Ask Black Bottle

[Darth Caelestis]

The beat of the music reverberated through the table shaking the almost black liquid in the glass. The medium sized tumbler sat half empty, grasped in a tight grip by Artorigas. He sat alone, no guards or security, no regalia or fancy clothes, for anyone who would walk past he would look like any other of the two dozen patrons who lined the sides of The Viktorious Vixen. The need for the secrecy was threefold, for one, his presence outside of Sith Space would be noticed and he was sure Five Syndicates, Jedi or Republic troops would be on his arse in a moment, secondly he was here for a personal reason, something which could not be tied back to the Sith and finally he wanted the peace and solitude of being unknown.

The thump of the song drilled into his mind, but he needed it, the fast beat, the aggressive tone, he needed that passion to keep him moving forward. Less he drown in the bottle. Although he had not lost that Auurakesh back on Dromund Kaas, everything that surrounded that day and what transpired at Castle Wessex had taken much from him. Maybe not materially, if anything he had moved only forward know sat on the council beside Stolas and Andruil. But inside something had snapped, a fear that he would eventually loose and all he had worked for would be lost. Be it to an upstart like Xeno or the Wretchedness inside waiting to pounce on any weakness.

He had drowned out much of this through drink and work, both occupying his mind with a haze which gave him little time to think about anything. He smiled for a moment before taking another mouthful of the strong black vodka. "At least today I can do both." He said to himself out loud. For he had not found himself on Tirsa so far from home for a hard drink, no Artorigas was here to meet an up and coming women by the name of Nyx Vika, her name had reached his ears through the agents spread across the outer rim. Looking for people he could invest in, giving them a little and see his investment returned in spades. Be it money, assets, name or strength, he was in the game to give and take, to build a Kingdom within an Empire.

So he sat, the rhythm of the music pulsing through him as he tapped on the side of the glass, waiting for the Vixen to show herself.

@Sreeya

 

[Nyx Vika]

Opening night had been a huge success. In fact, her bar was already featured in some local news and tabloids for introducing the infamous Emil’s Harem drink. The hilarity that ensued following people attempting to drink it made it an instant hit. Credits and crowns were rolling in, and she was able to put it towards hiring a few more employees. However, she knew her aspirations lay well beyond being a simple cantina owner. She had been eyeing the surrounding businesses in her district, a region that had a rival gang that sank its hooks in deep. She knew she would face trouble from them soon enough.

More employees meant that Nyx got to take a more administrative role instead of making and serving drinks behind the bar. She walked out in a form fitting blue dress and her usual tall heels. Already she began to see familiar faces as some of the patrons started coming habitually since opening day.

Nyx made the rounds greeting the usual patrons. A cantina as small as hers meant it took her very little time to say hello. Eventually she made her way over to the broody man in the corner sipping on a rather strong drink. His eyes looked slightly bleary, but he dressed and smelled expensive.

The Rattataki sauntered over and leaned against the bar near him, flashing him a smile, “Don’t think I’ve seen you here before, handsome,” She purred, “Nyx Vika,” She extended a hand to shake his, “Hope you’re enjoying yourself at my new and humble establishment.”

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

As time rolled past by the voices grew louder, as more patrons made their way into the establishment. He was drink was almost empty, not good, these had slid down rather quickly. A sign of a good alcohol, he would say, or the fact he is just drinking quicker than usual. Artorigas' eyes were pulled away from the near empty glass by a slender Rattataki women, the sway in her step was full of confidence and strength. He had been told that the owner was a Rattataki was this one?

"First time, I have heard these are the best drinks in the sector." He replied holding up the empty glass with his left hand before leaning forward and extending his right to shake the women's hand. So this is Nyx, her golden eyes like pools of gold in her light blue skin, she was, dangerous. He thought with a smile. "Drystan Essex. The stories were right Madame Vika, the drinks are very good." He could never be too sure about using his name, his face he was not afraid of, there were enough Human's in the galaxy that there were probably a dozen look alikes across just Sith Space. But a look alike with the same name would pull too much attention.

He let go of her hand and settled back into his seat. "Although I seem to be almost out of this, do you have a recommendation of what I should try next?" He polished off the rest of the pitch black liquor in one mouthful before putting the glass back on the bar.

@Sreeya

 

[Nyx Vika]

Nyx eyed him curiously as he spoke, his appearance suggesting he was wealthy but also mentally worn. She never could have known he was one of the most powerful men in the galaxy with the position he held within the Imperial ranks. However, at best she could guess he came from means whether by his own or inherited.

“Why of course the stories were right,” She said with a grin, “You don’t seem the type to waste your time venturing out where you doubt the quality of the drinks,” Nyx looked over at her twi’lek worker, snapping a fingers before pointing to a particular bottle. Once the bottle was brought over, Nyx looked over at Drystan Essex.

“This is an aged whiskey actually from Nar Shaddaa,” She said with a smile, “Now the planet doesn’t have the best reputation, and this whiskey is from the bowels of some seedy district you’ve never set foot in,” There was a glint in her eye, “But the way it burns going down is exquisite. A warm, lingering caress down your neck and all the way down your chest,” Nyx grinned before waiting for him to take a drink.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Her voice was velvet, the words flowed like a river pulling him into her trust. She knew what she was doing when it came to selling her wares, she could be a valuable asset in the future, but now she was a valuable bartender. The bottle appeared before him, it showed its age the original bright white of the label faded over time. She poured it perfectly letting it swirl around the glass not sploshing in the centre.

Artorigas picked up the glass and gave it a swirl to move the aroma around, it had a strange honeycomb-liquorice fragrance to it. "I do wonder what kind of grain they could find on that little hell hole to make something good enough to reach your bar. But the hells." With that he took a large mouthful, half the glass, enough to get the full taste and burn, but leave a little encase he wanted another swirl around his tongue.

She was right, it burned the whole way down, it was a warmth that washed over him, bringing a small smile to his lips. Raising the glass to the women. "Your recommendation does you benefit." He said before finishing what was left in the glass. "Now please join me for another. I must insist."

@Sreeya