The Scavenger

[chiaro_oscuro]

 Ironically, life in the Nexus has made Ben Solo a scavenger. He's not an uncommon sight in salvage piles and scrap heaps, picking through them for materials he wants before someone else gets them. Ben is well aware he's not the only scrap collector lurking around the industrial area, and though he's not particularly afraid of competition he's watchful, saber at his side in the low chance of trouble. Anything he can trade or keep for his own use is slipped into a heavy bag he's carrying. 

There are good pickings today, to his satisfaction. He found a large salvage heap and is digging through it.

Machine parts are a currency in their own right here. He wouldn't say the Jawas are his friends, but they're easy to bargain with, and Ben would rather avoid a fight if he can help it. He'd rather have a mutual agreement with them than constantly deal with them stealing his scrap. They helped him with the materials for his new lightsaber, so he feels he owes them one. He gives them a share of what he finds in exchange for things he needs, a relationship useful for both sides.

I'm not a bad scavenger, he thinks as he stuffs a metal plate into his bag. He looks up when he feels somebody watching him, and is wary but curious as he turns around. "Are you looking for something?"


***

Later, back at his shop, Ben's rummaging through the parts he scavenged, trying to run an inventory check of his wares and making a survey of what he'll need for the future.  Some of his salvage will be traded for materials he needed with the Jawas, some will be used to start repair work on the ship Misfire gave him, and some was piled up in front of his shop, on offer in exchange for goods or any more important parts he might need. It's a mess of computer parts, bits and pieces from old spaceships, tools from a variety of worlds, and whole machines alien even to him.

With this load, it'll take a few days, and Ben would rather not have it cluttering his workplace. A cleanup's overdue, and there are more important things to fill that space.

"Sorry about the mess. Is anyone interested in some spare tools and parts? I've got to clean my warehouse out before winter, and everything's on a discount." Every cent will be spent on food and medicine to keep Ben fed and in good shape over the winter. A worthy cause.

Comments

[chiaro_oscuro]

"You know what? That's actually perfect." Ben smiles, clearly pleased with the idea. Upcoming winter and the need to stock up on food aside, he's fond of cheese anyway. "I'll be happy to trade my supplies for cheese. Winter's coming, and a supplier would help me a lot. The winters here can be unpleasant. It all depends on whether or not the Winter Spirit goes easy on us or not."

He pulls his bag over to give her a chance to examine the contents. Anything he parts with can probably be replaced, and ensuring a full stomach in winter is more important. A steady supply of cheese is especially tempting.

"We have magic where I come from, too, though it's a different flavor. Here's what I have. Now, before we settle on a deal, what would you like from me in return?"

[mammothcheese]

"I doubt the winters here are worse than the northern part of Skyrim, Winter Spirit or none. I'm used to ice wraiths and snowstorms that bury whole cities for months. But your cheese supplier, I'll gladly be. We'll need to work out which of my local cheeses you'll want; not all the locals are into mammoth-milk cheese."

She looks into his bag, pulling out a length of wire to test its strength.

"Like I said, I'm hoping to build myself a better bow, but if you're actually used to working with the stuff around here, perhaps you might help me build a proper crossbow instead?"

[chiaro_oscuro]

"The last time Reynard got rough with us, everyone was trapped in a blizzard for months with no anti-violence field. Then there was an attack from space pirates on top of that. Between his storm and the pirates, we lost more than a few people. He's not someone to take lightly." Ben wasn't there to see it, but he has a general timeline of what happened. "But on a brighter note, that's a good deal. I'll be happy to take some samples and see what I like best."

He nods, liking the sound of the trade.

"And yes...as a matter of fact, I think I could help you build a new crossbow. I just need the right materials, and I'll have one ready very soon. There have been harder jobs here."

[mammothcheese]

She listens to his description of last winter thoughtfully, shaking her head a little and glad when he changes the subject to more pleasant things.

"I'll bring the samples along with me next time I visit, then. Maybe in a few days? Do you have any general preferences, in terms of sharpness or funkiness--or how you're going to be using the cheese?"

[chiaro_oscuro]

"That works. I'm not a fussy eater, but something sharp would go nicely. Something that keeps, too."

Ben rummages with hiS PINpoint. "Here's my idea, if you have a PINpoint yourself - you can send me a list of materials, and I'll message you once I'm finished in a few days. Then you can bring me some cheese samples from Skyrim and I'll give them all a fair try."