Log:Play Your First Mark
Tovani and Khalim go after their first bounty...they bring back up.
OOC Date: May 3, 2022
Location: Canto Bight
Participants: Tovani Enno herself/GM, Shimmer, Adalee Kaline, Kasia Ashkuri, Khalim, Saturi, Netep Muri
The lovely lights of Canto Bight, twinkling in the darkening skies as some sort of beacon of debauchery. Debauchery rolled up in expensive silks and gems. Tovi for her part does not fit in here as the music plays as a background to the conversation and excitement. A chime of a machine, the blinking lights...it is a sensation overload that has the Wroonian staring for a moment, lost in in her senses as she sips from a glass half leaning against the bar.
Everything is a distraction. The way its meant to be.
<"Anyone see anything yet? I am on my second drink and I think I need to visit the fresher."> This across their comms channel before she is smiling at Shimmer and Kasia. "Excuse me you too. Next drinks are on me but I need to scoot away." She's in a dress that looks more appropriate for a beach setting - making it a little difficult to blend in as she sucks down her drink in one fell rise of her glass.
She is off then, traversing the carpeted floor for the marble lined bathrooms.
There is a rise of a cheer as someone wins big at some able, more figures gathering there to watch and crowd in around to share in the euphoria of winning. The place is getting busier by the moment the later the hour grows. Eyes sharp folks!
Speaking of debauchery in silk... Shimmer leans against the bar, elbows back to prop himself up. In more 'civilized' and 'proper' society, the gold-skinned Firrerreo with heterochromatic eyes would be looking up at underdressed; his leather pants and designer shoes are well and good, but the leather vest open in the front to show off a shirtless chest would likely get him turned away at a proper fueling station. At a bar, though, in this atmosphere, he is simply blending in as a captain of very old industry. What's he see? <"Nothing but this guy who looks exactly like me."> He holds up a hand to wave, and the mirror waves back. <"Wait, scratch that. He's left-handed."> Discretion is not the Firrerreo's strong suit, but neither are his eyes.
He offers a nod to the Wroonian. "I'm hoping the next drink's on a stranger I haven't met yet, but happy scooting." With a wink, he's back to casting one blue and one green eye over the crowd like a stationary, picky cat on the lookout for the perfect meal. Not sure how he got into this, but when a friend asks you to look for a strange man, Shimmer's not one to resist vociferously. He looks over to Kasia. "First time here, and it feels... Oddly familiar."
Hovering near Khalim, a bronzed half-sephi hasn't stopped looking with wide eyes. Everything has drawn her attention at least twice, and now that rise of a cheer has her turning her head again. "I feel both over and under dressed," she says to Khalim and Saturi. She might be both, in a Loveti moth-fiber dress, semi-diaphonous and lovely, but not nearly as expensive as the labels many here are wearing. Willowy green layers snugly drapes her figure, attracting some attention by a few that pass by. Slender fingers smooth along her long-tapered ears, to their gentle points, the principle sign advertising her near-human ancestry. A nervous habit. "Well," she says, flashing both her companions a smile, "Wish me luck." She heads out, into the thick of the excitement, keeping watch for their target.
They are on Canto Bight and Kasia has dressed for the occasion, in a floor length sparkly dress with a wide enough neckline to leave her shoulders bare, shimmering red and white begemmed jewelry and a sideswept hairstyle that looks complex, and fits right in with this place. She has a small clutch type bag in one hand, and a drink in the other, sipping occasionally from the glass as she listens to the comms but doesn't respond. Not yet, not with nothing to report. "You're too generous," she says of Tovi's offer to cover the next drink, though she's still on her first. She's done this sort of thing before, and understands how to pace herself, especially while in heels. She tilts her head in Shimmer's direction, affording him a brief glance before she speaks. "I knew I should have worn the flats for this, but it's too late now." She always does this to herself. Shimmer gets another look, this time with a smile. "All of these places feel the same, high risk money places with the artificial sense of fun and risk. Artificial everything, really."
Leaning against an empty sabacc table, Khalim's had his own lower lip caught between teeth pretty much the entire time they've been here. Looking. Searching. But trying, you know, to not APPEAR desperate for some manner of recognition. Like the others, he's dressed above his grade, wearing a well tailored suit of Mirialan cut though still managing to take on some high-collared Coruscanti influences. He may even present a hint of 'dashing', though in present company he'd be the last to hear it. (lol)
In hand? A glass, still half full, of a clear ice cube laden spacer's favorite: Sullustan gin. It rises for another sip as that dark brown gaze shifts about. <"Nothing yet, but Adalee is moving off so... more eyes, more places. Think I should sit in front of a slot and burn our savings off?"> The Mirialan looks to Saturi, but it's not humor behind dark brown. It's wariness. SO MUCH WARINESS. "I'm surprised you came. But I appreciate it."
Golden eyes watch as Adalee takes a few steps away, slipping up and down her form as she ambles into the thick of it. Her attention flicks to Khalim as the Sephi gets a little distance from the empty sabacc table. "How are you feeling?" She asks quietly, as if the response might be a negative one. "About being here?" Saturi adds, as if the meaning might not have been clear.
The blue woman leans into the table with her hip, crossing her arms as she does so. She's clearly not in the mood to move and significantly more interested in stirring up a reaction of sorts...whether this is intentional or not. "Does it feel strange?"
Tovani makes a disapproving sound on the comms to what Khalim says, <"Uhhh as much as I like to live..thats called living foolishly."> No moare is said as she slips into the public fresher from sight and her end of the comms goes quiet.
The room is shifting, always changing and moving. The song settles into an intense beat but its so low that it feels more like the thrum of a hear beat caught in their chest. It causes a few of those around to sway, the mood changing as the resort seems to be perparing their customers for a shift in moods...and purpose.
A new scent hits the air, its fresh and invigorating with a hint of spices. Lights shift to something richly gold with darker shadows hanging here and there.
Shimmer returns that glance with a knowing look. "If we're the same shoe size, you're welcome to take my loafers. They may not fit your outfit, but I'm more used to going without." He picks up the drink set betweeh his elbows, sliding it forward and taking a sip. "Not that I would ever imply-" Before his proper equivocation can be completed, a passing server winces at a credit chit flung by an exuberant winner, the remaining drink on his tray tipping to spill directly on the unsuspecting Firrerreo. The drink spills down his leather pants and onto those fancy designer loafers. "Oh, kriff-" Shimmer leans forward, his drink almost dropped onto the bar as he moves to steady the server while the server tries to apologize. "You alright," he asks, waving off the apologies.
It's at this point that the color changes, gold washing over most, if not all, and a name starts to pop up. 'Odo Ferv.' Nearby, chatty patrons indicate a figure further down the bar. <"Just as a heads-up,"> Shimmer adds, touching the earpiece hidden under his unruly, green-streaked black hair. <"I've got a positive confirmation of the name, and the suggestion that a personal bodyguard for one Odo Ferv is present just down the bar from us."> He looks to Kasia, not sure what to do with that info, as he tries to slick drink off his shin.
The heart of a spacer may beat within Adalee, but she wears that dress pretty well. Genetics are what they are, and hers draw a coupld of appraising glances. She shines a full-lipped smile at one or two that catch HER eye in return, but otherwise she's moving forward and watching.
She sees one table in particular receiving very specific attention. <"I see a place near the high rollers area being prepared for someone. Not just cleaned but stuff is being brought there. Gotta be important for that, right?"> An attendant walks past and Ada touches her arm. "Someone important? Should I try to get a good table?" The attendant leans in and whispers, "Odo Ferv is arriving. I suggest you stay at this table if you want to be near him." Ada shares a happy smile and sits.
Another sip is taken from her glass. Some clear drink that has a few pieces of fruit on a tiny faux sword that she uses to occasionally swirl the contents, which don't need it but she does it anyway. The fruit on a stick is released with a gentle plonk back into the glass, nearly making the liquid splash over the side. Not quite though, because she's a professional!
<"I think I see our guy,"> she says over the comms softly, leaning in a little closer to Shimmer as though she's only having a private conversation with him. Then she straightens. "I will manage with my own shoes for now, but thank you for the offer. I may take you up on that later." He gets a little arm pat, and then she adds, "I'm going to get a closer look over there. I think I see him and I want to double check." With that she saunters away, closer to the table that has the gambler. <"I see him. Moving in closer.> Except it's said in a slightly mumbly sort of way because she tries not to move her lips too much so she doesn't appear as though she's talking to herself.
<"Our target is arriving, and he'll be at a table near me. High roller's area.">
Khalim's attention drifts to Saturi. It's a slow traversal, and there's a muted expression behind the man's eyes. Both of them, again. "Every second here feels weird, Saturi. Every moment." A smile is what makes it's way forth, however, clearly forced but an attempt to move beyond this particular conversation.
There's a change in mood, and atmosphere, and both Adalee and Kasia's messages are intercepted. Their guy may have arrived, and they may know precisely where he's headed. The Mirialan looks to Saturi for a moment longer. "Yes, this is not an easy place to be, but we have a job." A curt little nod and he's pushing off that sabacc table. "Let's wander..." He spots Kasia moving off to investigate their likely target, some distance away, and Adalee beginning to sit.
Easier said than done maybe, with a belly full of gin. A bump. OOF. "Sorry," he says, a smile flashed. Another. OOP. "Pardon me," he offers, again, though the pair of men in black suits that look back aren't nearly as polite as one places a hand upon Khalim's shoulder. "Yeah, no need for that," the Mirialan advises, though he stops and looks from one likely bodyguard to the other. "Mistake? Right?"
The room is pulsing between a rich gold and lavender, moving back and forth to the second beat of the music which has become an undercurrent to the room. Its not just a casino floor - its an experience. The crowd continues to change, others being pushed out and escorted places when they are found less than desireable. Khalim is given a look over by the guards, narrowing their eyes upon him as his words do not slur. "Watch yourself." What goes unseen as the other person in this line of dominos who ends up spilling to the floor. There are gasps and the two bouncers that are watching Saturi and Khalim turn to gather up that misfit - unfortunate moment there. Watch who you stumble around. The bouncers are gone soon enough, leaving the Khalim untouched and able to cross the room.
At this very moment Odo Ferv, a man of renown in higher circles for his philanthropic donations and overwhelming personality takes a seat. A bald head is wiped as he takes up center stage at his table - where Adalee now sits. His dark glasses are lowered some as he looks her over, a keen smile spreading. "Hello...come join me." He pushes back one of the female members in his entourage about to seat to allow Adalee a seat next to him. "Odo...your name?"
Shimmer's view is still the best of the room and as those deemed unworthy are escorted out of the room there is a space next to said bodyguard who is also watching from his perch.
"I'll try to have them dry by then," Shimmer offers before Kasia moves away, leaving him with a decision to make. If, indeed, that is Odo Ferv's bodyguard... Then Odo's involuntary absconsion will be much easier without this individual's interference. The Firrerreo takes off his shoe and upends it, spilling what spare liquid he can manage before slipping it back on. The squish must be abided. He straightens again, slipping a hard credit chit onto the counter next to his drink as he slides both closer to the bartender.
Taking a couple careful steps backward, Shimmer starts walking along the bar as though looking for a spot and certainly not relocating from a previous haunt. Just before he takes the seat home with a walk, though, a stumbling Bothan tries to beat him to the punch. It's narrow, but Shimmer's backside is down first, and those are the rules, though he's jostled a little for his trouble. When the Firrerreo recenters himself, the bodyguard's eyes are on him. "You, uh..." The bodyguard is giving him the once-over. Maybe it's the lack of shirt. Maybe it's the appreciation of fine leather. Or maybe it's just curiousity when someone almost falls off the stool to sit near you. "You some sort of recording artist?" The guard's posture says it all... He doesn't want to be here today, but a job is a job.
"Me? No. I wish, but no." Shimmer's voice half-whispers as he leans a little closer, speaking lowly. "I'm a... Personal assistant. For a couple of high-up engineers. Always running..." Shimmer sighs, and raises a hand as though to call the bartender. "They never need me, but I always have to be... Right here." He points to himself. "Line of sight. I would KILL to be a musician... I've been taking some lessons." He flashes his fingers dancing on the counter. "Studying keyboards..." He looks closer to the bodyguard. "Don't tell, but... Sometimes I just want to cut out, find the nearest lounge and just play until I forget what they look like." Shimmer offers that toothy, honest smile that's a little too wide and - hopefully - a little disarming.
"What's your name?" It's an innocent followup from the Firrerreo. Surely.
Suddenly Adalee is no longer alone at her - Odo's - table. The man she'd seen holopics of sits and suddenly she's no longer alone and front and center, receiving the man's undivided attention. She's invited to sit at his side, and she scoots over. The woman she's displaced gives Ada a sly, hostile look but moves away without incident.
Now sitting next to their target, Ada answers his question. "Sayana," she says, flashing him that trademark full-lipped Adalee smile. A dash of mystery is infused into that smile, as is a hint of playful tease. "Very nice to meet you, Odo." She leans in, that smile still blazing, and whispers, "They told me this was the best seat in the house, and I can see why."
Kasia moves with confidence of a person who feels they own the place, but without a swagger of someone with something to prove. Which helps some when she's being eyed by bodyguards that are moving by her. She pretends not to notice, though she definitely does, but they move along without stopping her so it's one less thing to worry about for the moment. Something else seems to have tugged at the bulk of her attention, and has her moving toward the spot that Khalim and Saturi are leaving. <"Guys. Be careful."> The warning is issued quietly as she weaves through the remaining crowd, adding in a hushed tone, <"Something is off over here."> Something. Someone. She doesn't know, and doesn't speculate yet, she just nears and tries to narrow down the scope of what could be bad here. Beyond the usual bad in these places.
Khalim manages to avoid the ire - mistaken or otherwise - of those thugs. Whether they're in casino employ or Odo's rather doesn't matter, the Mirialan keeps an eye on their movement. Two run-ins may be one too many.5R "Over there." Khalim gestures towards the table at which Adalee sits, Odo next to her, and there's a small collection of the man's associates beginning to take their places. His eyes narrow at the exchange between arms dealer and half-sephi, she may no longer be crew, but there was still that feeling of responsibility. "Let's get closer," he suggests, a quick look to the Pantoran at his side to ensure they were on the same page. "Overwatch."
The pair manage to secure seats, and thanks to Saturi they can even see beyond the next table. Nice work Saturi! Now the coast is clear for you to torture Khalim some more!
After continuing to follow her green companion for a short distance, Saturi's golden gaze furrows with irritation as she watches everyone fight for seats. Musical chairs is a game beneath a woman of such /status/. She laughs audibly as Khalim secures his seat, passing up the opportunity to seize one near him. "What are you doing?" Her voice calls out, barely breaking through the loud ambient roar.
Scoffing, she marches over to the nearest usher. The Pantoran crosses her arms, stands up -real- straight, and taps her foot in aggravation. "-Sir.-" Her voice starts with a pointed attention grabber. "Do you see this?" Blue hands gesture to her painstakingly crafted dress, complete with all of the traditional fittings and intricate designs. "I'm going to spare you the novel, but these are the markings of a very proud family and an even prouder woman."
"I am Countess Saturi Kavan of Pantora and I will not be denied a seat with a view." Dripping with self-righteousness, she is able to convince this poor worker to do something...if only because they realize it's going to be easier to just do it than fight it.
The agitated worker makes the magic happen, using the fullest extent of his resources. It takes time, but rather than booting someone from their seat, he ambles over to where the venue has stored chairs. Muscling the strength for two chairs, he drags the seats up towards the front, placing them wherever the Pantoran directs. From above, it makes the evenly designed audience seem...lopsided with the addition.
A motion or two later, Uri is able to flag down Khalim and get them to their seats.
Odo is all smiles for his unexpected new acquaintance, giving Adalee a look before the dealer for Sabacc has arrived. He stands across the table and Odo looks...displeased. "Where is my regular?" Pause. "She's sick, I have been asked to stand in." The air gets a little uncomfortable as the conversation around the table quiets while Odo is ...deciding if he is okay with this change.
People are pushing in to try to get a look, this is going to the biggest game here tonight an as a few more belly up to the table to set down their trays of credits to be accepted for the evening it become very obvious that more and more people are going to be escorted out.
Too much risk.
The bodyguard is listening to Shimmer but is watching this very event unfold, narrowing his eyes as he starts to shift to shift to his feet. "Amin.." he says distractedly. "A moment." Things do not come to a head just yet so he remains where he is.
Khalim and Saturi are given their seats. Wonderful seats in fact with a clear view of what is going on from their perch. It also allows others to see them especially those the Pantoran just ran off.
Kasia's warnings are broadcast outwards and over her companions. She gets a full view of what is about to occur. A knife is seen flashing from beneath a table as a man yells CHEAT! Taking a swipe, he misses so he reaches back for a holdout blaster and things start to go terribly wrong. Shots are fired. Screams go up and the mad panic begins. It may be one man but no one wants to be shot even as a bystander is taken down, his chest smoking from the red bolt. People start to flee.
Odo for his part is up and grasping for Adalee she is drug along as he rushes for his exit - a nice door that opens to emit him into some backway that is hidden from the normal thoroughfaires. This means the bodyguard with Shimmer starts to take off at the same time that Odo and Ada pass by Saturi and Khalim to that door and disappear.
Shimmer's head quirks to the side at Kasia's warning, turning his face to keep looking at the bodyguard in a manner that hopefully looks interested. Fortunately... He really is interested. 'Amin.' Shimmer's broad smile widens a little more. "Amin? I like-"
'A moment.' The bodyguard's posture tenses, and Shimmer feels his own muscles do the same. But with a moment... And a breath... He's fine. "It's a nice name. And nicer to meet you. You seem rather... Uptight for a den of iniquity like this..." He's about to try to buy the guard a drink when everything goes crazy. The guard is up and moving quickly, and line of gaze shows Shimmer Adalee and another running from the craziness. The guard's looking to catch up, and in an instant, Shimmer grabs for his hand. "WAIT! Take me with you!" The Firrerreo's thin form isn't much of a holdup and he pulls forward, tripping and accidentally spilling directly into the guard, who instinctively catches him in his arms. "Oof!" Amin's trying to let go and move, but Shimmer doesn't let go of his arm. "Take me with you? I'm scared." Finally, the bodyguard gives a clipped nod and clasps Shimmer's forearm in a hand and starts pulling him along.
"Move!"
And Shimmer does. His best. Sort of. Not really. He's feeling a little extra clumsy today.
Kasia's warning wasn't exactly helpful in preventing anything, but it was correct, and she can enjoy being right about it later. For now she's too busy watching the flash of a knife, and then hearing the bark of a blaster pistol. In the chaos she finds herself confronted with the armed man, eyes going a bit wide.
She flings her hands up into the air with a slightly more exaggerated wrist flip than is necessary to show she's not armed, and totally not a danger. Which ends with her not getting shot, thankfully, but much to the confusion of the shooter that blaster is ripped from his hand and goes flying. WOOSH. Now it's a projectile hurtling with speed at a casino wall, there it hits then clatters to the ground.
In the confusion the attempted assassin stops, trying to work out exactly what happened with his blaster, which gives the security more than enough time to full body tackle him right in front of her. "That was ill advised, sir." A moment is spent chiding the tackled man, then she steps back to give security room to work before turning to try and figure out where the others have gotten to now.
Chaos. On Canto Bight. Could there be a worse place for mayhem to unfold, for a man whose life was effectively razed by the same here, upon this world, but a half year earlier? The discharge of that blaster draws Khalim's attention; a holdout is seen held aloft, with Kasia just there. Just where he and Saturi had stood a minute earlier. A friend who had answered a call for assistance was not to be left standing alone. The Mirialan looks to Saturi, a hardness behind his dark brown gaze. "Kasia," he points. "Then follow me."
The man's got a natural athleticism to him! Really, he does! You should see Khalim running the beach on Scarif, in slow motion. With musical backing it's something to visit the world to see. There's a shift out of that Pantoran-acquired seat, the Mirialan intending to sprint across the casino floor. Ada is being dragged along, and it's not a pretty picture; it galvanizes Khalim into action.
/SNAG/
/TWIST/
/CLATTER/
The man looks good sprawled upon a casino floor, half twisted around a fancy chair. No denying! If anyone can pull off that who 'two left feet left me looking like this' mystique, it's Khalim.
There's a second tumble as one of Odo's remaining bodyguard's attempts to return to the arms dealer's side but Khalim's foot! It's waiting. And down the bodyguard goes. Every small victory is tallied, earned or not.
One stroke of poor luck, the Mirialan's 'pad his slipped out of his inner jacket pocket and is just out of reach. No means, just yet, to notify Muri that she's going to be needed, and very soon. Like now soon. He stretches, and fingers curl around the little device.
A knife? A blaster?
Snooping around for information and eavesdropping on the conversations of gamblers is Saturi's speed. Chasing marks through secret tunnels and dodging bolts of heated plasma though? That tends to be the sort of evening that she generally avoids.
The Pantoran springs from her newly acquired seat. Giving the chair a mourning glance, she gives up on the idea of helping with any pursuit. She forges her own path towards the exit, shouting at Khalim whilst jostling about the swarm of others trying to flee the scene. "I'll see you back at the ship!"
Doaba Hermi is alive with groovy beats - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKY99qPdRAM (the first song) - bass thumping 'lowly' throughout the ship's interior comm as its equally groovy captain bobs head and shoulders lazily along. Her half-reclined tilt in chair allows for an easier kick-up of magboots on the console, heels balanced neatly between delicate bits of tech. A few empty packages of veg crisps and jerkies are littered within a wrist-toss of her seat, as is one crumpled can of flavored fizziwater.
She's been listening to the ongoing bounty hunt comm feed through the tiny comm integrated into her helmet, which is currently shoved onto her head, but unsealed, visor up. Half-closed lids portray her degree of boredom, in spite of decent tunes, but that's what happens when you're fresh out of recovery from a series of near-fatal blaster wounds from playing hero in the sand.
Desk duty.
"Call," she informs Ormond just then, lifting cards from her lap to toss them, face-up on the navcomp, just below the planimal's 'home' anchor. Ormond, unsurprisingly, is being a bad sport and fails to reveal *his* cards. In fact, he fails to do anything but ripple his stalk and unfurl a fat, lobe-like petal from what used to be his last meal. Breakfast, from five days ago.
Muri returns the gesture in kind from her left hand. "No need t'be sour 'bout it, hey?"
Doaba Hermi is alive with groovy beats - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKY99qPdRAM (the first song) - bass thumping 'lowly' throughout the ship's interior comm as its equally groovy captain bobs head and shoulders lazily along. Her half-reclined tilt in chair allows for an easier kick-up of magboots on the console, heels balanced neatly between delicate bits of tech. A few empty packages of veg crisps and jerkies are littered within a wrist-toss of her seat, as is one crumpled can of flavored fizziwater.
She's been listening to the ongoing bounty hunt comm feed through the tiny comm integrated into her helmet, which is currently shoved onto her head, but unsealed, visor up. Half-closed lids portray her degree of boredom, in spite of decent tunes, but that's what happens when you're fresh out of recovery from a series of near-fatal blaster wounds from playing hero in the sand.
Desk duty.
"Call," she informs Ormond just then, lifting cards from her lap to toss them, face-up on the navcomp, just below the planimal's 'home' anchor. Ormond, unsurprisingly, is being a bad sport and fails to reveal *his* cards. In fact, he fails to do anything but ripple his stalk and unfurl a fat, lobe-like petal from what used to be his last meal. Breakfast, from five days ago.
Muri returns the gesture in kind from her left hand. "No need t'be sour 'bout it, hey?"
Tovani has taken half a lifetime in the fresher but the moment she pulls the door open a half collapsed figure falls inward and causes her to skitter out of the way. "What in the fate's...what have you all done?" This not over comms but pretty certain this has to do with them - it does not - she gingerly steps over the prone figure - grateful she is in sandals.
She lifts her comms as she checks the datapad inside her purse. "He's on the move...kriff." The Wroonians opens up comms and might be a little louder than intended as she peaks, <"Netep! We have target on the move, east platform....I think. Just be ready to shift again if need be.">
She is watching as Saturi heads out with the rest of the crowd, slipping out of view. Her eyes wide she misses Khalim - sprawled on the floor but Kasia is noted. Shmmer and his guard have already slipped into the tunnel after the fleeing arms dealer and all around playboy...hand in hand with the guard who is still confused.
The guards who have bodily tackled the disgruntled shooter are restraining him as Tovani lifts her heand and calls out to Kasia. "We have to go..." her head tilting to the side as she begins searching for form of Khalim - his tracker blinking nearby on her datapad. That's when she sees him, crossing his direction to help him up if need be and get them all out and moving, the Wroonian trying to shove her way forward only to be caught up in the press of people leaving the room - lost for the moment. "GO ON!"
Never question when things go right. That's Shimmer's motto and he's not questioning the HECK out of things as the guard leads onward with a firm grip on his wrist. With a small slip about, the Firrerreo manages to move his arm JUST enough and... There. Gold fingers interlock with more-boring flesh-toned ones as he turns a grip into a proper hand-holding. His eyes are big, and the unkempt hair continues to fall all about in black curles and streaks and tones of deep green.
But wait... Is this going right? He's running down a hallway with - he has to assume - an armed man, chasing their quarry, and he has no skills for apprehension. This... Is he getting pulled into this? Is he the one getting nabbed? His breaths catch as he struggles to keep up, feet pounding in those still-damp designer shoes. "I don't know... How much longer... I can keep up... Amin, please... Don't leave me..."
Kasia hears the familiar voice telling her it's time to go, and she's not in a position to argue that fact. Everything very much has a the party is over vibe anyway, so she's quick to head in the direction she's directed. She has heels on, they're high enough to be uncomfortable, but when she needs to she can move in them. It's not the most attractive run, if we're being honest, there's a bit of a hop element to it due to a lot of the weight being on the ball of her feet, but it works. Girl she is outta here.
It's madness, dogs and cats living together, MASS HYSTERIA! Many are running, but only some are running /with purpose/. Those that move into and then down that tunnel are in effect herding Odo towards the east platform. Khalim runs too. Helped up by Tovi, she receives a grunted, "Thank you, Samar'ii," and a look to that tunnel entrance. "He has Adalee, down that tunnel." And that's where he moves, feet pounding a new beat into the mix. He doesn't make ground, but he makes times, and that's good enough. Maybe.
As the panic slows to a purposeful stroll towards the landing platform, Saturi adjusts her pace. She takes the time to correct her attire and free up some personal space, marching along side the crowd with a little more breathing room. The Pantoran, heart racing still from the threat, works on calming herself down with a few deep breaths. Following the others, she makes way for her ship, not wanting to spend any time under the prying eyes of the public.
<<"Hermi copies, East platform. Reorienting now">>
Was that a yawn distorting Muri's voice? Might've been. "Y'got out o'this one lucky, min duskal," she informs Ormond with a less offensive fingerpoint, then flips up her visor, seals helmet, and toggles switches left and right till she's pushing forward on the acceleration lever and the Ghtroc rises in a WHOOSH of hurried thrust. Sabacc cards go slip-sliding all over the place as the ship pivots about-face, casting a friendly breeze across the nose of a smaller shuttle that was hovering with similar intention.
Whoopsies.
The Hermi launches fully away from the North platform then and cuts a hasty line for the East platform.
Tovani is lost to the crowd leaving the foot chase in this progression. Tovi, Saturi, Khalim and Kasia. With Kasia leading the pack..in heels. The lady needs an award. The panic can still be felt but it is dwindling with no further violence even as Odo is being whisked towards his waiting ship on that eastern landing platform, gaining ground on the bodyguard and Shimmer behind him. The Bodyguard that is giving him a look. "Let go of me...!" There is a brief struggle, the man trying to pull Shimmer free misses the placement of some crates and clips them, slamming his ribs into the corner to send him sprawling, groaning to the ground.
This leaves Odo and Adalee nearing the exit, the door sliding open just as the Hermi is putting down in the open spot before the door. Odo stares upwards, not recognizing the ship as he curses and starts to turn back around.
Lead to Kasia coming out on the plaform, following not long after by Khalim. Saturi and Tovani are no where in sight but there is the sound inside the casino. A clanging alert. *All guests remain indoors. All guests remain indoors." Tovani groans and starts to try to hoof it.
Shimmer
Shimmer's breath is giving out and Amin is not NEARLY enough of a gentleman, now trying to shed his new friend by a most brutish method. Shimmer clings harder, and the guard turns to address him proper, when a crate comes out of nowhere. The Firrerreo, still sprinting to keep up, runs headlong into the guard and buries the hard part of his skull into the man's chest. Both winded, they tumble. Shimmer tries to get up, to help Amin rise, but his balance is off and he keeps just ACCIDENTALLY tipping over and pushing on Amin's shoulders, holding the guard in place. Doing his part...
Then Odo is coming back into view, and Shimmer is up. Why is he coming back this way? "They're chasing us, it's not safe this way! I heard those boots like troopers wear, just down the way!" He points from whence they came, raising his voice to cover boots that may not be coming. "A lot of them! My bosses have a ship, just ahead on the platform, we're supposed to evac if something happens! Amin saved me, let me return the favor!" Shimmer's speech is passionate, and completely full of it.
Kasia is fast, faster than she looks like she should be, with her well padded and not exactly athletic figure. Even heels don't slow her down, which means that she gets to the landing pad in time to see Odo stop and turn in an effort to flee to his own ship. Except that she is there, in the way, not really looking like much of a threat. She doesn't try to appear as one either, or sound like one, she just raises a hand and knocks the mark back with that same force used to yank the blaster away earlier. BAM. He's hit. It hurts, but it doesn't do much damage, just enough to knock him off of his feet and pin him to the ground. "Got him." She just stands there looking a tiny bit unkempt from all the running, holding the man down until someone else comes to collect him.
Khalim's attention is on that arms dealer. It's the panic in Odo's eyes, and perhaps Ada's as well that has the Mirialan realizing this isn't likely to go any way but sideways. There's a shift of arm, of hand, and the hardened barrel of a laser is aimed from within a jacket sleeve. Aimed, thanks to the aim assist of a little red dot, at a leg. Khalim is half moment from triggering his concealed weapon when Odo is buffeted, hit hard by some unseen force and send sprawling upon his back. He didn't seen Kasia's outstretched hand but he sees her running forward to pin the man to the ground.
Pushing past the surprise, Khalim runs to her side. Reaching the dazed man, Khalim kneels and begins securing him. "Don't you worry, the best accomodations are waiting for you." The Mirialan looks up, to Kasia, a curious smile on display. "Nice work."
Odo is carted, rather unceremoniously, onto the waiting transport. If there's a hot towel waiting, it's intecepted and redistributed to Kasia. Who's definitely earned it.
[ Netep Muri]]
<<"I'M HERE">> Netep announces with uneccessarily loud volume inside her helmet/comms which might also be uneccessary, but given the precarious nature of spaceflight-in-conflict, she figured was a good idea. Her usual assortment of too-big tanktops or tunics and leggings would not hold up well to a vacuum. <<"WHERE SHOULD - ohthereyouare.">> Here they are.
The Hermi's ramp yaaaaaaaaaaaaaawns ajar with a bit of screeching and carrying on from some complaintive hydraulics, and soon the captain's voice is heard throughout the corridors as advising them to <<"Secure him in the crew cabin, if you'd like. Haven't had a chance t'wash the bedding since...well, since m'brother was aboard.">>
Punishment, on a microbial level, for whoever sits down on those sheets.
<<"I'll lock it down from the pit, yeah? Everbody else...help y'selves to the galley's bounty.">>
Tovani is the last one out, stepping on the landing pad as the group is already handling the 'situation'. She looks around and then up at the rest. "Soooooo I think we may have company soon. There was an alert inside and I can only guess that has to do with us...or him." She jogs forward to climb the ramp looking all eager to return and hand over the mark. "I promise, all of you are getting paid. Once he's turned in. Probably not the eaiest mark for a first time," she says, scratching at the back of her head.
She is not wrong though. Less than a minute later there are bouncers and guards coming out onto the platform. By then however everyone important is on board and the Hermi locked up. Its up to Muri to get them out of there before any ships make it around to stop them.
Odo Ferv. Caught. Detained. One less bounty on the bounty list.
Shimmer, stepping away from Amin, gasps when Odo suddenly falls. He looks to the others, gathering, then down to Amin as the target is picked up and spirited off. "I don't know what's going on! This... There has to be some misunderstanding..." He looks back and forth from the Hermi, to the guard, and then his jaw sets. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a card. He kneels and presses it into Odo's hand. "I'll get this sorted out, I promise. Call me. I'm sure I can fix everything..." He shakes his head, then rises. "I'm certain. And... Maybe I can play the keyboard for you." And then, the Firrerreo is running toward the Hermi, voicing protest the whole way.
The card is, of course, and advert for the Meltdown Cafe.
