Bane of Existence

[Cryax Bane]

​

Location: Planet of Antecedent, Unmarked Slicer Bar​

In the back of an unmarked bar in a location known only to the best and most malicious slicers this side of the Outer Rim, sat Cryax Bane, flanked by his now ubiquitous Mirari bodyguard droids. Although he relished the change of scenery from the Casino itself, the visit was more business than pleasure for the newly promoted crime boss who was now the President of the Red Ravens Criminal Syndicate. The young Chiss had scheduled many more meetings with seediest denizens of the criminal sector from Teth to Nar Shaddaa and this was sure to be just one small stop on his galactic tour of the Outer Rim underworld.

Cryax was currently looking at a prototype for a new type of Mind Evaporator, a device that a Raven business partner, a black market Bothan hardware junkie named Nyeb, was developing for possible use at the casino. Only the best would do for the Dragon Palace and unfortunately for Nyeb, the hardware seemed glitchy to the Chiss' experienced eye. As eyebrows at nearby tables were raised, an argument broke out between Cryax and Nyeb, and amid the sounds of cursing in both Cheuhn and Bothese, weapons were quickly drawn.

[member="Jalek Sathora"]

 

[Jalek Sathora]

Looking at lines of code wasn't an unusual thing for the Morellian slicer in question to be doing. Hacking into encrypted networks wasn't all that unusual either, and nor was drawing out information that wasn't intended for his eyes, or anyone else's. The locale of the aforementioned activity was a bit odd for him, however. No stranger to a number of bars and cantinas that were called dives as a compliment, a place more upscale in nature wasn't where he thought to find himself at any point in his life. Then again, he never thought that he'd wind up working for one of the most well-known criminal syndicates of the galaxy, yet here he was. It had been roughly a week since he'd first accepted the offer from none other than the head of the organization, fellow slicer [member="Cryax Bane"].

There were some interesting developments concerning the Chiss in question as well, most of them in regards to exactly how he felt about Jalek. Their first meeting had been a tense standoff in and of itself, the second not much better, with it ending just as it had started. Since then, he hadn't had any contact with the man, but it was more due to want of trying on either of their parts than anything. So he'd come to a nearby slicer bar for a change of scenery, but so far all he'd really managed to do was overthink the past week and narrowly dodge a few unwelcome confrontations. The latter wasn't odd, but the first caught even him off guard.

His relatively quiet reverie was broken by the sounds of unrestrained insults and otherwise colorful language from a few tables over, coupled with the easily recognizable sound of safeties on blasters being disengaged. Maybe he had managed to avoid a fight, but it seemed someone else hadn't been so fortunate. Normally, he wouldn't have intervened, but the unmistakable intonations of Cheunh caught his ear. Sighing quietly with a grin on his face all the same, cigarette dangling from his lips, he stood, shutting down his datapad and taking it in hand, weaving his way through the sparse crowd to the table where the noise had originated, observing the scene from a distance, paying particular attention to where the weapons drawn were pointing before he approached.

Ignoring the droids, at least for the time being, he glanced around his surroundings and studied the nearby patrons that were milling about, palming a blaster from an unsecured holster and turning it over in his hands, nonchalantly examining the weapon. If Cryax had been paying any attention, he would have noticed his arrival the minute he stood. But, if everything went his way, hopefully the Bothan hadn't. With his trademark crooked grin Jalek put one hand on the Bothan's shoulder in a seemingly friendly gesture, pointing the blaster at him with his other. "What do you say we talk this over?"

 

[Cryax Bane]

As Chiss, Bothan, and droids stood around the table with blasters leveled in what could only be described as ridiculous overkill, a few tense seconds passed where nothing happened. Then Cryax saw a familiar tattooed figure approach Nyeb. In spite of himself, the appearance of the man put a slight grin on his face. The droids made no move towards the other slicer. After all, Jalek was a Red Raven now, and due to the full body and facial recognition software in the Miraris' programming, knew him as tribe.

Distracted now, Nyeb looked back to face the man standing behind him with a blaster trained on his temple, and that's when the droids moved in. One swiftly disarmed the Bothan and the other simultaneously hauled him up out of his chair by one shaggy arm. Dragging the short creature behind them, both droids headed for the door of the club and punted him outside, returning without fanfare to stand a few feet away from their Chiss master.

Once the two men had the table to themselves, Cryax motioned to the seat that had been occupied by Nyeb. He didn't want to admit it but he was glad to see the red-haired slicer, as the man had crept into his thoughts on more than one occasion since Cryax had hired him. "I see you've found a way to make yourself useful in the Ravens after all," Cryax quipped, his ego still bruised from their last encounter even after a week had passed.

[member="Jalek Sathora"]

 

[Jalek Sathora]

With a shrug of tattooed shoulders Jalek sat as he was bid, setting the blaster down at one end of the table for easy pickup, should the owner decide to drop by. His other hand deposited his datapad on the table, and only then did he regard the man before him with a barely disguised smirk, both at his comment and the situation he'd rescued the Chiss from. As best he could recall he'd never seen Cryax with a weapon on him other than his datapad, so seeing him armed was a surprise, though not a necessarily unpleasant one. "You must have been desperate for company, if you're dating Bothans now. But you can go ahead and relax, because I'm here and ready for another round of demonstrations should you require them." He returned the sarcasm with ease, leaning back casually in the booth, smoke drifting from the cigarette perched between his teeth to frame his face in a sort of ethereal wreath.

Instead of continuing their conversation he took up his datapad and began slicing once more, acting as if the Chiss across from him weren't there. It was one part his own way of continuing to return the quip with his stubborn silence, and another part being genuinely intrigued with his newest assignment. Joining the Ravens had included a number of benefits, one of them being a wide variety of jobs to choose from, with no shortage of challenges that improved his own coding along the way. Another was being able to work closely with the slicer that he was currently all but ignoring. Sure, he had his fair share of feelings for him, but that didn't mean he had to be outright obvious with them either.

Finishing with a final line of code he set the piece of technology down once more, not bothering to conceal what he'd been working on, a small part of him wondering what exactly he'd have to say about things. Flashing another smile he met the crimson eyes of [member="Cryax Bane"]. "Is this all you've been doing, the entire time I've been gone? I'm disappointed, Cryax. You are supposed to be the one and only president of the Red Ravens, after all. Are you going to hold another knife to my throat, or is it okay if I keep sitting here?" He threw his hands up as if in a gesture of mock surrender. "If it makes you feel better, you can go ahead and search me for any weapons. But I promise that the only one I have on me is my smile, among other things." Still he was relentless in his comments, even after the end result they had gained him during their last meeting. He knew that some kind of favor had been curried with the man, but was curious to see how far it extended.

Now he fished around in his pocket before pulling a lone cigarette from his pack, handing it across to Cryax. "A peace offering, of sorts. But I can't promise anything other than the fact that I won't be drawing any weapons on you unless you do the same first. Anything else is fair game, it's safe to say."

 

[Cryax Bane]

Holstering his blaster now that he was out of harm's way, Cryax studied the other slicer with a slightly amused expression as he smart-assed his way through the entire conversation. After their first couple of meetings he figured he'd be disappointed if he didn't get a little attitude from the guy. And a part of him liked the game. As to not be outdone, Cryax made sure that he generously returned the snark.

"I see you're still interested in my relationship status, Jalek. Have you been stalking my profile on C.U.P.I.D.? And yeah, I tried to wine and dine the guy, but he said he liked shaggy, tattooed redheads. Maybe you'd be more his type?" Cryax gestured to Jalek's messy hair with his hand.

The Chiss narrowed his eyes as Jalek dallied around on his Datapad, but he knew it was more familiar bluster from the other slicer and so he blustered right back. "Put it down, Red. This is a social call. I know you'd like to, but you don't have to impress me by working off the clock."

As Jalek passed the cigarette across the table, Cryax aggressively grabbed the other man's wrist, holding it in place. "Thanks but I don't smoke. I try not to do things that are bad for me." He smirked at the other slicer with a raised brow. "Unfortunately I don't always succeed. Why else would I invite you to sit down?" Then he took Jalek's hand and lightly stroked a couple of his fingers before letting it go.

[member="Jalek Sathora"]

 

[Jalek Sathora]

The cigarette was gone as quickly as it had appeared, and he let the screen of the datapad fade to black, though he still kept it on the table, to signal that he wasn't quite done with it and perhaps to show that he was still up in the air about their entire relationship, however untrue that might have been. By the reciprocation of his actions at their earlier meeting, Jalek had already determined that his feelings about the other slicer were felt in kind by him, even if it wasn't always the most obvious thing. But he wasn't making any extreme efforts to connect either, instead enjoying keeping Cryax guessing as much as he could without losing too much of the connection that had already sparked between the both of them. And so far, he felt he was doing a decent enough job.

"Unfortunately for him, I'm a bit more interested in a particular Chiss. And he seems to have just as much a thing for me." A teasing grin accompanied the statement, and he let his eyes drop to the other man's lips for a long moment, clicking his tongue piercing against his teeth, the gesture only as suggestive as Cryax interpreted it to be. "Mentioning a C.U.P.I.D dating profile implies that you have one, in which case, I'll have to do my research." That was half-joking, half-serious. There was a highly likely chance that he'd be able to slice into things if he did find it, in which case the Chiss would find his relationship status changed from 'single' to 'taken' in less time than it took to write a single line of code. An amused smile quirked his lips at the thought.

His reaction over the cigarette caused him to chuckle quietly, and he bumped his foot into Cryax's under the table, raising his eyebrows in mock surprise as if he wasn't sure what had just happened. "Funny you say that, because I try not to talk to people who could possibly be a good influence. Yet somehow, I always find myself in your company. It's weird how things like that work, isn't it?"

This expression of amusement stayed on his face as he blew a line of smoke rings into the air, though he took care to be sure they were to the side, almost as if in sign that he was starting to show some kind of grudging respect for the Chiss crime boss he was currently speaking with. That might have been true, and if he was completely honest for at least a moment the fact would be obvious, but that most certainly wasn't his biggest strong suit. Toying with people, however, was an art that he'd all but perfected.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

A waitress arrived at their table with a few drinks on the house for the Red Ravens crime boss and Cryax politely gave her a credit stick loaded with a generous tip. He turned back to Jalek and handed him a drink, which looked to be a whiskey. When Jalek didn't put his Datapad away, Cryax simply raised an eyebrow and then let it slide. He wasn't looking for total obedience from the man, just not total insolence. He ultimately wanted them to be equals, but couldn't let that happen right away. Not only because of their current pissing contest but also because of the shiny new chip on Cryax's shoulder from his new-found position.

He completely ignored the crack about a possible dating profile, but however nonchalant Cryax tried to appear, he couldn't help but notice each one of the man's suggestive moves. The thing with the tongue piercing, especially. At Jalek's little gesture, Cryax pressed a button under the table and smirked as the club's privacy screens rose up around them. Now that the two weren't in danger of being watched, Cryax let his eyes linger over the other man's face more freely.

"I'm a good influence, eh?" He asked with a low chuckle. "That remains to be seen. But I don't find it weird that you keep finding yourself in my company. In fact, I don't think you can stay away from me. Boss or not." A long slow blush creeping up on his face, he took of a sip of his whiskey, and then quickly changed the subject.

"So how are you making out in the Ravens so far?"

[member="Jalek Sathora"]

 

[Jalek Sathora]

As the privacy screens slid up Jalek raised an eyebrow, his grin only widening. "If you wanted something like that already, all you had to do was ask earlier. A bar wasn't quite the place I had in mind, but I suppose we can make it work." There were probably a number of lines he was crossing with that one simple comment, but he couldn't force himself to care all that much, especially since Cryax seemed to be returning his comments tenfold. But that only added to the amount of sarcastic repartee that came to mind, each comment worse than the last, depending on one's point of view. But if the other slicer wanted to play that game, then he'd be happy to return it.

If the screen that sheltered them from the view of the others wandering the bar wasn't enough to amuse him, the blush that crept across his cheeks and turned them purple only added to his amusement, and he appreciated the view for a moment. "I think it's likewise for you, otherwise I'd either be dead or in a cell by now. But maybe you're keeping me around just so you can see what other tricks I have up my sleeve. Since you didn't get enough of them back in your office." He tugged at the loose-fitting tanktop he wore, cracking a smile.

The last inquiry caused him to shrug again, as it was a question there wasn't really an answer to. Nothing too interesting had happened in his first week, so there wasn't much to tell in that department. He'd just have to add his own personal touch. "You mean, besides getting to see the president shirtless and kiss him in his office and otherwise? That'd make anything seem boring. So no, nothing's really happened. Unless you count us talking right now. I'd say life's going pretty well."

His eyes searched the other man's face for a moment, but really he was just doing it to see what kind of reaction he would get once more. "How about you, then? Since apparently you've only just been promoted." There was a few seconds pause. "I think, unless I'm mistaken, that as boss you're supposed to be a good influence. But, rather unfortunately, I have other ideas in mind."

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

At Jalek's comment about the privacy screen, Cryax laughed, shaking his head. Despite himself, he was finding the red-haired slicer's comments somewhat amusing. When Jalek referenced his "tricks," the Chiss raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn’t say I didn't get enough of your tricks in my office." Then he added teasingly. "I didn't, but i wouldn’t say it."

When the other slicer mentioned the fun they'd had in his office, Cryax blushed again and gave the other man a cocky grin. "Really, Jalek?" he asked in a mocking tone. "I'm surprised I made such an impression on you. Especially since you seemed so adamant about not going any further." It was obvious the young Chiss's fragile ego was just as bruised as if the incident just happened a few minutes ago.

Finally he addressed the comments about his new title. "My promotion is a recent development, yes. And don't you dare say anything about me sleeping my way to the top." He pointed a finger a Jalek with a smirk. Then Cryax decided to let a bit of candor show. Just because. "I'll admit, I'm unlikely leader, but Lysle thought that wasn't such a bad thing. I think his exact words were, 'you'll fly under the radar for longer.' I'm the best Chiss for the job. No one knows this organization like me."

"As a boss I'm supposed to be a good influence." He added, sliding closer to Jalek in the booth. "As a boss of a criminal organization, I can be any karking kind of influence I want to be." At his last statement he gently moved his hand on top of the other man's thigh.

[member="Jalek Sathora"]

 

[Jalek Sathora]

At first a laugh was all he could manage to the Chiss' comments, though at his touch he smirked and raised an eyebrow, not making any move to remove the man's hand to his leg, nor did he return the gesture. Yet, at least. That would come in time, but for now he was content in playing things a bit coy. That was more to his tastes, after all, and something told him that Cryax didn't mind having to work for things just a bit. Or, if he did, he wasn't the greatest at making anyone else aware. So Jalek would take it as a positive thing, and continuing to act how he always did: cocky, stubborn, and ever so flirty, not necessarily in that order.

Still, he couldn't help the fact that although he wanted to play it as close as he could, a bit of teasing didn't sound like too bad of an idea. So, ever so slowly, he gently ran his hand up the side of Cryax's thigh, stopping at the same place the blue-skinned hand rested on his own leg, not moving his other hand or making as if to touch him in any other way. This far in, he was still testing the waters, but so far he liked what he saw. Especially if it involved more of this activity, whether they remained at the bar or not. The privacy screen was up, and now his guard against the other denizens was down.

"Fine, okay, I won't say anything about you sleeping your way to the top. But that doesn't mean I can't think it." He smirked again, gently tracing his fingers along the other man's leg, though his hand stayed in place. "Just like you won't say anything else about my tricks. But I can see it on your face, not to mention sense it on other wavelengths." Again he referenced his Force sensitivity, but there wasn't much else he could do to prove it besides being able to feel what others were, and on occasion sense what might happen next. The more interesting tricks weren't in his library just yet.

Now he leaned in, his face just inches from Cryax's, looking him square in his glowing red eyes. "And as the boyfriend of the boss of a criminal organization, I think that gives me a bit more clearance."

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax gently closed his eyes for a couple of seconds as he felt the other man's fingers tracing a pattern on his leg. He swallowed audibly, then opened his eyes and smirked. "Contrary to your opinion, I deserved this promotion, and I went through karking hell to get it." His face suddenly took on a faraway look. "I'm definitely not used to having so many eyes on me. That's going to take some getting used to."

He vaguely remembered a mention of it before, but Cryax had completely forgotten that the other slicer was Force sensitive. He had no reason to doubt it, and supposed it gave the man somewhat of an advantage over him in their little game of cat and mouse, but there wasn't much the Chiss could do about it. He had a sharp mind, but not enough that he was resistant to the Force, which was a power he still didn't fully understand especially since the cosmic energy wasn't easily explained by anything scientific.

At Jalek's last comment, Cryax chuckled sardonically and raised his eyebrows. "Oh we're boyfriends now? I guess I didn't get that memo. Now who's trying to sleep his way to the top?" Cryax still made no move to remove his hand from the other man's leg as they squared off with one another.

[member="Jalek Sathora"]

 

[Jalek Sathora]

A subtle shift of his hand, and it moved centimeters up Cryax's thigh, though for the expression on Jalek's face no one would have been able to tell if they hadn't been watching his arm move. The reaction he received from simply returning his touch had been amusing enough, so the continuation of such would only reap more rewards, or so he had a feeling. "I haven't had that pleasure yet. But if you're offering..." He raised an eyebrow with a smirk, gently tracing his fingers along the same spot on the other man's leg, not moving his body from its close proximity, still keeping his face mere inches from the other man's. If he could get away with it, their being so close was something that he wouldn't do anything to change. Part of it was wanting to see how far he could push things, the other was his genuine interest in the man.

Leaning forward, he let his lips brush against Cryax's ear, speaking in a low whisper, "I think the only eyes you have on you now are mine. And I can't say I mind the idea." He pulled back, allowing his teeth to scrape gently along the Chiss' earlobe as he did so, another grin on his face. "If you want help getting used to people looking at you, I'd be glad to help. Starting here and now, of course."

With a quiet, low chuckle he raised an eyebrow, studying the Chiss for a moment with a teasing smile. Funnily enough, he hadn't objected to the thought of them being together, and the other slicer took that as a positive sign. Even if he was enjoying their back and forth, his ultimate goal was to eventually more or less force the other man to admit that they were in a relationship. It wouldn't necessarily ease his sarcastic comments, but it would mean something to him as a whole. That didn't mean Cryax had to necessarily know just yet, but he'd tell him eventually, however grudgingly so.

Slowly he leaned in again, stopping just before his lips touched that of the other man's. "I'm going to take that as you not being necessarily opposed to the thought of us being a couple. So, in other words, that means yes." With that he leaned in, closing the centimeter wide gap between them.

[member="Cryax Bane"]