[h2][center]’The Devil’s Playground’ Part 2[/center][/h2] Location: Afterlife Club The first floor was much like Chora’s Den, the ‘livelier but deadlier’ sensation, as they headed toward the bar. Electric lights flickered and darted about the thriving scene, dowsing them both in various lights and hazy smoke. It all caused their figures to glow brightly in the dim light. In the backdrop several males were ogling at the asari dancers dressed in skimpy outfits and twirling upon their metal poles, bending in ways that the aliens observing them would have wet fantasies about for nights to come. Their lips curled into sexy, teasing smiles while flaunting what they knew they had. Low, steady beat music hummed through the room as it vibrated within Vellios, his eyes fixed on his current associate. When they came to the bar, Vellios extended his arm to offer a seat first. As she sat, he looked to her for her order. Aleera smiled softly and twirled her fingers playfully upon the counter in thought, her teeth nibbling on her lower lip. After a moment of toying with Vellios, she answered. “I’ll have an Asari Honey Mead. Though... what are you going to have?” Vellios nodded then spoke to the bartender, another Asari, through he noted she was more plain and professional than his company. [color=rosybrown] “The pretty Asari will have a Honey Mead, and I’ll have a Horsok shot.”[/color] “Oooo, that’s some hard stuff. You like it rough don’t you?” Aleera teased gently as she turned about, propping her back against the bar’s edge. Her leg stretched downward from her stool, her eyes wondering about the scene. However, he suspected it because she was passing time while he asked his questions. [color=rosybrown] “So, now that I’m paying for your drink, mind telling me [i]how[/i] you know Salihim?”[/color] Aleera leaned in closer, her body twisted to reach for her honey mead then took a sip. She let the sweet nectar glide across her tongue and roll its flavor across her memory before she spoke. “Salihim and I are recent business partners. We do everything from orchestrate the pit fights to scouting out possible contenders, even taking the bets and ensuring there’s a location to fight. Simple really. I’m in charge of determining if a fighter is worth the chit he’s asking for or not.” [color=rosybrown] “Interesting,”[/color] Vellios commented, holding the Hosok in his talons. He didn’t take a sip yet until he learned the details. [color=rosybrown] “I can’t say I imagine Salihim is enthusiastic about the notion, is he?”[/color] “He took some convincing and persuasion but in the end, we worked things out. It helped he needed the funding and I had the chits.” [color=rosybrown] “I wonder what type of spirit brought you to his door just in the nick of time?”[/color] Vellios quietly and casually hinted at her involvement with getting the salarian in the tight spot in the first place. Aleera merely shrugged lightly then continued to sip her drink casually. “Merely good fortune, I suppose. His debt was his own doing, I will make that clear. Now… shall we find Salihim and discuss business?” [color=rosybrown] “Sounds like a good idea…”[/color] Vellios answered and pulled away from the bar, his drink in hand. His arm clasped about Aleera’s waist as he walked alongside her. There was a salarian waiting for them within one of the booths lining the wall. A young, relaxed looked individual, his horned head kept panning the scene as if passing the time while waiting for someone to arrive. His fingers thumped on the table with a sense of impatience and casually checked his omnitool, noting the time that had passed so often. It didn’t insult Vellios nor was it unusual for the species. All salarians moved at accelerated rates because of their lifespan, the fact showed most obviously in the way they spoke and moved. Salihim spoke when he spotted Vellios, the words on the verge of clashing into each other and blending that the turian wondered how the other salarians understood each other in the first place. “Aleera,-I-assume-by-Vellios-being-here-that-he-has-passed-your-irrelevant-test?” Aleera merely smiled deeper as she pulled from Vellios’ grip, her feet pulling her toward Salihim’s side as he brushed her fingertips along his cheek. It was enough to silence him and his eyes darted back to Vellios. “Yes, he will do perfectly.” Clearing his throat, he then began to speak clearly with nervous, guilty expression hidden under his businesslike demeanor. His fish eyes blinked when Vellios slide into the booth’s seat across from him. He tried to vainly ignore Aleera’s hands pawing at the salarian before settling down to finish her drink. “Good. With-that-settled-we-can-move-onto-the details.” Salihim stated calmly, his figure no longer ridgely still when Aleera allowed them to get down to business. His black eyes narrowed upon the chuckling turian and curiosity probed the alien to question Vellios’ actions. “What’s-so-amusing-about-what-I’ve-said?” With Aleera’s eyes also fixed upon him, Vellios paused with his drink halfway to his lips then set it back down to answer. [color=Rosybrown] “Nay, I didn’t think you were the type to work with a partner. You never really...toyed with the concept before.”[/color] The salarian blinked then shrugged. “Aleera-can-be-rather-persuasive-and-determined-when-she-applies-her-mind-to-it. Her-methods,-however-unorthodox,-are-sound.” [color=rosybrown] “Right.”[/color] Vellios replied then took a cautious draft, settling into the conversation by folding up his talons around his glass. [color=rosybrown] “Now, let’s start with the entrance fee. What is it? I know you’ve likely changed it”[/color] “Now-Vellios,-when-has-that-ever-concerned-you-before?” Salihim asked, his head tilted in back in a surprised gesture. [color=rosybrown] “It does since I have to pay and last time, I caught you skimming funds off me.”[/color] Vellios stated with a sharp edge to his comment. His talons tightened upon his glass, causing it sound close to cracking, as he eyed up the salarian. He was daring the alien to deny it and when/if he did, it was going to get messy. Sensing the tension, Aleera jumped in. Her voice delicate, calm and reassuring in her tone to address the climbing issue. “I wouldn’t worry about that, Mr. Malkai, as I’ll be handling the payouts rather than Saliham. Can’t have him cheating people out of their hard earn chits, can we?” Saliham nodded then spoke in agreement. “Yes-she-handles-the-payouts-while-point-out-possible-contenders-and-she-determines-their-worth. I’ve-spoken-highly-of-you,-though-I-had-hoped-you’d-forgiven-me-for-those-past-transgressions.” [color=rosybrown] “There’s an old human saying I’m rather fond of: Fool me once...shame on you. Fool me twice...shame on me.”[/color] Vellios stated clearly, [color=rosybrown] “I don’t intend for there to be a third time. Now, about the entrance fee and I will be recording it, that unless you’re wasting my time.”[/color] Wondering if they would stop him, Vellios tensed and made to rise upright before Aleera spoke. “We both know you won’t turn this down, but to ensure there’s no hard feelings or ill intentions between any of us, I’ll tell you right here. The entrance fee is about 400 chits up front. Can you afford that?” [color=rosybrown] “Easily. Now, how many rounds, rules, and where should I meet for the matches?”[/color] Vellios shot off one after another, his figure gradually sitting back down. [color=rosybrown] “And do be specific.”[/color] Aleera pulled back in her seat, her eyes admiring his figure a moment then went into details. “The chits go to me and I register in our list of current fighters. The tourney round number usually depends on that list’s number.” She paused long enough to take a drink, and continued. “If we have at least sixteen fighters then each round is a full half hour round and the fighter that is disable in any way, will be eliminated. If neither are by the bell’s end, then both fighters are out. This goes on to result in either a single one vs one match or a three free for the last fight.” Saliham took over from there, allowing his partner a breather and began to cover the details she had forgotten or yet to cover. “Currently-we-only-have-about-2-fighters,-not-including-yourself,-which-means-about-3-rounds-total-unless-we-do-a-tag-team-exhibit. This-means-you-will-have-to-find-a-partner.” Salihim stated as he continued. “As-Aleera-mentioned,-all-combatants-are-expected-to-be-unarmed-when-they-enter-but-won’t-likely-remain-that-way. Spectators-tend-to-assist-their-favorites-in-various-of-ways.” Vellios held up his talons, causing Salihim to pause and then addressed the last sentence. [color=rosybrown] “I’m sure I could find a partner. So, details about the spectators assistance? Do you mean you actually allow them to help in the fights or merely toss in junk for makeshift weapons?”[/color] Salihim was unusually quiet as his eyes shifted, debating on the details before Aleera popped in to save his nervous ass. She leaned in with business like demeanor, her eyes fixed on Vellios and her voice calm. “Well, yes. It seems to invoke more betting and all fighters are required to sign a waiver, namely stating they understand the risk-” The turian never gave her a chance to finish when he cut in. His tone was harsh and straight to the point, digging into the fact he didn’t trust either of them to the degree they were hoping. [color=rosybrown] “Let me remind you that this is the ‘world without law’ out here, waivers don’t hold the proper sway or power as they do on the Citadel or any other lawful planet. I’m not a young turian after all with a green crest and untested gizzard, so I would be appreciative if you didn’t insult me by acting like I was one...”[/color] His words made it clear he wasn’t the fool they were as he took a drink, letting the Horosk burn his throat fully before setting the drink back down. He spied a hint of anger rise in Aleera’s eyes, followed by a slight hint of lust at his resistance to play her little game. The first reaction made sense but the second caused alarm bells to ring in his instinct, warning him of something dreadful, as he swallowed it down for the moment to continue his conversation. [color=rosybrown] “So, please continue?”[/color] Salihim took this moment to try to recover some benefit in their plan, his hands pulled flat upon the table, while he swallowed his jitteriness. “I-admit-it’s-not-ideal. However-we-have-made-efforts-,with-some-success-to-prevent-outright-killing. Namely-if-we-didn’t-then-we-would-run-out-of-fighters-and-few-newcomers-would-join-on. Any-deaths,-within-the-match,-do-affect-the-gains-and-thus-discouraging-them,-mostly.” [color=rosybrown] “ I can’t say I’m enthusiastic over this fact. Which brings another question to mind. What if you have asari or some botic enter the fight, how do you monitor botics? Do you disqualify them when they use their extra ability or is everything free game save for their weapons?”[/color] Vellios asked as he leaned in, his eyes shifting from Salihim to Aleera, studying them. The pair looked between each other considering what they were going to say. They had enough fighters, but there was clearly something more involved that he knew wasn’t being said. That fact alone made him unease when Aleera spoke. “Asari are banned from the normal fights due to that specific reason. It’s a well known fact our race has botics and the experience that comes from it often tilts the favor in their direction, requiring us to create specialized rounds where only maidens engage in such combat. Putting them together often costs us more profits than it gains as everyone wants to bet on the sure win rather than take the risk, naturally.” She took another sip of her Honey Mead, enjoying the taste a moment then added on additoin information. A small, hidden clause that was possibly a key reason many individuals didn’t join. “However, natural botics in other races are less... monitored. We don’t screen individuals because it’s so rare in most races, especially those outside humans like turians and krogans. It’s also difficult to call off bets once the fight’s been going on for a few rounds and refunds often cost us more than merely letting the fight carry out. After the tourney, the individual caught using biotics forfeit their winnings to us while a percentage is divided up between the bet winners.” [color=rosybrown] “What is the percentage for the fighters?”[/color] Aleera’s eyes turned away for a moment, her gazing avoiding Vellios while she tried to become vague in her answer. Her head held in her hand, her torso leaned closer in a hope to distract the turian as she tried to smooth talk her way past. It was clear she had taken the lead in dealing with the negotiations now instead of Salihim and tried to steer away from any turn offs in the pitch. “Depending on the betting number, rounds, and length the winnings can range from 5000 to 1000 credits. Often the registration fee from each fighter covers the winnings and any other costs needed for the match to carry out. Currently the fight winnings for this fight is about 1000 chits, not credits, as those are too easily traced.” Vellios was quiet, his mind absorbing the facts given and debated on if they were true or not. His talons tightened about the glass then took another sip, downing of the hot, fiery liquid before he turned to the two individuals. There was one last question on his mind. [color=rosybrown] “What happens when a fighter gets injured?”[/color] Salihim blinked in surprise at Vellio’s question causing him to to address it. “You’ve-never-been-concerned-about-injuries-before...Why-now?” It was a good question, Vellios admitted and turned to the nervous looking salarian when he answered. His mandibles wiggled with each word as he informed the slippery ring master of his reasons. [color=rosybrown] “I’m bring a partner, aren’t I? I need to inform them of the risks as I’m sure they will ask. Now, mind telling me how you deal with injuries?”[/color] “All-competitors-are-expected-to-bring-their-own-medi-gel-and-deal-with-their-own-wounds-during-the-brief-intermissions. If-they-can’t,-it’s-their-own-issues. Providing-any-clinical-care-would-become-costly,-create-issues-with-body-disposal-and-more-problems-that-the-fighters-would-be-expected-to-take-care-of. Does-that-answer-your-question-thoroughly-Vellios?” The salarian blinked, then stared causing Vellios to nod. [color=rosybrown] “Crystal, and I assume my partner will require the same registering fee as well?”[/color] “Yes-and-we-need-to-know-what-race-he-or-she-might-be.” [color=rosybrown] “Why?”[/color] “Fighters’-races-influence-some-speculators-and-their-choices-on-betting,” Salihim stated, his figure leaned backwards and stared at Vellios. [color=rosybrown] “Fair enough, but you’re going to have to wait on my partner’s race. Namely as I have few options. One big question I forgot: where is the location or rather, where should I meet you?”[/color] Vellios asked, still working on his angle then took another Hosok. He had finished it off when his talon tapped down, his eyes looked expectedly at the pair to answer him. Aleera took the lead this time. Her voice reached out and spoke gently, her mead being finished off around the same time his was. She folded her fingers together upon the table as she leaned forward in order to gain his attention, a fact she did well. His eyes studied her excited little posture within her lithe figure while she began to explain. “Well, you and your partner will need to meet me back here. I will survey your partner, determine if he’s worth the effort, collect his registration fee, and if he passes my expectations than we’ll make our way to the ring.” “I-take-it,-we-can-complete-the-transaction?” Salihim asked, hoping to bring this deal to an end and seal it. Vellios nodded and rose to leave, his scales still tingling from Aleera’s gaze lingering on him. [color=rosybrown] “Mind accompanying me to get your chits or would you rather wait for them when I get back?”[/color] “I think I will wait until you come back. Gives me and Salihim a chance to chat over business matters, finishing the last minute details. Through, don’t be a stranger for very long.” She flirted, her fingers tracing her crest suggestively, causing Vellios to smirk. Then he departed. His glass left behind while his figure skirted through the departing patrons, his black carapace vanishing easily within the hazy smoke and flickering lights. In moments… he was completely gone. At that moment, Aleera twisted her face toward Salihim with a slight purr to her next comment. "He's perfect, Salihim. Especially if he's as vicious as you claim he is..."