Log Date: 2/3/97 Log Cast (main): Kuxli, Shenner Log Cast (cameos): Grand Moff Caldny and assorted Imperial Guards, Rtufo Log Intro: Shenner, erstwhile Belsavis street brat, picker of pockets and mugger of Jawas on Tatooine, and now thief in the employ of Grathix and street bard on Etti IV, has been having quite the nerve-wracking day. She's discovered that the target of the job for which Grathix has hired her is none other than the Prex of the entire CSA -- and that both Kuxli and Shikh, two individuals with whom Shenner's started becoming... well, amiable, if not quite friendly, have connections to the woman that make both far more than what they've seemed to Shenner thus far. And, arguably far more troubling to Shenner on a personal scale -- and only slightly less troubling in connection to her employment -- Shenner has discovered that Shikh is a Corellian. Flashing back panickedly to the first Corellian she'd ever met, the man who had stranded her on Tatooine and who'd been possessed of far too roving a pair of hands for Shenner's liking, Shenner immediately worked all the harder to persuade Shikh that she was, in fact, a boy. With some trepidation Shenner has succeeded, or at least so it seems. But Shikh's given her another scare just now, after falling asleep beside her on the bench in the park, where she's been busking... for after having Shikh's head on her shoulder and his breath against her neck, Shenner's gotten another up close and personal sample of the cause of the reputation of Corellian men for good looks and charm. Shenner has hastily awakened Shikh from his drowse and sent him on his way, but between that and the other discoveries of her day, she is quite shaken.... ---------- Kuxli comes into the park from the west. Kuxli has arrived. Shenner, mopping a hand across a pale brow, and looking shaken, can be spotted on one of the park benches, flute out, a silken cloth on which glitter a couple of credits on the bench as well. Padding in quietly from residential avenue, Kuxli glances about causually.. his head tilting back to sniff the air.. he spots Shenner, his features brightening for a moment, then turning to concearn as he see's her state, he quickly begins to head for the bench. Kuxli stops short of the bench, ears laying back worridly.. he studies your face a moment before asking in a quiet tone, "Somethin wrong Shenner? You dont look to well.." Shenner looks up startledly, then blinks, and lets out an unsteady breath, moving to scoop up the silken cloth and the few loose credits. "Hi Kux..." Kuxli's gaze flickers to the cloth, then back to Shenner, he hesitates a moment, gesturing towards the bench with a furred hand before speaking, "Mind if I take a seat?" Shenner stuffs the cloth and the credits into a carisak on the ground, and looks back up again, to smile wanly. "Sure, pal, sure..." Shenner, speaking, moves to slip the flute into its sheath. Kuxli nods slowly as he sits down, leaning forward some and looking at the ground in thought, then turning his head to look over at you, "Somethin troubling you?" he asks quietly. Shenner, flute put away, shoves a hand through short dark red hair, and blinkblinks a time or two. "What, I look troubled?" Kuxli nods his furry head again, his ears perking back.. whiskers bristling slightly before he speaks, "Yeah, when I came here you weren't looking to good.." Shenner smiles lopsidedly, broadly, and quickly shakes that dark head. "Just... just had a little scare, Kux, it ain't nothin' to worry about..." Kuxli smiles slightly, studying your face for a moment before replying, "Alright.. just tell me if anyone is botherin you are something.." Shenner turns to you, grinning sheepishly, if still broadly. "Nah, it's okay, pal, nobody you need to go poundin' on, if that's what you're thinkin'..." Kuxli growl-chuckles quietly, nodding slowly, "Alright.." he sighs and glances at the tree's, then over at you, "Anything new?" he finnaly asks. Shenner rubs at one shoulder, and chuckles tiredly. "Unless you count that there was a guitar in my room when I got up this morning, not really..." Kuxli nods his furry head slowly, itching lightly behind one ear before he speaks, "Heh, yeah.. same here, 'cept for no guitar when I woke up." adding in a quick wink. Shenner grins, then shoots the Horansi a look that might be almost grateful. "Glad to run into yah, pal..." Kuxli smiles toothily, nodding his head sideways, "Well.. thanks.." he thinks for a moment, then asks, "Hmm, you gonna be alright?" Shenner reaches up to pat a furry shoulder. "Maybe if I go put some cider in me, I'll be better, hey?" Kuxli's nods his furry head with a smile, "Sure, I'll pay..." starting to stand from the bench, glancing around quickly. Shenner rises, grabbing carisak and flute, and grinning again. "Lead on, pal..." Kuxli bats one of his ears, glancing at Shenner with a quick nod and toothy grin, then turns and walks out of the park. Kuxli leaves the park to the west. Kuxli has left. You leave the park to the west. Residential Avenue - Capital City (#1392RLt) The avenue is long and wide, meandering a bit under the red sky between houses and odd spiky trees. The ground is paved with a light fused stone, bland compared to the wide variety of housing on either side. Houses of low build peep from between the harsh trees, most residences with a few small home office businesses here and there. Though it seems at first glance to be difficult to find just the residence you are looking for, there seems to be some order to the chaotic arrangements. (OOC: Type 'houses' for a list.) As quiet as this area seems, there are always people wandering the streets, day or night. Amongst the thin crowd are several Espo guards, standing at the ready to protect the consumers and their residences from crime. Contents: Kuxli Lamppost Obvious exits: leads to Memorial Park - Capital City . leads to Port District - Capital City . Kuxli pads through the avenue, sniffing the air lightly as he goes.. ears perked up and alert Shenner strides along beside you, evidently cheering up now, just barely managing to keep up with your longer paces. Kuxli moves long the avenue to the west. Kuxli has left. You move along the avenue toward the busy Port to the west. 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: Kuxli Imperial Royal Guards Caldny 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 . Kuxli glances over at Shenner as he walks, slowing his pace some as he enters the area.. glancing around quickly he motions one furred hand to an outdoor cafe.. "Over there?" he asks. Caldny watches the two strangers Shenner comes loping along the avenue, just barely keeping up with Kuxli, and starting to perk up. "Couldn't hear myself think in the Dome tonight anyway, sure, pal..." The human kid moves along beside the Horansi, carisak bumping slightly against one shoulder, flute-sheath dangling off the other. Caldny Before you stands a man in his 50's. He stands 6'4" and has dark hair, blue eyes, and worn skin. He is wearing a tailored double-breasted suit and fine leather shoes. His actions and mannerisms indicate military. He dresses like someone of power and money. He is neither friendly nor cold. Kuxli growl-chuckles at the comment, walking towards an empty table at an outdoor cafe, his ears perked up and catching the sounds around him.. " he pulls a seat out for Shenner, nodding towards it before hopping into a seat on the other side of the table, "Ah, much more comfortable then those benches eh?" Imperial Royal Guards heads through crowds and into the Government District to the southeast. Imperial Royal Guards has left. Caldny heads through crowds and into the Government District to the southeast. Caldny has left. Shenner watches the cadre of official-looking types move off down the street, then leans closer to her companion and murmurs, "Busy night tonight." Kuxli glances at the exiting officials, then turns back to Shenner with a nod of his head, "Yeah, wonder what their up to.." he doesn't speak for a moment, "Oh, yeah, the cider!" he says louder, his grin returning as he calls for a waiter, ordering two glasses of the drink. Shenner accepts the beverage with visible relief, even as her green eyes flick along the road. "Those were Imperial uniforms, weren't they?" the kid asks in an undertone, sounding ever so slightly unsure. Kuxli lets out a growl-sigh, then nods his head slowly, "Think so.." pausing to sip from his cider before smiling slightly, "I wouldn't worry.. they wont bother us.." Rtufo comes through the District from the direction of the spaceport. Rtufo has arrived. Rtufo gives a stern glare at each Espo guard. At an outdoor cafe, a few street-wanderers are out tonight; at one table is a Horansi), and a lean red-headed kid. The latter of this pair gets up once, and ambles off to the cafe's service counter, ordering up a round of drinks. Rtufo(#14747PUVc) The frame of a 6'2" athletic man with sand-colored hair and deep grey eyes (New Cov trait) is before you. He appears far more advanced in years than the twenty-one he has been alive for. He is wearing a slate-green and black splotched flight suit and forest green ground jacket of the Caspian Marines. Flight patches and insignias cover the jacket, but a large, heavy patch among them denotes him to be of the infamous 17th "Nighthawks". A chrono is on his wrist, a ComPad is hung from a catch on his sleeve, and he has a sidearm holster around his waist. The nameplate identifies him as Major Doron Rtufo. The eyes focus on you. Carrying: Letter to Rtufo ComPad Space Tool Kuxli's gaze follows after Shenner as she goes to the counter, grinning as he hears her order.. his feline ears picking up most of the sounds around him. Rtufo slides between a few passerby and saunters over to a table. With a deliberate thump, he drops his ComPad, survival vest, and utility belt down onto the beaten surface. He flops down into the chair with a sigh, and rubs his forehead. Shenner comes back with the cider glasses in each hand, telling the feline, "I tell yah, Kux... I'm thinkin' I'll be wanting to see if I can't get off this planet soon myself." The redheaded kid's voice is pitched low, though not in a whisper. "Startin' to look too darned nerve-wracking around here." Rtufo's gaze wanders over each partisan in the general vicinity. Kuxli nods his agreement, reaching a furry hand out to take the glass, "Yeah, I know whatcha mean.. been wondering about leaving too.." Shenner, under scrutiny, can be seen to be a skinny, scruffy-haired redheaded kid, green-eyed, boyish of appearance. The young human's green eyes look veiled, elsewhere, even as the kid's tenorish voice asks of the felinoid, "Where would you go next, Kux, if you had the credits?" Kuxli leans back in his chair, sipping from his drink as his ears lay back in thought, then tilts his up to look at Shenner as he says, "Well, uhm... I dunno, someplace safer.. thats fur sure." With the tact of a hawk, Rtufo measures up each occupant here, but is transfixed on the Horansi sitting on the far side of the veranda. Kuxli doesn't notice Rtufo's stare, his attention on Shenner rather then on those in the cafe. Shenner laughs, lowly, in the direction of the clasped mug of cider. "Safe. Startin' t' wonder if there is such an animal in the galaxy, m'friend..." The kid grins quirkily. "Dunno. Ain't never met it, myself." Kuxli grins crookedly, then nods his furry head, "Yeah, seems everyplace I've been I've run right into trouble, just seems to follow after me ya know?" Shenner lifts the cider glass by way of agreement, and pounds the table by way of emphasis. "Hear hear! I get it everywhere I turn, and usually, it's _Corellians_!" Something about this makes the kid's fine-boned nose crinkle, before the redheaded human decides to down a hefty mouthful of cider. Kuxli roar-chuckles, lifting his glass too before downing near all of it.. his ears perk back up as he says his grin widening to show the front most of his fangs, "Yeah.." he agrees again. Shenner peers up at Kuxli, brow crinkling, pale thin mouth's edges flickering with a half-grin. "What, Corellians give _you_ trouble, too, pal?" Kuxli quarks an odd, almost embarressed grin.. then he lifts his shoulders into a shrug, "Oh, well er.." taking a quick sip from his cider before going on, "kinda.." Shenner lets out a throaty laugh, clinking glasses with the felinoid. "I'll swap my sob story for yours, howsabout?" Kuxli pauses a moment as if to consider, his head tilting to the side, "Well, it aint exactly trouble.. " he shrugs again, finishing his cider, "I dunno if I should go into it, kinda uhm... personal.." he says apologeticly. Shenner lifts both hands, then, spreading them palms-up. "Say no more, pal, I know a back-off when I see one." The human smiles wanly, then, shifts, and by way of self-distraction, puts down more cider. But the kid's green eyes have turned veiled again. Kuxli smiles slightly, his furry head nodding, hand still on his empty glass, "Thanks.." looking only more embarressed at his own backdown. Shenner leans forward again, perhaps prompted by the cider, perhaps something else; at any rate, the human looks vaguely rueful. "Don't worry about it, 'kay, yah big kitten?" A youngish-looking scamp separates himself from the throng of passerby and circles the small arrangement of chairs. Kuxli chuckles faintly, nodding again.. more relaxed, "Ok." a small grin reforming on his face. The scamp, disheveled, but rather brash looking, takes small, cautious steps among the chairs, seeming to head in no set direction. Shenner's dark red head bobs approvingly. "That's more like it. Must be some other way you and I can work off some steam, maybe.... do you know how to play any instruments?" Kuxli shakes his head slowly at the question, "Not really.. never been to good with those instruments.. always seem to fumble with them and play 'em to loud." Rtufo moves through the District into the Spaceport to the west. Rtufo has left. "Hrmm. Bet you could do percussion, though..." Shenner considers, tapping lean pale fingers along the cider glass. Kuxli tilts his head back, an interested glint in his eyes, "Drums ya mean?" he asks, leaning forward some. Shenner starts grinning, and nodding again. "I bet you could.... I mean, heck, half the time the point is to _hit_ the drums loud anyway, see?" Kuxli growls happly, the sound from his throwing carrying into his voice, "Yeah, though I dont think I have the credits, or a place to go banging on drums really loud.." ---------- Postlude: Shenner could almost relax again, talking with Kuxli at the cafe, sharing drinks and swapping small talk. That he was male didn't bother her, not with Kuxli being a Horansi; she could look at the big felinoid without being possessed with the urge to grab for the battered old blaster she'd had to leave stowed on Grathix's ship. But on the other hand, something of her earlier camaraderie with Kuxli had been damaged, after what she'd read about Simone Drake in the public library's computer systems. _Kuxli's her friend. Or at least used to be...._ Shenner remembered that Kuxli'd said something about the Drake woman withdrawing from that friendship. Still, the thought that Kuxli personally knew the woman Shenner now strongly suspected she'd been hired to harm -- _no karkin' way I'm just here to rob her!_ -- troubled the young thief in unfamiliar and disturbing ways. She kept wondering how a Horansi face would look filled with a look of shock and betrayal, and the idea kept turning the cider sour in her mouth. Eventually, the two parted ways again, Kuxli chattering hopefully about the notion of learning to play the drums, Shenner offering to share access to the lesson holo's she'd been renting even as she found herself dreading the ramifications of spending further time with Kux.... [End log.]