Into Purgatory [Briga]

[Aiwaz Khath]

Club Purgatory, Nar Shaddaa​

​

[Music]​

The night was in full force. As dozens of tourists and Nar Shaddaa denizens alike flooded into great club complex of Purgatory, enthusiastic roars and shouts could be heard as a nestled bed of noise beneath the relentless blasts of pounding drums and heavy electronic basslines that rumbled through the metal walls from the main room to the offices behind. Things were going smoothly, thought the manager as she sat behind her desk patiently for the expected wrongdoer, two armed bodyguards stood in both corners to her side. Indeed, the club had only been operational for a few months and already it was gaining fast traction in the scene for the unique and extensive services it offered its many customers; it was fast becoming the most popular nightclub this side of Red Light Sector, packing itself with custom every night they opened, and it was largely because of the business-driven mind and firm, aggressive attitude of the Red Dragon herself.
Kyros is proud of me. I am doing his bidding as he asked and we have grown strong, she would often think.

Sitting straight and orderly, face stern, fierce yet beautiful, Mekka Zull pushed back a strand of her fallen deep red hair behind her ear as two knocks from the security guard Kahl came from the other side of the office's heavy metal door.
"Come." The door opened and a young Ryn man with a slight figure, short light brown hair, and dressed in a torn grey tunic fell into the office, sweating and panting, Kahl behind him. He looked at her with a look of desperation and remorse, and deep amber eyes stared back with a calm fierceness that demanded authority and obedience.
"Take a seat, Mr. Sando."
"L-Lady Zull, p-please." Kahl pushed him down onto the seat and the boy, who was not much younger than herself, began to whimper. Mekka stood and looked down coldly to him.
"Do you know why you are here? Can you explain to me why you are in this meeting right now?"
"I-I.. I..." The boy could do naught but splutter a response of verbal waterworks. Mekka gracefully walked around her desk and behind the seat of the distributor who was now reduced to full-on tears. She produced a knife that had been concealed in her dress and let it glide across the air in front of his face slowly.
"If you rip off Purgatory, if you cut us out, you pay the consequences, boy." He sobbed into the blade that was inching closer and closer to his eye.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please..."
In the space of a second, Mekka flicked the knife away from the boy and returned it to its hidden belt at her thigh.
"Let this be a lesson to those who defy our rule here." He gave a heavy sigh, and then gulped for more breath.
"I p-promise I won't do it again, Lady Zull!" She gave a content smile and she turned to Kahl.
"Yes, I know you won't, Mr. Sando." She nodded to her guard and within the moment a single blaster shot rang within the metal box of her office, and the young man slumped forward hard until his lifeless body fell off the seat and crumpled into the ground. Mekka sighed, moving a piece of fallen hair past her ear again before looking down at the body.
"Do away with this and quickly."

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

Briga had to travel periodically back to Iktotch to check on the Temple of Ax’no she was building atop one of the highest cliffs above the Caprine villages. Her Master, Darth Prazutis allowed her to go on these journeys because the mystic’s source of income was her church. Plus, she was constructing a Sith hideaway inside the mountain and she wanted to give the Prince of Panatha a report on how that was going. While the Sith Lord had kept her desire at bay, teaching her how to control her carnal urges and penchant for mischief, she wasn’t with him now and a few days away was enough that her bacchanalian appetite had returned.

Taking the Spectre, a Scarab-Class Corvette, Briga headed to Nar Shaddaa for a night of debauchery before she returned to Vain Hollow to continue her training. She took along the dark-haired Asti Caprine, Toole.

Spoiler

While Toole had seen a drastic change in her Priestess since she had joined the ranks of the Sith as an Acolyte, the handmaiden felt a little more relieved to be alone with her than when she was in the presence of her Master, who she sought to please, normally by being extraordinarily cruel to her servants.

After landing in a spaceport near a seedy entertainment district, the two Caprine walked together arm and arm. Both females turned heads due to the rarity of their species and their intriguing beauty. Briga herself was in an unusually good mood but likely because she was about to expend some pent up energy. She wore a new jacket as well with Saira’s horns mounted on it. The horns were an unfortunate casualty of her torture of her favorite handmaiden who was back on Panatha serving Lord Prazutis.

Spoiler

“Purgatory sounds perfect, doesn’t it, Toole?” she asked.

“It does, My Priestess.”

The Caprine population had nothing as sophisticated as the leveled, neon club back in their villages. While Briga had been to nightclubs occasionally, Toole had not and she glanced around in awe. This was certainly a change from the Vain Hollow dungeon she seemed to inhabit more often than not.

Her mistress bought for two drinks, handing one over to the grateful dark-haired Caprine servant, and then asked the bartender: “I hear you can purchase more than drinks here at Purgatory. I am looking for the Red Dragon.”

[member="Kyros Fen"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

The bartender, the young Balosar man who was bar manager, gave a steady look to the Caprine girls, analysing them carefully and slowly, eyes deep, dark and heavy. For several long minutes, he examined them, sizing them up, and eventually slid two holocards across the bar to them.
"These are VIP extensions of your club member cards. They last six months," he said flatly, as if reciting an old script. "Go to the second floor of the building, the stairs are to the right. You will need these cards to gain access to our private lounges. Flash it along with your IDs and member cards and enjoy a luxury suite for as long as you wish. You are eligible receive discounted drinks, bacta massage, and private performances from our many dancers, just inform the steward for these services. Lady Zull shall be informed on your business interest, and when she is ready she will send for you." Before lifting his fingers off of the cards, he opened the palm of his other hand, expression bland. "100 credits per card."

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

Briga paid with a credit chit, one that was linked directly out of the Church of Ax’no’s bank account and gingerly took both of the VIP cards, tucking them within a pocket of her jacket. She thanked the bartender, grasped Toole’s hand, and they made their way to the second floor. Her raven-haired handmaiden finally appeared to be relaxing, so as a warning, Priestess Tiin yanked her long, sensitive ear for a moment causing the girl to cry out.

“Don’t get too cozy yet. Remember you are my slave, and this night is not typical for what we will be doing for the Sith,” She had the maidens on a strict regimen of barbarity. It would only interrupt their re-education if they were suddenly and wantonly allowed luxuries like spice and pleasures such as drinking and dancing like they were used to on Iktotch. “And if you mention this to Darth Prazutis at all, I will slit your throat in your sleep.” While she didn’t think the Sith Lord would care much about a night of debauchery on Nar Shaddaa, she wasn’t going to chance him finding out about this trip to Purgatory.

“Yes, Priestess,” Toole said, eyes downward cast. But the nymphette was secretly hoping inside that her mistress would get good and raging drunk or high so she could actually have a little bit of fun. Her life in the ghoulish castle called Vain Hollow had been something out of a nightmare, one that she hoped her once-loving and loyal Priestess would snap out of.

Briga approached the steward, a flamboyantly dressed Sluissi, she handed him the cards and said, “We are interested in a suite while we wait for Lady Zull,” the Priestess said. Might as well drop the Red Dragon’s name just to make sure they did not have to wait too long. Once inside the luxury suite, a red and black velvet-pillowed room resembling a boudoir, Briga lay back, sipping her drink. Toole curled up close to her mistress, allowing her to drape a territorial arm over her the top of her stockinged thighs.

[member="Kyros Fen"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

For a solid hour, Mekka had become consumed by her administrative duties, longer if not for several firm taps that came ringing from the other side of her office door, snapping her out of the drudging hypnosis of her work. Grumbling at a bittersweet tone, she signalled for Kahl to enter.
"Sorry to disturb you, ma'am, but there is word of a buyer who wants to see you tonight." Mekka sighed, her face turning sour. She was disturbed for that?
"Does this fool know I do not deal with customers directly? If they are so desperate, bring them a distributor." The huge human captain of Purgatory security hesitated, his usually brutish face turning soft and childlike in the shadow of his employer, for he knew well of the wroth of the Red Dragon.
"Sh-she appeared adamant, ma'am. There was something peculiar about her. I can't explain it, but she was like... Mr. Fen, in some way." Mekka's eyes narrowed, and an eyebrow rose in curiosity. Had a Sith come to her? Was she here to get to Kyros?
"Very well. Have her sent to me in half an hour, inform her that I invite her personally to my private booth." The goon nodded and left. Mekka sighed, disappointed that she was unable to settle into a long haul and get a lot of outstanding duties out the way. Alas, word of this new arrival intrigued her. What are you here for, stranger?

She made her way to the upper balcony that shadowed the rest of the club's central area, where her large private booth could be found. Oftentimes it would have herself, Kyros, special guests such as prestigious dealers and investors, and other miscellaneous entourage, but at present only her, one steward and two from her personal guard would be found. Taking a seat, Mekka called to her steward.
"I shall have a usual red." He nodded and scuttled over to the small private bar that was nestled some feet away. Her deep amber eyes scanned the room, falling down to the dance floor where throngs of the Purgatory usuals and virgins alike indulged themselves and one another, riding the blurred waves of ecstasy, euphoria and sensuality. She inspected the DJ, whose stage was opposite her balcony, and nodded her head slightly to the rhythm of his performance. While her booth was not enclosed, the blaring noise of the music begun to dissipate into a lesser wash of sound by the time it reached her, making it easier to hear oneself. The night was going smoothly, yet something troubled her.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

“Two bottles of Breath of Heaven,” Briga said as a server came into their booth to inquire about their drink choices. Once the containers were brought, the Caprine poured herself a large glass and swallowed half of it in one go. And not long after, she began to feel a little more charitable towards Toole.

“Drink up, my dear. This is a celebration of our new life in the One Sith and the rebirth of Ax’no.” They toasted, glasses clinking, and drank, the potent alcohol warming up throats and limbs. Eventually the Purgatory security captain hovered in the entrance to the VIP booth. Both Caprine were giggling now, legs intertwined, sharing a private joke.

“The Red Dragon will see you now,” he said gruffly. “Follow me.” And he turned around not waiting. Briga stood and wobbled, already tipsy. Using both hands, she pulled Toole up off her feet as well. But so quickly the maiden’s mistress swung in the other direction again: “Don’t make a fool of me,” she hissed at the dark-haired Caprine. The Priestess wasn’t sure that Toole heard her over the thump, thump of the music as they tagged along closely to the man.

Once the pair were deposited in front of the Red Dragon’s private booth, this part of the club seemed quieter and more reserved. Briga felt just a sliver of malice in the vicinity. The Red Dragon was Force sensitive too, but the signal wasn’t very strong.

“Go in,” said the security captain.

Briga entered first with Toole trailing behind her. She noticed a Sith pureblood emerging from the darkness and smoke of the private booth. The female spice dealer was striking, attractive and regal. The Caprine mystic had never really purchased spice on her own; she’d only sampled it at parties or cantinas. But she didn’t want to embarrass herself, especially in front of Toole since she’d been so hard on the maiden lately. But sometimes a direct question was the best route.

“So how does this work?” she asked.

[member="Kyros Fen"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

A long silence followed, and Mekka inspected for a while her new visitor and the slave that accompanied her, dark golden eyes running down and back up for a moment frozen in time. She was a curious indeed - they both were - for she had never seen her species before, yet she had heard of such creatures. This specimen seemed particularly striking to her, she noted, for her preferences was slightly more liberal than her lover's. This one, however, had a mystique about her that was difficult to put into words. She resonated with an aura that was difficult to ignore, yet rather undefinable; a darkness. She gave an ambiguous smile that seemed to bear elements of warmth, lust and venom bundled into one expression, as her amber eyes spoke of things altogether knowing and devious.
"First," she began, voice like black velvet. "Formalities are in order. I am Lady Mekka Zull, the Red Dragon of Purgatory, and I welcome you to my domain. You are?" She gestured to the seats at the front of the balcony that surrounded a small glass table, and clicked her fingers for the waiter to come to them. "A glass of Andoan for myself. But what shall my Sith friend and her servant have?" She grinned perniciously.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

The Sith purebloods are a handsome species, Briga thought, marveling at the Red Dragon’s intriguing crimson and gold appearance. She was slightly taller than the Caprine and towered over Toole who was small in comparison to both of them. There was a kinship forming already for the mystic with the female pureblood. They would be either fast friends or the worst enemies, but it was clear that there would be no in between.

“Lady Zull, it’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. My name is Priestess Briga Tiin, from the Church of Ax’no on Iktotch.” And it wouldn’t hurt to name drop some. “I’m a Sith Inquisitor and Acolyte of Darth Prazutis, Dark Counciler.” She paused. There were more titles to consider, but let’s not go overboard, the mystic mused.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” she said as Toole tipsily flopped into one of the comfortable seats in the private booth. Briga’s eyes flitted to her sloppy, drunken maiden and then back to Lady Zull. Please don't embarrass me, whelp! she shot telepathically to her nymphette.

“We have been drinking Breath of Heaven. But I hear there are other… indulgences available at Purgatory that could also be thought of as celestial. Lady Zull, can you tell me about those?” In one fluid movement, the leggy Caprine sat down, adjusting her jacket, the horns on the shoulders casting an imposing shadow behind them. Ultimately, Briga was pleased with herself. Here they were not more than thirty minutes into the nightclub, and the Caprine and maiden were already hobnobbing with Purgatory royalty.

[member="Kyros Fen"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

There came another grin as Mekka noticed the less-than-subtle edge to the handmaiden's motions, realising she had already begun to produce more happy patrons, however it appeared business was only just beginning. As she began to speak once more, her eyes hung on the servant a moment, before flicking back to the priestess herself. Strong with a mysterious beauty, she was, and an obvious underlying passion and fierceness that rivalled her own, only she was in her domain this night and could pose no threat; Mekka was sure of this, and that assurance gave her a confidence that she so desired to lord, more than anything.

"The pleasure is all mine, Priestess [member="Briga Tiin"]," she said almost to the point of rapturousness, an unusual passion in her soft, golden voice. "An honour, it is, to share time with a Sith. Your people are always welcome here." The bartender came with a bottle of Andoan wine and three glasses. He poured one for his employer, but then paused for confirmation from Lady Mekka's guests before choosing to proceed to pour for them as well. Mekka herself gave a sip or two from her glass. Sweet, warming yet so subtly spiced with rare Ando herbs, she savoured the heat the wine provided as she swallowed, closing her eyes for but a second longer than usual, indulging in the enjoyment that came from it. When her eyes opened again, they were gazed at the Sith.
"Yes, I can provide you with what you seek, and we have a great deal of selection. It truly depends on the kind of night you came here for. Are you initiates in the way of such pleasures? Your servant seems like she has no idea what you're about to get her into." She smirked, for she did not particularly care if that was indeed the case. What was one more panic attack or overdose in the world of Purgatory? "You may go with the well-travelled road, or you could venture forth into the forest."

 

[Ax'no]

It was clear that the attractive, ruby-red Lady Zull was very self-assured. Of course, Purgatory was her domain, the perfectly metaphorical arena for those to cleanse themselves of sins – mostly by sinning – in order to feel pure again.

The Caprine mystic sat down close to her handmaiden whose eyes were squinted and head lolling. Briga put a hand on her thigh and gave her a protective caress. Then indulging in the Andoan wine, watching Mekka drink, savoring the warming liquid she licked her lips and said, “My servant is enjoying herself, right Toole?” The Caprine pulled her horned maiden close to her and tweaked her chin. “But perhaps you have something that will pick us both up. Well, especially Toole here.” As she held the wine glass, she tapped her claws on it, pondering.

“But I do like idea of traveling through a rambling, thorny forest tonight. Why don’t you have a sample brought out? I know what Toole needs, but for me?” Briga thought for about ten seconds.

“I would like to try something that will make me feel everything. As it’s supposed to be in Purgatory. A substance to make me cleanse my sins and feel unstained again.”

[member="Kyros Fen"]

 

[Aiwaz Khath]

A playful grin stretched itself along the right side of Mekka's pronounced, crimson face, as deep ruby eyes hung on the handmaiden a while before flitting back to her mistress. The grin transformed into a fuller smile and her yellowish fangs shone through the full lips of her mouth. It was clear that the priestess had come here for an unforgettable night, and was placing a faith in her and her establishment to deliver it. She took great satisfaction with herself that she had the capacity to do so. It gave her a sense of power she so craved without fully realising such, but she did not let it command her.

"We have what you seek," she said coolly as she turned her head to the human who had been waiting on them several feet away, who silently tensed and strode closer. She leant over to spoke softly to him. "A gram of sunsanna for the Lady Tiin, if you will, Eryk, and..." She looked to Briga, and then to the handmaiden, and then back to Briga. "Perhaps some giggledust for your servant?" She grinned knowingly. Giggledust was light, gentle and easy to take recreationally. It lived up to its name, acting as a conduit for monumentally positive and giddy energy. With one gram, things seem funny. With two grams, they are almost frustratingly hilarious, but such hilarity only brings joy regardless of the hefty crash of exhaustion that follows it hours later.

Sunsanna, however, was an entirely different matter. Often a heavily sought-after substance over the years, the uncommon spice was known to thoroughly shatter perceptions of reality held by even those most sound of mind. Barely a gram is all that is required of this unusual powdery substance, and to take the entirety of it at once had the potential to result in some truly challenging and frightening visions to the uninitiated. Mekka admitted to herself, it was not to her taste, though she was familiar with the substance.

[member="Darth Ax'no"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Rausvas moved to the beat of the thrumming music as she skipped from room to room in Club Purgatory on Nar Shaddaa. Wearing a slinky white dress which accentuated her deep crimson skin, the Sith pureblood was hoping to run into another pureblood there, the club manager who she knew by the name of Mekka Zull.

Spoiler

She was fiercely proud of her skin color, perhaps not in the way her parents were proud of their heritage. Rausvas Sveni, meaning “Red Flower” in Sith, just adored the way it made her stand out from the crowd. Like a Zeltron or a Chiss, the vibrant hued epidermis was exotic, and the pureblood female enjoyed the attention she received because of it.

After inquiring after her whereabouts from two, tough-looking security guards, and finally a bartender who gave away her location, Rausvas marched right over to the VIP area where Lady Zull sat, and without even knocking, interrupted what appeared to be a spice deal with two horned female customers.

The Sith was not worried as she knew purebloods were quite rare on Nar Shaddaa and her ego, along with a few drinks, ensured that she would boldly ask Mekka Zull for a job. She’d been fired from the last cocktail waitressing gig for stealing bottles of alcohol. And let go for stealing from the job prior.

But there was no way in the Void that Rausvas would go crawling back to her parent’s estate on Ziost as they’d just force her back into training to be an Acolyte again. No, the red flower needed to be free and live her own life, and the continuation of her life on Nar Shaddaa and a job at Club Purgatory was sorely needed to continue.

“Miss Zull,” said Rausvas, causing all three ladies and the bodyguard to look around at her intrusion. She would offer no apology.

“I’m looking for work, and I hear you’re hiring,” she said, not knowing if the latter was true. Her eyes scanned instinctively to the spice, but then back over to face Lady Zull’s glowing yellow orbs, as golden as her own. She smirked, and rested her scarlet hand on her hip, waiting to either charm the fellow pureblood over with her audacity or be promptly thrown out on her rear end for the same.

[member="Kyros Fen"]