Starting over, starting right.

[Michael Cline]

He sighed as the tailor measured his in-seam. He wasn't exactly pleased, standing half naked in front of some guy who was wrapping measuring strips around his thighs. He'd much prefer if Ms. Sasseeri were doing it - he let out another long, and exagerated sigh.

"Is this REALLY necessary, Ms. Sasseeri?" He wasn't one to question his employer, nor would he when push came to shove. He just wanted this damn suit fitting to be over with.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She sniffed. "Of courrrrse jit jis. You'll fjind that jI'm not someone who does thjings needlessly."

Sasseeri was wearing a tailored suit herself - with a skirt short enough to cause females to slap their mates when she walked by. She adjusted the jacket as she walked over to stand behind Michael Cline. She squeezed his buttocks, and laughed when he jumped. "You arrre almost done."

[Michael Cline]

The squeeze to his posterior startled him, his responsive jump jolting the tailor from his duties a bit. The thin man rolled his eyes, and went to finish his work . A few minutes later he finished his last measurement and skittered away. Michael couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief, really.

The tailor returned a few minutes later however, Michael shooting him a steely glare. "We'll have the suit you've requested, Ms. Reeouurra - by... uh, er..." he stuttered thinking to himself "Tomorrow morning." he finally spit out, nailing down a time frame.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"jI suppose the delay can't be helped." Sasseeri waved off the tailor, and waited for Michael to put his clothes back on. "Hurrrrry, we have an appojintment to keep at the offjice."

[Michael Cline]

He yanked his pants on and grabbed his shirt, pulling it on as he went. He hadn't been in her employ long, but already learned she wasn't one to be kept waiting.

"Of course, Ms. Sasseeri." He nodded, reaching her side quickly, as he finished dresing.

[Kal Olorin]

Out in the waiting speeder, I flicked my spent stim out the window. Sasseeri was inside with the flavor-of-the-month, and I had been all set not to like the guy. I mean, I'm not the jealous type, and believe me I've seen her go through men before. Being chummy with her latest obsession wasn't a bad idea, it just...

Frell if I can even understand my own thoughts at times. The guy seemed on the up and up, though. I'd run the background check myself. No ties to any of the existing Vigos, and none to any of the deposed. None I could find, of course. Sasseeri had been suspicious enough to make me run the most thorough check she could think of - believe me, you wouldn't want to be under that microscanner.

Other than a report of a Cline family disappearing in the middle of the day from their home on Corscant seven months ago... there was nothing. A closer look had revealed that Michael had indeed been a part of the family - pictures had been run for a week in the local holonews. Why he was here, and his family was gone - well I didn't like the smell of it.

Sasseeri didn't care, of course, and so here we were. Cline was getting fitted for his first suit, and then we were heading back to the casino in the Taapes district. Of course, that's where we'd started out at - Sasseeri lived next to the pyramid-shaped casino in an expansive penthouse suite. Sometimes I stayed there with her. Probably not for a while now, though.

Just as well - I needed the rest. She was a demanding employer. I started up the speeder as Sasseeri and Cline emerged from the tailor's, shadowed by Tock the twi'leki bodyguard.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She flashed him a smile, and soon they were sitting in the backseat of her stretched black speeder. Tock was sitting up front next to Olorin, an opaque divider separated the two compartments.

"Now, thjis jis a verrry good opporrrtunjity forrr you, Cljine." She leaned back against the door, studying his face. He was young, but all the better - it was easier to train the young. "You'll be trrrajined jin yourrr dutjies of courrrse - Kal wjill prrrobably show you the rrropes."

[Michael Cline]

His hands were folded across his lap as he listened carefully while she spoke. He nodded slowly, letting each word sink into his brain and be filed away. It was a very good opportunity for him, she was absolutely right about that. Even at his most ambitious he would have never considered the posibility of the life that was placed before him.

The personal assistant to the most influential casino owner in the sector.

"I'm looking forward to it, Ms. Sasseeri." He responded in a cool tone, since they'd met or been introduced at least, he'd taken to referring to her as such. She didn't seem to mind, and he liked it, just the right mix of professionalism and familiarity.

He didn't know what to make of this Kal Olorin yet, though, glancing for a brief moment towards the man in the front compartment. He supposed he'd have the opportunity to get to know the man better soon enough.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

The journey was a short one, and they were soon pulling into her private entrance. A large enough balcony landing area for more than one speeder, the double doors leading into the Queen were guarded by two human males. Tock opened the door for her, and Sasseeri stepped out of the speeder, turning her calf so that the light hit her legs just right.

Adjusting her jacket, the Vigo stalked inside, the doors opening smoothly in front of her.

Good morning, Mistress.

"Hello Trrragonji. Be awarrre that jI have a new employee. Hjis name jis Mjichael Cljine." Michael stepped inside just behind her, and stopped short as the security system scanned him, a line of green light moving swiftly across his body.

"He jis to have standarrrd employee access to the Casjino. Specjial perrrmjissjions for my aparrrtments."

Of course, Mistress. Welcome, Michael Cline. The AI's voice was pleasantly feminine, with no trace of any sort of accent.

[Michael Cline]

He looked around curiously, trying to at least spot a spearker that would be sending out the soft sounding voice. Eventually he simply gave up and with his hands tucked in the corners of his jacket pocket, stayed just behind Ms. Sasseeri.

"Uh, hello to you to, Tragoni?" He really didn't know the proper procedure for talking to what he assumed to be the security system, but didn't want to look impolite either.

He waited for Ms. Sasseeri's next move, content to simply stand just behind her and enjoy the, heh... view.

[Kal Olorin]

I exchanged a look with Tock after Ms. Reeouurra and Cline were inside. "Newbies," I muttered, fumbling in my pockets for another stim. Not finding one, I walked inside.

Good morning, Olorin.

"Hi Tragoni." I stepped around Cline who seemed to be trying to clog the doorway. Tock came inside after me, adjusting his weapons holsters. "Sasseeri -"

"jI'll be takjing Mjichael on a tourrr of ourrr facjiljitjies." She gave me that 'there will be no arguments' look, and I snapped my mouth closed. "Afterrr lunch, jI want you to take hjim to the rrrrange and see how good he jis wjith hjis blasterrr."

I'm sure you've already figured out how well he uses it. I smiled despite the sarcastic thought, and nodded, "Certainly. After lunch then." Nodding to them both, I took my leave, Tock following me. Tick passed us as he took over as Sasseeri's shadow.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri patted Olorin on the rump as he passed her, and then turned to Michael, her tail resting in the crook of her arm. "Now then, a ljittle behjind the scenes. Have you everrr been jinsjide The Naboojian Queen?"

[Michael Cline]

He watched Olorin and Tock vanish out of sight, and turned his attention quickly back to Ms. Sasseeri who was starting to address him.

"Never had that pleasure, it's always been a bit outside my league." Like several lightyears outside my league.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"No matterrr!" Sasseeri eyed his clothes - not custom fit, but a new outfit she'd picked out herself. He was presentable, at least. "We'll walk thrrrough the fjirrrst floorrr. Just to gjive you a taste."

He followed at her side as they made their way through a hallway, exiting out another pair of double doors onto the vast expanse of the main gaming floor. Above there were five more gaming levels and then floors of hotel rooms. The entire casino was capped with a transparisteel dome which covered an extensive arboretum. They were surrounded by the hum of slot machines and conversation.

"Thjis jis the majin floorrr. We'rrre severrral meterrrs away frrrom the frront doorrrs whjich arrre manned by thrrreee doorrrmen at all tjimes. jI don't trrrust drrrojids to keep the rrrjiff rrraff out, but Trrragonji assjissts and watches all the entrrrances." A scantily clad Rodian waitress passed by, and Sasseeri added, "Therrre's no drrrjinkjing on the job, of courrrse."

[Michael Cline]

The place was LUXURIOUS, that was for certain. The architecture and furnishings were breathtaking. It was all he could do to keep himself from being completely swept away with all the beauty and stay focused on what Ms. Sasseer was telling him.

He gave a nod, as he was careful to listen to everyword she said, paying special note to anything he viewed as vitally important - the information about the entrances, and Trigoni watching them all was of note. The last sentence made him smile outwardly and give a small shake of his head.

"That won't be a problem Ms. Sasseeri, I'm not much of a drinker."

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri looked at him thoughtfully, then began walking again. "You won't be dealjing wjith thjis sjide of the operrratjion, much, so you wjill not need to be too famjiljiarrr wjith jit."

She scanned the floor, "We don't open up the doorrrs untjil late afterrrnoon. The Queen rrrremajins open untjil sunrrrjise. We arrre only closed one day out of the week." As she spoke they were traversing the gaming floor and making their way towards the turbolifts.

[Michael Cline]

He kept up with her, walking quietly behind her by just a step. He glanced towards a few tables, and pictured the place as busy as it probably was during the day. He could see them now, many high-class people spending lots of high-class money here. Quite a few of whom would probably be Imperial. Felt kind of odd, working so close to Imperials, knowing what they'd do to him if they knew what he was.

"I see." He said softly, still a touch lost in thought, "So then, I take it I'll be working mostly behind the scenes?"

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"You wjill be, yes." Sasseeri entered the nearest of the four 'lifts and pressed the button for the top foor. The doors closed and there was the gentle pressure of the 'lift rising. "Therrre arrre fjive morrre gamijng levels, so sjix alltogetherrr. Then we have the hotel, whjich currently jis housjing several celebrrrjitjies frrrom the holodrrrama Goodnjight Corrrelljia." She sniffed, "jI hearrrd jits terrrrrjible, perrrsonally. And of courrrse many otherrr, morrre jinfluentjial guests arrre wjith us. We have fjifty rrrooms on each floor, and ejight floorrrs of ourrr regularrr, luxurrry rrrooms. And then of courrrse the two floors of sujites.

"Djirrrectly above, under the transparrrjisteel cap of the Queen is ourrr arrrborrretum." The turbolift 'dinged' and the doors opened. Sasseeri took Michael's arm as though he were showing her around, and they stepped out into the lush rooftop gardens.

[Michael Cline]

He was quite proud to have the most beautiful thing on this rooftop on his arm, and his smile showed that.

"It's quite lovely." he said as he looked over the various flora that made up the rooftop's garden area. Looking towards her a bit, he couldnt' help but grin.

"Though they pale in comparison to you." It wasn't said as if he were trying to win favor, nor as if he were trying to charm her, he said it plainly, in a simple matter-of-fact tone that denoted that it was the truth.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She smiled, almost demurely, "Yes, they do." Sasseeri flicked her tail across his behind as they walked along one of the paths. "jI beljieve we have some tjime beforrre lunch..."

She yanked him from the graveled path and through some bushes with large leaves and purple flowers.

[Michael Cline]

An hour or so passed quickly and he was now back on the path, adjusting his collar and hair, Sass standing beside him fixing herself as well. With a nod he took her arm again, and smiled.

"We should probably do lunch... yes Ms. Sasseeri?"

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

"jI'm rrravenous." She smacked his butt, and hurried down the path back to the turbolifts, Cline following along behind. Sasseeri pressed the call button, and caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She frowned, leaning back and looking to the right to see what had caught her attention.

The 'lift didn't seem to be working. Irritated she put her hand on her hip and pressed the call button repeatedly.

[Michael Cline]

He headed for the lift, and just as promptly stopped, a thick feeling had come over the air. They weren't alone in here. He scanned the room with his eyes searching, the intent was becoming ever clearer as their 'guest' seemed to be readying themselves.

Death. For what purpose he didn't know, didn't care either. His employer was in danger, and that wasn't going to be allowed. He reached to the familiar spot in the small of his back, and came back empty handed. Oh right, the twins still had his blaster. Frell.

"Ms. Sasseeri..." He said quietly, edging ever closer to her. "Someone's in here." What was... a flash of movement, and the feeling of intent was as strong as it could be. They were making their move, he rushed for her just in time to see a figure in black leap from the side of the turbo lift.

Force help him. He picked up speed, reaching out he managed to grab her hand and pull her away just as the vibroblade struck down wards at where she had just been. He'd almost lost her! ALMOST LOST HIS NEW LIFE! Rage flashed up and with a long growl he used a force push to slam the assassin into the turbolift doors as hard as he possibly could. The body struck and slumped to the ground as he slammed his foot against her chest. Female, definately.

"And just WHAT? Did you think you were going to do?" He growled, kicking her again, and putting enough weight down to make sure she wasn't going anywhere. He threw the blade some distance away with the force and just gave an angry growl, as he kept her pinned.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Stumbling as Michael pulled her abruptly to the side, Sasseeri swore mightily in Cizerack. She turned in time to see a female dressed in black slam against the closed turbolift doors, a vibroblade falling from its hand.

Michael pinned her to the ground with his foot, and for a moment they just stood there, the would-be assassin gasping for breath, her mouth gulping at the air. Sasseeri's eyes narrowed, and she stalked over to where the vibroblade had been thrown and looked down at it.

Mistress, I have sent a security team to your location. Are you all right?

"You know jI am, Trrragonji. Please keep ourrr guests frrrom comjing up to the garrrdens untjil thjis jis strrrajightened out."

Of course.

The 'lifts opened and the twins came out, blasters already drawn. Sasseeri barked, "jI want herrr aljive forrr questjionjing!" She snapped her fingers at them and indicated the vibroblade at her feet. Tick came over and picked it up, turning off the supersonic vibrations with a flick of his finger.

[Michael Cline]

He was still glaring down at the attempted murderer, rage and hatred boiling in his eyes. She wanted this scum alive? As much as he desired to kill it here on the spot, it was Ms. Sasseeri's call - not his. He kept her pinned with his foot, to ensure she wasn't going anywhere until Tick and Tock could drag her off.

He wouldn't let anything happen to Ms. Sasseeri, not now - not ever.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Tock tapped Cline on the knee, and the man reluctantly moved his leg off of the assassin's chest. The Twi'leki deftly flipped the woman over and employed a pair of stun cuffs to her wrists behind her back. Another quick movement and the female's ankles were similarly restrained.

Tick loomed over Sasseeri, "You are all right, misssstresss?"

"Yes, yes. Perrrfect. Take that ...thjing... down to the basement. jI want to talk to herrr. Afterrr lunch."

"Asss you wisssh." With a respectful bow Tick backed away, joining his twin at the 'lifts. Despite his success at thwarting the attack on their mistress, the twins regarded Cline with open suspicion as they reluctantly departed the gardens.

"Now!" Sasseeri moved towards Michael briskly, "Shall we do lunch? Nothjing ljike a ljittle excjitement to stjirrr the appetjite."

[Michael Cline]

He grinned wide, moving an arm around Sasseeri and nodding slightly. "I could go for lunch, Ms. Sasseeri. I am feeling rather hungry now." He'd want to have a few moments with that assassin later, if there was anything left of her by then.

He was still feeling a touch pent from their encounter, and would so love strangling the last breaths from her writhing form. It filled him with so much glee, to just think about it.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

The turbolift ride back down to the restaurant was not entirely uneventful. It didn't usually take the 'lift ten minutes to reach its destination.

But Cline's raw anger had aroused her again, and she stopped the 'lift until she was satiated.

Drained, Michael followed her into the restaurant, a big grin on his face. Sasseeri had a small knowing smile on hers.