Kindness and Charisma

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

His eyes bulged and in that moment Wes immediately stepped back from her. Shock crossed his features, his hands went to his knees, and the Forger half fell back on the bed.

"RASHO!?" Utter disbelief pulled through his voice, half panicked and completely terrified. "You're in-debt to Rasho the Hutt."

Clearly Wes knew of him. "Are you insane? Why? Why on gods name would you ever take money for him or anything at all?" He was breathing a bit heavier now, and it was clear that Wes was not a particularly brave man.

"Rasho threw a guy into acid because he owed him money." Which was a terrible tactic for a loan shark, you'd never get your losses back unless you could collect and you couldn't collect from someone that was dead. "He literally peeled a Neimoidian."

You did not mess with Rasho the Hutt, everyone knew that.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She blinked. She knew all this of course. She was just surprised he did. "Yeah, well. There was this long con that my Da was doing and he got busted by the authorities. He was the one that took out the initial debt and the rest of it fell on me when he got arrested on Naboo and....," arms uncrossed and hand waved through the air.

"Anyway, it's not important. What's done is done. NOW do you understand why I'm so nervous? Tense! If this doesn't go through...," voice trailed off. She didn't need to say it. Her life depended on it. And her Da's. Well, he disappeared so HUTT knew where he was. She didn't want to believe he was laying low so she'd take his fall. But....well....that's pretty much what it was looking like.

So much for family in the underworld.

Turning from Wes, she knelt down by her suitcase and began getting out her clothes for the day.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"Frak." He said with a loud sigh, his hand coming to his face. Someone uninformed about all of this might have thought that Wes was overreacting a bit, but those uninformed people of course wouldn't know exactly what Rasho was known for doing. The Hutt was bad even compared to other Hutts. Some of them would feed you to rancors, others would shoot you, and some would even torture you, but Rasho was a special kind of sadistic.

The alien was...well Jarbo hated him, and that was saying something.

"He's insane." Wes said as he slowly turned around. "Even for a Hutt."

She would know all of this of course, she would know how badly she was fucked, but still. Wes needed to process all of this, and unfortunately for her he was rather verbal and vocal when it came to that. His head shook again and again. "Holy frak...that Trandoshan at the spaceport..."

He trailed off.

"Frak." Wes repeated, then picked up a pillow and through it across the room in frustration. "Now I'm fucked along with you."

The forger let out a loud sigh, then walked into the bathroom.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

"What're you talking about?" Head looked up from her suitcase as she stood. This simple black dress would be perfect. It was professional but also stylish. Should be enough to impress their buyer but not OVERLY impress them. Pair that with some red ktiten heels. Perfecto.

At least he was concerned about himself, she dryly thought. But why?!

"You're just a mook to that trandoshan. He probably didn't even remember you," voice sounded a little unsure. Rasho was crazy so, who knew what he wanted reported back. Exactly who she was with? Maybe. Now she thought Wes was over-reacting a little.

Hands reached up and peeled off her nightshirt.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

He poked his head back out of the shower just as she stood there naked, his lips thinning but not because of what he saw.

"Rasho is insane." Wes didn't even seem to acknowledge her nudity. "Once he thinks he's been wronged he's not happy until that wrong is corrected. The man...Hutt, is absolutely off kilt of anything I've ever seen or heard of."

That was saying something, he grew up on Nar Shaddaa where people were exploited, broken, and used every single day of the year. He'd seen everything from straight brutality to abject cruelty, yet Rasho The Hutt was on a level all on his own. He'd make a good Sith. "Once he backed a job to steal a cache of weapons from the Sith, when the mercenaries failed to do that job he killed them."

For a second it appeared he was about to stop speaking.

"Then he killed their families." Wes scowled. "Everyone who was even associated with these guys ended up dead."

That was the price Rasho extracted.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She frowned. She'd heard stories. She'd tried not to delve too deeply into them cause then she'd freak out and not get things done that she needed to get done. She'd lose her cool. And she couldn't afford to do that now.

She began to slip on some undergarments.

If she was bothered by Wes seeing her nude, she didn't show it. "I know," she said quietly. "IknowIknow," she repeated. "We're meeting with the buyer in a few hours, Wes. YOU have to pull it together. I'm the one in the hot seat, okay. Don't. Worry. Nothing's gonna happen to you."

Well, she hoped it wouldn't.

But right now she had to give him soothing words because if he blew this, they might both be in deep bantha doodoo. Rasho had always been oddly kind to her - which freaked her out even more. He was definitely sick.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

He gave her a blank face, clearly not believing her.

Wes wasn't exactly known in the underworld, at least his face wasn't. Most people were aware of what he did and they knew of his shop, but beyond that he was pretty safe. The Trandoshan would probably be able to recognize his scent, but not his face when it came down to it. Those Lizards werent too clever, just good hunters. He frowned for a moment as he stepped into the shower, quickly beginning to wash himself as he considered just what he was going to do.

"Frak." He said to himself.

The rest of the shower went rather quickly, and in just a few moments he stepped back into their shared bedroom. His suit was already laying out for him, something she had probably done to soothe his nerves. In truth however, he didn't really need it. He was as calm as ever, if only because they weren't on Coruscant right now.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Black dress and red heels were already on by the time he came out. She slipped past him and into the steamy refresher. Door stayed open as she began combing through her tangled hair.

"The suit was a nice choice," voice drifted from the refresher. She was trying to encourage him and maybe herself. "Perfect for the sale." Lips puckered as she slid on some lipstick. Then came her lashes, foundation, and blush. "I'm guessing we'll scope out the place first?"

This meeting and the actual sale was in his court. His show. Her part was getting the painting and conning with the married act. So much was in his hands, it made her stomach lurch into knots.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

The sale didn't worry him in the least, it was what might happen after the sale that worried him.

He had no idea what the nature of Alexia's debt was to Rasho, he had no idea how much money she owed or just what was negotiated, but that concerned him as much as the fact that she owed money in the first place. What if Rasho decided that she owed more than she had originally? What if he learned about the painting?

What if he decided he wanted all of the proceeds.

"Yes." Was his only answer.

In his head he was already planning out half a dozen different things he would do. Chief among them? Get the feth off of Courscant and open up a new shop. Eight million credits was more than enough, and perhaps he could go somewhere nice.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

A frown tugged and pulled on her lips. Shoulders rolled slightly, trying to keep the tension out of them. A one word answer, really? His face looked like his mind was leagues from here. She couldn't have that. She needed him here.

Sliding in front of the painter, her hands came out and latched onto either of his arms. One hand released its grip just as quickly, snapping her fingers twice in front of his face.

"Hey, hey. You here? Cause I need you with me."

If he wasn't, well, she'd take the painting herself and do what she could then disappear for a good long while.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"I'm fine." He brushed her off.

Wes wasn't uncomfortable, not really. He was in his element now, but in all honesty he didn't want to touch her in that moment, and he certainly didn't want her to touch him. Rasho the Hutt was insane, the alien could well kill him for just being involved in any of this. That idea alone was enough to off-set him.

"This isn't a con, I don't need to be with you." Wes reminded her, he didn't want nor need to be in the same headspace as her. He just needed her at his side so the Countess was satisfied. "It's a sale."

That was the important thing. "We're not lying about who, what, or how."

He could be as distracted as he wanted to be. All he would be doing was negotiating with the Countess, and since the figure she'd offered was already more than enough for the both of them he doubted there would be much of that anyway.

Without another word Wes moved away from Alexia and towards the safe, pulling the briefcase out a moment later and checking on the painting inside.

Satisfied, he stood and motioned for her to get a move on.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Wow.

Cold and typical. Maybe all this acting with Wes earlier had fooled her. Lips thinned. She hadn't meant the 'with her' thing like....

Face twitched in irritation. The faster they made the sale the better. She couldn't control this situation and she had to trust Wes not to completely screw her over. That was the hard part. For a moment she thought maybe they could be business partners. Maybe even friends. She was such a fool. The truth was, after this sale they'd be done. And she knew he wished they were done now. Couldn't blame him with Rasho, really. And she'd been a fool to expect more from him.

Grabbing her purse, she opened the door.

"Fine."

She didn't even hold it open for him as she slipped out into the corridor. This time it was her turn for a one-word answer.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

Wes didnt say a word as they headed down to the lobby.

He was angry, angry at Alexia for getting him involved with Rasho, angry at himself for not vetting her, angry at the fact that he would have to abandon his shop back home. More than that though Wes was one other thing. He was scared.

Rasho the Hutt absolutely terrified him.

Though he was usually not a coward, not typically anyway, Rasho the Hutt invoked an almost primal fear within him. The Crime Lord wasn't someone you wanted to mess with, more than that he wasnt someone you even wanted to get involved with. Rasho would kill you for the slightest wrong doing, the smallest mistake.

Wes didnt want to risk it.

He didnt want to die because of some stupid mistake.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Just like Wes, she stayed stormy and silent, offering a weak smile as they entered the lobby and slowing her pace just slightly. They still had the ruse of a married couple to uphold. Though, according to what Wes just said, he thought that was no longer needed. It'd be a shame to get more questions or attention now, though, if someone noticed something was off.

So, she didn't take his hand or anything. She just walked a little closer to him - just a little. In no time, they got into a speeder-cab ready from the concierge. Fingers curled in her lap, tightening and untightening. This was it. She'd pay off her debt and finally be free.

Just had to get through the next hour or so.

Cerulean gaze finally flickered to Wes. The driver wouldn't be able to hear them. "Your ring. You can give it back. There's no need anymore. The buyer knows who we really are."

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

He glanced briefly to her.

"No yet." Maybe she would take that as sentiment of some sort, but Wes didn't mean it as such. The rings were an effective cover. The ID's that he'd created were good enough to pass off to even the highest authority in the Alliance. Unless they searched birth records, something that was almost impossible to do on Coruscant, they would never find a trace of their false identity. For all intents and purposes he and were the Names they had taken on their ID's.

That mattered.

If this was set-up they would get arrested under those names, charged under those names, and then released on bail in those names. It would be much easier to disappear if they kept up the illusion they had taken up back on Coruscant.

For some reason though he didn't explain that to her.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She definitely didn't take it as sentimental. She knew what and who Wes really was - like all the other underworld mooks. She'd never be fooled to think more again.

"Fine," head turned to look out the window as they made their way through the city. She had nothing more to say. She wasn't exactly mad at him, more mad at herself for wanting to believe he was more. But she could get over that quickly. And if he was mad, he'd get over it quickly.

If everything went according to plan, they'd be rich in a few hours and never have to see or work with each other again.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

Wes frowned for a moment, then slowly got out of the speeder as they arrived.

He scooped up the briefcase and walked around to the other side of the speeder, popping open the door to let Alexia out after slipping the button into his coat. He had no idea what the Countess was actually like, and in truth he didn't really care either. "There's a cafe over there."

Wes said as he leaned closer to Alexia, acting as though he was going to kiss her cheek.

"Let's get something to eat." He pressed his lips against her cheek. "Watch the estate."

They would be directly opposite it, best view they could ask for.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She had to put on the mask again. She couldn't worry about Rasho. Or Wes. Or what she thought of Wes. She was a professional and even though it was painful, she would be able to put on any mask she needed. As the painter leaned in, she kept herself from flinching. There was a subtle transition over her face. Her real self was a million light years away - protected.

It's what she'd done to be able to survive the senator and it's what she'd do now.

"Good idea, dear," she didn't reach out to Wes but she also didn't shrink back. Hands moved to smooth the fabric of her black dress as she walked with him to the cafe. When they got a table, she angled her chair so it was near his, so they both faced the estate. Hand slipped into his.

They were newlyweds who wanted to sit close. Made sense and that's what it looked like. She felt herself with Wes and not with him at the same time.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

Wes slipped his glasses on, the pale light of Empress Teta's sun glowing bright in the sky.

For a while the two of them simply sat there like that, a long time in fact. Three hours swirled passed, with both Wes and Alexia occasionally ordering a drink or something to eat, always tipping well and paying immediately so the cafe didn't complain or kick them out. They talk to one another, small talk filled with lies and made up stories about friends back home, their plans, how great the cafe was and how they just loved the caf.

They covered every topic, and eventually the time of the meeting came around. "I think we're good."

There had been an odd sort of delivery van that had come in earlier, but it hadn't come out yet. The authorities wouldn't have been to brazen or obvious, and thus it was probably just something that the Countess herself was setting up. Perhaps a party.

"Let's get inside." He told her. "This way."

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She walked next to Wes, cerulean gaze alert. Each footstep took her closer to freedom. Wes was probably thinking the same thing. Soon she'd pay off her debt with Rasho and she'd find her Da. He'd be proud, hopefully.

If he ever came out of hiding. Her mind tried not to think about it.

There was a set of ornate, wooden curved doors for the courtyard. Finger went to press down on the intercom. But she paused, frowning. One door was slightly open. Looking at Wes, she shrugged and pushed it the rest of the way.

The smell hit her first, rot. Then the sound, or rather, the lack of sound. No. There was some gurgling. Then silence. She and Wes stepped further into the courtyard as her mind tried to put everything together. Heel slipped on something just as her eyes began to make out that all the unmoving lumps were people. No. Bodies.

Red. Blood. It was everywhere. In fact, they were standing in a pool of it.