Fair Means or Foul [Open]

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

Yeah. They were as good as married now. She didn't care for technicalities. She was a bit too spiritual to think a wedding was needed in order for two people to bond like this. It was all about heart. She let him kiss her, but gently dug her nails into his back through his shirt, just to remind him. Her other hand went to the back of his neck.

"Lor'ika," she sighed as his hand wandered downwards, "I want-"

The chrono beside the bed beeped just then. Out of time. They needed to start getting ready to head out. The blonde let out a soft curse, her smile fading as she gently pulled away. Just when she was really starting to get worked up too.

"I guess we'll have to pick this up later..."

[member="Doctor Azure"]

 

[Doctor Azure]

He'd definitely meant what he said. Rawnie was more than the best Lor could ask for in a wife. As she dug her nails through his shirt, he ran his fingers through her hair. His voice came back as a whisper.​

​

"I know-"​

​

And then the alarm went off. Dammit. He squeezed his fiance... or was she his wife?... one more time, and then rolled off the bed and to his feet. He smiled weakly.​

​

"You bet. Wanna go take a shower, or are we late?"​

​

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]​

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

Rawnie pulled away with a groan, standing up. Her hair was a mess now from rolling all over the bed. And she was frustrated. She should have paid more attention to the time before letting herself get sucked into that. At least they hadn't gotten too into it. Their clothes were still on. That was something, right?
She bit her lip, glancing at the chrono.

"If we shower together? Maybe. We are running a bit behind..."

When they got back, she didn't care how sleepy or drunk he might be. She was going to tear off his clothes and finish what they started.

[member="Doctor Azure"]

 

[Doctor Azure]

A quick look at the chrono told Lor that a shower wasn't happening. He took a quick glance at his clothes, and at Rawnie's, and shrugged resignedly. He showed a bit of a teasing grin, grabbed his coat, and wrapped it around her as he gave her another quick kiss.​

​

"Maybe we'll play catch-up in the shower later, nahn vit."​

​

The teasing grin stayed on his face as he pulled on his other jacket, with the armorweave in it. That was the most armor he was putting on today.​

​

"Besides, you look good when you're ruffled up."​

​

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]​

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

There was no time to put on her armor either. Ugh. She'd feel so naked! Oh well. It wasn't like they were expecting to find a fight, right? She looked down at herself draped in his coat. She looked... okay. Plain black leggings, one of his shirts. Her boots lay by the hotel room door. She looked a little frumpy, but that was alright. if he didn't care, then neither did she. She sat on the bed and started to quickly braid her hair back. Better. It was more manageable that way. She needed to cut it soon. Long hair was not practical for combat.

"And you look cute always, Lor'ika," she reached across to the bedside table, grabbed his glasses and handed them over, "Put these on first and then complement me. I'll actually believe you then."

[member="Doctor Azure"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Lilli Sinopi"] [member="Nierce"] [member="Alicia Drey"]


More and more people were arriving. But notably more were arriving in the VIP booth. Kay bowed her head respectfully to them as they caught her eye. Lilli however seemed to be a bit out of place. Or maybe out of sorts? Curiously she kept an eye on her as she watched one of the latest matches between a speeder bike and a jet pack. Who could get through the course faster? The roar of the crowd was getting louder, gambling tickets waving in the air. It was quite a spectacle.

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Lilli Sinopi"] | [member="Nierce"] |

Alicia had just finished watching a Mandalorian vs. Sun Guard fight. It had been one of the matches that had hyped up the tournament, as the organizers exploited the age old rivalry between the Mandalorians and the Thyrsians. It had been an impressive fight, with a Mandalorian victory. She knew that if her own Sun Guards had been present, they would have been outraged.

She checked her communique, but found no messages. That meant that the Acavus was still being unloaded. The amount of grain and crops she had brought to Commenor had been impressive. Thus far, Chandrila Group was a supplier and thus had to deal with a middle man. When the company was on it's feet, Alicia planned to cut that middle man out and go straight for the consumer. That required money. Property. Contacts.

Watching the next fight, between speeder and jet pack, Alicia noticed someone in the crowd and recognized them instantly. Lady Kay's exploits in the Hutt Cartel had made her one of the most wanted people in the galaxy. The slaves that she had freed had costs the Hutts thousands in credits; and everyone knew that Hutts did not like to lose their money.

This just got a little more interesting, she thought. Ignoring the Swoopdueling, Alicia was now transfixed on Lady Kay.

 

[Doctor Azure]

Lor laughed as he put his glasses on and squeezed the hand Rawnie had put in front of him. He pretended to consider her for a second, and then grinned, sitting down on the bed, too.​

​

"Nah, still hot."​

​

He watched her braid her hair, jokingly swatting it when she was finished.​

​

"Now you have a tail, nahn vit. How appropriate."​

​

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]​

 

[Galatea Raste]

So many interesting characters. Nobody had taken the bait with her earlier statement, which was probably because they'd been focused on the fight between the Mandalorian and the Sun Guard. As interesting as that was, she found it rather barbaric. Though she knew that the Mandalorians and the Echani had a rivalry between them, the constant bickering and battling was distasteful. She would probably have to see to it that something was done about them in the future as well.

Unfortunate.

Like Alicia, Nierce was also keeping tabs on Lady Kay. The woman was strong in the Force and necessitated the attention. Yes, Nierce was keeping her alignment and sensitivity hidden, but she had no way of knowing if this other woman, or anyone else for that matter, could suss her out as what she was.

She suffered a glance between Alicia and Lady Kay, lofting a brow at the way the former was watching the latter. And then she noticed Lilli. An interesting specimen. She seemed just a bit out of place. Or perhaps, that's what she wanted people to think?

[member="Lilli Sinopi"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Alicia Drey"] [member="Doctor Azure"] [member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

He swatted her hair. She swatted him back.

"I'm going to cut it off soon, so don't get used to it."

She stood up, pulling his coat all the way on. Much better. She felt less exposed this way. She walked across the room to where she had he pistol laying out on one of the desks. Bring it? Leave it? She really hated going out unarmed....

[member="Doctor Azure"]

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Nierce"] | [member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Lilli Sinopi"] |

Alicia felt eyes turning onto hers. Mysteriously, she averted her gaze away from Lady Kay, the moment Nierce turned to watch her. Turning her gaze between the two, Alicia did something that Nierce probably hadn't been expecting. At least not so soon.

From her the VIP booth, Alicia lifted her hand and beckoned for Nierce to come to her, with her index finger doing the beckoning. Lowering her hand, she turned to look back at the fighting.

 

[Doctor Azure]

Lor smiled as Rawnie stood up, grabbing one of his pistols and slipping it into one of the holsters in the coat he'd put on her. Both trying to make her comfortable, and giving her one of the guns he trusted just a tiny bit more than blasters. Her blaster, he put in another holster. He gave her another squeeze and belted several more of the slugthrowers onto himself.​

​

"If you're going to give yourself a haircut, I'll get you a better mirror. The last time I tried to cut the back of my hair, I got myself with a hunting knife."​

​

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]​

 

[Galatea Raste]

Nierce blinked again. The merchant was calling her over? Interesting. There couldn't possibly be any way that the woman knew that Nierce was the leader of the Resistance. The faction had been so secretive to this point that they had literally done nothing to create any sort of record of their existence. Maybe it was as simple as the fact that the woman had felt her gaze flickering between her and Lady Kay. If that was the case she was going to just have to start looking at people more often.

She focused her attention on Alicia and stood, moving closer to her, though noticeably taking a seat where they wouldn't bump arms.

"Do prominent merchant's make a habit of visiting such venues?" she asked the woman. "Or is this a one time curiosity?"

[member="Alicia Drey"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Lilli Sinopi"]

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Nierce"] |

"If you are given something for free, then you should always take it. Otherwise, it's just a waste and a missed opportunity."

Alicia did not look at Nierce, whilst she watched the fighting. The Rodian that rode the speeder bike, flew past the VIP booth that they were standing in. The Mandalorian that wielded the jet pack (not the same one that had fought the Sun Guard) whizzed by in pursuit. Alicia could tell that the Mandalorian was going to win. She continued speaking.

"Perhaps I am just being overly cautious and if that is the case, then there is no harm done, stranger. We simply watch the game, part ways and never see each other again. Besides, I just did get you into a VIP only area. Drinks are on the house, as is the food. It's your lucky day."

"But I couldn't help but see you looking over at me and in my line of business, this tells me that you want something from me. If that's the truth, then please, enlighten me."

 

[Galatea Raste]

"Only if the something free servers your interests, and isn't free passage to your demise."

Nierce, for her part, was watching the race. This was much better than the fight from before. At least this was sporting, even if it was still rather trivial and droll to her. She wasn't really there for what was going on in the arena, she was there for the people she was meeting. And even that was only because she felt drawn to do so. Not doing so would be a travesty of shortsightedness. And who was she to tell the Force no when it was trying to lead her to greater glory?

"I don't need the drinks and food for free. Hospitality is better served for those that need it rather than those that merely want it."

Basically, more people needed it than she did, so she wasn't going to partake. She did afford a tilt of her eyes in the woman's direction when she continued, however.

"There are a particular group of people that are in need of, well, how shall I put this- necessities, I guess is the best word. Certain cargo is needed in order to see certain work done, work that's for the better of the galaxy, but work that no one really needs to know about. Are you interested in such work?"

[member="Alicia Drey"]

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Nierce"] |

There was a certain pull around Alicia Drey. Almost like gravity itself was centered around her. And yet there was no feasible reason as to why Nierce would feel drawn towards her. Alicia had known a woman who had prided herself on being an enigma. She released a sarcastic grin, at the thought of her.

The moment passed. Alicia's eyes remained on the fight. The Mandalorian had just crippled the Rodian's engines. Smoke now bellowed through the air. Fortunately, the combatants were now on the other side of the arena, far away from Alicia and Nierce.

"So you want to help the poor? I see that we have common interests. How unfortunate that we are only the few."

"And unfortunately, such services require cash payment. Nothing comes free, especially these days."

Falling silent, Alicia would let Nierce dictate the conversation. To let her feel in control.

 

[Galatea Raste]

Nierce was smart enough to recognize the tactic. She wasn't a slouch herself, having already concocted her own hidden self as leader of a movement aimed on taking down the Empire's and Sith of the galaxy, all while she was a Sith herself. That said, there was a certain curiosity that was broached about the woman's willingness to pretend that Nierce was in control. She'd played this game before, this merchant. She was no stranger to getting her ways, clearly.

Looking away, she settled her eyes back onto the combatants, not saying a word for a good while.

"Money isn't an issue, worthiness is."

And now the ball was back in Alicia's court. Nierce had just indicated she could pay, regardless of price. If Alicia wanted the money, then she would have to sell herself as the right source of the goods that Nierce was going to be requesting. Oh, she wasn't going to just let the woman manipulate her that easy.

"The question is, are you worthy of the contract and the trust that comes with it?"

[member="Alicia Drey"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Lilli Sinopi"] [member="Nierce"] [member="Alicia Drey"]


Opponents were not just in the arena, but in the different stands as well. And oddly enough, business deals also took place in such venues. Kay's business dealings would take place later. Or rather the hiring of individuals would take place later. For now she was observing the athletes and pilots that competed. Somewhere nearby, she was going to find who she needed. And thankfully on Commenor, she was safe. Though there were bound to be either one of her bodyguards tailing her and watching her. Sometimes it was rather annoying.

Kay looked over to Lilli and after a moment, took it upon herself to approach her. It had appeared earlier as if the young woman was skittish. But there was probably a good reason for it.

"Afternoon, miss. Lovely day for a lively event, don't you think?"

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Nierce"] | [member="Lady Kay"] |

Alicia was pretending not to notice Kay. Keeping her gaze on the Snoopdueling, maintained the illusion that she was engrossed in the spectacle. The real duel was happening between herself and the woman who had gained her interest. Now, Nierce had her attention.

"I like money. Everyone likes money. I was taught as a little girl that, if you had money in your pocket, you had options. I have a lot of money these days. I have many options. One of them is simply calling this little meeting a day and never seeing you again."

"Some elaboration is required, before you get anything from me. And let us be clear. You are the one who needs to convince me that you are worth my time."

Conceit was laced on the woman. It dripped with every syllable she spoke. Nierce would be forgiven if she simply walked away, as Alicia had prompted.

 

[Galatea Raste]

Nierce was obsessive, though. Obstinate. She didn't back down from something when she set her sights on it, and that wasn't about to start now. The woman was intriguing her more and more, but to be honest it was more that she wanted to get this deal negotiated and settled. They needed the materials from a merchant with a reputation for doing a good job, even if it was a sometimes seedy line of work that the woman may or may not have stepped into.

It wasn't like Nierce was exactly the epitome of good intentions.

"That is an option, yes."

She would concede that point.

"I need assets of the military variety delivered to various, how shall I put this, ill-hosted worlds? Worlds where these assets will be used to unshackle people. Worlds where friends of mine can dispose of former colleagues of mine, among others. If you're good at delivering high profile goods in a quiet manner, then the money will be good. Along with these goods should be delivered mundane items as well, food and medical supplies."

[member="Alicia Drey"]