Two more chicks under the Raven's wings (Audrey Thénardier)

[Leo & Luna]

It had been a week since the news hit Coronet's streets. A breakout from the Galliar Correctional Institute for the Criminally Insane. It was one of the biggest installations on the planet. If anyone managed to escape, they must be incredibly dangerous. It was because of this reasoning that an eight o'clock curfew had been placed on every citizen along with close monitoring of the city borders, enlarged night patrols, and the searching of every building that could be used as a hideout. This was why two teenagers with fiery red hair and piercing blue-violet eyes were sprinting down the street, one leading the other along by the hand.​

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Leo was doing his best to find a hiding place, but he was running out of options as the police gained on them. The permacrete was slick from a recent downpour. A lack of traction only added to the dilemma. It was nighttime, but the street lamps made the two figures quite visible. As Leo lead Luna quickly around a corner, she slipped and fell to the ground with a hard thud. A tiny sound of surprise and pain came from her mouth. Leo was immediately on the ground by her side.​

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"Luna! Did you break anything? How bad does it hurt? Can you move at all?" ​

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Luna held up a hand to signal that she'd be alright. Leo slipped her arm over his shoulders and helped her up. Her thigh was going to be very bruised, and already it hurt to move it as regularly as before. Slowly, they began to move as quickly as they could with Luna's limp. It wasn't fast enough, however. The police surrounded them in minutes. There was no other alternative. Gently Leo sat Luna down on the ground next to him. When he rose, he outstretched both of his hands.​

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"I didn't want to do this..."​

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The puddles and moisture on the ground started to rise into the air around them. His eyes flew open to reveal bright glowing blue irises as the water gathered into orbs around each head of the officers. They all began choking, clawing at the water around their faces to no avail. He wasn't a murderer. Once the officers fell to the ground unconscious, he allowed the orbs to burst and return to permacrete.​

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[member="Audrey Thénardier"]​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

Among the news playing that day, along with the breakout from Galliar Correctional Institute for the Criminally Insane, was the visit of the head of the noble family Thénardier, lady Audrey. She was here, as the news explained, her on offical politcal buisness with the heads of the Coronet authority to settle trade deals with her company while making a public apperance to the people of the planet. Pictures of her waving to a crowd or shakig hands with the superiors of Coronet were playing while all of this happened.

During the brief encounter with the police and the force sensative twins, a handful of other cops had managed to arrive just after the brother of the slibling duo had used his abilites to send the men flying. They had pulled up from behind and drew thier weapons, however their were not the standard issues weaponry as the other plice had a clear indication something was off about them.

One of them had called "Hold it!" pointing his weapon at him. "Now look, son, we're not trying to hurt you. We want to help you. And your sister. We can get you away from here and from whoever's after you. Just come quietly and we'll take you someplace safe. Otherwise I'll have to put a few tranq's in you and hen drag your sorry butt back. Your choice."

[member="Leo & Luna"]

 

[Leo & Luna]

Luna reached up from her seat on the ground and took Leo's hand. Their eyes met for the briefest of moments. No words were spoken, yet somehow, they were communicating with each other.​

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<We can't go back. We can't...> ​

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The girl's eyes were pleading. Leo squeezed his sister's hand tightly. She was right. Galliar had nearly destroyed them. There was no way that they could go back now. Not after this. They were in too deep. He turned his gaze back to the officers, glaring defiantly down the barrel of the one who had spoke.​

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"We won't. We left for a reason. We'd sooner die than go 'somewhere safe' with you people again."​

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At that moment, Luna hopped onto Leo's back. He sent a powerful surge of Force energy outward in all directions, clearing a path for their escape. His feet began moving with unnatural speed. No more hiding. They were getting out of this city and off of this planet. Tonight.​

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@Audrey Thénardier​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

After hearing their refusal the man had drawn his weapon, as did some of the others, with the intent to fire. However they were dispatched once the force wave was sent in all direction, knocking them off thier feet and forcing them back; some crashing agaisnt the wall in the process. This comotion had caused the rest of the authorites to come invetigating, finding the fake cops by the time the twins had run off. Thinking them fellow officers the authories helped the false cops to their feet before asking where the two had run off.

Pointing in an opposite direction the lead fake had said "That way. Hurry!", they taking the lie and running off in full haste. Once they were clear the leader had used a comm and said "We couldn't catch them. But they're heading your way."

~~~​

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By the time the twins would come to what they would belive to be an exit out of the alleyway system, they would be stopped by a lone figure standing at the entrance. It was a woman, dressed in a business suit with a full matching wardrobe attire. Her long blonde hair hung down and around her shoulders while her deep cold blue eyes looked at the twins through a pair of think glasses sitting on her nose.

Upon seeing the two she held her hands up and said "Easy now. I'm not an enemy. I only wish to talk. Do you know who I am?"

She'd asked in refernce to the fact that her face had been on the news serval times since she was here on Hapes. She made it clear she was unarmed and didn't wish to harm the twins as she stood there awaiting an answer.

[member="Leo & Luna"]

 

[Leo & Luna]

The twins were within inches of final escape when their path was suddenly blocked by a one figure. A woman dressed in what appeared to be an expensive suit. She held up her hands to indicate that she meant no harm. However, Leo protectively placed Luna behind him, raising a single hand palm-out in the woman's direction should she try anything sneaky. He studied her face for a moment. That face was very familiar...​

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"Audrey Thénardier. Famous noblewoman who's been all over the news feeds since the moment you landed in Coronet. What do you want with us?"​

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@Audrey Thénardier​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

"To help you, of course." she answered blunty. "Those men you ran into were mine. And they weren't lying." She slowly lowered her hands as she began to explain "You see, I've heard of what happened to you. Both of you. Especially you sister. Rumors had spread about some serect operations going on around this part of the system, but I wasn't fully sure they were true. Not until tonight anyway. And, if I can be frank, the people who took your sister away are something of a rival company with my own. I knew they were crooked, but I didn't think they would do anything so cruel as kidnapping an innocent girl and tourture her through experimentaion. A nasty business plan." Holding out her right hand she continued with "I'm here to offer you safe passage. I know a group of people who could use your help. Friends of mine, which I can ensure will not do the same unto you as those others have."

[member="Leo & Luna"]

 

[Leo & Luna]

Leo's jaw clenched as Audrey mentioned Luna's torture. Luna winced ever so slightly, he mind flashing back to the white cell, and then to the metal table with the painful steel restraints...​

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"We were just things to them. Animals waiting to be slaughtered and eaten. They tortured me too, but it was nothing compared to what they did to her. It wasn't just for 'science'. Sometimes, it was just for fun. I could hear them laughing about it at night outside my cell. They thought her screams were funny. I was so ready to--"​

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Luna grasped Leo's hand in both of her own. She didn't need him to start thinking about it, too. There was no time.​

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[member="Audrey Thénardier"]​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

"I understand. Even I think torture for false goals is beneth anyone's nature." Audrey said, still keeping her hand open. "I offer you salvation, and a propostion. Come with me. I can take you somewhere where no one will ever hurt you again. You'll be given food. Shelter. Perhaps even a job, one that you can chose to accept or decline at your chosing. All I ask is that you trust me." Just as she'd finished the fake cops from before had arrived behind the twins, looking ready to attack but a hand rasied from Lady Audrey stopping them from making any advancement on them. "Will you trust me, children?" she asked, a firm cold look in her eyes hidden behind the glasses.

[member="Leo & Luna"]

 

[Leo & Luna]

Luna looked behind them, moving closer to Leo's back. He too looked behind, and then turned back to Audrey. His blue-violet gaze hardened as he met her in the eyes. He lowered his hand and instead gently placed it on hers.​

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"Get us out of here."
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[member="Audrey Thénardier"]
​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

With a smirk cutting across her lips she grasped his hand while saying "Men, create a perimter. Let's get these two out of here."

The lead fake cop called to the others, giving them orders to send any and all false reports to the authorites to keep them as far away from them as possible. While this happened Audrey lead the twins out of the allyway and into an awaiting private car just outside of the entrace. It was very expensive looking, the type one would not think to look for a pair of runaways, and even had a driver with the door open and waiting for them to enter.

Audrey allowed [member="Leo & Luna"] to enter first before telling the driver "Back to the resort." before getting in and closing it.

Within a few minutes the car itself was off and flying into the airways where it blended in with the rest of the passing vehicles. Now knowing they were safe, and no one was the wiser, Audrey looked to both of them and smiled, having proved she was telling the truth, before pulling out a cigar from her jacket.

 

[Leo & Luna]

Leo kept his eyes on the window nearest to him, watching for anything that might indicate they were being followed. Luna rested her head on his shoulder and stared at Audrey as she lit her cigar. Neither of them stopped holding hands. The car was warm and dry, but it did little to ease their nerves. Who was this woman, truly? Could they trust her? Were they really safe? They had no way to answer this. Finally, Leo broke the silence.​

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"Where are we going, if you don't mind me asking?"​

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[member="Audrey Thénardier"]​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

After sucking in a small amount of smoke that she latter exhhaled, cracking the window to let it flow out of the car, Audrey answered "My residence in the nearby resort. You'll be safe there. After that you'll be given whatever accomadations you need before tomorrow. From there I'll take you to meet with the group I told you about." Another breif puff before Audrey asked "Tell me, have you ever heard of the Red Ravens?"

[member="Leo & Luna"]

 

[Leo & Luna]

The twins nodded.​

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"A little bit. The news always made them look like some kind of crime syndicate."​

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Leo didn't entirely believe that, of course. After all, the news also made him and Luna sound like insane killing machines bent on destroying the city and butchering babies.​

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[member="Audrey Thénardier"]​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

"That's a bit of a strong word to use." she responded, flicking the ashes of her cigar into a small tray on the armrest of her seat. "They're more of a criminal movement, with a more honorable agenda as apposed to the others you may hear about. I'm something of a benefactor to the Ravens." She gave them a moment to think on it, seeing how odd that must've been for someone like Lady Thénardier to be connected with them, before she clarified "Yes, children. The famed Lady Thénardier is in fact working part time as a crime lord. One of the best. Do you know how?" she took another breath of smoke, letting it out of her nose, and answered "Because no one else knows about it." she smirked.

[member="Leo & Luna"]

 

[Leo & Luna]

This little detail made both sets of eyebrows raise. Audrey Thénardier, a crime lord in secret? And they were the only two who knew other than her associates now? It was certainly surprising. ​

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"What do the Red Ravens do, exactly?"​

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Leo was a bit curious as to what this 'crime movement' actually was. He didn't want to drag Luna and himself into something that would get them sent back to an institute. Or worse. ​

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[member="Audrey Thénardier"]​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

"Simple really. We deal with business and ooperations that aren't exaclty considered legal to the rest of the galaxy. We indluge in slicing. Theft. Smuggling. And occasionally we wage war against some of our rivals. Namely the Black Suns, and the Hutt Cartel." Mentioning them both had but a slight hissed tone in her voice when she called the name of the later. "But one thing we do as a group is look out for each other. We're more than just an organization. We're a team. And any good team watches the back of their teammates. That's what we have in mind for you. Both of you."

[member="Leo & Luna"]

 

[Leo & Luna]

Leo took a moment to converse with his sister. To anyone outside of the "loop", it would merely look like they were staring into each other's eyes for a while. In reality, a secret conversation was taking place.​

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<What do you think about all this?>​

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<I think that we have absolutely no idea what we're getting into. What if something happens to us?>​

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<Something already happened to us, Luna. A powerful woman just pulled us out of going back to Hell!>​

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<I know that, Leo. But what if we do something that makes them turn on us?>​

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<Then we'll run. Find somewhere to hide until we can figure something out.>​

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<That may have worked in Coronet, but this is different. This is organized CRIME. If we screw this up, they'll be able to hunt us anywhere we go.>​

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<Then we won't screw up. Please, Luna. Just trust me on this...>​

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The conversation ended with Luna giving her brother a reluctant nod. It was settled. Leo turned back to Audrey.​

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"We're in."​

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[member="Audrey Thénardier"]​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

While unable to hear what was being said seeing the expression the twins shared had told Lady Thénardier could tell they were both somehow speaking with each other. The way they looked and for the duration they did had told her that much. She figured it was some sort of telepathy, an interesting ability she knew would be in use while in the service of the Red Ravens. She only sat there and continued to smoke until Leo had given their answer.

With a smile she delcared "Excellent. Now then, first thing's first. Let's get you both cleaned up and well fed with plenty of rest. Tomorrow, we'll be off."

Within a few minutes the car had arrived at a private docking port on the balacony of the resort Lady Thénardier was staying at. Even as it floated in a parked position the car's doors automatically opened, allowing Audrey to step out first before letting the twins come next. From there they would see her room, a large pen house of a room with a full view of the city around them. Everything looked expensive from the furniture to the large holoscreen on the wall. A few personal guards were present but the trio were instead greeted by a droid, who offered to lead the twins to the bathroom where they could freshen up.

[member="Leo & Luna"]

 

[Leo & Luna]

The penthouse was spacious an elegant. The carrot-topped twins were afraid to touch anything. Even thought they'd lived in the lap of luxury for the majority o their lifetimes, the past few months had taken the memories of anything refined and expensive. The droid led them down a hallway and into a large room. It took them a moment to notice the large round bathtub and multi-system shower that made it a bathroom. Leo let Luna take the bathtub. They were careful to avoid looking at each other. Bathing together as children was a lot less awkward. The bath Luna took was filled with lavender-scented bubbles and rose petals, much to her delighted surprise. Leo's shower had several scented jets along with the regular shower-head. They made his hair smell like orange musk and his skin smell like lemongrass.​

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When the bathing was complete, Luna and Leo felt cleaner than they had in a very long time, and they smelled like wealthy people.They put on fluffy white robes before leaving. The droid had been waiting outside for them, and lead them to the room that they would be staying in for the night. All the two could do was stare in awe at their surroundings when they got there. Two massive beds, a chandelier, and a walk-in closet was just the beginning of the room's grandeur. The droid told them that they could make a selection of clothing from the closet before meeting Audrey in the dining room for their meal. Leo chose a simple violet button-up shirt and black suit pants. Luna chose a long short-sleeved violet blouse with black leggings. After putting on their chosen clothing, they were lead to the dining room.​

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[member="Audrey Thénardier"]​

 

[Audrey Thénardier]

During the time the twins were cleaned Audrey had made some last minute confirmations with the false cops under her hire. After they told how the authorities were still searching but had no idea what had happened she ordered that they continue their guise until under the radar, at which point they could do what they needed to return to the Red Raven base. From there she went to her room and prepared herself for an eventual sleep. She fitted herself into a violet nightgown with a matching robe that reached down to the floor.

Once she was finished Audrey had made her way to the dining room, where dinner was already being prepared, and waited for [member="Leo & Luna"] to arrive. During this time she looked over a few documents and contacts, some less official and legal than others. She'd ordered a glass of wine while waiting, which was served by her droid-in-waiting. She sipped it as she read through before ventually seeing the two young ones arrive.

Looking to them and smiling she said "There. Don't you both feel better now?" After that she gestured "Sit wherever you lile." She waited until they did before asking "What are you interested in? Whatever you ask we can have it brought and prepared for you."

[member="Leo & Luna"]