A Fist Full of Credits [Canto Bight OPEN]

[Julius Sedaire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laWj4OOGo7c​

Private Sabacc Room
[member="Ember Rekali"]

Smiling, he watched as one card flashed to an Idiot, and he was given a two. The Array would win the hand, and with the superstisions about the hand, it spoke volumes to him. A tremor of Farsight brought a troubled glance for a moment, a tremor in his aura, as he saw a potential end to things. But then a half-smile with more of it reflected in his eyes shone as the hand ended, and he nodded to Ember. Glancing to the chips, he chuckled and put the cigarra on a crystalline ash tray. A button was pressed, ordering some bantha burgers and a round of dark ales. At the mention of Alderaan, he grinned ear to ear.

"Alderaan is... Almost a second home. I know the royal family very well. At least one member. I can give them a wave and see if they can help. One of them in particular might. And I give you my word, my intent is honorable and non-biased. I will heal the hurt i've done. And when it is all over, if they still want my head, they will have it."

A cough, and he took a pull at the flask again.

"So what is the game plan, or do you have one yet?"

 

[Julius Sedaire]

((Apparently the site double posted on my behalf))

 

[Jim Pehico]

Jim chuckled at the woman’s comments. It was an odd place to pick up women to say the least. As she turned around Jim looked at her in awe. She truly was magnificent. Beautiful and Sarcastic, Jim knew he wasn’t dealing with just any person. Whoever she was, Jim had a feeling she was a professional.

“Well, to be fair, everything I usually try hasn’t been working like it used to before. Decided I had to shake things up.” Jim said jokingly, “Saw you here and decided to take a shot. Got to say I think I’m doing a pretty good job so far.” Jim said with a charming smile. “Anyways Miss, what brings you to Cato Blight? You don’t seem to be the gambler type.” Jim asked.

[member="Tin'tinag"]

 

[Vilhelm Balfour]

Semi-Private Sabacc Room

Vilhelm Balfour walked into a room in the back after a good conversation with the barabel at the door. More like his manager the rodian, truth be told. Balfour wasn't on the list prior to arriving, but Balfour knew the right people and had the right favors to gain entrance. The room had a musk of quality cigars, with a well-dressed theelin waitress serving the finest of drinks. Upon his entrance she swung with a smile.

"Can I get you anything?" Her voice was smooth, inviting, and refined. She probably made more than most ship designers off the tips here.

"Whyren's Reserve 825 and your finest cigarra." Balfour replied, and the theelin gave a pilot nod and headed to retrieve his drink as Balfour headed to the main table. All eyes were set upon two old humans, who looked more aged by the use of weapons than by their sale. Balfour made his way to an open spot and waited for the hand to be finished to be dealt in, keeping a careful eye on his competition.

[member="Ember Rekali"] [member="Ijaat Mereel"]

 

[Tin'tinag]

Tin gave him a light chuckle, though lacking in some areas he certainly had confidence and honesty to make up for it, which was better then some people she had met. Other would brag about how great they where, improbably feats of accomplishment in attempts to wow her, other times they where to timid or just straight up not engaging enough to catch the Twi'leks eye, but this man, he was her type, well personality wise anyways.

"Well, your not laying on the floor with a hand print on your face or clutching onto your gulleis, so I say your doing okay, as for gambling yes, not really my cup of tea, just here for a stop off mainly, pick up some thing, get back to my Very Legal Freighting business... what about yourself, you don't really strike me as a professional business man".

[member="Jim Pehico"]

 

[Jim Pehico]

Jim got a good read on the woman now, she seemed to be sarcastic yet confident. Something Jim can admire as he is the same way. The woman seemed interested in him, but he wouldn’t know for sure unless he asked her to dinner. If she says no, well there might be some leftovers back at his ship. If she said yes well he better find something nicer to wear.

“Professional? I’d say. Legitimate? Well my customers think so, but the authorities would say otherwise.” He chuckled.

“I’m just doing my daily shipment of salt to the casinos.” He called her closer so he could whisper.

“Truth is I get the salt off the surface of Crait and sell it as high-end, luxury salt, they buy it everytime. About a quarter of each shipment is the red sand beneath the layer of salt, giving it a nice pink tint.” Jim whispered deviously. He then backed away a bit.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s good salt, but there’s nothing special about it.” Jim then gave himself a small smack on the forehead. “Totally forgot to introduce myself. The name’s Pehico.” He extended a hand out to her. “Jim Pehico.” He said with a charming smile.


[member="Tin'tinag"]

 

[Shia Kryze]

Shia looked up as a battered, scarred old patron in a poncho came to the table. She sighed inwardly, she wasn't sure if she was happy, or displeased that right here, right now, trouble had found her. Knowing her luck, the Slayer of Manda'yaim would join the table next.

"Call." She said laconically, throwing her cards forward without much of a care. She gave the old man a friendly nod, maybe trouble wasn't looking for her tonight. After all, there were plenty of other people it could be here for.

"Need dealing in?" She asked, before the falsely charming dealer could get there.

[member="The Master With No Name"] (and anyone else I've missed. 30 posts while I slept, people!)

 

[Ember Rekali]

Semi-Private Sabacc Room
[member="Ijaat Mereel"] [member="Vilhelm Balfour"]

Idiot's Array beat Ember's twenty-one. The price of a small ship went to Ijaat as the hand pot.

"I've struck a bargain with the Mandalorian Empire's leaders. They leave Dathomir in peace, minimal presence, release all captives. In return, I help solve an unrelated puzzle for them, and both the witches and I avoid all association with you." He smiled faintly. "Plus The usual threats on both sides. It won't last. They'll find a pretext sooner or later. I have no doubt Munin would even use this sabacc game to declare war if he knew about it. So my goal now is to prepare for the day when the Empire breaks that deal."

Here came another man, younger, clean-cut, deeply important. A new hand got started.

"What you want to bet she's real Theelin?" said Ember, indicating the server who'd gone for Balfour's order. "They're extinct, last I heard. Holdout from a lost colony, like the Sith purebloods you run into, or you think it's cosmetic surgery?"

 

[The Master With No Name]

Bemused by the gamblers at the table acknowledging him, [member="Coren Starchaser"], the Old Master gave them curt nods. The rattataki ,[member="Shia Kryze"], was first to offer him a seat.

"Need dealing in?" She asked, before the falsely charming dealer could get there. The Old Master turned his cold blue eyes down to the rattataki, and then rolled them aside to the credits scattered across the table next to strewn cards.

"Damn drifters!" spat a Chadra-Fan in a clean cut gold trim white suit. The short rodent alien barely reached the table free-standing so he sat on a special stool while his pimped-out R2-D2 supplied a snide supporting comment. The Chadra-Fan waved his goblet at the Old Master continuing is complaining in slurred bouts of rage. "This casino used to be a home for class and sophisticated persons, with nothing but, their immense wealth and their wits! Now any scum with a hyperdrive and some credits gets to dirty up the table with their--" unaware he had yet to finish his sentence the Chadra-Fan drowned himself in another deep gulp.

The Dealer being supremely confused only kept to his task he reached out a welcoming hand and gestured to the table, "Well sir would you like to be dealt in?"

The Old Master raised his open palm and waved the dealer to give up. "I don't gamble." he said, to everyone's profound confusion. Going to Canto Bight and saying I don't gamble, is like going to Tatooine and saying ​Sorry I'm not into smuggling and thieving. "Drinking is enough of a vice for me." the Old Master continued, "I'm looking for the Race Masters."

"Race Masters? Hah! Like they'd see one of you!" the Chadra-Fan suddenly burst back into the conversation, "See the private rooms up there?" The Chadra-Fan swerved in his seat and pointed with his stunted fingers at a set of wide windows on a balcony level accessed by a single banister decorated staircase. "The Masters hang up in the semi-private dealer's rooms upstairs! Only the high-rollers go there. Judging by the garbage bag you call a jacket you aint no high-roller hah!" The Chadra-Fan took another long sip and then levelled his black orb eyes at the Old Master. He then rubbed his lips clean and shrugged, "Maybe you're one of their handlers? They always looked like a disgusting lot."

The Old Master's thick bushy brow cocked up in interest. "Handlers?" he said.

"Yah! Their Handlers? You know the worker traders." the Chadra-Fan replied. The Old Master stepped aside and walked over to the drunk alien gambler. He stood right up against him. The Old Master loomed over him with his giant gray beard hovering over the short alien like a dark cloud. The Chadra-Fan recoiled for a moment, jerking on his R2 unit for cover.

"I am one of their Handlers. You've seen any of the Masters here?" the Old Master's question dropped on the Chadra-Fan like a cold chill. "Yah." said the rodent alien, his voice more timid. The Old Master's tone and driven the drunken stupor from the Chadra-Fan. "You can try Vossk, can't miss him. He's the ugly lizard in a gold suit surrounded by Twi'leks." Chadra-Fan said. The Old Master patted the rodent alien's shoulder, then nodded to the other gamblers and left the table. The Chadra-Fan flipped him the bird and continued his debouched gambling. Passing through the tables and their credit addicted patrons, the old Jedi walked up the banister decorated staircase towards the semi-private rooms. Below the Constable of security at a horde of security officers and the assault gamblers came rushing in. They began sifting through the casino members for the Old Master yet to spot him.

The Old Master himself reached the entrance of the of semi-private room. From there he spotted the gamblers ([member="Ember Rekali"] [member="Vilhelm Balfour"] [member="Ijaat Mereel"])and their security gang pushing through the crowd. He frowned, Fine. I guess we do this the fast and rough way then. Looking into the long private lounge, the Old Master spotted a gold suit adorned Trandoshan feeling up some Twi'lek dancers while gambling over a holographic sabaac table. The Old Master stepped over the threshold and walked in. Immediately he was stopped by two large men led by a large wookie. The leading human of the group reached out with his hand to physically try and stop the Old Master.

The Old Master paused in his advance and flipped up his poncho revealing his tattered brown jedi robes and black leather pants below. The he surged forward powered by the Force in ungodly speed he grabbed the first human bouncer by the arm and through matukai unarmed combat movements tossed him aside into a wall. The second human bouncer reached for his shock baton by the Old Master fuelled by the speed of the Force had whirled around in a flying kick and struck the second bouncer across the jaw sending him in a spinning heap to the ground. The large wookie roared and now powered down the lounge in a charge to bash the Old Master into a pulp.

The Old Master shot a toothy grin. "Come on you walking carpet, not like the first time I've decked one of you."

 

[Shia Kryze]

Shia let out a long, long suffering sigh as she watched the old man walk over to the private area, through the outer perimeter - he did a damn fine job dodging the lightweights they had marking the crowd, then disappeared up the stairs.

This could only end one way.

"I'll take my chits." She commented to the dealer, who was already ducking for cover, alerted by the covert radio bug.

A wookie's loud roar, and a body flew through a door and bounced down the stairs.

"Why does this happen everywhere I go?" Shia asked an uncaring universe. She shouldn't get involved, she really, really shouldn't. But the old man wanted the Race Masters, had no clue about the first part of finding a target the subtle way and... well... was probably on the side of the righteous, and Codex had several long paragraphs to say on that, and she had debts to pay if she ever wanted to enter the Manda. Which she kind of did.

She scraped up her chits, then with a shrug tossed them to one of the drunk gamblers who hadn't cowered yet and marched up the stairs after the old man. She didn't glance into the semi-private lounge as she passed, which was probably good for her blood pressure, right about now.

They'd disarmed her when she'd come in of course - not even a blaster - but no Casino that accepted rich Bounty Hunters had ever managed to work out how to ban Mandalorian's from their armour. The best they managed - and Shia had accepted - was to unload and lock all weapons systems. It wasn't like she needed them.

Then she caught sight of the man she'd followed as he took on the charging wookie. Oh by the Force. A Jedi. Well done Shia Kryze, you've just walked to the aid of a Jedi. This was not going to look good on her resume, but would pay off a karmic debt or six.

She sighed again, sucking in a deep draft from her narc-stick, waiting to see how this little dance was being played before she stepped in.

[member="The Master With No Name"] | [member="Ember Rekali"] | [member="Vilhelm Balfour"] | [member="Ijaat Mereel"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

There was just something about gambling that made Coren feel relaxed. Maybe it was the feeling of being just like he was behind the controls of his ship, prepping for some blind hyperspace jump. Or getting into a firefight. He knew that the odds were always stacked in someone’s favor, and somewhere, some when, it’d be stacked against him. The trick was outrunning the time the cards were not in your favor. Or just making sure that it was indeed cards, and not someone’s blaster, or your starcharts that were against you.

Starchaser was watching the Rattataki, and giving a bit of a glare. He was not expecting much danger from her, but with the new comer, he wasn’t sure. Seemed to upset a Chadra-Fan, and well, that was a bit what was going on. Coren shook his head and sipped his drink. The Old Man didn’t want to be dealt in? He took another look at the man.

Race Masters? Hmm.

That was one thing to do in Canto Bight. Coren preferred the table games. He was still waiting on the buyer for his products, the one who was trading data to the Alliance. But right now, this Old Man was causing a scene. He looked back to the dealer and Rataataki and nodded. “Yeah, the lady’s right. Same.” He tossed a look over to Porter and nodded. He was working to move, hoping to cash out, but shaking his head, he grabbed the chips.

Would be nice to have some profit. He waved at some of the beings. “Stay down.” C’mon Porter…

[member="Shia Kryze"]
[member="The Master With No Name"]
[member="Ember Rekali"]
[member="Ijaat Mereel"]

 

[D'vok Windroamer]

With a grunt and some hand motions, D'vok cashed out. He watched the three leave the table, and a red wisp of smoke followed them up the stairs and into the private rooms. D'vok could hear it calling him. He didn't really understand what was happening. He sipped his whiskey.
Moving. He wasn't in control of his body anymore, he thought. Someone was moving him like a puppet. He could hear them in his head, calling commands like a master to his dog.
Up the stairs.
Go. Now. Quickly.
Ignore the bouncer. He won't be trouble.
D'vok waved off the gamorrean who stood guard at the door, accidentally dropping a handful of credits onto the ground. The guard quickly went to grab them, leaving D'vok to move up the stairs. He paused next to the Rattaki woman from the table. He watched the old man. He appeared to be grappling with something. A giant fur ball. Wookie? Akk Dog? D'vok couldn't tell. He thought he was coming down. Another sip of whiskey. His lips were moving. Was he talking? The words didn't make sense even to him. He just listened to the puppet master. Turning to the Rattaki woman.
"Not a fan of Sabaac? Shame. Looked like you were winning. Nice armor, by the way."
His hand moved outwards.
"D'vok WIndroamer."

Near: [member="Shia Kryze"] [member="The Master With No Name"] [member="Ember Rekali"] [member="Ijaat Mereel"] [member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Tin'tinag]

Tin gave the an another eye roll, business man these days was a very loose term to use, if you sold stuff people classed that as a business man, but the talk about his clients 'thinking' he was legitimate did raise a Lekku, "Oh my, doing some naughty stuff under the radar I see".

She leaned in closer to his beckon, a little curious about what he had to say that was so secretive, 'he better not be trying to kiss me'. though would be surprised with the man rather con artist salt business description, "My my, looks like you have those all high and mighty big wigs wrapped around your fingers... not a bad business plan if I do say so myself, perhaps I can try it would with my own things".

Well first she would need to find something worth selling in large batches that could be tampered with, but for not it was time for the two stranger to know each other a little more, "[member="Jim Pehico"] hu, think I've heard that made before, but as for me". She extend her own hand in a mock dainty noble fashion, placing her hand again her chin, "I my good sir am Tin'tinag, your friendly neighborhood freighter captain".

 

[Julius Sedaire]

Semi-Private Sabaac Room

[member="Vilhelm Balfour"] | [member="Ember Rekali"]

Gesturing to the open seat for the newcomer, he nodded to Ember raising an eyebrow. Declining company beyond requesting the room private would cause a scene and issue. And though Ijaat didn't really need any weapons to deal with most opponents in battle, he didn't want to wind up fighting hat might be a potential source income. Nor did need weapons or want to lose more cash flow, he had seen the man fight, and he was brutally efficient with even just his hands. Calmly he took his winnings and smiled a half grin that the cigarra clenched in the corner of his mouth turned into an almost sneer.

Like Ember, he was not dressed for war, just in a simple tunic and breeches, all clean pressed and of Military cut, if not declaring allegiance anywhere. At the least, he could move efficiently in these clothes.

"Have a seat, try a hand. Though despite that performance, watch my friend here. He's got the luck of a Solo when it comes to this game... And no, I'm sure she is probably a clone or surgical model. Though it might be interesting if she were not. For instance, you Dathomirians interbred with the Natives of Concord Dawn and made a whole new race. Maybe she's an off-shoot, just cosmetically similar. Either way, a fine specimen. Fine specimen to be sure"

The commotion caused a raised eyebrow, but Ijaat only turned to look as he took a pull of the flask he held, eyes calculating and calm, hand drifting towards a non-present blaster at his hip, and his eyebrow raised to Ember as he nodded to the scene unfolding.

 

[Jim Pehico]

Double post sorry

 

[Jim Pehico]

Jim smiled this conversation was very intriguing for a number of reasons. She has potential to become a business associate of his. She also has the makings of being a wonderful romantic partner as well. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand, his moustache feeling like a brush on her hand.

“Well Ms. Tin’tinag, I must say it’s been a pleasure meeting you, and an even bigger pleasure to talk to you. I have to go now to deliver a couple shipments of salt, but I was wondering would you care to join me for dinner. I’m gonna have all these extra credits from this shipment and I’d hate to spend it all on myself.” He said giving her a humorous fake sigh to accompany his request.

“You don’t have to answer me right now, but please send a message to my datapad.” He said handing her a business card with his contact info. “If you never contact me, I’ll get the message.” He chuckled as he walked back to his ship, which should be finished refueling by now.

[member="Tin'tinag"]

 

[Ember Rekali]

[member="Ijaat Mereel"] @D'vok Windroamer [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Shia Kryze"] [member="The Master With No Name"] [member="Vilhelm Balfour"]

Semi-Private Sabacc Room

Ember's features shifted slightly, an overdue precaution. Attention gravitated to the ragged old man toe-to-toe with the Wookiee. Recognition just wouldn't do.

He didn't go out of his way to hide his presence in the Force, though. If the newcomer felt it, so be it. An insane Jedi was fighting his way into a room made notable by Ijaat Mereel and Ember Rekali. That stank of inevitability, no coincidence involved.

"I'm not actually Dathomiri by blood," he said, fixing an eight face up. "Mother was human, father was Vahla. I didn't know a word of Paecean until my early teens. Call."

 

[Vilhelm Balfour]

Semi-Private Room

[member="Ijaat Mereel"] [member="Ember Rekali"] [member="The Master With No Name"]

"She's a talented staffer. If I were in such a life I'd see a rare genetic splice as a business investment. I'm sure it's paid itself over in this place." Balfour replied as he took his seat and was given a set of electronic shifting cards. The fact that one of his opponents was from Dathomir was very interesting, as it wasn't exactly a haven of upcoming businessmen. Balfour was curious about the stories, but let it go for now. He was more intrigued with their potential as contractors, at least for the moment.

Elsewhere a commotion was unsettling between an old man and a wookiee. Briefly thoughts went to the Ruusan Accords and Beyyr. He'd probably be enraged at this moment. Balfour was a little concerned about the development, far more than the two Force Masters at the table, but they'd only tell it with their sixth sense.

The Theelin returned, unaware or uncaring of their conversation at her absence, and poured him a glass of Whyren's Reserve and gave him a cigar. Putting it to his mouth the waitress pulled out a lighter and gave him a lit. Meanwhile the shifting cards gave Balfour a seven.

"Call."

 

[Tin'tinag]

She gave a fake swoon at Jim kissed her hand, like a prince out of the silly kid shows from long ago, it was a bold move on his part, but she did not mind, as far as it went this was just a very, physical form of flirting, or one could say old fashion, the moustache though was a little strange. "Like wise Jim (Hmm, very odd saying that), it was nice too, I better let you get back to business, and I myself better finish this shopping of mine too, as for dinner,

She examined the small piece of paper closely, "hmmm I'll think about it, perhaps if I can bring a friend, well when I mean friends I mean crew member, and when I say crew member I mean a cute pink Twi'lek, I'll message you later if she says yes". Tin let out a slight chuckle as the man started to walk away, out of all the things to happen today being asked out on a date at the end of the list, in all honesty the Twi'lek Jedi expected a bounty hunter to come after her, would be robbers or some traveling sales man or force user. "Well the galaxy is just full of surprises, anywho back to shopping".

Like nothing had happened the Twi'lek returned to browsing through the many street stalls.

[member="Jim Pehico"]

 

[Petal]

[SIZE=10.5pt]petal quickly a slightly frankly turned the corner of the marketplace this plant was so big & packed with people [member="Tin'tinag"] had warned her before they landed to be careful and to stay close but in her excitement and curiosity petal accidentally wandered of now she was alone and her pink skin had every eye on her and it was overwhelming ( got to find the captain repeating over and over in her head) then a slight blot of yellow in a sea of brown and greys she saw her. rushing past she bumped into a man with spiky blond hair and a walking like he just won a bet on a swoop race ([member="Jim Pehico"]).[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] She finally made it I-[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]im[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] sorry c-captain I saw something pretty a-and when I turn around to tell you this ugly green pig thing was blocking me then T-then the salesman keep trying to make me buy a bunch of other things instead of this [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]( shows Tin a very pretty but probably overpriced necklace) [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]he wouldn't let me gut it by its self and the pig wasn't letting me leave. when I finally got away you were gone. [/SIZE]