Rude Awakening [Nallia]

[Syravari Elik]

Stepping through the doorway to the holding room, secretly hidden within the port side cargo bay, Syravari quickly inspected the rectangular room whose walls and floor were marked uniformly by magnacoupled shackles and neck rings. The room having recently been sanitized after their last run, Syravari knew that the next money making batch would have to be delivered in good condition. Reluctance to see them as anything more than property for sale, the pirate turned and let the door close on it's own, concealing the room once more. Continuing through stacked dull grey crates and containers of supplies, the captain of the Grosetto knew they were ready. Credits needed to keep flowing for his brothel and casino to take off on Cloud City and this was only one way for him to do that. Plus, his lavish lifestyle aboard this yacht needed to be fed as well.

Boots climbed the short stair back into the main hallway which joined both cargo bays, engineering and crew quarters then turned left as the door slid shut quietly and automatically locked. "Everything set, Cap," his engineer asked.

Syravari turned to eye Bodil and nod. "Okay."

They all knew their individual tasks when on a mission and as he thought about it, the only one that truly didn't at the moment was his new companion. A thought that slowed his pace a bit as the tall, lean forty year old shifted his path slightly to the right and then climbed the carpeted, circular stair that climbed to the second level. Though she had taken to learning how to fire a weapon rather well, as well as being a part of his life, she had no idea what it was like taking a prize or enslaving a village. This was going to take some finesse, he mused.

Entering the upper floor, it's more ornate decoration on the walls and ceiling gleaming from constant cleaning by a small army of droids, Syravari headed to the kitchen and interrupted the quartet of females, one of them waking up to him these last three mornings. "About ready to head out," he stated, their previous conversation now forgotten apparently, though the smiles told him everything he needed to know. "Hope you got everything you needed, it's going to be a while before we hit another port," he informed, moving to Nallia and kissing her on the cheek, then backed.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia still wasn't used to being Syravari's girl. The kiss, most definitely welcomed, still brought a bright blush to her cheeks. Her hand raised to rest on his chest as he mentioned them being away from any ports for quite a while. "I think we've got plenty." She laughed. "Even enough of your favorites to keep you happy for a couple months."

She hadn't been back for long, but something had changed enough that she knew the ease he felt when she was near. That's how she knew something was on his mind. The tension, normally absent when they were touching, was back. A slight frown touched her cheek a moment before she was all smiles once more.

Knowing she didn't want to press him in front of others, she nodded towards the hall. "Will you come show me how you like your bar stocked? It's something I didn't learn last time."

She turned and headed down the hall towards his office after telling the others she'd see them for dinner. If he didn't follow, she'd simply wait for him there. But once they were in his office, arms crossed in determination of getting an answer, she'd finally ask her question. What is it, Syra? What's wrong?"

She knew he was under a lot of pressure to get the rest of the capital to open his establishment. But this seemed to be something more. Unfortunately she couldn't, for the life of her, guess what it was.

[Syravari Elik]

As Syravari turned to follow her out of the kitchen, he heard Bethany's voice, "The boss suddenly has a boss," she said, prompting the others to chuckle until he flashed a glance back to them and they immediately shuffled off to work. Though he still wasn't totally comfortable with anyone thinking that, the pirate still had to keep the respect of his crew aboard his ship and for those that suddenly lost that inclination, he would ensure that they were off his yacht. Touring through the main and secondary dining rooms, he turned right and eventually stepped into his office where she turned and had that look on her face.

Closing the door behind him, he smirked as the muffled hum of the repulsor engines notified him that they were about to take off. "Nothing to worry about," he assured, placing his hands on her upper arms. "We're going to be getting into the business that I talked about and just not sure you're ready for all this yet. It's going to get rough, so just stick with the girls for now," he moved in and kissed her on the forehead, then backed. "They know what to do if things go south." Though he knew that would never happen, there were always those moments that no one expected and though his crew were veterans of the spacelanes, he wasn't about to lose his ship.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia didn't hear the comment, but she heard the chuckle. When he closed the door, she had expected him to give her a lecture about how she addressed him in front of the others. Yet, as he held her shoulders and kissed her forehead, she couldn't help but smile.

Her hands rose to his chest as she nodded. “I will this time. I just hope you don't plan on me remaining in the background all the time, Syra. I want to learn.” She looked up at him and the seriousness in her eyes and voice was evident. “I know there will be things that bother me at first. But it's a different world out here. And I am willing to learn about your world. Will you give me the chance to learn?” She knew he would want to dig his heels in and protect her. So she thought of a compromise. “Maybe just things aboard the ship, first. All right? As long as there isn't any danger, I want to know whatever there is to learn. The cargo, it's storage, shipping, care, etc. Is that all right?”

She rose on tip toes to kiss his cheek and smiled. “And I promise, if there is a time where my gasp, sigh, smile or scream will put you or the ship in danger, I will stay with the girls in the kitchen. Or wherever they tell me to go. Is that acceptable?” She knew that negotiating wasn't her strong suit. But she also knew she would never learn if she didn't push a bit. She just wanted to be sure she didn't push too much.

[Syravari Elik]

Shaking his head at her mention of teaching her the ropes, he knew that she was going to learn all of it, but it was necessary to see how she reacted to the first raid and claiming of slaves before he allowed her full reign of everything else. Though it was hard to think about what might happen should she become a liability instead, he kept his mind on the here and now as she continued. Her hand on his chest also sent another charge through him and that was hard to deny, regardless of how he tried his best to appear cold and heartless in front of everyone else.

"Yeah," he nodded at her promise. "We've got some time so I'll show you all the other things that are involved with the crew and business." He moved around the desk and to his black leather, high backed chair and sat down, then motioned for her to bring one of the others from the opposite side, around. Turning on the computer as she did so, he then opened up the main file for their accounts revealing finally what she would be working with. Though everything was encoded with names that meant nothing to anyone outside the crew itself, he began teaching her how things were organized. "These titles are all contacts that we go through to fence the things that we get during a raid." Pointing down the list, "Tech, weapons, medical gear, industrial equipment, vehicles, exotic animals, precious metals, gems, drugs," he labeled each fence down the left side until reaching the last name. "This one is our most recent contact on Cloud City for slaves."

Judging her reaction to that revelation, he let that simmer for a moment....

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia smiled as Syra shook his head a moment. She knew he wouldn't shut her out, but she also knew he wouldn't give it to her all at once. It was hard enough that their relationship was so fast, she imagined having that same timid girl he once knew suddenly wanting to be at his side was just as unsettling.

His look down at her as he nodded and promised to show her more as they went along seemed a mix of resignation and something darker. It definitely wasn't a bad dark. It was the kind that made Nallia want to kill the light sources in the room just to experience the pounce that was pacing behind the eyes. She had come to learn that look meant she had surprised him again... in a good way.

She tensed her fingers in his shirt a moment before letting go as he pulled away. She hoped her own look was enough to let him know that she felt the same way for him.

She pulled the other chair up to the desk at his silent motion and sat beside him as he keyed up his comm and went over the files and lists. She knew she wouldn't have any trouble learning this aspect of the business. She had a head for memorization and wouldn't have been good on the station if she hadn't. Each ship and Captain had their peculiar likes and habits. It was knowing those that kept her a most valued treasure... well, at least till she had stowed away on Syra's ship last year.

As he went down the list, she nodded. There were a lot of things the GROSETTO had transported over his time if he had amassed a list of places to off load nearly anything the galaxy found fit to fill her bays with.

When he said the last was a contact on Cloud City for slaves, her face went still as stone.

Slaves... people as nothing more than traded cargo...

Her lower lip slid between her teeth a moment as she glanced from his face, still and waiting, to the screen. Yes, it was real. It hadn't been her imagination or a misunderstanding. Her lover not only traded gems and weapons, but people. Her heart raced a moment as her mind went over a million scenarios. None of them were pretty, but she also knew Syra wasn't a monster. As she slowed her breathing and her senses calmed from the initial shock, her voice was surprisingly calm as she looked back at him. “I will never leave you, Syra. No matter what. But I need to know something.” How she managed to remain looking at him, even she couldn't have said. She only knew that she would consider herself a coward if she didn't remain as fixed on him now as she had been a little while ago when the topic was more mundane.

“How young do you take 'em?” She asked. Her eyes, a moment ago filled with a warmth and desire that would have been clear to him that the top of his desk would have been as welcome as his bed, were now strangely still and waiting. “And if you take kids, do you take the family, or take them away from their parents?” She wasn't sure what she wanted the answers to be. She only knew she had to have them.

[Syravari Elik]

Amazingly calm, he mused as her words became steady and even, though he could tell that she wasn't totally comfortable with that arrangement and the pirate knew that she wouldn't ever have to deal with any of them firsthand. At least not intentionally. "Depends on them, really. Fisk said that sometimes he has requests for younger slaves, so if we come by any they'd be worth a lot. Those with skills are definitely worth money, as well as entertainers for a variety of tastes." Steel-blue eyes drifted back to the list as he reclined a bit more in the chair. "Money flowing through this vessel and other means are going to be the main way that we get the casino and brothel going, so the more we can make, the better. I've already invested a lot in that venture and have three already on tap to help run it while we're out here," he informed, returning his gaze to the gorgeous brunette.

Strong fingers moved to her hand and caressed it, coursing over her forehand. "You don't ever have to even see any of them if you don't want to. So don't sweat that part," he motioned with his head toward the computer screen. "Just keep the numbers and let me know if anyone skims from what they owe us." He grinned and winked, knowing that roughing up those that thought they could cheat him and the crew was becoming a favorite pastime. Most would learn that it was a bad idea before too long, though he still had yet to make his name on Cloud City.

[Nallia Oberon]

It wasn't a no. She knew it wouldn't be, and she was glad he accepted her uneasiness about it all.

As always, he was honest with her. She knew he would never lie to her about something serious. Lie to save her life? Possibly. Lie to spare her feelings? More than likely not. He knew she wanted this part of him, as well, and would help her when she asked.

Nallia nodded her head as she listened.He wouldn't take kids for no reason, but he would if he had to.

As he touched her hand and caressed her forehead, she leaned to his touch. She wouldn't have to see the slaves, or deal with them, he said. Just keep the books and make sure no one on Cloud City ripped them off when they weren't there. “I can do that.” She smiled and covered his hand with her own.

Without thinking, she slid easily into his lap and kissed his cheek. “So what's next on the agenda then? Something tells me the talk of Fisk and slaves is more than just a passing comment.” She felt herself settling with the idea a bit more... well as much as she could. “We are about to get some, aren't we?” There was no judgment in her eyes, merely a question to be answered. Her hands were in her lap as she watched him to see if he was going to be ok with her hesitations and curiosities.

[Syravari Elik]

She enjoyed the edge of danger, he knew and smirked at the thought. There had been something about this one that kept him from saying goodbye after their first night together and Syravari began to think for the first time in his life, she might be the one. Though it was a bit early to tell that for certain, it was entertaining to think so. Nodding at her query, "Yeah, heading there now and should be arriving tomorrow. There's going to be a contact who works for the syndicate there in the capital that we'll link up with and afterwards, we'll hit the village," he informed, running his fingers through her long hair, then shoulder.

"Got a lot of free time until then," he smiled.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia felt her head roll to his touch and when his hand settled on her shoulder, her eyes settled on his. Her hand rose to caress his cheek, her fingers lingering on the edge of his beard. “Tomorrow, huh?” She had questions. Probably more than she wanted to honestly know the answer to. The next few days were going to be interesting, to say the least. She knew that those questions would need to be asked and answered. But as she looked at Syra and listened to him say that the GROSETTO would have slaves in it in the next day or so, she decided to change the subject. Business could wait and she knew this may be the last time to distract him for quite a while.

The door was closed and no one would bother them while it was. She kissed him deeply as she shifted to straddle his lap. Her hands both gripped lightly at his shirt as she did. Breaking the kiss, she smiled at him, her eyes full of offering and desire at the same time. “Maybe we need to discuss our partnership. You know... settle the details.” She laughed.

[Syravari Elik]

He opened himself to her once more and loved her warmth, needing this since their last time together as she moved to his lap. Hands coursing up her back and then down once more, kissing her in return, he moved to her neck as she joked about what part she would play as part of the crew and his small, budding business. Chuckling lightly as his lips coursed around the more dramatic points of her neck. "Absolutely," he agreed, then began taking her hungrily.

********

Taking the rest of the afternoon and evening back up to the master bedroom, then a long bath, Syravari moved from the bed after several hours sleep, quietly moving the comforter over Nallia's smooth back. Continuing to the dresser, he threw on a button-up and pants, then his boots and headed out. There were a few last minute things to get ready before they landed, he mused, though the scents of her still lingered in the air around him, prompting a smile to his face. Though he had been around a long time, loving many in the past, Nallia seemed a lot different. Less drama and fewer credits disappearing from his account for drugs or other recreational addictions would be a nice change of pace.

Entering the cockpit for the first time since they had left Cloud City, he noted Tomas's right foot up on the main console which promptly dropped as the pilot turned to see the yacht's owner enter the otherwise plush and clean interior. "Hey boss," the younger veteran pilot greeted, smiling. "Surprised you're able to move around after all that."

Syravari grinned, chuckling, though the comment was to be expected with the company that he kept. "How much longer to the rendezvous?"

"About," he glanced to the navicomputer and it's chrono. "One hour. I shaved some time off, so maybe we'll get there before he does," Tomas shrugged.

"Not a problem," he replied and claimed the copilot's chair and turned his attention to the navicomputer once more. Accessing the information on Tokmia, he mused over the notes left by the few mining operations that once took root there and how they used the local Oku people. He grinned knowing that they would be easily lured into the vessel with promises of gifts and make their job so much easier.

"How many you think we'll get before they start fighting?"

Syravari shook his head, "Don't need many for this run."

Quietly nodding, Tomas understood the implications of that statement and remained silent.

Rising, steel-blue eyes glanced to the dark haired, twenty-six year old. "Just let me know when we've got fifteen, going to grab something for breakfast," he informed and headed for the exit of the cockpit.

"Surprised you didn't stop there first, old man," he chuckled.

"Not that old."

[Nallia Oberon]

As he consumed her with his passion, they consumed the remainder of the day with their love making. From his office to their quarters, he taught her there were still more ways to explore variations of their touching and kissing.

She awoke to the darkness of the room with merely the bathroom light left on to help her see. The darkness of space left no way to tell day from night, so the chrono on the bedside table did it for her. It was nearly dinner and she had been allowed to sleep.

“Should be arriving tomorrow,” Syrahad said.

Slipping from the bed Nallia opted for a quicker shower rather than a languid bath. She then swiftly tied up her damp hair in a quick knot, donned her denims and boots, slid a short sleeved deep blue shirt on and a button up over-shirt, left open for easy removal. Smiling as she passed the mirror, she was pleased that the flush of their joining was gone from her face, despite the fact no one on the Grosetto needed that tell to know when the two had been together. Everyone had come to accept them being together. And while she knew it may not last, for Syra was a wild thing, not to be tamed or caged, she was glad for having him now and had no plans to surrender him to another if given the chance or the option. As protective and possessive as he had been with her at the beginning, to the reflection in the mirror, she could admit she now felt the same towards him.

Slipping from the room and palming the door shut, she headed for the kitchen to see if it was too late to help with dinner. She arrived to two heads popping up and huge grins covering their faces. The women didn't say anything, but they didn't have to. The blush Nallia was so glad wasn't present, immediately sprang to life on her skin and she shook her head. “You guys are terrible.” She laughed with them and the three began making dinner as the other two spoke of lovers they had had that had made them blush that way in the past.

None of them were paying attention as the boss came around the corner. He would hear the two bantering with Nallia as she tried to impress on them that she really didn't have other tryst stories to tell. She didn't exactly say Syra had been her first and only, but with the disbelief the women were kindly teasing her with, she doubted they would believe her if she had said it outright anyway.

[Syravari Elik]

His mind on business and the eventual capture of a score of the Oku, he casually moved through the private dining area and into the kitchen, hearing the girls beyond the door chuckling as he entered, their glances softening the words used, though he didn't need any more visuals to understand the subject. Grinning, he moved to Nallia, his hand on the small of her back as he kissed her on the cheek. "Morning," he greeted, his deeper, gravely voice interrupting the otherwise softer, higher pitched filling the kitchen.

Letting her cook, he picked at a fruit within the large, crystal bowl set on the near counter and backed, turning to face the trio of veteran cooks and crewmembers as he ate. "Going to depend on you three to help Nallia if things get interesting once we land."

Nodding, they all knew their role as the oldest at thirty spoke. "Don't worry," blue eyes motioned to their new chef. "She's in good hands," Bethany smirked, "When not in yours."

Syravari smiled as he chewed, trying not to chuckle and end up choking.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia blushed but her hand reached up to graze his arm as Syra pulled back from the kiss and moved to get a snack.

As he reiterated her sticking with the others during their next mission, she smiled softly. “I am sure they will take good care of me."

When Bethany made the comment of her being in good hands, Nallia blushed deeper and threw a small hand towel at her that had been over her shoulder for wiping her hands on. “OOOoooo! You!” Her growl, while half laugh and half embarrassment, was not threatening in any way. The teasing was nice. She had missed it.

“I promise not to embarrass you, boss. Or get my backside in a sling. I will stay behind like a good girl.” She made a cute pouty face at him knowing how close he was to laughing. She knew, despite her teasing, she would stay out of trouble. The business was important to him, and he was important to her. In time, perhaps, she would be at his side more often. But for now, even this dark haired upstart knew when she had to take a backseat.

[Syravari Elik]

Syravari smiled at Nallia with her promise as he ate, then lowered the apple for a moment. "It's not when they are brought onboard that's the dangerous part, it's when they're on with us during the trip. Sometimes we have to keep someone on duty to keep an eye on the... room they're kept in, just to make sure they don't escape. Losing the ship's not something I want to be known for." His tone and statement sobering the mood with the others as they continued working on ideas for lunch, later. Steel-blue eyes motioned to them as he talked to Nallia. "They've all been through this for at least a year or more, so they've seen several moments when we had trouble. They're also trained in self defense, so you get a chance when I'm busy, get with them and work out."

"Yeah, we can do that here shortly," Sabrina suggested. "This meal's almost prepped, so," she shrugged as Bethany and Rebecca nodded.

Bethany grinned as she continued messing with the head chef. "Unless you're too tired."

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia nodded as Syra mentioned the risk of escaped prisoners being a deadly thing on ship like this. It didn't take an entire crew to pilot the Grosetto, so there was no need to take prisoners if they truly wanted their freedom. She also knew, short of shoving her pitiful boot knife into someone's gut accidentally as they rushed her, she doubted she had enough skill to stand the watch over their room and be effective if something happened. “I understand.”

When the boss mentioned the women having training she lacked, and her getting to learn from that, she nodded once more. Her smile soft for him. “I will learn. I want to.”

And as Bethany made the sly comment, Nallia wished she still had her towel. Instead, she settled for throwing back as good as she gave. “Not tired at all, deary. I am not the one who stayed up all night reading one of those holo romances you love so much. Perhaps we should allow you the nap. You have told me, yourself, how distracting those illusionary men can be.” She laughed remembering a conversation before her absence when the woman had admitted to remaining up all night sometimes when a new one came available. The romance and the steamy men in the holos becoming imaginary lovers to her she could dream about without fear of their infidelity, or rotten tempers that often accompanied real men they met at various stations in their travels.

Her tongue flicked out in childish retort as well when she knew she had earned her comeback point.

[Syravari Elik]

Bethany's eyes widened at the revelation that Syravari had no clue about, throwing the towel back at Nallia now. "Really?" The brunette smirked wryly as the other two girls chuckled, "Know what? I'm looking forward to sparring now," she nodded in mock challenge.

Syravari knew they wouldn't intentionally hurt Nallia, but if she wanted to learn how to fight this was the best trio to do it, and they were also female which meant they would also teach her the nastier side of fighting. Especially when the targets were male. He had known them long enough to know they didn't fight fair, and neither did he for that matter. He had no qualms about their training of his lover which was why he suggested it. Winking at the trio, he turned and left them to their bantering, heading back to the cockpit as they had some more preparations to make.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia laughed as the look of embarrassment lit up Bethany's face. Syra's touch as he departed, and his smile, made Nallia feel home once more. It was a good feeling.

They finished the lunch prep and went to change for a quick spar before lunch. There wasn't a lot of time, but it would be enough.

**
As the women returned in time to set lunch on the table in the dining room and everyone gathered round, Nallia's freshly showered scent would waft past Syra's senses as she set his drink by him and moved to settle the rest of the meats and salad stuff around. It was a light fare, but one that would keep them satisfied till the larger dinner was served.

She laughed as Bethany told her first attempt to put the woman on the floor. The picture she painted of Nallia's slight frame trying to wrap itself around throwing someone was comical to even the target of the jest. “I couldn't help it. I discovered the hard way that you can't use their momentum if you stop them.” She sneered teasing Bethany as she remembered doing just that. The woman had come at her like someone charging a hall. Nallia's assignment had been to use Bethany's momentum and body to throw her over Nallia's hip and land her on her backside. Unfortunately, Nallia was more used to stopping someone than disabling them. She had stopped Bethany just long enough to realize the larger girl now had strength advantage.

The talk as the three spoke of Nallia being the one who ended on the floor in a stunned position was one that left all the women laughing as the men listened. “She learned though, didn't she?” One of the others brought up as they caught their breath.

“True enough,” Bethany admitted. “I doubt the bruise will disappear before we return to Cloud City.” She smiled rubbing her arm. Her look to Syra and slight nod would let him know that Nallia did him proud. “She is definitely a little Nexu, boss. Keep your eye on her.” She winked so only Syra would see.

Nallia's blush was hidden as she tucked into her food and ignored the jeers.

[Syravari Elik]

Seated with the team in the cockpit, Syravari glanced over the details of the Oku people that he would have to soon be gathering. Their simple lifestyle and culture made this one and easy choice as opposed to a more aggressive race that would have to be fought to catch.

"So," Brannoc began. "What's the plan for this round?"

"Oku have an odd cult that's been waiting on a returning ship from the Figg Corporation who used to mine there," the captain informed. "They light huge fires like landing lights," he smiled, turning his attention to them. "Makes it pretty easy for us. Just lure them in with food that'll be in the cargo room, then shut the door."

The quartet smiled as if this was going to be a milk run. "That sound too easy to you," Bodil suggested.

"Everyone's going to be armed and ready, so just keep your eyes open," Syravari commanded. "Not going to have this mission go south, so all we've gotta do is make sure to lead them to the food, then close up and head back."

"How many you wanting to grab," Tomas asked.

"We can fit twenty in the hold, so." A reply prompting them all to nod. "Just make the rest understand that we can only take that many at a time, then once the first batch is in the room," he glanced to Tomas. "We take off."

Once all that was figured out, the group headed to the dining room and grabbed their usual seats as the girls and two serving droids had already prepared the table. Taking his seat at the head of the table, he listened to the days events for them and had a feeling that Nallia would do well enough. Nodding lightly at Bethany as she winked, he then motioned for them to grab their own seats and began eating, glancing to Nallia. "Sounds like you got this." Taking a bite, he sat back as quiet music played in the background. He hated a quiet ship when he wasn't working.

"Finally got some competition, huh," Brannoc joked with Bethany as he glanced to her on his right, smiling.

"No, she just learns fast. Think the boss is gonna bring someone on that can't hang with the crew?"

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia listened to the banter, occasionally watching Syra's face to make sure her actions, and reactions, hadn't been the wrong ones. As Brannoc and Bethany teased one another, she smiled. “I doubt I'm ready to hold myself against any of you if you seriously tried,” she laughed, “but I think I will be ok enough to scramble out of the way if things get crazy.”

She wasn't used to being a combatant in a one-on-one scale. She was more used to crawling out on the fringes of a mod. They talked some more of the sparring lessons and Nallia admitted her own bruises would run the gambit for as long as Bethany's. It occurred to her that it was a good thing she wouldn't be one of the ladies in the brothel. With her bruises, she would fail on a galactic scale for making money cause she looked beaten up. She knew Syra would never ask it of her, and would probably tan her hide if she even jested. But the idea made her smile as she hid it in a forkful of beef and veggies. She didn't want to raise his ire with the joke, so she decided to change the subject.

“So what preparations need to be made for the,” she stumbled a moment on the word but recovered quick enough that she doubted anyone but Syra would catch it, “cargo we are getting tomorrow?” She knew there would be people in the cargo hold. So she wasn't sure what food, blankets, or anything, IF anything, needed to be seen to tonight before they went to bed. She wanted to help as much as she could since she knew that tomorrow, she would be of little use while her mind settled on what was happening and the other girls kept her occupied in the depths of Grosetto.