While it may not have seemed like it to observers, or perhaps even to Shira at first, the shoes did seem to have a mind of their own.  Very aware of every capricious nudge and shift of the footwear's flightpath, Shira could tell the fluctuations were tracking to the static in DeeJay's sound effects.  Perhaps it was some kind of subtle interference or even a signal picked up by the sensitive slippers.

TwoOneBee began to make his way to the Tibanna Sunrise, knowing he might be needed.  The living often got themselves damaged in the most unnecessary ways, and without warranties.  DeeJay followed, translating some choice Correllian curses into Binary.

Flailing and flapping, Shira tried to stop the shoe's strange flight.  She was successful, from a certain point of view.   The Gammorean giant stopped her flight by being crashed into.  The shoes dropped Shira gently to the ground, momentarily confused.  So was the Gammorean, who grunted angrily at Shira.

"Ah," DeeJay said, overhearing, "I believe the Gammorean gent is displeased with Shira."

OOC:
Shira has crashed into a giant Gammorean (the pig-like guards in Jabba's palace, among other places).  The Gammorean looks about to brawl with Shira.  To the alien's credit, the Gammorean is not using his axe which implies a kind of bar-brawling ettiquite, no weapons against mere fists.

Before the Gammorean will actually be able to attack Shira, the rest of the party can be in brawling range.  Ali, Thuraya and Sundancer are also heading that way as well.

The moment the shoes started taking Shira elsewhere, Celes drew a credchip from one of her belt pouches and tossed it to the salesbeing before the inevitable run after her crewmate. She quietly but hurriedly shouldered her way through the crowds, right until Shira came to a stop. On impact, Celes's eyes grew wide and her loud cry of "Shira!" was enough to get attention and part a path of people who didn't want any trouble.

In short order, Celes had arrived with TwoOneBee and the others, kneeling by Shira and breathing more quickly than she would be if in a fight.

"Bee, help her. Is she okay?" Terrified, Celes forced herself to make some space for the doctor to work, turning her eyes first to him, then to the Gamorrean. The shift from fear to fury was sudden and stark. Even so, she made no move against him yet, even if she did look like she was about ready to lash out with fists and teeth, if need be.

[I'll take last dibs on proper action, but I dig the imagery of the scene. Still feeling bad about short circuiting the fight against the Forcetroopers in the last arc, don't wanna hog everything just because I'm always available to post.]

"I don't know what I'm doing! I'm not trying to do it!" Shira wailed to 'Bee. Her silver hair whipped around her as she zoomed about.

"Uh-oh" she said in a squeak as the Gamorrean loomed up ahead of her. She folded up and turned her head away to try and protect herself in the collision.
"Ouch!" she cried out, tears coming to her eyes. Miraculously, nothing seemed broken, but she'd have bruises for a while to remind her of her brief shoe-flight.

She scrambled backwards desperately. "I'm really sorry. Really, really sorry. Honest!" Shira cried out "I didn't mean to run into you!". The Gamorrean towered over her, and a single punch from the creature could shatter Shira's bones with ease. At least Celes' cry let her know she wasn't alone.

Shira suddenly felt the full gravity of the situation and not just because the impact with the Gamorrean had finally stilled the shoes.

She didn't really need DeeJay to translate the brute's angry grunts but the droid did so anyway.  "It seems our friend is named Snork and demands a blow in recompense for your unintended impact with him.  In a way, he is being very gallant considering his culture.  He has no objection to a companion taking the blow."

Snork waited patiently, a few other Gamorreans scattered about the dim cantina were beginning to watch the scene with mild interest.

After a moment, Ali, Thuraya and Sundancer were in conversing distance.  Celes was also there, seemingly taking full stock of the situation.

Sundancer began to speak to Snork in as fair an approximation of his native language as human vocal cords could manage...

Given her slight stature and unpleasant proximity to Snork, Shira noticed what seemed a strange flower on the floor of the 'establishment'.  It couldn't have been there for very long or it would have been crushed.  But Snork didn't seem the corsage type...

OOC:
Sorry for the usual delay.
Everyone can start the next post assuming you are within talking (or punching) distance of Snork and Shira.  It seems Snork wants to punch someone back as a courtesy.  Anyone may volunteer.  But certainly this is not the only option that might be available.

The strange 'flower' won't last long on the well-stomped floor.  Shira can make a Perception (or Search) roll to learn more or a Dex roll just to pick up the weird blossom.  Other PCs can also attempt so at a higher difficulty number.

I was impressed by Celes' proformance last chapter (as well as the other players and characters).  I am planning to up my game in response this time around.

Questions, just ask. 

"Of course, Ms Celes, do not worry, I will give her a thorough examination."

With some difficulty, TwoOneBee bends over to scan the distraught Ghostling.  He is aware of DeeJay's translation of the Gamorrean's displeasure and his demand for satisfaction, but all of his resources are focused on treating Shira.  He administers a mild anesthetic, to help her deal with any discomfort she might be experiencing, and proceeds to check for any fractures or breaks.

"How are you feeling Ms Shira?  Is there any discomfort you are feeling?  How about here, or here?  Are you experiencing any headache, blurred vision, double vision or naseau?"

Grev for the moment remains concealed as he positions himself within easy striking distance of the Gamorean.  If the situation is not resolved peacefuly, he will intervene.  For now, he lets the Jedi deal with it.

Celes listened to DeeJay's explanation while staring vibrodaggers at the angry gamorrean, then stood up and nodded.

"Fine. Me. DeeJ?"

Shira made a quick grab for the flower, then scrambled backwards to Celes, taking shelter behind her. "Please tell Snork I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to do it!" she said to DeeJay She felt like a coward when Celes volunteered to take the blow, but it would almost certainly have killed Shira, or at least crippled her.
"Head definitely aching, Bee" she groaned. "And lots of discomfort". The anesthetic eased her a little.



11:22, Today: Shira rolled 10 (16 excluding the wild die) using 5 dice and 1 pips with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 4,2,3,6,{Wild}1.  Search: Learn about the flower.
11:21, Today: Shira rolled 10 using 3 dice and +2 pips with the WEG Classic system with rolls of {Wild}4,3,1.  Dex, pick up the flower.

TwoOneBee gave Shira as quick and non-invasive a scan as possible.  The young ghostling didn't seem injured, her own agility and that of the shoes had improbably protected his charge in a gravity beyond the one she was born to.  The mild sedative was well-tolerated.

Grev very quietly positioned himself between the Gammorean and any other trouble but himself.  If this turned out not to be a fair fight, he would be all of the unfair about it.

DeeJay actually did a double-take at Celes' offer but seeing the bounty hunter was serious, translated in booming grunts that must have strained her speakers.  It was met by a chorus of surprised, and then impressed, grunts from all of the gathered Gammorreans, including Snork.

The big, offended porcineoid moved to face Celes and placed his arms by his side.  As the challenged's champion, she had first punch.  If Snork was still capable thereafter, Celes would receive his blow.  Honor would then be satisfied.

Shira's pleading did not seem to be helping the situation.  With no better option presenting itself, she studied the flower and realized that it was in reality a kind of animal.   It helped her scoop up the tiny creature, which nestled and cooed in her palm.  It seemed to chitter on-and-off, in a fashion similar to Binary, the primary language of droids...

OOC:
1. Hi, folks.  Again, sorry for the long delay.
2. Grev is positioned correctly if things go Galactic South.  I will try and give him something specific to do if I can.
3. Celes gets one Brawling blow.  The roll to hit is a '1' as Snork is deliberatly not resisting.  Barring a complication, Celes will hit with an extra +1D of damage (as she has time for a haymaker).  If Snork is short of Incapcitated, he will get a similar blow on Celes.  Whatever happens, honor will be satisfied.  This is assuming everyone plays fair.  If not, let me know.  It seems Snork is playing this straight.
4. Shira would consider this 'flower' to similar to a land anenome but there may not be such a creature (and thus specific name) in the Galaxy.  She may make a Languages roll to try and understand what the creature is trying to say.  No one else gets a roll (which should make y'all suspicious).
5. TwoOneBee should make another Medicine roll.  Shira's condition may have changed slightly.
6. Questions, just ask.

The doctor leaned close, visual receptors glowing a warm amber.  Of all his charges, he expended the majority of his time and concern caring for Ms Shira.  The others were capable and only rarely needed his full attention, but the Ghostling seemed to have a knack for misadventure that required much more of the old droid.  Not that he minded in the slightest; she made him feel needed, appreciated, much as his cherished lost charge Lasna Vahl had.  He felt a jolt to his matrix as some of his most treasured data files were all unexpectedly enabled, flooding him with unbidden memories.

"I cannot find any outward signs of physical trauma, concussion, fractures or other symptoms associated with a sudden impact event.  Let me simply take a few more scans to ensure that there are no further complications.  You are responding well to the medication, your heart rate is still a little elevated, but it is improving.  Just a moment longer, I promise."

12:36, Today: TwoOneBee rolled 25 using 7 dice with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 4,2,4,3,1,{Wild}6(+1),4.  TwoOneBee scans Ms Shira Medicine roll.

Hearing DeeJay respond to the Gammorreans in their own gutteral, and rather crude in TwoOneBee's opinion, language, he was filled again with an admiration for her.  She was certainly an extraordinary example of her droid-type, resourceful and multi-talented.  Then he registered Celes response to the protocol droid and he suddenly understood what DeeJay was doing; translating Ms Celes request to engage in a ludicrously dangerous physical challenge!  Where all organics designed to be so irrational?  He wondered, not for the first time, how they had survived to build the 2-1B series at all.

"Ms Celes, I really cannot recommend this course of action.  Are you aware of the physical abilities of an average Gammorrean as compared to your own species?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Sun 28 Jan 2018.

At first, TwoOneBee thought he had overmedicated Miss Shira earlier but with a moment's reflection, he realized that Shira was under the effect of what might be some other mind-altering chemical.  The tiny flower on Shira's palm pulsed and flexed contentedly.  Shira looked on happily through her slightly dilated pupils.

F-R-I-E-N-D pulsed the signals through Shira's perceptions.  Binary was a very thorough but very slow language.  Was the entreaty a request or an offer?

OOC:
A little in-between IC post while I have a little time.

It seems the wee beastie has introduced a chemical into Shira's bloodstream.  Likely a mild euphoric.  So far, Shira can act normally.  For those suspecting malice, there are poisons that would kill with a smaller dose. It doesn't look like the tiny blossom wants to harm Shira, at least not yet. :-)

The little critter is slightly stuck to Shira's palm and may not take kindly to being removed.

"Don't worry, Bee. He's not the biggest I've taken a hit from." Celes switched off power to her shock gloves (a perfectly reasonable defensive measure, for a place they weren't expected to draw blasters), then shifted into a fighting stance. Those trained in that sort of thing could see it was a Trandoshan martial art, legs low with arms high enough to be protect her head. The bounty hunter prepared for a strike at the gamorrean's center of mass. If she got it right, she could hit a bundle of nerves tucked away between the muscle and fat. If she didn't... well, he'd have a turn, and that would be the end of it.

[09:02, Today: Celes Varik rolled 15 using 4 dice and +2 pips with the WEG Classic system.  Brawling.

Wild die came up a 2. That was close.

09:03, Today: Celes Varik rolled 10 (14 excluding the wild die) using 4 dice and +2 pips with the WEG Classic system.  Boosted Brawling damage.

And that was closer. Ew. Well, so much for that.]

Shira touched the flower-creature gently. "Oooh, pretty" she sighed. "What are you, little friend?"
She blinked, trying to focus on what was happening was Celes. Captain Celes was her friend, but she found it hard to worry after what the flower had done to her. "Not to worry, 'Bee. Celes can take him" she said, unnaturally happy.

It wasn't a bad blow but a female human could only be expected to do so much against this mountain of meat.

22:05, Today: That Old Fossil, for the NPC Snork, rolled 12 using 4 dice with the WEG Classic system ((4,2,{Wild}3,3)).

Snork gave a respectful grunt as the air was knocked out of him but showed no other damage, certainly none to even match Celes' aching hand.  Instead, the Gamorrean nodded for Celes to prepare for his blow.

22:08, Today: That Old Fossil, for the NPC Snork, rolled 23 using 6 dice with the WEG Classic system ((6,1,6,3,{Wild}4,3)).
22:09, Today: That Old Fossil, for the NPC Snork, rolled 5 (12 excluding the wild die) using 4 dice with the WEG Classic system ((6,{Wild}1,2,3)).

To save time, I went ahead and rolled as if Celes stands her ground and takes the punch as 'honor' demands.  If Celes does otherwise, let me know.  Otherwise, Celes took a well-placed but anemic blow with a damage of 5 to be resisted against.

The tiny little blossom pulsed again in Binary.  It was becoming easier to understand as Shira recollection of Binary was brought to the present.  ~Friend - Test~ Then the flower painlessly separated itself from Shira and scuttled towards TwoOneBee, bowing as it approached.  It seemed to want to be picked up and possibly be scanned by TwoOneBee.

But everyone was distracted by a group of various grim-looking individuals, a selection of some of the more scum and villainy races of the Galaxy, spruced up for Cloud City.  Thus, there were certainly humans and Gamorreans in the mix.  They were moving from the cantina's entrance to Celes and seemed of a serious mind.   Grev was between the two groups and his body language was that of just another trouble-avoiding barfly.  It might give him the advantage over the preoccupied group approaching...

OOC:
By the die rolls, Celes may simply 'take' the punch offered by Snork.  At this point, honor would be satisfied.

Grev will have either a round of surprise (if combat starts) or a +1D 'aiming' bonus to any reasonable action.  Not being noticed allows Grev discretion and time.  While armed, the group does not seem to expect violence to dealt or received.

Shira is not harmed by the weed's seperation and only feels a slight, pleasant buzz (no obvious game stat changes).  The words Friend and Test are oddly punctuated by design.  The plant's communication is not yet so sophisticated as to convey which exact meaning it intends out of several possible options.  TwoOneBee can use any skill that seems appropriate.  The oddly knowing sprout will not object to any non-invasive scan (and TwoOneBee still gets full dice with a non-invasive scan and wise examination).

Questions, just ask...

"I do not understand, Ms Shira.  Where precisely would Ms Celes be taking a Gamorrean?" the doctor asked.


TwoOneBee was so completely focused on the pugilistic exchange between Celes and the Gamorrean that he had not taken much notice of the strange alien flower until he detected Shira's chemically induced euphoria.  As the tiny being detached from Shira and made its way towards him, he extended one mechanical manipulator and allowed the creature to climb up if it would.

The first thing he decided to do was to explore his data archives, hoping to uncover some information about this particular species.

20:51, Today: TwoOneBee rolled 10 (16 excluding the wild die) using 5 dice with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 4,{Wild}1,4,2,5.  TwoOneBee scans Alien Bloom Alien Races roll.

Secondly he scanned the flower being's anatomical structure to determine if perhaps it requires medical assistance and to better understand what sort of life form it is.

21:10, Today: TwoOneBee rolled 27 using 7 dice with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 5,2,{Wild}5,6,2,5,2.  TwoOneBee scans Alien Flower Medicine roll.

OO: Not sure my Alien Races roll uncovered much, but perhaps the medical bio scan yielded more purely physical scientific data.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:03, Thu 08 Mar 2018.

[19:38, Today: Celes Varik rolled 15 using 3 dice and +2 pips with the WEG Classic system.  Strength soak.[

Without her armor, Celes was simply a rather tough woman. Even so, she was a rather tough woman. When the gamorrean prepared for the return strike, she nodded her acknowledgement, braced herself, and closed her eyes so as not to reflexively flinch from the blow. It struck her clean, and she let out a loud huff of air and dropped to one knee for a moment. It didn't take long to draw in another breath and push herself back up to a shaky stand, facing her opponent. With another nod, she held out her hand in a show of respect.

Celes was totally oblivious to the goings on with the flower, and likewise she wasn't too concerned with the approaching group. Her focus had been the gamorrean, and keeping her internal organs functioning in the face of an oncoming slab of dense meat and bone. She was pretty satisfied with how that had gone.

"Where are you going, little friend?" Shira said dreamily as the flower-creature left.

"Oh, you know. Places." she responded to 'Bee, disoriented.

"Miss Celes? Are you okay? I'm so sorry" she said, rushing over to Celes' side. Although she was concerned, her voice still came out as dreamy and out of it in her current state.

By sheer mass and physics, some would argue that the young human should have been knocked into a nearby cluster of curious barflies.  But with a knowledge of kinesethic leverage and sheer willpower, Celes stood her ground, at least on one knee.

There was an audible gasp from the onlookers and an equivalent blast of static from an impressed DeeJay.  Snork stood back, impressed.  He nodded slowly, realizing that even some humans could understand honor.  And then Snork took Celes' hand in a heartfelt gesture between true and instant friends.  The Gammorean then motioned towards the bar, offering drinks for all concerned.  He also passed what ever strange concoction was in his giant wooden mug to Celes and her companions.  The crisis seemed over to mixed relief and disappointment from those nearby.

TwoOneBee examined the tiny blossom.  He hated being as imprecise as the organic but the alien was best described as a mobile neuron.  It exuded, and seemed to sense, incredibly varied and sophisticated pheremones.  It had injected a mild euphoric into Shira, with a seeming sudden insight into her biochemistry.  The strangest thing about the tiny creature is it seemed to have to tiny a brain for the sentience and language it was showing.

Drinks were soon brought to Grev, Shira and Ali by the many big aliens, mostly Gammorreans, that seemed to be Snork's boon companions.  Further in the back of the cantina were Sundancer and Thuraya, unnoticed thanks to a suggestion and hand-wave from Sundancer.  He had gently grabbed Thuraya's own hand, which had moved just a little too quickly to the lightsaber hidden in her pocket.  "You see, not all problems have to be solved by attacking."  Thuraya simply nodded at the Jedi Master's teaching but still narrowed her eyes in suspicion.


OOC:
1.  Celes has impressed Snork and thus his companions enough that the drinks can be refused with no penalty.  The attitude of the bruisers towards the group is friendly and the PCs can stay or go.  Sorry for the even longer than usual delay.

Quickly the doctor enveloped Celes in a thorough bio-scan, with the understanding that she would most certainly experience some discomfort and dermatological discoloration from the event. He could easily lessen the effects of such symptoms.  It was more deep tissue/skeleto-muscular damage, and other such complications from physical trauma, he was concerned about.  Early diagnosis was always the best defense when dealing with physical injuries.

Perusing his alien psychological database, however, brought him to an interesting conclusion.  From a cultural standpoint, it would be best not to be seen assisting Celes for the moment.  Her current standing among the Gammorreans depended on her ability to accept her discomfort without complaint.  So interference from her medical droid would most likely not be well received.  As difficult as it was for him to accept, he would have to wait until later to attend to her.



The blossom alien was something of an enigma.  It was difficult to discern if the diminutive being was vegetable or animal in nature, or even a strange hybrid of the two.  It was undeniably intelligent, far more so than TwoOneBee had anticipated.  It had not harmed Ms Shira, and in fact it may have been attempting to alleviate her pain.  And it was attempting to communicate with her and possibly with him as well.  It was therefor of some importance to establish a dialogue and determine what it was trying to say.  It seemed to be using some sort of basic binary code so perhaps that was the best place to start.

"DeeJay, are you able to translate what this alien flower is attempting to convey?  It seems to be using a base binary language to converse, but its actions and brain activity indicate it is far more intelligent than I first suspected.  Will you ask it what it wants or needs from us if you can, please?"



The humour in Ms Shira's statement was mostly lost on the doctor.  She did not, however, seem to be suffering, and the effects of her current euphoria would subside, given time.  He continued to monitor her condition, just to be certain she was okay.

"Ms Shira, did this alien blossom communicate with you in some way?  If so do you recall what it said?"



The canny droid happened to overhear the exchange between Master Sundancer and Ms Thuraya.  He was aware that the young lady's emotional state seemed oddly volatile of late.  Perhaps he should consider discussing these observations with the Jedi Master at a more appropriate time.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:03, Mon 12 Mar 2018.

Seeing that Captain Ali is in no further need of an unknown guards, Grev in his muscular bulk steps into sight from behind the Gamoreans friends (perhaps much to their surprise).  Taking the proffered drink, Grev sipped it slowly, nursing it.  He was not so green as to not see the danger in loosing ones senses, or the potential for the drink to be altered.  So, while almost the entire drink remained unconsumed by him, the mug itself would slowly empty.  He kept a weather eye on both Captain Ali, and Celes.

Once the apparent ritual is done with, Celes opts to have a drink with her new friends, but makes sure to keep a wary eye on Shira. She was with Bee, so likely couldn't get into too much trouble, but the team was on Cloud City to have a good time, and Celes worried what kind of time they'd have if Shira decided to have a drink too.

Still, half an hour or so to carouse wasn't too bad, and it'd let her make sure the captain was alright as well. She'd definitely want to get the punch looked at later, but this wasn't the time to show that kind of concern.

The Gammoreans were as good as their word, and it seemed the Rebels would have an unlimited tab at the bar for tonight at least.  The drinks were increasing in potency from Ghostling Sweet Tea to Lightsaber Gargle to Vader's Breath.  Still, even the biggest of their new alien friends did seem to have an inkling of human fragility and were not insistent.

The little flower seemed to tire of TwoOneBee's examination and began to slowly scuttle towards Snork.  Snork eventually turned towards the plant and held his large palm in welcome.

OOC:
As always, I am sorry for the delay.
This is a short post as things are about to happen.  I realize this scene has been a little lacking in action and direction.

As mentioned before, the characters can refuse the drinks and carousing at no penalty.  But, for this scene, characters can make a Stamina or Willpower check (their choice) to imbibe or carouse.  For this roll, success is considered an interpersonal success as the aliens are impressed by the character's gumption.  The Difficulty is a 12, failure should result in mild comic and discomfort but nothing lethal.

The tiny blossom doesn't have the strength to get to Snork if the PC's wish it.  They can simply hold on to one of its petals.  Snork doesn't seem surprised or worried by the blossom.

"It said I was his friend. Isn't that nice of him, to befriend me?" Shira replied dreamily to TwoOneBee.

"You're the best, Captain! The toughest!" Shira gushed happily. "I think you saved me life just now!" She smiled brightly at the Captain. She got herself a soda and clinked glasses with Grev. "A toast to our wonderful group!"

Grev inclines his head, his toothy, almost predatory smile there, but his attention not entirely on social interaction.

DeeJay sent silent communiques to the commlinks of the crew.  The various ships had arrived to take them to their varied destinations for shore leave.

It was now just time to wrap things up here.

The little flower crawled up to the large ear of Snork, almost as if whispering.

With that, all of the crew's new 'friends' pulled back fabric or fur to show that each had a tiny blossom somewhere on their skin.

"You are welcome to join our collective any time." They all said in unison...

OOC:
This thread is wrapping up so we can transition to the next chapter, a published module by West End Games.  I assume that the characters will part on good terms with the others and go but you can still surprise me.

The flowers are essentially a pheromone link between hosts, not quite telepathy but close enough.  The delicate flowers in gestalt are essentially the most dainty crime lord you will ever meet.  This might be a plot development for another time.

I assume that your characters will have a wonderful leave, what happens on Pleasure World stays on Pleasure World.  You can flash back when you return to duty and the first chapter of our new adventure.

Questions, just ask...