Ask Slum City

[Valeska]

She was way, way, way out of her element. Valeska was far from her homeworld again, finding herself in the Coruscant underground scene. She needed to be away from where she could be recognized easily. In the lower districts here, there was no way anyone would easily know the Naboo queen’s sister.

Valeska was supposed to be on a diplomatic mission to make public appearances at a distance in some rich industrial worlds. While Valeska genuinely cared about doing it for backwater planets, she had little desire to do it just to rub elbows with other rich diplomats. She had sent a proxy over in her stead dolled up like she would be.

The young princess attempted to dress the part, wearing a tank top and form fitting pants. She had bracelets on her wrists and her hair up in a ponytail. Valeska avoided the offers of spice so far, slinking in through the crowds and waiting in line just like everyone else. Trivial things like waiting in a long line exhilarated her and made her feel normal.

Before long, she entered the venue where everything was pitch black in between the strobe lights timed to the beat of the music. It was completely packed and it was clear that no rules applied. Valeska had to muster up a lot of courage to be here. However, she was beyond thrilled for being able to finally do something she desired for a long time.

She was at a heavy isotope rave.

 

[Roland Rook]

If Roland had been kidnapped and taken to Nar Shaddaa or Coruscant he wouldn't maybe be able to tell the difference between the two just by looking. Coruscant had less Huttese but many of the same elements, including criminal. Recently there was plenty of reports of criminal activity. Like some members of the Five Syndicates, there were other criminal elements still around, including ones Roland was familiar with.

Today however, the Sector Ranger had taken some time off to enjoy live music. It was the first time in a long time he had attended a heavy isotope concert. The last one he had attended had been years ago and had only lasted until the suspect he had been chasing reached backstage. Tonight, Roland wanted to avoid too much lunacy.

The Mandalorian stood off to one side, close to one of the speakers nearly as tall as he was. The vibrating bass shook his sinuses and overwhelmed the senses. To some, they would assume he was a bouncer or staff. But the thing about heavy isotope is the variety of listeners. His helmeted head bobbed to the rhythm that could be felt in every molecule of his body.

Roland wore his helmet over his head but it only slightly dampened the otherwise deafening affects the high volume had. The rest of his attire consited of a jacket with a blast vest underneath protecting his back and front. Black pants and a plain shirt covered it up. Mostly Roland just didn't want to have a beacon that said 'hey I'm a mando'. When one track switched, the Mandalorian turned partially away from the speaker, so that it was to his back and get an eye of the crowd. He wasn't much of a dancer but when it came to jamming out, it helped him forget everything else by closing his eyes and letting his body move. On the far side of the entertainment area he could see from his visor there were drinks being served. Whatever he got, Roland knew to not set it down and make sure he saw the bartender make it.

Roland made his way through the crowd. Even though he stood over many of them and was far from a small person, he still needed to push past some people. One of which looked strikingly familiar. For a moment he wondered if he had ended up getting slipped a hallucinogen, or was seeing something. But blinking rapidly as a the flashing lights dimmed and brightened rapidly. "Princess...didn't expect to see you here..."

@Sreeya

 

[Valeska]

Val, on the other hand, had no experience with bars and being suspicious about drinks made. It wasn’t exactly the sort of thing covered in etiquette class. She made her way over to the bar and saw someone else order some bright shots that looked like the galaxy in a glass. Fascinated by the design, Val simply pointed and ordered herself the same. She felt a rebellious rush from being here and had a huge smile on her face.

Until someone called her a princess.

She whirled around in surprise to spot a Mandalorian helmet. Wait, why did this guy know she was a princess? Was she that obvious? Val stared at him vacantly while some spice was casually poured into her drink whehn she wasn’t looking. It was a ploy to get customers addicted to the drinks and keep them coming back for more.

It took her a moment to realize that this was the same Mando that had taken her back to Naboo. Her eyes widened in terror and she wondered if he arrived to arrest her. Val grimaced, fidgeting with her hair awkwardly as she looked around.

“Don’t call me that please,” She grumbled, “I’m not going to let you drag me back, you know!” She stated defiantly, her gaze just as fiery as her brilliant shock of red hair.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

It didn't bother him she didn't recognize him at first. The Mandalorian looked different in terms of attire save for the helmet. Roland was actually a bit tickled she even remembered him well enough to pick him out given the circumstance. Then again, he supposed he may have yelled a bit during their last encounter. Maybe it was his voice.

Hearing her reply and determined look the helmeted head shook as he chuckled. Knowing it was loud he raised his hands innocently only to shoulder height. "You've got the wrong Idea! I'm off the clock!" Lowering his hands, and would move slightly around Valeska and come alongside her at the bar. "...but what should I call you then?" The man didn't want to presume since she seemed genuinely bothered by being called princess and he could guess why.

"That looks pretty!" Roland nodded towards the drink being served. Roland raising a finger so the bartender could see the order rather than hear it. "...Hopefully it tastes just as good." The Mandalorian wasn't sure what was best to order but as long as it was on the 'human appropriate' drink list and could be drunk through a straw Roland was golden.

@Sreeya

 

[Valeska]

Val looked unconvinced as he reassured her that he was off the clock. Then again, his getup certainly didn’t make him appear as if he were ready to fight crime. She gave him a bemused look when he asked what he should call her, “Obviously Vales-” Val paused there, finally catching his point, “Val. Just Val,” No one but her close family and friends called her that, but her full name was far too risky. She was already pushing it being here without some sort of disguise. She should have at least worn some neon colored wig…

The bartender grinned deviously when asked for another order and he waited till they glanced away to casually sprinkle some more spice. Val was focused on Rook, “What should I call you? I hardly think your formal title is appropriate here,” She quirked an eyebrow as she crossed her arms. It was clear both of them were way out of their element. Very few rules applied in this venue or the district and if he was here, it meant he had to be lax with the rules.

The galaxy drinks slid over their way and she took hers and handed him his, “I suppose this will prove you’re not working,” She said as she clinked her glass against his and proceeded to take tiny sips from the glass at a glacial pace.

Val wasn’t brave enough to just throw it back.

@Darasuum