TITLE: Positively Scamming Logged by: Ashton DATE: 05/02/02 ============================================================ CHARACTERS: Ashton Anjalika Zec ============================================================ Ashton A powerfully built man whose eyes and smile coincide with his young and athletic-looking physique. Averaging these two factors, a guess that the human male is somewhere in his early to mid-twenties is close to accurate. His light brown, almost sandy-brown hair is shoulder-length with slight curls at the end. He has light hazel eyes, more green than brown, but this changes with his mood or outlook. His beard is slightly darker than his hair color and actually adds a few years to his appearance. He is average in height; no more than five foot ten inches tall. Ashton is wearing a light blue tunic over a soft white, high-collared shirt. The loose sleeve tunic is belted at the waist with a black utility belt. His black pants are tucked into a pair of knee-high boots, made of soft black nerf leather. Clipped to his utility belt is a smooth, gunmetal blue cylinder. Zec Zec looks to be around 24 years old, though it might be a bit difficult to tell with the fairly large amount of dirt and grime his face currently has accumulated. His hair is a light brown, and is grown long pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Most of his features are average looking, but his eyes are crystal blue that sparkles with youthful fervor. The type of eyes that belong to a person who still thinks he can own the world, and wont stop for anything. However his clothes offer a counter point to his eyes assertions. It seems he is wearing traditional poor spacer gear. Bits and pieces of clothing from various sources, anything he could get that was still in good repair. His shirt is lightly ripped, slightly stained, and very blue, it is currently overlaid by some sort of planetary militia uniform jacket that has seen better days. His pants are a pair of patched if serviceable mechanics overalls, that have been cutoff from the waist up. The only thing presentable at all is his new shiny black boots that he occasionally glances down proudly at. Anjalika Exotic and Young, this female human can't be more then twenty years old. She is of average height and weight proportionate with curves in all the right places. Her hair falls slightly past her shoulders in a cascade of midnight colored curls which are currently pulled back loosely away from her face with a white gold clasp in the shape of a star. She walks with the grace of a dancer as her pale blue eyes watch the world with a seductive curiosity. Though her expression is carefully neutral her demeanor is alluring and noble like. When a smile does touch her face it could warm the coldest man's heart. She is clad in a black and crimson leather jump suit. A black leather jacket with crimson trim around the cuffs and lapels covers her black leather sleeveless top. A simple belt grabs her waist holding her tight black leather pants up, hiding no curves on this young woman. A pair of knee-high boots protect her feet from the weathers of the world. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terminal Spires -- Republic City Coruscant The Spires is a somewhat classy club, but it caters to all the types that frequent spaceports. The elegant look the designer strove for has been subdued with a more rustic look. The long bar on the main floor is made of heavy wood and barstools with backrests line three sides of it. Dozens of tables are strewn across the main floor, except for the small stage area set up to the left of the bar. Two sets of stairs to either side of the main entrance lead up to the second level, which has windows that look out over the spaceport concourse on one side, and the city on the other. Another smaller bar is located upstairs with a smaller selection of drink mixes. Zec pushes open the bar door, and strides in barely giving the people around him a second glance. His eyes roam over the crowd and he seems to be trying to look at everything at once. A quirk of a smile plays across his lips briefly and heads toward the main bar. The bar is at a standstill. Most of the patrons are watching on as two recent combatants are squared off, each holding a melee weapon and poised to strike. On most worlds, this would invite lots of cheering and betting. But not here. Perhaps it's because the bar is nicer than most. Maybe it's because it's on the Republic capital world. Or perhaps it's the blue-garbed human standing between the two, speaking quietly, that keeps the crowd, and the two combatants, in check. Zec stops his hasty journey toward the bar to stare at the crowd, and the object of their attention. He doesn't seem to realize what's going on, but he intends to find out. Scratching his head he moves toward the edge of the crowd hoping to hear what's going on. Anjalika walks into the bar, looking rather tired. She is carrying a black leather backpack over her shoulder, dressed in black and crimson leather from top to bottom. A blaster attached to the left leg as she sighs softly and looks around calmly. Anjalika 's eyes fall on the crowd and Ashton instantly. She presses her lips in thought as she sighs again steering clear of the Jedi begins to move away from the crowd towards an empty table. She tucks a loose strand of midnight black hair behind her ear as she plops her backpack on the table before her. "No, that won't be necessary," Ashton says, shaking his head to the Rodian with the twisted knife. "He didn't pay for it, therefore you owe him nothing more than an apology." This raises a cry from the Defel behind him. Ashton turns to stare down the being. "/You/ were the one who requested my intervention. You offered to pay, but changed the amount promised. If you agree to pay the amount agreed upon, he'll produce the artifact." Turning to both, he lifts an eyebrow. The Rodian nods, sheathes his knife and turns away. The Defel, cursing to himself, turns away as well and stomps towards the door. Sighing, Ashton relaxes slightly, and takes a few steps towards the bar, resuming his place and finding his drink untouched. Anjalika pulls out her chair and sits down. She pulls her backpack close to her as she opens it the top to look in it. Her eyes focused on the inside of her backpack as she begins to shuffle through it. Zec grins at the skillful mediation, and steps over to the bar sliding onto the stool next to Ashton. He glances curiously at him and sizes him up, his eyes lingering for a second strange cylinder hanging from the man's belt, and then his eyes open a bit in remembrance. "Err, Hi! Zec, that's my name. Nice to meet ya!" His enthusiastic words are joined by an enthusiastically extended hand. Not all Jedi are stuffy and boring. Something Ashton does his best to prove in his more casual dress and his interactions with others. Well, aside from when he was called upon to be a Jedi. Turning, his drink in his hand, he accepts the hand of the stranger, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Hello Zec ... you new around here?" A deep sigh escaping Anjalika she finds a small datapad and pulls it out. The Tetaian royal emblem on the front as she covers it quickly by placing it under the bag as she orders some tea from a passing barmaid. Zec nods his head, "Yup, just got in." He clears his throat, "Caught the end of your performance there, not bad, not bad at all." He says but his voice hints that of course he could have done better himself, "What was the argument over?" But the Rodian isn't done. He's gone to a lot of work acquiring the 'artifact' he clenches so strongly under his arm. He passes by Anjalika's table just in time to see the emblem on the datapad and his greedy mind makes an assumption that she's someone of importance ... or wealth. He stops, withdrawing the brown cylinder and offering it up for her to admire. When he speaks, it's in very broken basic. "This can be yours... only 500 credits. Is worth more, but must sell to recoup my losses." Turning, Ashton overhears the conversation and shakes his head. But Zec's voice draws his attention back to the bar. "That? Oh, just a misunderstanding... I /thought/ it was all sorted out, but..." he inclines his head to where the Rodian is trying for a new sale. Anjalika 's looks slowly up and down at the Rodian and smiles. She converts to his native language answering him in a very elegant manner by her movements as she holds up hand shaking her head slowly. Anjalika says, "hatT is tieuaubfl heerwov I am not here to psh.o phaPrse eoanhrt day" in Rodian. **Translation: That is beautiful however I am not here to shop. Perhaps another day.** Zec let's his gaze follow the Jedi's and raises an eyebrow, "Yeah? Seems your Rodian friend is up ta something." He quickly glances at the other participant in the earlier squabble then back to Anjalika. At her turn of language he frowns, and glances at his new friend, "Whad she said?" The Rodian shakes his head, adding a touch of sorry to his look. He says something in his own language, laying the artifact on the table and gesturing to her backpack, and says something else in his language, almost irritably. "She doesn't want to buy, but he's not taking no for an answer," Ashton says, in answer to Zec. Taking a drink of his tea, he continues to watch the encounter, although most everyone else in the bar has returned to their own business. You paged Anjalika with 'he basically said 'please help me. If I don't sell this off, I won't be able to afford to return home to my family.' he gestures to your bag and says, 'certainly someone with your wealth can afford a measly 400 credits..."' Zec takes the time to distract himself a bit by observing just the woman, rather than both her and her alien companion, which does much to improve his day. "Not a bad looker eh?" After this profound words he to continues to watch the encounter but for different reasons. The young woman looks sad knowing all to well how sad it can be without being with her family produces 500 credits and places it on the table. She says something in his language again pushing the artifact towards him. She nods in thanks to the barmaid as her tea arrives and picks up to sip slowly. Anjalika says, "I know het lgene.if I am otn tsiynag eh.er disrneCo it a g.fti Now slepea ealev me aenl.o You are ringb attention I do not eend oodg ir.s" in Rodian. ** Translation: I know the feeling. I am not staying here. Consider it a gift I don't need your possession. Now please leave me alone. You are bringing attention I do not need good sir. ** Zec frowns as the woman lays down both the money, and the item, and winces, "I bet ya she just got swindled." He wonders if he should interfere, on the one hand you really shouldn't mess with another beings con, on the other he wouldn't mind getting in the woman's good graces. He glances at the Jedi, "You reckon she's getting swindled somehow?" The Rodian bows his head and nods, several times to the woman, reaching for the credits laid onto the table between them. An observant being might note the greed in his eyes as he reaches tentatively for the chits. Across the barroom, Ashton furrows his brow and again shakes his head. His gut says to involve himself and keep the Rodian from taking the credits offered to him, but no one asked for his involvement. Snorting slightly to himself, he takes another drink of his tea. "Second target I've seen him get on that line in two days," he says, nodding to Zec. "Too bad," he says, with some empathy. Anjalika 's eyes shift around the bar as they fall on the pair looking at her. She looks at Zec and then to Ashton. As a child she was taught all to well to know of Jedi's slightly turns her chair muttering something to herself. She slowly sets the tea down and produces the datapad from under the bag, the old and true Tetaian Royal Seal disappearing a touch of a button the young woman going into her own thoughts once again. Zec sees the Jedi isn't about to do anything, and slides off his stool, a hint of excitement reaching his eyes. "Well then I must put things to right. I must defend her honor." He rubs his hands together as he speaks, "Just sit back and watch the show." He treads his way confidently through the crowd, of course a lot of that confidence is founded on the fact that a Jedi will be watching his back. Zec steps up next to the Rodian and eyes him menacingly before gracing the woman with a hastily whipped up outraged expression, "Madam, I do believe you are being swindled." He states motioning at the greedy eyed alien. Smiling to himself, Ashton does exactly as he's told. Leaning back against the bar, he watches as Zec makes his way across the room. His tea held in his right hand, he drinks from it leisurely. Something he couldn't bring himself to do... intervene without being asked. Well, unless someone was going to get killed. He senses no such animosity in his new acquaintance, and so does the scene - and Anjalika - a favor by pretending to ignore the situation. The Rodian turns abruptly at Zec's approach and snatches at the chits on the table. He says something sharply to the man and gestures wildly to Anjalika. << The Rodian swears he is being honest and had every intention of leaving the artifact for Anja to keep, regardless of her words. Even though his other hand had been reaching to retrieve it from where she pushed it over to him. >> Anjalika 's growls softly as she stands in one fluid motion. 'He did not swindle me sir. I gave it to him as a gift out of the kindness of my heart. There are good people in this world and if you don't go back over there and hide behind your new friend I will make sure you wish you did ok?" She waves her fist at Zec frowning deeply at him while she motions to the Rodian to just go away. Zec's fake outrage turns real, "Ohhh... Oh yeah, that's real kind of you." He points at the Rodian, "What did he tell you... Did he say his mother was sick? Maybe needed some surgery? Oh no... no... I know let me guess he's down on his luck, and can't afford a days meal." He glances at the Rodian, "Nice scam your running, you got a good eye for the easy tricks." Ashton isn't looking directly at the encounter, but smirks as he hears Zec practically insult Anjalika. Not the best start, but the kid had a good heart. Turning, he puts down his empty glass and nods to the bartender for a refill. He was going to leave, but things were getting fun. The Rodian takes Anjalika's chits and attempts to scurry away before he can be stopped. No one but Zec seems to notice though. Anjalika 's takes a step between Zec and the Rodian and plants her fits on her hips staring him down. Very slowly she says, 'Go...away.' Zec points at the fleeing Rodian, "But... He's..." He sighs, and looks the girl over again, this time noticing the quality of her clothing, "Ahh, I see hounding out alms to the poor." He motions toward his own clothing, "I'm down on my luck, sister. I mean apparently your judgment's impaired if you spitefully attack a poor spacer, who is just trying to help a lady out!" His face is flushed a bit as his words get a bit out of control. Anjalika 's leans in and says, 'Then find a job." She reaches a finger out to poke him in the chest, 'And don't make assumptions it only makes you look less of a person then you are.' She leans in and whispers, 'Thank you for your good heart." She turns and back down, crossing her legs over one another, picking up her tea and says, 'Now run along.' She begins to sip her tea slowly. "Ouch," Ashton says quietly, at the bar. He receives his new drink and turns slightly to see what he can hear all to well. Not that anyone else near him can, but his hearing can be enhanced when needed ... or wanted, as in this case. The Rodian purposefully avoids the Jedi Knight as he decides to get out while he can, and heads for the door at a good clip. Ashton contemplates at least recovering the 'artifact', but changes his mind. Not worth the trouble. Zec, at the beginning of Anja's comments he starts heating up even more, and the finger poke almost sends him over the edge, but at the woman's whisper he just blinks once real slow like, and stares at her for a second. "Errr, yeah..." He clears his throat, trying to decide between apology or some witty come back, "I'm Zec." He offers, not quite knowing what else to do. Anjalika 's shrugs and sets her cup down and says, 'You can call me Jessi.' Zec nods his head, "Al right Jessi." He scratches his head and eyes her again out of the corner of his eye, apparently trying to decide if getting to know her would be worth the pain of her temper, "Well, Nice to meet you. And...sorry about that. I just know that type of guy." He smiles to himself knowingly, "And I guess I just didn't think." He motions toward the chair, "Can I join you?" He gives her his most dazzling smile. Taking another drink, Ashton notices the difference in the mood near the table and decides the incident is over. He starts to turn back to the bar, when something pulls his attention toward the door. Moving swiftly, he crosses the bar and is almost to the door. As the door opens, several loud blasts come from outside. Ashton pulls up short, stopping at the door and looks outside. Shaking his head, he turns around and heads back towards his seat at the bar. "So much for his swindling days," he mutters as the door closes behind him. His drink is still waiting as he retakes his seat. Anjalika 's stands up slowly as she takes up her datapad and her backpack. She looks at Zec her 'fake' personality coming through again, 'Don't you have some else to bother little one." She closes up her backpack and swings it over her shoulder as she begins to make her way towards the door, giving the Jedi a concerned look, as she herself stays clear of him as well. Zec shakes his head, "No! Really, just you." He grins a mischievous light in his eye, "You leaving? So soon?" He seems a bit disappointed, "But you come here often huh? I mean how could you stay away." Whether he means from the bar or from himself he let's her decide. Anjalika 's looks over her shoulder and sniffs like canvas ripping as she continues towards the door. Zec grins, as she leaves admiring the view, and walks back toward the Jedi, and slides onto his stool looking satisfied. Ashton watches as the young man returns to the bar and looks over his shoulder to the woman leaving the bar. "Made a new friend," he says with a wink as Zec reaches him. And that's all the attention he gives the young woman. It was obvious she was uncomfortable around him, so he wouldn't do anything to make that discomfort worse. Still, "she was attractive, wasn't she?" he says mischievously. The Tetaian Princess exits in a huff. Zec grins and nods, "Oh yeah, I can tell she likes me." He glances at the Jedi briefly, "It's my rugged good looks, and charming personality." He breathes on his fingernails then buffs them on his jacket, "She'll be back. How can she not?" "Yeah, sure..." Ashton says, but chuckles lightly. Truth be told, although she was attractive, Ashton has no interest in her. He had interest in only one woman, and even those feelings had been pushed away when the Force had led him away from here. "Well, good luck to ya, Zec..." he says, finishing his tea and standing away from the bar. "Maybe I'll see you later. Enjoy your stay on Coruscant." Zec nods his head, "Hey, thanks! I'll be around for at least another week or so. Scouting out local merchants to see if they got anything anyone else wants." He shrugs his shoulders, "Nice meeting ya." He swings around on his stool and places an order, it seems the night has just begun for him.