Private Back into Business

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Suit
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

With a suitcase in her hand, Valery stood alone in the Nar Shaddaa spaceport, dressed up in her new suit and waiting for Aldric to arrive so he could join her for this first mission together. She had recently convinced him to return to the SIA and to get him back in the swing of things, she had proposed to take on a mission together on a planet they visited before. There was, of course, more to it than that with the strong feelings she felt ever since they connected again, but the assignment was important either way.

It was a chance to test each other in the field, and for her to figure out where things could go next. Was she ready to take steps forward again? Was he ready, and willing to do the same? She needed to take things slow, which could deter him, or maybe it's what he preferred as well. All these questions and more were hopefully going to get answered — it was nerve-racking and exciting all at the same time.

She just had to remind herself to take it one step at a time, which right now, meant waiting for him to arrive, so they could get to the hotel and prepare for what was destined to be a very interesting night.

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Aldric was idly fiddling with his suit, his hair, his face, all throughout the journey to Nar Shaddaa. A few times he caught himself in the act, chuckling at how he was acting. Like he was a teenager heading to the school dance, or something. It wasn’t the kind of position he expected to find himself in any time soon, or ever again.

But the more he dwelled on it, he felt it. That spark. It had been there, dancing off the fire of her eyes. Aldric wanted to believe that. Very much. Valery Noble had been a friend for years, but in just a short time she was very quickly taking up more and more of his thoughts. He could only hope that she truly did see things in the same light as he did.

But above it all, they still had a job to do. This was the field test, of sorts. Of that success, he had full confidence. Nar Shaddaa? A casino? Hutts and gangsters in every corner? Just another day in the life. Aldric’s transport touched the landing zone with a final metallic lurch, and he smirked. The agent stepped out into the spaceport and breathed, reminding himself to take things slow. It wasn’t the kind of development to charge into headfirst, especially given Valery’s past. She was her own woman, she could make her own decisions, but it was nonetheless a factor that couldn’t be ignored.

Aldric scanned the crowd for the face he recognized. It didn’t take long; The flowing brown hair. Those simmering eyes. And that suit…

He blinked, snapping himself out of it so he could actually approach, coming in from the side and acting like he was checking his watch, “Say, you wouldn’t happen to know if a ‘Valery Noble’ passed through here, do you?” Aldric cast a glance down at her, and smirked, “I was told to meet her here. I’m starting to think she might’ve stood me up.”

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Suit
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

Was he late? Or was she just worried about nothing? She looked down at her watch and... yeah, she was just being weird and nervous. The closer the time got to his arrival time, the slower it seemed to pass, and the more nervous she became. It was weird to feel excited like this, and she couldn't even remember the last time it happened. She met Kahlil quite randomly after all, and they got close very quickly.

But she already knew Aldric for years, and she planned to take this at a normal pace... if he actually ended up mirroring her feelings, of course. So that meant having to deal with all the emotions and various phases of feelings developing.

Why couldn't it be-

"Say, you wouldn't happen to know if a 'Valery Noble' passed through here, do you?"

She had been so lost in thought that she didn't even notice him approaching, and he'd definitely be able to see her jump up a little from being startled. With reddened cheeks, she turned to him and gently jabbed a finger into his side, "Shush it you, don't use my real name." There was no real need to be undercover yet, but still. It was a good excuse for her to get some time to compose herself.

"And she'd never do that..." Valery said, her eyes widening slightly as an uncontrollable smile touched her lips. "You look great. Ready to get our first mission started?"

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Her jump, the blush, the little prod she gave him, all only made his smirk grow wider, “Sorry. Perhaps I should’ve started by mentioning you were a Jedi master?” He teased further, although he did lower his tone. Nar Shaddaa was still a rather… unfriendly place. Especially to types such as them.

"And she'd never do that..."

Aldric tried half-heartedly to hide a more genuine smile, “You’re right. I don’t think she would either,” His emeralds glimmered down at her, the first of likely many times they would this evening, “Am ready. Been ready… And likewise.” He straightened up, and turned to the spaceport exit, “Lead the way. I trust you got the rooms all sorted out?”

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Suit
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

"Careful, you..." she warned him, but seeing his grin widen made it impossible for her not to smirk a little to reveal she was actually amused as well. Valery had clearly been really looking forward to seeing him again, even though it had only been a day since they met on Coruscant. It's just what all this excitement did to her.

"You're right. I don't think she would either,"

"Mhmm," she smiled innocently and picked up her heavy suitcase again — she had definitely brought along quite a bit. Together they walked towards the spaceport exit and, in particular, she was trying to find the closest taxi point. "Good to hear, and I did but..." she paused and looked up at him with a sheepish smile.

"We're sharing a room. As part of our cover, we're now Mr. and Mrs. Nordann," she began to explain with rosy cheeks. "You are a private business owner specializing in the development of farming equipment, and I'm just a pretty wife." There was a playful smirk but she felt a little nervous about bringing all of this up. She hadn't exactly discussed it with him. "Don't worry though, the king-sized bed can be split into two halves..."

She looked away with a blush and kept walking again with the suitcase in hand. "I arranged invites for the opening of the Casino as well, but it's on your name."

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Aldric's curiosity piqued, watching Valery pick up a rather full suitcase. A hand opened to her, "Would you like me to carry?" He couldn't help but offer. Either way they continued along, shifting through crowds brimming with diverse alien life from all corners of the galaxy. Which was about the one thing Nar Shaddaa had going for it. Everything else was a polluted cityscape of urban decay and class warfare. Aldric's internal monologue on their surroundings was abruptly put on hold, though, as Valery spoke again.

"We're sharing a room. As part of our cover, we're now Mr. and Mrs. Nordann,"

He seemed to stutter midstep, for just a flicker of a moment, before resuming pace, "...I see…" Was all he could really manage to say in response at first. Aldric blushed faintly, but seeing her smirk made him do so as well. At the mention of her own role, he added, "Surely that's not all…" Using the character of Mrs. Nordann as a thin veil to address Valery. It was amusing nonetheless. As for the beds, he paused again, before more plainly adding, "...That's an option…" Not necessarily endorsing that decision, while also not making a more blatant indication of his real preference.

They eventually came to a taxi stop, and Aldric idly stuffed a hand in his pocket, "Simple enough. We'll head in, mingle, play the part…" That part being married socialites, which was not lost on him, "All the while casing the joint, and eventually making our move. Easy enough," Aldric nodded, the corner of his lip curling up with confidence, "Just like we talked about." Not long after, a taxi speeder dipped down from the sky traffic above, and he opened the door, "After you."

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Suit
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

"Would you like me to carry?"

Valery looked over her shoulder and weighed her suitcase by raising and lowering it quickly — it was heavy but she was really strong and had no problem carrying it herself. But she liked the idea of him helping, so she gave him the suitcase and offered a warm smile, "Yes please," she said with a sweet tone of voice.

Walking a step or two ahead of him, Valery went on to explain their cover, and as expected, he was taken by surprise a little. She paused in her own steps, looked over her shoulder, and focused on that emotional surge she felt. Paired with his grin, it made it feel like he wasn't opposed to it. "I kept my cover simple like that because it's less easy to poke holes into it that way." Kept her from having to really prepare too much as well.

But then a comment followed about her proposal for the sleeping situation - "...That's an option…"

She was really glad she had decided to look away because the slight blush shifted into her whole face turning bright red and her breath hitching for a moment. "Mhmm..." she muttered very softly. Maybe she was just not going to make a move to separate anything... and see what happens.

Luckily, her embarrassment didn't last too long, as he began to talk about the mission steps with confidence. It was something, among many other things, that she really liked about him. "Just like we talked about," she echoed after a moment, as her eyes were drawn up by the approaching speeder. She was let in first, which got her to sit happily in the taxi, and not long after they arrived at the hotel. To make them a convincing rich couple, she had booked something very luxurious, and it showed as they approached a huge skyscraper and walked into an expensively decorated hall.

"Ah, you must be the Nordanns," the lady behind the front desk said, her eyes turning to Aldric while Valery was biting her lip to keep herself from making some weird noise due to awkwardness.

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Aldric nodded and took the case as offered. He had no doubts Valery could manage it herself, but it was more about the intent. He wanted to help. She had already taken care of the more complicated parts herself, anyway.

"I kept my cover simple like that because it's less easy to poke holes into it that way."

"A good enough reason as any," Val wasn't wrong. The simplest lies were often the most effective. Even his role played to his predisposition; If their cover need be bolstered up, he was already familiar with the tools of a farmer, which would add to his legitimacy. As for his comment on the bed situation, her reaction wasn't quite discernible from behind, but he grinned nonetheless. They slid into the taxi, and were soon off to the hotel.

Once inside Aldric scanned the lavish lobby, simultaneously impressed and yet not. The sheer disparity between rich and poor here was more extreme than almost anywhere else in the galaxy, and they were quite shameless about it. He stood tall at the front desk, regarding Valery briefly before plastering a charismatic smile onto his face, "Right on the money, ma'am. Here to get our things in order before heading out." This part of the job was Aldric's element. Putting on the face, playing the part. That's where it felt simple, to him. Though even he couldn't help just a bit of red that touched is cheeks as he continued, "My wife and I are… quite interested to see what all the hubbub's about."

The lady smiled pleasantly and fetched a room key, pointing them down the hall to the turbolift. Aldric gave her another sparkling smile as they parted, "Thank you kindly." Once in the turbolift he thumbed the button for their floor number, and looked down at Valery expectantly.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Suit
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

He was good.

Valery's part checking into the hotel was simple — she just stood there confidently, smiled, and let her appearance take care of the rest. It was a little odd for a Jedi but easy enough. Aldric, on the other hand, played the more difficult role and did so perfectly. He showed the confidence one would expect, and felt like an entirely different man from one moment to another. She stayed cool about it on the outside, but Valery was very much enjoying it.

"My wife and I are… quite interested to see what all the hubbub's about."

Her eyes dropped to her feet for just a second but were quick to rise back up after that comment. Even though the marriage was just a role, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelmingly strong wave of heat taking away her breath.

But finally, they were given a key and turned to head to their room, "Thank you!" Valery called out to the lady before she stepped into the elevator with him, leaned against its wall, and raised a hand up through her hair. A soft exhale left her lips, but then she noticed he was looking at her. "You did great, they'll never figure it out," she said with a grin, a second or two before the doors opened and they had reached the top level, where their fancy room would be waiting for them.

Stepping inside, Valery's eyes widened a little at just how stupidly luxurious it was — she wasn't used to it at all. From the massive bed meant for a couple, to the large bathroom with a gigantic hot tub and shower cabinet. A floor and walls of expensive marble, beautiful paintings on the wall, and a view that extended over the entire skyline. "Well, at least we'll be comfortable..." she joked as she walked around.

Of course, she made no move to separate beds, and turned to him, "I have to get changed before we go. I uh, brought along something nice. We also have some time anyway, so if there's something you need or want to do..." she let her voice trail off with a hint of something playful to it. "...go for it."

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Aldric nodded appreciatively, "I thought it went pretty well." He couldn't quite hide his amusement, watching her seemingly stress out against the wall, over what had effectively just been standing around. There was a bit of nervousness on his part, too, but he did a better job at hiding it. The doors slid open again not much longer, and when they got to their room, the agent whistled.

"Wow," Extravagant was an understatement, "No kidding." Comfort and then some. He had been in nice places before of the course of his career, but this one just might have taken the cake in terms of sheer quality.

Aldric, similarly, made no move to change anything about the bed, and raised his brows curiously as she mentioned bringing 'something nice', "Really…" he smirked, but was less certain about how to move forward. The playfulness in her tone was recognized, and his heart skipped a beat. Was that some kind of… invitation? Once again the difference between playing a part and the real deal reared its head. Aldric swallowed, and smiled a bit more sheepishly, "Noted. Take your time, I'll uh- start preparing." What all did that entail? Even he wasn't totally sure, but it started with him making sure there were no immediately noticeable surveillance cameras in their room. Their targets had no discernible reason to be onto them yet, but it was better to play safe than sorry in this line of work.

Once that was done, he sprawled out a collection of their gadgets and weapons on the table, taking inventory of everything they had at their disposal. And occasionally finding himself distracted by thoughts of something, or someone, else.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Suit
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

"Mhmmm," Valery hummed before she grabbed her suitcase and looked up at him. Her suggestive comment had sparked something — strong desires but also uncertainty, as he tried to understand what she meant. In a way, she was trying to figure it out as well. It was all part of the fun little game between them, but she couldn't help but wonder when it would go beyond a role or a game. "Alright, I won't be away for long," she said and retreated into the bathroom.

Of course, her statement about it not taking long was a complete lie. She had to get changed but also removed her hair band to let the dark-brown, wavy locks fall loose around her. She fixed it up and even applied some make-up to make her lips, cheeks, eyebrows, lashes, and well, everything pop. It was important for the role she played, but the joy she felt making these preparations was because of something else. Or someone else.

"Well... what do you think?" She finally asked when she stepped out, in a new dress she had gotten but altered to have it cover her legs a little more if she wanted to. Helped her hide the weapon she was planning to strap to her thigh. Valery then moved her hand through her hair and looked at him expectantly, an even stronger fire burning brightly in the eyes that searched for his emeralds. Right now, all the guns and gadgets were of no importance to her at all.

She just wanted to know how he felt about this. About her.

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Aldric distracted himself with his work. Mulling over the tools of their trade and how the night might go down. Or, was he more specifically thinking about how his night with Valery might go down? The agent shook his head, and chuckled quietly. Time seemed to drag in anticipation, and it felt more and more like he was just repeating the same menial observations, all the while his real interesting took greater hold until-

"Well... what do you think?"

Aldric did a double-take. He ran a hand through his hair reactively, as if to catch up to the amount of work she had done. And he found himself at his most genuine loss for words yet, except one. A quiet, "Wow."

There was no hiding his reaction: Utterly dumbstruck by her beauty. His emerald eyes glimmered, or perhaps that was just the reflection of her in them. As if she hadn't handily won him over already. The agent's face turned a little more red, "I, uh- You-"

Say something, idiot.

"…Stunning." He finally uttered, finding a grin. There were a hundred more words for it, but evidently none more apt than that. Aldric's eyes settled on hers now. He was a moth to a flame. And there was no flame brighter than Valery's.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Unlike all their little moments before, Valery now stood in front of him with great confidence. She had done her best to look amazing, not really for the mission but for him. So to see him at a loss for words, and to see his cheeks visibly reddening - she felt like he had given her the greatest compliment already before even saying a word.

When his "Wow" finally came, though, she couldn't stop her infectious smile from connecting with him, and she almost felt an urge to pull him into a hug (and more). But for now, she kept herself cool and spun around to give him another good look.

of course, she knew exactly what she was doing.

"I'm happy to hear it~ thank you," she practically sang before she slowly walked past him, those flaming eyes not leaving his for even a second. In her wake, the gentle and alluring smell of her perfume filled the air, which she hoped would draw him in even more.

She was playing a dangerous game, but it was dangerously fun to her.

"If you can hide some good gadgets in that suit of yours, I'll keep it simple." Without wasting a second, she lifted up her dress to reveal her bare leg, which she had a tight band strapped around. She didn't care that he saw that...in fact, it was likely just more of her teasing. Valery then grabbed a small knife and hid it right under the strap, before lowering the dress again.

"Now, I think I'm ready." She turned to him and winked. "Are you?"

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Aldric's stunned leering was shameless. He couldn't take his eyes off her if he wanted to. And it was like Valery knew it. She twirled around, giving him a full view of the show.

No, not like she knew. She definitely did.

Her eyes were magnetizing, pulling his own back up and saving him from appearing completely helpless. Yet not even that look was safe. Not even her scent. They all pulled him to the source, a deliciously tantalizing combination that weakened him to his knees.

Valery was upping the game. But this was a game for two players.

Aldric rebuilt his composure piece by piece, and though it teetered dangerously as she flaunted a bit of leg, he remained steadfast. In the end, it all just made him more confident. More sure of this little back and forth they'd kept running all this time. The agent equipped several gadgets, and slid the pistol into the holster concealed beneath his suit jacket, "Thought you'd never ask." He smirked.

In some ways, this had made it easier to focus on the actual mission. For now they had a job to see through. But this? This wasn't over.

Let it simmer. Simmer until it boiled over. He could wait. The game was too fun to close out now.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Dress
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

The seed was planted.

During her visit to Azbrian or their lunch on Coruscant, Valery had given some signals, but none quite as clear as what she showed him now. The effort she put into her appearance, the way she showed it off, and especially the way she looked at him — it was suggestive and inviting, but they both knew there was an important mission to take care of first, so no moves could be made yet. But by the end of this night, she hoped for it all to boil over.

It was all part of the game.

"You're looking sharp too, and the gadgets seem concealed well enough," she looked him over once or twice, allowing her gaze to sometimes linger a little longer than it should before she straightened his jacket. "They will have security perform checks, but leave them to me. They'll let us in." She smiled innocently, grabbed the key to the room, and offered it to him before she made the first move to get going.

Within a few minutes, they had made their way down again and quickly drew a lot more attention than before. It was strange to Valery, but being able to shift her eyes to Aldric... yeah, that kept her distracted.

From the taxi, they could see the floating Casino appear in the distance, its red carpets ready to receive guests, and its bright and colorful lights ready to illuminate the night sky. Tons of wealthy visitors appeared, most of which were involved in by GA standards considered illegal activities — it wasn't the most pleasant atmosphere for a Jedi.

"Let's get in and get some drinks first?" Valery asked after stepping out of the taxi. But looking at him again, she gained a playful smirk and suddenly stepped closer to take hold of his arm, her eyes connected with his as well for a moment. Playing the part, of course. "I'll follow your lead."

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

"I am a professional," Aldric grinned, straightening up a little as Valery approached to fix his suit. His gaze was locked on her, watching her movements carefully. It was quickly getting harder not to make another move. But he nodded, his line of sight falling idly to the door as she continued, "I trust you." He snatched the key, and followed her out the door. Aldric looked as classy as when they arrived, but Valery was a knockout. He walked just a little closer to her, unable to help a few glances of his own.

All to play the part, of course.

---

The gilded casino loomed over the rest of the city, not deigning to even let itself be touched by the slums below. As literal as it was symbolic. Spotlights and neon drew all eyes, except Aldric's. His were preoccupied. He stepped out of the taxi, and he adjusted his suit one last time. Valery moved forward, but the agent was one step ahead: As she followed, he offered a hand out of the speeder, before letting her take his arm, "Drinks sound nice."

As Mr. and Mrs. Nordann they stepped ahead to the reception lectern. On either side were two guards, well-armed, more so than a normal casino would warrant. Aldric's eyes flicked to them briefly, before letting the guise take focus. They stepped up front, where a darkly-dressed Gran was bookkeeping. The agent cleared his throat, "Evening."

"Name?"

"Nordann. Gerrel." Aldric flashed a disarming smile. The Gran looked down to scan the long list of names on his datapad, eyes blinking asynchronously before all settling on the name in question. "Ah, the Nordanns. Allow me to welcome you to our fine establishment. Of course security will need to check you before you head in, as is procedure."

"...I presume this is not an issue?"

Aldric flicked his gaze down at Valery, waiting for whatever she had up her sleeve.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Dress
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

When Aldric made the move to help her step out of the taxi, there was a noticeable brightening of her smile. She accepted the hand, and stepped out of the taxi, careful not to trip over her heels and make a fool out of herself. They weren't the most ideal for missions like this, but it was a small sacrifice she made for him.

"Drinks it is," Valery then confirmed as she gently pulled his arm against her, and followed him to the reception. There, she allowed him to lead the conversation and only smiled when the woman recognized them as the Nordanns. The less they talked or shared information, the less likely it was for someone to notice that they weren't supposed to be there.

"...I presume this is not an issue?"

Valery's hand came up to make a small waving gesture that fluently transitioned into her fixing up her hair a little, "We're cleared by security and allowed access to the Casino," she told the woman, who stiffened with eyes wide and repeated the same words. Security was alerted of the okay, and the couple was allowed to step inside.

"How was that?" she asked playfully while she bumped her hip into his side, and began looking around for drinks. There was a huge bar to their left, slot machines and other games under neon lights in the center, and a stage with a dancing floor on the right side of the room. The music was mostly loud and energetic, but slower songs were played as well for this particular crowd.

"Up there is our infiltration target," Valery whispered while she gestured for a balcony. On the 2nd floor were the managers of this place, as well as control rooms and data storage. Exactly what they'd eventually need. "But first..." she gently squeezed his arm against herself and looked up into his eyes, "Let's have some fun and not blow our cover, hm?"

Some wine sounded great, and she was eyeing the dancefloor as well a little. They were all more ways to break down the already weak barriers that remained between them.

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Aldric raised a brow curiously, only to grin as he realized just what Valery had done. They stepped inside, where droves of improvident socialites were already gathered to luxuriate and throw away their credits. The agent immediately set to casing their immediate surroundings, only to be distracted by a bump at his side. Valery. Aldric grinned, biting his tongue, "Very nice."

He followed her gesture up to the balcony, giving the area a fleeting once-over before finding his gaze pulled back to her, "Let's," All part of the mission. It was fun to keep telling himself that, "A little liquid courage never hurt," Aldric led them over to the bar, and leaned over the counter, "A bit of wine for the missus and I. Finest you have," He smiled at the bartender, before shooting Val a wink. The agency would expense it.

Two glasses were slid in front of them, and poured with an aged Alderaanian red, "Thank you kindly," Aldric raised his glass to Valery, "A toast… to old friends… and new opportunities." A glint struck his emeralds.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | Dress
Location | Nar Shaddaa
Tag | Aldric Laurent

With a slightly smug smirk on her face from his compliment, Valery followed him to the bar counter, where she let go of his arm but remained just as close. Then, as if he had been able to read her mind, Aldric ordered them some expensive wine, drawing a big smile from Valery that was quickly joined by a cute blush from the wink, "Thanks babe," she said to play her role as his wife, but there was no denying that she felt the heat rising within her more from it.

For a second or two, she didn't even realize she was holding her breath after that.

Two glasses were presented to them not long after, and Valery would reach for her own, curling her fingers elegantly around it before raising it for a toast, "To old friends, and new opportunities..." she let her voice trail off, her eyes still meeting his while she took a sip from the wine and thought about the last 2 days, about him, and especially about them.

Could it work? she wondered, but deep down she had already convinced herself of the answer.

"Come here," she said, taking his hand to pull him somewhere a little quieter, so they could talk privately. She continued sipping from the wine, which felt a lot stronger now that she wasn't clearing the alcohol from her system. It was only a matter of time before she'd really feel it and loosen up even more. "Hey... do you think it's uh, bad I'm having a good time?" She asked, clearly feeling some guilt over it. "I just missed this, you know? And you've been... great." Once again, eyes connected, and emotions were exchanged through those flaming orbs, but she wanted to say so much more and that part was obvious too.

Soon, she kept convincing herself.

​

 

[Aldric Laurent]

Aldric grinned stupidly, but kept to his role, "...Anything for you," Mr. and Mrs. Nordann had been married for some years, but their love never faded. He quite liked the thought of that.

He took his first sip, locking in a stare with Valery as the taste hit his tongue. A strong, earthy flavor that made him smack his lips in satisfaction. A week ago, this would've seemed like an impossibility. What could ever bring him out of his quiet little life on Azbrian?

This. This definitely could.

Aldric felt his heart hasten as she suddenly pulled him away, to a quieter part of the casino. He composed himself, and lent an ear to her concerns. Initially it made him blink, but then his brow furrowed with a sense of surety. "Valery…" He settled on those dancing flames, mesmerized by the story they conveyed, free of words, "There's nothing wrong with you enjoying yourself. You've got a lot on your plate. Sure, you're a Council ranking master. Sword of the Jedi, even. But you're still human, like the rest of us," Aldric smirked and rolled his eyes, then clarified, "Turn of phrase. Point is…" His fingers grazed gently against her arm for just a moment, before returning to his side, "You deserve a bit of happiness as much as anyone else. A bit of… good. If this… If I… can give that to you… then that's just how it is. There's no shame in any of it."

He grinned. Not yet, he kept reminding himself. The time would come. But the game was still to be played in the meantime. It didn't change the truth of anything he said. She could give it all, but sooner or later she would need something to take. It couldn't be helped. So why not run with it?

Aldric took another sip of wine, then raised a hand, "I've had quite the night myself, with you here. Let's finish these glasses, and then, Mrs. Nordann… Would you care to dance with me?"

Valery Noble​