Hello, is it me you're looking for? [LE, D6]

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Once again... finding this woman by yourself is a statistic impossibility... And your friendship with her could only be through assistance of someone with the know-how to ensure you weren't struck down instantly due to your chipper demeanor." He replied.

[Layne Hoshin]

She shrugged

"And how the hell would you know one way or the other anyhow? Have you met the Voice to know what she'd strike down or not?"

And then she took another drink.

"And it could very well be Magpie who'se ultimately responsible for me ending up there."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"It's not her bidding." He replied succinctly. "As I told you... I have her confidence."

Sylvain waved his hand before using the same hand to pick up his drink and take a sip, "Whatever you'd like to say Layne is fine... you've told me enough already to form a general picture. Pressing you will only lead to further evasiveness and potential negativity. I have no desire to antagonize you at the moment, because whether I care for it or not I am reliant on you to communicate to our master for the time being."

He let out a breath and rolled his neck, "I have some knowledge of the different positions in the upper echelons of power, even the Voice, and their personality traits given my position in Baras' network... If you have any questions about your encounter, or would like to verify anything Baras may or may not have told you, you can always discuss it with me. Though I won't hold my breath waiting for your questions."

[Layne Hoshin]

"How can you be so certain you have magpie's confidence. Why would you be so different that she'd trust you enough to not lie to you like sith always do?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

He sighed and took a sip of his drink, "I guess I can't complain about being evasive and not answer the simple questions."

He chuckled once through his nose, "She has a tie to me that is not easily broken... and a hatred for a man that used her as a tool for many years... Even tools can be pushed past their breaking point; and a master asking an apprentice to participate in murdering a loved one can have a tremendous effect on one's behavior. I know of her pain and her resentment first-hand... and trust in her will for vengeance even if I cannot trust her words."

He sips at his drink, "I suppose Baras thinks he has found in you a suitable replacement without the same deficiencies... In you, he believes he has one who has no ties, nor desires any other ties to people besides him."

[Layne Hoshin]

"So what, she's family? You think I don't have family? You know better than that."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"I believe your situation is a bit different; for one, I don't believe that Baras killed your father, or as in Magpie's case, her husband." He replied.

[Layne Hoshin]

"So, she's your mom. That's pretty fucked up."

She seemed surprised... but not as much as perhaps she should be. It made a certain kind of sense, after all.

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Indeed it is. But mother or not... if she threatens the Empire, then she is my enemy. Baras may doubt me, but I will show my devotion to the Empire in the events that unfold. You can count on that."

[Layne Hoshin]

She sighed.

But said nothing.

Just sat there quietly, drinking her drink until someone else would break the silence again.

[Sylvain Torsin]

Sylvain sipped at his drink and chuckled, "I noticed your ship didn't leave its bay yesterday... but I'm guessing the Voice doesn't have a condo on Nar Shaddaa."

[Layne Hoshin]

"It's not nice to spy on people," she said. "I think I've told you this before."

[Sylvain Torsin]

"You don't mind when I spy 'for' people." He chuckled.

[Layne Hoshin]

"Doesn't mean I think it's a nice thing to do," she said.

[Sylvain Torsin]

"We all are asked to do things that may not be 'nice'... we do them because we must or because it serves some greater purpose." He replied.

"I'm sure somewhere in you there's a part that doesn't care for murdering at the behest of someone else's whim... but you do it."

[Layne Hoshin]

"I am fortunate in that most of them are complete and utter assholes I don't actually mind killing."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He chuckled, "But not all."

[Layne Hoshin]

"No actually, I'm pretty sure all of them were bad people."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He smiled, "Very well Layne. You enjoy killing any and everyone you are told to. I think I know why you and Zeno get along so well now."

He chuckled and sipped his drink.

[Layne Hoshin]

That comment did not fall well, and Layne's expression went all gloomy-angry-teen.

"He's an arrogant insane fop who probably thinks of killing as a hobby. It's just a job for me. Just because I don't feel bad about killing people who deserve it doesn't mean I'm a psychopath like him."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He chuckled, "I'm saying that you aren't a psychopath Layne... The person I respect most in this life respects you, that speaks volumes to me. Even if you do try your very best to prove otherwise at times in our personal interactions."

He smiled playfully and took another sip of his drink which would soon need refreshing.

[Layne Hoshin]

"Whatever," she said. "Even when I don't go looking for it, I still end up having to kill people. I killed 10 people at a wedding today. Minimum. Bad people, but you know this is just a normal day for me."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nods, "There are times when killing is the proper course. You can do much good killing those who deserve death."

[Layne Hoshin]

She shrugged. "I don't really think about it."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nods, "I can understand why you wouldn't want to."