A Different Class

[Subject 37]

Empress Teta
[member="Joza Perl"]

Slevin had always wondered what ordinary people spent their time doing. Those people that didn't spend their days fighting, those people that didn't spend their days building corporations or taking over the Underground. Those people that were stuck in a simple routine, doing the same thing over and over again. He wondered how they survived it, how they dealt with nuisance of knowing everything you did had no effect on those around you.

The thought of it alone was incredibly frustrating to him, the idea of being stuck like that.

He frowned slightly as he watched the buzz and drone of the city below, dozens of speeders and hundreds of people shuffling about to do whatever it was they were going to do. The Crime Lord shifted, turning away from the glass and instead moving his attention tot he young woman behind him. She stiffened slightly as his gaze fell on her, though there was no fear in her features. "Is everything ready?"

The girl gave him a curt nod.

"The VIP section of the Lounge has been cleared as per your instructions."

He smiled, and then slowly wandered over to the girl. His fingers cupped her chin, and he gave her a small kiss on the cheek in thanks. She blushed, looking away for a moment before regarding him once more. Liana was her name. She was one of the girls Natalia had taken in, having escaped from one of the latest engagements between the Sith and Silver Jedi. She had found a home within SIN, more intelligent than most whom found themselves in Natalia's care.

She had risen quickly to become the Hostess of this place.

"Greet our guest when she arrives." Slevin told the girl. "Bring her to me immediately."

There was no point in delaying this or trying to show off. Natalia likely would have put their guest through a tour or some other means of introduction, but Slevin found that a more direct method often paid off far more. Though whether their guest thought so remained to be seen.

 

[Joza Perl]

SIN was an immensely popular lounge among the upper class, and when she’d learned how rapid it’s growth had been given the relatively short time it had been in service, Joza could only have one thought.

They certainly know what they’re doing, aren’t they?

That thought would replay as she stepped into the lobby, not bothering to remove her coat from her shoulders as the atmosphere immediately seeped into her senses. Pheromones. Subtle, nearly undetectable but present nonetheless. She had to smile at that, given her own use of her racial ability in personal dealings and at Blush. The Zeltros night club had a certain historic seedy charm, or at least she like to think so. Regardless, the pheromones were nearly palpable there, largely because they were piped in and partially due to the amount of Zeltron love-making that went on in the corridors and side rooms. In that specific business venture, Joza Perl catered to a certain type of crowd—it helped that she’d spent her teenage years as a buxom waitress with swinging hips. She knew her audience, and she knew it well.

In that vein, the SIN Lounge was more than a few cuts above Blush. Well-dressed customers of a certain wealth, finely detailed architecture and carefully chosen décor—all these things pulled the essence of the smoke lounge together in conjunction with the vague but lovely scent that drifted through the room. Joza felt the urge to light a cigarette, but pacified the impulse and busied her hands with removing her gloves and meticulously tucking them into her purse.

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

A few moments after Joza stepped into the lounge Liana appeared from one of the back corridors. She was of course dressed in the same way that she had been before, a tight black business suit, her hair tied back and a datapad clutched to her chest. She smiled at the Zeltron woman as she noticed her, quickly approaching her with the muted click of her heels ringing out within the Lounge. Several of the customers offered her warms miles as she wandered past them, each knowing her in one form or another.

She offered a few of them curt nods, though most she simply ignored.

"Miss Perl?"

The girls voice rang out, tinged with the sound of feigned innocents. A few in the lobby watched the two women, curious about what sort of affair might be going on. While in places like Joza's club one had to scream to hear their conversational partner, here among the rich and famous one had to strain to keep quiet. Everyone had wandering ears, either trying to gain some advantage or attempting to push themselves into the limelight.

"Mr. Thawne is waiting for you in the VIP Lounge. He's cleared the room for your meeting."

She tipped her head and smiled.

 

[Joza Perl]

The approaching woman drew Joza’s gaze, and she offered a polite smile in kind when she spoke to her. The Zeltron’s gaze swept briefly over Liana’s form before drifting back up to her face. An old habit, but one she made little attempt to hide. “Of course. Thank you, dear. Might I have your name?” Her response was warm.

Vaguely, she had to wonder what the VIP area was like compared to this. Walls made out of aurodium, maybe? The cartoonish thought almost made her smirk, but she was all business face for now.

“Where might that be?”

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

"Laina, Miss Perl. If you would just follow me."

The young woman tipped her head again, and then quickly ducked to the left and turned. The men within the room of course watched them, a few of them whispered to each other, though of course Laina paid them no mind. Here on Empress Teta everything was thought of as a political move. No matter who you were or where your affiliations lay, everyone thought you were getting involved in politics. What could one expect from a planet that had once been ruled by Sith?

Laina of course was used to all of this. SIN Lounge was her permanent home. She knew how to deflect any and all accusations, something that had served her rather well. She slowly sauntered down the hallway, leading Joza towards the far back of the lounge itself.

"Here we are."

Laina waved towards an ornately carved wooden door. She reached for the handle and slowly pushed it open, a voice ringing out from within a moment later. "Ah. There you are."

Slevin spoke just as Joza would step through the doorway, the Crime Lord standing in the middle of what could only be described as one of the most ostentatious rooms on Empress Teta. Wroshyr would seemed to sit on every surface, granite pillars decorated the room, and plush sofas that seemed to be made of Wampa fur's sat within the center of the room. Slevin slowly wandered towards the Zeltron, a confident smile upon his face as he stopped before her.

"Welcome, Miss Perl." Briefly he glanced past her. "You may leave Laina."

 

[Joza Perl]

“Of course.”

Prompt, professional and brief. A good hostess with qualities Joza could appreciate. Qualities that were fairly uncommon in her particular subset of the business, if she were being honest.

She walked briskly, not bothering to wither beneath the lingering glances and whispers from the patrons in the lounge. Like most of her species, the Zeltron was not one to shy away from the spotlight, naturally comfortable with the attention. It did not escape her notice that this attention was of the more devious sort, however.

A nod of thanks was given to Laina as the door opened before her focus turned towards the figure who had spoken, situated in the middle of the room. Taking a step forward, a gracious smile would tilt her lips as she was greeted by the man she’d come here to see. “Thank you, Mr. Thawne.” Her voice was smooth and warm, though lacked the distinct sultry note that one might expect from a Zeltron. She took the moment to look the man over properly—almost unconsciously, out of reflex. Tall. Darker features. Ruggedly handsome of course, with a touch of underworld charm. Alas, she wasn’t here to seduce him onto that absolutely comfortable looking couch. If she had been, there would be more cleavage, more leg. Enough, but never too much. There was a balance to be struck with everything, even when it came to dressing sexy to create the proper allure.

But she was here for business, so the cut of her skirt—while flattering—was appropriate for the situation. For a Zeltron, anyhow.

“You have some lovely décor.” She waved a hand to gesture to the room as a whole. Expensive. But those men out there had deep pockets, she imagined. “Not just here, but in the Lounge itself. Very tasteful.”

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

"Thank you." He told her with a smile.

Most of the decor within the Lounge had been chosen by Natalia. Slevin never really had a taste for these sorts of things. His own thought of what this place should have looked like was more...brash, bold. This was tasteful in it's own sort of way of course, but he would have preferred a bit more black, a bit more red. Something that pressed on the mind. His beloved had insisted however, and eventually he had given way, especially considering that this sort of thing was usually her area of expertise anyway.

He smiled at the woman, and then slowly gestured towards the bar. "Can I interest you in a drink?"

The only real point of this place that Slevin had designed was the bar. It was an ornate Wroshyr would thing, carved by hand of course and decorated with Aurodium leaf. It was stocked with pretty much every single alcohol that one could imagine. Tequilas, whiskys, half a dozen different kinds of vodka. They could fulfill pretty much any order that was given, and of course they had created their own special concoctions which by now had become quite famous.

"Something to wet your tongue." He said with a smile. "Before we get down to business."

 

[Joza Perl]

The offer of a drink was welcome, and perhaps customary for this sort of business interaction. When hosting meetings at Blush, the offer of alcohol was always on the table. It loosened tongues and relaxed more rigid personalities, made hashing out deals go smoother.

“I’d love a Sonic Serodriver.” Her response was accompanied by an affirming tilt of the head and an amicable smile. In truth, she was eager to try one of SIN’s famed cocktails but wasn’t too keen on being reduced to a fit of giggles or caught in an amorous whirlwind. Maybe if she’d been here for pleasure, rather than business.

“How long has SIN Lounge been up and running for?” An idle question, but tinged with curiosity nonetheless. She couldn’t remember hearing anything about it back when she danced and waitressed for a living, when she and the girls dreamed of working at classier establishments. Back then, having aspirations meant worming your way into the affairs of a rich man as arm (and bed) candy.

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

Slevin nodded. He was no bartender, but the drink was simple enough to make that even he could manage it. With little flourish or show Sleivn wandered behind the bar, tipping up the small piece of wood that stood as the only separation between it and the rest of the room. He quickly set to work making her drink, making sure to make eyecontact with her every now and again. "Take a seat anywhere you like."

There were plenty of places throughout the room, various Sofa's, chairs ringing tables. Without anyone else within the room they would still be able to converse no matter where she chose, though if would be different if he'd elected to keep the usual soft music playing. He reached beneath the bar and pulled out the bottle he required, taking one of the taller glasses from behind him before turning back towards her to answer the question she'd asked.

"A short few months." It had been Natalia's idea. She had an odd sort of penchant for this place, though why that was he had no idea.

"This if the first of our more...elegant projects." A good enough way to describe it he supposed. "SIN originally opened with a club on Rishi."

Something that would be far more familiar to her.

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza’s gaze swept along the different seating options, settling finally on one of the plush couches. Firm enough to provide support, soft enough to remain luxuriously comfortable. Back straight, legs crossed, she ran a hand idly through the furred surface, weaving her fingers gently into the fibers with a hit of curiosity. Expensive, she imagined.

“Oh, Rishi!” Her eyes lit up with a fond spark of recognition. “Yes, I’ve been there. Had quite a good time in my younger years.”

A short, melodic laugh followed along with a few memories that vanished as soon as they came. She’d been a teenager then—maybe a young adult? The Zeltron had spent the better part of her life making a living in clubs and bars, as her people knew best. It wasn’t until she found herself in the bed of an ambitious young man who was her ticket off of Zeltros did things change drastically.

“Blush is similar in style.” The Zeltros club was known for being sleazy, but it catered to those who preferred a grittier charm rather than the lavish, cleaner clubs in the high end districts. Even after Joza had acquired it, it remained seedy out of necessity. Like a little slice of Nar Shaddaa, but with less homicide and more pheromones. “Even after it came under my ownership, I’ve only made minor tweaks.” Subtle little things that suited her needs. At the very least, she could look out for her girls.

“You must be doing something right, going from the club scene to something like this,” She tilted her head towards the door that lead back into the lounge. “With much success.”

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

He plopped the small bit of Citrus into Joza's drink upon finishing it, glancing up at her with a small smile. Before he answered her he pulled a Corellian Whisky from beneath the bar, an extremely expensive vintage that had been created before the breaking of the planet. He poured himself a glass, and then quickly placed the cork back into the bottle before replacing it underneath the bar once more. He grabbed the two glasses and wandered back in front of the bar.

"We have been lucky." It was anything but luck. The club on Rishi had grown not just through regular business, but the sale of spice, stolen goods, and half a dozen other means. They practically controlled all of Pirates Cove even with the Imperial Remnant looming over them at all times. They were an obnoxious force, and the primary reason why Slevin and Natalia had left for Zeltros and their newest project.

Neither of them liked the scrutiny.

"Success." Slevin began as he came up to her, offering her the glass. "Is often simply how much work you put into something."

He wore a smile for a moment, and then continued to speak. "I'm sure if you choose to go into business with us it will be far more successful than any of our own previous ventures."

Zeltrons did have a certain touch for this sort of thing after all.

 

[Joza Perl]

A smile and the slight tilt of her head expressed her thanks as she took the drink before giving it an experimental sip, a brief sigh slipping past her lips as she brought the glass back down. “Very nice.” Her praise was honest.

Partnering with SIN for a joint venture was a tempting offer. “I would hope.” Her smile was still present, though it thinned a little as the gears began turning in her mind. “You have interests on Zeltros, yes?” The pleasure planet was a hotspot for simple vacations and debauchery alike. Luxury resorts peppered a naturally beautiful beachfront, and the neon city catered to the club scene. Spice, alcohol, prostitution—there were basic laws in place to control these things, but Zeltrons were known for being lax in those areas.

The fact was, the further you went into the city, the more you’d find the exploitation of her people. In a way, it was intentional—not everyone was after a massage in a five star resort. Some craved a grittier experience.

Zeltros was a hotspot for anyone in the entertainment industry. Granted, pink skin got your more leverage as an entertainer, especially outside of Zeltros. It helped that she’d been performing on her own for a while, but it was only recently did her attention turn back to her home planet, back to the district she’d been born into and to the club she’d worked at as a teenager.

“Were you thinking of something along the lines of SIN Lounge? Lavish and exclusive?” Another sip of her drink, this one lingering for a few moments longer as she took her time.

“Or something more abrasive?”

She wasn't about to mince words when it came to atmosphere.

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

"We do have an interest there." He confirmed, though it wasn't of the usual sort.

What they were building on Zeltros, or rather on one of it's moons, was supposed to be something completely different. Not a club or a palace, not a Lounge, but something completely different. It would be a place where the people of the galaxy would forget everything they were. They would be given new identities, new lives, live entirely different from how they ordinarily did. It was a project that would change how someone saw themselves.

"Though my proposal for you wasn't for your homeworld." That could be on the table as well, Slevin wouldn't deny her that if she wished it. From what he knew of Miss Perl she was well renowned and respected, the kind of person who he could profit from just by being associated with her. "It was for Coruscant."

Where so far SIN had no touch at all.

"It's an untapped market." At least for this sort of thing. One could find seedy night clubs in the Works of course, Cantinas, and a dozen other forms of entertainment that were all sort of...lacking. Yet Slevin and Natalia saw an opportunity for something far more.

"I'm an ambitious man, Miss Perl." He moved slightly closer to her, offering her a slight smile. "I want to be remembered, and to be remembered one must build."

His gaze drifted to their surroundings. "I don't want a single club or Lounge. I want to build an entire district on Coruscant. For the High Class, and the low, and I would like you to join me in that venture."

 

[Joza Perl]

Her head tilted, eyes flickering with a newfound interest at the mention of business on Coruscant. For the longest time, the One Sith had held the so called Jewel of the Galaxy before the Galactic Alliance had launched an assault that cut straight to the core, wrenching the world away from the dying Sith power. Her own dealings with the One Sith began with the razing of Zeltros when she was a child, and ended with her enslavement and torture to Darth Ax’no. The Caprine priestess had an odd fascination with the Zeltron, and Joza would be embarrassed to admit that it was reciprocated, if only slightly.

Then again, she had a penchant for dipping her toes into murkier waters and rubbing shoulders with the unorthodox.

Her gaze met his own as he shifted closer, green eyes guarded but polite all the same. While she felt like she understood the beginning of Slevin’s motivation, Joza’s own ambition lay in different avenues. Vaguely, she wonder what went on behind closed doors for Mr. Thawne.

No probing, though. No dance of cat and mouse, no subtle mind games. There was no need, and she wasn’t thrilled at the idea of testing her mettle in subterfuge. When she could afford to be, Perl was an honest woman.

“An entire district?” Both brows arched, in exclamation. “That’s quite a project.”

Idly she swirled the drink before taking another healthy sip.

“Clubs, spas, brothels…the works, I’d imagine?” She gave him a curious look, as if to confirm. “Some of my girls are looking for work off world. See the galaxy and all that.” Legs uncrossed briefly only to cross again in the opposite way. “Some of them are dancers, trained by me personally. So you know they’re good.” A grin snuck its way onto her face, leveling out to something more humble after a few moments. “I can help fill the stages with Zeltron women. And men.” A pause. “Prostitutes as well, if you’re looking for that sort of thing.”

There were no shortage of those on Zeltros.

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

He nodded his head.

Though Slevin and Natalia had their own contacts on Zeltros they tended to be of a...darker sort. Their sources there weren't always the most pleasant, and having Miss Perl replace those would be more than good. Coruscant received more scrutiny than other worlds, at least now it did. Perhaps when the One Sith had ruled it would have been easier, but with the Alliance in place laws were strictly enforced. Of course here on Empress Teta there was a great amount of independent sovereignty, but Coruscant was a game all it's own.

"Your involvement would be most appreciated." He leaned back into the sofa ever so slightly, his eyes flicking to her legs for just one brief second before locking on her own once more. "The Alliance scrutinizes like no other government."

Slevin said simply. "Though SIN is a legitimate corporation most of our business holdings lay outside Alliance space."

All of it was in fact, and the biggest part actually lay within Imperial Remnant space. Though they had no association with that particular government, Slevin was well aware that it may not appear that way. He was weary of trying to build anything on Coruscant without assurances that his businesses would not be touched. With Joza there was a more legitimate, and admittedly kinder face, the scrutiny that his operations would undergo was far less. It was a simple logic.

"I would love to have you, Miss Perl." His expression remained neutral as he continued on. "As a full partner in this venture."

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza’s head tilted in understanding, idly swirling the drink in her hands before draining it down half-way. Zeltrons were known for their increased tolerance given their second liver, and the woman was no exception in that arena. Even though she was only half Zeltron, she took after her mother in certain ways. Not in personality, though—Yula Perl was a gentler, kinder woman.

“Businesses that offer…services of a certain charm often undergo more scrutiny regardless.” Unless you were on Zeltros, of course. Besides that, it was often true—clubs, brothels, etc, anything that catered to pleasure was examined under a microscope for potential misdemeanors and illegal activity on most worlds. It made sense, though—places like that were often a hub of criminal activity, whether it be petty or something large-scale.

Not all of them were, though.

“I’m sure they do.” She had ties with the Alliance, though. Fought alongside them on Atrisia and Kaeshana and offered support in different ventures. Humanitarian aid, for one. Little did she know that it would be needed soon enough. “I’ve worked with the Alliance before. They’re not unreasonable, just protective. Coruscant was held by the Sith for a long time, after all.”

She met his neutral expression with a smile, guarded as always but polite nonetheless. “I’d love to partner with you on this project, Mr. Thawne.”

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

Slevin smiled.

Partnerships were always interesting, unpredictable at times. He didn't know this woman, not really anyway, his agents had run a background check on her of course and had attempted to dig up as much as they could on her, but there were still things missing. You never really got the full view of someone until you met them, and even then there were always pieces that fell by the wayside. Everyone wore a mask, no matter who they were or what they did.

Slevin was no exception. The only face Joza would ever see him wear was the kindly, if not a bit ruthless, business man. She would never get to meet the man who took the former owner of this place into the back room and beat him to death. She would never see the face that dozens of spice dealers had seen before their deaths.

That was not for her. "Excellent."

His voice was practically honey, as if he were more than a little pleased by her acceptance of his offer. The Crime Lord straightened just a little bit, his gaze falling to her half empty drink before returning to her eyes. He smiled and then began to speak again.

"We can discuss the details now or at a later date." He told her. "Personally, I like to get to know my partners a little bit more before diving into the paper work."

Though with Slevin that often meant a healthy amount of interrogation.

 

[Joza Perl]

There was a reason why Joza hasn’t gone after creating a high end establishment on her own—maybe she couldn’t do it—but the Zeltron preferred to keep her name out of certain limelights. Was she comfortable being known as a dancer and owner of a fashion boutique? Of course. She was a Zeltron, and sticking to handling flashy nightlife and seedy entertainment distracted from the smuggling, the weapons production. Maybe, just maybe she had a little unfounded paranoia.

But the fact remained that she had enemies, and had to cover her tracks.

“Oh?” A brow arched as she met his pleased tone with one of veiled curiosity. Just a hint, though—not too subtle, not too brazen.

“Leave an air of mystique.” A trio of pink skinned beauties were kneeling on the ground in front of her, hands placed neatly on their laps. “A little space for interpretation. Read your customer, but never be too outright in how you handle them. Craft yourself carefully. A gentle caress will show you how they react. What they want.” Her own hand raised from her lap, twisting as she cupped the side of one of the girl’s faces as if it were twining along invisible silk.

[SIZE=11pt]“What would you like to know about me, Mr. Thawne?” There as a note of unmistakable amusement fluttering in her tone as she raise the glass to her lip, still holding his gaze.[/SIZE]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Joza Perl"]

He smiled.

Manipulation had always been more Natalia's game. His beloved could peel a Hutt away from his treasure pile, but that didn't meant Slevin couldn't recognize the signs. The slight twerk of the lips, the subtle shift in Joza's body, the amusement that clung to her tone. Perhaps she wanted to guard herself, protect from a potential threat. He could appreciate that, especially given that Slevin could very easily be one. Still, the Crime Lord didn't show a thing.

"Everything of course." He said simply, shifting on the Sofa to lean back.

When one went into business with someone, it often helped to know details of their lives. It allowed you to see how they would behave, what they would do and when they would do it. Slevin usually utilized more...underhanded tactics to find these things out, but the dossier he'd received on Miss Perl was disappointingly lacking. "For instance."

He began with a smile.

"Are you married?" The question was a brazen one, but not to odd to pose to a Zeltron.

 

[Joza Perl]

Am I what?

The question caught her off guard, and it showed with how her eyes flashed in surprise. But they softened just as quickly with an amusing thought.

“I am, actually.” There was a little laughter trickling into her tone, but it was unclear whether it was due to circumstance or if she just found it funny. In truth, she’d forgotten about Alkor. The two rarely crossed paths, and the last time she’d seen him—and also her second, the first being their wedding day—she was six months along with another man’s child.

Not that he had minded.

“To a Mandalorian fellow. Haven’t seen him in…a year and a half now?” She didn’t seem particularly bothered by it, and it wasn’t exactly sensitive information. If Slevin did intend to blackmail her somewhere along the way, Alkor was more the capable of defending himself.

[SIZE=11pt]“And you?”[/SIZE]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]