Under Pressure

[Gantuhar]

Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you no man ask for
Under pressure... that burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets
It's the terror of knowing
What this world is about






The lower levels were a hodgepodge of creatures who had seen much better days. Beings that had fallen on hard times, whether they lost their jobs and could no longer afford lodging on the upper habitation rings, or they'd gambled away everything they owned to only end up living in a nook of one of the bypass corridors, with nothing but a shipping crate to serve as their home. For some they were only here temporarily until they could scrounge up enough credits to book passage off Jovan, and others had chosen to exist in the mostly-lawless under levels because that was where they were comfortable. And, well, there was a strange sort of safety in living without assurances. It made one alert, and cautious. It was a way to hone the senses.





Watching some good friends
Screaming `let me out'
Pray tomorrow... gets me higher
Pressure on people... people on streets




The normal security patrols on Jovan almost never came down here. It was a bother for them. After all, why not just let the riff-raff sort themselves out? There was no point in trying to police a group of folks when it was easier to let the exist in their squalor. It wasn't like they were making too much trouble anyway, other than the occasional stabbings - and even those were suspected to be highly unreported.





Chippin' around... kick my brains around the floor
These are the days
It never rains but it pours
People on streets... people on streets




The 'homes' down here consisted of pilfered cargo crates, sections of perma-tent, canvas overhangs, discarded durasteel... anything really. It was a crushed-together miasma of claimed territories, with some of the abandoned offices housing a small community of drifters. There were even hot-coal firespits that held the cooking carcasses of mynocks and womprats that had inevitably been brought aboard. Anything that made its' way down was subject to the very important test of whether it was edible or not. Usually, it was.





It's the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming `let me out'
Pray tomorrow... gets me higher




For his own self, Gantuhar had secured his own small slice of not-quite-heaven. It was a small corner of one of the many offices dotting the lower rings, and he was even lucky enough to have a portion of the window, so that he had a view of the stars. He suspected that his size had helped him to lay his claim. Over months he had stolen and bartered for sections of durasteel, cargo crates, and even a dirt-encrusted floor rug that was his 'front door'. It wasn't perfect, but it had become home.





Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on a fence but it don't work
Keep coming up with love but it's so slashed and torn
Why... why... why
LOVE




Inside was a small assortment of collected trinkets and noise-makers that were hung from crudely fashioned hooks; he'd made them out of fizzy-cola pull tabs and screwed them into the low roof so that his chimes could be suspended. Some were brightly colored, some were faded, but all were still functional in some way. Some metal, some carved from Ithorian shoot-trees. There were even a few that he'd crafted for himself from spent powerpack casings, spanner sockets, and roller bearings.








Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking
Can't we give ourselves one more chance
Why can't we give love that one more chance
Why can't we give love, give love, give love, give love, give love




Blankets covered the hard decking, each one having at least one hole somewhere. It was why he had made it his mission to gather as many discarded scraps as he could, to make sure that it was comfortable. Even his pillow have been fashioned from a hand-stitched bag and stuffed with every scrap of fluff and cloth that he could find. It was not perfect, but it had become comfortable in its' own way. He always added to it, to increase the softness of it.





'Cause love's such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure




He was home now, in those under levels. Quietly sitting out on the bit of flex-board that he used as a welcome mat. Others milled about, staying to their own selves, and that suited him well enough. He was busy anyway, crafting yet another hanging chime. This one was to be made from frayed twine that he'd found in a compacter, and small metal tubing that he suspected had come from a droid. The disembodied metal hand that was in his lap was a very good indicator. Methodically he pulled and unscrewed each smudged finger that had once been a glistening gold color. They would make such beautiful sounds when hung aloft.





Under pressure
Pressure

[Fredal Rabeak]

Upon his first visit to Jovan station, Fredal "Freddie" Rabeak had learned many important lessons. Lessons which came with truths which were difficult to accept, or did little to improve his lot in life. No one would hire you just because you wanted them to. It didn't matter how skilled you were if you weren't eighteen. Bargain tech didn't bring much at a pawn shop when you needed food more than a music player or a personal comm. You couldn't qualify for refugee benefits just because you were down on your luck. He had also learned that no matter how good he thought his hiding space was, station security would find him as he slept. And he had learned what shameful, degrading things he would do just to keep from starving.

Jovan had been a learning experience in many ways, but it had also provided him with an opportunity beyond his wildest dreams: the chance to be a real, professional engine tech on a top-tier race team! A chance meeting with Captain Maron, of the Quasar Fantastic, had snowballed into a series of interviews, and finally a probationary employment period on the racing ship itself. Everything happened so quickly, his head still spun, but as fast as it had come, it also ended, with a mandatory one-week cool-down period while the team would evaluate his performance to see if he was worth bringing on full-time. Such a week meant he had to vacate his little bunkroom, and find his own way back on Jovan as the captain and crew chief sorted things out. So he found himself where it had started, on a station perched upon the border between Alliance and Imperial space, with little more than his toolbag, a change of clothes, and his meager minimum wage earnings from his served time.

A week. He could handle a week, Freddie told himself. With experience on a real race team, he had more of a resume to sell his professional services for day work, and that should get him enough for a room for the night, while his wages would cover food. It was a good plan, he decided. And just as before, his good plan fell apart.

No one wanted to hire a short, scrawny kid, just as before. Quasar Fantastic or not, it didn't seem to matter, and so his first day ended with his tool bag locked in a secure, monitored locker on the main level, and then a cheap dinner before finding some obscure corner or seldom-used hallway to bed down in for the night. But even after such a short stint aboard the Quasar Fantastic, he'd grown used to his thinly-padded bed, and he found sleep elusive upon the thin, hard, commercial carpet of the doorway floor he'd curled up in.

When at last sleep found him, so did station security. No time was wasted before he was prodded in the leg with a stunstick, burning a hole in his pants and singing the fur of his thigh as he screamed awake. Rough hands hauled him up and pressed him against the wall, the teenage Nehantite startled and confused, eyes only half-focused as his heart pounded within his narrow chest.

"ID!" demanded the lead officer.

Freddie fumbled for his wallet, producing his driving license with trembling fingers, as his pink eyes worriedly looked to that stunstick again. It seemed ages as the officer checked him against the system, then handed him back his ID card, and the other officers let him go from against the wall. It was only pride which kept him from reaching down to rub his aching thigh.

"Fredal Rabeak," the officer butchered the pronunciation of his name, "You've been warned about sleeping in public more than once, and you've been arrested for loitering. I should book you for this offense, but, you're a juvenile, so I'm going to give you one last warning: You cannot sleep in public spaces. I don't care how remote they are. You either book a room, or you find someone to let you sleep on their private property, got it?"

Freddie nodded vigorously, his ears down, and tail partly curled between his legs. "Y-yes, sir!" he managed. "I just... I can't afford anywhere, and... I don't have anywhere to go." The words came with a whimper of defeat, laced with a heavy undertone of fear.

The lead officer looked him up and down, then shrugged. "Not my problem," he replied. "You just can't sleep here." With that, he turned, motioning his fellow officers to follow.

One did, but the second hesitated, whispering, "Hit the lower levels. Patrols rarely go down there." And with that, he was gone, leaving a trebling Freddie to consider his options.

He'd heard the lower levels spoke of among refugees on his first visit to Jovan. A sort of lawless shantytown that was too much effort for security to clear; a sort of hub of vagrants, homeless, and criminals, all concentrated in one area. It was pride which had kept Freddie from descending to those levels before, well, pride and fear, but faced with an aching leg, and no other options, he picked up his flimsiplast bag containing his change of clothes, and limped toward the turbolift.

Tiredness began to catch up to him as his adrenaline surge wore off, the sharp alertness in his senses rapidly dulled by the need for sleep, but Freddie could not allow himself to grow careless or unobservant in his surroundings as he descended into the lower levels. Immediately the smell hit him burning his sensitive nose as the clean, purified air of the commerce ring was replaced by stale, stagnant fumes, kept only clean enough to breathe by the circulatory systems running through what had been an industrial sector. Gone as well were the bright, clear lighting, replaced by caged work lamps, and the carpeted floors turned to worn durasteel plate beneath his bare footpaws. Holding his bag tight, Freddie made his way through crowds, eyes darting here and there for danger, as well as an unknown corner in which he could hide. There were none, so he kept going, deeper and deeper, toward the looming wall ahead.

Garfife was thanked that he'd been able to secure his tools on the upper level, as down here they were worth well more than he was, though as he approached what appeared to be a dead end, some were clearly making their own valuation of his body, or what they could do with it. Carelessly he had not been watching behind himself, and before he knew it, he found himself surrounded by a rough looking bunch, all closing in on him.

"Well well," said their apparent ringleader, a Trandoshan. "Looks like someone's new in town. Feels only right we should welcome him, if he's planning to live here."

Freddie cringed at the mocking tone in the Trandoshan's voice, and he looked for some narrow opening he could dart through to escape. An Alliance holding cell felt safer than his current position. "N-not planning to live here," he stammered. "Just need somewhere to sleep for the night."

From behind came a cruel laugh, followed by, "Well now, beds ain't free down here. You gotta pay for 'em."

"I... I don't have money!" Freddie quickly blurted. A lie, but one wouldn't know it to look at him.

Immediately he felt a pair of hands grab hold of his shoulders from behind, while the Trandoshan stepped up before him, towering over the youth. "Oh, that's fine," the Trandoshan said, smiling softly as he reached out to let his fingers trace up Freddie's jawline, then rub a thumb over his lips. "I think there's another way you can pay us. I've heard what the males of your race tend to get up to."

The gray-furred Nehantite's pink eyes went wide with fear as his heart hammered so hard within his chest he was certain it was going to break his ribs. Ice-cold rivers of terror ran through his veins as he realized what the gang had planned for him, and as he felt a hand moving to the waistband of his trousers, he screamed. Screamed, the bit down on that thumb at his mouth, before kicking wildly. It was enough to break free momentarily, but more hands were upon him instantly, dragging him to the floor and pinning him there, a rag stuffed into his jaws as he attempted to scream again. Struggling did him no good, and he could feel the hot tears rolling down his cheeks as his fly was worked free, and he could feel someone trying to pull his trousers off, right there in the alleyway. Sobbing, there was little else he could do than accept it, trying to imagine he was anywhere else in the galaxy than right there at that moment.

[Gantuhar]

There was a commotion outside the thin doorway of the office, and Gantuhar lifted his head from his work to stare at the other occupants who - like him - had made this space their own. Old Castarn, an aged Rodian with a speederlane map of scars across one side of his face... Mister Merikane, a grizzled human that looked more like a tree than a man... The Arkanian twins Ashivar and Aine, who some considered modern-day witches. Even the towering form of Horokwrrr looked up from his vigil of the crisping mynock that was suspended over the rockspit in the middle of the office. The aged Wookkiee hurffed once, then cast dull eyes to him, to Gantuhar.

The was a rumble of acquiescence in the Trianii's throat as he set the partially disassembled droid hand to the side.

"Very well," he lumbered upward, all eyes upon him.

"This One will see."

He shuffled past Castarn, past the twins, and to the closed door. A low growl, then a meaty finger pushed the 'open' button, and the door swooshed to the side.

What met his eyes in the alley was an admittedly normal sight. The Trandoshan, Kenttressh, was doing what he always did to those who were new to the lower levels. Unfortunately for him, he was doing it... here.

A pair of work trousers was crumpled in a heap against the floor beside the door, and Gantuhar could barely make out a splayed hand trying to grasp at the air from beneath a writhing pile of bodies.

He hoped he was not too late.

"This One does not like disturbances," he rumbled dangerously.

From behind, Horokwrrr let out a dangerous growl.

The Trandoshan's head popped up then, eyes going wide at the sight of the Mad Trianii. Everyone knew some story or another of the old Felinoid, and none of them were particularly... good. At least when it came to crossing the bizarre set of ethics that he lived by. And right now, the gang that had found themselves a bit of fun knew they'd run afoul of those ethics.

Gantuhar lifted a finger, pointing to the poor creature below the mass of hungry bodies.

"Leave the greyfur. But the great Arkanian Witches will Curse you if you do not go back to your dens of sin."

As if to punctuate his words, the two raven-haired Arkanian women appeared as snakes, practically oozing from his sides and creeping past the office's threshold.

[Fredal Rabeak]

The small gang which surrounded him, pinning him to the floor, fully blocked Freddie's sight of the station beyond, or at least they would have had his eyes not been squeezed tight. In such a scumhole of lawlessness, none would come to his aid, and so he simply cried as he felt his lower clothing come off, then screamed around that rag as he felt it happen. Memories, horrible, scarring memories flooded back, only to be brushed aside as one of the gang kicked him in the side, apparently just for fun, as Kenttressh initiated him to the lower levels.

But then it stopped, and he could feel a change in the posture of those holding him. One by one they eased back, and he opened his eyes to see their tear-blurry forms stand and back away, even his violator climbing back to his feet, before all turned and fled, leaving Freddie alone on the cold, durasteel floor. Immediately he pulled the rag from his mouth, gasping for air, then scrambled to pull his underwear back on. Trembling, he nearly hyperventilated as he rolled to one side, attempting to locate his trousers in order to hide his shame, wiping his eyes for a cleared view. He couldn't see what had forced the gang to leave, but that much hadn't even registered in his brain as it still reeled from what had been done to him, appearing in a daze.

[Gantuhar]

Still standing in the doorway, with the twins on either side of him, Gantuhar looked down on the boy as he wiped tears from his eyes while trying to find his trousers.

"Little Greyfur, you are safe now," whispered Aine as she slithered past the threshold to help the young one retrieve his clothing.

Ashivar let her white eyes shift from the fleeing forms of Kenttressh and his gang to the sobbing little one.

"Kenttressh will sully you no more."

Gantuhar was quiet in all of this, letting the twins give their assurances, until finally he let out a cough to clear his throat. His hulking form shifted to allow a bit of room for the poor thing to duck in through.

"This One thinks you should come inside, Greyfur."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Absently, Freddie took his pants as they were passed to him, sliding his legs in before standing to button them up. His bag still lay where he dropped it, and Ashivar was kind enough to retrieve it for him as he took in the scene with disbelief. Terror remained fixed behind his pink eyes, glancing from figure to figure while his heart raced, tail firmly tucked between his legs to guard himself from more of what had just been wrought upon him.

His mouth opened to speak, but no words came out, so he closed it and swallowed. "Thh-th-thank you," he forced the words at last. A glance over his shoulder proved that the Trandoshan and his gang were truly gone, and so Freddie nodded, escaping the known dangers of the alleyway, praying that what lay inside that structure was not worse. His step still carried a limp from the stunstick, but also a new, more recent discomfort which he hoped to wash from his mind.

As he approached Gantuhar, Freddie found himself looking up farther than he'd originally anticipated, dwarfed by the massive Triani. Nodding in thanks again, all he could manage was, "My name's Freddie. Not Greyfur. Sir." Again he glanced over his shoulder, just to be sure that Kenttressh wasn't planning a sudden sneak attack.

[Gantuhar]

The door closed once the twins had slinked their bone-thin selves inside, and the group was once more sequestered within the confines of their small 'community'. The Office was their safe place, and they had all become as family, in a way.

Mister Merikane only glanced at the newcomer, and Old Castarn gave a tinny drawl of grumblings at this stray that Ganuthar had brought to them.

"This One would think that kindness should be given to all no matter what," the towering Trianii answered simply while leading Geryf- Freddie - further in.

Ashivar held out the boy's bag so that he could take it before rejoining her sister at the open doorway of their cobbled-together corner hut.

Two hands fell upon Freddie's shoulders, and Gantuhar guided him to the rockspit. At least the lower levels had a decent enough air-scrubber so that home-built cooking methods like this could be done. One almost had to wonder if those scrubbers had been installed on purpose, as if the builders knew that this sort of existence was inevitable - even on a space station.

He gently pushed down, and command for Freddie to sit.

"This One and his friends do not have much, but we can give you safety for now."

Mister Merikane gave a sideways glance, and extended a hand that held a small metal caf mug that had certainly seen better days. Even from the short distance, the literal fumes coming from inside the mug were enough to make any sane being give pause.

"Drink, Boy."

Horokwrrr only gave a huffed laugh as he continued to turn the sizzling mynock on the spit.

[Fredal Rabeak]

Shock guided Freddie's actions, walking mechanically inside, and taking his bag as it was offered him. Sounds came to him as if through a wall, muffled and dim, while his eyes looked straight ahead. His body typically would have recoiled at any touch, and yet it allowed Gantuhar to hold his shoulders and guide him to a seat before a warm cooking pit. Only then did he truly look at his surroundings, and those he found himself in the company of. Such a strange collection, he thought to himself, studying each one of them.

It was only when he looked at the mug being offered to him, eyes locked on it for some time without comprehension until it was waggled, that he realized he was staring at them. Snapping out of it, his paws reached out to take the mug, and he lifted it to his lips, only to have his muzzle curl up in disgust at the appalling smell and acrid fumes. Help or not, he debated refusing the drink, but a glance at the big Trianii suggested that might not be the wisest course of action. Steeling himself with what remained of his frayed nerves, Freddie tipped back the mug and forced himself to swallow its contents.

Immediately he regretted it. Whatever the caustic liquid was, it triggered every sense of danger and disgust that his tastebuds could muster, while his throat felt as if it had been coated with liquid coaxium, then set alight, only to chain reaction down into his stomach where he felt as if it would eat its way out of him like some sort of acid. But as soon as the sensation had come on, it vanished, leaving a pleasing warm sensation, followed by a distinct wooziness up his spinal cord and to his brain. Even after that one shot, Freddie felt drunk. Drunk, followed by an intense coughing spell before he could manage to hand the mug back to its owner.

Another glance was spared to each member of the ramshackle collective, and he could feel all eyes upon him, At least half of them had seen what was done to him, while he felt as if the other half instinctively just knew. Shoulders slumping, he pulled his knees up to his chest, looping his arms around them, and he stared into the fire.

But he did not cry. He did not dwell in fear, loathing, or self-pity, as it had not been the first time. Instead he began to feel numb - likely an effect of the noxious drink he'd been offered. For some time he simply stared into the flames, not saying a word, until at last he found the words slipping from his mouth, as he could still taste the Trandoshan's blood upon his teeth.

"Would they have killed me?" he asked. "When they were done, that is."

[Gantuhar]

With a slight whurffle at the reaction to Mister Merikane's drink, Ganuthar once more took a seat on his front mat. His hands took up the partially dismantled droid hand and the scrounged ball of twine.

"This One knows not what they would have done... Fred-die."

It rolled from his tongue with a halting, jerky sound, and the Trianii grimaced.

"Fred-die is uncomforting to speak. This One shall still call you Greyfur."

"Da shoota, kawo na sheekee tay tu tamaay," Old Castarn seemed less than impressed, and the tone of his reedy voice was unmistakable.

"You are always too old for new people," Aine answered, from her spot in front of her shared hovel. She turned her seemingly sightless eyes to Freddie.

Ashivar finished, following her sister's gaze to the boy, "Do not listen to that old Scarface; he is just grumpy because he lost another credit chit at the jakrab races."

[Fredal Rabeak]

The temptation to simply rest his head on his knees, stare into the fire, and block out everything else was strong. He'd done it before, in a trailer in some dusty, nowhere town on Nehantish; collapsing into his own little private world where nothing could hurt him, after the real world had hurt him so very much. It was an easy place to lose himself to, where the pain and abuse could simply be ignored as if they had never happened, but it was a place with no future, no way out, and the deeper he fell into it, the stronger the abuse could become. No, he told himself. No more. He had run from, that place, from that trailer park, and from that abuse, and even if he found it again across the stars, it would not capture him. This was his life, his choice, and he had to move ahead.

Things had to get better. Didn't they?

Pink eyes, rimmed with red from tears, looked up at the motley gathering of housemates, and even from appearance alone he only imagine the stories each had to tell about their lives, and how those lives ended up in such a place. But it wasn't an end, was it, Jovan? No, a space station was merely a stopping point on the way to somewhere else. A holding pattern on life, if anything, so he refused to see the hovel around him as their home. And yet he could also not escape its flaws. While some time and effort had gone into making the place somewhat homey, every bit of scrap and accessory appeared to have been scavenged from the lower levels themselves. There were no proper chairs, no true beds. No storage lockers, or other items which could make a place truly feel like a home. Like Jovan, the office felt like a holding pattern, but one its occupants were stuck in, wearing everything down as they circled, unsure of where to go.

"Thank you," he addressed the room. "All of you. I hope I haven't caused you trouble with that gang, but... I left home to get away from that." It was a painful admission, but one he felt he owed them. His tail curled around his ankles, making the boy a pitiful ball as he hugged his knees, and his eyes returned to the fire. As the adrenaline wore off, and that noxious drink ran through him, he could feel his body properly registering pain again, and he winced as he reached to his side where he'd been kicked, rubbing it gingerly. The sharp hiss of pain was impossible to miss, and he clenched his jaws as he probed further. At least one rib was broken, maybe two, and he cursed inside, knowing how long it would take for them to heal.

[Gantuhar]

Aine slinked forward then, sliding the short distance to Freddie as he sat on the periphery of Horokwrrr's rockspit. She sidled up close, a hand sliding through the fur of his shoulder so that she could wrap an arm around him.

"No one here will be angry with you," she soothed, "... that filthy Trandoshan will never bother you again."

Her other hand moved to rest over his, and helped him to keep a constant pressure on his side.

"Breathe."

For his own part, Ganuthar was quiet as he worked to string together a liberated finger with a few loose washers and nuts. He stared from over the tops of his eyes, but only once the twin was finished speaking did he venture his own words of encouragement.

"You are lucky that you stumbled to this alley; This One and his friends take a dim view of those who would take advantage of others. We much would rather concern ourselves with bright colors and joy."

He remembered his trips to the teahouse, and the wondrous sensations that such trips always brought. He'd once tried to take Horokwrrr, but the Wookkiee had flatly refused. His loss.

"Rest for now, Greyfur. You are with friends. This One and the others would not survive if we did not protect one another."

As if to punctuate his words, the Trianni gave a playful - if not strange-looking - wink. In the same motion he buried his hand in a small wooden bowl that held a small amount of silver-colored glitter mixed with air-herbs and trace bits of j'eeta that the Madame had gifted him with on his last trip to the teahouse. Taking up a pinch, he tossed it in Freddie's direction so that the strange concoction dazzled its' way between the space between them to settle over Freddie and Aine.

[Fredal Rabeak]

It was impossible to miss Freddie leaning away from Aine as she slid up to him, and his body stiffened at the touch of her slender hand, only to then stiffen more as he inhaled sharply, biting down a curse as she assisted with pressure on his ribs. Part of him - a very large part - wanted to speak up and ask her to back off, to not touch him, but he knew she meant well, and so he bit back his typical, damaged ways, and accepted her assistance.

At least until he flinched while a shower of glitter, pungent herbs, and... something he couldn't identify was tossed over him. Head ducked, eyes closed as to protect them, he waited until the offending shower had likely settled before looking up again. As he feared, he was sparkly, and he just knew the silver glitter had gotten into his headfur, where it would probably stay for all time, matched with the tone of his fur itself. His nose wriggled, attempting to identify the pleasant floral scents, but there was something else under it all, a scent he'd never smelled before, and it drove into his sinuses like wildfire before dissipating. J'eeta, he would later learn it was called, but he began to feel its effects on his race's physiology right away. Glad his knees were already pulled up, Freddie bit his lip as he could feel his trousers growing tight in one particular area, and he looked around to see if there was anything which could take his mind off of his sudden... interest.

"Bright colors and joy?" he echoed. "I can see you've made an effort, but, with the right materials, you could really make this place a home. With, like, actually seats and stuff, too." Immediately he regretted how he'd said it, insulting their home, so he speedily added. "I mean, I might be able to help with that sort of stuff. Getting it here, like, on the station, that is. If you want."

[Aine Akari]

The heady scent of the Wookiee's roasting mynock mixed with the aerial injection of Gantuhar's glitter-powder from the upper levels. He'd said he had gotten some of it from the Madame of the Cizerack Teashop, and Aine had no reason to argue with him. There was a pleasant aroma to it, and she felt it as mostly harmless. Her white eyes went from the crafting Trianii back to Freddie.

"Bright colors and joy," she soothed as she allowed her touch to lessen somewhat.

"We have each other, and we keep one another safe."

But, this strange offer was enough to fix her gaze to their newest addition. After all, it would be silly to refuse an offer in any form. She chose to put aside any notions of immediate gratification however, and her posture shifted slightly away.

"So quick to offer us help when you are still so raw," there was understanding born of experience in her tone now, "... we think that you should rest first, Greyfur. Freddie. Greyfur. Freddie."

She looked to Horokwrrr, giving a nod to the crisping mynock that had was in the final stages of its' roast. Two small bowls sat on the periphery of the rockspit; one with an orange looking spice, and the other with a small amount of rendered fat and shaak butter. Scooting close, the Arkanian scooped her hand first into the bowl of spice; it was a cobbled-together blend of salt, pepper, ranuric, and ground Tatooine desert chili. She scooped a cupped palmful into the bowl of butter and fat, making sure to stir the two together before taking a good amount into her hand and reaching out to smear the concoction over the surface of the mynock. The heat did not bother her - one of the strange tactile resistances that she had had since childhood. At least it lent a bit of mystic to her and her sister's reputation.

She smothered the carcass, then pulled away as the Wookiee slid a large bowl of water her way. She rinsed her hand, eyes still on the mynock.

"We will share our dinner with you, and after that you will sleep."

[Gantuhar]

In the midst of his task, Gantuhar only let his lips peel back to expose his teeth. One of them had begun to yellow, and a thin line of dark brown showed between the gum and the tooth. The scents of his airy perfume was now overtaken by the wondrous olfactory dance of Aine and her spices that now coated the mynock.

Sticking one end of twine through a roughshod hole in a droid finger, he gave only a nod and a grunt.

A roller bearing was strung, then an old spring.

"Eat and rest... This One agrees with the Arkanian caruja. She is wise."

It was as he was tying a knot that he finally looked back up, making sure to fix Freddie with his gaze.

"Once that is finished, we can all come together and speak of your offer."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie's nose twitched at the scenet of the roasting mynock, while his stomach trembled at the thought of actually eating it. "I've, um, already eaten," he admitted. Sure, it had been cheap fast-food fare, but a teenager could run on virtually any source of fuel, so it had been good enough. The warmth of the fire reminded him that before his harrowing experience outside, his goal had been to find somewhere to sleep.

Glancing around, the young Nehantite looked for some quiet, unoccupied corner of the converted office, where he could curl up and get some shut-eye. As it housed so many in so small a place, though, finding such a spot proved difficult, and he missed his tiny bunkroom on the Quasar Fantastic even more. Closing his eyes, he attempted to picture himself aboard that hyperspeed beauty again, working on engines worth more than he'd ever make in twenty lifetimes, or sitting in the co-pilot's seat while the galaxy streaked by outside. It felt like home, it felt right, and a smile crept slowly up the boy's face as he rested his chin on his knees, and dozed off where he sat, arms wrapped around his shins.

[Aine Akari]

Before he could fully succumb to slumber,, Aine let her hand shift down his arm, to his hand.

Her lips were a whisper away from his ear as she purred her next words.

"You are safe here, Freddie Greyfur. You are welcome to share bedspace with us, without worry of violation."

And a bare moment later her presence seemed to vanish, to shrink away. Whether he acknowledged her or not, it truly did not matter. So long as he heard her. Even if he stayed where he sat, at least he would know that he was welcome here. They all had come together to live the best life they were able, and safety and protection was something that they all cherished. Especially on a station such as this. Even Old Castarn knew the value of the arrangement that the inhabitants of the ramshackle 'office neighborhood' had.

Home for Aine and Ashivar was a small, one-room affair that was barely large enough for the mass of comfort-giving blankets and sheets and pillows of all sizes that they slept within. But, it was in close proximity to the others int heir shared space, and that was all that mattered.

[Fredal Rabeak]

Aine's words barely registered in Freddie's mind as he succumbed to exhaustion, and they were lost as his thoughts entered the realm of dreams.

The world around him faded away, replaced by visions and memories twisted and darkened by experiences both past and present. All at once, he found himself in his old school, his old single-wide trailer, in cramped freighters, dark alleys, and his little room on the Quasar Fantastic. And, all at once, he felt the fear and terror of not being good enough, of being unwanted, unloved, and enduring abuse he felt he somehow must have deserved. Then came the wreck. The pain, the disorientation, the wreathe of flames he found himself wrapped in, before that too was gone. Over and over, the cycle repeated, delivering fitful, shallow sleep, until at last he woke.

Consciousness came with a jolt which found Freddie on his side, in a different place than he'd drifted off in. Jerking upright, the boy glanced around the room, pink eyes wide, until things slowly came back to him. He was on Jovan, the gravity was artificial. Next, he began to recall wandering down into the lower levels, then... that happened. Shifting where he sat, he was still sore, and he grimaced momentarily before remembering the hospitality he'd been shown by his new friends.

Were they friends? Or had they just pitied him, and intended to use him for their own purposes later? It was an element of distrust which constantly lived in the back of Freddie's mind, tugging upon his thoughts, poisoning so many of his hopes. A quick search of his pockets revealed nothing was missing, so he looked around again.

Bodies lay here and there, wrapped up in bedding, or curled up upon it, and aside from some snoring, there was silence. There were also fewer inhabitants than there had been the night before, though upon further reflection, Freddie wasn't even sure if it was night at all. Instinctively his paw went to his pocket for his personal comm, in order to check the time, only to remember he'd sold it some time ago in order to buy food. Instead he fished out a simple, cheap pocket chrono. Yes, it was morning. Technically. Time in space was mostly dependent on whatever the biggest station in the general area said it was, but by Jovan standards, it was morning.

And Freddie needed to pee. Another glance around, he hoped to find someone else awake who could point him to the nearest bathroom.

[Aine Akari]

She was hunched over the compact spit, picking at the last vestiges of meat that had been left behind from the night before. Her energies depended on it, and Aine eagerly pulled the thin leavings of protein from the bones still attached to the carcass by tendons and cartilage. It wasn't long before she was pulling at the cartilage as well, and without ceremony pushed a fingerful of joint linkages into her mouth.

The sounds of a small body stirring made her turn her head, and she fixed her white eyes on the little Greyfur.

He looked bedraggled, his slumber marked by groggy eyes.

A last crunch, and she swallowed.

"Greyfur... welcome to the world of the living once more," she whispered.

There was an air of partial urgency to him, which was easy to divine.

"You are wishing for the 'fresher, yes?"

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie turned, his headfur mussed in a nearly comical fashion, and an attempted smoothing from his paw did little to fix it. Blushing just a touch, he nodded.

"Y-yeah," he replied, quietly. How she knew, he had no idea, but he was at least glad he didn't have to bring up the subject himself. "Where's the nearest one?"

Thoughts of heading out on his own, no clue what was waiting for him out there, filled him with dread. A piece of pipe near the doorway would make a good enough weapon to take with him, if he needed. Not that he'd be terribly effective at wielding it against a hulking Trandoshan, but hope was still hope.

[Gantuhar]

Rolling from the draped 'doorway' of his own tent, Gantuhar lay half-in and half-out of his small, colorful abode. On his back, he stretched his arms out, mouth gaping wide as he let out a cavernous yawn, exposing sharp teeth in the process.

"Aaahhhhhhh yessssssss," he droned lowly, eyes still blissfully closed. His dream had been most wondrous, and full of visions of a grand life within the great walls of a strange Verpine merchant's bank, fingering through piles of credit chits and fried nuna wings. There had been a lovely Ithorian with him, making sure that his claws were painted a vibrant blue, and who also made sure that his fur held the proper amount of ceremonial braids and bone-beads. It was all so perfect, and he lingered a bit longer in the memory. One hand shifted then, to scratch at an unseen itch on his chest.

A minute passed before he rolled over, pulling himself the rest of the way out of his tent. Rising to his feet, the Trianii gave his jaws a few test snaps, hearing as his teeth clacked together.

"This one must make the water," he mumbled, lumbering his way into the more common area of the office.

"If Greyfur wishes to join This One, then he is welcome to."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Flattening against his head at the sudden noise from across the way, Freddie's ears then slowly lifted from his immediate display of cowardice. It was only Gantuhar, the slightly smelly Trianii who had saved him the night before.

Easing up from where he sat, Freddie took a long step over a sleeping form beside him, out to a place he could properly stretch, himself, and nodded. "Yeah, I gotta go, too," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant. What his day would hold after this, he didn't know, but as Gantuhar closed in, he confirmed one thing - Yes, the big cat did stink.

Freddie said nothing, simply trying to smile politely. "Not too far, is it?"

[Gantuhar]

"It is not a distance at all," he rumbled in a still halfway sleepy voice. His ragged trousers at least preserved the modesty of his lower half, but other than that, he was a disheveled as the day he'd come into the galaxy.

"Come, follow This One, and we will make as nature intended, yes?"

The rest of the inhabitants of the small office community were still blissfully asleep, except for Aine who was - of course - awake and tending to her own needs. There was the firepit to lite, the meager breakfast portions to cook, and the much more mundane task of waking everyone else.

These things were her domain, and Gantuhar only needed to make sure that his own self was taken care of. Mainly, making water and combing out the night's sleep-knots from the longer portions of his headfurs.

Leading the way out the door, the hulking Trianii shuffled his way down the corridor, making sure that the timid Nehantite was close to his side.

"Fred-dee Greyfurrrr," he half-way purred out, still in the post-euphoria of last night's dream, "... You should come with This One to the Tea House later today, yes?"

He'd come into a spot of credits by selling some charms the other day, and had decided that another visit to the Cizerack spa was how he wanted to spend his gains.

"It will be most... relaxing."

[Fredal Rabeak]

"Tea house?" Freddie asked, quirking an eyebrow. It then fell, his face trying to hide a grimace. "I don't really like tea. I'm more of a stimcaff guy."

Stimcaff guy. Said like he were some adult on a work site. It made him feel like an adult, yet walking alongside the lumbering Trianii behemoth reminded him that he was still a kid, no matter how independent he wished to be.

"Do you, um, do you mind if I ask how you wound up here, sir?" Freddie then asked. His stay on Jovan was temporary, a holdover until fortune smiled, or until he would move along. But Gantuhar and the others appeared to live on the station, having made it their home, some motley manner of family. To find strength in numbers was a concept not foreign to the boy, yet to remain in such danger did not register as a wise idea, as he had escaped his own danger as soon as he was able.

Or were they merely biding their time, waiting until their own escape? Would they leave him, if that time came while he was among them? Would he be cast aside, or was he valuable enough to keep?

[Gantuhar]

"This One? Being here?"

Still shambling his way to the communal fresher rooms, Gantuhar paused only a fraction of a moment before pushing his way through the swinging door. The fresher was a strange place, both clean and filthy all wrapped into one. The dirty bodies of other denizens of Jovan's underbelly shifted past one another, but each one seemed to part ways before the towering Trianii.

"Come Little One," Gantuhar moved to one of the open urinals, and without ceremony he pulled on the drawstring of his thin, second-hand sleeping trousers.

"Make your water," with one hand bracing against the durasteel wall, the sound of a bladder emptying began.

"... and listen to This One's tale of how there is no desire to leave."

Without waiting for Freddie Greyfur to begin his own fresher rituals, Gantuhar went on.

"This One has been to the End of the Stars. This One has loved only one female. And now, here, This One has found the sort of peace that many can never find."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie's nose wrinkled the moment the fresher door opened, and he was careful about where he stepped on his way to the urinals. It was a busy morning, so most were taken, leaving him stuck using the one next to Gantuhar, where he typically would have liked to be away from anyone at all.

His trousers took a bit more work to undo, and even then it took a moment for him to lose his nerves before he could actually go. "I've... never had a girlfriend," he admitted in response to his new friend's mention of only one love. And then Freddie made the mistake of a brief glance over.

He didn't mean to do it. No one ever means to, it just sort of happens, but just as quick as his eyes had gone that way, they went back, suddenly feeling smaller than the huge cat in more ways than one. "I thought I found peace," he said, finally feeling his own flow begin. "But now I'm in limbo until I hear back on whether or not I'm gonna be hired on full-time."

[Gantuhar]

The notion of being... 'hired' was foreign to him, but the thought that this station was a limbo was something he could understand.

"For some it is a holding place," he replied lazily before giving a grunt as his water sputtered to a stop. Another few splashes and he was finished. With a gentle few shakes, the felinoid rolled a shoulder before leaning back so that he could stretch the other.

His trousers were refastened, and he stepped back.

"We are all of us here for some reason or another."

Looking away to where might be an open sonic shower, he was momentarily disappointed that all were currently occupied.

"This One came for a quiet place to live out life. But you, Fred-dee Greyfur... you are here because you have to be, yes?"

[Fredal Rabeak]

Zipping up his fly, Freddie turned around, then tried to avert his eyes from all the naked bodies in the sonic showers. Though, a shower would help, and he was tempted to wait for one to free up, even if that meant others might see him.

No, he'd follow Gantuhar's lead, and if the big Trianii passed, he would too. Even if Gantuhar really could use a shower, from the smell of him.

"Yeah, I, uh, don't really have anywhere else to go," he replied. "I'm just kind of waiting it out for now. "I was the engine tech on a racing ship. It was great, I think I did well, but it's up to them to decide my future."

[Gantuhar]

An Ithorian was gently pushed out of the way as Gantuhar eased himself up to a sink. Actual water flowed from the faucet, and he scrubbed his thick hands under the stream for a few minutes before stepping to the side and gesturing for the young Nehantite to do the same.

"A mechanic is a noble profession, This One thinks. And if Fred-dee Greyfur needs to, he can stay with This One and the others for as long as he needs."

The task of washing their hands complete, the Trianii ambled to the side, beckoning for Freddie to follow.

"Come now. We must return for breakfast, and then we will make ourselves ready for the Teahouse, yes?"

He led the way from the communal fresher, happy to be relieved of the pressure on his bladder. Even his step seemed less lumbering, and Gantuhar ran meaty fingers through his wild mane of uncombed hair.

"This One will have to get Aine to brush his headfurs, and possibly put in some jangles and ribbons," he gave a sideways wink and a gentle elbow to the much shorter Nehantite's shoulder, "... the Madame, she likes This One to be pretty."

[Fredal Rabeak]

The Madame? Be pretty? Freddie turned the words over in his mind, trying to make sense of them at all in conjunction with a place which apparently sold tea. Maybe the owner was referred to as the Madame, and there was a dress code?

Immediatley he looked down over his clothing, the same as he'd worn the day before. They were as clean as they could be, though his shirt was a bit wrinkled, and his work pants had a few oil stains on them. "I don't have to dress up, do I?" he asked. If there was a dress code, and Gantuhar was going to meet it, Freddie imagined that the big Trianii likely had a change of clothes back at his home. Technically Freddie did as well, though they looked much the same, only different colors. "I can at least handle my own headfur," he added, pulling a comb from his pocket. Immediately he realized he should have used one of the mirrors in the 'fresher.

[Gantuhar]

* * *


Thirty minutes later found the small group sitting around the small bed of coals, in various stages of finishing a scrounged breakfast of canned nolo peas, another mynock carcass, and some cheap pre-boiled instant gejji noodles with a thick orange sauce that'd come from a packet. Each portion had been spooned out on cleaned repulsor pod caps that had probably started life on some child's play-speeder, but were now used as plates. Utensils had been taken from a few of the local eateries, and cups were plasteel jars that had probably held preserved namana berries or pickled Ithorian greens. There was no telling, and it truly didn't matter as they were serviceable as drinking glasses in their new life.

Aine had of course positioned herself behind Gantuhar, her slender fingers working through his tangled tresses, working out the knots and pulling out the matted clumps that'd begun to form. For his part, the large felinoid sat contented, a deep rumble quietly sounding from somewhere in his chest. He felt her begin to thread leather ties into separated locks, and he gave a toothy grin as he speared a piece of mynock with an extended claw before popping it into his mouth.

"This One will enjoy the baths," he spoke while chewing, "And Fred-dee will too, This One thinks."

Swallowing, he grinned wide.

"It is a treat, and This One will also enjoy the... tea."

[Fredal Rabeak]

The combination of foods, and the... questionable safety of mynock meat gave Freddie's appetite some pause, but as he reflected on his situation, he tucked in. It wasn't the worst meal he'd ever had, and in some ways it reminded him of life at home, getting by on whatever he could throw together at home, and on weekends when there was no free school lunch. There was being poor, and there was being poor and happy, and the young Nehantite was certainly among the latter group. Still, he'd taken the smallest portion of mynock he could get, just in case.

Looking up as Aine tended to Gantuhar's wild fur, he sighed and fished out his comb again. With practiced movements, Freddie swept all his headfur forward, then carefully tried to part it and shape it as he liked, by feel. In the end, it wound up exactly the same as it had been before he combed it.

"Baths?" he asked. Confusion rang in his voice. Since when did tea go with baths? Or was it one of those fancy day spa things, where you bathe in tea? This tea house had to be some kind of luxury, from the way Gantuhar spoke of it, yet if it was luxury, and Gantuhar and the others still lived like this, it couldn't be truly excessive luxury, could it?

[Gantuhar]

"Oh yes. This One loves the baths. Perfect for thinking about life and everything else in the whole, wide galaxy."

The rest of his meal was quickly downed, and as he felt Aine finishing up her work, the Trianii rolled his shoulders. He could already almost feel the wondrous, soothing waters.

"This One saves his credits for when they are enough to afford time there. It is like being loved, when This One is in the waters."

His 'plate' was set aside, and swiping a hand over his chest, he pulled away from the Arkanian woman to gather himself and whatever he wished to take with him. A thin leather slip-of-a-pouch that held his credit chits, a large blue overshirt that had a frilled neckline that he had fallen in love with, and a necklace that he'd made for the Madame. He'd fashioned the thing from glass beads and random trinkets that looked as though they came from a scavaenged mouse droid; small, delicate gears, metal circuit board connectors, and even a few small bones from last week's voorpak dinner.

His shirt was shrugged on, and as an afterthought, Gantuhar made sure that his trousers were indeed buttoned. Satisfied, he drew up to his full height, chest puffing out while stepping past the others and gesturing for Freddie to follow.

"Come Fred-dee, let us enjoy this day with tea!"

[Fredal Rabeak]

In the time it took Gantuhar to preen and prep for the trip to this curious house of baths and tea, Freddie changed his shirt to his... other shirt. The one that didn't have an oil stain on one shoulder and sleeve. After all, from what holovision had taught him, tea was typically a fancy occasion, meaning he should look his best. And he'd heard somewhere that the clothes make the man, so being as well-dressed as possible was sure to help his chances at not being totally awkward at whatever this place was.

"Uh, yeah, sure," he nodded. Climbing up from where he sat, the boy brushed any dust off the seat of his pants, and hurried to catch up to his large, imposing, potentially bully-shielding new friend. Though all the while he kept his eye out for a certain Trandoshan and his gang, just in case.

No sign of him, or them, and Freddie breathed a sigh of relief as the turbolift doors shut. Then there was silence, followed by the hum of the lift as it accelerated, combined with the mild static field of the inertial dampers, and... humming? Yep, the big cat was humming. Out of tune, but happy. Peculiarity seemed to be his new friend's forte, so the young Nehantite said nothing, until at last the turbolift opened onto an access hallway to the main promenade level. Gantuhar had spoken of saving his credits for this, and had made it sound luxurious, yet clearly the Triani was not a man of great means. Did Gantuhar expect something of him in return? Was that the sensation of 'being loved' in the waters? Suspicion fueled by experience gave way to paranoia, Freddie's heart beating faster in his chest. He should run. He could lose Gantuhar in the crowd, find somewhere new to stay for the rest of the week. He had options.

Instead he found himself simply following Gantuhar, not knowing what lay ahead, fearful that it might spark a debt to the big cat - a debt larger than the one already owed for saving him from the Trandoshan and his gang. Swallowing, Freddie looked up as they walked. "If it's expensive, I can pay for myself," he offered. "I have some money."

[Gantuhar]

"Keep you credits," he rumbled happily.

'The Madame knows This One, and will understand. This One has been saving for quite some time, to have a lovely day with tea and the waters. Sharing it with another will be allowed."

Weaving his large form through the sea of bodies, he let his lungs pull in a long, deep breath. The scents and tastes of so many al around... it was wondrous and distasteful all at once. But, at the Teahouse, it was nothing but lovely!

Slowing his pace, Gantuhar came to a stop as he stood before the glittering, beaded entrance to Madame Maillanaarro's Teahouse. He stood tall, with his clean shirt and pressed trousers. He was the vision of propriety and male handsomeness.

He turned on his heel only a small bit, to afford Fred-dee a stern look.

"We are the Madame's guests, and we will be gentlemen, yes?"

[Fredal Rabeak]

Gentlemen. The word had many meanings, many implications. Most of the ones Freddie knew came from holovision, or pulp stories. Visions came to him of landed gentry, in their greatcoats, or silken robes, turbans set with gems, each vying for more graces at the Sultan's court. By comparison, his own shirt and work pants would have not even afforded himself entry into their presence as one of them, let alone one of their servants. Swallowing, the meek lad felt his head dip as he nodded in submissive agreement.

"Y-yeah, as best I know how," he replied. The fear of elaborating upon just how little he did know prevented him from voicing any such concern, his eyes drawn back to the sparkling, shimmering, gem-like beads. This was an expensive place, that much was certain, and he was clearly getting further into Gantuhar's debt. Still, the instinctive curiosity of his race drove him to learn what lay inside, despite the later consequences he feared.

[Gantuhar]

The looming Trianii nodded almost sagely, as he took the young Nehantite's words to heart.

"This One believes that you will," he rumbled.

A wide, toothy smile spread across his face then, and his broad hand reached out to give his companion a pat to the shoulder as his other went to pull aside a section of shimmering beads. The sounds coming from beyond were... music to Gantuhar's ears.

"Let us go in then, Fred-dee. And enjoy our tea, yes?"

[Fredal Rabeak]

As the huge mitt of a paw came down, Freddie's shoulder attempted to escape its path, though sadly the rest of his body didn't react quickly enough to give it room. So instead it came across as simply an awkward flinch instead of the phobia it truly was, and he tried to cover for it with a nervous smile. "Y-yeah, tea," he nodded.

A glimpse through the curtain revealed a well-crafted, highly respectable lobby area, with plenty of quality wood paneling, sculpted metalwork, and gilding. Stepping in, the young Nehantite found himself surrounded by a form of design and opulence he'd only seen on holovision sceens, and he took a moment to appreciate it. Old, yet modern. Foreign, yet approachable. His bare footpaws padded quietly across the smooth, cool marble floor as he drew closer to inspect, while Gantuhar approached the front desk. A well-dressed Cizerack gentleman was there to handle business while Freddie's mind became lost in wondering just what he was about to experience.

A tea house, with baths. The combination didn't make sense. That was like having a salad while roller-skating, or bowling on a trampoline. Unless it was like one of those super-hipster things, where you sit in an old-style claw-foot tub, while you're served tea in fancy cups with saucers. Was that it? Some strange spa-like thing? He glanced at Gantuhar, trying to imagine him sitting in a white tub, sipping tea, pinky up. No, that didn't work at all. So what was it? And what was that strange smell in the air?

His attention found itself stolen away by the sight of an attractive Cizerack female emerging from the female's changing room into the lobby. Well-dressed, and dressed in a way which left little of her shape to the imagination. Freddie's pink eyes seemed unable to leave her, until she passed through the beaded curtain with a swishing tinkle of crystal beads. Only then did he blink and realize he had been staring.

No. Gentleman. You're supposed to be a gentleman. He reminded himself. Why were you even looking, anyway? She's waaaaaaay out of your league, and you know it!

[Gantuhar]

Gantuhar was all smiles as he tended to the business aspect of trading credits for his currently most favorite pastime. The front attendant, a handsome Cizerack that the Trianii knew as Loahaaio, matched the expression easily.

"Two then, Mr. Gantuhar?"

"Mmmm, yesssss," he rumbled, his voice already lowering an octave in anticipation.

"Very good then."

Loahaaio was more than aware that Gantuhar knew the ritual, and that he would help the younger looking one to prepare himself. The lithe Cizerack gave roll of his shoulders, and reached up to brush an errant strand of hair behind one ear while his other hand returned the Trianii's chit to him.

"The Madame hopes that you enjoy your stay, Sir."

The mere mention of the Madame was enough to cause a fluttering in his stomach, and Gantuhar nodded, another purring rumble beginning in his chest.

"She is the most best of hosts."

Seconds later, and he was moving toward the doorway that led to the male's changing room.

"Come Fred-dee, we must ready ourselves."

[Fredal Rabeak]

It was so understood, so practiced, that Freddie gleaned nothing from the interaction which would prepare him for the shock he was about to receive. Nodding to Loahaaio, he simply tried to smile before hurrying to follow the big, gray, fuzzy lump that was his host and benefactor.

He should have figured it out sooner. Pieced together that missing section of the puzzle when the word "baths" was used. A door clearly marked "Changing Room" should have also been a red flag, yet there was something so distracting about the air in the tea house that Freddie did not notice until it was too late: If there were baths, and a changing room, what was he supposed to change into?

The answer came to him in full frontal mercilessness as he rounded the corner into the changing room, finding several males of various races in different degrees of clothing - almost all of whom were speeding toward full nudity. Something had clearly gone wrong in translation. When Gantuhar said "tea," he must have meant "bath." That was the only way to explain it. This was a bath house! Freddie glanced around, trying not to stare as the hulking Trianii led them to a pair of lockers. His tail starting to tuck between his legs, the young Nehantite paused to look back at the door. He could clear it and use the crowd to lose Gantuhar, he was sure of it. He could escape and find somewhere else to hide out for the remainder of the week. This could have all just been a bad dream.

He told himself other lies as well, as he found himself grasping the hem of his shirt, not ready to pull it off while others around him stripped, seemingly without any hesitation. "You, uh... you really have to be naked, here?" he asked, finally looking over at his generous, big, slightly odorous friend. The answer was clear, yet he remained there, still fully dressed.

[Gantuhar]

His beautiful shirt had been slid from his broad shoulders in one smooth motion as he moved to stand before a marbled counter trimmed in gold. In the corners of the changing room were luxurious, green topiaries that'd been trimmed into abstract shapes, their large pots ornate and etched with graceful lines and inlaid with precious stones.

Trousers soon followed the shirt, and both were placed into a lovely basket held by an attendant, and with an owlish blink at Fred-dee's question, Gantuhar looked to his Nehantite friend.

"It is the preferred way to enjoy tea, Fred-dee."

Both meaty hands came up to rub the combed fur of his chest, and he could already almost smell the wonderful concoction of herbal niceties that were in the baths.

"This One recommends it. It is... freeing."

The Trianii smiled in encouragement, then.

"No one will hurt Fred-dee Greyfur here. The Madame would never allow it."

[Fredal Rabeak]

I'm not sure you really know what can hurt someone, Freddie's mind rattled off, but the words did not escape his lips.

Before he knew it, Gantuhar was, well, quite naked, and the young Nehantite heard a soft throat-clearing from the Cizerack gentleman before him, holding his own basket. Hesitation, and another glance up at Gantuhar, before at last Freddie bit his lower lip and pulled up on the hem of his long-sleeved tee shirt. It came up to reveal a slender frame and more gray fur, but also a large expanse of exposed skin. The boy's back, and the backs of his upper arms were nearly devoid of fur, instead a twisted mess of burn-scarred skin, broken in some places by other, older scars. Immediately his head dipped, shoulders caving as he attempted to make himself smaller, less visible once his back was on display. Dropping his shirt in the basket, he went to work on his heavy trousers. They, too, came off to reveal a few more old injuries, and a pair of white briefs, which he seemed not to want to remove.

But everyone was naked. Heart pounding in his narrow chest, and... something else worming into his brain from the scents in the air, Freddie finally shucked them off, standing as naked as his new friend, though his paws moved to cover his loin in an attempt for modesty, as well as being self-conscious about his size, compared to others he could see.

"So... now what?" he asked, trying very hard to keep his eyes on Gantuhar's face.

[Gantuhar]

Burly shoulders rolled, and his arms went out to either side in a large stretch before switching forward so that he could arch his back further. A ripple of fur started at the base of his rump - just above his tail - and traveled upward over his spine to the back of his neck.

"Now to enjoy tea, and the perfumed essences of the waters."

Meaty paws reached out to give a strong pat to one of the male attendant's shoulders, and Gantuhar led the way from the changing room. It was a short walk, and in little time the two were in the main room that held a large communal pool. A few smaller pools could be seen, along with alcoves for the small massage parlors tucked neatly behind beaded curtains, each with an array of shimmering stones woven along each strand to give the effect of entering through a portal made of magic and wonder.

There was gold trimming nearly everywhere, with an array of greenery all throughout. Etchings in polished wood, inlays of glittering gems, and even marble statuary could be seen beside deep-toned kingwood colonnades. The ceiling was a work of pure art as well, with beautiful carvings of Sanjarra and Nomaani, as well as the rest of the Cizerack pantheon so lovingly depicted.

"This One has waited for far too long to enjoy tea," Gantuhar breathed in rapt joy.

Approaching the edge of the main pool, he relished that first toe-dip. The water was perfectly warm, and smelled of waterlilies and silkpetal flowers. A delighted swish of his tail, and the large Trianii sank first one foot, then the other down into the water and onto the first step below the waterline.

Then the second step, then the third, and finally he let his entire bulk dip low so that he could send himself into the warm embrace of the bath and its scents.

"Mmmmmm, the water," his purr was unmistakable, that deep, thrumming rumble that seemed to fully rock the inside of his chest cavity, "... it is diviiinnnee... "

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie followed, a meek shadow of a huge male who led him into the main area of the tea house, and once there he was awestruck.

Freezing in place, the Nehantite stood, paws covering himself, as he stared, slack-jawed, at his surroundings. It was like something out of a holofilm; a fantastic setting reserved only for nobility, or to exist only in the dreams of commoners, yet there it was. Gold, so much gold, his eyes followed each line of the glittering metal, until it reached the warm, dark woodwork. That, too, was sheer opulence for a Nehantite, as decorative woodwork was rare among the desert kingdom. Yet here it was everywhere, paired with marble, alabaster, and other decorative stonework and statues. Everything screamed opulence, wealth, and excess, and he began to question Gantuhar's priorities if he could afford himself such luxury while living in apparent squalor otherwise.

The smells of the tea house registered once its magnificence was taken in, and Freddie began to feel a little loose, as well as a little excited, as if he'd had too many sodas. But it was different somehow, and he looked about for the source of the smell. He found it in the waters of the pool, a murky, milky white color, with botanicals he could not identify floating in it, as well as people. Naked people.

Naked people getting it on with other naked people.

It wasn't an excitement from too much caffeine he was feeling, Freddie quickly determined. Oh no, it was the kind of excitement best kept behind closed doors, and it was coming on strong. Awe turned to worry as he glanced about, hoping no one had noticed, but his paws couldn't hide things for long. There was little choice but to step into the waters of the pool, to at least obscure himself up to his waist, and so he hurriedly did so, joining Gantuhar.

"So... where's the tea?" he asked, attempting to draw attention away from the reaction his body had decided to have to the atmosphere.

[Gantuhar]

"The tea comes when it is ready," Gantuhar answered with a low murr, letting the wondrous waters overtake him. He allowed his body to lower further into the pool, feeling as his muscles relaxed and his mind drift even farther away from the here and now than ever before.

"This One relishes the pace, and Fred-dee would be wise to do the same. Let the warm waters and pure feelings overtake you."

Finding himself a spot along one side of the main pool, Gantuhar reclined in the soothing feelings of warmth and incense, giving himself over to the calming sensations brought on by both. He let his broad shoulderblades rest agaisnt the richly-tiled pool walls, and let his entire body soak in the all of everything around him.

"Give yourself to the moment, Young One."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Give yourself to the moment. Freddie looked around again, at the sight of a few couple giving themselves to the moment, and he immediately knew he wasn't going to be able to get out of the water anytime soon, as something throbbed in his loins.

That was fast! he thought to himself. His heart beat faster, and he nearly trembled, everything in his past telling him that he needed to get out, needed to run. Sure, they were enjoying each other, but next they would come for him, he just knew it, somehow!

But, Gantuhar didn't appear to be eyeing him in that way, and instead seemed to be enjoying the warm, fragrant waters for their own sake. Perhaps he could do that, too. Closing his eyes, the boy took a deep breath to calm himself, only to feel the sensations of need and desire suddenly course through his system. Nope, time to sit down! With the water so opaque, it was difficult to tell where a submerged bench might be, and so he had little choice but to follow Gantuhar's lead. His toes found the base of the bench, and he eased down onto it, feeling the water seep deep into his fur, up to his shoulders as he sat down, sweeping his tail aside as not to sit directly on it. By accident it swished too far in the water, brushing the Triani's thigh. "Sorry!" he apologized immediately, then leaned back until the pressure of the wall told him his back had reached it.

It was pleasing, he had to admit, being submerged in warm water. Such an experience could be a luxury on Nehantish, especially for one who lived in a trailer park. After a few moments, he sighed and leaned his head back against the rim of the pool. "This is... this is nice," he said. "Not what I was expecting, but it's nice."

The pleasured moans of a couple enjoying each other not far away made him grimace a touch, and he was grateful for the water's opacity so that Gantuhar would not have to witness the spike between his legs.

[Gantuhar]

The pair of lovers, not far away, were in the throes of climax as Gantuhar let himself angle his head slightly to listen to Fred-dee's hurried apology.

"Your tail does not bother This One," he spoke absently, and it wasn't long before his attentions returned to the blissful state of pure sedateness.

"Tea is for everyone to enjoy in their own way, This One has learned. For instance... " one arm lifted up from the waters, to gesture at the grand mural above them. "... look at the Cizerack deities. They revel in their existence, as should we all. They are not ashamed to show those around them how they treasure each other."

The Trianii spent a few moments longer, lingering on the glorious depiction above before returning his half-lidded attentions to his young charge.

"That is why This One brought you here. We must be willing to enjoy a moment in time that gives to us all the needs that satisfy our souls."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie turned his eyes upward, to truly appreciate the artwork overhead, in all its opulent glory. He had seen murals and carvings before, but never any so blatantly pornographic as what lived aloft, covering the whole of the ceiling, within gilded frame. Nothing appeared sacred or off-limits, and he smiled as the thought of how such artwork would go over if it were on, say, the ceiling of the Royal Council Building, or the Grand Library. There would be protests, for sure! Yet here, with the fragrant smell of the herbs and waters, and the lovers reaching their peak near him, it all seemed so very... right. It was like something out of a dream; the sort of dream which required a new pair of undershorts after waking up. And to a teenager, it was exhilarating.

So, he gave himself over to the sensation, and after several peaceful minutes, the Nehantite began to get it. The tea wasn't something to drink, it was something to experience, to be part of. It seeped into his skin, making him tingly and excited, stimulating his desires in a way he'd not felt before, while at the same time bringing peace. Apprehension began to melt away, as did fear, replaced by warmth and desire, and his eyes turned over to Gantuhar, or as much as he could see of the big cat as he was also sunk deep in the water. If he had brought Freddie there to satisfy the needs in their souls, did that mean Gantuhar wanted to be with him? The night before, the thought would have been revolting, but here, in the water, Freddie began to wonder if it would truly be so bad. It might even be good.

Under the guise of stretching and adjusting his position, Freddie scooted a bit closer - not directly beside Gantuhar, but close. "Thank you," he said quietly. Leaning his head back, he stared up at the lewd murals and sculpturework above, while a paw gently slid over to rest on the Triani's thigh, beneath the water. That felt right, too, in ways Freddie couldn't explain.

[Gantuhar]

He was lost in the beauty above, wide eyes taking in the murals and artwork that he'd seen so many times before. It was peaceful and heady all at once, with the scents of the j'eeta mixed into the water, as well as other botanicals and herbal mixtures. His head was a swirl of happiness, and his long, exhaled sigh of contented ease was a further sign that he had reached a point of pure relaxation.

And then there was a hand that rested upon his thigh, beneath the waters.

His upward stare seemed to pause, as his eyes slowly blinked in the same sort of manner that one would expect to see from a Corellian Moon Owl.

A moment passed, and the Trianii slowly let his gaze lower. He was reclined enough along the edge of the pool so that the surface of the water reached to the upper portion of his barrel chest, both arms propped along the edges of the pool and stretched wide on either side of him.

He looked to Fred-dee.

"Greyfur," there was a strange tone to his rumbling voice now, as if his mind had found itself for the time being. It was always a strange thing, when he returned to a state of awareness that was not so airy and rambling.

"... This One is... not the sort you wish for."

[Fredal Rabeak]

The paw froze as Gantuhar's tone changed, and Freddie wilted under his gaze. Had Freddie misread the situation so badly? Was it conditioning? Was it something about his surroundings, and those funny smells which made him all excited and tingly? Or worse, was he hitting mating season a few months early? The young male's mind tumbled over itself, struggling to find its feet as it wove through a maze of tripping hazards thrown up by his instinctual needs.

Biting his lower lip, he looked over the big Triani, unsure why he was doing what he was doing with Gantuhar, yet his paw remained. In fact, it seemed to rub, of its own accord, as the words came out of his mouth before he could truly think them true.

"But... what if you are the sort I am wishing for, right now?" his voice asked quietly. "It wouldn't be my first time, if that's what you're worried about."

[Aine Akari]

A pair of slender, bare arms snaked into view from behind, as a familiar face appeared. The body that followed was a languid thing, and while slender, there was the obvious signs of malnutrition that was only fully staved off by the communal meals that had been partaken of each day. Aine, the Arkanian 'witch', had also saved her credits to allow herself a trip to the Teahouse. She often enough found solace in the ambiance here, strange as though it was. Passions ran unchecked, and pleasure and joy were what filled the air all around. It was enticing, alluring, and rejuvenating.

And as she slithered her lanky frame into the pool, Aine felt the soothing waters reach her neck as she gently pushed away from the edge.

"Greyfur is a pure soul," she hawmed, her voice a purr almost as her body twisted beneath the water to face both Freddie and Gantuhar.

"The years, they take their toll... "

Her head dipped, and she submerged herself completely into the water for a few seconds before coming back up, and when she did, both hands lifted to scoop her long, raven hair back.

"Greyfur wants love... "

Unseen beneath the water, she sent her own hand out, and slid it along Gantuhar's thigh until it rested over Freddie's own hand.

"... He wishes for something in life that he has been so deprived of... "

[Gantuhar]

For the first time in a long while, Gantuhar was lucid. Was it the young Nehantite's touch that rocked him back into the sort of existence that was considered the normal way of going about life? Who knew. Whatever the reason, he was as he had always been before his time at Star's End.

"Wishes are to not to be taken lightly, Young One."

There was a measure of compassion in his voice, and one arm moved, shifting from its spot along the pool's edge to dip below the water, and his hand gently rested atop Aine's, which was also over Freddie's.

"But they are also the most beautiful thing that one can hold dear."

[Fredal Rabeak]

At the sudden appearance of Aine, Freddie jumped, sending ripples through the water. And, while startled, Freddie couldn't help but look at her naked body, feeling the primal sensations which coursed through his veins.

Yet his paw remained on Gantuhar's thigh, which he could not explain. Looking from one new friend, to the other, he blushed deeply, the insides of his thin ears going pink, and even some of his lighter facial fur betraying the coloration.

"I've... I've never actually wished to be with a male, before," he admitted. His gaze turning up to Gantuhar, he pulled himself closer, leaning against the large male's side, finding comfort in the solid frame of his bulk. "But, I do now."

Are... are you gay? His mind began to ask itself. Confused by the attraction. His libido could answer it in no clear way, either, yet both acknowledged that they did not object. Finally on his own, Freddie was free to find himself, and he found himself in a pool of naked people, surrounded by sex, longing to know the embrace of a Triani, of all things. Even his head leaned in to rest against that broad chest.

"If... if you'll have me, I mean," he added.

There it was. His cowardice rearing its ugly head. A beast he could never seem to free himself of.

[Aine Akari]

With white eyes on Freddie, Aine gave him a gentle smile as she shifted, moving to slide her body up and into Gantuhar's lap, using his empty thigh as a perch to sit on.

"There is cruelty in life, that sullies many things... "

Leaning against the large Trianii so that she could lock her gaze with the young Nehantite's. Both and now seemed to become a part of their large companion, huddled up on either side of him as if seeking shelter from a storm.

"And sadly it is no different here for many beings... "

[Gantuhar]

Out of pure instinct, Gantuhar pulled his meaty hand free from Freddie's tentative hold, but instead of drawing away, he reached his arm around to place it over the boy's shoulders and draw him close to his side. His other arm shifted from the pool's edge to do the same to Aine, And he held both in a deceptively tender embrace, keeping them close to his body in such a way that was intimate, yet in no way overwhelming.

"If Freddie is sure of his wish, then it would be best to show patience."

His voice lowered then, to a soothing, almost-whispered bass as he dipped his head low, muzzle angling closer to Freddie's ear.

"This One will share his bed this night, with you."

[Aine Akari]

Held close, just as Freddie was, Aine gave him a slow, reassuring nod.

"There is a need now though, a fire... "

She wound a pinky finger around his own.

"And until your wish is met, let a witch sate your desire... "

[Fredal Rabeak]

It all happened before Freddie could say anything, yet his mind spun up with a flurry of wants and objections. The Nehantite's ears wilted a tad as Aine claimed Gantuhar's lap - the lap he wanted to be on - and Gantuhar wanted to... wait for that night? Then came the pinky hold, seemingly out of nowhere, along with a drain on the urges he felt.

He was tempted to let them go, but there was something different about the tea house, about his surroundings, that he couldn't let them subside, and they coursed through him with so great an intensity that he feared he was hitting mating season early. Swallowing, he found his focus, though it was not the focus of his mind, but his body.

"What if... what if I want him to sate it, instead?" he found himself asking.

[Aine Akari]

The Arkanian smiled sweetly, letting his pinky go as she withdrew. It was understandable, that Freddie's desires seemed to rest with only one body in this pool, but it was also unfortunate. With a sigh, Aine eased herself out from Gantuhar's arm to slip back fully into the perfumed waters, her body moving languidly.

"Enjoy the time you have now."

She gave the boy a slow nod, even as she set her sights upon another, across the pool who seemed to be letting himself relax; a lanky Muun who was lost in the fragrances, sensations, and sounds around him.

"But keep in mind what the Madame here will allow."

[Gantuhar]

With lazy eyes he watched the Arkanian witch slither her way to the Muun, and it wasn't long until his eyes went to Fred-dee.

"This One has been here enough time, Fred-dee Greyfur, to know that we are all driven by the passions- "

A slender body approached, moving easily through the sparse crowd that surrounded the pool. A Twi'Lek, his chest and narrow waist exposed, with only the barest of covering retaining whatever modesty he may have had. His lekku was adorned with artful tattoos and press-on gemstones that glittered with each movement.

"Can I get you gentlemen a drink?"

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie could feel the disappointment his response had given to Aine, though he wasn't sure how that was possible, as their fingers slipped apart. His ears wilted slightly, face apologetic as she departed, then his brow crimped with concern. What the Madame will allow? A few glances about found at least three couples going at it, so it was difficult to imagine what wouldn't be allowed in such a place!

The Nehantite's attention was brought back to the large male he leaned against, and he began to let his paw slip further down the inside of Gantuhar's thugh, before a voice pulled him out of his bliss.

Blinking, Freddie sat up a bit straighter, feeling like he'd just been caught doing something wrong, but it didn't feel wrong. Not here, at least. "A drink?" he asked, processing the thought. There he was, already too young to likely be allowed into such an establishment, and now he was being offered alcohol by a tall, handsome, fit Twi'Lek who he couldn't take his eyes off of? Eyes which caught the shimmer and shine of gems which would be tacky in most cases, the snaking designs of his tattoos, and a body Freddie found himself wishing he could press against, hold, touch, and caress. Something was wrong, he told himself. Those weren't his thoughts, it was his libido not just taking over, but locking his conscious in a broom cupboard, and all Freddie could do was stare.

"Y-yeah," he finally said. "That'd be great. Whatever you recommend." It took no small amount of self-control to not add "Handsome" to the end of the sentence, and he reminded himself he was there with Gantuhar by rubbing that inner thigh again beneath the milky waters.

[Gantuhar]

With a discerning eye, the Twi'Lek pursed his lips, his head tikking to one side before he spoke again.

"Well, I know what the big guy wants... "

Gantuhar gave a deep chuckle at that.

"This One is predictable."

"That you are, Chonk. I think for you, Nehantite, you would enjoy a Corusca Gem; Sparkling fizz, gin, and some namanadine with a little bit of periberry mash in the bottom and topped with an Ithorian mint leaf." He gave an easy smile, "... that sound ok?"

[Fredal Rabeak]

"That sounds great," Freddie found himself nodding. What periberries were, or how Ithorian mint tasted, he had no idea, yet they sounded divine when rattled off in such a lyrical voice.


Just as long as it doesn't taste like whiskey, he told himself, recalling numerous instances where he was made to drink the stuff. Ugh, how it burned. How could anyone like that? People paid for it, and he couldn't understand why you want to pay for such vile displeasure. Gin, on the other hand he'd never had, and as he knew it was clear, that meant it would have a light flavor right? Kind of like how Hoth Mist had a lighter flavor than Dr. Pippu, and all. When you're fifteen, and don't get out much, that's the way logic works.


Well, when logic did work, that is. Leaning in against Gantuhar's warm, solid body, his paws siding back to grasp a few berries of his own, Freddie was fairly certain logic had gone out the airlock, and there was just pleasure to be had in the tea house. After all, if there wasn't actually tea in a tea house, then there certainly didn't need to be logic, did there?

[Gantuhar]

The Twi'Lek nodded, and turned about to make his way back from where he'd come, leaving Gantuhar and his young friend to focus on the delightfulness of the warm water, scented with so many lovely aromatics. Of course, the feeling of a hand - though gentle as it was - holding onto a rather... sensitive part of his body was enough to cause a bit of a surprised look. Slowly, his own hand dipped below the waterline to gently grab Freddie's wrist, carefully pulling it away.

"This One has found that when he spends time here, the mind and body are both given new life."

The young Nehantite seemed content (and then some) to stay burrowed within his side, and Gantuhar angled his head slightly to give a look down to Freddie.

"Tell This One, Fred-dee, how did you come to this station-in-the-stars?"

[Fredal Rabeak]

It had been a handful indeed, with Freddie's middle finger rubbing gently at the crease between them, but as he felt his paw pulled away he looked up at the big Trianii. "Did I... do something wrong?" he asked.

His mind attempted to replay everything which he'd seen and felt so far in the tea house, but there were gaps, entire reels of commentary which seemed silent as parts of his brain had apparently begun to shut down once he stepped foot into the water, while others came online at full tilt. His mind might not have been given new life, but his body certainly had, and it ran the show - almost to the point of putting his paw right back where it was, yet he retained just enough mental cohesion to leave it at Gantuhar's inner thigh, instead, and focus upon his question.

"I, um," he started, his head dipping as his shoulders slumped. "I ran away. There's nothing for me at home, so I escaped. I heard a Nehantite runs the Engineering team here on the station, and I thought he'd be glad to take me on, but..." Even his ears wilted as he recalled the interview, and the look on Anauri's face. "He said no. He said I should have contacted ahead of time. Said I should have done my field experience in the orbital shipyards, or even at a ground shop. And then he told me that an engine tech isn't what is needed on station engineering, and I didn't have the qualifications to even bring on as entry level. He told me to go home, and come back when I had a proper resume, and was grown up. And... he was right. I was stupid to think he'd just take me on because I'm a Nehantite. He doesn't even have any Nehantites on his crew at all, I found out later."

His other arm reached around the small of Gantuhar's broad back, snugging in closer. "So, I tried to find work here, but you have to be eighteen to work for the Alliance, and no independent shops would take me on. Sold what I could, and... did things... to get credits to get food and stuff, until Captain Maron arrived. I was such a fanboy, and somehow I talked her into giving me a trial run as an engine tech on her race ship. Crazy, I know! We did some testing, and a race, but now I'm here on a one-week period while they evaluate and see if I should be brought on full time. I hope I make it. I, well, don't have anywhere else to go."

[Gantuhar]

It was a story of hardship and disappointment, but there was still hope in finding a better situation. Despite the unfortunate happenings, there was still something good to be found.

"Not many young ones have the bravery that you do, Fred-dee. Be proud of yourself."

His arm, still resting over the top of Freddie's shoulders, gave a slight squeeze to further show comfort to the Nehantite. He knew what the boy wished for, but here, now... it was not to be. The Madame would have them both out, and would probably never allow Gantuhar back, at that. He did not wish to raise the ire of a woman so generous as to provide this calming place to so many who needed it. What would they all have then? Still though, it was a stark shift from the timid, flinching young thing from the night before. Where he was now practically clamoring to share in amorous pursuits of carnal delights, before he had seemed ready to be blown away by the slightest of winds, and would wilt at seemingly every word sent his way.

"This One knows that you are desiring of the supreme closeness that turns two into one," he spoke gently, the clouds momentarily lifted from his normally foggy thoughts.

"But here, it is - "

"Alright then!"

The interruption came from the Twi'Lek, returning with two drinks as he crouched down. One glass, tall and thin, was extended to the Nehantite.

"One Corusca Gem, for the young Master," He gave the grey Nehantite a subtle wink and a smile.

"And a Ranger's Paw for our resident Mystic."

Another wink and smile.

"Aaahhh," Gantuhar eagerly accepted the tumbler held out for him.

"This One thanks you with all of the good and wonderful graces of the stars and their gods, Dior."

[Fredal Rabeak]

The longer he sat in the water, the less things seemed to make sense to Freddie. Why was he snuggling up to another male? Why did he want to... y'know... with him? And why was that urge so very, very intense? Something wasn't right, and he knew it, but as the jeeta in the water affected his system, there was little he seemed able to do about it.

And very little he wanted to do about it, it seemed. Accepting the tall, narrow flue of a glass from the Twi'Lek, Freddie blushed at that wink, unable to resist looking their server over as well in a less-than-discreet manner.

Maybe a three-way could- his base natures tried to tell him.

Don't even! His higher reasoning cut that line of thinking off. You'll probably get him fired.

He's serving us alcohol, and there's no way we look old enough for that! I don't think he'd have a problem with-

No. Just no. I can't believe I'm not even objecting to the big kitty, here.

Honestly? Me either. Mmmf, so tempted to just-

Stop it. You'll get thrown out, and that could cost us our safe place to stay.

We're not... using him, are we?

Right now I think you're the one planning to get used, dude. And you did worse on our first visit to the station, remember?

Ugh, don't remind me. Please. Thinking about that is a total bon-

Trust me, I get the feeling nothing is going to kill that, right now. I'd say we're totally in mating season, but... I'm still functioning, so that can't be right. I really don't know what's going on, here.

Me either. But I want it.

More like you need it. And somehow I'm cool with letting you have it. A lot of it. A whole lot of it. So much of it you-

Dude, don't ruin the moment. I want to try this drink.

Okay, but if I stop working after that glass, promise me you'll get out of that water and leave this place, okay? I... I don't want us to get hurt.

I can take it.

Not the kind of hurt I mean.

Oh, yeah. That's right. Your kind of hurt is... a lot worse than mine. Yours doesn't heal well for us.

No, it doesn't. Now drink. We talk quickly, but they might be starting to notice, by now.

The exchange inside Freddie's head took but nanoseconds, both voices of his mind coming to some sort of agreement, while both realized something was up. Still, he smiled, raising his glass to tink it gently against Gantuhar's before taking a sip. Oh, wow, it was good! Sweet, light, and with a hint of mint, it masked the alcohol well, and Freddie felt his smile growing even wider, not realizing jeeta oil was also part of his drink as well.

"That's... that's really good!" he found himself chuckling. "Thank you! With, um... star graces, too," he added, his brain crossing wires badly enough to only stumble over that line, hoping it was enough, before he took another sip.

[Gantuhar]

It was a lovely gesture, and Gantuhar whurffled in agreement as he took another sip of his drink. The Ranger's Paw was a delightful concoction, heavily scented and just as heavily strong. The Trianii enjoyed it though, and Dior knew the habits of the towering felinoid enough to make his educated 'guess' a successful one.

Another sip, and he seemed to melt even further into the calming waters of the bathing pool.

"This One enjoys the times that are spent here," he rumbled, his eyes heavily lidded as he reached such delightful levels of relaxation.

"It is hoped that Fred-die enjoys it here as well."

Of course, there were other matters to address, and now that Dior had moved on to other customers, Gantuhar at least found enough presence of mind to continue with the topic that had been previously interrupted by their Twi-Lek server.

His torso shifted slightly, leaning ever-slightly closer into the Nehantite's personal space.

"What you wish for now, it is something that is forbidden here."

Which was a shame, but all here were beholden to the rules of the teahouse if they wished to experience its amenities.

"It is certainly a shame, but the Madame, she must not be crossed."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie sipped from his drink again, and once more the jeeta oil in it sparked a wave of intense yearning through his body. Another drink, and again the urge spiked. That had to be it, something in his drink was doing this to him, and he looked up to Gantuhar, ready to say something, then stopped. No, it couldn't be the drink. He wanted it before the drink, after all.

Did alcohol simply make the urge stronger? Had Dior slipped something extra into his drink, regardless? Questions ran through Fredide's mind as he felt Gantuhar draw closer, and instead of asking those questions, the gray-furred Nehantite simply chirred and leaned into him, nodding against his side.

"It's... forbidden where I'm from, too," he replied quietly. "But it still happens. Behind closed doors, that is."

Before he could stop himself, his eyes scanned the interior of the tea house, to see if any such closed door existed, and his ears wilted when he realized there was not. Sighing, he leaned into Gantuhar even more, as they relaxed in the warm, herbal waters. "Sorry," he spoke softly. "I'll try and keep myself under control."

As he said it, his paw on Gantuhar's thigh slid over his big friend's loin beneath the murky water, before immediately snapping back. Clearly he'd done it without thinking, acting on his current instincts instead of logic. So strong was his regret, he pulled away a bit, and hunched down in the water, until just his head was above the surface, jawline partially submerged as he hissed, "Fuck!" in admonishment of his own actions. Sinking further, Freddie all-but-disappeared beneath the water, leaving only the top half of his head out, his nostrils barely clearing the surface so he could breathe as he tried to make himself as invisible as possible.

[Gantuhar]

Gantuhar watched with a heavy sense of curiosity, his head tilting slightly to the side. One free hand went out then, and a claw extended from his index digit. A moment later he lightly scritched at the Nehantite's headfur; the only thing left that wasn't in the water.

"Little One," the rumble came out softly and soothing, a sign that lucidity had returned for at least a short amount of time.

"You have not offended This One. In fact, This One is honored that you would show interest in such an oldbeast. This One has little or nothing to offer, other than protection during the times that you find yourself on this station."

One last scritch, and Gantuhar returned to his drink.

"There is no shame to be had for who that you are."

[Fredal Rabeak]

A pair of pink eyes turned up to look at Gantuhar from just above the surface of the murky water. The boy who typically shied away from any form of touch began to pull back, yet stopped himself, letting the large cat-like male scritch and stroke his headfur. Something sparked in him at that touch, a memory of so long ago, when someone else used to do the same, and his eyes closed. Behind those lids, he could see the face of his mother, and hear her voice, recalling how she used to hold him and rub his head when he was small. A wave of relaxation washed through his body, and he warmed to Gantuhar's touch, relishing it with his eyes closed.

But as they opened once more, and his companion's words came to him, the shame and panic set back in, his muscles stiffening again. Slowly he let his whole head raise from the depths, his jawline dripping, bits of jeeta leaf stuck to his fur, and he looked straight ahead at other couples enjoying themselves, and each other. "I'm not ashamed of who I am," he said. "But... I've done shameful things," he said quietly. "For money, or food. And to get out of trouble with the law. I'm... I'm not a good person, Gantuhar. You shouldn't be doing this for me."

In the whirlwind of lust and primal urges coursing through his form, it was a rare moment of introspective thought, and he washed that thought down with the last of his drink. Freddie could feel the surge of need coursing through him as it hit his system, and he knew there was something in the drink which was affecting him, but at that point he just didn't care anymore.

[Gantuhar]

He knew a being that needed release, and Gantuhar was quick to down the rest of his drink. Sometimes a Ranger's Paw was to be savored, and sometimes it was to be consumed with a quickness.

Emptying his glass, Gantuhar set it behind him with little thought. Dior was mindful enough to scoop it up without a word.

"Greyfur should drink quickly," it was a string of words spoken with a strange hurriedness as the Trianii held his Twi-Lek friend back.

"Oh, you want another?"

"This One thinks," Gantuhar, in his lucidity, was ever the gentle-beast.

"... This One would like a tonic of the Madame's special herbal pouch blends. To go."

Dior nodded sagely, and skirted off to fulfill the order.

There was a moment that Gantuhar took, to smile after the Twi-Lek, and in the next, he brought Fred-dee close to him.

"You wish for satisfaction, and This One will make sure that you are sated."

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie blinked, glancing up at Gantuhar, then further up at Dior. His shoulders rose out of the water as he studied the two curiously.

"We're not... going already, are we?" He asked. Lowering his voice, he spoke to Gantuhar directly, a hint of concern upon his words. "This was expensive. I don't want you to have to go on my account. What do you, um... usually do, here?"

The teenager kept his eyes from taking in the sights of other mating couples, imagining that might be what Gantuhar might have wanted to partake in. "If... if you want others, don't let me stop you," he whispered.

[Gantuhar]

There were none here save for the glorious Madame that he would've wished to have, and that certainly would not happen.

Looking down at Fred-dee, Gantuhar blinked slowly, owlish eyes taking in the youth with quiet contemplation.

"This One wants no other," he finally rumbled as his meaty paw tightened momentarily on the Nehantite's shoulder.

"However, a massage may be a good thing to have before leaving."

Dior had already gone to tend to the to-go order, and with a heave, the Trianii lurched upwards out of the water. His fur was sopping, dotted with the occasional specs of j'eeta and dripping water. He reached a hand down for Fred-dee to take hold of.

"Come Fred-dee, This One will make sure that we are both well cared for."

[Fredal Rabeak]

It was a bit late that Freddie recalled the urge to finish his drink, and he tilted his flute up to do so - though not as quickly as Gantuhar had done. Instead he savored the strange flavors, that mild burn, and the... whatever it was in the drink which coursed through him, making him tingle in places which would be visible shortly. Setting the glass down, he then looked up at the dripping Trianii, before a wave of realization came over him. That wave came with a look of sudden dread, and he glanced down, only to see the murky water, before looking back at Gantuhar.

"I, um... people are gonna see my..." he tried to say, before chewing on his lip. In times past, he'd simply have to wait for it to calm itself, or at the very least adjust his trousers to hide it. But something told him that between seeing so many naked bodies, whatever was in the drink, and whatever was in the... air? Water? He wasn't sure. Whatever it was, part of him wouldn't be relaxing any time soon. So, it was with deeply pink inner ears that he accepted Gantuhar's paw, and allowed his light frame to be hauled up out of the water.

His fur plastered to his frame, the slim lad appeared even smaller than before, and between his legs there jutted the proud spike of a teenager, which he desperately wished would just go away. Or at least be bigger. It seemed little about the Nehantite's build was terribly impressive.

"I've... never had a massage," he admitted, trying something, anything to get his mind off of being naked, and aroused, in front of so many others.

[Gantuhar]

"The Madame employs only the most artful of hand artists," he happily explained while stepping from the bath's waters. Water still dripped from his frame, to collect in puddles around the pool's edge.

"This One has only been able to enjoy one session with them, but it was glorious."

Fully comfortable in his surroundings, Gantuhar began the short trek to the far wall, dotted with arching doorways and the cascading sheets of beads that separated the bath area from the foyer leading to the massage parlors. Only when Dior sauntered over with two plush robes did the Trianii pay any mind to his state of undress. His robe was shrugged on, but remained unbelted.

"Here you go, Young Master," Dior smiled in understanding as he held the soft garment out for the Nehantite. And in an effort to try and soothe the obvious nervousness he could see in Freddie's eyes, he went on.

"The old cat can be forgetful, sometimes."

[Fredal Rabeak]

There were robes? He could have been wearing a robe most of the time? People didn't have to see his... all of him? Freddie's heart sank at the realization, then buoyed as he accepted the robe. Smiling at Dior, Freddie tugged it on, trying to not mind the strange sensation of wet fur tugging against, soft, fluffy fabric, until he'd folded the front over himself. Despite the tag inside saying S, it still felt large on his frame, and he had to use one paw to adjust himself while the other firmly tied the belt, in an attempt to keep things... less noticable.

"Thank you, Dior," he said with a smile, afterward. Only then did he realize that the concept of wearing a robe in order to get a massage was odd. After all, weren't most people in holovision shows usually naked and oiled up to get their massages? The Nehantite tugged the belt a bit tighter as he thought about that.

[Gantuhar]

Gantuhar led the way with gusto, the edges of his provided robe fluttering along his sides wildly.

"Come Fred-dee," he grinned while rolling his shoulders in expectation of the delightful sensations that they would both be inundated with.

They had arrived at the nearest archway, and the Trianii reached out to draw a segment of the beads aside for his companion.

"You will find much enjoyment and relaxation in here."

And, as if seeing the younger one's nervousness for the first time, he offered a gentle upturn of his lips.

"This One promises."

[Fredal Rabeak]

There was a great temptation to reach his paw out and fondle something just exactly at paw height as he passed Gantuhar. It would be easy enough to do, and surely no one would notice, right?

Immediately Freddie caught himself as he thought about it. Why was he thinking about that? What was it with this place? Or was it with himself? With Gantuhar? The drink? He didn't know. All he knew is that he smiled lightly and nodded as he passed through the beaded curtain into the massage alcove. There he saw massage tables as he expected to see them, based on images witnessed in holovision shows, and holomovies. Complete with two strapping male masseurs there, though in skimpier outfits than he was expecting.

At least he hadn't tried to fondle Gantuhar, after all, as they surely would have seen it. At least he was pretty sure he'd kept his paw to himself in passing.

Hadn't he?

Dread struck as he was no longer sure.

[Gantuhar]

That gentle upturn of his lips turned into something a touch more devilish as he stared down at Fred-dee. He'd felt it. Felt that innocuous brush against him. The younger one looked a nervous wreck however, and Gantuhar kept his thoughts to himself as he ushered the Nehantite further inside.

The two attendants, Jaikari and Satura, smiled as well as they helped to lead the two patrons to their tables.

Gantuhar shed his robe as if it had never graced his shoulders, and eagerly positioned himself face-down, sliding his muzzle through the head-ring.

He let out a long sigh, his tail switching from one side to the other before settling into a much more smooth motion. And then it fell still completely at the first touches of Jaikari's deft fingers.

[Fredal Rabeak]

Freddie's eyes looked over the bulky Trianii as Gantuhar disrobed. He wasn't Freddie's type, yet the youth couldn't help but long for him. The lustful distraction was abated as Satura patted at Freddie's table, urging the lad to climb up on it. His ears wilting with a sheepish smile, Freddie untied his robe, the front springing out before he shed it, then carefully climbed up in order to lay down.

Still very damp, his gray fur stood in spikes - at least where there was fur. Much of his back, and the backs of his upper arms and elbows, glistened as a twisted mass of hairless, pink scar tissue, with another small section on his left rump cheek. Burn scars, primarily, but there were others mixed in. Easing down into position, he looked over at Jaikari starting on Gantuhar, before turning his head back to his own masseur.

"I, um... anywhere there's scar, I.. I can't feel touch," Freddie said quietly, as if there was shame in it. "I dunno if that'll make a difference. I've, um, never had a massage before."

[Gantuhar]

Satura gave an understanding and warm smile as she reached over to her small island station, pumping a few squirts of massage oil into a palm before vigorously rubbing both hands together. She was an average-sized Bothan, with goddess-like hips and a rump you could bounce a credit chit off of.

"Don't worry," she assured the Nehantite, "... I'll only focus on the spots you want me to."

And with that, her slender fingers slid to just behind his neck, beginning to work on the tense muscles of his shoulders. Careful kneading and firm strokes worked their ways down and around those portions of his body that still had fur. She took his words to heart, focusing her ministrations on where it mattered.



For his part, Gantuhar was a fountain of happy grunts and groans as Jaikari pushed into his flesh, pressing out any knots and snarls that had developed over time.

[Fredal Rabeak]

Easing his muzzle down into the head hole in the massage table, Freddie attempted to relax. But the moment Satura's fingers found his neck, they both realized just how stiff and stressed he was. Though lithe, his muscles were like knots, each one resisting any urge to properly relax and ease up their tension. Where Gantuhar moaned and groaned merrily, Freddie's higher voice was one of more struggling gasps and grunts. One by one, his muscles began to lose their tension, making his form more supple and pliable, capable of understanding touch as a benefit rather than something to be feared. And with each new application of massage oil, laden with jeeta, he could feel that tingling warmth shooting through him.

The touch of Satura's fingers and palms on his neck and shoulders gave way to the sensation of pressure upon his back. While he might not be able to feel the surface of his skin, there was a definite need for his muscles there to be worked, and slowly he could feel himself almost melting against the massage table. Well, most of him was melting, while the jeeta in the massage oil was making one part of him stiffer than ever before, and Freddie was starting to dread the moment he'd be told to roll over. Still, he closed his eyes and simply tried to enjoy it for all the massage was worth.

Still, he couldn't help but giggle a bit when Satura got to working his mostly-furred rump, and his tail instinctively flicked up and out of the way.

[Gantuhar]

Jaikari had been an attentive soul, her strong hands pushing their heels into the big Trianii's back to somehow make him even more relaxed. Bangles and beaded bracelets tinked against one another as she worked, and the lithe Nautolan grinned with each moan of pleasure from her charge. Her eyes, a deep and dark inky blue blinked owlishly as she applied a bit more pressure to the spot just above his rear.

It was enough to cause a long sigh to escape his lips, and Gantuhar couldn't help the claws as they unsheathed themselves in pure happiness, his long arms moving to hang from his table so that he could knead at the intricately patterned rug below.

Jaikari was ready, and reach a hand over to lightly tap his shoulder.

"Pspspsps, arms up, Big One."

[Fredal Rabeak]

From his own table, muzzle down in the face hole, Freddie could not see what Gantuhar was doing which would elicit that sort of response from his masseuse. Had he already been rolled over? Do you even roll over for these things? Freddie didn't rightly know. All he did know that his neck, shoulders, and back felt more relaxed than they had been in some time.

"You're a tense one, young man," he could hear Satura chuckle. Her fingers and thumbs kneaded as his rump cheeks, working out more knots there as she headed south.

"Y-yeah," Freddie replied. "I suppose so."

"Don't worry, we'll get you good and limbered up."

He could hear the smile in her voice as she began to spread his legs, and immediately Freddie's muscles stiffened once more. A mild tutting sounded from above him, followed by a disapproving sigh, which made him try and relax. She wasn't there to hurt him, and he knew it. It would be a fight to learn to accept this manner of touch as kind, though, Freddie felt.

...and then he felt a diberal squeeze of slick jeeta oil over his backside, and down his crack, his pink eyes widening as it felt cool over his hole. Then her hands began to knead once more, thumbs grinding down into that cleft, each time going closer and closer to it. She wasn't going to... was she? Was that part of a massage here at the tea house? And if it was... what else was part of it? Freddie's mind began to reel with thoughts both fantastic and terrible at once, as he felt another application of massage oil down his cleft, this time running down his taint, and seeping into the fur of his sac, making him tingle with delight.

[Gantuhar]

Idly, his tail switched to one side as Jaikari continued her wondrous, fantastical, magical ministrations. Gantuhar more than likely would've melted into his table had he the ability.

Instead, he let the low, rolling rumble of a deep purr begin to swell in his chest, rising and falling with his breathing.

"Is Fred-dee Greyfur enjoying his massage, yes?"

The words spoken were half-slurred as he at least was mindful enough to obey Jaikari and bring his arms back up, claws once more sheathing themselves.

[Fredal Rabeak]

Asking if Freddie was enjoying his massage was an awkward question. Parts of him were very much enjoying everything about the tea house, especially the part of him which throbbed against the massage table beneath him. The masseuses' touch in places felt wonderful working out tension and stiffness which should have been foreign to one his age. Already he could feel his neck and shoulders relax in ways he honestly couldn't remember feeling before. His back, scarred as it was, and unable to register touch, had been worked thoroughly, delivering even deeper relaxation.

But hands on his backside? And that oil? Freddie whimpered softly, not out of shame, but... need? He wasn't sure. Biting his lip, he prepared himself for what might come next, but all that came was more expert working of thumbs along his tense backside, until it, too had relaxed, and then those hands moved down to the backs of his thighs. Whimpers turned to a sigh of relief.

"It's... really different than I expected," he replied at last. "I didn't know it could feel good to be touched like this."

An odd admission, but an honest one, as the boy had previously flinched away from being touched like a dog which had been beaten. And even knowing that Satura wouldn't hurt him, he still kept stiffening up whenever she moved to a new area, until at last he felt her stop on the back of his thighs. Pink eyes opening, he could see her feet move as she stepped away from the table.

"Is... is everything okay?" he asked.

"Honey, you are way too nervous," he could hear her reply, followed by the clink of glass, and the sound of something being poured. A pause, then, "Hmm, probably a double," followed by another splash, then another before there was a bit of stirring, and Freddie could see her feet approaching until she stood directly in front of his head. "C'mon, up for a moment, and drink this," she said.

Freddie eased his head out of the hole in the table and onto his elbows as he looked at a tumbler of gold-colored liquid, with a large ice cube in it. "What is it?" he asked, the scent strong with alcohol, and something else. That something else which sparked a wave of fire running through him, deep from his core.

"It's Denebrian whiskey, and some calming jeeta blend. I'm supposed to charge for this but... you really need to relax, or I'm going to wind up hurting you instead of helping you."

Freddie looked at the glass, at her, then back at the glass. It was too late to admit he's not old enough to drink, as that would get Dior in trouble, so he took the glass in his paw, smiling weakly in thanks, and tipping it up.

It BURNED! Oh Garfife, oh holy shit, how do people drink alcohol? And it burned all the way down, yet he kept swallowing the liquid fire until his glass contained only its ice cube. Immediately he could feel a warmth in his belly, radiating through him, as both alcohol and jeeta started to course through the lithe teenager's veins. Stifling a cough, he nodded. "Th-thank you."

"Don't mention it. Seriously," he was minded, and his head pushed back down into the hole, before Satura resumed her work on his thighs. Something about the drink worked its magic, as Freddie's whimpers became moans, and he felt what he imagined must be the same pleasure Gantuhar was experiencing at last - though there was a fair amount of giggling as the pads of his ticklish footpaws were worked over with strong thumbs!

[Gantuhar]

The Trianii hawmed in pleasure, as Jaikari continued to turn him into a creature made of sculpting jelly. She moved deft fingers along the muscles of his legs, fingertips at times combing through the short hairs of his pelt. She moved from his calves upwards, to the underside of his thighs, and a rumble in his chest began to crackle, like some off-set repulsor motor that was rough and out-of-time.

Fred-dee and his giggles was a welcome sound, and Gantuhar pulled his lips back into a strange sort of smile that none could see. He knew that this would help his new young friend to relax. The teahouse was the sort of place that any being could go to and find peace. Peace and relaxation. He'd never felt more wonderful than when he was at the teahouse.

A few more minutes passed, and Jaikari had moved to the small of his back. Her hands passed over the very top of his tail, then eased on down its length.

"Hrrmmmmmm," he finally let out, eyes closing.

"Fred-dee sounds happy," his low words graveled out.