Crouching Raven, Hidden Dragon (Red Ravens)

[Killian]

​

Yellow Serpent Casino​

Red Light District​

Nar Shaddaa​

​

Retired senators, ex-mercenaries and corporate billionaires. The variety of people in the Yellow Serpent Casino was crystal clear tonight, as The Golden Dragon moved through the crowds with a watchful eye. Very few of those gathered paid him any attention, too busy gambling their life savings away to care. Yet the few who had heard of the man gave odd glances, followed by whispers to their friends.
"Is that him?"
"You'd think he'd stayed more protected than that."
"The Golden Dragon?"
Despite their mixed reactions, none of them dared to look at him when he could see it. Breaking from the main crowd and into the long walkway that spanned the whole of the casino floor, Killian couldn't help but stop and gaze upon the size of the place. At least fifty rows of slot machines spanning the large hall, their luminescent lights giving the place a euphoric look. However, it was only when one looked up could they see the real beauty of the place. A ceiling decorated with golden serpents and dragons, their tails curling to meet corners and mouths wide open, as if ready to unleash hell upon the customers below.

The Syndicate Crime Lord returned his gaze to in front of him, continuing down the path in between the many games with his several most trusted guards. Everyone wore suits, yet Killian's was a slight tint of purple with darker colored patterns that upon closer inspection were flying dragons, a design he thought was subtle yet beautiful. Reaching a set of doors at the end of the grand room, he turned to his guards and signaled for two guards to stay. They turned, positing themselves to watch over the door whilst their boss continued into the back with the remaining guard. A smirk found it's way on his face as he looked upon tables full of long metal cases. He knew what was inside them, and as he looked up to the man who had already been present in the room he released a small laugh of pleasure. "How long until we can ship them?"
"Oh, erm... A few weeks. There have been some... complications... But they will be ready." The man replied, clearly hesitant to be giving such news.
Killian maintained his smirk, approaching the man slowly before placing his right hand gently on his face. He caressed it slowly as if he were a lover, but his tone did not match the gesture. "If they are not ready in two weeks, then we will have a problem. Won't we?" His lizard-like tongue slithered and hissed, something he liked to do when instilling fear in his workers. With a gulp and a nod of fear, the other man backed away towards a door behind him, eager to make his exit. A dismissing hand allowed him to leave, and as Killian turned he gestured towards his lone guard. "A drink. Something strong..." He sighed.

Today felt like a long day...

[member="Jen"] [member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Xalus"] [member="Patricia Susan Garter"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Although Cryax Bane, President of the Red Ravens Criminal Syndicate, ironically spent quite a bit of time building up casinos, the Chiss himself wasn't the gambling type. But if he could place a bet on the outcome of today's visit to the Yellow Serpent Casino in the Red Light District of his home planet of Nar Shaddaa, Cryax would go all in. The Red Ravens, who were currently uncontested underworld kings of the Outer Rim, had recently wrested control of the Smuggler's Moon from almost all of its criminal gangs. Except for one of them apparently. A little known organization called the Osaji Syndicate. Well, there was also the Exchange, which still operated independently of the Red Ravens, but at least he and the Exchange's leader, [member="Khaleel Malvern"], had forged an uneasy partnership. The same could not be said for Cryax Bane and Osaji Killian.

Somehow organizations like Osaji's kept popping up like weeds through the cracks of Nar Shaddaa's many sectors. That was one of Bane's reasons for moving to Little Coruscant. To keep an eye on the pests such as this Killian fellow.

His gait like a blaster shot, the Chiss strode into the casino, flanked by his usual detail of a half a dozen security droids. The amount of bodyguards that generally surrounded Bane would have been ridiculous if it were not for the exorbitant price on his head. Some tongues wagged that it was cowardly of him to travel this way. Cryax would argue that it was merely self-preservation. His glowing red eyes flashed around the tremendously gaudy casino, until they landed on a guard who seemed too intelligent too be hired muscle, someone likely belonging to Killian's inner circle.

"I'm here to see Mr. Osaji," he announced to the man, his droids forming a half-circle around him. "Tell him Cryax Bane is waiting."

[member="Osaji Killian"] [member="Jen"] [member="Patricia Susan Garter"]

 

[Jen]

Of course Jennifer was no droid, but nonetheless she was in the companionship with Cryax Bane and a lot of other upper echelon members of the well known syndicate.

Tonight was hopefully going to be night of celebration, at least Jennifer hoped so. Or to a certain extend, mainly because the fact that someone, something, this Osaji, had managed to grow to this level without being punked by the Ravens had made her somewhat pissed. So everything really did depend on the outcome of this meeting. She for one wouldn't mind if he got taught a lesson... It wasn’t really polite of him to just do that, was it? Make your own syndicate? But competition was competition and that was indeed something not appreciated in their field of expertise. But celebration was still a lot nicer.

It had been a stressing weekend as always. Jennifer followed the group, her gold chrono seen every now-and-then when she extended her arms enough, making her rather expensive looking small leather jacket’s sleeves pull up towards her shoulders, upon where a nice, perfect white tank top sat. Of course under the jacket. Her trousers finished off the look, baggy around her waist and tight by the lower legs. Oddly enough, a whole lot of pouches and other sorts of cases were attached to these nicely woven and expensive looking trousers.

The only thing that stood out from her usual appearance was the hint of a rapidly healing bruise by her left eye, where the right one ironically enough had arrows of sorts tattooed around it, almost as if someone had missed the target when attempting to hit her face. But that was another story entirely.

Her amber eyes took in the scene, a grunt of sort heard from her, accompanied by a slight, smug smile. “Looks nice. Have to say though, Cryax. The Dragon Palace still beats this place.”

[member="Cryax Bane"] :: [member="Osaji Killian"] :: [member="Lurcano Car'dann"]​

 

[Lurcano Car'dann]

Jen: "Looks nice. Have to say though, Cryax. The dragon palace still beats this place."

Lurcano Car'dann: Lurcano smiled, always one to stir up trouble. He responded back, casually; "Oh, I don't know. I think this place has got the Palace beat. The Serpents and Dragons on the ceiling are a particularly nice touch as well. Really brightens the place up I must say. The Yellow Serpent Casino, it just kinda rolls of the tongue doesn't it? Though I've personally, always preferred the color purple myself."

Lurcano was dressed in an ill fitting suit, with a loosened up tie around his neck. Ever since his operation with Chiasa and Patricia on some inconsequential mining world whose name Lurcano hadn't bothered to remember; he'd grown partial to suits. Though he would never admit such a thing to Patricia.

When Cryax Bane had told him of this place, he'd eagerly signed up to come. And despite the fact that he disliked the flamboyant Chiss, he stood side by side with him; apart of his entourage. 'Kinda weird really. Seeing a place that has no affiliation whatsoever to us Ravens. Reminds me of the good old days before their occupation of here. Back when I was broke as kark, and still new to the ways of this planet. Oh it brings a tear to my eye, that it does.'

He now patiently waited for the man they were waiting to see. 'The Golden Dragon? Wow, quite the ego the head he's got on him huh? Let's see if all the talk yields any interesting results.'

[member="Jen"] [member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Osaji Killian"]

 

[Xalus]

Suits, ties, cocktail dresses, and lots and lots of gold. It was how the higher end of life lived on Nar Shaddaa. Even Xalus wore one - a little black clip-on fastened to the front of his chest plate, hanging like it was the ornament to one of those festive winter trees. The Gen'Dai didn't particularly care for impressing people as the weapons he carried along with his seven foot stature typically seemed to drop jaws on their own. But, ol' boss Cryax said the thing looked "tasty," so the armored hulk obliged his blue-skinned companion once again.

Little Jenny was with them too. He liked her; street smart, snarky, and a knack for technology. Xalus couldn't remember if she liked droids or not, but if she did, Xalus would enjoy her company even more. Then came the last two of the little Red Raven posse. Some Nagai mook who had a sharpness to his eyes and Patricia Garter, the sassy blonde who never took no for an answer.

"Hmph."

Xalus wouldn't be lying if he said he had the least personality out of the bunch. Those advanced droids flanking Cryax probably had a superior sense of humor than even he did. Oh well. It was time to find out what this Slippery Serpent was like.

[member="Lurcano Car'dann"], [member="Jen"], [member="Cryax Bane"], [member="Osaji Killian"]

 

[Killian]

The guard hesitated for a moment, losing his professional stance for a second as he realized who the man was. He looked to the other guard, who kept his eyes trained on the flock of ravens while the room on the other side of the door was informed. "Erm, Sir. Cryax Bane is here to see you."
Killian was just about lifting his newly acquired drink to his mouth when he heard the name. As he moved over to the seating area of the room, consisting of a square made of four red leather sofas each of which had golden dragons as armrests, he couldn't help but feel mixed emotions. The famous Cryax Bane and the Red Ravens had come to see him, surely that was a sign he was doing well already.
"Let him in." He ordered, before peering through the door to see a whole group. "All of them if they like." A gesture of good will on his part, he felt.

"I am both honored and humbled at your presence, Mr Bane." Killian gave a smile to the group, examining each one carefully. Cryax himself was an odd one for him, as he'd never really had much business with Chiss. It was odd to look into nothing but red for eyes. The slightly younger looking girl was interesting to say the least, but not really to Killian's taste. A grey skinned man was next to grab his attention, and the first impression given off by him was disheveled; but in a handsome way. Finally there was some sort of armored creature that honestly made Killian slightly nervous, but his outward relaxed look maintained. "Please, take a seat." He gestured to the four sofas, taking his own seat on the furthest one in a relaxed manner. "Would you like a drink? I have some lovely wine from Naboo, or maybe you prefer Mandalorian Whisky?" His tone stayed ever so welcoming, yet his serpent-like eyes flickered between them with caution. If these were going to be negotiations, he hoped they were going to be peaceful ones.

[member="Xalus"] [member="Lurcano Car'dann"] [member="Jen"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Lurcano Car'dann]

Osaji Killian: "Let him in. All of them if they like I am both honored and humbled at your presence, Mr Bane. Please, take a seat." He gestured to the four sofas, taking his own seat on the furthest one in a relaxed manner. "Would you like a drink? I have some lovely wine from Naboo, or maybe you prefer Mandalorian Whisky?"

Lurcnao was not one to refuse an invitation, well actually he was; but Lurcano would take the man up on this particular one. He gladly accepted the drink from the man, and proceeded to down the contents of it. He eyed the bottle rather hungrily, but he gingerly placed the bottle down onto the table. 'Damn, that wine was actually pretty good. I'm liking these fellows more by the second.' He ran a hand through his always messy hair, and looked around the room; not bothering to hide his obviously judging looks.

He would wait and let Cryax speak, diplomacy was never his strong suit; or so Chiasa had told him. Lurcano personally thought she was full of chit, but one did not say so to the insecure, power hungry now vice-leader of the Ravens. And anyway, despite his dislike of the Chiss who he was now protecting, Lurcano was fresh out of allies. His relationship with Patricia had always been weird, Chiasa seemed to hate his guts now for some reason despite being the person who had brought him into the organization.

Despite the fact that Cryax was now just a washed up has been, he would make a valuable ally. The name Cryax Bane still had some pull all across the Criminal Underworld, and that was a kind of thing that Lurcano could definitely make use of. His impatience grew, and finally he was unable to hold back.

Lurcano Car'dann: "Quite a nice place you've got here. Would I be wrong in assuming it's been a long time in the making?"

[member="Osaji Killian"] [member="Xalus"] [member="Jen"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Pleased that some of his most trusted Red Ravens, like Jen the mechanic and Xalus the Gen'dai, had accompanied him, along with a Nagai fellow he couldn't trust as far as he could throw, Lucrano Car'dan, Bane nodded with a grunt as they made various remarks about Killian's casino. Frankly, the pink and cyan neon of the Dragon Palace Casino had always assaulted Cryax's tastes, and this place was no different, but as he gazed upon the golden tails curled around the ceiling, he had to admit that Killian knew how to brand himself. Very well.

Guards ushered the Ravens into the private room of Osaji Killian, letting all of them take their seats on his circle of red sofas. Bane's droids stood at attention around the Chiss, and when Cryax waved a blue-skinned hand, they fell back to line themselves up against the wall behind him. When Lucrano eagerly grabbed his drink, Cryax flashed him a glare. The young Nagai had a lot to learn about being one of the higher-ups in a criminal enterprise, such as never drinking anything before one's host in the event that there was debilitating poison in it. But since Lucrano didn't fall down dead, Bane supposed he should thank the man for being a taste tester, although Lucrano really needed to find himself a better tailor. Bane then smiled at Osaji, his red alien eyes filled with amusement at the thought, and took a glass of wine from the tray that was put before the Ravens.

Osaji was a strikingly handsome young man who looked to be nearly around the same age as himself. With gleaming, reptilian eyes showing flecks of gold light from the ubiquitous dragons that curved around every piece of decor, Killian greeted Cryax with the kind of respect he deserved, unlike certain members of his own staff. His gaze flashed quickly to Lucrano, and then he turned towards his rival again, flashing him a charming smile, the same one that usually preceded a either a firm handshake or backstabbing.

"Thank you for having us in your fine establishment, Mr. Killian" said the Chiss crime boss. "It brings a certain flavor to Nar Shaddaa that outshines your everyday Hutt-operated gambling den. The dragon motif. Very fitting."

His face stretched into a wider grin. "The Yellow Serpent Casino must be a juicy target for your enemies, eh?"

[member="Osaji Killian"] [member="Lurcano Car'dann"] [member="Jen"] [member="Xalus"]

 

[Foebacca]

Who the kark did this huttchit think he was walking around thinking he owned even a sliver of this planet? Time to do what he did best. Foebacca walked up to the casino's doors and made sure his FC-1 flechette launcher was situated across his chest and ready to be used , if it came to that, before he opened the door. As he walked in the 'security' was there of course, they tried to take Foebacca's weapon from him and he just laughed.

"You want my weapons? You can try to take them. Before you do, answer me this. Are you seriously paid enough to lose your life? No? That's too bad. I was hoping for a warm up. Move aside."

With that Foebacca walked through the casino looking for Cryax. He never really saw Cryax but he did see the droids covering him as he walked through the back room door. Making his way there he reached for the door knob and glares at the guards daring them to stop him.