Necessary Evil (Part One = Iego)

[Kay-Larr]

Bits of shattered mirror lay strewn on the floor. Kay stood nearby, her breathing coming in quick gasps.

"Temper, temper, Kay-Kay." Lord Mayhem sat cross-legged on the side table of her room. He wasn't really there, only in her mind. Yet to her he was as real as anything; an old adversary that came to both help and haunt her for his own amusement.

"I came here to escape politics, Mayhem. I created this shop to escape it forever....but it's found me." Minutes prior to this outburst, Kay had recieved a message from the Head of Internal Affairs for the government of Altiria. Knowing that she had made a business trip to their rival continent of Anarris recently, the official now demanded her help in damaging the government of their rival. And all through her tea shop, using that as a cover so that they wouldn't be blamed.

"You shouldn't be so surprised. Now then." He clapped his hand once and got to his feet, leaping down so that he was directly in front of her, his white Arkanian eyes staring directly into her own. "You can either cower and hide like usual OR...use this as an opportunity, an opportunity to free yourself from those that harm you." He paused for a moment, moreso for the dramatic effect than anything else. "What'll it be Kay-Kay?"

She raised an eyebrow. If [member="Veiere Arenais"] didn't approve of her business now, she had a feeling that he was going to approve of Mayhem's idea even less. But...if it could help her against her enemies...maybe it could help against politics too. "Okay. What's your idea?"


************************************


Days later Kay had finished her research on the planet Iego and more importantly what she needed to find there. However a couple of problems had presented itself. The first was that Iego was bordering Sith Empire space. The second was that she was without a ship.

She sipped her Sapir tea as she studied the Galaxy map. With the Sith Empire focusing on their northern borders and soreading their forces up there, Iego would be virtually safe, given that it was so far south. Still, she needed to assume the identity of her alias, Cessy. Not only that but she needed to change her appearance as well so that she wouldn't be recognized.

And now for the ship. Kay had sent out an advertisement on the holonet, requesting a ship for transport and smuggling of some of her most precious ingredients. They were to meet here on Altiria at the Sphaera Tea Shoppe (sub's in my sig). Now whether anyone would show was anyone's guess. Only time would tell.

If not, then she would find another way.


[member="Jayce Pryde"] [member="Jason Kalar"]

 

[Jayce Pryde]

"I swear to Naga Sadow if you break my ship I'll turn you into a fur coat Lorki" Jayce spoke into his communicator as wandered the streets of Altiria in search of a tea shop. He never thought he'd be searching for a tea shop when he became a Sith... But everyday holds a new adventure they say.

Seconds later came a reply in his ear... It was Lorki his Ewok companion and second in command of the Black Star. Jayce had left the Ewok and the ship on a nearby landing pad before venturing off into the cityscape. The reply was not very pleasent and several swears and a few threats of disembowelment rang in his ear causeing Jayce to chuckle a bit.... Just keep the ship safe and ready for departure you furry little beast... I'll be back soon





[member="Kay Arenais"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

The tea shoppe stood at the outskirts of the city, nestled at the edge of the trees. Flames lit the way, beckining the weary traveller, or in this case a profiting one like [member="Jayce Pryde"] .

Kay was found sweeping of all things, moving some of the larger pebbles from the walkway. Her hair was drawn up in a messy ponytail and not surprisingly, she wore an apron over her pants and shirt.

"Why must you do things the hard way, Kay-Kay?" Mayhem sat up in the branch of a tree, watching the scene down below with utter distaste.

"This isn't hard work, you know. And it's exercise."

"You need to exercise other skills."

Kay stopped sweeping with a huff and wiped her brow, looking up in the trees where only she could see him. "I know. And I'll do that. Just...not out in the open. I'll save it for Iego."

[member="Jason Kalar"]

 

[Jayce Pryde]

Purposeful strides carried Jayce to the outskirts of town, And right where a local merchant hed stopped and spoke to had said there it was. Set in the edge of the trees he spotted the shop in question.

The dimly lit path leading to the shop was quite quaint in his opinion... Almost cute, He thought as dirt and liggt brush crunched beneath his rancor leather boots. His deep purple hued optics currently locked onto the woman who stood sweeping... And talking to herself it would seem.

He took this a sign to be cautious so he stopped at least ten yards from her with an almost innocent look crossing his near boyish features, Lips splitting around his soft spoken tone.... " 'Lo there Ma'am... Names Jayce.... I'm responding to an ad on the holonet for a pilot"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Mayhem just rolled his eyes in response to Kay. However it was hard to tell, given that he had no pupils or iris to distinguish them from the rest of his eyes, however she was familiar with the motion enough to know what he was doing.

And that was when [member="Jayce Pryde"] 's voice was heard. It was soft, so it wasn't as though the sound had startled her. Kay turned from the tree and stood the broom up on it's end as she stopped sweeping. She smiled, somewhat in relief as one problem in her plan seemed to appear to be solved. For the moment, anyways. "Ah! Wonderful! You've come to the right place. Would you care for some tea while we go over details? Or would you prefer to just talk out here?" It wasn't as though Kay was going to give away EVERYTHING just yet. Especially out in the open. No, no, she planned on saving certain parts of her plan until later in their journey.

 

[Jayce Pryde]

[member="Kay Arenais"]


Well I do like a good cup of tea.... But I mist at the very least introduce myself before just settling into business and the like. His tone was both respectful as well as to the point as he stepped forward and extended a gloved right hand to the woman before him.

Names Jayce Pryde, And you are? His asking was seemingly pointless at this point seeing as hed already backtraced the holonet ID attached to the ad back, Albiet through several proxy servers and the like, Back to the woman who stood before him now..... Funny, He never figured shed be the type to be going on clandestine excursions.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay's eyebrows raised as [member="Jayce Pryde"] thought it best to introduce himself before they went for tea. Perhaps he had a big ego and was hoping that she'd know of him. But his name didn't ring any bells for her.

She wiped one of her hands on her apron to clean it from any dust before placing it in Jayce's awaiting hand and gave it a firm shake while her gaze met his. "I'm Kay...Arenais." There was hesitation as she spoke her last name, moreso in the fact that she had decided to give it out. Yet she presumed that her name wouldn't ring any bells for him either.

"What kind of tea would you like? I have many kinds."

 

[Jayce Pryde]

He'd give her hand a shake in return before pulling his back with a courteous smile. With a step back he would gaze around taking in the area around them... It was a nice place.

What would you suggest? Came his response... Having only actually had tea once and usually sticking to harder beverages.


[member="Kay Arenais"]

 

[Lorki]

Onboard the Black Star, Which now sat docked on Lego, Lorki meandered about aimlessly in a pair of simple black Cargo shorts and a whimsically funny T Shirt . He was bored out of his mind.... He wanted to be hunting or fishing not waiting on a smelly ship waiting for some lady. He made a mental note to punch Jayce in the berry patch bext time he saw him...

For now he was gonna go have some fun. So after grabbing his tiny bomber jacket, a giant mythosaur skull emblazoned on the back, and quickly tucking a blaster into his holster... He quickly set the ships security systems and exited as the ramp closed behind him...

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay tilted her head to the side a bit. "Well I do have some teas that have some really fun side effects, but I think that a Stim tea would do better. It helps one have great focus. Pilots have been drinking it for centuries. Follow me, please."

Kay picked up her broom, turned on her heel and led [member="Jayce Pryde"] inside the tea shoppe. It was much darker inside thabn out, due to a lack of windows, but after a moment her eyes adjusted to it. Candles and a fireplace helped to light the cozy atmosphere that really seemed as though it was from another time.

She set the broom aside once she had gotten around the counter and then started preparing Jayce's tea. "Have you ever been to Iego?"

[member="Lorki"]

 

[Jayce Pryde]

[member="Kay Arenais"]

Jayce had been to Lego on several occasions, Its where he procured most of the spice he'd use over the years....But he wasn't going to tell a potential client this.

I have not, Which is a shame cause its a beautiful planet He stated as he followed her inside the quaint little tea shop. I'll have to revisit one day and go see these Basaltic spires ive heard about

After allowing his cybernetic optical implants to adjust to the dim light Jayce answered her about that tea. Oh that sounds lovely

 

[Lorki]

[member="Kay Arenais"]

The marketplace roared with the hustle and bustle of its denizens as Lorki made his way throigh the streets. The many aromas nearly assaulting his heightened sense of smell.... But then he smelled it. At this point his nose may as well have grown feet cause it was what now guided the furry little fella now. His large black eyes finally locked onto what his nose so excitedly sought after... A street side deli bristling with juicy chunks of meet on various racks and skewers.... It was even hanging from the ceiling.

His padded feet quietly yet quickly carried the young Ewok over to the counter, where he had to jump up and down several times before he was noticed by a shopkeep..... Lorki pointed at a large chunk of what looked like bantha meat and nearly threw several credit slips at the shopkeep.

Now chewing on his prize the tiny fella walked back out to the street and continued on his excursion....

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded as she prepared the stim tea. Water was already boiled, so there was no need to wait for that. Instead she just plopped the tea bag into a cup and poured the water in. She listened as [member="Jayce Pryde"] spoke of Iego and how he hasn't visited yet.

"Well I plan on going to the jungles in the equator. There's a rare plant that grows there that I'd like to harvest the roots. As far as I'm aware, the Sith Empire have yet to steal all the resources, so there should be some left."

She brought him his tea and invited him to sit at a table while Kay herself took a seat. "The jungles are dangerous. How are you at close combat situations?"

[member="Lorki"]

 

[Jayce Pryde]

[member="Kay Arenais"]

He listened closely as she laid out the plan, Absentmindedly stirring his tea as he did. A visible cringe came over him as she mentioned the Sith Empire.... His hatred of other Sith flushing over him.

He must admit he found her "close Combat" question to be a bit funny, even illiciting a soft chuckle from him as he reached his gloved right hand behind him and pulled out the hilt of his lightsaber which he set on the table before him..... Yeah. I think I might be able to handle my own in a fight

 

[Kay-Larr]

Well at least Kay wasn't the only one in the room to have a hatred for the Sith. [member="Jayce Pryde"] appeared to do so as well. That was a good thing.

She looked down at the lightsaber that he produced and then leaned back in her chair, becoming visibly more relaxed. In fact, she was almost relieved. "Good. Though I don't anticipate any Sith in the area. Our adversary will be the plant that we are looking for. They are highly aggressive and carniverous. Killing them might not be so easy. Especially as we don't want them destroyed, lest their roots become useless. Understand?" It was easy to underestimate a plant. The rooksa plant had quite the appetite for those types of fools.

 

[Jayce Pryde]

[member="Kay Arenais"]

He delicatley lifted his teacup the his thin lips and took a short sip to test the heat before taking a slightly larger drink and resting it back onto the saucer. He had to admit it was very tasty... Not that he knew much about tea in the first place.

Having set his cup back down hed grab his sabers hilt and quickly clip it back onto the back of his belt as he pondered for a moment..... So basically this plant eats people... Yet we can't kill it without ruining it? How are we to harvest it?

 

[Kay-Larr]

She shook her head a little. "We can kill it. But we just have to be careful about how we do it. No blowing it up or setting it on fire. And from what I've read, they can communicate with the other rooksa plants. So if one's threatened, they'll all know."

She gestured to the lightsaber that [member="Jayce Pryde"] clipped behind his back. "Your lightsaber will help. I'll bring one as well. Daggers will come in handy too in case either one of us is disarmed." Kay leaned forward then. "The roots are what we want. I'd like us to get as many as we can. No harming them with lightsabers either. They'll need to be cut by a proper knife." Just how much of the root Kay needed, she wasn't sure. But more was always better than less.

"How soon can we leave?"

 

[Jayce Pryde]

So we plan to hunt and harvest a semi sentient plant? But we have to be delicate about it.... I can do delicate slaughter I think. He stated in a matter of fact tone as he took the final sip of his tea.

His ship was only a mile or two away from them and ready to leave at a moments notice.... So long as Lorki had actually followed his orders. Well Kay, we can leave as soon as you're ready to leave.... Its a small trek back to the port where my ship is docked.



[member="Kay Arenais"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded, grateful that [member="Jayce Pryde"] seems confident enough for the job. "Let's just hopethat the plants can't walk..." Wouldn't that be a sight?

Again she nodded with a smile as there didn't seem to be any need to wait a week or even a day. "Wonderful. Give me an hour to get everything packed." She got to her feet. "Oh and one more thing; I'll be using an alias on this journey and hiding my appearance with make-up. I don't want my enemies to get a hint of what we're up to andwe'll be so very close to their borders. So for this journey, please call me Cessy." She also didn't want [member="Veiere Arenais"] to find out. He wouldn't like what she was up to.

Kay left the table and headed out to the back. "Oh [member="Doyle"] , I'm heading out on a business trip. Please mind the store with Eva while I'm gone. And don't forget..." The rest of what she had said wasn't heard as she had disappeared in the back of the shoppe to head upstairs to her bedroom to get ready.

 

[Jayce Pryde]

[member="Kay Arenais"]

Let's hope not Cessy He replied with a chuckle as she disappeared of into the back of the store.

Jayce on the other hand decided to take the time waiting to meditate. A soft stretch as he stood pulled a satisfied groan from him before he turned and made his way outside. Once outside he found a nice little spot beneath a nearby tree and flopped down under it with his eyes closed and his mind clearing of the days thoughts......