What an interesting night (Talau)

[kt]

The night was still relatively young as Xander cruised through Coruscant on his ship the Femme Fatale. It was almost time to meet a contact on Korriban for a job when the thought of a nice cantina, one with lots of those hot twi' lek dancers all around entered the zeltron's mind. " Hmmmmm that sounds like a plan." He thought to himself as he took a left turn and pulled up to a very large cantina, it looked like a rockin time, the contact could wait a day or so.

Xander hopped out of his ship and stepped attempted to step through the entrance before a pair of Gran guards stopped him. "Hold it, give us any weapons you might have." They said threateningly. "Well of course of course, i can sure do that, one moment." Xander smiled and reached into his pockets. He pulled them out and like a flash of lightning, incapacitated both guards and walked in, he didn't even have anything on him. Xander walked into the building a smiled as he saw a few dancers and ordered himself a large glass of juma juice. " Yup, this'll do just fine." He then continued to scan the area for anything of interest.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sihara hated cantinas. They were debasing places full of ruffians who would no sooner look at you than shoot you. Unfortunately, she was here. This insufferable cantina was her destination. She'd been sent scouting around lower Coruscant for that blasted smuggling ring again, and what better place to find information about smuggling than a place full of smugglers and riff-raff? Sighing, she had entered the cantina from the opposite side as most, getting in easily with a wave of her hand and a few quiet words. Her dark brown robes denoted that she was a master, but...well, she was far from a master now. No, she hadn't made it to the rank of master, though she would have if he'd lived. If he'd lived...he would have been with her now.

Shaking those thoughts off once more, she sighed again and made her way over to the bar, ordering a drink as she scanned the area. Leaning against the lit bar, she stroked a lekku mindlessly as she awaited the barman's return with her drink. There were quite a number of people in here today, but no one stood out...perhaps she wouldn't find what she was looking for today. That would be a tremendous waste of time.

[kt]

Xander took a big swig of his drink as he hopped onto the stage and started dancing with two of the twi lek dancers, both of whom were becoming very smitten with him. Xander then started whispering a few little sweet nothings to them and both of them giggled. He was about to leave with the two girls when his gaze came upon someone rare, someone exquisite, someone who appeared to be a jedi. Xander thought to himself of all of his jedi encounters and he realized that he had never gotten lucky with any of them...hmmmmmm, let the hunt begin.

Xander jumped off the stage and downed the rest of his juma juice. He then sauntered over to the togruta jedi and put an arm around her waist " So what's someone like you doing in a place like this?" Xander didn't even wait for an answer before he raised her chin a bit and gave her a kiss on the lips " the name's Xander, and you?" He always did enjoy being bold with women, it was almost like an addiction.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sihara had been about to ask the barman a question, since he had just returned with her drink, when she felt someone coming up to her. No sooner had she looked over to see who it was than an arm was around her waist and she was being kissed. Her first reaction? Strike.

With a motion fast as lighting, her arm snapped out and toward his chest, heel of her palm first. While this happened, she whipped her head backward, and in an unusual display of anger, shoved her montral toward his face and stood, backing away to a safe distance from the man. Only her first strike had been aimed to hit him, the rest just insurance to get her away from the offending man.

Who do you think you are, sir, treating me like that?

She demanded, her hands open and ready to strike again should she need to.

[kt]

" Aren't you a fiesty one, i like that in a woman." Xander laughed as he managed to twist out of harm's reach, barely. " Just what i'd expect from a jedi, i coulda been seriously hurt." he just continued to smile a joyful smile, Xander wasn't going to attempt use his pheremones or his emotional projection on this one, any zeltron knew better than to try those tricks on a jedi. No, this one would and could only be cracked by Xander's use of skillful word manipulation. "I, my dear jedi babe, am just a humble wanderer, looking for a good time." He truly was just looking for a good time tonight, he had nothing to hide. "And what about you? What is a gorgeous young woman like you wandering around the backside of coruscant? Isn't this alittle bit....dingy for a girl of your calibur?"

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Raising an eyebrow, Sihara huffed at what she now perceived to be a zeltron man. He thought he was such a smooth talker, didn't he? Attempting NOT to roll her eyes, she huffed.

Well look somewhere else Zeltron. I have no business with you unless you happen to be smuggling animals.

She stated bluntly, narrowing her eyes at him, only slightly impressed with his ability to move away from her attack. Huffing again, she turned and sat down once more, pulling her drink over to her casually as if nothing had happened, and pointedly ignoring the pesky zeltron.

[kt]

"Surely a jedi shouldn't have such a cold heart in their chest should they?" Xander asked sweetly. " Let's turn that frown upside down!" He gushed as he walked behind her and poked at her sides, trying to elicit a bit of laughter from her. " You really should try and be a little more positive, i can tell not even by looking that you have quite a large bit of stress built up." Xander said quickly as he continued to poke at her sides before moving out of her reach. " And about the smugglers, i can help you if you want, it's not much to convince people to trust you." Xander gave the jedi a sly smile " of course, i'll want something in return."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

His words struck a nerve in Sihara and she twitched unwittingly at his poke. It wasn't so much that it had tickled, but rather it brought her back to the present. Snapping golden green orbs to the red tinted man once more, she blinked at him and reached out through the force toward his mind. Just who was he? There was something a bit more to him than she had first thought. She knew zeltrons were able to use pheromones, and fairly often able to use the force, or at least some part of it to sense others feelings, but...did he have any further talents? She couldn't quite tell without investigating him more deeply and she didn't even want to dip into THAT consciousness.

Look...what stress I do or do not have is none of your concern sir.

She stated, feeling the sting of loss once more in her heart. This one was too good at what he was doing. Words had an odd power to do that, and the fact that she didn't feel him pushing any kind of impressions toward her said something for him. Motioning to a seat beside her with a red and white hand, Sihara took another sip of her drink. As the man spoke again, she glanced at him out of the corners of her eyes.

Explain.

She said, not bothering to say any more than that. If he wanted to make a point, which she was almost certain he did, he would explain himself without further allowance.

[kt]

Xander gave a small smirk as the Togruta offered up the seat next to her. He then ordered the extra large of juma juice and looked at Sihara " I can feel the pain of loss on you, i won't question you about it but do try to cover it up better, it's starting to effect me a bit." Xander said as his smile decreased a bit. " I'll get straight to the point, tell me what you want to know and i'll get ta talkin to the locals 'bout it." He gave her an award winning smile and put a hand on the low end of her back " And tell me, was that your first kiss by chance? I'm going to assume it was seeing as you're a jedi and all.....wait....that means that you're.....uh..hehehe." Xander trailed off, chuckling a bit at the thoughts that entered his mind.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sihara blinked at him again and sighed, shaking her head.

Then I suggest you leave. It's a part of me not easily hidden. Besides, you brought it upon yourself.

She stated, closing herself off to him entirely. Now all he would notice of her was an emotionless hole...almost like a void in space where she sat.

Anyway, you said this would be in return for something...what...exactly...were you getting at?

The bestriped and red hued woman asked, narrowing her eyes slightly and choosing to ignore his question...as well as his comment. He didn't need to know either of those things.

[kt]

" You jedi and your mind tricks, i must've hit a nerve or something 'cuz that wasn't my intention, i was just saying that i'm well...let's say i'm rather sensitive to the emotions of others near by, therefore, positive emotions are a plus." He finished explaining as he took a drink of his newly brought out drink. "Don't think the only way i can tell other people's emotions is just limited to feel, i can read your face pretty damn well too, but again, i won't pry." Xander then downed the entire glass of juma juice and asked for a refill " Oh, well, that, i was gonna ask you kick back and have a good time with me tonight, ya know, turn that temple of a body of yours into a zeltron amusement park." He just laughed as he patted her on the back lightly.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Sihara had been about to reply to his comments when he patted her back, right over her scar. Hissing, her sharp incisors glinting slightly as a pain shot down her back. That was one thing that would never fully heal. Not now anyway. Luckily it only hurt when hit like that, or if she was tossed against something, not moving around or doing daily training. Finally dulling her pain, she was able to reply.

Yes, I know very well that you are sensitive to emotions. All of your people are, like mine are to the vibrations of the world around us....but I do not ask you to move more quietly do I?

She snipped a bit more harshly than she had intended. With another breath she fully numbed the pain she felt and shook her head slightly.

That was out of line. Forgive me...it was said out of pain and irritation. As for what you ask in return...I'm afraid I'll have to decline. For all of your smooth talking, I don't find the offer to be particularly worth the effects it could have.

With another swift motion of her hand, she downed the rest of her drink and looked toward a growing scuffle not far away. Narrowing her eyes, she excused herself from the zeltron and moved toward the problem. With a few words and a slight motion of her hand as if she were waving them away, the situation was defused. Returning to her seat, she blinked at the man beside her.

What's your name anyway? Mine is Sihara.

Well, as long as she was talking to him, she might as well be civil.

[kt]

"Sorry, that was very rude of me to say, i apologize." Xander said sincerely. He then sensed a great deal of pain coming from Sihara as he patted her on the back "I'm so sorry, you must have a wound of some sort on your back, again, i apologize." Wow, tonight was turning into a nightmare compared to the last couple nights. He then watched as the jedi quickly stopped a fight to be. "Very impressive, my name is Xander, a pleasure to meet you miss Sihara." Xander gave her a nice polite smile. " I'm not the type of guy to take advantage of a jedi either...well......mostly." Xander laughed in a joking fashion as he took a drink from his glass.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Allowing a small smile to bloom across her face, it was easier to see who the togruta had been during her padawan years, her coloring almost making her look like a rare flower come to life and taking humanoid form.

It's alright Xander. I've not been overly accommodating either...and I wouldn't expect you to know about that old injury.

She replied, a tinge of sadness coming to her eyes again, though she stayed an emotionless void to him. Perhaps a bit of a blessing for him considering her often changing moods. She was very unjedi like in that fashion...her constant emotions.

Ah, so you admit that you are trying.

Sihara stated with a knowing smirk and a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Though I am, perhaps, not completely adverse to the idea, I'm afraid that I cannot do as you hope. Not only is it a mandate, but I am also here on business not for pleasure, and I do not know you enough to even consider it.

She added with a wink, deciding to play his game. It was partially true, though, she just wouldn't allow him to know that.

[kt]

" Well well well, you CAN smile." Xander laughed in a mock surprised manner "You really should do that more often, you've got a very beautiful smile." He then listened to her reasoning " Ah, well i wasn't exactly expecting any semblance of a yes anyways, i know well enough how the jedi council can be, i'm not gonna force you to drink your face off or anything." This particular jedi was actually quite an interesting person, it wasn't until she gave him a wink that he realized what a find she was " So anyways, what was it that you needed help with again?" Xander changed the subject, not because he was taken aback but because his brain wasn't functioning as it normally did.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Allowing a chuckle to bubble up in her throat, she smiled a bit more and nodded slightly.

I was here about smuggling. A smuggling ring to be exact, though I doubt you would know anything about the animals they are smuggling.

She said quietly, allowing herself to sound simply calm rather than sad. So often she hid her pain, she wondered how much longer she could continue to do so.

I should go. I doubt I'll find who I need here....No one here has anything about animals in their mind....except perhaps that they wish to act like one.

Sihara murmured, and turned her eyes toward the dancers on the stage.

I'm afraid I've ruined your night Xander. Perhaps one of the dancers will cheer you up. If you'll excuse me.

She said, feeling rather confused and more than a bit down all of a sudden. Perhaps it was the drink. Either way, she felt the need to just get out of this cantina, though really, she didn't care if he accompanied her....but she would never admit to that. Ever.

[kt]

"Um...would it be alright if i tagged along for a bit? This place is starting to bore me." Xander lied perfectly, this woman, though a jedi, seemed very...well....there was something about her that made Xander just want more. He'd never admit it but she had left a very profound effect on him, an effect with near drug like qualities. Xander then paid for his drinks and walked by her side " Mind if i grab my things....and my ship?" He asked with a smile.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Turning to look at him, her eyes glinted slightly in the dim light. Shrugging slightly, she continued to walk, exiting the door and out into the night. Finally, cool air. Intently feeling better, she sighed and pulled her cloak around herself a bit more.

Go get your ship then Xander, but where I'm going it might not be best to take it, but my speeder instead.

She stated simply, waiting for him to do whatever it was he was going to do. Folding her arms across her chest and putting her arms in her sleeves, she gazed up at the few stars she could see through the lights of the city. For some odd reason, she didn't mind the Zeltron now that he had calmed down a bit, and perhaps he would be helpful in the lower quarters. Ah, there was a question!

Xander...You wouldn't happen to have a coat that would fit me would you? It might be best for both of us if I wasn't so...obvious.

She stated, motioning to her outer robes.

[kt]

"Eh? Yeah sure let's take your stuff, i'm gonna grab my gear though if it's gonna be potentially dangerous. And, hehehehe do i have a jacket for you, of course, what color?" He asked with a chuckle, as if the question was the most obvious one ever asked. " Would you like a full set of clothing as well? Jedi robes aren't exactly.....well..ya know.....discreet." He said slowly. " Come on, follow me, i have a whole wardrobe in my ship....dont ask why."

The pair eventually made it to the Femme Fatale and Xander opened up the hatch and hopped in, grabbing his blaster pistol, disruptor rifle, and a giant suitcase full of women's clothing. " Um..yeah i meant to return these to a few of the woman i uh......spent time with." He rubbed the back of his head and laughed. "Hopefully she doesn't mind clothes that are a bit...revealing......" He thought to himself as he went over all that was in the suitcase, other than the few jackets he had, all the clothes were from rather scantilly clad girls.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Raising an eyebrow, she followed him to his ship and watched as he hopped in, pulling out a blaster and rather large suitcase. Raising the other eyebrow, she wondered just why he had all these clothes...then he explained and she almost wished she didn't know. Sighing, she opened the case and immediately rolled her eyes. By the force she was going to hate herself for this. Pulling out a leather jacket and a black shirt, she decided it was best to keep her pants, since they were low enough to keep with any effect the shirt would have since it seemed rather high cut.

Excusing herself from his presence, she slipped out of her over robe and folded it carefully over her arm and walked back inside. Moments later, she returned in the new clothes. The shirt cut low enough around the neck to show her cleavage, and tight enough to show her thin waist, leaving a bit of her midriff showing, the white designs on her sides and back clear against her rusty skin. Her robes had mysteriously disappeared...though really she had already stowed them away in the speeder...and the long sleeves were loose and fluttered around her arms, the leather gauntlets she wore under her typical garb keeping the black fabric tight around her wrists so it wouldn't get in the way of her movement if it came to blows. Her saber was still attached at her hip on her belt.

Alright, let's go then. The longer we wait, the less likely I'll be to find anything tonight.

She stated, motioning for him to follow her as she walked to her speeder. Setting the jacket over the back of her seat for later, she hopped in and started the engine.

Get in if you're game.