Scene 3 – Complications

Bell'aria, cantina dancer. Passionate, clever, and wildly resourceful, her experiences as a slave have given her a reckless streak in pursuit of her goals, as she has learned that she can survive just about anything.

The Twi'lek dancer stopped by the table again, and pointed to Vacy's half-finished drink, tilting her head in question. "Oh! Right." He glanced back to Vacy, then grinned at the dancer. "Go ahead an' take it. We're good."

Her lips parted in a radiant smile. "I good!" she purred, and taking two lithe steps toward him, she dropped to a crouch at his side, slipping her arms around his waist. "You like?"

Okay, that was unexpected. He blinked, brows lifted in surprise. "I – well – you seem very nice," he said carefully.

She nodded emphatically. "Oh yes. I very nice." And then somehow she lifted and turned and she was sitting in his lap, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Name Bell'aria."

He could feel his heartbeat continuing to speed up. "Ah. That's a beautiful name," he managed. He put his hand to his chest. "Name Corso Riggs."

She leaned close, her cheek next to his, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered. "Corso'riggs. You nice, too."

He gulped, and then turned so that he could see her. She giggled, clutching at him as he moved, and oh, my, her skin was smooth and warm, her curves soft, and her neck smelled so good and… her necklace was blinking? He frowned, and brushed over the tiny light with his thumb. It was carefully tucked in the filigree around her neck – he wouldn't have noticed it at all if he hadn't been so close. "What's this?" he asked, peering at it more closely.

Her smile was instantly strained, and her eyes widened. "Allu se'harelha! Is nothing," she said quickly. "No worry. I nice!" She reached up and gently placed her hand over his. "You customer. I good to customer."

Glancing around quickly, Corso didn't see anyone obviously watching them, but even so, he dropped his voice and draped his other arm around her waist. "Ma'am, are you in some kinda trouble?" he murmured, nuzzling under her chin.

She shivered, tiny bumps lifting on her smooth skin, and he found himself holding her closer without really thinking about it. "No trouble," she whispered back. He looked at her, and her eyes showed the lie in her words. "Please," she repeated. "No trouble."

But when she pressed her mouth to his, he sighed. "I can't," he said, shaking his head as he pulled back. "It ain't right." His gaze flicked once again toward the crowd that writhed in front of the band. He reached over and took her hand in his. "But I'd like to help, if you'll let me."

Her gaze searched his for several silent moments. She bit her lip, then, and nodded. "I find you later," she said, standing.

His hand tightened around hers. "Promise?" he asked.

She nodded, lekku swaying behind her. "Promise. Nels'radeha – thank you, Corso'riggs," she whispered in reply.

And then she was gone.