| Author |
Topic:
Party Girl (Legacy Origin challenge) Complete - Author's thanks!
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Jedi Trace
Title:
• SouthEast RSA
• Fan Fiction Manager
Registered:
Dec '99
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Date Posted:
6/30 8:30am
Subject:
Party Girl (Legacy Origin challenge) Complete - Author's thanks!
- Date Edited:
8/8 3:52am (11 edits total)
Edited By:
Jedi Trace
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Title: Party Girl
Author: Jedi Trace
Timeframe: Legacy comics, pre-Broken
Characters: Deliah Blue, OCs, Cade Skywalker, Jariah Syn
Genre: Drama
Keywords: short story, Legacy, Deliah Blue
Summary: Canon speculation of how a “party girl” joined the bounty-hunting crew of the Mynock as the chief mechanic. (I took some liberty with the interpretation.  )
Notes: Written for the Legacy Challenge #2 - "Origin stories:" Write a fic centered around an established part of Legacy canon whose existence has not been fully explained, and tell us how it got here.
A/N: Special thanks to RebelGrrl for the idea about Deliah’s surname. 
Ginormous thanks and chocolates to Gabri_Jade for beta’ing and for keeping me honest about finishing the story before posting. 
And finally - many, many thanks to TNPredsFan for the beautiful cover art. 
Part 1
The large storefront sign flashed dull orange, sizzling as if it would sputter out any minute with the fading daylight: Jaxan's Fixer Shop. Or, that’s what it was supposed to say. Some of the letters were missing, so it actually read: Ja an's Fix S op. I looked down at the coordinates on my datapad. This was the right place. I wasn’t sure what I'd been expecting, but this run-down shop tucked into a seedy cove on the upper level of Coruscant's undercity wasn't what I'd had in mind - not for the man who was supposed to be the best fixer in the Core.
It wasn't quite far enough down to be in Vongspawn territory, but the various sets of eyes peeking around corners in my direction were nothing friendly. The streets were cluttered with litter and piles of junk in various colors and textures that I probably shouldn't look at too close. And it smelled.
A tattered figure of some hunched-over species peeled away from the shadow of a nearby tapcafe and started staggering toward me. I rang the bell on Jaxan's darkened door.
Nothing happened. I tried the door handle. Locked. Must be after business hours. By the time I rang the bell again, Ratty Man was getting closer. I hoped Jaxan would answer the door soon because I'd hate to have to shoot someone my first day in this system.
Locks scraped open and a hard-faced man appeared in the doorway. He was tall and thin and sized me up with a single glance while wiping his hands on a greasy rag. "You Dezi's girl?"
"Yeah," I answered. “Are you Jaxan?”
"Uh-huh." It was a grunt more than a word and he motioned me inside with a nod of his head.
The inside wasn't much more to look at than the outside. A desk, few chairs, work counter and table, all worn-looking with badly painted attempts to cover blaster marks. Jaxan kept walking and I followed him past a window overlooking a huge garage into a room that was considerably more lived-in. He didn't tell me to sit, so I just stood there holding my travel cases. There was a lounger against one wall and a comm station on the other. At the far end, was a small food prep area and table only big enough for one or maybe two people to sit.
Jaxan was looking at me. Scowling, more like it. "Your dad was the finest apprentice I ever had," he said in flat, disapproving tone. I didn't know what to say, so I nodded. My dad, Dezi, had told me all about Jaxan. "Your dad says you're better than him," he continued. "I'm takin' his word for it. An old man like me has no business taking on a new apprentice."
I had to say something now. "I work hard. And I learn fast."
His expression didn't change, but I felt his frown. "Who is your Ma?"
Guess Dad wouldn't have had any reason to tell him that. "Tilly," I said.
"I remember her. Nice lady." He looked me over, closer this time. "Tilly didn't teach you any manners, girl?"
Took me a minute to figure out what he meant and then I was embarrassed. "I work hard and I learn fast, sir."
"Huh." That grunt again. "Well, you saw most of the place on the way in. Reception’s up front, garage is in the back. Office and my room are down that hall and your room is upstairs. Follow me."
Jaxan led me up a narrow staircase and opened a plain, brown door at the top. I squeezed past him with my bags and put them down in the middle of the room. "We’ll have to share the laundry unit in the kitchen, but anything else you need should be here.” He glanced around, announced that dinner was in an hour and headed back down the stairs.
My room was small but clean, with a bed, desk, closet and private refresher. All the necessities. Except for decoration. The walls were gray, the desk was black and the bed cover was some anonymous shade of brown. Fortunately, I had a couple of bright throws in my luggage that would add some color. Lifting the cases on to the bed, I started to unpack. Whoever had lived here before must have been a guy. There was no way all my clothes were going to fit. Halfway through the first case, the closet was almost full and I hadn't even unpacked my boots yet.
~*~
I lost track of time trying to arrange all my clothes and things and Jaxan was frowning for real when I got to dinner. "If I'm gonna feed and board you, girl, I expect you to be on time."
"Yessir." Spast. I waited for him to motion to one of the chairs before I sat down. The food smelled delicious and there was a lot of it. We ate in silence and I tried to study him without looking like I was looking.
He'd called himself an old man, but he only sported a few lines around his eyes and mouth. Genetics, that was. He was half human, half Zeltron and full-blooded Zeltrons don't show wrinkles. Well, not for a very long time. His hair was white, pulled back into a long braid, and the color accented his skin tone. Humans would have said that he looked "tanned." It took me forever to understand the concept of "sun tanning" when I was a child. The fair-skinned humans who came to Zeltros would lay out by the pools for days at a time and Ma tried to explain that they were trying to get their skin to change color. Never made any sense to me.
Jaxan pushed his empty plate away and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. He was lean and firm with the kind of muscles you get from years of hard labor and his hands were speckled with black, even though he’d washed them before dinner. "Tell me your name, again."
I hadn't told him the first time. "Deliah."
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"I never trained a girl before." It wasn't a question, so I took a bite and waited.
"You may have noticed that we aren't in the nicest part of town," he continued. "I get some rough types in here. Pirates, bounty hunters, smugglers, small-time crime lords. They may give you a hard time. That gonna be a problem?"
I shrugged. "I got six older brothers and I crewed with one of them in Hutt space for a year. I can handle myself."
"Can you fight?"
"If I have to."
"Can you shoot?"
"Sniper-level stats with blasters, bows and darts."
"You work with fingernails like that?"
What? I looked down at my hands and my manicured nails, painted my favorite shade of purple. I thought they looked really good with my skin and was about to say so when Jaxan stood up and took his plate to the counter. "Never seen a mechanic without grease around his…her….nails," he mumbled.
"Rex-Wax soap," I said. He turned and cocked an eyebrow like I'd just spoken some obscure language. "That's what it's called," I smiled, holding up my hands. "Gets rid of the grease and keeps your hands soft. I brought some with me if you want to try it."
"Huh." He put his dishes in the cleaner. "Breakfast is at 0800 and we start work right after." Shaking his head, he walked out of the eating area. "Never trained a girl before..."
~*~
That night, I lay in the bed staring at the white ceiling reminding myself that this was what I had wanted. Dad was a master mechanic, the best on Zeltros, and he had trained under Jaxan as a young man. My earliest childhood memories were helping Dad in his shop. I loved the smell of oil and grease and the way the machines clicked together. Every broken engine was a new puzzle to be fixed. The vibration of a newly-working engine was a thrill under the fingertips.
It drove Ma crazy. She was always shooing me out of the shop to go hang out with girls and boys my age. I couldn't really blame her. Her Ma had died early and she'd had to work all her life. I was her only daughter and she wanted nothing more than for me to have the happy, care-free life she'd missed as a child.
It had been Dad's idea that I come here to apprentice under his old master. He said I was too talented to stay on Zeltros and waste my life in clubs and resorts entertaining the tourists. My parents had argued about it for months and, in the end, they'd left the decision to me. It had sounded good at the time. But now, alone in this plain room, I hoped I hadn't made a mistake.
(to be continued)
-----signature-----
Captain of the Cade Brigade  “Light, dark – They are just directions. Do not be fooled that you stand on anything other than your own two feet.” ~ Shaak Ti, The Force Unleashed The Society for Girls Who Like Things that Go Boom
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
6/30 8:35am
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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Put me on the PM list for this one please! 
LOVE it! 
-----signature-----
If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories.
Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
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Jade_Pilot
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
6/30 8:58am
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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Traaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace!!! This is so good already!!! Love the voice you've given our gal. I'm in and can't wait for more!!
Bravo!
-----signature-----
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. - Rita Rudner
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Jag4Me
Title: Bet Your Knowledge and Man Bites Dog Hostess
Registered:
Jan '08
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Date Posted:
6/30 9:59am
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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Wow! This is a fun start and I love how you are filling in the blanks for Deliah!
She is a great character and deserves some quality page time. I'll be watching for your updates.
-----signature-----
"Your new nickname, especially in the TIS circle, is the Stoner." - Trika_Kenobi
"All biologists know that the peacock with the most extravagant
tail wins the peahen." Archy McNally
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divapilot
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
6/30 12:01pm
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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I loved the smell of oil and grease and the way the machines clicked together. Every broken engine was a new puzzle to be fixed. The vibration of a newly-working engine was a thrill under the fingertips.
Wow -- I love how I can see exactly what is happening - and feel it and smell it too. This is wonderful!
i'm looking forward to finding out more about Deliah. This is going to be a great trip.
Please sign me up for PMs!
-----signature-----
Never tell me the odds. AKL "Beyond the Wall" http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28964433/p1/?6 The Society for Girls Who Like Things that Go Boom. (M. Corde, Pres.) "This is your badness level." ~ Lilo!
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karebear214
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
6/30 12:25pm
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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Bravo!
I am intrigued by this.
-----signature-----
“It is magic. The magic of the human heart, focused and made manifest by technology. Every day you here create greater miracles than a burning bush."
- Babylon 5
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RebelGrrl
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
6/30 2:44pm
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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Yay! You posted it!
I'm waiting eagerly for more. I think you've captured a good idea of Young Deliah here. If you're going to do a PM list, add me, please!
Now, just add a hoojib cameo or two... 
-----signature-----
Well-behaved women seldom make history.
You can't fix stupid and you can't reason with crazy.
Happiness is a warm Hoojib!
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Hananiah
Registered:
Jan '03
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Date Posted:
6/30 2:59pm
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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A really lovely introspection into Deliah and here beginings can't wait for more.
-----signature-----
Buffy:"Laura Ashley is definitely back"
Willow: "You think?"
Buffy:"She's back and this time it's personal.You see they mated her with the home depo guy and that's how we got Martha Stewart"
BTVS unaired pilot
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TNPredsFan
Title: FF Chapter Rep
Memphis, TN
Registered:
Nov '04
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Date Posted:
6/30 3:55pm
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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You're very welcome. I'm glad you liked it.
Onto the story....I loved the unbetaed version I read, so I can't wait to read the finished product. Part I is off to a great start.
-----signature-----
"I hate it when people I hate make sense." - Jarael, KotOR
"In...women courage is often mistaken for insanity. " - Iron Jawed Angels
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Jedi Trace
Title:
• SouthEast RSA
• Fan Fiction Manager
Registered:
Dec '99
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Date Posted:
7/1 11:47pm
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origins" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30
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VaderLVR: Thank you! Will do.
Jade_Pilot:  Aww, thanks! She was a lot of fun to 'voice.' I hope you enjoy.
Jag4Me: Thank you! Deliah was one of the first characters who caught my attention when I started reading Legacy and she's probably my favorite female in the cast. ('cept for Morrigan - but that's complicated, LOL.)
diva: *blushes* Thank you so much, my friend! I appreciate that and I do hope it's an interesting ride. *crosses fingers* I'll add you to the list.
karebear: Thank you!!
RebelGrrl: Thankies!! *whew!* That means a lot coming from the expert on Zeltrons. I'll add you to the list. And I sooooooo wanted a Hoojib in this, but just couldn't make it work. Maybe next time. 
Hananiah: Thank you very much!
TNPredsFan: I lubs it!  And I still cannot believe you managed to give her "natural" colored Zeltron hair. You rock, gal!! (The beta'd version has much better grammarz and little dots in all the right places. )
-----signature-----
Captain of the Cade Brigade “Light, dark – They are just directions. Do not be fooled that you stand on anything other than your own two feet.” ~ Shaak Ti, The Force Unleashed The Society for Girls Who Like Things that Go Boom
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THE_PIED_PIPER
Title: Chapter Rep
Knoxville, TN
Registered:
Jun '06
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Date Posted:
7/2 8:52am
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origin" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30 - Thanks!
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This looks great Trace. I'll be back with a review.
-----signature-----
"I'm going to be like Leia." - Me at age four "You're the Yen to my Yang." - My husband Roan Fel's badassery knows no bounds! Jagged Fel
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ginchy
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
7/2 10:51am
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origin" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30 - Thanks!
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ooh, you must have finished! Congrats!!
I still haven't read these comics, but I wanted to say I was so proud of you for finishing before posting. Something I still need to learn!!
Anything you write is terrific, gal.
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princess_of_naboo
Registered:
Nov '00
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Date Posted:
7/2 11:30am
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origin" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30 - Thanks!
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Please add me to the PM!
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furrylittlebantha
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
7/3 10:29am
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origin" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30 - Thanks!
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Love it, love it. My only exposure to the Legacy characters are through you, and I'm fascinated by the storylines and situations you so skillfully develop. Sign me up for PMs!
-----signature-----
Master of tjace and bi0nic.  Old Hutt proverb: Never look a gift Sarlaac in the mouth. All hail the Lazer Jar-Jar!
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Myriad_Daydreams
Registered:
Jun '07
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Date Posted:
7/3 10:57am
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origin" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30 - Thanks!
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I know her through the first couple issues, and I love anything you write. Sign me up for PMs
-----signature-----
And if the answer is no / Can I change your mind? Bring on the drabbles: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29099025/p1/?12
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Gabri_Jade
Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus
Registered:
Nov '02
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Date Posted:
7/4 4:03pm
Subject:
RE: Party Girl (Legacy comics "Origin" challenge) Ch. 1 6/30 - Thanks!
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Mmm, chocolates.
I love this story, Traci. I think you got Deliah's voice exactly right, the OCs and settings are totally believable, and Deliah's background feels so authentic that it could be canon. The story itself is beautifully well crafted. Wonderful to see more Legacy fic; all the more so when it's as good as this.
-----signature-----
Evil Twin of LadyPadme  This concept of "wuv" confuses and infuriates us! - Futurama All I can do is be me. Whoever that is. -Bob Dylan The Space Between Heartbeats - L/M AU vig http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/28870280 !!11!1eleventy
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