Ask An Evening in Epica

[Cassian Graves]

Randangus Cobble's Estate—2100 Hours
​

Epica City, a hub of sophistication and opulence in an otherwise backwater system of worlds in the Expansion Region. The planet was a hidden jewel, with a copious amount of beauty that would make millions if only it could be bottled and sold. Forested hills, crisp and expansive oceans, and mountains—the perfect setting, with luxurious palaces and mansions with too many rooms to count at the center of it all.

Apparently, Cassian was in the wrong business. Botany, not politics was where the real money was to be made. Who knew?

The Zeltron stared up at the estate from the street below, its windows aglow in the settling darkness. Men in tuxedos and women in full evening dresses with clutches in hand sauntered up the steps that led toward the portico in front of the house.

"Shall I wait for you, sir?" called the droid behind him.

"No thanks, metalhead," Cassian replied, not bothering to turn to face the droid driver as he lit the cigarette perched between his lips and took a long drag. A bad habit that he had successfully given up years ago but had recently picked up again. Add it to the long list of things Princess Reyna and his adoring Onderon public did not need to know about. It wasn't easy being a Free Worlds Senator these days. "I won't need you."

Silently, the Zeltron began the climb up the stone steps leading to the estate, blue eyes never straying from the gathering crowd ahead.

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

Jason was surprised with Epica city. While this planet was located in a godforsaken corner of the Expansion Region, it still had some traces that reminded him of a Core World. The city was clean, lacking these slums that were common for planets of this part of the Galaxy and it also had some nice nightclubs.

However, the young Hipori wasn’t here because of the nightclubs. He was going to participate in an auction. While it wasn’t the type of event that he was used to visiting, Jason had great interest in one of the items that were going to be auctioned. It was something that could be very useful for the future of the Hipori Motors.

He arrived in front of the auction house before the event started. He had decided to come piloting his own speeder rather than using a cab. Jason probably broke some local laws due to the speed and the way that he piloted, but he didn’t care. When you have money, it becomes easy to pay for possible tickets.

After giving his keys for a valet parking, Jason walked toward the building. The place was full of people dressed in fancy clothes, but none of them could be compared to him. While he walked, the young Hipori noticed a male Zeltron smoking. He couldn’t see his face well and wondered if the guy was one of those luxury escorts.

Shrugging that it wasn’t his problem, the young man walked toward the room where the auction was going to happen. Even if the Zeltron seemed to be a hot guy, he wasn’t here for that. He needed to win this item in the auction if he wanted to make the products of the Hipori Motors become more important in the market.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Guests had already begun to filter into the estate, while stragglers remained behind on the portico to catch up with old friends and forge new acquaintances. A young couple in servant's attire stuck out from behind a tree, whispering into each other's ears while a balding, middle-aged gentlemen attempted to fish his shoe out of the fountain without falling in.

Drunk? Already? The auction hadn't even begun.

The Zeltron disposed of his cigarette in the dirt before approaching the doorman. "Senator Cassian Graves," he muttered, slipping an invitation from the inside pocket of his suit coat into the doorman's hands. A closed auction, only those who'd been given or somehow acquired an invitation would be admitted.

"Enjoy your evening, sir," the doorman replied, his gaze lingering on someone just past Cassian. The Zeltron nodded his appreciation and passed through the threshold, eyes admiring the craftmanship of the large oak doors.

Laughter and chatter filled the household. Men and women gathered around sculptures and paintings, eager to claim each as their own later when the bidding commenced. Others stood visiting, more interested in the social aspect of the evening than anything they might purchase.

Attractive servers with trays of hors d'oeuvres and cocktails made their rounds, and Cassian swiped a drink from a passing tray. The whole house was alive, in a way it never had been before.

It was hard to believe that only weeks ago the entire state had been in probate, that five years ago the house had entertained nary a soul. Randangus Cobble must have been turning over in his grave right about now as strangers and acquaintances alike traipsed through the home he'd lived and died in, their oily fingerprints staining his collections, and their eyes roaming over every inch of the walls that had served as the vessel of his reclusivity.

Cassian's eyes didn't roam for long, his steady gaze settling on one object in particular almost immediately. The Zeltron crossed the room and came to a stop in front of the living room fireplace, blue eyes dancing across the portrait that hung above the mantle. A young Queen Emryn of Onderon, may she rest in peace.

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

After he gave his invitation to the doorman, Jason was allowed to enter the building. The place was already full of people dressed in expensive clothes and chatting with each other about trivialities that only the rich thought that was important. It was an environment that he was used to visiting, but it didn’t make it less boring.

When a waiter passed in front of him carrying a trail with glasses of champagne, the young Hipori didn’t think twice and picked one. The auction was going to start later and if he wanted to survive in a boring place like this one for so long, he would need some alcohol. Jason would have preferred something stronger, like his Corelian whiskey. However, it would be enough for now.

He was going to search for a corner to stay before the auction started when he heard another guest identifying themselves as Senator Cassian Graves to the doorman. Jason turned to look and saw the same Zeltron from early. Now that he could see his face, young man could identify him as one of the politicians that used to appear in the Galactic Senate sessions that his mother used to participate in.

A smile appeared at Jason’s lips. Now the place has become more interesting. While he had interacted with a good bunch of politicians in his life, the young Hipori could always make acquaintances with another one. The Hipori Motors still haven't reached the Inner Rim and Onderon could be a perfect path for it to happen. If the rumors about the Zeltron being the plaything of the Princess of Onderon were true, he could be able to help him to settle on the planet.

Jason watched Cassian stop near the fireplace to look at a portrait. Thinking that it was a good moment to make contact. The young Hipori walked toward the Zeltron and stopped near him. “A Queen of Onderon, I believe.” he said, before sipping some of his champagne. Hopefully, he would have said it correctly. He still remembered some things from his sessions with tutors. “I’m Jason Hipori, pleasure to meet you.” he offered a hand for the other to shake.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"Yes, indeed. Queen Emryn," the Zeltron reflected, turning to face his new companion. Blue eyes considered the slender gentlemen beside him. "Cassian Graves. A pleasure to meet you at last." Cassian gripped the young heir's hand, shaking firmly. "Your mother's reputation proceeds you." Blue eyes sparkled with mischief beneath the glass chandeliers that hung overhead. "As does yours."

Lavish parties, beautiful women, and self-indulgence slapped across the front pages of gossip magazines. Jason Hipori lived life in the fast lane.

The Zeltron's gaze settled on the portrait once more."Beautiful, wasn't she? The King misses her every day. " For that matter, so did Cassian. King Hakan had been far tolerable during her lifetime. Now he fretted over his only daughter like a mother hen. He walked like one, too.

"You must be a connoisseur of exquisite beauty as well, otherwise you would not be here." With the opening of Hipori Motors, it was clear that Jason Hipori was looking to branch out and expand the family business. Perhaps even escape the shadow of his mother's success. Wealthy and shrewd, the young heir's business was bound to be a household name in five to ten years. Perhaps sooner.

Discreetly, the Zeltron tilted his head toward one side, a subtle motion to a man standing in the corner. Blonde strands slicked back with an unseemly amount of hair gel, the broad shouldered gentlemen stood nursing a drink he hadn't bother to touch as he surveyed the pair from across the room. Maybe he was new to the surveillance business, because he certainly wasn't very subtle.

"A friend of yours?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

Jason shook Cassian’s hand, a smile appearing at his lips. “At last? If I knew that such a handsome man like you was wanting to see me, I would have visited Onderon years ago. '' he winked playfully at the Zeltron.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Senator Graves. Your fame also already reached both the Core and the Corporate Sector.” everyone in the young Hipori’s social circle knew the man in front of him as the Sugarbaby Senator. The man preferred to ignore such comments and make his own opinion.

He turned to look back at the portrait. “Indeed, she is. It’s very sad that she died so young. I believe that the people of Onderon must miss her too, given how she did so many charitable works on the planet. “ Jason believed that the Queen was really smart. She had captivated the population and would be considered nearly a saint. Perhaps he should do it too.

When he heard Graves say that he must be a connoisseur, Jason’s smile grew on his lips. The Zeltron knew how to be flattering. “I like to think that I’m. After all, I was able to find you in the middle of this crowd.” he gestured to the people around the two. Then, he sipped some more of his champagne and looked back at the portrait. “Maybe we could discuss beautiful things later, only the two of us.”

Then, the Zeltron brought his attention to the man that was watching them. Jason turned to look at the guy and after submitting him to a brief scrutiny, the young Hipori turned back to the Senator. “He isn’t, but I would not mind if he was. He looks good.” he winked at the man and gestured, an obvious invitation for him to approach.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"You've never been to Onderon? That's a pity. It truly is a beautiful planet, so full of life and opportunity, but of course I am biased," he admitted with a small shrug of the shoulders. "If you do ever decide to visit, let me know." Smiling, he raised a glass to the young heir. "For the founder of Hipori Motors, I guarantee a personal tour."

The Zeltron didn't seek elaboration on the subject of his 'fame,' as he already had a good idea as to what Jason Hipori spoke of. Gossip mongers, xenophobes, and rivals had been relentless in their defamation of the Zeltron's reputation and capability as a leader.

He liked to think he'd proven the critics wrong time and time again over the course of his career, but there was no pleasing some people. No matter what he did or didn't do, there would always be whispers and criticisms. His pheromones and winning smile could only be in one place at a time, after all.

"I can assure you, Mr. Hipori, that there is much more to me than the rumors would lead you to believe," he replied with practiced indifference. Of course, not all of the rumors were lies. Even a pig finds an acorn once in a while.

Queen Emryn's portrait stared down at the two men, piercing green eyes full of wisdom and gentility. The likeness was uncanny, lifelike even. Randangus Cobble must have paid a fortune for its commission, not that he didn't have the credits. Clearly, botanists did very well for themselves.

"That in and of itself isn't too remarkable," he remarked, blue eyes subtly scrutinizing the faces in the crowd. "I am the most handsome person in the room, after all." His tone was lighthearted, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he stared at Jason Hipori over the rim of his glass. Was it merely a playful witticism or a challenge to prove him wrong? Hipori would have to be the judge of that.

The blonde haired stranger in the corner practically shriveled under Hipori's gaze, redirecting his attention to the first object he could find—a rare dragon lotus vase, which he suddenly found all-consuming. Cassian was almost disappointed. He'd expected his rivals this evening to be competent at the very least.

"It would appear that your greasy haired friend doesn't care to join you." He extended a hand toward the assembly hall, where the auction would be held. "Well, shall we? After you."

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

”I’ll happily accept your offer. It’ll be a pleasure to visit Onderon.” he said, after Cassian had offered to give him a personal tour through the planet. He wondered if the Senator would also show him to the King of the planet. He could use this chance to make some deals for Hipori Motors here.

“I believe in you, Senator. I never judge someone only by rumors about them.” he preferred to make his own conclusions by meeting them. So far, he had considered that the rumors about the Zeltron were exaggerated. The man didn’t seem to be a brainless sugar baby.

However, after his comment about beauty, the young man considered that the rumors about Graves being arrogant were somewhat true. But he didn’t see it as a problem. Jason recognise that he was that way too. They were equals on this point.

Jason frowned when the blond man looked away from them. How sad, he really looked well enough to be an entertainment for the young man during the night. He turned back to the Senator. “It seems so. Well, it seems that the guy didn’t know how to recognise your beauty, after all.” he laughed after saying this.

When Cassian pointed to the assembly hall, a smile appeared on his lips. “Of course, let’s go.” he started to walk after the Zeltron. While they did it, the young Hipori decided to continue talking with the Senator. “I didn’t expect to see someone like you in a place like that. If you don’t mind me asking, what a Senator like you want in this auction?”

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"I'm pleased to hear you say so, Jason—may I call you Jason? A man paralyzed with the inability to determine and direct his own opinions of people and issues is not really a man. Merely a puppet, waiting for the next puppet master to come along and pull the strings." As if deeply convicted and disturbed by the notion, Cassian sighed. "Politics is full of them—puppets, always after the latest and greatest. A man's word is worth so little these days. But as a businessman, I'm sure you know that all too well."

The Zeltron polished off his drink, the melting ice sliding to the bottom of the glass as it was placed atop the mantle. Someone else would pick it up later. This was the bank's little shindig. Let them clean up the mess. "There's no accounting for some people's taste," he would reply, referring to the blonde gentleman in the corner. Cassian chuckled, sharing in Jason Hipori's deprecating joke. It never hurt to play a humble soul once in a while either.

Inside the assembly hall, row after row of collapsible, wooden chairs faced the stage at the back of the room. At one time, the stage must have been intended for a band, musicians that would fill the hall with music while happy, carefree couples danced the night away. Now it was outfitted for the auction, a podium and microphone placed at the center. Several attendants hovered to one side while a short, bespectacled man with a thin, grey handlebar mustache stood behind the podium.

"You question my motives. You don't believe that I'm really here for the beauty of the late Randangus Cobble's art collection," he answered in a low voice full of amusement. There was no need to put up a front, at least not with Jason Hipori. "Well, I won't pretend. You're right. I'm here for something specific. Something that belongs to Onderon."

Cassian stopped, gesturing for Hipori to take a seat near the aisle, just in case the Zeltron needed to make a quick exit. Across the room, their blonde 'friend' stood leaned up against the wall. Still staring. "But what about you, Jason? Why are you here?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

"Of course you can call me Jason. I also need to ask, do you mind if I call you Cassian?" the young man smiled at the Senator. It would only be fair if they both shared first names. "I agree. I had interacted with a bunch of individuals that acted this way. Always acting according to the will of others. I think that the most famous and recent example was the deceased Emil Ro. I heard that he did nothing without the approval of his supporters and political allies."

He followed Graves inside the assembly hall. From what Jason could notice, the place probably was used as a private theater and ballroom, with even a stage for presentations. Now it was going to be used for an auction. The old owner of this place probably never thought that it would be used for that.

"Interesting. Is it something artistic?" he asked, being more cordial than sincere. Jaso didn’t care for what this thing from Onderon could be. He was here for his own specific reasons and didn’t want to have the Senator as a competidor. Their meeting was already a too good opportunity for business to be destroyed because of an auction.

Jason sat next to the Zeltron, before starting to talk again. "Well, I seek something that could be very useful for future products of the Hipori Motors. With the market being always so competitive, we need to seek any opportunity to improve our products."

"By the way, what do you think of the possibility of the Hipori Motors establishing an office in Onderon? Do you think that the King would be interested in discussing this possibility?" Jason asked, trying to talk about the reason why he approached the Zeltron. While he did it, the young Hipori didn’t ignore the fact that the same blond man from early was still watching them.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"Naturally," the Zeltron allowed, respectfully dipping his head toward the young heir. "Fair is fair, after all."

Cassian opted to remain silent on the subject of Emil Ro, though an argument could be made that it was the job of an incumbent to do nothing without the support and approval of his constituents. The free worlds senator had never been a devotee of the late Supreme Chancellor in his lifetime and certainly wasn't going to rally to his defense now in his death.

"I can see that you're a persistent man," he observed, sitting down beside Jason and flipping through the auction catalog that had been left on his seat. "One that doesn't give up easily. An admirable quality, and invaluable in your business I'm sure. Alright, since it appears we are not in competition, I'll tell you."

The Zeltron's finger came to rest on a page, directly beneath Item #3, a Decorative Puzzle Box. A trifling to anyone other than Cassian. "It belongs to Onderon, rightfully. I'm here to take it back." He decided not to elaborate any further, not with so many people close by, and not with Mr. Greasy hovering in the corner, still watching their every move.

"The auction will now begin!" a small, squeaky voice announced, barely audible across the assembly hall, even with the assistance of a microphone. The auctioneer struck a gavel against the podium to garner the audience's attention, his handlebar mustache shaking with the force of the blow. He cleared his throat, ran a hand over his thin tie, and continued. "The first item to be auctioned off this evening is this exquisite painting of the late Queen Emryn of Onderon, a prized possession of the late Randangus Cobble."

"Sounds like a scared mouse, doesn't he?" Cassian whispered to Jason with a deriding smile.

A pair of attendants carried the painting onto stage, placing it on an easel for display. One or two people whispered amongst themselves, apparently taken with the beauty of the painting and the young queen. "The artist responsible for this breathtaking portrait has never been determined, but Maridem Aspibar, a famous Onderonian painter, is rumored to be the genius behind it. The bidding will begin at 30,000 credits."

Quietly, while the bidding commenced, Cassian continued his conversation with Jason. "The King is always interested in acquiring new streams of revenue for Onderon. For that matter, so am I. Looking to expand past the comfort of the Core Worlds, are you?"

"Sold!" the auctioneer declared, slamming the gavel down and shaking in his small leather shoes.

To the front of the assembly hall sauntered a slender man with salt and pepper hair, casually swinging a pocket watch made of solid gold around his finger. His dark eyes roamed over the portrait with pride. On his arm walked a beautiful Twi'lek girl half his age in a red dress studded with rhinestones. Attendants ushered them behind a curtain, where the purchased painting would be wrapped and payments would be made final.

"Our next item is a data chip, which contains the totality of Randangus Cobble's research on repulsorlift technology and its possible effects on the environment."

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

”Exactly. If I wasn’t this way, the Hipori Motors would never grow.” Jason smiled at the Zeltron. Of course he was persistent. He needed to be this way if he wanted to see his company growing. Only those that liked to be ordinary would be satisfied with what they already had. And like how his mother used to say, a Hipori was never ordinary.

The young Hipori watched Graves move his finger toward the image of a Puzzle box in the auction catalog. Jaso raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t the type of item that he expected someone like the Zeltron to be wanting to purchase. “It’s beautiful.” he said to the Senator, while wondering if there was something more behind his interest for this box.

“I want this one.” he pointed to the item #2. The image showed a data chip. “it had information that will be very useful for the Hipori Motors.”purchasing it would be very helpful for his company and he was confident that he could do it. However, if he lost the item for someone else, Jason already planned an accident to have no one else using it. He would never tolerate such competition.

Then, the auction started. The first item being offered was the painting that Jason had seen early. The young man gave a brief laugh after hearing Cassian comment. “Indeed.” he said, while looking at the auctioneer. The man didn’t seem to be comfortable in being at this place.

“Of course! While the Core is an excellent place to sell my products, I also believe that the market in the rim worlds also needs to be valorized. With my companies here, I would also be offering jobs to the people that are suffering with the ongoing war.” the young man didn’t care about possible workers, he could always use droids. However, offering jobs could always win the hearts of the people.

The bidding took some time, but in the end the painting was sold to a slender man with a young female Twi’lek. Once they went to collect the item behind the stage, the auctioneer announced the next item, the data chip that Jason wanted. “Now, it’s my time.” he said to Graves. He rose a small plaque with the number of his chair. “35,000.”

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Ah, the data chip. Cassian should have known. Only the prospect of an advantageous business opportunity and the chance to turn a credit would lure Jason Hipori from the lap of luxury he enjoyed in the Core Worlds.

"I had no idea you were such a nature-lover," the Zeltron observed with deliberately raised eyebrows, cocking his head to one side. "The tabloids don't give you enough credit, do they? I know the feeling."

Surprising, that the Aratech Repulsor Company should decline any interest in the late environmentalist's research. For all of his eccentricities, Randangus Cobble was undeniably a genius in his own right. One man's loss was another man's gain, however—Jason's, specifically, should the data chip prove invaluable.

"Going once... going twice.... SOLD!" the auctioneer called out after a brief tête-à-tête between Jason and a middle-aged woman with gray curls and what had to be the galaxy's largest pair of horned rimmed glasses in existence. Whoever had let her leave the house looking like a 80's Hutt Ball Mom would have a lot to answer for.

The data chip was Jason's, to do with as he pleased. Cassian leaned in with a hard smile. "Congratulations, Jason. As for your plans for expansion, I consider your offer most propitious. Onderon awaits your valorization. Say the word, and I'll introduce you to the King."

Cassian's undivided attention was drawn toward the stage, where a fresh-faced attendant placed the one and only object that could draw him to this stuffy gathering atop a display stand. "This next item was one of Mr. Cobble's favorites, a puzzle box made from seasoned linden wood, carved by hand and embellished with real gold. This one of a kind puzzle box would make an excellent mantle piece or desk bauble. Who will start the bidding off at—"

"20,000 credits," a gruff, overbearing voice interrupted. The older, more austere bidders in attendance mumbled amongst themselves, heads turning to seek out the face that belonged to the off-putting voice. Cassian didn't bother, as he already knew who it was.

The Zeltron sighed quietly to himself. Some people had no class. "30,000 credits."

The blonde, broad shouldered gentleman glared a hole through the side of Cassian's head. "50,000 credits."

"60,000."

"70,000."

The poor auctioneer merely stood there, his small, timid voice completely drowned out. Cassian was tired of this game they were playing. "100,000 credits."

Silence followed. After a long, painful moment of deliberation, the auctioneer announced, "Sold! To the Zeltron in the sixth row!"

Cassian allowed himself a small, self-satisfied smile before turning to Jason and stating in a calm, unbothered voice, "I'm afraid we're going to need to make a hasty exit."

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

”Of course I’m. We always seek to protect the environment of the planets of the Galaxy against degradation and pollution.” Jason said, while a smile appeared on his lips. As long as painting Hipori Motors as a eco-friendly company was profitable, he would make everything to continue following this agenda. However, he didn’t care for all this talk about environmentalism.

After some time, Jason was able to offer a high amount of credits and no one else could offer more. The young Hipori recognized the woman that was trying to outbid his offers as the CEO of the ECOSpeeders. She looked horrible as always, like a Hutt matron living in the swamps of Nal Hutta. Probably she wanted the data chip for the same reasons that he wanted it.

When the auctioneer called him to finish the purchase, Jason turned to look at Graves. “Thank you! I’ll be back in a second, so we can discuss establishing the Hipori Motors in Onderon.” he walked toward the stage, passing near the woman that had tried to buy the data chip. He would wave at her, with a smirk on his lips. He didn’t only like to win, but he also like to humiliate his competition.

Once he paid for the data chip, Jason returned to his seat. He was carrying it inside a small box, hidden in the pocket of his suit. “So, when do you think that you could arrange a meeting with the King? I have great interest in establishing my company in Onderon as soon as possible.” he should do it before his competidors do in his place. He had learned that in the world of business you always need to be faster.

Before Graves could answer him, the auctioneer announced the next item. It was the puzzle box that the Zeltron wanted so much. Jason heard someone offer 20,000 credits for it and turned to look who had offered it. He saw the same blonde, broad-shouldered man from early. The young Hipori raised an eyebrow, curious with the reasons why the other wanted it.

Jason could only describe what happened next as a competition. He watched Graves and the blonde guy offer more money in sequence, trying to win the item. He wondered why they were so interested in this simple box. Finally, the Zeltron would finally win it.

“I don’t mind at all. I already have what I came for.” Jason said, before getting up from his seat. There was nothing more on this auction that interested him. “Do you plan to do something during the rest of the night?” perhaps Cassian would like to go with him to a nightclub. They deserved to celebrate their success.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

While the timorous auctioneer introduced the next item for auction, a sculpture of a peacock carved from pure jade and set with brilliant blue gemstones, Cassian practically drug Jason to the front of the assembly hall.

"Here you are, sir," a freckled, fresh-faced attendant smiled as they approached, exchanging the linden wood box for Cassian's payment. "Would you like it wrapped?"

"No—no, this is fine," the Zeltron would reply in a brisk tone, turning the box over in his hands a few times. Probing blue eyes roamed its golden embellishments and aged grooves, unable to resist the temptation to study every inch of the puzzle and learn its secrets.

"Alright, sir. Enjoy your—"

But Cassian had already swept through the door to his left, out of the assembly hall and into a side corridor lit only by candlelight and dim uplight chandeliers. The Zeltron scoured the hallway for an exit, and when he saw that there was none began to take long strides across the elegant red carpet that ran the length of the corridor.

"Sorry about this cloak and dagger business," he apologized to Jason in a hushed voice, staring over his shoulder to see if anyone was behind them. In the way of an explanation he added, "Someone's been following me ever since I arrived. That fellow with the Ky'lessan skin for hair isn't the first. Clearly, they don't want me to have this." He held up the puzzle box, its golden design shimmering beneath the lights.

"As for my evening plans—" The Zeltron's words died in his throat as they turned a corner and came face to face with a man and woman dressed in serving attire. The two jokers who'd been whispering to each other from behind the tree outside. Behind them, the broad-shouldered gentleman they'd left behind in the assembly room appeared.

They were surrounded.

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

Jason followed Cassian when the Zeltron went to pay and pick for his acquisition. He didn’t understand why the Senator seemed to be in such a hurry, to the point of basically dragging the Young man with him. Was he so eager to play with his new puzzle box?

Even after he received the box, Cassian was still in a hurry. Due to all of that, the young Hipori thought that the Zeltron would have wanted to open the box immediately. However, it wasn’t the case. The Senator seemed to want to get out of this place as fast as he could.

The young Hipori stared at the Zeltron in disbelief after he explained that there was several people wanting to stop him from purchasing the box. This thing would be very valuable if everyone wanted it. Now he was curious to know what it really was. "I thought that it was because you wanted to have my company out of this place." Jason said playfully. For now he would act as if it wasn’t a problem. Later he would ask more about this thing.

Before Cassian could say anything about the young man's question about his plans for the night, a man and a woman stopped in front of them, blocking their path. Then, the same broad-shouldered guy from the auction approached from behind, stopping Jason and the Zeltron from coming through where they came. It was an ambush.

"Good night, gentlemen and madam. Tell me, what can we do to help you? You seem to be a bit lost." Jason said, a friendly smile appearing on his lips. It was obvious that these people wanted Graves' puzzle box, but he wanted to start a conversation with them. Perhaps they could tell him more things about this mysterious object.

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"Shut up, pretty boy," spat the smaller man, wiping a crooked nose on the sleeve of his serving jacket. He leered at Jason. Some back alley doctor had really botched the job on his broken nose, if he'd even bothered to see a doctor at all. "Ain't us that's lost. You are."

"Aw, lay off him, Dev," the girl shot back, her dark eyes unashamedly roaming the length of Jason in inspection. "He is a pretty boy, innit he?" She closed the distance between them and threw an arm over Jason's shoulder, slender fingers reaching up to play with dark strands of loose hair. Then she glanced at Cassian. "Both of 'em."

The blonde man wasted no time with small talk. "We're not here to play games. Hand it over," he ordered impatiently, his voice gruff and his accent unmistakable.

Until this evening, Cassian had never laid eyes on the man before, but his accent gave him away. He was an Onderonian, and of the three goons, he was the ruffian of the bunch. Between his out of date clothing, his muscled frame, and unpracticed manner, there was no need to wonder what area of Onderon he hailed from.

He held a thick, calloused hand out, awaiting the surrender he presumed to be inevitable. If he expected Cassian to just hand the box over without a fight, he clearly hadn't followed the senator's career very closely.

"You're a long way from home," the Zeltron said, biding time. Blue eyes swept the length of the hallway with a desperate gleam, searching for anything—a weapon, a distraction, or a way of escape.

Moonlight traveled through the bow window to their right with graceful ease, casting a spectral glow over the faces of the two goons. Red velvet drapes framed the window, and to each side hung golden sconces with flickering flames.

The corners of the ruffian's mouth curled into a twisted grin. "So are you, Graves. You never should have come here."

Cassian exchanged a knowing glance with Jason, one that he hoped the young heir would comprehend and follow. "I can assure you, we're exactly where we ought to be," he replied in a calm and collected voice, inching closer to the window. "Can you say the same?"

Without warning, he reached over and tore velvet drapes from the decorative rods that hung them in place, hurling the red fabric at the two goons.

@LouJoVi

 

[Jason Hipori]

The smaller man's answer to him only made Jason raise an eyebrow. Who was he to talk this way with a Hipori? He was the one that should shut his mouth. The guy's crooked noise made his voice sound so nasally that made the young man feel annoyed by him.

He wondered if he could move his hand discreetly enough to pick his blaster pistol that was hidden on his suit. Without doubt it would make this man shut his mouth. Although, he didn’t want to end his night being part of a shooting. Jason’s mother would probably be furious if it happened, but at least he would escape from this situation.

Then, the woman approached him and started to play with his hair. Usually, Jason would not mind it. In comparison to the guy with the crooked nose, she wasn’t bad looking. However, he had wanted to pick his blaster. With her so close to him, it would be difficult for the young man to do it without being noticed.

The young man watched the exchange between Graves and the blonde man from early on. Jason had the impression that the Zeltron had identified the guy from somewhere. He wondered if it was related to the mystery behind this puzzle box. Apparently everyone wanted this thing. This made him even more curious to know why this object was so valuable.

Jason watched Cassian exchange a glance at him and start to move toward the closest window. With the woman still close to his body, the young man ended up needing to move more carefully. Whatever plan the Zeltron had, he hoped that it would give some opportunity to pick his blaster.

This opportunity came when Graves tore the velvet drapes and threw it at the two men. Seeing her allies in danger, the woman let him go and moved to help them. When she did it, Jason used this opportunity to grab his blaster and fire a stunning bolt at her.

Once she fell on the floor, the young Hipori turned to look at Graves. "I think that we need to leave immediately." he said, already running toward the exit. "I also believe that you could explain to me why they were after you? Is it because of this box?"

@llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

In Cassian's head, the spin and snap maneuver with the drapes would look flashy and, paired with whatever Jason managed to pull off on the fly, be just distracting enough for the two of them to make their way toward the nearest exit.

In execution, it was flashy—maybe, but successful? Hardly.

A flash of red sailed across the corridor, soaring over the short man's—or Dev's—head, the weight of the velvet fabric enough to send him stumbling backward into the wall. Distracted, but not down. He emerged a moment later with a snarl.

The Onderonian ruffian, on the other hand, merely chuckled. The degrading intensity of his deep, reverberating laugh was enough to make the Zeltron's skin crawl. Not a man to be humiliated by anyone, much less a savage plucked from the deepest, dirtiest corners of the jungle, Cassian's lips pressed together into a grimace.

"You're even more pathetic than I thought," he said, closing the distance between them with one wide step. "But I'm done playing games." He reached out, his beefy fingers sliding around the box and jerking.

"Come now, this is a little childish, don't you think?" Cassian mused, the two of them caught together in a sad match of tug of war. A match that Cassian knew he would inevitably lose, based on size alone. "I'm sorry I can't explain right now," he would add to Jason through clenched teeth, amusement bleeding into his voice even now. "Meet me outside?"

Then, pressing off with the heels of his shoes, the Zeltron propelled backwards. Stumbling and crashing through the bow window like a second-rate stuntman, he used the force of his fall as a lever and drug the puzzle box with him.

@LouJoVi rolled a 7/20 for the drapes lol :)

 

[Jason Hipori]

Jason watched the red drapes fall over the head of the short man, the one called Dev. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to put the guy down. It only made him even more furious with Graves and with Jason for having stunned the woman. He didn’t regret it, now they had less of a problem to deal with.

However, the young Hipori wasn’t an idiot. He knew very well that the guy would try to attack him as soon as he recovered from the distraction that Graves had made. This way, when the man emerged from inside the red drape, Jason pointed his blaster at him and stunned him too.

By his mother’s suggestion, Jason had started to have lessons in Teras Kasi. Even if he wasn’t an expert on this fighting style, he could have fought physically against the guy. However, he didn’t want to end with bruises or ruining his clothes. This way, the stunning shot was perfect for it.

After he stunned Dev, Jason turned to see Cassian and the blonde man fighting for the puzzle box. Once again he felt curious to know why such a simple object, which didn’t even look beautiful, could make two men fight for it. Something very important must be inside it and he wanted to know.

The young man looked quizzically to Cassian when the Zeltron said that they were going to meet outside. Before he could say anything, Jason watched in surprise as the Senator jumped through the window, crashing it glass. He wasn’t the only one that was surprised with this dramatic exit, because the blonde man also looked at the window.

The two men would turn to stare at each other, before a smirk appeared at Jason’s lips and he pointed his pistol at the blonde man. With that, the last of their attackers was down. The young Hipori walked toward the window, seeing if Graves was already too far away. “You could have waited. I was going to stun him!” he screamed for the Zeltron to hear.

Then, he turned to walk out of this place. He was going to call the police, so they could deal with these people. Jason wanted to find Cassian so the Zeltron could explain what had happened and who they were.

@llamallove