Just An Average Every Day Sort Of Occassion

[Zeke Tune]

Deep in the bowels of a deep space station, in the outer rim, a man was desperately painting a picture. Brush hit canvas, and a blur of color splashed across it. The man was of average height, but a lean, athletic build. Piercing gray eyes took in the grizzly scene in front of him, as one would take in a tree. The room was mostly barren, small, but sound proof, a torture rack, various instruments of torment, many paints, and canvases, blocks of stone, as well as a small comm that hung on the wall near the reinforced door. “Ahhhh, you're screams are good! Beautiful, simply beautiful.” In front of the artist, a small, blue Ortolan slowly burned, little by little, the fire ate away and pockmarked the flesh, with each moment. But this wasn't a fast engulfed in flames, but a slow, torturous one. “Oh, that look, perfect! Hold that! Remember, this is for posterity! You got this!” Zeke let the brush flow. In the picture was a flame and shadow background with a twisted figure engulfed in the flames, squashed down like it was being crushed by the darkness. The eyes however, were identical in look to the fear and pain filled eyes of the ortolan in front of him. “I tell you, you have been one of the most cooperative people I've been with in a long time. This is going to be an instant hit, I tell you what. Mmm, if you were going to live to see it, you're mind would be,” he brings his hands up to his head, and then expands his fingers away from his head, while making a mock explosion sound. “Blown......oh, that's a good idea actually, I need to write that down for later. Ahhh....” He knocks over a few brushes, fumbling for a manual writing device. Grabbing a scrap of paper, he writes 'put bomb inside head.' “Like I said, you've been the best model I've worked with in some time!”

A buzzing sound was heard....he ignored it and got back to drawing, but it continued and continued. “UGH!” Growling, his eyes flashed in rage, he moved over to the comm and pushed the button. “I TOLD YOU NOT TO INTERUPT ME IONA! What in all the galaxy is so important that you had to bug me?!” A droid's voice, calm, collected, professional came over the comm unit. “Lord Veras' assistant is here to speak to you, master.” He took a deep breath, and ran a hand through his dark hair, before the artist nodded. “Yes...Yes, that is important. Thank you.”

He moved gracefully over to the ortolan and he put out the flames, before he patted the creatures charred and bubbly trunk. “Ahhh, I hate to do this, things were just getting good! But, business calls. I'll be back shortly. Don't die on me yet!” Turning, he punches in the combination into the door keypad and exits into his personal chambers. He quickly changed, rinsed his hands, face, and hair in the water from the sink and dries off. He hated sonic showers so refused to touch them. Once outside his demiener changed entirely. “Ah! Stephorius, welcome, welcome, how can I help you?” The tall, white faced alien creature looked at Zeke. “Lord Veras' patience has worn off. You are going to be his personal artist. You have two days to pack your things, before you will be sent to his estate. Good day.” He turned and left the offices. The artist clicked his tongue. “Not very friendly bunch....Ahhh, to bad I don't want to. Iona...keep my model comfortable while I go take care of this. I need to find someone.” The protocol droid bowed to him. “Of course, Master. Be well.”





Down at the local cantina in the space station, a much more gruffly dressed Zeke looked around and whistled to himself. The uninspired music played, the place smelled like vomit and alcohol, as well as an assortment of nauseating scents from the various half bathed creatures there. So not beautiful....though, if he brought a repeater turret, it could be. Or, if he could lop off all their limbs, oh how exquisite that would be? A good use for a mostly useless bunch. However, he was looking for someone. Once he found her, he slid up to the darkened booth, and gave the most brilliant of smiles, one that honestly could light up even this dismal place. “Good evening, I'm looking to hire.” He told the woman in the booth.


[member="Lis'Ra Fennick"]

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

A girl sitting in a cantina was drinking corellian whiskey. Her long blonde hair was put up into a loose bun and was hidden by the hood of an old jacket. She noticed the heat and sick surrounding the cantina but she kept her head down that is until she noticed someone sit across from her. Glancing up she noticed a handsome stranger sitting across from her. Immediately she could tell that this wasn't his normal seen.

"Good evening, I'm looking to hire."

Lis'Ra stared at him, her dark green eyes staring hard into his eyes, trying to get a read on him.

"Who are you?" Her voice was dark and raspy as she spoke. But she kept a hard gaze on the stranger as she took another sip of her whiskey.


[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

His gray eyes looked into the woman's. They were intense, intelligent, and gave the illusion of being able to tell every secret the woman had. In his mind he simply thought....don't think about putting them in a statue...don't think about putting them in a statue. Across his face, was the most friendly, warm expression. “Ah, you know, a person whose work is constantly being interrupted by the most unfriendly of people, and wanting to do something about it. I heard about you, thought you may be able to help.” The man taps his nose, and smirks. “However, if you really want to get to know me, how about buying me a drink? Otherwise, I'm here for business.” His tone was one of amusement, and interest. Without even worrying, he slid into the booth, and leaned back.


“Either buy me a drink, or I'll pay double your normal rate, plus hazard fees, and repair costs, for digression.” His mirthful voice completely hid any trace of alternative thought, or desire. He totally didn't have any expression about the desire to remove those lovely eyes from her skull. Zeke needed her after all, and he did have that perfect ortolan at home. Best to get this taken care of as quickly as possible.

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

Lis'Ra just stared at him and saw the hunger deep in his eyes and ignored his attempt at bantering with her.

"Double my pay and I'll kill the damn emperor for all you want, honestly I don't care who you are. Just tell me who you want me to kill and I'll kill them, no ifs, ands, or buts." Lis'Ra licked her lips and leaned back in her booth and gave him a small smile. She sighed and finished her drink in a swift manner and set the glass on the table.

"I do have one question, why? I always find the why's so interesting when it comes to assassinations, it really makes people think sometimes, others..." she shrugs looking down at her hands. "Others just hate them."

She leaned forward, her hands now resting on the table. "So what's your excuse?"

 

[Zeke Tune]

His eyes held no hunger, no hint of the unhinged mind under it all. Instead, he seemed like a friendly man. Fingers drummed on the table and nods. “Good, his name is Lord Veris. He is on the other side of the station. Criminal pretending to be some noble from some world or another. You know the type. As for why...because he is annoying. He wants me, and won't take no for an answer. It's a curse being this amazing.” Zeke gave a playful smile. “However, I....have the money to pay, but lack the skills needed to take him and his people on. Do you understand?” The man ordered a drink, just some local ale or another, and sips at it. “Honestly, he is just a leech, with a over inflated sense of who he is.”

The man's eyes don't leave Lis'Ra's. “My name is Zeke, I hate going this far to get rid of him, but I'm running out of options and have very little time left. I've done all I can to peacefully resolve this. That failed, now, no more excuses.”

[member="Lis'Ra Fennick"]

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

Lis'Ra smiled at his friendly tone, but underneath this friendly outershell she was cautious around him. She didn't know him and his arrogance was definitely starting to annoy her. "So, how much are you willing to pay for this Lord Veris?" Lis'Ra drew imaginary lines on the table with her finger, she also ordered another glass of the whiskey she oh so desperately loved.

"Really, so just annoyance. So what are you oh so amazing at?" she asked with a sarcastic tone. Looking back up she stared into his friendly gaze and forced another small smile on her face. She wanted to seem nice, but in reality she couldn't care less about how she portrayed herself, but thinking back to what Gareck told her oh so many years ago.

Friendly service is the best service.

She resented him for that.

 

[Zeke Tune]

Sighed a bit and shook his head. “Nothing, really. Trying to lighten a mood. He is threatening me, he wants me to be his private artist. Apparently people like my art, and honestly, he has given me two days until his goons come back and force me to work for him. You know how it is now. No security would dare stop him.” He lays his head on the counter top. “Forty-thousand credits, base pay. But what are your normal prices? I said double them, didn't I?” He looks up, and for a moment, a brief moment, looks like a scared young man, it quickly disappears. “I'm trying my best to just stay positive in all this, but I'm an artist, I don't know a ton on how to stop this guy, and I feel trapped and out of options.”

He looks up at her. "Just tell me how much it takes to get him out of the way. I don't even care if he dies or not, I just want him more preoccupied by something, or someone else, to ignore me, and leave me to my work."

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

Lis'Ra shrugs and loosens her shoulders, trying to ease the tension she is forcing on the conversation. "45,000 is enough. It sounds like this guy is really bothering you." she frowned staring at him. She really did feel for the guy, she couldn't understand what he was going through but she did understand being stalked and harassed. Lis'Ra takes a sip of her drink and cocks her head to the side.

"So you said you're an artist eh? So what kind of..." she used her hands, trying to find the right word for what she was trying to ask, "...art.. do you do?" she offered a genuined smile as the alcohol was beginning to slowly take affect of her mind. "You sound like the real deal especially if this lord wants to basically own you all for himself." she chuckled mostly to herself as she took another sip. She pushed down the hood of her coat to reveal her dirty blonde hair in a messy bun.

 

[Zeke Tune]

Zeke's eyes definitely look at her as she pushes down her hood. However, it was obvious he tried to give her respect and looked away for a moment. “I'll be honest, I'm not entirely sure he JUST wants me for my art, if you take my meaning. I do all sorts of art, paintings, sculptures, digital art, holo art, even fire works displays and the like. I got famous awhile back, and then people just get ideas in their heads. Its art, it has value to me, so I make it. I'm happy it's able to pay the bills, and allow me to make more art, but that's really all I want, to keep making art the way I desire to make it.” He answered completely honestly without any deception at all. It was his greatest desire in life.

He gives her an honest smile. “I could try and defend myself, but we both know how that goes, when your going against a group as large as he has. But I also know, its held together only by his will.” Placing his hands on the counter he nods. “Forty-five thousand it is. If you end up with any destroyed equipment because of this, I will replace it, within reason.” He adds the last bit hastily. Fingers drum on the table. “I know, I'm a fool. Arrogant, prideful, perhaps I deserve all that is happening, but, I'm doing the best I can with the talents I was given. And I just want this nightmare to end....and I hear you are the best in the entire region, not just this station. If anyone can make it end, its you.”

[member="Lis'Ra Fennick"]

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

Lis'Ra looked down at his comment. She appreciated what he had said and she felt bad for him. He just wanted to create without someone breathing down his neck. Looking back up she smiled. "The only equipment I need is my rifle. Set up a meeting with him and I'll take him out."

She glanced back at the door as she heard two people hollering in a drunken fit of joy and she looked back at Zeke. "Don't worry about you trying to defend him, from what you said it sounds as if once I take him down his little followers will be lost little ducklings, you can do with them whatever you will. My goal is Lord Veris. Also, payment isn't due until the deed is done." she grinned now as she finished her second glass. "Also, don't say all those nasty things about yourself. I mean I don't know anything about you, but you don't deserve whatever is happening to you. Even if you are an arrogant ass or whatever. Honestly I wouldn't give a shit if you're a mass murderer. Sorry... I'm rambling." Lis'Ra chuckled as she felt her face getting red. Damn, I really am a lightweight, she thought to herself.

"This is unprofessional. I'm sorry." Lis'Ra apologized as took a deep breath, trying to focus in on their conversation.

 

[Zeke Tune]

Zeke gave her another brilliant smile, eyes showing relief, and warmth for the woman. Reaching out, for just the briefest of moments he pats her hand in a reassuring way. However, almost like he realized what he had done and didn't want to upset her, pulls his hand back, and folds them in his lap. “It's okay to ramble, so long as its okay if I'm an ass.” He laughs, a beautiful, melodic sound coming from him. He shook his head. “I don't want to do much with them at all, I just want this foolishness to end, to create. When this is over, I'll show you some of my art pieces, if you want. It's silliness, but its my silliness.” His voice was gentle, soothing, honest.

He thought for a moment and nodded. “I'll get him to one of the hangers. I know he wants to take me away. But that means we have a single chance. I'll be putting all my faith in you.” His eyes sought out her eyes, to lock onto them for a moment, as he gave the softest of smiles in return to her. Hand comes up, and brushes the hair from his face, as he leaned against the cushion behind him in the dark bar. “I look forward to working with you. I'm glad you are not a judgmental person.”

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

Lis'Ra dragged her hands under the table and rubbed them over one another as she stiffened from the brief contact they had. She moved past it though and stared at him and smiled. "Just tell me what hangar and what time and I'll be there. Also, I would be glad to see some of your art, it's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to appreciate something like that. Living in the Underworld does have its disadvantages." she gave him a broken smile and continued to rub her hands, trying to forget his touch, trying to snap herself out of this alcoholic daze she had put herself under. I really need to stop drinking.

"Do you have any questions?" She asked knotting her brows slightly. "I mean, about my methods or anything of that sort? I'm a pretty simple woman when it comes to this sort of thing."




(oof, I gotta go.. i gotta wake up early tomorrow! But I'll be sure to pick this up tomorrow ASAP)

 

[Zeke Tune]

He gave a visible wince. “Sorry, not to good with dealing with people. Have my head in a canvas most days.” He sighs and rubs his face. “Please forgive me.” He noticed her pull away, her arms moving like she was rubbing her hands, even if he couldn't see them. “Alright, I'll give you something nice from my gallery too. And well, simple people are the best kind. I believe you know what you are doing, and that I'll make it out of this alive, so you can get paid. I don't need to know anything else.” Eyes soften for a moment. “I trust you.”

Zeke looked over his shoulder and seemed to sink into the chair as two thugs entered the cantina. He slinks over a bit closer to the woman. “Ahhh, I need to disapear, or blend in, any ideas how? Those two are some of the thugs who come to threaten me. If they see me with you, and think I'm plotting something, our plan may fail. I can think of a few solutions but, yeah, not good ones really.”

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

She spotted the two thugs and rolled her eyes at their mannerisms, acting higher in life, it made her hate them even more. She stared at the man who was leaning into her. If it was any other situation she would've punched him right then and there but this time she didn't.

"Well, I'm all yours." She gave a shaky breath and watched as the two thugs moved through the crowd of drunk people. They shoved past one rodian who started cursing profusely at them in a language she barely understood.

 

[Zeke Tune]

As soon as the thugs moved away, he moved away from the woman. At no time did he touch her in an inappropriate way, he was very conscious of breaking her personal space. Apparently it was something he had trouble with as well, as it caused an obvious discomfort cross his face. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Sorry, thank you. Um, I have a plan. Head to Hanger 17 – J, I will be there with the Lord in five hours. I'll take care of myself, just, take care of him, do what you need to.”

Zeke slid out of the booth and flashed a charming smile. “Let's do this huh? If I survive, I may have to hire you again sometime. If I don't, so long as the Lord dies...well, I'll set it up so you get paid even then.” Nodding to the woman, he turns and begins to make his way out of the cantina. Once out of her range, his eyes narrow a bit. This had to go well.

[member="Lis'Ra Fennick"]

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

LIs'Ra watched the man part, she sat there in the booth watching his mannerisms. "I'll see yah there." she smiled. After he left LIs'Ra hurried out of her booth and left the cantina, but not before drawing up her hood. She needed to get her things, specifically her E-11s sniper rifle. Making a left hook out of the cantina she shoved past people as she hurried back to her little home which was only a block away. As she moved through the streets she barged past people who just cursed at her in a language she didn't care enough to learn.

She made it to her little home and rushed up the stairs before pushing the door open with a swift kick. Stupid knob.

17-j, 17-j, 17-j... Over and over again she was whispering to herself the hangar bay so she wouldn't forget. She stripped off her clothes to change into her tactical gear which was just black skin-tight pants and a black turtleneck with a black bulletproof vest. She pulled her hair back into a bun and grabbed the backpack that had the parts to her gun. She grabbed a black waistcoat and slipped out the door of her house and melted back into the streets of the planet. She was a ghost as she made her way to the hangar.

 

[Zeke Tune]

When she finally made it to the hanger, it was a small private shuttle hanger. There were backrooms to hide in, a catwalk above it, with many shady spots, lots of knooks that could be hidden in. Frankly, this was a perfect place for a long distance assassin. There were lots of shadows, lights that flickered on an off, and plenty of droids rolling back and forth, making noise and being visually distracting.

The real question was, where would Lis'Ra hide and what she would do in this place.



Zeke quickly made the call, to surrender himself, gave where he would be picked up from, and that he would only turn himself into Lord Veras personally, it was too good a chance to pass up. For now, he simply stalled, to give his new partner time to get into position. As well as for him to finish up with that burning ortolan. When finally the creature had died, burned to a crisp, and the painting was mostly finished, Zeke set it aside. Then, moving out of his drawing room/vault, the man got dressed, and gathered a few items. A vibro-knife was put into his boot, a small hold out blaster strapped to his right forearm. Alright, they could do this.

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

Lis'Ra climbed up to the catwalk and carefully moved until she found a dark corner where she could lie down and not get caught, it was a small angled corner, when Zeke walked in he wouldn't be able to see her, but she would have a clear shot of this Lord. She sat on her knees and slung her backpack around and began assembling her weapon. She took note of the chilly night air and ignored the cold chills running down her back, instead she tossed her backpack to her side and laid back down into position. She peered into the scope and looked out at the area with her rifle. Perfect spot, she thought to herself as broke out into a small smile.

Now all she would do is wait for Zeke to arrive and then this Lord to appear. She shifted around in her spot to make herself a little more comfortable and began to play the waiting game.

[member="Zeke Tune"]

 

[Zeke Tune]

Shortly after Lis'Ra set up and waited in the catwalks, Zeke walked in. He had this confident smile on his face, and carried a painting in his arm. Even from this distance, it would elicit a visceral reaction of amazement, beauty and dread, from its perfectly created lines. First, a shuttle lands, and Zeke handed the painting to the pilot, before he handed them something else. The shuttle took off, just minutes after landing.

Zeke stretched and waited, all while he looked out at space for a bit, seemingly relaxed, hands in the pockets of his perfectly hemmed business suit. A slight whistle came from his mouth, some new tune from a well known band. About ten minutes later, the doors opened and five armed thugs walked in, and checked the area. When they found nothing, a tall Whiphid walked in, like he owned the place. If Lis'Ra knew her current events, she would recognize him as one of the most wanted beings in the galaxy, the leader of a large pirate raiding fleet. Zeke smiled warmly at him, and approached the being with arms wide opened.

“My Dearest Lord Veris! Welcome. I'm so sorry it took me this long to get a real answer back to you. But thank you for humoring me. I was just completing my latest work of art, its so hard to take care of business when the artistic inspiration hits. It's on its way to the auction as we speak. Now, I'm ready to give my answer.”

The human moved around the hanger carefully, as he stepped closer to the whiphid. It was as if he knew right where Lis'Ra was, keeping her line of sight cleared of him. The giant creature crossed his arms, and waited for the answer.

[member="Lis'Ra Fennick"]

 

[Lis'Ra Fennick]

Lis'Ra licked her lips when she saw Zeke walk out onto the hangar. She took a deep breath when the shuttle landed on the hangar bay, and she smiled when she saw Lord Veris walk in with his shoulders back and a sort of swagger in his walk but in all honesty it just looked like his hips were misaligned. Staring into the scope, she clicked off the safety of her rifle and waited as Zeke and Lord Veris were beginning to talk to one another.

She watched intently as Zeke moved and she noticed that he seemed to be keeping her target clear for shooting. She silently thanked him and readjusted the scope just a hair before she focused on the back of the Whiphid's head. Her finger rested lightly on the trigger and finally after realizing her aim was true, she took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.

[member="Zeke Tune"]