Valor's gaze shifted lazily from Roten to Jackie, an expression of mild disgust flickering across his face as he watched the Zeltron pop a lollipop into his mouth. He couldn't help but arch an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by the entire display.
"How quaint," Valor began, his voice oozing sarcasm.
"A pirate in denial and a walking charm factory who can't even keep track of his vices. Truly, I'm graced with the finest company this ship has to offer."
He turned his attention back to Roten, this time taking a slow, deliberate look over him, as if inspecting something subpar.
"Mnn..." Valor hummed, shifting his glance to examine his nails with exaggerated boredom.
"My apologies... it's Lord Valor to you."
A smirk curled on his lips as he looked back at Roten, eyebrow raised.
"And yet, I've not even had the pleasure of your name, have I?" He let the question hang in the air for a moment before continuing, his tone thick with mock politeness.
"I suppose introductions were beneath you? Or perhaps you're still trying to figure out which one you'd prefer to use. As for your benefit of the doubt... you'll simply must forgive me if I don't find that particularly valuable." His tone was light, but the words dripped with mockery.
"It seems to me you're not quite ready to lecture anyone on attitude—especially not when you've already admitted to playing the pirate act before."
Valor sighed dramatically and shook his head, as if utterly disappointed.
"Honestly, what was the New Jedi Order thinking, sending such lowbrow negotiators to me? Do they imagine this level of decorum would help navigate the delicate tensions between the Ordan Syndicate and the House of Varnass on Carcellis IV?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly making up the scenario but fully aware of the stakes in high-society disputes.
"Because let me assure you, gentlemen, trying to settle whether Lady Varnass' prized starcruiser allegedly scratched the Syndicate's platinum yacht is the very definition of high-stakes diplomacy."
He shook his head in mock pity.
"Yet here I am, surrounded by... pirates and... Zeltrons," he added with clear disdain, his gaze flicking back to Jackie.
"If this is what passes for Jedi diplomacy now, it's no wonder the galaxy is in such disarray."
Without waiting for a response, Valor flicked his wrist dismissively.
"But by all means, keep pretending you've turned over a new leaf. Perhaps one day you'll even convince yourself." He paused, glancing at Jackie once more, this time with a touch of amusement.
"As for you, do let me know when your 'natural charm' kicks in. So far, it seems you've only charmed yourself."
Satisfied with his retort, Valor gave a slight, mockingly over dramatic bow before taking a step back. His posture remained relaxed, yet his eyes glinted with an air of superiority, daring either of them to come up with a response that might be worth his time. But that's when a large bear of a man addressed them.
Valor watched the Beorni with barely concealed amusement as the massive creature settled into the creaking chair. His lips twitched slightly, but he held back any verbal response for the moment, his attention flickering between Roten, Jackie, and the towering Beorni.
When the Beorni suggested that they play the role of the Jedi while he would act the part of the rude one, Valor's eyes narrowed slightly. He stood up straighter, his voice dripping with a mix of amusement and mock compliance.
"Oh, how quaint," he began, his tone smooth.
"We're going to play pretend now, are we? The savage brute, teaching us how to mind our manners. Truly, this is what the New Jedi Order has come to." He glanced pointedly at the Icehammer on the table, his jade green eyes gleaming with a subtle edge of sarcasm.
"And while I appreciate your enthusiasm for this little role-reversal exercise," Valor continued, folding his arms,
"I must say, perhaps we should aim for a more realistic scenario? After all, in the real galaxy, brute force," he gestured lazily toward the hammer,
"and posturing don't exactly inspire cooperation in negotiations. You'd be better off trying to convince us with words, wouldn't you agree?"
He tilted his head slightly, a smug smile curling on his lips.
"Or do you prefer to let your hammer do all the talking?"
The implication was clear—Valor found the whole exercise beneath him, and he wasn't shy about making his disdain known. But even more than that, his words challenged the Beorni, almost daring him to rise above the "brute" role and show that his wisdom matched his size.
Valor, sensing that his usual taunts likely would have no effect, let out a soft, amused chuckle before inclining his head slightly.
"But...Very well," he said, the sharp edge of mockery fading from his voice.
"Perhaps I was too hasty in my judgment. If we're going to do this, let's do it properly."
He straightened up, folding his arms across his chest.
"Explain the scenario then. If we are to play the part of Jedi in this situation, I would like to know what 'problem' we are responding to. What kind of difficult negotiator will we be facing?" His tone, while still carrying a hint of sarcasm, had become more respectful.
Valor's turquoise eyes were fixed on the Beorni now, genuinely interested to see how this towering figure would lay out the scenario, and to hear what wisdom he might impart. For all his posturing, Valor was still willing to engage—so long as the challenge was worthy of his time.