Log Date:
	2/2/97
Log Cast:
	Shenner, Shikh, Kuxli, Grathix
Log Intro:
	The young thief Shenner has been spending days now on the streets
of the capital city of Etti IV, waiting for further contact from her
employer, a man she knows only as Grathix. Shenner's been pleased to
acquire a new flute, along with a permit to busk with it in the Memorial
Park -- and what's pleased her more is the acquisition of a Horansi
as an acquaintance, drinking partner, and fellow appreciator of music
and good cider. But although she's managed to find ways to enjoy herself,
Shenner's been keeping her eyes out, too, looking for ways to get
gossip about the general state of the planet; more than once, now,
she's heard references to a Han Solo being held prisoner, and how
this man has caused both the Empire and the New Republic to bring
fleets into Etti space. Not enthused about the notion of being caught
in a planet-wide firefight, Shenner's paid attention to what gossip
she can catch, not only in the Dance Dome, but out in the smaller
establishments about the spaceport as well.
	And she's discovered that one good thing about being a musician
is, if you sing the right songs you can get in good with any crowd....

[NOTE: The verses Shenner sings here are the last two verses of "The Last
of Grand Moff Tarkin's Crew", from the tape _In Space No One Can Hear
You Sing_, by the L.A. Filkharmonics.]
 
----------
Port District - Capital City <ETTI IV>(#1118RLXtFJN)

 Though the buildings in this sprawling area of the city are low permacite 
  structures, the general feeling of the Port District is one of foreboding 
  menace not clearly defined. Despite this, many visitors of many races mingle 
  here, taking in the plethora of shops, bars and nooks dotted densely 
  throughout this place. Nothing seems to be spared style, expense, or gross 
  display of wealth here as the scions of the business world (or criminal 
  world) flaunt the products of their various efforts.
 Several Espo troopers stand out like statues among the sea of people passing 
  through. They watch everything that goes on around them with a tight grip on 
  their blasters, ready for anything.
 The Espo police presence here is normal.
 (OOC: Type '+lhelp' for local help.)

Contents:
Shikh
Obvious exits:
 <E> leads to Residential Avenue - Capital City <ETTI IV>.
 <NE> leads to Business District - Capital City <ETTI IV>.
 <SE> leads to Government District - Capital City <ETTI IV>.
 <FFDD> leads to Free-Flight Dance Dome - Capital City <ETTI IV>.
 <ACE> leads to Authority Currency Exchange - Capital City <ETTI IV>.
 <W> leads to Spaceport Center - Capital City <ETTI IV>.

Shikh strolls out of the Dance Dome, walking confidently yet aimlessly, hands 
  tucked ito his pockets.

Outside the Free-Flight Dance Dome the general cacophony of the city fills 
  the air, noises of vehicles in transit, as well as people, easily 
  discernible. Also pretty easily discernible is music, from somewhere 
  distant, a few stringed instruments of some sort and a tenorish voice 
  uplifted in song.

Shikh slows a bit and scans a wide arc around himself, seeking the source of 
  the music.

There, perhaps; along that side street. Guitars, maybe, and somebody banging 
  on a drum. The tenorish voice, indeterminate of gender, rings out:

	So there I was in my gun pod (how I wish I'd joined the Rebels now!)
	One second I was safe in place, then *BOOM*, and I'm adrift in space 
	  (God damn them all!)
	I was told we'd just show up and the Rebels would fall, they never
	  would fight
	But I'll tell you! I'm a broken wreck after what I been through
	The last o' Grand Moff Tarkin's crew...

Shikh cocks his head and slows to a stop, making out some of the words. A grin 
  passes over his face as he takes a detour for the side street in pursuit of 
  the song.

The source of the music grows closer. A tiny little outside cafe, one which 
  frequently gets overlooked in the rush of sentients who generally throng to 
  the Free-Flight Dance Dome for their entertainment, is currently playing 
  host to a knot of revellers: young ones, from the look of them all. Amongst 
  them are the musicians, two guitar players and a furry little fellow banging 
  on a bodhran; in the center of the cluster, a lean young redhead wielding 
  what looks like a tambourine but throws off sparkles of light when shaken or 
  struck is singing.

	The war for me is over now (how I wish I'd joined the Rebels now!)
	The Rebels locked me safe away -- and the prison ship landed on Hoth
	  today (God damn them all!)
	I was told we'd just show up and the Rebels would fall, they never
	  would fight
	But I'll tell you!

The redhead then dramatically draws out the last few lines, lifting the han 
  that doesn't have the light-tambourine, and several of the crowd sing out in 
  harmony:

	I'm a broken wreck after what I been through....
	The last o' Grand Moff Tarkin's crew!

With that, the redhead bows, to general applause and laughter.

Shikh stops just on the outer edge of the gathered crowd and claps quietly, 
  smiling at the redhead. He squints a bit trying to make out his/her features 
  through the crowd.
Shikh looks at you for a moment.

Shenner grins ear to ear, disengaging from the cluster of celebrants and 
  musicians, and ambles toward's the cafe's open service counter to order up 
  something to drink. The kid turns, grinning at those that yell any approval; 
  now that the singer is out of the middle of the knot, the young human's more 
  visible.

Shikh waits where he is, having stopped his clapping, he slips his hands back 
  into his pockets and waits for the crowds to clear.

Several of the musicians settle down into a general round of jamming, the 
  guitar players trading melody lines, while the furry drummer thuds at its 
  bodhran with forepaws that look rather more substantial than the drum. At 
  the service counter, though, the space is relative clear, and the redheaded 
  singer strides broadly over to an unoccupied table.

Shikh shifts his gaze over to the band for a moment, then to the observers, 
  either leaving or attracted to the band's playing. Seeing no one paying the 
  singer much mind, Shikh crosses to the table and sits uninvited, merely 
  looking across the table at the vocalist, fingers steepled before his lips.

Shenner lifts green eyes to the sudden arrival at the table, but doesn't 
  blink. "Have a seat," the kid drawls lazily. "Take two, they're small."

Shikh nods, "You've got an interesting sound..." he states matter-of-factly.

Shikh
        Before you stands an ordinary man about six feet tall, with no 
  outstanding traits to identify him. His auburn-brown hair is trimmed neatly 
  to a four or five inch length, and is mostly swept back, kept there by 
  constant maintenance, not weighed down with styling additives. Occasionally, 
  it liberates itself somewhat and rebelliously falls forward, only to be 
  raked back over the man's ears with large strong-appearing hands. His eyes 
  belie sensitivity, and shine a warm caramel brown with underlying 
  intelligence. He studies his surroundings with an expression that could only 
  be likened to amusement, or a naive freshness, much as you would note in a 
  child viewing something new for the first time.
        Looking away from his face and noting his attire, you would see a 
  well-fitted pair of blue jeans, with a white, collared, polo-style shirt 
  tucked in at the waist, three buttons serving as fasteners at the throat, 
  though only the bottom two are currently closed. A double holstered belt 
  circles his waist; a pair of sighted blasters with evident modifications 
  snugly kept at hand in easy reach, one at each hip.  A quilted black leather 
  vest completes the conservatively comfortable outfit, accentuating the young 
  man's medium-wide shoulders and triangular torso, the product of faithful 
  attention to his personal fitness.  Like most men his age, or more correctly 
  of his /era/, he wears a pair of black leather boots that rise to a 
  negotiable location somewhere between mid-calf and the knees.

Shikh looks at you for a moment.

Shenner smiles crookedly over the mug, green eyes glinting. "Been workin' on 
  it."

Shikh grins and nods, "How old are you?"

"Of the age of consent," the redhead replies amiably. "How old're _you_?"

Shikh shrugs, "How old am I, or how old do I /feel/?"

Shenner takes down another draught of whatever's in that mug -- some sort of 
  fermented fruit drink, from the smell of it -- and quirks dark eyebrows. 
  "There a difference?"

Shikh nods, a small sigh escaping his lips, "Certainly is... especially when 
  things change faster than you can keep up," he murmurs queitly.

Skitz comes through the District from the direction of the spaceport.
Skitz has arrived.
Skitz moves to the northeast, into the Business District.
Skitz has left.

Eratl has arrived.
Eratl has left.

The redheaded kid, if surprised at this stranger's abrupt talkativeness, gives 
  no sign of it. The lean pale face isn't exactly hostile, but then, it's not 
  yet welcoming, either. Blandly, the young human replies, "We all got our 
  problems, pal..."

Shikh nods, "Yeah, I know..." He studies the person, indecisive for some 
  reason. "22."

The kid's thin mouth quirks in a lopsided smile again. Evidently amused, the 
  response comes: "Younger."

Shikh shakes his head, "No, I mean I'm 22, I wasn't guessing... if you don't 
  want to tell, I won't pry." he states sincerely.

Another draught from the mug, and then the young singer chuckles, huskily. 
  "Know what you meant, pal." The green eyes glint again.

Shikh blinks, silent for a moment or two, "Oh..." he mumbles flatly. "Well, 
  um..." he stammers, even greater indecisiveness showing on his face.

The singer's dark eyebrows stay up, and the green eyes actually widen a 
  little, as if the kid is taken aback at this stammering. "Yeeeess?" the 
  tenorish voice drawls patiently.

Shikh frowns, "Not sure... don't know what to say to you, that's all..." He 
  raises his arm over his head and ruffles his hair, an embarassedlook on his 
  face.

Shenner laughs, again huskily, a bit more kindly. "Well, you started with, 
  'You have an interesting sound,'" the singer reminds you. "Take it from 
  there however yah want."

Shikh tries to smile, but his embarassment peeks through, "You /do/ have an 
  interesting sound... kind of ambiguous, that's all..." he blushes.
Shikh looks at you for a moment.

Shenner chuckles lowly. "Meaning....?"

Shikh shrugs and shakes off the question. "Nothing, nevermind..." He sighs, 
  "Sorry to bother you..." and starts to get up.

Shenner gives another chuckle. "Ain't bothered, pal, don't worry about it. 
  Glad I interested you."

Shikh looks back and nods, "Sure, no porblem..." he murmurs.

The singer peers at you, then waves the mug off towards the cafe's service 
  counter. "Get yourself somethin' to drink, pal, if you got sorrows that want 
  drowning."

Shikh shrugs, "Loneliness can't be be drowned in a mug of ale... even after 
  you've drunk, you're still alone." With that, he slowly turns and begins to 
  walk away.

The youngster blinks, pale brow furrowing under the red hair, then smiles 
  thinly. "Well, hells, ain't goin' nowhere if you need a drinkin' partner."

Shikh sighs, sagging visibly wit weariness, "I don't need a drinking partenr,I 
  need a friend." His eyes are dull and dark, shadowed with discomfiture.

The kid blinks, shifts a bit -- perhaps uncomfortably -- and then glances down 
  into the mug while drinking again. "Join the club, pal," the singer mutters.

Shikh cocks his head, then drops back into the seat. "Who are you?"

Shenner smiles narrowly. "Shenner."

Shikh nods, "Shikh." He questions, "You from around here?"

The kid casually slumps back in the other chair, and shakes that short-cropped 
  head. "Nope," comes the laconic reply. "Just passin' through."

Shikh nods, "Not me... well, maybe not... I'm trying to get a job here, just 
  moved on planet."

"That a fact," says Shenner, somewhere between a question and a statement. 
  "Whaddya do?"

Shikh shrugs, "I dunno, not really a professional, I feel out of place 
  here..." he explains. "I guess I'm a bodyguard is the closest definition, 
  but of who is the question... that I don't know yet, but need to find out 
  soon before I'm broke."

"Can't say's I know anybody needing a bodyguard," remarks Shenner. Then the 
  kid chuckles. "Can say's I know what broke's like, though."

Shikh offers a sympathetic grin, "Of the age of consent..." he chuckles, 
  "Still haven't gotten a straight asnwer on that..."

Shenner's lean mouth curls up on one end. "It means I'm old enough."

Kuxli comes out of the Free-Flight Dance Dome.
Kuxli has arrived.

Shenner and Shikh can be spotted down a side street, at an open-air cafe, 
  parked at one of the tables in front of the place's service counter. Music 
  from a cluster of young beings not far away obscures conversation, but 
  nevertheless draws the ear down to that cafe.

Shikh rests an elbow on the table and lean forward, supporting his weight with 
  his hand near his temple. "For what?" he asks curiously.

"For planet-hoppin' and singin'," the redheaded kid rejoins, the lopsided 
  grin-smirk widening a bit.

Kuxli pads out from the dance dome, his furry ears laying back at the noises 
  of the street as he glances about, his head tilting back to sniff the air... 
  ears turning slightly down the street in the direction of the cafe.

Shikh smiles and nods, "You invent your own lyrics?"

Two guitars and a bodhran lay down a melody of different nature than the 
  raucous music favored by the band that plays the Dome, but which is 
  nevertheless charged with its own enthusiasm. As the musicians play, the kid 
  called Shenner glances their way, then back at the other at the table. 
  "Sometimes. Take songs where I hear 'em, sometimes, too."

Shikh chuckles, "Why do you do it?" his eyes agleam with attentive enthusiasm.

Kuxli heads towards the direction of the cafe, the music drawing his 
  attention, his furred paws silencing his steps against the street.

At that, Shenner's eyebrows go up again, but the kid flashes teeth in an 
  amused smile. "I like music."

Shikh nods almost bitterly, "I do what I do out of guilt...count yourself 
  lucky..." he trails off
Shikh looks startled, "Uh... I mean..." he scowls and stammers, "Sorry, I 
  didn't mean to say so much."

Shenner chuckles gruffly. "Interesting definition o' luck you got there, pal," 
  the youngster says, as the musicians improvise their way into a different 
  melody, and one of the guitar players, an Elonim, starts singing something 
  maudlin-sounding.

Shikh snuffs, "I suppose... finding happiness seems to be lucky to me, that's 
  all."

Shenner smiles widely, but oddly mirthlessly. "Can't say's I found it, yet. 
  What's it look like?"

Shikh shakes his head, "Don't even consider asking me... I definitely haven't 
  discoverd it." he laments

"Well," drawls Shenner, "if I see any, I'll letcha know." The tone remains 
  cocky, but perhaps something in the green eyes has relaxed.

Shikh nods, eyes lowered to the tabletop. "I've gotta figure things out..." he 
  murmurs, nodding slowl to himself.

The singer's lean young face remains pleasantly bland. "Can't be too hard to 
  figure out how to get a bodyguarding job."

Shikh shakes his head absently, "No, not the job..." he trails off.

"Sweetheart troubles?" asks the kid. "Lost one, want one, one yah got got you 
  down or somethin'?"

After a moment, Shikh sighs, "Want one... and I'm down..." he adds.

Kuxli approaches the cafe, his attention mainly on the musicians playing, but 
  he picks up the surrounding 'chat'.. he gaze darts about the tables quickly, 
  a toothy grin forming on his furry face as he spots the two at a table, he 
  waves a hand as he calls out, "Hey you two!" already making his way towards 
  the table.

Shenner lifts the cider glass, gestures at Shikh with it, and begins, "Well, 
  I'll tell yah..." then cuts off, at the hail from Kuxli. Green eyes lift, 
  and the kid yells, "Kux! Pal!"

Kuxli's grin widens, ears laying back some.. he stops in front of the table, 
  "Mind if I take a seat?" he asks.

Shikh smiles up at Kuxli, "Nat all, my friend..."

Shenner waves the cider glass at the chair, and huhs. "You two know each 
  other?"

Kuxli nods quickly, pulling out and seat and hopping into it.. he looks over 
  again at Shenner, "Er, uh.. yeah."

Shikh nods, "We just met in the Dance dome earlier tonight... He introduced me 
  to local entertainment, though I never got a name from him..."

The redheaded singer gives a low chuckle. "Small city, ain't it?"

Kuxli grins sheepishly, itching behind one ear, "Er, sorry.. name's Kuxli."

Shikh nods, "No problem... I'm Shikh, don't recall if I told you or not."
Shikh looks back to the kid, "Shenner here was about to enlighten me on the 
  topic of sweethearts, no?"

Kuxli nods once more, ears laid back embarressedly, "Er yeah..." his ears 
  perking back up as Shikh speaks again, glancing at Shenner.

Shenner gives another quirk of a grin, and sits up, as though about to burst 
  into song again, but instead, the kid says grandly, "As I was saying, I'll 
  tell yah. Me, I think they're a waste of time myself, but if you wanna put 
  out the effort, make sure you don't go puttin' your hands where a girl don't 
  want 'em. Only makes 'em mad."

Kuxli tilts his head back, then side glances at Shikh before back to Shenner, 
  "Heh, you given him datin lessons or somethin?"

Shikh slumps a bit, disappointed in the content of Shenner's monologue, "Oh, I 
  see.... I would never..." he trails off again, looking over toward the band 
  and staring into space.

Shenner smiles lopsidedly, a trifle darkly. "I'm just a street rat, Shikh pal, 
  but that's what I know."

Kuxli leans back in his seat, head tilting back some, but remaining silent.

Shenner adds to Shikh, raising that tenorish voice a bit to be heard over the 
  ongoing raucous din from the musicians in front of the cafe, "Not like I got 
  much experience in the matter, though. Just a little over the age of 
  consent." The kid's dark eyebrows waggle.

Shikh looks back, staring Shenner in the eye, "Your station in life, 
  especially one /you've/ chosen, doesn't make your advice any less 
  helpful..." he mumbles, then looks away again, toward the maindrag of the 
  Port district and beyond it toward the Residential District.

Shenner doesn't bat an eyelash, and the kid smirks. "Oh, well, hells, if I'd 
  hadda choice in the matter, I'da been _born_ a noble, or a Jedi knight, or 
  somethin'. Nah, I was _born_ a street rat." The green eyes glitter.

Kuxli itches lightly behind an ear, then sniffs the air testingly, "Well.. 
  from my expierance best way to go is to just be yourself.. try to be anythin 
  else, well just ain't worth it in my opion.

Shenner salutes Kuxli, lifting the cider mug again. "Hear hear. Thus, I shall 
  be a singing street rat." A green wink, under the right eyebrow.

Kuxli returns the salute with a slow nod and toothy grin, "Have to let me in 
  to one of your shows once ya become a star or somethin."

Shikh gives Kuxli a sidelong grin, then turns back to Shenner. He shrugs, "So 
  was I, and look at me..." he trails off, a frown coating his face and 
  smudging his attractive features much as a smog would blot out a cityscape. 
  He scratches the nape of his neck distractedly.

Shenner bursts out laughing, and says to Kuxli, "A star? Yeah, right. A 
  galaxy's worth of difference between putting a tune together right-side 
  forward, and getting people to pay to listen to you." The green gaze flicks 
  back to Shikh. "'Kay, I'm a singing street rat, and you're a depressed one?"

Kuxli growl-giggles, glancing over at Shikh, frowning some.. "Ain't no fun 
  bein depressed all day.. what's got ya so down man?"

Shikh shrugs, "I really don't know, Kuxli... I planned a small get together 
  for my new neighbors, sent out invitations to everyone on the street, but no 
  one came." He frowns, "...except for one person...so beautiful, but she 
  seemed very cold." He shrugs, a confused look on his face, "She must care, or 
  she wouldn't have come, but why is she so frigid?" he asks with utter 
  disillusionment in his own abilities.

Shenner falls silent, nursing the cider, glancing between the man and the 
  Horansi.

Kuxli's ears lay back.. and he thinks for a few moments.. then he gesutres to 
  residental ave. "You live there right?"

Shikh makes a helpless gesture and shakes his head, "I just don't know 
  anymore..." he murmurs.

Shikh nods, "Yes."

Kuxli thinks for a bit longer, eventually his ears perk back up, "Hrrm.. uh, 
  whats her name?" he asks.

Shikh's brows knit together, "Um... er... Drake, I think it was."

Kuxli eyes widen some, but his grin reforms, "Knew it.. sounds like 'er.." 
  shaking his head slowly.

Shenner's eyebrows go up a bit, but the kid keeps nursing the cider, listening 
  as if in rapt fascination.

Shikh cocks his head, "You know her?" His eyes light with the possibility of 
  hope.

Kuxli studies Shikh for a few moments, side glancing at Shenner, "Yup.. used 
  to be friends with her to.. but well, she just wasn't the same after what 
  happened on GDI, her gettin kidnapped by some ex-imperial freak.."

Shenner lowers the cider mug, then says easily, "You want me to butt out, just 
  say so, if you boys need to share shoulders to lean on or something..."

Grathix comes through the District from the direction of the spaceport.
Grathix has arrived.

Shikh eyes widen, "Really?" he asks with exasperation. "How long ago was 
  this?" He glances at Shenner, waving his hand, "No, no... don't go."

Shenner smiles, without showing teeth, and inclines that dark red head 
  cordially. "I'm all yours, then. Me and my cider." The kid leans back 
  casually in the chair again.

Kuxli shakes his head at Shenner, "Nah stay.. we were just friends.." then 
  glances over at Shikh, "Uh, I dunno.. few monthes ago.."

Grathix walks into the area. By the pace of his walk, he is obviously in a 
  hurry.

The musicians in front of the cafe are belting out something bawdy-sounding 
  involving a freighter captain, and five partners, each of a different sex, 
  doing interesting acrobatics -- and not in the captain's ship. Shenner 
  snickercoughs at one particularly vivid lyric, gasps for breath, then turns 
  back to regard the others at the table, still grinning.

Grathix glances about the area, noting the people about.
Grathix pace lessens as he makes his way through the people. His eyes intently 
  looking at everyone that he passes.

At a side table in front of the outdoor cafe, a young man, a young Horansi, 
  and a lean red-headed kid can be seen in conversation -- or at least the man 
  and the Horansi are talking, while the kid leans back and listens.

Kuxli frowns some, glancing up at the passing crowd before looking between the 
  two, finnaly his gaze settling on Shikh, "You'll have a hard time tryin to 
  win her over.."

Shikh frowns and nods, "It seems that way..." He yawns, raising a backhand to 
  his mouth to stifle it.

Grathix catches a brief glimpse from within the crowd of passers by around the 
  cafe. A flash of red hair catches his eyes, as he stops and tries to get a 
  better glimpse of the owner.

Shikh sighs and looks at his chrono, "I should really get going... have to go 
  job-hunting in the morning."

Shenner smiles crookedly. "Luck, pal. With the job and the girl."

Kuxli nods slowly, "See ya later Shikh." offering a slight grin.

Grathix adeptly steps around people, making his way towards the cafe.

Shikh smiles, his genuine feelings of friendship overshadowed by romantic 
  hopelessness. "Thanks for everything, you two... I'll see you around, I'm 
  sure."

Shenner does flash teeth in a grin, then. "I'll dig up a song for you. I busk 
  in the park, these days."

Kuxli nods again, his grin widening, "Yeah.." he says, ears perking back up.

Shikh nods collectively to Shenner and Kuxli, "G'night, then." He turns and 
  wearily trods off up the Residential avenue
Shikh moves east onto a wide avenue.
Shikh has left.

Shenner glances after Shikh, perhaps indifferently, then slugs down the rest 
  of the cider. "Huh," is all the kid says.

Grathix finally makes his way to the cafe. He stands just a few feet away from 
  the cafe. He grins as he recognizes the rehaired individual.

Kuxli watches Shikh head off, pausing before looking back over at Shenner, 
  "He's gonna have one hard time.."

Grathix walks toward the redhaired individual. He stops just in front of 'him' 
  and says, "Excuse me, are you the one who got on stage the other night at 
  the Free Flight and played the crowd into a frenzy?"

Kuxli's head turns quickly in Grathix's direction as he speaks, squinting some 
  as he studies his face, as if trying to remember something.. he frowns some, 
  then side glances at Shenner.

Shenner, to Kuxli, remarks simply, "Huh. Ain't got much experience in that 
  little regard, m'self." The green gaze idly flicks along the street -- and 
  one dark brow quirks at the big fellow who comes to the table. One blink, 
  then two, and both brows go up. Shenner actually looks startled, before the 
  young human answers genially, "Well, unless you know of any other street 
  rats the band throws guitars to, that was probably me, yeah, pal."

Grathix grins, "Nope, don't know any. You'd be the first."

"That a fact," replies Shenner. "Somethin' I can help you with?"

Grathix says, "At any rate, I heard you playing. You have alot of potential. 
  can become quite a star if your managed right."

Kuxli remains silent, looking between Grathix and Shenner as the two speak, 
  ears perked up and whiskers twitching curiously.

Grathix looks squaely at Shenner and says, "I know a few people who would be 
  interested in managing an up and coming star like yourself."

Shenner gives two more blinks, then says ever so guilelessly, "And who'd you 
  be, pal, a phonodisc producer?"

Grathix grins, "Nope, definitely not that. But I'd like to help you out. 
  Unfortunately, I'm on my way back home. Have so business to take care of 
  there."

Kuxli listens quietly, his ears laying back some, looking over at Shenner, a 
  grin on his face as he mouthes 'Told ya' to her.

Grathix's words make Shenner blink again, though, and stare hard at him for a 
  long moment. "That a fact." Something in the kid's voice goes more neutral, 
  and the green gaze turns slightly edged, ever so slightly wary. "And here 
  they told me Etti IV was a world devoted to business. Nothin' you can do 
  here?" There's a barely detectable emphasis on that last word.

Grathix sighs, "I wish I could. In fact, wouldn't leave this place now, 
  especially now, if it wren't important."

Kuxli leans back into his chair some, glancing up at Grathix with a frown 
  before turning his gaze to Shenner, remaining silent however.

Shenner stretches one arm lazily, then remarks, tone still casual but gaze 
  still edged, "Well. How long a trip are we talkin', pal? Maybe I might get 
  other offers, you know? Even a singin' street rat has to eat."

Grathix smiles, "not long, just going and coming. "
Grathix asks, "What would it take to ensure you don't contract yourself out to 
  anyone else?"

"'Not long' could be pretty long, dependin' on what corner of the galaxy 
  you're goin' to," says the young singer, but at the further question, the 
  kid's gaze narrows, as if in sharper consideration. "What're you willing to 
  offer?"

Grathix smiles, obviously comfortable now, as if in familiar territory. He 
  says, "Whatever you want."

A broad crooked grin slides across the redheaded kid's face, but the green 
  eyes remain veiled. "I dunno, I _want_ a lot of things, but I'll settle for 
  some assurance you and your friends'll actually be back. Suppose you pay my 
  bill at the transients' hostel for another week."

Grathix nods, "Sure. That'll be fine. And what of your expenses? How much do 
  you think you'll need, just to have that angle covered."

Kuxli's grins toothly at Shenner's offer, his whiskers twitching slightly as 
  he glances up at Grathix.

Shenner languorously drawls, "Well, let's see... three square meals a day, 
  rental time for the lesson holos at the library... oh, and let's not forget 
  the renewal fee for my public busking permit..." The kid names a sum, 
  deliberately overhigh.

Grathix nods, "You sure that'll be enough?"

Kuxli growl-giggles at Grathix's response, his grin wide enough to show near 
  off his fangs, ears perked up and catching every word.

Shenner replies without missing a beat, "Well, if you really wanted to make my 
  day, you could always buy me a guitar."

Grathix smiles, "I'll have on delivered to your room."

Shenner's eyebrows climb. "Well, pal, I'm yours for another week, then." The 
  kid's gaze remains acutely searching, though, perhaps weighing the value of 
  the promise. "Hope your business is... profitable."

Grathix pops open his briefcase, takes out a small pouch and hands it to 
  Shenner. "I think that'll be more than enough."

Kuxli's gaze shifts to the pouch, studying it briefly before looking over to 
  Shenner, his grin still on his furry face.

Shenner leans forward to take the pouch, setting aside the mug previously held 
  in those slim hands. Fingers investigate the pouch and its contents, then 
  the kid looks up, as the offering is ferreted off into a vest pocket. "It'll 
  do," the kid says airily.

Grathix says, "I'll be back shortly. As for your lodging, it should be taken 
  care of within ten minutes."
Grathix bows, "well, now that we have that settled, I'd best be off. I'll see 
  you within a week."

Shenner drawls, "You're too kind," even as, furtively, the kid's hand rests 
  momentarily against the pocketed pouch, as if to confirm its presence. 
  "Clear skies."

Grathix eyes the red headed artist one last time and says, "I will be back for 
  you."
Grathix glances at the Horansi only brifly before departing back towards the 
  spaceport.

Shenner reaffirms cheerily, "Yours for another week, pal. I'll be here. 'Ta."

Grathix heads toward the spaceport.

Kuxli's shifts his gaze to Grathix, letting it follow after him as he heads 
  away.

Grathix moves through the District into the Spaceport to the west.
Grathix has left.

Shenner, once Grathix is gone, stares hard after him, not budging a muscle.

Kuxli looks back over at Shenner, his grin fading as he see's her expression, 
  ears laying back.. "Something wrong Shenner?"

Shenner murmurs, "I dunno, Kux...." Then, suddenly, the kid shivers a little, 
  as if rousing from a daydream, and looks at you, cocky familiar grin 
  returning. "Don't mind me, pal, guess I don't trust anything that looks like 
  luck when I see it."

Kuxli heh's, a weak grin forming on his face.. "Yeah, I know whatcha mean..." 
  sighing softly as he rakes his claws through the fur atop his head.

Shenner suddenly chuckles. "Well, he ain't Corellian, so maybe I won't get 
  shafted this time. Huh. Guess if I'm stuck someplace, this is a damned sight 
  better planet to get stuck on than Tatooine...!"

Kuxli roar-chuckles, gesturing expasivly, "Yup, ain't a bad place to get 
  stuck.. plenty of jobs if ya ever need one." a toothy grin now on his face.

Shenner smugly grins, not patting the pouch now, but sliding a glance down at 
  it all the same. "Well, at least I don't have to job-hunt for another week. 
  Hot karkin' damn."

Kuxli nods slowly, "Yup.. how ya going to spend the week?" he asks, tilting 
  his head back.

Shenner replies archly, "I'm open to suggestions." The human's green eyes 
  twinkle.

Kuxli quickly replies, a wicked grin on his feline face, "Well, start it off 
  with a round of cider?" he suggests eagerly.

"A cat after my own heart!" Shenner chortles. The human then hops up to 
  maneuver a path past one of the musicians who'd been trundling back to the 
  others, laden with a round of drinks in both its huge furry paws, and upon 
  reaching the cafe's open-air service counter, orders up a pitcher of cider 
  and an extra glass for the Horansi. Thus laden, the kid comes back, grinning 
  wickedly.

Kuxli roar-laughs as see's the large amount of cider, "I owe ya for this!" he 
  exclaims, already reaching out for his glass with a wide toothy grin.

Shenner plunks down, self and drinks, and fires back merrily, "What're _you_ 
  offering?"

Kuxli grabs his glass, taking a long drink from it before replying in an 
  equally loud manner, "Offer?" he asks, growl-giggling, "I certainly can't 
  compare to what that guy gave ya."

Shenner snorts, grins a bit, and pours up a copious quantity of the cider. "He 
  gave me credits, that's something; I'll believe the rest when I get back to 
  my room, find my bill paid up, and a guitar on my bunk."

Kuxli pauses a moment, then shrugs his shoulders, still grinning, "I dont 
  think he'd give ya credits, then promise you something else and not give it."

Shenner inhales cider, then smiles thinly. "We'll hafta see, my furry pal. 
  Last guy I took a promise from left me stranded in Mos Eisley; I'm just a 
  touch paranoid, you understand."

Kuxli nods once more as he drinks from his cider, setting it down on the table 
  before speaking, "Yeah.. " then his grin returns, "Told ya you'd make it." 
  adding in a quick wink.

"Huh. Ain't made it, _yet_. 'Less you wanna count makin' free room and board." 
  Shenner still sounds cynical, but the green gaze _does_ turn less harsh, 
  almost introspective.

Kuxli looks a bit taken back as he shrugs his shoulder, "Well.. I dunno, that 
  guy liked your singing..."

For some reason, the thought doesn't seem to please Shenner as much as one 
  might expect. "Get a man drunk enough, he'll say he likes the bleating of 
  pregnant Banthas. I don't sound any better than any of those guys that sing 
  at the Dome, and I damn sure can't play the guitar as well." The kid smirks. 
  "Only things I know about guitar so far're what I been lookin' up in rented 
  holos, Kux."

Kuxli oh's.. frowning now as he slumps into his seat, "He musta liked somethin 
  about it to give ya those credits.."

Perhaps Shenner senses that the Horansi is trying to offer comfort; the young 
  human's face softens a bit, and Shen leans round to playfully bop a furry 
  shoulder. "Eh, well. Impressing one somebody with money's a good break, 
  yeah, and I shouldn't be sneering at it."

Shenner adds, confidingly, "Tell yah what scares me -- trying to impress a 
  whole heckuva lot of somebodies. Damned near fainted when the band called me 
  up." _This_ little admission is delivered in a low whisper, pitched to carry 
  no farther than the table.

The horansi's mood lightens, the grin usually on his furred face returning as 
  he leans forward, replying in an equally quiet tone, "Heck, i wouldn't know 
  what to do if I got put up on a stage.." sipping from his cider again.

Kuxli sets his cider back down, tilting his head forward as he says, "That 
  reminds me, think I'll need to find a job or somethin soon.. haven't seen 
  the guy who's ship im stayin on around lately.. runnin low on the credits he 
  gave me."

"Fake it," says Shenner cheerfully in regards to what one does on a stage; 
  then, as you continue, the human quirks a brow. "Send a message?"

Kuxli hrrm's, then nods slowly, "Yeah, just hope somethin didn't happen to 
  him.. really suck with no ride off the planet."

Shenner crinkles that pale brow under the dark red hair, then murmurs dryly, 
  "More 'n' a few interesting ways things could happen to people around here, 
  yeah."

Kuxli lets out a growl/sigh, "Yeah... " lifting his glass to take a long drink 
  from the cider, "Ah well.. he's pretty resourcful, doubt he'd get in trouble 
  he couldn't handle.."

"Good friend, huh?" asks the human, quietly.

Kuxli tilts his head to the side, shrugging, "Just me only way off this planet 
  if I need to get out in a hurry.. ya know."

Shenner drinks, and then replies in a low murmur, under the general chatter 
  that still circulates through the night air around the cafe, "Can't say's I 
  blame yah. If it's possible to get off this planet fast, better keep your 
  options open."

Kuxli itches behind one of his ears, "Yeah.. " he says in a soft tone, "Hope 
  those fleets in orbit leave soon.. just askin for trouble.."

Shenner glances skyward, almost casually. Almost. "Heard somethin' about that, 
  yeah. The Imps _and_ the NR up there."

Kuxli lets out a growl-sigh, running a single claw over the fur atop his head, 
  "Tell me about it.."

Shenner nudges your glass encouragingly, while sucking down another pull from 
  her own, and shakes that dark red head wonderingly. "Somethin' musta torked 
  off the NR good if they came here."

Kuxli smiles faintly and picks up his glass, sipping from it lightly, "Yeah.. 
  haven't ya heard? The CSA is holding Han Solo, and they want him back.."

Shenner shrugs one lean shoulder. "I've heard gossip," the human says, with an 
  expression suggesting something more, but what is not elaborated upon. "This 
  Solo must be mighty important if a whole battle fleet's here to spring 'im."

Kuxli takes a drink from his cider, ears laying back some before he replies, 
  "Must be.. it'd be nice to have a whole fleet come to my rescue if I ever 
  got arressted."

Shenner chortles. "Such is the lot of Rebel heroes, pal, and not for street 
  rats. Or street cats!"

Kuxli roar-chuckles, nodding his agreement with a wide grin.

Shenner looks left, then looks right, and then leans over to murmur 
  devilishly, "But if it torks off the Imps, hope the NR _does_ spring 'im."

Kuxli growl-giggles, quieter this time then says in quiet, michaevous tone, "I 
  hear ya.."

----------
Log Addendum:

	Shenner remained with Kuxli a while longer that night, sharing cider
and small talk, and finding an odd kind of pleasure in the Horansi's
company. It felt different, and _good_, to have somebody to chat with,
to be able to be in someone's company without having to worry -- at least
not too hard -- about whether the credits in your pocket were safe.
Eventually, though, as the night staggered into its wee-est hours, the
young musician and the felinoid parted company again. Her ever-so-slightly
cider-tinged mood, previously buoyed by the alcohol, began to creep
into worried contemplation as she returned to the transients' hostel.
	Grathix was leaving the planet, and that set off alarms in her
head. Even after checking up on the status of her bill -- and finding a
guitar waiting for her, propped in her bunk -- Shenner found this a
disturbing development.
	She'd give him a few days, to see if he actually did come back --
but she'd learned from That Damned Corellian not to rely on such
promises, even when tendered along with monetary gifts. She'd not spend
much of the credits Grathix gave her, either... just in case she'd
just been stranded again.

[End log.]