Log Date: 10/11/98 Log Cast: Qua'lor, Shenneret Veery, Kaein, Luke Skywalker, Ariani (NPC), Kaley, Clarise, Chantinelle, Ozzle, Illex, Nok, Jessalyn, Defcon, Rabid, Morganna Log Intro: As patiently as she possibly can, Shenner has been hoping for a further encounter with Luke Skywalker -- but aware as she is that there are Jedi of the darker persuasion loose in Plaxton City, the young musician has not been particularly surprised that she hasn't seen much of Luke. And it's not as if she hasn't had enough to occupy her attention, what with her other distractions. But it seems that the fair-haired Jedi Knight has a way of showing up in Shen's vicinity when she's least expecting him... and the problem with this is, trouble has even more of a way of following Luke Skywalker around than it does Shenneret Veery.... ---------- You enter the Sandbar. The Sandbar A large circular room creates the main part of Caspar's infamous SandBar. Dark wood paneled walls adorned with all sorts of paraphanalia set the relaxed athmosphere of the bar. Photographs and holovids are pinned randomly around, seemingly with no order at all. Posters from years past hang proudly, displaying obscure bits of Plaxton's recent history. Several windows made from a deep blue glass allow light in from outside, while still keeping the appearance of the bar rather dark. Along one curved wall a marble bar stands proudly, where Ariani busies herself making drinks and cleaning occational spots of the bar. There is an abundant amount of seating in here. You notice quite a few booths and tables, as well as a loft which protrudes out over the bar. A popular local band plays smooth jazz in the background. ----For help with tables, type "PLACE HELP" ----For help with drinks, type "BAR HELP" -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Kaley => Luke => Kaein => Qua'lor => Ariani => Emma -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- leads to Fountain Square - Plaxton City. Qua'lor looks at Kaein, startled that he actually tried to subdue a jedi...He snickers softly at Kaein foolishness, then sips his beer again, anticipating assault. Qua'lor looks at you for a moment. Laden with the leather knapsack that appears to have become part of her standard attire, Shenner trudges in, waves down Ariani, and receives a wave in return. As the young redheaded musician collapses onto a seat, the bartender approaches her amiably, pouring up a mug of something hot and steaming -- for Shen looks like she needs it. "I'm wiped," she proclaims to the bartender. "Just gimme something to wake me up again, will ya, 'Ani?" The horansi's golden eyes flash in the light as he watches the jedi's tricks, another growl excaping from deep in his throat. He looks at the jedi for a few moments before replying in low tones "keeping the peace? thats a new one coming from a jedi" he snorts after he speaks, as if mocking the jedi. Glancing at Kaein, Qua'lor says "Now, are you gonna do anything or leave me alone friend? Don't you think one assault charge is enough?" "I assure you." Luke intones calmly toward the Horansi, "I mean you no harm. It's obvious you two are having a disagreement here. My only intention is to dissuade you from hurting anyone." He remains where he is, arms loosely at his side as he regards the being. He considers curiously, "I think you mis-understand me." "Sure thing, kiddo," says Ariani, placing the mug of shakla in front of her young friend. Then the bartender leans in close and murmurs something to Shen, making the musician blink and lean back on her stool, peering up at the loft for a moment. But then Shen leans back to the bar again, muttering only, "Oh..." and then promptly striking up a conversation with the bartender, chattering tiredly about her attempts to get into the local university. Kaein shakes his head toward the man and seems to be ignoring qua'lor for the moment "You jedi are all the same" he growls at the man, his long white fangs exposed as he speaks "Bringing nothing but destruction and misery where ever you tread" Kaley grins from her posistion at the top of the stairs. The table closest to her opens up and she takes it quickly. She can see the show better from here and can also hear some of what is said. -Poor Jedi- She thinks humorously. -He doesn't realize what type of place he stepped into. People here don't trust those with the gift.- Qua'lor takes a few steps back and looks onward at the conflict taking place, hopefully thinking that Kaein will screw up and get himself killed...Suddenly the thought leaves him as he realizes how fast Kaein can run. Luke inhales a contemplative breath, "I'll agree there have been several Jedi ravaging this system in the past few weeks." Then lower in tone, serious, "I'm not of their kind." He slowly puts out a hand, "Luke Skywalker." he holds the hand there, despite the fact that he feels it's about to get bitten off. With somewhat of a smirk, he adds disarmingly, "I'm uh.. the good kind." How do you tell a clawed Horansi about the two paths of the Force without getting scratched? "Yeah, there's at least one fencing instructor there," Shenner tells Ariani absently, "and I think I'll be lookin' into it, I mean, I think I could get into that... gonna need it, I think, with the line of work I wanna take up..." Her attention, however, slides surreptitiously up towards the loft again; the girl's face holds a bit of nervousness, a bit of shyness. Ariani, astutely observing Shenner's visage as well as listening to her conversation, merely nods knowingly, and leans in to murmur wisely to her, "Y'know, kid, you _could_ go up there. There's stairs." "Wha? Oh... nah... I'll wait," Shen mutters back. Kaein snorts, and a crooked grin appeas on his maw "good kind? more tricks....what do you want from me jedi?" he growls, leaving lukes hand hanging in space, no attempt to even aknowledge it has been made... Qua'lor grins at the exchange taking place, happy that for now Kaein wasn't focusing his misguided anger on him. He takes another sip from his beer, watching intensely. He thinks back to when Kaein gave him a concussion, then smiles happily that if all goes well, he'll never be able to again. Luke keeps the hand held out for a moment while he considers this. He nods succintly, withdrawing it and answering, "I want nothing from you." With that he turns and makes his way slowly toward the steps, pondering to himself just how quickly he could make it back -up- here if these two beings start vaporizing each other. Kaein turns back to the squid and moves over toward him, quickly grabbing two of the squids tentacles and pulling him up face to face before snarling "i'll deal with you later" and with that the releases the quarren and heads for the steps. Qua'lor walks towards the exit and to his bike Qua'lor walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Qua'lor has left. Luke moves down the steps ahead of the two and resumes his place at the bar, where his drink has gone warm. Shenner blinks after Qua'lor as the being departs, then sighs and turns back to Ariani, blinking again at the question she'd just asked her. "What? Hah. _Loren_ sent me a holocard of the beach. With a message on the back. Said he wants to see me in a bikini." She snorts. "I'll just _bet_ he does...!" Kaley follows the blond one down the stairs, not bother to hide the fact that she really is following him, and takes the seat next to him at the bar. She sips from her drink then meantions. "The people here will find it hard to trust you." She doesn't bother to look in his direction only at her glass. Luke is hunched over his drink, sipping it with a turned up face, "Huh?" he says to the woman distractedly. "Loren likes you, kiddo," drawls Ariani amusedly, and she adds over her shoulder as she approaches Kaley and Luke, "He's a Corellian. You're just making him more interested every time you say no." Shenner snorts again, loudly, even as she peeks down the length of the bar at yonder Skywalker. This time Kaley looks to the jedi. "The locals, they aren't going to trust you. Anyone with the 'gift' is considered evil. You could save yourself the trouble and leave them alone." Luke shrugs as he mutters a reply, "Yeah well I don't blame them." He nurses the warm green ale. "Anything I can get you two folks?" Ariani asks cheerfully of Luke and Kaley, now that they are back at the bar. She regards the Jedi's drink with a critical eye. Kaley shrugs and set her glass on the bar. "No, I don't suppose I do either. I'm sure I wouldn't if I were in their position." She pushes her cap back slightly and looks around the room at the patrons. "They don't understand." A pause. "I guess I don't exactly understand either, I'm not sure anyone really does. But at least I know more then they." She motions with her arm to the crowd. She hears Ari's voice and turns back around, shaking her head, "I don't need anything, thank you." Luke cringes through a swallow. He rasps in Ariani's direction, "Freshen this up?" He shoves the glass toward her then turns to regard Kaley, surveying her features for a few long seconds. He runs the back of his hand across his mouth, "And what's that?" he asks cautiously, remaining withdrawn and aloof. "You don't believe what he said do you.. I mean, that all Jedi just bring destruction in their wake.." Shenner, in the meantime, seems to be doing a marvelous imitation of wooden wall paneling, fastening her attention down on her mug of brandied cocoa. Ariani inclines her head to Kaley in acknowledgement, and promptly provides Skywalker with a fresher, frostier ale. That duty done, she heads back down to Shen six stools away, and the young musician muttergrowls at her, "I don't date Corellians, and that's that, okay?" Kaley shakes her head. "No, I don Kaley shakes her head. "No, I don't believe it. All of your kind are very different, at least as far as I've noticed." Ariani, keeping a deadpan expression, nods wisely to Shenner. "Don't suppose you like 'em shorter and blonder than Loren, hmm?" she inquires guilelessly, with a meaningful glance back down the bar. "_'Ani!_" Shen hisses, aghast. "The problem is this system has only seen one kind lately." Luke mutters into his new ale, "And what do you tell people when all they've seen are.." he pauses, blinking at her before changing topic, "Have we met?" The horansi cub pads down the steps from the loft quickly, glancing about the bar quickly with his golden eyes before mocing through the crowd toward the exit. "Hey, hey..." The bartender holds up her hands, palms out, at Shenner's horrified expression. Ariani's eyes are twinkling, though. "It was just a question." "And way outta line," Shenner growls, just loud enough for the older woman to hear her. "Look, 'Ani. I'm gonna be a xenomusicologist, dammit, and I don't need a man in my life, from Corellia... er, Tatooine, or any other frekkin' planet in the frekkin' galaxy, you got that?" Kaley shakes her head. "I'm Kaley Recourua. You might have seen me around, but I don't think we've ever met." Luke offers a hand, "Luke Skywalker." he replies softly. Sniffing as he swivels a little to survey the patrons, he murmurs somewhat downcast, "They just don't realize." then tilting his head at her adding matter of factly, "You know the Sarian." Luke offers a hand, "Luke Skywalker." he replies softly. Sniffing as he swivels a little to survey the patrons, he murmurs somewhat downcast, "They just don't realize." then tilting his head at her adding matter of factly, "You know the Sarian." Kaein walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Kaein has left. Ariani, perhaps paradoxically, seems to approve of the musician's declaration, and proves it by adding another dollop of brandy to her shakla. "Hear hear, kiddo. I couldn't agree more." She flashes Shen a broad, big-sisterly smile. Shen relaxes... a little. Then she reaches down and grabs her knapsack, slinging its strap over her shoulder; with that, she takes up the mug and mutters a "thanks" at her friend, not meeting her eyes. "I got studyin' to do. I'll be here to play tonight if y'all want me, okay?" Not waiting for Ariani to reply, she moves, shakla- and satchel-laden, off for a distant table. Kaley shakes Luke's hand firmly but almost too quickly lets go. She could be in a lot of trouble for even talking to him, but for some unknown reason she does anyway. She nods. "I know him." is all she offers on this 'Sarian' that is spoken about. "He's bad news." Luke answers lowly, "What's your relationship with him?" A bold question, but one that must be asked. Not telling the truth but not lying either, Kaley simply answers. "Business Associates." She looks to her glass and takes a sip of the warm liquid. Luke's brows furrow, "I see." he answers plainly, staring at the woman while he takes a cautious sip of the liquid. His eyes glance down to see if she's wearing a blaster or hidden poisoned knife about to be aimed at him. "Strange business partner if you ask me." Ariani must get in a lot of practice keeping that straight face. Not a sign of that twinkle lingers in her eye as long as she keeps vigil over the bar which is her domain, not a sign of any interest in the blond Jedi past the fact that he's drinking her ale. She does, nevertheless, keep a surreptitious eye on Shen as the girl slumps down into a booth and hauls out a large textbook from her satchel. Safely out of earshot -- or at least so Shen hopes -- the girl frowns to herself, pinching the bridge of her nose between her fingers, and finally turns her attention to burying that periodically returning headache of hers in research and brandy-laced hot chocolate. Kaley shrugs. "He gets the job done and that's all that's really important." She stops and looks to him. "What are you doing Jedi?" Her tone is turning cold. "There is nothing you need to know about me that your gift can tell you." Qua'lor enters the Sandbar. Qua'lor has arrived. Qua'lor strolls into the bar carefully and looks about Qua'lor sits down at the bar. Ariani works with grace as she makes a Endorian_Fireall and serves it to Qua'lor. Luke startles not quite noticeably at her perception, "You're hiding something." he answers boldly, his expression turning somewhat stern amid the sea of calm that is usually there. He sets his glass down on the bar and straightens in his chair. Gently, almost in a pleading manner he adds with a soft outtake of breath, "Don't lie to me Kaley." Qua'lor takes a sip from his Endorian_Fireall. Ariani, in perfect apparent ignorance of every single conversation going on within her audible range so long as blasters aren't involved, applies herself to the business of handing out drinks and collecting credits for them. Every so often the bartender casts a glance off to Shenner at her table; Shenner doesn't seem to notice, as the green-eyed musician has delved into the pages of her textbook. Qua'lor takes a sip from his Endorian_Fireall. Kaley grins, a strange mischievous grin. "I wont lie, I am hiding something." She looks at him blankly, the smile falling away. "But we all have reasons to hide something. I'm sure you had to hide something before, haven't you?" She tries to turn the converstation off of herself. "I'm trying to help you understand the people here, to give you a better idea of what you might be leading yourself into." Qua'lor walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Qua'lor has left. "Did he send you here?" Luke responds warily. He stares at her for a long moment before pursing a lip, "What do you suppose that I'm leading myself into? I'll tell you, I'm remaining here mainly to protect these people from your business partner. He's attacked half a dozen people in the past few weeks, and I'm certain he's in cahoots with the Emperor somehow." He says all of this in barely whispered tones, "I don't think -you- realize the danger you are in if you're working for him. He doesn't care." This last said with a touch more emotion and concern in his voice. Nevertheless, he surveys her once more for hidden weapon bulges. This time Kaley notices his purposeful gaze and sighs. "I'm not here to hurt you." She seems torn, but she's knows she could help if she stays. "He has hurt a lot of people and I don't have anything to do with that. I always find out after it is too late or I would do something to stop him." She looks at the blond. "But don't get me wrong, I'm not on your side. I'm not on anyone's side. I just don't want to see anyone hurt." She sighs again. "But don't worry about me. I'm not in danger as you say. I'll be fine." "You will be." Luke replies abruptly, "You.. just like Caspar think you can stay out of the trouble." he prods gently, "You can't. Trying not to take sides isn't going to work here. There's nothing you can do to stop Ozzle if he truly wishes to do something." The right eye squints bluely at her, "This system.. and you, are in more danger than you realize." he mutters an addition turning back to hunch over his drink, "If only you would listen." Kaley gives another flat look. "Listen to who? You or him? He saved my life, he's given me a place to live, he takes care of me." She pauses. "I've just met you and you want me to take your word over his. Yes, he's done some bad things. I've done bad things, do you judge me in the same way you judge him?" Luke mutters into his drink, "You don't have the power to kill with a thought." Kaley raises an eyebrow. "If my blaster is pointed steady, I do." Luke casts a sharp gaze at her, "Look.. don't believe me. Fine, but one day you're going to wake up and realize that he has destroyed your life. It's inevitable. You might not feel that way now, or tomorrow, but the path he has chosen inevitably leads to destruction.. himself and everyone close to him." He downs a largish gulp of the ale, steeling his gaze on her. Kaley shrugs, and decides to see what he might be leading toward. "Okay, let's say I believe you. Then what do you suppose I do? I know more about him than anyone else. If I run, he will hunt me down and kill me. I'm not going to say I'm not scared of him, I'm not stupid. But it's much easier to keep an eye out for myself this way then to always have to look over my shoulder." Luke looks concerned, "So you live every day in fear.." he sighs audibly, shaking his head, "I can't tell you what to do. Only what I would do.." his eyes come up to meet hers, "I'd rather be hunted down by him than live in fear and slavery to him my entire life." Averting his gaze he adds, "But you must do what you feel is right." Kaley shakes her head. Her words are quick as she defends her life. "I don't live in fear. I'm just cautious. And I'm not a slave, I make my own decisions. He has never forced me to do anything. Plus, -He- stays out of my thoughts." She pauses, "I know what I'm doing." At least she thought she did, this was supposed to be a quick purposeful converstation to help Luke save innocent people. Now, he set her off and she's going to get caught and all hell will break loose. Luke turns back to his beer, simply nodding in response to her. The implied statement made is that he doesn't believe she knows what she's doing, but is not willing to push the issue any further against her will. The level in his glass steadily lowers. Clarise enters the Sandbar. Clarise has arrived. Kaley sighs, very frustrated now. "I shouldn't even be talking to you." She mummbles. Luke eyes her over his glass, "Then why are you talking to me?" Clarise slips into the Sandbar outside, her lips pursed and her brow wrinked a touch, perhaps from the change in lighting as she exits the sunny fountain square and enters the bar, more subtley lit. Glancing around, she selects a table and seats herself. placing the satchel hanging over her shoulder onto her lap as she sits down. Turning to greet the new customer, Ariani smiles affably to Clarise, offering to get the newcomer something and waiting to see if she replies. Kaley blinks and looks to the man. She never actually thought about it. Her brow furrows in thought. "I don't know." She says honestly. "I guess because I think you can do more than I can to save innocent people." Chantinelle enters the Sandbar. Chantinelle has arrived. Clarise sends up an order for a Lantillian wine, and withdraws a small black rectangle of fabric that she sets on the bare tabletop before her, before looping her satchel about the back arm of her chair. Luke nods. A minimal smile wavering on his lips. He hides it well, but an astute observer could tell that he seems somewhat pleased by this statement, "Then you are taking sides. You do want to do the right thing. I don't think you understand your own feelings on this." He shakes his head, squinting, "You don't want to stay un-involved after all." It takes Ariani a bit, but she comes up with Clarise's requested order, after searching down the row of bottles gleaming dust-free behind her and the bartop. Ariani sends the order off with a waitress, who heads to Clarise's table, and whose brows go up at the black rectangle on her polished bartop surface, and she pauses a moment in query before setting down the glass of wine, gesturing at it. "Brought your own coaster?" she inquires. Chantinelle enters slowly the bar after seeing a few persons before enterting it, looking for some persons to speak with. She stops at the entrance and lets her glance move over the tables, sighing softly. she shrugs and heads finaly to an empty one calling Ariani for a fresh mineral water. Kaley shrugs and tries to hide a growing smile. "Yeah, perhaps. But I don't want to get killed over it either." She sighs and the smile fades. "There is some good in him, I've seen it. And just so you know, he isn't working with the Emperor." She blinks not sure why she just handed out that last bit of information, but it's too late to take it back now. Chantinelle sits down at the table. Grimly, Shenner keeps her own company and counsel at the booth she's been occupying for a while now, her gaze fastened on the battered copy of _Musical Theories of Primitive Cultures_ she's got propped between her and the edge of the table. She's reading with the apparent voracity of a vronskr falling upon a fresh meal, and she's stopped paying attention to everybody in the establishment -- well, at least almost everybody. The girl does occasionally peek towards the bar, but never for long. Clarise's cerulean eyes snap up to the waitress and narrow on the woman, stating, "No." clearly, and in a low tone before she glances to the wine and forces some added politeness into her tone to say, "Thank you." for her order. Unconsiously, she's protectively placed her hand atop the little fabric rectangle and shifted it away from the waitress, and the drink, in the event the woman had any intentions of placing anything on it. Chantinelle smiles softly to Ariani as she receives her drink saying, "Please put it on the bill for the embassy, the imeprial one, you know!" and starts to sip slowly on her glass, letting her glance move over the other guests of the bar. The waitress blinks, but nods cheerfully enough, and sets the wine down for Clarise to put wherever she likes. In the meantime, Ariani nods amiably enough to Chantinelle, though it's on the neutral side of amiable, a perfect bartender's straight face. Chantinelle frowns slightly recognizing the difference in Ariani's responses to her customers. But being an imp for ever she just oversees it and remains quiet, sighing only. Luke ponders this new development, "I'll protect you with all my ability.. if you need it. I'm still not so sure you care for my help. I won't get in the way unless you want me to.. I'm just trying to warn you that's all." he answers gently. Ozzle enters the Sandbar. Ozzle has arrived. Chantinelle looks at you for a moment. Illex enters the Sandbar. Illex has arrived. Clarise seems perfectly contented with the waitresses departure, and lifts her glass to her lips for a sip of the drink brought before placing the wine fluke back down on the table, over to the left and about halfway up the table. This done, she softly slides the black object back before her and tugs at the end of the ribbon, placing the ribbon in her satchel and unwrapping the fabric about the solid object slowly. A deck of cards is soon revealed, and the black fabric is spread out on the table before her. Ozzle steps through the door, and his crimson eyes narrow as they adjust to the more comfortable, lower light level of the establishment. Without pause, he makes his way deeper inside. With an expression that gives away no hint of emotion, he makes his way toward a young Sarian female and the man she is speaking with. Illex dissapears among the patrons. Illex strides to a booth in the back of the bar, wordless. Kaley shakes her head. "I don't need any protection, I'm not in any danger." She would explain futher but all color is wiped from her face when she notices the red-eyed Sarian walk in the door. Please let him understand what she is doing. Luke's eyes dart to the door and more importantly to the Sarian who just walked in. He settles his glass onto the bar and stands from his stool. His expression to Kaley might be interpreted -You might be now-. He inhales a deep breath, watching Ozzle as he approaches. Clarise shuffles her deck of cards once or twice, pauses and closes her eyes for a silent moment, then cuts the deck and begins to deal the cards out in a spread on the black cloth before her. She glances up and gets an eyefull of the patronage of the bar, but continues with her reading. Chantinelle yawns bored and leans back on her chair. Not caring where is is or who may watch, she puts her boots onto the plate of the table and relaxes, sipping slowl yon her drink. Ariani, ever on the alert for someone who might need a new drink from her, marks the entrance of the Sarian. There's a flicker of possible perturbation on her face, but she buries it well as she keeps about her business, handing out a tray of frothy beers for a waitress to relay to the loft. Ozzle moves to within a conversational distance from the pair and stops, lacing his lithe fingers behind his back. His red eyes glare at the man for the briefest of moments before turning their attention to Kaley. In a low, icy voice he speaks. "Good evening, Kaley. Keeping ourselves busy, are we?" Kaley nods, her expression blank as she tries to hide any emotion. "I'm mearly informing this fellow, that his help is not needed here." She waves her hand in Luke's direction but her pale green eyes never leave Ozzle. Chantinelle puts her right hand down on the table beside her leg and starts trembling with its fingers a melodical rhythm while she quietly hums an old love song from Coruscant. Luke leans back against the bar with elbows propped, his eyes gleaming toward Ozzle. He says nothing. Clarise places the deck down on the black cloth as she analyzes the spread before her, reaching for her wine and lifting the glass to her lips for the second time this evening as she looks it over. Every so often, the two Sarians and the little blonde fellow get her attention, but not in an obvious way, just a passing glance that seems to repeat itself every so often in a cautious way. Ozzle grins slightly as his eyes, though remaining on Kaley, lose some of their firey intensity. He then turns to the straw-haired human, the grin snarling slightly into a maliscious grimace. "She's right, Mister Skywalker. Your assistance is not needed here. Already I've seen your interference cause more harm than good." He clears his throat with a low cough. "You and your friends." Luke juts out a chin toward Ozzle, "And I've seen your actions cause more harm than good. How many people have you assaulted this week Ozzle?" he asks defiantly, with a tinge of sarcasm. Another peek to the bar from the young musician, who has been trying, with little success, to focus on the textbook before her. Shenner first steals a glance at Luke... and then sees who has approached him. For a moment, she starts visibly, and then slams her attention back down to the textbook without seeing a single word on the page. Kaein enters the Sandbar. Kaein has arrived. Kaley's expression changes from blank to annoyed. -He didn't have to do that!- Her eyes remain on Ozzle. She wants to say something about his 'assult', but that would only cause more trouble. She looks at Luke as he speaks and wishes he had just kept his mouth shut. It would have been easier if he just ignored Oz then she could collect him and the pair could leave... no one would be hurt. Ozzle wears a look of being pseudo-hurt, though there is cruel humor in his eyes. "Assaulted? Please, Skywalker. How many innocents were killed by the Rebellion and considered acceptable casualties? And were you not a leader in that movement? Wash your hands, Commander, before noting that which is on mine." the door to the establishment swings open and hrough it steps the young horansi that has been causing so much trouble around these parts in the last few days. He pauses in teh door way and looks around, trying to get a sence of what is going on at the moment. Either Clarise's spread is getting interesting, or the posturing of the three before her is... either way, something's got a good chunk of the woman's attention as she sips along at her drink, alone at her table. Chantinelle's eyes goes wide as she spots a feline at the entrance, she frowns, while she let her glance move over him and then slightly growls something to herself. Enough of this... Shenner grimaces, grabbing her knapsack, throwing the book into it, and then grabbing both her sack and the now long-empty mug from which she'd been drinking. Unease radiating visibly from her slender frame, she wends her way through the tables back towards Ariani and the bar. Chantinelle doesn't let her glance move away from the black Horansi, a displeased and worried expression on her face as she watches him coming into the bar. She slowly puts her legs down from the table and even lether left hand vanish under the table's plate away from curious glances. Illex looks at you for a moment. Luke steels his gaze upon Ozzle, "I question your motives. At least the rebellion was honest about it." He straightens slightly, glancing over at Kaley before adding toward Ozzle, "You sure did a number on her. She even believes you have some good in you." Kaein notices most of the people in the bar are looking at the argument between the jedi and the cub just shakes his head, steping away from the door befroe catching the glance of the imperial ambassador that is looking at him. HE turns to the woman, looking her over, his golden eyes connecting with hers reading her expressions, and not seemign to like it. "do we have a problem?" the cub growls toward the woman. Kaley blinks at Luke's words amazed that he was stupid enouth to say that out loud. Quickly, she tries to find a way out of this situtation. Standing she comments. "I tire of this place. Ozzle, will you take me home?" Chantinelle growls in reply to the black feline, showing her teeth like fangs as a Horansi would do, and says, "nashlaah touch the treglan Horansi girl again and you will l'otte it!"", in Horansi. Ozzle crosses his arms against his chest. "Her? To her I've done nothing, beyond offer a part of my business and fortune. I did a... number, as you say, to the Jedi woman, however. Have you seen her lately? I wonder how badly her scars are festering." His grin, a thin white arch of malice, rises slightly as his brow knots. He isn't finished with Skywalker, and Ariana or not, Kaley will have to wait a bit longer. [OOC Note: Shenner lost connection here, some poses are therefore missing from this log.] Ozzle arches an eyebrow, the grin not fading. "Indeed? No match for her? That's quite a bit of news, Skywalker, Seeing as how she fell so easily. Is it merely the weakness you and she suffer due to your own misgivings of your power? If someone had done that to my associates," he continues while motioning toward Kaley, "They would still be peeling him off the fountain. And you offer her protection? You fool no one. You would sooner let your friends die than risk breaking your self-imosed prison. You are a fool." "Yo, 'Ani," Shenner calls out hoarsely as she draws within range of the 'tender, waving the woman down towards the unoccupied end of the bar, "gimme a shot of brandy without the chocolate this time, will yah?" Frowning at the exchange between Ozzle and Luke, Ariani reluctantly abandons them to join Shen and peer narrow-eyed at the girl. "You look a little green around the gills, kid," she proclaims to her, voice soft but blunt. "I'm not sure you should have any more right now..." Shen, though, slides another glance down towards the arguing pair and the woman next to them, looking even more palpably uneasy. "Just a shot, you want me to play tonight or not?" Well, the cards were right. As they usually are. Clarise collects them up and places them back in the deck, placing the deck in the center of the black fabric. She then begins the elaborate folding process to protect and enclose the cards, reaching back to fish the black ribbon out from her satchel to finish off the deal. Chantinelle just raises a hand to the young Horansi used to stop her opposides from speaking and growls in her best imitation on the Horansi language, and says, "Enough. I ets you about inhas young Horansi girl, called cushna." she lowers her hand and clams down slightly, showing a smile on her jolnwhar, "She is just rotte for you!"", in Horansi. Luke moves the side of his jacket away, revealing a chrome saber hilt, "If you wish we can settle the matter." he murmurs, then more softly with lyrical tone, "Leave here. Now." He draws out the last word, eyeing Ozzle squarely. "I wish for no one to be harmed here anymore. Your choice." The saber hilt gleams from reflected light. Kaley keeps her mouth shut for once, but after all what could she really say to help the situation. So silently she sits on her stool and prays to the spirits that be, that no one gets hurt. More to the point she hopes she doesn't get hurt. Qua'lor enters the Sandbar. Qua'lor has arrived. Qua'lor walks towards the bar and flashes a smile to Ariani as he says "Habassa Draft please" Qua'lor sits down at the bar. Ariani works with grace as she makes a Habassa_Draft and serves it to Qua'lor. "Shen, look, kiddo..." Ariani cuts off as Shen pales slightly, lifting a hand to scrub across her eyes, and then the bartender tells her sternly, "No more for you. You don't look good, and I don't think you should be on stage tonight!" "Just a headache," Shen mumbles. Ariani doesn't buy it, from the look of her -- but there's not much she can do about it, not with customers still waving for her attention. Grimly, she goes to serve Qua'lor, but she's clearly distracted now. Qua'lor takes a sip from his Habassa_Draft. Nok is sitting at the bar staring at Luke and Ozzle ignoring his Nar Shadda beer. The smug grin on the horansi's face grows wider as he looks at the seated diplo "You precious pet is safe, do not worry......." he snarls before adding "besides, i would much rather see her lying dead on the cold pavement, than in my bed" his eyes golden eyes flashing in the low light, giving the cub a daemonic appearance. Clarise slips the black wrapped object into her satchel and returns to her wine, keeping as casual an eye as possible on both pairs of tensed conversations within close proximity to her. Situational awareness does wonders for keeping one from being shot or losing an arm in random bar-room disputes. Ozzle seems torn, and doesn't immediately respond. Indeed, his mind is filled with conflict... He had hoped the Jedi fool would attack him, making his promise to Millikin moot. More and more, though, he finds his confidance waning inexplicably. He attempts to shake it, though with little effect. "I wish only for you to leave my associates and my system alone. They are not yours to interfere with, Skywalker. I've faced your kind before... quick with the pitiful posturing but useless once action is called for. Ask your friends. They know only too well." Chantinelle lost her interest in the black Horansi and turns her head to watch the table where two men seems to fight over a woman. She smirks thinking about this romantic scence and tilts her head trying to listeing to them but as she hears the horansi speaking she nearly explosed and jumps from her chair, pushing her hands, closed to fists on her hips, she growls angrily at the feline shouting to him, and says, "She is yarantha my PET, nor ein kalshal touch her, do you ein?!"", in Horansi. Qua'lor says, "Stupid cats quarreling", in Calamari. Kaley stands up from the stool, hopeful. "Are we leaving now?" She looks to the red-eyed demon and hopes he complies with her wishes. Qua'lor looks at you for a moment. Beer in hand, Qua'lor swivels around on his stool, watching the conflict arising with a smug look on his face, obviously enjoying himself Qua'lor takes a sip from his Habassa_Draft. With all the sipping at Clarise's wine, it's amazing that the class is as full as it is. She seems to be carefully rationing herself, sipping more for appearance than to quench a thirst. Of course, to think about it, it seems like a pretty logical thing to do, if one doesn't want to call attention to one's self in the middle of a potentially volitile situation by requesting a waitress. Kaein laughs loudly at the outburst of the imperial ambassador and looks back at her menacing stance and grins, his white fangs protruding from the sides of his maw, he speaks, a smug tone in his voice and says, "since when do you imperials qraak treating us as equals? she is qraak nuye, you know it, everyone kows it. and dont worry, i will not harm a hair on your l'otte pets head"", in Horansi. "This system isn't your personal resort either." Luke answers placidly, the saber still revealed prominently. "And you will attack my friends no more. I'm watching you. This is your second and last warning. The time is approaching when I will no longer stand idly by. Sooner or later I'll be forced to act proactively to protect them." A threat.. and one uttered with complete confidence in following up on it. Qua'lor says, "This will be interesting, my friends....", in Calamari. Ariani pauses a moment, counts to ten under her breath, and inwardly prays that tempers aren't going to be escalating to weaponry in here _again_. _Maybe if I slap up a sign in five different languages,_ the bartender thinks sourly. But she gets her composure back after a moment, then goes digging under the counter. She comes up with a couple of headache remedy pills, and returns to Shen, presenting them to her along with a glass of water. "Here. You need this more than brandy, kid." Nok turns to qua'lor and says indeed Ozzle seems to have suddenly returned to his usual state of self-importance, and his grin slides quickly into the folds of a snarl. "We're leaving now, 'Jedi.' If you truly wish to make an attempt, futile as it might be, to avenge your interfering friends, than by all means, come along, and suffer their fate." His gleaming eyes seem to pierce the alien before him, distrust and hatred made visible without any attempt to hide them. He turns then to the Sarian beside him. "Kaley, shall we leave the coward to his useless, existence?" Shenner mechanically downs the pills along with the water, but her gaze is riveted on Luke and Ozzle, with much the same look as... well, a womprat about to be bullseyed by a T-16. "Don't let 'em fight in here, 'Ani," she whispers huskily to the bartender. Chantinelle hmmpfts and stares angred back at the feline switcing back to basic to let the other people around hear her speach, "If we imperial - as you call us - would not care for you kind, I wouldn't even speak your tongue! And aren't you free here? So stop telling lies about some imperial slavery nd even stop to threat and insult an innocent girl, especially she is of your blood!" not being impressed by the feline's fangs but slowly moving her left hand to her closed holster at her hip. "I won't, kiddo," murmurs Ariani to Shenner in reply, casting a disapproving frown down at the two men in question. She watches them long enough to catch Ozzle's declaration of departure, and waits, just to make sure that is indeed what's happening, before she moves over to interfere. Jessalyn enters the Sandbar. Jessalyn has arrived. Defcon enters the Sandbar. Defcon has arrived. Qua'lor leans over to Nok and says and says, "Even better my friend". Looking back at the conflict, Qua'lor grins widely, sipping from his beer every once and a while.", in Calamari. Qua'lor leans over to Nok and says, "Even better my friend"", in Calamari. Clarise remains alone at her table, sipping at her wine, and not truly making any headway on it. Her attention has shifted more to Luke's group than to Chantinelle's at this point. Defcon enters following Jessalyn, he slides away from her and moves away near the wall to observe. He slides on his headset, listens for a moment and then replies. As Jessalyn enters the establishment, she pushes back the hood of her tunic and glances around the large room, her green eyes wide and blazing. She folds her hands before her and stands rigidly near the hostess as she takes in the scene, not glancing over at the man who's followed her inside. Kaley turns her gaze on Luke but doesn't answer Ozzle's questions, she mearly walks away and hopes Ozzle is following. Suddenly her eyes lock on Jessalyn, -oh dear spirits, what did I do to deserve this?- She stops and turns to see what Ozzle is about to do. Perhaps it hasn't occurred to Shenner that _she_ might try to prevent Luke and Ozzle's argument -- or perhaps it has and has been discarded into the great black hole of Really Stupid Ideas. Still, the young musician still looks rather white around the edges, and she waves Ariani off back to her customers. Ariani goes, but not before admonishing the girl, "You better get home. You don't need to put up with this place tonight, kid." Nok says to Qua'lor "Hope no one loses an eye Kaein frowns as the woman moves for her holster but really seems to be set off by the remark about the horansi being of his blood. His claws instinctlivly leap from their protective sheaths inside his hands as he braces for an attack from the woman "My own blood? let me tell you something miss, my other brethren have diswoned me, and made many attempts on my life. It wouldent bother me in the least to watch her suffer the way i did on my home planet" the cub litteraly growls out from deep in his throat. His over all posture alos tenses, expecting the woman to draw he blaster any second. One of the waitresses notices the argument flaring up between Chantinelle and Kaein, and with a long-suffering expression, the woman makes her way in that direction. "Excuse me," she pronounces loudly, clearing her throat, "but if you two sentients are going to get into an argument, can you please take it and your weaponry outside?" Chantinelle doesn't open her holster but simply removes her hands from her hips and frowns looking at the feline, she turns back to Ariani blushing slightly, as she speaks, "I am sorry for my behavio Miss. I didn't wanted to create any scence here but.." and throws a quick angry glance at the cat before she continues to the waitress, lowering her head in an apology, "My fault." she softly says and steps back to her table, ignoring the threat by the cat, turning now her attention to the other table where she thinks a scence of jelousy will soon starts since a second woman arrived. Qua'lor takes a sip from his Habassa_Draft. The waitress nods gruffly at Chantinelle's proffered apology, but apparently this particular member of the Sandbar's staff is impartial as to the matter of blame. She accordingly eyes Kaein steadily, waiting for the Horansi's own statement on the matter. Kaein dosent even aknowledge the waitress and turns away from chantinelle adn her, moving toward the bar, his tail swaying behind him, he seem to be done with this conversation, and begins to look for familiar faces. Illex's pagercom beeps thrice. "CALLING MARSHALL ILLEX... CALLING MARSHALL ILLEX..." Illex comes out of the crowd. Illex throws some credits on the table and rushes out the door, knocking over a circus midget. Ariani, in the meantime, her own temper beginning to fray at the atmosphere in the place tonight, manages not to yield to the urge to dip into her own stock. She merely passes off two glasses of something rather glowing-looking to one of the other waitresses, who whispers to her a swift update of the situation between Chantinelle and Kaein. Ariani nods steadily, most of her attention still on Luke and Ozzle. Illex walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Illex has left. Qua'lor takes a sip from his Habassa_Draft. Shenner gulps down her water without so much as a breath of pause, then slaps the empty glass down on the bartop, closes her eyes, and starts counting to herself, trying to visibly relax. No, she definitely doesn't need this, not tonight.... Luke listens to Ozzle's posturing, moving his gaze toward the door as Jessalyn enters. "You know I won't attack you first. I'm just warning you.. if you keep up the assaults on my friends, I will take matters into my own hands." Once again, the hypnotic tone ensues, "Leave this system before you are destroyed." Qua'lor takes a sip from his Habassa_Draft. Ozzle strides toward the door, speaking to Luke as he passes. "If my existence is threatened, it is certainly not by your pathetic, cowardly presence. That it annoys me is not enough for me to disturb those here. If I felt it a threat, you'd be dead already." Seemingly, he ignores completely the woman who enters, despite his vendetta against her. From the look of Shenner, she's been slapped upside the head with a burgeoning migraine, and the headache remedy is not yet managing to put much of a dent in it. She cracks her eyes open, peering over at Luke and Ozzle, and starts calculating her chances of making it to the door unseen. Kaein spots qua'lor and grins evilly to himself, his face aquiring that daemonic appearance again, movign up silently behind him, he grabs the beings shoulders quite firmly and leans down saying "how ya doing.../bud/" Kaley stops at the door and waits for Ozzle to catch up. She isn't about to leave until she is absolutely sure he is going to follow. Defcon standing near Qua'Lor in the shadows steps out and puts his hand on the Cat's back. "Leave him alone" He whispers softly. Jessa's green eyes lock on the pair arguing near the bar, as if finally honing in on what was disturbing her before she even arrived. She doesn't hesitate to approach Luke, and glances over at Ozzle as he moves toward the door. Her face is set in stone, though her eyes are filled with a mixture of pity and apprehension as he passes her by. Qua'lor jolted by the shock, Qua'lor /accidnetly/ spills his drink on Kaein's khaki shorts. "Oh man, I'm SO sorry!" Luke calls after them, "Remember what I said." More to Kaley than Ozzle, but that may be unclear. Jolted by the shock, Qua'lor /accidnetly/ spills his drink on Kaein's khaki shorts. "Oh man, I'm SO sorry!" Kaein back up a few steps, seeming not to give defcon any heed and he looks down at his shorts "you fool....do you know what the only thing that gets out habassa is?" he says with a smirk. Qua'lor shrugs...."Maybe next time you piss your pants it will come out...What, in like 2 hours?" Defcon quickly steps around Kaein to land facing the feline. He says something into his headset then faces the cat. "I SAID leave him alone. There will be no fight between you two today." Clarise's casual-yet-prepared-to-jet-if-sabers-ignite posturing calms a little as Ozzle and Kaley leave Luke (and Jessa's) presence, and she takes a 'real' sip of her wine this time, draining the glass down to half of what it was. The slender fluke is placed back on the table and Clarise goes back to her satchel hanging on her chair, fishing around for her deck of cards again. Seated down on her table again Chanti lifts up her glass with her left hand and sips slowly on it, using the moment to glance over the edge of the glass to watch over at the other table where it looks like that the people don't like eachothers. A small smile comes back on her lips. She shrugs not really wanting to know whats that all about and turns her head around to watch the other persons: the cardplaying woman, the obviously troubled woman at the bar and the bunch of aliens. Ozzle walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Ozzle has left. Something passes over Jessalyn's expression that hints at fear, but it is quickly replaced by a mask of calm as she turns defiantly away from Ozzle and moves to the bar, gazing at Luke intently. Shenner's attempted calculation at escape takes a rather large jolt, however, as the girl spots Jessalyn joining Luke. Her mouth opens, and then closes, no sound coming out. Ariani espies Jessalyn as well, however, and the bartender stops before Skywalker's stool at the bar, eying the blond man and the redheaded woman consideringly. "Excuse me," she announces herself then, to Luke. "I've got an update to that message I gave you earlier." Kaley walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Kaley has left. Kaein looks into defcons eyes and growls "step aside human, i have no fight with you.....but that can change real quick" Qua'lor stands up and stands next Defcon, glaring at Kaein evilly. "I'd advise you listen to the man, Kaein..." Once more, the black cloth object is brought to the table, the ribbon is removed, and the fabric is unfolded to reveal the sacred cards within. Clarise takes them in hand and delicately shuffles them, all the while treating them as if they are, indeed, as sacred as legend says. Her respect for them is visible. Without so much as batting an eye, Ariani raises her voice and calls over to Kaein, Qua'lor, and Defcon, "If anybody's got a fight with _anybody_, they can bloody well take it outside, or else find their respective backsides reported to the authorities." Defcon looks down at the Horansi, "You have no fight with anyone here. I suggest you step away." He then turns to the Quarren, "And you sit down." Qua'lor says, "Yessir" Rabid enters the Sandbar. Rabid has arrived. Luke moves over to give Jessalyn a quick hug, breathing a sigh of relief at the door the two just went out. "You have perfect timing you know that?" he grins slightly then is interrupted by Ariani, "Huh? Oh, the note." he fumbles at his pocket for a second. Qua'lor is sitting at the bar Defcon stands between a quarren and an angry Horansi, he is trying to keep the peace. Defcon looks at the entrance as Rabid arrives, he waves him over. Clarise is at a table of her own, just shy of where Jessalyn and Luke are. Before her on her table is a fluke of crimson wine, half filled, and a piece of black fabric spread delicately before her. In her hands are an oversized deck of cards. Kaein looks to qua'lor and makes a mock lunge at him, bareing his fangs and hissing, as he snaps at the quarren. "i do have a fight with him....and get out of the way....." he says gruffly Rabid steps into the establishment, searching through the crowds as he makes his way towards the bar. He sees Defcon's signal, and makes his direction more direct. "Do we have a problem here, gentlebeings?", he asks coldly, as he approaches. Jessalyn visibly relaxes as Luke embraces her, then slides onto a stool and very intentionally keeps herself from looking back at that door. "I do, huh?" she smiles wanly, then watches absently as Luke fumbles for the note. Her eye catches the black cloth belonging to the woman next to her, and she studies the cards being shuffled by her deft hands. Chantinelle shakes her head unbelieving how aggressive the feline is, wanting to fight with everybody understanfing now his behavior. She shrugs not careing for the feline anymore but throws an intressted glance at the card-playing woman again. "Never mind the note," Ariani tells Luke, then, jabbing a thumb down the length of the bar at the wide-eyed figure of Shenner. "That mutual friend of ours? She could use a bit of help home, if you got time on your hands." Shenner starts to squawk a protest, but Ariani is apparently deliberately not looking iin the musician's direction now that there's _another_ disturbance breaking out. Defcon looks at Rabid then back at the cat. "Not as far as I am concerned." Qua'lor grins smugly at the crossbreed Horansai, obviously reinforced by the prescence of his friends. Ariani, then, moves down to Kaein and Qua'lor's and Defcon's vicinity, and raises her voice again, in a no-nonsense, deeply annoyed tone. "Excuse me. You people have exactly three seconds to settle down" -- and with her gaze riveted frostily on Kaein and Qua'lor, there's little doubt as to who she is actually addressing -- "before I call the city authorities in here. If you boys want to spend a night in the lockup, by all means, keep doing as you're doing!" Clarise's shuffling comes to a halt for half a moment as Clarise turns a narrowed cerulean gaze on Chantinelle and states an offended, "No. They aren't." to the woman. She then turns her full attention back to the cards and shuffles them once more before cutting the deck, taking great care as if the action took every last ounce of concentration. Kaein glances over his shoulder at rabid and looks back toward defcon and the squid.he growls "you cant hide forever squiddy" before turning to defcon again, giving him an evil look that says 'stay out of this, next time' before he turns away, starting for the door. Defcon watches the feline, head towards the exit, he then turns to the Quarren, "I recommend you stay away from him, that means if you find yourself in the same bar with him, go somewhere else to drink." Qua'lor nods and says "By all means sir" Chantinelle yiikes and blushes raising her empty palms showing them to the woman on the other table, "Oh my, EXCUSE me m'lady, I didn't wanted to bite." she sarcastically replies and frowns thinking this is _really_ not her day since everybody gets mean to her. She stands up, smiling at Ariani, "Please send the bill to the embassy, would you please?" Ariani expressively rolls her eyes, muttering under her breath about asking Ms. Laarken for hazard pay. She nods as politely as she can manage to Chantinelle, before striding back down the length of the bar towards the silent redheaded musician. "You," she says brusquely to Shenner, "home. Got that?" Luke blinks a few times at Ari, then peers down the bar, "Oh, Shenner. She'll be fine, she can come sit with us. " He motions for Shen. Kaein walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Kaein has left. Shenner has gotten that womprat-about-to-be-bullseyed look down to a fine art, it would seem. She shoots Ariani a stricken look, then edges uneasily towards Luke and Jessalyn, blurting roughly, "Uh. Hey, I was just leavin', like she said..." Clarise deftly ignores Chantinelle, going to great lengths to spread the black cloth before her out to where not a single wrinkle exists in it before turning over the first card and laying it in the center. She pauses and reflects on the card as it sits there. "I agree with that suggestion.", Rabid says, watching the Feline leave. "If he starts seeking you out, give the word to either the Leftenant here--", he motions towards the StarShield Marine. "--Or myself, and we'll ..deal with the situation. I don't want my personnel to be un-supported in a trouble situation, understood?" "You alright?" Luke asks her cautiously. He looks as if nothing has happened in the past few minutes. He's resumed his seat on the stool and is sipping his ale casually. He does however glance over at the Horansi and his quarrelling pal every so often. "You look white as a ghost Shen." He sips generously. Qua'lor gets up from his stool and says to Rabid and defcon "Good evening gentlemen" as he walks to the door Qua'lor walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Qua'lor has left. Chantinelle blinks hearing the name "Shenner" mentioned. She raises an eyebrow looking for the person called this name , she pauses for a moment, searching in her mind some long forgot memories but quietly leaves th ebar, not finding what she searched. "Just... headache, 'sall, it's nothin'," Shenner mumbles. "Hi, Luke... hi, Jessalyn..." Defcon shakes his head as the Quarren leaves. He this mumbles to Rabid, "I need to talk to Kael about that guy." Jessalyn tears her gaze away from the woman with the cards next to her, and smiles genuinely as Shenner comes closer to them. "Mmm, have a drink?" she chuckles, suddenly catching sight of Luke's ale. She raises a brow as her smile widens. "What are you having?" Chantinelle walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Chantinelle has left. Luke shrugs over a mouthful, "Something green." he answers without humor. He waves down Ariani for another, "I'll get you one.. Shen how about you?" Rabid frowns, and leans up against the bar. "I know. We've been really lucky in the past to be able to hire personnel of good quality...perhaps we've exhausted the supply?", he says, smirking ever so slightly. Defcon chuckles slightly. Ariani gives both Luke and Jessalyn unwaveringly measuring looks, perhaps gauging Shenner's safety level in their proximity. The bartender relaxes a bit, perhaps because Shen seems to be, and fetches Luke another one of those green ales. In the meantime, Shenner mutters sheepishly, "I probably shouldn't have noth--" She catches herself. "Shouldn't have anything, not right now." She scrubs the back of her hand across her eyes. "Maybe you should get some rest. You don't look well." Luke offers. Rabid motions towards the door, where both his employee and the Horansi exited. "If the Horansi keeps it up, I can cancel his arms order, and then later show him the rough end of a stun bolt, if that doesn't work. Keep an eye on him, Leftenant." Jessalyn takes the other drink and sips from it, nodding her thanks to Ariani. "I'm kind of fond of the green ones, too," she says cheerfully. "If you're tired, Shen, why don't you go get some rest?" she puts in, glancing at Luke and nodding. Defcon nods, "That should be enough." Shen closes her eyes, apparently working on controlling her breathing, and after a moment she mutters lowly to Jessalyn and Luke, "It'll... pass. It always does. I'll be okay, 'sides, I gotta play tonight..." Ariani, catching that little remark, flashes the girl a 'not if I have anything to say about it' look, but Shenner either doesn't notice or pretends not to. Clarise places another card before her, this one perpendicular to the one before it. The cards are ornate and descript, beautiful artwork laced with gold highlights that pick up beneath the overhead lights of the bar. Each appears different, and each seems to hold special meaning to the woman, as she reflects on them with reverence in her eyes and overall demeanor. Defcon heads towards the door, before he leaves though he turns and looks across the room at Jessalyn, he then turns and leaves. Defcon walks out of the Sandbar and the door closes automatically. Defcon has left. Rabid leans up tiredly against the bar, and rubs at his eyes a bit. "Corellian Sunburst", he says. With a vague hand motion he adds, "...the..variant without alcohol, please." The bartender nods to Rabid, moving to fulfill his order for him. She's got one eye on Shenner, though, even as she makes the Sunburst for its intended recipient. If she is aware of the irony of a virgin drink with the word 'Corellian' in the name, she keeps that to herself. Jessa can't help but lean over to get a better look at the cards being laid out in front of the woman sitting beside her, and shifts a little so she can see her face. "Those are beautiful. Where did you get them?" Luke nods quietly then turns to Jessalyn, "Ozzle is afraid." he says over a sip. "Maybe afraid of you, I'm not sure." Kaein enters the Sandbar. Kaein has arrived. 'He's back', is definatly the thought on a few of the sentinets minds as the black furred feline comes back through the door and looks around the joint. Clarise glances up at the woman's words, and casts a quick look to her blonde male companion before returning her cerulean eyes to Jessalyn and responding, "They were a gift, passed down over the years to end in my possession." Her tone is quiet and patient, much unlike what Chantinelle was dealt earlier. Speaking of the cards this way seems similar to a mother discussing a newborn child. The Corellian Sunburst built for Rabid, Ariani turns her attention back round to Shen. Shenner, herself, is staring transfixed and stoic at Luke and Jessalyn, and Ariani has to reach across the bar and poke the girl in the arm to get her attention. "I'll only say this one more time, Shen," she orders. "Home. Sleep. Okay?" Shenner can be seen to start. "I don't _want_ to sleep," she practically explodes, shaken, before she catches herself again. Then she abruptly changes her mind, and mutters, "Okay, okay, fine, I know when I'm not wanted. Bye Luke, bye Jessalyn..." The farewells are delivered in husky whispers, and Shen doesn't look to see whether they reached their intended ears. She simply bolts out of the bar, brow tightly furrowed, one hand having fished her silver-and-brass necklace out from its hiding place within her shirt. In moments, she is gone. [Shenner retreats to the relative sanctity of the Hideaway Beach, but as it happens, she's not yet done with her uncomfortable encounters of the day...] If Shenner were brooding any louder, it might, just might, drown out the incessant susurration of the ocean not too far away... as well as the still half-practiced arpeggios she is calling forth from the shimmering strings of her new instrument. Huddled under the shelter of a pula tree and hoping that'll keep the frequent rains that sweep this city off her back -- and more importantly, off the namdhi -- Shenner practices with a vengeance, if such a phrase can be applied to the flowing sounds the namdhi-harp obediently produces for her. Speaking of brooding, The scarred Ambassador steps onto the beach, but, for once.. she isn't brooding, that's a change. The gleam in her eye goes beyond her glowing orb, the similar nasty, evilness being projected from her organic eye as she scans the beach with almost a predator like gaze. The Ambassador is alone, but a small glowing light on her collar suggests that her comlink is on, and help isn't far behind. She grits her teeth at the sound of the harp and growls, "Rememer, Morgs, have to be all proper and Imperial, no killing musicians however tempting.." The presence of others on the beach is either unknown or unimportant to the young musician, at the moment. She sits with the harp cradled in her lap, her face a stoic mask, at odds with the raw emotion in her green eyes... and she plays, her hands the conduit for whatever has put that expression into her face, giving her a channel to release it as constructively as she can. It's pretty enough, that music, though clumsier a melody than it might have been if Shen were producing it with flute or guitar, but she keeps at it with determination. The Ambassador's eyes pass over to the musician for a moment, so much emotion, so much energy. Morganna sighs and stuffs her hands in her pockets, the evil glint in her eyes stay, but evil thoughts pass through her mind.. one particularly tantalizing enough to cause her to shiver, she takes a step towards Shenner, but stops herself, rubbing her temples, "No.. I can't." Is she aware of Morganna's internal debate? Probably not -- Shenner has enough of an internal debate of her own going on. Eventually the arpeggios she's building flow their way into a real melody, slow and sweet and plaintive, and she sits there and plucks at the shining strings under her fingertips, her face down on what she's doing, her thoughts half a galaxy away. _Who am I tryin' to kid, anyway?_ she chides herself vindictively. _I miss him and I need him and gods-DAMMIT I wish I knew he was all right but he made it pretty damn karkin' plain he ain't interested in talkin' to me anymore much less anything else..._ If only the girl could know the turmoil going through Morganna's head right now, only a Jedi would be able to see that, and even Skywalker would probably be disturbed as Morganna's mind races with thoughts of how to kill the musician, or how to trap the woman's music.. to have it for her own.. . (I wish I could taste her emotion.. If I could just once see how Ozzle sees.. just once..) she rubs her temples and spins away from Shenner, leaning against one of the trees and taking a deep breath. As Shenner has her Music, Morganna has her homicidal tendencies. Today was the first day she went for a hunt and came out empty handed. Ten months' separation have not succeeded in removing a particular Corellian from Shenner's consciousness. She need not even close her eyes to bring his rangy figure to mind, every detail of his face; her hands, though, feel it the most, having memorized the feel of him. And so Shenner plays, trying to bury the recollection that refuses to be dislodged from her palms, with equal phenomenal failure. She eventually begins to sing lowly and huskily over the namdhi, her sung syllables as darkly shaped as the instrument's tone is bright. A deep longing fills Morganna's soul.. a longing for that tingling feeling she gets around Ozzle, a longing for the rush she gets from killing a sentient, from staring into their dying eyes and seeing nothing but pure fear, to hear their pleas for mercy and to deny them of their most precious posession. Her personalities crash together as they battle for control over the scarred woman's body, leaving her all but paralyzed as she leans against a Pula tree, the music growing louder, and louder, the words becoming blended and muffled, despite their clarity. I followed you through fire For love kept to your side But now alone in shadows I've nowhere left to hide I knew that you would leave me But don't know if I can stand For I'm lost within the darkness... It can only be a lament, this soft song that sounds more as though it's being wrung forth from Shenner rather than being sung by her. The harp's voice beneath her roughly sung words adds a plaintive tang to the husky Corellian syllables, and her voice drops down even softer as she sings: No one to hold my hand... The words just cut through Morganna's soul, they taunt her, poke at a part of her mind that hates to be poked, and that does it. With eyes burning like hot coals, Morganna storms towards Shenner, the distance between her and the girl becomign almost insignificant as Morganna Balls her fists. She is still fighting this side, though, part of her is screaming for her to stop, and it's apparent by the tortured expression that marks her face. Shenner doesn't see the scarred woman coming until she's upon her. It's not the sound of her footsteps on the sand -- that's too soft, under the namdhi's sweetly ringing chords -- but rather, Morganna's shadow falling across her that causes the girl to cut herself off with a jangle, to snap her gaze up, in startlement and chagrin and alarm. It's obvious she hadn't been looking to attract an audience -- especially this one. The Ambassador loses her batle, the rage taking over! One of Morganna's hands sweeps down towards Shenner, blindingly fast.. but the target isn't the girl, but the Harp. Morganna Snatches at it, taking addvantage of Shenner's surprise to sieze the instrument and prepare to give it a burial at sea. IUt is clear that she is trying to fight this, still, but right now, Morganna seems more like a beast than an ambassador. Morganna Scars.. those are the first things most people see when they observe this 5'10 human woman, particularly the triad of valleys hacking their twisted way through the left side of her face from brow to chin. The eye on that side of her face has been replaced by an unblinking, emotionless, cerulean glowing orb that occasionally flickers and glows with more or less intensity depending on the woman's mood. Almost as emotionless as the robotic eye, the steel grey eye that peers out of the right side of Morganna's face is cold, intelligent and has a violent fire burning within that give her a quite oppressive presence. Strands of reddish brown hair fall over her face, she short cut framing her starkly contrasting face. There are smaller scars visible on her hands and fingers. A plain, navy blue button down shirt with a gold trimmed collar covers Morganna's upper body. The shirt, in turn is covered partially by a lighter blue, soft nerf-suede jacket with a similar trim, both shirt and jacket have a slightly scrumpled appearance to them. Morganna's pants are a straight blue, a similar colour to the jacket, and they are tucked into a pair of well loved, dusty, scruffy black boots, which throws off the 'neat' image completely. Around her waist is a simple belt which houses a blaster, a datapad and a mid sized vibroknife. There is a small, silver, Imperial symbol pinned onto the left collar of her jacket. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Protective Vest Howling a protest as soon as the dark-wooded, shining-stringed instrument is snatched out of her hands, Shenner immediately surges to her feet and throws herself unhesitantly at the taller woman. "NO!" she shrieks. "Give it back, that's _mine_!" The smaller woman's pouncing throws Morganna's aim off, causing the instrument to fly further down the beach, but not quite into the surf. Of course, it will still require some tuning. Morganna's free hand reaches for one of Shenner's wrists, but there's something about the flashing emotions on Morganna's face that suggests that she doesn't /really/ want to hurt the girl.. she just can't help it... this isn't as pleasent as she imagined it would be. As the namdhi is thrown, Shenner wails again, immediately giving off trying to pummel the ambassador and charging, instead, after the instrument. A sick, stricken look crosses her face. The Scarred Ambassador lets the girl go, and she sinks to the sand, balling her fists and taking deep breaths as she attempts to contain this rage, her beast like growls turn into almost sad personal reassurances, "You're not going to kill her Morg, you're not going to kill her.. I'm sorry" Shenner skitters across the sand, throwing herself down to her knees. She seizes the namdhi up in a grasp that a mother might use to cradle her child against her, nearly doubled over with a surge of frantic, nauseous relief -- if the thing had gone into the water, Shen would have gone after it, she knows. And she doesn't want to think about what _that_ would have meant. After a moment, she lurches to her feet again, whirling back round to glare in suspicious fury at her unexpected attacker. Nok arrives from the street. Nok has arrived. Nauseous herself, The scarred Ambassador appears to be far less imposing than she was just seconds ago ad she kneels on the sand, doubled over and trembling as daggers of pain puncture her skull, the price of pushing the raged personality back when she does't want to satisfy the bloodlust being a mind numbing migraine that can last for a week. Nok looks towared sea and dives in Nok has left. "What the _hells_ is your problem, lady?" Shenner snarls towards Morganna's now-kneeling figure. Only the fact that the namdhi is now safely cradled in her arms and that the ambassador appears to have backed off keeps the girl from lunging again. She does, however, edge warily towards her nearby knapsack. Nok has arrived. The scarred Ambassador's head snaps up to face Shenner, an almost ghostly look on her face, but one shadowed by pain, "Pray you never find out.." comes her quiet, strangely subdued tone. Morganna grunts as she rises to her feet, "And thank your lucky stars.. that I could control that this time.." rubbing her temples, morganna begins to move away, slowly. Looking entirely unsympathetic and unimpressed, Shenner snatches up her knpack, slings it over her shoulder, and then skitters away again as fast as her feet can carry her. Not about to get anywhere near Morganna again, she growls rudely, "Get a therapist, you're an ambassador, you should be able to afford one!" Nok has left. Now that stung. After her verbal reaming by Adlerson today, and this.. failure.. it hits her hard. Morganna slowly begins to slink off fof the beach, not offering anything more to Shenner, but her steps are less confident than usual, "Why now?" she whispers to herself, closing her organic eye and trying to keep herself composed. Shenner isn't about to hang around and find out. Knapsack on her shoulder, the namdhi cradled to her chest, the girl flees off the beach. You leave the beach behind and go back towards the city. West Blake St. - Plaxton City Lined with meticulously groomed Vilinias Shade trees, Blake Street unrolls towards the coast. Park-style benches sit under the trees, making this area seem like an ongoing extension of Fountain Square. The Pula trees creeping from the beach have been allowed to occupy a few spots on the sidewalks, and a few buildings of prominence have disturbed the natural look of this district. Occupying the skyline to the north is 'The Oceanside', with its entertainment centers and resort-like hotel accomodations, topped with the famed Club Infinity. To the south, a new road has been cut through the thick forest of Vilinias trees. The night sky above is cloudy with patches of clear spots allowing you to see the sky behind them. -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- outh leads to Speedway Avenue - Plaxton City. est leads to Hideaway Beach - Plaxton City. orth leads to Entertainment Center - The Oceanside. ast leads to Fountain Square - Plaxton City. Morganna brushes the sand from their feet as they leave the beach. Morganna has arrived. Shenner stomps out onto Blake Street, her face set and furious, her steps carrying her swiftly away. The Ambassador's pace is slower, much, much slower. Somewhere along the lines,s he must have pressed her comlink, as her aides swiftly come in from fountain square, heading straight towards Morganna. _Well, this has become a royal karkin' -wreck- of a day._ Green eyes threatening tears that haven't quite commenced yet, Shenner barrels obliviously towards the aides, bent only on getting back to Newcastle Circle as swiftly as possible... and away from the maniac who almost forced her to... swim. One of the aides is bumped by Shenner, but he offers a polite, "I'm very sorry, Ma'am", as he continues towards Morganna, a knot of concern creasing his brow, he knows that tone of voice, and he was hoping that he'd never have to hear it, "Madame, are you alright?" he asks quietly, but nervously. The second aide follows suit, Morganna looks up at the sky and sighs, "I'll be okay if she doesn't go to the press.. I'm going to look so bad.." Shenner growls out something that might have been a polite social noise -- if it was, she certainly wasn't paying attention. Nor was she watching where she was going, as she stomps eastward toward the fountain square. You walk into Fountain Square. Fountain Square - Plaxton City The huge buildings in the background threaten to take over this small patch of green that is the center of Plaxton City. A stone fountain -still in place from another time- sits in the center of the square. It depicts a young woman looking into the sky. water flares around her and bursts into a star pattern ten feet above her head. The inscription at the base of the fountain is written in the aging language of a more romantic time. 'Farewell, for all journeyers that leave this place shall always return to call it home.' Wandering the square throughout the day are Caspar Marines; some off-duty and enjoying their downtime while on-duty commandos in full armor and uniform keep watch over the area. Despite the commandos' aggresive appearance, they are viewed with admiration and respect from most of the citizens, some of them even joking and talking with families. The night sky above is cloudy with patches of clear spots allowing you to see the sky behind them. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => IGNews Terminal - Caspar => Mail Terminal: Caspar -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- ndbar leads to The Sandbar. outh leads to South Mergansar Ave. - Plaxton City. ast leads to East Blake St. - Plaxton City. orth leads to North Mergansar Ave. - Plaxton City. est leads to West Blake St. - Plaxton City. Morganna enters the square from the west. Morganna has arrived. Hoping only that she isn't about to bump into any _more_ overly hostile music critics -- or a few other individuals she really doesn't care to name at the moment -- Shenner is cutting through the square, heading for the junction with North Mergansar. _Could be worse,_ she thinks sardonically, _could be raining!_ She doesn't bother to stop, not even to check the precious instrument she's carrying for any signs of damage. She doesn't dare do that, not till she's reached the sanctity of the home in which she's been allowed to stay. Accompanied by her aides, Morganna does her best to keep up a confident face as she passes through the crowded square, smiling and offering curt, but polite, greetings to those that greet her as she heads towards the Government district to cool off. [End log.]