Midnight at the Oasis

[Arriana Rezner]

The Zi-Kree Sector, Coruscant...

A round of applause went up through The Tusken Oasis, as the house band – a Bith quartet – finished another crowd pleasing swing number. A troop of Zeltron dancers took to the stage, causing a momentary distraction for the sabacc and dejarik players around the room. Like so many others present, Arriana Rezner looked on with a smile as the sensual dance began. While she was technically at the bar on business, there was no harm in enjoying the sights and sounds on offer until her boss arrived.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha arrived a short moment later, accompanied by Mato and four Rodians. She greeted the Cathar with a hug and smiled ::

"Nice to see you again, Arriana. How have you been?"

[Arriana Rezner]

She smiled, embracing Sorsha warmly. “Never betterrr, and you?” Glancing over the Vigo's shoulder to the entourage who followed her, she gave a little wave and added: “Vhy don't you boys get us some drrrinks, vhile ve find somevherrre to sit?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha caught the attention of a server who led the group over to a large booth. She set at the head of the table with Mato standing off to her right side ::

"I've been terribly busy. It's great to have you back."

[Arriana Rezner]

The booth they were assigned was sumptuous, with elegant statuettes flanking its entrance, and had an excellent view of the stage.

“It feels so good to be back on Corrruscant. I have missed it so. Tell me... vhat has been keeping you so busy?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Setting up shop in Mos Eisley, and warning of the scavengers looking to grab a piece. We lost Xavier. He got stupid and tried to play both sides of the fence."

:: she sipped her cognac ::

"The good news is the dust has cleared now, and we can proceed with business."

[Arriana Rezner]

“Vonderrrful. As much as I enjoyed my brrreak, I can't vait to get back into action.” Arriana did not lament the loss of Xavier. Their's was a business where such things were to be expected. Even the most well-seasoned professionals could be corrupted by greed. “Ve have Mos Eisley, then... most imprrresive. Any otherrr acquisitions?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"We have a new supplier. His name is Byl Laprovik."

[Arriana Rezner]

“Laprrrovik...” Arriana nodded, her eyes narrowing somewhat.

“Vhat is he supplying us vith? Vhere is it coming frrrom?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Firearms. He's tight about his cache, but that's to be expected. Trust needs to built, and as long as he delivers, his business is good."

[Arriana Rezner]

Inwardly, Arriana sighed. She appreciated a good rifle as much as the next girl, but as far as illegal contraband went arms were about as bland a cargo as you could get. “Do you vant me to vorrrk alongside him, then?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha laughed ::

"Not, he's not a partner type. I need you to get back with your regular cargoes."

[Arriana Rezner]

That was exactly what Arriana had wanted to hear. “A trrrip to Kessel or Trrroiken might be in orrrderrr. I haven't touched base on Rrryloth for a vhile, either. Is therrre anything in parrrticular in demand, orrr just the usuals?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"I'm holding a meeting in 3 solar days, but for now just the usuals."

:: she paused to sip her drink again ::

"Sasseeri has been quiet these days, but I imagine she's still taking that Gank attack on Nar Shaddaa far, far too personally."

[Arriana Rezner]

“I'm surrre she must be loving playing second fiddle to you.” The mention of Sasseeri made Arriana smirk. The fact that the Cizerack had been quiet surely meant that she was up to something.

“This meeting, vhere vill it be?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Rodia. It's the one place she knows better than to send spies to."

[Arriana Rezner]

Arriana nodded. The Rodians had always been loyal to Sorsha. They knew their place.

“Hmm... vhat else? Oh! How is Mirrranda?” she asked, her voice lowering.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"She's been busy making the political rounds. Honestly, I don't know how she stands it."

[Arriana Rezner]

“Too many yes-men and glad handerrrs forrr my liking... though I suppose it does us vell to have frrriends in high places.”

For a moment there was a lull in the conversation. All eyes seemed to be drawn to the dancers on the stage.

“Has Sasseerrri acquirrred any new gopherrrs that I should know of? Anyone of prrromise?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"No one of any importance. However, she held a meeting with Vargo the Hutt awhile back."

:: Sorsha watched the dancers in complete relaxation ::

"If I had to guess, she was seeking protection along the Sisar Run."

[Arriana Rezner]

The Cathar sighed.

“Dissapointing. I know it's business and all, but I enjoy a little healthy competition now and then. Someone to keep me on my toes.”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha smirked at Arriana ::

"Be careful what you wish for. Things are about to heat up on the Outer Rim."

[Arriana Rezner]

“I velcome the challenge, Sorrrsha,” Arriana replied, with a hint of a sneer.

“Business recently has been farrr too stale for my tastes.”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha gave her a friendly poke ::

"I'm curious, why isn't Bula here?"

[Arriana Rezner]

Arriana gave an exsasperated sigh. “Oh, that hot-headed buffoon... he got himself tangled up in a podrrracing bet on Oovo IV, lost, and vound up stuck in some cantina kitchen, doing the dishes for a veek.”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Unfortunate." Sorsha laughed. "Do you need a replacement, or shall we bail him out?"

[Arriana Rezner]

“Let him finish his punishment... he could use the time to cool off,” Arriana replied, with a light laugh.

“He'll be done in time for the meeting on Rrrodia.”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"As you wish. In the meantime, I have a little something for you to sink your claws into. Consider it a welcome back present."

:: She handed Arriana a palm-sized datapad, along with a set of electronic keys ::

[Arriana Rezner]

She glanced down at the items, puzzled yet somewhat excited. “...Vhat are these forrr?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Those are the keys to Holiday Towers, a hotel and casino in Cloud City, and in the datapad is a map to a level of Port Town I've aquired."

[Arriana Rezner]

“Cloud City!”

Port Town was notorious in that same way that Mos Eisley was. While Cloud City might looked pristine white, it had a dark underbelly.

“You vant me to vorrrk in the casino?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"The Casino falls under your auspices, if you want it. More importantly, I'd like you to manage operations in Port Town."

:: Sorsha couldn't help but smile at the look on the Cathar's face ::

[Arriana Rezner]

“Oh, Sorrrsha... I'd be honorrred.”

Springing to her feet, she embraced the Vigo warmly. Although she had always been in Sorsha's good graces, being entreated with something like this was a sign of Kasajian's confidence – and trust - in her abilities growing further.

“I'll head to Bespin as soon as the business on Rrrodia is dealt with.”

Making a demure return to her seat, she added, “How exciting,” and raised her glass in a toast.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha returned the toast ::

"You've always been one of my favorites, Arriana. You've earned this."

[Arriana Rezner]

“You flatterrr me.” She smiled modestly.

“I take it Bula vill be vorrrking with me therrre?”

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"He is your partner, unless you don't trust him anymore." Sorsha gave a playful wink.

[Arriana Rezner]

“I'm surrre I can think of some use forrr him,” Arriana replied with a playful laugh, before taking another sip from her drink, feeling in rather good spirits.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha nodded and finished her drink, and paid the tab for both of them ::

"If there's anything you need before the meeting, I'll be on Tatooine. Call me."

[Arriana Rezner]

“Vill do. I think I'll stay and vatch the rrrest of the show.”

She smiled, again raising her glass to toast the Vigo.

“I'll see you soon, Sorrrsha.”