To market, to market

[Samka Derith]

Spoiler

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Yn​

Marketplace​

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Samka Derith coughed. The scent of incense from the pot in front of her was overwhelming. "Y-yes that's quite the unique smell," she assured the stall owner. Sam attempted to smile but a splutter broke through again as the scent lingered. The store owner, a rather rotund man, laughed boisterously at the sight of the small foreign girl struggling with the powerful scent. She turned away, dreaming dark thoughts of what she'd do to the man for his cackling were this not such a public place. No one should humiliate her so proudly!

But she'd made a promise to her companion of the day: [member="Ara Zambrano"]. No... Ren business. No killings, violence nor intimidation unless it was truly called for.

So be it.

Weaving around a lumbering gonk droid, the younger of the two women reached out to pull on Ara's shoulder, pulling her attention back from the market stalls.

"Have you seen anything interesting?" Samka asked, pulling her hood down as she did so. There were now in the shade, the hoods weren't needed to protect their skin from the glaring sun. They should be quite safe from recognition, even Ara now as Queen of Panatha wouldn't be expected to arouse suspicions. The two were dressed as locals in a small town market place out in the middle of a sparsely populated desert on one of the First Order's least remarkable world's. The citizens here would be so removed from the affairs of the galaxy that it wouldn't surprise Samka if Sieger himself could waltz in and have no one bat an eyelash.

Nonetheless, Sam's hair was dyed a dirty blonde and the corruption of the Dark Side hidden from view leaving her irises dark blue and her skin a more healthy tan. It let the freckles dotted around her nose show more clearly. She was starting to grow more fond of this appearance, were it not a significant effort to maintain, the Ren may consider using it permanently.

 

[Ara Zambrano]

The Arch-Queen of Panatha choked back an amused cough at the indignation in [member="Samka Derith"] ‘s voice, a warmth smile, murmured assurances that they would be back for a small amount of the offending fragrance later as she steered the Master of Ren away from the stall and deeper into the market.

”Come now, Monaca, we promised not to delay…”

An undercurrent of laughter drifted through the easy admonishment, laughter shinning in the depths of the older woman’s irises, their corrupted hue hidden with simple sapphire tinted contacts. A multi-layered wrap skirt of various peaches and creams wrapped around her waist, a simple grey tunic and leggings hiding the various scars that dotted the Ren’s body, her customary marron and black cloak settled over her shoulders. Her arm linked lightly with the smaller woman’s as they moved around and away from the bustle of the market, also adorned in rather unremarkable outfit, her normally vibrant violet haired dyed to a softer, more natural shade of blonde.

Mirroring her companion’s movements, Ara pulled her own hood down in difference to the shadows in which they stood, chestnut hair falling in long waves down her back, a waterfall released from its fabric prison. A few questioning glances cast their way were easily discouraged by a pointed glance and tight smile.

”Interesting? No, but I do have high hopes for the precious stone vendor a few stalls down.” Her eyes cast over the crowd once more, a slight wrinkling of the nose as a rather pungent Rodian crossed their path, her smile growing tighter against the assault to her senses. ”Although, I would rather like to introduce them to the concept of a bath house.”

No, there was little of interest taking place so deep in the desert of Yn, the heat and sun ensuring her skin was coated in a rather discomforting layer of sweat, despite the dry wind that blew through the open market every few minutes. That was precisely why the pair had decided on the rather unassuming planet in the first place, Ara having instigated a day out, away from the Order, the Ren, and Panatha. Proposed as a simple shopping trip, there was a bit more to the Master’s plan than she’d first given credence to.

Head canting to the side slightly, she flashed a lovely smile in the direction of her friend, a glimmer of mischief sparkling behind the slightly-opaque contacts she wore. Her words took on a playful lilt, inviting the listener to join in on the laughter and let their guard down. It was a tone Decitus Ren would recognize from her time charming the Nobles of Panatha, a reminder of the years spent using her looks to survive. A playful, cunning predator.

”Care to play a bit of a game with me?”

 

[Samka Derith]

At first Samka's head cocked to the side inquiringly as the elder woman addressed her by her false name of the day, a hint of mirth behind her features. It was times like these she questioned just how much Ara wished to poke fun at the younger girl but held back out of respect, or fear, of her position. She certainly enjoyed pushing the boundaries as was shown by the sudden linking of their arms together. Such easy contact was perhaps the one area [member="Ara Zambrano"] utterly outmatched her in. It came back to the differences between the pair, one passionate and sensual, the other icy and aloof.

Regardless, she settled in, crossing her free hand across her body to lightly touch the taller woman's arm as she was led around the market.

"When water is in short supply, you can't spend your hours splashing about in it," Samka replied. With a quick glance around to be sure they were a distance from any eavesdroppers, she leaned upwards to whisper a light tease in Ara's ear. "Someone has gotten too used to her palace," she said in a sing-song rhythm.

She noted their location, now led down a back alley away from prying eyes. She noted too the familiar glimmer on her companion's face. Ara was sweating in the heat and away from her usual choice of tighter fitting and more revealing attire but her smile still had its wiles.

"Only if I win," Samka returned the smile with a smirk creeping out the sides of her mouth. "What are the rules?"

 

[Ara Zambrano]

”I have yet to hear you complain about the accommodations, yourself.”

A light, melodious chuckle met the teasing comment as to her comfort in her new home, admittedly a far finer place than she had ever lived in before. Her own light rebuttal was offered with a saucy wink and playful smirk. The Arch-queen could have taken the comment as a rebuke, a subtle dig at the drastic change in status and surroundings her life had undergone in the last few months. Yet the sing-song tone, the light brush of [member="Samka Derith"] ‘s hand against her arm, and the gentle whisper were bereft of anything other than a moment of friendly banter.

Only if I win.

A darker edge crept into Ara’s expression as she turned to face the smaller woman, the demand not unexpected, nor unwelcome, but lighting the fire of competition within the Ren.

”The goal is simple: find me before the sun has set. I shall not leave the confines of the city, nor shall I use the Force to conceal myself. I do, however, require a small head start, as is only fair. You may not begin your search in any capacity before then.”

Nestled within the small bag Ara carried on her person was a separate set of clothing, pants, tunic, vest, and cloak, as plain an unadorned as her current. The slight heads tart would ensure she had ample time to change, the bag to be left behind in a safe space while the pair played their game of cat and mouse. Yet, it was not merely her vestments the Master sought to conceal from her friend, but her very essence.

The smooth weight of a metal amulet rested between her breasts caught her attention as she shifted, the slight warmth it gave off almost imperceptible against the ambient heat surrounding them on this desert planet. Resting on an ornate chain inscribed with ancient runes, the metal cage enclosed a scarlet coloured crystal, brimming with contained power. Its presence previously masked by her own dark aura, she lifted her hand to caress the curve of the metal cage lightly through the fabric of her shirt, drawing her friend’s inevitable attention to its existence, and no doubt revealing the true purpose of their trip.

The necklace needed to be tested. If it could disguise her person and her signature enough to fool one who knew her as well as the violet-haired teen did, it would be a powerful weapon in her arsenal.

”Have we an accord?”

 

[Samka Derith]

"We are to play hide and seek?" Samka rose a brow sceptically. "You have brought me to what might be the most worthless part of the territories to play hide and seek?" Samka crossed her arms in a mock huff, she already knew [member="Ara Zambrano"] better than to think this was all there was to offer but she wouldn't stop pretending until it was clear.

"Just how childish do you think I am?"

Ara brushed something on her chest. Whether it was a deliberate attempt to get her attention or not, it drew her gaze to something beneath her cloak.

"We have an accord," a somewhat sceptical, dry tone in the younger girl's voice as her eyes flickered back up to meet Ara's. "I'll count to ten so you'd better run along now."

In truth she'd give the woman a little longer. There would be a few minutes before the search began. With a gesture of the head, she commanded the woman to leave and then... she'd wait.

 

[Ara Zambrano]

The soft curve of her grin widened as [member="Samka Derith"] feigned disapproval, the Master knowing far better than to fall for the act the younger woman was all too good at cultivating. A dark chuckle answered the Overlord’s childish taunt, effectively dismissing the Zambrano. Placing one hand lightly on Samka’s shoulder, Ara leaned in, hair falling forward to hide them in a curtain of chestnut waves, looking for all those surrounding like a young girl placing a gentle kiss to her friend’s cheek. Instead, she lingered there, watching for any reaction her closeness might draw from the shorter woman, her breath warm against the curve of her jaw.

”Catch me if you can.”

A sultry look completed the flirtatious comment, humor shining in the depths of the expression, the tips of her fingers lingering against Samka’s arm even as she pulled away to melt into the crowd.

It was all too easy to slip into the stream of people bustling through the brightly lit market, the rough fabric of her hood once more pulled over her long mane, protecting her face from the sharp bite of the sun’s rays and the harsh acrid air, yet also adding to the girl’s unremarkable silhouette. Casting back with her mind, she moved swiftly through the brightly colored stalls, a touch of power guiding her motions, speed added to her natural agility as she navigated the labyrinth of bodies. As her friend’s presence waned, the reach of her mind slowly coming to an end, the Master finally slipped through a small side door.

The tavern was full, a respite for the weary against the harsh desert just beyond the arched entrance. A small credit chip placed on the end of the bar and another flashed smile ensuring the woman access to the private chamber tucked into the back and a bit of privacy.

Ba’Olin pulsed beneath the soft white tunic she now sported, tucked into dark maroon pants with a brown wrapped leather belt riding high on her hips. Gone was the cloak, tucked away into the bag that was now flipped inside out, filled with the items she’d worn into the small hole-in-the-wall drinking establishment. A confused glance and a double-take from the bartender easily quelled by another credit chip tossed onto the counter, the woman leaving without many else noticing her passing.

Blue-grey skin replaced the smooth tan of the half-Hapan, crimson and amber eyes twisted to a bright gold, soft curls replaced with a thick braid of silver locks, her features elongated and sharpened, alien. No one bothered to even glance up from her drinks as she passed, the dark hunger of her aura replaced by a cool neutrality, a drastic difference that would draw the attention of anyone with even a drop of power and the wherewithal to use it to sense those surrounding. It was a benefit then that none of the patrons had much more than glimmer of power within, a coincidence that was hardly that, contrived as it was.

The Pantoran warrior replacing the Arch-Queen as she re-emerged into the crowds.

 

[Samka Derith]

Samka's jaw gritted but she remained stationary as [member="Ara Zambrano"] leaned in. "Personal space, dear," she muttered drily, pointedly gazing in the opposite direction as she caught the woman's breath on her cheek. The younger girl's head finally turning to meet Ara's as she withdrew, just catching her lingering touch and flirtatious smile as she disappeared into the crowd.

Samka sighed aloud and turned her attention away. The woman was getting far too familiar for her own good. That flirtatious persona had rarely been used on her before. It was Ara's most enjoyed way of manipulating others and the fact that she was more and more frequently using it could mean she believed Samka too could be bent to her charms or, perhaps worse, she genuinely believed the pair were close enough as 'friends' to joke about such behaviour. Either way, it seemed the Queen could be in need of a reminder of respect in the near future.

Her fist clenched and a dark shadow fell over the Ren's eyes as she envisioned how that might transpire.

It was a short while lost to her daydreams before she was barraged in the shoulder by a passing Abednedo, snatching Samka from her thoughts. "Apology accepted," she snarled after the alien who merely grunted dismissively as he rounded a corner out of sight. If an orbital strike were called on this settlement would anyone even notice? The thought was tempting.

Regardless, it should now have been enough time to begin the search for Ara.

She reached out with the Force, searching for that familiar passionate presence of Panatha's Queen only to find nothing. This was half-expected by the young girl and confirmed a suspicion she had. This game was a test of Ara's ability to hide. So be it. Samka searched deeper, deep enough that her dark presence grew, creeping into the souls across the entire settlement, enough to send an unnatural chill down even those basking in the desert's dry heat.

She found something, a small ping of the Force. While it was impossible to know exactly where it was, there was no telling if it was even Ara, it did give her a rough location to begin her search.

Samka began to skip down past the market stalls, weaving her way through the colourful crowd of humans, aliens and droids until she reached a tavern. It was somewhere here. She did an initial scan of the crowds, not finding any hint of chestnut hair. Next she'd check the tavern almost expecting to see if Ara sat at the bar batting her lashes at some handsome spacer. If that was the case, Samka supposed the punishment would come early.