Log Date: 2/25/97 Log Cast: Grathix, Shenner, Chantinelle, Akhaurakh, Quick, Sierra, Kaley, Kayle, KuhnDog Log Intro: Worried about the amount of attention she's been getting from the ESPOs and the Imperials as of late, Shenner has cornered her boss just before his intended return to Tatooine... and relayed to him what she knows of Lady Alora Antieres, as well as a particular Imperial lieutenant, who have seemed inordinately interested in her. He has promised to check them out for her... and find out what they want, before leaving for the desert planet to accomplish his business. And in the meantime.... ---------- Grathix sits in one of the outside tables of a small cafe Shenner, of all things, appears to be windowshopping today, casually strolling about, glancing in this window, peering in that. The kid has 'his' flute with 'him', slung in its sheath across 'his' back, but doesn't have it it out. Chantinelle smiles at Shenner, "Heya, not playing today?" she asks friendly. Shenner turns, when hailed, and smiles a bit. "Can't be playin' all the time, or else I'll cramp my fingers," the kid says. Chantinelle oohs and nods understanding, "Well I was on my way to the dome, mind to join for a coffee?" "Coffee, huh..." The kid glances around, and off to the direction of the Dome. Then an almost casual look at the lady; Shen's green eyes are a trifle wary, but seem friendly enough. "Sure. Why not." Chantinelle looks around curiously and nods to the sitting man at the cafe. Grathix returns the nod as he appraises the lady from his seat. Shenner glances over, and observes, "This cafe's alright, too...." to Chantinelle. The kid glances at the woman questioningly. Chantinelle smiles, "Cafe, oh you mean here? Well of course why not? I had a tough day with these papers and need just to realx a little bit." Shenner nods blandly, gesturing the woman ahead of 'him'. "Pick a seat. The food's cheap but good. I think they serve coffee, or at least something like it." Chantinelle oohs, "I never have been here, So you will choose!" Shenner claims an unoccupied table, letting Chantinelle settle herself as she will; the kid plucks a couple of placards out of a holder on the table, and offers one up. "Menu," 'he' announces gruffly. "I do the stew, myself. It's good at night when it's hot." Around the table area can be seen an open-air service counter; there's a humanoid being parked there now, serving up an order of something steaming to a customer. Chantinelle sighs seeing the service but sits down and scans quickyl thru the menu, "Oh please just a coffee for me." Shenner nods easily enough, and kneels on the chair, turning to wave at the server at the counter and yell out an order. The server catches Shen's shout, nods placidly, and after serving the waiting customer, starts fixing up a coffee and a cider. Shenner, with that, plops down unceremoniously in the claimed chair. Chantinelle grins at your order, "Again drinking alc? You should be carefully with this stuff. It could disturb your mind." she says friendly and places her folders on the table, "But its your choice." Shenner smirks faintly. "It's not all liquor, lady. I drink the soft stuff during the day. Better for my playing, anyway." Chantinelle laughs, "Well if you think so, its okay." she looks around carefully, "So no Espo around today, another day to celebrate! I hate these boys really." she sighs. The humanoid server ambles over, and with a taciturn noise that might be a greeting and might simply be, "Here's yer drinks," leaves the beverages on the table, and ambles off again. Shenner, taking up 'his' mug of cider, chuckles faintly, dryly. "Funny. Ain't seen too many folks that like 'em." Chantinelle laughs out, "Oh yeah, true! But they were really annoying, esp this boy yesterday! Did I anything wrong?? No! But he nearly wanted to arrest me!" Ahkaurakh comes out of the Free-Flight Dance Dome. Ahkaurakh has arrived. Shenner sits back in 'his' chair, tilting it back a bit, stance mimicking that of many a young spacer. "Saw a bunch of 'em the other night searchin' people for weapons," the kid comments. "They're gettin' testier than usual these days." Port District - Capital City (#1118RLXtFJN) Though the buildings in this sprawling area of the city are low permacite structures, the general feeling of the Port District is one of foreboding menace not clearly defined. Despite this, many visitors of many races mingle here, taking in the plethora of shops, bars and nooks dotted densely throughout this place. Nothing seems to be spared style, expense, or gross display of wealth here as the scions of the business world (or criminal world) flaunt the products of their various efforts. Several Espo troopers stand out like statues among the sea of people passing through. They watch everything that goes on around them with a tight grip on their blasters, ready for anything. The Espo police presence here is normal. (OOC: Type '+lhelp' for local help.) Contents: Ahkaurakh Chantinelle Grathix Obvious exits: leads to Residential Avenue - Capital City . leads to Business District - Capital City . leads to Government District - Capital City . leads to Free-Flight Dance Dome - Capital City . leads to Authority Currency Exchange - Capital City . leads to Spaceport Center - Capital City . Chantinelle oohs surprised really, "they search other persons for weapon too?" Shenner shrugs a bit, keeping 'his' voice down, casual. "They closed off the whole port district the other night. I saw a whole buncha people get hauled off." Chantinelle grins, "Cool, finally they are dowing something here on Etti! I nearly thought before they let even rebels runs free around with theri weapons." Chantinelle sips slowly at her coffee, leaningback in her chair, relaxing. The redheaded musician doesn't so much as blink as 'he' replies blandly over the cider, "Guess they're havin' a hard time pickin' out who folks are." Quick comes through the District from the direction of the spaceport. Quick has arrived. Quick walks down the road and looks up to see a very familiar face and his face screws up in disgust. Shenner drinks at the cider; this slim youth doesn't do anything as dainty as 'sip'. The kid's green eyes flick along the roadway that passes the outdoor cafe where 'he' and Chantinelle are parked at a table. Quick looks over Chantinelle with objective look. Chantinelle looks around and sees the newcomer, staring at him, "Ohs" she murmurs. Quick walks over and grins, "I think me, we've met before Beautiful?" Shenner watches Chantinelle's attention distract, and as the man approaches their table, the redhead smirks a bit, continuing to take occasional drinks of that cider. Ahkaurakh hidden in shadows, rolls his eyes Chantinelle blushes at looks at Quick, "You mean me, Mr.?" Shenner puts in dryly, "You're the pretty one sittin' here, lady." Quick eyes stare dead into her eyes, "why yes we have met before.. I think on a planet." Chantinelle smiles friendly, "then give me a hint, please." Quick grins as he pulls out an extra chair and sits in it, "You accused me of some nasty things when I tried to break up a situation that could have turned deadly, with insulted wookiee that possible." Chantinelle oohs and hits her forehead, "Yeah, of course Caspar! Oh stars! do not remind me! The mob nearly killed me!" Quick nods, "And I of course saved you from them.. but did I get credit of course from you, No.." Grathix sits back from his seat in the cafe. Chantinelle blushes and says angryly, "I am able to take care of myself! I didn't need any hel!" Quick grins, "No insult intended.. excuse me, but I have seemed to forgotten your name, could you fill in the missing space?" Grathix clears his throat, obviously aware of the conversation at hand at the other table. Quick eyes raise to the man across the way and flash a warning to blazes with a definate anger at being interrupted. Chantinelle hmms slowly and answers, "I am Chantinelle Thistleborn, but Chanti is how everybody calls me." Sierra comes out of the Free-Flight Dance Dome. Sierra has arrived. Shenner says casually to Chantinelle, "If you wanna talk with your friend here, I can vaporize." Chantinelle sees Sierra arriving and waves to her, "Sierra! Here I sit, dear!" Quick shakes his head, "You do not have to leave on my my account." Grathix sits back at his table, a slight smirkk evident on his face as he appraises the 6 foot human at the other table. Shenner leans a bit further back in 'his' chair, casually eying the man who's commandeered the third place at the table. "Dunno," the redhead says blandly. "Looks like you two got old times to catch up on." Chantinelle turns to Shenner, "no no, its okay, just stay, Shenner! This isn't anything private!" Quick raises and eyebrow, "Muses play do they not, Play for me." and with that he flips a credit at the lad. Shenner, as if with long practice, scarfs the credit out of the air before it can hit anything, and smiles faintly. The kid slides a green glance off towards the open food-service counter, and slips off the flute sheath around 'his' shoulder, lifting it inquiringly for the humanoid on duty to see. "You mind if I play for these folks, pal?" Shen calls. Receiving a noncommittal grunt in reply, the redheead turns back round and slips the flute out. Chantinelle points to a free chair beside herself, "Sierra, join our table, please!" Quick turns his head to the side to admire the young woman who was addressed. Shenner, unruffledly, starts warming up the wooden flute, blowing softly through it, barely noticeably. Quick eyes return to the face of the woman "I have a message from my old president, The meeting went well with Marginder, who I might add stayed with in comfort during her stay, and that President Dusten looks forward to meeting you again." Chantinelle yikes astonished, "You are here as ambassador by Avy .. I mean Pres Dusten?" Quick shakes his head, "I'm on search." Shenner's eyebrows climb just a hint at the titles being bandied about, but the kid doesn't say a word. Instead, casually, Shenner swings booted feet up onto the low wall surrounding the cafe's courtyard, and remains poised there in the chair, feet propped, playing almost subliminally quiet background notes. Chantinelle oohs and is now intersted, "Sit down, what or who are you searching? " Quick looks her dead in the eye, "I'm looking a friend, a man by the name of Doron Rtufo... Kaley comes through the District from the direction of the spaceport. Kaley has arrived. Chantinelle sighs and murmursto herself thinking, "My my, the pres is inviting me again." Kaley scans the crowd for someone but can't find who she is looking for. She shrugs and rests against a wall. Quick looks up to see Kaley, "Dear please come here and meet an old friend of mine, Miss Chantinelle. Chantinelle looks up for a second to sacan curisouly the newcomer. Kaley smiles. "Oh there you are." She walks over to Quick. Quick smiles and holds out his hand, "G'day dear, did you sleep well?" Shenner, chair propped back and feet up on the low wall around the cafe's courtyard still, just continues to play. The flute's voice remains breathy and low; the musician's green gaze, neutrally bland. Kaley shrugs. "I guess." She sits in a chair near Quick. Chantinelle smiles and extends her right hand to Kaley, "Greetings." Kaley smiles and takes Chantinelle's hand. "It's nice to meet you." Chantinelle shakes the hand in a strong firm grip, "Chantinelle Thistleborn, but please call me Chanti." Quick looks at Kaley, "I was just telling Chanti about our little quest." Chantinelle turns back to Quick, "So whom you are searching again?" Quick smiles and looks at Chanti, "Why no one at all.. except myself." Shenner curls the flutesong around the conversation, as insubstantial as smoke. Kaley looks confused but answers her question. "Actually we are looking for Doron Rtufo. Do you know him?" Quick looks at the Muse, "Thats enough playing.. THank you." Kaley frowns. "I thought it was lovely. Please, sir, continue." Chantinelle hmms, "Rtufo, Rtufo...." she looks at Quick, "Hey, let her play, if she wants to play." and continues thinking. Quick shrugs, "well alright." and with that he looks back at Chanti. Chantinelle says, "Where he did work? And where is he from, this Mr. Rtufo." Quick smiles, "well He was a pilot like myself, and Hes was all so with Caspar before we both left... I'm just trying to return a favor he gave me once." Shenner flicks a look between Kaley and Chantinelle, and something stills for a moment in the musician's face, before it shifts into a devil-may-care lopsided grin. The kid shrugs laconically without so much as missing a note, and continues to slide through the airy, low and slow melody. Chantinelle oohs, "You left CDU? Why? And why did he left lovely Caspar? I will never forget my time there!" she smirks. Quick nods, "we both left.. We could not stand the political situation there." Chantinelle yiikes, "how this? I thought Avy is a great President?" Kaley starts to shift uncomfortably in her chair. Quick raises an eyebrow, "things are not always what they seem." Chantinelle comes close to Quick and looks strainght into his eyes, "Tell me more1" Quick crosse his left leg over his right leg. Quick grins, "Ahh... but my story is no important." Kaley stands up quickly. "If you will excuse me. I just remembered something I forgot to do back at the ship." She glances at Chanti. "Again it was nice meeting you." Shenner, for no apparent reason, smirks faintly across the flute's mouthhole. But again, the barely detectable song remains steady, flowing like a current of water. Quick waves, "I'll join you there in a bit dear... be careful the weather looks like it will turn bad." Chantinelle just waves slightly to Kaley, "Yeah yeah, CU." totally concentrated into the problems of CDU. Kaley tosses a credit toward the boy. "You are a good musician." Kaley gives you 1 Credit. Kaley moves through the District into the Spaceport to the west. Kaley has left. Chantinelle looks behind Kaley for a sec, she asks suddenly "Your wife?" Quick nods, "Yes a few days now... we were married just before we left." Chantinelle smiles widely , "Congrats! She looks quite beautiful." Chantinelle gets serious again , "But was the reason to leave?" Kayle comes through the District from the direction of the spaceport. Kayle has arrived. Sierra sneaks up to Chantinelle, keeping quiet and withdrawn as she approaches. Kayle heads through crowds and into the Government District to the southeast. Kayle has left. Chantinelle smiles at Sierra, "Com'on join our table." and points to a free chair beside her. Chantinelle sighs, "So what's the reason for the leaving?" she asks again Quick. Quick smiles, "well since she took office unemployment went up.. and there were several riots." Sierra walks over, and joins Chantinelle, still keeping out of their business. Chantinelle hmms, "I heard that she reorganized CDU and created many new jobs?" Quick nods, "She did.. but a lot of the jobs we had went bottom up." Chantinelle hmms, "Well I will see myself, when or if I ever return to Caspar myself again." Quick stands and says, "I must attend to my wife.. I look forward to meeting you again Chanti... and your lovely companion." Chantinelle nods, "Of course, greetings to her!" Quick nods and makes his way away from the table without a backward glance, but with a laugh, "I'll pass it along.. See you later." Quick pushes his way into the crowds and heads off disapeering into that same ripple of humanity. Quick moves through the District into the Spaceport to the west. Quick has left. Chantinelle puuhs and sighs looking after Quick, "stars, CDU has always problems." Chantinelle hugs Sierra tightly, "Hi." Shenner lowers the flute after a bit, after the man and the woman called Kaley are gone. Sierra smiles, and hugs Chantinelle in return. Chantinelle grins at Shenner, "You can stop now, they are away. So what you think about this man, Shenner?" Shenner arches dark eyebrows. "You're asking me?" Chantinelle hhmms, "Just asking myself, what a stranger would think about him." Chantinelle finishes off her coffee, "Well Shenner you should know one thing about the man: he left the Empire and now he left the CDU." Shenner drawls languidly, "That a fact?" Chantinelle shrugs, "He said this himself." Chantinelle looks at Sierra, "Sorry, dear, but I must do some work back in the embassy! Relax here, I am returning later." Chantinelle stands up and moves to the waiter, showing her ID card, "Please send the bill for the table to the embassy." Shenner blinks, then chuckles faintly, and doesn't protest. Sierra watches Chantinelle go, her eyes misted and disappointed. KuhnDog comes through the District from the direction of the spaceport. KuhnDog has arrived. KuhnDog moves through the District into the Spaceport to the west. KuhnDog has left. Chantinelle waves to Sierra, "CU later hon!" smiling, "And don't be so sad. The Empire needs me sometimes too." Sierra smirks slightly, heartening a smile to Chantinelle. Shenner sets down the flute and turns to pick up the rest of the cider in 'his' mug. "Busy folks in this city," the redhead remarks. ---------- Interlude: After the impromptu group clears out of the cafe, Shenner, unsettled, decides it's time she makes another foray off to the park. The knowledge that she seems to be developing a habit of running into powerful people, while pleasing on the one hand, is nevertheless activating older instincts in her -- the first 16 years of her life have told her that powerful people are dangerous, and she needs to stay out of their notice as much as possible. But she doesn't know that her trek to the park is getting watched... ---------- Jarkis comes into the park from the west. Jarkis has arrived. Jarkis looks at you for a moment. Jarkis looks at Shenner, "What are you doing here?" Shenner might be spotted on one of the park benches, sitting cross-legged with 'his' guitar in his lap, strumming at it softly. The redhead's head is bowed over the instrument in concentration. Jarkis looks around the area. Jarkis moves closer to Shenner, "I asked you a question kid." Shenner blinks, and looks up, startled, hands stilling on the strings. "'Scuse me?" 'he' asks blankly. Jarkis Jarkis is tall with a wiry build. He is wearing the brown body armor of an Espo, which reveals little else of his appearance. Beneath the black visor to his helmet you can make out that he is recently shaven. From the belt at his waist hangs, a stun baton, a blaster pistol, a comlink, and 3 pairs of binders. Jarkis says, "Excuse you is right. What are you doing here? Bothering people trying to relax from thier hard days work?" Shenner's eyebrows go up. "Just buskin', mister," the kid says, trying for a pleasantly baffled tone. "I got my permit -- upgraded, even, to a business one...." Hands come up off the guitar, one geseturing towards a vest pocket. "Got it right here, if you need to see it, officer...?" Jarkis hold out his hand, "Let's see it. " Accommodatingly, Shenner bobs that cropped red head, and fishes into the pocket to produce the permit in question, offering it for inspection. Guileless green eyes go slightly wide in the kid's face. Jarkis takes the permit, looks it over a minute or two then returns it, "Don't be bothering any of the honest people around here got it?" Shenner says politely, "Wouldn't dream o' bein' any problem, sir. Thank you." The permit is returned to the pocket; the kid's hand stays well in view, 'his' expression affably open. Jarkis nods, then heads off. Jarkis leaves the park to the west. Jarkis has left. [End log.]