Noventa - A Star Wars Story

Tew was no economist or such. So all that garnered more sympathy than worry.

"Yeah, I know how that goes; Everyone wants to find some way to get a credit or two from you along the way, since most people are in it for themselves. Still, it sounds like you're making do on your own, right? I think that's a great thing; Certainly more than a lot of people can say, both in pod racing and otherwise in the galaxy."

"Own my pod, own my own set of DUM-series droids." She indicated with a thumb over to the droids who were supposedly working on the podracer, but seemed to be busy arguing amongst themselves in a rather slapstick manner. "Occasionally, Bristan, that Besalisk I mentioned, will come by to wish me luck, check up on how things are. Like I said, he's kindly. Seemed like he wanted just one last thrill in having a sponsored racer, and then once it was done, it was done." She grinned, then it slightly disappeared. "Of course, you will have to pay entry fees to each race, those bills can add up..." Yasmin trailed off, before looking away again.

She didn't want to appear too worrisome to the reporter.

"Mmmm... and you're completely independent now?"

She was writing things down as she talked, though the subtle moment of her hands and the light scratch of pencil on parchment didn't really make much of an impression or distract from her calm pleasant voice and interested stare.

"Not until I have someone worth retiring for. That'll bring danger and excitement enough." She grinned, and then flushed again. "I mean, something worth retiring for." The mention of children racers.

"There are stories like that. There was a kid, human even, who won the Boonta Eve Classic. Won his freedom with that race." She was somber for moment. "I was lucky. My benefactor could have been much worse. Kindly old Besalisk mechanic. Only wanted twenty percent of my winnings until the pod was paid off."

"Oh, so you're not planning on retiring then? I guess I don't know about how the age people pod race until. I know I've seen races where there are children racing, though I know that depends on where the race is."

"About five years. I'd been on my own since I was 14. Started as a mechanic then, and then got a chance, someone fronted me the credits. And ever since, I've been in the seat, behind the action." She smiled as she watched Tew, keeping her focus on the twi'lek, finding her posture relaxing. "And I don't think I ever want to get out of the cockpit. It just... feels so natural, my element, really."

Tew let the woman think for a bit, just tilting her head and looking at her curiously, but saying nothing. Finally, she spoke up, "How long have you been pod racing then? I don't believe you mentioned anything of the sort in the brief history you gave."

Part of her wanted to ask 'before or after your parents disappeared', but that seemed a bit crass.

The purple hue continued, though Yasmin didn't say anything more about it. "Alright, alright." Breathing in deeply, the podracer managed a smile, finding her center. "Well. Thinking of what else I am feeling when I'm in the pod." She indicated back over to the Podracer. "I mean, those interested would want to know what it's like, I think. To feel the danger and thrill. Adrenaline pumping through your veins. It's... it's being alive with it. To feel at one with the universe." The flush faded from her cheeks, as she seemed to get lost in the thought.

"All good; You're an athlete, after all; I can hardly expect every athlete to be used to talking about themselves, especially to someone they still made."

She smiled with a small lift of the corner of her lips, "As to the other part... well, you know how some people can be, especially with young female Twi'lek; They assume so much about us off the home world based on the more famous examples in certain industries and situations~"

Tew couldn't help it if the most famous Twi'lek actresses and slaves were all porn stars and sex slaves.

"Do you... get a lot of people interested in other things?" Then her violet flesh hued far more purple than before. "Sorry! I'm not trying to change the subject or anything." The Nautolan woman grinned, finding herself enjoying the giggle.

"Sorry. I guess I'm still nervous to talk about myself."

That got a little bit of a tittering giggle, "Oh certainly. Perhaps even more so if they're the sort of people to tune in to GNN. But I don't mind sharing; I enjoy it really, if people are actually interested in my story and not just... other things, you know?"

"No. At least, I hope it wouldn't." She softened her tone as she regarded the thought. Yasmin relaxed a bit, finding her nerves still being overpowering.

"What about you? Do people get into what their favorite reporters are like behind the scenes?"

"Honestly, you might be surprised; There are people out there who really want to know that the people doing races or sports or such things are just people like the rest of us, with real experiences and flaws and such. As opposed to secretly being droids built for driving. Not that there aren't people out there that don't care about such things and are all about results and numbers and such, but this story wouldn't be for them, now would it?"

"It's been a few years. Still hurts, but I've come to terms with it." She took a deep breath, before laughing a bit. As if just pushing the thoughts away for a moment. "Guess I'm glad I'm able to provide a bit of context. I don't know if anyone is really looking for the deep thoughts from a Racer though."

With a shake of her head, Tew tried to stay relaxed and reassuring. She didn't a hundred percent ~feel~ relaxed, thanks to the slight chill and long shuttle flight earlier, but certainly nothing seemed off about the woman's response; It fit with the brief read she had on her.

"Better too long than too short, I think; Means less questions I have to try to think of, and the more context I can give your answers. I'm sorry to hear about your loss."

That last part... well, it'd always been weird trying to think how to react to the loss of someone's parents when she didn't even know what it felt like to have any.

"No. I grew up on Glee Anslem." She shook her head, the tendrils moving slightly behind her head. "Came out with maw and papa when I was maybe... six, seven? They were working with Sienar back then, systems analysts and technicians. Figured it would be easier out here on the Frontier, doing their part to keep law and order supplied." She smiled weakly, keeping her eyes on the reporter. "Then... the war happened. They protested the work after they heard what happened with Alderaan. Next thing I knew, I was an orphan. I never heard from them again." Had she really meant to share so much from the question?

She stopped. "Though that's a bit of a long answer for a really simple question, yeah?"

Tew tried to smile reassuringly, "Okay, that's better. I think I'll leave the vox recorder off for now, even with the questions. First off, have you always lived on Noventa, Miss Yasmin?"

Yasmin slid into the seat next to the twi'lek, her posture straight, but casual. Her teeth were gleaming white as she smiled broadly. She exuded a sense of nervousness.

Tew nodded and went over to some benches under the overhang, the rain still falling steadily outside it. But it was quieter here, even with that.

Taking a seat, she crossed one leg over the other before indicating the spot next to her as she got out her recorder.

The Nautolan laughed, leaning away from the racer, tucking ger hands inti the belt loops of her flight suit. "Oh. Go somewhere. Makes sense. Less noise. Sure!" She smiled. "Lead on!"