Old Times or a New Start?

[thegreatbeyonder]

One massive, planet-wide city housing a trillion souls, Coruscant was an easy place to get lost. Even under the watchful eyes of Sith Lords who house themselves in its wealthy centers, it is impossible to catch every unwanted guest; especially those who have yet to make a name for themselves.

A small, hand-me-down transport landed in the heart of one of the surface's many entertainment districts. Cantinas, brothels, clubs, and casinos of all class and type could be found along the intricately designed streets. Landing struts hissed, the ramp lowered and a casually dressed man walked off and onto the steelcrete landing pad. Two amber eyes scanned the scene, a small alien crew rushed up to begin fueling and logging procedures.

Stepping up from between two armed guards was a particularly nasty looking Chiss. "Three hundred credits," his hand went out following a slight grin.

Arian's eyes seemed to be looking at everything except him. Without a response the spacer stepped past the Chiss whose guards closed the pathway behind them.

"You must be an off-worlder... Tell you what, I'll let this misunderstanding go and drop the price to a more reasonable one-hundred fifty." This time the alien's voice seemed less than friendly.

"I'll give you fifty credits for the space, and another twenty-five for the inconvenience," Arian turned to face the Chiss. "Reasonable?"

The Chiss' smirk quickly became a frown, "I don't think you understand... This is my landing pad, Coruscant can be a dangerous place. The fee allows me to hire my friends here to adequately protect your vessel from thieves and such." The two henchmen moved forward whilst Arian's eyes were away, nearly pushing up against the man.

"One hundred credits, and we'll call it fair. Otherwise I'm taking my ship and leaving." His hand went to his hip, subtly revealing a blaster pistol.

A blue hand went up, gesturing to the henchmen. The armed guards walked off towards the way they came. "We have a deal, but I suggest being more cooperative... We wouldn't want any unfortunate accidents to happen. How can my guards do an adequate job when they're in a bad mood?" The Chiss took out his datapad with one hand, and laid his palm flat with the other.

Arian took out a few credit chits, handing them to the Chiss who didn't hesitate to snag them. "Pleasure doing business," once more the smirk was revealed and the Chiss walked off towards the small office near the dock.

With that out of the way, Arian began his trip towards the district's center on foot.

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

Coruscant wasn't quite as unfamiliar to Sayl as it might be to the average traveler, nor was she as easily overwhelmed by the sheer number of people that inhabited the planet and things with which to occupy her time. No, venues like this were her playground. As a pickpocket first and foremost, bigger cities were always the preferable hideaway. Entire planets covered in a sprawling metropolis were even better, especially if they were ruled by Sith Lords who thought themselves all-powerful, overlooking most crime, or at least that of the petty sort. It made getting by easier for people like her, and surviving was a breeze. But that was before you factored in the various gangs that called the streets home, along with all manner of others with more skewed morals than her own.

Or, at least, those less subtle. It had been a few days since she began wandering the spaceport, carefully observing any and all activity, whether legal or illegal, that went on among the docked cruisers and corvettes. The Chiss and his lackeys were always present, it seemed, swindling any and every individual that landed here out of a hundred or more credits with as much ease as she could do the same, only far less obviously. They were an interesting bunch to keep an eye out for, all told, but at the end of the day any competition was only an annoyance. One way to deal with that was to skim off the top and take what was hers to begin with, whether they realized it or not. It was only fair, and some may have called it poetic justice.

To her it was simply living. Growing up on the streets of Nal Hutta didn't afford someone time to grow into any sort of healthy morality. Instead you had to learn how to handle yourself and make what credits you could through whatever means possible. Other times, payback was key. This was one of those. Nonchalantly she pushed off the wall she had been previously leaning against, already having calculated what it would take for her path to intersect casually enough with the unsuspecting Chiss. Without breaking her stride she bumped into him enough to create a distraction, lifting the credits within the same breath and turning her head to make some kind of halfhearted apology before carrying on.

Credits threaded through her fingers and into an empty pocket with practiced ease. Dark eyes scanned the streets for the one they belonged to, locating the man easily enough. And so she set off after him, pace casual, relative concern low. It wasn't her priority that his credits get returned to him, but she figured it was part of the right thing to do. Besides, she had taken enough from the men to have more than enough left over for herself. She was supposed to be a Jedi of some kind, and this was just another step forward in obtaining that title. If she was going to do anything for this galaxy and combat the evil that her twin helped instigate by his position as a Sith Lord, then this was the preliminary step.

Just as she had done with the men before she bumped into this one as well, though with more of a finesse that allowed her to allot him the credits he'd given away to the Chiss and his goons. Her pace slowed so she could walk beside him, teeth toying with her lip ring. "Thought those belonged to you. Next time just shoot 'em in the back and be on your way. Guys like that aren't worth the credits. You really must be new here." Turning her head to appraise him she looked him up and down as if gauging his relative skill and worth. He had caught her attention, and so she would stick around until her company was no longer wanted or needed. Or maybe it hadn't been in the first place. "Name's Sayl."

[member="Arian Lenar"]

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

At some point the familiarity of the core had become obscured as one spends time away. The last time he walked here was when the planet had been the Republic's capital, not the Sith's. One fact was true, however, Arian was very much new to this part of Coruscant. Back when the man was barely more than a boy in service to the Republic Navy, he had found himself often in the commercial and administrative district of the planet's corrupt, political heart.

The dark haired young woman surprised him, coming up almost silently and offering the credits he had given the Chiss. "Thank you," his eyes turned to meet hers, showing that he had some sense of social manners. His hand wrapped around the credits inside his pocket, forcing a small smile to his lips. "You can call me Arian. The core must've changed since I was gone, last time I checked pickpockets weren't in it for the social justice."

Of course it might've been she had other motives for returning his credits. "And I don't kill those who don't deserve it, I reckon under Sith occupation that scum like him are all that keeps things from going to hell. Provides jobs, delivers food to a family's table... Maybe even paves way for refugees to be smuggled off-world." Maybe that was his idealism talking, but as despicable as it often was the criminal underworld was sometimes all that held a falling nation together. If the Republic hope to return here once again, they'll need the support of the people--that means until the day comes someone who isn't a Sith must hold influence over them.

However; Arian wasn't much interested in such things. Certainly he disliked the Sith, but he disliked the Republic equally so. There were those who claim, "choose the lesser of the two evils," but in reality he saw it was a compromise. People giving up their principles out of fear and desperation, losing everything they've fought for just to appease a weak philosophy that everything is either black or white, good or evil; right or wrong.

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

Sometimes it was funny to observe how people unused to the true undercity of Coruscant behaved. Or maybe that was just Sayl. While the air he carried about himself was casual enough, this Arian stood out to someone like her, who had learned to blend seamlessly into almost every scenario. That was how she had made it all these years with mostly just herself to watch her back. "You walk all wrong." Maybe not the greatest conversation starter, but she had always been good at observing people for even the most miniscule traits that caused them to stand out. "You were in the military, weren't you?" It was easy to tell, at least for her, by his gait and how he carried himself. That sort always had a way about them that was hard to explain.

One shoulder lifted in a shrug at his thanks, something she thought entirely unnecessary, not to mention strange. It wasn't often someone actually praised her for stealing from another, but it wasn't like she was about to complain. A little commendation was nice, every once in awhile. "It's not a big deal. An easy lift, really." That tended to be the case when one's targets considered themselves nigh untouchable. The only individuals easier to get one up on were those like Arian himself: new to the area and not as wise to their ways. Someone had been bound to take advantage of him eventually, and she saw it as a happy coincidence that she had been around to mediate things, even if it was by committing another crime.

Her amusement only seemed to heighten at his comment in regards to pickpockets, eyes flashing crimson for the briefest of seconds, that one involuntary gesture holding its own sort of secrecy. With the shift of a hand reaching up she revealed the saber hilt concealed within the inside pocket of the jacket she wore before letting it fall into hiding once more. That would do enough to answer his unspoken question, but as always, she had a comment of her own to back it up. "That's because I'm not just a pickpocket." As she knew very well, appearances often lied.

Which brought to mind, of course, exactly who and what he was. Not Force sensitive, from her initial determination, and he didn't seem one to be in league with either the Jedi or the Sith. That last one would be figured out soon enough, if he blew the whistle on her little reveal. Hopefully he wouldn't. There was already enough going on in her life, it felt like, without having to worry about being hunted by the Sith on their own capital world. With any luck this would amount to just another casual encounter that offered a new perspective on the ever-expanding galaxy the both of them called home. That would be a nice, relaxed change of pace.

A quiet scoff passed her lips at the final few sentences he spoke. "Who said he doesn't deserve it? You're new here, said so yourself. Trust me when I say people like him aren't worth it. He's killed people before who aren't quite so generous. Just be thankful you were stupid enough to compromise." Okay, maybe she was being a bit too harsh, but no one ever learned through people holding their hand along the way. That simply wasn't how things operated in places like this. "I can't really say much, seeing as how I'm a thief myself, but there are people that this galaxy is better off without, no matter what greater good they're supposedly providing. Sometimes you have to kill the few to save the many."

[member="Arian Lenar"]

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

Arian didn't mind the company; even though it was somewhat odd to have a follower--let alone one who was a pickpocket among other things.

"Military, me? Nah, I just like to walk fancy," he shrugged off he question with a sarcastic response.

Once upon a time he was in the Navy, but that was something he put well behind him. If there's anything he promised to never do again, it was serving any nation willingly. Joining the Republic Navy was a mistake, he witnessed events that no one should witnessed and despised both the Republic and Sith for putting people through it. Then again, he also learned that sometimes you have to do bad things when necessary. Helping without caution only led to further wrongdoings down the road. Support the poor, and those around them might grow jealous. How's that for a society?

Still, he did loosen up, although some what begrudgingly as he didn't want it to seem like he was doing it just because she mentioned it. "No, I'm sure he's a real sleemo, but then again if I did kill him what would that mean? Perhaps someone worse would move in. Someone who's aware the last guy got whacked, so this new king of his petty little world fancies reacting violently first. Then a decade later this district is nothing more than a refugee camp controlled by the various gangs and cartels. Maybe it pisses off a certain Sith trying to make it big within his circle, so he takes control and ends up mass-murdering a bunch of innocents. So maybe guys like him are better kept in check than killed." That was a mouthful, she was probably wondering when he'd shut up.

Yet during his little talk he stopped in front of a certain destination, above a rather discreet building off a side street was a sign that read 'InterGalactic Exports.'

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

In mock scrutinization Sayl squinted up at him, head tilting slightly to one side, though her determination had already been made, and she would be hard-pressed to change it. It would take much more than a few words spoken in dissuasion by him, at any rate, and a much better job at convincing her with his actions as well. But she wouldn't say anything in retaliation, at least not immediately, seeming satisfied with all that he had done to clean up his act, or at least appear like he somewhat belonged in and was adjusted to places like this. Truth be told, there were still things she could nitpick about if she truly wished, but she would let him be. He was trying, and that was more than could be said for most.

Absently she kicked a pebble ahead of her, seeming only vaguely interested in the current conversation. "You're a bad liar, too." A crooked smile wormed its way onto her face, and once again she shrugged. "Doesn't really matter, I guess. I was just wondering." This was the first real interaction she'd had with another sentient in months, unless pickpocketing and other small-time thievery was now listed as a social affair. It was nice to speak with another and actually be spoken to in return, even if the topic was rather mundane and not comprised of anything really conducive to either of their lives. Being in the presence of another and being acknowledged was enough.

Just as he had with her she listened to all that he had to say with a careful ear, even if she didn't necessarily agree with the entirety of it. It was interesting enough to hear another point of view, especially one from a man that didn't have the experience she did when it came to survival on the streets. "Maybe, maybe not. Sometimes it's better when the gangs move in. Not for everybody, sure, but I've seen it become a lot more organized. The only time that becomes a problem is when somebody gets big ideas to start taking over territory. Then it's bloody." She frowned slightly, seeming troubled by those thoughts for a moment. "And the Sith don't care about anyone down here." Even if she was the twin sister of one of the Hands of the Dark Lord.

The building they halted progress near didn't escape her attention. If anything, it only garnered it and piqued her curiosity. She had learned a long time ago that not many did things without good reason, and she couldn't assume this man to be any different, regardless of where he originally came from. No matter what he liked to say, he had a purpose here more than simply refueling before continuing on his merry way. "So, are you gonna tell me why you stopped here, or am I supposed to guess?" Another few seconds were devoted to studying the sign emblazoned with the name of this company. "You don't strike me as much of a businessman."

[member="Arian Lenar"]

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

He didn't mind the conversation either. In fact, it was an enjoyable walk and what she said had a certain sense of wisdom all in its own. Maybe he didn't agree with it entirely, but he could respect her own experiences on this world to an extent. After all, it wasn't like he grew up in the streets of Coruscant or anything... A military brat like him might've had it tough, but it was a different kind of tough. Comparing the two would be pointless. Each had a story to tell, that's the only fact he knew to be true in all cases.

Arian took out a small data chit containing various codes that didn't seem formatted in any readable way. It looked more like a puzzle, actually. Turning to Sayl, "I don't know, really. I just thought I'd stop here... Care to join me? Hell if you're looking for a job, they might even have an opening." He smirked before walking up to the door, standing in front of a keypad and discretely punching in a code.

The reinforced door slid open, the spacer walking in and turning back. If she was going to come with now was the time.

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

There was no point in attempting to disguise her skepticism and relative curiosity, and so Sayl didn't try in the least, giving the building another once-over with a furrowed brow. Sure, it didn't exactly look like the sort of place where the wrong crowd would hang out, but anything could look pristine while still hiding venom-coated fangs beneath the surface. If her childhood on Nal Hutta had taught her anything, it was that most people weren't to be trusted, and Arian certainly fell into that realm, more so after the apparent key had been produced. Her hand drifted to rest near the inside pocket of her jacket where her saber was concealed, this scenario one misstep away from taking a turn for the worst.

Her senses extended outwards to encompass more of the immediate area, crimson flickering in dark irises. "I don't have any reason to trust you half as far as I can throw you. You know, normally this kind of thing would get you killed by someone who has an itchier trigger finger than I do." Begrudgingly she stepped forward to once more walk beside him, though she didn't relax in the least. Nor would she, until she was given a better idea of just what was going on and where 'here' was, exactly. This was adding up to be more sketchy than she would have liked, and it had only been around ten minutes. "What kind of jobs do you mean, anyway? I'm only really good as a pickpocket. The other half of my job description isn't up for grabs."

[member="Arian Lenar"]

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

Arian walked deeper into the building, entering a room, at first glance it seemed in need of some aesthetic updates, as much of the styles and technology predated the old Galactic Empire. Other than the two of them, there was no one in the room to speak of. Then suddenly--out of nowhere--a hinge on the wall unlocked, allowing a small gatekeeper droid to procure itself from the framework. The robotic eyeball moved about, taking a careful glance at Arian and his surprise guest before disappearing back into the hole it came from, the hinge closing shut behind it.

"I hate those things," he muttered, keeping a hand close to his blaster pistol. Several moments later, a table and chair sank into the ground, allowing the wall behind it to push back and pull to the side, revealing a hidden corridor that led deeper within the structure. "I've never actually been here--mind you. But I have a contact who's supposed to be here... I'm honestly not sure what we'll find inside. You don't have to trust me, but you said it yourself; I'm not from around here. I have as much reason to be suspicious as you do." He said as he walked down the hallway.

Whether or not she followed, he kept his pace and eventually stumbled upon what looked far more on par with current technological standards. This time it was filled with people, most of which were aliens who seemingly didn't notice or care to notice the human. A shadowy figure approached a counter to the right of Arian, announcing loudly in basic, "Aha! So you've finally found your way, have you?" The near-human grinned. The man who spoke to Arian was surprisingly well dressed, and clean, when compared to the others. "I was beginning to think I had to find myself a new courier, Arian."

"A new courier? Hell, Verun, you couldn't afford anyone better than me."

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

Every precise detail of the rooms and hallways they passed through on the way to their destination was carefully scrutinized, every detail committed to memory. There was no reason for her to find any sort of comfort in the fact that he was supposedly new here as well, and she regarded that attempt at reassurance as nothing more than just that. His word meant nothing to her, and had this been Nal Hutta she would have been hard-pressed to follow. That wasn't to say Coruscant ranked much higher on the list of desirable planets, but at the very least people here were just as likely to slit your throat as rob you. On her homeworld, it was far more of the former.

As he stepped forward she hung back for a few seconds, allowing him a head start of a few feet before following. All the better to remain some distance away so if things were to go awry she would have some room to work with. Perhaps not the most honorable strategy, but when survival was one of the few instincts you ever learned to nourish, it came second-nature. Her hand remained close to the saber concealed within her jacket, prepared to ignite the plasma blade at any second. It figures, on the day I don't bring a gun along... A slugthrower tended to draw less eyes than the so-called weapon of the Jedi, and she didn't enjoy turning any more heads than necessary.

The moment he was greeted by the man she slugged him on the shoulder, it hard to tell whether the gesture was playful or entirely serious. "Becei kanway ah'chu doth." She stayed closed to the fringes of the group gathered, sticking close to Arian. He was about the only one she could trust, even if that had been built on shaky ground that seemed to be growing more unstable by the second. It was better than nothing, and she had worked with nothing long enough to not want to do so ever again. "You've got a funny way of not knowing anyone, kantasiua." She let her gaze linger over the individuals assembled, instinctually discerning who the easiest targets would be. "What's all this about, then?'

[member="Arian Lenar"]

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

The hit--even if playful--was slightly rough nonetheless, Arian reacted audibly, trying to conceal the groan by keeping his mouth closed. Reassuring his colleagues, who were now staring at the young woman standing near him, the courier gave off a phony smile. "This is a friend of mine, she might actually be interested in a job," he explained briefly. Everyone except Verun quickly returned to their attention to whatever it was they had been doing prior; Verun himself didn't seem amused by the proposition. "You know we don't bring strangers here," the near-human waved his hand dismissively towards Sayl.

"Now wait a minute," he turned his head towards her before returning his attention to Verun, "I do what I'm supposed to do, you have me meet you all the way out here in the core. I'm not really interested in returning to here of all places, especially now that it's under Sith rule. I won't speak for her either, but you better consider the necessity of having an operative who actually knows Coruscant a lot better than I do." The argument was somewhat weak, but Arian at least felt he made a point. He wasn't even sure why he decided to defend his new friend, especially since she never specified any interest in having a job here. Maybe it was just a reaction.

"Hah! Alright, I'll consider it, but don't pretend that you hate the core so much. The only reason you stay way is because you turned your back on these worlds," Verun grinned. "So don't go around acting like you're a Jedi Knight, doing only what's right for the galaxy; you're a courier like me--we don't do right or wrong." With that said, Arian didn't have anything to say in response. Even his facial expressions were just as nondescript as his thought process. For the most part he had spaced out the entire conversation, no longer interested in hearing what Verun had to say.

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

There was one factor that was capable of either making or breaking her membership, but it held such a weight behind it that Sayl was hesitant in bringing the subject to light. As was common whenever any sort of strong emotion was present her eyes flickered crimson reminiscent of a broken lightbulb. For those that knew her it was a tell, but everyone else viewed it as an anomaly or an indicator of her being something a little more than baseline human. Friend? To the best of her knowledge they weren't quite on good enough terms to fit under that label, but maybe things worked differently for him. While something of a rare occurrence, it wouldn't be the first time she had read someone incorrectly.

It was plain this Verun fellow didn't trust her in the least, and she could extend much of the same sentiment. Just as he regarded her with undisguised suspicion she did the same, finally looking to Arian as he spoke his piece. At least somebody here was sticking up for her, even if she barely knew anything about him other than his name. Well, that and the fact that he was more than likely formerly a serviceman of some sort. "Coruscant's not my home turf, but I know it a lot better than most people. I was born on Nal Hutta and raised on the streets there, so I know what it means to survive." Not that their believing her was any more probable, but it was worth an attempt.

When the one that seemed to be in charge spoke the word many flinched away at she held her tongue, saving her own reveal as a Force sensitive for a later date. However, the one simple fact of her existence that was in some manner connected to that would still be brought to the table, for better or worse. "Listen," Well, here went nothing, "My twin brother's the Hand of the Dark Lord. It's safe to say I have connections in high places if we need any." What she didn't mention was the fact that their sibling relationship had waxed and waned over the years, eroding itself into nothing while other times seeming to be as good as new. Now it was time to see how many blasters could be drawn in the span of seconds.

[member="Arian Lenar"]

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

Half the room exploded with laughter at Sayl's final remark, one such fellow could then be heard saying, "and I'm the Dark Lord's uncle!" followed by even more laughter. Of course, not everyone laughed; there were others who whispered too quietly to be heard. Although the Hands of the Dark Lord tended to keep to themselves, they by title were at least known through word and rumor. To say the least most folk would stay away from anyone associated with the Sith. Yet through the laughter--and Arian remaining silent--Verun approached an empty table, the towering near-human collapsed into the chair; the rocking of his seat caused the laughter to die down.

His eyes explored the room, locking onto each and every living soul like a crosshair on prey. Suffice to say, the laughter died completely and the entire room went silent. Only now the man who was silent throughout decided to speak up first. Arian walked past Sayl, and sat down across from Verun, "I don't know about this 'Hand of the Dark Lord' business, but she's certainly got her talents; there's something about her I rather like, and I think you see it too." He leaned back lethargically after speaking his mind.

Verun grunted, his stomach protruding slightly as he too relaxed in the chair. "Well then," his eyes wandered to the woman in question, "if she's going to work with us, she'll be in your company." As the two talked, the rest of the room went back to their duties. The small crowd that gathered dispersed, and all amusement to be had went with it. Arian on the other hand had just stuck his neck out for a stranger, but why he decided to do so was not something he openly expressed; other than referring to her as friend.

He tilted his head towards Sayl, "Well you want the job?" A smirk formed at the corner of his lips.

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

In that moment Sayl was half-tempted to draw her lightsaber and demonstrate what a real Jedi was capable of. Even if she didn't necessarily look or act the part most times, it was still a mantle she had taken to using as a description for one facet of her being. Instead she remained silent throughout their momentary ridicule, knowing full well that if her brother ever determined that she was on the planet there was a chance he would come looking for her. And wherever those Hands of the Dark Lord went, death often followed, her twin being no exception to the rule. If anything, he was something of a propagator. Force help you all if he ever does show up here. They would all be dead in a heartbeat, she knew.

Silently she listened to the pair discuss her as if she wasn't even present, and she only rocked back and forth on her heels as she waited for them to finish. A solitary blink was her only immediate response to the offer extended, and she raised an eyebrow. "I don't even know what 'the job' is. It'd be nice if you could tell me what I'm going to be doing." Not that she really cared about the general legality or even her own reputation, anymore. But one thing she did like was remaining in one piece, and it was her own survival she would look out for above all else. "You haven't been very open about any of this, and if I'm being honest it doesn't look like much of a grand operation to begin with. I can get the same in my old pickpocketing rings back home."

Her gaze remained steadily on the both of them, and she sighed quietly, her defiance seeming to leave her for a few seconds, though it never completely dissipated. "But I guess this is the only real option I have, since I'm not really up for stealing just to live for the rest of my life." Her previously standoffish posture relaxed into itself. "Yeah, I'll take the job." Just don't expect me to get along with all of you.

[member="Arian Lenar"]