Open Bon Voyage!

[Elikar Bridhec]

The Corusca Gem floated gently through space as it pulled its way free of Corellia’s gravity. The Corusca Gem was headed out on a 30-day cruise of the core and mid-rim worlds with such stops as Bothawui, Onderon, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and a full day cruising through the Alderaan System to view the remains of the once beautiful planet; a tourist’s delight.

Brand new and on its maiden voyage the 200 meters, Corusca Gem was only of average size for a luxury liner but was uniquely laid out with decks not only for super rich but also lower decks for the galaxy’s not quite so fortunate. And of course, there were the multitude of crewers ready and willing, if not happily, to serve at the pleasure of the ship’s guests.

Poodoo, Poodoo, and more Poodoo. Could this day get any worse? Elikar pondered as he vigorously scrubbed the expensive tile. One of the worst things a stateroom steward could encounter was a clogged and overflowing fresher’ and this one was a doozy. Unfortunately for Elikar, the occupant of this stateroom was considerably larger than a human which meant… this was starting out as a miserable cruise for Elikar. But, on the bright side this was just about as bad as it got… usually.

Quite frankly, Elikar didn’t mind his job that much, at least when he wasn’t dealing overflowing refreshers. The pay was actually pretty good. Especially when the elderly Cerean couple occupied their usual suite; they were very good tippers. He also got to make interesting contacts and meet people from all over the galaxy. However, there were better ways to do that, which is exactly why Elikar had been training in both bartending and running game tables.

Elikar was not fully trained in both of those pursuits so he wasn’t certified enough to “practice” full-time, but he was allowed to work short shifts for practice. Elikar finally finished cleaning up the mess the overflow had made and headed through the interior corridors back to his crew cabin. A quick shower and change and he was soon standing behind the bar of the Starlight Lounge serving those seated at the bar.

(ooc: there is an ooc thread here. It describes the layout of the ship etc.)

 

[Süss Ewig]

“Source close to the adopted family claim the young 18 year-old woman is the real love child of the Queen. Allegedly. Live from Coruscant Towers, Süss Ewig for CTN News.” The seasoned journalists ended her report. Without missing a beat, Ewig walked away from the edge of the skyline and handed her microphone to the camera man.

With an annoyed look written all of her face, Süss boldly walked straight to her manager and declared: “The Next time you think you have a lead, do me a favour and verify your source!” None of her television crew dared to look or make a scene. Though talented and seasoned, every employee knew how to “behave” around Süss Ewig. Her desire for perfection and ratings sometimes caused her to act in a manner unbecoming of her league.

“There is nothing alleged about the 18 year-old love child. I have an original copy of a deposition transcript pointing to the love child.” George Forge pulled out his datapad. “Here, see for yourself.” He continued while scrolling through a digital file of said deposition. “Extraordinary!” Ewig exclaimed while quickly scanning through the deposition. “It’s why we’re here. The original attorney who discovered the child would like an audience with you. We have a meeting with him at 08:00 on Corusca Gem. If we make haste we’ll make it on time.” Forge concluded while making the move towards the hanger. “ Ewig was beyond surprised. All her adult career she’d made the nemetous moves only to find herself at a dead end about the Queen’s love child. Although Forge’s words seemed unbelievable, she trusted him and followed right behind him. “We’re taking my ship.” Ewig insisted, to which her manger obliged.

The journey to Corusca Gem was rather pleasant. Upon finding the right room, Forge led the way as the pair entered a room wherein Elikar, or least one who appeared in his liking, sat. No one beyond Forge would know that Ewig was present as she entered
Corusca Gem in a disguise. The pair walked up to the bar next to Elikar. “It’s always a bar...This had better be a good storyline.” Ewig thought silently to herself as she approached the young man known as Elikar.

 

[Chant Sindhu]

Life is full of surprises. Chant Sindhu can certainly testify to that truth in more ways than one. With one hand she repeatedly wiped a wine stained table nearest the bar on the left side. The Mon Calamari wearing a waiter suit maintained a neutral expression, continuing the work. Inwardly she had mixed feelings.

One hand she got a job(a temporary arrangement) but on the other it wasn’t exactly her first choice to say the least. While patrons socialize and drink at the bar and other tables, Chant’s mind wanders back to how she came to this point. Losing her ship, the freelancer ended up with only the clothes on her back and her astromech partner Ness. If it hadn’t been for some good samaritans she would’ve been dead. Suppressing a sigh Chant paused and thought.

Hopefully when this voyage is over we can move on and find a new ship.

Finally done cleaning the table Chant subsequently heard a familiar beep and looked up behind. There was Ness, the astromech droid carrying a tray containing a glass of emerald wine. Nodding in understanding Chant replied in a whisper. “Hang in there partner, this is only temporary”

Saying all that she then pointed to an eldery Duros gentleman in a purple robe sitting alone in a far corner.

“The fellow is over there Ness. Best not to keep him waiting.”

With a click of acknowledgement Ness rolled in that direction. Without warning a booming voice erupted meters away to the opposite side. “Hey, fishy we need another round!” Biting her tongue to prevent a retort, Chant glanced toward the source of the voice, a heavy set purple Twi’lek in a red suit with a pair of Zabark twins wearing matching dresses of violet color.

“Uh...course sir. What type of drink exactly?”

The Twi'lek, obviously intoxicated, already fired back in irritation. “Wine you frakking idiot! Wine!”

In the back of her mind Chant thought angrily. Fat sleemo can’t even remember what he just gulped down. Fortunately one of the twins answered. “Andoan for all of us please.” With a grateful nod Chant headed in the direction of the bartender at the stand.

@MasterTyvokka @Padmé

 

[Elikar Bridhec]

The Starlight Lounge was the pride of Corusca Gem and one of the most magnificent lounges in the Galaxy. It was surrounded almost completely in transparisteel. with an intricate and flowing lattice work of durasteel separating the individual panels. The views of the stars were breathtaking, hence the name. Behind the bar wall were the engines but they were very well insulated so not even a hum escaped into lounge. The lounge was decorated with a modern flare and included the bar stretching along the entire rear of the lounge and table and booths scattered throughout in organized chaos. It was early evening so the lounge hadn't filled up yet but passengers were trickling in at a steady rate.

Elikar shook his head hearing the intoxicated Twi'lek. They had been cruising for maybe two hours and a guest was already belligerently drunk, Elikar would have to keep an eye on that one. Elikar served passed a pair of Loman Ales to a young devronian couple at the end of the bar and then turned to the woman and her companion who had just walked up to the bar. "What can I get you all?" Elikar asked addressing the woman first. "I've got some excellent Ales, strong liquors, and even some very rare Alderaanian wine if you can afford it. An excellent vintage, I've heard." Elikar passed drink menus to his newest patrons.

While waiting for the duo to respond one of the new servers, Chant, walked over and called up an order of Andoan wine. "Coming right up." Elikar turned and entered an the order into a keypad. The state of the art system soon automatically delivered the requested bottle of wine from the cellars far below to the hatch in the counter behind the bar. Elikar gently placed the wine on the droid's tray and turned back to the woman.

@Minuteman75 @Padmé

 

[Süss Ewig]

“The fellow is over there Ness. Best not to keep him waiting.” The Mon Calamari's words made Ewig wonder the importance of the patron adorned in purple robe. Could he be the alleged source of information? Just how much does he know, if he is the source, about the Queen's alleged love child?

Ewig continued scanning the lounge. Her eyes caught a certain Mon Calamari adorned in a waiter suit and a dejected look cleaning wine stains. Merely seconds later a seemingly intoxicated Twi'lek demanded, “Wine you frakking idiot! Wine!"At which point Ewig looked at her manager in the most peculiar manner. “George, this better be worth my time.” Not even the modern decor of the lounge tempted Ewing to stay. The things I do for CTN Network, she thought silently to herself seconds before the voice of Elikar broke through. “What can I get you all?"

“The Alderaanian wine for him,” Ewing pointed for Forge. “...And a large neat whiskey, for me.”

“He’s paying.” At which point Forge pulled out the company credit chip.

 

[Chant Sindhu]

“Thanks.” Chant said to Elikar once handed the bottle. They were pretty much strangers but the human at least wasn’t giving her any trouble despite being a newcomer. Soft music played in the background as the Mon Calamari turned around. Not before noticing the new arrivals led by a strong willed lady by the looks of it.

Wait, she looks a bit familiar. But where exactly? Keeping that thought to herself Chant went on to her task. Returning to the Twi’lek’s table, the former still surrounded by his companions snorted. “Took...you long...enough.”

Biting her tongue for a brief moment Chant silently offered to pour the glasses. Instead the Twi’lek yanked the bottle away from the waiter much to his companions’ embarrassment. “I can handle my own drink. Now get your disgusting face out of my sight.”

“As you wish.” Chant replied struggling to maintain her politeness. She wasn’t going to let some drunken idiot get her fired on the first rotation if it can be helped. All the same Chant Sindhu exited from the spot while thinking.

That bigot can go jump out the airlock for all I care.

@MasterTyvokka @Padmé

 

[Elikar Bridhec]

If the Twi'lek got much more out of control ship security was going to have to be called. Sometimes Elikar wondered why he was behind this bar or mopping up filthy staterooms when he easily had the skills to work ship security. Something to think about next time there was a job opening.

Suss' order of the Alderaanian wine snapped Elikar out of his thoughts. That was a surpise, to say the least. Alderaanian wine was incredibly rare and extremely expensive. There were exactly two bottles on board. One was sold at auction pre-cruise for the lucky bidder to enjoy during the voyage. The other bottle was to be sold by the half glass on a first come first serve basis until it was gone. "Would you like to open a tab?" Elikar asked with a swipe of the chip. He paused a moment to make sure the 20,000 credit half glass of wine went through; it did.

Within moments Elikar slid a Dantooine whisky to the lady who placed the order. The whisky was made by a small Dantooine distillery and not cheap either, but it they could afford the Alderaanian wine... and it was one of the best. "Name's Elikar. It appears to me you are looking for someone. Maybe I can help out? If I haven't heard of who you are looking for a bet I know someone who has."

As Elikar and Suss were chatting, the ship's head sommelier approached with a still corked bottle of wine. It appeared Suss' companion was going to be the first to partake of this excellent vintage laid down 0 ABY, the year Alderaan was destroyed. The sommelier popped the cork, and poured a small amount of wine for the man to taste before pouring the rest. The sommelier waited patiently for the man's approval before pouring the rest and taking the bottle away. Elikar really hoped the couple, no couple wasn't the right word the two didn't seem like the were together, tipped well. Although the head sommelier would receive 2/3rds of the tip, the remaining 1/3rd would be nothing to sneeze at.

@Minuteman75 @Padmé