Cuz one night couldn't be so wrong (TU and Allies)

[Orick T'ane]

Sensing her discomfort he leaned in and gave [member="Anastasia Rade"] a quick kiss on the cheek, "You look beautiful, cyar'ika.". they made their way towards [member="Draco Vereen"] and his date [member="Tmoxin Temi"], the whole time, Orick kept a smile on his face. He was here for a good time and he wondered how this conversation would go.

As they approached the other couple Orick would turn his charm on, "Draco. You left the workshop." he said as he held out his hand for a handshake. "Glad to see you mingling tonight. You need to get out and cut loose everyone in a while." He turned to ana and nodded, "Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Anastasia. She's a chef and entrepreneur, and is looking to open a restaurant somewhere in Union space." He kept his smile beaming as he was sliding into character as a transport captain and all around smuggler.

"And who do we have here Draco?" he said turning to Tmoxin. He wanted to keep the illusion that they had no connection to each other and as long as she played the game, he would as well. He held out his hand to her next, and if she took it he would take it and give it a gentle kiss on the top of her hand. "Orick T'ane, independent transport captain, it's a pleasure to meet you." He had played this game many times before and he knew that Ana wouldn't even blink at his skirting the line at flirting, it was all part of his act to disarm people around him.

[member="Token Waters"] | [member="Jemmila Kyrgen"] | [member="Jennifer Blanchard"] | [member="Seto Du Couteau"] | [member="Lord Tarantula"] |

 

[Orick T'ane]

Double post because my internet hates me

 

[Zola]

As soft lips were planted on the apple of her cheek, Jemmila gave Token a playful smirk. The Hapan was glad that she wasn't just imagining the sexual tension that lingered between them. That might end up being embarrassing. She couldn't help but return the gesture, leaning in to let her lips run down Token's slender neck. As she drew away, the other kind of tension, the bad kind, began to subside. All that angst that she was harboring, melted. By the Maker it felt really fething good to be less emo about everything.

"I don't want to take you away from your guests," said Jem, flashing the adorable blonde a look that said the opposite. She noticed a bar droid rolling by and plucked a drink off of it before it whirred away. The pink smoke curled from her lips and made a question mark shape in the air.

"If there are people you need to talk to, it can wait until the time is right."

Jem bit her nails, a bad habit, and then contradicted herself completely as she nodded her head in the direction of the casino's turbolifts, and shrugged as if to say, "why not?"

[member="Token Waters"]

 

[Brooke Waters]

See?

That.

That was exactly what Token wanted. What she craved. Sure, she was pretty, and she could probably make it work with just about anyone. But Token was pretty and she could make it work with just about anyone. That meant she could be choosy. She wasn’t like her cousin, because unlike him? She wanted a nest. Some time. Right now? She wanted to feel that feeling, that lust, that desire, feth, that carnal NEED for another person.

“I don’t need to be anywhere, but if ‘Lana or Ry’ come looking for me… Its probably best I don’t get found on my back.” Or front, or against a wall, or on a desk. “If I’m on the floor… y’know, on my feet, I’ll be fine.” She smiled, taking a drag of her stick. Boy, was she flustered.

“I’m sure I can land on the tables a bit.” Y’know, after hours. “What game are you looking to play?” Did she mention she ran this place?

[member="Jemmila Kyrgen"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien was new in the union, he knew very few people here. He did know how to play sabaac however and that seemed to be the best way to get to know some people, afterall who didn't like betting small fortunes on a hand of cards no more predictable than the weather. First however he needed alcohol , alcohol made people more relatable. It also provided the dutch courage necessary for betting a small fortune on a set of cards no more predictable than the weather.

As he moved through the ship toward the bar he looked around He had made investments in an expansion of brightstar before the fringe collapse , he wondered whether since the expansion fell through he would be able to obtain standard brightstar shares. There were certainly a lot of people aboard leaving plenty of opportunity to make some connections. Behind him he felt his son shuffle in closer to him , he was awfully clingy for a teenager. That's why lucien had brought him the kid needed friends to bring him out of his shell. Darien hated big social events but that was precisely why he had been brought , he had to learn to like them they were how men like them did business.

Lucien grabbed his sons hand and gently squeezed it before letting it go again "It's ok" He whispered before walking on

Having obtained a glass of redwine he advanced to the tables, son still in tow.

"Deal me in" He threw his money down likely never to see it again.

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

“Oh Commander Vereen,” said Tmoxin, waving her hand at Draco. “You flatter me too much.” The Hapan officer had also been on Telti but on the opposite side. If they had encountered each other during that battle, the easy geniality between them would likely not exist. When he put his arm around her to rest on the small of her back, she straightened up, but didn’t move his hand away. At this point during her career, being the ex-Stormtrooper Commander she was, Tmoxin was well aware of how flirtatious higher ranking officers could be.

And sure enough Orick T’ane and his companion were headed their way. T’ane appeared to know Commander Vereen but behaved like he didn’t recognize her. Two could play at that game. Draco would feel her stiffen slightly as the smuggler made the introductions. A smirk played upon her lips. With a defiant tip of her chin, she held out her hand so that he could kiss it, but he would notice her fingers tighten into a fist with the tension of the situation. Tmoxin looked at Ms. Rade, a chef and fellow business woman, and wondered if she also remembered who she was.

The charade would continue if only to not embarrass herself and T’ane in front of Commander Vereen. But at some point she wanted to have a word with the smuggler about what he was up to and how she would be able to put him to work for the Black Moth.

[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Nonsense, Tmoxin. I know when I'm out shined. It doesn't bother me. Besides, you shouldn't be worried, I'll help you stave off the would be suitors." I gave her a wink. I wasn't exactly interested, but I could aknowledge a beautiful woman. When Orick walked over and introduced himself, she tensed, and I tightened my hold on her, reassuringly. I touched her mind with the Force, giving her a sense of reassurance. I was here, I would protect her if she needed it. She didn't need to feel threatened. He was just a smuggler anyway, not some conqueror who bombed whole planets out of existence.

"Orick, good to see you. And you Anastasia. You look lovely tonight." I let him finish his introductions before continuing. "I try to make time for the right company. Spending a few nights away from the shop and away from training isn't so bad for the business, and again, when its with the right person it helps." I replied. I didn't know why Tmoxin had tensed up, but I was hoping some small talk and my reassuring presence would soothe her mind, put her at ease.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="Orick T'ane"] [member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Seto Du Couteau]

"The armor does keep us safe," Seto mused, looking up in thought, "The Vong and the Rebellion, all sorts of attacks and here I am still breathing and enjoying some of the finer things the Galaxy has to offer us," Seto gestured with hands raised and a chuckle escaping his lips, "Like alcohol, sabaac, and people to be attracted by," Seto grinned as he crossed his arms over his chest once more.

"Oh ,you come here often enough," Seto asked, his eyes noted her fingernails, a tad chewed on, but her uneasiness was caught on as Seto offered a nod and an understanding smile. "Missing something huh? Or like some one is constantly smashing down the button "Remind Me Later" when the upgrade notice comes up?" Well then I think I could help Seto mused as he moved along side [Member="Jennifer Blanchard"].

His left arm wrapped around her shoulders as he gestured with his right at the entire The Golden Beach. "Look around and see yourself trying to be the upgrade for this place," His right hand gesturing to all around them as he offered a toothy grin for Jennifer. Perhaps I'm not the best for cracking people's social shell but I'll be damned if I don't try Seto thought as he removed his left arm off of her and moved back in front of her.

"So I'll try and help you upgrade this place too, if I can that is," Seto added, his right hand stretched out to shake on this agreement that he proposed.

 

[Jennifer Blanchard]

Talking shop. Were they really going to be talking shop right now? It seemed it, not that Jenn really minded. She didn’t know what else to talk about. And it wasn’t like she could just go on about coding up some sort of firewall here, that was not bar talk. But [member="Seto Du Couteau"] seemed to have the right idea, at least if anyone asked Token. He was here to have fun and mingle. A smile crossed the slicer’s lips and she nodded.

She caught on to him watching her chew her nails. Yeah, bad habit, whatever. She looked up at him, away from her nails for a moment. Like someone hit the do not disturb on the upgrade button! Exactly. “Yeah, I mean, the only reason I come here often is I work for Marek sometimes, and he owns the place…” She shrugged. “But yeah, I mean, its not like its… retro just there isn’t much you can do and all these casino type places blend together.”

Seto had something about him, didn’t he? Jenn gave a smile and a nod. “Alright, Seto, you’re on!” She took his hand and shook it. “So, we go win the sabaac tables now?” She grinned, wondering if she could still hack the Bright Star system…

 

[Zola]

"Baby," she cooed, leaning in and draping herself on the blonde with heavy-lidded brown eyes. Her multiple silver rings clinked against each other as her fingers played with Token's tousled, blonde hair. What was it with Jem and blondes these days?

"I'm not much of a gambler, but I'd be proud to be your arm candy while you play."

She bit her lip and raised her brow in a perfect arch.

"I was thinking more about private games, Token," She admitted sheepishly. Jem was making a pig's ear out of flirting, trying to be coy and failing. How could she help it? She had been out of practice. During her mysterious disappearance from the Obsidian Citadel, she had two things: a slave driver of a Master and the stars to sleep under. There were no social events on her calendar, much less dates.

Jem probably would have dragged the blonde off in the direction of some private suites, but she had no idea where they were, and Token was too good to shag a maintenance closet. Even if she would have liked it.

[member="Token Waters"]

 

[Brooke Waters]

She always loved pet names, it made her feel… she didn’t know… wanted? Owned? Whichever it was she enjoyed it, not to mention the follow up motions from the woman who spoke it. She closed her brown eyes and let out a small ‘mmm’ almost a purr. Almost. But she didn’t have cat ears on, that would…. Sometimes, some clubs, because they had ones that glowed!

“Just a few rounds.” She kissed the other girl on the nose and nodded. “I need to be public. But maybe…” She flitted her brown eyes over to one of the closets. She did own the place. And well, how long had it been? A few days. Sure, maybe Token loved being loved and in a… thing, but there were other more… primal yearnings the rocked the blonde.

And was Token too good for that? Was she really?

Sometimes, she liked it proper, but when the lusting was there?

Still… public faces. She bit her lip hard, blinking once, twice at [member="Jemmila Kyrgen"].

 

[Seto Du Couteau]

Seto grinned as he nodded agreement, "Alright if we're planning on ​fairly appropriating large amounts of credits from the Suits and Fancy dresses just take good care you don't get too noticed," Seto said, a smirk spreading on his lips. "Come, I know a few high rolling tables where we can start," Seto added as he gestured for [Member="Jennifer Blanchard"] to follow him.

Fingers began to straighten out his suit as he made sure the creases along his vest disappeared. His hands once more straightened his tie wore a rather confident smirk walking towards one of the Sabaac tables. The area wasn't too lively. The participants themselves looked rather too serious but even more the young Du Couteau heir would hardly let anybody's attitude phase him. Alright, Rich looking people my parents would have invited to their parties Seto thought wearily.

Turning his head closer to Jennifer he whispered, "Simple plan really, I'm too confident for my own good and I'll give everyone here something to look at and gawk or even glare," Seto said, "Call my bluff once you hit your number," Seto added with a single nod.

Moving closer to the table Seto still smirked with confidence that the word "lose" does not exist in his vocabulary. "Alright my gracious gentlemen, Du Couteau has arrived and shall play a few rounds to honor all of you," Seto began speaking in third person, "Don't get to worried, I'm trying to cool off now," Seto added with some extra bravado. Annoyed and bordering angry looks were sent his way but Seto simply ran his fingers through the black part of his hair.

 

[Jennifer Blanchard]

Okay, maybe getting out of her ship, taking a shower and putting on proper clothes was NOT a bad thing. Jenn was enjoying her time here, and that was a strange thing for the slicer. Typically she liked to keep people on the other side of a monitor. How weird was that, right? She smirked. “I wasn’t going to cheat them out of everything…” She winked as she followed along.

Idly, she was wondering if they were going to the table that had [member="Lucien Cordel"] at it, a name she knew as one of the people Marek said to work with. The table they made it to did seem to be a bit for high rollers, and that was tricky. Jenn never fit in well with these people. She knew stocks, because she sometimes found herself modifying the stocks and prices. Childs play.

Making her way to the table, she nodded at the plan. Simple enough. Highway robbery? Maybe. But she had a feeling that the people how owned this vessel had this whole trip planned for the majority of passengers to have some fun, however that worked. It wasn’t like they could take down the whole Techno Union with a card game.

Or could they…. What was the system tied into?

Taking her seat opposite of [member="Seto Du Couteau"], she felt really out of place. Artificial hair and a pieced together outfit. Right, she’d keep quiet and get the flow of a few hands…

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Commander Vereen could tell that Tmoxin was distressed by the precense of T’ane. Get yourself together, she told herself! To lose her composure now, may expose to the fellow officer that she not only knew the smuggler, he worked for her… albeit unwillingly. She smiled back at Draco and patted him on the hand to let him know everything was okay. She also looked at Ms. Rade and gave a wide grin. She tried not to glance at T’ane again, because this was a party after all and it would be rude to scowl.

“If you’d like to catch up with these two, Commander, I could go and play Sabaac by myself. I’m not a terrible player and can make due with small talk,” the Hapan CEO said. “Unless you’d like to play a round with me?”

"And where are the droids with the drinks?" she asked, looking around the room. "I could really go for a glass of champagne."

[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Orick T'ane"] [member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

She could handle herself on a battlefield but this was different she was expected to be a lady. Ana knew how to behave herself but she had never expected to see [member="Tmoxin Temi"] again. They hadn't had the greatest of experiences back on Annex and it had honestly been something she had forgotten about till now. Taking a deep breath Ana took another sip of her drink trying to keep herself calm. The last thing she wanted to do was alert [member="Orick T'ane"] to the fact that she knew this woman. She didn't want him to worry. "It's nice to meet you both." Meeting people had been something Ana had would have hoped would have settled her nerves. The woman instead was on edge due to not only being here with all these Sith but now the Imperial she knew.

Ana had been through a lot worse things than pretending to not know someone at a party. The only saving grace of this was that Orick was by her side so she didn't have to do anything alone. It made sense now why people brought 'dates' to these things to have a partner to weave though these social events. Ana could look forward to dancing later with her husband which was what she decided to focus on.

"It is nice to get out every once in awhile." Ana was one whom worked hard but liked to play just as much. Get away from it all, slow down and just enjoy life. She smiled finishing off her champagne. Ana truly was in need of something a lot stronger because this was not doing it.

It looked like Tmoxin not only agreed but was on edge herself and Ana could only guess that it was due to recognizing her or maybe this wasn't her scene either. "How about we all go and play a round of Sabaac?"

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

Orick smiled as they chatted, Draco had to have done something right, or possibly wrong to end up with the Blood Monarch on his arm for the evening. He liked Draco, he was solid for the most part, but he apparently had terrible taste in women. Some people just went for the pretty face regardless of how dangerous that face may be. He listened as Ana and Draco chatted a bit, the entire time he kept Tmoxin in his peripheral vision. He didn't know what her game was tonight, but as long as there was a room full of, well some of them were monsters, he wouldn't worry too much.

He tilted his head at Ana's suggestion, " I'm game for some cards, but that depends on what Draco and his lovely date have in mind. I would hate to impose myself on their evening, but if they are up for some cards, I'm game. I won't even cheat." he chuckled slightly as he answered. He didn't really care if they played cards, he was going to have a great night with Ana no matter what happened. He wasn't going to let bad blood ruin the evening. he would just pull Draco aside another time and make sure he understood the danger in associating with the people he was bringing to parties.

[member="Anastasia Rade"] | [member="Tmoxin Temi"] | [member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"No, it wouldn't do for me to leave you with out an escort. I'll sit and play with you, but you'll have to walk me through it. I don't gamble enough to understand how it all works." I told Tmoxin when she suggested I leave her and go off on my own. I was raised a gentleman, and a gentleman did not abandon his date for his friends.

When Orick decided he'd be joining us, I nodded. The suggestion of we all play cards together wasn't bad or anything. I wasn't sure how Tmoxin would feel about that, but I didn't want to be rude, and she seemed to be getting over her anxiety. Either she had calmed because of me, or some other reason. Even still, I gestured to the seats that put me in between her and them, just to be on the safe side. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable or anything, and this was the best way to be civil and be protective. My employees often said I was protective, but I didn't think that was a bad thing. Certainly not in this context. "Sounds like a plan. Have a seat, and try not to take all my spending money. I have no idea how high maintenance Tmoxin is so try and leave me with enough for her." I said jokingly. I turned to the dealer and had him deal Tmoxin and I in at a reasonable amount. I covered her entry, but my hand never left her.

[member="Orick T'ane"] [member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Seto Du Couteau]

Fingers tapped away on the table, Seto's grin simply plastered across on his face as he greedily scanned his cards quickly. Confidence was something easily displayed but also easily seen through if not done properly. For the young Du Couteau, he simply thrived in his own overconfidence, his attitude he brought to the table was to simply make everyone understand that Seto was here at the table. I'm ten away from 23, but the other guys aren't betting anything Seto mused as he thought of his next move.

"I raise 10,000 credits," Seto announced as he practically threw in his bet when it came to his turn. Looks were sent his way but what the other participants saw was only a cocky grin as Seto relaxed back into his chair. His arms were hanging loosely as he slowly raised his hands in a gesture of confidence as if those credits meant nothing to him, eyes closed as he hoped that [Member="Jennifer Blanchard"] had a far better hand. "I thought we were playing for the high stakes, didn't know the wives kept the key and lock to your bank accounts," Seto jibbed at the other two men at the table, hoping to get a rise.

"But if that's the case with all of you than I'll be somewhat considerate to your plight," Seto joked, as he leaned forward, an evil grin spread across his lips as he looked at the male players, "As a gentlemen if that is really the case, I'll allow myself to let you call your wives if your next bets are okay", calling them out. Seto aimed for their pride, even if it sounded childish, he wanted to know exactly how mentally strong the others were in this table.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pz7rifL7-o​

​

Smooth amber whiskey burned a trail down his throat. The fiery warmth took the numbness away. Or maybe it was the other way around? The hollow man at the bar leaned forward, staring at the dregs of his glass. Hm. Looked like they had something in common now.

He circled a finger in the air and called at the bartender.

"Another round."

Clink. Refill.

He picked up the glass and turned around, leaning back against the bar. Unkempt raven hair fell a little below his ears, a sharp contrast to stark white features, but most striking were his eyes, like slivers of pale blue ice. Hints of mischief reflected in their depths the way moonlight gleamed off a glacier.

The fellow didn't look like much in the way of status compared to the others. Strike that, he stuck out like a... well, like a rogue drifter in the middle of a bunch of politicians. Black leather jacket, plain maroon shirt beneath that. Unremarkable pants and no weapons to speak of. Say, how did he even get through the doors looking like that?

Good question, since Mikhail Shorn didn't even know how he got into this universe. One minute he was running from a bunch of Sith and Jedi, looking for Spencer, the next... poof. Force voodoo. He'd gotten stuck in a time where he didn't belong. Here, everything was upside down. For starters, the Sith Empire didn't exist. Yay, right? Wrong. So wrong.

"Let's see, where do I start? My father's dead. Brother too. And my cousin. Oh, and me, apparently. Not that anyone is complaining, because here I'm a mass-murderer who breaks buildings and hangs people off rooftops. And 'the Thronebreaker,' really? Oh, and my girlfriend is a lesbian and married to Ashin Varanin."

The fingers of rage wrapped around his heart began to tighten. He eased them with another sip. Didn't stop them though, just made him forget that they were there.

So, here he was, stranded in a place he really didn't belong. The first month had been fine. Just a little panicked. Then as the days drew by and he started to realize he wasn't getting out, well... His hand trembled slightly. The glass shook, almost imperceptibly. He thought of shattering it. Turning the pieces into razor-edged bits of destruction and slaughtering everyone in here. Tempting. Restraint had never been his strong suit.

Not in any arena.

His auguring gaze picked out a Hapan from the crowd, talking to another woman. Mikhail stared, smirking. Hapans weren't hard to spot in any crowd. They stuck out almost as much as he did.

"Bartender, one for the lady and her friend over there."

"Sure, what'll it be?"

Mikhail's eyes danced with mischief.

Seconds later, two cocktails floated across the room, carried on thin air by an idle gesture from Mikhail. The drinks came to a stop next to [member="Jemmila Kyrgen"] and [member="Token Waters"], floating so that they and their sender couldn't be missed. Two glasses of Sex on the Beach. Served on the rocks

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien was just minding his own business, conveniently schooling NPC's in a game of cards that his writer didn't understand when he felt an odd pang in the back of his mind. It was the same pang he got whenever mikhail entered the same room. It felt a little different but it was undoubtedly the same feeling. which was impossible, Mikhail had died he'd felt it. They had been connected by a platonic, albeit disjointed and slightly awkward, bromance so when he'd felt the stabbing pain he had known Mikhail was dead. He couldn't have been wrong ... Lucien was never wrong.

Lucien's stomach dropped, this was bad either he had been hit by a wave of grief which would no doubt be highly distracting or [member="Mikhail Shorn"] was actually back. neither prospect was all that favourable because as much as Lucien liked Mikhail he was a pain in the backside, especially at parties. He had to find out what was going on "Cash me out"

He downed what was left in his glass and stepped away from the table "Stay here Darien" He ordered his son before moving off the casino floor. He couldn't hear the tell tale signs of a Shorn rampage which was a good sign. He only had to head to the bar now, either shorn was there are he wasn't and lucien was experiencing grief ... either way he'd find wine and wine would help ease his problem be it grief of sociopath based. He had formed a new platonic relationship with wine after Mikhail's death ... wine was good to him.

He found Mikhail at the bar and almost threw up. He could feel a headache coming on as he approached the bar, he silently hoped mikhail had become a celibate monk or something equally non-violent. but Mikhail was evidently neither celibate nor a monk. Life was full of disappointments. He stood beside Mikhail and ordered a red wine. "I thought you were dead Mikhail, How've you been?"