In Vino Veritas

[Asinine Soup]

"Handling matters such as this tend to be delicate as the hand that writes it. Understand there is something greater beneath the surface of the lapping waves and you will come to comprehend the nature of my sincere request:
Do not pursue me, for what you seek is beyond what you understand, let alone combat. You've always been intelligent beyond the knowledge of the masses and population, but I ask you this question:

Why do you think Angels are feared?
What is the antithesis of your being? You understand duality but you fail to grasp the nature of where your conflict resides.
I send this out of kindness and love, for it is the peace of all the knowing had ever wanted. I hope this satisfies your awakening as it has proven to affirm my own closure. So now I ask of you to cease, or you will truly understand the answer to the aforementioned query.

Abandon your futile parody of seductive requests. If you must, place your passion in a cage - if you never love, perhaps you'd never hate.
I'll leave you with a quote:
"The immaculate nature of all is subject to itself in ways beyond typical understanding, but the instant the mind frees from the subjective gaze of the restless self, it will truly understand peace, and in such, will understand purpose. The fact is duality, but as fact is subject to truth...
...truth is light.

- S."

*Send*
​

Nar Shaddaa
1800 Hours
Lower Levels

​

Excited chatter awaits those within the line stretching beyond the city block, the typical night sky up above beheld foggy in view of the distant world of Nal Hutta.
Nar Shaddaa, the Smuggler's Moon typically reprieve for those who saw galactic law as more transparent than restrictive; for many of it's denizens, the only way to live was to live as part of the clear Hutt influence and mental subjugation they as well as their cartels had to offer. On a Hutt-owned planet, every business payed to operate and survive, anywhere from grocery stores to weapon shops; theaters to taxi pads; government to those beneath the law paid their passage one way or another. In such a way, the illusion of freedom and excitement was granted beneath the ruse of neon, spice, and everything nice. The mumbling crowd that awaits entry outside of a club are granted entrance one by one or two by two as others leave, armed bodyguards hosting the steady flow of traffic.
All those who waited were not part of the V.I.P. line and sect, of whom had their own line as well. Needless to say, whatever the name of this club which held popular music catered by locally known DJ's, entertaining bar and drink, and even a fair share of club promoters and local celebrities alike was a club worth mention in the sub-level of Nar Shaddaa where it resided.

As one enters the lobby, the lights grow dim and the atmosphere grows warm for the steady sound of human and alien interaction within could hardly be heard over the steady thumping and pounding of the heavy dance music that was within. Beyond loud and mind-numbing as it's point, the flashing reds, greens, yellows, and plethora of other spotlights and laser lights flash and flicker within a blacklit room that flashes in it's own respect. The atmosphere along the dancefloor (a large platform spanning over half the rather expansive lot) was complete by an offset bar where the lights were paced more moderately and calming for those wanting their drink beside a small crowd, and several exits to smaller sections and more exclusive panels.
One such walkway leads ultimately to the skybox overlooking the entirety of the club floor. The denizens within would see nothing more than a wall, but behind the wall lie a soundproof box where only the faint, distant rocking of the music below could be heard. The ambiance was subtle and was clearly that of which the previous owner's refined tastes catered to: a built-in bar, marble floor tiles, dining and relax areas both able to overlook the activity below and a host of warm homely lights and displays showcasing items on the walls and the drinks - and scattergun blaster - behind the bar counter. The room was complete with a steward droid that remains quiet until called upon, strict protocol making it more a slave than anything with a personality.

And then there was the Ysanna. Adorning a simple attire yet complimentary to the fashion styles found on the planet's city life to be current and certainly classy. A curly mass of brown hair tied into a neat bun leaves a single twisted bang trailing the left side of her face - it was likely not there on purpose, for the thick hair certainly was hard to tame. This very same style was supportive of her overall ethnicity, as her hair was thick and able to be braided in a few small rows along the opposing side of her head above her ear. With a datapad in her hand, she reviews the V.I.P. guests invited this evening and peers off into the crowd below with a gentle sigh, taking a soft, light pull of the liquor (the previous owner had a likeness for top shelf Corellian Ale, which just so happened to be her preference for an occasional, insightful sip) present upon her glass holder. With a clearing of her throat, those sharing the room with her would receive an update on the status of what was occurring.
"Arrangements are set, and the front check in marked in our guest as arrived. He's being escorted up," the softness of her voice was standard as the only thing truly special about the tone was it's warmth and prevalent commandment - a woman who was certainly used to being in control of her surroundings, even when others otherwise attempted to strip it away from her.

As a recording of a soft-sounding band she'd heard on Tatooine (of all places) with a Bith lead instrumentalist plays resonating in the background, further setting the mood for this occasion, she takes one more sip before standing in front of the 3-meter slanted one-way viewing panel and folding her hands behind her back, datapad left on the couch behind her. Although she wasn't a part of the interaction down below, her sensitivity to the Force allowed her to partake in more than people would realize, and as others with very distinct and prevalent energies begin to enter her new club, she takes pause and scans the crowd. Downtime such as this still had business to plan, though with her presence hidden within a crowd of people and an envoy of friends and guards, this would certainly be a place safe enough to discuss future plans.
Yet and still, she had her enemies too.

"Don't get too comfortable. The endless night is still very young."

 

[Viabuck]

Out of the fireplace and into the fire.

Whatever a person might wish to say about Sith Holocrons or gladiatorial arenas, at the very least there was a certain degree of certainty that came along with such things and an understanding of what was expected of ones self, on this world however? On this world for one who been born on one of the more simplistic and basic of worlds, kept away from the pollution which was seemingly the very essence of this world, it was overwhelming. A tax upon all of his senses, from the very moment that this orange skinned man arrived on this world, a struggle between the calm that he had valued and the intrusions of the nightlife had begun.

Ever keenly aware of what was transpiring around him the sheer volume of individuals packed into the club had been difficult to endure at first but as he followed the lead of his partner, solace would be found in the form of the enclosed room that they had found themselves within, the reprieve that it offered being more than welcome. The comparative stillness of this room was everything that the Togruta could have hoped for, the stares from the crowd (some of whom found the notion of one of his kind exotic and thus worth 'partying with' much to his chagrin) ceasing the moment that he made his way within.

And so here they were now, an assembly of individuals called together by the assertion of the young Ysanna, a capable individual whom the conflicted Knight had come to trust throughout the adventures that the duo had undergone through a series of poor decisions and seemingly random circumstance. Quietly listening, the exposed orange skinned arms of Curo would be lightly tapped with the opposite hands fingertips, a tired look upon his face. While not as primly dressed as his partner was, the Togrutan had made an effort to blend into the crowd, choosing to forsake his animal hide adornments in favor of a sleeveless black hooded vest along with a basic pair of black tactical pants, he seemingly had made an effort to appear 'local'. With his his front lekku bound to the ones which rested behind him by black straps, one might even say he looked -slightly- refined compared to his normal look in spite of his clear discomfort.

"I wouldn't dream of becoming comfortable in such a place.." Curo mused, the corners of his mouth upturning slightly, his shoulders being given a brief roll back before reclining back against the wall and exhaling a breath through his nostrils. His vest shifting slightly as a hand drifted down to his side, a reassurance being taken that his weapon of choice, albeit in two pieces at the moment, would be ready should it become necessary. "I have never before felt like I may be murdered, robbed, or offered narcotics simultaneously and potentially in that order."

A half joke but really the best he could muster for the moment, his smile fading slightly as he resumed his usual stoic nature. The night was young and try as he might to hide it behind his distaste for the inhabitants of this world, there was a certain degree of eagerness to see what might take shape out of this gathering.

 

[The Red Hood]

Nar Shaddaa was no place for the faint of heart. To visit meant always keeping your guard up, and to do business on the Smuggler's Moon meant that you would see your share of blood. Paying your dues to the Hutts usually meant you could keep your business above water, but late payments wound up one of two ways: A severe warning in the form of a demolished shop, or, if it wasn't your first or second offense, something more permanent would have to be done. When that happened, usually the shop became vacant. In this regard, Dominik Canelo was owed a favor. He had quite a few friends on Nar Shaddaa, several that he kept up with, and one in particular who'd needed some help on more than one occasion. He was the owner of a shop called Junk, and he'd been having trouble with local competitors trying to ruin his business. As the generous man Dominik was, he'd helped him, expecting to receive something like compensation later down the line. This came in the form of an invitation to a club, to which his friend had so generously let Dominik attend in his place.

Of course, there was more to it than that. There had to be more to it then that. In a sense, he was being used again. Dominik wasn't certain of the nature of this visit, but he knew it was probably something shady. His friend was a coward, which meant that he feared it was a trap. But at the same time, if it was on the up and up, he couldn't pass up what might be an opportunity to make a great deal of money. And so he'd drawn the conclusion that SOMEONE had to go, it just shouldn't be him. Enter Dominik Canelo.

Had he the slightest notion that he might not be able to get any liquor, Dominik wouldn't have gone, but if there was one thing he could count on, it was that Nar Shaddaa had no shortage of booze. He was confident that whatever 'trap' he may walk into, he could find his way out of, so he accepted his friend's invitation and set out with the goal of running up the biggest tab possible under the shop's name. When he'd arrived at the club, he was assailed with the customary hailstorm of music that he'd come to detest over the years. The sound that he'd come to love was the sound of a rowdy pub, drinks clattering against tables, harsh words and hard laughter, the sound of struggle, fists flying through the air. True, beautiful music. Apparently his friend had given his description to the owner, because he was quickly led to what he assumed was something like the VIP section. The noise and chatter died the moment the doors closed behind him, and he let out a sigh of relief.

Rubbing a hand over his stubble, he eyed the people in the room and felt completely under dressed. He'd worn his standard attire, looking more like an average work hand than anything. With his large boots, plain pants and mechanic jacket, he looked like he'd wandered in from a repair shop. He expected someone to question his presence, but in the meantime, he found a seat and began rummaging through the pouch at his hip. Ignoring the people present, he removed a leaflet of rolling paper, spread it out between his thumb and index finger, pinching a small handful of tobac from the pouch. Sprinkling it into the paper with the practiced ease of someone who'd done it his whole life, he rolled it up and tapered both ends. Even with the mechanical limb of his left arm, he showed no difficulties doing any of this. Clenching one end in his teeth, he pinched the other end with the thumb and index of his left hand, causing the tips of the digits to heat up exponentially. Within a second or two, they heated up enough to ignite the end of the Cigarra, and Dominik inhaled deeply, exuding a large plume of smoke from his lungs. "Alright. Ok. I'm good now."

 

[Asinine Soup]

"I wouldn't dream of becoming comfortable in such a place.." Ashanna's Togrutan companion responds as his inner-turmoil had clearly calmed since they'd gotten the chance to relax within the solace of the sound-proof lounge. Not to be confused with a simple VIP section, this was indeed the room the club owner utilized for business and pleasure - a personal getaway appropriated by the new club's owner: Ashanna herself. "I have never before felt like I may be murdered, robbed, or offered narcotics simultaneously and potentially in that order."
As she peers down toward the crowd below, she couldn't help but to openly laugh at the comment.
"In that order, then?" she peers over her shoulder for confirmation, still in mid-giggle and grinning as she peers toward the entrance of the room. Security detail was bringing up a certain someone who had sent a delegate. Strangely enough, this delegate was one that she had known for a time within the Jedi Order. She wouldn't be sure if Curo would recall him, but while he certainly wasn't a friend - as he'd been several years older than Ashanna throughout his growing experience, and Ashanna herself had been an odd-one out having progressed through not only the lessons but her Trials at such a young age - she had the pleasure of hearing and learning about several individuals of distinction within the Order.
"Well be careful, Curo. I hear they like their Torgrutas young and fit. But really, relax. We're safe here, and to be honest...you probably need some more relaxation after our last escapade."

The droid behind the bar's mechanics whirl as it clanks from side to side, cleaning bottles and polishing the counter. A pair of knocks empty into the room followed by a brief doorbell, signalling one of the security detail had finally made it up the stairs and lengthy halls that circumvent the entirety of the dancefloor. The maze of backrooms and false door panels within this place was astounding, and it was obvious that she'd appropriated the business from someone whose business dealings were shady at worst, Hutt-worthy at best. Dominik would enter wordless, though he could if he wished - Ashanna was all about observation. As he enters, she gently states, "I'm glad I was able to get in touch with the right people, and it's nice for you to join us, Mister Canelo." She watches as he rolled and otherwise dismissed the detail from the doorway with a smile and a nod. They close the door, and an audible *click* resonating about to indicate that it was locked and secure.

"Before we all enter introductions, I'd just like to let this one know what he's doing here," she says to Curo, grinning all the while then casting her attention back to the newly arrived, "first...make yourself comfortable as you have, invite yourself to the open bar. Secondly, I didn't require the services of he who sent you. I require you." She leans over and picks up the datapad to check something briefly for it strobes lightly for a moment. She peers at it's gentle LED before sighing at what it was that she read; something she'd seen shifted her demeanor, but only temporarily for she returns her deep gaze toward Dominik.
"I'm Ashanna," she finally says with a smile and through a sigh, "and this is my establishment." She chuckles lightly at that concept, for one so young, she had quite the revenue income already. Liquidating the...illegitimate side-businesses of the 'retired' Gahala put quite the comma in her credit account. She now had the financial freedom to make moves.

As a gentle air of smoke fills the room, the man's gruff voice extends outward as he seemed relieved now.
"Alright. Ok. I'm good now."
That same grin stretches about the Ysanna's bright visage, her energies brightening to a tangible level that any Force Sensitive would be able to feel the warmth of. Curo, then, receives the very same one with a lifted eyebrow.

 

[Tristyn]

This place is so detestable. Why would Master Ashanna own such a place on a such ugly moon on the backside of the galaxy? Tamara dwelled on her thoughts of this miserable excuse for a ecumenopolis while she washed her hands in the club's bathroom. She had no reason to be there, except to just be alone for a minute while she gathered her thoughts. She had unknowingly been to Nar Shaddaa before, and that occurrence was just as appalling as today.

Everything looked so ugly and scum like, in deep contrast to her homeworld of Corellia. The streets were dirty and smelly, creeps gave her unsettling looks and she constantly had that feeling of danger. This made her regret her choice of attire, a short but comfortable black sundress. At Least she could move around a lot easier and even be able to fight in it, unlike most of the other girls here in the club. Most of them wore tight short skirts that hindered their movement and would ultimately be the main reason why they get picked on by men. That was another chilling issue she had. Never in her life had she been so afraid of simple men walking around in the street or in the club, even with her lightsabers in her shoulder bag. She could sense how vile everyone was. The only thing she was comfortable was Ashanna's soothing presence.

Ashanna's wisdom and fearlessness was something Tamara really admired. Ashanna almost makes her worry go away completely, and she was really grateful to be her padawan. As such, Tamara quickly and happily rejoined her master's side once she was done in the bathroom. She didn't care that she didn't know the reason why she was here and why there were two other Jedi here, but her master made her feel so happy for some reason.

 

[Viabuck]

With his grin briefly resurfacing at Ashanna's remark regarding the crowds preference for individuals matching his description, a quick breath was exhaled, the barest hints of a chuckle being offered in response. The longer that he found himself removed from the roiling masses that were the crowd, the more composed and relaxed he seemed to allow himself to become. His palms pressing flat to the wall and pushing himself up and away from it, he would pace momentarily, his slow footsteps leading him over to the bar which he would examine momentarily, ultimately deciding to follow through on the suggestion as it was offered to him.

A bottle of rum being taken, the Togrutan carefully examined it, almost as if he was feigning having some kind of prior knowledge of what defined a good drink though the truth would of course prove to be quite the opposite. Seemingly oblivious to the quality or even the taste of his selection, the liquid would be poured and the lid replaced upon the bottle which was then relocated back to the shelf. The glass not being taken into his hand, the next series of his 'relaxing' involved a simple relocation to a stool in front of the glass that he had prepared, a curious look upon his face as his cyan eyes trailed over to each of the as of yet, unknown individuals whom had arrived.

Taking the glass into his hand as Ashanna began speaking once more, a slow sip was taken from the contents, the liquid touching his tongue and producing a taste which while not in and of itself pleasant still ended up being superior to the herbal brews he had ingested in his youth and under the tutelage of his master during his own time as a Jedi Padawan. Continuing to sip ever so slowly from it, when their host began introductions, he nearly spoke his name following her own when a surprise of sorts came to pass..

This was hers?.. Were Jedi permitted.. businesses? On such corrupt worlds?..

Were they permitted to possess artifacts such as what he harbored? Perhaps now wasn't the time for judgemental questioning or presenting unwarranted remarks. It was in and of itself interesting and that was enough to seize his attention and ultimately break from his train of thought, offering a simple introduction of his own in the form of "Curo Kaal..." before following up with a form of attaching himself to the group as a whole through his partner.

"Friend and partner of Ashanna.. Though not in said business.. More so in other matters." he added, his eyes shifting down to his drink for a moment which he would sip from, rolling around his own words in his heavily tailed head and finding them unsatisfactory. "Matters like adventuring and discovering secrets of the force.. Jedi things."

Sometimes he really wished he wasn't so useless in larger groups when it came to social graces.

 

[The Red Hood]

At the mention of an open bar and helping oneself, Dominik was across the room in several strides. "Don't you threaten me with a good time..." Stopping in front of the bar, he let out a sigh as his eyes traveled over the selection. These were truly the difficult moments in life. A decision like this had the sway to alter the very course of the evening, whether the people here knew it or not. There was a quiet subtlety when it came to the ingestion of alcohol, a hidden skill buried beneath the mundane action. Some people grasped this, and others didn't. Some could spend their entire lives in a drunken stupor and never truly understand. After spending quite some time in the company of good liquor, Dominik thought of himself as someone who could appreciate the effect that a good drink could have in the company of others. In a business setting, it was usually appropriate to enjoy something that wasn't too strong, but still had a decent taste, but for true enjoyment, you wanted to avoid drinking just for the sake of drinking. Pick something too strong, and you might be too addled to make good decisions, which could cost you a fair bit of credits or even your life. One had to pick just the right brand...

As these thoughts raced through Dominik's head, to the others in the room, he was merely humming a slight tune as he peered about the bar. He reached across and grabbed several bottles, examining them carefully, before setting them back down. Finally, after about a minute or so he selected a bottle, running his hand over the label before smiling. Grabbing a glass, he carried the entire bottle back to a small table, plopping down in the accompanying chair so that he could see everyone in the room. With his cigarra pinched in his right hand, he placed the glass down, removing the cork on the bottle, pouring himself a generous half glass full of the blue luminescent beverage. He set the bottle down, not even bothering to cork it back, before raising the glass a half inch off the table. Lowering it again, he tapped it against the table's surface before downing the contents of his glass in two gulps.

Tucking his cigarra back in the corner of his mouth, he poured himself another helping, raising it slightly towards the Togruta as he introduced himself. At the mention of Jedi things, all the pieces started to fall into place. The feeling of warmth he'd felt radiated from the woman, Ashanna, must have been an unconscious action. If Curo was a Jedi, it only made sense for his partner to be as well. Those with strong ties to the Force could easily radiate things like their feelings unintentionally. Or perhaps it had been on purpose, who could say? Either way, as the evening was progressing Dominik felt more at ease. He was expecting to be in a room with cut throats and instead he was in a room with his fellow Jedi. Taking another swig from his glass, Dominik took a pull of his cigar, exhaling the smoke through his nose while he spoke.

"Introductions, eh? Well, the name is Dominik Canelo, though you already knew that," he said, inclining his head towards Ashanna. "I am a seeker of knowledge, not only of the Force, but in all things. I'm here as something of a representative, but since you already knew that too, we'll skip it." Pausing to take a sip from his glass, he continued. "I like long walks on ocean planets, dangerous and exciting trips to foreign worlds, and booze. Lots, and lots of booze." Raising his glass to Ashanna, he drained it. Stifling a belch, he refilled his glass again.

 

[Asinine Soup]

As Tamara re-enters the room from the refresher, Ashanna beams a smile her direction. This would just so happen to be during the time that Curo was introducing himself while sipping lightly from a bottle of some sort of rum. She couldn't say that she was a connoisseur of alcoholic drink and beverage for she only had one go-to...but it was evident that Dominik was more or less the epitome of what it meant to be an expert judge in matters regarding liquor. She could see his mind behind his eyes calculating what would fit the situation best, or perhaps what would soak his tongue in the most mood-appropriate ways. Interesting habits this one had picked up, for she knew several Jedi whose skill in social graces were less than ideal, she'd never thought she'd have one such as this welcomed in her presence.
She'd heard tale of his exploits, however, and his trade would come in handy with what she had intended. So he was ultimately invited to help himself. "Seeker of knowledge, hm? 'There is no ignorance, there is knowledge'. Very nice - you and I will get along very well, friend; just remember, some knowledge is better left untouched." Perhaps she would indulge a few memories of why this was true with the man another time.

"This is Tamara Umari," she then calls out, eyes conforming to both the girl in question and then Curo who likely would have been surprised at the following statement, "my padawan." For most Jedi, it was unheard of for those so young to have student learners, but there were always those unique cases. "She has quite a bit on her plate so that she made it in itself is rather impressive." She extends a hand in the girl's direction, expecting her to bow respectfully toward those she was being introduced to and to allow her to meet and greet herself as well.
As introductions continue, however, it would be noted that Ashanna's attention seemed to gravitate toward the dance floor down below and the datapad upon the couch she previously sat upon more often than not. Either anticipating something or having a thought or two deep on her mind, she was clearly multi-tasking matters of the mental. Like a spiritual vacuum, her exuberance slowly diminishes to where her presence within the Force completely disappears.

Call it a gift. While the remnant of her joy was still tangible in the room, in the eyes of Force sensitives, she no longer was a ping on a radar. A few minutes go by before she clears her throat and lifts her voice.
"Now," she starts, her tone shifting to something less kindly and more informative, "as I'm sure most of you have plenty of questions, while we await on the later arrivals, how about we ask and answer? Hm?" Eyes scan each individual as she continues following a pregnant pause in verse, tone terse yet still mellifluous - almost melodic.
"'Why Nar Shaddaa?' 'Why did you call us here?' 'How is this relevant to me?' 'Is the drink free?'" Her eyes strayed to Dominik for a brief glimpse given the last question as she sheds the smallest of grins before continuing, "All questions that can and will be answered. I feel before others are asked, though, that I explain the purpose of this locale." Leaning over, the woman picks up the datapad and presses a button which releases a chime into the room; the lounge responds by activating a shimmering thin ray shield over the one-way glass overlooking the dance floor, a mechanical whirl reinforcing the doors, and a small quartet of turrets ejecting from the ceiling panels ultimately demonstrating a small portion of this area's defenses.

"This place was designed to be a stronghold in the midst of the storm," she starts, "formerly utilized by gang members to satisfy their Hutt owners, myself with a close friend was able to dismantle the slave trade hidden within the walls of this establishment, but to also appropriate the finances and resources the previous owner once had. I've decided that with all of these credits and with a goal in mind, we can work a bit more efficiently to an end or two." What end? Ashanna notably doesn't say. There were those within the room that she knew she wouldn't be able to trust with certain details, but given enough incentive, they would be willing to act.
"So this will be a hub. A place once used for malevolent deeds turned to a centralized location for good works to extend, hidden from the eyes of any who may disagree - that includes the Order and the Brotherhood; the Republic and the Cartel, alike. The room is sound-proof, there are no cameras, and the security detail knows nothing about who I am, nor you, nor our business. And it will remain that way."

She gives an appraising glimpse to all those currently present before finally asking, "Easy to understand?" She doesn't wait. "Good. Now."
Her smile returns with the grace of one whose emotions failed to control her thoughts and actions.
"Questions?"

 

[Cheshire]

Rokuro hated this place. Despised it even. He had vowed to never ever, come back here when he had rescued Tamara. His birthplace had brought up old scars and he certainly wasn't happy to be here. When he had been dragged along with Tamara, he was reluctant and almost sulky

Like a little child

So he was reluctantly dragged along to the home world which housed the scum of the galaxy and many more. He could relate to those who had lived the life of poverty and were forced to either steal or beg for money and food. He was one of those people not that long ago. When his family weren't a large crime syndicate. They had sent various people to him saying that his parents wanted to talk but he never wanted to talk to them. He didn't care for any of them.

He had sulked the whole way there and had patiently waited for Tamara to leave the toilet before walking alongside her back to her master. Either the master didn't know who he was or just didn't care, either one was perfectly acceptable from her. Anyone that thought having an apartment in Nar Shaddaa was a good idea were idiots.

"So this will be a hub. A place once used for malevolent deeds turned to a centralized location for good works to extend, hidden from the eyes of any who may disagree - that includes the Order and the Brotherhood; the Republic and the Cartel, alike. The room is sound-proof, there are no cameras, and the security detail knows nothing about who I am, nor you, nor our business. And it will remain that way."

"You could of picked other places..."

 

[Tristyn]

Tamara smile and bowed courteously at Dominik and put her hands behind her back while Ashanna went on. Her smile quickly faded as she remembered and could feel how badly Rokuro hated this place. He wasn't normally this moody and it was getting on her nerves. She understood why he hated this moon so much, but she couldn't fathom why he doesn't just let it go. This room was dead quiet compared to everywhere else. She herself felt rather pleasant, especially in the company of two people she fancied.

Hearing of what this club was supposed to be, or more specifically this room, she couldn't be any more glad. It was nice to know they were establishing a foothold in the Outer Rim and so far from home, where they could operate for the betterment of the moon. It was also warming to think the Jedi were going to try and help the citizens of this horrible city, or that's atleast what she thought was going on. Ashanna spoke so cryptically at times, well in her mind she does. Sometimes she would even think she's just dumb when she doesn't understand her master.

Rokuro was getting annoying again with his comment. The place was wretched, but he could at least lighten up a bit. To shut him up she bumped his shoulder and whispered in his ear,"Do you mind shutting up for five minutes, please?" She didn't want to sound rude, but she was truly irritated by his poor attitude.

 

[Viabuck]

Throughout the rest of the introductions, Curo sat quietly, his eyes shifting from individual to individual as they spoke, a slow sip of rum being taken. While it certainly seemed to be an 'interesting' bunch, the true pique of curiosity which struck the Togruta seemed to center less on the fact that Ashanna had found herself a Padawan but more so that they were in some form of a stronghold which had once belonged to a rather shady and less than scrupulous individual. How intriguing that someone who had been so.. Basic was not the word, not by a long shot but perhaps... Less worldly was the phrase which he sought? In any case.. The fact that Ashanna had taken over a slave traders den was quite impressive..

Though of course a light smilewould be offered to his partners Padawan learner, a brief nod of his head displaying some appreciation of the fact that the girl was at least seemingly warranted in her presence... Though the smile wouldn't be able to linger for long as the unwanted complaint originated from the younger male in the room a roll of his eyes being offered up in response.

"Why yes.. You could have picked other places.. You know? Obvious ones where everyone would be comfortable.. Like a temple or some hidden base behind a waterfall. You know, places everyone would expect a hidden base of operation for forces of good in the universe to linger in... How crude of you to pick such a place.."

Curo's tone was dripping with sarcasm, a rather uncommon behavior but one which when invoked could by the Knight with some small degree of success. Clearing his throat for a moment, the notion of questions emerged and admittedly? He found himself with quite a few and instead of simply waiting until the two were alone, he simply offered his own thoughts aloud, his tone returning to its normal placid, almost refined tone.

"Might I ask what brought this idea on Ashanna?... A coalition operating outside of the councils reaches? I am of course in full support of such a notion.. I'm simply curious as to what this all will ultimately entail.. While I know you were holding some of these answers for 'late arrivals' you'll have to color me intrigued.."

 

[The Red Hood]

The way this evening had started off, Dominik thought that it's highlight would be the booze. He hadn't expected to wind up in a room of Jedi, and he definitely wasn't expecting the owner of the entire establishment to be as young as she was. He was expecting a gruff, sixty something old man running the show in a room bristling with blasters and bad intentions. Well, maybe the room didn't have death lingering over it, but it managed to find some negativity. The newest arrival, who Dominik could only guess was a very gloomy Padawan, didn't seem to want to be there that much. In fact, of everyone present, he was probably the only one who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Which, in the long run, might be a problem.

From what Ashanna was saying, she'd gathered a select group of people here to operate outside of any jurisdiction. Which meant both good and bad, and it was actually a reasonable idea. The problem with working under a defined banner, was that you had to operate under their rules. And while the Jedi Order always meant well, sometimes their rules would prevent the smoothest or best course of action that needed to be taken. Although, this was all assuming that what Ashanna was proposing was for the galaxy's benefit. Operating outside of any organization with impunity didn't necessarily mean they would be doing anything helpful. But since Ashanna would most likely go into detail about that as the night progressed, he didn't let it concern him overly much. What did concern him slightly was the Padawan.

As Curo "took the floor", Dominik leaned back, slouching down in his seat. His right hand came up over his face, obscuring his mouth as he pinched his cigar between his index and middle finger. His gaze, partially obscured by the smoke that floated about his face, lingered on the boy for a moment before turning back to Curo. The Togruta very accurately highlighted his feelings, and he spoke up about it. "Intrigued about sums it up. Though, now I have some questions, if you don't mind me asking." Taking a drag of his cigar, Dominik exhaled the smoke from his nostrils as he spoke. "Now, first and foremost, I gotta say I'm impressed. I like the guts, I like the goal, and I like the execution. Very tidy. But depending on what this 'coalition', or unit, or whatever you'd like to call it does, I have a question about why I'm here. Like, Literally why I'm here. He spread his arms wide, as if to embrace the room. "From my understanding, you know the people present, be they your padawan or a former colleague. But you and I have not met. What makes you so sure that I will join you?" He left out why she was also certain that he would not leave the meeting and immediately tell the Jedi Order. He had no such intentions, but at this point he was curious. He wanted to know why she chose him and why she was certain that he posed no threat to her overall goal. Her answer would determine whether or not he would cast his lot in with them.

 

[Asinine Soup]

Ashanna's gift - one that not too many approved of, mind you - to skim the surface of others' thoughts came in handy at times. Her form of empathy certainly allowed her to pique inclinations, especially to those who opened their minds to her willingly and those that she knew: those, such as, her close friend and partner Curo. This time around, however, his typically reclusive mode of thought had shifted into an open statement shining with sarcasm. While the plus-one of her loving padawan invited a lesser known padawan stated his disdain (one of whom was obviously within an unwarranted relationship with the girl), her Togrutan friend's aforementioned logic invokes a gentle chuckle from the woman...then a soft lift of her palm as though politely asking for him to spare the youngling.
"Curo's sarcasm aside," she states before Dominik got the chance to speak his mind, "this idea was brought along by my experiences here in this very sector that were followed immediately by my experiences in every corner of the galaxy." She pauses in reflection before continuing, deep eyes flicker about the room with a capacity to see each individual within unlike any other could see them - and she surely admired them all. Every single one. "As you all know, the darkness is tireless. Even those under the banner of the Light tend to progress the agenda of the dark. So unless an unruly padawan has a question with a little more thought put into it, perhaps we can discuss the purpose of it all?" Her eyes notably fall upon her Padawan and her plus-one, though no further comment about the rude behavior is mentioned.

"Those of us in this room have common goals but differing skillsets. One thing we all share - of those I've invited - is the yearning for knowledge and the wanting for a brighter future, one that is free of the oppression that trillions of sentient lifeforms in this galaxy do not wish to be a part of. While our arms aren't far-reaching, our part to play can be quite simple, and it can start right here on Nar Shaddaa.
"It has occurred to me that I - as well as those I associate with - am being watched. Intently. Purposefully. Maliciously. So I've spread my eyes to watch them in return so that we may move against this malevolent entity when the time comes. This is not the goal of the coalition, no, for the goal is to build a revenue of information, knowledge, and contacts to build the base of a foundation of order. A new order. One that operates within the shadows.
"True light - such as a flame - casts no shadow, such as most of those within this room. We are the light. Yet the objects the light flicker upon are ultimately the source of the obscurity of shade. So the goal? To prove that righteousness still exists, and that good is an active force within the galaxy despite the lies and atrocities the darkness spreads."

Her brief 'speech' over, Dominik speaks up, his question a selfish yet very important one - one she had intended to answer as soon as it was asked of her. She nods in understanding to his concerns.
"From my understanding, you know the people present, be they your padawan or a former colleague. But you and I have not met. What makes you so sure that I will join you?"
"Well aside from Master Sett's praise of your character, I see the inquisitive nature behind your gaze. You and I are similar, Dominik, in more ways than one..." she grins before diverting her gaze - one that in all actuality seemed to weigh the soul of those of whom it peered upon - to the dancefloor down below, the faintness of her reflection present upon the glass beneath the rayshield, "besides. Being a seeker of truth in knowledge myself, I have a myriad of opportunities for you: lore, history, exploration, holocrons...and not to mention enough credits and provisions to keep your tongue wet for the duration of your studies and travels. I don't expect everyone to do good work without compensation, but I do reward the thirst for knowledge with proper incentive." She pauses once more, eyes returning and voice softening. "You have a good heart, sir," she finally says respectfully, "and I know deep down you long for a peace that allows you to obtain the truth of your purpose. Force willing, I will help you in that end personally. On my honor."

Of course the rest of what she ultimately needed to say had not been stated, for what she had explained was only the beginning, nor would Ashanna demonstrating her need for someone talented with technology and, perhaps, an eye for slicing on her team. As her chin lifts, she appraised Domink's reaction before turning her gaze to Curo to pique his emotional response as well. The taint within him was suppressed but was still affecting him, less obvious to anyone other than she who knew the real Curo. Her eyes softened in the gaze as she awaits another question.

"The open-bar is open to serve snacks!" announces the aforementioned steward droid - and right on schedule, too, placing a tray of an assortment of cheese cubes, meat-slab samples, and more exotic chip-like dried goods that seemed to have an aroma of spiciness upon them.

 

[Tristyn]

Tamara smiled and shaked her head at the responses Rokuro received because of his comment. He really did need to lighten up. He was making a bad impression on himself. She was only worried about him, not for the other two Jedi, but for her master. Ashanna likely knew who he was already. That was the assumption the padawan made, judging by observant her master was. Once said master had looked away from the two and began to speak again, Tamara leaned in again by Rokuro and whispered.

"Seriously, I didn't act so gloomy when I was with your master"

Regardless of what he said, she leaned back again and listened to Ashanna speak. What they were planning on doing here was most definitely not sanctioned by the Council, and she confirmed this. Hearing they were being watched somehow had her notably worried. Despite the way she was taught in the past, Tamara was a goody two shoes, and breaking the rules as it seemed was not what she was looking forward to. She had disagreements and opinions on what the Jedi were allowed to do, but she still kept true the code. Forming a new order was also not something she was content with. Good the thing the snacks arrived. She needed some of those chips. She reached forward and grabbed a whole bowl of chips, ate some, and offered some to Rokuro.

"This is getting quite serious. I really thought this was going to be some training exercise or something"

 

[Cheshire]

"Do you mind shutting up for five minutes, please?"

Rokuro gave Tamara the evil eyes, before forcing a small smile to his lips. This was probably the only time he had ever sulked. He couldn't remember the last time he did. He was usually a happy go lucky guy but Nar Shaddaa brought up painful memories, so he tried to avoid the place as much as possible.

"Why yes.. You could have picked other places.. You know? Obvious ones where everyone would be comfortable.. Like a temple or some hidden base behind a waterfall. You know, places everyone would expect a hidden base of operation for forces of good in the universe to linger in... How crude of you to pick such a place.."

Rokuro shot an almighty death glare at the Curo as he fought the urge to throw him across the room. He was ready to do it but he needed to keep his cool, so his anger slowly faded into nothingness. He simply stuck his hands in his pockets and pretended that nothing was wrong.

"Sorry, this place just harbours painful memories"

"As you all know, the darkness is tireless. Even those under the banner of the Light tend to progress the agenda of the dark. So unless an unruly padawan has a question with a little more thought put into it, perhaps we can discuss the purpose of it all?"

Rokuro sighed and looked down at the ground in defeat. Jeez, these people didn't stand rudeness at all. He was slightly alarmed when she had mentioned that someone was watching all of her associates.

"By the order or outer sources?"

He smiled when Tamara offered him some food, which he needed drastically and listened patiently to hear the rest of the speech.

 

[Viabuck]

Pausing for a moment as he felt a heavy gaze upon him, the dully expressed Togrutan Knight turned his head to face the Padawan, his bright blue eyes peering into the younger males own, the intensity of the gaze seemingly being lost on him. Either through a lack of understanding of the malintent being directed at him or perhaps in spite of it, the corners of the man's mouth slowly upturned into a smile, a single hand being lifted in a friendly wave. Could it have been interpreted as passive aggression? Possibly. There were no outward signs though and none would be demonstrated as Ashanna had clearly expressed her desire that he not press the matter any further or continue to act out for the moment.

"Wonderful. Thank you for the clarification.." he offered in response, a few words she had spoken seeming to exclude him in a way. Upon quieting himself he would begin occupying his time by taking a small cube of cheese and a small slab of meat. Momentarily examining the finger foods which he had plucked ever so quickly from the tray the two were brought up and pressed together with only the slightest bit of strength, the cheese beginning to be smashed down, spreading out over the surface of the meat which seemed to have slightly less give than its partner. In spite of his strange behavior, it seemed a rather mundane thing to do in his own eyes, something as simple as to fidget or tap ones fingers, why not simply attempt to mash his food together?..

Eyeing the treats for a moment before bringing his hand to his mouth and tossing them inside, he would sit quietly for the duration of the questions, his mouth slowly moving as he chewed the two edible cubes, sampling their flavors and analyzing which flavor he found the most pleasant. While he was certainly carnivorous by his very nature, the addition of dairy products he came to believe added an additional layer of complexity which created a more pleasant experience overall. A note would need to be taken to attempt to combine additional meat and change flavors in the future to see what the adequate amount was to produce optimal results.

People were still talking. The information seemed important and part of him was taking it in but another part? Another part was continuing to study the complexities of the snacks that had been provided, this time exactly three pieces of meat (all of different varieties) and four pieces of cheese (notably only one was orange, the other three being white) were taken and brought into the palm of his hand which would then clench tightly another crushing taking place though admittedly upon opening his hand the end result was not at all what he would have hoped for. Far too much of the meat crumbled and tore awkwardly... Though what had remained mostly solid looked promising..

Why the complexity and focus on the meat and cheese? It was an exercise of sorts. Something that had been said had registered on an emotional level and yet instead of allowing a negative feeling to take hold, his attention was abruptly focused on something remarkably minor and insubstantial right up until the time came that he felt he was once again in no danger of reacting in a manner that might bring about another harsh reaction.

"Well, with that all said, I do believe I'm sold. I'm pleased to be aboard and I do hope that everyone here is as well.. I think that such a force is essential to the overall well being of the galaxy as we know it.."

A single bite was taken from his condensed cheesemeatball chimera, his smile tugging at the corners of his mouth not fading as he looked about expectantly for a moment before settling on Ashanna. The others seemed to need more convincing and he was curious as to how she might answer their concerns and comments.

 

[Asinine Soup]

"By the order or outer sources?"
A good question, but tedious nonetheless.
"A little bit of both," she replies softly, taking her own drink in hand and taking a sip, wetting her mouth for a scant moment, she continues, "though mostly the attention we've gathered...or, rather, I've gathered, is the attention of people who're waiting for a chance to kill you." She said it so sweetly and casually, her lack of concern might drive some people mad. With a hand trailing a free curly strand of hair behind her ear, she finally blinks back to the crowd and elaborates just a little bit more of the nature of the group's concerns and goals.

"To say 'new order', I don't mean in the sense of an organization, nor one that will overthrow an order currently standing. I won't betray the Jedi Order, nor will I turn my back on the Code - we just view the code in a light that isn't dogmatic or conditional. We are progressives, and we will progress as such."
Little did others understand that these values she held dear were ancient, not new - they were simply...revised, and closer to the source of what the Jedi stood for, and what the Light truly was.

Within the room, the steady thump-thump-thump of the music down below was almost non-existant as the resonate melody of acquired instrumentalization plays in the cooling ambiance of the lounge. Minutes would pass, leaving others to ask questions and chatter amongst themselves.
"Well, with that all said, I do believe I'm sold. I'm pleased to be aboard and I do hope that everyone here is as well.. I think that such a force is essential to the overall well being of the galaxy as we know it.."
The Ysanna smiles and nods her appreciation toward her Togrutan companion before sighing softly. Those attuned to the Force would begin to gather a foreboding sense of upcoming event as she strides toward the middle of the room, the glass table there (ornate and clearly not one to simply rest one's glass upon) being gently touched by Ashanna's delicate fingertips before displaying a holographic passkey interface.
She inputs a rather lengthy passcode and presses enter, and slowly the table hisses and parts in the center, rising and extending an extra panel from the ground below it. Mechanical chiming evident, from below the table, the surface of the furniture became the side fixtures of a display case fitted with a ray shield around it's multiple cabinets that were viewable from each portion in the room; the shielding gave the illusion of the items suspending upon nothing. The items? Three radiated an extremely malevolent aura of darkness, two of them geometric in shape (one Pyramid, the other a polygon prism), and the center item a rustic necklace with ancient symbolism on each palm-sized bead that spun gently to be observed from multiple angles.

Ashanna gazed upon the items on the top, then her eyes conform to the items at the top that radiated a calming peace that ultimately formed a tornado of conflict with the objects on the bottom shelf, for there were only two - both crystals, one blue: a deep ocean cerulean, and the other a radiant verdant green that sent ripples of nature-like vibes through the air surrounding it, shimmers and waves of energy ultimately negating the negativity the other trio exhumed.
Her eyes finally break from the items, smile etching across her face. Curo would find the pyramid item familiar, but the other two items would be foreign to him - her eyes locked unto his for a moment, too, before scanning the rest of the room.
"So I want to know: what is the darkest face of evil any of you have ever witnessed? Describe it's power and it's source."

Her tone had become one of intrigue...and perhaps one of cryptic inquisition.

 

[The Red Hood]

At the mention of his former teacher, Dominik leaned back in his chair. He exhaled a plume of smoke to try and mask the growing smile that wormed it's way on his face. So she had spoken with old man Sett, had she? That might explain a great deal. His former master was one of the few people who would have tolerated Dominik's rather...unique sense of self. Master Sett was always true to the Jedi Code, but for Dominik it was not quite the same. While he valued the Code and did live by it, he was not completely bound by it. To him, it was less something that had to be upheld to the letter, but more of a guideline. His master had understood that, and to an extent had left him to his own devices. There was no one that Dominik had more respect for. Letting out a smoke filled sigh at the rest of Ashanna's explanation, he grinned at her. "You've certainly done your homework. I'll stay put for the time being and hear you out..."

No sooner had he said it, a service droid came in toting a cart with a wide array of food. It went around the room, stopping in front of everyone in turn. When it reached him, Dominik waved it away. He leaned forward in his seat again, drumming his fingers against his glass as he waited for the droid to finish his rounds. The Togruta was on board completely, which was no surprise to him. Dominik was more interested in hearing the rest before making a real decision. He was satisfied with Ashanna's explanation of the organization, since he wasn't as fully committed to the Code as some Jedi might be. He could see the limits that it set, whether intentional or not. When Ashanna started walking towards the table at the center of the room, Dominik could feel a weight slowly settling at his chest. He straightened up, his breathing becoming slightly more exaggerated.

Halting at the table, Ashanna fiddled with a passkey for a moment, before the table split apart, throwing up some sort of projection. It was clearly projecting the items that were held safely within the case beneath them, and yet Dominik could feel the darkness that radiated from them even from where he sat. The items themselves didn't seem out of the ordinary, but the feelings that clung to them made Dominik shudder. Their feeling was so intense that he was amazed that it had not spread out and consumed all those present. Downing the remainder of his glass, Dominik warily scanned the items, looking for some symbol or glyph that was familiar to him. After several seconds of looking, he was startled to find that he did. Upon hearing her question, Dominik glanced between Ashanna and the items, only daring to speak after he'd poured himself another glass and took another mouthful. "That... When my teacher, Master Sett and I were exploring, many years ago... We'd often traipse about after training, following rumors, and once.... I don't recall the planet, and I dare say that was intentional... Once, we came across a ruin. We thought that maybe we'd found something of some interest, but... We were held up by a door in the ruin, a door that had seemed to have withstood the test of time. It was covered, literally covered in glyphs and runes like that," he pointed at the necklace. "When I touched the door...The feelings that flooded me were unfathomable. It was like I'd inhaled pure fear..."

Dominik paused to down the last of his glass, giving his head a hard shake, as if to ward off the memories as a large beast might try to ward off a host of insects. "We left that place be. We never came back, and I've no intention of going back..."

 

[Cheshire]

"Well, with that all said, I do believe I'm sold. I'm pleased to be aboard and I do hope that everyone here is as well.. I think that such a force is essential to the overall well being of the galaxy as we know it.."

Rokuro nodded, showing that he approved of what Curo had said. "I agree... sorry for my behaviour earlier" His mouth formed in a slight frown and his face slightly went red as he apologised. He hated apologising to people and it was almost a sign of embarrassment and failure to him. So he quickly downed one of the alcoholic beverages that the droid was going around with before picking up another one. Rokuro was nearing the drinking age by only a month or two so hopefully no one really cared.

He watched Ashanna walk over to the table which clearly had some sort of hidden purpose to it. When the items showed up, Rokuro was in awe. The cold feeling of dread and his blood went cool was enough to make him spill some of his drink on the floor. He was in fascination at the force imbued objects. Two looked like standard Sith holocrons though the necklace was certainly a first.

"That... When my teacher, Master Sett and I were exploring, many years ago... We'd often traipse about after training, following rumors, and once.... I don't recall the planet, and I dare say that was intentional... Once, we came across a ruin. We thought that maybe we'd found something of some interest, but... We were held up by a door in the ruin, a door that had seemed to have withstood the test of time. It was covered, literally covered in glyphs and runes like that,"

"So I'm guessing Sith magic? I spent quite a while learning about it in my spare time. I know the Sith holocrons are for storing messages with using the dark side of the force while the Jedi holocrons are often powered and opened by the light. However the Sith necklace. Why would anyone need to use it? It can't really store messages as it looks like Sith sorcery. So what would be the point of it?"

Rokuro was really starting to pay attention now, like someone has switched the "on" button and he was now in overdrive. He spoke with extreme fascination and awe at how the dark imbued items worked. It was clear that it wasn't bad that he was in awe. He was just trying to figure out how they worked He was a heavy studier despite his dedication of working out.

Whatever any of them had to propose, well he would certainly be paying attention to them now.

@Tristyn

 

[Tristyn]

Tamara frowned at the site of Rokuro drinking. She even contemplated the idea of trying some herself, but her parents thought her well, so in the end she stayed away and ignored it for now. It was a bit depressing to think about however and she was put in a bad mood for awhile until Ashanna showed them what appeared to be holocrons. Despite being distracted by her thoughts, she was somewhat intrigued by the items, but not as much as anyone else.

The necklace looked nice though, but dabbling with anyone of these items seemed risky, even dangerous. Even her old master wouldn't approve of messing around with such items, if they are as they appear.

"If these are Sith holocrons...or thingies...what are we doing with them?"