Before I start...no, this isn't "my Sith Warrior wants both Jaesa and Vette" nor "Can I have Akaavi and Risha as my Smuggler?" Nothing wrong with those scenarios, but this is actually Bounty Hunter related. A little context... So I've done two Bounty Hunters from scrape. The male is only about level 30 and romancing Mako. The female is almost 50 (leveling her for Legendary and DvL) and romancing Torian. My male hasn't gotten to Torian so I didn't realize until recently that if you don't romance them, Mako and Torian actually date! Which is just fine; nice even. I almost wish I hadn't romanced them now because they are two of my favorite companions and them together is actually really sweet and touching. It honestly made me a bit sad my Bounty Hunter couldn't have a poly/three-way relationship with them both. I'm not even talking in bed. They always end up my Bounty Hunter's closest and most trusted; the ones that they protect and view most as their family. The fact that the two of them like each other only makes it both sweeter and sadder. I could easily see my Bounty Hunter being equally adoring to both of them and happy for them to be together and with him at the same time. Anyone else wish that sort of thing could be a possibly or is this just my weird late-night ramblings? Honestly, a "triad" with the Hunter, Mako, and Torian seems like it could work out really well. Better in my opinion than Vette and Jaesa honestly since Vette really doesn't seem to like DS Jaesa. I can't see Akaavi and Risha sharing much; both of them don't strike me as the type. Since both Mako and Torian want your approval before getting together and both are really close to you, it just seems like it could be a working thing. Maybe I'm just weird to think of it (and running on too little sleep, damn medication).

Most hated? Skadge. I can't stand him. I can't really pick a favorite though. I have a favorite or two in each class. Mako and Torian tie for the Bounty Hunter. They're both just great for my honorable hunters. I actually like Zenith a lot for the Consular (though not done with the chapters so haven't gotten to know Iresso and Nadia too well yet). Trooper is tied with Elara Dorne and Aric Jorgan. Smuggler is probably Corso (what can I say, naive farm boy is cute and dumb) and Bowie (I love my Wookiee). For the Jedi Knight, I probably love Lord Scourge the most (though zero interest in romancing him, he was just an interesting guy to have around). For the Agent, I loved Vector (played a male too so didn't get to romance him, but he was still solid). I liked Lokin too. I actually liked all of the Sith Inquisitor companions except Ashara. I didn't hate Ashara. She was just kind of dull for me. Talos was so earnest and bright-eyed it was endearing. Who doesn't love Khem? Andronikos was my SI's favorite partner in crime (male, so they were just bros). And Xalek was a near perfect apprentice for my aggressive Sith. I haven't actually gotten a Sith Warrior very high (my next project) so I can't really say I have a favorite for them yet. I've only really "met" Vette and I do like her a lot.

Deadpan humor from the male JC. "...And how did they 'obtain' our battle station? Did someone leave it unlocked with the keys inside?"

I always thought that was less a "what's in her pants" and more a possessiveness kind of thing. Which is a little backwards headed as the lady Smuggler doesn't need him to "protect" her, but that's just part of his personality too. A somewhat frustrating part I fully admit. Corso is a bit sexist in a weird way; he doesn't seem to think women are 'less' so much as he thinks men should protect them. But yes, he's probably also a bit jealous, which I can kind of get. He's young (like 21 or so I think), lost his family and his fiance more than once, so I can see why he would be a bit clingy to someone he cared about. Doesn't make it not annoying, but it's at least somewhat understandable. From what I remember hearing in the original game, Corso and a lot of others were originally bisexual, other races, etc. Corso was a Kiffar for example. On that note, I can see you the points you're making, but I can also see other options, at least for Corso and some others. Some though, I think are just find as "straight" or "not romanceable".

Well, to be fair, he likes treating women nicely and protecting them. That's true. I actually haven't see any signs of Corso flirting around or anything unlike plenty of male companions that do. I mean...Tharan Cedrax and Doc are definitely womanizers if we want to be honest. They actively try and get tons of booty if they can. Corso never does that I'm aware of? So I don't really know a better phrase to describe him off the top of my head than 'old fashioned gentleman type' though. That's one of the reasons I could see him being closer to 'Captain sexual' (male or female) really. He definitely develops strong feelings for the Smuggler (male or female actually), but doesn't seem to be actively trying to get anyone else into his life. So I find it far less a stretch for him to decide that he doesn't care about the contents of his captain's pants than say...someone like Tharan Cedrax that clearly gets as many women as he can manage and has a weird relationship with his holographic...sort of girlfriend.

That was always my confusion. Why wasn't there a "split some medicine" option? I mean, yes, there are some "bad" troops on Ord Mantell, but surely not everyone. I mean, from an outside standpoint, the kid you're supposed to be helping is up walking, talking, and complaining about whatever booboo he has (I can't imagine it being that horrible if he's doing all that, you know?) and if you click the guy who asks you to find the medicine, he mentions he hope you'll be back soon since two soldiers were wounded and one was going into shock if I remember right. So...seems like the soldiers are probably in more desperate need than the Cathar lady and the complaining kid? I was always puzzled why giving the medicine to the THIEF that basically blackmails you into giving it to her is the LS choice.

^^ This! ^^

He actually doesn't give you more approval for sleeping around. He likes when you say nice things to ladies (flirt) but there are several times when if you try and get a woman into bed that he disapproves. Not many options for male-male flirts in the level 50s and such, but I don't remember him once disapproving for flirting with Theron Shan or anything. He's less a "womanizer" and more an "old fashioned southern boy". They're polite to ladies, never hurt a woman, etc. etc. Doesn't mean he dislikes anyone being bi or gay, but he definitely has standards about how to treat women. Silly, old-fashioned standards, but that's who he is. He's supposed to be an old-fashioned 'white knight' kind of country boy. On that note though, Corso dislikes being mean or cruel to just about anyone unless it's something that really does something bad.

Another male Smuggler classic. "Of all the lazy, rotten, underhanded schemes! *thoughtful pause* Now why didn't I think of that?"

I'm not 100% sure since I haven't played it through, but I THINK he doesn't leave if you lie to him about why you did it. Something about "That wasn't the plan" or something. Basically just fib and go "oopsie, it was all Kaliyo".

Far enough, but I took it as the SI not quite understanding. The guy says "Oh, you brought a Sith. How cute of you." so I think it was more the SI taking it wrong, which is what made it funny to me. I also love hearing the male Smuggler say "That is the WORST idea I've heard all day!". He says it with the perfect mixture of disbelief and 'oh no what are you doing' in his tone.

Very much enjoying your story! It's a really unique take on some characters I enjoy (such as Tanno Vik, my trooper had a soft spot for the big thug in a bro kind of way) and it's a highly engaging read.

Ebon Hawk is booting every 30 seconds or so now.

Yes, they know and they don't know. They have the memories, but it's not the same as understanding. It's like someone who was blind at birth suddenly seeing the color blue. They have no concept that it's the color of the sky or water. It's just something new and confusing. Being exposed isn't the same as true understanding. Human example would be...we record lots of whale songs. That's their language. We can hear the different notes, maybe have a rough idea, but we still can't "speak" like the whales do. The point I was making is the Kiliks aren't malicious, but just trying to deal with a threat in the way their millions of years of evolution knows how. When Vector actually works out a treaty, it's noted that the Kilik absolutely respect it. Imperials come and trade with them and the Kiliks treat them kindly and are happy to do so. Kiliks aren't unreasoning monsters was the point I was making, not that "forcing Joiners is fine". I just don't think it should be cut down into "Well, they're not like us so kill them all". It's pretty clear in several quests that the Kiliks are intelligent enough and willing to reason with humans if humans just bother to do something that doesn't involve murdering.

Apples and oranges scenario since dolphins can't walk on land. Do other highly intelligent and evolved creatures count? Because dolphins have been known to brutally and viciously go after porpoises and other whales with absolute intent to kill. There was a study that showed three out of four attacks on porpoises by dolphins was fatal. They did not eat them. They went after them in a calculated move to kill them, presumably to remove them as a "threat" even though there was no active danger. They just wanted competition out of the way. So...does it only count if it's toward humans or can any act of nastiness count? Because if it's the later, dolphins definitely qualify as intelligent, vicious things that go after other species. And the point was if approached correctly (i.e. - without attempting to murder them) they ARE willing. Vector actually manages to get a treaty between the Kiliks and the Empire at the end of his storyline. The Kiliks, once it was explained and rules set, were shown to be quite willing to respect humans, trade with them, and NOT do anything to harm them so long as the same respect was given. You're acting as if the Kiliks just showed up and started a war. Technically speaking Kiliks native to Alderaan. Humans are the ones that showed up and started kicking the doors down. When we arrive, the hives haven't been active for that long (something about a long sleep after some of the nests headed to the stars). Basically they sort of "woke up" and are dealing with the threat of humans that just came out of nowhere (to them) and started shooting them, killing them, and torturing them. The humans didn't even attempt peace at first, just went "huge nasty bugs" and started murdering. The humans aren't exactly "innocent" in the matter. It's a more complicated matter than "nasty evil bugs doing nasty evil things" if you look at it more closely.

Actually, I just finished up that quest line... House Cortress tried to kill the Agent. They attacked under the words of the traitor baroness who was using the Agent. Despite having no particular reason to (other than Vector's request), the hive immediately protected you from an attack and was willing to aid you in re-taking the land. Most of the Kilik-related aggression is actually caused by humans. I remember in one quest humans are catching and viciously torturing Kiliks on an enemy's land to drive the hive into a frenzy of misplaced aggression. The hive was trying to stop what it thought was an assault on itself. Vector even mentions that kiliks have no concept of 'lying'. He says that 'thought is deed' for them. They don't really understand 'pretending' or anything like that. On the topic of House Cortress, you're considering it like it was humans. Kiliks are insects and when a hive (even in real life like ants) swarms over another, it doesn't just...go away. It considers that land theirs now. Bees, ants, wasps, and termites all are prone to 'taking over' other hives by combat. In the minds of the kiliks, they took over that 'human hive' so it's theirs now. For them taking it over, tending the wounded (which they did) and bringing them into the hive is completely normal and part of what they are. Kiliks do it to each other as much as other races. It's just what is expected and 'how it's done'. Granted, it's a completely foreign and 'scary' concept for humans who are independent, but Kiliks aren't humans. They think very differently. Vector mentions that if a Joiner is cut off from their hive too long, they suffer pain and damage, their health begins to fail. Vector's own extreme distance from his hive causes him rifts and troubles in the story line because they're not used to having one of their own be so far away. That's literally now how they exist. The idea that they're "breaking the law" doesn't really apply. It's not a "law". It's just a complete difference in biology and society. To a lone Kilik, being allowed to join a hive is a blessing. They literally have no concept of individuality on that level. Vector is very "independent" for a Joiner, but even he is extremely closely linked to the Hive and its needs surpass his own in many ways. To the Kiliks, accepting a human or other race into their hive is a good thing. They see it as basically adopting an "orphan" that's completely alone in the world. It's not actually malicious. They see it as a peaceful way to join with enemies to make everyone stronger. Granted, I'm not arguing taking away someone's free will without permission is good. Of course not, but you're judging it as if they're a bunch of humans acting like that. They're not. It's a completely different species with a completely different state of being. They literally have no concept that what they're doing is 'bad'. To them, it's a good thing and the right thing because they personally can't survive alone and without a hive. Vector does mention that a few times and his struggles to explain to the hives that they can ally with the Empire without making everyone Joiners. To the Kiliks, finding a person alone and unprotected is what prompted them to bring her into the Hive to Join. They don't attack large groups and steal people to be Joiners. Normally Joiners are those that come willingly or are wounded people they find that need help. Again, they have no understanding of being an independent person. The person's fear and panic to them is the same as an "orphaned" Kilik without a Hive. The answer is to Join and "fix" them. It's less evil and malicious, and just a completely different way of existing. Just like a human can't really understand how they exist, they don't get how humans exist as they do. It's just foreign to them and they consider what they do actually helping them. That doesn't make it "right" but it's not pointless aggression or mindless evil. Saying it's all right to murder all of them for being different is like saying it's okay to murder dolphins or orcas because even though they're smart they're not human enough or something. At least in my opinion. In the quest lines with Vector, it becomes pretty clear that if approached reasonably (i.e. - without fire, guns, or mass attempts to kill them all), the Kiliks are willing to talk and be reasonable.

Yep. Ebon Hawk is crashing every few minutes. I've stopped trying to get in at this point.

Thank you! I'm glad you like it. Always looking for tips and pointers to improve. Oh, yes, I have a bunch of little short stories planned for these two. Rook's my main and my favorite character in SWTOR. Once he gets his ship back and actually starts settling into being a crew, I plan to have 'non quest' stories out there to show how he treats the crew, various friendships, and the kind of trouble he tends to get into.

One of my favorites is my Sith Inquisitor, who gets quite offended and says... "I am not cute. I am deadly." How dare that pirate bastard call him cute!

There are several threads about it already. From what I remember in the last dev post about it, it'll be fixed in 4.7.1, which is happening Sept. 7th.

SPOILERS - This quest is based on the Coruscant quest ‘For Better or Worse’ so has spoilers from it. It also touches on Corso’s views of ‘proper ladies’ that Rukahr does not share. NO LOVE LOST A pair of voices arguing caught my attention. I paused, making Corso nearly bump into me. My ears flared up, twitching as I wandered toward the source. My friend gave me a puzzled look, but just trailed behind as I rounded a corner. Folding my arms, I leaned against the wall to watch the arguing pair. A Nautolan was gesturing and raising his voice to some tired looking man in a security uniform. “I’m desperate, Mal!” the blue-skinned Nautolan’s enormous dark eyes glistened with distress. The long tentacle-like head-tresses were twitching and writhing, displaying his anger and unhappiness. “I wish I could help, Nik, I really do,” the officer said, rubbing his fingers over his forehead. “but I can’t spare the manpower.” “Is this what the Republic has been reduced to?” I rolled my eyes at that. Granted, aliens had their issues on human-dominant worlds. Still the Republic was pretty far ahead of the Empire when it came to ‘relations’ with non-humans. “Indifference to the suffering of aliens?” “Is there something going on?” I interrupted because I had a feeling this tirade was going to continue for a while. I pushed away from the wall and sauntered toward the Nautolan, who looked surprised for a moment. “You! Surely you understand the plight of aliens in the Republic?” The Nautolan’s voice was coaxing but underscored by the security’s groan. “For us, there is no justice. We are ruled over by gangsters who call themselves the Migrant Merchant’s Guild! While Republic Security--” As a Cathar I could admit he wasn’t completely wrong. In some places being non-human could cause me a lot of trouble. The fact my people were popular slaves didn’t help, especially on the Outer Rims. Still, I hadn’t actually see much problems here in Coruscant. The heart of the Republic in many ways, it was a huge mixture of hundreds of races. Most of them even had their representatives in the Senate. This Nik fellow probably didn’t even know what it was like to have someone try and put a collar on him. I did. The dark-skinned security officer seemed to agree with me. Mal rubbed his face and groaned as the Nautolan paused to draw in a breath to keep going. “Nik, none of you should be living here,” he said with an exasperated tone. “We can’t guarantee your safety. You know that.” I almost cringed because I figured that was just going to be fuel to the tirade of suffering. “Our homes were buried under rubble during the war!” Nik said, voice raising again. “Not our fault the businessmen here are all crooks.” I raised my hand a bit to stop the Nautolan from continuing. “Look, I understand things are difficult,” I said with a hint of annoyance. “but getting excited won’t help.” The Nautolan turned toward me, eyelids flickering over his dark gaze. His species had a second set that went sideways across their huge black eyes. The movements signaled he was nervous or uncertain. My gaze was drawn to the nervous curling of his head-tresses for a few moments before Nik spoke again. “Excited?” His distress thickened as those tresses writhed. “This isn’t some minor inconvenience!” He threw a hand to the side, gesturing to the city around us. “The Republic considers us squatters and wants us out! The Migrant Merchants’ Guild claims to protect us, but all they do is exploit us!” His voice caught and his eyelids fluttered unhappily again. “Now the guild has kidnapped my mate Ria and put her to work as an entertainer! Ria! Forced to dance for the pleasure of scoundrels!” I had a moment of confusion before I realized what he was saying. It appeared his mate had been taken against her will to perform for the Migrant Merchants guild. I frowned hard, brow creasing. That was slavery and it was one thing that aliens in the Republic were supposed to be safe from. My ear swiveled to catch Corso’s sharp breath. I bit back a small curse. Corso had a huge soft spot for ‘ladies in distress’, regardless of age or species. “Why did the guild kidnap your mate?” I asked hesitantly, hoping there might be more to the story. “Because I failed to make my ‘protection’ payments!” Nik said, eyes wide and face taut. “And as you can see, Republic security couldn’t care less.” “Oh for goodness sake, Nik!” Officer Mal sighed, shaking his head. “Give it a rest!” I did mutter a faint curse under my breath then. I dared a look at Corso, who looked shocked and horrified. We were definitely helping now. I didn’t think Corso would let it go if we left someone’s mate in the clutches of a gang. I had no doubt at all that my Farm Boy’s imagination was running wild with all sorts of dangers this lady could be in. I sighed a bit, but refocused on Nik. “There’s no telling what humiliations and depravities Ria’s been forced to endure. My beloved is worth a great deal to me.” I frowned as Nik continued, head tilting a bit. Something about the way he said that didn’t sit right. “Bring her back and I’ll reward you handsomely!” I opened my mouth to refuse. I wasn't some kind of hero out to rescue anyone. Then Corso shifted beside me. He still looked upset, casting me an appealing glance. I got the full force of those big brown eyes, which was enough to make my resolve crumble. I drew in a deep breath and eased it out. “All right, all right,” I said, raising my hands in surrender. “I always was a sucker for people in love. I’ll see what I can do.” “Thank the ancestors!” Nik said, actually looking relieved. “I cannot express what this means to me!” His voice rushed on as if he was afraid I might change my mind. “Ria is being held with the other dancers in the guild headquarters. She’s a beautiful Nautolan with lovely green head-tresses. I’m sure you’ll know her.” I nodded and turned, tapping a knuckle against Corso’s armored shoulder to get him to follow me. I grunted as I walked right into Corso. He’d stopped dead, blushing as he stared at the building. He didn’t seem to notice that I smacked my nose against his shoulder, giving a little hiss of pain. I rubbed the sting out of my short muzzle, glancing at the neon signs and bright colors. When I got tired of waiting, I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Move it, Farm Boy,” I growled, giving his lower back a little shove to get him stumbling a step forward. “Come on now. You can’t tell me you’ve never been in a place like this? Ever?” “No. I mean, yes... I mean, I don’t-- But--” He stuttered over protests, leaning back against my hand in protest. I pushed on his back firmly, making him walk in far enough that I could at least step by. It took some work as he was almost half-a-meter taller than I was and outweighed me by a good twenty kilos. “Stars’ sake,” I grumbled, glancing up at him as I moved in front of him. “I promise not to let any naughty dancers take you away or something. Just come on. Business, remember? Gotta rescue the girl?” That seemed to get him a little more focused, even if his cheeks and ears were still red. Blushing was such an odd trait, but I guess with no fur humans had to communicate some way. At least Corso was following now and looking less like a spooked nerf. I shook my head, running my fingers through my fluffy mane, trying to smooth it down. I had another one of those envious moments about Corso’s nice thick mane. Hair. Whatever humans prefer to call it. Compared to most Cathar, my own was downright sparse. The inside was quite nice, given what the rest of Coruscant looked like. The lighting was low but not too dim. There were plush couches and chairs scattered around, covered in deep purples and blues. Even the floor had nice rugs on it to soften the look of the place. It was almost classy. The holograms of gyrating near-nude girls sort of kept it from being that though. And, of course, there was a handful of actual dancers. Corso made a little noise behind, prompting me to glance at him. I smothered a snicker at his expression caught between fascination and embarrassment. Guess they didn’t have places like this on Ord Mantell. I was kind of surprised that all the dancers were, well, dressed. They weren’t wearing much, but they weren’t naked. I had kind of expected the place to be more... sleazy. The dancers were mostly Twi’lek, which wasn’t surprised. They were pretty much considered the ‘best’ dancers across the galaxy. It was just good business sense to have plenty. There was a rainbow of skin colors: blues, yellows, and greens and a few paler ones. I was pretty sure I caught a glimpse of one with rare purple skin heading into a room with an eager patron behind her. There were a few humans too, and I thought I saw a Rodian. There was no sign of a Nautolan though. I glanced around until I noticed one girl that didn't seem busy with a customer. She was sleek with soft yellow-green skin and dapples on her lekku. The dark purple costume she was wearing left almost nothing to the imagination. When I got close, she gave me a charming smile. Her lekku twisted and curled in a beckoning way that made me think she knew how much Cathar loved movement. She spoke in Huttese, which surprised me, but I understood just fine. “If you’re looking for dancers for a private party,” she purred at me. “they’re booking up fast.” Curved hips never stilled as she spun and writhed to the soft music filling the place. I shook my head a bit, giving her a small smile. “No, I’m actually here to see a...friend of mine,” I improvised. “Ria Deleru?” My ears perked up, waiting. I didn’t actually expect that to work. Nik had said she was kidnapped so they wouldn’t admit she was here. I was hoping to see some kind of reaction. “Oh!” the Twi’lek said with another of those heart-melting smiles. She spun, giving me a flash of her slender back and rounded backside. For a moment, I just stared before forcing myself to focus on her words. “She just got in. Doesn’t even have her costume on yet. Ria!” She raised her voice a bit over the music. Her fingers waved toward a door marked off-limits for patrons. “Someone to see you!” I stared a moment. That definitely wasn't the reaction I was expecting. The dancer gave me a teasing wave and sauntered off to find someone willing to pay. A minute later, a female Nautolan emerged. I tilted my head, studying her closely. She had no slave collar at all. There were no bruises and she was moving with the same easy grace the rest of the dancers were. Her expression was puzzled but warm. She smiled at me, huge dark eyes studying me with a bit of confusion. I had to admit Nik was right. For a Nautolan, she was a knockout and then some. While Ria didn’t have the pronounced curves of a Twi'lek, she was quite lovely. With the sleek build of most water-born species, she was long-limbed and elegant. Her skin was a soft warm green, dappled with darker shades and hints of blue in a few places. Her head-tresses were decorated with little colorful bands that chimed as they moved. Her mouth was small, but full, curving in an inviting smile. “Thank you for considering Hanera’s Dance Troupe for your entertainment needs,” she said warmly. “How may I please you this day?” I couldn’t help but give a little appreciative hum, ears perking how. “....What does someone like you see in a loser like Nik?” I muttered before I thought better of saying that thought aloud. Her dark eyes widened, swirling a moment before she groaned. Dropping the ‘professional air’, she now looked uneasy. “Oh, please don’t tell me he sent you,” she sighed, shaking her head with a frown. “Should’ve known he’d try something like this.” She put her hands on her hips, lips thinning with annoyance. “I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time. I’m not here ‘against my will’.” The words definitely seemed true. I couldn't see even a hint that she was being forced to stay here. If anything she was looking as if she was expecting me to kidnap her. I held up both hands in a soothing gesture, showing my empty palms. “Relax. You can talk to me,” I said gently. “I’m not trying to force you to do anything. I just thought you were in trouble.” She stared at me a moment, eyelids flicking across those huge slanted eyes. Whatever she saw made her relax a bit and she nodded, sighing again. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told Nik the truth. I was just hoping to spare his feelings.” Her hands lifted, moving in animated gestures as she spoke. I could see how she would make a fantastic dancer. Everything about her movements was fluid and graceful. “Life with him was miserable,” she explained, giving me an appealing look. “Not only were we barely sc****** by, but I was fed up.” I glanced at Corso, who looked confused. I shrugged and gave a small shake of my head before turning back to Ria. I made a little go-on gesture with one hand, folding my arms and flaring my ears toward her to listen. “His jealousy was driving me crazy!” the Nautolan sighed, more feeling in her voice. I got the impression this had been building up a while and it was a relief for her to get it out. “He didn’t want me talking to anyone or going out. Life here is... better.” I was starting to get the picture. I remembered Nik’s words about her being ‘worth a great deal’ to him and his talk about his suffering. As if she was something of his taken away, instead of a person who might be in trouble. I frowned and gave a small snort. “Why does none of this surprise me?” I muttered, ignoring Corso’s disapproving grunt. “So you really prefer it here?” I asked Ria instead. “Oh my stars, yes!” She said, lips curving in a wider smile. “All the dancers are so kind and Hanera says she’s never seen anyone with as much potential as I have. I can really make something of myself here.” She glanced at Corso, who had made another uncertain noise. “Nik and I left the homeworld together. His devotion was flattering...but I grew to realize the difference between love and obsession.” She hesitated a moment before biting her lip nervously. “Could you please tell Nik I was shipped off Coruscant? If he thinks I’m gone, he might move on.” I blinked and frowned, ears tilting back a moment. My first thought was to just tell her to inform Nik it was over. Still, I paused and clicked my tongue, grunting. If she was being honest, and it felt like she was, her mate was obsessive and not likely to take no for an answer. If he thought he had some way to get her back, he might just keep on trying. He might send someone less nice than I was; someone who might force her to go back. I took a breath and sighed it out, rumbling a little in my throat. “Stay here,” I said firmly. “Your secret’s safe with me.” Her face was incredulous for a moment before it lit up in a smile that made it worth it. “Thank you!” she nearly sang. “I appreciate your help. Nik’s not evil, but I just... I couldn’t stay.” She paused a moment then walked up, leaning to kiss my cheek. My eyebrows shot up, but I gave her a grin. “I...hope you come back and see me some time under less formal circumstances.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at that, winking at her as she headed back into the dancers’ dressing room. “We’ll see. Good luck, Ria. Come on, Farm Boy.” I turned and grabbed Corso’s arm to steer him back outside. I glanced up at him, frowning as when I saw his expression. “What’s wrong, Corso?” I murmured once we were back out into the cooler open air. “You look...upset? I mean, it’s good, right? She wasn’t hurt or anything. She’s where she wants to be.” “Yeah, I know, Captain,” he said, still looking rather crestfallen. “I guess I just-- Mmm.” “Oh,” I said, not pressing any further for a minute. I realized he was having another of those times when he had to realize the world wasn’t quite as he wished it was. Watching his sad eyes made me want to say something though. Something to make it a little better. “Look,” I tried quietly, moving to ruffle my fingers in his dreadlocks. That usually seemed to help a bit. “I know you’re not...happy that Nik is..well, what he is, but look. We’re helping Ria, aren’t we? She’s where she wants to be and has a chance to be happy. That’s good right?” “Yeah, but there?” Corso said, even as he leaned a little into my hand. “Dancing? That’s--” “That’s what?” “...It’s not...respectable.” I blinked and stared at him a moment, giving a dreadlock a little tug to get his eyes on me. “Says who?” “Well...” He frowned, brow creasing. “Everyone.” “Oh, Bantha waste,” I snorted, shaking my head and tugging the dreadlock a little harder. “Not everyone. Maybe your old-fashioned parents or something, but not everyone. There’s nothing wrong with dancing. They’re clearly not slaves. Ria looked excited, happy to be a dancer, didn’t she?” “I guess, but if she knew better--” “Corso.” I put a bit of a firm edge into my voice. “You gotta let this go a bit. These...ideas. That doesn’t work out in the galaxy.” I sighed as he looked unhappy. “Look, I don’t think you’re stupid,” I soothed. I knew that idea bothered him. “I think it’s...sweet actually. A little naive maybe, but sweet.” “...You think I’m sweet?” Corso managed a small chuckle, brown eyes slanting toward me. “Yeah, I do,” I teased back, smiling wider. “Also a really good shot. And...a nice guy with his heart in the right place.” I let go of his hair and patted his back as we headed down the road, keeping an eye out for any of the Migrant Merchants. “Still,” I said, getting back on topic. “Ria isn’t doing anything that’s not ‘respectable’. She’s choosing to do something she loves that makes her happy. She’s not being forced. She gets to do what she wants with her life. Did she look unhappy to you?” “...No.” “Okay,” I said, raising an eyebrow at him. “Do you think less of her for being a dancer?” “No!” Corso was quick with that. “Of course not! But--” “But what?” My tone was firm again, giving him a hard look. “Why should she force herself to do something she’s doesn’t enjoy? She can make plenty of money dancing and enjoy it. The place looks clean. All the dancers had clothing on, which is better than some places. Hell, we might not like that they’re around, but seems like the guild keeps them pretty safe.” I pointed a claw at him to make sure he was listening. “So you don’t get to decide for her what she gets to do.” “I wasn’t--” “You were,” I said. “You were all ready to defend her from being in some kind of...” I waved my hands a bit. “Sleazy place forced to dance. You wanted to save her from some...life of degradation or something. Like a Jedi in a story. Problem is, Farm Boy, that’s not the case. She’s not a slave to some Hutt or whatever. She’s a lady making her own choices. So, show a bit of respect and try not to judge, huh?” “Yes, Captain,” Corso said obediently. His shoulders and subdued expression reminded me of a scolded cub. I shook my head and grunted. “I’m not upset at you, Corso. I like how...upbeat you are. I do.” I gave him a little smile. “It’s nice. Getting real used to having you around.” He brightened at that. “I just...Guess I don’t want you feeling bad. You gotta...look at things a little different sometimes. Consider it sideways.” “Sideways?” He blinked at me a few times. “Yeah. You know,” I said as we slipped past the security fence into a safer zone. “Look at it from a different angle. Think about it in another way. All that stuff.” “Oh,” he murmured, looking thoughtful again. “So...what are we going to tell that Nik guy?” “A lie,” I said without missing a beat. “I know you hate lying, but it’s better that way. She’ll be safer.” It was reassuring to see him nod firmly and I gave him another smile as we headed toward the meeting place. “What?” The blue-skinned Nautolan’s eyes grew wide, eyelids flickering in distress. “No, this can’t be! Where did she go?” I shook my head a bit, fighting to keep my ears from flattening at Nik. “I don’t know. All I know is she’s not here anymore.” “My Ria,” the Nautolan said, voice thickening as his expression grew distraught. “My beautiful beloved... Why do the ancestors punish me so?” That made me want to grimace, struggling not to show my teeth at him. He talked as if she was a prized item instead of a person. He didn’t really care where she was or if she was happy. He only cared that he didn’t have her. I worked to keep the disgust off my face so I didn't show my teeth at him. Judging by the concerned glance I got from Corso, I wasn’t completely successful. Fortunately, the Nautolan was too busy feeling sorry for himself to notice. “I suppose we should settle up,” he said, giving me an accusing look as he gathered himself. “Despite the fact you failed to bring my beloved back. Here.” He tossed me a credstick. “This is yours.” “You are--” I started, a growl in my voice that made Nik’s head-tresses twitch nervously. I almost stepped forward before Corso grabbed my arm to stop me. I glanced at the human and snorted, but jerked my chin in a nod. “a piece of work,” I finished, a hiss escaping me before I turned away from the blue-skinned man. “Next time have some guts and take care of your problems yourself.” I stalked off at a rapid pace, enough that Corso had to job to catch up. He fell into step behind me, making use of the fact he was taller than me. I growled out a few curses, ranging from Huttese to Shryiiwook. He actually looked impressed, but laughed a little, shaking his head. “His mother is a...what? I missed that,” he said, trying to cheer me out of my mood. I snorted again, but softer. “Sorry, got a terrible accent in Shryiiwook. Throat isn’t quite right for it, but eh.” I waved my fingers and sighed. “Sorry. That guy just hit a nerve is all.” “Why?” Brown eyes studied me keenly. His gaze was sharp enough that I sometimes wondered if Farm Boy was smarter than he even thought he was. “...Used to be a slave,” I said after a long minute. Rolling my shoulders in a shrug, I shook my head again. “I don’t like people being treated like...trophies or possessions. Just hits a nerve with me is all.” He was giving me those wide startled eyes. “I didn’t know that...” I laughed a bit, patting his arm as I slowed down. My angry stalk turned into an easy walk. “Well, you never asked and I don’t mention it much. I mean... I’m technically still someone’s slave. I ran off. I wasn’t freed. Mention it to the wrong person, I might end up back there.” He nodded, but he was giving me that curious searching look again. I had a feeling we were going to have a talk about it eventually. It could wait for now though. I wanted to see if Darmas Pollaran had any news yet. I was ready to get off Coruscant already and certainly ready to see my Varactyl again. -END-

Thank you! I'm glad a writer like you is enjoying it. That really makes my day. So thank you very much for taking the time to read it. I appreciate that greatly.

This one made me spit my drink out laughing. Female Trooper: ...Is this some kind of weird come-on, Vik? Tanno Vik: Don't be dense. You're not nearly trashy enough for me. Plus your people are ugly as Hutts. ...Thanks, Vik. I...think?

It's a known issue with the Depths of Manaan. http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=892255 http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=892399 http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=887901

Bump for some Cathar support.