For This to Succeed, There's Someone Else We Need...

[Ben Corscifine]

Chazwa was capital of The Galactic Republic. Despite having been a citizen of the Republic for all of his life, the padawan Ben Corscifine had never visited this system. As far as he had known until just recently, his never having seen Chazwa was nothing to consider meaningful. The capital of the Republic was Coruscant, the planet on which he was born and had lived until he was ten years old. Of course, that had all changed in the crystal caverns of Ilum, inside of which Ben had experienced a revelation in the form of a Force Vision: Coruscant had been captured by the One Sith, and now served as the capital of their evil empire.

Until that moment, Ben had not paid much mind to the life he had left behind when he chose to train with the Jedi on Ossus and then on Lothal. Since Ilum, however, Ben could not manage to rid himself of the image of his childhood home in flames, the sight of a crimson lightsaber glowing against the hallways of his youth.

Today, Ben was on the new capital planet with a simple enough mission: gather the supplies he would need for the construction of a lightsaber. Ben had already obtained the most important component: a green focusing crystal from Ilum. However, there were still mechanical materials he would need in order to construct a hilt.

At least, that was the story he had told his master when he sought permission to go off world alone.

In truth, he had come to Chazwa on more personal business. Ben had decided on Ilum that he had to return, as soon as he possibly could, to Coruscant. He knew not the fate of his mother and father, and since his vision he could have no peace until he did. Coruscant now, however, was not a planet to which tourists could easily flock. Especially not young, inexperienced tourists who reeked of the Light Side. Certainly it would be a dangerous mission, requiring a good deal of stealth.

That was where [member="Jessica Justice"] came in.

By now, even the Jedi on Lothal knew of James Justice, head of Justice Shipping, a infamous smuggler who called himself "The Peoples' Criminal" or something like that. Ben was a person in need of a criminal--or at least a guide--and his first thought was to reach out to the skilled smuggler for assistance in sneaking into and out of Coruscanti space. Clearly, however, the King of Crime had more important things to do than tend to a teenager's soul-searching pilgrimage, because he had responded that he would send his daughter, Jessica. Still, if James was sending an agent to take up the job, his own daughter was high on the list of people Ben would be happy to work with.

Plus, Jessica's beauty was almost as notorious as James's criminal acumen.

And that chain of events is what brought Ben into this smoke filled cantina in one of the lesser-trafficked portions of the North Market. All manner of scum and villany was present, plus one wide-eyed padawan trying his best to mask his scent. His masters would not be particularly pleased to see him in such a place--then again, maybe they would, some masters were more strict than others. Ben took a seat and awaited the arrival of his contact.

 

[Jessica Justice]

Confident strides, and an alluring swaying of hips, carried the smirking young woman into the cantina. Scum, pigs, and villains. Her people. Or, at least her past clientele... A cigarette rest between her lips, as those piercing blues scanned the occupants of the cantina. Drumming flawlessly manicured nails on the bartop, the woman nodded to the barkeeper. "Reactor Core. No ice." A credit chit slid across the surface to the man. His eyes widened as he nodded enthusiastically. The drink was produced, and slid down to the woman. No sooner had it reached her hand, did the glass meet lips and contents vanish. Sliding the glass back down the bar, a playful smile and a wink from the hybrid was given. "Another, mate."

This repeated for the third drink, which she didn't instantly consume. Holding the glass aloft to the barman, she'd give a nod. "Cheers!" And she'd move away from the bar, making a bee-line for a particular table. At said table sat her new client. She knew it was him, because he was the only one who simply did not belong in this location. Knee-high black boots. Short black skirt. White tank-top, and a short flight jacket that came down just below her shoulder-blades. The way the jacket hung open, it was easy to see the hold-out blaster tucked in a holster under one arm. And a careful inspection of her boots would show a hidden sheath in each where vibroknives were concealed.

Sitting uninvited across from the young man, the beauty would cross one knee over the other, and take a draw from her drink, followed by a drag from the cigarette held in the other hand. A plume of smoke wreathed the air around her, as she let her pheromones flow along with her latent powers of Force Persuasion, hoping to put the nervous young man swiftly at ease. "I be assuming ye be waiting for me, eh? Ben was it? Names Jessica. Jessica Justice." She'd say, a subtly flirtatious wink given, as lips pulled back in a friendly grin.


[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

And all of a sudden, Ben had more than enough reason to be here.

"Yes. Ben Corscifine. Good to meet you," Ben replied, motioning for Jessica to sit.

Not only were the legends about the elder daughter of James Justice true, but they seemed deficient in some way. The moment the small, lovely girl materialized from out of the crowd, Ben was immediately in a state of ease. He smiled unabashedly as the girl winked at him, trying his best to keep his face from flushing. Ben usually had a desire to appear cool and confident; Jessica only exacerbated that need. Ben leaned back in his seat, casting his gaze over the young woman. Frankly, Ben was not used to seeing girls dressed in anything but the modest robes of the Jedi Order. He certainly wasn't used to wearing the anonymous civilian clothes he had chosen for today, either. But it wasn't just the way she looked (or her powerful pheromonal influence) that attracted Ben to Jessica; it was her calm, swaggering demeanor. For a woman of her stature, she seemed as powerful as the statuesque Corvus Raaf. Returning her soul-piercing gaze, it hit Ben almost immediately:

She's Force sensitive. I wonder if she knows.

Ben had never had a drink at a bar before. While waiting for Jessica, he had coyly (probably a bit too obviously) ordered the first thing he read on the menu: Corellian Whiskey. The decision was likely made out of the drink's association with his master. Ben was much more a creature of habit and comfort than he liked to admit to himself. He had barely had a sip when Jessica arrived, and he made a point to sip the drink after the greeting, just to prove that he had been doing it. He stifled the urge to make a face as the liquid stung in his mouth. Instead grinned cooly, or at least attempted to.

Still, there was business to discuss; he couldn't allow himself to become distracted. He decided to get right to the point.

But those eyes were a little too much for the moment...

"I can honestly say you're the most welcome sight I've seen on Chazwa."

...maybe he'd get to it once he had acclimated a little.

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

It was faint. Almost imperceptible. The slight, minuscule twitch. Near the hinge of that handsome jaw. She was always, always good at reading faces. All races. All genders. No one had a perfect poker-face.... But this young man, his was pretty.... uh... pretty good. Her grin only widened. So, he really was a pretty face out of place. Whiskey was a bit too much for the guy, but she definitely gave him an 'A' for effort in maintaining the facade. A slow sip of her Reactor Core would be taken, as she'd offer the man a wink. A subtle flutter of one pair of lashes.

"I will say, ye are one of the more attractive contacts I've been to meet with so far." She'd offer that winning smile, before taking a draw of that Red. As another plume of smoke was expelled, mingling with her pheromones like an intoxicating cloud, she'd keep those piercing blues on his own. "But, I am certain ye dinnae call me way out here, so far from home, just to stare longingly across a table at me," She'd give another wink, "Though truth be told, I would nae be opposed." Her charisma, oozing with the backing of the Force, when coupled with her natural pheromones, made this woman a exceedingly difficult one to not pay attention to. Around this time, the young man seated with her would likely notice the envious glances, stares, and potentially even glares being sent his way because of the company he was keeping.

The woman, though fully aware of the impact she was having on the populace of the cantina, payed them no heed. She was here for Ben, the rest could kark off.


[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

There wasn't much about this girl that was subtle. Perhaps it was a much more subtle defense mechanism, her overt nature, or maybe she simply was what she appeared to be: strong, confident, free. Either way, it was refreshing to the young man, who was very much used to the moderate, indirect tendencies that he had come to associate with the Jedi. True, Ben was meant to be working on his own compulsive behavior, but Jessica influenced him to the contrary. He was quite resolutely under the young lady's spell, the sapphires of her eyes embedding themselves somewhere in the earthy brown of his retinas. She had him right where she wanted him, and between that and the whiskey, he was feeling his resolutions loosening.

Unfortunately for Ben's masters, Ben couldn't bring himself to mind.

Ben was not unaware of his own handsomeness. Since childhood, he had known himself to be good looking--if not a little short of stature--and his civilian clothes displayed his meticulously sculpted body much more clearly than did his Jedi robes. But in front of Jessica he, for the first time ever with a woman, felt as though he had something to prove. It was not so much that Ben desired or expected anything to come of his acquaintanceship with the lovely young criminal; it was more likely that Jessica had a sort of power over men which compelled them to impress her. She probably deserved it, judging both by the intoxicating curve of her smile and the bending of necks taking place in the bar to catch a glimpse of her.

At 16, she had a lifetime of beauty to cultivate. There was a power in that which was irresistible to Ben.

Surely it had not gone unnoticed, but Ben took her words at face value, trusting that she indeed welcomed his attention.

"Oh, no, I certainly have reason for calling you here," Ben began, trying to maintain his cool as consistently as he could. He was a naturally confident and charismatic person, but this near-human clearly could dampen even the most silver tongue. ​"Although I can't well make the argument that it would make for a more enjoyable first meeting."

There was music in the cantina unlike any Ben had heard. Some sort of electronic club sound, lending itself to the sort of dancing that never took place on Lothal. Ben could hardly resist the urge, protest as his conscience might.

"They say one shouldn't mix business with pleasure. Perhaps it would be best to take pleasure first and business second." Ben smiled, unsubtly. He was young yet, and so was she. "Do you want to dance?"

After all, what was the worst that could happen? Ben could control himself.

And, if he couldn't, they say even Corvus Raaf had a lover.

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

Oh, so he wanted to play, eh? Jessica could definitely get behind that. He tried to keep up with her charm, and for that she gave him top marks. She'd swill the glass in her hand for a moment, before kicking it back, the liquid giving the oh-so-satisfying burn down the back of her throat, before chasing it with the final draw on that cigarette. Letting the plume of smoke once again mingle with the pheromones in the air, blanketing her aura in a haze of charm and mystique, she'd give the handsome man across from her a playful wink. "I swore I thought you'd never ask."

She'd slip out of her seat, and take him by the hand, gently but firmly dragging him towards the dance floor. There were other bodies out there moving and gyrating to the music, but they were all amateurs. She, was an artist. An entertainer. She made her living in her days on Coruscant dancing and singing the night away. She'd take his hand, holding it above her head as she'd twirl herself into him, for a brief, teasing moment her back was almost against him, before swirling herself away, her hair whirling like a hurricane about her head with the movement. The pheromones were flying, the Force intuitively flowing to disburse the intoxicating effect about the cantina. Everyone would enjoy themselves, because she willed it. She couldn't thrive, unless all were having a good time.

But more importantly, she was having a good time, because he was having a good time. Their movements were in sync, as she'd lead him through the music, her body harmonizing naturally with the throbbing bass and twittering treble. It would take some time, her movements so tantalizingly close to Ben, but always just barely within arms reach in the same breath. Before the end of the song though, she'd have taken his hands, and wrapped them about her, dancing against him, where oh so many males would have loved for her to have been for themselves. The envy was palpable within the cantina, but even then, everyone was still having fun, and all that matter to her was that she and Ben were having fun.

Pleasure before business indeed!


[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

This girl was something else. She was small, but something about her was so monumental that Ben could not feel anything but her presence in the whole of the dance floor. Certainly, there were many individuals of all shapes and sizes dancing in that cantina, but it was as if she were the only light in the darkest room as she twirled about. Ben laughed with her, unable to stifle the pure joy that came from this young woman. She certainly knew how to ensure that a good time was had by all. In another world, Ben would be hyper conscious of himself, of his vows to the order, of his youth and inexperience, but with Jess in the room, these things were trifles.

He could feel the Force ebb and flow between them, and among the crowded dance floor. She teased mercilessly, and Ben responded in kind with coy smiles. He remembered Quinn, a fellow Jedi with whom he had once shared a romantic connection, and how he had forced himself to reject her advances. This was not like that. For at least this moment on the Chazwa dance floor, Ben was just a young man intoxicated with a woman who could not help but attract profound admiration. There were no vows, and no constraints.

As she gradually came closer to him, it was as if her very being had lept from her skin and hair and into the very air which Ben breathed. He was drunk on her infectious vigor. There was a strange purity to this smoking, drinking criminal. Her demeanor was that of perfect fun, boundless joy. He smiled as she pressed her body against his.

"Is this how you conduct all business meetings?" Ben teased in a low whisper into Jessica's ear, hands pressed against her hips. He spun her around and so that they looked each other dead in the eyes, centimeters from each other on the crowded dance floor. He smiled stupidly.

Maybe he was being taken advantage of. Certainly he was vulnerable to women, especially women like Jessica Justice, but Ben could not find a single reason why--at least in this moment--he would mind.

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

She couldn't resist, being a creature of passion much like her father, at this proximity with a handsome man. She'd quickly graze the tip of his nose with her lips, before giving an almost musical laugh as she'd spin out of his reach for a moment, only to spin her way back into his arms once more. "No, it isn't. But life is short, and ye are hot." She'd give a flirtatious wink, before laughing again.

"Do ye object?" She'd ask, ducking under his arms to slip around behind him, fingers 'walking' up his spine. "I can stop anytime ye wish." She'd purr after reaching the top of his spine, hands sliding up over his shoulders to help pulled her close enough to his head for her soft words to reach his ears. Once again though, a musical laugh would grace him as she slipped away, making their dance vaguely akin to a graceful, flirtatious game of cat-and-mouse.

Eventually, she'd get so lost in the music, in the dancing, in the energy of the throng, that she'd not quite realize what all was going on until she'd accidentally tumble into his arms once again, his firm body a welcome stopping force to her prancing and gyrations. Giggling in his arms, she'd begin absently drawing a little circle on his chest with one index finger, while staring up into his face. "So.... About this business.... Shall we go somewhere less.... boisterous?" She genuinely meant to talk, as she'd flush slightly, and brush the area on his shirt she was 'drawing' as if to try to banish the illicit thoughts she realized she could have been perceived as implying!

[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

Ben couldn't contain his excitement at Jessica's incessant teasing. Each time she came close to him, and showered him with her perfumed breath and glowing eyes, he longed for her to stay. She paid him compliments and he smiled big and dumb; he was slowly but surely losing any facade of composure. She was a true professional.

​I'm in trouble with this girl, Ben thought as Jessica's lovely, manicured hands rested on his chest, pressing against his shirt firmly enough that his heart started to beat more quickly. It wasn't really a warning, but more of a resolution. Ben was not in the slightest upset by this woman's ability to break down his defenses; he was enjoying himself, devoid of the shame that usually came with it. He took her hand and pressed it too him, circling her hips with his other arm and smiling almost unintentionally as their eyes met.

What a wonder, not wearing those robes.

Is she blushing? Since Ben had met the young spacer, he could find no sign that she had any capacity for embarrassment. Until that moment, it was clear that Ben was the one out of his usual comfort zone, while Jessica was playing by the rules of a game she had known all her life. Maybe she was just as young and stupid as he was.

He hoped she was equally happy to be there.

Ben nodded. They did need to talk, and they never would at this rate. The gravity of Ben's mission returned to him in an instant, although he was still in something of a haze. He probably would be until they got out of that cantina. "Do you know a place we can go?" Ben, of course, had never been to Chazwa, so he was pretty useless in terms of direction. Still, he felt compelled to take the lead, so he began to walk Jessica off of the dance floor, still holding her hand.

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

She couldn't refrain from smiling. Though, unlike the earlier ones, which were so evidently taunting and teasing in nature, this one was a warm, gentle curve of her lips. She'd give a slight nod to Ben. "I know of a place where we can get some decent caf. Quiet place." She'd state as he lead her off the floor. As they broke out the doors to leave the cantina, she'd give his hand a squeeze, before nodding to the left. "A couple o' minutes walk down this way, love. It's the one with the blue and white sign."

As they'd turn, and start strolling along, she'd resist the urge to wrap her arms around his arm. She enjoyed this young man, this short time they've spent around each other. Yes, she's worked her magic on many young men over the years, but this one was still gentle and non-forceful. He was a perfect gentleman. And that made him fun. She could flirt. She could tease. And he'd not push for more than she was ready and willing to give. She could feel this on him. It made him safe, and she had to forcefully remind herself to not take advantage of that... too much....

"So.... What exactly brings ye here, seeking me?" She'd ask as their foot-falls were one of the only real sounds echoing on the street. She was curious as to what exactly was this mission she was supposed to have been meeting this man over.


[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

As they strolled away from the cantina, Ben was surprised at the peace that washed over him. Ben had been emboldened so much inside, where the music and dancing and drinks seemed to beg for indiscretion, but he expected to feel the need to reprimand himself later. Now that everything had calmed, Ben found a sort of unapologetic serenity, walking along the street with Jessica. True, this girl was a lot of fire, and Ben could not pretend that she hadn't caught him quite off guard, but he sensed in her a deeper delicacy. It was just a twinge of understanding between Force Sensitive individuals, perhaps, but he could tell that there was more than just the unrelenting allure and unmitigated confidence.

They were still holding hands.

"I was born on Coruscant," Ben began. "I left there eight years ago when--" Ben stopped himself. It dawned on him that Jessica may not even know that he was a Jedi. He had come disguised after all, and his lightsaber was concealed within his jacket. This woman was very perceptive, but it was possible she had not sensed it. It wasn't that he distrusted Jessica necessarily, but Ben wondered if it would not be best to keep his identity a secret.

And then he caught those blue eyes.

"When I left to train with the Jedi Order on Lothal."

Dammit. Well, too late to worry over it now.

"As you know, the system is now under One Sith control. I would need assistance getting onto the planet undetected, and I think your smuggling experience is just the help I need." Ben then realized that he had made it sound like some sort of combat mission. He added, "Don't worry! I'm a Republic Jedi, but my business is personal, not political. You wouldn't be getting caught up in an act of war or anything," Ben smirked.

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

She'd give a slight gasp. "What district? I spent the last six years of me life living in Sector twenty-two, in the under-city!" She didn't expect so soon after leaving to make a new friend from back home. Maybe she knew where he grew up! But then she took stock of his hesitancy, his faltering at the end of his sentence. Pursing her lips, she'd incline her head to the side, angling her face to gaze up at his own. "Ye are a.... Jedi?" She'd ask, slightly confused.

"But.... Ye can nae be a Jedi...." She'd state, though it felt more questioning than claiming. "How could ye be? Ye are.... handsome... and fun! I thought.... I thought Jedi were all scholarly, and stuffy! Ye.... ye dinnae fit what I be taught a Jedi to be!" She'd say, scrutinizing him closely. "Ye be funnin' me? Havin' a giggle?"

It just didn't fit. He had no reason to lie to her, but.... A Jedi? If he was.... weren't they.... "Oh.... Oh my...." She'd say, a slightly mortified look cutting across her face. "I... i dinnae offend ye, did I?" She'd ask suddenly, worry in her voice. If he was a Jedi, surely flirting and somewhat romantic thoughts and actions..... surely those were off-limits, right? She didn't want to get him in trouble after all. "I.... I apologize. I should nae have been so forward." Her face was flushed, embarrassed at the horrible social and professional miss-step she had made, being intimate with a client. This.... There was no way that her father did business this way. She was embarrassed at the thought of having to explain to her father how she botched the mission and contract by getting riled up by a handsome boy.

Oh gosh.... if she said that to him, wouldn't her father end up killing this guy? That's not a prospect she wanted to face either!

Hopefully [member="Ben Corscifine"] would forgive her transgressions.

 

[Ben Corscifine]

Ben had not been prepared for that reaction. As Jessica stammered a response to his revelation of his identity, and the return to the business at hand, it was as if Ben had fallen one thousand stories and landed at the bottom of a great chasm. No longer in the heightened place of flirtation, romance, and beauty, but down in the dark, hands caked in dirt. The spell was somewhat broken, inasmuch as Ben was embarrassed, too. Not of or for Jessica, but of himself. He was a Jedi; she was right. He was meant to be scholarly and stuffy--or at least consistent, moderate, patient. He had taken a vow to eschew attachment. He knew that the portion of the Code forbidding romance was now considered obsolete by most, but this hadn't been romance. Or if it had, it was just the seedlings of a romance, not something calling for Ben's shameless flirtation.

But she was lovely, really, and so compelling. They were just teenagers; maybe there was nothing wrong with that.

Ben quickly tried to marshall a response, "No, no, no! Hey, hey," Ben put his hands on Jessica's shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes, "yes, I'm a Jedi. No, I'm not offended by you. You did nothing wrong, Jessica. I asked you to dance. This was something I allowed to happen. I got all swept up in it." Ben took a deep breath. This close, comforting her, he almost felt like he would kiss her. That wasn't right, was it? She was embarrassed by everything that had happened, and perhaps rightfully. Ben had come here to do business, and instead he was clowning around, forgetting his duties and his plans. It wasn't right. It couldn't be right.

But he couldn't deny that she was lovely, and so strong.

"We can start over, if you'd like. I won't tell anyone."

It was almost sad for Ben to backpedal. He had had so much fun with her this evening. Maybe this is why the Jedi didn't form attachments. He had known this girl for less than one full day, and yet it pained him to have upset her like this.

He did not pull away from her, but he said quietly, "and if you don't want to do business with me, I won't be angry. I'll understand."

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

She attempted to refrain from grinning, though the corner of her mouth did tug a little. He actually liked her. Like, like-like her. She felt a little girlish flutter in her chest. She did have fun dancing with him, and he did have a personality that she could easily mesh with. So.... perhaps the Jedi weren't all boring prudes who didn't know how to have fun. Even if nothing came of her time with Ben, she was at least pleased to know that he was at least going to be fun.... And really, isn't that what being young was all about!?

Nodding to him, she'd finally cave and let the grin spring to life on her face. Where as he was able to resist kissing her, she was not so well composed. A quick brushing of her lips across the very tip of his nose again, before giving a girlish giggle. "There be no need to start over again. Just, now that we both have a better understanding, we may be able to enjoy this mission ye called me da for."

That grin would diminish slightly, before shifting in nature, becoming a teasingly coy smirk. "Though, I warn ye, I be intent on carrying on our game, until ye decide I be crossin' a line I should nae be. Communication be key for any relationship. Be it professional, personal, or even more importantly...." She'd give a teasing sigh, as she stretched her arms high over her head, her back arching slightly in a most unfair way before continuing the thought, "Romantic...." she finish her stretch, and giggle once more, reaching out to grasp Ben's hand, before taking off, tugging at him until he began to jog with her, her laughter filling the air like music as they headed to the cafe to sit and discuss this mission of his.


[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

Ben knew exactly what Jessica was doing. He didn't have a lot of experience with women, but he knew what that stretch was, and he liked it.

"Romantic..."

He liked the sound of that, even though he knew he wasn't supposed to. Jessica radiated something truly special. Something Ben had trouble resisting. He probably should have kissed her; maybe next time he would. Although, his ability to control himself seemed to attract Jessica's playful personality. Well, there were worse things a Jedi could do, so long as Ben didn't allow anything to fill him with too much passion.

...well, too much passion when using the Force. There are times and places for it elsewhere.

He let her take his hand. No matter what happened between the two in the future, Ben was glad to have tonight. It had been more than enjoyable. He let the young woman lead him to the cafe. "I promise to let you know if you do anything I won't stand for," Ben replied, a hint of joking in his stern tone, "and you better not let me cross any of your lines either."

The cafe was brightly lit and fairly uncrowded. They took a seat by a window, soft music playing from the speakers in the corner of the building. People passed, and Ben watched them. He had always loved seeing other people living their lives, trying to determine what happened in their daily passages from one place to the next. He then turned to Jessica, pausing a moment to breathe her in, those blue eyes warmer than any fire on Mustafar.

"So. Coruscant. What do you know about security back on the homeworld?"

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

Oh.... She was enjoying him. A lot more than her father would approve of. She'd soak it all in. His attention was stronger than spice for the hybrid. She's continue grinning at him, when he gave his terms for their relationship. A soft giggle, before leaning forwards towards Ben. She'd absently tap a little order-pad at the table, ordering herself something extra sweet and creamy to enjoy, before sliding the pad towards the handsome man across from her. As she did so, he mentioned Coruscant.

"Security? Just the usual. Sith patrols, mostly be on the higher levels. Crime is still rampant in the undercity, though the Sith still be making regular excursions below to hunt for potential acolytes." She'd offer a slight shrug. "It really depends on which district ye be trying to get to, and if it be surface, or undercity. If ye be looking anywhere near me old home, it'll be almost too easy for us to get where we be needing to go unscathed." She'd state, a finger working it's way through her hair, twirling her bangs in thought. She liked this little cafe, or else she'd light up a smoke right there and then. Makes thinking a little easier. Yet another trait inherited from dear-old dad.

"So, where exactly do ye need me to be taking ye gorgeous?" She'd say with a grin, and a taunting flutter of a wink.


[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

"It's a surface level district--B-25. I don't know if you'd have any reason to be familiar with it. There are a lot of residences there, as well as a small commercial area. My father ran a shop there for all of my life on Coruscant. I need to get in, find my old home, and figure out what ever became of my parents. The Order had not informed me of the fall of our planet to the One Sith. I was young, and Lothal was insulated from much of the galaxy's news.

I don't know if they had kept it from me for fear I would become emotional. The Jedi aren't much for passions. I know that my mission would be frowned upon, but I think it is something I need to do. How realistic is it?"

Ben felt himself growing just the slightest bit emotional as he turned down to the order-pad and requested something caffeinated. He could feel waves of sadness coming through him, but he did not feel the need to hide.

He could not decide if it was the sense of safety that Jessica projected, or simply his unconscious recognizing how deeply he felt the gravity of not knowing...he remembered his Force Vision on Ilum. The truth was, he was afraid that something had happened to them. He had to know for sure.

And, as he looked up at the lovely young lady across the table from him, he felt no shame at his emotions. He did trust her, against all logic and inhibition. He smiled a small, vulnerable smile.

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

His pain rolled off in waves. It was almost tangible. Pain, sorrow, despair, it all felt terrible. If it could be compared with taste, it would be akin to soured milk. It was not pleasant for the empath to take in. But, she would. She'd siphon off some of his pain, taking it into herself, to lighten his load. To make it that much more bearable. She'd reach out, after he'd finish placing his order, taking his hand in both of hers. When he'd make eye-contact with her, Ben would witness tears forming in Jessica's eyes.

"I'll get ye there. I promise ye. At the risk of offense, I dunnae care about this code forbidding passion, because how can ye not show any passion, if ye are tah be compassionate?" She stared into Ben's rich, chocolate-hued eyes. "Ye deserve closure and peace of mind. I'll be sure ye get it. Be they safe, or not, ye deserve, and need to know. One cannae move forward, with a weight holding them back."

With those tears threatening to escape down those cheeks, a soft smile would be offered. "So, when do we leave?"


[member="Ben Corscifine"]

 

[Ben Corscifine]

It was overwhelming, the rush of comfort that Ben experienced as their eyes met. It was impossible to explain the way in which Jessica had struck him in that moment. It seemed she had the power to make the pain dissipate gradually, until Ben couldn't help but feel warm in the pit of his stomach. There was more to Jessica than had met the eye on the first meeting, Ben knew that. If she was so willing to offer her services for his cause, and her kindness to his pain, Ben could be strong.

This was the girl for the job.

Ben blushed at her question, feeling his face numbing with an unconscious, goofy smile. "I don't think I ever want to leave."

[member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Jessica Justice]

Blinking a couple times, she couldn't refrain from letting a blush begin burning furiously on her face. "S-sweet as the sentiment is... I cannae say how safe it may be for us to dally too long, love." Her soft tone warm and inviting, though her words were suggesting to leave and not stay. "We should go, at least from here. Before me da gets too curious as where I be hiding." A musical laugh, and a playful wink.

Their drinks would arrive, the server-droid having the good sense to provide them in convenient 'to-go' cups. She'd get up, and nod towards the door. "I tell ye what, I'll let ye walk me to me ship." A playful wink and a smile, before taking a sip of her caf. "How does that sound to ye?" She'd ask, before finally deciding on extending a hand to the man, only ease and comfort evident in those rich, blue, eyes. After he'd take her hand, out into the night they'd step, walking towards the spaceport, where at least her ship was moored. She'd need to go prepare properly for this little adventure, now that she knew it's nature.... But, a little more time strolling with Ben wouldn't be a bad thing. At least, not to Jessica.


[member="Ben Corscifine"]