Posted by Civilian Jezem (Upstanding Citizen) in Commercial District - Criminals and the City (Tag Shivan)

Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Counselor) in Commercial District - Criminals and the City (Tag Shivan)

Posted by Civilian Jezem (Upstanding Citizen) in Commercial District - Criminals and the City (Tag Shivan)
Posted by… suppressed (26) by the Post Ghost! 👻
“Bye, ladies,” Jezem wiggled his fingers after the group of women seated around wide eight-top in the middle of a bar so fancy and pretentious that it’s called a “parlor”. They were like him, bored spouses of the rich with a desire for work that equaled their desire to better themselves as people and contribute to society as a whole. It was simple enough to casually insert himself into their exclusive little group. An orion househusband to a rich ferengi? A cute commodity. Of course they had to take him under their fluffed up wings. And Jezem? Jezem will utilize his extensive skills and training to tear them apart from the inside out.

Oh, the drama to be beautifully mastermind into fruition. There was only one way for this to end and that was with the heel of someone’s shoe smashed into another’s stupid pinched face. And Jezem will be there, watching it all unfold while sipping exotic drinks. Until then he kept himself engaged by stirring up petty drama and pointless arguments. To think he thought he would be bored out of his mind in this no man’s town of Federation space.

Jezem hummed to himself as he strolled confidently throw the commercial district. A pleasant buzz tickled his thoughts. He dressed as he always did in typical Orion garb that barely covered the key parts and left the rest wrapped in shimmery gold. The rich ladies loved it, it made them think him rustic and nouveau riche. A alien to be petted and loved upon while tearing him down in private. The look attracted attention and Jezem welcomed it.

He turned towards what he would ungenerously call the rough side of the commerce district. The good and proper citizens whispered about this area with wide eyes and endless rumors. Idiots, all of them. All that fear and trepidation over a barely criminal sector that a syndicate port would call mockingly describe as cute. Though he was an upstanding citizen now, Jezem craved the excitement of his old life and this was the closest he’s going to get to that. Perhaps he’ll get lucky and something interesting will happen here today.

Jezem

If this was all the ‘rough’ district in this city had to offer, it was lucky this was where Shivan, or Thyr as he was known here, ended up here. He had no money. More or less nothing with him, he’d had to leave behind everything that might look suspicious. He had to keep this identity clean at least for now. And this seemed like a pretty safe ‘rough’ district, at least for him. No one who knew him would be here. Probably. He could hope.

“Thyr” headed down the road, head ducked down, wearing clothes he’d picked up on the freighter he’d used to get to this dumb rock. He needed to find a way to make money. He couldn’t stay here. It was only so long before those after him figured out what he’d done, no matter how unlikely he thought it was for him to be recognized here. And then they’d come after him.

Shivan’s point was made when he saw a familiar face: green skin, skimpy clothes, stupid face. It could be no other. He headed over and came close to the man. “Jezem!” He hissed in his ear.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

The scuff of shoes on the ground, heavy with the weight of muscle. Larger than Jezem. Casual approach. The orion kept himself limber and lose, ready to act a moments notice. And then. Gods no. Jezem spun around, fury written upon his face. Not this ice-blood with a face so dopey it put inbred dogs to shame. And that haircut. Like a starfleet cadet lost a practice battle with a buzzer. “Gods! Stop spitting in my ears I can hear you just fine from over there.”

Jezem wiped his ears like Shivan carried the Denobulan plague, “What in the hundred hells are you doing here? This is a Federation colony! And gods, where did you get those clothes? Are they the unwanted scraps of a donation bin?”

Jezem

Shivan kept close, his voice low, “At least my breath doesn’t smell like a Tellarite’s backside.” He looked around cautiously like someone might jump out to get him, “Who else is here? Anyone we know? Or just your sorry bum?” Despite the sarcastic remark, his voice was low and full of caution and worry.

Then he looked down at himself, straightening the shirt he wore under a denim jacket, “No… They’re out of a shipment on a freighter.” He made a face, “I think it was headed to whatever colony likes to act like 1990’s Earth.” He wore a blue denim jacket with gold snaps, a white t shirt, and a pair of sweatpants. It was not at all his normal style.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

Jezem snapped, “Stop reminding me of your weird fetish,” He tried to step back but Shivan would not let up. Does he not know how suspicious he’s acting right now? A big andorian male looming over a smaller orion and not taking the hint to back off? Yeah, real classy. This is why Shivan was never allowed to make important decisions. “They’re the ugliest clothes I’ve ever seen,” he said with a sneer before continuing, “How would I know? I’m clean now. Living the life of a kept man, a trophy husband.” His words oozed pride.

Shivan snorted and then outright laughed, finally stepping back a little. “Jezem! Clean! Ha! Hahahaha! No way! That will never happen!” He ignored Jezem’s other comments. “You? A trophy husband? I’d sooner believe Adr’ik married off. Besides, who’d be dumb enough to marry you?” Adr’ik was a Klingon they’d both known in the past. And not a pretty one.

The only ugly one here was Shivan. Jezem would know, he’s seen him naked. Poor man is never going to get a lady.

Shivan wasn’t actually ugly. Well, with his current haircut, maybe. But Jezem had the weirdest taste in men. Shivan would never understand it.

Jezem narrowed his eyes at Shivan, “You haven’t answered my question. What are you doing in a Federation Colony?”

Jezem

Shivan looked around again, “I needed to hide, and ASAP.” He sighed dramatically, “I was on a job, but it went south. I mean, bad. My.... ex-employer will skin me and hang my exoskeleton if he finds me. Where better to hide from our own kind than a Federation colony? I can’t stay here, either they’ll figure out what the hell I did and trace me, or the Federation will figure out who I am. But I have no money left and no way to contact anyone to help me.” If anyone would come for him, anyway.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

Why was he not surprised? Jezem regarded Shivan cooly, lips pursed and gaze steady. Let the ice-blood stew in his exoskeleton for a bit. Gods, he should leave Shivan to suffer the consequences of his own poor planning. The man couldn’t even handle paying his syndicate dues! Shivan would have wasted all his money on weapons and guns if left to his own devices. After a minute of needless, stretched-out consideration he spoke, “You’re lucky I’m so bored out of my godsdamned mind in this dump. I’ll help you but my help comes at a cost.”

Jezem

Shivan blanched. “Did you miss the part where I said I’m BROKE? As in DIRT poor? Not a dime to my name? What exactly do you expect me to pay you in? Because I know you’re not interested in,” he cleared his throat “personal payments.”

~ Thyr Th’arialat

“Gods! You are disgusting!!” Jezem spat, his shoulders up and fists clenched until he resembled an irate cat. Gods! The blood he would sacrifice to remove that mental image from his head forever! Jezem had to turn away from the andorian and force himself to take calm breaths. Great, now he’s the one causing a scene. Though maybe he should. Just because this was the shady part of town didn’t mean police didn’t patrol. All he had to do was call out until some goody came running and arrested Shivan for sexual harassment.

Shivan shrugged. It wasn’t like it was something he’d want to do either. But certainly something that had been requested of him before, by… less scrupulous debtors.

Calm down. As fun as that would be it would squander this amazing opportunity that dropped itself directly into his lap. Sure gradually devolving a gaggle of rich women into violence and hate was fun. This? The potential fun he could extract from Shivan made everything else pale in comparison. Once Jezem evened his breathing he spun around on his heel and jabbed a finger into Shivan’s chest. Right between the pectorals, where it would hurt the most.

“I don’t need payment now, you idiot. Think of it as putting yourself into debt. I help you now and you pay me back later. How? I’m not sure. But if you ever make another vile suggestion like that again I’ll gut you where you stand.”

Jezem

Shivan backed up to avoid Jezem’s finger, still getting poked decently hard. “It wouldn’t be my first choice, either.” He pretended to gag for a moment. Then, “What do you have in mind?” He’d have loved to say he didn’t need help, but the truth was, he really didn’t have the option to turn help down. And he had admittedly, missed Jezem as their ship’s captain.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

Jezem, now more composed, crossed his arms across his chest, “Nothing you wouldn’t be able to pay. I’m not going to screw you over and put you into a worse state.” They were shipmates once and that meant something. The syndicate may have been a criminal organization but it is not without honor. After giving things a moment’s thought he smiled. Something that should tell Shivan he was up to no good. Jezem only smiled at the suffering of others, “I happen to know the perfect job for you. It’s easy and it comes with a disguise that has no chance of anyone recognizing your distinctly ugly mug.”

Jezem

Shivan trusted Jezem only because they had been shipmates. Anybody else he would fully expect to get screwed by, in one way or another. But that smile created a sense of dread in Shivan. Whatever the job was, it was either difficult, humiliating, or a death trap. “What is it?” He asked apprehensively.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

Jezem breezed past Shivan and loosely motioned for the andorian to follow, “It’s best to see for yourself, I wouldn’t want you to over think it before we get there. Though, it’s not like you’re in any position to turn down work. Unless you like picking your meals from dumpsters and ducking behind corners at the sight of every officer and low-life?” Which, sparked an idea in Jezem’s head, “In fact, I’ll take care of your meals for free. I am an honest man now. One capable of. . . generosity,” the word slid unevenly from his mouth, awkward and alien.

Jezem

The offer was unbeatable. Work and free meals with minimal strings attached? Shivan would have to be the dumbest criminal alive to turn that down. Still, he dreaded learning what the job was. “You? Generous? I might just die now.” He scoffed, following Jezem.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

“Gods, still as dramatic as ever,” Jezem said airily. The cauldron calling the kettle black. With confidence Jezem lead their way through the commercial district towards the kinder and boring parts. Guiding their merry stroll with no commentary or small talk to ease the silence. The less he said to Shivan the better really. Though they were shipmates, back then they could hardly say five sentences to one another before one flew into a fit of rage and viciously attacked the other.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity but was really twenty minutes Jezem ushered Shivan around the side of a kitshy tourist shop and through the back door. There a human male was taking inventory. He smiled at the sight of Jezem, “Well if it isn’t the lovely jewel. Is this a personal visit or business?”

“Business, Hank. My good friend here, he’s from out of town you see, is in a bit of a bind. He’s in desperate need of a job and he’s perfect for your open position!” Jezem stepped aside so Hank could come forward and give Shivan a head-to-toe assessing look.

Shivan was skinnier than Jezem would remember, like he’d probably gone a while without regular meals. He was missing some of his usual muscle tone, but still plenty muscular and lean. He was tall and lanky with some muscular bulk to him.

Hank smiled, “He’s the perfect size! The job is yours if you want it! You get paid holidays and we can pay you day by day or weekly.”

Jezem

“Day by day is fine.” Shivan held out a hand. “Thyr Th’arialat. What’s the job?” He said the name like it was completely natural. He must have rehearsed it a thousand times. Was this… An honest job? He hadn’t had one of those since his days in Starfleet Academy. He… Hadn’t been very good at them. This wouldn’t last long. But he didn’t need it too. Just long enough to get off this rock.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

Hank shook “Thyr’s” hand with a firm grim, “You’ll be our new Mr. Fuzzy Foot!” He released Shivan’s hand and ducked behind the shelves and into a previously hidden supply closet. A moment later he reappeared dragging a costume that seemed to be 90% fuzzy neon green fur, 5% big googly eyes and 5% giant but equally fuzzy shoes. “You’ll wear this and stand out front to greet the kids and hand them balloons. I tell ya, the kids love Mr. Fuzzy Foot! They’re so sweet. The suit has a cooling unit inside so you don’t need to worry about overheating.” Hank shoved the suit into Shivan’s arms, “Go on and try it on! There’s a changing room right over there.”

And Jezem couldn’t keep a straight face to save his life.

Jezem

Shivan stared at the neon green animal suit with a slack jawed, utterly shocked impression. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” There was another word to be found in that sentence that the kids definitely wouldn’t appreciate. “Hank, was it? May I have a moment to speak to my friend here, please? Just a second.” Shivan said, costume under his arm. “In private, preferably.”

~ Thyr Th’arialat

“Suuuuure?” Hank said, though his eyes said ‘will you be alright?’.

Jezem waved the human off, “Go check up on your cronies up front.” Hank nodded, grinned, and saluted Jezem as he took his leave through a door that lead to the front of house. The sliding door slid shut with a soft pneumatic hisssss and sealed them off from anyone else. At once the laughter Jezem held back came loose, “Gooooods! Your face!” He cackled, “You were so sheezet!”

Jezem

“I hate your guts.” Shivan commented dryly. “You expect me to stand on the street in THIS? Have you lost your MIND? The hell is wrong with you?!” Shivan started in on one of his tirades, trying to keep the volume down. “I HATE children! Can’t you find me ANYTHING else?” He put his hands on Jezem’s shoulders, “I will DIE of humiliation!”

~ Thyr Th’arialat

Jezem laughed and laughed until he was clutching his sides. Eventually he gasped in enough air to calm himself and form a proper reply, “So dramatic. No one will even know it’s you. Your whole body will be hidden inside that monstrosity. Think about it, you idiot. It’s the perfect job. You’ll be hidden, you’ll work for a man you have never met before today and has no connection to your usual line of work. Daily pay and free meals from me. Or is the prospect of handing out balloons to children more terrifying than people who would love to have a few words with you?” He kept his language vague, they were inside an honest business with security cameras after all.

Jezem

Shivan shuddered. The people who’d “love to have a word with” him no doubt had very painful punishments in mind. Probably a painful death. “Alright. I’ll do it.” He sighed and stuttered the words out like he might choke on them. “Th-hhh-ank y-yooou. I guess.” He pretended to gag at the suit.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

This dumb idiot. Jezem smiled, pleased with this outcome. Shivan was right, it’ll be humiliating to wear that get-up and Jezem will be there to watch him struggle and suffer. Once, Jezem considered making the andorian bleed blue was the most satisfying thing to experience, but this? Oh this was so much more. “You’re oooooh so welcome, Thyr. It’s all my pleasure.”

Jezem

Good, Jezem had caught on to the name change. Shivan was worried about that. “I swear I’ll get you back for this,” he hissed, then he went out and told Hank he’d take the job. After a few moments he was changed into the ugly, stinky suit and stood where he was supposed to stand with a bundle of balloons. And for several hours he was the grouchiest, angriest Mr Fuzzy Foot ever, with the foulest mouth. But the balloons were handed out and he did the job as described. And he hated every second. When he had a break, he took the head off the costume and breathed a long breath. “Fresh air! Finally!”

~ Thyr Th’arialat

Jezem entertained himself by chatting with Hank upfront and watching Shivan flounder at his new job. Halfway through the andorian’s first shift he vanished and came back several minutes later with a cold bottled drink and a wrapped sandwich. The food was typical human fare but Shivan would have to deal since Jezem hadn’t had any time to add Shivan into his weekly meal planning. Throughout the later half of the Shivan’s shift Jezem would come and go but somehow was always present when the children were particularly rowdy and troublesome.

Shivan was known for making fun of and mocking human food, yet he inhaled the sandwich without complaint in record time. Then he chugged the drink. He complained to Jezem about the kids, the suit, the weather, and anything else he could think of. This job was going to drive him into a murderous rage.

He returned at the end however, and tossed Shivan a clean towel, “I know that thing has climate control but you stink like a pig. Clean up and let’s go.”

Jezem

As soon as Hank said he could, Shivan was out of the suit. It was stinky and miserable and despite the cooling system, too hot. Way too hot. The cooling was set for humans. Not an andorian. He caught the cold towel and and wiped down his face and neck. “Couldn’t be happier to, Cap-, I mean, Jezem.”

Unfortunately for him, it was Recognize Shivan Day. And he’d taken off his perfect disguise, back at his break period and now. “Hey! Watch it!” Someone shouted, as a figure pushed passed them, rushing for Shivan.

The voice made Shivan turned, and he immediately recognized the tall woman… Klingon. Shivan and Jezem would both be able to tell the posture of someone concealing a weapon. He began to quickly back up. “Shiyr… Heeeey, we can work this out, promiiiise. I’ll get you your phaser shipment,” he chuckled, grinning. “I just need more tiiiime.” Continuing to back up he raised his hands in a “don’t hurt me” gesture.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

Hank caught Jezem’s eyes from across the room. Jezem inclined his head and Hank, gods bless him, quickly left. The other staff already retreated. Someone was sure to grab the nearest security officer. Jezem remained still and calm, quietly assessing the situation. They can’t stay here. But there’s an alley behind the back that branches off into several smaller paths for workers and maintenance. From there a connection to the tunnels under the city.

Jezem advanced forward, bringing attention to himself, “Ice-blood! You better not be thinking of handing my shipment to this kelg,” He spat at Shivan. Jezem paused, as though realizing something. He snarled, “Or is the shipment even real at all? How many others have you lied too? You said the goods were stashed behind this place. Prove it’s real or I’ll let this kelg have her fun with you.”

Jezem

The Klingon woman, who apparently Shivan knew as Shiyr, scoffed. “Exactly how many people did you promise this shipment to?” She was still moving in on an increasingly stressed looking Shivan. “Your dishonest tactics have become tiresome!” To her, Shivan was no longer worth the trouble.

“Only the two of you! Shyir and Tahl. But the job was botched! If I’d tried to finish it and get enough to supply you both, I’d be dead or on a penal col-” Shivan tripped backward over something on the ground and fell heavily with an “Ugh-Oof!” And thwack! He seemed dazed and it took him a moment to prop himself up on his elbows and keep talking, “And if you kill me, I can’t get you twice the payload next time!” A promise they both knew he couldn’t deliver on.

~ Thyr Th’arialat

“Shyir, was it?” Jezem turned to face the klingon, “I’m inclined to believe you could cause this fool greater suffering than I. Let’s take him for a walk so that we may make our displeasure plain upon his flesh before any stars-in-their-eyes Federation enforcers come and spoil our fun.” He breezed past Shivan without sparing the Andorian a single look and shouldered open the back door into the alley. Later he’ll beg Hank to purge the security footage. Right now this situation must be contained.

Jezem

Shiyr followed Jezem, leaning down momentarily to grab Shivan by the shoulder and hoist him up, keep him close and dragging him along earning her an indignant, “HEY! Let me go you ugly-”

“Shut it before I put you out of your misery now, ice-blood!” In what seemed like less than a blink, the Klingon’s d’k tahg was poised against Shivan’s chest. It was a three pronged blade, the center blade being the longest and most like a regular dagger, the outer two more like sharpened, elongated points on the crossbar.

~ Thyr Th’arialat