The People You Meet

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

He flashed her a brief grin of amusement. ”If we took the stairs you’d still be walking tomorrow.”

Something that he just didn’t have time for.

Unfortunately, despite all of their ufn, Nikolas did have work to do the following day. With the Alliance moving their capital to Coruscant things were busier than ever. Corrupt politicians had been outed, men and women who once bent easily now require more coercion, and criminals scattered much more easily. It was extremely annoying for his siblings, though Nikolas just revelled in the fun.

As the two of them stepped inside a young woman behind the lobby desk perked her head up, eyes wandering over Nikolas, and then jealously floating towards Farah as the two of them walked on by.

”We’ll be going to the penthouse.” He told her as they walked into the area with the lifts, pressing a small button to summon the one they would require. ”But don’t worry.”

The lift let out a small chime as it arrived. ”We’ll burn off those calories.”

 

[Farah]

Her eyes surged upwards in a roll at the mention of her ability—or inability—to walk in the morning. “Really.” She muttered. “You’re building this up too much. It’s not classy to leave a lady disappointed.” From what she experienced, men tended to talk themselves up. But she found this one interesting enough to follow through. Still, she liked being antagonistic.

Her gaze shifted idly around the lobby, noting the desk girl and the look she’d given her. A small, nearly imperceptible smile tilted Farah’s lips.

“Hm?” She tilted her head towards Nikolas as they waited for the lift. It arrived quickly and she stepped inside. “Ooh, a penthouse. Aren’t you fancy.” Her smile grew a little wider as the doors closed.

Her hand found its way to his tie, fiddling with it for a few moments between lithe fingers. Suddenly, she pulled him forward with a surge of strength and into a hard kiss. Time to test the waters.

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

If the act at all surprised him, Nikolas didn't show it.

Perhaps it was a result of his almost overbearing confident, or perhaps he had simply seen it coming, but the moment that she pulled him forward Nikolas' hands came up. One found it's way to her hip, the other came crashing against the bare glass wall of the turbo-lift as he kissed her and gently pushed her back.

His tongue flicked over hers as their lips embraced, and then he pulled back. "Hmm."

Amusement floated through his tone.

"Rather impatient, are we?" The lift surged up as he spoke.

 

[Farah]

Part of her had expected him to push back for dominance, but she was not upset by it.

She looped the silk of his tie between her fingers, playing with it idly as she tilted her head up just slightly to look him in the eyes. A thoughtful silence hung between them.

Her lips curved slightly. “Says the man who tries to pick up women at the emergency room.” Her hand let go of his tie, patting it gently against his chest.

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

He smirked at her.

"I've always believed that if you want something..." He trailed off as he pressed his lips against hers again. "You should take it."

That was how it had always been. Nikolas didn't wait for things to come to him, he didn't wait for someone else, he got what he wanted. Whether it was a new toy, a blade, or a woman. Nikolas got what he wanted, regardless of what it was.

Some called him selfish for it, most often his siblings, but that hardly mattered to him. "No matter the time or the place."

Nikolas smirked at her.

 

[Farah]

Farah practically snorted.

“What does that make me then? The flavor of the evening?”

Not that she minded at this point. He’d pursued her, annoyingly so, and had grown on her in a strange way. He was interesting. That, and he’d helped her gain Cornerstone Scientific for her own.

“I have to work early in the morning.” She shrugged. “So I’m afraid I won’t be here to make your breakfast.”


[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

He considered her words for a moment, glancing down at her with a smile. "Unacceptable."

The Turbo-lift came to a stop just as he spoke, the doors falling open to reveal a small hallway that lead to a single set of double doors. Nikolas made no move to head out of the lift however, instead he lingered within the small room, still holding Farah in place against the wall. His grip was in no way rough, though it was firm enough to hold her in place.

"That's just ill-mannered." He told her.

"I insist you stay for breakfast." The executioner smiled wide. "Maybe lunch too."

 

[Farah]

Farah rested her head against the glass, taking her time to consider in the predatory man who’d pinned her there. He always got what he wanted, he’d said. The doctor wasn’t one to give in to aggressive personalities given her own, but no one liked to think that they did.

Besides, they had a deal she intended to make good on.

“I’ll be busy tomorrow. I just got another job tonight.” Her little smile flickered into a grin like flame eating paper. Not only would she be continuing her work at the hospital, but now she had Cornerstone to oversee.

She glanced over his shoulder down the hall, eyeing those double doors before she refocused on him.

“I’m not known for my manners.”

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

"That's okay." Nikolas said with that same, wide grin.

Nikolas knew exactly how difficult running a business was. The knowledge didn't come from any personal experience of course, he wasn't involved in any of that. The only part of the Coratanni Cartel that he actually had any input in was how they would go about killing someone, beyond that? His opinion meant about as much as a slice of bread at a five course meal.

No no, everything he knew on the subject came from his sister; Verin.

She had often lectured him on just how he would fail at running a corporation. He'd heard many details about how he was too irrational, impulsive, and stupid to actually run a business. He was good at 'other' things she had said, but the finer arts of operating a business? No, not for him. It had seemed mean at the time, but she'd been right.

"I can show you proper etiquette." Nikolas leaned in and slowly kissed her. "You just have to pay attention."

 

[Farah]

She murmured against his lips, eyes drifting upwards as they parted. They shifted over his shoulder again down to those double doors and she became a little more aware of his hold on her.

Good thing it looked like no one else was using the elevator at the moment.

“Speaking of etiquette.” She shifted slightly, head cocking to one side. “Shouldn’t you be inviting me inside to some place more comfortable?”

She tisked, tracing a finger along the curve of his jaw.

“Or would you rather spend the night in an elevator.”


[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

He made a thoughtful 'hmm' sound before slowly pulling back. "I suppose after the night you've had you at least deserve to see the inside of my apartment."

What that was supposed to mean exactly only Nikolas knew.

Without another word he slowly stepped away from her, his fingers sliding over her skin for just a moment before he turned and motioned for her to head towards the door. The hallway was almost completely unadorned, the carpet bright red and the walls painted a simple beige color. Two cameras sat at each end of the hallway, though neither of them moved from their fixed position. The Executioner followed quickly behind Farah, the two of them reaching the door just as he stepped to the side and beyond her.

"Here." Nikolas said as he grabbed the handle of the door. A small scan of his palm went through the lock, and a quiet click echoed out in the hallway. A moment more passed and then he pushed his way into the apartment.

The moment Farah stepped inside she would be met with instant splendor and luxury, the expansive foyer laid out before her.

 

[Farah]

Farah blinked, unsure of what that was supposed to mean. In the end she shrugged it off as she’d done with quite a few of his qualities tonight. Waiting for her outside of work and ‘renting’ out an entire restaurant for the both of them? Creepy. But still interesting and Farah would be lying if she denied that she was into risky business.

She watched with something akin to baited anticipation as the door opened, stepping inside with both brows arched.

“All this for just one person, huh?” Strangely her mind went to how many patient beds could fit in here. Space tended to be an issue with hospitals and she frowned at the idea of that being her first thought.

She wandered in further. “You have good taste in décor.” She offered a small compliment though she was nearly sure that he had someone else do it for him. He didn’t seem like the home designer type.

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

"I know." Was all he said before he gently waved for her to follow him.

The Apartment truly was quite large, an entire floors worth of space. There were small winding corridors and a few rooms tucked away in the back that Farah wouldn't be seeing tonight, though perhaps in time. Nikolas lead her down a small set of stairs into a kitchen bisected by a large counter top. Behind the counter top sat something akin to a dining room, though the last time it was used was impossible to say.

"Now." He told her as he slowly turned. "Do you want a drink..."

Nikolas glanced to the kitchen table. "Or can you not keep your hands to yourself for that long?"

 

[Farah]

Her eyes slid to the empty table then back to Nik.

“I wouldn’t mind another drink.” She shook her thermos at him. “I’m all out.”

She almost snickered at the comment about keeping her hands to herself. True, she had kissed him first as a way to test the waters. He was the one who went in again for the second, third and forth.

Farah’s eyes busied themselves with taking in Nikolas’ apartment—there certainly was a lot to take in.

“Did you do this all yourself?” She asked, knowing that the answer would likely be a ‘no’.

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

"I Have my ways." It was a round about way of saying 'no'.

Nikolas had never really been the sort to work in construction. Even as a young child within the Thawne Household he'd never once strayed towards the building blocks or any of that nonsense. Some of his siblings had, but he'd always been focused on other things. He supposed that was an indictment of who he was and what he would later become, but the truth of it was Nikolas simply didn't have the introspection to actually comment on that sort of thing.

He already knew he was perfect, no need to look any deeper. "Perhaps something stronger?"

The Enforcer asked with a smile as he wandered behind the bar.

"A Tatooine Sunrise?" His own favorite drink. "Or maybe a Felucian Stalk."

 

[Farah]

Farah took a seat at the bar, one leg crossed over the other. She’d placed her tumbler down on the counter and gave Nikolas a thoughtful look as he offered to make her a drink.

“Oh?” She clicked her tongue. “You’re an amateur bartender along with an assassin?”

Farah was no alcohol enthusiast but she did enjoy a drink or two from time to time.

“I’ll try a Tatooine Sunset.” She decided. “Just as long as you don’t botch it, now.”

[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

"I told you." Nikolas said as he reached beneath the bar and grabbed two separate bottles of alochol. The liquors were of course nothing but the best, Nikolas didn't settle for second rate with anything. If someone were to raid this place they would find more stolen goods than in a Sith warehouse.

"I'm not just an assassin." He poured the liquors into a small mixing cup. "It'd be like calling a Krayt Dragon a reptile."

An apt comparison considering the drink that he was making.

A tatooine sunset was actually a fairly simple thing. Whisky, a touch of Arceneau Tequila, and then just the slightest hint of some plant that grew within the furthest underground cavern of the desert world. Most of the time people just used flavoring for that last part, but Nikolas wouldn't settle for such things. He mixed the drink quickly, taking a knife and slicing the plant thinly before shaking it into the alcoholic mixture and straining the drink before pouring it. "You're just not giving credit where it's due."

He told Farah as he set the drink in front of her.

 

[Farah]

Farah regarded the drink in front of her with a curious look. It was sort of a pretty shade. “None for yourself?”

She wrapped a hand around the glass and took a test sip before humming in approval.

“This is good. Nice choice.” If the drink had been made at any standard bar, she probably wouldn’t have liked it as much. Farah didn’t know a lot about alcohol so she couldn’t really discern that he’d used more expensive liquor for this concoction.

“I take it back.” She mused after another, longer sip. “You’re a man of many talents. What else can you do beyond relentlessly stalking women and bartending?”


[member="Coratanni Cartel"]

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

[member="Farah"]

"Hmm." He considered for a moment.

What were his other talents?

"You know." Nikolas slowly walked around the bar, tapping his fingers alongside the counter top as he mused on what she had asked. There was a clear intent to his walk, his steps falling softly until he ended up behind her. "There's just so many."

The enforcer didn't touch her, though he did lean in closer, his breath falling on her neck. "It'd take up the whole night just listing them."

He smiled.

"Maybe I can just show you some." Nikolas mused. "It would be more fun."

 

[Farah]

Farah rested an elbow on the counter, face pressed against the knuckles of her fist. She sipped the drink as he made his was around her, eyeing the way he stalked towards her like a predator about to surge forward. Smooth and collected. It was clear that Nikolas did not lack in confidence.

“Well,” She continued to take her time in sipping at the drink, finding that it was tastier than she had expected. “Isn’t that why I’m here?”

He didn’t need to get more alcohol in her but it was a nice gesture. She was already here and had come willingly after some convincing in the form of company acquisition.

Her face sank further against her hand. “Just don’t bore me, Thawne.”


[member="Coratanni Cartel"]