to perform any task they were built to do. I also find it fascinating how droids are able to take on a life of their own, to develop their own personality and et cetera. And to be able to design and build them myself, I take pleasure in seeing my creations come to life." Newton would glance towards his own companion droid that is at his side, smiling, to which his droid would reply with a friendly sounding series of beeps.

Now he would turn back towards miss Lyra. He would take another sip of his drink and pause. It was kind of hard to find the words, but he guesses that will suffice. He is wondering about Lyra, more so that he won't have to talk about himself. "You sure you don't want to share some insight into what goes on with you? I feel a bit rude hogging the whole conversation, of course if you don't mind of course" he said. He wouldn't mind listening for a change.

@MatureContentWarningx

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Her demeanor changed a bit, sinking into her chair. The smile faded some from her lips as Lyra contemplated whether-or-not she could trust the Blackwell Roboticist. He was kind enough, but her story had been sealed away in hospital records and there she had been content to leave it, but Newton pried again. It would be harder to steer the conversation in another direction for a second time, and so she took a deep breath and sat up instead.

“I’m a nobody, I told you.” She finished her drink and placed it on the counter beside her. “I spent my youth in a home for children on Coruscant. I was there from the day I was born until I was kicked out at fourteen. I was too much trouble for the Matron, I guess.” Her heart thundered in her chest as she recounted the day she’d left, but the expression on her face didn’t change.

“I’ve been surviving the only way I know how and haven’t gone back. I could probably tell you stories that would keep you up at night, but I’ve grown accustomed to the chaos. I have become my own family, paved my own path, and written the rules by which I live. Of course, the first rule was to trust no one and I’ve now broken it.”

Lyra was disappointed in herself, but it was only fair that she be open with him given he’d been kind enough to share his own story and buy her a drink.

 

[Newton]

Newton frowned as she told her story, she didn't want to give it to anyone and Newton probably shouldn't have pushed her, but now it's out there, Newton can feel sympathy for her, even if he isn't the best with other people's feelings. "I see. I understand." Newton was curious about this Matron character, but it was probably better not to press, given her body language, it's clear she would rather not talk about it. "I couldn't imagine what you been through. You are here today, so whatever you have to do is working. You are determined." he nodded, as he respects that.

He also had one question "So, survival eh? It is a rough galaxy..." he wondered aloud. Surely it wasn't, but he is wondering what her answer for this upcoming question "Do you have any long-term goals or ambitions?" Newton would then take a sip of his drink. She does have some baggage, it's clear. He wonders if she would like to free herself from her baggage, and start looking towards happier prospects, or if she has some other goal in mind.

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