Where the Money Is

Having grown up on Socorro, Adan never really had to look far to find work since he had started as a bounty hunter during his teen years. It didn't mean he didn't like to expand his horizons though and in the recent past he had built quite a network on several planets, whether private sponsors or more organized groups. He liked doing his own thing and he was damn good at what he did, whether hunting a target or any of his side jobs as security for medical convoys or orphanages. Some people found it stupid he took on the latter but he didn't care. He hated bullies and while he could tear people apart when he had reasons to, he also grew learning the value of good individuals and looking after the less fortunate. And if some had a problem with his choice, tough luck for them. He didn't care. He wasn't worried about finding new jobs.

It was why he had decided to visit Cloud City. There was word it was a busy node for the underworld and contracts of all sorts. For sure, he had to check the place out. After finishing his last job in the Eastern Outer Rim, he had headed for Bespin and was giving himself about a week to explore the place.

While the upper levels sounded appealing, he didn't belong in this playground, so mid to lower levels were where he would spend his time.

Having gained several new contacts since being here now over a week, the pirate and slaver nursed a drink as he sat at the edge of a concert being held in a central market area, now cleared for the crowd. Music being one of his passions, the group wasn't bad at all and though he wasn't sure if they were locals or not, they definitely drew a large gathering. Singing, the young woman's long, black hair swung about her shoulders as she danced, getting into the beat. Someone that he wouldn't mind spending a few sleepless hours with, he mused.

"Found that kid you were looking for," Korbin stated, seated to his left. "He said some white haired bitch strolled into their base and nearly wiped them out."

A comment gaining the yacht owner's full attention. "How?"

Shrugging, the lieutenant took a sip of his own drink, "Nothing spectacular beyond amazing fighting abilities, from what he told me."

"Hmm," Syravari nodded, musing now on a new player in the lower levels of Cloud City. With his crew either tending to their own personal business, or making friends here, the pirates enjoyed the concert with him as his growing clout had allowed them a section by themselves. Noticing several looks from others reputed to be gang leaders here, he mentally tagged their faces for future business, or unexpected and forced retirement. Taking another sip of his drink, blue eyes returned to the distraction up on stage.

While some people would rather say that it was cantinas, bars and clubs that could reveal the underworld of a place, Adan favored market places first. There was always much to be found about locals and visitors in such areas. Maybe it was because of where he had grown up, he wasn't sure, but over the years he had gleaned much information and some leading to new contacts and gigs, by spending time in market places. Of course it wasn't uncommon for a region or even a city to have several of those, but one had to start somewhere.

After checking in at a decent hotel, blending in with so many visitors, he headed towards the direction of the nearby central market. What caught his attention first was the sound of music coming to him even when he was a couple of streets away. That wasn't expected, an outdoor concert. It was nice though, since the band playing wasn't atrocious. He grinned as he thought it might be different from what he had had in mind but the crowd that was gathering might bring in some intel. Casually passing by a few booths, he paid for an ale at one of them, and for the moment, leaned against a wall, so he had a good view over the area.

If he took a five minute break for some music, that wouldn't kill him.

As the song ended, Syravari rose and moved down the lane of feet to the edge, then walked between the seating and to the bar and knew the one running this little setup was making a fortune. Perhaps another avenue, he mused as the tall, well dressed pirate remained quietly judging those around him. Mostly underlings or girlfriends getting something for their charges, he knew being here wasn't an acceptable action for an up and coming crimelord on Cloud City. But, he also knew gaining the trust of those that worked for his rivals may one day get them to work for him instead. Leaving a businessman without a crew was one good way to get them to leave, or disappear another way. Pondering the form of dress on the trio of females before him, one of them a shapely Twi'lek, he admired the view until his peripheral caught someone eyeing the line. Given his bearing and dress, Syravari would guess a mercenary if not a cop. Finally nearing the bar, he set his glass upon the counter, "Fel'dang," he said, letting the dark haired bartender mix it for him.

Turning to the dark haired, serious looking human to his right. "Where from?"

The band wasn't bad and the singer a sight for sore eyes. Adan was appreciating the break. He hadn't had much down time in a while, though it was partially his fault because he liked to keep busy. So, if he took it easy for a bit, that didn't hurt. And one never knew who he might run into during this little event either.

The young man noticed the older patron coming to get a drink. He had moved closer to the counter when he had seen a space open, so he had an even better view and could eavesdrop some more. That was the street kid in him always ready to gather unexpected information. He had never been good at stealing but was good at combat, tracking, hunting, killing. To each their own forte, he thought.

He smirked when asked where he was from. "Does the Socorro fashion look so avant-garde around here?" He jested, though he had answered the question.

Grinning, the tall older man's deep voice still caught attention even when he wasn't intending it to. "Not sure, never been there," he replied, glancing to the cute bartender now glancing to the dark haired man from behind. "But you seem to be getting enough attention, so I wouldn't worry about it too much." He returned his attention to the stranger, "You helping her keep an eye on things?"

The older man's deep voice was the kind to command attention wherever, Adan thought. He reminded him of one of the late criminals he used to know back on his home world. "Another good hub for business," he casually replied about Socorro.

He glanced over his shoulder, winking to the bartender. "We're working something out indeed," he said with a grin, causing slight color to rise to the woman's cheeks, before Adan returned his attention to the man.

"Been a while since I saw an outdoor performance like this concert."

Grinning at the pickup line, he leaned in as the bartender handed him his drink, then moved on to her next customer as Syravari stepped aside, keeping near Adan. "May have to get to Socorro at some point, but working on a deal here to open up a new casino and brothel," he glanced back to the stage as the band played a strictly musical piece, allowing their lead singer to sit on the keyboard instead. "It's been a while for me," he took a sip of his drink and turned to the suave mercenary, or whatever he was. "If you're looking for work, could use some help setting things up and clearing out any squatters in the warehouse that I'm working on buying."

Taking another sip, he judged the man's demeanor and body language as he spoke, sizing him up.

"Dropping unfinished business to jump to another project wouldn't be wise indeed," Adan mused. He had seen some criminal lords back on Socorro do that and most of them had ended their career early, if not worse than just their professional endeavours. Some were established enough to have people affiliated with them handling several projects at once on their behalf, but if you worked mostly by yourself, having a finger in too many pies when you didn't make sure the first finger wasn't going to get bitten off, often resulted in unwarranted hassle.

"Clearing out squatters? I can do that." Of course, he could do way more than just that given his background, but he stuck to the discussion at hand, seeing no reason to boast yet.

Nodding in agreement, Syravari didn't want to play his whole hand yet as he still hadn't divulged his own profession either. "How much you usually charge for scaring off low-lifes?" Taking another sip, the band finished their musical piece and started another song, the lead singer's silky voice kicking in again and perked the slaver's ears noticeably and now he wanted to get back to the show, but Adan could potentially be a good asset to have while he was establishing himself. It seemed they both had that in common at least.

Adan gave quick thought at the question that came his way. When it came to a big hunt and a real target, he charged a significant fee, but frankly, for scaring low lifes, he wasn't going to ask for much. Easy enough and it could open doors for him. "Unless they breed rancors there, which would have already eaten your squatters then, I'll charge one thousand and two hundreds." That gave him a slight marge of maneuver, which was also part of the business as he knew some people liked to barter.

He saw no reason to ask for more than that for such a simple task.

"Twelve hundred," Syravari mused aloud, his steel-blue eyes drifting from the mercenary to the attractive bartender glancing their way occasionally as she continued filling orders for drinks. Perhaps a partner in this business right now, he wondered. She didn't have the look of a professional, but he had been wrong before. Especially when it came to women. The tall, older pirate and slaver returned his serious gaze behind the dark glasses to Adan. "If you're going to earn that much, then I'm going to keep you on retainer for the next few weeks while I secure this deal on the warehouse," he proposed, then took another sip and waited to see how Adan might counter that idea.

Behind him, the band ratcheted up their music and enticed many in the crowd to sing along that knew their music, though he suspected that most of those singing along were the girlfriends of the crimelords in attendance.

He was surprised by how many seemed to know the songs now played. He pondered on what the man offered. At least he could tell he was dealing with a professional, which proved his instinct right.

"9 days then I'm out. I have other engagements." He simply replied, waiting to see how this would be received.

Without missing a beat, Syravari mused and knew that he liked this guy already. "In that case, then for nine days I'll pay you a thousand. Half now and the rest before you take off," the pirate stated unapologetically. Taking another sip he knew that even in nine days things could be arranged and he would hopefully have the title to the warehouse in his hands and already be getting ready to remodel the place. This casino and brothel was going to make it's mark on this floating city and maybe even draw some of the more wealthy from above. Time would tell.

This guy knew what he was doing. Adan liked that a lot. He had come to Cloud City to establish new contacts and hadn't expected to get options so quickly. He wasn't going to blow this.

"Deal," he replied deadpan. With this man getting up some businesses in the city, it might prove a viable and longterm professional relation.

"Good to start after the concernt or should I go get my equipment right now?" He inquired with a grin.

"You can wait until after," Syravari replied, turning toward the concert once more and taking in the shapely beauty now singing as she glided across the stage. "Those vagrants aren't going anywhere. Yet." Taking another sip, he continued listening to the band and enjoyed their sound as much as he enjoyed watching their lead sing them. Once the present number was over, he glanced to Adan again. "Going to be coming back to Cloud City on occasion? Later on, once my businesses are booming might be able to use your help to keep an eye on things."

He was already finding people that might be trusted enough to help him run the casino, besides his own crew that would provide more muscle. All he needed now was someone to help run the brothel, though there was already one candidate for that spot he just had to get her to say yes.

"Good," Adan replied before taking finishing his drink and returning his attention to the barmaid, leaning in to whisper something into her ear that made her grin. The bounty hunter was glad to see he had some professional stuff coming up as well as a good way to unwind in between already lined up. This trip to Cloud City was coming together very nicely.

Listening to the music again, he nodded to the question asked next. "I'm used to travel for work, so I'll come back, especially since this place seems to be doing well these days." While he did many one-time contracts, he was keen to build long-term professional relationships and had found that establishing himself as a good asset to certain employers proved very fruitful down the road, whether on Socorro or off world.