Nar Shaddaa

"So you're saying that you'd turn my lightsaber into a big cattle-prod? Because that's what I'm hearing," Shaisha gave a very pointed look to the Jawa mechanic, who in reply rambled off in his native tongue.

"No. Just... no. I'm not turning one of the galaxy's finest weapons into a mockery of its form. Go play with something else instead, Jitterbug." Then she quickly added; "Not the hyperdrive!"

The Jawa threw its arms up in defeat, and began a long tirade in Jawaese as it got to work on the holo-transmitter (claiming it would improve the clarity and detail of the picture by 0.003%).

Shaisha went to get herself a drink, and as she came back with a glass in hand, she saw that the Holo had already started a call. Poodoo...

A big red face appeared on the Holo. It had the sort of skeptical expression that suggested he didn't recognise the number.

"Look, if this is Imperial Intelligence again I've already told you I'm not ...". A smile broke across his face. "Shaisha? Huh. S'up?"

Off screen he waved at 2V to scurry off somewhere else while he took the call.

There was a small feeling of relief that Jitter hadn't accidentally called someone like less likely to pardon the intrusion.

The Jawa rambled in Jawaese about how the image was already clearer and better than it had been. "Yeah, yeah, scram, Jitterbug. Go bother Anthy instead now." Shaisha waved him away with the drink in her hand and the Jawa scrambled away.

"Sorry'bout that, Jo'ren. Seems my mechanic is over-eager in showing off what he can do. Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time?"

"Jitterbug? Wait you didn't mean to call me? That's disappointing.". He winked and it turned into amused laughter.

"No, I was just working out and listening to a report on the war effort. Ol' 2V likes to give me the low down."

He shrugged his big shoulders and sat back a bit in the seat.

"Been a while. What's new with you?"

Shaisha chuckled warmly and took a sip from the brandy. "Well, I may have been meaning to give you a call sooner anyway... it's reached my ears that you might be heading to Nar Shaddaa soon for the peace summit."

"New with me? Hm, this and that... been mostly keeping myself busy rooting out terrorists on Ziost these past months, crashing parties, drinking and fighting. And yourself?"

"May have huh? Wow you really know how to flatter a guy. What have I been up to? You know: Things of Galactic Import."

He smiled easily, the brandy in her hand made him think of the cases of Bloodwine in his hold.

"Crashing parties, drinking and fighting. Sounds like a good time to me. Yeah, I'm headed for Nar Shaddaa. I assume the 'peace' talks are to lull the Republic into a false sense of security. Am I going to see you there?"

"Of course I will be," she grinned, her voice betraying a sensual purr. "Best chance I've had these past months to see my favourite Sith... not to mention the luxurious hair attached to said Sith."

"But you say things of Galactic Import? My, Vengean must've kept you busy, it sounds like. And still is able to spare you for this meeting?"

"Good. We've got some catching up to do, you and I..." He ran a hand through his long hair in response to her comment. "Could do with messing it up a bit, you know?" He short laugh as he thought about her interest in his activities.

"My Master asks a lot, but I've yet to disappoint him." Crotchety old fella was still alive after all. "It's my first time in Hutt space though, and I'll be more of an observer this time around. Well, we all know that won't stay true for long... What about you? Darth Vowrawn got you keeping tabs on us graduates huh? 'Accidentally' calling us up and taking notes I'll bet."

"Nah, not so much him as it is a personal interest of mine to keep an eye on those I like," her lips curled in a playful smile. At least she had to acknowledge that Jitter's handiwork did give her a better image of Jo'ren, though the holo-image was nothing like the real deal.

"First time in Hutt space for me too. I've mostly been on Ziost or Dromund Kaas after Korriban... not that I mind either, as they're both like home to me. Work hard and party harder has been the norm these past months. Like your master, mine expects a lot too. Guess that just comes with the territory of being on the Council."

She took another sip of the brandy after swirling the contents around for a moment. "Vengean can't be too thrilled about the idea of 'peace' talks, I assume?"

"Not thrilled, yeah, that's the mild version. I mean, as a gambit or distraction, sure. But actively seeking peace with the Republic, not his idea of a sensible strategy. Gives him time to rebuild though."

He thought back to the last few months. "Ziost? I was there too. Gave the Queen a grand tour. Mostly I've been back on Yavin IV with the Massassi though. Have you seen any of our fellow graduates since Korriban?"

"Apart from Zeno recently, only in news and reports," she admitted with a chuckle. "Doesn't seem like everyone is interesting enough to attend some of the events I've been too, or they've been good little boys and girls that doesn't require me looking in on them too much."

She could certainly imagine Vengean fuming over the idea of peace.

"Which reminds me, you thought I was Intelligence giving you a call earlier?"

"Occasionally I get requests for situation reports. Sometimes other apprentices of my master will ask for assistance with something. Since I'm headed for Nar Shaddaa I had a few enquiries from Imperial Intelligence about contacts, etc. I've never been to this place before though so..."

He shrugged. What was he going to tell them? That he knew a Jedi and a smuggler crew based out of Mar Shaddaa? That would go down well.

"Time to make some I guess."

"We should do some exploring of the Smuggler's Moon together then, seeing how it is a new hunting ground for the both of us," she said with a predatory smirk over the rim of her glass of brandy.

"And I promise I won't act like an Intelligence-spook. Been a lot of work with agents lately, but I hope for a small break from that."

"That's a real cute way of saying you want to spend more time alone with me Shaisha. How could I say no?" He gave her a knowing smile. "But yeah, count me in, let's have some wild adventures together. See if we can't help you remember what it's like to be with another Sith."

"Oh you," she caught herself in a laugh. "So considerate. The only true Sith I've spent time with of late is my master, and while he's interesting company... well, he is old, and I do prefer young and handsome to be honest."

"And I also look forward to how it's been with the Massassi Queen and your adventures on Yavin IV. Anymore encounters with Exar Kun, perhaps?"

"Perhaps..." He gave her a roguish smile. "Can't tell you all my stories over the Holo now can I? Lots of adventures though, and more to come."

He wasn't going to tell her about Malak, not yet anyway. "Sounds like there's plenty to do on Nar Shaddaa, guess we won't get bored. How's your training coming along by the way? Pulling off any new moves?"

"You'll find the opportunity to tell me more of your adventures over dinner and drinks instead, I'm sure. Seem to recall you promised me something like that once on Korriban," her smirk curled a little more.

"As for my training, I've improved since Korriban and learning more. There are benefits to having a talented master, after all. Most of all, guess it's being a leader that I've been learning most about. And yourself? Vengean's knowledge of combat must've made someone like you even more impressive you already were with a lightsaber. Or perhaps the Massassi Queen has been bestowing you with her wisdom?"

"Hmm, yeah I think you're right. A romantic dinner or something like that? Or just a date of some sort. I'll honour that, sure."

He winked, as if it was a hardship.

"I'd be surprised if you hadn't​ advanced. Yeah, I've got a few new tricks up my sleeves too. A bit of column A a bit of column B. Hopefully we'll get to test them out, even if we're here for 'peace' or something."

"Sure there will be plenty of opportunities, though some more in the dark than others, I wager. Good thing for me, as that is more my speciality... not all of us can be big and flashy." With that, she emptied the last bit of brandy in the glass.

"Been improving yourself against blaster fire then?"

"Hah, how did you know? Yeah, got tired of those training droids singeing my armour. We should hook up and put our Sith skills together. You know, I'll absorb some damage while you do whatever it is intelligence folks do."

He gave her one of those big dumb smiles that had initially made her wonder if he was all there. It was a fun act.

"I'm told Hutts should not be trusted even when telling the truth. Still, they have a lot of money, information, and resources. Maybe we can team up and relieve them of some of all those things?"

One of her ridged eyebrows perked up, but there was a small pause as she had to bite back a comment about how it was foolish to fully trust others at all. Her expression was much like how it had been when they first met; amusement gleaming in her eyes.

Which of course meant that there was a lot more going on behind those golden eyes of hers than just mere amusement.

"A team-up sounds like a good idea... we both have our specialities that fill out eachother nicely. And who knows, I might pick up a few more tricks by watching the scion of the Rath in action," she grinned. "There are some matters I must attend to on behalf of Darth Vowrawn in the system, but they should be too much trouble, as it seemed simple enough. Of course, that means it's going to be all sorts of trouble, though, knowing how these things usually work out."