Location: Jedi Sanctuary, Unknown Location
Date: Vadris 11, 5 ABY

***

Talara Sorenne looked out over the assembled Jedi. They had gathered in one of the training rooms and most of the capable Jedi were present. On her left, Kaylee Soras stood patiently. As a Huntress, she had been trained to fight the Jau and her input would be valuable. On her right, Keeve Zenarr waited, almost patiently. While he was not skilled in the use of the Force, he was far more capable than normal humans. He was present to watch over her, and to assist in the fight against the Jau. As he had stated before, the faster the battle is over, the sooner the two of them could get on with their life together.

All of the Jedi Masters were seated before her. Among them were also the most capable of the Padawans and the few Knights. Conspicuously absent from the gathering was Kael Selrid. No one was entirely certain about Kael these days, and most suspected that he probably had his hands full with Raeila and preparing their home for the baby.

One surprise was the presence of Nieme and Dani in the back of the room, though they did not entirely appear to be together at the gathering. Still, it was nice to see that Nieme was changed for what appeared to be the better.

Talara looked over at Keeve and smiled. They'd spent a good portion of the morning with Kaylee going over their plan to instruct the Jedi in how to defeat the Jau. Now, the only thing left was to put the plan into action, and hope it was good enough to drive the Jau from their home. "Ready," she asked softly.

Keeve nodded imperceptibly. "Better to get this over with than stand here all day like bored Nerfs."

Talara grinned, then turned to the patient crowd before them. "I think we are ready to begin," she said. "I believe most of you know who I am, but for those who don't, I am Padawan Talara Sorenne. Before coming here, I was trained by Master Andro Ki'Ayalin. My training was continued by Master Vorrel, with additional help from Master Novix. Master Andro was an expert in the fighting form of Ta'Sae'Kordo, a martial art that is very effective against an armed opponent. Much of what I will be teaching will be derived from that form, as seems most applicable against an enemy like the Jau.

"With me, are Kaylee Soras, a Kitari Huntress whose main mission with her order is to hunt down and stop the Jau. And, Keeve Zenarr, who was genetically altered by Dargus Kandran to be beyond the human norms in every aspect. He is an excellent fighter, and his perspective on things will be highly useful to us, as we are venturing into a territory with which we are unfamiliar.

"The training techniques we will focus on will be in hand-to-hand fighting, unarmed-against-armed fighting, and finally in armed combat using weapons that are not our lightsabers. I expect all of you to pick up what we are teaching you quickly, because that is the nature of the Jedi. If you ever have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. If you have suggestions of your own, we are willing to hear you out. We do not claim to be experts in all things, but I do believe that we are highly competent at what we do. I do not claim to be better than anyone here, but I hope my knowledge and experience will help you. Now, before we begin, I would like to ask if anyone has any questions."

"What practical experience do you have against the Jau," one of the Knights new to the Tae'Karada Jedi asked.

"I have not fought against a Jau, but I have witnessed their fighting before their invasion," Talara said. "Huntress Soras has extensive experience in fighting against them." The Jedi nodded, and she continued. "Are there any other questions?"

"I studied the Ta'Sae'Kordo briefly," Jedi Knight Herta, a new arrival from Corellia volunteered. "It is a complex technique, and not one to be grasped in a short timeframe. How effectively can these skills be implemented if we haven't the time to learn them?"

Talara reached behind her and picked up a practice sword, then nodded to Keeve. "Prepare to defend yourself," she told him.

Keeve tipped his head at her and offered the faintest of winks before adopting a defensive stance. Talara lunged at him with incredible speed. Keeve sidestepped and swung counterclockwise to jam his elbow into her back. She was gone before it could land, yet Keeve seemed unfazed. He anticipated a miss, and was ready for his next maneuver without waiting to see if his strike would land. Forward thinking was the only way to win a battle - dwelling on the failures inspired frustration, anger, and clouded thought. That he learned from Talara. Always so level-headed...

Talara drew back into an aggressive stance before making her next attack, taking the blade in high to catch his stronger arm. She held the sword in a two-handed grip, angling across his body to throw him off. She committed to the attack, and lunged again. This, he ducked and sprang back upright to her left, where Talara could easily reverse the momentum of her blade and catch him on the backward upsweep. And Keeve was there, expecting just that, so as to give him the opportunity for a swift chop to Talara's wrist, with a simultaneous grab for her weapon.

Keeve's move placed him inside the reach of Talara's weapon, and so bringing it around to use it against him was no longer a viable option. The chop was followed by a grab to her wrist. Even as his hand closed over hers on the hilt of her weapon, the hold he had on her wrist tugged her off-balance. And with that easy move, he had her. As Talara tumbled forward, Keeve was able to grab hold of the weapon, and now was the armed combatant.

Talara bowed to him, then turned back to the others. "Keeve has natural combat ability," she said. "But, before this morning, he did not know that particular maneuver. It is similar to the standard Ta'Sae'Kordo style, but made much more practical for quick adaptation."

"But what of the Jau's superior strength?" Laedra asked. "Can the Ta'Sae'Kordo overcome that?"

"I have been unable to give it a practical test, but I believe it can," Talara said. "The style utilizes momentum and balance as its primary means to disable an enemy. I believe that the only real limiting factor would be dispatching the Jau once he is down. I believe carrying a weapon of some sort could remedy that, however."

"A weapon to kill?" This came from Nieme, who was as much intrigued as any in the room regarding their true intentions. "Do we plan on assassinating all the Jau? Or has anyone here considered an alternative for driving them from our planet?"

"The weapon need not kill," Talara said. "But, if we are going to end up in a fight against the Jau, we must be able to eliminate the Jau combatants as threats. If they cannot be defeated through hand-to-hand strikes due to their innate toughness, we will have to find another means to incapacitate them. But, our main goal is to come up with a means to defend ourselves against the Jau primarily, and to disable them secondarily. Do you disagree with the need for this instruction?"

"Look," Keeve interjected snidely, "the Jau aren't gonna hold back in a fight, so why should we? If we're afraid to kill when necessary, then we all might as well surrender."

"The question is not one of fear, but instead of rightness," Jedi Master Koran Darr said. "To kill takes us down a path to the dark side, and we must exercise extreme care in choosing that as an action. If the death is warranted and needed, then we act quickly and mercifully."

"They've killed thousands of our people," Keeve reminded him. "Does that still not warrant wiping them out?"

"They've also exterminated billions of others before they ever got to your world," Kaylee added. "And when they are done here, unless they are stopped, they will kill billions of others. I cannot believe that the Force that guides you would not also guide you to the understanding that these beings, these Jau, will continue to kill and subjugate world upon world unless someone steps in and does something about them. I understand that all life is precious, but I can guarantee you that the Jau do not hold the same philosophy and while we sit here debating the merits of ridding the galaxy of them they are killing more of your people."

"Thank you for your impassioned words," Koran said. "For now, this is to instruct us on how to fight the Jau and to defend ourselves against any enemy our normal weapons are useless against. Let us focus on that, and the merits of how we fight this war will be discussed in the next meeting of the Council."

"And will I be invited to attend that meeting?" Keeve asked.

"You are not a Jedi," Laedra reminded him. "I do not see how we could include you."

"I'm with Talara," he informed them brashly. "That grants me inclusion."

"The meeting is for the High Council of the Jedi," Koran Darr said. "Not even Talara will be attending. But, we will have a meeting that will include those training the Jedi to fight the Jau, and that includes you and Kaylee Soras as well. Will that be acceptable?"

Keeve grunted an affirmative. "Let's get on with this. The sooner we begin, the sooner life can move forward."

Talara turned toward the room. "Before I continue, are there any other questions in regards to what we'll be doing or on the practical applications in fighting the Jau?"

Liam Zaneth nodded. "There is a danger within teaching someone to fight," he said. "You give him the confidence in their ability, and that lasts up until they face their enemy. Do you foresee that happening here?"

Talara frowned. "Teach you enough that you can get yourself hurt with it? No, I do not believe that will be a problem with anyone here. We are all highly trained, but if anyone does not feel that they are up to the task of fighting the Jau, I believe they should make that known. I don't think anyone will hold it against those who do not wish to fight if they step aside. We want to see everyone alive at the end of this fight with the Jau."

"I do not foresee that," Nieme offered presciently. "There will be many losses" --she glanced about the room, spying those she was referring to without their notice-- "but we cannot forget that we are Jedi first, and the Force will guide us. If your teachings can assist some of us in better utilizing that connection, then I do not object."

"It is my hope that they will help," Talara said, and glanced from one side to the next at the two helping her teach the Jedi, then she looked back out at the others. "Force willing. Now, let us begin again. First will be a demonstration between myself and Kaylee Soras. Once that is complete, we will slow our fight down enough to illustrate the basic forms of Ta'Sae'Kordo. And then, we will pair up, and work through the basics."

With a nod to Kaylee, they moved into the center of the room where they could be seen by everyone present. Talara settled into a defensive stance while Kaylee removed the sword from the sheathe at her back, and prepared for the fight.

***

There was much chatter as the Jedi, including those in-training, filed out of the practice room following their instructions. Already familiar with martial arts, most of the Jedi grasped Talara's teachings quickly, though they were still not ready to put their new skills to use in battle. But, there was time left to polish their technique, for the Jau weren't moving anytime soon.

While the others departed, Laedra Vorrel, along with Koran Darr, Nieme and Dani, remained behind to speak with the three instructors. Laedra had isolated Talara, Keeve reluctantly wandering off with the others to chat. Laedra smiled at Talara as she glanced back at Keeve. "He's very protective. And not to mention resistant. He doesn't enjoy being here much."

"No," Talara said. "He's not that. I'm trying to help him see that the Jedi aren't bad, and that being here isn't wrong. But, he does love me, and he wants to keep me safe. Do you think it went well?"

"I believe there is promise," Laedra allowed. "How much longer do you think it will take for most here to become adept at Ta'Sae'Kordo?"

"I think most will pick up the basics in a week," Talara said. "By that time, I think everyone will be able to stand up against a Jau attack. Another two weeks of training will be enough to give them a much more solid understanding of the form and allow them to incorporate it in with other forms as well."

"You've done well," Laedra commended. "I am glad you returned to us."

"I am too, Master," Talara said with a smile. "While I have enjoyed my time away to some extent and when he's not surly and grump, Keeve is wonderful, I have missed the Jedi."

"Then you'll consider staying?"

"Yes," Talara said, though she did dread the conversation she'd have to have over that decision. "I would like to continue my relationship with Keeve. I hope that will be acceptable."

Laedra sighed. "Talara...he is a very temperamental individual. Do you believe it is safe to be with him?"

"Yes, I do," Talara said. "He's just very wary of the Jedi. I am hoping that time here will help him. Believe it or not, he is more accepting today than he was several months ago."

"It is not his acceptance of us that concerns me. It is not knowing how far you will go to follow him."

"I don't know exactly what you mean," Talara said, then added, "Or what you fear. I am my own person, but I love him. I do not intend to follow him to the dark side. I have taken that path, and don't intend to return."

Laedra smiled gently. "I know...but in matters of love, one sometimes becomes blind to the path they're following. I do not want you to lose sight of where you're going, Talara, that's all."

"I wouldn't want that either, Master," Talara said. "Perhaps my being here will help keep me on the right path, show Keeve that the Jedi aren't bad, and we can save our home."

Laying a hand on Talara's shoulder, Laedra whispered, "I do hope so." She smiled. "I'll see you in the morning for the next session."

"I look forward to it, Master," Talara said with a smile.

In an opposite corner of the room, Koran Darr, Nieme and Dani were bowing to Kaylee and Keeve before departing. Keeve relaxed visibly as he exhaled a deep breath. Civil conversation wasn't one of his strong points and he was clearly glad to be free of the obligation now. He noticed Talara was alone and abandoned Kaylee to approach, while Koran caught up with Laedra.

Koran gave Laedra a smile as they fell into step together. Once they were further away from the others, he broke the silence. "So, what did you think of Talara's presentation," he asked. "I thought she handled herself and the content very well."

"She is in her element - I had expected her to do well," Laedra admitted. "Do you believe we can be prepared soon enough?"

"I believe we will make every effort," Koran said. "I have faith in us and the Force. It will not be an easy fight, but I believe we will show the Jau they cannot just take what they wish."

"Are we doing this to teach them a lesson, then?" Laedra raised a critical eyebrow at Koran. "We must do this for the right reasons, or we should not do this at all."

"Perhaps we should determine what the right reasons are," Koran said. "I believe ridding our world of them is a good reason. I do not believe in wholesale extermination, but they should be made to understand, through force if necessary, that they are not welcome here."

"Do they believe otherwise?" Laedra inquired. "They roam the streets with weapons, they apprehend or kill anyone who commits the slightest of indiscretions and have made us prisoners on our own world. Do you truly believe they are unaware that they're unwelcome?"

"No," Koran said. "I believe they are fully aware of it, and believe we lack the strength to do anything about it. If negotiation will free us, I will try. But, I do not believe we will be able to remove them diplomatically. We will need to fight them. And, at some point, we will make it clear to them that they would be best off if they left us. To liberate Tae'Karada, I believe we will need to fight the Jau and fight them hard. But, when we finally push them off here, I believe they will go somewhere else. And the question we will have to ask ourselves, is what do we do about them? What does the Force say about them?"

"Is it really our place to decide their fate?" Laedra inquired pensively. "All we can control is their departure from this planet. If the Force desires for us to go further than that, it is something we must explore with the council. Until then" --she smiled-- "we learn, and plan."

"I agree," Koran said. "I guess it is difficult for me to see where I should help, but then stand aside while atrocities go on. We will let the Force guide us, and hopefully end up somewhere we can be satisfied with the results and not sacrifice ourselves to a cause in which we will lose ourselves."

"That will likely be our test. I hope it is one we do not fail."

"Speaking of tests," Koran said. "What are your thoughts on Talara taking the trials? I believe she may be ready, or at least is very close to readiness."

Laedra's opinion came with very little deliberation. "No. I don't believe, while in her current relationship, she will perform well. He is...a distraction."

"Is it him or her who gains your strongest objection," Koran asked with a knowing smile. "Very well, she will remain a Padawan until she demonstrates her commitment to the Jedi Order, and not just her strength and skill with the Force."

She nodded in agreement. "Besides," Laedra continued, "do you believe she wishes to remain a Jedi? I'm not so sure she does."

"I believe she has forgotten what being a Jedi is about," Koran said "Though, she will be reminded of that while she is here. I believe his influence on whether she remains a Jedi will be more influential than her own desires. Though, the question becomes...do we intercede?"

"I've spoken to her briefly about it," Laedra mentioned. "She insists she can handle things, that if she needs to leave him behind to move forward in the Order, she can." Sighing, Laedra stated, "I'm not so certain she can."

"I imagine it would be difficult," Koran said. "Should the need arise, I know it would be difficult for me to walk away from our relationship. For now, we will observe her and see how they do together. I don't believe we can do any more than that."

"And we should not." Laedra smiled. "We don't want to be meddlesome, do we?"

"No," Koran said with a shake of his head. "If we meddled, she could resent us. In any case, it is a decision she should make on her own, even if it is a decision we do not agree with."

"I'm certain Talara will try to keep any signs of affection discreet," Laedra assured him as, in a separate corridor leading to Talara and Keeve's quarters the two were tangled in a fervent embrace, kissing desperately just outside their door. Discretion was abandoned.

"Very discreet," Koran said with a look at the two that bordered on amusement.

Within Keeve's embrace, Talara was scrambling to get free. "People," she murmured. "People there, watching. Keeve! I told you someone would come by."

"You may have told him, Padawan," Koran said, "but by the look of it, you were a full participant in the activities."

"Yes, Master," she said, looking down.

"Don't be ashamed," Keeve told her with a brazen stare at Koran. "It's just natural that two lovers would want to display their affection for one another."

Laedra raised a critical eyebrow, and directed it at Talara. "Is that so?"

"I should have been more forceful in my insistence that we go inside, Master," Talara said. "We would have been a bad influence on the younger Padawans should any have passed by."

"Yet we've had a similar discussion before," Laedra reminded her. "Are you attempting to placate us?"

"No, Master," Talara said. "We ended up caught in the moment. I will be more diligent about where we express our feelings for each other in the future. I promise."

"Only make promises," Laedra counselled, "if you plan on keeping them."

"Oh, lay off her," Keeve griped. "Come on, Tala, let's get inside and continue."

"I'm sorry, Master," Talara said. "I do promise to be better. We shall see you tomorrow." She glanced at Keeve as he opened the door, and slipped inside the room.

"Take care you don't twist her priorities to your needs, and not hers," Koran said to Keeve before he could disappear into the room.

"I could say the same to you," Keeve riposted with a smug grin, while leading Talara inside the room.

As the door closed behind them, Talara looked back at Keeve with an apologetic look. "This is going to be difficult," she said. "They expect me to be a Jedi and I don't want to let them down. And, I'm your girlfriend, and it isn't fair to make you live by Jedi rules."

"You don't have to either." He peeled off his shirt and tossed it onto the bed, then moved to the dresser to find a fresh one. "Tala, you've gotta decide whether you're a Jedi, or a civilian lending the Jedi a helping hand. You can't be both."

"There's a part of me that wants to be both," Talara said as she sat on the edge of the bed to watch him. "For the most part, I like being a Jedi. But, there are the other parts, like being with you and not being all serious and detached all the time, that are nice and I can't be that way as a Jedi, at least Jedi Masters don't approve."

Keeve turned and slipped on the new shirt, saying, "Then you have your answer, don't you? You can't stay with the Order and live how you want to live. Easy enough."

"It's possible," Talara said, obviously still fretting. "I am good at this, Keeve. I don't want to let my gifts just go to waste. And, I like that part about being a Jedi. Maybe I could be a rogue Jedi or something, like in that one HoloNet show. I'd use my powers for good, without all the restrictions."

"And you think it's that easy? I'm not a Jedi, and even I know that's impossible."

"I know," Talara said. "I want to be with you, Keeve, but I also want to be a part of the Jedi. I guess I have to decide which is more important, hm? You I think. But, I may need more convincing."

He smiled crookedly, knowing what Talara was getting at. "Are all Jedi this manipulative?"

Talara grinned. "Not all," she said. "And, I'm not trying to be manipulating. But, it is fun to play. I hope you don't mind, because I don't plan on stopping."

Keeve swiftly removed his shirt once again, baring his still sweat-glistening chest to Talara. Shrugging, he said invitingly, "Then let's play. What'd you have in mind?"

Talara pushed off the bed and approached him. "Well, I was thinking that this would be a good start," she said as she slipped into his arms. She gazed up at him, feeling the warmth of his gaze. "And from here, I guess we'll just have to wing it." To give him an idea of what she thought might be considered winging it, she gave him a long, passionate kiss.

"I like this game," Keeve murmured before devoting all attention to returning her kiss and relieving Talara of her outfit. The Jedi hadn't a chance of snatching Talara away from him. They were wasting their time in trying.

"Position Wide Open"
By: Maeren Shivral
Reinrich Tas [NPC+]

Location: Nocturnal Delights, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 11, 5 ABY

***

The inside of the club was dark with music blasting over everyone present. Strobes throbbed over the crowd, bathing everyone in flashes of neon light. A holographic band played on the stage, cranking out loud music designed to get the people onto their feet. The band was clad in little clothing which was a clear indication of the type of entertainment to which the nightclub catered.

The young woman slipped through the crowd, the short skirt and scant top drawing approving stares from those who were forced to move from her path. She reached the stage door, and a guard stepped in her way.

"I have an appointment," she told him. "About the entertainer job."

The man looked her over, approval in his eyes. He stepped aside, and opened the door for her. She gave him a smile and passed through the door. Down the hall, she saw another guard. The guard nodded to her.

"I have an appointment with Mr. Tas," she said.

The guard knocked on the door. At the confirmation from inside, he opened the door and indicated she could go inside.

With a smile to him, she passed through the doorway and entered the office. He was seated behind the desk, watching her enter. He was attractive with blond hair and piercing blue eyes. She stepped forward as he watched her with an appraising look.

"Hi," she said. "I'm here about the entertainer position. My name is Maeren Shivral."

"Maeren," he repeated, testing the feel of her name on his tongue. Reinrich Tas smiled slowly and waved her to a seat. "You're an entertainer, you say? Tell me, Maeren, do you have any experience?"

"I do," Maeren said as she took the seat. "I've sung at a number of clubs around the city. I can also dance, and I play the baitar."

Reinrich nodded, his eyes feeding on the length of her seated form. "And...do you have any other talents?"

She could feel the way his eyes moved over her, could see the intensity of his hunger reflected in his eyes. She smiled. "Yes," she said, crossing her legs and flashing him a peek up her skirt at the black fabric maintaining her decency. "I've got a number of other talents. Anything in particular you're looking for?"

"Oh," Reinrich drawled, "I've got a few things in mind. Though, as with everyone who comes through here, would you be opposed to auditioning?"

"Not at all," Maeren said. "I figured I'd probably have to audition, and I've really wanted to get a job other than just retail sales."

"Then this will be just the place for you," he told her, and rose from his seat. He began loosening his tie. "If you're shy," he teased, "I can turn around."

"Oh, I'm not shy," she said. Now that he was standing, she took the chance to get a better look at him. "So, what do I do?"

Reinrich watched her dully. "Undress. Have you never auditioned before?"

"Well, the other places didn't want me to undress," she said, then shrugged. There was a teasing to her motions as she began removing her clothes, glancing out of the corner of her eye across the office at him.

Reinrich, meanwhile, had slipped off his jacket and draped it neatly over his chairback. Then, he approached Maeren and crudely snapped his fingers, then pointed her towards his sofa. As she sat, he followed. Unceremoniously, Reinrich pushed Maeren onto her back and climbed atop.

Maeren's expression turned fearful as she looked up at him. She said nothing, only watched him. She'd suspected that something like this might have to happen to get a job, especially in a place like this. She'd heard the rumours, and she did need a job. She'd been feeling so dependent and useless living under Keeve's roof. She needed some independence, and this was the way to get it.

Asking permission did not cross Reinrich's mind as he unfastened his pants, nor did he pay attention to the hesitation in Maeren's expression, or the rigidity of her body. He forced his hands between her legs to pry them apart and sought entry by pressing his hips to hers.

She let out a gasp and moan as he slipped himself inside her. Once he was inside, all thought of resistance fled. Instinctively, she began rocking her hips against him. She sought his eyes to gauge him, see if she could see how he thought of her audition.

Reinrich paid little notice or attention to Maeren, unconcerned with her level of comfort, but did take advantage of her body, bared fully to him, and explored it roughly with his hands and lips. When he finally peaked, Reinrich tensed, spilled himself inside Maeren, then sighed and pulled away. Maeren was left reclined on the sofa, ignored entirely by Reinrich as he straightened out his clothing, except when told, "You've got some moves.... Maybe we can find a place for you."

"What would I be doing," Maeren asked as she sat up and watched him. "And how much would I be making?"

He looked aside at her, watching her quizzically. "Don't you know? I did say this was an audition, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did," she said. "Does that mean I'm not hired yet? If you're going to hire me, I just want to know how much I'm going to be making. I don't have another job, so I'll have to be able to live off of what I make here."

Reinrich grinned shrewdly. "Does that mean this is your only option?" He shifted towards her again, his interest piqued. "As a dancer, you won't make much - a steady, decent income. But if you're interested in...entertaining our guests personally...well, you could make much more."

She regarded him, trying to gauge her options. She knew what he was saying. She knew Keeve and the others wouldn't approve, but it would be her independence. "How much more?"

Reinrich peered closely at her, his smile curling. "More than you've ever had in your life," he whispered.

"And all I have to do is entertain the guests and dance?" At his nod, she smiled. "Then I want the job."

Reinrich slapped his hands together in satisfaction and abruptly rose. "Great news. Now, if you want to go with my guard, he'll take you to your home, where you can pack your bags."

"Pack? I don't have anywhere else to go," Maeren said. "I just thought I'd work until I could afford a place, and stay where I am now."

"You won't need a place," Reinrich informed her. "You'll live with the other girls. There are appropriate accommodations at the club."

"I don't know about that," Maeren said. "I want to have my own space, my own home. I've been living in a full house and I want somewhere of my own. Of course, there were some nice fringe benefits, and I'll miss them, but can't beat the deal here."

"You'll have your own room," he assured her, pushing his hand up her thigh to soothe. "You'll have all the space you need...but I have to ensure my girls aren't entertaining on the side and jeopardizing my business. You understand?"

"I understand," Maeren said. "Can I see the room? Before I fully commit? I mean, this is a big step."

Reinrich laughed harshly, amused by Maeren's naivete. "You led me to believe you were desperate for a job.... Now do you want it, or not?"

"Alright," she said. "I want it. I'll take the job. When I get my things, will I have time to give Zari and Dev a goodbye fling?"

His hand reflexively tightened around her thigh as the name triggered his memory. "Zari and...Dev?" he inquired casually.

"Yes," she said. "They're my friends. They're boyfriend and girlfriend, and the three of us have a thing. I was out shopping with Dev, and he's really attractive, so I sucked him off in a changing room. The three of us sort of started up together after that. It's fun and exciting, but there's no real attachment between me and them."

"Well." He smiled and patted her knee. "If you really want to maintain contact with them...I can arrange for them to see you. Would you like that?"

Maeren smiled. "That would be really great. Thank you very much."

"My pleasure," he rumbled alluringly and brushed his fingers over her cheek. "I think you're going to be a star, Maeren Shivral. Just stick with me, and I'll make it happen."

"Perfect," Maeren said with a smile. Now that he was being more pleasant, she could see his charm. She wondered if the other face, the one he'd shown her when she arrived, was the face he usually showed. She suspected yes. "I do think I'll like it here."

"Then you'd better get dressed so you can start your new life."

Maeren quickly retrieved her clothing and put it back on. Once she was done, she adjusted her top one last time, then glanced back over to Reinrich. "All set."

Clearly pleased with her appearance, Reinrich smiled wolfishly at his newest employee. "Go and see Pargh - he'll take you wherever you need to go. Just remember to be back before the show - you're on third."

"Okay," Maeren said. "How long do I have before that?"

"I'll give you two hours, how about that?" He added suavely, "Anything for my girl."

"Okay," Maeren said with a smile. "I'll be back in two hours then." With a last smile, she leaned in and kissed him. "See you soon."

"Certainly," he murmured, and laughed when she was gone. How fortune seemed to fall right into his lap... "If only Analesse would do the same," he purred. But Talara just might, as soon as his newest employee led her straight into his clutches.