Random Happenstance

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

If there was one thing Charlotte loved, hated, looked forward to and dreaded all in the same instant it was leave. She liked it because it let her go back to normal and hated it because it well...meant she had to be normal. Go with the status quo, fit into the mold of early 20 year old girl and leave behind her world of being one of those "terrorists". Booorrrinnggg. Boring and untrue to all she threw her life at. Bah! At least it was only a two-dayer. Could have been worse...could have been a whole week! Ugh, she didn't even want to think about that.

But it did give for a chance to crack jokes over a Corellian ale with the guys who'd become like a mess of big brothers. There were two of them with her now - Lt. Janek and Captain Mardesh. Out of all the guys they were the most like family to her, always watched her back (when she wasn't watching theirs) and they were the only ones to not make any jokes about her being...well...her (at least unless she was making wise about it in the first place) and just to add to it all, Mardesh - Jack as he was going to be called that night because normal people didn't go about calling each other by their last names - well he was from Corellia too which suited her just fine, him too . Janek (Mikhail - she called him Mickey) was just a Coruscanti guy who somehow put up with the two Corellians and thought it was always grand fun to get them drunk and see what kind of a ruckus they'd go and cause.

In Cloud 9 they were being rather quiet, all things and 4 ales later considered. Though Charles (because no one frakkin right mind called her Charlotte, especially not these two dolts) had already pouted a few times at the sign declaring "no fighting allowed". Boo. She was hoping to catch some off-duty stormy looking for a grand time and clock him one upside the head, maybe break his nose, keep him off for a bit longer. But Mickey'd gone and warned her time and time again to relax and just keep herself contained for the evening and that sure enough there'd be another day she'd get a chance to get into a brawl and maybe she'd even do it with a girl rather than some bloke so as not to draw too much attention to herself - even if girlie fights did tend to grab more eyes than your average scuffle.

Another round was being gotten by Mickey and Jack had gone off to go pick up on with some brunette thing and so that left her alone with the last bit of her current glass which the blond was all too happy to finish off rather quickly that way she could give Mickey that look of 'bout time!' when he came back but for the moment she'd go and enjoy the simple fact that she wasn't having to deal with the two boys for a moment. Gods love 'em but they were driving her just a touch insane with the watchful eye bit.

[Lykaios]

It had been far too long. He had seen many shifts in the balance of power but none like the last one. He hadn't been forced into hiding, he hadn't been forced to run as much as he had chosen to do so, to watch, to wait, to learn and when the time was right...to act.

The time was coming and he needed to start readying himself. Nowhere better to start than an amalgam of a city where all the factions and parties in the galaxy where represented publicly or behind the scenes.

Cloud 9 Bar & Grill housed everything and anything Cloud City had to offer and so that's where he had commenced.

The evening had proven uneventful, then again it had only been a few hours since he made his way to the planet and the cantina, if he had waited for so long, surely a few more hours wouldn't hurt.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Mickey was taking too long. Way too long. And Jack...well he was actually starting to look like him and the brunette frop would be heading off on their lonesome which meant that she'd probably get the glorious task of rounding him back up when it was time to head back to base the next day...wherever that happened to be. That was always the bad thing about ending up going out with those two...Jack always got lucky and Mickey well, he always liked to vanish. Probably comming back to HQ with a "yeah yeah, they're behaving themselves" or some rot. Charles was left pondering getting herself another drink - to hell with Mickey, and if he did get back soon, well then she'd have two! - and was drumming cropped fingernails against the table they'd been sitting at. It was irksome, how the boys got to play but if she so much as even struck up a conversation with a random guy they'd magically swoop out of no where and pull the protective big-brother bit. But frak it all, one was being mystery black hole man and the other was too busy working his own game right now to worry about her getting into a bit of a spot.

So with the promise of a bit of mischief (she liked that bit) her eyes began to scan the bar, drifting here and there, pausing once more to shake her head at Jack and his girlie, and then settled (maybe a bit too long) on a man sitting across the place dressed in a nice, but not over nice, black outfit. But now came the question...did she go over there or make him come to her? Not that she was oh so gifted with the usual charms of her gender (too much time with the boys), but coming off as some desperate young thing was just outright...out. So for the moment she stayed put.

[Lykaios]

As his gaze hopped from one patron to the next, he couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes settled in his direction. Turning he slowly, he sensed a flinch of hesitation in the woman who had quickly turned away.

Taking a sip of his Carshoulis Blood Wine, Lykaios called upon the server as he gently placed the glass back on his table.

"See the woman over there?" He nodded slightly in the girl's direction, another nod of acknowledgment came, now from the server who had found the person Lykaios was talking about.

"She needs a refill, it shall be added to my tab."

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

The serving droid rolled over, beeped at her to signal the drink on its tray was for her and by all accounts she was outright effin shocked. No way, no frakkin way had that split instant of eye contact worked! Maybe she needed to try that being a girl thing more often, free drinks were pretty awesome. Especially when they came from someone who didn't owe you one.

A small wave of thanks was given, that was all she'd allow...for the moment at least.

[Lykaios]

He had her attention. Good to see that at least some tricks of the trade weren't lost even if they hadn't been practiced in ages, quite literally.

Now that he had her attention, even if she pretended he didn't, he waited patiently for her to turn around once more. As soon as their eyes crossed paths, he raised his glass in a toast, took a sip and looked away to the serv-droid.

With a flick of his hand, Lykaios motioned that he was ready for the bill, which the serv-droid brought in a rather quick manner.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

There were mental calculations being made, how far across the room he was, how fast he could probably get to her over how fast she could get to him (or get away if need be! - she already had calculated about how fast it'd take to zip over to Jack's side...and about how fast it would be for him to yell at her for mucking up his chance with the brunette). But the biggest little equation in her head was still over how much trouble she could get into versus how much she wanted to get in to and how much of a chance she'd have to get in to it before Mickey showed back up and started ranting at her about how she couldn't just go off with odd random men. Not that his point wasn't valid.

But all mental calculations aside, the few ales in her system were probably causing things to drift in favor of her more playful side. After all, anything worth doing was worth over doing, right? You know...unless you happened to be finding interest with a bounty hunter who somehow had your number. Damn that rational side of her, it didn't often speak up but when it did it always made sense (and always sounded a bit too much like Mickey for her liking).

The toast he offered was met with a small demure smile that reflected somehow that internal war going on. Problem was, one side wasn't really winning and that left her a bit...stuck.

[Lykaios]

Reaching down into his trousers' pocket, Lykaios took more than enough credits to pay for his drink and hers. Apparently he had given instructions to the serv-droid to charge her every drink to his tab. They hadn't been that many, apparently someone else had been getting her drinks from the bar.

Strange, Lykaios thought, that someone would get her anything and then leave her alone, it hadn't been too long, but long enough to hint at that whoever she was with, was doing something else, something without her. So it didn't sound like it was a suitor, who had come with her to the bar, no, perhaps a brother or friend? That seemed like a plausible explanation and now said sibling or acquiantance was now tied up somewhere (with someone) else.

Waiting for her to look once again in his direction, Lykaios simply smiled and disappeared out of her line of vision.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Oh you had to be kidding. She'd lost him? Never in a lifetime, or a hundred lifetimes, even drunken stupid lifetimes would Charles ever think she'd lose someone. Mickey wasn't lost because she had been looking for him, but she'd been keeping a bit of an eye on the mystery-man that'd bought her the drink and now he'd magically gone...poof? She'd never let herself live this one down, not now, not ever! He wasn't a target, but damn it all to hell, she had no idea where he'd gotten off to.

That...made her a bit nervous. And she found herself biting her lower lip as eyes scanned the crowd for said mystery guy, even going so far as to glance behind her. It wasn't that he'd totally captured her attention, but now that he'd managed to slip from her watch she found herself marginally intrigued.

[Lykaios]

Even when he couldn't see her face, he could see her looking for something...for someone.

Making use of his special talents, Lykaios had managed to sneak right behind the girl without being seen by anyone, least her.

"Evening," Said he. "Looking for someone?" His voice wasn't menacing or even had a hint of intimidation, and even though he had been loudly soft spoken, he couldn't say his tone was meant not to startle her.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

The voice sent a strange chill down along her back that felt like someone was breathing on the back of her neck. It was an odd sensation that she wasn't really particularly fond. At least she hadn't jumped, though she got the impression he was trying for it. That may or may not have been a good thing. Normal girls jumped at stuff like that, aw well, she could pass it off as a lifetime of having boys play pranks on you that made your nerves a bit harder to rattle.

A good swig of the ale in front of her was needed before she could make the bold-faced lie. "No one in particular."

[Lykaios]

"Does that mean that you're looking for someone not particular?" The inquiry came out with that characteristic half smile of his in his face, as he was done saying the words a small laugh followed.

Pointing with an open palm to the empty seat right across from her, he politely asked: "May I?"

A full smile was now on his countenance as he stared directly into the girl's eyes. She was nervous, of that there was no doubt, of what? Well, he would surely find out if he was the reason for her nerves or not.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

"Not particular...heh, funny." Sarcasm and her body language (which had shifted to arms crossed over her chest as she leaned back in the seat a bit) were a poor mask for the fact this mystery guy had instantly gotten under her skin...and not in a good way. Vanishing, reappearing, trying to be witty, but he had bought her that drink. Maybe she shouldn't be so harsh on the guy.

She didn't really like the way he'd gone about moving from behind her towards the empty seat either. It felt predatory. Not that it wasn't a usual thing to exude when approaching someone at a place like this. Girl or guy, they all pulled out that little intimidation tactic. Some girls called it confidence, some guys called it sensuality. Charles called it bantha-poodoo. No one ever was genuine with people anymore if they wanted something or thought they wanted something. No wonder she got along better with the guys in her squad.

Another mental scolding for being too uptight about it and another drink of the ale preceeded a small nod of her head towards the empty seat. "Don't see anyone else bucking for the spot, so guess that makes it all yours."

[Lykaios]

The smile on his face seemed to broaden a bit more as she accepted his invitation to himself.

Using deliberately slow movements, Lykaios then took a sip of his drink.

"You're nervous." Said he as he placed his drink back down on the table in the same unhurried fashion and one need not be a master of the Force to tell by her body language that he was making her uncomfortable.

"Should I leave?" The question was sincere, after all honesty was the best policy and if she could see that his intentions were not dodgy and straightforward, perhaps her nerves could calm down a bit.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Gods Charley...you are such an ass. That was the beginning of the mental scolding that ran off in her mind as soon as he pointed out her nervousness. Was that what it was? She felt more apprehensive, untrusting, generally surly than nervous...but either way she was projecting something and really what had the guy done to deserve that? She'd encouraged this little silly game, after all to start off, hadn't she? "Nah...you don't have to go running off."

She was now attempting to place his accent. It wasn't Coruscanti, though he totally could have pulled off one of their snobby types if he wanted. His finely tailored clothing after all was a stark contrast to her own that was just a white tank top and a pair of jeans that had seen better days. But that was fine, at least it let her do this bit (and almos t keep a straight face at how overly cheesy it was), "So, what's a well-to-do gent like yourself doing in a place like this buyin drinks for no-good girls?"

[Lykaios]

"Well, that's good...cause I am not in the running mood, probably would have had to walk." He said in response to her remark about him not leaving, half a smile on his face and his icy blue eyes trying to catch hers.

"Why can't it be a well-to-do gal like yourself doing in a place like this taking drinks from no-good guys?"

The half smile turned into a full one as he let out a small laugh.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

"With duds like that? You aint fooling anyone. And believe me, I aint well-to-do. Don't have the heart to be." As she spoke the glass in front of her was raised again and another drink was taken as soon as the words ended.

It started getting about that time that she would have to start fomulating some sort of cover. Small talk always seemed to start off with casual observations about the other, assessments, and questions that were meant to simply place more information about the person in front of you into your head. But somehow she doubted saying 'I look down a scope and shoot at plastic soliders and other blaster magnets for a living' would go over very well.

"But if you want to go and stick with the mystery well-dressed man bit, have at it. I aint in a mood to pry for answers." She laughed a bit. "Besides, get enough drink in ya and I'm sure you'll start givin me some dren about how you own some huge business and own several luxury ships and all." And once more the laughter picked up.

[Lykaios]

Lykaios joined in her laughter.

"Actually, I don't need a drink to tell you I'm richer than you can imagine thanks to my many businesses and yes, I do own quite a few luxury vessels."

He paushed slightly.

"Matter of factly, that's one of my lines of business and well, it certainly has its perks."

Another brief pause, only this time no more words followed, rather laughter was the next thing to cross Lykaios's lips.

"Something tells me though, that's not going to impress you, so let's rewind and skip that part." His laugh had faded into the characteristic half smile of his.

"So then tell me, what's a no-good girl doing in a place like this." After the words were said, his drink find its way to his lips as he took a small sip, awaiting for her to reply.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

"Well aint that just something else? Guess the clothes do make the man." She avoided answering his question, since well, he hadn't really answered her's to begin with and fair was fair. Quid pro quo or whatever those more educated folks called it.

The remaining ale in front of her was finished off in a rather large gulp. Fancy guy here hadn't caught her eye that bad that she needed to be dainty like she was trying to match his social status or anything. Then came that moment of realization that the quieter she was the more this was going to just go no where fast and awkward silences, while they could be dealt with, weren't one of her favorite things. "Eh, found myself about this way with a few buddies of mine. Stopped in to Cloud City for some supplies, figured we'd hit this place while here. Nothing special, mister luxury vessels."

[Lykaios]

"No," A brief pause. His gaze turned to the bottom of his drink as his wrist moved around in tiny circles, making the liquid in his glass move from one of its walls to the next, like waves crashing onto a cliff, only to die and come back.

"Not at all." He downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp. Exhaling as if his throat were on fire, he continued. "You can dress a Gamorrean in silk and at the end of the day it'll be still be a filthy Gamorrean." Which was his way of saying, in his opinion, that the clothes didn't make the man, or the woman for that matter.
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'Just like you can dress someone on the run in civilian, crappy clothes and he...or she...will remain someone on the run.' The thought stayed locked within The Immortal's mind. He need not use the Force to see she was hiding something, just like she need not wield the Force either, to see he was concealing something as well.

The glass slowly made its way to the table. His eyes met hers, trying to get a read for her but he couldn’t really point his finger as to what her story was, but her jumpiness, her alertness, her awareness of her surroundings, the small talk, the cover story about supplies, she was either a smuggler, a bounty hunter or a Rebel.

She need not worry though, he did not hold ill will towards her. Heck, if the price was right and he had the need, he could always use a smuggler or a bounty hunter, as for the rebel piece...well for the rebel piece, he was not interested in the business of hunting down rebels, at least...not...yet.

"Would you like another drink," Inquired he, as he waved his hand to call the server's attention. "Miss…?” He left his question unfinished, an open invitation for her name to make an appearance, if she so desired, of course.

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

She found the excuse to finish off the rest of the ale in her glass as he asked her if she wanted another drink. So the following statement that invited her name didn't get the immediate blurted out last name she was so used to tossing out. Instead as she emptied the glass she could formulate the humorous (okay, maybe only to her) plan that resulted in her answer.

"Charlotte."

Oh if only Jack or Mikhail had overheard her with that "alias". The look may have been purely priceless. Shame they weren't about. Though in hindsight it was probably a good thing. The teasing that would have followed probably would have been unbearable.

"And my mother always taught me it was bad manners to refuse a drink, especially a second one, so sure, I'll take another. Though..." she let a rather playful smirk come to her lips. "...only if I get a name in return. You can lie if you want, I won't hold it against ya."