Ask [Balosar] The Masquerade Escapade

[Serene]

Spoiler: Music

There was not a great deal of tourism to entice travelers on the industrial world of Balosar. One of the less disreputable establishments was the Kubrick Club. They hosted masquerade parties from time to time though the anonymity did not stop members of Fergriss Pharmaceuticals from being blackmailed. This resulted in two Sith being dispatched to find and eliminate the blackmailer.

Serene rode in the cloud limousine though she did not have her mask on yet. THe black and gold mask sitting beside her in the seat matched the hood and short cloak as well as the dress she was wearing. A set of vibro claws were on both of the woman's thumbs, pointer fingers and index fingers. Her ring and pinky fingers poked and tapped at a datapad, still being able to use its touch screen functionality. The only other weapon she had brought with her was her shoto lightsaber which was more easily concealed in her outfit.

Joining the woman was an individual she would not have guessed would attend a party but then again he was a Mandalorian. Perhaps this mission was the perfect opportunity for the man to keep his face hidden while also changing his style. Serene could only imagine how many days a Mandalorian wore their armor back to back. That suit of armor must reek. It would be a few moments before they arrived but in the meantime, Serene opted to size up her cohort before they stepped out of the vehicle.

@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

It was now, that cremek stepped out of his vehicle, dispite a lot of things, cremek looked surprisingly normal, he chose to wear his signature colors, black with sides of whites and golds.

if one didn't know Cremek and his reputation, one might have assumed he was a well-to-do rich bozo, who was a passive, law abiding citizen, and most certainly not a murderous, ruthless, calculating monster of a man, who has slaughtered men, woman, and children to further his aims and the sith orders.

he wore a kind smile, one that could disarm rancor, his skin pale, both due to his talented connection to the dark side, and well.. the fact he wore a helmet a lot.

yet it was still rich, there was no hiding the concordian mando'ade's ancestry, he was tall, with hair that chose to stay sticking up in random areas no matter how one had combed it.

In short he looked, well.. he looked human. He of course made his way over, sighing.

"Hello, I take it you'll be my ally today?"

Though his voice was quite soft, If serene had any doubts about the mandalorians home planet before, the concord dawn accent would clearly give it away.

He gave a impish smile, playfully putting his hands behind his back.

To the trained eye, his dark side corruption was rather obscure, though it did trigger an uncanny valley style feeling, his canines sharper, his eyes glimmering with that spark of sadistic cunning, the inhumane cruelty that was judging her every fleeting muscle movement like a hungry krayt dragon, oh this man was good at hiding his true self.

"Sheesh, you look like a buzzkill."

And no, he did not smell bad at all, as even the mandalorians who followed the old ways rather than jasters mereel's way took showers, duh...

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

The Sith watched from within the limousine as her partner approached, having arrived separatly. She cocked an eyebrow at his uncovered face though he would not be able to see her expression yet. When she exited the limo she did so with a smile befitting a Naboo princess but with her upper face hidden. "You are welcome." She answered his question, gracing the man with her presence but adding a wink to know she was joking, sort of.

Her attention turned to the club ahead of them. There were other individuals arriving. Everyone was wearing a mask, well, everyone except for Cremek. She did not take offense to his comment considering she held his opinion in low regard until he proved himself. "You look like you did not read the mission briefing. Where is your mask?" This was a masquerade party where anonymity was the whole point to allow for extravagant indulgences.

@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"oh I have it, don't worry."

He fished something out of his coat, it was in the shape of a krayt dragons skull, the front covering his face with a built in visor and mandalorian visor style helm, it wasent even really a mask, more like a helmet made for occasions, but it served it's purpose. And considering all the rich nitwits here, it fitted right in. Cremek had fashioned this after cyu took his "nice occasions" mask after her close victory.

"Now, shall we?"

Whatever humanity cremek displayed before, was either discarded due to the helmet, or repressed, the helmet jarbling the tone of his voice to classic, monotone.


Cremek stood, offering his hand, he wanted to see how she conducted herself.

if she was just as nerdowell as these fools, then the games over, he had no tolerance for arrogant fools in his company. If she had some balls, and took his hand, then let the game begin, he would do his little favor for thel, dance a little, and hunt. Oh the hunt! Now that was something more addictive than ambrosia, but for now, it was time to have some fun.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Serene watched her companion produce his head covering. The helmet seemed appropriate for him and with her own mask covering her face, he would just see her nod. She could appreciate when something was both stylish and pragmatic.

When offered the hand, Serene accepted it like the woman of class she was. She smiled and walked with Cremek into the club as others also made their way inside. The Sith looked at the other guests but like them, they were wearing masks and disguised.

"Where would you like to start, Dear?" She faked intimacy with the Mandalorian Sith in case anyone was listening or watching her lips. There were many debaucherous activities to get involved in. Any one of them could be worth blackmailing over. The woman's body language said she was looking at theme park rides or a food menu rather than a den of pleasurable iniquity. Serene needed to be careful or else she might actually enjoy herself.

@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"well, what do you wish to do Madame, there's plenty, drinks, dance, likely gambling. Plenty of things to forget about in the night, well probably not gambling, I tend to lose my credits more often than not!"

Oh he was good, he spoke to her as if he had known her for years, as if he was genuinely excited to be here at her side, as if he was a friend, and he sold it well, even of the words he spoke were foreign to a sith.

Cremeks eyes narrowed a moment, but Cremek was no stranger, thankfully, to playing games like this, although it was rather sudden for him, but he adjusted well. He had practiced well for infiltration, he carried himself well, as if he was accustomed to parties, when he himself hated them, and was rather keen on not showing to the ones the sith order hosted in favor of continuing his twisted research.

"Come now, what do you think we could do huh? Probably interact with the fellow guests? We don't want to miss the gossip after all, in the end I'll follow where you lead Mesh'la."

A little flirt to sell the act was inconsequential, even if he didn't feel comfortable flirting with anyone ever, but he wouldn't let his discomfort with such a facade show, after all, its just good business..

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

The woman regarded her male counterpart with a sideways glance from behind her vulpine mask. He definitely was not short of confidence, or at least that's how he seemed on the surface. There was a chance it was an act, put up to compensate for insecurity. But there was more than met the eye and Serene was not the type to jump to conclusions.

She was disappointed he did not pick something. Sighing, the champion gave the options before her only a cursory scan. "You don't have to follow me. Mingle...if you want. As for me, first, I think I'll procure some spice." Her tone was very matter-of-fact and did not wait to head in the direction of a well dressed plague doctor. The plague doctor was selling nova jack and azure star by the looks of it among many more drugs that were otherwise outlawed in most systems or at least not meant for recreational use.

"Excuse me. Could you tell me the difference between these two?" She asked the corvid masked drug dealer. The merchant of vices finished selling to another pair of large reptilians. The spice dealer adjusted the voicemodulator in their suit before replying and giving some details. Serene however already knew the specifics of the spice she had an eye on.

"I'll take three doses of the nova stuff." She played the part of the thrill seeking rich girl and giggled. The seller did not hesitate to hand over in return for a large number of untraceable credits. They gave the Champion a warning about the drawbacks and the limit before she would overdose. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

Cremek understood immediately, and branched off, he went to the bar, after all, he wasn't /that/ dense, actually he was quite the opposite, he was just blunt, mostly due to his upbringing and culture.


"rancor fury sir?" cremek asked, it was likely the tender wouldn't know, but this was intentional, this was a party, in parties, people offered each other drinks as gestures of goodwill, if he needed to.. preoccupy someone after talking them up, this would be the way to do it.

when the bartender told him he did not know about the drink, he would describe in detail the drink, as the tender tried his best to concoct the high kick mandalorian drink.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Serene watched her companion leave her side without delay. A slight smile curling at the edge of her mouth before her expression returned to normal. After acquiring the spice as desired, she pocketed the drugs and looked back around. It was hard to tell who was watching her out of curiosity and who was maybe their target. It was still too early to tell.

A few sets of party members were speaking to one another and mentioned a fighting ring. Serene's ears perked up at the sound of this and smiled at the prospect of violence. "Excuse me." She approached the twi'lek and nuatolan duo. "Which way is the blood sport?" The two looked at one another, judging whether or not to share with the masquerading Sith. "This way. Follow us. Is this your first time to one of these venues?"

"Is it that obvious?" She smiled with fake innocence which seemed to help. She wanted everyone to underestimate her. It made things easier for her. "aren't bets usually placed on these sorts of things?" She asked and continued to have idle conversation with her new friends. Soon they would begin descending a set of stairs. The sounds of cheers would become louder until at the base of the stairs it became a cacophony. A pit fight was nearing its end as a Gamorrean and a rotund near-human were beating each other bloody. "Oh my." She continued to pretend to be surprised by the violence despite enjoying it.

@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

While this was going on, cremek was chatting up a group of fellow partygoers, information and gossip flowing freely, as he helped get quite a few people drunk. but sadly, it all led to a dead end, kriff.. cremek decided it was time to reunite and replan with his partner, these people don't know jack shit, so the mandalorian walked down the stairs after them, just in time to see the scene with the gamorrean and near human, a sadistic chuckle sounded from cremek, watching this scene.. Now this is where the real party was, and being a concordian mandalorian, cremek was perfectly at home here!

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

The basement fight pit was filled with mostly masked patrons, drinks or credits in hand shouting for one fighter or the other to do something. Serene observed and watched the attendants just as closely as the fighters. She noticed the arrival of her partner and approached him.

"Find anything?" She asked nicely, which was his chance to share any intelligence he had gathered. The Gamorrean struck the other fighter on the side of his head with a nasty right hook. The result was the near-human's body spun and fell to the ground with a heavy wet smack. A few Ohs and Aahs followed along with the cheers and cries of bets being paid out.

"Fancy some gambling or do you feel like getting in the ring?" A Mandalorian joining a fighting pit would definitely have the audiences' interest. The Gamorrean was done with his fight and a new match was being setup. The body of the near-human was dragged out of the pit.

@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

"Just brain assassins of rich people spreading gossip, but no news of what we're looking for, just he said, she said, he said .." he sighed.

"And I can do the ring if it's needed, might be of use, maybe I can earn someone's attention and get more insight, I'll do it."

He nodded, walking off to sign up for the next round.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Serene nodded at hearing Cremek's report. He seemed diligent and willing which was as much as she could ask for these days. His words sounded indifferent but his actions betrayed his nature. Serene had simply asked him if he wanted to, not asking him to do it outright. Then again he was a Mandalorian so she did not know what she should have expected.

The woman waited for Cremek to walk off and begin signing up before moving in the opposite direction towards where his next competitor was. The masquerading Sith moved towards the lumbering brute of an opponent. There were no rules in this underground fight ring and few would expect a Sith to be among the crowd. What Serene did next would go unnoticed by anyone.

Standing close to the large Trandoshan that was to be Cremek's opponent, Serene waved in front of the lizards face and asserted her will over the target. "You want to take these to help you in the next fight." She held out the Nova jack and Azure Star drugs she had just purchased. The Trandoshan looked a little hesitant but the situation seemed right and the Champions persuasion was strong. "I want to take thesSse to help me in the nexsSst fight."

Whilst nobody was looking they took the syringe and spice, injecting themselves discreetly just before the match began. Now the being that was normally equally as strong as a wookiee, had taken a two drugs. The first of which normally greatly increased one's existing strength but the second magnified any combined drugs. All in all, the Trandoshan had an exponentially magnified strength that was already lethal for a normal human to fight against. Serene receded into the crowd and check what bets were being placed.

@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

It was now cremek lazily stepped into the arena, but one should not confuse not knowing with not caring, very few things escape Cremeks notice, a nice attempt to stab him in the back, but one that would be ineffective, as he stepped into the ring.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Serene watched the two fighters enter the ring together. The woman began placing bets on the Trandoshan winning. The hulking form of the being with superior strength to Cremek's was enhanced by drugs. He would be sorely mistaken if he thought this was going to be an easy fight but that was why Serene had done it in the first place.

The reptilian moved towards the human with powerful and aggressive steps. They lumbered forward and let out a right jab followed by a left hook. The punches were both aimed to strike Cremek's head and were capable of breaking his jaw or knocking him out in one strike if he was not careful.

A cloaked figure was watching Serene as she moved around in the crowd to cheer on others. She fed on the blood lust emanating from all around and elevated it. People cheered louder, some were practically spitting with their yelling while others were slamming drinks around in excitement. While most of the crowd was focused on the fight, the cloaked figure was regarding Serene specifically. The dark sider did her best to not let on she was being watched.

@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

The fight begins, cremek using his smaller size to his advantage to dodge the now frenzied fighter, why indulge in fists and claws when the force was ones ally? Hell.. why not indulge in both? Passively, gently, cremek would begin to drain the fighter of his life, oh.. poor thing.. the fight went on, cremek was sure to put on a show, haha.. he made brutality almost look like an art, as the now sluggish Trandoshan was surprised to find cremek much more faster, receiving a roundhouse kick to the jaw.

a loud crack could be heard.. oh.. poor thing.. he had completely shattered the things jaw, was this what rue felt when they were younger?.. no.. this one was for her, his debt to her will be repaid, with rising hatred, cremek would begin to pummel the poor thing, by the time cremek was done, the Trandoshan was within a inch of his life, bleeding heavily.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

While Cremek dealt with his opponent Serene was not just watching. The champion half expected the man to take a beating but instead he was using an unorthodox technique. Force Drain after required a very high level of concentration. This, coupled with the man's need to dodge out of the practiced boxer's way would lead to him taking hits and trying to compensate by using the

The disguised Serene would eventually be approached by the cloaked figure. "Taking a liking to the gambling have we?" Asked the stranger. "It has it's place." She commented, trying to play the part of an ignorant aristocrat.

"Well it is a gamble in itself to come here. One's identity isn't so secure in these sort of venues." The implication being that she was going to be shaken down or blackmailed. Finally they were getting somewhere. "What? What do you mean?" She put some worry in the tone of her voice. "Well...these secret parties aren't always so secret. Why don't we have a little chat?" The cloaked figure gestured away from the crowd. Serene pretended to gulp nervously and seemingly obeyed.

Once off to the side she waited patiently for the blackmailer to continue. "Now, where were we? Ah yes the banking informa-gck!" The man underneath the cloak would be forced against the wall by a telekinetic shove. The rocky wall of the basement area was hard against the back of their head but the sounds of the fight continuing made it impossible to pick out.

The downside to Force Drain was it required A LOT of concentration, so much so that Cremek would be continually interrupted by a punch to the face, gut or some other body part he would need to recenter himself. The injuries he sustained were still beginning to show on his body but the strikes from the drugged trandoshan would weaken. It was far from a fast process and it would not be glamorous. Serene was glad she did not have to watch the sad excuse for a boxing match. Normally force drain did not use up stamina and instead replaced it. But the damage he would sustain from the trandoshan would not be something just shrugged off, sidestepped or ignored. The only saving grace was the energy used by cremek would be stolen from the trandoshan fighter by the time he was finished beating the trandoshan close to death.

Away from the crowd, Serene would begin to pull the truth out of the target's mind using a technique called Mind Shard. She used the force to hold the blackmailer in place while an outstretched finger held a vibroclaw against his throat for added menace. Due to the proximity to the arena, she felt the bloodlust of the fighting ring give her strength. With intense focus the woman bore into the mind of her target to extract the truth from him. In a matter of moments she would pull the identities of the man's previous targets to verify he was the one who previously blackmailed Fergriss Pharmaceuticals.

Just as expected she found the truth. The woman pressed forward with her vibroclaw, slitting the man's throat in one quick swip outward and away. A spray of arterial blood shot across the hall's walls in a crimson display followed by the slumping of the man's body against the floor. Serene smelled the blood on the tips of her claws before flicking the substance from her accessories.

Leaving the body in the side hallway, the champion returned to the viewing area of the fighting pit. Cremek was appearing to have some sort of episode. But Serene's face as stoic as the mask that covered it. "Are you done beating your meat? Let's go." Their mission was complete. They were free to leave at their discretion. If the mandalorian wished to stay and work out his issues he was welcome to. But the near-human woman was satisfied and would leave the Kubrik Klub. On the way out she would purchase a bit more from the plague doctor for her own personal use going forward.


@Hastur

 

[Cremek "Krayt" Candorus]

Cremek would re adjust his helmet, seemingly calming down, he brushed himself off, like he didn't just take a nice few blows

"Man.. got me all dirty.. Trandoshans."

He said that last part with a mix of humor, he had a fun time of it.

"Right, be seeing you."

With that, cremek decided to GTFO. Leaving the place after his ally.