Employment Interview

[Mercutio]

Mercutio arrived at the given coordinates for his newest employment, shirtless as usual and wearing his usual skin tight black leather pants and boots with a shoto saber strapped to his right forearm and a plain silver mask tied to the side of his belt.
A little side job aside from his usual cloak and dagger missions with his Mistress Ra. A body guard he was to be.
He walked in, the studio was large and empty, obviously a place of training from what he could tell... he smirked to himself before hollering out

"Hey! Here for a job! If someone doesn't come out I'm gonna assume I've been stiffed and just burn this sucker to the ground!"

His tone was one of obvious sarcasim, but with a hint of seriousness on the end about being stiffed.

"Five..."

he began to count down.


[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Mercutio"]

Location: Palace of St. Clavelle, Dimitor City, Gallinore, Hapes Consortium
Time: 1930 hours

"Twilight Trance" Nighthawk22

Right on schedule, Ducha Zhan's prospective security agent had arrived right at the specified location, the training studio where Relina had on the Duchal palace's grounds. It was located within sight of her pool deck and overlooked the cliffside the residence was built upon four millennia ago. The autumn twilight sky shone with the colours of the Gallinorean sunset, radiation shades of golden yellow, crimson red, and hints of green, blue, and violet from the Transitory Mists surrounding the Hapes Cluster. Gallinore's two moons were already soaring high in the sky as Ducha Zhan walked to meet her prospective employee.

White low-wedge boots clacked lightly on the stone path, signalling her approach. She was dressed in fine white trousers and a matching jacket made of lightly padded, tough materials designed for full force swordplay. She wore no jewelry nor much in the way of make up, although she was lightly scented with an expensive floral perfume. At her waist, she had a sheathed vibrorapier of ornate, elegant design and a plainer, but more modern one in her left hand.

"You needn't speak so harshly, Mr. Mercutio." she said, her Basic sharply accented with a Hapan accent, bearing a posh inflection indicative of high society. "But, I appreciate your punctuality...." she trailed off, her ocean blue eyes sizing the man up. He looked more handsome to her than his profile information had suggested. This was case in point that holograms rarely did justice to one's physique. He was quite a fine specimen.

"I trust you are ready for the interview, no?" she asked, gesturing to the studio's accessway. As the door automatically opened for her, interior lights immediately came online, lighting the room well. It was mostly white with black trim and plenty of colourful, abstract art. There was a strip in the middle of the room with a slip-safe coating and segmented.... it was for fencing, Relina's personal physical sport of choice. There were comfortable seats and a chiller with healthly beverages inside as well. It would seem this woman wasn't playing around when it came to style.

 

[Mercutio]

Mercutio looked around with a new view of his surroundings as it became lit. He whistled in mock amazement before looking to the lady before him

"Well, someones fancy. Personally, I would've gone another way, but to each their own. And my initial introduction was only meant to.. aggressively gain attention."

He then carefully reached out and took her hand carefully in his, in a motion to keep her from walking on wards before quickly releasing her hand an apologetic motion of his own showing he meant no disrespect.

"I will admit, I'm truly not much of a talker and you're not going to find anything in my background that would lead you to believe I'm worth a damn as a security guard... A.. 'procurer' of items via methods outside average law, most definitely. But not a protector. To save you the time I'll just tell you that I'm a stray who bounced around orphanages until I was old enough for them to boot me to the streets. I've got several warrants out for my arrest on several planets in former Metal Lords Territory, but I've never been caught. I've got underbelly connections that may or may not be of use in the future. However, what my background report doesn't say, is that I've survived more scraps than I care to admit. On the streets you can't outrun every fight. I learned quick how to.. neutralize threats and spot someone plotting ill intentions from a mile away, as I've lived with those types all my life. I've also been receiving training that I'm not at liberty to discuss, but has only strengthened my combat prowess."

He then paused

"I... used all those high society words correctly, right? As I said, not much of a talker, but my Mistress gave me some pointers on how best to present myself verbally. Pretty much, what you see is what you get."

He then motioned to the Amethyst serpent inked into his carved chest, his physique was not one that was built via lifting weights or actively trying to obtain a body such as it was, but rather one that was earned through hard work and a harsh life. |
Mercutio took in a long breath, obviously being unaccustomed to being so long winded. After a moment he took a step back, his eyes traveling over his future employer before locking his intense emeralds on her deep sapphires.
He then slowly opened his arms, as if welcoming any criticism or scoldings she may have had for him

"Well, my Lady?"

He asked, with no mock tone but instead one that was genuine in its attempt to be as respectful as possible to one of a higher position.
His eyes remained on her as he seemed to be looking deeper and deeper into her, adopting almost a 'thousand yard stare' type of look in his eyes. He was comparing the feral like force that flowed around her to his own wild and untamed force aura. Where as hers would stick close to her form, as any predator would as it laid in wait to attack, his aura danced about and was almost... egotistical to his aura.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Mercutio"]

Relina walked to the other end of the studio, waving a hand over a control panel. She'd activate an inertial damping field as she listened to him speak. She had been aware in her extensive background check of prospects of his warrants. She figured that it could be used as leverage to maintain his loyalty apart from paying him. It was unusual, nevertheless, that she would even consider someone like him.

"Frankly, your mannerisms of speech are of little consequence to me. I freely associate with commoners in the Military and have the habit of speaking like one myself, much to my family's disgust." she said, with a chuckle. "But, it is interesting to me that you haven't been bound by law with your.... extensive record." she added, turning back to face him.

She'd toss him the extra sword she carried in her left hand.

"The strong, quiet type, eh?" she asked. "Just as well. Now is not the time for words, anyway. I wish to see how well you handle yourself in combat, personally. The way things are going, politically, I have a feeling that I may need someone good in a fight, yet not exactly lacking in class."

She'd then draw her own elegant weapon, flourishing it deftly in a way that might remind one of the lightsabre style of Makashi, although Relina herself gave no indication that she ever held a lightsabre before, let alone had any formal training in the use of the Force. She brought the blade up parallel to her body briefly, before bringing it down in a gesture of challenge. "Impress me."

 

[Mercutio]

"Impressing you will come later, my Lady. First Ill indulge and, hopefully, satisfy your desire for a fight. But no my Lady, what I am is forever laid bare for all to see.."

Mercutio took the sword, looking at it for a moment before holding it in a downward frontal defensive position as he kept his eyes on hers, a smirk playing along the corner of his lips.
Quickly he took a single stride forwards, his blade swinging outwards and upwards towards as his body began to twist around, his blade swiftly following.
With a quick twisting motion he swung the blade around and down, his body lowering so much so his bottom topped his heels as he spun around, his blade going for her ankles, as his initial swing was merely to gain momentum to quicken to speed of his sweeping attack.
Though his movements were graceful, his grip and overal handling of the weapon was best described as weak but improvised, revealing his extreme lack in using such a weapon.
His speed and agility however made up for these faults several times over...

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Mercutio"]

"Very well."

Relina saw the low swing and would swiftly move to parry the strike, her right side facing him, her left hand absently moving to the small of her back. However, it didn't end there. She'd roll her blade along Mercutio's blade as she made her approach, attempting to force a retreat and gain ground on him with her left leg, which was farthest from him, being the driving force behind the power of her advance. As she did, she'd attempt to break contact with his blade as soon as she had the position right to bring the tip across his tattooed chest in a stern riposte, poised to back up if foiled.

"Not like that..." she said simply. However, she did like the grace with which he moved. There was promise in his technique, but she hadn't seen enough of it yet to appropriately judge him.

Relina's own technique was apparently emphasizing more leverage and speed. She noted his grip on his sword, though, and found possible disarmament possible with the right conditions. But was this a ruse?

 

[Mercutio]

Quickly rose and side stepped her attempt to cross cut his chest.
In an instant he was suddenly air-born. His body flipping through the air up and over [member="Relina Zhan"] before landing on the tips of one foot behind her, taking a split second to admire her curves from behind before taking a leap backwards providing some distance as he readied his weapon again.

"No, not like this. Nor is this how I would go about doing my job of protecting you and eliminating those who seek to harm you, if hired of course. I'm only sparring you now because it is my duty to ensure that all the needs and desires of my employer are met.."

He quickly dashed forwards, his blade held outward in an attempt to impale her, as any novice fencer would try..

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Mercutio"]

Relina saw the impressive evasive movement and certainly wasn't expecting it. Was he some kind of Jedi? Even she couldn't move like that.... well, not herself on the ground, anyway. In a starfighter, however, she could pull manouvres that would render a lesser pilot unconscious in seconds. But, these were two different situations, of course, each with their own rules.

She'd say nothing to his comment, although taking his words into consideration. His actions were what she wanted to see. Of course, he'd attempt to to make an impaling stab on her, but the execution of it wasn't quite right in her experience. She'd strafe to her left and turned to her right, following the direction his blade was moving. "Too soon, junior..." she thought to herself. She'd then attempt to swing down upon it in a harsh, unbalacing strike. Worst case scenario, she could disarm him, exploiting his style of grip she noticed earlier.

If she was successful, of course, the point of her vibrorapier would not be far from the head of the snake tattoo on his chest. "A proper fleche technique is not done with a charge, but more with a close range lunge. You're meant to step into the lunge, putting your weight behind the thrust using your rear leg for leverage." she advised.

 

[Mercutio]

Mercutio quickly raised both hands in submission when the lady skillfully disarmed him, his blade hitting the ground with a loud 'CLANG'.
He looked down to the point of her blade before looking up into her eyes.

"You are quite skilled, my lady. Now, may I show you what I am truly capable of? Are you ready to be impressed?"

He asked, his voice smooth like silk and his lips curving up into a devilishly charming smile.
Suddenly he just was not there anymore. His entire presence, even the scent his smooth cologne was gone. His force aura was still there, but it was so wild that even those with Force Sight would have trouble pinpointing his location.
Suddenly he smacked the ladies rear playfully, but was gone from there as soon as she could react. His voice echoed like a melody in her mind

"A Serpent strikes unexpectedly."

Now she would see why he was chosen by his mistress for training. He had few skills in the force, but he had a raw talent for this one rare ability.
He was not a jack of all trades, but a King of One.


[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Mercutio"]

Relina would blink when the man's form disappeared. She was Force Sensitive, indeed, but had no training in its deliberate use. She couldn't determine his location at all, although she could passively sense that he was still there... somewhere. Passive use of the Force was really all she could muster, usually manifesting in her impeccable combat piloting record. She was the leader of a special operations squadron that was extremely difficult to get accepted into, for one thing, and her uncanny intuition and machine-like reflexes were the reason she held such a post, apart from her adult life consisting of military affairs.

"Damn space WAH!" she began to grumble, and then exclaimed when she felt a hand on her bottom. Only one other male had ever dared to touch her like that, and it was mighty brave of him. Taking a wild guess as to his position, she'd attempt to stab toward the floor with just enough force to penetrate a boot if his foot was in the way in mild frustration.

"Well.... I certainly cannot do that. I was not informed that you were...a Jedi of some kind. Deception can be deadly and things are rarely what they seem, especially in my world." she said, sheathing her sword and making her way to the chiller for a bottle of vitmin-enriched fuirt-flavoured water. She'd toss one to Mercutio as she went to find a seat.

"So... tell me more about this ability of yours.. How did you acquire it?"

 

[Mercutio]

The bottle shattered against the floor as Mercutio appeared next to [member="Relina Zhan"] his arms crossed over his chest as he looked with an arched brow to where the bottle landed. He then pointed a finger to the mess, then to Relina, then back to the mess and finally to himself

"Was... Was I meant to catch that?"

He asked with a playful smirk before shrugging.

"I'm no jedi. Sorry, but I refuse to bar myself from finding love, even if only for a night or two. And for the my abilities its as I've already told you. I grew up on the streets. When you can't find gainful employment you steal. It just sort of happened one night when I was running from a couple of law enforcement droids. After that I spent... a lot of time focusing on how to make it happen when I wanted it to rather than just when I needed it. As for the rest.."

He moved his hand outward, and with the force he picked up the broken pieces of the bottle before moving them slowly over to a trash bin

"I'm not too adept. But my mistress is teaching me. Shes away for awhile and suggested I get some outside experience."