Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:09 am Post subject: Omega: Afterlife
Neon lights, pounding music, scantily clad asari dancing on the bars...Afterlife wasn't really the kind of place Ishale pictured herself looking for recruits. Unfortunately, it was the closest port to where she'd picked up the ship, and aside from needing a crew, the hunk of junk needed repairs as well. After much consideration (after all, there was a significant Blood Pack presence on the station), the woman ended up in what would be the first (and last, if she had her way) dance club she'd ever set foot in.
It was obvious, to anyone who cared to look, that she was out of place. Playing with the condensation on her drink, rather than watch the dancers or scan the crowd, she was rather focused on the datapad in front of her, occasionally waving off the males that approached her to dance. It would be easier to make connections if she approached Aria, but she was weary of the infamously frigid asari; her attitude probably wouldn't win her any favors.
Clutching a blue, bubbly drink, Ssoul made the round around the main bar of Afterlife. He moved past the drunk patrons and dancing crowds. The Batarian spent a lot of time in Aria's club, but he still wasn't immune to the Asari dancers. He paused in his rounds every so often to take a looksy at the choice bits of blue flesh. But he wasn't here to drool over Asari.
Ssoul knew he was scum, but he was scum with talent. For a nice tip, he helped people find each other. Everyone was looking for someone. A mechanic that didn't care about regulations, a customs agent willing to look the other way, and so on.
Stopping at the bar, he slid up next to a human, keeping a safe distance. Ssoul didn't like humans, especially the females with their claws, but he had a purpose at getting so close. There'd be money in it for him, one way or another. "Heard you were looking for some choice crew," he said. A statement, not a question. "I can point you in the right direction if you make it worth my time." _________________ [Original image]
Ishale only looked up when the batarian began to speak, switching off her data pad and glancing over. If word got around this fast, it would only be a matter of time before she had to get off the station. She didn't have much, aside from what she'd pawned off the ship, but if it meant she could get a quality team mate, it would be worth it. However, a batarian seeking her out to recommend someone didn't mean that they were worth anything.
"I'm not looking for thugs to just help me unload cargo," she said, eventually meeting his eyes. "So if this person that you think could help me doesn't have an ounce of common sense or a functioning brain, then don't waste my time."
Ssoul shook his head and took a swallow of his drink. Humans! They had absolutely no manners. Not that anyone had manners in Afterlife, unless addressing Aria. That blue bitch, Ssoul was glad he didn't have that kind of power. He dreamed about it, but he knew it would be too much of a hassle. He had to keep three eyes over his shoulder just doing his line of work.
"He's ex-C-Sec, doesn't even have a dishonorable discharge on his record. Interested yet?" Not only did it take top class, but top sponsorship to even apply to C-Sec. Not worth it, if you ask Ssoul, but then no one had ever asked him. But it looked good on a resume, that C-Sec stuff. _________________ [Original image]
Ishale bit her lip, giving the batarian a weary once-over. It was hard to know who was genuinely just doing their job and who was going to try and mess you up. However, without the luxury of time on her side, and the fact that the batarian didn't threaten her over her lack of manners, it was worth a shot.
The woman nodded, taking a sip of her own watered-down drink. "Sorry, you can't really be too careful around here," she sighed. "What race is he? Human?"
Ssoul decided not to point out that he didn't work with humans if he could avoid it. Work? Too strenuous of a term. He didn't work with humans. Long exposure would make his clothes smell. No, no, but he didn't mind hooking them up. At least this one had cut the attitude.
"Not human. Turian. Markus Apollinarin. Did the usual military stint for Turians, applied and got C-Sec, worked in customs catching smugglers. Not exactly my favorite person, Apollinarin, but he's good. If you can get him." Ssoul shrugged and took another gulp of his drink. "He's C-Sec free and looking for work. If you're interested."
He made the motion to signal he wanted credits for his trouble. "He's in the VIP section. Tell him Ssoul sent you." _________________ [Original image]
A turian would come in handy, especially one already trained to handle a gun and came from a military background. If the batarian didn't get along with him, then he'd probably be good in her book. "Thanks for your trouble," she said, tossing a few credits on the table. After thinking for a minute, she tossed a few more in along with it. "If you happen to know anyone else looking for work, if you'd send them my way, I'd be much obliged."
Humans, so dramatic. Was it so simple to make a nice, neat stack of credits and pass them over? Courtesy, not exactly plentiful on Omega. Maybe he should go to Illium, but everything was way too shiny and the Eclipse were a bunch of blue thorns in his side.
"Will do, Captain." Sweeping up the credits, Ssoul nodded at the human and walked away. More things to do, less smelly people to see.
For a moment, Ishale considered finishing her drink, but aside from the fact it was more water than drink at the moment, she'd never been a big fan of alcohol, made for humans or not. Leaving a small credit next to her glass for the bartender, the woman slipped her datapad in to her bag and made her way out to hallways. Omega was confusing, and unused to navigating large places, she ended up having to ask a salarian for help (luckily he was very kind and pointed her in the right direction).
The bouncer was easy enough to get past; she didn't look like alley scum, and she was an attractive enough human female. Of course, it also helped that the bouncer this particular evening was also human, because she didn't really have much experience charming other species. A bit frustrated and a bit more confused than she had been eventually, Ishale made her way in to the less crowded VIP section, eyes peeled for the turian.
While the batarian was busy counting his credits, Markus was counting the number of asari surrounding him. All beautiful, all blue, with drinks in their hands and smiles on their faces. It was enough to make a grown turian cry! "What's say you and I," he said as he twirled one, then sat down with her on his lap. "Get better acquainted. And you," he said to the another. "And you, and you, and hell, let's make it a party!"
With an asari giggling on his lap, Markus tucked back his drink and offered it up for a refill, which was provided by another smirking beauty. They could use and abuse him all they wanted as far as he was concerned. Without mission or method, he was at their disposal. Nowhere to be, no one to see. He was still getting used to it.
He purred with pleasure as his fringe was stroked. Oh yes, he'd get used to it, somehow and with much arm twisting. _________________ [Original image]
To say Ishale was not expecting a turian with a harem was an understatement. From her experience with the other species, they weren't very open with their carnal pleasures, especially with so many partners at once. But, she was also sheltered, so that didn't mean anything. From an outsider's point of view, it was almost comical, and she tried to hide her smile as she approached the turian.
"Ssoul failed to tell me you were so occupied when he pointed me up here," the woman said with a slight quick to her eyebrow as she surveyed the scene before her. Looking at so many scantily clad asari made her a bit uncomfortable; second-hand embarrassment, really. She couldn't imagine being so exposed, especially around someone she didn't know.
Well hello there, Earth girl! Around a luscious pair of blue hips, Markus spied a bombshell heading his way. She didn't look like she was ready to party, but while that tiny detail didn't escape his notice, Markus shelved it as unimportant. But then he was distracted by an asari -- he really must learn their names or assign them numbers -- feeding him a small creamy dessert. "Delicious," he crooned.
Markus gave the human the once-over, his icy blue eyes lingering over the best parts of that species' female anatomy. "Didn't he? That wasn't nice of him, but don't worry, always room for one more and you're in luck." He patted the spot on the other side of the asari on his lap. "I have another knee free and it's all yours."
But she'd mentioned Ssoul, so this was all business. Damn. _________________ [Original image]
A blush rose on Ishale's cheeks, but her discomfort didn't show beyond that. It was hard not to fidget, or throw something at him, but the last thing she needed was to lose a potential worker. "As much as you'd probably enjoy it, unless your preferences are confined solely to blue skin, I'm not here for pleasure. I was told you weren't in a contract right now, and I'm looking for crew members."
Looks like play time was over before it'd ever really started. "Ladies if you could give us a minute," he said as he passed around credits. Sad but true, Markus couldn't pass up the chance at a paying job. He may act like he was made of credits, but his bank accounts weren't as plush as they used to be.
Free of asari, Markus stood up. He'd have offered the human a seat, but she looked like the standing type. "You heard correctly, Captain-?" He wondered if she'd have one of those silly Earth names, like 'Charity' or 'Chastity.' Yes, she looked like a 'Chastity.'
"A crew? For what kind of work? I'm not bad as a sniper, I can pass at hand to hand, but what I truly excel at is strategy. My time in customs has given me a... unique view of the system. If you need to break into anything -- a vault, a ship, a base -- I'm your turian." _________________ [Original image]
"Ishale, Ishale Reshnhon. You can call me by my first name; I've no love for my last," she replied, relaxing once the asari were gone. This was familiar territory, hashing out plans and discussing strategies. It was good to know, as well, that the turian wasn't a complete creep, despite how things might look.
"I've recently acquired a batarian trading ship, the Emortay, and I'm looking for people who know the system as well as have combat experience." She paused as if thinking, smiling a little. "A strategist would certainly come in handy."
"Captain Ishale," he finished, testing out her name. It was nice, but if he hadn't of liked saying it, he could've stuck with the familiar 'captain.' Now that he was considering working for her, Markus was growing more and more formal. There were firm boundaries between the personal and the professional.
Markus nodded at the details she'd given. "Batarian? I know their ships. Been awhile since I was aboard one." He wondered if she had already added to her crew or if he was the first. Might be interesting either way. If he was the first, maybe he could have some say in the next additions. But he was pretty easy to get along with as long as personal questions weren't asked.
"How about we say a three month contract? At the end of that, you should have a good idea of how I work and you can choose to renew it." He didn't really need more details. Work was work. _________________ [Original image]
It was strange to see such a fast change in attitude, not that she wasn't grateful that he was no longer ogling her breasts, but a crew member was a crew member, regardless of mannerisms. "Three months should be more than enough time to asses how well we get along. I don't currently have any other crew, I didn't get here too long ago, so hopefully whoever else I find won't cause any trouble."
She paused for a moment, weighing her next question. It was difficult to understand the animosity other species felt towards each other; spending most of her life isolated in a room the size of a broom closet, she was fascinated and interested in all the species. But from the short amount of time she'd spent outside, she'd learned that not everyone felt the same way, especially other humans. "I'm not trying to generalize about your species, but a lot of turians seem to have problems working with humans. Is my race going to be a problem?"
Even while he negotiated, Markus hoped that the asari wouldn't go far. Starting his contract immediately? He needed at least twenty-four hours to... deal with personal matters. If he was going to be stuck in close quarters with just this foxy little human, he definitely was going to need some time to blow off steam. Wrestling with Turians and getting... close... on a turian ship was one thing, but on one with a mixed crew? But then he'd always preferred to keep his personal life separate.
Markus shifted in place and crossed his arms over his chest. Blue eyes regarded the human with icy consideration. "It's not going to be a problem for me," he said, with a small insinuation that it might be a problem for her. Now if she was a biotic, then it might be a problem. But she didn't have the look of a human with biotics. Normally people were upfront about it, especially to Turians, who were sometimes wary of it. Markus had more than his share of wariness toward the uncontrollable, destructive powers. _________________ [Original image]
Ishale met his gaze evenly, distracted momentarily by how blue his eyes were. Even in humans, it was uncommon for someone to have eyes the color of ice. Despite their color, though, he didn't have the hardened or cruel gaze that a lot of people had when she spoke to her; he seemed curious, weary, and...well, lots of other things she didn't have much experience identifying.
"No, it won't be a problem for me either," Ishale answered eventually, her expression calm but distracted. "I don't have enough experience dealing with other species to have a bias."
Knowing he was being summed up, Markus didn't look away from her intense blue gaze. Always look someone in the eye, be it human, krogan, or prostitute. Although, he might break that rule for volus, considering that was a good way to get a crick in his neck.
Honest streak? It was nice to hear a human admit a failing for once. Not that turians were big on proclaiming their faults, well, ever. "Try to get the experience without the bias, if you care about being fair." Markus shrugged. Some people didn't care.
Markus took a step closer. He could easily tower above her small frame. "I'll meet you at your ship in the morning." He took a step back. "If we have a deal," he said as he offered his hand. _________________ [Original image]
Ishale was pretty sure she'd never felt as short as she did in that instant when Markus made their hight difference very, very apparent. The turian was tall, bigger than her, and she reminded herself to never pick him as a partner to practice her hand-to-hand skills. He could probably pick her up and throw her around like a rag doll. "I don't understand the bias people seem to have, and I hope I never will."
After a barely noticeable hesitation (she was proud of herself for not flinching at the proffered hand, for usually any kind of physical contact was a painful one, and it was a hard-wired response), Ishale took his hand, smiling. "We have a deal. I'm not planning on lingering, but please take the time you may need to get things sorted out here. I wouldn't want to rush you."
As he shook her hand, Markus considered its size in his. It seemed so small, delicate even, but all human skin was soft to turians. If he'd wanted, he could have easily crushed her bones. He wouldn't have done it, but it ran across his mind again that such a seemingly fragile species could handle the turbulent forces in space. It just struck him as fascinating.
Alright, enough deep thought. He wanted to get back to the asari. "Rushing a turian is bad luck," he joked. "Everyone knows that!" Markus touched his brow and saluted playfully before turning away. "See you tomorrow, Captain!"
Back to her now, he sauntered toward the group of lovely blue beauties. "Ladies! Did you miss me?"
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