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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Jan 4, 2010 21:37:10 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Jan 4, 2010 21:37:10 GMT -5
((Holy crap on a stick, I'm sorry this is LOOOOOOONG.))
Di’Shan followed Nex’s lead out of the door with a relaxed sort of grace but his body cinched into taught alertness the moment they stepped into the hallway and he felt the Force ripple around Nex. The other man’s discomfort, momentary as it was, echoed loudly to Di’Shan who had been watching his companion with a healthy wariness. He could feel Nex’s tension as clearly as the ring of a bell, a sudden shift of from the relaxed awareness of moments ago to something more akin to disquiet. Something Di’Shan hadn’t felt had just disturbed Nex. That, in turn, made Di’Shan a little nervous. Nex didn’t seem the type to spook easily and it bothered the Twi’lek that he hadn’t felt anything himself so whatever Nex had picked up on was either directed solely at him or had been purposefully hidden from Di’Shan. Neither presented a pleasant scenario as Di’Shan was currently working closely with Nex so an attack against him would mean the Sith would most likely become involved. The last thing he needed was to find himself embroiled in a battle with some old baggage Nex had brought into their partnership.
Di’Shan covered his discomfort before it had any real chance to show and for all appearances, he let anyone watching have the impression that he’d entirely missed Nex’s pause. Better to leave anyone who might be nearby with the impression that he was completely ignorant to anything going on. He offered his hunting companion a conspiratorial smile and flipped up his own hood as they swept back down the hallway and out of the building, pointedly ignoring the way Nex moved with a far less relaxed gait than before. He had to smirk as he felt Nex’s Force signature bleed out like watered down paint on canvas until it had all but faded in the larger swirl of the Force. Anyone not actively looking for Nex would have missed him entirely and even those who were seeking him would have a hard time picking him out.
Di’Shan followed his strange companion through the streets in silence, his own Force signature rolling off him like a fog on a bright morning. He had never learned to hide it, his Master had never taught him that, and he envied Nex for the other man’s ability to do so. He’d have to see if he might be able to glean such learning from the Dark Jedi during their partnership. The market place was easy enough to find. The noise of it echoed off the canyons of glass and steel that rose on either side as peddlers hawked their wares with shouts and cries. Such noise. Such chaos. Di’Shan loved a good marketplace. He could kill a few people in the middle of it and no one would so much as notice. It was a perfect working model of chaos in action.
The less reputable areas of the marketplace could be found just by listening to the crowd’s roar. The din of crying merchants would dull and hush in certain areas where those involved in transactions didn’t want their business broadcast and it was these pockets of murmured conversations and whispered deals, where the crowds thinned considerably, that housed those who sold items one might consider less than pleasant. Nex tapped Di’Shan’s arm and the Twi’lek spun immediately to face where his companion was gesturing. He didn’t need to be told where they were headed as his eyes fell on the small opening in one wall that served as a storefront. The crowds were avoiding that place like a plague which boded well for it housing something the two men might find useful.
The anticipation in Nex’s voice was echoed in the smile that flashed across Di’Shan’s handsome face but he said nothing. His eyes darted around the room, marking any exits and any signs of security first and ignoring the holograms until he’d ascertained their situation. Should the shopkeeper get ugly, he preferred to have a general plan for getting out. Two small blaster turrets sat hidden in the shadows of each back corner in the store and Di’Shan noted the way they swiveled slightly when he and Nex walked in. Security was tight. That was a good sign as it meant they’d be dealing with someone intelligent. Di’Shan let his eyes finally travel over the shimmering blue holograms that offered up a smorgasbord of destructive delights to those who had the credits to afford it. Di’Shan had money enough from his various missions, the price he’d fetched for most of his Master’s old things, and the small stipend the Sith initiates were given for basic needs while at the academy but he wasn’t interested in simply blowing things up. What he needed would require a little more finesse.
Di’Shan all but utterly ignored the droid that approached him. He hated them. Droids had no emotions, nothing for him to play with, nothing to amuse him, and as such he found them to be pointless and boring. What they would need would require him talking through subtleties with a real person, not some programmed monstrosity. He let Nex speak on their behalf while he continued to scan the room, taking in the shadowed figure standing in the doorway when Nex pointed her out but otherwise making no outward show of interest. It wasn’t until she approached that Di’Shan seemed to come to life. He returned the nod Nex offered and swept back his hood with a flourish, offering the Bothan a smile and light bow that would come across as mocking to anyone who had actually been trained in the Jedi or Sith arts. To the shopkeeper, however, it was a gesture of respect and her grin increased. As long as her ‘guests’ stayed polite, she had no reason to kill them.
“We are a discerning pair seeking a souvenir of the most unusual sort,” Di’Shan drawled in the charismatic voice he reserved for those of the female persuasion, “and we thought your fine establishment might have what we’re looking for.”
The Bothan drummed her fingers together, her grin never wavering as Di’Shan spoke. This was a game she was used to. Every now and then, someone would come in and need something she wouldn’t stock openly on the shelves, thus a subtle dance of words would unfold as they worked out exactly what it was the other wanted. Plausible deniability and all that. “Oh, we have many strange curiosities here, good Sir. What sort of collectible are you seeking?” The Bothan, grateful that Di’Shan’s voice was deep enough to clue her in on his gender, gestured to the back counter. She swept in behind it and spread her palms across the thick glass, leaning in toward her client to allow him to speak softly if he wished. She knew he had no interest in anything in the case.
“I’m terribly fascinated with the Republic you see and had heard so much about its citizens. I’ve started collecting bits of paraphernalia from their judicial courts, the odd document here or there, a bit of a uniform from a Republic Officer and all that,” Di’Shan gestured with his hand in a dismissive notion as if his ‘collection’ was no big deal though he noted the interest in the Bothan’s eyes. If a person really had been collecting such things, they might have a fortune’s worth of items the Sith Empire would love to get their hands on. “My collection is sadly incomplete without one of the most rare items that I simply MUST find. You see, I need the crowning jewel of the Repbulic’s citizenry…I need Jedi robes. Two sets.”
There it was. The words had been placed out in the open, wrapped in layers of innocence that could be played off if anyone asked. It was all the Bothan needed should someone come asking later as to why she had sold such things. Di’Shan offered her a slow and lazy smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. There was a low unspoken threat held in those gold orbs that said plainly enough the price the Bothan would pay if she ever spoke of this transaction or Di’Shan’s request to anyone else and she knew it didn’t need to be said aloud. Whoever these people were, she was better off not knowing anyway. “Jedi robes…..hrm…that would be a hard request to fill. Not many of those out this far and getting to a Jedi’s body before it’s recovered? That would be tricky. Not to mention getting TWO such items. Something like that….well, it wouldn’t come cheap. So much involved in gaining it, you know…” The shopkeeper glanced up at Di’Shan with that ugly grin on her face. She hadn’t come right out and said as much but she indeed had such a thing in her storehouse. A Master and padawan had been slaughtered during a mission when the Mandalorians had attacked the planet they were on. She’d paid a ridiculous price to get the robes in the first place and had been carefully hiding them away, half terrified any moment that some Jedi would track their sale to her and come looking to collect. If she could pawn them off to the two men before her, then she’d be glad to be rid of them.
Di’Shan chuckled throatily and pulled a thick packet from the back of his belt. “No, I suppose it wouldn’t,” he said with a cheerful smile. The packet was dropped onto the counter and the Bothan reached across and slid it to her. She peered inside and her eyebrows rose appreciatively.
“Oh I think I might be able to help you,” she said idly while grinning up at Di’Shan. She set the money pouch carefully back on the counter before heading into the backroom, knowing full well that trying to leave with it would have been a great way to end up dead. Di’Shan whistled cheerfully and drummed his fingers on the counter while waiting for the Bothan to come back.
“Looks like we’re in luck, my friend,” He called over his shoulder to Nex with a broad grin as the Bothan re-emerged with a thick parcel in her hands. She slid the package across the counter to Di’Shan and lifted the money from the counter, pausing to let her client inspect his package. Di’Shan slid the thick brown packaging aside and peered down into the parcel. Cream and brown robes lay in neatly folded squares and he pawed through them to ensure there were indeed two sets. When he looked back up at the Bothan, she had produced two pairs of brown boots and set them on the counter for him. “I suppose it’s too much to assume you could get me the sabers too?”
The Bothan shrugged and shook her head. “You know how it is,” she said pleasantly, “such things are highly sought after and they had already been pilfered before the robes were discovered. They are, no doubt, in the hands of those who felled these poor souls.” The shopkeeper put on a sad face though it was easy enough to see it for the ruse it was. Di’Shan knew her only sorrow was that she lacked the sabers so she could have asked for a higher price. The Sith bowed again and swept the package and boots into the deep folds of his cloak after replacing his hood up to conceal his face once more. He turned on his heel and strode toward the exit, throwing Nex a look of triumph before slipping out into the crowd once more.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jan 11, 2010 19:38:39 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Jan 11, 2010 19:38:39 GMT -5
((Sorry this took so long. Got unexpectedly separated from the internet for the past 4 or so days.))
An impressed look contorted Nex's face as he pulled his hood forward more and followed Di'shan out of the shop. Ever since being disfigured, Nex had found it difficult to interact with others in a diplomatic manner. It was difficult not to let his disgust and contempt for others slip through. The way they either recoiled from or pitied him or both left a bad taste in his mouth. Those few who were able to take in his grotesque appearance without reaction, or at least not much of one, such as what had happened when he'd met Di'shan, he afforded a certain amount of respect, and found it much easier to be amiable towards.
Once they had exited back out onto the market proper, Nex sighed in relief. He hadn't been sure they would find the robes at all. He was a bit disappointed that they were unable to acquire the lightabers, doing so would make their ruse even more likely to succeed, but the robes were a great help indeed. Acquiring the masks was a much simpler task. They had merely to visit a few clothing shops and explain that they were scheduled to attend a masquerade party and were dressing up as 'Evil Jedi' in hopes of winning the costume contest.
Nex found himself a bit proud of that one. The lie not only kept their robes and inquiries for masks from seeming out of the ordinary, but made the shopkeepers less likely to pay his voice and scars, as well as Di'shan's efeminite features much attention. Di'shan was simply explained as being a male Twi'lek who was costuming as a female 'Evil Jedi' and Nex was dressing as someone who'd lost too many lightsaber fights. A few of the shopkeepers found the 'costumes' quite clever, including the one who sold them the masks, which earned them a fair discount.
Having acquired all that they likely would be able to, Nex nodded to Di'shan and slipped into an alley quickly disappearing in the shadows as he moved far enough down that the chances of being seen were next to nothing. Satisfied, he quickly changed his robes, folding and rolling his black ones up as small as he could before tying them up with a small bit of cable. Satisfied, he ran some cable around his waist and under his belt, tying it to the one around his robes and positioning them at the small of his back where they disappeared under the other set.
Luckily, whatever Jedi had once owned these robes, though a big more stout than Nex, had been around the same height. So while the robes were large enough that his old ones did not make a bulge from their hiding place, they were also not so large that they would not seem to belong to him. Keeping his senses acute for Di'shan's approach, but not turning his eyes from his task, Nex quickly, and discreetly, undid the wrist holsters that hid his lightsbers. These too he rolled up and stuffed into the folds of his Dark robes, where they would not be found. Though his trust for Di'shan was growing, he would not now, nor ever, reveal everything, and for the moment the place where he normally kept his sabers would remain secret, as would his use of two. When he had rolled up the holsters, he had removed only one blade, leaving the other to be hidden along with its holder.
Satisfied, he emerged from his shadowed hiding spot and followed the impression Di'shan made in the Force to wherever the other Dark Sider had chosen to go. "I am changed and ready if you are. I think it may be best if we drop our belongings off somewhere safe. One of our ships perhaps. Mine is not far from here." It was a tactical move on Nex's part to offer his ship as a place to hide their robes. For one, it showed his commitment to the partnership and trust in Di'shan in that it would reveal his ship's current location and appearance to him. Secondly, it was also a bit of insurance. Though the robes were important to the Dark Jedi, they were not enough to kill over, so if things did go badly, he could escape to his ship without much worry that Di'shan would come after him. It also, however, ensured that Nex's robes, and thereby his holsters and second lightsaber, remained somewhere he could safely reacquire them. It also meant that once they had finished masquerading as Jedi, they would have to return to Nex's ship to finish the ruse, and therefore Nex would have the advantage should Di'shan decide turn on him once the Twi'lek had been acquired.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
0 likes
"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Jan 11, 2010 20:11:12 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Jan 11, 2010 20:11:12 GMT -5
Di’Shan stifled a snort of amusement at the lie Nex had come up with when they’d bough their masks. He’d long ago come to terms with the fact that his face would always gain him odd looks so the lie didn’t insult him in the slightest. While his ‘partner’ was buying masks, Di’Shan had stepped to one side in the clothing store and picked up a large sized corset. He didn’t relish the idea of what he was about to do but he would make use of every advantage no matter what and he wasn’t about to pass up a perfect opportunity to pass in a crowd. He paid for the corset and a Twi’lek dancer’s headpiece he’d found which would cover his tattoos nicely before following Nex back out into the busy streets. The two quickly split up and it wasn’t long before Di’Shan lost Nex’s Force signature to the dull thrum of the crowd around him. He thought ruefully that he really needed to learn to hide his own trail that way as he tucked down a small dank alley opposite of Nex’s. He receded back into the shadows and shed his dark robes quickly, pulling on and cinching the corset tightly to accentuate his small waist. He folded and tucked his robes around his hips to make them a little more curvaceous and then pulled on the Jedi robes over them.
The Jedi who had worn these was a slight bit shorter than Di’Shan but his tall boots and the long sleeves of the outer robe hid that fact fairly well. Only someone paying very close attention would notice and he didn’t intend to let anyone that close for the evening. He donned the slave headgear, a thin layer of leather that held each of his lekku and was strapped on around the back of the head, and then pulled out the items he’d taken from Nex’s hotel. A few articles of clothing were stuffed down the front of his robes to fill out the top of the corset giving him a surprisingly hourglass body when paired with his earlier efforts. He picked up a thin silver bracelet he’d found in the suitcase and donned it as well. The next several minutes found him eyeing his reflection in the tiny mirror inside a powder case as he applied a thick eyeliner and bright golden eyeshadow which complimented his eyes beautifully. His lips were shined with gloss and as he appraised himself in the mirror, he had to admit that he made a very beautiful woman. He almost laughed aloud at the thought.
Di’Shan grabbed the last of his things and clipped his own saber to the Jedi belt he was wearing before stuffing the last of his unused robes into a bundle. His head snapped up as Nex’s voice wafted down the alley to him and he smiled in spite of himself at the sight of the Dark Sider standing there in the cream colored robes of the Jedi. Oh how the self righteous would rage to see the beloved symbol of their order being donned by two so utterly depraved as Nex and Di’Shan. The thought was a pleasant one to say the least. The Sith snatched up his boots and his robes and tested out a sultry walk as he headed toward where Nex was waiting. The idea of a Sith cross-dressing and sashaying down an alley was utterly ludicrous but he knew the ruse would work like a charm when he stepped out into the crowd again and immediately drew some appreciative stares. He blinked down at Nex and gestured to the other man to lead the way, throwing his voice to a high falsetto that was surprisingly convincing coming from a 6’3” man. “By all means, my fellow Jedi. Lead the way.” It took everything Di’Shan had at that moment not to laugh out loud at the ridiculousness of the situation but at least he wasn’t bored.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
0 likes
Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jan 11, 2010 22:42:57 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Jan 11, 2010 22:42:57 GMT -5
Nex's eyebrow perked as Di'shan sashayed down the alleyway. A Dark Sider cross dressing, and doing so as convincingly as this...the idea was ridiculous, unbelievable, absurd, and that was what made it so perfect. A wicked grin spread across his face at the thought. No one would ever expect it. No one, especially not the self righteous jesters would even consider the idea that a disciple of the Dark Side had so thoroughly disguised himself as a member of the opposite sex. And therein lay the beauty, the added layer of subterfuge cemented the security of the plot. Things were turning out nicely.
The trip to Nex's ship was short and fairly uneventful, save for the occasional beggar asking the pair of 'Jedi' for credits. Not wanting to possibly ruin their disguise, but having little in the way of spare credits, Nex had mind tricked the weak willed parasites into believing that he'd given them each a handful of creds to call their own. Disgusted at having to even pretend to have compassion for the spineless dregs, Nex breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the docking area.
His ship was in the middle of receiving a wash when they approached. The Dark Jedi knew that the wash was simply an excuse for someone to scan his ship, but he hadn't cared. His last smuggling job was over a week ago and the only thing of any real interest to be found on his ship at the moment was his astro-mech droid. And T1-C6 was more than capable of handling itself.
Unfortunately, however, the workers would be more than happy to report seeing two 'Jedi' board this ship if bribed to do so later. If this plan went well he didn't want the Hutts believing his ship was one of the Order's. Not to mention that if could blow their cover.
Just as he was contemplating killing the entire wash crew, one of their droids made a sudden, loud buzzing noise. The workers all stopped what they were doing and climbed down off of the ship. Hastily putting their tools away, the followed the droid out of the hangar on the opposite side of Nex and Di'shan.
"The Force is with us, we have arrived just as they leave for lunch." Relieved that the potential kink in their plan was taken care of, Nex began a quick but easy stride towards the ship, opened a small cover and punched in the security code which opened the ships cargo bay door. Once Di'shan had followed him in, Nex closed the bay door and turned the ship's lights on.
"Welcome to The Lamentation. She's not the best ship in the galaxy, but she serves me well, when I can afford to keep her running." Something vaguely akin to a laugh echoed out of Nex's voice amplifier and he continued into the ship. His strides were obviously more relaxed now that they were in his territory, but the did not lose that predatory edge of awareness.
The inside of the ship was a bit rundown. A few of the walls, like the unwashed parts of the outside of the ship, showed blaster scarring, and a few even had partially repaired lightsaber burns. As they passed the medical bay, one look inside would show that finances were a little low for Nex, of his four bacta tanks only one was filled. And yet, despite all of this, the ship seemed oddly cozy, the sort of place one could truly call home. Knowing that he would need their favor and respect during times when he had to cut pay, Nex had given the crew some leniency when it came to what they could bring aboard. And so it was that the normal hard metal chairs seen on a ship had been replaced with cushioned recliners, and the common area had a few couches and a holo-projector.
Finally they arrived at the locker area. Nex had purposely taken a bit longer route than was necessary. Part of that was so that Di'shan could get a bit of a tour of the ship. Though it was a bit rundown, Nex was proud of The Lamentation. The other part was to display to Di'shan that the ship was decently sized, and therefore potentially hard for someone not accustom to it to navigate, making any attacks onboard a bad idea.
With a quick flurry of his fingers, Nex punched in the security code for one of the lockers and removed his bundled robes, placing them inside and gesturing for Di'shan to do the same. As he did, Nex reached up to the back of his head and ran his fingers down the back of his mask, releasing the latches. The hoses inside disconnected with a hiss, and there was a slight sucking sound as Nex removed the device, which was slightly suction sealed to his face. The skin under his mask was just as scarred as the rest, and the area just around his mouth and throat was now easily seen to be an angry shade of red.
Of all the scars his body held, the redness angered him the most. When the plasma container that had disfigured him exploded Nex had taken an instinctual breath in, and in the process had caused the burns on his mouth and in his throat to worsen. It was this that had caused his voice to become the macabre tattered thing that it was.
Nex started to speak, the noise that came out was a rasp so light and strained it was barely a whisper. An annoyed look wrinkled his features and he held the mask back up to his face.
"As you can see once this mask is off it will be difficult for us to communicate. Before that happens, I wanted to suggest that we do our best not to reveal our lightsabers to Hutts. When we go back later to forge our alliance it may seem suspicious if ours are the same color as their attackers..." Nex paused and sighed as though relenting to some inner struggle. When he spoke again there seemed to be a hint of resignation in his voice. "I do have one other lightsaber we could use. A green bladed one I took from a Padawan I slew. One of us could use it, I would, if you are not opposed, suggest you, since there is a chance one of the Hutts associates may know enough about Jedi to realize that few if any use red blades. Oh...and I think for our little ruse I shall be the Jedi Dadoun Velen."
With that, Nex placed the mask inside the locker are moved in front of it so that Di'shan would not be able to see. He waited until the Twi'lek had turned away then punched in the code to another locker and opened it. Keeping alert to see if Di'shan turned, he pretended to be fishing around inside the other locker with one hand, then reached in and placed his palm on the backside of the top shelf in the other. With a slight rasp, he pushed and slid the back part to the side, revealing a secret 'pocket' of sorts. Quickly, he grabbed the lightsaber out and used the Force to shut the small door.
Again calling upon the Force, he slid the lightsaber up his sleeve and carefully floated it through the robes to his other hand, which he promptly pulled out of the other locker then closed it. With an expectant look he tossed the hilt to Di'shan, then put on the mask they had purchased. It was a simple little helmet, white with a blue visor for the eyes. Nex ran his hand over the smooth surface to the clamps which tightened it down a bit then nodded to Di'shan, pulling on a pair of gloves.
Nex sighed inaudibly at not having his voice amp, and once Di'shan was ready, led him out to the docks and onward to the entertainment district. From their he gestured for the Twi'lek to take the lead, unsure which cantina they should hit first.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
0 likes
"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Jan 12, 2010 0:09:14 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Jan 12, 2010 0:09:14 GMT -5
Di’Shan, for his part, was vastly entertained by wandering the streets in his new Jedi garb. The way people looked at him was entirely different than when he wandered about in his dark robes and the change was interesting. He had to bite his lip to keep from sneering at the beggars that accosted them and the thought crossed his mind that Jedi must be truly filthy all the time if they had such societal maggots pawing at the hems of their robes constantly. By the time they had arrived at Nex’s ship, the Sith was ready to slay the next being that tried to hit on him or ask him for help. He wasn’t sure which was more tiresome, being a beautiful woman or being a Jedi. Either way, he was more than ready to get this over with. He quirked an eyebrow at the men “washing” Nex’s ship, knowing full well that such service wouldn’t be afforded unless Nex had paid for it, a doubtful possibility, or they were subtly looking for anything they could steal or use for collateral.
He paid them little more heed after the droid led them away and followed Nex to his ship, looking for all the world as if he were bored. In actuality, he was carefully cataloging the hull, any signs of gun turrets and all the past damage that had been done to it. Every blaster mark held a story for him and he idly wondered how many had died with this ship as their last view of life. He wandered on board and was instantly on his guard for any signs of treachery though his gait stayed calm and even. He dropped the swish of his hips the moment the doors to the ship closed, grateful he wouldn’t have to keep that up for long, and took an appreciative look around. The interior wasn’t as nice as his own but the ship as a whole was larger and he wasn’t too picky about one’s belongings. Other Sith might have looked down on Nex for not being wealthier but Di’Shan didn’t think less of Nex, only that the man should be living better for someone of his skills. It seemed a shame that so much potential appeared to have been overlooked and it occurred to him again to extend his potential offer of introducing the other man to the Sith. He still hadn’t told Nex what he really was, hadn’t let him know the real organization behind his current training, but he figured he would let things play out and see where they led before making such an announcement.
Di’Shan glanced about as they went on the impromptu tour, memorizing the layout as best as he could and checking everywhere for any signs of assassin droids. He didn’t truly think there would be any tricks on Nex’s part since the man had seemed so interested in their current entertainment but he had learned from experience that one can never be too careful. It was a lesson his old master should have listened to a little closer. Never underestimate anyone. Di’shan leaned his broad back against the lockers as Nex ran a security code into one and dropped his belongings into it. His own bundle followed suit and he eased back again to watch as Nex removed his mask. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he took in the scarring in its full but the look held no pity or disgust, only a vague curiosity as to what had caused such damage. He wasn’t fool enough to ask though. Some things were simply better left unsaid between two predators. If they survived in each other’s company often enough, perhaps someday he might hear the man’s story but until Nex was ready to divulge it, Di’Shan wasn’t about to question.
The Twi’lek was careful to maintain his expression of detachment when Nex finally tried to speak without the mask. As expected, the man’s voice was almost completely gone leaving only a thin reedy hiss that sounded terribly painful. It was as Di’Shan had guessed earlier, Nex couldn’t speak without the amplifier to help. He had to wonder again what had happened to leave him so horribly scarred but it was a mystery he’d have to see if he could wheedle out of the man later. He noted the strange resignation in Nex’s voice when he spoke of the spare lightsaber and could only guess that the Dark Jedi hadn’t wanted to reveal its existence. It marked a point of trust between the two that Nex was willing to place something he obviously thought of as valuable into the hands of a man he’d just met. He waited with an expectant look as Nex placed his mask into the locker but something in the set of Nex’s shoulders said he didn’t want an audience at that moment. Di’Shan was willing to concede that since Nex had been willing to lend him an obviously prized spare saber and he pushed off from the lockers and made a pointed show of looking around the room so as to set his companion at ease.
His senses were acutely aware of the other man’s presence in the room and he stretched out with the Force to ghost across the emotions sent out into the air between them looking for any sign of betrayal. He could feel the Force shift as Nex called on it to do something and his muscles tensed for a moment as he waited to see what would happen next but the space between them stayed the same and when Di’Shan felt the Force move again he knew that Nex must be doing something he didn’t want seen. It made the Sith a little wary but there was no open animosity that he could sense from the other Force user, only that same resignation tinged with an eagerness to get to their later fun. Finally he heard the locker shut and Di’Shan turned at last to see Nex offering up the shined hilt of a lightsaber. He caught the small weapon as it flew through the air and without a second thought he ignited it. He kept his eyes appraisingly on the saber itself as a sign to Nex that the action was merely a testing of the weapon as opposed to an attack and once satisfied that he hadn’t been set up with a false blade that would get him killed, Di’Shan replaced his own saber with the one he’d been given. He tucked the long chrome handle of his own weapon inside his robes and folded it under the belt at the small of his back. The corset would help hold the weapon in place should he need it in a pinch.
He looked up to see Nex donning his own mask and he knew the pair of them were now completely unrecognizable. Nothing of Nex’s scars was showing any longer and Di’Shan himself would have been mistaken for the opposite gender in a heartbeat. He followed Nex back out to the bustle of the docks and then took the proffered lead, drawing his companion through the crowds and into the deeper and shadier areas of that sector. It wasn’t too long until he found a suitably vile looking cantina that reeked of vomit outside its doors while cheap perfume wafted out through the portal anytime someone entered or left. It was as good a place as any to start. He led Nex inside with a simple gesture of his wrist, indicating that the man should stay close. He hadn’t thought of a proper Jedi name at that point but didn’t figure it mattered too much since Nex couldn’t actually speak it even if he had it.
Di’Shan strode in through the doors with his head held high in a perfect show of someone who thought themselves utterly above what was going on in the bar. The music continued to play in the background but the chatter of the bar went quiet at the sight of two ‘Jedi’ walking in. Di’Shan nodded politely to those assembled and tried not to laugh out loud. It was amusing to think that these pathetic creatures honestly thought that he and Nex were Jedi. How many Jedi ever really came out to a place like Nar Shaddaa? No, the Republic had long ago turned a blind eye to those suffering on this rusting metal ball of a planet. The Jedi wouldn’t come there because they didn’t care enough to do so and that was what made this ruse so terribly amusing. Di’Shan walked proudly across the room, pointedly ignoring the open and hungry stares he got from a few of the patrons. He would gleefully kill the first idiot that even tried anything remotely dumb with him. He was only willing to take the disguise so far after all.
The Sith made his way to the bar and looked around at the people there before turning back to the bartender. “Excuse me,” he said, once more throwing his voice to the high falsetto he’d used earlier, “We are Jedi, looking for Pushka the Hutt. You’re assistance would be appreciated.” A few less than appetizing characters at the bar chuckled unpleasantly and shared looks that said they thought the Jedi had gone mad.
“Don’t know Pushka. Sorry,” the bartender said with a shrug. Di’Shan reached out with the Force and ghosted over the being’s mind. It was an easy enough task, the creature was weak willed, and he found quickly that while the man didn’t know where Pushka was directly, he DID know of her and that she was on the planet.
Di’Shan raised a hand and waved it before the man’s eyes, pushing his own mind across and wrapping the man’s will into his own. “You WILL tell her we’re looking for her though, should you see her or any of her minions.” The barkeep’s eyes glazed over and he nodded dumbly at Di’Shan murmuring a repetition of what he’d just been told. Beside him, the Sith could feel a few of the patrons shift uncomfortably at the blank expression that filtered across the bartender’s face and his obvious control at the supposed Jedi’s hands. It was just what he was hoping for. Real Jedi wouldn’t openly bully others. No, their methods of manipulation were rumored to be more subtle but no less unethical than the Sith’s. They could bend a will to suit themselves and call it justice with one hand while waggling a finger with the other and telling the Republic fools that they shouldn’t do the same. Di’Shan turned on his heel and scanned the bar for any other promising leads before looking at Nex and nodding his head toward the door.
This same scene played out again and again in a few different bars, each one resulting in the pair leaving without much new information but with a whole mess of witnesses in their wake. Di’Shan knew at least one of them would be winging this information to Pushka as fast as possible even as they stepped into another bar. This time things turned a little differently however. Di’Shan had figured Pushka would be interested in the Jedi that were asking for her but he didn’t expect the reaction to come so quickly. He must be pushing buttons she would prefer not be pushed. It hinted that the Hutt probably had current goings on that were sensitive enough in nature for her to not want Jedi involvement to become a wide spread fact. Other smugglers would avoid the hutt like the plague if they thought she had Jedi investigating her and that could prove very costly.
As soon as Di’Shan had finished his mind trick on yet another vapid barkeep, he felt the stirring of the Force telling him that a large group of individuals were headed for them with a single purpose. He looked over to Nex and whispered quietly, “Stay on your guard. I think we got her attention.” The words had no sooner left his mouth than a troop of misfit mercenaries marched into the cantina, their gazes and blasters going straight at the two Jedi. Di’Shan’s fingers grazed the lightsaber on his hip but he stayed his hand to see if these men were sent to invite them along for a ride or to kill them outright. He didn’t think Pushka would be stupid enough to do the latter though and he was proved right when a truly ugly looking Nikto stepped forward and growled at them.
“The mighty Pushka the Hutt would like to request the honor of your presence,” he snarled. It was evident that their presence was neither and honor nor a request as far as he was concerned and Di’Shan had to stifle a smile. Things were working out perfectly. He bowed low and gestured to Nex to stand down as a Jedi would to a companion.
“We will go with them for now,” Di’Shan said with a secretive smile back at Nex. Things were just starting to get interesting now.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jan 13, 2010 16:55:22 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Jan 13, 2010 16:55:22 GMT -5
Nex, for the most part, simply feigned disinterest while Di'shan was talking to the bartenders, and instead kept one hand on his lightsaber hilt, watching the crowd with the air of superiority, finding it oddly easy to pull off despite, or perhaps because of, the full mask that he wore. As they moved from bar to bar he carefully studied the reactions of the patrons, searching for any that stared just a little too long, or made too much of a point out of not looking at all.
As the two 'Jedi' made their way through several cantina's he noticed something that made him laugh. Or rather, made a slight, nearly inaudible wheeze rattle his throat. As he expected, most of the male patrons, and even some of the females, looked at Di'shan with a sort of reserved hunger. Their desire was evident, but so to was their fear of the consequences for expressing such desire. Those few bold souls who had tried to make a move had been quickly sent running with their tails between their legs, sometimes literally.
But what had truly brought him to laughter was the way that the patrons eyed him. It was an intriguing mixture of curiosity and fear. At one point, Nex had switched his concentration away from feeling out hostility so that he could focus on one of the patrons who most obviously had interest in him. It was then that he had laughed. The fool, along with the others staring at Nex, were wondering what lie under his mask, but were afraid that to find out meant the 'Jedi' would kill them. If only they knew.
Amused, Nex turned his attentions back to searching for any exceptionally hostile presences and half heartedly listening to Di'shan manipulate the weak willed fools that tended the bars. It was pathetic how many sentients someone such as Nex or Di'shan could control in that way. Nex had a particular distaste for using the mind trick, though not out of any moral or ethical issues. He simply hated having to touch his mind to his victims, wrapping his will around theirs and squeezing, molding it to his liking. He hated how easily their minds shaped, giving way like hot clay. Their spinelessness was disgusting.
Di'sahn's voice shook Nex free of his musings and a moment later Nex was standing straight, arms crossed in an imposing stance. His face contorted in disgust as what he assumed was the lead mercenary spoke. One thing he always hated about Hutts were the lavish terms of address they demanded. When Di'shan turned and spoke to him, Nex nodded his head slowly and clenched his fingers, causing his knuckles to crack. When he lowered his arms he pointedly flashed the lightsaber hilt in his hand with a slight threatening nod to the mercenaries. A few of them blanched and went pale. Nex had made a show of revealing it on his belt when the mercs had walked in, and none of them could remember him ever drawing it into his hand. That the 'Jedi' could ready his weapon without their knowledge while they stared right at him put a bit of tension in their step, and Nex let a small wave of his satisfaction wash over Di'shan, as though flashing 'her' a smile.
Things were becoming interesting indeed, and as they followed the mercenaries Nex pondered the days events, becoming more and more satisfied with this partnership as he did. As they came within sight of their destination however, Nex had to fight to control a sudden wave of tension and nearly failed.
The presence he had felt at the apartment building had flashed on the edges of his perception once again. This time he had been able to lock in on it a bit better, and he could tell it came from one of the rooftops. It was gone within seconds of Nex detecting it, but he was able to glean at least one thing. Whatever it was, it didn't know who was hiding under the Jedi disguise. The presence had given the impression that it was searching for something, something it wanted dead, and Nex had gotten an undeniable feeling that the something was himself. Just as he was about to snap his senses into himself and smother his own signature in the Force, the presence had disappeared.
Concerned but deciding it best to dwell upon later, Nex gave Di'shan a nod and let a feeling of reassurance wash out from himself to the Twi'lek. The last thing he needed was the other Dark Side disciple thinking that he was about to be betrayed.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Jan 13, 2010 21:14:17 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Jan 13, 2010 21:14:17 GMT -5
Di’Shan had to stifle a chuckle at the way the mercenaries, men who had made their living off of being the most dangerous men around, blanched and withdrew at the sight of Nex’s saber. He wondered how many of them would have turned tail and run like children if they knew who and what it was they were really facing. The Jedi had a reputation for being haughty but forthright and they weren’t known for killing without reason, yet these men were all too aware of the stories of the lightsabers wielded by the Jedi and the damage they could inflict. Little did they realize that the two beings before them could have and would have easily slaughtered them like livestock if they weren’t strictly necessary at that moment. Di’Shan smiled pleasantly down at his companion when he felt Nex’s wave of satisfaction, though his eyes held a lot more dark mischievousness than a Jedi’s would have. Things were going according to plan and already Di’Shan was having a wonderful time. He was so very glad he’d come to this forsaken planet on a simple errand. The Force had meant for him to meet Nex and the Sith was certain that he was going to enjoy their games this evening. After all, things had only just started and already Di’Shan was enjoying himself immensely.
The walk to the Hutt’s current location didn’t take as long as Di’Shan thought it might but he memorized the route anyway to make sure they didn’t get lost when they left with the slave girl. He could sense Nex walking calmly beside him for most of the trip when out of the blue he felt a shift in the other man’s emotions that made his own fingers twitch near the hilt of his lightsaber. Concern and surprise flitted across Nex’s mind in thin arching patterns that Di’Shan picked up like static charge in the air. His years of training in the art of mind reading and the playing of mental games had left him extremely well versed in picking out emotions in people, indeed it was this ability which he most valued as it would be his sustenance for the evening once they gained their new toy, but at the moment it was alerting him to the Dark Jedi’s discomfort over something nearby. It was the same discomfort he’d felt earlier at the hotel and it made him all the more wary. Someone or something was making Nex nervous and Di’Shan was left without question that it wasn’t him. Nex’s behavior around him had been wary but not scared. Whatever it was that Nex was sensing was leaving the man slightly rattled each time and that made Di’Shan wary.
Part of him wanted to simply walk away before Nex’s enemies, or whoever was setting the man on edge, caught up with them but a small piece of Di’Shan was irritated at this mysterious presence and it’s intrusion into their games. Nex was HIS for right now. He was playing with him currently. If some other being wanted to start issue with Nex, they would have to wait till after Di’Shan was done. The emotion swelled to a brief pulse of anger, an emotion that was usually difficult and unpredictable to draw forth in the twi’lek, but he let it go quickly enough when he felt the reassurance flow off of Nex. The anger was instantly dissipated once he was certain their game would not be interrupted and he was back to smiling with all the guilty pleasure of a cat chasing a canary, the intrusion on their fun having been filed away for now. The mercenaries led the two Jedi inside of a large imposing looking building which towered tall and dark above them. Only its top most floors were illuminated leaving the impression of a room floating high into the sky. The rest of the building was a solid façade of dark grey metal that could use a good wash. The double front doors hissed open at the approach and the door guards nodded the crew through. Di’Shan looked over the whole building in one sweep as they walked up and went inside. If they needed a fast escape, there was another building to the right that was about fifty feet shorter and twenty feet away. A normal mortal would most likely die in the attempt but with some good Force work, Nex and Di’Shan would be able to make that leap if they needed to. Their slave might not appreciate the fall but she would have more important things to worry about shortly thereafter anyway.
Di’Shan and Nex were led up to an unmarked lift tube and the lead mercenary swiped a key card across the door. It opened for them to pile in and Di’Shan sighed heavily. He was tired of the corset around his waist and was ready for this to be over with. He turned his head and narrowed his eyes to dangerous slits at the man standing right next to him who suddenly decided that perhaps he was standing a tad too close to the female Jedi and promptly took a step back. Next time, YOU’RE dressing as the woman, Di’Shan sent through the Force to Nex with a note of irritation, I’m tired of these idiots drooling on my robes. He didn’t bother to hide the smirk that suddenly worked its way onto his face at the thought of the other Dark Side user wearing a slave girl outfit. Oh, THAT would not be pretty, he thought to himself with a chuckle. A few of the mercenaries turned to look at him curiously since they weren’t privy to his private joke but apparently Jedi were seen as odd enough that laughing to themselves for no reason wasn’t too far out of line because the men shrugged and turned back around.
The doors to the lift tube finally opened to reveal a lively scene. The room they had entered into was indeed the top floor Di’Shan had seen from outside; bright light filled the scene and loud music was blaring from a live band to the left side of the room. A dais sat in the middle and upon it was the grand slug herself, Pushka. Three of the walls were made up of nothing but windows that looked out into the night with the wall behind them that contained the elevator being the only one that wasn’t. Shining droids marched stiffly through a small and elite crowd bearing platters of drink and food while a few choice dancing girls were putting on a show in the center of the room before Pushka’s dais. Beside her, kneeling with her head resting against the Hutt’s side, Di’Shan spotted the girl they had come for. She was a truly lovely creature with bright yellow eyes and long lekku. Her shapely form was barely concealed beneath thin layers of semi-transparent cloth that had been placed in as little quantity as was possible while still maintaining some small amount of decency, accented here and there with thin strands of silver that shone brilliant against her lilac skin. Truly she was beautiful.
Di’Shan smiled as pleasantly as he could as the girl’s gaze rose to meet his own. He could see the startled look cross her face and could guess well enough that she wasn’t used to seeing members of her own race reaching a towering 6’3”. She didn’t look the least bit frightened though. Instead, her face was filled with open wonder at the sight of another twi’lek woman in the honored garb of a Jedi. So much innocence. Such complete naiveté. She would be fun indeed once they got her away from this crowd. The music died at a wave of Pushka’s hand and a small protocol droid hobbled up to stand beside her as the mercenaries led Nex and Di’Shan down to stand before her. The dancing girls withdrew from the floor, their eyes wide as they took in the two forms before them, indeed all eyes in the room had turned their direction with open curiosity; only Pushka didn’t look terribly impressed. She eyed them warily and sniffed in distaste.
“Bo Shuda, Jeedai. Hi chuba da naga?”
Di’Shan had to resist the urge to crinkle his nose in disgust. The corpulent creature in front of him reeked something awful, a mixture of alcohol and what appeared to be the smell from the half eaten plate of some imported amphibian that she had been indulging in before they had arrived. Her breath could have killed a Mandalorian with his helmet on. The small droid at her side stepped forward and bowed to the Jedi. “The illustrious Pushka bids you welcome, Jedi. She is curious what is it you want since you seem to have business with her.”
Di’Shan struggled to keep the smile on his face. He wanted badly to just slit the foul thing’s throat then and there and be done with it but he’d committed himself to this plan and he would see it through. The end profit would hopefully make this all worth it. Di’Shan bowed slightly in a half gesture of respect before taking a step forward. “I am Jedi Master Ishta’kesu. This is my companion, Jedi Master Dadoun Velen. We are here as representatives of the Republic. The family of this young woman,” here Di’Shan gestured to the slave girl, “has requested that she be released of her bondage and brought back to her home world. Slavery is a vile act that the Republic cannot stand for. We are tasked with bringing her home and hope that you will cooperate.” The Sith knew right away that he’d hit a nerve with his comment on slavery as Pushka roared in displeasure and slammed her meaty fist down onto a nearby table. Di’Shan sent a wave of pure amusement across to Nex with a warning that the next few moments would see them move into further action. He then directed his energies toward the window on the opposite side to clue Nex in on where he intended for them to make their “daring escape”.
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Nex Morsus
The brighter the Light shines, the deeper the Shadows become.
240 posts
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Everywhere the Light goes, it finds the Darkness waiting.
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last online Oct 7, 2013 23:20:28 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jan 14, 2010 17:23:52 GMT -5
Post by Nex Morsus on Jan 14, 2010 17:23:52 GMT -5
The telepathic equivalent of a chuckle slid its way through the Force and into Di'shan's mind. As preposterous as the Twi'lek dressing as a woman was, the idea of Nex, scarred wretch of a Dark Jedi, doing so was beyond ridiculous. At least Di'shan could actually pull off the ruse.
Nex's eyes shifted around to study the lively area that the mercenaries had led them to, analyzing potential threats, any parts of the environment that could be useful, and the most efficient way to cause the most damage in the shortest time frame possible. On the far left, the live band played out their tunes on a repulsor disc a few feet above the floor.
With a grin forming under his mask, Nex let Di'shan feel his acknowledgement of the Twi'lek's plan, and nudged his mind a bit to get his attention. As he made the connection between their minds to allow his thoughts to flow, Nex was pleased by what he felt. Di'shan's mind was to disciplined to let more than a few stray surface emotions flow across the connection, and that further elevated the Twi'lek in Nex's mind. Too often were followers of the Dark Side literal slaves to their emotions. What little the Twi'lek did reveal, also impressed the Dark Jedi. The labyrinthine mind that the Dark Side disciple possessed was as dark and sinister as Nex could have hoped. This was a beautiful partnership indeed.
This is simply too perfect. All we need do is give that repulsor disc a hard enough push and it will become an excellent projectile to cover our escape. We most likely won't need the distraction, since they will be startled enough that we would try anything when so thoroughly surrounded, but it will add insult to injury, and help our later 'negotiations'.
Nex straightened up and crossed his arms in response to the Hutt's obvious displeasure, and a smug look of satisfaction, hidden behind his mask but transmitted to Di'shan, crossed his face as the mercenaries who had escorted them tensed. They were right to fear, and correct in their suspicions. The movement served a double purpose, the first to show his 'displeasure' to the Hutt at her reaction, and the second to cover the drawing of his lightsaber.
A slight touch of the Force had summoned the hilt into his hand, blcoked from view by the sleeves of his moving robe. The top end was now grasped in his right fist, allowing the rest of the hilt to remain hidden in his sleeve. Once the trouble started all he would need to do would be to lower his arm and quickly open and close his hand, thus allowing the hilt to fall just far enough that his fingers would grasp it in a ready hold.
That, of course, was only if things went severely against their favor. As it stood now, a few simple but brutal applications of the Force would be all they needed to open an escape route, and then some more fine, controlled Force usage to actually leave. Nex knew better than to expect everything to work according to plan however, and so began to formulate a back up plan.
It would need to be quick and simple, for if they needed it, he was not going to have time to stop and explain his actions to the Twi'lek. It would need to be an easy task for Di'shan to follow his lead and anticipate the best course of action to achieve the desired result. His gaze drifted to the far right corner, where a group of obviously important people sat sipping their drinks and discussing what was likely a highly illegal business venture. A plan began to develop from there and Nex, now mostly satisfied, signaled to Di'shan that he was ready.
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Otterling
Still Dutch's Minion
1,557 posts
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"Like a monkey on the sun, it was just to hot to live."
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last online Dec 25, 2012 18:03:09 GMT -5
Master
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Jan 17, 2010 22:34:33 GMT -5
Post by Otterling on Jan 17, 2010 22:34:33 GMT -5
Di’Shan watched impassively as the Hutt before him raged something incomprehensible to the droid. It wasn’t hard to tell what she was screaming as her whole bulbous body was shaking with irritation and spittle was flying from her lips. It was an act of sheer willpower for Di’Shan not to shudder in revulsion at the sight of her, convulsing and sputtering upon her self-appointed throne. He felt Nex’s focus within the Force as it shifted from one side of the room to the other and he could sense the man’s satisfaction once he’d formulated a plan. Di’Shan couldn’t wait to see what it was. Nex’s mind had proven to be interesting indeed and he was highly looking forward to whatever the Sephi had cooked up.
“ECHUTA! KUNG JEEDAI! Kee baatu baatu.” The hutt let out a low ugly laugh. “Bona nai kachu. No bona wonka mi hutta.” The hutt tugged lightly on the thin silver chain which ran to her slave’s collar and placed one chubby arm around the girl’s shoulders protectively.
The droid turned its attention from its master and cocked its head at the two Jedi. “Jedi fools. You are bothering her gloriousness. You shall not have her prized jewel.”
Di’Shan sighed in a way that managed to sound regretful though in truth he was anything but. It would have been a disappointment had the hutt simply cooperated. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said in his high soft voice, “I’m afraid you leave us with no choice.” The tension in the room rose considerably at those words as the rest of the attendees who had crowded in to watch the interaction now scuttled backward to stay out of the way. Some were most certainly waiting for the Jedi to pull their lightsabers and the mercenaries behind them were exchanging nervous glances as they reached for their holsters. Di’Shan took a step forward, lining himself up to follow through with his plan. “I give you once last chance to cooperate.”
The hutt looked admittedly nervous as she glanced between the two serious looking Jedi in her midst but the gathering of mercenaries behind them, her own pride, and the added comfort of knowing they were on her territory bolstered her reserve. She snorted in what Di’Shan had to assume was derision and dismissed his statement with a wave of her stubby arm.
“La pim nallya so bata de wompa. Kako kreespa.”
The droid once more translated in its haughty tones. “I’m afraid that is out of the question. You are to be executed for your insolence.”
Di’Shan allowed himself to smile openly then despite the fact that he could hear blasters being drawn behind him. The mercenaries were already preparing to lay waste to both of the supposed Jedi in their midst and it told the Sith a lot about their ignorance. Even a real Jedi would have mopped the floor with the people in this room, much less two Dark Side users that cared little if anything about the lives of innocent bystanders. The Hutt was letting her arrogance get the better of her, hoping that because this was outside Republic territory no one would come looking for two missing Jedi, but she had obviously never met any real Force wielders in her life if she thought that it would be as simple as all that. “How unfortunate,” he crooned in his feminine voice.
Di’Shan’s mind flicked a thought to Nex in the space of a heartbeat. Now. In the next instant he was on the move, his large form belying the speed behind it as he snapped forward on powerful legs. His mind wrapped itself around the thick layers of Force that lived on a planet like this, teeming with the despair and pain of a million sentient life forms, and he used it to lift and hurl the protocol droid right over their heads and into the surprised faces of a few mercenaries. His own body was hurtling forward toward Pushka, sliding in low and diving to her left in a roll that brought him over the head of the slave girl and around to Pushka’s back. His borrowed saber was in his hand in an instant and he quick-stepped up the rolls of fat along her back and brought his saber down to stop only a hair’s breadth from her neck.
His mind reached within her own even as she was screaming at the mercenaries not to shoot for fear of them hitting her by accident. He dug down into the swirl of thoughts in her mind, watching them flow before him like a river before touching his own mind to the stream of consciousness. There he began tainting the energy, tainting her thoughts. He could see her looking down at her own skin where the lightsaber was hovering and he pressed her mind, tangling and weaving the thoughts, until she began to see her own skin boil beneath the blade. The Hutt wailed in terror at the sight he presented her, her green mottled flesh bubbling and peeling back, molten fat slipping out and trailing down her stomach, and she quickly devolved to incoherent screaming. The effect was epidemic. The already cowardly souls in the room were positive the Jedi was killing the Hutt as the sounds of her screams were that of one being murdered and they in turn shrieked in utter fear without him even having to try. That was one of the many wonderful things about fear: it was contagious and nothing spread faster in a crowd.
He released the Hutt and deactivated his blade to leave the creature perfectly intact even as she clawed at her chest in panic. He dropped back to the ground and grabbed the dancing girl’s arm, content in his trust that Nex was happily providing them some distraction and entertainment, and then yanked the girl to her feet. He was on the move in the next instant, dragging a reluctant, confused, and scared woman behind him as he ran for the window he had pointed out. One heavy shove from the Force sent the glass exploding outward and Di’Shan followed it. He wrenched the girl into his arms as he jumped, reveling in her scream of abject terror as they flew across the cold vast and empty space between the buildings. The Force surged around him with that scream and he used it to propel himself toward the next building over. The drop felt like forever and by the time his feet connected with the solid surface of the building, Di’Shan’s stomach had crawled into his throat. He was loving every second of it. He allowed himself to roll to absorb some of the impact, curling his own large frame around the other Twi’lek to protect his toy, and finally skidded to a stop just a few feet from the edge of the roof. He looked back to ensure Nex was following him, the young dancing girl laying limp in his arms from where she had fainted.
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