Ivia and Anzha went inside the cab, which immediately ran towards its destination. There was a glass separating the Feskal driver from the passengers, but Ivia nevertheless lowered her voice: “The previous tenants?”
…
A few minutes went by on bad roads, including a stop at a toll station - the government hadn’t a budget to maintain all roads and bridges, so users were payers.

The cab left them in a zone with industries scattered over, the vacant lots being quickly eaten away by the jungle. A half-buried hangar displayed a portal figuring the gates of hell, guarded by two hulking Feskals, armed to the teeth.


Anzha’s translator app read the sign as “Fau Underground”

Ivia, though impressed, stated to the Feskals they came to dine: the guards sniggered and let them in.

They went downstairs to a checkroom. An armed Aslan told them to leave their weapons there. Then he scanned the ladies for hidden weapons [OOC if Anzha wants to keep her stunner hidden, roll INT+Deception 10+]

They entered a darkened room with red projectors and semi-visible decoration evoking flames and caves. There was a continuous “hum-hum” buzz with subtle variations, probably ambient music for Aslan ears…

As Anzha scanned the place for escape doors and fire protection measures, it seemed obvious that, in the absence of government pressure, it had been the least of the owner’s concerns.

An Aslan pointed at a table in the center of the area, but Ivia protested. As the bouncer did not seem to move, she took a bank note from her purse [they were still using bank notes!] and obtained a private booth.

Once seated, The Aslan brought the menus and groaned: “House has its own prostitutes, so you just eat and drink, do no business. Understood?”. Ivia’s face reddened, she coughed and nodded. When the Aslan left, she bent towards Anzha and whispered “It’s my first time here. I had heard about this place but did not dare. Thankfully, I feel secure with you!”
…
Ivia read the menu and explained the drinks were of two kinds: strong rotgut for Feskals, or a variety of low-alcoholic equivalent of beers, that could be drunk by the dozen, tasting the different brands all night long. Food was mostly meat - raw for Aslan or overcooked.
…
The room filled with mostly working-class Feskals and dubious Aslan. Groups of what could be called “rural-punks” musicians went on the scene. People danced, drank, sang and spoke loud.
With a bill here and there, the bouncers kept skirt-chasers away from the two women .
...
Anzha, trained as a spy, noticed that Ivia tried to make her drink more than herself. Anzha being on her guards, the situation became a little awkward, as both tried not to get inebriated; the table went cluttered with full, opened bottles [OOC Anzha doesn’t know which beverage is more a stunner than it tastes, so roll END+Carouse 10+ to drink her under the table. However, it’s obvious Ivia is an amateur at this, so you have a boon]

Ivia’s conversation alternated between flirt talk and questions about the ship:

• Tell me about you... (hands joined under the chin)
• Was there ever a risk of the ship exploding over Natura ? At the airport?
• So you’re a traveler? Bouncing from planet to planet, a man in each starport - or a woman?
• What about the firefight onboard? Who shot who? How did the captain handle it all?
• Were you in danger? Would you need some kind of comfort? (hand on arm)
• Who does the ship belong to?
• Thankfully, it seems you weren't wounded. Were wounded people well treated in the infirmary?
• What is the extent of the damage to the power plant? Was it a maintenance issue or sabotage? A rejected suitor, maybe? (nudge nudge, wink wink)

Anzha sat in the cab and took in the route as it moved through the city, making sure she knew the way back, just in case.  "The ship was leased to another crew before I joined, from what I gather," she replied absently as she gazed out the window.  Now and then sparing a look Ivia's way.

When they arrived a "Fau Underground" she gave the Feskals outside a smile and followed Ivia downstairs, giving up her stunner at the weapons check.



"I don't think people come here for the food," Anzha replied scanning the menu.  She ordered some food, light appetizer stuff to sample several; and stuck to low-strength drinks, sipping and rather pointedly not trying to compete. [15:29, Today: Anzha Lyu rolled 6 using 2d6 ((4,2)).]

If the opportunity presents she will indeed hit the dance floor, something that interests her far more than drinking at a table.  She will pull Ivia out onto the floor as the other woman starts pestering her with questions, answering most of them with some variation of "what?  Can't hear you" as they dance together on the floor.  Should anyone try to join them Anzha doesn't mind, though she will not leave Ivia alone or let her be taken.

Deena sat at the back of Fau Underground.  She'd discovered the place when she'd first arrived having arrived initially on Tanar through weaseling her way onto an Aslani tramp freighter.  Sure, she'd just met with Bodrov earlier in the day, but it never hurt to have extra contingencies in place.  And having only just met Danila, Deena knew who of the two she trusted more with her (and Xanaria's) safety and well-being.

The discreet nature of the establishment suited needs for the time being; Deena was fully kitted out in her vacc suit.  While her helmet and visor wasn't fully deployed, the coif and neck fairings in place were just enough to offer the right level of anonymity in this case.

From her booth in the back, she watched the entrance stairs through smoky haze and took a slow sip from the tumbler of Sylean brandy on the rocks in her right hand.  Dee's face was partly in shadow, though the unruly brown hair peeked out from both her suit's cap as well as the shadow.  Her gaze settled for a moment on the couple of human women that entered, a light smile touching her lips.  Their fancy dress marked them as searching for a night's pleasure.  But, Deena wasn't interested in that.

Tapping the fingers on her left hand on table, she addressed the other occupant of booth, "Tal'bac, I know that you are headed back into the Hierate soon."  Her dulcet contralto paused, primarily for effect, "But not before you drop off a package on Lafkin." which she was pretty sure that the Aslani smuggler didn't think anyone outside his crew would or should know about.  She held up a gloved hand.  "Relax." the vacc-suited brunette soothed, "I just want to talk about working passage.  Perhaps we can help each other..."

[OOC hey I wrote that you had a boon :) GM RegisP rolled 3 using 1d6 ((3)). So that's a 7.]
Ivia realized that, for <excuses Anzha gave>, the crew-woman wouldn't drink and spill the beans.

Ivia asked her nosy questions but got invitations to dance instead of answers - so she looked upset, reluctant, and didn't dance well.
Anzha wasn't a professional dancer either, but she was quite agile, so she stepped on less feet.

The evening went on, as they tried both to lower the other defenses with alcohol, and both refusing to get drunk. Ivia then shifted her approach to seduction advances and friendship offers. The mood of the chief secretary of the TSA labs lightened a little when Anzha delivered generic answers.

- "Yes, we all were in danger." (Ivia put her hand on Anzha's arm, as to comfort her. Anzha did not retract her arm)
- "The captain was brilliant."
- "Not sure what happened but one of the idiot passengers pulled a weapon and was subdued.  That was the only injury requiring treatment." (Ivia looked genuinely impressed by the other woman's bravery and squeezed Anzha's hand.)

At last, on her 3rd attempt [and having lost temporarily 4 PSI points], Anzha could read in the executive's mind that Ivia felt now having enough information to slip to Petruccilli News Corporation... Ivia didn't really feed the media so much for the money - more to feel important, special, and know people you see on TV!

Anzha also noticed that in the next booth, there was a female human looking like the portrait the two psions of the "Association of Goertel" gave her.

Tal'bac groaned loudly; his dewclaw extended, and scraped the length of the table, frightening Xanara. "Verry weeeeeeeeeell...", he groaned while chewing something. He regained his composure, and resumed "You - like - seem - like - well inforrmed - like - skilled spy? Surrely we - like - have a position forr - like - yourr type of - like - prrofile. When could you - like - embarrk on ourr ship? It's not - like - stationed simply at the starr-porrt, you know..."

People sometimes wondered what kind of teacher exactly taught the Aslan broker Anglic.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:54, Fri 10 May.

With a better sense of Ivia's motivations Anzha feels she now has a course to steer the conversation, only giving her little tid-bits of potentially useful information, all of it carefully selected to make the ship's crew look good, victims of circumstance.  Taking a break from the dance floor she glances at the woman in the vacc suit and sends her a telepathic message.  If she is a psion like those weirdos said, then this could be an easy conversation.  ~Met two odd balls looking for you earlier, unless you have a twin.  I'm not fond of their kind, however.  What is your situation?~ and she sends across a memory image of the guys from earlier in the day.

---

Rolling dice in case it's needed, not sure if the communication is readily accepted. 21:43, Today: Anzha Lyu rolled 11 using 2d6 ((6,5)).

Deena's eyes darted towards Xanara, placing a reassuring hand upon her forearm, which helped place herself more between the Aslan and her charge.  "Captain," she quietly noted off-hand, her causal tone belying a touch of annoyance, "You know better than to call someone a spy."  She'd began to reassess the Aslani's discretion, pursing her lips slightly, "I am sure that you can understand our predicament."  No use in note letting Tal'bac think that he might have the upper hand in negotiations.

Still, Deena wasn't going to burn any bridges though and kept her word simple and direct, "I simply broker information.  And we were just interested in when you intend to leave and if our schedules coincide ... " there was a slight tremble and a pause in her voice, "... you are leaving immediately?"

---

[OOC:  And... we have contact (I hope):

  09:44, Today: Deena Dakhaseri rolled 17 using 2d6+5.  Mink Link (TN: 4):  First Contact. – 17

Looks like at least an additional 13 minutes from Deena's end.]

-"You know better than to call someone a spy."
-"Ahrr, I know the, like, nuance. A 'spy' is, like, the enemy. Our spies, like, we call 'secret agent'. I get it. Call yourself like you like. This is, like, a free galaxy"
-"I am sure that you can understand our predicament."
-"I am, I am, understand. The young human can come too. And you may bring any, like, drugs you need to stay healthy."

Deena felt the Aslan confused "predicament" with another similar-sounding word.

-"... you are leaving immediately?"
-"Immediately, yes. In a few, like, couple of hours. Delay to gather the crew."

Deena smiled, which was still apparent even with her mouth covered by her vacc suit's coif and hight collared gorget (with breathing apparatus), since the corner of her eyes lifted when lips and cheeks moved.  "I think you'd best stick with the more neutral term, 'operative'.  Though to be honest, I was more of an analyst."  Which also wasn't entirely accurate.  Perhaps consiglierà.  Or less charitably, lackey.  Or possibly zealot, fanatic, or even cultist.

But those days were behind her.

She let the Aslani think that he had a secret on her, simply nodding when 'drugs' where mentioned.  There were some specialized psychotropic narcotics potentially involved.  But, it wasn't for her health (even if they might be essential in keeping her alive at various points).  Still, there was no need to dissuade Tal'bac of any perceived illusions.

And she nodded again with respect to the urgent timing, "Understood."  Deena leaned in, the material of vacc suit creaked slightly as her weight shifted, "Don't wait for us.  We'll need to make some arrangements as we cannot simply disappear without some uncomfortable questions being asked."

"If we are late..." Deena reiterated so that there was no misunderstanding with the Aslan smuggler, "We aren't going to make it."  Even though she had her 'go-bag' already ready, the elder woman knew that her younger charge didn't.  And so, she had to hedge her bets and to set some expectations among everyone.  She pushed back from the table and began to stand, knowing that time was of the essence.  Her hand motioned for the young woman to follow her.

Anzha cocked her head to one side as she took in the other woman's demeanor.  She checked her chronometer to get a sense of the time, and for any messages from the captain, and then leaned back in her seat for a moment.

"No no, there has been some, like, mis-understand. I got that you want to leave immediately. We wait for you. We want you." He bared his fangs.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:46, Mon 20 May.

"It's good to be wanted." Deena agreed amicably, but her demeanor soured with Tal'bac's dominance display.

"But, Captain, there's no misunderstanding." Deena kept her tone smooth and casual, but leaned forward to meet the gaze of the Aslani smuggler - seemingly ignoring the mouthful of pointy teeth, "... Don't ever threaten us again." she warned, letting the words carry her bite despite her extremely deadpan tone.  She reached deep and sought to channel her own pumping adrenaline in this situation into a single focused emotion.

After a pregnant pause, she continued, "You don't want me as your enemy.  Because when I am finished with you, whatever they find that is left, won't be able to put a coherent sentence together ever again ..."  Didi's nostrils flared.  She removed her balled fists from the table which she'd pressed down from her standing position.  A curt gesture pulled Xanara to her side out of the way (and away from Tal'bac).

Deena turned away from the booth and started towards the two women chatting at the table nearby.  She pushed the vacc suit's breathing mask that covered her face to the side, revealing a pleasant, if middle-aged, complexion.  A light, genuine smile returned to her face even as she gave a slight wink to the exotic looking woman baring one shoulder in her long black dress.  "Enchanted..." rolled off of Deena's tongue, as she nodded in turn to both women, as she continued to walk on by the table.

---

[OOC:  Guess we will have to try a bit of Fear projection on the Aslan: Telempathy on Tal'bac.

  13:57, Today: Deena Dakhaseri rolled 17 using 2d6+5.  Telempathy (TN: 6): Fear projection vs. Tal'bac. – 17

Hmm... interesting.  She is mostly hoping for that fine line where the Aslan is cowed just enough to leave them alone (for a while, at least) and not be goaded into anger or violence.  Hopefully, she hits something nice and primal.]

Still leaning back in her seat Anzha simply nodded in return to the woman in the vacc suit and her companion as they walked past her table.


After they pass she looks at Ivia with a tired smile.  "No more dancing?  Time to call it a night?" she asked.  Though she felt she could spend more time on the floor, it was quite cathartic to release all of that pent up energy, she got the impression it was not Ivia's favorite pastime.

Tal'bac also stood up, to look taller, and ROARED louder and louder, dewclaws extended, and shook his HEAD and MANE, in a typical competition of display of power.

Then an unexplained fear suddenly hit him, his skin color turned whiter as if he'd seen a ghost, and by sheer reflexes only his body jumped over the booth seat behind him. When he was on all fours, 4 meters away, his hand went over his belt to grab some weapon, but he had left them at the checkroom, like everybody else. Deena sensed Tal'bac was paralyzed by terror and feeling unarmed.

His too bodyguard joined him and removed him, and when he was nearly out of the silenced room, he yelled: "YOU... WITCH!" (bulging eyes) "YOU, LIKE, WILL PAY TO MY PRIDE FOR MY PRIDE!!" and they disappeared in the stairs.

All eyes were on Xanara and Deena.
Well, mostly Deena, since Xanara was folded under the table.

Deena had started to turn away when Tal'bac launched himself out of the booth.  She flinched at the motion and seemed genuinely surprised at the Aslan smuggler's reaction.  She watched he situation play out, her eyes never leaving Tal'bac until he was a silhouette in the doorway with his bodyguards.

"Whoa..." escaped her lips and she glanced around the bar to see many of the patrons looking at her.  A hand reached out to help Xanara back up to a standing position.  It stayed on her forearm as a reassuring anchor in the chaotic sea.

Her head and eyes darted back to the booth and is overturned array of drinks.  "Hmmmm..." she deadpanned, though the volume was loud enough to carry around the room, "Looks like someone had a little too much catnip..."  There was just enough playful sarcasm and the light chuckle that followed from her throat, helped to giver her raised eyebrow a sort of 'Am I right?' vibe to the statement.

The vacc-suited brunette started towards the exit with her younger companion in tow - but not too quickly to ensure that their path didn't cross with Tal'bac and his companions again.

As she'd already engaged Anzha and her friend while passing by them, Deena simply slowed and nodded with a smile.  To distract herself and move on from the previous tension, Didi added a compliment to her initial greeting to two other women, "Very nice.  You both look stunning..."

And though she obviously was not in a rush to hit the exit, she didn't linger too long at the table with Ivia and Anzha as Deena didn't want to crash their party.  One didn't need to be psychic to sense the romantic tension between the two ladies.