Ask An Auspicious Day

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

Whenever Mordeth had visitors to her Menagerie on Ord Mantell, she tried to make them feel comfortable at the very least. She wasn't a charitable Hutt, but hospitality was just good for business. It was also good for sending a message. If a hostess was hospitable, it meant she was at least eager to entertain you. And if she wasn't... Well, the good beings of the Pyke Syndicate were about to find out. Three of them had requested an audience with her.

Heleen, Mordeth's overly-opinionated majordomo, had advised her not to take the meeting. She was wise for an escort. The Pykes and the Hutts didn't mix. The two crime families were rivals in business and frequently lashed out at one another. But the Pykes had fallen on hard times of late. Until recently, their mines on Kessel had been under the command of a Hutt. Now, they were firmly in Consortium hands. It was unlikely Emryc Thorne was going to let the Pyke Syndicate back in after everything the Five Syndicates had done to him.

So, what other options were left? Her. Mordeth and the fledgling territory she was nurturing on Ord Mantell.

She should have heeded Heleen's advice; but Mordeth accepted instead. The Pykes were weakened. They hand't the muscle they had once wielded. They weren't coming to Ord Mantell to fight. They were coming to talk. She hoped they brought gifts. Otherwise this whole tedious fop was about to become that much more tedious.

"My Lady?" Heleen said. Mordeth fixated two giant slitted eyes on her. "They're here."

Mordeth waved a chubby limb. «Banba hoohah du.» @Nor'baal @Oreus @LouJoVi

 

[Ooris Tolsite]

As a hopeful ringleader for the Pyke, Ooris took charge in entering this meeting. The Menagerie was not a sprawling Hutt Palace like he had seen in the old days doing transport jobs, but they were still a small group and not ready to take on the most powerful. It was still impressive enough to have an establishment in the first place. These Pyke were not ones to judge too harshly as they were technically homeless at that time.

"Remember, the Hutt is not our enemy. The Syndicates may bicker and compete, but they are allies in the end." He tried to remind his family as they approached.

Ooris had opted to leave his large rifle at home alongside the electroripper staff. They were not necessary and would only draw negative attention. It would be stupid to be completely unarmed, so he had his armor on and both pistols holstered securely at his sides. The other two had been advised to take similar precautions as to not make them look like assassins. Aside from the protection, Ooris also was pushing a repulsorsled with a small crate on it. Inside were a couple layers of balo sticks to be offered as an exchange.

The Pykes reached the establishment without interception. A strange little lady inspected them suspiciously before allowing the trio inside to see Mordeth herself. Ooris would guide the crate to the side before stepping away to be presented front-and-center for the Hutt. Once everyone was in place, he would bow slightly with his head in respect.

"Greetings, opulent one. We bring you this crate of Balo Sticks for you and yours to sample. It is a brand new spice we have invented and an opportunity we hope to share in with you."

@Nor'baal @LouJoVi @Mockingjay

 

[Lom Tolsite]

Lom followed in behind Ooris, aware that his counterpart was the brains of this operation - at least, he was when compared to Lom himself. Being a head taller than Ooris, Lom cut a reasonably imposing outline, a hefty arrangement of knives concealed about his persons, with two large curved scimitars over his back, and a vibro-pike in his hands, he stood just behind Ooris, with his weapon held in a guard position. Lom had never liked these sorts of meetings, they went from good to ugly all too fast.

Plus, it always paid to remind those you did business with that you had muscle as well.

He had worked with the Hutts before, and they enjoyed lording it over 'lesser beings' relying on the threat of violence from their guards and lackeys to impose their will. Lom watched the Hutts Majordomo closely as she inspected their gift to the Hutt Lord, careful to ensure she wasn't tampering with the goods - one could never be too careful. Then, once Ooris gave the cue, he inclined his head slightly, bowing as a show of respect as Ooris introduced them.[/color]

 

[Krim Mardin]

In the past, the Pyke Syndicate was one of the greatest criminal groups of the Galaxy. However, they only achieved this position by being smart. They knew that antagonizing the other groups without reason or plan was never a good idea. The Pykes knew that sometimes the dialogue with them could be far more profitable. Knowing it, they were going to talk with a Hutt in an attempt to have permission to sell their product on her territory.

While they walked through the corridors of the Hutt Menagerie, Krim followed behind Ooris and Lom. He was rereading the information about the production of the Guilean Balo Sticks. So far, it was going well. There would be enough made to be sold during the next five months, with more going to be produced.

After they arrived in front of the Hutt, Ooris presented them to her. Krim stopped reading his and bowed in respect. They had agreed to leave all the speaking to Ooris, since he was the most diplomatic of the three.

With Lon being responsible for their security, the Scientist was only there for the case of the Hutt having questions about the product. He would wait patiently for an opportunity to explain his geniality.

@Mockingjay @Nor'baal @Oreus

 

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

There were three of them in her chambers. Three Pykes. Quieter than she remembered. The Pykes of Oba Diah were almost as loud and boisterous as a Hutt. But these Pykes knew their place. Knew this world was her territory, not theirs. The gangs of this world knelt to her. They would need her permission to go from this hall and practice their business on Ord Mantell. She reveled in that knowledge. Had there ever been a Hutt so lucky with the Pykes?

«Heleen, baumahka tee lotka paupe bapm. Jee siw Ahu konkaui baa bakcatwaha doth bashodue bai twa dan,» Mordeth commanded her servant.

The little majordomo got up and waddled off without a protest, leaving her master to observe the newcomers in silence a few moments longer. Mordeth had chosen to wear her full armor to this occasion. She didn't think she would need protection; but the skulls of the gang leaders she'd had murdered, which adorned the neck of her armor, was a powerful symbol she'd learned to use when dealing with other crime syndicates in her home.

Once the silence was uncomfortable enough, she nodded to a Weequay who pushed open the crate the Pykes had brought with them to examine the contents. They were fascinating little things. Like death sticks, but something was different enough about them to stand out to the Hutt. «Chobaso bai mah banki danko, mamhayankonka dee Pyke Benbepoka,» she said. «Jee doth kouzago-ake bai babau mee camai cahba Pattee. Koumi kouzago-ake joppay da jecoa Nor'baal cahba fa. Joppay bu Pykes pankhaueh Pattee, heee doth biweoo see bmela bai bolla vehpe che tytung ten.» She held up one of the new balo sticks. «Ateema, uba koose mi tah. Balo, uba naa fa? Haku ne balo an peoi yoia uba koose fa nei wata dah Ahu konkaui?» @Nor'baal @LouJoVi @Oreus

 

[Krim Mardin]

When Mordeth spoke, Krim stopped looking at his Datapad and turned to her. Like all the members of her species, she was a large creature. However, the most bizarre in her form was the armor full of skulls that the Hutt was wearing. The Pyke had heard about it, with these skulls being from the rivals that she killed.

It was a very intimidating sight. Krim wasn’t a warrior, he was a scientist. If the Hutt decided to attack them, there wasn’t much that he could do. Mordeth would be able to crush the Pyke as if he was a twig. At least Lom was there. He was a warrior and would be capable to held the Hutt long enough for Krim to escape.

After he heard Mordeth asking about what their product was, Krim decided that he was the most capable to answer it. After all, he was the genial mind behind this product. "Your Magnificence, it's a new drug that we created. Through the use of molecular chemistry, we were able to synthesize the euphoric properties of the Guilea. We combined this with several other industrial chemicals and also with Balo Mushrooms. Due to this reason, it looks like a Death Stick.”

“So far, this product is turning out to be very profitable. It’s starting to replace the Death Sticks and spices in the areas where we sell it.” to be honest, they were only selling it at Kafrene. Their production is concentrated there and they still don't have a well organized system of distribution. Even the plans for a mobile factory still didn’t become reality. However, this drug was a success there, slowly replacing the others and being very profitable.

@Mockingjay @Nor'baal @Oreus

 

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

«Jee neu,» Mordeth said. «An Jee bitmaph uba banag bai dwana fa du mah hahekahea? Woy uba gee wa vaiouaee cay chabipkola mee chabipkola? Mo woy uba kankanla bai bedwana woleuag du mah hahekahea bai woy da peee tee?»

Truth be told, Mordeth already had designs to account for the absence of spice. If she were shrewd enough, she would soon corner the market on the most addictive brand of spice in the galaxy. But she wasn't about to reveal those designs to the Pykes. Best save that surprise for when she was sure she could secure the deal. Besides, this new drug had promise. And she was eager to make credits.

«Dotkot banpop bu ukawa see beeska mu-moolee,» she continued. «Jee tee caie cahcata wa panpiha benbepoka bai dwana du mah hahekahea che jeday. Bimapa jeejee bauia mee bu baua ukawa, Banya kee wa hhonoo see vee dotkana dwana. Jee paknee ata fa da nah doth wa chaduae?»

There was also the matter of rules of conduct in her territory, but she wouldn't bring that up with them unless they could satisfy these preliminary questions. @LouJoVi @Nor'baal @Oreus