Nolan's eyes flickered away from the crowd towards
something approaching closer behind him. The datapad and earbuds in his pocket assisted his smart lenses when surveying the surrounding area and the noises of conversation, filtering out the different speech patterns and noises to allow him to record and focus on anything and everything. Including anything or anyone slowly approaching him from behind.
Although, that assumed his training or hearing had dulled enough to not notice the large loth-wolf. His perception would have to become quite flawed to not notice such a beast creeping so closely, especially for its size. Raising an eyebrow and sparing an inquisitive glance towards the wolf as it stole a treat from the cloth bag, the Knightfall made no sudden movements as he simply watched the creature consume the treat, loudly and slowly.
As if the entire display had been deliberate. Given the sharp intelligence of these creatures, it was entirely possible. Still, it did little to shift the Rich One’s composure—save for the faint trace of satisfaction within the recesses of his mind. This meant his plan stood a fair chance of securing the so-called “good fortune” that came from brushing a loth-wolf’s tail.
Reaching into the bag once more, the Silent Philanthropist procured another delectable treat from his bag before holding it outwards with his palm, offering it towards in the wolf in a silent display of charity.
I could bargain with it, but there would be no point if I wish to catch one of these creatures later.
It would be unearned, at least until he attempted to tag one of the beasts' tails. Whether or not the animal chose to accept the treat from the Knightfall's hand was inconsequential as his attention soon diverted away from the beast as the sound of a crying child cut through all the noise of the party. Even the smart lenses had focused on the disturbance from within the crowd. Reaching into his pocket and pressing a few buttons on the datapad, the Knightfall carefully rewatched the footage his optical surveillance had detected. A Chiss woman. She had struck the candied blossom offered by the child.
And now, she spoke in whispers about
Nos Voros
. Another attendant at the Zinder event and a Senate Commando. A person of interest for Nolan's other pursuits. Standing up from his seat and lifting the cloth bag over his shoulder, the Knightfall Successor set the treat away onto the table before casting a single, quick glance at the loth-wolf.
"You have any of that luck to spare the locals keep talking about?" Nolan's voice laced with dry humor as a quiet sigh escaped from deep within his chest..
Luck was not something he believed in. If he believed in anything at all in the first place.
Without another word, the Knightfall set to cross the cobblestones towards the woman. A brief background check revealed her to one Elae'ivi'ilomer (
Eivii
), a Chiss mercenary who apparently shared a history with Nos—the Zeltron bodyguard. His continued observation bore further fruit while he walked closer and closer towards the scene.
A slave-deed regarding the Senate Commando. Further investigation would prove necessary, but such a deed could present itself as problematic for Mr. Voros. The Knightfall Successor would have to take care of that particular issue.
But first, his gaze lingered on the candied blossom resting on the cobblestones. He knelt slowly, retrieving it between two fingers with care more fitting a relic than a sweet. After gently brushing off the dust, he looked toward the child with his head tilted slightly and eyes soft beneath the usual calculation in a way that rarely, if ever, showed. A hand reached out, brushing a lock of hair away before wiping the tears with a tenderness that came from old memory, not habit. Then, with a quiet appreciation, he took a bite of the candy.
"It is delicious. Thank you for the gift," voice low and kind—just for the child. From within his cloth satchel, he pulled a neatly wrapped sweet, one far finer than the one he’d just eaten. With a faint, conspiratorial smile, he pressed it into the small waiting hand.
"Here, take this. Now go on and run back to your family."
He watched the child go, a faint smile on his lips that never quite reached his eyes. For a moment, the the festivities of the crowd blurred behind him. Laughter and music muted by the memory of hands he had long since stopped reaching upwards for. Then, he stood up and approached Ms. Elae'ivi'ilomer.
"Jealousy is an unbecoming look for a woman as striking as you," his words were absent of any warmth and yet remained as calm and steady as ever.
His shoulders tensed and his eyebrows lowered. A beat passed before that same cold charm carried a calm yet unmistakably pointed reprimand to follow,
"Try not to sour the celebration for others who haven’t earned your scorn. There's still ample time to lift your spirits and enjoy the festivities."
His hand settled casually into his pockets, unbothered. If she sought to chase him off with a sharp scowl or cutting words, it left no visible mark. If anything, he took the heat of the interaction all in cold stride—redirecting and deflecting her anger with the same calm poise.
"Unless you are content on loitering in the shadows and scowling at happy people?" he asked, his tone light but measured, before offering calmly,
"Do you attend events like this just to raise your blood pressure? Stress is unflattering for your complexion, especially when you are wearing such a nice dress."
Not a word of it carried derision—only a calm, deliberate curiosity laced with quiet amusement, as if testing her temperament rather than provoking it. Yet, there was a quiet disapproval underneath the simple yet resolute man with his charm and friendly demeanor.
As if her day could be better spent in a more productive manner. Maybe she would see sense or perhaps not.
Suri Loré
