The Old Republic

[HK-69]

The Palace of the Hutt's was rumbling with activity. Only once in a while does The Hutt hold a banquet that invites all criminals and bounty hunters in the galaxy. HK-69 landed Argent in the docking facility. As he exited the craft, he saw many different kinds of slimy and disgusting creatures. He was nearly mortified.

"Suggestion: I believe this banquet would attract much more dignified guests if these slimy sentients are removed." A garage host who had heard the remark, merely turned his head away. After all, who would want to mess with the droid who had assassinated some of the highest ranking Mandalorians during the past war.

HK entered the party. It was horribly lit, and there were disgusting types of food everywhere. He nearly mindwiped himself right there. A few bounty hunters of a higher caliber, who kept themselves in the corner with themselves so as not so consort with the lower criminals, nodded in HK's direction. "Introverted Statement: It is a pity how so many sentients bow to me as a deity. Perhaps I should fry them?" He changed his mind when one of the bounty hunters blasted a low criminal attempting to invade their party. Laughter erupted everywhere.

HK stood in the corner, surveying the area. He was not here for the banquet, not in the least. He was here to see the lines of bounty hunters and criminals, and to catch any whispers of a bounty. Though, he was sure, he couldn't remain hidden for long.

[Apollo]

A thuroughly middle aged man walked through the massive doors that marked the entrance to the Hutt's palace, glancing around as he did, taking in everyone around him. There was a rather long (and wide) hallway leading up to the main chamber where the Hutt would be hosting the main banquet, but even the hallway was crowded with people. It was like coming to a feast held at the castle of a king; everyone who was anyone showed up, and even those who weren't anyone tried to get in.

Apollo stopped behind a line that seemed to be leading to the main chamber, acting his part perfectly. He had donned the guise of an older pirate king, not known enough to have a name, but obviously successful enough to dress well. And to be cocky about his position, to the point of thinking he was better than the rest of the people waiting in line. He stood up on his toes at the end of the line, impatiently looking forward, stroaking a peppered beard as he tried to tell how long it was going to take. Finally, seemingly fed up with waiting, he fell back on his feet and stepped out of line. A guard moved to stop him, but he merely ignored the rather large Gamorrean, stoping ahead to the front of the line where a Twi'lek was letting people in.

"Excuse me, kind sir," Apollo said in a Coruscantian ((British)) accent, "but I believe you are holding me up. If you'll excuse me, I'll be heading in." A brilliant smile flashed. The Twi'lek just gestured to some other Gamorreans, who came to attempt to take Apollo out of the picture. The 'pirate' looked around, still flashing his smile as the guards lowered their weapons.

"I don't believe I've met you." He turned back to the Twi'lek. "My name is Prince Terhan of the Terhan Consortium. Your master invited me, personally. And I will not be waiting in line like a common pickpocket." Apollo puffed out his chest a bit, playing the part perfectly. The Twi'lek continued to ignore him, and the guards came within a few feet. Their polearms came to rest inches from his neck, but Apollo merely continued to smile.

"I believe you are making a grave mistake. And I don't believe your master will be happy to learn that a good number of his guards are dead simply because you failed to recognise me." At that, the gurads backed off for a moment and the Twi'lek finally looked up, glaring at him a bit. Apollo had his hand in the pocket of his coat, gripping the hilt of a knife that was fitted in to a special sheath. It turned out he didn't need it though. The Twi'lek looked around and then just shrugged.

"Let him through. Jabba won't want us discoloring his floor on the eve of this banquet."

The guards backed off, and Apollo, still with the unbelievably cocky smile, nodded to each of them and then walked through. He was immediately greeted with a wall of sound and the presences of almost as many people as were waiting outside. Tables were set up everywhere they could be fit, with the exception of the center of the hall, where a few slave girls were dancing. Apollo glanced around, taking everything in at once. He had a target among the crowd, and would need to first find the man, and then wait for the perfect moment. He had a bit of a plan, but he didn't know the place as well as he would have hoped, nor did he know the schedule for his man. Preferably, however, he would catch the target alone somewhere. That failing, he had brought along some poisons that could be slipped in to his food. How it got done didn't matter. What did matter is that, by the end of the night, the man would be dead. Until then, he could enjoy himself.

The 'pirate' picked up a drink from a passing waiter droid and looked for a decent place to mingle. He didn't look too far; before he had turned 90 degrees his eyes caught the gleaming metal of what was obviously an assassin droid, and obviously at least a partially intelligent one. He could tell a lot about a person just by looking at them - at this point, it was all he could do not to kill some of the people at this party - but with the droid it was nearly impossible to tell. He waited until the droid was looking at him and then nodded in a rather friendly like manner, as if he knew the droid from somewhere, and considered him his equal. He would see if anything came of it. If not, he could always just move on to the next party goer.

[HK-69]

HK kept a close watch over the banquet. Bounty hunters began singing songs together, Twi'lek dancers moved out onto the floor, Bith instrumentalists played from an opposite corner. The true essence of a party that was just eager to include the most scum it could possibly fit. But this would not fool HK-69. He knew that within the endless waves of worthless party guests, he would find someone of interest. Perhaps someone who wasn't who they said they were.

It was then that he noticed the old pirate enter the banquet. He looked at him very closely, using his scanners to determine his identity. He had heard a whisper of "Prince Terhan," but this was not what his scanners were picking him. He ran a cross-reference against Prince Terhan and found a 61% match. With the right disguise, that would be enough to fool the eyes of a typical sentient. But to HK's scanner, it was more than a fruitless attempt on this mysterious man's part.

In almost an ironic fashion, the "pirate" nodded to HK, attempting to look friendly. Perhaps to mingle? HK returned the nod, knowing that maybe if this man was not the Prince Terhan he called himself, then maybe he would be the one to lead him to a bounty. As the pirate approached, HK spoke with almost sarcastic tones. "Statement: Ah, the great Prince Terhan. It is a pleasure to meet you in person."

HK waited for the pirate to get in closer, then he spoke in a soft voice so that only this "prince" could hear. "Accusation: Although, according to my scanners, you in fact are not this Prince Terhan. From my calculations, Prince Terhan was secretly assassinated eight standard galactic days prior to this banquet."

Within his scanner, the reference system sent a message that most delighted HK. "Pleased Statement: With great happiness I must tell you that my memory core has alerted me, that this HK unit was the assassin of Prince Terhan."

[Praevus Drest]

Drest had conflicting sentiments about this banquet. On one hand, a personal invitation from the Hutt meant he had gained a bit of notoriety as of late, particularly after Drest did a favor for the Hutt by personally eliminating a financial enemy and his family. Drest could already see the repercussions of that act, as many of the valuables Drest noted in this enemy’s home were part of the decorations for the banquet. On the other hand, so many scoundrels and wannabe villains attempting to curry favor with the Hutt or other high-class criminals were… annoying. Drest leaned on his blaster rifle. Most of the guests were searched and their weapons detained (though Drest assumed nearly all managed to smuggle some weapon in). However, he supposed the Hutt figured if Drest discharged his rifle, it would be at someone who had it coming. He doubted he would use it. Indeed, he hoped he wouldn’t have to. That would defeat the purpose of tonight. It was pleasant to observe criminals tolerating each other for once.

Drest was bored, but he expected that. Again, he was on the distant prowl, scoping out other opportunists for the syndicate. If he found none, so be it, but he thought it likely that some talent mingled in this hodge-podge of scum. He kept his eye on a bipedal droid, wondering if it was sentient and what its specialties were. The droid behaved oddly—even from a distance, that was obvious—and the cogs in Drest’s head turned. If droids could want, then perhaps Drest could fulfill those wants. After all, no normal organic was as efficient as a droid could be. He shifted the mask of his armor to make it more comfortable and watched as a pirate lord began a conversation with the droid. Drest suspected a pirate would have no interest in a crime syndicate, which was acceptable. Different lines of work. Drest needed motivated individuals. Assassins. Pilots. Fighters. Smugglers. An old windbag pirate would not share his vision like a true criminal would.

He could not help but smile, a smile invisible to those at the party. The smile represented a personal victory against the Republic. So many wanted people at this party: drug lords, fugitives, murderers. The Republic could not even so much as guess that this was happening. After all, it was Nal Hutta, how could they? And even if they could, the Republic did not have the brass to attempt an outright assault on the place. Even a force as wide-reaching and resourceful as the Republic wouldn’t tempt the ramifications of that.

Drest monitored the droid, but not at the expense of missing the other guests at the party. He let his eyes wander, taking note of the others…

[Apollo]

Apollo, the cocky grin still on his face, approached the droid as soon as it returned the nod. It wasn't hard to tell that it was an HK model, probably at least a relatively recent one. Interesting, however, that it was at a banquet like this seemingly on its own. That could mean a couple things; either it was here on orders, or it was a 'free' droid, meaning it operated on its own. And the thought of a droid such as that - HKs were notorious for their less than friendly thoughts of 'meatbags' - wasn't exactly comforting. Apollo's poisons wouldn't quite work on a machine. He was sure he could get a knife in to the right place, given the proper warning, but even then it would be interesting to have to fight this thing. Silently he cursed himself - the thoughts were causing his grin to slip. A normal sentient wouldn't have noticed, but he wasn't sure how observant this droid was. Hell, he didn't even know if his disguise would fool it. That would make things all the more interesting...

"Statement: Ah, the great Prince Terhan. It is a pleasure to meet you in person."

Apollo nodded as he approached further. "As many have said, my friend." He chuckled a bit to himself, just as the real Terhan would have done. He had spent much of the past month watching over the man, learning his habits in the time frame he had. His employer had informed him that he didn't have very long though; another assassin had been coming to claim that man's life.

"Accusation: Although, according to my scanners, you in fact are not this Prince Terhan. From my calculations, Prince Terhan was secretly assassinated eight standard galactic days prior to this banquet.

"Pleased Statement: With great happiness I must tell you that my memory core has alerted me, that this HK unit was the assassin of Prince Terhan."

Apollo's smile faded momentarily. It was brought back almost instantly, but he couldn't quite get the same gusto in to it as he had before. That certainly threw a wrench in his plans; he ran in to the very assassin that his employer had warned him about. He didn't believe in coincidences, not since he had left his Master, but at the same time, this was certainly odd. Not completely sure how to react, he did the best he could.

"Well, it certainly is interesting to meet my own killer, isn't it?" He kept the accent up, along with the smile, but that was only for appearances. He knew he couldn't fool this droid, not at the moment anyway, so the best he could do was keep his true identity secret.

He lowered his voice notably. "I don't suppose I could erase your memory core without opening you up, hm?" He kept the accent up, but it would be obvious to the droid that he both knew that he was caught red handed, and that he was joking - at least outwardly - about opening the machine up. Inwardly, he was already formulating plans for the possibility of the droid completely exposing him. He hoped that the machine simply didn't care; there was no way for it to know he was planning a hit, which might save him, so long as he didn't inform anyone else.

[HK-69]

HK-69 noted the man's moves very distinctly. He logged every different twitch and change of facial expression within his short-term memory core. His analysis told him that the man was not frightened after having his disguise foiled. It seemed that this man had an agenda other than gaining entrance to the banquet. He could not analyze what the objective was, but it seemed worth HK's while.

HK had no intention of exposing the man. It was obvious that he would be much more valuable as long as he continued fooling the others. HK responded to the comment of opening him up as smart as possible. "Inference: I suppose you could erase my memory core. However, you would then lose any possible use of my assets." HK intended to be as useful as possible. "Statement: I have taken information on everyone in this banquet, and I am sure I can be of use to you. After all, someone with cleverness as yours does not come to a Hutt's banquet merely to consort with others."

HK-69 was sure he needed to provide some sort of evidence as to his uses. He scanned the room quickly. "Observation: See the shy Zabrak at the bar? He is sweating like a nervous kath hound, attempting to appear harmless. My referencing has identified him as Gr'ah Tekonri, one of the most skilled assassins with throwing stars in the galaxy." He continued to scan the room. Suddenly his head stopped short. "Observation: Behind you, an Ubese male named Praevus Drest is staring in our direction. Known to have strong hatred against the Republic, and attempting to create a crime syndicate. Excellent with blasters and an astounding pilot."

HK-69 slightly pushed his focus moreso over to the Ubese. He was unsure why the sentient was staring in his direction. A hand gripped the trigger of his blaster rifle concealed in his leg armor. Something began to seem odd.

[Ardana]

Ardana was in the banquet. But there was one problem with it. She exactly didn't knew why the Hutt invited her. It was maybe because she was a good bounty hunter, or maybe it was revenge. Not long ago Ardana killed a bunch of smugglers, and it was a deep wound in one Hutt business. From that time, she was afraid to be on Nal Hutta, however she could not resist going to the banquet.

She walked from a corner to corner and Ardana saw many criminals, smugglers and bounty hunters. Almost every of them looked at her, and who wouldn't. Such clothes were attractive and they made Ardana very beautiful. She walked and when she turned from another corner a male Rodian said to her. "Hey! What a such beautiful Twi'lek are doing here? May I buy you a drink?" Ardana turned around and sat at the table where was the Rodian. She smiled. "Hi! I am here for business and what a Rodian is doing here? Also no thanks, I don't want a drink." The Rodian laughed. "I am the best criminal around!" Ardana asked. "Really?" The Rodian nodded and she continued. "Well, I see that you aren't a good criminal.', she paused and put her blaster at Rodian's leg. "If you will do something, then say bye to your leg. Now leave me alone!" With that she rose from the table and continued her way through the room.

Ardana continued to move, but then suddenly she saw Ubese, which was staring at a droid and another person. Immediately Ardana knew that something was going on and she needed to check it out. She went to the Ubese and spoke. "Hi. My name is Ardana. What is your name?" She glanced at him. Obviously this person would see her clothes and he would be surprised. Ardana continued to watch him and she awaited his response.

This post has been edited by Ardana on Aug 31 2009, 09:10 AM

[Sayle]

Sayle sat quietly in a corner and took a sip from his brandy. There were a lot of corners in the cantina, probably playing to the natural proclivities and personal habits of it’s most likely customers. Bounty hunters could sit in the corner and have their backs secure or away with a clear path to the exit. It was no coincidence that the few tables that lacked either of these qualities were unoccupied. The Jedi was under the guise of an up and coming bounty hunter, Sarell Haran. The man only existed on paper, but a few accidental but unfortunate deaths had been attributed to him. Again, on paper. In truth he was unheard of for precisely that reason. This was his first appearance.

Sayle canvassed the thoughts being broadcasted around the room, and after a few minutes caught a thought from his objective. Smiling ever so faintly he stood, the somewhat uncomfortable leather armor feeling awkward to walk in, though he strove not to show it. The blaster pistol strapped to his hip was of little used to him, but his lightsaber was hidden in a padded cargo pocket on the side of his outer thigh, where the outfit had originally been used to store grenades. The Jedi took a seat next to a Zabrak and ordered a drink, having left his brandy at the table. After the bartender moved away he spoke conversationally to the man next to him. “If it isn’t Mister Tekonri.”

There was a muted flash of something, then another. The assassin grunted, breath catching in his throat. “Very nice,” Sayle said admiringly. “I didn’t even see your wrist move.” Gr’ah didn’t seem too thrilled with the compliment. The throwing star embedded in his side wasn’t even visible, his jacket thick enough to hide the protruding metal, though the blood was beginning to dampen the fabric. The assassin had no counter for his favourite weapon stopping in midair then burying itself in his own body.

“Now,” he said, almost cheerfully as he took his drink from the bartender and chucked over a few credits. “Lets have a little chat. You put me in the unfortunate position of failing in my duty to protect a dignitary, something I take exception to.”

“You kill me and you won’t make it out of here alive.” The matter-of-fact statement from the Zabrak made Sayle smile.

“No, I wouldn’t,” he agreed. “ I do believe, however, that we have the right of self defence. If need be I can quite happily stage a fight.”

“And when the Hutt finds out I was killed he won’t be happy.” The Zabrak ground out every word.

“No,” Sayle admitted. “But I am an up-and-coming bounty hunter. I will grovel, and even say I’ll prove myself by killing any person the Hutt designates. For free. You know that slug, he’ll leap at the chance. Then I will unfortunately die in an explosion of my own making, mere miles from my appointed target. Sarell Haran will die, but I will live on.”

“You thought this out nice and clear-like,” the Zabrak observed, fingers still curled inside his sleeve. “You ain’t no Jedi. Jedi ain’t out for revenge.”

“Revenge?” Sayle smiled. “This isn’t revenge. I simply see it as evening the scales. No emotional investment at all. As for being a Jedi...well, that’s for me to know, isn’t it?” Sayle grinned and threw his arm round Tekonri’s shoulders in a companion-like way. “Come on. Let’s take a walk, my friend.”

This post has been edited by Sayle on Sep 1 2009, 06:03 AM

[Praevus Drest]

Drest was sure that the droid had spotted him. The way his head had scanned and stopped abruptly when it saw him proved that. Drest didn’t hide that he too was interested in the droid, and he couldn’t help but be amused when the droid’s hand disappeared. If Drest had to guess, he would guess the droid was gripping his weapon, but it was just a guess. No way to be sure, but the droid’s movements were bizarre indeed. Could a droid be nervous? Or was it simply calculating how it would act if it deemed Praevus Drest a threat? Drest certainly wasn’t a threat to the droid. In fact, Drest was entertaining the thought of approaching it to ask its specialty, that lingering question in his mind. Drest’s occupation after all was, first and foremost, an employer. A job needed was a job given.

However, a Twi’lek by the name of Ardana interrupted this thought. “Hi. My name is Ardana. What is your name?” He glanced at her sidelong. He saw her blaster—it wasn’t hidden very well—but from her tone, she clearly expected him to react to her. He had no interest in her physical attributes, despite the objective fact that she possessed beauty. Drest had grander needs, and no woman or her flesh could satisfy them. For him, they weren’t even a worthy distraction. Yet, if she could be useful, if she had skills, that was something else entirely. He supposed she would communicate that over the course of the conversation, but for now, he preferred to play games with her.

“I’m not looking for a dancer,” he said through his voice modulator. He realized this would probably annoy her, but could she really blame him for how she dressed? Drest waited a moment and then turned to face her. “Unless you’re not a dancer at all.”

[Apollo]

Apollo followed the droid's gaze as he pointed out the various people around the bar. Nothing in particular caught his ear, or eye, and the droid didn't mention his target. However, that didn't make much of a difference in the long run. He would ask about the Twi'lek that he was supposed to kill in a moment, if it was necessary. Until then, the Zabrak at the bar had caught his attention. Or, rather, the man approaching the assassin did. Something was just a bit off about him. He didn't reek of corruption or death as most of the beings at the banquet did. No, he definitely seemed a bit, brighter... And then Apollo noticed, just barely, a flash of silver flying between the two. And then flying back in to the assassin. A flash of power came over him, and he knew what it was; the man was a Jedi. Or at least he wasn't a Sith - definitely didn't have the same feel about him.

It took a moment for him to notice that the droid - obviously not what one would consider a normal droid at this point - had shifted his attention elsewhere. Apollo found that reading a machine was significantly more difficult than reading a human, but, if he looked for the right signs, it became at least a bit easier to get the general idea of the droid. Apollo nonchalantly turned to his left slightly, so that the Ubese, Praveus as the droid had called him, was just barely in his vision. It was enough to see a Twi'lek approaching him and beginning to start up a conversation. Apollo's eyes flicked to the side, taking in the Twi'lek as well as he could. It was obvious she wasn't his target - Jan'il was a male, and different colored. His gaze turned back to the assassin and Jedi, who had just thrown his arm around the man's shoulders.

Apollo turned back to the droid. "Tell me, chap, do you know anything about that bounty hunter talking with Tekonri?" He threw a thumb over his shoulder, towards the bar and at the pair. He was beginning to formulate a more detailed plan, now that he knew a bit more about what was going on inside the banquet. If everything went right, he would ask the droid to keep an eye out for his target, and he would go after the Jedi and assassin. The Ubese didn't really mean much to him, although he could prove interesting should this become a full out fight - which, at the moment, Apollo was banking on. It would be interesting to see how everything would unfold.

[HK-69]

HK watched very intently as the readings coming from the Ubese bounty hunter changed sporadically. It was almost amusing to see the different colors of heat alter as the sentients emotions changed. After determining that the Ubese was not an immediate threat, HK-69 turned his head over to the man in front of him. If anyone, HK figured this man would understand HK's thoughts. "Query: Have you ever realized how incredibly simple it is to push a sentient over their limits just by understanding how much heat is running through their flesh?"

Before HK could analyze and inquire further, he noticed that the man was focusing on a pair of men over at the bar. The man seemed almost enthralled. Then, the man's heat levels began to change almost as enthusiastically as the Ubese. The man inquired to HK if he could analyze the bounty hunter with the throwing star assailant. "Statement: Analysis commencing. It will be completed shortly. Addendum: Also, I am HK-69. Perhaps I resemble a different HK droid called 'Chap'?"

Less than five seconds passed. "Analysis: Analysis complete. The man is Michael Bastin, although better known as Sayle. Jedi Master with no current permanent residence. Former Arna. Known to be powerful in the Force, and he has a record of anti-sociality." Suddenly, HK's viewing screens flashed red for a second. "Query: I wonder...why would a Jedi Master with a record of anti-sociality be present at a criminal banquet hosted by a Hutt? Not to mention, why would he be disguised as a criminal unless he was not here on Jedi business?"

HK, although still focusing on the Jedi, kept his view wide. He noticed, off in the same corner he passed earlier, things were starting to get a tad rowdy.

[Sayle]

“Mister Tekonni,” Sayle breathed in the assassin’s ear, “you can either let me help you up and guide you out, and possibly score a high-paying job in the process...or you can die. I really don’t mind which, though the latter would be inconvenient.” The assassin paused for a second, then the Zabrak ceased his resistance. Sayle just smiled. “Good choice,” he whispered, pulling the Zabrak up and off his bar stool.

The sudden drop of Tekonni’s weight was part-feigned part real, and Sayle gritted his teeth at the effort of keeping the rather larger man up. Then the Zabrak suddenly stiffened and took in a hissing breath. “Mister Tekonni,” the Jedi said evenly. “Just because your throwing star is already in your side doesn’t mean I can’t push it in further. Now stop trying to draw attention to yourself.” The assassin nodded shakily and straightened up a little, stumbling out with the Jedi. As Sayle passed a pair of patrons by the door, he conversationally remarked “what kind of assassin can’t hold his drink, eh?” and then they were out the door.

Taking a right as soon as possible the Jedi continued to guide Tekonni along with him. The Zabrak had his head down and was beginning to gasp raggedly, the side of his jacket wet with blood that was beginning to soak through. Soon it would begin dripping, but Sayle had no intention to let that happen. After around a minute of walking they reached a balcony overlooking the Tatooine sands. The Jedi turned and dropped Tekonni against the railing, making the man wheeze in pain. No matter how much he tried to hide it the pain-inducing poison coating his throwing stars were doing their work admirably.

“Now, Mister Tekonni, I’m afraid we must part ways.” The Jedi turned to face the Zabrak, his face expressionless.

“What about the job?” Tekonni enquired hoarsely. “What about my side?”

“Both are about to become non-issues, I’m afraid,” the Jedi admitted. “There never was a job. Or an intention to let you live. Draw your blaster, Mister Tekonni. I know you have one strapped to your right thigh.” The Zabrak opened his mouth to spit at the Force User and tell him to go to hell, but instead found his right arm withdrawing the holdout blaster strapped to his thigh. The movements were jerky and unnatural. Trying to dispatch his soon-to-be killer the assassin tried to jerk up the blaster and shoot at the Jedi, but groaned in pain when his muscles jerked and nothing moved.

“I’m afraid there is no Force Suggestion here, Mister Tekonni. I’m directly moving your arm.” The explanation was thrown out as an off-side remark as the holdout blaster slowly turned towards his face. Tekonni paled. “No. No, I can do-“ There was a loud report as the blaster fired and the Zabrak’s face was replaced by a mass of seared flesh and bone. With a flick of Sayle’s finger his body fell over the balcony railing and down to the sands below. The Jedi approached the balcony and looked over, seeing the corpse in the sands below. It wouldn’t last long with all the scavengers. Sayle allowed himself a little smile.

[Lucius Krow]

Intercom: "Destination arrival preparing to dock." Krow awoke from his meditation to see that there was some kind of ceremonial event going on and that he probably wouldn't be allowed in dressed in Jedi clothing. He may have to manipulate or possibly just steal someone’s clothing. It wasn't below him to do so. He wasn't a Jedi to say the least. The ship opened, and he walked down the ramp slowly. Before he would make any attempt he quoted something. "No peace without power No power without peace No light without dark No dark without light No Arna without life No life with the Arna the Arna code." He said, and then began to walk towards the large doors to the palace. Entering the doors was easier than he thought it would be.

There was quite a gathering in the main hall way, and there Lucius was sure to glow to anyone who was force sensitive, and anyone with common sense. He didn't care though; he wanted someone to acknowledge him. Not seven steps in, and he could feel the eyes all glancing at him, no not glancing but staring indirectly. Seeing that there was a line that he would probably have to wait in Krow headed in the direction of the line. Moving through the sleuths of eyes as if they weren't even here. With no intentions of starting anything he waited in line like a smart person. A chuckle and some hatred tumbled into his ears. A gamorrean guard had said to another, "Heh who brought the trash in?!" Krow ignored the taunt to get attention.

Lucius now third in line prepared himself for a reason to enter the banquet. The Twi'lek letting people in had looked familiar to him, or at least that’s what the Twi'lek would think when he saw Lucius. The two criminals in front of him had departed into the room where the main part of the banquet was being held. Stepping up to the Twi'lek Krow waited to be spoken to, and in the time it took for him to get there something was already being said. "Oh a Jedi? Sith? What are you?" The Twi'lek said confused by the apparel of Krow’s. Looking down at the Twi'lek under his grabs he waved his hand in the smallest gesture using the force. "I am a friend of the Hutt you want to let me in." He said in a light voice so that only the Twi’lek heard.

The Twi'lek smiled, and let the broken Arna through. I still got it. He thought to himself as he scanned the area for anyone, and anything that could be interesting. Perhaps if he had got to the banquet earlier he would have seen that a Zabrak had been killed. He saw the bar, and thought he might have a drink, and again as he walked he felt the eyes of many, this time glancing at him, and not caring to much about him.Taking many steps to get to the bar he noticed many characters that would be interesting to talk to. Especially the man who seemed to be a hybrid and the droid that seemed to be conversing with him. He gave the hybrid a second look, and noticed a feature about him that was similar to Krow himself. A Falleen like me? He thought to himself. Approaching the bar taking his seat quietly. The tender approached, and asked, "What are ya having?" He said and waited for Krow to reply. Seconds later he spoke, "A cup of ale." He said knowing that it wouldn't affect him.

Receiving his drink Krow opened the bottom of his mask, and down the cup. Putting the cup down on the bar island, and the closing his mask; he turned around and looked around smiling. "Definitely interesting." He said to himself, and then waited for something to happen.

This post has been edited by Lucius Krow on Sep 13 2009, 09:49 AM

[Aaray]

Aaray had just been ushered through the waiting line at the front of the Hutt's palace. She walked into a large room filled with all sorts of criminals. There were legendary professionals and nameless nobodys. Aaray hated being here, but she was looking for someone, the Ubese who had approached her back on Tatooine. She figured that if he was as good a criminal as he had appeared to her, then he would most likely be around.

As soon as she entered the gathering room, a few criminals near her sopped talking and looked at her. The ones who either knew her or had heard of her stared at her a for a few seconds, then went back to their conversations. The ones who didn't know her, did nothing. Aaray noted with an annoyed sigh that all the booths in the place were taken up, the only sitting spaces open being at the bar. As much as Aaray hated having her back exposed, she hated standing for an unknown period of time more.

The 6ft tall woman walked over to the bar and took a seat beside a person, masked and dressed rather plainly. She hadn't seen this particular person here before, giving him a sideways glance before sitting down. The bartender smiled at her, "Well well, i havent seen you in quite sometime. How are you Aaray." he asked politely. Aaray gave the bartender a nod, he was one of the few who was on a first name basis with her. "Eh, as well as i can be...i guess. Hey, i am looking for someone, a Ubese by the name of Drest...you've seen him i hope." Aaray's voice was her normal female voice, not caring enough to activate the synthesizer. The bartender thought for a second, "Well, i saw him earlier, but i don't know whether he is still here or not...sorry" Aaray shrugged, "Its fine...if he is still here, i'll find him eventually."

A few drunks soon came over and stood on either side of Aaray, obviously being too intoxicated to know who they were annoying. "Hey there, we heard you talk....pretty thang." one of the drunks said, putting his arm around Aaray's shoulder. Aaray took a deep breath, and gave the drunk's hand a really hard flick with her gloved fingers, causing him to quickly withdraw it, "Yeah...don't touch me." Aaray said sternly. The other drunk made his move, "Whats the matter sweet lips, not interested?" Aaray turned around in her seat and leaned forward, saying unemotionally, not caring who heard, "No, i am not...and if you ever call me that again, i will rip out you vocal cords and force feed them back to you." A few party-goers nearby had fallen silent now, watching the three cautiously. The bartender tried to calm things down, and eventually, with the encouragement of a few others nearby, the drunks backed down and wandered off towards another part of the room. Aaray turned back around and leaned on the bar, giving an annoyed sigh.

This post has been edited by Aaray on Sep 14 2009, 12:41 PM

[Lucius Krow]

Aaray huh? He thought to himself, while taking a drink of his ale. Apparently the bartender knows who she is. So that must mean she is of some importance. Krow thought of how he would approach her conversation wise. Before that though he would finish off his ale, and then order another; by knocingg on the bar. He was to talk, but interupted by some drunks that looked to be attracted to this Aaray character. How amusing was this? Maybe a chance of some violence, and he would witness it first hand.

A sigh came from his lips, and the drunks scabbered away, and not a hint of violence. Mostly empty threats. Waiting for the girl to cool down Krow drank from his cup of ale, and then say it down. "Nice jod." He said said silently to Aaray still looking forward. He didn't want to make eye contact until she acknowledged him or his remark. Some what eager to take his mask off the former arna debated in his brain to do so; to show his face or not. In the silence he waited, and waited.

[Aaray]

Aaray heard a sigh from the person next to her. Maybe the guy had wanted to see some action, or perhaps he was glad nothing had happened. She kept her eye on the two drunks who had messed with her earlier, making sure they kept their distance. The guy next to her spoke to her then, complimenting her. Aaray looked at him sharply, he was staring straight ahead. "Thanks..." she responded, not many people complimented her on something every often, unless it was an employer trying to suck up to her or something.

There were a few moments of silence, until Aaray decided to engage him in conversation. "I haven't seen you here before, but i'll admit i don't come here often. I am Aaray Naast, and you are?" Aaray wasn't one to hold a conversation with someone unless it was business related or a personal conversation with someone she considered close. She had activated her voice synthesizer to deter any other drunks who decided it would be smart to annoy her. Her voice sounded robotic as she spoke.

This post has been edited by Aaray on Sep 15 2009, 12:25 PM

[Lucius Krow]

"I haven't seen you here before, but i'll admit i don't come here often. I am Aaray Naast, and you are?"

Was the next thing Aaray had said after giving thanks for his compliment. Lucius nodded as his wat of saying your welcome. Turning his skinto a tanish color to look hum an. Krow took off hs mask in hesitant manner. Sitting it down on the bar, and then looking over at Aaray. Turning to face her Krow extended his hand to her, and then spoke. "Lucius Krow, but you can call me Krow. Its a pleasure to meet you Aaray Neast." He saidand then took several breathes before speaking again. "I have never been here before. I heard about it while I was on Dx...." He stopped before he gave away too much information.

A little hesitant to speak again Lucius took a drink from his cup of ale, and then sat it back down on the bar. "So what is a girl like you doing here? You a bounty hunter or one of these criminals?" He said in his ost repectful tone. He had no intention of offending her if he did. He smiled lightly at the serious joke of sorts. In the room the people conversed amungst themselves, and he noticed that she was speaking in some wird mechanic voice, but instantly realised what was going on. A smart move in his opinion.

After smiling Krow's facial expressino went back to normal. No expression at all.

[Aaray]

Aaray shook his extended hand, noting that he appeared to be human as he took off his mask. "Pleasure is all mine." She said unemotionally. She listened as he spoke, tilting her head as he stopped short of the name of the planet he was going mention, "Uh huh" Aaray said with a small smile on her face.

It was silent for a few moments between them. Then he spoke again, asking what a girl like her was doing there and asked whether she was a bounty hunter or one of the other criminals. She wasn't in the least bit offended by his questions, they were fair. "Well, i don't think a girl like me can fit in anywhere else, considering i was serious about pulling out that drunks vocal cords." She smiled a bit to herself. "I am a bounty hunter i suppose, since i am not really a criminal, since bounty hunting isn't technically illegal..." She shrugged a bit on the last bit.

"What about you? No offense, but you don't look the criminal type...atleast not like the ones normally seen around here. However, appearances are deceiving i suppose." Aaray herself was a good example of the last part of her sentence.

This post has been edited by Aaray on Sep 15 2009, 06:57 PM

[Lucius Krow]

Krow let out a low chuckle, and then nodded in agreement. Looks are definently decieving. She did belong hear, and being a bounty hunter clears any reason for her not to be hear. She questioned him about why he was here, and truthfully he was just bored, but he had doubted that if he told her that she wouldn't believe him. "I am here because I am bored. I thought it would be interesting to surround myself with crimanls, and bounty hunters." He said in a playful sarcastic tone. He smiled a bit, and then spoke again. "I am really hear because I am bored, and needed something to do." He said with a serious tone.

Aaray had questioned his clothing. It was strange to him that she couldn't tell that he was wearing Jedi clothing. He didn't bother to question her. He would just tell her. "I am a member of the force. I am not a Jedi. Nor am I sith. I am beither." He said using a bit of the force to make her a little light headed. Only a joke intended, and show that he wasn't lieing to her. He really wasn't either. He didn't fit in any of the factions, so basically he is a rogue jedi of some sorts. Looking at the girls attire he could tell that she wasn't on duty to today so to speak, but ready for anything.

His ale was done, and he wanted another drink. "Bar keep. How about some Naboo Juice if you have." He tender nodded, and got his drink to him in a paced manner. Krow nodded in thanks, and drunk some of it , while waiting for Aarays responce.

[Aaray]

Aaray raised her eyes in surprise when Krow laughed and said he was just bored. At first she thought he was joking, but then understood he was serious. "Well, if its excitement you want, you came to the right place i suppose." There were many interesting people here, and she was sure a fight of some sort would break out eventually. "I suppose then that you were really interested in seeing a fight between myself and those losers in the corner over there eh?" She nodded towards a far corner where the drunks who had annoyed her earlier were gathered, more drunk than before now.

When Krow explained he was a force user, his clothing was instantly recognizable to her now. They hadn't been before due to the fact she hadn't met many Jedi or Sith in her travels. She got uneasy when he made her feel light headed, she didn't like being near someone who had power over her. She calmed down a bit more however when she realized he meant no harm, that he was just showing her that he wasn't lying. She appreciated that.

"I must be honest, i haven't met many force users who aren't a Jedi or Sith...my father respects your kind, he considers you to be honorable and worthy opponents. I just find Jedi confusing really. The Sith make more sense to me, while a rogue force user like yourself i haven't come across until now." Aaray had to admit to herself she was intrigued, but that didn't show in her body language. Once the bartender brought Krow his juice, Aaray continued, "I would show you the same respect by removing my helmet by the way, but i think that in a place like this, that wouldn't be a wise move for me to make." There was a bit of a laugh in her voice as she said this. Aaray decided to turn of her voice synthesizer and speak with her regular voice, since that was the best she could do without taking her helmet off. "If you don't mind me probing, why aren't you a Jedi or Sith?" She asked, her voice completely normal now, if any losers came over, she would deal with them.

This post has been edited by Aaray on Sep 15 2009, 06:51 PM

[Lucius Krow]

Krow wasn't att all offending by her curiosity of him not being a Jedi or a Sith. He laughed a little bit, and the took several breaths, and then he spoke. "i am not a Jedi, or a Sith because I chose not to be. Their way of life doesn't fit me. Though i haven't been part of either of them. I know wouldn't fit in." He said, and then began to get depressed as he thought of the Arna. His skin without him being able to control it turned blue. His Falleen trait that only showed when they displayed emotion. Krow saw it, and then sighed. Sarcasticly he spoke, "Well now I know you will be curious about this too huh?" He laughed, and being greatful that only she cansee his face, and skin.

Krow kept his cool, and then returned his skin tone to a tan human color. "I'm a Falleen, and probably one of the last." He said, and he would go into explination only if she asked. She went on about her unmasking, but this not being the proper place, and he nodded to show that he understood. "I will wait till its proper to unmask myself as well. Blue and tan aren't the only colors." He said laughing as he finished. He noticed that thos color portrayed herself to be heartless. He didn't bother to ask what the front was for,. He just figured that she had too because she was a bounty hunter, which would make since.

"You don't have to worry. I don't use the force too much these day. Except for the Twi'lek letting everyone in." Krow felt bad he was ltelling a white lie. He was apart of the Arna at one, which was basically the mix of Jedi ad Sith. He wasn't going to say anything though because the Arna had a bounty put on them sometime ago, and he didn't know if had been lifted. (OOC: it has by the way.) Taking a drink of his Naboo Juice from the cup, and then sat it down on the bar. Krow realised the silence, and thought it akward. "How long have you been a bounty hunter?" He asked, and then kinda went out of bounds with his next statement. "Would you like to learn the way of the force?" He asked her as he made his cup lift into the air.

If she didn't want to he wouldn't be mad at all. He watched the cup float, and then looked over at her. He didn't even have to lift a finger. He was in tuned with hte force now, and could move the room if he wanted too. Sitting the cup down on the bar Krow waited for Aaray responce. He began to think to himself. A pupil. Me a teacher. It would be a interesting journey. He grinned a little in hopes that this bounty hunter would want to learn the ways of the force.

[Aaray]

Aaray listened as Krow explained why he wasn't part of the Jedi or Sith. She suddenly sat up, having been leaning on the bar, when his skin colour changed from tan to blue. At first she thought her visor was messing up on her, but then she understood that it was definately his skin changing colours. Krow laughed a bit, explaining that she would probably be curious about his blue skin all of the sudden.

Aaray relaxed a bit, "Actually, i am more envious than curious." She took off a glove to display a pale, long fingered hand dusted with freckles. Her father had always called her fingers "piano players". Aaray looked at her hand as she said, "I can't do anything but sunburn." It was strange to her to see her hand from her visored eyesight, finding it hard to imagine such a graceful part of her body was so used to holding a blaster.

She replaced the glove as Krow explained that he was a Falleen. Giving a small laugh when he said that blue and tan weren't the only colours he could change into. "I guess we have that in common." She remarked when he said he was probably one of the last of his kind. "I am from Mandalorian descent, and we're pretty much extinct as well. The Dominion considered us a threat so they pretty much wiped us out after we were forced to surrender." She had some bitterness in her voice as she spoke. When he asked how long she had been a bounty hunter, Aaray sighed, "I have only been a bounty hunter for a few years really...though i knew how to kill by 13 years of age i guess, like most Mandalorians." Aaray tensed up when Krow made his cup float in the air. 'Erm, no thanks...i really don't have that ability..." It wasn't that she was afraid of him, but more that she knew she couldn't defend herself should he decide to harm her. "It would be nice to learn how to do what ever it was that you just did, but i wasn't born that way. I don't even fight Jedi or Sith nor do i take jobs concerning them, i know when i am in over my head. No offense.." She added. "So, what do you do if you're not part of a group?" She smiled a bit and asked rather playfully (to her surprise), "And what other colours can you change your skin to, you don't have to show me, since that might be risky here."

This post has been edited by Aaray on Sep 16 2009, 09:07 AM

[Lucius Krow]

Krow felt sorrow for the young woman. She like him had most certainly been erased from the books. In terms of race that is. Krow wondered if he should use the force to convince her to train under him. He was persuasive enough. He didn;t want to scare her if anything just get her to want to learn. As he listened to her speak about her being a Mandalorian his eyes widened. He didn't know any where left, and then he began to wonder if she would start a vandetta against the ones who destroyed her race. Krow certainly didn't. He wasn't around when it had happened, and it was light years ago so why bother.

Krow finally spoke after listening, "Don't envy me." Was all he said to her. He tthen began to change green. His natural color, "Red is another color I can change, but only when I am mad. Green is my real color not tan." He said, and then changed his color back to tan. When he heard that she didn't want to learn, and that she didn't have that ability he thought she was just scared. "Everyone in this room can learn to use the force. Even you. Everyone is born with the ability to use the force. It's just that some don't show it, and therefore they think they can't." He said smiling slightly. He looked at her hand as she showed it too him, and really didn't care too much about what it looked like. He wasn't one to judge.

"You know when your bested, but you can be the bester if you let me teach you. No longer would you be scared to take on a Jedi or Sith. If your answer is still no after what I have said then I will not push any further." He said, and then drunk from his cup of Naboo Juice. She asked him what he did since he wasn't part of a faction. " I wander around looking for people of the force. Not Jedi or Sith. Those who are kinda in the middle of both. Other rogues like me." He said calmly. He realised that she was showing emotion, and knew she was fronting before. "Are you smiling?" He asked playfully. "You seemed to be a bit heartless earlyier. What happened?" He said jokingly then took anoyher drink from his cup.

The juice was taking affect as well. He was certainly getting drunk, and he knew it.

[Aaray]

Aaray watched as Krow changed his skin colour, finding it interesting to talk to someone like she was. She was skeptical when he told her that anyone can learn to be a force user, narrowing her eyes slightly.

When he said that, by learning the force, she wouldn't have to be scared to take on a Jedi or Sith, Aaray got defensive. "I'm not scared!" She snapped, a little more harshly than she should've. "Sorry, i didn't mean to snap, its just that even if i did learn how to use the force, i am sure the Jedi or Sith i would be after would have had much more practice and experience at using it than i would've had. Besides, an employer who puts a bounty on a Jedi or Sith was either in the wrong to begin with and was probably screwed over and is just pissed."

She watched him take another sip of the Naboo Juice and listened to him as he spoke. He startled her slightly by his question about if she was smiling and commented that she had seemed quite heartless earlier. Aaray sighed dramatically, "Contrary to what is said about me and people's first impressions, i do have emotions and they do, occasionally, show themselves. However, in order to be get ahead in this job, i have to be heartless. When i am not employed, i don't have a problem with chatting with people like i am chatting with you now. But when i am employed, i couldn't care less whether the person i am after is "good" or "bad", has a family or not, is rich or poor."

Aaray noticed Krow seemed to be getting a bit drunk. She didn't drink because she couldn't afford to get drunk and let her guard down. Aaray gave Krow a look and asked warily, "Maybe this should be your last drink..." Some drunks down the bar a ways were beginning to take an interest in how much Aaray and Krow were speaking and that Krow was beginning to get a bit intoxicated.

This post has been edited by Aaray on Sep 16 2009, 12:17 PM

[Lucius Krow]

"A bad choice of words perhaps. I apologize for offending you." He said and then chugged the rest of his naboo juice. The drink was infact making him a bit more loose, and when he gets this way he doesn't care what he says or happens. She had denyed him again to learn the ways of the force. Krow's vision began to get a little blurry, and he could feel some eyes looking in his direction. "It seems eyes *hicup* someone is watching us." He said, and then he grabbed his mask, and put it on. Aaray had commented on his drinking, and that being his last cup. He nodded in agreement. He was somewhat drunk, and somewhat sober.

"I think I will leave now." He said getting up out of his seet hurriedly. Stumbling his way through the crowd he bumped many of the other inhabitants of the banquet. Some got angry, and stood up following after him. Krow knew they were following, and he began to smile. Even in his drunken state he could kill them. This might not be the best idea at the moment, but he didn't care at all. He made his way around the gamorean gaurds who stepped in his way as he was about to leave saying, "Drunken fool better be leaving." He didn't even pay attention to them.

Back at the bar the drunks who had been eye them now focused on Aaray. They all nodded towards each other, and got up following after Krow, and the other drunks. Krow wasn't able to walk a straight line, and getting to his ship became harder, and harder. Swaying left and right he felt a hard bumb to his back, and he tumbled over smashing face to the groung. His mask protected him from any major damage. His color turned green as he forced himself up using his arm strength. He turned and faced the thugs who were out for blood. He saw that others were joining. "You don't want to do this." he said. He didn't want to fight them. It wasn't necessary. He was drunk, and so were they. The drunks responded, "Yea we do, and you will want too or die." One said, and then their heavy breathing could be heard. Krow was in a tight spot.

He put his hand on the hilt of his lightscmitar, and prepared himself.