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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Jul 4, 2015 1:30:55 GMT -5
It was, Sikaara mused, rather the misstep. At some point since Bax had left her on Nal Hutta, she'd taken a wrong turn. Not in the literal sense of navigation, but in the much more problematic realm of personal action. The Togruta had managed to find trouble. And what was more, to find it very successfully. Hindsight was said to be perfect, but she was trying to divine how the answers.
Probably the swoop gang. She'd been doing reasonably well at a seedy little hostel, but upon running into them at the bar, she probably should've bought one of them a drink or two and tried to get on their good side. Instead asking one of them if he'd had rug burn sliding out of a Wookie at birth had proven to be something of a tactical error.
Luckily she'd spun an elaborate yarn of prestige that ensured no mistreatment. Well, minor mistreatment. Nothing she couldn't handle, while acting appropriately indignant over grabby hands. And a few bruises. Not that they showed up so easily on her.
However the situation currently was limited. Not terrible. Aside from the general indignity of it, she'd landed one of the more comfortable options inside slavery. Not scrubbing the floors and doing menial labor, nor being a prostitute for general use, but instead just being pure eye candy. Well, technically 'exotic dancer' was the term. Not that dancing was hard. For her at least. The grabbing was a bit awkward.
Still, it was all about using her... assets. Appearances were essentially her trade, and if she'd learned anything else, it was that men wanted an angel dressed up like a devil.
If she'd had say then maybe things would be a little different, but as it was, the 'angel' was considerably drowned out. Her rust-colored skin was liberally-exposed, and her attire was reduced to a shiny black metal bikini, the bottom with a matching loin cloth. Luckily she'd managed to keep her leather gloves, probably because they'd matched the color scheme. There wasn't much spare room in them, but she'd managed to slide a computer spike into the left palm. Just in case she needed it.
Nothing had been slipped into the stockings, but those were conspicuously too tight anyway, meant for a woman who had less curve. Apparently the Hutt who owned the facility wasn't big on well-stocked inventories of lingerie. His loss.
The facility, other than that vital oversight, wasn't bad. Under other circumstances she might even have enjoyed it. Not for the scantily-clad women dancing more or less personally, but for the marble floors, the richly-adorned gaming tables, and the pleasant music playing in the distance. Of course it was from some lounge, and only her excellent hearing helped discern it from the uptempo music they were expected to dance to.
It was a holding pattern for now. Kara didn't mind playing stripper for a few weeks, or maybe months. But after that slavery would be steadily more unpleasant. Doubly so if they called her bluff and put her into a worse position. Daughter of the elite merited comfort. Daughter of a leather tanner merited nothing. Some would decry the injustice of it, but to her it was just a fact of ordinary life.
Bax was due for a return. The question was whether or not he'd be willing enough to play detective and find her. It was effort. Sikaara had a very low degree of hope when increased amounts of effort were required. People were like water, and without a major boost they would take the downhill slope rather than a steep climb. How much of a push she'd have to make was unclear...
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Jul 4, 2015 22:36:47 GMT -5
Bax was amazed that after all the literally and figurative time he'd spent fucking around on Garqi he still left in enough time to keep his promise with Kara. He hadn't come back with a a million credits like she undoubtedly would've liked, but the junker thought ninety thousand would be enough for a comfortable stay on New Cov for awhile.
Then again, he already knew her highness wouldn't be impressed with his fast cash. Bax hadn't know Kara for long, but she already struck him as being high maintenance when she could help it. Which is why he was a bit shocked that the coordinates she'd left him via holonet was for a cheap seedy place by even Nal Hutta standards.
On the flight to the dank world he seriously wondered of she'd blown the money he left on something, someone or a drug habit she failed to mention. Bax first started to get worried when he got no answer from the comlink or the hostel's number she'd left, but didn't think too much of it. In his mind it wasn't too far a stretch that she just took the money and stuff he'd left behind, and hopped the first ship off world.
Bax wasn't mad when he showed up at the rendezvous point with no sign or her, he wasn't even that sad, instead he just felt a ton of disappointment. Not just over that they didn't get to bump uglies one last time, but that their partnership didn't even get off the ground. The junker had warmed up to the idea of having her around, so he felt even lonlier than before as he went to the sleazy hotel's bar.
A few drinks in, as if he wasn't feeling mesirable enough, Bax offhandedly asked about the bartender having seen any beautiful Togurta lately without expecting any meaningful answer. He dropped his glass just as he raised it to his lips when the rodian behind the bar mentioned a kidnapping equally offhandedly. It took a decent bribe, but the junker found out the togruta had to have been Kara and that is was a swoop gang that did the snatching.
Bax didn't have time to enjoy the feeling of not being abandoned, before he began to look for leads on his friend. The tip about the gang lead him to a swoop mechanic, who lead him to a fuel station, who lead him to an auction house and eventually to a hutt. A third rate skidmark of a hutt named Denga, to be specific. Compared to most of the slugs he was considered either a saint or a whimp, depending on who you asked, and his only claim to fame was owning literally the best casino on the planet.
That was where Kara had been sold to, and there was where Bax was going.
However, he arrived all hyped and ready to attempt her daring rescue, yet held off when he found out she was just a stripper. He'd imagined Kara being in much worse trouble than that, being a slave notwithstanding, so the junker decided to sit on his plan for another day or so. Bax was damn sure they wouldn't ever be coming back after this, so it seemed a bit of a waste not to take advantage of such a fine establishment.
After two days and one night of taking in shows, living at buffets, blowing money at the gaming tables and getting pampered at the spa, he was ready to save his friend. Contrary to his normally scruffy appearance, the junker looked like a shaved and decent smelling member of society when he walked into the "Lekku Lounge" for a lap dance. Still, he was clad in a shirt from the gift shop and well worn pants when he arrived, so the lack of stubble and his holster were the only things out of place from his normal delighfully tacky look.
The maître de at the front set Bax up with a private booth for a more intimate experience, and sent an assistant rushing off to get just what the man was looking for after a decent tip. After parting the curtain to his room the junker went straight to the minibar while he waited for the togruta to be brought out. Besides when he took the first sip of his horrible improvised Outland Sunrise, Bax propped his feet up on the round table in front of his seat with a smug grin for his friend's inevitable arrival.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Jul 5, 2015 1:02:42 GMT -5
Sikaara's impatience had indeed been growing. It was long enough past Bax's projected time of return that the Togruta had been forced to conclude he'd moved on. Either he'd just casually dismissed her absence, or he'd never arrived. Or at worst he'd heard of her trouble and come to the conclusion trouble was a regular occurrence for her. Not entirely untrue, but it was a side-effect of being a survivor without any other job title.
When the assistant came over to summon her, the rust-skinned woman tried to pick his mind about the client. It was always a good idea. Already she'd developed a few cautionary stereotypes from the Twi'leks who'd been here longer. Hardcore-Imperial types for instance tended to think the exchange needed to be more intimate. That necessitated being 'aloof.'
The assistant's words were 'human in a tacky shirt,' in a jumble of other words that mostly slipped past Kara's attention.
She followed to the booth with the faint idea that it might be Bax. Admittedly the descriptor was far from authoritative, but she'd hold out for whatever hope she could find.
It was with remarkably little surprise in her expression that she brushed the curtain aside and stepped in. Not for lack of provocation though. The human was lounging, drink in hand, feet on a table, smug expression on his face. Almost instantly Kara felt the urge to give him a good, hard slap. And then probably the best kiss he'd ever had in his life. It was a strange dueling mix of indignation and deep relief.
Instead, she walked slowly towards him and deposited herself onto his lap. Her gloved hands interlaced behind his neck and she whispered her communication.
"They might have cameras in here. We're not going to have a lot of time. But let me tell you this... You're a sight for sore eyes Bax."
One hand reached down to trace the clean skin on his cheek. The leather didn't drag, but moved cleanly and smoothly across.
"You shaved," Kara observed, licking her lips, fangs peeking out in the process. "Under other circumstances you'd have me very, very interested right now."
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Jul 5, 2015 7:54:35 GMT -5
Bax told himself he was going to stay in his smug mode at least for a little while after he got reunited with his friend, just to needle her about getting kidnapped, but that fell through the second they locked eyes. The Junker's smirk shifted to a genuinely happy grin when he saw Kara alive and well.
He'd known she was a few days ago, just seeing her in the flesh really drilled it home.
On a less wholesome note, he was really digging her new outfit. Bax was starting to get hard just thinking about her wearing it around the ship sometimes, her hopping on his lap only sped up the process. "Missed you too~." He whispered back, just now starting to regret not coming to help earlier.
"Mmm I hope I'll keep your interest after I get you out of here too." He continued, before putting his drink aside and slapping his well manicured hand on her ass.
"OK, so first things first, did they lojack you with a chip or implant any kind of security measures? I don't have any weapons on me of course, so shooting our way out isn't an option. We got transportation, I just gotta get you to it." Bax explained quietly, while working his hand under the back of her loincloth and fishing out a handful of credit bills with the other.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Jul 5, 2015 18:08:07 GMT -5
The lap dance now ensuing was a hilarious contrast to their words. While they certainly looked intimate to anyone who was watching, their whispering was all planning. There was even more silent planning as well. Luckily Sikaara could think fast, as fast as she could lie even. A plan was starting to form in her mind. It all hinged around roles. Bax had an escape from the planet, and no chance of success through weaponry. She had a false story, and a single computer spike. It seemed natural then to use deception, to make the tale she'd fabricated seem real.
When you pushed a Hutt, they were either arrogantly dangerous, or cowardly. From what she knew of Denga, he was too small a fish for the arrogance. He'd buckle if the stick was big enough. And that, along with Bax's... Possible appearances...
Her hand traced his cheek once more, moving down, and around an excellent chin... He could manage it. If he could deliver the performance.
"No security implants, I put an act, told them I was Alasri Ta, the third daughter of Shili's First Minister. If we can convince them of that, we can walk out of here together. You're going to find a seamstress, quietly, and get yourself an Imperial officer's uniform. Something nice. Senior rank. Staff maybe. ISB might raise questions..."
Her thoughts flitted momentarily back to those cream and black uniforms, and other thoughts they provoked, but only for an instant. Her green eyes were back to business quite completely.
"You'll come here, and claim you're here on behalf of the Empire for my release. Then you and I play it by ear," Kara added, literally whispering into his ear, her ample chest in full contact with him. "Sound good?"
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Jul 5, 2015 20:02:18 GMT -5
Kara's words touched Bax's mind with an almost ethereal grace as the rest of his senses focused on the ride he was being given. This was the finest lap dance he'd ever gotten, and was three times less that base rate of the second best he'd ever had. His friend's loincloth ended up resembling a grass skirt made of credits by the end, and he would've added more if he had anymore cash on him.
"Sounds perfect~" Bax remarked, enjoying how perfect her breast felt against him. "I can pull this off, just give me an hour or two..." He added, just before that same assistant from earlier poked their head in for a moment. The gesture was simple: time's up. As much as he would've liked to extend his time with Kara, the junker figured she wouldn't appreciate being a slave any longer than he promised. So, without even a dismissive glance, he waited for her to dismount his and then left.
Despite his friend's suggestion, Bax decided to steer clear from taking in the service of any seamstress. He had something better. Nobody he knew fashioned uniforms to imperial standards, and when he left Coruscant and his old job he took more than a few pens and mugs.
Taxis were always waiting outside the casino, so Bax decided to just take one of them back to the Drifter. He'd not wanted to get his vessel flagged by security in case of a messy exit, and had instead parked at a lot a few kilometers away. The junker ran to the craft as soon as he paid the man, the clock was counting down.
The hardest part of what followed was tracked down the suitcases he'd been carrying when he cleaned out his locker, and a few others, way back when. Bax eventually found them between wookie shampoo and rancor sedatives. Inside were an odd collection of imperial uniforms he'd liberated from his old barracks. It took a while, but the junker was able to find a tunic and trousers that would work for him. He'd been hoping for a fleet uniform, yet a stormtrooper officer would do just fine. The second hardest part was remembering the right code cylinders and rank plaque cubes.
With the addition of mirror shined boots and a decent cap transformed Bax into a run of the mill crisp Imperial colonel, but that wasn't enough. He had to be extra sure he sold who he was, for Kara's sake. Further rummaging supplied the junker with an imperial signet ring and a green sash embroided in gold. If memory served that latter was from an uppity noble from Eriadu, perfect accessory to be an ass with. After a generous application of gel to keep his hair together despite the cap, he was ready.
Instead of a cab, Bax was returned to the casino in a classy limo from the nearest service he knew. The man who briskly marched up to the concierge with fists clenched and boot steps echoing around the marble hall wasn't Bax, he was Colonel Ventac Seeglain.
"You! Tell whoever handles matters of grave importance at this...establishment, to get down here immediately. Stress that this is a matter of Imperial business, and it is in the interest of every single sentient in a several mile radius not to make me wait." The colonel snapped at the clearly shaken rodian under his icy glare.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Jul 5, 2015 21:12:02 GMT -5
At the sign of time being up, Kara rose and backed away, slowly, with the kind of turn that made sure the parting view was fantastic. It was precisely the good behavior that the staff expected of their slaves.
The Togruta had time to spend of her own now. For maximum productive results.
"Raleen," She spoke with as much haughty pride as she could muster, her Togruti accent played up for full effect. "That was degrading and beneath my station, and you know it. I demand you give me a few scarce moments of privacy."
The human assistant rolled his eyes, he'd grown used to her 'diva moments' as he accepted them. However as she handed him the full amount of money she'd been tipped, he became more accommodating. It was good pay. Better than he'd expected his cut to be as well.
"All right, you're off stripper-duty. You've got an hour to yourself. Stay on this level. Don't cause any trouble. And try to entertain the guests."
It was all Kara needed to hear, and she walked out onto the floor, keeping the same haughty aura, eyes upward, moving like a Queen of some ancient lineage. It was important to establish this as what people remembered. But the real reason for her freedom was simple. In the security office on the floor was a computer terminal. If she made herself a little back-door entry into it... Well, she wasn't a slicer, but this would pull the wool over their eyes well enough for a short escape. As she had fully expected, the office was terribly secured. The door was kept slightly ajar as the guard smoked on the veranda.
She moved in silently and pulled the glove off of her arm. The spike fell out into her palm, and she slid it into the computer port.
Her skill at that sort of thing was rusty, but it came back to her as she made herself a remote access code. From there she swiped a datapad, connected it to her back door, and tucked it under her cleavage. She slithered out quietly as she came in, and continued to prowl the floor in regal pride... But always came back to the security monitors.
Downstairs, the Rodian concierge was obviously startled. He didn't usually make any important decisions, and the Empire meant important decisions.
"One moment sir," he told the human in Basic, and then picked up the commlink at his hand, calling straight to the Casino Manager. Their conversation in Huttese was certainly swift, a rapid exchange of incredulity.
"The Empire? Here?"
"Yes sir. And very adamant about your presence. Immediately."
"Direct him to the service lift, have a guard accompany him to my office."
"Of course sir."
The Rodian set down the comm link.
"Please sir, at the end of the lobby is a lift, one of our guards is waiting by it to escort you to Rama'denlo, our Casino Manager. And on behalf of the management, thank you for your patience."
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Jul 6, 2015 21:43:37 GMT -5
Rule #1 of being a humancentric dick: never personal thank a nonhuman for anything.
Colonel Seeglain continued to stare daggers at the rodian while he talked to his boss via, but didn't show signs that he know Huttese at all. Bax obviously did though, and he was gonna keep that secret tucked away for now.
"Very well." Was all the colonel stated before turning on a heel and heading towards the lift. He already knew a guard was going to join him due to the eavesdropping, yet still displayed open disdain and displeasure at being stuck in closet quarters with a feeorin armed with a forcepike.
The ride to the pent house was a surprisingly short one with the express lift picking up speed after the public floors. Seeglain exited the tight space into a personal lobby that outshined the one downstairs. The colonel didn't let his stoney features soften, but the flesh around his eyes seemed less harsh while viewing the statues and paintings lining the path.
After moving past a human receptionist, he and the guard was joined by a Nautolan wearing the same security outfit. Together they pushed open a massive double door, and introduced Rama'denlo and his fabulous office.
The colonel first took notice of the two waterfalls flanking the monolithic desk in the center, before aiming his eyes at the Twi'lek behind it. Rama'denlo happened to be one of the fleshy toned members of his race, and had a physique that spoke or strength and activity before moving on to glory and decadence.
As the Twi'lek rose to his feet Seeglain noticed the sheer quality of the robes that he clad himself in. The flecks of light in the sun spoke of handmade silk from somewhere. The colonel glued himself to a pattern he liked on the tilework while Rama'denlo drew closer.
"My name is colonel Ventac Seeglain, and I come here on behalf of Minister Ta of Shili and the Imperial sector governor he serves. According to our sources in this area, his daughter Alasri was kidnapped recently and brought here as a slave. The minister would like his daughter back." He explained clearly, before introductions could be properly made or the Twi'lek could layer on his own bullshit.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Jul 6, 2015 23:31:26 GMT -5
Rama'denlo was playing classic power tactics. As the Imperial entered, he was examining a report on his computer terminal. He only looked up a few seconds after the door slid open, and then delayed rising another second. It was always important to show others they weren't the top priority. Put them in their place. However it was also important to be gracious, something the exquisitely-dressed Twi'lek was fully capable of.
The Twi'lek gave a kind of a half bow, and gestured towards a comfortable leather armchair with one neatly-manicured hand. He smiled, and replied to the words of introduction given, his own tone an amicable and smooth baritone.
"Welcome to Nal Hutta Colonel, it's always a pleasure to entertain foreign guests at our fine establishment. Please make yourself comfortable." He snapped a finger, and a side door opened. A young Twi'lek woman with bronze skin a shade darker than his own entered, clad in attire not so revealing as it was tastefully artistic.
"Could I offer you beverage? Tabac? We take our hospitality quite seriously here." The wave of his hand made it clear any requests were to go through the young woman, and Rama continued to stand behind his desk, moving about very slightly.
"I of course won't burden you with too many pleasantries Colonel, I'm sure a military man like yourself appreciates a certain kind of direct response. So I will make myself quite clear. I'm afraid I'd heard nothing about such rumors, we certainly have Togruta slaves, but I doubt any of them are from such prestigious backgrounds as your acquaintance. This is, in all probability, a misunderstanding and nothing more."
The major domo lowered himself into his chair, and began furtively entering the name 'Colonel Ventac Seeglain' into his computer...
------
In a bathroom a few stories down, Sikaara was seated in a stall, staring at the datapad. She'd seen Bax go in on the monitor, up the lift. He'd been wearing what Kara'd guess was befitting a Stormtrooper officer. Either that or it was general staff. Rank of Colonel, respectable amount of code cylinders. It was a great balance, but the trick was backing up whatever narrative Bax made.
Creative human resources, the most underrated bit of technical skill. Kara'd seen plenty of the Casino's reports in the past few days from poking her nose where it didn't belong. It wasn't too hard to find their instant background check forms though, and to prep a creative little summary for some Colonel who would fit the bill. Still, she'd have to type quickly to get the name in and the document funneled back to the sender.
What information she placed was deliberately somewhat vague, serial number redacted, current posting on Shili, and so forth. She fabricated quite the compelling little descriptors. It was almost a pity she couldn't justify more from one of their 'instant' checks. Too much data would raise as many flags as too little. Hopefully they were all walking the correct balance.
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Jul 8, 2015 17:54:07 GMT -5
Bax know this Rama'denlo was gonna be trouble the second he said the word 'pleasure'. Nobody being honest, or wasn't an imperial themselves, ever had anything positive to say about the Empire showing up on their doorstep. The junker wouldn't expect honesty in even a droid on Nal Hutta, but this Twi'lek just had a bad vibe all over him. Dishonesty was normally a forerunner to skepticism and normally an attempt to discredit. Bax wasn't going to make it easy.
Without a word in response to Rama'denlo's hospitality, the colonel walked over to the chair he had been directed to and sat gracefully without ceremony. A quick hand wave brought the woman closer, and the man underneath the hard persona really had to resist giving her a look up and down. "Tabac. Cigar." The imperial said flatly with his hand outstretched and fingers waiting for his order.
The Twi'lek removed a long cigar from a nearby carved box, clipped the end and placed it between his gloved fingers with practiced grace. It was only because he was playing a humancentric asshole that the colonel didn't thank the woman after she lit it with a wooden match a second later.
"You pick your servants well, Rama'denlo...., but your words less so. Do not doubt that the Empire, or myself, use the resources at their disposal to always be right. The girl is here. According to my sources, a certain....club of swoop riders abducted her some time ago. This club is frequently under employ of your master, to bring in fresh talent for this establishment. You must have met them." Seeglain fired back, never raising his voice, in a chilly monotone with a clear edge to the facts.
The colonel took several long puffs off the exquisite cigar in silence, letting his words sink into Rama'denlo's large head, before speaking again. "I will return the favor of your direct response by making this next part simple: bring the togruta you have in your employ before me for inspection. A quick confirmation of your claims will make this visit as short and painless as possible."
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Jul 9, 2015 7:55:54 GMT -5
Rama'denlo didn't reveal any outer tells, he was a seasoned gambler as much as any of the high rollers he entertained, but more importantly he was used to working with power. That the human had accepted a cigar and sat down meant there was wiggle room. A little breathing space to operate in. Had the officer stood coldly and demanding, not yielding, then it was probably he was exploring more forceful solutions. This was the triumph of civilization.
"I'm afraid you may know more than I, the owner of this establishment operates many businesses, behind liability blindness actually. I'm not privy to information about suppliers. And even were I, I'm afraid under trade policy I couldn't afford to tell you that."
The notification on his monitor flashed silently, and the Twi'lek opened the instant check.
Colonel Ventac Seeglain, of the Stormtrooper Corps, posted on Shili in administrative capacity. Verified. Or almost at any rate.
"I'm of course, eager to work with you to resolve this unfortunate incident, but you'll have to assist me..."
Rama'denlo looked to the same young Twi'lek and snapped his fingers.
"Seela'iya, please bring me the photographs of our Togruta employees, you should find them in the cabinet I think."
The young woman walked politely and quickly off to comply, and her superior looked back to the Imperial Officer.
"Truly a fantastic assistant. When she returns with those, I'll ask you to spot your charge in the rows, so as to ensure there's been no misinformation anywhere along the line. It's a standard procedure, I'm certain in your, well, line of work, that you deal with rather stringent policies. It's no different here I assure you."
Seela returned, and placed a file folder before the Human. In it were six pictures, Kara's in far edge of the middle row. All were simply identified by numbers.
----
Downstairs it was a quick maneuver to ditch the datapad and head back to her required posting, but Kara did it swiftly and very quietly. Unless someone made a concerted effort to track her movements on the surveillance logs, she was probably quite undetected. And, in her experience, people rarely went the extra mile. Not for ordinary business.
Whatever came next was going to be Bax's challenge to get away with.
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Jul 9, 2015 22:58:29 GMT -5
Bax was honestly more a drinker than a smoker, and more a fucker than a drinker, but he was really starting to warm up to cigars. The host clearly hadn't skimped on truly providing the best for his guests. Then again, this guy seemed the type to hide the best of the best for alone time. The bastard.
The colonel knew already that the tail-head wasn't going to out and out admit to hiring a swoop gang to pick up fresh meat, but he still had to put on a sneer to show his displeasure at being stopped by red tape. The Empire were usually the ones doing that.
"Very well, I will do my part." The colonel replied dryly, but noticeably reducing his cigar fast with a string of long puffs.
"Rules and policies makes the galaxy function, without it there would be chaos. The Empire is the might and the law that holds the galaxy together, yet I must appauld you for keeping some semblance of order for the property you oversee." He explained as they waited, hoping even the small compliment would ease the tension slightly. The moment of truth was almost there.
The time around the colonel gave at least a dismissive way old his hand to thank the Twi'lek's secretary. She had this assistant thing down pat. Seeglain only had to glance for a few moments before instantly recognizing his partner's face. "#3 is Alasri."
"As pleasant as you hospitality is, I would like to collect Lady Alasri and return to my ship post haste. Her father has urgent business that requires all of his children to converge on Shili. My duties await my return, so I insist we make our swift exit."
"I also do hope no harm came to Lady Alasri during her...stay here." The colonel added sternly, as he rose to his wait and left the stub of his cigar smoldering in a nearby ashtry.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Jul 10, 2015 0:57:25 GMT -5
Rama'denlo felt a momentary disappointment as the Colonel identified her correctly. It was a pity, the report he'd just surveyed had suggested Alasri was a good asset. On the other hand, further Imperial complications were to be avoided. There was little choice from a business standpoint but to release her. The only hope was that they could avoid ruffling feathers, perhaps by a more civilized exchange.
"I'll begin processing the release papers immediately Colonel, but it will be about two hours before everything is resolved. During that time I'd like to extend you, and Lady Alasri, full courtesy as guests. There's a private reception on the Upper Terrace, hosted at our owner's request periodically. By way of apology, please accept my invitation. I'll see to it that Lady Alasri is properly prepared and meets you there."
The Twi'lek rose from his seat, smiling in exceptionally polite fashion.
"Unless there's anything further, I'll have Seela'iya show you to the event?"
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Mr. Slender
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Post by Mr. Slender on Jul 10, 2015 18:07:06 GMT -5
For a few precious moments Bax was naïvely overjoyed that this plan of Kara's was going to go off without a hitch. She'd be brought out, they play their roles and then get the hell off of NaL Hutta. The colonel's eye fluttered once after Rama'denlo dropped the invitation. This was exactly what neither him or his friend needed...
"Very well, I accept. We can spare a few hours to enjoy your company and hospitality. Just do inform me as soon as the papers are ready." The colonel stated in his standard gruff tone, as he rose to his feet gracefully.
"That will be all, so I'll await Lady Alasri's presence. I'm sure your staff will adorn her according to her social class. Good day, Rama'denlo. It's been a pleasure." He added, almost sincerely meaning the last part. For being a slaving scumbag, the Twi'lek was a good host.
The colonel marched over to the vast doors once more, and casted a glare with 'hurry up will you' written all over it at Miss Seela.
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Post by Grand Moff Poobah I on Jul 11, 2015 9:53:20 GMT -5
Kara became aware of their plan's success the instant one of the more important assistants arrived with a sheepish sort of look. It read to her that he felt somewhat obliged to apologize, but lacked the inclination to really do so. It was that sort of awkward middle where full knowledge of guilt was there, but lay unspoken. Like awkward sexual tension between teenagers.
Under other circumstances Kara might have relentlessly badgered the man, rubbing her victory into his nose to get a little pleasure out of it. Instead, however, she kept it regal. Luckily their store of true finery was more available, and they succeeded in finding a white gown of silk, with a fantastic slit in the thigh. Kara was glad to shed the ill-fitting stockings, though her cherished gloves stayed on her arms where they belonged. Gold and diamond jewelry of obviously-excellent worth were added, in the form of bracelets and lavish necklaces. In proper Togruta fashion, Sikaara rejected the offer of some incredibly uncomfortable (though impeccably stylish) high heels.
From there, Kara was escorted through settings she might have liked very well under other circumstances. Impeccable marble floors, cool beneath her feet, aside verandas lined with exquisite plants overlooking the scenery. The whole place was, surprisingly, styled in that old High Republic sort of view, the kind of thing that had been rejected as too decadent several thousand years prior. It was old world elegance at the absolute best, and Kara would have adored it more, had she not been so keenly aware of the circumstances.
Pity.
Finally they stopped at a long marble staircase, with a red velvet carpet running neatly down the stairs to end at a large black and white tiled floor, bustling with a small crowd and the sounds of a string quartet. The clink of crystal glasses was audible, and for the first time in ages she let out a contented little sigh as she stepped slowly down the stairs, a protocol droid announcing her.
"Alasri Ta, of the First Family of Shili."
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