All tied up

[Arage Bao]

Once in a while a situation comes up where you start reconsidering your whole life. A situation where you start asking yourself all the right questions, for some people this might have been one of those situations. But for Jared this was just a regular Friday afternoon, though the part where he was tied up and kidnapped was new. Not that Jared was awfully concerned about himself; he was still a Force Master, admittedly without the Force now. Hopefully that would soon be corrected.

“I know what you are going to say. Maybe the trained monkey and the box of matches were a bit far-fetched. But admit it; you loved every part of it.”

He was in fact not talking to himself, because there was something else in the room. Also tied-up to his back was @[member="Danger Arceneau"]. Which usually he would not mind, if the circumstances were a bit different. It had been an eventful midday. Still... Jared could not help but wonder where it had all gone wrong.

Damn monkey.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@[member="Jared Ovmar"]

"Well, ain't this a whole new kettle of Giju," came the low sarcastic drawl of the buxom titan maned vixen by the name of Danger Arceneau. She was right peeved, madder than a wet dire-cat and lawdy did that decollete jiggle in her indignation. The corset did wonders for that iconic hourglass figure Dangeruese Arceneau was known for under that black slink she wore, but it did nothing for her current situation, sitting here on the floor with Lord La-de-da-monkey-and-a-side-of-matches.

Too bad that any wandering eyes would not be taking advantage of such an eyeful feast.

A hot glare went over her shoulder at the man tied at her back, her crimson lips pursing as she added with a drawl through clenched teeth," Well, you were certainly busier than a one-armed monkey with two peckers," she said with a sickly sweet honeyed voice, though her words were biting vinegar.

"Perhaps, if ya'll had simply stuck to the plan and let me take care of the situation, we wouldn't be in this right predicament, right now." she gave another shift and roll of her shoulders, seemingly working at the binds behind her, focusing at her task at hand. Her fingers wiggled, getting a feel for what kind of bindings they were in.

"Done told you that it don't take a prophet to predict bad luck."

 

[Arage Bao]

A soft chuckle was audible throughout the little dirty room they were in. It seemed the Lord of the Fringe saw humor in the predicament they were in, but only he would know what was so funny about it though. While the lass was talking, Jared was testing out the fog that blocked his access to the Force.

It seemed the people that had kidnapped them had not been as careful as they thought they had been. Not that Jared would file a complaint, though it would be amusing...

“Oh? And whose idea was it to disguise Dan as an Ewok to distract them? It was hilarious, but for some reason I did not think they found it very amusing.”

In the distance he could faintly hear footsteps coming there way, the fog was residing. But would it be quick enough to break out?

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@[member="Jared Ovmar"]


Danger’s fingers began to deftly feel around the binder cuffs that held them together, searching for some kind of tell tale mark that would give her an idea on just what she was dealing with here. There was a smoky haze that drifted around them, had the spicy scent of cigarillo smoke but with an underlayer of some other woody scent. It was dissipating, but none the less, didn’t bode well for the woman.


Hell, this whole blasted situation didn’t bode well a’tal!


An annoyed sideways glance shot over to the scoundrel responsible for this particular situation, and thusly she reminded him exactly whose idea it was, “That was -your- idea,” followed by a heavy snort.


Another jiggle, followed by the nibbling of the tender flesh of her lower lip as she concentrated. Ain’t the first time she’d had to bust out of binder cuffs. Right. The pad of her finger found a small keyhole, and a faint smile came to her lips. Ahh, she knew this type.


“Who in all blazes considers a man nigh on close to two meters any kind of entertainment in an Ewok suit is beyond me!” she chided him, as she began to play with one of her jewelry cuffs, searching for the secret compartment that would help her with her future endeavors.


“Should have gone with my plan. Liquor talks mighty loud when let loose from the jug.”

 

[Arage Bao]

There was a sudden pause in Jared's beat as he considered her words. “I.. oh. That is right, I almost forgot about that. Then again, who could have known that a two meter long Ewok would not fool those guys? Never figured them remotely intelligent enough.” again he chuckled, as he was seemingly reminiscing about a giant Ewok prancing around.

While doing that though, his mind was still trying to clear itself from the fog it had been set in. Damn Force Breakers.

“Nevermind that I think we sh-- There we go.”

Almost immediately his tone and demeanor changed, from a cheery and a bit idiotic to something.. professional? A cold and command voice it was, used to move people's life around as if it was just a game of chess.

It was the Force that had returned to him.

For a while he concentrated on the sweet power and then... the shackles just broke in separate pieces. Jared stood up out of the chair and rubbed his chafed hands, then he turned around and considered his companion.


“Now that that is over.. let us find out who our kidnapper really is, shall we?”

@[member="Danger Arceneau"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@[member="Jared Ovmar"]

Well, that saved her from having to take the small tools from her jewelry cuff. A small sigh of relief fell from her lips as she lightly began to rub her wrists, on which small red welts marred the lightly tanned skin.

"Well, aren't you the handy individual," came Danger's wry commentary, shifting her shoulders and letting the circulation ease back into her arms. She gave him a brief glance before she went about the lifting of her skirt, revealing ample length of feminine vine-silk encased leg and thigh below a black lace garter.

And a small holster for a small derringer.

Perhaps they didn't believe that with a dress that tight she'd be able to hide a weapon on her person. That was just one of three she had. A shiv between her breasts was another, as was the pair of jewelry she had in terms of a ring which held a poison and a necklace that contained elixir of infatuation. A girl never knew when she would need either.

A glance up just as she slipped the derringer blaster from the holster into her palm brought about an arch of a brow, followed with, "A gentleman would look away."

 

[Arage Bao]

“Then it is a good thing I never claimed to be one.” came Jared's even wrier commentary with maybe a hint of a genuine smile, even still he turned around and waited patiently for her to finish up her.. preparations. There were a variety of ways on how to handle this, but he really doubted going in guns blazin' would be the right way to do it. But try telling the lass that, whenever she gets something in her mind... well it was hard to get it out of her.

She had proven that yesterday, if only she had not insisted on wearing a wookie-suit during the heist. It is one thing to get a guy, dressed as an Ewok, to distract the guards. But Wookies? That was just plain weird.

Then again that whole night was one big haze of wódk-- appletinis, vaapad-lessons and between the sheets. He still could not quite place the dancing dwarf, but it was coming back to him. Slowly.

Finally he turned around again, expecting her to be done by now.

“Follow my lead and do not shoot unless you absolutely have to. I have... a way with people.” Something she had seen the previous day, of course. A sight not quickly forgotten.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@[member="Jared Ovmar"]

If the Lord had only voiced his thoughts, Danger would have been quick to clear up the misunderstanding of any kind of wookiee costume. That was clearly just an after effect of too many apple martini's and an over eager imagination.

A small half laugh came at his first comment, with the sound of a quick check of the small powercell in her derringer later. "Oh, Lord Ovmar... A lady is always ready," she coo'd, seemingly suggestive in her manner, but the keen glint in her emerald eyes told another story.

A half snort came next, as the full hipped woman came to a halt beside him, casting a glance up at him through a thick fringe of black lashes, "A way with people do you now? Hmm... ya don't say..."

A nod went pointing towards the door, "Well then... after you."

 

[Arage Bao]

...it was a sad thing that the Lord had not in fact voiced his thoughts. Instead he would always have the mental image of a full-bosomed redhead in a Wookie-suit, never would he realize the actual effect of all those appletinis that he had been drinking that faithful night. Then again.. maybe that was a good thing, for a man's ego was a frail thing and Jared's ego was not an exception to this general rule.

Actually, it -was- an exception, because his ego was even bigger and more bombastic than that of a male peacock during its breeding season.

What was even more of a shame was the fact that the cooing had not much affect on Lord Jared Ovenmamamrar. After spending years in the gutter of the Coruscantian Underworld... well you get a knack at when people are pretending and when they are being genuine. On the other hand, you did not have to be a psychological genius to see realize that the lass was still pissed off with him.

Maybe she even had a point, it -had- been his fault that they had been caught. The fact that it had all been part of the plan... well Jared thought it would be a bad idea for her to find out about that. She would not be very happy to find out that Jared had used her as a deterrent against being killed off immediately.

And that had worked perfectly. Now they only needed to find out who was trying to kill him every time and everything would be just peachy.

Instead of answering her, the Lord just started to walk towards the door. While doing it a sudden aura of unease started projecting of off him. At first its effects would be marginal, a dimmed sight and an up-creeping headache, not much more than that. But in a few seconds his powers started to manifest themselves more strongly, horrific hallucinations, fits of fear and plain insanity.

Obviously they were safe of those effects, Jared because he was the source of it and the girl... well Jared did not wish her.. much harm. The guards outside that door... well that was another story.

As Jared opened the door and stepped through it, he could see the four guards stationed outside of their 'prison' lying in a pool of their own blood. They quite literally scared themselves to death.

The Lord did not take note of this fact, he was too busy with considering his next step.

“Let's go. Time for us to find out who has orchestrated this whole puppet-show.”​

​

@[member="Danger Arceneau"]​

 

[Danger Arceneau]

We'll blame it on Danger's upbringing. Hearing screams, shouts, and anguished cries followed by bodies laying in a pool of questionable and familiar sanguine fluids, was just an everyday routine. The only difference was that Lord Ovmar used his honky hoodoo tricks instead of what a proper vibroshiv or blaster could do.

One delicate heel went up and over the puddle at her feet as she went crossing the archway of the door, following Jared with her blaster in hand. A wry murmur came in a light drawl from Danger, saying "Well... aren't you just a bundle of hat tricks." she told him, coming alongside him just to gather her bearings.

They were what appeared to be a rather dingy hallway. Pourstone walls and the dim lighting suggested they were underground. Not to mention the lingering stench of ozone. Danger's emerald eyes narrowed.

"Well, then -- how 'bout you be like a Tarsian honey bee and get to scouting that way," she pointed off to the left.

"I'll take a gander on this side." they wouldn't be able to tell directly just which way was the exit -- and unlike Lord Hoodoo, the exit was exactly what Danger was looking to find.

 

[Arage Bao]

Only a snort came as a reply at first. There was not need for scouting, during their death struggle Jared was with them. He had felt them slip away into the darkness, but he finally released them.. he had asked something of them. They had been here for a long time, the base of operations was known to them and it took little persuasion from Jared to get hold of that information.

He knew exactly where they were, where they had to go and... who was involved in this. Though he would not share that tiny bit of information just yet. The important part was that he knew the plans of the underground bunker they were in.

“You will find me the right kind of Houdini, sweet. I already know where we need to go, these fine gentlemen here decided to share that bit of information before taking a leave of.. absence. “

Then he started walking, assuming she would follow him. For a while he just walked and with him came the aura of insanity, they walked past closed doors and heard the screams and agony of the dying. Revenge was a sweet thing and these men deserved their fate one way or the other.

“While we are walking, let's talk business. Santhe Corporation has a long-standing relationship with your company, Miss Arceneau. After the fall of the Sith Empire... things got muddy. We would like to refresh our commitment, what would be a fair rate in your opinion?”

His stride had a certain purpose in it and his eyes had turned deep yellow, with specks of red and black turning around and round. The Dark Side of the Force was a sweet sweet thing to hold in your grasp, but it was a corrupting entity if you did not watch your pace.

All around him people died, his hold on them suffocating and their energy got sucked in before it could escape to the vast emptiness of the Force Void.

@[member="Danger Arceneau"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@[member="Jared Ovmar"]

Houdini or not, Danger wasn’t one to depend on someone else to scout out her surroundings. Ain’t no one that was going to make sure her assets were protected as much as me, myself, and I, she mused, as the full hipped vixen gave a quick scout in the direction she’d indicated earlier.

Ain’t nuthing but a dead end, she thought to herself afterward, her green eyes scanning over two small storage rooms. One of which had her procure a rather nice A-300 sonic needler that landed a soft appreciative whistle from the dame.

Tucking her derringer away back in it’s holster took no more than a couple of blinks, the dress once again smoothed over with a brush of her hand. It was none too quick for the woman to palm the needler, her gun-expert eyes working through to check the powercell, barrel, and weight.

Ain’t nuthing like a well crafted weapon to get a girl all kinds of hot and bothered; gun running be in her blood, her Lorell Raider ancestry providing not only the Hapan looks but an appreciation and knack with small arms. Girl had an eye for quality and an even killer aim, almost akin to those with an affinity with the Force. Her’s was tried and true skill, however, and she didn’t depend on such nonsense as some hoodoo religion to protect herself.

With that beaut of an A-300 sonic needler, Danger quickly ambled her way back toward Jared as silent as a Nexu about to pounce on her prey. Screams and shouts of fear were grinding a rather aggravating symphony in her ear, and she flashed a look of exasperation that was quickly hidden behind false smile.

“Can’t do it a little bit louder can you?” she said with wry mild sarcasm, noticing the growing pile of writhing bloody bodies as they made their way down the corridor. Just up ahead, a staircase came to view.

Sweet sweet escape. Unlikely it would be that easy, she mused, willing to be that the odds were that they were in some kind of compound as well.

‘Course, once he started talking business, Danger certainly perked up. Ain’t nuthing like a contract that can butter up Arceneau good into being her sweet loving persona again.

“Mmm… that we do,” she gave a soft singsongy murmur, keeping a watchful eye out for any would be ‘interruptions’.

“We done right by that mutually beneficial arrangement with the Confederacy,” she said, reiterating the terms that she’d manipulated to her best advantage with Genosis. “Arceneau Trade handles all of needs in terms of escort and transport of Santhe’s goods within Confederacy space and to their destination of delivery.”

Feline green eyes went studying the rather orange eyed slightly corrupted visage of the square jawed man. “Just by what do you mean rates, Mistah Ovmar?” she began rather coyly, the corner of her lips perking up into an intrigued smile.

“My contract is that with the Confederacy, within Confederacy space…. unless.. “ her drawl faded a bit as she gave dramatic pause, “You lookin’ to find yourself into a whole new interesting venture with yours truly?”

 

[Arage Bao]

Every step he took, was one step closer to his goal. It meant freedom, from the past and for the future; but he would have to kill him first. Jared was already savoring that moment, could not wait for it and really wanted the moment to be here already.

Then she started babbling again, Danger Arceneau, a mighty fine piece of work she was. She was as much beautiful as she was.. dangerous? No phun intended in that. But her snarky behavior did put him on edge a bit, or maybe it was the Darkside flowing through him. Trying to tug him over the line.

Where was that line though? Or had he already crossed it ages ago?

“I ain't controlling their screams, love. Just their suffering.”

For a second he thought he could sense... someone drawing on the Force, but it was gone in a second again. Must have imagined that.

Then she replied to his question and maybe Jared was a bit annoyed, or mayhaps the Dark was getting to him. At any rate, he turned around and regarded her for a while. All around him people died in screaming agony, and he just studied her; his head tilted as a smirk appeared on his lips. Red entered his eye-sight, mixing with the bright orange and yellow streams in his iris.

“Drop the act, Ladeh Arceneau. If you want to do business with me, I ain't requiring you to play coy with me. Give me the genuine Danger, the one who out-outmaneuvered Grand Marshal Genesis, before he went coo-coo. The one who ruined Circe and.. other people. All I am asking.”

@[member="Danger Arceneau"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@Danger Arceneau

Those feline green eyes went narrowing at the Lord’s direction at his words, a hard glint flashing in her eyes.

Was he mocking her? He ain’t had no twang in his voice up until now, so it was just all too convenient that his words came out with one would consider to be a Southern Systems drawl.

Bright yellow corrupted eyes turned towards her, lined by a citrine hue and an ample amount of dark shadows surrounding them. Well, aren’t you the pretty little thing, she mused, well aware that there were others who were head over heels into the dark type of religious hoodoo that made ‘em look worse than a naked Tuskan Raider.

“Well now, Lord Ovmar,” she began, the sugary sweetness in her voice, but the words were as biting as vinegar. “Careful what you as a lady to do-- you just might not like the consequences.”

There came that smile again, but it was more for show.

“Ain’t no business proper that don’t follow the rules of simple hospitality.” A nod of her chin towards the stairs indicated that he move up.

She was starting to lose her patience.

 

[Arage Bao]

This was the perfect time for a little story. Once upon a time our little Jared was.. well little. When he was just a little little lad in a hard hard world, there was one bright point in his life. A bounty hunter in the cheesy bar called the Old Man's Rest, this man had always time over to tell our little hero stories of his adventures and misfortunes. “Reckon I have one more for you, little champ.” this all with a wink, and a warm smile. Even now, after all those years, Jared's twang came out with a bang when he was getting.. agitated about something.


Then again, this was not common knowledge, and Danger would have had no clue about that. So her consideration that it might have been in jest, or maybe even in mock? Well it was not that strange. Not strange at all, if Jared had not been in such a pissy mood he might have considered that fact. But sadly nobody was in such luck.

At any rate... there was a kill to make, and this busty vixen was not his target. Not in that way at least.


“What I ask is for you to be genuine with me. I ain't some blubbery hutt who needs to be sugared up so we can do business. There is a fine line between courtesy, and.. the ple--”

Jared's nose wrinkled for a second, it was almost.. hmm.

“Do you.. smell that? It almo--” His eyes widened itself, with a mighthy leap he took down Danger and covered her with his own body. Pouring in vast amounts of the Force in himself, to protect her.

As soon as it began, it ended. Gingerly he stood up, and offered her his hand.

At the same time, his mind reached out to the thug that had thrown that firebomb and snapped his neck.

"As I was saying, Santhe Corporation has had a lot of business with Arceneau. Business I would like to renew."

It was not clear if Jared had forgotten that just a moment ago they were in a heated conversation, if he was just batpoodoo crazy, or if it was all a game to him. Crazy Voodoo Practitioners..

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Well, one would wonder if Lord [member="Jared Ovmar"] was keen on simply getting a little bit handsy, what with his sudden desire to shove that lean lanky body up right up against her tight enough for her to get a good whiff of his cologne and the scent of cigars.

Considering her size, they were just about chest to … chest with an interesting view, her chin tucking in a bit as she stared up at him in surprise from hooded eyes -- that quickly narrowed upon his person.

Course that’s when the proverbial fireworks started and his rather seemingly handsy move revealed itself to be a more of a self preservation act.

She cleared her throat soon as she heard the distinct crack of a neck right on yonder while the good ol Lord of the Fringe continued his conversation as if they were merely having afternoon tea.

Considering he’d yet to move away from the rather compromising position they were in, Danger gave a little wiggle to remind him just exactly where he was at -- that being one of her legs in between his and a skirt that had done rode up some enough to reveal the bottom edge of that nifty little holster she had on her thigh.

“ Well...a girl would beg to wonder just what kinda dealin’s you be wishin’ for in business with the matter of hands on approach to seem to aspire to.” came her low drawl, her chin rising as she made herself mighty comfortable against that wall, her head canting just a bit to the right as an eyebrow perked up at him.

“ Or do ya start all your business meetings in quite the intimate manner…” her voice dipped a bit lower, her words slow as honey as she continued, “ With a dancing Wookiee and a kidnappin’ to boot?”

 

[Arage Bao]

With a daring smile, Jared disentangled himself from her. There was no shame in his eyes, but they did glow noticeably less. The miasma of amber and blood was softly replaced with the beat of the sea's waves. Self-preservation had nothing to do with it, if he had only cared about his own skin he would have simple Force Pushed against it and take the chance that the fire would not reach her.

Then again, he did not know what she was thinking, so it was impossible to correct her thoughts. He turned around, and revealed the scorched black skin hardly covered by the burned ravels of his robe.

Crucitorn. Pretty handy. Otherwise he would probably have been screaming, and crying right about now. Instead it looked like he did not even feel anything. Fact of the matter was that he had never been good at making shields, it had been absorb the energy of the blast or leave the woman to be burned.

Sadly tutaminis was not exactly designed to absorb liquid fire, but Jared was used to pain by now.

“Only if the trained monkey is not enough to catch your interest, my dear.”

Then he started walked towards the stairs, and paused at the feet of it.

“We will talk specifics after I deal with our gracious host. Repay him in full for his... accommodations.”

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Jared Ovmar"]


Soon as he spun round Danger gave a mighty low whistle, more so to hide the wince and grimace at the ghastly sight of his blackened back. This whole situation brought a whole new perspective towards the man, more so as the seriousness of the matter of him pressing himself and getting handsy revolved on making sure she wasn’t gonna turned into an extra crispy version of fried Nuna legs.

Certainly brought a whole nuther level of consideration for the man.

Not to mention tugged on strings of concerns from the Trade Queen. Even her hand automatically rose a few inches from her side as if to suggest the care he should be takin’.

Then again, this was not the first time she’d seen quite the capabilities of just what that kinda hoodoo can do. Ain’t right in her book, but then again, folks were blessed with different gifts.

Hers just happened to be a bit more prominent. ‘Long with other things.
Nonetheless, her momma didn’t raise up no ungrateful girl - Gods rest her soul - and she’d be keen on turnin’ on her grave if’in Danger didn’t speak up. So she did.

“ Mighty grateful...for what you did,” it was about as honest a string of words one would ever hear out of Dangeruese Rose Arceneau -- not that other than a handful of folk ever knew her full name - woe be to those who were so inclined to say it if they did.

His sacrifice certain sobered up the conversation, and what bit of cattiness she had left in her was gone like Jawa after nabbing loot from a freshly crashed ship.

“ Don’t reckon that would heal up nicely without proper attention” she told him with a touch more concern, a frown coming over her expression at his words about sticking it to whoever was responsible.

“ While getting an eye for an eye be a poison I’m all to willing to imbibe, I think that can wait. Best we make like quicklike for the exit lest other folk come pokin’ their heads in for another round.”

 

[Arage Bao]

To her words of gratefulness he nodded. Might be he was getting attached to her, might be there was some fondness appearing. Or maybe Jared was just playing one of his games, it was difficult to say with a man like that. Probably did not know it himself, why he had bothered to save her.
But save her he had, and that made her his responsibility. At least until they were away from here. But still… he was here. In another life, he would never have been able to know, but now he could almost feel the sensation. The place reeked of his smell, and Jared would not leave him here. At least not alive.

Not even for an interesting girl.

Sometimes a man had to pick his priorities. He would make sure they would not get to her, make them focus on him instead. That would ensure that she stayed safe, but after all these years… Finally one of them would die, and if it were up to Jared it was going to be that bastard.

“Think nothing of it. If you want to go, I understand. I will make sure nobody follows you.”

He started walking, and then almost against himself added something.

“...stay safe.”

***​

As he walked up the stairs, every step made his heart lighter. This was going to be the day. One of them would finally die, and this was going to be over, all those years… had he always been working up to this moment? Had fate brought him here maybe?

The burned robe grazed irritatingly against his wounded back. Jared did not, could not feel the pain. But it itched a lot, with a sigh he ripped off the upper part of the torso, and then fastened the belt to keep the lower part from falling.

Jared could almost feel the layers upon layers of scratches, burns, gunshot wounds and other scars upon his skin. It had been a hard life, a lonely life. But it was his, and he would see it through to the end. Even if it was only to witness his own death at the end of this road.



[member="Danger Arceneau"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

What is it about men trying to be their own blasted hero of their story? Danger, despite the measure of concern she felt for the Lord, couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

This is why her momma said men ain’t born with a shred of sense to begin with. They were like Banthas, no fit than to be guided along by a herder to do what they needed to do for their own good.

Otherwise they were liable to get stuck in a Sarlacc pit due to wanderin’ round like some lost calf for one shiny thing or another.

A sigh of frustration left her lips, which then pursed thereafter in continued displeasure. Oh don’t get her wrong, she understood the driving need to get vengeance and revenge like any other. The Twin Suns knew all too well that the Void ain’t got no fury like Danger scorned, and she utilized every manner of means, favors, and blackmail to see @Noxu Za’tire brought low, and low did she bring him.

But this here Mistah [member="Jared Ovmar"] brought it to a whole new ‘nuther level entirely with his back all black and scorched like an overcooked nerfsteak.

So, leave she didn’t, follow him - likely as foolishly as a cantina tart she did. By all that is holy, she had a feeling she was going to regret this, and regret it good.

On the other hand, if anything, well she just might get a contract out of this.