Surprise Me

[Setzi Lunelle]

//sending transmission…

To: Vanir Technologies, [member="Saffron"]
From: Setzi Lunelle

I am interested in visiting a specialty shop to purchase a pair of VT-Disruptor lenses. Please send the coordinates via this encrypted channel. I will be there within 24 hours of the coordinate delivery.

//transmission ending…

Setzi wasn’t sure why a private meeting was so necessary, but perhaps there was a need to fit the lenses to her and Knight Mullarus’s light sabers. She would need to find a way to bring them, hopefully able to steal and return his without him knowing. She wanted to surprise him with the VT-Distruptor lens as a present for helping her to make her transformation to the lightside.

The former Sith Lord hoped that her credit or standing was in question. Sure she was a mere Padawan, but she did have information which the proprietress appeared to be seeking as well. As cryptic was it was, Setzi was not deterred by this. She would sell all of her One Sith secrets in a heartbeat if she knew that it would make Krux Mullarus happy. And the VT-Disrupter Lens surely would.

 

[Saffron]

From: Saffron, Arceneau Trade Company - Vanir Technologies
To: [member="Setzi Lunelle"]

Namaste Miss Lunelle,

We thank you for your interest in the quality product lines of Vanir Technologies. As a speciality item, we realize that the cost is high. However, we are willing to part with the lens for its worth in information.

If you are interested, please do stop by at the Arceneau Trade Center Station at Voss.

You may go directly to any assistant and ask for me.

Regards,

Saffron

Arceneau Trade Company
Silver Sanctum Trade Representative

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Oh good, I don't have to go far to pick up the pair of lenses, Setzi thought as she read the message. The former Sith hailed a speeder taxi at a small Academy outpost: “To the Arceneau Center Trade Station,” she said to the driver. As the brunette padawan rode to the station, she considered the purchase she was about to make. Affixed to a lightsaber, the lens she sought would allow her to cut through Vonduun Skerr Kyrric. It was Darth Pyrrhus’s armor of choice. She knew it well. The mere thought of it filled her with such a wave of nostalgia. She’d never been a fan of the Vonduun crabshell armor. She’d put the chest piece on once, and the living crabs tightened upon her naked torso and itched in such a nightmarish way, that she never wanted to touch it again.

But still it reminded her of former lover just the same. How strange is it that even a horrible memory can cause such sublime longing, she thought? No one can read your mind, Setzi. No need to be ashamed of these recollections. Sometimes she had to remind herself that her inner most desires weren’t plastered all over her face.

“It’s twenty credits, Miss,” said the driver, a burly male Twi’lek.

“Thank you." She paid and slipped out of the taxi. Making her way to the Arceneau Station, she signaled one of the assistants and said, “I have an appointment with Saffron. Do you know where I can find her?”

[member="Saffron"]

 

[Saffron]

Her name was Avo, she was a Gand assigned to the station. Her respirator took over about half of her face, with her silver compound eyes staring out at [member="Setzi Lunelle"] for a few seconds. With a few clicking sounds, she spoke in protobasic.

"Mes Safranoe? Jes. Bravae den voi." «Miss Saffron? Yes. Right this way.»

Brown fingers would gesture to the woman to follow. Ever busy, this particular Trade Station was one of the largest of its kind. It featured the five distinct separate stations bought by Mandal Hypernatrics, all interconnected into a massive ring. As the premier trade center for Silver Sanctum Territory, it contained several vendors and lines of products. Vanir Technologies was just one of them.

Avo would lead Miss Lunelle down towards a turbo lift. With a gesture, the female Gand would say, "Den gyndus hal wokel heniroe dhi wokel Guildhouse. Vali mak bed pkoe Mes Safranoe de." «This leads to the entrance of the Guildhouse. You may ask for Miss Saffron there. »

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Setzi peered into the compound eyes of the Gand assistant, not sure whether to look at the right eye or the left eye.

“Oh dear, I…” the padawan started. She did not understand protobasic, but the Arceneau worker appeared to know who she sought. The Gand beckoned and Setzi followed. They had to travel further than she realized. The station was immense, deceivingly so. She made a note of everything that could be purchased in case she needed other rare supplies that the Academy could not offer. Still, a person could get lost in such a large station, so she made sure to stick close to Saffron's assistant.

Setzi looked warily as the Gand gestured to the turbo lift. The brunette padawan would be on her own from here on out it seemed. Catching the words Safranoe and Guildhouse, she was able to find the button to take her where she needed to be and as the door opened with a whoosh, she found her destination.

For the second time, she found herself slightly lost and hunting for Saffron again.

[member="Saffron"]

 

[Saffron]

The sudden whoosh would bring in the heady scent of incense and the distinct soothing melody of a gently plucked Atrisian harp. A woman swathed in ruby and indigo vine-silk would smile from behind a large body-wood desk.

"Namaste."

The turbo lift exited into a massive chamber full of opulent decorations. Rich tapestries. Delicate pottery upon intricate carved pedestals. There were several acceleration couches for comfort, with black enamel painted lattice and rice paper walls for sectionals.

"Welcome to the Oiran Guildhouse." the brunette Companion would bow deeply in greetings. Her eyes were lined in heavy kohl, bright lavender discs against the slightly luminescent glow of her skin.

"How may we serve today?"

[member="Setzi Lunelle"]

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Oh! thought Setzi, most of her senses now intune to what the Orian Guildhouse had to offer.

Is this a place for? A place to...?

Oh by the eternal core, she thought, blushing, I'm not actually sure what goes on here! But the relaxing atmosphere and the sumptous decor was unusual for a shop which sold lightsaber parts.
It was clear the Guildhouse was used for other pursuits. Not my place to judge, thought the padawan, trying to compose herself and not appear too curious about the surroundings. Luckily, she was distracted by the sight of proprietor, Saffron, who welcomed her as though she were any other customer.

"The disruptor lenses," said the lightsider. "I've come to purchase a pair of them. Do you need anything else but credits?" Setzi asked.

The brunette padawan felt that she may need to barter with a little bit more than her credits, but was hoping information would do. Certainly she had nothing more to trade... she glanced around. Hopefully, the negotiation didn't require anything physical as Setzi didn't have experience in that kind of business.

[member="Saffron"]

 

[Saffron]

The Companion would only smile softly.

"Ah, you wish to speak to Miss. Saffron." her lavender eyes would show a measure of empathy at her distress. "Please, follow me."

A small gesture would beckon [member="Setzi Lunelle"] to follow her. Were she to do so, she would be lead towards a smaller chamber, but one that appeared to be more suitable for discussion.

"Please do sit. I shall bring tea." she would excuse herself, giving yet another bow.

 

[Setzi Lunelle]

Alright Setzi, it’s high time to stop acting like a slack-jawed farm girl, she thought. Whatever this is, I’m sure it’s all on the up and up.

“Of course,” the nervous padawan tried to say more gracefully. She nodded her head, lowering her eyes for a moment, her thick lashes staying closed for a beat or two, and then followed Miss Saffron to the more private location.

It certainly was relaxing in the Oiran Guildhouse, and she couldn’t help but loosen up as a heady fragrance of flowers could be detected. Setzi sat in the remote chamber and folded her hands in her lap. “Tea would be lovely,” she said.

[member="Saffron"]

 

[Saffron]

[member="Setzi Lunelle"]


The Companion would excuse herself, allowing a measure of privacy for Setzi. A few minutes later, it would be another young woman who would bring in the teaservice. She had gossamer blonde hair, carefully arranged in an intricate plait down her back.

Large, almond shaped hazel eyes were lined with dark kohl, but even the subtle touches of artifice did not deter from her youthful beauty; or the fact that by all accounts, appeared to have the same visage as that of the Queen of Eshan.

“Namaste.” She would murmur a polite greeting of welcome. With exquisite care, she set the tea service down in front of the brunette.

“My name is Saffron,” she introduced herself, a ghost of a smile frosting her lips.