Strangers at the bar (Valiens Nantaris)

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Location: Nar Shadda, Giton's Bar

What a slime hole this place is thought Shinya as she stepped up to the bar. Another night of fighting and dancing in the Undercity had left her worn out but at least she had some extra change for a drink.

Giton's, however, was not the best choice for the young Twi'lek to wonder into. It was renowned for its high criminal traffic. Not that it mattered much to her, not only was she still carrying her blades but most of them knew her by look at least from the fighting pits.

She grabbed her drink and made her way over to a vacant booth. Most of the crowd paid her no mind, her Lethan red skin tone probably helped her there, most people took it for some evil nonsense that she never understand. This time, however, she was pleased to relax for a bit.

She took a long draw from her drink and said to herself I wonder what today will bring. She put her weapons on the table and started to inspect them for damage from the night.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
The Smuggler’s Moon. It was a place that both fascinated and sickened Valiens Nantaris. In the same way that a speederwreck might fill one with horror, it was also impossible to ignore.
He was on his own this time, Scindia was back home dealing with family, Myr was back at the ship. His droid, D-43, was somewhere. Hopefully falling into a pit, the Rogue Jedi thought privately.

He headed into the Red Light district. There were noble reasons for it! He was searching for a particularly loathesome slaver, gangster and pirate named Gouz, a Trandoshan of evil character and many friends.
So as not to give away too much the former Jedi wore civilian clothes, though with a blastervest underneath and his lightsabre at hand if it was needed.

Approaching the cantina, he saw the name ‘Giton’. Shrugging, he entered and headed to the bar.

He ordered something, the bartender mumbled too much to understand what, and took a seat.

His eyes, as expected, were drawn to the red Twi’lek just across the room. Nantaris had a ‘thing’ for Twi’leks, much to the exasperation of the Jedi, his friends, even his enemies. It was nice to see one, though he did have the stereotypical reaction of wondering if this one was a Sith. Unlikely, he decided, this one lacked the whole ‘robes and arrogance’ of a Sith. Still, she was interesting to watch, it gave him something to do for a moment while he thought.

 

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

She put her blades back, no problems with them, not that she expected there to be.

She took another long drink, draining her glass and glanced back up and caught a man eyeing her up. She smirked thinking, I wonder if this is another I that feels I own them a dance after hours.

After a moment of pondering she figured she could at least get a drink for out of the stranger, if not a conversation about something other than her lekku or as the patrons say 'how her hips move'.

Standing slowly she trained her eyes on the man, smiling in a slightly shy, innocent manner.

I couldn't help but feel you gaze from across the room, do you like my lekku that much? she said coyly. Buy me a drink and maybe you can have a feel.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
Nantaris was an old hand at this sort of thing, so he smiled.
"I think it's the most beautiful lekku I've seen in weeks," Nantaris replied casually. He knew Myr would smack him if she found out about that comment.

He went to the bar and ordered his new friend a particularly expensive drink. This was never a time to be stingy!

Still, he wasn't entirely blinded by greed for lekku. The girl was hoping to get something out of it, if not just a drink then possibly to rob him, or judging by the blades even kill him. He could deal with that. Better to act the fool and let things play out.

"There you go. What's your name, if it's not too forward to ask. You can call me Val."

 

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

"Sinya'olan, just Sinya is fine. Clan name doesn't make much and honestly I only say it out of habit anymore," The Twi'Lek said, taking a sip of the drink Val brough back to her.

It tasted expensive, she rarely had anyone spend more than a few creds on her. Her surprise was rather noticeable.

Sinya collected herself quickly but still had a small look of joy on her face, what a drink!

"So, Val I don't have people buying me these kind of drinks, even if they are looking for an extra dance....so thank you," her gratitude was sincere.

She relaxed a bit in her seat, it seemed unlikely this man was going to try anything funny and she didn't have anything of value on her.

"Other than my promised lekku touch, what brings you to this wonderful little paradise?" she said jokingly, "If you don't mind my asking of course."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
(Apologies for the delay)

Nantaris played it cool, not wanting to come off looking too competent…even if he could pull that off. After all, she might be a little more forthcoming if she thought he was nothing but another lowlife on the streets.

“I’ve got a layover here for a few days, checking a few things out. I didn’t expect to see such a lovely Twi’lek here though, so that’s made my day.” Always good to praise and flatter the lady. Even better if he could use it to deflect questions.

“Say, those blades look mighty wicked. I’m guessing you use them for more than props!”

 

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]
(All good, I don't mind)

"Lovely, now I know you're talking me up but thank you," she gave a small chuckle and took another sip of her drink. A layover of this moon didn't seem likely, at least not willingly despite it being a rather large port. But if he didn't want to talk Sinya wasn't going to press too much on the subject.

She glanced up at mention of her blades. It was pretty uncommon for a dancer to have another night life after her already less than respectable one but it did bring in a fair amount of cash.

"Surely you know of the fighting pits on this moon? It might surprise you but I'm pretty decent with two blades." If her mother's training at an early age had helped her later in life, it was in the pits, few could challenge her there and fewer still could fight against a short and long blade at once.

"Plus they make me look tough," she said with a slightly grin.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
“I’d believe it. You look like you could win a bout against anyone!” Nantaris said effusively. He did like women with spirit…though the fact that most of them in his life had ended up holding blades near his face…well.

Now a question came to mind which was very…awkward. No, not propositioning the Twi’lek…not yet anyway.
“So I’m guessing since you’re here that you’re…free? I have an interest in helping those who are enslaved, so if you or any of your family are…I might be able to help.”

It broke character a bit, sounded a little odd even. However, for all his moral fluidity in other areas, the practice of slavery was something he utterly abhorred.

Fortunately, he might not get a chance to continue this awkward line of discussion. At that moment a pair of Trandoshans pushed their way in and started to head menacingly towards them.
“Friends of yours, or mine?” he wondered aloud.

 

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

"Family..." Sinya hadn't had an easy family life and the mention of it always stirred a mixture of hate and happiness. The offer to help her out of her enslavement was welcome, surely the Hutt that owned her would sell her off for a few cred.

"I could take you to my..." she cut short as the ugly looking reptiles known as Trandoshans forced their way toward the the table. She didn't recognize them from the cantina or the fight pits but it didn't mean they bet against her and lost their money. Her slave master did keep a variety of guards though so she may not have meet these two.

"I have a strict no scaly face policy so unless you know something I don't these fine.......things.......are friends yours," she found them a little more than disgusting to look at.

(OOC: If you want them to know Sinya they can, your call)

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
The two giant lizards loomed over them.
Fortunately for Sinya they weren’t after her. Unfortunately for Nantaris, they were after him!
“You, boss wants you,” one growled.
Nantaris wasn’t great on lizard-speak, but he got the gist from their motions and from the weapons they carried.
“Who me?” Nantaris asked, casting a quick look around.
Enterprising as ever, several patrons had turned to watch the free show. That left some issues. He could dispatch these two easily, but he had to do it in a way which didn’t mark him as a Jedi, and which didn’t make him an instant target.
A scaly claw grabbed his arm, and Nantaris ‘fell’ onto the table near Sinya. “Outside, two minutes,” he whispered to her, giving a wink.

Hopefully his new friend was the adventurous sort. He’d not got his lekku massage yet afterall!

 

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Sinya gave a slight nod at the whisper while she continued to look slightly surprised by the lizards. It seemed like the old man didn't have any hidden bag of tricks to pull him out of his predicament.

She let the Trandoshans get basically out the door before she stood up to follow. She tossed together a quick little story that would at least let her come with them, if not throw them off their guard long enough to strike out, if it came to fighting. She tossed her cloak on to conceal her weapons, hoping they were blind to them when they walked in, and followed.

She caught up with with them quickly outside and bowed her head in a submissive looking stance, "Excuse me, oh powerful Trandoshans, you are taking my owner and a good owner never leaves his slaves to roam free!"

If a Twi'lek was good at something it was looking wounded and submissive, hopefully these two were as smart as they looked.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
Nantaris allowed himself to be dragged out into the alley. Even on Nar Shaddaa people were hesitant to commit murder and intimidation in public.
“Boss says you been looking at him. Boss says teach you a lesson. Then we take you to boss.”
“Oh really?” Nantaris said.
One of them held him whilst the other gathered up a scaly fist. Nantaris decided it was time for action. Mind-trick usually would work here, but the lizards were too dense, and a quick distraction would only delay the inevitable. Thus, option two. For an Order Jedi violence was the last resort, and death to be avoided. Nantaris though was a rogue for a reason. He didn’t want to kill the lizards, but he was perfectly prepared to.

And then, on cue, his Twi’lek appeared. He could have told her to stay put and then come back for her, but he did sort of want to impress her. Either the Twi’lek would run away or she’d be intrigued, either way she’d definitely see he was not just a shifty back alley drifter.
As it turned out her appearance had been useful as it distracted the Trandoshan for the two seconds he needed
“You go away. You-,” the leader began, and never finished.

Calling on the Force Nantaris shoved the lizard behind him back into the wall. His hand darted in and his green lightsabre sprung to life. With a flash the blade took the life of one Trandoshan, the a neat backward stab it took the other’s.
The whole incident had taken about 5 seconds from when Sinya had first spoken.

Deactivating and stowing his lightsabre he turned to the Twi’lek. “Don’t be worried, I’m a…well…I used to be a Jedi. I meant what I said about helping you though, but I understand if you’d prefer to walk away now.”

 

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

"Uh.....huh...and we were talking about my skills with a blade," her voice and face showed obvious shock. A Jedi, a real Jedi! She was all giddy with joy, though what was this about 'Use to be Jedi' thing?

Her eyes traveled to the carnage left by Val, this took what 4 or 5 seconds against pretty heavily armed opponents. This was no padawan she had run into.

Looking back up a Val she gave a slight nod, "Yes I think you could probably convince my current master to let me go, just a small time Hutt..." her voice trialed off.

"Since we are sharing secrets, my...do I call you a Jedi since you said you aren't?...I guess I should probably let you in on mine," Sinya reached under her cloak to the back of her waist and unclipped her mothers old lightsaber and presented it unopened. She never used it, partially because it wasn't fair to her opponents but also because she was use to two blades. It was more sentimental than anything.

"After that little show I thought maybe you were from the Order come to pick up a child of someone who left the Jedi, but I guess not." At this point it couldn't hurt to let him know at least that much.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
The night was certainly full of surprises! Not only was the Twi’lek not surprised, she had a Jedi mother! Well, it helped defuse some of the awkward situations a little.

“Well, I used to be in the Jedi Order, but I had some creative differences with them you might say. I’m still a Jedi, I just do my own thing. I was a Rogue before it was trendy.”
Hipster Nantaris…he had the beard for it anyway.
“So I didn’t know about you, but now I do, that makes things all the better. My name’s Valiens Nantaris…but call me Nantaris please. Can you use the Force?”

He hadn’t sensed anything from her, but then, he’d not really been trying.
“Let’s go see your Master. I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse; free you, or end up in little Hutt pieces!”
It was nice to be chivalrous sometimes!

 

[Sinya'olan]

She started leading them toward the "nicer" part of the moon.

"I do have some of the more basic powers, push, pull and the like," she said, snatching up a few stones and tossing them aside with the force to prove it on a small scale. "A little sense and sight also, but what I really had a knack for was telepathy and speed."

Sinya went on to explain her training in Form I, II, and IV. "My mother just thought I was better with speed then power, and I don't disagree with that."


They approached a modest palace, for a Hutt at least. Standing outside the main enterece were two Geonosian guards.

"Hope you brushed up on your Huttese and Geonosian, a lot of those languages in here," she whispered to Nantaris. If not Sinya was fluent in Huttese and could mostly make out Geonosian....mostly.

The guards gave some angry clicking in their direction, Sinya said "They don't like new people, what a surprise." Then directed at the guards in Basic, "Its fine, he isn't the first man I've brought back here and you both know it!"

The guards made some sort of laughing noise and let the two pass into the main hall. The palace was filled with all sorts of decor and was lavish to the highest degree. Guards and slaves ran around doing their various task to appease the oh so might Hutt.

"Welcome to the home of Atruda the Hutt, my master and owner."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
Nantaris nodded approvingly. The girl had a start through her self-taught abilities. That was good.
“I’m impressed, Sinya. Not many people can learn that much alone. Very good. Does your, uhh, is your mother still around? Do you have other family in captivity?” Best to ask awkward questions now.

“I know Huttese, you’ll have to fill me in on the bug speak. If I had my droid here he could do it.” He thought about D-43. “But it’s probably best he’s not here,” he added decisively. The thought of giving the wretched droid to the Hutt as compensation was briefly pleasing though.

And so the Hutt was waiting for them. Like all Hutts that Nantaris had encountered it was a huge, bloated mass of flesh full of malevolence and greed. Speciest discrimination, sure, but Nantaris was not the politically correct type.

Now in the spotlight he stepped forward. “Greetings Atruda. I have come with the intent of buying this girl from you. I will consider any monetary price to see fit.”
He didn’t like paying, since it made him part of the problem. However, the Hutt was unlikely to agree, and would give him justification to take the girl from him with an ill-conceived attempt to attack him.

 

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]
(OOC Sorry got bust with things and didn't post)

Atruda was typical Hutt; slimy, ugly and fat. But he was, if anything, a kind being....well kind as far as a Hutt could be.

The palace seemed to come to a halt, looking at Sinya and her guest. The amount of guards seemed a little light but during the day many of them were out getting any payments the Hutt was owed.

Sinya saw the Hutt's translator come out of the shadows. Another Twi'lek, Sinya couldn't place a name to the face.

Atruda understood basic but rarely spoke it, as most Hutts seemed to do. He listened to Nantaris was some interest. Sinya herself was interested in his response, Atruda has sold off many of his slaves but none that make as much as Sinya did, at least recently.

The Hutt spoke to his translator, which was unnecessary since both of them knew Huttese, but manners were always good to have.

"She is one of my most profitable slave, why should I sell her to you?" asked the translator. "You couldn't have come from her family, her father the scum that sold her and her mother was a worthless piece of meat. I cared for her for years when no others would. So of what use to you is she?"

Sinya hung her head, a tear falling from her eyes. Her family was a subject that she couldn't deal with, too many good memories wiped away by nightmares.

"You asked about my family, that is part of it," she whispered to Nantaris, anger rising in her voice. She directed that anger to Atruda, "You use my history as a shackle to bind me to you, making it seem like you cared for me. No more, sell me now or I swear your armies will not be enough to stop me."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
(No problems, I was on LOA yesterday anyway)

Nantaris absorbed the news in grim silence. Things were more complicated than he had assumed. A Hutt benefactor sounded as unlikely as a philosopher Gamorrean, but yet here they were. Still, his mission was the same, regardless of who had sold who, he wanted to break the chain.

"She has an adorable lekku," Nantaris said jovially. "And she will be perfect as my bodyguard. But, my reasons don't truly matter. I desire to buy her from you, name the amount of credits and we can come to a deal I'm sure."

He did file away the bit about her family though to discuss with her later. Seeing a woman cry was never something he liked, but he stopped himself putting a hand on her shoulder. That could wait until they were out of this horrible place.

 

[Sinya'olan]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

Atruda laughed at Sinya's outburst, almost like he knew that it would happen.

He spoke to his translator again, then she spoke to Nantaris, "He exploits in the pits warrent at least 50,000....and with her dancing adding another 20,000."

She was a little surprised, she figured her selling price would be decent but not 70 thousand.

"Take it or leave me, the Twi'lek should lose her head for how she spoke to her master," the translator spoke the words of the Hutt.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Sinya'olan"]
It was time to decide, and Nantaris was privately amazed that the Hutt had put forth a sum. He glanced around. There were many people present, innocent and guilty alike. If it came to it he could probably overcome them, but not without considerable risk both to himself and Sinya. Though he was not a 'real' Jedi any-more, Nantaris was less willing to go on the path of wanton slaughter. In any case, if this Hutt was a bit more reliable than his fellows it wouldn't do to destroy him.

"I will have the credits brought here by my friends. I can provide either Silver Coalition credits or gold. Your choice. And can't we deal down to say...50,000? I mean, she's used goods now, her best is behind her."
He hoped the girl realised this was a ruse...or he'd have some bruises later!