On the Prowl (Joza Perl)

[Khalan Vhett]

Jakku. Nothing like a nice cold drink to make you forget about the scum and villainy surrounding you. It's practically another Tatooine. Khalan was on the hunt for one of said pieces of scum. A short Rodian, goes by the name Nuubo. 10,000 creds dead, 100,000 creds alive. Khalan decided to not stay in the blistering sun to wait for this guy, and retreated into the nearest Cantina. He plopped both his buy'ce and a few credits onto the counter, tapping the Barkeep on the shoulder.

"Strongest drink you got, and make it snappy."

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Jakku wasn’t the most pleasant environment—who was she kidding, it downright sucked. Joza would rather be freezing her assets off on Hoth than spend another minute feeling sweaty and gross. She’d spent the majority of the day trekking through the desert, gathering information of the Church of the Force. She’d neglected the spiritual side of being a Jedi since she’d been Knighted, something she was desperately trying to right but failing. The more she was left to learn on her own, the less Jedi-like she became.

At least she’d stopped wearing those awful robes. And since she’d gone to Jakku unaccompanied, she felt alright wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top. Not wanting to attract any more attention, the single lightsaber hilt she’d brought along was stowed away in a utility bag she’d brought along. Likely no need to use it, but she felt safer with it near.

Breezing into the Cantina, she patted her face with a cloth for the umpteenth time, still able to feel the heat of the sun blazing across her skin. She headed for the counter in a brisk walk, calling out to the bartender before she’d gotten there. It seemed that someone else had already gotten him turned around. “Water, please. And then an ale. Cheapest you’ve got.” Hefting out a heavy sigh, the Zeltron would slide onto the nearest bar stool and promptly place her forehead on the cool counter. Damn sun.

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

A pretty Zeltron in a tank top and shorts walked up to the spot next to him, looking hot and sweaty. He couldn't blame her. Jakku is worse than Mustafar. The 'tender brought Khalan his drink before looking to the lovely lady next to him.

"Of course ma'am." The Barkeep looked to be a Miraluka, with a cloth wrapped around his eyes. He was blind, yet he moved bottles and other items around as if his sight was increased tenfold. He passed the Zeltron girl a water, with a glass of Corellian light ale.

Khalan took a sip of his drink before looking to the Zeltron. "Can't imagine you come here for the weather."

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

After gathering her bearings, Joza fished through her bag and placed the appropriate amount of credits onto the counter for her drinks. She gave the bartender an appreciative nod shortly before downing the glass of water in one go. Placing the now empty glass onto to the counter, she gasped reflexively from the act of drinking so quickly. Briefly, her eyes lingered on the bartender for a moment. She hadn’t seen many Miraluka before, but their natural force sight ability was always something of interest. She wouldn’t harass him about it, though.

A voice from her right broke Joza from her thoughts and she tilted her head, lips balanced along the glass of ale as it bubbled lightly. Taking a short sip first, she pulled the drink away to answer him, not having realized that she’d sat next to anyone in her haste. “Can’t imagine you would either.” She eyed his armor. “Must be roasting in that tin can.”

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

"Thanks to the cooling system, nice and cool in here... didn't want to make you jealous though" Khalan had a hint of teasing in his tone, a smirk stretching across his face. He took another sip, cringing a bit at the burning sensation in his throat. I asked for something strong... but damn.

"So what's a pretty face like yours doing in a cesspool like this?"

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

She snorted at the mention of his armor having a built in cooling system, absolutely jealous of it in this moment. She took a long sip of her ale, enjoying the chill of the drink before arching a brow at him. She chose to ignore the comment about her face and instead rested her elbow on the counter, chin balancing atop her closed fist.

“Checking around to see what I can find about this old cult. Supposedly was some sort of following here, but my search as turned up dry so far.” She shrugged, looking him over for a short second. “And yourself, tin man?”

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

Khalan took a final swig of his drink, clanking the glass on the table before responding. "I'm on a manhunt... and before you call me tin man again, the name is Khalan. Khalan Vhett(Fett)." He flashed the Zeltron a smile, wanting to know her own name.

"And you might be?"

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza blinked, the name Vhett resonating in her mind for a brief moment. Oh…well then. Clearing her throat, she offered her own name.

“Joza Perl.” She took another sip, this one longer and more drawn out until she’d drained half of her mug. “Khalan…I still prefer tin man.” She brushed a tuft of hair from her face, smoothing it back. Though she’d tied her hair back for this expedition, it still managed to become unruly as always even in a bun. “Manhunt, huh? How’s that going?” She figured that he still must be looking, no way someone would stay in a place like this unless they had business. Then again, she could always be wrong.

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

Khalan shook his head chuckling at her words. "Oh it's goin' greeeat." He plopped down a few more credits, tapping on the barkeep again. "Get me and the lady here a refill"

The keep nodded, rushing around behind the counter to fix them their drinks.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza watched as he ordered another drink for them both, chin balanced in her hand. “You don’t need to do that,” She commented smoothly with a shrug of her shoulders. “But thank you.”

“Your mark must have a big price on their head if you’re willing to come all the way out here.” She flashed him a mild, toothy grin before retreating to her glass of ale. “That, or you’re running low on credits.”

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

Khalan winked as she thanked him, taking a sip from his new glass. "Anytime." He zoned out before she spoke again. "Well, he is worth 100,000 credits... and I do spend alot drinking... so pretty much both. Which reminds me... I have a proposition for you."

He flashed her a smug look before taking another sip. "You help me catch this son of a gundark, and I'll split the reward with you. 50/50."

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

A spark of curiosity flickered in her eyes at the mention of a proposition and she let her elbow slide further along the counter, listening to him speak.

Both brows arched towards her hairline and she gave him a sarcastic look for a few moments before realizing that he may have been serious. “Really,” She took another drink, this time quicker and less paced than her previous sips. “And…how do you think that I can help?” She gave him a challenging look.

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

"Well... I'm looking for a Rodian. Has a greenish blue color, but the blue is more potent. He's a short fellow, goes by the name Nuubo. If you see someone like that, either bring him to the ground, or just do your space wizard magic..."

He pointed to her open bag, where the saber inside shone from the lights. "What do you say?"

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza’s relaxed demeanor faded for a moment at the mention of “space wizard.” Jedi didn’t often refer to themselves as such, and those who used the term typically did it ironically or in a mocking manner. As the young Zeltron had come to discover, there were plenty of people who were not fans of trained force users. And frankly, she couldn’t blame them.

Actually, she kind of preferred space wizard. Sounded less righteous than Jedi.

“Huh,” She tilted her head to the open bag, obvious saber hilt glinting off of the even dim lighting of the Cantina. Joza eyed him carefully for a few moments before rolling her shoulders. “Alright. Just don’t take me out into the desert and try to shoot me.That would make for a terrible first date.” There was a tinge of a sing-song warning to her voice as she tucked in to her drink, draining about a quarter of it.

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

Khalan chuckled at her words, downing the last of his drink in one swift gulp. "Date huh? Maybe that can be arranged." He chuckled for a moment, but stopped when a glint of blue-green passed his eye.

Blue green...

Khalan snapped his fingers to get Joza's attention, nodding to the Rodian behind him.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza rolled her eyes but made no further comment, or perhaps she was forming one in her mind. Going back to her drink, she sent her new companion a sharp glare as he snapped his fingers for her. Not the idea way to get a woman’s attention, and she was considering going back on their agreement until her gaze followed the tilt of his head.

Oh. Well, that was lucky. Tilting her body so that she was closer to Khalan, she relaxed her postured and leaned against the counter, a near-dreamy smile coming to her lips as she lowered her voice to him. The Zeltron had to appear as natural as possible, thus choosing to pretend to appear being charmed by the bounty hunter.


“So how do you wanna do this? Should I lure him somewhere with my…” She paused for a moment as if to think, before adjusting her chest subtly, plumping it as if to look fuller. “…assets?” A brow arched at her offer, though her tone was all business.

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

A large smirk formed on Khalan's face before he spoke. "Well... it already seems to be working on me. Go ahead. It could work. Give me a signal and I'll take care of him."

He tapped on the holster of his pistol to show that he had this.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

“Careful now. Don’t want me going all space wizard on you.” She gave him a mild smirk, tucking a piece of hair behind her ears. With a second thought and a glance back towards her target, she reached up to work her hair from the tight bun she’d placed it in. Even though she was a sweaty mess, she could try to look a little more put together for what she was about to try to do.

Satisfied after running her fingers though her hair several times and adjusting it in the reflection of his armor, she slid from her seat and meandered over towards the Rodian. For a brief moment she was reminded that she’d faced a Sith of his kind during her first real bout of combat—the one who’d given her the burn mark on her cheek, But she shook that from her mind and focused on doing what Zeltrons did best.

“Um…hi,” She attempted to stifle a fake girlish giggle, hiding her mouth behind the back of her hand as she approached the booth Nuubo was at. “Do you mind if I sit with you?” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and away from her blushing face. Carefully, leaned forward to give the man a more than generous peak at her bosom.

[member="Khalan Vhett"]

 

[Khalan Vhett]

The Rodian glared at her with a devilish smile. "Of course of course... always a pleasure to speak to such a beautiful wo-" Nuubo was too distracted by Joza's chest to notice an armored fist flying toward his face as it made contact with his skull, knocking him to the ground.

Khalan glared at the unconscious crumpled mass as he cuffed him, making sure he was still breathing. Turns out he was, so that 100,000 credits was his... or at least 50,000. "Thank you for the assist, miss Perl."

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza leaned back to put a bit of space between her and the incoming fist, giggling girlish demeanor dropping instantly as her eyes flared. She hadn’t expected something to happen so soon, but then again she was kind of grateful for the quick takedown. As much Zeltron as she was, she found that attempting to be any sort of seductress was more awkward and annoying than gratifying. Thankfully all that it took was for her to flash some skin.

“No problem.” She shrugged, putting her hair back up and tugging the line of her top up further to cover her cleavage. “Did you have to hit him that hard though?”

[member="Khalan Vhett"]