Something of a Mix-Up

[Narasa Kelori]

Narasa checked her blasters and shrugged into her jacket. She picked up the datapad with the information she needed when one arm was in, reading through her notes one last time. The customer had requested she pick up a shipment of completely legal goods and materials, but his attitude in their last communication had been less than encouraging. It made Narasa feel distrustful. Wasn't it such a shame that the galaxy made people feel like that? It almost made her feel guilty.

Except that it didn't. Her parents didn't raise a fool.

The datapad hit the tabletop with a clatter as Narasa tossed it back down and made her way off the ship into the main building of the spaceport. Around her travelers moved: merchants, tourists, gamblers, crooks, gang members, slaves, and all the other possibilities the galaxy had to offer. Nar Shaddaa was a dangerous planet, but it had a rich culture built on its casinos, shows and criminal underground. She didn't take the speeders offered at the entrance to the 'port; everyone who was familiar with Nar Shaddaa knew that was a scam to strip the tourists of their money. Better to pick up a vehicle a bit further down the beaten path, if necessary. Narasa hopped a taxi to one of the popular floating casino platforms instead. Her contact was a shop owner there; he would direct her to the warehouse where his goods were stored. Narasa could pick up a speeder closer to the location and rent it for an hour to transport the goods back to her ship.

She squeezed between groups of anxious, elated and depressed casino-goers, attention on her own business and her wallet. No sense in getting pinched because she wasn't paying attention; the Force should give her a head's up if someone meant her harm or wanted to take advantage of her, but the Force was no excuse to let her senses get lazy. Her mother had always shown her that Force usage did not preclude the need for common sense; it enhanced it.

A tone went off as she passed through the motion sensor of the shop door, drawing the owner's attention away from a pair of customers. Narasa smiled and tossed him a wave, idly wandering away from the register, eyes scanning over the passingly crafted objects in the room. She would give him some time

"Good, good. You're here."

Narasa turned to face Lloyd, surprised. He had left the two people at his counter in deep discussion, and Narasa glanced briefly their way before returning her attention to her long-term client and putting a smile on. "Of course. You did say to be here around now. Is Mai'ik ready for me to stop by?"

"Yes, yes. Here are the coordinates. Please make sure the goods are moved gently; my crates the last time were dented, which risked the goods inside. I would prefer care be taken."

"I've never dented a crate," Narasa replied, slowly taking the proffered information.

Lloyd shifted from foot to foot. "Not you. I... tried an alternative vendor. While you were gone, you understand. It didn't go well." Narasa raised her eyebrows, but Lloyd seemed to find his voice and pushed on. "Which is why I called you, to see if you were available for this one."

Narasa shook her head slightly. "You remember that I know the coordinates, right? It hasn't been that long."

"This is a new warehouse. You follow the coordinates. Mai'ik will be there, and..." Lloya glanced over as the tone went off again and a tall Mirialan entered the shop. Lloyd stared for no more than a split second before continuing. "He will make sure you get the right shipment. You will receive payment as usual."

"Sure." Narasa smiled. "You know I'll see to it, Lloyd."

"Yes, yes. Good. I'll let Mai'ik know you're coming."

"Sure."

Narasa moved toward the shop door, her eyes shuttling between Lloyd, the two whispering customers by the register, and the Mirialan who was now lurking around a display of Hapan-made glass figurines. One customer caught her eye before she looked away, and Narasa shook off a feeling of unease, unwilling to let it show here of all places. Instead, she watched Lloyd resume his place behind the register and immediately lean over to do something in the glass case before him before she passed out of the shop and back into the bustling movements of the casino's lower level.

[member="Kaysu Nen"]

 

[Kaysu Nen]

Kaysu angrily shrugged her pack further up her shoulder, as she stalked away from the jeweler's stand. She could feel him behind her back, greedily pawing over the loot she'd given him, practically salivating at the amount of money he would make off of it.

She really needed to work on her haggling skills.

Mon Calamarian pearls were as big as your fist, and extremely rare. And he had totally just ripped her off. She should have had more than enough money for her own ship and then some after pawning those pearls. But all the jewelers in the whole blasted casino must have made a pact, and none of them would give her any more than (Edit later I have no idea what currency people use here/now). It was like they could smell that she was an amateur. And she didn't have time to go looking for jewelers elsewhere. She needed a to find another job, fast. The longer she stayed here, the more likely she was to be recognized. And in a place like this, that was the last thing she needed.

 

[Narasa Kelori]

Narasa was rarely distracted by her own thoughts when she sensed a dangerous situation looming, but that didn't always go for others who weren't worried there was an unseen factor in play. She dodged several such ignorant casino patrons before she ran into someone, possibly someone trying to navigate the crowds as she was. Instinctively, the Zabrak reached out to steady the other person.

"You all right?" She pulled her hands away as soon as they both had their balance. The crowds moved around them, and Narasa ignored the dirty looks she knew some people would throw their way for standing in the middle of traffic. "Sorry about that."

The Nautolan she had run into seemed harried and Narasa briefly flicked her eyes in the direction the woman had come. No one seemed to be pursuing her, so at least this wouldn't be one of those situations. Teal skin, tall, dressed like she was ready to defend herself. Not someone who needed protecting then. A quick assessment of the Nautolan's person confirmed that; she was fairly sure that was a blaster at her hip. Narasa's weapons were in clear evidence; she wasn't in the habit of hiding her defenses when she was on legitimate business. Easing back into her heels, she waited for the woman to say something.

[member="Kaysu Nen"]

 

[Kaysu Nen]

Kaysu cursed as she was thrown from her own thoughts by the collision. She managed to grip her pack, just as it began to slip from her shoulder. She felt a hand on her arm, and looked up into the face of its owner. She was met with the distinct horns and facial markings of a Zabrak.

"You alright? Sorry about that" She heard her say.

Kaysu forced herself not to stiffen upon being touched. She could feel that this woman meant her no harm, and she would not allow her nerves to betray her.

"Yes, thank you. Excuse me..." She said and made a move to go around the stranger.

Except, at the last second, she stopped and turned around. She knew nothing of this place. She was certain at least that this woman was not out to get her, and therefore considered her at least momentarily trustworthy. Maybe she could be of use. Kaysu turned at looked at the woman full on this time. She loosened her shoulders, and stood back, letting the feel of her blaster at her side give her confidence. She softened her features and even managed a small smile.

"Do you know where one might go around here to find work...or a decent drink?"

 

[Narasa Kelori]

Narasa was already turning to look beyond her crash victim, putting the incident behind her, when she heard the same voice speak. She glanced back, surprised, and eased into a relaxed standing position, settling a hand on her jutting hip. She looked the Nautolan over, taking in the woman's dress, attitude and expression. The picture she made wasn't exactly telling, but time might give her a little more insight.

"Drinks are a dime a dozen around here, and most places are decent. What kind of work are you looking for?" With the one small bag, she looked like a station-hopper, but Narasa wasn't about to be caught off-guard if it was a ploy. Good grifters were able to mislead even the most seasoned spacers, if only long enough to get their credits. "Did you come on-world with a crew of some kind?"

[member="Kaysu Nen"]