Open When It's Time To Party, You Party Hard!

[Aska Ryun]

As the drinks were lined up in front of the three, Aska’s smile began to grow to match that of a child on Life Day. Finally, she was doing something that she was good at. Something she was really good at. But Emryc was right in that they smelled horrendous… and she loved it.

”Not a damn clue, pal,” Aska laughed, leaning down and pulling off each of the high heel shoes she had been asked to wear. They were hurting her feet and at this point, she no longer cared about appearances. Barefoot was by far more comfortable. ”I just asked her for the nastiest possible thing she could make. Hey, girl!” Aska called out to the Twi’lek server after she stood up straight.

”Yes, ma’am?”

”The hell is this anyway?”

”It is called a Screaming Sarlaac. Preferred by the Weequay if I remember correctly,”

Turning back to Newton and Emryc, Aska flashed them a toothy grin. ”There ya go. Screaming Sarlaac. Sounds absolutely terrible. Game on, boys,” With that, Aska grabbed the first glass and tipped it back without a second thought. It went down just as she would expect, practically lighting her tongue and throat on fire. Still, she kept a straight face… but only just barely.

”Damn! That’ll put some lead in your pencil, eh Newton?” Aska laughed as she nudged the man’s well dressed shoulder, but her demeanor had quickly caught the attention of a middle aged man a few paces down the bar behind Emryc. Raising her eyebrow questioningly, she proceeded to raise her chin towards the man.

”Eyes back on your own drink, pal. Keep em off me, yea?”

“Well I never!” he replied with a huff before turning and walking back into the crowd. Mouthing profanities at the man as he put distance between them, Aska soon spotted Ali amongst the dancing crowd.

””Oh, you two should meet a friend of mine!” Placing two fingers in her mouth, Aska then let off a loud whistle that caught the attention of most everyone around her. ”Ali! Ali, come here!”

She didn’t fit in here. She knew it. It was no secret. And she just did not care.

@Bex @Rhogar @Sreeya @The Good Doctor

 

[Alisaah Tila]

Ali allowed herself to be dipped during the end of her dance with Dusty. Something in the way the performer held her and how he spoke to her made the Togruta a little uneasy. She got the impression that he knew there was more going on with her than met the eye - or rather, exactly what met the eye was going on. Desperado then put forward a question Ali was not prepared for and certainly did not wish to answer.

"Well..." she began to reply, the gears turning in her mind to come up with a lie or an excuse not to answer. Nothing was forthcoming. But just as the silence was starting to become awkward, a familiar voice came calling across the ballroom.

"Ali! Ali, come here!" followed a high pitched whistle. Turning to see where the call had come from, Ali saw her mistress and breathed a sigh of relief. Saved in the nick of time.

"Oh, sorry Mr. Desperado, that's my manager. I should go, she probably wants me to dance for some of the other guests" she said, bowing her head as a polite departure, "Maybe we can talk another time. I look forward to your set."

Giving Dusty a sincere smile, the Togruta made her way towards Aska through the crowd. A few more of the guests had loosened up a little and started to dance with each other. Shuffi and Merceli were doing a good job of getting people into the spirit of things. It was clear they were professional dancers as opposed to a slave.

When she arrived she found that Aska had made two new friends. To her ill-informed eye, it was two human men, both of whom appeared to her to be businessmen. They had drinks in front of them, the same as the drink Aska was holding. Ali recognised this cocktail as a Screaming Sarlaac. Having helped serve drinks at her former master's palace she had learned to make a variety of different beverages, including this one. It was a strong drink.

"Good evening" she said, smiling to Aska and her two acquaintances, "Is everyone enjoying their night?"

@Rhogar @Sreeya @The Good Doctor @Tulos

 

[Dusty Desperado]

Dusty had enjoyed the dance and was in a rather chipper mood about the whole experience. The only thing was the faint disappointment their time had to end. But, it was fleeting and he had already known such a dance would have to be. He offered a genuine smile and waved off her apology. "Nonono, thank you for the wonderful dance. See to your boss. Of course, we can." his hand would slip into a pouch on his belt and he'd offer her his card. "For future conversation, aid, or if you ever need a partner at a dance lesson who won't step on your feet." he'd say with a laugh. He knew it would be a trick to store the card, but that was always half the fun. "Until next time.." he'd say with a bow.

He'd watch her depart before looking back into the crowd of partygoers. He was here for more than just to play a song. He just had to locate his quarry.

Reaching the Bith band, he'd offer a nod. "Well done, boys. That song is a sure hit. I got your next three rounds, yeah?"

@Bex @Tulos

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc downed the drink and forced a sour expression. In truth he was used to drinking far worse in the seedy Hutt space districts, but he had to maintain the air of prim and proper politician to a degree. His gaze followed Aska’s to the middle aged man she told to get lost. He couldn't help but grin at that.

“I see you’re in no mood to make friends with one of Blackwell’s chief investors,” He watched the man disappear and talk to someone else, shooting angry glances back at Aska. The entire exchange was entertaining for him.

Emryc’s attention was drawn back by a sharp whistle that made his pointy, sensitive ears twitch. He glanced up to see the Togruta from earlier and he nodded his head politely, “We sure are now that Aska’s here,” He said as he focused his attention back to the blond.

“All right, next round,” He turned to the bartender, “Four Mythosaur’s Breath!” It was a drink most hadn’t heard of, but it was a horribly strong drink more popular on Mandalore. It started off tasting unassuming enough, but then it was a solid punch to the gut. He only hoped it wouldn’t knock him flat. He looked around at the women with a grin.

"Suits don't always mean squares, ladies," He said with a wink as the drinks were brought out.

@Tulos @Bex @The Good Doctor

 

[Newton]

Screaming Sarlaac eh, that sounds like it could be strong, the weird smell still is though. Still, he drink his whole drink. The after effects would become apparent, as he grimaced as he is processing it. Newton hasn't tasted anything like this, it was pretty bad, he looked away as he grimaced, the drink has a weird aftertaste and feels as if he had a bunch of hot-candies all at once.

Well, he would try and be more open-minded here on Zeltros.

Still, although he he didn't take as well as others, Aska held it together better than he did, as did Thorne as well. Newton would then respond to Aska, giving a light chuckle. "Yeah, it sure did. Hehheh." and give light smile as well. When that one middle-aged man came, went, and mouthed off profanities as he did so, Newton remarked as the guy was leaving "What a pleb." he snickered, the older man walking away could have heard it, but Newton didn't care if he did or not.

When Alisaah Tila came over after being whistled, and asks if everyone is enjoying their night, Newton would respond after the ISC President did. "We are indeed." he nodded his head.

Newton was still up for more of this drinking game, this could be quite fun. With a name like Mythosaur's Breath, it had to be strong. "Mandalorian drink, eh? Definitely sounds strong" After the drinks were brought out, one for each of the participants in this little game.

Newton would then brace himself as he would drink all of his beverage. All fine at first as it didn't seem foul or anything. all fine at first... until he would feel the solid punch to the gut

@Tulos @Bex @Sreeya

 

[Aska Ryun]

Aska couldn’t help but laugh when she saw Arden and Emryc’s reactions to the drink. While she didn’t know either of these men, what sort of lives they lived away from their offices and completely oblivious to just who she was having a battle of the iron stomaches with, they did better than she had expected. Then again, these were men with money to burn and they likely had tasted spirits that she never even knew existed. Still, her vanity and pride dictated her actions just as much now as they ever had in the past. It didn’t matter who it was, where they were or what they were doing. She issued a challenge and they accepted. To her, there was no turning back. For once it was nice to know that the shots coming her way weren’t going to burn a hole in her skull and leave her for dead. In theory, at least.

Grabbing the next drink ordered by Emryc, Aska slid two towards herself before handing one to the Togrutan at her side. If there was one thing she knew, it was that Ali wouldn’t do a damn thing unless Aska gave her the okay and while she hadn’t intended on bringing her into this little game, maybe a bit of liquor would loosen her up and have her become more independent for the evening.

”Ali, this is Emryc Thorne and Newton… Arden, was it?” Aska requested of the Blackwell Engineer. After all, she only barely caught his name and role within the company in the moments before their conversation was intiated. ”This is my friend Alisaah,” she continued, placing her right arm along the slave girl’s shoulders. Picking up her own glass, Aska raised an eyebrow as Newton stated the origins of the contents. This did not sound promising in the slightest.

”Well, here goes nothing,” Aska smiled, unaware of what she was about to experience. Tipping the contents back in one swift motion, she looked back at the glass in bewilderment. For a Mandalorian beverage it didn’t have the kick she exp- ”Oh dear god….” There it was. Raising her left hand to pursed lips, Aska could feel the blood rush from her face as her insides twisted in reaction before looking to Ali, hoping to stop her before she made the same mistake that Aska had just put herself through.

@Bex @Rhogar @Sreeya @The Good Doctor

 

[Alisaah Tila]

Aska and her new acquaintances downed their Screaming Sarlaacs. The reactions varied. Newton Arden appeared to come off the worse judging by his grimace. Emryc had a sour look on his face too but seemed to be keeping his composure more effectively than the engineer. Her mistress looked the least affected but the Togruta noticed movement in her throat which seemed as if the drink was still having it's intended effect. Ali had never fancied trying it herself. When she'd made them back at Zugg's palace, she thought it had always smelt like a combination of paint stripper and fuel.

Ali bowed politely as she was introduced to Emryc and Newton formally. It just seemed like the thing to do, particularly as she was essentially part of the staff for the night. Both men seemed professional and polite but she still felt out of place. Everybody there was above her in the social hierarchy, whether they knew it or not.

Aska's arm over her shoulder was quite comforting. She picked up the Mythosaur's Breath that Aska handed her and watched as her mistress downed her second drink. This time she did not keep her composure at all. Ali's eyebrow raised, wondering if Aska was about to vomit, judging from the way she raised her hand to her mouth. She did not, but it made Ali think twice about taking a sip. Placing the glass back down, she took Aska's arm from around her shoulders,

"Seems like it might be a little strong for me, I'll grab something from the bar and be back shortly" she said, smiling sweetly at the group before heading to the bar.

She had barely taken a few steps in the direction of the bar when she heard someone else calling to her. This time it was not Aska's voice she heard, though it was very familiar and with a distinct accent.

"Ali? Little Ali? Is that you?"

Looking around to see where the voice had come from, Ali saw the green-skinned Twi'lek barmaid standing at the nearest point of the bar to where the slave was standing. It could only be one person, but Ali could hardly believe it. Forgetting herself for a moment, the Togruta rushed over, pushing past a few of the guests but not enough to cause any problems before finding herself face to face with somebody she had given up all hope of ever seeing again.

"M-Meela?!" she said, almost a little too loudly considering they were now standing the width of the bar away from each other.

"I don't believe it! What are you doing here young one?" was the response from the Twi'lek, who reached over the bar and took Ali's face between both hands for just a moment, almost as if she did not believe what she was seeing and had to do something to check the Togruta was real.

"I, well, I... it's a long story" started Ali. There was too much to explain. The slave girl had last seen Meela when she was ten years old and by this point had almost forgotten her face, but this woman was the closest thing she had ever had to a mother when the Twi'lek took on the responsibility of raising the girl whilst the two were enslaved to the gangster, Dontigo Fligorra. "Tonight I'm here with my..." she dropped her voice, "my 'Manager'" she said, nodding back towards Aska, "I'm dancing for people here, just like you taught me..."

@Rhogar @Sreeya @The Good Doctor @Tulos

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc grimaced as he threw back the drink, silently cursing himself for even selecting it. Despite having had it before, he had entirely forgotten how bad it was. The half Sephi hunched over and had to punch himself in his chest a few times to pound away the kick.

“Kriff,” He muttered hoarsely, looking around to see how the others fared. Thankfully, everyone was just as miserable. The Togruta was the only smart one in the group that casually opted out after seeing the sorry state of the others. Emryc silently raised his empty glass towards her in cheers as she walked away, his eyes slightly watery from the terrible experience.

“I’m not allowed to order us shots anymore,” He said in between a few coughs.

“-And now to introduce the newest addition to the Blackwell Board of Directors, Emryc Thorne!”

Emryc’s eyes went slightly wide as he set his glass down. He straightened up and collected himself before walking towards the main stage area. His pointy ears, which were for more than just for show, hadn’t missed the dialogue between the Togruta and the twi’lek.

It took a moment for Emryc to put his default face back on, but no one would know he was close to vomiting moments prior. He took the stage and gazed out at the group as people clapped to introduce him.

“Thank you everyone,” He began, having to clear his throat as it sounded a bit hoarse at first, “It is an honor to be here today, and it’s an even bigger honor to become a part of Blackwell's Board of Directors. Blackwell has been a corporation I have partnered with since before the formation of the ISC. Always a pioneer in the industry, Blackwell has helped us align and execute on visions we previously thought impossible. Whether it’s creating entirely new industries on Tatooine, curbing the AMS problem or fundamentally shifting the nature of how militaries operate, Blackwell has always been ahead of everyone to shatter past ceilings and obstacles. I’m truly proud to have a seat on the Board, and I hope to join the other brilliant minds there to help shape a more progressive galaxy.”

Emryc said a few more things and fielded several questions before the clapping and cheering began. The half Sephi was confident as always, flashing a charming smile and appearing genuinely passionate about the announcement.

After his presentation was over, he stepped off the stage and made his way back towards the bar. He was stopped several times along the way, but he ultimately found himself back with a whiskey in hand.

@The Good Doctor @Bex @Tulos

 

[Newton]

"Newton Arden" he said clarifying his last name and he nodded at Ryun's friend Alisaah. "Pleasure"

Back to the drinking game, Newton was feeling it, bad idea that was. Well, at least it isn't just Newton, he thought, everyone else who partook seemed worse off for it. too Not the brightest thing Newton has done, normally he wouldn't do this. Maybe those pheromones in the planets air are getting to him he suspects.... It would take the Blackwell Manager some time for him to get his composure again, after about coughing his whole stomach out, after that he made his mind up he's done with the drinking game. He supposes it was interesting at least.

But his attention was grabbed by an announcement... Emryc Thorne is now on the Blackwell Tech Board of Directors? Newton's eyebrow was raised with interest. Thorne has done a lot from Blackwell, even Newton has benefited from him, with the Sephi using droids the droid engineer designed previously. Newton was curious about how the ISC President was also a Blackwell directorate member would mix, but he couldn't think about it any more on the account of becoming more under the influence of alcohol.

Thorne must be a consummate politician to be able to deliver a speech at the drop of a hat, especially with the drinking game.

Still, Newton clapped along with everyone else. Newton would be back with his glass of wine. "Congratulations" Newton said to Thorne as he came back to the bar. "Cheers?" Newton held his glass up for the group to take him up on his gesture, if they are up for it still.

@Tulos @Bex @Sreeya

 

[Aska Ryun]

With Ali gone to order herself another drink that was more suitable to her, or anyone that didn’t have a stomach lined with beskar as it were, Aska struggled to regain her composure. Why she allowed her constant and near instinctual desire to make a fool of herself to dictate her actions, she’d never know. But at least she knew she was going to come out of this with a story and a new shot idea to offer to the unsuspecting moron who believed they could one up her in the game of drink.

”You’re kriffin nuts, Thorne. I’ll give you that,” Aska laughed out in response, albeit painfully and with a half closed eye as she combatted the liquor that was finding difficulty in settling. But as she was beginning to find her bearings once more, an unexpected call came from the stage, soon leaving both Aska and Newton alone in each other’s company.

”So wait…” she began, waving to another server to bring her another drink to wash the vile taste from her mouth. ”This guy isn’t only the President of the Independent Systems Consortium, or some fancy assed Senator… But now he’s got his say in how your company is run?” Aska concluded. Grabbing the glass almost as soon as it was placed on the bar, she tipped it back and drained half it’s contents before placing it back on the bar to clap with the crowd. ”Now that’s a bank account I wouldn’t mind draining…” she finished in a hushed tone, though it was likely drowned out by the applause for the Sephi’s acceptance speech.

As Emryc returned and received Newton’s praise, Aska lifted her glass in his direction.

”And the rich get richer, it seems. Congratulations,” Aska added, slightly envious albeit glad her life didn’t revolve around sitting in an office all day. ”Your damn right, cheers!” Provoked by Newton, though she never needed to be pushed to do so, she then finished off her glass before looking around for Ali, curious as to where she had gone.

@Bex @Sreeya @The Good Doctor @Rhogar (if you're still in)

 

[Alisaah Tila]

The Twi'lek nodded as she acknowledged what Alisaah was telling her. It was quite apparent, knowing the Togruta since she was but a few weeks old, what she really meant by her 'manager' if the dancer's outfit did not give that away already. Time may have passed for the pair, but their statuses had not. Meela was the slave entrusted with taking care of the child Alisaah and though both of them were no longer with Fligorra, they were still chained to a life of servitude. They were still slaves.

"I understand" said Meela, with a knowing look in her eyes, "I'm still in much the same position as you. I don't dance much these days, but I still serve drinks for Representative Pintalli. Not that I have much of a choice..." The Twi'lek then gestured to the bar. Remembering that she needed to grab a drink and return to the others, Ali asked Meela for a softer, fruitier drink than the starship fuel it seemed the others had been drinking. Whilst she waited, the Togruta thought about Meela's situation. She never expected to see her again, but had always hoped that somehow she had moved on to bigger and better things. This wasn't quite the life she felt the Twi'lek deserved.

As Meela returned with Ali's drink, the guests' attention was drawn to Emryc Thorne who now stood upon the stage, giving his speech. Though Ali did not understand what he was saying, he seemed to captivate his audience and when he finished, she clapped alongside everyone else. Thorne returned to the bar shortly after for refreshments, Meela serving him up his whiskey. Aska and Arden were now both at the bar too; Arden having switched the shots for a glass of wine. Aska was talking to the pair, congratulating Thorne on his appointment. After she finished she began to look around for Alisaah, having not realised she was nearby. Not wanting to risk calling her, the Togruta tapped her lightly on the shoulder to get her attention.

Leaning in so that she could whisper into Aska's ear, she said "Mistress, I need your help." It was entirely possible that Thorne and Arden could hear their conversation, despite how quiet the Togruta was trying to be, because the sheer amount of noise from the guests made being truly quiet impossible. Her voice needed to be loud enough for Aska still to be able to hear.

"The barmaid" she continued, not wanting to waste any time, "she's... well, I don't really know what better way to say this but, she's my mother. The one I told you about on the ship. It's Meela."

Alisaah looked over in the Twi'lek's direction before carrying on with her explanation.

"She pretty much just told me she's still..." she paused, unsure whether she should use the word, but not knowing how else to put it, she went ahead with it anyway, "... a slave, like me. The woman who greeted us earlier, Pintalli, I think she is her mistress."

Pulling her head away from Aska's ear to look her mistress in the face.

"I should never ever request anything from you, it's not my place, but after all this time, I can't leave her again" she whispered, "please help me find a way for her to come with us. I'll do whatever it takes to repay you." The Togrutan slave looked Aska directly in the eyes as she said this. She was absolutely certain that this was something that needed to be done. The universe had done them wrong when Fligorra separated the two of them and she was determined to somehow correct this.

@Sreeya @The Good Doctor @Tulos