Logged Sept. 4, 2001
Logged by Joshua
Titled:  Irresistible
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Characters: 
Joshua 
Marcus 
Kryllen 
Moira 
Merina 
Kastanje 
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DESCRIPTIONS

Joshua
A powerfully built man whose eyes and smile belie the younger-looking 
physique. Averaging these two factors, a guess that he is somewhere in his mid 
to late twenties is close to accurate. His light brown hair is cut short on top, 
but the back still hangs down to just above the collar. The hazel eyes sparkle, 
but a careful observer might notice a sadness in them at the oddest moments. The 
edge of the cornea tint brown or green, depending upon his outlook. He's rather 
average in height, no more than 5 foot ten inches tall. 
Joshua is wearing a black, long-sleeved collar-less shirt that seems to 
stretch to fit him. Over the shirt, he usually is wearing a waist-length, tan 
jacket made of nerf-hide. The leather has been softened and darkened by age and 
wear. The jacket is rugged enough to withstand harsh elements, yet light enough 
not to be cumbersome. His black pants are in good condition, perhaps even 
recently purchased. They are tucked into a pair of black leather boots, made of 
the same soft nerf-hide his jacket is.

Marcus
        The man before you is definitely human in race, or at least he looks 
human. From the look of his face you would guess he is in the age bracket of 25 
to 30. His dark brown hair is shortish at the front and the sides, however it 
comes down to his shoulders at the back. His emerald are almost constantly 
scanning the area around him, showing training of some sort. However his eyes 
show distance, but very deep pain. He looks to be about 5'11" in height, give or 
take a few inches. As for his weight, you would guess that he is somewhere 
around 160 to 180 pounds. He is around the average build for someone his height, 
not to big, not to small.
        This man is dressed in casual, yet some what stylish clothes. He is 
wearing a gray and white checked shirt, which almost complete covered up by the 
black vest and the dark gray suit jacket he wears. The shirt he wears is 
buttoned up all the way to his neck. His vest is zipped up all the top, and you 
can see the zipper is gold in color. His suit jacket is unbuttoned, which 
actually suits this outfit. The buttons and the cufflinks on the jacket are the 
same color gold as the zipper on the vest. On his legs are a pair of suit pants, 
though they are not gray like the jacket, they are black, matching the vest. On 
his feet he is wearing a pair of polished leather shoes. This outfit gives this 
man a profession and yet casual appearance.

Moira
This human female is about 5 foot 5 inches in height. She is probably in 
her early twenties, though something about her makes her look younger. Perhaps 
it's the expression in her blue-green eyes. Not quite innocence, but something 
akin to it. Moira has a kind face, heart shaped with a gently sloping nose. 
She's pale of complexion, not exactly sickly, but not tan. One might get the 
impression that tanning is impossible for her- too much sun would surely cause 
her skin to burn. Her hair is ash blonde and board straight, pulled back in a 
ponytail to keep it out of her way. Her face bears an open and friendly look, 
completely free of any artifice or insincerity. An Ossus native, the girl's 
voice bears the slightest accent, the only remainder of home she carries with 
her. The only other unchanging feature of that girl that is Moira, is a ring 
that she has recently added to her right ring finger. The non-wedding band hand. 
It's a pair of wires, black and white. But they seem to be molded of the same 
material- only upon very close observation do they seem separate. 
        Moira is dressed in a beige-brown shift that extends to mid-thigh, which 
is cinched at the waist by Moi's belt. A clip is present on the belt, though at 
this time nothing hangs from it. Under the shift is a pair of pants, not ragged 
and baggy like she tends to favor, but actually tailored to fit. They are dark 
brown in color, and have four pockets- two large ones at the waist and two 
discreet ones at the knee.

Kastanje
--------------------------------------------------------< Kastanje >----------
        Your glance singles out this young woman, despite her somewhat short 
stature. She's on the slighter side of average for a human, no more than 5'4", 
and seems to be building on that height to keep herself unremarkable. Narrow, 
Seasmoke-blue eyes are set symmetrically into an aristocratic face of smooth, 
sandalwood skin. But despite an appearance which could easily turn haughty, the 
eyebrows on this young woman are almost always arched with mirth, her eyes 
pulling up into crescents. The faint hints of laugh wrinkles branch from the 
corners of her eyes, but they're too shallow to put her in more than her late 
twenties. Her slightly frizzy fox-brown hair is pulled back into a long, 
practical fishbone braid. A few wisps manage to poke rebelliously out of the 
neatly kept style, keeping it from seeming too severe. There is the sickly 
yellow of faded bruising around her neck and worse on the inside of her left 
elbow.
        The woman's wiry frame is mostly hidden by a long, blue, hooded cloak. 
Loose pants of a thick dun fabric shield her legs, tucked into short hide boots 
lined with downy fluff. A tight black shirt of some stretchy material covers her 
torso, and the ever-present black flak-vest drapes over thin shoulders, a melted 
rends gaping in the fabric of her right side. A smooth gray stone pendant 
inscribed with some illegible syminscribed with some illegible symbol hangs from 
a cord around her neck.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Merina
There is not much to distinguish this woman who looks to be in her mid 
twenties. At about 5'4" she may be slightly shorter than the average, but not so 
much as it makes a difference. She has a compact build that lends her an 
athletic look. Her deep-set brown eyes lend her a solemn expression, which 
brightens somewhat when she smiles. Her complexion is a sallow olive color; 
she'd do with sitting in the sun for a bit. The chestnut brown hair that falls a 
few inches below her shoulders is so curly that frizzy is a better word for it. 
She chooses to wear it pinned back in a loose ponytail secured at the nape of 
her neck with a plaited cord.
        Merina is wearing a deep purple, ankle-length dress with a batiked pattern 
of variegated blue blossoms scattered over it. The dress has a modest scoop 
neck, a pin-tucked bodice, and a fit-flattering six gore skirt. Over this she 
wears a hooded, duster-length cloak of azure blue. Her feet are well protected 
in a pair of low-heeled boots.

Chance's Cantina -- Trade City 
        The metallic music of a quartet band is the first thing you notice when 
you enter the Cantina. The interior is circular, and the floor is crowded with 
round tables and chairs. Along one wall is the bar, complete with stools and a 
pudgy, disgruntled looking bartender. Aliens, humans, and creatures of every 
stripe imaginable mill about the Cantina, which is crowded at all hours, day or 
night. Indeed, it is dimly lighted in here, and once inside, it is hard to tell 
what time of day the outside world is experiencing. The din of conversation is 
all around, as people speak in dozens of different languages and drink all 
manner of exotic beverages.

Marcus is seated alone in one of the corner booths. His clothes kind of make him 
stand out, more flash than most of the other customers in the cantina. He is 
slowly drinking some sort of orange looking liquid as he looks around from time 
to time.

Joshua retrieves his drink from the bartender and looks around the bar for a 
familiar face. Noting Marcus, he nods and starts that way, not yet seeing the 
insectoid Grale or Kryllen.

Kryllen steps into the cantina and makes his way toward the bar. He walks with a 
certain confidence and his eyes glance this way and that expecting the room. he 
sits down and all he does is stare at the bartender for a moment, his eyes 
following him wherever he goes. After a moment the bartender sees his stare and 
nervously takes his order. This is obviously an often had , well remembered 
customer.

Marcus nods to Joshua as he sees him approaching. "Evening Josh." Marcus says as 
Joshua comes within speaking range.

Joshua nods in the direction of Marcus as he approaches, a grim smirk on his 
face. "Tulas went to Corellia. She's in a CorSec prison. We just lost one of our 
pilots... I'd say for about a year.."

Marcus shakes his head lightly with a sigh, "Ohh lovely. What did they get her 
for?"

Hearing the mans words Kryllen's eyes light up for a moment. Then he calms down 
and thinks of how to properly approach the man, "Excuse me sir, I couldn't help 
but over hearing..." he says as he walks up to Joshua, his voice firm and 
controlled "...You've lost a pilot?"

Joshua looks up at Kryllen as he approaches. As usual, his hand drops to his 
blaster on his left thigh, but he doesn't draw it. He figures Marcus already has 
the guy covered from under the table, even if he wasn't that great of a shot. 
Joshua nods. "You could say that... what can you fly?" he asks, knowing the man 
is offering up his services as a pilot with the question.

Marcus does indeed have Kryllen covered from under the table, even if it is a 
last resort with him. He'll try to be diplomatic before pulling the trigger. He 
looks idly curious as he awaits Kryllen's answer to Joshua's question.

Kryllen pauses a moment and runs his eyes up and down the man, studying him. "I 
can fly." he finally answers. His arms are folded casually across his chest as 
he continues, "Do you need a pilot is the question?"

Joshua turns to Marcus, lifting a finger slightly to say this guy was okay. 
"Fighter pilot," he says to his friend with a grin. Turning his attention back 
to Kryllen, he nods. "Think you can handle a Beta fighter?"

Marcus smirks lightly, "I can fly too, if I find a big enough cliff to jump 
off."

Kryllen nods slightly, "sure, I can handle a fighter, and freighters, I've done 
everything under capital class." he replies with a slightly cocky tone.

Joshua nods, his hand moving away from the blaster still holstered on his left 
thigh. He reaches out with his right hand, "Name's Joshua... this is Marcus." He 
nods sideways to Marcus. "Captain'll be around tonight. You come back here and 
talk to him and we'll get you situated."

Marcus hmms softly at the tone and grins slightly, "And not to modest by the 
sounds of things." He quietly holsters his blaster, not that Kryllen knew it was 
pointed at him anyway and extends his hand, "Nice to meet you."

The door to the Cantina opens, and a small blonde female steps inside. She 
glances about the circular room, and eventually chooses a table near the exit, 
on the outer rim of the floor. Before sitting, however, she goes to the bar and 
orders a drink- it's clear, could it be water? Then, she takes it to the table 
she's chosen.

Kryllen smiles and shakes the mans hand. 'Nice to meet you Marcus, and Joshua." 
he concludes with a nod. "I'll see you later then, let's hope business goes well 
with your captain." With that he returns to the seat he originally took when he 
entered.

Marcus takes a sip of his drink and leans back in the booth after Kryllen walks 
off. He looks back at Joshua, "Seems cocky, but he should fit in alright. Now, 
as I was saying, what did the get Tulas for?"

Joshua harumphs. "You kidding? He's quiet compared to Tulas." He shrugs, turning 
to Marcus as he takes a drink. When he's done, he grins. "What do /you/ think? 
She was mouthing off about how good she was to some poor sap who decided to 
challenge her. He drew, she was faster... He's dead. Even though it was self-
defense, CorSec is cracking down on these gunfights. Called it involuntary 
manslaughter." Now he sees Moira enter and raises an eyebrow. "Check it... saw 
her on Coruscant. A bit out of her element, don't ya think?"

Moira glances around the Cantina over the rim of her glass. She seems relaxed 
enough, and the glance is casual, not like she's looking for anyone specific. 
Setting the glass on the table, the young woman begins scoping out the beings 
nearest to her, trying to judge which seems friendliest.

Marcus chuckles softly, "Of course he is quiet compared to Tulas. A raging 
Wookiee is quiet compared to Tulas." He ponders for a second, "I'll see if I can 
get in touch with any of my contacts on Corellia." He looks over to Moira as 
Joshua gestures to her, looking her up and down for a moment, "Just a bit, 
probably running or hiding from something. Though she is pleasant on the eyes. 
Unlike most of them around here."

Joshua laughs, almost boisterously. "They all look good after a few drinks, 
Marcus.. trust me." The gunner finishes his drink off and again lets his eyes 
stray towards the table where Moira sits. "Forget it though... she won't get 
drunk enough for you..." He flashes an awnry grin at his friend.

Marcus shakes his head at Joshua, "Not all of them look good after a few drinks, 
believe you me. You should have seen some of them on Hellina." He looks back 
over to Moira, "Ya probably right, and I am sure she is not stupid enough for 
you." He winks and grins at Josh.

Not drinking water, Moira won't. The young woman takes another sip, but doesn't 
seem to have picked a likely individual to approach. Though her eyes are more 
frequently finding their way to a Falleen lady sitting not too far to her right. 
The Falleen lady notices the glance, however, and glares. So Moira lets her eyes 
wander some more.

"Probably true... probably true," Joshua says, taking the jibe in stride. He 
rises from the table, palming his empty glass. He gestures to Marcus' drink. 
"Need another?"

Marcus skulls down the rest of his drink, which was about half of it, "Sure, 
considering it is your shout." He looks around the cantina a bit while Josh goes 
to the bar, idly thinking about the turns his life has made in the past few 
weeks.

Ah. What about that Corellian gent over there, to the left? Moira glances over 
at him for a moment, and as he doesn't glare back, she stands and makes her way 
over. Words are exchanged, and the young blonde can be seen nodding. The gent 
says something else, to which the girl rapidly shakes her head, and it's back to 
her original table. Oh! But it's been nabbed. So Moi chooses again, a table 
closer to where Joshua and Marcus sit, though still not in hearing range.

Marcus did notice the short, and probably not sweet conversation Moira just had. 
And he can not help but chuckle a little at it. Even Joshua is able to make it 
past the first couple of minutes of conversation.

It only takes a few moments for Joshua to be served at the bar. The locals seem 
to enjoy having such a strong group in the sector that are /not/ looting them 
locals. It's even better when the Dragons spend their money in Trader City too. 
Dropping a few chits on the bar top, Joshua palms the two drinks and starts back 
towards their table. As he goes, he is forced to step aside as a drunk Rodian 
stumbles past him. In this process, he bumps up against Moira's table, but not 
actually up against the girl herself. "Oh sorry..." he says somewhat politely as 
he nods to her. And then he's past and finds his seat at the table, sliding 
Marcus' drink towards him.

Bumped? But hey, no harm done. Moira smiles, saying "Not a problem," and then 
she begins looking around again. Now, what about those two? The gentleman who 
bumped her table, and that other guy?

Marcus face palms at Joshua's actions, "Smooth, really smooth." He takes a sip 
of his drink, "At least you didn't spill the drinks."

Joshua looks at Marcus, a look of surprise on his face. "Wha? ... oh that..." 
The gunner grins, deciding to not elaborate on the truth or it may tarnish his 
image. He lifts his glass to take a drink, then sets it back onto the table. 
"Cap said we should look into sending a scout into one of the Sith sectors to 
see what kind of trading they have going on. Figure he wants us to start our new 
operation there..."

Marcus raises an eyebrow lightly at Joshua's words, "Into Sith sectors...hmmm, 
I'm not too sure if that is such a hot idea. A couple of the Hellions tried 
that, we never seen them again. We are going to have to be extreme careful if we 
go through with it." He and Joshua are seated in a booth, while Moira (whom had 
to go AFK) is seated at a table near them.

Joshua shrugs, "Job's a job, Marc. It's not like we're going after their 
military ships... just some nice fat cargo haulers." He casts a wicked grin at 
the slicer. "What? You worried about not being able to crack a hauler's 
computer? Can you imagine the credits we could make selling Sith radio 
frequencies and codes?"

A somewhat diminutive woman enters the cantina, the long blue cloak shielding 
her from the elements pushed aside once the warmth of indoors is gained. 
Kastanje mutters something to herself as she approaches the bar's pudgy keeper, 
and from the scowl hinting around her brows, it's probably not very ladylike. A 
polite smile quickly pushes that all aside though as the woman orders. "Just an 
ale, whatever's decent here," she requests, picking out a seat at the bar.

Marcus smiles softly, "Hey, I can crack just about anything that was ever made. 
And yeah, I can imagine the credits. I can also imagine the torture if we get 
caught. Something like this isn't a standard hit and run operation, this would 
be something we would have to train for. Timing could, and probably would mean 
the difference between life and death."

Joshua casts a dubious eye at Marcus. He had no doubt that the slicer would do 
his job better than anyone could expect. It was just sometimes better not to 
tell him what a target was until they hit it. "You, my friend, are too attached 
to living," he says completely seriously. "Besides, do you doubt by exceptional 
ability to keep you safe with 'big momma'?" he asks, referring to the bank of 
ten turbolasers he is usually in charge of.

Marcus grins, "Nothing wrong with living, especially when you are buying the 
drinks." Which he takes a sip of, "But no, I have no doubts we can pull it off. 
I am just saying the last thing we want to do is underestimate the Sith."

Kastanje starts to lose the hint of scowl that'd been putting a furrow in her 
forehead as she sits in the warmth of the cantina, finger tapping absently 
against the side of her glass in time with the band's music. The young woman's 
shoulders relax backwards a bit.

Joshua and Marcus are sitting at a table near the far wall, not too far from the 
bar. Both men have drinks and glance up when someone enters the bar.

Marcus looks up when Merina enters as well. He looks at Joshua and grins, "What 
is this, ladies night or something?"

A woman walks into the cantina. She first removes a woolen shawl wrapped like a 
hood around her head, and then lowers a second hood, that of her cloak. A few of 
the regulars recognize her right away. "Merina!" calls out one by the bar "Come 
fix me a PROPER drink" Another gets up from a bench "It's the princess returned, 
has time away thawed you out any?" Merina brushes off all these comments like so 
much water dripping off an icicle. She looks at the one who made the princess 
comment. "Maran, if you're not wanting to find something special in that drink 
of yours, I'd mind my tongue" and then to the other. "Rait, I don't work here 
anymore, you'll need to find a new source" One of the bartenders waves her over. 
"If'n you really want" he says. "I'm sure you can pull a few rounds."

Joshua snorts, looking sidelong at Marcus with a raised eyebrow. "You 
complaining?" The boisterous round of calls out to Merina draw the gunner's 
attention back toward the bar and he takes note of the new arrival. "Problem 
with these ones is they're too good for these parts." Which leaves the question 
as to what is bringing them into the cantina in droves.

"I ain't complaining...at least not yet." Marcus grins and continues, "Maybe 
they have all finally come to their senses." He shrugs a little, "Whatever the 
cause, it makes it a nice evening on the eyes."

Kastanje is sitting right at the bar herself, so all the familiar teasing and 
greetings are quite firmly within hearing range. She turns away from her drink, 
a bit of a smile curling the corners of her mouth as she matches face with name. 
"Hello Merina," the republic woman greets simply.

Merina blinks in surprise, and a happy smile lights up her face. "Kastanje!" she 
says. "this is about the last place I'd expect to see you" She holds up a hand 
to stop one of the other regulars from approaching her, and surprisingly, he 
knows her well enough to sit back at this slight rebuke. "what brings you here 
of all the places you could be"

Joshua turns in his chair, watching the two women at the bar idly. "Gotta admit, 
you're right about that... but it seems to add a bit too much class to this 
pit... more than we need actually." Still, maybe it was only tonight. He almost 
seems to recognize Kastanje, but isn't quite sure where from.

Marcus looks at his clothes and then back to Joshua, "I resent that." He says 
jokingly, "Besides, nothing wrong with a bit of class coming in here. We might 
overhear some talk about a nice freighter to rip off."

Kastanje's nose wrinkles up with dismay, but her eyes hold a friendliness that's 
unmistakably glad to see Merina. "Old friend of mine, and this hobby I seem to 
have with plants. Gardening's supposed to be a nice, calm hobby, isn't it?" A 
rueful grin quirks her mouth, but the dismayed look is entirely gone. "Something 
I was working on back home had me stumped, and my friend suggested I come 
investigate that old Umbrella tree you all have out here. It likes warm 
climates, you know, and Trade City is hardly warm." A wink is directed to the 
other woman. "I wish I'd remembered how long the flight is *before* I left, 
though."

Merina nods. A truer thing could not be said. It was cold in trade city. Cold 
and miserable. There were some interesting plants though. Merina looks at the 
other woman for a long moment before saying anything. She gestures to the 
bartender and raps on the bar twice with her finger. presently he puts down 
beside her an oversized cup with a steaming liquid. She smiles "You're doing it 
the same as I showed you?" she enquires of him. "Taste it" is his only reply. 
She does, and nods. "Nearly" Merina returns her attention to Kastanje. "The 
umbrella tree? What were you trying for? A calmative or an antipyretic?" she 
smiles an open smile. "can be of some help, maybe?"

Joshua flicks his eyes over to Marcus and scowls. His left hand, which had been 
at his side, lifts above the table and he gives makes the signal for toning it 
down, "You might be right..." he says agreeably, hence the hand signal. "I saw 
the one in the dress come out of a small freighter over in Perave. Not much of a 
freighter, mind you, but it might not be alone."

Marcus shrugs a little and ponders, "Guess I should fix that problem. Remind me 
to stop by the electronics store tomorrow."

After taking another drink of his whiskey, Joshua nods and settles the glass 
back onto the table. It's almost like the wheels have started turning in his 
mind again. He taps the half-full glass on the table repetitively, and 
subconsciously. Finally he looks over at Marcus, "Huh? Oh, yeah... I will."

Marcus grins lightly at this distracted Joshua, "Okay, which one is going to 
have the honor of slapping you?"

Kastanje blinks at Merina, a little surprised by both the knowledgeable 
terminology and the question itself. "Hmm?" She voices intelligently, before 
finding a better question. "Can those be made from that umbrella tree, or, er, 
what were you asking?" A slightly self-depreciating look accompanies her 
admission, "I only dabble in herbals right now. Actually was just trying to see 
how they got the tree to grow in this climate. See if they affected its 
metabolism perhaps."

Sitting at her table alone is one Moira Brennan. Deciding that Kastanje and 
Merina are fine without her presence, the young woman starts up a mental debate. 
If she stays at her own table, how in blue blazes is she going to talk to 
anyone? Simple- she won't. So she'll have to go mingle...but who here is least 
likely to take offense?

It's doubtful that anyone would take real offense to a woman approaching them to 
talk. Except maybe the Twi'lek female possessively hanging on her Devaronian 
male in a corner booth. Joshua has seen this small blonde one before... and 
after a few more minutes of casual staring, he places her. "Oh, right... she was 
on Coruscant. Saw her at the Spires with a human kid and a Trianni cub." He 
lifts his eyes to the bar and takes in the other two new arrivals. "The one in 
the dress... I've seen her around here before... it's been a few months, but I'm 
pretty sure it's her."

Merina is also puzzled for a moment by Kastanje's reply, but then ah...that is 
what Kas is trying to do. Mostly Meri ignores the snatches of conversation she 
picks up for other patrons, she's used to the clamor here. "you said you had a 
failed project, the umbrella tree has some uses that...well, I just assumed you 
were trying for something" she clears her throat. "anyway, no, the Umbrella tree 
only seems to grow under very special circumstances here. You trying to grow 
things in a colder climate? That it?" Perhaps she is asking to many questions. 
It's a bad habit. At least it's a distraction from other things she could be 
thinking about. She's about to say something further when Rait approaches her 
again. She sighs. "Alright" she gives in... "Just this one..." She smiles at 
Kas. "This will just take a moment, something I can get you? I promise it will 
be better than whatever you have"

Marcus glances back over to the woman in the dress, "What about her? Something 
happened that I should know about?" He asks before looking back at Joshua 
curiously.

Kastanje's eyebrows quirks at the mention of 'uses,' well-trained drive to learn 
about to latch onto that snatch and prompt for more when one of the patrons 
interrupts. "Colder climate's close enough, and if you can suggest something 
better than this." The half-full glass of dingy yellow liquid is lifted. "I'd be 
eternally grateful."

Joshua watches the bar for a few minutes, and then as Merina moves to make a 
drink, he places it, "She used to work here... made pretty good drinks too." He 
looks over to Marcus. "I think we just got our invite to the bar... come on..." 
And with that, Joshua rises from his seat and picks up his glass. He casts a 
glance back to Marcus to see if he is coming.

Merina gets up and goes behind the bar. She speaks with the bartender "You kept 
those bottles, didn't you, Agave?" she deftly mixes a drink for Rait, using 
small bottles from behind the bar, and NOT the elaborate dispensing machine that 
is usually used. She slides it over. "It'll cost you Rait, extra too...since 
there wont be a hangover" Then for Kastanje she makes something else. It is hot 
and smooth, rich and creamy, with a bite at the end that sneaks up on you. She 
sets it down. "You'll like this" she says, with an easy smile. "this is good for 
you too...especially since you aren't used to the climate." She lowers her 
voice. "trust me" she looks beseechingly at the other woman "please"

Marcus raises his left eyebrow curiously and shrugs as he stands up. He has no 
idea how we just got our invite to the bar, but he follows Joshua.

Joshua leads his partner in crime to the bar, finding a pair of seats not too 
far from the action. He gulps down the whiskey and shoves the glass back down 
the bar a bit towards Rait. "Suppose we could get something like that?" he asks, 
gesturing to Rait's drink hopefully. He drops a 20 credit piece onto the bar top 
and slides it down after the empty glass. When Rait goes to pick it up, Joshua 
shakes his head. "No, that's for her..." and he tosses a 5 cred chit to the 
bartender. "/That's/ for you."

The young blonde woman stands, making her way over to a gentleman closer to 
Joshua and Marcus's table. Close enough, in fact, to be in hearing range. 
"Excuse me," Moira says, "may I speak to you for a few moments?" "I'd love to, 
girly," the gent says, "But I've got to get back to my ship." Moi nods, adding 
"Thanks!" as the gentleman makes his way out the door. Ouch- and Moira's left 
standing alone in the center of the Cantina. 'Maybe the spaceport is a better 
place to be doing this..." Moi thinks.

Kastanje's eyes lock candidly on Merina's at the almost pleading expression, one 
eyebrow quirking ever so slightly in a silent request for explanation. It hangs 
there only a moment though, before the republic woman accepts the steaming drink 
in both hands, and a light, thankful smile smoothes her expression. "Right, 
smells lovely," she voices, melding her response to the 'trust me' into 
something less likely to attract attention. A sip is taken of the drink, 
cautious with the warmth she feels through her hands.

Merina gives Kas a nod before returning her attention to the two at the bar. She 
gives Joshua a long appraising look, as though she's sizing him up, which she 
is. He's familiar to her, though she can't place where from. "you want one of 
those?" she asks taping the bar by the glass. She looks at the credits. She asks 
another question "why?" It is friendly, open. Some sort of test. Some of the 
regulars in the bar murmur amongst themselves. They've seen this before.

Marcus sits down next to Joshua and grins lightly as he sees the disappoint on 
Rait's face when Josh says the 20 cred chit ain't for him. He finishes off his 
drink, puts the glass down and says, "Fill her back up, thanks."

Spaceport it is. Where better to make her inquiries? Moira makes her way to the 
door quietly, slipping between tables by dodging this way and that. When she 
reaches the door, she braces herself for the cold and then plunges out into in. 
Not exactly dressed for the weather, is she?

Kastanje's eyes light at the warmth and kick of the thick drink. "Just right for 
this climate," she voices mostly to herself, sighing breath creating eddies of 
swirling steam above the drink. An appraising eye turns on the two men, flicking 
from them to Merina as Joshua requests a special-order drink.

Joshua grins coyly at the woman, then shrugs, "Why?" he asks, repeating the 
question, and then a statement, "Why, huh?" His grin fades, but only for a 
moment. "Because I'm irresistible?" Not the right answer, but the right answer 
for the pirate. "Or perhaps I just prefer to be served by someone who is as good 
as mixing drinks as I know you are..." But something about the way he says it 
indicates he might know her from more than just her time working in the bar.

Marcus shakes his head at Joshua's reply . o O (Ohh brother.) Marcus decides to 
move down one stool so that he does not get anything spilt on him that is aimed 
for Joshua.

Merina scratches her neck. "cause you're...irresistible?" she smiles. "You think 
so eh? That's a new one. You think you can handle one of these?" She pulls up a 
glass and sets it on the counter. She pours in the first shot from an amber 
colored bottle. "now, now, I don't just mix the drinks. Anyone can do that." she 
pours another shot, a deep red liquid from a clear bottle. She looks at him 
critically, trying to place him. She reaches into a pouch on her hip and pulls 
out a small packet. She sprinkles something dried and green onto the drink, and 
it begins to fizz "Flattery won't get you everywhere, tonight it buys you a 
drink" She eases it towards him. She casts a sidelong glance at Kastanje.

Marcus watches Merina and sighs lightly. He was really hoping Joshua would end 
up wearing that drink, he could have used a good laugh. Ohh well, maybe next 
time. He picks up his drink as it is served to him and sips on it.

Joshua accepts the drink as it's sent down his way. He casts a quick glance to 
Marcus, as if you say 'watch my back'. Seemed awful easy getting her to make the 
drink and the unknown contents caused some concern. But like he said earlier. He 
didn't worry about dying. it would come when it came. He nods his thanks to 
Merina, then lifts the drink and takes a small gulp. The kick is there, and it's 
definitely good. He lifts his eyebrows in Merina's direction before turning his 
attention back to Marcus. "Pretty damn good..."

Merina smiles a knowing smile. "Next one won't be so easy to get" she's smug. It 
a defense system, but you need to have one here. And she has other reasons to be 
smug about it anyway. She knows it's good, and she knows that she's managed to 
heighten the kick and remove the more nasty after effects. She puts her hands up 
before anyone else places a request. "I don't work here anymore, remember?" she 
sits back down by Kastanje. "Sorry about that" she says softly. "You like?" she 
indicates the drink."

Another quick spark of curiosity in Kastanje's expression meets Merina's first 
sidelong glance, the closed-mouth grin holding some sort of gender-wide 
amusement at Joshua's response. As Merina returns from her drink-making, Kas 
inclines her head to the other woman. "Grand," she states simply. "Thick enough 
it feels like the heat will stick, too, not just that quick burning in your 
throat from a strong ale."

Marcus smiles at Joshua, "Sounds like I'll have to take your word on it. I 
wouldn't want to make the lady pour a drink when she doesn't work here any 
more."

Chinkatah slings the doors open as he moves his big frame through the door. A 
bouncer type steps up until he sees the familiar face of the Wookiee who doesn't 
look to be in the mood for chatting. A few of the muted howls that pass for his 
language emanate from his bowels as he waves the man away. The young Wookiee 
makes his way to the place where his comrades sit and emits a low howl of 
greeting.

Merina smiles. "the heat comes from herbs, there's nothing in there to dull your 
mind, it will just dull the cold"

Kastanje's eyes lift appreciatively. "Ingenious, really Merina. Especially on 
this planet. I got a bit of a look at the ground on our landing fly-by, and I 
wouldn't want to be wandering about some of those plains with alcohol-dulled 
common sense." She lifts the drink up to eye level, as if peering into it from 
closer will reveal some of its tricks.

After a couple more drinks of the mystery concoction Merina has made for him, 
Joshua sets the glass down on the bar top. He's about to strike up a new 
conversation with Marcus when Chinkatah appears between them. Josh recoils back 
slightly, and then flashes a grin. "Hey, Chin... you get all the extra parts I 
scrounged for ya?"

Merina 's expression briefly darkens when 'wandering around' is mentioned, but 
she covers it quickly. "well, a flask of that will keep you from getting 
hypothermic" She is pleased the woman is enjoying the drink. She manages get a 
glance at Joshua, and she's pleased he's enjoyed the drink. She's not lost her 
touch yet. It's a small comfort to her, but one she'll embrace.

Marcus spins on the stool as he hears the familiar howl, recognizing it as a 
friend. He nods to Chinkatah, "Evening pal."

Chinkatah whelps in the affirmative(1) and adds a few other comments as he looks 
about the bar at the people gathered. He looks at the bartender and makes some 
order(2) in short barks before turning back to Joshua and Marcus finishing his 
comment(3).his comment(3).

Chinkatah says, "(Y1es) I got them msoe dt'no if.t 2() Gimem a ebr.e 3)( dnA if 
I t'ond tge a nwe ocniudt rrevetcno we erat'n ginog nehyrae.w" in Wookiee.

Practical purposes to this fine beverage? Kastanje doesn't miss the shift in 
expression over the wandering, but the part of her mind concerned with being a 
medic perks over the drink. "I'll have to ask you what's in this some time... If 
it could be produced in more than just your occasional special drinks," and a 
finger runs along the rim of her mug, "Might be a grand thing to pack along with 
cold-weather expeditions."

Marcus does not respond right away, forgetting that Joshua still doesn't 
understand Chin, "Ohh, sorry. He said he got them, but some don't fit. And if he 
doesn't get a new conduit converter we are stuck here."

Merina wraps her cloak tightly around her. She pulls up her hood, and proceeds 
to wind her wide scarf around her head, making a protective hood out of it as 
well, in a deft movement. It is amazing how fast you learn to acclimate here, 
and how fast it comes back to you once you've left. She bends close to Kastanje. 
"I have to get going, but I'll be here on Arkania a bit." Her voice sounds 
mournful, but it could just be how it sounds flittered through the scarf. "Have 
a care to watch where you step" she says in gentle warning. "And I hope we will 
see each other again. I'd like to chat more...I'll get you the fixings for that 
drink, it's easy really, once you know the whys and the how's..." It is clear 
that she is judicious about giving it out. She smiles with her eyes. At least it 
seems that way, but that is only because her eyes are all you can see. Merina 
for some reason is reaching out to this woman. "there are far too many male 
hormones here..."

Joshua scowls at Marcus, and then realizes he still doesn't understand 
everything the Wook says and he has worked with him for a year. Still, he 
understood better now than he did before. "Great... where in this tundra are we 
supposed to... wait..." Joshua lifts a finger as if an idea just struck him. 
"Marc, get that new hotshot to head over to Corellia or Nar Belsa. One of you 
should go with him though. We can get the converter there and it won't kill us 
as much as it would to try to negotiate for it here. The Manticore should be 
hyperspace capable again..." He turns a glance to the Wookiee and raises an 
eyebrow, "Right?"

Marcus nods briefly, "That'd work...providing the boss accepts the new guy. I'll 
book 2 seats on the first shuttle out."

Kastanje nods slowly to Merina, the quick grin of humor at her comment about the 
cantina's male occupants sliding into a more earnest and friendly expression 
that lights her eyes and proves the origin of the creases at the corners of 
them. "Take care, in the meantime. I didn't expect to see you back here, but 
I'll trust you know what you're doing. Look forward to the recipe for this," she 
adds, a peculiarly female way of enforcing a promise that she'll see Merina 
again, even if at the surface it's all just an exchange of recipes.

Chinkatah jerks his head back and makes a few guttural howling noises in 
answer(1). He looks between the men and howls something out again(2) patting 
both men on the back fairly hard as he is a young Wookiee and doesn't know his 
own strength then laughs a choppy, loud laugh.

Chinkatah says, "()1 seY htta uohsld teg si akcb onti s.cpea ()2 Btu nweh seh 
flasl aptar in rpchaeepsy uyo rea no yruo nwo." in Wookiee

Marcus oofs as the pat knocks him forward a bit, and eyes Chin, "Careful pal, 
I'm a twig compared to you." He looks to Josh and then translates, "Yeah, 
that'll get us back in space. But once she falls apart in space we are on our 
own...which is what he was laughing at."

Merina smiles and nods. She gives the other woman's hand a quick squeeze. 
Heading for the door, she stops briefly to say goodbye to a few regulars on her 
way, bantering with them in an, affable, easy going manner. She exhales tension, 
and then, pausing at the door to steel herself for what lies beyond, she pushes 
open the door and steps out into the swirling wind.

Joshua shakes his head at Marcus, but says "The Lair, right? The Manticore's 
working though? The Corsair?" to Chinkatah. He turns to Marcus, "Don't take 
public transport. take the corsair if she's ready. At least if you come across a 
salvage we can bring it home then. Besides, it'll give you a chance to see how 
good this guy is. If the Manticore still needs work, then we should wait till 
it's fixed."

Kastanje watches Merina out the door, and then turns back to the remnants of her 
drink. The loud howls of a Wookiee in conversation draw her attention toward the 
man Meri made a drink for and his companions, a slight wince drawing brows 
together. "Wonder if he realizes half the cantina can hear him," she mutters to 
herself, lacing fingers tighter around the mug.

Joshua isn't sure that he's satisfied with the answer or the confusion he has 
about the status of the ships now. "Chin, let's go take a look at the Manticore. 
We'll get her squared away so the new guy and Marc can head out to get those 
other parts we need so we can get the Lair back into space." He slides the 
untouched portion of his drink to Marcus. "Try it... it's not bad..." And he 
rises from the bar, almost bumping into the Wookiee as he does so. He scowls but 
knows better than to say anything, even to this Wookiee who has been a friend 
for a year. "Come on... " and to Marcus, "See you back at the Lair..."Lair..."


Chinkatah nods and pounds his fist on the bar giving the bartender a glare for 
never delivering his drink before following Joshua out.

Marcus nods, "Alright, the Corsair it is. We'll head out sometime tomorrow. 
Shouldn't take too long to get the parts and get back. I know of a few places." 
He pulls a datapad out of his suit and throws it to Chin, "Type it out so Josh 
can understand you. I'll see you both later."

Joshua nods back at Marcus as Chin hands him the pad. "Done deal... and use up 
the rest of that 5 credit I gave him," he says, point to the bartender. "No way 
it cost that much for that drink..." And the pirate is out the door.

END OF LOG