Log Date: 9/18/98 Log Cast: Mineyur Starlance, Shenneret Veery, Tracer, Ariani (NPC), Rabid, Selektah, Webb, Aerilaya Log Intro: It's a morose Shenner indeed who's been showing up for work at the Sandbar the last few nights -- mostly due to the fleeting encounter she'd had with a distressingly intoxicated Paul Nighman who'd shown up entirely without warning in the middle of the audience. Deeply distressed by having seen him again in such a state, wondering what must have provoked it, and scared to death of encountering him again no matter how much she simultaneously craves it, Shen's thoughts about Paul have been complicated by the return of certain memories involving him... and of a certain letter he'd left her which she'd stuffed into a hiding place in the lining of her guitar case. Now, Shenner has begun to remember that the Corellian deliberately left her -- and that there's little chance if any of him ever returning to her. Depressed and angry at the galaxy in general and Corellian men in particular, Shenner has pushed herself through the motions of study and work, but her temper towards the male half of her species is questionable at best.... ---------- 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" -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Ariani => Emma -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- leads to Fountain Square - Plaxton City. Mineyur enters the Sandbar. Mineyur has arrived. A young soldier, seeming to be of pleasant manner, enters the bar, smiling widely, as though he had just come to a beautiful valley paradise on a trpoical world. He makes his way to the bar and nods, "That you can, ma'am. I would like one of your more.." he points to a drink on a menu.."fitting drink." He notices Shenner out of the corner of his eye and offers a smile as he studies her like a hawk. Mineyur looks at you for a moment. Shenner, under scrutiny, can be seen to be occupying an otherwise empty table not far from the door. She has spread before her an array of books and data discs, and she's reaching for a half-drunk glass of water at her elbow when she spies the newcomer and the smile. Her answering expression's gruff-seeming, but she nods at him nevertheless by way of return greeting as she flips a page in the book. Mineyur A young soldier of the Casper Military, in complete uniform. His face is enthusiastic, if maksed from emotion, and his manner is friendly, though stiff at times. The young man, who seems to be about 23 years old, has slightly tanned skin and shoulder length brown lockes that are smoothe and end in tiny curls. His eyes are steel grey and study everything he sees from a strategic viewpoint, and you do notice a white scar, ever so faint, at the nape of his neck. The soldier is slender, but at 6'4 he appears more than able to handle himself against an enemy. Mineyur smiles to himself and shakes his head after waiting longer than he desired to for his drink. He politely setas himself across from the girl and sighs. "Well, it seems you are at fast at studies. And as I have already passed through my university courses, I feel it only reasonable to ask if you would like any help. I know that it can be a pain, studying. And besides," he smirks, full of himself, "I know a small handful of people only who actually go to bars to read. I am guessing that you came here for a little relaxation, no?" Mineyur is obviously one of those pomp, rich men, who is set to inherit what money his parents have not already given him. But he seems nice enough. Perhaps he is different. Shenner looks up, her dark red brows drawn in low over her dark green eyes. She sweeps a glance up and down the lanky frame of the young man who claims the seat on the other side of the table, and any reaction she has to the air of wealth or academia about him doesn't show in her cool, neutral expression. Her voice is also cool, roughly timbred, her diction subtly at odds with the evidence of study before her. "Came here 'cause I work here in the evenings, so I know the place," she says. "I don't come here to relax." Mineyur nods and says, as though from one conspirator to another, "I know how that is. I also am about my work with much seriousness. Some say too much, but they disgrace the uniform. Forgive me," he exrens a hand across the table, "My name is Mineyur Starlance, of the Starlance Family." The girl considers this, then thrusts forth a hand of her own to take and shake the one proferred. "Shen Veery," she says gruffly. She doesn't shift her half-slouched posture in her chair, but she does at least shift the substantial tome before her: _Overview of Known Primitive Civilizations_ is the title in Basic upon its cover. Mineyur looks down at the book curiously, noting the title there. With some interest, he muses, "..Primitive Civilizations..that sounds fascinating..tell me, Shen, what have you been finding in this book?" Mineyur glances from the book to her, and it could be wondered if he really has any interest at all in the book. "Primitive civilizations, mostly," the redheaded young woman answers blandly. Her eyes narrow a little; perhaps she harbors a suspicion or two about the motives of Mineyur Starlance's motives in this conversation. "Findin' out what's out there. I'm gonna be a xemomusicologist." Her chin comes slightly up as she makes this proclamation, as if she defies anyone to tell her otherwise, including the young man before her. Mineyur grins. He likes her attitude. Much like his own when he comes across those who he distrusts or disaproves of. He nods to her answer, and inquires, "And what does one of that proffession do, exactly?" He is asking a lot of questions. This seems to make him the stereotypical soldier..except that there si something...darker in him than is the case with most soldiers. How strange that he seems so polite to Shen now, when it is obvious that this is outside of his nature. Shenner's hands are still on the book, holding it before her, perhaps as a shield of sorts. It's not enough, however, to conceal her face or the top of her shirt, or the glint of the silver chain around her throat. "One of that profression," she drawls, enunciating the words with a kind of sardonic edge that shows that while she might be perfectly capable of refined grammar, it's just not her style, "goes around, finds strange new worlds, and finds out how they make music on 'em." Mineyur leans across the table a lttle, and now his questioning is ver obviously with alterior motives, and he isn't hiding it. Like a fascinated child, he says, "Tell me more." Mineyure smiles and seems to be not the least interested inthe profession, though he feigns fascination. He again speaks, "What draws you to this profession?" No, wha he really is asking, is what makes her tick? Shenner's eyes narrow further at this slight encroachment into her personal space. She doesn't lean back, though. Nor does she lean forward, her posture and slouch in the chair unchanging. "I like music, pal," she answers curtly. "What makes you like what _you_ do?" Mineyur smiles, still amused at her attitude. He is loving it. Finally, someone who is as foul tempered as he is. He says, leaning forward even more, "I like to kill people." Ouch. Shenner, however, doesn't bat an eye; either she is of iron temperament, or else she's rather more familiar with death and destruction than her young face might seem to imply. "If I see anybody who's lookin' to get diced," she parries, "I'll letcha know." Mineyur grins and pulls back suddenly in his seat. "Do that," he says with an all too eager tone. "I am not known for my compassion." He sighs...an all too fake sigh..and says, "Shen, right? Can I buy you a drink?" Shenner stares unreadably at the man before her, her book still held in her slender hands, as she takes a moment, seemingly turning over his declaration and his offer in her mind. "I get my drinks free here," she states coolly by way of reply. Mineyur nods thoughtfully. "And might I ask why?" "'Cause I'm with the band," says Shenner steadily, apparently unbothered by handing out this information. Mineyur nods and thinks a moment. It occurs to him, that he has heard this band before, and not with too fond a word either. "I see." he says. Then the question come pooring forth again. "And how did you come by joining the band? And does this band play here only, or do they go to many places?" Tracer enters the Sandbar. Tracer has arrived. Tracer strolls in, her light colored eyes adjusting quickly to the darkened bar. She scans the room, checking out the patrons while heading towards the bar. _What -is- it with bantha's behind jerks asking me questions this week anyway?!_ Shenner sits up slightly, her green eyes sparking, and in a tone beginning to take on hints of frost, she informs the young man sitting uninvited at her table, "I joined the band because I promised I'd sing here, and they were singin' here already. I don't _think_ they have other gigs in the city right now, but if you wanna know about their schedule, you should ask Rekkie, she's the lead singer. Anything _else_ you wanna know?" Mineyur laughs loudly, then frowns as he sees Tracer and rolls his eyes. Ignoring her he turns again to Shenner, and says smartly, "Yes, there is. How well do you know Rekkie? And do you have any planets that you specifically want to visit?" Tracer gives the Cadet a dismissive look and smiles at Shenner. She takes a seat at the bar, places an order, and cocks an ear in their direction. Tracer sits down at the bar. "I like it right here, pal," Shenner says unamiably. _Now_ she leans back in her chair, as much to throw off an air of comfortable nonchalance as to fractionally increase the distance between her and Mineyur. "I ain't goin' nowhere. 'Sfar as Rekkie's concerned, she's a helluva singer, and she runs a helluva band. You wanna know more, you go find her and ask her." She leans _Overview of Known Primitive Civilizations_ against her breast, an odd sort of shield, but a shield nonetheless. Shenner, in the meantime, flicks a green glance sideways at Tracer, though she doesn't smile back; most of her attention seems to be on her questioner. The bartender Ariani, apparently, has an eye on Shen as well, though the woman turns to deal with Tracer and ask for her order readily enough. Mineyur nods, amused. "I know all I want to about that. But tell me, what do you think of Rekkie as a person? And why do you like this planet just fine?" His prescence has shifted to intimidating. His voice is like ice, though he seems to be ejoying himself. Tracer stops before she gets her order out, distracted by the tone Mineyur is using with his apparently reluctant table mate. She turns and glares at the Cadet, considering a moment, then she stands and approaches the table. "I got a better idea," retorts Shenner. "Suppose you tell me why what I think is any of your karkin' business?" Tracer walks away from the bar. Mineyur grins, narrowing his eyes at Tracer's approach. "Because I asked you to. A simple question, nothing more. I have not forced anything on you..and you haven't answered my questions either.." Tracer first smiles at Shenner, not even looking at Mineyur. "Excuse me...I'm sorry if I'm interupting, but I wanted to tell you how much I liked that solo piece you did the other night." She pauses, with a quick glance at Mineyur. "Um...is this Cadet bothering, you, miss?" Shen's green gaze snaps up sideways to take in the arrival of Tracer. Only slightly less suspicious of this new arrival than she is of the first one, she eyes the other woman only long enough to acknowledge her arrival before rounding her unamused stare back on Mineyur. "I ain't in the habit of discussing people I know with people I don't know," she tells him frigidly. "And nah, lady, he ain't botherin' me, not at all." This latter is clearly directed to Tracer, and delivered in a tone that suggests that Mineyur, in Shenner's estimation, is no more bothersome than, oh, say, a lump of something foul in which she might accidentally have stepped. Tracer This human woman is fairly petite at only 5'4", with a boyish figure. Short, spiky black hair adds some height, but not much. Eyes of ice-blue exhibit a tell-tale spark of intelligence, behind a mildly attractive, slightly freckled face. She bares no other sign of sun exposure on her fair skin. It's hard to tell sometimes if she looks 13 or 30 but she is probably about 20 years old. Currently off-duty, wears a slightly oversized black leather jacket embossed with an avian design on the back and aviator-styled, mirrored sunglasses. Her lithe figure is clad in a tight, white sleeveless top which reveals the muscled shoulders and arms of her wiry frame. Fitted black slacks with a wide leather belt, shiny black dress shoes, and a small, fashionable backpack for her personal accessories complete her outfit. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Kylan-3 Heavy Blaster Pistol => Knife Tracer grins. She likes Shenner's attitude. "Well, I;m sure you can handle yourself..." She gives Mineyur a glare that equals his own smugness. "I'm sure Sg. Rodo might be available for Basic this afternoon. He might be able to teach you a thing or two about ettiquette." She smiles again at Shenner..."Well, in any case, miss....you have a great voice. Goodday." She turns, and strides from the bar. "Thanks," Shen says gruffly to Tracer, apparently not insensible of the compliment, though her attention's still on the fellow at her table as the woman takes her leave. Mineyur's eyes widen in anger for a moment, and his face reddens, but he recovers, saying, "I mean no disrespect, ma'am. I am only trying to be.." yeah right .."..nice." As far as Shenneret Veery is concerned, anyone attempting to be nice to her is trying to sell her something -- or steal, beg, or borrow something from her -- and thus far, very few sentients in the galaxy have succeeded in convincing her otherwise. Mineyur Starlance, thus far, is not one of them. And thus her gaze remains pointedly cynical, her tone stiff, even though she gives the attempt at politeness something of its due by replying, simply, "Peachy. And...?" Mineyur clears his throat. "And...." he would rather impale himself than say this..."I am sorry. Would you like to.." please, by all you hold holy say no, "take a walk with me in the fresh air?" Mineyur is ready to kill himself right now for saying this. He despises being humbled. Perhaps, _just_ perhaps, the voicing of an actual apology, however painfully reluctant, wins Mineyur back a few centimeters of lost ground. Shen's stare remains unwelcome as she considers the question; then, rather than saying aye or nay, she glances off towards the bar and calls, "Yo, Ariani -- watch my stuff, will ya?" "Sure thing, kid," calls the bartender back, her own gaze as she glances back and forth between Shenner and the soldier. Shenner then sets down the book and stands, jabbing a thumb at the door. "I have to be back here for rehearsal at 1300 hours," she announces brusquely. "Start walkin'." Oh no! She /accepted/ the offer. Idiot! "How wonderful, ma'am. I am most" stupid! He stands and offers a hnd, a gentleman surely. "Shall we?" Shenner has accepted the offer, but she doesn't accept the proferred hand, perhaps because she's pretending she didn't see it. Leaving the datadiscs on the table, but taking the book she'd been reading along with her, she merely growls, "Out," and proceeds to stride in that direction. You leave The Sandbar, entering the fresh air of 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 mid-day sky above is full of clouds with light rain coming down. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Rabid => Selektah => 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. Rabid is slowly strolling towards the west, through the light drizzle falling onto the street. Selektah is barely aware of anything, his eyes scanning the news terminal. Mineyur leaves the SandBar. Mineyur has arrived. Shenner, with a substantial-looking textbook whose battered cover proclaims it _Overview of Known Primitive Civilizations_ carried in one slender hand, emerges from the Sandbar. She pauses to take in the drizzle in the air, and then glances with apparently unpleased eyes at the man who accompanies her out of the bar. Webb enters the square from the north. Webb has arrived. Mineyur walks out of the bar just behind Shenner, striding to quickly catch uo to her. He seems polite, but not too pleased to be in his current situation. Rabid heads down West Blake St. Rabid has left. Drizzle, apparently, does not dissuade Shen from going anywhere. Ignoring the droplets beginning to dampen her red hair and her clothing, the young musician chooses herself a direction and starts walking, apparently expecting that if Mineyur wishes to walk with her, he'll follow. She does at least keep her pace to one that is easily matched, though she offers nothing by way of conversation. Selektah looks up from the news terminal finally. With a light grin he watches the unhappy twosome emerge from the sandbar. Mineyur walks alongside Shen, and for a moment a light scowl colors his face. He glares at the grinning Selektah, and says to her, "Nice day, eh?" Selektah nods and smiles, "If you like rain." he says. "Could be better," replies Shenner, shortly. Her shoulders are squared, her chin lifted, and she doesn't look at the man beside her any more than necessary to keep from running into him. Nor does she do more than glance at Selektah as he calls over his observation. Mineyur frowns and finallly..though he heasn't a clue why...takes her hand in his. "Is my lady alright in this drizzle?" he asks, shocked at how plite those words were. Ick. Selektah continues watch the couple, with a big smile on his face. Shenner stops. She glances down at her hand which has been taken; her other still is curled around the weighty textbook, and her grip on it can be seen to tighten. Then she looks back up at the tall young man beside her, and she immediately yanks her hand back out of his grip. "I am _not_," she growls, "a lady, I am _not_ _yours_, and my hand ain't yours, either. Got that?" Her eyes have started blazing, green and hot in contrast to the slight cool sheen of rain on her pale features. Mineyur stiffens, and frowns. Is it that his pride has actually be hurt? "Of course." He turns around and walks back. "I understand perfectly. Like me, you also don't have the slightest regard for any other living being. I understand perfectly. Selektah looks back down at the news terminal thinking that he should probably mind his own business, or at least be a bit more discreet. Shenner's mouth tightens into a small angry line. Not about to argue her sentiments with a total stranger, especially a male, _especially_ one showing far too much interest in her for her personal comfort, the girl doesn't bother to toss off a reply. She simply pivots round on her heels and stalks off into the rain, brandishing that big book as she goes as if she'd like to clobber somebody over the head with it. You walk south, down Mergansar Ave. South Mergansar Ave. - Plaxton City The newest section of town, South Mergansar Avenue spills into a mass of buildings and forest intertwined. Speeders slow down, then make the turn into the Starport's parking tunnel, and tourists mill about, trying to decide on where to go first. An arm of the bluff that encircles the city ends here, wrapping around the military base to the south, marked by an old stone arch anchoring a hi-tech laser fence. The huge factory of SubPro's Prothrust Division lies upon the rocky soil, facing the Starport, and its corporate flags flutter in the gentle breeze that sweeps down the street. The mid-day sky above is heavy with rain cloudy that shower down drenching the area. -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- outh leads to Virabluff Yards - Trinumvira Base. est leads to Corporate Lobby - SubPro-ProThrust Factory. ast leads to Concourse - Union Starport. orth leads to Fountain Square - Plaxton City. Selektah walks down the road from Fountain Square. Selektah has arrived. Aerilaya leaves the base behind and enters the city. Aerilaya has arrived. Aerilaya walks towards Fountain Square. Aerilaya has left. Selektah nods to Shenner as he slowly walks through the rain towards the base. Shenner is stalking through the rain, not even watching her course; her only acknowledgement to Selektah is a sidelong glare. Selektah smiles in such a manner as to be apologizing for men everywhere before disappearing past the guards on the base. Selektah gets by the guards after a brief clearence check. Selektah has left. [End log.]