Public Luck Be a Lady (Open to All - Especially Criminals!)

[Mercy]

Objective 1: Meet again
Tag: Sinara Thorne

She noticed the outfit before she noticed anything else.

Which was, Mercy assumed, the intended reaction and when Mercy's gaze flicked up to meet Sinara's eyes the smirk only confirmed it. "Thorne... few people I would remember, but you certainly count." Watching her curiously as the other woman sat down next to her. Their divergence had been amicable enough.

In Mercy's case that meant nobody had tried to murder each other at the end.

But that didn't mean they were friends or even allies. It just meant that the evening got so much more interesting. "I'd ask how the years have been treating you, but you seem like a fine wine." Smirking herself now. "Only gets better with time."

If Mercy was purposefully flirting with her or just trying to gauge her reaction to it was anyone's guess. You never knew with Mercy.

"Come to sample the drinks or are you on a job?"

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Undercover outfit

Valery adjusted her fitted white blouse, tugging slightly at the leather harness that stretched across her shoulders. The dark brown trousers and knee-high boots completed the look — practical and sharp, yet inconspicuous enough to blend in with the high-end patrons of The Obsidian Majesty Casino. She pushed a stray lock of chestnut hair behind her ear, her fiery eyes scanning the glimmering sea of lights, laughter, and wealth.

Tonight, she wasn't the Jedi Grandmaster; she was just another face in the crowd, her presence a subtle ripple in the grand ocean of Canto Bight's elite. Her mission? To gather intel on the criminal networks weaving through the underbelly of this glittering paradise.

As she moved to the bar, Valery's fiery gaze caught sight of a familiar figure. Mercy . The towering, unmistakable woman was deep in conversation with another patron, her presence radiating that same chaotic, volatile energy Valery remembered all too well from their encounter on New Cov.

Valery's lips pressed into a faint line before she forced them into a casual smile. Drawing unnecessary attention wouldn't help here. Instead, she slid into a barstool a few seats away, signaling for a drink. Her eyes lingered on Mercy and her companion for only a moment before drifting to the bustling casino floor.

The drink arrived — something simple and unassuming — and Valery wrapped her fingers around the glass. She leaned back slightly, her posture relaxed as she took a slow sip, all the while keeping one ear tuned to the conversations nearby.

There was always something new to learn in places like this.

Open​

 

[Liin Terallo]

Now this is quite the surprise. I watch as the other figure sat herself down, only for it to carry on the conversations. My jaw drops ever so slightly as my gaze shifts between the two. Now normally someone like myself that has not experienced much of the greater Galaxy would be horrified. But instead I am fascinated.

I take a sip from my wine and nod my head in agreement with the set of skills that he has relayed. However I am filled with a large number of questions. That is how it goes with scientists, afterall.

"Well, Mister Usher, I can certainly see where your skillsets will come in handy. However, I can see some of the weaknesses in it as well. I have a number of questions and suggestions that perhaps we could get into in a less than public space. I am sure that you would not want to go into details about your abilities where others can hear. Would I be correct in that assumption? Or am I terribly wrong?"

Tag: Mr. Usher

 

[Sinara Thorne]

Objective 1: Drink, Mingle & Swindle
Outfit: Attire
Tags: Mercy
​

“Well, I’m certainly glad I left a lasting impression.” Her smirk turned into a grin, as she leaned her back against the bar. Eyes briefly scanning the crowd of people before them. Sinara remembered when they had first met, or rather when she first hired the woman.

At a noodle bar of all places, though in hindsight the choice was quite fitting for the merc. It seemed both had left that contract with certain impressions of the other. For Sinara, Mercy struck her as someone who moved around a lot, met a lot and killed plenty, enough that she didn’t bother trying to remember people.

So to have seemingly been one of the rare few? Sinara considered that a success.

“Oh, only the very best of wines.” She replied, chuckling quietly. Sinara looked at Mercy, eyes drawing across the woman’s form. “I see you’ve gotten quite a bit of new ink over the years.” With a brief pivot, she addressed the barkeep to order a drink. Something light for now, at least until she was done with her ‘work’.

After that? Then she could potentially indulge.

“A little bit both. Would be criminal not to check out a brand new opening.” Sinara paused, taking a moment to grab her freshly made drink. “Anything caught your eye yet?”

 

[Sars Sarad]

---

An outline came into focus to one side of her moments after the drink she'd ordered had been delivered. Accompanying it was an obvious presence in the force.

He'd navigated the Obsidian Majesty Casino towards her. Neither it nor Canto Bight were venues that he was familiar with; he preferred worlds that were closer to the Galactic Edge or those sidelined from hyperlanes. Of course, exceptions could always be made.

Last time he'd seen Valery Noble it had been on a desolate world, seemingly devoid of life despite the obvious pull of the Dark Side there. It had been him, the Jedi Grand Master, a couple Mandalorians, a Dark Spirit; that seemed so distant now and in the past but thinking about it there was also the sense of unfinished business.

Dressed in the Duster that often overlaid the remainder of his attire Sarad took a seat on a barstool next to her, his arms outstretching so that he could set his elbows on the bar while he scanned around himself and back over a shoulder. Eventually his gaze set on Valery herself and he leaned forward prompting the remark of...

"What are your drinking?"

...he spoke as though there was some familiarity between them yet they'd only ever met once, he knew her as the Sword of the Jedi and the Grand Master; it didn't matter what she dressed like or how she looked. As for him, his name was not something that was particularly memorable; most of the time he only ever met a person once.

To Sarad their connection lay in the force, the two of them stones that were set into a body of water that flowed around them in the metaphysical sense while creating a connection between them. All of them, Force Sensetives, were connected and like grains of sand creating a trail they could always find one another...

 

[Mercy]

Tag: Sinara Thorne | Valery Noble | Sars Sarad

Her head shifted softly as new presences came into view.

She had no idea the Sword of the Jedi had just sat down a few seats away from them. Luckily for everyone involved Mercy had never put much stock into her 'sense' abilities. She was a sentient brick to the face. A mountain that rolled down the hill with no stop. It meant she could punch a Leviathan in the face and break bone (her own as well the first time) or drop from a building without shattering her knee caps.

But she could barely distinguish one mind from the other without having her nose right on top of it.

So all that Valery got... was that head shift. As if Mercy tried to listen, but then she got distracted again by eye candy. Her gaze naturally caught up by Thorne once more.

"Yes, I have." And she raised her arm, where the tattoo was wrapped all around it. Moving sometimes, as if it was alive. Those with the Force could almost taste the Force from it. Dark, corrupted, eldritch. It had its own will when Mercy wasn't paying attention. "Do you like it?"

She shifted slightly, to keep an eye on Thorne, but also to catch the crowd at large while mulling her question.

"I saw the vault before they closed the door." A little smirk playing there as she sipped from her whiskey. Tougher than wine, but Mercy had always the rougher things in life. "Tempted me to ram my fist through it and take a few bags of credits with me." Eye flicked back to Thorne again. "But I guess we all have to grow up some time, yes?"

Something told her that Thorne still hadn't fully grown up though.

 

[Mr. Usher]

OBJECTIVE 1
TAGS: Liin Terallo
Valery Noble (vaguely sensed)​

---

"Well, Mister Usher, I can certainly see where your skillsets will come in handy. However, I can see some of the weaknesses in it as well. I have a number of questions and suggestions that perhaps we could get into in a less than public space. I am sure that you would not want to go into details about your abilities where others can hear. Would I be correct in that assumption? Or am I terribly wrong?"

"An astute observation, Lady Negotiator," the male Husk replied before a wave in the Force sent a shiver down the Sithspawn creation's back.

Mr. Usher froze. He couldn't identify who or from where, but both husks present felt a force user nearby - and no slouch neither.

The male husk procured a card with contact information and slid it along the bar towards Liin Terallo - the fascination at the implications of his creation did not go unnoticed, even in his rush to be clear of whatever Force User was nearby. "Perhaps we can talk business at a later time, in more discreet environs."

The female husk pulled one of her fingers free of her hand, the fresh worm-sized husk was blind and deaf, with nothing but a Iamprey mouth - if Liin decided to feed it, it could grow into a direct line of contact, otherwise easily disposed of. She set it beside the contact card, the finger-lamprey curling into a ball to rest.

Both humanoid figures spoke simultaneously as they stood from their seats at the bar, " In the meantime, consider this a gift of goodwill; keep it, study it, crush it, whatever you like, I promise I dont't bite - not without good reason. Have a lovely evening, Ms. Terello"

- Exit thread (attempted)-​

---

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Undercover outfit

Valery noticed the faint shift in Mercy’s posture out of the corner of her eye, a subtle movement that betrayed a brief flicker of attention in her direction. A smirk tugged at the corner of Valery's lips, and with a casual flick of her fiery gaze, she locked eyes with the towering woman just long enough to wink before turning her attention to the man now sitting beside her.

Sars Sarad. His presence in the Force was unmistakable, as was the air of familiarity that hung between them. It had been some time since they’d last crossed paths, and while the memory of their prior encounter lingered, she let it stay unspoken for now.

With a small, amused smile, Valery tilted her glass slightly toward him. "A glass of red wine," she replied, her tone light but carrying a thread of curiosity. "Something simple to blend in, though it seems I've been found anyway."

She leaned back slightly, her fiery eyes scanning the casino for a moment before resting back on him. "And you? What brings you here? I can't imagine Canto Bight is a place you frequent often." Her voice was calm and measured, though the spark of intrigue in her expression hinted at her continued awareness of the environment — and the people around her.

Her fingers idly traced the rim of her glass as she waited, not just for his answer, but for the inevitable ripple of events she could already feel brewing in the air.

Sars Sarad Mercy Sinara Thorne ​

 

[Sars Sarad]

---

A smirk crossed his features, unmistakable as it accompanied her answer and the explanation she offered him which prompted a reply...

"Impossible."

...his gaze, never looking beyond her in the direction of those nearby seated to regard her with some appreciation but also certainty...

"Even if you weren't the Sword of the Jedi I doubt that blouse would let you blend in."

...Sarad so rarely offered a compliment, so rarely offered anything but an initial introduction and the flash of his lightsaber. It was out of the ordinary for him to sit and make small talk. Even now, in his subconscious he felt the tug of his lightsaber as it called to his hand but he resisted the urge.

A subtle motion saw him order a drink. He'd lean closer to the Bartender to say something before adjusting himself on the barstool again. Sitting, he angled himself towards Valery Noble and it was only then that his gaze reached beyond her to the others sitting nearby, Mercy and Sinara Thorne .

It seemed obvious why he was here despite her question; he had found her and he intended to take up where they had left off. She didn't have a Mandalorian there to distract him now.

"Happenstance."

...his smirk had transformed into a small smile that continued to touch the corners of his mouth...

"The Force takes me to where I need to go and to whom I need to find."

...a statement he had made before and to others though the context remained true, still it seemed as though Sarad was enjoying the moment however brief it may be and didn't seek to ruin it. Not yet anyways. His senses expanded; the force flowing around him, over him, through him. He sensed the others, he felt the dark.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Undercover outfit

Valery blinked at Sarad’s comment about her blouse, her fiery eyes flicking down briefly to the snug and recealing white fabric before lifting back to meet his gaze. A smirk curved her lips, and she leaned slightly closer, her tone carrying just enough teasing edge to match his words.

"Perhaps it’s distracting to some," she replied smoothly, tilting her head as she spoke with a more hushed voixe, "But it doesn’t stand out nearly as much as my Jedi jumpsuit." She paused for effect, before adding, "Though, admittedly, it stands out in other ways."

Her smirk softened into an amused chuckle as she took another sip of her wine, savoring the moment before addressing the underlying reason for his presence. "I suppose you’re here to uphold the deal," she said knowingly, her fiery gaze locking onto his as if daring him to confirm it.

After a moment of silence, Valery straightened, her expression sharpening just slightly. She set her glass down with deliberate care and offered him a small, almost imperceptible nod. "But not here," she added, her voice dropping low enough to ensure only he could hear. "There are too many eyes, and I have other business to attend to first."

She also wasnt equipped for a fight.

Her smirk returned as she leaned back against the bar again, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her glass. "We can determine a time and place, though," she continued, "And enjoy drinks and company now. Or is fighting all you do?"

This one just for Sars Sarad ​

 

[Liin Terallo]

Objective: 1

I sip my wine, but then pause in my swallowing as Mister Usher seemed to freeze. So too did the other one. It was almost as though something had frightened them. I raise a brow and take a look around me at the casino to see if there was anything different than before. There was little that I could tell. People were gambling, drinking, talking. There was nothing odd that I could tell.

I give him a bow of my head as he slid his card to me. Yet what caused me to raise a brow was the strange entity that curled up beside the card. "Yes......I will contact you in due time. Until then, Mister Usher."

What am I to do with such a thing? I do not have any pockets. Using the card, I slide it under the entity as it lay curled there and picked it up. That thankfully worked. I set my glass down and then cup my hand over the card and entity, being careful not to squish it or lose it on the floor somewhere. Perhaps it is time for me to depart as well. I can count the stopover as a success, afterall.

So without further adieu, I do my best to appear completely natural as I walk with my hands cupped together, looking as though it was the most natural thing in the world for me. But really it was not.

Tag: Mr. Usher

 

[Sars Sarad]

---

A Drink was set down on the bar ahead of Sarad while Valery Noble leaned in closer. Angled towards her it was easy for him to her everything she said, even in a hushed tone though his eyes strayed from hers briefly. Leaning in like she did may have revealed 'more' than she intended or exactly as much as she did; despite his usual businesslike demeanor which was often outwardly cold Sarad was still 'human'.

There was a moment where he considered her words, hanging on them when she mentioned that her Jedi attire stood out more than the blouse she was wearing now before seemingly correcting herself after a fashion....

"A Beautiful Woman has many ways to be distracting."

...his expression seemed to match hers, nonthreatening but not entirely friendly...

"Sometimes intentionally, other times unintentionally."

...he'd taken his drink in his right hand, lifting it to his mouth so that he could take a sip before lowering it again. As he met her gaze again Sarad found it easy to rise to the challenge...

"And if I insist?"

...he seemed to insinuate that their business would take a precedent over anything else she needed to attend to here however turning the cup his drink had been delivered in, in his hand he'd eventually remark...

"The Casino doesn't seem a place to duel anyways. The intangibles on a balance of probabilities submit that we would never finish in a venue like this."

...and Sarad wanted to finish, there needed to be a conclusion for him to take satisfaction in the act. He'd said before though never to Valery that combat was the only true place you could know yourself and your opponent, there was an intimacy in it beyond which most relationships professional and private could afford. It was something few seemed able to comprehend.

Tilting his head as he looked at her when she spoke of enjoying drinks and the company that came with them, regarding her closely he considered then responded...

"It's not all."

...he seemed reserved but shortly thereafter...

"If I was fated to come here and to share a drink with you then you should tell me about yourself. You'll find me a keen listener, especially when one so 'enticing' is speaking."

...he leaned against the bar, not unlike she had been...

"Where does the Grandmaster end and the woman begin?"

 

[Crane Baxa]

---

Equipment: Visor, Datapad/Thievery Kit
Weaponry: None

"Synapse, I win again!"

Echoed the booming voice, the place was lively, how could it not be? It was an amusement park for adults, to win and, to be more honest, lose their fortunes in the high stakes game of chance. There was always some tables with better odds, better percentages of payout but it all depended on the gambler in question. The short Chadra-Fan, wearing only the clothing he had acquired/stole in the last two weeks would glance around slowly at the lively casino.

Years back, this would be a perfect hypothetical scenario of checking out security and robbing those blind spots from other gamblers, making out far more than the Casino may be able to make in two days. The key was to always pick out the right targets, find those who were starting to become either fully confident in themselves or in a rush. Drunks make to much attention, large parties always have that one self-aware friend to keep an eye on them and those wanting to get lucky with someones arm in hand, will make an example of anyone nearby to get on the others good side for the rest of the night.

The ears would gently perk up as he could hear the clattering of credit chits from afar, seeing several tables of Pazaak being played along with several versions of Sabaac. While his own father and his friends enjoyed the peaceful game of Pazaak, he had always been more of the fan of true random chance, the table game of Sabaac. Houses always made money on them, did not matter to anyone except to be a place for people to play "legally" in the tax code system. A percentage of all blinds get paid to the house permanently and casinos can have special rules to where if anyone has not the Sabaac Pot in a certain timeframe, it goes directly to the house though it is more given on number of people at the table versus time for more respectable casinos.

Slowly, he would shuffle forward as the long jacket would cover a good majority of his body, his eyes darting side to side with the iris trying to adjust at each glance. The surgery was still fresh in his mind, the pain that he had to endure to even have decent vision with the thick visor provided was not something he wished to repeat. Part of himself wished he remembered how to use the Force to heal his body but alas, that knowledge had been lost since his unfortunate accident.

Walking up to the table, only his head would show, his ears barely poking above as those playing stared at the Chadra-Fan creature. Carefully, he would take an open chair as a word of protest started to echo outward, a Besalisk speaking aloud as he made a tap with one of his large fingers on the engraved set of numbers.

"Squirt, you do not look like you can pay into a five grand a hand game. Go on towards the Pazaak Tables, they play for about ten to fifteen credi-"

As the Besalisk kept speaking, the Chadra-Fan would go into his jacket and pull out a bag of five green cylinder crystals, giving a soft glow as he gently tossed them forward onto the table. There was a bit of a perk of being a thief, most notably knowing how to still lift gemstones easily. It did not take long to find a warehouse and track down a small shipment, taking a fraction of its contents and leaving. There be more chaos at those taking a little versus a lot, accounting errors can be called for and accusations of theft from employees. The issue at having them was the engraving, he had no way to get rid of identifiers at this time and knew no fences...which meant, he had to do the old standby.

"Five Nova Crystals, Inert. Thirty-five Grand worth in chips, any objections?"

"This ain't no exchange table, what you think we are, the Outer Rim Bars?"

"Ahhh let him in, they are worth more than that anyway."

There was a muttering of agreement as the Chadra-Fan could only nod as a large pile of chips was pushed his way, settling back in his oversized chair as his eyes kept forward at the table as the cards were handed out. Now came the hard part...playing to get actual credits to use for later and not lose his shirt.

 

[Sinara Thorne]

Objective 1: Drink, Mingle & Swindle
Outfit: Attire
Tags: Mercy | Valery Noble | Sars Sarad
​

Sinara found herself magnetised to Mercy’s arm, eyes sweeping across the muscled flesh, tracing the path the tattoo took across it. Whether she was admiring the flesh, the ink or both, was up to interpretation. But there was no missing the dark, corruptive presence that emanated from it.

How curious, never struck me as the type to indulge in the more esoteric of Sith arts.

“Oh very much so, it’s quite unique. One could almost mistake it for moving if you look for too long.” Sinara replied, a mischievous smile to match the twinkle in her eyes. She filed a mental note away to ask about the details at a later time.

The half-Eldorai raised an eyebrow at Mercy’s reply. “Only tempted? My, you really have grown up since we last met.” Sinara teased, throwing the towering redhead a playful smirk.

Sinara sipped at her drink, taking the time to scan the people nearby. But at the same time, she was listening. Her pointed ears twitching slightly as she picked up idle conversations here and there. She caught something about ‘Jedi’ and ‘blouses’, but brushed it off as nonsensical talk.

“Personally, I’ve felt the temptation to find an arms dealer and relieve them of their credits and valuables, that they’re no doubt looking to offload from their war profiteering.”

 

[Mercy]

Tag: Sinara Thorne | Valery Noble | Sars Sarad

The wink sealed it.

That was the gorram Sword of the Jedi. Valery Noble. In disguise, yes, but Mercy would recognize her anywhere. It was difficult not to when you got so close to each other that she had smashed her head into Val's face at least once.

Sugar lips.

Her attempt at mentalism was blunt and rough like she was. Less of an alluring whisper and more like a horse storming into minds and leaving everyone else reeling in its wake. So fierce it was that several other retainers and even the barkeep blinked, rubbing their head because of the suddenness of the presence in their head.

And then its absence.

Cold and frigid in loneliness.

"Considering you aren't elbow deep into an arms-dealer's pocket I dare say we have both grown." She murmured, a bit absent and distracted. Was the Sword here for her? They had left their previous duel rather... inconclusive. "Careful, Thorne." Leaning in there, her nose running along the line of Sinara's face.

As if it was a lover's caress instead of a whispered warning.

"One of my enemies is in attendance here today. Perhaps for me... perhaps for other reasons... proceed with caution." And then planting a little kiss right under Sinara's ear.

To conclude the image before the mountain withdrew once more, leaving her heat for a moment longer, physical this time instead of mental.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Undercover outfit

Valery caught the brief flick of Sarad's gaze downward as she leaned slightly closer, his subtle reaction drawing an amused smirk to her lips. But she didn't press further. Instead, she brought her wine glass to her lips, taking a slow sip, savoring the moment as the tension simmered just beneath the surface. The man before her was as composed as she expected, but even he wasn't immune to distraction.

Her advantage.

Setting her glass down delicately, Valery tilted her head, fiery eyes meeting his with an intensity, "If you insist," she began, her tone soft yet edged with a teasing challenge, "I doubt we'd get very far before security decided we were... overstaying our welcome." She paused, letting the weight of her words hang for a moment before continuing, "Besides, I'm not exactly dressed—or equipped — for the fight you're hoping for." Her smirk widened just enough to hint that she might enjoy keeping him waiting.

Slowly, Valery reached up and brushed a strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear, the simple motion deliberate as her fiery gaze stayed locked on his. Her voice dipped lower, carrying a thread of intrigue, "That's an interesting question" She tilted her head thoughtfully, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her wine glass. "That depends on who's asking... and why."

Her words lingered, playful and elusive, but before Sarad could respond, a sudden, blunt presence crashed into her mind. Valery stiffened slightly, the mental intrusion almost brutish in its force. The voice that followed, rough yet teasing, echoed in her thoughts:

Sugar lips.

The familiarity of the term and the voice behind it drew a faint chuckle from Valery. Her fiery eyes slid sideways, locking onto Mercy, who was still with her companion but clearly paying attention. Valery didn't flinch, didn't allow the intrusion to throw her off balance. Instead, she shifted subtly in her seat, the snug fabric of her blouse accentuating her figure as she turned slightly toward Mercy's direction.

Her smirk returned, tinged with a knowing allure as she met Mercy's gaze and replied telepathically, her voice smooth and edged with playful confidence:

You remember.

Her gaze lingered just long enough before she turned her attention back to Sarad. Despite the layers of intrigue unfolding around her, Valery remained perfectly composed, her confidence unshaken as the currents of the Force and the tension in the room swirled around her.

Sars Sarad Mercy Sinara Thorne ​

 

[Diarch Rellik]

​

Location: Dance Floor
Outfit: Business Casual/Brown Loafers
Tags: OPEN for dance/mingling and fun

As his speeder pulled up to the Obsidian Majesty the Diarch would quickly take off his jacket and bowtie. Per usual Rellik was arriving late to the event. Not to be perturbed he made his way past the tables where he originally planned to go and decided to head to the concert area. Now in more casual attire, he was ready to let loose.

Venue guards stood at the entrance to the concert hall, merely giving their presence and not stopping people who were already within the Obsidian complex. Rellik approached, the drumming of music - reverberating off of the doors; the professionals let him inside promptly and as he entered his eyes lit up. A fantastic open area full of people. A stage set up with a DJ influencing the night, a large dance floor, VIP section above and a bar were the first things to come within his view.

After heading to the bar and getting two shots of whiskey Rellik would turn around and begin to move in the motion of the crowd. He was not here to mingle in the VIP section, he was here to dance among everyone!

Between the bustle and jolting of the crowd laid one of the heads of the galaxy's major powers. Legs and arms flailing into the night with everyone else. Perhaps at some point he would go view the celebrities or theatrical performances but for a moment he wanted to be lost in the waves of music and the Obsidian was the perfect place for him tonight.

 

[P O D]

---

| Outfit |
OPEN​

---

Pod's ship had pulled into Canto Bight's coastal port early this morning, barely meeting his deadline. He had a generous supply of death sticks to deliver, his contact was one of the leading casino sponsors in the city. A man from a wealthy Cantonica family, he had stocks in all the big name casino and resorts. Pod had dealt with him many times before, as this man, a chiss who Pod knew as Cliki'ok'ilo, had taken up the role of supplying his casinos with the highest end illicit drugs. He was dedicated to making the casino experience everything anyone could want, providing every possible sin at their disposal. It was a place that bred greed and false impressions of security, it was perfect for pushing some of the most addictive substances known to man. Not only did he hope his patrons left with a gambling addiction, but a death stick one as well. More reasons for them to keep coming back and spending all their well earned credits. It was a sound idea to Pod, he thought Cliki'ok'ilo was a very reasonable business man. But it really did not matter what Pod thought anyway, he was simpy the death stick dealer. What his clients did with the drugs after passing from his hands to theirs was something he knew better not to dwell on. It would also be worth mentioning that the payment Cliki'ok'ilo provided was high enough to make any respectable criminal drool and froth at the mouth... it was safe to say the Canto Bight drop offs were some of his favorite jobs to do. Not only was he intaking a hefty sum of credits, but Cliki'ok'ilo often requested that he stay a couple of nights in his resorts, lurking in casinos and getting his product out into the public before leaving. Pod would do the grunt work on the floor, talk his death sticks up and build the fan base. Upon leaving, the newly addicted attendees would turn to the casino to supply their high - willing to pay any price to get their fix.

Pod was pleased with this plan, as anyone would be. Getting to stay in Canto Blight for no charge, be a guest of honor at the casinos, dress like some adorned prince, and make an impressive income? Not too shabby for a week long commitment. He met up with Cliki'ok'ilo early that afternoon and exchanged his goods with ease. The two aliens spent the rest of the day catching up like old friends, sipping merenzane gold from crystaline glasses and lounging in Cliki'ok'ilo's luxurius penthouse. Pod even partook in some of the death sticks, buzzing like a happy little bee. By the time nighttime fell, both men were sufficiently inebriated. They parted ways when Cliki'ok'ilo was summoned for a dinner with his wife, but not before Cliki'ok'ilo wished him goodluck in his drug dealing endeavors and provided him with a room key for his extended stay. "Don't be a stranger" He would say, sending a playful wink Pod's way.

With that, Pod was onto his next job. He was escorted to The Obsidian Majesty, one of Cliki'ok'ilo's most lucrative casinos. The escorts told Pod that he would be provided with a private high roller room in case he needed to bring a client back for a drug deal. He liked the sound of that. Left alone now, he would wander the crowd, death stick clenched between tight lips like a calling card - an invitation to approach him. His pockets hung heavy with drugs and other substances a customer might request. He weaved in between pazaak tables and slot machines, eyeing the crowd. Trying to pin down who was feeling lucky tonight.

 

[Crane Baxa]

Tags: P O D​

---

The clacking of chips would be rather loud as some would chuckle around the table, the Chadra-Fan keeping an eye on his two cards. This was not a good hand, noting how the six and four were not what he wanted at this time. Losing was always inevitable but he started to notice how card playing had changed for Sabaac. There was only two instead of three cards now, a strange twist on the game that seemed to speed up the process of elimination. Not exactly beginner friendly but what isn't anymore in this Galaxy?

"Shift! Discard your hands! Haha!"

The Chadra-Fan would raise his brow as he saw the droid nearby extend out to take his cards, simply throwing them forward. That was...unusual? Skifters, the cards that change to get an unfair advantage was always discouraged but here? This strange anomaly of cards seemed to change the game...and a bit worse, he had none to use in this game. As each card was given back to him, he would slowly take each one as he was very glad to have a visor currently on and some bit of damaged eyes.

One and a Sylop...one of the best hands in this style of Sabaac. He had lost half of his chips already but this...this may even back out the odds though if he could find another Sylop, a much larger prize would become his own. Glancing around the table, he would gently place his cards facedown and throw a chip forward to bet another five grand, letting his right hand become a bit twitchy. Now came the hard part, acting as if he had a bluff but also needing to show he was going to soon become desperate. Then it came to him, he saw the person nearby...a dealer with a Death Stick in his mouth.

Perfect.

Slowly he would pick up one of his Nova Crystals, placing the cylinder rod in his own mouth as it looked to be the most expensive piece of candy in the Galaxy as it partly glowed on his face. That...that gets attention in the most unusual way when a Gambler is three feet tall, a bit glowing and looking nervous...like a tic. Trying to flag down the Human?, he would try to speak a bit as the game continued, some sensing weakness from the Chadra-Fan.

"You have any Root Rocks?"

It was a very old phrase, he was unsure if it even worked anymore. Root Rocks was the slang for Yarrock, a powerful spice substance that was kept in sealed moisture proof packets...they were not cheap at all but they were said to boost confidence in people, mainly used by the Iridonian Shamans to instill a battle sense and distill any fear. Looking at the person, he hoped for a yes but partly also no...given the price of them, he would slowly slip the Nova Crystal out of his mouth, spinning it gently in his left hand. With or without it...he had a plan now.

 

[Sars Sarad]

---

No doubt she would enjoy keeping him waiting, he read the playful smirk she'd offered him as it widened. It was interesting, more often than not there was no choice in the matter when it came to Sarad. He found whomever he sought, the challenge was issued and the duel commenced but not this time.

Everything Valery said was analyzed. Sarad was intuitive when it came to reading the body language of others regardless of sex, species, etc. This wasn't a trick that a mentalist might perform, it was merely reading the subtle cues of the body.

Cues that someone could be trained to override however Valery Noble appeared to either have no such training or no inclination to use it...

"...."

...he'd started to say something before he saw Valery stiffen, an intrusion perhaps or something she had become alert to. It was momentary and then her attention returned to him...

"Something the matter, Grand Master?"

...a simple query born of observation, Sarad was quick to let his gaze linger on Valery however looking beyond her he'd regard two others seated nearby. He could sense the force in at least one of them, probably both.

Leaving his drink on the bar Sarad continued watching Valery while also looking beyond her until his attention came to rest back on her almost entirely...

"Only a question, as you said yourself we can take a moment to enjoy the drinks and the company."

...his mind hung on other things she'd said too, like not being equipped for the fight that he'd hope for though he likewise suggested that...

"You might not be the Grand Master tonight however you are certainly looking for attention."

Mercy Sinara Thorne