Private Kismet

[Visanj T'shkali]

K I S M E T​

Location: Golbah Hill, Theed – Naboo
Time: Late afternoon, approaching twilight.
Wearing: A sleek and smart 3-pc. black pantsuit with matched heels, white blouse.
Tags: Devorah Verd Shuklaar Kyrdol

It really isn’t my day, Vis thought to herself as she power-walked through the labyrinthine complex of the Presidium headquarters on Golbah Hill. The new SSD is too expensive? Um, no feth. Would you prefer I made it out of carboard and you could just make laser noises? I am certain that would come in under budget you shining example of evolutionary inconsistency! Vis called Shuklaar Kyrdol , her longtime friend, ally, and fellow Dagatan to discuss the rest of the myriad things on her already full plate.

“Shuk? Su cuy’gaar ori’vod! Yeah, it’s been a day, hun! I am looking forward to a very full glass of scotch and a long soak in the hot tub when I get home. So, we’re continuing the work on the SSD, despite the exchequer’s resistance. He’s seen more ledgers than battles, and I suspect he’s less concerned with military supremacy than he is with fiscal responsibility. How goes the work on those new picket ships we discussed? Any motion?”

As Vis turned the corner, engrossed in her many thoughts and conversation, she didn’t see the approaching woman until the pair literally ran into one another. Vis stepped back, and reclaimed her wits, piebald eyes focusing on the vision that now stood before her, audibly gasping at the sight. Chestnut hair, eyes like pools of scotch, skin like the color of the summer suns on the Tattooine desert sands, and a body that could easy have clawed its way from some of Vis’ more private imaginations. She hadn’t expected that. Not here. Not anywhere for that matter. For one of a very few times in her life, Vis found herself practically speechless and shaken, and not by the collision.

“Shuk, I seem to have been a bit um, mirshir’d. Let me….let me c-call you back in a minute. Polish your beskar, I will be back.”

“I am…” She was going to apologize, but locking eyes with the woman, she could only stammer out, “Visanj T’shkali.”

 

[Shuklaar Kyrdol]

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Tag(s): Visanj T'shkali | Devorah Verd ​

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Shuklaar's day was going comparatively tame. Comparatively, however, was the keyword. He'd just about finished another sparring session with Ragar in-between awaiting word from the Tra'naur'kad about the new picket ship. Of course, some di'kut had decided to tell him that the last shipment from their Duranium supplier was late when the first ship with the reworked molecularly bonded duranium armor was supposed to enter testing in a week. Just as he'd sat down in his seat and poured himself a few fingers of tihaar, Jare'la had floated in with his FL-01 Verpine Flechette Launcher. ​

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"Just lean it against the caf table, Jar'ika," he said, as his commlink beeped with an incoming call. He glanced at the name displayed in the top right corner of his HUD, and as the Manda would have it, it was Visanj T'shkali , probably giving him a call to check in about the picket ship if he was unlucky. Hopefully it was just a social call, this time. Shuk hated having to make excuses, let alone to his friend. "Su cuy'gar, vod. That osik'la? Of course, if that kadtape di'kut had his way, we'd be building ships with plasteel. Slow. Duranium supplier's late, I'm about to fly down personally and kick his shebs. You...Elek, go ahead."​

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Before he could get another word in, the connection was terminated. "Polish my shabla beskar...she's not planning on dragging me to another event, is she?" He sighed and took a sip of the tihaar, blowing out a breath before glancing over to his caf table, where everything that had sat on it previously was now on the floor. "I said against it, not push everything off the shabla table. Shab's sake, Jar'ika." The Gar'gotabor droid warbled apologetically and went about picking up what he'd dropped. Shuk just shook his head and waited to be called back. ​

 

[Devorah Verd]

Tags: Visanj T'shkali | Shuklaar Kyrdol
Outfit: A tasteful top & slacks, suitable for a slew of meetings
Muse Notes: Boyce Avenue "Beautiful Soul (Jesse McCartney Cover)"​

Fingers tapped gently atop the leather folio cradled in her left arm, as her right lifted to nestle the earpiece into place. A smile warmed her features as a group of attachés rushed by, chattering amiably amongst themselves while they were en route to their respective assignments. Canting her head to the side, she paused near a large window overlooking a small green courtyard and took a moment to admire the verdant beauty of it. It was what she had come to expect of Theed in the time that she had been living there.

Her comlink chimed with an incoming call, and the smile that had lit her features a few moments prior blossomed with warmth and energy. "Sora! I didn't expect to hear from you so soon...are you well?" she asked , leaning against the decorative railing that curved gracefully along the glass.

Dark eyes absently followed the flight path of a tiny bird as she listened, its jewel-bright feathers glittering in the late afternoon light. "Good, I'm glad it's going so well for you. I was certain the climate and the environment would suit you and the children much better."

A soft peal of laughter escaped as her hand absently pushed a lock of hair back over her shoulder. "Teaching at the university and making rounds at the medcenter takes up all of my time. Same way it did before you kept trying to set me up with everyone you thought I might take a fancy to. I'll probably never see the light of day again when I establish my library and laboratories." Devorah grinned cheekily at the expected sigh that echoed in her ear.

It was followed by a string of curses delivered in a mirthful tone, with a few of her own peppered amongst them in a smattering of obscure languages. "Alright, Sora...we'll have to talk more later. You have my nephews to tend to, and I have a full slate of student research to review. My love to everyone, alright? Nakar'tuur."

She resumed her stride as fingers flicked over the datapad atop her folio, returning the message she'd received from Isley only a few minutes before Sora's call. Busy as his schedule was by virtue of his position, the siblings did their level best to keep in much closer communication since she'd come 'home'. Rounding the corner of the hallway, it was hardly a wonder that she so gracelessly collided with a woman coming from the opposite direction.

Devorah was startled briefly, her senses flickering out reflexively to ensure the woman wasn't harmed even as as she took visual stock of her. A soft smirk curled her lips up on one side, as a delicate brow rose up. Her chestnut gaze swept appreciatively over the slender, stylish sculpture before her, admiration flickering in her eyes. Graceless it might have been, but who could argue with being confronted by such a lovely vision?

"My sincerest apologies...I should have been far more attentive to my surroundings. Devorah Khaladan, at your service." she breathed softly, her expression warm as the blonde's feature's captured all of her attention. Inclining her head in a brief, polite gesture, the woman extended her hand even as her voice emerged with a hint of a purr to it.

"I do so hope you're alright..."
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[Visanj T'shkali]

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K I S M E T​

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Location: Golbah Hill, Theed – Naboo​

Time: Late afternoon, approaching twilight.​

Wearing: A sleek and smart 3-pc. black pantsuit with matched heels, white blouse.​

Tags: Devorah Verd Shuklaar Kyrdol ​

Visanj took the woman’s outstretched hand, and it felt as though it was charged with lightning. She tingled her whole body through the moment they touched. She could, of course, sense the Force coursing through the ravenously attractive woman, and no doubt, the ravenously attractive woman could feel it in Vis too. Get it together woman, Vis commanded herself, willing her composure to return.

“Miss Khaladan, I am so sorry. I do hope you’re not harmed. Please, forgive me. I am afraid that today just hasn’t been my day, however, it appears to be looking up.” Vis caught herself, hearing the instinctive flirtation escape her lips unfiltered. “I am sorry I wasn’t. You are a woman who is not easily overlooked.” What the feth is wrong with you, Vis? Okay, that’s perhaps a long list. But try, for the love of Shalya, to get a hold of yourself.

Vis straightened and regained her usual demeanor. Force, this woman is gorgeous, but ‘Khaladan’…why does that sound so familiar? “You’re okay? Are you new here? I don’t recall running into you before?” Vis couldn’t help smiling softly at her own joke. “I walk this hallway most days around this time and I should think I’d have noticed you before now.”

Vis bent down to pick up the woman’s dropped datapad and a few other items which had slipped from her folio during their ‘run-in’. She quickly scanned them before handing them back, noticing the insignia of the Confederate Medical Services on some of them. “The Health Sub-Ministry is one of my departments. I thought I knew everyone we had working there. I mean, we have had some…” Vis awkwardly cleared her throat, “Some HR shake-ups of late. Not sure what’s up with that? Anyway, you’re not one of mine, are you?”

Vis’ eyes locked with the golden-brown eyes of the comely new face, and she smiled wryly. Wouldn’t mind her being mine. Not one bit. Growing up, and many times since then, Vis had been accused of being cavalier, forward, and unladylike when her came to her ‘pursuits’. It would seem this was a character flaw she’d neglected to rectify still, and quite honestly; she didn’t have any intention of doing so today either. Where is the fun in that? The Baroness’ posture changed again. Whatever embarrassment she might have felt and whatever her initial reaction had been, Vis had transformed it a renewed confidence and presence, as she gently touched the woman’s arm once more, softly taking her to the side to avoid passers-by.

“I am Visanj T’shkali, Minister of Science, and other nifty sounding titles. But please, by all means, call me ‘Vis’, everyone else does. I don’t stand much on formality, gets in the way of honesty. Gets me into trouble too, but that’s nothing new. Where are you from, De-Devorah, did you say? Pretty name. What brings you to Golbah Hill and the circus of braggadocio, gilded bureaucracy, and whatever passes for political intrigue that is our government? I mean, there’s much more fun places than this to spend one’s time.” Vis smiled again, and gently swept her hair back from her face.

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[Devorah Verd]

Tags: Visanj T'shkali | Shuklaar Kyrdol
Outfit: A tasteful top & slacks, suitable for a slew of meetings
Muse Notes: Boyce Avenue "Heaven (Bryan Adams Cover feat. Megan Nicole)"​

The soft smirk that Devorah wore simply blossomed into a warm smile that lit her features as the woman took her hand, the clasp strong with all of the attendant energy that often surged in such moments. It would have been a moment to pause and take stock of simply for the way the Force made her take notice. But to have that tiny flicker of recognition of another Force user in addition to the tangle of information that flickered in that moment was a gift she hadn't thought to find here of all places.

A touch of playfulness curved her smile a bit higher as the stunning woman spoke, her words unfiltered and unabashed. It was utterly and completely refreshing to find someone so willing to be open in such a manner. Not something she'd run into very much during her time away from the Confederacy. "I assure you, I'm perfectly fine...there is no need to apologize. Though I am delighted to know I've made your day a bit better with my graceless inattention. I always knew it would come in useful." Dev answered, a soft warmth to her lyrical tone.

"I have recently come home." she said after another moment and flurry of words. She took a moment to neatly arrange her things and tuck away the papers that had come free of her folio. The fine-grained dark sapphire leather was embossed with the crest of House Verd and had been a gift from Isley on Life Day some few years past. "I spent a few years wandering through the Outer Rim and spent time within the newly surging First Order. But I thought it was time to come home to the Confederacy...most of my family is here and even though my travels have taken me many places, this has always been home."

"If you're in charge of the Ministry of Health, then I suppose I am one of yours. I'm a Master Healer and a fully trained physician, so in addition to accepting a professorial position at the University, I also take shifts at the hospitals and consult when called upon. But I do plan on working with the Knights Obsidian at my brother's request, so I'm afraid you'll have to share me." she winked playfully, not minding the idea of being so claimed so soon after her arrival.

Canting her head to the side, a cascade of chestnut curls swept over her slender shoulder as Visanj gently touched her arm and led her to the side, out of the flow of traffic, giving them the appearance of some manner of decorum. A frisson of pleasure danced across her skin and her smile remained in place as she raised her gaze to meet the enchanting blonde's once more. "Vis, I am thrilled to make your acquaintance. Please, do feel free to call me Dev...not even my brother calls me Devorah unless we're in a very formal setting. I happened to have a brief meeting with him just upstairs to check in since we've both been so busy, and it was simple easier to schedule a meeting than find the time for lunch or dinner with our differing duties."

Absently allowing her fingers to graze Vis' wrist before they smoothed out the ruffle of her top, Devorah arched a brow, her gaze bold and unabashed. "Oh? I would dearly love a recommendation for something more fun...I haven't had much time to explore, and no one to explore with."​

 

[Visanj T'shkali]

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K I S M E T​

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Location: Golbah Hill, Theed – Naboo​

Time: Late afternoon, approaching twilight.​

Wearing: A sleek and smart 3-pc. black pantsuit with matched heels, white blouse.​

Tags: Devorah Verd Shuklaar Kyrdol ​

The glance to the folio caused Visanj’s mind to reel a bit. She’s the Vicelord’s SISTER, you moron! The mere sight of the sigil and crest of House Verd brought the gravity of this exchange to bear, and Vis was surprised by the weight of the moment, no matter how fleetingly it was felt. You’re hitting on the Boss’ sister! For a brief moment, Vis almost convinced herself to behave, to show an inkling of good sense and restraint in her love life…almost.

“If you aren’t just my new favorite thing about the Vicelord. So, I guess that makes you the ‘Vicelady’ then?” Vis giggled softly, stepping closer to the beauty before her, “Or…you can just be the ‘Lady’ and I will handle the ‘Vice’ part.” Vis cast first a quick look around, followed by another at Dev that infused with all the suggestions of the implications of her statement before speaking again, in much lower and more sultry tone. “I am particularly good at vice. Call it my ‘spiritual gift’.” She stepped closer still, her eyes locking on those of the woman. “But, and let me be very clear, I don’t really do ‘sharing’, missed that day in charm school and all. What’s mine is mine. Now, I am not one to be possessive and clingy. On the contrary, I tend to like those who have fire and can stand on their own without being held up and I am not one to keep a good woman tied down. At least, not figuratively.”

Visanj kept her eyes locked on Dev’s scotch-colored own, very much fighting the urge to be her usual self, which was most often to a scale of lecherousness that would have made Jabba the Hutt feel inadequate. After all, a girl has to mind her reputation, she thought. What would the neighbors say? But Dev was different. Vis had had many lovers over the years. Hell, over the last year. She had once heard Exarch John Locke joke that she was the only person in the galaxy who could find a scantily-clad Zeltron woman on Hoth. He claimed he didn’t how she did it, but if there was one to be had, Vis would have her. He wasn’t wrong. But this woman, this was no cocktail waitress or dancer. Dev was beautiful. That much would have been apparent to anyone with a pulse. Even Chirrut Imwe could have seen that. But more than that, she was traveled, educated, self-made beyond her family name and reputation. A healer, professor, working with Knights Obsidian…this was not a woman to be dismissed or trifled with, even if Vis could imagine, and was imagining, all manner of interesting triflings. Visanj was shocked, not by Dev’s very long list of credentials and experience, but by the fact that she was actually impressed. Most people didn’t impress her. In fact, most people, of all genders and species, routinely disappointed her. They always had. In her experience, rank and title and the rest was usually far less about merit and more about association. But here’s a woman who isn’t doing that, despite the fact that name-dropping House Verd and one’s membership in it was a quick path to sycophantic pandering at its finest on Golbah Hill. Force-sensitive were a dime a dozen these days, and politicians and bureaucrats seemed to multiply like porgs. This one surges with the Force, but declares herself first and foremost to be a healer. Okay, now you have my attention, Vis thought, smiling at the thought. Normally, dating was a distraction, a diversion from stress and nothing more than a quick conquest on the side before returning to the war. This one, this one might be different. And if you don’t watch it, you might feth up and fall smack dab in lust, or worse, she warned herself.

“Yeah, I have done a ‘little wandering’ myself.” Vis said, trying hard not to melt at the touch to her wrist. “I might know a place or two where two enterprising and accomplished – not to mention staggeringly beautiful – women might…how did you say? Explore together? That is, if you like that sort of thing? So, what do you say? Want to escape this gilded cage and see just what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into? Grab a drink, take in a show, topple a government? If so, I just so happen to have a ship and a plucky ‘can do’ attitude.” Vis grinned a devil’s grin, the corner of her lips curling up into an expression of mischief.

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[Devorah Verd]

Tags: Visanj T'shkali | Shuklaar Kyrdol
Outfit: A tasteful top & slacks, suitable for a slew of meetings
Muse Notes: Sam Smith "To Die For (Acoustic)"​

"Vicelady really ought to belong to the lovely woman who keeps my brother in line. She is doing a nearly impossible task, and should at the very least have a title bestowed on her for it, with the fantastic job she's done." the brunette smiled as she lifted a hand to brush her loose curls away from her warm cheek. As Visanj stepped sloser, Dev let her hand drift over to straighten the slightly askew knot of the stunning blonde's beautifully tailored suit. Fingers then spent a moment or three neatly arranging the lapels.

She was never one for a profligate use of the Force, but she lifted her gaze to meet Vis' in that moment, holding to the enthralling ice blue orbs and concentrated for a moment. Between the fingers, a swirl of pale, silvery energy formed before resolving a moment later into a rare Ithorian orchid blossom. Translucent and shimmering, the lavender of it's leaves and emerald of it's short stem were soon tucked into the lapel of Vis' jacket. A touch of energy and color to match the vivid beauty who wore the tailored garments so well.

Her smile remained on her plump lips, one side seemingly fastened into a knowing smirk. "Well then, vice it is for you. I'll pretend I can still be a Lady...I'm sure I haven't forgotten all of my manners and etiquette." This time, when Vis' continued, Devorah lofted an eyebrow as the words spilled from the blonde's lips. Well, well, well, she mused, at least she admits it. Force knows neither Rhys or Az ever did, and neither of them could ever claim to be supportive, either. That's enough of a trip down memory lane, Dev, she eventually chided herself and breathed deeply.

Energy flickered in her gaze, a flash of darkness and another of light that seemed to war for supremacy in the few silent seconds that passed. That was the deepest part of her nature, and she was honestly surprised her normally tight control loosened enough for it to be seen. That...would bear some thinking about later, and perhaps some time in meditation. She canted her head to the side and her expression was soon lit with not only warmth and the promise of pleasure, but of honest desire that could be interpreted in any number of ways. She was certain Visanj would be capable of some creative interpretation, and looked forward to it.

"I would absolutely love that, Vis." she replied simply, lyrical voice warm with promise and potential. Shifting folio and datapad to her left hand along with her delicate purse, her right hand lingered on Vis' wrist for a moment before she slipped her arm into the blonde's and tucked herself comfortably into her side.

"Where to first, mesh'la?" she purred softly.​

 

[Visanj T'shkali]

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K I S M E T​

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Location: Golbah Hill, Theed – Naboo​

Time: Late afternoon, approaching twilight.​

Wearing: A sleek and smart 3-pc. black pantsuit with matched heels, white blouse.​

Tags: Devorah Verd Shuklaar Kyrdol ​

As the woman began to fix Vis’s suit and straighten her lapels, Vis found herself soaking in the moment. When the Force-forged flower slid into her buttonhole, the potency of what passed between them was spellbinding. Vis watched as a moment of grace became tinged with shock as the Baroness made her intentions and feelings on the matter of sharing known. Vis didn’t need the Force to know that this woman liked the assertiveness as she boldly staked a claim, but she felt too, that someone long ago had done the same and then shifted from claimholder to tyrant. When one lives their whole lives among those who have known persecution and tyranny, one begins to recognize its effects with just a glimmer of the eye, a shift of the heel, or a stiffening of the spine.

Be righteous, the words of her former Master were heard calling back to her from the path. Power without righteousness is tyranny at best, annihilation at worst. Be righteous and your power is a beacon of hope and a promise of better things. Be not, and it becomes a torch which burns away hope and turns promise to ash. Vis shocked herself in the moment, and glanced to the orchid once more, and even as the woman tucked into her side and took her arm, Vis instinctively pulled her in closer as if to reassure her that there was no tyrant to be found. As she did, the tingle of Dev’s body pressed against her own lapped over her like warm waves, and something inside of her – something she had not felt for a very long time, something she almost didn’t recognize anymore – yawned and stirred inside of her. Oh feth…this could get interesting. Vis sighed, contentedly. Yaim’la.

“One moment hun. I have to call a man about a mythosaur…” Vis closed her eyes for a split second and tugged at her earlobe a minute, calling out to Shuklaar Kyrdol . He’s gonna love this, she thought, knowing her long-suffering friend was going to slightly less than enthusiastic about the news.

“Shuk, hun, it’s Vis. Din’kartay…I am going to need you to cover things for a day…or seven…not really sure. Just don’t give away the system, keep the home fires burning, and do that voodoo that you do so well. I seem to ah,” She looked at the radiant beauty now snuggled nicely against her, “I seem to have a situation here that will require my full attention and will be incommunicado for a bit. No. I don’t know for how long. No, I can’t really discuss it right now my friend, you will just have to trust me on this one. No, no you don’t need to send along my security detail, not on this one. Just be the ori’vod I know and adore and mind the store a bit. I will contact you when I get back. Vor’entye. Talk to you soon. Love yah Vod.” She tugged her earlobe again, ending the call.

“Remind me to bring him something special, it might help to smooth over what I can only expect is an emotional event located somewhere between extraordinary annoyance and moderate rage. The last time I disappeared like this,” She looked into Dev’s eyes, “Well, let’s just say I put that poor fellow through a lot. But I love him and pretty sure he still loves me, and I would die for him. He’s a hero, a hundred times over. But usually, just the unsung kind”

Vis kept the woman close as she could as the pair walked out into the night air. “So, are you hungry? I could eat.”