Illum's Prize is His Eyes (Trilby Benedetta)

[Lamar Starworth]

Structure after structure engrossed the landscape. The beauty of the architecture gleamed with the rare marbles that molded into a glamorous building. Even as one's eyes caught the repetitive style, it seemed just more heavenly. Everything combined into a spectacle that was Muunilist state capitol, an area of hasty motions, business and financial competitions. A calm mystique paraded over the land, even with the eternal financial wars, allowing the neatly organized city to hold mass appeal across the galaxy.

Lamar was just another figure that had found his eyes gazing in awe at the very existence. Standing in ovation as he stepped from his ship onto the landing bay, he watched as the world below him went about. There wasn't a single chirp that seemed disturbing, but chants and calls echoed over the land. Speeders splashed over the streets, swaying through he waves of traffic. Muunilist was not Coruscant, but with the amount of business it could easily been mistaken.

"Just bring my stuff to the hotel." Lamar ordered to the nearby protocol droid, still transfixed at the works below. A smile curled its way into his face, pressing into his eyes allowing them to unlock the shackles of glamour in the city.

Letting out a sigh, he headed off to the ramp, heading into the city. Soon he would have to report for duty, but until then there would be some sort of time for fun.

[Trilby Benedetta]

Muunilist was not Coruscant, thankfully.

Trilby had arrived here for a job a short time ago; something simple, and it had taken her less time then expected to complete. There were still a few days till she met with her employer, so she decided to "blend" in and play tourist.

She had stopped into a small caf-bar for a drink, sitting close to window, watching the people walk by. It was a pleasant change from her usual days, and she intended to enjoy every minute of it.

[Lamar Starworth]

The walk had held many main events. Premieres of numerous cultures splashed across the pavement in a display of various creatures and critters. Many were frowned upon by the Empire, but that was particularly renown ideal with the growth of discriminative beliefs. Lamar was a custom, however, for the vast species of beings were second nature in Coruscant streets. Yet the style, the motions, and the structures--they were all far too foreign to call home.

Occasionally his awe left him bumping into someone, nearly tripping on many occasions over the smaller figures. The displays caught much attention, though not for long. Laughter assumed as he tripped over a Squib, falling back against a glass window. He was safe, it seemed, though his head ached with the pressing of the glass.

A sigh was slowly released from his soul as he regained his composure. Glancing over his shoulder, he peeped into the building collided. The place was surely occupied, much like all the other buildings, but the place was social. Face after face combined, forming a wave of people in conversation. It was a unique blend and he could do nothing to be absorbed into the scene.

Drifting into the bar, he scampered about in hopes of finding a safe place. It was exactly packed, but the jumble of different weight class wasn't precisely the safest place to be. Finally taking refuge at the bar, he called out for breathes in a pant. Nothing was worst then sliding between two obese Sullustians. All his mind could do was channel the pain of his ribs, but he managed to beckon the bartender for a moment.

"A...Corellian Ale," he wheezed.

[Trilby Benedetta]

She was brought out of her happy stupor by a loud thud as someone..tripped? And fell back against the window. She raised a brow at the younger man as he glanced inside, but he didn't see her.

Another gulp and her cup was empty. She elbowed her way to the bar, slamming the glass on the counter to get the tenders attention. He was in the middle of pouring an ale, looking up to be greeted with a sweet smile.

"Give me another one of ...whatever this was. Please."

[Lamar Starworth]

In the bustle, Lamar had a lot of trouble regaining his composure. At the very last moment his body eased, husky flesh interrupted his senses as it banged against his side or back. Initially he was ready to bout, but such behavior was immature and silence would be the virtue in this mishap. Instead he turned to sublimation, and looked for a gem amongst the rubble.

A boom of noise coated over the sounds of his conscious, leaving Lamar's senses weak. All he had was his eyes and they scarcely saw anything attractive. Not even the ale in his cup seemed worth swallowing. For a moment the consciences was to leave, but at glance it was clear that the voyage to the door would be far harder than the entrance.

Lamar took another survey, swallowing in the room through the windows of his soul. A pout scourged his face, his curvaceous lips pressed down tremendously by emotion. The expression soon shifted as his eyes caught a single lady along the sturdy bar, allowing a smile to fester upon his face. It felt foreign, but comfortable, like new sheets on a bed.

"Hey...there!" He called.

[Trilby Benedetta]

Her glass was quickly refilled, and over the noise of the bar she heard someone call out. It was the window guy, a smile on his face and two fat aliens on either side of him. She returned the smile with a raise of her glass.

[Lamar Starworth]

The young man fumbled through, nearly dropping his cup of ale. It wouldn't have mattered much; it wasn't a good choice on his part. A simple drink of water would've handled the parch throat of his, but the dry visual was in need of a wetting attraction. Even through the barricades of aliens his eyes and tongue moisten with a sense of lust.

"Finally, someone worth speaking to," He muttered before he nearly fell over another alien's tail. There was a tendency growing, but he could care less. All he wanted was conversation...with another human being.

Despite the stagger over, he came to a graceful stop by her side as he regained his composure once more. Slinging his arm over the bar as he took a moment for respite he analyzed the woman up close. She was no different from before, yet there was nothing wrong with that. All of his expectations had been reached and the survey was over. Next was communication...

"So, whatcha name?"

[Trilby Benedetta]

"Trilby. What's yours?"

She watched as he eyed her up and down, bring her freshly filled glass to her lips as she waited for his reply.

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar eyed her, ogling in his own little world for a moment. It seemed as though the words she spoke were etched out of his mind, leaving only him in silence as he surveyed her. The examination continued on, even as his gaze became more focused. Then, in a sudden change, he was warped back into reality.

"La--Lamar," He stuttered, seemingly out of breathe. The nerves that once tingled with sensation had become dull. Rarely was he nervous, but being overwhelmed wasn't too far from a daily occasion. The Empire had assisted in molding the youth to deal with such situations however.

"Lamar Starworth," he reiterated. A gulp followed, taking a drink from his peripheral. It wasn't his, apparently, because the obscure taste rolled down his throat like a slug in slime. Never would he order such an appalling beverage. He ignored the distaste, however, taking his composure as a priority as his insides grumbled in contempt.

[Trilby Benedetta]

He had slipped into what she fondly called the "Boy Bubble" - his own little world where he was blissfully unaware of anything. He stuttered a name that she strained to hear over the noise of the bar, leaning slightly closer to him as he said it again.

Trilby stiffled a laugh as he grabbed a random drink from the bar, taking a taste that obviously wasn't pleasant. "So Mr Starworth, what brings you to this lovely little planet?"

[Lamar Starworth]

A smile grew on his face as he realized she had moved closer. Even though the drink still filled his belly with anguish, glee stung his nerves. As the moment unfolded the grin widened, realizing that the events could've been even worst. All the enraging noise about him had been placed, unconsciously, in a whole different dimension. The "Boy Bubble" was still in many respects activated.

"Business," he began. "I guess..."

Lamar glanced off, taking his eyes out of the bubble. Recognizing the bartender from earlier, he beckoned him over once more. A smirk replaced his joyous smile, though his demeanor didn't change a tad.

"A drink for the lady." The young bartender nodded in response.

"What would you like?"

[Trilby Benedetta]

She had barely finished her last drink and already he was buying her one. She slid her glass across the bar-top to the tender. "Another one of these, please."

She caught the smirk, but didn't mention it. "Business seems to be the only reason to come here. What kind of business are you in?"

[Lamar Starworth]

"Imperial," He simply said. The nonchalance of the statement was grand and almost perfectly delivered. Such comments were common, especially with the numerous inquiries about his regular black attire.

Grabbing up the drink, he smoothly placed it in front of her. However, his eyes were not trained on his motion, instead they locked upon her. Unlike before he studied her in hope of catching a twinge. Most melted at the topic of the Empire or reacted with glee. In an era of war there was no "gray" area.

[Trilby Benedetta]

She took the drink and quickly raised it to her lips, covering the slight scowl that appeared as he uttered that word. A smile appeared as she set the drink down on the bar.

"Oh really? Why would the Empire send you here though? Are you an officer of some kind?"

This was a lovely turn of events - here on a job and the one person she decides to strike up a conversation with is an Imperial officer. Depending on what part of the Empire he was in...he might be useful for more than a few free drinks.

[Lamar Starworth]

"You could say that," Lamar murmured.

A glance shifted his focus then. Finally he could breathe out of his bubble, allowing the foreign air to explore his body. External sounds overcame his thoughts. Coruscant was hectic, but he was not native to Muunilist. Tongues of abo shattered all sense of normality, while Lamar tried to refocus. It was hard.

"I'm a stormtrooper."

[Trilby Benedetta]

"Oh."

A trooper. Wowee. Some Imperial lackey. She didn't let her disappointment show, slowly draining her glass and setting it back on the bartop. She didn't really know what to ask or even say - a trooper would be of little use for information, or as bait for some bigger scheme.

"That must be...interesting."

[Lamar Starworth]

The smirk had long faded, and in replacement was simple thought. All the talk of his job had forced him to think harder, far harder than anytime on work. During jobs he simply went through the motions, did the work and was on his way. Even as a civilian there was no real time to meditate on his placement.

A lot had change over the tides of time. From the Coruscant streets to a black uniform with a few badges. He wasn't exactly what he expected himself to be, but that was not all that bad in the end.

"Well...not really." He began. The drink he had unknowingly stole was still quite filled, but it was equally distasteful. Not even a drop could moisten his tongue without destroying his stomach.

"Being a commander at my age...It's good, but I'm not exactly patient. I know my time will come and all, just not soon enough for me."

[Trilby Benedetta]

"Uh-huh."

She casted a glance down at her crono. Slipping off her stool, she dropped a few chits on the bartop. A false appointment would be a good enough excuse, right?

"Well, uh, thanks for the drink and the chat, but I gotta run. I have an appointment across town."

[Lamar Starworth]

An eyebrow rose as she dropped the chits. Lamar's body reacted without his mind. As she wandered off the stool, his arm reached out. Grabbing her wrist, he stared deeply into his eyes. For a moment the grip faltered, just a tad, before regaining it's fury.

"Ya--you--," he stammered. "Your leaving without saying goodbye kiss?"

A smile widened his already childish cheeks, a sly glint shimmering from his eyes.

The grip slowly was released as a laughter broke from the cage of his belly. Dropping down from the chuckling onslaught onto the stool, he tried desperately to regain his composure. It was a moment before he retained control, the laughter distorting his gaze as his eyes were squeezed like lemons.

"Hah, was just playin." Lamar said. "See ya."

[Trilby Benedetta]

Her first reaction as he grabbed her wrist was to sock him in the face. She held back - no need to cause a scene - and rolled her eyes.

"Uh-huh. Whatever."

She turned her back on him, elbowing her way towards the door through the mass of alien bodies blocking her way.

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar forgot something. His eyes bounced out of his head, and back into the world. Following suit, he banged through the floods of beings. The breathe of aliens pierced through his nostrils as he treaded on through the forces. A sense of vomit trembled in his throat as he stumbled over astray feet and limbs.

Aliens were at times very vile, but that was no different than humans. After numerous escapades with forces on different planets, he had learned to understand that no man or woman was very clean. People had rumored to have even bathed in krayt dung in hopes of good luck. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and at that the he felt anything he said could not be wrong. At least not too wrong.

Grabbing at Trilby's arm, he jerked her slightly before she could reach the door. He had a question...or more of a request.

"What sort of business are you in? Maybe we can do...business later."

Curiosity killed the nuna, and so he wondered how much her face would change at the query. Hopefully he wouldn't die, he had a lot to live for.

[Trilby Benedetta]

"Wha?"

He'd followed her throught the crowded bar, grabbing her arm again to get her attention. She looked at him with a furrowed brow. Business? Later? What the frell?

"Uh, I guess so?"

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar was confused. She showed no emotion, but he could feel it. The sensation rattled him to his core, and he could nothing but watch as the disturbance guided his hand off her arm. He was out of line.

"I'm sorry for that." He murmured apologetically. The surge of nonchalance had faded, and it's place was a keen empathy. Most people didn't often bustle through crowds to grab ladies, despite for obvious secular reasons.

"Im just interested..." The young trooper paused there, realizing his head had sunk a tad since his reintroduction. Slowly it returned, his wondering eyes managing to fix on Trilby's. "What sort of business are you in, anyways?"

"I mean...all sorts of business could be benefical for me in the end, but still..."

[Trilby Benedetta]

"I kill people for money."


Her arms folded loosely across her chest.

"So, unless you want someone dead, I can't be of much help to you."

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar gazed upon intently, as if he had already forgotten what she said. The words didn't register easily, they were too horrific. Albeit she did not do anything to mislead him, she was certainly not the stereotypical killer. Most woman stood on the sideline as their companions were riddled with blaster bolts. All the propoganda posters that were pasted a long Lamar's dorms never held the faces of woman. Men carried the guns, women stayed home. It was an ideal of the Empire that Lamar had learned to embody.

She had to be joking.

Lamar smiled, he had to. In no way could she be absolutely serious. The act was well-done, but the crossed arms were a faulty-topping. Before he could hold back, he let out a burst of laughter, managing to wheeze out a few words.

"You--

--Are funny!!"

After an easing end, he let out a last chuckle before he whipped a tear from his eye. Somewhere in his mind, he knew she was not playing, but how could he confess. It was against the norm, and the norm. was what his life ran on.

"But seriously...what do you do?"

[Trilby Benedetta]

Her demeanor didn't change, although, at the back of her mind, she was wishing for a blaster. She'd plaster the entrance to the bar with his brains, free of charge.

"I told you what I do."

[Lamar Starworth]

A sneer fastened itself on Lamar's face, prepared for the ride. Lamar was slightly disgusted at the thoughts that paraded through his mind. All the people she had kill, simply for money. What could have gone wrong in her life to put her down this path?

He fumbled with the ideas for a moment before he spoke. It was hard, but his slight accent pierced through as he finally voiced on instinct.

"You kill for money? Nothing else...just money?"

[Trilby Benedetta]

Now it was her turn to smile.

"Not always for money. Any Imperials I've been asked to murder, I do free of charge."

[Lamar Starworth]

The young Imperial's lips puckered in thought as his rubbed his chin. He knew very well what she meant, but it was best to evade the seriousness of such situations. Despite all the hectic nature within, he had managed to maintain a level-head. Running his hands into his pockets, he surveyed the woman once more.

She seemed adequate enough to hand out a blow or two. Once more he ran his thumb through the files of his mind, wondering exactly how many she killed.

"What do you mean?" He asked stupidly. "Do you tickle the Imperial's to death or something?"

How Lamar loved to play with people.

[Trilby Benedetta]

"Yes, exactly. I tickle them."

She rolled her eyes, pushing passed a particularly large alien and out the door.

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar followed. He did not follow in specifics though. In his hand he had pulled out a small blaster as he carefully dodged the off balance alien. Managing to press the business end against her back, he let a whisper escape his lips as he leaned in.

"Your gunna leave without my business card?"

[Trilby Benedetta]

"Yes, I am."


Her foot slammed down into his, the pointed heel of her boot digging hard into his boot. Her elbow slammed back into his stomach as she spun to face him, her closed fist hitting him square in the nose.

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar had been hit before, many times. However, rarely were the punches and swings done with such precision and grace. Before he knew it he was on the floor with an ache ravaging his face. However, a sign of agony did not even lodge itself into his throat.

Tidbits of blood trickled from his left nostril, before he quickly snorted it up. Picking himself up, he glanced quickly about for his blaster. It had gone somewhere during the fall, but it would be of no use at this point.

The woman had an upper-hand, and would more than likely hit him again. However, this time he would be ready.

[Trilby Benedetta]

Another punch to the jaw sent Lamar stumbling back slightly as Trilby took a step back. The patrons of the bar had begun to notice, crowding around the window and door. A bouncer stood in the doorway, one long arm holding the gawkers back.

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar was ready, but she was fast. Most abo and stragglers did not move with such precision, and even his training in military arts were not enough. Stummbling into an disfigured being, he was thrown forward back into a stutter of steps.

Catching his balance, he quickly threw his hand forth. Outstretching his palm, and hand alike, he prepared to call on a friend that had yet to fail him.

Then, abruptly his sense took over him.

"Stop! Now!"

[Trilby Benedetta]

Her arms faltered as the familiar knot grew in her stomach. Great - a force wielding Imperial. It made her wish she'd paid more attention to her lessons in the Temple.

She maintained a defensive pose, and quirked a brow. "Uh, is that supposed to be doing something?"

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar had forgotten about his hand. Although he thought better than to use the Force in public, he his hand was still open, arm outstretched and mind focused. Rarely had he stopped half-way through a process, but it was neccessary. A simple trick would rile the already intrigued crowd.

All he could was think fast, and have a quick response. The best he could conceive was action, and swiftly moved his wrist back. Clinging together his fingers he swung back and then forth.

A quick slap to the face would do the trick. Albeit disrespectful, he had to do something. Standing still would only warrant another blow to the face, and it had got all the pain it needed for a day's work.

[Trilby Benedetta]

She caught his slap, pushing his hand away irritated. A scowl had formed on her face.

"Jeez. Just. Stop. Please."

[Lamar Starworth]

"So, your done!"

He exclaimed, turning to the crowd as he lifted his arms to pronounce himself winner. Clearly he wasn't, but sometimes a male ego can be a big liar, and bigger entertainer.

"Thats what I thought!"