Information, and cash. [ Is there anything better? ]
Bagged an invitation to a private card game from one of the high rolling crooks that drinks at the bar. There's supposed to be a few people who are involved in interesting things playing. Drugs, weapons, that kind of bullshit.
Two sets of eyes, hands, and ears, is better than one, but since there's only one invitation, you're going to play, and I'm going to be your date. Thanks to knowing me from my job, the guy who invited me doesn't expect much from me. People like that don't guard their wallets, or watch what they say around me. You might have to charm them.
[ There's a little bit of time before he responds as he nulls over his current situation. Cards aren't exactly physically exerting and his concussion shouldn't be made worse for doing this.
It's his face and any knowledge about what he'd done is what he's concerned about. And if they know about him then how will it affect Nami? ]
You seem pretty confident about all of those things.
[ The mention of Wanda makes things...mildly worrisome. Mostly because Wanda would err towards putting him in something silly - if only to tease him. ]
[ Because Nami isn't interested in answering any questions about what she's up to, well aware that it more likely than not, will get back to the guys. ]
[ And he technically does mean that. Potential for teasing from Wanda aside, they're likely thinking along the same lines in that the less people involved in this, the better. Not that he's aware that Nami is worried about more than just Wanda getting involved. If he did though he'd understand why the secrecy.
The shopping trip is relatively uneventful in that they find him a suit that looks tailored enough for him to wear. Funnily enough, the card game follows a similar theme of uneventfulness which, by his standards, is refreshing for once. Not once is he recognized for his antics with the loan sharks and when that becomes apparent he lets down his guard - but not by much. He could never be too careful. Especially if he was also inadvertently keeping an eye out for Nami.
All the same Cassian slips into the part with ease, throwing out a false name ("Alyx"), keeping an ear out for the gossip and the banter about illicit petty crimes that seem to make up the lifeblood of Panorama. He also keeps his word to Nami: doing well enough at cards but not enough that it would draw ire or suspicion. They leave with a tidy lump sum split between them and information on going's on between the middle men of these raider groups that he doesn't know what quite what to do with yet.
And surprisingly, he's invited back. Apparently his charm had worked. And he can't help but be somewhat amused by it as a heaping pile of waffle fries and very strong smelling cocktails are slid in front of them in the dive bar they'd found not too far from the bar they were playing at. He tugs slightly at the tie he'd donned as part of his disguise and runs a hand through his hair mussing up the slicked back style Nami had suggested he go with as his nose wrinkles some at the fumes wafting from the cocktail. ]
[ While she isn't afforded the luxury of a fake name with a few of Chasing Tail's regulars in attendance, this room is still easy enough to work. It helps that while her choice of dress is the curve hugging kind, not dissimilar in cut to the outfit she has to wear to work, she doesn't have those stupid bunny ears on. Feeling cute while descending into the proverbial underworld is important– after all, any con is a confidence game.
She'd been sure Cassian wasn't the kind of guy to blow something as simple as a few hands of cards, but based on how he carried himself, she feels confident in thinking she's discovered a useful ally. He may not have done specifically this before, she thinks she can tell that this isn't the man's first time telling a few well-placed lies to achieve his ends. Useful information to file away for later, much like a good deal of the conversations she's privy to around the card table. Names, businesses, all of it not useful yet, but she's working on it. Nami even goes so far as to assign herself the job of keeping everybody's drinks topped off in between moments of leaning against the armrest of Cassian's chair, doing her bit to keep up appearances while gathering all the information she can.
By all accounts, it's a success, that the drinks being set down before her and Cassian on the bar smell as potent as she wanted them to is a very happy bonus. ]
Double whiskey sours. [ A drink she's acquired a taste for since her arrival. They cover up the piss poor quality alcohol that gets slung in most of the lower class bars. One glass gets slid towards him before she snatches up a waffle fry out of the basket to enjoy with her drink. ]
So are we gonna go to the next one or what– [ Dusting the stray grains of salt off her fingers, she fixes him with an amused smirk. ] Alyx?
[ Given the choice, Cassian would have preferred that no one in Panorama knew his actual name. But being disoriented and trying to wrap his mind around the fact that he was not only on a new planet but a completely different galaxy had meant that plan had immediately gone out the window. At the very least he could ensure that the raiders and small-time criminals didn't know his name. He can protect himself that way and burn the identities that no longer serve him. It's not so different from his life at home. And that, for the time being, is enough to quell his ever present-paranoia.
He'll tell himself that this has nothing to do with falling back on old habits that seem familiar. That donning a persona for the night, hell, for a couple of hours, isn't comforting in the way that having anyone from home would be. The act itself is familiar even if the setting and the people aren't. And after everything he'd experienced, the familiar (but really an escape because that's what this is), is necessary to finding even ground once more.
The offered glass is brought up to his nose to take a whiff as if that would reveal any kind of drug or poison that may have been slipped in before gazing across the table at her. In some ways he's still playing the role, not having quite slipped the mask off yet as if wanting to cling onto normalcy just a little bit longer. ]
That depends. [ The corners of his lips curl up, conspiratorially. ] How did I do?
[ Quick to cool the flash of amusement that rises through her, seeing the pleased look on his face, Nami cocks her head to the side, her glass pausing halfway on its way to her lips so she can roll her shoulders in a noncommittal shrug. ]
The drinks are paid for, and nobody shot us, I think you know the answer to that. [ She starts, her tone quiet enough to only be heard by him over the din of the bar, and dry as a bone while she recounts their triumphs before finally having that sip of her drink, giving him a chance to come to the obvious conclusion here. ]
There are a lot of people in this city getting rich from some seriously bad lines of work. They can pay for my fries instead of financing something horrible, I don't mind. [ It's just a card game, and she knows nobody at that table ended up completely shaken down, but it's a start. There are four pirates back at the motel, each saddled with the same stupid debt she is. While she doubts the guys feel as cagey about owing such a steep price, it hits a little too close to home in a very literal sense to Nami. She put Arlong behind her, but, unfortunately, seems to have to play his kind of shitty game for another round. On the bright side, she's fresh off of years sharpening the skills she'll need to get ahead here.
The shadow that briefly runs across her expression dissipates, and when she looks back at Cassian from over the rim of her glass, her gaze is sharp and sly, almost bordering on playful. ]
[ Keen eyes catch the flit of amusement in her gaze before it turns into something nonchalant; he's been around long enough to know what the advantages of keeping reactions mostly tucked away and out of sight. And in return, he does nothing to let on that he had caught that moment of levity.
There was something satisfying, a thrill even, in knowing that everything she had listed were indicative of a job well done. But the thrill of petty crimes and getting away with it no longer fill his cup like they used to. Maarva, were she around, might snort and say dryly that it just means his brain had developed. In a much more serious turn of events he might argue that he''d simply become more aware that there were more important things in life than a self-serving job.
The information they'd gleaned could be something, eventually. He just didn't know what. And frankly, he wasn't sure if it was something he wanted to act on either. It felt like more trouble than was worth. Unfortunately the nudge to 'do good' would remain there like a seed waiting to take root.
In that short time they had both fallen into their own thoughts, but with his gaze trained on her he catches the way her typically dry and unimpressed expression shifts. The masterful change speaks to life experiences in needing to know how. It'd be impressive if he weren't mildly curious as to the reasons behind it. Instead he allows the moment to pass, regarding her a moment before clinking his glass briefly against hers as the corner of his mouth lifts a little higher. ]
You know how to pick a partner. [ And then after he takes a sip - ] You've done this sort of work before.
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Bagged an invitation to a private card game from one of the high rolling crooks that drinks at the bar. There's supposed to be a few people who are involved in interesting things playing. Drugs, weapons, that kind of bullshit.
Two sets of eyes, hands, and ears, is better than one, but since there's only one invitation, you're going to play, and I'm going to be your date. Thanks to knowing me from my job, the guy who invited me doesn't expect much from me. People like that don't guard their wallets, or watch what they say around me. You might have to charm them.
Are you in?
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It's his face and any knowledge about what he'd done is what he's concerned about. And if they know about him then how will it affect Nami? ]
You seem pretty confident about all of those things.
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What I'm saying is you seem pretty confident that I'll come along.
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So?
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From that business with Janice.
You're willing to take that risk?
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But there's a risk
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Did you see their faces?
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No one got away if that's what you're asking
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You sure you're up for this?
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When is the game?
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I know the shop. I can meet you there.
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[ Because Nami isn't interested in answering any questions about what she's up to, well aware that it more likely than not, will get back to the guys. ]
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[ And he technically does mean that. Potential for teasing from Wanda aside, they're likely thinking along the same lines in that the less people involved in this, the better. Not that he's aware that Nami is worried about more than just Wanda getting involved. If he did though he'd understand why the secrecy.
The shopping trip is relatively uneventful in that they find him a suit that looks tailored enough for him to wear. Funnily enough, the card game follows a similar theme of uneventfulness which, by his standards, is refreshing for once. Not once is he recognized for his antics with the loan sharks and when that becomes apparent he lets down his guard - but not by much. He could never be too careful. Especially if he was also inadvertently keeping an eye out for Nami.
All the same Cassian slips into the part with ease, throwing out a false name ("Alyx"), keeping an ear out for the gossip and the banter about illicit petty crimes that seem to make up the lifeblood of Panorama. He also keeps his word to Nami: doing well enough at cards but not enough that it would draw ire or suspicion. They leave with a tidy lump sum split between them and information on going's on between the middle men of these raider groups that he doesn't know what quite what to do with yet.
And surprisingly, he's invited back. Apparently his charm had worked. And he can't help but be somewhat amused by it as a heaping pile of waffle fries and very strong smelling cocktails are slid in front of them in the dive bar they'd found not too far from the bar they were playing at. He tugs slightly at the tie he'd donned as part of his disguise and runs a hand through his hair mussing up the slicked back style Nami had suggested he go with as his nose wrinkles some at the fumes wafting from the cocktail. ]
What is that?
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She'd been sure Cassian wasn't the kind of guy to blow something as simple as a few hands of cards, but based on how he carried himself, she feels confident in thinking she's discovered a useful ally. He may not have done specifically this before, she thinks she can tell that this isn't the man's first time telling a few well-placed lies to achieve his ends. Useful information to file away for later, much like a good deal of the conversations she's privy to around the card table. Names, businesses, all of it not useful yet, but she's working on it. Nami even goes so far as to assign herself the job of keeping everybody's drinks topped off in between moments of leaning against the armrest of Cassian's chair, doing her bit to keep up appearances while gathering all the information she can.
By all accounts, it's a success, that the drinks being set down before her and Cassian on the bar smell as potent as she wanted them to is a very happy bonus. ]
Double whiskey sours. [ A drink she's acquired a taste for since her arrival. They cover up the piss poor quality alcohol that gets slung in most of the lower class bars. One glass gets slid towards him before she snatches up a waffle fry out of the basket to enjoy with her drink. ]
So are we gonna go to the next one or what– [ Dusting the stray grains of salt off her fingers, she fixes him with an amused smirk. ] Alyx?
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He'll tell himself that this has nothing to do with falling back on old habits that seem familiar. That donning a persona for the night, hell, for a couple of hours, isn't comforting in the way that having anyone from home would be. The act itself is familiar even if the setting and the people aren't. And after everything he'd experienced, the familiar (but really an escape because that's what this is), is necessary to finding even ground once more.
The offered glass is brought up to his nose to take a whiff as if that would reveal any kind of drug or poison that may have been slipped in before gazing across the table at her. In some ways he's still playing the role, not having quite slipped the mask off yet as if wanting to cling onto normalcy just a little bit longer. ]
That depends. [ The corners of his lips curl up, conspiratorially. ] How did I do?
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The drinks are paid for, and nobody shot us, I think you know the answer to that. [ She starts, her tone quiet enough to only be heard by him over the din of the bar, and dry as a bone while she recounts their triumphs before finally having that sip of her drink, giving him a chance to come to the obvious conclusion here. ]
There are a lot of people in this city getting rich from some seriously bad lines of work. They can pay for my fries instead of financing something horrible, I don't mind. [ It's just a card game, and she knows nobody at that table ended up completely shaken down, but it's a start. There are four pirates back at the motel, each saddled with the same stupid debt she is. While she doubts the guys feel as cagey about owing such a steep price, it hits a little too close to home in a very literal sense to Nami. She put Arlong behind her, but, unfortunately, seems to have to play his kind of shitty game for another round. On the bright side, she's fresh off of years sharpening the skills she'll need to get ahead here.
The shadow that briefly runs across her expression dissipates, and when she looks back at Cassian from over the rim of her glass, her gaze is sharp and sly, almost bordering on playful. ]
You didn't tell me how I did, by the way.
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There was something satisfying, a thrill even, in knowing that everything she had listed were indicative of a job well done. But the thrill of petty crimes and getting away with it no longer fill his cup like they used to. Maarva, were she around, might snort and say dryly that it just means his brain had developed. In a much more serious turn of events he might argue that he''d simply become more aware that there were more important things in life than a self-serving job.
The information they'd gleaned could be something, eventually. He just didn't know what. And frankly, he wasn't sure if it was something he wanted to act on either. It felt like more trouble than was worth. Unfortunately the nudge to 'do good' would remain there like a seed waiting to take root.
In that short time they had both fallen into their own thoughts, but with his gaze trained on her he catches the way her typically dry and unimpressed expression shifts. The masterful change speaks to life experiences in needing to know how. It'd be impressive if he weren't mildly curious as to the reasons behind it. Instead he allows the moment to pass, regarding her a moment before clinking his glass briefly against hers as the corner of his mouth lifts a little higher. ]
You know how to pick a partner. [ And then after he takes a sip - ] You've done this sort of work before.
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