The arrival of Team Finesse to the Moff’s Gala went as unnoticed as Dexon had expected. The people who had been invited to this shindig were from a very refined social circle: if they didn’t know you, then you just did not exist. Shimmer silk gowns and nerf hide jackets seemed to be the fashion of choice, but here and there like milling sharks in a small pond Imperial officers in grey dress uniforms could be seen. They were here to fly the flag, as it were, and show that the Imperial Academy bred excellency and decorum into all of its graduates.
Dexon would have noticed this all in a single glance, had his left eye not began to twitch two steps across the threshold. It didn’t hurt, but it was enough to throw him off his game as he took Shadow’s arm and gently walked towards a shuttered transparasteel viewing port that was acting as a wall.
“I knew it...I knew it I knew it.†he hissed under his breath in the relative privacy of closed viewing port.
Lucky Dex made his way into the room. It was all he had expected it to be, and more. Lots of people from the up high society, huddling together in whispered conversations, servants standing near, forgotten until needed. A pleasant tune played by some musicians in the far corner. A cocktail bar in the other. And of course, the oh so familiar stare of a thousand eyes to whoever entered.
Games were played here. Games with high stakes. Political games. It was important to note who attended these festivities, just as it was important to note who was NOT here. Already Luke, or, Lucky Dex in this case, Luke felt the weight of every stare on him. No one would know him here, and this would mean something to them. To some it meant he wouldn’t matter, usually those who were in a comfortable position of some sort of Power. To others, it may mean an opportunity, a new player in the field, a way for them to further their own ambitions if this new and unknown arrival turned out useful.
Naturally no one pretended to care who entered. That made it all the more obvious. The trick was to just play along with the big charade. Now this happened to be something Luke was very good at. But apparently Dexon wasn’t as he started hissing in hushed tones.
“There, there now, my man!â€, Lucky Dex hit him on the back, “the perfumed air in here is a tad on the strong side, but nothing a man can’t handle?†Luke’s face was all smiles, but it was actually saying: pull your act together man!
“The air indeed, the AIR indeed!†he snapped, dragging a hand down over his face “This is what I get for working with the ceche section of the talent pool. I can feel it all beginning to unravel you know. It’s the tick, you see: its a harbinger.â€
Was it Azaria? Had her team just done something monumentally stupid, such as braining an Imperial navy officer for no other reason than simple expediency? Or maybe it was Othar, leading the newly formed popular revolt of the Kuati lower class. The man might be an idiot to be sure, but he was also an idiot capable of convincing other idiots to step in front of blaster bolts for him. He took in a steadying breath, looking at his reflection in the view port as he forced the tick to come back under control.
“I’m better now.†he said slowly, trying to sound more or less like he was convincing himself. Then without looking away from the closed viewport, he asked “Don’t suppose you can see the Moff? Or maybe his lacky scientist?â€
Some might turn to look around upon such a question, however, this would draw unwanted attention. Like everyone, well, everyone except Dexon, it had taken Luke a single offhanded glance through the entire room upon entering to note everyone’s position. A Moff and his lacky weren’t that difficult to miss. Since Luke hadn’t seen them, it meant they were still to arrive, which was quite natural. Important bloaty types such as Moffs always enjoyed a good audience when making a public appearance.
“Not yet, my man (Luke had forgotten Dexon’s code name, so he had decided to stick with ‘man’), though by looking for the crowd, it won’t be long. Fancy a drink?†Without waiting for an answer he stopped a servant in its (yes, “itsâ€, not his/hers, it’s a bloody servant…) tracks and started handing out drinks to Team Finesse.
“None for the help or the spectacle.†Dexon intoned, his voice a gravely sigh of put upon high society. He waved a hand at Shadow and Tav, whose role in all of this were simply described in their titles “I don’t care if I’m not footing the bill, but I will be damned if I will have you spending even the free kindness of our hosts on their sort.â€
And then Dexon turned around.
His skin had grown leathery and jaundice in colour, the lines around his eyes and mouth so deep you might be able to fly a snub fighter down them. He looked old, hunched slightly, and his hands worked to hold onto Lucky Dex’s elbow the way the infirm often did. His choice of hair colour for the mission complimented Lucky Dex’s. enough that to a casual observer they might look related: the wealthy foop looking to get into the Great Grandfathers good graces before he popped his cogs. Looking around the room he was not alone in this will snatchers gambit, with young people ‘helping’ their elders around.
He looked up at Lucky Dex with a glint in his eyes.
“What are you waiting for!†he snapped in a gravel laced voice, accenting it with a hacking lung rattling cough “Walk me through the crowd so I might mingle. In my day when one attended a function of this import, mingling was how we made the yearly earnings!â€
In any other situation Luke would’ve burst in tears from laughing his wealthy powdered ass off. This time Luke contented with a small smile. “Of course, my man, but do first finish your cocktail. You know what they say about drinking and driving.†The contents of the glass quickly dissappeared and off they went. Luke was instinctively drawn towards a group of fine looking young ladies, rich man’s daughter’s. Expensive drinks in hand, gossipping about anything and everything, eyeing the prettiest boys around, Luke included (well, naturally…).
‘Ladies….â€, Luke began, “how are you liking the party so far?â€.
“Party.†the old man Lucky Dex’s arm scoffed “Call this a party? Why in my day the Republic knew how to make a man feel welcome at a function like this! Music! Drink! Fine woman folk! But now...its all drab, grey, Imperialistic.â€
He waved a hand at the nearest eligible bachelorette that was giving Lucky Dex an appraising eye.
“Look at her! Call those child bearing hips!†he snapped, letting out another coughing fit as said lady gave Lucky Dex a disgusted look and turned about, only to be cased off by the old man act “And good riddance! My boy’s spawn would leave you bow legged for a week!â€
Oh this was just golden. This old bloke had some good humor in him. “Ta, ta, come now uncle, from the stories I hear back in your day the ladies couldn’t even walk for a week.†He turned back to the other ladies. “Unlike him, I am gentle…and filthy rich, did I mention that already?†he said as he casually downed another alcoholic beverage of some sorts.
Aanndd they ran off.
“Hmm… I do think, my dear uncle, we should find ourselves a better qualified wing man. This was just terrible, horrible, unimaginably despicable. Honestly, this never happens to me. And, by the way, since when do these girls no longer fall for the ‘I am filthy rich’ trick? Eh, you don’t think they’ve suddenly grown a brain and, Force forbids, principles?... Oh the horror!†He hiccoughed slightly… Perhaps he should lay off the drinks for now…
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A JP brought to you by Dexon and Luke! Thanks Andrew
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