The Characters:

Karrde
    The man is thin, with a quiet air of intensity about him only guessed at by
  his light eyes. He has a thin, almost sardonic, face, and a calm tone of
  voice. He is casually dressed in dark blues, slacks with simple boots,
  and a much  worn dress shirt with a fastened collar.

Slog
  Rotund and vile. This Hutt would be considered elderly among his species.
  Greyish wirey tufts of hair jut from his massive slobbering chin. His eyes 
  are bulbous and orange. His rumbling voice, hideous in it's mucousy overtones
  rolls out of his wide slit-like mouth. His body is nothing more than a
  blubbery mass of fetid flesh, ending in a thick snakelike tail.

Mara_Jade
Your eyes fall upon a beautiful 5'10" human female. She has the body of a 
 dancer, and the eyes of a mercenary. Her medium-length, red-gold hair is 
 pulled back into a smooth, tight ponytail. Her eyes are deep emerald green and
 usually expressionless. Overall, she is strikingly beautiful, but there is 
 some kind of bitterness or other emotion marring her beauty. She walks with 
 the cat-like grace and a dancer's agility, but also with the hard-edged 
 demeanor of a soldier. She wears a plain grey tunic and pants tucked into 
 black boots, very non-descript, and would ordinarily vanish into her 
 surroundings, except that she very often decides not to. Her eyes focus with 
 a calculating gaze on anything that falls in her line of sight. Often she may 
 look as if she is oblivious to the world around her, but some more perceptive 
 people might get the impression that she knows quite a bit more than she 
 actually lets on.

Elysia
        Rapacious eyes of a cold winter storm stare out from the face of a
  young woman, the left eye a rich emerald green, the right a vivid sapphire
  blue. Thick, dark hair is worn down, curled ringlets tumbling across her
  shoulders and to a point just above the middle of her back. Smooth, fair skin
  is flawless in nature, her face rarely holding more than a touch of emotion 
  to it. Her athletic body moves with the grace of a predatory animal, her
  movements fluid, motions mere whispers.
        The woman's upper body is clad in a loose crimson blouse, the first two
  buttons of which are casually left open to barely reveal portions of her
  feminine curves while the length only reaches halfway down her torso, cropped
  short to expose her firm, toned abdomen, the long sleeves buttoned at the
  cuff. Slender fingers are tipped in exquisitely manicured nails painted in a
  deep, crimson hue. Well fitted pants of a sharp black accompany the snug
  leather top to define the woman's natural curves and slender, toned legs. A
  black utility belt hangs about the woman's waist, resting higher on the right
  than it does on the left as it sits loosely upon the curves of her slender
  hips. A pair of military combat boots which have been shined to near
  luminescence lace up to mid-calf, the ends of her pants legs tucked neatly
  inside.

-----
The Scene:

The scattering of tables alternates from pools of darkness to
  blisters of light, intentionally or otherwise, highlighting patrons of the
  shady establishment. Somewhere in between, Talon Karrde sits in twilight,
  watching the room with the idly intentness of a man at ease. Beside him, a
  youngish human male is slightly less relaxed, and the two converse quietly.

The doorway flashes brightly for a fraction of a second before an oblong shape
  blocks it and squirms through. Grunting deeply and emitting various gases,
  Slog squishes in, past the patrons bustling for entry and exit. His bulbous
  eyes scanning the darkness, adjusting quickly to the light, he makes an 
  effort to turn his rotund body halfway and belches behind him, blinking.

Mara_Jade glides in behind Slog, frighteningly quietly and crosses her arms.
  She payattention to no one in particular and blinks in annoyance at the
  varying lights. Nevertheless, she trains her eyes on each and every patron in
  turn.

Elysia emerges from the doorway just a step shy of Mara; a certain grace in her
  step, her pace measured and exacting in nature. She carries a datapad in her
  left hand and her eyes float across the room upon entry, her gaze cool and
  calculating as it sweeps the establishment.

"Find him." Slog bellows at Mara. A thick mucousy tongue slithering out to lap
  at his chin. A rumbling addition comes from the Hutts mouth, "..and keep
  these derelicts away from me.. Hells.." quirking his mouth up in disgust at
  the various creatures nearby him he grunts once more, heaving his body along
  the floor, rattling dishes and some patrons appetites. "Elysia.." he roars 
  out lowly.. "Hrrrrmm... as you were saying my dear.."

Karrde, like many beings around him, looks to the entrance of the large Hutt,
  taking in as much, if not more, the creature's two companions. His mouth
  lifts in a faint smile, though possibly in response to something his friend
  mutters.

Mara_Jade glances back at Slog, a hint of disgust entering her eyes, and then
  turns back to the area around him. "Move it," she growls softly, and several
  nearby creatures edge quickly away. She scans the room for someone and,
  noticing a smiling man watching them, raises an eyebrow and starts to move
  towards him.

Elysia's stride takes her over to a distance of a few meters from the Hutt and
  her attention turns back to the datapad in hand as she slows her pace to walk
  alongside it, "Yes, the latest endeavor persued has been efficiently
  controlled to the point of completion; the revenues of such were very
  profitable. More than twenty percent what we estimated it would be."

Slog rumbles his approval at the numbers and slithers after Mara. Wide eyes
  squinting, a stubby hand stroking his wirey beard which happens to be
  dripping with pale scum.

Karrde remains the idle onlooker for a bit, regarding the more forceful of the
  entourage as she walks. It's a studying look, without appearing rude, and he
  pulls it off well. The man beside him seeks obscurity in his dirty mug,
  frowning.

Mara_Jade continues to walk towards Karrde until she reaches him, appearing to
  most eyes as if she isn't interested in whether or not Slog is following her.
  When she finally reaches him, she studies him for a moment and turns her face
  to Elysia, tacitly assuring her that this is the one. She says nothing to 
  Slog and simply watches for a moment.

Elysia continues her slow pace beside Slog, matching his slithering speed with
  ease as if accustomed to adjusting her long legged stride in this fashion. 
  She remains at least a meter from him, if not two, at all times, her gaze 
  rising from the datapad to shift to Mara. With a crisp flicker her eyes 
  quickly move to the men at the table, studying them appraisingly, as one 
  would cargo before an important purchase.

"Dro Goda." Slog rumbles slowly. His head dipping a fraction of a centimeter in
  as cordial a greeting as he is likely to give. He blinks at Mara, then to
  Karrde. "Ahhhh.. Talon Karrde then. I'm glad you could make it." he says as
  folds of flesh flap onto the table. His tail jutting out into the aisle.
  "Errrrmmm." he rumbles, awaiting Karrde's response.

Karrde sits up, a preparatory formal motion. He allows a half second for the
  Hutt to settle, literally, before saying cordially, "Always a pleasure, Your
  Excellency." His tone is reserved, as formal as his stance, though his
  sardonic face is inquiringly pleasant.

Slog's wide toad-like face is comically insidious, yet he licks the corners of
  his mouth with the greenish tongue in approval of Karrde's manners. His ego
  sufficiently bloated along with his body, he rumbles, "I understand you're in
  the business Karrde.." mid sentence he snatches his short arm out toward a
  tray of appetizers on the table. Several of them disappear into the gaping 
  maw before he finishes, "..yes.. and I have a proposition for you.." Again 
  the slobbering tongue, "I am Slog. The Hutt." as if to punctuate his 
  greatness, he belches.

Mara_Jade positions herself easily against the wall between the Hutt and
  Karrde. She stares at both dispassionately and her hand occasionally brushes
  her arm idly. Watching expectantly, she appears almost lost in thought.

Karrde sits still, though his companion sits back, as if seeking a polite way
  to further himself from the Hutt. Karrde says, dryly, "Of course, I'll hear
  it." He gives a glance to the two women, including them with the look. 
  "Please make yourselves confortable."

The Hutt responds by devouring several more hors d'oevres and belching to the
  side, "Elysia.."

Mara_Jade levels her penetrating, green eyes at the older human male. "I am
  comfortable," she sneers, watching him suspiciously. She seems about to say
  something but then stops and waits for Elysia to begin.

Karrde nods with a smile to Jade's response, and looks to the other woman.

Elysia watches Slog speak with Karrde without intrusion, remaining back a few
  steps from the table, datapad held in clasped hands which rest at her waist.
  The sapphire of her right eye sparkles under the odd lighting while the deep
  emerald of her left seems to draw in the darnkess of the room's shadows, both
  fixated on Karrde in a cool gaze but neither that nor her lithe frame move an
  inch at his offer. 
At Slog's call, however, she strides to the table with a measured pace,
  bringing the datapad up and focusing on it briefly and saying, "There is an
  important shipment of goods which needs to be delivered to Thy'los in the 
  near future. It is entirely possible the Imperial blockade is still in 
  place, a blockade which would need to be surpassed in order to deliver said 
  shipment." Eyes flick up to Karrde and she stares at him quietly for a 
  moment to see how this information is sinking in.

Mara_Jade adds quickly, frowning deeply. "And it would be nice if it actually
  reaches Thylos..."

Karrde considers not Elysia, but Jade as the man at Karrde's side frowns and
  defers to him, stating in no words his doubt. Karrde asks softly, "His
  Excellency would have hardly sought someone who was known for anything but
  good work, I'm sure." Again that smile as he turns to look back to Slog. 
  "What are the goods?"

Mara_Jade looks back at Slog and almost seems as if she is suppressing sardonic
  laughter. "Yes, his Excellency...I'm sure..." She turns her gaze back on
  Karrde. "But I wonder what he would think if he knew what you really were:
  less of a smuggler...and more of a _pirate_" On the last word she scowls at
  Karrde and turns her attention to Slog, as if waiting to explain.

A raspy sound comes from the Hutt's blubbery throat. It could be the sound of
  air being pulled thoughtfully into his mouth, or some other regurgitative yet
  contemplative noise. "Shardrah spice.. excellent quality.." he ravishes the
  words dreamily, his orange eyes slowly closing as he ponders the wealth that
  that particular name conjures. Snapping his eyes wide open again, he peers at
  Karrde. "..for my cousin Fithrah.. he pays handsomely.." a rolling chuckle
  boils in the Hutts abdomen.

Slog considers Mara's words. His gaze furrowing, "Hrmm.." he looks quizically
  at the man.

With a slight movement of thumb, Elysia keys up a command on
  her datapad and remains quiet as the Hutt responds to Karrde's inquiry,
  waiting in silence for her resources to be called upon again. The crisp,
  jewel-like orbs which peer out from her refined face remain settled firmly
  upon Karrde as the others converse with him, watching his every move
  studiously.

Karrde's calm attention remains on the Hutt, though his brows rise briefly at
  Jade's 'accusation'. He pauses at Slog's words, comments, "Quite a cargo. I
  imagine it would be difficult to find shippers for it, with the additional
  risks."

Slog lols his tongue back and forth, shifting his weight. His eyes find
Elysia's.

Mara_Jade glances slowly back and forth between Karrde and Slog and raises an
  eyebrow. "It appears our friend here," she motions towards Karrde, "had a bit
  of a run-in with another of our associates. You remember the trouble we had
  with Karn?" she points at Karrde. "He's sitting right there." Her arms cross
  quickly and she takes a more combat-like stance, but doesn't make a move yet,
  preferring to await the Hutt's response first.

With a brief glance to Slog, Elysia answers the question posed,
  "Shippers aren't a difficult asset to aquire. However.." She pauses a moment
  and looks between the two men before returning her attention to Karrde,
  "Finding shippers who are not already linked to our organization is a little
  more challenging."

"Is this true Karrde?" Slog answers lowly. His attention riveted by the
  appetizer tray once more. He asks the question off hand, as if it's
  importance has yet to be determined and he is indifferent to it.

Karrde adds, "And shippers who meet your high requirements of reliablility I
  imagine." He shifts his near-lazy gaze to Jade, noting her stance in passing
  and admits, "Your Excellency, If a man values his business and means of
  survival, he wouldn't knowingly seek to harm it." The answer is idle, as if
  this were a given, and he adds mildly, "No offense is meant in
  misunderstandings."

Slog chomps as Karrde speaks. If he has an opinion he doesn't show it, however
  he does glance at Mara.

Mara_Jade leans over the table angrily at Karrde. "No offense in
  misunderstandings....but I doubt this is a misunderstanding," she growls
  softly and removes a tiny blaster from an unseen hiding place. "I would
  suggest you take this a little more seriously," she sneers quietly.

Slog smiles at his bodyguards forthrightness. He says nothing. Simply pleased
  that his underlings will take care of his best interests.

The man next to Karrde starts, but stills as the older man
  makes a slight motion with one hand before setting it back on the table and
  saying, firmly and quietly, "I take a great deal seriously, and threat 
  doesn't change that. If His Excellency has come to find a means of moving 
  his cargo, then I can assure him, with all seriousness, that it can be 
  done." He maintains his light-eyed gaze on Jade, his larconic expression 
  backed by a level gaze.

"Mara.." Slog says in a reassuring tone, "Do you believe this man is the best
  choice for the job?"

Elysia remains in her passive stance, hands moving to clasp themselves before
  her again at her waist with her datapad held lightly but firmly in their
  grasp. Her posture is straight and precise, a businesslike aura envelopping
  her form as she watches the verbal exchanges at the table with no visible
  interest or disintrest of note.

Mara_Jade appears quite unimpressed. "I'm certain you would go to all sorts of
  lengths to assure you get what you want," she growls, her voice implying her
  belief in his crime again. She glances back at Slog momentarily when he
  speaks and then focuses coldly on Karrde once more. Out of nowhere she 
  blinks and then stares at the human incredulously. She seems to forget about 
  everyone else around her.

Karrde looks quietly back at the woman, curiously. He also seems to be waiting
  for her answer.

Slog snakes out the tongue once again to lap at the slobber his greyish beard
  has acquired during the conversation, "I trust.." he says, plopping yet
  another morsel into his wide mouth, "..my bodyguard." he eyes Karrde, "..but
  you seem like an honest human." a burst of noise erupts from him, throaty and
  deep in bass ref, "..you -do- know what would happen if you double crossed
  me.." Again his tone is indifferent, and consciously so.

Karrde blinks, turning to the Hutt. "Of course, Your Excellency," he answers.
  "Is thirty acceptable for the service you require?"

With a face as impassive as a solid wall of stone, Mara
  leans back, eyes still on Karrde and raises a hand in a vague gesture towards
  the Hutt. She continues to watch him, herself betraying no emotion, and says
  toward Slog, "My sources may have been mistaken." She leans back against the
  wall again, frowning vaguely to herself.

Slog eyes Elysia orangely, his voice turning professional, "Ergmmmg.. Bola nar
  galsha.." he asks heartily.

Elysia purses her lips slightly but makes no other visible expression as she
  draws the datapad up, activating it again with just a slight motion of her
  slender fingers, "We were looking more along the lines of twenty four or
  twenty five."

Karrde considers, seriously, musing, "I'm afraid extra precautions would have
  to be taken, given the cargo and the obstacles." He shakes his head, more in
  respectful apprecation of the risks than a negative, certainly. "I'm afraid I
  can't go much lower than twenty-eight."

Slog waves a stubby hand, leaning toward Elysia again, "Gar noka.. ermmmmgg" he
  nods, "Dola Shal." he says in finality.

Elysia's expression tightens a degree at Karrde; at the rumblings of the Hutt,
  however, she shifts her glance to Slog and offers a short nod to him before
  stating to Karrde, "Twenty eight it is, then."

Karrde nods his agreement, saying, "Very well then. If you have details of the
  shipment, I can give you a means of getting it to me, though not here. Is 
  that acceptable?" He directs this to the Hutt, though his gaze strays to 
  Jade, his expression a question unvoiced, briefly.

Elysia states casually in a professional tone not marred by emotion, "There are
  some details we need to discuss at this time regarding the shipment.."

Slog's heavy lids fall to mid-orangish eye. A long grunt emanating from him.
  His tail swishes back and forth, letting his business manager work out the
  details.. after all, he -is- the most fabulous Hutt in existence.. He's 
  chosen the best people.. he's managed his contacts.. All if well with the 
  world.. Now if only the employees of this wretched tavern would refill the 
  food plates..Ermmmgg.

Mara_Jade stares at Slog incredulously. "Just like that, huh? What are you
  senile? I know you have brains somewhere in that vile body of yours!" She
  moves like lightning to a position right beside Karrde and points her blaster
  into his ear. "I guess you don't mind having scum take off with your
  merchandise, but I have a little more intelligence than that!" she yells at
  the Hutt.

Slog's eyes pop open as if he had been shocked out of sleep. They flick one way
  or the next, finally resting on Mara's form. Rattling off a Huttese curse, he
  waves his stubby arms back and forth saying something toward Elysia.. "Rada
  nol Tah!" A rumble as the tail increases it's rate of swishing.

Karrde tenses, surise quickly replaced by a firmly held patience as his friend
  half rises with a "Now wait...!" before he freezes, eyeing the weapon his his
  boss's ear.

Mara_Jade keeps herself just out of Karrde's reach and raises the blaster to
  point at the younger man as well. "You wait," she growls and motions for him
  to sit back down.

Elysia snaps a hissing comment to her associate, using the most emotion she's
  displayed during the entire meeting, "Mara, back off of him."

The other man at Karrde's table raises both hands, one slower
  than the other; he wouldn't have been going for his weapon, now would he?
  Karrde's voice is even, though firm, the sort one would use with jittery and
  violent animals, "You have a reason, Mara?"

Mara_Jade moves back only the slightest fraction, keeping her blaster trained
  on the two human men, and lobs a question towards Elysia, "So you've lost it
  too? What is wrong with you both? There is a distinct possibility that this
  guy cost you thousands of credit in cargo and you just want to give him
  more...No questions asked?" She ignores Karrde's protests.

Slog continues his wide-eyed roaring at this turn of events. "Gol chocka Mara!
  Mara!" he rattles off, visibly stirred by this public show of violence..
  especially with -him- present. After all, what will his other contacts think
  if they saw this display from the Hutt's employees?? They'd laugh at him,
  that's what they'd do.. and they'd stop doing business with him because he
  can't control his people. He snaps at Elysia, "Droga Nah!"

Elysia turns a fiery gaze on Mara and growls out in a low tone audible only to
  the table's occupants, "Mara, dammit, stop this -now-. This isn't the time or
  place."

Karrde keeps his attention on Mara; he's not moved in his seat since the flurry
  of movement from the woman, but, like the man next to him, he seems ready to
  change his immobility if possible.

Mara_Jade glowers back at Elysia but reluctantly lowers her blaster, still
  keeping it grasped tightly in her hand. She whispers angrily in hers and the
  Hutt's direction. "I suppose the right time would be after he's taken off 
  with the shipment and you have to pay a bounty hunter to get him back. 
  You're a fool, Slog." Regardless, she backs up against the wall in her 
  former position and the blaster dissappears again.

Slog rumbles noisily, his gaze flickering on Mara for awhile, content to deal
  with this little outburst -later-.. when they're alone and he can do with her
  as he pleases. He composes himself muttering, "Elysia.. the arrangements.."
  another glare toward Mara.

Mara_Jade rolls her eyes at Slog, apparently thinking of arrangements of her
own.

Karrde relaxes a fraction, even if his friend does not, and flicks a look to
  the Hutt without moving his head. He remains silent a moment, watching the
  Hutt's reactions before turning his attention to Elysia.

Elysia exhales a breath and her expression slips back into one of a
  businesslike nature. She keys up a file on her datapad and takes a step
  closer to Karrde, speaking in low tones to ensure privacy of the details as
  she fills the man in on the finer points of the business adventure he's
  accepted.

Karrde adopts a similar expression, murmuring a question or two and finally
  nodding and sitting back. He glances at his companion, the first time since
  the threesome arrived, and gives the man an encouragingly wry smile. The
  younger man relaxes, grudgingly.

As Karrde and Elysia finish working out the finer details, 
  Elysia moves back to her position somewhat near Slog and gives the Hutt a nod
  that implies everything's been taken care of.

Slog slurps at the now empty plate before dropping it heavily to the table. He
  bellows out something fiendish in Elysia's direction, eyeing Karrde orangely.
  "Nell gota, dro shuuda-nal." He then snorts.

Karrde sits back after the quiet negotiations with Elysia, including Jade in
  his field of vision as he watches the Hutt. His manner, quite casual before,
  as taken more of an intent patience, as of a man finding himself on more
  uneven footing than first appeared.

Elysia pauses and glances back down to the datafile on her pad, then she
  comments quietly to Karrde, "There is one other detail. The spice is
  currently on an Imperial ship in the Du'lax system. You'll have to procure it
  from them before making the delivery."

Mara_Jade grins smugly and waits for Karrde's reaction.

Karrde's friend momentarily gapes. Karrde himself watches the Hutt a moment
  before saying evenly, "That's hardly would I would term 'Imperial trouble',
  Your Excellency."

Slog licks at his lower lip cautiously before replying, "That is the
  situation.. I presume that professionals such as yourself are capable of
  completing the task as arranged?" he says smugly.

Karrde shrugs minutely. "Professional pirates, perhaps," he observes, "Though I
  take it from the earlier outburst, Your Excellency has...issues with such
  elements."

Mara_Jade mutters something that sounds like, "You would know..." under her
  breath.

Slog gurgles, "We -have- had trouble with thieves yes.." he says disdainfully.

Karrde remarks with a smile, "I have friends with different interests in
  methods, perhaps. I could recommend someone reliable who would suit the
  conditions of this shipment." Dry, oh yes, and even more fo on the last word.
  The man next to Karrde remains still, eyes on Jade for the most part.

Mara_Jade notices the young one watching her and winks. It did _not_ appear to
  be a friendly gesture.

Slog scowls, although the expression is lost amid folds of flesh on his face,
  "Are you refusing my offer of employment Karrde?"

Karrde replies, "Not quite, Your Excellency. I believe you have a very serious
  concern for a job well done, and think I could be of service to you in
  achieving that. To spurn your offer would dishonor you, of course, but to
  waste your time in sifting through the chafe would be an even worse crime.
  Wouldn't you agree?"

Slog replies indifferently, "Yes. But I do no know this other person you speak
  of.. and if you are expecting a finders fee, you can forget it Karrde." he
  belches at that, swishing his tail into the table, so that the glasses 
  rattle.

Karrde smiles, shaking his head. "I did not offer with that payment in mind.
  Business is also who know, and I imagine that I could serve you as an able
  guide in that. If you so choose not to trust my contacts, that is Your
  Excellency's wish, of course."

Slog glances toward Mara and then Elysia, pondering this for quite sometime as
  Hutts are apt to do, he stares back plainly at Karrde, little movement coming
  from him other than the gentle swish of his tail and occasional smacking of
  his lips in thought. "I believe that you may be dangerous Karrde.." his eyes
  roving toward Mara as he says it, then wandering back half-lidded. "..but not
  to me. At least not anytime soon.." again another lengthy pause and a 
  rumbling addition, "Set a meeting. If your associate impresses me, it may 
  very well be lucrative for you all.."

Karrde inclines his head. "Very well. At your convienence."

-- end --