Old Friends, New Games

[DarthHERA]

Daiquiri was late.

Hera looked at her chrono for the umpteenth time and tapped her foot impatiently. She downed her third shot of rum.
She wasnt angry - not even close. She was just ... expectant.

It had been some time since she had spent some social time with one of her oldest, dearest and most trusted friends. And though the bar was packed with patrons - the people watching was kinda boring. Nothing pretty had walked through the door and Hera was getting bored.

She ordered another rum and once again, looked at her chrono and scowled.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Hera's scowl deepened as her brows knitted together. Lifting the glass to her lips, a sudden jostling from behind drove her arm forward and the glass went flying, dumping its contents on both her and the trampy looking Twi'lek seated next to her. In the next moment, a mans head crashes into the bar beside her, just below Hera's waist and he drops like a stone, out and just as cold. A black leather boot rudely nudges his head as the Twi'lek and Hera both turn.

"I guess the next time I tell him to keep his hands off my ass, he'll believe me. Take a hike, pond scum."

With total indifference, Daiquiri elbows the Twi'lek from the stool and slides in next to Hera, her eyes dropping to the wet stain on her shirt.

"You never did learn to drink from a glass, did ya?"

[DarthHERA]

She brushed at her top to flick off the moisture as much as possible, but it was a redundant move, the rum had soaked through immediately.

"This is my favorite shirt!" she growled, doing little to hide the grin from her face.

"What took you so long? You get lost again?"

Hera motioned to the bar tender to get her a new glass and a bottle of rum.

"And the lady beside me will have...wha? (she turned a questioning look to Daiq) Corelian Whiskey for you?"

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

With a nod and a grin, she accentuates Hera's order.

"Nothing but! Youre still drinking that nasty rum? Dont you know that stuff will cause your breasts to shrink?"

An even wider grin spreads across her face as she slips immediately back into the easy, relaxed friendship the two of them have shared for many years.

"Yeah, you know me. If there arent arrows pointing the way, I cant even find myself! Hopeless! Good thing my ship has a naviputer, eh?"

Never one to take herself or too many others seriously, Daiq leans both elbows onto the bar, glancing down at the barkeeps' fanny.

"We've got to start going to better bars!"

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Barnaby approached the ladies table, dressed for comfort, rather than pizazz. He wore a pair of khaki slacks and brown loafers with a simple cardigan sweater. He lit a cherry cigar, clenching it in his atrociously-bad teeth as he sat. His ridiculously-thick spectacles magnified his eyes several times, causing their appearance to be quite comical. As the smoke circled over him like a halo, he "smiled"...which was essentially an overstretched sneer.

'Ello mah lovely plates 'n dishes.

He gestures for the Barkeep, pointing to Daiq

Ah'll hav ah Lady Godiver af the gay 'n friskey, fohr thes posh ocean pearl...

Then he nodded to Hera

...Ahn thes Love's ah lil Adrian Quist, but float 'er down the Rivah Ouse, son. Et's ahll ohn mah quid.

Letting the barkeep go, he returned his attention to his two ladyfriends. As guests at his establishment, he would make sure that they got what they wanted, and without charge. You treat your best customers right, after all.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

She didnt even blink. She couldnt. Had even the tiniest muscle in her face twitched, she would have lost all control and toppled from the stool in peels of hysterical laughter. Nor could she risk slanting the slightest glance at her friend. She knew the same blank expression would be on Hera's face that she wore on her own. But all too quickly it would turn, first into a smile then a smirk then to ruthless, cutting laughter. And those glasses!! By the four moons of Yavin, could he even see out of them?! It had never bothered her before, making fun of someone. Actually it was a pleasant enough pastime once in a while. Eve, Hera and herself had sat many a time, trading quips and jabs at the other patrons and placing bets on whose jeer would bring the most laughs.

But this poor old guy....what he was speaking wasnt even close to Basic. Maybe it was because he had no teeth to form letters with. Wait....nooooo....no way! He wasnt hitting on them...was he? Age had never mattered to her but at least she wanted a man who didnt need a repulsor lift to get a rise, ya know? Turning her head slowly towards Hera, she forms the words from the corner of her mouth.

"I think he just asked you to shack up with him."

[DarthHERA]

Hera had been looking despondently from her rum to her breasts and wondered if there was any truth to Daiqs statement. Oh well, the Sith accepted with a resignated shrug, the choice was easy. And grabbed the bottle of rum to pour herself another.

As Wednesdaydale took his seat and spoke, Hera did a double take before grinning like a smashed cat over to Daiq. But her friend was holding herself composed, and Hera, chagrined, tried to do the same.

But this was impossible.

The brogue with which Wednesdaydale spoke was enough to peel the paint of the wall and, incredibly, Hera understood him perfectly. .. or rather, the point of what he was saying. Drinks were on him!

He was the owner of this fine wateringhole, and though Daiq didnt know it, they were now in very distinguished company, not to mention....influential. The Sector Rangers were nothing to sniff at, and to offend one of its family heads was a bad idea.

Still, Daiqs mischieviousness was infectious - it always had been. And Hera could never find it in her to resist it.

The smile broadened and Hera didnt even blink when she turned and slathered on her charm, gazing into Wednesdaydale's thick lenses and trying not to be frightened by his grossly magnified eyes.

"Why, thankyou handsome. If we'd have known you were about, we'd have asked for you to join us."

[imported_Eve]

Eve had been following her old friend for weeks, and Hera hadn't left much of a trail behind. Luckily, many men don't forget it when a blonde bombshell, laced with blasters and a bright, shiny lightsabre hilt, crosses their path.

The last man to provide information about Hera's whereabouts meerly pointed Eve to a bar across a crowded street. Eve followed his direction, and casually entered that bar, not expecting to actually find her old friend, Hera, but to find traces of her earlier occupancy there. But her time in tracing Hera's footsteps had gone.

Not only did she finally find Hera, but she found her sitting contently next to Daiquiri!

"Oh my god."

Eve's two old friends sat together against that bar, smiling, all chummy, like no time had gone by at all. It was as if the last year and a half without them had never occurred.

Eve immediately vanished into a crowd of people, removing her distinctiveness from the doorway.

[DarthHERA]

The grin was still on her face, as the barkeep placed aforesaid beverages in front of them and Hera lifted her glass in salute - winking at Wednesdaydale. This promised to be a fun evening for sure.

Then, without warning, she swung about suddenly on her chair - like one does when their name is called out loud behind them. She looked from face to face. Just the usual riffraff and certainly no one she recognised.

She looked at Daiq to see if she'd got that same sensation as she had.

No one had called her name. In fact, there was nothing tangible to cause Hera's action. But certain as the lights of Coruscant, someone had triggered of a distinct reaction in her spirit. Someone who she had not seen hide nor hair of for a long time. Someone who she had missed more than a person thought possible.

Maybe she was just getting nostalgic...being back with Daiq certainly brought up the 'good old days' memorylane daytripper in her.

She turned slowly back to her place, maybe it was the rum..



ooc: hotdayam Evie - welcome back to the RP! :)

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Still fighting back the laughter that threatened to burst forth unconstrained, Daiq lifted the glass to her lips and froze in place. Her blue eyes empty and cloud as a presence steals over her, as surely as someone had walked up behind her and had run thier fingers along her spine. With a barely perceptible start, she tilts the glass to her lips and downs the contents in one quick motion, setting it back on the tabletop loudly, her eyes cutting over to Hera. Leaning towards her friend, she whispers in a tone meant only for Hera's ears.

"What was that? Did you feel it too?"

With both a mental and physical shake, she turns back as the bartender sets the free drinks in front of them, her tone and demeanor now much more subdued. Her eyes drift to meet the old mans'.

"This is from you? Thanks. And hello. Im Daiquiri."

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Barnaby smiled a row of neglected teeth at the pair.

Much es Ah'm partial to a round af how's yoh fathah, A've got moh pressin' mattahs weth yew Mahatma Brinys than the ohl' zig 'n zag. Soh tilt yoh're lohds 'n peers en mah direction, en Ah'll bunneh to yoh ackahs.

[imported_Eve]

Minutes later Eve found herself sitting at a round table, being some card player's groupie. She leaned over the table to get a look at the girls. Her line of sight was small and narrow, but she could see that the girls' mood had changed since her presence became new.

'Damnit!' she thought. If she didn't either move away from the bar, or do something, it was only a matter of time before the girls knew she was there.

'No this isn't the time.' Eve stood up and made her way out of the bar, but before she could go out of the door she felt a hand lodged around her rib cage, with a single, fat finger tempting penetration in one of her gills.

"Talk to them."

"Ugh... Lemme go."

The temporary capture let her go, and simply walked away. Eve turned her head to get a look. Her eyes followed the being away, while her mouth lay open. It's head was turned away so it's face couldn't be seen. It's whole being was virtually covered in black clothing, head to toe. There was nothing about it that gave any indication as to who it was. She immediately looked around the perimeter of herself, while still following the being's exit.

'Who the hell was that? Is this a joke? Ugh.' The being had to know something about her because it sure knew where to compromise her, given that her gills were covered with considerable clothing. Still, no one else in the joint seemed to notice the being.

Eve searched to her right for more answers to the weirdness, only to find Daiq staring right at her.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

She had actually listened this time 'round as the old guy was speaking and picked out enough of his strange tongue to realize that he was forgoing the intros and he had more urgent business that he wanted to discuss. With them. Which told her that he knew who they were. Whether or not Hera knew him personally, she had certainly greeted him warmly and that was good enough for Daiq. Hera's ability to read people was just a bit better than her own, which had served them all well in the past, and Hera wasnt acting alarmed about the old guy. But she knew that whatever had "passed" behind them while ago still had her attention.

Swinging her gaze back at Hera, her eyes flick momentarily over her friends' shoulder to the knot of patrons gathered around a hot poker game that was going on. Two large males had thier backs to her and just for the briefest of seconds, one of them shifted his posistion, giving Daiq a quick, clear view to the other side of the round table.

"Hera, look."

She didnt take her eyes off the female standing across from them.

"Eve. Well, I'll be damned!"

The words were spoken quietly but the wide smile forming on her lips told a different tale.

[DarthHERA]

She squinted at Wednesdaydale - ok...that last bit of conversation she missed completely. Oh, she caught the "no time for zig'n'zag" part. Hera pretty much caught references to that topic in any galactic language... But as for the rest, it was all like twi'lek to her.

"Got a translator droid handy, have ya fella?"

She held open her hand in the universal "incomprende" gesture at the last part of what he had said.


A sharp jab into her ribs from the side by Daiq drew Hera's gaze around again from Wednesdaydale. The incomprehending look spawned from the old mans accent, dropped immediately from Hera's face and a long slow smile replaced it.

Speaking to Daquiri, "It appears we see some one we know."

Hera called a server to her spoke to her quietly, keeping all the while in eye contact with Eve.

Immediately the server left and returned with a tequilla double-shot, and the bottle it came from, on a tray. Bowing infront of Eve, she announced to her "Compliments of the ladies" (she pointed to the two Sith sitting with her boss). "And they said to say...."A Challenge, perhaps?"

Eve looked across unsure of the meaning.

Hera, in answer, lifted her rum bottle and clicked it jauntily against Daiqs whiskey one and called back.

"Winner - gets him" (she jerked her head at Wednesdaydale, and grinned wickedly).

[imported_Eve]

Daiquiri smiled? Hera smiled too, but there was something slightly sinister about her's. Before Eve could over-analyze the situation, a server bowed in front of her with Tequilla shots and the respective bottle.

"Compliments of the ladies."

This was the surest sign that Eve was welcome with her best friends. In all her worrying, Eve forgot that Hera and Daiq had no clue as to the personal voyage Eve had been on. She'd save it's details for another time. For now, Eve would throw herself back into the happy life and go be with her friends.

Eve smiled, took the two shots, one after another, grabbed the bottle, and headed towards the two ladies. She stopped just before them and propped the tequilla bottle on the bar counter bewteen them. A smile krept across Eve's mouth. Her eyes watered and her arms stretched out to involve Daiq and Hera in a warm hug.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Pushing up from her seat, Daiq wraps an arm tightly around Eve's waist and one around Hera's neck as the three of them converge in a sickening display of public affection, but what the frell! It had been ages since she had seen Evie and she personally hadnt know if Eve was even alive. By the moons, the three of them together again! This was indeed a reason to celebrate and she knew that the "challenge" would be accepted without hesitation, just as she knew too that both of them could drink her under the table. Guess that made her "the loser". Which was good. As impatient as Wednesdaydale had been getting, he had certainly perked up at Hera's declaration of "the winner" being awarded an evening with him. Maybe her luck was changing for the better! Sitting back down and making room for Eve between Hera and herself, Daiq was grinning like a Cizerack eating a bowl full of sajoi.

The old guy was looking back and forth expectantly between the three of them so Daiq did a quick introduction.

"This is Eve, our close and completely trusted friend. What you have to say can be said in front of her with no worry."

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Who's worried, Love?

Barnaby smiled in Eve's direction

Welcome ta mah rub-ah-dub.

He paused, in an attempt to be considerate of his guests.

Ah'll mind the Matheson Lang, soh yew ocean pearls can keep up with meh. Ah've got plenty af business foh yew Shahdowfaene Loves, and Ah'm hopin' yoh're en the mood fohr et.

He paused, taking a sip of his pint as his jawline tensed, eyes shifting uncomfortably to Hera's ever-present Cizerack aide.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Turning her chair 'round, Daiq straddles it and turns most of her attention, not all, to the old guy. She was still too excited about being reunited with Eve again to focus 100% on any one thing.....
yet. That would come with the contest and her wee bit of cheating once Eve and Hera started getting sloshed.

Since the boss of ShadowFaene was sitting only one seat away, Daiq fell silent to let Hera take charge.

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

Nass stood apart from the others, watching and observing. Since
her ill-fated bid to eliminate Kajeela Tarruurri and make department head of the Kei'Ai'Rrei, her posistion had altered unfavorably, in her opinion. Granted that the disciplinary action towards her could have been worse, it was bad enough as it was. Busted down to an "aide" didnt set well with her but to assign someone of her standing as aide/liason to a human was almost more than she could bear!

DrenKast, owner and founder of ShadowFaene Fortress was still something of a puzzle to her. One minute this human female was ready and more than willing to kill anything or anybody that stood in the path of what she wanted and now, look at her. Hugging and blubbering in public! Disgraceful! The blonde that had been sitting beside DrenKast was known to her but not personally. The background check on Daiquiri was still ongoing but from what she had read so far, this human female would be no problem. Now, there would be another one to run a check against. "Eve" is what DrenKast had called her and the three of them obviously knew one another quite well.

Mr. Barnaby Wednesdaydale. From the bits and pieces she had gleaned, this old human male was deeply invested in his own detective agency and seemed to turn quite a profit. Admirable. That DrenKast and her friends were meeting with Wednesdaydale was worth noting and she did. Swiveling her ears forward but keeping the angle low, she listened to every word, no matter how soft and low it was spoken.

[DarthHERA]

"Nasseeri"

Just the way Hera pronounced the Cizerack name exuded annoyance.

"You still here?"

The joy of seeing Eve again waned just a little as the ever-present Cizerack Aide/spy (as Hera referred to her out of earshot) came into her line of view.

Hera relaxed her embrace around Eve and Daiquiri enough to drape her arms round each of their shoulders. It was incredibly wonderful to see Eve again. Hera was certain Eve didnt know the extent of how much she had missed her, and seeing her - out of the blue like some kind of thunderbolt - had really shaken her. Hera never gave such displays of affection. She never had the reason to, or the need.

But all that had gone out the proverbial window now.

"Eve..." Hera didnt really know how to say what she felt. But when Eve smiled, she could see that words wouldnt really cover it anyway. And that Eve knew it. There had never been any real explanation of why Eve had gone - Hera had never quite understood. But their friendship, and the same with Daiquiri, went beyond time and distance and even changes that life threw their way. It was solid. And it was strong.

"Its good to see you."

And grinned, adding to lighten things , "Daiq is an awful lot for me to handle on my own"

She unwrapped her arms from around them, and gestured - the rum bottle swinging in the air - to make introductions.

"Nasseeri - meet Daiquiri, Eve and.....I do believe this is Mr Barnaby Wednesdaydale." She looked for an affirming nod.

"Everyone - this is my aide and ShadowFaenes resident Cizerack Representative, Nasseerri Haalleerra"

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

With the barest of nods, Daiq acknowledges the Cizerack and gives her the once over. It didnt take a rocket scientist to pick up the sarcasm in Hera's tone and the irritated dislike but her questions concerning the Ciz could wait. This Barnaby Wednesdaydale had waited for their attention long enough, plus he had bought them a drink. That alone gave him dibs in her mind.

Pouring a generous shot of whiskey from the bottle to her glass, Daiq takes a long sip as Eve settles in beside her. Damn but it was good to have Evie back again! There was still a twinge of reserved uneasiness emanating from Evie but once they were alone, the three of them, she had no doubt that Evie would fill them in on where she had been and what she had been doing. With a grin of her former mischieviousness, Daiq bumps her leg into Eve's just as the other takes a sip from her tequila, then quickly turns her head back to Mr. Wednesdaydale, a bright smile on her lips.

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Barnaby gave a nod and a smile to the distant Nasseeri, raising his glass to her. Glancing back, he nudged the side of a man in his twenties, who leaned down to listen to his employer. Barnaby's eyes still trailed to the Cizerack.

Ef the kitty go's poken her pea shootah where et shouldn't be, kindly remove et foh her.

With a nod, the subordinate left Barnaby's side. He glowered briefly back to Nasseeri, but decided that she would have to be endured for the time being. But if this conversation were to go anywhere else, it would be without Nasseeri within earshot. But to pass the time...he could wet the other ladies appetites for his intentions.

Ah've made quite ah stake en the confectionary business.

He smiled a mouthful of rotten teeth.

Do yew lemons have a likin' ta candy?

[DarthHERA]

Hera's smile took on a calculating quality as Wednesdaydale spoke.

Taking a long draw from the rum bottle, and sucking air back thru her teeth as the smooth liquor began its magic.

She rested an elbow to lean back on the bar and lifted a questioning eyebrow, her intensly blue eyes reflecting a sly interest.

"Candy, you say."

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Casually, Daiq refills her empty shot glass and sets the bottle back down, a slow grin sliding across her lips. Knowing Hera for as long as she has, the little nuances to her voice and tone spoke volumes and she quickly picked up on the underlying interest in her friends' voice. There was something afoot here and Daiq wanted to know what it was, but she had both seen and heard Wednesdaydale's relunctance to speak in the presence of the Ciz aide and understood it completely.

Though the mention of his confectionary business was simply a diversion, it still caught and held her attention. One sure way to Daiq's heart was chocolate and she didnt hesitate to chime in.

"Barnaby, tell me youve got chocolate and youve just made a new best friend!"

[imported_Eve]

Eve leaned back on the bar counter, listening to her friends converse with the "sly talker". She didn't know where the conversation began, but it seemed it would end with some interest.

Wherever, the conversation would lead, she'd follow her pals along for the journey. What else did she have to do? Truth and details would come later.

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Barnaby laughed, slapping on his knee for emphasis.

Ah like yew, Luv. Weth a name like Daiquiri, yew gotta be sweet.

He gestured to his nearby assistant, who brought the ladies each a heart-shaped box.

Es foh the chocohlate, Ah've got that, an vanillah, strawberreh, tohfee...any truffle, but a trifle. Moh flavohs than shades en a rainbow, soh covah yoh mincahs ef et gets too broight.

He gestured to the far wall, and a doorway.

An Ah've got jus the place foh yew lemons to pereuse me wares.

[DarthHERA]

She had a lot of questions for Eve. There were a lot of missing pieces to her friends story that Hera wanted to hear, but here in this noisy bar didnt seem the right place some how. There would be time after to talk. They would make sure of it.

Hera grinned at Daiquiri - sometimes she took things so literally. Hera was pretty certain the kind of candy Wednesdaydale referred to, wasnt what her friend had in mind, despite the handy boxes just given them. And by his comment, now was sure of it.

Hera didnt need any prompting. The Sith Master had a nose for business...and right now, she smelt opportunity just reeking from Wednesdaydale like a cheap colonge.

A slight nudge encouraged Eve and Daiquiri to follow Barnaby along with her. Turning sharply to Nasseerri, Hera pointed to a broad shouldered man drinking enthusiasticaly from a huge mug of ale. "Help yourself to the local Forrda, Nasseerri. We wont be too long. I'll fill you in if anything exciting happens."

Hopefully ditching the ever-watchful eyes of her Cizerack Assistant-the temptation of a romp with a burly laborourer hard for any female to resist, Hera sauntered alongside Wedensdaydale and disappeared into the back room.

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

ShadowFaene's Cizerack aide had stood and taken a step forward to follow and see for herself Mr. Wednesdaydale's private showing. The Pride had its' rights to a percentage of whatever DrenKast and her mottley crew raked in and she was there to insure that it happened. She also knew that DrenKast would do exactly as she had done which was to barr her entrance.

Taking a false half-step forward once again, Nass deliberately bumps hard into the Fortress mistress, grabbing DrenKast by the arms in a show of steadying herself. Secreted between two of her fingers was a miniscule transmitter which she promptly attached to the back of Hera's shoulder. The object itself was clear, taking on the hue of whatever it happened to be placed against, in this case, DrenKast's clothing.

Pulling her lips back in a thwarted show of displeasure, Nasseeri pauses, letting the others go ahead and too, letting Hera think that she had "won" this round.

As the last of small party disappears through the backdoor, the snarl changes to a satisfied grin, or as close as Nass could come to one. She turns toward the bar and inserts a small receiver into one of her ears, the transmitter doing its job perfectly as Wednesdaydales' garbled speech reaches her. Stepping up beside the large, burly male, Nassdrops one clawed hand down to run lightly over his firm backside.

"ji have sssome laborrr jyou could perrrforrm forrr me."

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Flashing a grin of thanks to Wednesdaydale, Daiq doesnt pause as she rips off the top of the offered chocolates and pops one into her mouth, the rich, smooth flavor causing her to flutter her eyes closed as it melts on her tongue.

"...Mmmmmmmmm.....Oh, this is superb! Its so creamy and just absolutely melts in your mouth!"

Grabbing her box up, she carries it with her, linking her arm through Barnaby's as he ushers them to the side door. Still smiling, she winks at him.

"What would a case of these cost me, Sweetheart?"

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Ahbout a grand quid (1000 credits).

Barnaby winked to her, reaching over, and lifting the black plastic chocolate tray out of the box, revealing a hide-away compartment below it, which contained several brightly-colored tubes.

The real candy's where yoh puttin' yoh sov's, Luvs.

Death Sticks...the most sophisticated-like af candy Ah know.

[imported_Eve]

Eve eyed Nass.

Feelings came to her, mixed. While she hadn't chosen to use the force in some time, some things were too intrinsic to forget. She could still catch feelings of atmosphere, and as much as she wanted to let that go, something was coming from Nass. It wasn't good.

Still, it had been a while since she was in the thick of it with these gals, and Eve didn't want to presume anything. She thought not to ask Hera about Nass's behavior and crooked smiles. Instead, she followed the women and Mr. Wednesdaydale, but not before she turned her head back to throw Nass a final, long, blank, stare.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Stopping in mid-bite, after reaching for and lifting another chocolate out of her tray, Daiq stares at the small rainbow of tubes that had lain hidden beneath her sweets. She can feel Hera lean in and peer over her shoulder and glances back at her with a slightly troubled look on her face.

"Here, you take it."

Unceremoniously, Daiq shoves the box of colored "candy" into Hera's hand then proceeds to munch on the delectable in her mouth. She steps out of the small que, allowing Hera to take her place next to Wednesdaydale, then falls back in line behind the Faene boss.

[DarthHERA]

Dropping a smile at Eve as she eyed Nasseeri, Hera shook her head letting Eve know the Cizerack wasnt a problem. Hera knew with Eve and Daiquiri around, she would never have to worry for someone to be looking out for her.

"Those Cats are a nuisance, but you get used to them after a while. Right now...we got bigger fish to fry." winking at her friend she took a seat close to where Wednesdaydale had opened the compartment.

As Daiq handed her the tray, Hera looked it over carefully. She was no expert, and didnt pretend to be, but she wasnt ignorant of what was in front of her either.


"Expensive treats, Mr. Wednesdaydale..."

She lifted her eyes and looked into the four-inch thick lenses peering back at her.

"....and hard to come by. I wonder, if you need any assistance with your supply and demand?"

Hera really had no idea if Wednesdaydale was looking for more customers, or something a little more profitable.

Whatever it was, she would keep it from Nasseerri - or more pointedly, the Cizeracks. Just to spite them.

The small eavesdropper on Hera's shoulder remained unnoticed
as the Sith waited expectantly for her hosts reply.

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Ah'm a bit af a small-time suppliah.

Barnaby puffed at his cigar, after nipping a chocolate covered cherry

One sectah, jes the tip af the iceberg. But Ah've got a hot product. Et's good, tailor-made stuff, not the cheap ol' Boutrous they'll peddle et ya down en lower C'ruscant. Et's 'spensive foh a reason, Luvs. Ah'd take mah word foh et.

He laughed

No sense en mah clients developin a "nasty habit"

[DarthHERA]

She watched him, not certain what he wanted. That accent was almost as bad as conversing with a Cizerack.

Lifting a coloured cylinder, Hera eyed it - curiosity glinting in her lluminous blue eyes.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Licking her lips of the last taste of chocolate, Daiq looks away, not even wanting to hear the rest of the conversation. Up until the point in time that Barnaby had lifted the tray of real candy from the false bottom of the manufactured kind, she had been a willing participant, eager to hear what it was that he had sought them out for.

Now....she steals another swift glance at the brightly colored tubes....now, she just wanted to heave her socks up. This stuff had always given her the willies and she wasnt ashamed to admit it. She had rather be locked in a life and death struggle than to ever consider dripping, shooting, sniffing or injesting that crap into her body and couldnt even begin to fathom the reasons why anyone else would.

If Hera said "Alright, Faene personnel, we've got a new job to do.", she would do it, simply because Hera asked it of her. But she wouldnt like it.

Not one little bit.

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

Nasseeri flirted, purred and pawed at the laborer, giving every impression that her mind had been safely diverted from Hera's business to her own insatiable sexual needs. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. Oh yes, indeed she was interested in what this male could give her, if his braggadoccio was anything to go on and from the explicit wanderings of her hands, he certainly had the equipment to back up his claims.

"Death sticks....sector.....tip of the iceberg.....expensive."

These words rang through her receiver loud and clear and she knew that Wednesdaydale was offering the ShadowFaene crew a golden opportunity. Millions of credits could be made from this deal and Nass would see to it personally that the Pride had thier rightful take from it, too. This could be the chance she had waited for. If Nasseeri could keep the information about this new "item" off the airways for just a day or two at the most, she could bypass giving this information to her own superior, Assaurreei, and go straight to the Pride Mother with it! Keerrourri would try to run interference but she could outsmart him. The Pride male was occupied in his time by some plain-looking Jedi female and hence, should be easy to side-step. What she had been waiting for had fallen out of the sky and right onto her lap. Nasseeri wouldnt make the same mistake twice.

Allowing the male's rough hands to roam freely over her body, Nass smiles at him but her attention is focused solely on the words ringing in her ear.

[Diego Van Derveld]

Outside the door of the special room, a large, greyish-silver canine lay at the floor, muzzle pointed on the ground in Nasseeri's direction. It yawned slightly, returning to its lazy, idle state. If the Cizerack didn't know any better, she would have sworn it was a wolf...albeit a seemingly domesticated one.

[DarthHERA]

Daiquiri's shudder of distate for Wednesdaydale's candy didnt go unnoticed by Hera. She frowned a little, not quite sure why Daiq would have an aversion to such a trade. Killing people quickly with a lethal lightsaber or slowly with a lethal habit..it was all contributing to the chaos, in Hera's way of thinking. Still, she would not just disreguard her friends opinion. But first, she would hear what Wednesdaydale had in mind.

She regarded their host carefully.

"You have a proposal...?"

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Ah need a market...an yew Luvs are needin revenue, ef mah lil birdie does whisper correctly.

He smiled

Revenue af the "slightly nefarious" lot. Seems awll that political slap-dash weth the Cizzies es costin yew a pretteh chit. Now, Ah'm prepared to keep et hush-hush, an also meet yah needs. Yoh market'll keep me anchored safely 'ere, an Ah could use a bitta insurance en case Sasseereh gets even moh ambitious. She's a shrewd, blue-mincah'd Richie, bout like yew lasses. Ah ain't leavin shyte tew chance!

[DarthHERA]

Leave nothing to chance.....Ol' goggle-eyes was a smart man.

She leaned back and stretched comfortably into the leather chair. Nasseerri heard a strange mixed muffle/squeek sound through her receptor peice as Hera's back was enveloped by the smooth soft leather as it hugged against her body. The effect was a muffling and distorting of all sound entirely.

"We can all always use a little more income, I agree."

ShadowFaene had been faring very well and though Hera had yet to aduse this new alliance with the Cizerack Pride to its full potential, she still was enjoying the benefits of their agreement well enough.

If she was going to make an association with Mr. Wednesdaydale, she would need some more information.

"Can you be more specific regarding "market"?"

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

Her right ear jerked hard as a shrill squeak rang through the receiver and she lifted a hand, twisting the small device to try and adjust its clarity.

Nasseeri didnt think the transmitter had been discovered, else DrenKast would have come storming out of the meeting with murder in her eyes.

Chancing a quick glance over the laborers' shoulder, she sees that the door remained firmly shut but now had a large type of canine lieing across the threshold. Upon a closer look, Nass was surprised to discover that it seemed to be staring at her. And not just at her. It was staring a hole through her.

To make sure she wasnt imagining it, Nasseeri shifted her body away from the bar and not to be let down, the canine's strange blue eyes shifted with her. This was odd, indeed.

[Diego Van Derveld]

Rising from the floor, the wolf padded over to Nasseeri, occupying the floor next to her. Its ears twitched, and it looked up at her.

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

Nasseeri looked back. Nostrils flaring slightly as she inhaled deeply, capturing the animal's scent within her olfactory glands and trying to analyze it.

Her nose told her that this canine on the floor was either a wolf or a wolf/ dog hybrid. Her eyes told her that as well.

What they didnt tell her was something that her intuition had been whispering and now was practiclally shouting in her mind. She had no proof, visible or otherwise, but she knew that what was staring unblinkingly up at her was more than just a wolf.

[imported_Eve]

Eve wasn't interested in the conversation. Her disinterest caused her to look away from the "negotiating” table. She blankly stared down the walls in heavy thought. Her eyes eventually turned back toward the girls and Barnaby. The walls held nothing notable.

'Look at them', she thought in fondness. Hera always had a place in her heart for negotiating matters of money. Better said, that place in her heart was moreso reserved for JUST money. Being the prime mistress of ShadowFaene was the most fitting thing for her. And Daiq... well, she was always along for the fun. Sure, she had a heart for the serious matters too, but Daiq’s enthusiasm towards "being bad" was positively overwhelming anything serious. It was evident right here: Hera wondered the object’s worth, and Daiq’s attention was focused on the object’s effect. What a pair!

Eve’s re-recognition of these characteristics in her old friends betrayed her uninterested stare into a smile that cracked upwards to her ears. She turned her head to hide it. She cleared her throat to shake off this reminiscing smile.

‘What was Daiq holding?’ She hadn’t been paying any attention. She picked up one of the tubes and studied it.

“What IS this?” she interrupted Barnaby, but in thoughts to his hard-to-understand response, she turned to the girls and asked again.

“What is this? Whats’ it do? Tell me everything about it.”

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Daiq shrugged noncommittedly at Eve's question. What the name was or what particular effects it had on ones' body, she didnt know or care to know.

Easing behind her, Daiquiri again gave up her spot in the group, allowing Eve to nudge in for a closer look and maybe some answers to her questions. A fresh wave of the willys runs up her spine at the thought of peddling crap like that but who was she to place her personal likes and dislikes on the rest of the galaxy? Hera seemed interested and so apparently did Eve. From her vantage point it seemed that ShadowFaene was going into the drug business.

Something hairy and grey caught her eye and she leans forward to get a better look. From this angle it looked like a dog and one that was focused on the big "cat" at the bar. Nasseeri was staring at the dog and it was eyeing her back. Talk about your stereotypes.

Squatting down, she whistles softly.

"Come 'ere, boy."

[DarthHERA]

That was a good idea....What did this stuff actually do? Hera had never been one to indulge in this particular vice. She had plenty of her own habits to occupy her and had neither the time nor inclination for the candy now held in Eve's hands.

As Daiq cracked the door open and eyed the wolf... "strange animal to be roaming freely" Hera thought abstractedly....she spied Nasseerri who had that creatures full attention. And an idea came to mind.

"Lets give some to Nass...We can see first hand."

[Mr Wednesdaydale]

Are yew kidden meh?

Wednesdaydale looked incredulous

Death sticks ain't exactleh new territory, Luv. Been around since before the Clone Wars...but et's been a bittah underground cocktail, usually them lowah level folk on Coruscant's fancyin' et. Now, the restaf the galaxy's particulah Boutrous es yoh Glitterstim Spice.

Death sticks gev a rush af euphoria. Yew could vacuum every square inchaf a star destroyah ef yew were so inclined. Unfortunately, they seem tew shorten the lifespan a bit. Addictive as frack-awll, but et's wot sells. Dandy bittah candy, ef yoh intah that.

He watched Daiq's attention change

He dun 'xactly respond tew othahs. Won' findah betta-trained cherry this side af the Outah Rim, tho.

He raised his voice.

Oi...Diego! Cumm'ere boy!

Leaning back in his seat, he smiled wickedly to Hera

Now, that's a plan Ah'm keen on, Luv!

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Turning her attention to Wednesdaydale briefly, she glances back as the animal approaches, brushing past her to sit at Barnaby's side. Cautiously, Daiq reaches out, letting her fingers glide through the thick coat of hair and remains watchful for a quick turn and snap of the sharp teeth. Instead, it seems to regard her thoughtfully and tilts its head slightly as she gently scratches one of his ears.

"Hes gorgeous! I wish I had the time for a dog but as much as I travel, it wouldnt be right. I wouldnt have the time to spend with one. Hes not full-blooded, is he? More a hybrid mix?"

The smile on her face disappears as she belatedly realizes that she has steered the conversation away from business. Standing, Daiq pulls the door shut then puts her back against it, looking apologetically at Hera.

"Sorry."

[DarthHERA]

Well she felt like a bit of a bumpkin.

How could a man with ten-inch-thick glasses and thinning white hair make her feel she was out of touch....She glanced at Eve to see if she followed it all. She seemed to have no trouble. Eve had always been so much more street-smart than Hera.

He rattled off like his ABC's the whys and wherefore's of the drugs in front of them and Hera had to lean forward a little in concentration.

Outside, Nasseerri's head jerked invoulantarily as the sound was again restored to her transmitter. She touched it gingerly with a sharp claw.

**
Now, that's a plan Ah'm keen on, Luv!

**

Nasseerri tapped the transmitter as if she could summon the "said" plan. But she needn't have bothered, the door opened again and Daiquiri curled her finger for the Cizerack Aide to come forward.

**********************

Closing the door once more, Daiq again turned her attention to the wolf. All traces of the "candy" had vanished completely and they were all chatting over chocolates. Hera eyed Diego warily. She immediately did not take to him.

Hera noticed the drug topic was not one that her friend Daiquiri was fond of at all. She had apologised for interrupting negotiations - an apology that was never necessary from her - but Hera was not willing to close the door to an opportunity until she knew what exactly she was turning down.

"Ah, Nasserri. Good of you to join us"

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

The wolf had suddenly risen and had gone trotting off in the direction of the backroom, arousing further suspicions in Nasseeri's mind. Sharp blue eyes track the animal as it slips through the slightly opened doorway, her mind busy trying to make two and two add up to four. Something still wasnt right.

Her earpiece crackles as once again Wednesdaydale's harsh accent floods through the receiver loud and clear. Whatever had been muffling the transmitter had obviously been removed.
Absentmindedly, she nods to some lewd suggestion made by the male she had been flirting with and a huge grin spreads across his face.

"Heres the room number. I'll meet you there in a few minutes, then."

"Jyesss, that wjill be fjine."

Any other time there would have been no waiting. She would have accompanied the male back to his room right then but she was here on business and that came first.

Swinging open suddenly, Daiquiri appeared in the back doorway and motioned for her to join them. Now, that was unusual in itself. DrenKast did everything in her power to exclude Nasseeri but now was extending an invitation? Nothing was adding up today.

Pushing away from the bar, Nass walked towards the open door, the tip of her tail twitching furiously as her ears swiveled forward, listening closely for any telltale sounds of danger from the small hidden room. Her nose clearly picked up the scent of the canine, which was strong, indicating that he was still back there, along with the rest of the small entourage.

With a mixed look of disdain and superiority on her face, she edges past Daiquiri, her shoulder knocking the blonde back a step and receiving a nasty look in return. Her eyes slide from one to another as Nasseeri sizes up the gathering.

"Jussst what do ji owe thjisss honorrr to?"

TTT

[DarthHERA]

"We brought you in so it would save me time having to fill you in on the details later."

Hera's manner was brisk.

"Have a seat."

The wolf's eyes followed Nasseeri, Hera noticed, and wondered if it was just the old inate cat 'n' dog emnity behind it.

A glance at Barnaby's face told the Sith perhaps not. Something was there, but Hera couldnt pinpoint what.

"Do you know Mr. Wednesdaydale, Nasseeri?"

Leaning a little sideways in her seat she informed Barnaby that Nasseeri was Trade Emissary Assaurreei's special Relations Aide to ShadowFaene Fortress. Hera was careful not to let any tone inflection in her voice reveal the nature her and the Cizerack's relationship, was it whether good or bad.