Uh oh...

Miri shook her head immediately.

'We're not friends. She pretended to be drunk, I felt sorry for her and she hoodwinked me into losing a pile of credits,' she gestured to the pile of chips still on the table.

"Is that so?" Xilks asked, his arms crossed "Well, we can't have that kind of behavior here in the Twin Suns. If you step aside, we'll handle this personally, and make sure that you receive what is rightfully yours"

"And you, Florsha, will get what is coming to you."

"Over my dead body..." Florsha moved in a blur, grabbing the credits from the table and flinging them into the air over Xilks and the Gamorreans, before snatching her holdout pistol from her holster and shooting the Twilek directly in his knee. No sooner had she pulled the trigger that she was already out of her seat. The flying chips had proved a sufficient distraction, both blocking their eyes, and getting the attention of the other greedy patrons, now scrambling for whatever they could.

OOC: Perception Check.

Miri's heart skipped a beat, half shocked, half thrilled. This was like falling directly into a holothriller!

The young exiled noble realised she was almost certainly in a lot of trouble here unless she thought fast.

---

OOC: Miri Trace rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Perception

In reply to Miri Trace (msg # 16):

Florsha had booked it without looking back, but in her departure had made one last sleight of hand; a simple white card on the table, likely a business card or some other note.

Miri scooped up the card and slipped it into her shirt (she'd have to read it later when she wasn't surrounded by thugs), trying to unscramble her thoughts as to what had just happened. She was certain she couldn't trust the gorgeous Zeltron but she had to admit to herself the other woman had a lot of style.

The card was simple; white backing with plain black font, advertising for Filotus Acquisitions & Holdings, with the locations address.

On the back is written a very simple "Tell them I sent you."

Angry that Florsha got away, the Twilek had to get his frustrations out somewhere.

"Get Her!" He beckoned his minions, pointing at you

OOC: Athletics Check to outrun them, plus any other skills or tricks you have to try and blend in to the crowd.

OOC: Miri Trace rolled 13 using 1d20-1.  Athletics.

Miri turned on her heels and bolted. Her custom tailored boots with three inch block heels were tremendously flattering but at this moment she had to wonder if they were the best idea...

Dodging through the crowd her emerald eyes flicked across the room. A new outfit. That was it. She had to find new clothes and change fast. A coat check, a refresher station, a female employee sneaking off for a death stick break, something.

---

OOC: 22:16, Today: Miri Trace rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Perception.

You barrelled into the first place you could spot, and almost slightly regretted it. This looks like the kind of place Florsha shops in, not a modest thread on display in the whole store, that you can see. The different ads in the windows are all of Twi'leks, Zeltrons, Togruta, and the like in enticing wardrobes.

Though many of the clothes left alot to be revealed, it at least hid you enough for the Gamorreans to go racing past you.

That was close... exciting though in a terrifying sort of way, Miri thought to herself as she took shelter behind a line of dresses that probably combined didn't have the amount of material she had in her shirt.

She waited for as long as she dared, trying not to boggle at some of the spicier adverts. Wow. I really wish I'd been born a Togruta. They're so beautiful... wait how is she posing like that?

She stepped of the shop, glanced around to make sure the coast was clear then started scanning the promenade for a skytaxi point. It looked like she was on her way to 'Filotus Acquisitions & Holdings' - whoever they were.

The skycab brought you to an industrial hub. The neon signs and bright displays gone. Even most signs of life are gone, as much of the heavy manufacturing is done by droids.

The apparent headquarters building is seemingly nondescript. One of any number of seemingly identical dark gray featureless buildings, the sign above the door being the only distinguishing feature.

Entering inside, there is a protocol droid standing at the ready.

"I'm sorry, but visitors are not allowed in the premises without an appointment. Who might you be?"

Miri sniffed at the acrid scents of machinery and pollutants in the air. She could feel the same shimmer of excitement and nervousness going through her as she entered the building. It was almost a shock to be met by something as normal as a protocol droid.

"Hello, I'm Miri. Florsha sent me." Out of habit she smiled politely at the droid, then wondered whether a gruff mercenary snarl wouldn't create a better first impression.

The expressionless droid was perfectly still for a seconds as it processed

"Ah yes! Well, as a prospective new employee, let me be the first to welcome you properly to Filotus Acquisitions and Holdings, the flagship enterprise of his lordship, the esteemed Filotus the Hutt. Although Filotus, with his great mind and keen eye, has created several successful business ventures, this has always been the one closest to his heart. His 'pet project', if you will."

"Now, I understand that by the nature of such things, Florsha may not have shared everything. Before we got any further, I am here to answer any questions you may have."

Miri blinked, different potential questions popping into her mind. "Our meeting was interrupted but Florsha mentioned something about 'special skills' that your boss might be looking for? What sort of job is this?"

"Why, the name explains it all. Filotus the Great recognized that by looking at a problem at its most simplistic form, one can find the most true answer to that problem. In economics, the problem is that all manner of life in all parts of the galaxy, want things. The rarer and more difficult to find a thing is, the more people will pay. In a moment of brilliance, the mighty Filotus saw that what people will pay the most for is what there can't be made any more of. One of a kind artworks, ancient relics, limited distribution weaponry. The Vintage Space Expedition being an excellent example of how all sentient life begins to covet that which is no longer available to them."

"Florsha, and by proxy you, should you be hired, would be responsible for either development of leads to rare goods to acquire, following through on said leads, and or engaging in the necessary steps to procure those rare goods once found. If this sounds like the kind of work you're well suited for, Florsha has asked that you accompany her, as she tracks down a promising lead."

So an art collector? Miri thought to herself, her face lighting up with excitement. Though a lot more exciting than normal if those laserbrains after Florsha are any indication! And even if she conned me she's definitely someone I want to learn more from.

She smiled at the droid. 'That does sound interesting. When do I meet Filotus the... uh, Great?'

"Filotus has become exceptionally security conscious of late. His business competition and fellow Hutts have become jealous and distrusting of him, and have sought means other than the market to seek victory. If you can prove that you are trustworthy, one day you will be honored to stand in his presence."

Miri thought back to some of the histories of her own blueblooded family she'd read. When it came to intrigue, paranoia and protection of status some of her own ancestors would have made the average Hutt look like a youngling.

"I can understand that. So do I meet directly with Florsha?"

"That would be prudent, I think" The droid chirps in response. "You can probably find her at or near her ship, The Bonnie Lass."

she has her own ship too?

'Which spaceport does she dock at?' Miri asked. When she got the details, she smiled at the droid, thanked him and left to flag down another taxi. Time to track down a gorgeous, untrustworthy but impressive Zeltron...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:52, Thu 03 Sept 2020.

The droid provides the destination of Florsha's ship, and you make a prompt departure back to the commercial area you were in.

Unfortunately, the best thing the ship had going for it was it's name.

The Bonnie Lass was a busted up YT-2400. It still worked, mostly, and was testament to the engineering capabilities of the Corellian Engineering Corps, but it certainly had seen better days.

It was hard to imagine a more incongruous ship for the elegant Zeltron than this and Miri walked around it in open mouthed wonder when she arrived. The clothes she was wearing probably cost more! Maybe it will look different inside?

Miri strolled over to the access point and opened up a comlink. 'This is Miri. Permission to come aboard captain?'

Florsha rushed down the loading ramp on hearing your voice "Oh hey! I guess you got my card and figured things out, if you followed me here. No need for the formalities, and don't call me Captain. Make me think I should look around for my father, all dressed up in his uniform and whatever. I just own a ship, and it gets me from place to place. No honorifics needed."

She continued out the rest of the walkway, extending her arms wide as she pointed towards her ship "Well? Waddya think?"

Miri found herself grinning. Despite her best efforts it was impossible not to like the beautiful, charming Zeltron. That remark about father's certainly sounded familiar!

'I think she is not quite the yacht I might have pictured you with, but she's probably more useful. I'm guessing you probably often go places where a, ahem, more glamorous ship would raise all sorts of unwelcome attention.'

She tapped the side of her head with her finger and smiled. 'I'm not just a pretty face. So my fearless non-captain, care to give me the tour?'

"Please. This is just operations on a shoestring budget." She started as she led you aboard " Hoping I can get some more work out of this old gal until I have enough credits saved up for the real Bonnie Lass. Going to get myself a Dynamic Class, custom made with all the bells and whistles. Travel the galaxy in style"

FLorsha leads to the cockpit, as she kicks a few items off of the co-pilot seat "And, to do that, I gotta work. I'm getting kinda tired of working by myself. Waddya think? Ready to get paid to satisfy a Hutt's obsession with ancient relics?"

OOC: For the record, the Ebon Hawk is a Dynamic Class ship.

Miri's eyes widened and she gave a low appreciative whistle. She'd a holo of the ancient ship in her galactic history class once. 'Dynamic class? Wow someone likes the classics! I have to admit that will be stylish!'

She settled into the co-pilot's chair, testing her weight on it and leaning back hands behind her head. 'I think I'm ready to start earning credits, and I think I'm going to like working with you partner.'