Coruscant: 18 BBY
Lower City
Nakoa Sen

Late the next afternoon, Nakoa found himself following Feton through the streets of the Lower City. Feton had asked him to come on patrol with him. Nakoa had reluctantly agreed. Thankfully, his weapons had been restored to him. He didn't know if the same could be said for Les and Oni.

Nakoa twirled his vibroblade in his hand as they walked through the cluttered streets. Feton glanced at it. "The signet."

"Clan Ralius. It was my mother's," Nakoa replied.

"You really are a survivor?" There was a hint of doubt in Feton's voice.

Nakoa nodded. "I remember hearing voices when you and Tai were found. I wasn't so lucky. I was stuck a while after you left, until some more Mandalorians came to investigate and found me."

"Who were your parents?"

"Raada and Nadi."

Feton turned down another street. "I remember them a little. You too. Didn't we train together?"

"A few times," Nakoa replied. "You're only a year older than me. We were young though. I'm not surprised if you don't remember a lot."

"I'm surprised you remember so much."

Nakoa knit his brows. "What happened to Tai?"

"She was killed during the Siege of Mandalore. I wasn't there. I was already here. I had been for a few years."

"How did you find out, then?"

"Bo Katan told me."

Nakoa fell silent as they walked down another alley. Finally, another question popped into his mind. "Why don't you want revenge?"

Feton snorted at that. "Revenge is overrated. I used to want revenge. I was even a part of Death Watch for a time, hoping that they would help me. Pre Vizsla was their leader."

"Tarek's brother?"

Feton nodded. "I asked him several times. He hated his brother just as much as you do. Still, he would never help me take him down. I knew I couldn't do it on my own, so I eventually just gave up."

"You could take revenge now."

"I don't care about that anymore," he repeated. "You clearly do. I won't impose."

"That's awfully considerate of you." Nakoa rolled his eyes beneath his helmet.

"I'm a generous man," Feton replied. "Let's go back." They turned around and started walking back towards the compound. Nakoa couldn't see it anywhere, but Feton appeared to know where he was going. "What's your favorite color?" He asked, suddenly.

"My what?" Nakoa raised his eyebrows. Feton began to reply, but Nakoa cut him off. "Don't repeat it. I heard. Sorry, you just took me by surprise." He thought for a moment. "It's red."

"Red, huh? Mine's blue."

"So this party you're hosting. What is it for?"

Feton shrugged. "Nothing in particular. Someone asked me if we could have a party soon and I said yes. When you've got credits to spend, it's a nice little treat for the men."

"Don't you have women working for you too?"

"Of course I do. I just say men as a collective term. Ladies and gentlemen, guys and girls, men and women...that's just too long to say all the time. Besides, I learned that most of the ladies don't like everyone being collectively called women. Apparently, it's seen as derogative by several of them."

"Interesting. I'm glad I don't have to worry about things like that."

The compound appeared up ahead, at last. Once they reached the front entrance, Feton held out an expectant hand. "Your weapons." Nakoa sighed but obliged him. "Don't worry. You'll get them back tomorrow."

They entered the compound and Nakoa quickly scanned the nearest room for any sign of Les or Oni. He found both of them sitting in a booth with a sabacc game spread out on the table. Feton pulled his helmet off, his gaze immediately landing on Les.

Nakoa gritted his teeth as he noticed that. He grabbed Feton's arm in a sudden bold move. Feton gave him a shocked look. "Don't try anything with her," Nakoa warned.

Feton flashed him a smug look. "What if I do?"

"First, you'll deal with her and trust me, when she's mad, she's scary. Secondly, you'll deal with me. I can push back my meeting with Tarek if I have to."

"Don't forget that you are in my home under my protection. I could take away that protection in an instant and you'd never walk out of here alive," Feton hissed.

"If you so much as look at her wrong..." Nakoa tightened his grip around Feton's arm.

"Careful what you say. They'll kill you if they suspect you mean harm towards me. Then we'll see what happens to Lesia," Feton replied. He yanked his arm away and strutted over to the two women.

Les gave him an annoyed glare as he pushed her sabacc cards aside. "Do you mind? We're trying to get along for once." She gestured to herself and Oni.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have a gift for you," Feton said. He slid an arm around Lesia's waist and pulled her out of her seat. "Come on." Nakoa could do nothing but watch them as they left the room.

He slid into Lesia's vacated seat and gathered up her discarded cards. "Were you actually getting along?"

"Yes, surprisingly," Oni replied. She went her turn and Nakoa took his. "Did you learn anything from Feton while you were out?"

Nakoa shook his head. "Nothing of use to us. All I learned was his sister was killed during the Siege of Mandalore and he was once a part of Death Watch, under Pre Vizsla's leadership."

"That's something," Oni pointed out. "If Pre Vizsla is alive, maybe he'll help us kill Tarek."

"I doubt it. Feton said that he hated Tarek as much as I do, but he would never help kill him. I don't know if he is alive or not. I didn't ask." Nakoa took another turn. "What about you guys?"

"We didn't learn anything either. Les even tried talking to the dancer girls. It looks like our only options right now are try to get out of here and use what we know or appease Feton and wait for his help."

"That's becoming more difficult by the minute."

"Tell me about it. I'm just glad he's not attracted to me."

"Small blessings," Nakoa muttered as Oni took her turn.

Coruscant: 18 BBY
Feton Ralius' Stronghold
Lesia Mirri

Feton led her into a dressing room of sorts. There were racks of clothes along all of the walls. Vanities were situated wherever there was some open space. From the looks of things, it was where his dancers got ready for their performances.

"What are we doing here?" Les asked.

"Getting you ready for the party." Feton dropped his helmet onto a chair and began combing through the racks. Les grimaced as his fingers brushed past a particularly sheer lace covered garment. Feton noticed her expression and laughed. "Not to worry. Your boyfriend would kill me if I dressed you in something like that."

"My boyfriend?" Les arched a brow.

"Nakoa, or whatever his name is." Feton crouched down and pulled a box out from beneath a rack. He pulled a few items out of it and kicked it back into its spot.

"He's not my boyfriend."

Feton tilted his head curiously. "You could've fooled me. Let me guess, he's too shy to make a move or he doesn't feel the same way."

Les shrugged and sat down on the floor. She crossed her legs and pulled a boot off, massaging her ankle. "We've never even discussed anything like that."

"Hm." Feton grabbed a gold headpiece with a grin. He added it to his pile of...whatever it was he'd selected. "So he needs a friendly nudge then."

"What are you talking about?" Les narrowed her eyes.

Feton only smirked and handed her some clothes. "Go put these on."

She stared at the outfit warily, but took it and obeyed. Les disappeared into a changing room, grateful for its presence. She slid the outfit on and swapped out her headwrap for the golden headpiece.

Les turned and caught a glimpse of her reflection in a full length mirror. Her mouth dropped open. It was a two piece outfit, red in color. The pants were loose and lightweight. Sheer ruffled fabric hung from her belt. Small gold diamonds glistened from the fabric. A few beads from the headpiece tickled her forehead. Les grabbed the shoes and arm bands Feton had also provided and slipped them on. The outfit didn't show too much skin, for which she was grateful.

She stepped out of the dressing room and Feton gave a low whistle. "I'm half tempted to keep you for myself," he said.

"I thought that's what you were doing."

Feton chuckled and motioned for her to turn. "As attractive as I find you, I'm afraid I'm currently unavailable."

"Really? Who's the unlucky woman?"

"Oh, I'm not committed to anyone. I just don't want anyone at the moment."

"So you really have no one special?"

"The only woman I would ever give myself to hates my guts," Feton replied.

"I couldn't imagine why."

"Me neither." Les stopped turning, as he was seemingly satisfied. "There are a few rules I expect you to follow tonight," Feton said.

Les sighed and crossed her arms. For Nakoa, she reminded herself. "What are they?"

"Don't accept a drink from anyone other than myself or your companions. Don't accept any invitations to go anywhere. Stay in my line of sight for the duration of the evening. If someone makes a move on you, feel free to kill them. Oh, and I do expect you to dance with my girls from time to time."

Other than that last one, it seems like he's actually trying to look out for me, she thought. "All right. I suppose I can handle that."

"And another thing." She did not like the predatory gaze that slid into his eyes. Feton grinned wickedly. "You are not to allow Nakoa to touch you."

Les bit her tongue to keep from saying something stupid. She nodded after a moment. Feton slid a hand across her lekku as he stepped around her. She followed him begrudgingly. I can't make any sense of this man. The most I've learned so far is that he has the means to kill me if I displease him. I'll be better off if I just oblige him and his strange requests. Les drew in a deep breath. I can handle this.