Private The King and the Companion | Shae

[Yusha]

P R O W L​

Tag: Shae

Long ago, the King of Beggars was but a Prince.

On the distant world that he called home, the streets and alleys were not yet his subjects. The destitute did not look to him as their liege, but as an equal. One to teach. One to mold. In that era, where the wealthier children would spend their days in school or at play, Yusha attended an academy of sorts as well. She called herself the Crone - and at a glance, she was the last person anyone would ever associate with. Her skin was marred with moles. Her proportions were terrifying. But she was the mistress of the local brothel, and thus the town's men had to brave her door to enjoy her wares.

Now, the Crone, despite the modest success of her business, believed in keeping her fingers in as many pies as possible. For that reason, she employed the destitute children to be her eyes, ears, and sticky fingers. Yusha fell into that group, and it was here that he learned how to prowl. Looking back, the King of Beggars held those memories to such a high regard. He owed the Crone beyond words. And he owed a dear friend, Shae, just as much. For she was the only true friend he had.

He wondered where she had disappeared to, all those years ago...

No.

The time was not right for drifting down memory lane. There was a job to be done and coin to be made. This was not the gilded years of before, but the cold reality of modern day. Where the Galaxy was ripped asunder by war, corruption, and all other manner of filth that made life easy for Yusha. Tonight, the King of Beggars knelt atop a towering roof, peering into a well-lit window. The hour was excessively late, and tracking this target had taken quite a bit of effort. It was rare that Yusha would risk venturing into a wealthier area for a mark. But, he had it on good authority that tonight the man would have his guard down.

The details were simple. A married man. A family man. One who traveled only when necessary - had rented a modest apartment in this city for his travels. Yet, there was no business to attend to, oh no. Rather, he was indulging in the local Companions. He wouldn't have security. He wouldn't have a paper trail. Just valuables and a perfect recipe for blackmail. From his perch, Yusha could see the performance. An excessively pretty woman had just begun to dance. And, while he would have loved to add "peeping tom" to his collection of titles, this was his sign to move.

He took the leap of faith.

His grappler sang and soared across the gap, effortlessly drawing him to safety. With well-practiced agility, he scaled the wall and quietly perched into the window. The target's back was to him - for he was seated in a chair whilst the Companion performed. And, before she could finish her spin, Yusha dove forward. His blade came to rest just underneath the man's chin. His off-hand clamped over his mouth. "No noise. Both of you." he warned.

And with but a whim of the Force, the room went Dark.​

 

[Shae]

Yusha​

In the world of business, Shae had discovered that everyone owned three masks. Masks that they wore in tandem with their expensive suits and ceremonial robes. One they displayed with their shareholders and clients. A serious, business one that very little was able to slip past or fool. One they shared with their partners and employees. Much more relaxed than its predecessor, but still professional and unwilling to change. The final one they kept for family, friends, and extremely close ties. The one that they assumed to be their real face, but Shae knew... ​

Nobody ever saw the true face of a businessman, kept only for moments of complete privacy or life and death situations. Shae much preferred it that way. ​

In the case of her current client, it was much the same. A married man with a stiff demeanour during the business gatherings he often paid her to attend, but when he was alone? He was a different person altogether, and recently had chosen to wear the third mask in her private company. The one that allowed his defenses to slip enough to enjoy the company. The one that made wine and credits pour freely. For Shae, this was her sweet spot. When they were comfortable enough to view it as more than just a business venture, she knew they would be clients as long as the credits were there. They were all nervous at first, but she had grown used to coaxing them out of it. Time, patience, and a sultry smile or two on her part always wore them down.​

After a dreadfully long and boring party in which Shae had mostly stood and smiled at the stream of nonsensical conversation that came their way, they had finally retired to his apartments in the city. Almost the moment the door had closed behind them, her client had fallen heavily on a plush sofa and directed his attention toward Shae. For tonight, his work was over, but Shae’s had only just begun. ​

“Dance for me, Habiba.”​

A swell of music filled the room, soft and gentle but demanding attention all at the same time. Shae moved to the rises and falls of the tune in perfect harmony. Weaving and turning, almost transcendent in body and mind. To anyone watching, it would seem as though she were lost in the music, lost in the elegant steps her feet took as they performed the complicated, irreplicable dance. As expected, her client was entranced. Lent forward on the edge of his seat, hand idly clutched at a glass of untouched amber liquid, mouth slightly agape as the fluid material wrapped around her body fell layer by layer. Everything was going according to plan, for now. ​

The attacker had barely made a sound, moving so swiftly that in the midst of her graceful turns, Shae had assumed him to be a shadow on the wall. It was not until his voice shattered the quiet evening peace that she realised there was something wrong. Elegant dance moves now cut off abruptly, her emerald gaze was only able to catch a glimpse of the man before darkness dominated the room. Now illuminated in nothing but the slithers of bright white moonlight that managed to creep through the partially open windows, it took a few moments for Shae’s eyes to adjust to the darkness. Her client made soft whimpering noises beneath the hand that covered his mouth, careful to keep them to an almost whisper as the knife at his throat had demanded.​

This was his true face. A coward. It did not surprise Shae in the slightest. ​

Narrowing her eyes at the dimly lit figure holding a knife to her client’s neck, Shae could not have spoken a word if she tried. Nothing could have possibly been further from the truth, but for a moment Shae thought she recognized it. The jaw line hidden beneath a thick ebony beard, the gentle slope of his nose, those deep, tormented eyes looking back at her with brazen furiosity…​

Despite his fevered warnings, the material of her dress ruffled gently as she shifted just a little to catch a better glimpse of his face… “Yusha?”​

 

[Yusha]

R E U N I O N​

Tag: Shae

A lesser man might have found himself enthralled.

Were it not for the conditioning found within the cold streets, the King of Beggars might have grown up to be like the businessman. He might have grown to gape with jaw slacked at the sight of a beautiful woman. He might have fallen victim to the swirl of their hips and the curve of their lips. Yet, Yusha had been cultivated in an environment that would make civilized souls turn up their nose. Trained by the Crone, his days were punctuated by turning in his ill-gotten gains at her brother. Thus, his eyes were no stranger to the finest delights of the opposing gender.

Therefore, the King of Beggars could work - unflinching against most things. In this case, his grip was held fast over the mouth of the businessman.

The muffled cry and panic which radiated beneath his palm was commonplace - yet Yusha earned silence by a well-placed nudge of the blade. He did not draw blood, yet did just enough to convince the man to silence is cries. This would have been a simple open and shut operation. He'd take control of the room, pilfer any valuables, and make his way out. He would not be so bold as to have the man wire credits into an account or anything from the holo-vids. No no. That would leave a paper trail. Cold, hard assets were what the King was after.

That plan came to a screeching halt when the dancer moved despite his demand.

Despite the shadows, she drew ever so slightly closer - her eyes gleaming as if she had made some novel discovery. Then, as his name fell from her lips, the King of Beggars narrowed his eyes. The weapon flipped in his hand, and with one savage blow the pommel collided with the man's temple. It was not enough to kill, nor enough to leave any damage. But more than enough to cause the businessman to keel over in his seat. He'd have one hell of a hangover in the morning, that was for sure.

Yusha was quick enough to extend his foot as the man slumped, preventing the glass from shattering on the floor. It simply rolled and spilt its contents as he set his gaze upon her. He squinted momentarily, silent as the grave. How did she? he thought, before minute features began to make themselves apparent. Beneath the makeup and the uniform was someone the child of old once knew - once loved. Someone who had been taken to work alongside the Crone. Someone he had not seen in what felt an eternity.

Someone who knew the King when he was but a Prince.

"Shae." he breathed, not believing that the word was escaping his lips. He moved, crossing the gap between them in but a single pace. He paused, mere inches from her face, eyes searching her own. So many questions raced within his mind - where had she gone all this time? Why did she never speak to him again? Why was she here? Why now? His lips parted, as if to choose a single question, but he stifled them all. He simply followed the whim of his now-thundering heart.

His offhand reached out, gingerly gracing the rear of her head. He leaned, touching his brow to hers for but a moment.

"You're alive."

Relief. Joy. Sorrow. All were laced into each syllable. He allowed himself but a moment for the sentiments before the burden of his crown came to roost. His touch fell and he turned away, facing the target. "Don't get in the way, understand?"​

[/code]

 

[Shae]

Yusha​

Shae winced openly at the sudden and brutal strike against her client. Ordinarily, she would have found herself grumbling at the sudden loss of a night’s income, but her attention was focused on the thief. ​

On Yusha. ​

​

When a rush of words finally left his lips, when her name filled the room, Shae could not contain her joy. In perfect tandem her step carried her forward, bringing them close enough to gaze at each other. Slender fingers reached out to stroke along his jawline, lingering on the stubble there as though they could not believe what was beneath them. He was almost unrecognizable, the only thing that had remained unchanged was the solid ebony eyes filled with something Shae had longed to see since the moment she’d left.​

​

After all these years.​

​

“It’s really you.” Her melodic tone was barely a whisper, and though she had yet to realise it, the beginnings of tears had prickled in the corner of her emerald eyes. ​

​

Her ears rushed with each heavy thud her heart made against her ribcage as he drew their heads in to meet. His warmth was comforting, the same as it had been when they’d huddled together on the rooftops on icy nights. A beaming smile brought her painted lips up to flash pearly white teeth. “Of course I’m alive.” Shae almost laughed out the words. Ironic, coming from someone who spent a large majority of his life in danger. Just as she was about to step forward, to embrace him, Yusha’s warm grasp fell and his baritone voice rumbled in her ears.​

​

For a brief moment, she was stunned. But then…​

​

“Hold on, just…” Shae caught his arm in a tender, but firm, grip. “You are encroaching on my business.” Her words were blunt, as plain as they came, but she still spoke them with a grin. “What do you suppose he’ll think when he comes round again? He saw that I knew your name.” Finally releasing her grip on his arm, only to join it with the other in folding across her chest. “He’s an exceedingly wealthy client. It’s taken me months of solid work turning him into someone worth my while. I could make four times what you would make from all this junk in an hour.” For a moment, her incredulous gaze looked as though it would demand he find another target. However, Yusha would have been well aware. ​

​

Shae worked in complicated and mysterious ways. She had a wise head on her shoulders, and she wasn’t afraid to shy away from anything. All traits that had been unrefined and poorly utilized in her youth till the crone had taken her under her wing, but now…​

​

Taking a step forward, once again closing the distance that had slowly grown between them. Though there had always been a stark difference in their height, it was strange having to crane her neck to look up at him properly. Everything about this was strange. Shae had spent plenty of time longing for a chance to bump into him again, but she had never once expected it. Least of all like this. Despite time and more than enough distance away from the old life they used to lead together on the streets, Shae was still the same woman. Yusha knew, and she knew. Just because he was a friend, it wouldn’t mean she’d back down. This was her territory. ​

​

“I can promise you, there is nothing you can pillage here that would be worth more than the energy it would take to haul it all out the window.” Shae challenged him, with a playful grin on her face. “What do you say to a deal, King of Beggars?” ​

 

[Darth Metus]

Wrong character, disregard <3

 

[Yusha]

R E U N I O N​

Tag: Shae

Though the King of Beggars would never admit as much aloud, the presence of his dear friend had thrown off his game.

It took everything he could to keep his hands steady. His heart thundered aloud in his chest. There were so many thoughts which raced through his head, questions that now rose after so many years apart. At the forefront, he was glad that she was alive. Glad that she seemed to be doing quite well for herself. And in the wake of this came a desire to know why and where. But this was hardly the time for such matters. No, Yusha had a job to do and some semblance of wealth to gain. The past would have to wait for the moment.

When the Companion released the thief's arm, there was a firmness in her voice. A confidence that he had never heard fall from her lips - but one that was very much her all the same. She had become the person he always knew she could be. The girl who hid behind him was no more. She could stand on her own two feet. The realization brought even more joy and sorrow. Yusha drew a heavy breath, one meant to settle his nerves.

For a thief was no good when he was shaken. Emotions led to mistakes. Mistakes led to Death. So said the Crone.

Removing himself from the situation, the night's venture would pose a serious risk to Shae's business. She was right - the client overheard that they knew one another. When he came to, there would be nothing she could do to rectify this reality. Yusha could gag her and bind her to a chair - attempting to make it seem as though she were a victim as well - but even that ploy wouldn't work. The damage was done - inadvertantly, but done. If it were anyone else, he might have shrugged and went about his evening. But, for Shae?

For the girl who said put your lips like this and taught him to kiss so long ago? An exception could be made.

"Because it's you," he began, facing the woman. And as his gaze met hers, he was met with a playful grin. It was hard not to smile. Very hard. "I'll hear this deal of yours. Let's have it then." He motioned with his dominant hand as if to encourage her to begin.
​

 

[Shae]

Yusha​

​

A slender finger with bird-like bones shot into the air, bidding him to be patient for a moment. Shae stepped backward, bare feet padding against polished marble as she made her way toward a door tucked away behind a velvet curtain. “Wait here.” Her voice was not demanding. Yet, despite its melodic and hypnotic tone, it managed to command without changing. The companion was only gone for a second, maybe two, but when she returned, she clutched a shocking scarlet book. It was no bigger than the palm of her hand, and as her feet carried her close to Yusha once more, she peeled back her fingers to display it to him.​

​

“This is my contact list. Clients, and potential clients, and their businesses, partners, family, friends…” In layman’s terms, it was a list of everyone wealthy enough to catch the eye of a respected companion. In the terms of a thief? It was an untapped gold mine.​

​

The tip of her finger flicked the front cover open lazily, but where there should have been writing… the page was blank. An unblemished creamy white, pure as the day it had been purchased. At this point, Shae expected, or rather knew her thief would protest at the perceived trickery, but a quick glance from her emerald gaze told him to be patient. She ruffled the pages for a second, back and forth until she landed on one that seemed to please her, despite it being empty as the others were. When the pages settled, Shae shifted until her face came within an inch of the page. Her painted lips pursed, blowing a slow stream of air across the book.​

​

Slowly at first, as the heat from her breath began to warm the book, spots and speckles of ink began to materialise across the pages. By the time Shae had run out of air her particularly intricate handwriting had formed into a list of tiny names, contact information, addresses. “You’ll need a magnifying glass to read it, but these names are shared with all the companions when they receive their official mark. The first quarter of the book or so contains the list of my current clients. Whom I would ask you to refrain from robbing blind. But the rest? All yours.” Her gaze, as it trailed up to Yusha’s face, was no longer playful. Instead, it was rather serious. “Though I trust I do not need impress the importance of keeping your knowledge of these names, and who gave them to you, a secret.” Just as quickly as she had turned serious, the smile returned to Shae’s face.​

​

Her arm stretched out just that little further, until Yusha could smell the fresh ink scrawled across the pages. "Does this deal please you?”​

 

[Yusha]

C A U T I O N​

Tag: Shae

Patience.

One of the most valuable skills that was imparted by the Crone was the art of waiting. In fact, there were times when she would have the young Yusha sit upon the rooftop of her establishment for hours on end, waiting for her signal to come down. Why? Because a rushed hand was one that botched the job. Thus, over the years, the King of Beggars had cultivated the ability to wait. He could stay upon a roof until nightfall - until the snores were just right to begin the prowl. And, in this moment, he had advised his old friend that he would hear her out. She, then asked patience of him before stepping away into the darkness.

Though she was out of view, he could hear her footsteps upon the apartment floor. She stayed close and soon returned, bearing a book in her hands. It was introduced as her contact list...and at that moment, Yusha's interest was thoroughly piqued. He stepped a bit closer as she opened the book...only to be met with blank pages. Skepticism claimed his features, yet she already had an expression waiting. Patience. And so he would wait. She thumbed through the pages for but a moment and settled upon one in particular.

He breath, slow and steady, caused the ink to manifest upon the page. The King of Beggars' eyebrows shot skyward.

What she possessed...What she was offering was a literal goldmine. So many targets. So many clients. It was true, he could certainly make a fortune off of a mere pair of the pages. Yet she was offering him the entire tome. There were obvious stipultations of course - staying away from her personal clients and swearing to secracy the source of the information. To both he rendered a solemn nod. Such conditions went without saying, but it was good they had an understanding. For but a moment, he reached out, as if to see the book for himself. Yet, his hand paused midway.

"This...This is certainly the boon of a lifetime." he admitted. And were it any other soul in the Galaxy, he might have taken the book and done as he well pleased from that point. But this was Shae. This was Shae. He wanted to trust her implicitly. To treat her with the friendship that she had earned those years ago. Yet, his instincts flared. Those same instincts which told him when to reach for the ledge or when to dive into the shadows. Those same which kept him alive. So, he asked.

"What's in it for you? You're essentially turning me loose against your comrades' efforts, are you not?"​