Scene 2 – Come Out Swingin'
Corso Riggs, Farm Boy. Simple and straightforward – what you see is what you get. As a result, he isn't too impressed with Darmas Pollaran, especially when it involves the Captain. Despite troubles in his past, he remains generally optimistic and tries to stay true to his principles – though sometimes the Captain makes that a bit difficult.
Darmas Pollaran, information broker and sabaac sharp. With manners as smooth as his hands, Darmas seems perfectly comfortable in any society. He enjoys verbal sparring and is always ready with a compliment, witty retort, or double entendre – sometimes all in one!
Smiling wryly, Corso shook his head. Things were plenty complicated already, he figured, best not to make them any worse. Dancing with her in this mood would just end up with everything being awkward.
But the way she moved… arms above her head, little soft fists, elbows loose, torso flexing to the beat in a way that highlighted the curve of her waist… Corso sighed, setting his jaw.
And then the com under her chair beeped.
He thought about taking it to her, but… given the state she was in, he wasn't sure it would be a good idea. She had a habit of running her mouth even when stone-cold sober. So he reached down for the com and flicked the switch to open the channel.
The device buzzed, flickered, and then the image of Darmas Pollaran appeared. "I do hope you are having a pleasant evening, my… " the holo began, and then the man paused.
Corso was scowling at him. "Good to hear from you, Darmas," he drawled after a beat.
Darmas hesitated. "Is everything all right? I hope I haven't called at an inauspicious time."
Show-off. "We're fine. Captain's out on the dance floor gettin' her groove on. What can we do for ya?" Cuz I'm bein' polite even though you are a rotten sleazemonkey.
"Now that is something I would greatly enjoy." Darmas chuckled low in his throat, and Corso ground his teeth to hold back a reply that probably went past 'witty retort' and well into 'fightin' words.' "But tell our dear friend that I have a few items that may be of use to her, if she'd care to stop by."
"Not a problem." Corso somehow managed to keep an easygoing tone, though his smile was a bit tight. "I'll be sure to let my captain know. We'll be in touch." It took every bit of determination he had just to avoid telling the old man to back off.
But somehow Darmas picked up on it anyway, and the bastard smirked. Even through the holo, it was obvious. "I'm sure you will, my boy," he said to Corso, and dipped his head in farewell. "Take good care of her for me." And with that, the signal cut out.
Bastard. Bastard. Bastard! Rage surged through Corso, bright and brief, only to be replaced with fatigue a moment later. He says all the right things, and I can't put words together like that if my life depends on it. He's light-years smarter'n I am. And he's rich on top of all that. I don't see how I've got the slightest chance. He looked over at Vacy again, who'd already found a new partner, their bodies curled together, hips shifting with the beat.
Then again… I never can tell quite what she'll do at any given moment. He straightened up, his shoulders relaxing, shifting back. So who knows. And anyway, I ought to want her to be happy.
But if she chooses him…