Chapter 4: Winning Streaks And A Friend
1 Year Later
Having turned fourteen Iz'phal was able to purchase her first weapon. She had been absorbed by all the makes and models of blasters in various suppliers around the planet, but she hadn't been of the age to have a licence. Having picked up a few tricks from her friends in the banking clan she spun the deadly weapon, a TC-2 slim model over in a gloved hand before slipping it back onto the holster at her side. She may be needing it later. Her appearance and dress code had somewhat improved since living with the senator and it made her look as she was well off, had a hope and future. She was dressed in slim black leggings and a tight-fitting cobalt and grey tunic that showed off her graceful physique. Black knee-high boots clacked on the stone of the walkway as she made her way to earn her money for the evening. Her attractive face was done justice with some subtle make-up and her long lekku were combed back from her face with the customary head-band she always wore. Gambling was her hobby however and she was on a roll. Every Friday night she slipped from her Hutt Cartel errands early to play a few hours in the Star Cluster Casino before winding her way back to Khaled's apartment. It was a routine she was becoming accustomed to and she loved the change of scene. Rather than skulking the lower levels of Coruscant running jobs for the greedy Hutts, she would enter the doors of a plush casino, buy herself a drink or two and break a few hearts with the turn of a card. She had discovered her skill at Sabacc when she beat the Senator in five straight rounds and didn't take his advice to pursue her natural talents until now. Combing her lekku behind her back, squaring her shapely shoulders she approached the door, the bouncer thinking nothing of her age when he saw that pretty face all made-up as she produced her fake ID card. He scanned it for a moment before nodding handing it back to her Iz'phal knowing he let pretty girls gamble underage despite it being illegal. Every week she always gave a share of the credits to Khaled, unable to say in words how grateful she was but often he wanted her to keep the money, so she could start her own life. She would think about it but still owed the kind-hearted senator a lot, she owed him her life and he was a close friend.
Grinning as the Sabacc table was almost empty she strode over to the bar, shapely hips drawing a few eyes as was per usual and perched on a high stool, ordering a few drinks for herself to last her the evening. The clientele on Coruscant liked a fair game and played a good hand, none of this pulling cards from the sleeves and bribing that went on in the gaming lounges of Nar Shaddaa. She surveyed the scene for the moment, not just leaping into a game at the first chance she got as she chose her moments. Cheers and hollers met her ears and she didn't even have to turn around to see who had just slumped through the door. The owner of the casino and one of the wealthiest beings on Coruscant, Gadoba the Hutt as he was ushered in on his own platform, bringing with him his own entourage of dancers and mistresses. His body so huge, his presence undeniable everyone just watched him for a moment. The sight of her species being slaves was a common one and she pitied them but thankfully she had escaped from that life while she could. She dreaded to think if she spotted any of her clients, if they would recognise her. The untimely arrival of the Hutt had unsettled her slightly, but she turned her gaze away, downing her drink before starting another. She was about to make her way to the Sabbac table, thinking now was time to play when a male twi'lek of the Ithorian species sat on the stool next to her. Iz'phal thinking she knew him from somewhere else but knew her mind was playing tricks. He was undeniably handsome for the males of his species with dark blue skin, light grey stripes winding down the lekku that were hanging over his shoulders. Light blue eyes lit up his face while his cheeks and perfectly aligned nose and jaw made him appealing to any sane woman and not just of his kind. Iz'phal tried to guess if he was of an important station somewhere as he looked dressed down for the evening in a plain brown tunic, leggings and ankle boots but she was having no luck reading him. Iz'phal had been adapt at reading men a year earlier and now was losing her touch. But he hadn't approached her, hadn't thrown a suggestive remark her way, hadn't tried to invade her space so that was a first. It was refreshing to meet a nice guy who didn't use women like a piece of meat for a change. She wanted to say something, anything to possibly get to know him, see if he was worth speaking to but he spoke up, Iz'phal not sure if he was talking to her but he was looking right at her. He'd spotted her and was immediately tranced for a moment with how beautiful she was and those deep brown eyes. Eyes meant a lot to twi'leks particularly when gaining the attention of another in a conversation, so she met his gaze and smiled. He just addressed her like she was normal being in society and it made her happy to know that he didn't label her as just another pretty girl. Perhaps he was just a genuine gentleman, but she would have to wait and see.
"You been here long?" the male twi'lek enquired as she shook her head, long lekku swishing behind her back.
"Oh, hey there" Iz'phal smiled, just happy she was meeting new people. "I just got here actually. You want a drink?" She asked then realising that was too forward as they'd just met but he nodded, still holding her gaze.
"You're too kind miss…" He began prompting her for her name, but she giggled, a little red tinge showing in her cheeks.
"Aww you're too formal. The miss isn't necessary. It's just Iz'phal, Iz'phal Trua" She beamed as she ordered his drink and within moments it shot across the bar in front of him as he cracked a wide smile, outstretching his hand for her to shake.
"Alexia Ti'llen. It's nice to be meeting you" Iz'phal could tell he meant it as his voice possessed a friendly quality that made her feel safe. After a moment when they had introduced themselves the conversation began to flow. That made her think he was genuine, that he may be the first proper man in the galaxy she could have a meaningful friendship with and that would mean the world, but she would see how they got on initially first. That was why she loved going out on this world. The people were so different, and Khaled was right. She did fit in and pleasant people were around. You just had to try and look around.
"Good to meet ya too!" Iz'phal harped cheerfully as she was taking her time on the second drink "Hope the drink does the job. It's all I could think of!" she laughed, gaging his eye contact as he flashed a warm smile at her.
"It was kind of you to offer. I'll make it last" the twi'lek male thanked her before pausing, racking his brain thinking he knew her from somewhere then dropped the thought.
"So, you got a job?" Iz'phal asked, the male twi'lek nodding wondering if she'd find it interesting or not.
"I guess you can call it a job. I work for the banking clan. Keeping people's money safe has always been right for me I guess" Alexia said, a warm smile coming to his face as Iz'phal's heart fluttered against her chest.
"That's a coincidence! I've just made contacts with the banking clan. Perhaps we'll be seeing more of each other then?" Iz'phal stated but was caught off guard when he spoke about her again.
"Iz'phal's a pretty name you're from the south terrains of Ryloth I'm guessing" he put the question to her as again she laughed, admitting she was slightly taken with him. She had to be honest here. She didn't know much about the customs of her people and Ryloth itself because she left home to work when she was young. Perhaps he could tell her more about them. Her silence worried him as he wanted to ask if she was okay, but she nodded, admitting to herself that recently she had been missing her family and it hurt her to realise she'd been lying to them all this time. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, concern evident on his face as he spied her change of mood, Iz'phal trying to shake it off, not wanting to be sad in front of him. Her past was personal, and she needed to keep this close to her.
"I'm sorry…" Iz'phal sighed pushing her past away, not wanting to be reminded of who she used to be. Propositioning men, the cold nights, the hunger… "It's just I don't know much about Ryloth or where I come from. I left home young you see, and I've never gone back. I guess I'm on my own from now on" She said it like it needed to be said as this was true. The only thing now that was going to stand in the way of her being successful and a being of note in this galaxy was herself. He just gazed at her slightly shocked. She looked so young and she must have a family.
"It's my fault Iz'phal. I shouldn't have talked about it. Perhaps later I can tell you some old Ryloth folklore tales. I've read them all, but they are worth reading. The one where Pul'an and Erexxa run away with each other to defy clan boundaries is the best!" Alexia said proudly, a slip of patronism escaping as she just gazed at him confused before he acknowledged her expression, apologising for going too far. He'd forgotten already how much she didn't know. She didn't know what it meant to be a twi'lek and what a glorious and rich heritage they had. Well by the time he'd finished talking to her she'd be an expert. "Oh, sorry Iz'phal. I can talk about those stories for hours. I can tell you one later if you like" he offered Iz'phal grinning from ear to ear as she stood from her stool, admitting she had been enjoying his company but had been keeping an eye on the Sabacc table and there were now enough players wagering to make a suitable game.
"I'd love that!" Iz'phal said, delight dancing in her expressive eyes, red tinted lips rising into a smile as she made the offer to him to join her. "Hey do you play Sabacc? I was going to test my skills on those novices over there!" Iz'phal laughed at the thought of revealing another pure Sabacc like last time, breaking their hearts and winning all their money. It made her feel good to break guys, particularly the ones who reminded her of her past.
"I used to play Iz'phal, but I have to admit my skills need sharpening. Is it okay if I watch you for a while?" he asked as Iz'phal nodded, eyes sparkling with mirth as taking her drink with her she wondered casually over to the table, Alexia in tow as she addressed the players around the table.
"Room for one more?" Iz'phal spoke to the whole group as she sat down to some wolf whistles from the group, laying down her chips a serious expression now adopted on her face. She just ignored the suggestions and remarks as she flipped her lekku back from her face and stared them all down. "I'm in!" Iz'phal announced her intentions to play as the players all gaged the expression in her eyes, some taken away by her natural charm, others admitting she was a formidable player. There were six players around the table. Three Republic officers, a cathar, a nemodian and another twi'lek but of red skin and large build. She had learnt throughout the last year of mastering the game to play the people around the table and not their hands. It had worked out for her so far. Alexia stood behind her expectantly, wanting to see if this girl could really play. He'd played when he was around the same age as her but hadn't taken an interest like she had.
"This should be fun!" One of the Republic officers sneered aiming the remark at Iz'phal as the card shark in the centre of the table shot out cards to each of the players before bets were laid down. Immediately Alexia couldn't help placing a hand on her shoulder almost as if to reassure her, but the next remark made him stand up for her even more, refusing to see a woman of his species talked to like that.
"Hey! No moral support allowed. Tell your boyfriend to sit this one out!" The other Republic officer jibed, Alexia taken back at the comment as instantly having enough her fuse snapped jumping to her feet, blaster in her hand pointed at the officer's head.
"If you put half your focus into the game rather than me we'd have a larger pot by now! Now back off!" Iz'phal snarled, eyes glittering with menace, lips twisted into a fierce scowl as they all quietened down when they realised the girl was armed. "And he is not my boyfriend!" She shot daggers at the group before looking behind her, wondering if she'd scared him off but he was still there, wanted to support her encase this group of misfits tried to pull something on her.
"She's just a good friend of mine. Now I'm going to play some Kath Roulette!" he announced as he bent down and whispered in her ear "You need anything Iz'phal let me know. They get out of hand come and get me. I won't be hard to find. Good luck" He smiled his hand leaving her shoulder as the group where getting impatient, Iz'phal seating herself again, picking up where they'd left off.
"Well that went well…" The Cathar sighed in basic, another card being thrown his way then folding, Iz'phal gazing at her hand before gaging each of the players in turn looking over the rim of her cards. The Nemodian cursed in his native tongue as he also lost his bet, the red skinned twi'lek next to Iz'phal and the three officers still waging bets. After almost twenty minutes of heavy wagering they all revealed their hands, Iz'phal flipping her cards onto the table to reveal a straight twenty, a high hand known commonly as Idiots Array. The officers just gazed at the resulting hand before glaring at her, Iz'phal scooping the pot from the table lining it up in a big wodge in front of her. One of the officers tried to throw a remark her way to put her off her stride but to his frustration she ignored it. Knowing what he intended, despite being only fourteen she was clever and refused to be put off.
"So beautiful you come here often?" asked the republic officer, getting a nudge in the ribs from his fellow officer to shut up as it was an obvious tactic to put her off, but she used it against him batting her eyes and putting on her full expressive eyes. That was how she lured so many men into her bed and it made him lose his concentration.
"Brinen look what you've done you moron!" His comrade shot daggers his way as his slip up caused Iz'phal to take the winnings for a second time. "You let that pretty girl distract you. Damn son of a Hutt! Next time I'm going all in myself!" He spat crossly as when the evening wore on the twi'lek wished Iz'phal good luck, obviously a civil sportsman and walked away with what credits he had left, the cathar followed soon after before Iz'phal was left with the three officers and the nemodian. As Iz'phal secured win, after win she began to receive bets on her hands, people walking away happy as they won.
"Something's not right here…" One of the officer's growled, watching Iz'phal's every move. "No one gets this good playing fair!"
"Gertha what are you suggesting?" Brinen snapped as the officer called Gertha narrowed his eyes dangerous at Iz'phal seeing her receive another twenty hands on her twentieth straight win.
"That this twi'lek is cheating! We're being robbed!" Gertha hissed in urgency in his comrade's ear as Iz'phal whistled to get their attention, rubbing her hands as she laid her cards down.
"Quit talking!" Iz'phal snapped as she couldn't stand her concentration behind interrupted. "I ain't finished yet!" She revelled that she had these players right where she wanted them as the next thing that happened sent Gertha over the edge, blood boiling in rage. It was all going fine until she came along, and this upstart card shark had ruined it all! "I win! Game Over!" Iz'phal laughed, not in an unsporting gesture, just to make the point but Gertha had heard enough. As the unbeatable hand, A Pure Sabacc met his eyes he leapt at her from over the table, screaming at her, hand bunched into a fist as he pinned her to the floor, Brinen trying to pull his comrade off her before he did something he'd regret.
"I'm sick of losing to you alien filth! It's all a trick! You must've cheated!" Gertha snarled viciously at her as the scuffle in the middle of the room was attracting attention as again Brinen tried to reason with him but Gertha flawed him as well before picking up where he'd left off, grabbing her by the throat, Iz'phal desperately trying to struggle, knowing that she was innocent. She had played a fair game and he was just a bad loser. "Give me my money back!" He barked fiercely as he throttled her, security realising what was happening broke through the crowds of people laughing and having fun around them as beings from all species dashed to get out of the way.
"You lost fair and square! Now get off me goddamnit!" Iz'phal choked through his tight gloved grip as her anger seemed to spur him on even more wanting to hurt her for humiliating him in front of his friends on his home turf.
"You must've cheated! No one is that good! You'll pay for this!" Gertha now only seeing red rage as before security could make a move a blue blur shot from the other side of the casino as he grabbed the officer by the collar and pulled him off her much to his protesting, smashing him in the head knocking him out cold. For a moment Iz'phal was so shocked by the attack she could barely move before the concerned eyes of Alexia hovered above him and she was grateful for him stepping in when he did. She accepted his hand with a strong haul to get her back to her feet, but she was still shaken. Slipping an arm around her shoulder he escorted her away from the place just wanting her to be safe. He normally wouldn't allow himself to be protective of someone he'd just met but she was very young and was vulnerable particularly in a place like this. She was of twi'lek blood and therefore to him protecting her was necessary.
"Thanks Alexia for saving me. You didn't need to do that" Iz'phal's voice was a choked whisper as tears rose to the surface of her eyes, the shock hitting home as he just held her close, Iz'phal bunched up tight against his chest, glad that at least she possibly had a new friend out of this, a person in this galaxy who she could trust.
"Iz'phal girl now that's being stupid. Do you think I'd let him get away with something like that? That piece of scum. I have a right mind to go in there and give him a piece of my mind!" Alexia growled as he realised anger wasn't going to help, particularly in her situation as he continued to hold her once they were outside the building, Iz'phal just glad to be away from there. "Did he hurt you?" he questioned slipping a dark blue hand under her chin and his blood boiled when he saw a winding black and purple bruise on her neck. "Son of a Nikto Mother! I'm going to make him pay right now!" Alexia evinced his anger on anyone to hurt a woman like that as he was about to storm back inside when she grabbed onto his arm holding him back. "Iz'phal let go of me. He won't get away with what he's done to you! I need to do this!" He pleaded with her as she still held on, not wanting anymore violence and not wanting him to get into trouble.
"Alexia snap out of it please! It's over now! He's gone…" She sighed as tears fell over her cheeks "I don't want any more fights! Just stop!" Iz'phal screamed, eyes blotchy and red with tears as he released a shaky breath before abandoning his present course, realising that violence wouldn't solve anything and she needed to be safe.
"I'm sorry Iz'phal. I just can't understand how someone can behave like that. Seriously are you okay?" Alexia asked gripping her shoulders to steady her as she hooked her gaze with his and nodded timidly, placing her hands on his chest.
"I'm fine…" Iz'phal breathed, just grateful he'd been around and that they'd bumped into each other tonight. "But seriously I've taken up enough of your time. You probably need to get home to your girl and it's late. I'll see you around sometime" Iz'phal tried to bid him goodbye but he still held her, smiling down at the beautiful girl he had in his arms.
"Iz'phal that's sweet that you worry about me. I don't have a girl to go home to. It's just me, my brother and sister. Speaking of which do you need a place to stay. We have plenty of room and my sister is a doctor. She can see you better in no time" Alexia offered, hoping she would take the advice and get her wounds seen to but she shook her head, refusing politely.
"You have a family. That must be nice…" Iz'phal sighed, trying to forget about her family as shoving the past away she focused on the positives gripping into his arms. "Anyways I won big!" Iz'phal expressed her glee as she pulled the pouch bulging with credits from her tunic pocket, Alexia's eyes widening admitting he'd never seen that much money won in a night before.
"Pretty impressive Iz'phal. I dare say I'll need to sharpen up my skills" he grinned widely before looking down at her in all seriousness just wanting to be safe. "Iz'phal I'm sorry I worry but please go and see a doctor okay. Let me walk you home" the handsome male twi'lek offered as she shook her head again, almost swooning at his kindness and concern for her as she wanted to stand strong for herself. It was the only way she was going to get tough.
"Alexia please stop worrying about me. I live just down the promenade. I'll be fine. I had a great night minus the incident. It was lovely to be meeting ya" Iz'phal smiled happily, brown eyes large and full of life as he quickly turned away from her and scribbled something on a piece of paper before slipping it into her hand. "Guess this kinda makes us friends right" Iz'phal suggested as he nodded, just wanting to take the time to get to know more about her. A new friend could be just what he needed right now, someone apart from family that he could trust as all his other friends had been working for spice rings and he'd had to disown them all.
"Of course, it does Iz'phal. It was great to meet you too. I dare say we need to meet up again soon" Alexia suggested, hoping he wasn't being too forward as Iz'phal nodded, agreeing immediately just wanting to form a friendship with him.
"That's a must!" Iz'phal grinned as he pecked her on the forehead before letting her go, Iz'phal making her way home after the eventful night, just not wanting Khaled to worry, particularly when he saw the bruises.
"Be sure to call me Iz'phal when you're home and see a doctor for the love of Alderann will you!" Alexia called after her as he drew away from her and waved her goodbye. As she walked home her heart hammering with excitement against her ribs as she opened the piece of paper and it was his holo frequency number. She held the paper close to her chest before pocketing it remember his words to let him know when she was home. He was obviously caring, smart…Very Handsome…Iz'phal thought never meeting a guy like that in her life. Despite the attack and admitting she was sore and a bit bruised as she made her way down the promenade, credits rolling around in her pockets she was overjoyed to have made a new friend. She just wanted to know more about him and couldn't wait for the future and what it held. In a hefty amount of pain, she made her way home, victorious in the game no matter how bruised and held her head high as tomorrow was another day.