SWTOR: Just Another Job

Title: SWTOR: Just Another Job
Author: KitiaraMajere
Game: SWTOR
Characters/Pairing: Bounty Hunter/Sith Inquisitor (mention Malavai Quinn, Gault Rennow)
Disclaimer: Characters, etc. property of Bioware/EA, anything they get up to in these stories is entirely my fault.
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The clear gray eyes were rather striking, Ke’phias thought. Not to mention the scarlet tattoo that wreathed the side of her face. And her features, while not what some would call pretty, were strong and, to his mind, more attractive than the soft beauty of a dancing slave. He watched as the woman moved across the bar with a relaxed yet purposeful stride.

An ungentle elbow to his ribs interrupted his analysis. “Hey boss, I realize part of your allure is your overabundance of bravado, but doncha think that eyeing a Sith like that crosses the line into foolhardiness?”

Keph grinned, throwing a wink at Gault. “They still have needs, my larcenous sidekick.”

The Devaronian snorted. “Yes, and usually those ‘needs’ involve the screaming of lesser beings.” Seeing that his remark hadn’t fazed Ke’phias, he sighed. “Fine. You won’t be offended if I go sit over there, right? Because hey, I’ve had my share of—“

“You look like an enterprising sort of gentleman.”

Ke’phias looked up into the very eyes he’d been admiring. He could almost hear Gault’s chagrin. The wily con man’s sense of self-preservation had kept him alive against impossible odds, including going up against Ke’phias himself; being caught off guard had to be embarrassing. Keph himself, however, merely half-stood to give a short, not-quite-mocking bow.

“You have a discerning eye, my lady.” He settled back on his stool, casting a quick look around the bar for anyone taking an unusual interest in him. Nar Shaddaa was the place for deals you wanted kept under the table, but that also meant that everyone else was trying to find out about those deals, too.

The lady in question didn’t seem concerned. He could understand that; few were brave, or foolish, enough to interfere in the doings of Sith. She settled herself on the adjoining stool. “Not to mention the bartender recommended you. I have a job for you, if you’re interested.”

“Oh, I’d say I’m very interested.” Ke’phias grinned. Have to give Grelk his expected tip. “As for the job, well, I’d have to know a little more about it before I commit to anything.”

She flashed a quick smile at the flirt. The gray eyes sparkled, the smile changing her stern and slightly forbidding face into something far more approachable, and Keph revised his opinion of her attractiveness up several notches. She had the typical Imperial accent, but from her it didn’t sound pompous and affected. It sounded, well… sexy. “Business before pleasure, I’m afraid.” She actually did sound regretful.

Ke’phias ignored Gault’s warning cough. “Well then, shall we discuss the business, over a meal perhaps?”

She gave him a longer, more considering look. “An intriguing offer—“

A coughed *ahem* sounded from behind her and Ke’phias realized that there was someone with her, standing to her rear in a deferential position. He gave the man a quick once-over. An officer; ram-rod straight posture, uniform so neat it might have been pressed in place, not a single hair out of order. In short, an Imperial to the core and the type that always made his hands itch to punch that supercilious look off their face. He took an instant dislike to the man. From the pinched expression, the feeling was mutual.

The Sith didn’t look back at the interruption. “--but time, I’m afraid, is not in our favor. Perhaps another day.”

Ke’phias shrugged philosophically. He did manage an appropriately disappointed expression. The Sith handed him a data crystal. “All the information is on here, as well as contact information for when the job is done.” As he started to respond she smiled. “The pay is, I promise, quite sufficient.” She arched a challenging eyebrow, daring him to ask.

His sister would have groaned at that, knowing exactly how he would respond to such a blatant provocation.

“The only payment I’ll take from you, my lady, is dinner together.” He gave her his best charming smile. He knew it was charming; he’d been told that quite often.

He had surprised her, he noted. Gault too, if the muffled choking sound from behind him was any clue.

“You insolent—“ He’d almost forgotten the black-haired officer accompanying her, who now took a furious step forward.

“Quinn.” The snap in the Sith’s voice brought the man up short. She held him with a steely look until he ducked his head and stepped back with a muttered apology.

She had already turned her attention back to Ke’phias, giving him a long, considering look. He returned it, with interest. Seeming to approve of his audacity, her lips curved into a slight smile. “We shall see, if you perform well on this job.”

He didn’t miss the light accent she placed on ‘this’. “I always perform well, my lady, no matter the job.” She liked to play, did she? Oh, he was enjoying this.

His intuition was rewarded with a sparkle in her eye and a widening of her smile. “I warn you, I’m not easy to please.”

He lifted a shoulder. “All the better. What good is anything you don’t have to work for?” He paused. “Not that some things could be considered work, if you enjoy what you do.” This time his smile was slow and suggestive, earning another mutter from Quinn.

That actually won a chuckle as she waved an end to their play. “Very well. Perhaps we will have a chance to continue our… conversation. Another time.”

He inclined his head. “Your wish, my lady…?”

“Keriana,” she responded to his unspoken request.

“A beautiful name.” He refrained from adding, ‘as beautiful as you’. She didn’t seem the type to take obsequious flatterers well. Still, a little didn’t hurt. He bowed, more formally than his usual wont. “’Til we meet again, then.”

She favored him with another one of those grins—had he ever seen a Sith smile like that before?—before turning to leave. He watched her go, lips pursed thoughtfully as he considered the previous few minutes, not totally distracted by the view.  

“Are you crazy, boss? Taking a job for a Sith?” Gault hissed at him, stirring him from his study.

“Their credits spend just as well as anyone else’s. Besides, if we do this job well, she might have more work for us,” Keph answered absently, his eyes still on the now-empty doorway.

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Gault groused.

“You’d rather mess it up and see what her reaction is?” Keph asked pointedly, and nodded at Gault’s expression. “So, let’s see what’s involved before you get all depressed.”

Ignoring further grumblings, Keph twirled the crystal between his fingers thoughtfully. Working for the Empire wasn’t his favorite pastime, but this might just be interesting. He had a feeling that this was an opportunity he’d be a fool to pass up. Who knew what it might lead to?