Log:Hutt Cartel: Emerald Entertainment
Lord Borgol the Hutt seeks entertainers at the Emerald Club
OOC Date: March 30, 2024
Location: Emerald Club - Hutt District - Nar Shaddaa
Participants: Alys Zapal, Amal Jha, Borgol the Hutt, Marcus Pram, Navi Kryze, and Qar-duun
The Emerald Club is typically a trendy place within the Hutt District, but tonight it is a place of controlled chaos and celebration. Lord Borgol the Hutt himself has ventured down from the Cartel Promenade in order to see the sights, be among the people, do a little 'community outreach', and let the common people of the Smuggler's Room bask in the glorious radiance of one of the Hutt Lord's of the Smuggler's Moon. The security at the Emerald Club is typically fairly solid when it comes to the average issue that may arise in a fashionable nightclub, but with the presence of the primary - some would say only - investor within the Hutt District's premier nightclub? Security is at a new high. Which isn't to so that those wearing their armor or carrying their weapons are turned away; only that the Hutt Lord has multiplied the security force of the Emerald Club by a great degree just by his presence alone.
The VIP lounge of the Emerald Club is the beating heart of all the activity, controlled chaos, and outright revelry that seems to dominate the surrounding area stretching out from the Emerald Club and into Wupalloo Drive itself. The music comes and goes, largely on account of this entertainer or that taking the proverbial spotlight to showcase their talent or skill. Throughout the night there has been some notable performances - including a dramatic poetic reading by acclaimed Chadra-Fan actor Lak Rignee - who have walked away with some pricey gift, trinket, or even simple cold hard credits to help them along in their daily lives. Such is the benevolence of Lord Borgol the Hutt.
For his part the resident Hutt Lord is laid out upon the dais which dominates the central bowl of the lounge. Plush cushions and rugs have been laid out in order to create a comfortable (and expensive, judging by the shimmersilk) place for Lord Borgol to recline and enjoy the available entertainment. Food and drink is on rotation, but so too are spice and other 'herbal enhancements' to delight the senses. Unlike the Citadel of Manifest however, the atmosphere is far more relaxed and without ceremony. While Lord Borgol's bodyguards lurk near his dais, there is ample opportunity for supplicants and petitioners alike to approach and offer personal exchanges with the gargantuan Hutt Lord.
Security, even in times of revelry, perhaps especially in times of revelry was of the utmost importance. Could a Hutt be targeted within his domain? Quite possibly. But it was security's task to ensure that either a: it didn't happen, or b: whomever made the attempt was the proper correction.
While the white hair, white, clothed Echani was not a part of Borgol's usual retinue, she was in her usual place. In so far as the Hutt'd Voice had a place. A cushion, designed to fit into the crook of Borgol's tail, provided a comfortable seating arrangement as Amal watched the festivities in silent judgement.
Navi Kryze is here to watch the festivities, or so the ticket stub tucked into the opening of one of her gauntlets testifies. Being Mandalorian, she is silent and masked behind the familiar T-visored great helm, her sleek armor both hung with weapons and a weapon itself. As another sign of her heritage, she minds her manners in the presence of so much security. Courtesy counts in places like this.
Ever since she's been cut loose from her hyper-focused training, Alys has been bumming around Nar Shaddaa, waiting to be called upon. She's been training on her own, of course, but sometimes you just need to learn about things that aren't the Force or murdering people with lightsabers.
The petite Acolyte has found an out of the way place to sit with a drink. She knows how dangerous Hutts are, plus the kind of crowd that will be at this kind of thing. Which is why, coiled at her waist, is an energy-chain whip. She seems relaxed, but interested, violet eyes flicking across the entertainers, the security and the observing crowd. She sips her drink, some virulent green thing, and keeps to herself. For now.
Qar-duun circuits the room, his mildly outlandish armor wrapped in a dark cloak. Spotting many of his co-conspirators and contemporaries, he offers nods of acknowledgement as he serves himself a drink and watches the tableau unfold...
The latest act of entertainment has only just departed and there's hardly a delay in the band shifting to something to fill the now vacant space of entertainment. The song is slow and arguably a classic. 'Unubunko' begins to play and the resident Hutt Lord nods his approval, a small mirthless smile taking root upon his broad features. The slimy drool that looks from one corner of his mouth glistens with the emerald lighting, turning it an even more sickly shade of green. The smoke of spice hangs in the air and one of the greatest contributors of that cloud is Lord Borgol himself. Another draw from the hookah's pipe results in a jet of spice smoke. A low rumble escapes from the Hutt Lord and those familiar with a Hutt would likely recognize it as a sigh.
While Amal sits within the crook of his tail, among her own set of cushions the Hutt Lord seems to acknowledge and address his Speaker without sparing a glance in her direction, "The acts have been hit or miss tonight, but I'm pleased with those that have been hits so far. The day began with my mood soured but it has improved".
The comment is made more as an observation and smalltalk between Hutt Lord and his chief lieutenant, than some official proclamation. Which is why when the protocol droid that stands at the rear of the Hutt Lord's dais begins to speak, translating the commentary like it were some official decree? Lord Borgol's frame shifts and twists, permitting him to turn his attention to his left shoulder and the matte grey protocol droid as it dutifully repeats his every word. The stare is murderous for a moment, with the light of the Hutt's golden cybernetic eye practically flaring with his annoyance. A rumble of thunderous disapproval contained within his immense body later and Lord Borgol turns away anew to regard the happenings of the lounge.
There are many faces among the crowd, but one in particular seems to grab the immediate attention of the Hutt. It's hard to miss a Mandalorian and the new arrival in the form of Navi seems to garner to attention of the Hutt Lord. His gaze is heavy, watchful, and unwavering. While the Mandalorians are said to be formidable, the Hutt seems to regard them openly and without hesitation. Where some may shy from the warriors of repute; Borgol watches them with clear interest. [Language: Huttese]
Perhaps it was some token acknowledgement of the many years Amal had spent on Borgol's service that she did not ask the Hutt to elaborate on what had soured the start of his day. Were Hutts not generally sour? Asked no one ever. And lived. Amal, saving any further questioning for a time when they were not in view of those for whom the conversation was not intended, shifted, instead to more suitable conversation for the gathered, "have you decided on a preference for your entertainment, then, Lord Borgol? Perhaps the possibility of fresh employment?" Amal, of course, spoke in basic. The better to intercede on Borgol's behalf.
Slowly Navi becomes aware that she has gained the Hutt Lord's undivided attention, if his gaze is evidence of such. She slowly turns her helmed head to meet his gaze for perhaps a heartbeat, then inclines her head respectfully and just as slowly looks away.
But she does keep half an eye on the Hutt and his pale companion. After all, a Hutt's attention can be a Very Bad Thing (TM). Or a Very Good Thing (TM). Or just A Thing (TM). It pays to be ready for all of the above, just in case. Just because she only came to watch the show doesn't mean things won't take a strange and unfortunate turn for her.
Alys shifts in her seat, her expression flat and guarded. This place is, after all, full of scum, villainy, a Mandalorian and a Hutt. Though, then again, if she had come in her black cloak, others might think the same about her.
Instead, she just looks like a fish out of water, drinking potent beverages and,since we last checked in on her, she's acquired a spice cigar. She smokes it daintily, holding it between two fingers. She's cutting loose, apparently. Though she still looks grumpy.
Qar-duun's comlink *pings,* and he bows as he presents himself to the court and to Borgol. "Your Eminence, this evening I have prepared a shadow-play from Dathomiri culture: it concerns the activity of animals from ages past, and reveals timeless wisdom." He gets 5P-KR, or another available unit, to move a brazier where its light can provide a 'screen' for his performance on an open wall.
Marcus Pram perks up looking curious as Qar begins to prepare for his performance. Marcus grins faintly wandering the room until he finds a particularly comfortable piece of railing to support and lean against as he watches his eyes still wandering the crowd curiously surveying each.
The Mandalorian that is Navi Kryze continues to hold the Hutt Lord's attention, up to the point that the Mandalorian offers her own acknowledgment. The movement of her helmet is met by a solemn nod of Lord Borgol's own head and that seems to have sealed something for the Hutt. He looks away once again and turns his attention aside, regarding one of his many attendants - some may say slaves - before he comments back to Amal while barely missing a beat within their own small conversation, "Future employment, perhaps. My kind regard is a commodity that is priceless," the Hutt remarks with a small measure of humor bleeding into his thunderous, rumbling voice.
The arrival of Qar-duun and the offer of entertainment seems to straighten Lord Borgol's spine yet further. The prospect of fresh entertainment and *unique* entertainment at that seems to have garnered nearly all of the Hutt's attention. Borgol watches on with golden eyes, one cybernetic and the other organic, with rapt attention. As the light source is moved into position and deployed, Lord Borgol's hairless brow rises up with obvious interest, along with a low rumble of thoughtfulness. Such sounds are cut off however when he does finally acknowledge Qar-duun's offer of entertainment directly, just in time for the band to begin dying down again, "Timeless wisdom and creatures of the past - maybe I knew some of them," the Hutt answers with a bit of laughter. His laughter though sounds like the rumbling of the earth as it practically trembles the air around him. Finally he offers a wave of his arm, with SP-KR translating for the benefit of those who aren't well-acquainted with the enlightened language of the Hutts, "Consider me interested in this custom. You may begin." [Language: Huttese]
[PASS ( +67)] Qar-duun's Escape Artist @ (100) diff.
Qar-duun
Qar-duun illustrates the ageless tale of something small and insecure about survival (maybe a frog or a newt!) and their alliance with something much more robust and predatory, (perhaps a baby rancor unsure it can survive its own competitive, fast-paced environment for self-starters) and an illustrious supporting cast of very fancifully-rendered bird-shadows and dog-shadows! In the end, though, the rancor eats the newt and there is a long soliloquy during death-throes about 'trust.'
Amal studied the zabrak with interest, before she glanced to Borgol. "Quite a valuable one." The Hutt Lord's comment brought Amal's attention back to Qar'duur, and the light show which preceded the actual show. "There is something to be said for the grace inherent in the movement of the body." An understatement, given her own species' proclivities. The story she watched with obvious interest, the zabrak's movements conveying the take with surprising ease, needing no words to convey the story, "That is always the way. Predator and prey."
Navi applauds politely, with a little extra enthusiasm for such an enchanting performance. It was worth every minute, even if it took her a moment to grasp just what was supposed to be what right at the very beginning. "A most creative and intriguing performance," she says, her voice a bit scratchier and hissier through the helmet. "I salute you."
Alys watches her ... coworker goes up to perform. She undervalued him before, but he's more than he lets on. The Acolyte puffs away, feeling the Spice lace through her brain and through her nerves, making her skin tingle. She peers at one of her hands, blinking. "Odd."
Yeah, she's never done Spice before.
Her attention swings back to the shadow play, her head tilting slightly as she watches. She has no hands to clap, but she focuses, trying to make the Force do what she wants it to. Which in this case to send a thought at Qar-duun. 'Nice work.'
Of course, if the Force doesn't do what she wants, it just looks like she's staring at the zabrak.
[PASS ( +43)] Borgol the Hutt's Knowledge: Literature @ (100) diff.
[PASS ( +60)] Borgol the Hutt's Knowledge: Philosophy @ (100) diff.
Throughout the performance by Qar-duun, Borgol seems practically enthralled. He watches on with wide, watery eyes and his cavernous maw hanging open and slack. By the end of the tale the Hutt Lord shifts and one of his heavy, club-like arms rises up with chubby fingers parted and his palm held upward, "That is quality entertainment! Creative, evocative, and classic!" The Hutt Lord shifts slightly in order to spare a glance toward Amal, gesturing then toward Qar-duun, "Here is one that understands art and entertainment, Wraith".
Then it's toward Qar-duun that Lord Borgol's attention returns and his mirth seems quite genuine. No longer bored by a lack of entertainment, the Hutt seems far more animated than before. Even if that's still animated for a *Hutt*! The rumbling voice of the Hutt Lord drowns out much of the conversation within the enclosed space that is the VIP lounge and he offers a respectful dip of his stubby chin toward the green-skinned Zabrak that is Qar-duun, "You have pleased me. Your tale is familiar to me, but told with a different culture's perspective. I respect the variety. You have done well tonight and I offer you my thanks for your exemplary storytelling." [Language: Huttese]
Marcus Pram claps along with others for Qar, "Nice one!" He says brightly to the Zabrak grinning as he considers the group. He eases up nearer to Alys and watches her staring at the Zabrak to offer, "Pretty impressive huh?" He suggests with his usual smirk. Marcus does look surprised perhaps at the exuberance from the hutt watching curiously.
Qar-duun bows, accepting his plaudits. "The honor is mine, Your Eminence." He retreats among his associates, allowing the next act to take the stage. Possibly getting himself refreshment.
Navi moves to find a better view in the wake of several other patrons changing position and obscuring her view. In the process of this, she passes close to a table with a young woman smoking a water pipe, just in time to get a big exhaled cloud of vapor in the face. Her helmet filters deal with anything intoxicating, but she pauses near the seated woman to let her vision clear.
Only then does she realize just how unsteady the young lady is. "Are you feeling all right?" she asks Alys softly, her voice a little tinny through her helmet. "Shall I call for some ofthe staff to assist you?"
Amal, falling silent as Borgol made his pronouncement. And yes, even expressing enjoyment was a pronouncement when your voice had the ability to shake the platform on which you were sitting. Or Amal was sitting. Along with the rest of the gathered, Amal offered a polite round of applause. "A show well presented." Grace and control were two things the echani could well respect. Amal, leaning slightly away, indicated for one of the staff. Likely a note to discover the contact information for the zabrak.
Alys is a bit unsteady. Nothing that she can't deal with, she's probably still one of the deadliest people in here. Probably. She only starts a little when Navi stops by on her path to check on her. She blinks a few times, draws a breath and focuses for a second, bolstering her clarity with the Force a little.
"I'm...fine. First time, you see. I didn't know what to expect. A mistake I won't make again."
It sounds like a phrase that someone would giggle after. The Acolyte just sounds .... serious. She's fun at parties.
Qar-duun offers Alys his arm? "Do you want a support? I can call my droid if it's unseemly." The gravel in his voice seems to preclude the motion of 'sounding empathetic,' but the offer at least *seems* genuine and not a convenient excuse to slip a knife in the competition. Anyway his wrists have probably had it for the evening!
Another nod is given from Hutt to Zabrak and Borgol pays a final regard to Qar-duun following the acceptance of Borgol's praise. It's then that Borgol's attention turns aside to regard Amal and he comments toward her, directly, "You and I must meet tomorrow. There is a matter I wish to discuss with you in private. You have been notified."
It is after this proclamation, however directly spoken, that the Hutt Lord's attention turns back to the gathering as a whole. While it would be easy for him to become invested in the affairs of the Mandalorian and the human female that she seems to console, they are one pair among many. Borgol's attention carries onward and throughout the lounge. He observes much, but pauses to admire little.
The music takes up again and this time the soothing melodies of 'Thruster Head' are taken up by the band. It's funky music and Lord Borgol's tail begins to twitch to life, slapping at the dais in time with the beats of the music. This has the added affect of jostling Amal among her own cushions settled into the crook of Lord Borgol's tail. [Language: Huttese]
Marcus Pram watches Alys curiously he lets the other woman step up to check on Alys and he glances over at Qar, "Wasn't me." He offers simply and watches Alys with a raised brow and perhaps a little bemusement studying curiously and then looking to Navi to see how she takes Alys response.
"If you are sure. I will be here for a while longer, so I may check on you before I leave," Navi replies to Alys, nodding once. "If you choose to leave, please take care."
She looks to Marcus and Qar, then just to Marcus. "I see. Thank you for checking on the young lady. I hope you won't have to help her out when she decides to leave."
Alys nods once to Navi. "...Thank you," she says, her tone polite, if a bit ... warbly. She tamps out the spice cigar in a handy ashtray a staff left for her. She makes sure it's out, then slips it away. Maybe she has a pocket somewhere.
Her violet eyes flicker between Marcus and Qar. Her expression is hard to read as it flickers back and forth between appreciative and irritated. It's nice to be looked after, but she is Sith.
"Thank you, gentlemen, for your concern, but I am fine. Just .... experimenting.
Qar-duun stands *incrementally* straighter under Borgol's eye. Can't have a Hutt thinking you're 5'9" when it's 5'11".
Marcus Pram nods to Navi and smiles brightly, "I'm sure she'll be fine just... But you certainly don't have to move along on our account..." He does look at Alys a bit warily as she flicks a look. He shrugs, "Fine by me." He says brightly, "A little experimentation never killed anyone. Well I mean I suppose it has. But you know probably won't here." He says brightly glancing to Qar watching him straighten and raising a brow, "You okay? Back a little crooked with all that? That was impressive, didn't really take you for..." He trails off with a shrug.
"Of course, Lord Borgol." Amal's tone was all business. Despite her appearance at this social occasion, and the relaxed way in which she sat, in much the same place as a dancer might, only of a very different sort than the Echani, Amal was rarely anything but business, when she was in Borgol's orbit. Such was the way, as it were. "A fine enough turn out. I suppose it is good to be out among the people." Pressing flesh and kissing babies. Only with less babies.
