A Chance Exchange

[Shalken]

Just because the sun went down on the cities of Eriadu, that did not mean that its inhabitants slept. On the contrary, its sky-lines and smog-hidden spires often seemed more alive at night than day. It was on one such night that the Reclusiarch of the Shadow Conclave, the masked Duke Shiro Blagden of Serenno, had decided to pay one of the planet's many cantinas a visit.

"Heah ya go, mah good sah. Jedah haw-low-crawn, or summin' like tha'," a burly Noghri grunted over a grimy metal table as he placed a rugged burlap sack on its surface. Across from him, unimpressed, sat Shiro in his full Mantle armour. While he could have just shown up without, this was Conclave business, and he couldn't afford to have anyone suspect his intentions. While scanning some galactic markets, he'd noticed this offer for a "Forcie Relic", whatever that was supposed to mean. Seeing the steep price, however, he'd decided not to leave it up to chance and investigate himself. "Alright, let's take a look," his heavily modulated voice resonated from under his helmet.

Extending a hand over to the sack, he opened it up slightly to see that the Noghri was, in fact, correct. Taking a subtle cursory glance about the cantina, he leaned in, widening the bag's mouth to properly examine it. Fascinating, he thought. For once, Shiro was actually pleased with this scavenger's dull-wittedness; he had potentially stumbled upon some very valuable information. His curiosity getting the better of him, and realizing that this Noghri was about as Force-sensitive as a Bantha, the Reclusiarch extended his will upon the device, opening it up from within the bag. He grinned with triumph beneath his mask. A detailed description on the lost art of Force-forging...magnificent! This holocron is priceless!

Closing the artifact and pulling his hand from the bag, Shiro relaxed back in his chair once more, more than satisfied with the find. The price of the deal, however, was a tad too high for the enigmatic man's taste. He gestured flippantly at the bag. "What is this, some kind of sham?" The Noghri's stupid grin quickly turned to a confused frown. "..Wha'tcha talkin' bout? Tha' thing's real, eh?"

The Reclusiarch continued condescendingly, "Oh yes, it's real. But it's empty. It's practically worthless." Crestfallen, the grey alien snatched the bag and shook it vigorously, trying to crack it open. Of course, it remained sealed shut. "Wot! They tol' me it was worth millions! Some kin'a secret weapon-makin' stuff! Made me pay two month's wages fo' it!" Shiro lolled his head, looking dreadfully bored. "Well, it seems 'they' have obviously ripped you off. It's a dud, barely fit for a museum. It doesn't even function properly anymore."

The Noghri continued to growl and moan in frustration. Pulling open his wallet and sifting through some chips, the Reclusiarch offered with mock pity, "Here, I don't normally do this, but I'll be a good fellow and reimburse you for your trouble. That way you can walk away with nothing lost, and I can just dispose of it before somebody else gets swindled. How's that sound?" Sliding several credits across the table, the grey-skinned fellow took one last woeful shake at the holocron before giving up and accepting the chips.

As the Noghri exited the cantina, Shiro secured the sack to his side. While he normally wasn't as sneaky as that, he'd learned a thing or two from watching his friend Lucius. Interesting, it really does work wonders. I'll have to thank the man later, the Duke though as he waved down a bar-droid.

@Mad Dog​

 

[Mad Dog]

Cade sat at the end of a long bar counter inside one of Eriadu's many ' Fine ' establishments. In truth this place was a bit of a hole, looked like it belonged on one of the more backwater planets than the great Eriadu. Prior to The last couple months Cade was never really a big drinker, but with the chaos that had unfolded down galactic south, and the hand he'd played in it, he'd developed quite a taste for the drink, and the KIK-Dust.

He'd only just taken a large lick of the stuff right before a large gray Noghri had nearly shook the table he'd been sitting at and yelled "Wot! They tol' me it was worth millions!..." Whatever he had said after that was back to its regular volume and the Squib couldn't hear what it was from his position, or even who he was saying it to because of the other patrons in the cantina blocking his view.

Probably just some meat head that got swindled..

Cade returned to his whiskey finishing his tenth glass since he'd arrived an hour prior. The credit chip he was paying for the drinks with wasn't his, but that didn't stop him..

"Ey droid!!" Cade called out to the rust bucket running the bar,"How about one on me? All around!" A large handful of humanoids and others gave a quick round of applause he even got a few pats on the back and a couple ' thank yous ' before everything settled down a bit more and he watched the Noghri exit the place with his head hanging so low it was resting on his chest.

 

[Shalken]

As he was about to order a drink from the droid, he heard one of the bar's patrons call out a round of drinks on his tab. How generous, Shiro thought as he ordered a glass of Corellian ale. While this was certainly not his drink of choice, Serennoan whiskey was not very cheap, and certainly not as commonplace. When the ale was placed in front of him, he raised the glass to the Squib. "To your health, good fellow." Several of the guests at other tables nodded in agreement and raised their beverages as well before guzzling them down.

However, before the Reclusiarch could follow suit, he realized a slight problem. In order to keep his identity a secret, he was unable to remove his helmet to enjoy his drink. Pausing for a few moments to figure out what he was going to do, he waved over the server droid once more and requested a straw. Having acquired it, he then took a sip by slipping the straw underneath his helmet. Hardly conventional, but it would have to do.

Turning to face the Squib, he commented, "A whole round on yourself? Must've had a good haul."

@Mad Dog​

 

[Mad Dog]

Cade thought to the generally small size of his cargo hold,"You could say that.." He replied to the masked figure who was so intent on keeping his helmet on he'd ordered a straw..

Strange..

Even the most wanted outlaws typically took their helmets off in hole in the wall cantinas like this. Cade finished his newest glass of whiskey,"KIK-Dust?" He offered his new acquaintance, taking a large vial out of his pocket. That'd make this man reveal his face, after all who could resist free Dust?

 

[Shalken]

Seeing the dust that was offered to him, Shiro shook his head. He never had indulged much in spices in his past life; the substance never really appealed to him, much less now. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't do spice while I'm working."

In an attempt to steer away the conversation from himself, Shiro inquired, "So, what's your line of work? If you don't mind me asking."

@Mad Dog​

 

[Mad Dog]

"Well I'm an agen..." He began before stopping,"I do a bit of everything, kinda a Jack of all trades." He finished, sort of deflecting the question, not very well though.

"Droid.. Can you just leave me the bottle?" He said as he held up his empty glass,"Thing never stays full.." He said laughing a bit.

 

[Shalken]

Shiro's head tilted slightly as the Squib stopped himself mid-sentence. Intriguing. A slip of the tongue, perhaps? Normally the man would have just left it at that, but now this person had piqued his interest.

"An agent of many trades, you say? So a broker of some kind?" He then extended a hand towards the Squib. "Call me Huginn, by the way. I work with the Shadow Conclave."

@Mad Dog​

 

[Mad Dog]

Shadow Conclave?

Cade paused for a moment, he'd heard of the shadow conclave, though he'd never seen one of their operatives or even met anyone who had, to Cade they were a bit of a Boogeyman style legend.

"The shadow conclave eh?" Cade wasn't quite ready to believe him, however his getup certainly fit the bill of an assassin,"Well.." He had decided to divulge the truth as to his occupation, If what the man had said was true then this chance exchange could be quite valuable, and even if not it wasn't like he was keeping a big secret, even though he leaned in a bit taking the man's hand and shaking it, he then proceeded to speak much more softly."To be completely honest sir, I am an Agent of The Kjlljk(pronounced like Kell ik) Protectorate. We're a fairly new organization, but I'm sure you've possibly heard of our quick work in the galactic south.." although he did not elaborate yet of what specific work was being done, he did appear to be telling the truth.

Cade made a point to fully inspect the man's outfit, it was functional and elaborate nice..

 

[Shalken]

Pleased that the figure divulged his true affiliation, Shiro replied thoughtfully, True, we did notice a great deal of organized activity in that region, though we were not sure what had caused it."

Making a mental note to keep track of this "Kjlljk Protectorate", the Duke finished the rest of his drink before rising from his seat. "I should get going. If the Protectorate ever wishes to deal with the Shadow Conclave, seek out our little shop on Denon. It's run by a man we call the Deacon, and he will relay messages to us on your behalf."

@Mad Dog​

 

[Mad Dog]

Deacon on Denon, Cade noted that.

"Very well sir, that sounds like a fantastic idea!" Cade was quite pleased this encounter had happened to him. He offered another handshake, and like that the figure disappeared leaving little to no evidence he had ever really been there.

Cafe turned back to his drink,"Woah.." He whispered still a little surprised at the events that had unfolded. Cade paid for his drinks then made a quick exit, excited to regal his tale to his superior.