Still Life (Dutch)

[Poludnica]

Time period:Five years ago from current timeline 3601 BBY
Location:Nar Shaddaa
Participants:Jessoin (Dutch), Danica (Baba)
Other Info: Theme

The din of clinking glasses and the droning murmurs of other diners carried on through the expensive restaurant. Green orbs curiously moved from one table to another, seeing whose Nar Shaddaa rich and famous were. Danica was shocked by a discovery such...mucky place could have its own high societal made from all kinds of assorted species. The girl watched wide eyed few Twi'lek dancers bending their bodies vulgarly. On Coruscant such pleasures were guilty, the rich ones going extra mile to keep their identity anonymous. In here it would be a sin not to allow themselves to be seen accompanied by such vice.

Something cringed in her stomach at the sight of men intently staring at the dancers. How were they different from her father's friends watching Cassius' daughter performance? Even if it was prude and classic, her role was similar - a doll he could show.

The black haired woman inhaled sharply, her fingers closing tightly on a half empty glass. Flush of anger crimsoned Danica's cheek. Even if Cassius stayed light years away, he still held power over her thoughts and reactions.

”Damn you.” The girl muttered, frowning darkly. The awkward silence fell over a table next to her which forced Danica into unpleasant realization she had said it out loud. With a gentle shrug of slender shoulders, the human turned away, hiding even brighter crimson glow of her skin. That evening wasn't starting well. In truth this whole idea of lone escapade to Nar Shaddaa seemed like a bag of troubles and some more. The official reason was fetching some expensive and rare art to which Cassius agreed if Danica would take his personal security. The wayward daughter had agreed, but soon after going to the docks she sneaked away in a public transport. Alone.

Her eyes instinctively trailed off to the comm device beeping on the wrist. With a resigned sigh the woman tapped it gently, waking up a powder pink glow.

From: CassiusL.
To: Dany

I am completely appalled with your behavior, young lady. I feel ashamed my daughter behaves like some street wh...

Danica turned off the device with an indignant huff. She knew price of this stunt would be high, even more so if Cassius was aware what his daughter wanted to do. The artifact hunt sounded innocent in comparison to...The woman froze, watching a tall man walking into the restaurant. Was it him? The elegant girl stood up, adjusting her nicely cut business attire. She quietly extinguished her spent cigarette in the provided ashtray, practically tasting the anxiety that pumped through her blood and which slowly began to fill her lungs. The human walked toward a small group nestled in the far end of the carefully designed interior.

The table next to the group was free, Danica decided from there would be the best spot to eavesdrop on the meeting. Hidden behind a wide pillar, it gave necessary shelter to even take notes. None of the men should recognize her, Cassius rarely showed his daughter off outside his home planet, especially to more shady associates. The old fool's first mistake.

Happy with her cunning plan, the young woman was about to sit down at the chosen seat when noticed someone was there first. Seemingly out of nowhere! Danica blinked, surprised, gazing at the stranger, her brows furrowing in expression of displeasure and annoyance. ”Hey! That's my table.” She said hissingly, a reminiscence of an angry viper.

Arrogant bastard!

[Dutch]

Two hours earlier...

He strode forward down the streets of Nar Shadaa. Unlike before, so many years ago, he was not afraid of what the sinful streets held anymore. His head held high and confident. These were his streets now. But not fully his. Shared. A King and Queen perched on a throne of broken bodies and credits. They ruled from the shadows. None bothered them, many envied them. None knew who they were even...

His destination lay not far away. Mephesa, ever the brains of the operation, had picked up a wave. Something that could indeed prove lucrative for them... liking winning over the favor of the Liviana family. Any way possible.

Jessoin stifled a grin as he saw the party. The very group that was assigned to Danica. A small group, professional guards, concealed weapons. Not enough, gents... He thought to himself as his pace quickened. His boots clicked as they moved over the floors of the space port. Like any duelist, he sized up the four men. Two larger, the fighters. One tall and thin, the shooter, and one older, grizzled almost. The leader. His smile could barely be concealed now. That was fine however, they would only see his face when he was ready. His pace quickened more, a brisk pace as he sailed past them, and hoarsely whispered for them to hear:

"I know where she is, follow me..."

With that he sprinted deeper into the spaceport, careful to make sure they could still see his tall form from the crowd. After a minute of weaving through the crowds, Jess spotted an empty room, its door barely open. He turned his bright green eyes at them and smiled before he stepped into the room, and kept the lights off.

He waited, he could feel them in the Force coming closer, closer to their end. They entered. Weapons already drawn as they flicked the lights on and closed the door behind them.

"Where is she fool? Tell us or we drop you right here and now."

Jessoin held up his hands and smiled pleasantly. They had not a clue...

"Please, please, gentlemen... I'd be happy to share-"

He cut off his sentence as his left hand snapped to create a shimmering barrier in front of him with the Force. A couple blaster shots rang out against it, uselessly. His other hand went to his coat to pull his repeater, and dropped the two melee-oriented men with two burst shots to their throats. Jessoin laughed at how embarrassingly easy this was. He made a pulling motion with his free hand and the two gunmen lost their blasters, the two guns flipped from their hands to between Jessoin's feet.

A couple more trigger pulls, and the gunman was dead, their body spread out with their comrades. The older gentleman turned to grab the door panel... but was stopped. Jessoin holstered his pistol as his other hand made the familiar pinching motion. The Force entangled itself into the last bodyguards body, and he could feel himself lift from the ground and turn around to face Jessoin. The Zelosian approached closer with his hand still holding the man up by the Force.

"Now tell me friend, Miss Liviana, where is she supposed to be tonight?"

Jessoin smiled as the man told him everything. And gave him everything. A datapad that could track her messages, and know her location via her comm device. How splendid. They already did the hard work for him. Jessoin thanked the man and balled his hand into a fist, the man's neck snapped wetly before Jess let him fall into the pile with his friends. Jess looked down at his current clothes, nice enough, sure, but for a fancy party...

"I need to go see my tailor it seems..."

------------

Now...

His emerald eyes had watched her the entire time. From a distance, he watched as she prepared for the event. From a distance, he watched her become disgusted by the entertainment from the party. Amazing how just by being near the bar of the event, one could blend in seamlessly. His clothes were not totally unlike what he normally wore, clean, well kept, and in tones of black and green. A green silken scarf sat on his shoulders and draped down his chest, typical fashion for the rich of Nar Shadaa these days.

She had that air of superiority about her, Jessoin could smell it from across the room. He grinned, how like every other beautiful face out there in the galaxy. So superior. So elegant. So completely unaware as Jessoin watched.

Jessoin ordered a drink for himself, and another of the same kind she had been nursing. He saw her begin to move, and watched as she stood, and watched to see where she was headed. The Force was his tool though, and the crowds were always good for cover. He danced through the crowds, moving through them like oil through water to strike out, and be seated before the young girl knew what happened. He smiled warmly at her as she stared at him in a mix of shock and annoyance.

"You mean, our table, my lady. Please, do sit, a Coruscanti Gemstone, your drink, correct?"

He said smoothly with nothing but respect in his voice. Jess gestured to the other drink in his hand and set it down on the table to the right of where he sat. His other free hand fingered the edges of his brandy as he raised his eyebrows pleasantly at her and smiled handsomely.

"Please, sit! Don't worry, your father's goons won't bother you tonight."

[Poludnica]

The first thing Danica noticed were his eyes – so obscenely bright and brilliant green they seemed to glow with inner light. It made her hesitate if only for a brief heartbeat. ”What?” She asked in a rude manner, completely thrown off balance by the man's social audacity.

Danica's eyes grew large as they scanned the tall figure before her. Full lips drooped down slightly in disbelief before she snorted softly. ” Do I know you?” The human asked quietly, hastily placing herself in the nearest seat, trying to calm down her breathing. The girl's mind feverishly went through the twisted lanes of memories in effort of placing this intruder among faced she knew. No luck, he was a stranger.

Though obviously the man knew her, enough to know of Cassius and his goons. Danica inhaled sharply. ”Who...what? Who the hell are you?” She demanded, suddenly regretting not hiring any local security. ”What do you know?” The young woman moved her alarmed gaze around the restaurant, as if looking for answers or clues. She defiantly pushed the drink away, spilling few drops of expensive liquid on the metallic table.

Loud clinking of the moving glass brought unwanted attention and the group she wanted to spy on fell silent, looking at the commotion. Danica tensed, smiling apologetically at her father's business partners. ”Just a small spat. No problem here.” The girl said, trying to hide a melodic cadence that trademarked Coruscant high society. Something the tall stranger had been aware as well apparently...

Her gaze returned to the green eyed man, who smiled smugly. His clothes didn't mark him as typical low lives lot of Nar Shaddaa but it was still far away from what Core World's rich wore. Handsome, young and toned – certainly not a typical business man either, though his language and manners indicated someone at least slightly educated.

”Go away!” She hissed focused solely on the conversation happening over the nearest table. Not many on this forsaken moon would speak High Galactic so the men felt rather safe. Still, they weren't callous and Danica doubted any vital information would be shared in next couple of hours. From time to time her eyes would flicker to the stranger, waiting what he actually wanted.

Maybe it was one of her father's employees, maybe Cassius knew exactly what his daughter was up to. In order to 'save' her, Daddy-dearest pulled more strings on Nar Shaddaa than anyone expected he had. Would a bunch of goons now appear in the doors to drag her back to the hated prison? No; Not likely. There was something about this man...They way he carried himself. Someone like this had nothing to look for on Cassius' payroll; her father didn't look for company among freaks and aliens. He actually made a point that his parenting was about making sure Danica would stay away from them as well.

One was sure though – the guy had some nerve.

[Dutch]

Jessoin could hardly contain his bemused laughter at this young woman's reactions. He pulled a dish of nuts from the table closer to himself with his free hand, never taking those brilliant green eyes from hers. Jess popped a couple into his mouth and chewed slowly, his lips lightly salted from the food. His laughter was pleasant and quiet at the girl's first question, so mistrusting. Smart girl. He gestured once more to the seat next to him and drink and said

"What? Why, an invitation my lady. And no, you do not know me, but you will."

As she sat down he turned his seat to face hers slightly more. A scantily clad Twi'lek sauntered over to them to offer more drinks, but Jessoin waved her off whilst never taking his eyes from Danica. Through the Force he could just barely pick up her panic, her fear, her distress. He laughed again gently at her series of questions. Mortals, so easily flustered, so easily disturbed if confronted with information from strangers.

"Who I am, is someone who wants to help you my lady. What I am, is of no consequence tonight. And I know why you're here, I know who your father is, and I know that like me, you are no fan of his, my lady."

She began to look around, more panic in her eyes. He reached a hand forward to rest on hers gently, comfortingly. His teeth shown through a pleasant smile and he shushed her gently. Jess quickly moved his hand away as her panic managed to spill her drink and the tray of fancy nuts a bit. He sat back into his seat and cross one leg onto his other knee, and sipped his brandy as he awaited Danica to calm down. Surely, she was not used to having the freedom she so desired.

He couldn't help but laugh as she hissed for him to leave, his head tilted back as he finished his brandy and motioned to the bartender to send another set of drinks their way. Luckily, being Zelosian, alcohol didn't effect him as much as humans, but he had to be sure to drink straight liquor to avoid any sort of sugar. Uncommon knowledge to most, Zelosians became quite wasted off even a small amount of sugar.

Once it looked like Danica had calmed down a bit, Jessoin turned his eyes to the table next to them, her obvious target. They spoke High Galactic, a language he was merely semi-fluent in, as most Jedi learned some at their time in the Temple. People like that flocked to Nar Shadaa, for it was both similar to Coruscant... yet one could get away with so much more... Jessoin turned his gaze back to Danica and reached into his pocket to pull out the datapad that had tracked her. He nodded politely and slid it across the table to Danica.

"Miss Liviana, this is the datapad your father's goons carried. It was all they had on them to track you. As of right now, you hold the only way to find you on Nar Shadaa. I offer this to you, so that you may feel freedom, even if just for one night, my lady. I will protect you from all the bad monsters of the streets. I can assure you, Miss, I am quite capable of the task..."

Jessoin said, his voice smooth, solid, unwavering. Even he couldn't help but let his lips curl upwards at the uttering of the word 'monsters'. She had no clue what the moon could hold, but he did. Perhaps some heroic displays, and some good company could help win over the girl...

[Poludnica]

Surprised, the dainty woman paused in shock, slowly beginning to mull over his cheeky words... before vehemently reminding herself that that’s all they were – words and probably lies. Just simple utterances with no basis of anything for her to trust him on. How gullible did he think she was? Did the man honestly think that just because he told her that she could believe him, she would suddenly welcome his presence with open arms? Maybe give him a kiss?

Angrily, Danica pulled away a ball of nuts that apparently he had taste for. With a clank, the bowl landed on the other side of the table. ”Hey! I paid for them.” The human said in even, aloof cadence. ”Get your own or tell me who you are. I may not be from Nar Shaddaa but I am not stupid. ” The stranger knew too much for it to be a simple coincidence. His mentioning Cassius threw her off track but only for a heartbeat. Maybe not a warrior but Danica was every bit of her father's daughter. No matter how much both of them wanted to deny it.

”I have no idea what are you talking about, I love my father very much.” The woman stated. Nothing in her expression would betray a lie; hell, maybe years ago this may had been a truth. The man's reaction, calming her as if she was some unruly child made Danica more angry than scared. ”No touching without permission.” The woman's voice was cold, chilling even as she tried to hide fear. In here not many would dare hurting her but outside would be another matter. Yet again this evening Danica chided herself for neglecting to hire a proper security.

The crimson blush intensified, burning at her skin as Danica's gaze landed on the datapad. Hastily, the woman picked it up, looking over carefully. What the man said was true, the tracking system pointed to Promenada district, though didn't give exact location. It could belong to anyone really but the name glowing in a corner spoke volumes. No one else but Cassius' best. How? She was sure to get rid anything her father had give....

With a defeated sigh the girl reached for her purse and scooped out a fancy looking lighter. The engraving formed into a name - Eulalie Liviana. Danica turned the trinket in her fingers, with the lighter's movement the datapad came to life with a small beep. She shook her head and drowned the memoir in a glass of alcohol which caused the signal to fade slightly.

”Bastard.” The woman whispered, rubbing her temples as stress induced headache began to creep in on her. And he just sit there...smiling like some smarmy git. Danica looked into brilliant green orbs, frowning. The man reminded her of everything she despised in people like Cassius. ”Fine Mr. Smartass. You win. I am not the best of daughters.” She said, forcing a smile. ”Doesn't mean I need your help. Especially if it certainly doesn't come free.” Danica added, her gaze immediately hardening. ”Maybe I like monsters.” She leaned a bit closer, lowering lyrical timbre of her voice to barely a whisper. ”Maybe I am one.” With a self-satisfied smirk, Danica moved away again.

”Who are you and what do you want?” The woman asked again, returning to her notes. If the man thought she would gladly throw herself into safety of his arms only because of the datapad, he was sorely mistaken. Danica was raised among business sharks, criminals and politicians which taught her one thing – there was not such thing as free lunch.

[Dutch]

Jessoin smiled at Danica's little outburst and the taking of his snack. His eyes never left hers, and his smile never left as she spoke. How silly, mere humans always wanted control, even if they had no control over the situation, something as small as removing a minor object could empower them. He would have to consult Mephesa about this. Just as they had initially guessed, Miss Liviana was desperate for some sort of control, over her life, over her future, over anything she could possibly get her dainty hands on. They liked this about the young woman. For those who sought power and control, often succumbed to it.

He felt a bubble of bemusement at her tone towards him. So pompous, so entitled. Like some sort of princess pretending to do her daddy's job. And that was what Danica was, a princess, something to be paraded in public, shown off as a sign of status and success. She knew this. Jessoin knew this. And it only made her more intoxicating to their plans. He chuckled lightly at her statement about her father, and nodded his head politely at her reaction to his touch. Her fear rippled into Jess' mind through the Force, and he relished in it, a rush no one outside the Force could appreciate: The knowledge of when quarry felt fear.

"As you wish, my lady.

The green eyed man said calmly. Last thing he wanted to do was alarm the woman. If anything, she would learn to appreciate him, need him, desire him. In time though. In time. He watched with contained excitement as the realization hit her. Mixture of fear and panic. She was completely alone now. And she knew it. When she dropped the lighter into her beverage, the waitress from before placed two new glasses of inebriating fluid in front of them. Jess picked his up and clinked it against hers before lifting it slightly in toast and taking a sip. His eyes still never lefter hers. He laughed at her comments about him being correct. Jessoin titled his head slightly to the left and pointed at her in a relaxed manner.

"That is why we've contacted you, my lady, because you too are no fan of Mr. Liviana. And here's the best part, because of that, you get my help for free. You need me more than you know. As you said yourself, sweet Danica, you are no native of Nar Shadaa, and naive to what truly lurks in its soiled alleys and darkened streets. Even the brightest lights of the Promenade district, cast the darkest shadows for those monsters to hide in..."

In response he leaned in as she did, his eyes burrowed deeply into hers, to others watching, they would seem nothing more than a couple talking intimately to one another. But this moment was far from that. Her comment about monsters and herself being one made Jess smile continue to play on his lips. In response he traced his hand around his brandy glass once more and looked Danica up and down. Slowly. Intimately. Judging. Was she a monster? Maybe in some way, but not nearly on the scale of the monsters he had known...

"Maybe you are, my sweet. But maybe, you're more scared of us monsters than you think..."

He responded as he also sat back into his seat. It seemed she wouldn't relent until she had a name. Jessoin could give her this, but more than that, he would not. It had always served him best to act like less than a Force user until necessary. People always underestimated others until a lightsaber was drawn... With a mock sigh of resignation, Jessoin took another sip of his brandy before setting it down on the table with a light clink. He smiled brightly at Danica before speaking once more.

"Alright my lady, you'll get what you desire. I am Jessoin Zarander, entrepreneur of Nar Shadaa, and representative of a party interested in striking a deal with you, Miss Liviana. Your father has enemies out in this galaxy, and you, my sweet, have allies. We are some of those allies. As a sign of good will, I have been assigned to be your personal escort for your time here on Nar Shadaa. You're wishes, are my desires. As long as you are here, I am but an extension of you, my lady. Speak, and I will follow..."

[Poludnica]

What was about this man that unsettled her? Danica watched him smiling smugly and contently like a well fed, spoiled feline. This all knowing grin was unnerving but not only this. A strange, cold feeling nestled in the girl's chest whenever her eyes met his vividly green stare. With a indignant huff, the woman placed the bowl on a tray that a passing, barely clothed waitress was carrying. Just out of pure spite. It spoke volumes of course, for those who knew her. Danica used passive aggression like a familiar tool, wielded it like the best weapon. Finding this little annoyances and force other side to admitting she touched a nerve. Childish, some said but also very useful in a game of negations. The best businessmen were real b*tches to be around with, her father including.

Again the same scantily clad Twi'lek appeared, placing two drinks in front of them. She rolled her eyes theatrically at both: the waitress choice of clothing and the man's not so clever ruse. ”If you counted on getting me drunk, I don't think it is working.” Danica stated, frowning slightly. His voice was calm, tranquil, almost resonating. Its strange quality awaking something unwarranted deep in her soul. As if she needed to listen this silky timbre. The human slightly pushed herself away from the table. Trying to escape this haunting sensation.

Instead for a brief moment Danica focused on her own reflection in a mirror on the other wall. It made the girl to unconsciously adjust the short skirt of the expensive suit as few wrinkles already appeared on it. She had been on the blasted waiting list for two months, two months, before she had finally been called in for an appointment at the boutique of the very fashionable, very in-demand, Zeltron haute couture designer, Filia Verja. The woman's ideas were ground-breaking - for an alien - simply brilliant; her fall collection was to die for, so when Danica had finally received that coveted invitation to come in, she was elated. The resulting set of business' suit was, of course, breath-taking; hugging Danica's feminine, hourglass curves exquisitely in all the right places, while retaining the tastefulness that was expected of a high class piece .. it really was quite regrettable that she had wasted its maiden wear on Nar Shaddaa the alien pleb around. Why to order such fine piece if it was enough to just stroll around in your underwear?

Quickly, Danica snapped out of it, feeling slightly dazed by this sudden shift in attention. Damn that man was horribly distracting! What he just said? ”You are awfully well-mannered for a place like this. “ She smirked at the 'lady' comment and dignity he sipped his drink and folded her arms like a haughty ice-queen. In truth, she was petrified.

”And how my father crossed you and your boss exactly?” The girl asked calmly. Then the man leaned closer and she could see an odd, greenish hue dancing under his skin. At first she thought it was a game of light and shadow, coming from his very livid almost pastel shade of eyes and green clothes. But no...

Of course...

Those eyes were suspicious from the start. Danica was an educated woman, she had many flaws but lacking sold knowledge was not one of them. The man belonged to near humans from Zelos. She scoffed almost immediately. ”Of course whatever it was can;t possibly stem from a business quarrel. My father doesn't deal with aliens.” The young woman quickly added...which wasn't exactly truth. Cassius thought never treated them as partners. His shady deals couldn't avoid non humans completely but it would never be something he liked and most often ended with more than less profitable end of bargain. But if the Zelossian was bluffing, he wouldn't know it which was what Danica wanted to know.

She didn't shirk away when the alien leaned in even closer. Her eyes fixed on the man's features, seeking any signs of deception in them. But to Danica's endless frustration, he was a good player. ”Funny thing, you are not native to Nar Shaddaa as well.” She replied, still gazing into green orbs, refusing to give up on this little staring contest. I need more than I know?” The human snorted. ”Oh please. Spare me platitude.” She let herself to move away a bit, reaching for a glass. Her fingers were stiff from stress and heart was racing like a scared rabbit. ”Nothing is free in this world and charity among criminals is hard to find. Tell me what this little stunt will earn you.” Air in her lungs felt thick. Danica didn't have good feelings about all this, not at all. Thought apparently some of her words hit the mark because the Zelosian decided to part with some of the information...that still didn't tell her much.

”Allies I don't know about? Interesting. Who do you work for?” It suddenly occurred to her how inept she still was in all this. Her father didn't want a partner but a toy to show others. Especially after she had chosen an artistic major to pursuit, rather than something useful so Cassius had gradually cut her off from the family business. But Danica was ambitious and nosy, though still barely half-way through higher education. Far away from sharks like her father. Or maybe even this ma...alien. Unlike Cassius, the woman didn't harbor any particular grudge against other species, sometimes sought out such company knowing how her father would take it. But the upbringing was not something one could forfeit easily and sometimes plain bigotry turned out to be the easiest and safest response.

Short but lyrical laughter left the girl's lips at Jess' words. Danica felt genuinely amused even if not relaxed in the slightest. ”Drop the act. You want something and velvet tongue or charming offers won't help you. Only honesty can.” The young woman smiled bashfully, letting him know she looked through his game. This terrible facades and masks so many men would put for her. Pretending to be saviors, knights! The girl was still smiling, thinking that If he called her sweet one more time, she would punch him.

[Dutch]

Her fear and panic slowly rose more and more. Every action of Danica's was to be predicted, from the passive aggressive behavior... to the cold sensation that there was a possibility, that this night, on Nar Shadaa... she would die. Jessoin took in a deep breath of her anxiety as she pushed away from the table. Apparently the situation was truly sinking into the young woman. Perhaps she was learning that no matter what, even if she thought she was running everything... she was a child amongst giants.

He sneered at her as she messed with her outfit. Silly girl, did she think she could wear something so enticing and still be taken seriously as a businesswoman? Just like every female of any race, say they want to be treated the same. Say they are equals to men. But that didn't matter to one such as Jessoin. The Force was a powerful weapon, and the best part about it, was that amongst mortals, one could hide that they were a god.

Jess laughed pleasantly at her comment about how polite he was. He brought his glass to his lips and drank more of the brandy, his eyes still gazing at her bemusedly. She was putting together the pieces. Slowly. Her deductive skills were left wanting, but Jessoin found a sort of satisfaction watching her learn about him. In time, she might even guess what sort of creature sat mere feet from her...

"Oh, it's not that your father has crossed us necessarily. It's merely we like you more. You have potential, while your father's concerns are already set in stone."

The tall man said. His eyebrows raised in delight as she guessed that he was no human. Her scoff was even elegant, and rang of Core World superiority. So entertaining! She had guessed he wasn't human, and then almost right afterwards, guessed that he too was not a native of the moon. He laughed as she continued to keep eye contact. Trained in negotiations. Clearly. Yet unsurprisingly considering her father, and her education within the Core.

Despite this though, Jess could still taste her anxieties on the Force, her emotions speaking more words to him than anything she said verbally. Perhaps this game needed to change. She was anxious, and fearful, but still hadn't realized what a treasure had been placed on her lap. He needed to make it clear who he was. Still doing this without causing her to truly panic, or cause a scene. Last thing they needed was for Jessoin to massacre an entire party of people who were just trying to have a good time.

Instead he would do the one trick that had worked before when introducing himself. But the key here was, he needed to not only reveal it covertly, but make Danica finally understand what she was dealing with. No mere businessman nor politician. Those false kings just sat on their plush thrones, blind to true potential, true power. Danica was not this way yet, and she could be quite a resource to Jessoin and Mephesa, in given time. Like all things, the seeds would need to be planted.

She finally seemed to be done with the game. He smiled wider than ever at her words. Accusing him of acting? Gods did not need to pretend to be anything but themselves. Jessoin tilted his head to the right slightly, his feathered black hair sifted to sit on his shoulder as he raised his right hand just slightly, and twitched his wrist. With the faintest of popping sounds the top button of Danica's suit would pop off to expose her chest slightly more, and the button sailed lazily to Jessoin's awaiting right hand. He clutched the button in his hand. Elegant, made of pearls from Alderaan. Expensive. Beautiful.

Jessoin showed her the button in his hand before he leaned closer than ever to casually drop the button right into Danica's drink. It sank to the bottom of the glass with a clink, and he inhaled deep her scent. Nothing better than the presence of a scared mortal... He touched her chin to make her face him a bit better. Jessoin spoke.

"I work for no one but myself, my lady. You are correct on those two things. I am not human. And I am not from this slum of a moon. Jedi rarely stay on Coruscant when they leave the order, do they? Like I've said before, I want to form an alliance, a friendship. You're intelligent, surely you must realize the benefits of one such as myself as an ally. And surely, you know, the repercussions of making one an enemy... So instead of continuing to be suspicious and afraid, why not open your mind? Let me show you how capable of a partner I can be? Let me show you, little girl, that you do not need to be afraid..."

[Poludnica]

An irritating grin tugged at the Zelosian man's lips the woman felt a strong desire to reach up and rip the damn things off. So knowing. So...so smug. Cocky even. Motionless, the human female stared at the pitted surface of the table, a cold chill working its way up her spine the more she thought about the alien across it. If this guy was somehow working for big fish 'entrepreneur', and by extension some powerful criminal, she was f*cked. Way over her comfort zone of nice, clean offices of Coruscant. If Devon or her father got the wind of this...

You stupid child, what are you getting yourself into?

Small muscles in her jaw tensed slightly, a delicate movement betraying growing anxiety but something told her this man already knew that. He behaved as if held all the cards. And maybe in some ways it was true. ”From all the people on Nar Shaddaa, all the organizations, possible deals...You chose a CEO's daughter with art major. Why not them.” She gently gestured her head at the group of collars still chattering in High Galactic. ”Not all of them are racists. Cassius...is a special case.” She said calmly, trying to hold reigns over turmoil that wrecked under this professional mask. What this man knew? How much of the dealings was he aware of? Maybe he considered her the weakest link.

Don’t think about it now Dany, just focus. There was security she could hire but the girl declined it, confident nothing of harm could happen to her on Promenade. That she was just another rich person. That confidence was waning. It nearly made her forget what she was truly doing here but when a certain word came over, carried in High Galactic dialect Danica remembered. That was the nickname her father used for a bank on Nar Shaddaa. A bank where the data she needed were stored. Cacāre an abbreviation from first three letters of the company Caclimoe. Just cacāre meant sh*t...Not many would catch it but Danica had known her father for nearly two and half decades now. It briefly summed up what Cassius thought about Nar Shaddaa and its people. People like Jessoin. The girl smiled pleasantly, though with a hint of mischief.

The grin quickly faded once the alien straighten his posture and dangerous gleam appeared in his vibrant eyes. He raised one digit and the girl moved away instinctively, expecting another unwanted touch but no...Danica faintly yelped, noticing a button of the jacket moving, finally ripping away from the black, tailored material; swimming through air toward the abhorrently complacent male. She froze, watching the spectacle until the priceless button didn't land in one of the glasses.

”What...what are you?” The woman asked softly, not even trying to hide terror. Of course she knew what the Zelosian was, what power he held but in her sheltered existence Danica had never seen a Jedi, yet alone a Jedi fugitive. The 'little girl' looked up and her gaze hardened. She would not be threatened by this! ”Just because you have a parlor with fancy tricks, doesn't mean you can threaten me. You..you freak!” Danica spat, not neglecting the subtle warning that came with his words. She stopped the urge to cover her chest in a pruggish manner, refusing to give Zelosian any satisfaction.

In before the woman could utter another insult the doors opened and a tall, middle aged human stepped in. All the red flags immediately raised in her head. Broca! With pure, raw horror painted on her face, Danica ducked under the table as skillfully as any circus artist. She hid herself behind the column, just close enough to Jess for him to give a viable cover.

Broca,her living nightmare. She knew he had even killed few force users in Cassius' service, more than it was humanely possible but many doubted he was still a human. With all the upgrades, there weren't many parts of he original former spec ops left. Liviana's family laundry man casually strolled over to the table where others were talking. All chatter was cut mid sentence.

”I am so f*cked.” Danica whispered, her stater close to panic attack. Her wet eyes traveled up, now almost clinging to the alien she had resented only minutes before. ”Fine!” She added in insistence whisper. ”I will take you up on the offer, just don't let him see me.” Fear and dread wrecked the girl's frame. Broca wouldn't kill her of course but there were so many worse things than death. And this horror of a man knew all of them.

[Dutch]

The fear that poured out of Danica after his little display was simply delectable. Like a fine wine through his mind, her emotions were more than enough to confirm that this little exchange was over. Jessoin held the cards. He laughed at her accusing him of using mere parlor tricks. If only more people appreciated subtlety over grandiose displays. It was enough though, he could see that, her body posture spoke more than her words did. He was just about to make a witty and smug response when suddenly the young woman threw herself to the floor and hid behind the pillar next to their table. Jess blinked a couple times in surprise. Well I wasn't expecting that...

He smiled down at her graciously as she finally let her true self show. The scared child, the needy woman. Her true state was simply beautiful. Wanting, needing. So perfect. Jess leaned in close to her, his face quite close to hers now. He exhaled slightly before smiling giddily and laughed softly. His near-glowing green eyes burrowed deeply into hers, his expression one of pure delight. Jessoin whispered to her.

"I will keep you safe, but first, a distraction... and validation for you, my lady..."

Jessoin leaned back in his seat and looked at the man Danica obviously hid from. Even he knew a Jedi killer when he saw one. Only a fair few mortals could claim this title, but each one always had a sort of presence about them. As if the Force itself had branded them as something to be wary of. Luckily though, Jedi killers could sense the Force, and it was nigh time something tragic happened at this party.

An older man sat at the table next to the man whom Danica feared. He was quite handsome for his age, and had several females of several varying races fawning over him. So funny, mere credits could buy just about anything... but was mistaken for power far too often. Jess looked to Danica and grinned wickedly.

"This, my sweet, is true power..."

He crooned before merely holding up his left hand to show her there was nothing in it. His green eyes looked to the old man and Jess rested his left hand on the table, and then began to make a pinching motion with his thumb and pointer finger. The Force wove itself through the room, like a predator seeking its prey those unseen talons grabbed the elder man's larynx and jugular vein. Jess' smile only grew further as the man suddenly grabbed at his neck and began turning purple. His eyes went back and forth between the man and Danica, making sure she knew he was the cause of the event.

The man began to flail and his women shrieked in shock and fear as their piggy bank was nearly a dark shade of blue.The commotion began to draw the party into a crowd, all eyes on the man. Jess knew this was the moment. The mere pinch balled into a fist that Jessoin wrenched back towards himself. A wet popping sound could be heard all the way back to them and Jessoin smiled with satisfaction. The crowd screamed and jabbered on about the fact that this man suddenly dropped dead, the man whom Danica feared was in the middle of a swarm of indolent fools. The perfect cover.

Jessoin stood up casually and reached down to grab Danica by the arm. He pulled her to his body and wrapped an arm casually around her shoulders as he steered them away from the crowd, and towards the doors to the exit. Jess smiled pleasantly at anyone that looked their way, the two looking like nothing more than a couple that were leaving for a night together. He turned his gaze down to look Danica up and down before he leaned in close and whispered.

"See? Quite a useful friend to have..."

They strode through the exit doors, and onto the streets of the Promenade. People laughed and gathered in groups outside the many different lounges, clubs, and restaurants of this district. Lights shone everywhere, not a single one natural, and each one casting plenty of shadows... plenty of places for the duo to disappear to. Jessoin sighed pleasantly as he still held Danica to his body, his touch not necessarily cold, but definitely not warm like a mammal's touch. His bright green eyes found Danica once more, and he asked

"So, my lady. Where to now?"

[Poludnica]

Warm breath whisked her cheeks when Jess' face came closer. Danica didn't move away; fighting to calm her breathing that came in rupture intakes. He was laughing! The alien didn't know, didn't witness Broca's work. Cupid bow li[s fluttered shyly, parting slightly only to close a moment later when no words came. For a heartbeat she felt like running away, immediately as her instinct cried the man before her could be even worse than anything Broca could have up his sleeve. There was darkness in him and faintly Danica could feel it just as sometimes she knew things were coming but never why. The gift she had been born with only gave her a glimpse, two dimensional shadows dancing at the edge of conscious thought. And Jessoin's ones were pitch black causing waves of primordial fear rushing through her body.

But there were demons worse than Broca and Jess put together. He can't know... ”Do it.” Danica whispered back, her muscles coiling painfully when she noticed a subtle move of Jessoin's fingers. Hidden behind a pillar the girl could only hear strange, nearly animalistic noises and incoherent screams. Inhaling sharply, a tiny yelp escaped her when the Zalosian male balled his hand into a fist. Loud, sickening noise ripped through the air. Screams erupted even more, carrying panic of the crowd.

Did he just..?

”Maker...” Danica said breathlessly, refusing to look at the crowd, even to move from her hideout. Not wanting to make sure if her suspicions were correct. It doesn't matter, he was a scum. They all are. It was alarming how easily the girl processed a fact of killing a man. Especially one she detested so much.Shame it wasn't Cassius. The single, burning thought broke through numbness that nestled in her mind. No. No! That was wrong. Very, very wrong. Maybe he didn't...

Barely registering that someone pulled her unresponsive body to standing position, took away from the restaurant’s havoc. There were odd glances Danica didn't notice, still feeling dazed by the rapid turn of events. The tables were turned and now one of her father's associates was wounded or dead. Maybe she even knew him!

Good riddance.

For a healthy, stable person such experience would be telling. Telling that something was wrong with this whole situation and certainly deeply wrong with the man who was now half -carrying her from the death he had caused. But Danica's mind had been broken long ago, shattered to pieces like a fragile porcelain door. From the pieces that were left few were telling the woman to flee but majority just let the stronger male to dominate and tell her what to do. As it would always happen.

Glacial green eyes went up, still dimmed with emotions, borderline panic but Danica's senses began to return after initial shock and she caught the appraising gaze of pastel orbs moving up and down her frame. The girl frowned, finding herself in the arms of a stranger. Intimately close, so she could whiff a subtle aroma of...something fresh and leafy mixed with rich masculine scent.

He smells like a forest!

With this odd thought lingering under a bubbling surface of scattered consciousness, she pulled herself away. Too quickly and stumbled into angry looking Chagrian who stepped back after seeing who accompanied the clumsy human, hastily walking away. Danica didn't really notice anything, too focused on reclaiming some dignity she had lost. Strange coolness of Jess' touch still ambled on her now hot and flushed skin.

Finally the young human gathered her wits together and stood proudly, desperately trying to hold her already labile psyche from falling apart. All things considered, no one could say she did a bad job at managing stress. ”Very useful, if I have some pesky rodent infestation I know who to call.” Danica quipped but her voice carried much more emotions than she initially desired. Her eyes, now calm, apathetic even locked on Zelosian's sharp features. ”So, you are a killer. Was that supposed to impress me?” She began t walk toward one of the clubs, to vanish from anyone's view. Feverishly trying to think what would Cassius do in such situation. Scared, surprised, chased into a corner. And the only thing Danica could come up with was her father would never let himself to be in such position.

The idea stung like an angry wasp and the girl stopped, turning to face the former Jedi; Already having a nasty remark at the tip of her tongue . But when Danica's gaze fell upon a group of men whose stares curled blood in her veins, she just sighed - Giving up on the idea of refusing his help despite the earlier promise.

”I need...I need to sit down for a moment.”

[Dutch]

Jessoin released his grip as Danica stumbled away only to bump into a rather ornery looking Chagrian. As she recoiled from him the man for a split second looked like he was going to strike at her when his eyes dipped to Jessoin as he held open his jacket slightly. The gilded cylinder of his lightsaber hilt made the man quickly drop his idea and flee like a mynock out of hell.

He let his hands slide into his pockets and a bemused expression touched his face as Danica pulled herself together enough to try and snark at him. Her words said one thing, her voice however cracked, and a stream of fear still fell from her being. Jess laughed and turned his gaze up to the clouded skies of the moon, speeders and skyscrapers encompassed everything. Danica's words caused him to laugh gentler. So ignorant. A killer? Impress her?

"Oh... my dear, sweet little Danica..."

Jess started before she strutted off. His eyes followed her as she walked away, his smile never leaving, broadening if anything as he admired her back side. He saw the group of men leer at her as well, and even saw one begin to step forward. With a flick of his wrist a whip of Force energy cracked out to grab the man's ankle. He tripped and fell face first into a lamp post and Jess grinned at how easy mortals could be manipulated.

When she turned back towards him, Jess walked towards her casually with his hands still in his pockets, with his shoulders slightly leaned back in a display of confidence. He pulled one hand out of a pocket and gestured to a level bellow them, this part of the Promenade's restaurant district, where people milled about and wove through the different stalls, sat and talked as they dined, and just were lost in the crowd.

"Perhaps a sit down and something to eat? Unless you have need to be elsewhere, why not enjoy ourselves a little?"

[Poludnica]

The prideful human in her cringed within. This alien was hardly in any position to calling her with some cheap endearments. But even as her wounded pride howled, Danica felt it losing the battle within, falling before the stark fact that he had the upperhand. In the power he yield or even because it was simply his territory.

A fact that she had been dimly aware of the whole time, but one that had apparently been undermined by the more pressing urge to slap the annoying grin out of his face. This entire display of defiance had only been an exercise in futility. This Jessoin was one of the rare Force users. A fallen Jedi. He could have smashed her into a warm crimson paste against the ground the minute she attacked him, a humbling truth that the girl had discovered back when the male had been busy killing a human being with only sheer power of his will. A fresh blush crept up her cheeks and neck at the thought. After this, pulling someone into a lamp post was nothing shocking.

Glacial, green eyes flickered to the hilt of a lightsaber. She had never seen anything like this before. Not even as an artifact. All of it on Coruscant was held by the Order. No wonder Chagrian run off like a frightened Ewok.

Run. He is a monster.

I know worse. With an angry huff she looked at him, wondering if he would go away if she asked. Why the Zelosian made her feel imprisoned? Like he had the last word and she couldn't be free of his presence until he decided about it. Danica's eyes narrowed, breathing pace increased as anger rose. She knew this feeling very well, it was something the girl had been born into.

So Danica tried to take back at least some pride he had stripped her from. In the only way she knew how – by being nice. Still dizzy and scared, the girl walked closer to the male, certainly crossing most of people's personal space. Especially in the light of his words. ”Enjoy ourselves? And how does a fallen Jedi enjoy himself?” Danica asked, taking another step, putting hand on his chest. Teasing, alluring expression graced her surgically crafted features. Danice had no powers, no fancy tricks but knew men. Regardless of the species, near-human men were simple when it came to desires and needs. It was always worth a shot.

”Does it involve the Force?” She asked, gleam of mischief playing in her eyes. Danica wanted to move intimately close now, letting her hand slid down...to the gilded hilt hidden under the jacket.

[Dutch]

Jessoin could feel her anger as she became more and more flustered with the situation. She obviously realized that despite Jess asking her what she wanted, and how she wanted to do it, he was still in charge really. He watched as her eyes narrowed and felt like he could actually see the wheels of her mind whirring as she thought. So cerebral, just as he was warned. Never did anything without thinking about if first. What a life that must be, to not have complete confidence in anything you wanted.

He did not move a muscle as Danica moved closer to his form. Jessoin had long lost any sense of personal space at the hands of both Netta and Mephesa, so her proximity bothered him none. His nose took in her scent, a mixture of expense perfume, alcohol, and fear. It was so decadent. Jessoin raised both his eyebrows at her question, her mannerism going from scared child, to the man eater. He laughed gently as she moved closer still and her hand rested on his chest. His heartbeat would be slower than normal for a human, and his body would feel cooler to the touch than a normal human. Usually disconcerting for those who didn't deal with Zelosians often.

Even he however, could not fully fight off the presence of an attractive woman. Especially not him. Literally trained to react to these sort of advances. His grin took on something not as pleasant as he normally kept up. It gleamed in the lights of the Promenade as did his eyes now, a selfish glare igniting behind them. He let her hand explore his body, the fabric wasn't very thick, and his musculature would be felt rather easy. Jessoin wasn't built heavily, but was a lean creature of grace and fluidity. Everything about his form seemed to flow into itself.

Her question again made him laugh softly. Despite his mind beginning to haze from her presence and touch, he still couldn't help himself. He tilted his head towards her slightly, his feathered hair fell forward slightly as he moved one hand to brush away a random strand of hair from Danica's face, while his other free hand moved up to where she could see it. His free hand made a gentle motion to grab, with nothing but air within its palm. Danica wouldn't feel it that way though. With the Force, Jessoin felt outwards to her body, a couple choice places would feel as if a hand had just fondled them, despite no hand being there.

"A fallen Jedi? You're precious, Danica. Jedi only scratch the surface of the Force... it's a tool that can be used in so many, many ways..."

Jessoin crooned as he let his grip of her body leave through the Force and he breathed in her scent once more. He had been so distracted by his own display however, that he did not notice Danica's dainty fingers now were touching the hilt of his saber...

[Poludnica]

A soft, pink tongue flicked out to lick lipstick covered lips, only to taste Nar Shadda's grime and salty sweat in unconscious gesture which meaning was known to few. Even if Danica was for a moment fooled Jess could be a human, this sensation didn't last as her hand touched the fabric of the male's shirt. His body felt cold, unnaturally so and the heartbeat was barely there. The woman stopped for a moment, slightly surprised by the strange discovery. The lean musculature betrayed harsh training or maybe just a trait of his kind?

”Uh...”the human began slowly as she broke the awkward silence, obviously still awaiting something more than a genuine laughter. And the smile, wicked gleam to the vivid green orbs...For a moment her heart skipped few beats at the sight as she began to realize that provoking such man could end very, very badly.

The girl's muscles coiled at the sudden touch when Jess' fingers brushed her flushed cheek. The male's head moved closer; she could feel warm whisk of his breath. Her slightly distraught gaze fixed on Jessoin's eyes – hungry and predatory – then moved to the free hand and a soft, surprised yelp escaped Danica's lips. What in the name of...She could feel something traveling her body after a moment realizing it was actually the Force.

”I bet...” The woman whispered, by then her fingers were already resting on the hilt of the lightsaber but her resolve faltered. Something was...rubbing her the wrong way and it wasn't the damn sword. Or anything physical, thankfully. The odd, almost palpable change in the male before her. Danica fully expected teasing, maybe even rejection or at least some kind of struggle. Despite this display the man hadn't challenged her and it was baffling. As if he was unable to or easily responded to such primitive persuasion.

Confused, the woman took out the lightsaber and gently patted it against the Zelosian's slender chest. ”Don't lose it.” She said but without any hint of playfulness in before stepping away from the man. The feelings of anger and fear were still there but under all this another emotion arose, something that took her by surprise yet again. Danica began to pity him. To fall for such simple trick! She shook her head slightly, wrapping arms around her slender shoulders as if sudden rush of cold swept through her.

Without a word the girl entered on of the random bars, not even looking at its name. Her mind feverishly worked at the possible scenarios. The table Danica chose was far away the doors, covered in the shadows. Something told her to hide; in silence she watched the Zelosian, big, watery eyes following his every move. For now, she gave up, an agressive, cunning layer most people saw was nothing but a lie, protecting a scared, submissive child that followed the iron will of dominant men around her. ”Do you still want to help me?” Danica asked. Her voice flat, cadence even, robotic and stare frighteningly blank.

[Dutch]

Jessoin nearly growled hungrily at Danica's reaction to his touch. Her fear scented the air like a heady perfume, and her whispered word rang in his mind. He had no idea what was really going on, what the girl was truly planning. Luckily for him, it seemed the more of the monster she saw in him, the more her fear grew. She could have so easily have just switched the weapon on while pointed at him, no skill needed and a guaranteed kill. Instead she pulled it out and patted him in the chest with it.

His right hand moved up to grab it from her, but she let it go and turned away from him. His eyes burrowed into the back of her skull, a look of malice burned in those ever vivid eyes of his. Jess' eyes dipped down to the saber at hand. His cheeks flushed, which was a flush unlike a normal human. Instead of the rosy hue of a blood flush, Jessoin's entire skin would appear a more sickly-green color. In his mind's eye, he saw the lightsaber flick on, he saw himself stride forward to grab her hair and pull her back as he plunged the blade straight out through her chest. How dare she play him like that. A god amongst men, and he fell for her trick like a child watching a magician.

No...

The word slammed into his mind as if a speeder had just crashed into it. His head flared with an ache and Jess brought his free hand up to cover his left eye, where the pain was beginning to spread from. Mephesa. She had been watching this whole time. A blast of her will made his teeth grind together. He understood. She had been in his head, saw the vision, and denied him that action. There was still business to attend to. Danica was an asset to his mistress, and thus, untouchable.

Follow...

He ground his teeth as her words were filled with acid that coursed into his mind. She was so powerful. If Jessoin was a god, then Mephesa was the mother of gods. Finally the pain left as he took a step forward to follow Danica, his hands stowing his lightsaber back into his coat as he did. He followed slightly behind Danica, and met her eyes as she took a seat and gazed at him. His mouth spread into that same smile he had been giving her all night, but his eyes. His eyes spoke of murder, of ravaging her body then frying her with lightning before sending it to her father. But his mistress had spoken. He must obey.

Jessoin slid into the seat across from her and let his lanky form rest casually in it, doing his best to fit into the bar feel. One wasn't judged by appearance as much as on how one held themselves on Nar Shadaa. When she asked if he still wanted to help her, he bit back a response about what he really wanted to do to her. Her expression and mannerism was different than before. Less playful, less keen. Perhaps she had given up on trying to play him that way... but perhaps this was all a test. Jess shifted himself to peer over at Danica better before speaking with a smile

"Of course, my lady"

He hissed, more than whispered, stressing the last two words. Despite it all, Jess had an obligation... and he would follow as directed, and his orders were to do whatever the princess wanted...

[Poludnica]

Too late did the male realize the error of underestimating his 'prey'. She was not this helpless, though Danica doubted this stunt could be repeated. The Zelosian would keep his guard up now, though it still baffled her how easy it had been. Almost too easy. A Force user, a former Jed and to play him as if he was a horny teenager looking for a lay. So..disappointing. And yet Danica pitied him, as if sensing someone equally broken. Maybe even more so, unconsciously reading signs of similarly obedient, passive nature. The woman was groomed to be like that – responsive to orders, unable to free herself. She had fought her father for years and it would always get her back to this gilded cage. It made her wonder, what did break Jessoin so much?

She didn't miss the not so subtle flush on his cheeks. The man turned instantly greenish which would be funny if Danica couldn't recognize what meant. The woman knew when touched a nerve, had to learn over the years of repeated training like a dog, a cornered animal. Anger exploded into fury, burning with even more vivid green but Danica didn't shirk away. The young human watched, the spectacle reminding her of own scars. It was futile, if the fallen one was to kill her he would have done in a heartbeat. Something had stopped him, something much more powerful. A duty? A plan?

Danica frowned and stepped away when the man clenched his eye and brow as if in pain. At the same time she had felt a rush of cold air through her. Goosebumps rose on Danica's skin at the sensation. The natural reaction was to flee even if deeply unconscious. The alien was angry, that could be an understatement actually. Very much so. Jessoin's rage was palpable, frightening but also thrilling in a way. It made Danica feel dancing on the edge of the void, ready to fall. She provoked fate since a little child, pushing her father's button's. It was the only way to make him notice her after all and now the schema repeated itself to the sickening degree. Poor, broken, child – Danica's mother used to say on her deathbed.

The man followed her of course. Danica absentmindedly clicked on the table ordering two drinks as if nothing had happened. He was detesting her and the woman could see it in those chartreuse orbs, even if the smile remained polite and empty. It calmed the human down a bit, it was something familiar. Men had always loath her, reject. That was something she could easily deal wit. A little self-worth, self-respect she had would be crushed in such moment and oddly enough the masochistic pain was cathartic. It had always been this way.

Blank gaze measured the Zelosian steadily, was if wanting to guess what his motives really were. ”Who tells you to?”She asked bluntly, not playing anymore in social games. Despite emotional wreckage happening in her mind, the girl had a keen mind and no inhibitions to speak it. ”I can see you hate me, it means whoever is above you has enough power to force you into neglecting your own needs and feelings.” Danica stated in empty voice. It was a guess more or less but the most familiar one. Neglect ones emotions, pushing it aside. Yes, she had been trained well in that regard.

The drinks arrived and the human downed her own in a matter of seconds, not even having strengths to get angry at the alien before her. Why to anyway? To kick already beaten pup? To provoke into killing her? Her own numbness surprised her as if this little discover of the Zelosian's weakness disturbed her deeply on a personal level. She had played with men of course but they played back, challenging and always winning. Because the world was built this way. They would always win.

The woman gently pushed a drink toward his way, not feeling like fighting anymore. ”You look like you need one.” Danica said softly, the sudden gentleness in her own voice surprising even to its owner.

[Dutch]

Jessoin couldn't help but dart his eyes at Danica as she spoke. The girl was good at reading people, that was for certain. He bit the inside of his lip in irritation, woefully superior in her behavior. How he desired to wrap his long cold fingers around her delicate neck and snuff her existence. But she had already guessed this as she continued talking and furthering her point that she now knew that Jess was indeed being controlled. To an extent.

He watched her as she took her drink and downed it, his eyes watching the tiny movements of her elegant neck. Jessoin was tempted to lash out with his saber right then, slit her neck and fry the room to escape unscathed. Instead, he eyed the drink set down for him warily. Not that it didn't sound like exactly what he needed, but Jessoin had long learned to never accept a drink that he himself hadn't watched in its preparation. Last time he did, he ended up so wasted on sugar that he had nearly been killed by a very angry Herglic he had bumped into.

His lips parted into an almost genuine smile at Danica's next words. She was right, he could use a drink. But he was much more interested in this sudden change of demeanor. From flirty, to robotic, to sickly sweet in a matter of a single night. He laughed and adjusted his position so his elbows rested on the table and he leaned closer to her.

"See, this I like. You ask of me to reveal my partner. You show me a veil of caring and hold your hand out for me. And yet, you probably arm one hand while offering the other...."

Jessoin softly laughed, he wasn't entirely sure of her sincerity with this new tone. But he would watch, he would wait, he would see if this was the true Danica finally, or just another mask she put on for the public. He took the drink that she had offered, and held it up to a light to examine it. Straight Commenoran whiskey. Seems she had no desire to get him messed up on sugar. Which was good.

He peered up into the amber glow that washed over him from the light filtering through his drink. His eyes watched it for a moment before he brought the drink to his lips and downed it in a single gulp. Jess set the glass down. His mind still battled with whether or not he should reveal his partner. Not in any fear for her safety, more so for his own safety at what she might do if she knew he talked. He grinned at a thought, then spoke.

"One does not go and reveal their reasons for everything, do they Danica? If you really want to know... you'll tell me, why rebel? Why fight against the silver platter being offered to you? We are ever so curious..."

[Poludnica]

Forced to process the sudden, instinctual influx of fear roiling through her veins, the woman shifted and put the glass down. The alien's gaze...It was unsettling. Danica's green eyes caught the stare, keeping it in place. She wouldn't budge this time. Of course, subdued as she was, the young woman couldn't do much to him in terms of strength; all of her abilities relied on smooth talking and logic, and those relied on her ability to stay calm. It was hard to be calm around someone like Jessoin. Even his seemingly genuine grin was threatening.

The woman ignored the laugh, enjoying a moment of distraction the drink had brought. Her own lips were graced with a simple, almost sad smile. ”Me? A weapon?” Danica shook her head in disbelief. ”You can kill a man with few gestures of your fingers, what can I prepare in my other hand? A hairpin? A herbicide?” The woman chuckled melodically at how ridiculous the idea was. The Zelosian didn't trust her now, wondering if it was another ruse. And to an extend maybe it was but not because Danica had much of a conscious control over it. People would often think she was a strong, confident heir to a fortune. A spitfire. Apparently her compensation worked just fine.

Her eyes caught the amber glow of the swirling liquid. She took another drink from a tray passing by and winced slightly. ”Swill.” Danica muttered, pushing the glass away and ordered something of human making. The droid protested, demanding payment. The woman scoffed and left few credits laying around just to shut up the damn thing. Certainly that Ryloth pigwash was not worth it. Damn aliens. Her attention snapped back to Jessoin.”And please, if you call this 'caring', obviously no one has ever cared for you.” She frowned and shrugged. Pity parties were more of an indulgence than anything else.

His question forced a smirk to appear on her soft, oval features. Danica let her fingers to dance across the glass for a moment before answering. ”All my life I've been given things just like that. On a silver platter, even golden one.”She remembered clearly those empty arguments with Cassius, that she owed him for everything he had done for her. How much money his daughter cost. ”And one thing it taught me, there is always a price tag. So don't even try to pretend your boss has a good heart and wants to help poor, rich girl, it's f*cking insulting.” Danica finished, rising her eyebrow sceptically. Did he really think she was so naïve?

[Dutch]

Jessoin could barely stifle the large, genuine grin that spread from his lips at her comment of using herbicide on him. It was difficult for him not to appreciate his own oddness in the face of the galaxy at large, a sentient plant wasn't common after all. He even chuckled once, but was sure to silence it swiftly. His grin would be dashed though seconds after he forced down his laughter. Danica's comment about no one ever caring for him made his eyes flash something briefly. Sadness? Fear? Regret? Some concoction of all three? Jessoin didn't let himself show it longer than he could control. But he knew she noticed. And in the pit of his stomach, he despised himself for showing weakness, even for a moment.

His eyes moved from Danica's eyes to linger on her lips as she spoke, until they continued to move down to watch her graceful fingers as she played with the glass. He could imagine other joys those hands could be fondling... but her words would interrupt his lustful thoughts. Jessoin smiled at her foolish dignity. He tilted his head slightly and once more, his acrid green eyes bored into hers. His lips once more spread into a poisonous grin. She assumed Mephesa was doing this out of some goodness? Jess laughed softly and leaned in close to Danica, his words barely a whisper.

"You think I'm bad? Evil? Sinister? My partner makes me look like a wounded pup. She is the great shadow of Nar Shadaa. The only reason she hasn't had your throat slit, is because she prefers to treat her potential allies. She has taken an interest in your plight, and has offered me to you for tonight, as a present. A gift. A sample. This is the kind of power you can have access too. The kind of power you could wield against anyone who dare stand up to you, or look down on you. Your father wields mighty forces. You could wield stronger, more efficient forces. So when I say that Mephesa does not have a good heart, do not mistake my words. She is rewarding, but not good. Not in the slightest..."

Jessoin leaned back into his seat, and never broke eye contact with Danica both during and after his words. For just the slightest moment, they wouldn't seem their normal bright green, but instead flashed amber for the first sentence he spoke. His expression was one of almost pity as he looked into Danica's eyes. To be offered such a resource, and yet still play these games...

He motioned for another round of drinks. Looked like he would indeed need it.