Private High Class, High Power

[Aurelius Baldor]

Uscru Entertainment District South Loop, 1910 Storyville Street, Coruscant

​

Loyalty. When someone is loyal, in spite of themself, in spite of the odds being against themselves, against time, that's true loyalty.

Which is why Aurelius found himself at 1910 Storyville Street, standing before the building that was home to Eve Escorts, of which Malcoma Hesse was the Madam. He was never hugely into the escort business, but he was well aware of how lucrative it was, and he could tell Malcoma knew her trade well. Aurelius hadn't personally met Madam Hesse before The Family had been forced into hiding by the Silver Jedi, but he knew that she had lent Eve Escorts as a very useful asset for gathering dirt on the rich, famous, and powerful, and that when she had gotten word of The Family's resurgence she had moved back to Coruscant and set up shop at the building he stood before with some aid from The Family.

Aurelius didn't want to be disrespectful of her time, so he had called ahead of time and paid for a few hours of private time with Madam Hesse. She was running a business, after all. It would be rude of him to show up unannounced and spend her time without recompense. With him, he carried a somewhat large briefcase, held in one clawed hand; with the other he held a Flyntarian tabac stick between his thumb, fore, and middle fingers, savoring the last drag before flicking the now useless stick over a railing to quickly disappear in Coruscant's vast cityscape. Checking his chrono, Aurelius noticed it was nearly time for their meeting, and made his way inside to Eve Escorts.

Malcoma Hesse has been loyal to The Family, truly loyal, and loyalty like that requires repayment.

 

[Malcoma Hesse]

The Eden's Club bouncer didn't dare hinder Aurelius Baldor as he neared the entrance. Instead, he stepped respectfully back and gave a knowing nod.

Inside the short entryway hall, a suited man approached the Devaronian kingpin. "She's ready for you in the back," he said. Apparently he knew of Aurelius too. It was quite impressive that Eve's employees were already familiar with the major Family members; they hadn't been back in Galactic City long themselves. "I'll show you the way."

This man began by leading him into the club's main room—a bar to the right, booth seating scattered across the floor, and a risen dancing stage. Only a handful of patrons mulled around as it was the quiet part of the weekdays, afternoon; likewise, girls were interspersed with them, mostly chatting and waitressing. The duo weaved through the scene to a somewhat hidden door made of the same quilted material of the back wall. The first man pushed it open and held it there for the older one. After he had stepped though, the first joined him in the hallway and ushered him down the corridor. "She told me to tell you that she appreciates the advanced booking," he began, "but that it won't be necessary in the future."

They came to another door soon after he finished speaking: perfect timing. He opened this one too in the same way as before but not stepping over the threshold this time. "She's on your first right."

He didn't close the door when he walked away, leaving Aurelius to walk down the short luxury entryway to an archway that led into an office. Inside, Malcoma looked up from her carved oak desk. She set down her holopad stylus and stood. "Ah, welcome to my humble abode, Mister Baldor."

 

[Aurelius Baldor]

Aurelius absorbed the scenery of Eden's Club: very classy joint, only the best for an associate of The Family. Again, escorts weren't really his thing, but he couldn't deny the place made the thought enticing. He nodded as Damris explained to him that the booking wasn't necessary, and he shrugged to himself. It wasn't a huge loss of credits, and it wasn't like he spent any ucks. Oh well. At the least, it would help show that the Devaronian respected Malcoma Hesse 's time.

Soon, he was standing in her office, and as she stood from her desk Aurelius moved over to offer a handshake. He chuckled internally at "humble", but then realized that compared to those flashy nightclubs with all the neon signs and the blaring music, Eden's Club was pretty humble in comparison. "Madam Malcoma Hesse, it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Quite the classy place you have here." He gave her a smile, genuine if perhaps still a bit unnerving in the way Devaronian smiles usually were, but he was sure the Madam wouldn't be offput by it. "Adjusting to life on Coruscant again well, I hope?"

 

[Malcoma Hesse]

Aurelius Baldor​

Malcoma gave a strong, but not unladylike, handshake. "I forgot the...sense of opulence," she admitted, "but it was quick to come back. The Donna treats me well." The madam motioned over to the three-person leather sofa situated to their right deeper into the room and situated before a glass caf table, a holographic fireplace, and a flat screen hung just above the mantle:

An invitation to sit.

If he took it, she would join him. If not, she'd simply remain standing by her desk.

"I doubt you're here for the entertainment normally on my docket, though I'm afraid even if you were I'm on hiatus from providing at the moment. Executive functions are eating up all my time. Reestablishing one's business after a CSF smear campaign, even with Family members like ours, is enough to keep a girl busy."

 

[Aurelius Baldor]

Aurelius smiled and nodded. The Donna had every reason to do well by Malcoma Hesse , after everything she's done for her, and for The Family. After she motioned to the sofa he made his way over, taking a seat and placing the briefcase on the caf table. "I'm not, but I would be lying if I said the thought isn't enticing. Perhaps another time, when we're less preoccupied with business." He said with a grin, relaxing on the sofa. "You are a beautiful woman after all, even more so in person. But, more importantly, you're a loyal woman, Madam Hesse. Truly loyal. The Donna is right to treat you well, for all that you've done for The Family. And, seeing as how we've yet to become acquainted, it's only right that I do the same. And thus," Aurelius motioned to the briefcase as he spoke. "I come bearing gifts. As a token of gratitude for all you've done for us, and, hopefully, the beginnings of a long and fruitful relationship."

 

[Malcoma Hesse]

Malcoma smiled the kind of polite business smile that was just a bit mischievous. "Of course, darling," she replied with an approving cant of her head. "I'm sure we'd figure out a way to have some fun. We'll have to keep each other posted."

She glanced at the briefcase as he motioned to it. "Do you? Who's treating me well now?" She sat up slightly, scooted towards the edge of the cushion, and reached towards the briefcase. Her hand fell just short of the handle, faltering, and she glanced to Aurelius Baldor . "May I?"

If she could, she would take the briefcase into her lap and carefully flip open the twin locks with her manicured nails.

If not, she would wait. She was capable of patience believe it or not.

 

[Aurelius Baldor]

"But of course." When Malcoma Hesse opened the briefcase, at the forefront was a golden holdout pistol with pearl grips, along with spare power cells for the weapon. Also inside the briefcase was a white wampa fur scarf, a martini shaker plated in the same golden metal as the holdout pistol, and two martini glasses, cool to the touch. All the ingredients of a fun time. Aurelius motioned to the pistol. "One of a kind. You won't find another like it anywhere in the galaxy." Aurelius grinned. "Figured a lady like you needs a blaster just as classy, just as powerful. All the power of a cannon in the palm of your hand. Comes with a stun setting too. Only got two shots per cell, but believe me: one's all you need."

 

[Malcoma Hesse]

The contents drew a sharp gasp out of the woman who normally hid her emotions so easily. It was surprise and elatement that bubbled to the surface now. Malcoma shifted sideway on the sofa just enough to set the briefcase down between her thigh and the sofa's arm. She reached inside and wrapped her fingers around the holdout pistol's mother-of-pearl grip before pulling it into her lap.

"I'll make one count," she affirmed. She had never much liked blasters, but she had become a decent shot out of necessity, and it'd be more than easy to make an exception for this piece of art. Carrying it would only be a matter of making a lace garter holster. She would probably be able to alter one she already had herself.

A little DIY project to distract herself for an hour or so from her current legal troubles.

She looked up at Aurelius Baldor . "Thank you."

That wasn't something she said often.