Wonderland | The Collective & Friends

[Cassandra Paige]

It was damnably cold outside. Cass shivered once, then forced it down again by the time he entered the hover limo from the other side, forcing her body into a relaxed state as she reclined.

"Hmmmm," she murmured, a smile tugging at one corner of her mouth.

"Perhaps the company," she toyed. She tilted her head, crossing her legs, her ankle just close enough to his calf for awareness but not actually touching. "I've never heard of the Collective, but I've often found events like this to be stuffy and fake, if I am being honest."

This was a lot, coming from her. Everything she did was carefully curated, at least, when she bothered. Right now, it was in her best interest to bother. And Cass was rarely completely honest with anyone, this being no exception. Oh, she certainly was interested in the company. But Cassandra Paige calling anything else 'fake' was rich indeed. If she had thought he wanted her to gush about how excited she was, she would have. But after the Chase Gala, that wasn't the impression she had at all.

Head tipping slightly the opposite direction, lips pursed slightly, she watched him out of the corner of her eyes.

"You are familiar with them, yes? What are they like?"

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua answered [member="Natasha Romodanvosky"] with a small smile, humor glinting in his eyes. "I'm here to make friends. Connections. Minna's here to watch." Minna didn't seem to be troubled at all by the smoking woman, instead taking her advice to heart. Ghorua had taught her well.

The Shark sent a look over to [member="Zeke Farthen"] as he did the same to Ghorua. Promising talent indeed. Ghorua was one of the best Bounty Hunters in the galaxy, name spread far and wide as a terrifying monster who could hit a target, and disappear into thin air. Seeing him with a little girl might be a bit surprising to anyone who only knew him by that reputation.

His attention was turned to a new arrival, a woman he was unfamiliar with; [member="Janeth Farr"]. Nonetheless, her 'in' to the conversation was something near and dear to Ghorua's heart.

"I've been in the ring. Took lessons as a kid." Ghorua grinned, his sharp teeth glinting beautifully in the lights. "As much as I love the open and welcoming demeanor of these Arkanians," Ghorua jested, looking around at the wide berth the nobles were giving the group, "I would much rather be going a few rounds."

"Ghorua the Shark, at your service."

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Aes'ona may have not been a drinker, but she must have been used to holding wine glasses filled with something else, because she took hers up with expert form and clanked glass with her friend. "Here's to trying new things!" she toasted happily before taking a delicate sip of wine. Her eyes lit up. "That's wonderful."

She set her new drink down on the coffee table, near her half-finished water, and nearby on the finished wood was where she began the set-up for their friendly game. "A favor, you say?" she mused. "...Ah, what the hells? I'm living on the edge anyway."

The first thing she did was to separate three new decks out of her one--one much bigger than the others. There had to be a method to her madness: it looked like she had them set on top of each other in her case.

And, it turned out she did as she pointed to them, naming them. "This is our main deck--" she slid it in between them-- "this is my side deck and this one's yours--" she moved one small deck over to [member="Mariya Fleischer"]. "That's my spare. It's made of ten plus, minus, and plus/minus cards," explained the doctor. "You can pick four for your hand each game.

"The goal," she continued, "is to get to 20 without going over. During your turn, you draw the card off the top of the main deck. From there, you can either end your turn, play a card from your hand to change the number you drew, or stand if you're close to 20 and think you might go over if you do anything more. Even if, say, I stand, you can keep on playing until you want to stand.

"We play three rounds--in effect, it's two out of three."

Aes'ona paused, concerned that was too much information at once. She offered, "I can play an example set."
†††

Spoiler: Cards in [/FONT

Spare Side Deck:]+1, -1, +4, -3, +/- 5, -6, -2, -2, +3, +/- 4

 

[Priscilla Utorna]

Natasha's eyes rolled back slightly at [member="Janeth Farr"]'s comment and then turned around to meet her gaze.

I'm sure that can be arranged.. she thought into herself, before blowing out another puff of smoke and turning back around.

"Well, as much as I am talented I'm under lock and key until I'm told otherwise." glaring at Janeth. "Salut." coughing as she gestured the greeting, waving the hand which was holding the cigarette before coughing slightly and clearing her throat. Was there even a dresscode for this "gala?" she wondered, seeing the woman in practically a full suit of armor in comparison to [member="Zeke Farthen"], wearing something a little more appropriate. Natasha looked down to her own uniform, realizing she had dropped ash onto her chest and then brushing it off.

"Sorry for the assumption but she's not your daughter is she?"

[member="Ghorua the Shark"]

 

[Janeth Farr]

"Me? I don't look anything like him." She interjected before Ghorua had a chance to answer.

Janeth's perpetual boredom had its ends, and this evening was going to be interesting if she had her way. She sized up the shark yet again to make sure she didn't miss a detail. "You can call me Esli, Ghorua, and if you'd much rather be going a few rounds then that's something I can arrange." She rubbed her chin in thought.

"There's a place not too far from here that'd make an alright arena, and I do keep my shock gauntlets in my ship... I assume you do the same?" It was a bit of a jump, asking someone where they kept their shock gauntlets. Though by all notions Janeth was being entirely serious.
There was no off tone in her voice. No suggestion of sarcasm or childish amusement. She seemed genuinely interested in the proposition of hers.

"Shall we?" She asked for affirmation.

[member="Ghorua the Shark"] | [member="Natasha Romodanvosky"]

 

[Kaori Arai]

A crowded room, filled to the brim with people donning some of their finest clothing had Kaori feeling like she couldn’t breathe. As soon as she had walked into the room, navy blue ball gown pooling around her feet and trailing behind her as she carefully stepped into the room. Beautifully decorated, the lights above sparkled off the sequins that lined the neck and waistline of her dress - Kaori very much fit the part, but she didn’t feel it.

Again, she had to play her part for her father - for their company. Her father had sent her to represent their company - and she knew better then to allow herself to slip up, lest she wish to be the laughing stock of her family.

Still, as she had entered into the ballroom, her chest immediately constricted, breaths coming in short and rapid. Everyone had turned their attention towards her - eyes harsh and scrutinizing as they gazed upon her. Kaori’s skin began to itch, fingers twitching - wishing to be released upon flesh. It was a nervous habit that had formed, a habit that had left both fresh and faded scars from times such as this where Kaori couldn’t help but scratch nervously at her skin.

Words floated into her ears, ranging in tone but message all the same. Filled with ridicule and hate, promises of death and despair, she was drowning and Kaori could think to do was escape. Feet shifting beneath her, she glanced quickly around the room. Avoiding meeting the eye of anyone for more than a moment she searched for a familiar face - anyone she could use to calm herself down long enough that she could breathe again.

Dark eyes finally landed on two familiar faces - Mara Kellarov and Evoros. They were standing with someone Kaori hadn’t met before but at the moment that didn’t matter, what mattered was successfully getting through this night. Closing her eyes briefly Kaori tried to center herself. The angry words of those around her were starting to seep into the deepest pits of her brain, leaving her buzzing and ready to take flight to escape them at any moment.

When she opened her eyes however, they stopped. There were no more harsh words, no angry looks or lingering eyes. Kaori began to debate if they had even been looking at her in the first place. With a small shake of her head Kaori stepped further into the room, not stopping to talk to anyone - making a beeline instead for the only two faces in the place she recognized.

A smile pulled at her lips as she came to stand next to Mara. Fake it ‘til you make it Arai.

“I’ve got to be honest.. I didn’t think I would see you two so soon.”

[member="Mara Kellarov"] | [member="Evoros"] ​

 

[Mara Kellarov]

Mara chuckled slightly, seeing and hearing Janeth's arrival at the bar. It seemed the woman didn't like these kind of events, being the only one out of the three; and probably most of the partygoers, that weren't dressed up for the occasion.

Janeth looked like she had quite literally just left a mission.

Taking the seat beside Evoros, Mara gave a simple answer as the bartender addressed her.

"I'll have the same."

Previous experience had taught her that Evoros had a great taste in alcohol. That, and Mara wasn't going to be particularly fussy about specific drinks. He intent wasn't to get outright drunk tonight, not even tipsy; if she could help it anyway.

Idle chatter was shared between the three agents, until [member="Janeth Farr"] split ways and decided to mingle with some of the other guests. Mara assumed the woman had her own mission during tonight - as she suspect all the Collective agents did.

Mara found herself glancing over at Evoros, thoughts filtering through only to be interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Kaori, it's good to see you again." Mara smiled as she greeted the woman.

Oh, they had known that Arai's were attending the ball, counting on it even. Once again, Mara glanced over at Evoros - particular thoughts settling at the front of her mind.

[member="Evoros"] | [member="Kaori Arai"]​

 

[Pel Orion]

Orion's suspicions were only heightened with the small exchange that [member="Janeth Farr"] had with one of the nobles, prompting him to do something. He couldn't wait around drinking until some drunk Arkanian stumbled into his presence, Orion had to start some conversation, so he could at least confirm his skepticism. After finishing his whisky, Orion joined the growing crowd around [member="Ghorua the Shark"], [member="Natasha Romodanvosky"], and [member="Zeke Farthen"].

Before Ghorua could answer Farr's question, Orion didn't hesitate and interjected, like Farr had, into the conversation, "Hello, miss, have you ever been around the Cartao system, your face is so familiar, I believe we may have met before." It was a complete lie, but it was his best way to try and get this woman to talk to him. Although he hoped that Farr wouldn't just brush him aside as Orion thought she might due to her rather abrasive behavior, Orion awaited a response like an old man trying to recollect the memories of long past.

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

"Sum up to twenty? Sounds simple, let's go straight in."

Mariya listened to the explanation from the doctor attentively and decided that she had figured out how to play it. There was no need for a demonstration. Pazaak cards never changed in value and remained the same till the end of time. Sabacc cards, on the other hand, would change their values during the course of the game. One would need to lock down the card value while playing using a special suspension field. The randomness of Sabacc made Pazaak looked simple by comparison, but even then the mercenary knew she held no advantage of playing against [member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"] who had more experience.

"I'll start then."

She graciously took her side deck and shuffled the cards, drawing out four random ones. They read -1, -2, +/-4 and +/- 5. Then she reached out for the main deck and pulled out her first card. It read a value of 10.

"Not bad, I got a big number. Your turn, doctor."

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

A lot of very confusing things happened at once, all of which Ghorua was not prepared for.

Firstly, he was asked by [member="Natasha Romodanvosky"] whether Minna was his. That was pretty straightforward, not a bad question. It was a conversation starter, and a good baseline for anyone trying to get a read on the Shark. He was about to answer with something witty, probably along the lines of 'of course, why do you ask', when he was interrupted.

Ghorua the Shark bit his tongue and laughed as [member="Janeth Farr"] made her joke, introducing herself as Esli. The large Hunter sensed something between the two women, although what that was, he wasn't entirely sure. He returned Esli's searching stare with one of his own, sizing up the competition. He wasn't lying; he'd much rather get to know someone over a good brawl than a bad party.

He opened his mouth to say so, when he was interrupted. Again.

A new arrival, [member="Pel Orion"], stepped in front of the Shark, shocking him into silence. Perhaps the bounty hunter wasn't as charismatic as he thought. Minna giggled into her hand at her father's flustered visage She pulled on his suit, and he leaned down.

"Get it together, Shark," she whispered into his ear, feigning seriousness. "You're slippin'!"

The Herglic tried to stifle his laughter, the sound came out as strangled merriment. Taking Minna's advice to heart, he, yet again, interjected himself into the conversation, not about to be spoken over.

"Alright, order in the court," Ghorua said, wiping his forehead, and turning to Janeth apologetically. "I am more than down to duke it out with you, Ms. Esli, but if you're too busy, you can always back out..." It was an obvious challenge, coy even for the Shark.

"I hope you don't mind if we have observers. Minna would love to watch, she's taking lessons herself, and perhaps Mr. Farthen would be interested in seeing some potential talent in action." He nodded sagely to [member="Zeke Farthen"], stepping a pace away from the rest of the group, as if preparing to depart.

Then, suddenly remembering the first question.

"Yeah, Minna's my kid, which makes me the luckiest Herglic in the galaxy."

 

[Janeth Farr]

And the crowd only got bigger.

"No, I've never been to that system." Janeth said, turning her head to face Orion. In truth, however, she actually had been to that system before. She remembered quite clearly the time she crashed an "acquired" police speeder after being caught smuggling for the... something-th time. "You'll also have to wait in line for a conversation with me, sir." She said sir given his appearance.

Was she being polite? She didn't try to sound sarcastic when saying it. Though to the wrong person that might piss them off even more. Because clearly she wasn't displaying polite society behavior today. Janeth returned her finite attention back to Ghorua. "Busy? I could kick your blubbery butt and file my taxes in record time." She didn't pay her taxes.

"I don't mind a crowd. Everyone who wants to come is invited."

"Unless you were looking for an exit strategy..." She grinned.

[member="Ghorua the Shark"] | [member="Natasha Romodanvosky"] | [member="Pel Orion"] | [member="Zeke Farthen"]

 

[Orn'om]

There was a lot going on. What had started as a recruiting mission turned into a full on group conversation effort, the likes of which he was not prepared for. He felt like he was in the middle of a joke in the making. Apparently they were going to a shockboxing ring now? He didn't know what was going on truthfully. It seemed like his instincts were right though, she was most definitely a warrior.

"A Mandalorian, a Herglic, and a guard walk into a party," he muttered absentmindedly and accidentally out loud. He gently cleared his throat and fixed his suit before glancing over at the newcomer, "Welcome to our merry band."

[member="Janeth Farr"] [member="Ghorua the Shark"] [member="Pel Orion"] [member="Natasha Romodanvosky"]

 

[Priscilla Utorna]

"Uh I'm away off, watching a shark and a superlady boxing isn't really my type of entertainment. Ciao."

She flicked the cigarette and ash into the ashtray and stubbed it out, deciding not to ruin her uniform anymore than she already had. She approached him rubbing her eyes but couldn't resist the temptation of the cigarette case and took out another, this time asking the barman for one. Holding it in her mouth while looking directly at him, he eagerly accepted upon seeing the attractive lady.

"Bloody Mary please."

Puffing a blow of smoke in his direction and then looking towards [member="Pel Orion"] as the barman approached with her drink.

"Seems to just be an open invite to anyone who wanted to turn up, is that so?"

Grabbing the drink and letting the cold liquid drip down her throat slowly.

"Uh you could say that..."

Hmm. Who next?

[member="Janeth Farr"] [member="Ghorua the Shark"] [member="Zeke Farthen"]

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Aes'ona did the same to her side deck, shuffling it and randomly selecting out a -3, a +/-1, a +6, and a +2 card. From the main deck, she drew a nine.

She could not help her eyes drifting over to the steadily-forming group. Though she could not hear them from here, she was somewhat interested in the grab-bag of beings whom made it up. She laughed upon spotting the armor-clad [member="Janeth Farr"], commenting to [member="Mariya Fleischer"], "You didn't tell me that the dress was optional, Mariya. It would've saved me a leg shave," she added in as a joke. After all, she probably would not have left Order space in her medical officer uniform, and her casual clothes seemed a little inappropriate for this venue.

"Oh, sorry," she muttered, turning back to her friend. "Your turn."

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Cassandra Paige"]

Head tilted a fraction in amusement at that mention.

Oh, she was good.

The way Cass positioned herself wasn't lost to Tash and was filed away later for better scrutiny. Right now wasn't the time for observation, it was the time to act and that was exactly what the Tapani did. One leg crossing over the other and it just so happened that the edge now touched hers. Soft, not pressing too hard and giving the option to act like it didn't happen whatsoever.

Maintain the contact through an illusion of propriety.

Truly the noble way, was it not? Lies, all pretty, pretty lies.

"Mm, the Collective is..." Head tilted as he pondered that for a bit. He had met a few of their agents, there was more to it than they claimed, but Tash didn't press [member="Evoros"] on it. There were other things he'd rather be pressing her against. "...a religion, I suppose. These people are weaving themselves together in the belief that technology will be their salvation."

These people.

Clearly Tash didn't agree with that sentiment at all or at the very least didn't consider himself one of them. "Some of them are pleasant, some less so. Many of them are low-born, barely raised higher than that Zeltron cheese gorger." Nose turned up a bit now. Oh, Cass had informed him of her when they had passed her by during the ball before. "But they have their uses, some of them have money, others connections."

Eyes rolled now.

"Make the necessary positive noises and they will be satisfied, I am sure."

 

[Mariya Fleischer]

"I didn't know it was optional... the dress code mentioned black tie event. Even if I had known, I would have wanted you to shave your legs, hahaha."

Mariya laughed aloud and played along, though [member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"] did bring up a valid point. Who exactly was the armoured Mandalorian woman named Janeth Ferr? She did not have a clue, saved that she was one of the founding members of the Collective and was friends with Evoros and Mara. Women power, she joked silently to herself. Perhaps later she would join the rest of the crowd and mingle around. Getting to know a colleague or two would make things easier during assignments. It would also be nice to see if there were any business offerings present among others who had graced the occasion today.

For now, she had a game to play and was not about to get distracted by her surroundings. Her fingers reached out the deck again, flipping the second card over and placing it on the table. A single digit 7. Her side deck was of no use for now since she could only add a minimum of 4.

"Damn. 17. Not exactly a good number."

She pondered for a moment, wondering if she should risk taking another card after Aes'ona's turn. She decided to risk it since she had a - 2 in mind to reduce the total to below 20.

"Your turn, my dear doctor," she said and reached out for her glass again, this time finishing the drink. The night was young. She reckoned she could pace herself to enjoy a few more glasses.

 

[Cassandra Paige]

They stayed there like that while they chatted- her ankle just touching his calf, both pretending they didn't notice and both knowing the other was fully aware.

"A religion?" She quirked an eyebrow up in polite surprise. "Well, I suppose a religion of technology is slightly less ridiculous than the ones that worship trees or the force," she said, smiling but clearly condescending to such petty traditions.

She laughed lightly at mention of the zeltron, tilting her head slightly as she watched him.

"Hmm yes. Well, if it would help you, I would happily make the 'necessary positive noises' in their direction this evening. People like us, well.... we look out for each other when in the company of such as them, yes?"

People like us. She set herself easily in his tier, above the rabble. Offering herself as an ally. Perhaps more. It was more subtle than throwing herself into his lap and wiggling, after all. Setting herself casually as an equal, and more.

The hover limo pulled up to the Gala, and she waited for the driver to open her door for her without a thought.

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Cassandra Paige"]

He chuckled with her at that.

Oh, it didn't truly matter to Itash that he had a... knack with his voice. His luck. That's what the Tapani called it and it's how he'd always refer to it, regardless of what some individuals have told him about the Force. He didn't like it. The idea of an almost sentient network of energy connecting anything, guiding... everything. From his earliest days Tash had refused to accept a schedule, a certain state of mind, habits, responsibility.

Why?

It felt like a hamster wheel and whilst everyone around him were simple docile creatures just walking towards their doom with their eyes closed?

Tash's eyes were wide open.

He would not accept the wheel. "The Force is real, but the way some people make it to be some kind of religion is truly silly." Tash softly agreed while shifting once more, now his hip touching hers, but again the Tapani pretended nothing had happened. One push, after another, a third. Searching for a boundary, for her line and seeing how far he would be able to push her past it.

Now that second bit got his attention.

Eyes gleamed as he looked away from the streets racing by towards her. Tash had not missed the way she had smoothly inserted herself into familiarity. It was subtle, but he recognized it for what it was.

"Mm, would you? Very kind of you." Another laugh, bright, but soft and chiming. "We should remain close then. It would not do for them to pick us off one by one, yes?"

A hand reached out, palm up, offering.

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

"Fifteen," she announced as she drew a six. Her eyes trailed the uniformed [member="Natasha Romodanvosky"] as she left the floor and headed for the bar, but Aes'ona did not watch her long. Just as she was about to look away, she glanced [member="Claire Organa"]--true, she had no inkling as to who it was, but the appearance and dress made her think 'royalty'.

Instead of continuing to stare, she looked to [member="Mariya Fleischer"], brow raised. "Who are all these people?" she asked, finally giving into the curiosity that has been building in her since the beginning of the night. "And, uh, I assume I'm the only one unaware, considering the lack of mass panic, but, um...the shark?"

The doctor was trying desperately not to be rude, but even her job did not meet her with many beings that were not at least Near-Human. She was aware, mostly via medical correspondence with doctors outside of the Order, of the wider variety of aliens but she could not say that she ever imagined this one.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"Not in your dreams."

Excusing himself with a predatory smile, Ghorua stepped away from the group, off to get his shockboxing gloves. Out of all the things he thought he would need at the gala, his gloves were not one of them. He was happy for the distraction. He had a lot on his mind these days, perhaps the bout would do him good.

When was the last time he had boxed for fun?

It had been too long.

Noticing the limo containing [member="Cassandra Paige"] and [member="Itash Mecetti"], Ghorua ushered Minna outside, helping his daughter put on her cold-weather gear. She had learned a lot, even if it wasn't about others, but about Ghorua. Mainly, that he didn't like parties. Still, Minna wasn't upset she was missing it. She would much rather watch her Dad have fun.

~ ~ ~​

​

It had been a short walk to the ship, a short time to get changed, and a short walk back. He'd switched to his regular clothes; a black tank and dark shorts. His luminescent white tattoo shone on his shoulder, revealing something about his storied past. Dark scorch marks peppered the Shark's body, each a blaster scar that didn't quite heal correctly. There was no way to sugarcoat it, the Shark had earned his moniker- he was ripped. Bulging muscles lied dormant under layers of blubber and thick skin, a testament to his genetic modifications, as well as his workout regime.

Gloves draped over an arm, Minna holding his hand, the Herglic returned. He walked back into the gala confidently, but conscious to skirt around the crowd, looking for [member="Janeth Farr"].

- [member="Natasha Romodanvosky"] - [member="Zeke Farthen"] -