Challenging Beliefs

[Zesiro]

Zesiro had been sent to secure the head of a slaver that had been plaguing the rim territory of the empire. While she didn't like killing people, there were times and situations where it was needed. Being a slaver was one of them. She had tracked him down and then actually used some of the skills she had learned from a trooper to take him down. While unable to produce a physical form of proof for his death, she had recorded everything.

Deciding to make a stop before leaving the planet, Zesiro headed into the local town. While trying to remake her personal image, she had stopped showing the skin tight clothing, but her natural movements were enough to turn heads. She wore a dark cloak over those clothes. It being open in the front, still left quite a bit of skin for people to see.

Giving a mental sigh, she continued into the town.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric was less hidden with his appearance or his movements, though in no way was he open about his intentions or identity. Edric was here as a bounty hunter who had just made a large hull and was celebrating with his companions, a few of his guards that had helped him adapt to undercover work considering he did not know how to work in that way. Unlike his predecessor, Edric had not grown up on the streets trying to make his way through mercenary work. While he had been on the streets as a kid, it was as a street rat, someone who would go nowhere and learn nothing, doomed to be one of many in the slums. This was changed with the intervention of his predecessor but now he was learning to act on his own in more hidden ways.

Chiefly, saving people who were forced into positions by slavers like the one he was hunting today. The Slaver leader had been tracked to this location and rather than letting his men or moving on and sending the information to his predecessor, he wanted to take it into his own hands. He would not sit by in a chair today as that was starting to become a bit too boring for him. The guards he had taken were some of his more trusted at that and especially the Keshiri woman who commonly was more of a mother figure than a guard, who watched him from another place rather than being there beside him with the others.

His hands stretched out behind him as he took a long look around him to see if anyone came into sight that might be worth looking into.

 

[Zesiro]

As Zesiro walked into the town, there was a rather large group of people heading out. She didn't seem to catch any attention from them as they passed by her. That itself was a little odd, but she shrugged it off. Maybe this group had other things to think about than a lone woman walking into town.

After the group passed, Zesiro walked on and found herself in front of a stand selling drinks. Nothing that would effect her, so she got herself some water and walked off to the side to slake her thirst.

Looking around her to if there was anything of interest, she saw a few things and people, but nothing that really stood out to her. She finished her drink and set the glass back up at the stand. Giving the vendor a quick smile, she melted away in the crowd around him.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric grinned and stood up while the others continued to play their parts. For now he needed to get closer to the leader before he could even imagine launching an attack on the man, one thing was off about today though and he found himself scratching his head while walking aimlessly. Why did he feel like there was something wrong coming his way but all other signs looked like everything was working as planned. He groaned and pushed his hand through the front of his hair, a nervous tick of his to mess with the hair when he felt something was off. His mentor had told him to trust his feelings but even then he could not figure out what he was feeling.

He soon found himself walking against the flow of people, trying to focus on what he was feeling. His eyes focused on people while he walked by people, staring at certain figures that caught his interest. First a rodian, gun in the open and eyes looking intently forward with his destination in mind and in sight. The creature was taller than him, green colored and interestingly seemed to make a expression that he would think was their version of chewing on the inside of his cheek. It was likely not that kind of action but he was caught with its curiosity long enough to almost run into a blond woman who looked a few years within his own age.

He blinked and stepped back, quickly speaking as his focus turned on her. "My apologies, I was distracted."

 

[Zesiro]

Zesiro was glad she had finished her drink because when a man bumped into her it would have spilled on them both. Granted it had only been water so wouldn't have stained anything, but just the thought of spilling liquid on this desert planet, bothered her.

The crowd around them parted in its path as people moved past them on their various tasks. Nobody seemed to pay them any attention and Zesiro was fine with that. She looked to the man as he apologized for bumping into her and she gave him a half smile. He was about her age and rather cute.

He had stepped away from tramping on her feet when he had bumped into her and her cloak settled back down around them. He would see that the bottom was dirty from her walking around and her boots were as well. Her pants above the boots were clean as was her top. She still hadn't fully gotten out of the habit of wearing provocative clothing and she would be really surprised if he didn't notice since he as so close to her physically.

"Busy play, it's ok. Looking for something?"

Moving her hand slowly enough so he wouldn't notice, Zesiro checked to make sure all her belongings were in place in case this guy was some sort of inept pickpocket that had just tried to steal from her.

"I'm Zesiro. Can try to help if you need it."

All her items were in place and she decided to rest her hand on saber hilt, not sure what to make of this man.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric smiled and scratched at the back of his head while turning his eyes off to the side. He truthfully did not notice the clothing, his mind choosing to ignore it out of respect and to not stare. He could care less about something like that, something that helped put him where he was as his predecessor found the man was far more goal oriented. He took pride in that fact and he took pride in being able to get things done without being distracted like his predecessor was famous for becoming around women. It was somewhat funny, how Edric could be more focused than the man who taught him what he knew when it came to being a leader and fighter.

"Oh, hello. Someone actually, I have an appointment with a rather large figure that should be around here somewhere. A pleasure to meet you though, I am Edric... before we continue this conversation, should we step off to the side." He looked at the people passing them and not wanting to draw unnecessary attention from anyone yet.

The woman was interesting, and he could feel that there was something else about her. He himself had his saber hidden in the clothing and cloak that folded around him, pulling it a bit tighter and letting it collect to hide anything on his person. He didn't have any identifying items anyways and if Zesiro did recognize him it would be through his appearance only. He did not realize she was an imperial and if she searched hard enough she would come to find out who he was quite quickly.

 

[Zesiro]

Her appearance didn't have an effect on him which was fine. It was surprising, but becoming less common that she was noticed unless she was walking. He scratched at the back his head as looked off to the side. It was as if he was nervous, but there wasn't anything she had done to cause it. He was the one that had bumped into her.

"I don't know people around here, but if this person is well known we could always ask where he or she might be found. Nice to know your name, Edric."

Giving him half a smile, Zesiro nodded and moved to side of a building, away from the pedestrian traffic around them.

She had not been long with Empire to know him by appearance or by name nor could she tell he was a Force user. Turning to see if he followed in her steps to the quieter area, Zesiro waited to see if he wanted to provide a name for the person he was supposed to be meeting.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric sighed when she said that, but offered to help him find the person so it wasn't all a loss. Still scratching the back of his head he walked off to the side of the street, not wanting to be in the middle of anyone while he talked with the person. For two reasons, the first it was extremely annoying to have to walk around to people conversing in the middle of the street, so much so that he would not make others suffer through that. The second reason was a bit more sensitive and part of the reason he looked so nervous, as she or anyone around them could be connected to the slaver and if he did not play this right he would ruin the entire thing.

Once on the side of the walkway, his body relaxed a bit and he sighed, looking up before remembering that she was there.

His focus drew back to her, clearing his throat and speaking to clear up some more of his nerves.

"To tell the truth, im looking for a rather successful businessman, one who's trade is of the exotic sorts. I was suppose to find him here but I can't seem to get the location correct and it would be a rather annoying shame if I could not inspect his stock and see what he has." His voice was softer, both in tone and volume. He wasn't whispering, but he was in no way being stupid about what he said, letting the woman figure it out on her own. If she knew what he was talking about, he would know with her response both on a verbal and physical level. IT was likely she knew nothing, and he wasted a few minutes of his time, but if she did know something it would help him out immensely.

 

[Zesiro]

Zesiro looked at the young man next to her and nodded. Even though he didn't clearly state who he was looking for, she pieced together what business he was into. Raising an eyebrow, giving the man an odd look before she spoke.

"I understand. There are also likely more than one of that type here."

She had just killed one ​and would like the chance to put more down. For some reason, Zesiro didn't feel Edric wanted to purchase any of the stock a slaver would have for sale. He just didn't look like that type of person to her. Appearances could be deceiving though.

"Possible location is out in the desert, it's where I found a type of person like that this morning."

Blinking her blue eyes against the glare of the sun, she looked around casually to make sure they weren't drawing any attention.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

Edric sighed when he heard her say that. She knew what he was looking for, and was either leading him into a trap or the desert was actually where he would have to travel into to find this place and kill that man. What he hated was that either way would require him to leave his guards behind or atleast far enough behind for no one to catch scent of them tracking him down and the location of this slaver. He chewed on the inside of his cheek as he thought over this bit of information and for a moment as she turned her eyes away he turned his eyes on her.

Something was off about this one. She wasn't strange per say, but there was definitely something different compared to others and it was how she handled herself. People can find shaking habits to be very difficult. It wasn't something she did but rather how she was. She seemed too... normal. He was probably over analyzing this but something felt wrong and off, something he could not figure out and his hands itched, wanting to grab onto his hidden saber.

"Out in the desert? That is disheartening. I was hoping the person would be inside the outpost and not out there." He let out a sigh, both to relax himself and play along while he stood there and scratched his head again.

"Thanks though for the help, much appreciated."

[member="Zesiro"]

 

[Zesiro]

Her words seemed to bother Edric. Like the answer wasn't what he wanted to hear. It made more sense to be further away from being discovered by authorities by hiding in the desert. One would also see potential threats before they actually arrived and prepare for fights easier. By the time a party would arrive to take the slaver on, they would be worn out from the journey there.

He also seemed distracted and nervous about something. He kept scratching his head or running his hands through his hair. When he spoke again, Zesiro turned her blue eyes to him again. For whatever reason, they had been standing and talking for a few minutes, but he hadn't noticed her curves or how attractive she was. It was very unusual, but it didn't totally bother the young sith.

Leaning in slightly closer to whisper her next words to young man, Zesiro did not make a move to touch him, go after her weapon, just so she could speak and not be overheard at all.

"If you were looking to buy something, I just put one out of business earlier."

She resumed her original position against the wall and waited for Edric's reply.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric continued to think on the subject until he was a bit surprised by the whisper she gave him. His eyes turned back on her, studying the face that had just spoken to him and a small smile cracked through as a chuckle broke from him. HE thought there was something off about this one but now he was more than amused by her words. She was either trying to draw him into a trap or telling him the truth and he had to bite at the bait. He was certain he would regret it should things go badly but she had intrigued him on the possibility that she was telling the truth.

"Well then, my lady. I hope that you would be able to show me where the others might be before you put them out of business too. I had wanted to relieve them of their stock before their careers were ended. That is if you would be so kind as to help me with this my lady." He started to look towards the right, not sure if any of those who had come with him was watching yet.

He saw no one he recognized and those around them still largely ignored the pair. I was a bit worrying but it was nothing he could not handle if she did turn out to be someone who was simply looking to strike at him. He was slowly relaxing though, as she presented him with what seemed to be the truth.

 

[Zesiro]

Her whisper surprised Edric and a small chuckle came from him. A single female taking down a slaver alone would a surprise to pretty much anybody, but he believed her and actually wanted her to show him where more could be found.

"There's more than one here? Oh dear, I was only told of the one and I didn't think of checking out his stock before visiting him."

Figuring she could at least show him the area of the compound of the former slaver, Zesiro stood up off the wall and started heading back out into the desert on foot.

"I don't have a speeder, but it's not much more than a mile out there."

Raising a hand, she indicated the desert in front of them.
​
[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

He straightened up and started to step back towards the street before looking towards Zesiro as if he was waiting for her to lead the way. He was happy to follow her along but he was hardly going to turn his back on the woman for now and she was likely to think the same way if he got the correct feeling about her. The problem was he didn't know what kind of person he was actually dealing with and it made him readjust his clothing and make sure that his saber was hidden and within reach still. The last thing that he needed was for this one to get the jump on him when he left his only real protection behind without much warning.

They would find him, but it would take a bit longer than just following a trail of bread crumbs from what he understood.

While he walked he would keep a casual gaze that traveled between people and buildings as if out of boredom. He never lingered on anything and always made sure his vision swung back and forth to keep an eye on the woman and to make sure no faces appeared more than twice at most. Once was unavoidable, twice a coincidence and three times was not.

She said that the man was dead too which struck him the most. Was there actually more than one here or was he lied to when he was told that there was a stockpile here as far as the slaves he had been trying to find over the past while. It was likely that he had simply stumbled upon another dead end but if he did it was going to irritate him quite significantly. He was already running into troubles with slavers recently and now this woman had possibly killed the man he needed.

"You know, your name would be helpful."

[member="Zesiro"]

 

[Zesiro]

They started walking side by side, neither one getting in front of the other. This was fine by her though. Along the way, Edric adjusted his clothing and Zesiro noticed that. While a little odd, she didn't mention it at all. Some people just liked checking to make sure they had everything they started with and that was likely what he was doing. Her own saber was on her hip and accesed easily even if she really had no clue how to use it well. It was not something she had been taught. Instead she relied on other means to accomplish her goals.

Her question appeared to give him some thought to if there was more than just the one slaver here. Maybe he didn't know or was playing stupid. It didn't really matter to her as her own objective was completed, she would take him to the compound though.

They both watched around them, but she didn't pay that much attention on anything specifically. His next statement almost made her stop walking. They had exchanged names earlier, so he must have forgotten hers already. Shaking her head slightly, but telling him again.

"My name is Zesiro. You told me yours is Edric."

Giving him half a smile, she knew it was difficult to remember everything.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

He blinked, having completely gotten that he had asked her for her name already, his mind a bit jumbled as he walked over the ground and thought on the matter. This woman was certainly someone who he could not understand quickly and she was someone he still wasn't sure if he should trust or simply abandon then and now. The slaver could already be dead, if that was the case he had no reason to be here anymore, but was it that simple? He had thought there was a stockpile of slaves on the planet, he had come with the intent of freeing them but the woman who he had made made it seem like there was none.

He thought about it for a few more seconds before shifting his clothing again, inching the saber he had closer to his body while he walked. He wanted to be certain he could grab it if he needed to. Now though he would just have to follow her out to this man she killed and see if it is the person that he was looking for or if it was someone else.

 

[Zesiro]

He didn't say anything when she provided her name again and they walked silently together for a few mintues. There was something odd about him, but Zesiro didn't know what. Edric kept looking around and adjusted his clothing again even though nobody had gotten close to them for a while.

"Is there something wrong, Edric?"

She looked ahead as she spoke, but felt at Edric with the Force, trying to get a read on his emotions. This would be the first she did that actively to him and if he could sense the probe, he would know she could use the Force.

Making no aggressive move, she continued to lead him to the compound she had left earlier.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

Edric barely registered hearing her, his eyes turning to the woman as he considered what to say in response. It wasn't so much an issue of something being wrong, rather an issue of things changing infront of him without so much as a hint beforehand. This woman had taken out the man that Edric may be after, and it is also possible this was all an elaborate trap, either way things had changed and Edric was displeased by that.

"No, nothing is wrong, I am simply thinking on the matter."

He paused in his words and thought on the woman some more before speaking again, this time with a questioned aimed at the woman.

"Zesiro, who are you exactly. It is uncommon for someone like yourself to be around here without a reason and I would rather like to know who I am working alongside in this matter. It would be distasteful for me to be caught up in something I can't handle."

 

[Zesiro]

Edric answered her question and she just nodded. If he had intended to free the slaves and she had killed the slave master, then she had potentially thrown a wrench into his plans. They walked further out into the desert and then he asked who exactly the she was.

Looking over at him, Zesiro gave him an almost confused look and shrugged slightly.

"I am who I am, Zesiro is the only name I know. The reason I was here was to kill the slaver whose corpse I left behind. If you're concerned I'm leading you into a trap of some kind, set your mind at ease. I'm not going to hurt you."

They were just words, but they were true.

[member="Edric Vanyan"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Zesiro"]

He laughed, this time without tension in his voice and looked at the woman with a grin. A bit more relaxation had found him at the answer, though his response would tell her as to why he had found her answer humorous.

"You know, when someone mentions that they are not going to hurt you, it usually means they intend to or are simply worried themselves. In this case though, I am inclined to believe you when you say that if only for the reason that you aren't lying to me, or doing it so well that I missed hints of such. Either way, you will excuse me if I keep an eye on you just in case of the latter. As for Zesiro being you only name, that is sad. Everyone should have a last name, something that links them to their past or tells those who meet the person what to expect."

He thought for a moment before smiling a bit wider. She needed an example so he would use his as an example while they walked, his throat starting to get dry from the air and his voice reflecting that as it came out again.

"For example, might can mean Light or A Gift, of course, this is dependent on who you talk to, and where they are from, but I like the name so I kept it."

The bit of information would be enough for her to infer that it was not his original name, if he had one that was. He had chosen it with the intent of taking something that reflected what he was, and a gift was certainly what he had become for one man. The first meaning though, was a hint to her as to what he could do with the force, but she would likely not pick up on that considering he had been hiding that bit of him for a while now.