Private Let me paint you a picture

[Arthion Aesatra]

Once more, a smile tugged at Arthion’s lips as Valery tacitly complimented her. Try as she might to keep a cool face, it didn’t appear to take much for the Grandmaster to pierce through the facade. Hardly anyone else was able to do that to her…

Still, she kept focus, her expression slowly shifting back to seriousness, gazing out through the windows as they sped through hyperspace. “I’m certain I can maintain the act convincingly enough. Even if people suspect duplicity, that sort of thing is common in these sorts of dealings. At the very least, I doubt they will jump to the conclusion that we’re Jedi. At least, not immediately.”

Arthion stood silent as the ship slowly descended upon the world, a hint of distaste bubbling up within her as she stared upon it. Dirty atmosphere, exploited populace, cramped environs, and unsustainable industry… a hallmark of these sorts of worlds, and one that revolted her. The fact that there were so many planets just like this one was simply wrong.

As they landed, Arthion’s gaze flitted to Valery. The Grandmaster might be able to sense some anxiety within, but that was overridden by resolute determination and confidence in her own abilities. Giving Valery a nod, she responded.

“Yes, let’s. Do lead the way, if you would.”

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

As the ship settled onto a landing pad, Valery met Arthion's gaze, offering a reassuring smile. "Stay close, and if anything happens, follow my lead," she said, her tone steady but warm, giving Arthion a gentle nod to ease any lingering nerves. Together, they stepped down from the ship, their eyes scanning the bustling streets. It was clear this was a place ruled by unsavory characters — the atmosphere felt tense, and rough-looking individuals milled about, eyeing them with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

Their destination, a cantina nestled between a line of dingy shops, was already buzzing with activity. It wasn't difficult to notice the eyes tracking their every move; their striking appearance made them stand out in a sea of shadows and dull, worn clothing, but Valery didn't let it faze her. She kept her expression calm, her stride purposeful as they moved through the cantina doors.

The interior was dimly lit, filled with the hum of conversation, laughter, and the occasional burst of raucous shouting. Smoke hung heavily in the air, and Valery could feel the weight of countless eyes flicking toward them, sizing them up. Ignoring the stares, she inclined her head toward the bar. "Let's head to the bar," she said quietly, "We'll be able to listen in, maybe pick up some useful information without having to ask too many questions."

As they approached the bar, Valery leaned casually against it, signaling the bartender. She didn't speak immediately, instead allowing herself to blend into the scene and observe the clientele with a practiced gaze. Voices buzzed around them, some hushed, others brash and loud, but all seemingly cloaked in the same undertone of secrecy.

"Keep an ear out," she murmured to Arthion with a slight smile, her amber eyes flicking over the room. "People tend to reveal a lot when they think no one's listening."

Arthion Aesatra ​

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

Ordinarily, nerves and anxiety were simply things Arthion had to deal with. Going at it alone meant having no one to share the burden with, no one to count on if things went south. Valery, however, was a comforting presence. Her competence and strength as a Grandmaster aside, she was warm in her bearing yet firm, a stabilising element that pulled Arthion away from the depths of anxiety within.

Giving Valery a nod, Arthion followed. It wasn’t her first time in backwater Outer Rim worlds, and she was certain it wouldn’t be the last. She knew never to demonstrate fear or weakness, keep focused and walk like you owned the place. She ignored the gazes cast upon them, keeping herself confident as she walked alongside Valery.

As they entered the cantina, a sense of distaste once more made itself known in Arthion. It wasn’t necessarily the ragged and rough environs that caused it, though it was a factor, but rather the simple fact that they were in a place with so many people loudly chatting. Arthion was an introvert through and through, and she usually avoided cantinas if she could help it.

Unfortunately for her, the mission took precedence over her personal comfort.

Arthion again nodded wordlessly at Valery’s words, heading to the bar with her and hanging around next to the Grandmaster. The young Knight was aware of the various gazes cast upon the duo, but she ignored them. Instead, she reached out through the Force, extending her empathic senses to analyse the patrons around them. Those who discussed important secrets often came coupled with a dose of nervousness and deception, and Arthion was very good at piecing together information through her senses.

“I will keep tabs.” Arthion said quietly to Valery. “If anything of interest makes itself known, I will say so.”

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery offered a nod of appreciation to Arthion, her expression calm yet focused as they leaned against the bar. With a quick scan of the cantina's patrons, Valery noted the variety of faces — rough-looking spacers, traders, and a few shadowy figures who clearly preferred to stay in the background. The place was a hive of hidden motives, most cloaked in casual conversation but brimming with an undertone of secrecy and intent.

"Good," Valery said quietly, her tone almost casual to blend in. "Let me know if anything stands out."

As Arthion's empathic senses extended into the crowd, a flicker of unease drew her attention to a man sitting two seats down, his rough jacket pulled tightly around him. His guarded expression betrayed little, but through the Force, Arthion sensed a spike of anxiety each time his gaze darted to the clock above the bar. A stray thought floated to the surface — shipment out of Sith space… arriving tomorrow night… must go smoothly.

Valery caught Arthion's slight change in posture and turned just enough to signal her attention, awaiting the subtle cue. Her own senses were sharp, but she trusted Arthion's empathy to catch what others might overlook. "Anything interesting?" she murmured, keeping her tone low and friendly, as if they were simply discussing the menu.

Arthion Aesatra ​

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

Deception, greed, anxiety, malice. All those and more emanated from the patrons around her to form a cacophony of emotions, swirling around her. Above all else, however, it was fear that was prevalent. Fear that they might be betrayed, fear that their dealings might fall through, fear that they might not make enough money for rent. It all formed a cacophony of swirling emotion that would subsume lesser minds in it.

But Arthion was no lesser mind. Having lived with her gift of empathy, she learned to build up walls, the emotions of those around her slamming against the carefully constructed barriers in her head. It wasn’t an infallible defence… but it was enough for this.

Something caught Arthion’s attention, though. A darker element from within the sea of thieves—tomorrow, from Sith space. That was most certainly what they wanted.

Though she outwardly betrayed little, the Grandmaster had nonetheless been able to tell that something had caught her eye. Had Valery really caught onto all her mannerisms this easily…?

Perhaps a question for another time. For now, she simply gave her a nod.

“Yes. Something interesting tomorrow.” She said quietly, portraying an air of casual indifference. “Perhaps we should retire for the night soon?”

Of course, she didn’t suggest this solely because she was tired. It would be far easier to talk without risk of being eavesdropped if they were alone… and honestly, the sooner they got away from this ambience of dirt and sweat, the better.

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement as she noticed Arthion's subtle shift in demeanor — the young Knight was skilled at masking her reactions, but Valery had grown adept at reading even the smallest cues in others. She inclined her head in agreement, leaning a little closer to her companion to keep her voice low.

"That sounds like a good idea," Valery replied softly, her gaze sweeping the cantina once more. They had gathered valuable information, but lingering in a place like this, with so many wary eyes and ears, only increased the risk of drawing unwanted attention.

With a smooth turn, she flagged down the bartender, her tone polite but firm. "Excuse me. Do you have any rooms available for rent tonight?"

The bartender sized them up, his gaze flicking between the two of them before offering a slow nod. "Only got one room left," he said, his voice a gravelly rumble. "But it's got two beds, if that'll work for ya."

Valery exchanged a glance with Arthion, her expression light and unbothered. "One room will be fine," she replied, sensing that it would be safer to stay together anyway. Besides, she trusted Arthion's instincts, and she felt the young Knight was likely relieved at not having to spend the night alone in this grimy establishment.

Once they'd secured the key, Valery turned to Arthion with a reassuring smile. "Let's head up and go over what you picked up on."

Arthion Aesatra ​

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

A gentle wave of relief washed over Arthion as Valery acquiesced to her request, though it was no surprise that the Grandmaster had caught onto her intent. Whatever more information could be gathered from sitting around might be best done after discussing what Arthion had found out and they had a plan of action.

She was also glad to be able to retire to a room away from all the people.

Arthion stood silent as Valery secured a room, giving her a nod at the idea of sharing a room between the two. It would be cheaper, and it was certainly ideal in case of an attack or other complication.

With the key in Valery’s hands, Arthion would once more give her a nod and follow her along to their room. She had no doubt that it would be about as grimy as the rest of this place, but… she would simply have to bear it.

Once they were inside the room and alone, Arthion would sit at one of the beds and relay what she sensed.

“A particular individual had some peculiar feelings. Namely, about a shipment incoming from Sith-controlled space. From what I sensed, it’s going to arrive tomorrow night.” She said to Valery, “I’m unsure if this shipment was ordered by Varros, or if a third party is behind it. Either way, it’s an opportunity.”

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery followed Arthion into the dimly lit room, her senses still attuned to the subtle hum of tension lingering from the cantina. She closed the door softly behind them, ensuring privacy before turning to her companion.

As Arthion relayed the information, Valery's brows knit in thought. "A shipment from Sith-controlled space," she murmured, her tone both cautious and intrigued. "It could be exactly what we need to draw Varros out, especially if it's valuable or tied to his operations."

Even if it wasn't tied to Varros at all, she wanted to intercept it.

She stepped closer, leaning against the small desk in the room. "Tomorrow night gives us time to prepare. Until then we'll need to just keep ourselves ready to respond to anything that crosses our path."

Valery paused, her gaze sharpening as she considered their next move. After a moment, she crossed her arms, her eyes meeting Arthion's. "Good work picking up on that. For now, why don't we lay low and relax a bit?"

Arthion Aesatra
​

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

Arthion nodded in agreement as Valery spoke. It was of utmost importance to intercept this shipment to bring Varros out of hiding.

“Yes. We will also need to find a way to make whatever this shipment is attractive bait without making it obviously seem like a trap.” Arthion remarked, a hand on her chin in thought, “There are a handful of ways to do that, but I am concerned that probing about too much will be counterproductive. We are hardly inconspicuous, despite our outfits.”

But suddenly, Arthion widened her eyes, a lightbulb all but visible above her head as an idea came to mind. “Though, if we were not seen, that would not be an issue at all. I have the capacity to turn myself invisible and inaudible using the Force. It takes too much concentration for me to make use of it in combat, but it should more than suffice for our purposes. What say you, Master?”

Arthion’s thoughts were going a mile a minute, and she was quite ready to discuss potential strategies and approaches for hours… but Valery’s suggestion gave her pause. Of course, it wouldn’t do for them to be too exhausted to enact their plans…

“Yes, Master, that seems like a good idea.” She said with a nod… though try as she might, Arthion had a hard time relaxing. She tended to be restless, and struggled with idle time, and without a canvas to distract herself or other forms of entertainment, finding the calm needed was difficult.

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery watched Arthion with a mixture of pride and amusement as the young Knight's mind worked through various scenarios at a rapid pace. Her sharp, focused energy was admirable, but Valery could sense the restlessness underneath — a trait she recognized from her own early days.

"Invisibility is an excellent tool, and one I have as well," Valery said, leaning slightly forward in her chair. "If we execute it carefully, it could tip the balance in our favor without alerting Varros or his network. But strategies can wait until tomorrow. Rest and clarity will sharpen our instincts."

She rose smoothly from her seat, her movements deliberate but unhurried, and gestured toward the modest seating area. The room was simple, with a small table and two well-worn chairs positioned near a single window, through which the dim lights of the cantina flickered faintly. The faint hum of the city's nightlife seeped in, but the walls insulated them from the worst of the noise.

Valery lowered herself into one of the chairs, her posture relaxed but alert. She gestured again, inviting Arthion to join her. "Let's take a moment to recharge," she suggested, her voice gentle but firm. "I know the waiting can be tough, but it's part of the job. You'll be better prepared if your mind isn't running in overdrive."

Leaning forward, Valery began to take off her boots and let out a sigh of relief when she had, "I think I'm going to grab a shower. Freshen up and get ready for tomorrow."

Arthion Aesatra
​

 

[Arthion Aesatra]

Arthion was hardly surprised that Valery knew how to turn herself invisible as well. She was the Grandmaster of the Order, after all, and she knew she had training as a Shadow. It would only make things easier that the both of them could mask their presence to others.

“Then I believe we are set for tomorrow.” Arthion said with a small nod… but another idea came to mind, causing her to speak up once more. “But perhaps we could-”

She stopped herself, clearing her throat and shaking her head. She was doing it again, and right after Valery had said they needed to rest too. Arthion smiled at Valery, though the Grandmaster would be able to tell that it was somewhat forced.

“Forgive me. I am… quite bad at quieting my thoughts.” This had held true for as long as she had lived. The turbulence in Arthion extended to more than just her thoughts, and though she had found ways to work around it, it was still there.

Taking Valery’s invitation, Arthion would make her way towards the seating area, taking the seat opposite of Valery. She heard the city life, felt it. The cacophony of emotions of the people around made themselves known at the edges of Arthion’s senses, constantly agitating the waters within. It was slight, and she knew how to keep herself together, but it was there.

Arthion gave a nod to Valery as she removed her boots, truthfully a bit too distracted to offer proper response.

---

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery tilted her head slightly, offering a soft, understanding smile at Arthion's admission. "It's alright," she reassured gently. "Sometimes, the hardest battle is learning to let go of control, even if just for a moment." Her tone carried warmth, but there was also a playful edge as she rose from her chair.

She moved toward the small refresher tucked into the corner of the room, her fingers trailing absentmindedly over the worn leather strap of her harness. "Let's both take this time to unwind a little," she added, her amber eyes flicking back toward Arthion with a teasing glint.

Valery reached up and began to undo the fastenings of her jacket, the leather loosening with a quiet, deliberate sound. She slid it from her shoulders and let it fall over the back of her chair, revealing the fitted white blouse underneath. The fabric clung snugly to her form, but her movements remained casual, as if entirely unaware of the quiet allure of the moment.

"Fresh air always helps clear the mind," she mused, tugging at the hem of her blouse before moving to unfasten the leather belt around her waist. She glanced toward Arthion, her tone light, but laced with a playful undertone. "That, and a long shower."

She left her belt on the table and padded barefoot toward the refresher, pausing briefly at the doorway. Turning her head, Valery flashed a small, teasing smirk over her shoulder, "I'll be right back. Just relax, alright?"

With that, she disappeared into the refresher, leaving the door slightly ajar as the faint sound of running water soon followed.

Arthion Aesatra
​