maskormenace | [Video]

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How much do you think your childhood affected your choices later in life?

I'm from a world whose surface became so polluted that we had to live in floating cities above the planet's surface in order for the atmosphere to be habitable. But don't go getting any ideas that that was some fanciful airy place above the clouds. The sector I grew up in was dirty, rough and dangerous. You had to find ways to survive. I left there as soon as I could and never wanted to go back to it. I did once, briefly, but that's not a story for today.

That said, I work hard and do whatever it takes to make sure I'm in a position not to fall into desperate times, struggling for any scraps. Those who hire me know I get the job done.

What do I do? What the job calls for. I don't like to limit my options.

Can you hire me? Sure, for the right price.

All offers will be considered.

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I...can relate a lot with this sentiment.

A lot of things that happened to me as a kid affected who I am today. It's made me appreciative of the things I have but, more importantly, it's given me a lot of perspective.

I've worked hard my whole life so that I could live the way I want to. I don't like leaving things up to others, and especially not something as fragile as 'fate' or 'destiny.'

We make our own path, even if sometimes others can get in the way and give us detours. It's what we do with those detours that's important.

Exactly. That's how I've always tried to live my life.

As a blacksmith by trade, I take pride in the path I forge with my own two hands.

Still, I'm sorry you had to endure what you did.

It's the past. It was decades ago. Don't feel sorry for me. It gave me the skills I needed to succeed.

I don't feel sorry. It's not pity.

I just...I can empathize. And it's something I know that I would have wanted to hear at least once when I was a kid.

That's the rub, though. It's easy to just say 'sorry' but it's another thing entirely to empathize. To have to literally fight every day to overcome losses so profound that you wouldn't wish them on anyone else.

If it means anything, I respect people who can shape their own futures. Hell, I kinda envy them.

Glad we have an understanding then.

[He's not a man of many words in general. Mostly he gets straight to the point.]

[That's okay, Darin can be talkative enough for the both of them.]

So, you said you were looking for work? Sort of a jack-of-all trades? What sort of experience do you have?

Back home I was a bounty hunter. Here, I take one-time jobs for a fee. I can find you any person or any object. That's my main line of work.

However, as I said, I'm open to other offers.

[Seriously, there isn't much he'll refuse - unless the payment isn't up to his standard. That he decides on a case by case basis, if it's worth his while.]

Bounty hunter, huh?

[Considering Darin was on the run just prior to being ported in, he suddenly and quite visibly blanches at the term. He does his best to recover, though, and go along with it.]

S-So...I suppose in that line of work you'd be accustomed to finding all kinds of information on your...erm...targets...

Right?

[Bane mentally notes the reaction but doesn't remark on it.]

If information is what the client wants.

Well, information is something I'd be in the market for. Namely information on rare materials that I can use once I get my forge up and running and people who need gear made to suit their abilities.

I wouldn't mind negotiating an ongoing finder's fee for info like that. Plus, I'd be more than happy to provide you with gear once I'm able to make some.

Sounds like a potentially beneficial arrangement.

[He switches to PRIVATE, so not everybody can just go searching for this prize.]

What materials were you on the lookout for?

I am interested in your services, but I will only discuss the job in person.

A steady supply of quality metals, first and foremost. Doesn't matter if it's unprocessed, I can smelt it myself and make the ingots I need if necessary. But I need a supplier if I'm gonna get this thing off the ground.

Secondly, if you come across anything like mana crystals or rare gems or anything that might have elemental properties? Things magical in nature that I can use to enhance the gear I make.

Thirdly, anything that could be used in the forging and manufacturing of high quality weapons and armor. I've done some research on things like 'ballistic weaves' and whatnot. Anything that might have practical uses. I'm willing to pay premiums for the last two. It's only fair, honestly.

Plus, if you bring back anything really special that you want for your own use, I'll be happy to make it for you.

Where are you located? We can meet up. I'm free at the present time.

You'd pay for my time and the materials.

Are these things really so difficult to find that you need someone like me to hunt them down? Why not search for them yourself and cut out the middleman?

Meet me at [location in De Chima]

[After sending a confirmation, Bane makes his way to the appointed place looking very much like he's going to a Wild West gunfight. But that's just his usual appearance and he waits by a wall, arms folded and glancing at people. He's not sure who he's meeting with looks like since they only sent a text, so they'll have to approach him first.]

Of course.

I'm a bit of a fish out of water here. Back where I come from, the most advanced form of technology is a steam engine. I want to get more acclimated with this place before I launch into expeditions. I figure someone who knows the world a little better than I would be helpful in getting myself started.

Besides, it's always good to make contacts early on. I may eventually be able to do things myself, but having contacts and eyes out in the field when I can't be is just networking 101. Know what I mean?

Sure.

So I'll need a fee up front then you can pay me for ongoing services when I bring in the merchandise. I'll accept the currency here as well as the weapons or equipment you can make that would be of use to me.

My guarantee is that you'll get what you pay for. I don't come cheap but I'm sure you'll make your profit by selling your wares to others.

We got a deal?

[Marr is not at all subtle, fully armored and standing tall over all but the tallest people. He makes his way along and gestures for Bane to follow him, leading the way to a more secluded meeting area.

Oddly enough he is carrying a black briefcase, but that has to do with the job he was assigned here. It is his one concession, and useful enough.]

[Bane was quite tall himself at 6'1" and he certainly wasn't intimidated by either height or appearances, no matter how strange. He's dealt with a lot in his travels and work, including dealing with the Sith of his time. Seeing the figure gesturing, he follows - wary but not questioning directly. He was alert to dangers but not overly concerned when the place became less public. That wasn't unusual in his line of business.]

[Once they have reached the location Marr has in mind, he stops, and turns to face the Duros. Marr has several inches of height on him, but it changes little other than the fact that he does not have to tilt his helmeted head as far.]

I have two jobs, both are for information only.

First, a list of everyone here who has had to wear a nullifier as part of their criminal sentence.

Second, I wish to know how difficult it would be to obtain one, and the options for doing so.

[Bane wasn't one to care why a client may want these things. As long as he was paid, what was done with such information or items afterwards wasn't his business, he thought. Still, it was an intriguing request.]

It could be easiest to commit a crime yourself for first hand knowledge and contact with that. I take it you don't want a record though.

[If Marr had people here to hand this to, he would give this to them, but Jadus will be busy doing other things. This might be something Jadus pursues as well, but Marr considers it too important to leave to the other Darth.]

Easiest in the short term, but most difficult long term.

If possible I would prefer no crimes be committed while carrying out these jobs, but how you handle them is up to you.

I may have had better access a month ago but it won't stop me from completing this job for you.

First things first. What do I call you? I'm Cad Bane.

Second. What are you offering in return for this successful job?

I am Darth Marr. You may address me as such, or 'my lord', when speaking to me.

I am still growing accustomed to the currency value of this place. If you wish payment in cash, that will take time, but I am not in any hurry for the second job, and the first should be simple enough.

[He would do the first himself but he is a bit busy, and someone who has been here longer may have an easier time of it.]

If you have an idea for an alternative method of payment, I will listen.

Gotta say I'm impressed how you took an opening about your sad childhood and spun it by the end to make an opening for job negotiations. That takes some skill.

[His tone doesn't even suggest that he's joking, but he appears almost amused. For a moment. Then his expression settles into something more solemn and hard to read.]

As for your question, I can say with certainty that who I am today is because of what I experienced in my childhood.

That's probably a given for most people.

Does it continue to affect your choices even today?

If it made me who I am then of course it effects my choices. Is the point I was trying to get across. Most of what makes us who we are is the choices we make.

I think my childhood affects all of my choices, especially my last year back where I'm from. Maybe not consciously. But it's always there, somewhere in the back of my mind, influencing everything I do.

[She glances away for a moment, and then glances back.]

It can be a direct influence too. I definitely do certain things so I won't be like my father and other things because I'm afraid of events in my past happening again. I want to survive here. And I want to have a real life.

Sounds like we've definitely got a deal.

Name's Darin, by the way. Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith. Sorry about the late introduction.

Do you think you're choosing for the better now?

It could strengthen or weaken you. You decide, right?

I'm assuming you have some sort of power. Maybe you can do me a favour sometime.

As an alternative.

But the currency would be easiest. Simple. No fuss.

I'm Cad Bane.

[And he would have asked eventually.]

I do have power, and I will agree to owing a favor if that is the most expedient option.

[It is something he has done before, owed favors have always been a dangerous and valuable commodity among the Sith ranks. Though it has been a long time since he has owed one, rather than been owed.]

I'm sure that we can come to a satisfactory arrangement, appropriate to the level of the job.

How quickly do you want it done?

The list of names is not something I am in a hurry to have, but the second, I would have answers in one local month's time at the latest.

Good. I can work with that deadline.

Have you got a preference on how you want to be contacted?

[Marr nods in agreement.]

Contact me over the network to arrange another meeting.

Fine. Anything else?

[Businesslike, he's short and to the point. Not wasting time with any unnecessary idle words or casual conversation.]

No. That is all.

[Marr appreciates the professionalism.]

Yes, because I can choose. In the past, I didn't have any real choices. Here I do. And I'm mostly happy with the choices I've made. And even the bad choices, at least they're mine.

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