The Dive

[Lyra Diantha]

Location: The Dive

Planet: Soceras - Dal'Bor

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The crowd was fairly typical, which wasn’t at all surprising to any of the girls who worked in The Dive. Ironically named, considering the establishment was not only fabulous, but was always insanely populated to boot. People of all shapes and sizes flocked to the place, If not for the House drinks or the food, then for the girls that pranced about when they weren’t on one stage or another performing. The air always smelled sweet, not overly so and while it was intoxicating to some, it wasn’t meant to be that way. It was just to keep the air from smelling anything less than divine.

The drinks were always cold – unless asked otherwise – and potent, the food always made to order, and the girls pristine and in their prime. There were no rules against touching, though there was naturally a limit to this, and if a patron got out of hand there were plenty of large bodies roaming around to keep the girls safe and unharmed. The establishment was classy, despite the name it had been given.

Among the girls getting ready was Lyra. The idly buzz of chit chat around her had faded into more of a humming sound. She had already done her makeup, and had pinned her curls up and off of her neck and adorned the curls with gems and a white flower to boot. Her attire wasn’t as flashy as some of the other girls tonight, but it was still made and worn to give her plenty of room to move the way she needed to. Once she was dressed and ready, the redhead made her way to the nearest stage – and two other girls to two other stages – just as the music started.

As the three stepped out on their separate stages, they were in perfect sync despite not being around one another. Their movements started slow and precise, keeping up with the gentle and mild tempo of the score right up until it sped up. Then still in tandem the three picked up their pace to once again match the beat. There was precision in the way Lyra moved, the shimmy and gyration of her hips, the twists and turns of her frame. She was completely lost in the music and gave her body to it willingly. It was easy to see the years of long practice as she performed without missing a beat throughout the duration of the song, and it wasn’t until it was over that she and the other two girls took their leave of the stage.

Lyra did not venture back out of view however. She stepped off of the stage and down into the collection of people amassed within The Dive. It was time to socialize now – at least until she was needed back for another performance.

 

[Dancer]

[member="Lyra Diantha"]

Mystique.

The protector personality took control of the host the moment they sat her in the makeup chair. This was far from the first time she had danced in Dal'Bor, the first had been at the esteemed Angel's Den, the seat of opulence and vice, arguably in the entire sector. It had been quite some time since she had any work, Mystique needed it.

It felt good to be primed once again, to be the fun and free center of attention, to know all eyes were on her. A surge of anxiety ran through her, she didn't know if she could handle it, or if she would fail. She had years of training from her childhood until she was rescued, but after Scarlet had died... Mystique had been broken in so many ways.

She looked down at her hands. The image of the blood of her lost lover was vivid, almost like it was still there. Her lips quivered as the dancer threatened to disassociate and lose control--

"Hey, Mystique," said the stage director's voice. She placed a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder, she jumped with surprise, the director had forgotten Mystique's cardinal rule--no touching. "Oh, sorry. You are on in five, you ready?"

The Dancer nodded. She rose to her feet, adjusting her golden, sequined bralet around her neck and shoulders. With square shoulders, the blonde half-zeltros ventured into the dark back stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said an announcer's voice, "Returning to the stage for a limited run at the Dive only, is her illustrious, talented, Mystique."

The trio of previous dancers moved off the stage, and Mystique made her way to the center stage. The moment she felt the warmth of the spotlight on her, instinct and training kicked in. All fear and anxiety were gone. She was a skilled dancer. She knew this. Everyone knew this. She would make the crowds love her again.

She somersaulted forward, her legs windmill kicking in the air. The white fabric of her lower semi-skirt fluttered behind her, barely covering the essential parts in a tantalizing display. As her final foot landed on the cold stage floor once more, she spun on her toe, giving a high kick. The crowd gave a cheer of approval. Her hand gripped the nearby pole, she let her momentum carry her forward further as the blonde twisted around it in a snake-like free-fall. With each pass, she came closer to the ground, barely skirting inches over it in a flutter of white and a shimmer of gold. At last she allowed herself to reach the ground, lying prone on her back.

"Wooo! Show us some real action!" shouted someone from the front stage.

 

[Garryn Kilstor]

It wasn't the worst job in the world, in fact it wasn't even close. Though Garryn preferred to sell his piloting skills as his main offering he was quite effective when it came to being a physically intimidating presence as well. All Mandalorians were, had something to do with the armor. He was being paid very well for an extending employment as a bouncer at the Dive and he'd decided it was high time he'd taken a rather cushy gig over one where he got shot at.

The worst thing he might come across on any given night was a customer who got a little too handsy with the dancers or maybe a couple of guys who were too full of liquid courage and decided to try and get the attention of a dancer by trading fists. It wasn't like he had to fight a Togorian or a Whiphid, both of which he had working on the bouncing staff in fact. They made for an imposing trio and together made short work of any scuffles that popped up. Togorians were about as tough as any species could get, nothing short of an anti-material round was going to cause them severe injury. Whiphids weren't as resilient but they were tenacious and strong and that was all Garryn needed.

Garryn was positioned near the stage and had his arms crossed over his black, white and red Mandalorian armor and his head was scanning the crowd for any miscreants. "T'krul, keep an eye on those Rodians at table four. They're getting a little rowdy." He said to the Whiphid who was watching the far right of the club. "Rrano, you got anything on your end?"

"Nothing, just some humans getting loud but nothing crazy." The Togorian replied gruffly as both he and Garryn watched T'Krul move closer to the Rodians table in case they started getting too out of control. So far it was just another night in The Dive.

[member="Lyra Diantha"] - [member="Dancer"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

The announcement that such an esteemed dancer was hitting one of their stages had garnered attention not only from the patrons, but from the girls working both the floor and backstage. Even Lyra had stalled long enough to watch the entrance of this Mystique, and then her head shook just slightly and a sigh left her lips.

The redhead made her way around the room, taking a moment or two here and there to visit with and pay attention to some of her regulars, but eventually she had gotten to the outer edge of the room and out of the way for the most part. The patrons loitering about seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the show that was currently on the stage, and Lyra shook her head again because of it. Her arms folded beneath her bust and her lips pursed.

"Lets hope this limited run doesn't ruin the rest of us..." she spoke softly, and to no one in particular, though she was aware of the Mandalorian standing near by. Again Lyra sighed, a much deeper sort this time around, and she shifted from one foot to the other as she watched across the way as Mystique commanded the stage. "At least she's a good performer." So if she caused issues, at least the girls working full time wouldn't lose out to some unknown, fresh face with only luck on her side.


[member="Garryn Kilstor"], [member="Dancer"]

 

[Dancer]

[member="Garryn Kilstor"] I [member="Lyra Diantha"]

Mystique shot her legs up in an 90 angle, her toes pointed to the ceiling. She spread her legs wide, then rolled left, closing them slowly.

"Yeah, baby that's it!" shouted one of the Rodiens sloshing his drink onto himself, the table and another of the patrons at the table.

On her stomach rose slowly to all fours, she let her ass shake, giving the front row the eyefull they had paid for. Her white, flowing skirt billowed at the effort, the light caught off it, the sequins within the fabric shimmered, giving a cascading, waterfall effect to the entire apparel. Mystique could see herself, almost from the outside like one of the passive observers in the crowd.

With a single fluid movement, she was upright again, this time holding in her hand a long red shimmersilk ribbon. She twisted it with a flick of her wrist, all 25 feet of it went into the air, wrapping all around her. Efforlessly, she twirled, the mass, flowing steamer caught the air. As the crimson fabric defied gravity itself, her eye caught on one of the dancers back stage, time slowed as she locked eyes with her. The half Zeltron winked at the fellow dancer, without missing a step.

Suddenly Mystique stopped, half the crimson fabric was wrapped around her chest, stomach, and left leg. The lights centered on her, turning a golden hue as the dancer paused a second for effect. Her left hand tossed the remaining half upward and over the crowd. The free end coiled around one of the support structures holding the lights.

The crowd fell in a hushed silence as the music stopped.Mystique hesitated for a moment. This was a dangerous maneuver. The Arial rigging wasn't fully secured or bolted down. Many times she had performed a routine like this, and there was no margin for error, mistep, or failing time. The rough knot on the rail would only hold for so long before it slipped. Her heart froze inside her, but her face didn't show it. She was a paragon of perfection. There was never room for anything else. She swept both of her legs back. The crimson fabric swung her to the center of the room, close enough to be touched by her observers. But her eyes went back to the dancer for a second, just a moment to gauge her reaction.

 

[Cale Gunderson]

The Dive, Nighttime, Soceras
_______________________________

This had become more his kind of scene than the somber man cared to admit. Booze, spice, stims, places like these usually had a pretty vast selection for inquiring minds. He blended in well enough with the clientele, the crippled and maimed frequented places like this for a chance to at least have something pretend like they didn't see them for what they were. But Cale wasn't here to watch the dancers, he didn't need that kind of comfort, and for some reason the notion made him uncomfortable. Instead he was just here to drink, and try and block out the worst of his thoughts.

Three shots in, and he was well on his way to doing just that.

He paid no mind to the other patrons, or the drunken taunts of those who happened to have all of their limbs, or at least a prosthetic in place of a missing one. Instead he simply downed another shot and let his mind wonder as the liquid burned the back of his throat. Instead of thinking about his time trapped behind a steel mask, an observer in his own body, he thought about brown eyes and darker hair. She probably hated him now, the memories surely had come back to her at this point, and even if she didn't...well, she was far too good for him anyway. Too good for him to have even considered staying on Kashyyyk, or force forbid let her come with him like she'd wanted. He wouldn't let her or anyone else get dragged down in the mess that was his existence.

But he thought about her anyway, he thought about Illum, carrying her out of the caves in his arms. How did they both miss it so many times? Or was his memory just playing tricks on him, and there had never been anything but one sided feelings there? No. No there'd been something, maybe there still was. Didn't matter really though, did it?

"Miss you T." He muttered to himself, waving for the bartender to pour him more of the whiskey as the music thrummed in the background. Just a few more drinks.

[member="Dancer"] | [member="Lyra Diantha"] | [member="Garryn Kilstor"]​

 

[Ashelia]

Ashelia
Post 1
Location: The Dive, Dal’Bor - Soceras
[member="Dancer"] [member="Garryn Kilstor"] [member="Cale Gunderson"]

Although she was a long way from Coruscant, the pulsing atmosphere within the club was all-too familiar to Ashelia. Having done a dance routine earlier in the night, Ashelia had already taken in some of the money on offer for dancing at such a famous location. To say the least, the long flight from Coruscant to Soceras looked like it would be worth the time and expense. She had already received more than ten times the amount in tips than she would have had in a club within the lower levels of Coruscant. Even as inexperienced of a dancer as she was, the money had been very good. Her routine had mostly amounted to her standing on the stage, squatting on her heels, and shaking her ginormous backside in the direction of the audience. That sort of routine worked almost every time for her and she had never needed to do anything more athletic or daring than that.

However, for Ashelia, there were more ways to make money than just through dancing. In truth, dancing was merely an advertisement for her real business. Clad within a hot pink g-string bikini and translucent six-inch high heels, Ashelia didn’t bother to clothe herself in anything more substantial despite the somewhat cold temperature in the building. After buying a fruit punch from the bar, Ashelia thought to take a seat at one of the booths. However, she lingered for a moment to watch the athletic dancer on the stage as she went through a daring routine. In her own routine, Ashelia had made a conscious effort to not do anything too ludicrous or attention-grabbing so as to not take the attention away from the local girls who worked at the club full time. She didn’t want to get on their bad side, especially when she relied on many of them for tips on the best spots to find clients. There was a silver-eyed redhead ([member="Lyra Diantha"]) watching the dance as well, who Ashelia spotted after taking a small sip from her punch. She wondered if the girl was a local, and if she knew her way around the clubs within the city. Ashelia didn’t want to accidentally venture into a dangerous area if she didn’t have to, especially when she knew so little about the city.

If only she could feel the Force.

Ashelia took a deep breath and refocused her efforts. She approached the redheaded woman from the front. It came upon her that the woman didn’t look quite like a streetwalker, and she seemed to carry herself more like an athletic dancer. Regardless, Ashelia didn’t want to back out and seem awkward, since she had already committed herself to speaking to the redhead.

“Hi!” Ashelia began with a wave. “Ummm...are you from around here? I think I’ll need some help getting around the city later on. Would you know where a umm…” Ashelia paused and seemed to be somewhat nervous. She then proceeded to say the first thing that passed her mind. “an...old Jedi Temple is?” Ashelia spoke slowly. “I heard that this planet has a few abandoned temples beneath the city.”

 

[Garryn Kilstor]

"It won't bother me any Red." He said to the dancer who was standing beside him. "Not so sure about your job though, if she brings in enough money I'd imagine they'd try to set up a residency for that woman for a good while." The Dive wasn't hurting in the credits department, he knew that for a fact because he was being very well paid to just stand around and look menacing. "If I was you I'd start working on a very eye catching routine." A sudden outburst of raised voices near the bar drew his attention. "Sorry, duty calls." He said as started off towards the altercation.

One of the drunk Rodians had started something with a Duros who had been ordering drinks from the bartender. It had devolved into shoving at that was an immediate cause for dismissal from the building. The troublesome Rodian shoved the Duros and knocked all of the drinks out of his hands and spilled them on the rather depressed looking human who'd been sitting there drinking for the last hour or two. Garryn and his bouncer associates were on the scene and separated the Duros from the Rodian and his drunk buddies. Rodians not being the most fearless of beings in the galaxy submitted to the big Togorian and the hairy Whiphid as they were thrusted towards the door.

Garryn made sure the Duros was good and then checked on the man the drinks had been spilled on. "You alright friend?" He asked the man before turning to the bartender. "His next couple drinks are on me."


[member="Lyra Diantha"] - [member="Dancer"] - [member="Cale Gunderson"] - [member="Ashelia"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

That was not at all helpful. Typical considering the Mandalorian source, but not helpful. Up until very recently, there had never been such...well...vulgarity being flaunted around. Well, at least not right out in the open in front of the entire room. No, that sort of thing was usually reserved for private rooms, where patrons paid a ridiculous amount of credits for some one on one attention from whatever girl they were paying to see at the time. All bets were off behind closed doors of the private rooms, so long as a dancer wasn't being abused or treated poorly, of course.

However, with a sigh Lyra placed her hands against her hips as she watched the [member="Dancer"] Mystique as she not only continued to impress the crowd, but had decided to make even more of a spectacle of herself in front of everyone. Lyra supposed that if she was such a well known and renowned dancer, then the normal routines and things the full-time girls were used to didn't really matter. Clearly the owner had upped the game tonight, not only for the guest dancers, but the full time ones too.

When the blonde dancer caught her eye, Lyra shook her head and took a deep, steadying breath. They were all going to have to remain civil and get along, otherwise the lot of them would bring this place down faster than anyone could blink.

The redhead's attention was broken away from Mystique however when she was approached by another body. Automatically Lyra melted right into her stage persona - and found immediately that it wasn't needed. "Oh um..." Jedi Temples? The redhead's brow creased and it was clear that she was thinking about what she had just been asked. Her head shook a little, "No, I'm sorry but I don't." she answered. Lyra had never had a purpose to know much about them after all. "But I'm sure they can't be hard to locate, right? Someone around here must know a thing or two about something along those lines."


[member="Ashelia"], [member="Garryn Kilstor"], [member="Cale Gunderson"]

 

[Ashelia]

Ashelia
Post 2
Location: The Dive, Dal’Bor - Soceras
[member="Lyra Diantha"] [member="Garryn Kilstor"]

“You know what? I...uhhh...that was a dumb question. I’m sorry for bothering you with that.” Ashelia answered nervously as she ran her left hand through her cotton candy hair. “I’m Ashelia by the way. I ummmm, think a lot about these kinds of things, ya’ know?” The Elzeri continued, seemingly on the precipice of going on a rant. “Like...have you ever thought of how cool it would be to be able to use the Force? I’m just so, so utterly fascinated by it, when I’m not out streetwalking or in class I like to study the Jedi and the Sith. Like...did you know about the theory that the Sith were the ones who orchestrated the fall of the old Jedi Order at the end of the Clone Wars? In other words, Order 66 was actually the culmination of thousands of years of work! It was so masterfully planned and executed, like they couldn't have done a better...”

Fortunately for the redhead, Ashelia’s rant was interrupted by a fight happening at the bar. The curvy Elzeri’s attention immediately shifted to focus on the disturbance, perhaps giving the redhead a convenient chance to escape if she found Ashelia to be creepy or odd.

“You know...whenever violence happens, a Jedi or a Sith can feel a...disturbance in the waves of the Force. Some can even sense it before it happens, and perhaps intervene to deescalate the situation.” Ashelia spoke in an almost trancelike manner, her gaze wholly focused on the fight. "Just imagine...being able to sense danger and see in the future…” Ashelia added dreamily, seeming to be utterly fascinated by such a foreign concept.

Ashelia then turned back to the redhead dancer, and she seemed to return to her senses just then.

“I uhhh...sorry for boring you.” She finished, scratching her head in embarrassment as she spoke. In truth, the Force had been the only thing on Ashelia’s mind in the past few days. She had always held an obsessive interest in it, but given the amount of free time she had during the long trip to Soceras, she had consumed a multitude of obscure and hard-to-find texts via the Holonet regarding the Force, the Jedi, and the Sith. However, in spite of her impassioned study of the Force, her ability to feel and manipulate it had unfortunately eluded her. Try as she might, she couldn’t lift even the lightest object through the Force or connect with it through meditation.

To say the least, Ashelia desperately wanted to be able to harness the Force...

 

[Djorn Bline]

Heresy.

Insurgency.​

​

Insubordination.​

​

Three words, each having their own unique definition in their own right. While they were three independent words they each had something in common: ideals that produced radical thoughts to oppose the beauty of order. Jedi and the descendants of the old Republic were those people that dared to defy order, and wished to bring chaos and instability to the galaxy. Bline had studied the psychology of these people, understanding their goals and what methods they would take in order to achieve those goals. While he understood that, he could not understand the 'why' and 'how' these people came to have these ideals. How and why they became enamored with such destructive thoughts that caused the antithesis of harmony.

Though while he couldn't comprehend that mentality, he could offer a cure for it.

Or cures to say.

Four Saaraishash operators accompanied the High Inquisitor, two outside of the settlement he was visiting and one with him. All four wearing armor that was meant for special forces. What was the occasion for this? Duty calls, and duty led them to a criminal wanted by the Sith Empire.

"Gunderson?" The High Inquisitor said, his face donning an Imperial helmet he wore proudly.

[member="Ashelia"] | [member="Lyra Diantha"] | [member="Garryn Kilstor"] | [member="Cale Gunderson"]​

 

[Cale Gunderson]

The Dive, Nighttime, Soceras
_______________________________

Cale would've gotten angry about the drinks being spilled, would've taken the bouncer up on his offer of on the house drinks. Hell, he would've done a lot of things if a karking Inquisitor hadn't strolled up next to him in full kit, asking his name. There were plenty of routes to take, even down an arm and buzzed he could move faster than the man whose face was hidden behind the helmet. He also hadn't taken his hand away from the blaster hidden under his coat since the drinks had been dumped on him. Then there was the force, they hadn't really gotten along in a while but he still could tap into it. Cale had a wealth of options at his disposal, but he went with the simplest one.

He lied.

"Who?" He questioned, arching an eyebrow at the Inquisitor. The Saaraishash were usually for hunting down traitors from what he knew, indoctrinated, steadfast in their commitment to the Empire among other things. They were so sure they were in the right they couldn't comprehend anything other than everyone else being wholly wrong. But Cale wasn't a traitor, not to the Sith, that implied he'd ever been one of them in the first place. He hadn't been, Cale had never been one of their soldiers, he'd been a slave.

There was never a moment where he'd believed in their banthachit, never a swing of the blade he hadn't fought to stop only to have his arms move against his command, never a word he'd spoken that had been his own. If they thought there was something in him to make him become one of them again, they were sorely mistaken. Not to mention making a gross misuse of resources. Cale had one arm, the other could not be replaced, and as far as he knew he'd never been all that special.

He'd still kill every last one of them if they tried taking him in though.

[member="Ashelia"] | [member="Djorn Bline"] | [member="Lyra Diantha"] | [member="Garryn Kilstor"] | [member="Dancer"]​

 

[Garryn Kilstor]

Inquistors were never any good especially ones with an armed escort. His hand lowered discreetly to the handle of his A180 blaster and he put himself firmly between the crippled man covered in alcohol and the Sith. "You're going to have to take your business elsewhere, you and your armed guards."

He wasn't intimidated by the Inquisitor at all and even went as far as planting his palm firmly against the Sith agent's chest and giving him a shove backwards. The Togorian and Whiphid bouncers moved in from behind the armed Sith guards. "Don't care what your business with this guy is, this area isn't under Sith rule so you have no authority here." He drew the blaster from its holster. "This is your one and only warning, leave now or get thrown out."

[member="Dancer"] - [member="Ashelia"] - [member="Lyra Diantha"] - [member="Cale Gunderson"] - [member="Djorn Bline"]

 

[Lyra Diantha]

To be perfectly honest, Lyra had been caught completely off guard when [member="Ashelia"] started in on her rambling over the Force. The redheaded dancer had stared, blinking her semi-wide eyes slowly at the other dancer. But, she had endured. She had listened to ever word that was rushed out at her, and she hadn't attempted to interrupt or cut her off at any point.

However, before she could say anything in response, The Dive suddenly had new visitors - Lyra wouldn't dare to call that lot patrons. Lyra's silver gaze tracked the Inquisitor all the way to the bar, and her brow creased in concern. "Perfect," she groused, only just loud enough for Ashelia to hear. "What other surprises are going to spring up tonight?"

She had started to step away from the other dancer and make her way towards the bar, but it seemed their hired bouncers had gotten there first. Lyra exhaled slowly but heavily and she laid her hands against her hips as she watched the exchange. It was already a charged situation, and she needed to know what move was coming next so that she knew how to react and how to handle it if all hell broke loose.


[member="Dancer"], [member="Garryn Kilstor"], [member="Cale Gunderson"], [member="Djorn Bline"]

 

[Ashelia]

Ashelia
Post 3
Location: The Dive, Dal’Bor - Soceras
[member="Lyra Diantha"] [member="Dancer"] [member="Garryn Kilstor"] [member="Cale Gunderson"] [member="Djorn Bline"]

As reckless and adventurous of a woman as Ashelia was, even she realized that it would not be a good idea for her to be close by while Sith Intelligence agents executed their work. She possibly wanted to become a Sith one day, but that didn’t mean that she wanted to be at the wrong end of their wrath or anywhere near it for that matter. Nevertheless, it already seemed like it would be quite the eventful night for Ashelia. It didn’t seem like she had scared off the cute red headed dancer just yet, but the woman did seem like she had been planning to leave had it not been for the odd disturbance near the bar.

Ashelia turned to the redhead and frowned.

“Well, I won’t be visiting that Jedi Temple tonight if the Sith are here...” She spoke softly, more to herself than to anyone in particular. “I umm...think we should make some distance between ourselves and the bar, yes?” Ashelia said directly to the redhead. “This could get hairy fast...” She added, knowing full well just how casually the Sith were able to apply violence to any given situation as a means of resolution.

Ashelia then backpedaled towards the booths on the far left side of the room. The table seemed like it would provide some level of cover in case things splashed over in the anticipated violence. However, she didn’t necessarily want to find out how much...

 

[Yukiko Saito]

Nervous didn't even begin to explain how Yukiko felt. A new lease on life and yet she gravitated to the very thing she had been enslaved to do since childhood--though now it had been by her willingness and a location far cleaner. Far classier. Though there are many in the vast worlds who are exotic in nature albinism makes it's unique mark in any species. Adorning her frame were colorful jewels set against her milky skin, her hair and nails groomed meticulously. It was while she examined her groomed nails during a short period of down time in her dressing room that she realized that all of this had been made possible by the graces of a perfectly timed chance encounter and remembering this made her nervousness subside slightly. She couldn't afford to dwell after all, not once her alarm sounded to remind her of the end of her break. ​

​

Yukiko slipped her crystal mask back over her face and adjust her hair, then left the room and head for the main floor. It was this evening that Yukiko would feel exploitative for once, to not just dance on stage or in a private viewing (though she would not deny such a request regardless) but to also assist on the floor. With a tasteful platter lined with drinks and goodies Yukiko would carefully meander around The Dive, letting patrons have the option to partake in a drink or treat of choice. ​

 

[Marius Orson]

In all of the space that Marius had explored, he had yet to find a place that he enjoyed quite as much as The Dive on Soceras. The place was clean and classy, but better than that? The women who meandered around the place were top notch. The girls were treated well by their employer, and protected well by their security, and because of that it made them work twice as hard, and willingly no less. It made them willing to wander off to a private room with just about anyone who put up the credits. Even a roughed up, out of place looking man like Marius.

Right now he was lounged back against a booth he had paid top notch for, with a view of the place that he quite enjoyed. He had of course taken notice of the altercation going down at the bar, but since he wasn't being paid to interfere? He just shrugged it off and looked away. Perfect timing too, because his favorite little dancer had emerged from what he was guessing was her break.

When she made her way towards his area with her tray, Marius didn't even bother to speak up. He reached out and caught hold of her wrist, carefully of course, he wasn't a monster all of the time, and then grinned up at her. "Got anything for me?" he questioned her, his voice a low rumbled as he smirked up at her without shame.


[member="Yukiko Saito"]

 

[Yukiko Saito]

She gasped when her wrist had been caught within familiar fingers. Though she did not lack sight she did not have perfect sight and had been caught off guard by his touch. Her grace however allowed her to compose herself just as swiftly as she had been surprised. Calm, collected, and smiling beneath the crystal mask that never left her face in his or anyone else's presence. "There is always something for you." She whispered gently, soft spoken as she worked to maintain composure despite the action displaying in The Dive tonight. Her gaze lowered as the tray did, letting it rest on his table so that he could take his pick on his own terms while she inched closer to him than she would normally do with a patron. Over his visit's she's learned to trust in him enough that she would silently seek shelter in him while the situation in on the floor was being dealt with. ​

​

"Long day?" She wondered. Sometimes he came with stories and sometimes she seemed to play distractor of his experiences and tonight she hoped for the latter. It meant leaving the floor and entering a private space and that sounded quite nice in the moment.​

​

[member="Marius Orson"]​

 

[Marius Orson]

Having the tray laid down on the table earned a soft noise from Marius, and he shifted in his seat so that he could get a good look at what she had littered along it. His hand released her so that he could instead hover his fingers over the different glasses until he stopped and found something of his preference. The glass was lifted and brought close to his face, and he made a gruff, pleased noise. "This will do." he told her, and laid the credits to pay for not only the glass he took, but to make sure it was kept coming.

Her question earned an ironic sort of laugh from him, and after he took a drink from the booze he had purchased, he leaned back comfortably in his chair again as his gaze swept up over her until his eyes met hers again. "Long enough," he answered her with a shrug of the shoulders. "Though it certainly seems the action here is much more promising..." he was of course referencing the altercation at the bar. Even if he wasn't actively watching it, he had his eye out, just in case he needed to duck and cover. Or shoot something/someone.


[member="Yukiko Saito"]

 

[Yukiko Saito]

She couldn't stay for long. Though there were others making their rounds no two trays in this moment had the same goodies to pick from, so once he found his delight she would note the credits and took them, mindful that she would have to end her round towards the bar to bring him a fresh serving eventually. "I wish it wasn't." She admitted guiltily. She bit her lip beneath the crystal veil and rest her fingers at his shoulder while the other hand balanced the tray. "I'll be back soon." She promised. ​

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Yukiko finished her round of tables while chatting with patrons and making sure their options were plenty so that their credits were flowing. She would return to the bar to let her tray be replenished and while it was being restocked, she would retrieve a bottle of the drink her previous patron paid to keep coming and gladly abandon the bar to do so. She wasn't about to wait around for the rest of it, she could come back later. ​

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Upon return to him, Yukiko would wiggle the bottle by its neck with a smile. "Look what I've found." She teased, and pour if it was needed, otherwise rest it on the table so she could free her hand.​

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[member="Marius Orson"]​