Private Neon Streets of Nar Shaddaa

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber​

Varin’s ship had slowed itself on the landing pad of Nar Shaddaa. The planet he had grown accustomed to at one point having stayed here for a time. He knew its streets were less than safe. Murders, dealing, muggings and gang territories.

But they also had fun bars compared to more fancier planets. They seemed more organic to him. More honest in a way where people would show true intention of stabbing you in the back than try to make business dealings with words designed to entrap you on a one sided agreement.

Come to think of it…He missed Nar Shaddaa to an extent.

The ship had come to a halt with a smooth landing and he slowly stood from his seat. His armor reflecting the city lights that shone through his blast shield screen. He looked at the seat next to him to the woman who accompanied him on this journey.

Seren had traveled with him to this very planet in search of something different, a form of adventure they had yet to explore together. A night of drinking and a morning to wake up in with buzzing heads that seemed to ache with the light of the first dawn.

Varin loved his drinks though he never often indulged too much with them, preferring to keep his wits about him with only a few exceptions. It was also rather difficult for him to get inebriated due to the nature of his body and how it burned foreign chemicals and poisons out of his system.

That did not mean he wouldn’t try.

He looked over at CC who stood from their charging pod.

“Keep an eye on the ship, if anyone that is not us makes it inside, make them an example. I will not have my ship stolen.”

CC bowed their head in response.

“Of course Lord Varin.”

His gaze then fell to Seren, an instant warmth appearing in his eyes.

“Are you ready?”

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Nar Shaddaa greeted them with its familiar glow, neon lights spilling through the cockpit canopy in brilliant streaks of crimson, violet, and gold. Seren had heard countless stories about the Smuggler's Moon over the years, most ending with someone lighter by a wallet, heavier with regrets, or both. Yet there was something strangely appealing about its honesty. Nar Shaddaa rarely pretended to be anything other than what it was. It did not wrap danger in polished speeches or hide ambition behind carefully rehearsed smiles. Here, people generally told you exactly who they were. Whether they did so with a grin or a blaster was simply a matter of personal style.

She rose from her seat as the ship settled onto the landing pad, smoothing a hand over the outfit she had chosen for the evening. Rather than one of her flowing dresses, she had opted for something better suited to Nar Shaddaa without sacrificing elegance. A fitted black sleeveless top disappeared beneath a cropped dark leather jacket whose silver clasps caught the city's neon glow, while high-waisted charcoal trousers tucked neatly into polished boots that were actually practical for walking the city's endless streets. A narrow metallic belt rested at her waist, and the only real indulgence she allowed herself was a pair of understated silver earrings that shimmered whenever she turned her head. Her dark hair had been left mostly down once again, falling freely over her shoulders, with only the front strands loosely pinned back so they would stay clear of her face. It was a quieter sort of beauty than a gala demanded, but somehow it felt exactly right for the world waiting beyond the boarding ramp.

She smiled as Varin addressed CC before turning his attention toward her. The warmth in his eyes drew an answering sparkle into her own, one that carried just enough mischief to betray she was already enjoying herself.

"I believe I am, my Lord," she replied, deliberately emphasizing the title with playful formality before offering him her arm. "Though I should warn you... if the objective tonight involves questionable Nar Shaddaa choices, I may not be the voice of restraint."

A quiet laugh escaped her as they made their way toward the boarding ramp.

"Besides," she added, glancing sideways at him as the city lights reflected in her amber eyes, "I've been looking forward to seeing this place through your eyes. I have a feeling the Nar Shaddaa you know is very different from the one travelers usually write about."

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber

A small smile tugged at his lips as she spoke, offering her arm to him as well. A motion they had unintentionally practiced into normality that it was done without conscious thought.

He gently took her arm in his as the ramp lowered, the neon lights spilling from the buildings into the interior of his ship.

“What a coincidence. I believe I forgot my voice of restraint back on the ship.”

He spoke as he guided her on the off ramp and onto solid ground beneath their boots. He looked over to her, the outfit she had chosen was practical and still held her personality within it.

The style complimented her extremely well, as it always had. It almost seemed impossible for her to find something she did not look good in, at least to Varin that was the case.

“Nar Shaddaa has a way of always sneaking a way into your pockets, no matter who you are. It just finds new ways to do it.”

He stepped with her into the streets, looking at various buildings around them. The hilt of his saver still clasped to his belt but that was the only visible weapon he kept on him. Nar Shaddaa was just one of those planets you never entered without something to defend yourself with.

And most people tended to avoid strangers with light sabers.

“My experience however, has thankfully not been as unpleasant as most. Perhaps it's my size? Or it might be my friendly personality.”

A small chuckle left him as he looked at her.

“You look wonderful.”

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren laughed quietly as they stepped from the ship into Nar Shaddaa's endless sea of neon. The city seemed alive around them, every sign flashing in impossible colors while distant music drifted between the towering buildings. It was loud, crowded, and wonderfully unapologetic about what it was. Somehow, that suited the evening perfectly.

"How fortunate," she replied with an amused smile. "I seem to have misplaced mine as well."

She kept her arm comfortably linked through his as they joined the flow of pedestrians, her eyes wandering across the storefronts and crowded walkways before returning to him. Without the imposing silhouette of his helmet, the city's colorful lights played across his features instead of polished armor. It was a side of him the rest of the galaxy rarely saw, and she found herself quietly grateful for it. There was something about seeing his expressions unobstructed that made the evening feel all the more personal.

His compliment drew a warmth to her cheeks that she had never quite learned to hide.

"Thank you," she said softly before her eyes wandered over him in turn. Though he still wore his armor, absent the helm it felt less imposing, the familiar plates catching the neon glow in a way that softened their usual severity. There was an effortless confidence about him that needed no crown to command attention. Meeting his eyes again, she gave him a playful wink before tilting her head ever so slightly in quiet appreciation.

"You clean up rather well yourself." Her smile widened with unmistakable affection. She leaned just a little closer as they continued walking. "I happen to love your friendly personality."

The gentle tease lingered between them for only a heartbeat before she laughed again.

"Though I suspect your height and the lightsaber contribute at least a little to your success in avoiding trouble." Her amber eyes sparkled beneath the neon glow. "Still...I'd like to believe it's mostly the personality."

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber​

“I would say the armor and weapons are part of my personality.”

A small laugh left him.

“They may as well be part of me with how often they are with me.”

A light rain seemed to fall into the lit streets before them as they crossed over towards an entertainment district. Shops, clubs and bars all around. Cantinas that held gambling of sorts with shifty individuals and even shiftier rules that worked in the dealers favor.

Music thumped from nearby buildings and speeders as conversations led to laughter from the groups near them, Varin’s gaze traveled around the area noting the different individuals around them and the various routes they could take in case things had gone south.

Not that it would, it was just always good to have a back up plan.

Just ahead Vari could see the very cantina he wished to take her to. Drinks, food, various card games and machines that specialize in taking money rather than gifting. It was a night he was ready to just let go and cut loose some.

The sign above flashed in a rhythmic pattern that grasped attention.

DOCK SEVEN​

Not a high class cantina, but very well known within this area of the planet. Just out front was a small line being watched over by security personnel looking at identification and confiscating weapons. Just inside he could hear its own music thumping, a real difference in sound from the music in the streets.

Varin’s gaze found Seren’s before he took her in.

“Keep an eye on your credits, and try not to leave in debt.”

That last part was more for him than her. Sometimes it was best to remind himself outloud.

"Thankfully I have my military identification. Should not be an issue."

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren followed his gaze to the glowing sign overhead, taking in the line of patrons waiting outside the cantina. The music spilling through the doorway carried a heavier beat than anything they had danced to together before, accompanied by laughter, cheers, and the unmistakable sound of someone either winning far too much money...or losing it.

It felt alive.

Her smile grew as she caught the note of caution in his voice. He was warning her to watch her credits while simultaneously reminding himself not to do anything reckless. That alone was worth a quiet laugh.

"You realize," she said, glancing up at him with a playful gleam in her amber eyes, "telling me not to leave in debt only makes me curious how many times you've had to remind yourself of the same thing."

She stepped a little closer as they joined the queue, her shoulder brushing lightly against him.

"Don't worry, my Lord." The title rolled off her tongue again with unmistakable amusement. "If one of us starts making spectacularly poor financial decisions tonight, I'll make sure it's you."

A mischievous smile spread across her face before she nodded toward the entrance.

"Besides...I thought the whole point of Nar Shaddaa was making at least one questionable decision." She gave him an innocent look that was entirely betrayed by the sparkle in her eyes. "I'm simply trying to embrace the local culture."

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber

“Too many times to count, My Lady.”

A smirk appeared on his face as they approached the line, a few of the figures around them giving them certain looks.

“Besides, I haven't even learned my lesson yet.”

Her shoulder came in contact with him and he looked down at her, a soft smile on his face as she declared her promise of making sure it would be him who would lighten his pockets.

He gave her a small wink.

“Be careful with that thought of Nar Shaddaa. One mistake leads to another then you're trapped under an avalanche…so I've heard.”

A small smirk lifted his lips as the line moved forward. The large bouncer stared at her first before his gaze slowly looked up to Varin's face, now realising the massive figure of the Sith man before him.

An intensity within the security guards eyes seemed to lighten to that of surprise before he held out his hand expectantly.

“No weapons.”

Varin's hand offered him his special ID causing the bouncer's eyes to widen. A Sith Covenant ID.

“Apologies, sir.”

He stepped aside to let them through, Varin led the way for Seren all the while Varin's gaze remained on the man.

Lights flashed as dancers seemed to move with the music, performers of specialized dances with in cramped containers lifted towards the upper ceiling that also danced to the beat.

Machines sounded off with sounds of winnings and losing accompanied by groans or cheers.

A long bar took up the back wall bartended by several figures that picked up or held conversation from weary travelers looking to cut loose.

Varin looked back at Seren.

“Where to first?”

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

The moment the bouncer held out his hand and demanded weapons, Seren's attention drifted from the enormous man to Varin beside her. She watched the exchange unfold with growing amusement, waiting patiently while his identification was inspected and an apology followed hurriedly.

Only then did she glance down at herself.

No one had even asked.

A quiet laugh escaped her as they stepped through the entrance.

"You know," she observed, leaning just a little closer so only he would hear over the music, "I find it strangely amusing that they stopped you for your weapons and not me."

Her amber eyes sparkled with mischief.

"I understand you're considerably more intimidating to look at..." She tilted her head innocently. "But I would argue I'm every bit as dangerous."

The corner of her mouth curled upward before she let her gaze wander around the cantina. Neon lights washed across polished tables, dancers moved overhead, and somewhere nearby a group erupted into cheers over a successful hand of cards. The whole establishment possessed an infectious energy, chaotic yet welcoming in its own peculiar Nar Shaddaa fashion.

When Varin asked where they should begin, her answer came without hesitation.

"A drink."

She smiled warmly up at him.

"Everything else can wait until after we've officially made our first questionable Nar Shaddaa decision."

With that, she gently tugged his arm toward the long bar at the back of the cantina, already curious to discover what passed for a house specialty on the Smuggler's Moon.

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber

Varin gave her a curious look after she spoke, the mischief in her eyes speaking volumes as she looked up at him. A slight smile curved his lips as he looked back at her.

“I feel that makes you more dangerous than me. People expect me to be dangerous so they pay attention to me. You could strike when they least expect it. Surprise them.”

His gaze pulled to the bar ahead of them after she mentioned a drink. It was a night to just cut loose and have fun, so Varin would want something stronger than his usual whiskey.

“This would be the better way to get into the Nar Shaddaa mindset. Drink until we can barely stand and just simply laugh about it.”

He looked back at her, his own mischief glinting in his eye.

“Our first questionable Nar Shaddaa decision was landing on the planet in the first place.”

A small chuckle left him.

“We are well on our way to being part of the culture now.”

His eyes ran over the drink selections as they were making their decisions. A bartender walking over to them, a female twilek, offering a bit of a friendly smile that held its own deceptive nature.

“What can I get you two?”

Her hands placed on the bar at each of her sides as she waited patiently.

“Something strong. A good warm up for the night.”

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren laughed as they settled against the bar, unable to argue with his logic. There was something wonderfully backward about declaring the evening a success before it had truly begun simply because they had chosen Nar Shaddaa as the destination.

"I suppose that means every decision we make from this point forward is simply a continuation of the first." Her amber eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "There is a certain comfort in that."

When the Twi'lek bartender approached, Seren studied the glowing bottles lining the shelves behind her. Most were unfamiliar, their labels advertising names that sounded equal parts enticing and hazardous. Exactly the sort of establishment, she imagined, where ordering something sensible would almost be frowned upon.

The corner of her mouth lifted.

"I'd like an Upside Down Jawa."

The bartender's brows rose just enough to betray a flicker of approval before she nodded.

Seren glanced sideways at Varin, her smile becoming almost conspiratorial.

"If we're going to embrace the local culture, we may as well commit to it." She rested an elbow lightly against the bar. "Besides...a drink named after a Jawa has to come with a story, and I find myself curious whether the drink is responsible for the name...or whether someone met a Jawa after having a few too many of them."

She folded her hands together on the polished countertop and looked around at the lively cantina once more.

"I have a feeling tonight is going to produce at least one story we'll be laughing about for years."

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber​

A small laugh escaped him before he continued.

“Progress is progress, at least that is what I’m told. I don’t know if that carries here with Nar Shaddaa.”

The look on his face reflected a bit of shock at what she ordered from the bartender. Especially with possible inclinations on the beverage. To Varin’s experience anything regarding Jawas is not always fun, but adventurous.

“I’m shocked you would pick that one. Jawas are very strange creatures. I have seen a group tear apart a whole combat ship in a matter of hours. Very efficient and very tricky.”

He looked at her with slight realization.

“Perhaps they do make a perfect drink.”

The drinks were passed over to the as she finished speaking and he slightly leaned back on the bar, keeping eyes on the people surrounding them. A clear liquid placed by him catching his eye. Slowly he turned around and picked it up, studying the liquid.

“Well, here is to a night for us to remember, but will probably forget.”

He tipped his head back letting the liquid rush into his mouth. The taste a sharp difference to what he was expecting, bland and nearly tasteless. After tipping it back he placed the glass on the bar and coughed a bit to clear his throat.

“Its uh….thats water….”

He looked at Seren with a slight smile on his face.

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren had been prepared to raise her own glass alongside his, only for the moment to falter spectacularly when Varin swallowed his drink and announced, with visible disappointment, that it was water. For several seconds she simply stared at him. Then her lips pressed together in a futile attempt to contain herself before a warm laugh finally escaped.

"Well..." she managed, amusement dancing brightly in her amber eyes. "I suppose one of us should remain properly hydrated." She glanced pointedly toward his empty glass before adding, "An excellent start to our reckless evening, Varin. I can already see the stories being told about us."

Her own drink arrived a moment later, and Seren's eyebrows lifted immediately. The Upside Down Jawa was certainly more interesting to look at than Varin's unfortunate selection. A faint mist curled lazily over the rim of the glass, spilling downward before disappearing into the neon-lit air. Beneath it was a murky, dirty green concoction packed with ice, while thick ribbons of chocolate syrup had been streamed throughout it, winding between the cubes in dark, uneven trails. Seren slowly tilted her head one way, then the other, studying the questionable creation placed before her.

"I suddenly understand your concern about the Jawa."

She picked up the glass anyway, giving it a cautious swirl before looking toward Varin with that same mischievous sparkle from earlier. Whatever common sense might have suggested about drinking something that looked as though it had been dredged from a swamp and decorated with chocolate, tonight was hardly about sensible choices.

"To questionable decisions," Seren declared, raising the Upside Down Jawa toward him in a belated toast. "And to making enough of them that we'll have to remind each other what happened tomorrow."

With that, she brought the glass to her lips and took her first adventurous drink, fully committing to whatever strange combination of flavors awaited her.

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber​

Somehow he knew that he would eventually get the water shot prank. Especially after having pulled it on Tamsin one time.

“Doesn’t the liquor have water in it technically? I am sure that can keep us thoroughly hydrated.”

When her drink finally arrived he simply looked at the concoction before her. It was…interesting to say the least. Likely way too sweet for his taste, but he was not the one drinking it.

“Why do I have a feeling you are about to turn into one?”

A laugh escaped him as his real drink finally came to him, the clear liquid sloshed only slightly within the glass, a few ice cubes drifted within before settling and a slight fog rolled off the top. He wanted to ask what his drink was, but he also really wanted to be surprised. There were so few drinks that actually made him feel any sort of affect.

He listened to her toast, then watched her drink. The motion looked smooth and committed. Varin had a look of admiration in his eye from it. Many people he went out drinking with usually shied away from trying new things. But Seren, she was ready to take it on and then some.

After she had tipped her drink back, Varin tipped his as well.

It was cold and bitter. Almost medicinal and it drew a slight cough from him followed by a look of disgust as he set the glass down.

“You definitely won the more flattering flavor drink I assume. Mine was basically just cough medici-”

His eyes seemed to stare off as he felt a lighter sensation hit him.

“...oh…”

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren lowered her glass slowly after the first proper taste of the Upside Down Jawa, taking a moment to process exactly what she had willingly ordered. Sweet was certainly part of it, the chocolate cutting through whatever questionable mixture lurked beneath, but there was enough alcohol hidden behind the sweetness to leave a distinct warmth spreading down her throat. Her nose wrinkled slightly as she looked into the mist still curling from the dirty green concoction.

"I'm not entirely certain flattering is the word I would use," she admitted, though another sip suggested she had not been discouraged enough to stop drinking it. "But if I start dismantling nearby machinery and attempting to sell you the pieces, we'll know your Jawa theory was correct."

She had been about to tease him further when his sentence abruptly ended.

Seren paused.

Her glass remained halfway between the bar and her lips as she studied him more closely. She knew enough about Varin's physiology to understand exactly how unusual that little oh actually was. His body burned through substances that would have left most people thoroughly intoxicated, and they had only just started drinking.

Her eyebrows slowly climbed.

Then came the smile.

It began small before spreading into something positively delighted, a mischievous light immediately appearing in her amber eyes as she leaned one elbow comfortably against the bar.

"Oh?"

She deliberately repeated the word exactly as he had said it, allowing it to linger between them for a moment.

"Varin Mortifer..." Seren glanced meaningfully toward his glass and then back into his eyes. "Did we actually find something you can feel?"

Suddenly, her strange green Jawa concoction seemed considerably less interesting than whatever was happening beside her. Seren took another leisurely sip while watching him with open amusement.

"I think you should remember what that is," she added, the twinkle returning to her eyes. "I have a feeling we may be ordering another."

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber

For a moment he did not catch what she was saying. The lights were altered, colors were enhanced and sounds thudded and echoed in his head. It took a moment to process what all she said to him.

Finally he looked at her, his senses coming back to him just enough to have conscious thought and movement.

“It is definitely….different.”

A small laugh escaped him, uncontrolled. Seeming to slip out of nowhere as he looked at her.

“It's like everything is in a haze, yet everything is much clearer at the same time.”

He looked at the glass once more, studying the liquid that was inside.

“It certainly isn't often I find something that takes immediate effect like this. Usually it has to be high doses.”

As his gaze fell back to her he noticed the sparkle in her eyes. Almost a literal sparkle. It was like she were surrounded by small stars. When she moved it looked to be…slower? Perhaps just delayed.

His hand gently reached out to hold a small lock of her hair in his fingers, for a moment he stood there just looking at that before looking back at her again.

“I am doing weird stuff aren't I?”

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren watched him with open fascination, unable to hide the warmth spreading across her smile. It was a rare thing indeed to see Varin genuinely affected by anything he drank, and there was something strangely endearing about watching the normally composed Sith try to make sense of sensations his body seldom experienced.

"I believe that's called being pleasantly intoxicated." Her tone was light, carrying just enough amusement to tease without mocking. "Welcome to the experience the rest of us have been describing all these years."

When his fingers found the loose strand of her hair, Seren remained perfectly still. She looked from his hand back to his face, her smile only growing as he studied the strand with such earnest concentration, as though it were one of the galaxy's great mysteries.

His question finally drew a quiet laugh from her.

"A little."

She reached up, letting her hand gently settle over his, where it rested against her hair. There was no attempt to pull it away, only a soft, reassuring touch.

"But..." Her amber eyes met his, bright with affection. "Remember the questionable decisions rule for tonight?"

The reminder was delivered with unmistakable mischief.

"I'd say we're right on schedule."

She gave his hand the gentlest squeeze before letting it linger where it was for another heartbeat.

"Though I am curious to see what qualifies as 'weird' for you. So far you've held my hair and philosophized about clarity." A playful grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Frankly, I was expecting something much more dramatic from the man who warned me about Nar Shaddaa."

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber | Wyrmfang​

The music seemed to echo in his head as her speech seemed to slow causing Varin to stare at her for a moment before processing what she had said.

“Dramatic? hmm.”

He looked around the bar for a moment noticing the bartender had their attention pulled to someone else. With a swift fluid motion he simply reached behind the bar to grab another bottle of something beneath the counter.

“Another drink for my Lady?”

He smirked as he popped the bottle open pouring some into his glass and offering her some as well.

“This is only the warm up round, and the night is still young. Perhaps we could still get into some nefarious deeds or a bar brawl, who knows.”

The thought of a brawl in this establishment caused him to raise his brow as he looked at her.

“Come to think of it, I think I can see you diving onto someone from this very counter.”

He leaned back over the bar, sipping on his drink once more.

“Or perhaps even swindling some poor sap of his credits, we go out and wake up in the morning surrounded by a bunch of tiny fluffy or scaled critters.”

A chuckle left him as he thought on that one.

“Or, even better, we wake up and all of a sudden we now run the planet. I don’t know which could be more adventurous.”

Before he knew it he could feel his foot doing something. A motion. Motion that followed the ebay of the music. Was he actually tapping to the beat of the music?

He looked down to see the spectacle before it seemed to stop on its own.

“Yep, I’d say the booze is working.”

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren watched with poorly concealed amusement as Varin helped himself to another bottle from behind the bar with all the confidence of someone who had already decided ownership was more of a suggestion than a rule. She glanced toward the distracted bartender and then back to him, accepting the offered refill without the slightest hesitation.

"See?" she said, lifting the newly filled glass. "Questionable decisions."

She took a leisurely sip before listening to the increasingly ambitious possibilities he laid out. A bar fight. Swindling strangers. Waking up with an assortment of mysterious creatures. Each suggestion was somehow more absurd than the last, and yet he delivered them with such earnest consideration that she found herself laughing all over again.

His final proposal, however, earned a thoughtful hum.

"I don't think we should aim to rule Nar Shaddaa." Her eyes met his with unmistakable affection. "Yours, perhaps."

She let the words linger for a heartbeat before a mischievous smile spread across her face.

"Unless..."

With a gentle bump of her elbow against his arm, she nodded vaguely toward the bustling cantina around them.

"...you want to call this one practice."

Another sip disappeared from her glass as she watched him out of the corner of her eye, only then noticing his foot keeping time with the music. The realization brought a sparkle to her amber eyes.

"There it is." She nodded toward his boot with exaggerated satisfaction. "The rhythm has claimed you."

Her grin widened.

"First your hair investigations, now your foot is dancing. At this rate I give it another drink before you're on the floor convincing everyone they should join you."

Varin Mortifer

 

[Varin Mortifer]

VARIN MORTIFER

Equipment: Durum Mantle | Black Blade of Chandrila | Eye of The Dragon | Heavy Sith Mace | Cross Guard Broadsaber | Wyrmfang​

“Well, they say practice makes perfect.”

He took another sip of his drink before he eyed her with a hint of mischievousness. A glint in his eye that said he was up to something before he sat his drink down.

“What if we just start with here at the bar? Claim that for ourselves and see how that goes?”

He stood up before her, his hand reaching back to grab someone else's drink before he tipped it back at the protest of the patron behind him.

“That was my drink!”

Varin looked back at him with a simple glare before the man noticed his size compared to the Sith before him.

“Uh…nevermind good sir…”

He quickly backed away from the bar before stumbling over to the other side of the bar. Varin then looked over to Seren.

“I have a feeling things may get interesting here soon. Most people here don’t like it when you take their drinks.”

He took another sip before he grimaced and set the glass on the bar.

“That is disgusting.”

A small laugh escaped him before he spoke again.

“Besides, I think the floor is finding that argument compelling for me. I don’t think I would have to convince anyone to lay on it.”

Seren Gwyn​

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren had been smiling ever since he suggested claiming the bar for themselves.

She had not, however, expected him to immediately begin the conquest by stealing someone else's drink.

Her amber eyes widened just enough to betray genuine surprise as she watched the exchange unfold. The offended patron marched over with every intention of reclaiming his beverage... only to look up into Varin's face, reconsider every life decision that had brought him to this particular cantina, and retreat with remarkable speed.

Seren pressed her lips together.

It lasted perhaps two seconds before laughter escaped her in earnest.

"Your strategy appears remarkably effective," she managed between quiet laughs. "I'm beginning to understand how you intend to reclaim Carcosa."

She lifted her own glass, taking another sip of the Upside Down Jawa before glancing toward the poor patron now wisely enjoying the opposite end of the bar.

"Though I should point out..." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "...I believe our conquest has so far resulted in one stolen drink, zero loyal subjects, and a rather disappointed gentleman over there."

Then came his observation about the floor.

Seren looked down at it.

Then back at him.

Then back at the floor again with exaggerated seriousness, as though she were honestly evaluating the proposition.

"It does look surprisingly persuasive," she admitted with an entirely straight face. "But I think we should postpone negotiations with the floor until after we've finished our drinks."

She reached over and gently rescued the questionable beverage he had stolen from his hand before he could punish himself with another swallow, sliding it several inches farther away across the bar.

"Besides," she said warmly, lifting her own glass in its place, "if we're going to make questionable decisions tonight, drinking something you already know is disgusting seems unnecessarily ambitious."

A playful smile returned as she leaned comfortably against the bar beside him.

"Let's at least lose our dignity to drinks we actually enjoy."

Varin Mortifer