Private Profits and Principles

[Ra'a'mah]

The Ylesia Galaxy Resort was exactly what it advertised itself as: excessive, unapologetic, and designed by people who believed that subtlety was a flaw in need of correction. Gold-trimmed architecture caught the light from every direction, enormous transparisteel windows reflected the endless activity of the entertainment district beyond, and everywhere Ra'a'mah looked there were reminders that wealth here was not merely possessed but displayed.

She moved through the lobby at an unhurried pace, her attention drifting across the flow of guests and staff alike. The resort operated with the polished efficiency expected of an establishment built to attract the wealthy from every corner of the galaxy, and the constant flow of visitors to casinos, restaurants, theaters, and luxury suites created the impression of a small city dedicated entirely to indulgence. It was impressive in the way such places were always impressive, built not merely to provide luxury but to ensure every guest understood they were surrounded by it.

Ra had seen worse business models. She had certainly seen less successful ones.

Today, she wore neither the symbols of office nor the subtle markers that often accompanied people of influence. There were no aides trailing behind her, no security personnel maintaining a discreet perimeter, and no effort whatsoever to announce her arrival beyond the simple confidence of someone entirely comfortable traveling under her own name. Anyone observing her would see precisely what she intended them to see: a successful businesswoman arriving for a private meeting.

When she reached the reception desk, she offered the attendant a pleasant smile before placing a slim datachit upon the polished surface between them. The motion was calm and unhurried, carrying the ease of someone accustomed to moving through executive offices, trade summits, and private negotiations without needing to force attention upon herself.

"Good afternoon. I'm Ra'a'mah Numare. I believe Miss Sizhran was informed I wished to discuss a purchasing arrangement." The statement was simple enough, though the faint glimmer of amusement behind her eyes suggested there was rather more to the matter than the words themselves revealed. "It is my understanding that the arrangement may prove beneficial to both of us."

With that, she folded her hands lightly before her and allowed the conversation to proceed at its own pace. She had not crossed half the galaxy to make demands, issue threats, or involve herself in local politics. She had come because there were people she wished to purchase, freedom she intended to secure, and because experience had taught her that the most effective negotiations often began with a civil conversation rather than a confrontation.

Xygrit Sizhran

 

[Xygrit Sizhran]

Objective: Greet a visitor open negotiations
Location: Ylesia Galaxy Resort
Outfit Red Dress
Entourage: Varro and Ryni
Tags: Ra'a'mah

The Ylesia Galaxy Resort had been built upon indulgence.
Luxury. Vice. Escape. Guests arrived seeking all manner of distractions, and Xygrit Sizhran had become exceptionally skilled at ensuring they found them. Profit followed naturally.

Her office occupied one of the upper levels overlooking the sprawling resort complex.
Floor-to-ceiling transparisteel offered a sweeping view of beaches, pleasure gardens, and glittering towers stretching toward the sea. It was from there that one of her attendants interrupted an otherwise productive review of quarterly figures.

"Madam Sizhran, a visitor has arrived."

Xygrit's crimson eyes lifted from the datapad resting upon her desk. "A visitor?"

"Ra'a'mah Numare."

That name earned more attention than the report she had been reading. One elegant brow arched. Interesting. An inquiry had come to Xygrit already from this name that only deepened her curiosity. Something involving slaves.

Ordinarily that would have been enough to send the matter to one of the resort's administrators.
Xygrit was not truly a slaver, despite what outsiders often assumed. Slaves passed through her ownership for reasons both practical and political. Sometimes they were employees in all but name. Sometimes they were investments. Sometimes they were people she intended to keep away from far worse fates. The distinction rarely mattered to those making inquiries. Still, Ra'a'mah Numare was not the sort of woman who traveled across the galaxy for trivial reasons.

"I’ll meet her to the lobby," Xygrit said as she rose from her chair. Moments later she emerged from her private lift.

The sleek red dress she wore clung perfectly to her frame, its design elegant without becoming ostentatious. Gold jewelry accented her hair and wrists while polished heels clicked softly against the resort's pristine floors.

She was not alone. Following several steps behind came two Twi'leks. The first was a broad-shouldered green-skinned male whose physique suggested years of hard labor or dedicated training. The second was a younger purple-skinned female who moved with quiet grace and attentive eyes. Neither carried weapons. Neither projected the posture of bodyguards. If anything, they appeared more like favored companions than security personnel.

Guests and staff alike stepped aside as the small entourage crossed the lobby. Upon spotting Ra'a'mah, Xygrit's smile widened into one of polite but unmistakably interested welcome. "Ra'a'mah Numare."

She extended a hand. "A pleasure. I'm Xygrit Sizhran, proprietor of the Ylesia Galaxy Resort." Her gaze briefly flicked toward a nearby seating area before returning to her visitor. "I understand you've come with questions." The smile remained. "Before we begin, perhaps you could tell me how much privacy this meeting requires."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah accepted the offered hand without hesitation, her grip firm but unintrusive, and the smile she returned carried the composed ease of someone entirely comfortable walking into unfamiliar territory under her own name. "Miss Sizhran."

Her gaze lingered on Xygrit for a moment before drifting, not sharply, not with accusation, but with the quiet, practiced attentiveness of someone who had spent a lifetime reading rooms that did not want to be read. It passed first to the male Twi'lek, taking in the breadth of his shoulders, the way he positioned himself just slightly forward of the younger woman, the subtle readiness in his stance that suggested he was accustomed to being used as a shield long before he was ever treated as a person. Only after she had taken his measure did her attention shift to the younger female beside him, noting her composure, her silence, the way she held herself with the careful stillness of someone who had learned that drawing too much attention could be dangerous.

Then Ra'a'mah's eyes returned to Xygrit.

"I imagine they are part of the reason I'm here."

There was no edge to the statement, no implication of wrongdoing, only candor, offered with the same calm certainty she brought into every negotiation. The corner of her mouth curved faintly as she glanced toward the seating area indicated. "As for privacy, that depends entirely upon you."

Her tone remained warm, conversational, almost inviting in its steadiness. "What I have to say is not a secret. Whether it becomes a private conversation or a public one is determined only by who you trust to hear it."

She let that settle between them, not as a challenge but as a courtesy, before continuing. "I have no intention of embarrassing you, disrupting your business, or creating a scene in your lobby. If that were my goal, I would have chosen a very different approach."

A brief flicker of amusement warmed her expression, subtle but unmistakably genuine. "Frankly, I suspect both of us prefer negotiations that begin with comfortable chairs rather than security reports."

Only then did she gesture lightly toward the two Twi'leks, her attention returning to the male for a heartbeat longer than courtesy strictly required. "If they are here because you trust them, then they may stay. If they are here because you think I might require supervision, I can assure you that won't be necessary."

Her posture remained relaxed, hands loosely clasped before her, the picture of someone who had walked into far more dangerous rooms than this one and survived them all. "I came because I wish to discuss several individuals currently under your ownership, and because I believe there may be an arrangement that benefits everyone involved."

A small pause followed, deliberate, measured, and carrying the faintest hint of promise.

"Particularly you."

And that, more than anything else, was the point she intended Xygrit to hear.

Xygrit Sizhran

 

[Xygrit Sizhran]

Objective: Greet a visitor open negotiations
Location: Ylesia Galaxy Resort
OutfitRed Dress
Entourage: Varro and Ryni
Tags: Ra'a'mah

The moment Ra'a'mah indicated the two Twi'leks, Xygrit's expression shifted. Only slightly. A tightening around the eyes. A brief narrowing of attention. Caution. Not fear. Curiosity tempered by experience.

Ra'a'mah did not strike her as a slaver. If anything, she seemed the opposite sort. The kind of person who asked questions because they cared about the answers. Such individuals could be useful allies or exhausting problems. Sometimes both.

Fortunately, the woman's candor eased some of that tension. Xygrit's smile returned, though this one carried a touch more honesty than the polished version she offered most guests. "Well." She folded one arm beneath the other. "It is hardly a secret that the Galaxy Resort employs labor practices that might be considered... dubious... in some corners of the galaxy."

Amusement danced across her features. "Though I confess I am far more accustomed to being the one doing the acquiring than discussing acquisitions with visitors."

Her gaze swept briefly across the bustling lobby. Guests wandered between restaurants and casinos. Staff moved about their duties. A pair of wealthy tourists attempted not to stare. Not the ideal setting. "For business of this nature, I believe somewhere out of the public eye would be preferable." One manicured finger gestured toward a nearby corridor. "A small conference room will do just fine."

Then her attention returned to Ra'a'mah. And to the subtle extra moment she'd spent observing Varro. Not surprising. Varro was difficult not to notice. The green-skinned Twi'lek remained silent, broad shoulders relaxed, expression unreadable.

A low chuckle escaped Xygrit's lips. "No, they are not here because I believe you require supervision." Her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement. "And certainly not as examples of available inventory."

She reached out and lightly brushed her fingertips along Varro's forearm as she passed. "They are here because they are beautiful." Then she offered the same playful gesture toward the younger purple-skinned Vela. "And because I enjoy beautiful things." Neither Twi'lek reacted with surprise. The answer had likely been given many times before.

At the mention of a mutually beneficial arrangement, Xygrit hummed thoughtfully. Now that was a language she spoke fluently. "That depends on whom we are discussing."

She began walking toward the private corridor. "The individuals I acquire generally serve purposes within the resort. Hospitality. Entertainment. Administration. Personal companionship." A glance over her shoulder. "So if I am to part with any of them, the arrangement would need to be quite favorable."

The statement carried no hostility. Merely business. "Still..." A smile returned. "I am intrigued."

The corridor beyond gradually left the sounds of the lobby behind. Varro and Vela waited politely for Ra'a'mah to join them before falling into step. The pair positioned themselves naturally at either side of the visitor, escorting her less like guards and more like honored attendants accompanying an esteemed guest.

The conference room awaiting them bore little resemblance to anything a corporate executive might recognize. There was no imposing durasteel table. No rows of rigid chairs. Instead, the room resembled a private salon intended for wealthy aristocrats. Rich fabrics adorned the walls. Decorative lighting cast a warm glow across polished wood and artwork. Deep, luxurious seating surrounded a low table stocked with refreshments.

Xygrit crossed the room and settled gracefully into one of the plush chairs. One hand extended toward another seat. "Please." Once Ra'a'mah was comfortable, Xygrit's expression became attentive. Professional. Interested.

"What sort of labor is it that interests you, Ra'a'mah Numare?"

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah settled into the offered chair with the ease of someone who had conducted negotiations everywhere from polished boardrooms to cargo docks that smelled of fuel and salt. Her gaze moved once across the room, taking in the curated comfort, the careful lighting, the subtle message of wealth and control, before returning to Xygrit. The refreshments remained untouched for now.

When the Falleen asked her question, Ra did not answer immediately. Her attention drifted briefly toward the two Twi'leks standing nearby, acknowledging their presence without lingering long enough to make the moment uncomfortable, then returned to Xygrit with the same calm focus she had carried through the door.

"Logistics personnel, primarily," she said at last. "Schedulers. Coordinators. Administrative staff. People accustomed to managing inventories, manifests, cargo movements, guest accommodations, or complex organizational systems. The sort of individuals most visitors never notice until something goes wrong."

Her eyes flicked once more toward Varro and Vela. This time, the glance held a shade more intention, a quiet recognition of the way Xygrit had arranged the room. "Though I would be lying if I claimed your companions did not attract my attention." A faint, knowing smile touched her lips. "You were hardly subtle about ensuring they would."

There was no criticism in the remark. If anything, there was a hint of appreciation. "Beauty is not rare in this galaxy," she continued, her tone smooth and even. "Competence is considerably more valuable." Her gaze returned to Varro for a heartbeat longer than courtesy strictly required, not flirtation but assessment. It was the kind of interest she reserved for people who carried themselves with purpose rather than ornamentation before she folded her hands in her lap again.

"The individuals I am interested in are those capable of building lives beyond the roles they currently occupy. Some may choose to remain exactly where they are, and if so, I have no intention of interfering with that. But if there are those who would prefer another opportunity, I am prepared to discuss terms that compensate you fairly for the loss of their labor while giving them a future of their own choosing."

Her voice remained calm, respectful, and entirely matter‑of‑fact. "Voluntary loyalty tends to outperform ownership in the long term," she added, the observation delivered lightly, almost conversationally. "Though I suspect you already know that."

Ra'a'mah met Xygrit's eyes once more, her expression steady and unhurried. "Which is why I came to speak with you directly rather than make assumptions from a distance."

Xygrit Sizhran

 

[Xygrit Sizhran]

Objective: Greet a visitor open negotiations
Location: Ylesia Galaxy Resort
OutfitRed Dress
Entourage: Varro and Ryni
Tags: Ra'a'mah

Xygrit listened without interruption. A habit she reserved for people she believed might actually have something worthwhile to say. Ra'a'mah was quickly proving herself to be one of them. As the woman spoke, Xygrit's sharp crimson eyes caught the subtle shifts in attention directed toward the Twi'leks. Nothing improper. Nothing crude. Merely observation. Assessment. Interest. The Falleen found herself amused by it.

Without drawing attention to the act, she allowed a faint trace of her natural pheromones to drift into the room. Barely noticeable. A subtle enhancement to the atmosphere rather than an attempt to overwhelm it. The focus remained Ra'a'mah, naturally, but if the room became a little more comfortable and her attendants a little more at ease, there were certainly worse outcomes.

A pleased hum escaped her. "Then it would seem your timing is exceptional." She leaned back into the plush chair. "I recently acquired a shipment that may contain exactly the sort of personnel you're describing."

One elegant finger traced the armrest. "The transaction was completed only recently. I haven't yet had the opportunity to properly assess their usefulness."

Her smile widened slightly. "So if I can earn credits while saving myself the trouble of sorting through them, I may prove surprisingly cooperative."

At the mention of beauty, Xygrit laughed softly. "A fair observation." Her gaze drifted briefly between Varro and Vela. "Beauty is abundant."

She tilted her head. "And yet it remains remarkably effective." As though responding to an unspoken cue, Vela gracefully crossed the room and settled behind Xygrit's chair. The purple-skinned Twi'lek began gently working her fingers into the Falleen's shoulders.

Xygrit appeared entirely accustomed to the arrangement. "People often claim beauty has little value." A contented sigh escaped her. "They usually say so while staring directly at it."

Meanwhile Varro remained where he stood. At least for a moment. The combination of Ra'a'mah's attention, the relaxed atmosphere, and Xygrit's own subtle influence seemed to loosen some of his reserve.

A small smile appeared. Not directed at his owner. At Ra'a'mah. "I'd like a future." The words slipped out before caution could reclaim them.

The room grew quiet. Xygrit's eyes shifted toward him. A look. Nothing more. No reprimand. No anger. No correction. Simply a reminder that she had heard. Varro lowered his gaze slightly but did not withdraw the statement.

After a moment, Xygrit returned her attention to Ra'a'mah. "As you say, slave turnover is considerably higher than the Hutts would have the galaxy believe." Amusement lingered at the corners of her mouth. "They market ownership as though every acquisition becomes a lifelong investment."

She waved a dismissive hand. "In reality, people leave. They are sold. They are purchased. They prove useful elsewhere. Circumstances change." Her expression became more thoughtful. "The shipment I mentioned represents an unknown quantity."

Unknown labor. Unknown skills. Unknown value. "Credits in exchange for uncertainty is not an arrangement I am naturally opposed to." Crimson eyes settled upon Ra'a'mah once more. "Provided the number attached to those credits is sufficiently persuasive."

A playful glimmer returned. "So." She folded one leg over the other. "Tell me more about these opportunities you intend to offer." Her gaze flicked briefly toward Varro before returning to Ra'a'mah. "And what sort of price you believe a future is worth."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah's attention shifted toward Varro the instant his voice entered the space, not out of surprise but because of the unguarded speed with which the words left him, the kind of reflexive honesty that only comes from a thought carried for far too long without an outlet. She regarded him with a steady, unflinching calm.

"I would be concerned if you didn't."

There was no softness in the statement, no attempt to soothe or diminish the weight of what he had admitted, only the quiet certainty that wanting a future was the most natural, most human desire imaginable.

Only then did she return her gaze to Xygrit.

"And that," she said, settling more comfortably into the chair, one hand resting along the armrest as though she had all the time in the world, "is usually where I begin."

She let the thought breathe before continuing, her tone smooth and measured.

"You asked what opportunities I intend to offer, and the truth is that it depends entirely on the individual. The Protectorate moves an extraordinary volume of cargo, personnel, equipment, and information across multiple sectors, and every one of those movements requires planners, administrators, coordinators, people who can take a thousand moving parts and turn them into something coherent rather than catastrophic."

Her gaze drifted briefly toward the windows, taking in the resort's curated serenity before returning to the room.

"Competent administrators, unfortunately, are far rarer than beautiful people."

The dry humor threaded through the remark without breaking her composure, a subtle acknowledgment of the earlier conversation rather than a return to it.

"If your recent acquisition includes individuals with experience in logistics, hospitality management, scheduling, accounting, procurement, inventory control, personnel oversight, or anything adjacent to those fields, I can place them. And if some possess talents that fall outside those categories," her eyes moved between Varro and Vela, lingering a fraction longer on the former, not in appraisal but in recognition, "then I evaluate those on their own merits."

There was no hunger in the look, no acquisitive gleam, only the practiced assessment of someone who had spent a lifetime identifying capability wherever it hid.

"What I offer is employment. Housing. Training where necessary. The ability to advance if they prove themselves. The ability to leave if they decide not to stay. Some remain for years. Some move on after months. A few eventually become competitors."

A faint, knowing smile touched her lips.

"I tend to consider that a sign I trained them correctly."

For the first time, she reached for one of the refreshments, lifting it with the casual ease of someone punctuating a thought rather than indulging in one.

"As for price," she continued, her attention returning fully to Xygrit, "that depends on what you believe you're selling. If it's labor, then we can calculate replacement costs, projected value, lost productivity, and numbers that behave themselves. If it's potential, the equation becomes far more interesting."

Her gaze flicked back to Varro, brief but deliberate.

"Potential has an irritating habit of exceeding expectations once it's given room to grow."

She let that settle, the weight of it quiet but unmistakable.

"I didn't come here looking for bargains, Miss Sizhran. I came here looking for capable people. If they are as valuable as you believe they are, then I have every intention of compensating you accordingly."

The corner of her mouth curved, not quite a smile, but close.

"After all, neither of us is in the habit of leaving profit on the table."

Xygrit Sizhran

 

[Xygrit Sizhran]

Objective: Greet a visitor open negotiations
Location: Ylesia Galaxy Resort
OutfitRed Dress
Entourage: Varro and Ryni
Tags: Ra'a'mah

The speed with which Ra'a'mah's attention shifted toward Varro was not lost on Xygrit. Nor, apparently, on Varro himself. The green-skinned Twi'lek had found enough courage to voice his desire, but the immediate focus that followed caused him to retreat inward almost as quickly. His shoulders tightened slightly. His eyes dipped.

Still, he offered a small nod. Yes. He wanted a future.

The simplicity of it almost made Xygrit smile. Almost. Instead she listened as Ra outlined the sort of people she sought. Administrators. Coordinators. Schedulers. The invisible gears that kept large organizations functioning.

When the explanation concluded, Xygrit's smile finally appeared. "I suspect you may be in luck."

She accepted a glass from Vela before taking a small sip. "The Resort employs slaves in a variety of roles, but labor itself is becoming less valuable to me every year." One shoulder lifted casually. "Droids have become something of a luxury statement." Amusement flickered across her features. "Guests expect to see them. It reassures wealthy people that they're being catered to properly."

The irony was not lost on her. "Frankly, I don't need more laborers." She glanced toward the ceiling as if mentally reviewing inventory. "If I were left to my own devices, I would likely identify the aesthetically pleasing acquisitions, retain those with skills useful to the Resort, and sell the remainder."

A pause. "My acquisitions department has become somewhat overzealous." Somewhat. A charitable description. "The latest shipment arrived from Quesh." That detail seemed more relevant. "There is a reasonable chance some of them possess precisely the sort of logistical and administrative experience you're describing."

Mining operations. Corporate infrastructure. Shipping concerns. Quesh generated an endless stream of paperwork and personnel to manage it.

Her crimson eyes settled upon Ra once more. "If your interest is genuine, then perhaps there is little reason for us to speculate." She set her drink aside. "We can simply inspect them."

The suggestion seemed to please her. Practical. Profitable. Efficient. Xygrit rose from her chair in one smooth motion. Vela immediately stepped aside while Varro straightened instinctively. The Falleen's gaze settled upon him. "You will accompany Miss Numare."

Varro blinked. A brief flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Me?"

"Yes." Xygrit's smile returned. "You're observant enough." And, she suspected, Ra would appreciate a second perspective. "If Miss Numare is considering a substantial purchase, she should be able to judge whether the price being paid is fair."

A playful glimmer entered her eyes. "And who better to evaluate potential than someone currently being evaluated for it?"

She smoothed a hand along the side of her red dress. "The holding facilities are not far." Her attention returned to Ra. "Come."

The invitation carried the confidence of someone accustomed to leading others. "Let's see whether my acquisitions team has accidentally found you the workforce you're looking for." A soft chuckle followed. "If they have, I may finally forgive them for filling my ledgers faster than I can empty them."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah listened without interruption, her attention remaining on Xygrit even as she became aware of the subtle reaction beside her. Varro's retreat inward was understandable. People who spent enough time being treated as commodities often became uncomfortable when someone asked for their opinion and genuinely intended to hear it. She did not press him, nor did she draw further attention to the admission he had made. There would be time enough for that later if it proved necessary.

Instead, her focus remained on the Falleen as she spoke of labor, droids, acquisitions, and the increasingly practical reality that maintaining people was often more complicated than maintaining machinery. Ra considered the observation for a moment before a faint trace of amusement touched her expression. "Droids are predictable. Most people aren't." Her eyes drifted briefly toward Xygrit's glass before returning to the woman herself. "Which is precisely why they're usually more valuable. I've found spreadsheets are much easier to manage than personalities. Unfortunately, personalities are responsible for most worthwhile accomplishments."

The mention of Quesh immediately captured her attention. Mining operations, corporate administration, shipping networks, and industrial infrastructure all required a level of organization that most outsiders never appreciated. Entire operations could grind to a halt because one person failed to process the correct form or route the correct shipment. If Xygrit's acquisitions team had swept up workers from that environment, there was every possibility they possessed exactly the skills Ra spent so much time searching for.

"Quesh is promising," she said, and there was genuine interest in her voice now. "People tend to underestimate how many skilled administrators are required to keep industrial operations functioning. Most notice the executives and engineers. They rarely notice the individuals keeping schedules aligned, inventories tracked, shipments moving, and personnel coordinated until those people disappear and everything begins falling apart."

As Xygrit rose from her chair, Ra followed a moment later, smoothing one sleeve absentmindedly before turning her attention toward Varro. The surprise on his face had not entirely vanished, and she found herself almost sympathizing with it. Being volunteered into a conversation about one's future was rarely how anyone expected their day to unfold.

The corner of her mouth curved slightly. "I suspect you've just been volunteered." There was enough warmth in the observation to soften it without turning it into a joke. "I think Miss Sizhran is correct." Her gaze held his for a moment, steady and sincere. "If we're discussing futures, then it seems reasonable to include the opinions of people who might actually have one."

Only then did she turn her attention back toward Xygrit. "Lead the way." Her tone carried no hesitation. Whatever she had expected when arriving at the resort, an immediate inspection was considerably more efficient than spending another hour discussing possibilities around a table. She much preferred seeing reality for herself rather than relying upon descriptions, no matter how accurate those descriptions might be.

As she stepped forward to join them and the group began moving toward the door, a thought occurred to her. "Out of curiosity," she asked, glancing toward Xygrit, "when your acquisitions department becomes overzealous, do they at least have the courtesy to be correct occasionally?" A faint smile followed, accompanied by a look that suggested she already suspected the answer. "Or am I about to discover they've simply developed an expensive hobby?"

Xygrit Sizhran

 

[Xygrit Sizhran]

Objective: Greet a visitor open negotiations
Location: Ylesia Galaxy Resort
OutfitRed Dress
Entourage: Varro and Vela
Tags: Ra'a'mah

A soft chuckle escaped Xygrit's lips as they walked. "On that point, we agree." Her heels clicked against the polished flooring as the group moved deeper into the Resort. "I personally prefer living beings." There was no hesitation in the statement. "Droids are efficient. Predictable. Reliable."

A smirk tugged at one corner of her mouth. "My clientele seems to adore those qualities." Her crimson eyes briefly shifted toward Ra. "I find them rather boring."

The Falleen spread her hands slightly. "A good employee learns. Adapts. Surprises you." Her expression grew thoughtful. "Too many people discount grunts and laborers. Especially those who are low-paid."

A pause. "Or not paid at all." There was no shame in the observation. Merely practicality. "The value of a competent worker willing to remain at a reasonable cost can be extraordinarily high." Xygrit cast a glance toward Varro. "Most organizations don't realize that until they lose them."

Varro wisely remained silent. At least until they had left the conference area behind. The green-skinned Twi'lek took up position next to Ra, opposite Xygrit, naturally falling into the arrangement his owner would have preferred. He knew her habits well enough by now.

More importantly, he was relieved. The attention had moved elsewhere. Or at least away from the uncomfortable spotlight of his earlier admission. When Ra's attention returned toward him, he visibly relaxed. Just a little.

"If you have questions, I'll answer them." A small shrug followed. "Though I doubt I'll be much use." His tone suggested genuine uncertainty rather than false modesty.

Ahead of them, Xygrit simply smiled. She doubted that. Eventually the polished luxury of the guest areas gave way to more practical portions of the Resort. Staff corridors. Service lifts. Administrative wings. Then finally the holding facilities.

The transition might have surprised many visitors. There were no rows of cages. No restraints bolted to walls. No grim prison blocks. The accommodations were certainly less extravagant than the suites above, but they remained comfortable. Clean furnishings. Private sanitation facilities. Common areas. Food stations.

Several recent acquisitions sat talking amongst themselves. Others read datapads. One group played cards. A few looked up as Xygrit entered before returning to their activities. Nobody appeared particularly distressed.

"Does this surprise you?" She folded her arms. "I find proper uses for my acquisitions." The word rolled off her tongue naturally. "Sometimes the fact that I do not immediately require them does not make the purchase fruitless."

Her gaze drifted across the room. Some faces familiar. Others not yet catalogued. The latest batch still required evaluation. "As for my acquisitions department..." A laugh escaped her. "They are occasionally correct." Occasionally. The emphasis was impossible to miss.

"They've also developed the unfortunate habit of assuming that if one profitable purchase is good, twenty must be better." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "A philosophy I intend to discourage."

Then she surprised herself by nodding toward Ra. "Truthfully, I have no intention of becoming a permanent participant in the slave market." The statement carried more sincerity than many of her previous comments.

"It serves a purpose." For now. "But I actually find your proposal more appealing."

A hand swept across the room. "If capable people can be evaluated, sold at fair value, and moved into productive employment elsewhere, everyone profits." The Falleen smiled. "And I rather enjoy arrangements where everyone profits."

Her gaze shifted toward the occupants of the facility. "I suspect I'll be reining my acquisitions team in before they create problems that outweigh their usefulness."

Then she gestured toward the gathered individuals. "But first..." The smile returned. "Let's see if they accidentally did something clever."

Beside them, Varro quietly folded his arms and surveyed the room. For the first time since the conversation had begun, he looked genuinely interested in what came next.

"Go ahead and take a look around. I’ll remain here."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah's eyes moved slowly across the facility as they entered, taking in the details rather than the broad impression. The accommodations were not what most people would expect when they heard the word slave. There were no cages. No visible restraints. No signs of abuse hanging in the air. Instead, she found clean furnishings, functioning amenities, and people occupying themselves much as they would in any temporary housing arrangement. Some were talking. Others were reading. One group appeared deeply invested in a card game that had likely become far more competitive than originally intended.

"Not particularly," she answered honestly when Xygrit asked if she was surprised.

Her gaze drifted toward a nearby common area before returning to the Falleen. "You strike me as many things, Miss Sizhran, but wasteful is not one of them." There was no compliment hidden within the observation. Simply a statement of fact. "People represent investments. Whether I agree with the acquisition process or not, it would be inconsistent with everything I've seen so far for you to purchase assets only to let them deteriorate."

The mention of eventually leaving the slave market earned her a thoughtful look. Ra did not immediately comment on it. Too many people announced future intentions they never acted upon. Better to judge such things by actions than promises. Still, she filed the statement away for later consideration.

"What you're describing is essentially a recruitment agency with several ethically questionable steps added in the middle," she observed dryly, the faintest hint of amusement touching her voice. "Admittedly, it is not the business model I would have designed, but I can see why the numbers might appeal to someone with an eye for opportunity."

As Xygrit gestured toward the gathered individuals, Ra nodded once and began moving forward at an unhurried pace. She wasn't looking for the strongest person in the room, nor the most attractive, nor even the loudest. Experience had taught her that the most valuable employees were often the ones everyone else overlooked. The quiet woman who organized a datapad while others talked. The man who unconsciously tracking who entered and exited the room. The individual who had already established a routine despite only arriving recently.

As she walked, she glanced briefly toward Varro. "You said you doubted you'd be much use." The corner of her mouth curved faintly. "Let's test that theory." Her gaze swept across the room. "If you were hiring someone to trust with responsibility, who would you look at first?"

The question wasn't a trick. Nor was it really about the acquisitions themselves. Ra was curious whether he saw what she saw. Competence often recognized competence long before resumes, interviews, and credentials ever entered the discussion. If she was considering futures, then understanding how Varro evaluated people might prove just as useful as evaluating the people themselves.

With that, she turned her attention back toward the occupants of the facility, studying faces, body language, and interactions while allowing both Xygrit and Varro to answer if they wished. Somewhere in the room, hidden beneath uncertainty and circumstance, there was likely a logistics coordinator, an administrator, a scheduler, perhaps even an executive. The trick was finding them before someone else realized their value.

Xygrit Sizhran

 

[Xygrit Sizhran]

Objective: Greet a visitor open negotiations
Location: Ylesia Galaxy Resort
OutfitRed Dress
Entourage: Varro and Vela
Tags: Ra'a'mah

That answer visibly pleased Xygrit. Her posture straightened. Her chin lifted ever so slightly. A subtle puffing of pride that she made no effort whatsoever to conceal. And an unconscious release of more pheromones.

"Of course not." The Falleen smiled broadly. "Waste is unattractive." The statement carried the certainty of a personal philosophy rather than a business principle. Her gaze drifted across the holding area.

"The Resort is luxury." One elegant hand swept outward. "I sell experiences. Comfort. Fantasy." Her crimson eyes shifted back to Ra. "It would be rather off-brand if I treated my investments like refuse." A small laugh escaped her. "No matter what those investments happen to be."

The comment regarding recruitment agencies earned a more genuine chuckle. "An unfair characterization." A beat. "Though not entirely inaccurate." Xygrit's smile widened. Whatever offense she might have taken was clearly outweighed by the humor of it.

"Whatever one chooses to call the process, I have no interest in turning it into some grand investment strategy." She gestured vaguely toward the facility around them. "This happened because I saw opportunities."

Another gesture. "And because my acquisitions team became overly enthusiastic after a few successful transactions." The smile became slightly sharper. "I prefer businesses I already understand."

Resorts. Entertainment. Hospitality. Luxury. And contraband. Those were worlds she knew intimately. Buying and selling sapient beings was profitable. It was not particularly interesting.

"If I am being honest, the next step may be repurposing my acquisitions department." Her tone suggested she was only half joking. "They seem determined to expand a venture I never intended to become a cornerstone of my operations."

A thoughtful hum followed. "Though if they continue finding capable people for you, perhaps I shouldn't be too harsh."

That earned a quiet laugh from Varro. The first truly relaxed sound he had made since the conversation began. Xygrit's eyes flicked toward him. Then toward Ra. Then back again. The expression that followed suggested she had noticed considerably more than either of them might prefer.

Fortunately, she chose not to comment. Instead, she stepped aside. A graceful retreat from the center of the conversation. "If you're evaluating talent, I should probably stop talking."

She leaned her shoulder casually against a nearby wall. One arm folded beneath the other. The picture of a woman entirely comfortable letting others work while she observed. "Go on." The invitation was directed toward both Ra and Varro. "See what my overeager employees have delivered."

Around them, several of the newly acquired workers had begun noticing the visitors. Curiosity spread through the room. Conversations quieted. Card games slowed. Datapads lowered. People watched. Waiting to see what happened next.

Meanwhile Xygrit simply settled into her position against the wall, looking every bit the satisfied proprietor inspecting a shipment that might unexpectedly become someone else's opportunity. And perhaps someone else's profit.

 

[Varro]

A LIFE OF HIS OWN

Varro blinked at the question. His first instinct was to shrug and insist again that he wasn't qualified for this sort of thing. Then the lingering effects of Xygrit's pheromones brushed through his thoughts. Not enough to cloud them. Just enough to smooth away some of the hesitation.

As they stepped further into the room, he found himself moving slightly closer to Ra. With a small, self-conscious smile, he offered his arm as though escorting her through a gala rather than a holding facility. The absurdity of it wasn't lost on him. Neither was the fact that he suddenly didn't mind.

Whether Ra took the offered arm or not Varro would lead on into the “holding room”. Taking a slow breath, Varro surveyed the room. At first all he saw were strangers. Then people. Then patterns. A habit acquired through years of service. Reading moods. Predicting wants. Avoiding problems before they happened.

Different purpose. Same skill. His eyes settled on a middle-aged human woman seated at a table near the back. Unlike most of the others, she wasn't talking. Wasn't watching the visitors. Wasn't trying to look busy. Instead she was quietly observing everyone else. Tracking conversations. Following movements. Paying attention.

"Her." Varro nodded toward the woman. "First."

He looked to Ra. "Everyone else keeps checking who's watching them." The woman wasn't. "She's watching everyone else."

His gaze moved again. This time toward a thin Bothan male who sat beside a card game without actually participating. The players repeatedly consulted him whenever a disagreement emerged. He never raised his voice. Never argued. Yet every dispute ended when he spoke.

"Him too." Varro folded his arms. "They trust him." A shrug followed. "Or at least trust him enough to settle arguments." Another useful quality.

As he continued walking, he found himself becoming unexpectedly invested. A pair of Twi'lek sisters sat near one of the walls. One spoke animatedly. The other quietly recorded notes into a datapad. "The quieter one." He pointed subtly. "She keeps correcting her sister." A pause. "And she's always right."

That earned a faint grin. Useful. Very useful. For the first time since entering the room, Varro looked genuinely surprised. The observations were coming naturally. Not because he understood logistics. Not because he knew administration. But because he knew people. His entire life had depended on understanding them.

Who needed attention.
Who needed reassurance.
Who could be trusted.
Who couldn't.

His eyes swept the room once more. "There." This time he indicated a stocky Duros standing near the refreshments. Unlike the others, the Duros was helping organize the space. Straightening chairs. Collecting discarded cups. Directing newcomers toward open seats. Nobody had asked him to do it. He was simply doing it.

"That one takes responsibility when nobody tells him to." Varro looked toward Ra. "I don't know what jobs any of them did." His shoulders lifted slightly. "But if I had to trust someone with something important..."

He glanced around the room again. "...those would be the people I'd start with." For a moment he fell quiet.

Then a sheepish smile returned. "Either that or I've completely misunderstood your question." Oddly enough, he sounded more confident than before.
Not because he thought he was right. But because for the first time since meeting Ra'a'mah, he felt like he might actually be useful.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah listened as they walked, giving Xygrit the same measured attention she had throughout the meeting. Every so often she offered a small nod, not merely acknowledging the words but recognizing the reasoning behind them. She understood businesses evolving into directions their founders had never intended. She had lived that story herself more than once. Companies grew, governments changed, opportunities appeared where none had existed before, and suddenly one found themselves managing an enterprise they had never originally set out to build.

"I can appreciate that," she said quietly. "The longer an organization survives, the more opportunities present themselves. The difficult part is deciding which ones deserve to become part of its identity." Her eyes wandered briefly through the holding area before returning to Xygrit. "Growth without purpose has a tendency to become its own burden."

When Xygrit stepped back and encouraged them to evaluate the room themselves, Ra inclined her head in quiet appreciation before turning her attention toward Varro. She noticed the slight hesitation before he offered his arm, the self-consciousness behind the gesture, and accepted it without the slightest hint of awkwardness. Her hand rested lightly against his forearm as naturally as though they had known one another for years, the gesture carrying neither flirtation nor ceremony, only simple courtesy.

"Thank you."

She allowed him to guide their pace through the room while her own eyes remained in motion, never lingering too long on any one individual. She wasn't searching for résumés or professions. Those could be discovered later. Instead, she watched posture, interactions, habits, and the countless unconscious decisions people made when they believed nobody important was paying attention.

As Varro began identifying individuals, Ra remained silent, allowing him to work through his own observations without interruption. The middle-aged woman earned a thoughtful nod. The Bothan another. The quieter Twi'lek sister. Finally the Duros organizing the common area. Each choice revealed something about the people themselves, but perhaps more importantly, something about Varro.

When he finished, Ra looked at him for several moments before allowing a faint smile to reach her expression.

"No," she said calmly. "I think you've understood the question perfectly."

Her gaze drifted back toward the room.

"You didn't identify the loudest people. Or the strongest. Or even the ones trying hardest to be noticed. You looked for awareness, trust, competence, and initiative. Those are qualities that translate remarkably well regardless of what profession someone came from." She glanced toward the woman he had noticed first. "Skills can be taught. Judgment is considerably more difficult."

Her hand slipped comfortably from his arm as they came to a stop, though her attention remained divided between Varro and the room before them.

"You see people," she said simply. "Not just what they are doing, but how they fit into the people around them. That's a rarer skill than most realize." A faint smile returned as she looked toward Xygrit. "It would seem your investment has just demonstrated precisely why I don't evaluate people by the labels attached to them."

Only then did she step forward toward the first of the individuals Varro had identified, her posture relaxed, her expression open, intending to begin not with an interview, but with a conversation.

Xygrit Sizhran

 

[Varro]

A LIFE OF HIS OWN

Varro felt Ra'a'mah's arm settle naturally against his own. Across the room, he caught Mistress Xygrit's expression from the corner of his eye. A smirk. She undoubtedly understood the gesture for what it was. Courtesy. Professionalism.

Whether that was all it meant to him...Varro wasn't entirely certain. A quiet hum escaped him as they continued through the room together. The lingering influence of Xygrit's pheromones warmed the edges of his thoughts, encouraging confidence without overwhelming years of carefully practiced restraint. He had spent far too much of his life learning how to read emotions—both his own and those of others—to become carried away by a simple touch.

Still...

It was pleasant. Pleasant enough that he hoped it didn't end too quickly. When Ra began explaining why she'd agreed with his observations, he listened with complete attention.

Awareness.
Trust.
Competence.
Initiative.

She listed qualities he had never consciously searched for, yet somehow always noticed. His life had taught him to. Knowing who could be trusted. Who needed reassurance. Who quietly held groups together. Who made life easier simply by being present. Those lessons had never come from classrooms. They had come from surviving. From serving. From watching.

The praise settled somewhere deep inside him. A place that had gone far too long without hearing any. Perhaps...

Perhaps that was worth something. Perhaps...

He dared not think too much further. Instead, instinct took over. "Oh..." His smile became sheepish. "I just... noticed things." One shoulder lifted apologetically. "I'm sure most people would've seen the same." The response arrived almost automatically. Years of habit wrapped humility around every compliment before he had time to consider accepting it.

As Ra spoke with such confidence about his judgment, he found himself wondering—only for a fleeting moment—whether she'd meant what she'd implied. That someone like him...

Might deserve consideration too. The thought was almost frightening.

Across the room, Mistress Xygrit's smile remained. Varro noticed her shift ever so slightly, as though preparing to rejoin them. Instead, she waited. Giving them another moment. He appreciated that more than he expected.

When Ra stepped toward the first person he'd indicated, Varro naturally matched her pace before pausing half a step behind. Not leading. Not hiding. Simply present.

"If..." He glanced between her and the gathered acquisitions. "...if you need to know anything else before deciding..." His eyes moved thoughtfully across the room. "I'll answer whatever I can."

Another small smile appeared "I don't know everyone's history." A quiet chuckle escaped him. "But after a while..." He looked back toward the people he'd spent the past months living beside. "...you learn who people are, even if they never tell you." And for the first time in a very long while, Varro found himself hoping that someone had finally taken the time to learn who he was as well.

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah regarded him for a moment after he spoke, her attention lingering not on his uncertainty but on the quiet confidence that had emerged whenever he spoke about other people. It was an interesting contrast. He doubted himself almost instinctively, yet when asked to observe those around him, his hesitation disappeared entirely.

"I intend to."

Her answer was simple, carrying neither reassurance nor expectation beyond its own sincerity.

"You've lived beside them. You've watched them when they believed nobody important was paying attention. That tells me things a résumé never could."

Her gaze settled on the middle-aged woman Varro had identified first. The woman had noticed them now, though rather than shrinking from the attention or attempting to appear useful, she simply waited. Patient. Observant.

"Tell me about her."

Ra kept her voice conversational, low enough that it wouldn't carry across the room.

"Not what she did before she arrived. You already told me she watches people." She glanced briefly toward Varro before returning her attention to the woman. "Tell me what you've noticed that made you trust your instinct."

Only then did she begin walking again, slowly enough that neither of them felt hurried.

"Who do people naturally gravitate toward? Who do they avoid? Who settles disagreements before they become arguments? Who notices when someone hasn't eaten? Who volunteers without being asked?" She smiled faintly. "Those are the people who quietly keep organizations functioning. Titles rarely identify them."

Her attention shifted briefly around the room, watching small interactions unfold almost absentmindedly before returning to Varro.

"I can teach someone inventory systems, shipping manifests, procurement procedures, or personnel management." Her tone remained thoughtful. "Teaching someone to notice other people is considerably more difficult."

She looked at him again, meeting his eyes with the same calm steadiness she had shown throughout their conversation.

"So yes," she said quietly. "I intend to use what you've learned." A faint smile touched her expression. "Because somewhere along the way, without realizing it, you became very good at understanding people. I'd be wasting a valuable resource if I ignored that."

Varro

 

[Varro]

A LIFE OF HIS OWN

Varro looked toward the middle-aged woman. "She doesn't rush to fill silence." A small smile crossed his lips. "Most people do."

His voice remained quiet, careful not to carry. "She notices when conversations stop, when someone is upset before they say anything, when somebody's pretending they're fine."

He watched as another acquisition approached the woman with a question. She answered with a few calm words, and the younger man left looking noticeably less anxious. "That." Varro nodded subtly. "She doesn't solve everyone's problems." He paused. "She helps them solve their own."

His gaze drifted toward the Bothan. "He isn't the loudest either, but people ask him before making decisions. Even when they don't agree with him." Then to the Duros. "And him... he can't walk past something needing done." A quiet chuckle escaped him. "I've seen him clean up after people who never thanked him."

Finally, the quieter of the Twi'lek sisters. "She remembers details." His brow furrowed thoughtfully. "If someone mentions needing medicine, or says they're hungry, or forgets something..." He shrugged. "She remembers."

Varro grew quiet for a moment before looking back at Ra. "I don't know if any of them have the experience you're looking for." Honesty came easily. "But if they don't..." Another glance around the room. "...I think they'd learn."

Ra's final observation caught him off guard. He instinctively lowered his eyes. "I don't know about valuable." The words escaped almost automatically.

"I just..." A faint, embarrassed smile appeared. "...spent a long time trying to notice what people needed before they had to ask."

He looked back toward the room. "I suppose after enough years..." His shoulders lifted slightly. "...it becomes difficult to stop."

For just a moment, he allowed himself to believe her assessment might be true. That perhaps what had once simply been survival…Could actually be worth something.

 

[Xygrit Sizhran]

Objective: Greet a visitor open negotiations
Location: Ylesia Galaxy Resort
OutfitRed Dress
Entourage: Varro and Vela
Tags: Ra'a'mah

Xygrit's heels announced her arrival long before she spoke. She had allowed the pair their conversation, watching from a respectful distance as Ra questioned and Varro answered with a confidence she had seldom seen from him. It had been... enlightening. A worthwhile reminder that investments occasionally appreciated in unexpected ways. She came to a stop beside them, folding one arm lightly beneath the other.

"So." Her crimson eyes swept over the small collection of acquisitions before returning to her guests. "Have you learned enough to begin discussing numbers?"

The question carried the relaxed confidence of someone perfectly comfortable negotiating either people or percentages. Then her gaze drifted from Ra...
...to Varro.
...and back again.

A knowing smirk slowly spread across her face. "Oh dear." She laughed softly. "I do believe I've made this more difficult for myself than intended."

Varro blinked. "Mistress?"

"I had expected you to evaluate my newest acquisitions." Her amusement only grew. "Instead, you seem to have found yourself evaluating one of my oldest."

She tilted her head ever so slightly toward Ra. "These people are fresh from Quesh. Unknown quantities." One elegant finger gestured toward Varro. "He isn't."

Her eyes lingered on the green-skinned Twi'lek for a moment. "I know precisely what I have in him." A thoughtful hum followed. "He has years of experience with the Resort, knows my expectations without instruction, reads guests exceptionally well, and, as you've just discovered, possesses rather keen judgment."

She smiled warmly at Varro before returning her attention to Ra. "I'm afraid he'll be considerably harder to part with." The words were matter-of-fact rather than possessive. "Not impossible." A slight shrug. "Everything has a price."

The smirk returned. "But I can tell you've developed an interest." Her gaze danced knowingly between them one final time. "So if we're to continue this negotiation..." She spread her hands invitingly. "I suspect we'll need to discuss more than just my latest acquisitions."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah's eyes shifted from Xygrit to Varro before returning again, the knowing smile on the Falleen's face drawing the faintest trace of amusement from her.

"It would appear," she said quietly, "that your acquisitions department wasn't the only one making observations."

She let the moment settle before looking back toward Varro rather than speaking around him.

"I hope you don't mind being the subject of conversation for a moment," she said, her tone carrying the courtesy of someone who understood exactly how awkward the situation had become. "Though I suspect neither of us expected your future to become today's negotiation."

Only then did she return her attention to Xygrit.

"You're right. I have developed an interest." There was no point pretending otherwise. "Not because of his appearance. Not because he has years of experience. Those things certainly have value, but they aren't what caught my attention."

Her gaze drifted briefly back toward Varro.

"You notice people," she said simply. "You listen before you speak. You recognize patterns in behavior without reducing people to those patterns. Those are qualities that cannot be taught nearly as easily as technical skills."

A small smile touched her lips.

"If you joined my organization, I wouldn't begin by asking you to manage freight. I'd ask you to help me understand the people responsible for moving it."

Only then did she look back to Xygrit.

"So yes, I'd be interested in discussing terms, provided..." Her eyes moved briefly to Varro once more. "...he's interested in discussing them as well."

There was no hesitation in the statement.

"I'm not in the habit of negotiating someone's future without their voice being part of the conversation."

Xygrit Sizhran

 

[Xygrit Sizhran]

Objective: Greet a visitor open negotiations
Location: Ylesia Galaxy Resort
OutfitRed Dress
Entourage: Varro and Vela
Tags: Ra'a'mah

Xygrit's grin broadened. She had been right. Not that she intended to linger on the victory. There was little elegance in saying I told you so.

Instead, her crimson eyes slid toward Varro as Ra addressed him directly. "I hope you don't mind being the subject of conversation for a moment."

The green-skinned Twi'lek blinked before instinct took over. In Xygrit's presence, the confidence he'd shown while evaluating others quietly receded. His posture straightened, his hands folded loosely before him, and he gave a respectful shake of his head. "No, ma'am." His answer was little more than a murmur. "I don't mind."

He fell silent again. Xygrit noticed the transition immediately. Interesting. The man who had confidently identified leadership, empathy, and initiative moments before had returned to the practiced humility that years of service had cultivated.

A soft chuckle escaped her as Ra explained exactly what had captured her attention. "I suspected as much." She regarded Varro fondly. "It takes a wise being to see beyond the obvious." One elegant hand gestured subtly toward him. "Varro is... striking." That much was undeniable.

"Many people stop there." Her smile softened. "You looked further."

Beside them, Varro found himself wishing the polished floor might somehow swallow him whole. The compliments had been manageable one at a time. Listening to two accomplished women calmly discuss his virtues as though he weren't standing between them was another matter entirely. A faint flush spread across his green features, and he lowered his eyes in embarrassed silence.

Xygrit's amusement only deepened. Then Ra spoke of needing Varro's acceptance before any negotiation could continue. The Falleen's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. She turned her head. Met Varro's eyes. She said nothing. She didn't need to. The look alone carried the question.

Well?

Varro swallowed once before giving a small, deliberate nod. "Yes." Quiet. Certain. If the conversation continued...He wanted to hear it.

Xygrit's smile returned with unmistakable mischief. "Excellent." She clasped her hands lightly together. "Then let us speak as businesswomen."

Her gaze swept briefly over the room before returning to Ra. "You may choose ten from this latest acquisition." A slight tilt of her head. "Any ten."

Then she nodded toward Varro. "And him." A beat passed. "I'll part with all eleven for..."

She named a figure that was unapologetically ambitious. A price reflecting not only ten unassessed acquisitions, but one Twi'lek she now knew Ra considered far more valuable than his paperwork would ever suggest.

Xygrit's smile never wavered. "You did say," she reminded pleasantly, "that you weren't looking for bargains." The playful glint in her eyes made it impossible to tell where the negotiation ended and the game began.