Testing The Waters (Tal)

[Poludnica]

Ambient

Hulking monoliths of Sah'c architecture rose through the filthy ever-night, monuments to the gods of luxury and hedonism. Neon signs and holographic advertisements clung desperately to the buildings, their deceptively cheery illuminations struggling to penetrate the planet's never fading street ligths. Thousands of tiny gleaming points swarmed and weaved through the spaces in-between the tall buildings. They were the bloodstream of the giant city, tirelessly pushing along the veins of aerial through-ways.

Danica pried her gaze away from the city below. The velocity of a hovercar blurred lights, creating mess of colors and shapes. It made her dizzy. Then again it seemed to be a constant feeling of the past two weeks, It was maybe the third time she left her home after the humiliation Devon made her suffer. Even if Danica didn't want to show it – he gave her a scare. It was a clear message from him, a sign how little she meant when it came and how easy it would be to get rid of her. Eve now the memory caused stingy, hot tears of anger to swell in her eyes.

The speeder came to abrupt halt and a can of energy drink that rested in her hand fell down spilling its content on the Livco's limousine expensive rug. As she bent over to collect the mangled mess at her feet, the comm device clicked, filling the car with her assistant's matter-of-fact voice.

”Everything is ready, first guests already arrived.”


Calmly, the woman stood, her boots stepping carefully over the sticky puddle beneath her. Azure, long dress hugged Danica's slender curves as she pulled herself out of the speeder. The night was warm but at this height chilling breeze coming from the artificial ocean still stung. The girl shuddered, feeling goose bump climbing up her shoulders. Was this really from cold? Or she was still reeling from the horror Devon made her to suffer through?

Tension coiled her muscles in before the doors to the gallery opened. Music filled her ears – stoic, calm and ancient. Appropriate for the opening of new exhibition. The main theme was focused around long dead species and their artwork. Danica could bet most of the guests couldn't tell one culture from another but it wasn't the reason they were here, really. Yet another excuse to meet, plot, gossip. Couple of senators, few military men, businessmen. Normally, she would relish this opportunity but today Danica just didn't feel like it. Mainly because it was Devon's 'request' to organize this event. And like an obedient servant, the girl agreed. Just like with her father....

Taking a deep breath, Danica walked toward a couple of high ranking politicians to greet them. She knew them, long time friends to her father. The same xenophobic lot too...They would always buy some mediocre art, claiming themselves to be connoisseurs. Laughable. The worst part was, she had to be nice and polite about it.

It'd been only one hour and Danica had enough. After yelling at her assistant, firing one of the waiters and berating a bodyguard for being a numbnut, the woman decided to just sit down on a comfortable couch. Sighing in relief, the young woman found herself sinking in into silky materials in before realizing one of the cushions was not placed in a very stable manner. With a yelp of surprise Danica slid from the couch to the floor, causing few of the nearst guests to chuckle mirthfully. And this night was only starting...

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Link1 Link2 --obviously with the colors stated ^_~

---

So much planning had gone into this little charade that he sincerely hoped it would be worth it…

Playing the part of nobility wasn’t difficult, it was getting those holding the power to hand out invitations to give him one that had been slightly tricky, even for someone with his…talents. Not everything was best done with telepathy, and in fact in situations like this it was often better to avoid such things…so he’d done some smooth talking and, eventually, gotten himself invited to this little gathering. At the very least he would be able to learn more about the Republic and the jedi, even if he didn’t get any true leads on what (or rather who) he was seeking.

Rubbing elbows with the correct people now would inevitably save him some trouble later on.

It was with this in mind that he arrived shortly after the gathering had started. Every part of his appearance and persona was well done, well practiced…polished to near perfection. The long coat of black fit his form in a way that only a well paid tailor could accomplish, twin sets of silver buttons lining the front and giving him an air of militaristic style. Adding to that militaristic appearance was a swath of black and green material that was attached to one shoulder, draped across his chest and hung over the other shoulder like a cape. Long, almost platinum blond, hair was tied back neatly and securely and there wasn’t so much as even a hint of scruff on his face.

As he entered, grey eyes swept the area, paying little attention to the doorman who greeted him and took his invitation. Honestly there were only a few people here that even looked to be worth his time thus far, though some of the art was passable, he supposed. Nodding to the doorman without really hearing what it was he said, Rakesh brushed past him, clasping his hands lightly behind his back and drifting off toward one of the more interesting looking paintings on one of the walls. Art had never been his forte, that has been Maiara’s area of expertise, but she had taught him a few things, and his parents had as well…he supposed.

The predatory features of the man quirked an intrigued look as he studied the image before him.

It was always an interesting, though not always pleasant, revelation when Rakesh discovered ways that his family had molded him even without their trying to. Art was one such thing. He was, honestly, nobility…that much hadn’t been a lie…though he’d not necessarily been raised as one. That came in his adult years, after he’d started earning some small modicum of ‘respect’ within the Houses. Still, the Morequai’s love of fine things had rubbed off on him eventually, if not necessarily to the extent which they did. He, at least, could live without and not feel deprived. This was why he had felt confident enough to come to such and exhibition and be able to blend in.

Still, what he was looking at now was…interesting…but not fine art.

At least, not in the eyes of any Morequai Heru or Hiril.

Moving on he paused at a display of some form of…sculpture. ’Well, the lines are good enough, I suppose, but the color is lacking. I wonder how old it is…’ Moving around the display, he paused at the sight of the placard and red it. He couldn’t be entirely sure, but it seemed to be a rather old piece. That, at least, made the faded colors acceptable. No doubt it had been a rather good piece when it had been new and vibrant.

…It was a pity that his…that Maiara wasn’t alive to see this. She would have enjoyed it, he was sure.

It was at (almost) that precise moment that a yelp was heard behind him.

Turning slightly to see what had happened to earn such a sound, not to mention the chuckling, he saw a woman looking very startled on the floor just in front of a couch. Frowning a bit, more at the chuckling than anything else, he paced toward her and paused, silently offering a hand to help her up.

[Poludnica]

A small, alarmed squeak escaped her, which only added to the general amusement. In turn turning Danica's cheeks scarlet. The woman immediately thought about rumors that would reach Devon's ears. Another item on the list to humiliate her at any given chance. From the corners of her eye she noticed a tall silhouette coming closer. Immediately the woman's head whipped, as if expecting a threat – eyes narrowed, ready to defend against any mockery but the man only offered his hand. Verdant gaze quickly focused on his expression but there was not even a hint of amusement.

After only a heartbeat of hesitation she placed her palm in his and let herself to be helped up. Indignantly, the dark haired creature smoothed the wrinkles this doofy experience had left on her expensive dress. ”Thank you ser, it is comforting to know gentlemen are not an extinct breed.” She said aloud with a smile but looked around with an angry gleam in her eyes. The guests returned to their business as if nothing had happened.

Huffing like a an irritated pufferfish, Danica returned her attention to the man. In a matter of seconds the woman knew few things. She didn't know him, had no idea who he was, because someone like him Danica would remember. If only because of exotic, sharp, almost animalistic features and almond shaped eyes. Human, one would think, in every aspect but something about his frame and lines of face was unsettling. Dany blinked, trying to make sense off this oddity. And this hair...Very bright, shining in the luminescent light.

For the briefest of moments her gaze stopped on a tattoo showing above the man's eyebrow. He must have came here from the Outer Rim, no one around these parts of the Galaxy nobility and all the important would sport such a thing, at the same time carrying themselves like a VIP. Rimmers, criminals and aliens on Coruscant could have markings on their bodies but rarely anyone from high societe.

”Forgive me, but I don't recall you from the guest list. “ The woman tilted her head slightly, smiling politely.”And I would certainly remember.” She added with one brow arched daintily up. It was really strange, the guests were suppose to belong into her father's circle. This man certainly didn't.

By the Maker, he is tall one...

Absentmindedly, the girl took a glass of fizzy wine from the incoming tray, still watching the stranger. His clothing didn't seem Core World in design, nothing human certainly, at least not Coruscant designed. Her artistic sense would call it military, oddly matching the man's predatory features. The colors of green and black only highlighted this style. Curious thing indeed...So much it made her to bury the recent humiliation, adding it to a nice collection of already gathered.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

For half a moment it seemed as if the woman wasn’t going to take his silent offer of assistance, instead half-glaring up at him. Watching her passively, he could almost see her come to the conclusion that he wasn’t a threat, and thus took his hand. Deftly helping lift her back up to her feet, he gave a slight nod of his head to her comment, his hands retreating to the small of his back once more. It was only then that he decided it was appropriate for him to speak.

”It would seem, however, that we’re an endangered species.” His accent, while perfectly natural to him, was a controlled (and ‘well groomed’) lilting tone that gave his tenor voice the coloring of the mist and heather of his House’s homeland of the Hithlume region with the slightest hints of the desert accent of Ordril, like the hint of some exotic spice. This, obviously, was not a Core-world accent. ”But, you are welcome. I was pleased to be of some assistance, Hiril.”…and if the accent didn’t give it away, his choice of words would.

Even as she scrutinized him, the man only lifted one brow (the one with the brand, it just so happened) ever so slightly, mildly amused by her reaction to his appearance. It seemed she paid more attention to detail than most, as he watched her eyes take in everything from his features, to his hair, and right down to the very build of him. The mild confusion that radiated from her only added to his amusement, though it only showed in slight threads of dull green that managed to filter into his grey eyes as he waited patiently for her to finish her impromptu study of his physiology.

No doubt he was the first of his race she’d ever seen.

As her eyes lingered on the two brands around his eye, he considered giving her the…short…explanation of them, only to have her break the silence once more. Nodding slightly, he gave a slight bow to her. ”Forgive me, I should have introduced myself. I am Rakesh Skandrannon. I assure you that I’m on the list, but likely one of the last to be added as I am…how should I put this? ‘New in town’?” He smirked slightly, considering how much of an understatement that was.

Grey eyes shifted slightly from her to the server passing with the drinks before returning to her face. She really was a lovely young woman, even if she wasn’t Rilan. As the tray of sparkling wine passed him, Rakesh was only able keep himself from shifting away from the scent through strict control as his heightened sense of smell (though not exceedingly higher than that of a base-line human’s) brought the acrid scent of alcohol in and nearly choked him with it. No drink on Rilia had such a high alcohol content that you could easily smell it, so the realization that there were drinks in the galaxy where you could smell it had been a disgusting revelation to him.

Even now, after having had some time to get used to the idea (and scent), he found it difficult to tolerate the smell. Of course, the fact that Rilan physiology didn’t tolerate high levels of alcohol well (thus leading to a decided lack of drinks with high alcohol content) most likely didn’t help the situation at all. Eying her drink dubiously once his moment of masked revulsion was over, he returned his full attention to the woman before him.

”I have relatives that may be interested in some art from off world, and while they may be interested in some of these pieces simply for their…novelty...to our people…” His voice trailed off as he gazed at one of the pieces he’d passed earlier, shaking his head slightly, then shrugged. ”Well, I suppose I should keep my opinions to myself until I’ve had a chance to see more of the collection.” He studied the younger woman quietly for a moment before adding anything further to what he’d already said.

”Since it seems that you are privy to who is on the guest list for tonight, perhaps you would be so kind as to walk with me and perhaps tell me a bit about the pieces here? Assuming, of course, you know anything about them.” The smirk that followed was, mostly, a good natured (if slightly teasing) one…a rare expression on his face most days, indeed. ”…And perhaps you might even tell me your name…”

[Poludnica]

Danica's pale complexion gained a soft, pink glow in the face of the colder wind when the doors opened. She looked around at the small group of people milling in and out the gallery. A plume of breath rushed from her flushed lips as the girl made sure neither Devon nor Broca were among those guests. A moment of fear passed quickly, leaving only a faint gleam in her green eyes.

Too jumpy. Danica chided herself silently, hoping the stranger didn't notice anything. She smiled, covering any worry with a polite, studied grin. ”A gentleman from Outer Rim. I can't say I recognize your accent.” The woman's bemused expression changed slightly into pure curiosity at the word he used. Danica believed herself to be educated, very much so. Despite majority of things Cassius mucked up when raising her, education wasn't one of them. And yet this man's lilt in his even, trained cadence was completely alien to her. One thing she could be sure, that word and accent didn't come from any baseline human colony. Curious...

For a moment, when her eyes returned to the man's sharp, handsome face Danica could have sworn there was something different about his gaze. Huh...Deeming it as a simple play of light and shadow, the girl's attention was once again drew to the doors. Dany's breath caught in her lungs when she noticed a tall figure of the hated lawyer coming in. You as*hole... An angry thought crept in the back of the woman's mind and stayed there. Fear and irritation began to slowly bubble under the surface of disarming charm.

He won't talk to me. He wouldn't dare.

Withing a heartbeat Danica's focus returned to the stranger. ”I recall no Mr Skandrannon .” She smiled lightly, forcing herself to forget Devon was prowling around. ”But I am sure you have to be someone important enough to get on the list at the last moment notice.” Was he a Devon's guest? No, the lawyer despised Rimmers even more than Cassius had during his time. There was a chance the man sneaked in to make friends among the important and rich of Coruscant? That name didn't sound typical and matched the accent well. Danica grew curious, wondering how pissed off the mangy lawyer would be if it occurred someone, a possible alien broke into his party and through the carefully chosen security.

”Where is your old town then? ” She asked casually, offering the man a drink from another tray that went by. A good quality white wine, made on Ruan from their pure, modified grapes and apples. Certainly not something to frown at...which what Rakesh was actually doing. Or at least look at it blankly, not sure what to do with it? ”Is something wrong with my drink?” Danica's voice was colored with bemusement and she put away the offered alcohol.

So, a business deal? Danica could believe in that, many rich families from outside the Core liked to be snobs and buy their art from the source. Though he didn't need a party to do it...”It's mostly human art from early Republic period.” She explained , looking over the room. There were not the best exhibits, no fine dealer didn't show his best cards to the public, leaving them for private connoisseurs. His people...That sounded hermetic. ”I hope you can find something suitable, tonight there won't be any selling but you are free to contact me about whatever caught your eye.” Danica replied, still not convinced if the motive was even true. Something odd about this man.

”Oh..of course, where are my manners.” The woman felt a faint crimson glow creeping on her cheeks. Such faux pas! ” Danica Liviana, CEO of Livco and the gallery manager. Pleased to meet you.” She recited the typical greeting reserved for such parties. Her hand reached for a formal greeting. The man seemed almost teasing in his words and she smiled, wanting very much to accept the challenge though could tell a goading from miles afar. Cassius' most favored technique to coerce . It was something Dany was conditioned to respond. And use. ”I...” The girl wanted to vanish from Devon's view as soon as possible, preferably in a bathroom but a process of telling a polite excuse was abruptly interrupted by the smarmy, demanding tone she hated.

”Dany! Good to see you left the apartment. Finally.” Danica froze, for a brief moment signs of fear a corner animal could feel.

”Who is your friend, I don't think we've met.” Devon smiled in the most charmingly disgusting ways the woman absolutely abhorred. Her expression changed immediately. Polite, neutral. Empty stare of a porcelain doll they all expected from Cassius' daughter. ”A possible client.” She said curtly, with tone of voice that didn't match the soft, surgically crafted features. It was angry, hateful even.

”Of course I will show you around.” Danica turned away from Devon's annoying smirk, looking grey eyes of her new acquaintance. Her smile, posture a lingering gaze – it suddenly betrayed something more than a simple offer to talk about art. Could Rakesh tell if it was a game to anger the lawyer or a genuine interest? In such moments the young CEO was confused herself.

Devon wasn't happy, his stare promised a possible punishment later as Danica pulled the stranger after her, toward the back of the gallery where some of the less popular exhibits were placed. Stupid, stupid girl. She knew there would be a price to pay later but the thrill of satisfaction...Devon's obvious anger, fury even. Anything was worth it. And what most likely pained the disgusting pile of a creature was not being blown off like some rag tag but the fact he hadn't broken her despite all the effort. But he believed it could be done...in good time.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sorry this has taken so long

---

He smiled, just slightly, at her assumption of where he was from. Of course Rakesh had noted the tinge of fear that had coursed through her as the doors into the gallery had opened, but for the moment the information was filed away as currently unimportant.

”It wouldn’t be. My people are isolationists…of a sort,” he explained simply, meeting her eyes as she looked back to him. The curiosity that she radiated amused him as well. It was an endearing feature of most women, that curiosity…assuming they didn’t take it too far, or press too much. As her eyes flickered back toward the doors he caught the slight catch of her breath and the fear and hate that bubbled up in her, radiating outward even if it didn’t show overmuch in her features. Even if he hadn’t been able to feel it with his senses, Rakesh would have been able to tell from her eyes and the subtle tensing of muscles beneath that lovely dress of hers.

Keeping himself from turning to try and discover the source of her consternation, the taller man nodded slightly to her next comment. ”I should believe so,” he replied with a confidence that came more from knowledge and self assurance than pure arrogance. ”It isn’t often that a man of my station leaves our planet.” That smooth tone flowed like dark silk, giving her just enough information to keep her interested, but still relatively uninformed. ”As for where I am from, I very much doubt you would have ever heard of it…besides, if I told you, I may have to kill you.”

He gave her an almost lupine smile, only half jesting. Still, that much would be difficult to tell considering he gave the words an air of impish playfulness, allowing only a heartbeat of time to pass before continuing. ”Perhaps I will tell you later, but for now I think I’m rather enjoying having an air of mystery about me. It makes things so much more interesting, don’t you think?”

Another server passed near by with the acrid scent of alcohol, and this time she offered him a drink from it. For a moment he simply looked at the drink, masking his distain for the malodorous fermented juice of what must have once been prime fruits. ”Ah, apologies…I dislike alcohol.” He gave a short wave of one hand, dismissing the topic as unimportant, before replacing it at the small of his back with the other hand. ”I understand,” he continued, replying to her comment about there being no selling because of the party. ”While I am interested in an investment, I’m more interested in absorbing some of the culture of the ‘seat of the Republic’ as well. Needless to say that I don’t get out here much, so this is a rare treat for me.”

That wasn’t entirely false…in fact, it was mostly true…and that (he knew) was the key to an excellent lie. Of course, it wouldn’t do to just say that he was here hoping to discover information that might help him in tracking down a specific person…a possible jedi, no less. Nor would it do to say he was simply here to gain possible, and unwitting, accomplice in who knew what kinds of dastardly deeds he might need to commit in this insane wild goose chase he was on.

When she finally gave him her name, with a comely little blush, he took her hand deftly and brushed a light kiss to the knuckles of it before letting her go once more, the slight bow added bringing him closer to her height for a brief moment. Of course, another voice (as unctuous as the presence accompanying it was) joined them…sounding from behind him. It was with great restraint that the General stood and turned to face the newcomer.

Why, it was like facing one of his relatives…

…how quaint.

With a slight nod of his head, he eyed the man through a mask of carefully cultured refinement and sophistication. Only grey eyes would hint at the sadistic and vicious side of the man beneath. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, to say the least. He could feel the difference in the woman beside him, and he couldn’t blame her for the change. On first instinct he disliked the man before them as well, but (unlike her) Rakesh didn’t change nearly so much externally as she did.

”Sir. It’s a pleasure.”

That accent, such as it had been when Danica had heard it, would be virtually gone now, as well as any terms of his own, native, language. Deception seemed to be the word of the day…and he did, very much, like that word. As the woman turned to him, he nodded to her, smoothly extending an arm for her to take so that she could lead him along as she chose. No doubt she was using him to poke the sleeping murkil, but he found too much amusement in the man’s rabid indignation that he didn’t particularly care.

Chances were he would have done something very similar were their roles reversed.

[Poludnica]

It took her slightly alcohol-blurred mind a moment to realize that Devon wasn't the only ghost of the fancy party past that came over. Turning to Rakesh, she caught a glimpse of a large, bulky frame only her father's chief of security could own. Danica narrowed her eyes; how unforgivably rude. But then again, it wasn't as if she expected this cesspool of human being to leave her alone. Just to spite him, however, she ignored him implicitly and focused back at the handsome, fair haired man. ” And what sorts of isolationists are there?” Tipping a wine glass to her lips, her actions slow and deliberate; Danica made it clear that she had absolutely no intention of leaving the subject. ”And I still don't know what sort of station is that.” The woman smiled faintly, her green eyes widening slightly, betraying curiosity.

Soft, lyrical chuckle escaped her at what she took as teasing threat, though a tune of something new played a solo accord at the core of her being – saying this wasn't just a mischievous, party flirt. For a mere heartbeat cold sensation swept over her. ”I am sure there would be no need for that, beside, my family would retaliate for not having the honor themselves.” She joked lightly, though the hints of bitterness still rang in her voice, despite relaxed, feather tone.

”You are a man of many mysteries, I find it captivating indeed.” She confessed, just loud enough and in time for Devon to catch the flirtatious, playful overtone in her voice. Probably purely deliberate, so the human man frowned darkly, recognizing clearly Danica's games by now. Her gaze flicked toward him with a mixture of aloofness that hid fear. His motives were clear – to destroy every bit of fun Dany could get from this party. And she wouldn't let it, even if the horrid little lawyer wanted to sit around and watch her gorgeous self drink into oblivion in front of a stranger, that was his prerogative after all.

She was elated when Rakesh brushed her hand with his lips, betraying manners of impeccably groomed royalty. A rare sight among corporate, modern Corsucant rich and famous. ”No alcohol then.” Danica beamed, putting away her glass, taking two portions of exotic juice from one of the trays, the woman's fingertips shook slightly as the lawyer approached their despicable confrontation couldn't be avoided.

To Danica's endless vexation, Devon looked stupidly down at her before recognition dawned in his watery eyes and he nodded at Rakesh, annoyed by the rude dismissal and unpleasant realization she could find an ally. The young woman set her jaw, her expensive pearly whites grating together in irritation at being deprived of the opportunity to slap the wretched little creature beside them.

With forced, indifferent smile, she led Rakesh toward a deserted part of the gallery – small, obscenely bright interior with modern, almost too modern and vulgar pieces of art. One didn't have to wonder long why this particular place was so empty. Danica relaxed, knowing Devon was left behind and no one followed them. The lawyer was persistent but not stupid enough to ruins his own party and anger a sudden wild card – was Rakesh really someone of importance or just a clever con artist?

She leaned against the wall, with unfocused and tired gaze. “I noticed how your accent changed all suddenly...” The girl started, wondering how far he would let her to push before showing true agenda. ”Why to hide it? Are you really here by invitation?” Danica let her voice to trail off for a moment, get lost in soft hum of classical music. ”Mr Skandrannon.” She wasn't entirely serious and the playfulness didn't vanish from her posture or voice but the concern was real. From the beginning Dany sensed there was something oddly off about this man and maybe a moment of recluse would give her the answers.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

As Danica led him away to a rather…disgusting…corner of the gallery, he managed to ignore the harsh lighting and crude ‘art’ that made up the space. At least they would be relatively alone in this area, as any sane person with even mediocre artistic taste would be just as repulsed by the area as a vampire by garlic. Instead of focusing on the area, instead he focused on the woman with him and the question she’d just posed him. Smirking a bit he took a sip of the juice she’d offered him earlier, the scent and flavor of the liquid sweet and flavorful, practically a burst of color and texture in his mouth. It made that smirk curl into a minimal smile before he answered her.

”That’s an exceptionally easy question to answer, Hiril Danica…I know his type.” Chuckling softly, he gave her a mild shrug. ”No matter my pedigree or wealth, do you believe he would have invited someone with such a foreign accent? His type are cowards at heart, untrusting and afraid of what they cannot possibly hope to comprehend…afraid and, sometimes, envious of it; a dangerous combination, and not in the least bit conducive to having a pleasant time experiencing the finer aspects of Core-world culture.” He dared to step just a little closer to her, his voice lowering conspiratorially. ”What harm is there in speaking as someone more familiar to such a man if I have otherwise told him the truth?”

Stepping back just a bit once more he huffed an amused chuckle, that wolfish smile showing itself once more. ”The galaxy is made up of liars, Miss, it’s how we all get by from day to day, no matter our station.” He looked at her keenly, then. ”But I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that.”

Taking another sip from his glass, he let his eyes wander over the people beyond the barrier of modern ‘art’ they were surrounded by before looking back to her. ”As for your earlier question, I am a General and son of one of the ruling lords of our planet.”

[Poludnica]

The horrid art didn't seem to affect the man, at least not in a way Danica could notice. Still, she felt a need to explain the pile of failure that 'decorated' this corner. ”Those are my father's lawyer's ...Devon's...favourties.” She smiled lightly, gesturing at the vulgarly square art. The woman believed herself to be absolutely superior when it came to taste. It was impeccable in her eyes and anyone who dared to claim differently was an uneducated brute. Like Devon.

Having a bit of little revenge, Danica focused back on the mysterious stranger's, whose accent changed rapidly. Like a magic trick. Her green eyes narrowed slightly at Rakesh's words, though the expression of suspicion was swiftly replaced by pure curiosity. Again, this strange language a human larynx could easily choke on. ”They are mistrusting, of course, but not foreign accents but foreign species.” She flashed a polite, if a bit coy smile. ”But I applaud you this clever ruse, I am sure you managed to ruin at least one night for that sleazeball” Danica explained with a lyrical chuckle. The young woman had no intention of lying about her relationship with the lawyer.

With a smile balancing between soft amusement and disbelief, Danica watched the man's features changing to something much more predatory, almost canine in origin. No, that wasn't how a purely human facial muscles worked. Was he one of those half-breeds so many despised? Or some exotic near-human the woman as educated as her had never heard about. Fascinating.

The burning curious was easily reflected in posture and bafflement of playful gaze. ”Do you think I am a liar then?” The black haired girl asked, wondering if one, blunt question that desired to be verbalized wouldn't make the man...or a male, flee. ”Somehow I don't think you are talking about a Republic General...or even a human for that matter.” Danica stepped a bit closer, toning her voice down to a whisper. If a man was truly an alien, she certainly didn't want Broca to know. In her mind, the woman tried to peace all the things together but every time the puzzle would fall apart. Whoever Rakesh's people were, Dany certainly didn't hear about them.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

“Those are my father’s lawyer’s…Devon’s…favorites.”

That made him snort softly.

”Well, there’s no accounting for taste, I suppose,” he replied casually, not bothering to let his eyes be overly offended once again by glancing around at the ‘art’ a second time.

“They are mistrusting, of course, not of foreign accents but foreign species.”

Rakesh shrugged mildly at that. ”Whatever their reason for mistrust, my accent would have done me no good, only caused an illogical, and foolish, reaction. I dislike, and am tired of, such things…and so have learned to combat them whenever possible in the simplest means available to me. In this case, a simple and subtle change of accent sufficed.” He smirked a bit, then, at her compliment, thinking how amusing it was that she disliked the little worm so much. She had a lot to learn about manipulation of those you disliked, but who held some sort of power, it seemed…and perhaps he could help teach her. If nothing else she would get some amusement out of it, and so would he.

”Thank you. I enjoy ruining the nights of imbeciles. It gives one an odd sense of accomplishment.” He smirked a bit more at that before shaking his head slightly, and letting his amusement go. Still, her question had him lifting a brow just slightly and smirking once more. This woman had some spirit, and he could admire that. ”Perhaps I do, and perhaps you are…but I would never be so foolish as to suggest such a thing without some reasons behind it, nor would I put it so bluntly and tactlessly,” he stated, ”especially not about a lady such as yourself.”

Gazing at her intently for a moment, he would shrug slightly once more and leave her to ponder his (rather bold) reply as he addressed her last statement. ”No, I am certainly not a Republic General…I am a General in one of the armies on my homeworld, but what might make you suggest that I’m not human?” Now it was his turn to be curious, if only mildly. What had she observed that would make her believe otherwise? Most couldn’t tell him apart from the mundane base-line human stock if they tried, certainly not after such little time…but then, this Danica seemed to have a brain in her head. Perhaps that was the reason that the worm disliked her. Sadly, that was a story he knew all too well, and from personal experience at that.

[Poludnica]

Danica laughed out, genuinely and spontaneously which rarely happened in this strictly controlling woman. She stopped herself quickly though with surprised expression as if such sudden expression of emotions was something new and unexpected.”Mhm...I think that's the case beyond hope.” Dany nervously pulled at the loose strand of her hair, blushing lightly. Despite the initial uneasiness the man had caused, she felt relaxed now, especially after he took her side when it came to Devon. It was probably a ruse, a trick any good manipulator would use but for someone like Danica, no matter the education or cerebral abilities, hunger for acceptance went much farther than fear of being tricked.

”Devon isn't difficult to trick, but turns into a vindictive rancor when he discovers such thing.” She decided to like Rakesh enough to warn him about the lawyer. It would always ache her that Cassius had chosen this slimy idiot over her to get majority of shares. Even if she was an acting CEO it didn't give her a lick of power. Always on someone's mercy, be it Cassius, Devon, Broca or any other goon paid to keep an eye of the misbehaved Liviana asset. ”I guess we have that in common.” She flashed him a demure smile, wondering if what he said about her being a lady was a backhanded compliment, simple flattery or a flirt. Rakesh was hard to read, something Danica found impressive as reading others was a skill she had to learn around Cassius. Especially recognizing the most negative emotions. Decades ago, small frown or a very subtle wrinkle on his father perfect, surgical visage could mean a lone day without as much as a crumb of food.

Cold shudder crept up her spine at the memory and the woman felt a sudden need for a drink, fortunately the conversation took an interesting turn, enough for Danica to forget about the craving. Why indeed? The woman looked at him again, trying to find a reason behind the inquiry. It was just a fleeting feeling that something wasn't right. Her brows came together in an expression of confusion mixed with curiosity. ”It's the way you smile.” The woman explained, tilting her head slightly. ”And the word you said...Heereli...” She tried to recreate the sound but the abilities failed her there.

”I am a cultural anthropologist by education and I have never heard about such human language.” Danica wasn't arrogant enough to believe she knew all there was about humans in the Galaxy but still knew quite a lot, at least in her perception – which was still pretty skewed and prideful. It would be really humiliating if that statement turned to be false, like always when an error was pointed out to her.