Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Not So Sneaky Fingers

Mos Eisley, Tatooine

The sounds of shoes hitting the dirt and chatter among the patrons filled the air in the old quarter. It wasn't a particularly crowded type of day but it was enough for the young thief to feel comfortable indulging in the many wares she figured were up for grabs. As usual her hood was kept up, half covering her eyes in an attempt to keep from being recognized. The last thing she wanted was for someone to see her grab something then know who she was.

Amora's gaze swept over the bodies that cluttered the area, looking for the opportunity to slip her hand into the unsuspecting pocket of one of them or use them as a distraction while trying to scoop something off an exposed stall. The thief shuffled through the people, trying not to look suspicious as she eyed the items some shop keepers had on display. The smell of some sort of meat being cooked not too far ahead made her mouth water; she wondered if food would be more worth obtaining than anything else, but knew it would be difficult for her to conceal if it were hot.

Instead of torturing herself by stopping near the chef's corner she pressed on in hope that something more interesting would be right around the corner. It was often that anything that was actually worth something would show up in those parts, especially considering its bad reputation and all. Every once in a while though, someone would brave the dangerous market with hopes of selling their expensive wares. How clueless outsiders were. They would hear the stories and rumors yet still take the chance.

Sure enough as she hoped it would be, her eyes caught the glimpse of a merchant showing off some rather fine looking clothes and a small collection of jewelry. A sly grin formed on her lips as she sized up the situation. There were a couple of brutes with weapons that seemed to be on guard around the wares, but they didn't look to be the most intelligent. Amora was willing to take the chance to slip one or more of the rings up her sleeve.

In an attempt to widen her peripherals beyond that of which she had at the moment the girl lifted the hood of her cloak just a bit and slipped her other hand under it and through her hair to sweep in back and away from her face. Experience from her hair causing her downfall by obstructing her vision reminded her to adjust.

She could feel her heart begin to pound a little harder in her chest, and her fingers began to tremble in excitement. Adrenaline began to surge through her veins as she neared her target. The thief was careful, counting her steps and reminding herself with each one to breathe and try not to seem suspicious. It was difficult for her to seem natural, the excitement of the steal overwhelmed her more times than not. She felt like a hunter experiencing the ecstasy of getting the kill.

In one single movement as swiftly as she could achieve the thief stepped nearer to her target, reached her long fingers out to touch the rings, and tried to grab onto as many as she could manage. It was unfortunate that her reach didn't seem to be long enough, she knew she couldn't grab onto anything because her fingertips barely touched the cool metal of the riches. Yet somehow as she clenched her fist and drew it back into her sleeve she could feel a single ring pressing against her palm.

Out of shock and confusion she stopped and pried open to fingers to reveal the beautiful piece of wonder that lied on her skin. Maybe she had a far enough reach after all. A satisfied grin spread across her face and a small laugh escaped her belly. She hadn't a clue how she managed to grab it, but she wasn't one to question something like that.

"You!"

Her heart stopped. Amora forgot to keep moving, she was caught. Don't turn around, just walk. You won't look guilty if you walk, she lied to herself. The thief knew what was about to happen but instead of turning to face the man who had obviously addressed her she started to walk into the crowd. Maybe he wouldn't feel like making a scene and she could just disappear into the mass of bodies.

Who was she kidding? Of course he was going to make a scene!

"Dirty thief! Get back here with that!" the man began stepped away from his spot to reach out in an attempt to grab the girl's cloak. His grubby fingers wrapped around the fabric and pulled her back towards him.

Amora clenched her teeth and turned to face him. In a panic she threw her foot out to come in contact with his.. more sensitive area. The brute let out a girlish whimper and let go of her cloak long enough for the thief to slip away, only this time she was running. With the ring clutched as firmly as she could manage in her hand she pushed off on her boots and shoved herself into the crowd. She knocked into more people than she missed, most of them didn't move in inch when she came into contact with them. Instead it sent her back a bit and made her change direction several times while trying to run. It slowed her down and she knew she'd be caught but she pressed on, refusing to look back.

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
Tatooine was Protectorate neutral territory as of late. In years past, it had been under the corruptive influence of the Confederacy, then the Protectorate, and now it stood on its own. It still had the same ruler through it all, a business woman by the name of Danger; famed for her business success, and the companion girls she sold out to lonely men.

Needless to say, Graxin disapproved.

It was odd for him to be so far away from the Reformation. The Architects were gathering their resources to make a final claim on the world that would be their capital: a world of wealth and power. Ession would serve the Reformation, and by extension the Jedi Order, well. This however, was not Graxin Rade's concern at the moment. He had traveled to the desert world in order to meet with an old contact, one who had worked alongside him as the Emperor's Hand.

"Yes, the holocron." The Knight errant breathed. He and the Rodian were nestled in a dark corner of the bazarr. It was one of the only places were such a position did not look suspicious--even the highest of nobleman liked to keep his business ventures private on this world. Better to avoid drawing the ire of Danger, or one of the few Hutt lords that still maintained some form of control over the desert world.

"Credits?" The Rodian hissed. he wasn't entirely happy with Graxin's new affiliation with the Jedi Order.

Grax breathed a quiet sigh, and slipped a single credit chip into the Rodian's greedy fingers. His contact's snot twitched in an unsettling fashion, and Graxin surmised it was some form of a smile. In the other hand, he pushed a small cube into Graxin's hands. Except it was no simple cube.

"Sharn Backow was a great Jedi Lord in ancient times...thank you, Jay."

"Kark off. I got business. Bazarr getting crazy, look." The Rodian pointed with a reptilian finger toward the crowd--or rather, the figure running through it, and then to the man losing his mind over a stolen ring. "Jedi duty to go get that yeah? You bring it to me. I sell real nice. Give you half the profit."

The Archlord only shook his head. Money was no longer his concern, and though he had a distinct dislike for thieves, they were not uncommon on Tatooine. Trying to chase them down was a waste of time. Graxin drew his hood over his head; looking very much the Jedi Master, and took his leave of the Rodian. He didn't like the creature, the Rodian was too damned slick.

That was when Graxin Rade felt something he had not expected here on Tatooine. The force, and not from himself. It permeated around the thief--a fleeing woman-- and spread in waves as she fled. The girl was force sensitive, and either didn't have the sense to conceal it here, or simply didn't know how. Perhaps she didn't know the force touched her at all.

Either way, Graxin broke into a mad dash. He urged those ahead of him to part way with a simple mental trick, and called upon the force to strengthen his legs. It would take far longer for the blademaster to tire before any normal being. He slowly began to gain ground on the thieving woman, his expression hidden well from the shadow of his hood.

His intentions were anyone's guess--he only hoped the merchant she had stolen from was not contracted by the Hutts. If that was the case, and she was caught...this could go very badly indeed.


[member="Amora Jade"]
 
No matter how hard she pushed it seemed like no one was going to move out of her way. One would think in a place full of people like her that they would do a fellow thief a favor and move, but they didn't. It didn't take long at all for the man to catch up to her considering his strength and ability to clear a crowd outweighed hers by a ton. Of course she hadn't been paying much attention to where she was going due to her panic; it caused her to end up in a corner with no way out other than to turn and fight.

Amora backed herself into the wedge between the two walls, almost hoping that somehow having them behind her would help. The man began to close in on her. His brute frame toward over the thief's and his shadow swallowed her whole. His face was an odd mess of scars and bruises that she could only guess were from a drunken brawl and a difficult job or two. His face twisted into a look that mixed both frustration and excitement that he had caught her.

Why did he care so much? It was one ring. It wasn't as if the thief had grabbed the whole stock, and they were probably struggling to keep the rest of the greedy hands away from the jewels now that there were less eyes to watch them. The sickening sound of his knuckles popping as he pushed on them with either hand forced the girl to swallow hard. He had weapons on him, but he didn't seem to be interested in using them.

That thought alone made her worry. People who would prefer to handle a thief with bare hands usually weren't only looking to get back what was stolen. It was incredibly unfortunate that she was a woman, a man might have gotten away with it or at least know how to fight.

Amora made sure there was enough room between her and the walls to possibly give her a chance to slip away if he took a swing at her. His feet hit the ground in such an angry stomp towards her that it would seem that the chock from them hitting the ground would travel up his bones, but he wasn't fazed.

"Where ya goin' now girl?" he drug out his last word in a way that made it sound like he was belittling her for being a female.

A lot of things she did deserved to be talked down against, she wasn't at all a good person, but the fact that she was a woman had nothing to do with it. The fact that the only reason he seemed to even want to chase her down was because of her gender irked the thief. Sure, she might deserve a beating but the reasoning couldn't be because she was presumed to be fragile.

Amora gritted her teeth and prepared herself as the man reared back with a closed fist, his elbow high in the air and his gaze cutting through the girl. Once he took his swing she knew what she was going to do- or at least try to do.

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
The crowd parted somewhat for Graxin as he made his final approach. He was no mentalist, and his influence only stretched to those with a weak will. Luckily, most of the people in Mos Eisley were run down and lacked much spirit. While it was a bit of a depressing thought, it benefited the Knight now.

Graxin slowed his pace to a brisk walk. There they were, the man and the thief, hidden away in one of the many nooks between Mos Eisley's buildings. Graxin reached for one of his two blades, a longer weapon bound in leather. His fingers encircled around the hilt, and his gait shifted room one of subtly to one of confidence. An air of authority seemed to ebb off of him as he drew closer and closer to the duo.

"The Obsidian Knights have need of this woman." He growled, doing his damnedest to imitate the force using sect that lorded over Tatooine alongside Danger. "She is a prisoner...if you will not give her to me, then I'll take her by force." Rade continued. He glanced at the girl for the slightest fraction of a moment, amber eyes twinkling with amusement.

If luck was with them, then this man wasn't with the Hutts. If it was not, then their guards would likely arrive soon...and that certainly wouldn't be good. Graxin was a skilled warrior, and excelled against multiple ranged opponents, but the Hutt enforcers were almost limitless here. He would not be able to put up a fight for very long.

"She belongs to me, and you're encroaching on my property, mutt." Graxin continued as he strode within striking distance of the man--and Amora. To emphasize his point, he clicked the ignition of his blade. The snap-hiss and the sudden appearance of the yellow beam would likely be noticed by...well, anyone nearby, but Graxin didn't much care. He wasn't a fan of how the man looked at the girl, nor was he going to allow this violence to happen for the sake of jewelry.


If there was one thing Graxin had learned from his tenure with the Sith, it was his own capacity for intimidation, something that tended to be far more effective against common thugs than force persuasion.

[member="Amora Jade"]
 
Just as the giant fist began to come forward towards Amora's face the man was spooked. He stopped mid-punch and looked over to who had just addressed him. Naturally, the thief did the same. The Obsidian Knights? she mentally questioned. There was nothing they could possibly want from the thief, she hadn't done anything to upset anyone of power that she knew of.

When the man claimed she was a prisoner she almost exploded with rage. For a moment she thought she was being the victim in a case of mistaken identity, and that was really the last thing she needed. Being thrown into a prison because whoever the man was couldn't tell that she wasn't the person he was looking for would sure be an awful way to go.

Before she had the chance to begin her intrusion into the conversation the man looked at her in a way that told her she ought to play along. Amora tilted her head a bit in an almost animalistic manner of questioning, then looked back at the brute who came after her. He was pissed.

She could hear the guard growling underneath his breath and knew that if the man who was- for what ever reason- helping her didn't bring him down a couple notches that the scene would get ugly, fast.

Before the brute could lash out at the newcomer a bright yellow beam of light interrupted his course. Suddenly all the intimidating noises and faces he was making disappeared and he backed away. Apparently he wasn't willing to take his chances against a weapon like that, and Amora really couldn't blame him.

The thief herself had turned her attention to watch the blade, almost afraid that if she got too close to it she would explode. Once the guard had disappeared into the crowd the thief looked away from the weapon and up to the man, wide eyed as she could get. She hadn't a clue who he was or what he wanted in return for helping her, so she kept her guard up.

"Umm.. thanks. I uh.. owe you one," the thief put on a nervous smile and began to slide against the wall opposite of the man in an attempt to keep her distance and to get away. She shuffled her feet until there wasn't any wall yet, then began to back away from him, "Yeah.. so thanks and bye." She could tell her voice wasn't near as confident as she wanted it to be, but it's all she could manage at the time. Her feet still moved slowly backwards; she would have just turned around and run had she not known he carried a weapon like that around with him.

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
Graxin lofted a brow at the thief. Was she trying to get away from him now?

The lightsaber gave one final hiss as it as the Knight errant doused it. He clipped the old weapon to his belt, and folded his arms over his chest. What she had done was wrong, and in Reformation space, punishable by a few days in a cell. The guard, while overzealous in what he likely wanted to do to the thief, had been in the right on that point. On that train of thought, Graxin stepped a bit closer, though not close enough to bring any sense of true discomfort beyond her possible fear of him. It was an action done simply to prevent her from dashing away.

"Try not to piss off the big ones." Graxin chided. He motioned with a nod toward the direction the guard had come from. Truly, Graxin had no clue as to what he was going to say to the girl. It was all improvisation. "Shouldn't really be stealing either, but I suppose everyone does it here."

He dropped his arms down to his sides, held out a hand, and looked at her expectantly. The ring wasn't hers--though Graxin possessed little intention of returning it to its owner. That one didn't seem to be the best of sorts. The Knight could find plenty of other uses for the jewelry. "C'mon then. If you need credits, I don't mind giving them, but the ring isn't yours." At his heart, Graxin had a white knight mentality. He'd never really stopped living in his fantasies, which annoyed his Padawan to no end. Graxin didn't much care.

It was then that movement came from the crowd. Movement with a purpose--stomping boots and the familiar click of a rifle's power cell coming to life. Graxin closed his eyes to a half-lidded state, and extended his consciousness all around for a moment.

Hutt soldiers, and quite a few of them. They had likely come for someone wielding a lightsaber: the weapon were great prizes among the trade lords of Tatooine. The Knight grimaced. "Hold that thought. Hutt people coming. You know you're way around here. You lead us away."

[member="Amora Jade"]
 
Amora gripped onto the small ring tightly, she almost forgot it was even there after all that. When the man asked her to hand it over she scowled at him. It was as much hers as it was his anyway. He had no right to it, she had at least gone through the trouble of taking it for herself, all he had done was walk up when that brute was trying to get it back- but wait, how had he known what she took anyway?

The moment her lips parted to question him the sounds of a crowd parting in fear and large boots hitting the ground shifted her attention to see a group of solders not too far away coming in their direction. Her heart began to race, she wasn't sure who they were coming after but she wasn't willing to stick around and find out. As she began to back away faster the man asked for her assistance in escaping the area.

At first she thought about just running out of there as fast as she could and leaving him behind, but she really didn't need another enemy on her hands. Besides, he did just help her out. The thief gritted her teeth and half rolled her eyes before addressing him, "If you can keep up I'll get you somewhere safe."

With that the girl pushed off on her heels and took off. Amora weaved around the bodies that were in her way, and rounded the nearest corner. Her hand pushed open a curtained doorway to run through a bakery. The people inside let out little yelps as they backed into whatever was behind them to avoid being pushed, then out the next draped doorway she leaped.

The place seemed to be built like an intricate maze of buildings, which in moments like this always worked in the thief's favor. Down several different short alleyways and around several more sharp corners she made her way across the old quarter, then back into just a bit to round several buildings until she was where she wanted to be.

The thief had never looked back to see if the man kept up with her until then, she leaned against the sand building to catch her breath and await her partner's presence for a moment. If he didn't show around the corner quickly she would dip into the doorway and let him fend for himself.

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
"Charmed." Graxin shot back. He let his arms fall down to his sides as she began to flee--no point trying to take the ring now. Clearly the prospect of handing it over had displeased the young woman. He cast a short look over his shoulder toward the direction that the soldiers seemed to be coming from....there were quite a few. More than he cared to deal with right, or any time really.

And so, Graxin took off after the nameless thief. He was quite a bit larger than she was, standing over two meters tall and not of a partiuclarly slim build. Where she ducked and weaved through a crowd, he clumbsily elbowed his way through. Use of the force only helped to a marginal degree, and it was all he could do to keep her within sight as they charged through the bakery.

The Knight would have been hopelessly lost on his own. He had no idea how to navigate through this maze. The area was entirely unknown to him, and he found himself struggling to keep up with the young woman. Younger than he, likely, but not by very much. his path diverged from hers more than once, and he had to rely on the force to get back to her.

The soldiers were giving chase as well, though their numbers and bulk made it much more difficult. They were being left far behind, and for that, Graxin was thankful.

He shot out right next to [member="Amora Jade"] a momeny later. His chest was heaving with heavy breaths, and he gave her a curious look, his eyes locked on hers. His hood had fallen away now, exposing a rather youthful face. He sported angular features, a thin beard, short black hair, and sharp amber eyes. The Knight gave a single look over his shoulder, and smiled.

"Far away, but gaining." He stated a bit cryptically. The force tended to do that. "Please don't sell me out. While it would make a wonderful story for my Padawan, I'm afraid I get upset when left in a cell. Claustrophobia, you know?"
 
The man caught up surprisingly enough. Somehow his large stature was able to push through the crowd and find the thief. It was a thought that made her more than a bit uncomfortable. Although she did want him to be able to get away and not be tortured by the Hutt guards she hated the idea that she was easy to find. Amora's gaze swept over the man. The running had caused his hood to be blown from his head, reveling the person hiding underneath. It made her feel a little better to see that somehow. Making him seem more human made him less threatening to her.

A small smirk crept on her lips when he revealed his fear of jail cells. They weren't something she particularly enjoyed being in either but someone as large as he would seem to have no small fear like that, "As badly as I could use those credits, I really don't want to be involved with them.. again." It had been a long time since she mistakenly stole from the Hutt, but her escape put her on their radar. The last thing she needed was to be recognized by one of them.

Amora motioned for the man to follow her inside the home. They were greeted by a woman holding an old knife in front of her in a defensive manner, "Calm down it's just me."

The knife was lowered and set down on the counter beside her, "Who is this?" Rayana motioned to the unfamiliar man as she questioned.

"Oh come on mother, I don't question the men you bring home," sarcasm rang clearly through the thief's voice as she spoke. Still her mother looked at the man and smiled. Amora rolled her eyes and grabbed a glass to fill with water, "He needed help... Hutt."

Rayana's eyes widened a bit as she scanned the stranger. As the sight of his weapon she nodded and looked up at him, "How did you find yourself on this scum of a planet?" she started before turning to grab another glass, "Water?"

Amora removed the hood from her head and fingered through her thick hair to make it lay comfortably before lifting the glass to her lips and taking a long drink. After a run like that in Tatooine heat she needed it. The thief turned to face her mother and the man as she leaned against a wall to watch his reactions. She was sure he didn't expect to be brought to her home, but it really was the safest place to go. They lived in a horribly placed home, but it was discreet.

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
So she was involved with the Hutts at some point? To be truthful, Graxin wasn't entirely surprised. The vast majority of people on Tatooine ended up involved with them--whether it was trade, debts, or some deal for glory, the Hutts had their greasy fingers in every aspect of Tatooine life. He breathed a relieved sigh as she assured him he was safe; somewhat anyway. "If it's credits you need, I can go dance out in the middle of the bazaar. I'm sure the locals would shower me in credits chips."

He met he smirk with a small, amused little smile. Respectfully, he bowed his head as she opened the doors. What he did not expect was to see a woman armed with a knife on the other side of the door. His first instinct was to wrench the weapon from her fingers with the force, but the girl--he still had no idea what he name was-- seemed at ease around her.

The Knight remained silent throughout their exchange, and adopted a confused look as the older of the two women asked if he wanted water. Graxin was never the most social of people. The majority of his life had been spent under the watchful eye of the Graug Lords and their Sith master. He only ever dealt with humans when he was tasked with hunting them down, and until he joined the Jedi Order, his contact with others of his species was minor at best. Over time, he'd learned how to deal with other Jedi and the Republic soldiers, but normal folk trying to carve their way through the corruption were a mystery to him.

"I uh...I'm fine, thank you ma'am." he murmured quietly. He bowed slightly forward, and tilted his head up to look at the two women.

That was when he caught sight of the girl who had led him from the Hutt enforcer's. She was a beauty--the majority of force sensitive women were, it seemed. He should not have been surprised, but the girl stole his breath for the moment. She resembled one of his old masters more than he liked to admit; one of the Sith Lords who had shown him some measure of mercy during his tenure as the Emperor's Hand. The Knight breathed a quiet sigh, and for the slightest fraction of a moment, he stared, though it was wholly noticeable.

"I was speaking to an old friend before I went to the northern side of the rim." he stammered as he returned to his full height; regaining his composure. "My name is Graxin, and I'm with the Jedi Order...thank you for your help, Miss...?"


He lofted a brow at the girl.

[member="Amora Jade"]
 
Rayana had always been quite hospitable. No matter who came into her home she would always offer water, even if they were there to try and arrest her. For some odd reason the woman thought that by offering a cool drink on a hot day would bring out the best in people, and so far she was right.

The thief smiled a bit at the slight bow the man gave them. It was unusual to see such manners in a place like that. Of course, she never really met anyone on friendly enough terms for a proper introduction. Amora lifted the glass to her lips again to finish off the last bit of water she had poured herself. As she lowered it and her eyes came over the top of the glass she caught the glimpse of the man staring at her.

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion then she turned to look behind her, thinking maybe he saw something strange. The girl returned her gaze to him when she saw nothing and shook her head slightly, maybe her hair just looked worse than normal. she trailed her fingers through it again in an attempt to fix whatever it was he stared at.

Rayana looked at the man then back at Amora before letting out a small laugh as he introduced himself. It was obvious to her what he did, though to the thief who hadn't a clue her reaction was confusing.

"Uh.. Jade," she replied as she narrowed her eyes at her mother then looked back at their guest. She was never very good at trying to guess what she was thinking. The girl set her glass down on the counter and pushed herself off the wall she was leaning on.

For the first time since she was caught, she opened up the palm of her right hand to reveal the ring that lied underneath her fingers. It wasn't super fancy but it was nice. It had a silver band and a small red stone that sat on top of a flower shaped piece of metal. Along the band were carvings in the shape of leaves, she figured they were trying to pull off a rose, and they didn't do a bad job of it.

Ignoring Graxin's earlier request of giving the ring to him she slid it on the ring finger of her right hand. It fit beautifully, she might actually keep this one instead of giving it to her mother to sell.

"I'm going to find some food to buy, I'll be back in a bit. Try to stay out of trouble," Rayana started as she gathered her pouch and headed out the door. She stopped to smile at the stranger before opening the door, "It was nice meeting you. I hope you stay out of the Hutt's grasp." With that she headed out of the home, pulling her own cloak's hood over her head before shutting the door behind her. It would have been an awkward situation if the thief wasn't lost in the trance the ring put her in.

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
And then they were alone. Graxin really should have just left then. The suns were going to be coming down soon, and he needed to be leaving Tatooine. Still, the threat of the Hutts finding him on his walk back to the ship was enough to keep him stuck in lace for now. The older woman had seemed nice enough--and undoubtedly had caught his look at her daughter. The Knight's face had flushed a faint shade of red when she laughed, but it seemed that the younger woman was too busy observing her new prize to notice. Thank the force for that. This wasn't the time to be ogling young women. He was a Jedi, one of the only true Jedi left. Wandering eyes were not something he could afford to have.

Graxin breathed quiet sigh. He couldn't afford to leave yet, what was he supposed to say? The majority of young men might try to flirt, or make the girl laugh. Graxin just stood there, frozen. His lips parted, but the usual witty comments he found himself so keen on throwing about would not come to him. His mouth suddenly felt quite a bit drier, and the process of articulating words became a monumental task rather than something that came with ease.


"I won't try to take it from you." He stammered with all the tact of a drunken bantha. For the moment, Graxin ceased to be the leader of the Jedi Reformation and an upcoming master. He became an awkward, bumbling idiot with little experience dealing with average people, let alone those of the opposite sex. It was somewhat new, and Graxin did not do new very well. Not at all if he could help it.

"I mean...you need it, right?" he only paused a moment. "Not that it matters..erhm. Thank you for the help. With the enforcers. The Hutt enforcers." The Knight frowned at himself, and reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Would've been captured."


[member="Amora Jade"]
 
The beauty of her price held her attention longer than it should have. Amora loved the way the light reflected off the stone and metal. She could have stayed lost in it for days had the realization that she wasn't alone not hit her. Without lowering her hand she let her eyes snap back up to meet the man's. When he said he wasn't going to take it from her all she could think was that she wouldn't let him anyway. The thief would put up a fight to keep the things she earned.

It took effort to keep down a sarcastic laugh. Did he really think he could? Sure he had a weapon that scared her, but she was stubborn. The way he struggled with his words confused her, made her wonder if he wasn't feeling well.

Amora really didn't know what to do. For a moment she just stared at him before clearing her throat to respond, "Yeah well.." she shrugged a bit and closed her ringed hand before continuing, "I owed you right? You helped me. I didn't wanna be in debt to you."

The thief chewed her lip for a second and looked around, looking for something- anything- to make the encounter just a tad bit less awkward. She would offer him water had he not turned it down before, f only her mother had not left.

A small sigh escaped her as her gaze fell on Graxin again, catching the sight of the weapon. "So.. where do you get something like that?" she asked. At first the question was to just make conversation, but she realized her curiosity about it was there after all.

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
There was something off. It wasn't the girl--Jade she'd called herself-- but something more malicious. Graxin sensed the sharp point of her emotions. He was no empath, but all who were trained in the Force could garner the base feelings of those who were not. No, Jade was not malicious, she was greedy. Perhaps too much. He had initially intended to seek her out and drag her to the Order when he sensed her sensitivity to the force, but training one of her age, and with desires such as herself, was not wise. He decided not to mention her possible talents.

"I don't believe in debt. I've been in it, it's not fun." Graxin replied with a bit more ease. He was slipping into his old persona now, one of an Imperial Agent. Speaking with Jade would be easier that way. "Though, like I said, I can go dance for credits if you want them. My hips don't lie." The Knight snickered, and dropped his arms down to his sides. He adopted a warm and honest smile. One that had melted the heart of a smuggler years ago, and only resulted in broken hearts and shattered alliances. Even with that knowledge, Graxin never hesitated to present it.

"I built it. It's a lightsaber, the weapon of the Jedi Order. It's our symbol, or it was....I'm no longer apart of the main Order," Not that you've even heard of them. "It'll cut through most anything, except butter. Never butter, for whatever reason." He was easing further into the conversation. It became something natural again, like breathing. He strode partway across the room, letting his gloved hands run across the top of a table.

The malicious feeling was still there, but he just couldn't pin it down. "Afraid they don't sell them at the market. Damn shame."

[member="Amora Jade"]
 
When Graxin mentioned him dancing for money again and added his joking comment at the end Amora couldn't keep control of her imagination long enough to prevent it from giving her the mental picture of him dancing like one of those women in bars. It took everything she had in her not to laugh, it actually hurt.

His explanation about the weapon was all but satisfying. The thief had never heard what most of the things were he mentioned, like the "order." The lack of knowledge was irritating to her. The girl hated the feeling that someone was belittling her intelligence because of her ignorance towards certain subjects. It wasn't like there were many people out there that would just sit a thief down and tell her all about the things that wouldn't concern her.

Instead of questioning him and showing her stupidity she simply nodded and tried to look as if she knew exactly what he was talking about, and she almost took his butter comment seriously because of it. It only took her a second to realize it what a joke and she let out the smallest laugh, hoping he hadn't noticed and wouldn't say anything. Not that she cared what he thought, it was about her pride.

Amora's eyes glanced down at the saber several times as he talked, but she tried to hide it. She wanted it. The thief could only wonder what riches she would get for something like that, or maybe she would just keep it for herself. Something to defend herself with wouldn't hurt to have, and if it did what he said it could...

"Can I see it?" the words escaped her lips before she had a chance to keep them back. She didn't want to look guilty, but she wanted to get a good enough look at it to see what she was up against- and maybe hold it to gauge its weight. The thief didn't really think he'd let her- he would know better than that, but if he did she could map out how to take it. To see how easy it would be to conceal.

"I uh.. well like you said, they don't exactly sell them in the market."

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
Graxin liked hearing her laugh more than he should have, no matter how menial it was. He wanted to make her chuckle again, just to hear the sweet melody. It was not okay. He often chided his Padawan for allowing a pretty face to sway his thoughts, and the Knight was proving to be a hypocrite right now. He shook his head slowly, and breathed a quiet sigh. he needed to have his thought serene right now, not clouded by a childish desire.

Should he let her see the weapon? It was the culmination of his own success, a symbol of his perseverance. As an apprentice, he had spent weeks meticulously working on the blade. Building it only to have it fail, disassembling it, and then rebuilding it again. When it finally worked, the Knight had been overcome with joy. The weapon itself had never left his side since. Was it smart to entrust such a weapon to Jade--a woman whom had already proven herself to be a thief-- after only knowing her for such little time.

"I don't think that'd be the best idea. I hurt myself when I handled a lightsaber for the first time without any training. Badly. I'm afraid you might do the same." He explained. It was an excuse, but also a legitimate fear. Graxin had spent over a month soaked in bacta to heal that grievous wound. He did not wish the same for Jade.

And then there was that sense of malevolence, growing ever closer as time passed.

"I wouldn't be a good guest if your arm was severed, now would I?"

[member="Amora Jade"]
 
The itch was getting worse. The more she thought about it the more she wanted to take something. Just to experience the thrill of it, of nearly getting caught or simply getting away. Her fingers trembled in anticipation. She could feel herself falling victim to her need, and it wasn't going to be pretty if she didn't do something about it. Amora would end up doing something stupid and reckless to get what she wanted if she didn't find a way to distract herself.

When Graxin turned down her request it was more than a little bit disappointing, though she knew he would. The sliver of hope to handle the weapon burned away, leaving behind the absolute need to take it for herself anyway. The thief shook her head a bit and turned to face a barrel that laid on the counter that her empty glass was sitting on. She took the mug in her hand and placed it underneath the spout that was hammered into the side of the barrel before pushing it to release the wonderfully bitter liquid the girl craved so often.

She only let it fill half way before she lifted the cool glass to her lips in a manner that was almost desperate. The ale cascaded over her tongue and down her throat, a trail of heat was left behind at it made its way into her belly. It took only a moment for her to finish what was in the glass then pour herself more before turning to face the man again.

With a nod and half a smile she finally spoke again, "So uh.. how exactly do you go about making something so strong? It doesn't seem possible, really." The question was presented to do nothing more than to distract herself further than the ale could. The thief tried so many times to drown the itch with alcohol, but often came out with little to no success. She realized quickly that she was being rude, and knew how her mother would nag her if she will still there, "Oh! Did you want some? I know water isn't your thing but... ale."


[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
Sweet wasn't the word Graxin would have used to describe Jade, not yet anyway, but considerate fit. He offered her a small smile, and tilted his head forward slightly, conceding. "Just a little, if that's alright. I can pay you for it." he replied. The Knight strode over to Jade, content to keep his eyes plastered on the barrel rather than the young woman. He needed discipline, not...whatever this was.


"It's very difficult...it took me a few weeks, and I barely finished it even then. You take a focusing crystal, an emitter, and a metal of your choosing...it sounds simple, but you can't build it with your hands. You have to use the Force to make each part work the way it should." He paused. Now was not the time to drone on, and it seemed she might not know what the force even was. Graxin brought a fist up to his lips, and coughed politely. "The Force is an energy field all around us. It touches everything. Binds it together. Steers us in the right direction, or leads us astray." He explained. "I know it sounds silly. I thought it was stupid when I heard about it....but it's there."

Graxin held a gloved hand forward. His fingers outstretched toward the table that he had run his fingers across earlier. Suddenly, it began to lift. His brow knit in concentration, and it went higher, suspended a full meter off the ground. It came to a halt there, and Graxin's expression relaxed, though he did not lower his hand. "The Jedi serve the force and the people of the galaxy. We help anyone we can, and use the force for good. Our enemies, the Sith, use it to control people, steal, slaughter, and make themselves gods. They step on anyone they need to in order to achieve this."

He then lowered the table, the strain of the act bringing forth a deep sigh from the back of his throat. He wasn't tired, simply mentally strained. "I know you probalby don't care, which is fine. I just like talking about it. Helps my ego, y'know?" The Knight snickered and stuck out his tongue playfully. He settled back against one of the walls, and looked up toward the ceiling.

There it was again. Something wrong. A source of malevolence that.....

"...Something is coming. Do you have any weapons?"

[member="Amora Jade"]
 
Though Amora knew her mother would try to beat her to a pulp for making a guest pay for something she offered him, she strongly considered taking his money. It was obvious just by looking at the home that they needed it anyway. The thief turned to fill his glass just a bit and listen to his explanation of how the impossible weapon was made. Again it was like he was speaking a different language to her. She only heard of things that weren't directly connected to her way of life every now and then when she listened in on conversations in taverns.

She turned to face him again when he tried to explain to her what the force was exactly, but she still wasn't quite grasping the concept. It seemed like something people who were really high would talk about, not something that actually existed. Amora started to extend her hand with the mug that held a bit of ale to him, but froze in the middle of the act due to his display.

The thief stared at the table in disbelief. Was it some kind of trick? It couldn't be, he wouldn't have time to set something like that up... would he? She needed more ale.

Quickly she finished off her own mug, then what little she had in his. She needed it worse. The table was lowered and suddenly she realized her breath had been held. The girl gasped for air as quietly as she could, still dumbfounded by the display. Amora swallowed hard and tried at a laugh, but came up empty. Something like that she knew had to be dangerous, and something she thought was probably hunted.

The thief didn't realize that she had been staring at the man until he asked about weapons. "I uh... no. I mean, yeah the knife but no," she shook her head slowly the entire time she spoke. She still wasn't quite sure what exactly was going on at all, but she walked to the counter the knife was sitting on and set down the glasses to replace them with it. The girl turned to face the man and held it up with a shrug, "It isn't much..."

[member="Graxin Rade"]
 

Placeholder 0123

Guest
P
Graxin didn't catch her staring, thankfully. His wishful mind would have thought it to be because she was interested in him, not the lightsaber. That was what she wanted anyway, the Knight had surmised that much shortly after he had accompanied her into her home. It was likely all she wanted from him; that was no surprise. People tended to try and use him for their own benefit, but no more.

Regardless, he cracked an amused little smile as she held up the knife. Clearly, he had either made her uncomfortable or made her think he was playing some sort of trick. Whatever the case, a knife wouldn't do. Not now. The Knight reached into his belt, dug about for a bit, and tossed a small object toward Jade. It was a holdout blaster, one used by politicians for self-defense. Not very powerful, but easy to use, and the power cell would last for days. It was suitable for spur of the moment situations.

"Take this. It's better than getting in someone's face....and set it to stun. I'd prefer not to kill anyone." Graxin explained. He moved to the center of the room, and ignited the yellow blade. From the folds of his leather robes, he pulled free a second lightsaber, one of a sleeker design. The blade hissed as it came alive, producing an unsettling black blade rimmed with white. "We have visitors."

The door was forced open by the heavy foot of a Trandoshan. The Hutt Enforcer snarled as he brought up a disruptor to fry the duo--Graxin hurled a wall of telekinetic energy at the intruder. He and his comrades were sent fling back into the roadway, their bones shattered. Still more came. Some found their way in through the windows, other simply made holes in the walls. All converged on Graxin, the lightsabers were a beacon after all, and he was caught in a dance of deflection, sending bolts hurtling back toward his foes as each sword carved beautiful lines around him.

"Run!" Graxin ordered as he crossed swords with a human enforcer. The Hutts must have had a force sensitive among them, it was the only way they could have found the duo....



[member="Amora Jade"]
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom