Nar Shaddaa

(And I'll cry if I want to!)

Jitter had been told to go off and have fun (whatever that meant for Jawas), so Shaisha was certain she wouldn't have any interruptions when Kris and Syl showed up so they could track down the fun together from here.

Not knowing what sort of hijinks they might get up to during the evening, the femme sith opted for a more practical outfit of loose-fitting trousers, low-heeled boots and a loose top with a plunging neckline. Her two trusty lightsabers at each hip, of course.

If Raven shows up.... damn, I really hope not. Hopefully she doesn't know I'm staying here.

Kristal arrived, casual Imperial attire with that noticeable military design. Ready for whatever the rest of the night would bring, but honestly she probably needed this more than she ever thought she did. Waiting at the door she went over her uniform-esque casual wear once again, lightsaber always prominently displayed at her hip.

Realising she had to do the trouble of answering the door herself, Shaisha sighed slightly, but couldn't hide the small bounce in her step as she hurried over to see which one it was first.

"Kris!" She beamed happily at the sight of her friend and quickly ushered the Serasai into the luxurious apartement. Seemed Vowrawn didn't spare any expenses, even for his residencies outside the Empire.

"... Didn't know we were going to an officer's dinner," Shaisha remarked with some humor, seeing as how formal Kris was compared to herself.

"It's the only casual wear I have," she replied with a light in her shoulders. Stepping inside she regarded her friend warmly for a moment and said, "Happy Birthday, Shaisha." All the while producing a small, fashinoable, padded carry case for whatever needed carrying.

Sylvain was right behind Kris and stood in the hallway with a smile.

"Happy birthday Shai-shai."

"Aw, you shouldn't have," her voice turned softer as Kristal produced the gift. Sure, it was the polite thing to say, but Shaisha really did mean it: right now, the best gift was that she was reunited with Kristal and Sylvain again, despite all the difficulties they had endured the past year. "...thank you..."

"And thank you, Syl," she grinned and hugged her brother as well as she let them both in. "Make yourselves at home. The Massassi sarcophagus over there is the bar, just open the lid."

Shooing Syl over to the bar, Shaisha leaned in next to Kristal to whisper "... But if that is the only casual wear you have, I should take you shopping sometime in the next days. You can't wear that if Syl gets up the courage to ask you out on a date to the Aurum Rancor."

Sylvain smiled and headed over to where he was directed. He pulled out a gift of his own from his cloak and placed it atop Shaisha's dining room table inconspicuously.

Kristal leaned in, all too ready to play along. "I fear I might find your tastes entirely too bold," she teased with a slight smirk. It wasn't a no, which as Shaisha certainly picked up meant it was pretty much a yes.

Waiting at her side for Shaisha to take the lead into the room proper.

Shaisha smirked happily and led Kris over to Sylvain.

"We're all finally together again... man, I've missed this. I've missed you guys so much these last months," she spoke with a sincere honesty as she put a hand on Kristal's shoulder. "Keeping an eye on your exploits just isn't the same, you know."

Kristal looked to Shaisha, it wasn't a smile but her expression was warm as she was there with her friends. "I have missed this as well," she said without a pause, but a thought, despite everything, "though I have heard significantly less about the exploits of both of you. Largely to blame is myself for that, I am sure," she said looking between the two of them.

"Don't you get the holonews in the Outer Rim, Kris?" Shaisha said with a teaseful voice and helped herself to some Mantellian rum from the bar. "Ziost; terrorist-group called Children of Revan? Took them out."

She smirked to Sylvain. "You're welcome."

"I was far too busy," she commented with the tease. "The Children of Revan? A whole cell? Shaisha your accomplishments are far greater than my own since we have left the academy," she said rather impressed.

"Of course, not accomplished single-handedly. Got good people I work with, the Public Security Section IX that Vowrawn set up not long after I became his apprentice. My efforts made him appoint me the Sith liaison to that anti-terrorist group. It's a lot of hard work, but you know how I enjoy challenges."

She'd probably go stir-crazy if all she had to do was to attend parties and do scheming with her master.

Sylvain smiled, "And I told you before... my life has been largely boring for the past 10 months. Gathering counterintelligence, apprehending a Jedi spy on Korriban, drinking alone on Dromund Kaas wondering if I should go pay the nexu cats that we met that one time a visit."

He chuckled warmly to show he was kidding.

"Someone appears to have left something on your table Shai."

"Layne isn't good company?" Shaisha poked her elbow in Syl's side teasingly.

"Hm?" she cocked her head to the side to look, spotting the gift Sylvain had placed there. "Aw, so my brother got his annoying little sister a gift too? Going to spoil me, you know," she chuckled and gave him an innocent peck on the cheek before moving to pick it up. "Can I open it now?"

He smiled, "As if you had the willpower to wait until later."

"Haha, very funny," she stuck her tongue out at her brother, and proceeded to open the gift.

Opening the box would reveal a pair of gold and diamond armbands that could be molded and fit to different configurations.

He smiled and looked up to her reaction.

---
Too big for forum

Sylvain knew his sister well when he decided on jewelry. While Shai didn't wear it for daily wear, given her physically active nature, she still enjoyed wearing it when she could.

"Oooh... thank you!" Her eyes glittered with delight, for a moment forgetting her worries, as she slipped on one of the armbands to see how it looked like. "I love it!"

He smiled, "I'm glad. It's worth it to see that smile again. Happy birthday sis."

"Thank you, Syl," Shaisha moved closer to her brother to give him a tight hug.

"... As much as I want to keep tonight free of worries... it seems like we might have a lot on our plates here," her smile faded as she realised that they might not be able to easily gather all three together soon enough, and she should take the chance while she could. "I'm sorry about the message this morning, Syl."

Kristal watched the exchange with her usual presence. Though she raised a brow as Shaisha's demeanor changed, looking to Sylvain to determine what it was she meant.

Sylvain smiled, "There is no need for an apology. The Force has an interesting way of tying things together... Kris and I learned for ourselves last night the same truth that you did about my mother."

Shaisha looked a little surprised as she raised an eyebrow.

"Alright... let's sit down, you can tell me about it. And I'll share in return, ok?"

Sylvain sat and turned to Kristal, "Since the means by which we obtained the information is more closely related to Kris, I will let her relay what she wishes."