Kindness and Charisma

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"Yep." He'd packed while waiting on some of the parts of the ID card to settle. Now that things were set, well he just wanted to go back through everything in case they were searched. That wasn't common, but he still wanted to be extra careful.

The Alliance had been getting jumpy recently.

Quickly the Forger fiddled through his suitcase, checking that he had everything he needed and double checking that all of it at least looked proper. When he was satisfied Wes nodded to himself and then pulled it from the table.

He tucked his own new ID into his pocket, then headed down the stairs.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She found a granola that was probably from the last decade and began munching on it. Gaze swept over Wes. "You look nervous. Once we walk out that door you've gotta relax. Think you can do that?" They were supposed to be happy newlyweds.

She paused and slung her pack over her shoulder.

"And don't worry about the Alliance security. I'll scope out a good customs official to go to." She could read people, naturally. Sandaled-feet headed toward the front door of the shop.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"I'll be fine." He told her. "I'm not worried."

That was a lie. "It'll be fine." One simply didn't show weakness in the underworld.

Alexia so far had proven to be somewhat trustworthy, but that didn't mean he was about to have emotional times with her. This was a job. This was about money. That was all this was. There was no other way about it and he certainly wouldn't allow it.

"We'll get through security." He told her. "Then onto the transport and away."

Easy, though he sounded more like he was reassuring himself.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She gave him a look. A not-buying-it-look. She was good at reading people and that included Wes Spalding.

"Keep telling yourself that," she took another bite of granola and threw the crinkly wrapping away. "Don't worry," like he said, "just follow my lead and we'll be okay." She was lying. Hopefully they'd be okay. But she'd risked so much more already and she needed those millions. She was ready to do just about anything. "Let's go. There's a speeder cab out front. Remember, the second we walk out of those doors," chin tipped toward the front of his shop, "We are the happily married couple, Mister and Misses Dewberry," digging into her pocket she found the fake wedding ring and slipped it on.

"Ready?"

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

The painting had been hidden away within a secret compartment in the suitcase he carried. They were lucky that the thing wasn't too big, and also that Wes himself was an expert in preserving the art that he transported and bought. Smuggling wasn't really his game either, but it was something he had to do often enough with stolen goods that it didn't really present too much of a problem. He frowned slightly as he copied Alexia and slipped the ring onto his finger.

Thing still felt uncomfortable. He quickly took his suitcase and the briefcase and headed out the door, motioning for Alexia to follow. "Moridena Memorial Starport."

Wes told the cab driver as he loaded his suitcase in the back and then wandered towards the door again, retrieving Alexia's case and placing it alongside his own. The Briefcase of course would stay with him, mostly out of paranoia.

"Let's go honey." He told her.

No time to waste.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Before she slid into the cab, she planted a quick and casual kiss on Wes's cheek, feeling a little of that rough bristle on her face. "Thanks, love," and just as smoothly she slid into the back seat, making room for him to follow. Nothing was over the top or seemed out of place. She made sure of it, as if they'd done morning routines for a long time together. As if they'd just gotten married and were ready to celebrate.

Smooth legs crossed and her hand went over to gently hold Wes.' A beaming glow lit her features and the cabby noticed. "Yous two newly weds?"

"We're actually going on our honeymoon," she leaned forward a little and flashed her smile at the cabby, then turned her attention back to Wes, hoping she wouldn't find a nuna in the headlight look from him.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"Empress Teta." He said smoothly as he sat himself down in the cab, closing the door behind himself. "Going to see some of the galleries."

The cab driver nodded, though clearly he didn't really understand or care.

Wes didn't say anything further, instead he took Alexia's hand and wrapped his own around it. The act felt incredibly strange to him, but he knew well enough how to play his part. Nerves weren't shot just yet, and even though this wasn't really his realm of expertise he could hold his own.

At least for now. "There it is."

Wes said as he pointed towards the spaceport, the Speeder having taken off just a minute after Wes had closed the door.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She looked out the window and squeezed Wes' hand. There it was. If this was the pre-show, that was the main act. Better get any butterflies or hesitations out now. The cab pulled to a stop along the unloading zone.

"Can't believe we're finally here," she breathed and released Wes' hand so he could get out. She followed him, scooching across the seat in that dress of hers. She should've worn shorts or pants. Would've been more convenient. She waited on the walkway for Wes to pay and grab their bags.

Lips twitched, trying not to smile because she knew the real Wes would've said 'get your own damn bags.'
Cerulean-gaze glanced casually around. Four, no five alliance security personnel wandering the crowds. Heightened security lately. It would be tricky but not impossible. Wes' IDs should do the trick

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

As Wes had expected there were half a dozen different Security personnel already wandering around. They weren't here for the stolen painting of course, he had made sure there were no alerts before they'd left the shop. No the security was here because of the First Order.

Though the Imperials were far from Coruscant, this planet was always, and likely would always be a major target for terrorist attacks. There was no doubting that striking this world would be damaging to most of the Alliance economy. So they had heightened Security and pressed things into a narrow funnel. Wes couldn't blame them, but in truth he didn't really care. "Come on dear, let's check our bags."

That way they wouldn't have to deal with anything.

Wes paid the driver and then the two quickly headed inside to check their bags.

This was the easy part.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

They had the dogs out. Must be trained for drugs or to sniff out weapons maybe. Arm looped through Wes.' "Over there," she pointed, catching the sign for check-in and to get their tickets. There was a security machine the bags would be put through. Standard protocol. She trusted that this wasn't Wes' first rodeo.

Trusting him by millions.

A rodean couple finished and they were next in line. "I.D.s please," a bored spaceport employee asked. "How many bags are you checking?" Whelp, here was one of the tests. Fishing in her dress pocket, she took out the fancy and new ID Wes worked on last night.

They were the Dewberrys.

"Here yah go," Alexia beamed and began chatting up the other woman. Pretty soon she got a smile coaxed from her and then an upgrade to first class.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

Wes let Alexia do most of the talking as they wandered through security, both of the ID's worked of course, and they passed without any real incident.

Throughout all of her talking Wes of course just played the newly wed overwhelmed husband. He answered questions, smiled, placed the bags on the machine, and then looked at Alexia as though she were the only treasure in the world anyone could ever want. That was really the key here, lying about exactly what he was, and Wes was really good at lying. He smiled at Alexia as she glanced back at him, his face seemingly melting with sweetness.

Then they were through securtiy. "See honey? No problem."

He said with a smile as he hefted the briefcase.

Their baggage would be checked of course, no need to carry that around everywhere.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

"Sure, love. Smooth just like the butter you like on the morning biscuits," she smiled and kissed him lightly on his lips before pulling away. They just had to find their gate and wait for the call to board. Probably wouldn't get stopped now. They were through the worst of security.

"And to think you were nervous about flying this morning," fingers patted his side gently. They were walking by a few concession stands. "Hungry now?"

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"Yeah." He was actually almost starving, something that he'd noted as they passed through Security. Luckily there was a Mcyoda's nearby, and they could just head over there before they actually boarded the plane. His fingers wrapped a bit more tightly around the handle of the briefcase.

"Our transport is..." He glanced at one of the screen. "Over there."

The terminal extended quite far that way and they'd have to walk a bit, he was sure they'd find a fast food place on the way.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Cerulean eyes flickered down to the hand over his briefcase. "Relax," she whispered, hand drifting to rub small circles at the small of his back as they walked. He'd been doing great but now it looked like he had something to lose. It'd make him an easy mark for, well, anyone. Especially someone like them.

"McYodas, cinnibun, Tattoinebell, any of those sound good?" Hand slowly slipped away from his back and side as she adjusted the sun glasses on the top of her head.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

Wes chose one at random.

He'd never really been picky when it came to food. Most of his favorite meals were considered disgusting by half of the galaxy, consequence of growing up around a hutt. The Cinnibun was right there and so that was of course his natural choice, he ordered one...meal...cinnabon...thing then turned to Alexia.

"Why don't you go check on our transport, dear." He told her. "I'll meet you there."

He had no nefarious purpose, just wanted to make sure no one was waiting for them.

No one from Security.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Eyes narrowed slightly. Was he trying to ditch her? No, no. She trusted that he would be professional and finish this job unless he wanted his name as a fence ruined. It'd be bad for business.

"Okay, just don't take too long. Dear." Locking eyes with him, she made the tone in her voice clear. With her purse over one shoulder, she wandered back toward their gate. Eyes panned the area. Nothing off. She just had to find a good se--," there was a sharp jab in her lower back and a strong hand on her wrist.

Eyes widened slightly as she got a good whiff of trandoshan breath in her face.

"Rasho will be very pleassssssssed I've found you sssssssss," he started tugging Alex with him.

A bounty hunter at a public spaceport?! Pretty bold. Especially with a weapon out past security.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

By the time Wes got back with his cinnamon bun the Trandoshan had already found found Alexia and was holding her. At first he didn't notice them of course, Alexia was rather obscured by the massive hulking lizard standing in front of her, but as they turned realization dawned on his face.

He frowned for a moment, then decided to act. "HONEY!"

The Trandoshan couldn't be security, he didn't wear the uniform, badge, or any other indicators. Couple that with the fact that most Security Officers would have brought back up and Wes knew this wasn't something exactly legit. So, unfortunately, he had to intervene. The Countess wanted to meet the seller, and he doubted he could lie his way through that meeting.

He needed Alexia.

"Honey look!" He spoke loud enough that everyone noticed them, including two patrol officers. "THEY HAVE CINNAMON BUNS THE SIZE OF MY HEAD!"

He acted amazed.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

The trandoshan hissed in annoyance as all eyes first traveled to Wes and then swept to where he was waving to. Them. "Tell Rasho he'll get his money," she whispered up at the lizard and glared at him. "Three days."

Lizard-man tightened his claws around her arm for a moment, "Two daysssss. Or I'll be ahsssseeing you sssssoon." He released her just as quickly, clearly annoyed at the public scene Wes created. Those patrol officers began to follow him. She tried not to rub at her arm with all those eyes still on her and Wes.

"That's great babe!" She mouthed to the crowd as if she were in a show, "We just got married so he's a little excited." Some people laughed, most just ignored them and went back to their holoscreens. When Wes caught up she didn't know what to say. Thanks seemed lame, especially because she knew he hadn't done it out of the kindness of his heart. He still needed her for whatever reason. So, she didn't comment on it at all.

"They'll be boarding soon. I found us two seats near the windows."

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"Good." Wes didn't ask for an explanation.

In truth, he didn't feel like he was owed one. Perhaps Alexia owed someone money, perhaps she needed to do something, perhaps she had a bounty on her head, Wes didn't actually care. As long as they went through with the sale, as long as he got his money the Information Broker wouldn't care about any of this.

"Just remember." He smacked her rump again. "This is our honeymoon."

He smirked at her, not being able to help himself.

Someone behind them giggled.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

A surprised yelp escaped her lips followed by a giggle, that if an expert had been listening in on, would've sounded a tad forced. "Mister Dewberry, let's save the shenanigans for behind closed doors," she acted abashed, which wasn't much of an act in that moment.

Her rear quickly found a seat, even with the lingering sting to one cheek.

Oooooo, he was going to pay for that one.

She leaned in close as if she was about to whisper sweet things in his ear. "It would be a shame if they had to bump you back down to economy." Legs crossed indignantly. Although, the way to really get him back might just need to be slapping his rear in return.