Gambling with Ambition

[Chevu Visz]

After cleaning up nicely at the Sabaac tables and losing badly at Dueling Dice, Jorda Ulluto sat on a barstool at the center bar inside the Dragon Palace Casino on Antecdent. She tapped her long manicured black nails on the bar as she ordered another Servo Screwdriver to take her mind off of waiting. She had made arrangements to meet with a potential employer. A notorious man known as Zatten Black.

She knew enough bits and pieces about him to that he was part-Zeltron and also to know how much power the man could eventually gain. If he played his cards right. And that's where she came in. She was a professional attache and she wanted to take a gamble on a new coattail to ride. Unfortunately the cruel and abusive Dasha the Hutt just wasn't cutting it.

[member="Zatten Black"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Zatten Black]

Mixing business and pleasure was the best. For the business part, me and Kadrak were going to the Dragon Casino on Antecedent. As for the pleasure, Kadrak was here to gamble and walk and cuddle with me. Best business trip ever.

So, as we walked into the casino, I gestured to the bar and walked over. I ordered a couple of whiskeys with my usual wroshyr sap, and looked out on the gaming floor. So, what would I spend my money on, today?

[member="Jorda Ulluto"] [member='Kadrak Jalaan']

 

[Chevu Visz]

Jorda spied [member="Zatten Black"] the moment he entered the casino. His unusual skin color made him easy to spot. You didn't often see a Zeltron-Chiss mix and it gave the man an exotic look. It was a nice combination of genes since both species were known to produce beautiful offspring. On the Zelto-Chiss's arm he had a pretty Zabrak, fitting arm candy for Mr. Black. She released a few phermones into the air in the hopes that the euphoric sensations would put Zatten's date at ease for their meeting.

She smoothed her skin-tight black dress which left little to the imagination and sidled up next to the couple with her Screwdriver in hand.

"Whiskey with wroshyr sap. Excellent choice in drinks, Mr. Black." she purred. "I didn't mean to intrude. I find it's always good to get business quickly out of the way as it frees up the rest of the night for pleasure."

She stuck out a hand and smiled at both of them.

"Hi, I'm Jorda Ulluto."

[member="Zatten Black"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

No blasters, no viroblades, no anything that could be assembled into a makeshift weapon that wouldn't even do much real damage. That was one of the salient rules of the casino, but it didn't mean that Kadrak had to like it. It was fine, she supposed, for those who were completely comfortable with trusting their safety to the guards placed around the perimeter. Unfortunately, or maybe not so much, she wasn't one of those people. As she'd figured out through trial and error, it was always better to have a weapon you knew inside and out at your side. In the end it kept those in line who would rather go for a blaster than their common sense, so it wasn't all that bad. As long as no one did anything stupid, at least.
With a practiced eye she studied the woman for a short moment out of habit more than anything, before shaking the Zeltron's hand with a smile of her own. "Kadrak Jalaan." Okay, so maybe the entire thing wasn't too bad of an idea. But the idea of no weapons still didn't sit too well with her. Let everyone underestimate her all they wanted, she was perfectly capable of defending herself. They were here to relax, however, so she would.

[member="Jorda Ulluto"], [member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Chevu Visz]

"It's lovely to meet you Miss Jalaan." As Jorda shook the woman's hand, she snaked quietly into the Zabrak's mind using her species' very useful telekinetic trick. She couldn't pick up thoughts of course, but got glimmers of emotion. Seemed the Zabrak woman was mildly annoyed at something. Jorda made a mental note to tread carefully. She flashed her perfect white teeth, the product of the best orthodontists on Zeltos, and addressed the both of them with upturned palms, a body language trick that signified non-threatening behavior.

"I'm here at the lovely Dragon Palace to discuss some business with your, ah, friend Zatten here. It's common knowledge on Zeltos that he's looking for an attache to help him manage his affairs. Believe me, if there's anything I'm good at, it's looking after a man's interests." She smiled widely and added. "And that includes his lady's as well."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I glanced uncomfortably between Kadrak and the Zeltron woman, Jorda. I didn't think Kadrak's annoyance was directed at the other woman, but if it was... Well, I'd only just met the other Zeltron. I cleared my throat loudly, and squeezed Kadrak's hand behind our backs.

"Yes, well, let's get to business. Contracts and whatever."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Jorda Ulluto"]

 

[Chevu Visz]

The petite Zeltron raised an eyebrow at the man. "Before we talk contracts, Mr. Black. I need to ask you a few questions." She tapped her chin with a long, lacquered black fingernail.

"What exactly would my duties be as your attache? I'd really like to get an idea if this job suits my particular skills. I'm a people person, Black. I don't mind the occasional bit of paperwork, but a girl like me gets bored sitting behind a desk." She let out a throaty laugh. "You're half Zeltron. I'm sure you can relate to our peoples' need to always be moving and shaking, eh?"

She continued, her eyes roving around the room. "I also want to make sure that you and I have the same end goals in mind. But first we can start with the job description and go from there."

[member="Zatten Black"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Squeezing Zatten's hand back in return she flashed a smile and shook her head, gesturing to where her blaster was typically holstered during any other situation. "The entire 'no weapons' deal isn't exactly my favorite thing about the night. I'm usually okay with it if you can sneak things in, but..." She shrugged. "Regardless. I might not be Force sensitive, but I can tell when you're even a bit worried about things."
Another smile, this time directed at the Zeltron. "I apologize if there were any misconceptions. It really is nice to meet you." Although she typically wasn't one for any sort of formal business setting, she reasoned things would go much more quickly with the present company. It was always nice to have like-minded people in attendance. And, well, the fact that things wouldn't be formal for the entirety of the night helped. She wasn't much of a gambler, but she had a feeling watching Zatten try his hand at it would be enough entertainment in and of itself.
Glancing around the room for a moment she studied the others milling about the casino for a moment before turning back to the task at hand. With no one having any weapons on their person she supposed there was really nothing to worry about. For the most part.

[member="Jorda Ulluto"], [member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I just shrugged, now knowing that Kadrak's distaste was from the sense of being unarmed, rather than the other Zeltron.

"It's a bit less hard on me, not having Bloodtooth, but I get it."

I looked back over to Jorda, and smirked.

"You'd probably be at the office even less than me. I just need somebody who's not me to be there once in a while. I've got button-pushers galore, but Zygerrians have too much of a reputation as slavers to be acceptable promoters. Plus, it appeals to my sense of irony that my spokesperson should be a Zeltron. I'm exiled upon pain of death."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Jorda Ulluto"]

 

[Chevu Visz]

Jorda nodded passively as he spoke. That last part about his exile was a tidbit of intel about Zatten that she'd only heard as a rumor. But now he confirmed it.

"Zatten." she smiled sweetly. "This all sounds well and good, but I need to know a bit more about what you have a hand in right now. What are you really after?"

Her eyes lit up. "You want to go back to Zeltos? I can certainly help with that. Before I sign on I just need to know a little bit more."

"For example, if today were my first day on the job at the illustrious Zatten Black Enterprises, what would it look like?"

She sighed. He was being slightly cagey, and she didn't blame him. He had alot of enemies. But Jorda needed to make sure there was more to the job than pushing papers.

[member="Zatten Black"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I knit my eyebrows, and grinned wider. So she wanted specifics, huh?

"I would probably expect that your first day would be getting to know the higher-ups of the company. They're mostly Zygerrian, which makes sense. Basically, you just have to talk them down, which is easy for a Zeltron, yes?"

I drank some of my whiskey, and put it down on the table.

"You would have pretty much free run of the tower, and maybe go ahead and visit a couple of the more important factories. The whole thing should take, oh, six or seven hours? Then you're completely welcome to do anything and go anywhere you like on Zygerria. It's good business for me, and you get to relax, basically."

Remembering the comment about Zeltros, my eyes lit up.

"I don't need your help, Jorda. I have something more... devious in mind to make my way to Zeltros. Perfectly legal, too."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Jorda Ulluto"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Instead of chiming in like she usually would Kadrak remained silent, sipping at her drink and observing the few patrons wandering about the casino that caught her eye, glancing to a few of the games taking place and making silent bets with herself as to who would emerge the victor. Most would have thought her bored with the entire ordeal by looking at her, but she was, in fact, listening intently to all that was being said. She just wasn't one to do nothing but listen. Observation was always an important tactic.
Setting her drink back down on the bar she turned back to the situation at hand, listening to the deals as they were put forth. Running a business was something she was unfamiliar with, to say the least. The closest she'd ever gotten to business dealings would probably be...well, what was occurring right now, truth be told. It wasn't often she herself had cause to know the inner workings of a company. Maybe a machine or a blaster, but nothing close to a corporation.

[member="Zatten Black"], [member="Jorda Ulluto"]

 

[Chevu Visz]

Jorda slowly stirred her drink as she listened to Zatten's spiel, noting that the man's date was conspicuously quiet. The end bit about the exile's return to Zeltos was the most intriguing part of the conversation, and she would find out more about that. Sadly, she had to admit that while helping him run his tower seemed nice, meeting with factory suits all day seemed like something that would make her skin itch.

"Mr Black," she smiled widely, toying with a long lock of jet black hair. "You've always got something up your sleeve don't you?"

"So, do you have any questions for me before I go off and deliberate about the arrangement?" she asked. "You can ask me anything you know. I'm an open book."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I laughed, and sat down next to Kadrak, putting my arm around her again.

"Always. I'm half Chiss, after all. Deviousness runs through my veins."

Turning to the bar, and ordering, I grinned back again.

"For some reason, I get the feeling that said 'deliberation' will involve drinking and sabacc. I think I'll just stay here and, um, 'deliberate' with the former method."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Jorda Ulluto"]

 

[Chevu Visz]

"Sabacc and drinking. Two of my favorites ways to make a decision. As you wish Zatten, dear. I'll not waste any more of your and your lady's time." She passed some credits to the bartender along with a generous tip.

"Full disclosure: I have a Sith knight who is also interested in offering me a full time position. Right now my decision lies between you and him." She almost made an off-color joke about being sandwiched between them, but then looked at the Zabrak woman and stopped herself. Flirting, with everyone and anyone no matter their sex or species, was practically in Jorda's DNA, but the woman could be her future boss's mistress. She'd have to watch her tongue.

"Can I give you my decision by the end of the week?"

[member="Zatten Black"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I smirked, and nodded.

"A Sith Knight, huh?"

Taking a sip of my drink, and looking back up, I nodded again.

"Take all the time you need. Dunno how long I'll be on Antecedent, though. There's a distinct lack of crazy thugs shooting at me."

[member="Jorda Ulluto"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]