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[Kay-Larr]

[member="Vond Greifen"]

Hutt space was ever expanding. Space ports and planets that at first were in neutral territory have recently found themselves under the control of the Cartel. Thankfully though, there were still some pockets of resistance that grew where the Cartel had yet to boost the numbers of their goons.

Kay found herself on such a planet, in one of the markets. She needed more food and water rations, as well as more weapons for her missions. Of course the weapons weren't for her, but she still needed them for her employees nonetheless. Not many of them were Force users, so they could use the help.

She wasn't all that strong in the Force herself, but she was learning. Learning to fight, to hide her Force signature and learning more about Force healing. Her teachers were Light, Grey and Dark. Though the Force that she drew on was the Lightside.

But being here gathering supplies also gave her a chance to gather information on the exploits of the Hutt Cartel and the One Sith.

 

[Greifen Ren]

[member="Lady Kay"]

The dark silhouette of an unknown starship temporarily blotted out the sun's light on the spacepad. The cacophony of the engines grew dimmer and then died completely, just after a few desert vermin scuttled away from the hulking metal mass to escape the disturbance. Once they were gone, the spacepad was empty.

After a few moments of nothing but the low din of the wind brushing through the sand on the ground, the vessel hissed open. A crimson red light came down over the craft's loading ramp as it descended, and out from its maw a cloaked figure emerged. His black boots found the sand for the first time, sinking in slowly, and quietly his head rose, squinted eyes staring through the wind to scan his surroundings. Vond Greifen had never felt more in tune with his surroundings in his life.

Since the neural pathways to the Force had been opened to him, the former military pilot felt as though he had been quite literally reborn. He felt the movements of everything around him as if he were a child again, exploring the world for the first time, just as his Master had taught him to do. He could call upon the Dark Side of the Force, an entity heretofore dormant in his body, and his anger and emotions gave him strength. Greifen feared failure here in Hutt Space. This was his first mission as a Sith, and if anything were to go awry, he would end up severely punished, or worse, dead.

His fear empowered him, as Greifen immediately channeled his emotions into strength within the Dark Side. Stepping forward, he adjusted his senses to feel around him. The rumor was that the Republic was broaching an alliance with the Hutts, and the One Sith wanted answers. Greifen was sent to Hutt Space to report back with some basic intelligence before the One Sith sent further manpower.

Stepping out into the destitute city streets, Vond was expecting a wretched hive of scum and genetic refuse, judging from the look of things. He was certainly surprised to feel was his senses returned to him.

Another being was nearby, with a signature in the Force. Exactly what this being was, he could not tell, but the unmistakable presence let him know that whatever it was, it could use the Force too - at least partially. The presence of another Force user here could mean any number of things. Another Sith sent to collect intel alongside him? Or had the Republic sent spies of their own? Regardless, Vond knew that it was his prerogative to find out.

Shifting between the destitute denizens of the streets, Vond slowly made his way in the direction of the presence he felt.

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Vond Greifen"] [member="Roxy Lalonde"]

After the purchase of a few modified blaster rifles, Kay had them packaged and sent to her ship on one of the many landing pads. She offered a generous amount of credits to ensure the proper delivery of her items. One of her bodyguards would be there waiting to receive it. They had a schedule to keep and should she deviate from it, then he would know to look for her. A tracking device lay hidden in her satchel which never left her side, so she'd be easy for him to follow.

Once everything was arranged there, Kay turned to walk over to one of the booths containing herbs and spices to cook with, when she spotted Vond walking towards her. The fact that he was a Darksider was as clear as day, for they tended to dress in the same manner; all in black and wearing a cloak. Kay didn't dress like the exiled Jedi nor the Senator for the Republic that she was, however. Instead she dressed like a merchant, which was comfortable and gave her freedom of movement.

Did he come here to fight? It didn't appear to be as he had no weapons drawn. But then not every fight between Force users required a weapon. So she waited until he had gotten within ten feet of her before she spoke. "Afternoon....sir. Have you tried the Sapir leaves? They make a fantastic tea." Time to see what he was doing here.

 

[Roxy Lalonde]

Of all places, in all the worlds and moons, why was a drunkard here? Oh, yes. The cheap booze you can buy off the market. Roxy gently pushed her way through the small crowds in the market area, looking around frantically, slowly scratching her arm in attempt to remember where she was even going at this point. Upon seeing a group of two, she quietly strolled over, just to look at the leaves. Maybe, just maybe some of these herbs were actually spices in disguise, that's all she cared about.​

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With a scowl, Roxy looked at the wall, waiting for the people to remove themselves from the stall so she could attend to her own personal business. She butted an ear in to hear closely what they were saying, as, after all, they could be discussing things from spices to mass murder on multiple planet systems.​

 

[Greifen Ren]

As his senses zeroed in on the presence within the Force after every step he took, Vond, stopped before one of the kiosks in the bustling backwater bazaar.

He had pinpointed the location of the Force signature to this... merchant woman?

The endpoint of his manhunt came as a surprise. Greifen was not so careless as to go about the streets sticking out like a sore thumb; his robes were dark but they were not Sith robes; at least they would not immediately give his presence away as a Sith. Instead they were the tattered rags one might expect to find on anyone in this hive, protecting well against the sun's heat. However, he was only learning to reduce his own signature in the Force. He had suppressed his dark aura well enough by now, but Greifen realized he might not have been fast enough, and if [member="Lady Kay"] could sense the power of the Force in individuals as he could, then she could have sensed him too.

Still, Vond was sure that she was the source of the presence he felt. So he decided to play along, for now. He would learn what he could on his own, before reporting back to his Masters about a possible Jedi and/or Republic presence here in Hutt Space. As of now he had no reason to be interested in the person next to him, [member="Roxy Lalonde"], though he saw her out of the corner of his eye.

"I am not interested in your teas," Greifen replied to Lady Kay bluntly. "Show me what else you have. Anything to interest a spacer from the Inner Rim?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Vond Greifen"] [member="Roxy Lalonde"]

She raised a brow at his question and then chuckled to herself. The man thought that she worked at the booth. Oh how silly. But Kay guessed that given the way in that she was dressed, plus her question to him, it was rather reasonable that he came to that conclusion. With everything else going on in her mind, she just didn't expect it.

Rather than correct him however, she just continued on, not quite lying, but not telling the whole truth either. "The Inner Rim, hmm? Well there are plenty of herbs and spices rarely found in that part of the Galaxy. You'll also find many trinkets, fabrics and artifacts. A large variety of items can be bought, sold and traded here."

She looked down to Roxy, picking up the fact that their conversation was being overheard. Was she a spy for the Cartel? It was hard to say at the moment. As she pondered on that she looked to Vond again. "What would interest a....gentleman such as yourself in a place like this?" Yes she was careful with what to call him, purposely hesitating so that it could send him the signal that she knew what he was. Kay just didn't know who his allegiance belonged to. At least not yet.

 

[Roxy Lalonde]

[member="Lady Kay"]​

​

Spices are rich in the area? Roxy let a small smirk slowly fill her lips as she pretended to be very interested in the wall before her. She fumbled her hands at her pockets, near her unguarded weapon for a short moment, listing off the spices she knew she already wanted. Usually, just ones that were more likely to kill off parts of your mind for limited amounts of time and replace it with a heavenly feeling. Perhaps she should even try the injections and just wear a wig...​

 

[Greifen Ren]

"As I said. I'm a spacer," Vond replied bluntly. "I get around to practically every corner of the galaxy."

He smiled from underneath his cowl. It was somewhat obvious to him now that [member="Lady Kay"] had sensed his presence in the Force. Vond's master would be most displeased. The young Sith Apprentice was not yet well-versed in the art of hiding himself. He would have to improve upon his training when he got back.

It was nothing more than a stalemate now. Two Force-users, both aware of each other's powers, here in contested space. Yet any information beyond that was unknown. Now, it was only a matter of who would tip their hand first.

"You seem to have a good knowledge of the inner planets, servant woman," Greifen said, still with a smile. "Ever made your way as far as Republic space?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Roxy Lalonde"] [member="Vond Greifen"]

Kay gave him a polite smile in return, though it wasn't really genuine. Vond had said that he'd been everywhere, so nothing here should interest him. At least no inanimate object anyways.

She glanced over to Roxy and raised a brow as the girl seemed to be just mumbling at a wall and fidgeting in her pockets. She was an odd one, that's for sure and certain. Kay's experiences with those addicted to spices was next to nil.

And then Vond drew her attention again as soon as he called her a servant woman. That was a bit of an insult. But again she gave him a polite yet not so genuine smile before even offering some form of an answer. "Like you....sir, I gave been around every corner of the Galaxy. So it is safe to assume that we both have been to Republic space, unless of course one of us is lying...."

 

[Roxy Lalonde]

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Vond Greifen"]

The young girl slowly rubbed her arm up and down, adjusting the long sleeves she wore a few times with a hesitating motion. Slowly her eyes flickered to the wall, and to the herbs lined up, then back to the wall. There were still there, right in front of a beckoning chance of spices. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, then suddenly turned to the pair with a scowl. "You need to leave... this area. Now. Please. Please go, I need. To be where you are." She crossed her arms instantly as soon as she was finished to appear more threatening, though a bugging drew deep in her mind that these people were secretly after her now, trying to steal all the spices before she could. Her hand twitched a few times, struggling to stay away from the holstered weapon at her back, struggling to keep herself from shooting everyone in fear of whatever her withdrawing mind could think of as an excuse to check the herbs.

 

[Greifen Ren]

By now it was plainly obvious that the two were on to each other, though neither dared to make the first move in such an open area as this. The conflict, if there would be one, would occur when one of the two could catch the other alone. For his part, Vond was not content with merely killing [member="Lady Kay"]. He needed to find out if she was indeed with the Republic, and if so, why she was here. It would be difficult to glean that information, and she most likely wouldn't talk willingly. He would possibly need to bring her to his Master, who would then apply various forms of... unconventional interrogation to get the information the Sith wanted.

But he needed to capture her first. And even that was a gamble; if it turned out she wasn't with the Republic, then Vond would have wasted his time in capturing a worthless peon.

Greifen simply shrugged at Lady Kay. "Always a possibility," He said with a smile that echoed her own.

Then his attention was grabbed by [member="Roxy Lalonde"]. This strange girl was babbling incoherently at them, and she appeared to be some sort of strung out drug addict. Vond turned back towards Lady Kay.

"Servant woman, it appears you have an issue with dope fiends at your kiosk," He mused.

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Vond Greifen"] [member="Roxy Lalonde"]



Always a possibility. That is if neither of them were wanting to go into detail. Just who exactly he was and who he worked for was left to be seen. There were a few groups, possibly more that employed such individuals. She had allies in a couple of them, but that might not matter here for it wasn't widely known as a whole. That would be dangerous for all involved as she was a Lightsider and a Senator to boot.

Just when Kay was about to fish for more info, she was distracted by Roxy. Vond's servant woman comment also distracted her for but she tried not to let it bother her. Instead she turned to Roxy and also folded her arms across her chest. "The spices here are not the kind that you are looking for, my dear. These ones are for cooking and for tea."

And now to set the record straight with Vond. She kept looking at Roxy as she spoke. "But it's not my kiosk. I was just merely looking at purchasing some tea leaves. You might want to check with that woman over there." Unfolding her arms she pointed to a woman that looked as though she's spent a lot of time in the gardens and kitchens.

 

[Roxy Lalonde]

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Vond Greifen"]​

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Roxy gently gulped, crossing her arms. She felt tiny tears swell up in her eyes, but tried her best to keep them down. She wasn't sure why she was crying, if it were out of embarrassment or just her knowledge of this woman not selling any of the spices she was looking for. She pushed forward anyways, frantically searching the stand without another word.​

 

[Nate Drake]

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Vond Greifen"] [member="Roxy Lalonde"]
Nate keep a fair amount of distance between himself and Kay.He looked around for anyone that could cause any harm to her.He watch's thec conversation between her and thepeople she was talking to.He was ready to jump in and save her if anything were to go wrong.

 

[Greifen Ren]

Greifen observed the peculiar behavior of [member="Roxy Lalonde"]. It seemed to him plainly obvious that she was either high on something or craving some kind of drug fix. Vond had to remind himself that he was in Hutt Space and he should expect to find people like her here - people who he considered to be nothing more than vermin. But Vond masked this emotion in front of [member="Lady Kay"]. He couldn't tip his hand that he was a Sith just yet, much as he would have loved to dispose of the drug addict immediately.

Instead, he chortled lightly at the situation and turned to Lady Kay, who he discovered, was in fact not the shopkeep. "Perhaps we should help her?" He observed the crying girl with an almost sympathetic smile.

 

[Nate Drake]

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Roxy Lalonde"] [member="Vond Greifen"]
Nate keep a close eye on things as they were playing out.There was something odd about this but he couldn't figure it.Maybe it was the male she was talking to he seemed kinda dark.It also could of been the druggie He had no idea way Kay would deal with these people.He thought she had some sort of plan and he would play along with it for now.

 

[Roxy Lalonde]

Roxy let out a soft breath, slowly looking over the spices, and rubbing her eyes with the back of her sleeve a few times. After finding that there were no spices, she just kept staring, trying to keep from being wrong while the people where still here. She'd just disappear into another crowd later on when it rolled forward.​

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[member="Vond Greifen"] [member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Vond Greifen"] [member="Roxy Lalonde"] [member="Nate Drake"]

She felt a bit sorry for the girl, after breaking the bad news to her. Well Kay had never tried the kind of spices that this girl was looking for, but she had her own addiction and that was to Sapir tea.

As Vond suggested helping her, she nodded in agreement. Whether he was testing her or not, it wasn't right to have a little girl suffer. So Kay smiled to her warmly. "If you are needing something to help you feel better, I have just the thing. Sapir tea always makes me feel better. It's like having a warm hug on a cold day and helps to keep me calm and focused. Would you like to try it?"

Through the corner of her eye, Kay spotted her bodyguard blending in with the crowds, yet keeping apart from them too. Good.

 

[Nate Drake]

[member="Lady Kay"]
Nate stays at his distance blending in and watch's close he can't help but raise an eyebrow.He was so confused about this whole damn thing it was giving him a headache.

 

[Roxy Lalonde]

Roxy gently covered her face with her hands in embarrassment, struggling to get words out of her mouth to respond to [member="Lady Kay"] but nothing could really be thought of. She held her head for a long moment, then slowly shrugged her shoulders and let out a soft whiny sound, stalking away a few steps from the herb seller, making an obvious struggle to see what she wanted to do. Run away, or take free sample. Free samples were always nice. She slowly met her eyes with Kay's, and stared at her with a gentle nod​