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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 11, 2012 17:59:05 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 11, 2012 17:59:05 GMT -5
The Majestic Casino and Hotel, definitely one of the more upscale gambling venues in the Southern Province it's interior decorated with faux venetian plaster upon every wall, bronzium fixtures, marble flooring and red carpeting to make every guest and visitor feel like a holo-star. Slot machines decorated the main floors with rich and poor alike flocking to them for a hopeful fortune.
Upon an elevated floor sat chess & dejarik tables set according to house rules, a rarity on Zeltros to offer the intellectually gifted a chance to both gamble and try their skill at a price. Beyond them sat dozens of pazaak, sabacc and bannak tables each with a dealer each taking a cut for the house. Regardless of each game there was a single solitary truth to those not too caught up with personal glory. House always wins, massive amounts of credits flushed in daily off the hopes and dreams of those who came only to have that dream crushed or for the lucky few who left with a fortune.
Above the main floor was a large screen dedicated to those who played the hourly Corellian lottery game, choosing a series of numbers with the hopes they would win a jackpot, rarely did one ever win and when they did win rarely did they leave with the winnings instead wishing to double their luck. A foolish gesture to be sure, yet the Casino never complained only complied with it's winner.
Today was a fortuitous day as within the High Rollers section the ending stages of a Sabacc tournament was taking place. With a 10,000 credit buy in it assured only the rich and influential played and not wasted the time of both other players and the Casino at large. The high roller section was opened with heavy security lining the casino in the form of security personell as well as security droids to ensure peaceful compliance and to prevent rowdiness of the guests.
In the Finals sat Huast himself owner of the casino and Pritard Gallano a Zeltron brothel owner, while some might label him a pimp with the celebratory nature of the planet such was a revered and praised practice to harness the passions of women for profit. He seemed stressed his hair frazzled and emotions slightly worn, across from him sat the cool, collected and ever elusive Haust dressed in a dark violet business suit and white shirt looking quite dapper, and a pair of sun glasses with reflective lenses.
His face gave off no hit of emotion, nor distress. "I raise fifty thousands credits into the pot." He called plainly and calmly as some watchers gasped at his sudden jump in the call. Pritard sighed offering the literal facepalm as his chips couldn't even lead to counter, even if he had won he wouldn't get the entire pot. with obvious reluctance he reached into his coat pocket tossing a piece of paper unto the table. "My brothel, that should cover the cost" He nearly demanded yet in a submissive voice, the women around him obviously in his employ tended to seem worried as men seemed to flock around them in response to the pheromones pouring off their pink and red flesh.
"I apologize sir we don.." The female dealer a Zeltron female dressed in casino uniform suddenly stopped as Haust rose a hand. "I'll allow it.. now your hand Mr. Gallano?" Haust smirked slightly. Haust's hand was obvious to the casual player his scored currently totaled to -6 and Gallano's totaled to 20 the next hand would undoubtedly decide the game. For the first time Gallano smiled as he looked at his card chucking the +2 bringing total to 22 only one digit from the perfect 23/-23.
Haust gave off the a cool demeanor looking to his card which had remained face down for the majority of the time as he slowly reached to grab it...
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Dec 11, 2012 18:39:59 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 11, 2012 18:39:59 GMT -5
Zeltros was a pretty interesting planet, widely known for its reputation as the galaxy's premier center of hedonism. If you had a voice, you could exploit it there until you wiped out your bank account and your life savings. Sex, gambling, alcohol, spice. Everything was out there for the taking, and that didn't even mention tamer parties or nightclubs. You could dance the night away, and the day.
Some people, however, weren't interested or dancing or gambling, and that category included Naraka.
The Togruta Sith Master was on Zeltros for a very simple reason: she wanted to see an acquaintance.
Haust. The rather narcissistic fellow Sith she'd met back on Korriban had proven to be amiable companionship, by which she meant that she'd engaged in some rather wild and public intimacy with him. However, what was more than just that was a deeper connection.
Naraka wasn't about to say that she loved the human man or that he understood her, or even that she understood him. All that she could say was that he was something of an ally, a closer associate than most, and that she was reasonably she could rely on him as a partner.
For a Sith Master, it had been easy to find out his whereabouts, and the fact that he owned a casino on Zeltros. That had been news to her, and she had to admit it suited her purposes brilliantly.
The Togruta woman had stopped by Saleucami on her way back to Korriban, where she'd had a little bout of nostalgia at seeing her own home, the only house she'd ever lived it. It was rather decrepit, but she wanted it back.
It was a little silly really, for a wandering and wild Sith Master to have her own house somewhere that she rarely stayed in, but she wanted it back. She wanted it for herself, and she had come to ask Haust for advice. He was shrewd, and clearly a man of wealth, and she'd been hoping to find out if he had any tips for acquiring wealth.
Now though, perhaps she could just convince him into giving a donation to her little cause.
Naraka was on her best behavior this time, and it showed even in the way she was dressed. Apart from her bare feet and her jewelry, the Togruta woman's attire was wholly different. The black leather garments were packed safely away on her ship, and instead she was wearing a rather elegant and flowing dress, though admittedly it was cut low to reveal her bosom more than most would approve of. Her lightsabers as well were back at the ship, as she was fully capable of taking care of herself without them.
She meandered through the casino, feet sinking into the plush carpets. She was enjoying herself, and making absolutely no rush to reach Haust, though she could sense his exact location quite easily. By the time Naraka drew close enough to see him through a doorway, it was apparent he was engaged in some kind of gambling.
The Togruta stepped up to the door, and a human man blocked her way with his arm.
"This is the High Rollers area Miss, VIPs only."
Naraka looked at him with contempt, and momentarily she debated simply choking him. However, if she did, other guards would come, and there'd be a disturbance, and if she disturbed Haust, he wasn't likely to do what she wanted.
"I am a VIP," She said with a wave of her hand, dominating the man's mind. "You will step aside."
He stepped away, and Naraka passed by him into the area, moving up to the edge of the tables and simply watching the game, now down to two people.
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 11, 2012 19:36:04 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 11, 2012 19:36:04 GMT -5
"Go on grab it so I can take your money Huast." The Zeltron man said his words prodding with provocation full of arrogance and haughty self praise. Haust looking to him, quickly lifted the card off the table hold it to face himself. Onlookers behind him gasping and others holding their mouths as he twirled the card to the center of the table.
Pritard turned a lighter shade of pink what humans may consider looking pale, "The Star bringing Huast to -23, Perfect score Mr. Huast is the Winner" The dealer announced nonchalantly and within a flat tone of voice as she reached to the table moving the chips and deed toward Huast who picked the deed up smirking as he read it then tucked it into his inner jacket pocket. Pritard sat there looking shattered, defeated physically and mentally staring blankly as the table his female employees around him seem unsure of what to do. Huast looking over at the 500,000 thousand credit he'd won before looking to his Operations Manager a corpulent obese human with a chubby face and large physique. "Donate half of it to the Zeltros Southern Province Orphanage." He operations manager nodded as he spoke to the guards guarding the cart of credits and walking with them as they escorting the stack fulls of credit chips, cards and bills to another location.
Haust himself stood buttoning his jacket closed as he smiled looking to Pritard."Mr. Gallano looking at the deed it seems you've been left with little than the clothes you wear, and likely the speeder you drove here. However the brothel you signed over wasn't just a building but a business, your ladies are now my employees and since you're creditless I assume you cannot pay them. However I could use someone to run MY new brothel and you seem to have the experience."
He emphasized the fact it now belonged to him, slowly reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small business card as he flicked it toward him.
"My secretary will contact you tomorrow and transmit the terms of a position and salary, you can accept it or deny it doesn't matter to me the planet is full of willing men and women ready take the role."
Pritard stood with a desperate look of pleading on his face, "Mr. Haust I have nothing... please be passionate and merciful I will consider it greatly." He pleaded, Huast himself looked to him with indifference however internally he was quite amused in fact one could say laughing internally. Haust quickly retorted and adjusting his suit.
"You are mistaken Mr. Gallano you see by defeating you and leaving you with nothing you'll grow stronger and smarter because of it or you'll be left by the wayside where you'll belong. The smarter and stronger will always stand above the dumber and weaker learn this and you'd have never wagered your livelihood on a simple ten thousand credit buy in game of luck. With that said I do hope you'll consider the position employees of the Majestic are treated fairly well and the benefits alone are agreeable."
Haust didn't give him time to respond simple turning away as he moved to leave, the patrons moving out of his way when he saw a very red, very familiar face as he made his way. Naraka though she was dressed very much differently something that was almost unexpected, no completely unexpected. It wasn't a stretch for members of the Sith Order to find him he didn't hide this career or enterprise as a secret and anyone who knew him would realize he was far more wealthy than a large majority of the Order's members.
"Naraka?" His voice was hesitant in belief, as he reached to his glasses pulling them away and looking her over. She was a feisty woman but a woman he enjoyed having in company, and to see her here was a pleasant occurrence. "What are you doing here, of all places? Though I must admit you do look ravishing in that dress."
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Dec 11, 2012 20:33:18 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 11, 2012 20:33:18 GMT -5
Naraka smiled, her fangs peeking out, as she dipped her montrals in a nod at Haust. Here he was the successful casino owner, a high-rolling hotshot. She even gave him an ironic little curtsy, her face clearly amused.
"Why, I came to see you of course," She answered suavely.
Her deep brown eyes glanced down at the dress. Silvery grey, metallic, and made of the most exquisite silk she'd ever felt. While she enjoyed her usual leather garments, this was nice as well, and she would probably hold onto it for the future, on the chance she had to look nice again.
"And I'm glad you liked it, I had to persuade the clothier to give it to me for free, but once he saw the way it hung on me, I don't think he felt so bad about it. In fact, I think I'll hang onto this one for the next time I drop by your dayjob."
The Togruta woman's voice was a little playful, and her smile was subdued, but genuine. It as good to see Haust again, and she fondly remembered their little fling a few weeks ago in the cantina in Dreshdae. Normally a girl probably wouldn't be too keen on the man who'd choked her and cracked her lip, but Naraka wasn't most girls.
He'd definitely healed up nicely from the injuries she'd inflicted, without so much as a scar. There must have been kolto involved, because she'd sent her fangs in one end of his lip and out the other.
"You look well yourself," Naraka said politely. "I think you must have a love affair with kolto to explain that."
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 11, 2012 21:12:48 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 11, 2012 21:12:48 GMT -5
Hey fanged smiled only reminded him of being bitten and actually caused him to reach to his lip which healed rather quickly that negated the mark of a scar. she was rather hard not to admire, even pulling the eyes of passing patrons to her bosom.
He smiled folding the stems to his glasses before tucking them away in his pocket before reaching to her hip politely and gesturing out of the VIP area and to the open floor. Not forcefully but rather suggestively at her mention of the kolto he smiled and nodded.
"Very keen of you, yes I'm quite familiar and intimate with kolto have been for nearly a decade it's a life saver in the literal term." He stated casually as he shook the hand of what seemed to be a noble who greeted him for only a second out two before he pressed his attention back to Naraka.
His hand smoothing it's way to her lower back as he leaned into to whisper to her over the commotion of the slot machines and talkative crowds. "As for the why you've come to see me you have something to ask. You not don't strike me as particularly sentimental though don't get me wrong I don't think it's ever a bad time to be visited by you. I was in fact getting something for you the next time I saw you though speaking frankly it might have been more... special on Korriban."
If one were receptive to emotions the sheer flurry of them in the casino would be as if it were a spectrum of chart. Love, Lust, Fury, Loss and Mournfulness all in it's own varying degree of potency.
It brought Haust a degree of pleasure to own a place that catered to every degree of pleasure he could think of, and better it turned him a hefty profit on a nearly daily basis which in turn fueled more pleasures for himself. After all being a Sith provided basics but never luxuries and luxuries were a requirement for the material loving and the egocentric.
"Perhaps we can carry this conversation to my ...penthouse?" He continued to whisper to her before waiting on her opinion of the suggestion.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Dec 11, 2012 21:35:15 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 11, 2012 21:35:15 GMT -5
"You could at least least buy a girl dinner first," Naraka purred playfully, cognizant of his hand rather lower on her shapely back. That wasn't, of course, something she minded. Additionally, she didn't have any real aversion to going back to his dwelling.
Shame wasn't generally something she felt. Sex was just sex, done by anyone and anything. Mating without a lifelong mate wasn't ideal, but it was more realistic. She didn't have some super-man to love her unconditionally and satisfy her every need. If she wanted intimacy, she had to seek it out, and as her location changed, her partners usually changed. That honestly wasn't going to bother her.
The leaning in to whisper might though. Humans never seemed to realize that a Togruta didn't have ears, and that their hearing was far better and more precise. She could have heard him whispering from even ten or twelve feet away. perhaps he thought leaning made it intimate.
Silly humans.
The promise of a gift easily made up for that however, and then some. Flattery was beautiful, and presents from lovers were just as delicious. She'd made an impression on him, and that pleased Naraka. Admittedly, he'd made an impression on her as well. It wasn't often she found a man who was like her; dedicated to the pursuit of pleasure and an enthusiast for both delivering and receiving pain.
However, not addressing her attentions wouldn't exactly be polite. There was a time for deception, and a time for honesty; and this was not the time to pretend she had noble motives or was somehow romantically interested enough to seek him out for no reason.
"You're right," Naraka confirmed. "I did come for a reason. I wanted to talk with someone about money, and you were the first one who came to mind."
The Togruta woman laughed and looked at Haust with an amused look over what she had to say.
"I've never cared much about money. I have no use for numbers and interest, or stocks and bonds. The best things in life are free after all, but sometimes you find something you have to pay for, and that's why I'm here."
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 11, 2012 22:17:26 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 11, 2012 22:17:26 GMT -5
"I've never cared much about money. I have no use for numbers and interest, or stocks and bonds. The best things in life are free after all, but sometimes you find something you have to pay for, and that's why I'm here."
It made sense to him now and while some might be insulted by the notion he was not, it was rather difficult to find any Sith outside the Inner sanctum who overtly gave off the notion of wealth. Many Sith were from the Jedi Order who brought with them the same notions of immaterialness as bums or beggars. The rest usually members of small time cults, or little darkside organizations with less than a million credits to their name. However with the Force, Haust saw a mean of tilting gambling to his advantage, reading the surface thoughts to financial gain with this he built himself deep financial pockets for his own uses.
After all being a rogue Jedi or the Sith didn't exactly have it's own retirement plans, It didn't take a mind as sharp as his own to see this lifestyle would eventually end and those unprepared for a life of surviving in the wild or on the streets would be wishing they had credits to fall back on.
"Ah of course Naraka, money... I'm glad you thought of me first there are a few Sith Masters back on Korriban that ma have my econom.. sorry."
He remembered her preference to speak plainly something he was considerate enough to apply.
"I'm sure there are Sith who could accommodate you but they'd want something in return, something you might be unwilling to give. Me I'm quite content so you could say that what you ask of can be possibly a gift.
He urged her to follow as he changed direction approaching a set of bronzium doors to a lift, decorated upon them were etched "M" name for the casino's name. Reaching to it's right side he pushed in the button opening the doors the interior of the lift was completely transparisteel. Floors, walls, ceiling revealing the mechanical and circuitry workings of the lift. The interior seemed unused or by that extension private in which case only used occasionally and cleaned daily.
He stepped inside looking to Naraka with a sly smile, sliding his hands into his pockets casually. He would wait for her to follow and enter before pushing the top of only four floor options on the panel and continue speaking.
"So, lets get to the subject at hand what is it about money do you need to know?"
He spoke with almost a level headed coolness, this was his arena, his jungle. Credits were his forte earning them and spending them came almost as second nature. He could spot good investments and bad investment like a chef picking fresh ingredients for a soufflé. As she would enter the doors would slowly close behind them sealing away the sound and bustle from the casino floor.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Dec 11, 2012 23:35:15 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 11, 2012 23:35:15 GMT -5
Haust led her to an ornate pair of bronzium doors, which opened to reveal a completely transparent lift. He stepped in, and she joined him, gazing off at the street outside. It was dark, and the numerous colorful lights outside were rather gaudy and glamorous.
It was amazing how many man-made constructs were merely imitations of nature. Lights were attempts to captures stars, moons, bioluminescent plants, and glowing insects. One could argue speeders were like birds, and so on, but it was clearly that on some level, every artificial creation was based off of something in nature.
Zeltros was filled with both, and the parts Naraka had seen so far were constructs, imitations. Her own preferences generally avoided such artificial things. Given the choice of a thousand neon lights that would dazzle the night or a simple starry sky seen from lying on the grass, and she would choose the sky.
Haust pressed the top floor button, and the elevator started to rise up. This signalled to Naraka that somehow her human associate was not going to take her out for a nice dinner, which didn't really surprise her. After all, she'd said it as a joke. However, it still would have been nice.
As they rose higher, other people might have been frightened of the heights. However, as a girl, Kalima Dey had jumped from treetop to treetop, and practiced falling, ultimately mastering the ability to fly with the Force. Now falling was the least of her concerns.
He was eager to get down to business though, so the Togruta woman dived right into it.
"I want to buy a house, and restore it. However, I have no money. It's not prime real estate, so I won't need an obscene amount, but it's a lot of work, and I don't exactly have a job. I was hoping you'd have some advice for me on how to make it work. After all, a fine and upstanding beacon of the Free Market is likely to know a few tricks."
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 12, 2012 0:17:19 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 12, 2012 0:17:19 GMT -5
As the elevator rose it offer a view of the city, the planet vibrant pinks and neons, all to entice with the promises of fun for a price. Permenion love this planet with a passion, it's very purpose for existing was his motivations to thrive upon it. However as the elevator continued to rise at high speeds passing several floors in the span of only a second it ascended higher nearing the top floor.
A large bosom was hard to not look at, a red one even harder a temptation he didn't even resist as he looked over overtly starting for a few seconds before smiling and looking up. He had no doubt she noticed but also had not doubt she wouldn't care and may even seem flattered at the notion of catching his attention. Regardless she spoke of a reason, though it rose more questions than it answered, rather than speculate he simply asked quickly.
"A house, and a restoration job..and it's not prime real estate based on the description it's either a location of sentimental value, which in it self hold intrinsic value for you. Or a less likely scenario it's sitting on something very valuable but with you I'm likely to rest with the first. Correct?"
He remembered the last conversation verbatim she wasn't fond on sharing her past, he didn't sense to push it she may reveal her past on her own terms but he wouldn't force it upon her. He sighed and smiled.
"Regardless of your reasons to be here I am glad to see you regardless, it's rare I get friends to visit me on Zeltros."
He grinned looking to her over his use of the word friends remember her notion of friends. If anything this human was very persistent, and and difficult to dwindle once he had a task in mind. The lift jolted slightly as it came to a stop the lift doors opening revealed a long hall decorated with the hunting trophies of several animals including flying manta of varying species and even an acklay.
Eventually leading to several bronzium busts of himself leading to a vast open great room decorated with several internal green houses of a variety of exotic plants many from uninhabited worlds.
Above it all was a transparisteel ceiling providing one of the few uninhibited views of the pink and dark blue night sky. As he stepped out and raised his arms as if in exhalation of it and himself. "Welcome to my sanctum.."
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Dec 12, 2012 0:50:25 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 12, 2012 0:50:25 GMT -5
Naraka confirmed his suspicions were correct with a nod and a soft 'yes,' but she blinked when he mentioned the F word.
OK, the other F word.
Friends wasn't something Naraka said much. She was generally somewhat solitary and set apart, only wandering to others when it was time for mating or fighting. So when the idea of her actually having friends came up, she wasn't quite sure how to react.
Yes, she liked Haust. He was a little verbose, but he was calm, and not some caricature. He felt real, even if he was extraordinarily egotistic and narcissistic. Yes, she felt rather comfortable around him, and she definitely considered him an ally.
Despite that short relationship, 'friends' hadn't crossed her mind once.
Now it did however, crossing across her vision. As if it were a seductive man, her mind's eye trained in on it and she savored the taste of it. Yes, this was something she could live with.
"Yes, friends," She repeated, eyeing the hall as they walked through it.
It was immaculate, and brimming with trophies, many of which Naraka had either seen or killed herself. This corridor opened up into a room, complete with a transparent ceiling and indoor greenhouses. She found the presence of plants to be a little soothing, and she quickly settled into a comfortable-looking chair.
"A little palatial for my tastes," The Togruta woman appraised. "But very nice. Now, about money? Or do you want the full story about this house... friend?"
Naraka tried on the word for size, unsure how she felt about using it until it came out. Once it had though, she decided she liked it. In her opinion, Haust was a friend now.
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 12, 2012 2:25:14 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 12, 2012 2:25:14 GMT -5
As he escorting her into the great room, the use of the word friend seemed off not in the sense she said but rather her saying it. Knowing her for the short time he did he could tell it was a word rarely if ever used by him similar in the sense he would use the word monogamous in terms of describing himself.
Regardless it did make him slightly happy and amused she used it, but he still questioned the authenticity of it. She did require something and in his experience that was often when the kindness flowed the most however he took an optimistic approach to the word.
Chuckling slightly he walked a nearby green house nodding at as she spoke the last phrase. Himself being open and honest with her, a quality he would usually cover with many confusing words for the sake of opening one up more or enticing them with flattery verbosity.
"Honestly I want to know the full story, but I don't want to press you for your life story I feel when you are ready to tell it you will. He lifted a draped cube allowing it to rest in both hands before approaching a large table in the center and placing it there.
But for now lets save that story over dinner, it is about that time and you mentioned you wanted a meal. I can't say I disagree with that notion..I'll be back keep talking I'll hear you."
With that said he walked away to a separate room of mechanized rushing became quickly prevalent there. It seemed about twenty seconds before two droid rushed out of the room setting plates, napkins and eating utensils on the table in the center of the room.
Soon after finishing Haust returned dressed with the dark violet slack of his suit but lacking the rest instead wearing a loose untucked white dress shirt the top two buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up.
"Sorry about that Naraka, I needed to get out of the awful suit it was overly warm.. So join me for a meal, I have something you'll find to die for."
The quickly coming reality made him chuckle as he pulled out a chair for her to sit in. His polite demeanor still being obvious.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
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Dec 12, 2012 2:58:03 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 12, 2012 2:58:03 GMT -5
Apparently she was getting that meal after all. Gratifying.
Out came a pair of droids, setting the table, and she looked at them with disdain. There were many things Naraka wasn't fond of, but few things she truly loathed. Droids were among them, as they were soulless, lifeless abominations that walked and talked without sentience. Mockeries of life, feeble imitations of nature that lacked the grace, the finesse, and the subtlety of a real being.
Of course it wasn't surprising to her that Haust had him. He seemed very much into having others do things for him, which in a way made him a polar opposite from Naraka. The Togruta woman was a diligent worker who did everything for herself. Cooking, cleaning, and every chore she needed she had done, from hunting to making artisan objects for her own use.
It was a little microcosm of their respective societies. The human, reliant on technology and servants, buying advanced constructs, and the Togruta, crafting mundane objects from raw materials, and without reliance on technologies. So very different, yet coexisting as friends.
Naraka ignored the droids, and she spoke up from her seat, deciding to give him something between the bare minimum and the full story. There was no harm telling him a bit, but she wasn't quite ready to confess her whole life story yet.
It felt a little odd getting that close. She could kiss him or take him into her bed with ease, but sit down and simply talk, telling him all about her childhood and her mentors? That was something she wasn't so capable of doing.
"Before I joined the Sith, I lived on Saleucami for several years, with my partner Dervin, and my apprentice. We were in one of the more remote calderas. All the life and civilization on the planet is confined to a few calderas, craters of inactive and dormant volcanos. We lived in this large blue house. It was like an anachronism, even for a rural world. Natural materials, like wood. It was blue, and we stayed there for several years. I grew flowers in the garden, and it was really quite enjoyable."
Naraka sighed, staring into one of the greenhouses and tentatively reaching out to a closed flower, inspiring it to grow just a little. Before her eyes it bloomed, bringing a thin smile onto her face even as nostalgia washed over her mind.
"Everything ends, and I stayed away for quite a while. A decade, maybe more. I spent much of it living in the wild before I came to the Order, but I always missed that house. I stopped by Saleucami a few days ago after a mission, and the house was still there. It looked alone and battered enough that..."
The Togruta woman laughed at how sentimental she was being. But why not? It wasn't as if she had all that much in her life. One little attachment wasn't about to hurt anything.
"I guess I just wanted to restore the good times, and make it a home again. Even if I don't spend much time there, I want it. And let's be real here, this Order won't last forever. When it comes crumbling down, we'll all want someplace safe and inconspicuous to lie low in for a while."
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 12, 2012 3:49:30 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 12, 2012 3:49:30 GMT -5
As he removed his chronometer his eyes caught sight at her staring, and the effect she was using on the plant though he never connected the fact she made it blood he noticed a connect to her and plants. Perhaps a lover of them, perhaps they reminded her of the garden she mentioned however it was something he'd remember but not make overt note of.
Though the name Dervin did sound familiar.. no that was Darwin and he killed him another silly Dark Jedi. He'd remember that duel quite vividly not one of his better victories they fought next to a speeder junction and while Darwin was a fantastic duelist Haust merely kicked him into open traffic and watching him bounce off several speeder before being nothing more than splattered parts.
The last comment actually made him laugh out loud, it was hard to tell if the laughter was mocking or genuine however the word to follow would soon solidify such notions.
"F***ing thank you, you don't realize how infuriating it is to speak to initiates who are actually conceited to the point they think they'll become all powerful and branch to the next tier of the hierarchy and help this Order continue to grow and prosper. When in reality it's flaw lies in the mindset of it's membership, everyone wants to be the leader but it can't be there must always be followers.
Always be a leader however the initiates I've met are consumed with gaining power that they are stupidly blind to the truth, that no one can be all powerful. We all bleed we all die the only truth is pleasure, to enjoy what you have while you still have it."
He paused for a moment snatching a brown drink from a passing droid before pointing at various points around the room. Pausing only to gulp down nearly half of the drink, his voice sounded to have relief as if he's held a secret and finally revealed it.
"Even this monument of a building dedicated to pleasure, vices, desire and fulfillment will one day be rubble to be built over. All things end."
He chucked back the glass drinking the rest of the drink before approaching the table and setting it down. His demeanor seeming very comfortable as he spoke. It was a comfort to have someone he could relate to in his position it was often difficult to speak to anyone openly about the Order, especially on Korriban however here on Zeltros he held influence and financial power.
One of the few aspects respected on the planet, and being a Casino owner granted him perks unwarranted to other non Zeltrons. but he felt he was going off course and left out a sigh. The sudden feel of the force lit like a beacon as he
"But I understand you with the... nostalgia with this house there are actually a few places that I hold dear, many of them unattainable due to my current status in the political circle of the galaxy. But I'll share that story another time.
As for your request what is it you want exactly? Contractors, restoration specialists... money?"
His final was straight forward as he laid a hand over the cloth covered cube lightly. Testing the feel of the cloth with his finger tips. Still undressing her with his eyes, she was an astounding beauty especially to one who found her race vastly beautiful her self being a nostalgic reminder of something he'd lost something he longed for yet could never have. Her red flesh it was hard to ignore in room of brown wood and green and the night sky above them it was the anomaly in the room and pleasant one to behold.
He finally set down the chronometer on the table with a heavy thud, rubbing his wrist slowly as if freed from the constraint of a binder.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 12, 2012 4:12:19 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 12, 2012 4:12:19 GMT -5
"I literally just made that point with an Initiate in the Temple a few days ago," Naraka said, immensely pleased the Haust was literally echoing the same point she'd just made the week before, to a tee.
It really was delicious to hear another Sith agreeing that this 'all-powerful' nonsense was just that: all powerful. Everyone died in the end, and trying to pretend you could change that was moronic. You were in the galaxy just once, and you had to make it count.
"They spend all their lives squabbling over power and titles, only to die and find all of it was for nothing. And it doesn't make them any happier, any wiser, or any better."
Now that the soapbox was out, Naraka couldn't resist the opportunity to vent a little more. It was so hard to find like-minded Sith. Too many of these Dark-siders were in it for ideology, promoting their religion. People like her and Haust were in it for convenience, and weren't true believers. They didn't care about power, they cared about enjoyment.
"I find it absolutely delicious when they swear they're pursuing freedom, and act like anyone who doesn't agree with them is a slave. They don't realize they're slaves to their own ideology, and that as they force themselves to bicker and squabble over who gets to be the next Darth, they're missing out on all the great pleasures of life."
Naraka laughed and leaned back in the chair, looking at more of the flowers again before directing her gaze upwards at the surreal clouds in the night, reflecting the city lights. It was light pollution, dimming the stars in comparison, but it still had its own brand of beauty.
"But my request. I'm not going to ask you for money. I'm going to ask you for a chance to make money. You can consider me an investment, or hire me for a job. I suppose," Her chocolate eyes flickered and her voice became distinctly amused. "You could even consider me a charity case. But rest assured, I'll see you're rewarded for your help."
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 12, 2012 4:48:49 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 12, 2012 4:48:49 GMT -5
He took a risk admittedly by stating hid views she could have been baiting him for loyalty but he was glad to have not been disappointed by her confirmation of her stance. But refreshed that her stance was similar to his own as he offered only a smirk, he'd been correct on choosing her as a friend they were like minded in many way yet also different but it was enough for him.
"Darth... willing to kill themselves for a title that'll what? Make them more likely to be targeted for death by both enemy and allies alike. Tsk tsk.."
He clicked his tongue in disappointment, in reality he was disappointed he loved life and many of the initiates he saw wasted days and hours to be called something else Knight, Master .. Darth to him they were titles like a**hole or c**tbucket. Meaningless in the grand scheme of things and even worthless outside the circle of the Order.
But her final request was to not be taken as a charity case. He caused him to laugh slightly as if she could be a charity case. Though many begged him for money, chances to win back what they've lost or begged him not to destroy their lives in the economic world. He was often merciless but in this case he wasn't feeling tyrannical nor did he want to this was a woman who pleased him intellectually and physically, a sheer rarity.
"Naraka we're friends aren't we? Friends don't worry about little details such as payback. Consider the money yours.. however much you need for the house the amount is really no issue. I'll talk to my accountants to make sure the funds are available for your pleasure."
His fingers gathered the bit of cloth covering the cube as he looked to her teasingly, within something could be heard moving and a smirk formed on his lips.
"But now we are onto dinner, and like I said this may have made a larger impact on Korriban but.. how would you like your meal."
He paused lifting off the cloth revealing a rather plump wild thimiar, the sudden emergence of light caused it to scurry against the transparent plastic walls. He chanced she had a taste for it while some Togruta did not, however if she was nostalgic over a house surely she would enjoy this or at least that's what he told himself.
"I had it imported...I know many togruta find these delectable and delicious... am I being presumptuous or correct?"
His voice slithered with charm he would want to be able to handle the back fire if she felt infuriated by the sight of a rodent yet acceptable if she found it delicious or an honor either way he was prepared more so since it was his home.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 12, 2012 5:14:20 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 12, 2012 5:14:20 GMT -5
Friends. Apparently that meant 'free money,' and Naraka realized with great satisfaction that she couldn't have picked a better friend. Certainly the benefits alone were staggering, as she had literally just gotten an actual home for free. Beyond that, there was the possibility of great sex whenever she wanted (as rough as she wanted as well) and the mere fact that she now had a likeminded ally.
They were going to complement each other well. He was the keenly intellectual businessman, responsible for planning and strategies, and she was the cunning huntress who could strike from the shadows. Her stealth and cunning paired with his wealth and intelligence made them a formidable team.
It was settled now. She considered this generosity to be something she could provide loyalty for. Though her own self-interest would still be her raison d'etre, Naraka was now going to supplement that with additional duties.
Might as well be a good friend to her first friend.
The icing on the cake was when Haust produced a hand-sized rodent, in a small transparent cage. Its drab fur was short, and its paws were exploring the invisible walls that confined it. Its whiskers twitched, and its tail swayed.
A thimiar. It had been years since her last one. Three? Five? Six? Naraka hadn't eaten one since she'd been on Shili. Her homeworld was the source of all her jewelry and the leather garments she wore, where she'd reenforced everything she'd learned as a child.
Her first thimiar had been killed and eaten in the stage of her life she could barely remember. All she knew was that her parents had been proud, and the presence of this 'adorable' rodent was enough to make her smile.
"I haven't had a thimiar in years, not since I was on Shili. You must have gone to quite a few efforts to get one of these. So tell me,"
The Togruta woman rose from the soft chair, her silk dress swishing softly as she moved, heading for the table. She was unable to resist the natural questions that flowed from the presence of an obscure animal conveniently present here on Zeltros.
"Were you expecting me, some other Togruta, or were you just planning to try foreign food yourself? I doubt it's the last, as you aren't really... equipped for it."
Naraka flashed her fangs, the pearly teeth glistening in the light. Those fangs were what allowed them to kill thimiars so effortlessly, and aided in tearing up flesh, usually raw.
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 12, 2012 6:57:10 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 12, 2012 6:57:10 GMT -5
Haust smiled, his assumptions were correct as he patted the clear cube a few times. She was pleased and now above everything it was something she had possibly wanted for a long time and her curiosity was warranted for his explanation.
"Well it started back in the cantina, when I mentioned I wanted to be friends and you were ready to deny such notions. In my stubborn feelings I wanted change your mind so I sent members of my procurement staff..."
He paused knowing he might need to explain that one in it self before moving on, she nor anyone outside the casino business that catered to a crowd such as his would never be able comprehend the ability of the Casino to cater to wild and eccentric guests and clientele.
"I have a dedicated staff who are tasked with getting items or creatures that the guests and clientele may want. We cater to their every desire no matter how perverse or rare all it took was a single comm call and time. Thirty eight hours to be exact I was going to bring it to Korriban as a surprise and perhaps change your mind to the not being a friend material notion. However I hope that notion has changed already though by the look on your face."
He ran a finger along the edges of the cube as if teasing the fact he was closer to it then she before ultimately pushing the cube closer to her. On a level he could relate to the notion of having something one desired for a long time and to be without it.
"Anyhow it's yours to devour at your pleasure... This rests outside my personal tastes but I'm not one to judge yours."
She was easy to please, and in many way like any other woman she desired to be treated well and with respect however in other means she was vastly different she craved pain, control, domination however in the short time they've known one another she also didn't seem to mind being dominated. Though he was curious could she really submit in the sense of the bed room, he'd become more familiar of course in time.
His thought process was disrupted when a droid brought in two plates one held a Akul steak a simple slab of grilled meat with sliced taro native to the same planet. The second simply had sliced taro, the plates were placed. Haust looked at her and the thimiar it didn't take a big genius to see the possibility as he leaned in to speak to the droid who immediately laid out over a dozen napkins. Haust offered a sly smile as if seemingly innocent of the amount of napkins.
He reached over grabbing a napkin as he placed one before her and moving away the hasp atop the container to allow her easy access to the living meal. He remembers Forshaa and how she always longed for the taste of this creature. She had pleaded that if she were to escape she would first find one and consume it messily like human and their burgers. Haust's face drooped slightly as he thought of the memory and the inevitable loss. A reminder of the downfall of an eidetic memory, vivid recall of any memory, with absolute detail the smell, the emotion, the fear and the grief.
He pushed away the past to enjoy the now as he offered a smile and looked to Naraka, though he imagine her covered in blood it would be hardly noticeable she was already red. He turned to the plates gesturing to them,
"I'm having a Azul steak, many find it gamy and too tough I find it a delicious challenge the steak stems from it's jawline. A client wanted it's teeth and while I find anyone wanted a trophy but unwilling to hunt for it to be distasteful he paid very well for it. However on both of our plates is taro from Shili.. now before you ask this was made especially for you.
You could say I'm being a courteous host to a friend."
He made sure her chair was still out before himself sitting taking in the smell of the meal as drinks soon came with another droid. A bottle of wine in a black glass bottle as it was set next to Haust with a few glasses.
"I remembered in the cantina you drank wine, this is a sweet wine Zeltros brand. It's thick, rich.. similar in texture to blood and yet flavorful of grapes and of course.. water. and while I know you savor the taste of blood on your tongue, I can remember you savoring mine. I still offer you this drink... though blood is also a drink option just a call away... we have many types of guests."
He decided to finally shut up as to himself he was talking far too much at this point, he grabbed the bottle of wine. Merely pointing his finger at the cork as it slowly wedged out of the bottle by the use of the force. He poured her a glass first, then one for himself then stopped to watch her actually excited to see her consume the Shili native rodent.
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 12, 2012 14:53:32 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 12, 2012 14:53:32 GMT -5
Naraka's smile went from genuine to amused very quickly as he continued to talk.
He had definitely cemented himself as her close friend. In fact, her only friend. His actions were lavishly generous, and they coincided perfectly with her lust for flattery. She was being doted on like a princess and worshipped like a goddess. What more could a girl ask for?
"Akul are not for eating," The Togruta woman explained calmly, looking very pleased, and rather amused at a few little mistakes Haust had made. "We have plenty of game, but an akul is far too dangerous to hunt for food. Seeking one out alone is either a mark of the most extreme bravery, or of foolishness."
One of her red-skinned hands came up to her forehead, and she stroked the headdress of teeth she wore. Every single one was a bronze color, and wickedly sharp. Interspersed with the teeth were carved wooden beads. It was highly ornamental, but also quite simple.
"I killed an akul myself. I wear its teeth as my headdress now."
Naraka finally pulled the cage closer to her and opened it, pulling out the thimiar and letting it crawl around her hands, keeping it feeling free, though it was actually secure within her grip. She simply toyed with it for a while as she talked.
"The taro is a kind thought, but we don't generally eat it on Shili, we really just export it. For us, starch serves even less of a purpose than for you. But. I'll make an exception just this once, friend."
She eyed the wine, but her chocolate eyes darted back to the thimiar, and she decided it was time to make the kill.
Her fingers squeezed into it in a certain way, and it froze up with a little squeak. Simultaneously, she lifted it to her mouth and sank her fangs into its neck, delivering a cruel bite. When she removed them, it twitched and spasmed in her hand. She set it down on a dinner plate and reached for her filled glass.
The red-skinned woman took a sip, and found it enjoyable. Very sweet, but still distinctly wine. Another sip followed, and she looked back to the thimiar before speaking again.
"Haust," She said softly. "You've earned the right to be my friend and my ally. That's not something I say easily. Just tell me one little thing... What's your real name?"
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last online Feb 9, 2013 5:46:33 GMT -5
Knight
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Dec 12, 2012 17:51:10 GMT -5
Post by Raytheon on Dec 12, 2012 17:51:10 GMT -5
He sat back and simply watched her, he'd heard of this famous practice that followed with the rumors of the Togruta being venomous, barbaric and savage. And the rumors couldn't be more wrong, as she spoke of the Akul and dangers, he knew it was true as well but for him. He'd be the only bunch in the galaxy to have eaten one it was a degree of pride and also a degree of his own ego.
He watched her eyes, the deep brown chocolate it was seductive, dangerous and innocent at the same time at least for those who would judge on her eyes alone. He cut a portion of the steak before forking it and bring it to his mouth and chewing on it slowly and swallowing. It had a distinct taste and aroma most would refuse it for bantha but he was not your normal man. He wanted the rare and exotic like the Torgruta, Zeltron... simply to step from the norm of human women however he wouldn't deny the normal it was just his preference.
It was when she began to handle thimiar that his attention grew to her, the way he handled it it crawled in her hands. It was poetic in a way that the create perhaps thought it was finally free from the restrains of bondage yet unknowingly closer to the death it was intended for since being caught.
Finally squeezed and squeak from her grip, he watched as she brought it to her mouth it was almost as if in slow motion. Her mouth gaped slightly the sharpened carnivore fangs glimmering pearly white in the light of the room before it bit down into the neck, there was a subtle crunch as it spasmed and twitched. His eyes locked unto it as she placed it onto the plate merely watching it for a few second before she called his name.
He looked up to her as she informed him of being a friend and ally, yet furthermore inquired of his name. His name it was strange he hadn't used the name in quite some time and done much to bury it and taking great lengths to become one with his new name though Permenion was a name that would haunt him.
It reminded him of when he was free and sought out his family, he thought Talratheon's would be difficult to find to track down however he never realized it was a noble house. He was blue blooded given his current situation it didn't surprise him he had high tastes, exotic preferences. and even he finally tracked down his family he saw his father, greyed elderly and his mother the same but they had children two daughters, two sisters. He felt nothing seeing them but the mention of the name in his mind reminded him of it regardless.
He smiled looking into her brown eyes, shrugging slightly. "And what makes you think Haust isn't my name... It's on my ID card. But I won't insult you to call you mistaken, I'd say eighty percent of sith use a .. false or taken name I take it you are the same."
He paused to lift the wine and sip it, sweet, flavorful yet still wine not his usual drink but it sufficed for the meal.
"You first Naraka."
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last online Apr 19, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 12, 2012 21:38:23 GMT -5
Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Dec 12, 2012 21:38:23 GMT -5
He asked what made her think Haust wasn't his real name, and Naraka shot the human man a look. It was the look nearly every woman was capable of making in response to something so blatant that it was insulting. It was clear she knew, and it was equally clear from her face that if he lied, she'd be both displeased, and very, very disappointed.
He suggested 80% of Sith used false names, and the Togruta woman shrugged, turning her attentions to the now-still rodent on her plate. She picked it up and sank her fangs into it, tearing off a chunk of fur and meat, and chewing up the latter as she spat out the former onto her plate.
She wasn't about to question his statistic, as she didn't disbelieve it. Sith were a secretive sort, and that included both her and Haust. Neither of them used their real names with other Sith, and while she could have withheld that information, she was too wise in the ways of the world to just clam up and refuse.
There was a little thing called quid pro quo, which, while she did ignore on occasion, she still believed was a rather fundamental basis for getting anyone to do anything. In this case the natural payment for finding Haust's name was revealing her own, and she was prepared to live with that.
Admittedly, she was rather private about her real name since her Sith name had been issued after Dantooine, but since Haust was a friend after all... She didn't see the harm in it.
"Kalima," She said, sipping wine before providing some elaboration. "But you'll find few people know me by that name, and fewer still call me by it."
Naraka turned her attentions back onto the thimiar, biting off more of its lean flesh and chewing it over in her mouth, enjoying the flavor. It was especially tender.
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