Rapsody In Blue (Faers)

[Poludnica]

Theme

Amber liquid sloshed in the glass, catching last rays of sunshine. Danica watched the spectacle of delicate light dancing in the transparent ice cubes, slowly devoured by alcohol. Slowly, she raised her hand and dipped the fingertip, checking if the drink was properly cooled. Happy with the outcome, the dark haired woman licked a drop of the whiskey off the finger before taking a sip. Icy sensation mixed with this specific kind of warmth that spread in her chest and stomach. Expectation of soothing tranquility became Danica's sole focus before irritating buzz of an intercom forced her to turn the unfocused thoughts into an angry ball.

For a moment the Coruscanti businesswoman waited for the annoying sound to stop, hoping if she ignored it long enough, it would fade away. But that was a foolish notion – the noise only increased its insistent, wailing cry. Cursing loudly Danica finally gave up and turned away from the large panoramic window of the luxurious skyscraper. With an impatient gesture she closed the balcony, cutting off droning murmur of skycabs and speeders below. Renting the highest floor wasn't cheap but it had undeniable perks – silence, fresh air. Danica wanted to enjoy it this evening, before returning to Korriban and its disgusting heat. A recurring thought hunted her to talk Nieraan into leaving the arid rock more often but Firrerro was nothing but stubborn – and Danica liked this boyish defiance in him.

There were too many things she liked in this damn Sith which got her stuck in a space hellhole.

Already worked up and angry, she tapped the haptic keyboard that came to life over the console. A tired, but clear voice of her secretary rang in the spacious office. ”Sir Llokin is here Danica.” She said in perfectly neutral tone, betraying no emotions other than polite indifference. The girl was like a robot. ”A who?” The dark haired woman asked, rubbing tired eyes, only then realizing she smudged her impeccable make up. An unsavory curse ripped off her lips, everything seeping through the intercom.

”Uhm...Danica? Sir Llokin was scheduled to show up at eighth standard time.” Beka explained with droplets of audible discomfort. Then Danica remembered. Crap Already a crimson blush painted the girl's cheeks at the unprofessional behavior as pangs of embarrassment gnawed at her. She had forgotten about the meeting a mysterious someone called Llokin booked. Her contacts couldn't find out much about the guy aside from strange rumors, a whole basket of them .”Sure, send him up.” The young woman sighed, turning off the com.

With almost frantic pace she cleaned up her make up in the last moment losing a grip on a powdered eyeliner that spilled all over the expensive, stark white rug. With a disbelief mixed with pathetic helplessness she tried to step the offending color out of the sight which only made the matter worse. Now it was an ashen rug with streaks of silver. She didn't even manage to hide the drink before the doors opened. Danica's posture immediately straightened to look all businesslike in a light cream knee height dress, decent and expensive. Cut in a way the Core fashion demanded these days, betraying the woman's background for those who knew where to look. Neatly gathered hair did take some abuse though, more than few strands sloppily hanging from the ebony bun.

Ever since leaving her father, Danica recognized a drop in overall standards she had held before – high and strict. Finally free, at least a bit, from the critical parent the girl let her true temperament to show. Unruly, chaotic, biting. With little room for order – an impulsive child only shreds of remained self-control of a responsible adult kept in check.

[Faeruy]

Llokin had no idea what to expect when he made an appointment for a meeting with the boss at Livco. He probably wouldn't have gotten an audience if it wasn't for his strange appearance, and not just because he was Chiss; his crisp, clean uniform made him look important, probably far more important than he actually was. The black Chiss-style military uniform was a custom job, one he had to have drawn up, for no one in this part of the galaxy was familiar with the Chiss. He hadn't even come across another one in his travels, though he had heard rumors of a few. Or it was possible they were rumors about himself coming back to him, only greatly changed. He supposed he'd never know. And at the moment, it didn't matter. He was here to see a woman. Danica Liviana. After finding out about Livco, he did as much research as he could on the woman, to try and figure out a reason the company name was involved with a bounty hunter that Llokin had been searching for.

What he found wasn't particularly interesting, however. Basic public information about the company, and a brief biography of it's current head honcho. Llokin's knowledge of Core World tech was limited, and he hadn't been able to dig further. She was human, and therefore beneath him, and in the end that was all that mattered.

Except that right now he needed help, as much as it galled the Dark Force-user. He had two missions; find the people who destroyed the army he had been building, and get in contact with the Sith. One day, one day he would be able to bring the power of the Chiss Ascendancy to the rest of the galaxy, but in order to do so, he had to work with lesser species in the galaxy.

And as he walked into her office to see her busily straightening up, hair out of place, Llokin realized he was indeed dealing with a lesser species. Not only had she made him wait an inordinate amount of time to see her, but she in no way looked prepared to receive visitors. No Chiss of any breeding would allow themselves to be presented in such a fashion. He looked down at her from his towering height, his red eyes stern and impassive as he took in the room, and the appearance of the woman in front of him, with a drink in her hand. Disgraceful. For some reason, he had expected better of a businesswoman, but she seemed to be no different than the mercenaries, pirates, smugglers, and bounty hunters that made up the bulk of his people.

"Good evening Miss Liviana. I am Frell'oki'nashandu." He rumbled in Csilla-accented Basic. "Am I... interrupting something? His tone indicated that he better not have been. After, all, he had made the appointment. "I presume you know why I am here?" He actually rather doubted she did. But it would be interesting to see if she would bluff and say she did or if she told the truth. Either way, it was bound to make her uncomfortable, which gave him the advantage. Not - as he looked over her pretty-for-a-human but in disarray - that he didn't already have it.

[Poludnica]

For a moment Danica forgot how to breathe. The humanoid male that entered her office was like nothing she had ever seen. In a matter of a heartbeat her mind tried to immediately label him as Wroonian but most of the details didn't fit. The alien's skin was too dark, too richly azure and eyes bloody red, without irises. Jet black hair was neatly pulled back, exposing pronounced forehead and regal features. The woman believed herself to be very educated and could place most near-human species somewhere in the Galaxy. A mongrel? No, no species she knew had such eyes nor dark blue skin. Only one scar marred noble chiseling of his jaw, giving the male strangely threatening appearance.

The shock must have shown on Danica's features and in gestures as the girl slowly put away the glass, not even looking at it. A wondrous frown appeared between her dark eyebrows as she steadily measured the male, noting alien markings on what looked like a military garb. The Cosruscanti woman folded her arms and leaned against the desk, forgetting all about the disheveled hair and an alcoholic drink, watered down by already melted ice-cubes. Danica's eyes widened when the male spoke up in thick, unrecognizable accent. Frlllooowhat? She blinked, feeling strangely uneasy as delicate inward voice whispered quiet warnings.

”What...What are you?” The dark haired woman asked bluntly, giving in to the annoying curiosity the male woken up. Danica often forgot about good manners, especially now when the critical figure of Cassius was million of light years away. The human girl was a kaleidoscope of ever changing moods. Emotional undercurrents more than usually dictated her behaviors shaping an impulsive child that had the needs sated immediately. And now it was curiosity.

The blue being remained very official, emanating a polite coldness. It didn't sit well with her, bringing up reminiscence of experience under her father's roof. Somehow it made her feel assessed and judged, when the male casually looked around the room only to return his unsettling gaze to her. ”No, not really.” Danica said after a long moment as she fought with temptation of kicking him out. Her voice was melodic and slightly superior, an accent of Coruscanti elite tugging at every spoken word.

Something in the male already annoyed her though the curiosity won over it and the woman decided to give him a chance. He was of no importance in the Outer Rim, for sure or she would know at least his kind. It meant it was her who had the upper hand and probably possessed something the male wanted. The small security droid strolled around the office just in case though Danica didn't feel the immediate danger even if the blue male's presence put her on edge. He looked very human and disturbingly alien at the same time – not unlike Nieraan.

”I have absolutely no idea. Mr Flllll...Uhm...Could you repeat your name?” The woman really did try to repeat the vomit of vowels that stood as his name but the language was simply too alien for a human to pronounce it. Danica was fairly sure she would never procure such sounds, none of her species would. If I did, maybe I wouldn't have forgotten about it...Crossed the girl's mind but the human had enough of self control to still reckless words that would only put more strain on already strained interaction.

She turned and walked behind the desk to sink in a large, bantha leather armchair. ”Please, have a seat.” Danica gestured lazily at the much less comfortable and exquisite chair. Trying to hide anxiety the male had roused only with his sheer presence. She didn't like that, she was no longer a scared girl that had fled her abusive father's cage. Not anymore...So how it was then this odd blue being made her feel this way once more?

[Faeruy]

Llokin tried not to be annoyed, but his disdain for the pitiful creature could not be denied. She seemed to be utterly thrown by him. Were all humans so put off by things they didn't recognize? Llokin had seen so much of the galaxy, and everything was new to him, yet he chose not to let it make him uncomfortable.

He did let out an exasperated sigh. He had tried so hard to get people to call him by his full name. But unfortunately nobody seemed to care to use it. So he was forever stuck using the informal version of his name. "If it is too difficult for you, I am also called Llokin by many of you lesser races. I represent the Chiss Ascendancy." Which was more or less true. He was indeed one of the few Chiss in these parts, which could mean he was a representative. On the other hand, he had not actually made contact with Csilla in about twenty years. At least, not directly. His wasn't the first clawcraft to drift into occupied territory, and the results weren't always pretty. But such run -ins gave him access to Chiss tech and a Chiss uniform to pattern off of.

He nodded, once, curtly, and took a seat on the proffered chair after Miss Liviana also sat. He sat perched on the edge, rigid as if he was still standing, and continued to study the woman in front of him. She didn't seem like the type who would be successfully involved in an operation to destroy bandits, and given what he had learned about Livco's operations, it didn't seem like they needed to be. On the other hand, people who dealt with the entertainment of the rich, powerful, and noble often knew a lot. He wondered if she could be more knowledgeable than she appeared.

He noticed something else as he sat down; something he could Sense without really trying. She was Sensitive. Not at all strong in the Force, and of course, he couldn't tell anything about what she could do, but she was clearly affected by it. Interesting. He hadn't met many low-level sensitives, and he'd never met one who appeared to run a successful business. In an instant, Llokin came to the conclusion that the matter was not important for the moment; merely something to keep an eye on for later. If there was a later.

If there was one thing for certain, she knew nothing about him. That was good; things could be done his way. And Llokin never took shortcuts when a direct route would work better.

"Let me be perfectly plain, Miss Lavinia. I am here on a matter of great importance; are you familiar with this man?" He pulled out a datapad and called up a holopic of the Trandoshan bounty hunter he had killed. "These creatures all look alike to me, so I'll give you a hint. He is a bounty hunter. A very long trail led me to him on Nal Hutta, which then led to his death. His datapad contained information about your company. Now. My question is, what connection does he have to you?" Short and direct. His red eyes bore into hers, daring her not to tell him the truth. If he was better at Telepathy, he might have tried to push at her mind a little. But he wasn't and a part of Llokin knew that it wasn't necessary.

That part of him was a little disturbed how easily his thoughts turned towards using the Force. He'd much rather get along without it if he could, but every day, the desire to use his power grew a little bit stronger.

[Poludnica]

Lesser races. A dark frown appeared on Danica's features – adding them unusual sharpness. The woman belonged to old, even ancient bloodline of Zhell tribe. Her kind spread to the farthest corners of the Galaxy and this blue nobody dared to call humans lesser. She was subjugated to many unpleasant, offhanded remarks among the Sith as one of the Core dwellers but no one insulted Danica's species. The girl was brought up in an atmosphere of human supremacy and even if her tolerance for diversity was acceptable, the carefully hide species pride still lingered under all this. ”Your highness won't be offended if I call him Frell instead?” She asked bitingly, not even trying to hide sarcasm. Though a bit about Chiss piqued her interest. Danica didn't know them, a fact the woman still had to make peace with.

It was difficult to admit ignorance.

Already huffy and displeased, Danica sat in a lady like manner, trying to look composed, indifferent but under the surface curiosity mingled with irritation. Outside last ray of sunshine fought against increasing twilight and automatic light suddenly blossomed, bathing the office in pale, artificial hue. The male's deeply azure skin intriguingly glittered and Danica couldn't help but wonder what gave the Chiss its dazzling shade.

The alien sat down, his posture rigid and tensed. The way he sat down at the edge of the seat as if giving himself a chance to flee or attack. Danica knew it to be a sign of control to an excess, unlike her father, Frell couldn't hide it under a mask of charming allure. She had troubles reading his expression though – the crimson orbs and blue features seemed too alien and distracting.

The Coruscanti woman frowned, feeling anxious as her slender, pale fingers wrapped around the datapad. She looked over the image, a flicker of disgust marring her fine features. The holo of a giant lizard hovered above the desk, unfamiliar to her though the girl's worry grew exponentially when the Chiss confessed the ugly creature had had information about Livco gathered. Danica's fingers began to tremble; she had to put away the datapad. The woman had no deals with the Trandoshans and would never stoop so low.

Cassius though....Nal Hutta was his territory.

”No.” Danica stated sharply, pushing the datapad away. Maybe even too hastily, betraying already visible agitation. ”I know nothing about it.” The girl said, anger sounding in the woman's words right before a frightening realization downed on her. ”Did you kill him?” Danica asked, muscles coiled as she nervously looked after the guard droid which lurked about. A company of murders and assassins wasn't something new but only if they were familiar. The Sith Order composed largely from those but they didn't come over to see her for business.

A dark, string of worrisome thoughts flashed in her mind as Danica ran through the troublesome possibilities. Don't show you are scared... The girl chided herself, immediately covering fear with a mask of impatient irritation.

”I can't fathom why this ugly beast would be interested in my company.” She leaned back in her seat, unpleasant tension building in her muscles. ”And why would it interest a Chiss prince?” Danica added bitingly, putting a special care to pronounce prince, coating it in a bitter droplets of sarcasm.

[Faeruy]

Frell. He couldn't tell if it was a deliberate insult or not. On Chiss, Frell was a family name; not a Ruling Family name, but a fairly respectable one, nonetheless. In the circles Llokin had traveled in since leaving Csilla, 'frell' meant something very different. And very insulting. So if she couldn't say his full name, and nobody in this part of the galaxy was deemed friendly enough that Oki was acceptable, there was really only one option. "You may not. You may call me Llokin. Nor may you refer to me as 'highness'. I am merely a soldier and representative of the Ascendancy, and I will thank you to keep jokes out of this conversation. This is a business meeting." He said shortly, and firmly.

Though to be fair, business was never his strong suit. Others in his retinue had dealt with that end of things in the past; former smugglers who knew their way around a deal. Llokin had not the skill for such interactions, but he had no choice now. All of those who were in charge of such dealings in the past were either dead or fled. The memory of violations to his assets angered Llokin; his eyes momentarily narrowing to points, before remembering that he was still in a meeting. With a human, and a very unorganized one at that, but until his plans could come to fruition, he was stuck dealing with them as civilly as he could.

Hopefully however, she would come to the conclusion that his glare was merely a response to her complete lack of information. It seemed he had hit on another dead end. It was unfortunate; he was hoping to get closer, and it seemed he was only getting further and further away. He would have to start afresh.

Since he was here, he might as well start with Miss Liviana. She pushed that datapad away too quickly. Even if she didn't know the Trandoshan, she might have her suspicions. And there were probably a lot of secrets a woman like her would know about the rich and powerful. "Of course I killed him. He was of no use to me." His voice was calm and even; almost conversational, although Llokin would never been mistaken for casual. "And I doubt he was interested in your company, unless by company, you mean 'business'. He was a bounty hunter. From my experience the only thing they ever seek is money. I understand you have quite a bit of it. I also understand that people with money tend to have enemies. Whether you hired him, or your enemies did, I don't know."

He hated admitting that he occasionally didn't know things. It ruined the image he so carefully cultivated for himself. But this dark-haired woman already proved that she knew far less about him than he did about her, so the possibility remained that everything was alright. He ignored the second prince comment. It bothered him, yes, even more than the 'highness' dig, but to respond to it a second time showed a lack of will. "As for my own interest, I am not so much interested in a simple bounty hunter, but I am interested in his employers. There was... an incident some time ago. I am trying to find the ones responsible."

His red eyes searched her face, while he extended his senses just enough to gently caress her mind. This was not his strength - he could not pry particularly deep - but a general sense of her state could give him a lot of clues. As far as he could tell, her mind seemed to be too chaotic for him to read. He could tell nothing from her face, except that she didn't like him very much. "i would hope you could help me Miss Liviana. This mission is important to the future of the galaxy, and to my people."

[Poludnica]

Prickly nagging of anger appeared in her expression – in furrowed brows and flushed pallid cheeks, breaking the impression of porcelain, calm quality to Danica's features. She didn't like his tone, this demanding insistence and self-importance. It irked her, more than open arrogance that often served as a mask of insecurities. This special breed of confidence Llokin presented betrayed none of that. It was a tone of a man that thought the Galaxy belonged to him. That there was no folly in him. Like Cassius. Danica didn't like the comparison that already lurked in the back of her head. The woman let the male's comment be, biting down an angry retort. She took reigns over fiery temper that already began to show. Something in the Chiss' behavior stopped the incoming tantrum and like many times before in her life, Danica felt ashamed of those uncontrollable floods of emotions.

Unwilling to show this weakness, the dark haired woman crossed arms on her chest in an haughty manner and leaned back in the seat. Forcing a casually relaxed but stern posture, fooling not only the blue skinned male but also herself into false sense of tranquility. You surely behave like a damn prince. Danica stuffed down the biting comment, deciding to stay as professional as possible when dealing with the annoying guest.

Only slightly narrowed eyes betrayed she had managed to anger the Chiss in turn and Danica couldn't really decide if that was a satisfying knowledge. He scared her even without open threats. Not like Nieraan had once with the outbursts of unpredictable violence but in the imminence stillness that reminded her of the hated father. Such control - abhorring, unnatural. Frightening. When Llokin admitted to killing the Trandoshan the casual mask Danica so diligently put on shattered leaving only disbelief mixed with fear. ”You did what?” The human asked, shocked at the openness and cold causality the Chiss spoke of the killing. Not something he took pride in, not something he would have problem with – not even something the male considered unusual. A mere, chilling fact as if it was an obvious thing to do when the person's use came to an end.

”That's disgusting.” The woman commented with malice very clear in the Coruscanti, melodic lilt. Not really giving indication if her huff was related to the callous murder or the twisting of the double meaning 'company' had. Still, she didn't kick the Chiss out, even if the reckless words could anger him. The male had to know he would be dead withing a heartbeat if something had happened to the CEO. Llokin might have been a nasty bastard but not a fool for sure, though regardless the woman skimmed the male's trimmed frame to look for obvious weapons. A bit calmed she didn't find any, Danica slowly reached for a forgotten glass filled with golden liquor. ”Care for a drink?” She asked, being nice being a secondary goal to biding time in searching for proper words that would answer the Chiss.

The part about the enemies did unsettle her as there was one powerful enemy lurking on the other side of Galaxy. And a part of Danica believed no amount of light years would save her. ”Go on.” She encouraged the Chiss coldly, craving to crush the fear that began to lurk in the core of her being. Slowly, with lazy yet elegant gesture Danica took a sip from the glass, seeking solace in a sharp taste of alcohol. It was no mystery the woman drank to forget herself, especially in moments like this.

Something stirred in her though, something unrelated to Cassius. It felt like a cold finger grazing against the skin. Danica's eyes opened slightly, giving the girl expression of vigilant alertness. ”And how can I possibly help your pe-” She stopped when her gaze was caught by a shiny, half hidden object that peered from the holster at the hip. Maybe months ago the woman wouldn't even notice it but the time spent with Nieraan had taught Danica how the light saber hilt looked like.

The Chiss was a Force user.

A violent cough forced its way up her throat when the realization downed on her. Droplets of alcohol fell on the expensive suit when the woman spilled the amber drink. ”When the heck you were going to tell me about this?” She asked, anger flaring in her features as crimson blush once more spilled on the pale skin. Everything else moved to the background – the male's business, the loss he possibly had suffered or the intention he held toward her. No, now what was important circled around a possible dangerous Force user sitting two feet across. Her guards didn't ask? No one sensed it?

Crap. Danica thought helplessly, visibly moving away from the Chiss – her posture tensed and coated in now very clear fear.

[Faeruy]

Llokin had to admit, there was something fascinating about her reaction. He had spent so many years in the company of those who gave no thought at all about killing; it was truly unusual to come across someone who seemed to be abhorred by it.

"No, what's disgusting is the fact that these freelance killers exist; their only loyalty is to a paycheck, when it should be to their rulers. I did the galaxy a favor by disposing of him."His voice grew deeper and harsher; colored by disdain for such lowlifes. His own army had been made up of them, but he had made them into something more; something better; something useful. Now they were no more, and for the time being Llokin saw more use in killing them than trying to bring them to his cause. But now he had a better plan. The hard part was getting into a position where he could execute it. Someday his opportunity would come.

"I don't drink when I am working Miss Liviana." There was no politeness in the Chiss's tone, just judgement of her own actions. The fact that she felt like imbibing meant she did not take any of this seriously; a grave error in Llokin's eyes. It was infuriating, and Llokin could feel the dark, insidious desire to kill her. But his head knew better. She was too powerful in this place; and it would serve no purpose. She could still prove useful.

One dark eyebrow raised as for the second time since they met, he saw her mopping up after her own spill. "How much have you had to drink today? You seem to be having issues keeping it in your glass." For the first time, a ghost of a smile crossed his lips. It was really more of a sardonic smirk, as his eyes traveled down the front of her now-damp suit. He could almost taste the fear coming off of her now, and he couldn't help but be pleased by it. Fear and hatred. Things that a Dark User could live off of.

No. Llokin would not give in; he would harness it, use that power when he needed to and not a moment before. He would stay in control. "I would have told you when it was necessary. I did not deem it necessary before." He didn't shrug, but his voice gave the impression that he did. "Is this a problem for you Miss Liviana? What is it you have to fear?" The smirk stayed on his face, and his eyes smouldered red.

[Poludnica]

A calculated snort of bemusement and disbelief escaped her. She was tempted to ask Llokin if he was any better but instead the dark haired woman waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. ”And you think the rulers are loyal to something more than their paychecks?” Danica asked bitterly, by now knowing fully well how the Galaxy worked. The only thing that truly ruled the universe were credits and influence. One couldn't exist without the other and only a naive, foolish or extremely poor individual could claim otherwise. Everyone took care of their own well being first, including her father with misguided sense of mission. It was uncanny how terrible dislike the Chiss managed to awoke in her by sharing shallow traits with Cassius.

The terrible resemblance grew even stronger when the male stated he wouldn't drink when on a job. Clear, not even slightly sugar coated judgment was audible in every syllable the Chiss produced with this thick, irritating accent of his. ”Maybe you should. Would help you to sit properly.” Danica replied, pointing at the tensed posture Llokin presented in the chair. The words hid the jab of course, even if accompanied by a sweet, alluring smile. A passive aggressive strategy the woman applied so often – infuriating the victim with words only to lessen the blow with openly charming demeanor.

The mask though quickly faded when the Chiss openly mocked her, for the first time a ghost of a smile appearing on previously so impassive features. ”Not nearly enough to deal with this sh*t.” Danica quipped, looking at the datapad and lightsaber: in a display of childish defiance downed the rest of the whiskey, challenging sparks lurking in her deeply verdant eyes. If the Chiss didn't like her drinking he could go out and seek help elsewhere. And in a span of few seconds a realization downed on the woman only to be repressed a heartbeat later – unknowingly reverting to the behavior of a impulsive child Cassius brought in her. The same form of helpless anger, the same feeling of threatening judgment.

”I should order to toss your ass out of my office this instance.” The Coruscanti woman replied with malice. Her eyes narrowing as she forced herself to calm. To hide the rapidly growing fear. The Chiss had dared to come for help but saw fit to insult with snide comments and offhanded, cheeky retorts. And of course the male could sense every fiber of her being that trembled with dread. The offensive, knowing smirk betrayed this well enough. The woman stood rapidly from the desk and walked toward the window, turning her back on the Chiss. A gesture that meant there was nothing to fear from him. ”I am not scared of you.” Danica proclaimed – an obvious life. ”Force or not, you wouldn't leave this place alive if anything happened.” A clear warning was coated in a droplets of icy fear – she had told it to prevent whatever foolish notion came to that thick, azure skull.

Turning gracefully on her heel, Danica faced the Chiss once more, feeling a bit calmer now, if only thanks to alcohol. ”What do you want?” She asked sharply, her voice firm and steely. The Force users were always tricky to deal with, they could manipulate an active thought, bargaining for deals with a skill of best negotiators. Even with all the money and manpower behind her, the woman felt clearly disadvantaged now. ”What incident are you talking about?” She added, returning to the previous topic that despite this emotional outburst wasn't forgotten. Danica might have been unstable but not stupid, on the contrary – the quick wits and good education more than often compensated for lack of inner coherence.

[Faeruy]

He was dealing with a child. An undisciplined, spoiled child, no better than those he dealt with back when he was a mere apprentice. He had met so many people who appeared to be adults, but in reality they were little better than squalling babes, whining at the injustice of a world that would not just give them their every desire. Miss Liviana was the worst he'd ever met though.

"Rulers have a vision; a purpose - those who truly seek power do it to make the world a better place; money is necessary, but it is nothing without the vision. Those who seek only money have no true purpose, and therefore, no use." Llokin's assurance was absolute; he believed that those working for pay should be working for a cause; not just for whoever tossed credits in their direction. But a deeper discussion on philosophy was not his purpose, he was merely letting himself get distracted by dark-haired human and her childish wonts.

Her denial of fear made him snort with suppressed laughter. "Do not lie to me Miss Liviana. I cannot read your thoughts, but I can taste your emotions. You're afraid, and since you weren't before you found out I was a Force User, I have to assume that it's because of me. Is it because you don't want people finding out about your little secret?" If mentioning the fact that he knew she was Force Sensitive unsettled her, than that was to his advantage. Hopefully he did not play his hand there too early, but his analytical mind suspected that there was still much more he could mine there. He searched her face for a reaction of some kind; had he hit a nerve? "And I have no intention of doing anything. I may be many things, but I am not an idiot, and I do not lack for self control." Besides, she still might be useful, and Llokin did not throw away potential tools. Miss Liviana, for all of her childishness clearly ran a successful business; it made him wonder how. Was she trained enough in the Force to use it to manipulate others? She was weak, but on the lesser species, even a little skill went a very long way.

He did not move from his position, nor did he adjust his body to follow her movements; only his eyes tracked her. He could say this for her; she recovered quickly from her mistakes, bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand before he could. Something to admire at least, even if it caught the Chiss slightly off guard. The talk of using the Force was not important, yet, he was here to find a traitor.

"I will be as brief as I can. My purpose in this sector of the galaxy was to gain allies. I had a compound on Vaal that served as my headquarters, my center of operations, and home to me and my followers. That compound was destroyed, and my followers were either killed or fled. My purpose is to try and find the person or persons responsible for this destruction. My trail led to you, and though you may not be involved directly, I believe you could still help." He paused, wondering if she could follow his train of thought. Was she smart enough to know where he was heading? Probably not. So he continued. "Your business is entertainment, correct? You cater to the wealthy, am I also correct? Now, whoever came after me would be very rich, and very powerful. I'm thinking that with your contacts, I could find who I'm looking for."

At this point he did not offer anything in return; in part because at the moment, he had nothing to give her. But he also wanted to hear what she wanted in return; how expensive was her help?

[Poludnica]

Her errant mind too often became fractious and divided. In a sea of always shifting moods it was difficult to take a grip over reality. Danica filtered from interactions whatever fit the current working mood and molded it to fit her own twisted interpretations. Thus a natural consequence of Llokin words was anger sparked by a notion he was judging her with those harsh statements. That in his eyes she took place of a greedy egoist who didn't want to make the world a better place. It coaxed a dismissive snort from her glossed lips. Crimson lipstic leaving stains on the edge of the glass before Danica put it away. ”You can't possibly believe that.” The woman commented bitterly. In her Galaxy everyone was a shameless egoist, especially males. Whoever claimed otherwise had to be simply naïve, blind or a liar.

”What are you? Ten? “ She asked with a helpless shake of her head. The binding that kept the coiffure together gave out completely and fell on the floor. With a lazy albeit spontaneous and completely thoughtless gesture the woman use a tip of the expensive shoes to scoop the golden clasp under a desk. Dark curls spilled on her back and shoulders in messy waves as if betraying the owners true temper that so openly show when Llokin began to goad her with mocking retorts.

Damn Force users. Of course he could sense her emotions, finding out the fear under the carefully shaped mask. They did it all the time, her father did it all the time. Damnit Fury marred surgically sculpted features as green eyes narrowed. ”Really now?.” She hissed like an angered feline but her mind wouldn't stop mulling over the quiet threat that was brought in the cold undertones of Llokin's voice. Which one was it? Cassius? Nieraan? The Sith? Danica didn't like how the blue skinned made her painfully aware of how many things became dark secrets over the past few months. ”I guess I can't hide anymore who designs all my dresses.” The Coruscanti aristocrat said aloofly, playing a part of an airhead without bigger mysteries. It was a
useful; mask and one Cassius forced on her many times. He liked to believe his daughter had born into unstable but stupid mother. But the ugly truth neither of them had accepted showed that Danica was every bit her father's daughter: devastatingly charming when needed, clever and as stubborn as a wild rancor.

The sour expression was certainly enough to show Llokin Danica had rather different opinion about his intellectual qualities so far, though couldn't really prove it. The Chiss seemed in control even if it was him begging for pittance it seemed. ”Followers?” The woman asked with a quirk of a elegantly plucked eyebrow. ”You owned a religious cult or something?” Danica added, partially to just annoy the male and chipped a bit off this impeccable, unmoving self control that was so irritating. Telling herself it was him who showed up like a beggar at the lord's gates, the woman walked closer to the Chiss – her high heels tapping evenly against the metallic surface betraying no hesitation.

The darkhaired businesswoman tried very hard to prove him wrong. She wasn't a scared little girl that had fled an abusive father. No more. It was her to held all the cards. ”Yes, I think you could find out with my help who did this.” Danica started, delicate smirk ghosting across her lips. ”The only problem is, I am not a charity.” She proclaimed theatrically, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated gesture. ”What do you have to offer?” The woman demanded bluntly, skipping all pleasantries of subtle negotiations. Llokin didn't seem like a sort to catch on such social undercurrents.

[Faeruy]

He was beginning to get to her. He could see it. In the careless unbinding of her hair, in the way she started to jest; she was sending forth barbs but without aim; she was hoping that if she lobbed enough of them, she would hit him. She was wide of the mark. He waited, quietly, still, until she finished. He waited until she picked up the clasp that appeared to be more important than a conversation with a person, he waited until she stopped lobbing ineffective arrows in his direction. He hadn't expected this to be easy. But he had expected some level of professionalism, clearly a mistake on his part.

She walked towards him; he still sat, but now she was standing over him, though probably not as much as she would like. She wasn't a short woman by any stretch of the imagination, but even in heels, Llokin still dwarfed her by nearly half a foot. Out of heels, the disparity would be even greater. He looked up at her with a baleful expression.

"Are you quite through Miss Liviana? I grow very tired of your childish mockery, especially when you and I are both aware of the truth. Dissembling and joking does not further either of our purposes. I'm only presuming you have a purpose, of course." The human woman may not have hit him directly, but the constant buzzing had started to irritate the Chiss, and his control slipped just enough to let a snide remark of his own slip through.

"What my followers and I were trying to accomplish is none of your concern, at least not at this time. It was not of a religious nature, I will tell you that. I do not deal in fantastical fanaticism." Religion was an opiate for the masses. Cool, reasoned logical thinking had no place for it. It insulted him that she though that that was his purpose. Llokin was letting her get under his skin, he realized. Perhaps it was the angle.

He stood up from his chair; in very close proximity to the leader of Livco. He loomed over her as she asked him what he could offer. He didn't smile, but the harsh lines around his eyes softened. This was good. Direct, and too the point. There was hope there too, hope that he could find what he was after. "Perhaps you are not as unintelligent as you appear Miss Liviana, though a trifle slow to catch on." He nodded once and turned away from her, walking to the window of her office, and looked out over the city. It was an impressive view. Much better than the one he had back on Vaal. A view like this made a person feel powerful, like they owned everything they saw. One day he would have a view similar to this, one that fit his status.

"Here is where am I at a disadvantage. I have credits, but given what I see here, it is unlikely that it is enough to tempt you. I am not a person with much information, or many contacts, not anymore. however I can offer you my services." He turned his head to look back over his shoulder at her, only just glimpsing her out of the corner of his eye. "I am a Force user, which is useful in and of itself. I have no affliations, no ties. My enemies think I am defeated, destroyed. I am in essence, no one. I am willing, for a short time, to be your agent if you wish, to do with as you wish, in return for the information I seek." He turned back to the window. Yes, he liked the view quite a lot.

[Poludnica]

The Chiss gave Danica a look that sent cold shivers down her spine. There were malice and anger in it, a first display of emotions she coaxed from him today other than painful indifference. So, he wasn't a machine after all but the reaction coiled her muscles and surge of fear forced the woman to tense up. Danica had an urge to move away but stopped herself from the pathetic cowardice. He would not intimidate her, no more would a man have this effect. Cowering her into submission. It angered the young human, this reaction Llokin awoken with judgmental comments and superior attitude. ”Maybe you should try to grow some sense of humor then?” Devilish lilt in the woman's voice betrayed irritation. Though the fact she was finally getting under his skin did feel oddly good.

”You come here asking for my support.” The darkhaired woman started, looking back at the Chiss, all timidness and bashfulness gone from her expression, replaced by an angry scowl. ”It is very much my concern of who I am going to help.” Danica snapped, embers of fury awoken anew. He was treating her like some gibbering child that could be talked down by empty demands and judgmental remarks. It occurred to Danica that maybe she should just kick him out for a price of gaining a new enemy. No, that wouldn't do – the need rose from childish, impulsive anger.

When the male stood up, Danica took an involuntary step back, realizing how tall the Chiss was. He dwarfed many Sith warriors she knew. Adding to that an imposing figure honed by years of harsh saber training Llokin and a stark azure skin was a sight to behold. Probably many didn't engage him only because of the frightening exterior. Danica reached barely to his shoulders with a tip of her head – an unpleasant position to find herself into.

Another backhand compliment caused the woman's gaze to narrow dangerously but she didn't feel courageous enough to form a bitter, insulting retort. Not with the dark jedi standing so close to her. The male's features softened though and the so recent flare of temper had vanished. Danica couldn't really decide if it was a good sign.

A quiet sigh of relief slipped from her lips when the Chiss decided to look through the window instead. Slowly, she joined him, standing a bit back, feeling her knees trembling slightly from the unwarranted proximity the male had put between them. There were skycabs and speeders whizzing few stories below. In a motion so fast it blurred their outlines. The view itself was breathtaking thought as the window opened to a starport near by – in fading lights of the dusk it looked eerie beautiful. Danica liked this view, it made her feel free.

A smirk formed on the woman's lips when Llokin offered his services. Danica didn't need the Force users, she had the Sith Order and Renata to ask for such help when need arose. Not to mention Nieraan, but one thing the Chiss mentioned that immediately caught her attention. He had no ties, no masters to please. Nothing to tie him back to the Sith if anything bad happened when sent on a favor. There were people she wanted gone, those who had harmed her but asking Nieraan was not an option – too risky. Llokin meant nothing to her, he could die and she wouldn't lose a thing.

Broca,Devon,Veritas. Danica began to count. Cassius.. Sith Order couldn't take them out, not without too much risk. ”How do I know you will fulfill your end of the bargain?” She asked instead, always wary. Always mistrustful and cautious.

[Faeruy]

Llokin looked at the human woman standing next to him; small and skinny, no toughness about her whatsoever. Weak. She lived in a world where she always got what she wanted, but also a world where there was no honor. There was no order, there was no law. It infuriated him, that such chaos could exist. A person's word should be good.

Her little mouth held a smirk; clearly she saw the value in his proposal. She questioned him. Llokin couldn't decide whether he was angry at her mistrust or if, oddly enough, he felt sorry for her. This galaxy clearly was in trouble, down to the smallest details. When he had gained his army, and his empire, things would look a lot different. In the meantime, all he could do in response to her question was laugh. It was short, barking, and derisive but it was a laugh.

"What do you mean, Miss Liviana? Do you mean am I capable of fulfilling my end of the bargain? I assure you that I am." No need for him to give too much of himself away. She did not need to know that his training extended beyond use of the Force. She did not need to know of the strategy and tactics that he studied that made him more than a match for anyone alive. Llokin knew it. All she had to know was that he could do it. But looking at her face, her haughty, arrogant, and mistrustful face, he knew that wasn't the question she had asked.

"As for 'will I', I cannot even begin to fathom why you would ask that question. You are a business woman, or so you claim. Are you unaware of contracts? I am asking you to enter into a contract with me. You give me what I want, I give you what you want. Nothing more, nothing less. I enter into a period of service with you for a certain amount of time, say a year, and in return you give me the information I seek." He looked at her, his red gaze burning into her light eyes. "I do not appreciate being misjudged Miss Liviana. You do not know me, so I will let it go this time. But never again mistake me for a man without honor. A contract is a contract, and any person who reneges on such an agreement is a force for chaos. I destroy chaos."

He hadn't realized it, but his hand had gone to the saber at his belt, and his tone grew steadily darker and more heated, like something beyond him was controlling him. He was losing his composure. As soon as he finished speaking, however, he realized what he had done and straightened up, his hand leaving his belt, and face the window once more. Too close. Much too close. And unnecessary. There would be an agreement, a contract. He did not need to lose control. "Do we have a deal, Miss Liviana?"

[Poludnica]

This boastful arrogance was irritating, unlike with Nieraan it had nothing from alluring, boyish charm. Just annoying superiority of a narcissus that thought he owned the universe. Exactly why Broca had never been killed despite countless attempts by the Force users he haunted. They trusted so much in their superhuman abilities, so assured that no one could touch them. Hubris had murdered them, her father's hitman just pulled the trigger. ”You make such cavalier claim without even knowing what my request would be.” Danica snorted, responding to the vexing smirk of his. ”Reckless doesn't even begin to describe it.” The woman crossed arms on her chest in an haughty manner. Her green eyes flaring with carefully harbored annoyance.

”Because in in this Galaxy everyone honors their deals.” The woman chuckled mirthlessly. She began to suspect the Chiss had been living under a rock or maybe on his homeworld everyone compulsively made sure everything was fair and square but in her universe people cheated and lied. Good business partners and friends driving knife in one's back without second thought. Once more Danica saw a distorted image of Cassius who would always get furious when world around him didn't look like he wanted it to. The woman's eyes narrowed at the thought – the comparison didn't serve Llokin well. The way he spoke about order made her sick – she had heard similar speeches through twenty five years. Over and over and over. ”It's still only your word. I need more than that.” The Coruscanti woman stated firmly. Honor Danica could only snort in displeasure. She couldn't tell if the Chiss tried to lie and that all had been but an act of a desperate man that had lost everything or a genuine claim.

When the speech became more heated, Danica noticed a subtle change in his demeanor. The movements became more erratic, spontaneous. Voice heated. The woman frowned as fear shot up her spine. The male's hand moved toward the saber's hilt and the Coruscanti aristocrat opened her mouth to a loud protest. A demand but then Llokin calmed down as if catching himself on something on a mistake. Tension left his body and the azure male turned to the window again. Danica fell silent for a long moment, pondering what to do about this weird visitor. A deal? But what deal exactly. The woman wondered if he was purposely stripped her of control over those little negotiations. She didn't like this feeling.”Maybe, I need to know what you are capable of first.” Danica said carefully, moving toward her desk. With a flicker of her fingers a haptic keyboard appeared, casting a powderpink glow on her surgically sculpted features. An idea that came to her and guided by an impulse, like on many occasions, Dancia brought up a closed file that hovered above the desk now, ready to be opened. It was a gamble for sure, but maybe the Chiss would become a game changer in the charades between her and Cassius.

Of course, there was also a chance he maybe served her father. The mission given to him shouldn't be of significance. Would Cassius lower himself to work with an alien? Someone so prominently non human. ”I am willing to give you a task, easy one for someone with your...” The woman's eyes traveled to the saber hilt. ”Talents.” She finished, meeting the male's gaze once more. ”If you will manage to deal with it, I am inclined to offer you a stable position and income. A contract.“ Danica let her dainty fingers to trail the keyboard idly before speaking up once more. ”I will also contact you with my allies that may help you, but only if you will tell me what your group truly was.” To her, it seemed fair, after all not everyone got to work in her company – a powerful corporation by now.

[Faeruy]

This woman was infuriating. And insulting. Llokin's eyes narrowed to slits, and he had to visibly keep himself from killing the woman there and then. It would make his life easier, though it wouldn't get him what he wanted which is why he put so much effort into holding himself together.

"I take it back. You are an idiot. I didn't ask you to take me at my word. I asked you to sign a contract. A binding contract. And you persist in underestimating my skill and overestimating my patience. I never make cavalier claims. If I tell you that I'm capable of something, than I am. Reckless or no." Who did she think he was? A Jedi? Some greenhorn smuggler?

That was part of the problem, she had no idea who he was. At this point, he was basically nobody. A part of him could understand the need for testing him, but only a small part. The rest of him was angry at the game playing that the woman insisted on doing. There was no place for it in his life. And the fact that before she even agreed to his conditions, which he thought were reasonable, she wanted to 'try' him out. Like a slave going through it's paces. It was beyond insulting for someone of his power and training. To make matters worse, she seemed to be very intent on her own keyboard, instead of on their current business.

"Your terms are laughable Miss Liviana. Do you only do business with complete fools? How am I to believe that you won't go back on your terms? You could easily use me for this job, and dispose of me. I would be no closer to reaching my goals, and you would be one enemy fewer. No. this does not suit me in the least." Finally, the tall Chiss moved away from the window, and towards her desk, and the datapad he had left on there. He pulled up a new screen, and started typing in things, speaking as his fingers flew.

"A contract, Miss Liviana. My service for yours. One year. A probationary period consisting of one errand." He glared at her. He wasn't happy about the 'test', but he didn't think she would back down on it. And he needed that data. "The terms. Information for me. The resources and money to build or buy a claw craft. Nothing more, nothing less." The idea of a 'steady' income and salary didn't sit well with the Chiss. He was no wage slave, no lap dog. He did, however, need a new ship. He wanted a Chiss military-class vessel, and if she was going to put him through this hardship, then she was the one who was going to pay for it. He continued to tap away furiously at the datapad, taking out his aggression on it instead of the completely infuriating human woman. "If I fail, you would be entitled to one hundred percent of my current assets, and I would not expect to receive payments. If I succeed but you chose not to retain me past the probationary period, I will be expecting payment in the form of credits. If you fail to uphold your end of the bargain in anyway, I will be entitled to either ten percent of your company's assets, or your life, whichever is easier to obtain."

He slammed his datapad across the desk to where the CEO of Livco sat, and leaned towards her, his red eyes glowing menacingly."A contract, Miss Liviana. Not 'my word', not 'your word'. Not a game. Not a test. A binding agreement. Right here, right now. You are an insufferable woman, Miss Liviana, but right now you're my only option. If you weren't, you would be dead already." He straightened up. "My group, since you absolutely insist, was the Allied Forces Branch of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet." A bit of a misnomer, considering it was a bunch of ex-mercenaries and pirates working for Llokin, but it had been Llokin's first stage in his plan to unite the Chiss Ascendency with the rest of the galaxy. "Our goal was to bring an end to the piracy, smuggling, and banditry in the galaxy. This goal bred enemies, and as a result, everything I've worked for was destroyed. I need revenge."

[Poludnica]

There it was, finally the Chiss betrayed true colors. He was furious, she could almost taste the fury hanging between them. Months ago Danica would cower from this anger, would break and give up but not anymore. Llokin wouldn't hurt her, not if he wanted to walk away alive from this building. Swallowing fear and an insult, the dark haired businesswoman glanced at the azure male with a dismissive contempt. ”Maybe, but I am still a much richer idiot than you.” Danica hissed venomously. ”Don't forget who came here asking for my help” She reminded the Chiss, scoffing like a hurt princess. ”If you don't like it, why won't you ask your own people for it?” The human pointed behind her; fiery temper flaring now with full, unpredictable force. At this point any fear would be swept away by a hurricane of fury.

He was a nobody! A pauper with nothing but a handful of credits and a nasty attitude. Danica got already sick of being pushed around by the Force users, her father the most. They thought the universe owed them something. The emotions were now clearly visible in flushed cheeks and moist shimmer in her verdant gaze. Even loose curls of her raven hair wildly spilled on the slender back, mimicking the turmoil that wrecked the woman's soul. When the Chiss stepped closer she had to fight the urge of slapping him.

The fool thought the contract really protected anyone from treason? What he would do? Sue her? Danica didn't like his attitude, didn't like the way he talked and smiled in despicably smug manner. And all this only made her more sure that pitting him against one of her father's allies would bring only good thing regardless of the outcome. She wouldn't cry over their death.

Huffing with displeasure the woman grabbed a datapad, almost violently taking it away from the Chiss. ”You can get a contract for the first errand but for this kind of money...It will take much more than a year.” Danica threw the thing back on the desk, it let out a wiling clank, the hologram flickered, smudging the letters. ”Unless you will prove worth of the investment.” The woman added, still angered, still on a verge of calling guards – but also craving to defeat the Chiss. To make him yield.

As the Chiss went on on his ridiculous terms, Danica couldn't hold back the snort ”Spurius” She cursed in High Galactic – one didn't need to know the language to guess by the sheer tone of voice it wasn't a compliment. The Chiss army, the story seemed as far fetched as the 'moral' approach of the group itself. The woman helplessly shook her head, another excuse to get power. Just like Cassius. And her Danica thought she couldn't possibly abhor the male more. ”You will get a year long contract with a standard starting pay for a freelancer specialist contractor.” The Curiscanti human began to explain. ”Based on your performance your payment will be modified accordingly. You can forget about owning any percent of my company unless you will invest enough to become a board member.” Danica crossed arms in an haughty manner, measuring the male with a steady, angry gaze. ”You will also have to apologize for your rude behavior of course. Who do you think you are?”The woman added, maybe even trying to forcing him into walking away. Like a defeat pup.

”That's my final offer, take it or GET THE HELL OUT.” The last words were spoke up with such fervour they borderline an furious shout, a banshee screech. Once more pointing at the doors.

[Faeruy]

The desire to kill welled up in him; strong and viscous and dark like slowly oozing blood. Llokin saw himself wringing the life of of her, watching those flashing, fearful eyes grow dim and blind as he cut off her air supply. He could almost feel her life force oozing out of her, the smell of burnt skin, sizzling as he cut her down where she stood. He imagined a thousand and one cuts, charric blast holes, lightsaber burns, all painful, all causing this CEO to scream a haunting melody of agony.

It was a tempting image, a delicious one.

NO! He thought to himself. The image was worthless, and unproductive. The Chiss would not allow himself to fall prey to his own murderous desires. The Dark Side was a useful, powerful tool, but a dangerous one. Llokin refused to let himself trade logic and intelligence for the pure, exhilarating power that his darker impulses would lead him to. He needed what she had to offer. There was no question about that.

Even as she insulted everything about him. It took him longer than he wanted it too, but with a visible effort, Llokin turned back from a snarling beast into the cold prince of the ice once more, his expression masking his true feelings. He clasped his hands behind his back and stood straight and tall and listened to the sad little human finish her idiotic rant.

For she was being stupid. He had offered a very reasonable contract, and she was going to throw the whole thing out, for what purpose? To beat him? She didn't know a good deal when it hit her in the face. Llokin wondered how she managed to stay in business so long. Making a claw craft was expensive, yes, but not as expensive as paying him in credits, at least, not if she was smart about where to go looking for a ship such as he wanted. And the ten percent of her company was only in the event that she failed to uphold her end of the original bargain. Since she clearly didn't want that to happen, to Llokin that meant she was more willing to part with her life than with her money. A fool. A proper fool.

"So let me get this straight then. Based on what you have said. You want two separate contracts. One for the first errand and one for a year's service. This seems unnecessary, but alright. I will be expecting that we sign both today. Unless you agree that a yearlong contract with a starting probation period of one errand is sufficient." He spoke more calmly now, though there was an edge creeping through his demeanor. He was frustrated that she was being so obstinate. "I will agree to being paid in credits. I will ask that all payments be made to this account" Llokin rattled off a series of letter and numbers; the account wasn't his, but it was the account of a ship builder in the Kuat Drive Yards, one who agreed to help him retrofit and build a Chiss clawcraft. If she didn't want to help him directly, he would still get what he wanted, or at least attempt to. "I still need some form of collateral in the event you renege on the contract. A businesswoman who places no trust in the contracts she makes makes me very wary. It makes me think that here is a woman who has no qualms about breaking her agreements. It is chaotic, and I don't like it. As I have stated before, should I be the one to renege on the contract, you are entitled to all of my assets. What assurance do I get that you won't break it?" He smiled at her; it wasn't a very nice one, but it was as nice as she was going to get at the moment. In the end, it probably wasn't a bad thing. Either she would uphold the contract, or he would make her uphold it, by any means necessary.

"As for the final part of the agreement, I apologize for my earlier behavior. It has been very stressful these past months, and I'm afraid I'm that I'm not always myself. Losing everything you've worked for will do that. I am stuck. I cannot go to my people because I have no way to go to them at the moment; they are out of range of any sort of communications, and no craft that isn't designed by the CEDF can get anywhere near Chiss-space without being obliterated. For the moment, I may as well be nobody, and nothing. But rest assured, Miss Liviana, that is a temporary situation only. I will accept your offer. Do you accept mine?"

There was a part of him that screamed that he was debasing himself to serve this filthy creature. His head soothed it by promising the dark side that one day, he would gain his honor back from this woman. From force, if necessary.

[Poludnica]

The tension in the air was palpable and a part of her found it oddly thrilling. The electrifying danger of it all, it was what pushed her to insist instead of simply kicking him out. Llokin presented a challenge, a frightening new challenge. Nearly visceral mixture of fear, trepidation and thrill that came with it made her feel alive, especially if she was winning. And it looked like the Chiss calmed down, yielding to her conditions that weren't bad but also didn't warrant a special treatment the male so openly demanded. No, the Chiss prince would have to swallow he was like all the rest of the Galaxy and certainly below a human that held all the cards.

With a confident, almost cheeky smile of a spoiled feline Danica glanced back at the datapad then back to the Chiss. ”I will have my lawyers to prepare you a year long contract with a clause of its dissolution in case of your failure in dealing with the first errand.” The woman took the numbers and put them in her own personal datapad for her specialists to look over the details. As a close ally to the Sith Order Danica could obtain more information than an ordinary business tycoon. Renata's friendship opened many doors, of course not without a price but a price the Coruscanti human was willing to pay at this point.

A Debian smile crossed her lips when Llokin confessed his mistrust. A healthy approach in the Sith space, or any space. As they finally established who had upper hand there, Danica visibly calmed as signs of so recent fury began to fade, replaced by self-content euphoria with this little negotiation victory. Certainly Cassius would never expect his daughter of such resourceful or even temperament that allowed it. Proud like a colorful peacock, she leaned against the desk, crossing long legs in a lady like but casual manner. ”You will be given a compensation of four payments, a standard collateral any freelance specialists gets.” She stated sharply, making note of a weakness the Chiss had so freely showed – a low tolerance for uncertainty. Danica's chaotic nature was oddly pleased with this find, tho the girl didn't know yet why. ”That should be even more than your current assets are worth.” The woman added offhandedly, in a seemingly polite tone but a subtle rise of her chin suggested a gesture of silent superiority. The male called her a fool so there was no chance Danica would spare him pointing out how poor beggar he had shown himself to be.

”Still, my lawyers will need a list of the said...assets.” Danica added with a small, barely noticeable smile that dangerously bordered a smirk. The apology seemed pathetic as a string of excuses followed it about how miserable the Chiss' life turned out to be. Pitiful. Though it was more than she expected from him, seeing as he hadn't turned on his heel yet, there was a motivation and loyalty someone like her would need to pit against an army of fanatics Cassius had. The quality her father possessed and she lacked severely, despite the racist, elitist and abhorring ways, people seemed to adore him. Humans at least. ”You've got yourself a deal. Come back tomorrow morning.” A slender hand reached to the purse, a set of diamond bracelets clanked with the movement. Danica opened it before daintily taking out a cig.

”If there isn't anything else...” She started, staring pointedly at Llokin.

[Faeruy]

It wasn't perfect. It wasn't what he wanted. It certainly wasn't the best deal for either of them, at least not to his mind. The human was clearly devoted to her stupid, unorderly way of thinking. But this was the best he was going to get, and it was something that the Chiss thought he could live with, at least for the time being. Getting the information he sought would make it all worth it. Even if it meant working for the most infuriating woman he'd ever had the misfortune to meet. He nodded, though, as he finally got her to agree to a contract, and more, agree to collateral. Not that it would do her much good. If she decided to use him and lose him and neglect to give him the information he sought, then she would pay dearly for it; far more dearly than with simple money.

His face was stone, a stark contrast to her smirk. She was obviously quite pleased with herself, and it took every ounce of control Llokin had not to wipe the expression off her permanently. She had gained a minor victory, it was true, but in the end, when Llokin and the Ascendency were in control, than the real winners and losers would be determined. If Miss Liviana continued to prove to be as useless as she was today, than she would be one of the first to fall. Llokin savoured that image in his mind. Yes. The soft brunette woman brought low. It would do nicely as something to keep him motivated through an entire year of what amounted to indentured servitude.

”Of course your lawyers may have an account of my assets.” He flipped the datapad he had brought in with him to her. It had belonged to a bounty hunter, it was true, but since acquiring it, Llokin had used it to store other bits of data that he thought might be useful. ”I have no need of this back, and it will have the information that your lawyers desire, including credits, property, and stocks.” There were a few things missing from that list; like his now defunct base. Partially because he had never officially owned it in the first place, and partially because, at least for the moment, it was entirely useless. Not that it couldn't be made useful once more, but it would take time and money, neither of which he had much of at the moment. Besides, a man had to have few secrets. And as long as he had any power whatsoever, he would keep that secret from her. She was his employer, she didn't need to know absolutely everything.

”A deal.” He said, bowing his head, though an eyebrow quirked upwards in annoyance. Filthy habits and a drunk. She was a real prize of a person. ”I shall return in the morning. I take it the contract will be ready then? And will I be given my first assignment as well? I warn you, I will not undertake any job for you until we have both signed this contract.” Unblinking red eyes met her confident and unwavering gaze. A real pity that such confidence came from stupidity, rather than true knowledge and purpose. If the woman wasn't such an insolent child, then he might have respected a gaze like that.

”I have nothing further to discuss with you at this time, Miss Liviana. You have been...” He paused, searching for the precise word for what she was. Kind she had not been. Helpful, not at all. Everything he wanted to say was uncharitable. ”.... Meeting you has been... illuminating.” He amended. He gave her a short perfunctory bow, then straightened up to his full height. ”Good evening, Miss Liviana. I shall see you in the morning. I believe I can see myself out.” With that he straightened up, turning smartly on his heels, walking out the door of the Livco Office. Beaten for one round, but one round only. He had a year's contract with this woman; Llokin had a feeling it would be a very interesting. If this meeting was any indication, there was a very good chance that one or both of them would end up dead by the end of it.