[Day 3, MA] Passing Strangers

[Riza]

"750 credits you deal with this lot, however you see fit," she said quickly, before shifting her weight so that she might take off down the way. Letting, hopefully, the fact they'd still need to chase her and get the job done allow him for a little easy fun. While, if only slightly, cutting into the bottom line of her enemies.

[Nekoinu]

"How do I collect?" he asked and then shrugged. The men from inside ran in front of him. "Alright, you guys go that way and cut her off. We'll pursue her."

As everyone made their run, suddenly the hunter sank his sword into the head of one of the Chiss' goons. It'd be hard for Riza to see the outcome, but guessing by the sounds and glimpses, it looked like his ploy had worked.

---

The plan works, but the debt is made. What will our protagonist do next?

[Riza]

From here, with the rather potent distraction made, Riza moved into the open streets, somewhere more crowded to throw off her trail. Following along with the crowd she'd move toward the first safe place, where she can take stock of the situation, and given the nearest things she've have to make for the Aurora or...

Making her way toward the Maw, Riza went the one place where she might find protection. Not that she sought it from him, or she was going to ask, and nor did she expect it to be because of some friendly nature they had but merely that it was the Maw. As soon as she got there, they couldn't be foolish enough to continue their assault even if they got past her new hired gun.

[Nekoinu]

More pursuers joined and it appeared that the hunter would take his leave. There were multiple flashes and bangs, too far for Riza to be affected but enough to disorient everyone else around him. He ducked away into the alleys to wherever his destination was.

It was enough time for Riza to make it into the Maw. Due to the friendly, if that's the right word, relationship with Mekota, nobody bothered to stop her. It was a wise move for the time being; storming a bar with dangerous criminals afoot was indeed unwise. They couldn't blow the place up either since Riza had to be alive.

Of course, they could always wait at the entrance. Or send in only a few people.

[Riza]

From here, Riza sat and actually, for the first time, removed her helmet within the maw to enjoy a few drinks at the bar itself.


After some hours, she would return her helmet to where it was, weave through the crowd and then find an unexpected exit to use. Keeping herself out of sight and making her way back, then, to the Aurora.

For now, however, she took it a little easy.

[Nekoinu]

The hunter from earlier walked back into the Maw and sat down next to Riza . "I have a knack for finding you," he said, "Must be why I get paid the big credits."

His masked visage went towards the entrance. "They think I'm here to grab you. Good thing I was the first to find you in here because a few of my buddies want you too." He shrugged. "Maybe not buddies. They're pretty good, but I've always found people the quickest."

The preamble was interrupted by Seela returning to the bar. She glanced at the two and asked, "What'll it be?"

[Riza]

Riza smirked, in fact it was the most earnest she had ever expressed anything. Another, in her mood, might have even had a hearty laugh. Instead, however, all the others were treated to was a rather devilish smirk.

"How often," she said, stuck on the thought which had humored her so, "is it that you turn in a bounty, making your credits, and then not even an hour later find yourself drinking with them in a nearby cantina?"

With that amusing note shared, she looked to Seela, "Two of whatever he is having."

[Nekoinu]

"Such a small time frame is rare," he admitted, "But I don't we'll be having that drink. You're not paying me enough to cut down the other hunters in here."

"You brought heat in here?" Seela asked. She sighed and massaged her forehead. "Mekota is not going to be pleased."

[Riza]

"You didn't see me shooting on my way in," she said derisively. "Anything they do in here is on them. If they don't know any better, that's on them."

She shrugged, "Guess I've got a veritable army on my tail, after all. Credits of the Ascendancy go far, it appears. Though, they lack any real talent. Just numbers. Suppose it's best I try to make my way to the Aurora. They'd not be dumb enough to assault a mandalorian vessel. One would hope."

[Nekoinu]

"That Chiss charm at work," Seela said. She reached under the table, glancing past the two hunters at the bar in front of her.

"Exactly what I thought. What's your name, miss?" the hunter remarked. He held up his hand and wagged his finger. "More importantly, would you or the guards attack me if I chopped off Riza's arm?"

"No. Not our problem."

"Exactly again," the hunter exclaimed. He slammed the counter with his fingers a couple times, apparently pleased. "My point is, sneak away, Riza. No way that drug-ridden rodian doesn't have several passageways to spare."

[Riza]

"Worked well enough," she shrugged, "still less eyes to hide from," she continued as she put on her helmet, "you're not getting extra for the advice but seeing as separating from any group will make it easier to get out of here. Come by the Aurora, before we leave. I will have your payment waiting."

With a helmeted nod to Seela, Riza was quick to make her depart. Seeing that, following their advice, was the best way to show they'd convinced her thoroughly of her improper calculation.

[Nekoinu]

The hunter leaned in and whispered something to Seela. A few moments later, he drew out his sword and was promptly shot in the chest by a blue stun bolt.

People converged towards the scene, allowing Riza to more easily make her way. Still, one individual didn't get so distracted.

"You go to what?" Mekota asked, flanked by some of his guards. He folded his hands, expecting an explanation for all the ruckus. "Many thug that not mine come to my domain when you come. Why?"

[Riza]

"Am I supposed to take responsibility for their lack of manners?" she asked with a shrug, but shook her head regardless. "Nothing I asked for. They've got their own problems, seem to be looking for someone. I intend to not stay around long enough for them to find the person they're looking for."