Common Sightseeing

[Asajj Novar]

It was another day of wandering around the capital city of Commenor dressed in her homeworld's leathers and lack of shoes. This time however she had decided to make it a bit more work then just a day off, which took her to what the locals called the Imperial Quarters. Where the Sith overlords and their soldiers gathered on their time off. Drinking, partying, taking advantage of the local businesses who were unfortunate enough to be favored by the troops.

A place the Dathomir would usually avoid.

But she wanted to see them, the soldiers, and see if there was any sort of information she could gleam about the Imperial's plans for Commenor. Trade routes, supply chains. Targets. Silently she slipped into one of the local bars and made her way to the counter. Hopefully there'd be someone drunk enough to let something slip.

[member="Ithnan Cryo"]

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

Ithnan wasn't fond of loud places. Well, more accurately he wasn't fond of bars where people thought that being loud made things more exciting or entertaining for those not involved in whatever festivity they were engaged in. In this case, however, he was tired and off duty from a long week of endless patrols and the occasional trip he would make off-world.

"The Sore Ship" was the name of the place.

Dressed in what one could deem "Soldier casual" he crossed one leg over the other sipping some water and scrolling through some news on his datapad. Commenor wasn't his choice for vacation but it beat just hanging on his ship again. The Imperial Quarters was where he would spend most of his time like everyone else. Though his small incursions into the city weren't as horrible with the reconstruction going on and the rubble cleared.

He was quiet in his corner with any possible drinking companion being too fearful of the focused face he always wore or the partial glances he would give to them before they moved on to somewhere else. He didn't consider himself intimidating, many of his masters still to this day kept a control of fear on his heart, but for some reason, the rank and file ignored him until someone needed to be shot at. Not the best relationship to have but for now, it would have to do.

Regardless of that all, why would someone who hates bars go to a bar? Well, the answer lied in what could be gained at these sorts of places. Soldiers made whispers of dirty dealings and possible avenues of profit that he could partake in given his free reign to go where he pleased. Knowledge is power wasn't the only true statement, knowledge is credit was just as true in his mind and he needed more.

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

"Water. Water's fine." Asajj mumbled to the barkeep as she leaned upon the counter. He gave her a rather sour look before tossing a cup towards her. "I hope you plan on drinking more than that. Otherwise you can find another place to drink for free." The Dathomir rolled her eyes but otherwise remained quiet, sipping at her glass. She wasn't here to get drunk after all. She idly tapped on the counter, seeming rather impatient before finally an off duty soldier stepped up beside her.

"Right, so I got the info you needed. You got my payment?" He whispered, idly tapping a datachip on the counter as proof. She simply nodded, sliding over a bag of credits as discretely as one could. He snatched it, nodding his head to the barkeep who was clearly in on it. "Much ablidged stranger. May we never meet again." Once again the Dathomir simply nodded, tucking the datachip into her pocket. She had no intention of seeing him again.

Now she simply drank her water, trying to look like a normal patron before turning to leave quickly and quietly.

[member="Ithnan Cryo"]

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

A civilian was hospitalized after resisting arrest for conspiracy against the government. This was the type of boring news that filled his screen. Riots here, protest there nothing ever truly seemed to stand out when it came to the local going on of Commenor. Ithnan let out a soft sigh lifting his eyes to target his glass and quench the displeasure the establishment had placed on him. The usual was going on here too. A few bands came in together and congregated with other bands until a large mosh of stressed soldiers found comfort and relief in the grouping. One guy was still in uniform and had taken a drink from a laughing friend with no qualm or scuffle, truly it was a place of merriment for the Soldiers.

Though one thing didn't sit well.

It was a girl, a woman he should say based on her look. Amongst the cheerful and lifelike ambiance, she stuck out to him. Native Commenori avoided these places because sharing a drink with someone who'd catalyzed the massacre of your people wasn't hight on their to-do list. Either she was a strange Commenorian, proving this place did harbor those of inherent curiosity, or she was an unknowable mystery which required more story.

His usual checks and balances went on through his head. Was she noticeable because of her looks? Her presence? Or maybe something more mystical? Despite what it was the woman had gained the draw of his gaze from the back corner. The events that followed only peaked his interests more. A good-looking woman being approached by a man in a bar wasn't a foreign site or idea, no it was the body language, the movement between the two that showed this was not some soldier cashing in on the liquid courage they had consumed. No this was something shady.

When the bag exchanged ownership his alarms went off and rather than sit there thinking about it he stood up calmly and began to make his way over. Walking past the soldier rejoining his buddies Ithnan tossed around a plan of attack. Feign the want for normal conversation or simply follow the woman. Following her would only leave him on a goose chase with the possibility of results, he needed something if this event was to prove beneficial.

"I hope that was a bag of candy you gave him." His stoic look had dissolved into something more "communal" and "open". "Some Officers get more than uptight about their soldier's health choices"

It was a start at least.

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

"So far so good. Keep it casual, finish the drink. Don't rush out, walk." Asajj had been muttering under her breath, doing her best to seem as natural and legitimate as she could as a bar patron. She had kept her back to the crowd purposely to avoid suspicion, but as [member="Ithnan Cryo"] 's words reached her ears her heart jumped to her throat. Panic gripped at her mind as she shakily took another drink.

Without even looking she could tell what this man was. A Sith. She forced out a slight giggle, glancing over her shoulder in an attempt to be.. Flirty? Was that something girls did in a bar? Probably. Best bet.

"Don't you know its rude to ask what a girl has in their purse?" Which, while she tried to be sly about it the ever present layer of fear echoed in her voice. Yet despite this she deftly pocketed the datachip into one of her pockets, taking advantage of her terrible ruse to try and distract the Sith from the movement. Years training as an Assassin definitely helped her sleight of hand, though not so much her social skills.

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

"You are right." A smile formed on his face and soon after a laugh escaped his mouth. " It was rude of me to ask so brashly." Ithnan gave a small and quick bow of apology before looking into the girl's eyes rather fiercely. While his face was easy to convert to a friendly manner his eyes still held the sting and allure that it usually carried. It wasn't hostile but it sure as feth wasn't the best look to have with everybody. Retaking his original position his mind connected a familiar tone in her voice that had scratched at him from her first few words.

Fear? Why would she be nervous? Was she a shy woman, a wallflower breaking out of her garden? This was the common answer one might conclude for a person feeling like so in a bar, yet Itnan didn't feel that was what this was.

This woman had bravely walked into a bar full of Soldiers and while her stay wasn't long it didn't seem that the aura of the place was her reason for a quick escape. Whatever business she had with that man was her sole goal then perhaps, or maybe another presence had forced her out. "Let me try to salvage some of my manners. You can call me Cryo, and you are?" his eyes had eased once more almost as if they were living separate things on his face breathing between silent aggression and mellow calm. More time granted more opportunity for something to slip. Keep her talking, the thought replaying itself over and over in his head.

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

Her hearbeat continued to pound in her ears. It seemed she was able to tuck the item safely away without [member="Ithnan Cryo"] noticing, but his gaze. The malice. Had her eyes been the same way so long ago? A whisper in her mind, one she thought better forgotten. A woman with similar eyes. A woman with a knife and a kind voice. The Sith who had carved out her eye.

Panic set in as the memory played out again. She stumbled away from the Sith before her as a rabbit would before a wolf with no where to go, yet the Dathomir continued to try to keep the conversation going. "Asajj. I.. I should be going. Excuse me." She then quickly turned to rush out of the bar, avoiding anymore eye contact. Though, she had a feeling she wasn't going to be able to just walk away.

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

Asajj, a pretty name he had to admit. His eyes never left the women as her words started to stutter and her feet slowly motioned her backward. If this was an assault he was to taught to press the enemy now, while they were off balance. Though conquering was not his goal in this mission, but instead to see what had taken the women off balance in the first place. If it truly was him then he owed himself a small pat on the back later for being more fearsome than he imagined. Granted, he towered over Asajj and while cordial didn't really exude friendly without the effort of doing so. A problem to work on another time he thought, his mind refocused on the present reality. He was ready to follow up, to dig ever so deeper when Asajj excused herself and rushed out of the bar.

Crap, he had allowed breathing room and now she was leaving. Part of him wanted to end the cordiality and pull her back by force, literally. Instead, he kept his kind demeanor and rushed out after her trying to stop in front of her "Asajj, wait!" Being a little ways outside the bar he would try to gently place a hand on her shoulder " Are you okay?" He would give a nimble look past her back at the Soldiers in the bar "Did that man threaten you for something?" Ithnans eyebrows lowered and his face shifted into a more serious shape. " If you are in danger let me know. You seem worried about something." It was his job as a Soldier to defend the people of Commenor...or more so its assets. The first part he couldn't say without the words making him laugh. Killing millions one day and then protecting them the next, a strange galaxy indeed.

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

"I said I needed to leave, that's al-" She didn't just pause mid-sentence as [member="Ithnan Cryo"] set a hand on her shoulder. Her whole body froze mid step. The pounding in her ears rose in volume until she couldn't hear what he was saying anymore. Only the voice of a woman she wanted to forget. Taunting while cutting. Asajj's gaze fell to the ground as they remained wide with horror.

She was silent for a couple moments after Cryo finished speaking, then suddenly started screaming. "Don't touch me!" As she screamed she pivoted on a heel, swinging her metal fist with full force for the man's face. Despite her size she certainly could pack a punch.

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

Being punched certainly wasn't on his schedule for today. He had a thing like that listed for practice where getting hit was inevitable, so when Asajj body shifted and her scream set his heart alight every part of his body was set to "Go" as he reacted as quickly as he could. Ithnan mind accessed the database of scenarios he had gone through in life and a punch to the head was pulled out. It was a master in the academy who saw fit to break the recruits in by beating them with no weapons. He had earned several punches then and even farther back from his father who ridiculed his weakness in allowing himself to take hits so easily. It was different now. Ithnan was no longer a student in the academy or the practice doll of that thing he called father.

Ithnans mind played the scenario out and his body followed the trained response. Raising his arm on the side the punch was coming from he would wrap the back of his head with his hand and allow the rest of his arm to guard the sides, bringing his elbow to a slight angle so not to take a punch from a straight. Asajj packed more of a punch then he expected but his frame was able to stay solid past the initial impact, catching himself on the opposite foot. It felt strange, what feeling his mind felt necessary to process past the adrenaline numbing the pain. A problem for another time as he refocused on subduing and calming...whatever this was.

He had wanted to avoid a spectacle, but when someone assaults you it just can't be let go. "The hell is your problem!" Shifting his weight he would swing with the free arm he still had, aiming an uppercut to her midsection. A pinch of revenge behind it, the punch would contain more force then his brain had ordered be sent out. His mind was rational his body pissed as hell. Many of the soldiers in the bar were either drunk or deaf to Asajjs scream and therefore didn't move to aid their comrade. Those more sober and aware would look on to see what the yelling was about.

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

In her panic she didn't even notice [member="Ithnan Cryo"] retaliate. The only care she had was to get away, by any means. Yet as his fist slammed into her stomach and the wind was knocked out of her lungs, she knew it wasn't possible. Asajj slumped to the ground, holding her midsection with both arms. She coughed violently as her lungs tried to refill with air. There, on her knees, her memories overwhelmed her. Frantically she began to drag herself away from the Sith, muttering under her breath desperate pleas.

"J.. Just let me go. I did nothing wrong. Let me leave." Yet she wasn't talking to the man before her, rather a distant thought. A looming shadow that still hovered over her. "I need to leave. That's fine right? That's okay?"

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

Damn she hit hard

Ithnan sighed in annoyance as the adrenaline high faded and the stinging in his arm became more pronounced. This was certainly not how he expected things to go. He watched as Asajj slumped over and began to crawl away from him. Others who were watching were now speaking amongst themselves, taking in the events like a midday show. A few guards walked over, checking what the scream and small gathering were for. Ithnan raised a hand at them to lower their weapons as he walked alongside the fleeing women.

"Well, you tried to assault me. I would not count that as 'nothing wrong'."

He kept alongside her wondering where it was she truly thought she could go in an area filled with trained soldiers. Never the less he let her go on holding back a final kick to the head that would either incapacitate her or open the door to more forms of punishment. Killing her had some weight in his head as she had clearly wronged him and deserved to die. On the other hand, now he was open to beating what he wanted out of her more legally.

As he enjoyed tossing around some ideas Asajjs words pulled him away from the playground of his mind and instead he listened in. Was she mad? The woman was flirty a small bit ago, and now she was murmuring as if she was unaware of the severity of what she had done. An inkling of curiosity would raise its banner in the war of decision and win against the cruel gore filled torture, and the quick and swift execution.

"Where do you need to go Asajj?"

He was sure to watch her more closely now. It seemed this girl had the tendency of snapping like a firecracker.

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

Asajj was a pitiful sight on the ground. Her eyes never left the dirt as she continued her rambling. She was beyond terrified. What ever memories she was going through seemed to absolutely cripple her. Yet, as [member="Ithnan Cryo"] asked where she needed to go, she seemed to snap right out of it. "Wha.." Fear still gripped her chest, her heartbeat still pounding in her ears. Slowly she pushed herself to her feet again, staring at her hands. Pain swelled in her stomach from where the Sith had hit her.

Quickly she glanced about the crowd from the corner of her eyes. This wasn't good. The growing crowd would only make it harder to get away. She had to get away. Slowly she turned her head to the silver haired Sith. She took a shaky breath before standing up straight, pointing a hand in his direction. "You.. You spiked my drink! How dare you!" Even as she pointed and shouted in a commanding voice her hand still shook, and fear was still in her eye.

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

The guards raised their weapons once more as Asajj stood up and moved more quickly than they would've liked given the situation. Once again Ithnan would raise a hand for them to wait and just give him a moment to speak. The claim of him drugging her only adding more mystery to what probably was the most eventful thing in their day of patrol.

Ithnan raised a singular eyebrow. Not only was his question not answered now he was being accused of drugging a person. If he was going to ever drug a person he would make sure the victim couldn't go around blabbering about it. This was not only an attack on his character but of his determination to ensure a plan goes through. He was slightly offended at the accusation, holding back the urge to kick her back down to the ground. Instead, he just laughed....not really laugh but more chuckle at the fumbling occurring in front of him.

" You have no proof I drugged you, but I'm sure the people who saw you lash out at me would be willing to back my side. Even the barkeeper would most likely back my side as well. Plus.." His face twisted into a sadistic smile "If it were up to me now you'd still die right here and I'd receive no reprimand for restraining an aggressive rebel."

He stepped a bit closer to her, moving his hands to try and point hers away from him. His voice returned to the friendly nice guy as it fell to a whisper "Now, you have a few options. Die here trying to assault me or the plethora of soldiers, or pretend to be drunk and I can pass it off as a lovers quarrel that got out of hand."

He stopped raising both eyebrows and looking away slightly. "Then again you could keep this up and I won't think any lesser of you Asajj. It would just be a shame our budding friendship never bloomed." He smiled once more with his face growing softer "So what will it be darling?"

The crowd around them was mixed with compatriates who had just walked over and had no context of the situation and Sober and ill-mannered bar attendees who were sure that he had done no such thing to the girls drink. Overall the guards were just wary of the scenario and looking to dispel it as quick as possible, pushing closer to the two.

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

Even through her fear she glared at [member="Ithnan Cryo"] , her pointing finger slowly curling into a fist. Anywhere else, that would have worked. But the damn imperials and their worship of the Sith. He had her. Her panic had only put her in a terrible situation. Death for being a rebel, or pretend a lovers quarrel. She honestly wasn't sure which was worse. Asajj slowly lowered her arm, still glaring at Cryo as her hands shook by her side.

"I.. Drank too much again, didn't I?" She basically hissed the words, though tried her best to be convincing, less she get killed here and now. "Sorry.. Hun."

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

Feth

His body was really hoping she chose death. His arm was feeling a lot better but his body was no less pissed that it hadn't gotten the proper revenge. Regardless Ithnan was able to put that all behind him so to distress this whole situation. He just wanted information, not a long drawn out process of breaking her down until she admits it. This was the path of least resistance and he would still be able to enjoy his day. When the troopers approached him one placed a hand on his shoulder. With a small glance and predatory eyes, Ithnan made it clear that he'd rather not be touched and the man removed it.

"What's the problem here? We have people saying you were fighting." One of the Trooper spoke while the other kept his gun lowered looking at the women on occasion and then back to Ithnan.

"Sorry, my girlfriend was just so excited to see me on my day off patrol she started drinking a bit earlier than me. She has the tendency to get aggressive when enough of the stuff is in her body. Never the less she is as sweet as a Lyris when she comes down. I just didn't want her to assault anyone so I brought her down." He would lean into the trooper a bit, the other tightening the grip on his rifle. "It may not look it but she has a killer hook."

The guard's helmet didn't give away any facial expression "Yeah....what is her name sir?"

"Asajj, I promise you I'll take her home where she won't bother anyone."

The guards looked at each other and then to him. " Fine....be sure to take it easy next time madam." The guards lowered their weapons more as other Troopers were now telling the small crowd to go about their business.

Within a short time, the crowd was gone and the troopers returned to patrol, a few sticking around the bar to keep this sort of situation from happening again. Ithnan looked back to Asajj, a winning smile on his face " I hate to say this but I can't handle the physical abuse in this relationship." A laugh was oppressed back down his throat not reaching the surface. " Why don't I walk you home and we can talk like civilized people."

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

Asajj kept her head low and her eyes to the ground, listening as the trooper spoke with [member="Ithnan Cryo"] while trying to feign being drunk. Not that she knew how given she never had been. She hated this. Hated how she let herself get roped into such a situation. All she had to do was walk away, and instead she tried to punch a Sith in broad daylight. She gripped above her cybernetic with her real hand till her knuckles turned white.

How was she gonna get out?

When the guards finally left she turned to walk away, not looking at the Sith as she was sure he'd follow. "Enough with the pleasantries. We both know what you are." Asajj hissed under her breath to him as she quickly walked way from the group. If she could get them alone she might be able to escape.

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

A lone eyebrow raised once more as he caught up with her in a few steps "Oh, and what exactly am I but a beacon of kindness. Let's not forget who started all this. I was just a concerned patron in a bar wondering for the well being of a lady. Though it's clear to say that you have enough fire to handle yourself."

He kept a close eye on her reactions and movements. Another surprise hook to the face would not be fun and one was more than enough for today. " However now that we have gone through that maybe you can tell me what you were so desperate to protect you would swing at me in this place" he gestured around.

Her mumbling was just as concerning but he was sure that she wouldn't give that up to him. It was just a passing feeling but he was sure he felt a strong Force within the girl. Now, standing alongside her and focusing more on it he was sure that the girl was strong with the Force and that her stock as a threat was higher than previously believed.

"I mean at the end of it all I'm letting you go, escaping death. A lot of the Commenori would want that gift. "

[member="Asajj Novar"]

 

[Asajj Novar]

"Are you? Since when were Sith in the business of giving gifts?" She grumbled out under her breath again, quickening her pace to anywhere else than the Imperial sector. He wasn't going to just let her go, not without getting something. Was it really only information he wanted? She doubted it. Still, it might be worth just telling him if it meant he'd leave. "A list of imperials was sent to a friend. Names of those who are willing to help those who need it instead of just being the tyrants you Sith want them to be." She wrapped her arms around her waist, frowning. Hopefully [member="Ithnan Cryo"] go away now.

 

[Ithnan Cryo]

Ithnan laughed as the truth came to light, not that he entirely trusted her word. "You think you know so much about me simply because of the beliefs I follow." A quote from an old instructor came to mind "When you base your expectations only on what you see you blind yourself to the nuances that make up life. My intentions are mine and as a Sith, I am still me. Only I choose to affix myself to its words and build on my meaning in the Force. So please do continue to think of me like all the others, it will prove to be your weakness and nothing more." He looked around at his surroundings, a few workers were here and there fixing wrecked structures and putting in a hards days work.

" But worry not Asajj I still have hope that one day you'll see that the galaxy is a clash of colors and not the dull piece you present." While he was ranting at the women the back of his mind was still processing her words. If there were traitors amongst the Empire on Commenor they needed to be rooted out and squashed before an uproar could be made. Dealing with the resistance fighters on Commenor was enough. The last thing they needed the people to believe was that there was division amongst their overseers. " Lastly if you think that that counts as information then you are mistaken. Telling me there are people who don't like what the Empire is doing is equivalent to telling me that lifeforms breath. Surely you exchanged for something more intriguing, or perhaps your outburst back then was more personal than I believed."

A close-mouthed smile would aim her direction as he paced steadily with her movements.

[member="Asajj Novar"]