An Innocuous Business

[Damian Starchaser]

Under the radar and over heads....

Damian Starchaser sat in the lounge of the hotel. Last time he was here he had to light a small fire in an empty supply closet and make a quick escape with a case full of… well that wasn’t important. What was important was that the hotel had almost caught him, and thus had good security.

Sasha Santhe. Damian had only met the woman a handful of times, the first being on a cruise with Kana when he helped stop a pirate attack and later recovered design schematics stolen from Sasha’s safe onboard the Bright Star liner, and so was a surprise when he received a request for a meeting with the woman. He showed up and acted respectfully while trying not to oogle her in her tiny little…. no that was a Marek thought. Damians mood soured. Sasha had met him to arrange for a payment from Marek Starchaser. In return for not seeking out his father, and not interrupting his father's gambling operations any further he was given a one time lump sum.

Marek Starchaser didn’t want to see his genetic son, didn’t want that cloned offspring to interact with him or his business or to acknowledge him in any way. Jackass.

When asked what he intended to do with the money Damian answered truthfully. Being honest, for once in his life, earned him a chance to talk with a business advisor and earned him an investment from Miss Santhe and associates along with names and channels from Sasha’s rolodex.

Between these contacts and open invitations given to various guilds and cold calls to other businessmen and women he’d arranged for a meetings. His biggest worry was that no one would show up.

No that wasn’t true. He knew someone would show up. Indeed his biggest worry was that no Starchaser would show up. Damian didn’t really know his family, what there was of it. He had exhausted a number of resources tracking down members of the clan and sending invitations to the meeting, but feared above all else that this family would ignore him…. just like Marek. Jackass.

With everything laid out and the appointed hour approaching Damian reviewed his notes for the venture. Fashion company. Bottom up. Start with the agricorps, supply textiles, create fabric, design clothes and accessories. Maybe [member="Ayden Cater"] could run the hat department…

But it wasn’t simple clothing. That was just a step one. Designs for utility and survival would be emphasized along with glamour. The Agricorps could branch out into foodstuffs, he heard that Sasha already had a line on getting a McYoda contract for him. Of course his primary concern was funnelling money from this company into the Galactic Alliance, either through virtue of job creation or straight embezzlement and profit donation. He’d leave that part of the plan out of the public eye though.

Maybe if he could earn some money for the cause he’d get Coren’s attention…

Force! That wasn’t a very Jorus Merrill thing to think. Hell a fashion company wasn’t very Jorus Merrill! Damian thought of his roguish hero and frowned. At least he would get to look at pretty… no. That was a Marek thought. And Marek Starchaser was a jackass.

[member="Audrey Starchaser"] [member="Kinsey Starchaser"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Odelia Starchaser"] [member="Tykan Starchaser"] [member="Marselia Starchaser"] [member="Ashin Varanin"] [member="Popo"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"] [member="Gerion Ardik"] [member="Cole Katarn"] [member="Katya Shorn"] [member="Danger Arceneau"] [member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Ayden Cater"] [member="Valiens Nantaris"] [member="Kana Truden"] [member="Alric Kuhn"] [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

 

[Audrey Starchaser]

Audrey Starchaser might have not been one of the top-billed Starchasers like Coren or Marek, but she liked to make things. When she wasn’t learning to fly Pulsar or running guns and supplies to the Galactic Alliance, she was usually in the faux woods that grew in the biodomes, painting and drawing, or in a workshop tinkering with astromechs. She’d fixed up Chevu’s BB-8 unit and painted his trim green to match the green alien girl. She liked those little personal touches.

Sure the young Starchaser was artistic, but what really singled Audrey out from the rest of the clan was her innate prowess in the Force. Did she mention that yet? Oh yeah, once per thread in fact. Audrey’s strong and early mastery of the Force kind of made her the black sheep in the family. Although come to think of it, all of the Starchasers were kind of black sheep of the family. But did the all of the Starchasers dream of electric sheep? Nevermind, wrong universe.

When Audrey found out that Damian Starchaser, the younger, less broody clone of Marek Starchaser wanted to start a fashion company, she was super excited. She loved style, and although her own wardrobe consisted of a lot of tight sweaters and floral baby doll dresses, she liked to dream up all kinds of interesting pieces. Like meat pants. Everyone would wear those, right? Needless to say, this project was right up her alley.

Plus, added bonus? Damian (Marek lite) was really, really hot, even if he did freak her out a little bit.

[member="Damian Starchaser"] @Erryone else

 

[Eun]

"A fashion company? Tell me you aren't serious cap'n."

Kate eyed her first mate. "Koin, money is money."

The older man grunted. Kate's lips twitched toward a smirk. For pirates and privateers, there was only one real motivation, even for a seventeen year old girl.

She shrugged off Koin's taciturn disgruntlement and headed toward the hangar. Leaving Koin in 'command' of the ship was laughable. As first mate he essentially ran the show already. She was just a figurehead. A democratically elected figurehead who could kick the teeth in of any grown man in single combat, but still... just a girl. People hated losing to girls. But if they lost enough to one girl in particular, well, that girl and her whole crew gained a reputation. That, she expected, was what Koin was really after.

Her snub fighter touched down inside the bay of Starchaser's cruise liner. She wouldn't put it past those flyboys to have stuffed some point defense weaponry in the joyride, but shooting down potential employees was bad for business. Walking around like an armored tank was also bad for business, so she skipped the armor and only took her vor'cha stick and a sidearm.

And a bag of cred coins, ready to be a little fuller.

Two of those coins clacked idly together in her hand as she entered the designated and decidedly empty meeting area. Minus two notable exceptions.

"Oh hell, I'm early, aren't I?"

[member="Damian Starchaser"] | [member="Audrey Starchaser"]

 

[Willard Jamaane]

[member="Katya Shorn"] [member="Audrey Starchaser"] [member="Damian Starchaser"]

Next into the boardroom was a Vong. He wouldn't much have liked his ethnicity being the first thing remarked upon, nor his primary identifier, but that was as much to do with his own insecurities as with his distaste for such reductive markers. He acknowledged that, sipping caf from an upscale corner market -- single-source beans, blonde roast, organic -- and took a seat with smiles and nods all around. "Will Jamaane," he said to all and sundry. "I'm with Iron Crown." Seconded, recently, from iBorg, for purposes of giving the venerable shipbuilding-and-camping-gear firm a much-needed makeover. He'd kept VP status and the full benefits/401k package, along with certain other incentives. An affiliate membership in the much-feted and highly secretive Foundation Trust, for starters. It appealed to his sense of the fashionably humanitarian.

And speaking of fashion-

"I understand," said Willard with a gleam in his eye, "we're here to talk about fabrics."

 

[Cira]

A slender coral leg as long as the Kessel Run would fan from left to right, before settling in a mesmerizing sway. The Zeltron with the chic a-line haircut was none other than Aeri Vyn, Representative of Arceneau Trade Company and its affiliates. Her lavender eyes would perk in interest at the details. Arceneau had more recent delved into the textile industry themselves, offering such fabrics as Spidersilk Elastex, Power liner, and advancing towards a new armorweave. That was only the beginning, as they were currently moving towards the creation and manufacture of a new line of plastines that could revolutionize the market.

"Aeri Vyn, Arceneau Trade Company." she would introduce herself with a cordial smile edged in salaciousness. She was, after all, still a Zeltron thorough and thorough.

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Damian had to resist the urge to clap. People were actually showing up. This was going to be great. Exhilaration sort of two over as he greeted his guests in turn. A Starchaser showed up and quietly took her seat followed by [member="Katya Shorn"]. “A little early perhaps, but people are starting to arrive now. Someone has to be first after all.” although technically that was [member="Audrey Starchaser"] was first she sort of went off to sit down in what Damian imagined why a shy nature. He walked over and took [member="Katya Shorn"]’s hand and give it a little kiss. “So happy you could show up.” He smiled back over at Audrey letting her know he welcomed her as well.

Next into the hall was a vong. Damian wasn’t sure he liked vongs, in his eight years of life they always seemed to be a looming threat and yet… “It is a pleasure to meet you sir,” Damian said to [member="Willard Jamaane"]. “I don’t meet many vong and therefore must apologize for any social differences or ignorance I may have.” Yeah that was how respected business people talked right?

And then a pretty pink lady walked in.Yup this was Damians day, first the pretty Starchaser then the pretty Shorn and now [member="Aeri Vyn"] arrived to grace his meeting. “A pleasure miss Vyn,” he said reaching for her hand and giving it a little kiss. “If this venture gets underway you should model for the company.I know I’d love to see you in a slinky dress.”

 

[Sargon Vynea]

The Zabrak breathed softly as the ship around him breathed, almost invisible vibrations inside its walls as the power core pumped life into the ship. An artificial creation but sometimes it seemed as alive to him as any other beast. The smell of the stale scrubbed air took some of that away though, but the cruise ship wasn't as stale as the military ships he'd spent so much time on he supposed. It had been suggested to him to dress up a bit for a business meeting, but he couldn't remember the last piece of dress clothing he wore that wasn't a uniform. Now he went with simple robes all the time, and he found them quite comfortable. He supposed though when going into a meeting over some fashion bit or another a suit wouldn't hurt so feeling a bit out of place he walked into the meeting.

Sweeping over the room quickly with his eyes he realized he didn't know a single person here, but he wasn't surprised by that really. In truth he didn't even really have a circle when he thought about it these days. One face in the crowd did pull at him from somewhere but he couldn't quite place it, ah well he was getting, well not so young. Nodding towards the host he managed a half smile before finding an out of the way spot to lean against a wall. Out of pure habit he breathed out and let the Force flow through him as he waited for things to get underway, maybe he'd even get a contract, who knew?

[member="Damian Starchaser"], [member="Aeri Vyn"], [member="Willard Jamaane"], [member="Katya Shorn"], [member="Audrey Starchaser"]

 

[Eun]

Gentle lips brushed against the bare skin of her hand.

Kate rolled her eyes as [member="Damian Starchaser"] moved on to shmooze the next attendee.

"What, no kiss for No-Nose?" Sly lips slashed upward.

Of course the little blond beach boy would play the noble for the ladies.

She eyed the gathering party, arms crossed just in case the employer got a little too handsy again.

[member="Sargon Vynea"] | [member="Aeri Vyn"] | [member="Willard Jamaane"] | [member="Audrey Starchaser"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Damian Starchaser"] | [member="Audrey Starchaser"] | [member="Katya Shorn"] | [member="Willard Jamaane"] | [member="Aeri Vyn"] | [member="Sargon Vynea"]

Why was he here? Damian knew he wasn't good at this... thing. Sure, they had come up together with the concept of this company, but that didn't mean anything. Starchaser could have easily done this on his own, he had always been the talker of the duo and nothing had changed about that. But noooooo, his friend just had to give him the silent treatment until Cole had finally caved - the smug smile was almost enough to punch Damian in the face, though.

"Cole Katarn." the young Jedi introduced himself as he walked into the room.

Quite a few people had already joined the meeting. None of them known to him though, except Damian, of course.

Who was already kissing the hands of every female in sight.

Typical Starchaser. Cole frowned at the PDA, before shrugging and finding himself a seat. Somewhere in the back where people wouldn't pay him too much attention. Yeah that would be the best course of action.

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

Business? Clothing? She may not be as enthusiastic as her older sister [member="Audrey Starchaser"] but she was in. Plus, it gave her an excuse to see [member="Damian Starchaser"], that cousin that Uncle Coren hated. Clone cousin? Whatevs.

Her brilliant Kinsey trademark smile lit up her face. It had the power to melt the hearts of droids. She could probably do marketing or sales. "Hey Couz," she gave Damian a solid punch in the arm.

The once lost Starchaser gave her older sister a timid wave and grinned at [member="Katya Shorn"]. She liked that chick already. Smartass.

 

[Damian Starchaser]

[member="Sargon Vynea"] was a good friend to have, his connection to various venture made him a worth wild inclusion to the assembled men and women. Damian politely greeted him with a nod before hearing a comment down the line. Damian rolled his eyes at [member="Katya Shorn"]'s comment regarding [member="Willard Jamaane"]. So what if he kissed a womans hand. It was the polite and courteous thing to do. [member="Cole Katarn"] walked into the room followed closely by [member="Kinsey Starchaser"] who struck him on the shoulder. He frowned and put up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey now, what did I do?" he said in a voice of mocked pain.

It seemed that all the Starchasers were black sheep. But what was the standard Damian wondered? It seemed to be what [member="Coren Starchaser"] thought, but if they were all black sheep then maybe it wasn't their problem. Maybe it was his. Yeah. Who needs Coren's approval anyways? He was the blacksheep, not the rest of them.

Damian let out a little sigh as he aproached the desk. He had hoped for more. Honestly he wanted [member="Ayden Cater"] to show up and run the hat department or [member="Popo"] to show up and sponsor some sort of runway show as Hutt's were want to do... well they were want to ogle pretty sentient being anyways. "Alright shall we get started?" He flashed a smile over to the ladies. It was important to do things like that to keep up morale. He pulled out a chair for Kinsey and [member="Audrey Starchaser"] adjacent to his own and watched as others moved to their own seats. Damian waited the briefest moment for everyone to settle. "I've asked you all here for the start of a new venture." Part of him wished his hero [member="Jorus Merrill"] would have showed up. He sent out the invite but alas a fashion company was probably not on the agenda. Also noticeably absent was [member="Kana Truden"], Damian's master. She had probably been unable to travel because [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] wasn't available to escort her. Still he held her shares safe and even invited Voidstalker to participate in the company and held out hope that the two of them would arrive a bit late.

"An Innocuous business. Fashion, clothing and accessories are not regulated like weapons, and guns. I am envisioning a company founded in part by the Starchaser family," he nodded to his two cousins, "And yourselves. This company would work from the ground up, divisions providing raw materials for textiles and then expanding out to every aspect of the industry in order to reduce costs to ourselves and increase profits. But it isn't entirely about profits. Farms growing textile material or Ranch's harvesting bantha leather can also contribute to food markets and funds may help us with philanthropic endeavors." And funds Galactic Alliance special operations and espionage actions. But that wasn't important information for those present. "I envision kiosks, and boutique stores throughout the galaxy selling a wide variety of our companies products. And I need you to help me make this happen."

He sits down and thinks for a moment. "I've already had agents purchase and secure a number of bantha ranches," Okay that had done that on their own accord with Sasha Santhe's money and this had been part of the pay off for staying away from Marek..... but still whatever he sent them sure.... "and have received an investment from Sasha Santhe and a few others private sources." he shivered at the thought of the plant boy Hylo and his farm which apparently also produced wine. Why had Sasha sent him to talk to that kid? And why did he kiss him? Gawd he'd never live that down if people found out. Then again the farmland did have Stygium crystals for some strange reason. Already that gave the company a powerful asset for his covert plans. Hylo and Emerald had done well setting up the prep work. Now Emerald.... unf.... NO. That was a Marek thought. And besides she had worked for Marek. A shiver ran up Damians spine as he considered how much today he'd already acted like Marek noticing that pretty red woman, [member="Aeri Vyn"], who was looking so... stop. Just Stop Damian. "What I'm looking for now is some more start up capital in return for shares of the company." He gulped hard. He'd never done anything like this before.

 

[Kana Truden]

The modest were late. Or something like that. Check out had come up with hindering obstacles such as paperwork, forms to be billed and papers to be filed under the correct tab. Didn’t help that they put a new guy in charge, but hey, it was just business. Damian knew that Kana would show up eventually, maybe not with [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] to follow her around, but considering he had been kind enough to let her out of jail for the sake of being around for her student she was willing to think he trusted her enough to not run away.

Then again, obviously the regular escort of two perfectly capable jedi knights were present and with that the absolute promise that under no circumstances was Kana allowed to use the force or act in any way that would seem out of the regular. She was free, but she wasn’t free. Indeed, they had absolute authority to bring her back and cause a gigantic scene for the entire ensemble of business creatures to see. And so, for the well-being of her student’s newly created company, well, she had to play nice.

Not that she didn’t want to.

She silently slipped into the room as the two Jedi Knights remained on guard outside with a clear view of her. Maybe not visually, but most certainly metaphysically. Yep, that was part two of the ‘kill you if we must’ MO. Slipping into a seat in the very back she nodded a silent hello to [member="Damian Starchaser"].

He didn’t think she wasn’t going to show, right?

 

[Audrey Starchaser]

Audrey smiled at Damian as he pulled a chair out for him. So cute. If he was a clone of her cousin(?) Marek, but not actually related to her, would it still be taboo to French kiss him? She wanted to pull out her Datapad and ask Miri, but it wasn't really an appropriate question to ask aloud, so she sat with her hands in her lap and just listened, big blue eyes flashing to Kinsey every now and then.

Audrey was overwhelmed with sisterly joy when Kinsey had come back to Sullust physically unharmed. Psychologically? The jury was still out on her state of mind. Word around the biodome was that her sister was shacked up with a Sith Lord. Seemed to be alot of that going around. Didn't her uncle's new green girlfriend sleep with a Sith too? Audrey suddenly felt kind of left out.

Aud hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Kins since she came back, but she couldn't wait to get some alone time with her sister. Especially if it meant bodice-ripping stories about handsome Sith Lords. Now if only Dax would somehow find his way to Sullust, too. Her life would be complete.

[member="Damian Starchaser"] [member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Eun]

"Cute," Kate said, waving away the lascivious interplay with her words, cold and sharp, "But what exactly do you need me here for, Farmer Dan? Time is money. Literally."

She uncrossed her arms and stalked forward, really feeling the lecture building up now. Sometimes all you needed in life was a good punching bag and Damian's smug mug was looking like a real nice sack of stuffed leather right now.

"Every minute I stand here listening to your delusions of grandeur is a minute I could have been out there, making an honest living to pay the bills."

Another few steps closer.

"Which, by the way, are pretty expensive in my line of work."

She could feel the crowd of judgmental eyes, boring into her, but kriff them all. If they wanted to lollygag while he did his verbal romantic gallivanting, that was fine, but she had slight time for people who thought her own was of so little worth. They stood toe to toe and she prodded him in the chest with a finger. "So why don't you spend less time staring at the red floozie and more time getting to the frakking point."

Kate poked him again, then recrossed her arms. "Or did you really just call us all out here to ask for some damn handouts?"

[member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Cira]

Aeri's lavender eyes would give a slow blink.

Oh there was no ignoring the flush on the boy's cheeks nor the manner by which he was emanating nervousness like a virgin hitting her first line of spice. A naturally empathic species, she could sense the growing annoyance and rustling of emotions around her. Well that would'nt do.

A smile would grace her lips, and as a Zeltron is wont to do, she slowly an subtly began to push upon her empathic ability to give a measure of calm to those around her. Nothing big, just enough to potentially relax those from being easily angered.

"Do you happen to have any actual examples of the work?"

If this was fashion... well then, where was the product?

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Katya stood up and began her diatribe getting into Damians face and pushing him a little. But in all the excitement Damian only really heard one thing. “So you think I’m cute?” he said with a bit of a smile. And why mention [member="Aeri Vyn"]? Jealous. Of course, [member="Katya Shorn"] wanted Damian all to herself and why not? He was handsome and charming enough. Damian took a few seconds to ponder the situation. Either that or she was just a pushy woman.

Further retort was forestalled as the pretty Zeltros woman spoke her own peice. A smile formed on his lips as he stared Katya in the eyes and then turned to the Zeltros. Now that was a happy feeling, looking into her pretty eyes… then again the Zeltros woman had other attributes that probably contributed to those feelings. “Samples,” Damian said with a nod to [member="Audrey Starchaser"] and [member="Kinsey Starchaser"]. “Of course.”

Leaning to the display on the desk space in front of him he pressed a few buttons heralding a the swoosh of a door sliding open behind the group. Several attractive women and men from a variety of species wearing a number of clothing articles walked into the room. Some held bolts of silkweed and other fabrics which they placed on the table in front of the assembled group. The others carried with them items of clothing for both men and women. There was dresses and shirts and tunics all placed upon the table for the prospective investors to browse through. “You’re welcome to take anything that catches your fancy of course,” he said indicated a slinky and perhaps revealing dress for the Zeltron.

“As you can see these are top notch materials,” He directed tthis comment, a bolt of silkweed velvet and a leather jacket, to [member="Willard Jamaane"] who he remembered commented earlier about fabrics.

“There was a top I thought would look just lovely on you,” he said to both of his cousins and neither in particular. Then with a devilish smile he pulled an item from the table and walked over to Katya. He held the hanger with a bikini up in front of her and quirked his eyebrow.

[member="Kana Truden"] [member="Cole Katarn"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

 

[Kana Truden]

He held the hanger with a bikini up in front of her and quirked his eyebrow.

And Kana, Damian's former-former-it's-kind-of-complicated master, planted her face deep within the palm of her hand. Fingers rubbing away at her brows she could under no circumstances believe what her former-former-it's-kind-of-complicated student was doing.

"Oh dear."

 

[Sargon Vynea]

Well at least the meeting was entertaining with throwing digs into the host, and the host seemed to be taking it all in stride. Tapping his fingers against the wall in a simple pattern the Zabrak just watched the proceedings with amusement. He couldn't have told you if anything the host was showing was in style much less the to be of high fashion, but with any luck someone here could. His amusement only grew as the host started handing the ladies rather... interesting, yes interesting was the word he wanted to use, clothing types. Scanning the room he still didn't see a single face he knew, but he hadn't really expected to either. Well, perhaps Lucien, but outside of that he'd have been surprised.

There was however mention of an awful lot of hauling to be done, and so he stood and listened. After all as the one with the sharp tongue had said, he supposed he was making the honest living now and had bills to pay. How he missed his field on Bakura, ah well perhaps he'd return someday. Still for now, he needed revenue to keep his project going. All it would take is one good contract to legitimize it.

[member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Damian Starchaser"] [member="Katya Shorn"] [member="Aeri Vyn"] [member="Sargon Vynea"] [member="Audrey Starchaser"]

Too-blue eyes rolled when Smartass got up in her cousin's face. DRAMA QUEEN. Leaning forward, fingers plucked one of the tops offered by Damian. Definitely her style. It seemed to be a style any man would like, too. Thoughts momentarily drifted to Sage and Darius.

"Not bad, Dame. Cute. Although," hand waved around the lack of fabric. "Might be a little cold for space."

 

[Eun]

"Ugh."

Boys. Utterly infuriating. And stupid to boot. She narrowed her eyes at Damian as he proceeded to do the exact opposite of what she asked and started handing out party favors.

Her knuckles popped with a series of cracks. She didn't have time for show and sell, especially not when Sleaze McCoy was doing all the selling. The crew expected her to be down here conducting business on their behalf, not playing dress-up. If this wasn't a money making endeavor, if this was all just some scheme so Dam could whore himself out for attention, then she needed to get gone. Otherwise she would be embarrassing herself in front of the crew and 'Captain' Shorn wouldn't be Captain come next election. She had it hard enough as is, being a woman on a freaking pirate ship. She didn't need some hero Jedi screwing up her professional life.

Damian swaggered toward her, perhaps coming back to apologize? Or failing that, give them all some facts beyond "big fashion idea"? Hmm?

Towhead Tom raised the bikini top until it matched her chest line, and raised a single eyebrow above a little leer. Wow, she hadn't really noticed his eyes were such an electric shade of blue. They practically crackled with energy. If she leaned just a bit closer, would there be a spark?

Wait a minute.

WHHHHhhhtchhh!

A whipcrack split the air. The sound of a telekinetic fist aimed at whatever Damian kept in his banana hammock. Could've been worse. Could've been the vor'cha stun stick. Or she might've strangled him with the top. This seemed more fitting, somehow. Teach him. Trying to get inside her head. Smooth her emotions. Make her more... more what? Complacent?

"Women aren't pieces of meat for you to peruse and dress-up at your desire, you little brat. Now suck it up and stop leering, you had that one coming."

Somewhere beyond the grave, Mikhail Shorn was smirking.

[member="Damian Starchaser"] | [member="Kinsey Starchaser"] | [member="Kana Truden"]