Sith, The Inauguration.

[Gav Mortis]

Waiting in Lorens apartment had been quite a chore for Gav; his secretary kept a very girly home with lush pink in everything, elegant lighting to grant mood to the frivolous decor and cheap art scattered hither and thither; add to all this the heavy scent of lavender and any self-respecting, red-blooded male should be most unsettled. In fact, Gav had found himself fidgeting with a frilly cushion before Loren emerged from her bedroom wearing a pretty, violet frock and matching shoes. He smiled and stood.

"You look radient, Miss Valor. It has certainly been worth the wait."

"Well, Mr. Mortis, beauty takes time." She chirped, floating gracefully into the foyer. She found her handbag and keycard then headed for the door.

"And please, call me Loren. We're not in work now, sir."

"Gav will be fine. For tonight, that is; don't be getting any ideas in the office." Replied Gav light-heartedly.

That was how the night had begun. Gav had promised his secretary earlier in the day that he would drive her to the party; the company for which they both worked, Coruscorp, was holding a celebration at a swanky, new nightclub called The Haven. They were both expecting an impresive, if conservative, soire thanks to the newly elected president, Kholthas Yinaberie. He was a successful Twil'ek entrepreneur from Corellia who had promised a bright future for the company. Coruscorp had suffered a recent history of poor leadership and wanting business after branching out from the supplying of starship hardware into areas of weapons and munitions.

"And here we are! It looks like a decent enough place." Gav observed from his speeder. The black glass from his window slid down and he addressed the valet waiting at the bright entrance. Both Gav and Loren climbed out of the vehicle and allowed the valet to take control of the speeder. They watched it disappear around the corner then turned to the club. A swell of music and jovial voices burst forth from the doors as a couple left hand-in-hand.

"It looks like the party has started without us." Loren said, tartly, and picked up a brisk pace to match Gavs as they both headed inside.

[Razielle Alastor]

The Haven, was not normally a convention center, privately rented out for corporate to-do's, but this night was different. Oh, to be sure the money was right. Erzebet wouldn't have even considered such a thing if the costs hadn't singularly intrigued her. But it was the "who" element that had won her over in the end, Coruscorp, indeed.

For an event such as this, Erzebet herself had seen to every tiny detail and would be in attendance throughout the celebration to make sure that everything was flawless. Her kids, as she affectionately called her employee's, lingered about. No arm was empty and everyone would have a divine evening.

Scantiliy clad beauties glided back and forth across the ceiling from swings high above the main assembly room. Acrobats and contortionists dressed as deilcate insects, entertained the guests who didn't wish to dance.

For those who did wish to become more physical, the dance floor twinkled with constantly falling diamond glitter and flashed with soft lights that made everyone more beautiful than was the norm.

As the last of the guests made their way in, Erzebet took note with a bedazzling smile. She herself was resplendent in a bloodred strapless gown that emphasized her white skin and also her raven hair that was pinned up with matching roses.

She made herself available to all, but did not intrude upon anyone. There would be plenty of time for business.

Later.

[Jared Mriad]

Below the beating music, dancing patrons, and drinking fellows Jared drummed tirelessly on the reflective top of a nearby table. His eyes were focused ahead on two individuals whom gained his favor through a few little tasks he assigned to them, and yet another to be assigned tonight.

He checked his watch for the seventh time while slowly instructing the two humans, ending the directions with a swift strike of his palms together. The duo left with a little smug grin on each other's features, exiting out a fire-escape door into the atmosphere beyond. Jared, or Issac, watched them leave before straightening the collar of his suit and adjusting his glasses.

He ascended into the commons floor of The Haven, taking a casual glance about as he took upon the persona of Issac Rostov, the male co-owner of the establishment. Dressed in a ebony suit that contrasted with his slightly pale skin and full head of brightly copper hair, he didn't stand out too much with the crowd. However, despite the chopped locks and tied back tail; he did seem quite professional as his persona was created to be.

His eyes flashed to the center crowd, then returned ahead as he took a set at the bar. Cool, calm, and casual – Issac Rostov was all of these, and it was a welcomed change from the underground businesses of the night.

[Gav Mortis]

Upon entering The Haven, both Gav and Loran immediately parted ways, they knew it would be frowned upon to see a secretary and her employer spending an evening together. The other secretaries swooped in to greet Loren and she was whisked away accross to the other side of the club where Gav could've sworn he'd just seen a fire-eater. Clearly the owners of the establishment had decided to pull out all the stops to impress their wealthy and successful guests. Unlike Loren, an executive partner like Gav hasn't the luxury of close friends in business and thus noone ran up to him with a warm welcome. Noone except the attractive woman with dark, majestic hair, pale skin and an astonishing figure wrapped in red; she beamed in that distant, corporate courtesy way which told him she was being paid to greet the guests. He smiled and gave her a nod.

"Would you like a Jumpstart, sir?" Crowed a blank-faced waiter with a large, hooked nose.

"I'm sorry. A what?"

"A Jumpstart, sir." He answered, lifting a silver tray full of small glasses filled with a neon orange drink.

"Oh, I see. Well, I don't mind if I do."

The waiter stood and watched as Gav threw back the powerful beverage, it burned his throat and left an orange zest on his tongue. He winced then planted the empty glass back on the tray.

"Ah! Strong stuff."

"Yes, sir. Quite."

"I'll take two more. Thanks."

For a while, Gav stood and took in all that was going on around him; the mingling employees dancing and laughing, all comfortable with each other; the circle of executives sat drinking and smoking during light conversation; the entertainers dancing, juggling, fire-eating; the suited bouncers and their bosses dotted about the place, watching attentively; the regulars laced throughout. In each hand he held a Jumpstart, he gave one a curious sniff then downed it shamelessly shortly followed by the second.

[Razielle Alastor]

Erzebet watched and waited. Her pampered and selective gaze had of course had settled on the, for lack of a better word, prettiest man in the room. Not that there was anything specifically effeminate in his appearance, it was just the grace with which he moved. Rather like a fairytale prince, although that was hardly the case.

Ever so slowly she made her way closer, once his counterpart guest had skittered off to her own devices. Clearly she had other idea's on how to spend her evening.. Very fortuitous.

She slid a glass of bubbling champange off a passing tray and brought it to her lips, licking away the lingering drops. Once she was in proximity, she moved to stand behind him, nearly back to back. Anyone watching would asume she was gazing at the nearby belly dancers. But her words were soft and for him alone.

"Hello stranger.."

[Jared Mriad]

Issac leaned into the bar he sat at, casting a quick glance over his left shoulder before smirking to himself and calling over the bartender. He ordered a quick drink himself, something lame for the moment, and quickly gulped it down while watching the dancing from the reflection in the bar's great mirror. His blue eyes flicked across the heads of the dozens dancing in it's reflection until they centered upon two standing apart; one watching the belly dancers and nursing a glass of champagne whilst the other watched off onto the distance. After a few minutes of idleness, the businessman stood and began to feed off into the crowd – speaking polite greetings and hows-it-going's.

[Gav Mortis]

"Tanc Ossamon is the great, boisterous man swilling the ale with a woman one tenth his size. Venru Kimsan is his brown-nose; tall; balding; stinks of Gunjack and Thrusterhead. He is never without his stims. Wilks Arbon and his sister Siryn are never apart; slim, attractive youngsters with superb business prowess; Siryn is expendable like the rest. Her brother is not."

A second waiter floated by and Gav scooped a glass of champagne from his tray. The dancing crowd held his attention while he spoke in hushed, subtle tones to the woman behind him.

"Now is not the time for pleasantries, Erzebet. Tell all I have told you to Isaac. We make our move in ten minutes."

A quick glance to his champagne and he added: "There will be plenty of time for pleasantries and celebration later. Your master wishes to see his pupils tonight. He will be waiting at the condemned warehouse, two blocks from here."

[Razielle Alastor]

"Yes, of course..."

Turning and walking immediately in the direction of the club's co-owner, Erzebet turned back long enough to offer a smile of anticipation. She down the remainder of the champange and set the empty goblet on another passing tray.

Closing the distance between them, Erzebet linked her arm through Isaac's as he was making pleasantries with a group of businessmen. Offering them a disarming smile, she stole their host away with a promise to return him.

Anywhere they stood, they could be obsereved and what she was goign to impart was of the utmost importance. Needing a bit of cover, she tilted her head ever so slightly towards the dance floor. Once her message was given, they would need to take steps to prepare for their real night's work.

[Jared Mriad]

When Ezrebet's arm brushed across his suit to link with his, Issac felt her presence many moment's beforehand, and was ready with an excuse if needed. He gave a light smile to his guests, then allowed himself to be lead off to the side. At her motion toward the dance floor, Issac gave a quick nod before escorting his business partner to the flashing floor.

"Buisness is good tonight. Is it not, Lady Erzebet?"

[Gav Mortis]

Resigned to loneliness again, Gav was left to wander about the club. In one hand, a fresh glass of bubbly, in the other a silver cigarette lighter which was used as an entry point to sweet-talk a stranger.

She was smoking while leaning casually against the bar, varnished fingernails drumming idly. They were engaged in conversation; she would wave her smoking stim waving in the air when trying to make a point and he would disarm her assertiveness with a witty remark. The woman, Dohedra, leaned back slowly, the glowing end of her stim pointed upwards and her mouth agape with laughter, smoke pouring forth. Her free hand pushed at Gav's chest jovially. He grinned.

"Now, while you recover, I'm just going to slip over to the masters table in the corner and have a quick chat with the bosses. The things we put ourselves through for the sake of keeping up appearances!"

Once at the table of executives, Gav was quickly offered a seat by one of the younger, less important men and sat. A drunken cheer from his associates welcomed him, a hearty pat on the shoulder and a chunky cigar was passed his way, this he declined. The fat grunting resumed and all were, once again, complementing each other about business. Gav indulged himself in some ego-petting and soon enough he was drinking congac and laughing along with the rest.

[Razielle Alastor]

To anyone else that was watching, it would appear that the club owners were having a dance to toast the sucess of their splendidly pulled off soiree. Erzebet did wear a genuine smile, but it was for what lay ahead and nothing to do with the silly frivolous party.

With one hand in Issac's and the other around his shoulders, she leaned in close and spoke to him softly of the four items of the evening. A graceful toss of her hair. or a slight shift of her violet eyes indicated each one without being obvious what she was doing. She made sure also, that he knew Wilks was not on the nights casulaties list.

As the music ended, Isaac was free to return to his business comrades and Erzebet was free to indulge herself at the bar. She gave a nod towards the top shelf and was brought a bottle of her personal wine, private stock of the house, and not for sale. It was uncorked and poured into a slender goblet encrusted with rubies. If anyone wondered at the thick texture or the unfathomable dark red color, they didn't dare mention it.

Licking her lips in anticipation, she waited.

[Jared Mriad]

Issac wore his own faux smile, moving in time with the beat of the music in the facade that the targets were told to him. He was forced to turn his head to look at the targets, giving a disarming smile to those who saw his eyes; friendly as can be. Once the couple parted, Issac straightened his dress jacket and waltzed back to his gathered group of individuals, speaking polite apologies for his buisness partner's hoarding and covering it up with a little joke on women and getting what they wanted.

He fished a cigarrette from his breast pocket and brought it up to his lips, listening half-eared as one individual rambled on about a new line of luxury speeders fresh off the line. He wondered which of the targets drove the fanciest machine, and smirked to it.

[Gav Mortis]

An escort girl was brought to attention with the snap of two chubby digits, Tanc Ossamon pointed his smoking cigar at Gav who was engaged in conversation with Wilks Arbon. The girl obliged and gracefully draped herself across Gavs chair, he turned to face her with suprise when her long legs were swung casually over one of the armrests. He recognised her from previous parties and smiled.

"You know, Miss Jinga, I think I'm going to have to have a restraining order put on you."

"Well, Mr. Ossamon told me that I'm your favourite." She said honestly.

"He did now, did he?" Gav replied, laughing. He ran his finger gently down her pale cheek while she played with an errant strand of his long hair.

"Yes, something about being a 'good brunette'. Is this true?"

"Well, let's just say I'll have to have a word with Mr. Ossamon about discretion."

Two large men walked in through the main entrance, each looking as imposing as the other and dressed in tuxedos. Gav swung the excorts legs from his lap and stood. He kissed two fingers and pressed them against her nose.

"Excuse me for a moment, Tina."

He took a cigar from the table and approached the men. He patted against his pockets as if looking for something and one of the men appeared to offer him a lighter.

"Erzebet will be waiting upstairs in the executive lounge. Go to her. Isaac will invite us up there in just a moment so be ready. Don't make a move until they do. Go on."

His cigar now lit, Gav appeared to thank the men and headed back to his co-workers and Tina Jinga.

[Razielle Alastor]

Erzebet caught the eye of her business cohort, Issac, and glanced upward, as if to let him know that they were set to begin. She made her way slowly to the extravagent gilded lift that went straight to the private lounge level. She stopped along the way to make passing inquiries to everyone's evening. She was after all the gracious hostess..

Stepping into the elevator with her were two of her "girls" that ran the more risque parties upstairs. They were dressed to match, both in long flowing black skirts, but their upper bodies were devoid of clothing. Rather, they had been painted to appear as if dressed, it was rather eye catching and tastefully done. On cue they slid their eyes towards Tanc Ossamon and Venru Kimsan. As they did, their painted arms slid around Erzebet's waist and they grinned. The lift doors shut on the little performance.

Once upstairs, Erzebet quickly made the final touches. The girls made sure that the room was welcoming and a lair of seduction. The wanted men would walk into their doom like moths to a flame. As for the female targets...Siryn Arbon and newly added, Tina Jinga. Erzebet would see to their comfort. Personally.

[Jared Mriad]

Issac caught his associates gesture and gave a brief nod in her direction, fooling his chatter group with a little blurb regarding the music to accompany the nod. He chattered a moment more, then excused himself from their company and slowly made his way over to Mortis's group, clasping his hands behind his back and putting on the most formal appearance he could muster – and Jared was quite the actor.

“Gentlemen. I give my apologies for the interruption, but my lovely business associate would like to invite you into the executive lounge for a little 'talk and tea', or liquor if your preference suits so, if you would step this way?” He smiled, gesturing to where Erzebet had disappeared into the upper levels and where a lift now returned.

[Gav Mortis]

"Business at last." Gav uttered and brushed Tina from his lap. She folded her arms and with telltale puppy dog eyes, gave him a disappointed frown. He grinned.

"Ok fine, but it is going to be strictly business so-"

"Strictly business. Sure! I know what business you boys like to get up to when behind closed doors."

She slipped her arm under his and he escorted her to the lift. Ossamon and Kimsan were already standing inside and practically licking their lips. They exchanged knowing smiles with Gav when he entered. Once the rest of their colleagues had poured inside, they life doors slid shut with a delicate swish and it began it's smooth ascent.

"Hello again, Mister Mortis."

"Miss Valor!" He turned around, suprised to find the young lady sharing the lift. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been asked to come along and take notes for the bosses."

She sighed, "It seems my work is never done."

[Razielle Alastor]

"You know what I expect. Anticipation is the key tonight. Watch Mister Mortis for your future orders, I am turning you over to him for a while, my pets."

Erzebet had the utmost faith in her girls. They would take very good care of their guests, along with whatever was left of them after the...festivities.

The room was more suited for a harem than a buisness meeting. Silken pillows were strewn about the floor. Inscence swirled its silver smoke from softly burning braziers. The walls were constructed of sheer screens and in the dim light of the room, one could see bodies moving behind them in slow sensual movements. From the bar at the rear of the room, the two girls retrieved tray's bearing an assortment of drinks.

As the lift doors opened and the group entered, Erzebet gave them a rather carnal smile and waved the girls forward.

"Gentlemen..." She eyed the two females in their company.

"and ladies... I bid you welcome to our private lounge. Please take some refreshment and let yourselves relax."