neon lights hit the water Who: Glasya Ren & Kaz Brekker. What: Kaz makes a delivery to a client and digs for a little information. When: Following this holonet post. Where: Coruscant. Rating: G.
Kaz hefted the small bag of crystals in one gloved hand; sometimes it amazed him how something so small could hold such a great value. He leaned against the railing on a high rise above the landscape of Coruscant; dim twilight washed the sight in oranges and blues, the sound of dozens of buzzing speeders creating a backdrop that reminded him of chirruping, insanely loud insects that were flitting from life to death without a thought for the in between.
Not that there had ever been all that many in the Barrel, and Fjerda was too cold to offer any real true of life. Coruscant was duplicitous like that: sounds and lights that made one believe there was something alive, something with pumping blood and a beating heart, when it was truly nothing more than cold machinery. And that, he had concluded, was why he felt so at home here. The planet was him, taken and turned inside out and expanded a thousand times over.
He pocketed the bag of crystals, intent on enjoying the sights until his contact arrived. Though the place he'd chosen for the trade off was high and offered the danger of a quick drop, the light and the open air would be enough to discourage anyone from doing anything drastic. Few would think much of two men discussing business on a hundred stories tall skyscraper, not when it was something that happened a thousand times every day both on the planet's surface and deep within its underbelly.
It was from that grimy underbelly that Kaz's client had most recently come. He did not come as a Knight of Ren; though still dressed in head to toe black, his horned helm and cloak were foregone in favor of more utilitarian, less remarkable garb. His bootheels clicked softly against the polished metal floor.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Glasya sidled up to the balcony beside Kaz. He leaned down against the rail, lacing his fingers together where his hands hung over the side. The wind softly sang around them, muffled by the shielding that surrounded the building. "I think I might retire here."
He looked over to Kaz, appraising. "You look well. Business is good these days, I take it?"
"Good enough," Kaz replied, remaining in place as Glasya joined him. He'd claim he'd never been one for companionship, that others were to be used in their time and in their own way to propel him forward to his goals, but if he were honest with himself (which was rare), there was something to be said about decent conversation. Liriael's words rang in his mind, about how the man resting on the rail next to him, had stalked her and killed one of her crewmembers. The thought didn't disconcert Kaz in the slightest; he'd done things in his past, things just as bad. He'd consorted with people just as bad. If anything, he saw a better reflection of himself in Glasya. Liri was the kind of soul who came into the Barrel and was picked clean, like a rotting carcass on the side of the highway.
Kaz pushed the thoughts from his mind; Liri was a friend, just a different one at that.
"Building a new toy?" He wasn't usually one to pry into his client's affairs, but the worst thing that would happen was that he'd receive no reply. Well, the worst that would happen would be that he'd get a knife in the ribs, but Kaz was rarely that worried. "Something happen to the one you already have?"
Glasya answered with an off-kilter smile. "Your concern is appreciated," he said, "though unnecessary. I take care of what's mine." His fingers flexed, knuckles cracking with the motion. "Were you able to find genuine crystals? I understand they're hard to come by these days, but frankly I don't trust the synthetic ones."
Unperturbed by Glasya's non-answer, Kaz dug into his pocket and pulled out the darkly colored velvet bag. Holding it for a moment, he could feel the outline of the crystals within.
"I'm told they're genuine," he replied. "But that's something you'll have to verify for yourself. I admit, I'm not a scholar in these sorts of things, as much as I'd like to be." He offered the bag out to Glasya, holding it by the neck. The knight plucked it gingerly from his hand.
"The First Order certainly has been busy lately."
"Do you think so?" Glasya opened the bag and peered inside. He pulled one sharp, rocky crystal from within. Turning his back to the balcony, he raised it up to the evening light. It shone softly blue, and resonated with innate, unattuned energy. He replaced the stone and withdrew another, this one red in hue, and heavy with Dark influence. A third was clear, pristine, a blank slate waiting for its artist. Satisfied, Glasya returned the crystal to its pouch and pulled the drawstring closed.
"Perhaps it only seems that way compared to the inaction of those who would see it fall."
Kaz stifled a chuckle, instead leaning back against the railing as he watched Glasya inspect the merchandise.
"Lack of resources will handicap anyone," he agreed. "But the Order seems especially driven lately." He stopped for a moment, weighing something in his mind. "I assume the crystals are as desired?"
"They are." Glasya reached into a deep inner pocket, and exchanged the smaller pouch for another, larger one. He held it out to Kaz, its heavy weight balanced in his palm. "The Order is driven, yes, to seek and retain worthy people," he said. "The process of rebuilding a crumbling community, particularly of this magnitude, is a taxing one in every respect. Those without the necessary resources would do well to closely and honestly evaluate their ability to provide for those they would take under their wing."
He studied Kaz a moment. Then, having plainly made up his mind, he added: "The Order is a generous employer," he said. "Have you considered working with them in a more formal capacity? There are far more and far deeper pockets than just mine."
Kaz's hand stopped midair in its reach for his deserved payment; his gaze exchanged the promise of the coinpurse to meet Glasya's eyes. All of this was only fractionary; in the next moment, the heavy weight of the purse was relieved from Glasya's burden and disappeared into Kaz's pocket.
"What did you have in mind?" He decided it was at least worth hearing Glasya out, but Kaz never intended to indoctrinate himself into the First Order; it wasn't that he found their political leanings distasteful or their methods cruel, but simply that he preferred to keep his business arrangements wide and varied.
"The work I offer is very specific," Glasya said. "Narrow in scope and irregular in timing. The military is another matter. They're in need of skilled pilots, smugglers, slicers, blockade runners… credible people who can be counted on. I could vouch for you and your crew within the Order. Make introductions where necessary. You would never want for work or funding again." He flashed a vulpine smile. "And of course there's the benefit of being on the winning side."
Kaz's expression remained flat.
"As tempting as that sounds, I'll have to pass. I have other clients who would be very offended about swearing allegiances to one side or another, not to mention the Bha'lir Council itself," he replied, his tone even and calm. "I'd lose my crew faster than jawas can pick apart a droid.
"But you know I'm always available for procurement. If the Order is finding itself in short supply, say, after a particularly heavy loss, I'm sure there are resources that they haven't considered."
Glasya drew a deep breath, exhaling on a sigh. There was a long moment in which he did not speak; in that silence, he contemplated other, more forceful approaches. But such power used too often could become a crutch, and there were benefits to maintaining at least one connection of sound, untampered mind.
"That is disappointing," he said. "But I understand. Loyalty and neutrality are rare virtues. The Bha'lir are lucky to have both in you." He shrugged. "Still. I'll make known your availability. And should you change your mind, you know how to reach me."
Kaz nodded, grateful that Glasya took the negative response well. Kaz wasn't much of a fighter, but it wouldn't have been the first time where he was forced to defend himself; he just didn't look forward to this simple trade becoming a walk off of a long ledge.
"And I appreciate the offer. It's helpful to have friends in high places." Glancing down, he plucked up the cane with a crow's head that had been leaning against the railing. He held it firmly in his right hand.
"I would love to stay and chat, but business ventures don't run themselves, as I'm sure you're aware."
"I am indeed," Glasya said. His gaze fell briefly on the cane's shaped handle. He chuckled. "Good evening, Kaz Brekker. I'm sure we'll speak again soon." He tipped his head politely, an approximation of a bow. Then he turned to go, and disappeared back into the dark.