The Matai Province

[Shaman Anaxilea]

*The history is currently unknown.*

*The Matai Province was the main city of Khagarbhan. It was a vast district filled with beings who belonged to many varying cultures. The district had many different types of buildings filled with shops of all different kinds. One could enter the Matai Province and find almost anything that they needed to ensure the smooth running of their daily lives. Things such as food, livestock, precious metals, clothing, etc could all be found within the district which was located about 5 miles away in a northern direction from The Sehthi Jamdaadh Towers.*

*The large group of shuttles and transports flew low over the city, taking in the sights before settling down on an open piece of permacrete in the Matai Providence. There the Corellian vessels unloaded cargo andmembers of the EoE staff. The transports were then transfered over to their rightfull owners, allowing them to take command.*

*A speeder pulled to a stop outside of the paved walkways of the downtown district. The streets were not overly crowded with pedestrians, but they were widely diverse, with a wide range of various species from different worlds. Few took notice of the Zabrak that climbed out of the vehicle, handing a few credits to the driver.

But the Zelton, on the other hand, caught quite a bit of attention. There were a variety of shops along the paveways, though Lita passed by each one without a glance until she found a suitable looking clothing shop. She stepped inside, and felt immediately somewhat out of place. This was a higher end store, and Lita was looking rather bedraggled. However, there was nothing for it but to find something quickly and change out of the torn, bloodied clothing.*

*Lita perused through the selections, her eyes grazing over the displays on the walls and elegantly posed mannequins with a scowl of displeasure. These items were intended for the wealthy elite and the ladies of pleasure, either too revealing, too formal, or too impractical for the violent Iridonian, and most of the time all three. These garments would be far more suitable on someone like Nikki, or the softer-bodied waif. They were not designed with Zabraks in mind.

Several of the shop's peddlers were attempting to help, to their credit, bringing out several of their more expensive items to display to the two girls. After quite some time and consideration, Lita finally plucked something out of the hands of one of the flustered sales-women, and disappeared behind a drawn curtain.

She was there a long time, the silence drawing out to the point of awkwardness. The sales-woman who had selected the item stood nearby, concerned about the length of time that had passed, but afraid to check on the angry Zabrak and offer assistance.

Finally, Lita pushed the curtain aside. She was draped in silvery-white synthetics with a slight iridescence to it. It was an off the shoulder affair, leaving the tightened muscles of one shoulder and arm completely exposed, and belted around the torso with a leather cord. The loose, billowy sarong was slit up to the thigh, leaving her stems bare save for the criss-cross straps of the sandals that climbed the entire length of her legs.

She felt, in a word, .

But, she admitted she looked more clean, and might have even fit in with the upper class if one were not paying too close attention. She accepted a metallic comb from the gushing sales-woman, a tarnished bronze that matched in color and style to the rest of the bizarre bits of jewelry adorned about the Zabrak's collarbone and ears, and used it to tie her hair back at the nape of her neck.

She nodded to the girl. It may do.*

*Nikki enter into the shop there was many pretties in her as she went to work trying to get something she would like. It was so hard for Nikki to do as she like all the shinny ones with lots of colors. There was pinks, purples, blues and every other shade in between. How was someone like Nikki to just pick one out fit out. As she just let the ones that was running the shop help her in and out of outfits every time she had on an outfit she would look at her self in the three way mirror. As it was she was humming to herself as she went about her business of slipping in and out of outfits until she got it down to just a few.

Before she could pick as she had them all laid out as her head had to turn as she let out a low whistle at Lita. As she had her mouth open as she looked at the out fit she had on. It seem to fit her bring out not only her bronzes skin but her other body figures like her hair and her horns.*

Lita can I say you look beautiful in that it really fits you. *Smiling at her at what was her approving of nodded as she went back looking at all the outfits laid before her. As she put one of her hands on her hip the others on lip as she tapped her lip with her index finger.*

Oh my so many choices so little times to choice...what is a girl like me to do...

*As she started to think deeply about each out fit the first one It was a then on the other hand her favorite color was Then there was the very shinny one with all the little there was always this last one with the top she didn't really like the pants maybe she could just by the top have something in her closet to wear with it.

As she thought more on what seem to be a very complex choices she had as she looked over to Lita smiling as she looked back at the outfits.*

*Lita smiled and inclined her head to Nikki, walking over to join her. Her eyes scanned the choices of outfits, flamboyant yet oddly fitting. When she looked at the Zeltron, she could see there was a pained expression of indecision on her face. She shook her head with a grin and placed a hand on her shoulder.*

"Do not fret so. Iridonian pockets run deep, and so do mine."

*She turned to the women who had been waiting on them hand and foot with neither judgment nor hesitation.*

"Bag it all. And please, include the things we came in with. I am still fond of those boots."

*Lita returned to her own pile of discarded items, picked up the weapons' belt, and hooked it around her hip. From an obscured location, she pulled out a substantial number of credits. The woman she handed them too was not able to completely conceal her look of relief. After all, they had looked rather rough walking into the place. Or, just Lita, perhaps.*

*She gathered the bags on each arm and headed for the exit. "When it comes to that wine, Nikki, your instincts are better than mine. See if you can find a location that sells it."

*Nikki just stood where she was for what seem to be a very long time before she just in time grab the blue leggings and panties and the pink top. Going back into the dressing room then coming out with this outfit on as she give her other clothes to the clerk.*

there you go

*Walking over to Lita with a larger smile on her face then she had every had before. As put her hand on her shoulder as she looked on before she said anything.* Thank you LIta your so good to me...I don't know what I can do to every pay you back..

"I do not do such things so that I may be owed something."

*A mischievous smirk flashed across her mouth.*

"Well. I might do other things for leverage. But, at this moment, I am merely enjoying myself."

*Lita looked Nikki up and down, from the electric-blue leggings to the hot-pink brasier, and merely shook her wonder that the girl seemed completely unaware of her own conspicuousness.*

"Where to, then?"

*Doing what she does best she was lending against the counter as she waited for Lita to finished up. Even so she just looked at her with some what of a puzzlement look to why she was looking her up and down before she when about her on little though what she did. It was then that they was ready to go as she licked her lips as she went to look at Lita.*

Oh I think after all this I need a drink if you know what I mean.

"That much drink cannot be good for you..."

*Still, Lita stepped out onto the paved walkways and began studying the shops they passed, searching for some sort of tavern. They were in the nicer area of the city, however, and Lita was not nearly as familiar with what to look for as she might have been in the slums of Mos Eisley.

She finally settled on a corner shop that advertised beverages with fancy names, and stepped inside. The cozy atmosphere was filled with warm, roasted scents and tiny round tables that were set tall and lacked seating. The few patrons within stood about the tables with tiny porcelain cups, dressed in finery and reeking of snobbery.*

*That was the first time that one could see Nikki wrinkling up her nose as the smell that she was smelling very funny. It wasn't what she was uses when entering into as there seem to be giving her stares then again she had aways been stared at before but not like this. It was as if they was discuted with her choice of clothing to but that didn't bother her one bit. Then she could see a older man with a little gray hair lady elbow her husband sharply to get his eyes off her.*

*The Zabrak slowly shook her head, standing very, very still. She definitely did not think they served their kind of anything. If she had felt uncomfortable at the hot springs, she felt absolutely terrified of this place. She leaned closer to Nikki and hissed.* "Let's go back to the towers."

*She slowly backed out of the strange social spot with its caffeinated beans and whipped dairy products, and quietly closed the door once she and the Zeltron were back out onto the street.

She summoned the speeder that had transported them to the city, placed the shopping bags in before her, and climbed in.*

"We'll grab that wine at the bar we were in earlier." *At least she knew they had a supply there.*

*For once she didn't speak anything more and let herself back out of the shop with Lita. Even those she was carious about that sweet smell. Then again this really wasn't her cup of wine. As soon as she got out on the street she hadn't relieved that she had been holding her breath.*Well, that was different but still they all look like a bunch of stuffs in there with out a ounce of fun in them.

*The sun glowed golden against the tiled roofs of some of the buildings in the Matai Province, creating a midday halo over the city. A gentle breeze flowed like a cool current between the packed structures, ruffling curtains and bringing refreshment to hard working citizens. Eun Mi smiled as she took some time to reflect on here thoughts, her mind going over the time when she had first ventured into the city, attempting to find a place where should could work.*


[Flashback]
*Thinking that finding a job in the Matai Province was a horrible mistake. First thing Eun Mi knew, she├óÔé¼Ôäód gotten lost in the city├óÔé¼Ôäós twisting streets, jobless, and with almost no money. It seemed no one in all of the province had a job for a poor 21 year old light force user, no matter how polite and responsible she seemed. And worse, the sun was setting, and she had to make her way back to the towers. Perhaps she should have listened to Agrippa and just take a job within the towers itself. However Eun Mi wanted some form of independence as Lady Tanith had already given her a home, the least she could've done was try and find a job for herself.

├óÔé¼┼ôHow can no one in this blasted city have a job opening?!├óÔé¼┬Ø She wondered. ├óÔé¼┼ôIt must be all the immigrants already here, I guess. Darnit! There has to be someplace!├óÔé¼┬Ø

Eun Mi trudged through the streets as one by one, the lights on either side of her went on, and shop windows turned a warm orange as they prepared for the coming night. "I should really get something to eat before I head back, I├óÔé¼Ôäóm starving," she thought to herself.

Almost as if on cue, the lights were turned on in a shop she was passing, and as soon as she turned her head to look at it, she knew she├óÔé¼Ôäód found the solution to both her biggest problems. A cheap meal, and a job.

It was an open-air tea shop poetically titled 'The Shaded Jade', with a lovely green mosaic floor and warm lanterns hung all over. It was mostly full with people enjoying their drinks and just talking. To Eun Mi, it looked like a very light-hearted, wealthy shop and it reminded her much of the tea shops that were on her home world of Baltimn.

As she climbed the steps and entered, she was greeted and asked how many her party was.

├óÔé¼┼ôUm, no,├óÔé¼┬Ø she replied with a grateful smile. ├óÔé¼┼ôI├óÔé¼Ôäóm just looking for the manager.├óÔé¼┬Ø

├óÔé¼┼ôHe├óÔé¼Ôäós right back there,├óÔé¼┬Ø the man said pointing to the back of the shop, where Eun Mi noticed an elderly man shuffling around in the steamy kitchen. Thanking the greeter, she hurried over, smoothing her kimono and trying to fix her hair, which was a bit mussed after a whole day of walking. The man├óÔé¼Ôäós back was facing her.

├óÔé¼┼ôExcuse me, sir!├óÔé¼┬Ø she called.*
[End of Flashback]


*Eun Mi's thoughts were interrupted when a young boy accidentally ran into her, she smiled down at him and sent him on his way. Her eyes then widened in surprise as she realised that she had already reached the tea shop, she could hear her boss calling out to her and so, Eun mi entered with a bright smile, ready to face the challenges of the day.*

*After a long day's work Eun Mi wishes everyone at the tea shop a good night as she heads into the well lit streets of the Matai Province. There she decides to take a little walk in the forest before deciding to head back to the towers.*

*Having gone through their basic maintainence procedure and changed the IFFs to new names, the two YZ-775s load up on personel for a new order pick-up. They were waiting for fighter escort before beginning this journey, however. Hopefully upon completion, the fighters would be arriving in orbit.*

*The two YZs, now the Under No Managment and To Hell with the Consequences, lift from their skids heading towards their escorts in orbit.*

*Jaidyn made his way to the Z'ar Tobor Armory where he knew Akhekhu would have already been there, the Trandoshan barely slept and as a result worked most of the nights, sometimes taking little naps as he had his own chambers behind the shop.*

=Jaidyn=
Greetings Akhekhu!

*The Tusken hailed his friend who was bent over a piece of steel, a large hammer in his right hand was being used to pound it into a solid shape, the strength of his arms causing a loud 'clanking' sound to vibrate throught the room as he hit the metal over and over again. The Trandoshan paused from his work and raised his head, his red/amber eyes focusing on Jaidyn as he greeted him*

=Akhekhu=
Greetings brother!

*The bond that the two of them had formed over the last few months was indeed a strong one. On their free time they would go out into the forests together and hunt, teach each other new techniques. With their combined skills, they created a wide variety of weapons, from swords to precision based crossbows.*

*Jaidn and Akhekhu had fallen into a pretty nifty routine these past few weeks, currently Jaidyn had left the shop to go see about a client's request. The client had requested a specific type of modified crossbow and so the tusken had gone into the forest to test it out. Whistling to himself Akhekhu began singing to himself as he hammered away at one of the current pieces of armor that he was making.*

=Akhekhu=
Tis the curse of simple reptile to drag himself through a broken land
Away he goes to make his own name, by making crafts with his own hand
*CLANG the sound of the hammer against the metal went as he paused between each verse*
Fate has dealt a sorrow blow that man forever be its slave
For on his back since the day he was born an iron sword is what fate gave
*CLANG*
To trouble days and peddle away to any who could buy or take
This burden, this curse, this blight of his, till all is gone for comfort├óÔé¼Ôäós sake
*CLANG*
But fate, it seems, is master not, for there is One that holds its sway
He came and found me battered, broke, the iron sword did lift away
*CLANG*
With skill of time and fire hot His hammer deftly, swiftly fell
And soon the sword resembled not the pain I knew, a pain I remembered well
*CLANG*
My burden had been sundered so, the parts I knew resembled not
The sword, the curse of days, the symbol of my doom was wrought
*CLANG*
Tools and stoves, all manners, makes, the product of His trade now stood
Prepared to act on first command, an army poised to aid as could
*CLANG*
The fire turned and faced me firm with flames of countless wisdom known
Did plead that I would go show those that pain need not be of iron alone
*CLANG*
Then from the core, the sword I bore, a golden stone was pulled and bent
Then toiled much and sorrowed long and from His face He would lament
*CLANG*
Many hours consumed His will as from this gold a ring was made
Upon this ring a symbol was struck, the symbol of the our new trade
*CLANG*
Now all who ask, ├óÔé¼╦£Where is your sword?├óÔé¼Ôäó and ponder at the ring so grand?
The ring they see will point to Me, Salvation comes by my own hands.
*CLANG*
Tis I! A simple little reptile named Akhekhu!
Who takes some broken pieces of metal to makes your dreams come true!

*The Trandoshan kept singing for a while longer, repeating the song as his red3amber eyes danced with merriment as the light from the flames caused small shadows to dance about his sandy grey scales. Even though his family had abandoned him, Akhekhu took comfort in knowing that he had found a new family in Jaidyn.*