Don't Bet on Blue

[Jaina Masin]

Lucky 77 Bar and Casino, Nar Shaddaa, 12:30AM.



The ever-present ringing sound of totally-not-rigged slot machines and boisterous voices filled the air of the casino as per usual. Well, add in a chunk of open space and moderate pockets of silence to compensate for a slow night, and you've got the Lucky 77. A place someone definitely shouldn't go for quick credits.

Too bad a certain Pantoran bet opposite.


Jaina didn't get very far into the casino before she realized how much of a waste it was. Firstly, she had absolutely nothing to spend after just two tries at the machines. Terrible idea. Secondly, all the sleepers already had their meager earnings swiped from their pockets. Thirdly, Jaina found herself looking more like a discounted display item in a store rather than another customer. The bulky collar clamped around her neck didn't help her case either. So she made the smartest decision of her stay thus far to remedy her problems: Take a walk to the bar, and get a drink she couldn't afford afterwards. Perfectly flawless!

As she made her way to take a seat along the bar, Jaina took a good look to her sides and followed up with a glance over a shoulder. Besides some drunks and the mangy, off-scented Rodian beside her, things seemed pretty safe. Well, besides the suspecting gaze the Rodian was giving her. However, Jaina was already working herself into gear- limiting any further external observation and lowering herself into her seat. With a hesitant hand, and a sheer degree of humbleness, Jaina silently requested the suited man's attention like any Outer Rim servant would. Hell, she even offered a smile to the guy.

Speak only when spoken to. A painful reminder of her own drifted through her mind. At least it helped the acting, but Jaina almost forgot she was 'free' for a moment. A dreadful mix of anxiety and fear was building deep inside her.

What do people even drink at this place?


@Herrith

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves sighed and checked the time.

Today had been rather busy, and he was looking forward to getting back to his apartment for some much needed rest. In fact, the past week had been overwhelmingly busy, now that he thought about it. Damn--guess time really did fly by when you've got nobody to flirt with and a whole lot of drunken scoundrels. Not one good lookin' dame had made her way down this part of Nar Shaddaa for a little while. Of course, that just had to change tonight of all nights. He cleaned the glass in his hands as the Pantoran sat down, not saying a word but seemingly looking for a answer anyways.

"What're you lookin' for tonight, miss? Somethin' heavy? Somethin' light? Water?"

He didn't question the curious collar around her neck, at least not yet. But if some Cartel slavers came kicking in his door looking for a runaway, he wouldn't be protesting. Cute face or not, didn't matter when a gun was pointed to your head.

 

[Jaina Masin]

How nice of a person. Perfect. She could see this working... Hopefully.

"Something on the lighter side, if I may be permitted to such, sir.."

Jaina spoke quite softly, seemingly not daring to project her voice any higher than what was necessary. Her gaze lowered as well during her responses, humble nature further exemplifying itself to the stranger. For a moment her hands fidgeted atop the bar, but were soon enough dropped down together to her lap. After all, it wasn't her bar now was it?

"Whatever is of ease to you, sir; I'd not want to be of nuisance in your establishment."

The Pantoran shifted in her seat as the second string of words was quickly added, seemingly discomforted at a thought. Her bag was settled into her lap next to be hugged under her arms, the black color matching the simple clothing she wore. Someone didn't care about fashionable variety, it seemed.

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves nodded and fetched a less-powerful drink than the variety offered at the bar, spinning the bottle in a hand and popping the top as he poured out a glass for the Pantoran. She spoke lightly, for reasons he couldn't exactly place. The odd collar around her neck was as uncomfortable as she looked in this place, which was saying a lot. Even being in the presence of people, especially working people, made her uneasy. He scoffed after a brief pause following her second comment, then set the glass down with a shake of his head and a raise of an eyebrow.

"Gimme a break. I ain't the one owning this joint. Plus, it's our custom to serve ya, not the other way round. Kinda what our motto is all about. Customer service, y'know?"

He winked as he set the bottle back onto the shelf behind him, not worried about any of the multitude of items that the Pantoran happened to own. She wanted a drink, she got it, no questions asked. Plus, what did he know about fashion? He wore a suit and fedora like someone from the pre-war eras.

 

[Jaina Masin]

"Oh, I see.. Thank you, sir."

Jaina gave a nod as another humble gesture, before slowly taking the offered beverage into her hands. Oddly enough, the Pantoran didn't even take a sip then. Instead, she observed the glass for a silent moment before shifting her attention around her again. It seemed the other bar occupants lost any interest they had in her, so she settled back to the barman with the fancy suit.

"May I have the honor of knowing your name, sir?" Jaina asked now, her gentle tone somewhat offset by a cold, piercing focus. As she waited for a response, she took the first sip of the drink in her hands. Casual as ever, she supposed.

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves nodded in return to her thanks as she hesitated, seemingly afraid to take a sip. He couldn't do much except keep handing off drinks to other customers, but her behavior was odd at best. The singer let himself take a breath and almost shrugged off the topic before the Pantoran asked his name. He set a bottle back on the shelf after sticking a rag under the counter, clearing his throat with a smile and a shrug.

"Most call me Ves. Ves Senadra. I'd be surprised if you've heard the name. Nobody too famous. What, lookin' for someone that wears as good a suit as I do?"

He let a half smile hang off his mouth and then returned to his work, whatever left that was to do really. It was getting late, and people were finishing up drinks rather than ordering more, it seemed.

 

[Jaina Masin]

Jaina returned a brief nod, setting her glass on the bar as she straightened her posture. It was quite a shift in personality; the humble nature of the Pantoran dissolving and rapidly replaced by an increased degree of seriousness.

"Perhaps I am. It is a curious choice-- the suit that is. Not a bad choice either. I'm even more curious as to how, and why, you obtained such a fashionable choice. It's hard to imagine making a substantial living here serving drinks-- Though I may be wrong.."

As she trailed off her words, she rested her hands on the bar beside the now ignored beverage. For once she actually had a genuine smile, for whatever reason, and no longer was apprehensive in appearance. She had observed enough to feel safe now, seeing the man had some decent class to himself. That's saying a lot given the dump of a planet they were on.

"Oh, and it'd be rude to not introduce myself. You may call me Jaina. That's the name I was given, after all."

 

[Ves Senadra]

So maybe this Pantoran was looking for someone after all. That caught his attention--on too of the fact that she had a collar wrapped around her neck that didn't seem to be doing all the zapping that types like it usually did. At least, from what he had seen. Maybe it was some kind of mind control device, or just an odd choice of style. Slave collars part of modern fashion? At this point, he wouldn't have doubted it by any means at all. As she complimented his choice of dress, he nodded his appreciation, leaning on the bar counter slightly while the Pantoran, introducing herself as Jaina, brought up a genuine smile as she relaxed.

"Well, you either gotta know somebody real nice or you gotta really love your job. As for me, I just had bad cards when it came to trying to start up a good career. Suits are a bit useless collecting dust, so wearing 'em for a reason besides to wear them seems like an alright explanation. If that makes sense, of course."

 

[Jaina Masin]

"Someone nice? Around here? That's a truly rare thing to possess nowadays."

Jaina took another silent moment to reflect on all of what Ves had said, maintaining her smile on a lesser degree as she mulled over the thoughts. Naturally, it was hard to connect with the man's lifestyle when he spoke of a career- she obviously never had such chances in life. Slowly she leaned forward to reengage, bringing the conversation more inward between the two as if seeking privacy. While her physical stature seemed quite relaxed, her verbal tone had a mixture of cold-hearted friendliness.

"I'm finding it quite hard to imagine a man of your type to have had 'bad cards' in such a way. After all, here you are with the choice to serve others and a fancy set of attire to match a rather rare personality. I honestly find that worth admiring; given the hand of cards life discarded to me, at least."

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves shrugged at her first statement, not really affected by it in any way. They were talking a lot, which he couldn't tell was a good or bad thing. Her tone and posture were an odd mix, where there was both warm and cold sprinkled into how she was acting. He didn't know how to take that at all. Especially since he was technically still working. Then the Pantoran rambled on about how good of a person he was, with all the good cards, and so on. He couldn't help but scoff.

"Listen lady, it's best not to put yourself down like that. We all got bad moments. Some more than others. Just gotta find your luck."

 

[Jaina Masin]

"Find my luck.."

Jaina stiffened for a moment before slowly willing herself to relax, forcing a brighter smile quite obviously. The choice of words certainly seemed to hit a sore spot, and her next tone of voice carried the minor stress associated to her forced calmness.

"Luck isn't something you can just change, Ves. You can't gain luck, and you can't lose it. It's another set value of life that is just as unfair as the rest. I know where my luck stands..." The Pantoran explained as she held her gaze on Ves. There was a clear bitterness in her eyes- almost as if one could see the initial embers of what could develop into a roaring blaze. Without her gaze breaking, her right hand took the glass from the bar and calmly lifted it to her lips.

"... But where does your luck truly stand?"

With those final words said, the Pantoran finally took a proper drink of the beverage in hand.

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves backed down from his relatively strong stance on the matter as Jaina got really irritated for a brief minute and rose his hands in a surrendering gesture.

"I'm just an employee here, whatever you say."

Then the question came, and Ves was slightly confused by it. What could that mean, exactly? A bit cryptic to ask, especially to someone as common as him. He leaned on the table slightly and shrugged letting out a relatively unconcerned sigh.

"Dunno. Just kinda have to go with the flow."

 

[Jaina Masin]

Jaina flashed a genuine smile after setting the glass back onto the bar, and crossed her arms together. She knew the man was just working and probably cared little for what she had to say, but a conversation that didn't end in either side trying to kill each other was a pretty nice thing to have.

"There's no such thing as being just an employee, Ves. You're a free man, are you not? Don't go 'with the flow' if you have the chance to make your own path. Plus, how does that even work with luck? You're either lucky or you aren't, right?" Inquired Jaina next, quite engaged in discovering the man's opinions on the matter. That didn't mean she was softening up though- a quick glance to each side kept it obvious she was somewhat aware of what was going on around her. Somewhat.

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves listened as the woman smiled and rose an eyebrow, pointing to her collar with a slight smirk.

"Seems like you've got experience in that bit, don't you?"

He thought about her words. Kind of an interesting question, honestly.
"Heard it all before. Didn't go well. As for you...I'd say you've got a chance."

 

[Jaina Masin]

It seemed like she had experience with the subject? Oh please; the obvious doesn't need to be stated.

"Didn't go well? Seems to be going well here. Plus, what chance do I have at this point? I can only get so far on my own luck, as little as it is, and I've already reached that limit. Nothing to my name, nothing of value to share-- My chances of improvement from now are pretty much null."

The Pantoran sighed as she paused for a moment, sipping from the glass before leaning back forward. Despite the reality of the discussion, Jaina was pretty calm with it all. Probably because it wasn't the first time she's heard how bleak and valueless her future was and would be. In fact, it seemed pretty normal to hear it nowadays- and that meant things were still going 'well'.

"You've got resources, experience, and more chances. Me? I've got an invisible pair of galactic dice that tend to land poorly every toss. What makes you think I actually have this chance you've mentioned?"

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves rose his hands in a slight surrender, then checked the time and clocked out of his job, coming around the counter to take a seat and raising his eyebrows. He sighed and looked for something smart to say.

"Listen, quit with your self defacing brix. About tired of the same conversation rephrased. Like I said, I just work here. Don't get your hair so tangled."

She had a lot of things to give her a chance.

"Chances? Well, you've got the looks, the mouth, and the smarts, so I'd say you're three times better off than others. That dice you're talking about? Send it down the drain and start making your own luck. And maybe start by getting that collar off before someone uses it."

 

[Jaina Masin]

Jaina huffed as she listened to Ves, who was making his way around to take a seat. He made a fair point, though she felt pretty distasteful of what seemed like parental down-talking at first.

"Make my own luck? As much as I appreciate the compliments, I can't just 'make' luck. Oh, and if I could've just taken this thing off I'd have done so ages ago..."

With a slightly annoyed flick of her hand, Jaina brushed through the subject of the collar on her neck with a fairly know-it-all attitude. Surely it was obvious she had already started on trying to remove the thing-- she didn't need to be told about it. She kept her cool though and gave the brief rundown for the sake of context, maybe hoping to enlighten the man on the situation more.

"The stupid thing has to be cut off, which is dangerous enough given how close it contacts my neck. At least, it has to be cut because I completely screwed it over trying to wire it off. Too risky to mess with it now- thing likes to spark up when harassed. Not a fun kind of spark either."

At least she didn't outright admit to being completely clueless when trying to force the thing off. Not her fault anyway.

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves looked at the color with interest. No way he had the experience to get it off, but come on, there had to be somebody out there. It was outrageous to think--oh yeah. She was probably broke all to hell. Not a credit to spend. Half his heart wanted to shake te thing and give her a shock for causing trouble in his bar, but he thought it best to keep from doing so and instead decided to either end or continue conversation.

"Well you'd better find someone that'll fix your little quandary might quick, else you'll be sitting around with a bipolar collar just waiting for an idiot with a gun to take advantage of it."

 

[Jaina Masin]

"You think that hasn't been attempted yet? Both those regards? I'm not some incompetent drug-fueled excuse of a savage, Ves. I know the risk that the thing poses. You tend to know a lot about the things you grow up with, after all."

The Pantoran's annoyance couldn't have come off any clearer. Her right hand slid the glassed beverage away with a simple move, before settling back as her arms crossed over her chest. Now Jaina forgot why she even bothered to come to such a terrible place, and was starting to consider leaving to be a much better option. Especially with the topic fueling bitter thoughts.

With a sharp glare directed to Ves, Jaina gave a low sigh. The man couldn't be blamed for it, but that didn't change the subtle distaste she had for him at the moment. He didn't seem like a dangerous person, nor a cruel one. In fact, she had enjoyed most of the conversing they shared. She just had to make it perfectly clear she wasn't an idiot of her situation.

"If I had the chance, it'd already be fixed. However, I've no method of solving such a problem. If I had a place to stay, credits in my pocket, and other necessary resources... Do you honestly think I'd come walking in this place just looking for idle conversation to pass the time?"

Oh, right-- that's why she came here.

 

[Ves Senadra]

Ves could tell that the Pantoran was getting fairly heated about this discussion, and couldn't find a way out of the hole he had been digging himself. A bit odd that nobody could get that collar off of her, considering all the technology they had at their disposal. Hell, some guy in an alley could probably torch it off with a welding tool for free or a smooch on the cheek if she were that desperate. He half wanted to flick the collar to see what would happen, maybe get her to rethink being such an ass for a moment. No, that was just evil. Not something to do. He shrugged as he leaned back in his chair.

"See, now you're just being mean. I have never seen a former slave so damn rebellious..where you grow up? Somewhere an uprising happened? Corellia? Nal Hutta?"

No former slave except for a pink friend of his...but he hadn't talked to her, not in quite some time. In fact, it was almost like she'd died or something, judging from how little she'd visited the bar here in recent memory. He made a note to send a call, ask some of her friends.

"You sound a lot like someone I know when she's pissed, by the way. Same glare and pout, too. Kinda cute, but you're missing the daggers in your eyes."