Where the Sidewalk Ends [Open club thread]

[Yula Perl]

​

Coruscant​

Nightclub [Dusk] located on [The Walk]​

​

As with any urban area, Coruscant had no shortage of nightclubs. The Walk was no exception, a sprawling entertainment district owned jointly by SIN and Heartbeat House that encompassed theaters, clubs, commercial centers and restaurants alike.

Dusk was the seedier twin to the more refined Dawn, though they both catered to the same category. One was easier to get into than the other, and that one tended to host the rougher crowd. Despite the air of freedom around both establishments, the Coratanni Cartel kept a close eye on their investments.

Yula didn’t know about any of that, of course. Still, she was here for similar reasons—to check on The Walk and report back to her mother. Given all Coruscant had been through, it was only natural that business owners with interests on the planet wanted to ensure that said interests were secure. Why wouldn’t they? With the Galactic Alliance falling back and various powers caught up in bureaucratic motions (not to mention the, ahem, Sith razing part of the planet) it made sense that elective attendance would be down. Heartbeat House had focused a larger portion of its resources into helping rebuild the planet, sending medical and refugee aid to the devastated areas of the planet. Given that, they had little time to go and check out the clubs and restaurants beyond ensuring that yes, they were still standing.

Though she wasn’t much of a businesswoman, Yula had been raised by a mother who ran one of the largest entertainment companies in the galaxy. After a brief argument which she could not win, the Zeltron mix found herself on Coruscant, ticking off the boxes as she made her way through The Walk. Dusk was where she ended her night, preferring the raw atmosphere over the more refined Dawn.

Dressed in a simple tank top and tight pants, Yula sat with her back to the bar, a glass with some sort of clear liquor in her hand. So far club attendance seemed close to normal which was a good thing. Not for her particularly because she wouldn’t care either way, but it would reflect well on her when she reported back.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Some competition had opened up on Coruscant so Rekha in all her finery aka pants, shirt, and boots decided that she needed to give the place an eyeball. What were they doing that the Lady could be doing? Or not doing.

As she entered she stopped to take a deep breath it didn't smell like a cantina or a bar it smelled like.........dancers. A single brow arched up as she looked closer. So far the only thing in common.......alcohol and people. Yep.

Someone giver her an unceremonious shove, "your daddy isn't a glass maker move" She turned back glaring, "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" Caught off guard the guy who wasn't much taller than Rekha with curly brown hair, and deep chocolate colored eyes put his hands up in defense, "I'm just saying you're blocking the way. I don't want no trouble" He immediately side stepped and went around.

What he couldn't do that before! Rekha growled.

"I need a drink" She headed to the bar.

 

[Jessica Bowers]

Officer Mathis gave some directions to a human outlander clearly lost in the flashy entertainment district. As most big cities, Coruscant was diverse in it's infrastructure. The standard way of living did differ greatly, from the uninhabitable lowest levels to this immense wealth and as a police officer you got to see it all. That kind of diversity within the work was something that appealed to many rookies, never exactly knowing what you would run into made it unpredictable and challenging. However, together with rough work environment, the fun in that did diminish a little with experience along with test of patience that could make one bitter and jaded. Thanks to developing and maintaining a safe and sound partnership, both Jessica and Mathis had managed to keep a healthy distance to that while gaining the experience and skills needed to become very able officers.

Mathis rejoined Jess and the both continued their foot patrol down The Walk, having left the airspeeder at a police parking lot just outside it.

Their black police uniforms and gear stood out from the fancier and in many examples, more colorful costumes and dresses people were wearing, both human and aliens. Closing in on the familiar sound of brawl about to begin they were quickly passed by a curly haired man who Mathis looked back after to see where he went, in case they would need to chase after him. Jessica turned to the lady he seemed to have been talking with and apparently bothered her.

''Everything's alright, miss?''

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha turned. Well isn't that just icing no cops when you need one but always one in a bar.

Rekha smiled, "I'm good. Guy thinks my daddy was a glass maker." Rekha wanted to give a good impression and it couldn't hurt to have some new friends.

"Are you new? Don't think I've seen you before" she would remember trick of her trade always remember.

[member="Jessica Bowers"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

She nodded at the brunette lady then glanced back at Mathis, silently telling him they were going to let this guy go. He rejoined Jessica by her side but kept an eye open on the immediate crowd around them, a common police tactic while one in the patrol had lowered their guard to, for instance, talk to one of the public.

''Well, you seem to have made your point to him anyways.'' she said with a slight smile.

Jessica was a bit surprised by the womans question, it was a rather uncommon question except for drunkies occasionally trying to hit on female officers. New? Sure she wasn't a captain or something, but it had gone a few galactic years since she was a rookie.

''Hah, nah! Coruscant is pretty big, you know. We must have passed by each other without seeing. So, what brings you to the Dusk?''

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

"Me. Oh I own a place a few blocks over so I'm checking the competition."

Uniforms. Weapons likely.

Now being an old bar maid one of her many jobs listed for those who knew where to find her. She knew faces this woman before her she didn't know.

"I think I'd remember if you came into the Lucky Lady. " She nodded.

"What brings you to the Dusk?" She smiled as she tried to flag a server.

Did cops drink?

[member="Jessica Bowers"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

''Something one have heard of?'' she asked between the occasional looks they were getting from guests of varied backgrounds and statuses of intoxications. She knew too well that many might have an awful lot to hide but some might even appreciate their presence. It was something you got used to very quick on the streets of Coruscant and, to many unexpectations, she most often returned the look which resulted in surprise and a sudden turn away. If they didn't budge, something was usually wrong and it gave them a reason to confront the ogler.

Music was pumping and their black uniforms were lighted up by stobes and flashes in all sorts of colors, The Dusk definately lived up to it's rumours being a place of debauchery and indulgence. She had to stay fairly close to the woman to be able to talk to her.

''Well, I'm not here to party as you can see!'' she said and aimed at her being clad for police duty. ''Just routine checks. We don't wanna bother you if you're gonna get a drink, miss?''

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha nodded, "I'm not bothered if you're not bothered by my having a drink." She smiled finally getting the attention of a droid.

"Matter of fact I don't mind the company." Considering a couple months ago Mon Loup had beaten her and left her for dead Rekha being seen around some cops might just make some tongues wag. "Want some water?" The droid stood still waiting.

She could live with that too.

Let them wag, matter of fact let them salivate to the point of drowning.

"You from here or off world?" She didn't hear an accent which could have been trained out, or she could be off worlder. Only way to know, ask.

[member="Jessica Bowers"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

She gave it some seconds of thought and exchanged looks with Mathis before turning her head to the droid. Not much harm in taking an observation place at the bar while chatting and chilling down a bit.

''Yeah, make it two. Thanks!'' and the droid quickly filled up two glasses of simple but clear and cold water and sat them on the counter. Jessica grabbed them and handed one over to Mathis who still had a look out around them.

''Born and raised coruscanti.'' she smiled and answered the lady after taking a few chilling sips of the cold water.

''How about yourself?'' she continued.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[member="Jessica Bowers"]

"Coruscanti you say ahh...me ah Kelada. I'm a. guess the best word is transplant." She nodded, "whiskey" to the droid who disappeared and would be back quickly. Rekha noticed something that she needed to correct.

"I'm Rekha Kaarde, who are you two?" She extended a hand. Shake hands, smile and be nice three things she learned to put people at ease even cops. She wasn't sure if she should thank the guy who stopped or not.

But she knew that from one of the corners they were being watched. This made Rekha smile more it would soon be back to [member="The Prince"] and Mon Loup that she was commiserating with the law. She'd need to put Jared on high alert at the bar.

Though she felt certain that he wouldn't be back there but it didn't mean he wouldn't blow it up.

 

[Jessica Bowers]

Raising here eyebrows a little as she studied the woman and replied to her. ''Far away from here?''

When she extended her hand and introduced herself, the first instinct was of course to answer it. Even if this Rekha seemed to belong to the planets more legal citizens, Jessica was careful to give out her last name. She took Rekhas hand with a firm handshake.

''I'm Jessica. This is my partner...'' she said before letting Mathis introduce himself by reaching out his hand to Rekha. ''Ray. Nice to meet you!'' he said and offered Rekha a friendly smile.

''So, you're the owner of The Luck Lady, huh? Business going well?'' Jessica continued and took a few other sips of the glass of water thay had gained. Occasionally breaking her gaze upon Rekha to keep a look on the people passing around them.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

"Business is going well. We have our regulars and then we have the tourists, ya know the kind that want something they've never had." She laughed, "they want a drink and to be able to say I was in this bar on Coruscant. So..we give them some blue virgins and watch the show."

Just like here, she shook Ray's hand, and Jessica's, "Don't worry I'm mostly one of the good guys. I'll admit my faults and say once in a while I fall off the wagon." Not many would admit to that.

She didn't want to discuss gang activity, or crime, or anything, "So what you think of this place? I mean its competition but it seems to offer something for everyone"

A few zeltron walked back giving them all a bright cheery smile, "Don't try to out drink them, can't be done by a human. Or out eat them they eat like rancors." A rodian gave them a smug look and then the twi'lek appeared.

Lula, "Twi'lek are....interesting." Lula winked at Rekha slid a hand down her arm and then disappeared. "She's after my money, that I don't have." She laughed again.

"Oh goodness, so if you're on duty, what do you do when off?"

[member="Jessica Bowers"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

''And you could give them that experience to talk about?'' she continued to Rekha's response before emptying the glass of water they had been given by the droid in the bar.

Jessica chuckled at Rekha's comment about mostly being on the right side of the law. People would often praise their innocense about this and that, sometimes they were right but mostly they would be so full of bantha poodo. Rekha didn't feel like that kind of woman, though. She seemed to know people, greeting both zeltrons and twi'leks that passed by. Establishing good connections with the nightclubs owners were always preferable, the far majority of them didn't want any trouble on their turfs resulting in more guests and more profit.

''Well, judging by the little I've seen I think it's great! Being a civilian, I thing you're in a far better position to judge your competitor! How was the whiskey?'' she continued while quietly studying Rekha. With a small chuckle in respose of her question, she continued. ''Oh, what do it do? Trying to stay above the surface? You're a curious one, aren't you?'' she asked with a slight smile.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She laughed figuring she start with the last question first, "Yes I am curious. I mean how do you get to know people and things if you don't ask. Besides maybe you and Ray will be by the Lucky Lady. I'd like to have something there you'd like. Maybe chess, checkers, something who knows." she didn't provide escorts or companions though. Her place was all about food, drinks and music.

Peddling flesh turned her stomach.

"Whiskey was good didn't burn all the way down so you know it's well made. Better question how was the water?" Water a simple drink and yet there were many who despised it and more that even claimed some was better than others.

Seemed they were both sizing her up, and that was ok. Not the first time, won't be the last. They just needed to well..get use to her. She smiled again as she signaled for another drink. Across the way Lula stood talking to a small group, Rekha wondered what were they up to.

[member="Jessica Bowers"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

''True.'' she answered shortly with a small nod, setting down the empty glass on the counter and then adjusted her utility belt. ''Although, I must say it's unusual to meet anyone curious about us officers. You're not trying to hit up some free protection for your business, are you?''. The department had their fair share of corruption but Jessica and Ray belonged to the fractions still fairly loyal to their work and the citizens, bribes most often didn't work on them. ''If I feel like going out on my free time, I'll keep the Luck Lady in mind!'' she continued and offered Rekha a slight smile. ''It was good. If I wasn't on duty, I would have drank something else, though.''

She noticed Rekha's glance and followed it over at the twi'lek and the small group of people a stone throw away across the bar floor. Looking back at Rekha she tried to read her for a second then nodded backwards at the group. It felt like work was coming their way. ''You know the twi' and the others?''

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

"Free, oh don't insult me nothing is ever free. " She made a face, "But no....and maybe..I mean I'm looking for someone I can say hey...two guys were in the bar talking about knocking over the museum...be nice to have someone speed dial. Be surprised what folks say when they are lit up. " She shook her head, "I"m amazed at what I say, but I don't rob folks, that's just...not my style."

She had stolen some sith transponders but that was different, and she had stolen that sith fighter, but again that was different she had never taken what someone else worked hard for. No. She needed them to spend the creds in the bar and come back with friends. So no she didn't steal.

She nodded about the twi'lek, "Yeah she's a sweet but she gets into trouble because well she's a twi'lek and folks take advantage. Not like they do Zeltrons but Lula is special, she's my friend on a world where I only have few that I can call friend. The others...they'd wear a brand if they are with gang or cartel. I can't see it from here, can you?"

Green eyes moved to look at [member="Jessica Bowers"]

 

[Jessica Bowers]

She thought about it for a second. Would the brunette business woman work well as an informant? Possibly. And on a world like Coruscant they were a crucial piece in battling the the crime which infested it. It was a good opportunity. A quick but discreet glance around for any eavesdroppers.

''Alright, Rekha... As long as you're comfortable with it, I guess the department have to send you a letter thanking you for your offer.'' she said with a hint of sarcasm and dug up a datacard out of one of her pouches on the vest, offering it to her.

''Contact me on this number. I'll make sure to stop by the Luck Lady. Could we meet up later on? There's a bit more to it than this to discuss. No hurry with your drink, though.'' she continued and awaited her response. As usual, the clubs on Coruscant filled up quickly and the level of alcohol people stunk of increased by the moment, some people around them clearly have had enough but it was of low priority.

The blonde police sergeant turned her head back to the twi'lek and crowd of people she seemed to hang with. She couldn't recognize any of them, at least not from here and in the dim light of the club.

''None that I've seen before... Could be. We'll keep an eye on them.''

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

(OOC: Insanely sorry for the delay!)

 

[Mauda]

The Sith's impact on Coruscant was evident. I was making an awful lot of money. The Sith had razed a lot of districts, which effectively rendered Government ineffective in those parts. Out of desperation and an opportunity for power, plenty of citizens were buying DEAD weaponry and equipment in truckloads. It was good business and this quarter was going to close with record profits.

All in all, I had more than enough cash to spare. Dusk sounded like the perfect place to indulge myself and assess the locals. Maybe catch a slaver or two.

I made my way down The Walk, colliding with the odd drunkard and admiring the lights. The energy was that of a typical weekend, everyone was buzzing, drunk or otherwise intoxicated, and I was thoroughly enjoying it. Soon I reached Dusk. I adjusted my cloth belts, made sure neither mine or my mentor's lightsaber were visible and headed inside.

I headed straight for a couch in the corner, sat back and observed. Plenty of people, mostly drunk. I certainly didn't blend. Looking at the dancefloor, the majority were colourful and lightly clothed. As opposed to myself, Dark cloak and underarmour with a mouth that opened up the right side, up to my ear. Any so inclined would recognise this as a grazing blaster bolt. Either way, nobody wants to see teeth and exposed muscle pulled up in a grin.

Soon I clocked a Police Officer amongst the crowd, speaking in a hushed manner with another stand out woman. It was certainly bizarre to see a Police Sergeant in a night club, but I wasn't going to get involved. I intended to avoid any conversation with any authority figures, just out of precaution.

Now was probably a good time for a drink, I stood, walked over to the bar and sat down. Ordered a glass of Coruscanti Rum and thought while I sipped.

[member="Jessica Bowers"]
[member="Rekha Kaarde"]
[member="Yula Perl"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[member="Orex Mauda"] | [member="Jessica Bowers"] | [member="Yula Perl"]

"My offer, yeah, you can keep the letter hun, not my style and it would look weird and make my people uncomfortable." Her staff, and some of her friends would not look favorably on a letter of thanks from a law enforcement agency. They could just remember her name and that would work for her.

Rekha however did reach over for the number as it would come in handy in the future. "Thanks..." She slipped the card into a pocket. "Absolutely come on by the Lady is open until 3 am..then we close to give the staff time to recover and clean up. Reopen around 7, earlier if we get done earlier"

Their gaze finally moved back over to Lula Rekha was concerned about her. She wanted friends, and to be part of the in crowd. "Thanks, I'd feel bad if something happened to her." She'd feel awful really downright beside herself. Looking over at the blonde's face, "want to get closer?" She smiled.

 

[Jessica Bowers]

''Hey, relax. I was being sarcastic. Hun.'' she replied and pointed out that she didn't like the hun-thing, however with a small and short smile. She appreciated Rekha's honesty and straight-forwardness. She seemed to be an alright citizen.

Mathis, who had an eye open around the club and also the enterance, nudged Jessica on the shoulder. She let her attention off Rekha for a moment to look for whatever Mathis had seen. The man were hard to miss; tall, dark clothed, his pale face brandishing some type of scar. He stood out from the crowd too much and didn't look like anyone who used to go out to a place like this. Someone to keep an eye on and check up what exactly he was doing at a place like this. From across the room, she followed his steps carefully before turning her head back to Rekha.

''What do you have in mind?'' she asked, wondering what Rekha were up to wanting to make aquaintances with gang or cartel folks, if they were it.

[member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Orex Mauda"]