An Offer He Can't Refuse

[Val - Warning:Contains Sarcasm]

Val smiled, nodding at Elsie. The title was going to take a while to get used to.
"If you would - I don't understand how women can do this to themselves as often as some do. Too much hassle."
She turned to observe Xierra returning with a pair of lightsabers and her bodyguard clothes on. She did certainly look intimidating in that outfit.
"With any luck, I'll be able to get us through without the need for searches. Mind tricks tend to work on most guards. Main trouble will be Falleens and the like." She glanced at Xierra, giving a quick smile. There were certainly places they could put the sabers which would not be searched - at least in some cases, if she had her say about it.

[Mara]

She nodded; Xierra had also thought about using mind tricks if necessary. Or using the Force to disguise the lightsabers themselves as something completely mundane. It would be much better to be caught with the weapons and fight through the ensuing battle, than to be caught in a situation without them. "I agree. We must use every trick we know to conceal our Jedi weapons. We cannot afford to leave them behind."

Xierra smiled at Val's comment about other Falleen. "I doubt we will encounter many of my kind. They tend to love staying on Falleen." She grinned. "But if we do come across one, I will deal with him or her." The young Falleen herself flexed her fingers, the long nails flashing as she looked at them. But then she turned back to the group. "Then it's agreed? We carry them hidden and avoid detection with the Force.

"In any luck, perhaps Tas Bey will feel us coming and we can send a message."

[sparrow]

"Can't say I understand either," Elsie. She grinned. "But I have to say you look quite dazzling in this." She knew of course that know wasn't the time to become all fashion-obsessed, but their current choice of clothing was not without reason. They needed to find Forge, and with these clothes Val would stand out in the crowd. Stand out as someone who wasn't a Jedi.

Forge would his eyes and ears everywhere. They could use that to their advantage. If they made no attempt to hide themselves after they exited the ship into the city, then no doubt Forge would learn of their presence fairly quickly. Elsie was counting on the man's confidence and curiosity to bring him closer, where they could then make their move.

Although it had no pockets, Elsie's dress fortunately did come with nice long wide sleeves, and she floated her lightsaber across the room tied the weapon to her forearm, letting the sleeve drop down to hide it from view.

"Alright, let's get out there and show that crimelord that the Jedi aren't to be trifled with."

[Val - Warning:Contains Sarcasm]

Val smiled, quickly turning away to pull the gloves on and then checking her hair was still in place. She checked the gloves, glad to see that no marks showed through, and slipped into the uncomfortable heels. She hadn't worn heels before, but she'd figured out how to walk in them by watching some women during her training. Putting it into practice was different though, and several wobbly steps ensued before she figured out the trick. Quick shifts from heel to toe helped her stay balanced and she sighed in relief that she wouldn't struggle as much as she thought she might.

She brushed her dress, removing the small pieces of dusts from the edge, causing them to slither to the floor. Taking a glance at her lightsaber, she considered where might be the best place for her to keep it stashed, if at all. She decided that she'd probably be best off relying on the Force as much as possible, but a lightsaber was always able to provide protection the Force couldn't. She tucked the saber hilt just above the waist, finding it didn't affect the shape of the dress. She tightened the dress a little, preventing the saber from moving.

Everyone appeared to be ready to go now, they were just waiting for Rein to reappear. She paused, trying to sense whether he was struggling at the moment. She hadn't been a good master so far, and had hardly even talked to her padawan, nevermind helped instruct him. Once she wasn't trying to save a bunch of Jedi, she'd be able to instruct him to make him the kind of knight he'd always want to be.

[Mara]

As the others finished up with their "costumes," Xierra went silent as she decided where to stash her two lightsaber hilts. She went with her first instinct and tucked them in the back of her pants at the base of her back. They would be hidden by her jacket but in easy reach in case of emergency. And with the help of the Force, she could use its aura to disguise them as something else.

She moved a few paces away from the others and closed her eyes for a moment. Xierra wanted to mediate slightly on the mission ahead and seek guidance from the Force. Also to calm herself, and steel herself for what was to come. She needed all her confidence in the Force and her own abilities to complete this without any problems. Her awareness tucked inside as she withdrew within herself, but the Falleen kept enough of a sense outside so that she could sense the others.

[Anackis]

Rein stepped out of the room he had dressed in, he felt odd in these cloths. The tunic had a nice cut and an elaborate silver stitching around the sleeves, the sleeves that hung about a hands length too long. It was the best fit they could find for him, but it would do. They managed to find a neatly pressed pair of pants that he was able to fit with his belt pulled tight. Rein thought they were little different from the ones he already had, other then having a nice seam. Finally they made him replace his old blindfold with a fairly elegant scarf. He had to wrap the scarf around his head twice to take up some of it's length and it took him a few tries to get it to stay. If he were only a bit thicker he would fit the cloths fine and probably play the part of a convincing wealthy humans blind son.

He stepped out of the room and bit his lip, his nerves finally getting to him. They were about to start this mission, his first mission. This mission would let his master see what he was really made of, and see what worth he could be as a Jedi. Everyone's eyes on him as he exited didn't make him feel any better.

[sparrow]

With Rein's arrival, the party was now complete. Elsie took a deep breath. She was nervous, yes, but they were about as ready at this point as they could be. No more planning, no more hesitation. If Tas Bey was still alive, then his life could be in danger, and the clock was ticking. It was time to take that planning and put it all into action.

The ship ramp lowered, and she stepped outside.

(( sorry for shortness. don't really know what to say))

[Mara]

Her soul sufficiently calmed, Xierra glanced around herself one last time, making a quick inventory check. Lightsabers, fighting rods, small blaster... check. Hand-to-hand combat skills, check. Commlink, check. The Falleen felt she was completely prepared now, both in mind and body. There was nothing else left to do but to get on with this business. The sooner they found Tas Bey, the sooner they could rescue him, the sooner they could head back to the Temple.

She followed Elsie done the ramp, keeping her expression neutral but her eyes still on alert for any danger. Xierra only extended her tendrils of the Force slightly away from herself; if there were other Force users in the area, she didn't want their presence known. Feeling nothing immediately pertaining to them, she took a few more steps away from the ship. Time for their little charade to start.

[Val - Warning:Contains Sarcasm]

Val took up a position at the head of the party, partly as a leadership role and partly as an effort to make it appear she was the noble lady leading her entourage of servants and guards. The docking platform they had landed on was, at the moment, very empty, and it allowed her to practice using the heels for walking over a distance without the eyes of judging observers on her. By the time they had exited out onto the main street she was comfortable with them, though she was certainly not comfortable 'in' them. They weren't filled with spikes and digging through her feet, but they weren't what she was used to. The dress made up for it though.

She paused in the street, looking around. They had to find a crime lord, so he would either be in the dirtiest slums of the city, or the richest, most expensive buildings. Considering she was supposed to be rich herself, it would make sense she headed for the more prominent looking buildings to start making herself known, which was on her right as they left. Towering, smooth buildings dotted the skyline there, opposed to her left where she could almost immediately sense the desparation and suffering the inhabitants were subjected to and causing. The streets grew slightly busier as she proceeded down the street, gaining several glances from pedestrians. Hopefully that meant it was a good thing.

She kept aware of the surrounding buildings, checking if there seemed anywhere prominent that they could enter to draw attention, but nothing stood out. Each inn or club seemed the same as the one three buildings down. Resigning herself, she approached a random passerby.
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you could tell me of a club that attends to the more... prominent figures." She put on the best voice she could of those she had seen of noble blood, pronunciating the full word and adding a slight accent. The man paused, looking at her. She was hardly sure whether he was thinking or just staring. A second later he seemed to snap back, as though he had been absent minded .
"Yes, you need to go to the Twi'lek's Tails. You're heading in the right direction, but it's further down." He pointed, as though displaying his competency with directions. She thanked him, continuing to move on.

Twi'lek's Tails? Why do I have the feeling this club won't be just drinks and sabbaac? She stroked her stomach slightly, checking for the hard base of the lightsaber there. She could feel it, glad it hadn't moved at all, and returned her lands to her side. She didn't want to have to use it, especially in a dress and heels, but she could never be sure.

[Anackis]

Rein struggled to keep up with everyone, his short little legs moving as quickly as possible without running. Every now and then he would pause a moment, covering his mouth to muffle a hacking cough, only to quickly catch up to the group. He knew these were real Jedi and he could not slow down the mission asking them to stop for him, he was not sure what they would think of him. Rein did find comfort in their pace though, in his efforts to keep up with them he had forgotten about his nervouseness.

He wanted to learn as much from them as he could without interfering with the mission and so he watched them carefully as they went from place to place. Unfortunately he could not hear the light conversations that went on and most of the time he could not see over the Jedi to place a location to their where-abouts. He felt like they were simply wanding the streets with no real idea of where to go. He shook that thought from his mind. These were Jedi Knights, he knew they had this planned out and was certain they knew where they were going and what they were doing.

[Mara]

Xierra wasn't a huge fan of walking throughout the various streets and levels of the city. She knew that they needed to find a way into the underworld in order to find the missing Jedi, but the security risks were... well, they were numerous. Much more numerous if they had just hired an airtaxi to take them wherever they wanted. Even if they didn't have a specific location in mind. The Falleen didn't mind walking; it was easier to keep her awareness. But a vehicle was more more easier to secure.

And she wasn't sure that someone of Val's purposed standing wouldn't be able to afford such a luxury. They did have to be as realistic as possible, yes? But Xierra just walked behind the others, dropping back to make sure the boy was in front of her. He was someone she needed to especially keep an eye on. Not that she was worried about his qualifications. She just wasn't sure that the mission was one for a Knight to bring their new padawan on.

The Falleen shook those thoughts from her mind. She needed to focus on the three beings in front of her, plus on all the others they were passing by. A passer by like the one Val was now greeting. Xierra almost groaned audibly but kept the reaction to herself. No, she wasn't liking this whole situation at all. Not one bit. She let Val have her little conversation to find out where the best place to go would be, but then things would have to change. Not to mention that Xierra didn't think it was very indicative of her noble's class to just ask where other nobles hung out. She sighed again, and hoped to the Force that they weren't putting themselves in danger.

It was time for a change. Keeping her Force awarness on the boy, Xierra jogged up to the front of the group, pacing with Val. She softly cleared her throat. "Mistress, I find it highly more suitable to hire an airtaxi to take us where we want to go. We'll have plenty of time to walk on our trip." It pained Xierra to talk like that, but she knew she needed to stay in her role as a bodyguard to Val's character. She lowered her voice so that only the four Jedi could hear. "I don't feel safe being exposed like this."

[sparrow]

Elsie nodded. "You're right, a taxi would be much more suitable. I'll go call one." She could sense the unease coming from the other Jedi; she was feeling it herself. This wasn't a role that she felt entirely comfortable with, and she couldn't help but worry that if she did something wrong their cover would be blown. But she had to admit that Val probably had it the hardest at this moment. People had a way of ignoring servants, pretending as if they weren't there, but Val would not be given that luxury.

"I don't feel safe either..." But we're Jedi. If we can't do this, then who can?

A taxi pulled over, and Elsie stepped forward to open the door for the others to enter the vehicle. Suddenly another thought occurred to her. "I think we may have to split up. Something tells me that the young master won't be allowed into the Twi'lek's Tails..."

[Val - Warning:Contains Sarcasm]

Val entered the cab, feeling a little foolish for the way she had behaved. She wasn't used to the noble way, always finding it natural to walk around and get to know the environment, and talk to the locals. She wasn't used to the dress, the hair, the make up, the heels, the way she needed to be acting, the people who were supposed to be working under her... It was all so strange, almost stressful. She pulled her left glove up more. It wasn't slipping, but she didn't want to risk anything. She tapped her chest once more, feeling the saber there, as the rest of the team gathered into the cab. It was more spacious than it appeared from the outside.

"What is the location of your destination, madam?"
The driver was a droid, not that she expected anything in particular, but she wasn't aware that it would be a non-organic piloting the cab. She thought, though, that it certainly was safe at least.
"The Twilek's Tails, if you please."
The droid made no effort to confirm the request, pausing a moment to probably analyze the route and locate the way there. A second later the cab was speeding off. The group relaxed in the comfortable seating, not really wanting to speak in earshot of the droid who could quite easily pass on 100% accurate information to its owners. That travelled for well over a minute at a good speed and Val was happy that Xierra had came up with the thought of getting a vehicle. Walking this far in heels by now would have caused irritable skin at least.

She diverted her attention to her padawan, who seemed to be a little uncomfortable at the moment. She was sat opposite to him, so leant in close and whispered.
"Are you OK, Rein? Are you nervous? It's fine if you are..."

[Anackis]

Rein slipped into the taxi and found a seat across from his Master. He was relieved to give his legs a rest, but didn't want to let anyone know. He coughed a few times into his sleeve before looking back at his Master. He was supposed to be her son. Acting sickly would be easy enough, but he was not sure he knew how a son should act to a mother.

Val gave the directions to the droid calming Rein a bit, she did know where to go after all. His comfort quickly turned his nreves against him again, that meant they were getting closer to the actual mission. He had to learn to fill his role in missions. He had to learn to follow what his Master said, only then would he make it out safely.

Val suddenly leaned towards him, "Are you OK, Rein? Are you nervous? It's fine if you are..." He paused a moment, unsure if what she was asking was a test or if she really cared about how he felt. Quickly he dicided that test or not, now would be the best time to start playing his role.

"I'll be alright... mother." thinking it was odd enough, say it was like chewing on bark, rough and out of place, "Once we find the doctor..." he paused a second and pretended to cough, but pretending only through him into a real coughing fit. He felt like laughing, he was sure the others had a arder time playing their role then he did.

[Mara]

A small sense of relief washed over Xierra as Elsie agreed with her about getting an airtaxi to take them the rest of the way to the club. She had to concentrate hard not to let her skin pigment change because of the feeling, making sure it stayed darker and more menacing, though she didn't feel that way at all. Sometimes appearances really could be deceiving. And make potential enemies a bit wary. Which is how the Falleen liked it; keeping her opponents on edge, on the defensive.

Xierra got into the cab, waiting until they had gotten further on their way before addressing Elsie's suggestion that they split up once they reach the Twi'lek Tails. She had been mulling over the same thing. Though it was better to travel in groups, there might be some areas a noble like Val may be allowed where the proprietor of a place may not allow her bodyguards to enter. However, splitting up in that way would not be smart either. One of the "bodyguards" should be in each pair. But the padawan... he was a problem as well. To be believable, he would have to be with Val as well. For not the first time Xierra wished the padawan hadn't been tagging along. The mission would have been much easier to perform.

While she was figuring out the best way for them to split up and how best to answer Elsie's predicament, the young Falleen had completely missed the exchange Val had with the droid driver and how the rest of the team had gotten into the taxi. And now the Jedi seemed to be in conversation with her padawan, er... son, leaving the transport mostly quiet, as Elsie and Xierra sat in the relative silence.

She flicked a finger, trying to gain the attention of the other Knight, in order to somehow discuss the proposition of splitting up. When Elsie was looking, Xierra subtly moved her dark green clawed fingers, suggesting that she go with Val and Elsie stay with the padawan. She hoped the Echani woman understood what she was trying to get across. Though it might hurt their disguise having the boy away from his "mother," Xierra also wanted to make sure either her or Elsie went along with Val's character. Even though Val would be able to defend herself as ably as any of the trio of females, the success of their mission pending on her having to be defended. She gestured again, pointing out herself, then Val. And then Elsie and Rein, waiting for the Echani's thoughts.

[sparrow]

As a Jedi who concentrated much more on combat than diplomacy and communication, Elsie met Xierra's first flick of the finger with a somewhat puzzled raise of the eyebrow. It was only after the Falleen woman made the much more obvious movement, pointing to herself then Val, followed by pointing to Elsie and then the padawan, that it actually dawned on her what Xierra was trying to communicate.

She thought about the idea for a few seconds, and nodded her agreement. Yes, if they were to split up, that would probably be the most appropriate arrangement. It did make sense for the official bodyguard of the group to travel with the lady, and for the maid to be taking care of the son.

That would be the most sensible arrangement, though it wasn't one Elsie felt too thrilled about, mainly due to the fact that it would mean her having to spend some time alone with the padawan. There was a very good reason why Elsie had yet to request a padawan of her own; she was insecure about her teaching abilities and had literally no confidence in her abilities to successfully deal with and take care of one.

But if they had to split up, no other arrangement really made much sense, so if it came to that, she would not object.

As they exited the cab at the Twi'lek's Tails, the Weequay bouncer gave a disapproving growl at the young padawan, and pointed to sign on the wall, confirming Elsie's fears.

[Val - Warning:Contains Sarcasm]

Val stepped out, smoothing over her dress and checking her hair with one hand to check it hadn't moved out of place. It was very similar to how she had left it when she had left the ship, and now stared at the enticing entrance to the Twi'lek Tails and the large sign on the door clearly stating Rein was below the appropriate age to enter. Looking around she could see several stores and resturants and other assorted places around the street that should be sufficient for Rein to remain in whilst she was inside. She was in reach of the bouncer's earshot so decided to remain in character for the timebeing. Deciding a bad mother would be more appropriate than a good mother at this point, she put on the haughtiest voice she could muster.

"OK son, I'm going to be gone a while so behave yourself in my absense." The words weren't particularly boldening or gentle, but the meaning was implied in the waves of the Force she eminated. Rein would hopefully pick up that she was not dismissing him, simply splitting the team. She was not sure whether Xierra or Elsie would be joining her inside, and looked to each one in turn waiting for a response. There would be little time for fully spoken words from now on, but whispering and glances, as well as the Force, should help them see their way through.

Their target was a gangster of sorts. She would need to appear as though she had things worth selling, or at least something of interest to him. What exactly it was, she was not sure, but she would certainly be pressed to use the Force quite a lot in order to proceed as quickly as possible in the bar. She didn't like having the group split for too long, especially since her padawan would be probably nervous as it was. She made a mental note to take him on a solo training mission after this one was done, where she could ease him into being a padawan more. Being thrown into this mission with her at the last minute wasn't the Council's best idea in the last few days.

She turned, assuming the bouncer would be getting suspicious if she dawdled for too long after stating departures from her son, and began to walk calmly towards the entrance of the club, assuming whoever was joining her would be just behind her.

[Anackis]

Rein scooted himself out of the taxi to stand by Master Adeera. Rein knew he would not be allowed in, and finally realized why the other Jedi habeen making those signals in the taxi. The group would have to be split up. Rein already knew his Master would not be coming with him, but her tone as she spoke shocked him a little. It almost sounded like she wanted to get rid of him, and for a second he thought she did.

It took only a moment for Rein to remember his role. He reached out, as if her were blind, feeling for his 'mothers' hand. Her hand sat right there in reach and Rein almost grabbed at it, he quickly changed his mind thinking it to obviouse if he did. Instead he brushed his hand against the folds of her dress before grabbing onto it, he hoped Master Adeera knew what he was doing.

"Please, mother." he pleaded even as she began to walk away, he let the folds of her dress slip from his small hand and tried to make his voice sound desperate, "Don't leave me out here alone." Rein began to cough and leaned over supporting himself with his hands on his knees. He hoped she wouldn't stop walking, he didn't mean to let his cough escape.

His action had been simple but he hoped it made them more believeable. Then again, it might have been too much. Rein did not know how a son was supposed to act around a mother. He hoped that his supposed blindness would cover any faults he had in his role.

[Mara]

Xierra could sense a little unease through the Force nixed along with Elsie's agreement with the Falleen's idea of splitting up the team. Despite those misgivings, though, she was sure the Echani woman would perform well. And they would all still be in touch via commlink and the Force, if necessary. It was settled then; Elsie would remain behind with the padawan while Xierra accompanied Val into the club. And tried to blend in as much as possible, letting the other Jedi spin her words to gain them the information they would need to further their search for Forge and the missing Jedi.

She quickly checked her hidden weapons--lightsabers, blaster, nunchuks--before exiting the taxi last behind all the rest. Satisfied that everything was still in place, she went a few paces to follow the others when she realized the droid driver was hovering there. Finding it odd, Xierra turned to look and gathered that no one had paid him left. For the sake of appearances, with the bouncer nearby currently in conversation with Val about the boy, she put on a look of annoyance as she paid out a few credits to the airtaxi droid.

As she turned around, she noticed Val already being passed by the bouncer, the boy and Elsie already heading down the street towards the shops. The Falleen woman hurried her steps to catch up with Val as she entered the Twi'lek Tails, giving a look to the bouncer that seemed to say something along the lines of "you know how it is..." The Weequay nodded at her in agreement as she went past. Xierra figured that his bosses probably stuck him with taxi tabs more often than he would have liked. The small gesture made it easier for Xierra to enter the club without a body search and without having to use the Force or her pheromones. If push came to shove with a little nudge of the Force, perhaps he would be an ally for them inside the club.

A moment later she was in step with the other Jedi, flanking her just one length behind like a proper bodyguard. She touched the other woman's mind gently with the Force so that Val would know she was right there without having to look around. Afterwards, Xierra kept her eyes on all the other occupants within the club, walking with her arms loose at her sides, ready, checking for any signs of danger. She would let Val do all the talking for the both of them, hoping that they could get an in somewhere or at least a tiny bit of information that would help them. Mouth closed, ears open... that was always the Falleen's best trade.

[sparrow]

Giving what she hoped would come across as a reassuring smile, Elsie did her best to act natural. "Come, young master, let's get you something to eat while we wait." Putting a hand on one of his shoulders, she proceeded to try to find a more family-friendly looking establishment nearby. They would be close enough to quickly make it back to the Twi'lek's Tails should anything significant happen there, and in the meantime Elsie would do her best to keep her eyes and ears open for any other clues of Templar Forge's whereabouts.

Several blocks and turns later, there it was. One of the small deli shops said to be part of Forge's massive empire. And it looked friendly enough as a front, somewhere you could bring a kid to and not get too many strange looks. A good place to start as any.