Takes Two To Tango

[Arekk]

_______________________________________________________________________​

LITHIOS, ETHOS CITY, THE MEISSA SYSTEM​

MAO'S BAR & GRILL, THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT​

_______________________________________________________________________​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

♫https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvoUr2HphE // w. [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

Another night, another drink.

The sour taste of his Savareen brandy made him feel dizzy while sitting down on the stool, sight becoming blurry for a moment before getting clear again. It had been a while since alcohol traveled freely through his system let alone his ears enjoy the bassy sounds of music erupting from the loudspeakers located throughout the bar.

On the background dancers flew around like birds with their gentle yet marvelous movements while matching the rythm of the tunes playing, a mix of synth combined with sounds of ancient wailers that paved the way to a nice song.

"I'm telling you, K. This job is going to be a success." Ar'ekk explained to the droid bartender who didn't seem to invested on their "friendly" chatter, instead refilling the man's glass with water instead of liquor. "Thanks."

Though the bar didn't seem crowded enough it soon would given that the nights on Lithios were long and everlasting. More patrons would walk down the stairs into this little underground world of sorts, both women and men looking to simply enjoy themselves by dancing and drinking.

"No more drinks. I gotta drive home when the party is over." Funny to consider that now, times really were changing. "Get me a coffee instead."

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Come dance with us, they said.

It’s going to be fun, they said.

Maybe we’ll all meet someones, they said.

Frankly, Madalena was ready to head back to Geonosis shortly after the girls left the planet in order to attend a party. It wasn’t that she didn’t like parties, or drinking, or having fun; but her two closest friends couldn’t make it that night and Madalena found herself in the presence of other Confederate girls who, to be frank, didn’t really hold her interest.

Sure, she was nice about it, pratted along almost seamlessly, but it was energy draining. She wanted to go back home and cuddle with a warm mug under a blanket with her brother and continue to exchange stories of their adventures.

Still, Madalena put the effort in, wiggled the dress on, and despite the protests of her girlfriends for the night, left her combat boots on. She was tall enough not to need heels and the boots were the only place for her to hide her knives since her dress was essentially second skin.

It wasn’t long after they arrived at a place called Mao’s that Madalena found herself surrounded with girls that were tipsy to drunk. She herself hadn’t had as much as a drop, believing firmly that the last time she’d gotten drunk, she’d somehow damaged herself. After all, her never ceasing nightmares and lack of proper sleep were the evidence she had for it, along with a few gaps in her memory.

And still, despite that, her friends seemed to have found dance partners that stuck around for at least several songs. Carefully, Madalena prodded into their minds, making sure that the alcohol was not altering the girls’ perception and that there was nothing happening that did not include mutual consent, but it was clear enough early on that it was all fine and she was acting like a mother hen for no reason at all.

With a sigh, the curvaceous woman sat herself on a tall seat by the bar. What did one drink at a place like that when one did not drink? “Hey do you use cream in some of your cocktails?” she asked the bartender, flashing him a great big smile, and received a nod in return, “so I want a tall glass of just cream and ice cubes, nothing else please.”


[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

_______________________________________________________________________​

LITHIOS, ETHOS CITY, THE MEISSA SYSTEM​

MAO'S BAR & GRILL, THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT​

_______________________________________________________________________​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

♫https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvoUr2HphE // w. [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

"Make that two."

His cigarette burned inside the ashtray while he held the glass of brandy with his right cybernetic hand, eyes falling on the handsome Junoesque woman and a cheeky grin forming on his face. The bar was empty to his surprise so seeing someone join up was a welcoming sight regardless of who it was or what they wanted, certainly the type of drink ordered gave off the vibe that she had some sort of exquisite taste.

Not that it was strange but still.

"It's on me." Ar'ekk shifted his body to face Madalena, cigarette between his lips now. His leather jacket had little water droplets falling from its expensive texture due to the rainstorm outside, A thick cloud of smoke eventually found its way out of his lungs and evaporated into the air. "Good drinks don't hurt."

With experience you start to pickup little tidbits and cues on someone's body language and Madalena seemed slightly off her element and somewhat annoyed, a quick peek over his shoulder to see the rest of the girls enjoying themselves with the men told him everything that he needed to know. Someone like her would definitely enjoy joining her gals during a night-out specially when you're dressing as good as she did that night.

"They didn't leave you behind, right?" He mused with a grin while his thumb pointed at the group behind his back. "That'd suck."

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Two? Madalena turned her gaze, looking at the man who just had the gall to buy her a drink. While she owned more than one mirror and was very aware to her external appearance, it was actually a rare thing that someone had the balls to be this direct with her. In fact, she was pretty sure she couldn’t remember the last time a stranger offered to cover a drink.

She blinked to herself in surprise as she tossed some chips to the bartender. “I can pay for myself,” she said with the friendliest smile. Now that it happened though, she knew; she wasn’t comfortable with it. But there was no menace or anger in her words of in the language of her body. The man was trying to be nice, but she taking care of herself on her own, and that included her own drinks.

“Few people would call a tall glass of cream good drinks,” she said, offering another smile.

The man glanced over to where her friends were, and then returned his attention to Madalena, asking if they’d left her behind.

“Not exactly,” she answered, “this was sort of their plan before we got here; get drunk, get partner for the night. Guess this is what happens when you try going out with new people and leave your ship at home.”

The bartender placed two glasses of icy cream on the counter, and Madalena happily took a speedy sip from hers. It was thick and creamy, just the way she loved it. Once, she had asked for the same at another place, and received something that had been mixed with water, rendering it disgusting. It had been like ruining both water and cream at once, since she loved each other of them separately.

“Madalena,” she introduced herself, holding a forearm out to the man. She didn’t do the whole kiss my hand sort of a deal, no. Madalena was a Warrior, and beneath the curves hid a terrifying set of strong muscles that would and had killed before. She greeted with a shake befitting someone her status; up to the elbow.


[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

_______________________________________________________________________​

LITHIOS, ETHOS CITY, THE MEISSA SYSTEM​

MAO'S BAR & GRILL, THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT​

_______________________________________________________________________​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

♫https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvoUr2HphE // w. [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

"It's just an excuse to speak with you, considering your friends are there and you are here. Besides who says no to a drink?"

Another cheeky smile surfaced, this time his fingers coiling on the tall and creamy glass to eventually raise it at mouth level and take a good sip. Its taste was too sweet for his own safety but good enough still, they didn't water down the drinks on Lithios after all. Credit chips fell on the table and his eyes moved up to clash with Madalena's, acknowledging the gesture with a "If that's what you want" type of gesture.

Clever girl.

"Guess that's what everyone does in a bar, sort of." He said while toking on his cigarette, smoke blowing throughout his nostrils afterwards. "You are not?"

The slicer was capable of figuring out if someone was able to hold themselves in a fight and Madalena wasn't the exception despite her curvasceous and captivating figure, someone like her had seen more than meets the eye. He stroked her hand in a gentle manner like any other person with manners would do, stroking it up and down for a few seconds before finally releasing his grip.

"Ar'ekk."

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Someone like her was indeed more than seemed to the eye; a closer inspection would reveal the remains of battle scars that decorated her arms and legs, concealed beneath layer of make up so they would jump less to the naked eye. Sparingly enough though, the flesh of her back that was exposed was entirely clean, almost as though it had never been as much as scratched.

“I haven’t been to many places like this,” she admitted after giving the man – Ar’ekk – a nod, “but the few times that I was, we really did go out just to dance. Sure, there were a few shenanigans too, but… None of us actually went out with the intent of bringing someone back in. This looks more like something that belongs on the discovery holo-channel.”

She turned around, leaning with her back against the car, emerald eyes gazing at the girls she’d arrived with as she took another sip from her drink. She really didn’t have anything to contribute to the girls beyond a tiny check to make sure they were all still on mutual consensual grounds, and then returned her attention to Ar’ekk.

“What’s your excuse?” she asked with an impish smile.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

_______________________________________________________________________​

LITHIOS, ETHOS CITY, THE MEISSA SYSTEM​

MAO'S BAR & GRILL, THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT​

_______________________________________________________________________​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

♫https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvoUr2HphE // w. [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

"Hey, you girls are rather young and are enjoying life. What's so bad about that?" Ar'ekk spoke like he was any older when in fact he was in his mid-twenties though the liquor and cigarettes made him look at least thirty. War aged him an awful lot too, so there was that to blame as well. "You are all dolled up too, mighty beautifully I might add, so I assume you're here with the hope of having a good time."

Madalena wasn't kidding when she mentioned her drink of choice wasn't that good because it really wasn't, its taste was rather sweet but at the same time it wasn't as compelling for his own taste. He preferred your average hit-you-with-one-sip type of drinks that would certainly guarantee a killer morning headache and several trips to the bathroom, sticking your head into the toilet as you swear to never drink ever again.

"I've got no excuse, Madalena." He replied with a smile equivalent that of a smooth talker, oozing a confidence like one had never seen before, sort of. "I'm simply enjoying this beverage and good company of course. Nothing to be excused for."

Dangerous territory he was getting himself into. Ar'ekk was aware that Madalena was able to kick anyone's butt in this bar if that's what she wanted, the serious gleam of her eyes told a thousand stories just like his own did. The slicer was a walking museum with the scars covering his entire back and the half burned face that definitely wasn't there thanks to the almighty magic of synthflesh.

"What brings you to Lithios, anyways? Not too many people stick around Ethos City, that's for sure. I live here so I know some things."

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

‘Oh, nothing bad with that,” Madalena said with a smile that she hoped would do a half decent job at covering up how judgmental she’d sounded a moment ago, “it’s just not what I’m looking for.” She motioned to the girls again, for most of whom things were heating up faster than she’d even thought possible. Then again, her own experience with such things was… Minor. The kind of minor you get after one person screws up that aspect of you and you take two years off from any sort of shenanigans just to recover passively because you don’t want to deal with it.

When Ar’ekk said she was beautiful, her smile widened, and she nodded in thanks. She had several mirrors on her ship; there were no false modesties. She took another sip from her cream as he continued to speak, her concentration now entirely on him.

What brought her to Lithios? She shook her head and laughed, “They did,” she answered truthfully, “I didn’t even know about the planet before we were halfway here.” If she’d come here on her own, she would have probably gone sightseeing instead of clubbing but… Well, her ship wasn’t with her.

“What about you, Ar'ekk?” she asked, “live here? Work here? Dragged here?”

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

_______________________________________________________________________​

LITHIOS, ETHOS CITY, THE MEISSA SYSTEM​

MAO'S BAR & GRILL, THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT​

_______________________________________________________________________​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

♫https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvoUr2HphE // w. [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

"I understand and that's totally fine." He replied back with another smile, toking on his cigarette and blowing the smoke away before coiling his fingers on his brandy. "I figured as much your friends dragged you here. Not gonna lie, it's a really neat city to party."

That was if you turned a blind eye to the junkies spread throughout Ethos City, the criminals converging in every alleyway and corner trying to plot their next move and the homicides taking place almost anywhere due to an active war between rival gangs in an attempt to take a portion of the city under their control. The Red Light and Entertainment District was under heavy law enforcement patrol for this very same reason so there was nothing to worry about for now.

"You nailed it with the first two." The sour taste of his drink made him grimace again as he knocked back the glass with zero class, going for that easy and quick get drunk feeling, eyes falling on Madalena for a moment. "I live in the good part of the town, though. Got nothin' to worry about when I'm on my way out, never did and never will."

What he said was true at some extent, having to look over his shoulder just came with the line of work he developed himself in. Being a slicer only meant you'd attract attention of law enforcement but also from high-ranking organized crime individuals which would love to have your head in a silver platter or hire you. That's Ethos City for you.

"What about you?"

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Madalena quietly stored the information about this being a good party planet away in some corner of her mind. If it’d turn out to be true, she could always come back with some of the friends with whom she already knew she actually could have fun. Apparently she’d nailed it with the first two; live and work, and the bad parts of town were bad enough for people to need to worry when they left the house, or at least that was what she’d understood. Party planet indeed.

And now he wanted to know about her.

“Just a Confederate girl,” she answered with a smile, and then put her drink down, holding her hand out to Ar’ekk, “would you like to dance with me, Ar’ekk?” Madalena asked, and then quickly made sure her intentions were clear; “just dance. Not as some part of a primal ritual that comes before a horizontal mambo.”


[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvoUr2HphE​

​

Maos Bar and Grill, Lithios, Ethos City​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

——————————————————————​

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] ​

​

"Golbah City."

Things had turned slightly interesting as she revealed a small glimpse of her personal life, the Confederacy had a major presence in the Galaxy and it didn't surprise him to see they've reached Lithios despite not being on any sort of galaxy chart even if it was for an occasion such as enjoying a night out in the club.

"I was there once for business, good place."

Burning the tip of his cigarette inside the ashtray, Ar'ekk's blue eyes fell on Scherezade for a moment to appreciate her curvaceous figure without being too creepy about it. Sure, he had the capability to do what she asked for even though he didn't have enough alcohol into his system which in return would make him believe he was a proper dancer.

"Why not? It's a nightclub after all." He countered back with a cheeky smirk, accepting Scherezade's hand and leading her towards the dance floor. "We are just two strangers dancing, that's it."

This would be fun.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

She said nothing as Ar'ekk mentioned Golbah City. It was partially true; Golbah City was where Madalena went to for specific training sessions, and sometimes in between sessions. Most of the time though, she was all over Confederate space and the areas surrounding it. Downtime was a rare thing she got, which was why she tended to be so sorely disappointed when it turned out to be meh.

"If you can stand the arid heat and the smell of insectoids," she replied to the second statement though. No, Geonosis wasn't on any list of hers that included favorite planets. But there were things a girl jut had to do; show up at her job's capital from time to time was but one of them.

"Dancing strangers," she agreed with a smile as he led them to the dance flood.

The music sounded off in a language that she didn't recognize, but it didn't matter. The beat was regular, steady, and she closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the relaxed rhythm to vibrate through to her bones. When her eyes opened, she was pressed against Ar'ekk, her body already moving against his and with the music at the same time.


[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

Maos Bar and Grill, Lithios, Ethos City​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

——————————————————————​

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] ​

​

"Sounds an awful lot like Geonosis. Never been there at all and I don't think I might go anytime soon."

Meh. Golbah City was such a distant memory that he had almost forgotten what it was called, possibly slurring its name at first was an indicative that was the case. If calling stepping out of your ship to meet in a bar with some Confederacy looking people and then leaving after two beers was good business then who knows what good business really was.

Right now the credits and luxury was on Ethos City and that's all he could care for, at some extent, and enjoy some of that sweet nightlife.

"Unless you want to call it another way." He mused while pressing his body closer to Madalena's, dancing to the slow beat that played in the background with utter harmony.

The vocals were good enough to put them in a strong trance of sorts, other couples joining them by the dance floor as the music continued to play. His thoughts had disappeared as soon as the song and singers began to blast through the speakers, leading Madalena with very smooth and slow movements.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Ar'ekk had taken the lead, and Madalena responded to him; her body moved like silk fabric, reacting to the little physical hints of what was to come. She was a wonderful dancer, both alone and with others, courtesy of hours she had forced her brother to dance with her in the living room at first, and then others. There were few things she enjoyed more than dancing. Even when she fought, it was a dance of death, limbs moving with precision that she never had to actively think about anymore.

The music had been carefully constructed. Madalena found herself not thinking at all, becoming just a body that moved with the rhythm. It had been long, too long, since she'd last danced with a partner and to music such as this. For half a heartbeat, her mind threatened to think on the last time, but the music made that evaporate entirely.

Only when it was done did a smile come to her face, the first one that was a little shy, completely opposite to the ones she had given earlier.

Madalena looked at Ar'ekk with a questioning look, wondering if he'd be interested in remaining on the dance floor, or turning back to the bar.

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

Maos Bar and Grill, Lithios, Ethos City​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

——————————————————————​

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] ​

Madalena was a great dancer and Ar'ekk a matching partner for that night's evening, both moving in complete harmony and in unison to the slow beat blasting through the speakers. Their movements were almost like in bullet time and with an incredible precision, gliding across the dance floor with motive and clear intention. Though they spoke no words to each other their clash of glances did all that job for them.

He grinned widely as the girl seemed to broaden a coy smile at first, gently holding her hands as they finished the last move of their ever smooth dancing. It had been a while since Ar'ekk did such thing and specially to a beat as peculiar as the one being played right now. The mood would change as much more aggressive tunes came up next in the playlist, a swap of DJs could really swing the mood.

"You're a great dancer, I must say. Want another drink?"

Sure as hell he needed one, the poor former Jedi turned slicer was slightly sweating considering they were underground and the nightclub's temperature didn't help them at all. So he signalled the bartender with a gesture of his fingers to order two drinks, Madalena could pick any when the time was right.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Madalena winced as the aggressive music began. Why, why would anyone switch to something so bad after the music had been so good? If she'd been in a violent mood, she would've gone to have words with the DJ and offer him very politely to take it outside. She still had her knives on her, even if not all the dozen.

"As are you," she said with a genuine smile, giving Ar'ekk a tiny little curtsy. That was what you were supposed to do after a dance if you weren't doing another one, wasn't it?

She nodded when he asked if she wanted another drink. Sure. Drinks could work, especially when the music had gone bad. "I'll still have the same thing though," she laughed. No alcohol for her tonight.

Glancing at the dance floor, Madalena noted some of the girls she'd arrived with were gone. She sighed, hoping they would have a fun night. None of them had given an actual cause for the type of concern that would have her hunting them all down and dragging them back to the ship by the hair. Besides, they all had emergency buttons they knew how to press, providing they weren't things that involved getting tied down tonight. Or tied up.

"Thank you for the dance," she said as the two walked back to the bar and she found herself sitting down again, "it's been… A very long time since I've danced like that."

[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

Maos Bar and Grill, Lithios, Ethos City​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

——————————————————————​

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] ​

​

"I can ask the DJ to change the music to something more appealing." He said after noticing Scherezade's annoyance with the playlist of choice, changing the mood rather drastically for all the patrons. "We know each other personally so he will understand."

There was more time to slow dance if that's what she desired and all that the girl would have to do was ask. A little refreshment wouldn't hurt them at all and Ar'ekk was happy that she followed suit for such occasion, this time picking a much more strong beverage unlike his partner that evening. Most of the patrons had left the establishment but the place was good enough to look packed even with a handful of people scattered throughout the place.

"It's my pleasure, really." The slicer said while raising his glass and clinking with Scherezade's before swirling in one go, grimacing at its sour taste. "That's something we do have in common."

Going out of your element was always a positive thing in his scrapbook.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

“It appears we do,” Madalena said quietly as glasses clinked. She took a sip from her cream, a single cube of ice caressing her upper lip for a moment before she put it down. An offer to have the music changed had arrived, and there was little she could do other than nod. Even if they weren’t going to dance again, the current track was an affront to the ears. “Almost anything would be better than this thing,” she said with a firm nod.

So it had been a while for him as well… Madalena wondered. What sort of a night was this? She already knew what it was not, for her. But considering the amount of time she had to kill and the fact that there was some undeniable chemistry happening, how bad of an idea would it be to maybe open old wounds?

“Trade you a sad story for a sad story,” she said with a little smile, “why has it been a while for you?”


[member="Arekk"]

 

[Arekk]

Maos Bar and Grill, Lithios, Ethos City​

"It's better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven."​

——————————————————————​

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] ​

​

"Wait here."

Leaving his drink on the counter, Ar'ekk stood from his seat and walked over to the DJ's booth to have a very "friendly" conversation with the person in question. Wrapping his arm around the man's shoulder and whispering to his ear he managed to convince him to change the music to something much enjoyable for the common ear, the DJ not putting up much resistance considering the frightened look on his face.

"That's much better." He said with a wide smile on his face, picking up his glass and sipping. "I was starting to get a headache."

Madalena's question caught him by surprise a little but it was nothing he couldn't answer or that a drink could drown and suppress the memories of a sad story. What's the worst that could happen, right?

"Well, I usually come to bars like this one to get drunk and wake up with a killer headache in the mornin'. I haven't danced like this ever since I lost my beloved."

Eek.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Madalena openly giggled as she saw Ar'ekk's treatment of the DJ. She would've done it herself if she'd been in a more violent mood, but had believed him when he said he knew the guy. Well. There was more than one way of knowing. And now that the music changed without even waiting for the horrendous track to end, she nodded her head in approval.

When Ar'ekk answered her question though… Madalena snapped her fingers at the bartender, ordering two tall glasses of cold water.

"First rule of drinking," she said softly as she offered him one of the glasses, "one glass of water for one glass of liquor. This is how you avoid the hangover." While she herself wasn't drinking any alcohol, she took the second glass to herself anyway and sipped. Water was always good.

Losing his beloved, then. That didn't sound like someone who left. That sounded like someone who was taken, probably by death.

Standing up again, Madalena gently took his hand and led them back to the dancefloor. "How did it happen?" she asked gently as she pressed against him again, the music now soft and easier to both dance in and speak during.


[member="Arekk"]