Corellia's Finest

[Moonfire]

Coruscant, glittering jewel of the Republic. A shining statement of progress and beacon of hope into the future. At least... the surface of the planet screamed that with its clean skywalks, flourishing people and Jedi Temple. But when one delved into the darkness, into the deep underbelly of Coruscant they'd find where all the fun happened.

Kailani Quix was looking for a good time that night herself. The Bohemian crew was docked for some exchanges and since the contacts here spoke excellent Basic her services weren't needed, giving her to go ahead to check up on a few old haunts and her old apartment.

Slipping into a familiar old one, a rather grim looking place by the name of Chili's, she waved a few odd hellos at old friends. People she had met during her boxing days, others when she was part of Drake's old crew. It was nice, the familiar faces and catcalls. She had missed this side of Coruscant. Not the stuffy, overly classy one where a single bar fight could cause enough destruction and high enough bounty to keep your head down. Lorgura wasn't happy with her that night.

Tonight she'd be good, no trouble. No gambling or brawling or digging up old resentments. Tonight she'd just drink herself into a stupor and then stumble back to the 'Ole Boho. Maybe get a couple laughs. She could do for a nice quiet night.

Slipping into the only available seat at the bar, Kailani smiled brightly at the dark haired man next to her. "Hey Kiddo, what're you havin'? Its on me." She said, feeling remarkably in good spirits. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

[Cain]

Coruscant, a festering pit of sentient leftovers collecting at the center of the galaxy. Jack wasn't a fan. If there was anything good that could be said of the galactic capital, it was that it made a strangely effective location for one to blend into the background, even in the shadow of the Republic Senate and the Jedi Temple. Hiding in plain sight, as it were.

Jack felt that the population density of the Core worlds would provide the best possible returns in his search for talented Force adepts, though so far he'd had no such luck. After Ralltiir Jack found himself wading through nothing but trash, and Coruscant had been the most disappointing trash heap yet.

Jack spent his last night on-world in one of the undercity's local dives. Not surprisingly he found himself surrounded by little more than beggars, prostitutes and addicts. Even the air tasted foul to Jack who eyed the scene around himself with reserved contempt. He was tired of these vulgar, hedonistic imbeciles, and with his next stop being Metellos it wasn't likely to get better any time soon.

Jack sighed, slumping back against the bar. The thump of the house music seemed to sync up with the pounding in his head. Suddenly all Jack could think about was how badly he needed a cigarette.

"Hey Kiddo, what're you havin'? Its on me."

The voice grated Jack's ears like sandpaper. His eyes narrowed, converging on the young woman seated beside him. She was a blond, dressed in gaudy, revealing attire and reeking of alcohol. It didn't take even a second for Jack to deem her beneath his contempt.

"Get lost." he responded, dismissing the woman offhandedly before reaching into his jacket for a pack of Bloodstripes. "Bartender!" Jack called out, holding up his cigarette. The Quarren behind the bar didn't speak Basic, but he clearly understood the gesture and studiously provided Jack a light.

When the bartender began to gurgle something in his native language, Jack interrupted him, "Yeah, thanks. Now shut your beak. Your language is like listening to copulating Hutt slugs. It causes my ears discomfort."

[Moonfire]

Kailani surveyed the crowd as she waited for the response from the shady gentleman at her side. Most of the people in the dive were familiar face, people she had known for years, even if only by their faces staring into the amber liquids depths.

Tonight was a good night. The blond woman's mind reeled with all the possibilities. What would she start off with tonight? Perhaps a nice ale to start the night off slow, or maybe whiskey if she felt like getting trashed early on? Decisions, decisions.

Get lost, The man at her side all but spat out, finally showing his face. The stark dark circles around his eyes looked bruised and puffy, his face gaunt and sallow. He looked like someone who had gotten into one too many fights and taken one too many deathsticks. Beaten down.

"So salty." She said with a smile, eyes still lingering over Jack as he withdrew a cigarette. "Two shots, tequila!" She shouted, tapping the polished countertop with her finger twice to the barkeeper as he walked away grumbling at the sallow youth beside her. The guy didn't look a day over 17.

"Don't mind if I..." She asked as deft hands slipped out her own pack, Corellian Slims, taking on lightly between her fingers as leaned over, dabbing the end of her own cigarette against Jack's lit one, effectively lighting her own. Pulling it back she smiled, the shots place before her as she took a drag.

"Cheer up, Kiddo. No need to be lookin' so glum or actin' so salty."

[Cain]

Jack managed to ignore Kailani at first, his thoughts occupied mainly with scanning the other patrons on the off chance that one should hold some potential with the Force. Nope... nothing but inbred mouth-breathers.

Jack grumbled, pinching his cigarette tight between his lips when his peaceful stewing was suddenly interrupted again by the galling woman beside him. She leaned in close, using the end of Jack's cigarette to light her own, "Cheer up, Kiddo. No need to be lookin' so glum or actin' so salty." she said.

Jack recoiled, his face twisting with a blend of anger and disgust, "Don't come near me in such a familiar way," he scolded with a stern gaze. "Go sell your 'services' someplace else. I'm not interested." Jack flicked the accumulation of ashes on the end of his cigarette onto the bar in front of Kailani before standing abruptly from his stool and shoving a path away from her through the crowd.

At the far end of the cantina were some open gaming tables. A few patrons had settled in this area, most playing games like Dejarik and Pazaak with holoprojections. Jack settled himself at an empty table. He produced a simple wooden game board from inside his jacket. The board acted like box, unfolding to reveal Chess pieces inside. Quietly Jack set the pieces on the board, the black in front of him and white on the opposing side. If he had to be on this insufferable planet, in such an uncivilized environment, then at the very least he could spend his time playing a civilized man's game.

[Moonfire]

Kailani couldn't help but laugh as Jack recoiled away from her, his voice harsh and full of spite as he gave her a lesson in manners and implying she was a prostitute. Cigarette clutched between her fingers quivering and spilling its ash as Kailani heaved back and forth with her giggles. What was up with youths these days? All surly and impersonal in a place like this, didn't add up.

Faced flushed crimson the woman finally settled down, picking up the amber colored shot and tossing it back with a sigh and smile, glancing over where the Emotive Teenager had wandered off, the boy reminded her much of a small canine her mother was fond of back on Corellia. On a good day it was quiet and kept to itself, on a bad it was yappy and vicious, most days seemed to be bad when it came to the little mongrel. What was it's name again...? Scound...? Squirrel?... No... Skrew..? No, no, no.

With a shake of her head the blonde woman tapped the bar twice, an another set of shots appeared before her. Kailani's fingers wrapped about the shot and downed it agian, the sweet burn of the liquid reddening her face and warming her stomach.

Sudden activity in her periphery directed her attention back to the sullen teenager brooding off in the corner, withdrawing from his coat a chess set. Green eyes sparkled with mischief and within moments Kailani stood, leaning on her elbows over the table.

"Chess, eh? That's my kinda game." With a quick twist the blonde sat down sideways in the chair, legs swinging over the arm. "I haven't played since I left Corellia, forgive meh if I'm a lil rusty." Kai smiled a bright white toothed smile, not waiting to see if Jack even wanted to play, how could anyone resist a challenge from a pretty, as well as rather intoxicated, lady like herself?

[Cain]

Jack had only just finished setting the last pieces on his side of the chess board when the obnoxious drunkard from the bar made her way over to him and parked herself in front of the white pieces. She said something about Corellia, what exactly Jack honestly couldn't say as he was too preoccupied fending off the assault of ale and stale whiskey that had wafted across the table as she spoke.

With silent brooding, Jack considered his options. He could just choke the life out of the woman with the Force. The simplest option, though not the most satisfying. He could always crawl inside her head and wreak havoc until she ran from the bar screaming.

Jack considered his telepathy like a form of art. All of the subtle nuances that went into stoking the perfect reaction. Then to watch them scream, writhe and fling themselves about. An expertly choreographed dance. Jack did love theatrics. But, alas, his genius would be lost on these simps. A waste of effort.

Wrinkling his nose, his expression a mix of annoyance and befuddlement, Jack collected his next words. "Do you know who I am?" He asked, leaning forward on his elbows and forcing a smile. "Because I don't believe you fully appreciate the unfathomable well of patience which is keeping you alive right now, and which your every action since you first spoke to me has nearly tapped dry. It's not typically in my nature to suffer fools, but fortunately for you, you've caught me feeling charitable."

Jack turned his attention to the chess board. He leaned back in his seat, taking another drag from his bloodstripe and holding his free hand out towards the pieces on the board. One of the pawns in front of Kailani rose up from its place and floated gently into Jack's outstretched hand. "This is my offer. You can get up, leave now and return to whatever semblance of a life it is you cling to... or we can play a game. But if I win, I'll take more from you than just your money," Jack said, tapping his temple. Opening his hand, he let the pawn drift slowly back toward Kailani and settle into its position on the board.