Some good places to start, and some info on the locals

You walk into the cozy back room, admiring the paintings, and other assortment of valuable trinkets and baubles, Shade takes a seat on an very ornate red leather chair and pats her hand on a matching chair next to her. You slowly walk over as Shade puts some leaves into a tea pot, which if you didn't know any better was made of the ornate ceramics of old, she drops a small metallic ball which begins to react as steam shoots up out of the spout of the ceramic container as Shade re-affixes a lid. As you approach and take seat in the chair which you find a lot less comfortable than you'd of thought, the hazards of using old world decorations to impress. You take this time to look at shade now that you've calmed down enough, from your literal run in with the colonel earlier. Shade is a well dressed woman who look a lot younger than she is, not that uncommon if you've got the money for the treatments, she has short black hair in a pixie cut, she has soft and welcoming features, but her brown eyes move quickly as if constantly scanning the room and trying to reading peoples faces and movements trying to predict movements and emotions, she is dressed in gown you might see a singer wear, its very elegant, hugs the form well, but isn't overly exposing like the more recent fashion would have, which is impressive considering the impressive boobs Shade tucked away.

"So looks like you have a knack for finding trouble my dear, I've know people with unnaturally bad luck, but literally being knocked on your ass, and getting hit on by the one man who can ruin your day here, that's like a record or something." Shade laughs as she pours the contents of the ceramic pot into a equally opulent and yet delicate looking cup, the contents are a discolored water with small flecks of the leaves in them. Shade notices you looking into the cup, and pours a second cup and pushes it towards you. "In the Old world there was a traditional hot drink that was supposed to be refreshing, relaxing, and stimulate the mind, although I imagine the clarity might be from slowing down and having time to think about whatever problem ailed the drinker that day." Shade explains as she raises the delicate and takes a small sip of the steaming liquid and lets out a deep relaxed sigh. "The taste is a bit bitter, but I'll give our descendants one thing, they were spot on about relaxing, go ahead give it a try." Shade says as she gestures for you to take a sip and smiles, her brown eyes looking soft and friendly, they remind you of Elise's by the way they make you feel happy enough to lower your guard.

You take a sip of the hot liquid, and true to shades words, the taste is less than pleasant, you find it bitter and odd, but the beyond the taste you do feel yourself relaxing as your mind and body focus on the hot drink in front of you, and your previous worries and problems fade away towards the back of your mind. You smile and let out a long relaxed sigh of your own, which causes Shade to giggle. "Not bad aside from the taste, but even that's growing on me, what is that stuff?" You ask as you take another sip, and feel the warm glow of the liquid as it goes down your throat.

"It's green tea, just those leaves and hot water, the one modern thing I keep is those heat pellets, the rest as I'm sure you can see, is rather retro." Shade says as she takes a sip and gestures around the room. "So to business, what brought you to my fine establishment out of all the others available?" Shade says as she turns and faces you

"Well Elise recommended to check the type of Bars that captains like to use, and she taught me how to spot them with the markings on the sign, she said I might find some legitimate paid work, and also get a comfy room. She also told me to find you, and that doing so would be my first challenge." You reply back with a smile and take another longer sip from the cup.

"Well not sure about legitimate work, but we do get slightly less illegal job postings, comfy rooms I can do as long as you can pay, I might like you, but one this isn't a charity, and two if the locals find out I'm giving you special treatment, then it'll look all manner of suspicious." Shade says with a chuckle as she finishes her cup, and pours a second cup of the green tea. "I can't believe Elise dropped by and didn't drop in, and the fact she's trying to play the wise old master routine, she's watched way too many old world vid's." Shade says with a laugh as she tops up your own cup with some more tea.

" Yeah I saw her collection in her cabin, we even watched a few together......." You reply as your realize you might of let on the nature of how close you and Elise were in your journey here, you quickly try and recover the situation. "Well Elise said she'd be back in a month or so, had some urgent delivery to attend to, do you know her well?" You inquire with a innocent smile as you take a sip of the tea, hoping Shade didn't have time to put together the facts of what spending time in Elise's cabin would likely of meant.

"Awww no need to trying and play me for the information, I'll tell you all about the adventures me and Elise had." Shade replies as she smiles and looks at with you with a telling glance, that makes you laugh nervously and shrug, you should no better than to try and press a pro like that. "Long story short is, we used to run together, had a really good run of it too, but eventually I wanted out, and Elise wanted to carry on, so we split the loot and went out separate ways. So you two share a bunk the whole way there or did she lure you in?" Shade says as she looks at you with a coy grin. You blush slightly and look down at the tea in the cup, and then back to Shade's smug face.

"Errr the whole trip, I'm into to girls anyway and figured her bed had to be better than any guest bunk, the company would be a nice added bonus." You reply with a nervous laugh as you rub the back of your neck.

"Smart, I take it your last stint on a planet had you playing the loner a lot, It's not like Elise is ****, but she has a way of attracting your sort out of the crowd." Shade says with a smile, as she stands up and stretches her arms above her head. "Anyway we can talk more about this later if you'd like, but I need to get back out to make sure my girls aren't getting into trouble, first we'll sort you out a room, and then you can relax at the bar, where I can give you a run down on the locals and we can go from there." Shade says as she offers a hand to you, which you take and stand out of the chair, turning to put down the delicate cup on the table next to the pot.

"Speaking of which how much are your rooms, Elise refused my payments, so I can afford something pretty nice for a few days, but I'll probably need to work out something If i'm staying all month." You reply as you follow Shade out of the room, and back through the closet, where shade turns and seals up the hidden door.

"Well my dear, the way I see it you can have a room tonight, and then either take up the colonel on his offer, if you're feeling brave enough, you could use his offer to your advantage, and that'll cover you for a room here, if he doesn't want you in his corporate apartment. Alternatively we got a few jobs on the board where you could do some favors for our locals or visiting captains, they pay us upfront, as we act as an independent intermediary in these matters, to ensure neither partner can stiff the other too much. Finally I got some promising leads on some less than secure corporate pads, that might hold some goods that someone I might know of could pay a good fee to take off your hands." Shade says as she walks back to the bar area, and nods at the girl behind the bar who smiles and bows, before taking off an apron, and walking up a set of stairs off to the side that lead upstairs. "Of course if none of that appeals I could offer you a room, so long as you don't mind the company of strangers, like Lara there." Shade says with a wink as you both look over and watch Lara saunter up the stairs.

"Well as tempting as those all sound, I wouldn't mind a room for tonight, and the chance to sleep and think over my options." Your reply with a smile and reach into your pockets and take out a few universal credit chips, and tap them lightly with your thumb to check the balance of the thin black strips of plastic alloy, and watch the faint yellow digits dance over the strip. "So how much are your premium rooms?" You ask with a smile as you find one chip which has a lot more than you expected, you check the name on the reverse and recognize it as an alias of Elise, an actors name from one the the holo vids of the old world media she showed you.

"Well we got several premium rooms, but for the ultimate hospitality experience we have the Imperial suite." Shade says with a coy smile of her face.

"Oooooh sounds tempting, whats do you get in the Imperial suite?" You ask with a smile

"Well it's a really luxurious room, takes up the top floor, but you get a lot of space, and a decent bathroom, complete with a spa area, and a companion of your choice will help you out with whatever you might want during your stay." Shade says with a smile as lists off her sales speech.

"A companion of my choice, can I pick anyone here?" You ask with a grin on your face, as you look around and see a lot of men and women nod towards you as you look around the room.

"Any of the staff here." Shade replies with a smile

"OK I'll take you then." You reply with a cheeky grin.

"Mmmmm bold move I like that, and a redhead to boot, looks like this could be an interesting day, but are you sure you can handle me?" Shade says in a husky voice as she teases you.

"Mmmmmm that's part of the fun, knowing that I might not be able to." You reply with a giggle, as you smile and look into Shades brown eyes.

"Well OK then, I'll show you up to your room, call in one of my more reliable girls to tend the bar, and then we can discuss payment terms in the room." Shade says with a smile as she layer her words with suggestive emphasis, which causes a shiver to run down your spine. Shade takes you by the hand and leads you towards the stairs where the girl tending the bar just left.

"Payment terms, so it's not a fixed price or what?" You ask as you are led up the dark wooden stairs up into a hallway of rooms, with the faint sounds of giggles as you see men and women entangles in each others kissing and stroking, nothing too sexual, you assume that comes after the money is exchanged, and this is just the pleasant sales pitch.

"Well normally yes, but I like a woman who takes risks, and acts as bold as you did asking for me, so I have a proposition for you, you free to say no, and pay the fixed rate and we can enjoy the rest of the day and night together, but that's not as fun. So tell me, did you find Elise's cock a bit of a shock?" Shade asks as she leads you around the corner and up another flight of stairs.

"Yeah, all I'll say is thank god for Preventrax, otherwise I think I'd have a growing problem." You say with a girlish grin and pat your stomach.

"Yeah Elise likes to fill a hole with her love juices, I'm surprised she let you take a Preventrax pill, If she had an inkling you were unprotected she'd of strapped you down and tried to knock you up." Shade says as if it was a simple practical joke, to laugh about.

"Yeah lucky me, I mean I really like Elise, but I'm not ready for kids yet, far too much of the galaxy to see, and this isn't exactly the life to bring a child into." You say with a hint of sadness in your voice, as you face the reality of how hard this life has been, keeping your freedom has its costs.

"Well as long as your smart, and keep up your guard, then you'll do alright, believe me I have an eye for people, and I can see talent in you, albeit unrefined at the minute, but listen to people like me and Elise and you'll be able to kiss goodbye to those lonely nights squatting in abandoned buildings, or worse just to get by." Shade says as you reach a big fancy wooden door, she turns and places her hands on your shoulders, which cause you to look up and into her brown eyes, and smile as you feel confidence fill you as you enjoy the company of a seasoned pro of your line of work, proving you can get out and live a happy life in retirement, hell even Elise who isn't retired still lives a happy life the way she wants, this thought makes you smile as you remember why it is your ran away to begin with, the freedom to go where you want, and see what you want, to explore the galaxy and have adventures like your mother did.

Shade opens the door and leads you into the large room and closes the door behind you, the room is the polar opposite to the hidden back room Shade showed you earlier, as this room has all the modern luxuries you might find in a glamorous corporate penthouse, it has vast views, sleek furniture and shelving units, smart lighting, a holo skylight that allows you to view the clouds above as they begin to slowly drip as it appears to of started to rain, which is confirmed when you look out across and see a window, to your left, its tinted slightly letting you know it's privacy glass, although not darkened like the old days, but displaying false images to anyone who could see outside, the more complex ones contain all sorts of nano tech to baffle and mislead scanners and other surveillance equipment. Shade looks at your and smiles as waves her hand over a wall, which causes an orb of blue light to float out of a wall and bob up and down in place.

"Well Vallaria, this is the room we'll be sharing for at least tonight, and depending if your a gambling girl, maybe even longer. The proposition is simple, in fact arguable its a no lose situation for you in some regards, but the propositions is you play me at cards, we have a simulation table, that Al our friendly AI here can sort out, we play a few rounds, and if you win you get this room for a month, me included, if I win then you can still stay here the whole month, but you'd be my companion." Shade says with a big grin on her face as she bites her bottom lip.

"Hmmm sounds too good, whats the catch to me being your companion?" You ask as you take a few steps towards Shade and smile at her, as your shakes your long red hair about.

"Well my companions would need to follow a few rules, but that'll be my surprise, what I will tell you is, you'd have free reign of the room in work hours, and you're free to come and go, as long as your back in time. If you're late or break my rules, then there will be punishments, again these are surprises, but you'll get an idea of what they could be based off the rules you'd have to follow normally." Shade says with a mischievous grin as she steps towards you. "So Val, you brave enough to take the chance, and play me?" Shade says with another smile which sends a shiver down your spine.