Neera

“You 'might' be the one I’m looking for?” Neera asks gently of the Omwati. “If you know what I’m talking about, I’m quite sure that there isn’t any doubt in your mind. If there is, we may be wasting our time.” But looking at him, she is sure. It is, she believes, the will of the Force and she can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice -- a quiet strength, not of muscle, but of connection. She can also see a great deal of knowledge there, and something else, but she can’t quite put her finger on what it is. She assumes that he has grown accustomed to hiding the truth and while she respects and understands that, she yearns to learn more about him and his skills.

Neera smiles at Dex's question regarding the bartender. "Leem is really quite simple. I've been eating and drinking almost daily at that cantina for the last three weeks. It would be tough not to know him," she replies. "Also, in my experience, bartenders can be a wealth of information. You can find out most everything regarding a city from just one person if you ask the right questions and listen carefully. They usually know about things before they even happen, especially in small towns like Mos Taike. I don't necessarily disagree with you about Leem being scum, but I will say that he has been useful to me." She smiles inwardly at the information Leem had shared with her earlier.

She considers Dex’s request to "treat" them to dinner. It’s been a long time since anyone made a request like that of her, as she is usually the one being treated. Besides, her credits are precious to her and she doesn't like the thought of sharing them with anyone. She thinks of her recent earnings from that disgusting cantina in Mos Eisley. It was legal, of course, but still feels so un-Jedi-like to have put her body on display like that. Neera quickly brushes off the memory and reminds herself that dancing is better than going hungry and she silently laments the fact that survival seems to have become her life’s purpose.

She starts to tell Dex that they're on their own for dinner, but remembers that she’d asked them for transport. She realizes that if she went to Mos Espa for passage she would have to pay, so maybe it isn't such an unreasonable request. "Regarding your dinner proposal, I’ve already had my evening meal. But, if you truly intend to take me with you, maybe we could arrange something for tomorrow."

Feelings of doubt begin to tug at her. If they’re smugglers, as Leem concluded, she really shouldn’t be going with them. It just wouldn’t be right. It could be a path to the dark side. And she wasn’t sure how she felt about the holo cards. Why did they have to be Twi’leks, she asks herself? But Neera knows the answer, better than any other species would. She knows why their movements are so captivating. Regardless, she needs to get off this planet and this seems to be the best option. And she must learn more of the blue man.

"By the way," she addresses the Omwati, "What's you're name?" She waits for a response and decides to reveal a few things they've probably been wondering about. "I know that what I said at the Oasis gave you the idea that I’ve been looking for you or that I know you, but that’s not exactly true. I have definitely sensed you though, three times actually."

"The first time was last night while I was sleeping. Whatever you did woke me up from a sound sleep, but it was too weak to locate you. The second time was this morning and it was stronger, so I was able to trace you here (meaning Coozer’s). But when I got to the street and took a look with my electrobinoculars, I saw Stormtroopers leaving.”

“I checked a few other times and finally saw the three of you leave here and come towards town." She glances around briefly, looking for the other human. "As you got closer, I was afraid that you would see me, so I ducked into the bar and got to the booth just before you walked in.”

She pauses briefly to remind herself of the sequence of events in the cantina. “My back was towards you so I didn’t actually see you come in, but your exchange with Leem led me to the conclusion that only two of you had entered. He overcharged you for your drinks, naturally, but it was the perfect opportunity to meet you and see who was there.”

She tilts her head down slightly before looking into the green eyes of the human, Dex, and says “I do hope that you’ll forgive me for asking so brazenly about your Omwati companion, but it was the only question I could think of that would really get your attention. You do understand, don’t you?”

Looking at Jarren again, she adds, “The third time I sensed your presence was just after I left the Oasis.” Neera stops herself, hoping she hasn’t provided too many details. “Since we’re sharing information, I’d like to know what your business is in Mos Taike. And why in the heavens are you dressed this way?” They almost look like the bottom dwellers on Coruscant, she thinks to herself, but there must be a rational explanation.

Dex

Upon returning to the ship, Dex and Ian find Jarren speaking to Coozer. Greeting Coozer, and exchanging brief niceties, Dex makes his way into the refreshing cool of the ship. Dex finds the interior decorating of the rat beast far from refreshing.

"That little rat bastard!" Dex exclaims in irritation. Looking into the box, he says to the rat, "I'm going to be happy when were rid of you, you slimy rat, and by the look of my formerly blue friend, that may not be too far off." Shaking his head in angry disbelief, he walks over to one of the tables and sits down.

Grabbing a sack of water and taking a long swill, Dex waits for his friends to join him.

Once they do, he says, "As far as the meeting tonight, I think we might want to all go in. I am pretty sure that everyone here already knows we are together, since there are only about 30 people that live here anyway, and I am not really sure that having someone outside gives us much advantage if something were to go wrong. [Yes, this is a change of the original plan] I say we all go in, concealing our arms (weapons, that is, I am pretty sure they are aware we have arms already). We will not bring any of the holos with us. We just want to negotiate the deal. I think that it would be good for Ian to continue the crazy act, since I believe they (as well as most of the town) bought it. I also think it would be best if, like our meet with Leem, I talk with them, and you two stay back, looking like you are just there to protect me. The image I am hoping they will get is that we are a bunch of bumpkins that are trying to work our way into a criminal career. We found this porno, and we can probably get more. Once the deal is established, I will do my best to find out what other businesses they are into. If I can find this out, maybe I can try to lead them into another deal through which we can set them up with the Imperials. Maybe say that I have some connections to people that are in the market for what ever it is they deal in.

"I was figuring I could ask them what other things might they be interested in? How did he get connected to Gardulla? If you guys can think of anything else I should ask, let me know.

"What do you guys think?"

Once finished discussing the plan for the meeting with Joko, Dex looks out the window, and determines it is getting pretty close to Neera's arrival. "We should probably get ready for Neera," he says.

[OOC: since our meeting with Neera has pretty much been posted, I am only putting in here this addition. Greg, let me know if this poses too much of a hassle for you, and I can re-send this to you with my original reply to Amy's post.

This is supposed to be after Neera responds to the question about Leem, but before her response to the "dinner invitation"]

Realizing that they will not have time to go to dinner with Neera if they are to meet Joko soon, Dex is mentally kicking himself for not thinking this through. This heat must be turning his brain to mush. He is relieved when Neera offers to meet in tomorrow.

"Splendid. Tomorrow then. Lunch, maybe?"

He waits for a reply, then adds, "Do forgive me, but we must begin our preparations for the evening. We must ask that you now excuse us. Farwell, my charming lady, until we meet again, which will be soon, I hope."

Suddenly, he remembers the Stormtrooper visit, and remembers being shocked that they would have bought such a poorly executed con. Was Jarren using the Force to sway their minds. That devious little blue bastard. That is a handy trick indeed.

Jarren

Jarren follows Dex and Ian back into the ship and stops dead, the hate just builds up as he scans the inside of the ship. The mess of Holos that are scattered across ship brings images of a barbequed ratlizard to Jarren. Gripping the butt of his pistol he overcomes the impulse to shot the rat until his energy cell runs out. "Ian control your girlfriend or I'm going to have me some ratlizard on a stick for dinner." with an evil look at the rat Jarren sits down by Dex and eying the retched thing the whole time. Dex's voice brings Jarren back to the matter at hand.

"Sounds like a good plan Dex; let's just hope that it goes smoothly"

[OOC The following is in response to Amy's questions that I hadn't answered yet.]

"Alright, If your looking for someone that is sensitive to the force and can use the force then I'm the one. I've been using the force to find someone that could teach me how to use it and control it. Can you help me?" Jarren ask Normally Jarren held back waiting until he know More about the women before making a statement like that. But From someplace inside Jarren could feel that he could trust her and that she could help me. If she indicates that she can in fact help me and I can sense her motives then I'll start to believe that I can trust her.

"My name is Jarren Geist" Jarren replies to her question about his name and gives her a slight bow. "Nice to meet you."

When she ask what our business is and why we our dressed the way we are Jarren will reply as he looks at the clothes that he is wearing" up until a couple of days ago I was held against my will aboard this ship. We managed to land this piece of junk instead of crashing into this Hell hole. Our business is getting this bucket space worthy again and get off this rock. That pretty much hits the high notes." Jarren looks over at Dex to see if he wants to add anything. Thinking that the alien Human would more then likely want to shoot him instead for saying as much as he did.

Jarren readies himself for the meeting with Joko.

Neera

[OOC: Travis, if you're planning on joining the meeting before I leave, please disregard this and I'll re-post later. I'm sending this on the assumption that you're planning on staying out of sight until I'm gone.]

Neera briefly considers Jarren's request for help in learning to use the Force, wishing she knew what his motivation was. Are his intentions noble? Assuming that there will be time to determine that later, she replies "Yes, I can help you learn the ways of the Force." She lets her eyes travel down the Omwati, getting a good look at him before she adds, "It isn't something I would enter into casually with you, but we can discuss it later. Perhaps tomorrow."

As Dex asks her to leave, she can't help laughing to herself at his choice of words… 'my charming lady'? The human is quite the smooth talker, she decides, but if he's laying it on this thick because he thinks it will get him somewhere, he's sorely mistaken. Kind words can never be taken at face value. It had been a hard-learned lesson for her and was also one that she doesn't like to think about.

"So I'll leave you to make your 'preparations for the evening' and I'll look forward to seeing you for lunch. Let's plan on meeting at the Oasis at noon, unless you have another suggestion." She looks at the Omwati and says, "It's nice to finally meet you, Jarren."

With that, Neera turns and leaves the spaceport, feeling satisfied with the meeting. As she walks back towards town, she reflects on the conversation. Jarren wants to learn from her. She had hoped to find someone with more skills and possibly with some training. It had been quite some time since she'd had a similar discussion with anyone and talking about it wasn't easy for her. She was perfectly comfortable thinking about the Force, but actually saying the words out loud had become almost taboo to her.

She was intrigued by Jarren's admission that he had been recently held captive on the ship. He had said 'I' and not 'we'. Where did the others fit into that scenario? Held captive by whom and for how long? And why? In addition to these questions, Leem's words came back to her, "smugglers at best, pirates at worst." It just doesn't make sense. Held captive and now selling pornographic holos? Naturally, Jarren had failed to mention that as part of their business in Mos Taike. She tries not to judge them by their cargo, but thinks to herself that it doesn't bode well. She stops mid-stride and asks out loud "What is their story?"

Taking a deep breath of the night air, Neera comes to the conclusion that examining the myriad of possible explanations won't do any good and it certainly won't help her get to sleep tonight. She decides that a visit to Chaley's may help her relax a little and heads towards her place.

Ian

Ian had to work fairly hard to find someplace to observe the arrival of Neera in the small bay but everntually Ian located a "nest" under some scrap metal.

The advantage, as far as Ian could tell, was the metal provided concealment and some protection from return fire. But, Ian's angle of fire and observation would be seriously compromised if a target moved around the underbelly of their ship.

After some time waiting for Coozer to split, Ian nestled himself among the scrap-heap and waited for Neera to show. Iam thinks to himself that she better be on time because the conditions are not comfortable. At least Ian found some foam rubber like substance to steady the blaster and offer some relief for his elbows.

After Neera shows, Ian can make out most of the conversation through the natural acoustics of the dome-shaped bay so the com link from the ship would not be necessary if the hatch remained open. After hearing the tone of the conversation, Ian begins to feel rediculous hanging out under the pile of metal since it becomes obvious that she intends no immediate harm.

"Pppthft!" hisses Ian barely audible even to himself through his nearly clenched teeth. "Force! If she were a real Jedi she would realize I was laying like a rat outside with blaster sights on her temple." thinks Ian to himself.

After the much too long conversation comes to a close and Neera leaves, Ian scrambles out and dusts himself off on the way back to the ship. Ian sticks his head in and lets everyone know he is ready for the night's other meeting per Dex's plan (OOC with any other plans Jarren comes up with). Feeling somewhat cocky with heightened nerves, Ian says to the group "I need to step out for a sec but if someone accidently shot Ears I would not be too upset. Personally I think it is bad Karma and he may have a destiny but I am not going to lose sleep or friendship over it. "

Jarren

"Yes Tomorrow would be great, I'm also looking forward to talking more to in greater length. It was nice to meet you." Jarren replies to Neera in a downcast voice. Jarren is not sure that he likes how the universe playing with is fate.

Jarren looks at Dex as Ian informs him that he will be leaving Ears alone with us. Jarren pulls his blaster out an looks at the little rat and a little smirk finds its way to his face. But as he looks at the little sentient creature that he hates so much, he finds that he doesn't have the heart to gun down the miserable little thing. Looking a Dex he says "Lets just stun the little bastard and set him free or give him to Coozer. Why don't you take care of it."

Jarren then starts to ready himself for the meeting with Joko.