(UN: amidala | Text)

[politicallyinclined]

I have tried to stay optimistic - hopeful, at least - in regards to our mission. I have seen planets die and stars burn out; even relocating those on said dying planets doesn't always work out well. Not everyone is equipped to adjust to new environments even if they are similar to what they had before.

(They have to be successful in other words. They have to.)

I wish to represent multiple worlds since there are many in my galaxy that have no representation. Are there any others in our number who feel likewise? I know that space travel isn't common; we can only help the worlds that we recall.

(She wishes she had brought maps with her!)

I am also curious how many of us have military or fighting experience? I would like to know who to call on should I find myself or others in a tight situation.

Comments

[tinflower]

He stuck my parents in washing machines too. It was a bad night

They're okay too though.

[politicallyinclined]

Why did he do that? He really has no place guiding anyone - let alone youth!

I'm relieved. You must have been upset.

text to action!

[tinflower]

He went crazy? Did Fabian tell you he went crazy?

I can tell you about it in person. [ Some of it. ] I'm coming up to the cafe.

[ And indeed, he's only half a minute away from approaching the front of the cafe, feeling...nervous, but also okay? One or the other, he can't decide which, but it's relieving to know that Fabian's spoken to this person (but then, Fabian's probably spoken to a lot of people). He enters into the establishment, glancing around when the thought hits him.

Maybe Padme will be able to figure out that the one she's been speaking to is that 6'4" half-orc figure (or whatever race he might appear to be to her) that just walked in who looks confused, who she may or may not speak to before he manages to fumble with his earpiece to text. ]

I don't know who I'm looking for.

(Action)

[politicallyinclined]

(She decides to wait until she can see him, placing her communicator down and glancing towards the entrance. He is quite a surprise; he enters alone, so it's relatively easy to come to the right conclusion. Approaching him, a smile on her lips, Padmé answers him face to face instead:)

I'm Padmé. I have a table for us over here. (Turning, she leads the way, taking a seat. She is dressed for exercise today - a simple shirt and pants - so hopefully she isn't too frightening.)

I don't know what drink you like or I would have ordered before you arrived.

[tinflower]

[ He blinks at her, a look of surprise that's rather muted by his black sclera and white pupils, but also a small reaction, in general. He manages a small smile too that hit against his tusks, following her lead, dressed himself in a hoodie and jeans. Very teens of a specific culture. ]

Thank you, [ he manages in the time they make their way to their seats, with Gorgug taking the one opposite of her. Careful, but also practised in the way he takes it, as he comes to sit down. ]

That's okay, I can look at the menu. [ If there's one on the table, he can pick it up, or wait for a companion bot. But either way, since she did introduce herself: ] I'm Gorgug. I'm part of Fabian's adventuring party.

[ Up this close, there's nothing remarkable about his face, other than he does have creases at the sides of his eyes--crow's feets, like an older person might have compared to his otherwise youthful appearance. ]

[politicallyinclined]

(He is a very striking man! Padmé can't name his race - she has never met anyone who looks like him - but she has met enough alien races to not be thrown by his appearance. He seems like a kind soul and she knows well that kindness isn't limited to one race or one species.

Her abundant hair is tied up in twin buns and she is wearing the necklace Anakin had given her so long ago. She usually hides the Snippet under her shirts, dresses or robes, but it has slipped out and it rests against her chest.)

I suggest the mocha coffee. (She doesn't come to the cafe often, so having something sweet isn't a problem.) I thought you must know one another. I met Fabian here, actually. Then I saw him again at a birthday party.

[tinflower]

[ Gorgug nods his head to the suggestion--ah, that wouldn't be bad--and, oh, a birthday party. It's so normal, but it makes sense, even against the eeriness that is Etraya, the discomfort of their entire situation. And of course Fabian would be at someone's birthday party, too. ]

We've been together three years, [ Gorgug explains, though he's figuring she might know a few things, maybe these details will match with anything that Fabian's said. ] You know Adaine and Riz too?

[ Or was Fabian feeling particular chatty? Well, he's always going to be the more extroverted of the group. ]

[politicallyinclined]

It was Lady Adaine's party. (So, yes, she has at least met her.) I haven't met Riz yet. I don't believe Fabian mentioned them?

(Etraya needs parties and some normalcy. Little breaks from the chaos will help people keep their sanity.)

[tinflower]

[ Adaine's party? Gorgug looks visibly confused, but even so-- ]

He's part of the team too-- it's me, Fabian, Riz, and Adaine. There's two others, but they're not here-- they showed up the same time, then I showed up a week ago?

[ Confusing, is what his voice is implying. And his continued look of confusion, honestly. ]

[politicallyinclined]

You weren't here for the party. (If he has only been here a week! She gives him a comforting smile.) Do you have everything you need? I'm pretty good at finding things for comfort.

(Blankets, pillows, nice scents...)

[tinflower]

Right now? [ He starts to look around him, like he's about to examine his chair until he realises-- ] Oh, um, in general? I mean, I'm okay, I-- do you have everything? I could, uh, that's--

[ Sorry, Padme, but he's getting caught up in his fluster, only to be interrupted by the companion bot who takes Gorgug's distress as a sign to come up from behind the counter and to their counter.

'Hi! Did you want to order now?' ]

I, uhh- sure! [ Looking wide-eyed between Padme and the bot-- ]

[politicallyinclined]

(She is a little confused until he asks her the same question. Laughing softly, she makes her order to the bot and then nods encouragingly at Gorgug.)

What would you like? Something sweet? (No need to panic!) All of the drinks are delicious. You can't go wrong unless you are allergic to something.

[tinflower]

[ He ducks his head sheepishly, fiddling with his fingers in a nervous tic on top of the table. But it's okay, he can come out of this, giving a sideways smile that looks half like a grimace against his tusk. ]

I'll go for the mocha coffee, that sounds good. [ Since she suggested it, and looks to the bot with a nod and a "Thanks"; giving Padme the opportunity to speak with them before, allowing time to collect himself: ]

I'm-- actually looking for a lab, or... things I can take apart? I've been checking out the buildings, since I had a load of schoolwork for artificing, and I think I should keep on top of that.

[ There, he hopes that's good. Him being a good conversationalist, answering her questioning properly. ]

[politicallyinclined]

A fine choice. (Since she had made the same choice. She nods at the bot too and the little droid zips away to fill their orders.)

I think you should too. (The shift in topic gets her interested immediately.) We need people who are good at making weapons or machines. Maybe even fixing the ones we have. I would feel safer if I had a blaster again. I've been making do with a small gun. I think they call it a pistol.

[tinflower]

[ Ah, he's definitely triggered something in her, he thinks; maybe that same part of her that made the post in the first place. The side of her with ideas.

It makes sense. She's been here longer than him--knows better about what they have to prepare for. ]

I know pistols. What's a blaster?

[ It kind of sounds like another form of gun, but better to ask than not to. ]

[politicallyinclined]

(She has been in conflict many times before and dire situations usually require weapons. A lot of weapons. Padmé is a pacifist, but they are here to save their worlds. Peace may not be an option.)

Blasters fire lasers instead of bullets. They are much bigger than a pistol too.

(She motions with her hands to give him an idea of said size.)

[tinflower]

Oh. [ Oh. Even hearing fires lasers sounds cool to Gorgug, a raise in his eyes as he thinks about it. ]

That's cool. So it runs off a battery? Can you control the strength?

[politicallyinclined]

They use power packs, which I assume are like batteries. (They are fun weapons and easy to aim.) Depending on the setting, they can paralyze targets or kill them.

[tinflower]

[ He's nodding, since he knows what (his idea of) a power pack is. ]

Yeah, that's useful. You can get different bullets in guns, but, I mean, I don't know if it's as easy as changing a setting. I don't use a gun.

[ But he can appreciate the function of items. ]

How did you get a gun but not a blaster? They don't have them here?

[politicallyinclined]

The pistol I have takes one size of bullet. I haven't found any way to change that setting, either.

(Which is fine. A ball of metal is a ball of metal and it has to hurt upon impact.)

I found it in the city with a small box of bullets.

[tinflower]

No, I think it's about the bullets you use. Maybe the gun's different, but, you can get different bullets that do different things with some, but I-- I wouldn't be able to tell. I can ask Riz, I mean, if you wanted-- Fabian calls him The Ball.

[ Since she didn't recognise that name before, but maybe she does his nickname? ]

But, maybe you could get a blaster... we could ask the bots too.

[ It couldn't hurt? ]

[politicallyinclined]

I would be very interested in a weapon like that. Small bullets are fine for regular foes, but if we meet any that are oversized, I don't think they will do much damage.

(No, she doesn't. Her and Fabian discussed the Principal, the robot that replaced him and dancing, but not Riz.)

We could. It would be nice to have something I'm familiar with.

[tinflower]

[ ...hum. He looks over to the companion bot inside the café, who is actually coming over now with their orders--but as they make their arrival, Gorgug asks Padme quickly: ]

Should we ask them?

[ The café bot. Surely they might know about Guns. ]

[politicallyinclined]

Might as well. (Padmé smiles up at the bot and accepts her drink.) Excuse us, but could you tell us what you know about guns?

(The bot provides what information is known about the weapons - mainly that each gun requires a special caliber of bullet and that some require cartridges of bullets.)

[tinflower]

[ Very interesting, very interesting. Might as well follow that up with: ]

Can she [ a nod to Padme ] get one?

[ The bot helps, that certainly, she could get one if she asks Aurora. They're unfortunately too busy to retrieve it, they answer apologetically, but another bot should be able to bring it, as long as Aurora confirms the exchange. ]