At The Break Of Dawn (D5, EA, Shai's)

[Shaisha Vreysk]

... Or somewhere around noon. Shaisha tossed in her sleep as she had done for the past months, as the nightmares continued to haunt her.

She stood over the body of the dying soldier.
His vibroknife fit awkwardly in her child-hand.
Her hands were stained in blood up to her elbows.
He had come here for her, she knew it, and she had killed for the first time in her life as fear and rage her gripped her. Shaisha knew her mother was dead, she had felt it through the Force... her father she could still feel, barely, and it confused her.

Why was this soldier here with those other Sith who had suddenly showed up to speak with her uncle?

Before she had time to consider where to hide, she felt someone seize her arm. Looking up at the hooded pureblood who held her, she knew it was not one of her family, and... there was something disconcerting about him.

A crackle of energy formed over his hand and shocked through her body. She screamed and already the world began to slip away. Her blurry eyes saw Servant One leaning over her to pick her up. But suddenly, his features began to change - distort into something more horrifying.

"You are mine..." the voice was almost nothing more than a faint breeze, but it chilled her to the bone.

"Tenebrae!" Shaisha mouthed as she forced herself awake... feeling absolutely nothing but the terror rolling over her mind. Not even the bustling life of Nar Shaddaa. As if she was still trapped on that horrible dead plane.t

Minutes passed until she finally regained control of her senses again. Ugh... damn that Jedi. Two bouts of this shit in 24 hours. She rolled out of bed and began to go through the morning routines. Checking her messages, checking news, making coffee while listening to the holonews in the background.

The news of Baras' death did make her pause and for a moment she briefly considered popping open a bottle of whiskey. Damn... that sneaky old git. Shaisha's lips pursed as she tried to focus her thoughts on that game, rather than the looming-catastrophe.

Grabbing her datapad, she tapped away a message.

"Hey handsome.

Catch the news? Seems like they're saying your master just lost one of his apprentices. Sounds pretty BS.

Could you come over for caff and talk?"

[Jo'ren Rath]

A text message arrived shortly thereafter.

"Wish I could Shai,

I'm on a mission right now, off-world. If Darth Baras is dead I'll buy a hat and then eat it.

Got a few hours in transit before radio silence.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

She frowned. A pity that Jo'ren was off-world... she just had to hope that it wasn't part of Baras' plan to remove a good piece on the board.

"Damn.

Be careful out there then. I wouldn't put it past Baras to have you killed, despite both of you *technically* serving Vengean. And something off-planet is ideal.

Shit's about to go down soon, I can sense it. Maybe not today, but soon.

Also, saw your message from this morning about a HuttBall team. Sounds like fun. Guess I'll join."

[Jo'ren Rath]

Good to know you still care *wink*

Yeah I'll watch my back. There's something coming for sure. I'm not alone though. This is for someone I owe one to.

Glad you're keen to play! It'll be Late Evening,
assuming I make it out of this.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"The galaxy would be a poorer place without you in it, Jo'ren.

And I would probably be a little sad too. *tongue-out*

If there's anything I can do to give you a helping hand, you just need to ask. *smile* Otherwise, I'll see you in the Arena. Hopefully still in one piece.

Multi-tasking, even after only one cup of caff, Shaisha also sent a message to Niall.

If you have a moment, I'd like to talk to you today. If you have the time now, you can come over to my place (adress attached).

I might need a favour.

[Niall Organa]

I'll be there shortly.

Came the terse reply.

And indeed, it was not long at all before there was a tapping at the door. The very precise rhythm gave a clue as to the knocker.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

At least in the time it had taken Niall to come, Shai had replied to some more messages that had clogged up her inbox. Not that she was even going to bother Vowrawn with this trivial news that Baras was dead. . . she didn't believe that for one bit until she saw the body herself.

A few moments later, she opened the door for Niall. "Captain, good morn... right, it's afternoon now. Anyway, come on in. Caff?"

She was decidedly dressed down from their previous encounter. The first time, she had been in armour and in full 'dangerous Sith'-mode, and at the party between the two factions, she had been dressed to impress. Now she was in shorts and a plain shirt.

[Niall Organa]

Niall had smiled politely as the door slid open. He was dressed in his Republic officer's uniform as usual, and it was impeccable, as usual. The only unusual thing was that he carried a shopping bag.

"No thank you, ah, Lady Shaisha." He said, matching her formality. At her invitation, he stepped inside.

Her comment caused his lips to twitch, the polite smile growing a bit more genuine. "It is. Late night, I take it? Although with this moon's day-night cycle, the distinction is a bit arbitrary." His eyes flickered around as he waited, taking in his surroundings.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Late night," she nodded and the shopping bag did draw a curious look from her.

The surroundings were quite different from the usual oppressive aesthetics of the Sith. There were no banners with the Imperial symbols of colors present, but rather the place seemed to be filled with artworks and various cultural artifacts from different parts of the galaxy (even a few portraits of glacial Alderaanian mountains and hills), and the furniture looked fancy and comfortable.

"No need to stand on ceremony for my sake here. Only you and me here right now, and as you can see, I'm even without my lightsabers. How's the hero life treating you?"

[Niall Organa]

"Hmmm? Oh." Niall turned away from his study of one of the portraits. His lips twisted. "The hero life? I'm not sure if I should be flattered or concerned that you think of it like that." He said, his tone dryly humorous. He didn't sound displeased, anyway. "Thank you for the information you sent yesterday, by the way. I hope to be following up on that shortly."

"You have a very nice place, here." Well, some of the decor wasn't to his taste, but that wasn't surprising. He turned to her, his eyebrows going up. "That one is Mount Tamuur, on Alderaan, isn't it? It's a lovely place." His lips twitched. "I'd invite you to visit, but perhaps we'll see how the peace talks go, first."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"No problem," she smiled a little, though it was merely out of politness as it soon faded to a slightly irritated look. "As long as it helps the case... Children being taken from their home and families is something that strikes a personal chord with me."

Shaisha emptied her cup and put it down on the table.

"It's not mine, technically." Her shoulders gave a small shrug as she looked to the painting. "Wouldn't know... but it does look rather beautiful. There's no scenery like that on the planets I'm the most familiar with. My homeworld of Ziost is a cold planet, with ice and snow, but I've spent most of my life on Dromund Kaas which has a lot more jungle landscape outside its civilizations. And Korriban... well, it's hot, dry, sandy, and deadly." There was some sense of home-pride in her words for the places she spoke of.

"Right... guess I should confess that I didn't call you over to discuss art, though you're welcome to look as much as you want. Make yourself comfortable."

[Niall Organa]

"Does it?" Niall gave her a look. "I assure you, it is an abhorrent to me as well, even if not on quite such a personal level." He frowned briefly, remembering how his life had seemed to have been torn apart when Aly was taken by the Jedi. He pushed the thought away.

"I've never been to those worlds." Niall said. "Although there are worlds like them in the Republic. Ah, superficially, that is; every planet is unique, especially to those who live there." He gave her a slow nod.

His lips twitched. "Of course. As you please." He settled himself on one of the more comfortable chairs with less spiky art around it, setting his shopping bag to the side; mens' clothing could be seen within. "You mentioned a favor." He said, his tone and expression politely neutral.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

Whatever her issue with the abduction of children was, she did not voice it, and she seated herself on one of the plush chairs.

"Yes," she nodded. I can't believe I'm doing this. I don't even have a plan. "It might sound rather strange, but I would appriciate it if you could approach Jedi Master Shan on my behalf, to request an audience with her. Tensions are understandably high these days between the Jedi and the Sith, and I am not in a position to just waltz into the Jedi Enclave to seek her out."

"You seem to be a well-respected man with good standing with your delegation, and... well, guess you could call it respect for the Master that I would rather you approach her in my place, rather than calling her up out of the blue to request a meeting."

[Niall Organa]

"Oh." Niall's eyebrows went up a little, although his expression didn't otherwise change. "I see." He was silent a few moments, considering.

Finally, he opened one hand. "I am not personally acquainted with Master Shan. But your assessment is fairly accurate. There is a great deal of respect shared between the Republic Military and the Jedi." Not universally true, but certainly true for him, at least. His head tilted as he gave her an inquisitive look. "Can I tell her what it is regarding? It sounds as though it must be some personal matter, or else you could doubtless approach through normal diplomatic channels."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

For a moment it looked like she wasn't quite sure herself. Or maybe the recent newsfeed had shaken her off her usual game.

"... It's something of a personal matter, you could say, yes. Hm... guess the best way to summarize it is that I'm looking for guidance, on a matter of the Force... something which I feel I need a different perspective."

She let out a brief chuckle at her own situation. "While I am and will always be Sith, I acknowledge that the Sith alone do not hold all the knowledge - as the Jedi do not hold all the knowledge either. And sometimes, a problem requires a different approach."

[Niall Organa]

"Hmmm." Niall's lips twitched again. "I would offer to listen, but one should recognize the areas in which one is entirely unqualified to give an opinion. This is certainly one of those times."

He gave her a slow nod. "Still... on the subject of finding a different approach, I feel much the same way. I suppose the help that you gave us a few days ago is proof enough of that. Everyone requires assistance sometimes."

He smiled then, a small one, but honest for all that. "Mister Ormont advised me to be careful with any favor I did for you. But I can't see any downside to this request." He nodded firmly. "I'll ask her as soon as I'm able to do so."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Perhaps I will share it with you another time, or if you accompany Master Shan." It was the least she could offer, but this early in the day, she didn't feel like going over the subject now.

"Your help is appriciated." A firm nod was given in return. "Ormont is a perceptive and intelligent man, and he gave you sound advice," she chuckled. "He's doing alright, I hope? Got a rather interesting call from him yesterday evening... all drugged up it seemed, after some enforcers had paid him a visit."

[Niall Organa]

Niall waved a hand noncommittally. He knew little about the Force, after all.

He chuckled. "Did he, now?" His expression grew more serious as she went on. "Hmmm. I gathered the two of you had spoken. I didn't realize you were confidants." He seemed to just regard this as a piece of information.

"But to answer your question... he's in the care of a doctor. Another one, that is." He gave a mostly humorless chuckle. "One who seems to have the situation well in hand. He'll be alright, eventually." Niall said, a hint of uncertainty audible in his voice.

[Shaisha Vreysk]

She shrugged. "We got along well enough at the party, and he patched me up after a rather rough HuttBall match... well, he got something out of it too since he wanted to do a scan of a pureblood, for medical studies or something, but I feel I owe him one for it still. Still, I was rather surprised by the call. Did offer him a place to hide if he needed a place to lay low though."

She did pick up on the uncertainity in the Captain's voice. "... Eventually? I noticed you called him 'mister', rather than Petty Officer...?"

[Niall Organa]

"Oh, that." Niall shook his head, smiling. "Navy etiquette, I think. Isn't that how the noncomms are addressed there? In my branch it would be different."

"Ah..." Niall hesitated a moment. He leaned forward a little, folding his hands together. "How much did he tell you about what happened?"

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"Those who possess military rank are usually adressed by it even when they're off-duty. It is a greater identity than merely 'mister' or 'miss', after all." Not that she had anything against Cole following the protocols he was used to.

"... When he first called, he was asking about my well-being, seeing that I was recovering from my injury. Noticed pretty quick that he seemed... well, kinda out of it. Eventually I manage to drag it out of him something about the Hutt believing he owed them money, and that they shot another Republic soldier dead. He didn't seem keen on wanting to keep his head down and lay low though. Got more of a fighting spirit than I thought," she even showed some small admiration and respect for the wimpy-looking doctor for that trait.

[Niall Organa]

"Yes." Niall's lips twitched. "I rather noticed the fighting spirit. He's directed it at me a few times, in fact. He does generally seem to use it productively, I'll admit."

Well, she seemed to have the full story, more or less. Niall sat back. "I think he feels responsible for the death of the soldier that was assigned to protect him. I tried to give him some comfort on that score, but, well, that fighting spirit. He wasn't having any of it. Perhaps I'll try again later, when the wound is less fresh, literally and figuratively."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"I don't see the point in trying to persuade a man who has made up his mind?" she said, leaning back more comfortably in her seat. "Admittedly, I'd feel much the same way if any of those under my command were hurt or killed, and I'd wreak vengeance upon those who think they could get away with it."

[Niall Organa]

Niall's lips pressed together. "Yes, well, Private Finama was under my command, my orders, not under his. And so." He sighed. "I'm seeing that justice is done, here. It's not perfect justice, but it may be the best we can get in this place."

He shook his head. "I won't deny Officer Ormont his guilt. It's his right. But I think he takes an unhealthy share of it. Hopefully, with time, he can let it go."

[Shaisha Vreysk]

"And if he does not? He might be inclined to seek revenge on his own."

Strangely enough, she didn't seem encouraging of it at the moment. But rather... curious as to what could possibly happen.