Private Where the Roots Lie

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Where the Roots Lie
Acier Moonbound ​

Dear Diary

I'm about to touch down on Nar Shaddaa. Using public transit to get here was a big mistake. They keep saying that all women should own a black dress. What they don't say is to not wear it when commuting. That Twi'lek dude two seats back is still giving me the creeps. I miss the times when I could prepare for these sorts of ops properly - not as some rebel amateur.

Anyway! Enough complaining. It won't do me any good, will it?

So, the mission! I briefly met my partner for the evening during the briefing. Didn't have the chance to say hello but that will come soon enough. I did a little background check on him. It seems like he's some sort of alternative Jedi? I dunno what the difference is so I guess this might be a good opportunity to learn something. Thurion Heavenshield set the expectations high - let's see if Acier lives up to them.

ACE! He's called Ace. I'll try to remember that during the cab ride to the palace. Off we go. Ciao!

The somber clouds in the sky carried a deep red colour from a nasty mixture of pollution and an abundance of red neon lights. Hutta hovered above like a toxic yellow orb, shedding a gloomy yellow hue on the skyborn palace below. While dystopian in more ways than one, the palace had a certain degree of pomp to it. For something of its massive size, it carried far too many architectural quirks such as elaborate domes and floating wings. The entire thing was a perfect example of gravity defying extravagance.

"Get off of me!" she yelped as she failed to pull away from the iron grip. An orange hand held her tightly by the arm at the edge of the wide palacial landing pad thousands of meters above the building below. A Twi'lek who had a waiting taxi behind him was pulling the struggling Agent toward the vehicle. Hutteese spewed out of his mouth as he insisted that she should come with him and that he knew some powerful Hutts. Onlookers stood far far away on the massive platform but did not seem to pay much attention to what was unfolding. Apparently, this was hardly uncommon.

It was obvious that the Twi'lek was struggling a little more than he should have. The black dress did nothing to hide her toned arms and legs, all of them stained in the sickly yellow-red haze that painted everything under the skies. Even then, it was clear that she was fighting a losing battle. She threw a glance to the palace entrance - warm yellow lights made it seem like a safe haven in comparison to where she was now. Her eyes flicked to the small handbag hanging from the arm he gripped. It would be a simple matter to simply open it, grab her hold-out blaster and the assailant down. Or to use the stun projector from behind her back. But then, that would neither be discreet, nor something poor Verse would be able to think of in a stressful situation like this.

The Agent looked around with desperate glances as she continued trying to pull away from the twi'lek. If this went on for just a little longer, she'd have to take action.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Nar Shaddaa

Equipment:
Formal Wear | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Commlink

Nar Sha-kriffin-ddaa.

It was worth noting. Again. How much he despised this planet. The smell, the constant hum of overcrowded streets, the way the sky never really went dark, just shifted between shades of grime-stained neon. Every time he wound up here, it felt like a cosmic joke. Like the Force had a personal sense of humor, dragging him back into the cesspit just to see how long it would take before he snapped.

The mission was simple enough on paper: infiltrate a gathering at some gaudy sky-palace, collect intel on the guest list, and slip out without drawing too much attention. The kind of job that demanded subtlety, poise, and someone who could play nice in high society. Which was probably why they'd paired him with Verse Melnau.

He hadn't formed much of an opinion of her during the briefing. She was quiet, composed, and clearly capable. But something about her sat wrong with him. More than his usual instinct to keep people at arm's length. Maybe he was growing more paranoid the older he got.

He was just crossing the edge of the palace's landing platform, wearing this stupid outfit, when movement caught his eye. It was Verse, locked in a struggle with a burly orange Twi'lek who had her by the arm, trying to drag her toward a waiting taxi. No one else seemed to care. Typical Nar Shaddaa. Ace didn't call out. He didn't ask if she needed help. He just moved.

One hand shot out, catching the Twi'lek's wrist before the alien could react. A sharp twist and pull forced the grip to break, and Ace stepped in between them, body angled just enough to shield Verse without looking like it. His gaze never left the Twi'lek's face it wasn't his usual unreadable calmness. His patience had worn thin from being on this planet for longer than five minutes.

Only then did he speak.

"I'll ask nicely, once." then he glanced down, revealing the lightsaber he covertly wielded in his free hand "Then I won't."

The message was clear in the Twi'lek's face - but the ripple his fear sent in the Force? It only served to confirm. Ace released his grip and the Twi'lek broke off into a sprint, shoving past both he and Verse. The rebel's brown eyes scanned their surroundings before he tucked the hilt of his lightsaber underneath his blazer.

Now glancing at the woman, he raised an eyebrow "Guess that's why they sent me with you, huh." it was a dry attempt at lightening up the thick tension.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Where the Roots Lie
Acier Moonbound ​

The struggle ended as soon as the Jedi intervened. Ines was usually extremely hard for a Force user to read - but in this instance, she lowered her guard to allow a wave of relief to wash over her. Unsurprisingly, Ines was just as happy for the assistance as Verse was. The girl instinctively pulled away from the Twi’lek as Ace stepped between them and folded her arms tightly over her chest. The self-embrace was a way to feel a little less vulnerable.

She looked up to him with a grateful, and almost shy nod, paired with a slight shrug. "I don't know" she spoke with a low voice, obviously still a little shaken. Verse was doing what she could to push past it "They prolly sent you for more reasons than that" Her blue eyes still darted around as if trying to make sense of what had just happened - or possibly as if she was scanning for threats and observing onlookers. Eventually, she looked up to him again -it was now clear she had successfully held back the tears that had threatened to fall down her cheeks. "Regardless, thank you"

For a brief moment, Verse turned away to take a deep breath letting her chest rise high before finally letting it all out again. Her left hand subtly moved to caress the spot where the Twi’lek had gripped her earlier. Soon enough, she turned back to him with a smile that looked surprisingly genuine. "Okay. Okay, let's do this." she said, her tone edging back toward something closely resembling her usual cheerfulness.

She approached him with a sweet smile whilst timidly opening her arms "You clean up well. Would you mind?" she asked, offering her arm for him to take. Regardless of his response, she would then look to the entrance "Getting in won't be an issue, as long as we look the part. Once we’re inside, we’ll want to look for the staff entrance on the eastern wing. The other entrance works too - but it's on the same wing as the kitchen, so it'll probably be pretty busy. If we wanna avoid questions, awkwardness is our friend, Okay?" Her tone was light - almost playful. This was certainly no Imperial taskmaster.

Across the palatial landing platform they stood on, the massive gates leading into the palace stood wide open. Two gamorrean guards were placed outside with a pale twi'lek giving those who entered a look over. It would not be hard to deduce that anyone looking fancy enough was allowed to enter. This became even more evident as a third Gamorrean soon appeared from inside with a casually dressed guest in tow. Someone was getting thrown out. Inside was a gluttonous feast with lavish bouffets, a lot of dancers and one of Nal Hutta's rising stars performing live music. Evocii and a few others served as staff - even a light background check would suggest that their working conditions were abhorrent. It was exactly the kind of decadence people had come to expect from Nar Shaddaa.

[...]

So - this Ace guy! He's different. Jury's still out on whether I like him or not but he did save me from that creep. He's off to a strong start. Still, I can't give him too much credit, can I? In the Empire, that would have been the bare minimum - and to be fair, that's also true for the Jedi. They always help the people who are in obvious need of it. ----- Fine, I can give him all the credit I want! It felt good to have someone watch my back. I felt safe.

Anyway! He reminds me a bit of the strong silent types you usually only see in those cheesy Chandrillan flicks. Sweeps in, saves the girl and goes "I'll ask nicely once, then I won't" all tough and strong - he's a bit of a badass, isn't he? I half-expected him to blow our cover immediately so yeah, yeah.. this is good.

[...]

Spoiler: Outfit

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Nar Shaddaa

Equipment:
Formal Wear | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Commlink

Ace didn't respond to Verse, he merely observed her as her eyes frantically scanned the area. Understandable after what happened. He waited for her to regain her composure, still silent. Strangely, the woman seemed seasoned in some ways and others? Not so much. Like this for instance, her visible lingering distress indicated to him she hadn't seen much live combat.

She finally steeled herself, he was unsure whether it was real or not, but it didn't seem to matter. She took a step toward him, commenting on his appearance and immediately he felt self-conscious. Ace didn't show his discomfort, but he felt so unlike himself in this outfit and the fact it had been pointed out, even positively, reminded him of such. His dark eyes glanced down at her arm, and with a resigned sigh, he took her arm - linking his around hers.

Ace had only ever infiltrated somewhere off-limits once. Several months back and out of his own self interest, but this was different. The stakes were higher, and the outcome didn't just effect himself. The rebel listened attentively as Verse explained the plan, trusting she knew better than he did on a mission like this.

"'Awkwardness is our friend'? What does that even mean?" his tone was dry with an undercurrent of confusion.

He eyed the Gamorrean guards and the Twi'lek as they stood at the entrance. Big, broad, and bored, the Gamorreans were muscle for show, not speed. They were planted like statues, but the way their grips tightened on their axes whenever someone lingered too long told him they weren't just window dressing. The Twi'lek was a different story. Every glance, every little head tilt was calculated, like he was filing mental notes on each guest. The kind of guy who didn't just remember faces.

Ace filed it all away. The Gamorreans could be sidestepped with a confident walk and the right body language. The Twi'lek? He'd have to play it just right. Talk too much, you give him a thread to pull. Talk too little, you stick out. Ace guided Verse past the poor patron who had just been thrown out, still flat on his back.

The Twi'lek's sharp eyes flicked over them as they approached, taking in the cut of Ace's blazer, the way Verse's arm rested against his.

"Evening." the Twi'lek drawled, voice smooth but edged. "Name?"

Ace gave him a faint smile, polite but unassuming. "You won't find it on the list." he said "We're here by invitation."

One of the Gamorreans grunted, shifting his weight. The Twi'lek's gaze lingered a second longer than necessary, like he was deciding whether to push.

"Enjoy the evening." the Twi'lek finally said, stepping aside.

Ace's smile didn't change, but his eyes stayed locked on the Twi'lek until they were past the threshold. Out of the frying pan and into the fire now. Once they were inside, Ace unlinked his arm from Verse's and stuffed his hands in his pants' pockets. The inside was nice, as nice as Nar Shaddaa could muster. Live music, dancers, food - despite the pleasantries, he could still see the filth beneath it all.

Not one to waste time, he immediately began scanning for the staff entrance toward the east wing.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Where the Roots Lie
Acier Moonbound ​

She tilted her head to the side for a little while as she considered how to best answer his question. Eventually, she let out a long "Well" and leaned away from him to get a more comfortable angle when letting their eyes meet. Verse elaborated "So, this isn't really foolproof - you'll always have to adapt a little to the person you're dealing with - but generally, people wanna avoid awkward situations. It's like when your best friend is getting a stern talking-to by his mother, or if you see some guy squabbling about his father-in-law with his wife - or even if someone is consoling their friend who's pet just passed away. Most people would choose to give them some space." Her blue eyes lingered on his as she studied his features, trying to discern if he got the point or not.

With a slight tug on his arm, she ushered him to move whilst leaning in against his shoulder "We'll be fine. I've snuck into more than a few parties I shouldn't have been at."

Ace would feel Verse take a breath as if preparing to say or do something when the Twi'lek asked for their names. The breath then left her as he took the lead. She looked up to him with a bright smile and starry eyes whilst waiting for the Twi'lek who considered his next course of action. Fortunately, his decision landed on letting them in.

Once inside, the two rebels unlinked their arms. Verse was quick to grab two drinks off of the plate of a servant and handed one of them to her companion. Raising the glass in a little toast, she let out a low "Nicely done. I'm starting to wonder why they sent me with you" She took a sip of champagne and allowed her gaze to travel across the room.

While the Agent would likely know of a large portion of the attending guests, Verse most certainly did not. Still, she managed to convey some pieces of information regardless.

• With a nod to a woman in a deep purple dress by a nearby table, she said "That lady looks important. But look at those nails. I'd wager she's a corporate type." Verse was right, of course, for Ines knew that this was Lorka Dugas, the owner of one of Hutta's largest chemical plants.
• She then tipped her glass to a troupe of five younger Trandoshans "I think those guys know how to have a good time. Do you see that? They have budget suits and old blasters - but those blasters are clean. I bet we'd all become very close friends if we treated them to a few drinks at the bar." In truth, the Agent had worked with this band of mercenaries before and was rather well aware, both of their poor financial situation and of their friendly disposition.
• Finally, she moved to face him directly before putting a hand on his shoulder to slightly adjust where he was looking. "Do you see that red Togruta behind me? The one way back in the corner? Don't make it too obvious that you're looking at him. I've seen his sort before - those bumps in his robes are probably all sorts of nasty, blasters, thermal detonators, toxins, everything. I'd stay away from him." Most people who knew of him would - for this man was Bor Tii Yar, an infamous bounty hunter from Cademimu.

"Have you seen anyone who looks int-..." her sentence was cut short as she spotted someone approaching. It was not a great achievement - for the person who was slithering their way towards the couple was none other than the host, Gorbaar the Hutt. Verse quickly lined up next to her companion.

Eventually, a larger-than-life voice beamed out of the massive alien who spoke in Hutteese "Ooh-ho-ho-ho-hoo, what have we here? Newcomers! Few guests are as exciting as those I have never met and never heard of. Hoooh, those sort of guests are rare - very rare indeed."

Verse chuckled. It seemed as if she was fighting some nervousness but she kept up appearances adequately enough to be convincing. In a heavily accented Hutteese, she responded "You are too generous, great Gorbaar the Hutt. We are but humble merchants making a name for ourselves running goods from here, all the way to the core worlds."

The Hutt considered her words for a few long moments until he let out a low grumble "Interesting. Maybe we will work together in the future. I pay reliable merchants handsomely." The Hutt kept grumbling - which soon seemed like something they did when thinking. Two big eyes soon turned to Ace as a slimy hand shot out to his shoulder. Unless dodged, the alien would then try to yank the young man closer. "And who might this be?" The large yellow eyes stared down at the Jedi. Many in Ace's position would get the feeling that the Hutt could see right through them - there were lingering speculations that Gorbaar the Hutt was Force sensitive. "There is something peculiar about you."

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Nar Shaddaa

Equipment:
Formal Wear | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Commlink

The young rebel politely accepted the drink from Verse, but had no plans to drink. Still, he'd hang on to it to play the part at least. Ace's eyes met hers after she had praised him for getting them inside with no issues and he offered her a faint smirk.

"Night's still young."

He quickly followed her gaze as she observed the area, Ace made a mental note of all the individuals she had pointed out - the woman in the purple dress, the five young Trandoshans, and finally the Togruta, Bor Tii Yar. Ace actually knew this one, having encountered him a while back when he still had the bounty on his head. He turned his head away, careful not to allow the bounty hunter to spot him - otherwise that'd be the whole operation out of the window.

"Yeah, I know that last one." he didn't elaborate, but his tone made it clear that it wasn't for positive reasons.

When he felt Verse line up next to him, he glanced at her and noticed a glimmer of worry in her blue eyes. Ace's attention turned to whatever she was looking at, turned out it was none other than Gorbaar the Hutt himself. Great. He had no idea how to speak Huttese, he looked at Verse side long, quietly hoping she'd know at least.

Thankfully, she did. Gorbaar greeted the pair, that much he could tell, and it didn't take him being Force-sensitive to know that the Hutt's pleasantries were artificial. As the two conversed, Ace's dark eyes flicked between the pair as he attempted to gauge what was happening. During the exchange, Ace felt a slight ripple through the Force whenever he looked at the Hutt. Could he be... Force-sensitive? If Gorbaar was trained, or even aware of it - this could be another problem.

Then the Hutt's eyes turned to him, big, yellow and droopy. Quickly, he plastered an insincere smile as Gorbaar placed his hand on his shoulder - although, he resisted being pulled in. Still unsure of what the Hutt had said to him, he glanced at Verse who quickly picked up on what his eyes were saying. The blue-eyed woman hastily translated for him, and Ace's gaze returned to Gorbaar.

"My name's Vayun." he answered, using his birth name to introduce himself. Then he produced a fake laugh "Peculiar? It's the white hair, isn't it? I get it all the time. I'm half-Dathomiri."

Gorbaar seemed to understand Basic too as he immediately responded before Verse could even translate. A rumbling laugh shook his massive frame.

<"White hair? Bah. Peculiarity is not in the hair. It is in the air around you.">

The slimy hand tightened on Ace's shoulder, a weight that felt heavier than it should have been.

<"Half-Dathomiri, half-Core, half-whatever…"> Gorbaar's wide mouth split into a grin. <"You smell of danger. Danger, or promise. Which is it?">

The laughter that followed echoed over the music and chatter, but it wasn't the kind that warmed a room. Ace thought back to Verse's 'awkwardness is our friend' but couldn't for the life of him figure out how to do that without coming off as suspicious. His dark eyes calmly met hers, although she would be able to read they were asking her to give him an out.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

​

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Where the Roots Lie
Acier Moonbound ​

[...]

What could his upbringing have been like, though? He's got a lil' bit of edge to him with the threat - I get why he isn't part of the Jedi Order. He also knew Bor Tii Yar (I managed to hide my amusement at the time, raised a curious brow at him instead) but this has to mean that he's had a bounty on his head. Or maybe he still does? I'll have to look this one up. And then(!!) he doesn't speak Hutteese.

Oh, right, he said he's half-Dathomiri(!!), half-Core. I don't know how much of it was true but he didn't show any obvious signs of lying.

I doubt he grew up rich. He's far too uncomfortable in a suit for that. Most people with Mr. Yar on their tail speak Huttese - but he doesn't. And if the Dathomiri part is true... He's a man.. poor guy, his upbringing can't have been a good one, can it? But here he is, just as capable as he is witty. It's kinda inspiring.

Come to think of it, we aren't too different, him and I. I know what it's like, toughing it out on the streets and living hand-to-mouth for a while. The Empire saved me from that life - I wonder what it was that saved Ace?

[...]

Verse had followed the brief exchange between the Hutt and her companion with a bright expression and translated for him with an expressive voice, trying to convey not only the words, but also the tone. When he searched for eye contact with her, he would initially be met with a warm gaze. Without missing a beat, her brows fell just a little whilst a subtle smirk formed across her features. With but a few subtle changes, the Agent wiped away the sweet smiles and warm eyes - in their place came a cunning gaze. It would be obvious for him to see that she was putting on a mask.

Her head turned to the Hutt. Like an ice queen, she stepped in between them to place herself directly where Gorbaar was looking. Once more she spoke in Hutteese. Her words, while smooth as silk, carried a conniving undertone "Oh, great Gorbaar the Hutt, you are very perceptive. This man is the greatest freighter pilot I have ever seen. He is Dathomiri." she eyed the Hutt as if he should know what the origin implied. "This is what access to the core worlds smells like."

She had not leaned on awkwardness at all. Instead, she had leaned on what was far more important to any Hutt: Profit. A cold smirk to match hers grew on the slug's wide lips. His hand slithered away from Ace's shoulder and slowly reached up towards Verse. With a firm grip, he pinched her face by the cheeks "And you believe you have what it takes to keep him in check?" Sharp eyes studied the girl who couldn't do more than nod at him.

A few more moments passed as the Slug tried to see - or possibly sense - if she was lying. Finally, Gorbaar let go of her, causing her to stumble back at Ace. Verse went with the flow and twisted her torso a little to make herself easy for him to catch. Once she found herself in his arms, she would look up to him. Despite playing the role of a scheming ice princess, Ace would likely be able to see an ounce of warmth and fondness in her gaze. While the Agent Pen-Ar-Lan may have been able to fully blend into a role, Verse was not.

The Hutt chuckled with a distant sense of amusement before producing a lazy bow of the head. "It has been a pleasure making your acquaintance. My lieutenant will call you tomorrow. I look forward to following your progress." His words, now spoken in basic, carried conniving undertone. His eyes ventured to Ace as a smirk formed on his lips. It was as if a hunter was eyeing their prey.

Verse remained in Ace's arms as the Hutt slithered away. Once he was at a safe distance, she stood up straight and allowed the mask to melt away. In its place came an brewing sense of excitement "We make a good team. He thinks he's got a prodigal force sensitive smuggler at his disposal. Well played." She paused for a few moments to temper herself.

Leaning over, she whispered "When it comes to Hutts, always play to their greed." she offered a wink before starting to move towards the far end of the chamber. Borrowing a tissue from the staff, she poured a smidge of water onto it and cleaned her face before taking a big sip of champagne. They were slowly but surely making their way toward the staff entrance on the eastern wing.

"Vayun, huh? It suits you. Got any thoughts for who I may be? And more importantly, how to get past him?" she nodded her head toward the Togruta bounty hunter. Whether he was here on a job or not was unclear - but he sat in the corner of the large feast hall and would likely be in a good position to spot them if they were to just walk in.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Nar Shaddaa

Equipment:
Formal Wear | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Commlink

Verse stepping in had saved both of their hides. She had masterfully masked her previous warm and cheerful exterior, replacing it with something more cunning. The ease in which she was able to do this worried him slightly, made him wonder which version of her was real. Maybe neither.

He didn't know what either of the pair was saying, but it must have worked as Gorbaar had removed his hand from Ace's shoulder. Only to then grip Verse's cheeks with the same, grotesque hand. Ace's jaw tightened slightly, he recognized the power play he'd enacted on him and now Verse. It took everything in him not to do something - but he remained composed. Begrudgingly.

When he finally let her go, the force of his arm caused the woman to stumble toward Ace. Whether it was part of the show or not, he'd play along and reached out to catch her. One arm slipped around her waist while his other hand steadied her shoulder. To anyone watching, it would look effortless, natural, even intimate. It was all part of the act. But up close, his grip was tighter than it appeared, controlled, careful. Her eyes met his, a flicker of warmth bleeding through the mask she'd been wearing. Ace still wasn't sure what was real with her.

Ace's eyebrow rose when the Hutt began to speak Basic. Was this another power play? Regardless, Ace kept up appearances and plastered another fake smile at Gorbaar just before he slithered away.

Once the coast was clear and the pair separated, Ace's hands found his pockets again. He kept an eye out for Bor Tii Yar as Verse reflected on what had just transpired. Shrugging, he finally glanced at her.

"That was all you. You dragged me out of the fire with that one..." he paused, averting his gaze "...So, thanks."

He didn't respond to her tip about Hutts. Not with the intention of being rude, but Ace was certain that it was the galaxy's worst kept secret that Hutts loved financial gain. Probably more than anything else. Ace fell in line with Verse as they made their way toward the east wing, noticing she'd wiped the side of her face that Gorbaar had touched. He didn't blame her.

Verse had commented on the name Vayun, he assumed she believed it to be nothing but a cover name. Ace elected to keep it that way for now. He cast her a side long glance again, scanning her features deliberately, taking her question seriously.

"Not sure. You don't really look like a Verse though." his eyes narrowed on her face a little more "Maybe a Maya... or a Mia. Maybe"

Then his attention fell back on to Bor Tii Yar. Verse was right, the bounty hunter was going to be a problem. Their only saving grace was the fact that Tessk was dead, and the bounty on him was no longer cashable. Still, it was better safe than sorry. Ace looked at Verse again, leaning in slightly and voice low.

"I think I can distract him. Long enough for us to get through."

As they neared the eastern wing, and Bor Tii Yar's corner. He let his breath steady, hand tightening just slightly at his side. A serving tray wobbled in a waiter's grip as he passed, and with the smallest nudge through the Force, a single glass tipped. It hit the floor with a quiet chime, barely enough to raise more than a handful of glances. But it was enough. Bor Tii Yar's head turned, his focus drawn toward the spill and the curses of the flustered servant.

"Now." Ace murmured under his breath, guiding Verse forward.

They slipped through the flow of guests as if nothing had happened, weaving past silks and sequins until the music dulled and the air grew colder. The din of the feast faded behind them. By the time the bounty hunter looked back toward the crowd, they were already gone, stepping into the shadows of the eastern wing.

Ines Pen-Ar-Lan​

 

[Ines Pen-Ar-Lan]

Where the Roots Lie
Acier Moonbound ​

Her head shook. "You would've been fine." Kind eyes met his as she offered a gentle smile before mentioning that the Hutts were motivated by profit..

When he mentioned that she looked like a Maya or Mia, Verse allowed an amused smirk to form across her lips. "Really?" she said, amusement clear in her voice. As if trying to pick out the best vegetable at a street vendor, she played with the names "Mia? Maya? Mmm, Maya. I like it." she offered a bright smile upon landing at a good cover name "Okay Vayun, today, I'll be Maya, Ice Princess supreme"

For the next part, the girl played along expertly. She stayed close to the Force Adept and moved in closer to block lines of sight to his hand as soon as she noticed that he was pulling off a Force trick. When he let out a low 'Now', she was quick to move with him. Their entry into the staff corridor was smooth. She had been able to match his every step without any slip-ups - for a few brief moments, the two rebels had moved as one.

Once inside, her eyes scanned their surroundings. Soon, she pointed her finger straight down the corridor and started moving. Her steps were light and silent, but instead of moving with the focused determination of an agent, Verse crept like a kid sneaking into their parents’ house after staying out too late. Still, it seemed as if she was actively trying to move just a little bit ahead of her companion. Not for any operational purposes - but rather to give herself some space to reflect over what had happened without having to look at him.

Soon, however, the girl raised a hand, signalling for him to stop. "Someone's coming" she whispered as she tugged at his arm to move back in the direction they came from. After a few paces, she took a turn and entered one of the rooms they had just passed by. It was a room-sized freezer with a heavy door. It was filled to the brim with desserts, berries and even a few ceramic sauce-pots. The girl's arms immediately rose in a self-embrace. She shuddered as she walked deeper into the room in search of anything unexpected.

Agent Pen-Ar-Lan was a professional. While it might have been on her mind, she would never have done what Verse was about to do now. She finally turned around to face Ace. To claim that she was distraught would have been an overstatement - but she was clearly and visibly affected by something. Her blue eyes bore straight into him as if she was trying to find the good in a person who had just done something very bad.

"What were you thinking? Vayun- Ace, why did you mess with that servant?" She was caring, compassionate, and most definitely condemning his actions. "In a place like this, you'll encounter some of the wealthiest people in the galaxy. You'll also encounter some of the poorest people in the galaxy. You know the Evocii servants? I don't even know if they get paid. Maybe their village elder signed some stupid contract messed them over. Maybe they signed the stupid contract themselves. They aren't known for being bright, y'know. And the other waiting staff? Do you think that they make enough credits in a year to pay for the glass you had her drop? Not to mention the champagne inside of it." This was not a squabble between two rebel infiltrators - the passion she spoke with indicated that this was something she cared about.

Verse tore her eyes from him and cupped her hands in front of her mouth. She let out a breath to provide herself with a bit of warmth "I've been where that servant is. It wasn't as bad as it is here, but let me tell ya - it sucks when your boss wants you to pay for the porcelain you destroyed or the food you dropped." Verse shuddered, moreso from the cold than anything else, her eyes avoided him as she looked to the door: It was not safe to leave just yet.