Dead Man Walking

[Ishmel Rykov]

The blood ran over the man's lips and onto Ishmel's hands as he squeezed tighter. The thick liquid was grey to Rykov's eyes and with it came the similar detachment he gave to most things that would normally affect the normal person. He squeezed tighter as he thought, the normal person that knows what the color of blood really is, that can distinguish it from other liquids, and can relish their own simplicities. He shook the man by the neck so that his head slammed against the wall again and again. Why did he, Ishmel, have to be different? Why was he so cursed? Yet another question to add to the multitude of questions that helped feed the fire of Rykov's hate.

The man's eyes rolled back in his head as blood streamed from the crack in the back of his head. Ishmel felt the life drain out of his victim as his hands felt the fast beating pulse slow down to a stopping point. He let go and stood, looking down at the pilot of the ship. He had charged Ishmel more than he had charged the other humans on the ship and that had been his last mistake. Ishmel spit on his body before turning to leave.

He stepped down the ramp and pressed the button to close the ramp. He had come to the coordinates as directed by the De'ville woman and he now had no clue what to do. The trip had been an annoyance so far but this woman had given hint of more information on Teras Kasi and he desired that greatly now. It had to be worth it.

He brushed a strand of pale hair from his face before looking around. Maybe he should get a room. She almost seemed omniscient last time he met her. Well informed was a better way of thinking it. Maybe she was tracking him now. Either way, he wanted her to find him fast. He wasn't a very welcoming person himself and this planet seemed a perfect reflection.

[Salvestro]

"Ishmel I presume?" I step from the shadows and approach the man as he descends down the ships ramp. I frown upon seeing him.

What a frelling pretty boy.

"I represent those that you have come to meet Mr. whatever your lastname is."

I held my hands out and away from me.

"This is Onderon. The toilet drain for the entire galaxy."

I give a wicked smile, "Welcome to your new home."

[Ishmel Rykov]

Ishmel gave the man a returned look of disdain as he introduced himself and the planet. The smile that the man gave only made him look worse in Ishmel's distorted vision of motions and shadows. Rykov's smile was a mere twitch of his lips before he spoke.

"Go flush yourself. Who the frell do you represent? I've come to meet one person and you aren't her."

Ishmel folded his arms across his chest. His hand slipped beneath the folds of his jacket and grasped the handle of the vibro blade. "Trust No One" resounded in Ishmel's head and his black and white vision didn't make any exceptions for this man. De'Ville hadn't mentioned anyone else.

[Salvestro]

I raise an eyebrow. "Nasty little bugger aren't you?"

I lean back and stroke my chin, "Almost makes me want to forget I saw you..."

I shrug, "But what's the fun in that? Right?"

"I represent those you are here to meet..obviously..." I roll my eyes, "Why else would I waste a perfectly good night to come meet you?"

"I am to escort you to the palace so that you may meet up with the one who told you to come here."

I lean in close and whisper mockingly, "De'Ville sent me."

I cross my arms, "Satisfied?"

[Ishmel Rykov]

Ishmel pushed the man away from him with one hand. He didn't want the slimy man any closer than he wanted anyone else and he really could've just done without having to deal with him all together but the word "palace" made the situation a little more real. Someone who would be meeting in a palace would not waste their time coming to meet Ishmel. He smirked, should he be honored that she even met him in the cafe in the first place? Did he really care?

"Yes, I am satisfied. Lead on scum ball."

Ishmel gave the man a grateful gesture with his other hand that on Coruscant also meant to go kill yourself.

[Salvestro]

I take the push with a shrug but ignore everything else he says.

Except the sum ball part.

"Scum ball?" I shake my head with a bored expression playing on my face, "So not only are you a nasty bugger, but also an incredibly stupid one."

I stare up at the sky, "De'Ville will be so proud."

"Aye whatever." I wave off any comment he can make and walk away towards a long black speeder parked a few yards behind me, "I care very littel about you Ishmel. I'm only supposed to get you and bring you to the grand witch."

I pause at the door of the speeder and turn to him, "After that you can drop dead."

[Ishmel Rykov]

Ishmel laughed. Rykov only hoped he hated Ishmel as much as he did this man. He followed slowly to the speeder and got in next to what Ishmel decided to forever label as the scumball until he killed him. The speeder lurched forward as they headed to his destination. His gray eyes took the bleak city in a barrage of blurred images as they continued; he was sure it was probably somewhat more exciting in color but he was used to not caring about what others saw, just hating them for it.

[Salvestro]

I stare out the window lazily, my eyes half closed from the bordom my new companion has induced in me...

What a dull little boy.

I sigh loudly.

Maybe he needs a little excitement.

I smile to myself.

Or just a stiff drink.

"Driver." I yell towards the front of the speeder, "Do you happen to know any good bars around here?"

The man turns around a confused look dancing on his face.

"But sir." He stutters, "I have orders to take you to the palace. No where else."

My eyebrow rises slowly, "Screw the orders man! We got a bar to hit."

I look towards Ishmel, "And the Gods know this man needs a drink fast!"

"So no more excuses. Make with the driving now!"

I sit back my eyes now alive with energy.

"Now we have fun."

[Ishmel Rykov]

Ishmel sits back, rolling his eyes as he hears the Scum ball order the driver to a bar and something about Ishmel needing a drink. Oh please! Ishmel just wanted to be rid of this man and his botherings and get to the palace where De'Ville awaited. But it didn't seem like he had much choice anyways. He clenched his gloved fist in annoyance.

"Right, fun."

The speeder came to a sharp halt and Ishmel slid out slowly to the sidewalk where he looked up to the sign above the entryway of the bar. "Doorway to Heaven" blinked on and off in what appeared as flourescent gray lights but was what Ishmel was sure to be in some extravagant colors. Ugly humans and aliens entered and exited and loitered about the front door.

"Doorway to Heaven huh? Wonderful place to waste time at Scumball. Shall we?"

[Salvestro]

I look out the window and glance at the driver, a frown on my face, as I ignore Ishmel's comments.

"You have got to be kidding me driver." I shake my head, "This place is garbage."

"Nowhere else."

I roll my eyes, "I'm surrounded by the mentally deficient."

I push myself out of the speeder and almost at once I wish I hadn't.

"Oh and the smell is lovely."

I look towards Ishmel, "You should feel right at home."

[Ishmel Rykov]

Ishmel shrugged.

"I did but just a moment ago but when you got out of the car, I was forced to remember just how close to Hell I am with such an ugly escort as you."

Shoving his hands in his jacket pockets, he entered the doorway, shouldering his way to the bar where Ishmel got a dingy glass filled with some hot liquid that could have probably peeled the paint job off the speeder outside. He barely tasted it and agreed with his assumption. He looked over his shoulder just a moment to see if Scum ball had decided to come also.

[Salvestro]

I was standing outside the door trying to get the dirty prostitutes to stop looking at me. And talking to me. And touching me.

"Frell off you disease ridden trash! I have no money and no intention of touching any of you...EVER!"

I shrug away from them one last time before I enter the bar. Instantly I am assaulted by the stench of stale beer and dirty aliens. I shake my head to clear the senses before spotting the idiot I was forced to be around. I stride over averting my glance from the patrons.

"Well you seem right at home." I look down at his drink, "Thats a big glass. You sure you can handle that."

I sneer and motion towards the tender to mix me something tasteless and strong.

[Ishmel Rykov]

"How many times you gonna bring up home Scum ball? And I would mind your own glass if I were you."

Ishmel had grown up in this kind of environment. He lived in this "smell" Scum ball was so easy to point out without a second thought and Rykov was sure that he was probably filthier than some of the other customers in this place. And that was saying a lot. Scum ball was a priss and Ishmel hoped he didn't notice the bartender when he added in some Myrkroot to his drink.

One sip of a drink with Myrkroot meant Scum ball would be holding his stomach, doubled over, for hours. Rykov knew these people and they hated snots as much as him.

And then again... if Scum ball did see what the bartender did then it would be grounds for a bar fight and Ishmel wouldn't mind a little accident happening to his best friend if it came down to it. The speeder was still outside. So what if he came back alone? Survival of the fittest right? He gulped down more of his drink as the bartender served Scum ball.

[Salvestro]

"The glass?" I whisper as I hold my drink up to the light, "The glass." The yellowed liquid shines bright in the light of the bar.

"What could possibly be wrong with the drink you silly bastard."

I smile and place the drink up to my lips. I pause and take a deep breath.

"Exquiste smell."

I lean back my head and place the drink to my lips. Then, quite abruptly, I grip the glass hard and fling it directly into the face of the bartender.

"Unfortunently I'm not thirsty."

I leap over the bar and grip the man by the neck. His face is slashed and bleeding as his astonished eyes gaze up at me in fright.

"Nothin personal old chap." I grip a glass shard and run it through his dark brown eye. He gives a sharp intake of breath before filling the room with a horrid squeel.

"Free drinks on the house!"

[Ishmel Rykov]

A bar fight it is then. Ishmel turns around on the stool, glass in hand as he spies for the nearest opponent. Two men lunge from their seats, faces contorted at rage, obviously friends of the bartender. The glass in Rykov's right hand flies and shatters against one man's face and Ishmel's pale hand crunches the other's nose.

Ishmel loved the fight because he hated these people so much. He hated life and people in general and getting to destroy them allowed him to relish that hate so much more. The first fell to the ground, shards of glass protruding from his face and the other reeled before pivoting and striking back at Ishmel.

The fist came in low and caught Ishmel dead in his abs. If it hadn't been so obvious, he might've done something to Rykov but the blow barely phased the gray man. His own pale hand balled into a fist and in the spare moments he focused his hatred into his arm and down to his fingers. Releasing it in the punch, he hit the man square below the sternum and heard a satisfying crack as he was lifted up and about a meter away from Ishmel. With a provoking motion to the gathering crowd, Ishmel spits on the ground before him.

"C'mon you sons of rancors, bring it on."

This wasn't necessarily about winning the fight to Ishmel. He hated these people already and the fight was only increasing that. And if he could unleash his hate, why not here and now? No rules... just hatred.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

She ran down the hallway in the palace and out the main doors, dashing down the stairs outside as fast as she could. "I need a speeder, there's a disturbance in the lower districts."

The grey uniformed man she addressed turned to look at her, and then back down at his commlink. "Ah, mi'lady, there has been no reports - "

His commlink chirped, and a staticky voice announced that two units were being dispatched to sector seven to quell a noisy brawl in a bar. The man looked down at De'Ville's stern face, blanched, and offered, "I could drive you there in my speeder."

De'Ville resisted the urge to smash him against the hood of his own vehicle and run him over, and nodded. "That would be nice." Her tone was clipped, and impatient.

In another minute they were underway, the young man sweating madly under his wool uniform as his passenger stared laser bolts into the windscreen.

[Salvestro]

I duck and narrowly avoid a glass bottle aimed at my head. It shatters above me, the pieces sprinkling my neck with a strange sensation. I stand up abruptly and point at my attacker.

"I gave you free drinks!" I shake my head before leaping over the counter, "Some people just don't know how to take a gift."

The man before me whobbles slightly.

"And drunk too." I grab his left wrist to steady him, "Now what am I gonna do with you young man?"

I glance toward Ishmel as he punches an attacker away.

"Here you go play with him." I swing the man around me once before letting go. He stumbles quickly toward Ishmel, a smelly rotten drunk man unable to stop his own momentum.

"For you my friend! With love!"

[Ishmel Rykov]

"For you my friend! With love!"

Ishmel barely turned to see what the Scumball was talking about when the drunk fell into him. Ishmel fell back some but stopped himself and took his arm around the man's neck in a head lock. The roar of an oncoming attacker let Rykov know they were coming in time for him to turn and face them.

The man charged towards him and flung his fist at Ishmel clumsily. Ishmel took the man in the head lock and lifted him up into the way of the fist. It collided with his face and blood splattered across Ishmel's arm. The attacker stepped back realizing what he had done but taking too long as Ishmel's plated boot kicked upwards between the his legs. The attacker was no longer able to attack as he collapsed crying.

Rykov looked to the face of the man in the head lock to notice it was pale blue and slack. Suffocating so quickly? Humans are so frail.

He looked to see how many were left. Five down? Maybe six. The bar wasn't nearly as full as it had been upon entering. Fear of authority on its way or fear of Ishmel and Scumball? Did it matter. Ishmel almost hoped it was the authorities because that meant more to fight, more hatred to share.

A Rodian crawled out from beneath a table to check if the coast was clear and panicked as Ishmel spotted him. He ran forward and tackled the rodian, fists flying in a flurry as blood flew into the air. Hatred... what a rush!

[Lilaena De'Ville]

The speeder pulled up to the curb just as the two squad vehicles arrived. The Iziz City Watchmen all piled out of the speeders, and then hesitated as they noticed De'Ville. She pinned them in place with her eyes. "If you want to live, wait ten minutes before following me in there. I have...visitors."

"Certainly, mi'lady." The sergeant didn't want any trouble with the new powerbase in the palace. He ordered his men back as a bleeding drunk came flying out of the doors. Lilaena ducked inside, her eyes adjusting to the light.

"Salvestro! I know you are in here!" She dodged a fist, and grabbed the next, squeezing hard enough to break metacarpals as her attacked howled with pain. De'Ville threw the man aside, and stalked towards the center of the brawl.

[Salvestro]

I lean back and laugh before grabbing a near by mug of beer and taking a drink. "Look what you've done now Ishmel!"

I stand up straight and stare at Lilaena, "Come to have a little fun M'lady?"

"Drinks are on the house."

[Ishmel Rykov]

Ishmel sneered that he had to look away from what was left of the rodian. His arms were covered to the elbow in blood, but not anything like that had bothered him before. Just another grey liquid among the many thousands he would never be able to differentiate.

His eyes widened at the sight of De'Ville herself heading towards them. Not that she was angry, but that he could practically seeing the strength trembling from her like an aura, an aura of hate, glorious in so many ways. He blinked and it was gone. Must have been the drink.

His eyes narrowed as he looked to Salvestro, cursing his name beneath his breath. What a moron.

But she was here now and he would hopefully not have to deal with this man again. Ishmel stood on the mutilated body and faced her as she approached. He didn't really know what to say now that she was here since she had told him to come. He'd wait and get his answer soon enough.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Salvestro was laughing, apparently secure in her good graces. De'Ville felt a tremble in the Force, and ducked, a bar chair flying over her head and towards the Apprentice. Straightening up, she glared at the two men, and pointed towards the door. "You two - out. Now."

She ignited her lightsaber, and twirled around, slashing off the arm of a miscreant, and stopping just short of another's neck. Raising her voice through the Force, De'Ville ordered, "Stop this fighting! I will have peace in this bar in five minutes, or you will all bear the consequences!"

[Salvestro]

I can't help but smile at Lilaena's display of power. Her voices echoes through the room and it sends a chill down my spine.

"Honestly mommy it was all his fault." I shake my head and hold my hands up above my hand, "Don't hurt me! I'll go outside."

I take a final swig of the beer before turning to the other patrons of the bar.

"Goodnight gentleman, lovely time really, but I must be going now." I bow deep before jogging out into the chilled night.

[Ishmel Rykov]

Rykov watched the flamboyant scum ball flourish a bow and quickly leave. No one really seemed to pay attention to him, they were all watching the dangerous woman before them. De'Ville was definitely described as intimidating. Other words to place were those as dangerous and deadly. He didn't feel like seeing anything closely related to those happen to him so he quietly followed Salvestro outside, the blood still dripping from his hands.

He stepped out and looked around at the authorities waiting outside. Held off for a reason? De'Ville's orders or simply a trap? They didn't seem all too ready to spring on him or Salvestro but he gripped the unused vibroblade cautiously.

"Wonderful exit Scum ball. Why didn't you just stick your head in the rancor's mouth back there in front of De'Ville?"

[Lilaena De'Ville]

There was a sudden quiet in the bar as the two apprentices slipped out the front door. The man who's arm she'd removed was squirming on the floor, and the one who could almost feel the lightsaber on his neck was being...very...very...still...

"She's just a woman!" Someone in the back was still feeling his oats, and a scuffle broke out around him once more, people pushing and shoving, some of the smarter ones trying to get to the exits. De'Ville took her blade away from the exposed neck, and then twirled around, her robes flowing outward as she sliced through a chair that was flying towards her back.

Another swift turn and a man's head rolled to the ground. She almost casually cut her way through the press of people and out of the doors. "All right, Sergeant, you may arrest anyone still causing a disturbance. I will take my men out of here." She clipped her saber to her belt as the officers stared at the bloodied people emerging from the bar, and then moved to begin the job of cleaning up the ones who still had a bit of fight left in them.

"I see the speeder is still here, Salvestro. At least you will not have to walk back to the palace." The two men found themselves getting into the long black speeder, and she closed the door behind her as she joined them. "Welcome to Onderon, Rykov. Had enough local flavor for the evening, I trust?"

[Ishmel Rykov]

"Quite enough."

Ishmel examined the grey splotches of what really was dark red blood all along his arms for a moment before clenching his fists and cracking his knuckles. Exhilirating nonetheless though.

"Thank you for the wonderful welcome party but I'm not sure I needed a dog to guide me back. A speeder with a quiet driver would've been fine, I'm sure."

His grey eyes drifted from De'Ville to Salvestro with a slight sneer in his lip. He really did hate Scumball but he was sure he would unfortunately have to see him again after this night.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

"Oh, Salvestro is a dog, that is for certain. But remember, Rykov, we all start somewhere. And that is exactly where you are starting as well. Think of him as your...classmate. Confidante. The closest thing you will have to a friend." She winked at the silent Salvestro, and then centered her attention on the vain Ishmel.

"You will be staying in a room in the servant's quarters in the palace. You will have duties to fulfill, which include doing whatever I ask you to do without questions. In return you will receive training in the Force...an opportunity to become more than what you are. You can either accept this, or not. If you do not, the speeder will take us to the spaceport, and you may buy yourself passage off of the planet."

Lilaena sat back, draping an arm on the top of the seat, her fingers nearly tickling Salvestro's neck as she looked across at the potential apprentice. "Or, if you accept, we will continue on to the palace and your training will begin in the morning."

[Salvestro]

I grin at Lilaena's words as I stare down my "classmate".

"Oh this will be absolutely wonderful. Me and Ishmel. Ishmel and me. Buddies. I can see it all now." I clap my hands in mock enthusiasm, "I truly hope you stay...."

[Ishmel Rykov]

Ishmel's lip quivered in a snarl towards Salvestro. He might be Rykov's classmate but so far she hadn't mentioned anything about not killing him. And De'Ville's tickling the scumball only increased the disgusting feeling he held for him. Like someone patting a dog's head.

He debated the proposal. This was the first time she had mentioned the catch he had been expecting and living in the servant's quarters made him sound like some butler than anything else. Rykov had lived in the slums but never as someone's servant. But he knew he hadn't been contacted to clean up after people's dinners. And the temptation of the Force training? Rykov didn't even know that he had it in him. He only knew his hatred for nearly everything that existed and then some.

"Accepted. Continue onwards then."

[Lilaena De'Ville]

"Wonderful." She made no moves to talk to the driver, having instructed him to drive to the palace in the first place. Her hand was resting on the back of the seat, away from Salvestro's neck. Although it might have appeared she had touched him, she had not.

"We will be there shortly."