[Open] Drinking with the Ravens

[Kyber Salurra]

Kyber had just parked his Speeder when he started having second thoughts. He'd never been to such a formal gathering before, and wearing a pair of blacked-out flash goggles with a suit indoors was probably going to look a bit weird. Although turning a few heads might be a good thing, he did come here after all to make contacts. If any drunken misbehaving occurred along the way that only seemed to be a plus.

Kyber walked in trying to look his best, a cocky white smile spread across his face and an aura that welcomed any and all. He didn't want to attract the attention of the whole party, however he did want to turn a few heads. Kyber made sure to glance around at the other party guests under the safety of his flash goggles, making sure not to turn his head as he walked straight in. Having people not be able to see where you're looking is definitely a plus, but the weird glances he recieved more than made up for it.

Kyber flagged down one of the waiters serving drinks and took one for himself before beginning to think of which of the many small groups that had formed to join. He took a sip of the drink before making a face of disgust and setting the drink on the nearest table. Kyber couldn't stand that fancy kriff, so he ended up deciding to walk towards the bar and get a better grasp on things, maybe scout out the entire casino with his eyes before deciding who he'd approach. As Kyber got to the bar he sighed "Just a beer for me, man. Start a tab."

Kyber looked around the casino as the Bartender went back to retrieve his beer. Kyber turned and looked to the crowd of people, scoping everybody out. Whenever he saw someone look back he'd give them a brief nod and a slight smile, unless it was a woman who caught his fance, then he'd smile wide and give her a half-bow. Kyber wasn't used to the whole "expressions" thing though, no one could see your expression under a helmet, so why bother? Although now Kyber had to actually put in some effort, so that's exactly what he did.

// [member="Jace Beleren"] // [member="Anastasia Rade"] // [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] // [member="Cambry Owens"] // [member="Sigourney Xanthius"] // [member="Seanna Vel"] // [member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] // [member="Jen"] //

 

[Jan VonFowl]

I laughed, and shook my head.

"I meant in general, Cryax. I know power attracts. I make real bank off my father's old business, and people know it. But that's not always the kind of thing girls seem to like. The ones who do like it are too old for me, anyway. You know what I mean. You're what, four years, maybe five, older than me?"

I looked over, and saw a girl who looked vaguely familiar, but my eyes passed over her. then I did a double take when I realized it was Jen. In a suit. It looked too big for her, but it was sort of fitting, in some odd way. I grinned, and waved at her, but though she was looking in my direction, there were probably still a million other things that would occupy her better than me.

Oh, well.

[member='Jen'] [member='Cryax Bane']

 

[Ak'lya]

As Simon's steps drew into the cantina, he couldn't help but cringe. It felt wrong not to have a pair of knives ready to be used. He was used to carrying a pair with him. It was something of a dependency of his. The harshness of his home meant he assumed he was in danger without one. But he didn't want to make waves here. He had been told that there may be a job here. Maybe. If he didn't cause too much trouble, that was. Problem was, he didn't have any money. All he could do was fight, and craft some. Still, perhaps he could be of some use here.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"You know just what a like! You should have hinted though, if I'd know you were going to give it to me tonight, I would have worn the sword dance outfit!"

Well this was a challenge. Not the innuendos, that was second nature. No, the challenge was making an entire unsheathed sword disappear in public in this outfit. It was funny though, a fancy sword on a fully grown man was a threat, a fancy sword on a barely dressed twi'lek was a prop. Oh how the world worked. She wasn't worried about the droids, it had already been proven they left Ravens alone, and since the organics had already had their look.. She simply resheathed it with a suggestive smile when they'd moved on. If they pressed the point she would laugh charmingly, ask if they really expected her to carry a sword around all night, and if she really had to, do the dance. It always came back to bloody dances. It was an art form, and she did enjoy it, she just didn't enjoy the idea of it. It was a complicated love/hate relationship.

Oo, I'm a tortured artist, how exciting!

For now she was content to snuggle in closer, if he wanted to put on a good show, that was just fine with her. Life was a stage and all that.

"I imagine it would be rather hard for you to be inconspicuos. Perhaps if you were about a foot shorter."

She didn't mention the hair. Firstly because she rather liked it, and secondly because although she knew it was different, it was still the closest most humanoids had to lekku, and the thought of having her's trimmed was horrifying.

"Surely you're hot enough to keep me warm?"

It was an evasive answer. She wasn't cold though. After you'd spent nights on Ryloths desert, a casino packed with people definitely did not compare. If anything she felt bad for all these folks in suit jackets. Luckily the price tag on this casino had clearly included top notch air conditioning.

[member="Darren Shaw"]

 

[Malachite the Shoki]

The Dragon Casino... The place where the Ravens roosted. I had to admit, I was awed by the display of money and underworld power. For this party, I'd cleaned up well, wearing a high-collared black suit under my ever-present golden jacket. Grinning, I stepped through the doors, into the main floor of the casino. I couldn't help but gape. This was, by far, the most beautiful building I'd ever been inside of. Amazing lights, great music, and lonely-looking ladies everywhere.

"Damn, I think I'm in love."


[member='Meili Shaw'] [member='Cryax Bane']

 

[Cryax Bane]

In the corner of his eye he noticed Jace leading Ana to the bar. Easy there tiger, he thought. If his Raven friend tried anything funny with her...well, who was he kidding. She was a Mando who could probably kick his ass. Adjusting his tie, he turned back towards VonFowl.

"I'm probably a few years older than you" He smiled. "But if you're looking for romantic advice, you're staring at the wrong Chiss."

He studied his drink. "I can't even remember the last time I..." He trailed off, slightly embarrassed to talk about his love life or lack of it. "And don't make the joke I think you're about to make!" He pointed a finger at VonFowl as he chuckled.

Cryax realized that thankfully his social anxiety had melted away like the ice in his Cognac. It had been ages since the uptight Chiss had some fun.

He leaned in conspiratorially, sweeping his red eyes around the casino floor, and asked VonFowl, "So with so many beautiful creatures all together in one room, who is it that you've really got your eye on tonight."

[member="Jan VonFowl"] [member="Malachite Avachei"]

 

[Darth Morgoth]

[member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"]

Melkor smiled and said"I represent a small faction known as the Nexus. After much deliveration we have decided that we would like request that you accept us to merge into your faction. "

 

[Jan VonFowl]

I rolled my eyes at Cryax, and glared jokingly.

"You really thought I was that immature? I'm hurt, wounded even."

I took a sip of my drink, and laughed.

"What exactly makes you think I'm looking at somebody? Maybe I'm here to play cards, or get into somewhere I'd normally never go, for free..."

My expression slipped, and I grimaced.

"You're right, though. I am looking at somebody. You have to guess, though. I can tell you were hoping Miss Rade would talk to you a bit longer. You're an open book, Cryax."

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member='Jen']

 

[Garza]

The young Twi'lek woman did very well. As the guards walked away, and the sword was slid back into the sheath, I reached inside the coat and took the sheath with the sword off of my belt. Tapping with my off hand to the bartender, a human who I thought was a very good man to trust since he always handed my drinks. I then gave him the sword, which was nicely placed under the counter where no one could get it. While a few may have seen it, I doubt anyone would go after it seeing as how others didn't have weapons, and if seen walking away with it, they would be caught by the guards just like I was.

"Yes, maybe if I was a foot shorter, however, I rather like my height. Gives me a better view."

I looked down at the woman winking to her as she returned with my pulling on her. Clearly she was a woman who loved to flaunt her body and her... assets around. I didn't mind it. not one bit. She had the ability to use her body for things that I could not. For that, I respected her. I chuckled as she pulled herself even closer to my chest. Speaking about how I would be hot enough for the both of us. Oh the enjoyment of puns and word use. I leaned down to her so I would not have to speak as loudly to her, as well to look like I was speaking in secrets.

"That depends darling, am I hot enough for you?"

Her question was evasive, as well as my own. Only it would depended if she wanted to answer me. With her attitude of being open, very open, and a seductive nature, I could guess one of two possible answers she had for me. One that I would enjoy immensely, and one that I would rather not hear. Despite this, I continued to talk,

"How is it my dearest, would a man like myself repay a woman with a stature much like yours?"

She had helped me keep the sword out of hands that were not allowed to touch. As well, I had "helped" more so allow her to evade the card game and a man that she would rather not talk to at the moment. Be it an old client that was not so great, an Ex-friend of some origin, or a person that she had met, that was not on her list of people she would like to see a the moment. With that in mind, and how she had come right up to me for her avoidance of this man, I suspected that I was either really close, or on this list of people.

Fingers crossed.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

"What red-blooded galactic male wouldn't be attracted to her? She's kriffing gorgeous. But..." he trailed off again. How could he explain his feelings towards Anastasia to VonFowl without detailing the very things she wanted to hide? Like her vulnerability. He ultimately wanted to be her friend first and foremost, someone she could trust in a galaxy of deceit. Not like those other wolves drooling over her.

He continued, "If I had a "type," it would definitely be an alien woman, or a Zeltron or, well, even another Chiss."

He squinted at the crowd. "Ok you're on. I'll venture a guess." He scanned his eyes around the room and pointed. "That curvaceous Twi-lek that's wearing next to nothing. The orange one. That's who's got your undies in a bunch isn't it, Tiger?" He laughed and clapped VonFowl playfully on the shoulder.

[member="Jan VonFowl"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

She played the rest of the hand and drank the rest of the champagne flute. [member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] had caught her eye, she'd managed to catch his, but he seemed to be inundated by a string of well-wishers and ring-kissers.

...be my friend, Godfather...on the day of your daughter's wedding...and may your first child be a masculine child...

No, she'd miscalculated. He'd have little if any time to return the gesture, at least not yet. Which meant [member="Marek Starchaser"] might well beat her to whatever indeterminate benchmark they were using as a finish line.

She hoped it wasn't sex. Nobody here looked halfway interesting yet.

 

[Avenix Wulfsorrow]

Sebastion had partied a little to heartily and was now, somehow, down one sleeve, a shoe, his belt, and 3 of the five fingers of his glove. He walked over to [member="Cryax Bane"] and [member="Jan VonFowl"], "You guys seem a little lonely, come on it's a party let's go dance or something." Sebastion then walked over to the dance floor and pulled out some sweet moves.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Marek, from his position at the bar, gave a grin over [member="Selka Ventus"]. It seemed that her plan didn't work. Draining his drink and nodding to the bartender, he pulled out more than enough credit for the two more drinks he ordered. Grabbing them both in one hand, and using his free hand to grab a handful of nuts from the bar, he was trying to not smoke here, he set off. As he strolled past his comrade in arms, he couldn't help but shoot her a wink as he made a beeline.

Waiting for an opening, he switched the glasses to two hands, and when he was able to, handed one off to [member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"], and should it work out, he'd extend a hand. "Such a nice place you've got here."

 

[Velok the Younger]

The next face through the door dressed like a slapdash fringe spacer, because she was. She also happened to be worth more than just about anyone in the joint, and walked like she knew it. Level gaze, though. None of this looking-down-the-nose crap. Before she'd made her money, she'd been a penniless tramp-freighter crewmate same as anyone.

There was still a certain joy to walking into a classy hive of scum and villainy, looking around, and knowing that she'd personally invented a non-negligible percentage of the gear on display. That enforcer over there had one of her Baas gunbelts, those two were wearing her terentatek trenchcoats, that lady at the nearest of something like four thousand slots was wearing a tikulini minidress-

Well, that was a little embarrassing, because so was Rave. Same dress, plus a pair of fingerless gloves that came to her elbows. She didn't often go for a skirt this short, but nothing said 'street cred' like a hard-edged prosthetic leg, and she meant to show it off. She'd left her knife and blaster at the door.

As she made her way through the casino, she happened to catch the eye of [member="Darren Shaw"].

 

[Jace Beleren]

Jace was still at the bar, but then he noticed that Sebastion took to the dance floor, so he too went to show off his moves, satisfied he took his seat once more.

Dance:

Spoiler

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRPoiTHMuzc[/media]

 

[Ket Van-Derveld]

And there, in the thick and thin of it all, sat an ancient and powerful Sith. Like a snake in the tall grass, he knew how to blend in to the point of just being another blip on the radar such as anyone else. You did not survive this long without such knowledge. Dressed in a simple grey suit, white dress shirt, and tie, he looked like a typical businessman out for a night around town after a long day at the office...

​

And so he sat there, at the bar, sipping his drink quietly. A murky brown liquid in a squat rocks glass, a few cubes of ice clinking together within it. A bit of influence upon the Force to keep his own presence within it to a pinpoint speck (if that). Yet, he kept his eyes and his senses open, reaching out and keeping tabs on anyone of interest, especially one Miss Merrill when she made her way into the casino. Good fortune at the Dragon indeed this night, it would seem...


[member="Rave Merrill"]

 

[Frederick King]

With both palms firmly placed upon the hilt of his cane, and a dull expression resting upon his face, King slowly looked over the metallic door in front of him from top to bottom numerous times, carefully examining the various screws, bolts, and hinges that kept the piece in place, and allowed the lift to operate properly. His eyes wandered slowly towards his left, and towards his right, staring past the thin glass walls that surrounded him on almost all sides in the narrow compartment. He quickly glanced at the illuminated streets below him, impossible to tell if the numerous small dots milling about were sentient beings or vehicles anymore. Raising his head slightly, he looked above him, at the nearby buildings in his range of view, extending upwards with no end in sight, as if they seemed to ascend past the stars themselves. His lips were cracked open ever so slightly, slowly and deliberately breathing through his mouth instead of his nostrils in an effort to keep his nerves in check, as the lift quickly approached the upper floor.

Slowly brought out of his revery by the muffled sound of music seeping into the cabin, alongside the various cheers and screams of ecstasy of the patrons above, King began to regain his sense. With his vision focused in front of him, and his mind snapping back into gear, he gently pushed himself away from the glass wall behind him and straightened his posture, patting down his black business suit in an effort to get rid of any wrinkles in his clothes. Taking another few steps forward, until his nose was a few inches away from the door, he could already feel a migraine overtaking him as the compartment opened and he took his first few steps within the establishment. The obnoxiously loud instrumental music, combined with the light show meant to induce an epileptic seizure would be the death of him tonight. It's been years since he participated in anything resembling this sort of event, and now he remembered why he stopped attending this sort of extravagant parties. But at the end of the day, he didn't had much of a choice in the matter this time around unfortunately. Squinting his eyes, he quickly looked for a relatively safe place to stay and admire his surroundings, one where he wouldn't risk having a drunkard bump into him and spill the contents of his breakfast onto his shirt. Spotting the bar, he quickly limped his way towards it, slowing down when near in order to find an empty seat.

"A shot of Gin." He shouted in the bartenders direction as he took his seat, quickly scrounging his pockets for the money needed to pay for the overpriced drink. Sliding the credits across the counter, his eyes rested on the young . . . boy, he assumed, next to him, an eyebrow raised as to how he managed to get into this casino in the first place all things considered.

[member="Jen"]
[member="Kyber Salurra"]

 

[Seanna Vel]

First things that happen was someone ordering a beer [member="Kyber Salurra"] turning around with her strong drink in her hand. "Kind of a plain drink to have, in a joint like this sweet pea.", as she looked on into the mess of the crowed. Finding herself enjoying the music even it it wasn't what she liked but it would do for the night. It was only after a bit that someone had caught her eye. It wasn't a male what good was those unless they had something of use to her.

Knowing just by what she read in the Who's Who among the rich and not so rich. Finding herelf over towards this was her moment would she be a fumbling fool like she seem to always be to her. After all who was she but a Kiffar rancher daughter that now had been voted to run the Agriuculre that she had been plans for. Now came the real deal as she want up to the miss. "mmmm Hi there nice place here ....right.. ", as she spoke [member="Rave Merrill"] wanting nothing more then to run and hide after. "Oh beat the java with a hutt.", then giving away to what could only be little bit of a shock after smoothing out her long red dress shaking her head a bit. Nope that not who I thought could be over to the young miss. also [member="Ket Van-Derveld"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

She did want to get to know the slicer that she hired to dig through all of her dirty laundry. It would have been nice to get to talk to him one on one but the night was young. Sia would make the point of doing so before the night was over. She for now was going to make some contacts.

"Sure, I could use a fresh drink." She smiled following along with him to the bar. Luckily for her she was quite good at holding her liquor so no matter how much she drank it was highly doubtful she would even get tipsy

Her mind was her own and he could probe the outside of her mind all he wished and would find nothing. She had always had a knack for hiding her emotions plus she was a witch after all.

"What brings you here tonight? What do you do?"


[member="Jace Beleren"]

 

[Jace Beleren]

As Jace continued to scan her mind, he found next to nothing. "I'm here to enjoy myself, I'm one of the combat members of the Red Ravens, I live in one of the rooms upstairs." As he said that, a grin started forming on his face, "By the way," he leaned in closer, "What are you, a jedi or a sith, because only one of the two would be able to hide virtually everything from my Mind Reading, even at it's weakest I can at least see some emotions, besides the one on their face." he leaned back and took a sip from his drink, looking curiously at her.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]