Private A Way Off This Planet

[Kei Jinn]

Coruscant
Outskirts of Uscru Entertainment District
Unknown Hangar

Ivory Stroud

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Nestled into the rear part of the large hangar, Kei's ship sat silently. He stood in the cockpit, trying to study each button and screen but only came away more confused. Noticing the Hangar Master finish his project on a small airspeeder, Kei quickly ran out of the craft and towards the old and skinny human.
The Hanger Master sighed as he noticed the young boy on his heels, trying his best to ignore him.
"Look mister, all I’m asking is a small refresher on the controls! That’s all!”
The man stopped and glanced back at Kei, “Refresher? With the way you came crashing to my hangar you need an academy. I can’t teach you kid, not with how busy I am." He continued walking, with Kei following close behind.
"I'll pay! I can help around the hangar too." He pleaded.
"Pay?" The man looked over his shoulder, "Look at you! I wouldn't be surprised if the measly amount you already paid me is the last of your credits! I'm already breaking my back giving you that space!"
Kei grimaced, "Keuk... Then that's that! You want me out, and the only way is to teach me how to leave!"
"Sell the damn ship, kid. You will get a good price for that thing, enough to get you wherever you are trying to go."
Kei paused, "I can't." The man looked on, inquisitively, "I just can't."
"Why?"
"Because I messed up down there! Okay?! I... I just couldn't bear it."
"Bear what?"
"That they took her! My sister! After all that!"
"Who did?"
"I don't know... but they did. And so I killed some of them for it, the ones who sold her. But she is still out there, somewhere. And they are coming for me, so please!"
The Hangar Master gritted his teeth at Kei's words, his thoughts conflicting in his head. "Ah, Drungir, you kriffing old man." He muttered to himself, "Listen, I can't help you. But I know of some people who just might. The Star Lounge, you know it? Ask that bartender there, the one with red skin, for "The Proprietor". The rest is up to you."
Kei squinted slightly, "What is this? You want me out that bad?"
"I'm not trying to get you killed you brat! I went to all this trouble for you and you still think I'm out for blood, huh? Fine. Forget what I said then."
Kei conceded, "Where is it?"
Drungir adopted a slight grin, "Just follow the signs, you can't miss it. Hide that blaster of yours, and if you aren't back for your ship soon I'll just assume you're dead. Remember, you didn't get this from me!"


Kei hid his white hair with a ragged hood, dipping in and out of the endless maze of alleys, streets, and bridges. A short maglev train ride brought him to the heart of the Entertainment District, glowing advertisements and holoscreen signs flooded the walls and streets. The further he walked the busier it became, even with the sun long set. Following the adverts led him to an overlook, where across the chasm were white glowing letters reading "The Star Lounge". He crossed the skybridge, noticing the people passing him and leaving the establishment. They looked wealthy, really wealthy. He suddenly felt extremely out of place for what felt like the first time in his life. He has never seen such lavish coats, cybernetics, or airspeeders. He lightly entered through the main entrance, with a doorman waving him inside.

It was crowded, and a classical instrument-heavy style of music that was foreign to him held the ambiance. He glanced around, mouth agape slightly at the lavishness of the restaurant, his expectations completely shattered. Hearing the rumors of the bar on the lower levels led him to believe it was seedy and barely held the facade of a normal restaurant but, this is the polar opposite. He could never imagine that criminals were behind any of this. He made his way through the upper level and spotted the bar down a small set of stairs, with exotic Twi'lek dancers to the right on a small dancing floor. He found an open stool, catching the attention of the red-skinned bartender.
When asked what he would order, Kei paused for a moment.
He leaned closer, "I'd like The Proprietor, please." he said with a gentle smile.

 

[Ivory Stroud]

(Parla Pui Piano, Slow)

The Zeltron bartender had leaned in, bringing his ear closer to the silver-haired customer; expecting a drink order… but when the silver-haired young man spoke, Phaelix studied him carefully. The pleasantly detached facade of a professional remained in-place, and the Zeltron returned the smile graciously.

Around them, the music continued… the dull hum of conversation mingled with the smell of food cooking in the kitchens beyond, and the two other bartenders behind the bar continued their duties.

Phaelix nodded, holding eye-contact with the young man, then spoke: “Please have a seat. It’ll just be a moment.” Strangely, the bartender did not request a name. Then, he turned around & approached a private tele-comm set on the ledge behind the bar, beside the impressive collection of colorful bottles. After a brief conversation with an unknown party, the Zeltron turned back to the young man & gave him a “follow me” gesture.” Without another word, the bartender stepped out to the left, exiting the bar and waiting for the visitor to join him before leading the way to the staircase.

The decor of the Star Lounge was elegant; red velvet upholstery lined the steps, and the handrails (like most of the metalwork in the restaurant) were a shiny golden brass. Along the walls leading up the staircase, portraits of landscapes & famous personalities known throughout Coruscant lined the walls; all of them clearly having been taken there within the Lounge itself. As the bartender led the way upstairs, the music & conversation below shrank with every step; clearly, whomever had designed the acoustics to the restaurant had paid particular attention to the comfort of its patrons. The second floor, the Lounge’s main dining area, was far more intimate; a number of tables were occupied, but everyone appeared to be enjoying a quiet meal. Without saying a word, the Bartender led the way from the staircase to a row of booths which ran the length of the building… to the right, a railing allowed diners on the top floor to look into the room below. To the left, a set of booths ran along the wall. At the far end, there was a single door marked “Private”, and it was toward this door the bartender led the young man.

Beyond, a separate section of 6 private booths - each concealed by red velvet curtains - appeared empty, but as Phaelix led the way toward the second booth on the right, a shape was visible through the curtains… and as the Zeltron peeled them back, the single occupant of the booth was revealed:

A woman sat in the booth dressed in a black form-fitting dress & black, calf-high leather boots which seemed to shimmer in the soft light as-if they’d been polished. Long, raven-black hair fell down her back like a waterfall, and visible across her shoulders, arms, and chest, her skin had been artfully decorated in a multitude of tattoos… some, elegant & beautiful, and others clearly having been stenciled by a rough hand. Atop her head, she wore a wide-brimmed black fedora which dipped low over her eyes, but as the woman turned toward the sudden interruption, their color would become obvious: a unique & mysterious deep violet. She was beautiful, unassuming, but radiated a cool, subtle power of command; as-if she, alone, could snap her fingers & tear the world asunder.

A subtle smile crossed her full, ruby-red lips as she glanced toward the Zeltron, then toward the young man alongside him.

“Ma’am. A gentleman wishes to speak with you.” The bartender spoke quietly, and the woman turned her attention from looking over the railing toward them. “A drink, please, Phaelix… and something for…?”

Her voice was musical, as soft as velvet yet cold as ice. With an open palm, she indicated toward the young man to join her in the booth at the opposite side to her. The invitation for him to sit, provide his name, as-well as order a drink, was obvious.

Kei Jinn​