Private Dancing Shadows

[Willow & Ivy]

Zlova Rue

The Palace on Nar Shaddaa was always a bustle of activity. Willow and Ivy were starting to get used to the noise, almost so much as allowing themselves to tune some of it out. They had yet to fulfil their true purpose here for Broka the Hutt , yet they knew it was only a matter of time.

The twins spent part of their days in their suite, mostly on their balcony overlooking the marketplace. They watched the people far down below and imagined their lives.

Other times, like now, they were in the atrium, listening to music and watching the dancers. Willow wondered if they could be taught to move in such a way. But it'd probably look pretty silly given that they were attached at the hip and below the shoulder. But they knew how to move in unison. Most others might try and stumble. Yet they had their lifetime to learn.

Ivy sipped her whiskey. The two were becoming a common sight. At least they weren't being gawked at so much anymore.

 

[Zlova Rue]

Nar Shadda. Zlova's Home Away from Home. No need to be romantic about the Confederacy yet; she was still relatively new there. No, her home was the Sith Empire. Perhaps, someday, it might be again; or perhaps losing everything had given her a second chance the Confederacy would fill. Few people could call themselves prophetic; and fewer still could actually see the future. Any Foretelling with the words 'Could,' 'Should,' 'Might,' or 'Probably' were useless in her mind. You didn't need a fortune teller to tell you what could happen.

She'd come back, as she was known to do on her personal time, dressed as an alluring mercenary. It was a functional outfit. Just because it involved a corset and high-heel boots didn't mean it wasn't suited to lopping someone's head off with a single stroke. Red Twi'lek had to represent. Think of all the poor souls here that couldn't rely on the Twi'lek slave trade that had been abolished years ago. A steady supply of lustful lekku girls wasn't assured; which meant someone like Zlova got all the attention. Especially when she put herself on display.

As the Twi'lek strode up to the bar, she dropped a few credits down and asked for some of the finer drink. One hopeful to garner the attention of someone that mattered in the place.

Her golden eyes slid over the patrons to either side only to find a set of twins nearby. Cute girls. Not accosted by others in the joint. So they were either dangerous or untouchable; and if they were untouchable then that was because the owner of this fine establishment would kill anyone that laid a finger on them. Duly noted. "Nice place," she remarked seemingly to no one as she lifted her glass to slam back the drink. "Booze, music, and dancers. Right where they should all be. Visit often?"

Tag: Willow & Ivy | Broka the Hutt

 

[Willow & Ivy]

The two looked to Zlova Rue as she approached the bar near them. She looked a little rough around the edges, which was common place for them. They were used to those types of people, but not so much by a Twi'lek. The only ones they tended to see were dancers for Broka and his guests. So that meant that the lady was something more. It was impossible for them to discover everything about her at first. There was a process that the twins took.

Still they were curious. Even more so as the Twi'lek seemed to speak to them. It was Ivy that responded first. "No, we live here. Well, not in this atrium, but in a suite nearby. His Grace Broka rescued us and offered his Palaces for us as places to live. And we are both grateful for the luxury and space. Do you visit here often?"

 

[Zlova Rue]

Grace? Hutts were many things, but nothing concerning grace. They did love a good ego trip though. Interesting that the two women spoke so highly of the Hutt. Their voices didn't tremble, and there wasn't terror in their eyes, so it wasn't because they feared saying anything less would get them killed -- or eaten.

"Not yet, but I'm hoping circumstances will change. His Grace Broka and I could reach a mutually lucrative arrangement." Rue smiled for a moment. "My name's Rue. Zlova Rue. Sounds like I'll have the pleasure of seeing you around. Perhaps we can talk between jobs? Places like these are a spectacle, but you get more enjoyment out of them with company."

Not that the Twi'lek was buying the innocent set of twins bit right off the bat. Maybe it was true. Maybe it was all a giant deception to get in close for a kill. A Hutt's Palace wasn't where you went for trustworthy company. You could be surprised, but you lived longer expecting the worst. Always be prepared -- and know where all the exits were.

Tag: Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Zlova Rue seemed to study them as much as they studied her. There was an odd air of curiosity hovering around them which seemed to be moreso on the cautionary side of things.

"I'm Willow, this is Ivy. What do you do for work, Rue?" It wasn't so easy for the two to get the answers that they sought without a touch. That was how things always worked. People brought them stuff that meant something, or clues to help lead them on some other course. There was always a touch. Right now they just had the spoken word.

"If you get hired, would you be living here too?" As far as they could figure, Broka housed all of his employees.

 

[Zlova Rue]

The red Twi'lek smiled for a moment. After a small drink from her glass, Rue responded, "Whatever needs done." The soft clink of the glass atop the bar punctuated the moment. "But not just for credits like so many mercenaries fallen off the latest shuttle. I do what I do for information and the acquisition of certain rare antiquities."

Ivy's question drew Zlova's golden eyes. "Never turn down a solid bed. Might be times I'll be scarce, but what I'm after has no limit. You can be sure I'll always turn up like a bad chit." She expected to be coming and going. Sometimes she'd be going without an assignment, because there were other responsibilities to tend to. Still, with the results she could bring good old Broka surely wouldn't mind her absence, long as she always came back to his Girthness.

"How about you, Willow -- Ivy? Shift the chaff from the wheat often?" A smile returned to her lips.

Tag: Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Whatever needs done. That could be anything. More than likely it was dangerous stuff, as far as the twins could figure, anyways.

Ivy sipped her whiskey, while Willow's thoughts began to wander. More than likely Broka would use their talents to pay for Zlova Rue 's services and it was those kinds of things that she started to think about. Ivy caught onto that, but also the funny remark that Rue had made. "Shift the chaff from the wheat? I...don't know what that means. Do you mean what we do for work? We uh...are counselors for Broka. That's the best way to describe it. We're part of his court." Though they hadn't done much of anything yet outside of letting him know how they were getting on and what the rules were for living there.

That would soon change though. Both were aware of that.

 

[Zlova Rue]

Coy or innocent? No... knowing smile? Over dramatic bat of the eyelashes? Maybe these two really were just two women in his employ, but that didn't track. Hutts did not have an unfair reputation. And the galaxy could spare her going on about this one time, long ago, with there being a Hutt Jedi. Congratulations to the Jedi finding the exception to the rule. To think they spent thousands of years staring at their belly buttons only to discover something unique at last.

"Part of his court," the Twi'lek echoed as she regarded the pair. His Grace. Court. Seemed this Hutt wanted to secure a lofty perch in the galaxy for himself. Maybe he could. "Well, as Counselors, I figure if you see a... prospective agent of His Grace's will, you would offer your counsel if the question of their hiring was mentioned. Hutts as powerful as He are sure to attract a lot of people. Some worth the credits... Others not."

A soft laugh rose behind closed lips. "I've led teams into battle, infiltrated enemy strongholds, acquired carefully guarded artifacts, and hunted down traitors. These tattoos?" An idle gesture along the length of her body with one hand drew attention to the black marks. "Every one storied. Every one earned. Because it was necessary."

"Actually," Zlova's voice lightened up a bit once more, "I think you'd be more interested to hear about the exotic landscapes I've seen. Wouldn't you, Ivy? Ancient temples, forgotten civilizations, two suns setting along an emerald horizon... There's beauty out there. Buried under everything else."

Tag: Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Willow nodded in agreement with Zlova Rue . Broka was sure to ask for their counsel when it came to new hires. At this moment, however, heseemed to do well on his own. Perhaps it was just for bigger things that he needed their help.

They looked over her tattoos. If each had their own story than just one touch would reveal those stories to them. Rue was like a living, breathing book for them to read. And Ivy REALLY wanted to read her.

That extra attention seemed to be unable to pass unnoticed, for Rue called upon Ivy by name. "Oh yes, I would love to hear. Perhaps, if we were to go out in the hall where it is quieter, we'd get to hear every detail." The guards would be with them, of course, and cameras would be keeping an eye on them. Yet the bands playing in the atrium made it difficult for the twins to focus and to hear.

They stood in unison, Willow gesturing to the door. "Shall we, Rue?"

 

[Zlova Rue]

Private meeting in the hallway. Promising. Either as an opportunity, or in someone trying to kill her -- the latter was always fun. Tuck a victim out of sight from the crowds, and then cut them down. Seeing how it was their house the footage never reached the authorities, not that there were any that'd care. Clean up the mess. Remove the body. Nothing special until they tried it on a Sith Lord, then things got interesting.

Zlova made sure the last of her drink was tossed back before she got to her feet to join the pair. "My pleasure, Willow." At Willow's direction, the red Twi'lek turned and made for the chosen zone of seclusion.

"You would be surprised the kinds of people you can meet, Ladies. From kind, gentle, and unassuming to raging, narcissistic barbarians. The latter I affectionately know as 'Sith Marauders.' They're as diverse as the worlds they inhabit. Not that most of them notice," Rue remarked idly as they walked. Something to pass the moments while her eyes studied the people they passed and made note of the placement of things. If this was going to turn into a bloodbath, she'd be prepared. If it wasn't? She'd be pleasantly surprised.

Tag: Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

The twins led Zlova Rue down the hallway and over to a secluded alcove. A few guards followed, but kept their distance. Moreso they were worried for anyone trying to kidnap them. It was difficult to say how well known the two were. But it was better to be safe than sorry.

"Sith Marauders? They can't be the only types with that kind of personality. Our captor Nartuk was no Force User, yet he was as you described; a raging narcissistic barbarian. He was just a ganglord." And one that met his fate in the hands of Broka. His goons were killed; torn apart by monsters below the throne room while Nartuk watched from above in a cage until he was frozen in carbonite.

"So what are some of the stories of your tattos?"

 

[Zlova Rue]

Pleasant surprise is was. Zlova took a seat while her gaze shifted to Willow. "You're not wrong. But imagine Nartuk if he had been a Force User." Really just a matter of means. One person might use something physical, while another used an invisible Force. Either way, their crimes mounted and inevitably someone worse than them came along to crush them under foot.

Her attention shifted to Ivy next as the Twi'lek was put to the question. Hell of a thing to ask. Zlova thought better of the more... colorful stories. Rue lifted her right arm and slowly traced a mark along its length. "Warlord had a Rancor as a pet. Locked me in a warehouse with the beast hoping it would kill me and spare him. You know when there's a rancor about by the quaking of the deck plating, and the roar of a famished beast. And you know when one dies, when the entire building shakes and its death rattle putters out into silence. Let's just say the Warlord was disappointed." Laughter followed the quick tale.

"So you suffered in the presence of a Ganglord? You saw things? Some you don't want to talk about?" If they wanted stories -- real stories -- Zlova wanted to know what Ivy and Willow were prepared to tolerate. Much fun as it was watching even hardened men or women blanche, she didn't feel like tormenting two young women if they'd been spared some of the worst in the galaxy.

Tag: Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Willow didn't want to imagine Nartuk as a Force User. He was bad enough as it was. The Galaxy was full of cruel people of the likes that they had never seen in person. Only in visions.

Ivy found herself entranced in Zlova Rue 's rancor story. There could be something to learn from that in case they were ever attacked by one. Yet the two didn't even know how to fire a blaster properly, let alone fight something or someone.

"We've seen many things. Yet what those are we share only with those that sought the information. At times what we see is beautiful, but more often than not we see cruelty and even death. The Galaxy is...not really a nice place."

 

[Zlova Rue]

The Sith Lord regarded the two for a moment after Ivy had spoken. Seen things. Soldier would take that to mean in the field, as they had. Zlova, however, doubted it was that straight forward. Ivy and Willow were not combatants, and the incorporation of information being sought precluded random chance. "Visions?" she asked.

"What you've seen is why Sith believe as they do." Why she believed as she did. "Even if every Sith vanished from the face of the galaxy overnight there'd still be suffering. People lording over one another. Weak, cowardly sorts that managed to convince enough easily led thugs that if they listened power and riches would be theirs for the taking." Zlova snorted.

A moment later, however, the tightness about the Twi'lek's eyes abated and she focused on Ivy and Willow once more. "There is beauty to the pattern, don't you think? Viewed individually there are horrors committed that cannot be expressed in words, but viewed above it all... it's like a work of art. If all you had were brighter hues there'd be no contrast, no boundaries to give shape to the image." Rue smiled sadly. "Just a shame more people aren't allowed to enjoy it." But the strong could not exist without the weak; they too were defined by contrasts. Rulers set apart from wayward and absent minded fools. But some Lords believed everyone was a lesser creature worth of extermination. Not Zlova. Though she wasn't entirely sure where the line was drawn; the smiling face of a child was at the very least a good starting point.

Tag: Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

Both Willow and Ivy nodded as Zlova Rue asked if they saw visions. They did. It was their only way of life and their only means of making credits.

To her comments on the way the Galaxy was, it gave them a different sort of viewpoint on things. Cruelty and oppresion was almost all that they knew. Finding beauty in that was difficult. Yet there was a pattern and both had experienced it.

"And do the Sith seek to eradicate all but the darker hues? And what of those that have their own shade?" Like them? Willow and Ivy followed their own pathway, not touching on any side of the Force at all but it's own raw power.

 

[Zlova Rue]

Zlova chuckled for a moment. "No. Every Sith Lord seeks to be the artist. The only one capable of allowing the bright ones to flourish when it humors them, and the bright ones to blot them out when it's convenient. Everyone wants to rule the galaxy." The Twi'leks hand lightly drummed atop the table. "Most of them -- the ones in charge -- go too far, but then that's why they're in charge... until someone stronger, smarter, or simply faster than them comes along, and then the galaxy has a new artist. Ever in motion the future is. What can I say, they're a play with no end in sight... amusing if you don't look too hard at the millions blotted out with a stroke of their hand."

And yes, she was jealous. Jealous others could be so ruthless and heartless they could lay claim to such power. Why shouldn't she be? What fool did not dream of being the ultimate power in the universe? But she also knew better. Every Sith that obtained greatness had it stripped from them. Zlova had been short sighted. Foolish. Believed she wasn't high enough on the ladder to be betrayed by the one person she trusted. Obviously, she'd been mistaken. No one was too low on the ladder; they scrambled trying to eek out every pounce of power and prestige from the galaxy. Ah, to be so utterly free... the same feeling of release one felt as they descended from a great height with nothing to slow them down. Faster. Further. Nothing to weigh them down. No burdens. Until, inevitably, it simply stopped.

The smile had wilted a bit as her thoughts turned to the knowledge she learned and the experienced she'd endured. For a moment.

"Have you ever met a Sith Lord?" she asked the two women.

Tag: Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

((Sorry for the delay))

The twins never wanted to rule the Galaxy. They couldn't dream of such a thing. People didn't do as they asked, or cower before them. It was always the other way around. Although the twins gained strength through eachother, their timid and quiet natures made them appear quite weak to most. Yet that could probably be in part due to the fact that they have not fought or defended themselves from being taken captive.

The imagry that Zlova Rue used to describe the way the Galaxy works these days was intriguing. And it was good to know that there were others out there that also knew the future wasn't set in stone. Most of the people that came to have their futures told believed otherwise.

To the question about whether or not the twins had ever met a Sith Lord, Willow raised her brows while Ivy nearly giggled. "Now that depends...Do you mean before they acquired the title? Or after?"

 

[Zlova Rue]

A soft, amused throaty sound followed Ivy's question. "Titles... A Sith Lord does not need to be recognized, they simply are." Zlova smiled for a moment while she regarded the twins before her. Yes, the Empire liked its formalities and traditions. They held a delectable spot somewhere in her own heart. However, they were only that -- formalities. One was not a Master of Darkness because they held a title. They were a Master because they had bathed themselves in it, steeped themselves in it long enough it was an integral part of who they were.

"After," she said after a fashion. No need to bore the two ladies with naval gazing about matters they might find interesting for a moment, but generally have no use for.

Tag: Willow & Ivy

 

[Willow & Ivy]

"Oh..." Were the Sith just born that way? Already a Sith Lord from when they were younglings? As far as the twins were aware, the stories told were that the Sith and Jedi alike trained hard and earned their way up the ranks similar to those in the military.

Upon Zlova Rue 's response, Willow shook her head. "Not that we are aware of. Most that come to see us are but the weary and broken, seeking us for some help in finding something or someone that they've lost."

"For a price."

"Yes, for a price. Our...employers see to that."

 

[Zlova Rue]

Zlova smiled at the women for a moment. "I'm in the mark for things, myself. It's a big galaxy, and no matter how many people crawl over every surface and amass troves of relics, their collections inevitably get lost in time. I wouldn't mind assembling my own treasure trove. Especially when it comes to," the Twi'lek shrugged slightly, "holocrons."

Price? Yeah, sure, there was always a price. Zlova hadn't come to Nar Shadda banking on a Hutt's sense of altruism. Doubtful they'd demand any sin Zlova hadn't already committed. What was one more time? She wasn't seeking absolution like others might after suffering a blow. Sure, it'd hurt, and yes there were scars, but she wasn't about to start touting the benefits of flower worship.

Tag: Willow & Ivy