Nar Shaddaa

It had been another interesting day for the Pantoran. He could only hope that his dealings with Kidaja would pay off in the hunt for Azanak.

But it was time to unwind. He had heard of a series of Swoop drag races in the Shadow Town. Disreputable, full of scum and villains of all stripes. The kind of company that a respectable person would avoid.

The kind of crowd that he had heard the good Senator seemer to enjoy. His kind of people.

Durasay had sent a message to the Republic compound to be delivered to Adrianaa, and here he waited, at the outskirts of the crowd gathering to watch and bet on the races.

His trench coat was still worn, over his military jacket, the cross-flap undone, showing the smugglers shirt underneath. Nervously, he checked his chrono.

"I wouldn't keep a man like you waiting, Durasay."

Adrianaa chuckles and walks up to him, dressed in an elegant white gown.

"Swoop racing hmm? Interesting choice."

"Oh. Wow." He held back a whistle as he turned to the Senator, caught in awe by her ensemble. He then smiled widely, relaxing a bit.

"Well, I figured as a Senator, you were used to your usual galas and dances and what have you. Plus, Nar Shaddaa has some of the best racing in galaxy." He offered an arm to her.

"Thanks for accepting my invite."

Adrianaa shrugs at the man as he observes her dress, a slight blush.

"I just like to dress up. Plus, you've seen me without, so now I'd like to show you I can look just as nice, if not nicer, with clothes on"

"And you are right, I usually partake in more 'Appropriate' activities, but we are on Nar Shadda, it would be a waste to not experience everything this world has to offer. I am glad to have you to experience it with tonight."

She steps in close and touches Durasays cheek with a gloved hand, gently, looking into his eves for a moment before bringing her hand away and smiling brightly.

"So, good evening. "

"Good Evening, Adrianaa." Now was his turn to flush slightly, matching her smile with his own. It had been some time since he found himself on a date, but he recalled actually enjoying them.

"Races like these, they can be a bit rough. But you'll also get some of the best crowds in all speeder races. Maybe not as organized as Pod Racing, but some serious fans will energize the crowd." He kept near her, to her side, eyes focusd on her face.

"I honestly have never watched either. Is it an indoor track? Obstacles? Actually, best you just start from the begging and explain how it all works, rules included."

She loops her arm around Durasay's, placing one hand on the inside of his bicep.

Durasay shook his head. "Pod Racing is more formally organized. Massive tracks. Some indoor, some out door. The pilots are basically in sleds with rudimentary controls, that are then strapped to starfighter engines. They're blisteringly fast... and insanely dangerous. It's rare when the whole field finishes a race." He slipped a hand over the one she had placed on his arm.

"Swoop racing... well..." He motioned with his head as they walked through the crowd, into the makeshift stands.

Music was blaring from various custom sound systems. Groups gathering around each racer, eyeing all the custom machines.

"... Are highly illegal, more street level. And when I say street level, I mean they're gonna race on the actual in service speed ways of Shadow Town... and not all traffic is stopped. Or moving in the same direction."

Beings of all sorts were in the crowd. Bets being placed, trash being talked. A bastion of bravado and guts.

"Obstacles will include other drivers. City traffic. Construction. Tight corners. Rules of the race say you can't attack your other drivers... but it's hard to enforce those rules."

Adrianaa looks over the crowd as they weave their way through it.

"That sounds quite...thrilling. So does everyone use the same swoop? Or are they all individualized?"

"Everyone brings their own swoops. Modded out by each driver. They're betting on themselves, sometimes putting up their bikes as collateral." He pointed out an exchange between a Nikto and a Rodian, deeds to their bikes in hand.

"Some do it for the thrill, others because they don't know how else to make a less-than-honest credit."

He looked over to Adrianaa, smiling widely. "If you like this, I'm sure with your contacts, you can find the races that happen on the lower levels of Coruscant. I hear there are some good ones that happen on 1313."