Ask Terminus: an Astronomical Object

[Vilox Pazela]

Terminus, Kallea sector;
The Lucky Den (bar)

It was located along the intersection which connected the Hydian Way to the Corellian Trade Spine. Little was known about this place. Some say there were legends about a sorcerer that could do impossible things, such as objects that begun flying the moment they looked upon them, or that they could tell what you were thinking. Codswallop in most opinions. Still, there were those Jedi that people talked about who had similar tales of legend, so who knows, perhaps there were some truth to them. These tales were far better than what Terminus really was. It was the type of place that lowlifes looked to lay low when they were in trouble; or where you could set up the type of deals that the authorities would frown upon. And if you were good at playing cards? Well, there was always the Pazaak or Sabaac tables that you could play with. Be careful though: lowlifes don't like cheaters neither.

Vilox was a lowlife. Had been his entire life. Stealing, swindling, lying: these things came naturally to the man. It was all apart of living in Ren'bl Ettes. Honest men didn't get far in life on Almania. If you were lucky then the Pydyrians would reach their hand out and take you up to their moon to spend the rest of your life as an indentured servant. That's right. You read that they would be lucky. Fortunate even. Grateful to be taken out that life down on the windy world. As a kid he liked to climb up the old Je'har towers out in Mem'kabarr. If you ever looked upon the old ruins you would wonder how he never broke his neck, but at least when he got to stand up there he could look at the stars, the three moons, and feel like he was away from the mess that he called his sorry life. Sometimes Maria even came up there too. Those were good times. Shame she isn't here to experience what it was like to live the life of a man who got to travel among the stars that they used to talk about.

Perhaps it was a greater shame that their imaginations had been so off about it too.

It was a paradox then that the man found himself back in similar settings. The bar here was a little cleaner than what Vilox had grown used too, but the familiar smell of smoke which clung to the ceiling; the ambiance of glasses clinking; and the chatter of a dozen men was the closest thing he had to home now. You couldn't get a nice iced cold fresh Gizer Ale where he came from, so it was nice to get away and weigh up his options. Who knows? Perhaps he might win that Subaac pot one day to buy himself a ship, and get as far away as he could from the Eternal. Live the type of life he and Maria used to talk about. Until then the alcoholic candy taste burned away his sorrows.

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra had always dreamt of traversing the stars, of living a life of excitement and experiencing all that they had to offer her. Unfortunately, this wasn't at all how she had imagined it would be; lonesome and filled with uncertainty. It was difficult to always have to look over her shoulder, to steal and cheat her way to her next meal or to have a warm place to sleep. There were always debts that needed to be paid, but never the credits to pay them; it was a never-ending and vicious cycle, one that had become too familiar for her to escape. It was no ones fault but her own, no matter how much she tried to deny it.

Cards in hand, she leaned closer to the table, watching each of the men who had bet against her as they laid out their cards. Sabacc wasn't her favorite to bet on, but she had spent years perfecting sleight-of-hand palming tricks in order to fund her alcoholic tendencies. She used a cheater to manipulate the game cards and offer her an unfair advantage over the other players, something she had picked up in the cantinas on Coruscant before she was even old enough to drink. It had fed her for quite some time, until she'd been caught and forced to leave the planet to avoid persecution. On some planets, she had learned, cheating at Sabacc could mean prison and a hefty fine or even death, something she was inclined to avoid.

Once each of them had announced their hands, she laid down a full Sabacc, claiming the small pot of winnings at the center of the table. The men all shouted in frustration, but she paid them no mind, claiming her credits and retreating before any of them could accuse her of her thieving tactics.

The young woman stumbled through the crowd, head spinning from the effects of the alcohol, though she refused to set it down.

 

[Vilox Pazela]

He had been watching. It was what he liked to do. Other than the thrill of winning a game of Sabaac, Vilox also enjoyed watching others play themselves. Whenever someone called well, or managed keep themselves in the game despite a series of losses was a sign of a skilled player. He had ulterior motives to watching others play beyond merely enjoying the spectacle. Identifying a skilled player gave him options as to whether or not he should buy into a table. Occasionally he would buy into a table, despite knowing that one or more of his opponents were skilled players at the game. In spite of himself he liked to prove himself against others, and in turn felt that whenever he accomplished a winning round (and rarely the full pot) it made it feel more than what it was worth. There was just something about watching someone else lose that really got to him that was, in many ways, far better than the credits that followed a victory.

In particular his attention had been caught towards a game that, in this particular instance, had nothing to do with the credits on offer. The Sabaac pot for this particular table had been far too low for him to wager any credits for. It simply hadn't been worth the time. Most of the players that were sat around the table hadn't been of interest neither. For example the Ithorian, who had played with two nights ago, was a particularly bad player. Whenever he was dealt a bad hand he would, instead of folding, attempt to call or raise when it would have been better to lay his cards down and wait for the next turn. There was an air of desperation around the man that reminded Vilox all too much of home, although he remembered that no Ithorians called Almania their home.

But there was a particular player that had caught his eye. She was a beautiful woman, he admitted. Rarely a person of the feminine persuasion caught his interest but in this particular case this woman reminded him of Maria. They looked familiar, though of course, they had differences that were distinct. There was also something about this woman that went beyond her natural good looks. Perhaps it had been the fact that they had just won a full Sabacc: an incredible rare hand. To accomplish a full hand which equaled negative or positive twenty-three was something to behold. Shame it had come about for a pot that only equaled a couple of hundred credits, but each to their own. You don't complain when you've won free money.

At the back of his mind he felt the desire to buy the woman a drink, and for some reason he felt that she too would drink a Gizer Ale. He turned before the woman reached the bar, and gained the attention of the barman. "Gizer Ale for me and the winner," Vilox muttered below the den of conversation, and laughter which ensued in the Lucky Den whilst nodding in Lyra's direction. "Make it quick." He slipped the Rodian a few credits for the drinks, and turned his back to the bar to lean against it. Pazaak was on the agenda this time, and he went back to watching.

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra had hoped to saunter out of the bar unnoticed, with just enough credits in her pockets to secure her a warm bed to sleep in and a decent meal. It wouldn't take long for the men she had cheated to decide to throw around accusations, and they wouldn't be wrong; a full Sabacc was an incredibly rare hand, but it was the only one that secured her the entire pot as opposed to only a few credits. In honesty, she was fortunate enough to have been allowed to walk away with them at all and she didn't want to press that luck any further by lingering at the bar for another drink. However, it seemed fate had other plans in store for her.

Her attention was drawn to a rather dark individual whom nodded in her direction from across the room. He looked unfamiliar, but something about him felt far too threatening to disregard. It was hard to explain, but his presence in the room felt heavier than the others and forced her heart to sink into the pits of her stomach. Perhaps he had seen her pull the cheater card from beneath the table and wished to call her out on it, or even recognized her from one of the shoddy business deals she had been forced to partake in on any number of planets she'd frequented before this one.

There was a moment of hesitation and, only after a deep breath to calm her nerves, did she finally make her way through the crowd towards him. The Rodian bartender passed her a Gizer Ale and she turned to lean against the bar beside the unknown man, though careful to keep a slight distance from him in. "I never understood the point of Pazaak. Doesn't seem to be require much skill, in my opinion."

 

[Vilox Pazela]

Perhaps it had been the dark side that changed her mind. That was what the Eternal called it. They said that he was able to use it, and it did explain quite a few extraordinary things that had happened in his life. He wasn't so sure. Either way she was a brazen one to come up to someone like him. He often looked in the mirror and didn't like the man that was looking back at him, so for a complete stranger to have it in them to come up and strike up conversation after he had clocked onto their con made him grin.

"No. I don't suppose you could see the point. Very hard to cheat at a game based off chance, isn't it?" He looked away from the Pazaak table to look down at her. At 5'10 he dwarfed the tinier woman, and that gave him the type of confidence that came to most men who could tower over a tiny woman. The grin, however, disappear as soon as it came. He didn't smile long. "To cheat at Pazaak you need to have the machine working for you, which requires a particular skill set that can be rare to find. If you had waited another hour or two you might have come away with a bigger pot. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

Setting his beverage onto the bar counter Vilox briefly averted his gaze away from the Pazaak game back to the Sabacc table Lyra had just vacated. The Ithorian was looking at him, but when they caught each other's gaze he looked away. Hammerheads weren't a particularly violent species. Weren't good at confrontation. Made them easy to intimidate. Whoever he was that Ithorian was a long way from home and he was a sore thumb in this crowd. He wondered what they had done to end up this life.

Then he decided he didn't much care.

"You got a name, cheat?"

 

[Lyra Mantel]

It seemed the he was more aware of her plots than she had hoped for him to be, a realization that put her on the defense for the remainder of their conversation. He had the tools at his disposal to cause her a lot of trouble, but what was his motive? He had assured her that he wouldn't tell anyone, but then he had to have some reason for making mention of it; the sly smile that pulled at his lips hinted to that, but faded soon after. Lyra didn't like the way that he presented himself or the heaviness she felt in his presence, but she couldn't walk away now without risk to her entire plot.

Her eyes met his for a moment and she could feel the blood boil within her veins, but forced herself to take another deep breath. He wasn't the kind of man she wanted to scrap with as he dominated her in both size in stature. It wouldn't have been a very fair confrontation and she wanted to at least live to see the sun rise in the morning, no matter how fleeting her hope for a normal life had become.

"Do not call me, cheat." Lyra snapped at him, inhaling some more of the liquid courage. The room was spinning, but she kept her feet firmly on the ground, leaning against the bar for support. "My name is Lyra and I only do what is necessary for me to survive. The streets of Terminus aren't kind, in case you haven't noticed." She placed the now empty mug on the bar between them, focusing her attention back on the Pazaak table. "Now, if that's all you wanted from me, I'll take my leave." Pushing herself unsteady onto her feet, she turned to walk away from him, hoping that he'd let her slip away.

 

[Vilox Pazela]

It was amateur hour. She was clearly inebriated. Perhaps both? It didn't matter. Professionals don't use their real names. Particularly when they get caught out. What was she doing here? Unlike the Ithorian he felt something about her. Her name was Lyra. There was something about her. Was he attracted to her? If he was honest himself then, yeah, he was. But Vilox had encountered half a dozen women that were attractive over the years. He never pulled. There wasn't any interest in it. Yet, here was this Lyra- some girl among the many broads who past through the slums of Terminus- who, for some reason, compelled him to feel something. Was it pity?

Or was it something more?

He snatched her wrist into his hand, and pulled her back. There were a dozen men, of varying types and backgrounds (some of which were alien) that were all looking at her. He didn't need the dark side to detect their bad intentions. Hell, he knew a couple girls that ended up with the wrong guy. Some were downstairs right now. Slabs of meat used for the entertainment and vices for men much like Vilox. All hooked up on spice, and other narcotics.

It was confusing. Usually he couldn't care less about others. There was only ever one person he ever cared about, and they were long gone now. Occasionally he'd treat one of them a warm meal, or a drink, and strike up conversation to make them feel better. But there was always the ulterior motive. Perhaps he wanted to know where their dealer lived so he could con them; or they knew where they could find someone's stash. Maybe he just wanted to have someone to sleep next to that night; or he could do with a nice pair of assets (if you're catching my drift) to distract the punters across the Sabacc table. Sometimes he just liked to talk.

"I know these streets, and that Ithorian you just conned was just looking at you. Yeah, I saw that slide of hand." He let go of her wrist. No need to be rough. Not yet, at least. "I can smell the liquor off you. You're drunk. Half this bar is looking at you. You know anything about this place? There's a reason why Rangers don't show their faces down here."

"Stick around. Have a drink. Relax. Enjoy the games. Tell me about yourself."

It wasn't something he controlled. The dark side, that is. The Eternal say that it comes naturally to some, and difficult for most. When it came to persuasion- whether it was a con, or otherwise- the dark side laced itself in every word, every syllable that he spoke. Sometimes it worked on the strong minded, and other times he worked on the lesser. It wasn't something he understood well, but he was often good at making others do what he wanted, and he wanted this Lyra to stick around.

As he thought about her he made a choice. He wasn't confused anymore. Maybe what he was feeling was an opportunity.

 

[Lyra Mantel]

He wasn't entirely incorrect. Despite the fact that her entire life had revolved around stealing and cheating her way to her next meal, Lyra wasn't exactly a professional and had survived thus far on pure luck. However, it seemed that luck had unfortunately run out and, though her instincts told her run, he held onto her wrist too firm and pulled her back to him instead. She could feel her heart skip a beat, the nerve built up in her stomach until she was sure that she would throw up, but held it back and instead settled beside him. He struck fear into her, but she couldn't look away from him; it was instead as though some unseen force made her want to listen. Had he slipped something into her Ale?

Lyra had heard the unfortunate stories of women who had been stolen away in the crowds only to be forced into entertaining any man with enough credits to buy his way into the lower levels of the Lucky Den. They were force fed narcotics and alcohol, restricted from ever leaving unless on the arm of a paying client. Was that what he thought she was? One of those women so severely intoxicated that all she could possibly want was attention from any creature willing enough to give it to her? She could feel her heart racing inside her chest, but wouldn't dare try and turn away from him a second time.

"Please," she took another deep breath to calm her nerves, the alcohol no longer sitting well. "You don't want to know me. I'm not as interesting as you'd think."

 

[Vilox Pazela]

There was a naivety about her. Women that get caught in the sophisticated trap they were thinking about weren't forced. They fall into it. At first it's an accident. A drink at the bar turns into an exchange of pleasantries. The good ones know how to make you laugh. Suddenly you're doing spice together, and your world changes. He gets you hooked on the stuff, and before you know it, it's the only thing you want. Like in a game of Sabacc you're down negative eighteen and the lights are flashing overhead the dealer, whirring back and forth from blue to red, agonizingly tainting you with every switch, dealing the card that bombs you out of that game which leaves you with nothing.

What wouldn't a girl do when she has nothing left but to chase the dragon?

"Trust me, sweetheart. I don't think you're interesting." He didn't quite understand why he lied. Perhaps some false bravado. There was something interesting about her. He felt it. Of course he didn't quite understand what he was feeling. As it turned out he guessed that it was the dark side, as the Eternal described it. This hidden ability which manifested itself subversively, covertly in every manner of life. Feeling angry? Something bad happens to the guy who did it. Feeling defensive? He's seen grown men blown backwards as if they had been hit by a twelve gauge.

In this instance it was seemingly telling him to help this woman. Which didn't make sense because Vilox Pazela had never helped anyone in his life.

"I liked your slide of hand. I was the only one who saw you, but I reckon that Ithorian has his suspicions. It wouldn't be the first time he got conned this week. Relax. You're shivering. It's the adrenaline. Makes you want to get out as fast as possible. You want to run with your winnings before someone takes them off you. Like a Thernbee caught in headlights. You gotta be slow, take your time. Pretend your innocent. That way you don't get caught."

He turned away from her to raise his fingers to the bartender. He lifted two fingers, giving the Rodian the type of nod that they both quietly understood. He wanted two more drinks, and he wanted them now. Like Lyra he was compelled to listen to the man. He had an aura about him that, up until he had joined the Eternal, which made everyone seem afraid of him. Then he had met others like him. Mammoth men. The type of women that could kill with a look. They hadn't been intimidated by him, and he hadn't liked it.

That was another reason he liked to come here. It was close enough to Moraband that he didn't need to spend weeks traveling, and yet held the type of environment he was all to used too. As the Rodian served him and Lyra another glass of Gizer Ale Vilox couldn't help but realize he was doing the type of thing that roped the whores into working here.

He wondered if he had it in him to do the same to this woman. Raising a palm to her shoulder his abilities subconsciously manifested themselves to reciprocate to his emotions. A soothing sensation emitted from his palm into the smaller, young woman. "Not here to hurt you, Lyra. I'd just rather not watch another girl turn into another brass."

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra could feel her hands tremble, hear her heart beat in her chest and feel her nerves built up in the pit of her stomach. The alcohol hadn't helped, but she took another Ale as it was offered to her, without much regard for the consequences. The unnamed man was correct to point out that she was far too intoxicated to wander the streets of Terminus on her own, though she wasn't sure how comfortable she felt in his company either. No matter the fact that she felt absolutely compelled to listen to him, there was still a small voice in the back of her mind that reminded her he hadn't quite earned her trust. It was quite possible he affiliated himself with one of the organizations that comprised the Five Syndicates, and she was far too keen to avoid them after they had tried to induct her on Corellia.

Just as she was about to protest his help, another wave of calm washed over her, one she couldn't quite explain. Lyra pulled the frosted mug of Ale closer and a heavy sigh escaped her painted lips. "I've walked these streets before. I know what happens to those who can't protect themselves, but I've survived until now without your help." Her balanced wavered for a moment, but she caught herself and continued. "I'm drunk, so what? I can hold my own and have no intention of falling prey to any of these," She paused to take another drink of her Ale and then looked over at him, eyes glazed over. "creatures."

"Now, if you'll excuse me." Lyra attempted to stand so that she might attempt to leave once more, the ground like water beneath her feet.

 

[Vilox Pazela]

He cupped the basin of his ale in either hand. Didn't make a move to stop her leaving this time. As she was standing up her averted his gaze away from Lyra back to where he last saw the Ithorian. He found him on the other side of the bar near the entrance. Conversing with the bouncer, who were both looking back at him. He stared back. Quietly he leaned forward and muttered in Lyra's ear: "Looks like I'm not the only guy that has your attention." He raised a finger and pointed it in the direction of the exit. They were both looking at her now.

Both Lyra and Vilox knew what it meant.

"If you'll excuse me then." Leaning off the bar he maneuvered his way into the crowd, and all the while, he thought he had her. Like a fish caught in the trap. He expected her to follow, and why wouldn't she? It made all the sense in the world.

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra hesitated, perhaps a moment longer than necessary, to regain her balance. Her vision, blurred from copious amounts of alcohol, took a second to focus in on the Ithorian and the bouncer near the exit to the establishment, but the looks on their faces were unmistakable. To cheat at Sabacc was almost punishable by death, dependent upon whom you asked, but was sure to at least land her a jail sentence and another fine she'd have to spend the rest of her life on the run from. It seemed she had no other choice but the follow the unnamed man, no matter his own intentions.

She cursed beneath her breath as the bouncer made his way through the heavy crowd towards her, realizing she was now out of time to make her decision. Turning on heel, nearly losing her balance, she disappeared into the crowd behind Vilox, still holding what was left of her Ale close to her chest to avoid spilling it. "Part of me feels like I'm going to regret this in the near future, but I think I'll stick around a while longer."

 

[Vilox Pazela]

He didn't respond. There was time to talk later. For now there was an angry Ithorian and a mean looking Dwuni on their tail. Vilox Pazela was 5'10, and he looked mean. But that was just a front. A con in of itself. The man hadn't won a fight in years. He tended to avoid them. Better to have someone else do it for you, or tuck tail and run:- just like he was doing now with this diminutive woman he had decided to help out. Little did he know that his feelings, guided by the power of the dark side, were compelling him to help Lyra.

He always tended to do what felt right, even if it cost him something in return. This ethos was only reinforced by the teachings of the Eternal: always follow your instincts. They are usually right.

He took Lyra by the wrist again, and led them down the stairs which led down into the brothel. There was a strong stench down here that was debilitating and nauseous. Another bouncer, this time Human, was sitting before the curtain that hid the debauchery that was happening on the other side. Vilox didn't know his name, and the man didn't know his, but they recognized each other. When he saw Lyra he gave Vilox a knowing smile. The type of grin which betrayed to each other what the man was thinking. Vilox didn't feel the need to correct the man's assumptions. Any minute now the Dwuni and his Ithorian punter would do that for him.

"Through here," Vilox told Lyra whilst holding the curtain up. When she stepped through they were led into a narrow hallway with a set of doors with numbers written in Aurebesh on the front. The further they made their way up the hallway the stench grew worse. The familiar scent of Spice being burnt on the other side of one of the door flared up before him, enhancing the senses off it's second hand smoke. He coughed as he turned and found an empty room. He had been in here just the day before. Thoughts of Candice were dismissed, however.

When Lyra was inside he turned and put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the hinge of the door outside. Then closed and locked it. Turning back around into the room there was a bed, table and stool with a dim crimson light hanging over them both. Leaning against the door he waited to see if the Dwuni or Ithorian had it in them to disturb a punter. It was an unwritten rule here that a man wasn't to be disturbed when he was in the brothel. Not like he or Lyra were going anywhere neither.

There was only one way out of this place, and it was back up that hallway, to the curtain and steps which led back into the bar. All they had to do was wait. At least that was what Vilox was counting on. Cheating at Sabacc was probably enough of a reason to break the rule, and who knows? Perhaps they thought Vilox was in on Lyra's con too. After all he was pretty sure the Ithorian thought he had cheated him out of pocket only a couple of days ago at Sabacc himself.

"I think we're okay in here for a few minutes," Vilox told Lyra. "But there's also the fair chance that they could just bang the door down. They don't like cheats here. Take a seat. Catch your breath. Try not to throw up."

 

[Lyra Mantel]

He all but pulled her through the crowds and down the stairs, his hold firm around her wrist as the Dwuni and Ithorian closed the distance between them. It was at some point near the bottom of the stairs that she lost hold of her Ale, the mug shattered upon the concrete floor, but neither her nor Vilox slowed their pace until they reached the bouncer that stood watch over the back room; the room Lyra swore she'd never see the inside of. It was where unfortunate women went to earn their credits when they had run out of options, succumb to spice addiction, and men paid to watch them make fools of themselves. It smelled awful and the smile the pulled at the bouncers lips made her cheeks flush in embarrassment, but it would have been pointless to correct him.

No, instead she ducked beneath the curtain Vilox held open and followed him down the hallway lined with closed doors. She held her breath, stumbling behind him in a drunken haze as he led them to one of the empty rooms near the back of the hall. It was a drab room furnished only with a musty bed, table and stool, and lit dimly by a crimson lamp. Lyra wasn't sure what it was about the room, but it made her feel uncomfortable enough to want to cover up.

He shut the door behind them and she found a seat upon the edge of the bed, resting her head in her hands to try and keep the room from spinning any more than it already was. The way her heart beat unsteady in her chest made her nauseous and so did the voices and various other noises that carried through the paper thin walls. Lyra could hear the Dwuni and Ithorian outside, but remained hopeful that they wouldn't suspect them of holing up in one of the rooms.

"I'm not going to throw up," she lied, her voice low so as not to be heard by anyone but Vilox.

 

[Vilox Pazela]

"Shut up. I am trying to listen."

Vilox heard them conversing. The Ithorian was furious, that much was obvious. The Dwuni was talking with his associate. A few words filtered in, though God knows how he was able to hear them considering they were at the end of the hallway, and that there was a dense repeating musical beat synonymous with backwatered dens much like this one. Whore, insults, demands:- the Ithorian clearly thought she had swindled him... and he wasn't wrong. Lyra had conned him. Whoever her partner had been (the dealer) was long gone. Perhaps it had been best if he had let her leave the bar. She might have got away.

But something had compelled him into action, and now she was reliant on him to get her out of her mess. It had been a long time since anyone had been relying on him.

Not since Maria.

"They are looking for you," Vilox muttered to her. "If we're lucky they'll knock on the wrong door, and the guy on the other side knocks them back. They'll probably not risk it. There's only one way out of here and we're going to have to come out sooner or later. Maybe that Ithorian bastard will cut his losses. It was only a couple hundred. Personally I wouldn't let it slide though. I'd want my money back. Depends how drunk he is. The guy doesn't come across as the type to do what you have to do to get it back, but hey, you are a woman. Perhaps he feels braver with you."

He turned away from the door. Waited to hear raised voices from one of the other punters being disturbed. Blaster fire if they're lucky which may, or may not, giving them enough of a distraction to get out of the Lucky Den. But the Ithorian had reported them to the bouncers, and eventually that type of talk makes it's way up the ladder someone connected to the syndicates. He wasn't sure which one was on Terminus. Perhaps all of them. He didn't personally want to find out.

"I can probably get us out of this mess. Certainly I could just up and leave. Perhaps you're just some bird I pulled at the bar, not realising you had cheated them at Sabaac. Leave you to the wolves, as it were. It wouldn't be too terribly difficult."

Leaning away from the door Vilox turned and pulled the stool across the room back to where he had been standing. He sat down on the ledge, hunching his upper body over to glare at her. She's a mess, Vilox thought to himself. Why am I doing this? This is madness.

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra held her breath as he pressed an ear up to the door to listen to the conversation that took place outside. How he could pick out even a word over the obnoxious beat that played over the speakers, was beyond her; it made her nauseous. Though, it just as easily could have been the putrid smell of burning spice and heavy smoke that lingered in the air. It was absolutely horrendous, but the two of them were trapped here for the moment, and there was no use complaining about it as he had quite literally saved her life. and for that she was indebted to him.

He spoke up and she raised her eyes to meet him, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. It was clear by the tone of his voice that he wasn't at all enthused about the situation they had found themselves in, but it was only fair considering none of it was his mess to begin with. Lyra frowned, resting her head back in her hands and closing her eyes to suppress the alcoholic haze she found herself in.

"If you didn't want to help me, then why didn't you let me leave?" She paused, but didn't look up at him. "In fact, there's nothing to stop you from leaving now. I can't outrun them, not like this. Leave me to the wolves if that's what you desire."

 

[Vilox Pazela]

He thought about it. It was the right play. Not from a morale sense, obviously. It was just smart. He could go out there right now. Pretend to be oblivious. If one of them had the balls to pull him up and ask him anything he could just lie. After all it would make sense. Just another lowlife who pulled some tail, unknowing that she was a Sabaac cheat. He could leave her behind, and forget about her. Go back to the Eternal, and continue learning the ways of the dark side; or con himself enough credits to get himself away from those maniacs. Head into the Core, and start the type of life he had wanted with Maria. The type of life that not many- if at all- managed to live when you came from Ren'bl Ettes.

"You aren't from around here, are you?" Vilox asked whilst pretending he didn't hear her tell him to leave. "What is that accent? You from the Core?"

 

[Lyra Mantel]

It was quite obvious that he had brushed off her self-pity and instead redirected their conversation, but she was far too exhausted to call him out on it. That, and it seemed entirely pointless to argue with him when he had clearly made the decision not to 'throw her to the wolves' as he had so descriptively mentioned earlier. In any other moment, she might have been wise enough to devise an escape, but right now she was far too drunk to take care of herself and he was, in part, to blame for that. However, she made a mental note not to discuss it as it really did little to help their situation. Lyra kept her head in her hands and took another deep breath to calm her nerves.

"Yes, I'm from the Core. I was born on Coruscant, but haven't been back in years." Her voice was kept low, aware that the walls around them were thin enough for her to hear just about everything that went on in the rooms beside them. "What about you? Am I allowed to know your name?" Her eyes trailed up to meet his again, her cheeks still flush with alcohol as she struggled to focus on his face.

 

[Vilox Pazela]

"I started calling myself Vilox a little while ago."

He looked over his shoulder and paused to listen again. There hadn't been a knock on the door yet. Perhaps the bouncers had just told the Ithorian to go away. Maybe they were just waiting for them to come out. Either way they had some time. Playing on others assumptions and misconceptions was something he had got good at. But neither of them would know anything about until they left this room.

"I know we've just met, and if you've been around Terminus enough you know about the types that come into rooms like this. Either way they would have knocked down the door by now if they were going to do anything about us being in here, so they probably think we're screwing around. You should sleep it off. When you come too we can talk. And if you're gonna throw up? Do it on the bed. Sheets are easier to change than cleaning carpet."

 

[Lyra Mantel]

Lyra wasn't sure why he had decided to stay and help her or what about him compelled her to trust him when she'd never trusted another individual up until this moment. It was an odd sensation, but she was content to know that he wouldn't leave her to the men outside, even if he had threatened it earlier. There was just something about Vilox that drew her into him, but she couldn't explain it and decided it was perhaps the alcohol and her rather extreme lack in moral judgement. Either way, she felt safe enough for the moment to be able to sleep off some of her drunken haze.

"Vilox," she liked the way his name rolled off of her tongue, and paused a moment to chuckle. "I'm won't throw up, I promise." Lyra stood, her balance almost non-existent, so that she could peel back the covers on the bed, sure that one too many unmentionable acts had taken place for her to feel comfortable curling up in them. Instead, she removed her jacket and used it as a barrier between her face and the pillow which smelled of smoke and must. It was disgusting, but she had no other options besides the floor which was equally as dirty.

"How do I know you're not going to leave me once I've fallen asleep?" She rolled over onto her side, looking over at him.