Private Soak Up The Sun

[Calyx Sundrift]

N I A M O S ​

Calyx took another sip of his ice-cold Jawa juice, the colorful paper umbrella bobbing with the motion. Maybe fleeing the Justicars wasn’t that bad after all. Niamos had been an excellent hideout. His gang even kept a small safehouse here. A luxury he’d happily made use of, despite only being an associate. Truth be told, it was the most exciting thing he’d done on the planet. Everything else had been lounging and sunbathing.

He stretched back on his towel. Claiming the right chair had been his first priority this morning, as it always was. No matter the resort, there was one universal rule: throw down a towel, and the lounger was yours. Of course, not everyone respected the law. He’d caught a Mon Calamari eyeing his seat earlier, when he was off buying shaved ice from the Zeltron girl with the winning smile.

Unfortunately, his comlink buzzed on the glass table beside him. Calyx sighed. So much for paradise - Niamos wasn’t all play after all.

He pushed his sunglasses up and checked the blinking lights. Three signals: two missed calls, one message. Great. Where had the days gone without constant interruptions? His hand hovered over the receiver. Could it wait until tomorrow? He already knew the answer.

Another sigh. He pressed the switch. “It’s me.”

Silence, then a familiar voice: “Cal!” Roskan. A Devaronian criminal with a grin as sharp as his horns. Calyx had seen his work firsthand. The term arsonist simply didn’t do him justice. Unfortunately, he was also the best information broker Calyx knew.

“What is it? I’m-” Calyx glanced at the many sunbathers crowding the beach. “Busy.”] The lie slipped out easily.

“There’s a guy - well, maybe a gal - you might be interested in,” Roskan said, voice crackling over the line. “Fits the description you gave me.”

Calyx perked up. “Old and rich?”

Exasperation came through even across the static. “No. The other one.”

“Ah.” Calyx’s voice hardened. “That one. Which group? What am I looking for?”

“Galactic Alliance. Nautolan, from what I’ve heard. Check for Iskadrell bank accounts. You’ll find ’em quick that way. And that little tidbit’s gonna cost you extra- it wasn’t easy to dig up.”

Calyx was already on his feet. “Oh, you’ll get your credits. Don’t worry.”

He cut the transmission, slipped the comlink into his swim trunks, and slid on his sandals. With a last look at the beach, he started the climb toward the boulevard.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Soak up the Sun
Calyx Sundrift ​

Dear Diary

I'm sitting here contemplating where it all went wrong. Why am I sitting here sunbathing when I could instead be helping the Empire make the galaxy a better place?

Is this what I get for what went down on Ord Lithone? Niamos?! Yeah, the Mandalorians controls it, sure, but what the heck am I supposed to do about that? "Oi, Agent Pen-Ar-Lan, establish a presence." wth okay sure, fine. I'll make it work. The Galactic Empire will establish a firm presence along the best beaches Niamos has to offer.

This might actually do me well though. I need to-
oh
That's why they sent me here? Yeah, I do need a break from the Jedi

Alriiiight. Let's go for it then. Let's have a little look around. The beach isn't filled with oddities, but there are a few. My favourite is probably that Mon Calamari guy. He's walking around ANNEXING loungers. He's not just doing it to- ahahahh look! He's doing it again. Yeeeeah, that's what you get for ogling at the Zeltron girl buddy!

But wait - wha- Buddy, what are you up to? Lounging on the beach on your own? Nu-uh, you're far too cute for that. Who in their right mind would do that? Something's off about you. The Mon Cal is at least entertaining himself, but you? The weird ones always make for the best assets, don't they? Let's have a little look.

Off we go. Ciao!

The Agent closed the datapad down and placed it in the inner pocket of the shawl which hung next to her lounger. "I'mma head out" she spoke to the little group of students she had joined up with. Some of them seemed disappointed that she was going to leave them whilst others almost seemed happy about it. She offered a soft smile to appease the lighthearted protests "Exam's in a week and the sun is killing me. I'll see y'all at campus tomorrow."

The decision to leave her in peace was made quickly. It was all superficial - naturally - and they barely knew each other, even on a surface level. Whilst packing up her stuff, Verse traced the weirdo she had observed earlier behind her large lens sunglasses. She tried listening in to his call as she did - but the idle chatter between her student friends made it a hard task indeed.

Before long, she was ready to go. A wide-brimmed sunhat provided ample amounts of shade to hide her face under. The large beige and red shawl she wore hung loosely over her and went roughly as far down as her shorts did. Golden blonde hair, wet from a previous swim, hung loosely over her shoulders. Imperial training had made her fit enough to carry her bag without any issues, but the Agent still made it look heavy. It contained a towel, a few books, and importantly, a little container housing a hold-out blaster as well as a couple of computer spikes and security tunnelers.

Slipping away from her group, Verse walked up to his seat. Her blue eyes scanned the immediate vicinity before she picked up his towel and jogged up to reach him as he arrived at the boulevard. "Hey!" she hollered, seemingly struggling to catch up to him while carrying the heavy bag. "Hey you! In the blue trunks!"

Eventually, she would catch up. It would seem as if she was hiding her heavy breathing rather well. Verse offered him his towel with a bright smile "You forgot this". Behind the sunglasses, she eyed him curiously. While it may have been hard to see behind the dark sunglasses, the girl looked like a bubble that was about to burst until she finally asked, "So what's the deal with the Galactic Alliance?"

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

N I A M O S -B O U L E V A R D​

He laid a hand on the iron railing of the stone stairs, then yanked it back. The metal was hot. The concrete tiles weren’t much better, though at least his new slippers spared his feet. The climb up to the elevated streets was short, but with the sun hammering his back, sweat still broke across his skin.

The shade from the market stalls offered little relief. Up here it was warmer than the beaches below. Maybe because of the dozens of grills smoking away, thick with the smell of salty fish and fried foods. The streets pressed in with tourists and holidaymakers, all clamoring for colorful, overpriced junk. Shirts, hats, towels, even starfighters-in-bottles.

He couldn’t judge. He was here to buy something too. Something more valuable.

Information.

It was always his first order of business in a new system. Find the illicit networks, the ones hiding in plain sight. He’d trained the eye for it back in the mines of Kessel out of necessity. Learning to map who dealt with who, and how goods and secrets flowed. Niamos’s system was subtler than most. Impressive, even.

A pair of kids tore through the crowd - they were ten years old, maybe - laughing, weaving between stalls and drawing curses from the vendors. The girl brushed past him, but the boy didn’t. He smacked straight into Calyx’s side, mumbled an apology in a Niamos accent, and tried to slip away without looking up.

Calyx caught his wrist. The boy’s hand clutched his comlink.

“Stealing, eh?” Calyx bent low, voice soft, eyes steady. “Iskadrell transactions. Last week.” With his free hand, he fished three shiny credits from his dark blue swimming trunks. The boy pocketed them and, with a neat little trick, faked slipping the comlink back into Calyx’s hand. Then he was gone, sprinting to rejoin his friend.

Calyx watched him vanish into the crowd. That comlink would pass through a dozen hands before reaching its destination. Each one seemingly unrelated, weaving a web of chaos so perfect no outsider could untangle it. But when it came back to him in a couple of hours, it would hold exactly what he wanted.

He smiled. Yes. It was impressive to say the least.

Now. Onward to the bar.

Calyx could do with another ice-cold drink. Maybe a Phattro. Or, if luck was kind, an Antakarian Fire Dancer.

He ignored the shouting behind him at first. The second time, he slid his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose and glanced back. Blue trunks? Was she calling him?

Eventually she caught up, holding his towel.

Calyx held off for a moment, staring at her silently. Then finally said "You ran all that way to hand me my towel?" Oh, she had to want something. A holiday fling? A spark of meaningful connection? His gaze flicked over her. She was quite attractive. Athletic figure, captivating eyes, and passable fashion sense - albeit a bit modest for Niamos standards.

But she was human. Which meant dull.

Still, credit where credit was due. He forced a smile as he accepted the towel. “Thanks. Can’t believe I left that behind.” He gave a casual laugh. “Guess it frees up a lounger for someone else. It’s worse than Coruscant’s housing market down there.” He half-turned, ready to dismiss her. But she lingered and fired a question.

CCalyx froze mid-step. “What’s the deal with-” He cut himself off, turned back fully, and met her gaze. Boredom drained into curiosity, edged with charm. “Eavesdropping, huh, shorts?” Dangerous, this. Something about her tempted him to reveal more. He reigned himself back in with a grin. "Last thing people want to talk about on holiday is politics." Calyx shrugged. "And I usually save that 'till the second date." Oh, this was a slipper slope. But he had time to kill. And there was nothing he liked more than exploring people. Figuratively of course.

“Tell you what-” his grin sharpened, testing now. “I could shift the order up a little, if you buy the first drink.”

Interest or ulterior motive, either answer would tell him exactly what he needed to know about her.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Soak up the Sun
Calyx Sundrift ​

'You ran all that way to hand me a towel?' Verse responded with a dutiful nod and a bright smile and proceeded with a cheerful "You're welcome!" upon being thanked for it. His joke seemed to amuse her enough as she quietly chuckled along and suppressed an urge to fire back. The housing market on Coruscant had just opened up. It was a joke that few outside of the Empire would find amusing.

Instead, she'd ask her question about the Alliance. That sure caught his attention. A soft smile lingered on her lips while curious blue eyes scanned his expression carefully from behind the sunglasses. Her lips soon formed a bit of a smirk as he mentioned her eavesdropping directly. "Well, you had me hooked at 'old and rich'."

For a few brief moments, she broke eye contact with him to readjust her stance to compensate for the heavy bag. Verse fibbled with the straps to make it less straining for her shoulders. At some point, he mentioned a second date. Intrigued brows slowly rose as her gaze shifted back to him. The interest was quickly turned on its head, however. The girl's mouth fell open upon hearing the suggestion that she buy the first drink. "That's bold" she stated, her tone somewhere vaguely between amused, insulted and impressed.

Once more, she pulled at the strap of her bag a little before letting another subtle smile form. "If this first date is to my liking, I'll be all ears when you talk politics for the second" Her lighthearted tone was accompanied by a playful wink - a wink which could hardly be seen due to the dark shades.

Verse, apparently not keen on buying the first drink, was not about to decide where they would go for a first date either. She would however turn and point to the far end of the beach, where the sandy shores met cliff and rock "I know of a decent place, 'Miasma'." She quickly raised her hands disarmingly "I know, I know, the name stinks, but it's got a great view and they've got some cheap Corellians."

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

N I A M O S -B O U L E V A R D​

It did seem she’d caught every word of his side of the conversation.

“If I’d known you were prowling for lonely rich folk too, I’d have picked a different hunting ground,” Calyx said, amused. Somehow women always came out ahead at this game. He could count his wins on one hand. On Niamos so far, his score was zero. Not that he was trying.

Her mouth fell open at the blunt suggestion. He only grinned wider, lifting his hands in a mock shrug. “Fortune favours the bold.” A laugh softened the sting. Maybe he’d pushed her too fast, but her playful answer told him he was safe. More than that. He’d just landed himself a date.

“Miasma, huh?” He rolled the word on his tongue. “Fitting. Seen Niamos’ ugly side yet?” He doubted it. She didn’t strike him as the type. “It’s all sunscreen sweat and bile underneath the paradise gloss. So yeah- Miasma works.”

He set off in the direction she’d been facing, spinning back to walk backwards for a few paces. “And hey, never say no to cheap Corellians.” Then he slowed, falling into step beside her. He offered his arm with an easy smile.

“Got a name you want to share, or should I keep calling you ‘shorts’?” His tone teased, but his eyes measured. “Seems that lots of people prefer anonymity here. 'It's complicated' and all, or so they say.”

Whether or not she took his arm, he let her guide them toward Miasma. “So. Have you been enjoying Niamos so far?” His grin never faltered, but underneath he probed. She was young, but not naïve. Not innocent either. Thrill-seeker? Or something sharper, more dangerous?

There had to be more. Nobody that ordinary chased him down for just a towel.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Soak up the Sun
Calyx Sundrift ​

"Seen it?" a mischievous smirk formed on her lips. "I've not only seen it, I've heard it, smelled it, even tasted it." Agent Pen-Ar-Lan was attempting to pull off the difficult task of trying to impersonate a softer and more innocent Verse who was, in turn, pretending to be a little tougher and rougher than she actually was. It was a hard task to pull off - but then, she was a very capable infiltrator. A playful gaze fell upon him before she hooked her arm around his and leaned in.

Her blue eyes looked out over the beach below the boulevard. They seemed relaxed until she, once more, adjusted the straps to make the bag a little more bearable. Still, she spoke softly "What sort of pet name is that anyways? Cuz' if it's just about these-" she said, pointing to the shorts with her free hand whilst the other stayed linked around his arm "you could use if for like, a third, of the girls down there." In this relaxed state, her normally rather neutral accent slipped to reveal something which one might expect to find in Hutt Space. The slight shade of an accent would, however, be hard to pinpoint more exactly.

"My name's no secret. I'm Verse." she leaned away for a moment to look up at him as she presented herself. For a moment, it would seem as if she wanted to pull away - maybe to offer a hand for him to shake. But then, she changed her mind. With an ever so subtle shake of the head, she let out a small breath and leaned back in against his side. "What about you?" Her voice was warm, comfortable and relaxed. The accent, however, was now back to a very neutral state.

He asked if she enjoyed Niamos. The girl tilted her head from side to side, evaulating her experience. "I don't know. I've gotten to know some nice folks. Seen some of the bad." she paused for a moment, contemplating how to put it. "But it's the boring kind of bad, y'know? Nothing that really pops. It's been a while since I've seen something truly exciting. -and- I'm not sure what you had in mind, but I'm not looking for old and rich, so it's not that."

In the distance, Miasma was now coming into view. At one point in time, it had been marked by a massive teal neuon plaque. It still was - but both Ms had failing lights, making it appear as a sign for 'iasa', Although far from crowded, a fair few number of patrons could be seen from a distance. Most of them young, with beige and red pins suggesting they were all from the same university. Drinks were flowing freely and the occasional roar of laughter could be heard all the way from down the boulevard.

"I wanna know more about you though. Are you really in it just for the rich old ladies with their cozy little villas in the Laberana?" she now tilted her head up to gaze into his eyes. The curiosity in her gaze was shared between both Verse and the Agent. "Because, if that's what you're after, you should probably take the next left" She referred, of course, to the Residence a block away.

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

N I A M O S -B O U L E V A R D​

Oh, there were layers to this game of pretend.

He’d have to throw her off his trail. She’d already heard too much. If he could convince her, like so many others, that all there was to him was a slimeball Casanova, it would be handled. To sell that lie, he’d need to feign attraction. Unfortunately, convincing deceptions had to be rooted in truth. And humans were hard to love.

Calyx's eyebrows rose in mock amusement as she caught him off guard.
“Tasted?” he repeated, surprised. With a laugh, he added, “I don’t know if I’m put off or intrigued by that.”

She really didn’t seem like the type. Not to be that wild. What game was she playing? Trying to impress him?

She made a point about the name he’d given her, noting how it could apply to many - many -of the girls here at the beach.

Calyx glanced at her with a teasing smile. “That’s kind of the point. Routines. Ease the nerves, y’know.” He winked. “Promise you’re the only one I’ve called that though.” He raised a finger, adding, “On Niamos, of course.”
Zeltros. That was another matter entirely.

Calyx slowed as she leaned away, relaxing his arm and half-turning to meet her gaze.
“Verse,” he said, nodding. Both in greeting and in approval. “Calyx Sundrift.”

He had considered giving a fake name. He’d caught the slip-up, recognized the drawled vowels of Huttese. It didn’t fit the image he had of her, but it aligned with the offhand comments he’d dismissed earlier.

It screamed Wild Space.

And that alarmed him.

He’d spent time out there. He knew the women of Wild Space were either taking advantage of you, or had been taken advantage of. And the latter usually couldn’t afford to leave their homeworld.

Thief, scammer, or assassin. Those were his bets.

Still, Calyx set his caution aside. He had to sell the illusion. Even the slightest hint of suspicion, and she’d catch on. The safest cover was still the role he played.

Besides, their dance of bluffs and veiled truths was... exhilarating.

And in that, he found more than enough reason to like her.

Calyx made a face at her next remark. “Nothing exciting? Ouch. I’m right here, you know.”

He understood what she meant, of course. Niamos was exciting in the least exciting way. There was something flashy or mind-blowing on every corner, so paradoxically, nothing was actually impressive.
“Oh, I’ve got quite the imagination, don’t you worry. If old and rich isn’t doing it for you, I’m sure I can think of something else.” He paused deliberately. “Maybe the drag races at Crescent Beach are more your style. Illegal and never without casualties.”

Calyx grinned.

“I’m pretty sure I can get us in.” They’d just need a landspeeder, but he didn’t doubt they could find a sponsor.

They were nearing the place called Miasma. He could make out the sign long before the entrance came into view. The crowd out front was mostly her age, though a few late bloomers rivaled or exceeded him. That told him one thing; the owners didn’t keep a close watch. And that meant trouble was bound to brew later tonight.

He was about to steer the conversation again, but she beat him to it, slipping in a question that turned the focus back on him. He avoided her gaze at first, more instinctively than intentionally.

Subtly, she’d offered him a choice - the same one he’d once given her.

Double down, or fold.

Well, Calyx was all-in.

“Hm.” He pretended to think it over. “Sometimes I’ve got an appetite for men too. Though I usually go for vibrant complexions and an extra limb or two.” He gestured between them. “This? This is a first. So who knows? Ask me again tomorrow after breakfast.”

All-in. No more bluffing.

He locked eyes with her. “What I’m after right now is you, Verse.” He slid his hands into his pockets, radiating casual calm.

“Because you intrigue me. I can’t shake the feeling that if I spend the afternoon and evening with you, I’ll wake up in a bathtub full of ice and with two kidneys less.” He smiled - the kind that didn’t reach his calculating eyes. “Either that, or you’ll rob me with whatever’s making your handbag so heavy.”

“So.” He shrugged. “Should we both keep pretending and walk into that bar as two liars?”

A crooked grin.

“It’d be the start of a great joke.”

But that would be unsatisfying.

“Alternatively, we go inside and I give you something, and you give me something. Trade some truths while we finish this date.”

The truth on a first date. Now that would be a first.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Soak up the Sun
Calyx Sundrift ​

[...]

Kill me now

This guy is driving me crazy. I'm 75% sure that he turned INTENTIONALLY turned up the sleaziness to the max. What a slimeball. Out of the remaining 25%, there's the standard 10% for having failed to spot something. Whatever, right? But then there's the remaining 15%. Why? Because a guy with his looks on this part of Niamos could just be that sleazy naturally.

He almost made me slip up.
— I was about to throw in a cheeky lil' roast when he asked about what I had tasted. Verse would never be that clever though, even if she really wanted to. Checking his stuff out with that dirty smirk Malwa taught me was probably the right call. Maybe.
— I should probably have said something about being the only 'Shorts' on Niamos though. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes but Verse probably --- secretly --- loves it when they're being bad. I think I got a pretty good blush going though, tried to hide it - of course. Couldn't make it too easy for him, now could I?
— Oh Verse. Silly, silly Verse, probably didn't mind that he never offered to carry her bag. I truly miss the Empire sometimes.

Got a few notes down for the profile on him - but I'll have to go through them again before I can get anything of value. He’s an opportunist: prefers aliens, swings both ways, sharp, analytical, and bold. More importantly, he's potential going to waste. I'll have to compile my notes and get a proper analysis up later. For now, all I know for certain is that; if he had been as lucky as me and been picked up by the Empire, his life would be much better. Maybe he can still be saved?

[...]

'Nothing exciting? Ouch. I'm right here you know.' The girl looked up to him, her blue eyes round with an amused Oh really? "Well, Mister Routines-eases-the-nerves, what is it that makes you so exciting?" She leaned her head back onto the side of his arm as he replied. A subtle but approving smile grew on her lips as he was able to come up with something on the fly. Still she pushed on "Do you race?" she rubbed the side of her head against him and pulled herself just a little closer to his arm "I'd love to cheer you on. Maybe after Miasma?" Her voice was filled with high expectations and perhaps even a bit of preemptive admiration.

After a few more paces, the topic would wander back to Calyx. Her eyes wandered up to study his from time to time as he spoke. Constantly scanning for little tells and hints as to whether his words were true or not. Hearing that he wanted her, however, made her pace slow a little. She let out an ever so slight breath as her blue eyes shimmered with happiness. After letting her gaze linger for a little too long, she quickly leaned her head back down against his side to hide how she felt. Agent Pen-Ar-Lan had allowed Verse's tough facade to falter for just a moment.

She refrained from interrupting him, however. They were making progress. He was being open. Breaking his flow would likely only be detrimental. Still, he would easily be able to feel her reactions. She was brushed up close to him with her arm still wrapped around his - every little chuckle would be felt as her chest rose and fell jovially by his side.

The offer was made. "mmm" she considered it for a while as they closed in on Miasma. Finally, she let out a light, almost cheerful "Alright" Her head turned to look up at him - this time, any signs of curiosity were replaced by something resembling naiveté and bliss.

By this point, the duo had reached their destination. The doorman, a lazy-looking bearded human, looked the couple up and down before waving them through with a sluggish hand. Aside from at the bar, few patrons could be found inside. The outside-section of the establishment seemed far more popular. Naturally, that was where the live Bith band was playing too. A serving droid bustled about delivering drinks and taking up new orders as it went.

"Here we are" she spoke softly before taking a deep breath and pulling away from him. She smoothly adjusted the straps of her bag as she stretched out her other hand for him to take "Come, let's go" A smile marked her lips as she spoke with a voice high pitched enough to pierce through the sudden buzz of music, chatter and joyous toasts. The girl would pull him to the outside section - the temporary warmth they received upon entering Miasma was replaced by a wall of cold - but fresh - air as they walked outside. Her head turned, searching for somewhere to sit. She spotted an empty couch and a couple of chairs beside a table piled high with empty glasses and cans. That was where she would settle.

Verse had a little bounce to her step as she approached the couch to take a seat. When the serving droid eventually came around to take their order, she would leave the choices to Calyx.

"So, the truth then?" she picked up where they had left off. A smirk crossed her lips "I can give you one for free. I'm not about to harvest your organs. I'm armed with some hefty books though, and I'm not afraid to use them." she spoke happily whilst producing a book on speeder repairs from the bag.

"So now that you know what's at stake, I'd say it's time to spill the truth" she put the book away. A soft breeze came and went as they talked, bringing in fresh air from the vast ocean they looked out over. Verse hugged herself a little tighter under the shawl. "You start. I wanna know-..." she paused with some hesitation. She appeared to weigh between a few different options - some lighthearted, some serious. Eventually, she shrugged "Why are you here on Niamos?" Just as he was about to speak, she would interrupt him with a raised finger "No-no-no, why are you really here?"

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

N I A M O S -B O U L E V A R D​

This girl…

Calyx couldn’t help but force a frustrated smile. He’d played his part well. Flinging out every inappropriate comment he could muster with that signature charm. Yet, she’d taken it all in stride. More than that, she seemed to enjoy it. Seemed flattered by it.

Calyx wasn’t a fool. He knew how to overplay his hand, how to play insufferable. But still, she was there. A pleasante warmth at his side. If she’d been a Togruta, Twi’lek, or Chagrian, he might’ve brushed his suspicions off. Or perhaps never taken notice at all. But this 'Verse'... Despite his admiration for her intellect and acting, she got under his skin. Perhaps because he hated dealing with liars who were better at the game than him.

He’d called their bluff. She’d responded a little too cheerfully. A little too lightly.

A pang of doubt stirred within him. Was he just paranoid? Had she genuinely come here looking for a good time? Or had she overplayed her hand? The dissonance in her behavior bothered him. He’d never met someone who handled accusations of deception with such casual grace.

She reminded him too much of himself. It was both unsettling and... inviting.

As they passed the bouncer, Verse extended her hand to him. He took it without hesitation. They made a convincing pair, no doubt a charming couple to the onlookers.

Verse had an eye for a good spot, he noted, as she guided him from the lively and vibrant lounge to the cool, secluded terrace. The area was an oasis of calm amidst the noise, with weathered wooden windshields lined with colorful lights creating an intimate privacy. Palm trees and fishing nets added to the atmosphere, while also keeping the brutish birds out of the patrons’ food. Really, the place had a sense of laid-back elegance.

He glimpsed at Verse as she led them to the couch. She had this way of moving effortlessly confident - happy, even - and impossibly innocent. It was a skill, no doubt. Could he really get her to drop the act?

"You know, for a place called 'Miasma,' it’s got quite a lot of charm," Calyx remarked, settling next to her on the couch. He didn’t need to keep a distance. Sitting across from her wouldn’t do him any good - she was impossible to read. His best bet was to keep her off-balance.

The serving droid arrived, and he ordered without thinking, relying on his memory. “Corellian red for me, please. The house wine should be fine.” He turned to Verse. She’d been the one to suggest this place, presumably because of the cheap Corellian wines. He assumed she drank. “And an Antilles rosé for her, please.” He glanced at her for confirmation. She seemed like the white-wine type, but the evening had a bite to it. Something closer to red felt more fitting. Hopefully, it was right.

“The truth,” Calyx murmured, catching the smirk on her lips. That look told him everything. Books. She was carrying books.

He raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’m glad you're not-” He cut off as he looked at the one in her hands. “That looks hefty enough to take out a Wookiee.” He extended a hand, hoping she’d hand it over. “Speeder repair?” He remarked, eying the title. "You really want to become a mechanic?" He sounded surprised.

Calyx’s expression turned serious, but his lips twitched in a faint smirk when she began about the stakes. “Absolutely. I can’t afford to be crushed by the weight of mechanical engineering.” A cold gust swept over the terrace. Noticing Verse shivering slightly, Calyx draped an arm around her. “Boundaries, I know,” he muttered, though the warmth from his gesture lingered. “But it’s the best I can offer.”

Verse, unsurprisingly, took the floor to turn the conversation back on him. “Well, I’ve been looking for hot singles in-” She cut him off, and Calyx chuckled, rolling with it.
"Yeah, you're right. We made a deal. I'll be straight with you."

He shifted tactics, and the change was deliberate. He was done with the games.

“First, I’m sorry about the jokes earlier,” Calyx said, his voice shifting into something more genuine. “I honestly thought you were trying to scam me. Figured you'd give up if it didn’t feel worth the effort." He leaned back slightly. "Still don’t trust you. Still think you're lying. But I’ll give you this -your act? Impressive. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. And that's why I like you.”

He studied her for a moment, then continued. “As for why I’m on Niamos... well, three reasons. I’ll give you two of them.” He raised a finger against the horizon. “One. An associate of mine attacked a Justicar. Doesn’t know it, but he’s poked the hornet’s nest, so I've sent a message. Let it rest or else, really.” He’d come to Niamos to lay low. Not because of what the trigger-happy Acier Moonbound had done, but because of the violence Calyx had incited in the aftermath.

He stuck up a second finger as he continued. “Two. In a couple hours, I’m going to extort and kill a man. Might blow up his penthouse too, if I can help it.” His voice dropped, no longer playful, no longer charming. Just hollow and cold.

He sighed, and the warmer persona returned. Calyx leaned in slightly. “Now, my turn. What’s your real name?” It was a shot in the dark. A gamble that could fall flat. But her performance was too good, too polished. He needed to test it. He needed to feel her out. Check if she spoke the truth, or give her the impression that he had caught on. That was why, upon her response, Calyx pressed again. “Funny, but I asked for your real name,” His voice sharpening just a touch. If she dodged again, he’d know where they stood. If she didn’t, maybe - just maybe - he could start to unravel her.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Soak up the Sun
Calyx Sundrift ​

A book hefty enough to take out a wookie? She let out a light laugh "Surely you must have heard of when the Jedi used books to keep the Sith, Carnifex, at bay? I'm just learning from the best." she changed her grip on the book to now hold it in front of her chest as she examined it. "Not everyone wants to marry someone old and rich. Besides, it's better than dancing the nights away at some Hutt casino."

It would not be long before he noticed the faint little signs she was sending. When he wrapped an arm around her, she once more leaned in to rest her head against the edge of his chest. An amused gaze ventured over to her bag and then the towel she had returned to him previously before finally settling on one of the colourful bottles on the table. 'The best I could offer' - a gentle smile grew on her lips "Very gentlemanly of you. I wasn't sure you had it in you. The ladies at the residence will love it."

"Scam?" she sounded genuinely surprised - not quite offended but almost. "For what? The shorts or the towel?" The girl chuckled as she angled her head to look up to him. "Whatever motives I have, are good for both you and me. But I still don't know very much about you." Her eyes studied him with a welcoming and encouraging gaze.

Just like before, she would stay silent as he talked whilst offering small humms and nods against his chest to prompt him to continue. She was intrigued by his escapades with the justicars. It was written all over her eyes and the playful smirk that formed as he mentioned it. But her reaction would be very different upon hearing him mention his murderous intents. The girl seemed to shrink under his arm as her head slowly turned to face the heap of bottles once more. Agent Pen-Ar-Lan lowered her walls just a little - barely enough to let some fear seep through in the event that a Force user was nearby.

For some time, she was very silent. Even after he asked for her name. She hugged herself tighter under the shawl until she finally let out a small "Maya". It was untrue, of course, but Acier Moonbound had claimed that she looked like one. Verse was a far poorer liar than the Agent and it would seem like the man could see right through her. For a brief moment, she glanced back up to Calyx - fear could be gleaned from her eyes as she relented "It's Verse. Verse Melnau, if you really need to know." Most, if not all, signs would indicate that she told the truth. Agent Pen-Ar-Lan was very good liar - and her deep infiltration as Verse had been going on for quite some time.

Verse raised her head from his chest as she looked up to him - creating a little more distance between them than there had been just a few moments ago. "Please tell me you weren't really gonna kill someone" she pleaded. Her blue eyes searched for the ass who had just managed to charm Verse so convincingly "There's always a way, right? I bet you could get your way without having to kill someone."

The game of asking questions seemed to be over. At least from what she expressed. This was far more urgent than that. If he pressed her for another question, she would think for a while before letting determination fill her eyes "What's your plan?"