Log Date: 1/30/97 Log Cast: Kuxli, Shenner, Vermillion Log Intro: Etti IV has without a doubt proven itself rather more than the young thief Shenner has bargained for. Upon arrival on the planet, she has discovered that not only are the streets of its capital city fortified by a very present police force, but also that the planet itself is currently flanked by two battle fleets in orbit -- and if Grathix's information on the matter is to be trusted, the fleets are here because of a hero of the Rebellion being incarcerated somewhere on the planet. Suddenly faced with what feels like a disturbingly high chance of getting herself shot, Shenner has confronted her employer on his failure to brief her on the planetary situation -- and has gotten for her pains a coolly amused comment that Grathix hadn't wanted her to 'panic,' along with droll advice to not let her 'hormones' get in the way of the coming job when Grathix's associates, alledgedly very beautiful and brash, arrive on-world. Grathix has repeated his general instruction for Shenner to lie low for a few days, while everything is arranged. Grudgingly, she has returned to doing just that, but his last parting words have rankled even as she's been relieved that Grathix hasn't seemed to figure out her true gender yet. To distract herself from being irritated, Shenner's now decided to take some of the credits she's been given to spend, and hit the shops and stalls in the market sector of the city.... ---------- Kuxli walks in, his padded paws making his steps near silent against the ground as he heads for a booth near to him, it's wares various sorts of earrings. Window shopping and booth hopping, indeed. Seems to be a good day for it, as many a passerby is out on the streets today -- including a slim young redhead who doesn't exactly _stride_, per se, but who rather steps unobtrusively and deftly along, peering at this booth, scrutinizing that one. Perhaps only the slight air of general surprise at so many _things_ for sale in obvious sight marks this young human as any different from anyone else out looking to spend a credit or two. Kuxli's thin lips curl downwards into a frown as he speaks with the owner of the booth, his basic accented with a feline qualitly to it.. he gestures towards one of the rings, adding in a nod to it as he speaks again, he listens to the booth owner, an older human man who seems to be in a permant bad mood... finnaly the young horansi makes a dissmising gesture with one furred hand and begins to head off from the booth, much to the old man's disliking as he shouts an insult about stupid furballs, which the horansi just ignores as he turns in the direction of the dance dome, his mood obvoiusly not a good one. For the redhead, the eyecatching wares of the moment seem to be musical instruments. Shenner stops at one gaudily bedecked stall at which a wrinkled little orange being of indeterminate age, species, and gender is selling a variety of, all things, flutes. Perhaps exactly because they are comparative primitive instruments this stall is frequently passed by -- but the orange being visibly beams at the redhead's presence, and even more as Shenner picks up one of the flutes and blows experimentally through it, producing a low, clear tone. But even thusly occupied, the redhead keeps occasionally glancing along the street. Kuxli continues in the direction of the dance dome, though his gaze drifting around the booths, his gaze is caught on one, but his attention is diverted as his ears perk, and slightly turn in the direction of the low toned flute, appartently the sound standing out in the horansi's ears above the normal sounds.. his ears search for a few moments, then spot the source of it, he frowns thoughtfully, though not moving from his postion. By the flute-seller's booth, the redheaded human brightens a bit, as if the silvery tuning of the instrument is pleasing. The human's fingers lift and drop for a moment or two as a run of notes is played; the little orange being staffing the stall bobs its head in approval, making little fluttering gestures towards the instrument. But the human sets that flute down and tries another; this one, unlike the first, can be seen from a distance to be made of some kind of dark wood. _This_ flute's voice is mellower and more liquid than the first, and the redhead plays a few scales before trying a few bars of a slow, sweet melody. Kuxli's head tilts back as he listens, starting to head in the direction of the flute-seller's booth quietly, his ears still perked up and listening, the hoops through it glittering in the light of the day.. finnaly he nears the booth, and comes to a stop, remaining silent as the human plays on the flute. Shenner stands, eyes closed for a moment, playing; at closer range, the human can be seen to be wearing a concentrated frown. The flute can be seen to be of some kind of dark-hued wood indeed, but patterned along its length in subtle shadings that suggest a forest floor, and bound in leaf-green cord at each end of the fingerholes and up near the mouthhole as well. At last, though, the human ceases with the music and turns to the little merchant. "This one." The flute-seller positively beams. "Honored _sal_ make good choice. Have good eye go with good ear, good hands for flute. 100 credits!" Kuxli frowns some as the music stops, his ears laying back down into a relaxed state.. he sniffs the air lightly, looking like he is going to say something but stops as the flute-seller does so. Shenner leans slightly forward, still holding the flute, with a possessive grip that implies it's already been purchased. "The sanding on the end is uneven." And the human taps the far end of the thing, which is ever so _slightly_ angled, as if the cut that separated it from whatever wood birthed it wasn't completely perpendicular. "Seventy-five." "Honored _sal_ ever make _hwesta_-wood flute? Take much time! Much craft! Ninety credits!" The redheaded human gives a lopsided smirk. "Eighty-five. But I'll do ninety if you throw in a carry-sheath for it." Kuxli remains standing where he is, batting one of his ears, a quiet jingle coming from the hoops in it as they clang together. The orange merchant gives a chittering little laugh. "This one give sheath for free to honored _sal_ with good ear and hands, but for ninety-five, also give bottle of oil to care for _hwesta_-wood!" Vermillion moves through the District from the Business section. Vermillion has arrived. Shenner considers this, then abruptly laughs. "Sold." The hand not already holding the flute vanishes into a vest pocket, and comes out with a handful of credits. Elated, the merchant scurries about, fetching the promised carry-sheath and oil bottle; the former turns out to be a simple tube of soft green leather patterned with another leaf-motif, tied off at each end with a braided cord. Pleased, the human slides the flute into the sheath and slings it onto a shoulder, then pockets the oil bottle, and nods a distracted, "Yeah, sure," as the merchant offers fulsome farewells. Shenner turns, then, finding the feline waiting nearby, and says to Kuxli dryly, "Your turn," and with that begins to move off. Vermillion walks in noisily, his boots clanging upon the pavement. A thin wisp of bluish smoke trails him. Vermillion A tall, broad shouldered human male with wolfish blue eyes and long crimson hair pulled back into a ponytail, which falls to mid-back. His features are rugged and handsome, with arching eyebrows and high cheekbones. He is well tanned and a two day growth of light red stubble graces his firm jaw. He is wearing a white turtleneck and heavy silver boots which sound noisily as he walks. Around his waist is a silver partitioned belt with an octagonal buckle. He wears a long black jacket with deep pockets which nearly touches the ground. Over his shirt is a shiny silver chestplate showing only a few scratches and one noticeable scorch mark. A spurious lock of red hair partially covers one eye. His look is aloof and smug as he smokes a cigarra that seems to be an ever present extension of his warm hands. Vermillion looks at you for a moment. Kuxli's gaze settles on Shenner again, turning as she heads off.. his ears perk up as he calls out after her, "Hey, wait a sec... where'd you learn to play like that?" Vermillion stops as if on a casual jaunt and leans against a permacite wall. Crossing a leg marginally so the heel rests on the other toe, he lifts an eyebrow and peers around, particularly at the roving squad of Espo's. Shenner turns back, eyebrows going up. "What? Oh..." The redhead's lean young face shifts into an amiable enough lopsided smile, though those green eyes remain reserved. "Taught myself. Why?" Vermillion's face is momentarily enshrouded in smoke as he exhales. His clear blue eyes piercing through the cloud. He settles his gaze curiously upon the two youths. Kuxli pauses a moment, his furred head tilting to the side as he speaks, "Oh.. heh cool.." he pauses to itch behind one ear, then says in his feline accented basic, "Well, couldn't help but overhear it.. not often ya hear a.." he frowns slightly, then brightens, "flute, yeah a flute around 'ere." The redheaded young human considers this, then seems to accept it for a friendly gesture and replies, "Not exactly a place for... simple... instruments, no. I think I was Yentzhee's first sale today." A glance back to the flute-selleter's booth, where the little orange being has settled down to eye the passersby, its countenance resigned. Kuxli looks at you for a moment. Vermillion non-chalantly runs a thumb along one eyebrow, sniffing the air casually.. eyeing the crowd. Kuxli glances over his shoulder at the orange being in the booth, then looks back over to Shenner, nodding his furry head in agreement, "Hrrm...you in a band?" the r's hanging a bit as he speaks. Shenner exhales, once, then smirks faintly, glancing off towards the Dome. "Not hardly." Is that contempt, yearning, or both in the young human's voice? The expression that goes with it, at any rate, remains casually indifferent. Vermillion pushes away from the wall, his boots chiming on the walkway as he slowly moves along the booths. He stops to pick up an odd trinket, giving it a frown and dropping it distastefully before ambling on to the next. Kuxli oh's quietly, his whisker's twitch embarressedly, "Well, I've kept, er" he frowns, then starts over, "You probably got things to do.. name's Kuxli, was nice meeting ya." Shenner's lopsided grin widens, and the human gives a low laugh. "Nothing to do for a few days yet, except find out if the Espos won't let me busk." Then, a casual nod. "Shenner." Kuxli nods once more, a slight grin appearing on his furred face as he speaks, "Yeah, know whatcha mean... Vermillion turns his head slightly at the feline from about 10 feet. Pulling a drag on his cigarra he eyes him. A faint look of recognition playing around his eyes. He exhales and turns back around to drawl out towards one of the hawkers, "Not today.." as the man attempts to persuade him into purchasing a useless ornament. Vermillion moves toward the two slowly, "You're that creature what ripped the Sithkassi's throat out.." he mentions while pursing his lip and pausing, "My hats off old man." Kuxli's ears turn first, then the rest of him as Vermillion speaks at him... his ears lay near flat against his head, and his eyes widen some.. he mumbles out in a quiet tone, "Er... uhm sorry.. " side glancing at Shenner then back to Vermillion. As Kuxli is approached and greeted, the young human with the flute-sheath at the shoulder doesn't even blink, though one dark eyebrow does quirk ever so slightly. "Don't let _me_ keep _you_," the human says, moving as if to step away. Vermillion squints thoughtfully at the feline, "Well ya look like him anyway." he growls in a voice as smooth and rich as a glazed ham. "Not that it's much of a compliment, Sneer was about as bright as a drunken Yvolshi lizard." he turns one side of his mouth up in a snide expression. He glances at the young human briefly. Kuxli's ears, ever so slowly perk back up, looking relived as he lets out a breath that was appartently held, "Yeah, that was me.. wasn't my fault though, the lizard tried to kill a.. er friend of mine.." Vermillion snorts, "Boggles my mind how people risk their safety for friends." he muses, then thrusts out a well tanned hand, "Giles" he says, eyeing the human once again, cooly. Kuxli hesitates a moment, side glancing nervously at Shenner then back to Vermillion as he extends a furred hand, "Kuxli." he says in response, batting one of his ears. Vermillion drawls, "Don't let me interrupt your.." he looks at the human yet again, "..'shopping'.." he shakes the furred hand and promptly thrusts his hand back into a deep pocket, "So long.." he moves to leave. The flute-toting human hasn't vanished yet into the anonymity of the crowd, and those green eyes have narrowed a bit as Shenner studies Kuxli -- perhaps trying to interpret the feline's body language? At Giles's drawl, the youngster smirks, then says in an ostensibly casual tone, "No interruption on my part, pal." Kuxli hesitates a moment, then nods slowly as he says, "See ya..." then frowns deeply, letting out a growl/sigh.. he looks back over at Shenner, a bit nervous and embaressed, "Excuse me.." he says and begins to head in the direction of the dance dome. Vermillion turns sharply at the voice, lifting a brow, "I thought musicians were outlawed on this planet." he replies laden with sarcasm and waves a hand at the gaurds milling about, "Don't let THEM see you." he adds, pulling the now moist cigarra back to his lips. Shenner lets the feline go, stance still quite casual, and then drawls right back at Giles, "That a fact." It's not quite a question. Kuxli opens the door to the dance dome, throwing one last glance at the two before disappearing into the dome. Kuxli makes his way into the Free-Flight Dance Dome. Kuxli has left. Vermillion squints noticeably, yet his expression is aloof and somewhat playful, "Oh the authority has a way of pounding down any semblance of real thought. It's a tragedy really." he goes on jutting out his lower lip in an insincere frown. His eyes move up and down your person, "Still.. the welfare system around here is a plus." he doesn't hide the dig. The youngster's mouth curls in something part smirk, part grin. "Speaking from personal experience?" A burst of laughter erupts from the man's face, "Now I think you're assuming too much little one." he pauses, his tongue playing at the corner of his mouth as he surmises your intent. "I've been on the authority dole before, but not recently, and not out of any neccesity on my part." a sly grin creeping up his face, "See.. there are things here for people like me to take advantage of. I'd rather snap up their free credits than look at most of the pale bureacrats around here, and mind you.. they 'are' pale.. empty almost.." he adds the last thought looking off distantly. Shenner, one hand curled around the braided cord of the shouldered flute-sheath, takes all this in. Not a single flinch at the close scrutiny, either; green eyes meet blue levelly. Perhaps searchingly... perhaps not. All the youngling says, though, is, "That a fact." The tone is utterly noncommittal, but saved from being rote by the intrigued glitter in that green regard. Vermillion rolls a 15 for his PERCEPTION skill. An Average roll! Shenner rolls a 15 for her CON skill. An Average roll! [Shenner has barely enough time to register a subtle change in... something... about the air of the man called Giles -- but whatever it it that tips her off that he's realized something, whether his stance, his expression, or what, does not hit her in time for...] Vermillion rolls a 18 for his BRAWLING skill. A Good roll! Shenner rolls a 5 for her BRAWLING skill. A Very Poor roll! Vermillion's expression goes blank as his eyes move away from you and toward the squad which is just moving past. He is silent until they are out of view then suddenly reaches up to clutch at your shirt, "Who sent you?" he hisses, "One of Bergo's men?" his face contorted and intense, his smoky breath on your face as he pulls you near. Shenner, grabbed, hauled closer to this stranger, gapes. The youngling's fine-boned nose wrinkles at the scent of that breath, and the tenorish voice whispers back sharply, "What the _kark_ are you talkin' about?" Vermillion pulls his upper lip over perfectly white teeth into a sneer and pushes you back. "You sneaky little bastard." he blares out and points a threatening finger, "You just tell whoever it is who's taken over Bergo's position. They'll have to send someone a little bigger to catch Mr. Greengrass. Tell them." a bluish vein pulsing madly at the side of his neck. Shenner staggers back, casual stance gone, eyes now slitted warily and flicking first right, then left, noting the whereabouts of the guards out on the market street. Then another indignant hiss: "You got the wrong kid, pal!" Vermillion drains the life from his cigarra and flicks it in your direction. He breathes out his words through the exhalation, the smoke moving through his vocal chords giving his voice a deeper quality than normal, "I don't have time for these games punk." he adds, then moves off, not turning back to look at you. His high chrome boots echoing off the pavement. Well tanned hands thrust into the pockets of his jacket. ---------- Log Addendum: Tense, pulse beating a too-fast percussion in her throat, Shenner watched the man who'd identified himself as Giles vanish off down the street. It didn't take a hyperdrive scientist to figure out that something dangerous had just crossed her path, and she didn't bother wasting time and braincells trying to ponder her almost-assailant's motives. She had no clue who Bergo was, or Greengrass for that matter -- what concerned her now was only that for some unknown reason, this man had seen fit to link her to them. Shenner didn't waste any time, either, looking for a third route out of the central open market, one different from the ones Kuxli and Giles had taken. Only when she'd found a reasonably out-of-the-way little corner around which to dart did she allow herself the indulgence of relaxing. The streets of Etti IV's capital city might be cleaner than those of Mos Eisley, the people that walked them from a higher social stratum... or at least acting the part. But one thing was clear: Here, just as much as she'd had to do on Tatooine, she would have to watch her back. [End log.]