Main blog; some 18+ content; profile art by @studiohousepet and @vtory-art; header is my own
Hello there |˶˙ᵕ˙ )ﾉﾞ Call me Sprig! This blog is for my personal obsession with The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch, but I also reblog Repcom, the Disaster Lineage and stuff from all over the Star Wars Universe.
My journey through SW visual media - #hyperspacewatchlogs
OG posts: #imperialsprig
Writing: #imperialdrabble
Reading: #sprig reads
Drawings: #sprig draws
Tag list here
OC art all in one place; #imperialOC
[@secretly-a-trekkie] - Sergeant Knox
[@dustmusings] - Sergeant Knox
[@stealingpotatoes] - Vesha Rinn
[@rat-talks-about-starwars] - Sergeant Knox
[@gars-weaponeer] - Knox
[@binkyisonline] - Arani Tharne
[@tahny-andthe-diamonds] - Arani Tharne
[@kyraltre] - Sergeant Knox x Zee'na
OCSN timeline- A bit more back story on Zee, Val and Rain.
Word count 1,687 words
Star Wars OC fiction
The Nexus Circle - approximately 5 years ago
Rharo stormed through the back hallway of The Nexus Circle. Without knocking, he pushed the office door open and stood there glaring at the blue haired woman behind the desk. With a snarl, he walked over and slammed his hands on the desk.
"How dare you" he growled. "She is not for you!"
Rain tilted her head and settled back in her chair. She smiled at Rharo and shrugged. "Well, it's nice to see you as well Rharo. It's been awhile. Please, do come in."
Rharo continued to glare at her. "Don't start with your chatter. Zee'na is not to be touched. She is innocent."
Rain glanced at her nails. "Well, darling, rumors are that she's not innocent any longer. And I had nothing to do with it. You know how young males are these days. Always so eager."
The Morellian sat down, his face turning red. "Who? I want names."
Rain leaned forward and rested her chin in her hands. "Some nobody. I doubt we'll see him again. However, I had no idea you saw her like a daughter and would be so concerned." Tilting her head, Rain stared at him for a moment then slowly narrowed her eyes. "Or is it something else…"
Rharo stiffened. "It is none of your concern. I just want you to know that I won't stand for your corruption."
"My corruption?" She tsked. "Darling, you are not innocent, so don't threaten me. As for Zee'na, she's a big girl and can make her own choices. Won't she be leaving you soon?"
"Yes…her and Val will soon be old enough to…move on" he muttered.
"Well, then you should be happy that I am pondering giving them a chance to make some credits. Now, if you don't mind, I have things to do. Off you go" she said as she waved a hand at the door.
Rharo left, muttering. Rain watched him go then buzzed Marcus.
"I want someone to keep an eye on Rharo for a bit. I fear his business with us may have to come to an end."
She put her com down, not bothering to listen to the response. She twirled a lock of hair around a finger as she thought about the interaction. With a sigh, she turned back to her reports. She hated to rush things, but it seemed like her plans with Zee'na had to be accelerated.
******
Zee looked amazed as she flipped through the costumes. "These are all for the dancers here?"
Rain nodded and pulled a dress off the rack. "Yes, Baby doll, we like to have a variety. Now I have watched you move, and I think you would fit in with us. We can probably work it out so you could start right away."
Zee fidgeted. "I would love to dance, but…I don't think I'm allowed to yet."
Rain waved a hand. "Don't fret about that. We'd only have you mingling on the floor. Why you'd just be doing what you do when you show up to the club already." She winked.
The twi'lek nodded slowly, then remembered what Ryder had told her. "Do you think Val could work here too? Ryder…he said…." She trailed off thinking about the things she had done after that conversation. Zee's cheeks turned pink.
"Of course we'll find something for Valandra. And don't you worry about Ryder. I heard he's been moved to another club. You won't have to see him ever again." Rain held a dress up to Zee. "Now, Angel, enough about that. Pretty girls deserve pretty things. Let's try this on."
******
"Now, Baby doll, all we have to do is look pretty, cuddle, and smile. We'll let the men talk and then we dance. Easy, right?" Rain adjusted Zee's dress and then led her towards the back lounge. "And remember not to drink any of their drinks. No matter what."
Zee nodded, feeling a little uncertain of this change in her duties. She let Rain lead her through the club and through the VIP doors. The space was more quiet with private booths. Rain led her to one and they slid in.
The two men looked them over and smiled. Zee felt an uncomfortable feeling settle in her stomach at the way they looked at her. Rain tugged her close and ran a finger down Zee's arm.
"Isn't she precious? We need to get her something sparkly to really make her stand out." Rain winked at the men and they laughed.
Zee gave them a soft smile and tried to relax against Rain.
******
"Look at this, Sweetness! They loved how cute you were." Rain dropped a box in Zee's lap.
Zee opened it and blinked at the fancy bracelet inside. "What is this? I didn't do anything. I just sat there and looked pretty."
"And the men appreciated the eye candy, Baby doll. So I suggested that they send you a little token of appreciation. Don't you like it?" Rain asked as she sat next to Zee.
"It's very pretty," Zee whispered.
"Don't worry; you'll get more. And gems are a great way to build your future, angel. You can sell them off if needed. Why, you and Val would be able to move out of the orphanage sooner!" Rain smiled. "And I think that would make both of you happy, wouldn't it? To have your own space?" Rain said.
Zee nodded slowly, her fingers sliding over one of the gems. "Yes, Val seems very stressed lately. And Rharo has been super grumpy. I suppose it would be nice to be on our own."
"Then it's settled. You'll keep working with me,and we'll get you more pretty things." Rain patted her on the shoulder.
******
Val sighed as she worked on memorizing the drink list. She wasn't sure how she felt about the special ingredient in some of them, but she had promised she would never mention it to anyone.
"This one indicates that someone wants to meet with Rain," Yasmin said as she tapped the Starlight Blitz. "It's only available if you know about it. And these are the ones you dose up and send over when she signals. It makes Rain's job easier," She tapped the Nebula Booster and Cosmic Spritz.
Val wrinkled her nose. "Got it. This…doesn't hurt people right?"
Yasmin laughed. "No, just makes them more eager to do what Rain tells them. She can convince them of almost anything once they've had a drink. Don't stress about it. This helps protect her and the other dancers, you know? It's no big deal."
Val nodded slowly and then went back to learning the drinks.
******
Zee looked over the box of jewelry and pulled out a few pieces. She still didn't like the way the men looked at her. She had gotten used to dancing with them and smiling even when they let their hands wander. Rain had told her it was just part of the job and not to worry, because Rain wouldn't let them go too far.
After each meeting, Rain would bring her another piece of jewelry. She told Zee that she had earned every piece of it and to be proud of it, but Zee wasn't sure she could be proud of it. It felt…wrong in some way. She knew she wasn't doing anything bad, but somehow it felt tainted. With a sigh, she picked up the box.
"Val, you ready to go sell this stuff?" Zee asked.
"Yeah, if you are sure," Val said.
Zee nodded. "Yes, I want us to have some credits so we can start our lives."
Val nodded, conflicted by the whole thing. One one hand, she knew these jobs were helping get them away from Rharo. On the other hand, she had to watch Zee act like a pretty little doll for Rain. With a soft sigh, she hugged Zee. "Let's do this then."
******
The apartment was small and dingy, but it was theirs. Val smiled as she walked around it. They were on their own now. No more worries about someone getting into their stuff, no more having to sabotage Rharo's attempts to corner Zee. It was just them.
She glanced over at Zee. "You know, in a few months we can always move onto another club. Maybe one where you don't have to let Rain drape herself all over you to make the men excited."
Zee shrugged. "It's not so bad. I mean, she doesn't try to do anything that makes me feel uncomfortable. And she says I'm a natural at this. I just have to sit and keep my mouth shut and smile." Zee wrinkled her nose slightly. "I mean, is that so terrible?"
Val sighed. "No, I guess not, but, I see the way they look at you and treat you. You know you are more then just a pretty little baby doll right?"
"Rain says pretty girls don't worry about how men look at them." Zee said softly.
Val made a face. "Kriff that, Zee, you are amazing and smart. Don't let her manipulate you into forgetting that you have a brain."
Zee sighed. "I know. I just…I liked to dance. I just don't like the way they treat me like a pet. I don't like being given a treat, like I performed some trick. It's just…. It helps us keep living. I'll be ok. Just a few more months and then…then we'll start looking for something else."
Val nodded. "Alright. We can do this."
*****
Rain looked over her reports and smiled. With Zee on her arm, the men were more willing to chat, thinking they were impressing the young ladies. Rain tapped her fingers on the latest information they had managed to pull out of the fools. With Zee Rain had managed to pull in more money and more information. Perhaps it was time to fully extend an invitation to the family.
And perhaps it was time to make sure Zee was educated on what other pleasures Rain could offer her. With a smirk, Rain grabbed her purse, and headed out to start making plans.
It's funny, cause I'm sure most people picture Tahny in her "Fast and Hot on Coruscant" outfit as her signature look, but I always think of her Tribal Bikini from chapters 8-11 of Disgrace. She wears it longer than any other outfit.
She still has it too. Crosshair has a soft spot for the piece since its such a callback to their time together.
