Log Date: 9/11/98 Log Cast: Jali, Shenneret Veery, Avy Laarken, Leia Organa-Solo, Aidon Semmes, Valak, Ariana Millikin, Morganna Tazecks, Rodo, Troy McTavish, Canon Log Intro: The Sandbar's staff, its bartender, and its band have taken fairly well to Shenner... and Shenner in her turn has found herself taking rather cautiously well to them, in turn. Her welcome in the bar's nightly performances has been warm enough that she's started considering doing this on a regular basis. The only dark spots in her experience on the planet thus far have been Nelun's abrupt (if unsurprising) disappearance, and the personages both familiar and new that she's encountered... and the potent recollections of Paul that the planet is setting off in her memory. And with Nelun disappeared again she's found herself drawn repeatedly to that beach where she and Paul had had some of their last tender moments, hoping perhaps to either get Paul out of her system, coax her recalcitrant memory into advising her as to why he'd left her... or both. [Song Credits: "Tomorrow We Leave for Mandalore" is based on Heather Alexander's "Tomorrow We Leave for Battle", from the album _Midsummer_.] ---------- Jali walks quietly down the street to the beach. She shows a faint grimace as she steps on a couple rough areas of rock and gravel as she walks towards the sand, and with a careful eye, one could notice she is barefoot. This time, Shenneret Veery isn't drunk. And it shows in her music; she is sitting in the sand, her big guitar in her lap as she stares darkly out to sea, her hands on the guitar strings producing a sweet and complex melody in a minor key, her voice murmursinging husky words that aren't that audible from a distance. Arriving at the beach, deciding it would be nice to sit down, but not wanting to sit on the sand itself but not wanting to leave the feel of the sand from under her feet, Jali encounters her first problem for the day. Fortunately for her, there is a suitable rock for such problems, and Jali, deciding to look for such type rocks, finds the said rock and moves over to sit on it. By chance, or by something higher than chance, depending which philosopher or non-philosopher one would talk to, the rock happens to be roughly a dozen feet away from where the woman with the guitar is. Jali looks at you for a moment. Closer up, the redheaded girl's voice can be better heard: ... come the morrow, we leave for Mandalore And if I die, just remember I love you And you'll always be mine Let us warm up this cold night together Come the morrow, we leave for Mandalore... And she trails off into a wordless bridge, the guitar taking over where her voice had left off, picking up the shadowed and plaintive melody line and embellishing it with chords. Leia arrives from the street. Leia has arrived. A faint gasp can be heard from Jali as she glances in the girl's direction, but after a quick moment of study, Jali seems to return to normal and listen to the words. Her own thoughts turn in quietly as she sits on the rock somewhat near when Shenner is sitting, before she offers a question just audible enough to be heard over the guitar in tone of curiousity, "Are you singing about someone in particular, or just singing?" The girl's red head snaps up, a chill swerving down her spine at the voice. She should have known, she tells herself, that she couldn't really get away with singing in this place, on this particular beach, without being overheard -- it's simply too close to the city. But her discomfort doesn't show in her face, as after a moment she glances over her shoulder to see who's addressed her. Her hands keep up the melody on the guitar, though softer now. "Just passin' some time," she evades. The diminutive brunette enjoying a stroll along the beach appears distracted, particularly when one takes into account the attentiveness with which she goes through life. Her smile is pale and vague, though her eyes, focussed on a far-distant spot, radiate warmth as she follows the line of sand in an aimless manner. A nod is all that Jali replies with, before she looks out at the large body of water and the clouds that cover it to the horizon. For a moment, the look in her eyes hint she isn't mentally on the beach, but further out at sea possibly, or maybe back in bed, or... the possibilities really quite lengthy, but the normal reader can use a little imagination here and come up with something clever. Wherever she is mentally though, she's not there physically, and a slight sigh escapes her as wherever she is mentally slowly blends into where she is physically. Continuing to look to the horizon, she fails to notice anyone else, and is only half conscious of the girl with the guitar. Shenner warily eyes the stranger on the rock. Well, okay, fine, if she won't interrupt, thinks the singer to herself, she can continue with the purpose that brought her here. She shifts position again, and glances off and away, her voice returning to the song, adding new rises and dips to the otherwise simple, straightforward words. Until tomorrow, let me love you forever For come the morrow, we leave for Mandalore And if I die, just remember I love you And you'll always be mine Let us warm up this cold night together Come the morrow, we leave for Mandalore Come the morrow, we leave... for Mandalore.... And as she draws out the final line, her guitar follows her down into silence. Leia's attention departs from whatever is dominating her thoughts long enough for her to locate the source of music; by the time the notes slip into silence and the sounds of the sea are all that fills the air again, she has espied Shenner and offers a polite, though gently enthused, period of applause. _Geez, what is this, Grand Central Spaceport?!_ Shenner grimaces, her mood gone with her solitude, but the grimace is controlled by the time she glances around -- and it vanishes right off her face at the sight of who's providing the applause. Her green eyes go wide, and she can be seen to swallow hard before she manages to croak out, "Uh... thanks...." The words to the song, draw Jali's attention yet again, and she looks back at the redhaired girl and watches her as she finishes singing the song. As the melody ends, Jali decides to press the issue again politely in a quieter tone that could almost be misinterrupted as thinking to herself outloud, "It seems a waste of a song to sing if you have no one to sing of." At the sound of a single applause, Jali glances in the newcomers direction, and her eyes widen a fraction in surprised recognition. The issue of whom she might be singing is really not one Shen wishes to pursue, not in front of a stranger, at any rate. Distractedly, she says sidelong in Jali's direction, "I sing a lot of stuff..." She trails off, but the implication of 'you got a point?' might perhaps be read in her words. Shenner's gaze, however, is on Leia, and there's a suspiciously shy-looking expression starting to creep across her young face as she starts to move the guitar, to rise. Odd, how a man who got punched out will return to the scene of the fight. Like a dog returning to a bone he's buried, maybe. Aidon strolls down the beach from the city, pauses when he sees the group of people already there, but then his resolution firms and he continues towards them. Leia holds out a hand to forestall Shenner's rising, murmuring, "Please...don't bother. You seem very comfortable there...and I've always enjoyed that song." Her gaze encompasses both the redhead and the woman beside her, though one eyebrow uplifts ever so slightly. Thinking she's had enough of people who sing in public for the last couple days, Jali turns back towards Leia but makes no move to stand. She watches quietly, and has a guarded air of quiet withdrawness about her which, although present before, seems to increase a hair more, noticable in the way she sits on the rock. Few people in the galaxy can produce that look on Shenner's face -- that shy, arguably even awed expression -- but the dainty dark-haired woman who's approached her is one of them. "You have?" she blurts, as if the concept of Leia Organa Solo enjoying anything she might happen to warble is utterly alien to her. Then she seems to realize she's starting to blush, and she adds more gruffly, "Uh, I'd just finished, ma'am." Leia Brown. The color, in its richest state, is found first and most noticeably in her large eyes and lustrous hair, juxtaposed as it is with the flawless cream of her complexion. Her features, too, lure the attention of observers thanks to their subtle beauty and refined demeanor: she is every inch a princess. And yet...and yet...now and again, that noble bearing may slip in favor of the tomboy who coexists with the princess inside so diminutive a frame; the change is apparent in the quirk of her expressive lips or the mischievous twinkle in her gaze. Still, gentlewoman or gamine, she wields her authority and blaster with equal grace, speaks with eloquent elegance, even certain multilingual curses, and remains a tiny armada in female form. She has chosen, for today, a lightweight, narrowly cut dress in subdued red, a long knitted beige greatcoat atop the dress. Her luxurious brown hair is in a pair of braids that are looped up, the ends tucked somewhere out of sight underneath. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Lightsaber A bemused smile grows on Leia's lips as she confirms, "Yes, I have," while her smallish white arms fold across her chest. "You've picked a picturesque place for your music, Shenner; it suits you." Even as she makes these delicate comments, Leia slides her brown eyes toward Jali again, her eyebrow quirking a millimeter higher. The girl with the guitar hasn't noticed Aidon's approach, not yet. Under Leia's regard, it would seem that Shenner has rather forgotten about everything else around her, and no doubt about it, she's blushing. "Thanks," she mumbles. "I... uh... just came out to practice, see, and, uh, work a few things out..." The blush deepens. She hadn't meant to say that, if the chagrined flare in her eyes is any indication. Jali's eyebrow quirks up a hair in response to Leia's. Is Jali sitting on Leia's throne? Am I suppose to say something? Am I suppose to leave because I was here before the grand and mighty princess? Instead of voicing any comments, Jali just offers a quiet inquistive look with her eyes, and listens to the small words between the other two women. Leia offers to Jali a soft, amiable sort of smile that is both polite and engaging; if there is any slight inferred, certainly none is implied. "Shenner," notes the princess with a vibrant laugh, "you worry too much. How did you get to Caspar, anyway?" It occurs to the redheaded musician that the Princess is one of the last people she'd have expected to find on this world -- but it doesn't occur to her to actually point that out. I mean, she's a Princess, right? She can go anywhere she wants. So Shenner merely subsides back down to sit with her big guitar in her lap, her hands moving unconciously to the strings. "Came in with Miz Laarken," she murmurs. The smile that Leia gives to Jali is returned, but the politeness that Jali forces into it looks strained to the trained eye. Not finding the conversation overly interesting, nor thinking that it should be, Jali looks out over the water again, still listening but only with a half interest. "Well..." Leia clears her throat delicately, eyes finding the shoreline again, "I wanted to say hello and convey my enjoyment of your music. Perhaps we'll see each other later, Shenner." Shenner pulls in a breath and releases it, with careful control. Breathe. Right. Breathe, street rat! Dubious of Leia's polite social noise -- _-she- thinks she'll see -me-?!_ -- she mutters gruffly, "Uh... maybe, ma'am. I'm... um... singin' in the Sandbar for a few more nights. Uh... thanks." His hand readjusts his glasses, which are probably sitting uncomfortably on Aidon's bruised face, and then falls to his side. He comes up to the small group and stops, nodding deferentially to the Princess and neutrally to the person he doesn't know. Shenner gets a quirked eyebrow and an out-and-out grin. "Good afternoon" he says genially. And Shenner turns stark white. Leia, missing the last from Shenner as she turns away, departs with a single departing gaze toward Jali, her expression puzzled and curious. Leia leaves the beach behind and heads back into the city. Leia has left. Aidon watches the other two women leave, and shakes his head slowly. "Was it something I said?" he asks innocently. Her features still ashen, Shenner jerks her gaze away, locking her attention on her guitar. Tune it. Yeah, that's it, something to do with your hands. She doesn't bother to answer the newcomer's blithely delivered question, either blatantly determined to ignore him, or taking the opportunity to recover her composure... or both. He watches Shenner's hands for a moment, and then takes a seat on the recently vacated rock. "Are you happy as a poverty-stricken musician?" he asks her directly, and more seriously than before. "Who says I'm poverty stricken?" the girl growls, not bothering to look around as she attends to the adjusting of her instrument's frets. He hrumphs in amusement. "Any musician as thin and shabby as you are can't be making enough to live high on the hog. And you're sleeping on this beach, that's clear enough." Aidon doesn't appear to care if he offends. But what else is new? Shenner _does_ look around at that, and her chin lifts, her eyes hardening. "I have a _room_," she snaps frostily. He waves that off as inconsequential. "Good," he says. "Then you're not as close to starving as I thought. But the question remains. Are you looking for something less hand to mouth?" The musician's stony expression doesn't waver. "Why?" There is an instant's pause, though surely he must've expected that reaction. "Three reasons," Aidon says, and ticks them off on his fingers. "First, you're a musician, which means you've got good hand-eye coordination and a delicate touch. Second, you amuse me. And third, we need an assistant." Shenner's green eyes narrow on the word 'assistant'; her mouth draws together into a short, pale line. "Who's we?" she says, the words coolly wary, her eyes rather more blatantly suspicious. He rolls his eyes. "Were you beaten as a small child?" he asks rhetorically. Hard to say whether he means she should have been, or if he means she's gun-shy like she was. "My boss and I. He runs a dinky little shop repairing, among other similarly dull things, ladies' comlinks. They get their makeup into the things and make a real mess. It takes a delicate hand to get them working again." Of all the assorted things Shenneret Veery went through in her childhood, it can safely be said that beating is not one of them. However, given that this is none of Aidon Semmes' business, the young musician merely darkly scowls at that particular choice bit of commentary. Giving the last of her guitar's tuning knobs a twist with almost enough force to snap it right off, she answers tautly, "Forget it, old man. I don't want your candy, I don't want your banthadung stories, and I sure as hell don't wanna work for somebody who finds me 'amusing'. Get your entertainment someplace else." She's returned her gaze down to her guitar, her slim back stiff and unyielding, her voice holding no fury but decidedly final of tone. Aidon shrugs. "Your choice," he says, and then proceeds to ignore the girl entirely. He pulls out a small bit of hardware, opens a panel, and begins minute adjustments to it. She is listening with avid attention, though her posture gives no sign of it. Acutely aware that her self-appointed tormentor hasn't bothered to leave yet, Shenner resolves doggedly not to give him the satisfaction of getting up and stalking away. The guitar as tuned as it's going to get, she begins to play again, working her way through a practice scale. He doesn't even glance up when she starts playing. His attention is, so far as anyone else can tell, entirely focused on his work. For work it is: it's one of the small pieces of hardware that needs repair that's in his large hands. Considering the size of the equipment and the size of his hands, in fact, it's amazing that he can get anythign done. His use of his small set of tools suggests a control that nearly no one else has. It's become apparent that she isn't going to get to do what she intended without some kind of audience. Thus, stoically resolving to ignore the man sitting on the rock behind her, Shenner begins to play again, her guitar coming to life with more of those complex, minor-keyed liquid chords. Eight measures in, she begins to sing, the words kept low. And in Corellian. He glances up, recognizing the language if not the individual words. Then he goes back to his work, apparently entirely comfortable to just work with a musical background. The words, it would seem, are a lament. They speak of love pledged, and many reasons why: a spirit uplifted with a supporting hand, words and actions of encouragement, a hitherto unexperienced security and safety. A coaxing into the sunlight, or so go the words the young woman is singing. But the tune remains in its minor key, the tempo grave and resigned, the singer's voice muted and roughly edged. A small click, a creak, a whir of noise. Somehow, they seem a planned counterpoint to the young woman's melody, though surely they can't be. If they were planned, they'd be... just a counterpoint. Not mocking, not encouraging. Just existing side by side. But finally Aidon has completed his work, and snaps the little comlink closed at some appropriate spot in the music. "G'day, child," he says with a knowing grin, and then walks away. Shenner's head turns slightly -- oh, she heard him, alright. The song falters only a fraction under her hands, and her voice falters not at all. But she does glance warily over her shoulder, the only sign of her acknowledgement that the man is leaving. ---------- Interlude: The time on the beach has yet again proven unsuccessful in driving Paul Nighman's lingering presence out of her thoughts... or at any rate, out of her immediate ones. Rattled by the encounters she's had on the beach, and finding it difficult to say who had rattled her more, Princess Leia or the man named Aidon Semmes, Shenner eventually gives up on the beach entirely. She is also hard pressed to determine what drives her to the Sandbar -- anxiety to see whether Avy Laarken can provide her a job of more than a few days, or anxiety to give herself an excuse to refuse any other job offers she might happen to get from Semmes.... ---------- Dutifully wiping down the curved marble bar that dominates an entire wall of the Plaxton's popular hotspot, The SandBar, Avy seems engrossed with her simple work. The droid which normally takes care of these things is sitting idle in the corner, the power that normally keeps it's eyesockets lit off now. The several patrons of the bar are being taken care of by the regular waitresses of the establishment, but mostly it feels like a slow and lazy afternoon at the normally jumping bar. The door opens up to admit the figure of young Shenner, peering narrow-eyed into the place as her vision adjusts from the daylight outside. The young woman has none of her instruments with her, having stowed them all in the storage rooms in the back of the establishment, and as if restless without something in her hands to play, she is fidgeting with that ever-present silver and brass necklace about her throat. As she glances round the place and spies its owner, she pulls in a breath, and heads towards her. "Hey, uh, Miz Laarken?" Looking slowly up from her nearly spotless couter, Avy smiles. "Shenner... Hey there." She starts. "Gotten settled in? How is Nelun faring?" she inquires, stopping her scrub and leaning forward onto the marble. The girl looks a trifle uncomfortable as she glances off sidelong, answering gruffly, "He's, uh.... alright, I guess." Never mind that the man's eccentric habits have made him vanish almost as soon as Shen's managed to find them a couple of rooms in that motel in the Residential district. "I just wanted to check with ya, you know, about my singing the last few days, how you think it's been goin' and such." A broad smile spreads across the woman's face as she perches herself on a stool behind the counter. "I think it's been great, Shen." she beams slightly. "I've had a handful of customers come up to me...several times...and comment on the wonderful implamentation of new entertainment. Basically... Sounds like it's not just me who is glad to have you here. More importantly, how are *you* liking it?" she asks softly. "Is it too much, or are you enjoying yourself?" "Too much? Ahh, hell, nah, it's been.... great," the girl answers, trying to sound bright, proffering one of those lopsided narrow grins she seems to favor. "So you're cool with the flight passage having been paid for, huh?" There's a bit of a blush peeking out somewhere along Shen's cheeks as she speaks, though -- perhaps under that rough exterior of hers, she is not insensible to the praise. "Oh!" Avy blurts, "Oh, yes... More than paid for the passage for both you and Nelun. In fact, *I* should start paying *you*, don't you think? That is..." she pauses awkwardly, "That is if you want to stay on.. doing some playing. The locals seem to have grown a favor to you." The young musician straightens up a bit; is that a spark of hope in her green eyes. "You... _have_ a band," she points out, jabbing a thumb at the side stage where the group in question frequently plays. "They been real straight with me, but I don't wanna intrude on their turf..." She trails off, though. That may well be uncertainty there. Valak enters the Sandbar. Valak has arrived. Avy chuckles and nods. "That I do...But they seem to like you as well, and have enjoyed playing with you on the couple of occations that they have gotten to. But they play every night and both the band and the patrons like the variety." she explains. "I... I don't mean to say I want to hire you forever..." she grins, "But as long as you'd like to stick around, both the band and I would love ta have you." She says, nodding a acknowloging 'hello' to the man who just walked in the door. Valak smiles and nods at the woman who notices him slip in the bar. He makes his way across the room towards the bartender with a bizarre grace and surity. "Well..." Shenner blows out a breath, clearly turning the matter over in her mind. A trifle uncomfortable, the young woman clearly is tempted, and her crooked smile gets a little bigger. "I can't say it'd suck, Miz Laarken..." She trails off, following Avy's gaze to the approaching man, whom she eyes neutrally. Valak An average sized human male. The clothes he is wearing are made of an elagant material, most likely worth more than some cities. His shirt is long sleeved and of a silky black color, marked with an armband halfway up his upper right arm. The armband is of a similar material, with a special light blue custom design of the Imperial seal upon it. His pants are also dark in color and slightly baggy on him. A belt of fine leather cinches his pants at the waist, where his shirt is perfectly tucked, complete with a well polished gold buckle. His boots are in impeccable condition and shine with a particular gleam. And on his hands are thin black gloves made of the same leather material as his belt. His hair is jet black in color, as is the thin goatee that lines his mouth and chin. His hair is well kept and styled, and always looks as if he had just had it done five minutes ago. His facial features are nothing out of the ordinary aside from thin sideburns that terminate aside the bottom of his earlobes. He maintains a particular style and grace that is deeply accentuated by a peculiar darkness. His aura is deep, confident, and peircing. Valak removes a shined coin from one of his pockets and places it on the bar when he arrives. He places the coin flat on the bar and waits patiently to be recognized by the barkeep(s). Ariana has arrived. Valak is standing at an open space at the bar, he just placed a credit on the bar and is waiting to be served. Shen is standing on the outer side of the bar, her slim young frame leaning against it, arms crossed on the bartop. Briefly considering whether she should halt her negotiations with Avy now that there's a customer here, she peers over a Valak some more, then returns her regard to the older woman behind the bartop. To Avy, she speaks up again, apparently impulsively reaching a decision. "Okay.... I'm in. We need to write up a contract or anything?" Grinning at the young redhead and nodding, she postpones the conversation by making her way down the bar and leaning on it nearby to the darkhaired male patron. "Hi!" she smiles, apparantly practicedly relaxed, "Can I mix you something special this afternoon, or can I get you a standard?" Valak smiles warmly at the recently arrived bartender, "Hello," he says in response to her greeting, then says, "Actually, I was wondering if you had any kind of Ithorian laugers in stock?" Ariana comes to a stop near the goateed, darkly clad man, pausing at his elbow while giving him a doting sort of smile. As Avy speaks, her lazy gaze travels slowly from the man's profile to her, then back to Valak. As Avy's attention diverts, Shenner straightens up a little where she stands. Whatever agreement they've just reached between them prior to the customer's arrival seems to sit rather well with the girl; she's grinning broadly if lopsidedly to herself, and she turns to look over at the stage with a decided shine coming into her green regard. Ariana Of medium height and reed-thin, she initially gives the impression of being almost insubstantial until one realizes that what flesh is on her frame is sinewy and toned, like a dancer or athlete. Her pale blonde hair, streaked gold by sun, is growing into a softer, wavier, coiffure nearly to her shoulders, framing a pert, youthfully appealing face. Her eyes, sparkling and watchful, are a healthy compromise between blue and grey. Sans makeup and any of her expensively tailored attire, she is somewhat less glamorous than normal. Her complexion is still wan, her eyes bearing a hollow, half-lifeless expression. Still, she has a hint of cosmetics on her features now, and her color is augmented by a flowing, stylish dress in blood red, the clinging bodice giving way to a full, asymmetrical skirt. Her blonde hair is drawn back in a ponytail, hanging loosely behind her. While Avy attends to the current customer, Shenner catches the eye of the other bartender, who's come over to exchange murmurs with her. Ariani is grinning rather widely, and she and Shenner smack their palms together in a gesture of apparent mutual approval. "You'll be official tonight, huh kid?" and "Yeah, well, we'll work out the details in a minute..." can be heard to be exchanged between them. Valak turns to his recently arrived companion and nods as she arrives at his side. He looks over when the sounds of slapping hands are heard then back at the barkeep. Ariana's task, it seems, is to remain at his side without interrupting his actions, and her half-lidded eyes train more on Avy than on the male beside her. Morganna enters the Sandbar. Morganna has arrived. Shenner and Ariani, grinningly facing one another across the bartop, keep up their murmured chatter. "'Corellian's Bane' went over -real- well, ya know, kid -- even if Loran's Corellian." "He is? Ha! Well, he'll just hafta cope. Hey, you think they know 'Kessel Run'...?" The scarred Ambassador only has one Aide with her as she enters the sandbar, one aide and a look that could freeze tatooine on her face. For the first time, morganna actually ./looks/ like an imperial, her coldness not breaking for anyone as she steps towardsa an unaccompanied table Avy bobs her head deeply. "Of course." she replies simply, reaching into a cold unit beneath the marble counter and producing a slender bottle. She pops the top from the thing easily and sets it near the man before adding a tall, frosted glass and a small bowl of sliced Corellian limes to the mix. "That's a favorite, kid," Ariani murmurs playfully to Shenner. "How many parsecs can you finish it in, huh? Whoops -- lemme go get _them_. I'll be back." And the woman leaves Shen's side, moving over to attend to Morganna as the woman claims her table. Shenner is left at the bar, and she leans back casually against it, turning back to watch Avy Laarken and her customers before her. Sliding easily onto the stool at Valak's side, Ariana requests nothing for herself and spends the following minute glancing about her at the bar's patrons. Valak takes the bottle into both his hands and holds it away from him in appreciation, "Well, I must say, I'm rather surprised, it's not easy to come by Ithorian laugers these days. I am duly impressed." He sets the bottle back down and reaches into his pocket for another credit to complement the one he alrayd put on the bar. All the while smiling like a kid with a new toy. Avy grins and nods to the man. "That it is... We have a paticular customer who adores the stuff, so we keep in stock. I'm amazed at the amount of people who ask for it though. Enjoy... " she smiles, looking to the woman seated next to him. "Can I get'chya anything?" Preoccupied by her datapad and Ariani, Morganna doesn't really pay all that much attention to the other patrons, it's not like she's expecting anything interesting to happen, like, say, Ariana turning up again. The scarred Ambassador scratches her chin, "I'll have a corellian Ale please.." and that eye flashes, her gaze is still rock hard, but she's relaxing just a touch. As Ariani returns towardsthe bar, the Scarred woman's predatory gaze finds Shenner. Briefly, Shenner flicks a gaze over the woman at Valak's side. Something like recognition momentarily crosses her young features, but is gone again, as quickly as it came. The young redhead then glances off to see where Ariani had gone, notices Morganna, and visibly starts. Valak pours the contents of the slender bottle into the heavily frosted glass, taking another moment to appreciate the hue of the beverage. He then takes it to his lips and takes a sip, eyes darting to Ariana to see what she orders. Ariana speaks quietly in a muted Alderaanian accent, her manner pleasant if weary. "I would like Ithorian lager as well, please..." Avy nods, "Surething." she says, repeating a similar ritual before the woman. "You two just wave me down if you need anything else." she grins. Her stony face disappears as Morganna's lips curl up into a deliciously evil grin. That cold, organic eye locks with Shenner's as the girl looks at her and Morganna mouths 'Boo.' Valak nods and looks around. "Nice place," he says to no one in particular, but directs it at Ariana. "I wonder what kind of clientele they usually attract." Whoo boy. _Casual, street rat, act casual, never mind that the last time you saw that woman with the glowing eye, you were falling down drunk._ Shenner isn't drunk now, though, and although there is a brief flare of nervousness in the kid's expression, her chin comes up, her shoulders level, and she mouths right back, 'Eeek.' Then, making a point of slouching visibly against the bar, she glances back at Avy. "So about that contract...?" "I seem to recall tourists and certain romantic types enjoying the atmosphere," replies the red-clad female beside Valak. "Different from the orbital station." Her drink remains untouched, her body turned toward her companion while her gaze flickers from person to person, quizzically. "Ah!" proclaims the redheaded bartender, heading back in Shenner's direction. "Whatta you say? As long as you wanna stick around, I'll keep you employed?" she asks, re-perching herself on her stool behind the bar and scooping up the towl that she was using earlier. Shenner's big lopsided smile returns. "Yeah," she parries, beginning to sound almost sly. "But there's the question of how much, and that kinda thing. You wanna pay me what you're payin' the band?" Sitting with someone that's a little nervous around you is alot better than sitting alone, or at least it is to the Predatory Imperial Ambassador. Gaze still resting on Shenner, that glowing eye flickers a little as Morganna crosses the expanse of floor to her quarry slowly, almost disconcertingly slow. When she reaches Shenner, the scarred woman speaks with a voice that is about as warm as a winter day on Hoth, "Good evening, I see you're a little more sober now." Valak closes his eyes momentarily, enjoying the drink more than most people enjoy thier drinks. He takes another mouthfull and lets it pool on this tounge for a moment before swallowing it down. "Indeed, seems kind of quiet here tonight. Not what I was expecting or hoping for." Ariana nods appreciatively for the sentiment and suggests politely, "It's still early. Perhaps as the evening passes more people will appear? And Caspar is a large planet, with Kichnar above. Much to do." Avy grins. "Well...Absolutely..." she ponders brushing several strands of hair from her face. Shenner lifts a green regard up to Morganna, and answers blandly, "I ain't got to that on my daily schedule yet. Getting smashed is _after_ I sing." The scarred woman almost gasps at Shenner's announcement that she sings, and a flicker of recognition passes over the Scarred Ambassador's face, "You.." she points at Shenner, very nearly poking the poor girl, "You sing, you were with the musicion guay.." she rubs her temples, "What the hell was his name...? he playes one of those guitar things.. This was a long time ago, b'fore the plague.." Not only is her gaze predatory now, but it's determined, too. Avy raises an eyebrow and casts a glance towards the scarred woman. "I think that sounds fine. Same as the band, plus any tips you get, of course, are yours to keep. Pretty much a come and go as you please situation...That's what they do." she grins, jabbing a thumb towards the musicians setting up on the stage. Avy tips her head and peers interestedly at the woman addressing her new employee. Valak still hasn't bothered to sit down. He takes another mouthfull from his glass. He sets the glass back down and takes the bottle, emptying the last of the bottle into the glass and setting the now-empty glass on the other side of the bar. The aide shadowing Morganna just stands back, apppearing bored, but alert as he watches the Ambassador. Shen flashes Avy a rather more distracted grin, now. With Morganna leaning into her personal space, giving her an up close and personal view of her scarred visage, the kid frowns bemusedly at the woman's sudden outburst. "What musician guy?" she asks warily. Ariana, without skipping a beat, slides the untouched bottle beside her closer to Valak's reach. "What were you expecting?" she finds herself querying, head cocked ever so slightly to the right. Valak polishes off his glass and sets it down beside the bottle. He reaches into his pocket and removes a few more credits. He holds the credits out high and when he catches the barkeeps's eye and nods deeply at her for her attention. It takes her several moments, but she finally recognizes Valak's empty glass. She slips slowly off her chair with one more glance cast towards Morganna before making her way down the bar. "Another?" she smiles. Valak smiles back and spots Ariana's bottle, "I guess not," he says, "But I do have a quick question for you." He places the credits on the bar. Avy leans an elbow on the bar. "Sure. What can I do for you?" Morganna scratches her chin and that blue eye glows brightly in the dim bar, "We were never introduced.. but I b'lieve his name is Nighman, or something." The scarred woman's gaze remains firmly fixed on Shenner, "He's around Caspar somewhere..." Valak smiles and looks around, he leans in a bit, "I'm trying to track down a gentleman who goes by the name....ahh....what was it now....Olumpari? Ozzle Olumpari I think, it was....yes." He looks dead on to Avy, scanning her expression as he asks the question now. Shenner's reaction to Morganna's words is short... but sharp, and powerful. Something like alarm blazes up into the girl's expression, and it takes her conscious effort to try to wrestle neutrality back into her face. She can be seen to swallow, and in a rather raspier voice, she replies after a moment, "Yeah....? Ya don't say?" Avy's expression isn't as veiled as it possibly should be. "Ozzle... Olumpari?" she asks, apparantly a little surprised. "I can't place ever acctually meeting him...But I do know he was running the show up on Kichnar, last I heard. I know that he and the President were in some kind of talks awhile back, but I never heard what came of them..." Morganna grins once again at AShenner, savouring her reaction and, just as she's about to retort, she hears the mention of a familiar name. Curiously,, and probably with much relief to the young Singer, Morganna's gaze passes to the man who uttered the name and... his companion. Now it's morganna's turn to Gasp, "Ms Millikin!" she comments, swiftly heading over, "Thank the force you're alive, your brother's been worried sick about you.." such concern from the usually cold woman. Valak nods and slides the additional credits across the bar towards Avy, and smiles, "Well, thank you just the same." He reaches for Ariana's dejected lauger. Ariana's gaze finds Avy's features unblinkingly, attentive to her response and each syllable within it. When she pauses or entirely stops, the blonde then turns toward Valak once more, but Morganna's outburst draws her gaze toward the scarred woman. Briefly impassive, Ariana eventually smiles faintly and says, simply, "Ambassador." As Morganna's attention diverts, Shenner jerks her gaze away from the woman, turning swiftly to face off in some nice safe random direction. Perhaps only Avy, behind the bar, can note that Shenner has gone entirely white of countenance. Valak fills his glass with his new lauger and dutifully takes a mouthfull. He sets the glass back down carefully as he swallows it down then looks over at the loudmouth new arrival. Avy nods. "Surething, sir..." she smiles and scoops the credits up, and heading towards the register."If you need anything else... Just let me know." Sommer enters the Sandbar. Sommer has arrived. Morganna offers a small bow to Ariana and her companion, she leans against the bar, that predatory gaze resting on Valak for a moment, "I overheard you mention the name of the crimson eyed bastard, Ozzle Olumpari." she almost hisses the name, "He appears to be flavour of the month." Valak is standing at the bar next to the seated Ariana. Across from him the bartender Avy is walking towards a cash register. Across from him on the other side of Ari is Morganna. A few stools down, Shenner looks awfull uncomfortable. When Avy moves to the register, Shenner snaps her attention to the woman, waving at her to beckon her over. The girl has gotten her face under control -- mostly. Only her eyes give her away, as she leans as close as she possibly can to mutter at her new employer, "Gimme a shot of brandy, will ya?" Valak seems less than phased by the cold 'Ambassador's' demeanor and gaze. "The 'crimson-eyed bastard', you say, miss? I detect some hositility towards Mr. Olumpari, yes?" He smiles slightly as he sizes up the woman. Sommer looks at you for a moment. Sommer steps into the Sandbar and glances around before making her way over towards a section of the bar that'd put her on the other side of Shenner from the group near Valak. She doesn't give the group much of her attention, she simply seats herself quietly a stool or two away from Shenner and waits for the bartender to make her way over. Offering herself a seat near Valak and Ariana, Morganna nodes her head slowly, "How perceptive.." the tone is almost sarcastic, but, it loses the edge as Morganna notes that her coldness isn't affecting this man, "I've known him for far longer than I care to admit, before being in the emperor's service he tried to get me to work for him, but I declined.. he didn't take that too well." she scraches her chin, "I'm not sure if he's still around, his lighting Fountain Square up like a Tatooine Krayt roast turned a few heads." Ariana's lips thin at Morganna's biting tone but otherwise remains expressionless, her eyes mirroring similar blandness. Sommer's arrival is noted, but not noticeably so, and eventually the flinty blue gaze slides back to Morganna and Avy. Valak raises a brow, "Get you to work for him? What does he do?" He asks...."Wait? Lightning?" He seems mildly confused. By now, the younger bartender, Ariani, has returned to her post. Seeing Shen, she frowns at the girl's expression and steps in to fulfill her request on Avy's behalf, setting down a small glass with a shot of amber-hued liquid before the newly hired singer. "You okay, kid?" Ariani murmurs to her. "'Mfine," Shenner mutters. Her left hand has now grabbed onto the silver-and-brass pendant dangling on its chain round her throat, and is gripping it tightly enough to turn her knuckles bloodless. With her right hand, she seizes the small glass, clamps her eyes shut, and tosses the shot right down her throat. The Scarred Ambassador shrugs and waves a hand, "He runs KOS, last time I looked, and the locals up tjhere are none too happy with it.." at the 'lightning' comment, she grins, "I said /lighting/.. fire.. He threw a fireball at some force witch.. then made a wall of flames. It was quite th' show.." her smile falls a little, "But stilla little freaky, that force stuff is weird." Ariana explains almost drowsily to Valak, voice pitched to the very soft, "Jessalyn Valios." Shenner can be heard to choke on her drink. Sommer doesn't really want to tear the bartender away from the girl nearby, especially as she seems to have difficulty downing the drink she's ordered, but she's thirsty and the wine doesn't pour itself around here. She very softly clears her throat and places an order. Valak nods as if what she's saying is everday life for him. Ariani frowns, not at all liking the look on Shenner's face, but she hesitantly turns round to attend to Sommer. Valak polishes his second lauger off, "That all sounds most interesting, I will have to look into it. If you will excuse me, however," he pardons himself and steps away, "I must be on my way." He smiles and bows slightly. Now looking distinctly as if she's been punched in the gut -- twice -- Shenner whirls in Ariana's direction. With an effort, the kid barks out roughly, "Hey... you... know Jessalyn Valios?" Morganna raises her eyebrow and regards Valak cautiously, "You're about the first person that has't been completely surprised by that, you must have seen some pretty strange stuff in your time." The ambassador rises to her feet and offers a small bow again, "Ms. Millikin, it's a pleasure to see you again." she watches Valak curiously, "Good eve to you, sir.." As she quits her barstool, Ariana murmurs to the goateed man at her side, "I'll return to the ship later, as we discussed." The words, too soft for anyone but Valak to hear, are followed by a bow to Morganna and a sluggish turn toward Shenner. A question is in her gaze but never forms on her lips. Valak smiles a smile that sends a chill directly into the core of it's intended target, the know-it-all loudmouth Ambassador. Valak says no more and doesn't even bother too introduce himself as he slips back through the bar. "Lendrullian Wine," Sommer orders in a quiet tone meant for Ariani. She stops paying visible attention to the girl next to her as soon as Shenner involves herself into the conversation of the larger group nearby. Valak has left. Ariani nods brusquely and moves to pour up the order, but half the young woman's attention is on the clearly shaken Shenner, who repeats rather more anxiously to Ariana, "Do you know Jessalyn Valios?" It's warm int he bar, but nevertheless, Morganna shivers, shaking her head she mutters, "Must be a breeze or something..." and turns towards Ariana, waiting for her to finish with Shenner, a questioioning Gaze in her eye. "Do you always speak so abruptly to strangers?" Ariana counters softly, though no threat is intended; little inflection rests in her tone. _Ahh, bloody hells, don't tell me I'm gonna get a lecture on manners from -her-, too....!_ Shenner stares hard at Ariana, then backs off, shaking her head and growling out huskily, hands up, "Never karkin' mind, forget I said anything...!" Ariana seems inclined to do just that, though puzzlement remains thanks to the girl's vehemence. "What is Valios to you?" "A friend," Shenner croaks, glancing over her shoulder long enough to make it clear that that commentary is directed to Ariana, moving to catch the attention of Ariani in the meantime. Morganna places herself back on a stool near Shenner, Ariana and Ariani, she seems to be growing a little impatient, but doesn't interfere, this is interesting. She does, however, flag a wave to Ariani, "I didn't get my ale.." she announces, dropping soem gredits on the bar, "I'm sorry I lef t th' table." Ariani frowns, _really_ not liking Shenner's stricken look, but she nods shortly and moves to fetch Morganna her ale, too. Ariana brushes a bit of lint from her attire and, with a singular nod to Shenner, steps away from the girl to indicate that, as far as she is concerned, the conversation is over. Sommer sips at her glass of wine, listening yet not watching what's transpiring nearby, though by the disinterested and unattentive expression on her face, not even that's obvious. With Avy having gotten distracted over across the bar, Shenner is left to wave down Ariani. But she gives Arian_a_ a wary, nervous look, before turning at last to the younger bartender, once customers have been dealt with. "Listen," she mutters, "tell Miz Laarken I'll be back in a coupla hours, okay? I... I gotta go do somethin'...." Morganna raises a hand, and, less abruptly than Shenner greeted her, the Ambassador politely offers, 'Ms Millikin..? Can I ask you something?" she rubs the back of her neck, and takes the ale in one hand, sipping from the glass. Ariana, pausing, tenders Morganna a lingering glance through the sleepy, half-lowered lids, and nods. "Okay, kid... you _sure_ you're okay?" Ariani mutters back lowly at Shenner. Shenner only nods, mutters a "see ya" to her new co-worker, and promptly heads for the exit as swiftly as if a pack of rabid krethna were on her tail. _Paul.... Jessa... Paul... Paul's -here-?! Ohmigod...._ Not yet knowing which of them she's going to be seeking, knowing only that it's vital she find one of them, Shenner flees out into the darkening night. [And soon, in the starport....] Rodo looks at you for a moment. Shenner, looking tense and pale and moving a brisk clip, comes southward out of Fountain Square and doesn't once break stride as she hastens eastward towards the starport. You move quickly into the spaceport. Concourse - Union Starport The throng buzzes about this modern complex, a mix of travelers, tourists, merchants, and citizens. An array of tiers encircle a busy floor, each tier hosting a different kiosk or bureau that offers information, services, traveling necessities, or souveniers. In the center of the complex, a huge post supports four immense databoards, giving a constantly updated listing of arrivals and departures. The air is crisp, and the skylights give this place a very airy, open look. The tiers have foliage planted on their borders and railings, and the greens, blues, and grays of the fibrous walls and floor gives the structure a very natural, forest atmosphere. Currently, construction of some sort seems to be taking place to the south, as large construction vehicles move along, toting beams and laying down a new road. A sign nearby says, "Future home of CDU Recruiting Center." -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => BOOTH AND BENCH: Cham's Fortunes and Variety -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- ast leads to Landing Pad - Union Starport. est leads to South Mergansar Ave. - Plaxton City. You leave the complex and walk out onto the flightline. Landing Pad - Union Starport Slightly sunken down into the rocky ground, the paved flightline that is the landing pad is crammed with ships of a variety of types. Eight towering, oddly-shaped structures encircle the tarmac, serving as light towers and static dissipaters, but their markings and carvings in their metallic skin hint at a different original purpose. The dense forest crowds in on the rim of the clearing, and some foliage creeps over the stoney edge and hangs down like drapes. A row of hangers lie agape under the windows of the Starport Complex, and techs on hoversleds constantly push ships in and out of them. Near the exit which leads into the city, a sign is secured to one wall, separated from the rest of the notices placed in the area. OOC Note1: Type INSPECT NOTICE to read the Immigration Notice. OOC Note2: Type RECALL SHUTTLE to call the insystem shuttle to this location. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Economic Presence -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Troy => STARFIGHTER: SubPro Ilyrian Gnat -- CFS Frunze => STARFIGHTER: SubPro Wanderer Mk II -- CCS Keramisk => STARFIGHTER: SubPro Ilyrian Gnat -- CCS Caledonia => STARFIGHTER: SubPro Ilyrian Gnat -- Steadfast => STARFIGHTER: Ghtroc Class 720 Freighter -- Makeshift Gizmo => STARFIGHTER: Sardakh Kale-1 -- Banshee => CAPITAL: Corellian Action VI -- Wild Karrde => STARFIGHTER: Corellian YT-1300 -- Millennium Falcon => STARFIGHTER: SubPro Wanderer Mk II -- Flight of Fancy => STARFIGHTER: Sienar Lambda Class Shuttle -- Starshine => STARFIGHTER: Sienar Lambda Class Shuttle -- CFS Acasta => STARFIGHTER: Corellian YT-1300 -- Sable Fox => Artoo => STARFIGHTER: Yacht Lady Luck => STARFIGHTER: Corellian YT-1300 -- The Stray Cat => STARFIGHTER: Sardakh Kale-1 -- Firedancer => STARFIGHTER: Corellian YT-1300 -- Typhos => STARFIGHTER: Sienar Lambda Class Shuttle -- CFS Armistice => SQUAD: Caspar Guards - 6799 => STARFIGHTER: SubPro Ilyrian Gnat -- CFS Kalinin => starport computer => Transport Panel -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- est leads to Concourse - Union Starport. Troy looks at you for a moment. White-faced, obviously tense, Shenner comes at a swift clip into the starport. Alone, carrying nothing, the girl starts studying the first few ships that meet her gaze with something resembling desperation. Troy sits on a crate near his ship...smoking a Cigar. Watching everybody move around the spaceport Troy noticing the Fair lady looking at the ships "Ummm M'Lady...can i be of some assistance." _That's not it. No, that ain't it, either... suns, the _Falcon_?!_ Shenner strides from ship to ship, starts visibly at the sight of the battered YT-1300 nestled in among the rest of the vessels, and starts yet again as she's hailed. She whirls around as abruptly as if someone had just shot her in the back, and rasps out, "Wh-what?" Troy looks sorry for startling the Lady "Are yeah look'n for something.." The Olumekar comes in for a landing and powers down it's engines. Troy Troy McTavish is your typical country boy. He is 5'10 of average build, with dark hair (kept in a military cut), peircing Green eyes, and kinda cute in a boyish sorta way, looks about 26 to 27 years of age. There is not much that seperates Troy from any other joe on the streets except for his happy go lucky additude and large smile that is always on his face. His clothes are very plane, dominated by browns and greens. He is wearing a Protective Vest with a White shirt under the vest. Around his waist he wears a belt with a holster on one hip that carries his heavy blaster in it, and on the other Hip he has a small Knife holster .His shirt has a small Pin wich reads FLS, he is Obviously missing the jacket that matches his pants.His pants are Brown leather, they have seen better day (or are they just dirty).His boots have seen many many many many Km's. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Protective Vest => DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol => Vibro-Knife => HBT-4 Hunting Blaster -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => CigarCase Canon walks down the ramp of the Olumekar. Canon has arrived. The redheaded young woman frowns off warily in Troy's direction, then swallows, trying to regain her composure. "Yeah," Shenner hedges, "I'm... lookin' for a ship. A particular ship." Troy advances slowly and smiles "Well Lass there are many ships here...yeah got a name of it." "_Hawk's Wing_," the young woman answers, her voice slightly less hoarse now. Troy thinks for abit "hrmmmm, yeah wouldn't happen ta know what kinda ship it is do yeah..." Canon peers downward into a datapad, moving forward slowly as he's pushed along by the crowd departing from the shuttle along with him. Shenner pulls in a breath, standing a little straighter now, her expression closed off and stony, in contradiction to those still-anxious green eyes. "SubPro," she answers, voice low and edged. "Ilyrian Gnat." Troy hrmmms and smiles overtop of his cigar "and whos the pilot of the vessel..if'n yeah don't mind me ask'n" Canon clears the shuttle and enters into the main crowd still for the most part allowing himself to be carried along in which ever direction the majority are going in as he continues to study the pad for the moment. Perhaps the redheaded girl _does_ mind the stranger before her asking, for a frown darkens her eyes, though it doesn't quite make it to her mouth. After a moment, she answers tautly, "A Corellian. His name's Nighman." Troy thinks abit then shruggs "Sorry ain't hear of the ship nor the Captian..sorry i could not help yeah out M'Lady..." sensing her aprehention(spelling) he bows slightly and walks slowly back to his Crate as the tech finish repairs on his ship. Canon looks at you for a moment. "Thanks," Shenner rasps, her distracted attention already leaving Troy as the man turns off about his business. She resumes her own, striding through the landing pad, casting another glance at that distant battered YT-1300 before jerking her stare elsewhere. a Large **BANG** is heard. Then you hear Troy yell out "Watch'it you morons..." he then climbs up onto the ship..."Get the !@#$ out of here i'll do it my self.." The tech jumps off and gives a salute with his finger and heads off. Troy enters in a code and enters STARFIGHTER: SubPro Ilyrian Gnat -- CCS Caledonia Troy has left. Canon's eyebrows wrinkle and a moment later the datapad has been slipped away. He glances after Troy and nods to himself. Within minutes, Shenner's search of the starport has yielded nothing. She blows out a restless sigh, then turns and abruptly darts for the shuttle. ---------- Postlude: It wasn't on the planet's surface -- at least not in the Union Starport. The _Hawk's Wing_ was, however, up on Kichnar Station. Shenner found it fairly quickly. And stood paralyzed for a long time gazing at the ship in which she'd travelled around for months with the Corellian she still couldn't forget. She didn't know if she wanted to see him or wanted not to see him, either. And eventually, fear that she _would_ see him won out, sending her fleeing in panic back down to the planet.... [End log.]