What's This? (D7, EE)

[Shaisha Vreysk]

Shaisha was silent as she considered his reply. How she wanted someone within reach to easily blame for the death of her people...

... She seemed to relent the feelings of revenge and frustration for now as she leaned against the wall, shoulders slumping slightly. "This is a fine mess, Syl... and we've still no idea where Baras is. I've set my people to monitor Layne at least, in case she knows more than you do, but I'm not having high hopes of us getting an advantage here before shit hits the fan."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"We're doing all that we can at the moment Shai... Some things are beyond our control." He replied with a supportive look in his eye.

"Some things you just have to ride out... and end up stronger or broken on the other side."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

Sometimes Sylvain had such a punchable face... Or she just wanted to punch someone.

Still, she settled for just bumping her fist into his shoulder.

"I'm just a little pissed with all this. Those Republic agents we caught on security? Baesal our little defector, Niall Organa who I thought better off, and that blonde-haired Jedi that you seemed to know at that drug-trip luncheon. Two Jedi and a military Captain."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"If Tssilla was there it's quite possible it was a Magpie tip... she seemed to have heard of her. Magpie has no love for the Republic though, so its also possible that she may have been trying to off them at the same time." Sylvain replied.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

She was frowning again. Or rather scowling. It was the rare moments she looked like her father.

"You should have a word with her then, to verify. They might have some information that could be useful... I don't think I should try talking with Captain Alderaan. I might just put my lightsaber into his inflated head instead, given my mood today. Dead operatives, Kris and you..."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He chuckled once, "You're not the only one who is bitter... though I hide it a bit better."

He shook his head, "At this juncture I would rather see her and her master dead before working with them..."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"You really should consider another master," she said, half-serious, half-jesting. "Baras clearly hasn't given two bantha dung about what you've done for him before all this."

"These are your chains, Syl."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"And one day I plan to free myself and the Empire from them." He replied.

Her words struck harder than he would have liked. His decisions over the past year had always been the subject of lingering doubt for him. Now at this important juncture, where everything seemed to be falling apart, and exploding at the same time... it was very easy for the lingering internal doubt to return.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

The silence lingered between them.

Shaisha didn't feel like intruding too much on his thoughts, and it always made her feel weird when she was the one to step in and pull up him or Kris... like she wasn't sure what she was doing and risked just making things worse.

So she let him stew on his feelings for a few moments more before giving herself a mental kick to do something.

"Look..." she began, a little uncertain. "I can't fight all your battles, Sylvain. Neither can Kris. The three of us are always together, connected by the Force, and that makes us stronger... but we also have fights we must fight alone."

Her hand reaches out to his and squeeze it firmly, almost so hard it felt like the gemstone between their palms would embed itself. "We can't break your chains. But know that we're always with you."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He felt it in his hand and shook his head, "I can't take this Shai."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Yes, you can, and you will," her tone was even, leaving little room for discussion.

[Sylvain Torsin]

He chuckled, "That's pretty generous for the Shaisha I know. Are you ill?"

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Screw you."

She frowned.

"Those Jedi could have killed you."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"There's my sweet sister." He said with a smile.

He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezing said, "Thank you Shai."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"... Just take care of yourself, alright?" she looked down, a little embarrassed. "You always were the wimpy one of the three of us."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"You certainly know how to boost a guy's confidence." He said with a chuckle.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

She smirked briefly.

"What are your plans going forward now?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Keep looking for any advantage I can... and ride this out as best I can." He replied with a resigned tone in his voice.

He stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out a data chip, "I've been mulling over giving you this... it's our only link to finding out Magpie's plan... it will require a bit of trust and perhaps sacrifice from you..."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I've given you every information I've had, and you've been holding out on me?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"This is a trap for you and your people that Magpie wanted me to deliver to you..." He replied.

"I need you to react like it's real intel."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"..."

The datachit was eyed like it was poison, and with a heavy sigh she took it from Sylvain. "Very well. We'll see what's on it and see what we can do, given our current shortage on staff."

Shaisha pulled out her datapad to check what it could be that Raven would want her to see and react to.

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Tipping her off that I let you know of its intent could be fatal to me... and will remove any connection I can use to potentially gain even a slight advantage going into the final battle. If you act your part it is possible I can maintain her confidence and be in a position to do what needs to be done to succeed."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"... Then you have to promise me that you will play your part of dutiful son perfectly, Syl. Can you do that? Can you play along with what she wants and pretend to be who she wants you to be?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nodded.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

The datapad complete checking the chit for any bugs or other nasty things and opened the message for Shaisha.

Her grip on the pad tightened and she quickly closed it down.

This whole thing filled her with dread...