Face Artifacts, You are wrong (PM to join)

[Briar Thorn]

​

Nar Shadaa is the planet to go to when you need something. Especially when that something was not strictly legal or easy to obtain. The planet was proving to be interesting so far for Briar, which he desperately needed right now. He had been bored for days, for weeks, for years! Or at least that was how it had felt for him. He had come to the planet recently and visited a club with dancers and servers of the highest attractiveness. While he had been there, he had learned from a particularly drunk individual about something interesting. It would seem there was a black market force artifact stall that had recently opened up. Sith, jedi, it did not matter. If it was old and of value to force users or those who collected such things, they had it.

Briar had an interest in the force, because he had learned of his particular talents for it when he was younger. So this knowledge immediately caught his attention and he had to go. He had spent some time trying to discover the location of it, as everyone seemed to think it was somewhere different, until he finally came to the conclusion that it was a mobile thing. The one who owned it didn't seem to want to pay any local gang or cartel for protection, so they just set up shop for a day or two then got up and moved to the next location. This time around it seems they had picked a spot on the edge of the city in a more remote, and ironically safer, location. So off to it he had gone to see what they had to offer him. He hoped they had something more interesting than the last time he had gone to one. A shiny stone that was polished up did not make a kyber crystal after all.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

After her bacchanalian trip to Purgatory a few nights prior, Briga needed time to recover before she was ready to go back, not just to Iktotch, but even just down to wander the dark streets of Nar Shaddaa. She had indulged in so much drink and spice that she’d exhausted herself, coming down with some kind of awful Hutt flu. And a couple of days in The Golden Nautolan Hotel and Casino with her handmaiden Toole was just the remedy she needed.

Finally waking with some energy, the mystic Caprine ate her normal herbivore breakfast, her bovidae genes making it nearly impossible to digest meat without a stomach ache, although she occasionally allowed for a steak the way she allowed herself to be influenced by less savory pursuits.

Leaving Toole to sleep in for once, Briga strolled the Undercity walkways, peering into pop-up tents and booths selling trinkets, souvenirs, Hutt delicacies and frankly most things that individuals did not really need but wanted to waste their credits upon. Since she was relatively anonymous on the populated Hutt world, she wore a gown which exposed more of her body than what she would wear on Iktotch, but she was still a Priestess and the dress had a vaguely ecclesiastical look.

Spoiler

As she examined some crystals in a booth, the elderly seller said, “If you like what I’m selling, there’s a Force artifact vendor not too far away.”

“Oh?” Briga said, slightly suspicious. But still, anything could be sold on Nar Shaddaa – goods, exotic pets, humans, aliens… you name it, the ecumenopolis had it.

“For a price, I’ll tell you.”

Briga rolled her eyes and sighed, feeling like she was about to be grifted. But the thought of perusing through Force artifacts intrigued her so much that she paid the paltry “finder’s fee” anyway. The old woman pointed to a side street.

Briga could see it just up ahead.

[member="Briar Thorn"]

 

[Briar Thorn]

The stall was full of all kinds of things. Necklaces, braces, rings, and bracelets were all arranged out to look the most appealing they could. Below, or was it above or both, was a sign that claimed them to be 'alchemy infused' items. There were crystals that looks like ones that could be used in a lightsaber all polished up and sitting in an organized fashion so they shifted in color from green to blue to purple to red. Upon closer inspection one could see that they had been cut into the shapes they were currently in. Small pyramids and orbs made out of shiny metal and gleaming glass were inside of a locked glass case. In a fancy script written on the wall of the case behind them was a sign that said 'holocrons' and an outrageously high price for each. An assortment of statues and figurines were scattered around the other displays and meant to be force imbued according to the stall vendor's words.

Briar looked over everything that was on display. He hadn't been looking long before he had pulled a coin out of his pocket and began to shift a coin around his fingers. He was impressed so far with it all. The vendor had gone to a lot of trouble to make utter trash look somewhat legitimate to the casual browser. Anyone familiar with force artifacts and items would know that nothing in his stall was real and just a trinket to make people feel good at owning such a "rare treasure". The only except was the lone kyber crystal that had somehow actually made it into the mix of the fake ones. It was even the cheapest one you could buy, because no one cared to own a green gem. How boring was green?

Briar was already approaching boredom by the fake items being pawned off on the unwitting. He was idly thinking of buying the only real item there just because he didn't want to waste his own time coming here, when he saw something interesting. A tall woman with horns in a complimentary dress was coming over. She was a real sight, and one he had never seen before. She had successfully gained his full attention and interest. He smiled as he stopped playing with his coin and pocketed it. He sauntered over to her and said, " Why hello there. What is such a lovely sight as yourself doing in such a place as this? Do tell me not to meet some burly brute who doesn't deserve such a beautiful vision." He just continued smiling at her.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

As she approached, Briga began to try and sense the area for traces of the Force. While she couldn’t quite locate an artifact downright screaming with a heavy Force signature, she did actual detect a person with one. A human male it appeared.
Her eyes scanned the booth, but nothing appeared to be worthy of her time. The wares appeared to be fakes or forgeries according to the slap-dash way everything was thrown together. She immediately regretted paying that finder’s fee after all.

The human also seemed to notice Briga and as she ran her hands over some trinkets and tchotchkes, he began heading her way.

His Force signature was neither dark nor light. Somewhere in between was fine for the mystic because if he was a Jedi, she may be forced to confront him. And that wasn’t really what she had on her agenda – shopping was more her speed now that she wasn’t so deathly ill from her spice and alcohol binge.

One side of Briga’s mouth curved up in a half-smile over the compliment.

“I honestly don’t know,” said the Caprine. “I came here looking for one thing but found… another.” Her eyes would tell him all he needed to know: just what can you do for me?

[member="Briar Thorn"]

 

[Briar Thorn]

The woman was interesting in more than just her exotic appearance. She clearly had an eye for force artifacts as he could tell from how she moved that she saw how fake they were. He could also feel the force within her, which was infinitely more interesting than any of the forgeries here. He found himself studying her as he kept his gaze upon her enchanting eyes. He listened to her words and heard what she was really saying to him. She was trying to judge him, but what might she think? What should he make her think? Acting for strangers was always enjoyable. Let them think you are one way then suddenly switch it on them and see their reaction. But no, that was not what was called for here. He could sense she wanted to know his worth. If she wanted his worth, why not show it to her? That would be interesting, especially when she knew what he was doing.

Briar smiled to her as he took her hand in his gently. He lifted it up to his lips and said, " The same for me as well. My name is Briar Thorn. A pleasure to meet a beauty such as yourself." He softly kissed her knuckles then slightly moved her hand away as he added, " Would you be so kind as to grace my undeserving ears with your name? I would consider it the greatest honor to hear it from your delicious looking lips." He kept his gaze locked onto her eyes as he spoke. He was not turned off by her alien features at all, unlike the shop keeper who was clearly trying to figure out what she was. He was more curious about who she was because of it in fact.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

The kiss on the back of her hand caused a tingling sensation in her spine and the back of her neck. He would notice as he withdrew her hands that her fingernails were rather claw-like and there was soft fur which lined her body. Only someone so close would be able to see it.

“My name is Priestess Tiin, representative of the Church of Ax’no on Iktotch.” She gazed around momentarily, her green eyes sparkling with a bit of mischief much like the costume jewelry passing for Force artifacts in the booth. “But I suppose since we are on a dirty, dingy street in Nar Shaddaa, pretending to be interested in these objects, you can call me Briga.”

Mr. Thorn was laying it on thick. The compliments, the fawning, the graceful touch of his lips on her knuckles.

The trouble was Briga wasn’t used to being doted upon. She was used to being worshiped. In her temple, the Caprine of Iktotch believed that the mystic was the reincarnation of their harvest goddess Ax’no. So receiving alms, donations, wild flowers, even amorous gifts disguised as charity… but Mr. Thorn wouldn’t know this right off the bat.

“There is one item here that’s not a fake,” said the mystic raising up a claw. She delicately plucked the green kyber crystal from the mess of forgeries and trinkets. She held it out to Briar.

“Like this crystal, are you the real thing? Or just another fake?”

Briga was going to enjoy his response. Would he be outraged? Or would he pile on more flattery as had been doing? Or would Briar completely surprise the occasionally jaded soothsayer with an unexpected reaction?

[member="Briar Thorn"]

 

[Briar Thorn]

A soft layer of fur was upon her skin, and claws on her finger tips. She was more interesting than just her horns, which was good news for Briar. He listened to her intently as she began to tell him about her. A priestess for a deity he had never heard of from a planet he did not know. That gave her even more of an air of mystery to her than she had originally. He was eating this situation up, especially when she began to question his authenticity. She was certainly aiming to judge his worth, and she was doing so in a code like manner. The true meaning of her words were lost to the vendor who was first upset at what she had to say and then began to try to push his gem off hard onto the beautiful caprine woman. It might have been lost on the vendor, but it was not lost on Briar.

Briar heard her challenge to him, and it sparked a bit of playfulness. He grinned to her impishly as she finished speaking to him. As the vendor began to try in vain to sell his only real item to her, he moved his hand over the crystal. As he did, it seemed to vanish into thin air. He showed his empty hand to the woman as the vendor went into a panic demanded the crystal be returned, but was ignored. He flexed his fingers down quickly one by one before lifting them back up the same way. As his fingers came back up, the crystal was between two of fingers. He just kept smiling at her as he performed this sleight of hand.

Briar knew what it was she wanted him to do, but he was enjoying this little disappointment he was purposely performing for her right now. As he held onto the crystal with no sign of paying for it or returning it, the vendor began to scream about a thief and moved for a hidden weapon. As this happened, Briar said with his eyes still on Briga, " Now I think it is time to show you what you really wanted to see my lovely vision." He moved his fingers again and the crystal disappeared once more. He said as he waved his hand in front of the vendors face, " We already paid for the crystal. You owe us twenty credits in change. You will praise Miss Tiin on her exquisite beauty, because it is her right." As he did this, the vendor's eyes glassed over and they became stiff. When Briar finished speaking, the vendor repeated back what was said in a monotone voice. He went over and got twenty credits and handed them to Briga before he began to praise her as best he could with his limited vocabularity and creativity. Briar grinned impishly to Briga as he said as the vender finished, " So, are you pleased or shall I do more? Oh and the crystal is in dress. I suggest you do not think too much on how it got there." He just continued to grin at her as he pulled her hand up to his lips once more to give her a second soft kiss on the knuckles.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

Briar Thorn appeared to be a magician of sorts, but did his slight of hand really tell the story of how good his hands were when the lights were down and no one was around? The mystic was not impressed. But it would take more than carnival tricks to convince Briga that this was someone worthy of her time and attention.

The Caprine soothsayer watched Mr. Thorn do a mind trick on the vendor. But of course, the seller's brain was rudimentary and easy to influence.

But suddenly and quite wonderously, he indicated the crystal that she'd coveted was in her dress.

Reaching into her pocket, Briga pulled out the green kyber crystal. To the Caprine it was a beautiful jewel - verdant colored or not. Mr. Thorn pulled her hand to his again to kiss the knuckle, but she pulled it away a bit more forcefully now.

"That was quite impressive. But that's all that I want from this paltry booth. What do you say we go to find treasure of a different kind?"

And as if he didn't get the signal, Briga said, "Like an intoxicating drink down our gullets?"

[member="Briar Thorn"]

 

[Briar Thorn]

She was not very impressed by his little bit of fun playing with the crystal at first, which was sadly a little predictable for him. He had done it as a joke, and she did not seem to enjoy it. But what was he to expect from someone who introduced themselves as a priestess? Those types rarely remained interesting for long and just seemed to lack a sense of humor. They were always moving towards a central goal, and usually did not give much thought to anything outside of it. The only thing though was that she seemed to be acting a little different than the usual type of priestesses he had run across. Maybe she would remain interesting after all? Her exotic appearance was interesting enough as it was..... for now.

Briar could sense she was not entirely impressed or interested in him, which was fine with him. That just meant he would need to be more so. He moving her hand away was as much a sign of this. Her interest did seem to remain in him to some degree however. She was interested in going out for drinks, although it did seem she thought he might take her offer in a different way. She seemed to be rather haughty, which was interesting in and of itself. He was certainly learning much about her right now.

Briar smiled to her as he said, " A real treasure indeed. Ruby water, liquid gold, and fluid diamonds are certainly easy to find in this city. But what kind of tomb shall we seek our treasures from? One with bright lights and even brighter music? One that is more dim and sullen, perfect for a hushed conversation? Or perhaps one where you can sate your lust as well as your thirst?" He just continued to smile at her as he waited for an answer. He offered his arm out for her to take if she wished as well. Her words and her actions would tell him even more about this still mysterious woman. Would she remain interesting or would she find a way to bore him? He certainly expected a certain answer out of her, but he was going to see if she proved him right or wrong.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

“Lust and thirst,” said Briga, her eyes alighting, considering the proposition. “They go hand in hand, don’t they?” The two of them were on Nar Shaddaa after all. Briga had explored Purgatory a few nights ago, and while she was sure not too much could top such an over-the-top, debauched nightclub, the Smuggler’s Moon was literally the center of the criminal underworld. Vice, spice and lascivious acts were abundant, plentiful and not necessarily hidden in plain sight.

She took his arm lightly, less of a coquettish act and more the cold clasp of a regal hand in the crook of his elbow.

“Lead the way,” she said. Leaving behind the tawdry Force artifact booth, yet keeping the kyber crystal, the pair began making their way back to a more congested part of the undercity.

“As we walk, tell me what drives Mr. Thorn to greatness. What is it that you do?”

So far he’d been quite mysterious. Was he a con artist? A contract killer? A Jedi?

Briar Thorn didn’t appear to be any of those, but he was certainly interesting company for Briga as she craved yet another depraved night in Nar Shaddaa. So far away from the strict rigor and pomp at her church, it was the one place where she could feel free to explore her basest desires, away from the prying eyes of the Elders and the Church of Ax’no congregation.

And she was not alone. Almost every denizen and tourist walking past appeared drenched in sin and regret - a fascinating tableau to observe.

[member="Briar Thorn"]

 

[Briar Thorn]

So lust got her attention did it? That certainly was not what he expected, but it certainly did excite him more. Briar grinned as she spoke her words, agreeing completely with her on it. Lust and thirst certainly did seem to go hand in hand, for one was much as the other. You could sate both for a time, but their draw upon your body, your mind, and your heart always came back. How quickly it came depended upon the intensity of your urges, and it seemed to him that her urge had yet to be sated. Perhaps he could offer her some help with fulfilling her baser urges? He was a helpful guy after all....

Her arm was upon his and it carried the same quality to it as the air about her. She saw herself as more than a priestess it seemed. She saw herself a Queen, but of what was the question. He knew of a good place for them to go to, even if it was a bit of a distance away. It was just what she would likely enjoy, because it prided itself in fulfilling an individual's every carnal need. One could drink to their hearts content, gorge themselves on the most delicious and often illegal of foods, watch a beauty of every kind dance upon a pole and a stage, pull the said lovelies to a dark room to fulfill a more sensual desire, and even partake in games of chance risking it all for great rewards. One could consume all of the pleasures of the flesh so long as they had the credits to support it. She was sure to love the magical place greatly once they were inside.

A question arose from her delicate lips that brought an impish grin to Briars mouth. She asked about him, about what he did. He said as he looked into her radiant eyes, " What do I do? What would you like me to do? I can be anything your heart desires, or I can be nothing. Would you believe me if I said I was a Senator for the Republic for the planet Voss? Would you believe me if I said I am a Sith humanitarian seeking to cure the galaxy of all disease? Would you believe me if I said I am a farm boy who left home to seek glory and turned into a tomb raider to make a profit selling artifacts on the black market for the museums? I am certain you would not, but maybe I could change that? What I do is what I please, and I will be who ever or what ever I need or feel like being to that end. Does that answer your question about me Priestess?" There were some grains of truth thrown into what he said, and a part of it was obvious. Would she be able to figure out which of them were false and which true? He wished to hear her answer as he added, " And what about you my dear? What is it that you do in the name of your deity? Certainly attracting attention is part of it the way that dress fits your lust inducing figure."

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

Lust was something Briga had struggled with over her young life for a variety of reasons. She was susceptible to her own burning desires, and today was no exception. She was well rested, spice-free and feeling relaxed. If she kept herself at arms-length from Thorn it was only out of protection – both his and hers. But he would feel her loosen up now as they strolled along, her smile coming a little easier now, her yellow eyes feasting on the sights of Nar Shaddaa. The Caprine species were gregarious creatures, rarely enjoying solitude for long periods of time. It wasn’t necessarily that Briga was extroverted, but raised in a communal environment. Eating, farming, dancing, even sleeping was done with others. For example, most nights the Priestess would sleep with one of her handmaidens, and at times, all three. But Toole was back at the hotel, sleeping the day away. She deserved it after the few nights of revelry we had, thought Briga.

His response to her question caused her features to alight with amusement. “You wish to remain mysterious,” she said. “That’s something I can respect.” Of course, she could try and use her precognitive ability to see when and where he went once they parted ways, but that would only spoil the surprise. Briga did not take her gift for granted. Their existence in the galaxy was full of beautiful enigmas, not to be spoiled by knowing absolutely everything. “I am the Head Priestess of the Church of Ax’no and reside on Iktotch.” Her relationship with the Sith had become complicated as of late so she didn’t delve into that part of her affairs. “You seem like a man with purpose. Just where are you taking me?”

[member="Briar Thorn"]