Anything That Can Go Wrong (Faers)

[Poludnica]

For a long moment Yu watched the girl’s face that turned vivid crimson. That was a good sign though, it meant her heart still worked. The young soldier moved away from the sudden burst of sea water mixed with saliva. A soft half smile graced his lips at the sight. Shanti was pretty even when dripping wet with hair entangled in one, ungraceful mass. Especially when her eyes looked more scared than cheeky with bashful expression on nicely cut features.

”No worries.” Yu said, previous anger and resentment seemingly gone
, replaced by this instinctive care most men faced seeing an attractive woman in pain. Very delicately the near-human plucked a stark white collar from the girl’s hair, watching not to pull the moist curls that now were almost as dark as his own. ”Yeah, for now.” Sivan admitted with a nod, his warm, brown eyes looking up but Toydarians were gone. There was still a problem of leaving the planet but chartering a flight shouldn’t be this difficult.
For those that had money of course.

”Are you alright?” The soldier asked, suddenly waking up from the odd enchantment Shanti had caused. His gaze rested on the fiery headed girl - they said Firrerreo’s hair were the most beautiful with their two tone shin, like his father’s crimson, black but when Sivan looked at unruly curls that began to form under pressure of sea water...He had to admit humans could have similarly exotic appeal.

The young woman’s embarrassment coaxed a chuckle from Sivan who pulled himself back before offering his hand to Shanti. ”I am willing to forget about it.” Yu said, seeing genuine contrition in her features. He wasn’t someone to hold grudge for long, especially not toward someone so cute whose pale cheeks so easily flushed adorably. The girl try to explain herself but Yu tried to hush her with soft shhh. ”We can talk later, Toydarians are still near by.” Sivan said, sparing Shanti any further humiliation. Maybe someone more cruel would use it for vindictive abuse but Yu was always a gentle soul even if sometimes brash and callous.

”We need to get out of this planet.” He swiftly changed topic, looking over his wet blaster. Hopefully the clip didn’t get any water or the thing would be useless which wasn’t the most desirable occurrence now. Sivan shook the weapon next to his ear, trying to hear if salty liquid managed to get inside. ”I need to dry my blaster.” He added with thoughtful expression. Maybe they should find a place in a hotel?

They...Maybe Shanti preferred to go her own way. Sivan looked down to the girl, looking for flickers of those fiery resentment from before, expecting the change in her not to last - as pleasant as it was, somehow Yu had learned to avoid attachments. Women were capricious creatures, he knew it first hand.

[Faeruy]

His gaze was softer than she imagined it could be towards her; after everything that had happened, she didn't expect him to actually be nice to her. But he was sweet, and almost uncomfortably so. The last person who had been that sweet to her was...

It was someone she eventually had to kill. Shanti didn't feel a lot of remorse about killing her first lover, but she felt uncomfortable with the deja vu that flickered through her mind. Not that this was similar - except that Golden Boy was young and earnest, despite his involvement in a not-entirely-lawful trade.

But no, it wasn't the same thing at all. Still, Shanti would rather not have to kill him if she didn't have to. "I'm fine. Really." Fine except for the fact that she had nearly drowned, and had just finished puking up a lungful of water. But getting out of there was the more important thing. She tried to stand; shakily and using Sivan for support. "You're right though. Need... need to get out of here. Got a plan for where? Back to the ship? Or do you think the Toydarians have it now? 'Fraid I don't know this planet particularly well. Ocean, docks, and more ocean." Shanti shrugged. That, above everything else, was a good enough reason for sticking with Sivan. Splitting up might confuse the Toydarians, but given her lack of knowledge, chances were good she'd walk right into more trouble on her own.

A partnership of convenience. That was how it started with Kylar too. A part of Shanti had a sudden foreboding. She would have to tread carefully with Goldy, if only for her own sake. She realized she was still holding onto his shoulder for support. She quickly let go, and looked past him, towards the direction they came from. The sooner they got offplanet, and their own separate ways, the better. But with the Toydarians in search of them, how long would it be before they could leave safely?

[Poludnica]

”I am not sure you look fine...” He sighed but didn't protest when the young woman tried to stand. Yu reached to help her, pulling the girl up. It surprised him though she didn't know how to swim, then again not everyone got to be raised among lakes of Ruan. The near-human shuffled his feet awkwardly, trying to escape his gaze. Shanti looked so vulnerable Sivan felt somehow uneasy – his inner knight easily responding to the silent call of a damsel in distress. Something Yu knew wasn't overly appropriate and too often led to troubles as most of modern women, especially those that surrounded him, didn't want to be saved.

But he made no move to shrug the red haired girl off his shoulder, even more – Sivan moved his other hand to the girls waist, giving as much support as possible. This sudden closeness the near-human was so painfully aware of caused his cheeks to darkened, making golden hue much more vivid. Yu licked his dry lips and looked around, trying to figure out what to do next.

”I have a hotel room booked one of cantinas.” Sivan said, shrugging at the haste with which Shanti moved away. His eyes locked with hers for a brief moment and Yu didn't notice the previous snarkiness nor nasty attitude. Maybe they were past it now and he had earned some form of respect due to unwritten law of reciprocity. ”I didn't tell my former crew...” Yu hesitated when realized he had killed two of who he had considered friends with cold blood. True, they betrayed but it suddenly became disturbing how there was not a flinch of hesitation in his reactions.

The half-Firrerreo let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. Wet, brown hair curled above his forehead, giving an impression of some scared Ryloth llama. ”I guess we can stay there until figuring out how to get off the planet.” He finished, not sharing his doubts with Shanti. Seeing how the girl had stabbed the Toydarian, she was the last person to understand remorse.

Slowly, with hanged shoulders the soldier began to walk to find a way out of the docks and into the city. He briefly thought if he was human, others wouldn't betray him and just accept as a partner in business instead of this treacherous screw up. ”Come on.” Yu nodded at the girl, his gaze worn and tired, adding him at least a decade.

[Faeruy]

"A room sounds good. And food." Exhaustion had swept over Shanti in a rush; nearly drowning took a lot out of a person, and she suddenly regretted stepping away from Sivan's support. A cantina would be fantastic. The redhead had every intention of collapsing on the bed. Goldie could take the floor. That's what Corellian dirtfarmers did, wasn't it? "And good thing you didn't tell them, we might have a nasty surprise when we get there and Toydarian blood doesn't come out of bedsheets easily." Her grin widened at the joke, but left it to him to figure out the source of her information.

She followed Sivan down the docks, enjoying the sight despite herself. He was her type really; a young, good-looking boy. Though she generally preferred those who weren't so serious. Goldie was too sharp by half, and far too innocent. A goody-goody, almost. She wondered how someone like him started hunting bounties. Something just didn't seem to fit.

"Y'know..." She said casually as she walked down the docked. "Getting off this planet shouldn't be that hard really. All we need to do is steal a ship. Could even steal yours back if you wanted; though that would be harder. There's probably guards and stuff around there. But there's lots of unattended ships, and it wouldn't take me but a nanosec to slice into the controls." She shrugged nonchalantly. That was about all she actually had to offer; any strategy beyond hacking was out of her forte. Shanti often planned jobs, but she mostly stuck to things that had worked for her in the past. Getting chased by a flock of Toydarians was not something she encountered before.

Golden Boy seemed to be getting tired. And older, somehow. It was weird. Shanti realized she didn't really know much about Golden boy, other than he was from Corelli, and his name was Sivan. Not that she cared very much, but there wasn't much scenery on an ocean planet. "Tell me something about yourself, Goldie. I'm bored."

[Poludnica]

"And of course I am paying for everything..." The young soldier sighed with resignation, though not really protesting. He felt burning weariness in his muscles and terrible aftertaste from salty, algae filled water. Stink of fish coming from his clothes didn't help much in making the situation bearable. Yu looked at Shanti and smiled faintly, thought not really at the poor attempt for a joke. The girl looked cute and vulnerable with wet, auburn hair and soaking suit that clung to her body. The part Firrerreo swallowed through surprisingly dry throat and coughed uneasily. "There is no kind of blood that does." The near-human answered lamely, suddenly losing all wit mother nature had given him.

Why did it always happen around beautiful women?

The docks began to fill with an evening light and large, coral lanterns overhead began to drip with ghostly light. Sivan inhaled deeply, almost choking at humid air. "By the Force, this planet stinks." He complained, wiping water mixed with sweat off his golden streaked skin. "Yeah? And who will pilot it? You?" Yu snorted. He had been a spec ops sniper, not a pilot in any shape nor form. His father had tried to teach his son a bit but the former Jedi had given up after few weeks hoping Yu still had six hundred years to learn the trade. Sivan had lingering feeling his father actually thought he would need more than thousand.

The near-human absentmindedly trailed his hand along chocolate hair that hid flickers of blue in a proper light. Yu discovered it was all sticky with grains of sand and filth embedded between loose curls. With disgusted expression the soldier wiped his hand in wet pants, only dirtying them further. Fortunately Shanti helped to forget about all the moist stink around with a question Yu didn't expect. "What do you want to know?" Sivan shrugged indifferently. "I am not all this interesting." The soldier added quickly, looking away to hide a boyish blush that painted his cheeks deeper shade of gold. He kicked what resembled a large oyster that crawled of the water, accidentally hitting one of many vendors that owned a stall in the docks. Angry curses in gurgling docks began to follow them coaxing a heavy sigh from Yu.

[Faeruy]

Shanti was starting to enjoy herself. Golden Boy suddenly didn't seem as self-assured as he did earlier; given her earlier mishaps and the need for rescuing, she had felt some slight disadvantage in their relationship. She wasn't sure the cause of his insecurity, but the redhead was prepared to take full advantage of it.

"Well... maybe it wasn't blood. Could always have been something else." She smiled coyly. At this point she was just making things up, but Shanti always found it better to keep people guessing. Made things much more interesting. "Wait a second, you don't know how to pilot? Oh... we're farkled then aren't we?" She was certainly no pilot. She could break into a ship, but flying it? That was a whole different kettle of fish.

She had clearly been on this planet for far too long. Everything reminded her of fish.

She watched the arc of the oyster shell as it curved up into the evening air, catching the light of the lamps on it before landing on one surly-looking merchant. He started yelling after them; Shanti's only response was an impolite gesture indicating where he could take his complaints. The vendor didn't chase after them; clearly he was more afraid of people trying to steal his worthless junk, but his cries followed them down the docks.

"What I do want to know? Oh... I don't know... how about anything? Like the fact that you sound like a Corellian but don't look like any Corellian I've ever seen. Or the fact that your after my bounty, but you don't act like any bounty hunter I've ever run into. So what gives? And how did you learn to shoot like that Goldie?" She snorted exasperatedly. She had just been trying to make conversation. Did she have to do all of the work?

They seemed to be coming up on a 'street', if one could call it that, filled with cantinas and rest stops, and... other places. Likely if they were staying anywhere, it would be in this area. Shanti wondered which one. Some of them looked cheap, old, and decrepit. Not that she was going to complain; beggars couldn't be choosers, after all. But Shanti could always hope for something fancier.

[Poludnica]

The only thing Yu could do was to helplessly spread his arms. ”I am a sniper, not a pilot.” He proclaimed, a bit too defensively. A tired sigh escaped him and the near-human shook his head. ”We can look for some transport and just pay for it.” Sivan commented. A smirk exposing his tips of the long canines blossomed on his lips a moment later. ”Well...At least I can.” The part Firrerreo added, vaguely stating he didn't really forget the girl's antics and there would be no naive freebies this time around. Maybe. Yu still couldn't shake off a strange charm the ginger girl had on him. It was something very difficult to fight when he watched her nose wrinkling in adorable manner or a cheeky smile spreading on full lips.

The young soldier tried to crush the annoying flutter but it would come back, ever so stronger. To the point he began to regret the reckless words from before. Yu looked away, chuckling at the rude manner Shanti dealt with the obnoxious merchant. The near-human wondered if she had grown up in slums of some Rim world. No polite girl from the Core would let herself for such behavior...Well, maybe a slum born one.

As the rapid fire of intruding question started, Yu began to slouch slightly deciding it would be better to start from the most uncomfortable topic. ”My mother was Corellian. I spent most of my life on her homeworld.” He shrugged, painfully aware this shallow answer only glazed over the surface of the complex issue of his parentage. Yu didn't like when people reminded him Corellia was largely human world with only furry Dralls adding to the mix. It immediately put Sivan apart from them in a manner the soldier didn't like. ”I wasn't always a bounty hunter.” He added, looking at the girl next to him. Careful to read any subtle hints of her mood. ”Military taught me how to shoot. I was a sniper.” The half-Firrerro shrugged, trying to sound casual. Technically he was still a military man but it would be a matter of time before the final discharge order.

”What about you?Aren't you a bit...young for a bounty hunter.” He asked, stopping to look around before taking a turn toward a familiar, fish reeking hotel.

[Faeruy]

So neither of them were pilots. They were totally screwed then. Or at least she was. He had money. Maybe she could convince him to help her out though; after all, she had the proof that their bounty was dead. And she was cute. That had to count for something, right? Of course, she could always keep the proof for herself and sneak onto another ship. Perhaps even the one that Goldie paid passage for. Wouldn't he surprised to get into his cabin only to find her already there in his bed.

Now why, exactly, did her mind go there? Shanti thought back to how long it had been since she'd last had any fun. It had been a couple of weeks at least. And he wasn't bad looking. At least, he was the best looking thing around here. Which really wasn't saying a lot; after all, she'd mostly only seen Ishi Tib and Toydarians around today. Not the most attractive species in the galaxy. Still, he hadn't tried to take advantage of her, which was always nice, and actually rather rare. It was always a good day when she didn't have to pull out her knife to prove she wasn't for sale.

She did note that he only mentioned his mother from being from Corellia. That meant his father probably wasn't. Shanti tried to remember if she'd seen another alien that could look like him. Probably, but she'd seen a lot of people, and she was never very good in figuring out who was from where, or what they were called. She was very aware that by not mentioning the other half of his parentage he was probably indicating that he didn't want to talk about it. Which meant, of course, that she was going to ask about it. Once he finished his story, anyway. Interesting to hear that he was a military sniper. No wonder he was such a good shot. Also explained why he seemed to be a very bad bounty hunter.

Not that she was one to talk.

"I could say the same of you. What are you? Sixteen? And you're former military? For what? An army made of younglings?" Shanti was enjoying teasing him. It was just far too easy. "As for me, I'm a Nar Shaddaa girl. I've been more or less working for Hutts since I was a kid. Bounty Hunting just seems to be a good way to make money in a way that isn't completely illegal." It did skirt the line, but Shanti wasn't overly concerned about that. She didn't feel the need to mention that her only successful bounties thus far were a result of snaking them from other hunters. "I am just kind of starting out though." She blushed a little at the admission. She could try and bluff, but he'd saved her hide too many times for her to pretend she was particularly skilled. "I'm good with tech. But still learning everything else I guess. But I'll get better. And I'm gonna be rich. Richer than my poodoo parentals. Speaking of parentals, I notice you didn't mention your dad. Is that why you're gold, Goldie? Because of dear old daddykins?" Shanti grinned slyly.

They had stopped. At first she didn't notice the smell of fish, because everything on the planet smelled of fish. But this was stronger. And it was emanating from a building that was shabby to the extreme. Shanti's face fell. "Oh frell, please don't tell me that we're staying here..."

[Poludnica]

The girl just wouldn't let go. He honestly believed it was her plot to piss him off. Yu shook his head, eying the red headed girl angrily. ”What? No!” The near-human protested. The young soldier didn't even know what bit him in Shanti's reckless comment. The fact he didn't look like a respectable veteran that had almost died fighting for the Republic? It was silly and Sivan knew it but something still bothered him. ”I am twenty four and for the record, I was a spec ops sharpshooter.” Yu proclaimed, a bit of boyish gloating seeped into his expression and words only then realizing the teasing, thoughtless statement to get information out of him.

And he fed into it like a hungry, overstuffed llama.

Angry now with himself, the half-Firrerreo's features grew cold and annoyed with one, long detached frown forming between his eyebrows. ”Nar Shaddaa, that explains.” Yu snorted with a patronizing tone, immediately regretting it. What was with this girl she made him swayed between guilt and anger? To hold back any more bitter retort, he didn't comment on her starting out in the business. It was even more obvious than the slum, criminal child part.

They were nearing the hotel now, it's ugly, coral facade already looming over the street. Everything on this planet looked like a pilefish or something equally disgusting. Yu wanted to be out of this place, away from the confusing human girls and her nagging questions. Starting from his mother it seemed all baseline women just lived to piss him off.

”While getting rich don't forget about those six hundreds creds you owe me.” Sivan commented skeptically, under all this irritation feeling sorry for the girl. It was not her fault she had been born poor and had to fight for ever scrape of food. His mother was rather well off being a scientist but it didn't mean his was any better all things considered. Especially now when he had become a rather unwanted, embarrassing child and a black sheep.

She was trying to steal from you... He chided himself for feeling any shreds of sympathy toward the little liar. But then suddenly the father figure appeared in the picture which helped Yu not to feel sorry. Though he still answered it, knowing fully well the question would come back one way or another.

Unless he dumped her there and now which didn't seem realistic at this point. ”My father is a Firrerreo, ok? Is there anything else you want to know about my parents?” Sivan asked with a sigh, really counting on her not asking what in the Force was a Firrerreo. He felt alien enough as it was. Thankfully they reached the hotel and with a bit of satisfaction Yu noticed Shanti's arrogant mask to drop.

”What? A princess of Nar Shaddaa isn't used to such pedestrian establishments?” Yu snickered and resumed his walk, pushing the doors to the lobby open. Reek of fish hit his nostrils but he soldiered himself up and put on a brave face of a veteran who spent the entire life surrounded by such fragrant aromas.

[Faeruy]

Firrerro. Shanti tried to picture it in her head, and failed. But she supposed he was telling the truth at least. It sounded too like he didn't want to talk about it still. On the one hand, that made her rather curious, but given his reticence on the subject thus far, she decided that she wasn't nearly interested enough to pursue it. Maybe later, when she was drunk.

For she intended to get very drunk indeed, on the boy's credit line. "What makes you think I'm actually interested in your parents? I was just making conversation until we got to a house of booze." She said cheerfully, though doing so meant she tasted fish on her breath. She couldn't get off this planet soon enough."And the way I see it, those six hundred credits were a gift. I doubt you would still be alive if it wasn't for me." Really, nothing could be farther from the truth, but it suited the redhead to think she was actually helpful to him. It wasn't likely to endear her to him, but that didn't matter very much either. Even if she was the richest women in the galaxy, chances were good that Sivan was never getting his six hundred credits back.

She snorted as he opened the door. "I'm no princess; I just ain't used to the smell of rotting fish everywhere. I don't usually get this close to.... nature..." She stepped inside, and was somewhat relieved; not by the smell, but by the familiarity of the surroundings. Full of a wide variety of aliens, crowded, noisy, and there, all the way on the other side of the room, was the bar.

She grabbed Sivan's wrist. "Come on!" She yelled over the noise, and dragged him towards the bar, where she smiled a charming smile at the Ishi Tib bartender. He didn't look quite as amused, but Shanti had a hard time telling what they were thinking anyway. "Two glasses of something blue. Make sure it doesn't taste like fish. Oh, and he's paying." She jerked her thumb towards Golden Boy. The bartender made up two drinks, taking longer than Shanti would have liked, but at least the glasses were cold when she received them. They also passed the sniff test; strong and sweet. She handed one to Sivan.

"Cheers. To not getting killed by flying gasbags." She grinned. "And here's to a night that's more entertaining than this morning."

[Poludnica]

The young soldier couldn't really decide if what Shanti said offended him in a way. It was him though who sarcastically put a clear border this topic wasn't appreciated so he had no right to be disappointed. Feeling strangely annoyed, Yu turned his gaze away, seemingly looking for the fishy hotel that stood proudly right in front of them. The near-human chewed on his lips thoughtfully, before answering in the most indifferent manner he mustered. ”Yeah...” The subject of his parentage became even more obviously an issue – a part of him was truly amazed in how detached manner Shanti spoke about her piss poor parents. Maybe they kicked her out of their home and the poor girl had to now fend for herself. ”Wait...What booze?” Sivan asked, blinking in surprise. Not that the near-human had anything against drinking but he could have guessed by now who would be paying for them.

”A gift? What?” Yu just shook his head, remembering he actually didn't want a refund this badly. Only the saving life part didn't sit well with him. ”Aren't you a life saver?” He said sheepishly, not really having strength anymore to argue. Sivan generally had troubles when it came to arguing with women – the imminence amount of guilt was bearable only for so long. ”Next time when trying to save me don't try to betray like a coward.” Yu added with a crooked smile, flashing his elongated canines. It added unintentional predatory streak to his expression, being mindful of it and self-conscious, Sivan forced the grin to fade.

Human never reacted well to this.

”Do you even know what nature is?” Yu asked, though there wasn't snippy edge to his words. He was actually genuinely curious – the soldier had been raised in a strange place created but an odd mashup of technology and nature on an agriculture world. Corellia had beautiful landscapes as well but Nar Shaddaa seemed like a filthy, run down toxic dumpster. A hollow moon had nothing to offer aside from always opened bars.

The inside of the place was buzzing. The bar that led to the hotel was packed with various aliens, which immediately made Yu feel better. Aside from Shanti he might have been the most human looking one in the joint. Though first thing he did was to make sure there were no Toydarians around, but before Sivan would come to this conclusion something pulled him toward the bar. He stumbled, quickly regaining balance though not without pushing one of the fishmen. A wave of gurgling noises chased them until they reached the disgustingly moist counter.

Trying to avoid touching the nasty surface, Yu just nodded when a bartender looked at him with a blank stare. Then in surprisingly clear basic the creature gurgled. ”Human shething, everything here tastes like fish. Take it or leave it.” He (or she) – Yu wasn't sure, turned to Shanti its ugly maw before pushing two drinks toward them. They smelled like spoiled algea which caused Sivan to move away from it a bit.

”Are you sure...you want to drink it..?” The half-Firrerreo asked, cautiously looking over the aquamarine liquid, still worrying about the Toydarians. If they were mindlessly drunk and the flying things appeared, that wouldn't end well. Sivan thought couldn't stop a snort when Shanti mentioned gasbags. Maybe getting hammered unconscious wasn't such a bad idea, he could even forgot she had billed him in less than polite manner.

After a moment of hesitation, the near-human grabbed the drink and raised it. It felt pleasently cold, maybe he could even forget about the fishy taste. Maybe after ten of those it would start to taste good. Maybe...

[Faeruy]

Shanti was far too busy following her own wont to notice Sivan smiling, or the quickness with which it faded. She was too concerned over other matters; booze that smelled like fish, a cantina that smelled like fish, and the fact that she was nowhere near drunk enough to deal with either scenario.

"Look froggy, you can go fry on a desert planet for all I care. He's gonna give you money, you're going to give us booze, and I don't want to hear you talk anymore, okay?" She groused at the bartender, and sat down a overly wet barstool. She was so glad she was dressed for hunting, and therefore wearing pants. She turned resolutely away from the bartender and toward Sivan. "Sure I know what nature is. Nature happens in places where there's no cities or civilizations. Pretty boring stuff if you ask me; give me the noise and people and cities anytime. It's better than fish. Which, yes. I have every intention of drinking this." She examined the blue glass, and couldn't help her nose wrinkling at the smell. It wasn't her preference; the redhead liked her drinks sweet. But she'd shoot just about anything. And if she shot enough of these things, she might even stop tasting it.

Bracing herself for the inevitable protest her taste buds would make, she took a deep breath and knocked back the glass of blue liquid with a practiced hand. She almost couldn't taste the odd, salty, planty, fishiness. Almost. The liquor burned down her throat and settled warmly in her stomach. Hopefully it would work fast. She grinned at Golden Boy. "Not bad. Not bad at all." She lied. "Y'know, we should buy a round for the Toydarians. It might actually kill them and solve all of our problems." She signaled to the bartender to bring another round for the both of them, and this time the blue liquid slid down her throat faster than the first.

While she was talking to him, she was noticing a few things about her current companion. Namely that while he looked young, there was something very mature about his eyes. And she could almost swear there was a sparkle to the golden skin. Of course, that could have just been sweat or condensed moisture. But whatever it was, she rather liked it. "You're cute, you know that? Wanna buy me another drink?"

[Poludnica]

The young soldier had pissed off plenty of bartenders but Sivan recognized the level of annoyance he could conjure meant nothing in comparison to Shanti's skill. The girl somehow managed to be terribly obnoxious with all the nicknames and casual arrogance. Yu shook his head and looked at the fishman with a knowing stare. The alien didn't say a word instead place few shots of aquamarine liquid in front of them, though not before demanding twice the price the drinks were actually worth. ”I had not a single doubt.” The near-human sighed and rubbed his neck and seeing the girl already downing her drink, Yu closed his eyes and in a show of reckless bravery drank the content in one, rapid gulp. ”Fuuu...” The soldier coughed violently, trying to get rid of the terribly fishy taste that burned like a smoldering lava. Tears pooled in his eyes, immediately wiped away by additional membranes the nature had gifted him.

”That was terrible.” Sivan commented, pressing a back of his arm to the lips in attempt of holding back a wave of nausea. He finally inhaled deeply before deciding a much younger girl had handled her drink much better. Now, that was embarrassing. Already feeling slight lightheadedness induced by the vile drink, Sivan leaned on the counter slightly more relaxed. Maybe even enough to go for another round. ”I think it can kills us as well.” Yu complained, which didn't stop him from taking the next drink. His pride wouldn't let for him to be out drank by a teenager. A part of him thought wondered if he wasn't one himself – barely feeling like a proper adult among fellow soldiers.

As he raised his hand to quickly down another shot, Shanti once more proved to be anything but predictable. For a long moment Yu stared at her, not really sure how to respond to this sudden confession. Sivan didn't really doubt his overall attractiveness, many women liked the exotic appeal of his qualities but none of them had stated it so openly and shamelessly. ”You're not bad yourself.” Yu smiled cheekily, his previous embarrassment and caution slowly disappearing. Drink after drink the social awkwardness was slowly replaced by typical easiness Sivan presented when not faced with an attractive woman.

Alcohol was a miraculous invention.

”What do you want to do about that?” Yu asked, going now for the third fishy drink, ignoring the obvious attempt to flatter him into buying more drinks. It was pretty obvious even without it who was paying for everything but maybe he could get something out of it. Sivan had never been a man that took advantage of poor women but his strict moral code suffered repeated abuse from the cruel, unjust life which took him a step closer toward breaking it. Becoming a bounty hunter was just one step in this long way that crushed all ideals.

[Faeruy]

"Sure it might kill us, that's what makes it fun!" Shanti grinned as she downed her second drink. Normally she was not in favor of experimental alcohols, but when she didn't have a choice, and her drinking companion appeared to be a much bigger lightweight than her, Shanti would cheerfully down anything that got her properly intoxicated. Watching his eyes water and his cheeks go silver was hysterically funny to the Nar Shaddaa girl who was used to watching those who willingly drank stuff that would kill a Borcatu. She wondered how long it would take her to drink him under the table.

Probably not long. She was feeling buzzy after the second drink, but chances were, he was feeling much worse. Or better. Sivan's inhibitions seemed to drop, along with the tightwad goody-two-shoes thing he had going on. He appeared to be spurred on by her compliment as well; the not-quite-human turned into a cantina sleaze before her very eyes. Although not a well practiced one; that was for sure. His attempt at suaveness were so awkward that Shanti could only giggle mirthfully, and she couldn't resist teasing the boy. Deflating egos was so much fun.

"What makes you think I want to do anything about it?" She tilted her head curiously as she took the third drink from his hand. "You're cute. That's just a fact. It just so happens that I don't go for cute. Not my style." It was mostly a lie. Shanti often went for the 'cute' boys. When she was drunk and thoughts of Kylar popped into her head. Which was far more often than she wished. "Y'see, I like my men rough and weird. Like the captain you paid off. If it wasn't for the fact that he was trying to kill me; totally would do him. Cheers." She said, and downed her third shot.

Her taste buds had given up in protest over the nastiness that was burning it's way down her gullet. It didn't make the stuff taste any better, but by now she didn't care. She was also starting to feel a little bit bad about her what she said to Sivan; he'd more than put up with her at this point. What was that saying; the truth in the cups? Or maybe something about the fish booze was affecting her alcohol, and for a moment he looked like Kylar. "Oh frell it." Shanti muttered, and threw her arms about Sivan's neck and kissed him hard on the mouth. Everything started to hum.

As she kissed him, she realized that the hum wasn't just her imagination. There was a breeze coming from the open doorway, and on the threshold, blocking the exit, was a pack of four Toydarians.

"Oh FRELL!"

[Poludnica]

Receiving giggles on what suppose to be a suave charm did bring Yu's mood down. Not that he wasn't new to the experience. Most of his adult interactions with women came from being either too drunk to remember or happened by accident. ”Shame he is dead now.” Sivan snorted, his stiff and snarky attitude immediately returning. ”I could arrange for blind date.” He finished before downing another drink. It didn't really make him feel better, on the contrary. The near-human felt sick, his quickly regenerating organism identifying the vile poison and forcing it all out. The male pressed a back of his hand to his lips and shook his head. ”I think I am done.” Yu decided, already waiting for snippy comment from the girl. Maybe it was a way of goading her as it did hurt his pride to be marked as almost girly cute. Now Sivan wanted nothing more but some peace.

”Actually...” The half-Firrerreo said when a particularly unsavory curse ripped off Shanti lips. Mildly surprised, the soldier raised his gaze up only to have his bemusement turned into shock when the girl pulled him by neck and kissed. Thankfully, sparing at least some awkwardness, Yu's body reacted faster than the feverish mind and he reciprocated, wrapping his arms around Shanti's waist, pressing her meager frame to his. A rush of arousal ran through Yu's body, awaking all the senses dulled by fishy booze. And at the moment Sivan decided it could be a good end to a terrible day, the universe played the worst kind of joke on him once more.

Toydarians.

The near-human cursed in Corellian and pushed Shanti away. His hand closed on the blaster pistol just in time to shoot and kill one of the flying aliens that pointed at them. ”Run!” Yu yelled to Shanti and ducked under the counter where the bartender was flailing and gurgling. ”I will keep them busy!” Sivan crouched behind the bar and took a mirror out of the jacket's pocket.

I can do it... There were only three left and it wasn't easy to kill a part Firrerreo. The Sith didn't do it, so wouldn't a few flying scums. Calmed a bit but the rapid inner dialogue, Yu mustered his courage and engaged the closest foe. The chaos erupted, patrons and staff alike swarming at the exit and maybe only this had saved Sivan's skin as two Toydarians were knocked on the floor – wings proving useless in a tight, crowded space.

[Faeruy]

He wasn't a bad kisser. A bit tentative, and his lips tasted like fish, but barring that, there was enough that Shanti was curious about any further skills he might have. Which only made the appearance of the Toydarians even sadder.

Yu was surprisingly quick with the blaster; quicker than her by far. There was a look of admiration in her green eyes as he shoved her aside to shoot one of the Toydarians; the blast ripped apart the ugly thing's bulbous stomach like a pinata; green and yellow bits flew out of the cavity and smeared the walls; a bit of it flew across the room and landed in Shanti's mane. Not that she didn't already have enough crap in her hair. His shove caught her off balance; she stumbled into the bar counter, and had to duck below the lip of it. It still left her exposed to the rest of the Toydarians; she had to crawl/walk behind the counter where Sivan had already found himself; his blaster at the ready.

Golden Boy was really golden. Who else would tell someone to run?

For a moment, but only one, Shanti considered not leaving. But there was nothing she could do. She was useless in a fight, and besides, the Nar Shaddaa girl was never one to sacrifice herself for... well... anyone. Let alone someone she just met. Even if he was a semi-decent kisser. She threw him one last look; it was an odd one for her; holding a tinge of regret and a strange wistfulness. Her mouth dropped open as if she was about to say something, but nothing came out. Shanti bit her lip in frustration and nodded. Then without another backwards glance she started running; keeping low to the ground in order to avoid any potential gunfire. She didn't go for the front; that way was blocked by Toydarians, she went for the back instead.

As soon as she hit the door to the back room she stood up and started sprinting. Shanti passed by a couple of very angry, gibbering Ishi Tibs, but she paid them no mind. She was running for her life, and nothing and no one was going to stand in her way. She ran until her eyes burned, tears blinding her vision, and yet she didn't stop; only slowed down enough that she could see the ships.

That's where Shanti headed; there was no point in staying on this awful planet. A part of her felt bad for leaving Goldie behind, but there was nothing she could do. Either he would live and find a way out of this mess, or he would die. But she had no intention of dying for him; she had a bounty to collect. As she neared the row of space ships, she stuck a hand into the pocket that kept the proof of their hunt. Not having the body would probably lessen the amount of credits she would get from the employer, but she could still get something. The corners of her mouth turned down as her mind wandered. She owed Sivan. But she also would never see him again.

Probably never anyway.

Her green eyes stared down the row of spaceships, trying to find an unguarded one; one she could easily sneak onto. Something large, but not too large. Light freighters were best. Her eyes rested on a dark metal rust bucket. It looked like whoever owned it didn't care much about maintaining it. Which also probably meant very low security. It was perfect.

Only then did Shanti look back towards the bar, her green eyes wistful once more. With a sigh, she squared her shoulders and got to work breaking into the ship