Deus: Ipso Facto II

[Vega Van-Derveld]

The 'Better Days' had landed some twenty minutes ago on Coruscant, on the planetside bay based in western quadrant of the city. The exit ramp lowered with a hiss, allowing the three inside to disembarak, having gathered what they needed for the day. The two men were dressed very much alike, and all that seperated them from being almost twins was a difference in hair colour and build - the red-head was slimmer than his counterpart.

Running one hand back through his hair, the tallest of the group glanced about the area as he walked through the crowds, smiling. The effect the three had was excellent - many recognised his face from a recent GNN broadcast, whilst others moved simply because their minds told them to, as if something was wrong about standing in his way. Vega would have had a little fun with them had it not been for the fact that they were here on a trip which required a degree of subtlety.

As a man walked past, Vega extended a hand and caught him by the shoulder.

"Excuse me, don't suppose you can direct me to the 'Pierre Jardin'?"

A shake of the head and the Dark Jedi let him go, sighing. Look's like they would have to take a cab to reach the meeting place. He stepped up to the curb of the road, with the others waiting - of course, he pushed in to the front of the line - and looked to Daiquiri and Darius with an unsure smile.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

It must be in thier genetic coding. All of thiers.

Men! Daiquiri had piloted her ship to Coruscant while Vega and Darius had sat in the back, discussing the upcoming meeting with the unknown translator Had either one of them asked even once if she knew where the restaurant was, she could have told them.

Instead, she stands calmly behind Vega, keeping the knowledge to herself, curious as to how long it will take him to flag down one of the taxis' zipping past.

Once the meeting was concluded, the three of them were going to finish stocking up on the supplies that they would need for the trip, half of which they had already purchased back home.

Daiq smiles pleasantly as Vega glances back at her then turns to say something to Darius that she cant hear. Not that she minded.
From what she had gathered in bits and pieces, things didnt always run so smoothly between father and son and thier quiet banter must be a welcome change.

Looking up and away, her eyes run along the outlines of the towering buildings, thier shapes standing out in sharp relief from one another.

[Darius Van-Derveld]

Standing still seemed to be the theme of the entire journey, even now they waited for some damnfool human so they could continue on.

Snorting at his fathers undignified flailing at the passing cabs Darius stepped onto the road and waited calmly as a cab screeched to a stop.

Ignoring the impotent noises of discomfort coming from the driver he crossed back to the curb and opened a door for Daiquiri.

Reaching back behind him through an open window he hauled the spluttering driver out of the window and whispered softly to him.

you will take us to the Pierre Jardin, you will not bother us with inane chatter and you will be happy with the outrageously small tip we will give you, oh yes, assuming you survive this particular fare you will go home and truly appreciate your family...

Stuffing the now quiet cabbie back into the vehicle he winked at his father.

"Better than poncy mind tricks eh?"

[Vega Van-Derveld]

"If you say so,"

He swung himself down into the back seat after Daiquiri had gotten in, allowing for Darius to follow. The journey that they then endured was suprisingly short, though perhaps this could be accounted for by the horrendously rapid speed at which the cab travelled. It seemed that the driver followed the time honoured tradition of suicidal driving that all cabbie's adopted. Never the less, he got them to the resteraunt, and the three disembarked, stepping out onto the pavement.

With a glance upwards, Vega could see the sign publicizing the restaraunt - it was on the third floor of this particular building they were by. He smirked and paced past the guard with a slight wave of the hand to keep him quiet as they entered the foyer. A turbo lift was right ahead.

A quick look down at his chrono revealed it was around fifteen minutes before their meeting would commence. Stepping into the lift, he cleared his throat. The silence between the three didn't bother him, purely because he could feel a transfer of mental information from both at all times, especially Daiquiri. On occasion he would project a humorously lewd image into her mind and receive a grin or wink in return.

"Third floor."

The doors slid open to reveal a suitably haute cuisine setting. White linen table clothes with sparkling wine glasses and gleaming cultery. A suited waiter directed the party to their alloted table, where they took a seat and were permitted to order a drink. Vega opted out of taking anything, instead reclining comfortably as he capitalized on the free bread rolls.

"I'm not sure entirely what he looks like, so we're going to have to keep a watch out for someone ... out of the ordinary looking,' he said in mid bite of the bun.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

For the meeting, Daiquiri had decided to dress up, hoping to make a better impression on the translator and set him at ease. Her gown was nice but not overdone. As the material caught the light, different shades of blue shimmered across its surface, almost giving the impression of small ripples in a pond.

She had ordered a white wine and was sipping it slowly, letting her gaze wander over the patrons she could see.

Out of the ordinary, Vega said. That could be several, from her observation. There were a few gentleman sitting alone but if this man were as nervous as what Vega had mentioned earlier, then he could very well be with a friend, male or female. And that covered the whole of the dining area.

With a small frown, Daiquiri sets her wine glass to the front of her plate and gestures to the closest waiter, drawing him over.

"Could you freshen my water, please and take the wine glass. Im finished with it."

Turning the look on Vega, she shakes her head slightly.

"I hope Im not coming down with something."

[Darius Van-Derveld]

Supreme boredom raged inside of Darius, the opulence of his surroundings had been impressive at first, but now it was just gloss, covering the places seedy aspect.

Sighing softly he willed the informant to break from cover and present himself, his patience was running out quickly, and as his patience left him, his desire for meaningless violence grew.

Casting a glance around the bar he could see nothing of importance; putting his feet on the table he closed his eyes and wondered if he could get some sleep before whichever of his fathers little creatures surfaced.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

With a calm measured reach, Daiquiri pushes Darius' feet from the table then straightens the ruffled tablecloth.

"You may have the manners of a Gamorrean at home but here, you will not put your dirty boots up on the table Im about to at."

Even without her chrono, Daiq knew it was just past time for the translator to have made his appearance and she glances at Vega.

"Do you think he'll show?"

[Vega Van-Derveld]

The show of boredom annoyed Vega though this irration at the situation was lessened by Daiquiri's attempt at scolding Darius. He smiled to himself, and for a moment drifted into his own thoughts, though was abruptly torn from them by Daiquiri's questionning.

"Do you think he'll show?"

The Lupine smirked and looked up. A waiter was scowling over at the three for Darius' ill-manners, though also seemed to be escorting someone towards them. A human, or rather humanoid. Rather stout in build and a little balding up top. He wore a pair of worn looking jeans and a checked shirt, with workmans jacket pulled over the top. A dog-earred cap was perched half on his head. Quite obviously, this was the man they were waiting for.

"Ah, how nice of you to join us," Vega intoned as he pushed out a chair for the man, using the toe of his boot.

Cautiously, he sat and glanced about the resteraunt a bit. Seeing the others were nibbling on some of the provided bread, he scooped up two rolls and took a chunk out of one, slipping the other into his pocket for later.

"Missed the cab. Sorry I'm late."

The way he spoke was very shaky and partially unnerving in its slowness. It seemed to take him an eternity to slur out some syllables as if he was still making up his mind whether or not it would be wise to say them. Vega dismissed his tardiness with a wave of a hand and pressed onto his mind the question of whether or not he'd be able to translate. Nothing was said aloud pertaining to the matter, though he did remark:

"I imagine our food with be here soon."

What was said in reply was, "Yep. You think you can afford it?"

With this statement, it was hard at first to tell whether or not Lewton was referring to the food or his services, but Vega assumed it was the latter and nodded rather arrogantly.

[Darius Van-Derveld]

The arrival of the translator, and the painfully slow tone of his voice caused Darius to lazily open one eye.
I hope we dont pay by the syllable, this guy would cost a fortune

"Who do you think you are to ask what we can afford. We own you."

He flips his feet back up onto the table and opens the other eye, glaring at the translator as if accusing him of that most heinous crime, being irksome in his prescence.

The translator shuffles, slightly unnerved, and Darius heightens the effect by leaning back on his chair and grinning lazily.

"So, what can we do for you?" he drawls.

any day where he didn't show his vast superiority to other mere mortals was a day wasted.

[Vega Van-Derveld]

A sideward glance at Darius and he smiled somewhat. No matter how much you tried to discipline him, he just seemed to bounce back with another defiant remark or sneer. Vega didn’t mind too much in the long run really, after all if anyone was responsible it was he himself, and therefore he had accepted his son had a rather abrasive attitude, and lived with it. Understandably, others did not take to him so kindly, and thus Lewton gave him a rather annoyed glare.

“Don’t mind him,” Vega said into the man’s head.

“I should think this,” speaking aloud once more, the Lupine handed a small data pad to Lewton. On it was detailed the schematics of a squadron of five TIE Phantoms, as well as the number 66,00 – this was the number of credits he would be paid, “should do.”

But of course, there was more to the job than translation. He would be required to travel with the Van-Dervelds to their destination. This meant a lot of danger, and this was why the fee Vega was offering was so substantial. He knew that a past Sith home world would be littered with disembodied souls, traps and the like, and though he found it amusing and infact a game, he imaged others thought it quite perilous.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

The moment that the translator's head is bent to read the datapad, Daiq turns a glare onto Darius, then looks pointedly at his boots.

Vega's son or not, this one had something coming to him and she would see that he got it at a later date. He needed a lesson in respect and if his father wouldnt do it, then she would.

Turning her attention back to the matter at hand, Daiquiri studies the small man carefully. His hands are soft and unblemished, meaning that the great outdoors wasnt his strong suit. If he refused to go with them.....now, that thought was funny in its self.
Vega wouldnt take "no" for answer. The translator would simply find his uptown fanny strapped to one of the Better Days' jump seats and be halfway to thier destination before he knew what was happening.

[Darius Van-Derveld]

Darius merely grins at Daiq, and curls his toes a few times inside his boots, making them seem to settle more onto the table.

he motions to a waiter for another decanter of wine, and as it arrives, inspects the translator.

a neat little man, with neat little boots, and a neat little manicure.
He wondered how long the poor sap would last with the Van-Dervelds, and whether he would need to find some travel-sick bags on the "Better Days" The translator didnt look like he was used to space travel, and Vega wasnt exactly a considerate pilot.

the decanter arrived, along with a somewhat disgruntled waiter, who had the nerve to ask if sir would mind, please, taking one's boots down off the table, as, sir, it was unsettling the other guests....

Darius removed his feet from the table, collected the crystal decanter out of the nervous waiter's hands, and offered some to the translator, who jumped back suddenly.

after a second, in which the translator noticed he was merely offering the decanter, the translator accepts it.
Darius leans back, looking to the ceiling and stretching, waitin for something interesting to happen

[Vega Van-Derveld]

He watched as they passed glances, and as the wine was brought then offered to the translator. All the while the little man’s mind was alight with the prospect of what he was being offered, and what he would have to do to get it. Very subtly the Lupine began to influence his judgement and gave him a slightly more reckless attitude than he normally would possess and this worked to great extents. The decision making time was shortened greatly and more satisfyingly the actual conclusion was what Vega wanted.

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

“Ah,” Vega said with a pleasant smile, “Excellent. I do believe then,”

He paused and looked thoughtful for a moment, “That our business here is concluded. You are to accompany us to the Better Days after the meal.”

Thus, they dined. Little was said, verbally, though the occasional witticism was passed between Darius and his father, and of course lewd remarks entered the minds of Daiquiri and Vega as a regular interchange – nothing out of the ordinary. After their meals the four departed the restaurant and came to stand upon the pavement outside; an odd group to look at.

“Darius I believe you were going to buy us some supplies,”

Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a hand full of credits and slapped them into his sons palm.

“Mr Lewton, I believe you have some work to do. Daiq, if you’d take him back to the ship please… I’ll accompany Darius. We shouldn’t be long.”

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

"Mr. Lewton, if you would come with me, I'll take you to my ship and we'll get you comfortable. Gentlemen, if you'll excuse us."

Hailing an air taxi, Daiquiri signals to Mr. Lewton to enter first before she slides in after him, pausing only to fling Darius a look that promises words to come later.

With a wink to Vega, she instructs the driver of thier destination and soon the taxi slips into the stream of endless sky traffic, whisking them off to the landing field and thier docking bay.

Paying the fare, Daiq walks ahead of Lewton and verbally commands the ramp to lower, a feature on her ship that she rarely used. It was so easy these days to duplicate one's voice and she had no desire to have her ship stolen. Lifting the skirt of her gown, she proceeds up the ramp with the translator in tow and speaks again for the ramp seal up.

"Mr. Lewton, your room is this way. If you'll follow me, I'll also show you where the 'fresher and the galley are. Lets get you settled in and comfortable shall we, then I'll change as well."

[Darius Van-Derveld]

Darius bows low, mockingly, in response to the look shot to him by Daiq, and quickly counts the credits in his hand.

hmm, easily enough for supplies and maybe some extras for himself.... if only Father wasnt going along to check up on him.

he shrugs and pockets the credits, before picking up his coat to leave, and striding away from the table toward the door.

[Vega Van-Derveld]

Having waved off Daiquiri and Lewton, father and son departed. There journey would be done on foot, as it was likely to be short, though the return would have to be made in a cab due to the number of supplies they would be buying. Vega and Daiquiri had discussed what was needed, and had come to an agreement on a list of necessities which included bacta, some extra food and ammunition for the Better Days, all of which would be found easily. The Dark Lord strode along the pathways of the city in silence for the most part, until they chanced upon the dealership they had been looking for. From here they could be the bacta and food, though another tradecenter would be needed to purchase the torpedoes.

Entering the small shop, they began negotiations …

Meanwhile, back on the Better Days…

Lewton was very much grateful that he’d been allowed to stay with the woman. Of the three, she seemed the most amiable and pliable in attitude. He had followed her silent, obediently, with his credits clutched protectively in hand; the promise of ships as fee still exciting him.

Entering the room he had been assigned, he smirked. There was barely anything present. No dressers or cupboards, only a bed against the back wall. After this he was lead about a little, on a tour of the ship, to see what was available. It seemed though he was to be stationed on the galley, or his room, for the most part. Vega had left him a photocopied sheet of paper with the ruins on that explained how to get into the temple which held the object they were searching for, and now all he had to do was translate it.

“You got a pen?” he said, clearing his throat as he tried to attract the woman’s attention – she’d disappeared off somewhere.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Her patience with Vega's son was running thin and try as she might to avoid a confrontation, Daiquiri knew that a fight was brewing and she was not going to go 'quiet into the night' as his mother had. Lupine or not, she would chew him up and spit him out if he pushed her much farther.

Several boxes of supplies had been haphazardly tossed into the cargohold, thanks to Dariuss' relunctance to do anything that smacked of real work.

Grumbling under her breath, Daiq goes to the rear of the ship and begins the task of emptying the boxes and storing the amenities and tools in thier proper place.

From the holds' doorway, Lewton's voice pipes into her thoughts. Straightening from the job at hand, she turns to look at him.

"A pen? Uhh, yeah...back in my room. Let me finish this and I'll get it for you."

[Darius Van-Derveld]

Darius' mind wandered away from the task in hand. bargaining for supplies was only fun for a few minutes, before it got tedious and repetitive.

Daiquiri was getting annoyed, ready for a fight with him if needs be, he could tell.

Father was arguing heatedly with a trader, who was slowly retreating away from the counter.
the unfortunate trader didnt stand a chance, soon he would probably be paying Vega to take the goods.

he yawned lazily, leaned ont he counter, and pulled the trader across it.

"Look," he stated, his voice low and rolling, with only a hint of malice,
"Why not be a good little humanoid, and just give us whatever we want. then..."

he allowed his coat to fall back, revealing the lightsaber on his belt

"we'll let you live."

[Vega Van-Derveld]

Vega:

The man stuttered a few words of resistance and complained that giving them the goods would be the ruin of him, which the retort of ‘I’ll be the end of you’ came quickly to. After a few hard, wet thuds to the head, the man now bloodied gave in. The Lupine motioned with one hand towards the boxes they had ordered and called for Darius to lift them – he was going to carry the next crates.

Departing, the two made their way to the arms trader. Darius walked a few paces behind as boxes hovered around him, whilst some lay cradled in his arms. Vega, pushing open the door to the shop, called out:

“Torpedoes.”

Lewton:

Slowly he leant to the side, and spied the woman’s backside for a moment before she turned. Offering a weasel-like smile, he nodded. She moved from the hold out to her room, and returned with a flimsy little ballpoint pen, which he tapped against the scrap of paper he had until the ink flowed. With a thoughtful noise, he began scribbling away in a not-so-neat hand what the letters and symbols meant.

“… Oh this is going to be hard for ya,” he mumbled.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Arching a brow at Lewton's mumbles words, Daiq leans across the table.

"Hard for me? What are you talking about, 'hard for me'?"

Looking down at the paper on which the odd man was scribbling what looked to her indicipherable scratchings, she began to suspect that he was thinking that they were going to have to translate it all themselves and his job was done.

Reaching across, Daiq grabs his wrist, drawing the man's attention back up to her.

"What are you babbling about, Mr. Lewton?"

[Vega Van-Derveld]

The clutch on his hand caused a momentary splutter as the stout man gathered his thoughts.

“Hard, well… in the fact that, uh… you have a lot of travellin’ to do, and you aren’t getting these orbs easy, like,” Lewton remarked as a reply before looking down at his wrist with a lewd sideglance.

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Noting that this wasnt the first time Lewton had been looking off to one saide of her, Daiq twists her body and head in an attempt to see if she had unknowingly sat on something or had gotten dirt on her leg and rump while rearranging the hold.

Unable to spot anything foreign on her clothing, she nevertheless gives her backside a good dusting with her hand, simultaneously releasing Lewton's wrist.

Turning back to the odd fellow and his scribblings, Daiquiri leans her elbows on the table as she continues watching and trying to make heads or tails of the strange and alien symbols that Lewton is transcribing.

"How hard , Mr. Lewton? 'Hard' as in difficult terrain and obstacles to overcome or 'hard' as in the translator will probably be the first one to die?"