Intimidation Factor (Reisier)

[Agent of Greystone]

Wake up...

Wake up sir...

It's time to wake up sir.

Carthus flinched violently as the shuttle driver tapped his shoulder. He awoke to a splitting headache and the sound of passenger pushing and shoving hurriedly to get off of the transport. Nursing his eyebrows, the large man pushed himself out of his seat and into the isle, pulling his hood over his eyes as he did so. He made his way out of the cheap, musty shuttle and onto an equally cheap landing pad, polluted by garbage left behind by the countless others who had taken this flight. Finally able to stand at his full height, Carthus stretched and yawned. Then he hoisted his small bag of belongings over his shoulder, and trudged out into the world of Corellia.

Carthus tried to keep his head down as best as possible as he pushed his way through the bustling crowds of Coronet. The Sayormi were rarely seen outside of the homeworld, and he didn't want anybody to cause a commotion because of how he looked. He still stood out mind you, at 6 foot 4 and heavily muscled, he towered above many people in the street. Luckily during the flight, his fellow passengers just seemed to assume that he was some form of Iridonian, and they didn't pry. His size and stature might have played a part in that though, you don't want to risk a fight inside of a metal tube traveling through hyperspace.

Below the darkness of his hood, all that could be seen by the common eye was a mouth pursed unhappily. Others would assume that he was angry, or at least disgruntled, or maybe he was just one of those irritable types. Either way, it was enough to worry the majority of the surrounding crowd, and everyone around him seemed to tense up as he approached.

His foot caught on a piece of warped flooring, and the big man stumbled forwards, causing a few people in front of him to disperse. As he regained his balance his hood flew up, revealing a an alien who looked more worried than angry. This man wasn't irritable, he was nervous. His eyes shot back and forth, studying all of the faces around him, and a bead of sweat had just begun to roll around his left horn. Everyone in the near vicinity had stopped for a brief moment until the large man had regained his footing so as not to run into him. As everyone turned to continue walking, Carthus mumbled "Sorry..." under his breath, hoping he hadn't drawn any attention just then.

During the commotion, silver metal tube had fallen from under Carthus' robe, and his Jedi weapon had clattered to the ground. Only a quick eye could have discerned the object's make though, because it only touched the ground once before it was ripped back up by the man's arm seemingly faster than the naked eye could comprehend. Carthus adjusted it back onto his belt as he walked and mumbled, "Must not've clipped it on right." under his breath. He hoped no one had noticed.

[Reisier]

Amaris definitely knew why she did the things she did. She had always been that way: direct, decisive. Few actions did the smuggler regret or come to see as a mistake. This was one of those rare occasions. It wasn’t necessarily the fact that she had been brought back into the planet that had started her in this life, nor was it the fact that she had done a favor for her old mentor and dear friend; void, she didn’t even regret the measly credits she had received from Jacobson’s client, one that didn’t begin to cover the dangers she had faced. No, it was the fact that when the Zelosian had returned to Coronet, expecting the older man to aid her in the transactions, he had conveniently decided to travel off world, leaving her to deal with the Whiphid bounty hunter on her lonesome.

Now, generally, Amaris would shrug off the inconvenience rather quickly, take on the duty gladly; however, the fact that she and the male had been arguing nonsensically for the past hour was definitely beginning to take a toll. Some people were just too difficult to get through. They were stubborn, set on their ways, unwilling to listen to anything that anyone else may say. It was difficult for them, perhaps, one could assume, understand something different from what they were accustomed to; then again, language was the most likely barrier that caused the Zelosian and the Whiphid to butt heads.

“Cre – dits” The smuggler drawled, fingers rubbed together to bring context to her otherwise foreign words. “I’ll give you, your merchandize, once I get my credits.” The exaggerated gestures fell flat; words met by sharp grunts and garbled growls. You got to be kidding me, not word of basic did the Whiphid share. In fact, as the hour had come and gone, the bounty hunter had grown increasingly frustrated with Amaris, his cries coming harsher, louder than before. Unknown words were barked in her direction, which she gladly responded with a sneer. “Yes, because saying it louder is really going to make me understand.” Amaris inhaled deeply –the air tasted of moist dirt, mingled with indisputable presence of salt. Suddenly the air, the city, and sky became single, creature, broken up by the colorful creatures that passed at their sides and the humming of speeders that hummed above their heads. “Look,” The smuggler started after a few seconds, thumbing her temples, “…how about we postpone the whole payment thing until Jacobson gets back?” Lest she wanted to find either of them shot by some preventable misunderstanding.

She pivoted in her heels, a steady breath released. “This is frakking ridiculous.” She uttered, hand pushing and pulling at the fiery strands of red. The male growled behind her, followed by a snap. Amaris glanced back in surprise, the first reaction she had received at the words. She furrowed her brow, eyes narrowing down considerably as she threw her hands carelessly in his direction. “Oh, great, that you understand!” Her phrase was short, precise, and to the point, there was no need for niceties or otherwise unneeded exchange. There was an awkward silence that made the smuggler shift uncomfortably on her feet. In a heartbeat, a shrug rolled off Amaris’ shoulders, an exasperated sigh following closely behind. “Just, tell Jacobson to call me.” Or rather, she’d call Jacobson herself. Either way, this transaction was done – the only outcome a headache that throbbed constantly across the Zelosian’s head.

There were no parting words exchanged between the curious duo, save a frustrated hand wave thrown by the bounty hunter in Amaris’ general direction. In fact, it almost seemed as if they just couldn’t wait to part their ways, for their meeting to becoming nothing more than a nasty occurrence in a difficult day. Steady steps carried the Zelosian from the back alley their exchange had taken place, and into a much livelier part of Coronet. Voices and the sounds of the city were much louder now, if slightly chaotic. But while most people would be taken aback from the Corellian city, Amaris found a strange form of comfort between its winding streets and growing buildings. It made the woman smile contently with each step she took, even if her skin still bubbled with frustration.

It was pure chance that verdant eyes caught sight of movement. Her eyes flickered to the side, meeting the fumbling shape of a tall figure. Usually, the little mishap would have gone disregarded by the woman as she went along her way, where it not by the flickering of silver. Eyes grew wide at the cylinder, a weapon she had come to know in a little mishap a few months ago.The familiar weapon made the Zelosian stare, emerald eyes locked on the hilt as it was retrieved into the depths of the robes. Amaris sighed, leather jacket pulled closer to her body, the surface cracked and scratched over the years she had own it. As she passed the figure’s side, the Zelosian is unsure what compelled her to call out to him. “You may want to keep that secured, hon.” She shrugged, voice low enough to prevent prying passersby from hearing their conversation, but loud enough for the hooded male to hear. “That there can wager big credits on the right circles – and, well, there’s always someone willing to give it a try.”

[Agent of Greystone]

Carthus sighed in relief. Despite his recent mishaps, nothing had become of them. If only he could be so lucky all of the time. Unfortunately, just as he was letting the waves of worry roll off of his shoulders, a small voice at his side made him jump in alarm.

“You may want to keep that secured, hon.”

With his right hand clutching his ever-pounding heart, Carthus had to slow a minute to catch his breath. His mind raced as he attempted to think up a reply for this verbal assassin. Unfortunately the faster his mind raced, the less he could actually attempt to translate into words, and all he could muster up was a small, "S-sorry." As he looked down at the person waking with him.

He froze at the mere sight of her. His legs kept on walking yes, but his brain felt like it had been lit on fire. He couldn't think, he was running on muscle memory as he strode. It was a girl, a pretty girl. Probably the prettiest girl he had ever seen. And she was talking to him. And her voice was pretty too. So were her clothes, and her eyes. Everything about her was attractive. Carthus felt like he was going to faint. Too much blood rushing to his head. He found that he was beginning to have to breath heavily for air.

“That there can wager big credits on the right circles – and, well, there’s always someone willing to give it a try.”

Wait, what? Carthus thought, his mind breaking through the wall it had created between it and the world. Is she talking about the-oh no she saw it! "O-oh you sss-s-saw it it it." What was that? Stop talking, wait, she talked to me, that means she wants a reply! "Well I-" SHUT UP! This is bad, this is veryveryvery bad. "I, uhm, well I-" Carthus began to tap his pointer fingers together, as beads of sweat began appearing over his brow.

He tore his eyes away from her. He had to. It was the only way he was going to be able to think. He had to think of something. Once his eyes left her, it was like a floodgate being opened in his mind. Everything came rushing back to him. Thoughts, words, memories, his name. With this information, Carthus was able to come back with the smartest and wittiest response he could think of.

"Okay. S-ssorry. Thank-thanks-thankyou."

After that, he began to quicken his pace, and his strides began to grow to put his full height into effect, evidently trying to create distance between the two of them.

[Reisier]

Amaris let her eyes linger a moment longer on the lone figure as it moved, eyebrows lifted in surprise. It was odd to see how the imposing male had reacted – where the Zelosian had expected to be met by hardened eyes and a stoic expression, she saw him jump and a quivering form that reminded Amaris more of a child than a man. Her thought was furthered encouraged by the figure’s potentially deep voice reduced to noises barely above a squeak. And while Amaris stared with raised eyebrows and surprise etched across every feature, a small snicker couldn’t be restrained. Honestly, the whole display was endearing – bordering on hilarious.

He stuttered, barely able to string words together to make coherent sentences. His face, or the visible areas of it, was taut, distressed by the situation Amaris had dragged him into. She tilted her head thoughtfully, a playful smile crossing her lips -- oh this was definitely fun. “Maybe I did see it, maybe I didn’t.” She quipped between steps, eyes tracing the figure on her side. It was difficult to know who exactly she was dealing with. There were no tell tale signs if he was a Jedi or not. Granted, the Republic’s Jedi would be, in her experience, less likely to be scared by someone like herself. In fact, her experience with Kira had convinced the Zelosian that Jedi could be almost rash, rushing into battles headfirst, foolish displays of heroics.

She paused, a faint frown crossing her brow before it disappeared, leaving no sign of its previous presence. The Zelosian let her gaze linger a moment figure on the lone figure as he moved across the street – desperate, it seemed to get away. To escape from something, namely, herself; except, it didn’t particularly work like he had hoped. Without hesitation, the woman closed behind him, fingers laced behind her head. Amaris moved quickly through the district, weaving through the crowds to keep a close distance on the male. It was mostly curiosity that encouraged her current decision to follow. Once she was satisfied, she would let him do as he pleased without further interference. After all, last time she got too involved with a Jedi, she had come to regret the decision.

Muscles tugged full lips into a distinct grin, shoulders rolled into a shrug, “Oh it was no problem at all,” Amaris added after a while, steps coming quicker to match his own. “…though, gotta ask if you’re feeling alright there, it almost looks like you’ve seen a Rancor.” She chuckled at her own words, an inquisitive brow lifted in his direction. With a heavy sigh, she shrugged her shoulders, “Thought your type were supposed to be…” Her voice trailed, eyes shifting to a fellow smuggler, nod thrown in his direction, “…tougher.”

[Agent of Greystone]

"Maybe I did see it, maybe I didn’t.”

Oh joy, now she was speaking in riddles. Anxiety rolled over him like a blanket as the small woman's form appeared under his hood again. Still smiling pleasantly, staring up at him with those big shiny eyes. She was studying him, kind of like how a sabercat studies it's prey before it pounces. Her eyes flicked back and forth, taking in every bit of him she could see, every facial expression, every movement of his muscles, Cathus felt himself blushing as she did so, forcing him to break eye contact.

"Oh it was no problem at all..."

Oh no, she was talking again. She evidently found Carthus to be very interesting. He barely took in any of what she was saying. As if she was speaking to him while his head was submerged in water, all he saw was her mouth moving and sounds coming out. Desperately he tried to escape. Unfortunately, every time he took a step to one side she mirrored him, stepping in his path so that he couldn't continue without running into her, still staring up at him and talking as she did so.

Carthus pursed his lips, his eyebrows furrowed, and made a whimpering noise, like a dog might make if he's not let out of the house to go pee. Why won't she just leave me be? Carthus thought, feeling his ears beginning to burn. I just want to go on my way and never think of this day again. Aw it's no good, I'm going to actually have to converse with her. The Sayormi felt an unpleasant sensation in his gut, as if he had just been told he had a terminal disease.

"Thought your type were supposed to be…tougher."

Oh. That last line killed him. Outwardly, it would appear as if Carthus was shriveling up, shrinking back. In Carthus' mind, the girl had grown to a colossal size, blotting out the sun, keeping him from leaving. "T-tougher? Wait. Ww-what, me-e? T-tough? W-wha, no I-" At this point Carthus' mouth was improvising, while his brain stormed desperately for any idea of how to escape this mess.

As a last-ditch effort, Carthus waved his hand out in front of her face, mumbling: "You w-want to leave, there's somewhere elssse you have t-to be." He had never done a mind trick before, someone else had always done the mind tricks, and his already disastrously underdeveloped powers of the mind, made the effort laughable compared to even a padawan. Taking a chance, the large man made an effort to move around her and get away.

[Reisier]

The male was trying so hard – so desperately hard – to find solace in this world. To escape his dubious pursuer, to lose her in the busy streets. But no matter how he increased his speed, or how he ignored the woman’s questions, she wouldn’t desist. All of the desperate attempts to free himself from the companion he had unwillingly acquired fell short. Then again, it probably didn’t help that Amaris Sataj found herself enjoying the situation.

It was ridiculously sad how amusing this exchange seemed to the Zelosian – from his jittery demeanor, to the odd decibels his voice was raised to, to even the way he seemed to avoid her, his actions just kept beckoning her attention again and again. From the way he talked, to how his voice was raised to higher decibels, to even how he avoided all eye contact, it was amusing. Amaris grinned slightly, following close behind, her footstep only faltering when the male came to a stop. Part of her was unsure how to quite react – she hadn’t been expecting him to stop any time soon. She watched for a couple of seconds, arms crossed over her arms, as he began to speak.

"You w-want to leave, there's somewhere elssse you have t-to be."

“Seriously?” Whatever he was trying to do – well, it just wasn’t working. Sure, she had heard Jedi had the ability to persuade people, but never before had she experienced it; actually, she still hadn’t experienced it. Amaris quirked her eyebrow, head tilted slightly back, an uncertain look stretched across her features. The Zelosian eyed him carefully, as if unsure – maybe he wasn’t a Jedi like she had originally thought. Perhaps, he had just randomly stumbled upon the lightsaber some place or another and decided to take it along for the ride.

“Alright. I’ll humor you.” The Zelosian shrugged, a deep breath captured in her lungs. The woman stood in silence for a second, straightening herself out. Her throat was cleared in a single cough, before verdant eyes grew increasingly wide. “I want to leave.” Amaris voice drawled, an absentminded sound that rolled freely from her lips. “There’s somewhere else I want to be.” The thoughtless words continued, mimicking the male’s words. “Better?” She asked, head tilted back in his direction.

Shoulders rolled into a diminutive shrug; however, the carelessness she had demonstrated at first ceased. Green eyes narrowed slightly, as if in thought. “But, like I said, keep your belongings close,” Her voice was soft, a breath almost, as if trying to keep curious onlookers from eavesdropping on the two. “…lots of people with sticky fingers running about.” Well, it was true to a certain extent. While Corellia had its fair amount of muggings and pick pocketing, it wasn’t quite the infestation that Amaris made it seem. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The streets could be quite pleasant; safe even, if one knew the areas to avoid. But thieves had a knack for eying out easy pickings, and as far as the smuggler was concern, the male was one. Heck, the only way he could make it even more obvious was if he wore a neon sign over his head.

[Agent of Greystone]

Something made Carthus stop when the young woman voiced her surprise at his attempt at the Force. It obviously hadn't worked as she turned to face him again. He whimpered again, preparing himself as well as he could for the inevitable second assault of honeyed words from her bladed tongue. Except now it seemed the girl had decided to humor his attempts. She repeated the line back to him as if she had really been mind-tricked.

“I want to leave. There’s somewhere else I want to be.”

Oooh that hurt... Then she looked up at him and shrugged. "Th-thanks that helped." He replied, as close to sarcastic as his fragile courage would allow. After that she looked a bit more serious and, pointing to his lightsaber hidden behind his cloak, she whispered to him, “But, like I said, keep your belongings close,lots of people with sticky fingers running about.” She narrowed her eyes, looking about as if there were muggers and thieves all around them, listening in, just waiting to strike.

Carthus visibly gulped, and his hand instinctively reached behind his back to feel for his Heartstrikerts and make sure they were still available. Normally, he wouldn't be afraid of normal street scum, but there was a girl talking to him so he was already terrified, and this was just adding fuel onto the fire.Is it really so dangerous around here? He thought to himself. I thought the core worlds were supposed to be more civil. He looked down at the strange girl in front of him. She could be serious, but she could just be messing with me.

Carthus was confident enough in his combat abilities. As far as he knew, he was one of the foremost practitioners of Gand martial arts in the known galaxy, and he was a trained Jedi to boot, and he was sure he could defend himself against mere pickpockets. Resting his hands on his hips in a somewhat heroic pose, Carthus' formerly worried face became pouty. "I'd like to s-see thieves try t-to take my s-my sword. And I c-could laugh-gh off a mm-mugger in a hear-heartbeat"

Then, realizing how silly he must look, he shrunk right back down, and returned to prodding his forefingers together while he stared down at the floor, only very briefly meeting Amaris' eyes. "I would-I would ppprefer it if they di-didn't try in the ff-first place though." He muttered.