Private Gates of Chaos

[Aren D'Shade]

The Wheel might be Aren's vision of a dream haven if she didn't live on Denon. This place could become a second home to her, though, and she was getting settled in. Without any fear of running out of credits, she could dance, drink, or gamble all she wanted to. On tonight's menu was some drinking, dancing, and flirting. No harm in that, and she was here to have fun.

Walking into the disco part, she ordered a drink and sat down at one of the tables. Most of them were taken, and she felt she was lucky to have this one. It might be because it wasn't too near the dancefloor and in an out-of-the-way area. That didn't matter to her, though, and she sat drinking until a song came on that she was familiar with. Tossing down her drink with a couple of swift gulps, she was on her way to the floor.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

An N&Z Khopek-class starfighter glided from hyperspace like a blade. From Relliks view he could clearly see the neon lights of the wheel in motion. The great casino city inviting him to a nice vacation.

"It's been too long." He murmured with a smirk.

With the starfighter tucked neatly into Docking Port Twelve. He did not announce himself or request any special privilege. You never know where assassins might be lurking and he hated causing galactic wide "Incidents". He did not wear his traditional Diarch uniform. He wore a nice simple suit. Ready to gamble mostly but if the drinks and music were tasting just right, he could easily find himself on the dance floor.

It was the smell of sweetened cigarra smoke, offworld spices, the tang of ozone, sweat, perfume, and credits tinging against tables that hit him first. The party had officially begun. A Twi'lek woman in red silk brushed past, gaving him a glance. It was settled, dance floor it is.

Entering the ballroom large area where bodies moved - he looked over to the bar, walked up and got himself a quick drink. He finished the drink in a single quick swallow, than stepped unto the floor.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Aren was dancing by herself for a moment, and then the song ended. She was about to get another drink when a form stepped in front of her. Another song started on the tail of the previous one that had an entirely different sound. Maybe that was common at the Wheel, but she could get into it just as easily as the last.

For one of the first times since she could remember, she didn't have her bag of tools to hold onto. That was in her room, all she had were her clothes and some credits for her drinks. Giving the stranger a look over, he was several years older than she was, but that was fine. Age was just a number; he was also a little taller, and she was okay with that, too. Many people were.

With only one drink in her system, she was still quite sober and could form a good opinion of the man on the floor next to her. She felt he would be a good dancing partner for the night. Smiling at him, unless he pulled away, she would lead him onto the dance floor.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Feeling the movement and presence of the crowd the Diarch made his way unto the floor. As a new song came on, he was intending to just lose himself into it for a moment. Rellik had just begun to pivot when someone appeared before him. Giving a soft smile that sent those knowing sparks in the back of his mind. A devilish smile formed on his lips. Hungry and happy.

He gave her one deliberate look, head to toe before matching her gaze. Young, self-assured, sharp, present. Matching his energy for having a fun night. When she led, he followed.

It was easy letting her pull him into the swell of motion, - There is a little harmony between battle and dance. The outside noise. Blasters and explosions, they were similar to music. The movement between two people, moving body parts when it called for it, subtle touches, brushes of close calls. The tempo of interlocking bodies. It was something Rellik had more than enough practice in.

There was no need to lead her in the dance. Instead, he adjusted to her rhythm, precise and fluid, letting the momentum between them build on its own terms. A brush of the hand. A pivot at just the right beat. A catch of her eye.

he murmured over the music, voice low and coaxing.

"Name?"

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Placing her hands on his hips and allowing him to touch her as well, they moved together as if they were puzzle pieces that fit exactly as they're supposed to. They rubbed elbows with others on the floor, but she only had eyes for him. When they had gotten as close as they were, Aren knew precisely who she was dancing with.

He might be thinking of this as another facet of battle, while she considered it to be another way to gather information. She did not give him any tells that she recognized him. He was most likely here to be treated as a person, not a leader. That would be how she treated him.

Smiling as they danced as one, his low voice reached her ear with the question of her name.

"Aren D'Shade."

I know who you are, Diarch. No need to announce that out loud.

Gazing into his golden-hued eyes, she hoped that message was clear.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Aren D'Shade.

Not one he recognized, but names weren't always what mattered. It was the way she said it. The way she looked at him after. He liked that, even more so when she spoke to him directly with the force. Her voice in his mind was silk.

He leaned in just enough that his words were for her and her alone, carried on the pulse of music between them. "I guess I can be glad my reputation precedes me. Hopefully some of those rumors are about how good of a dancer I am." Instead of talking back to her mentally, he chose to speak directly to her. Letting the hot air and motion of his lips linger near her as he spoke.

That devilish grin returned as he spun her, catching her again with a firm, guiding hand at her lower back and pulling her in, giving a subtle press of hips. A playful shift of weight.

"And if not," he added, eyes gleaming under the strobe lights, changing to be matching the setting. With his ability in illusions they began to be their own show that matched the music. "I'd be very willing to... correct the record."

Then, as the music climbed, he let the moment breathe. Let her decide how bold the next step would be.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"No, they did not. Please, correct away."

Laughing as he almost whispered in her ear. His words were only for her, and she accepted them. Coming back into his arms from the twist, she met his hip with her own and leaned away to offer a bit more pressure. They shared a grin, danced, and the song ended way too soon.

"I think I need a drink. Would you care to join me? I have a table in the corner."

Indicating the direction of the table, Aren hoped it was still open. As it didn't provide a good view of the dancing, she figured it would be. It would also give them an area where they would not need to holler at each other to be heard.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

The pressure of her hip with the way she leaned, testing limits, maybe teasing them. The arch of her back leading to him naturally having his hand graze lower on her back. Lingering just a beat longer than necessary. Then the song ended, too soon, like all good things.

He glanced in the direction she indicated, then back to her, amused.

"A private table in the corner?" he said with a boyish laugh, having fun with the night. "I'm starting to think you planned this."

Wrapping his hand around her waist he walked with her to the table. Sometimes moving closely behind her as well. A little play between keeping the tension and maneuvering through the crowd. Raising his other hand with two golden credit chits he signaled for a server to follow them.

The waiter arrived as they neared the table. Rellik ordering a Fiery Mustafarian. He moved away from Aren gesturing for her to enter the booth first. There were two reasons, to be a gentlemen and hIs father always told him to sit on the edge in case someone stirred trouble, an old habit coming back to today.

"Sharp, warm, and smooth. I always like a Fiery Mustafarian." He was obviously not talking about the drink with the way his eyes looked into hers.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Laughing when he said she planned this, he was entirely wrong, but she wasn't going to fight with him about it.

"I'm not a fortune teller."

That was all she said on the matter, and she leaned into him, and their hips brushed together. Not bumping hard or anything, just naturally moving together as she led the way to the still-empty table. Sliding into the booth, she positioned herself to be able to see the doors. A habit left over from her days of fighting against the corporate greed on Denon saved her more than once.

"Tatooine tequila sunrise."

Placing her order, she gave Rellik a sly smile at his hint.

"I can't say I've had that experience. So what brought you to the Wheel? I'm looking to dance, drink, and make contacts."

For a moment, her flirting ended, and a touch of truthful business seeped in. After speaking, though, she grinned at Rellik and ran a hand down his arm unless he pulled away.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

He only smirked and gave a wanting look feeling Aren's touch. Their bodies and hands were just all over each other. Once touch wasn't going to make him flinch much.

"I have a bad habit of running into fortune tellers, witches, and Sanguine on my trips to clubs or casino's." He said it playfully but the glint in his eyes let Aren know he was not lying.

He raised a brow at her sly smile, the moment slipping away from playful to something more genuine. "What brought me to The Wheel?" he echoed softly, fingers tracing slow circles on the tabletop. "Since you know who I am, I am sure you can assume how busy things can get. There is a weight of many lives on my shoulders. At all times, even now. It is good to remember that to live - you must go out and live." He gave a small cheers with a smile before drinking a bit more.

"What about you, do you know this place like the back of your hand or just passing through?"

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

"Vampires even> That's a bit of a surprise. I didn't think they liked traveling far from home. I'm not one. Pure human here."

Motioning to her sternum, she almost giggled. Leaning against Rellik, they waited for the drinks to arrive, and she listened to his answer. When they did, she picked up her glass and tilted it at him slightly.

"To new connections."

A short and simple toast, and one she commonly said. Taking a sip, she set the glass down and looked at her companion. Giving him half a smile, Aren nodded.

"Passing through to make new business contacts. Hand me your datapad. I'll give you my number. If you ever get into a technological situation you need out of, give me a call."

Very few people got a direct line to her, and she liked it that way. However, as one of the leaders of a government, she figured she would trust not to disclose the information.

"Chit. I'll see you around, Diarch."

There was a rush of movement at the entrance to the cantina, and a pack of old enemies walked in. Some Corpo thugs from Denon. People Aren had done her best to evade for a while. Maybe they were here to drink and gamble, but she wasn't about to take that chance.

Handing him his datapad back, she would try to kiss his cheek before disappearing from next to him. Teleportation came in handy at times, and escaping was one of its uses.