Cat and Mouse [complete]

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri lay languidly in the mudbath, her platinum blonde hair wrapped up in a warm towel while the mud coated her skin. She closed her eyes, a smile on her lips as the spa treatment smoothed and soothed her tanned skin.

When the time was up she stood up, her tail flicking mud on the spa attendants as they helped her to rinse off and prepare for the hot oil massage. This was almost the favorite part of the Vigo's week. Almost. Kal Olorin usually took care of her most favorite part of the week.

Usually. Too bad she had had to send her right hand man down the Corellian Run to keep an eye on Vigo Kasajian. Sasseeri pouted as the Twi'leki female manipulated the muscles in her back. Unfortunately it just wasn't that kind of spa, so she'd have to be satisfied with a massage.

One standard time part later the half-breed Cizerack was emerging from the spa into the late afternoon sunlight of Coruscant's Chilba District.

[Michael Cline]

He leaned against a wall and watched the hap-hap-happy people walk along their merry ways. Sickening, really. Everyone happy, so many smiling faces, so many families - mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers.

He wondered... really wondered, how easy it would be to snuff out some of their lives, leave them broken and sad, shattered and angry. He knew that feeling, knew it all too well. He smiled a bit, shaking his head. He also knew it could end up being impowering. Kyashi had taken his family from him, stolen them away - and for that he had taken the vengeance he had sworn.

His lips curled into an almost warped smile and he thought back. At the same time though, it had set him free. Made him who he was today, and what he was... was hungry, now that he thought about it. He pulled out his wallet and flipped through it, not enough credits for even an a side order at a greasy diner. With a huff he began to look over the cities busy folks again - with a new interest.

That's when he saw her, he grinned wide and watched her leave the spa. A very upscale place, in fact - which meant she had money. He looked over the streets again and frowned, too busy to mug her... so perhaps it was best to be sneaky. He walked by casually a happy tune on his lips as he 'accidently' bumped into her.

"OH! I'm sorry, excuse me, excuse me..." he rambled off in a rehearsed fashion, unclipping the purse from the straps, as the last one gave way he smiled and nodded at her, before heading sharply down an alley. Smooth as silk.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri frowned, irritated at the contact with such an obviously scruffy human. His bright red hair caught her attention, and her eyes narrowed as he quickly walked out of sight. He'd probably clean up well.

She stomped her foot impatiently as her black closed in speeder pulled in front of her. "Took you long enough!" A tall Twi'leki male opened her door for her - his twin was driving. As she began to get inside the speeder, the strap of her purse fell to the duracrete. "What jin -"

Sasseeri bent to pick it up. The rrredhead! Tossing the strap inside the speeder she grabbed her bodyguard's elbow. "Come wjith me."

The muscular humanoid straightened his jacket, which barely concealed the lump made by the blaster he was packing. With a shrug to his counterpart, the Twi'lek followed Sasseeri towards an alley near the spa. She was eccentric, to say the least.

[Michael Cline]

He glanced back in time to see her come down the alley, followed by a large man. Definately not imperial though, which... made the situation perhaps a bit worse than if it had been, honestly. Imperials would show at least some restraint, but he didn't know who this guy was. Boyfriend, husband - she seemed to have him on too tight a leash to just be a nobody off the streets though.

He had to get out of sight, and fast... but where? He caught a glance at a ladder leading up the side of a building just ahead of him. Fire escape of some sort... not in very good shape - but well placed at least. Hurrying for it he started moving up it as fast as he could. Out of sight, out of mind... or at least he hoped.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"Stop him!" Sasseeri shrieked, pointing at the fire escape. The hulking Twi'lek ran forward as he pulled his blaster, thumbed the stun setting on, and shot the climbing human. Due to the distance, the stun beam's effect was limited, but the human faltered and even began to fall down the ladder. He caught himself, hooking his elbows around the crosspieces.

The crime boss narrowed her eyes as her bodyguard started up the ladder to collect the thief.

[Michael Cline]

He shook his head once, trying to come back to his senses. They were SHOOTING at him, HIM! Mikey boy, what've you got yourself into this time? he huffed with a sigh, slowly pulling himself back up from his poor hanging position and starting back up the fire escape as quickly as he could manage. The large Twi'lek was just behind him. Time to put some distance between them.

With a low growl he lowered one hand turning back to face him slightly and concentrated on the man, giving him a solid force push backwards. He wasn't as well trained as he really hoped to be. If he had one regret to killing Ky it was he had never finished his training... but it should be enough. The man was caught off guard and force back, tumbling back from the fire escape, he hadn't gotten very high yet and managed to land back on his feet on the ground. With not a second to spare he started speeding back up the ladder.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri's ears perked up as the redhead managed to shove the Twi'lek back down the ladder. He landed solidly on the ground, and then began climbing up the ladder again. But the human had not touched him!

Her interest piqued, she walked closer, her heels clicking on the duracrete. "Don't harrrm hjim, jI want hjim aljive!" The Twi'lek nodded, headtails wrapped around his upper body as he vaulted back up the ladder just as the human gained the rooftop.

Sasseeri pulled her commlink out of a tiny pocket on her skirt and flicked it on. This was going to be good.

[Michael Cline]

He hit the roof running. If he could get to the other side he could get down from the other fire escape. As he got to the ledge his face dropped however, Or at least I could have, if there WAS one. He thought, rubbing his temples, which means the only way down, short of jumping - was back the way he came. The way that had a large, probably now angry, Twi'lek with a blaster. Of course... I always have a blaster as well... Reaching back under his shirt he pulled his own blaster and turned.

At least he could put up a fight. He grinned a bit, a pretty good one if need be.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

The Twi'lek pulled himself onto the rooftop just as the human turned around. The alien warrior threw himself behind a climate control unit as the man opened fire on him. Alive? It would be difficult from his current position to satisfy the Vigo's demand.

He edged around the large metallic unit, squeezing off two shots at full power that slagged the roof near the target's feet. Ducking back behind his cover, the Twi'lek quickly changed position. The whine of nearby speeder traffic grew louder as he tried to get a better angle on his prey.

[Michael Cline]

He jumped back, trying his best to avoid the shots directed at his feet and growled.

"Come on! Do we really have to do this, its just a few stupid credits!" Then again... maybe it wasn't. This seemed like an aweful big to-do for just a grab and go theft. What was in the purse, and more importantly... who the frell was this lady to have this kind of muscle with her? He wasn't about to let up on his firing however, to find out. That's the right way to end up dead in a situation like this.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

The muscular Twi'lek ducked back behind the climate control unit, changing his blaster back to its stun setting. A black speeder rose to roof level, a window rolling down to expose his twin to the redheaded human.

Predictably, the human turned to fire at the speeder. The Twi'lek stood up and shot him with a stun blast that knocked him to the ground.

[Michael Cline]

It was hard to get his bearing, the sound of speeders were so loud, loud... all the way up here? His eyes flashed wide and he turned to see the speeder raise itself up to eye level and, was that the same bodyguard from before? - Certainly looked like him, at least, at any rate, the Twi'lek was there now.

He drew his attention and fire at his new target and was greeted by the warm feeling of a blaster bolt to the back. Oh frell. He stumbled forward and lurched, trying desparately to keep conscious, well that certainly wasn't going to happen.

Thud

The pleasant darkness wrapped itself around his mind as the world went black around him.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri was waiting impatiently in the alley when the speeder carefully drove off the roof and back down to her level. The passenger side door opened, and Tick stepped out. She'd forgotten their real names - no, they were just too hard to pronounce, especially with the verbal handicap all Cizerack had with Basic - so she called the twins Tick and Tock. They didn't seem to mind.

"The humon is incapacitated, Mistress." Tick opened the back door for her and Sasseeri got inside the speeder with a huff. He handed her the purse he'd retrieved off of the thief.

"Then let's be gone frrrom herrre." The human was not in the backseat, so he must have been put in the trunk. The half-breed smiled. Perhaps today would be interesting after all.

[Michael Cline]

Hey, Michael - what are you up to today, sport? His dad lumbered over him with a grin. Not much, dad. Just going to work on that speeder engine, I'm SURE I can get it started. His dad chuckled and shook his head. You'll never get that old thing to run again, but... I'd be happy to help you. He couldn't help but laugh at the old man's comments.

With a jerk he opened his eyes, a bit surprised to find he wasn't at home with his dad. Oh right... he's dead. He reminded himself, before going to rub his head, and found he couldn't move his arms. In fact... he didn't seem to be able to move much of anything, since he was tied to a chair.

"What the..." He groused and pulled against the restraints "Oh you've got to be KIDDING me!"

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"Oh no, thjis jis no joke." She was behind her captive, the would-be thief. He struggled to twist his head around so he could see her, but could not.

Sasseeri took a moment to study the back of his head. He had good hair, which said something. He'd also tried to rob her, which said something else, something not very favorable. However...

She took her goblet of blood wine, and walked slowly around the thief. She'd changed from a business suit into something a little more casual - a loose white cotton pants with a matching tunic. Not very revealing until you took into account that the fabric was extremely thin. Extremely. She liked the way it set off her tanned skin, however.

"What jis yourrr name?"

[Michael Cline]

Who IS this woman?! Good work Mikey, you pick the one mark on the street who's more than you can handle. Moron. Now she was asking for a name. He smiled a bit, and lowered his head - cool demeanor, calm attitude. He had learned from the best, and one of his lessons was never to give a true name.

"Jirettai." He said simply, nodding at her. "How about yours?"

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She ignored the question. "jIrrrettaji," Sasseeri paused, and shook her head. "Yourrr name jis terrrjible. jI'll have to call you somethjing else."

The half-breed took a sip of her wine, and walked closer to her captive. "Fallen on harrrd tjimes, jIrrret ..." She exhaled sharply, her perfectly shaped brows knitting in frustration. "Fallen on harrrd tjimes, have you? Thought that pjickjing the pocket of a prrromjinent casjino ownerrr would pay the bjills?"

[Michael Cline]

"Prominent casino owner... heh. I suppose that explains the hired muscle then. Hard times? I'd hardly call them HARD, just interesting."

He'd heard it said before, that one of the worst curses that can be uttered against someone is to wish them an interesting life, he wondered who had decided to curse him in that particular manner...

He rubbed the inside of his teeth with his tongue, she couldn't say his name, do to her accent - no doubt. He needed to get out of this situation, and she was still being rather friendly, after all he wasn't DEAD.

With a sigh he shook his head. "Michael." with the kind of influence she probably had, it wasn't like she wouldn't end up finding it out eventually anyway.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She purred, "Betterrr. Mjichael." His shirt had been ripped when the twins had loaded him into the trunk of the speeder, she couldn't help but focus on it.

With a slight smile she asked, "Would you ljike some wjine?" Sasseeri moved slightly until she was perched on the edge of her huge four poster bed. It was constructed entirely of Chandrilan cherrywood. Very expensive. A twitch of her shoulders caused the slit in the collar of the tunic to fall open, exposing her cleavage.

She swirled the blood wine and took another sip, still focused on the thief.

[Michael Cline]

He glanced at her quickly falling tunic and blinked a few times. She was offering him wine, dressed like that, and he didn't even have to use his abilities to understand her intentions, now that he stopped to think about it.

"Sure. I think I could go for a little wine." Well, it was FAR better than his most likely alternative, so might as well play this game. It'd give him a chance to get free soon enough, he was sure of it.

"Course..." he grinned, "I prefer not to drink with strangers, and you still haven't graced me with your name."

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She paused, then got up smoothly and walked around and then behind him to retrieve another glass. He really didn't know her name? She'd imagined that he'd known who he was dealing with all along, but it appeared that she was wrong.

In that case... She eyed the tightly wrapped package of glitterstim on the counter. She wouldn't need to use the drug to find out what he knew. As well as a mindblowing high, glitterstim also allowed the user some telepathic abilities - namely knowing when someone was telling the truth or not. It was a filthy habit, especially when there were other 'highs' to be had.

She poured the wine and brought it over to the man tied to a chair in the middle of her bedroom. If he was clueless, as it appeared he was, then perhaps she wouldn't have to kill him afterwards. Sasseeri smiled, both goblets in her hands. "My name jis Sasseerrrji."

She cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "You won't trrry to get away jif jI untjie you, wjill you Mjichael?"

[Michael Cline]

"Now why would I do a fool stupid thing like that?" He cocked his head a bit. "The place is probably crawling with more muscle like your two boys from earlier, and I'd more than likely be shot as soon as I left your room."

"No, I think I'll be quite happy to just stay here." It was true too, which means he'd need a good plan. One was starting to develop, but he'd still need to buy more time. Which meant spending more time with his 'hostess.' Not that he'd mind, she was being nice enough - and the concept of what she had in mind... wasn't precisely unpleasant.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She laughed, an uncomfortable mewling sound that sounded like there was something caught in her throat. It was at odds with her beauty, but most half-breeds suffered from what full Cizerack called 'choking laughter.' Sasseeri placed the goblets on a bedside table, and returned to Michael's side.

"Of courrrse, therrre rrreally jis no escape forrr you. jI should have had my bodyguarrrds kjill you," she leaned close and reached around to get at the bonds that held his hands behind the back of the chair. "But therrre was somethjing about you."

His feet still secured to the chair legs, Sasseeri grabbed the back of the chair, tipped it, and dragged Michael closer to the bed. "Somethjing jI'd ljike to learrrn morrre about." Setting him upright again, she sat on the bed across from him, one foot on his thigh. Her tail looped around her arm as she handed him the wine.

[Michael Cline]

He took the wine and sipped it, staring into those eyes of hers. Predatory and strong, he liked that. He smiled wide and shrugged a bit.

"I for one am most grateful that you didn't have them just kill me, would have put a real damper on my day." Taking another sip, he leaned back a bit. "Well you've been very hospitable so far, so I'd be happy to answer a few questions."

What did he have to lose, really? If he played his cards right, he may still get out of this mostly unharmed.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"Well, jI'm surrre that therrre arrre people who don't ... apprrrecjiate a man of yourrr obvjious talents."

She raised an eyebrow, her pedicured toes digging into his thigh. "You arrre Forrrce sensjitjive, arrre you not?" Sasseeri sipped her wine, a gleam in her blue eyes.

[Michael Cline]

He quirked an eyebrow and took a long sip. Well, she was perceptive, wasn't she? Which made the situation that much worse - if she turned him over to the imperials... he fought off a shudder at that concept and smiled as best he could.

"Can't put anything past you, can I? You got me, guilty as charged."

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"You don't seem concerrrned." He was pulling away at the wine, however. Hopefully he wouldn't get drunk. A little tipsy was fine, but most males became useless after a point. "jI saw what you djid to my bodyguarrrd on the firrre escape." Her body temperature was rising as she thought about it.

"A man jin yourrr posjitjion has a lot to lose. Someone jin my posjitjion could... help orrr hjinderr."

[Michael Cline]

He nodded, and swirled the wine in the goblet, staring at it. Not really all that bad, in fact, probably some of the best he'd had. None to surprising considering who was offering it.

"Well, what good would concern do me right now?" He looked at her honestly, and let out a long sigh. "There isn't much I can do in my particular situation at the moment - if I beg for my life, it's a sign of weakness, somehow I doubt that would, pardon the phrase 'turn your crank.' So I'm simply trying to make do."

He leaned forward a bit, and sat the wine down carefully on the floor. "We've really been circling this bush for a while... so... what is it, Ms. Sasseeri - that you want of me?"

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She drained her goblet and let it fall to the thick carpet. In a swift movement she scooted off the bed and onto his lap, her strong hands holding his arms still.

She tickled his nose with the tip of her tail. "Use the Forrrce. Untjie your feet."

[Michael Cline]

He swalllowed a bit at her forcefulness, as well as honestly surprised by her strength. Right, his feet - he nodded a bit and let his mind wander over the bonds still wrapped tight around his feet and reaching out with the force willed himself free. The restraints fell harmlessly to the ground around him.

"You mean, like that?" He purred back at her - a growing smile. He was starting to enjoy all of this attention.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"Perrrfect." She flashed him a brilliant smile. He really was well versed in the use of the Force. A unique asset, indeed. "Do you ljike me, Mjichael?"

She held him in place with her legs wrapped around his torso and the chair while her tail explored down one of his legs. "jI am enjoyjing yourrr company, even jif you djid trrry to rrrob me. Speakjing of whjich - you haven't even apologjized yet."

[Michael Cline]

"In the hustle and bustle of the evening, it seems that completly slipped my mind." He took one of her hands and kissed it gently. "My sincerist apologies for trying to steal from you." He looked back up and smiled a bit.

"I'm enjoying your company as well, Ms. Sasseeri." oh sure, he was turning on the charm, trying to be all smooth - but he wasn't lying either, which was a touch disturbing to him.

The night was starting to look up, in fact.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She smiled, the expression a touch on the feral side. "Of courrrse you arrre." She leaned in closer, her breathing heavy, and nipped at his cheek.

Several hours later, she stood nude on her private balcony, overlooking the lights of Coruscant. Michael, the redhead, was sleeping on her bed, completely exhausted. In a while she would wake him and make sure he got something to eat. He had pleased her, and she would make sure he kept his strength up.

Sasseeri shivered, and pulled on a silky robe. A Force user - he might eventually provide the leverage she would need when Sorsha came calling.

[Michael Cline]

Pleasant, rather naughty dreams filled his head as he enjoyed his well earned sleep after several busy hours. He was slowly stirred awake by a light nudge. Opening one eye, and then the other - he was most pleased to see he hadn't dreamt the whole evening.

He yawned and stretched a bit languidly, and smiled. "Hey there." He grinned, quite pleased with himself - he had to, and frankly he did.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"Hey," Sasseeri smiled back. Michael was young and relatively inexperienced, but with a skilled hand she'd quickly shown him the ropes. He'd learned rapidly, as well. "Thought you mjight want some food."

She'd already eaten before waking him, a droid was clearing away the remains of the fish she'd consumed. There was a thick bantha steak with all the fixings on a tray in the sitting area, and a jug of water. Before she let him up, however, she pressed him back into the pillows with a kiss that was sure to wake him up fully.

[Michael Cline]

He returned it, quite happy to do so. Now this is the way to wake up! He thought to himself, quite pleased. Great food, even better company - luxurious surroundings! Perfection given form, thy name is Sasseeri. chuckling inwardly he slowly broke the kiss and stretched.

"Fantastic," he said sniffing in the direction of the delicious looking meal before him. "I've been starving all day." Now however, he was torn - between going to the food, and the beautiful woman at his side. Licking his lips he moved in for another kiss, something to wet his appetite before he ate.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"Mmm," she kissed him back, her fingers entwined in his hair. "jI'm always starrrvjing."

After a few moments, she slid off the bed, her robe only tied loosely around her waist. "You betterrr eat now, orrr you mjight have to wajit anotherrr hourrr." She winked, and slipped away to the refresher.

[Michael Cline]

With a grin that just wouldn't stop he jumped down from the bed and to the table. He was just going to get a burger with the creds he had stolen from her... though thinking about how much she probably had IN that purse, now that he knew who she was - was a bit frightening. Oh well, this is far better than what he could have hoped for.

Without a second thought he tore into the steak, which was just as delicious as it smelled. It didn't take him very long to finish it, sitting happy and content with the life he was at least temporarily enjoying.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

In the refresher Sasseeri pulled her hair back into a pony tail. It was fairly early in the morning, around two or three. She considered herself in the mirror, narrowing her eyes at the sight of a red mark on her neck. She grinned. Michael was very enthusiastic.

Sasseeri flicked on her commlink, "Tock? Call my rrreceptjionjist, have herrr cancel all my appojintments. ... No, just forrr today." She tossed the commlink onto the counter, pulled her robe around her slim body, and walked back into the main room.

He was already finishing the meal, wiping his mouth with a napkin. The sight of him with food on his face was so delicious that it was all she could do to restrain herself to a saunter as she walked towards him. "Enjoyjing yourrrself?"

[Michael Cline]

"Ever since I came to." he laughed, the thought of 'escaping' was slipping further and further from his mind with each passing delight and pleasure he was enjoying here. This was it, what he'd been looking for since he first joined up with Kyashi - the big score. Food, fun, and wealth.

Standing up from his seat, he stole another kiss as she neared him, a slight growl in his throat as he let his hands wander the sides of her body.

"Ms. Sasseeri, you're spoiling me, I fear." he chuckled lightly, still holding her close.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri looked up at her latest prize, smiling as he folded her into his arms. He might even replace Kal in her bed, though for now he would do as an occasional diversion. She stood on her toes to kiss him again, pulling his head down to her mouth. He tasted faintly of the steak he'd just eaten.

Well, maybe more than occasional.

She pushed him back down on the couch, tsking and taking a nearby seat. "jI do have an... addjitjional prrroposjitjion forrr you, Mjichael." Sasseeri crossed her legs, her bare toes wiggling. "jI need a new assjistant. jIn my ljine of worrrk jI need someone who jis competent at many djifferrrent thjings. jI alrrready know that you arrre a thjief. How arrre you wjith a blasterrr?"

[Michael Cline]

He raised an eyebrow and leaned forward, folding his hands and resting his chin at the base of the clasped digits.

"I'm not bad. Already have my own, if your boys picked it up when they picked me up." He hoped they had, he'd gotten rather attached to that blaster, it'd seen him through a lot of rough times. "I managed to keep the guard you'd sent up the escape after me pinned down, if that helps give you an idea." He smiled and kicked back a bit, looking over towards her.

"I'm wondering though... since you've got your bodyguards, why a casino owner would need a personal assistant who carries a blaster, more so - one who's a thief?" There was definately something he wasn't being told, he could feel it.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She wiggled her eyebrows mischieviously. "Wouldn't you ljike to know."

He would find out, eventually, about her Black Sun connections. But not yet. Unless... "You can't rrread mjinds, can you?"

[Michael Cline]

"Unfortunately that's a skill I lack. I can usually read situations, and people's intentions - but just don't seem to be able to pick through someone's mind. Not yet anyway, I've been trying to work on my skills, lately. With time... who knows?"

Sasseeri Reeouurra... who are you? He couldn't help but wonder who this strange, and wonderful woman was that was pulling him from his rather pointless life and into something far more exciting.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She tried not to look relieved. "Ah, well, you'll have to worrrk on jit then." Sasseeri busied herself with a glass of water. Unless, of course, he was lying. She stopped in mid-swallow at the thought, and choked on the water.

Spluttering, the half-breed dropped her glass, coughing and gasping for air.

[Michael Cline]

"Ms. Sasseeri!" He was on his feet quickly, moving behind her and patting her on the back gently, she was breathing alright after a moment, and he breathed a relieved sigh.

"Are you going to be alright?"

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

He was polite, adept with his hands (in more ways than one), and concerned for her welfare. Even if he was a spy sent by Sorsha, or even a small time crime boss, she was enjoying him very much.

She stood up, climbed on her chair and pounced on him, knocking them both to the carpet. "jI feel fjine." Sasseeri was compact, measuring only five foot three inches tall, but her half-breed frame was easily stronger than the average human male. "We'll talk morrre about -" He kissed her, smothering her words, and she pulled away breathlessly, "...about the job laterrr...."

[Michael Cline]

He purred at her touch and let a low growl, feeling very animalistic himself.

"I don't think I can argue that." He breathed back, before pulling her back in for another kiss. Employment, luxury, company... it was an offer he wasn't about to refuse.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She studied him later, while he was sleeping. Suspicious to a fault, she was willing to assume that he was possibly a plant in her organization. But then he would have known the risk he had taken, confronting her on the street, and once he was a captive he would have expressed more fear.

Unless he was very, very good. She stroked his cheek with a manicured nail, and then crawled out of bed and headed for the door. While he slept away the afternoon she would be doing some research on him.

She would be careful until she could be sure of him. It would be a game - a game of cat and mouse. But who was the cat, and who was the mouse?