Nar Shaddaa

Layne sat in her own booth toward the back of the cantina, near an airlock to an area with toxic environments that weren't suited for humans. Though after the day's events she wondered if she couldn't just go there and be totally fine even without a mask.

It was quiet back here; easy to get lost with no one to bother you. Have a drink, browse the holonet, have the kind of thoughts you didn't share with others. Some people just needed that. Some people needed that a *lot*.

And yet, into her castle of solitude strode an invader, not knowing of the solace and peace she was enjoying.

Without a word he sat down across from her in the booth and waved a hand to the waitress and ordered a drink.

He too pulled up his holopad and began perusing its contents for a moment before finally asking, "Staying busy Layne?"

She didn't immediately respond to his arrival. Nor did she immediately respond to his question. But she did, however, reach out through the force, sensing Sylvain's emotions.

"Just considering offers on the table."

Sense: 1eF 1 Dark Side

discipline check: 3eA+3eC+1eD 2 failures, 2 advantage, 1 Despair

Sylvain nodded, "What kind of offers do you have at the moment?"

He then felt the flow of the force around him and looked up to see Layne's face with an obvious look of concentration.

"Something I can help you find Layne? It can be a bit confusing up there if you don't have a guide."

"So paranoid," she said, looking away in disappointment, fingers absentmindedly rapping the table. "I practically have Darths falling over themselves to make me their apprentice."

He chuckled, "That's fortunate. Shame you can't really take anyone up on those offers though isn't it?"

"Of course I could. I can do whatever the fuck I want," she said.

"I think we make our best strides together when we are candid with one another." Sylvain says with a nod.

"You going to some other master without Baras' approval would certainly cause problems when he makes his return."

"So, you're not buying it huh?"

He shook his head, "He's a bit desperate is all. For him to be willing to potentially set himself back significantly through this ruse, I assume the threat must be real... but I'm sure it's just giving him the window he needs to make sure he comes out of this alive and in power."

He tilts his head, "And I'm fairly sure you are aware that he is not dead. Probably helping him with whatever it is he needs. That's why you aren't going to take one of those offers any time soon; even if you can do anything you want."

"I think he's far less desperate than you think. I think his plans are greater than either of us could possibly imagine."

"I can imagine quite a bit." He chuckled.

"Is there any way to get in contact with him? He hasn't been answering my calls... I met with Magpie and need to report back in."

"You met with Magpie? What'd she say?"

"She has a valuable asset that Baras is in need of and is preparing for a showdown with him." He replies. "As much as I would love to tell you more... I am sure Baras would prefer I keep as much information about it limited to him alone. The man loves his secrets..."

He nodded to the waiter as it arrived with his drink. After the robot left he took a sip and added, "If you have means to communicate with him, tell him I stand ready to assist in any way he may need."

"That so," she said. "Even if I did, I'm not sure I want to help you commit suicide."

She took a drink from her own glass.

"If you're with Magpie, I suggest getting the fuck out. The Emperor's attention is on her now."

He tilted his eyebrow, "How so?"

"As in, she's an enemy of the Emperor now."

She placed an arm on the booth's backrest, and casually surveyed the rest of the cantina.

"And I have that on the best of authorities."

He nodded his head slightly, "Perhaps that is where you were yesterday then?"

He chuckles, "Which only makes this easier... I know you owe me nothing, but I have the Magpie's confidence. Baras should know that my allegiances lie where they have always lain; that should be enough for him to know my intent. Tell him if he requires my assistance in any way, that I stand ready to obey as any apprentice should."

He takes a sip of his drink and leans back in a similar posture, "He's a fickle man to deal with..."

"When I say the best of authorities," she said, looking back at him, "I don't mean Baras."

"You have a cool story to tell then Layne?" He asked with a smirk.

"Let's just say I'm friends with the Voice of the Emperor now."

He chuckled, "The Voice? It appears Baras is playing a powerful trump card..."

I wonder what the Voice would think of Baras' plan to remove her...

He smiles, "That really begs the question of what it is Magpie has that would make our master act this way. There is danger here of a considerable level."

"You're assuming too much about who'se playing cards, and which ones. And guessing will get you killed."

"Your retorts are as helpful as ever Layne." He said with a smile.

"You're saying you had knowledge of the whereabouts of the Voice who has recused herself for quite sometime and were able to convince her on your own merit that Baras' enemy is an enemy of the Empire? All for a man that is already dead?" He chuckled.

"You paint a fanciful story, even for a young girl."

"I didn't say anything like that. All I said was that I'm friends with her now. You don't really think the Voice needs to be convinced by the likes of me, do you?"