Nar Shaddaa

Sylvain stared at his communicator.

08.76k.20z.090

The sequence of numbers and letters rushed through his mind time and time again. There was a weight to these numbers. He'd looked at them many times over the past few months. Typed them into his communicator more times than he'd like to admit. But up until he had never dialed them

When he heard from his sources that the person on the other end of that number would be making their way to Nar Shadaa for the peace talks, it had been difficult not to call that instant. But he had waited, not wanting to impose himself on her until the last possible moment.

08.76k.20z.090

It would be impolite not to call her at this point. To suddenly show up and possibly make her uncomfortable in what was sure to be a dangerous and trying time; that is not what he wanted to do at all.

So there he sat, with his finger over the call button as he pondered what to say... much like he had done for countless hours over the past few months. Taking in a deep breath, he let it out and pushed down on the screen.

Thud.

Weaver let out a low groan as she was brought to the floor yet again, taking in deep breaths as the afternoon's activities finally started to wear on both woman. Kristal, meanwhile, walked over to the side for both towels and two waters. Tossing both to Weaver as she corrected herself to sitting on the mat. Nothing between them was said while they both drank deep and patted off the sweat.

Then over the ships intercom Wedge's voice spoke, "You have an incoming call, My Lord," and then the com went silent.

With a nod to dismiss Weaver Kristal walked over to the intercom, "Patch them through to my quarters."

"As you wish, my lord," Wedge called back quickly.

Patting herself down as she continue to her room she made sure she was clear enough to cover the light grey tanktop she wore when practicing with her more formal outerwear of Imperial tastes. Military by design rather than the high fashion of most other Noblewomen. Ensuring to pull on the newer addition to her wardrobe, dark black gloves that covered both of her hands. Concealing the cybernetics of her left arm from sight. It had been a long time getting familiar with the new arm and while she was now getting better with it she was far from comfortable.

Tapping up the coms she looked at the identity of the caller for a long time, not a signal she recognized. For a few moments she debated internally with who it would be before finally deciding that she couldn't be sure until she answered.

Brushing her now longer, blonde hair out from in front of her face she tapped twice and answered the call.

Sylvain's image in his formal black cloak appeared as a hologram in front of her. He smiled softly and paused. He had thought much about what he would tell her, but as he remembered quite well things were always best left simple with Kristal.

"Lady Serasai, it has been too long." He bowed his head slightly, keeping his eyes locked on her image.

Amid the wall of an expression there was a brief glint of relief in the woman's eye, hard to see from the vidscreen. Crossing her arms on her desk she pulled them back into her lap with minimal movement.

"Master Torsin," she greeted coolly. "How unexpected," she commented but let the moment hold for a second. "It has been far too long."

He smiled, "I hope I still have some capacity to keep you on your toes, even as you've grown and become and even more impressive Sith."

He took a more relaxed posture, "I've kept special watch over your exploits. Most impressive my dear friend."

"Has Baras' matter not been able to hold your attention?" she teased. Shifting in her seat so that her right leg crossed over her left, though it was below the viewpoint below her desk.

"I had not thought to find a more miserable planet than Korriban," she offered as comment on her exploits.

He smiled, "Not a big fan of a giant sand pit filled with worms and Republicans are we?"

He raised up a hand in an inviting way, "Well let me be the first to welcome you back to civilization my dear. I procured something of a present for you. Doubt you had the time or ability to enjoy some of the niceties of home on Tatooine."

"A present?" she asked, lips curling slightly to the left as her right brow raised in curiosity. Though overall she maintained a cool, crisp imperial demeanor. "What have you been holding onto on the off chance you would run into me sometime soon?"

He smiled at her smirk, it reminded him of so many great times. Getting Kris to smile had always been a task. There was something that made him feel warm about this simple conversation.

"You don't want me to ruin the surprise do you?" He smiled warmly. "It's something that you've always liked in the past. And I like it because it necessitates sitting down and chatting with to fully enjoy."

"I would suppose not," she conceded, shifting the way her hands lay in her lap. "I will await the moment I may learn of what it is, for now..."

Kristal shifted forward in her seat a little, "Where have you been Sylvain? I have not had the luxury to have been able to follow any word of your work."

He smiled knowingly and nodded, "Home for the most part. Much is the same there, much quite different. Made a few trips here and there rooting out some Republic spies. My work isn't the type that draws headlines like yours, but I've been quite busy nonetheless."

He folded his hands behind his back, "But Dromund Laas isn't the same without my friends."

"Headlines don't matter," she said dismissively, softly. Speaking to the point they both understood. Leaning back in her chair and just looking to Syl as he continued and for the moment after.

With a light smirk, she added teasingly, "Do not tell me Sylvain Torsin has turned sentimental."

He chuckled, "I guess even I am capable of human emotions on occasion."

He paused for a moment with a pleasant feeling hanging in the air. He smiled once before adding, "You make it sound so ugly when you use that word. Sentimentality can be a weakness, what we share makes us each stronger."

He smiled, "I'm excited to see you again," He smiled and then added on as an afterthought, "both of you. We all have much to discuss..."

He looked into his friend's holographic eyes for only a moment. Whatever that might mean between the two of them, and whatever desires still burned in Sylvain's heart, Sylvain held himself back and shifted to the other main topic the would require discussion, "Have you heard that Anhel Rolm is currently on Nar Shadaa."

"It has been long since I have seen either of you," she agreed.

Shifting her position in her seat as the topic had, "I have," she said, keeping herself reserved.

"What are your thoughts?" He asked softly.

"What thoughts am I to have?" she said, defensive but light.

"I am wondering what your intentions may be, so I may help you in whatever way I can." Sylvain replied calmly.

"I am as always your ally."

"I have none, as of yet," she replied honestly. Though still remained reserved on the matter over a holo-communication. Not having that personal touch.

He nodded. "Then we can discuss it later."

He smiled faintly. "What else is there I can help you with?"

"There is nothing I could ask of you, Sylvain," she said, holding a thought.

He tilted his head, " 'Could'? You can ask anything of me Kris..."

Kristal appeared confused by the attention to minutae, but shook her head slgihtly. "Could, would, there is nothing I have to ask of you or would desire to ask of you Sylvain," she said precisely. Carried by the inflection of her Imperial tone to almost seem a tad more naturally professional.

He nods, the directness of the answer only created greater ambiguity for him oddly enough.

Is this her way of saying she doesn't need or want my help.... Or is she simply not have a need this instant... There's nothing she 'would' ask me...

He smiled.

Calm down... I know we're excited... it's been 10 months... but don't pick everything apart.

"Very well. Do not hesitate to ask, my dear friend, if there is anything I can do. I stand ready to help in any and all cases." He smiled slightly.

"I have kept an ear out for any word of your mother; to steer away any potential problems should she be located. Rest assured, she is as skilled an operative as she always was, there is no word of her in any of Baras' channels."

Kristal nodded to the first point, "I had no doubt of my mother's capabilities," she pushed on the face for that statement but then let it slide back away. "Still, thank you, Sylvain. For your efforts on the matter."

Though she didn't want to dwell on it, "What of your mother Sylvain, it has been quite some time since I have heard any word of her. How has she been?"

He tilted his head, "Well enough given what she went through. I was able to spend some time with her in the early months, but she's been on a humanitarian mission to the Outer Rim for quite some time and we haven't spoken. I'm sure she's fine and doing good work bringing more systems to the truth that the Empire is not the boogeymen that the Republic says we are."