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Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #75 –
[Ens. Enyd Isolde Madsen |  Federation Embassy Compound | Cardassia Prime ] ATTN: @RyeTanker

The longer Ryzit spoke of the details of their upcoming mission, the easier it became to look beyond the absurdity of the moment (that of sitting in the room with the spouses while they continued to be semi-intimate with one another) and accept things at face value. Did she ever expect to sit in the personal quarters of a peer discussing the particulars of a mission while said peer was naked? Not in the slightest. Was she growing accustomed to it? Yes, showcasing humanity's ability to adapt to just about anything.

"My grandmother, were she here, aside from being horrified that we were having this conversation like we are," Enyd waved a hand toward Zark, "would assure you that it doesn't take much acting on my part to generate the notion that I have more of anything except sense. 'Impulsive and foolhardy' were two common descriptors lobbed at me growing up on the ranch, and it seems those two descriptors continue to haunt my steps, considering Zark was assigned to me as a bodyguard, and we are about to waltz into a literal den of thieves for a mission."

Enyd tapped her lips for a moment, mulling over what Ryzit had shared thus far and weaving it with the other details of the mission she knew before she spoke again.

"I normally plan for at least three contingency measures should things go sideways. Which, as Zark now knows personally, tends to be the norm for me." She slanted a wink at her friend. "What will be our 'outs' as you see them when things start to go wonky on us?"

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #76 –
[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy Compound | Cardassia Prime] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

It was a sign of how used to the situation Zark was becoming that she stopped struggling, and even generally stopped thinking about the fact she was completely exposed and being played with by like a naked drum.  There were certainly some upsides to having her infuriatingly lovely wife talk about technical details as a distraction.  She took the time to absorb the details of the games, but mainly also the other threats the group of rogues, herself included, were likely to face inside the casino.  The fact that Nausicaans were going to be in the area was definitely cause for concern, but so were the other assorted thugs everyone was going to bring in order to keep the peace through intimidation.  As the smallest person there, she was keenly aware that any attempt to escape the situation was probably going to involve not getting into a fight, but more quick wits and speed.  Maybe some misdirection if at all possible. 

The naked Zhen's ruminations were stopped as she heard the cuffs unlock themselves and she turned an inquisitive glace back to her wife.  "You need to be mobile for this dear." was all she said as she tapped the area just above the Zhen's exposed nethers before extricating herself from the warm weight under Zark's legs and moved towards her luggage.  Zark's cheeks darkened appropriately as she squirmed, all thoughts of having gotten used to the situation fleeing her mind. The Zhen sat up slowly on her elbows and moved as nonchalantly as possible to where she kept a robe to cover herself.  Ryzit bent over to place a mini holoprojector in the middle of the room, then pulled an Andorian style PADD out to begin uploading the programming.  "Computer, dim lights to 20%"  The room darkened accordingly and a holo wireframe of a building sprung to life.  "What do you think babe?"  Ryzit asked as Zark's eyes settled on the projection and her mind began to work on the security implications.

Zark wound the robe tightly around her body as she moved towards the hologram and began looking at it more intently. "Well, there are plenty of entrances and exits..."  Her hands rose towards the projection and began waving in the air.  The projector obediently followed her guide and the wireframe twisted and turned, expanded and shrunk.  Fingers would occasionally point at something as the frame surrounded her and the item would be highlighted, leading to other junctions, hallways, ventilation shafts.  It took a few more minutes before the security officer spoke again. "The easiest way out would be the front door in a throng, that way we can blend in with everyone."  A pause for a moment.  "The main issue is that it's hard to guarantee physical security since there's practically infinite threat vectors from too close, so we could all get killed and I'd never see them coming."  Zark tilted her head for a moment as a grin tugged at her lips.  "On the other hand, if there was a distraction of some sort, let's say a couple of smoke canisters, that would give good concealment for escaping."

Other options began popping up, escape through the kitchens, out the loading docks, transporting out.  As these ideas were trotted out, Zark shrunk the hologram and pulled it up to the top of the building.  A small smile tinged with mischief pulled her lips.  "Hun, you're not planning on staying next to Enyd the whole night are you?"  The cop shook her head. "Not at all. I have to figure out where the gold is being stored and tag." Zark nodded. "How about a small detour?"  Ryzit's antennae pointed towards her wife as her eyes narrowed. "I'm not you miss flexible."  The Shen pointed out. "I know. I'm not going to get you to any sort of acrobatics I do, but it doesn't hurt to have a backup plan.  You're also going to have to tell me how you actually plan on getting the gold out."  Zark tapped a long finger on her chin in thought.  "If we can get to the roof, I think we have a good way to get out.  At least somewhere where transporter inhibitors can't stop us."  The Zhen then turned to Enyd. "It would help if we had some back up.  What do you think of the escape vectors, and do you think Javec will be able to help there."  Zark asked her human as a grin tugged significantly at one corner of her mouth while white eye brows bobbed with a bawdy edge.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #77 –
[Ens. Enyd Isolde Madsen |  Federation Embassy Compound | Cardassia Prime ] ATTN: @RyeTanker

Enyd leaned against the cool metal wall of Zark’s quarters, her eyes darting over the holographic map flickering in the dim light. Zark and Ryzit stood nearby, their antennae angled toward the display as they discussed possible routes. Enyd couldn’t help but notice how striking the two Andorian women looked, their features sharp and graceful even in the shadowy room.

Enyd smiled to herself. Objectively, she could appreciate their beauty—the vibrant blue skin, the way they moved with an effortless confidence—but the attraction just wasn’t there. Instead, she found herself more fascinated by their dynamic: Zark’s fearless, slightly reckless spirit balanced by Ryzit’s steady pragmatism. They fit together like puzzle pieces, and Enyd found it oddly comforting to be around them.

“I might have some old contacts with a Tellerite merchant,” Enyd offered, gesturing to the map. “They’re experts at creating chaos when needed—especially when profit is involved. I can reach out, see if they’re still in the business of well-timed distractions.” Her mind conjured up an image of Javec, going over the last encounter she'd had with him. “I’ll also ask Javec about backup. He’s resourceful, and... well, it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes,” she admitted with a sly smile. The thought of working with the enigmatic Cardassian again brought a faint warmth to her cheeks.

There was still so much left unsaid and undone between them...

Refocusing, Enyd glanced at the hologram again. “How long do you think it’ll take to get to the cache?” she asked Ryzit, hoping to gauge how much time they had to pull together their escape plan. "The roof will be a good option only for so long. Even with back up."

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #78 –
[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy Compound | Cardassia Prime] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Ryzit stared at the holo projection for a moment as she worked out the plan in her head.  Her mind calculated approaches, likely encounters for guards, possible solutions, other avenues were considered.  Her head tilted from side to side as options cycled and cycled their permutations.  "I'm going to say at least an hour from when I infiltrate the non public areas..."  The Shen knew her wife too well since she would have had the same reaction.  It nothing major, possibly something not even noticeable unless you knew Zark really well; but Ryzit did and quickly closed on the Zhen's back, gently wrapping her arms around her wife's stomach and pulled her in close.  The physical touch wasn't quite enough to calm Zark down and her antennae refused to come off her head and stand back up.  It was just enough to stave off any complaints or more precipitous action from the normally quite stubborn woman.

With that potential point of contention put off for the moment.  Ryzit continued thinking as she lay her head on Zark's shoulder before gently making the Zhen's hips sway slightly in a quiet dance in a further attempt to alleviate the bubbling anxiety.  "The really fun part is going to be differentiating between any legitimate GPL down there and the criminal sort.  It just might be easier to seize the whole lot and sort it out after.  Too bad, there are all sorts of legal implications with that idea." Ryzit sighed into Zark's ear as she dismissed the idea, causing her wife to shiver for a moment. "I'll be wearing a bracelet that will be quite inert when we get there, so it'll look like regular jewelry.  I'll gave to detach each gem to tag the crates. I also have a set of earrings that can stick to the lights and siphon the power the power the gems and boost the signal.  Hopefully it'll be enough to get through the safe."  Ryzit gave Zark a nuzzle on her neck. "Since the security situation on the planet isn't the best, and there's lots of unsavoury types, at least you get to go in armed.  I think knives and guns are considered the minimum."

Ryzit gently turned Zark toward Enyd so she could talk to her. "Chemicals and such will probably be harder to get in.  Do you have an innocuous shielded compartment to transport your stash?"  The Andorian cop paused for a second. "I have a better idea, send me a list of what you have.  Maybe there's a binary equivalent so we can make it more innocuous."  Whatever protests Zark was going to have about dealing with potentially hazardous chemicals began to waver as her wife began tracing circles on her stomach and began to creep her way upwards towards her chest.  The Zhen inhaled slightly as she bit on her lower lip in a so far successful attempt to stop from moaning out load. "Was there anything else we need to cover?"  The Shen asked innocently.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #79 –
[Ens. Enyd Isolde Madsen |  Federation Embassy Compound | Cardassia Prime ] ATTN: @RyeTanker

Enyd found herself again marveling at how quickly one could adapt to the most unusual circumstances. Here she sat, discussing mission parameters while Zark remained in various states of undress with Ryzit, and somehow it had become as natural as breathing. Her grandmother would have had apoplexy, but Enyd had learned that diplomacy often meant accepting situations far outside one's comfort zone. That being said, however, she was still a little surprised she was in this particular situation with Andorians instead of Betazed's.

"I honestly can't think of anything else at the moment," Enyd said, tapping her fingers thoughtfully against her knee. A mischievous smile crossed her features. "Though I have to admit, I'm rather excited about the prospect of going in armed for once. Usually, my 'official' weapons are limited to sharp wit and careful words." She shot Zark a wink, knowing the woman was likely to comment on her intentional use of "official."

She stood, smoothing down her uniform jacket. "I think I'll let you two get back to your... acrobatic reunion." Her green eyes sparkled with amusement.  With a playful wave, Enyd made her exit, leaving the spouses to their more intimate planning session.

[One day before the heist]

The narrow alleyway near the Federation Embassy compound was shrouded in the pre-dawn shadows of Cardassia Prime. Enyd stood with her back to the rough stone wall, watching as her unlikely friend approached with his characteristic grumbling gait.

Korex was every inch the stereotypical Tellarite - stocky, bearded, and perpetually irritated about something. His pig-like snout wrinkled with displeasure as he shuffled toward her, a small case clutched in his stubby fingers.

"You're late," he grunted, though Enyd was precisely on time.

"Good morning to you, too, Korex," she replied with a fond smile. "I do so enjoy our pleasant exchanges."

"Bah!" He waved a dismissive hand, though there was a glimmer of affection in his small eyes. "Humans and your saccharine pleasantries. Here." He thrust the case toward her with unnecessary force. "Your requested 'accessories.'"

Enyd opened the case with the reverence of a child on Christmas morning. Inside, nestled in custom-formed padding, were three innocuous-looking items that would have made any intelligence operative weep with joy.

"The lipstick," Korex explained with obvious pride, "contains a fast-acting neural inhibitor. One kiss and your target will be unconscious within thirty seconds. The perfume atomizer delivers a concentrated stun compound - one spray to the face and they'll be down for at least twenty minutes. And the compact mirror..." He grinned, showing slightly pointed teeth. "The mirror itself can cut through pure duranium given enough time."

"Korex, you ugly, grumpy genius," Enyd breathed, examining each item with delight. "These are perfect."

The Tellarite's cheeks flushed slightly beneath his coarse fur. "Yes, well... don't let it go to your head, human. And don't forget our arrangement."

"Next week, dinner at that little Bajoran place you like, and I'll listen to your complaints about Federation trade regulations for a full two hours without interruption," Enyd recited dutifully.

"Three hours," Korex countered immediately.

"Two and a half, and I'll bring dessert."

"Acceptable." He turned to leave, then paused. "Try not to get yourself killed, Madsen. Tolerable customers are hard to find."

"I'll do my best," she called after him, tucking the case into her jacket.

As she turned to head back toward the compound's entrance, a familiar silhouette emerged from the shadows near the alley mouth. Enyd's heart skipped several beats as Javec Praar stepped into the dim light, his dark Cardassian features arranged in that enigmatic expression that had haunted her dreams ever since they'd first crossed paths.

"Lieutenant Madsen," his voice was silk and steel, just as she remembered. "How curious to find you wandering the alleys alone at such an hour."

Enyd felt her back press against the stone wall as he approached with predatory grace, each step deliberate and measured. Even now, after everything that had happened between them, her pulse quickened at his proximity.

"Javec," she managed, proud that her voice remained steady. "I could say the same about you."

He placed one hand against the wall beside her head, leaning close enough that she could smell the familiar scent of his cologne - something distinctly Cardassian with notes of bitter spice and dark earth.

"The difference, dear Enyd, is that this is my home planet, whereas you're the mere visitor." His free hand hovered in the air between them, as if he'd been tempted to touch her but thought better of it. "I worry about your safety," he murmured, his grey eyes searching her face. "These streets can be... dangerous for those without proper protection."

Enyd felt that familiar flutter of attraction mixed with the sharp edge of professionalism. How was it possible to want someone and fear the repercussions of dallying with them in equal measure?

"Oh, Javec," she said with an exaggerated girlish giggle that would have fooled anyone who didn't know her well. "You should know by now..."

She let her gaze drift past his shoulder to where another shadow lurked in the deeper darkness of the alley entrance - a familiar silhouette that made her feel infinitely safer.

"These days, I'm never truly alone."

Javec's eyes flickered with something - surprise, perhaps, or calculation. His reached up, pressing a hand against her cheek as he followed her gaze toward the hidden watcher.

"Interesting," he said softly, straightening slightly but not stepping back. "And here I thought Starfleet had allowed you out and about unprotected."

"You know Starfleet," Enyd replied with another innocent smile, her hand moving to rest lightly against his chest - close enough to the case in her jacket to be reassuring. "We're full of surprises."

For a long moment, they remained frozen in that tableau - predator and prey. Finally, Javec stepped back with a courtly bow that somehow managed to be both mocking and genuine.

"Until we meet again, Enyd," he said, her name rolling off his tongue like a caress. "Do try to stay out of trouble."

As he melted back into the shadows with typical Cardassian stealth, Enyd remained against the wall for several heartbeats, waiting for her pulse to return to normal.

"Think you can keep me out of trouble, Zark?" Enyd didn't look at the shadow, but stared in the direction Javec had disappeared, her question geared more toward her desires for the Cardassian than for the upcoming mission.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #80 –
[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy Compound | Cardassia Prime] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

[Heist day]

Zark was outwardly calm as she scanned the surroundings outside the ridiculously quaint hover car they were riding in.  Of course fancy people didn't take the transporter.  That was  far too pedestrian.  They had to arrive in style!  She also had no idea how her wife had secured the use of the vehicle.  On the other hand, maybe it was Enyd who'd managed that.  The Zhen took a moment to tear her eyes away from the view and looked at one of the loves of her life discussing some finer details with their human ward.  Pondering didn't stop the vivacious Zhen from giving her wife a once over and mentally undressing her.  It didn't seem easy to do, but when one knew the curves and crannies that the body had, the tight fitting red dress and black jacket, both made of not to well known Risian leather couldn't hide much.  Zark wore a unitard of the same material, but all black along with a jacket. 

When she'd first seen the garments the two Andorian's were going to wear, she'd vehemently objected on the impracticality of the thing.  Ryzit  had waited till she'd finished her spat, then calmly listed out the reasons why the getups had their uses.  First off, nobody made leather on a tropical planet unless it had heat dispersing properties, which would help the two cold moon dwellers on the humid planet.  Next, it was durable, and easily incorporated the nano polymer fibre weave that would give the two some protection against blades, bullets, and energy beams.  Zark had found this one quite dubious and her face had shown it, but Ryzit simply asked that Zark take it on faith since the clothes weren't that easy to procure in the first place.  She'd simply given a reminder of 'try not to get stabbed.' to which Zark had given a thoroughly fulminating look.  Third was that they had to at least divert the attention from Enyd, and being sexy was going to do it.  It wouldn't work on everyone, but hopefully enough so they wouldn't pay attention to whatever Enyd did or didn't do on the floor.  Zark still didn't quite believe her till Ryzit had her put on the light weight garments and try to move about in them. 

The Zhen had grumbled her acceptance at the ridiculous clothing after that since it did allow her to move as if she were naked.  Still, she also felt more than mentally naked since the shine did make her, and her curves, stand out.  Still, at least Ryzit looked good in her secretary costume.  Even with the glasses and all that.  The only concession Ryzit had been willing to give was that Zark got to wear boots of some sort instead of the pumps that Ryzit had inflicted on herself.  At least they weren't high heels.  Looking out again at the landscape quickly brought these ruminations to an end as she saw the multi coloured lights, fire works, and holograms of the casino ahead.  The car pulled up and Zark could see several other vehicles ahead of theirs and waited patiently.  She looked at the two and felt the weight of the Cardassian phase disruptor in her shoulder holster.  It was a smaller hold out model instead of the full size military variant.  Another item of comfort was the bar she had on back of her belt.  The scabbard hanging out made it unmistakable as a knife.  Zark tapped he ear for the sub cutaneous transmitter, activating the secure comm link between the three of them.  "Everyone ready?" she sub vocalized.  It had taken a bit to get Enyd used to the idea of talking without opening her mouth, but the diplomat was a quick study and the other two replied back in the affirmative.

As the car rolled to a stop, Zark nodded then took a quick look outside before opening the door.  The plate released and a barely audible hiss pushed the door out before it slid towards the centre of the vehicle.  Whatever other noises it made were quickly drowned out as loud party music permeated the air.  The lithe Andorian stepped out first to survey the scene.  Species of all varieties, most of them well dressed. Some even gaudily.  Her arrival didn't go unnoticed several leering looks were tossed her way which she deigned to ignore.  A few brutish types appeared to be snickering as they sized her up and deduced they could snap her like a twig if push came to shove.  Aside from the massive egos and obvious wealth floating around, there didn't appear to be any threats as she stepped aside and motioned for Enyd and Ryzit to follow.

Here goes nothing. Zark thought to herself as she followed Enyd and Ryzit up the steps into a den of graft, greed, and corruption.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #81 –
[Ens. Enyd Isolde Madsen |  Casino | Nefarious Planet for No Gooders ] ATTN: @RyeTanker

Enyd smoothed the fabric of her floral silk gown as she stepped from the hover car, the weight of the evening's mission settling on her shoulders like an expensive shawl. The casino's neon lights painted her face in shifting hues of gold and crimson, and she forced herself to breathe slowly, channeling every diplomatic reception she'd ever attended where the stakes had been just as high—if less obviously criminal.

Play the part, she reminded herself, adjusting the ridiculous diamond bracelet that probably cost more than most people's annual salaries. Social dilettante with more money than sense. The irony wasn't lost on her that this was perhaps the most honest role she'd ever been asked to play in her diplomatic career.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she accepted Ryzit's steadying hand, and she hoped it looked like excitement rather than nerves. The music thrummed through her chest, a bass-heavy melody that seemed designed to make rational thought impossible—perfect for separating fools from their money. She caught Zark's eye and felt a flutter of gratitude for the Andorian's protective presence, even as she knew she had to appear oblivious to any real danger.

"Oh my stars," she breathed in the breathy, affected tone she'd been practicing, loud enough for nearby patrons to hear. "This place is absolutely *divine*! I simply must try my luck at the tables tonight." She let out a laugh that tinkled like champagne flutes, the sound making her internally cringe even as she recognized its effectiveness—several heads had already turned their way.

As they approached the entrance, Enyd's mind drifted to her grandmother's weathered face, those sharp eyes twinkling with mischief as she'd dealt cards on lazy summer afternoons. "Child, you've got about as much sense as a honey bee trying to get honey from a fake flower," the old woman had said, watching young Enyd bluff her way through yet another hand. "But sometimes that suits a person just fine."

If only you could see me now, Grandmother, Enyd thought. About to play the biggest con of my life, and your words are exactly what I need to hear.

She'd spent hours perfecting her card counting, her tells, her ability to read other players—skills that felt as foreign to her diplomatic training as speaking Klingon poetry. But there was something oddly liberating about embracing controlled chaos, about letting calculated recklessness guide her actions rather than careful protocol.

Not that calculated recklessness had ever been an issue for her before.

The casino's opulent interior opened before them like the mouth of some glittering beast, all marble and crystal and the soft whisper of credits changing hands. Enyd felt her pulse quicken as she spotted the high-stakes tables in the distance, surrounded by the kind of beings who could afford to lose small fortunes for entertainment.

Here goes nothing, she thought, echoing Zark's sentiment as she prepared to step into her role. With practiced grace, she stumbled just slightly on the marble steps—not enough to seem clumsy, but enough to appear charmingly scattered—and let out another of those tinkling laughs.

"Goodness, I'm already dizzy with excitement!" she exclaimed, fanning herself with a jeweled hand fan she'd pulled from her clutch. "I do hope they have some decent games tonight. I'm feeling terribly lucky."

As they moved deeper into the casino's embrace, Enyd silently hoped her luck would hold better than her grandmother's honey bee—and that her newfound skills at deception would prove as sweet as any real flower's nectar.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #82 –
[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Federation Embassy Compound | Cardassia Prime] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

It was everything Zark despised to the point she could smell the corruption that was coming off the place as they stepped out of the vehicle.  She knew the Cardassians were desperate and they were taking anything they could as investment to help boost their efforts to rebuild the economy.  But there had to be limits, and the gaudy den of greed, hedonism, and lies couldn't have been a good choice.  Surely the resources that were used to build this monstrosity could have gone to better use.  Her wife could tell she wasn't a happy participant and Zark's expression softened into something softer as she felt a light squeeze on her arm.  She flashed a small smile to Ryzit's neutral expression.  Her mental ranting had been answered earlier when she'd less than tactfully asked why was there even a casino on Cardassia.  Like any good cop dealing with the most business opportunistic species in the galaxy, she'd pointed out this was a combinations of rule 9 that resulted from rule 34 leading to rule 35.  Basically, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.  Zark had been partially mollified when Enyd had pointed out that part of the revenues from the casino were required to go to the rebuilding efforts.  It was rumored that the original investors hadn't really wanted to do that, but Grand Nagus Rom had stepped in to secure those clauses for the Cardassians.

The sight lines alone in the current situation were terrible.  It was a wide open terraced space with flashing lights and holograms that served to distract and obscure.  Zark took another breath.  This was supposed to be a neutral safe space for all the participants, nobody was supposed to be trying to kill each other here.  At least not overtly anyway.  Still, there was quite the preponderance of firepower and possibly sharp implements in the area.  The Zhen felt like she was one of the more overtly armed people with a belt and a holster.  Some others had oversized and sharp bulges under their jackets that poorly concealed weapons of some sort.  Many other had various scabbards arranged across their chest like holo novel tough guys.  There was definitely a lot to take in and watch as the trio ascended the purple and brown marble steps.  Zark took the time to briefly lock eyes with several of the more blatant guard dog types.  Her glare elicited a few nods of respect  and she nodded back.   In several other cases, she had keep her eyes locked with several that decided it was necessary to test her resolve with a non verbal challenge that would have terrified a Betazoid if they'd been nearby.  These didn't last long and each time

"Stop trying to kill people with your eyes babe."  Zark heard her wife say as they got closer to the doors and she turned a fulminating glance on her wife as the subtle cacophony assaulted her tuned situational senses.  This manifested itself as her face pinched hard and she glared into the lights, holograms, and tables, and the wide variety of scantily clad women and men on the floor.  Zark got a feeling and looked at Ryzit, then smirked as she saw her wife scoping out the floor. "Hun, work now, play later."  The Shen didn't even bat an long white eyelash as she turned to smile at the Zhen, bobbed her eyebrows a couple of times and bit her lower lip.  The implication was clear, there was going to be fun. Whether it was now or later didn't matter, it was going to happen. 

The trio didn't even take two steps before another Cardassian woman with came with a tray offering several gaily coloured drinks and a few items that possibly contained questionable substances.  Ryzit waved a negative at the woman but took the time to inquire where the cage was located.  The woman didn't miss a beat as she pointed towards several dabo tables then the closed counters behind them.  Ryzit flashed a bright smile as she gestured towards the casino cages.  "Enyd, don't forget to gawk as we get there and I'll get your money to gamble. All the chips are holographic, so make sure you don't lose the cash card."  Ryzit had already told her this, but wasn't above reminding everyone how the whole charade was supposed to play out.  The walk wasn't far, the clinking of gold pressed latinum and alloy chips was obvious in the din, even as whoops of success, and cries of despair mixed with flashing lights, electronic music.  Zark was puzzled by the tingling of the latinum she saw and took a moment to lean over to Ryzit.  "Is the latinum real or holographic?" Ryzit didn't even look.  "It's real babe.  If it's cold hard latinum, the ferengi will always take it."

Zark nodded as she pulled back to her usual position and her head continued to swivel.  She could feel the eyes on them, maybe more accurately her as they made their way to the cage.  She was definitely garnering the majority of the attention.  There were even a some cat calls and whistles, along with a few more inebriated guests yelling that she needed to change into the right attire; mainly whatever the casino women were wearing. Zark kept her focus outward as Ryzit arranged the transfer from the Union bank to the casino.  The staff was thoroughly professional as they processed the amount and it wasn't enough to elicit comment or reaction.  They simply thanked her as they handed over a replica of a gold pressed latinum bar with a chip on it and a shimmering copper logo of the casino. 

At this point, Ryzit didn't which way to turn to get to the next stage.  They needed a reason to stop get Enyd to starting wasting money.  There were times though that providence provided the answer as a flowing cocktail dress walked by with purpose.  Ryzit moved on instinct as she grabbed hold of Enyd's elbow and moved her towards the bar.  She ignored protests as she moved parallel to the striding woman and kept an eye on where she was going.

Zark knew something was up as she subvocalized to her compatriots. "Ryzit, what is going on?  Slow down and let go of her!  You're going to blow our cover."  This got the Shen to adopt a more reasonable pace as she let go of the human's arm.  The bar came too quick, but it was much needed as she signaled a bartender.  "A stardrifter and a bourbon."  The bartender nodded and hurried off to get the drinks, then Ryzit leaned in closer.  "I only know about this peripherally but I think that woman is with the Orion Syndicate, and not because she's green.  There was a quadruple homocide on a colony near Trill.  It was beyond the resources of local law enforcement, so as the Feds, we got called in.  The cops didn't find much aside from a pretty bad security camera recording about 10 minutes away from the murder scene.  The suspect looks like her."  Ryzit paused her story telling as the drink arrive and she took a healthy drink from hers. 

Ryzit took more time to elaborate, but something caught Zark's attention. It shouldn't have really been anything, but as security, she had a habit of connecting dots and remembering things.  She wasn't as good as others, but she was still capable of it.  This resulted in her eyebrows narrowing in concentration as something tugged at her mind.  Her hand gently touched her wife to get her to stop.  Zark nodded at a fairly non descript looking Cardassian. "Hey Enyd, remember that meeting we had with Marratt shipping and there was that meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture.  He looks like one of the flunkies from the department that organizes procurement?"  Zark looked at Ryzit and Enyd as he headed in the same direction as the supposed Orion Syndicate operative.  Was this a coincidence?


Rule 9: Opportunity plus instinct equals profit.
Rule 34: War is good for business.
Rule 35: Peace is good for business.

A flashy arrival: https://imgur.com/a/RrThbzq
The Syndicate Operative? : https://imgur.com/a/aN1SwNH

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #83 –
[Ens. Enyd Isolde Madsen | Casino | Nefarious Planet for No Gooders ] ATTN: @RyeTanker

The noise hit Enyd first.

Not just the music—though that was certainly part of it—but the layered chaos beneath it. The clatter of latinum, the rise and fall of voices thick with anticipation or regret, the subtle hum of power conduits feeding lights that were designed to overwhelm rather than illuminate. It all blurred together into something loud enough that she could *feel* it behind her eyes.

She forced herself not to stare.

Well. Not *too* much.

Zark and Ryzit moved through the space with a confidence that bordered on predatory, and Enyd let herself trail just enough behind them to sell the image she was meant to project: rich, distracted, dazzled. The diamond bracelet on her wrist felt absurdly heavy, and she had to fight the instinct to tuck her hands into her sleeves the way she did when she was nervous. Instead, she clasped the replica latinum bar with both hands, turning it over as if fascinated by the weight of it.

Gawk, Ryzit had said.

So Enyd gawked.

She let her mouth part slightly, eyes drifting from table to table, lingering a heartbeat too long on the glittering displays and the beings clustered around them. It wasn’t entirely an act. She’d been in lavish places before, but this was indulgence weaponized—designed to distract, to separate people from good sense and good judgment. She could almost admire the efficiency of it.

Almost.

Her attention snagged when Zark’s posture changed.

It was subtle—just a fraction of tension sliding into the Andorian’s shoulders, a stillness that hadn’t been there a moment before—but Enyd had spent enough time around security officers to recognize the shift. Her gaze followed Zark’s line of sight, settling on the unremarkable Cardassian moving through the crowd.

Non-descript, her mind supplied automatically. The kind of person you didn’t notice unless you were trained to notice exactly that.

Zark’s subvocalized question made Enyd’s fingers tighten imperceptibly around the latinum bar.

Marratt Shipping. Ministry of Agriculture. Procurement.

Enyd didn’t answer right away. Instead, she tilted her head, letting her eyes drift lazily over the Cardassian as if she were just another curious patron watching the flow of the crowd. She searched her memory, flipping through meetings and briefings the way she’d been trained to—faces half-remembered, names buried under titles and agendas.

“I… think you’re right,” she murmured back at last, keeping her tone light, almost absentminded. “Not a principal. Definitely support staff. The kind who fetches documents and pretends not to hear anything important.” A pause. “Which usually means they hear *everything*.”

Her pulse picked up, though she kept her expression pleasantly dazed. If that Cardassian was connected—and if he was moving in the same direction as the green-skinned woman Ryzit had flagged—then this was already drifting away from coincidence territory.

Enyd swallowed and forced a soft, delighted laugh, lifting the latinum bar slightly as if showing it off to no one in particular. “Oh! Look at that table,” she added aloud, pitching her voice to carry. “I’ve always wanted to try one with real latinum.”

Internally, her mind was already recalibrating.

So much for a simple evening of pretending to be foolish with money.

She shifted her weight, angling herself so she could keep both figures in her peripheral vision without appearing to track either of them directly. Whatever game was unfolding here, it wasn’t just about gambling anymore—and Enyd had the uneasy sense that they’d just stumbled onto a table where the stakes were far higher than credits.

All right, Grandmother, she thought grimly. Let’s see how impulsive and foolhardy gets us out of this one.

Enyd let the decision settle in her bones before she acted on it.

“Oh—that one looks fun,” she said lightly, already drifting toward the nearest table that just so happened to be adjacent to the path the Orion woman and the Cardassian were converging on. Close enough to matter. Far enough not to be obvious.

She chose her seat carefully, turning it so her back was to them, posture loose and inattentive, one leg crossed over the other in a way that suggested comfort rather than calculation. If either of them glanced her way, they’d see nothing but a well-dressed human more interested in the sparkle of the table than the people around it.

Perfect.

The dealer gave her a look—assessing, dismissive, already slotting her neatly into the *easy mark* category—and Enyd leaned into it with enthusiasm. She fumbled slightly with the chips, laughed too loudly when she dropped one, apologized breathlessly as she scooped it up.

“Oh goodness, I’m so sorry,” she said, smiling wide and a little vacant. “I’m still learning how all of this works. My friend *insisted* I try something ‘authentic.’”

Zark would hate this part, she knew. Ryzit would understand it immediately.

The first hand went poorly, exactly as expected. Enyd clapped her hands together anyway, delighted. The second was marginally better. She asked unnecessary questions, tilted her head as if the rules were delightfully confusing, and reacted to every reveal with exaggerated surprise.

And then—somewhere between the third and fourth round—something clicked.

It startled her how natural it felt.

The rhythm of the game. The subtle tells. The way the dealer’s fingers hesitated just a fraction of a second longer when the odds shifted. Her grandmother’s voice drifted back unbidden, calm and amused, guiding her hands as if Enyd were thirteen again, sitting at a battered table on the ranch with a deck of worn cards.

Watch people, not cards.

When the final reveal came, there was a brief, stunned silence.

Then the dealer blinked. Another patron swore under their breath. A small pile of latinum slid unmistakably in Enyd’s direction.

“Oh,” Enyd said softly, eyes widening as she stared down at her winnings. She let out a little laugh, half genuine, half performance. “Oh! I—I won?”

She pressed a hand to her chest as if overwhelmed. “How exciting! I didn’t even realize I was doing it right.”

A few amused chuckles rippled around the table. Someone congratulated her. Someone else eyed her with new interest.

Enyd smiled, bright and pleased—and then, deliberately, she pushed her chair back.

“Well,” she announced, gathering her chips without even glancing at the payout chart, “that was fun for a moment, but I think I’m already bored.” She pouted theatrically, glancing over her shoulder as if suddenly restless. “Isn’t there something else to do here? Something with a bit more… atmosphere?”

She stood before anyone could suggest doubling down, before the dealer could coax her into staying, and gestured vaguely toward the darker end of the casino where the lighting shifted and the music deepened into a slower, heavier pulse.

The same direction the Cardassian and the Orion had gone.

Ryzit and Zark fell into step with her seamlessly as she led them that way, Enyd chatting idly about lighting and music and how everything was starting to look the same. She slowed just short of the threshold, peering into the dimly lit entertainment corridor with open curiosity—but not crossing into it.

Not yet.

Instead, she turned on her heel, eyes lighting up as if struck by a new idea. “Oh! That table looks *far* more interesting,” she said, pointing to another game set just off the main thoroughfare—still public, still bright enough to feel safe, but undeniably closer to where the pair had disappeared.

She took her seat again with a happy sigh, already reaching for chips. “Just one or two rounds,” she added airily. “I want to see if I’m still lucky.”

As the game began anew, Enyd let her smile settle into place, all bright distraction and harmless indulgence—while her awareness stretched thin and sharp beneath it, listening, watching, waiting.

Whatever was happening deeper in the casino, she was now close enough to feel its pull.

And she had every intention of following—on her own terms.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #84 –
[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Casino | Cardassia Prime] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Zark stood behind Enyd and kept an apparent casual disinterest in the actions of the game itself.  She wasn't there to watch money being won and lost.  It was the people that interested her and at the moment, there were a lot of questions that were floating around in her head; all related to a non-descript bureaucrat that had managed to make his way into one of the swankiest places on the planet with little fuss.  As far as her understanding of the bureaucracy went, he was supposed to be relatively high up, maybe in the top third or quarter of the structure, but it was still a middle manager sort of post.  Mainly someone who generated the ideas that would get filtered upwards till a minister of some sort would make an ultimate decision from the options presented.

Their intel on him was pretty thin and almost stereotypically Cardassian, at least as far as the stereotypes went.  Not ruthless enough for the Obsidian Order, but dedicated in duty that he did his job without fail.  Didn't play the politics spectacularly well, but well enough to get to his present post.  No known major vices or hints of major corruption; exchanging favours was one thing, but no known material transactions.  So what was he doing inside this den of glittering shadiness and how was he supposed to be able to afford a seat at a table? Enyd whooped suddenly and this drew the Andorian's attention for a moment, then more than a moment as furiously suppressed the urge to ogle the pile of glittering metal that headed her friend's way.  At least Ryzit had a PADD to hide behind as she pushed up her glasses and tapped several buttons as if the human winning was just a regular part of business.  It was a good sized pile, and Zark had to pull her eyes away from it as she forced her brain back on the job and did a quick scan of the area seeing if she had drawn any additional attention.  Her general impression was of several people looking over and many more looking away.  It seems the excitement had cropped up was now past.  A few stood out for taking a longer moment of interest and Zark duly glared back forcing many to turn away.  Except for a trio of Nausicaans who thought the little slip of a woman was going to try to intimidate them and laughed out their derision. When she was done, her brow furrowed.  There was no way for her to make absolutely sure of everyone she'd mentally challenged.  Was there someone who'd taken note and looked away before she got her chance to challenge them?  Was someone playing dumb?  She let a slight frown add to the fierce visage she presented and hoped her attempt at intimidation was enough.

Then came the announcement of whatever was going to happen next as Enyd not so surreptitiously announced they were moving closing to their potential quarry.  The Andorian didn't even try to protest and simply nodded as she scanned the route they were likely going to take to get to the target table.  It looked about as normal as the situation required and she pulled the chair back to help Enyd get up. 

Whatever was the signal for the next phase of Ryzit's plan, this was it. "I'm headed to the lavatory.  I'll meet up with you later." The Shen announced as the trio threaded their way through the bustling throng of people and glammer.  Zark looked over at her wife for just a moment and Ryzit didn't look directly back, mainly at the back if Enyd's brunette locks since the declaration was mainly for the 'boss.'  She couldn't help but worry though since it was her wife after all and the Shen's lips pushed out and pursed for just a moment before she departed from the group.  Zark took the air kiss for what it was and subtly wished she could have actually mashed her own lips against her wife's. 

That could come later though and Zark followed Enyd to the table.  A pair of heavily muscled Orion's looked the now pair over and Zark locked eyes with them for just a moment.  Only the respectful challenge of professionals meeting each other, the way wary guard dogs would sniff each other out and silently test their opposite numbers in the presence of their masters.  Their masters were safe, this was simply someone new.  The Zhen resolved to stop worrying about her wife as she first held out the seat for Enyd, then settled into her position to guard her charge.

[Ashryzit "Ryzit" sh’Oshraalrat]

The Shen made a bee line for the bar and quickly ordered a shot of something strong and tossed in her mouth.  She held her expression as the burn took hold, but she refused to swallow the fiery liquor as she made her way to a washroom.  It was a mercifully short walk as she entered the washroom and found an unoccupied stall and quickly spat the drink out.  Taking a steadying breath, Ryzit subtly smudged her lipstick just a bit then walked out to find a sink and mirror.  Another moment was spent superficially tussling her snow white hair, then she went out to find the right bathroom.  Getting into the back house area was always the major goal of any heist and she hoped this one would work.  Looking around, she found what she wanted to find and began pressing a service button, repeatably, even impatiently.   The Andorian Shen leaned over washroom counter as she mashed the button and looked at herself in the mirror as she psyched herself up.

She didn't have to wait too long as a professional service (maid) clad Cardassian woman hurried in.  "Apologies ma'am, I got here as fast as I could...." 

Ryzit whirled on the woman and jammed a finger at the hapless service woman. "You!  Do you know how long I've been waiting??!  How dare you keep me waiting in this broken down excuse for opulence!" Ryzit practically shrilled as she tottered theatrically.  Ryzit moved forward and looped her arm around the wide neck and dragged her to a lavatory stall.  "It's filthy! Disgustingly filthy!  And the cleaning system hic! is a disgrace.  I can get more results with toilet paper!"  The Shen raged as she pulled on the flubbering service woman while Ryzit mentally apologized to the innocent worker.

The poor service worker looked in at the practically spotless lavatory unit with bug eyes trying to find the source of the tirade when she was pulled back and pushed in to the stall.  Ryzit whirled the woman around and grabbed her head and planted a big wet kiss.  "Sorry" The Shen apologized before smashing her fist into woman's chin.  Another twirl brought the woman around and the Shen put the stunned Cardassian in a headlock and squeezed with her deceptively strong arms.  The Cardassian woman couldn't even fight back if she even knew how, but she struggled feebly trying to pull the Andorian's arms off neck.  The struggles became weaker and weaker as oxygen was deprived from the brain and eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, the service woman fell unconscious.

Taking a risk, Ryzit steadily loosened her chock hold and checked on her quarry.  Yep, she's asleep.  Good thing it was a woman.  She thought to herself as she opened the unit to look outside to make sure she hadn't raised any curiosity with the commotion.  Quicjkly closing and locking the door, the Andorian looked at the service woman and began undressing her.  Underwear made good impromptu gags and ropes as she stuffed her mouth and bound her arms and ankles.  Thankfully the woman was only slightly bigger than Ryzit was, so the uniform mostly fit. This is so stupid. Ryzit griped.  I wonder if Zark could fit in this thing, definitely a nice little costume.  Definitely have to open up the chest area though.  She mused to herself as she quietly stepped out of the stall and found a mirror to check her appearance.  A few more steps and a quick peek passed the door found what she was looking for, the service cart.  Quickly dragging it in, the Shen stuffed in her clothes and a found a good spot to hide her PADD.  Now she was all set.  Except now she had to charm her way past and security.  At least least getting in shouldn't be that hard as a quick search of the pockets revealed a security card.  Ryzit tapped a few commands on her PADD, then laid the security card on top of it to begin overriding the necessary information like profile pictures and carefully planting a few worms into the security system.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #85 –
[Ens. Enyd Isolde Madsen | Casino | Cardassia Prime] ATTN: @RyeTanker

Long enough.

Ryzit had been gone long enough that the possible outcomes had narrowed down to two: she was in, or she'd been caught. And since no alarm had ripped through the casino's carefully curated atmosphere, no Cardassian security detail had materialized with tense shoulders and hands near weapons, Enyd was operating on the working assumption that the Andorian cop had somehow talked, charmed, or bludgeoned her way through.

Which meant the next useful thing Enyd could do was make herself impossible to ignore from out here.

She'd just lost another hand—genuinely, this time, through no effort of her own—and she let it land with full theatrical weight. Her face crumpled. Her lower lip pushed out. She stacked her remaining chips into a neat, mournful little tower and stared at it with all the existential devastation of a woman who had never needed to learn the value of money.

"Oh, that's simply not fair," she announced to no one, loud enough for everyone.

The dealer's expression remained professionally neutral. The Orion bodyguards flanking a nearby table didn't react. Several other patrons did.

Enyd pushed back from the table. "Zark." She turned to look at her bodyguard with the particular pout she'd been privately workshopping since the hover car. "I want to dance."

Zark's face did something complicated.

"I want to dance," Enyd repeated, louder. She straightened her gown with both hands, something petulant and restless working through her posture. "I have just lost—" she checked her chips with exaggerated dismay, "—an unreasonable amount of money, and I refuse to stand here and be boring about it."

"Zark." Enyd widened her eyes. "I just want to dance with someone. Sexy. Is that so much to ask?" She let that sit for two full beats, then tilted her head with the air of someone arriving at a perfectly reasonable conclusion. "If you won't, perhaps someone here will."

She turned before Zark could answer. There was no strategy in the way she moved across the floor—that was rather the point. She drifted like a woman following impulse rather than intention, fingers trailing lightly across shoulders and elbows as she passed, offering up a smile here, a lifted brow there, a beckoning curl of two fingers at a broad-shouldered Bolian who seemed thoroughly delighted by the invitation, a Cardassian woman in an extraordinary amount of jewelry who laughed in surprise before setting down her drink.

By the time Enyd reached the edge of the dance floor, she had acquired something approximating a small procession. The music was the loud, driving variety that left no room for conversation and every room for spectacle. She walked into it like she belonged there. She danced badly for approximately four seconds. Then something in the rhythm clicked, the way it always did when she stopped thinking—and Enyd Madsen, Federation diplomat and professional catastrophe, started actually dancing. Her grandmother had liked to say that the body remembered what the mind forgot, and apparently what Enyd's body had remembered was that she'd spent three years at the Academy sharing a floor with a Risian roommate who had strong opinions about movement and no patience for half-measures.

People noticed. She encouraged this. Hips, shoulders, the slow roll of her spine—she let the music do exactly what it had been designed to do, which was make rational thought an inconvenience. The Bolian whooped. The Cardassian woman clapped. Others drifted in from the edges, drawn by the particular human chaos of someone refusing to be embarrassed. And then—because the opportunity was simply *there*, because the musicians' riser was unlocked and unguarded and just barely within reach, and because Enyd had good reason to emulate lack of restraint, she climbed up.

Not gracefully. She grabbed the edge of the platform, stepped on the bassist's monitor wedge with a murmured apology, and hauled herself up with enough effort that the maneuver was more earnest than elegant. But she made it. And she was up. The musicians, to their credit, didn't miss a single note. Enyd stood for one half-second at the back of the riser, looked out at the floor below her, and decided quite firmly that Ryzit was going to owe her an extraordinary amount.

Then she started moving again, and the crowd below shifted like a tide, and every set of eyes in this half of the casino swiveled toward the human woman making an absolute scene of herself on the musicians' stage.

Look here, she thought, arms lifting, expression radiant and uncalculated in a way that was entirely calculated. Look here, look here, look here. Not there. Not wherever Ryzit is. Here.

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #86 –
[Ensign XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Ens. Zark) | Casino | Cardassia Prime] Attn: @Ellen Fitz

Zark tried not to move her head when she heard that Enyd wanted to dance.  Her nose scrunched in disbelief at the idea and her antennae pulled back against her head as she  mentally got ready to fight the idea as ludicrous and she opened her mouth to say just a much.  Surely there were better ways to cause than dancing with one's bodyguard, but the human diplomat was a law unto herself as she dragged the blue warrior woman off to who knows where. 

At least, that's what she thought she wanted until subtly swirling blue dress moved into the crowd.  The Andorian's eyebrow quirked as she saw the undulating hips, the gyrating shoulders, subtle tones of sensuality inviting others like the ancient tales of siren's calls.  Except it wasn't to anyone's doom, but to simply enjoy the revelry of the moment.  The blue eyes narrowed for a moment as her blood pressure settled into something resembling normalcy and Zark couldn't help but grin as the slow deliberate twist of the hips, and a roll of the shoulder brought back more recent memories from her not so far off Academy days.  They were distinct, yet ubiquitous as long as one knew the culture; and one had done all they could to become literally intimately familiar with the movements.  The Andorian snorted as she took a quick look around.  A Cardassian and a Bolian were delighted by the invitation to dance.  The Horgh'an was the most visible symbol for an intimate encounter with the hedonistic inhabitants of Risa, but that was more using a club for the clueless. 

Enyd's exercise of the more subtle arts evoked a more subconscious response and the very attractive blue woman had to ruthlessly step on her own libido as a rolling gyration of Enyd's shoulders and an arching of her back as she threw her head back in an act of silent ecstasy lent little requirement to the imagination on the more modest bust that the human had.  Then again, Kaleema would have enjoyed the show and probably done something that probably would have thoroughly tripped up the diplomat's dance.  Zark inhaled sharply as a tingle of warmth raced through her and she froze for a moment as she looked down.  The Zhen silently scowled as she pulled her hand away from her swollen hidden nipple that she'd started to subconsciously massage. Bad Zark. Focus!  Zark looked around again and the majority of the floor seemed to be enjoying the show.  Professional concerns stopped her urge to satisfy herself for a moment. If that man and woman decide to grope or shove their tongues down Enyd's throat, am I supposed to break up the show?

Mulling the ramifications didn't stop Zark from feeling someone joining her and she looked over to see the stunning and utterly dangerous green skinned humanoid stand next to her.  Slender green fingers  ran themselves along dark lips and Zark swore she could see the Orion's tongue trying to stick out it's owner's mouth.  The Andorian had to look over and she could see the muscle nearby and one of them looked at her before going back to looking over the crowd.  The Cardiassian man seemed to be very slow in getting the latte coloured kanar into his mouth as he watched the show. "You're charge seems quite carefree.  And generous with her affections."  Dangerous dark eyes glittered directly into hopefully impassive looking blue-green ones and the dark smile was positively predatory.  "A fascinating creature.  Perhaps she could be enticed to join me for a drink?" There wasn't even a twinkle in the eyes of a smile that refused to move above her nose.

Zark felt the a vice begin to close as she tried to figure out a way to buy time and she thought furiously for a moment.  An idea started forming and it was absolutely terrible, but unless Ryzit could get the whole situation resolved quickly.  She turned to face the Orion and crossed her arms under her ample chest and pushed them upwards.  The two male thugs moved closer to the alluring green woman and she ignored the move.  Zark subtly brushed aside stray white lock as she offered a mischevous smirk.  "Well.  I can't really let her out of my sight, so we'll all need to stay together, wherever she goes."

The Orion snorted as her smile flashed the barest hint of polished pearly canines.  "I wouldn't dream of it dear protector. And if we decide to have a private conversation later on?"

Zark smiled back, deciding to take a chance. "We take care of each other, and I'm quite flexible depending on the situation."  The Andorian's expression turned more neutral.  "But I can't let her out of my sight, orders from the the boss after all."

The Orion brought a finger up to her mouth and ran her tongue over her long index nail.  "A curious arrangement you two have."

The Andorian turned sultry to the max as she lowered her arms and not as subtly smoothed the side of her suit. "Girls have needs."  The Orion nodded her understanding. "Lead on then and let's see if this will be an affair to remember."  Zark nodded and turned towards Enyd.  She had about 10 seconds to sub-vocalize the situation to Enyd so she would have some idea of what she pot of oil Zark had dropped them into.

[Ashryzit "Ryzit" sh’Oshraalrat]

The Andorian pushed the cart along the edges of the gambling area.  She had to avoid the tables and some machines.  She had to avoid the walls since that was too obvious.  At least the cart she had did have identifiably obvious cleaning supplies.  No drinks and no food.  Plus the uniform she'd acquired was no where near as revealing as the women working the tables and other money handling activities.  She pointedly ignored a Bajoran woman with a plastered on smile and a deep cleavage working the dabo table.  I guess she could be desperate or her wanderlust got the better of her.  The train of thought was quickly dismissed.  Her eyes briefly dipped down her her PADD as a progress bar ran along the ID card she'd pilfered from the maid as it steadily made it's way to the magical 100% point.

It seemed agonizingly slow, and she took a moment to take a few turns here and there.  Ryzit eeped as she felt someone grab her ass and she swallowed the urge to shove the broom handle through someone's eye when a sloppy meaty hand smacked a butt cheek.  A drunken voice slurred "Now that's what I call a real piece, how about we take this one upstairs?  Lemme show you what a good time really is..."  Ryzit hunched her head down further and mumbled something before scurrying off.  "Hey! Come back ere!" the drunk yelled.  There was a bodily crash as he stumbled over his own feet and collapsed on the floor.  

The timing was too good as several beefy thug types made their way over to the source of the commotion.  Her window was going to be brief as she moved as quickly and calmly as her legs would carry her to a service door. There was more yelling behind her as the drunk patron wanted to know where the fine blue skinned hottie had run off to.  Security wasn't having any of the disturbance though.  Anything that stopped people from spending money was to be dealt with promptly, and Ryzit gave herself a moment's reprieve as the voice got further away.

One last barrier and I really hope this works.  The cop thought to herself as she made it to the door and pulled out the ID card.  She took a brief look at the holographic display and the picture had changed to her own face.  Here goes nothing. she thought as she pressed the card to the reader and held her breath for the infinitesimal second.  The door beeped green and opened automatically.  Without waiting, she pushed the cart through and entered the belly of the beast. 

Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Reply #87 –
[Ens. Enyd Isolde Madsen | Casino | Cardassia Prime] ATTN: @RyeTanker

Zark's voice came up through the bone behind Enyd's ear while both her arms were still over her head.

Ten seconds of it, compressed and unpunctuated, arriving at the exact moment her spine finished its arch. Green woman. Two men. A drink somewhere quieter. An arrangement Zark had already built and was now confessing at speed, the way you confess a thing you'd do again. Enyd smirked. They weren't so different. Opportunity required offerings.

Four dead on a colony near Trill. Ryzit had said it at the bar, and Enyd had filed every word of it while pretending to admire the ceiling. A bad security recording, ten minutes out from the scene. A face on it. And the face wanted to buy her a drink.

Enyd's hips did not stop moving. She noted, from the part of her mind that the Metternich School had trained to keep running under conditions of any description, that her pulse had gone up and that the humidity in this building would account for some of it. The air came through the vents warm and slightly sweet, the way air does when someone has spent money to hide what the ducts smell like.

Understood, she sent back, and nothing else, because there was nothing sayable in four seconds.

From up here the floor was a map. Terraces going down and out like water finding its level, gold light off the dabo wheels, the shadow along the walls where the carpet ran out and the architecture stopped pretending. Cardassia Prime lay outside these walls in rubble that still hadn't been sorted, and in here men were losing the price of a water reclamation plant on a single throw and laughing about it.

She found the Cardassian in twelve seconds.

Same place he'd been standing for forty minutes, at the outer curve of the walkway, one shoulder to a column. The glass of kanar in his hand was still at the level it had been when she climbed up, and the condensation had made a ring on his cuff that he hadn't noticed. Two servers had passed him without turning their trays. His collar was a season out of fashion and pressed hard enough to have been pressed by hand, and he had looked at the main doors twice while she watched, not the way a man looks for someone he's meeting, but the way a man checks that a door is still where he left it.

Nobody in this building had spoken to him. but somebody in this building had told him to be here.

Enyd brought her arms down, laughing, breathless, and leaned toward the keyboardist with her hand cupped beside her mouth as though she were sharing a secret with four hundred witnesses.

"Play something everyone knows. I'm about to be terribly popular."

She sat on the lip of the riser and dropped the half meter to the marble in a rush of floral silk, and she was talking before her heels landed.

"Drinks!" One hand up, voice over the music. "Drinks for this entire end of the room, on me, because I have had the most marvelous evening and I refuse to be the only person enjoying myself."

The floor turned toward her the way a floor turns when someone opens a purse in public. The Bolian whooped. Somebody behind him took up the noise, and then the noise had its own weight and didn't need her.

Her grandmother had put a pot of coffee in front of every man who ever came up the drive at Yew Valley, including the two she meant to run off the property before sundown, and Enyd had understood the arithmetic of that gesture years before she had a word for it. You give people something first, and then you find out what they walked in for, and the beauty of it is that both halves are sincere.

She threaded through the gathering crush toward her abandoned table, swept her chips up with both hands and no attention whatsoever, and collected the clutch from where it had sat unwatched on the rail for six minutes. Careless. She hated when she was careless like that.
The compact mirror opened under her thumb.

It could cut pure duranium, Korex had said, given time and a steady hand. At present it showed a human woman with her hair coming down at the left temple and her color high from dancing, and Enyd fixed the first with two pins and declined to do anything about the second. The lipstick came out of the case. She uncapped it below the level of the table and put it on the way she had put it on in worse mirrors in worse buildings, unhurried, following the line of her own mouth, pressing once to set it.

Thirty seconds, Korex had said. One kiss.

She capped it, put everything back, and turned around with her chin already lifted.

The Orion was crossing to meet her.

She moved the way water moves downhill, weight forward over the balls of her feet, glass held low and out from the body, right hand free and empty and relaxed. Not a threat posture. The two men came behind her at four paces, and neither of them looked at Enyd at all, which told her more about what they had been told than anything the woman was about to say. Enyd went to meet her, so they arrived nowhere, which meant they stopped in the open with the whole floor around them and drinks going out in every direction at Enyd's expense.

The pheromones came in ahead of the conversation.

She felt them land on the room before she felt them anywhere in herself. The Bolian's face changed. A Nausicaan at the rail forgot what his hands were doing. Warmth came up through Enyd's throat and behind her sternum, sweet and slow and entirely borrowed, and stopped there, held at the door like a caller she had not decided about, and did not get in. She stood in it, and cataloged it, and looked pleasantly interested, and thought about the recycled air.

"You're the one buying," the Orion said. Low voice. Cardassian accent laid over Standard, learned here, learned well.

"I'm the one celebrating." Enyd put out her hand.

The woman looked at it, amused by the gesture the way you'd be amused by a child's card trick, and took it. Dry palm. Cool. She held on half a second past the point of usefulness, and her thumb moved once across Enyd's knuckles, and there was nothing accidental anywhere in it.

"My protector tells me you wanted a word somewhere quiet," Enyd said. "I'm afraid I've just committed several hundred people to a party, so I've ruined quiet for both of us. You should stay anyway. Everyone interesting in this building has come over, and I've decided that includes you."

"She was very accommodating, your protector."

"She's been strict with me all evening. I've stopped arguing. It's terribly restful, having someone tell you where you may and may not stand."

The Orion's mouth curved, and she drank, and over the rim of the glass her eyes caressed Enyd's shape.

"Eleven hands," she said. "You lost the first two, and you did not lose another until you stood up."

Enyd's smile did not move. In the space behind it she took the sentence apart, the way she took apart every sentence that had ever been aimed at her, and found the shape of it: not a question, not an accusation, and not spoken quietly enough to be either. Somebody had counted. Somebody in this room had been given the job of counting, and had reported, and the reporting had reached this woman fast enough for her to cross a floor with it.

"Beginner's luck," Enyd said, "is the only kind I've ever had the patience for."

"I don't think so."

"No," Enyd agreed cheerfully, "you don't." She turned before the woman could put anything in the gap, pitched her voice up and out across the circle, and aimed it at the column. "You. With the kanar. You have been nursing that for half an hour and I have bought you three."

Every head between them came around. The Cardassian went entirely still, like a man who has spent a career being professionally invisible and has just been seen at volume.

Enyd crossed to him before he could recover, took his free elbow, and steered him back into the circle with the confidence of a woman who has never once been refused. Under her fingers, his arm was locked to the bone. He came anyway.

"You are the only person in this room not pretending to enjoy himself," she said, delighted, "which makes you the only person in this room I believe. What is it you do?"

He looked at the Orion. He looked at the two men. Then, because Enyd had asked and nobody else had, he looked at Enyd, and something in his jaw dropped about a millimeter.

"Agriculture," he said.

"You are not." Enyd laid a hand flat on her sternum. "Agriculture. On this planet. Do you know how many men have told me tonight that they are in shipping? I came here to put money into something, and every one of them wants to sell me a percentage of a freighter I am certain does not exist." She rolled her eyes for the benefit of the circle and let the register drop, just slightly, just enough that a careful listener would hear the costume slip and not be able to prove it. "But somebody is rebuilding this world. Somebody signs for the seed, and the water, and the soil reclamation, and nobody at this end of the room can tell me who. I find that remarkable. Don't you find that remarkable?"

The Cardassian said nothing. He also did not leave, and his weight came off the one foot and settled onto both. Enyd turned the whole of the performance back onto the Orion, eyebrows up.

"You play. You have the face for it." She lifted the chips and let them clatter, and held the woman's eyes. "A table. The three of us. I'll stake him, since he clearly won't stake himself, and if I lose every credit I have, I have the consolation of having lost it to the two most interesting people in the building instead of to a machine."

"And the stake?"

"Oh, I'm bored of money." Enyd tilted her head. "I'd like to know what each of you would want if you won. Not what you'd take. What you'd want. I'll go first, if that's the trouble."

The music changed behind her. Along the rail, one of the two men stepped out of his four paces and began to move around the outside of the circle, and Enyd watched him come in the polished curve of the nearest dabo wheel without turning her head.

The cold under her ribs turned over once, the thing she had spent four years attributing to skipped meals and long transports, and she kept her hands loose on the clutch and her chin up.
 
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