Heavy Is The Head That Lies The Crown PT 1

Posted on 18 Aug 2022 @ 8:15pm by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Harper Matthews & Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau

Mission: Through the looking glass
Location: MU Blackhole Bar VIP Area
Timeline: MD3 23:00
1767 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

"Well I wasn't expecting this," Jon leaned in to Xu and their engineers. "VIP treatment. Be on guard."

Although he knew the Asian woman always was and likely had several weapons stashed in areas he could only dream of delving, this may complicate matters. He had hoped to not have to go anywhere near J'Tan's establishment but lets face it, it was becoming harder and harder considering the son of a bitch seemed to be taking over this station fully.

He walked in, allowing one of the dancing girls to pull the curtain open. She was nice to look at. Not on par with Xu and ..... oh certainly not on par with the El Aurian. To date all their communication's had been in text so this was a pleasant surprise. Or dangerous one.

"You must be the industrious V," he bowed his head slightly. His empathic senses immediately cottoned on to she had "some" ability. He wondered on the human sidekick was.

Rashad had to in a split second conceal his shock at seeing his captain's doppleganger, and including seeing Xu. When dealing with those of the betazed race, you need to be rather guarded.

Xu clenched, her initial reaction to swing her Tessen cutting the throat of the person before them so they could just take what they wanted but she respected the fact that Jon wanted to at least try the gentle approach... all the same, she was ready to strike like a coiled viper.

"Flattery will get you everywhere... in the right circumstances." V flirted at the man. She sensed his telepathy, and his dislike of his surroundings. "Please, come in further. If J'Tan sees you hovering then he'll come over and the less I have to deal with him the better." she ushered them both in. "This is Rashad Elgin, we have became recent 'associates' ". Veran introduced the man by her side.

Jon held his hand out. Somehow he got the feeling this chap was not called Rashad but truth emanated from the El-Aurian stating they were recent associates. "Thank you both for seeing us. I hope we can do some business. I believe you have the crown?"

Rashad smiled and shook Jon's hand though kept quiet for the most part except for saying, "My pleasure." he was letting Veran take the forefront on this matter.

Veran felt the suspicion from Jon at the mention of Rashad. She knew that wasn't probably his real name, she'd sensed the same duplicitous feeling from him every time he mentioned it as his own name, but his name was of no consequence. Here, everyone lied about something and if he wanted to be known as someone else she didn't really care. "Are you here for just business?" she hinted at him. He was a handsome man. "I am sure we can work something out. I have many things, many crowns and other shiny things that catch the most wanting eyes."

"Predominantly business but if the opportunity for something more fun arises, I would be a fool not to grab it," Jon said simply. He sensed the annoyance off Xu and approval at that statement from the El Aurian beauty. "Although I have to try keep a low profile in case people think me someone else. I think you know what I mean there."

He had a beard which he was sure his twin no longer had but it might not be enough for people to recognise he was identical to the current Emperor. Perhaps he needed a better disguise. At least he had a personal killing machine next to him and his own abilities if they did run into an angry mob.

While Jon and V spoke together he kept watch of the asian woman who was beautiful and yet dangerous. And also was taking note of how Jon spoke as well. Basically he was monitoring the situation, even though he wasn't a telepath, there were tells a person had.

Xu remained silent but her hand was clenching the blade ready to lash with a lethal arc. It would be so much easier if Jon would just let her kill this person so they could gather what they wanted and leave. Plus it left a statement that they were not to be messed with and a strong statement would go a long way in these perilous times.

"So," Jon said taking a seat. "The crown. How does one get their hands on that? Or on other things," he winked at the El Aurian. Truthfully he would very much like to explore if there was a chance of something more than business with her. What red blooded man wouldn't?

"Its not for my body guard here. I have another lady in mind for that crown. Well the owner of it actually will need it back."

Did the El Aurians know of the Betaziod Goddesses he wondered.

Rashad looked towards V then to the Betazed Captain. He did have the crown, but wasn't going to mention it right then. "Out of curiosity, who is it you are wanting to give said item to?"

"Its original owner," Jon said seriously. So this one did not know of the Betaziod goddesses then. "I intend to get it back to Methalina."

"Methalina, what a pretty name." Rashad thought for a moment, then remarked, "It sounds vaguely familiar. " he paused for another moment going through his mental memories then remarked. "Okay yes Methalina, I had heard the tale of people interested in the finding of a wardrobe for someone of that name. I wanted in on that search as it seemed rather profitable when the wardrobe is found and turned in."

"I have the rest of the wardrobe," Jon informed him. Not convinced on his business prowess at all. Where was he even from? Something felt odd around this chap. "I just need the crown. So let us cut a decent deal here folks."

He certainly hoped diplomacy was going to get them somewhere as the El Aurian was pretty. He would hate for his only option to get that crown be letting Xu loose on her and her companion. But this was too important. As much as the other female intrigued him and yes he really would like to investigate the offer of something not business further, summoning the goddess was the priority.

"Enough chatter." Veran looked at the woman behind Jon. She could sense her frustration, her lust for violence and it amused her greatly. If she thought the blade she hid behind her back was of any real danger to Veran then she was more deluded than the man in front of her who thought flirting and storytelling would open a woman's safe box.

"Methalina is due her return is she?" V asked rhetorically. She'd heard tales from her people of the Betazed Goddesses, a once powerful force to be reckoned with but like all things fall over time and space. The price of the crown increased in that moment. To know it was needed for a purpose, a special purpose made her smirk. "I have the crown, yes. I am a business woman but it concerns me that you have brought a woman who wants my heart on a plate to a negotiation table." she hinted towards the Asian female.

In truth she was not there to start a fight, all she had in her back up was the unknown 'Rashad' beside her and she hated unknowns. Sometimes she wished she had full telepathy instead of just a pesky empathic sense. Half a picture can only help so much.

"Methalina is my concern," Jon stated sharply recognising a change in atmosphere. "And Xu here is my associate just as this ones yours. I have come here in good faith to do a deal for that crown. Your a business woman as you say. So then why are you snapping back and forth at the negotiation table and throwing out differing signals. Is that your strategy somehow?

You ask am I here just for business implying one thing, flirting with me and then you accuse us of planning to hollow out your heart. You're about to double the price now lets be honest, I might not be a business women like yourself but I'm sure not simple. One thing I can tell you is that I am the only person that crown has any use for as I have everything else that goes with it.

Sure you might sell it on to someone else not knowing its worth. And sure I will eventually find out who and acquire it anyway. So we can either deal and play nice or I walk out of here and play the waiting game," he stated.

"I am not snapping back and forth at all." Veran said raising an eyebrow. "It is simply my concern for my delicate associates wellbeing." she said looking at Rashad. "The only reason I would love to see you walk is simply to see the ass of yours... but I'd hate to see it go off into the distance so quickly." she looked him up and down.

"My price may change but not all of it is monetary, there are certain things we can offer each other that will satisfy me. For one, an alliance between us would be beneficial to all. I am not ignorant to the bigger picture and would like more 'freedoms' in how I go about things. I have the ear of my own people, the El Aurian Continuum listen to me and I have great weight there." she saw Jon listen intently.

"I have no love for the Empire as it stands, and I know they want it for their own seedy desires. Whereas to me this crown is a pretty trinket of little value. As such I would be happy to hear what you'd like to offer me for it, I'd rather it go where it is meant to. You can find I am quite accommodating. Balance means a lot to me, I live my life by balance."

"What do you think?" Jon turned to Xu amused that she had been annoyed at him calling her out on snapping back and forth and then reverted back to flirting again. "I think the rest of the leaders would welcome exploring an alliance with the El Aurians. But we are just the one faction.


TBC

Rashad Elgin
aka Ethan Smith
PNPC: Michael Hawkins

AU Jonathan Reynolds
PNPC Jon Reynolds

Veran Opala
PNPC Harper - Gatekeeper and Rogue

MU Xu Chang-Lau
PNPC - Cassandra Higgins