Zeltros Nights

[Vanilla Toner]

Yuan's Noodle Market
Zeltros Nightlife

It was a warm night. Loud from the space lanes that pasted up above the black towers that surrounded. The market was a bright place. A busy place. Even at the middle of the night. Kids and merchants all chatting and shopping underneath the bright neon signs. It was like a Holiday. But with more poor people, thugs, gang members, and alien bartenders. Just don't drink the Asian wine and you'll be fine.

"...I'm sorry. What."
"I said. Just don't drink the Asian wine and you'll be fine."
"Ah. Thanks Yuan. I'll just stick to my bowl of noodles. But good call."

The dark skinned man nodded and went back to work. Peaches just shook her head and took a seat at the folding tables out in front of the Noodle Bar. It was a pretty make-shift dinner. But then again? Everything in the Noodle market was make-shift. Just came with the territory I guess.

Peaches ate her soup and watched as a bunch of teenage girls came floating past. She couldn't believe how young those girls looked. It was already past midnight but nobody seemed to care. Or notice. This city never slept and the parties never ended. Many of them spilled out into streets. With drunks, dancers, and brawelers always drifting about. The gang members kept a primitive type of order. But at least if you got robbed, you knew it was by a Syndicate and not some common street trash.

"Heh Peach lady! You drink the Asian wine!?"
"No Yuan. You said not to?"
"Oh good! You get pregnant for sure!"
"Okay Yuan. Thanks. ...You just keep on making them noodles okay! Pfft."

This planet. So weird.

 

[Verz Horak]

Verz had been convinced by his friends to visit Zeltros. It seemed fun enough. Nonstop parties,beautiful women, lots of drinks all around. He was walking through the market district wearing full armor, so none of the thugs would mess with him.Not many people bothered a full armored Mando. His stomach rumbled, and he saw a noodle shop nearby, so he walked over to it. He would eat almost anything. Field rations were way worse than most food. He sat down at the bar part of the stall, took off his helmet, and ordered some noodles in his gruff voice.

 

[Vanilla Toner]

Mando. The armor gave it away. Nobody else bothered to wear full battle dress out in public anymore. At least, not on Zeltros. Peaches decided to go say hello. Nobody messed with a Mando. Or his friends. It was a sure-fire ticket to not getting harassed. Ten minutes in Verz's company would earn her a free pass for the whole night. Not even Syndicates bothered to piss-off a Mandalorian.

"Mind if I join you." Toner approached and sat down, "Don't see many of you guys out here. Bouncer or party crashing tonight?"

 

[Verz Horak]

He was surprised whena human female walked up to him and started talking to him. He swallowed the noodles he was eating, wiped his . He turned to face her, and with his helmet off,anyone could see his scarred face. He thought for a moment, then decided he would let her. He cleared his throat, then spoke.

"Sure. And I'll be visiting a party or two."

 

[Vanilla Toner]

"Dress to impress huh. Figures."

She ate and talked at the same time. Her olive flight-suit was anything but impressive compared to Horak's gear. But this wasn't a costume contest. Most women around here found clothing optional all the same.

"What parties then. Cause I hope your not a bounty hunter. I mean. Around the port here, it ain't classy and all. But it ain't the Grease Docks either."

She licked her teeth. Peaches wasn't feeling very lady-like today.

"I find the Blue District much better, myself."

 

[Verz Horak]

The woman eating with him was dressed in a form fitting flight suit,which he thought looked good on her. Unike most of the women he had seen so far, his new companion had full clothing. He finished his food, then spoke to her.

"Don't know where the best spots are. First time on Zeltros. I'll work as a hunter, but I'm not on a job. My friends wanted me to come here."

 

[Vanilla Toner]

"You seem a little tight. This place can fix that for a lot of men. ...Women too really. So the real question is?"

She gave him a sly glance and brush her hair away,

"...The real question is. How do you like to party?"

 

[Verz Horak]

"I'm sure it does."

He ran his hand through his hair with a sheepish smile.

"And, I never really partied before. Never had the chance."

 

[Vanilla Toner]

"Don't blame a girl for trying."

She shook her head. This Mando was probably a hopeless dancer too.

"Look. I'll be honest. There are some clubs around here that pay good money for fights. A man steps into a ring and knocks another man down. Easy money. ...Or? If that's not how you unwind. Plenty of Dancer Clubs around too. Just sit back, relax, and tip the ladies who catch your fancy for a more intimate moment. Simple as that."

She didn't need to elaborate. He could fill in the blanks.

"Just remember that everyone here on Zeltros is out to scam, drug, and undress you? And you'll have a great first time. Heh."

 

[Verz Horak]

"Hey, I didn't have much time to party when I was growing up. But, I kinda figured that people were gonna try to rob me. I kinda grew up on the streets. Away from Mandalore. It's a long story. And maybe a good fight or two would be fun. Then a bit of dancing or something. That good for you?"

He said all of this with a small grin, hand on the back of his head.

 

[Vanilla Toner]

"My advice is free handsome. But if your looking for an escort?.." She leaned against the bar to 'accent' her chest, "...Then it's gonna cost you the price of friendship for the night. A hundred credits gets you a loyal hostess and tour guide. ...Heh. Now. If your looking for more, I can point you to the nearest brothel?"

Vanilla liked soldiers. They played it straight. Not like scoundrels or vixens who always lied through a smile. Peaches could play hostess tonight. Having a Mando for a friend was a massive benefit for any girl to have. Especially in a fight.

"Deal? ...Or do you think you can handle it from here? Suit yourself."

 

[Verz Horak]

He considered the woman's offer. He hardly knew her, but he carried nothing valuble that he couldn't keep safe from thugs,and she seemed kind enough. After a moment, then put down a credit chip worth 100 credits. He nodded, trying not tto look at the woman's chest.

"You have a deal. But no brothels, at least tonight. The name is Verz, by the way "

 

[Vanilla Toner]

"Pleasure doing business with you Verz. You can call me Peaches."

She held the chit to her wrist com and scanned it. Smiling as she slipped it into her flight suit.

"You've just bought your first friend for the night. Hehe. I think you getting the hang of this planet already."

She brushed her hair and reshuffled her flight suit to be more discrete.

"Finish what your eating. I know a Fight Club just down the street. The Sarlacc Pit. ...But don't worry. I hear every Mandalorian who's gone in there has come back out again. Heh."

Bad joke.

"We'll see who's fighting tonight and take some bets. With any luck, and my wonderful help of course, you'll walk away a richer man than you started. ...And if you like the place and want to tango? ...We can see if Terry will let you go a round."

She held up a finger,

"Just. Just don't get cocky. They keep a few Cyborgs around to help newer champions become... Humble. If you know what i mean. Winning is fine. But win too much, and they'll probably get frisky."

She shrugged and finished up her noodles. Looks like she had her date for the evening.

 

[Verz Horak]

"Peaches? Interesting name."

After Peaches told him what to expect, he finished the last of his noodles and paid the owner. He wiped his mouth, then stood up. He fixed his kama,then held out his arm for Peaches.

"Shall we get going?"

 

[Vanilla Toner]

"Heh. Yeah."

She took his arm and waved him down the market. Taking the opportunity to point out places of interest and the unique social interactions of Zeltros. Nothing about their conversation was important. Because nothing on Zeltros truly was, important. It was a vacation resort, a seaside cantina, and an flattering while unfaithful girlfriend. Nothing about the real world really mattered here. So Vanilla talked, hosted, and smiled as if she didn't have a care in the world. Not because she didn't? But because today was Verz's day off. And small talk was the only thing on the menu.

"Here we are. Keep your wits about you. This place and can be a little rough."

It was a location. A large neon sign with barred double doors. The stairs dipped downwards as you entered and the lits dimmed to a red amber hue. It was built to attract people and customers from the inside out. Lights, signs, and waitresses. But even with the dim lighting you could tell the place needed paint on the walls. And the air smelled permanently like smoke and cigars.

You walked down into the second floor balcony. There was a large bar and a few tables around the railings looking out over The Pit. The downstairs was a caged fighting ring and a gambling house. Like a boxing match arena but with no place to sit down. It was a busy night and they had to squeeze past people to move around. Though... They did move out of Verz's way rather sharply.

"Next fight starts in five. By the look of the video above the ring. Let's grab a table and order some drinks. You can tell me what your armor means as we watch the next fight. Trust me. The drinks here a much better than any noodle stand out by the port."

She played hostess well. But all of her senses where built around what Verz might have been thinking or feeling at the time. After all, a happy Mando doesn't kill anybody. And that works out best for everybody most days.

 

[Verz Horak]

As they walked through the city, arm in arm. Verz talked with his hostess, nothing important at all, but he would look away every few moments to scan the surroundings. Old habits die hard. Especially when they were drilled back into you in basic. Eventually they arrived at the place Peaches was talking about. His eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim light,and as they did, he saw a large ring in the center of the room, and a screen above it. The fighting ring, he guessed. At Peaches's suggestion, they headed to a table and sat down. He ordered a drink for himself. Tihiir, one of his favorites. As they waited for their drinks, he started talking with her again.

"So,what did you want to know about my armor?"

 

[Vanilla Toner]

Vanilla ordered a drink and took a seat near the railing. She could watch the lower levels from here. And for someone rather important too.

"Oh. Well I assume there is a story behind it. The last Mandalorian I met had quite the tale to tell. Or is yours inherited or some-such?"

She wasn't really interested in his armor. Vanilla fancied nice shoes and little black dresses. They were rare for a woman in her occupation and she could muse over them for hours. Metal plates were far less interesting. Though, she was sure every scar and dent upon the iron had a story behind it.

"Keep talking. I'm still looking for Terry. He works the fights and knows a few people. If we're lucky he could be wandering about."

Terry was the inside man. The gambling man. When you gamble on Zeltros, you don't play the odds. The house always wins. No, you play people. You play emotions, desires, and mistakes. That's where the real profit margins lie. ...But for now, they'd talk. She could do both and wait for their drinks to arrive.

 

[Verz Horak]

Verz sat across from Peaches at the small table, waiting for his drink as well. When she asked the story of his armor, he was surprised. Most beings wanted to know what the color meant and that was it. He gathered his thoughts, then started telling her about his armor.

"I inherited my father's armor when he died in battle. I was about 8 standard years old. I was taken with him to fight, as is the Mandalorian tradition. He was killed, and I took his armor and weapons, and piloted it off of the planet. I spent the next seven years working at a bar as a busboy. I eventually got enough credits to get fuel and travel back to Mandalore. I joined the army. Fought some Sith on Junction and Concord Dawn."

 

[Vanilla Toner]

"And now your looking for some R&R. I get cha'. Well. Trust me. No Sith here. Just ladies."

She winked and let the waitress deliver their drinks. The next fight was about to start too.

"Ah. Now here we go. Let's see who they throw into the cage tonight. Could be a good spectacle? Heh."

 

[Verz Horak]

"Some R&R would be nice."

He took the tihaar and thanked the waitress. He then downed the shot in one go.

"I hope it's a good fight. Be nice to watch others fight for a change, huh?"