Le Lendemain Matin

[Sitara Qin]

“Of course. Investments.” She rolled her eyes. Like that sounded like fun. Whatever. Men and their busy jobs. It took her back to moments with her father: a man of a different kind of business. He always had his eyes on his datapad, always had his ears glued to his comlink. It wasn’t like she had any right to complain, though. She grew up benefiting from her father’s trade; pampered childhood and all.

Sitara wrinkled her nose. Clothes? At this time? Although, breakfast did sound good. It was definitely going to be better than the dreadful cheese she regretted ordering. Besides the wine, she could definitely go for a hot cup of caffa. Mmm. That sounded pleasant. She sighed. “Fineeee.” She moaned, before taking another sip of wine.

Their clothes were crumbled on the carpet. She picked up the dress she had worn last night. Definitely nothing ideal for breakfast or for walking around, but it was clothing and there was really nothing else she could wear. Unless of course, Marek offered her his tailored ensemble. She slipped on the tight bandage dress which would definitely look out of place at this time. Whatever. It was sexy. Nobody would really mind staring.

Not Marek, anyway.

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

Right, going out into the world, where the people were. He wasn’t sure that [member="Sitara Qin"] understood how to run a business, not that she was uneducated, or not street smart, she just felt to Marek like she could talk herself into anyone’s wallet, should she want. That was… well, he knew what he was getting into, never expected it was anything more.

Clothes, though. That was lame. He looked to the floor and grabbed his slacks, and gave her a wink as he pulled them up. Buttoning his shirt and throwing his jacket over it, he looked… presentable, even if disheveled. Enough where the couple seeking breakfast sometime after mid-day would not look completely distraught, and well, it was a fun evening.

The one thing with her, is she made the disheveled look hot. Maybe it was because sometimes he would troll side streets in Lianna for the women who just knew what they wanted, didn’t exchange names. Good and or services were the transaction and they both went their separate ways. “Shall we?” He held out his arm to her, in a faux chivalry display.

 

[Sitara Qin]

“We shall.”She said sweetly as she took his arm, leaning closely towards him. Obviously his datapad was important to him, and since the ships were coming in tomorrow morning, it left them with only a few hours to find it. That is, of course, if nobody had stolen it by then. Still, the inaudible rumbling in her stomach seemed to grow with the mention of breakfast. Sitara was hungry, and though the wine had been delicious, it wasn’t enough to satisfy her stomach. Plus, the cheese was bloody awful.

They made their way into the dining area. It wasn’t very crowded, and honestly looked a bit understaffed. They took their respective seats, and though they were looking for breakfast food at this time, a dinner menu was served to them. Bah. It was their fault for getting up this late in the first place. Still, that night was more than worth it.

“Seems kind of dead today, huh?” She said, peering over the menu.

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

He grinned at her. Not that he was 'winning' anything, because well, women were women, men were men, and typically no one owned them. Unless someone owned a plantation that was attacked by the current leader of the Galactic Republic. Heil friends in high places. It was actually really strange for Marek to be out during daylight. Yes, he was a junkie for coastlines and trips of that sort, but when he wasn't on a vacation per-se, he came here on business. But right now? He was typically here for the night life, and it showed, especially with [member="Sitara Qin"] in that dress and him looking unkempt. Finding the restaurant, he looked around.

"No one started a fight last night, did they?" It could be nothing, headache... toxins in the blood but he was feeling... off. He looked over. "Or is it because I want breakfast?"

 

[Sitara Qin]

“Not that I know of.” Just how much did they miss last night? There were so many blanks in her memory that she needed to fill. Did they even go off to see the jedi executions? That was an activity she had wanted to watch. It was a shame she couldn’t remember, though it mustn’t have been that entertaining if she had forgotten. What else did they miss?—Or rather, just what did they not remember? She must’ve been pretty drunk last night, yet her hangover didn’t linger as long as it should have. She scratched her head. “But knowing them, something probably happened.” She half shrugged.

“Then let’s go demand for breakfast.” She rolled her eyes and signalled the waiter over. There were other things to use your abilities for, but the force just made everything so much more convenient. “Do you mind giving us the breakfast menu?” She asked him. The waiter raised an eyebrow.

“But, miss. It’s late in the afternoon.” He protested. “I’m terribly sorry, but our establishment only serves breakfast in the morning.”

Her dark eyes focused on him intently. She smiled sweetly. “Darling, Mr. Starchaser over here is a very important man.” She said, gesturing to her handsome companion. “And well, he would really appreciate it if this fine establishment were to comply and serve us some breakfast.” She batted her eyes, he gulped. “If you could just convince your marvellous chefs to bend the rules a little, it would be very much appreciated.” She smiled sweetly. With a little help from the force, the waiter nodded and retreated towards the kitchen.

“Of course, Miss.”

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

He really hoped not. What he needed was food. If he was going to out into the world, he was going to need fuel. Then he’d find the datapad. Check at the Primeval’s lost and found, then start killing people until he found it. That was… really violent, but it was the thing that ran his business, and sure, it was locked, a simple call and he could wipe it, but… y’know, principle.

And the thing with his datapad, he could probably buy the fething restaurant and then change the menu all while the server was at the point of sale machine. Real estate was kind of his thing. Made it work too, if he was fighting someone where there was a population, buy the building so no one lost investments. Unless it was those damned selectivists. Those folk bothered him to no end. And there [member="Sitara Qin"] was again, throwing him under the bus to get her way.

She must’ve gotten off on it, hadn’t she? Hell, he would admit the power she used, whether it was the Force (unlikely) or just… womanly wiles, was exciting to watch. Yeah, he’d admit it. But only in so much as he got to bring her home every so often as well. When she indicated him, he looked at the waiter and nodded. Even if Bright Star was only a Tier 3, the Techno Union was a galactic player, and he was the poster boy.

“You really dig that, huh?” He smirked as the waiter headed off to the kitchen. “Hopefully they’ll bring champagne.”

Work hard, play hard, right?

 

[Sitara Qin]

“I don’t know what you mean.” She grinned, batting her eyes at him. Marek may have had the money to get whatever he wanted, but she could do the same thing without spending a single credit. Never take no for an answer, she thought, the word always meant maybe anyways. Heck, it was something that she enjoyed. It wasn’t hard to get what you want, especially if you had the looks…and the charm.

“Perhaps they will, perhaps they won’t.” She smiled, as she waited for the old waiter to come back and serve them. “But then again, who eats their cereal with champagne?” She wouldn’t be surprised if Marek told her that he did. Figures. Rich people always had a funky palate. With her, however, it didn’t take much to whet her appetite—especially if a little play was on the menu.

The waiter had returned, carrying two elegant menus. She took the booklet into her hands and ran her thumb over the gold embroidered lettering. A bit classy for breakfast, hm? She flipped through the pages, idly looking through the selection. The pamphlet only opened to one page though there was still quite a variety to choose from. After she requested a bottle of champagne, the waiter had left them off to decide their meals.

“So where do you want to start looking?” She asked him, as her eyes scanned the elegant lettering.

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

Had he the power that women had, Marek would abuse the hell out of it. But right now? It was just credits and a bit of unbridled charisma that kept him afloat. Walking in when people knew you owned a lot of shares in a variety of business enterprises almost worked just as well. VIP treatment because it was helpful to business to seen accommodating to the types who could probably buy the restaurant. Y’know for the types who liked champagne with their breakfast.

Mimosa, really. And maybe with cereal, really, because he could.

“Is there a problem with champagne cereal?” He grinned at her and ran his hand through his hair, knowing it was still probably a bit of a hot mess. Looking over the menu, he wondered if they just started printing them for this. Still, it seemed like the chefs were reaching for meals. No fruit cups, plain pancakes or bacon and eggs on this menu. Skillets though, that had a lot of stuff. Good to get the mind working again.

“Lost and found, then we chase leads down, find it before the cruise ships depart. Where are you heading off to after this world?”

[member="Sitara Qin"]

 

[Sitara Qin]

He ran his fingers through his tousled hair and Sitara realized that she found his bedraggled appearance cute. It made him look more approachable somehow. She flashed him a small grin as he shot her a rhetorical question. She tinkered with the small centrepiece: a blue tinted glass statue of a ballerina. It was the first time she realized that there were just so many blue ornaments in this place. She was unsure if the artist’s motif was calmness or calamity.

Lost and found. That sounded like a good place to start. If some kind creature found his datapad and didn’t steal it, that would be the place to check. Otherwise, if it were missing, it probably would’ve been in somebody’s hands, playing some silly word search game. Malek seemed determined to find it, however, and she certainly hoped they wouldn’t have to rummage the entire planet for a piece of cheap technology. His data was fine if it were backed up, or saved elsewhere; unless there were contents in there that he didn’t want anyone seeing.

Like his porn.

She giggled at the idea. “I’ll probably just head back to Coruscant.” She said. No, she didn’t really have a game plan, but it was always fun to go home. Well, her temporary home that is. Daddy stopped paying her rent ages ago, when he decided she could support herself. She could always go home to Algor and live comfortably, but where was the fun in that? “What about you? What’s the great plan after we find your datapad?”

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

Blue. That was… an interesting color scheme on Bastion. A center for Imperializaton in the past, he figured it would be all grays, blacks and reds. A relaxed setting was nice, and especially with the state of Marek’s mind after the evening and everything. He wasn’t… bothered by the loss of the data pad on any one point aside from the principle. He watched [member="Sitara Qin"], not really grabbing at her in the Force, just… observing her. She was an interesting one wasn’t she?

As for selfies and videos of himself? So what if it ended up on the HoloNet? This was Marek Starchaser, he sold vice for a living. He was hoping to actually own a media outlet soon, and that would protect a lot of people. Looking at the woman, he nodded. “Is Coruscant home?” More for curiosity sake than anything.

“Well, I have to get back to my side of the galaxy before the Rebels tear apart the south systems.” They were a bit crazy and pushing political ideals and that was just dangerous. Not to say the One Sith weren’t… but Marek did have his Sith persona for when he needed to do some serious damage in the galaxy. But that was not very often, not when he could pay certain beings to be his hand out there.

 

[Sitara Qin]

Is Coruscant home? It was a simple question with a simple answer. It was the backstory that was a little more complicated. “No.” She shook her head, setting the menu down onto the table. Sitara enjoyed her freedom, and that certainly came with a cost. For the meantime, she was renting out a simple studio apartment somewhere in Coruscant. The place was constantly disorderly, she didn’t really like picking up after herself at home.

“I actually grew up in Algor.” She explained. “Lotsa pirates, smugglers, lawyers. Interesting mix, really.” Growing up, she learned how to shoot to defend herself from malicious people who tried getting their grubby hands on her father’s hidden stash. She’d go outside, take a whiff of wonderfully polluted air. The first time she saw a blue sky and actual grass, Sitara was enchanted. It was probably why she liked the country side so much. It was a luxury she never really had.

“Huh. Well, I wish you the best of luck with that.” She meant it. It probably sucked having to deal with politics, but there were facets of Marek she hadn’t seen yet. She didn’t really know what it was like to live a day in his life, though it was probably more exciting than hers. She gave him a small, sympathetic smile. He was smooth and good in bed, yet those two qualities didn’t really make him who he was, did they? “I hope it doesn’t get too rough out there.”

“Well, I’m ready to order. I assume you’re having champagne cereal?”

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

He nodded. Algor was a world he wasn’t completely familiar with. “Where is Algor? Core?” He spent most time along the Corellian run. Mainly the Rim around the South Systems, but still, he ventured to his homeworld and the Five Systems but that was about it. Beyond that he didn’t really spend much time checking out other worlds. Unless they had Techno Union interests in mind, or sparked them. But this world sounded like it could be fun. He idly wondered if [member="Sitara Qin"] had an outlaw name, like Billy the Kid, Bonnie and Clyde, Jon Stamos…

Best of luck with dealing with the rebels? “Meh, we’ll handle it. Always do. We have the funds, the tech and a very strong ally in the One Sith.” Public knowledge, public records. But now he was showing he was part of the whole… Government of the Techno Union. More than just a casino owner, really. “And its never too rough for me, they won’t hear me shouting red.” Seeing red, perhaps. But no, it’ll take more than an alliance of communist terrorists to make him scream red.

“Champagne cereal does sound good. Maybe this nerf and egg skillet as well. For the main course.” But he needed his champagne, because he could make a reference about being on a boat here, but the writer lost it. And besides, one pop culture reference per post.

 

[Sitara Qin]

She laughed. Algor?—A horrific place with dark skies, deadly people, and trash covered streets a core world? She couldn’t help but snicker. Perhaps it was because her voice didn’t drip with the Outer Rim accent. “Nope, Outer Rim. And which planet were you from again?” Come to think about it, he never did mention the place he was from. She could imagine someone like Marek coming from a Core world. He fit the bill; he was cultured, rich, and educated. However, he didn’t seem like a sheltered kid; but that was stereotyping.

She smiled. “Well, if you ever need help kicking some ass.” She winked. Rebels were always a pain; they had their reasons to be. She considered herself rebellious, though probably didn’t have the patience to go to a planet and plan attacks. She’d rather just attack, possibly help take the place apart and celebrate with lots of wine and beer.

She signalled the waiter over, and he poured them both glasses of water as they ordered. She hadn’t realized she had nothing to drink. She scratched her neck; what was it with the service of this place? She waited for Marek to order first before proceeding with hers. “I’ll have the hotcake with the candleberry and stuicer drizzle.”

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

Rim? That was… unexpected. But with women like Qin? They knew what they were doing and how to best portray themselves around people, it helped to sound like you were from somewhere, and most people wouldn’t question it. As for his world? Didn’t he tell her? Maybe not. He tried to not get the sympathy vote from everyone. “Corellia. Well, it was better than Algor, but your world is still… a world.” He smirked at her, taking a sip of… was this champagne magic, or did they make mimosas? Mimosas were lovely drinks.

Wouldn't liquor manifestation be a great Force power?

“We always can use more hands to start murdering. They’re fighting a political war, but… well, we can handle the rest of the issues they throw at us.” He wasn’t nervous. Besides, if it became that much an issue, the One Sith could show up to defend one of the major production hubs of the galaxy. The Zerg Rush of the One Sith was a gorgeous thing to behold. “Well, we always have big celebrations for those who survive.” It was funded by the Union, after all.

Looking to the server, Marek nodded. “Well, I’ll start with a champagne bowl of cereal…” He looked at the server with an expression that said ‘I know what I’m about, son’. And continued on. “And this steak and egg skillet. For the main. All on my tab, please.” Instead of having [member="Sitara Qin"] trollop herself about once more.

Not to say Marek didn’t like watching her do it.

 

[Sitara Qin]

Her world was still… a world. She laughed. “Right. Thanks.” She said, nodding. There were probably some decent planets in the outer rim that Marek probably hadn’t ventured to. She rolled her eyes. It was very typical, to say the least. As for him being from Corellia, well it was definitely fancy. Definitely better than Algor, there was no doubt about it. He was more than just a big fish in a tiny little pond, he was practically a giant whale out in the deep blue sea.

Big, important, and knew when to blow their holes.

As for murdering, she didn’t quite use the word. Perhaps purging sounded a little better. And politics? She wasn’t too big of a follower, though she did keep her eyes and ears open. Marek talked like he’d been through a lot. He was probably a lot stronger than he seemed, he did a number on her last night after all. Her face reddened as the memories flashed into her minds.

Now those parts, she could remember.

“Sounds messy.” She said. “I’m sure they throw you a lot of grand celebrations.” He seemed like a hotshot after all. Definitely more to him than meets the eye, that was for sure. And besides, he did look a little excited when he talked about it. He wasn’t nervous at all, like it was something he did normally. “You should have me over next time you celebrate. I’ll get you a cake.”

The server was a little confused as he asked for champagne cereal, though he knew better than question it. It wasn’t on the menu, but it may as well have been. “Awe, you said my lines.” She teased, giving his foot a light kick from underneath the table.

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

See, that was the thing with Marek, he had a filter, sometimes. But hungover and waiting for breakfast? He sometimes lost that filter. Alcor was a world still, where Corellia, was… well, Brokellia. But it didn’t matter now, he was a resident of Roon and Lianna, all over the galaxy. And he needed to keep expanding around the galaxy. As for him being a big fish? There were always bigger, and he was just doing what he could to cover his own self.

Something abuot her didn’t click for murder, maybe the excitement of battle, but really, he looked at the Rebels as less-than-people, and murder was really the only way to deal with them. It was more taking the useless dog or horse out back and ending them, rather than fighting a worthy opponent. Sure, Marek could say ths, he didn’t fight himself, but war droids were better than most organics, and he knew the team in his Obsidian Order were stronger than most in the galaxy.

He knew where his strengths lay, hedonism and business deals. And back room politics, not the real ones. And well, typically anything involving a dimly lit room. Champagne room, anyone? Looking at [member="Sitara Qin"], he grinned. He didn’t mind being the one who threw the parties. “I’ll probably be needin’ more than cake from you, if you end out there.” Needing, wanting, weren’t they the same here?

“Can’t let you do all the work.” He smirked. “So, tell me, what brought you out to the Sith?” Really, it was the only option if she was at a Primeval shindig and living on Coruscant.

 

[Sitara Qin]

“Oh don’t worry, I’ll show up with a little more than a cake.” She winked. Or perhaps she could show up in the cake wearing something cute. Girls and dessert always made a lovely gift, right? Besides, Marek could use a little more sweetness in his life.

What brought her to the Sith? Would he believe her reason? “Well, actually,” She started, her mind going back to that filthy little planet. “There was really nothing in particular that compelled me to join the Sith.” She confessed, twiddling with the fork on the dining table. She was a bored little girl at that time, doing nothing more than tending to her father’s shop. Nothing worth noting, she didn’t really want Marek to hear all the humdrum details.

“Some guy came to my dad’s shop one night.” She continued. “Told me I was force sensitive and I was like ‘Gee, that’s cool’” She laughed, and rolled her eyes. “And well, he said I could probably join some academy. And well, off I went.” She gestured, shrugging. “And that was basically it.” It was a good summary and she always knew there was something different about her. Though, she wasn’t like her dad who wanted to join the Republic. He wasn’t too happy that she left to join the Sith, but hey, that was life.

The server came over with a tray cart and their orders. She smiled at him politely as he set down the plates on their tables. To her surprise, it looked like they really did give Marek a bowl of circular looking pieces of cereal swimming in a bowl full of champagne.

| [member="Marek Starchaser"] |

 

[Corey's OOC]

More than a cake, less than a cake, really so long as she showed up and gave him an evening or three, he’d be all over it. “Whatever you need to bring.” Because it wasn’t like Marek had a suite in one of the nicest resorts in Techno Union space devoted strictly to his hedonistic activities. Well, maybe there were two suites. But that didn’t matter much, both were the same, just put on the two worlds he spent most of his time at.

See, that that was not something he expected to hear from her. Just sounded like she came to the Sith because she was bored. Not a bad reason, it could be worse, they could’ve lost a prime piece to the Jedi, but she chose the right side of the Force. “Well, I know that the Techno Union government and the One Sith have a working relationship. If you ever get bored with Coruscant, can always check out Roon, see what you can learn from us.” He grinned. Yeah, Carach would murder him for poaching, but honestly? It was just one of those things you said, right?

But her father owned a shop… Capitalist? See? There were connections all over the galaxy. “What sort of shop?” He took a sip of water, and made a sour face… When expecting champagne, go figure. And answering ‘gee that’s cool’ to being told you were part of the galaxy’s evolved beings? Well, that was one response.

Looking at the food, he wasn’t sure if he was surprised, but well, he made his bed. Grabbing a spoon, he gave [member="Sitara Qin"] a bright smile. “See? This is how I like to be treated.” A sign of excess? Yes, yes it was.

 

[Sitara Qin]

It was exactly how it sounded; and his invitation to Roon, well, she’d probably go cause she was bored too. “Roon, sounds fun. I’ll definitely have to check it out sometime.” She said. He played the role of the worldly businessman: well-traveled, smart, handsome. Girls probably fawned over him all the time. “But of course, only if you’ll be there to show me around.”

Coruscant was a giant place with enough action. However, even a planet that big could be boring. But, with the right company, there were always lots of opportunities for fun. [member="Marek Starchaser"] fit the part. After all, he did show her a fun time last night.

What sort of shop? “Oh you know,” She started, a coy smile playing on her lips. “It’s nothing as impressive as your companies. My dad’s but a trader. He buys and sells things from other planets. Always travels so I never really got to see him.” Trader was an understatement, but she couldn’t reveal the entirety of her past to Mr. Starchaser. She had to leave some mystery going. Would she seem just like another girl with daddy issues? She hoped not. She was stronger than that and though her mother was never really a part of her life, she wasn't looking for anybody. Heck, maybe all she liked to do was escape things. Dip her toes into the water and pull out.

He grabbed a spoon and she tried her best not to grimace. It…didn’t look too appetizing. “I bet you’re used to getting everything you want.” She grinned, as her fork dug into her hotcake.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Poaching Force users, whatever. Marek had trained exactly zero people during his time in the Force and with the various incarnations the Obsidian Order had gone through. Maybe it was because he was too busy running the government. Mostly it was probably because he didn’t care. And didn’t reach out to help others, besides, Starchaser handicap didn’t help make him look useful. “Roon’s cool, seat of a galactic power. And I’m sure I could work it into my busy schedule.”

For him, it was a matter of who he was around that made the situation fun, just like she was musing. ‘Scant had its nice days, but… well, sometimes he just preferred a place where he was in control, and where things ran a bit slower. Sure, he loved city-scapes, but… Needed a bit more.

“Well, I mean, the Techno Union is always looking for people who know how to get a variety of different things.” Marek grinned. Making sure that things moved smoothly was something they did well, and hunting down smugglers and bounty hunters? That was a whole other industry that needed to be fleshed out. Private security went a long way. And in Marek’s opinion, there was nothing better than daddy issues. Yeah, he was scummy.

He swirled the spoon in his bowl and shrugged. It wasn’t the worst thing, he’d had worse food. “Sometimes. It helps when you can drop the right names.” Like how he got into the Primeval gala.

[member="Sitara Qin"]