First Reply Getting that Phaeda Cheese

[Althea Voidwalker]

P H A E D A
Chinesti

The port was filled with people coming in and out. Sitting down on the bench in the main hall, eyes darting left and right. Performing the task of looking at an individual's hips, hands and eyes. What were they focusing on. What did they have on them. And what were they doing. Each person was inspected with care and for a reason. My hand came up and pushed back the bangs in front of my face and adjusting in the seat. The bangs fell back into place but a little disheveled now. I was leaning forward just a bit to look like I was waiting for a transport or just hanging out waiting for someone else. However, I was prepared. Pistol on hip, and a vibroblade at the small of my back.

People kept walking by. Going about their business. Their days full of running around and making sure ships came and went like clockwork. It was mostly normal. However, there was a reason I was here. Apparently some local gang was known for distributing weapons. Starting to sell them on the black market. Tooting around that they were high quality weapons from behind the Sith Orders "Blackwall." However, the person who tipped me off, had something else to say about it. The weapon they purchased blew up in their hands and left them without arms below their elbows. And if they were as prolific as he said, then these weapons were dangerous. Being sold for preem credit counts by people thinking they needed top shelf gear, and finding out the hard way it doesn't work that way.

So here I was. Looking through the star port trying to find my mark. Someone who was clearly going about selling these defunct weapons. It didn't take long. Their clothing all dirty and marked up. Lightly armored like a goon trying to be big shot for some cartel. Weapon on their hip, and a box in their hands. I did not change. Just stood up and walked somewhat in the direction of the man. Coming up to a worker and asking them a question.

"Hey man, you got the ETA on the public transport?"

He started to answer me about the public transports asking which one I wanted. I faked my actions to look part of the scene. Pointing out one as from the peripherals of my vision I saw the guy move in through a door. I knew which one. No lock. At least one I could see. I thanked the man for his time and walked away. Going after to the door and moving to stand just past it. Pulling a datapad out to blend just a bit better. Waiting a minute or two before no one left or came out. My eyes quickly looked around like I was confused. Looking for someone or something before walking into the door.

It closed behind me with a hiss, and slowly I drew my pistol. Keeping it low and slightly hidden behind the shadow of my leg. Looking around, it was just a hallway that led deeper into the star port.

No words, just walking from here.

 

[Kael Varnok]

Kael's eyes swept the hallway like a predator mapping its terrain, the Force whispering subtle movements of the people beyond the walls. He adjusted the weight of his twin sabers against his back, letting the ambient hum of the starport fade into a distant hum in his mind. Every footstep, every slight shift in posture, every scent of stress or confidence—it was all data.

Then he saw her—moving through the doorway just ahead, careful but deliberate. A flicker of amusement crossed his features. Not a mistake to be taken lightly, but… interesting. Kael leaned into the shadows, waiting, and with a subtle step, slipped inside before she could fully enter.


The hiss of the door closing behind him was soft, almost ceremonial. He allowed a low, almost teasing remark to brush his lips "Snooping around, are we? Dangerous place for curiosity, don't you think?"


His eyes tracked her movements, reading every detail—the way she carried herself, the tension in her posture. The Force coiled tightly around him, alert, ready. Kael's pulse remained measured, but beneath the calm, the split in his mind whispered with a grin "Let's see how well she handles ghosts."

No words beyond that. Observation first. Every detail cataloged. Every escape route considered. And when the moment came, Kael would act with precision… a ghost of orange and yellow light, and a whisper of warning.

 

[Althea Voidwalker]

Walking in a number of steps. Making sure each one would not let my boots be heard. Rocking my foot forward from heel to toe so as to increase the distance in which the foot moved. Making myself as silent as possible. That was, before I heard a voice behind me.

Without missing a beat, I snapped around. Ducking low onto one knee and bringing the pistol up with both hands. The weapon trained onto someone who had followed behind me. Whatever they did to sneak in upset me. I did what I could to avoid such a thing from happening. Yet here they were. The stern look upon my face. A quick throw of my senses to feel that he was held to the laws of the force. However, his annoyance was clearly of the Jedi. His signature was clearly Jedi. Even the clothing he wore, and just the tip of a lightsaber emitter over the top of his shoulder.

An angry but hushed tone kept low so he could hear but not warn anyone else.

"The hell do you think you are doing?"

I slowly lowered the weapon barely. Just so then the barrel wasn't directly trained on his forehead. Now just pointing to his feet instead. So if I had to recall it back up, it would be super quick if needed. My hands pulled close to my chest with the pistol held in it. A shake of my head while I stood up from the kneeling position. Once more whispering.

"I don't need a Jedi to muck this up. Speak."

Kael Varnok

 

[Kael Varnok]

Kael didn't flinch when the barrel rose, the sharp gleam of the pistol lining up with his face. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. The low hiss of her voice was met with something just as hushed, though carrying a bite of amusement.

"Relax, little wolf. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have heard me."

His eyes locked onto hers, steady, but for a fraction of a second his left pupil narrowed into a slit—serpentine, unnatural—before he blinked it away. The grin never left, though it sharpened with the faintest undertone of something darker.

"Don't flatter yourself. I'm not here to muck it up. Just making sure you don't blow your own head off chasing after discount death-traps." He shifted his weight casually, as if her pistol wasn't still close enough to make things complicated.


Then, with a dry smirk, he added "Though if you do insist on pointing that thing at me, at least buy me a drink first. Feels rude otherwise."


The Force coiled around him, subtle but alive, his presence pressing faintly against hers—assurance and provocation all at once. He wasn't moving his sabers, not yet. For now, he was content to see how she handled the push and pull of Kael Varnok's presence.

Althea Voidwalker