Expect the unexpected

[Ayessa Valen]

Ayessa was sent to do the most basic of jobs. She was sent, by sith lords themselves, to do what? Pick off important republic senators? Ambush lethal jedi as they creeped into unwanted territory? No. They wanted her, Ayessa Valen, to pick up cargo. To her, this was a sign that they found weakness in her. That she was unworthy of higher tasks. She was elegant and beautiful in battle and in ways of the dark side and she couldn't quite pin point what she was doing wrong. Alas, she could do nothing for the situation so she sucked in her toxic attitude and decided to go on with the mission. She was to go to the outer rim and meet on the surface of a planet to accept cargo from a professional smugler. She held a large amount of credits in her hand and it took much self control, from the bounty hunter side of her, not to chip in just a little bit for herself and throw the dealer a bargain.

As she broke through the planets line of clouds and landed at the coordinates she was sent to, she exited her ship, dressed in her normal attire of a red top, white skirt and black thigh high boots, she waited. A part of her was disappointed and bored, but a apart of her was curious as to what the dealer was like. Perhaps something could spark- she was lacking any friends lately. As many sith often did. She began playing with her hair, awaiting of what she hoped would be time well spent.

[member=niyla ar'i]

 

[scarletsurf]

It was a slow time for the black market. She had acquired a shipment of pommels that she intended on selling to the republic, however the Jedi wanted nothing from a smuggler like her. It was unfortunate because in past times her ancestors had done such fine trading with the light side. This led the young ringmaster to do dealings with the one sith. She certainly wasn't dealing with the hutt cartel, and while It wasn't exactly to her pleasure, it was business.

She had landed here a few hours ago, she waited rather patiently for her acolyte to arrive. Niyla had learned dealing with sith is tricky, they will try to capture the resources without pay, or simply attempt to kill. It must be the chaotic side of the dark side, still she never quite came to a conclusion why they act so rash. Wouldn't it be better to have your smugglers alive? Either way she waited, spinning around in her chair as she observed the surroundings outside her ship. Since the Sith are hard to work with her terms stated that the trade would take place in neutral territory. This was bad for her as well though, she currently rested her ship on the ocean world of Kamino. Waves crashing on the side of the structure she had landed on, dowsing the side of her ship as a heavy rain poured.

Her amphistaff friend had the jitters ever since they arrived here. She stroked his side, the vong snake smoothing its razor sharp skin at her touch as he coiled around her arm. "I know Light, they should be here soon enough and I'll get you off this water world." She smiled at her amphibious friend and looked out, seeing a faint light in the distance. The light grew and she quickly noticed the sith manufactured ship coming her way. "You're going to hate this..." She said as she pulled a large coat over her body, her snake hissing as he caught on. Niyla opened the hull of her ship and climbed down the ladder, her hair was wet before she even got to the floor, she jumped down the ladder at about halfway. Gracefully landing on the platform. It felt odd, having no ground under her feet for miles was weird, especially for an acrobat.

As she found her balance she watched as the Sith ship landed a few feet away. Once the headlights had turned off it was rather dark out here. Niyla grew slightly impatient as she waited for the Acolyte, the sooner they got out was the sooner she would get out of this rain and head inside to discuss the terms of the deal. Niyla just hoped this would go smoothly as she reminded herself this was dangerous territory under the Hutts control...and after her last run in with a Hutt she wasn't so sure she was welcomed here.

 

[Ayessa Valen]

Ayessa immediately frowned as massive downpour drenched her hair and her clothes. This was immensely disappointing. She knew this planet was known for it’s rain and never ending oceans, but she had no choice in planets. She hadn’t bothered checking where the coordinates she was given even went- first of many mistakes she would make. Squinting her eyes she started to walk quickly towards what she sense was a person, speaking before she came into vision. “Are you the smuggler then?” She wanted nothing more than to get inside.

She anticipated the potential tension between smuggler and sith. It was as simple as the sith had a bad name and people have been conditioned to fear and look out for them. She would let her client know she was not of that type. Many sith might try to assassinate the smuggler after the slightest inconvenience, such as this meeting place. She was better than that. She was not an animal.

Although aligned with the dark-side, Ayessa was high class. She did not let her anger or hate overcome her to cause an impulsive kill. Her hatred was not rooted deep enough to take her over. Her hatred stemmed from the lonliness and independence her parents forced on her in childhood. It was an anger that grew from sadness, different from many of the sith.

Finally, the figure of her contact cut its image through the downpour and she couldn’t help but smile. “Would you like to go inside before names are exchanged and the deal is discussed? I would very much enjoy doing so,” she offered, knowing she would be as tired of this weather within minute of being in it as well.

[member=Niyla Ar'i]

 

[scarletsurf]

When the acolyte left her ship Niyla pushed her wet hair from her eyes, wanting to seem semi-official. It wasn't her fault the Sith order arranged this to be the meeting spot. She certainly wasn't happy about being wet and she doubted the acolyte was going to be thrilled either.

When the young woman came into view Niyla was... pleasantly surprised. It was difficult in this downpour to get a great image of her but she could tell that she was adorned with striking features, her long white hair reminding Niyla of a fiery acrobat she once danced with. This should go nice. The ringmaster thought.

As she spoke Niyla had a hard time hearing, she walked closer to her hoping that the rain would just stop. As she grew closer to the acolyte her amphibious friend hissed and looked up at Niyla, climbing around her back to try and avoid the rain.

“Would you like to go inside before names are exchanged and the deal is discussed? I would very much enjoy doing so,” Said the acolyte. The tone of her voice sending a chill down NIylas back, or perhaps that was just the strong grip of Lightning. However her voice was soft and elegant, qualities not often found in Sith. Niyla appreciated that.

"Yes I would like that as well!" Niyla slightly yelled, trying to project her voice through the heavy rain. When she noticed the acolyte walking towards the door she quickly followed.

She had never been to this planet before so despite the rain, which Niyla could see as being quite soothing when she was not here on duty, she was very curious of the events that followed. And of this striking acolyte.

[member="Ayessa Valen"]

 

[Ayessa Valen]

Doors shut behind her as the pair entered the structure, the doors sealing out the humidity and noise of the oncoming downpour. The room that met her eyes was bright white, almost blinding after the dark and gray weather that still awaited them outside. She strained her hair, allowing all the excess water to drip onto the floor. She was cold and wet, but for some reason, not upset. This woman seemed worthwhile and she had become eager to discuss the deal. She looked over until she saw a table with four chairs set. "Care to begin discussing, then? I'd love to get off this planet as soon as possible," she said. Why did the sith have to pick this planet? Was there something more she wasn't seeing?

As she sat down and waited for the smuggler she couldn't help but take in her surroundings further. It was unique, the style of Kamino. The interiors seemed like technological heavens, while the outside seemed like geographic nightmares. The contrast between the two simply left Ayessa to think, and think she did. It set her into heavy thought and she began to, what most would note as a trance or a daydream. This was very unlike her, but for some reason, her guard had fallen in the presence of the smuggler. Perhaps she felt a little bit too comfortable?

[member=Niyla Ar'i]

 

[scarletsurf]

The young smugglers eyes danced to the beauty of this woman, she noticed her features outside but now that they were under the light she couldn't help but fawning over her. The long white hair and her mysterious red eyes, she was going to have a hard time speaking to her comfortably. As she dripped her hair Niylas eyes widened and she tucked away a strand of her pink hair, which laid across her face. For a moment there was nothing but silence... this was until her slithering friend hissed loudly and squeezed her, as if telling the ringmaster to sit down. As he hissed she tried to push him away, to which he only climbed higher up her back and around her neck.

Niyla tried to be as graceful as possible, though this always came natural to her. She found her way into the seat, the white floors and walls dilating her emerald eyes. As she looked upon the sithling once more, a red blush flushed her cheeks. Yet she tried to hide it; as a smuggler she knew this was a business venture, not one of vacation. Still, the pale woman seemed to be dazing off just as she.

"I am ready...Yes let us begin." NIyla nodded to the girl and expressed a soft smile, the blush seeming to grow like fire.

She pulled a small grey device from her pocket and placed it on the table. Niyla then pushed a red button and it folded open, a hologram being projected above them. It depicted lightsaber components, foreign languages flashing beside them in quick succession, with various numbers appearing in the same manner.

Her blush faded and she adorned a more serious posture, Niylas emerald eyes meeting the siths. Through the glare it was as if her eyes told a story.

"I have a small fortune worth of lightsaber pommels in my ship, obsidian grade. And I am willing to give them to you, free of charge."

[member="Ayessa Valen"]

 

[Ayessa Valen]

Ayessa came back to reality, words from the smuggler reeling her back in. It was then she noticed the creature on her neck, it appeared amphibious in nature and it struck her curious. She had considered curing her aching lack of a best friend with an animal companion- one she could trust in missions or just to share emotions with. Perhaps she could ask her about it after the deal was over. Before anything further was able to be said, the smuggler set a small metal device and began displaying the deal. Ayessa tried her best to read what the hologram displayed before her, but she knew it didn't matter. She was required to purchase and bring back the load, no matter the price.

Suddenly, the offer turned in her favour. She was taken off guard for a moment, her brain processing the words that left the mouth of the pink haired dealer. Was it something she didn't say? Did she accidentally scare the smuggler or intimidate? Perhaps she was trying to play some tricks. Ayessa had no idea, but she looked for the best in this offer. Could anything really go wrong in such a situation? The Sith would be pleased. "My name is Ayessa, by the way." She introduced. It seemed that the heavy weather and timing of events had excluded what Ayessa considered a dire part in what you do when you meet someone new. A simple introduction was all she needed. Names were meant to be remembered as much as faces were.

"Is there any reason as to why you're offering me them free of charge? I don't mean to judge your decision making but- Looking out for your side of the deal, is that not very wise of you?" She picked up the device holding all the data and flicked through the numbers again. "This is a lot of credits, I'm sure your little friend would appreciate a little luxury from them, no?"

[member="Niyla Ar'i"]

 

[scarletsurf]

As she spoke her name the ringmaster was taken back for a moment, it wasn't often her contacts appreciated such formalities. She was also embarrassed, perhaps she had become just 'another' smuggler. Niyla sighed, as if out of sheepishness. "I apologize M'lady. Such customaries are sadly forgotten as I deal in this so often, it is nice to hear." Niyla expressed a soft smile and took her hand, laying a soft kiss upon it. As was a customary greeting among her people.

"Ayessa is a beautiful name, mine is Niyla." The smuggler crossed her legs and pushed her pink hair back, carefully listening to the acolytes words.

"It is very kind of you to look after me, however I promise you I have my reasons."

As the lady spoke of her friend Niyla couldn't help but smile, she looked up to him and laughed as he slithered all the way around her body. Every now and then expressing a hiss at Ayessa. "Well, that is a convincing argument..." She chuckled as he hissed again, his eyes looking into hers.

"Would you like to pet him?" Niyla asked with a sincere smile as she looked at Lightning.

[member="Ayessa Valen"]

 

[Ayessa Valen]

Her eyes perched as the words ‘M’lady’ left Niyla’s lips, followed by kissing her hand as though she were somehow superior to her. Ayessa wasn’t sure if she thought she was a Sith Lord or a senator, she was just an acolyte that had a side interest in bounty hunting. She said nothing, however, and accepted the kind gesture. She felt like she did as a child in Eshan, where people gave her the respect due to her parents reputation.

She kindly offered her animal for Ayessa to pet, and so she took her up on the offer. She extended her hand, reaching towards its head. She didn’t show any signs of uncertainty or fear as she had touched animals and creatures much deadlier. She felt as though the pair would make a good set of friends or partner, she just had to get a feel for whom this woman actually was. She knew respect and she knew kindness. In her book, Niyla passed. “You don’t have to treat me with words like M’lady and kisses,” she began, her hand feeling the slithering companion of Niyla. “I’m by no means more superior than you, treat me more as a friend.” She added.

Niyla was in no way what the Echani expected. This smuggler didn’t smell and look like a sewer animal. They didn’t throw slander and her voice didn’t smell of liquor. There appeared to be no tricks here- just an honest dealer with a heart. “You aren’t like many other smugglers I’ve met before, it’s refreshing.”

[member="Niyla Ar'i"]

 

[scarletsurf]

As her pale hands reached out to touch the amphistaff the creature hissed at first, his red eyes watching Ayessa closely. However what he would do next wasn't like him at all, he didn't hide from her. He welcomed her touch and even nudged against her, smoothing his sharp sclaes for her. "Huh." Niyla said out of sheer amazement. "Lightning really likes you..." A hint of jelousy ran through her fine accent, though nothing noticible. She looked up from the scene to meet Ayessas beautiful eyes. She paused for a moment, her breathing heavy. As the acolyte complimented her she couldn't help but looking away out of embarrasment, what was it about the girl that had taken her so back.

Her eyes fluttered quickly and she began to speak. "That is very kind. You know, I could say the same about you!" Niyla expressed a sincere smile and brushed her now drying hair to the side. The young woman mentioned her as a friend, Niyla liked the thought of getting to know her more, certainly. She didn't know whether or not to go bak to business, or to get to know the girl more. The sith had arranged this meeting and location, they were usually only 'rented' out for small amounts of time, so Niyla thought it best to get back to business. "Ayessa, as much as I love your company, I do not think your organization intended for this to be a social gathering."

Perhaps the two ladies could spend more time together after the deal had been made. Niyla took a moment to gather herself, she then crossed her legs and pulled out the holo device, giving it to Ayessa. "Sigh here, the deal shall be made. Just let the sith know my debts are paid."

[member="Ayessa Valen"]

 

[Ayessa Valen]

Ayessa smiled as the holopad was handed to her, still taken back from the generous offer from Niyla. As prepared herself to sign it, the first few letters being written before a sudden explosion sent Ayessa's attention elsewhere. The room suddenly became clouded in smoke and the mutters of what seemed to be many men suddenly filled Ayessas ears. She had no idea what was going on. What point was there to this ambush? Was this set up by Niyla? Although it would make no sense relating it to the deal, every Sith had a price on their head no matters their significance. Ayessa was confused, but she immediately grabbed her lightwhip.

She sent the cloud of smoke around her away with the force, creating a small bubble around her as she heard gunfire. She slammed down the table Niyla and herself were using only seconds before as cover and shouted. "Niyla? Are you there?!" If she wasn't apart of this, which Ayessa firmly believed, she would try her best to keep the both of them alive. She was sure Niyla could take care of herself and perhaps a tag team would have to be in order. "You cowards, fight us in full view or don't fight us at all!" Ayessa taunted, as the men promptly responded.

"Oh, little lady knows how to take then, huh? Have a little bit of our Hutt hospitality," she said, before she heard footsteps approaching the table, gunfire temporarily paused.

[member="Niyla Ar'i"]

 

[scarletsurf]

The explosion surprised Niyla just as much as it did Ayessa, she whipped around as Lightning solidified into the form of a whip.

Karking fantastic. She thought as she tried to avoid the blaster shots while getting in her own hits. Niyla didn't even need to swing him before she felt a strain on the snake.

As the smoke cleared the white room appeared clear again. It was as if time slowed down in the moment, the man in front of her had the snake wrapped around his neck. His head was turning a painfully obvious purple from the strength of Lightnings grip. Beside her stood the beautiful Ayessa, and in front of them was 3 henchmen, along with a female. Who had spoken to them.

"Oh, little lady knows how to take then, huh? Have a little bit of our Hutt hospitality," Said the woman, with a striking accent. Behind her as some of the leftover smoke cleared a large figure appeared, the figure closing in as time seemed to come back.

The man Niyla had choked fell to his knees, the sound of him pounding onto the floor filling the silent room. His body shook relentlessly as blood poured from his eye sockets. She felt bad, though, technically she didn't kill him.

The man in the doorway stepped from the shadows, he... or it, wasn't even man.

It was a cyborg, it must have been 3 meters tall, it bent down to come from the door. When it spoke it's voice echoed with a cracking sensation, like it was missing an important component.

"A Zith Acolyte cerm to mitha zation. Alongz withz a zmuggler, how zelightfel." He stood back up to his full height, the rusty bolts screaming as he did so. "Pleaze, Reto will be pleazed with yer treazure. Hutta never liked zith anywaays." Niyla looked back as his voice ran on. It was rather unpleasant, like the running of fingernails across the chalkboard. Niyla looked to Ayessa before more was said, she raised an eyebrow as her snake unveiled from the mans neck and came back to her.

She perched an eyebrow and licked her lips in a nervous manner. "I'm assuming you know nothing of this?" She asked, more out of nervousness rather than actual suspicion.

[member="Ayessa Valen"]

 

[Ayessa Valen]

Ayessa was still shaken form the initial shock of what had occurred. Although Niyla's pet was quick to act and make the first kill, she was still trying to comprehend the attack. What sounded like a sentient being and droid hybrid was screeching its voice into their ears, but Ayessa disregarded what was being said and was trying to think of a plan. Her previous taunt seemed like a natural defense to personify herself as tougher than she was in this moment, but as Niyla spoke to her, the faded senses began returning to her.

She shook her head, a little baffled that she would ask something like that. Yes, most Sith would have applauded the ambush and even encouraged it if Ayessa had provided it to be an option, but there was no reason on this day. "We need a plan, and we need one fast." Ayessa said, she grabbed the hilt of her whip, ready to strike. "All I have on me is a lightwhip, yourself?"

"Your time iz ovah." Continued the droid and she heard a gun cock, ready to fire. Then multiple after that. She peered over the edge of the table before dashing back down towards cover. "There's about eight of them. Toughest one looks like the tin can, Niyla."

Ayessa wondered. Was their exchange simply being ambushed by the Hutts, or was this deliberately set up by the One Sith to assassinate her? Or was this nothing but a small test? Whatever it was, she didn't like it. Not one bit.

[member="Niyla Alura"]