[centre][h1][colour=Red]Alanna[/colour][/h1][/centre]

[I]The smell of smoke wiggled its way into her nose[/i]. The Twi'Lek shot upright with a jolt, sweating and panicked. She looked around her bedroom and saw… nothing, just her empty room. She let out a sigh of relief and wiped her forehead with the blanket before flopping her head back down onto the pillows. [Colour=red]"Just a dream, Alanna, just a dream.[/colour] she muttered to herself, wiping the sleep from her eyes as she did so. She sighed again and glanced to her right to check her alarm, 07:15, half an hour before her alarm was meant to go off anyway. Alanna sighed [i]again[/i] and swung her legs round off the bed, freeing herself from the blanket as she did so. These [i]dreams[/i] of hers were becoming far too common an occurrence to be normal, but that was a problem for later. She stood from bed and turned her clock off so the alarm wouldn't ring out into her empty room later on. 

Standing beside her bed she surveyed her room, everything was bathed in a deep purple glow as the sun shone in through the curtains. Alanna's bedroom was open and spacious with the purple curtains covering a wall of glazed windows which opened onto a balcony overlooking the River District. Everything in her bedroom was large and spacious as well; from the en-suite, to the walk in wardrobe, the (too)many cupboards and cabinets which lined the wall connecting to the windows and then her bed itself which, if she was honest, could probably fit three or four of herself on it comfortably. Her therapist called it "compensating for her having to sleep rough for most of her formative years." Technically he used fancier words than that but that was the message Alanna got from it.

Taking a few steps forwards, Alanna drew back the curtains and let the early morning sun bathe her room in light. In truth it was all [i]too big[/i] for just her, but she didn't use her money in any other way; didn't wear the fanciest clothes, have the fastest or shiniest speeder or really mix with wealthy society at all. She just lived comfortably, never wanted for anything and wasn't afraid to close the workshop for a few days when she wanted a break. Stepping out onto the balcony Alanna took a few moments to look out over the city. She could tell it was going to be a busy day, below her people moved in a hurry, stalls being set up and performers going over the last few details of their routines. [I][colour=red]"Ah… Founding day, I'd almost forgotten about this."[/colour][/i] Alanna thought to herself. Never had a single day been able to make her feel so… alone. It had been over a decade since her meeting with the Paladin, and just under that since 'Nanna' had offered her the room above her restaurant. Yet she had never quite managed to fit in, not so much an outsider anymore but still an arms length away from the locals at most times.

A knock on her door took her thoughts away from her loneliness and she turned to see Sable enter the room holding a tray with a fresh mug of tea on it. [Colour=green]"Greeting: Good morning Master, my sensors indicated you had awoken so I believed a hot beverage would get you ready for the day."[/colour] Alanna smiled slightly and re-entered the bedroom, closing the balcony door behind her as she did so. [Colour=red]"Thank you Sable, that's very kind. Just leave it on the dresser and I'll get it when I've showered."[/colour] Sable nodded, placing the mug onto the dresser and departing from the room. [Colour=green]"Statement: Breakfast shall be ready for when you come downstairs Master, enjoy your Tea."[/colour] He said before closing the door behind him.

Half an hour later Alanna emerged into the kitchen fresh and ready for the day. Hot toast and a fresh Tea awaited her on the island as she sat herself on the stool. [Colour=red]"Thank you for this Sable. It was very kind of you."[/colour] [colour=green]"Statement: I do the same thing for you almost every morning Master, your thanks is not necessary."[/colour] Alanna rolled her eyes and took a bite of toast. Sable was still a strange sight to most; Protocol droids, R-units and even recommissioned Battle Droids were something most people around the galaxy were used too, but to see a real life Assassin droid walking around so freely without a restraining bolt or anything did put some people on edge. Yes he could be a pain, a menace to society and was the cause of most of Alanna's headaches but seeing an HK droid standing in front of a sink with a Pinny on washing dishes from the night before, was something you truly had to see to believe. 

Sable turned from the sink and removed the Pinny, carefully and precisely folding it into a square before storing it away in a drawer. [Colour=green]"Query: So what are our plans for today Master. Shall we go and enjoy the travelling acts or browse the stall for souvenirs?"[/colour] He asked while taking his own seat on the island, his voice almost sounded hopeful behind the robotic overtone of his speech. [Colour=red]"No Sable, unfortunately that is not the plan. [I]We[/i] have work to do, still have to finish up the repair on the 3PO unit for… what's his name… the Weequay… Horne, something Horne, I think… Anyway, we're behind on his order and Nanna dropped off a few of those old repaired B1s yesterday, the ones she uses as dishwashers. She thinks their motivator unit needs work, I think her Grandson just blew them up too much and she'd actually save money by melting them down instead. Not that I'd actually charge her for the work mind, but I did promise her it'd be done by next week.[/colour] Sable let out a robotic sigh and placed his head into his palms [colour=green]"Statement: If I had eyes to roll they would have fallen from their sockets by now Master. You did the same thing last year Master and the year before that and so on and so on. You are still so young Master, the spitting image of your mother, surely there is someone you can go and spend the day with instead, a friend or even a date perhaps? Let Vex and Vax run the shop for the day, it's what you pay them for isn't it?[/colour]

Alanna glared at Sable over the rim of her mug as she took a sip. [Colour=red]"Oh yeah great idea, I'll just give one of those many friends of mine a call. And as for dates? [i]You[/i] scare them all away by opening the door with a blaster in your hand like you're an overprotective dad or something. So those options are out the window. And as for Vex and Vax, I've given them the day off. They're young and actually have families to go and celebrate the day with. I have you Sable… and that's it."[/colour] She sighed softly and finished her toast. [Colour=red]"So no, I think I'll be spending the day elbow deep in Droid guts as usual. If you want to go out and enjoy the festival go ahead. You have your own money and we can always take a trip to Hoth soon to deposit anything you buy. Just please don't cause trouble ok? The Deathwatch will be out there I can guarantee it and you know damn well after what happened in the bar last month they'll be watching you.[/colour]

[hider=Three weeks ago]
It was a fairly busy night at [i]The Scruffy Nerf-Herder[/i], a bar in the Port District and a frequent haunt of Alanna after a particularly stressful day working in the shop, the bar consisted of a dozen or so booths in a horseshoe shape around the central bar. In the corner of the room opposite the door sits a small stage where a green skinned Twi’Lek stood behind a microphone singing a song which Alanna wasn't particularly paying attention to. She sat at the bar itself, perched on a stool and waiting to be served. 

Alanna liked this bar, it was a ten maybe fifteen minute walk from the shop and was run by a Mandalorian called Vik. Vik was an aged man, probably in his late 50s or so but having been a grizzled hunter he knew how to look after himself. He had aged like a fine Wine as his wife, said signing Twi’Lek who was at least 20 years his junior, would say. And he could absolutely school some of the more rowdy patrons who had graced the bar with their presence tonight. "Good evening Miss Blasaw." Vik said as he approached her while cleaning a glass. "Rough day at the shop?" Alanna sat up a bit straighter and gave Vik a gentle smile. [Colour=red]"Something like that Vik, some knuckleheaded Selkath went 12 rounds with a B2 unit down at the docks. Apparently it [i]"looked at him funny"[/i] he got a broken arm but the droids owner was [i]Pissed[/i]."[/colour] She explained, popping the P on her last word. [Colour=red]"The Selkath must have had a pipe or something because its chassis was all dented, some of its optics were damaged and one of its arm servos was completely dead. Guy came in and demanded a rush order on it, he was a total ass aswell… but when he didn't even question the price I quoted him I couldn't complain. Only got out about a half hour ago after he came and picked it up, bear in mind that the shutters closed two hours ago."[/colour] 

Throughout her rant Vik simply stood there, leaning slightly on the counter, listening and occasionally nodding. It was what he was good at and Alanna truly appreciated it. She liked coming here to just [i]vent[/i] about how stupid the public could be sometimes and Vik would just listen, didn't offer comment or question about what she would say because he knew that's not what she wanted, all Alanna, and many of his customers, wanted was a stiff drink and someone to vent to. "Sounds rough Lanna, here try this, Some Corellian Whiskey. Normally I wouldn't even entertain the stuff but the guy who gave me it said it'll put some hairs on your chest." He said with a gentle chuckle, pushing a small shot glass in her direction. Alanna smiled and threw the drink back, coughing roughly once it was down. [Colour=red]"He… he wasn't lying Vik."[/colour] She coughed while laughing at the same time. Vik gave a satisfied single "hmmph" and turned to the bottles stacked on the shelves behind him. "Now that I've tortured you with that damned awful stuff, let me get you your usual." He took a few steps away from her and reached for one of the wine bottles on the wall.

As Alanna was distracted by watching Vik pour her drink an Gauntlet clad hand was placed on her forearm. "Hey there pretty lady, what's cute think like you doing in a dump like this?" She turned to see it was a Beskar clad Mandaloian who had deemed himself worthy to invade her space. She recognised him as one of a group who were sat at the booth on the other side of the bar from herself, they had been by far the loudest of those there that night and were clearly celebrating some big payout as the drinks were flowing to and from their table. [Colour=red]"Look pal, I ain't buying what your selling so piss off before you get hurt."[/colour] She tried to shake his hand from her wrist but his grip only tightened at her rejection and he laughed. "Please, like you could hurt me. Now come on, you tail heads are always down for some fun. And me and my buddies over there wanna give you the best night of your life." He nodded his head over to his table where his equally well Armoured compatriots sat watching on. Vik still hadn't reacted at this point but it was clear from his demeanour that he was ready to grab one of his holdouts at any second. [Colour=red]"You got one more chance; let go of my arm, fuck off back to your limp dicked friends and leave. Me. Alone. AHHHH![/colour] Alanna gasped and winced in pain as the mans other hand grabbed ahold of a Lekku and pulled. "Listen here Twi’Lek…" whatever else the man was saying was drowned out of her ears as heavy metallic footsteps approached quickly and a robotic hand griped the arm currently holding her wrist, distracted the man released her Lekku and turned to face her saviour… Sable.

[Colour=green]"Threat: Remove your hand from my Master, Meatbag. Or you [i]will[/i] regret it."[/colour] The Mandalorian startled slightly but his liquid courage stood strong. "Or what Clanker? I've scrapped hundreds, thousands, of you, what are you gonna do?." Vik took a step forward. "That's enough Jex, you and your friends need to leave. NOW!." Vik got angry very rarely so his tone in Alanna's defence was greatly appreciated. "Buzz off old man, me and the lady here were having a nice… AHHHHH!" The man cried in pain before he could finish his sentence. Sable had tightened his grip on the mans gauntlet, the plate itself creaked slightly as Sable forcibly lifted and bent the mans arm back awkwardly. With anguished Sounds still coming from the Mandalorians mouth Sable twisted his body and landed a punch with his free arm, a loud clang resonating through the bar as Durasteel fist met Beskar helmet. The Mandalorian crumpled to the floor and his helmet to flew off and landed by his side.

Sable wasted no time and hunched down over the mans body and picked up his helmet. [Colour=green]"Observation: Oh dear, it appears as though you dented your helmet. Shall we attempt to buff that out?"[/colour] It was a rhetorical question of course and after second or so of no reply Sable swung his body again, beating the man across the head with own helmet repeatedly. More cries of pain and pleas for mercy came with every blow. [Colour=red]"Sable! That's enough, you're gonna kill him."[/colour] Alanna barked and Sable stopped the instant her command was issued. The droid stayed stooped and observed the helmet again, its silver colour now drenched red. [Colour=green]"Reluctance: If you insist Master. Didn't get that dent out unfortunately, did add a few more though."[/colour] He said in an all too pleased with himself tone, dropping the helmet onto the mans chest as he did so. But before he stood he swung his body again landing a fist directly next to the assailants head who in response flinched in pain and cried. [Colour=green]Promise: Dare to even [i]look[/i] at my Master again and they'll never find your body."[/colour] [colour=red]"SABLE! I said that's enough!"[/colour] Alanna turned from her droid back to the bar and placed a stack of credits atop the counter [colour=red]"Sorry for the mess Vik, think I'll have to skip the drink tonight. This should cover the cleaning… and the dent Sable put in your floor. If the police come just tell em the shop opens at 8:30 please. Come on Sable let's go. Night Vik."[/colour] turning from the scene the pair of them left the bar, Alanna definitely more stressed than when she had entered.
[/hider]

[colour=green]"protest: Master the only reason that fight happened was because that man put his hands on you. He made you uncomfortable. I am programmed to step in and ensure you are unharmed. And no amount of Beskar and testosterone is going to stop me doing that.”[/colour] Alanna chuckled slightly at the Memory of Sable using the mans’ own helmet to beat him into the floor. [colour=red]"Yes and I appreciate it, Sable. But not everyone sees it that way. That guy's going to be eating out of a straw for the foreseeable future, it doesn't matter if he grabbed my Lekku or not. So I can guarantee you, you or me or even both of us are being watched."[/colour] Alanna placed her now empty mug down on the counter and rose from her seat. [Colour=red]"I have a business to run so if you're saying you'll be too bored to spend the day helping me then you have my permission to go off and enjoy yourself. Be sure to check in regularly and be back by four. Or you could head to Viks and work off what you owe him for cracking his floor and getting blood on his furniture? Either of those work. Good.[/colour] She turned from the island and proceeded back up the stairs to get her work overalls before heading out the door. [Colour=green]"Obvious statement: You know you are rather depressing sometimes Master."[/colour] Sable got one final quip in before she shut the door behind her.

The shutters to [i]The Magic Mechanic[/i] opened on time at 08:29, Alanna was nothing if not punctual with her timings. Her shop stood in complete contrast to the street outside, outside there was an abundance of people of all different cultures going back and forth to stalls and stands of all shapes and sizes, inside her shop was… empty, apart from her anyway. It was just droid racks and an oil pit for the occasional speeder inspection. It was just how she liked it, she could focus on her work with no distractions. Fulfilled orders meant happy customers, happy customers meant repeat customers and word of mouth advertising, which meant more money, which meant happiness and fulfilment…right? Right? She thought to herself, peering out from the guts of a 3PO unit towards the crowd of happy families passing by her enjoying their day. 

Right?