Private Shadows in Silk

[Sommer Dai]

Location: Juno's Reach – Infinity Atrium, Midnight Assembly

The Infinity Atrium was not a public spa.

It was invitation-only. Suspended between two hovering ridges above the salt ocean, held by invisible repulsor anchors. From the outside, it resembled a massive obsidian blossom, petals peeled open to the stars.

Inside, it was all glass, mirrors, and flowing silk, where gravity was optional and walls bent light to create endless illusions. Chandeliers of frozen plasma pulsed above levitating lounge beds. Voices whispered in multiple languages. A water harp played itself in the corner. And no one looked like they had ever worked a day in their lives — or at least, not recently.

Sommer and Alyssa entered through the arched entry — both dressed in sleek, midnight attire.

[Their Attire – Statement of Intent]

Sommer wore a long-sleeved, jet-black gown that left her shoulders bare and fell like liquid to her ankles. A high slit on one side revealed thigh holsters with ornamental clasps — decorative, but functional. A single silver chain wrapped once around her neck and disappeared down her back. She wore no heels tonight — only whisper-quiet flats with reinforced soles.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa chose a structured wine-red corset top, backless and sharp, with flowing pants cut high at the hip and made of translucent mesh lace. Her hair was pulled back into a simple twist, pinned with a thin vibro-dagger disguised as a hair stick.

They looked like danger and elegance personified.

And everyone noticed.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Valen Deyne stood at the heart of it all — barefoot again, in flowing dark robes, arms open as he welcomed his guests like a prophet welcoming stars home.

"Peace," he said softly to each arrival. "Peace in your mind. Peace in your purpose."

His smile lingered just a bit longer when he saw Sommer.

"You came."

"Curiosity has killed worse than me," she replied coolly.

"Then let's make sure it brings something to life instead."

He extended a hand — not to shake, but to place gently at the center of her chest, above her sternum.

"You carry fire. But you've been told to bury it."

Sommer stiffened at the contact, not because she was afraid. But because he said it like he'd seen her burn.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa watched the exchange, jaw tight.

"We're here to listen," she said. "Not be touched."

Valen withdrew, bowing slightly. "Of course. Consent is the truest currency."

He led them to a lounge where other guests reclined — sipping from crystal orbs, listening to ambient chants and watching silent holos of ancient wars and forgotten empires playing in loops. Everything was meant to feel prophetic. Intentional. Ethereal.

And yet… every second was staged.

 

[Sommer Dai]

As they sat, Valen turned toward them with intent.

"This galaxy is at a crossroads," he said, voice like a sermon in a storm. "False empires collapse. Warlords posture. But nothing offers balance. Until we build something new."

"You think you can build balance?" Sommer asked, swirling her drink.

"No," he said, smiling. "We can."

"You mean your followers?"

"I mean people like you. Survivors. Untamed. Brilliant. You've seen behind the masks. You know what fake peace looks like."

A pause..


Then he leaned in, voice low:

"You know the Veil won't survive as it is. You know the dark things moving beneath Nar Shaddaa. You've seen the edges of Zori's hand. And you're still standing. That's why I invited you."

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

"You want her to join you?" Alyssa asked, half-laughing.

 

[Sommer Dai]

Valen's smile was maddeningly calm.

"No. I want her to influence me. Temper me. So when the flames start, I don't become what I claim to resist."

That… stunned even Sommer.

She had never been asked to lead. Only to burn for others.

 

[Sommer Dai]

[ In the Aftermath]

As they stepped out onto the outer ring balcony, the wind whipped gently across the sky-path. Below them, the ocean shimmered. Above them, star-lanterns danced.

"He's not wrong," Sommer said. "But he's dangerous."

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

"All visionaries are," Alyssa replied. "But you're thinking about it."

 

[Sommer Dai]

"No," Sommer said, jaw tense. "I'm thinking about how many people like him get close to changing the galaxy before someone like Zori swallows them whole."

They stood in silence, until Valen's voice echoed behind them again.

"We're having a private council in two days. No press. No guards. No names. Just ideas."

"We'll think about it," Sommer said.

"Good," Valen said. "Because the galaxy's thinking about you."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Location: Juno's Reach – Spa Sanctum, Late Evening

They sank into the hot pool like slipping back into a memory.

The spa's interior lighting had dimmed to a soft violet glow. Steam spiraled lazily through suspended crystal diffusers, and the faint sounds of distant tides played through the speakers like a lullaby for gods.

Sommer leaned against the stone ledge, arms stretched along the sides, her gaze fixed on the floating petals drifting past. Her eyes were quiet now — not cold, not hard. Just… somewhere else.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa slid in next to her, drink in hand, and nudged her gently.

"Alright, brooding banshee. You're doing that thing again."

 

[Sommer Dai]

"What thing?"

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

"Thinking like the fate of the galaxy is in your bra."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer gave a weak laugh, but didn't fully smile.

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

Alyssa tilted her head.

"Come on. Don't let that 'messiah of mist and cheekbones' hijack the rest of our vacation. You said we'd get away. This is away."

 

[Sommer Dai]

Sommer's voice was soft:

"It's never really away, Aly."

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

"Yeah," Alyssa said, shrugging. "But we can pretend. At least until the wine runs out."

They fell quiet again, soaking in the warmth, the illusion of peace. The lanterns bobbed above, reflecting off the water like a sky full of false stars.

 

[Sommer Dai]

"Do you think I could do it?" Sommer asked suddenly.

"Walk away from all of it. The Veil. Kael. Ghost. Zori. Andrew…"

 

[Alyssa Kydd]

"...Valen?" Alyssa teased.