Someone to protect me

[Waverly Dane]

Waverly was lonely, and being lonely meant being sad. When she was sad, it usually meant that she went out drinking. This was a dangerous road, depending upon how intoxicated she became, and the reactions of those around her. She was supposed to be meeting her new bodyguard [member="Draco Vereen"] at her condo, but she’d felt like going out at the last minute. Waverly had left a note on her door for him with the address of the cantina she was on her way to, probably not the smartest move she’d ever made.

She’d only been on Coruscant for a short time, having spent most of that time locked away in her condo, getting settled. It was time to venture out, to really see what this place was like. Growing up in a sheltered environment meant that she was not aware of the sort of people that frequented cantinas… it just sounded like a fun place to be.

Her dark eyes grew wide with excitement as she entered the cantina, dim light, music, people, drinks… it was all there. She’d chosen to wear a slim black dress, shiny heels, and of course a full set of jewelry. It was clear that the sparkling stones that bedazzled her neck were already the object of some stares but she didn’t mind the extra attention. Waverly slid onto a barstool and eagerly ordered a drink, looking around at the other patrons. The crowd was very different than what she was used to, you could say the people here were a bit rough around the edges.

It wasn’t long before she’d downed the first drink and moved on to the second. It was known to most back home that she was a lightweight when it came to booze, but no one was here to impose limits upon her now. She sat and waited, looking towards the entrance occasionally. Of course, she had no idea what Draco looked like, so she was hoping he would come looking for her.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I approached the Cantina where I was supposed to find my new charge. Protection details weren't entirely new to me, but I hadn't ever been hired to protect some rich girl for her parents. I wasn't completely sure about you would be signing my paychecks, but money wasn't the biggest issue I would run into. I didn't know the woman, or how involved her social life was, or for that matter how cooperative she would be. Coruscant was a dangerous place, and given my other loyalties my first order of business would be to attempt to move the woman into Republic space, or barring that, Neutral Space.

I came upon the Cantina she had decided to meet me, already noticing this wasn't exactly a safe place, but then again I didn't really know here or who would want to harm her in the first place. I wore my armor, recently cleaned and repainted, and carried my pistols at my side. When you first met a client, you needed to impress, and while carrying the rifle did cross my mind, I ended up deciding that much would be unnecessary. I entered the room and searched for her with my helmet, calmly standing in a corner waiting to find her in the small crowd. Then I spotted her at the bar, drinking covered in jewels.

She was a pretty young thing, and was hard to miss given her attire and accessories. I walked up to her, "Miss Dane, I'm Draco Vereen." I said quietly so as not to draw anymore attention to ourselves.

[member="Waverly Dane"]

 

[Waverly Dane]

Waverly turned as a man approached her, dressed in shiny armor, she liked shiny things. A bright smile grew on her face as he introduced himself. Her eyes shifted up and down, as she gave him a once over. He was tall, muscular underneath the set of armor (she imagined), and armed with pistols. She nodded, as if marking items off an imaginary checklist.

“You call me Waverly!” She announced, rather loudly, foiling any attempt Draco had made at being discreet. “So nice to meet you!”

She slid off the barstool rather clumsily, but grabbed hold of Draco for support. Luckily for her he stood like an unmovable pillar. The drink in her hand would have spilt, but alas, the glass was already empty. Waverly made a half-hearted attempt to motion to the bartender that she’d like another drink before she made her way, a bit unsteadily towards a booth in a dark corner. She looked back at Draco, with a smile that said ‘follow me’

“So…” She started as she took a seat. “Tell me about yourself, I want to get to know you.”

[member="Draco Vereen"]

(ooc: I made this thread public, more fun that way)

 

[Laira Darkhold]

She stumbled almost immediately. I wasn't sure how long she had been here, but it seemed like she had reached her limit and when she turned away from the bar tender I gave him the kill sign, waving him off from bringing her a third drink. I helped her to a booth, and checked the exits, setting my helmets internal systems to scan the room while I dealt with the more immediate matter of taking care of [member="Waverly Dane"] . I noticed by exit route, a back door only a few meters away with no one of note blocking us from it, however in her current condition, I doubt she would be able to run very well.

"Well Waverly , I am a soldier and Mercenary, and your parents hired me to look after you while you are out here away from them. I own a business out on the Outer Rim, and I have experience working for the Eraidu Planetary Defense Force, where I served as a Critical Skills Operator for two years. But I would prefer to get to know about you, in the safety of your apartment. How about we head back there for now?" I asked the young woman. I didn't know her very well and didn't know if she had any enemies yet. I wasn't well known in the galaxy and hadn't made a name for myself as of yet, but I didn't really know if her family had any long standing rivalries or not.

 

[Waverly Dane]

She leaned forward to listen as Draco spoke, though she was having trouble focusing. Waverly nodded along, taking in his background as best she could. When he mentioned that he wanted to go back to her apartment to talk, she frowned. It seemed that he was just like her parents, wanting to keep her locked away from everyone. The idea of going back home now just made her feel worse; it also made her wonder if the bartender had forgotten about her.

Waverly crossed her arms and slid down in her seat just a bit. Her dark eyes were scanning the surroundings, looking for any reason to stay. She had planned on using the excuse that she wanted to go dance, but the dance floor was woefully unoccupied at the moment.

“Just a little bit longer… please?” she pleaded, batting her eyes at him for good measure. “I’ll be good, promise.” She made a motion like she was crossing her heart with her index finger.

Little did he know, Draco was crossing into dangerous territory. Denying Waverly what she wanted was the fastest way to a rather embarrassing scene.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Her plea didn't fall on deaf ears, I was a sucker for a pretty girl. Besides the cantina wasn't the worst place on the planet, and while I would prefer to have met and spoken like this in the privacy of her apartment. "I guess we could stay for a short while longer." I told her, waving a waitress over, "One cup of caf, one bottle of water, sealed." I told the waitress handing her the appropriate amount of credits, turning back to Waverly, who was already heavily intoxicated, "Have a water before you have another drink to calm your stomach and keep you from being dehydrated, will ya?" I asked her as the the waitress walked away. "Why don't you tell me about yourself in the mean time."

[member="Waverly Dane"]

 

[Waverly Dane]

She clasped her hands together and smiled when Draco agreed to stay out a little longer. Sure, he looked like a tough guy, but she figured she’d have him wrapped around her finger in no time. Waverly looked up to the waitress as she approached, but Draco beat her to the punch.

“Ok, it’s a deal.” She said and accepted the bottle of water reluctantly.

Waverly took a deep breath and brushed some of her long dark hair off her shoulders as she considered what to say about herself. In her opinion there wasn’t much to tell. She tapped her index finger against her chin a few times as she thought; it was all still pretty fuzzy.

“Mmm… well, I grew up on Dargul. I didn’t get to leave the family’s estate very much. I have a younger brother, he’s the heir to all… and I’m just the afterthought. My parents want me to find a wealthy man and get married within the year.”

She pouted, looking down at the table for a moment. Waverly rubbed her forehead for a moment, trying to concentrate on providing Draco with any information that could be helpful.

“Oh, and 3 different guys have tried to kidnap me in the last 2 years… but it didn’t work out for them! And they are always after my jewels, but it doesn't matter... I can just buy more." she said with a laugh, like she’d just told a very funny joke.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[The Red of Sinner]

[member="Waverly Dane"] [member="Draco Vereen"]

By now, a man in full armor would walk in, unaware of the people inside this place they called a cantina, More like a piss pot, McNeal would think. His boots clanked on the floor, but he wasn't trying to draw attention, he just needed something strong to get rid of the day's troubles. Twin Repeaters rested on his hips, hidden by a small cloak wrapped around his waist. His helmet held a HUD that could give him info on nearby contracts, and the such, nothing fancy, or complex. Removing it, his face showed dirt, and a thick five-o-clock shadow. Blue eyes scanned the area, and lips showed thirst. As the bar tender came up to him, he was asked "What can I get you sir?".

McNeal thought for a moment, and said back, "Something that will knock me on my ass.". A few seconds later, something very dark, pungent in smell, and somewhat thick was poured into a glass for him. "Paying now, or shall I open a tab?" McNeal having no currency at the moment, had already planned to open a tab, and then leave without paying. "Tab." He tapped the bar with a audible knock with his knuckles. Sipping it down, it was nasty, and harsh in taste. His nose wrinkled some, and his nose burned along with his eyes. It tasted like radiated hell in a cup.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Three kidnapping attempts was well over the average from my understanding. Either this girl hung out in the wrong side of town too often or spent too much time with the wrong type of people. I looked at smiling inside my helmet, hoping my body language was pleasant enough for her, "I'm sorry you feel that way about your family. Understand that you are not an after thought for me." I said hoping to alleviate her pout.

I took notice of the new man in the cantina. He looked a little dangerous in general but based on his demeanor and his general lack of interest in us I doubt he posed any real threat to her, much less me. Most people didn't pick fights with fully armored warriors. [member="McNeal"] [member="Waverly Dane"]

 

[Farlon Orbit]

The desolated ruins of the long forgotten ruins of the clone barracks of the Old Republic. He had lived here once, mostly as a staging area between missions, it had always seemed they would never end. A thought came to his mind 'Well it's ended, but what's next?' a question asked by many lost ones. He snapped out of it within a few minutes, securing his helmet on his head and drawing a hood over it.

Orbit left the nostalgic ruins, back into the real world. The hustling and bustling crowds of Coruscant eventually dropped him into a less than best cantina. It's patrons weren't the worst bar flies he could run across so he decided to stay for a drink. But before he let his guard down he checked the room for any threats, only two caught his eye both in armor. One was already drinking 'till he's down and the other was bogged down with a very intoxicated woman. Quietly he sat down and ordered dropping the hood but leaving the helmet on, just in case

@Mcneal @Waverly Dane [member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Waverly Dane]

Waverly smiled when she heard Draco’s kind words. She took a few sips of water and looked down towards the table, aimlessly tracing her finger along the surface. Maybe he really meant it, or maybe he was just saying that to make her feel better.

“You’re just saying that because you’re getting paid to.” She said, half joking. “but thanks just the same.”

She looked around the cantina and noticed a couple of new people had arrived. Though, things still seemed pretty tame, until the live band started playing that is. Waverly figured that she’d spent enough time being gloomy and she stood up quickly.

“I’m gonna go dance now!” Waverly exclaimed. “You can come too, or you can just enjoy the view.” She winked playfully.

Waverly made her way towards the dance floor, where the colored lights were swirling about in a delightful and slightly disorienting manner. She moved along with the music, swinging her head back and forth. She was having more fun than she’d had in a while; her carefree side was starting to take over again. Though, she was just a tiniest bit dizzy.

[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Farlon Orbit"] [member="McNeal"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Well, I hadn't been paid yet, I thought to myself. I guess I was kind hearted despite my rough exterior. I'll have to hit someone soon to make up for being nice to Waverly. She was a nice girl, and didn't seem to be much trouble in and of herself. Mainly it would be other people that were the problem. She was pretty too, so that might be a bit of an issue, but at least the view would be nice until then. Whenever she decided she was finished with tonight, I would talk to her about more serious issues, like basic guidelines, and policy, but for the first night it couldn't hurt to let her have a little fun. Besides, I was practically a walking tank, and even with the two new arrivals, they didn't look like the type of characters I would be worried about.

"I guess I'll enjoy the view." I told her as she skipped off to the dance floor. I moved to a seat at the bar, closer to the dance floor and with good views of the two exits of the cantina. I felt a little bad that her parents whole goal was to marry her off to a rich kid in the next year or so, but maybe by the end of the year she wouldn't mind that idea, or they would change their minds. I sat at the bar, facing away from it, keeping an eye on her as she danced, I guess that's what the kids call dancing these days.

[member="Waverly Dane"] [member="Farlon Orbit"] [member="McNeal"]

 

[The Red of Sinner]

The merc finished his second cup by now, feeling something like being in zero g. He shook his head, and turned to look at the crowd, then the man, then refocused on his third cup. What the hell did they put in these?. Suddenly a band started playing, and the noise made his head throb like crazy. The woman was now up, and moving to the crowd to dance, his head turned to this direction, watched the dancing then looked back at the man she had been with. "You're ol' lady?" He asked as he jerked his head towards the woman. He ordered two more, and brought them over to the guy sitting one down in front of him, and sitting in a chair next to him. He had also taken his helmet and clipped it to his belt. His weapons showing only for a few seconds as he moved. @Wavely Dane [member="Farlon Orbit"] [member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Waverly Dane]

Waverly was laughing and having a great time on the dance floor, but one wrong step resulted in a twisted ankle. She held her foot up off the floor and hopped in place a couple of times. Reluctantly she limped her way through the crowd on the dance floor and made her way over to the bar. Her heels were starting to feel like a bit of a hindrance, so she removed them and walked along barefoot. She spotted Draco at the bar, and noticed that one of the cantina patrons had joined him.

“Hi.” She said as she came to lean against the bar. “Ew, what’s this?” She asked, pointing to the man’s drinks. It didn’t look all that appealing.

Feeling a bit dizzy and warm from dancing she fanned herself with her hand, trying to cool down.

[member="McNeal"] [member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I looked at the man slightly, "Not exactly" I said to him, summing up the situation as best as he needed to know. He offered me a drink and I waved it off. I wasn't drinking tonight, not right now. Maybe after a little while I thought to myself. I looked up from the foul liquid and found Waverly on the dance floor having a good time, what seemed like the a child opening presents. When she twisted her ankle I stood up quickly, but it didn't take long to realize she wasn't seriously injured. She hobbled over to the bar and I remained standing, pulling the stool around behind her so she could sit if she wanted to. "Take a seat, Waverly. You need to get off that ankle for a minute." I told her calmly, mildly concerned.

I chuckled a little when she scowled at the man's choice of drink, but didn't bother telling her what it was. "I think we should head back to your apartment and put ice on your ankle." I suggested. I made sure to phrase it as a suggestion, since after all she was the boss and as long as she wasn't in serious danger I didn't see a reason to take charge.

[member="Waverly Dane"] [member="McNeal"]

 

[Farlon Orbit]

Orbit finally lifted his helmet off his head and set it on the table, his drink had arrived. He didn't know what he was drinking, all he had said to the waiter was "Anything non-alcoholic." Orbit was smart enough to know when and when not to get drunk, he had a bad feeling about this. The mixture was surprisingly strong for something without alcohol but he drank it anyway.

He watched as one of the armored man walked over to the other, especially as his weapons showed on that belt of his. Quietly Orbit pulled his DC-15s Blaster Carbine out from his cloak and unto his own belt making sure it was semi-noticeable. He needed it there just in case the slightly drunk Merc got too tipsy.

[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Waverly Dane"] @McNeal

 

[Brax Hadshill]

Brax entered the cantina with a purpose, and had immediately profiled every person of interest in the room.
His mental notes went as follows:
-The merc sitting at the bar, he might be a problem.
-The tipsy woman on the dance floor would fetch a high price...
-...but the guard eyeing her is an effective deterrent.
-Is that a trooper? A war vet in a cantina. Truly all walks of life are drawn to drink.
He scanned the room for any other faces that stood out
But my mark isn't in this dive. At least not yet.
Brax thought to himself as he sat at the bar.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I took notice of the new arrival, and of the clone soldier moving his weapon. That was the good thing about having a target tracking and combat sensor in a helmet, the threat analysis kept scrolling across my HUD, keeping me appraised as to these few men's activities. The clone had shifted to appear to have and orange outline on my HUD to indicate the gripping of weapons. They weren't out yet, and he hadn't made any moves towards me or Waverly, so I didn't need to move on him just yet. But I should probably give him a hint of 'let it lie' I thought. I turned my head to face him directly, I didn't need to say anything, just the acknowledgement of his actions should be enough.

Keeping my eyes locked on him, I put my hand on Waverly's shoulder, urging her to sit for a moment. "Sit." I said empathetically to her, "You need to take a second."

[member="Waverly Dane"] [member="Brax Hadshill"] [member="McNeal"] [member="Farlon Orbit"]

 

[Farlon Orbit]

Orbit realized the mistake he had made when the bodyguard gave him the stare. Leaving his drink, he picked up his helmet and made his way to the bar to apologize for the misunderstanding. But before he could even reach the bar his knees began to buckle, his eyesight went black, and Orbit fell to the floor unconscious. Having only time to think one thought, 'Oh no, not another flashback.'

Orbit was with his squad on Felucia, they had been sent there to find a missing clone platoon. They had been planetside for over 3 cycles and had still no trace of the platoon. The jungle was quiet that day, unusually quiet. The mud stuck to their boots every time each of them took a step aking it harder to trod through. The sarge, Bunker, held up his hand and stopped moving as did the squad. Orbit looked around wondering why they had stopped when Bunker pointed towards a clearing from the dense jungle. Inside the clearing showed a clone helmet stuck upon a eroding metal pole.

Bunker remarked, "It seems we have found the platoon." Hotsot interjected him,"And we're next."
In an instant over a dozen B2 arms emerged from the bushes, clicking in reload. The next few second were choas, lasers flying, detonators blowing up the now scorched landscape, fist on metal. Orbit had been knocked down when he saw an activated detonator roll next to him. He picked it up and tried to throw it as far as he could, but it was too late. As it soared through the air it exploded, and everything went black.



[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Brax Hadshill"] [member="Waverly Dane"] [member="McNeal"]

 

[Brax Hadshill]

Lightweight.
Brax thought to himself as the vet hit the floor.
Twenty minutes. If my mark doesn't show in twenty minutes, I'm taking off.
"Barkeep, something strong, but not numbing. I've still got the rest of the night ahead of me."
Brax ordered.
Hopefully the drinks are more trustworthy than my intel.
He Scanned the room once more.
Twenty minutes.
[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Waverly Dane"] [member="Farlon Orbit"] [member="McNeal"]