Crowded Party

[Atreya Valera]

Atreya slowly walked among the crowd. Her green eyes racing from one to another, all were politicians, all of them wealthy. Good targets and good ways to earn her another few months of time on the luxurious planet.

Her red hair was pulled up away from her face in an elegant updo, showing off the low cut back of her deep purple dress. Her black earrings sparkled softly under the lighting as she turned. Her natural grace and abilities showing through as she weaved her way through the crowds.

Her body brushed against a man, bringing a faint sorry to her lips. She looked up and smiled, her desire to be noticed was well fueled here. These men, rich and powerful in their own way would want her on their arm or serving them in one way or another.

She was stopped by one such man, young, maybe a couple of years older than herself that spun her to the dance floor, his hand braced to the small of her back, pressing her close. As much as Atreya loved to dance, this man offered no authority but tried to command her.

She pulled away, her back turning to him as she broke away from him, moving away from the crowd.

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor saw the invitation to yet another party. He got a half dozen of them every week. Some were people looking to curry favor, some looking to mingle, and others just looking for an excuse to flaunt wealth. He normally screened the letters and notices that came across his desk. This one however had reached him while he was in transit from one place to another.

Viktor thought about it for a moment before deciding to attend this particular gathering. He pulled out his finest suit making sure to look presentable. He arrived fashionably late to the party. Late enough to make sure he was not the first person there but not so late as to miss anything important.

As he entered through the man door he was flanked by his assistant and a single bodyguard also dressed in suits. He paused looking through the crowd before making his way over towards the bar to get a drink. If Viktor knew anything it was never seem to eager to engage anyone. A little mystery went a long way.

[member="Atreya Valera"]

 

[Atreya Valera]

Atreya slowly made her way to the bar, moving in and out from small gatherings of people. Her eyes found the man that walked in as she ordered Zeltros Finest wine, taking the glass in her hand.

She slowly moved to sit, reaching up to slowly pull the ornate hairpin from her hair, letting those red locks topple down, cascading across her back, shoulders and chest, framing her face. She turned around, her hair spinning with her as she got up to go.

Her eyes met the newcomer, her hips pushing forward slightly in intrigue and carnal instinct. Atreya ran her fingers through her hair, exposing her face for a moment before her hand dropped to the drop necklace at her throat, the large pendant rolling easily between her fingers, moustening her lips.

She was interested, maybe he would be interested in her...

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

As he reached for his drink Viktor noticed the redhead approach the bar. He smiled slightly watching her pull the pin from her hair. He smirked knowing a woman only did that when she had given up for the night. It was a shame she was cute and the night was still young. Viktor's thoughts were interupted as a man approached.

"Governor Alexander a surprise to see you here and so far from home."

Viktor turned towards the man. His voice remaining even even as his eyes betrayed a quick flash of anger.

"Senator still among the living I see." "Somebody must have a sense of humor."

The Senator frowned clearly disarmed by the comment which only caused Viktor to smile.

"What can I do for you Senator?"

He quickly changed the subject having enjoyed the brief moment.

"Well Governor I was wondering if you had thought over my proposal?"

Viktor smiled.

"Now Senator you know very well I would never agree to such a one sided contract."

Viktor stole a glance back towards the redhead before looking back at his guest.

"Come up with something worth my while and I will consider it."

[member="Atreya Valera"]

 

[Atreya Valera]

Atreya had noticed the looks, the more interested looks as her hair fell around her features. She shot the man a small smile as he looked at her then moved to go and speak with him until someone else grabbed his attention. A governor, how interesting.

Atreya set her jaw, making up her mind as she came closer, not paying attention to the conversation. She moved behind the Governor, brushing up against the bar insted of him.

She inhaled sharply, moving to get to the other end of the bar, closer to the door. Her gaze met his again and she gave a short smile, her hand gesturing towards the Senator, her eyebrow perked in question if he wanted her to get rid of the Senator holding the Governor up.

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Victor smiled as the Senator started to protest.

"Careful Senator." "You and I both know my primary client is very selective about associations."

He was interrupted by the redhead coming over to where he was standing looking at him. He noticed they gestures but made no outward acknowledgement instead he turned back to the Senator.

"If you will excuse me my next appointment has arrived." "Unless you can support a multi-billion credit contract then you are going to have to play the cards you are dealt Senator." "That is the way of the Galaxy."

Victor's assistant stepped forward ushering the Senator away as Viktor turned to the redhead waiting on her to introduce herself.

[member="Atreya Valera"]

 

[Atreya Valera]

She smiled at the strangeness of it all, the foreign feeling. She wasn't out of place, she was used to these types of parties, but waiting to ralk to someone was new.

She smiled and bowed her head slightly, "Governor, I am Atreya Valera, it is an honour to meet you. I hope that your other meetings go more easily than that did." She pursed her lips and smiled, playing with the pendant that fell against her skin.

She looked up at him, her body twisting towards him invitingly, wanting to show her availability and then she turned her head. "No date Governor? I'm surprised... and happy."

Unlike other women, she wasn't a fan of mind games, so why she was aligned with tje Sith was different. She wanted influence in indirect ways.

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor smiled shaking his head.

"Most actually go worse." "Nothing makes for a stressful meeting like trying to get something out of a Sith Lord without sacrificing life or soul in the process."

He chuckled.

"Some people think that the location of any discussion, any pitch has an impact on how successful it will be."



"Sadly for the Senator that is just not true."

He smiled extending a hand to her.

"Viktor Alexander." "No date, I was not even sure if I was going to attend so I didn't arrange one for the party." "And how about you?" "I am surprised you don't have every man and half the women in this place fawning all other you."

He smirked at her taking a sip of his drink as his Assistant returned minus the Senator.

[member="Atreya Valera"]

 

[Atreya Valera]

"Oh I see. That sounds quite frustrating." She accepted his extended hand, a faint blush forming on her cheeks as she came closer.

She didn't wear much fragrence, just a hint of faint floral arrangements graced her bare shoulders. She chuckled warmly. "Oh no, I was talked to by many people, all attempting to whisk me away to grand palaces. They believe conversation to be more stimulating in their bedrooms."

She smiled at that remark, "For those that ask, I must refuse. I perfer my dates to be more... Shall I say, direct."

She stated this as a matter of fact, her body open to his own as her eyes remained focused up at his, then they began to wander to his jaw and lips. The Governor was handsome, everyone knew that and he seemed somehow out of pkace at this party, maybe as much as she was.

Now she would wait, see uf he might have a direction or two for her to follow...

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor smirked kissing her hand before releasing it. He turned forcing her to do the same her back pressed against the bar. He leaned in whispering into her ear as his free hand went to her hip.

"Direct?" "Direct can be a dangerous proposition to wish for."

He smirked at her not moving from their current spot.

"So what kind of work does a girl like you do?" "It would be sad for all that woman to be a waste of potential."

He extended his hand his assistant taking the drink from him. Just as he did a man in a Military dress uniform and politely cleared his throat. Viktor rolled his eyes taking a full minute before he turned away from [member="Atreya Valera"] to look at the man.

"I am busy..................."

He looked the man over a small sliver of recognition coming over his face.

"Colonel I suppose you are here about the weapons." "I told you before Colonel we do not sell weapons to our enemies." "Now if you will excuse me I have a party to get back to."

Viktor turned to his bodyguard.

"Please see the Colonel out if you would Captain and apologize to our hosts and tell them we will cover any revenue lost by his absence."

A split second later the Colonel reached out for Viktor to try and lay a hand on him.

 

[Atreya Valera]

She nearly mewled at the brush of his hand along her hip as she became pressed to the bar, her green eyes looking up into his, a deep fire burning behind them as she inhaled sharply, her breath catching in her throat.

"I know what I want Sir. I enjoy directness..." She reached up, straightening his tie for him, her eyes never leaving his own.

"As for work, I do a few things though currently I'm searching for a job. I just left Zeltros after being an entertainer there for three years."

As the colonel approached and she watched the interaction, the way his eyes rolled and he forced the Colonel to wait.

Atreya watched, her eyes switching slowly back and forth. She could tell that the man was itching for a fight.

As Viktor turned towards his bodyguard the man began to reach out and Atreya's instincts took over.

Her hand grabbed his wrist, popping it backwards as her leg slid into the slit at the side of her dress, tucking under the colonel's foot, spinning quickly and forcing his arm back behind his back, his chest finding the hard side of the bar, "Oh no, I wouldn't Colonel, maybe you've had too much to drink and it's time for you to find a way to get home."

She blushed quickly, looking up and slowly let go of the Colonel's wrist, "Don't mistake this as an invitation to fight."

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor watched [member="Atreya Valera"] with an amused look on his face. He reached over grabbing his drink off the bar and taking a sip as his bodyguard unable to suppress an embarrassed expression took a hold of the Colonel's shoulder just as Atreya let go of his wrist. He took a sip before turning to the woman.

"It seems entertainer has a very different meaning where you and I come from."

He smirked.

"I give it a week before the good Colonel tries to have you kidnapped and sold into slavery for that slight." "Of course he will use at least four different proxies so that it can't be traced back to him."

He smiled looking her up and down.

"So what other tricks do you have Miss Valera?"

 

[Atreya Valera]

Atreya looked to Viktor and chuckled softly, "Oh no, it is the same. I just don't like having my conversations interrupted, especially when we seemed to be getting along rather well Sir."

She smiled and tilted her head, her hair falling in around her chest and shoulders as she watched the bodyguard take the Colonel away then snorted in disgust. "Oh, the good Colonel could try to have me taken, or he can slip away quietly to lick his wounds. There are a lot of recording devices, it'd be a shame for the Colonel's drunken incident to be played all over the galaxy."

She grinned, a scheming look on her face, "Though, I still might leak it, just for fun."

She considered his question as she slipped back into his personal space just a bit, her hands moving to brace herself against the bar, her hips moving to meet his for the briefest of pauses before she turned slightly away from him. "Other tricks? Ohhh nothing that can be openly discussed here Governor."

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor shook his head.

"No the Colonel is an irrational imbecile but he has his uses." "When he is no longer useful...............well let's say the galaxy has the habit of taking care of itself."

He looked down as she braced against the bar with a smirk. When she turned slightly away he slipped up to her whispering in her ear.

"Then I suggest a change of venue."

He pulled away turning to make his way through the crowd towards the door.

"Coming Miss Valdera."

To everyone else in the room it would have seemed like a question but he had a distinct feeling it would be interpreted much differently to [member="Atreya Valera"] much differently.

 

[Atreya Valera]

Atreya studied him for a moment before he whispered in her ear. That in itself made her tremble and shiver at the mere thought of leaving this ghastly overrated affair for something more enticing.

"Of course Governor." she said, her hand catching his as he made his way out of the door.

She smirked, following him closely as they made their way out, her body shivering as she had forgotten her cloak back in the building. She wrapped her arms around herself, covering her chest as more obvious reactions to the cool air made her discomfort apparent.

She spun around, pressing herself into his side as she laid her head just at his collar bone, looking up to him with her bright green eyes, "Are we going very far away Sir?" she whispered softly, a thick accent of wanton need at the back of her tone...

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor pulled his hand away when she reached for it but didn't say anything. They made their way towards the shuttle. It was only when they got to it that he turned back speaking to her.

"I haven't decided yet." "Get on board and do try and behave yourself."

He would walk up the ramp behind her addressing the pilot.

"Back to the ship." "Have Indigo Squad meet us as soon as we land."

Viktor would not wait for answer instead moving to his seat. The shuttle itself was not impressive. Actually it was a very plain and nondescript transport shuttle. The shuttle would lift off as sooner as the ramp closed the pilot knowing Viktor did not like to be kept waiting any longer than absolutely necessary.

[member="Atreya Valera"]

 

[Atreya Valera]

Atreya nodded her understanding as she moved quickly on the shuttle and then sat down. She shivered slightly, pulling her arms around her.

She looked up at Viktor and smiled softly as she awaited further instructions. She ardently but her lower lip, lost somewhere in her own thoughts as she felt the jolt of the spaceship taking flight.

She looked up to her benefactor, he was hard to read but she was also intrigued by his demeanor. She reached back, pulling her hair away from her face as she watched.

"Sorry, will there be anyone else joining us Sir?"

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor glanced at [member="Atreya Valera"] but didn't respond. Instead as the shuttle broke the atmosphere into space Viktor turned back to look out into space. From the window what could be best described as a Luxury Yacht surrounded by three Corvettes. The pilot could be heard requesting and being granted permission to dock with the yacht. A few minutes later Viktor stood and turned towards the ramp.

"Come with me Miss Valera."

As they made there way down the ramp into the docking bay of the Yacht Viktor turned to the leader of Indigo Squad.

"Sgt please relieve the Captain of his weapons and escort him to the bridge."

He turned as the Captain protested. Giving the man a look that silenced him immediately.

"You have failed me Captain." "You couldn't even handle a drunk in a bar." "What if it had been a Jedi or even worse a pissed off Sith." "I have no use for you and you will stand trial for your failure.

 

[Atreya Valera]

Atreya looked out of the window and stood up, moving to it, then spinning around, the glowing lights surrounded her as the ship docked. She nodded and smiled, "Yes of course Sir."

She followed Viktor, staying silent as they wandered the hallways and she looked around. Was this where he lived or did business, both even?

Her thoughts were interrupted as they came to a stop and she nearly walked right into Viktor but thankfully she didn't.

She watched the scene play out as the bodyguard was forced into an early retirement, her head tilting slightly, so the Governor was not a man to displease. She watched as he was silenced with a single look, her eyes burning a soft flicker of anxious energy, more that she was interested in how the Governor had come to possess such power that he could issue commands with a single look.

She was scared to be on the receiving end of that stare, and some part of her was curious.

Viktor did of course make fair points, if she had not caught the tension in the man's arm before he came after the Governor worse things would probably be happening right now.

So here Atreya stood in silence, watching the horror then resignation on the man's face as the Governor ordered him to be jailed. Atreya kept her head slightly bowed, not daring to stare up at Viktor, nor to look at the floor in cowardice either. She wasn't a fool, nor was she weak-willed, she did believe in protecting her own interests. Her interest right now was to remain healthy and alive and not in jail.

[member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

As the prisoner was escorted away Viktor began walking further into the ship. He turned to his assistant.

"Please inform the pilot to take the long way home." "We should head back but I am no hurry to arrive."

At the end of the hallway the assistant turned left as Viktor turned right trusting that Miss Valera wouldn't be more than a step or two behind him. The rest of Indigo squad going on about their assigned duties. As they walked they passed one or two more armored soldiers until they reach a room. Viktor hit a button on the wall the door opening into a large suite. It looked like a large apartment from the inside designed so that it didn't even look like it was on a ship i space instead of on the surface of a planet. Once inside Viktor moved over to a small bar pouring himself a drink. Taking a sip he turned back to [member="Atreya Valera"] with a smile.

"So Miss Valera what was is your were saying about those other tricks?"

He moved over sitting on a two person couch.