Quilran is certainly being generous in his estimation of their location, as they are still at least 10 klicks from the station's geographical location on his holomap, but it isn't long before they reach the deep, circular hole that disappears deep into the moon's centre in which the station is located. They begin to descend, as the smell of sewage, stale sweat and ozone grow steadily stronger. Eventually they reach the level at which the hovertrain station is located, with Quilran directing the speeder into a dilapidated looking speeder bay above the station. An Aqualish sits in a booth at the entrance of the bay, flanked by a pair of battered security droids as he appears to make a note of their time of entry.

"All right," says Quilran, managing to park his speeder on such an angle as to take up three parking bays in the complex before leaping lightly from the vehicle. "Time to make some credits."

Stro'to sends the Aqualish an apologetic look, with the air of someone who'd like to make it clear to onlookers he is as little involved with Quilran's parking choices as he can possibly make himself.

The Aqualish does not appear at all appeased by Stro'to's apologetic look, but the blaster at Quilran's side, which the Aqualish seems to note is an actual blaster rather than a slugthrower, is enough to convince him not to press the matter, and he goes back to watching the cracked and staticky view screen before him.

"Station's just down here," Quilran informs Stro'to, glancing at a rusted turbolift outside which a faded sign in Huttese reads 'Out of order', before beginning to descend the grimy, dimly lit flight of switchback stairs beside it which descend out of view.

Stro'to murmurs something appropriately polite with a gratitude he may or may not actually feel, contemplating the inevitable exercise before him with a sigh, before making his way down the stairs.

Quilran seems to be as fit as he looks, showing no sign of tiring as he descends flight after flight of stairs ahead of Stro'to. They descend 17 flights before they reach the level on which the station is located, stepping out onto the dingy, graffiti ridden platform on which Xizran, Fennec and Bane stood a few hours earlier.

Stro'to does his best to look like a fit Twi'lek as well, and not someone whose usual jogging partner is Vogga.

"Find out who's seen them," Quilran says to Stro'to as he strides over toward the beggars lining the far wall of the station.

Even as Quilran departs, Stro'to finds a certain Gotal at his elbow, hunching obsequiously as he holds a synthpurse aloft.

"You interested in Syldari synthpurse, my lord?" he bleats. "Just 20 credits."

Stro'to looks like he could indeed be interested in this, a 20-credit Syldari synthpurse being a 20-credit Syldari synthpurse after all.

"Genuine?"

"Is the most genuine," the Gotal assures him quickly.

OOC: Khossa Veem rolled 18. Bluff.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:21, Wed 17 Jan 2024.

The real question for Stro'to seems to not be if these are indeed genuine Syldari synthpurses, but whether hypothetical people Stro'to is trying to impress with them as gifts are likely to believe they are.

The white-skinned twi'lek passes a red eye across them appraisingly.

OOC: Vek Stro'to rolled 13 using 1d20+8. Appraise Check.

Unfortunately for Stro'to, these synthpurses are unlikely to fool even his least observant of beings. The 'S' which serves as the brand's logo is decidedly lopsided, and more akin to a 'Z', and the stitching in the lining of the purses is decidedly shoddy. To top it off, the fake synthleather on several of the bags is already showing signs of peeling.

OOC: Khossa Veem rolled 7. Forgery.

"Ah..." Stro'to says delicately, eying that 'Z'. "Ahem. Well, it's unfortunate that I do not have 20 credits on me right now, but if I did, I would certainly be interested in these, ah, genuine products," Stro'to says not very convincingly.

"I do special deal for you, my lord. You have 15 credits?" offers the Gotal persistently.

Stro'to is saved from answering by Quilran, who returns at that moment.

"Hey, Tails, quit wasting time. They were spotted going into the turbolift."

Stro'to looks tempted to protest that there's only one time-wasting sentient in the area right now, but seems to realise in time that this would indeed make two of them.

"They were?" he says hastily, hastening to join Quilran. "How long ago?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:13, Wed 17 Jan 2024.

"About an hour ago," Quilran replies as he shoves his way though the crowd, drawing a series of indignant remarks and curses as the beings about them hasten to get out of his way. "They used this turbo, apparently," he continues, reaching turbolift second from the left and shoving the control panel beside it several times.

"An hour is not bad," Stro'to says bracingly. "Xizran is not the fittest. I am sure he cannot have gotten too far."

Quilran continues to mash the control panel repeatedly as he waits impatiently for the lift to ascend to their level. The lift does not appear at all perturbed, and continues to make the pair wait another couple of minutes before it finally arrives. More than one of the beings nearby throw them quizzical glances as several other turbolifts come and go in the meantime, but none seem to feel there is anything to be gained by attempting to bring this to the surly Kiffar's attention. Eventually the turbolift arrives and it's door slides open. Quilran swiftly strides in, levelling a blaster at a pair of Duros inside as he orders them out. The pair mutter something indignant, but appear to have enough self preservation to hastily step out as an apologetic Stro'to moves in after Quilran. The moment the door closes, the Kiffar uses his left hand to press down the control to close the door, while he runs his right slowly down the floor buttons on the other, eyes closed in concentration.

"Level 742," he asserts at length, his eyes snapping open as he punches the level into the control panel and they begin to ascend. "A little ability called Psychometry," he adds to Stro'to, despite the Twi'lek not having asked, sounding pleased with himself. "Lets me see visions of the past when I touch things other curns have touched. Only one in a bazillion Kiffar are born with the ability."

OOC: Quilran Tarro used Psychometry.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Wed 17 Jan 2024.

"Erm. Everything about their past?" Stro'to says, possibly thinking of things like Stro'to's monthly accounts.

Quilran seems content to leave Stro'to in suspense, leaning forward to push control panel several more times, despite the fact that the turbolift is already ascending at maximum speed. Eventually the door opens to reveal the dingy walkway and ramp leading up to the air taxi bay, and it isn't long before the pair (with the aid of a few credits) are pointed in the direction of the taxis, and the Rodian pilot who for a few more credits remembers hearing quite clearly something about a ride to a hanger down in level 323 in the docks district. He is also happy to offer them a lift for 7 credits (him somehow forgetting to mention the amount that Xizran and his companions ended up paying for their trip) but Quilran refuses.

"Got my own ride parked beneath the station," he informs the Rodian. "Besides, those stairs are sweet for my cardio workout. Don't even need to hit the hologym. All right, Tails, let's go get our dude."

Stro’to, looking much less enthusiastic about the prospect of a free cardio workout than Quilran, nevertheless seems to accept that seven credits is seven credits, and lets his companion lead the way with a sigh.

OOC: End of Chapter II...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:33, Fri 19 Jan 2024.