Can I have a ride?

[The Duke]

A
A forgotten bar on a forgotten moon outside Cyborrea

The Duke sits at a table in a deep Burgundy linen suit, his hat low on his head. He sips slowly from a whiskey and ginger. He sits alone, but does not appear to be waiting for anyone.

The atmosphere of the bar is relaxed. There is a low cloud of sweet smelling smoke from the clientele and a two-piece band plays from one corner.

The Duke's eyes dart from under his hat as he looks around the bar. He's bored and so is seeking out someone to beat at cards.

The Twi'leki couple, clearly on a date - they wouldn't be interested in his stories or his cards. Similarly the Duros, staring deep into the bottom of his empty flagon, clearly doesn't have the enthusiasm - or the ready funds.

As his eyes darted, as was his custom, he also takes in his surroundings, in particular the entrances and exits. It is to one of these that his attention is suddenly drawn...

@Richie B.

 

[Esis]

Esis had gotten to this world for one thing, reason to meet up with a pilot. Right now she had gotten word of a criminal lord that was in charge of the pirates that had tried raiding her clan. As a nightsister even if she no longer was connected to her people left a bad taste knowing someone had the guts to try and not be hunted down. But considering how weaken they are it wasn't to surprising that they weren't able to do anything.

Which is why she had to do this on herself. Her people were still very important in her heart, despite it being small and cold. Wondering into the moon with a cloak over her Sith armor, the helmet on hiding her face. Hoping to at least keep anyone from knowing who she was while on this world. Which clearly was full of weak people. Walking in her black cloak hung close to her, while her lightsaber was hidden on her back where no one could see it. Her pistol on her hip ready to be pulled if anything were to happen.

Looking around her eyes would eventually notice everyone was either occupied or busy except for one man with a linen suit. Honestly Esis wish he could burn it right now. But that wasn't why she was here. Going to the bar speaking in a low hiss.

"A Corellian ale." Waiting for the drink Esis waited to see who might be able to help her in this task.

@Ulysses

 

[The Duke]

The Duke's attention snapped to the figure coming in through the open door. Mixed in with the cold draught that whipped past her cloak was another coldness... or was it darkness? No Xander told himself. That's not possible. You can't feel darkness.

What the Duke did know, was that he had a bad feeling about this person. Irrational sensations aside, the dark cloak revealing the handle of a blaster as it was caught in the breeze was enough to say steer clear of this one. That was of course before he even got to the mask.

The mask! The Duke had never seen such a thing, not so close, not in real life. What sort of person wears a war mask to a pub? How do they even drink through it?

The Duke hadn't realised that he was starting to stare with fascination. Not now simply fascination at the helmet the new patron was wearing, but a fascination with the guest as a whole: a mixture of repulsion at the darkness of her and attraction at the clear power she exuded.

This was not a sensation the Duke was used to. It was a bit like the dark fascination of people at a great ship crash.

The spell was broken shortly, however, when he realised that he had brought his glass to his mouth and got his beard wet. But not so much that anyone might notice. He hastily looked around to check that, in fact, no one had.

 

[Esis]

Esis waited for the drink and lower her hood and took off the helmet. Her pale face was rather noticeable as she looked human but still different because of her skin and the slight marks of dark gray on her face. It was a unique look to be sure and doubtful to many people here had seen a nightsister of Dathomir up close and personal. Not that she was associated with any clans currently. Having left because of her own actions it was still a bad memory to her.

But as the drink came and she nodded to the bartender she took a sip of it when she felt eyes on her. Slowly putting down the drink and turning first ignoring the man sitting by himself, but noticing no other eyes on her. She turned only somewhat hidding the disgust of the man staring at her. Who was this fool? She wasn't sure but if he was going to be a problem she would deal with it now. Grabbing her helmet with her left and while holding her drink in her right. Esis began walking towards this man. Swinging her hips somewhat as she changed her anger to a smile.

Now she was somewhat disgusted by this. She knew men were weak creatures that could easily be distracted. If he began reaching for anything or tried touching her, she would swing her helmet straight at the man. Getting rather close to the man and leaning on the bar she lay down the glass gently. Using her index finger to slowly circle the edge of the glass as she looked up and down on the man.

"So who are you?" Esis waited while preparing to act if she got the wrong feeling.

@Ulysses

 

[The Duke]

Relieved that no one had noticed the break in his cool facade, he returned to his usual cocksure self. As he took another sip - definitely his mouth this time - it was his turn to feel eyes on him.

As he looked up from his drink, he noticed the figure - now clearly a woman - had taken her helmet off and was looking his way. She was an interesting looking woman but, given the types of bars the Duke spent his time in, there was little that surprised him - especially as far as appearances were concerned.

Less than a moment later, he saw her get up and start walking towards him. Now that was a walk. This was a woman who knew how to walk and command a room. All eyes were now on her swinging hips.

As soon as the Duke realised that she was heading his way he reclined in his chair. Play it cool, Xander, he said to himself and forced his face into an aloof smirk. He was still strangely fascinated with the clearly off-world visitor.

"Evening, milady, they call me the Duke. What can I call you?"

He did not move to invite her to sit on his bench. She would have to turn a chair from a nearby table or stand.

 

[Esis]

Wondering what she would get out of this man, Esis could tell he was good at keeping his cool from what she could see. So far the man seemed to just be smiling at her. But Esis felt more then meets the eye with this man. So for now she figured a pilot could be useful in his goals and maybe this man would be such a individual.

The way he talked to her put her a bit off. Yet Esis figured it was probably just how he learned to speak, though a bit strange but not like speech matter much for piloting. So when he asked for her name, Esis placed her cup down and turned to pull a nearby chair over to the table. Sliding it and sitting down she had turned away from the Duke and would be unable to notice if he put something in her drink which was why she wasn't planning on drinking from it again. Placing her helmet just next to her cup she looked to Duke with a half smile.

"Esis is my name. Looking for a pilot if you know one?" Esis figured it wouldn't hurt to simply ask.

@Ulysses

 

[The Duke]

"I might know one; would probably depend on what the reward was."

The stranger's face wasn't giving anything away and so Xander didn't allow his to either.

"A woman like you looks like she might be able to provide many...inducements."

The Duke wasn't trying anything with that turn of phrase, but he thought some simple flirtation might get her to drop her guard. He kept it to words only. He maintained eye contact and kept his hands firmly on his drink.

He was still aware of the darkness that exuded from her and simply wanted to lighten the mood.

@Richie B.