Baby, It's Cold Outside

[Neology]

Tano was late. That was never – ever – a good sign.

Novus sipped from her glass, stem clasped loosely between delicately gloved fingers as she peered over the gold-gleaming rail. The main game floor of Garland's casino stretched beneath her, dazzling with its neon lights and the raucous electronic buzz of its machines.

Unpleasant man, Garland. The Sith's nose wrinkled at the recollection of his name. Of some middling importance in the Exchange – new money by its very definition on the smuggler's moon, but very discreet. The private parlors on his establishment's second floor were one of the few places one could be sure of genuine privacy on this stinking, overpopulated rock. This one cost the Empire a small fortune, reserved for the Dark Lady's exclusive use.

And Tano was supposed to be waiting for her when she arrived, ten minutes ago. Bad, awful, just terrible. The assassin was always so fastidious – more likely dead than late, a reality that became ever more likely as the minutes ticked away.

The Sith swore quietly and swallowed down the last of her drink, blue eyes narrowing as she studied the floor below. Last check in had been less than twenty minutes ago, so he couldn't be far. Her brows drew down, blue eyes narrowing as she focused on senses beyond sight, searching for her missing agent.

[Iceology]

Filthy, that was the only word that properly described Nar Shaddaa. It was overcrowded, dank, and putrid. If not for his helmet, Icarus couldn't imagine the pungent smells that would assault every pore of his body. He shuddered at the thought but he pressed on still, the sooner he found what he was looking for the sooner he could leave. With each person he passed, his visor buzzed with activity. It seemed everyone on this rock had some sort of history but none of the bounties he'd passed were even worth a second glance. His father had taught him well enough to know the difference between whether or not something was worthwhile. However, each building he entered didn't yield any result. Dangerous tech wasn't too hard to find but anything that would have piqued his interest only ended up disappointing him.

So he kept along the alleyways, still seemingly lost in his search for nothing in particular. A subtle ping caught his attention as he looked to the left of his visors layout. The ID scanner had marked out another target among the dozens that rotted on the moon. However the price tag on this one was far higher than the others. It caught Icarus' eye more than anything the area had to offer, perhaps it was time he took up his next target.

The man looked like he had somewhere to be, how unfortunate that he wouldn't be able to make it today. The thought solicited a smirk out from underneath his helmet, eyes still set upon Tano as he rounded the next corner. Now, Icarus matched his speed as to round the corner in time to see him still. It was rather obvious that he was following Tano but the bounty had asked he be alive, so he might as well do it publicly if only to earn him a name. Who among the scum would honestly care if one rat of millions was taken? No one and that was exactly what Icarus was counting on.

Without need of looking, the bounty hunter took a firm hold on his blaster before slowly sliding it out of its holster. His fingers gliding across the side as he toyed with the weapon, setting its functions until finally he felt it "click" into place. He took only a moment to make sure it was set properly before moving forward, now pushing his way past the other denizens. It was only seconds later before Tano had looked behind him to find the menacingly large man following on his heels. Naturally...the man gave a few nervous glances backward before bolting around the next corner. Icarus sighed and bolted after him, barreling past several others before also coming around so Tano was back into view. Unfortunately...Tano was fast and it seemed his destination was up ahead. The large glowing building stuck out to him and as he neared it, he knew Tano would reach it far before him. So, with an outstretched hand he pushed forward. Tano was sent flying, the push sending him right through the doors and barreling into one of the machines before his body rested against the ground. When he finally caught up, his Mark was still trying to get off the ground and Icarus had his blaster raised. "I hope you didn't plan on gambling, it is a nasty habit you know."

[Neology]

The Force shivered as another's hand turned it to violence, a beacon that shone brighter than the moon's background haze of malice. The Sith's eyes snapped open as a man came flying through the front door, crashing into the slots.

Tano, what have you gotten yourself into?

Novus set down her glass and headed for the stairs, wincing as her ears adjusted from the artificial hush to the racket of the main floor.

–

Tano staggered to his feet, gripping the polished counter as he pulled himself up, swearing. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the house security forming up, neat as you please in their black-and-emerald uniforms. If anything, they seemed to be waiting for instructions. Of course, their boss would be watching from upstairs somewhere. No time for him to worry about that now; the goon behind him had a gun – he could make out that much by the reflection in the slot machine's polished frame.

One second he'd been running, the next he'd been cracking his skull against this counter. That hadn't been anything from a gun. What, then? Tano raised his free hand, dabbing at his temple. His fingers came away smeared with crimson.

Laric's gonna kill me, if this guy doesn't first.

”Spare me the one liners, okay man?” Slowly, he turned, bloody hand held up and open in some approximation of surrender. This disrupter pistol in its holster under his jacket was a heavy distraction, but he didn't want to chance it, not with a gun already pointed at him. ”What do you want?”

–

Novus blinked, watching the scene begin to unfold. Her agent, tall and lanky in charcoal slacks, a rumpled button up shirt and matching jacket, looked no more ready for a fight than she did, though she doubted he'd come unarmed. Still, it was strange for something like this to blindside the assassin. Frowning, she approached one of the house guards, clearing her throat to gain the bulky Kiffar's attention.

“Please, the man in the gray is my guest. I would take it as a personal slight if he were to come to any harm.”

The guard frowned, taking in her dress, a floor length skein of blue lasha silk, before shooting a glance back the way Novus came. Guests with access to the second floor were to be shown every courtesy, and this strange woman was obviously wealthy. The guard nodded an affirmative, moving off to gather some of his fellows. They moved in as a group, barking demands.

[Iceology]

Icarus looked over the assassin, now apprehensive of the current situation he was in. This apparently was Tano's destination, as several of the guards began rounding themselves up. It was only a matter of time before they'd be on him, even with his weapon drawn. So he took a moment to reach down to his side, his other hand slowly wrapping around the hilt of his saber. It was the only weapon he could think of to handle several people at once and he still hadn't found the other equipment he'd needed on the planet, so he was left without the more deceptive arts. The bounty hunter did understand the value of time so he didn't hesitate sending off  a shot at Tano. It was better that Icarus had one less thing to worry about besides the bounty getting in the way. He didn't need him running off either, so stunning him now was better than waiting for the guards to get organized. 

The woman however was a mystery, he hadn't had time to ID her but he could sense a certain power about her. Something he wouldn't mistake if she came back down later. Whether or not he'd gotten Tano, he withdrew his saber. A sharp pang ringing out from the device as the purple light arced upward into a dull point. It's glow cast an eery shadow overtop his armor and seemed to shift as he holstered the pistol with a swift movement. His helmet shifted slightly as he looked between the guards before he began to speak. He knew there was always more than one way to win a battle, well at least he thought he knew.... Perhaps the Kiffar could be startled, he knew enough about them and if the circumstance was right he could use it against them. If not, he'd either die or stain the carpet. 

"Tell me, Kiffar. Do you want your people to read your corpse? Step closer, and we'll see how much they want to read before they can't stand watching anymore. As for the rest of you, you can either be rewarded or show your loyalty to this heap and find out just how much a credit is worth when you aren't alive to spend it." He let it hang, the thrum of his saber filling one of his ears as he held it close. To further his point, he untied a bag of credits from his waist and let it fall to the floor. If they were like any of the others who rotted on this moon, money would be an object most adored. However loyalty could be strong. So many things to consider...and unfortunately the bounty hunter could not yet read minds. There were so many ways they could have taken it but if they understood him to be a Jedi, perhaps they'd not take it lightly. He had planted the seeds and now it was time he sowed them. With a wave of his hand, he spoke again in attempt to persuade them. "Just take the credits and go, it is that easy." He'd thanked his father on multiple occasions for teaching him how to use the force but he couldn't help but feel the gratitude swell up again. It was useful but his power was questionable, hopefully they weren't too smart. He kept the light saber at his side and leisurely walked forward to claim his prize. Thankfully he didn't need to focus too much on walking, which left him to focusing on the many, many people who wanted to gut him dry. Oh what a wonderful life it was.

[Neology]

The bolt took Tano in the shoulder. He jerked and fell as his body spasmed painfully, jaw clenching, teeth punching neat holes into the top of his tongue. He was out cold by the time he hit the lacquered floor, a thin line of blood and saliva leaking from his lips.

As Novus watched, the house guards conferred, given pause not by the bribe but by the hiss of a lightsaber. She rolled her eyes at the armored man's theatrics, carefully stepping out of her heels and drawing the ivory hilt of her saber out of her handbag. Stepping forward, she moved to place herself between the armored man and his prey. Taking such a direct action in Tano's defense likely meant that she'd never be able to utilize the assassin's skills again, much to the Sith's irritation. Even so, passivity was simply not in her nature.

“How very bizarre. You're no Jedi, and you're not one of our's.” Her tone was flat. With a wave of her hand the Sith pulled on the dropped bag with the Force, drawing it to her waiting palm. Out of idle curiosity, she peeked inside, brows rising.

“You'd need more than this to pay off the lot of them. I mean, impossible to bribe is part of a casino guard's job description.” Abruptly, she turned the sack inside out, spilling its contents at her feet. Silently, the house guards continued to watch, waiting for instruction from their employer. Novus spared them a shrug and brought her saber to life with a flick of her thumb. The point of her ruby blade sketched a mockery of a duelist's salute.

“Leave.”

[Iceology]

Now with a proper ID on the woman, Icarus was more or less discouraged to carry on in pursuit of this bounty. It would be foolish to continue on with it but perhaps he could feign his way toward something more. It was worth a try and if not, well he would have to see where it went. "This man has a bounty on his head, I've got the necessary permit and I am going to have him taken in. Unless of course, there is a better offer. You are also correct, I am not one of the order Novus. However, I am not one for trouble. In fact, I am willing to set aside this bounty in exchange for something that would bring me equal value. I know you can comply with that, the question would be. Will you?"

Icarus stayed where he was, saber still thrumming in his hand as he awaited a response. The other casino guards were seemingly clueless about what to do but apparently this Novus has power over them. She was high up somewhere, at least on this filthy planet. She was also proficient with the force, which left little more to be desired. Rich and powerful, just Icarus' style. No doubt she had many enemies and other Jedi were something that he looked forward to hunting. Of course he had no idea if she'd accept his offer or even twist it slightly. He'd injured the man and no doubt had earned the woman's ire. Regardless, he was offering his service and maybe it was wise if he did it for less than usual. If only to appease the Sith before him.

[Neology]

“Pay you to leave? What a novel idea.” She had a crooked laugh to match her crooked smile, cold and light. Her posture shifted slightly, defensive to at rest, an momentary concession to the armored man's offer of peace.

“Perhaps that would have worked before you announced your intentions to the room. Now my friend's due for a very bad night, should I let him out of my sight.” As it was, she could feel dozens of eyes on her back, held back by the menace of her ruby saber and the rules of the House. Once Tano stepped outside … Well, the situation would change until it spun beyond even her means to control.

At her feet, the assassin groaned and coughed weakly. A good sign; she'd have felt rather silly defending a corpse.

“A partial sum might be offered, pending your cooperation. With uhm … This,” she poked at the empty bag and loose bills with one nylon-sheathed toe. “Defaulting to the house for damages.”

Silver brows drew down as she thought. Her hand, left idle, drew a playful loop with the point of her saber, then switched it off.

“Why don't you come upstairs? We can work out the exact figure over something to drink. Besides, a stray Force adept that knows my name, yet doesn't know that gold peggats are the currency of choice on Hutt worlds … That's an unusual find.” She beckoned with her free hand, summoning the kiffar guard back to her side.

“Please, help my friend up to my parlor.” A jerk of her chin indicated Tano's body. The guard bent down, hoisting the assassin up into a fireman's carry, then turned to head back up the stairs. Novus followed, pausing briefly to retrieve her shoes.

[Iceology]

Icarus was patient, his hands idly keeping hold of the weapons before he lowered them. Now looking over the credits that littered the floor, he decided to leave them where they laid. The house could keep them, not like he had caused too much damage. Maybe a blood stain to be cleaned from the floor but nothing more in that regard. However he wasn't going to argue over a few small credits, especially in Novus' presence. He was not petty and he was going to give any reason to think he was, so he followed with little hesitation. He hadn't brought his grenades but he knew if things went sour he could figure something out. Though he had no intention of making it a fight or argument. He planned on complying, that was what a bounty hunter did after all. Whoever paid the most owned him lock and key, at least as long as they did not discount him. This bounty hunters pride out weighed his lust for money. At least any respectable one wouldn't let themselves get rode over, unless of course you were in the presence of someone who far surpassed you. Which he was...how unfortunate a predicament. So far she seemed...well versed when it came to etiquette. Definitely a higher class of people, though she was a force user. Not a Jedi by the way she spoke of them but she was something to be reckoned with.

How much so was yet to be seen. He couldn't help but look to her as she walked up the steps, following behind. He was a simple man and it couldn't get more simple than this. Hell, he'd started out chasing low level credits. If he played his cards right, he may just find a long time employer and he'd decided long before coming into the Hunt that he would have morals. Loyalty was something he valued more than most things and he would make his reputation revolve around it. To show that those who paid not only earned his skills but his preference as well. He would always go with a contract from a lower bid if it came from someone that he'd worked for in the past. For several reasons, they were his utmost priority. Firstly, he knew they paid when the job was finished. Secondly, his skills weren't questioned as it would always happen with a new employer. Thirdly and most importantly, most of them wouldn't betray him. Either way, no one had earned his affection so far. He was kind and warm around others when off the job but on the inside he was cold and malicious. It was something he kept hidden away but whenever he dawned the armor it became priority as well. Here he was...getting lost in thought after only walking up the stairs.

[Neology]

Garland's second floor, and the private parlors housed within, seemed a world apart from the gaudy trappings of the first. Neon and chrome gave way to subtle parquetry floors and woven rugs, rich ornamentation layered atop state of the the art security.

“Straight ahead; the corner suite. Thank you.” Novus murmured instruction to the kiffar's broad back. To their left, small tables boarded the hall's inside edge. She glanced over the rail, brows rising. Garland himself stood opposite, ensconced within his private balcony, a handsome human circling in on middle age. Hard to make out from this distance; dark hair, brown skin, the fine lines of a tailored suit, black with a touch of emerald at the lapels. The impression of sharp, predatory eyes. Watching them? She could not say.

The guard stopped in front of the door, standing to the side to allow Novus access to the panel. The Sith placed her palm on the scanner and typed in a long numeric code. The door unsealed with a soft pneumatic hiss, metal teeth sliding loose within the blast resistant frame. The guard entered first, setting the unconscious assassin down on a finely upholstered chaise lounge. Smiling, Novus waved the armored man inside, pressing several gold coins into the kiffar's hands as the guard turned to leave.

“I'll need a chit prepared, drawn against my credit with the House.”

A surprisingly soft “Yes, ma'am,” and the guard withdrew, the door clicking shut behind him. From somewhere deeper in the room, an elegant chronometer chimed the first hour of the morning. Novus sat down on a crescent shaped leather couch, dropping her shoes onto the carpet. A loose wave of her hand indicated a bucket of half-melted ice and the slender bottle that rested within.

“Sit. Pour, if you like.” She leaned forward, retrieving her datapad and stylus from the coffee table. “I'll, hmm … I'll have an exact sum for you in a moment.” She frowned briefly, estimating bribes as she worked.

“In the meantime, you might as well make yourself comfortable, Mr. … ?”

[Iceology]

Icarus continued to scan the area around him, engrossed in his surroundings as well as the woman leading him along. If she was what he believed her to be, this would be an opportunity. The decision came in whether or not he'd take advantage of it. Of course there were dangers and it seemed he was already going to get something, be it a job or compensation. Either way, he made his way inside the bell furnished room. First noticing the bucket of ice, then the data pad she worked with. He would do as he was told, he was a bounty hunter after all. Whatever that was supposed to justify. Though he knew everything was simply a job, thinking anything otherwise would make him something different. Definitely not a bounty hunter, more like a morality hunter. Which could have been classified as well, any side with an opinion. They could have as many as they liked but he couldn't have an opinion.

So he took a seat silently, setting his hands on the sides of his helm. Slowly unlatching it, Icarus slid it off of his head. Hair falling short over his forehead, eyes now lazily studying the glass before picking it up. To him, it was light...almost like a feather. With a brisk rotation of his wrist, he uncorked the bottle and began his pour. Gaze now focused on the Sith before him with a smirk. He said nothing for a time as he topped off his glass, until finally he parted his lips. A gentle burst of air coming out in a content sigh. "Icarus." Took up the glass, watching over it a moment before raising it to his lips. He took a small sip, setting it back down shortly after. "Call me whatever you like."

[Neology]

Novus glanced up from her datapad, briefly appraising, then away. Human. A little young for his stated profession. Not a Jedi, by his own admittance (and she'd only met one of their kind who could tell a decent lie.) The puzzle was coming together quickly, to a terribly boring conclusion.

Another ignorant stray. A pity, a waste of potential. Say what you want about the Jedi, they knew how to train effective warriors. One could spend their whole life trying to catch up to that ideal.

Icarus. The name was unfamiliar, useless. She smiled, a flash of sharp, white teeth.

“A pleasure. Your name will do just fine, I'm sure.” A thin brow rose as she noted he'd poured only one glass. “Blossom wine, imported from Naboo I believe. Do you like it?” Her attention turned back to the datapad for the span of a breath, then she set the device down.

“Good. The bounty on my friend has been lifted. I am prepared to offer you the reward plus ten percent to, essentially, go away.” A wave of her hand brought the bottle floating to her hand. Gloved fingers closed gentle around the damp glass. “Sixteen thousand, five hundred Republic credits, credited to a chip you can carry away with you.” She took a drink straight from the bottle, than set it down on the coffee table.

“Will that be all? I think you'll find my offer exceedingly generous, especially once you consider the alternative.”