Because I can [Khaleel]

[Simone]

Some jobs, were incredibly intense. They would have her hopping from one planet to the next tracking down a target or a source, or even ducking beneath crossfire to gather intelligence on a battlefield. These were the ones that paid well, but, unfortunately they were rare and highly hazardous to ones health. Other job, required some very simple tools and always managed to bring a smile to her face.

Simone prevailed at making a nuisance of herself, she did it without trying, she did it deliberately to annoy. It was a trait so embedded in her personality it was almost thoughtless. Almost.

With one leg tucked up underneath her, she relaxed on the bench in the plaza. Watching the world go by as news bulletins flashed on the holoscreen above, her jaw working on the blue bubblegum in her mouth. She watched the screen for several minutes, blowing a blue bubble with a pop that made the businessman next to her shoot her a sideways glance. She caught it and smiled slightly.

Another bubble.

Another irritating pop.

A tick was developing in his eyebrow, so she repeated the process three more times before he blew an irritated sigh out of his nose and got up leaving her alone. Sliding to the middle of the bench she tugged a personal computer from her satchel and set it on her lap. Finger fells into old routines, hunting signals, attaching herself to them and working her way through pathetic firewalls. She paused, slipped a comlink into her ear and made a call.

"I'm in position." she said when her call was acknowledged. "We a go?"

"Affirmative."

She cut the call, and hit confirm. The display screen in front of her froze for a heartbeat and went black. A count of three seconds and it came alive again, this time it was flooded with incriminating images. Simone had no idea who the man was, or even the woman he was with. She'd been given the pictures and told to make them public however she saw fit if a payment wasn't made in time.

The effect was almost instantaneous, gasps of horror, jeers and an sudden intense wave of dislike.

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Simone"]

Guy’s name was Lecherous Joe, at least… it was now. See, Joe had always been a straight man out, family, two kids, a loving wife - at the side, he was also one of the crime lords carving a piece outta the cake of Jimmy’s ol’ empire. It ain’t ever easy to balance those two lifestyles out, evidence right there on the display hub.

Ain’t my problem though, my problem had been his tendency to take liberties with our border. Nah, it hadn’t been money, but [member="Simone"] didn’t have to know that, this had been a two-part fashion. One part retribution, two part checking the gal out and see if she had what it took.

Still not sure if she’s got the stomach for the more messy things, but she got balls and she got the skills for the more complicated missions. We would find out if she can shoot a guy point-blank some other time, babysteps no?

A man sat down next to her, handsome man, black stubble on the chin, chiseled jaw and ripped muscles underneath loosly-fitted clothing. Guy radiated confidence, certain charm that came easy and just… that relaxation that few if any people really owned these days. Too much in a hurry. Too afraid to lose the time they had left in this wicked world.

Ya, that’s me. Sure, sure, you might say my imagery ‘bout myself is a bit skewed and ya might be right. But here is one thing I have learned about life. Nobody’s gonna smooth it up for ya, so why be pessimistic about your own assets?

Put an arm over the bench’s back, one leg crossed against the other and barely didn’t touch her side with my own. Another test? Maybe or maybe I am just an nerf herder who likes to make people uncomfortable.

‘Good job.’ the voice that had rang over the commlink a few moments ago said to her. ‘Money has been transferred.’

 

[Simone]

Another pop of the bubblegum came as the man sat down next to her, shje drank it all in out of the corner of her eye, closing the computer as she did and slipping it back into the satchel.Confident, charming smile, rugged look arm draped over the bench behind her and a clear uncaring about people's space. Said a lot. Said 'i can handle myself' said 'i'm not afraid' but it also said a great deal more.

It said 'I'm a jackass.'

Simone smiled slightly, she didn't look at him, not fully. She didn't flinch either. You didn't grow up on Zeltros and not know how to deal with handsy men or those who have little respect for your desire for your own personal space. "You think?" she mused in response, voice cool as cool and calm as she remained relaxed. "It could have done with a bit more flare. A slogan...maybe some theme music." Her lips twitched.

"That would have cost more."

She blew another bubble. "You felt the need to tell me the money has been transferred in person because....?"

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

How people managed to be this glib and suave for days on end was beyond me, the act was already wearing on me after a few seconds and it was probably only going to get worse the longer I sat here next to her. Edge a bit farther away from her, giving her some room, but more importantly giving -me- some room. Arm stayed where it was though, had to keep up appearances, ya know?

'It had the effect intended.' I simply answered, this wasn't about fun- even though it was fething amusing from where I was sitting. 'To annoy you, of course. Just as your insisted popping of the bubblegum is intended to annoy me.'

It might just make her thing a little about what was really happening here, or it might just piss her off more. Either way it was a win-win situation for me and those where my favorite situations.

[member="Simone"]

 

[Simone]

He edged back, and a touch of tension eased from her shoulders.

"Ah," she replied amusement glittering in her eyes "Of course." She looked at him then, made the effort to turn her head, to drink his entire image in from his boots to his scruffy hair. She did so pointedly, before settling her eyes on his. He was cute, she'd give him that.

"Of course, you could actually find that you have made critical error in your analysis of me." She blue another bubble "I think its adorable that you feel the need to go out of your way to annoy me and tell me I've been paid. Wasn't part of our agreement, but its adorable all the same. Would you like to know a secret?" she twisted her body, jacket slipping slightly to expose just enough cleavage to get his attention and then leaned forward to whisper.

"You want me."

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

Ahh... and there was my excuse. I took my time, of course, because that's what you are supposed to do when a girl proudly offers you an inspection of her assets, and boy did she have a mighty fine selection of goods indeed. Anyway, I finally managed to remove my arm from her back, taking out a match and cigarette. Another sideways look with a soft grin, 'fore I lit the damn thing and I puffed out some smoke.

In between I managed to get out a 'Quite.' as an affirmative that she was -quite- right in her assessment, just probably not in the way she was thinking. 'Got bruisers, a cute face for the delicate matters, just need a few specialists and you-' another long look at the billboard and the show still being displayed. '-fit in that profile.'

Another puff of smoke.

'You want me?' the last word had been distorted from having that cigarette between the lips, could have said 'me', might have said 'in'.

[member="Simone"]

 

[Simone]

Her arm moved to the back of the bench, hand raising to prop up her head as she pursed her lips for a moment. "Hmmm, I'm afraid you're going to have to do a little better than that to convince me Mister Malvern." She moved, rising smoothly from the bench slipping her satchel onto her shoulder.

"You can start," she paused, looking down at him head tilted slightly "by buying me a drink." She glanced around, before nudging him with her foot.

"Come on scoundrel, I worked hard today, I've got a thirst." She winked.

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Simone"]

Gave her one of my shrugs, then puffed a bit on my cigarette for a while. Aye, I was gonna take her out, was the right thing to do, no? She had done the work I asked her to, least I could do was get her a good drink.

‘Sure.’ followed by me standing up, and gesturing towards the direction of the nearest bar. ‘Know your way around?’

I’d go with the solid ‘ladies first’, but I didn’t actually know how familiar she was with ‘Shaddaa.

 

[Simone]

"Not really, only been ground side a couple of weeks and have only been here a couple of times on small jobs." Nar Shadda wasn't her 'place to be' when she had a job, shye did it and left, but the time was coming where she couldn't turn down any jobs coming her way. Things were getting desperate, and Simone hated being desperate.

After all who liked a desperate pink zeltron girl?

Surprisingly, a lot of people, normally middle aged males with no wives.

Simone shuddered at the thought, but forced a smile for Khaleel. "Lead the way, scoundrel."

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Simone"]

Raised my eyebrow at the subtle shudder in the shoulders, but didn’t press an explanation. Hell. I could probably come up with a few on my own, but it wasn’t any of my business, only thing she needed to do was work and only thing I needed to go was give her money. Perfect working relationship, no?

Sadly it never works out that way, always gets… complicated. Hesitation came from the shift of well, you know. I coughed a bit awkwardly, and then shrugged.

‘Let’s go, then.’

We would walk slow, enjoying the… well the sights weren’t all that pretty or happy, pretty fethed up part of town. I was shooting all kinds of prayers we wouldn’t be harassed on our way to a drink, god, I would hate having to kill some folk before it was even noon.

 

[Simone]

Why in the hell were they walking slow?! Where as Khaleel maintained his outward relaxed confident composure, Simone was beginning to tense. Her eyes darted around stopping on a street urchin, no older than fourteen eyes with a hollow look in his face that only drugs could muster, and a hungry look in his eyes that said he was prepared to kill to keep his look. She looked away, casting a glance down a dark ally where three men were set upon kicking the life out of some poor soul on the ground. One turned glittering eyes her way.

Unconscionably she took a step sidewards, her arm brushing Khaleel's, jumping slightly as she did. Her head whipped round and she smiled reflexively. "Sorry." she told him, clearing her throat and increasing the gap between them. "How come you know your way round here so well? Permanent residence?"

Did that guys just wink at her? She fixed her eyes back to the ground. It was safer to look there.

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Simone"]

‘Don’t look away.’ I gently remarked, this place was a hellhole, a cesspit of the worst kind. But it had rules, laws from which every lowly thief, rapist and murderer governed from. Only prey looked away. Of course it wasn’t a solid rule, they could very well decide to take ya out anyway, you just gotta grab your chances where they are.

‘They can smell fear.’

I took out another cigarette, offering it to her.

‘Lived here my entire life, borned and raised. Only home I know.’

 

[Simone]

Simone looked up, giving him a harsh glare.

"That makes me feel a whole let better." she snapped sarcastically, accepting the cigarette nonetheless and taking note of his advice. She stopped looking away. Nicotine worked away the frayed edges of her nerves. "Helluva place to grow up."

She glanced at him sideways. "Never traveled?"

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Simone"]

‘Here and there, but naw. Not really. Might be a shethole, but it’s my shethole.’ had never really minded Nar Shaddaa, oh it was crap fo’sure. But like he had said, sometimes the crap that is yours is better than the purity of others. Took another puff and noticed some movement in the upcoming alley, suppose this was the moment when the killing started.

‘How is your right fist?’

 

[Simone]

Simone took a long drag from the cigarette before she answered him. She'd trained in close quarters with an echani, she was not a complete damsel in distress.

"Pretty good." She replied, but only then did she notice the movement and the slight shift in Khaleel's posture the one that said a fight was coming. She didn't look around she dared not to. This was his territory, she would follow his lead.

"Good enough for scumbags like this at least."

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Simone"]

‘The trick with surviving here.’ I took note of her apparent combat experience, that was good. Meant I wouldn’t have to babysit here, while dealing with the three in front while she was dealing with the two others following us.

‘...is ya gotta put ‘em down and put ‘em down hard the moment they get fancy ideas.’

‘We got two at our back and three in the alley. Have my back.’

Moment of truth.

 

[Simone]

"Got it." She said, taking one last drag before flicking the cigarette to one side, it bounced, sending sparks skittering and Simone, leaned into him, mouth moving to his ear, a smile on her face, hands becoming more friendly than usual and she used the chance to get the two behind in her peripherals, she kissed the line of his jaw. "This'll cost you extra."

She turned towards the pair, still smiling slightly, playing the sweet and innocent girl she was so good at portraying. The cut off her path and her smile widened. "Hello boys." There was distinct thunk as he satchel slid to the ground. "Something I can help you with?"

They launched forward, and Simone set her stance, ducking low, she flipped the first over her back, fingers curling about a small knife concealed in her boot. The hilt connected with the second's nose, snapping his head backwards and toppling him. The first was back to his feet facing Khaleel. The blade flashed from her hand, embedding itself in the flesh behind his knee. He cried out and Simone moved forward casually, scooping up her bag and cracking his temple with her right fist, dropping him like a sack.

She retrieved the blade, wiping it on his back and slipping it back into her boot.

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Simone"]

A smoking gun, one casing on the ground, three thugs laying on the ground, a mystery for the ages. Took another puff, blew it out and then put the revolver back where it had come from, I ain’t much of a melee fighter, simply a stylistic choice, ya know? Just ain’t my thing.

Guns tho, guns I understand. That’s what I meant with putting ‘em down hard, looking back at the two broken bodies on the side made me think Simone had understood it too.

Good girl to have around, it seems. Soft lips too, but that would have to be a discussion for another time.

‘Nice.’ I complemented her, before walking off towards the three bodies, starting picking through their pockets. Unhurried. Took my time with it, this too was a statement to the stragglers looking on and watching.

It meant I didn’t give a feth and that they would be next.

Predator versus prey, it was all in the mind.

 

[Simone]

This part made her uncomfortable. She disliked violence, but it was a tool for survival. This? this made her stomach turn the same way it had turned when Jacobs had casually killed a bunch of pirates like they were nothing then offered her a candy. She held her tongue, her lips forming a thin line as she regarded the onlookers who lowered there heads and hurried on their way.

She hated this place. A firm boot connected with Khaleel's leg. "This girls getting impatient."

[member="Khaleel Malvern"]