Private It's a trap!

[Quain Pluvinage]

Location: Balmorra | Local time: 19:22​

This was new. Usually, Quain went into meetings with confidence, knowing that he was well equipped to deal with any troubles he might encounter and that his staff was close at hand if he ever happened to need more help. This, however, was different. Very different. A client based on Balmorra had hidden essential information from them and now found himself in deep trouble with the law. While the young Deputy Director of Legal Affairs was confident that they were in the right and that the client couldn't really take any actions against them, he knew that they might see it differently. While disagreements weren't problematic in themselves, they could quickly become so when the client in question was an arms dealer with a shady background. It had been to everyone's surprise when the client who was just throwing a tantrum suddenly calmed down to invite them to a meeting to discuss their future relationship. Still, they had worked together for years and he had been a good customer until this point. With the saved up goodwill both sides had, Quain had been sent to see what could be done to mend their relations.

Being rather suspicious of the entire situation, the Deputy had used his own funds to hire a mercenary - someone who could deter violence from breaking out in the first place if tempers got a bit too heated. It was a necessary precaution as Quain himself did not posses the capacity to defend himself against an attack coming from someone more threatening than a teen who didn't get the Akk dog he wished for.

He had rented a black landspeeder to take him to the location - while the Baleine was well suited for rough landings, Quain cared too much for the paint to take the risk to land in the uneven and rocky terrain where it could get scratched. Besides, it was a nice drive with the setting sun in the distance and the beautiful landscape of green grass and dramatic rock formations. Finally arriving, he set a foot on the metallic platform just outside of the complex. Clad formally, wearing polished shoes and a black suit, the man brought up his datapad. While his attire made him look like most others when well dressed, it was clear from the way he stood that he often moved in these environments. Still, when the wind blew just a bit too hard, his thin figure would be revealed as his clothes brushed up against him - the blaster he carried would, however, be hidden well enough not to show as it sat comfortably at his back by the belt.. First checking the time, he noted that there were still a few more minutes until he and the mercenary had arranged to meet. He then started going through the contracts and history again. "Hmm, he needs to come clean on this point" Quain mumbled, lost in thought and in deep concentration, completely forgetting about the world around him for a moment.

Zaldros Sabolte

 

[Zaldros Sabolte]

It was foolish, the Echani never was one for the wealthy, by themselves, but as customers, it was different. The problem was, he wasn't typically one you'd turn to for protection, the Echani simply fought. However, the client was willing to pay quite a bit, enough to call one a fool if they turned it down. The problem came in the form of why was he there? He knew whoever his client was meeting had a bit of a dangerous background but you'd think a man could hire proper bodyguards over a mercenary especially for a situation like this. Yet, Sabolte felt strange, he at the same time could agree with his client, the whole deal seemed fishy in many, many ways. He didn't know what the client was capable of either, besides he had barely even seen the client, he simply got a name and a foggy image of his new employer. Pluvinage, it sounded regal and elegant, this man meant something and his name showed that it was something Sabolte could fear, he had strength but this man had money, and he found money won every time. He couldn't help but roll his eyes though, he needed to stop overthinking everything and calm down, it is a simple in and out job with a small chance anything real out of sorts may occur during his time there as a guard.

At some point he was jolted back into reality, he found himself near the complex opening where he and the client of his were meant to meet. There were a few minutes, so the Echani adjusted his tie looking down at his clothes. He wore something nice today, well in his standards at least, adorned with a blood-red, dress shirt and the nicest pair of boots he could find, even though formal clothing made him feel off in many different ways. His cold eyes scanned the area a few moments before finding a figure standing near the entrance in quite a still manner. The Echani began his way towards the figure, stealthily approaching them, it was hard to discern between foe and ally when you can't see their face. It was easy to assume that it was his client, tapping on the man's shoulders. "Mr. Pluvinage, right?"

Quain Pluvinage

 

[Quain Pluvinage]

Still going through the documents, Quain's eyes were quickly scanning the pages. He had read it all before, this mainly served to fresh up his memory. Suddenly, he felt something hit him from behind. Startled, he jumped to alert, turning back with the datapad held in front of him as a defence. Only then did he realise that the attack had just been a tap on his shoulder. It was a far cry from how he would prefer to present himself - it was lucky that he was here to appease the Balmorran and not the mercenary. "Oh, you startled me" he said, voice just a little shaky, looking at the man who looked like the protection he had hired. "Uhm, yes" he said, seemingly a little hesitant.

It seemed like he had gotten lucky with this one, figuring his imposing figure alone might be able to deter someone from attacking. Even Quain was a little hesitant to approach the man, and he was the one paying for him to be there in the first place. Still, he extended his hand for the other to shake "Quain Pluvinage, it is a pleasure to meet you" he said before pausing for the other to tell his name "My staff usually just call me Quain. It prevents unnecessary confusion between me and my father." he said, assuming a friendly manner with the man.

Slowly, Quain started walking towards the entrance "So, what are we doing here?" he asked rhetorically before answering "Basically, our client is a bit upset and with all circumstances considered, I thought it best to bring some protection with me, just in case. Besides, if nothing else, you might be able to prevent something from breaking out in the first place. You know, by looking intimidating and all that."

Continuing the walk towards the entrance, Quain kept speaking "So, how do you fight once you get into battle? Guns? Blades? Both?" While he might have maintained a light-hearted tone, just like he would in a normal conversation, he was also interested in learning more of the person whom he had hired to keep him safe. Suddenly realising something, Quain stopped right in his tracks "Right! I've got some spare clothes in the car. Want them? I've got this suite which would work with the rest of your clothes" he asked, already having noticed Zaldros' somewhat mismatched clothes in general.

Zaldros Sabolte

 

[Zaldros Sabolte]

Zaldros watched as the man jumped back causing him to pull his hand away. That may or may not have been a stupid idea, as it would have done him better to make his presence known, rather than practically sneaking upon him. Thankfully the stranger calmed down, obviously still shaken up but quite the downgrade compared to moments before when he sporadically jumped back in defense. He noticed the man looking him over, one could hope he wouldn't be too intimidated by him, it wouldn't be the first time a client was though. As the man introduced himself, Zaldros nodded and smiled while shaking his hand, just Quain then. "Zaldros Sabolte, it's nice to meet you too, sir." He looked over at the looming compound before them, it was quite an intimidating figure, it was ominous in a sense, few know what lies inside.

As he was swallowed by his thoughts he noticed Quain was moving forward, approaching the entrance. Zaldros lightly shook his head as he followed behind his client, "I'll use both if I have them, otherwise my hands suite my fine," he hoped it would not come out as a threat to Quain, he did not wish to scare off the man in fear of being attacked by a temporary member of staff, but that was beside the point he needed to keep his head in the game. He kept his straight face and upright figure if the man was the way Quain described him he would have to turn to his fists for all the help he could get, there was a high chance that they could get jumped by someone in relations to Quain's client at any time, even sitting here with this tension between the two parties could get somebody hurt. However, he turned back when Quain spoke up again, nodding, "sure, why not? I need better clothes anyway."


Quain Pluvinage

 

[Pluperfect]

Spoiler: Wrong subaccount

This is awkward

 

[Quain Pluvinage]

The two shook hands. Quain couldn't help but glance down at the limbs that were now connected and noting how much larger Zaldros' hand was compared to his own, more delicate, one. "Zaldros, Zaldros" he said with a slightly shifting pronunciation as he got a better grasp of the word "Zaldros! It is a good name. Rolls of the tongue nicely. I am afraid father would have thought it a bit too exotic for me. Win some, loose some, eh?" he spoke with a friendly tone which remained rather cheerful throughout. While it was always intimidating to associate with beings who could probably snap him in half with little effort, Quain was confident that the mercenary would remain loyal, at least for the time being. Besides, someone with a more frail body like Quain would best learn how to remain strong mentally - and that he had, managing to hide his nervousness and fear rather well.

Both eyebrows rose a little as the mercenary spoke of how he would fight. "With your hands?" he asked, surprised. "That sounds awfully risky! A blaster or a vibroblade could tip the scales easily, right?" he continued and shrugged lightly, showing that he was curious and not skeptical. "Even I would do rather well if we armed me with a blaster and you with, well, nothing" he said whilst going through the scenario in his mind. The deputy knew that it might not be the case as he was often rather hesitant to fire, but that was of less relevance now.

A smile spread across the lawyer's face as Zaldros took him up on the offer. "Marvelous!" he said, raising one hand to point towards the speeder whilst putting the other at the mercenary's back with a gently push - a normal move for when he worked at building better relations with his clients. Once they arrived, he walked back to the trunk and opened it and soon proceeded to open a suitcase. A few neatly folded shirts, jackets, coats and ties could be found inside. Without paying too much attention to the other, he brought up a few pieces and hung them up on the trunk lid. "Have your pick" he said, happy that they seemed to be getting along so well. Only too realise that their difference in size could prove rather problematic in regards to the clothes. The idea of Quain passing on second hand clothing to Zaldros was simply ridiculous - maybe with exception to the ties.

Zaldros Sabolte

 

[Zaldros Sabolte]

The Echani smiled, the man going over his name over and over. "Thank you," he nodded at the man, "Quain sounds like quite the elegant name, it fits you." He tried to keep himself calm and composed, keeping up his friendly tone something that many seemed to say was a surprising feat for him, most called him a gentle giant, then again those were the ones that he wasn't fighting. He went over Pluvinage's last word, taking a second to think them over once more, "ah yes, I guess you do win some and loss some." Slowly he pulled his hand away from his client's own and traced his eyes towards the building standing near them, it felt like it was just dangerous game waiting to be played, but it wasn't, it was dangerous but not a game, not one anyone would play though.

"Yes, I know, don't worry though. I do come with a few blasters and a vibroblade." The merc spoke up, "it can be risky, and I tend not to try and fight with bare hands alone, however when I must, I've been taught how." He flashed a sly smile at Quain, "don't worry, you'll be safe, after all it is my job." Following after the man towards what he could only think would be his vehicle, which caused the merc to map out where the vehicle was in case of emergency, if something happened he would be able to get Quain out safer then he would be rushing out on his own. After a bit, he found the two reaching Quain's car, he stopped, waiting for the man to return from his vehicle. However, when he was called over he found himself faced with a dilemma, none of the clothes offered to him were anywhere near his size, he smiled, "I think we've stumbled on a problem," he took the clothes, folding them neatly and setting them back down in the suitcase, "none of them fit me, and I'm sure none of mine would fit you, unless we found someone able to tailor it how is willing to hem it that much." Looking at the man once more, "but I do, kindly, thank you for the offer, I guess we should get going then." He motioned towards the building, "after all, we still have business."

Quain Pluvinage

 

[Quain Pluvinage]

Nodding graciously, Quain kept walking and talking and finally nodded a few more times as the large mercenary agreed - indeed you did win some and loose some. It was comforting to have this man with beastial proportions show such civility and be so agreeable. As Quain saw it, it just meant that the risk of Zaldros turning was much smaller.

Sating the lawyers curiosity, the Echani explained his approach to combat. "Blasters, vibroblades and hands. Quite the arsenal you've got there. I sure am glad you are on my side today" he said with a sense of enthusiasm before agreeing once more. "It is indeed your job! Although, in these matters, I suppose I at least have a little responsibility of my own" he said smiling "But you are correct - I shall not get too involved in how you do things."

Soon, the two arrived at the speeder and what was obvious as soon as the clothes could be seen had become apparent for both of them. Impressed, Quain looked on as Zaldros folded his clothes, not having expected the mercenary to care so much for it. Nonetheless, he was appreciative of it and let out a small "Thank you" before closing the trunk. "You are right, of course" he said after the prospect of a tailor being able to fix it was brought up "Worry not, today we are allies" he said enthusiastically before nodding and pointing an arm at the complex "Let's go!"

Already having ID:ed himself when he approached with the speeder, the four guards by the large entrance let them in without question. Quain was quite amused by how nervous a couple of them looked in Zaldros' presence. Soon, the two found themselves in a corridor 100 meters long. "If lucky, your presence alone will ensure that we won't be attacked today, that would be quite the success, wouldn't it? When peace and common sense prevails." The idealistic idea bounced around the corridor as they passed by the half-way mark where two turrets hung from the roof.

Eventually arriving at a main rectangular hall with several pillars, sofas and tables scattered about. Two guards were inside the room with eight simple combat droids in sleep mode divided equally between both sides. While there were two doors on each side, Quain walked straight towards the one on the opposite side of where they came from.

Once the large doors swooshed open, a booming voice could be heard "Ah, Mr. Pluvinage, you finally arrive. I have been waiting for a long time now" A fat Twi'lek sitting on top of a podium on which his desk stood. Next to him was what appeared as an assistant - but the more modestly sized Twi'lek also carried a blaster on each hip. Close to the door, were two battle droids, also in sleep mode. Letting out a small sight, the lawyer spoke up "I came as soon as my schedule allowed.". Looking to Zaldros, he whispered "This will be a long day"

 

[Zaldros Sabolte]

He trailed off down the hall, it felt off though, as it seemed like it was freezing. The merc knew it wasn’t, or else neither of them would be wearing the kind of outfits they adorned themselves with. Outside when the breeze picked up, swaying back and forth, it still wasn’t enough to wear clothes suited to cold weather.

Continuing down the hall, he brought himself to a proper headspace. With this he began tuning into the sounds that surrounded him, he began nodding at Pluvinage’s words, “of course, that would be quite lovely.” He couldn’t help but think it wouldn’t be that easy, this client of his probably had someone to protect him just as Quain did.

However his thoughts were distracted when they reached the end, he became unsettled. There were two guards and 8 battle droids, all ready to attack at any moment. The merc kept himself on edge while also trying to keep a calm appearance. Yet the room still was well kept and lavish scattered with lounge items.

Reaching the final door he trailed in after Quain, noticing the extremely large Twi’lek and the other Twi’lek. This was either his assistant or hired protection, or possibly, both. He noticed the two other sleeping droids as he settled himself down in position. “Right, I’ll make sure to get comfy,” Sabolte chuckled.

Quain Pluvinage