starlogs | Nomad [open]

WHO: Ben Kenobi & YOU!
WHERE: Districts of Bajikan
WHEN: Following arrival and throughout the fleet's stay.
WHAT: Ben Kenobi explores the districts while attempt to cope with this unwelcome change in his hermetic lifestyle.
WARNINGS: Potentially sensitive topics may come up in the narrative. Opt-in permissions and information about content warnings and Force powers can be found here.

[ Arrival had been exhausting. Terrifying, at times, particularly for a man who had spent already too long living alone with his thoughts. Ben Kenobi hadn't expected this, hadn't planned to face anything for— for a long time, but there really appears to be no way to avoid it. And now he struggles to understand, to cope with the idea that there would be no returning to the desert, no dusty reunion with his sun-baked hovel, to a solitary life he had set forth before himself.

Perhaps it's for the best; he was bound to go crazy living in that desert all by himself.

There are tricks to avoiding the exhaustion, at least — old tricks that lack effectiveness, but work nonetheless. Foods and drinks provide a certain amount of energy, some better than others, and he lingers in that sweet spot there, halfway between exhausted worse, clinging to local remedies instead of drawing on the Force to sap away the heaviness from his entire being. He can't. No, he won't. The ability would never be elude him, but for now he would remain at arm's length with the Force.

As luck would have it, most of the districts are not lacking in amenities, goods, or services, nor do they display of dearth of people willing to give suggestions, some more practical than others.

It will do. For now, it will have to.]

OOC: Ben will be acting as a nomad, moving from district to district. There are starters in the comments, but if you want or need something written custom, feel free to start a scene or PM me at this journal for some plotting. We can totally work something out!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ To come down later, Ben will need a drink. It isn't quite considered a pastime, but when judged against that former life, it's one of the few remaining commonalities that he hasn't attempted to shed quickly.

The bar is dark, full of plush fabrics and subtle scent cues, every bit an obviously player in this theatrical district. There are no points to be given for guessing its purpose, and for as strange as it is knowing that intimacy is happening everywhere around him, Kenobi finds himself feeling the least exposed in Luxuria, where everyone seems to be that much more focused on themselves.

He knows he can't stay long — that eventually he would be consumed by his own flagrantly fanned needs — but for the moment he doesn't feel like doing much more than indulging in healthy helping of alcohol.

Somewhere near the end of a drink, something strikes him and he asks down the row of neighbors seated at the bar. ]

Do you think you have to pay more here to rent an empty bed?

[ Crass? Perhaps. But this is more than he's talked to anyone in quite some time and it takes a little getting used to. ]

[He doesn't know why he's back here. Probably because he's a little overwhelmed by the fact he ever came here the first time. And that box is still burning a hole in his pocket as he sits on a stool in a very dark bar. The initial thought pushes him to 'return' the gift because it's from Luxuria. The second thought whispers that he's being stupid and just turn around and head back out the way he came.

In the end, he's sitting on a bar stool taking the time for one drink before he gives up the ghost and high tails it out of the red district. If anything, because it gets under his skin and reminds him exactly why he bought the gift and returning it is just tom foolery.

Then a voice breaks through his mental turmoil and he is left blinking at it. In seconds, he ducks his head and starts to laugh. A sort of tension breaks in his chest as he turns his head to look at the man that said it.] You're kiddin' right? I'm sure there's not an empty bed in this entire district. But let me know how that pans out for ya.

[ The sound of a laugh would be almost strange to his ears if Ben hadn't spent at least a little time sitting quietly amidst people having a good bit of fun. But McCoy's laugh is different — highly genuine, enough to give Kenobi cause to smile a bit in appreciation. He hadn't meant it as a joke, but he could see the humor regardless. ]

Given the reported affect this place has on its visitors, I suspect that wouldn't last very long, anyway.

[ He lifts his drink — the best he's found, although he hasn't been trying very hard — and salutes his companion. ]

Just passing through.

[ Both a confession and a statement if he's to guess correctly; from the look of it, McCoy isn't settling in. ]

Guess that only works if you don't have someone specifically on your mind or if you like that kind of activity?

[He offers his thoughts easily, but he has no intention of getting a room here. Hell, he was planning on high tailing it out of there pretty quickly at that. But maybe it's nice to meet someone with a sense of humor at least mostly.

Tipping his head in acknowledgement to the 'passing through' comment, he finished off his drink and slid it away from him. He'd not drank this munch in a long time and he likely needs to stop.]

Are you with the Eluvio crew? Or just vacationing here?

[ Ben doesn't consider the greater implications — he would find solace in no one — and instead tugs up the rugged brown sleeve of his outer robe to reveal the communication device affixed to his wrist. It wouldn't be his first choice, nor his second or fifth, but he's listened to the cautionary tales and he's not about to ditch his only comm. ]

By default, a bit of both.

[ He hides his tech, tucks it back away in the folds of his sand-softened attire. When he has a little more time, he'll have to do a bit better at blending in. ]

My name's Ben.

[ He's had to practice that more than he'd ever like to admit, but it's confident enough for a man who had been called by a different name for thirty-eight years. ]

[Leonard leans a bit to get a look at the communicator and nods. He lifts his own hand in turn and pulls the sleeve up to show him.] I'm still gettin' to know everyone on the ship. Doesn't help matters that I don't live on the Eluvio.

[Made it a bit harder to get to know people. So, in essence, he wouldn't know if he or Ben had gotten there first or not. Sometimes it was just nice to know who you traveled with.]

McCoy. Dr. Leonard McCoy. [He tips his head in an inclined greeting and starts to stand from his stool.] And I think I've lingered here long enough... plan on stayin' long here in the red light district, Ben? Was thinkin' of shoppin' through books in another district to learn more of the xenobiology in these parts if you'd like to come along?

[ There's a moment of long consideration, but there really isn't a need for it. For as quiet as this district has been for him, he doesn't see himself sticking around, even for a decent night of sleep.

He slides his empty glass toward the bartender and follows the other man's example. ]

Of course.

[ Kenobi nods toward the door, ready to leave whenever. He has nowhere to be, so he'll follow McCoy's lead. ]

You live on one of the other ships then. Did it arrive with you?

[Offerin' a small smile, he nods then starts for the door.]

I live on the Enterprise. I served on it back where I'm from. I... it's hard to say. It was here when I arrived. And so was my captain. I assume she came with him.

[Seems only fitting that Jim will never be separated from his beloved ship. The idea of it is just heresy. Something he shakes his head at a little.]

Least it's a little comfort... still feels strange bein' on it without the rest of our crew.

[He turns to arch a brow in curiosity at Ben as he makes way for the gate to leave this district.] How 'bout you? Arrive with anything from back where you're from?

[ The name of the ship is intriguing. He wonders on the type of ship, on its purpose, but doesn't ask. He's already imagining something larger by how Leonard talks about it; it wouldn't be nearly as remarkable if there were only three of them on board.

Ben leaves behind his token at the gate, having no intention of returning to this place now that the urge to sleep has all but passed. He can survive on so little, and does so quietly, which is exactly the reason he found himself arriving alone. ]

Only a few personal items.

[ Mainly clothing. He doesn't have much to bring, anyway, with no ship and very few personal belongings. At least he can feel relief in knowing that he wasn't quite close enough to drag Luke into this trouble. Force knows, Kenobi has a habit of that, and wild space is certainly no place for a newborn. ]

You sound as if you're accustomed to all of this, Doctor. Is it safe to say this isn't your first kidnapping?

[ His tone is rueful, at best. Ben doesn't appreciate the forced relocation. ]

Nomad [open]

Luxuria

God help him, but he hates me for putting him in Luxuria again. XD

It could probably be worse!!

TRUE... but still. XD

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