Work Text:
Wot, are we doing in here?
“And with the kark are you two doing in here?”
The question spoken in the gravelier than thou and a most accusatory tone hung up in the air between the trio having all gathered into the shitty little drinking hole in the middle of nowhere galaxy. With the last of them entering the place certainly getting the other two’s attention as she had emerged out of nowhere and even without the profanity.
“Asajj Ventress.” The name was spoken out of spite and frustration for the former bounty hunter clearly having no love lost between them. “Should have figured you would show up at some point!”
Asajj Ventress had certainly made an entrance this time too. Then again, Ventress usually did command attention. Not the flashy kind jumping down from some unforeseen level, but just well, being her Ventress was already turning heads even if the other two were trying to keep a somewhat low profile.
“My dear Fennec Shand” Ventress spat the name like it was venom to be rid off before it could take its effect and kill her before turning to the other one seated lazily at the table. “And you… aren’t you supposed to be dead, Bane?” Staring defiantly into the red eyes glowing right back at her in the dim lit space of the tavern like the devilish lanterns they were.
“Ventress.” Bane drawled more lazily than his usual, the trademark toothpick switching sides easily as the notorious bounty hunter spoke. “I could say the same about you.”
Fennec pulled up a chair for Ventress motioning for her to sit. After all they were currently in neutral territory without a a bounty or a rivalling hunter in sight. Perhaps there was a job for them waiting here though, the three of them once again together. The best of the best having arrived to this, place?
Ventress simply nodded her thanks surprised by the politeness of the usually none too friendly Shand. At least towards Ventress. Their ventures together having been few and well, kept at minimal chatter and contact. Then again, there were no hostilities between them either. Not yet anyway with the old scores having been settled in the past.
“Oh, I can assure you, my dear Bane, it was a simple misunderstanding. You know well how things usually turn out in this galaxy. Nothing is really permanent, death a mere social construct.” And Ventress wasn’t wrong either. “Besides, I am a Nightsister, so, there is that. We won’t stay dead for too long.” Ventress let out a hardy laugh following the comment.
“Yup, I do indeed. One day you end up in the books of the dead… and the next, well. You’re alive and looking for the next job to pay the bills.” Bane had been there before, being presumed dead after all. And he had a suspicion it would not be the last time either for him to end up ‘dead’.
“You really think all three of us were summoned because of a job?” Fennec chimed in, feeling a tad fidgety with these two old acquaintances getting all chummy suddenly. Chatting like there was nothing there. Then again, Fennec suspected it was all they could do not to kill each other, throw polite sounding phrases at the other. They weren’t bffs, certainly not friendly. But they were still able to work together if push came to shove.
“Could be. Then again, why are you here Ventress? I thought you went all goody two shoes with the Jedi and all.” Bane was well versed with the other two’s most latest exploits. Having been in this line of work for a long, long time. Knowing well knowledge meant power. “Becoming one of them?” The last words remarked rather snidely.
“Guess you could say… I was summoned. Besides, as you mentioned, returning from the dead certainly has its disadvantages. And guess, well, I could do with some credits myself. I assume that is why you two are here as well and not simply from the goodness of your chilly little hearts having drinks chatting about the good old times hoping to help some poor sod out in a dire need?” None of them were good samaritans after all.
They all glared at each other for a long spell, none of them really trusting the other two and not really wanting to share too much either. As to the why and here and now. But a job was a job. And credits surely outweighed any animosity. If that meant working together, then so be it.
Yielding to their current situation, the trio all relaxed a bit while Cad Bane having been the first to arrive filled in the empty glass in front of Ventress from the bottle he had so kindly purchased to um share? Cad Bane did not share, but guess he too had changed, somewhat.
Ventress nodded her thanks as the trio toasted in the air, none of them touching the others drinks. They weren’t friends after all, no matter what. Frenemies more likely for fucks sake!
“So, any idea as to whom has hauled our shebs out here in the middle of this Force forsaken place?” Fennec asked the other two after downing the drink in one go with an unintentional grimace. Yeah, Bane really liked the potent stuff for sure!
“Not a clue. There are no big bounties out there that I know of. Not since the Empire tightened their purse strings anyway. Most of the bail jumpers among others going merrily on their way these days.”
“So, is it an underworld gig. Them settling some scores out here?”
“No, I don’t think that’s it. Same difference with the mob. No money.”
“So, then we simply wait.”
As it turned out, they did not have to wait long. As after the second drink, a hooded figure appeared from the shadows near their table.
“Ladies, Bane.”
The trio turned towards the quite familiar voice addressing them.
“Wot the….???”
“You’re…!!!”
“I know you!!!”
“Indeed. And I, have a proposition to make for you three.”