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[SWAW] Must not sleep with team-mates [Kelb Tott S3]
Both,
The walk back to Xyxis' shop was long, and largely silent. Pem and Jazz held back just a bit, keeping rank and file. When you get there, Xyxis is away — likely back at his home in the upper levels of the station — but his staff, a young Falleen lady named Myalla, is happy to receive you. She hovers over, in that graceful Falleen stride, and respectfully bows. "good evening fair customers. How may I help you?"
The walk back to Xyxis' shop was long, and largely silent. Pem and Jazz held back just a bit, keeping rank and file. When you get there, Xyxis is away — likely back at his home in the upper levels of the station — but his staff, a young Falleen lady named Myalla, is happy to receive you. She hovers over, in that graceful Falleen stride, and respectfully bows. "good evening fair customers. How may I help you?"
Comments
Myalla looks between you all, "if you have business with Xyxis, I always have his proxy. Are you the mercenary crew he hired earlier?"
"Yes, ma'am, we are." I give her a look of respect. If she is a proxy, then we can do business with her. "We have delivered the message as requested. The recipient understand the cost of further trouble to the Cabal. However, he is convinced that his backer will not allow this. He feels that he will be replaced if he does not continue his aggressive acts. He is most likely neutralized as a threat, but his backer may continue encroaching Kestic Station."
Without hesitating she adds, "of course, if this backer you mentioned is going to be pressing us hard, I'm sure my husband will be willing to pay you extra for additional services."
She's either naive or nervous.
I'll lead the crew out of the store. "Pem, can you let our new team members know we'll be working security for the next month? We can work out a rotation tomorrow." I slip payment to them, then grin, "First round on me, guys."
You're greeted by a beautiful Togrutan lady who is a little older than the rest of the men and women "on display" at the back wall. She approaches you in fine silk robes, and excellent form. "Good evening," she says with a courteous bow, "welcome to Diurnal Motion – are you all together?"
Kelb,
Who ducked out of drinks. What did they tell you it was for?
Tott,
Who's the owner of this place, and why do they owe you big time?
"Yes, we're a team." I say with a smirk. "First round of drinks are on me."
Darn Jazz judging me. Not that he's wrong, but I've earned some leeway. I don't sleep with team-mates!
Not anymore.
In the course of my job, I ended up in that back room while it was in a half-humanoid form. I became it's go-to merc - I think it liked having someone else to communicate with. We've kept it mostly business, although sometimes I bring it a liter of fresh spring water when it summons me.
Squall is all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eyeing the place like it's some fancy piece of culture she's only seen in the holos. Pem is already eyeing the Sabacc tables behind the bar.
Squall's bubbly attitude is infectious, I'm grinning when Tott asks about dancing. I answer with a wink, "I have no rules against dancing, Tott. Buy me a Jawa Bomber and I'm all yours." I blink in surprise, "No, wait. For dancing. And Squall has some great moves, too. You coming with us?"
I'll pull then both onto the dance floor as soon as drinks are empty.
I start my movements slow, dancing about half time, as I feel out the style that Kelb prefers.
I maneuver myself between the two women, then slide my hands along Kelb's hips, guiding her movements. It's delicious to feel the heat of her flesh through her clothes. I dance with her, pleased with, but not surprised by, her gracefulness, how she matches my movements.
Stay focused. We're just having fun now, he is trying to manipulate you, Kelborn. "You're an amazing dancer, Tott. " I say between songs.
My voice cracks as I answer, "Rhythm, coor... coordination. " I slide my hands around his neck, under his lekku.
"Why are Twi'Leks such skilled damcers?" I ask, trying to recover.
While he answers, I slip over to Squall and make sure she isn't excluded. I'll taunt him with some sexy dancing. I put my hands on Squall's hips and dance my way down into a squat, then slide back up her body, rubbing myself against her lightly.
"I need more intoxicants!" I yell as I raise my hands to the heavens in exaltation to this moment of ribald fun. "Come here, Tott!"
I'm so glad Jazz isn't here right now. I'm really not at my best.
My hair is starting to get a little damp. I really shouldn't have worn those synth-leather pants and my knee-high boots. They're sexy as can be, but they do seem to get a little warm. Lucky that my tank top and vest are made of breathable material.
"What do you think of him?" I whisper into Squall's ear as I dance against her and continue to touch her side.
As I weave my way back to Kelb with her drink, I consider my options. I could just ignore Squall, but Kelb doesn't seem to want to let me do that. Goddess, would she want both of us in her bed at the same time? I don't know that I could permit that walking mistake to touch me. Ugh.
She pats you on the shoulder, and eyes the bar, "I'm gunna get myself a drink, maybe see how much Pem's lost, and count some cards so he can make it back."
Do you let her go?
Time to woman up? Gah, I should be a stick in the mud. This is such a bad idea. I take the drink from Tott and down it right then and there. "Bad news, Tott. Squall is gonna hang with Pem. You're stuck with me."
I think he wanted to be with Squall maybe? Was he trying to make her jealous? Silly Tott.You should just be with her, she's really great.
When a slower song starts up, I put my arms around his neck and look up at him, "You know, if you'd rather dance with Squall, I'm sure I could go bring her back."
"I was having a great time, with the dancing. I love dancing, and you're, well, amazing..." I find that I'm staring at the muscles in his neck and how his lekku looks so great, gently moving as we dance.
Then I catch myself staring, try to regain some composure and ask, "This is just fun, right?" Please tell me this is just flirting. I can handle that. I do not need to get involved with somebody right now. I'm not drunk enough for anything emotional.
(Rolled: 2d6+1. Rolls: 6, 4. Total: 11)
Bad idea. Must not sleep with team-mates. Must NOT sleep with team-mates.
Woman up and sleep with the sexy, sexy Twi'Lek, or man up and be a limp, underwhelming stick in the mud.
I swallow, looking into his lovely dark eyes. I want this. I am an adult. I can make my own decisions.
I've worked so hard to make this team work, and work well together. This is my family. My only friends! Will it break us if I do this? Day one I hire him and then take him back to my place for "a night or three of hot, thoroughly enjoyable sex"?
I reach down to put one hand over the one he has on my hip, the other on his neck. "Tott, we can't let this impact how this team works. They're my whole world." That said, I lean up to kiss him. Soft, but he can feel the hunger. I've wanted to do this for cycles.
His lips do not disappoint.
"I've got some stress," I say as I return the kisses with growing heat, increasing applications of tongue. "Let's go harmonize, Tott. For a night or three." Stars, I'm really doing this. I'd planned on getting trashed so I wouldn't be responsible for whatever happened. But, here I am, going to bed with one of my sub-ordinates.
Should I fire him first?
I dunno Kelb, should you?
Of course, you don't really have a chance to consider that before there's a bit of a commotion over by the door. If you peer over for more than a second you'll spot Jaina walking hurriedly over to the bar, straight for Squall, with more purpose than you've ever seen her walk with.
She has a black eye, and a split lip. She looks pissed.
Tott,
Have you ever met Captain Jaina Dene before? She's a Mandalorian like Kelborn, and is pretty serious when it comes to her freighter business. Pem told you she's "pretty close" with Kelb, though he didn't really know how close that was. What do you know about her?
Both,
What do you do?
I see Kelb's reaction, and grit my teeth in frustration.
I'm heading straight over to her, reaching down reflexively for my heavy blaster, that isn't there, of course. Stupid club rules. Is Squall talking to her?
Jaina is gesturing wildly and Squall is trying to calm her down as you approach. When you finally do, she spots Kelb and immediately unloads on her. "Kelb, I've got work for you. I want you to beat the poodoo out of someone, let me spit in his face, then shoot that kriffer in the head."
All my sexy thoughts have vanished. Somebody hurt my friend and they are gonna pay. There's no way I'm charging Jaina for this, but we can nit-pick that later.
"Kriff... Kelborn, please track him down... He can't have left the station. He said he was with some of my backers, but none of them have offices on Kestic."
As we contiue on for a bit, I ask Jaina, "Are you behind on payments?" I reach a hand up to her shoulder, does she pull away?
Squall breaks away, bolting back for her stuff at 14's. Jaina's beyond pissed, but your touch doesn't seem to phase her at all. She shakes her head indignantly, "No! I've never missed a payment on anything! This ship is my baby Kelborn. The backers have been pushing me really hard for their cut of the business, and some of them are very hands on, but we've had an agreement that I'm in control of my kriffing ship!"
She takes a few deep breaths, and looks away. "If that sleemo thinks he can get away with poodoo like that, then he's got another thing coming!"
How do you intend to find this man, Kelb? Observation and interrogation? Intuition? Being quick? Shakedowns? Something else?
"Jaina," I ask as we near the last corridor to the docks, "Have you notified the Dockmaster of this assault? Do you think he knows about it already? I mean, security on the dock is better than anywhere else on the station besides maybe Deck One." I'm heading to the Dockmaster's office.
The Dockmaster's office is actually his home. It's at the end of the customs hallway, in the crew apartments. His door is closed and locked. What do you do?
"Let's start at the top, shake the tree, and see what falls out." I say as we arrive. I'm banging on the door for him. Does he have a second-in-command?
"Dad?" She calls, "Jaina's here to see you ... With some mercs apparently."
Go'ree stands from the table and sheepishly comes over. "Jaina, I told you I don't have access to those holo-recordings... If you have a security concern, then dock policy is you hire private security."
Jaina looks to you, obviously ticked off he's not co-operating.
This is P'shann, by the way. Apparently she's half Miraluka.
Here's Go'ree:
I stop right in front of him, looking up with my steely glare, "Just point me in his direction, and this conversation is over." I am committed to violence on Jaina's behalf, but I'm hoping that we can avoid this.
I'd like to Observe (Read) this guy.
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 5, 6. Total: 13)
(+1 XP)
• how could I get him to tell me where to find the Chiss, or even better, his bosses?
• what does Go'Ree intend to do about this attack on Jaina and the thug who did it?
Alternatively, he loves his daughter more than anyone else in the galaxy... That's always an angle.
He shifts uncomfortably, "Welcome to Kestic, miss... Security here can't handle every single threat that pops up in a private domicile. Miss Dene knew this when she docked her ship here — it's why we advise captains who dock here to hire private security."
I hold up one finger, like a blaster almost, pointing it at him, "One. You tell me where I can find the Chiss who did this, keep your creds and we're done with this conversation. All nice and civil." I give him a snarl of a grin, like I can barely pretend to be nice right now, and not infuriated at his cavalier attitude about my friend's safety, which he let slip for a bribe.
"Or two." I throw up a second finger, then spread them and point both at his eyes, "You insult me and my client and clam up until I severely injure your pretty daughter while you stand there whining for me to stop."
I drop my two fingers down into a fist, still holding it in his face. "I'll give you till to the count of three to decide."
"One." I'm not holding up fingers right now. I'm planting my feet. I'm going to punch P'shann right in the face on three. I assume Tott has my back on this and if she tries to move away, he'll grab her.
"Two." My tone is eager. I'm eager for him to break. I've got no feelings for P'Shann. He willingly let this happen to Jaina, he deserves to feel some of the fear she felt.
I do believe you are threatening this man (through his daughter). Roll it.
Tott,
Are you OK with this? Are you going to let Kelb beat the poodoo out of some innocent young lady?
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 6, 5. Total: 13)
But that was a long time ago, and since then I have had many a women's fist or foot in my face, stomach or groin. It's made me less inherently respectful of women - at least Alien women. Twi'lek women drag the old ways out of me without really trying.
I shake my arms loose at my side and bend my knees slightly, ready to spring if anyone tries to run.
He stays put, afraid you might follow through anyway if he makes any sudden movements. He looks you all over – a mixture of fear and loathing paints his face.
"Jaina, regular thugs don't set up offices." I say as I hit the button to call the lift. "I can put a boot to his head, but he won't be the only one, I'm thinking." Maybe we should cut and run. Setting up on Kestic, with Jabba encroaching and with this Chiss and his backers. This is getting hot. Not the good hot.
I look back at Tott. "Can you shadow us when we get up to him? Watch our back, alright?" I reach down for my... no blaster. "Really wish I had my blaster."
I turn to Jaina, "Tott's right, we're going in half-cocked and unarmed. We know where he's going now. We don't have to chase him all over the station. Let's regroup back at 14's and get ready for this."
I let the lift doors close after we step in. But we're heading to the main level, not Deck 1. "We can have Squall watch for him on Deck 1 while we get our gear. Then, when he comes out of the meet with the merchants, we have our chat then."
I look to Tott, "Can you fetch Pem and come back to 14's?" I'm going to try and contact Nill and put her on the Chiss now.
How is Jaina reacting to this? Is she going to let us approach this smart, or is she objecting?
Jaina is taking this rather poorly. Normally, she's composed and professional about all this — but you know that having someone attack her on her own ship is breaking her mind. She's trying not to look at you — she's not exactly objecting though.
Tott,
It doesn't take you long to find Pem at the tables. He's smoking a death stick, looking rather nervous, and is in the middle of a hand of Sabacc. He's eyeing the man across the table like he owes him something. "Hey Tott, he calls out without taking his eyes off his opponent, "come to help me win some credits?"
Pem looks uneasy, and you spot his right eye twitch nervously at your order... He looks over to you, trying to discern whether you're telling the truth, or are just here to pull him away from the table... He whispers, "I'm 20 thousand credits in the hole here, Tott... Just give me a few more hands, and I'll have it back — then I'll go go help Kelb's little friend."
I want to read her.
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 3, 4. Total: 9)
(+1 XP)
Pem breaks eye contact with his opponent and looks at you like you have seven heads. "What? C'mon man, Just 3 more hands and I'll be in the black again! Kelb's a competent lady, I'm sure she can survive another 20 minutes without me!"
Kelb,
Jaina has no idea what she's going to do about this attack... If the Chiss is telling the truth about her backers wanting him on board, then running means she's likely going to end up the target of a hit so her backers can recoup their losses. If she lets him on, then she's inviting her backers to walk all over their agreement, and she doesn't want that.
She's still not looking at you when she whispers, "I don't think we can get close enough to touch them, Kelb... This Chiss guy needs to back the kriff off, but I need those backers to keep my fleet flying. I'll lose the other ships the moment I turn on them — and I don't mind losing my other ships, I guess, but I can't lose this one too."
(Rolled: 2d6+3. Rolls: 6, 3. Total: 12)
"I'm going to question the Chiss, Jaina. We're getting to the bottom of this." I want to, what, I don't know. Hug her? Or... something? Nah, better if I just do what I do. She's Mandalorian, she's as tough as Jazz and me.
You grab Pem, and he's furious. "What the kriff are you doing?!?! I've gotta get out of the red!" But you're not having it. You drag him kicking and screaming out of this place, and even manage to dodge a few desperate sucker-punches. Once he's outside Diurnal Motion he sort of calms down, though he's still obviously pretty pissed off, and demands you let him go. "I'm not letting you drag my ass up to Kelborn. I'll have some kriffing dignity... I'll kriffing go..."
Do you let him walk on his own? Or are you carrying him by the ear?
Kelb,
Jaina shakes her head, and you spot 14's just around the corner. "They're big-time investors, Kelb... They don't just want income — they want big returns on their investment, and they aren't happy that I'm out here in Kestic, and these small time gigs. They want me taking big shipments out from the core." You promise to get to the bottom of it, and she nods.
She looks pretty raw, Kelborn... "Thanks," she says without looking at you directly, "I appreciate everything you're doing."
She looks at you, maybe for the first time since back at the Dockmaster's place, and sizes you up. It's a discerning look, like she's trying to figure you out.
What's your demeanor like right now, Kelb? Are you an open book to her? Or are you putting on a face?
I've dealt with gambling addicts before. I know how they can be.
Okay, I won't lie to you, there's a little bit of me that wonders if she's sticking around for me. It's a really bad call on her part, if that's true. She's a great woman, so driven and smart. To hitch herself to an exile like me, that's just stupid, really. And it's not like a few nights of passion means anything. Sure, we're close. I mean, "close" close, and I am really attracted to her. ESPECIALLY in that beret!
But of all the people out here, the idea that she accepts me. Not accepts what she knows of me, my now self, but accepts me knowing that I was kicked off Mandalore, and that I deserved it, and yet, here she is. Close with me, asking for my help, trusting me.
Still. She'd be stupid to stick around for me. She needs to have a better excuse than that.
Yeah, so I'm an open book. With really messed up pages.
Jaina sighs, and deflates a little. "Nothing's keeping me here, Kelborn — I can leave whenever I want." She notes how closely you're standing to her, and bites the inside of her lip, "maybe I'm being stupid by staying. I didn't think I was... But maybe I am."
Tott,
At one point, on the trip up, Pem asks you, "what the hell is your problem, Tott? Why are you playing babysitter with me? A grown-ass adult, who's older than you are, for crying out loud."
"You've worked too hard to keep those ships flying, Jaina." I say after a pause. I wouldn't say I'm gathering strength or anything. I just needed to find the right words. "If there aren't enough jobs to keep you flying out here, then you should, ah...." Was I about to say "go where you'll be happy?" Stars, Kelborn, that's so LAME.
I know, just tell her you'll keep her flying, that she can stay here and you two can have casual sex when you like, but nothing too restrictive. Because you know, Kelb needs to play the field and be all bad news. And of course, I can keep her on retainer, like I just doubled the size of the team because somehow I can magically summon good-paying merc work from the vacuum of space! I must have some jedi powers or something because I'm just that good.
Stars, this is a wreck. What an awful wreck. I just promised a washed-out Rodian I'd give her steady pay... of which I have nearly none. I was about to break my own promise not to sleep with a team-mate and Jazz is angry with me, and he's right. I'm messing it all up.
I'm going to lose this team. And then, who am I?
Who am I? Without this team, without the work, without all the trappings, who am I really?
She needs to move on. Jaina needs to move on. Quick. I just can't say the words.
"C'mon, let's go get the team and put the hammer down on this Chiss." There, that sounds much better. I'm going to punch him alot and then I will forget this whole sad moment of existential whatever.
And I'm going to kriff Tott's brains out.
Jaina looks like she's bracing for a punch when you start hinting she should move on, and she's breathing pretty heavily by the time you back down. She swallows hard, staring off down the hall during the awkward silence, and nods vacantly when you suggest getting the team to get back to work.
"Sure..." she whispers, hoarsely, "Let's go."
Tott,
Pem doesn't look convinced that you're doing this as a "good soldier", but what else is he going to do? You just carried him out of a gambling den to get back to work, at Kelb's behalf. You make a compelling argument.
When you get back to 14's, you find Kelb in Squall's quarters. Jazz arrives just after you with the other new recruits.
Both,
Squall has her eyes locked on a security feed, and she's giving you all the play-by-play of the Chiss' little meeting. "Seems he's looking to weasel his way into the Cabal here. He's calling it a 'foothold for future operations'. The guy's name is Se'ver'kathol — people are calling him Se'ver for short. Given how open he sounds to playing ball with these people, and the number of palms he's greased tonight, I think they're going to give him membership status..."