Public This Venue is Overbooked [Open]

[Vyn Daldoure]

It seemed like the aforementioned pressure cooker was staring to loose it's seal. The laughter and applaud that followed an announcement of Slavery had Vyn looking around in disgust, though his face didn't really changed except for his brow furling. God's he needed to retire. He hated conflict, however on the other hand, he absolutely loved fighting, so as much as he wanted out of the game; there was an itch that this all scratched, Bloodlust in its purest form.

Speaking of bloodlust, the not so subtly dressed Vikai Caznä was on edge ready to draw down on Niysha , as were the few others in this room that actually looked like they knew what they were doing also seemed bothered by the whole slavery over the loud speaker thing. Maybe that was a good sign, or maybe they'd try and stop his little heist in hopes of gaining favor with the Hutt, after all credits made the galaxy function, and if Vyn had to guess most of the fat on those slugs was probably holding credits beneath those rolls. Sure he worked for them before, but Broka was unlike the rest of his species; there were killings, and drugs, and all that other bad chit, but at least the man cared about the people in his territory.

Those on this ship, unless under false pretenses were probably only looking after number one. Just then his head turned to Loomi

"Well, you may as well tag along," she noted. "We might give you an in to the auction area. Your heirloom will be there, I suspect. We'll call that a favor for being amiable."

Vyn shook his head having over heard the other part of her conversation with her torgruta companion. "No... those slaves take priority. I served in the New Imperial Order. Fortunately that means I know thing or two about suicidal hostage rescues. I'll do what I can to help, but finding that vibroknife of mine is still a priority."

There he goes again. His personality definitely gave off the vibe that he couldn't care less about others, that was the furthest from the truth. Vyn was actually a very caring soul, however it was wounded enough times to numb that outer shell so badly that he found suppressing it just hurt less when things didn't go his way, which happened more than he cared to admit.

Razmir Tezhyn In Rhan

 

[In Rhan]

In was a little locked up at that announcement, but didn't take it as rough as the people around her seemed to. Maybe because she'd been stuck listening to Zapp Boomslang yammering every twenty minutes about whatever atrocity, grift, or schadenfreude had her excited for a little bit longer than Niysha had - a day or two. Exposure dulled the outrage. Many tragedies became statistics. Etc. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty at the realization that she'd been tuning it out.

She transitioned almost fluidly from a sleepy smile to grabbing In physically and yanking her close into something approaching a huddle. Her best attempt at a "subtle" huddle, at any rate. "There's no way we can let that happen," she growled out in a very intense whisper, dropping all pretense of dandiness.

"Yeah. Gotcha." In replied quickly, giving Razmir Tezhyn a dubious look. Niysha was compromising her very useful cover very quickly, but it made sense that she'd do so. Hopefully the fashion guy wouldn't create an issue over this.

It'd really suck if he decided to make an issue over this. Hopefully whatever Niysha had on those cards would be a sufficient incentive. As though it might help, she produced a rumbled roll of paper currency from the front of her humiliating waitress uniform and slapped it on the table. "Sorry for interrupting, pal. Better luck with the next one?"

In tried to drag Niysha a couple of steps away so they'd be overheard a little less. "Alright, look, obviously we're going to intercede but we need to be smart about it. We can't just-"

"You weren't excused." Vikai begun, her tone the exact same before. "What can you not let happen? I'm curious." That set of putrid yellow eyes drifted quickly inbetween In Rhan In Rhan and Niysha Niysha , always a bit too unblinking and focused, as if always searching even when there wasn't something there.

ohfortheloveof-

For a brief moment, In thought she was really about to brain a stranger with a drink tray. Sure, she'd fantasized about it almost non-stop over the past couple of days, but the reality of dying shipless and in eighteen centimeters of heel had steadied her hand, kept her from doing something rash. She couldn't even hide a knife - it'd just be one glorious, cathartic thwack before being perforated by blaster fire.

"This, uh, fine lady is an old friend. She's offered to buy my contract out, but her gambling debts have come due." In lied cheerfully, more than a little strained. "We can't let her go further into debt over this, is what we can't let happen. You know how it is. The future is always uncertain. Life has many doors. Boring financial discussions."

In's appeasing smile disappeared slightly as she glanced down at her Miraluka partner sharply - forgetting for a moment that Niysha couldn't see her 'we need to get the fuck out of here' glare. While the fashionable guy might be a problem, In was more than a little concerned that the quirked-up spooky girl in the mask might make herself into an issue over poor customer service, of all things. Or even worse - boredom.

"Perhaps I can offer you a complimentary drink token by way of apology, miss?"

Vikai Caznä

 

[Razmir Tezhyn]

When the intercom's announcement concluded, Razmir turned back to his companion, only to find her in a close huddle with a Pantoran serving girl. He quirked an eyebrow, a touch perplexed at this turn of events, but also annoyed. If the serving girl lured his quarry away, he'd be out of an easy payday.

Before he could interject, however, Sanas' attention returned to him, and with it a handful of bank cards, his 'business card' included. Raz couldn't believe his luck, and he didn't have to as the cards didn't come free. Fake-name Sanas added very specific instructions for Razmir.

Even more perplexed by this turn of events, his eyebrow raised even higher when the Pantoran woman produced more currency to add to the bribe. Her getup made the impression of party magician, or maybe an assistant at best judging by the cheap fabrics and poor quality seam-lines. Perhaps Lrungo was a magician and his serving girls his assistants?

Raz didn't really want to find out, and he wouldn't have the time to further ponder either.

The masked woman approached the conspiratorial duo. She'd followed the Pantoran, demanding her attention over some service matter. From body language alone it was clear Vikai Caznä was an outsider in this scenario, while the Pantoran had to be the attache fake-name Sanas had mentioned. The Pantoran spun a quick tale about contract buyouts and gambling debts to cover up their other scheme, which, judging by the improvisational planning, had to be connected to the impromptu slave auction.

"Five, ten, fifteen-hundred..."

Raz made a show of counting the credits, quietly smiling to himself as he considered his next steps in this increasingly complex situation.

He was morally bankrupt as an individual, certainly, and could simply walk out with his money, but Sanas had played a convincing and entertaining act, which Raz felt a certain begrudging respect for. The second helping of credits from the waitress—which, ew, disgusting where that money had appeared from—helped to further put him in a charitable mood. The masked one looked on edge, but workable as well. Sticking around a touch longer wouldn't hurt.

Razmir scooped up the bank cards and currency paper, stashing them safely in the inner pocket of his suit—an immaculate black tuxedo woven from the wool of direct descendants of Alderaanian sheep that had avoided the first Death Star—and stood to join the conspiratorial three.

"That's enough to have yourself a deal, miss Sanas!" He laughed and shook Niysha 's hand. His gaze shifted between the Pantoran and the masked one, smiling wide.

"With the buyout, you must understand the protection our Magnanimous and Mighty Lrungo extends to his staff no longer applies, so whatever this is," he wiggled his fingers at the standoff with its stared daggers, "is business to sort out amongst yourselves."

"Oh, and don't worry," Raz gave a pointed glance and a grin to In Rhan , "the Industrious and Preoccupied Lrungo doesn't have to know about—"

A great explosion ripped through the far side of the lounge. A beat later, spongy birthday cake rained on the guests, some of the pink-blue projectiles splashing on Razmir's suit. Someone had detonated the nine-foot, layered pyramid birthday cake monstrosity standing on display in the lounge's center.

The backdrop of conversation died. A moment of silent uncertainty ensued as the crowd waited with bated breath for the responsible party to come forward.

Friends of the armed robbers up for auction? A clandestine, as yet unnoticed, party of assassins? Or maybe an intended practical joke to shake the guests awake?

Razmir picked pink cake off his shoulder, revealing a thoroughly stained patch of fabric. That would be a nightmare to clean out. He breathed, deep and slow, but saw red.

"Which RHYDO-HUFFING INGRATE just did that?"

His shout echoed in the quiet of the wider lounge.

Loomi Vyn Daldoure

 

[Niysha]

Leaving: Aurum+ Lounge

The problem with having 360-degree X-ray aura vision was that it frequently made you aware of things that you couldn't affect in any way, and thus you were forced to watch passively as events that easily could have been avoided were slowly thrust upon you. Niysha had lived with this particular inconvenience her entire life, and had grown exceedingly adept at keeping a stiff upper lip about it. It was somewhat more difficult to do that when she was surrounded by what seemed to be an endless cacophony of people with a vested interest in complicating things as much as possible.

The woman who'd been alternatively glaring at her or putting off such curiosity that it suffocated the air around her was finally approaching. Niysha could see every step of this process; her constant glare turning into motivation, the motion to stand melting slowly into forward momentum, every step along the way... and she couldn't do a single thing about it. She was talking to In. She was bribing a fashion consultant. She did not have enough hands to deal with all of this.

Bribe successful. In was just as mask-off. Two less things to worry about. "Deal." Niysha gave Mr. Mesan Tyrell the handshake he requested, then physically turned to the young lady who'd been watching her face like a holodrama for the last ten very eventful minutes. This close, she was much easier to read. Cold and dark, sure, but not violent. Not upset, or greedy. If anything, her aura was colored - at the moment - by piqued curiosity... and an overbearing air of raw smugness. Obnoxious, but not dangerous.

In tried to dissemble. Niysha held up a hand to her shoulder. "We don't have time for this," she stated simply. Her face was directed at their recent hanger-on. "Listen. This yacht is a powder keg and someone just lit a fuse. Things are about to get very complicated very quickly. We're heading out. If you're still curious, then follow. We do not have time to explain here."

As if to punctuate Niysha's point, a very large, very pink cake exploded all over the room. By some miracle, very little of it got on Niysha's freshly-bought suit, though her gaudy, fancy headdress wasn't so lucky. For the first time since she put it on, she was glad for the hood portion of it. Her hair was a nightmare to clean.

The room was louder immediately, and the security of the room moved in on what seemed to be a dozen goons pouring out of the cake like a showgirl spec ops team. Niysha normally would've been far more upset with herself for not noticing them before now, but she'd had a lot going on. It seemed to be the standard smattering of underworld thugs in the standard smattering of flavors - Gammorean, Weequay, Nikto - though there was a Bith in this crowd, which was... unusual. Those didn't tend to be up on the whole violence thing. Judging by his scars and markings, he'd even done time in prison.

Rather than any visible concern, Niysha - from their position safely across the room and with dozens of VIPs positioned between them and the armed thugs currently trying to take control of the Aurum+ Lounge - let out an audible sigh of frustration. She gave a full-body huff. "We don't have time for this. In, we're leaving."

Grabbing her Pantoran companion by the wrist, the blindfolded, lightly cake-splattered lass started to take off towards the door of the room. She stopped after a couple of stepps and turned back to the tiny, vaguely vibrant dark cloud of a bored emo girl who seemed all too interested in their activities. "Well? You coming?"

Whatever her answer, Niysha was already dragging In out of the lounge. As they pushed past the very empty doorway, now that the guards had all mobilized to deal with the cake-based incursion team, Niysha tucked her way out into the corridor outside, made her way about ten meters down the hall, and found a cubby with at least no immediate danger. Not idea, but it'd have to do.

"Alright," the Miraluka started, finally standing still long enough to get her thoughts together. "Things are moving too fast and we can't get left behind right now. That makes two attacks already." In the midst of removing her stupid, pinchy headdress, Niysha stopped and turned her head slightly to the lower floor, towards the casino. Something down there was about to get... creatively eventful. "Three. Though I don't think that one's an attack. Regardless, our timetable is shrinking, In, and we need to move our schedule up."

Even in this stress, Niysha at least had the decency to turn her head around as she pulled off her headdress so the other two didn't have to look at her empty eye sockets. She'd long since learned it was disconcerting for most species. With the nonsense off, she ripped off a long piece of white fabric and tied that around her head instead. Cloth. Much cozier. No pinchy metal bits. She was at least a little more relaxed, and when she returned her attention to the others, her tone showed it. Kind of.

"Obviously I want to crash the meat market, but even if I didn't, there are enough moving pieces on this ship that we're going to risk losing the Dancer if we're not on our way there in minutes." Niysha took a deep breath and leaned back. "We need to take stock. Options. Assets. Strategies."

She idly kept an eye on the crowd she'd seen moving around in the Casino on the lower level. They weren't immediately relevant to her surroundings... but it was hard to imagine a future in which the eight guys wearing huge rubber bird masks and carying cutting torches and blaster rifles wouldn't be consequential.

Att: In Rhan Vikai Caznä
Nearby: Razmir Tezhyn

 

[Loomi]

Aurum+ Lounge
Tags: Vyn Daldoure , Razmir Tezhyn , In Rhan , Vikai Caznä , Niysha

Epo-1, Lushi, Seydan Toth: Appearance​

"No... those slaves take priority. I served in the New Imperial Order. Fortunately that means I know thing or two about suicidal hostage rescues. I'll do what I can to help, but finding that vibroknife of mine is still a priority."

An imperial wasn't the best thing to hear, but it was better than nothing. Fortunate that he held a similar view on slavery. Loomi didn't even get to respond before...

great explosion

"Golly..." Loomi muttered, rubbing her temple. "Right, change of plans again."

The Godoan opened her mind and began to feel her surroundings. She had always been adept at tracking in the Force, so she only had to deduce where power was moving into the lounge. She quickly found it, behind a panel in a nearby wall. Behind a lock, of course, but she had the means of bypassing it. It only took a few different combinations of telekinetic pin pushes to release the lock. Fortunately the new-found pandemonium was a great cover. The wall panel was tossed aside, and Loomi armed her EMP grenade and primed it within the electrical panel.

"Alright, let's move," she stated. "I hope you see well in the dark."

The Knight walked away from her handywork with haste, and not a moment after the EMP grenade would go off, frying the electrical panel that brought power into the lounge. The chaos that had overtake the club would find itself continuing in the dark...

 

[Vikai Caznä]

Vikai's yellow eyes bore into the skull of In Rhan begun to speak to her in that exact same cordial, and equally fake voice to the young Sith. If there was anything that Vikai held hatred the most for in her black-ichor filled heart, it was two things; People lying to her, and her being possibly wrong. Vikai did not actually quite know if In Rhan was lying or not in that moment, but she would not endure the embarrassment of being wrong. No, she opted for a lie right back in return. "I know you are lying." Of course, she didn't actually have any way of knowing what was what right now. A sardonic, if not cruel little smirk begun to tug at her lips, hidden due to her ornate mask. She leaned inwards to speak once more. "And I kno-.."

"We don't have time for this,"

She was interrupted by the Blind One, Niysha . The mask right away shifted over to glance to her. As she listened along, that little smirk under the mask only grew as the situation became more cathartic for her. She really, really did love being right. "I suppose I am with you for now, until I see the person I am looking for. How nice to meet you, Blues and Blinds." It seems she has already decided upon woefully charming nicknames for her two new 'companions'. "How about we-."

Another interruption, and this time more violent. The explosion rung out into the Sith's ear as she faltered back a step in surprise. Unfortunately for her, she did not step back into any sort of cover, leaving her entirely exposed to the mercy of chance. The chance of what? Not being splattered upon with loose cake- SPLSH. Orange and green cream and specks of cake slammed into her mask full speed. She stood and stared in a brittle, meek silence. She wasn't smiling anymore. The wallowing cake-induced depression she found herself in could not last very long although as both In Rhan and Niysha begun on the move. In a split moment decision, Vikai turned to follow. It was the impractical thing to do, and it served to only detriment her goals, and yet despite all of that, that little brain-worm known as curiosity got the better of her. It'll only be soon found out if this is to her fortune or misfortune.

"Trying to steal one of the dancers? I did not take any of you as kidnappers - though I suppose they must be slaves, the lot of them. Unfortune for the likes of them. I-."

And yet somehow, there was another interruption. This time, the lights flashed, and then went entirely out. The once premium lounge was not little more than a dark, cake covered room filled with soon-to-be blaster fire and panicking high-rollers. It surely could not possibly become any worse than this-

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Profound misfortune is what many would call it. The sort of occurrence that only happens to a person once in their life usually. A blaster wielding strike-force leaping from a cake while bunny-masked heisters ready to go get their score all the one the lights go out? That only happens only once to a person, if at all. Yet, still, the jolly mishap of people who found themselves in this lounge today would only have more misfortune befall upon them.

Right before the lights went dead and the room fell to darkness, a pair of beast handlers and their caged beast came circling around the corner to enter the VIP lounge with the intent of showing off a exotic, and expensive catch of their's to a perspective client of their's. What was this exotic beast? Nothing less than a Tuk'ata of course. A vile, scaled-wolfish creature that was large enough to eat a man's head off in one quick snap of it's gnarled jaw. The only thing that was containing it was measly durasteel bars that were electrified to keep it at bay... And yet the moment the EMP disrupted the entire lounge, that included the Tuk'ata's cage. With nothing to cease it now, the beast's jaws begun to rend and tear at the durasteel. It's pair of beast-keepers in turn panicked like they have never panicked before. Blasters were drawn and fired on repeat into the thick hide of the beast, to little effect. In a stroke of irony, and the lack of sight, one of the Hutt's guards had presumed the beast-keepers to have been more trouble related to the cake-commandos. Quick they were to begin opening fire upon the beast-keepers, taking one out instantly. As for the second one? Well, that durasteel sure did not last long. It was ripped through, and soon enough, so was the throat of the beast-keeper.

The Tuk'ata is now free, and stalking for more blood to be spilled in the darkness of the lounge.

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

Vyn drew his blaster around the time he was slathered with exploding cake, and for some reason it birthed lifeforms. Though he kept his finger from the trigger, after all this was PERFECT. The rubber avian mascot team was in the casino below looking for something else, causing an even bigger distraction. He couldn't have asked for a better chain of events and it had nothing to do with him for the first time in longer than he could remember.

He watched as Loomi placed an emp charge, his retinal implants kicking it and helping with the now pitch black lounge, even if it wasn't perfect. It quite literally couldn't get better than this, and it didn’t. The next in the series of terrific events was the noise of a beast, not just any beast, a Tuk’ata, and as fast as the evening went up hill, it was now going the opposite way. Though the direction really depended on the eye of the beholder.

Vyn watched frozen as several blaster bolts were loosed into the cage of the beast, and the thing couldn’t care less, in fact it seemed like it was still angrier at the cage than the blaster bolts. Then the drugged up guards got stupid, blasted one of the tamers, and the other one became a quick snack as the beast broke free. He hated this... of any and all creatures to possibly be released on this ship, this one gave him nightmares, and for good reason. He was alone on Yavin for nearly a week being chased by these things while wounded, he'd have to get over it.

Vyn stood completely still as it prowled around the cage before locking on to its next snack. One of the cake invaders, as the Tuk’ata bolted in that direction Vyn quickly turned and jumped over the bar digging through different sacks of items before he found the one with his equipment that had been stashed here earlier in the casinos cruise, he’d have to thank Lyle later. Equipping the boost pack and configuring his blaster in the rifle mode he’d vault the bar once again and group back up with Loomi and Seydan.

"Tell me you two have a way off this tub, one that will have enough for us plus the hostages?" He asked with a slight shakiness to his words.

He'd boarded by transport, and in all honestly was just going to jack another when the time came to evacuate. He then stepped out raising the rifle and dropping three guards in quick succession who were about mistake In Rhan , Vikai Caznä , and Niysha as said cake invaders, that, and the door they were occupying was the one way to the auction room. "I suggest we go that way" He said as he let the occasional bolt loose from his weapon as cover from the panicking guards and confused Cake-men, neither of which had any idea of why it was suddenly pitch black inside the room, but were assuming it was the other party.

Vyn Tapped Loomi 's shoulder before he took off in a dead sprint clearing the open section of the room, passing by a fuming Razmir Tezhyn who was now yelling into the void about his unwilling change in attire. Poor guy was going through it today, so Vyn figured he'd help out. Reaching out in the dark, he grabbed the mans wrist, attempting to pull the him along towards the exit, though the grip wasn't exactly tight, so if he didn't follow, Vyn wouldn't shed a tear. A few seconds later he slammed against the wall at the exit yelling back to his new acquaintances

"I'd run about now!" Keeping his rifle up and watching for any directed blaster fire.

 

[In Rhan]

Bribes changing hands! Lights going out! CAKE EVERYWHERE. In had reflexively ducked when an explosion went off, which had meant she was even more off-balance when Niysha dragged her off and away from the furious but blissfully helpful business man with the gorgeous suit. In had been hit almost face-on by a chunk of banana-creme the rough size and mass of a human infant, which hadn't helped her failing balance.

How were there so many men in one cake? How had they exploded outwards without getting hurt? Hey, who turned out the lights?!

In couldn't have been much more dizzy than anyone else, though, because the moment there was an explosion and the lights went out, at least five different groups of people around Lrongo's Palms all gave some variation of "NOW!" and started firing wildly at the security team, random people, and each other. Even with the power out, the dizzying flash of blaster fire and grenades created a fetching strobe effect. The in-house band took one look at each other, shrugged, and proceeded to continue jamming as hard as possible.

​

STATION LOUDSPEAKER

"Gentlemen, ladies, variations thereupon - due to a sudden sewage leak, the Aurum+ Lounge is currently off-limits. But rest assured, our skilled and tenacious plumbers are hard at work right this very moment to make sure that all of the filth is wrangled. The Lounge will be back and better than before in no time! In the meantime, please enjoy a complimentary light beer or cocktail from one of our hard-working servers who should all be on their way to the auction floor right the hell now, ladies. Or else there'll be NO BONUSES tonight, and we ALL know what that means."



A nearby voice muttered something sheepish. The sound of Zapp striking a Gamorrean over the head with something was audible, even away from the microphone. "Tabba-no wongil! I don't care how many of them have the stupid chit, you get down there and you save Bek-Bek before she eats someone common and makes herself sick! Or YOU'LL be the one answering to His-Most-Affectionate-Towards-Animals!"

In blanched slightly, looking between Niysha and Vikai Caznä after dragging them behind the bar. "Alright, the ship is the holding vaults beneath the auction floor. Or it was last I heard." She explained in a hurried whisper. "Heavily guarded. Patrols constantly. I saw like three bombs in the maintenance hallways when I tried to sneak down there last - I'm pretty sure the entire janitorial team has been replaced by a Clawdite hit squad or something." The Pantoran hissed.

"I've got a blaster rifle stashed in the fountain, but it's on the other side of the cake." In continued while scooping cake out of her hair. "But if we can disable a guard, we should be able to at least get a gun. We make for the servant passages, take the stairs, and get the hell out of here. So what do you think, frizz - you distract one, and I try to choke him out with my scrunchie?"

In turned her face in the general viscinity of where she thought Vikai was. "Listen. My name is In and this is Niysha. if you've got half a brain? You'll help us get out of here, too." She added intently. "I just gave all my money to Niysha's new boyfriend over there, but I can promise you a pound of the best granola you've ever had in your life and a ride if you help."

 

[Razmir Tezhyn]

Suddenly the lounge went dark. But Raz could still see fine despite the sudden absence of light, a gift from his mother's side of the family. But when the first bolt of blaster fire exploded into the room moments later, he had to shield his eyes against the flash. One blast turned to many, and soon the entire lounge was being lit up by bolts like bursting stars.

Raz could feel the fast-paced flicker between blaster fire and darkness begin to cook his brain. He was adapted to low-light environments, yes, but bright—especially flashing—lights would quickly overload his nerves. More and more it felt as though his thoughts clawed their way through jagged shards embedded into his head. It took him several moments to remember he carried countermeasures for these occasions. He struggled with his suit pocket a moment, then pulled free a pair of shades and put them on. The nauseating flashing became more manageable immediately.

Through the fading haze, the extent of chaos which had unfolded around him mere seconds became apparent. What had been a birthday cake had turned into several caked-covered criminal commandos, armed to the teeth and far from festive in mood. They'd engaged the security team in a brutal shootout amid the fleeing crowds of civilian guests.

He caught the glimpse of a Bith of all species breaking a Gammorean's neck with his bare hands before he was pulled out of the way of blaster volley. Raz barely registered the shout telling him to get away.

The one who'd pulled him from the daze of confusion turned out to be a completely new face. An Iridonian, patently too well-armed for a birthday celebration, lead the way to the lounge exit and hunkered down by the gate wall with his blaster rifle. Raz slid to a halt on the other side of the gate, a few steps further. It took a moment before he registered that Sanas and her conspiratorial duo weren't with the Iridonian. What had happened to them?

He wasn't spared the time to ponder as a roar cut through the chaos. A blood-curdling noise that momentarily stunned a group of security guards by the bar into silence. They cautiously peeked out from their cover, only to be ambushed by a massive beast that cleared the paltry bar counter and turned the squad into the live-reenactment of a particularly graphic nature documentary.

Razmir clenched his jaw, repeatedly pulling at the trouser fabric at his hip. Within moments this entire yacht had descended into complete and utter chaos. Death waited around every corner and crevice. What should have been a simple, quickly executed score was now a nightmare battlefield full of blood and blaster fire.

By every sane measure of self-preservation, he should be getting out of here. The smartest move would be to take the credits he'd already earned, cut his losses, and run. He didn't owe any of the innocents caught between cake-commandos and war beasts anything, and, more importantly, he wasn't a hero. Razmir was, by all accounts, a morally bankrupt man. Good, evil, innocent, guilty, none of it mattered in pursuit of a payday, and the number one rule to get paid was stay alive.

He wanted to run. It would be so easy.

But Cardinal was still out there.

"F—" a volley of blaster fire drowned out the shouted curse.

He'd be going back out there. The decision came too naturally, overriding even his greed. There was no way he would leave one of his crew behind in that death trap.

"I have to go back in," Raz yelled to the Iridonian against the sound of blaster fire and explosions. "My friend's still trapped somewhere in that lounge!"

Had he actually just called Cardinal his friend?

--directly: Vyn Daldoure , presumably Loomi
--nearby: Niysha In Rhan Vikai Caznä

 

[Loomi]

Aurum+ Lounge
Tags: Vyn Daldoure , Razmir Tezhyn , In Rhan , Niysha

Epo-1, Lushi, Seydan Toth: Appearance​

"Tell me you two have a way off this tub, one that will have enough for us plus the hostages?" He asked with a slight shakiness to his words.

"Sure do," Seydan expressed. "She's primed and ready, large enough for well more than a handful of wayward souls."

Loomi, meanwhile, was focused in the Sithspawn. She could sense it clear as day, a dark blot that filled the air with dread and hunted without remorse. That would be a problem, especially considering that most wouldn't be able to see the thing. So, the Godoan began to weave. Her experience as a Mist-Weaver came in handy in a pinch, and she wove a net that would hopefully slow the creature down. A toss, with some use of the Force to attempt to wrap it around the creature, and she had done all she could for the time being.

There wasn't enough time to do anything more.

"I'd run about now!" Keeping his rifle up and watching for any directed blaster fire.

"Right!" Loomi called back in confirmation.

She opened the container around her neck, drawing forth the entity that dwell within. The Lushi shifted and formed into the shape of a blade. Seydan Toth, in turn, had drawn a blaster. Not what he usually preferred, but he figured a lightsaber would stick out. The ran to keep pace with the Zabrak, mentally preparing themselves.

"We need to get in there hard and fast, while people are distracted by the chaos," the Knight noted, parrying blaster fire that drew too close to them. "We have one more EMP charge on us. We need to get in and fry whatever slave collars might wind up blowing heads off of the people we're trying to save. Then we make ourselves an exit..."

"Thermal detonator," Seydan laughed. "This luau joint ain't all it's been gassed up to be. Puttin a few holes in it might enhance the aura. Only got one charge though, so ain't gonna be any practice runs."

And hopefully whatever that dark presence... Vikai Caznä was up to wouldn't stop them from getting civilians to safety.

"I have to go back in," Raz yelled to the Iridonian against the sound of blaster fire and explosions. "My friend's still trapped somewhere in that lounge!"

Someone... going back for a friend. Loomi spared the man a glance before reaching out with the Force and weaving again. It was faint, the markings of light would weave their way into his clothes. Something to ward of the darkness, at least for a little while.

It was all she could do for him.

 

[Vikai Caznä]

Vikai lept back over the edge of the bar alongside her new beloved allies In Rhan and Niysha ! Of course, this was by far the worse possible position to ever meet people in, given the blaster fire, rampaging beast, and lack of light - the band still playing tunes was a nice comfort for her in that moment, though. She did love these sort of rambunctious tunes befitting dire and deathly rambunctious situations! As Vikai landed onto her feet and crouched down beside the two, she listened along to In Rhan 's offer.

"I just gave all my money to Niysha's new boyfriend over there, but I can promise you a pound of the best granola you've ever had in your life and a ride if you help."

This situation reminded Vikai of a horrible, horrible memory of when she went to go collect a exclusive record track for her music collection, only to be given a voucher for huttaburger after learning they were out of the records. Ten thousand Credits. That is all she wanted, and now she had to settle for granola. Life was pain, and there was not much to gain. A shrill sigh expelled through her lips as a gloved hand raised upwards to pull off the mask which was tossed aside right after. "I want so, so little in life..." She begun, in a crazed murmur off to herself. "And instead.. I am given.. Granola. Pfth-eheh-"

There was silence then. Her eyes closed, and her temper chilled - she was focusing, and listening. At the precipice of her control and interwoven of connections, she acted.

In one sudden, swift motion, Vikai stood upwards as her cloak was pushed aside, revealing a lightsaber hidden beneath of which she grasped upon. It was reeled back, and then thrown in one quick, surprisingly graceful motion as it spun through the air. With her arm still extended, her fingers curled inwards which forced the lightsaber to be brought to life; the terrible spark at the ends which exploded into beams of dark, cackling crimson. One blade, and then the twice, both flying directly towards a Huttguard - and then past.

After a single second, the Huttguard's head slowly slipped away from the rest of their body, falling onto the floor with a lifeless thud. Life taken in a split moment, effortlessly.

Vikai's other hand reached out alongside her other, grasping at something; beckoning for not only her duel-saber to return, but also the blaster that the Huttguard's corpse was still clinging to - it wasn't like this for long, though. The blaster begun to shake and vibrate, loosening the now dead fingers as it was forcefully ripped away, and came flying towards Vikai alongside her lightsaber. After a moment, both flung into her grasp, causing her to quickly duck downwards to avoid any possible blaster fire that may ended up coming directed her way. "Hffnh..." A low huff escaped her, air gushing through her teeth. "Here. Enjoy." The blaster was flipped from it's handle to it's barrel in her hand, and offered over to Niysha . "We have a deal, but I am stopping to seal any valuables. Got it?"

 

[Niysha]

Entering: Lrungo's Palms

That was honestly about what Niysha had expected. Immediate, dramatic violence coupled with a bad mood. The young lady wasn't Sith - she wasn't refined or catalyzed, had no direction and no sophistication to her emotions - but she was still a wild, angry Force-user with a streak of greed. Not helpful or conducive to long-term plans, but plenty useful as a distraction or a sledgehammer.

When the lass handed her a blaster, Niysha looked at it for less than half a second before wordlessly handing it to In. She was a terrible shot and In was far more comfortable with blasters. They weren't part of her plan anyway. She already knew what she wanted, and it was downstairs. A violent, murderpilled escort would help that plan go off with significantly less of a hitch.

Steal? "Obviously. You take what you can carry. If you want a ride off this disaster, don't grab so much it starts to weigh you down." It wasn't like she and In wouldn't be taking things when convenient. They had overhead they needed to cover, and Lrungo owed them for more than a week of lost wages with the Dancer "impounded."

Niysha took a deep breath and allowed her senses to expand, leaving her body behind for a moment. The air was so thick with intense emotion that it might've been blinding to a calmer, more meditative Miraluka. One of the soft types that lived on Alpheridies and carved crystals all day might have had a hard time finding their way through so much fear and anger and greed. For Niysha, it was her natural environment. If she'd had the time, it would've been nice to just meditate here for a while to bask in the electric, carnal need in the air.

But she had other plans. She needed to know two things. The first wasn't hard to find. Niysha had been keeping an eye on the heist team moving around down in the Casino for a minute or two. They seemed to be looking to go down, likely in an attempt to access whatever vault Lrungo kept on this flying palace through the maintenance tunnels. They were setting up now. From the looks of the aura around them - the wailing pain, death, and the remnants of panicked, fading life - they'd likely killed their way there. It'd make it easy to find them when Niysha and her companions got to the next level down...

But getting there was another thing. Niysha looked up, above the casino, above the club it was attached to... The VIP lounge was practically a locked closet at the top of an elevator. Two sets of conventional stairs led down, but they were a stampede at the moment. There had to be another way down... one that no one would ever use.

After a minute, Niysha fell back into her own body and turned to In with a bright grin. "The droid service shaft! It's up ahead, on the left. It's big enough for us to squeeze through." She turned her face towards the saber jockey that had refused to leave them alone for so long Niysha had recruited her. "We'll wind up in the kitchen of the nightclub below. We can make our way to the casino through the main club floor."

It was a good plan. It probably would've been perfect if Niysha was aware of just how much of the catering staff had been replaced with ninjas. The kitchen was practically a clan hall for the twenty or so Noghri assassins that had taken up positions hiding in every cupboard, pantry, counter, and overhead cabinet. The first person who wound up in the kitchen of Lrungo's Palms was in for a dangerous ninja surprise.

Att: In Rhan Vikai Caznä
Good Luck: Loomi Vyn Daldoure Razmir Tezhyn

 

[Vyn Daldoure]

Vyn pressed himself against the wall as he watched Razmir Tezhyn sprint out after his friend. Sure Vyn was good at this, though willing running into blaster fire isnt something he’d usually do, even less expected of this man, however he did take a second to contemplate just how exactly Razmir carries those massive scarif gourds of his around.

“Good luck.” Vyn changed the power cell to his blaster a took a glance over to the group behind the bar, he’d barely registered they were sitting back there when he had grabbed his equipment. Beyond them however he couldn’t see much further. The next thing that turned every alarm on in his head was the ignition of the red lightsaber behind the bar, had this been a few years prior while he was still in the NIO he’d be the first one back through the blaster fire with knife in hand and nothing but rage. Today wasn’t that day though.

He looked at Loomi and pointed the other way down the hall. “We would get going, something tells me that they have this under control”

He’d shoulder the rifle and proceed down the hallway there were silhouettes moving at the end of it, and rifle lasers flying in both directions. This was bad, the cosplayers decided to get into it with security and they were winning it seemed, which means they could at the very least see in the dark. The three crusaders were now suddenly stuck between two fighting forces.

“Here use them sparingly.” Vyn handed a smoke grenade and a thermal detonator to Seydan. Before looking back down the hallway. Waiting to see what the plan would be.

Cake room: In Rhan Niysha Razmir Tezhyn Vikai Caznä

 

[In Rhan]

NOW LEAVING: Lrungo's Palms with Niysha and Vikai Caznä , via Maintenance Access

Blaster in hand. Rave-blasters behind. TWO SITH at her flanks. Whatever old witch had cursed In with all of these saber-jockies was owed a very serious apology or possibly a shot to the head, because anymore In couldn't go out without tripping over a woman with a lightsaber. It was becoming a serious issue. "Right!" In yelled over the din of suppressive fire and frantic smazzo. The Pantoran woman fired wildly over the bar through an eyeful of cake, grabbing an extra large, extra fancy cloche to use as a shield. The Kowakian Monkey-Lizard who'd been hiding under the tray screamed and dove for cover. "Down the droid shaft with me! On three!"

Setting her shoulder, In fired wildly into the chaos of the nightclub. Her long legs carried her swiftly towards the Droid Access shaft at flank speed. In order to get through the door, though, they'd need an accomplice...

In spotted exactly what she needed, about the size of a shoebox and ponderously trying to clean up a pile of cake larger than itself - the world's glitziest mouse droid. Assumedly, a normal mouse droid that'd been spray painted gold. She did not even slow down - sliding beneath the table where the mouse droid worked, In scooped the mouse droid up in her cloche and was back up on her feet in a smooth motion. With the power and accuracy of a murderous jai alai player, the Pantoran woman whipped her captive droid at the maintenence chute.

As the chute was intended to open to allow working or rescue droids, it whooshed open when it read a friendly droid approaching - thinking nothing of the speed. In was right after the screaming droid, throwing herself feet first through the small entrance in a fairly impressive shuttle kick.

Where had all this athleticisim and energy come from? A combination of fear and rage, mostly, and a steady diet of rejected birthday cakes generously 'donated' to the staff for the past day and a half.

In slid down the chute at rapid speed, the smooth tunnels doing very little to arrest her momentum. What helped slow her down was the several whip-like turns the shaft took. She clung to the gilded mouse droid, both screaming at a similar pitch, before being ejected into the kitchen at a high enough velocity to crash through a cabinet and wind up in the arms of a very confused and malicious Noghri assassin. In stopped screaming. He lifted a vibrosword.

Before he could deliver a dangerous ninja surprise, In proceeded to vomit cake all over his ninja uniform - earing the ire of his entire clan. A wave of Stage 4 Ninja Madness descended over the Noghri assassins in the kitchen, and so in accordance with ancient Ninja law they began to flip out and kill people..

 

[Razmir Tezhyn]

Back inside the Aurum+ Lounge

Razmir deflated slightly. He really hadn't expected the strangers to help him find Cardinal, but getting nothing beyond a 'good luck' and some wizardry did sting. Kind of, a little. A lot, really.

Raz sighed, watching his temporary allies leave him behind, and pulled the holdout blaster from his belt. It wasn't much compared to the weaponry being brought to bear in the lounge itself. Rapid fire blaster bolt volleys, exploding grenades of both frag and thermal varieties, and a blasted lightsaber. And stuck in there, his crew's tall mechanic.

A drink tray had been abandoned by a fleeing waiter, a large piece of durasteel designed to hold two dozen drinks for thirsty guests. Raz helped himself to the plate, and held it out like a shield. He didn't psych himself up for the charge. It kind of just happened. One moment he sat by the lounge exit, in relative safety, the next he was running through an active war zone, weaving past blaster fire, and looking for his friend.

After what felt like a lifetime, he came upon a table, which he promptly flipped for some cover. The drink tray had taken two bolts, almost melting a section of it through. He tossed it and it fell nearby a dead cake-commando two feet away. The commando had wielded a large pistol, a model Raz didn't quite know, but which looked like it packed more of a punch than his holdout. He tossed his blaster for the bulkier model. A comrade of the fallen cake-commando hopped the table, and landed next to Raz. The two exchange a brief look before Raz blasted the crook with his new pistol. The bolt punched through the commando's armor with a hefty crack, dropping him.

Raz whistled quietly, impressed by his new toy's firepower. He didn't sit behind cover for long. Having caught his breath, he charged out again, running for the part of the lounge where he'd left Cardinal behind. He kept low, hugging the array of planters with their exotic plant species. It made for serviceable cover, and hid him away from the majority of the lounge. He slid to a halt across from the booth where he'd last seen Cardinal. They'd been seated by the back-wall of the lounge, where the booths and planters ended in a dead-end.

Cardinal wasn't by the booth. He wasn't anywhere in the immediate vicinity, either.

Raz sighed some relief. Cardinal had likely run for some better cover the moment the explosion hit. The mechanic was no stranger to war, having served on a warship in the Unknown Regions, but Raz couldn't stand the thought of one of his crew alone in this chaos. He had to find Cardinal before—

A low roar sounded from behind Razmir. The sound rumbled, digging under his skin and directly up his spine. Raz turned around. The beast stood there, trapping his way out. He'd seen that thing slaughter a squad of guards, and now it stood in his way, effectively trapping him between a wall of vegetation, a literal wall, and the booths.

Red eyes watched him, filled with a malicious intelligence. The beast stood at twice the size of a normal human, with sharp claws and a jaw already dripping with blood. Its tail whipped about, and Razmir could swear it had a knife strapped to its tip the way the tail-ridges drew to a sharp point.

Razmir breathed out, reaching towards the beast's mind. He tried to push on its emotions, to make it feel like it had hunted enough prey for the day. A hungry predator was dangerous, but one that had just gorged itself on a squad of Hutt thugs? It might ignore additional prey.

The beast stepped closer, and Raz pushed harder, concentrating what willpower he had to push on the beast's mind. It ignored his attempts. In those moments, Raz had sensed something other than hunger drive the beast. A deep and insatiable bloodlust.

"F—" The beast roared again, dropping low and digging its claws into the durasteel floor.

Raz readied himself for the charge. He pulled the vibroknife from his inside of his suit, and leveled his blaster. Exhaling one last breath, he aimed the gun at the beast's head, but his hand was shaking. He could count the fangs in its maw as the beast inched closer.

The beast took another step toward Raz, body coiling up for the leap it was about to make. Blood dripped from its jaw. It roared, surging forward with a primal ferocity, and then its head exploded. Warm blood splattered Razmir's face and suit. The beast dropped to the floor, lifeless.

From behind it stepped Cardinal, holding a nasty looking scattergun with two smoking barrels.

---good luck: Niysha In Rhan Vikai Caznä Vyn Daldoure Loomi

 

[Loomi]

Aurum+ Auction Room
Tags: Vyn Daldoure , Razmir Tezhyn , In Rhan , Niysha , Vikai Caznä

Epo-1, Lushi, Seydan Toth: Appearance​

“Here use them sparingly.” Vyn handed a smoke grenade and a thermal detonator to Seydan. Before looking back down the hallway. Waiting to see what the plan would be.

"Don't mind if I do, cousin," Seydan remarked, scooping up the two explosives. "Alright, Little Kahuna, got a plan?"

"Yeah..." Loomi muttered. "I got something in mind."

The fighting was blocking their way into the back of the auction room. They were a bit caught up in the crossfire, needing to get from one side to the other in a reasonable way that didn't get them killed. The simplest solution was usually the correct one, right?

So the Godoan pulled a table towards her with the Force and kicked it up barricade style. Then she mustered up her strength and performed a Force push to hurl it forward, having the table plow through the middle of the fighting criminals to make a path. Cake warriors and Gamorreans alike were run over and fell to the wayside. The cat was out of the bag now with a Sith running around, so there was no reason to be reserved.

"Alright, let's move," she stated. "I'll keep the blaster-fire off your back."

The beast took another step toward Raz, body coiling up for the leap it was about to make. Blood dripped from its jaw. It roared, surging forward with a primal ferocity, and then its head exploded. Warm blood splattered Razmir's face and suit. The beast dropped to the floor, lifeless.

Loomi took note of the distant dissipation of the dark aura of the beast. At least that had been dealt with. One less thing to worry about.

And one less distraction.

"And let's make this quick."