The Canto Run

[Darth Parox]

.

The Canto Run Cantina, Canto Bight
1734 Local Time​

The slums of Canto Bight were every bit as lovely as Milo had expected they would be. In tune with the rest of the city, the neighborhoods were littered with casinos and other gambling stations, but they were generally run down or on the verge of bankruptcy. Many of its denizens—various alien species that looked and dressed as dilapidated as the buildings around them—gave them weird looks as the two Sith strolled, hand in hand, through the poorest region in Canto Bight, with some even outright staring. They did not for long, however, because Milo would occasionally turn his head and glare at them for a few seconds, which usually got them to mind their own business after that.

They were only a few meters away from the entrance of the next location where Eriana and Milo would be meeting with yet another low-life of Canto Bight when they were stopped by what could only be a thug. "Yeh?" he asked, placing a hand on Milo's chest in a less than tender gesture. Almost shoving the Crusader, the man got into his personal space, his spice-scented breath wafting right into Milo's face. "What business you got around these parts? You know this Canto Run territory, don't ya?" A strong Force push sent the man flying backwards, his back slamming into the duracrete wall of the bar behind him with enough power to crack his spine. Milo gave a faint, cold smile to the several low-lifes that looked up at him, then stepped into the bar, his hand interlaced with Eriana's.

Today, they would be meeting with the head of the Canto Run, arguably Canto Bight's largest crime gangs, named after the cantina, which was named after the Kessel run as a reference to their ongoing spice operation. Which was the exact reason they were here. Milo was dressed in shabby rogue armor for once, not wanting to draw much attention to the fact that he was a Sith, but he still had his lightsaber and weapons hidden on him. This would likely be much more interesting than the meeting with Cristof.

@EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Canto Bight seemed to be Eriana's knew home. It was a dirty little place, at least so far as the slums they visited. But with each new establishment and new investment was waiting to be bought and polished to make it shine like diamonds. This was Milo's plan, and along for the ride was The Confessor. Eriana Fox loved being his queen. He'd come to give her so much in the little time they'd spent together. He cared for her in a way she never expected or asked for, but loved it all the same. They both knew the woman was more than capable of fighting her own battles but Milo went out of his way to make sure she would never need to. His chivalrous attitude was something to be admired and Eriana loved him for that.

The two as always were hand in hand. Eriana felt inseparable from her Drast Prince. It was torture returning to her temple on Ilum to run some new initiates through their Baptism. While she enjoyed her time in her Sacellum, she did not like being apart from her man. There was just something so fascinating about him. He was stubborn, and could take her wrath yet still look at her with love and desire in his eyes. Not that she could see them exactly. She more or less felt them in the way he stood, breathed, and thought. She could even feel the distinct changes in his heartbeat when he gazed at her. It made her blush thinking about it, and made her swoon for him all the same.

But today there was something different about them. Eriana more so than the other Crusader. It was probably the first time Eriana had not worn her Sith gear out in public (the time at the gala had not counted for it was a private event). Not that she was afraid of what might happen in those robes, but Milo explained that tonight it was best to dress in something less flashy. So, out of spite, she went so drastically to change her appearance she was bound to draw the eye of everyone around her.

With the help of her new Twi'lek bodyguard, Eriana had changed into a flashy rogue-like outfit that made her feel like some sort of space pirate. She kept her armored corset on, fearing not being protected enough should a battle arise. But under that was a frilly white top with all kinds of red patterns woven into the lace fabric. Over her shoulders was a red jacket that came past her chest on her torso while the sleeves came down to her wrists. Her pants were made of a tight fabric that hugged her body much in the way her body suit did, but it offered no protection whatsoever and was simply for looks. Her boots were much in the same style, but she'd bought a new pair just for the occasion. The most surprising thing though, aside from her wearing bright red, was that she'd had Madulla add curls into her normally straight, long, black hair. She was sure that Milo wouldn't even recognize her.

In this outfit though, she had no place to clip her sabers. Though they actually hung from her corset, she was trying not to stand out as a Sith. So, her two curved lightsabers had to be hidden somewhere else. If they were anything like Milo's blade, she could have just hung them from a special holster around her forearm. But the curve to her hilts would make that damn near impossible to slide up and down easily. Any slight error could snag the blade on the fabric inside and then she'd really be screwed. So what she did instead was rather simple. She had her Twi'lek carry them. Eriana had doted heavily on the new handmaiden and bought her a fancy set of armor she might wear when working for the Blind Sith. She'd even gone so far as to purchase a variety of weapons for the girl that she could use in a fight, while also having plenty of space to hold the sabers.

But Eriana didn't want to be completely helpless. While Milo had gone to get ready himself, Eriana sent Madulla on a task to find the first sword she could, pay the man to borrow it for the night, and bring it up to her. She'd gotten one from a man downstairs who happened to be a collector of fine blades and was well compensated for his trouble. Now riding on Eriana's hip, the dueling saber blade made of some sort of saber-resistant metal looked like it belonged to the woman. It really helped give off that pirate vibe she'd been going for. And of course, did nothing but draw attention to herself. Take that Milo Drast.

Walking alongside her prince she had a large grin about her face. She was rather pleased with herself and knew somewhere deep down she'd annoyed Milo some. He would never show it, for she had him wrapped around her finger. But while he would never lash out to her in public, their more intimate lives would cause quite a rise in him. She was sure to taste the anger in him the next time they were together. Eriana hoped it might be tonight after all their errands were done.

Once they'd gotten to the club, an annoying little insect came to bother them. He got up in Milo's face and tried to threaten him with his machismo. Eriana didn't even need to suggest what to do with the loud mouth as Milo merely lifted his hand and sent the bug flying. He crashed into the wall beyond and didn't get up. Eriana assumed he was either dead, or paralyzed. She didn't care to investigate. He was out of her sight now and she cared little for bugs who were squashed.

Continuing into the club, the two Sith Crusaders would examine their new surroundings. It felt weird to her, calling herself by that title again. When she'd defected she was stripped of that rank. But now the two Sith factions were unified and her status restored. She was ever bit as powerful as before but now she had the authority. And to Eriana Fox, that's all she ever needed. She was perhaps the most vain about her appearance and rank, but that was the world she grew up in.

"Remind me again why we dressed in these clothes if we're just going to use the Force on every worm that tries to speak with us?"

 

[Darth Parox]

Perhaps Eriana's pirate outfit was one of the reasons the two were getting such strange looks, but Milo ignored them. He had a few things in mind for the costume for later, but right now he let her parade around in it soaking in the attention. It was flashy, but harmless, especially since he wouldn't let anyone step near the two Crusaders. Milo was looking forward to getting this mission over with so that he could finally be done with business in the slums of Canto Bight.

"Remind me again why you chose to dress as a pirate?" he asked with equal snark and the ghost of an amused smile. Besides, there were Force sensitive smugglers and criminals running around the galaxy. There was no reason they couldn't be identified as such by everyone else. Before he could open his mouth to say something else, a man walked over to them, surprisingly also looking like a pirate. He looked at Eriana, then at Milo, and chuckled.

"I take it you two are the Sith Crusaders I've been waiting for?" Milo nodded, and the man reached out one hand. He shook it. "Jordan Helfox—smuggler, spice aficionado, pirate, and head of the Canto Run. Right this way." He ushered them into a side room, and Milo could not help but feel surprised at how polite and professional this man was. He was like a beacon of civilization amidst the animals in the slums.

"Now," Jordan began once they had all sat down and settled in. "Business. I can offer you half a ton of product daily and a few experienced workers. What can you offer me?" Oh, this would be fun.

"Protection." Jordan raised one eyebrow. "In a few days' time, Cantonica is going to be under Imperial jurisdiction once again, and I have no doubt that they will once again come to raid the slums—including this cantina and every other warehouse you own around the city. Just telling you about this change in management is helpful enough, in my opinion, but I will go even further. I can have the Empire turn a blind eye to Canto Run's activities."

@EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Her loving partner seemed annoyed at her choice of apparel and would ask her why again she chose something so ridiculous. In her usual bratty kind of way she'd reply, "You told me not to dress like a Sith. So, I'm not dressed like a Sith. I don't see what the problem is again...pun intended."

The man they were supposedly here to meet would then come and greet them, asking if they were the Crusaders. Eriana made a small off hand whisper to Milo that maybe her disguise wasn't good enough after all. The man identified himself as Jordan Helfox. She liked that. Helfox was far more catchy than her own last name. Maybe she could marry him and get hers changed. That would push Milo off the rails for sure. Then again, Eriana Drast had a nice ring to it too...

The trio would follow after the pirate -not that Eriana had any clue as to what he was wearing- and moved into a small room off to the side. Eriana would once again take a seat beside her man; Madulla would come around and stand behind them. She didn't want to stand directly behind their shoulders, so she stayed back enough to lean against the wall. If anything, she looked like a bodyguard and that's all that Eriana cared about for her.

Once again, the boys shot into their conversation. Eriana listened in, already in a fairly better mood than the last negotiation she had to partake in. This man sounded much more friendly and was far less smelly than the last. Plus his name was fox! That made all the difference to her, in some strange childish way. She just couldn't help herself. As Milo finished his explanation of what was to come, Eriana decided maybe it was time for her to speak up as well.

"Your business will be in good hands, of course. We aren't just here to stave off some boring consul meeting. We are very much interested in investing to this project. We're up to making a profit as well. That I can assure you."

She then turned her head so Milo could see her giving him a gentle smile. She remembered he was put off the last time when she hadn't spoken. Eriana didn't want that this time around. She wanted him to know he had her full support for this endeavor. For all his endeavors for that matter.

 

[Darth Parox]

Jordan's eyebrows raised, his lips lowering. "Not bad, Mister—and Missus—space wizard guy. I like that." He thought for a moment, rubbing his mustache with his index finger and thumb. Negotiations would not be so simple, but Milo hadn't expected them to be. "I don't suppose you could maybe—I don't know—send a list of very dangerous gangs—and their bases, of course—to your bosses?" Jordan winked. Clearing out the competition—a bold question, but to be fair, Milo couldn't see why not. They would be cleaning up Cantonica of gangs that would become competition for him as well.

"I don't see why not." He was much more amiable today, but it was to be expected when he wasn't negotiating with a sleazy gambler living the life of an addict—while staring at his woman no less. Milo turned to Eriana to see how she was enjoying the dealings—she had chimed in earlier, to be fair—and was surprised to see her smile at him. It set off a small explosion in his chest, and the Crusader exhaled sharply, a small grin crawling up his face as well. Then, he turned back to Jordan—it was still business time.

"How many workers are we talking about here?" The man thought for a minute, counting on his fingers.

"Ten? If business picks up, you can always hire more, but ten is more than enough to start. You'll have to have someone oversee them—they tend to get bored and start watching holofilms on company time if they have nothing better to do." Milo nodded. He was going to assign overseers anyway, but this was good confirmation that he should.

"Very well. Do we shake on it?"

@EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Their client thought a clever idea, contemplating about making himself richer by eliminating the competition. Eriana was impressed. For him to come up with that idea on the spot is pretty underhanded. He'd make a good Sith. Maybe that was another reason she was taking a liking to the man. Milo apparently had the same appreciation of the thought. He agreed and then addressed the situation further. He asked about how many workers there were, and this news seemed to upset Eriana.

They didn't even have a dozen men? What kind of a business was that? It was enough for Eriana to up and walk out just like that. She didn't see the potential. She was also slightly lazy. She didn't want to invest in something that required effort to work out. That was not her forte. Yet...it was enough for Milo. The two shook hands and just like that another deal was struck. How many other places were they going out for?

Turning her head toward Milo she would whisper into his mind through their mental connection of the Force, "Are you sure we can trust this person? He seems...a little too cunning for my taste. I don't it when my underlings have a mind of their own."

Eriana hadn't had a lot of opportunities to have men under her command, but her recent endeavors at her prison vessel were making good progress. She was well on her way to making fully controlled slaves out of criminals and low lives. Not just some stolen species from their home world. In that regard she would never have slaves. But the men she picked would soon obey her every word. That was one of secrets aboard her ship, something she hadn't spoken too with the councils above them. She didn't want people to know what she was experimenting on. Perhaps she'd share that secret with Milo one day....

 

[Darth Parox]

Eriana was reluctant to strike a deal with the man, but Milo quickly tried to put them to rest. "My love, he is not an underling," he replied telepathically. "He is a business partner. And with business partners, I would much rather be dealing with smart men than buffoons." Milo was good at predicting where crime bosses would go; he had struck a deal with Nor'baal when he was still on the rise, and the two had become partners. Now, the slug was well on his way to becoming head of the Exchange.

"Yeah, we shake on it." Milo rose from his seat, hand extended, and shook the man's hand.

"When should I expect business to begin?" he asked as he drew his hand back. Jordan checked his chrono, then thought for a second, his face deep in concentration. The boss was a busy man with a busy work-force—his employees were likely not always available.

"I have a few men wrapping things up soon, so next week," he replied after a moment. Milo nodded, then turned. "Perfect. In that case, I await them eagerly."

The two Sith stepped out of the small room and into the larger area of the cantina, flickering bulbs bathing them in colored light. "He's only the head of a small gang," Milo added after they had walked out and were no longer in earshot. "I don't suppose he'll come in storming the casino."

@EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Her partner would reply into her mind, gently reassuring the blind Sith that this man was their business partner. If he had his way, he'd rather his associates were smart enough to figure things out for themselves. Eriana wasn't quite so sure. She grumbled slightly and would reply to him back in their shared mental link, "Just be sure he doesn't betray you."

The two would then shake while Eriana stayed still in her seat. She was still unsure about this deal, but Milo was confident and he was in charge here. This was his plan. He knew the risks. Milo then asked when business would begin to which their new employee would take a moment to consider a response. Eriana waited in the lingering hesitation. Any pause was like a stutter and that meant weakness. It was the kind of thing she would jump on and use as cause for dismissal.

It annoyed her even further that they couldn't even begin producing spice for them until the following week. In a logical sense, it made sense. It would take time for this new change in management and schedule, new routes to work out, etc. And neither Eriana nor Milo were in any sort of hurry that they needed the product now. So really, why was she upset? It was illogical and she'd realize that later. But for now, it just furthered to anger her.

Without giving her approval, Eriana would stand with Milo as their business it seemed had concluded. She would put her hand on her sword while swinging her right arm at her side while she walked. She walked out of the room and further intended to leave the cantina when Milo spoke to stop her. She angrily came to a stop and gripped the metal of her hilt from the top (not where she'd normally grip the handle). Trying to console her, Milo explained that Jordan wasn't some large gangster head, merely a member of a small gang.

Eriana turned and poked her finger into his chest, "I don't care whether he's the kriffin' Hutta lord. I don't trust him. So if something happens, it's on you."

She'd then turn and make to the center of the bar, seemingly avoiding every person she walked past as if she knew they were there. She slammed her hand on the counter and demanded a bottle of spiced rum. Everyone around her stopped what they were doing for a moment and looked at her. The bartender, gave her an angry look she didn't notice but otherwise did as she requested. Someone beside her was about to say something about her tone of voice when she merely snapped and the man's head was turned around; she'd twisted his neck right around and his body fell to the wooden bartop.

"My rum. Now."

The bartended nodded in fear and finished giving her the bottle and was about to pour it when she swiped it from him (without a glass) and headed to a booth near the wall. No one bothered standing in her way this time. She'd sit down and take a large swig of the bottle before setting it back down on the table.

 

[Darth Parox]

Eriana seemed less than pleased with the deal, but Milo wasn't quite sure why. He could feel her anger—literally—as they walked out of the room, and it seemed that his reassuring words did nothing to alleviate the sentiment. As she turned and poked him, his brows stitched together into an expression that perfectly reflected the confusion he was feeling. Why was she overreacting this way? This deal had not even been significant—all he'd done was negotiate a partnership with the Canto Run.

Milo followed her as she stalked through the cantina, always behind her. He stopped at the bar beside her and watched as she killed a man for protesting how she was speaking, not stepping in. The Crusader saw no point to the murder, but he had grown far too desensitized to death to actually protest. The body slumped down and the room fell silent—only for business to resume as usual shortly after. As the two Sith walked over to the booth, no one stopped them, but Milo could feel the looks. He sat down across from her and watched her take a long swig in silence, then spoke.

"If something happens, it's on me," he reassured, his voice calm. "Not that I see anything happening. He doesn't seem to be an evil mastermind." And it was true. Jordan had asked that they wipe out his competition for him—something any criminal with two brain cells would be able to consider. Eriana was acting like she had some a great number of red flags that she wasn't letting him know, but Milo could not sense her hiding anything.

@EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

"You're damn right it's on you!" she'd snap at his comment. He'd then add that he didn't see anything happen because he really didn't believe Jordan was capable of such mutiny. Eriana would lift the bottle up and point at him with her finger as she held it. "No. You never do see it. Someone just comes up to you and stabs you in the back and tells you its for the greater good. Betrayal. Greed. That's what's wrong with this whole kriffing place."

His lover would take another drink from her bottle and then slam the end down into the table before letting it go. She was furious. And that anger was growing. For what reason? Why was she acting like this? She didn't know. But wasn't it common for Sith to let their emotions get the better of them? Sith maybe...but never Eriana.

With a sigh she leaned back into the booth and looked up to the ceiling. Her eyes closed and she rubbed at her temples with her two main fingers from each hand. And even though she'd been so quick to anger, she was quick to realize her mistake. Eriana knew she was still so fragile from her capture on Ilum and transfer to the Old Empire side of the war.

"Look...I'm sorry. I....don't know what came over me."

 

[Darth Parox]

The drink hit the back of his throat like liquid Tibanna gas, and tasted even worse. He had no idea why Eriana had ordered it, but he supposed anything would do when one was angry enough. He could feel the emotion pouring off her passively, though it slowly seemed to subside and quickly give way to regret. Her monologue about betrayal was interesting, and he could tell she had a history with the subject—then again, she had probably been betrayed at some point to have joined the Old Empire so willingly. Milo had never asked for the details because she knew she would feel uncomfortable, but there was clearly much more to unpack than he had thought.

"It's okay," he replied, leaning forward and reaching out toward her with his arm. His knuckles brushed against her cheek as he spoke. "You can trust me." Not many people could, but Milo was dedicated to Eriana. He had partaken in his fair share of betrayals—bile rose up in his throat as he thought of Nor'baal—but he was loyal to the end when it came to it. The woman in front of him was likely the only person that would ever see him go out of his way to stay loyal to her. He only hoped that she would return the favor. Milo would not take betrayal very well.

@EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Feeling Milo's warm touch against her cheek made her sigh into him. She closed her eyes reflexively and leaned into him. Her arms then reached out and held onto the crook of his elbow like she so often did. Eriana loved when he held her. It reminded her that everything would be ok. He'd then reassure her that everything was alright and that he could trust her. That sentiment struck her deep and for a moment she had trouble swallowing.

"I...." she wanted to say something, but then thought against it. Maybe now wasn't the time. Instead, "Milo....coming to the Empire was not easy for me. I told you that. But I didn't ever tell you why. They came for me...in my own church. My church. At first it was just one, who tried to reason with me that I was a fool for believing in the Force the way I do. I was a fool only because I didn't realize he came alone."

Eriana took a breath to calm her nerves as she curled up more into him, kicking her legs up into the booth, "Thank the heavens that they didn't try to fight me. They didn't want to hurt me; their goal was to convert me. I'm ever grateful they didn't bind me, for I would have lost myself. I don't know what I would have done. Kriff, that's why I don't think I'll ever let you bring those straps to bed." She gave him a playful pinch against his skin and then continued.

"But they took me to Moraband and there I was forced to swear an oath. It was...the worst betrayal. To my friends. To my family. To my church. I was devastated."

She then sniffled as she couldn't continue. The thought being too much right then. She sighed and bit her lip to make sure she wasn't going to start crying. So she did what any other mature adult would do, she reached for the wine again and took another large chug.

 

[Darth Parox]

Her tale wasn't absurd—it sounded like the story of anyone deeply affected by the war. It was, at the end of the day, just that—a civil war between two Empires, which had had its consequences. Such events held little respect for customs and traditions of those on the opposing side, but he wasn't going to say that. Eriana knew it by now, anyway. Instead, he rested his forehead on hers.

"And it will not happen again. You made a sacrifice." After a brief silence, he spoke again. "I won't let it happen again, no matter what." It wasn't just the promise of one lover to another—Milo held sway within the faction and had the ear of the Emperor himself. Eriana was in safe hands, and he was ready to do anything to keep her from suffering again.

He knew she was about to cry—he could feel it. Instead of letting her, he lifted her face up to meet his, then leaned in to kiss her.

@EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Feeling him holding her tight made her relax some, and as his head rested against her forehead she could smell his cologne even more so than usual. It made her hum in a contemplative way. He always smelled so intoxicating. The scent reminded her of the first night they'd shared together. As he spoke to her about the sacrifice she made, he informed her that her betrayal, her capture, would never happen again.

Eriana would sniffle, but not reply. She smiled a little though, not that he'd see it with how they were positioned. He then added, that he himself would never allow it to happen. As such, he emphasized the words no matter what. He'd be there for her, for as long as she wished him to be. She wouldn't say forever, or anything sentimental like that; they weren't to that point of their relationship yet. But when he lifted her face to look at him, bringing his lips closer to hers, she knew that maybe there was a chance of that.

Their lips met and she sucked in a breath before closing herself off into him. Their shared breath and tongue between them were a seal of passion and promise. Not the lust of desire they'd felt that first night. Something far more deeper and romantic had grown between them and Eriana allowed herself to swoon for him. She twisted her frame to get a better angle to kiss him while bringing a hand up to tangle in his hair which she loved to do more than anything.

Strangely, she found herself crying. It wasn't out of sadness as it had been a moment ago. He'd taken that from her. Now it was replaced with peace, and love. She was so lucky to have him in her life she couldn't imagine ever losing him. This was the moment she knew she loved him. Yes. She could say that to herself. Eriana loved him. But she wouldn't tell him yet. Saying the words out loud might ruin what was blossoming between them. For now, it would be her little secret until he said the words first.

Pulling away from him after a long session of kissing, she rested her forehead against his chin, "Thank you, Milo." Her words gently echoed into his brain through their shared link. "I feel I'd be lost without you."

With that she would sit up -though slightly curled into him- and wipe away the tears she'd shed while they were kissing. It was a little embarrassing, but he hadn't said anything yet so she didn't expect him to now.

 

[Darth Parox]

He could sense her feelings well enough to know the reason for her tears, so Milo said nothing as they silently shared the moment. His hand resting on the back of her head, he listened to her, then took a moment to collect his thoughts. Would she be lost without him? Most likely no, but things would certainly be different. Milo knew the effect of their relationship; they both got to see the more intimate aspects of each other, and it softened them both up somewhat. Without him, Eriana would likely be hardened by the forceful transition away from the life she knew to a life among strangers that only vaguely resembled what she had grown used to. Their relationship kept that from happening; it kept them human. After a moment, he spoke, his voice soft.

"Nah," he replied a bit humbly. "You're much stronger than that." The chatter of the bar was completely ignored by his ears, not that it mattered. Their conversation was telepathic. "But you remind me that life is life, not just perpetual war. That there's more to everything than backroom meetings and storming palaces." It's enjoyable, and it's his duty, but it gets boring sometimes.

They would sit like that for a little more, cherishing their time together in the Canto Run, then slowly get up. Milo would leave some credits on the table as they stepped out—more than enough to make the bartender forget this whole fiasco ever happened. It was a little detail that would keep the locals from growing to hate the Sith as many tended to do. Milo was not blind to his surroundings, and he knew he was living among organic beings with opinions of their own. Killing people randomly was bound to get them hated by those around them. Compensating them would alleviate the sentiment.

As the two exited the bar, they did so as they entered: hand in hand.

@EmilyHuene

Fin.​