Log Date: 1/22/97 Log Cast: Shenner, Grathix Log Intro: Street-thief Shenner has had an unnerving encounter -- a mysterious being calling himself only 'Grathix' caught her on one of her night forays picking pockets through the streets of Mos Eisley. But much to her astonishment -- and suspicion -- Grathix not only did not report her to the authorities, he even put her to a test of her thieving skills, a test that Shenner passed by paying a beggar boy to cause a distraction and draw a crowd while Shenner herself cut free the pouch Grathix had left on his belt. Suddenly 500 credits richer, Shenner was quite willing to entertain an offer from this unexpected benefactor to meet him back at the Cantina the next day, to talk about further utilization of her thieving skills..... [Note: Skill rolls have been left in, as they affected the flow of the meeting depicted herein.] ---------- [There. Slipping into the town center from a side street comes the] figure of the green-eyed thief Shenner. The thief's head-cloth is in place, but 'his' eyes are visible, scanning in all directions as Shenner approaches the cantina. Grathix remains standing near the entrance, noting the thief's presence. A large rowdy crowd of noondescript scum begins to make its way into the Cantina. Grathix rolls a 19 for his SNEAK skill. A Good roll! Shenner rolls a 13 for her PERCEPTION skill. An Average roll! The young thief pauses, eyes narrowed, then laconically shrugs and slips after the previous knot of ruffians into the cantina. You enter the cantina bravely.... Mos Eisley Cantina - Mos Eisley - Tatooine Dimly lit, smoke from a dozen different substances floats in the air, creating a haze that gives the whole place a surreal quality. A few tables are scattered around, but the place is dominated by a large bar in the center. Music from several different cultures is played by the band (usually at the same time), creating a cacaphony that makes a perfect cover for talking 'business'. Looking around, you can spot beings from at least seven different races, everything from Arconians to Shistavanen Wolfmen, huddled over tables and exchanging animated conversation...either business offers or tales of past exploits. The atmosphere of the place just seems to kind of reach out and engulf you as you look about, luring you inward... Contents: Gr'ank Obvious exits: ut You disappear behind the crowd and sit at the corner table. CORNER This is most likely the most insuspicious place in all the cantina. It is not obviously hidden by thick curtains or vast smoke clouds, it is simply far enough in a corner, surrounded by the crowd, to not even be noticed by the most of the people passing by. This seems to be an excellent place for meetings with people that all others should probably not be aware of... Occupied: Grathix walks in, shaking the sand off. Grathix has arrived. Grathix enters the Cantina, and heads for the bar. Grathix walks up to Gr'ank and whispers something to him. Gr'ank quickly puts together a Black_Death and hands it to Grathix. Shenner rolls a 17 for her HIDE skill. A Good roll! Off in the corner, quite easily mistaken for wallpaper -- I mean, who'd bother to look back there, anyway? -- Shenner lurks, nursing a drink, and eyeing the denizens of the bar warily. Grathix glances about the area, drink in hand. Grathix rolls a 10 for his PERCEPTION skill. A Poor roll! Grathix, finding nothing of his interest, heads towards a booth. Grathix disappears into the dark booth. Shenner rolls a 11 for her PERCEPTION skill. An Average roll! Grathix sets his briefcase upon the table in his booth, opens it up and begins what appears to be typing at some sort of console. Time, enough to down a drink and consider another, slogs by as fast as anything does on this world. Shenner eyes the bar, and the jostling pair of unsavory-looking non-humans there, then scans the room again. A low profile's the better part of valor, and for once she's got the credits to back up the luxury of waiting. Shenner rolls a 16 for her PERCEPTION skill. A Good roll! Grathix appears focused at his task, paying very little atention, if at all, to the environment around him. A-ha. There. That case thing, that she remembers, and it takes only a moment to confirm that the being with it is her contact. Shenner rises, taking her drink with her, and deftly sidesteps a bulky green-hided fellow who despite the reasonably early hour seems to have just a little bit much to drink. You stand up and head back into the crowd. Grathix rolls a 8 for his PERCEPTION skill. A Poor roll! Without announcement, or invitation, Shenner slides into the seat on the other side of the booth, and watches her contact. As he types, she takes her time with the rest of her drink, grinning faintly. You slide into the dark booth. DARK This table is placed right next to the door in a small booth with an even smaller 'hole' into it, and the people inside seem to take care that it isn't lit much inside, perhaps they're just light-allergics. The high benches around the low table are very comfortable, who knows what really is going on here... The people outside always find this place 'highly suspicious'. Occupied: Grathix In the dark booth, Grathix nods approvingly as he finishes typing. He closes up his portable terminal and begins closing the open case. In the dark booth, Shenner says casually, "So." In the dark booth, Grathix jumps a little as he hears someone speak in the booth. He quickly regains his compisure and looks at the individual. In the dark booth, Shenner doesn't smile. Much. But the low tenor-ranged voice does continue, "Now not a good time?" In the dark booth, Grathix clears his throat and says, "I see you are punctual as well as..uhmm... crafty." In the dark booth, Grathix places his briefcase along side himself and says, "no, now is an excelent time." In the dark booth, Shenner does smile, then, thinly. "I have a lot of time on my hands." The thief keeps a casual pose on 'his' side of the booth, and nods over 'his' drink. "I'm all ears." In the dark booth, Grathix nods and says, "Among other things...at any rate, I was fairly impressed with yesterdays performance and I hope you will be able to repeat it, though the circumstances might be different." In the darkness of this back booth it's difficult to read expressions, but from the tone of the thief's voice, 'he' might have just quirked an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?" In the dark booth, Grathix says, "There's someone I need the oo and in order to do so, I need someone to get close to this person, undetected and frob a shot. Think you can do it?" in Basic. In the dark booth, Shenner by way of reply takes in a long, slow draught of 'his' drink, then lowers it and says consideringly, "Tell me about the mark." In the dark booth, Grathix says, "it public figure, walks around with a couple of heavies with her. The Mark is located on Etti IV." in Basic. In the dark booth, Grathix says, "I'll give you complete details if you accept." in Basic. In the dark booth, Shenner can be seen, perhaps, to blink. "Off Tatooine, then." The thief leans forward, enough to let green eyes be seen, then, to narrow musingly. Clearly, you've gotten the young human's attention. "There aren't pickpockets on Etti IV?" In the dark booth, Grathix says, "yu course there are. But their faces are known. I need someone new. Moreover, I don't need a simple 'pickpocket'. I need someone with brains as well as the talent. You seem to have both." in Basic. Shenner's mouth curls in something that might be a grin, and the cloth-wrapped head dips, once, perhaps in a nod of acknowledgement. But there's a sardonic glint to that green gaze, as if perhaps its owner finds compliments less than trustworthy. "Who's this... endeavor to be hidden from?" In the dark booth, Grathix says, "Lets just say that CSA involvement in this incident would not be beneficial to myself or the parties I yu" in Basic. Either the thief knows who you mean by that little remark, or else does a good job of hiding ignorances -- either conclusion might be drawn, from the carefully bland expression on what can be seen of Shenner's pale, lean face. "Two more things I want to know then... what you're offering, and the risk." In the dark booth, Grathix says, "What I'm offering is simply...1500 credits for the successful completion of this objective. Passsage to the Etti IV covered as well as protection should you need it afterwards. As for the risk, if you're talent is what it appears to be, it will be minimal. Also, other operatices will be in the area ensureing t hat i is." in Basic. Again there comes a brief... blink, to the thief's green eyes -- that subtle little hint that for all that this young human talks and moves with the same bravado that many of Mos Eisley's lurking inhabitants put forth, sums of more that two digits in length are a potent attention-getter for 'him'. The green gaze turns considering again; then it glints, wryly, and the low young voice drawls, "You just bought yourself a thief." In the dark booth, Grathix nods, "Excellent." He turns to his briefcase, opens it up and retrieves a hardcopy photo. In the dark booth, Grathix says, "This is the mark..." as he shows you a picture of a human female... Subject: Simone Drake A cold, dark blue lightning flashes in the young woman's eyes. Thick, light brown hair is pulled up in a silver clip, revealing a pretty face, void of all emotion. Her features are delicate and defined, hinting at a young age somewhere in the twenties. Silently her gaze continues past you, her face showing no recognition as her eyes pass yours. Draped over her lean shoulders is a loose fitting white shirt which tucks into a pair of richly black pants that hug her tightly. Her soft, black leather boots reach a point just below her knee, accentuating her slim, muscular calves. The dark blue belt snaking through the rings of her pants draws the blue from her cold eyes. Strapped to her upper thigh is a holster containing her modified blaster; a slender model, sleek and black. From a dark cord around her neck, a silver amulet drapes down her chest. In the dark booth, Shenner shifts attention to the image, studying it, no less bland of expression, but perhaps just a hint more alert of eye. There's no hint of recognition of the female in that green gaze, though. In the dark booth, Grathix says, "All we are waiting on now is for a couple of midifications to be completed on oo vessels and on some equipment and we will be set to move." in Basic. In the dark booth, Shenner lifts 'his' eyebrows, just once, at the 'we'. But asks only, "When?" In the dark booth, Grathix says, "Within the next two days. You and I, along with a few associates, will be a part of the preliminary team to ensure our intelligence reports are accurate. Thenm the force of our operation will arrive." in Basic. In the dark booth, Grathix asks, "Where are you staying currently?" In the dark booth, Shenner smiles thinly. "An alleyway." The words come out bluntly, almost challenging the bigger being to say something snide about it. In the dark booth, Grathix says, "Well, not tonight. You will be my guest at the Twins Suns Hotel and Casino. I'll leave instruction to have a room available for your use there, as well as to provide you with more -adequate- clothing should you like." in Basic. In the dark booth, Grathix says, "You do know where it is, do you whee" in Basic. In the dark booth, Shenner smirks. "Let's just say I won't be sorry to give up the local fashion in sand.... and yeah. I know. I'll be there." In the dark booth, Grathix nods, "Then I'll contact you there. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some preparations to oversee." In the dark booth, Grathix grabs his briefcase and stands. Grathix heads back into the main lounge. Grathix nods to the human, "I'll be contacting you." Grathix heads toward the exit. Grathix leaves the Cantina via the front door. Grathix has left. ---------- Log Addendum: Shenner watched her contact go, frowning in the shelter of the dark booth. 1500. Added to the 500 she'd gotten before (she _hoped_ it was going to be added, but she'd known better than to display her ignorance by asking -- and 1500 or 2000, that was still more money than she'd seen in her entire life, so she wasn't inclined to ask anyway), Grathix's newly offered sum made her head spin. More than enough to get her offworld... to somewhere where everyplace in sight isn't covered in sand. Enough to get her another instrument to play... and to find a place to play it _in_, a place where people might actually appreciate hearing decent music.... But too many things about the whole encounter made her head spin, for that matter. What kind of being _was_ Grathix? Humans don't come with reptilian eyes. What was 'frob a shot'? Who was that 'we' her contact mentioned, and who was the woman with 'heavies' he wanted her to 'frob a shot' to? Where was Etti IV, and what in the worlds was Grathix's mysterious 'we' up to that they didn't want the CSA -- one of those huge, formless, faceless entities of power Shen knows only on the same scale as anyone knows any of the factions of power in the galaxy -- knowing about it? For all that Grathix had complimented her skill, Shen _did_ know one thing. She'd never claimed to be anything more than a street rat and a picker of pockets, with more music rolling around in her head than credits in her hands by a long shot. And something, a whole lot of somethings, about Grathix's deal set off in her head the kind of alarms that suggested that street rats like her ought to be taking cover instead of sticking their heads in -- where they might get shot off. Far too many questions, indeed. Shenner scowled over them, and scowled again at the bottom of her empty tankard. _This feels bad,_ she thought, _worse than traveling with That Damned Corellian._ And on the tail end of _that_ thought, she slammed the mug down on the table, rose, and stalked out of the cantina, barely noticeable in the din and the fumes from countless drinks and smoked substances that filled the air. The Corellian'd been useful for something, even if he _had_ stranded her in Mos Eisley: he'd taught her, whether he'd meant to or not, enough to figure out how to survive here. And now, as Shenner slipped off into the night, brooding over the too-mysterious nature of what she'd just sold her word to do, the Corellian's favorite words to live by rang clear in her head: Watch your back. [End log.]