Smoke and Storms (OPEN)

[Thessa Tolod]

Basically no one really liked Corusant. Which could be considered bizarre as the population of it was enormous to begin with and seemed to be ever increasing. Not by dozens or hundreds or even thousands but by millions, with every ship that came in to a port, be it one or the other.

Politicians arrived for heated public disputes, hard-working commoners from all over the universe came flocking in, with a few credits in their pockets and immense hope in their hearts for a fortunate twist of fate, artists searched for inspiration (or perhaps stimulating beverages, bringing the said inspiration), smugglers unloaded and re-loaded their cargo, thugs and low-lives floated in, attracted by the goods the rich brought with them.

In other words, the natural hierarchy was kept and well maintained. Corusant offered you vague ideas and dreams. And then broke it. One could love and loathe it at the same time, which was precisely what Thessa Tolod of Naboo did.
For someone whose family had always been engaged passionately in the matters of influence, Thessa arrived on Corusant pretty late, accompanying her father at the age of eight and the memory of how much it overwhelmed her was still vivid.
Raised amongst vast expanses of land, steep hills, enormous lakes and exotic forests, Corusant brought the wide-eyed little kid in her even now, making her feel closeted and suffocating (though that one might have been the smog).

It was not a formal visit, there was no train of servants, handmaidens, ambassadors and musicians (because if Thessa was to make an entry, she made sure she made one. Vanity and pompousness were deeply embedded in her family) keeping her company, as they usually did when she had traveled on the Queen's orders. Instead, she was quite alone, in a tight black suit, enabling movement swift and easy, a sandy poncho thrown over it and a Naboo headscarf, with only one back thrown over her shoulder. It wasn't the usual district of her wanderings either, far from luxurious apartments of the upper levels she was looking for...trouble, really.

[Aertan]

Aldir walked quickly through the street, taking a moment to stop behind a pile of crates, where not many people were passing. He sent a call to his crewman, the Twi'lek Max Kidd. After she answered the call, Aldir glanced around to see if anyone was watching, and then quietly spoke into the communicator.

"Max. I'm meeting the client in the cantina we were instucted to meet at. After we recieve the rest of the shipment, we'll need to move those goods to Naboo. A bonus has been promised if we can get it there a day before the deadline."

The smuggler, noticing very few people around, and none which were in earshot, decided to briskly amble down the street, with the occasional glace behind him to make sure nobody was listening in.

"Fair enough. I'll make sure to relay a message to you after I meet with them."

~~~

After about 7 minutes of walking, Lyscoll finally reached the small establishment. It was more of a night club than a cantina, with more upbeat music playing and exotic lighting, not to mention some of the women. However, at this time, business was of the utmost importance.

The one who Aldir was searching for sat on a stool right up against the bar. He was a short Togruta, wearing a long, informal coat, and a smile across his face. He seemed like the friendly type. Definitly someone you'd want to do business with.

~~~

The meeting went successfully, as the business associate had given Aldir the knowledge of the contents of the goods, plus the exact coordinates of the delivery point. The smuggler stepped out of the club and into the street, giving Max one more call, this time he spoke much more audible, simply due to his slight carelessness. However, nobody of consequence was in sight, just some Trandosans stepping into the club.

"Max, I'm on my way back. We've been assigned to take 40 crates of weapons, explosives, and munitions to these coordinates on Naboo."

He turned around one more time, positive that something heard him.

"Haha. I'm sure they'll set it off after we're gone. No worries."

[Thessa Tolod]

For someone so concerned about one's reputation Thessa new surprisingly many bars. Not the upper class respectable clubs; with 'very important lounges' and exquisitely prepared cocktails (though that too, of course, as every self-respecting lobbyist she did her homework), but the seedy canteens carefully shielded from the sight of those that were not meant to see them.
Oh, well. There were many politicians, statesmen, activists keen enough on power to search for it in low places and even though Thessa had abandoned the world of professional policy-making a few decent years ago, she noticed, with ever present irony, that this schema did not change much for a Dark Jedi; you still had to be prepared for getting your hands dirty in order to get the job done.

She stepped in and took a whiff of the smoky air. Definitely strong, but good. In a hit-you-over-the-head with it kind of way. The bar was actually a club, as impressive on the inside as it was plain on the outside, smart move, she had t grant the owner that.
Cringing at first upon hearing the pumping beats and flashing lights, Thessa made a mental note to come here more often. Staying in the province made her senses soft.

Smugglers, dancers, creatures of the night crowded and flocked; doing business, looking for entertainment, a serious drink or a one-night stand. Either way, this little establishment definitely had it going.

What Thessa came here for was everything and at the same time nothing in particular; a vague reminiscence of the past when she and other children of royalty sought the company of the young and the beautiful of the low spheres instead of associating themselves with high culture, a drink because she really felt she needed one and perhaps, with any luck, she could get a few illegal things transported here and there and maybe, just maybe, they gray stormy day at Corusant wouldn't have been a bad one, but what she overheard while making her way to the bar made her stop dead in her tracks.
'Eh! You!' she called immediately after the man, whom she heard muttering. Explosives at Naboo couldn't be good. Unless it was her ordering them, that is. Blood running cold, she was so very tempted to just smash the man in a wall and demand answers, but making a scene was the last thing she needed right now.

[Aertan]

Aldir glanced behind himself for a moment, looking at the woman who had called at him. Her face spelt trouble for the look on it was not the most friendly of looks. It could really have meant anything. Aldir decided that it was best not to take chances, however.

"Max, I'll call you back. I just need to pass through a more populated area. Security and all that."

After he turned off the communicator, Lyscoll took a second glance at the woman. Her clothing was minimalist, but could be used in a combat situation if need be. She also was wearing a head garment similar those worn on Naboo.

Aldir put two and two together and swore under his breath. This was trouble. If she had a weapon on her at this distance, there was no chance that Aldir would be able to escape. Aldir's blaster was in his jacket, however, it had only a single clip of ammunition, and this he would have to make his shots perfect. The best and safest way out of this would probably be through negotiating.

He turned around at last and spoke.

"Can I help you madam?"

A tiny shimmer of metal caught his eye and his heart sank.

By the Force. A Jedi. (There's irony for ya) I'm done for.

Aldir wasn't about to let his nervousness show, and he kept his cool. His response was as casual as he could possibly make it, while constantly trying to keep his breathing steady. He did a pretty good job of it too, all things considered, as his movements were very normal, and his voice kept steady.

"Dismal evening isn't it?"

[Rheia]

In the months since Cynric's disappearance, Rheia made her way to Coruscant. She came to the planet knowing there were many opportunities and because she wanted to see her home planet again. Here she had met a fellow Twi'lek by the name of Gawen. He saw her when she had gotten off the ship and was looking very lost and alone. At first she was very wary of him, but he proved to be an honest person. He found her a place to live, not the nicest apartment, but it was more than she had.

He helped her find a job at a local bar that his friend owned. She served drinks to the bar goers and would sometimes dance. It was different than it had been before. She was free here and all the money she made, she was allowed to keep. She knew Cynric wouldn't approve, but it was the only thing she knew how to do. She made friends with the people that worked at the bar and with many of the bar's regulars. She felt like she fit in, for once.

Still, she couldn't be herself. As far as these people knew she was a twenty year old Twi'lek who had left her planet in hopes of becoming famous one day. Her dark past was hidden from these people. She didn't want their pity and or their sympathy. She just wanted to live a normal life, with Cynric. Unfortunately, that future didn't seem to be anytime soon.

It was a normal day at the bar when she heard a yell come from a woman. She had just gotten off stage and began serving drinks to the customers when she heard it. She looked at the woman and noticed something strange about her. Rheia couldn't put her finger on it, but she wasn't about to let there be a fight in the bar. Last time there was a fight, someone had died. That was never good for business.

She walked by the two. Then Rheia made another pass and walked up to them. "Now folks there's no need for yelling. Why don't you just both have a drink. On the house." She smiled brightly at the them hoping her charm would distract. If that didn't work and they began to fight, she'd have to call the bouncers. She didn't know what was going on, but she didn't want it to continue in this fashion.

[Thessa Tolod]

She hoped to Force that he was not a fool. Had he been one, the man would probably have turned now and fled, which understandably would not have been the smartest move as Thessa was not exactly the of those honourable types that would not shoot you in the back, rather the opposite.
The woman hated bar fights though, they were far too messy; lightsabers buzzing and bloody limbs flying all over the place. Disgraceful. If she was about to take a life, she'd rather so it smoothly and soundlessly, like silk slipping down onto the floor.

Thessa could tell that the man was obviously measuring his chances in an actual combat, had the need for it come up. She was glaring holes in his back whilst he tried to settle his own plan of action. One step out of line and Thessa might give up her personal no-messy-bar-brawls code for that. The bar owner probably sensed the tensions (thick enough to with with a knife) as she diplomatically swept by (oh, you've gotta love those moments).
"Now folks there's no need for yelling. Why don't you just both have a drink. On the house."
Thessa immediately put on an expression of genuine humbleness.
'Oh, I'm so sorry' she said politely, taking the offered drink. 'My friend here and I had a little fall out, it's all good now'
She glanced briefly at the man.
'Care to sit down? And discuss out little misunderstanding?' she added sweetly.

(ooc: sorry, this is rubbish)

[Aertan]

After the offer was made by the barmaid, Aldir relaxed a tad. Nobody would be stupid enough to draw attention to themselves in an area with a club like this. Then again... He did.

Aldir relaxed and slowly turned, eyeing the woman, not with hostility, but with more relief. His look said. "Thanks. But now I owe you one."

The two sat down at a table close to the bar, but not within earshot over the noise. A louder, more upbeat song with a rather pounding beat began, and the club lighting became more red and purple than the basic white and yellow that normal lights are.

Aldir put his elbows on the table and lowered his head slightly, to make sure that she could hear him without him having to yell, which would be disastrous if the music abruplty stopped.

"Listen, I know you heard me, but it's not that bad of a crime, we're only moving weapons and supplies to Naboo. I have no idea what's going to be done with them, but they're not terribly dangerous, and I have a limiter on them. Just, could you please look the other way, Jedi?"

Aldir knew he might have put up the impression that he has loose lips, AND he also made it known to her that he knew she was a force sensitive, but there was very little which could go wrong. If she was a Jedi, they probably would have a diplomatic arguement, which he would eventually win. If she was a Sith, thenshe probably wouldn't care. In a worst case scenario, he'd get Max to toss them and he'd try again later. If mind tricks were thrown in, he could act affected, since, for the most part, he was too smart for them.

[Rheia]

Rheia smiled at the two as they took the drinks. "That's better. Now try and have a good time without busting any heads okay?" She walked away from the two that were there, but continued to eye them. There was something strange about them, especially the woman. She would continue to spy on them and convince herself it was so they wouldn't start a fight. Was it curiosity or something more? There was another reason, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She wasn't a nosy kind of person. The Twi'lek tended to mind her own business.

Rheia waited on the other patrons of the bar, smiled at them, and flirted with a few of them. She made her rounds and realized that it was time for her to go on stage again. The girl smoothly walked up the stairs and started to dance. People had told her that her dancing was hypnotizing and it looked as though she had been taking some sort of dance all her life. After her routine she looked around for the two and spotted them. They seemed suspicious to her, but there wasn't much she could do about it unless they fought. Sighing, she continued to serve the patrons who beckoned her.

[Thessa Tolod]

The lights swiftly morphed from greenish, 'aquatic' colours into brisk, warm tones of red, deep crimson and purple, as the pair went to sit down, nerves calmed slightly on both sides, be it by offered hard liqueur or maybe the simple fact that Tessa did not maul the man on the spot. Patience paid off from time to time.

The girl that had negotiated peace between them so well, went on stage to perform her dance.
Under any other circumstances they would be trying hard to keep it it hush hush, but as the rhythm started they literally had to yell to maintain the conversation.
'Anything that involves weapons being transported to Naboo without my personal approval concerns me'

(ooc: sorry my post sucks again. i'm a lil bit drunk)

[Rheia]

Rheia finished her shift and went to clock out. On her way out she told the bouncer to keep an eye out for the two in the back. She eyed them on her way out and continued to walk out.

((ooc: I couldn't wait any longer. It's been forever.))