Nar Shaddaa

The day wasn't as pleasant as he hand been hoping, but it would have to do. After picking Yslane up from the Republic compound he led her towards the streets of the lower city. The wallets of most bureaucrats weren't as deep as they would have you believe after all.

He held a umbrella over his head as he walked, though he would happily share it with Yslane if she hadn't brought her own, letting her take the lions share, though such would mean they were walking rather close.

Yslane had come prepared with her own umbrella, "Usually I don't mind the rain." She frowns, "But this is pretty nasty weather. A pity too, the city would look nice in the rain if it didn't reek."

She laughs a little, "Sorry, this could be my luck at work."

"It is a pity." He said with a slight chuckle, as we weaved around a deeper puddle. "But you do get used to it, and eventually the smell doesn't bother you anymore."

He offered her a warm smile. "I wouldn't blame your luck though, it might be good in a few ways. Those stalls you wanted to eat at aren't as crowded on days like this."

"I hope they have an awning....a large one." She twitch up her nose at the smell. "And that the food is overpowering in smell." Yslane lets her eyes wandering the streets, "Still surprisingly busy given the circumstance. I suppose life doesn't stop for rain....and these neon signs are cutting through the haze well enough. Like something out of a bad noir film."

"I think you will be pleasantly surprised about both of those." He replied as he led her down a side street their destination a shop on the corner.

"A bad noir film seems an apt descriptor." He said with a chuckle. "You're right though, life here doesn't stop for anything. It might slow down occasionally, but it never stops."

"Might be right? Mr. Varliss you look about two steps from what the general public thinks a hard boiled detective looks like," She looks over at him, "I'm not too far off the poor unfortunate that walks into your PI office asking for help with her missing something or other. And your friend, if she were here dressed like last night, is the femme fatale."

"Just needs the Rodian gangsters and the lurking shadow of the Hutts to make the movie. I assume both could be found here."

He couldn't help but chuckle at that, she was certainly getting better when it came to humor. "Now that you mention it, it does kind of it."

His eyes shined with humor as he continued. "Does this mean I'm going to fall hard for your innocent charm then my dear Yslane? That we will share a passionate kiss under flickering lamp light before society forces us to part ways?"

"...I'm not so sure on that," Yslane looked away, a little bit of nervousness creeping back into her posture, "Could be the sort that is nothing but trouble, whose case turns more and more complicated."

"Some of these signs are....colorful to the say the least," She glanced back, her cheeks a tint of red, "I mean that in a metaphoric sense...not the literal one."

"I suppose it could be at that." He mused, his eyes turning towards the store at was their destination. "It's hard to tell at the beginning where a story might go."

He chuckled lightly, offering her a charming smile as she looked back in his direction. "They are at that." He pointed at one they were approaching, it was full neon and depicted a dancing woman in bright pink, across her middle in a vibrant blue was written 'sol'lene's' "That's our first stop. I thought we'd get your dress for Shadows out of the way, since that is what you seemed most interested in."

"...what sort of clothing store is this?" She asks as her eyes examine the sign, "Forgive me but I am beginning to wonder how honorable your intentions." Yslane blushes again, her tone making it clear she was only jesting...mostly.

He smirked and repressed the urge to chuckle again. "Sol'lene, is a bit of a unique gentleman, but he stocks some of the most fashionable clothing in the lowercity. If you wish to go clubbing, his shop should be your first stop."

Arriving at the entrance he opened the door allowing the young woman to look in before entering. The inside was much what one would expect of a ladies clothing store, Holo projected images cycling through models wearing all kinds of different styles and racks of clothes, mostly dresses with various stages of exposure, though skirts, blouses, and shoes were also available.

The decor was fairly garish, reflecting the sign that hung above the door, and near the back was a tall man, over six and a half feet in his heels, wearing a stunning dress and various jewelry, long hair cascading down his back. "Welcome to Sol'lene's" Zanebry said casually as he stepped in behind her.

Yslane's eyes widen as she looks over the clothing store, "...his stock is impressive." Some of it made her blush, but she was pleasantly surprised to find several articles that were more conservative in covering a person's body. "I take it you have been here before? Other woman or do you have to coordinate outfits with a musical partner?"

"The latter generally." He offered easily, his eyes roaming the shop for a moment before returning to Yslane. "Though my outfits generally change in a few ways, it's good to know the colors I should be working with."

He motioned his head towards some of the racks carrying more conservative dresses. "I believe we might find something you like in that direction."

Yslane followed the movement to the indicated rack, "Quite the playboy Mr. Varliss," She replies with a slight smile, "The kind of men mother's warn their children about?"

She begins walking toward the display, looking at what offerings she can see from this distance.

"Oh, I'm probably worse then that." He teased, in return following her as she walked towards the rack of clothes.

"What color were you thinking? There are a few I think you could pull off, but I was curious as to what you might like."

"Hmmm....blue violet, err blue tinted purple." She replies, looking through the dresses. Her finger rubs some of the cloth, "This is some....soft feeling material....how expensive is this place?"

"It's on the higher end of the lower city." He admitted as his eyes moved over the clothes for the color she was looking for. "You need not worry too much though. I may be retired, but I remember what it's like living on the budget of a government employee."

He offered her a smile. "So just pick what you like."

Yslane seemed surprise at this, "You are the sort mother's warn about....I'm surprised you didn't push for wine." She blushes a little and turns to look at the clothing. "So how did you find yourself on Nar Shadda of all places?"

"Wine can wait for the next time we meet." Zane replied with a bit of mischeivous is his eyes as he selected a dress from the rack, it was the color she wished for but might be a bit too daring, sleeveless, with a bit of a plunging neckline. The skirt of the dress would likely end just above her knees.

"Would this be a bit to much?"

At her question he shrugged. "It's probably because I like it here. As dangerous as it can sometime be, it's never dull." He offered her a smile. "It helps of course that i get to meet attractive women like you here."

Yslane eyes the garment, her cheeks reddening a fraction. "Umm, the lack of shoulders is fine but I would prefer a bit more coverage around here...." She raised her hand to cover her chest.

"But surely there are other dangerous places with attractive women."

He nodded and put the garment back, selecting a similar one with a more conserative neck line. "Like this then?" He asked, holding it so she could see.

"There are, this just so happens to be my favorite." He offered her a wry smile. "There is something just something about it. Maybe the smelly rain?"

"If you mean to honestly tell me stench draws you to a place...then I may have to revise my opinion on you." She raised a brow, her blush returned...."Maybe a little longer, so I don't have to worry about what color underwear I have."

Zane laughed. "Honestly I don't, I do enjoy the rain in general though. Walking through the rain with an umbrella over my head and a woman on my arm."

"I find it somewhat romantic, in a city full of people two people can almost be alone?"

As she passed it up he nodded. "Here I was thinking you might want to show off your legs." He lightly teased as he put it away. The next selection was a bit longer, and the neckline was none to daring. The thin spaghetti straps would l still leave a good portion of shoulder and back exposed though.

She seems at least a little less taken aback by this option. "...why not." Yslane nods, her cheeks still flush.

"It's kind of odd that you can feel alone in a crowd.'

He smiled and passed it her way. "Why don't you go and try it on then." He motioned to the changing rooms. "I'll see if I can find a few more you might like while I wait."

"It is a bit, but I like it regardless. For a few moments nothing else matters, but you and whoever your with."