Seri fixes the sweetest smile she can on her face, tilting her head to the side. Her fists clench into tiny pink balls, held behind her back as she tries to redirect the mounting tension and uncertainty she feels. Despite her discomfort, she does her best to project calm and patience, and murmurs a soft “Thank you.”
"You are welcome." The man said as he manipulated the spaner. "It's quite tight." He grunted as he moved the tool deeper, almost struggling with it - Seri could feel the tip touching her skin- CLick! Then she felt the tool move. "Alright. now..." The bartender said as he grabbed the collar and started pulling it apart- soon, the piece of metal fell on the floor.
Seri lets out a gasp of relief as the collar comes away, and clinks to the floor. There’s a part of her - a small, vulnerable part - that suddenly finds herself missing the pressure on her throat. But the damn thing was more trouble than it was worth, and would have raised far too many questions. She surprises herself, by throwing her arms around Kaangor’s middle, and squeezing tight in a grateful hug, her still-bare breasts pressing against him. “Thank you.” She murmurs into his chest. She detaches herself slowly, giving his hand a squeeze of gratitude, a sheepish grin on her face. “Sorry. I just. That’s a relief.” She adds, brightly, “Right then. I think it’s high time I had that shower.”
"Oh, don't apologise for that!" The man said, with a grin on his face. "Having a beautiful woman throw herself at me is something I could get used to!" He chuckled as he got up. "Sure. I should have something for you by the end of the day." He said as he picked up spanner. "So drop by in the evening~" He saluted and walked out of the room, leaving Seri alone...
Seri can’t help but grin. It feels so good to have someone help her for a change. True, she may have incentivised that help with a few favours, but still. She finds herself anticipating her later meeting, and the arrangements that Kaangor will have made. Now alone, she slips out of her stained clothing, not worrying too much - for now - what she’ll wear later. She massages the roughed skin of her neck and collar, as she pads naked to the showers. A moment or two later, and she stands under steaming, rushing water, pink skin darkening under the spray. Her toes curl in delight, her head tipped back and cobalt hair plastered to her scalp. Hands raise to catch the water - such a simple joy - and she snorts with mirth as the liquid gathers in her palms and the squash of her cleavage. She could stay like this forever. Once she’s settled, the first thing she’s buying herself is a top of the line shower.
As Seri moves, she realises how easy it is to move around without a heavy collar around her neck. The shower was minimalistic - it was surprising that the owner put it in at all... or maybe he thought that personel would spend nights at this building? The water smelled with chemicals, but that was a standard on this world. Yet now, with her collar of, it felt soo much better~
She bathes in it all as she lets the water dull her aches. The taste, the scent, the sensation of freedom all soothes her till she finally feels shut off from the station around her. She stays that way for a long time, forearms leant against the wall of the shower, back arched to relish the cascade of water over her slender back. Finally, with a little disappointment, she shuts off the power, and grabs a pair of towels. They’re a little smaller than she’d like, but she’s able to conceal all the essentials with one around her body. They’re second wraps around her hair, she’ll need to dye it again soon, when she has the luxury. Soothed and sedated, she pads barefoot back into the room, and sets her mind to the problem of fresh clothes.
Soon, Seri was freshly clothed and ready. She would need to wait some time for her 'contract' to find someone who would take her of the planet, so she had a day to spent however she wanted. She could stay in her room, where it was safe and sound. She could check the outside, to see what the commotion was in the night. Or she could walk around, searching for markets... or trouble...
Seri stretches, easing out the kinks and kricks in her back and shoulders, a lithe, fluid set of motions. Staying put makes the most sense. But, there’s also the matter of supplies. She can’t expect Kaangor to provide for everything, and besides, a little bit of retail therapy can’t hurt, right? After all, if she’s going to be starting a new life, it makes sense to start prepared. With that - admittedly flimsy - justification in mind, she decides to scope out the markets.
She left the bar, walking past the alleyway, she could smell the smell of discharged blasters, still hanging in the air. Seri made her way to the market - it was full of different beings, making their way through the crowds, talking, shouting. There were various stands - with foods, weapons, clothes, equipment, entertainment, pets, speeders... slaves. There were also those who advertised services - mercenaries, servants, pilots.... There was probably everything she could find at this place. Now, she only needed to be careful with her spending...
Seri drifts through the market, overwhelmed - but not uncomfortably so - by the sights and sounds and scents all around. Carefully, she considers what she needs - a weapon for protection, a change of clothes, slicing equipment. Of course, there are plenty of things to draw the eye, from endearingly ugly Lolth-cats, to glittering, figure-hugging gowns. She does her best to stay focused, telling herself that of the things she needs, it’s best to conserve and conceal how much money she actually has, and shop inexpensively.
Olena broke off from Adot at that - it was getting late and it seemed someone else had taken over the responsibility of monitoring comms. That was fine by her, as she returned to her lean-to tent, hoping to get some shut-eye and be ready to take on the war in the morning.
Soon her eyes found a shop that sold what she needed - weapons. It was set up deeper by the wall. The location looked as if it was chosen for its defensive placement... As she looked around, Elfie found numerous weapons, blades, vibroblades, blasters, blaster rifles and more. "Interested in a weapon?" A rough-looking Weequey asked, as he eyed her.
Seri runs her eyes over the assortment. She’s not exactly a weapons-expert. But she’s seen enough to know what the various implements of violence can do. That bigger means a louder - but not necessarily more effective - form of attack. “I’m looking for…” she tilts her head, what she hopes is a dangerous smirk casting over her face, and leans forward to share a glimpse of plush pink cleavage, “…a blaster… something compact. Easy to hide?”
“I— you…!” Nami couldn’t contain herself from huffing with annoyance and indignation, crossing her arms over her chest to stop those “tumors” bouncing rather noticeably. Here she was trying to salvage some shred of her professional image… “…thank you,” she concluded, between gritted teeth. “That’s very helpful.” She’d have to try and work things out with the “boss”, whoever he was, when the time came. Reason with him, sweet-talk him, whatever. I really need the credits. For now, she had an hour to kill. She turned away from the defective droid and set out to keep exploring, letting her instincts guide her to where those in need might gather, those who couldn’t afford a clinic like this. Perhaps she could still find someone who actually needed her help.
Olena closed her eyes as she slowly fell asleep. Spoiler: ? 6 - fail ! Olena blinked as someone woke her. She dreamed of... she could not remember what. She slowly looked up. It was still dark. "Your turn to take watch." A rebel woke her told her.
"Hmm..." the Weequey walked to one of the shelfs and put a small blaster on the counter. "A hold out blaster. This one is EC-17, common among scout troopers. It has a trigger on the side, allowing easier firing with gloves." He showed a first piece.
Spoiler 1 - critical fail Nami walked around for a few minutes, looking around- ! She felt something pressed against her back. "Take turn to the alleyway to the right." A young male voice said quietly to her. "Scream or try to run, and I am putting a blaster in your back."
Olena inhaled sharply as she was shaken awake, a quiet groan escaping her as she managed to avoid shouting in surprise. "Ough- Yeah... Yeah, I'm on it. Woof." The Amazonian Amaran took a few moments to grab her canteen and splash her face, helping to wake her up, before she began to put on her gear and uniform. "See anything cool?"
Nami’s spine turned to ice. She couldn’t have screamed or run if she’d tried. Her thoughts went in circles, each possibility worse than the last… But, obediently, she began to walk in the direction he told her, her legs unsteady with the simple effort of putting one foot in front of the other. “I’m not armed,” she whispered meekly. “You don’t have to— please, I’m just a doctor.”
