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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
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Dec 22, 2009 23:29:18 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 22, 2009 23:29:18 GMT -5
Many and varied were the people and beings that flooded the streets of Nar Shaddaa, their voices and stench mingling together into a sickly perfume that permeated the entire surface of the moon. The city was endless as were its vices and the depths of the depravities that occurred there. Slaves were bought and sold on auction blocks, some merely children, and every corner of every street seemed to house at least one being who was willing to sell some variant of spice to the weak willed. Throngs of desperate and desolate people mingled with an air of paranoia. Every dark alley held another threat, every shady cantina held another brief night of carnal pleasure. Sins of the flesh weren’t the only ill gotten gains to be had on the Hutt controlled moon though. It was also a haven for those seeking out items which the Republic might consider less than savory and smugglers of every variety crowded in to sell their wares.
It was this last facet of Nar Shaddaa that had brought the lone dark figure all the way from the Sith Temple on Korriban. The lean form clothed in heavy dark robes wound in and out of the shadows with a confidence that sent most potential muggers off to find less difficult prey and thus Di’Shan was able to find his way to his destination without delay or harassment. He had little patience to spare at the moment; he’d never been to Nar Shaddaa before but he was certain the moment he set foot on the planet that he never wanted to come back. It was filthy and polluted beyond reason, forcing the Twi’lek to crinkle his nose in disgust. His eyes scanned the flickering and often only partially lit neon of the signs along the strip he was walking looking for the one he’d been told to meet his contact at and intentionally ignoring the pleas of the homeless that lined the streets. He had no time for such trivial things.
“This had better be worth it,” Di’Shan grumbled under his breath as he caught sight at last of the “Three-Legged Bantha”. The sign flashed images of half naked beings and gyrating dancers overhead while only partially illuminating the dirty façade of a building that looked to have seen better days. Even among the myriad other buildings that would have been shutdown long ago on a planet like Coruscant, the Bantha stood out as shabby and decrepit. Several drunks lay outside the open door, smelling of fresh vomit and urine. Di’Shan growled in irritation. “Oh I lead SUCH a charmed existence,” he mumbled as he stepped into the lurid pink light pouring out of the door. A stage had been set up across from him where a set of dancers were pulsing and grinding to the music. Even from where he stood, Di’Shan could tell that the girls were tired and most likely drugged heavily. Their movements were sluggish and the heavy makeup they wore did little to cover the bags under their eyes. He could only imagine they were anything but attractive without the over bright lights that poured down on them to hide imperfections.
The Sith made his way across the cantina to a booth settled in the far corner. He gained a few odd glances as he walked but most were willing to leave well enough alone and no one approached him as he passed. He stopped short at the booth where a single Toydarian was sitting. The tiny blue creature stared up at him through dark blood-shot eyes and gestured toward the seat opposite. Di’Shan ran a black gloved finger over the back of the booth to discover, much to his disgust, that it was sticky with some substance he’d rather not think about. “I’ll stand,” he said in his smooth even baritone.
“Suit yerself,” the Toydarian shrugged. He produced a small wrapped package and set it ever so carefully on the table. “What you were asking for…you have my exchange?”
Di’Shan reached for the package and the Toydarian pulled it back for a moment out of mistrust. One look from under the Sith’s dark hood however, convinced the smuggler that it would be best not to try his client’s patience any further. The Toydarian hated dealing with Sith. One never knew when they would fly off the handle and start killing things. Di’Shan lifted the wrapped package easily and peered inside. Ten small metal vials met his gaze and he smiled in spite of himself. This was what he had come for. Ten of the most interesting and toxic poisons from across the galaxy. They were all different and all potent. Each would offer him endless joy when finally put to use. Most he had worked with before but this smuggler had found for him a few new ones that had Di’Shan itching to try them out. He tucked the package away and then tossed a bag onto the booth which the Toydarian snatched up and greedily counted through.
Di’Shan didn’t bother waiting around for the smuggler to finish. He wanted out of this horrid stench as soon as possible. He moved swiftly and quietly for the door, ignoring the call of “Nice doing business with you!” that rang out behind him.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 23, 2009 0:07:14 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 23, 2009 0:07:14 GMT -5
Dismal, dim, dank, and decrepit. Theses words and other, less savory terms, were never given a more true and pure form than on Nar Shadda, and it was for that reason that, despite his hatred of the over crowded moon, Nex found himself there time and time again. He only vaguely remembered his purpose for this trip, so distracted by his own disgust had he become. He remembered following rumors of a job offering across three systems before pinpointing the source, and he remembered the disgusting look of hunger in his crews' eyes as the pulled in to port. They would probably have all found their favorite "entertainers" by now, and were likely on their way to rented rooms.
The hiss that escaped through Nex's voice amplifier sounded more like something expected from a reptile than a humanoid, and several passerby stopped to give the Dark Jedi a quizzical look. Nex shot them a glare of utter hatred and malevolence, grinning behind his mask as one unfortunate human youngling wet himself in fear. The boy's mother turned and opened her mouth to chastise the Dark Jedi but halted mid syllable as a blaster pistol suddenly appeared in his hand.
"Keep your mouth shut, if you want to keep it on your skull." The woman stared, mouth agape as a sneer formed behind Nex's mask and in his eyes. Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly, like a fish ripped from water. Nex let out a derisive snort, and turned, holstering his blaster. It had taken every ounce of willpower he had not to simply shoot the cow and her spineless child, but he had business to attend to, and it didn't include drawing attention to himself by blasting random civilian scum.
He shook his head and leaned against the outside of one of the many cantinas that polluted the city. Though he wanted to close his eyes and lean his head back against the wall as well, the Dark Jedi Knight knew better. In a pit of scum and sleeze such as this, one could barely afford to blink. He sighed, trying to recall where the contacts for bounties usually nested. He'd been here only once, and very briefly. Long enough to pick up a smuggling job, refuel and leave, so his memory of the usual haunts for the true villainy of Nar Shaddaa was rusty at best.
As he pondered where he should go first, something, or rather, someone caught his eye. Immediately Nex straightened, his attention raptly held on the figure exiting one of the cantinas. The Dark Side energies from this one were strong, almost like a beacon to Nex. Another Dark Jedi?
Nex pushed off the wall and began to glide through the crowd toward the sensation. He couldn't yet get a decent glimpse of whoever was radiating that exhilarating Dark energy, but he did his best to remain patient. Since he had been officially made a Dark Jedi Knight, he had seen little of his masters. They, for the most part, had their own private matters to attend to. The most he heard from them was the occasional hologram, asking him to complete some task or another. If this turned out to be another of his kind, then it would be prudent to learn what he could. But there was also the potential that this was an enemy, and so Nec proceeded with caution.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 23, 2009 1:06:09 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 23, 2009 1:06:09 GMT -5
Di’Shan hooked an immediate left out of the cantina in a straight beeline for his ship. The sooner he left that horrid excuse for a planet, the better, but he had barely gone more than ten feet when the Force shuddered around him. The presence of another Dark Side user rippled through the energy tainting it in the way that only one trained in the dark arts could. Malice and anger cut through the Force like tiny shards of electricity in the air and the Sith knew immediately that he’d caught the trail of someone fairly well versed in Force use. Or rather, he thought, someone had caught HIS trail. He didn’t slow his stride in the least, hiding the fact that he’d picked up on this new presence, and after a few more feet he could confirm that the other Force user was following him.
It was little wonder to Di’Shan that someone else trained in the Dark Side might take interest with him just as he was suddenly curious about his new unwanted companion. His sharp mind ran through a list of possibilities. He had come from the Sith Temple where he’d been training, those who were not going to Subterrel having been turned loose to other tasks, and he wondered for a moment if the other person was someone sent by his teachers…a test of sorts. He wouldn’t put it past them. They tended to weed out the weak early on and it wouldn’t be the first time that one of his fellow students had made an attempt on his life in the short time since he’d joined there. Still, the presence didn’t feel familiar to him. Di’Shan’s golden eyes snapped to the windows along his right, checking in the reflection for anything out of the ordinary but he couldn’t yet make out anyone in the meager light of the street.
Without warning, Di’Shan wheeled sharply to his right and disappeared into an open alley way. He wasn’t about to lead this person to his ship and he preferred to be on the hunting end of cat and mouse games, not waiting for someone to make themselves known. Dark robes melted into the shadows that were so plentiful in this narrow sewage strewn passage which wound between two fairly tall buildings. Di’Shan latched onto an overhanging fire escape and climbed quickly up it to gain a better vantage point. His hand went to the saber clipped to his belt but he refrained from pulling it yet. Better to meet his adversary first. It would not do to attack someone he might, at some point, find useful. There, crouched in the shadows of the building, Di'Shan waited to see if his pursuer would continue the chase.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 23, 2009 1:32:14 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 23, 2009 1:32:14 GMT -5
Nex hesitated at the entrance to the alley way, peering into it's dark depths. The other Dark Side user had been smart to use this alley. The shadows were plentiful, giving whoever it was numerous places from which to set up an ambush. With a shudder of anticipation, Nex pulled his hood forward a bit more and proceeded onwards.
Once out of sight of the bustling street traffic, Nex dropped to a crouch, his arms down to his sides, fingers open and twitching, ready to grasp either lightsaber or blaster should the need arise. With a slow, deliberate determination, he stalked through the shadows, each step quick and silent. His upper body slowly moving like a slithering snake, the twisting and pivoting motions allowing him to observe as much of the alleyway as possible.
Though his eyes showed only concentration and determination as he listened, watched, and stalked, behind his mask he was grinning. The other dark Force user had not disappointed him, taking the earliest opportunity to switch roles from hunted to hunter, as any predator worth the air they breathe would do. And so it was that he knew he must do the same. Though he could feel the other Force user was not far away, it was difficult to pinpoint where. Their hatred and anger was clashing and boiling, sending ripples in the Force that, when mixed with the sheer number of lifeforms surrounding them, clouded his senses just enough to throw him off.
Nex stopped as he reached what seemed to be the midway point of the alley. He needed a better vantage point. His quarry was likely waiting in ambush to...Nex grinned, and crouched low. A better vantage point. Of course. He looked around the alley, keeping with his snake like movements so as not to arouse suspicion. A fire escape caught his eye, and his grin only grew. If this other dark sider was as smart as Nex believed, he was likely hiding in the plentiful shadows surrounding it, using the height as both vantage and tactical strike point.
Letting his grin fade before it could reach his eyes, Nex continued down the alley as though oblivious. After a few meters, however, he spun and his hand shot out. Watching the area for movement, Nex grabbed the fire escape with the force, and jerked, rattling the unsturdy structure. Just a few more pulls like that and the ladders would likely start to come off the building. The fingers of his other hand closed slightly as though gripping an invisible handle of some sort. He wanted to be ready should the other attack, but kept the lightsaber sheathed for now.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 23, 2009 1:52:40 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 23, 2009 1:52:40 GMT -5
Di’Shan watched with interest as the darkly hooded figure turned down the alleyway and crouched into a more defensible position. The clothing the man wore, and it was indeed a man if the stride of this person was any indication, starkly resembled Di’Shan’s own. He had opted for his old Dark Jedi robes when coming to this planet as they afforded the most anonymity while abroad. It seemed his pursuer had also been trained by a Dark Jedi. The man’s movements were serpentine and the Sith had to concede that his opponent, if indeed that’s what he wound up being, was intelligent and well trained. The dark figure below wound in and out of the deep shadows all but disappearing several times as he swept along but Di’Shan had the patience and calm to stay perfectly still. The figure moved almost directly under him and then kept going past.
Just as Di’Shan was about to make himself known, however, the Force rang out a warning. There was barely enough time for the Twi’lek to grab the building for support, using the Force to keep his feet as the man below him suddenly wheeled with the swiftness of a striking snake and shook the fire escape. The entire metal structure shuddered violently under Di’Shan’s boots and he could tell it wouldn’t last for much longer at that rate. His keen eyes were already casting about for other options and avenues should this one collapse but he had better plans than the pointless slaughter and fighting so many of his kind gave in to. No, Di’Shan was nothing if not a practical being, and his curiosity was enough to keep him from mindlessly attacking.
“Now, now…that’s not very friendly,” Di’Shan’s smooth even tones drifted down from the shadows above where he kept himself safely concealed. It wouldn’t do to give someone a nice blaster target. “Who are you and what fool’s errand made you follow someone you didn’t even know down an alley?”
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
0 likes
Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 23, 2009 2:11:09 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 23, 2009 2:11:09 GMT -5
The screeching of metal on metal echoed down the hallway as Nex released his hold on the fire escape, causing it to slump slightly. He chuckled, a malevolent, twisted sound, like a dying man wheezing out one last vindictive laugh as his greatest foe perishes alongside him. His stance straightened, and he rotated his neck, which popped loudly a few times.
"An equally valid question would be what fool's errand sends someone alone into a dark Nar Shaddaa alley in the first place." his voice is a raspy, vile sound, and it seems unnatural that it should be loud enough to be heard at all. It is almost reminiscent of someone trying to talk while a dry cough rattles their lungs.
Nex lets his hand drop to his side and takes what to the untrained observer would be a more relaxed stance. But to those more accustomed to melee combat, it is obvious that his stance is designed to allow him to flow into an agile dodge should an attack be sprung. His primary foot was slightly behind and out to the side, allowing him to easily push backwards or to his right, away from the wall.
"I am..." He paused, unsure whether or not he should tell the other his name. With a slight shrug he decided that little harm was likely to come of it, especially since he would simply kill the other now if they turned out to be an enemy. Though he hoped such was not the case.
"I am Nex Morsus, and if you must know, I'm here looking for work." A slight growl, amplified by his vocal assister to be audible to the other dark sider, escaped his throat. He hated that he had to come to these scum pits to find work to fund his ship, but it was all part of his life for now, and would remain so until he could finaly take his vengeance on the Jedi.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
0 likes
"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 23, 2009 15:38:46 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 23, 2009 15:38:46 GMT -5
The voice that rolled up at Di’Shan from below was entirely not what he had expected. It was rough-hewn and sounded more like someone grinding broken glass than talking. Hoarse and guttural, the Dark Jedi’s words were laced with as much venom as Di’Shan was carrying in his pouches. He allowed himself a light chuckle at the other man’s defensive turning of his own words. “Touché’,” Di’Shan allotted with a smirk. He kept himself well hidden in the folds of protective darkness where he was crouched while his keen eyes and sharp mind deduced as much as they could about this mysterious new friend he’d made. The man’s voice had to be mechanically produced or at least amplified in some way. No one with a voice like that would be able to be heard otherwise and if the voice was amplified then it was a safe bet that his counterpart wasn’t just suffering from a bad cold. One didn’t simply go around buying voice amps anytime they had a scratchy throat.
Di’Shan noted the man’s new stance and a thrill of excitement shot up his spine. This man was a fighter and a skilled one at that, a fact that made him a dangerous person to play with. Oh how the Sith loved these sorts of moments; the thrill of adrenaline, the slight sweat that coated his palms, both were signs of anticipation in the face of a potential battle. Even if they never crossed a single blade, Di’Shan knew that the man below him was formidable and he would find himself in a game of wits that could prove as deadly as any sword fight. The Twi’lek craved such excitement. The very bane of his existence was boredom which found him frequently so it was always a pleasure to meet a worthy Dark Side user. Some were simply rabid animals which Di’Shan would either use to his advantage or put down like the foaming beasts they were, while others, like the man below him, were kindred spirits with whom he wouldn’t find friendship per say but he could usually find at least some skill and intellectual conversation that might prove beneficial.
The man introduced himself as Nex Morsus, a name Di’Shan quickly filed away, and then stated his business as being one of mercenary work. How undignified, Di’Shan thought, man like this need more skilled pursuits than doing odd jobs. Judging from the growl that Nex let out, apparently the other man was of the same thought. “Now that,” Di’Shan drawled from beneath his heavy hood, “is just a waste. I can feel the Force resonating within you…a man of your obvious skill is wasted on such petty things as smuggling.” He slowly and careful uncoiled from his position and let his full height rise up from the shadows. Standing at over six feet tall, the Twi’lek was normally an imposing sight for most people but he doubted highly that a trained warrior like Nex would be impressed. Force users knew full well that size was no indicator of power.
With a graceful leap, Di’Shan dove headfirst off of the fire escape, somersaulted in mid air, and landed deftly on his feet a short distance away from his new acquaintance. Fetid water splashed across his boots as he landed but he paid it no heed and unfurled himself to face Nex. The other man was a bit shorter than Di’Shan but the Twi’lek wasn’t about to let his guard down. Danger emanated from this being like sweat from his very pores and Di’Shan was no fool to be duped into complacency or to let his ego get the better of him. He reached up a hand and, careful to keep the other one safely on the hilt of his lightsaber, he pulled back his hood to reveal his face. Most were a little surprised at what was underneath. His voice was deep and smooth but his face was delicate boned and androgynously effeminate. Two long thick lekku fell from his head, marked along their length with heavy thick tattoos but his face and neck were free of them. Large golden yellow eyes took in Nex’s form from head to toe.
“My name is Di’Shan,” the Sith said, “and I may just have a proposition for you if you’re interested…”
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
0 likes
Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 23, 2009 18:24:28 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 23, 2009 18:24:28 GMT -5
Despite himself, a slight grin twitched at the edges of Nex's mouth, and he was glad again that it was hidden by his mask. He wasn't sure whether the Twi'lek truly meant the compliment or if, and he knew this was the more likely scenario, he was simply trying to play Nex's ego to gain an edge. Whether that edge be to put Nex off of his guard in order to gain an easy first strike, or to get the better end of whatever negotiations might ensue, Nex was unsure. But one did not survive in as a Dark Sider as long without a healthy amount of paranoia, and so Nex assumed that the words were a ploy.
As the other leaped down from his perch, Nex stood fast, being sure not to flinch in any way. Dealings among Dark Side users were often tenuous, fragile things. The slightest sign of weakness from either party could easily turn an encounter from a negotiation into extortion, or even assassination. Nex ignored the slight splash of water, and his eyes flitted to the other's hand, resting on a lightsaber hilt. They did not tarry there long, and as Nex looked back up at his potential new ally he gave a slight, almost indiscernible nod of approval. If he was going to be dealing with someone, he preferred it be someone smart enough not to so easily let their guard down.
And then the other pulled off his hood. The knuckles of Nex's right hand cracked loudly as he pulled them into a tight fist. There were few species in the galaxy he despised more than Twi'leks. The anger began to boil up inside of him, threatening to break out. It was a Twi'lek who had caused his scarring, a Twi'lek who had goaded him into the fight that expelled him from the temple. And it was Twi'leks, with their smooth skin, and attractive females, that reminded him so pungently of the monstrous way his flesh had been twisted. His mind flashed with images of this other, blasted across the alley by Nex's Force lighting, his flesh twisting into a corrupted, horrid facade of what it once was. Images of Nex slicing the Twi'lek apart piece by piece.
A slight rumble resonated in his throat as he relaxed his hand and shoved the anger down. This Twi'lek was different, as twisted and and monstrous on the inside as Nex. The only difference seemed to be that the other was fortunate enough not to have his appearance reflect the nightmare inside. It had been a few months since Nex had caught trace of any other Dark Siders, and his pathetic, shortsighted crew was poor substitute for the vile pleasures that could be shared with another who tread the shadowed path. As great an ally as anger and hatred could be, Nex knew that there were times when they must be checked.
Hoping the gesture would calm any suspicions his sudden inner outburst may have caused, Nex crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on his foot. The position was slightly more vulnerable, and less threating than the one before, but Nex knew that this Twi'lek would likely see the subtle cautions Nex observed. Though his arms were crossed, they were loose and therefore easily put at the ready. Though he leaned back on his right leg, it was bent slightly, ready at any moment to drop back and push off into a roll or jump as the situation called.
"A proposition, eh? And what is it that you can propose that I would be interested in enough to abandon my current search for work?" Though his nightmarish excuse for a voice was incapable of the subtleties that a normal person took for granted, sarcasm was one thing he could still express. In fact, with the grating, venomous hisses and growls that his throat somehow managed to work into words, he was often better at sarcasm than someone not scarred so. It was obvious to any who heard that he knew full well that whatever the Twi'lek proposed would likely be far more interesting than any job he would find in this festering scum pit. His eyes took in the surrounding alley quickly, and he expanded his senses, feeling for any sentients that may be watching them.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
0 likes
"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 23, 2009 19:35:45 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 23, 2009 19:35:45 GMT -5
The sudden surge of energy and hate that filled the alley in the moments after Di’Shan threw back his hood were not missed by him. Indeed, the hatred that rolled off Nex was like a blast of air from a furnace as it charged the air around them both and Di’Shan’s fingers twitched on his lightsaber. He could feel the muscles along his legs and back tense in preparation for what was about to happen but surprisingly Nex didn’t attack. Instead, the Dark Jedi worked to get his anger back under control and even assumed a less hostile stance, thoroughly confusing Di’Shan. The Twi’leks brain worked furiously to put all of the pieces together in a way that made sense. It was obvious enough that it wasn’t his words which had caused such a reaction so he could only assume it was his looks. His feminine features had offset some people before but never had they caused rage like he’d just felt radiating off of Nex so it had to be his race more than him in particular.
Di’Shan’s plans changed rapidly, as they always did, to fit the sudden change in situation. He was a creature of supreme adaptability and he’d found that his ability to think swiftly on his feet had saved him more than once. Such, he thought, could be the case this time. If Nex had such an open hatred for Twi’leks, that could be something Di’Shan could play with. He had to wonder where such hatred had come from considering his own people’s racial tendency to stay out of other people’s business and to be fairly complacent about most things. Perhaps in time he could gain that information from Nex, until then, he saw it only as an open door to gain better relations with this stranger he found himself faced with. Di’Shan had no love for his own people any more than he cared for anyone else. They were just another tool to be used or discarded as need be and their penchant for refusing to fight back most times had made him more contemptuous of them than he was often willing to even admit.
Di’Shan watched Nex carefully as the other man relaxed more into an easier stance but he wasn’t fooled for a minute into thinking that he was no longer in any danger. They were two nexus beasts circling each other and trying to determine where the invisible line was between ally and foe. Di’Shan held no illusions about how difficult the fight would be if he chose to face this being in combat and while he was certain that he could survive, he was not so certain that he could WIN. There was a fine line between those two points and neither really presented the Sith with anything as remotely fun as what COULD be had. A single Dark Side user could pose a significant threat to almost any target but two? Together they could wreak havoc on this planet. Di’Shan decided quickly on a plan he felt would interest his new companion the most. It wasn’t about money or the kill itself that interested Di’Shan, it was the fun to be had in the meantime.
Di’Shan eased his own stance and stalked slowly along the alley, never giving Nex his back and looking for all the world like a predatory feline. “You see, there’s a Hutt here, Pushka, who has a particularly lovely dancing slave. A Twi’lek,” Di’Shan added, his eyes watching Nex keenly for any interest, “and I think I’d like a closer look. I’ve just come by some interesting new toys I want to try out but I need a subject on which to test them. So the offer is simple…help me find Pushka and gain a new toy and I will pay you handsomely.” Di’Shan tapped a thick pouch on his belt with one finger and the ever so quiet jingle of coin sounded. “Or,” he shrugged nonchalantly, “You could always go back to seeking employment among the lesser folk.” Di’Shan gestured to the end of the alleyway and the slum streets beyond.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
0 likes
Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 23, 2009 20:10:09 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 23, 2009 20:10:09 GMT -5
Nex's eyes flashed with that same hatred when Di'shan mentioned the Twi'lek, but it was suppressed, a low simmer at worst. The skin under his eyes wrinkled slightly as his gaze followed the stranger around the alley. Though it may be difficult to for Di'shan to tell, those who had spent enough time around Nex, a selective group indeed, had learned to watch his eyes for traces of emotion, and that the slight folding of scarred skin that was now showing was a sure sign that under the mask a wide grin had formed.
Nex's grin stayed put as Di'shan continued, and he pondered the situation. For him to have finally met another Dark Sider could turn out to be a fortunate turn of events indeed, even if the other was a Twi'lek. Yet at the same time it seemed almost too fortunate. Was it possible that it was mere coincidence, and that Di'shan, like Nex, simply wished to join forces and see what opportunities the combining of their power could open? Or was this planned from the start, a set up by Di'shan to eliminate a potential rival? Such things were not unheard of, in fact they could almost be called common. The Jedi believed that this kept the Dark Jedi and Sith weak by reducing their numbers, but Nex knew better. It was a simple culling of the herd, ridding the order of the weak so that the strong could prevail.
When Di'shan finished speaking, Nex looked out toward the streets for a brief moment, as though considering his options. In truth, he was simply formulating a response, and putting on an act so that he would not seem overly eager, and therefore easily manipulated. It was not a hard decision to make. Though he needed credits to keep his ship running, the potential gains of this alliance were far more worthwhile, and were likely to earn him more credits besides.
And so, Nex looked back to the Twi'lek and nodded slightly, leaning against the wall of the nearest building as he did. It had been risky to take his eyes off the Twi'lek, but it was a calculated risk. Had he not done so, he would have seemed to eager, too easy to use. Doing so may have opened him up for attack, but that too was part of the plan. Best to draw the attack out now rather than later when Nex was less likely to expect it. The fact that no attack had come made the prospect of this partnership all the more intriguing to him.
"And once you have your toy, what then?" Though the statement was one of suspicion, Nex's rasping words sounded more playful than anything, as though this entire encounter had been some sort of game, some kind of dance.
"When this job is finishes, what becomes of Di'shan and Nex Morsus?" As he speaks his own name, Nex reaches up and pulls his hood back, revealing his bald, pale head. His scarred skin is wrinkled and has a texture almost resembling scales, hundreds of raised bumps scattered about. A single, even more prominent scar carves an angry path from the corner of his right eye nearly to the back of his skull, running just above the tip of his sharply pointed ear. His left ear, however, is no longer pointed. The tip had been burned away until the back of his ear was a jagged mess, barely sticking out as far as a normal human's.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
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Dec 23, 2009 21:02:07 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 23, 2009 21:02:07 GMT -5
The subtle games of two predators feeling each other out was something Di’Shan had missed. Too often the dark side users he’d come across were too eager to swap boasts and puff out their chests, too bent on propping up their own pride to enjoy the careful delicacies of bantering with a witty and intelligent partner. Nex was a supreme find as far as Di’Shan was concerned and, much like any predator, as long as the other man never overstepped his bounds into Di’Shan’s territory, he had no cause to create animosity. The cost of needless fighting was too high and too often Di’Shan had seen his fellow Sith let their egos and lack of control bring them down under a foe that should have been a potential ally. While he trusted no one, as well he shouldn’t, he didn’t discount the usefulness of others entirely. Since he considered himself the center of the universe and all around him nothing more than an illusion to play with, why then should he feel a need to boost his ego?
Nex would prove an interesting and fun partner for however long Di’Shan would see fit to continue things and when, or if, their interaction no longer had any use, he would cut ties the way he always did. Until then he was pleased to find that Nex was as amiable to the idea of a tentative partnership as himself. He watched the other man purposefully turn his eyes away to look down the alley but the tension in Nex never ceased and Di’Shan was fairly sure he was still listening intently in case of an attack. The Twi’lek purposefully continued his pacing to ensure his companion didn’t become uneasy, a sudden change in pace could be taken as a preparation for further action. When Nex turned back, Di’Shan found himself peering under that dark hood, trying to make out the man’s face. He had to admit his own curiosity at what manner of being he was speaking to.
When the hood peeled back to reveal the being underneath, Di’Shan’s eyes widened only a fraction before he pulled his surprise back under control. He’d seen many dark side users that had been scarred at some point during his stay at the Sith Temple, the Lady Serith being one of the most gruesome, but the extent of the man’s injuries were still a bit surprising. The long ear gave Nex away as a Sephi but he lacked any other definable signature of his people. The mask which covered his nose and mouth were obviously the source of the amplification and it was clear enough that whatever had scarred the man so had also done the damage to his voice. The area around his throat, what little Di’Shan could see, looked almost like the man had been strangled. It was a shocking visage and as the thoughts rolled over the Sith’s mind he found himself faced with a wonderful idea. This man’s face could prove most useful later in their fun.
“That, my ‘friend’, depends on what you’d like. Once I have my new toy, you can either go about your business….or you can join me in playing for the evening.” The tone of Di’Shan’s voice at this last offer held something truly vile under it that conjured to mind images of broken wings and dead pets, his smile curving up in the nastiest of grins.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 23, 2009 21:34:22 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 23, 2009 21:34:22 GMT -5
((Going bowling with the GF. I'll be on again later tonight))
Though Nex noticed the slight widening of Di'shan's eyes, he ignored it. It was actually one of the better reactions Nex had received, and the amount of control the Twi'lek showed earned him some of Nex's respect. Most sentients were very visual based creatures, tying their identities, and the identities of others very strongly to their appearance. Often, seeing someone as scarred as Nex elicited pity, for what they perceived to be a ruination of all that he was, and a primal fear that the same could happen to them, which Nex often saw to. And so Nex was impressed by how slight Di'shan's reaction had been, and his interest in a partnership, however tenuous, grew.
Nex's right eyebrow raised as Di'shan spoke, his curiosity piqued. The dangerous dance of wits, the light, playful flirting with disaster had proved entertaining, but what the Twi'lek was suggesting now...sounded simply exhilarating. Nex did his best to avoid having any 'toys' of his own. He had no training as a pilot, and was running low on credits, so he had to do his best to keep his crew around for now, and the games that blackened souls such as himself played with their toys would be sure to drive them away.
"I see." The wicked, macabre tone Di'shan employed brought another sneering grin to Nex's face, and his own gravelly voice was equally filled with malice, though it's grotesque distortion sounded less human and more...demonic.
"An opportunity such as this is not one I see reason to pass up. I believe," Nex pushed himself off the wall, straightening his stance. His movements were precise, not so quick as to indicate aggression or an attack, but not so sluggish as to throw himself off balance and present an opening. "that we have a deal. Do you have somewhere in mind that we may..." He took a deep breath in, as though fighting to contain his excitement. The sound, amplified by his mask, had an unnatural, almost mechanical quality to it, brought on by the filtration system."...discuss the details and terms of our agreement?"
His eyes flitted down the alleyway to the street, and again his muscles remain tense, face obviously alert for any movement. When he looked back to Di'shan what little expression his face could show with the machinery covering it is unreadable.
"Nar Shaddaa is a moon covered in eyes and ears. We have likely said more as we stood here than was wise. We should retire to somewhere more...private." Nex gestured to the windows of the buildings, inside them people go about their business, but one or two have shadows that seem to linger a moment too long before moving back into their rooms.
"They have only just begun that, I doubt they heard much. We should leave. His arm went back down to his sides and he gestured to the street, glancing over his shoulder for a moment.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
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Dec 23, 2009 22:56:49 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 23, 2009 22:56:49 GMT -5
((Guh, sorry if this post sucked but for some reason my brain went all tofu on me.. >__<))
There was something fun about trying to decipher what little emotion Di’Shan could make out in Nex’s eyes. The other man’s voice, however mechanical, gave hints as to his willingness to join in the merriment even beyond what his words said though. The Sith could almost feel the excitement of his new hunting partner as their deal was struck. It was obvious Nex had been denied the singular pleasure that came from hunting with an equal for far too long. Di’Shan glanced up idly at the shadows Nex pointed out above them. He knew he’d said more than would normally be wise in public but he’d wanted to get Nex on good terms and he was fairly certain that being vague would have failed. The Twi’lek let out a derisive snort and jerked his head toward the other end of the alley.
Di’Shan moved with a surprising swiftness for one his size, his muscle mostly geared for fast strikes rather than sheer strength, as he turned and swept off down the alley. He gave his back to Nex as a show of temporary trust but his senses were keened to the other man’s movements. He wasn’t terribly concerned however as he was sure that the temptation of their mission together would prove a more interesting target than just trying to kill him in the street. He hooked his fingers into his hood as he moved and covered his face once more as he slid out of the alley and down a new street. He knew the hutt in question was there only from overhearing about her through whispered conversations in the cantina he’d visited but he could figure well enough where they could find out more. Information mongers were easy enough to find in this shady refuge and all he would need to do is locate one.
The shadowed figure led his companion down the street heading back in the direction he’d first come from. He was hesitant at the idea of taking the other Force user to his ship but after giving it some thought, he figured that it was actually the safest place for them. He knew no one would listen there, he had all his technology at his fingertips, and it would place Nex in unfamiliar territory that Di’Shan knew by heart. If the other being tried anything unfortunate, then Di’Shan would have the advantage of knowing where every hidden cache of weapons and defense systems were. Better to fight there than to pick somewhere that would place them on even footing. The walk to the ship didn’t take terribly long and as they entered a long low docking bay, the gleaming black ship came into view. He’d been allowed to take it from the school for a short time with the understanding that his life was forfeit if it wasn’t brought back without so much as a scratch.
The ship was nothing overly special and that was why Di’Shan loved it. It didn’t stand out as being the den of an evil being and it blended seamlessly with the rest of the trash on this forsaken planet. The inside was an entirely different matter, however. It was sleek with panels covered in dark glass. Red lighting ran throughout the ship and greeted the pair like the maw of a malevolent animal when Di’Shan dropped the boarding ramp. He swept in without a second thought and headed for the small rec-room positioned in the middle of the ship. The door hissed shut behind Nex. Di’Shan gestured toward one of the seats around a low round table while he pulled up a touchpad from the underside. A few taps of his fingers brought a thin digital screen down from the ceiling and images began to project across it as the Sith started a search for information on the Hutt. Public records showed only a few scant photos but in the background of one was a beautiful Twi’lek slave girl with lilac skin. She was wearing a thin metal and cloth outfit that barely concealed her.
Di’Shan gestured to the tiny image and smiled. “This is our target. We will need to locate her. I would suggest we start with a few of the informants that wander the streets. You ask the questions of the first one we encounter…I’ll question the second. If their answers are the same, then we can proceed. If not, well, then we continue the cycle till we get something that DOES work. What do you think?”
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 24, 2009 16:21:07 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 24, 2009 16:21:07 GMT -5
Nex's movements were smooth, if a bit tense. Though he afforded the Di'shan a modicum of trust in return for the Twi'lek being willing to show Nex his back, he knew better than to take things at face value...so to speak. As they wound their way through the labyrinth of Nar Shaddaa's streets, Nex paid careful attention to their route, should an escape become necessary.
Nex hesitated slightly as they approached the ship, expanding his senses to search for any bounty hunters that might have been lying in ambush. When he found none, he relaxed slightly. So far the other Dark Sider had done nothing to betray him, an unusual but welcome change of pace. But the true test of Di'shan's intentions was at hand. He had Nex at a disadvantage now. In the alleyways and streets of Nar Shaddaa they had both been on relatively unfamiliar ground, but now they were in Di'shan's home turf, a place entirely unknown to Nex.
The only sign of trepidation or hesitation that Nex showed was to clench both fists, causing his knuckles to pop, then releasing them into a relaxed but ready pose, prepared to grip his lightsaber hilts should the need arise. The adrenaline coursing through his veins heightened his senses, his heart pounded in his ears which heard every slight rustling of the other's robes, followed the echo of every step they took. His eyes studied the surroundings, taking in the sleek, attractive simplicity of the ship's design, while calculating possible escape routes, defensible positions, and potential places for ambush.
Nex's face, however, showed little if any of this. Outwardly he was a paragon of calm, and he dedicated a portion of his concentration to contain the building excitement inside. It was the excitement of the unknown, of possibility. This dealing could turn out to be both very enjoyable and very profitable, or could devolve into a fight for his life, all at a moment's notice.
With only a slight nod, Nex seated himself where Di'shan gestured, leaning back in a somewhat relaxed pose, his left hand on his knee and the right on his thigh. His left leg was extended slightly and the right pulled in just a bit, the whole position worked out so that if need be, Nex would be able to quickly and easily dive into a roll.
His eyes narrowed slightly as the image of the Twi'lek female floated before him, and a single arc of Force lightning snapped between his pinky and ring fingers, though if Nex noticed he did not show it.
"Seems to be a sound plan. I suggest we also...persuade them not to let slip that we inquired this of them. Hutts are nothing if not arrogant and paranoid. And if word reaches this Pushka that we're asking about it, the slug is likely to send guards to...escort us." Nex's eyes narrowed in thought for a moment as he stared at the hologram, and a guttural noise bubbled up from his ruined throat. It was inhuman sounding, perhaps a chortle, or a thoughtful hum, impossible to tell.
"Though if our luck fails with the informants, we may be able to use that to our advantage." A wicked grin formed behind Nex's mask, wrinkling the skin under his his, which lit up with malice.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 24, 2009 19:12:25 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 24, 2009 19:12:25 GMT -5
Di’Shan quirked an eyebrow at Nex’s suggestion. “Hmm…..that…that might work wonderfully actually.” The Sith mused over the idea carefully. Regardless of what path they chose, their actions would certainly draw someone’s attention. Two dark side users don’t attack a being as powerful as a Hutt without making some major ripples but if they played their cards right, they might be able to make it all work out even better than Di’Shan had originally planned. “I like this idea. So, we go out, find some informants,” he said slowly, his mind running a mile a minute, “we have a little fun, make a little noise and convince the Hutt that it would be best to bring us in. Only, let us make this a little more interesting, shall we? We won’t tell anyone we’re Dark Side users…instead, for tonight let’s be Jedi Knights. We’re looking for Pushka because we believe ‘slavery is wrong’ so we’re ‘freeing’ her dancing girl…”
Di’Shan leaned forward in excitement and grinned at his new partner. “The Hutts don’t deal with Jedi often, they’ll only know that two people in robes attacked with lightsabers. We ‘liberate’ the girl and take her with us, leaving a highly pissed off Hutt in our wake who is convinced the Jedi have overstepped their bounds. That animosity could work in our favor later…” It was clear when Di’Shan said the word ‘our’ that he wasn’t referring to Nex though. He didn’t bother to elaborate either, he figured the Sephi would work that out on his own and the Sith left it hanging open as a potential invitation for later. If he liked what he saw this night, he might just open the door for Nex to join the ranks of the Sith should the other man choose to take the offer. Everything would hinge on what strength and ability Nex displayed.
“So what do you think? Shall we go find a few information mongers and stir up a little trouble?”
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 27, 2009 4:41:59 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 27, 2009 4:41:59 GMT -5
Nex’s eyes gleamed while he listened to Di’shan’s blossoming plan. The skin under his eyes bunched up as a grin spread across his face. The planned catered to his hatred of the Jedi very well, and if it worked, would earn the arrogant, self-righteous bastards a powerful enemy. His eyebrows perked slightly at Di’shan’s last words, and he let a bit of curiosity show on in his eyes. That was all the acknowledgement he showed, however, not wanting to press the issue while their partnership was still so young and tenuous. A malicious, deep chuckle rumbled from his chest, and he ran his hand along the right side of his mask, pushing a small slider downwards.
“Crew, this is Morsus. We will be on Nar Shaddaa for longer than planned. You are free until otherwise called.” Another depraved laugh bubbled up from Nex’s chest, his eyes darkened with twisted anticipation. Nex removed his gloves and stuffed them into the pockets of his pants, thoughts racing as he did. Preparations needed to be made, emergency protocols to be set should anything go wrong. They would need a rough escape plan should the Hutt prove unwilling to ‘negotiate’. Powerful though Di’shan and Nex would be together, an army of guards and bounty hunters would still prove difficult to simple stand and slaughter. The two of them would have to carefully plan their lies, avoiding any holes that would ruin the façade.
His hand, a ghastly, pale thing, reached up to his mask again and pulled the slider sideways, away from his face. A panel opened on the side of his mask, revealing several buttons and lights underneath. With practiced precision, he quickly tapped two of the buttons in succession, too fast to follow. All but one of the lights flickered out, the remaining one flashing for a moment before shining steadily.
“Bendun, ensure that the crew turns in…early tonight.” The spite in Nex’s rasping voice was more than effective in implying that whoever he was talking to did not need to be gentle with his crew.
“Affirmative sir.” The response came from the same speaker through which the Dark Jedi’s amplified voice was emitted, and seemed so strange coming from the monstrous looking man. Nex nodded to himself and, again, pressed a button on the panel. All the lights began to flicker again as he closed the panel door and pushed the slider all the way back up.
“My robes are in my hotel room. It may help the effectiveness of our ruse if we retrieve them first. The anticipation in Nex’s voice was obvious. For the most part he did not wear his full robes, not wanting to draw the attention of any wandering Jedi.
Nex stood, nodded to Di’shan, and gestured for the other Dark Sider to lead the way. With only a sligh effort, Nex used the Force to pull his datapad from his pocket to his hand. Normally, he would not have so unnecessarily used to Force for such a simple task, but he knew that reaching into his pocket could have been misinterpreted as grabbing a weapon. Using the datapad, Nex transmitted the address of his hotel room to the nearest data device, assuming that it would be Di’shan’s personal computer.
“I will leave much of the informant locating to you. I try to avoid this place when I can, which is often. Let’s go have some…fun”
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 29, 2009 21:11:55 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Dec 29, 2009 21:11:55 GMT -5
((OOC: Sorry this is a little short. Not sure if you want to work out how we want this to play out over PM or not.  )) Di’Shan watched the whole interaction between Nex and his crew with what appeared to be complete disinterest bordering on boredom but there was something in the way he didn’t say anything, in the stillness of his body, that would tell any trained warrior he was listening intently. He had to admit curiosity at who the last person Nex had spoken to was and he could only surmise that it was a trusted ally among the Dark Jedi’s crew. Perhaps the only person Nex could trust to see his wishes were carried out properly. The Twi’lek rose gracefully to his feet, his large frame propelled to standing with a surprising swiftness that spoke of his training as Nex gestured for Di’Shan to lead the way. A moment later, Di’Shan’s personal datapad went off with a silent vibration against his hip, lost in the folds of his robes. He fished it out, ever alert to the movements and breathing patterns of the man behind him and always just far enough ahead of Nex to give himself room to maneuver at the first sign of deception. His pace didn’t slow though as he glanced over the directions to the hotel. The place wasn’t terribly far from the ports, though a full six blocks down from where Di’Shan had parked. The Force had meant them to meet if it placed two Dark Side users so close together. Only in this way would they have felt the presence of the other. Di’Shan had to smile at that. The Force was with them tonight. He’d often felt it was silly that the Jedi focused so hard on the light side alone. They rejected the darkness as being unnatural and something to be reviled. To Di’Shan, he and people like Nex were necessary for a healthy balance. He was evil in the same way that nature was cruel were someone to ask his opinion on the subject. Nex and he were predators, stronger animals that culled the weak. The Jedi should be thankful to people like them for helping make the remaining Jedi stronger and more alert when their weaker members fell. Somehow, he doubted the Jedi would agree. Di’Shan had to suppress a chuckle at the thought as he sped along the crowded street toward Nex’s hotel. The arrived at last before a solid looking, if slightly dilapidated building. Di’Shan’s business on Nar Shaddah had been brief enough to not require a hotel for him but he half wondered why Nex hadn’t just slept on his own ship. It was, afterall, safer under normal circumstances. The only reason Di’Shan would have ever slept off ship was to throw off a pursuing enemy or to invite trouble from unknowing locals for the sheer pleasure of it. Di’Shan gestured to the door way. He’d already taken the lead and proved his trust several times and it was high time to let Nex take the lead now. The gesture was meant to give Nex two messages. One being that Di’Shan had displayed his willingness to trust by walking ahead of Nex multiple times and now it was time to return the favor. The other being that Di’Shan did not consider himself to be above the other man and was willing to see him as an equal by allowing Nex to take the lead. |
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 30, 2009 19:01:21 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Dec 30, 2009 19:01:21 GMT -5
Not missing the subtle implications of the gesture, Nex entered the building, moving past the other Dark Sider without any sign of tension or anxiety. He ignored the desk clerk and lead Di’shan up several flights of stairs and down a hallway. With a swift, almost bored motion, Nex pulled out the keycard and swiped it in front of the sensor. After a quick look to both ends of the hallway, he ducked inside, beckoning for Di’shan to follow. The room inside was dimly lit as rundown as one might expect. But despite the occasional stain, blaster scarring and some tears in the furniture, it seemed to be fairly clean.
It was obvious that Nex was probably not the person to whom the room was registered, however. Two suitcases sat in the corner of the room and one of them was open enough to reveal obviously female clothing. A mirror, too nice to belong to the hotel, sat on the nightstand surrounded by make up and jewelry and the pillows on the bed were stained by lipstick and eye shadow.
Ignoring all of this, Nex reached his arm out toward the closet and flicked his wrist. The door whooshed open as the one behind them hissed shut and his black robes lurched out of the dark space and into his awaiting hand. The lights brightened slightly as the door closed, and Nex turned to face his companion, sitting at a small table near the window, the blinds of which were shut. Leaning back in the chair, obviously more relaxed though still alert, Nex motioned for Di’shan to sit across from him.
“It occurs to me now, that we may be short selling ourselves with our current plan.” His tattered voice was practically a growl, as though the thought angered him. In truth the effect was accidental, it was at times difficult for him to control his voice, the remnants of his vocal chords were scarred and weak making them difficult to manipulate properly.
“It seems to me that it would be more beneficial to us if we added a layer of subtly and intrigue to our current course. I propose we acquire some of the typical brown and white attire of the jedi, and if possible more appropriately colored lightsabers. As much as I would enjoy peeling them from the corpse of one of the self-righteous jesters,” He chuckled at the word, the grating noise a mixture of mirth and bitternes. “it is doubtful that we will find any here. Our best chances are probably to acquire them from the black market. I suggest we get masks of some sort as well. This way, once our interrogation of the informants and slave liberation is complete, we can leave the Hutts with a simple threat. That the next time the Jedi come to Nar Shaddaa it will be to end the Hutts’ rule. Then we simply change to our normal attire, remove the masks and return after a few hours playtime with the slave to offer our services against the Jedi. In this way the Hutts not only hate the Jedi, but they consider the Dark Jedi allies, us in particular, and will be willing to give us any information on Jedi movements that they come across.” A wicked smile spread across his face as the promise of intrigue presented himself. Today looked to be a very productive day indeed. His gaze turned thoughtful as he waited for Di’shan’s agreement and he held up his hand for him to wait.
“As for the issue of my…‘distinctive’ voice, I propose that I simply not speak, that I allow you to do most of the verbal negotiations while we pose as Jedi. You can either claim that I have taken a vow of silence, or perhaps that I am your padawan, and it is part of my training, or punishment. Whichever of the two stories you find more believable.” Though coming from most Dark Jedi it would have been obvious that it would not be wise to presume that taking on a master role would be believable, no such impression came from Nex. He honestly cared little. For the most part, Nex did his best to keep his ego in check, only reacting to attacks against it that were neither accidental nor in good humor.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Jan 3, 2010 16:40:00 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Jan 3, 2010 16:40:00 GMT -5
Di’Shan sauntered in behind Nex with all the air of someone who was perfectly at home in his current surroundings, only Nex would have been able to pick out the subtle movements that marked the Sith as being fully alert and aware. Appearances, Di’Shan had learned, were almost as important as the truth most times and he was careful to make it look as if he were as utterly comfortable in that hotel as any other patron. He knew, however, that no one but himself truly understood how much of a lie that thin veil of safety was. The surly looking man behind the front counter, the thin and frail looking little woman sitting huddled in her chair in the corner, and all the rest of the tenants in the building had no idea that two extremely dangerous men had just walked past them. Their deaths could be had in less time than it would take for Nex and Di’Shan to break a sweat and yet they sat blissfully unaware of it.
It was this tenuous lie of safety that Di’Shan so loved to break, to draw away the curtain of ignorance from the eyes of the weak and let them see that the world, in truth, did not care about them. It was a cruel joke he’d learned long ago to laugh at. For every life the Jedi saved out in the galaxy, they could not see the thousands of others that would continue to suffer or die brutally at the hands of their fellow men. He, himself, had no illusions about his place in the galaxy. He was at its center, of course, but he wasn’t fool enough to believe that the illusions around him, the people he met every day, weren’t a danger. He’d discovered early that men like Nex were more common than the Jedi believed and he was positive the Dark Jedi would kill him at the first slight sign of weakness. No, he would watch himself around Nex, for Nex was a game, a grand game to be sure, but a deadly one. Di’Shan would dance this macabre little dance with his new partner, have his fun, feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins like a fiery addiction and then he’d wander back to the Temple having sated his need for entertainment. If all went well, Di’Shan will have played with his new friend properly and would walk away with a new contact he could find useful in the future.
Di’Shan wandered through the room Nex led him to and let his eyes take in every minute detail. His long fingers trailed over the delicate mirror sitting on the nightstand while Nex retrieved his clothes, though he was careful to keep the other man firmly in the corner of his eye. The twi’lek chose not to comment on the obvious lack of the female to whom this room had belonged, it was evident enough that Nex had disposed of her, and Di’Shan had to give credit where it was due. There was no blood on the floor, no sign of struggle, no mess, so he’d have to have killed her elsewhere. It was a clean and necessary kill, no frills, and the Sith could appreciate that. He eased down into the chair Nex offered and turned it so that his back was open to the room but not the door or any windows. His gold eyes searched Nex’s face with open interest as the Sephi began detailing a more elaborate plot. A thin smile started at the corner of Di’Shan’s mouth and widened as his counterpart continued, delight written across every inch of his face and tinged with something wholly unpleasant.
With infinite patience, Di’Shan waited until Nex stopped speaking before steepling his fingers and resting his chin on them, his eyes narrowing in thought. “I like the idea, I admit,” he said in his easy baritone, “but it will be difficult indeed to find Jedi robes on the black market. They’re usually VERY careful about collecting the bodies of their fallen when possible. If the Force is with us though, we may just well find some. As for roles, I doubt highly anyone would believe you to be my padawan.” Di’Shan glanced up at Nex and took in the man’s scarred face and the very identifiable mask he wore. “Neither of us is exactly the sort that blends in well…perhaps it would be best if one of us keeps their face hidden in each interaction. I will pretend to be the Jedi Master, you can simply be a Master that has taken a vow of silence. We can find a mask perhaps for you…then we switch and I shall remain cloaked and hidden while YOU act as our voice when we come back as Dark Jedi.”
Di’Shan mulled over the idea some and finally rose to his feet with a shrug. “Let us go down to the market place then and see if we can’t acquire some robes. Everything will hinge upon our being able to obtain them.” With that, the Sith turned on his heel and headed for the door before stopping suddenly and glancing over at the makeup and clothes strewn about the room. A low chuckle started in the bottom of his chest and rose until he was all but cackling. “I think I might have a disguise that would work for our second trip,” he said with a wide grin. He walked over and sifted through the makeup supplies, shoving some eyeliner, lipstick, eyeshadow, and blush into a pouch on his belt. Then he moved to the suitcases and rifled through until he found a few bits of clothing he thought might work and those too were stuffed into his robes.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jan 4, 2010 12:32:51 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Jan 4, 2010 12:32:51 GMT -5
A look of confusion crossed Nex’s face for a moment while Di’shan gathered up the makeup. He watched, pondering what could be going through the Twi’lek’s mind, and then smirked as it dawned on him. He had begun to truly think that this partnership would most certainly be worthwhile, and now, seeing the way that Di’shan was creative and willing enough to use every possible advantage, he was sure of it. Of course, that didn’t mean he was going to let his guard down around the Dark Sider, quite the contrary. Though Nex was not going to be as high-strung, every nerve sparking and ready for action as he had been when they first met, Di’shan’s display of resourcefulness ensured the he would always be alert, keeping a constant, if subtle, eye on the Twi’lek.
Giving the other Dark Side user a nod of approval, Nex danced his fingers over the keypad next to the door, which opened with an overly loud ‘whoosh’. Nex’s eyes darted down both ends of the hallway as he expanded his senses into the Force, feeling for any hostile presences. Nex paused for a moment, catching ‘scent’ of something in the Force. It was a vaguely familiar presence, in a way that unnerved him slightly. It was gone in nearly the same moment that he sensed it, and Nex was unsure whether that relieved him, or unsettled him further. Ignoring it for now, he stepped fully out of the room. Once Di’shan was out and the door had hissed shut, Nex nodded and pulled the hood of his robes up.
With one more cursory glance around the hallway, Nex led Di’shan down the stairs and out of the building. His stride was confident and smooth, as though he hadn’t a care in the world. But Di’shan would easily see that something had Nex a little on edge, beyond the typical, and healthy, alertness that he maintained around the Twi’lek. The disturbance Nex had felt hadn’t even been powerful enough to be a Padawan, but the familiarity of it disturbed him. Aside from his crew, he could not recall any non-sensitive life forms that he spent enough time around to get that sense from their presence. The only conclusion he could come to was that it was either the Force had given him that sensation as a sort of warning, or a powerful Force user was manipulating their own signature in the Force to toy with him, neither of which boded well.
Unable to do much about it at that moment, Nex pushed the thoughts from the forefront of his mind as he stepped out into the Nar Shaddaa streets. His mask hissed slightly as he took a deep breath, calming himself and suppressing his presence in the Force. That done, Nex melded himself into the crowd and began to follow the traffic to the markets. As they approached, Nex watched carefully, studying the shops. His eyes and mind drank in every detail about the customers who went to each shop, the merchants themselves, and which stores the ‘average’ citizens seemed to be avoiding.
After a few minutes, Nex broke off from the crowd, tapping Di’shan’s arm as he did, and headed towards what appeared to be little more than a hole in one of the walls. The closer they came to it, however, the more distance people seemed to be giving them until finally, just as they ducked in, the nearest person was nearly three meters away.
“Perfect. If this shops reputation has the locals that nervous then it’s probably the most likely place for us to find what we need.” The twisted glee and anticipation in Nex’s grotesque voice was just as evident in his eyes as he disappeared into the shop entrance. The inside of the shop belied it’s humble outside. The shelves were lined with holograms depicting a wide range of devices from blasters to grenades, illegal droid parts, vials of unidentifiable chemicals, modified plasma cutters, wrist rockets, and all sorts of other toys that any scum would kill to obtain.
Nex’s eyes danced between the holograms absently. Though he did have interest in much of the merchandise that was shown, he hadn’t the credits for much of it at the moment and so did his best not to get himself too worked up. Funding was something Nex tried not to put too much thought towards. Doing so raised uncomfortable questions for which Nex had no real answers. What was his place in the Galaxy? What was he supposed to be doing, supposed to be accomplishing? What was his purpose? What the hell did Dark Jedi DO? His master had done an excellent job of training him in the ways of the Dark Side of the Force, the philosophies it embraced and the methods of commanding it, he had also simply left once Nex’s training was complete. Now the young Sephi had no purpose in life save to keep his ship running and his crew paid and fed until he could find some sort of direction to follow.
Nex shook his head, freeing himself of his musings as the shop protocol droid approached. The gunmetal grey droids blue eyes flashed as it did a quick analysis of the pair. It paused as it attempted to identify Nex’s species. Settling on human it then turned to analyze Di’shan, pausing again in confusion as it tried to determine his gender. Giving up, the droid bowed slightly and gestured around the shop.
“Welcome to Laryna’s Imports, I am CZ-76. Laryna will be with you shortly. Is there anything I can do for you while you wait?”
Nex shook his head at the droid and crossed his arms loosely, his gaze turning back to the holograms. The droid turned its attention away from him and to Di’shan, awaiting the Twi’lek’s reply. Just as it did so, however, Nex looked at the other Force user and jerked his head toward the back of the store where a female Bothan stood shadowed in a doorway watching.
“Tell your boss we’re fine, droid. We have business to do and we want it done quickly.” The malevolence in Nex’s harsh voice was carefully controlled. He let just enough slip that his point was made and to make them seem like the type of people that did such business often, while also not letting out enough malice to make it sound like a threat. The Bothan grinned and approached them, her movements smooth and calm, totally in control.
"How can I help you fine citizens today?" Beneath his mask, Nex smirked at her obvious use of a non-specific way to address them and turned to Di’shan, nodding slightly to let the Twi’lek know to take the lead for a moment. That done, Nex opened his mind up to the Force, searching for the presence he had felt earlier, as well as staying alert for any disturbances that might indicate other Force users or approaching hostiles.
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