Shadows Fall On Kuat

[Stap Praxeum]

Shadows Fall On Kuat​

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It took him nearly forty minutes to move through the press line until he finally emerged out the other side. A ticking sound rang in his head like a clock that was about come splintering out of his skull. The mundane questions that rose from their lips. They cried out celebrity gossip, about rumored new BlackGuard products, about his personal life. So trivial. So pointless. So boring.

Stap Praxeum moved like a shark through the crowd. His eyes, dark and dead, looking across at each member of the crowd that began to fill the decorated area on the ocean side of Kuat. A Falleen leaned in to a woman's ear, whispering some secret no one else could hear. Praxeum grinned knowing the same Falleen was paying blackmail payments to one of Praxeum's agents for pictures that official rather hoped to keep out of the HoloNet.

The evening had a brisk wind that swept across the landscape as the sun set at the start of the event. A charity event held by The New Republic to raise funds for new hospitals located on Kuat. The thought of being at this event was like nails clawing down the sides of Praxeum's skull. But even in his own grandiose chess game, he had a part to play on the board. New Republic security teemed the perimeter of the event, Praxeum had even spotted some members of the security team who were trying to blend into the crowd as guests and doing a horrible job in his opinion. He had also noticed something like three Jedi wearing their ceremonial robes moving in and out of the group. He assumed there would be even more there, not wearing outfits that made their Jedi affiliation so apparent.

Praxeum stood at a group of men, each of which's faces was well known to Praxeum. They also knew him, but they didn't know the Praxeum that hid behind this simple exterior. A man who could crumble each of them, should the need or fancy strike him. But for now, he listened to them drone on about business, pretending to care.

@[member="Cass Tarentill"]

 

[Cass Tarentill]

Charities were diabolical. Cass had decided on that idea long ago when she witnesses such an event on Coruscant. Honestly, politics of any sort made her sick. She even half-respected the Sith for at least stabbing you in the chest. At least what they did was noble compared to what most politicians did. Cass was ordered here by the Order as protection, but mostly for social reasons. Cass figured that several Knights had found out that Cass liked the solidity of her bedroom as opposed to the courtyard, and reported that she was becoming "stir-crazy". She loved being volun-told for assignments, especially when they involved high-up celebrities and politicians. Though one highlight did come out of this little trip. She had never seen Kuat before today.

Jedi are easy to pick out of a crowd usually. The robes, the shiny sabers, and the general good feeling that irradiated from them could be picked up miles away. Several high-ranking Jedi were here in the charity today, some in security and others being social. For some god-awful reason, Cass was picked to be apart of the group that was supposed to try and stay inconspicuous. For this, Cass was given a beautiful dress and was told to doll up the best she could. Wonderful. This meant she had to make herself look "normal" by peoples standards. This was not difficult for the long-haired girl, but she did not particularly enjoy it.

Wading through the crowd, the girl looked absolutely beautiful in the white dress she had been given. Trying to act like a rich dilettante, Cass eyed the various politicians. Annoyed as she was, she was trying to make sure no one was killed or assassinated. Her trusty saber tucked away neatly in her dress, Cass strode up close to where Stap stood. Her eyes scanned the various man but she could not pull them away from Stap himself. Coming up behind him, she tried to coolly say something to introduce herself. "You look bored. Please tell me these men's conversations are not as boring as they seem."
@[member="Stap Praxeum"]

 

[Stap Praxeum]

She had moved in like arriving on the cool air and her words almost crept up his shoulder into his ear. He turned to look at her, distancing himself away from the conversations of boring men and gazed at her. The lights lit up her white dress as if she were inhuman. Not alien, but supernatural. She was no business woman, she didn't carry herself like one. Praxeum only knew that because he had trained his entire life to hide behind that type of mask. An escort would find someone isolated, alone, and who had drank far more than Praxeum had the opportunity to drink yet. What then? He could see a slight curve along her own curves, something was hidden under her robe. She couldn't be a security officer, because they didn't seem smart enough to hide in plain sight.

Ah.

A warm sense of excitement flooded his body. A Jedi. She spoke with a cavalier tone, one that almost begged for adventure. She must be an apprentice or padawan, whatever those Jedi call them. The thrill of speaking to her overcame him. It was almost sinful for him. She was one of the most honorable, respected law enforcers in the world and he was a spider in the middle of criminal web that dangled from planet to planet. It was almost animalistic the pleasure he got from being this close.

"In fact, it was a rather brilliant conversation with great men." Stap said, looking at her almost harshly. She looked confused for a moment. She, a image of beauty, had come to him and he seemed to reject her.

"Kidding. They are the biggest morons I have ever met." He said playfully, laughing as the mood shifted. "Thank goodness you came to save me." He suddenly shined a playful smile. To the rest of the world, it was flirtatious and charming, but in Praxeum's mind, it was like he was showing her his fangs.

@[member="Cass Tarentill"]

 

[Cass Tarentill]

His response at first made Cass fluster at first. Her face grew a deep red for only a few seconds but it was incredibly obvious. She was not good at these social arrangements, and such a response made her heart stop. The young Padawan dreamed of one day taking the fight to the Dark Jedi or Sith but social engagements were nightmares incarnate for her. You would think a man holding a red-colored lasersword that can cut through metal like butter would be more scary then having to speak to a simple business man, but nope. Not for dear old Cass.

Then came his joke. His smile broke through the torrid nightmare that was suffocating Cass and choking the life out of her. It was a joke. A simple, plain joke. And it almost made Cass puke all over. She really needed to get out more. Her face immediately brightening at the joke, a small laugh fell out of her. It was not planned in the slightest and sounded more wholesome then ever before. Was it because the joke was funny or that he was not a big of jerk as she first thought? She could not honestly tell. In fact, his whole image and visage, now that Cass was really looking at him, confused her.

The Force is a powerful guidance, but it could easily confuse a person. This man had trouble written all over him now that she could plainly look at him. Even the smile screamed 'stay away' but she could not. Unlike the other stuffy men in the area, his presence was relaxing, calming, but altogether powerful. It was like he could kill her at any moment, and that excited Cass. "I am glad to be of assistance." She curtsied lightly, and made another light chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. The other businessmen had started to drift from the couples conversation, so it was just Cass and Stap standing close. "I am curious. You do not fill the same niche as these other gentlemen here. You seem... Different." To some people, the word different would seem like an insult or slap to the face. But not for Cass. The word was practically a compliment. She smiled at him, breathing in his aroma, his looks and his personality.

@[member="Stap Praxeum"]

 

[Stap Praxeum]

Different.

The word hung in the air for a moment as if began to envelop him. If she only knew how different he was. How every word that slithered from his mouth was like a fighter dancing around his opponent, looking for a killing stroke. Her eyes moved across him, taking in each detail. She was astute, likely on edge. She was on her toes, prepared for what Praxeum would do.

Finally, he found it. A distraction. A way to look past the excruciatingly dull evening. He had plans, but they were in motion and wouldn't even require a second thought from him. For now, he had found his plaything.

"Stap Praxeum." He simply said as an introduction, extending a hand to her. Well known in business circles and a celebrity on Hapes, he doubted the Jedi would know him. But this introduction was also an answer to her question. She said he seemed different. The only way he could be explained was simply put as Stap Praxeum. Icon and tycoon, but so much more hidden behind that.

@[member="Cass Tarentill"]

 

[Cass Tarentill]

Stap was a peculiar name, but Cass had called it by calling him different. He was exactly the type of person that Cass was not supposed to be around. The kind that could move planets with just their looks and their voice. Even still, his lure was powerful, and Cass drank it up like a potent drug. Shaking his hand, she returned his politeness of introductions. "Cass Tarentill."

She could not help but notice an odd look on his face when he said his name. It was almost as if he was waiting for her to perk up at just his name. Perhaps he was some celebrity? Cass could not honestly tell nor know. She never kept up with this kind of stuff. She barely watched the news ordinarily. Trying to place his name on anything she could think of, she failed miserably. Perhaps he would not be too annoyed with his anonymity to her. Hell, he would probably enjoy it. Businessmen love talking about themselves.

Then again, he was not a normal businessman. His face, voice, looks and demeanor were completely different then most men. His words were kind and soft but laced with poison. Cass could feel her brain trying to warn every organ in her body to step away from the man, but her heart would not let her. She wanted more. Needed more from this man. It was intoxicatingly amazing to talk with him. "What brings you to the charity today Stap?"

@[member="Stap Praxeum"]

 

[Stap Praxeum]

She was young, she was beautiful, and she seemed intelligent. Which made her the most dangerous thing here. Which drew him to her as if he craved it. His slender frame moved closer to her as he looked across the event. People were still pouring into the area, it was growing to be quite a social event. A band lightly played, their music filling the space as the wind moved across the ocean into the party.

"What better is there than to help those who can't help themselves?" Praxeum said, looking at the crowd. It was a pompous answer given by those in power, but often times Stap read from a script to ensure he was simply seen as what he wanted to be known as, but he thought this woman could sense more than that. Not his true ambitions or intentions, but the animal, the beast inside him.

"And you?" He said, but in a quiet whisper near her ear. Quiet, but stirring, it was like the devil sitting on her shoulder. Which, Praxeum had to admit, was a rather accurate portrayal.

@[member="Cass Tarentill"]

 

[Cass Tarentill]

He had gotten closer to her, all the while acting like it was normal. Her words could barely form and it was obvious that she was not in a good area. A young guy, powerful and dictating, was getting this close to her. It was like a dream. Was it? She did not truly know what emotions to feel. The men at the temple were barely men. They were not as suave, powerful or anything really. They are practically monks. That had to have been the reason she was drawn to him. Right?

She listened to his words and replied in kind. "How noble of you." She flashed him a toothy grin but it was more automatic then anything. She had never spoken to anyone like this ever before. She was actually flirting for the first time in her life. It was an odd feeling, but it felt good. Odd but good. She wanted him to get even closer, but had no way of saying it. Her eyes were lit up like candles. "Im taking in the sights and enjoying the atmosphere of course." It was not a complete lie. After all, she was here to take in the sights. As in make sure no one died or lit the place on fire.

@[member="Stap Praxeum"]

 

[Stap Praxeum]

"As am I." He said, gazing at her. His dark eyes stared at her, like a shark smelling the blood of his prey. A guardian of the universe who's body was nearly intwined with a monster. Her own eyes, green shining in the light, met his own. She was brave. Strong even. She could feel his power, but stood her ground. Even marveled in it, bathed in it when she knew she shouldn't.

"Drinks, sir?" A young Kel Dor carrying a tray said. Without moving his eyes away from her, he could tell it was an alien from the dialect. It made his skin crawl, the tentacles. Instead he grabbed a drink and handed it to her and reached out for another glass. As the alien left, Praxeum rose a glass to her own. Sipping the red wine like blood, he grinned at her as he set the drink down. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone approaching.

"Marsi." Praxeum said, extending his hand to the human man. The man was large and seemed to have had too many drinks at the party so far.

"Stap, my boy!" Marsi said, putting his arm around Praxeum. "Who is your beautiful friend?"

"Cass Tarentill, this is Marsi Resata. Brillant investor from Corellia." Praxeum said, as a matter of fact.

"I will leave you to it." Marsi said, seeing a tray of drinks across the room. He turned back to Praxeum, "But I always have to say hello to Hape's finest." Praxeum said goodbye as Marsi left, his eyes moved back to Cass.

"Pardon the interruption." Praxeum said. "I believe we'd be less likely to be interrupted on the dance floor."

@[member="Cass Tarentill"]

 

[Cass Tarentill]

Cass blushed at the manly exterior Stap gave. It was like everything he did was planned out carefully, to make absolute sure that it put him in a good light. Cass liked the attention oddly enough, even though she was ordinarily a very anti-social person. Taking a deep breath, Cass' eyes fell on the Kel Dor waiter. Stap seemed to tense for just a few seconds, but Cass did not think too hard on that. Perhaps the Kel Dor scared him or something similar. Taking the drink from Stap's hands, Cass watched the liquid bop back and forth in the glass. She never drank, mostly because of the Jedi traditions that outlawed such action.

Cass felt the presence of another approach the two of them, and her eyes darted to the large man. Even if both of them were talking cordially, it was obvious there was some type of tension that hung in the air. Cass humbly bowed to the larger man and laughed at his presence. She was taken back by the comment but just assumed it was due to the fact that the man had had too much to drink in the last few hours. People from Corellia seemed like a fun bunch to be around, but Cass had never been. Perhaps she will add that to her bucket list when the night ended.

Cass watched man leave and smiled at Stap. "Hape's finest, hm? I was unaware you were a Hapan. Im terribly at noticing those things." She truly was. Hell, for all she knew, she could be Hapan. She didnt have many memories of her childhood nor of her parents. Since her brother had disappeared out of her life, Cass was unsure where she was truly from. Him being from Hapan did not change anything, except maybe make Cass feel like she had to add another thing to her bucket list. Cass agreed that they would probably be less interrupted, though the statement took her back slightly. How would she spin this if questioned by Knights? She was doing her best to be undercover? "Lead the way, finest of the Hapan." She smiled at the idea but could not shake an inevitable fear building inside of her.

 

[Stap Praxeum]

He smiled at her. Her calm exterior, but shaking interior mixed with a palpable interest in the inner-workings of Praxeum's mind. His plans were to control governments and topple empires, yet he was fully in this moment. His other plans moved like cogs in a machine and he could be completely on the dance floor with her. Even his own plans for the night where in the back of his mind. Seeing Marsi confirmed his sinister goals would take effect, but he was merely a player on the field. Appearing to be a pawn when he was really the secret king.

The lights and atmosphere on the dance floor dramatically changed from the outskirts of the party they were on. The lights were lower, music louder but smoother, and the coldness of the ocean was a distant memory replaced with the warmth of nearness. Like a surgeon wielding a scalpel, each move he made was a cut deeper into her. His hands moved onto her sides carefully placing themselves were she was most vulnerable emotionally and physically. If anything, Stap Praxeum knew that the smallest detail would alter the largest of things. A different word, another way to move, or even different inflection on a word could alter everything. So, Praxeum, with a mind that always raced to find distractions, used it to be very precise with every action he made, even if he made it seem natural. He drew closer to her as the music began to sweep their feet into motion.

@[member="Cass Tarentill"]

 

[Cass Tarentill]

It was intoxicating. Never before had she felt so trapped but so alive. His hands were touching all the right spots, and her heart was beating faster then ever before. She could barely breathe. It was impressive that she was still standing, but that might of been due to her natural way of trying to survive in a social scene. With him, it felt like the whole world had melted away in a short while. She had never prepared for such a thing when she approached him. What made him so enticing?

His hands electrified her as she moved. She was younger then he, and many would scoff at the two dancing. One would imagine that he were only doing this for other reasons. Perhaps they were right. Cass could not care less about the reasons at this point. She was caught up in the moment and was enjoying every second of it. Her smile was wide and genuine. She could not keep her eyes off of his eyes, drinking in his presence and smooth moves. A sinister machine wound around Cass, and she was nothing more then an innocent bystander at this point.

@[member="Stap Praxeum"]

 

[Stap Praxeum]

Each step they took was like the dance they had been playing all night. Praxeum led, Cass kept herself holding on tight, prepared for a storm to unleash itself at any moment. No other Jedi in the area would be able to sense anything from him. To them, he was simply another guest at the party. She, however, could feel the tingling that screamed danger when she looked into his eyes. His presence would crawl up her back like a sensation. This Jedi, this Force all of that was decent, was becoming so very intertwined with this shadow of the galaxy.

They were now alone on the dance floor. Though surrounded by people, they were in their own world. His world. So, it was time he took control over it. A Jedi is a valuable asset. Something he had extreme use for. Especially one so beautiful. He leaned in to her, so close that she would feel his breath on her ear as he spoke,

"You must be new to the Order."

@[member="Cass Tarentill"]

 

[Cass Tarentill]

It is unknown if one's soul can shatter from one or two words. Cass was not entirely sure herself, but it sure felt like it after Stap whispered something into her ear. How had he known about such a thing. To keep from being distracted or from showing the fear bubbling forward, Cass tried to remain calm. "And you are entirely too investigative." The answer was vague, but Cass wasn't going to outright say that she was indeed a Jedi. She did not even know if Stap had guessed it or not. She hoped it was not too obvious. Her grip loosened slightly, as her body ached to pull away from this dangerous man.

Not a single person in the area could feel the danger irradiating from Stap but Cass. She could feel it, and knew how dark this situation was getting. But even still, she could pull away. She liked being in the middle of danger, even though she knew she was not experienced enough to get out of it. She could feel the explosive power gaining energy, and was powerless to stop it.

@[member="Stap Praxeum"]

 

[Stap Praxeum]

Stap Praxeum’s time was up. The evening had been extremely productive as well entertaining. He had found a new toy. Something he had to have in his own web. As the song came to an end, Praxeum and Cass stared at each other.

“Perhaps we can get to know each other better at my place.” He said, charmingly. He moved to kiss her hand and once he held it, she felt a card being placed in her hand. After his lips touched her hand, he looked up and said, “Unless you are busy.” It may have come off flirtatious, but in his mind it was him simply toying with her. “But I have to leave for now.”

He quickly turned before Cass said anything. It was almost as if he had come from Cass imagination. When he had turned around, it was like he was never there. The only person who would know he had even been there and remember it would be Cass. Exactly what Praxeum wanted. If things went the way he want, she would come looking for him.

After his plan.

Commotion suddenly rang out through the party. Cass looked only to see that a corpse was lying in the middle of the party. People crowded around only to see that a blaster bolt and been shot directly into his chest. Cass could see a fellow Jedi detaining the man that had spoken to Praxeum earlier. A blaster was found on Marsi Resata, but all Cass could hear was Marsi yell out that the blaster wasn’t his and he had no idea how it was on him.

Stap Praxeum smiled to himself from the hotel he was staying in. He looked out the window at the top of the building, knowing that his plan moved onwards while he was far away.

@[member="Cass Tarentill"]