Log:Ebon Guard: Cargo Hunting

Hunting Cargo

OOC Date: December 22, 2017
Location: Nar Shaddaa
Participants: Zan, Vraag, Mujiji, Vakorba, Ebon Guard

Mujiji the Kushiban is perched atop a small step ladder, furry arm outstretched over the crate of a pudgy, mewling flurrg. "I toldja I don't trust that thing." She says for the 18th time as she tosses another handful of feed into the crate - but her eyes aren't on the radiating waves of otherworldy cuteness as it throws its pink, rounded body after the morsels. Her attention is on Vakorba and her charge. "It keeps lookin' at me like I'm a smarl, and I dunno how to tell your new B-F-F that that's racist." The shop is empty for now, save for its proprieters and their extensive, smelly, squawky brood; the half-open containers of feed and increased excitement and rattling mesh would suggest that it's feeding time at the good ol' AQ, because this is a legitimate business... Sometimes.

The greyish purple Dug that partially owns the joint is holding a Stohl that wraps around her slender neck, the Dug is crouched down and leaning forward to clean out the cage for, assumedly, the creature she holds. It's fur bristles and lays back every time Vakorba moves, occasionally opening it's mouth as Vakorba picks a little glob of meat up and holds it to the creature's mouth. "Achhh," Vakorba chides as the toothy, fuzzy white snack thing takes it's treat. "Half of da t'ings in here would eat you, Jiji. I t'ought you were trying to..." Her ears flick up and she glances to the serpentine face that oozes out another purr. "Live ironically." Fixed on the cage that the shopkeep is cleaning reads 'Rare Stohl! Venom removed! 6500 Credits or Trade'.

An armored glove moves to rest against the outside of the door to this fine establishment, leaning weight against it to press the thing open before the rest of the ebony armored body appears. Vraag almost fills the doorway, but he is quick to step inside to allow whoever is behind him to follow him in. The mirrored t-vizor shifts left to right, scanning the different cages and such, the helmet's filtration system doing its job to keep his air clean. Spotting the pair of aliens, the man moves in their direction, lifting a hand in greeting before saying, "Hello there. Busy day?"

Behind the giant? A not so giant! Zan follows Vraag in, probably totally hidden by his bulk until after that quick step inside. She looks around with a bit of a wide eyed glance. "Wow," is her first reaction. "This - I've never - This reminds me of the time the little fuzzy things got loose on the Providence. It took forever to find them all. Captain Lystra was hoppin' mad." She stays back with Vraag, not going near any of the cages or the presumed owners of this fine establishment right at the moment.

"Ironically or not, m'tryna /live/ here, Vakky!" Mujiji gesticulates wildly with her paws in agitation, and the flurrg below her rolls back and forth to follow the motions, eyes on the brown, grainy clumps of feed clenched there. "Did th'moof milker what sold ya that really call it 'poisonous'?" The Kushiban scoffs, shaking her head. "/Poisonous/. Poisonous m'fluffy arse. Y'know, some of these slimos is gonna get venom and poison mixed up and they'll get bit by summit what they thought they just couldn't eat and eat summit what they thought just couldn't bite 'em. Either way, s'lookin' at me all sideways and /hungry/ an' I don't like it. AN' y'know what else -?" Whatever further tirade the tiny sentient intended is cut off by the entrance of... Well, a kriffing giant. That tinny, scary voice is familiar, though... And that armor... "Hoi! S'that Mandalorian feller! Hey, hey, Vak look. Oh an'... Another... Person thing." Quickly replacing the lid over the flurrg's cage, Moo scrambles from the step ladder to leap to the counter. She misses and has to run around the back and climb it the old fashioned way.

Pretending nothing went awry, Moo smooths her paws over her chest fur. "Er, 'orribly busy. Wha' can we do fer yous fine patrons?" Vakorba rolls her eyes. "See? I /knew/ da second he said dat, you wouldn't give m'kriffin' ears a break..." the Dug begins to grumble. The intrusion causes Jiji a stir, but Vak just lifts her head and turns it at an angle most humans can't reach. She stares up at them with her large, yellow eyes. The Stohl stays around her neck, shifting to also regard them. "Greetings," Vakorba says, turning properly and allowing the creature to stay on her neck while she waddles forward on her hands, her feet wiping meat goo onto her leather vest. "If you are here about da white Farlek, someone already bought it."

Vraag shakes his head, not yet moving to pull the helmet free and thus expose his nostrils to the scent of animal stink. There is a chuckle from the big man as Mujiji over shoots her landing, but he does not move to make fun of the cute little creature, instead putting his hands on his hips, he takes the time to introduce his ally, "This is Zandra, she has been running some cargo for me lately. I'm Vraag," this latter introduction for Vakorba's sake. "I run the Ebon Guard. Anyways, I hadn't found the time to make it by this place yet. Thought as a fellow business owner on this moon it wouldn't hurt to make a stop by. See if you are in need of our services."

Zan's wide eyed gaze checking out all the cages and inhabitants therein is pulled back to the sentients who own the store as Vraag does the polite. "Oh. Hi. Yes, I'm Zandra. Pleased to meet you." Not that she really caught any names, but she's sure that'll come. "This place is pretty neat," she adds, with a smile. "I'm not sure I recognize half of - oh, no thank you, not a Farlek, but appreciate the head's up."

Mujiji is going to keep pretending she stuck a perfect landing. "'Cause it's an important dis-/tinc/tion t'make!" She defends, her small voice rising in pitch. But there is little to be done to defend her honor, Moo is skitering to the far side of their counter in order to keep enough distance between her the stohl. It's got a /look/. "Mujiji." The Kushbian introduces, for Zandra's benefit, before flourishing a paw toward her Dug partner. "An' this here lump'a pristine Malastarian rubbers called Vakorba. Spiffed an' charmed, m'sure. But we don't need no services - ain't that right, Vakky? Lest y'know know some sadistic fug what wants 13 bloodspites." Since no one has need for their Farlek - that thing is someone else's problem now.

The Dug's toenail scratches at the Stohl's head, the creature lifting it and turning his neck this way and that for better purchase on the pets. Vakorba eyes Zan thoughtfully, lifting up her arm and balancing on the other hand as she offers the creature for the human female to hold. The Stohl slithers in a twist around Vak's arm, curiously exploring and nosing at the shiny buckles of Vak's weather arm wraps. "We are fairly well set here," the Dug agrees with her Kush companion.

Zan grins a bit, as she reaches her arms for the Stohl that Vakorba is offering. "Oh goodness, you're very cute," Zan says to the Stohl. She does give Vakorba a slightly worried look. "Is it feeding time? I mean, she-he-it's not hungry enough to make us all dinner, right?" Zan is not moving nope, just standing there, with her arms out, staring at the Stohl. "And - I think the only service I could provide honestly would be cargo ferrying. If you need something brought in or out or something like that. Vraag has loaned me a ship that can carry a hundred eighty tons of cargo."

Vraag nods his head, lifting his hands to pull the helmet free and hang it on his hip. He offers a disarming smile toward Vakorba and Mujiji, or at least as much is possible being so big and heavily armed. "Well, how about the beasts you have here? Maybe you need them transported or know of someone who does? Zandra has a ship that can hold almost two hundred tons... the Guard has a ship that can ferry several thousand."

"Only me." Moo grumbles from the counter at Zandra, eyeing the Stohl. Cute her fluffy ass. "We don't... I mean, not at the moment we don't need no cargo moved. Er, do we, Vakky?" The Kushiban's eyes narrow and she pulls herself onto her hind legs, tiny paws going to her hips. "Now, I know you lot ain't comin' into /our/ shop t'solicit us? We don't need nothin' and we /don't/ take kindly t'solicitin' here." She doesn't cut the most intimidating figure.

"It is not hungry," Vakorba assures as the Stohl transfers from Vak's arm to Zan's. If Zan has anything shiny on it, the Stohl will absolutely nose and fuss at it. "Stohls 're impossible to sex 'til one lays eggs, so... call it wha'choo want." She laughs, briefly, tucking her ears back and pushing herself to full arm-height as she adjusts herself back to both hands. "Cargo," the Dug hums as she picks at her teeth with a toe. Her eyes roll /slightly/ at Moo's grumpiness but she leaves Zan and the Stohl to bond while tossing in some seed stock into the Convor cage. The green and gold little birds chirp and tweet out their appreciation as they go for it. "Sounds like da boss bunny isn't interested," Vakroba shrugs at Vraag.

Zan grins at Mujiji, amused at her reaction to the Stohl. Meanwhile as she is investigated by the furry reptile, she cautiously and slowly reaches a hand to pet it, somewhat obviously not used to animals. "I am here cause I'm exploring," she says. "And always interested in cargo runs, of course, but I have to admit to not really knowing what to expect here. This is a place that seems like I could spend hours here. Did you consider if you had an area for drinks and such, maybe you could charge sentients to sit and pet some of the calmer pets?" Okay, this might not be the right environment for a pet cafe, but ... well, maybe?

Moo just stares at Zandra. "Tha's a real... Cute suggestion." Her nose wrinkles in distaste. That sounds like a lot of... Keeping people around. She doesn't like that. She doesn't like people. "Well if yer lookin' fer other services we could gladly help y'out if y'payin'. Info, acquisitions... Etcetera." That latter word is heavily accentuated and the fluffy, white creature gives the slightest raise of an eyebrow. "Otherwise y'welcome t'shop around. But, if y'ain't buyin'..." She waves a paw toward the door.

Vraag's brow furrows a touch as he looks from Vakorba to Mujiji, but he nods knowingly and reaches for the ammo box at his hip, snapping it open and pulling out a loaded credit chit. He waves it about before laying it on the counter, but keeping two gloved fingers atop it. "So how much does it cost then? The type of information we are looking for?"

Vakorba can't help but slide her gums over her sharp teeth at the idea of being a pet cafe. She looks to Mujiji before slowly slinking her way closer to Zan should the woman want to be done holding the Stohl. It appears to be domesticated quite well, performing to try and wrap around Zan's neck. But Vak's attention is now on that chip. She nearly drools. "What.... /are/ you looking for?" the Dug wonders carefully. "We know t'ings. Lots of t'ings. Who is looking for t'ings. What dey want or what dey want to /lose/, where an' who an' when." Her feet turn upwards and her toes spread, prompting Vraag for specifics.

Zan opens her mouth and closes it again, and then she glances at Vraag, smiling as he is way ahead of her. "That's a good question," she says, with a nod. "What do these things eat?" she asks also, curiously, about the Stohl. "And - seriously, how dangerous are they?" That, as she's got a Stohl sniffing her hair, and curling up all nice and cuddly, over her shoulders, behind her head, and gently around one arm. "I was hoping to find information on lucrative cargo runs," she says after a moment. "Who's got dangerous things they need moved from one place to another, maybe?"

Mujiji tests her Gather Information skill at a 100 difficulty.

 -Failed- (-5).

Mujiji tests her Bluff skill at a 110 difficulty.

 +SUCCESS+ (3).

Blinking, Moo looks in confusion toward Vakorba. "So y'do want info?" She balks, and then composes herself and side-eyes her Dug companion. "It's whom." She whispers before pushing off the counter to wrap take up the space over Vakorba's shoulders and around her neck that the stohl vacated. "Yeah, we got info. We got /lots/'a info." She looks Zandra up and down and then laughs. "It's Nar. Everybody does - y'ain't needin' us t'tell yous that. But I do know s'a Toydarian in the Night Market whats been bitchin' about moving some weapons past th'First Order. Guess you could start there." It's a lie, but a damn convincing one.

Vraag Rengh tests his Sense Motive skill at a 100 difficulty.

 -Failed- (-44).

You test your Sense Motive skill at a 100 difficulty.

 +SUCCESS+ (28).

Vraag's attention is on Vakorba, listening as she prods him for more information regarding what they are looking for. He considers for a moment and is about to answer when Mujiji speaks her offer. He frowns and shrugs his shoulders, before he moves to collect his credit chit. "I'm not interested in running guns for the First Order. Normal circumstances it might be fine to collect the paycheck, but a few of my guys have some serious problems with the group. They're more important to me than the money."

Zan eyes Mujiji, a serious look in her eyes. She smiles though after a moment. "You can do better than that," she says. "Or - " a glance to Vraag. "What he says. We can find someone else with real information, I am sure. I'm not in a rush, but I will build up my reputation." Yeah, she's busted the bunny this time.

BUSTED! "Alright, s'not weapons, s'chemicals. Figure'd you'd be a bit queasy. Still, dunno what y'want unless you be a bit more... Specific?" The Kushiban waves her paws. "Drawin' at straws 'ere. Vakky got a hookup whats looking for rathtars, ain't that right, Vakky? If y'nuts enough." Mujiji is not nuts enough, at least not until there are credits on the table.

"You wanna tip him off on /dat/ contact?" Vakorba says, jerking a look to Mujiji with a slight eye twitch. She obviously isn't referring to the Toydarian. "Ack... well. Maybe. He wants bigger an' bigger t'ings lately and we are but two." Two toes are held up. "Okay, okay. We tell you a good contract. /Very good/. Pays big, but it is a big critter. Three of 'dem, to be exact, he wants. Twelve t'ousand credits for da info, ja? Paycheck is triple dat, easy. 'Fore da bonuses."

You test your Haggle skill at a 100 difficulty.

 +SUCCESS+ (23).

Vraag's eyes do light up a touch at the mention of such dangerous cargo. "Rathtars you say?" he quesions. The one credit chit is returned to the ammo box, and exchanged for a black one, obviously loaded with a far higher value. He waves it about in the air before questioning, "The details?"

Zan frowns briefly. "Twelve thousand? Just to tell us who wants cargo shipped that - " a glance at Mujiji, and then back over at Vakorba, " - you don't even want to move yourself? C'mon, how about nine thousand? After all, that sort of cargo? It's going to do damage to any ship, that'll need repairing." Though she's actually not looking like she should know about such things, but it seems she might not be /just/ a flyboy hanger on.

Vakorba tests her Haggle skill at a 100 difficulty.

 -Failed- (-54).

Mujiji tests her Haggle skill at a 100 difficulty.

 -Failed- (-21).

Mujiji tests her Intimidate skill at a 100 difficulty.

 -Failed- (-44).

Black flickers and flashes through Mujiji's moodfur and the Kushiban snarls, a paw drifting to the blaster at her belt. "Y'don't know what we went through ta get..." She breathes, settling. Bad idea. It's a small loss, and they still make a profit. "Nine-fifty then. Y'got no idea what we 'ad t'do ta get in this slimo's good graces. Prana, he is... Not an agreeable sorts."

"Bigger, meaner, da better," Vakorba insists to the Mandalorian. "Dis contract is loaded wit'bonuses an' future work an' everThe Dug grinds the back teeth in her jaw that have been worn almost flat over time. Probably from frustrated grinding because she is /not/ a good haggler. "If you don' need our help gettin' da beasts, we take..." Vak's ear tips at Moo. "Idiot," she mumbles, waiting to see if Vraag is good on his word or if they walk away to piece together the contract themselves. "Ja. Nine-Kay-Five."

Vraag grins as Zandra steps in to haggle the deal, and then laughs at the effect it has on the totes adorbs little rabbit. "Calm yourself, little mouse," he says toward Mujiji before looking toward Vakorba. "Tell you what, you give us the legitmate details, I'll pay you ninety five hundred.... you tell no one that we are going after the cargo, I'll throw in another five hundred, yeah?" He lowers the black chit to the counter, taps it with his index finger, then lifts his hand away.

Zan offers a little shrug. "Providence is a trading ship," she explains, softly. "And I was born and raised there." She takes a breath, glances at Vraag and nods. "Sounds good. What do you two think?" Cause it's really up to the cute rabbit and the Dug, right? The additions make sense to her, so she leaves it as it stands, a good deal for all. Though she sighs a bit, starting to unwind the Stohl. "Sorry, sweetie, you got to go back home. I don't think I can afford to buy - hey, Vraag, what are the rules on pets?"

Still perched around Vakorba's shoulders, the Kushiban mutters a quick conversation into the Dug's ear. "This is... Agreeable." She nods, buck teeth biting into her lower lip at the continued stream of 'little' and 'mouse' and - blackblackblackblack.... No, she's good. As her fur returns to white, the little creature untenses and nudges the Dug. "We 'ave a deal?" And a sale, by the looks of it. "Could even... Facilitate, fer somethin' extra. We have experience in these matters."

Once the credit chip is taken, Vakorba inspects it, sniffs it, and pockets it. Another chip is taken out and handed over in exchange. This one a contact chip. "King Prana. Of da Mol'leaj system. Has a big menagerie. It's a point of pride of him, ja. His royal rival an' him compete to get da baddest beasts dey can. Tell him we sent you." Vakorba explains this as she reaches one foot out for the Stohl from Zan. "If you change your mind, dey can be trained to protect da owner. Bite anyone who doesn't 'ave permission. Great for combating Nar pickpockets!" Look out, Moo. The scary, purring fuzzy snake is closeby... and this time it isn't you! "I sell it to you for four t'ousand, if you want. You look like you'd take care of it." Goddamn her soft spot.

Vraag nods his head to Vakorba, taking the contact chip and stowing it away in his ammo box, then snapping it closed. "Thank you. If you hear of any other contracts such as this, feel free to let me know. I have forty men ready for such jobs." With that, he looks toward Zandra, apparently waiting on her to conclude her pet business before they head out.

Zan gives Vakorba a slow look, chewing her lip. "Wait, 4000? And what does it eat? I'd not want to accidentally mistreat it or anything," she says. It's fairly obvious that she does like the critter, it's won her over. A glance at Vraag, who appears to be patient about his waiting, so that's not too bad.

"You may need to find folks who are good wit' animals!" Vakorba calls after Vraag. "Dey gotta be aliiive! You know where to find da folk who can handle it, ja?" The Dug motions are herself and the Kushiban who... is off pouting and feeding the back cages with a basket of semi-fresh fruit and some leafy greens. When Zan hesitates, she withdraws the foot she was using to take the Stohl. "Dey eat mostly meat. Good for hunting rats on dat big ship of yours, hah." She holds a finger up to pause, then indicates the food packs behind the counter. "If you don't like touching meat, I have food pellets wit' all it needs, a'side from water. Throw in a box for free?"

Zan nods to Vakorba. "Well - would you be willing to come with us?" she asks, curiously. "I mean, we can always let you know and bring you alog?" That asked, she wrinkles her nose, still checking out the soft fur of the Stohl, who seems to somewhat like Zan. "And I guess if I buy this beautiful creature, your - associate won't have to worry so much about being eaten?" There's a hint of a smile there. And then a sudden decision. "You know what, I'm not going to leave her." Yes, it might be a him, but Zan's just gone and made up her mind. "Some one might come by her and mistreat her." She fishes into her own little safe spot for credits, and pulls out a chit, checking carefully. Hers is much less full than Vraag's no doubt, but at least she has some. "With two boxes of the food, maybe?"

"Maybe," the Dug allows, crossing her legs over her lower chest. Vakorba glances to the side, considers Mujiji, and flips a grin back to Zan. It's meant to be friendly and amused, but... Dug faces. It's just kinda ugly and scary. "/I/ eat rodents, too. She will never be safe." It's a joke, assuming from the way she giggles and turns to clamber behind the counter. "/Two/ boxes," the Dug agrees, although the Kushiban gives her a look. Two... well, packaged canvas bags instead of boxes, are pushed onto the counter. Inside are cubes of meat-protein kibbles. "You feed it by hand, ja? It won't bite an' dat is how it'll bond wit' you. Best of friends, very soon." Her head pops up from behind the counter, she deducts the chip, and slides it back. "Pleasure. You have questions, you come here, ja?"

Zan gives a big grin, taking the two bags. She pauses to say, "Do I need a harness or - something? Or do I just walk out with her like this? Where does she sleep?" She's a little bit beside herself. "I've never owned a pet before."

"Ahhh." Vakorba leans up on the counter, eyeing the Stohl. "Dis one is good. It was a pet for many years 'til its owner died. I find on da black market, I buy her... him whatever 'fore it become fur, huh? It is very tame." She scratches under her face tendril. "So it will stay on you. Do not worry. From an ice planet, yeah? So it seeks out heat. Will sleep on you if you let it, or near vents on a ship, I would t'ink." Vakroba hums, seeking out any other information. "Ah! If it lays eggs, bring dem here, I will buy dem. Raising dem is a bit tricky 'fore dey are used to humans."

Zan nods to that, and she hefts the bags of Stohl food. "Thanks," she says. "I'm just worried what would happen to her if she gets lost. But - hopefully not." She nods to Vraag. "Right, ready to go now, boss."