Drought (Tatooine)

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She didn't like to wear hoods or cloaks. They were too constricting, and suffocating. Plus, they covered up her fabulous clothes. Sasseeri had had a blue two piece outfit made especially for this trip, and it hugged her curves in a delicious way that made her mouth water.

However, to appease her bodyguards, she'd submitted to a cream colored linen dust cloak, hood pulled up to discretely hide her platinum locks and tufted ears. She refused to pout about it, but her lipstick reddened lips were tempted to twist into one as they were stopped at the door.

Stopped at the door! Sasseeri leveled her blue eyes at the optical droid that had popped out of the heavy door, and grabbed it with both her hands. "Tell yourrr boss that Sasseerrrrrrji jis herrre, and she's not happy." The round orb of a droid struggled in her grasp for a moment, and then pulled back into it's hole when she released her grip. She brushed her hands off on her dust cloak, and rocked back on her heels for a moment. All thjis sand! jI don't see what the Hutts see jin thjis place. There's nothjing fashjionable about jit, and therrre arrren't any convenjiently placed mudholes forrr them to loll about jin. She narrowed her eyes, That jI can see, anyway.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the huge door groaning, and lifting upwards, revealing a wide, darkened hallway. She turned to her guards and dustcloaked companions, and then thought better of speaking, and simply walked in. They followed.

[Saarrreeaa Meorrrei]

Saarrreeaa was more than content to hide underneath the light cloak she'd been given, her body swathed in a cool green cropped top and matching skirt. It was very similar to the outfit her aunt was wearing, although Sasseeri's was covered in delicate embroidery and bead work. She followed the crimeboss into the cavernous entrance to Durga the Hutt's 'palace.'

She used the term loosely. It was an old property, on the edge of the Dune Sea, and had been passed down to the Hutt from a deceased relative. Jabba the Hutt, she thought that was the name. Sasseeri had made her research the palace, how old it was, who had lived there... Saa thought it had been just to keep her occupied.

She might never know how true that was.

Sasseeri fumed, stalking into the semidarkness. "No one to meet us!"

Saarrreeaa turned her head, looking behind their group as the large door closed ominously behind them.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She kept the hood of the linen cloak up as she proceeded into the nearly dark passage. Behind them the bright suns of Tatooine illuminated the doorway like a portal to hell. Sasseeri clicked her tongue, and complained, "No one to meet us!"

The huge door descended behind them, shutting them inside the dank, and smelly, hall. The twin suns no longer shining in competition, lamps along the walls near the ceiling became apparent to the group's eyes as they adjusted. Sasseeri stopped walking forward as she became aware of movement up ahead of her, and signaled two bodyguards who proceeded to take the forward position.

Saarrreeaa mewled behind her, and she turned around to snap at her, only to be caught by the same sight that had upset her neice. A huge mechanical spider was skittering along the far edge of the passage, a bulbous transparisteel bowl holding and illuminating what appeared to be a... brajin. Momentarily frozen in disgust and revulstion, Sasseeri recovered enough to glare at Saarrreeaa, who looked like she was going to sick up.

This deal was important - she would not allow the full-breed to mess it up for her.

[Saarrreeaa Meorrrei]

Saarrreeaa lowered her eyes so she wouldn't see her aunt's furious expression, or the monstrous mechanical frame that allowed the Bamorr monks mobility after they had taken the final step towards enlightenment. She read about them, during her research. They came with the property, apparently. They were a sect of monks who, during their path towards bliss, or contentment, or whatever these strange forrrda were looking forward to, removed themselves from their body entirely. Existing only as brains supported by the mechanized legs and tended by their acolytes, the highest level monks were truly... well, djisssgussstjing was the word that came to mind most readily.

Saa covered her mouth with a slim hand, manicured claws flexing in and out of their sheaths and lightly scratching her cheek. Oh how she wanted to slap that smug look right off of Sasseeri's face.

Although, if her aunt was feeling smug... Saa began to wonder why exactly Cirrseetto was not with her.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

A chuckle gurgled in the back of her throat as she turned back towards the front of their little group. Walking forward, Sasseeri planted herself between the two foremost bodyguards, and waited impatiently for the majordomo of Durga's estate.

A pale and pasty blue twi'lek (highly prized as managers because of their innate ability to crunch numbers and count pennies) was walking towards them, lekku draped about it's shoulders like a scarf. Sasseeri had employed a twi'lek warrior at one point, but although he was amusing, he'd ultimately been useless. Plus, all that signalling with his head-tails was unnerving. This twi'lek, however, was... female. It was completely unusual for a female twi'lek to rise to such a position of power within the household of a Hutt.

They were most usually 'employed' as dancers, or used for grotesque sexual activities until they were completely spent and useless. Or both. Usually both. Sasseeri eyed this female (old, and as scrawny as a desert rat), and waited for her to speak the words of greeting. The twi'lek remained silent, fixing on the half-breed an icy red-eyed stare that almost knocked her off balance. Almost.

She had to break the silence. "jI am jinsulted by the lack of grrreetjing. jIf thjis jis how Durrrga the Hutt does busjiness, perrrhaps jI should look elsewherrre. Perrrhaps Varrrgo the Hutt wjill be more amjiable -"

The twi'lek matron took the bait, and instead of swallowing it, threw it back in her face. "Perhapsss you ssshould. After all, it isssn't like you have not already courted Vargo for your ssschemesss before, Sssissserack." Her red eyes glinted in the lamplight. "It isssn't like you need Durga, hisss Gloriousssnesss. Isss it?"

She gritted her teeth, and wished they were as sharp and pointed as Saarrreeaa's so she could rip out the majordomo's throat. "Durrrga the Hutt also wjished to see me." She leaned a little closer to the twi'lek female, "jI have an appojintment wjith Durrrga the Hutt, and Durrrga the Lesserrr. jIf you value yourrr job, you'll show me to hjis audjience chamberrr."

[Saarrreeaa Meorrrei]

Her platinum hair, so like her aunt's, had been done ornately by Sasseeri's own hairdresser. Silver threads had been plaited into the twisted and confusing style that now seemed to be pulling her scalp from her skull. Saarrreeaa's tufted ears perked up as Sasseeri spoke to the female that had come to greet them, and she started to step forward.

"Not so fast." Sin Vamel, her aunt's latest employee, put his hand out and stopped her in her tracks with a touch on her shoulder. He stood over a head taller than she, but as a flimsy hyuu-mann he would be no match for her physically. However, she halted her forward motion, standing next to the male as Sasseeri continued bickering with the majordomo.

Saarrreeaa let a small smile touch her lips. The twi'lek, Aalra Fortuna, was as sharp and savvy as any male and obviously intensely loyal to her master. Sasseeri might have bitten off more than she could chew, for once.

[Aalra Fortuna]

Aalra Fortuna was old, but she was no one's fool. She prodded the Cizerack half-breed enough to throw her off balance, but now she would do as asked. With a wordless nod, she turned to show them to the audience chamber. Below the dias where Durga would be reclining was an empty pit - used in the past to hold exotic creatures that would kill for the amusement of those watching.

It was empty now, which was a shame, because it would have been entertaining to watch Sasseeri Reeouurra be consumed. Durga the Lesser had boasted that he was going to get a krayt dragon for the pit, but he was painfully lazy and a procrastinator - not worthy of Durga the Hutt's name. The audience chamber would be nearly empty, which might come as a surprise to those who followed her. Hutts were usually surrounded by lackeys and hangers-on.

Her great-uncle, Bib Fortuna, had once been employed in this very compound. He had nothing but praise for his employer, Jabba the Hutt, although it hadn't stopped him from dying an unfortunate death. Jabba, that was. Bib had explained that the darkness of the huge palace reminded him of Ryloth and living underground, even though it was much drier on Tatooine. Aalra licked her cracked lips, and made a note to rub that butterlotion on before she went to bed. She suffered in the dry air, but it was managable if she kept up with the lotions.

The majordomo needed no escort, and in fact there were no Gamorrean's present in the large entrance hall, although their stench permeated the place. If the visitors were stupid enough to try anything, they would be dead anyway. She was confident because she'd been doing this for years. If one didn't see guards, but assumed they were there anyway, it only made them more nervous. Sasseeri was silent, but Aalra heard a few of the others muttering as they continued walking. She smiled a tight, satisfied smile.

After a few more moments, she turned to another hall, and then they were at the entrance. There were no doors, only a curtain that had been pulled aside already and fastened to the side of the large, arched doorway. Aalra Fortuna walked through the arch to the center of the room. "Your Gloriousssnesss, Sssassseerri Reeouurra." She stepped aside, letting the Cizerack upstart take her place.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri fumed silently the entire trip down the corridor, leaving the worrying about security, or lack thereof, to those who wished to worry. As much as the Fortuna female had been accurate, she had neglected to admit that Durga needed her as much as she needed him. Well, nearrrly as much. Sasseeri fiddled with the edge of her cloak, her fingernails brushing against the linen. It was just as well she had ...insurance.

In the 'audience' chamber, Sasseeri took her place in front of the dias, and bowed her neck in greeting. Hutts were insanely proud, and a little show of humbleness went a long way. Even if you didn't mean it. "Grrreetjings, Exalted One."

[Hoom, hum. Sasseeri, your reputation precedes you.] She waited for the translation from Durga's protocol droid.

"As does yourrrs. jI have hearrrd that Durrrga the Hutt jis a bujissness mjinded bejing, lookjing towarrrds the futurrre, not jinto the past for jinspjirrratjion." As she spoke, her eyes tracked around the room. The chamber was surrounded by little pockets along the walls where the Hutt's entourage would usually be sitting, enjoying drinks or entertainment from the stage just to the left of the dias. Everything now was empty, except for a smattering of Gamorreans lined unevenly against one wall, and a gaggle of Weequays slumped in a corner playing cards.

Two dancers, one human, one Rodian, were taking a break behind the stage. Sasseeri couldn't help the smile that twitched her lips.

[Saarrreeaa Meorrrei]

Sin's hand was never absent from her elbow, keeping tabs on her in a physical way that bothered her. She didn't go so far as to wrench her arm away from him, but she stood as far away from him as she could without calling attention to herself. She knew that this deal, if made, would be a cash nerf for her aunt, but she wasn't quite sure why she was there.

She was an accountant, not a negotiator. Although she had all the numbers for this transaction running through her head, Sasseeri had never indicated that she might need her to talk. Saarrreeaa frowned at the smell of the audience chamber, and Sin finally took his hand away from her elbow. She shot a glare at his back, and replaced it with a smile as Sasseeri's 'business partner' took Vamel's place.

Cold blue eyes looked her over, and the man stood silently by her side, dwarfing her.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

The great Hutt broke out into what could only be called laughter, ripples of amusement jiggling the fat that covered his large frame. When he recovered himself, he slapped a tiny hand on his stomach. [I know why you are here, Vigo. My dealings with you have been profitable in the past, for us both. But... the Syndicate would not look kindly on such an operation.] Durga fished about in a snack bowl for a nala frog as the droid translated. Then he added, [I already have credits, Sasseeri, you cannot bribe Durga the Hutt.]

Sasseeri nodded, and drew back her hood, exposing her features to the light. She knew she was attractive, and her hair was loose and flowing about her shoulders. "jI am not herrre to try to fool you wjith doubletalk." The Hutt 'hoomed' appreciatively, enormous yellow eyes drinking her in. "jIf an arrrrrrangement could be made between ourrr two orrrganjizatjions, yourrr ...exporrrts could easjily trrrjiple."

With a casual move of her slim hand, Sasseeri undid her cloak, allowing it to fall to the ground. The blue outfit she was poured into clung to her breasts and her hips, leaving her muscled arms and tight belly exposed. The edges of the skirt brushed lightly against the dusty floor, and it glittered with beadwork in strategic places.

In a word: breathtaking.

She continued talking without missing a beat, Sin Vamel coming up behind her to collect the dustcloak until she would need it again. "We can, of courrrse, arrrrrrange that yourrr assocjiates' shjips arrre not stopped by Sectorrr Rrrangerrr patrrrols. jIt jis a small thjing to prrrovjide you wjith wherrre not to go, and when. jIn rrreturrrn, a few small tokens arrre all jI ask forrr.

"One: an jin jinto the Ljiqujid Sjilverrr marrrket." There were more caveats to come, but she signaled behind her back, and Sin took Saarrreeaa's elbow, propelling her forward.

[Sin Vamel]

When I took the cloak from Sasseeri and folded it, mixed fragrances of citrus and lavender arressted my senses. She was wearing a new perfume, but has stuck to the skin cream I like ever since I'd told her she smells fantastic with it and is irresistable to touch. She is irressistable, surely even to a Hutt. The wafted scent was a welcome relief from the dank and putrid atmosphere of the Hutt's throne room.

There was a shared feeling of discomfort amongst the group. We had been expecting some sort of warm greeting but the proverbial slap across the face had been enlightening. Part of me was thankful for Sasseeri's extra protection but the other half of me was still sore about it. She knew my pride was stinging, seeing her surrounded by these sub-par gunmen and hoping they could offer the same protection I could. She is my lady, I understand that now, and ours is a professional relationship. She doesn't trust me.

Bitter, I shove Saarrreeaa forward with excessive force but she knew not to retaliate. That doesn't stop her from casting a killer glare my way, I return the gesture with a smug wink. A grin crept upon my lips momentarily and a gentle brush against my holstered blasters reminded me why I was here. My face went taut once more.

[Saarrreeaa Meorrrei]

Saarrreeaa bit back an angry retort as Vamel manhandled her into a spot by Sasseeri's side, but a little behind. He kept her there too, gentle pressure on her arm holding her in place.

She started to feel a bit panicky, unsure of what was going on and what her part in it was going to be. Sasseeri was still talking to Durga, they seemed to be arguing. The translator droid was silent - she knew her aunt could understand Huttese enough to render the translation unnecessary.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Durga, had he feet, would have been digging them in right now. He shook his head back and forth on his non-existant neck. [You ask for a part of the Silver business, and there is more you want?] He harrumphed like an ice walrus from Chandrila. [You overestimate what you offer me in return.]

Sasseeri snapped, "You know that the Rrrangerrrs have the abjiljity to ljimjit the outwarrrd grrrowth of yourrr competjitorrrs, whjile allowjing yourrr shjipments thrrrough! My offerrr jis morrre than generrrous!"

[Generous it may be, but the Silver market alone is worth more than that.] His big yellow eyes were dilating as he spoke, still staring at her body as he protested.

"jI don't want the whole thjing, just a perrrcentage, and perrrmjissjion to rrrun jin yourrr space. jI'll have to pjick up shjipments, arrrrrange warrrehousjing... you know how jit goes. jIt wjill be perrrfectly hjidden, safe forrr all jinvolved, and you'll be gettjing rrrjicherrr whjile yourrr Hutt 'frrrjiends' lose money. Wjin -wjin.

"Oh, and jI djid brrrjing you a prrresent, to show my good jintentjions." jIn spjite of the poorrr rrreceptjion. She was still mad about that. She turned her head towards delicious Sin and her niece, and nodded.

[Sin Vamel]

That was my cue. I'd spent a lot of time practising this so I'd better get it right: with an effortless flourish, I disrobed Saarrreeaa. Her cloak whipped from her shoulders smoothly, bearing her sensous little frame, and with a whoosh was folded over my arm much like a waiter would a napkin. I stepped in close to my employer's neice and ran my fingers along her neck, hiding a few errant strands of her platinum locks. The violation gave me shivers: she was almost as frellable as her auntie.

"Go get em, tiger." I whispered into her ear, then with a heavy smack on her backside, pushed her forward. Now I was really smiling.

[Dan the Man]

Dan was content to smoke, and keep to himself. The Hutt, powerful though he may be, didn't interest him. He was only as powerful as his money lasted. Bloated and pampered, he did nothing for himself other than speak. Dan's associates were interested in such speech. The shootist was their muscle. Well, him and the braggart next to him.

Dan watched as he slapped the niece on the rear, wondering if Sasseeri would really miss Sin if he were gone. Not for any moral vendetta or anything so virtuous. Sin seemed capable with his own steel. Dan prefered to kill the capable.

[Saarrreeaa Meorrrei]

Saarrreeaa flinched as the cloak was ripped off of her, exposing her tawny striped skin to the foul air of the Hutt's audience chamber. Fingers caressed her neck, and her skin pimpled at his audacity even as she was being shoved forward.

Her outfit closely mirrored Sasseeri's, minus the beading and embroidery, and she found herself nearly tripping over the long hem of the belly revealing skirt as Vamel slapped her on the behind. "Go get 'em, tiger."

Eyes widened in fury, Saa turned to him, only to be shoved so she faced Durga the Hutt once more. The Hutt was smiling, huge slimy tongue licking his lips. "Sssasssseerrrji!" Saarrreeaa turned to her aunt for an explaination, and found all she needed to know written on the expression of that half-breed face. She was getting rid of her, once and for all.

In a panic born of desperation, Saarrreeaa turned on Sin. She grabbed his throat with her hand and started squeezing. Her claws dimpled his skin, but did not break it. Yet. The plaything of her aunt went down on his knees almost instantly, hands scrabbling for the blasters at his sides. She didn't care.

[Dan the Man]

Dan barely moved, except to slightly part his jacket to the side, tucking the edge neatly behind one of his pistols ornate grips, as it rested in its belt holster.

He looked to Sasseeri before proceeding further.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She nearly threw up her hands in exasperation. Dan eyed her, showing her his pistol on his belt, and she shook her head no. Not yet, anyway. She had a strangely perverse desire to see what Sin would do.

Durga was laughing, but she ignored him for the moment. At least Saa was providing him with entertainment.

[Sin Vamel]

She wouldn't hurt me. She wouldn't dare! My skin, now tight about the neck, burned and stung where her claws threatened to puncture. For a moment, I flailed at my blasters. The holsters were unbuckled yet I resisted the urge to burn her eyes out; the Hutt would get no more pleasure at my expense. I looked up into Saarrreeaa's wild eyes and felt my face relax a little despite her firm grip around my throat. I attempted a smile.

"You know... Saarrr... I would've loved to put a hole in that pretty... head of yours, right now."

She squeazed tighter.

"Argh! Ah... ha! But I wouldn't want to dirty that... that nice dress of yours... Hmmp! Not that... you'll be wearing it much when his gloriousness gets his... hands on you."

And squeazing out the last bit of breath in my chest, I give her a wink.

[Saarrreeaa Meorrrei]

Saarrreeaa tightened her hand more, knowing she had enough strength in one fist to break the hyuu-man's neck. His bravado was weakening along with his futile gasps for air.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sasseeri make a motion with her hands, and one of the bodyguards stepped forward. He had a stun baton in his hands, and she instantly released Sin's neck to try and face the new threat. One neatly placed whack across her shoulders and she went down.

The guard hit her a few more times for good measure, and Saarrreeaa twitched on the dirty floor as her muscles rebelled against the electrical impulses that they'd been subjected to. Her Cizerack body was too strong to be taken down by such a device for long, but apparently her aunt had thought of everything. A stun collar was quickly clicked around her neck - not unlike the collars used to tame males on Carshoulis.

The irony of it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

She let Sin get to his feet on his own, and paid attention to the Hutt instead. He seemed vastly amused by the spectacle - something that was indeed lacking in his audience chamber.

"She jis not a tame kjitten, but jI'm surrre you have those jin your employ who know how to handle ones ljike herrr."

[Sin Vamel]

My neck was damp with sweat and blood. My fingers were now stained with it, having rubbed my neck where the claws had pierced the skin. I wouldn't let that fiesty wretch make me look a fool, I climbed slowly to my feet and straightened my jacket. I remained silent while Sasseeri finished her business with the giant slug.

[Saarrreeaa Meorrrei]

[She has spirit!] The Hutt rubbed his little hands together, and nodded to two of the waiting Gamorreans. They grunted, and waddled forward, towards Saarrreeaa. She opened her mouth to snarl, but it came out a wheezy gasp as the stun collar shocked her.

Her aunt was still talking as the Gamorrean's hooked poles into the sides of the collar, hauling her to her feet between them. Her dress was dirty from the floor. "jI take jit we have a deal?"

[Yes, a deal we have.] Durga's eyes did not leave Saarrreeaa's lithe form as he answered Sasseeri. [I can contact you once you get -]

"jI wjill contact you once jI get back to my offjices."

Saarrreeaa gripped the poles with her hands, but only used the leverage to get her feet underneath her as the guards dragged her to a side door. Her eyes teared up with frustration and anger.

[Sasseeri Reeouurra]

Sasseeri turned to make her exit, but then reconsidered and faced the door her niece was being dragged towards. "jI do hope you enjoy yourrr stay, Saarrreeaa."

She winked at her as the gamorreans yanked her through the door, and then turned to her entourage. "jI beljieve we'rrre done herrre."