The new arrivals his dear Xoff had informed Whotoomuzz about arrived, just in time to be fashionably late, a sound tactic to ensure they had a chance to speak with the Hutt directly.
Clever, the lot of them, but not unexpected. Drinks and seats were already prepared for them at the oblong table, though the one with the less attractive droid silent, sending the droid to speak in their place. Obedient and courteous, the droid waited it's turn - it's owner seemingly well aware of the way things were operated, the bribes seemed sufficient to the guard - to be expected, the Chantin Kajidic for a cut of each bribe - in exchange no underling would be punished, so long as no serious harm to the Kajidic resulted and they reported exactly who was bribing to do what.
The other newcomer was also expected, although the Hutt felt a slight tinge of jealousy. The droids accompanying the Lady would likely draw the eye of Xoff. Whottoomuzz might just put him back in carbonite to be safe. He's been faithful since the Casino incident, but Whottoomuzz was always paranoid their Zeltron spouse was going to run off with a pretty thing. Even a droid. But personal fears had no place at the meeting table, and the Hutt did not let the worry affect their judgement.
The Hutt waved in what would normally be taken as a dismissive manner, but in the context of underworld etiquette was permission to join the table and discussion without disrupting the current speaker.
"To the Mighty and Discerning Whottoomuzz, Lady Blue acknowledges your renowned generosity and will graciously entertain trade in spice or slaves."
A low chuckle of approval emerged from Whotoomuzz - an arkanian slave, tethered to the room via shock collar, provided a datapad for the envoy to sign the contract for the transfer.
"Lady Blue inquires—" her voice measured, steady, "is there a particular name or identity you seek?" A pause. "Mighty Whottoomuzz."
Whottoomuzz's chuckle stopped dangerously.
"Bosha killee grancha banka tee Jee—pi jeeska banka dopa noleeya gee mokee. Beeka uba draba: peetoo dopa bu seeka wata Jee pateesa, pi wata banka moolee paknee wata."
" The great Hutt says that many names hold great valu-"
The Arkanian began to translate for the Hutt, but Whottoomuzz pressed a button and shocked the arrogant slave until their attempt to speak for the Hut was replaced with a scream.
Foolishly, the Arkanian pleaded,
"Please, Lord Hutt, have mercy". Whottoomuzz hovered a finger over the shock button, but instead hailed an affiliate of his.
A small communication was sent to
Jakharl
, who was likely bored in the fight pits. Until the cost of replacement battledroids went down, the cost of giving him playthings to break wasn't worth it.
Translated by the communicator the message was sent:
<Got a live one for you, interrogation room, fight pit, middle of the bar, your choice. Make a bloody example of the arrogant Arkanian, we can ship it to some of the others. Sending them to you now>
One of the Trandoshan Guards grabbed the "superior race" slave and dragged them away, a treat for the Gank Assassin.
While the specific trade values were hashed on the datapad with a toydarian, Whottoomuzz addressed the first new arrival.
"My apologies for being late." She said as she met the gaze of the large Hutt in front of her. "I come bringing offers and opportunities."
Whottoomuzz's chuckle of approval returned,
"Ah, Lady Pavarti! Jee chapka see uba batee mee jewuz kuppa!"
In truth, Whottoomuzz only knew her by reputation, but Xoff dearest loved her products, so the revealed bottle and hookah would make a fine make-up gift after his next stint in carbonite - then the pretty Zeltron will only have eyes for Whottoomuzz for certain!
. "I noticed you didn't carry my whiskey." She said playfully, "So I figured I'd show you what you're missing out on."
"Dopa wa newpa makate? Wamma pe hota gee pawa tah Daarchy stuka gee ulwan goota. Che jee-jee Xoff uba bu mindi bai!"
The Hutt waved a welcome to join the table - Whottoomuzz did not know how the Lady Pavarti's operations have been performing since her imprisonment, but working alongside one of Xoff Dearest's favorite designers would surely be fruitful.
As long as those Hussie droids stayed away from the Hutt's husband.
Now, for the third visitor. The one that Xoff new the least of, but expressed concern over potential affiliations of force wizards.
Entering into this alliance Foo Ma master will secure Do burgeoning family access Tah Du highly sought after An valuable product currently under Ta control of Ta D'emperiolo ruling council based Noleeya Ta Lianna system while simultaneously offering Uba Ta advantage Da Ta Grancha An Wonky whottomuzz will need as Ta D'emperiolo threat continue Tah encroach on Ta old territories of hutt Doma toma.
The formality of the contract, the forwardness of the offer, the simple protection for contraband - something about it made Whottoomuzz's tail flick.
The hood practically gave away the sith, but Xoff had vetted that early - Force sensitive scum had their uses. But was their allegiance only to the sith? Or to one of the empires as well?
The
Kajidier Kajidic, the ancestral Kajidic of the Hutt's was currently beat by criminal organizations loosely affiliated with theEmpire of the Lost - Xoff did not find direct ties but the risk of being deceived by those who insult the history of the few remaining
Clans of the Ancients was too great.
Haku does Ta Grancha hutts Settah Tah Ma master's most generous, An lucrative Choba?
If something sounded too good to be true, it was.
Nobata.
The answer was short, humorless.
The deal was well presented and sound, but
something was off, and Whottoomuzz didn't like unknown variables. The way the woman sent the droid to speak, the lack of Intel lovely Xoff could find, the coldest demeanor and meeting the minimum amount of etiquette when welcomed by the head of a Kajidic, let alone one who sat on the Hutt council, clawed through opposition to raise the Chantin name after centuries of cutthroat underworld conflict.
This was not merely an emotional response, it was test of power. It was how Whottoomuzz made it to the Hutt Council, how they survived this long with the scars to show for it.
Whottoomuzz felt that this newcomer underestimated them.
The Hutt's reply was curt, but it was not definitive. It was also a test - to see if the woman herself would lower themselves to appease a hutt, negotiating directly, or if Whottoomuzz needed to crush the droid with their grip to get a word out of the woman.
The next move was up to
Her
as a tense silence fell between the Hutt's enforcers.
