Nar Shaddaa

Hala retraced her steps from two days earlier and pressed the keypad to signal to Malgus' apprentice that she had a visitor. In her gloved hand, she carried a spare datapad which she held flush against her abdomen.

"Colonel Moraal, to visit Lord Haydriss," she said formally into the intercom.

The door eventually slid open to reveal the host. "Greetings, Colonel," she stated plainly. She took careful and deliberate steps back to her desk. There was a quarter-full glass to go with the two wine bottles standing next to it. The Sith Lord slumped into her chair and stared at Hala. "What is it?"

"Good evening, my lord," Hala answered, stepping across the threshold to let it close shut behind her.

"You asked to be informed when Lord Nemerosch's datapad was available for examination? I have a copy of some of its contents which I believed would interest you. It would have done little good bringing it to you earlier today, given the insecure nature of the day's proceedings bears out that assumption, but I still wished to present you with the information you had requested at the earliest opportunity."

She then took the steps across the metal decking required to bring her within arms' reach of Haydriss and extended the datapad she held, containing the data and details of the clandestine meeting.

The Sith Lord took the datapad, gave it a cursory glance, and then placed it on her desk. "Thank you, Colonel," she stated without much enthusiasm.

"Of course, my lord," she said with another nod, stepping back and returning to attention.

After a silent moment, she looked back down slightly, "Is something the matter?"

Lord Haydriss remained silent and then looked back up to Colonel Moraal. "You are still present." She sat up from her chair and looked to her glass of wine. "Would you want a glass? I assure you it is not poisoned this time.'

"If you wish for me to share a glass with you my lord, then I would be glad to. Where are the glasses kept, and shall I refresh your's?" Hala asked politely, moving over to the cabinet where Haydriss had produced a glass and drink the other day.

"Sit. I will do it myself." The Sith Lord rose from her chair and went to the cabinet to fetch another wine glass. She then placed it down in front of the Colonel and took a breath. She then unsealed her mask and placed it on the desk.



Haydriss turned about, looking much worse for wear, and went to the bottles. The first one she picked up was empty so instead she poured out the second one for the two of them. Once finished, she took her glass and flopped back down into her chair. "Cheers," she mumbled before taking a sip.

Hala fetched a chair and brought it nearby, then stiffly lowered herself in it. She took the offered glass delicately in her left hand and lifted it ceremoniously towards the Sith Lord.

"Cheers," she echoed, sipping it before lowering the glass to sit in her lap. She looked down at it, swirling it to analyze the viscosity before lifting it to her nose to sniff with interest. She lowered it again and allowed the silence to envelop them.

"I imported that from Coruscant itself," Haydriss mumbled from her seat, "How do you find the taste?"

"It's very..." she said, sniffing it again, "Bright? Not as earthy or rich as many of the wines grown in and around the heart of the Empire. Is this the sort of flavor that you prefer?"

"I prefer exotic flavors," the woman explained. She looked blankly at her guest. "I prefer to not limit myself to my origins."

Hala laughed politely.

"As a Sith, I should not think you bound to your origins at all my lord?"

"Yes that is my privilege." The Sith Lord took another sip from her glass and then leaned back more in her chair. "My... privilege..."

"Of course it is your privilege, my lord," Hala echoed, sipping again from her glass while studying the lord before her.

"Something still seems to be troubling you, and I do not think it is the vintage you are currently enjoying."

The Sith Lord shot her a glare. "Of course I am" 'troubled.' A lobotimized, deaf, simpleton with his eyes ripped out could sense that I am not well!"

"Perhaps I was overly coy, my apologies. What troubles you my lord? And how may it be fixed? I should have thought you would relish the information you requested," answered the Watcher, her voice becoming more cool and mechanical.

"My brother is in surgery," she stated plainly. Haydriss turned a bit pink and looked away. "I am unaware of my paramour's location." She glared back at Hala. "And I have an opportunistic woman seeking my favor."

"Still? I didn't know the damage was that severe...." Halas warmer, conciliatory voice said.

"Nor do I know where Lord Ralnorrei is, but I would be glad to ask after her whereabouts. As for the opportunistic woman, only in part. You asked me to bring you this information. I am not looking for a pat on the head and a promotion as we have been through this already. I simply seek to serve the Empire and you are in pain and not yourself."

"He hyperventilated in toxic air," she explained plainly.

Lord Haydriss fumbled in her chair. "I never stated that I was searching for her," she spat out. She sat back up in her chair and glowered at the woman in front of her.

"Is Lord Ralnorrei not your paramour? She's the only individual whose company you are reputed to keep, so I assumed. My apologies if I was incorrect."

The Sith Lord lowered her eyes for a few, long moments. She then looked upward and peered at the woman. "Silence," she demanded, although not too forcefully.

Hala nodded her head deferentially and fell dutifully silent.

Lord Haydriss began to drift off into sleep in her chair until she shook herself awake. She stared at Hala and then tilted her head. "You are an odd woman," she remarked before taking a sip from her wine glass.

"Why now?" came the soft, polite, but brief reply.