In a Darkened Corner

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha sat waiting for Molly to arrive ::

[Molly Black]

Molly Black, waitress without compare, inforchant extraordinaire - was damned happy to be off the clock for the night. Things at the Cloud 9 had picked up considerably in recent days and nights.. Her feet hurt like nobody's business and as she slid into the booth opposite Sorsha, she kicked her heels off and wiggled her toes beneath the table.

She had brought along two glasses, one was her own fizzy drink topped with a cherry and the other was a match, for the boss lady.

"Hello there.. brought you a little something sweet.", she slid the glass over and leaned back into the comfy padded seat.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Thank you."

:: Sorsha sipped the drink and smiled ::

"So tell me, how has business been?"

[Molly Black]

Molly could answer that in all honesty, without hurting her relationships with either Mu or Sorsha.

"We've been through a slow spell lately, but things have been picking up. At the moment, there is nothing on the horizon that you are not already aware of I'm certain.."

Walking on the daggers edge was getting increasingly hard to do, slipping in either direction would be disatrous for Molly. She had already made her assurances to Mu that the more elite of their clients, those with access to 'the back', would retain their privacy, but.. She was also in the employ of Sorsha and that was her whole reason for taking the job at the Cloud 9, to be Sorsha's Bespin ears..

So any bit of news Molly did happen to come across, she kept in the back of her mind, and made sure to loop the same info to other sources, namely the Casino levels where she had her own little sets of ears..

"So are we having business or pleasure?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha had the unsettling ability to sense apprehension. She learned at an early age to never take anything, or anyone, for granted. In this business, everyone was a predator ::

"Really?"

:: She sipped her drink pleasantly as she held Molly in a cobra's gaze ::

[Molly Black]

She felt any longer under those eyes and she'd be turned to stone for sure. Cloud City tourists woudl stop by the Cloud 9 to have their picture taken sitting with the stone idol of the first waitress, who'd gone missing...

Molly gulped, but it was the truth. She didn't know anything worthy of note to pass on at the moment.

"Same in's, same outs.. nothing new." Clearly this was a buisness meeting, not a personal call. She should have known, Kasajian always took a vested interest in her own affairs.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha canted her head to one side and let a smile play on her lips again ::

"I have a big suprise for you. Would you like to see it?"

[Molly Black]

A look of shock crossed her features, but was quickly masked. A surprise? That could either be very good, or very bad..

"I'd love to.." Molly quickly patted her lips with a linen napkin and slid her drink out of the way, all her attention on the boss lady. She had no idea what to expect.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha took one last sip of her drink before rising from the table ::

"Follow me, if you please."

:: She made her way out of the bar ::

[Molly Black]

Intrigued, Molly did as she was asked, sliding her feet back into her uncomfortable heels and following Sorsha out of the Cloud 9...

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha led the way to her personal starship. The Xiombarg was an Ubrikkian Minstrel-class Star Yacht. Once on board, they were free to talk more openly ::

[Molly Black]

This was not the ship that Molly and Hadrian had first arrived at Cloud City on. Oh no, they had been in hiding then, transported like stolen good by a couple of disreputable looking Falleen. This ship was larger than most of the other docked personal transports, typical of the owner herself..

Molly followed, slightly wide eyed with interest..

[Kallum Romanoch]

Kallum lied with half of his body submerged beneath an upturned section of floor. Sorsha had taught him a thing or two about system maintenance on their way to Bespin and he promised to stick strictly to her instructions. A few short circuits and some narrowly averted chemical fires later; his fingers were burnt and thick with oil, his face charred black and his eyebrows were singed. So much for promises. Someone kicked him in the shin.

"Ow! Bloody 'ell!" he hissed, scrambling up from the floor. He wielded the hydrospanner with menace.

"'ow about yeh take de rest o' me bleedin' leg wit' yeh?"

When he laid eyes on the woman who'd nearly tripped over him, he was dumbstruck and fell silent with embarrassment.

[Molly Black]

Molly quite nearly went down in a heap. she was saved only by the fact that she fell forward, into Sorsha and managed to grab her esteemed boss around the hips to keep from landing on her face. She immediately straightened, as soon as she realized she was basically groping a crime-lord, or lady as it were..

Cheeks red with embarassment, she was about to scold the ears off whoever was laying around on the floor, bbut stoppped short at the gutter talk that spilled out of the...

'Scamp' ..was the only word that came to mind..

"I'm guessing you are not my big surprise, then...?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha gave a yelp of surprise, then spied the cause of the trouble. She grabbed it by the ear ::

"Kallum."

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Alright boss," he said, his face scrunched with discomfort.

His head tilted as she pulled at his ear but he still tried to maintain his composure. He smiled.

"Done a crackin' job on dose power couplins, if yeh wanna check 'em out?"

[Molly Black]

Molly didn't think that Sorsha had any children, but this boy was apparently in her care in some capacity as he'd called her boss. To think that they were coworkers, rather stunned Molly speechless. She didn't know what to say..

"Charmed, Mister Kallum.. I'm Molly."

She spied his grubby little hands, but knew better than to offend the kid, holding out her own hand in greeting. She was washable, if nothing else..

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha leaned down with a smile ::

"Kallum dear, what in hezmana have you done?" :D

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Molly?" he repeated, puzzled, "Dat's a real name?"

He shook her hand and felt Sorsha's sweet warm breath against his face. Enchanted, he directed her towards the open maintenance port he'd been working on, she held fast to his ear and it was difficult to illustrate his work.

"As yeh can see, I did every'in' yeh asked o' me... an' de hyperdrive modulator."

[Molly Black]

Molly just blinked. "Well.. actually it's Molina, but no one calls me that anymore."

Since the other two were taking a keen interest in peering into the little hatch in the floor, Molly leaned over too, absently wiping some grease on her skirt.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha looked dubiously at Kallum, annoyed by the distraction ::

"You do realize, if anything should happen to malfunction ..."

:: She let the boy fill in the blank with his own imagination ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Yeh can trust me, boss," he said, "'ave I ever let yeh down?"

His fear hid behind a smile, a well-practised technique of his, but he couldn't keep eye contact. He saw Molly checking out his work and frowned.

"Wha' are yeh doin' 'ere, anyway?"

[Molly Black]

He was a cheeky little thing..

"Same as you, I should think. Following orders from the Boss." She gave him a little wink and tossed her head, dark curls bouncing, indicating Sorsha.

"So you are the maintenance crew then?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha let go of his ear and stood up. She'd have it looked at carefully later ::

"He's the mascot." she teased.

[Kallum Romanoch]

"I'm an' integral part o' de team," he shot at Molly, pretending to ignore Sorsha's teasing.

He turned away from the women, his jaw clenched, then kicked the hatch shut and tucked the hydrospanner into the waistband of his trousers. He wiped the grease and oil from his hands onto his shirt; his face and ears burned because he had the distinct impression the women were giggling. He took a long breath before he spoke.

"So what's next, boss?"

[Molly Black]

Kallum couldn't have phrased it better. Molly too was begining to wonder what was next, she looked askance at the crime boss, who seemed to dote on little urchins as well as down-on-their-luck good girls like Molly had been. What a menagerie she must have...

"After you then, Madame..?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"I think you should go wash." she said to Kallum. Turning to Molly, she led the her rest of the way to the Throne Room.

[Kallum Romanoch]

Offended by the suggestion, Kallum stood defiant, and watched them disappear down the corridor. Then followed them.

[Molly Black]

To be completely honest, Molly was more than a little intimidated. She always had been since walking into the lady's presence with a broken wrist and a 'Wanted' add on her head. She made bad things go away, or so Molly'd been told, but there was a price to everything and no good deed went unpunished. Was she here now because she'd done something to offend Sorsha?

Molly gulped, her Forget-me-not blue eyes carefully inspecting her very cute, but very uncomfortable shoes, bedecked with little bows on her toes. This could be very, very bad...

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Changes are in order once again. I came here to make you aware of them."

:: She spotted Kallum, but paid him no mind as she continued ::

"First, I'm giving you your own vessel."

:: She tried not to laugh at the suprise on Molly's face ::

[Molly Black]

A vessel?!? Holy smokes...

Clearly Sorsha meant serious business this time, which meant a job for Molly.

"What kind of.. changes, boss?", she was almost afraid to ask.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: She handed Molly a datapad, indicating the ship and where it was located. The gift was a SoroSuub Horizon-class Star Yacht. She waited for Molly to take it in first before she said more ::

[Molly Black]

Her eyes were begining to ache from popping open at all the surprises today! It was like a holiday or something! My she must have been a very good girl indeed.. The ship Sorsha was giving her was the very first word in taste as far as Molly was concerned and she could hardly credit the fact that it was going to be her own..

Dragging her eyes away from the datapad she looked questioningly, once more to Sorsha. "Have I won a prize for Informant of the month?", she asked in half jest.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha laughed ::

"I like to take care of my people, Molly."

:: She invited the young woman to join her at the table ::

[Molly Black]

Intrigued further, Molly did as she was bade and approached the table.

"You do take care of me. You have since the first day I met you, broken and lost as I was. That's why I'm here today.."

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Servants brought food, and poured wine ::

"Do you like Cloud City? Is it working out to your liking?"

[Molly Black]

Molly nodded quickly, sending her curls bouncing again.

"I'm very content here, thank you. If you could have seen the slime pit I crawled out of on Coruscant.."

It was true, Molly was living the sweet life now compared to the crappy little apartment she'd been evcited from. To say nothing of being nearly assaulted by the sleazy landlord. The landlord who was no longer with them, thanks to Hadrian.. Then here she was now, dining on fine cuisine with the woman who had made it all go away and everything she had today possible.

"It's sometimes a bit challenging to keep Mu's trust. She isn't easily duped and to be honest I think she sees right through me and knows why I'm really there. It's why I have to find other faculties to link some of the info I pass along to you through. If it was found out to have originated through Bliss.."

She thought about what Lili had told her about what happened to Denny and she turned pale.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"As I was saying, changes are in order. Should you wish to relocate, it can easily be arranged. Black Sun is about to split."

[Molly Black]

Molly had just tipped back a wineglass for a sip when Sorsha's words hit her and she nearly choked, setting the glass down and coughing a bit.

"Split? You're splitting? Like.. leaving?" Molly damn near shot out of the seat to go pack. She loved her pay and her job at the Cloud 9, but she wasn't about to be stranded as a waitress forever..

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Yes. I grow weary of that ungrateful Sasseeri. I carved out my half of the business without spreading my legs for Xizor. I've surpassed that tralk and it's time to lose the deadweight."

[Molly Black]

This was big. Very big, and it seemed Molly needed to make some choices real fast-like..

"I do not wish for our arrangement to end. I am still very much in your debt. Will you pull all your Bespin interests?"

Molly wondered not only about her job as the eyes and ears of the Cloud 9, but also about Sorsha's other dealings with the Casino's and every other pie she had her fingers in.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"That depends. Tell about Mu. Do you think she's the type I could form a partnership with?"

[Molly Black]

"Mu is a very lucrative partner to have.. My recently acquired head for business says that it would be better to be her partner than her opposition."

A dangerous partner, but a profitable one just the same..

Molly took a rather lengthy sip of the wine to steady her nerves. She wasn't a heavy drinker but with days like this, she probably could learn to be.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha smiled ::

"Perhaps you can arrange a meeting then."

[Molly Black]

Molly smiled. If her two 'bosses' were going to talk turkey that could only be good for her. "I would be glad to do so.. Will you be staying in the meantime?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Yes." she nodded, reaching for a rodian pomegranate.

[Molly Black]

Molly tried to be polite and eat some of the fabulous fare set before her, but all this talk of splitting and possible aliances with people and ships, it was no good on the tummy. She squirmed a bit and then just gave up, tossing her napkin on the table.

"This is lovely, Sorsha, really.. Just too much on me right now. I'll get to work on setting something up with Miss Mu. I'll send word when I hear something favorable and see what we can arrange for both parties, alright?"

Back to the Cloud 9 it was.. On the way out Molly bent to adjust the straps on her heels. She caught sight of the miniature interloper, listening in and gave him a little wink.

"See you later, Sir." She gave Kallum an official crew member salute and limped off to the Bar and Grill..

[Kallum Romanoch]

He watched Molly walk off, his mind sifting through the information he'd just been made aware of; the split, Molly's ship and her future. He frowned, feeling smaller than usual, and went in to see Sorsha.

"We're splittin' up?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha noticed the dirt still on his face, but overlooked it as she offered him some fruit ::

"Not in the way you imagine, Kallum.

[Kallum Romanoch]

He lumbered over to her and took an apple. His teeth tore through it and he chewed with relish.

"So..." he said, with a full mouth, "Was 'app'nin' den?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Do you remember what I told you about the other Vigos, after Xizor died?"

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Mhm."

He nodded, his attention fixed on the already half-eaten apple.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

"Those who fled to Sasseeri are useless to us, and I see no reason to honor a dead legacy. Do you understand?"

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Yer've surpassed dat tralk an' it's time to lose de deadweight."

He repeated her words in earnest, nodding, not fully understanding. His eyes narrowed.

"Wha' about Corvus?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha burst into laughter as the boy repeated her words with such clarity ::

"Corvus is one of my favorites." she purred. "It's because of him we control Mos Eisley."

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Dat's good."

His apple was finished, he studied the core held between his fingers with more scrutiny than was needed. He muttered.

"Wha' about Tegs?"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha pouted, a tear falling from her cheek ::

"She died horribly this morning. One of the Nexu broke loose and got into the bath house."

[Kallum Romanoch]

Not only did his face drop, the apple core fell from his fingers and bounced onto an exotic rug. His voice rang with disbelief.

"What!?"

[Tegan]

:: Tegan peeked around the corner, pointing and laughing at the look on Kallum's face ::

"I told you, Sorsha! He likes me!" :D

[Kallum Romanoch]

His head snapped in the direction from which the voice came and he looked like he'd seen a ghost. He was stunned and silent at first but soon his pale face flushed red; embarrassment and anger duelled for his attention. His fists clenched and he stormed out.

"That wasn't funny!"

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha wiped the tears from her eyes as she smirked at her handmaiden ::

"I did as you asked, now leave me out of your little schemes." :mneh

:: She gave Tegan a dismissive wave, and turned her attention to the pomegranate again ::

[Molly Black]

Still feeling a bit overwhelmed, Molly returned to the Cloud 9, catching soem questioning glances from customers and staff alike. Sure she spent a lot of time there, but when she was off, she didn't normally return to hang out..

Ignoring anyone who tried to grab her attention, Molly made a break for the back and Mu's office. She stopped outside the door and drew in a deep steadying breath, trying to calm her nerves, then knocked..

"Mu..? It's Molly..."

[Mu Satach]

Voices mingled with laughter drifted through the doorway before Molly heard Mu's voice call out, "Yes?"

[Molly Black]

"Hey.." , she started, arching a brow at the laughter. What was the boss up to in there?

"I need you for something. Could I have a moment of your time? I'll be quick about it."

Molly wasn't one to trouble the boss. If anything she was extremely efficient at sorting out her own messes, along with other peoples, when the need called for it. So the request was something new altogther. She did not ask for anything that wasn't serious..

[Mu Satach]

Low murmurings continued, then Mu's voice "Fine, come."

Molly pushed the door open and her wide eyes looked about the office.

Mu sat at her desk casually leaning back in her chair with her boots kicked up. A dark haired man, half sitting on her desk near her dressed in a black Imperial pilots uniform turned to look at Molly as she came in through the door.

[Molly Black]

Molly twisted her hands together uncomfortable with the whole situation. Mu was one thing, but she was not about to spill it in front of..what appeared to be an Imperial officer, that she was working for the biggest crime boss between here and Tatooine ... NO way..

Instead she smiled, all full of charm and held the door open for him. "Girl talk. Boys out for my two minutes of time, please?"

Yeah, it was cheeky, but it beat the alternative and she was full of cheek..

[Mu Satach]

Mu's eyebrow shot upwards, <i>What the...</i>

The Captain's head shot around towards Mu, "Girl talk? Sooo... you <i>do</i> have a soft side then." he grinned at her.

Mu dropped her feet off her desk and stood up, "I usually keep it locked away at home," her face was inches from his.

<i>Somethings up, Molly never talks to me about anything other than the bar.</i>

The Captain stood up, "Mmmm... when's the last time it was taken out?"

"That's confidential data." Mu linked her arm through his and they both started walking towards Molly and the door.

"I can keep a secret."

"I know you can." The two exchanged a look and grinned.

Reaching the door she held out her ungloved hand to the officer, "Sorry we had to cut things a bit short. How long are you in town before you head back to Coruscant?"

"Few days." His hand grasped hers, held onto it for a moment then he ran his thumb along the backside before they slid apart.

"Maybe I'll see you around then."

"Maybe," He pulled out his cap from his belt and adjusted it on his head then looked at Molly. "Keep working on bringing out that soft side for me, eh?" He winked at her then turned around and walked down the hallway towards the back entrance.

Mu's eyes narrowed and a subtle grin played about her face. She watched him walk down the hallway open the door and shoot her one last look before he disappeared into the night air.

The door closed, "So," she exhaled just a bit. "let's <i>talk</i>." She turned and headed briskly back into her office. "I have to warn you though, I don't know anything about current hair styles."

[Molly Black]

"Well... it's no matter because my hair is only capable of being a curly mess, or being restrained like a savage beast, no help for it."

Molly tugged a lock straight and emphasized the point, by releasing it to pop back into place in a perfect coil.

"At any rate, I'm afraid the matter is more delicate and touchy than my hair." She sat and crossed one leg over the other, trying to force a calm she didn't really feel. She knew better than to try and fool Mu, that was not a safe option at all.

"I know, you know... I mean, that you know. You know?" Molly slapped a hand over her mouth horrified at her own nervous babble.

"What I mean is! I know you are aware that I'm also working for certain parties...."

[Mu Satach]

Mu sat back down behind her desk and leaned back. Fishing around in a pocket she pulled out a thin cigar, "I have my suspicions," she pulled a lighter out a side drawer and at the same time activated her security system in the office.

Behind them the door to her office sealed shut and a frequency jammer activated to interfere with anyone or anything trying to listen in, "Figured it wasn't any of my business what you do off the clock."

She lit the thin cigar and narrowed her eyes at Molly, "As long as it was <i>off</i> the clock," she exhaled and a billow of smoke curled up around her.

[Molly Black]

Her eyes watered..

"Right.. Well, to be brief, these parties have proposed to meet with you, to discuss common interests. Along with some profound knowledge regarding a restructuring of sorts. The kind that will change the gameboard a bit.."

Molly leaned forward and nodded. "It's an invitation of the pleasant sort.."

[Mu Satach]

Mu studied Molly for a moment then looked out the window. "Hmm..."

<i>Seems my days of going unnoticed around here have come to an end. </i>

She inhaled, the tip glowed red. "Care to inform me which Vigo extends this great honor?"

Mu had a suspicion which one it was that expidited Molly's exit from Coruscant. Molly didn't fit the bill Reeouurra was rumored to pour her special generosity upon, but it was always better to be absolutely sure.

[Molly Black]

Molly smiled. That was the beauty part of this job. Yeah she had two bosses, but she greatly respected both of them. She was proud to announce Mu's potential partner and it showed..

"Kasajian.. I report to the top." She folded her hands in her lap and rolled her thumbs around.

"I think though, that anything else, you should hear directly from her. I am only supposed to cordially invite you to hear these proposals. I'll relay any message you wish to send, and you make count upon my discretion either way."

[Mu Satach]

The blinds cast shadows across her face while she played with the cigar between her fingertips. <i>Restructuring,</i> she looked at Molly's cheerful face, <i>and common interests?</i>

"Come now Molly," she leaned forward and put the cigar out "you've got to give me an idea of what Kasajian is after."

[Molly Black]

"Truth be told, boss, I'm not certain. I find it easier on the digestion to only know what's required of me. There is going to be a split in power regarding my other employers interests. I suppose it could be as simple a matter as finding out who's ones mutually beneficial 'friends' are.."

Molly twirled a finger around a curl, still trying to keep it all together. She rather wished she did know more..

[Mu Satach]

She stood up and walked to the window. With her back to Molly she raised one finger and tapped her bottom lip. <i>Sounds like the truce between the Vigo's is about to come to an end. That means things could get very interesting out here along the edge. But why would Kasajian want to meet with me? Unless...</i>

An eyebrow arched slightly, through her head she ran over every trade and contact she had made over the past several years. An extensive list but limited in it's scope. Mu had worked very hard to keep her business dealings out of the eyes and ears of the Hutts, Black Sun and the Empire. Her operation was too small to be a threat or an asset to whatever Kasajian was planning. Or so she thought.

<i>At any rate,</i> Mu turned and looked at Molly, "I'll meet with her, but on <b>my</b> terms." To refuse the invitation was to make an immediate enemy she could not afford, to accept blindly would be to walk blind folded into a kiln.

[Molly Black]

Thank the stars.. Molly thought..

"That will be more than acceptable, Mu. I'm certain. Any message you want me to deliver? Or shall I wait on the time and place..?"

She knew that Sorsha was going to wait, she just didn't know for how long. She had seemed eager to be gone, somehow..

[Mu Satach]

"Inform her I'll be on the observation sky bridge between the twin towers at dawn waiting." The bridge that connected the banking complex was long, narrow and incredibly high. It was isolated enough for privacy, as the winds caused voices only to carry a few feet. But public and open enough that Mu could would be able to see any type of ambush coming long before it reached her. The towers were centrally located in the city on the upper levels. In the early morning hours only honest working people would be up and moving about, and none of them interested in the view from the bridge, tourists tended to sleep in.

It was about as neutral and open as one could get, and the only place Mu could think of at the moment where she felt <i>comfortable</i> speaking with the Vigo.

Mu walked back to Molly and looked down. "and I'll only speak to her. The body guards need to stay off the bridge or I walk away."

[Molly Black]

"I'll let her know. I'll try to be close, too." Molly sensed the matter was concluded and headed for the door, but stopped before leaving to turn around, feeling like she had more to say.

"Mu, just so you know.. I rather like my job here and I wouldn't have anything change. It's a swell place you've got here.." She smiled, trying to be cheerful and waved on her way out, back to see Sorsha..

Damn.. her feet were absolutely killing her now...

[Mu Satach]

Mu rested on the edge of her desk and watched Molly get up. Before the girl reached the door, Mu leaned back and flicked off her security system. Allowing for the girl to open the door without knowing it was ever sealed.

<i> Dangerous days...</i> She raised a hand and waved back at Molly as she left. After her door closed Mu sat for a moment in silence then flipped her screen around and began searching the public records of ships in dock. <i>Time to arrange a "casual" meeting with the Captain and perhaps call in a favor.</i>