Public Scum and Villainy (Nar Shaddaa: Criminal Gathering)

[Mauve du Vain]

N A R
S H A D D A A
SCUM AND VILLAINY

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OOC: This is open to any criminal or crime lord from any faction.

Nar Shaddaa,
New Vertica City,
Club Vertica

Word traveled through the web of infochants across the galaxy to the heads of every criminal organization of note: a gathering would be held on Nar Shaddaa.

These gatherings seldom happened throughout the years, for obvious reasons. Get all the rival crime lords in one place and they were liable to kill each other.

They came anyway.

Nar Shaddaa might have been Black Sun territory through and through in recent years, but the floating city of New Vertica that hovered just off the planet's surface always deemed itself to be a separate entity - neutral territory. And if it was neutral territory, then Mauve and Razmir's Club Vertica resort and casino was sacred space.

Refurbished after their considerable income post-Galactic Kaggath, the club sported state of the art entertainment and accomodations. The VIP lounge had been opened up for the gathering. Weapons to be left at the door - assuming they hadn't been confiscated at the club's entrance.

Mauve already had a glass of Corellian whiskey. She wore a simple black dress of spun shellspider silk and gold dripped from her neck, her wrists, and her ears. Her violet eyes scanned those in attendance.

There was no true objective. They could certainly reach an accord if the rival crime lords all agreed. But the main purpose was to know your enemy.

Plus, it paid to know the others in the profession, as Mauve knew. She tapped a finger on her glass and looked for a familiar face.

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

C L U B -V E R T I C A
N A R -S H A D D A A

Networks were hard to build. And even harder to maintain.

Calyx had done everything he could to cultivate influence on Troithe. Then, he'd aligned himself with Kanji Klub, finding his way into circles that mattered and securing a position that promised comfort, opportunity, and profit. In an ideal galaxy, those connections would still be intact. He'd still be lounging on the rocky beaches of Niamos, drink in hand and not a care in the world.

But the Sith had thrown a spanner into the works.

His abduction by what could only have been a vampire, and the brutal struggle for survival that followed at the Sith Academy, had ruined the life he'd built. Criminal enterprises were not known for their patience. Months of silence had left a vacuum. More, it had left rumors.

Most assumed he was dead. Some believed he'd vanished with their credits. A few probably thought he'd run off with their lover. Whatever the story, the conclusion was the same. His prospects of continuing his career were bleak.

Still, whispers had eventually found their way to him. Rumors of what was set to unfold at Club Vertica. Opportunity

He had paid dearly for it, of course. It'd taken a lot of bribing. Favors had to be called in. Debts were made that would someday demanded repayment. All to secure a brief "escape" from the Academy and make a very public appearance. It was all to remind his fellow connoisseurs of crime that Calyx Sundrift was not only still alive, but thriving.

Emphasis on thriving.

Tonight, Calyx wore his most valuable asset. Confidence. The smile came easily as he adjusted the white suit jacket worn over his formal black shirt and matching trousers. Normally, wearing the same suit twice bordered on professional negligence for a man in his line of work.

But sacrifices had to be made, considering he'd been away from the game for too long. Furthermore, his time had been limited to the thin patience of his overseers.

Now, who to impress?

His gaze drifted across the crowd. Faces of all shapes and colours blurred together beneath the lights and music. Studying them, he realized something remarkable. He didn't recognize a single one of them.

No allies.

The thought should have concerned him. Instead, his grin widened.

But no enemies either.

The possibilities were endless. His smile twisted into something more opportunistic, laced with easy charm, as he surveyed the room once more.

Tonight will be special, all right.

Mauve du Vain