Monsters Inside

[James Justice]

"Then you need to set the cup down gently," Katsumoto instructed him, "without taking your eyes off the host."

James tried to set his shot glass on the make-shift saucer on their small card table. And failed. The water they were using instead of tea, splattered across the table. "Damn it."

Bob quickly moved in with a pitcher of water and a rag, wipping the table down and re-filling the glass. James sighed through his nose. It was going to be a long night

***​

As the speeder came to a halt, James adjusted his white shimmersilk collar slightly once more. While the dark blue suit and white shirt were not the dressiest thing in the galaxy, it was the dressiest that he was likely going to ever get into. He had trimmed the beard down, making himself more presentable and less like the mountain man he had looked like before. The classic blaster and combat boots were gone for the moment, replaced with expensive dress shoes and an even pricer watch. He patted the needles in his inner coat pocket. Stims and painkillers just in case. The ones in his blood were already pumping at full speed, giving the spacer a relatively painless existence for the moment.

"You will do fine," Katsumoto assured him.

James chuckled, "I sure as hell hope you're right."

The spacer stepped out of the speeder, the door closed behind him. His limp and the pain were more manageable now, the last thing he wanted was the pain to distract him from what was going on tonight. As he stepped up to the door and gave it a knock he let the coolness of a seasoned veteran wash over him. This wasn't his first rodeo, James reminded himself. So quit acting like it.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Izumi answered the door, "Justice-san welcome to House Togashi you are expected please come this way." She bowed slightly and escorted James through the corridors of House Togashi. They passed through the hall of ancients showing the ancestors of the house, and the arms they wore. A reminder that House Togashi too had it's share of warriors and warrior spirit.

Izumi had chosen this way as it was the shortest, they then passed the room Bella referred to as the parlor where the house staff was beginning to set up the room for a tea service, all eyes looked upon him bowing slightly in greeting and then returning to their work.

Izumi then took him down the corridors where all the rooms were shut with sliding doors as they approached the double doors that led outside, Izumi pushed them apart to reveal where Bella stood off the back nearest to the pond, on the walkway.

"Enjoy your dinner Justice-san"

Bella smiled, ok Izumi was laying it on a bit thick but out here it could be simplier, Bella approached the edges of her dress touching upon the walkway ever so slightly, each gentle sway of her form gave a flutter to the skirts, her hair lay upon her shoulders combed to perfection she had taken great care for dinner. "James, I'm glad you're here, and how very handsome you look" Yes he was a handsome man, "Did you shave?" Bella smiled.

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

The spacer followed Izumi through the hall. He took notes--you never knew when things of this nature could come in handy. Especially when they were concerning the person you were going to have dinner with. As James reached the outdoors, he took in the cool air and the sweet smells once more.

And there she was. He took the liberty of enjoying an eyeful of Arabella as she came closer, the dress, the hair, the all of it. He smiled back chuckling, "Thank you, I didn't have the heart to get rid of it just yet. I wasn't sure if I would like facial hair at first, but now its starting to grow on me."

There was no better way to start the night off than a tragically corny joke, after all.

"I must say you do look rather," he paused, intentionally searching for the word, "Veo ji tlanan Pampy. Its a Ryl term used for only the most beautiful women in the galaxy, those with out equal. Translated into Basic it means, like a priceless Jewel."

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

"I like the facial hair but that is a personal preference, and James it is literally growing on you" She was trying to be funny whether it would carry or not she wasn't sure but she would make the attempt. She would add to the line of corny jokes. If anything she hoped he would feel at ease. Being outside helped Bella in other ways as well her S.A.D did not flare up when she was outside, and when she had gotten lots of sun.

Bella's ryl was very rusty but after a few moments she understood, "arni'soyacho. Qaon?" She smiled glad she could still remember how to twist her tongue around the words as she said thank you and then as if to put him on the spot she wanted to know how she was like a priceless jewel, " Do arsenyi cloyan eu jinqa toyid tilor ryl bo san" She smiled brightly. (I rarely find someone I can speak ryl with me)

One thing her father insisted they learn additional languages.

"Can I offer you a drink of something, water, tea, even wine"

She was a bit out of practice on many things and she was relying on Izumi to help her keep things on track. She did enjoy this look on him though she imagined that he had no lack of companionship, he was a little older but then she was Atrisian age was merely a number.

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

He smirked, well as long as the jokes were going that was a plus. He figured that he would go for another, "Well, as they said about the man who had his left side eaten by a Rancor; he's all right now."

It was rare that he found another human that could speak the language of the Twe'liks. Especially this far away from the Outer Rim and Wild Space. That was rather commendable.

"Well, I grew up on a tramp freighter, with just me and me dad," James said with a smile, "Continually learning more languages, and staying open to other cultures was a necessity. jei cuk ji karsan, Do cahsinark bee cea <<Its quite the experience I will say that.>> Hence the gun running," he chuckled, "Me dad and I made quite the team. For a while there."

James' initial reaction was to go for the wine. He was, after all, according to his past, one to not turn down the alcohol. However, he would rather keep his senses about him tonight. For now, "Tea would be grand, thank you."

When the beverage was offered he accepted it with thanks.

"Running across one side of the galaxy to another as a child gives someone an appreciation for a lot of things, I suppose," James commented, "however, I dun't think I've ever been able to have the privilege of hearing what its like growing up as a noble."

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Bella laughed a bit too loudly, "Oh that's a terrible joke!" She reached for his arm to lead him towards dinner.

"You grew up traveling around that had to be fun and exciting, and I will say from my view I would envy someone such a life" She motioned for him to sit while he was a dashing figure to take in she was aware of his injuries and sitting would help. There was a sound in his voice when he spoke.

"Life of a noble, you wouldn't like it growing up. It's about duty, honor, what not to wear, and what not to say, but always appearing as if you are aware of everything. It's pressure James, family pressure. My house oversees the wellbeing of at least 100 families, each day there is a review of what they need. Like the armor it is to protect my house, but it will protect the guards, and ensure that those families always have their loved one come home" She didn't like some aspects of being a noble, though others were absolutely fun.

"Anasan vahs eoh vrimera Do akolan sei tisla" (Like all little girls I idolized my father)

"Do you miss your father? I miss mine" She took a sip of her drink she was looking for him, or waiting for him whichever way one would care to think on it.

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

The poor child. Perhaps there were no good comedians on this planet, even James could feel himself groaning inside at his own joke. Regardless, he followed her to the table.

"I suppose it is fun," James said with a nod, "We were always hungry. There was never enough food on the table, we bought what we needed and gave the rest away to those who needed it more than us. I suppose even then Dad were teaching me the way to live life. I don't know if I would say its enviable, we spent a lot of time in hyperspace. I didn't get much proper learnin' what I did, I found on the 'net. And there was the drinking. The running for your life. The getting shot at. The terrible people," he chuckled, "but, it weren't too bad, it could have been much worse."

"I suppose I do miss me dad," James said after a moment. He looked down in his tea, "Lost him on a run in Tat. It were a standard deal, he said he'd be back in 15 with the cargo, and I kept waitin' and waitin' for hours. Nightfall came, he still weren't back. Then the Sand People came running through the village, killin' and burnin' and shootin'. Blood was everywhere. Bodies all over the place. I just--" he shrugged, "I just ran. I took the console of our freighter and fled for me life. When I came back, there were nothin' but dead bodies -- some you couldn't even recognize as ever bein' alive." He brushed it off, "yeah, I miss me dad."

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

"My father went off to a battle for Coruscant never came home. They sent me a body but things being what he was i still don't believe him dead. But I don't know he could be. If he is then I'm alone and all this my responsibility. He trained me to survive adapt but the things he taught me I'm not sure they were for the good of the galaxy."

Bella took another drink she looked at James, "I'm 28 years old I will look this way,for more years than I can count. And I'm in a spot where change has to happen and I'm scared about it"

She really had said too much, "my apologies James I don't usually ramble" She spent too much time alone and after her encounter with [member="Connor Harrison"] and [member="Audren Sykes"] her perspective changed and she was trying to be good.

Different.

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

James gave a soft chuckle. Some beings were lucky enough to not feel age. Or the effects of time. He was pushing the wrong side of thirty and already his body was aching him like a man by far older. But, he supposed that the life he had chosen to live, or the life that was put upon him was one that did not fair lightly; daily drunkenness, habitual chain smoking, endless warfare, and a host of other deadly things he knew she shouldn't do would wear him down.

"Change ain't so much the question as the statement," James offered, his voice weathered with time and cigarettes, "It will happen one way or the other. And, aye, its scary. Most of the time us human-types are terrified of the thought alone--let alone the actual change. But we gotta let it happen. I have come to find that we are either the instrument of change or the one that gets crushed in the process."

He gave a half shrug and a chuckle, "Don't worry 'bout it. I tend to ramble sometimes, life just gets the best of you."

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

She smiled "Statement what kind? Like this is who I am?"

Hitomi came out smiling, carrying bento box filled with fruits carefully she set it down leaving behind chop sticks. Forks were already in the table, Bella picked up the chopsticks, "ever use these?"

She held them up like holding a pen, "it is an art but you do not have to you can use a fork, and in some cases fingers"

Bella looked across her guest seemed relaxed his eyes though seemed dialated oh yes. He's injured. He's on drugs.

"When you can tell me more about Soceras, please" He was calming to her. She could appreciate it after so much turmoil.

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

James chuckled, running his fingers through is tousled hair, "No, I meant moreso that change will happen. Its not if, its when. Its not why its how. Its not whether its when. Change happens. We all change, I think, in one way or another," he quirked an eyebrow, 'Does that make more sense?"

He looked over the food. Well, this was a delicacy. Even though now he was rich enough to literally own a city, he still felt more comfortable imbibing the worst possible swill as far as food was concerned that money could buy, spacer pre-packaged, long lasting rations. Chopsicks, now these were the one part of the lessons last night that he had gotten down for sure. Without a doubt. His finger wrapped around the first, as he pinched the second between his forefinger and thumb.

"Um, like this?" he asked feigning ignorance as he picked up a bit of food and moved it to his lips.

He chewed thoughtfully for a moment and swallowed before answering, "Its a planet without equal. The southern hemisphere is nothing but waste. Its a desolate hell filled with savages. The strongest of her moons, Verga, pulls and tears the place apart down there, causing a lot of issues. Most of the pulsar's radiation is concentrated in a disc around the equator, its rather beautiful, visible at night and glowing during the day. Dalliah, smallest of the moons, is a pastoral paradise. 75% of the planet's food comes from there alone. The Northern hemisphere is where most of the population resides, 70% in Dal'Bor alone, the rest reside mostly in Mor-Jan, and Bankor Ultiamata, two mega cities in their own right. The glacieral caps are gorgeous, the radiation that isn't absorbed in the barren moons or clumped within her rings finds itself there. The ice crystals and snow even glow, its like nothing you have ever seen before."

He went for a second bite, chewing and swallowing before continuing, "When I landed there, Dal'bor was a vice city. Worse than a vice city. Crime ruled, slaves were exported, people were all criminal and all terrified of each other," he gave a slight smile, "I brought the kingpins together. And I killed them all, I rule the city now. Its been a long process weeding out the worst of things, but we are finally reaching a place where the streets are usually safe," he repeated the word emphatically "usually."

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

OOC:

Spoiler

Here is the planet sub--cause I am a proud father of this world

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

“Yes that does make more sense, thank you for explaining. I believe you are right we all change as we learn as we grow older” She nodded and giggled at the same time the look of accomplishment on his face. “Most off worlders can’t do it properly”

He certainly wasn’t like any of the men she knew, not at all. There’d been an air of danger about him that made him even more intriguing. She knew he wasn’t like any of the men that were at Hyogo and perhaps within the entire nobility of Atrisia. They like to pretend to be badass, she had a feeling he knew exactly how to be a badass.

She’d been raised not to take any chances. Her whole life was about controlling her weaknesses and doing exactly what was expected of her.

He spoke about Soceras with pride and he did not hesitate to tell her exactly what he had done to bring order to the Capital. He killed them all, all the opposition, all the trouble makers. Her darkness bubbled at such talk the knot of desire started to grow within her. Most women might have turned their head in disgust but not Arabella such talk of ability blinded her to only a need.

She looked down picking up a piece of fruit and quickly putting it in her mouth, to prevent words from coming out that would reek of her thoughts.

“I look forward to your showing me around” she managed to squeak out between chews.

Hitomi showed again this time with a cart to set near the table, on top the rest of their meal was laid out. "James how do you like your kolbe nerf served?" Hitomi started to prepare she lit the grill that would cook the protein they already knew Bella took her medium.

"Once they prepare this portion they will not be back for a while" Bella smiled that meant they would be alone.

OOC:

Spoiler

very nice sub, you should be proud

 

[James Justice]

James gave a slight grin, "A smuggler's two best friends are his sliver tongue and his ability to adapt rapidly. You could say its in my blood, I guess?"

It was a cocky statement, most likely it borderline arrogant. But that was true. Smuggling was not a rich tradition, nor was it one that had a large number of men who lived to be as old as James. Most smugglers died in the late teens, when their body's nervous system naturally slowed down. A wiser man would have already realized that the Force had sustained him, made him an expert through his heightened reflexes. With the tenor of making it as long has he had in this profession, a level of real arrogance that was partially earned surrounded James on his good days.

"I will," he said with a grin, "Imagine every possible thing you could want--Soceras offers it. And then add more. I would fancy to say that there aren't many places like it left in the galaxy, it will be a learning experience."

He watched as the meal was set and took a moment to try and figure out what everything was. He, most certainly failed. He had had worse though.

"Uh, right. Rare. Very rare. Just cut off the horns and the butt and just walk it by the fire," How old was that joke? Very old. He remembered his dad using it to hit on waitresses in seedy diners off the Hydian Way when he was a boy. "Really, though, very rare."

He waited until the servants had left before poking one of the fish-like entrees with his chopsticks, "So--what is it, exactly that we have here?"

OCC

Spoiler

Thanks! I am

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

"A silver tongue I"m sure has many uses aside from convincing those around them of their prowess. I understand adapting too, so you think these are traits you learned from your father, or were given them by design?" Either way she would assume that he used each to his advantage with ease.

She for some reason did not think it arrogant to know ones own worth, or limitations. She took his words in stride not realizing just how harsh the life was that he led, or that others of his profession lived.

"Imagine everything I could want, and more..." she smiled broadly this mischievous little grin, "I can imagine a lot James, and some things I can imagine, you might find surprising" She lifted her glass again, "I look forward to anything you and Soceras can teach me"

She looked at Hitomi, "just barely cook it on either side" The small dark haired, dark eyed woman nodded not quite sure she started to say something and then stopped.

"Fish, and vegetables, they are the staple of Atrisian diets, I assume though that you prefer the nerf, there are some cooked fish as well you pick whichever you like up and dip into the soy sauce, and eat." Bella picked up a piece and with ease did so.

"If you don't like the fish, I will have them bring you other things to compliment the nerf. Most that come to Atrisia are looking for the "atrisian experience" this is about as atrisian as it gets" She picked up another.

"The bright orange, sitting beside the dull orange are roe or fish eggs, and sea urchin eggs, yes both are raw. Rich in vitamins" She laughed, she wasn't sure if James was going to make it through dinner. He might need McYoda's after all this.

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

James cocked his head to the side, "I've been trying to figure that out for a long time. I suppose you could say some of both. Dad taught me a lot. Some things too soon that a boy shouldn't learn. But he did pretty good for raising me without a mum, and he taught me to survive, that's what counts," he shrugged, "Either way, all I have, I owe to him."

He looked over the food as she explained what the objects were. He blinked and looked at the foods like they were--some kind of foreign object. He had sucked down some very disturbing things in his past, everything from raw, slimey space slugs, to over-cooked, barely edible mynocs. And of course, there was the endless trail of ration bars, dried foods, and prefab nutrition cubes that were (unfortunately) not flavorless. However, this stuff looked... well, like an experience. He picked up one of the vegitables and dunked it in the sauce. This he could certainly do, a green was a green, as his dad had said. Though, of course he had meant something entirely different.

"I am sorry," James chuckled, "I am a lot more used to unrefined, uncultured foods. Pretty much everything that comes out of a box, wrapper, or food synthesizer," he swallowed before adding sarcastically, "Just like mum used to make."

He poked one of the piles of raw fish eggs. It wiggled under his pressure and the spacer couldn't hold back his wince, "It looks like Jello," he shook his head rather disgusted. The stylistic and dashing hero was defeated by fine cuisine. Oh the peril. Oh the hardship. Ok, not really, however, the write would still try to ham it up as much as he could anyway--because why not?

"I think I will stick to the vegetables and the fish," James said trying to turn his grimace into a smile.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="James Justice"]

So he liked synthesized and greasy it sounded like. She looked anxiously back at the house, and then over to James giving him a bright smile. "I have an idea James" she whispered, "Can you drive a speeder bike?" She thought of his injury for a moment and trying to remember where the gear shifts were cause if he was willing she had a way.

Her blue eyes sparked again of a bit of mischief she wasn't one to always follow protocol or rules and if her guest was feeling a bit anxious over the food then she'd change the game plan.

Eating something raw, or rare was an acquired taste and while he might eat the rare nerf, which could easily be put into a take home tray perhaps something a bit more wrapped in paper would be more like it.

 

[James Justice]

James had a feeling he already knew where this was going. He had been on enough dates and criminal getaways to know what that sort of question meant. His mind flashed back for a second to Nar Shaddaa. He had made a record there with Nyx, and even to this day couldn't show his face on those streets undisguised. How man crimes had they committed that night? 100? 200? He couldn't remember. The date had been unforgettable from the moment they committed arson on the first shop to the moment he had lost his temper and killed those corrupt police.

He smirked, "Did you forget the part where I said I grew up on a tramp freighter?" he took a sip from his glass, "A vessel is a vessel; freighter, fighter, bulk cruiser, or Swoop. 'Course I can."

He rose semi-easily. The pain meds were giving him just enough numbing to reduce the pain to ghostly faint impressions instead of all-encompassing spasms. "Lead the way."

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

She got up and took his hand, "trust me James" She smiled over at Hitomi and Izumi who were sitting near the doors, making sure everything was done accordingly and far enough away they couldn't hear her planning anything.

She stood closer to James now giving the impression of intimacy, "We will walk over to the gate," She leaned up to whisper words into his ear, "and there should be a bike sitting there. Just begging to be ridden, so" Her lips were close and yet not touching his ear as she spoke, "you drive, I'll navigate, deal?"

She leaned forward to look up into his eyes, as they walked slowly along, letting the staff think whatever they would about what they were doing. Their dark eyes watching, unsure, waiting to see.

Bella had been leaving the house for years on her own and each time the women in the house would freak out, last time she was gone so long they sent the House Guard to find her. Let's see how things went this time.

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

He shook his head inside. Kids these days.

"The question isn't 'can I drive?', or can you navigate?'" he whispered back, 'its can you hold on?"

He followed her lead, his dark brown eyes didn't change in expression from the dull, half glazed look of man who was trying his best to stay aright and was under the influence of strong pain relievers. The normally intense, studious look in his eyes was by far gone. He limped with a half-shuffling step through the garden, along the way. It was slower than he would have liked, but, at least he was moving.

The moment the path turned along a set of trees, blocking the site line from the door he dropped the act. Both of his hands gripped the top of the fence and he catapulted himself over in a single, silent motion. The moment his feet hit the grass on the other side, James straitened his back and strode over to the speeder near the gate a few feet away. By the time Bella would have vaulted over he was already priming the engine and sitting at the controls.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="James Justice"]

He moved with an agility that said he was in better shape than she believed, in the long skirts she had on she would have jumped if need be instead, she opened the gate and walked through it, "I know how to hold on, I know a lot more than you think. And you sir are in better shape than I thought" What a devil, so what was the damn surgery for again, cause he might be sore, or so hopped up on drugs he didn't know to be hurt.

She slid in behind him pulling up her skirts so that the dress wouldn't be ruined, "Head straight across the yards, to the open field, then you'll see a cart path, you want to follow it. It will take us into the city. Her knees rested against his as her hands went around his waist.

She smiled and waited for the rush of wind to push through her hair and tell her freedom was once again hers. Already she could hear the scuffle of Izumi's shoes on the path, "ooo baby they are coming we got to go"