A Rainy Fall Night on the Streets

[Boxah Borrek]

The streets were rowdy with locals and travelers alike trying to get to their destinations as the rain poured down on them this late fall evening. Vendors called out trying to get a few more customers in before they had to close shop. Air speeders zipped overhead causing strange patterns in the rain fall. To some this evening was stressful, or at the very least unpleasant, to others it was a splash of joy and excitement, but to many others it was just another day in the city. To the law enforcement officers chasing down a Cathar male through one of the main thoroughfares it was the prior. They were cutting through the crowds before the runner dived into an alley.

In the alley a figure slammed against the slick metallic wall, a grimace of pain skewing their face. The hood protecting them from the rain fell back to reveal the garnet skin of a Weequay woman, her long jet black hair suddenly getting drenched. “Watch it!” her voice shouted somewhat shakily. A moment later two officers rushed around the corner, one of them putting a hand out.

“Sorry ma’am, you alright?” He asked with a heavy breath, clearly a bit winded.

She nodded slowly at the first officer as the second ran halfway down the alley to where it forked. “Where in the hells did that feline get off to!?” The second shouted angrily. The first looked at the Weequay inquisitively in hopes she may shed some light.

“Uh, honestly not quite sure, he didn’t really stop, I think maybe left,” she replied, her golden eyes looking apologetically at the gentler officer.

“Frelling nerfherder!” The second exclaimed, not at anyone in particular. “You go left and I’ll take right, check any doors to make sure that charlatan didn’t dive into the back of a shop.”

A moment later both officers were gone though they would never find their target. The Weequay straightened herself out and pulled back up the hood on her cloak before walking out into the street, trying to stay under the overhangs. As they walked the figure briefly shuddered and another grimace of pain crossed their face. Hands fidgeted underneath the cloak for a few moments till the only movement to be seen was caused by the bobbing of walking and buffeting of rain.

Eventually the cloaked figure came to a stop in front of a small hole in the wall food stall and took a seat on one of the counter stools. Now with a bit more safety from the elements they lowered their hood revealing not the Weequay who had left the alley several blocks back but instead a human woman with reddish russet skin, wavy long yet still wet burgundy hair and amber brown eyes. She placed a data pad she’d been holding on the counter before glancing at the four armed cook.

“Can I get the Bothan curry please,” she asked politely, her accent hailing from the core systems, a bit strange to hear out in Hutt space. She looked back at the datapad after seeing the cooks acknowledgment, a pleased smile growing. Their employer was going to be most overjoyed they’d succeeded in retrieving the data.

[Boxah Borrek]

The deep earthy flavors of the curry warmed the woman's soul, there was nothing quite like a good meal after a successful operation. They cherished the moments of quiet, and dryness, wondering what their current employer wanted from the Center for Huttesse Fine Art. It was a strange place, she had taken a peak inside when she had been waiting for her opportunity, there had been a lot there and honestly she wondered how much was actually Huttesse in origin. The woman was pulled from her thoughts when the comlink on her belt buzzed.

A binary message was left on it requesting for a meet up at the Sleepy Nightingale Hotel, room seventy three. An expression of disappointment crossed her face for as much as she wanted to complete this job and get the credits she deserved she also didn’t want to go back into the downpour. Slowly rising from her seat she tucked the datapad back under her cloak, dropped some credits on the counter and dipped into the rainy night, a light grumble on her lips.

Puddles splashed as her boots progressed down the winding thoroughfares carrying her towards the hotel. Another pair of security personal were walking along asking groups if they had seen a blond furred male Cathar. When they asked her she mentioned the one being chased earlier in the evening, they didn’t seem to pleased with the answer and quickly moved on. She mentally grumbled that she couldn’t take on that identity here again any time soon, it was always a pain burning an alias.

With the guards gone she turned the finale corner and spotted the flickering purple neon sign for the Sleepy Nightingale. Without any hesitation she stepped into the interior, a light orchestral song filling her ears as she crossed the lobby.

“Good evening ma’am,” a purple and red protocol droid greeted. “Are you checking in for the night?”

She lowered her hood and gave the droid a warm smile. “My husband should have checked us in, said room seventy three, which way is that?”

“Of course,” the droid responded excitedly. “Down that hallway and take the second right, should be half way down on the left side. Have a great night and enjoy the stay!”

“Thank you,” she replied quickly before following the instructions given. Her walk became much more casual, as though she did belong here and was just staying the night with her partner. A moment later she’d arrived at the metal door and gave it a light knock. There was silence for several breaths before finally the door slid open.

“Ms. Farshess, we’ve been expecting you,” the human male who opened the door spoke. He waved for her to enter, which she did before closing the door. The man was accompanied by two other figures in the dimly lit hotel room, the only lighting coming from a holovid of some sporting event off world. “Did you succeed?” He took a seat at a small dinning table and looked up at her expectantly.

“I have what you need, how about my payment.” She was blunt and to business, no need to play around at this point.

The man smiled, it wasn’t a pleasant one. “Glad to hear it, we have your payment but we would be interested in upping the payout if you were willing to continue to work with us in our current little gig.”

Her amber eyes stared at him for a long breath before she slowly took a seat across from him. “How much more? And I want more specifics if I’m sticking my neck further into this whole deal.” Credits were credits at the end of the day, and she was curious what these folk wanted at the art museum.