Where the Sidewalk Ends [Open club thread]

[Mauda]

I stood out like a sore thumb amongst the patrons, I knew that. Often I felt for a gaze, just to see who had their attention on me. But in a place like this there were more than 200 eyes, glancing, staring, etc. I could never pick out anything significant. I turned around and placed my elbows on the counter, watching the club's population oscillate and move. I downed my Rum in one go and winced. Contorting the muscles in my face, the grin on my right side stretched and flexed, my molars bared through the gap and the exposed muscle tissue flexed. Maybe I needed some facial equipment. Maybe not. Watching, I contemplated.

The Arms industry was thriving and I'd recently acquired a loading dock in the lower levels. Used to be a transport stronghold for some Black Sun kingpin, but after that brief ordeal dealing with him, I'd put the spice labs and armoured transports to good use. Of course DEAD specialised in weapons and gear but a bit of line extension was always good. Drugs were good business anyway, and those displaced by the Sith were quickly turning to indulgence to ease their pain. I thought about the terrified, young Mandalorian Bodyguard that I.. dealt with appropriately. Since then, I've had tinges of emotion. Of empathy. I felt like what I did was wrong. But it wasn't effort to ground myself again. I felt hatred for a reason, and I wasn't abandoning that any time soon.

Thinking about that Transport Dock acquisition, I realised I was standing in one of the most popular clubs in Coruscant. I began paying particular attention to the people. Business men, addicts, dealers, the average citizen. A good variety, some more interesting than others. This could easily prove to be a useful asset, as well as a potential source of income. I was considering discussing a purchase when I looked across and made eye-contact with the Sergeant I'd spotted earlier. Without holding it for too long, I turned back and ordered another Rum.

"Sithspit.."

I muttered under my breath. If I leave now, that'll make things suspicious. I thought it better to just stay and play it out as if it were a simple coincidence that we saw eachother. Perhaps I was being paranoid, but avoiding authority was still a priority, regardless of whether I was known to them or not. I was confident I wasn't, but not confident enough. I felt for my Lightsaber, an assurance out of caution.

My rum arrived and so I left my spot at the bar and ventured back to my original seat at a couch in the corner. If there was any engagement, better to be had in a quiet environment. I sat back, closed my eyes and meditated.

[member="Jessica Bowers"]
[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Yeah Rekha caught it but would she prefer hun, or cupcake? Rekha in her own mind imagined hun was better than cupcake and she called everyone either unless of course your name was something she liked the sound of rolling off her tongue. But that was a thought for another time.

Rekha couldn't help but be nosey and look where [member="Jessica Bowers"] and her partner, friend, lover....co habitator whatever he was were looking. She didn't recognize the man he must be new in town, or she was losing her touch on knowing folks. Oooo some recognition, he looked they looked, he retreated.

Rekha's green eyes tracked it only because of where she was sitting, she looked again where Lula was.

"Ohhh, I don't know, maybe go say hi to your friend" She looked towards the back as she made sure she had a blaster somewhere on her body for those just in case moments. "Or...just get closer to the bar where conversation is..random...fun...I could dance on the bar but i don't think [member="Yula Perl"] would like it."

The night was getting more interesting.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

She had her critic officers eyes with her, as usual. The mans gaze said something about that he was not fond of seeing two police officers where he had chosen to take a drink. His gaze didn't exactly glow of enthusiasm when their eyes exchanged looks in the loud and crowded nightclub. Something was not right with him. Intiution told them to take a closer look at the man.

''Friend after that look? Hmpf! I don't think so...'' she said to Rekha and turned her head back to her.

''We're just gonna take a look at him and what he's up to... Enjoy another whisky and we'll talk later, alright?'' she continued and then nodded at Mathis to follow her over to the tall pale man. They had to push themselves through some people who didn't appreciate it, some rude comments came their way but Jessica just dismissed them with that look from a police officer that said ''Do you wanna stay and party, or do you wanna spend the night in detention?''.

Walking behind people at the bar, they approached the man from the side and came up behind him. Taking out a safe distance and positioning themselves at either side of him. He couldn't focus on both of them so if he tried anything to one of them, the other one could intervene.

''Sir? Police! Could we see your identification, please?'' she said and rested her gloved hands on the belt buckle. Because of the music she had to keep her voice up.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

I was deep in thought when I was snapped out by the air closing in behind me. Just as I opened my eyes the music was dominated by a commanding female voice. I felt a tinge of anger at the piercing interruption.

"Sir? Police! Could we see your identification, please?"

I clenched my fists, relaxed and splayed my fingers. The skin of my right hand, burnt to a crisp with a charcoal texture separated and shifted. Identification should be fine but it's information nonetheless and this was certainly the first time I'd had to give it to anyone. I relaxed. No need for anger in a place like this.

'Ah.. Yes."

Fishing around a pocket on the inside of my coat I pulled out ID and passed it over to [member="Jessica Bowers"] with blackened fingers.

"Here. Don't worry, I'm not armed or anything. No blasters in this coat"

With that I offered a smile, pulling apart the grinning lesion up the right side of my face. I knew they would hardly be a problem, I have two hands like most species around. A push to one and a saber to the other, couldn't be difficult. But underestimating the enemy was a critical mistake and it's not like it hasn't cost me.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

While the yet stranger digged inside his pocket, Jessica rested her right hand on her blaster, ready to draw if he was about to brandish a weapon at them. She were close enough to be able to hit him without risking any stray shots, naturally the ''Reaper'' blaster were set for stun in a place like this. An silent and inner relief were spread when the man showed his identity card.

''So you say...'' she said and took the ID with a gloved hand. Mathis were ready to act while she examined it. To see better in the clubs dim light, she lit a small flashlight that were attatched to the shoulder of her vest. Switching to UV-light to check the authencity of the ID. Orex Mauda.

''What are you business here tonight, Orex?'' she confronted him and looked up. He stuck out and her feeling was that something wasn't right with this pale man with quite the interesting injuries to his hands. A closer look in the departments databases would probably be needed...

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Well what was there to say Rekha smiled and held up her glass for a refill. "Ok.." there really wasn't much else to say but she'd watch Jessica and her friend move over to talk to the other guy.

She considered her options, she had originally come to scope out competition. She had done that, she looked over to where Lula was again she seemed ok though Rekha just felt it somewhere in her bones that something was off, wrong...unexpected. She smiled pushing the uneasiness down.

She could see the others eh they'd be ok.

Her drink arrived and she knocked it back. It was good. Maybe it was time to go home and check on the kiddies.

[member="Jessica Bowers"] [member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

I took my ID back, maintaining eye-contact with [member="Jessica Bowers"] as I did.

"Well, business has done me well so I thought I'd come and spend a little. Have a drink or two"

Another smile, more suspicion. I could feel the uneasiness creeping off the pair of officers, but I could also feel a growing anger. This was frustrating, and there was a possibility I was found out by their incessant probing. I had no intentions, but this pair were hitting a nerve. A nerve that could turn this whole situation around.

"Is there an issue?"

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

She kept a straight serious face and met his eyes when he took back the identity card, slightly taken by surprise but she didn't show that. Not being done with the examination, a citizen should know better than thinking it would be the judge of whenever a police control were done. She held that thought in, though. She had gotten a name and face and the ID checked out.

''No, not at all. Just a routine check.'' she answered shortly and kept her gaze upon the man, trying to read his body language.

''And everythings checks out, so... You may continue your night of spending, citizen.'' she continued and gave him a nod before taking a step or two backwards into the crowd again. Hands in front and resting on the belt, she turned and walked over to Mathis, throwing a last discreet gaze on the man before they continued their patrol. Maybe they should check that this twi'lek Lula were alright. A quick thought of a drink after the shift left her mind.

[member="Orex Mauda"] [member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Mauda]

I watched them retreat back to the crowd, not allowing my anger to show in my face. Checking the time I realised I was almost late to.. pressing matters that required my attention. I was now acquainted with this Sergeant, something I certainly didn't want. Without finishing my drink, I stood and made my way through the crowd.

I didn't rush, simply maintained a healthy pace. I bumped into a few here and there and had to resist the urge to vent this oscillating anger. Police. Such a frustrating entity that I hope never to have to deal with again. I checked the time again and thought it better to pick up the pace. I was behind schedule and the recent alliance with that Trandoshan had me constantly pressed for time. Walking more hurriedly I was pushed by a drunkard with a bit more meat on him. Staggering, what seemed more like a hunk of twisted metal fell from my cloak and onto the dance-floor.

My Lightsaber.

Cursing under my breath I quickly picked up the hilt before it was lost to the energetic feet. I flashed the drunkard a look, barely able to contain myself, then looked around to see if anyone problematic may have seen. Anyone so inclined to recognise the hilt as a weapon. None that I was aware of.

Pushing past the intoxicated populace I burst out the door of the club and made my way yet again to the lower levels. Rarely would I indulge myself in such a public place. A mistake that may cost me dearly.

[member="Jessica Bowers"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

He did hide something. Something more than meets the eye. She were sure of it and she would remember his pale cold face in the future, but for now it was a relief watching him leave the noisy but surprisingly still pretty orderly club. The two officers walked past that twi'lek called Lula and her little crowd of admirers, Jessica quickly eyed them on the move and gave them a short nod. Seemingly just an act of manners but also just a check that everything was alright with the lekku woman.

The routine sweep around the club went by without any further disturbances and they Jessica led them back to Rekha's spot by the bar.

''So, Rekha! When did you say your place closed? Our shift ends in half an hour. You wanna share a night cap and at the same time show me the place?'' she said pretty straight forward, spinning onto the offer Rekha had introduced her to earlier.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Orex Mauda"]