Yes, you may consider for RP's sake that you've arrived at the correct station.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:36, Sun 23 Jan 2011.

Mirax seemed to ignore Kal's words, only moving her eyes off Claire once the doors of the tram opened.  She then shot Kal a quick glare, and flipped the front of her cloak back around to its original position, concealing her weapons.  With that, she brushed past him to step off the tram.  She kept her ears open should Claire have any final words - and her senses trained on her, should she chose to strike when Mirax had her back turned.  The Jedi didn't put it past the bounty hunter to pull such a low blow.

Kal smiled and winked at Mirax as she turned her attention to him. He trusted that his superiors had chosen all the members of this team well and that everyone would be filling a necessary role in the coming days. Generally RMI did its diligent research, so hopefully, once they had a chance to chat during their trip to the Outer Rim, everyone would start to become more comfortable with each other. Getting to that point, however, looked like it was going to test all his abilities.

Mi had calmly remained by the others of his party as they started to argue. As always he kept his opinions of the situation to himself.  He had no need to defend his point of view no matter if it agreed with one of the women of the other.  His point of view was correct and he was sure of that fact so there was no need to defend it.  He walked off the tram with Kal looking over his shoulder to see if the woman came to blows.  He had not seen either of them fight so there was no way to tell which was the better combatant.  However if either of them came to harm it would slow down their mission so he would do what he could to prevent that. "Ladies please, can we go?"

"Don't presume to lecture me about your Force.  I know all about your Force.  My mother had it.  Her father had it.  And I don't have it.  So I know how this Force works.  My mother showed me how.  And all I got for it was pain and disappointment.  So I am going to presume to tell you how it feels to not have the Force.  It's terrible.  To know there are others who have the power to kill you with a thought. It makes a person feel helpless.  To see someone wield a weapon that can cut this toothpick I hold in my hands in half?  It makes a person feel powerless.  So if you think people like Jedi, you presume wrong.  Less that half of those who like and respect you do so out of fear.  And if someone tells them that a Jedi has gone off the deep end?  They'll believe them.  The only difference between a good Jedi and a bad one is what they think they're trying to accomplish.  You think you're going to save a Jedi who has gone off the deep end.  I think I'm going to kill a Jedi who has gone off the deep end.  Both ways, it ends with a dead Jedi.  And that is how we are allies.", says Claire with palpable hatred flowing off of her.  And then the tram comes to another stop and the door slide open behind her.

"Come on.  We have the fact-finding part of our mission to complete.  Then we can continue on to part two; the part I signed on for.  To kill, I mean, bring a mad Jedi to justice.", she states.  And then without a care for how Mirax or anyone would respond to her statements, she turns and walks off the tram.  She then goes to the nearby information terminal to get walking directions to The Rodian's Kiss.

True to his word, Kal waited for both women to leave the tram before following them. Of course he followed their egress with his eyes first, stifling the urge to emit a low-pitched whistle at what he saw. He then walked past where Claire was working to pull up some information on a terminal. He stopped as he was about to walk by, "Sweetheart, if you're looking up directions, don't bother. I already pulled the information when I went to my quarters to change. It's this way."

Kal gestured toward where the information on his datapad suggested the Rodian's Kiss ought to be, and gave Claire a toothy grin.

The Rodian's Kiss... The smoky, dark, and loud watering hole is neither romantic, nor populated entirely by rodians, though more than a few are here. A domineering bar towers over half the establisment, surrounded by tiny tables that are mostly shoved together by large parties having a raucous time; while a handfull of dark booths on the far walls play host to romantic interludes, and shady negotiations. On large vidscreens, you see various events being viewed; shockboxing, dosh-ball, as well as pod-racing and many fans jostle and holler, credits freely changing hands in a complex network of betting.

Near the pod-racing vidscreens, a loud Dug is clutching a fair amount of credits and making a scene while others scowl in anger. Nearby, several Sabaac tables and chance-cube throwing pits are also seeing a fair amount of action. The dozen or so human and twi’lek waiters and waitresses struggle to take orders and serve drinks and strange food.

Kal took a moment to look around. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to dig up any information on their pilot when he searched the RMI database. There could be several reasons for that, not all of them bad. But it meant they would have to poke around and find him.  He turned to his travelling companions. "Let's split up and look for Pugwis individually." He first looked to Claire, "Sweetheart, you take the Dosh Ball and shockboxing crowds. Mirax, check out the podracing and gambling areas. Mi, wander around the shadier areas and find out what you can overhear. I'll head toward the bar and start asking questions."

With that, Kal wandered over toward the crowded bar area and started to try to make some friends, while slipping Pugwis into the conversation.

20:42, Today: Kal Wennyn rolled 13 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 2. Gather Info.

Claire simply glowered at Kal as he told her that he already got directions to the Rodian's Kiss.  As she turned away from the information terminal, she replied to him, "Don't think this means I'm going to get in the habit of asking a man for directions."

Once at the Rodian's Kiss and she was looking at room full of Rodians, she turned up her nose at the situation.  Claire never did like the stink of Rodians even if she had great respect for their hunting customs.  A room full of them and it would be worse than sleeping on a bed of Nerf hides.  Thankfully, her armored flight suit maintained its atmospheric integrity.  She simply had to close the helmet seals and breath off the suit's oxygen supply for a while.  It would seem perfectly normal.  Lots of spacers did that sort of thing when they don't like the stink on a place.  It just makes it a little hard to have a drink.  Good thing Claire wasn't here for a drink.  "Sweetheart?  I swear you Humans have very odd ideas of what makes a term of endearment.  Are you to imply that my heart would taste sweet?  That sounds like a challenge to which I must reply, 'Not if I taste your heart first.'  You've got a lot to learn about how to speak to me.", replies Claire when Kal gives her her instructions on where to go.

Sending her off to search the sports betting pit was a good idea.  She could walk the walk and talk the talk when it came to sports fans.  She had lived all her life among them.  For a while Claire was even the subject of betting on the Doshian Battle Ball, or just plain Doshball, circuit.  But in the end, Claire had to compete against her own mother, and her mother would not throw a match to her own daughter.  Claire considered herself lucky she got out of the sport with her life.  She only survived the match because she knew how her mother played the game.  Claire hoped that when she died, she would be mostly in one piece to bury.  The way Claire's mothered played, she would have been lucky if some bits of flesh were found enough to bury.  Her mother used tactics that were questionably legal.  She gets away with it though because the rules to Doshball were written in ancient times before explosives and magnetic attachments.  Using limpet mines carries a high risk though.  One needs to have very precise timing to escape the blast.

She spent some time watching the sporting events on the screens mulling over experiences from her past.  It hurt to leave the sport she was raised to play.  But it was either wait until her mother retires or die by her mother's hand.  Time was on Claire's side.  As for her mother, it was only a matter of time before the Jedi sensed that the Doshball player known as Joan Jett in the tournement circuit was getting her edge from The Force.  Maybe they already knew, but it would take a real meddler like Mirax to put a stop to it.  Claire could wait.  Even still, she cracked a grin at the thought of introducing Mirax to her mother.

Using what she knew of these sports, Claire mixed in the gamblers.  She shared tips, giving people the impression that she was no slouch when it came to gambling on these dangerous sports.  Once she had established that she knew what she was talking about, then she started inquiring about the were abouts of Pugwis.  Naturally, she asked in terms of Pugwis owing her money on a bet.  Although it didn't take a fool to figure out that an armored individual carrying stunning weapons in a bar is actually a bountyhunter.

02:16, Today: Claire de la Croix rolled 5 using 1d20+2. Gather Info
This message was last edited by the player at 10:47, Wed 26 Jan 2011.

Kal heads towards the bar and Claire heads for the sport pits, except for the Jedi and the blood carver, who look around instinctively taking in the scenes. After a brief nod, Mi and Mirax split up, the Jedi going to the gambling tables, and the blood carver going to check out the booths.

[Private to Kal Wennyn:  The bar is being run by, surprise, a Rodian but the people at the bar seem loath to socialize with you. Eventually the Rodian barkeep comes over to take your order. "What want?"]


[Private to Claire de la Croix: You quickly get disctracted by a match of dosh ball, and whatever inroads you do try to make are met with a cold shoulder. You do notice a duros loudly shouting at one of the pod racing screens though.]

[Private to Mirax Bey: Given that Pugwis is a Duros, you walk around the betting tables and start looking for some. As luck would have it. You notice a few Duros, in one of the corner tables.]

[Private to Mi Truev: Mi, the booths are clear of duros, though all of them are taken and the customers try to remain unnoticed.]

Upon leaving the train - ahead of the party - Mirax did hear Claire's final words for the 'argument'.  Considering the content, and the knowledge that one could not change how people thought, especially people like Claire, any further thoughts on the matter faded from the Jedi's mind - and with them went any inclination to trust the bounty hunter.  She had been doubtful at first, but within the short span of the train ride, Mirax had become firm in her decision that Claire could not be trusted - her final words had solidified that.

The walk to the Rodian's Kiss went quietly for Mirax, as she did not speak up.  She was glad for the suggestion to spit up, however, and the moment after it was made, she headed to her designated section of the establishment, soon after splitting up with the blood carver as well.  Considering the type of establishment, Mirax did not make her status as a Jedi easily known.  She kept her cloak about her, only pulling down the hood so that she did not compromise her peripheral vision.  Only if it became necessary, would she reveal her status.

Not far into her search of the gambling tables, Mirax spied a group of Duros seated at one of the corner tables.  Remembering that their Captain - Pugwis - was a Duros, she headed in that direction, making sure she was easy to see lest anyone get the idea she was trying to sneak up on someone.  Once she had reached the table, she looked to each of them, quickly realizing she did not know what Pugwis looked like.

"I'm looking for a Duros named Pugwis," she announced.  Mirax spoke assertively, but not rudely.

Once at the bar, Kal considered what sorts of drink he would like on his last night on Coruscant for a while. "Johrian Whiskey. Double. On the rocks."

He waited for his drink to be provided before attempting to engage the barkeep in conversation. "Business seems to be good for you this evening. Is this place always so popular?"

Kal drank some of the blue-green alchohol and winced slightly as it burned a trail down his throat

In reply to Mirax Bey (msg #95):

The Duros look up from their cards and consider the stranger for a moment before returning to their cards. "You wana chat, you gamble," one of them grumbles. "Pots at 100 creds to start. Ya in?"

In reply to Kal Wennyn (msg #96):

The Rodian nods, "Business always good. Slower lately, but good. It'll be 8 creds for the drink, pal." He watches the crowd behind you, looking for the rest of the group that's obviously spreading out to recon the joint. "Your friends... they gona be trouble?" he says nodding towards Claire.

Kal used the barside terminal to debit his account to pay for the drink, tipping two credits on top of the 8 required. He looked over to where the Rodian was looking. "Her? No, I don't think so. So long as there's Dosh Ball to watch, I think she'll keep her hands and weapons to herself. She's actually a real sweetheart at her core."

Kal turned back to the Rodian. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know of a guy named Pugwis, would you? I think he frequents your establishment, and I've got a job for him."

Mirax looked to each person at the table, then shrugged.  "Fine, deal me in," she said, slipping a 100 credit chip onto the table.  Once she had taken a seat, and the game had started again, she spoke up once more. "So, Pugwis?"

In reply to Mirax Bey (msg #100):

One of the Duros deals you a bunch of sabaac cards, but ignores your question for now. "Janar... your turn to start the betting, or do you need some new cards?" the Duros said, his red eyes observing the other Duros intently. "Right," the other snorts. "I'm raising the pot 50 creds, keep your cards..."

"I'll take a card," the other grumbled, taking one. It peeked at the card before tossing the credits at the center, "raise ya another 50. That brings the pot to 450. You callin?" his red orbs fall on you suddenly as his hand drum on the table impatiently.

23:04, Today: Secret Roll: Power of the Darkside drew the 5 cards:


[Private to Mirax Bey: Your hand: AD, 9S, 7H, 5H, 2C  ]

[Private to GM:

Gambler A: KH, QH, JD, 6H, 5S, Deception 30, Perception 34
Gambler B: AC, QC, 9C, 5S, 3C, AD Perception 26, Deception 19
]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:26, Fri 28 Jan 2011.

In reply to Kal Wennyn (msg #99):

The barkeep remains silent but waves his hand, making a circling pinching motion with his fingers, before moving on to serve another customer at the other end of the bar.

Mirax glanced at her cards, keeping them from being seen by the others.  She resolved that she was going to have to play a few hands before she was told anything, so... "Two cards," she said, slipping two towards the dealer.

[Private to GM: Drop the 9 and the 2.]

The Duros grunts, and slides over two cards, "So? In or out?"

[Private to Mirax Bey:

Your hand: AD, JH, 9S, 7H, 5H, 2D, 2C


Power of the Darkside, on behalf of Mirax Bey, drew the 2 cards: JH, 2D using a deck of 54 cards. 2 cards, drop 9 and 2.]

Mirax took a quick look at her two new cards.  She made no outward expression, but inwardly, she was scowling.  An Ace high... she couldn't even pull a bluff on that, since even a pair of twos would beat it.

"I'm out this hand," she announced, sliding her hand across.  There was aggressive, then just stupid.  Bluffing on that hand would have been the latter.

Kal puts some hard cred on the top of the bar, but keeps a finger on it. It was a subtle way of letting him know that if the information was good, he would be paid for it. If not, he wouldn't.

Claire spies two Duros having an argument over by the betting tables for Pod Racing.  She can't understand what they're arguing about, but she decides to take an educated stab in the dark.  If anything, it would get their attention.  So she saunters over to where they are and pretends to listen for a moment.  Then she pipes in by saying, "Sure the four-engine designs go faster but they're harder to control.  You've really got to look at the pilot before you lay money down on a four-engine racer.  Reflexes are important in a faster pod, but what people forget is the pilot has be quick-thinking technically.  Quad-power binders are really touchy.  Loose just one and the whole rig goes flying apart."

Mi let his eyes flick from side to side watching out for any sign of the Duros that they were looking for.  He noticed the looks and sighed shaking his head slightly wishing, not for the first time, that it wasn’t so obvious that he was a Blood Carver.  There was little that he could do about it that he didn’t already do.  Pulling the trench coat closer around him and his hat down low he walked into the darker recesses of the bar letting his sense absorb all that happened around him.   All the while trying to pull no more attention than any normal Blood Carver would.

22:29, Today: Mi Truev rolled 22 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 12. Stealth.
22:30, Today: Mi Truev rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2. perception.

The Duros that sat across Mirax snorted, "If you're looking for the Black Comet's Captain, you might want to ask that loud and obnoxious dug at the pod races," he answered the Jedi as the other Duros called, putting an end to the betting. "Looks like I win," he said before making the money disappear in a stack near him in one fluid practiced motion. "You sure you don't want to try your hand again?" he said, suddenly grinning as Kal was getting a similar answer from the barman. [Private to Kal Wennyn: how much did you put down?]

"Refleckshes! Now thatshh exactly wot I'm talking about..." said the Dug nearest Claire in a drunken slur. "These here... fellas... are jush mad that my clan's ish betters an are angry cause my clan's racer has won the last shhheven races on Malastaire..." he said waving at the screen with a bottle of ale. "HE'S BETTER than YOUR SODDEN RACER...!" He shouts at the screen which makes the other patrons a little more upset, but he waves them off with a low whining noise that could be taken as satisfaction.

[Private to Mi Truev: You're too busy trying to melt in the background to notice anything of worth, but that Dug Claire's with is drawing a lot of unwanted attention.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Sun 30 Jan 2011.