The Blurring Of Lines

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Something was different about that one. Seraphina was a member of the Jedi Order. A dedicated member and loyal to the Republic and her citizens. She fought for peace, prosperity, and the liberties of all people. The Sith were the enemies of everything she, and the Republic, stood for. For millenia the two factions had clashed over and over. Countless wars, countless millions killed over the sake of two idealistic visions for the galaxy. Her mind couldn't quite grasp why the Sith believed what they did. It always boiled down to power, greed, and corruption. Every time she had seen the darkness rise, the wave it brought over those it conquered would be devastating.

As a Knight of the Jedi Order, it was her sworn duty to apprehend or destroy the Sith in every corner of the galaxy, to ensure the freedoms of the Republic would be met in the future. So why did she have such difficulty in this task when it came to Venefica? This was something that plagued her mind on a daily basis. What was it about the Sith girl that called to her so frequently? She almost hated herself for saying it, but she felt like the two had somehow, by the cruel forces of the galaxy, become close. Their trials together thus far had brought them together, and despite their vast differences and insecurities about one another, they had only gotten closer.

Her mind would reach out, calling toward the human girl. Perhaps by a stroke of luck she was here on Nar Shaddaa. Locating her would be easier than an unfamiliar stranger, now their minds had interacted several times in the past.

Xhex... She would pause for a moment. You know who this is. Are you on the smuggler's moon by chance? I'd like to....meet with you...Name a place. ​

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[member="Darth Venefica"]​

 

[Via Dolorosa]

She hated Jedi, plain and simple! Her hatred of the famed good doers had nothing to do with that ancient squabble that so many of her brethren and the Jedi held for one another. The Jedi were taught to not to hate but it sure seemed to her they hated the Sith. No, her hatred was the sum of something entirely different. She grew up on Dagobah and even as an outcast she witnessed first hand the suffering the people were forced to endure. Other than swamps and marshes, there wasn't much Dagobah had to offer the galaxy. So with that, the Republic and the Jedi turned their backs on those people. She might be wrong in her assessment but that's what she held true in her heart.

However, no matter how much she hated the Jedi, there was one she was constantly thinking about. Was it wrong to think so much about a single Jedi? She was unsure of the answer but the more she thought about Sera, the more she craved the Jedi's presence. She had sworn to herself after Manaan she would hunt this Jedi down and kill her, but that was a bold face lie she was telling herself. And when they ended up working together to take down a Hutt and his factory, she again discarded any notions of bringing harm to the Twi'lek. In fact, she had saved the Jedi from harm, twice. There was no mistaking it now, they were growing close.

Darth Venefica had just concluded a business transaction for the One Sith and the Dark Council on Nar Shaddaa, an agreement that would favour both parties involved. Moving through the marketplace she felt the soothing voice of Sera in her mind. The Jedi was here? Once more she felt the craving to be in her presence. "Yes. Hubner's Cantina....it's on the west side of the landing docks. That would be a..." She paused in her mental transmission. Was she about to say safe? Safe for whom? She would never let no harm come to Sera be it a bounty hunter, thug, pirate, or even another Sith. She blinked at thought of killing another Sith, again, to protect a Jedi, her Jedi. "...excellent place for us to meet."



[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

A wave of happiness came from her inner core when her mind felt the touch of Venefica's. She was familiar with much of Nar Shaddaa, given her numerous times on this wasteland of a planet. This particular place was known for its' rampant slave trade deals, and spice smuggling. The law on Nar Shaddaa was lax at best, not intentionally, but because of the overwhelming amount of crime that the law simply could not ever keep up with. The name Smuggler's Moon was anything but an understatement. This was above all else, Sera's least favorite place to be.

Hubner's Cantina. Got it. See you there.

She waded through the sea of people on the streets, making her way towards the cantina. A number of odd glances and looks were cast her way as the Twi'lek passed by a few of the less savory types. Her mind would stretch out in curiosity to sense their feelings and thoughts. She ought to be in chains serving patrons. Sera's mind slipped away from him as she huffed in displeasure. What an animal. Moving on she saw a small child looking around begging for food. He didn't appear to have an adult nearby, or anyone to take notice of him. The Jedi smiled and knelt down next to him as he wandered over towards her, asking the same question, "Do you have anything to eat?" Smiling she patted him on the head. "Where is your mother, little one?" His nose scrunched and lips slid to the side, a bit of sorrow fell over him. "She died. I'm here with my aunt now, but she can't afford to feed me every day. She has no money."

The girl reached into her pocket and took out a credchip. She placed it in his hand and held a finger to her lips. "Tell no-one about this, ok? It will be our secret. Use this only when you are hungry. When you can, find yourself some work to earn more. This will not last forever." If the boy used it as instructed, he would have several months of food paid for, after which he would need to provide for himself. "Now run along, and remember, keep that safe and hidden from prying eyes." He smiled, nodded, and ran off to the market district.

Sera watched his small form scuttle through the crowd until he was out of sight, then turned and headed into the cantina to wait for [member="Darth Venefica"].

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Everything about this planet was offensive. The slaver's market she had just passed was but only one of the reasons she wished to see this planet razed and left to burn. She saw the chains on those slaves as a metaphor from the Sith Code. Restrictions and the denial of freedom. For one brief moment she considered freeing those slaves but to what end? Where would they go? How would they survive? Would they have a better life in slavery than scrounging and begging for food? The answers were lost to her. Despite being Sith, she hated slavery. ​

​

Then she saw another reason why this planet should be destroyed. The rich preying on the poor. She understood this to be another metaphor; the weak are made to serve the strong. She truly believed in that, however, abusing one's strength to dominate another in this fashion made her angry. Once again she had no answer for this.​

​

As she drew closer to her meeting with Sera, her breaking pointe finally snapped. Before her stood the worst kind of person ever. A tall human male was beating a mangy looking dog, who appeared to have missed several meals. The dog coward before every blow and wailed after every one. People lingered about protesting the man's actions, but they were fighting with words. Her lips curled into a snarl as she slowly passed by the man and using the her new found Force ability, Force Kill, she quickly crushed his throat. Justice.​

​

Feeling good about saving the dog from violence, she thought she would do one better. She contacted the two guards back at the shuttle and told them where they could find the dog with orders to retrieve it and take it back to the shuttle. She would see to it personally that dog would survive and have a great life aboard her Star Destroyer, The Meshuga. She entered the cantina and the last of her anger subsided when she saw Sera.​

​

​

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]​

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Patrons in the far corner, bounty hunters. Man with wide brimmed hat and glass of whiskey, smuggler. Female pretending to be hanging on the patron to her right while keeping a keen focus on the brimmed hat man, likely a law enforcer of some type. She felt that more so because the woman made no nervous ticks, didn't skim the crowd for anyone watching her, she simply kept her focus between her decoy and the man she was watching. Serving girl, wearing a collar, a slave. Sera was good at picking out subtle details to formulate well educated theories about the possible guests, having been in many cantinas, met many of the various types, and had an impeccable memory for such things. She was roughly 95% certain she was correct in all of her theories.

As she was focusing on the various guests she felt the presence of [member="Darth Venefica"] entering the establishment. Though it felt different from before. She seemed...Stronger. A lot stronger. The girl seemed to always have the edge on Sera, and while that did make her mildly nervous once every so often that she would eventually meet her end with Venefica's blade through her back, she tried to keep the idea out of her mind. She wasn't sure why she felt so confident that the girl wouldn't simply try and murder her outright one of these times, but nonetheless here she sat.

Sera's eyes closed, clearing her senses as she allowed the Force to emanate from her as it coursed through her being. She would feel for any other potential Jedi or Sith, to make sure that their meeting at least for now, would be somewhat discreet. She was certain that neither Orders would smile upon the two cordially meeting without the intent to kill or maim the other. The girl hadn't the slightest clue what she would say, all she knew was that she had the unyielding urge to see the girl who once tried to stick her with the pointy end.

Her eyes locking on to Venefica's she smiled and nodded, a silent hello passed between the two. The Twi'lek looked genuinely happy to see her...friend?

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Despite wanting to walk over to her immediately and spend time talking to her, she knew it was not a wise decision to do so. She needed to investigate the cantina first. Slowly she walked around the area looking at the other patrons in the establishment while methodically moving toward the bar. Darth Venefica was aware Sera knew she was here and in the absence of the Twi'lek sending her a message via their telepathic link, she understood the Jedi was playing it cautious. Darth Venefica hoped it wasn't her that was putting Sera on defense mode. Then she smiled at her own foolishness. Sera was cautious because she had to be. A Jedi meeting a Sith would raise all kinds of flags against her. As for the Sith, they wouldn't question the Sith Lord's reason for being here. In fact, they probably would think Darth Venefica was using the Jedi. Which was far from the truth.​

​

After placing her order with the bartender and waiting for a few minutes while the crippled man filled it, she paid the man taking her drink to the table where Sera sat. There eyes locked before she even sat down and a silent hello passed between the two. Darth Venefica was pleased to see her...friend? She took a seat across Sera and for the first time in her life, was at a loss of words. Nervously she ran her right hand through her hair following that with a long pull from her drink. ​

​

"It's...it's really good to see you. After that business back with the droid..uhm...well." Was she actually stumbling over her words? She cleared her throat and began again. "How are you?"​

​

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[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]​

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Sera lifted her glass to her lips and sipped as [member="Darth Venefica"] took her seat, smiling from corner to corner of her cheeks after the Sith had done her investigation of the cantina. Though she heard the slight hesitation in the girl's words as she spoke. Is she nervous? A silent laugh in her mind would subside nearly as quickly as it came. That's a first it would seem. Seraphina looked around once more at the crowd simply out of her own nervous habit, and then turned back to her friend.

"Likewise. I've been well. It's funny...The way things come together sometimes." The Twi'lek placed her drink back down on to the table, small beads of liquid sliding down the sides of the glass as it struggled to reach equilibrium. "You're a different person than you were on Manaan. It seems I was right about you. You found some of the good in you." The right half of her lips formed a small grin. "At least in part." The feeling of being antsy or unnerved by the girl's presence was no longer there. She hadn't the need to clasp her hand on her saber anymore for fear of Venefica making an attempt on her life. Something that Sera would have never thought to be possible around any non-Jedi. Something that would surely be looked down upon in the Order, but it simply felt safe now.

"I've also heard through some rumblings that you've been....I don't know the right word, crowned? Promoted? To lordship."

 

[Via Dolorosa]

"Balance," she began while swirling a finger around the fluid in her drink, "We've found balance in our life. Many things have changed and reshaped our lives and views. Including beauty." She looked at Sera then turned her eyes away. "We've studied some of the ancient Sith and have discovered that they preached balance was important to one's survival. As for good...hmm...not a monster anymore."​

​

She had fought hard to shed her old reputation of a mindless killer. Despite her efforts though, some still viewed her as such. But it was not her lifetime goal to change everyone's opinion of her. She still killed but only with purpose. She no longer preyed on the weak like so many in her Order, and she was growing to despise such weakness being displayed by those that could not refrain from killing. She even wondered if the Order itself was flawed. She knew the teachers in the temples were filling the young Acolyte's minds with utter nonsense and she hated them for that. Yet again, it was not her problem.​

​

"You heard correct. I've been recently elevated to the title of Sith Lord..er..though I prefer the title of Sith Lady." Darth Venefica would always wince when she was referred to as a 'Lord'. It showed that the males of the Order still had difficulty in accepting females as their equals. However, it was the Sith Ladies, with a few Lords, that the galaxy knew. They had to be more fearsome than their male counterparts. Which she found to be taxing.​

​

"You are brave to want to see me in public. Even here on the Smuggler's moon spies from both sides run amok." The Sith Lady winked at Sera. "But let the fools have their fun. What's important is spending time with...you."​

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[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]​

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

The Twi'lek mused over the explanation given to her by Venefica. "Balance huh?" Her eye caught the human's as Sera lifted her drink. A piercing connection was made between the two as the passing word of beauty was mentioned. One that wasn't likely just a glance but...Something else. A breath was drawn in as if she were about to say something, but withheld her thought for the moment. She didn't want to raise a discussion if she had simply misinterpreted the intent. "It's good to see that you've...quelled some of your more youthful inhibitions. I can't help but hope that the kindness and sincerity I expressed so long ago on Manaan played a part in this transition."

A warm smile would take hold of her face, puffing her cheeks out slightly, her brightly toned skin practically radiating against the dim colored strobes in the cantina. She listened attentively as the girl explained her rise through the ranks of the Sith Order. It seemed she was particular about the manner in which her role was addressed. Whether it be out of simple pride or the need to distinguish herself from the rest Sera wasn't entirely certain. A bit of laughter joined the Knight's smile at the mention of bravery for wanting to see Venefica. However it was her last comment that once again gave Seraphina pause before she could respond in kind.

"Brave? I don't know if I would call it bravery, or just a sheer disregard for my own safety. A Jedi meeting a Sith on Nar Shaddaa in public. That might be bordering on crazy, no?" Placing her drink back down on to the table and decided that after the third distinct cue she would raise the bit of suspicion with a coy question. Her hands on the table and focus on Venefica she asked "So...How have I become the one Jedi you wont kill, and dare I say, fond of?"

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The question caught her off guard, so much so she chocked on the fluid she was swallowing. After surviving the ensuing coughing fit that always follows from that mishap, she placed her drink on the table. She was trying to find the right words to speak. Her social skills was something that had always been an ongoing project for her. Years of solitude on Dagobah lent her no need to talk with others. And the Sith were not known to be a chatty bunch. Always business with that lot. The only person, which was not even a person really, she ever spoke with on a regular basis was her droid Little Fella. Most of the time she couldn't even interpret his various beeps, blips, and whistles. She needed to get him a vocal upgrade.​

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"There is something about you that we can't place. It's like when we are around you...nothing in the galaxy matters."​

​

She fell silent for a few minutes trying to think of a way to explain it better. This was a hard question. Perhaps she should tell Sera how she felt emotionally attached to her but what then? She would only think it was nonsense. Perhaps she should tell Sera about her predicament? No, Sera wouldn't understand or worse, seek to distance herself from the Sith. Others had. And how could she properly explain that if Sera died, a piece of herself would die as well?​

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"Spellbound," she blurted out then covered mouth quickly. Again with a sigh, she dropped her hand from her mouth. "We are spellbound by you. You are beautiful...perfect...and yet...something we can never have. You are like a craving that cannot be sated by mere substance. You are like a thirst that can never be quenched. You.." She closed her eyes. "And we have made a fool of ourselves."​

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[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]​

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Sera's lips folded inwards as Venefica spoke. At first she didn't know if the girl was being serious, or simply making a light hearted mockery of what Sera had asked. Though the more the Sith spoke, the clearer it became that she was in fact fond of the Twi'lek. The way she chose her words, the bit of hesitation in her speech, and her body language and gestures were all subtle cues that Sera would slowly piece together one by one. She thought back to Manaan, and again to Formos. Subtle cues in the way the girl spoke to her each time. Though she hadn't noticed it then, namely because the girl had originally tried to end her life before having a change of heart.

Is this why she spared my life back then? Is this what prompted her to kill that other Sith so many years ago? It's beginning to come together, though I don't know how I could have missed it. All the signs...And why do I feel this strange connection to her? She is Sith. The very definition of what I am to hate. To destroy. To drive from this galaxy.

She listened to Venefica finish, making particular note of when she said and yet...something we can never have. Was this a restriction on Venefica? Was this a restriction because she knew that Sera was a Jedi and that the Order would never accept something like this. Or was it because she feared that the Twi'lek would, of her own free will, never see fit to embrace her. She pondered that sentence over and over in her head for a few moments. The air about them silent as Sera looked down towards the table in deep thought and reflection.

Without lifting her head she spoke a single word, "No." lingering there as she contemplated what to say further. "You've not made a fool of yourself. You've spoken your mind. You've shared something most personal. I can appreciate how difficult that is. A Jedi is taught from day one, through the Jedi Code that there is no emotion, only peace. But I ask, is peace a state of being, or is this an emotion as well? Peace can be interpreted as happiness, or sadness. Or it could be prosperous or degenerative. What I am trying to say is, I find myself at ease, at peace, around you."

She lifted her head up and looked at the girl across from her. "The Order carries mixed feelings these days as to what constitutes a dangerous emotional attachment. And while members of the Order now seem to marry, have children, and live their lives, I would be hesitant to say that they would find any reasonable acceptance in our closeness."

Rubbing her eyes with her thumb and forefinger she sighed. The position she was in was difficult. The Sith would likely face no real recourse on her part, as she had any number of reasonable excuses for their togetherness, Sera on the other hand, stood on the restrictive side of the fence. The two of them knew this. This was dangerous ground to tread. The Order, and The Republic were her home and family. "We are sworn enemies yet here we are. Victims of circumstance perhaps. If things were different...Maybe we wouldn't be on opposite sides of this war. I am just confused as to how this will play out, and the consequences of these decisions in the future."

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Leaning back into her chair, she soaked up the words Sera was saying. How would both Orders accept the closeness of the two, one a Jedi and other a Sith? No doubt the members of her Order would try to use her feelings of Sera against her, to gain advantage over the Sith Lady. Still, others may brand her a traitor and put her up for trail or simply try to kill her and Sera outright. However, Darth Venefica was always one step ahead. Through her actions and loyalty to the Sith, she had gained the admiration and favour of the Dark Lord himself. His words alone would squash any plot against her and to disobey his word; was to do so under punishment of death. Of course, she would be exiled. For the second time in her life, if they found out.​

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As she sat thinking more on it, perhaps it was the Jedi Order that was the problem. Sera mentioned their was mixed feelings pertaining to what was considered a dangerous attachment, which naturally this was. She couldn't fault Sera for being cautious, the Jedi Order is her life. If Sera was somehow stripped of her title and her life twisted in turmoil, such as banishment, all because of her; then she would have failed Sera denying her one passion in life. If they found out.​

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Still more thoughts continued to flood her mind. They could always flee, right now. Forget the Sith. Forget the Jedi. Just turn their backs and flee. But where would they go? What kind of life would they have constantly looking over their shoulders? She hated to admit it but it would be a relationship of violence. Not with each other but them against the galaxy. Could such an relationship endure such a trial? Perhaps not. She could plea with Sera join the Sith, but that would be unfair of her to ask such a thing. Just as unfair of Sera asking her to do the same. Besides, Darth Venefica would never be fully accepted by the Jedi after all the lives she took, Jedi and Republic alike. She would always be viewed with skepticism in the eyes of the others, mentally judged in their minds. And she hated the Jedi, minus Sera of course.​

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"Confusion and consequences," she said looking at Sera. "Is it worth the chance?"​

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[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]​

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Eyes looked up, locking with Venefica's for a moment before glancing back down at the table. She didn't know what to say. What could she say? It was obvious to both that neither would be safe when near the other. That was simply the risk of the proposition. The consequence being exiled, jailed, or executed if discovered by either Order. "And if we're discovered? Have you a plan?" She looked back up at Venefica, unsure if she asked the right question, and equally as afraid of the potential answer. Her right hand lifted from the table, resting on her cheek, fingers covering her right eye as a soft sigh escaped her lips. "I cannot fight the Jedi."

This was complicated. She hadn't felt this comfortable around anyone else since her first master. She knew the feeling. It was dangerous and resurfaced old wounds in the form of a flashback. The man she had loved had been her master. And his life's sacrifice was to let her live as he was consumed in flame. She had sworn to never let that happen again. Yet here she was, that same, familiar feeling creeping over her. If she went through with this, she would be vulnerable again. Opening herself to the potential for never ending pain if something were to happen, with the stakes raised much higher this time for both of them. Simultaneously she didn't want to hurt Venefica or put her into a bad situation.

"I've been here once before. It ended tragically. I..." She dropped her hand back on to the table and wandered her eyes back to the human girl's own. "I don't want that to happen to us. I don't know what I am trying to say. The risks are high, but at the same time I know how I feel. I don't know that I am worth risking it all for."

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Sera was wrong. She was worth every risk and Darth Venefica was ready to accept the consequences of the risks. She did not care if she was branded a traitor. She didn't care if she was exiled, cast out from another family. She possessed only one care in this galaxy; and it was sitting across from her. But at the same time, she was not selfish. This was not just about her, it was also about Sera, too. She could not only see the fright in Sera's body language but through their mental bond feel it as well. Sera was at a crossroads and unsure which path to take? Which one was safe? Which one would lead to tragedy? Darth Venefica stood at these same crossroads, asking herself these same questions. ​

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"Discovery would be the least of our worries. For you...Sera...would be looked upon as betraying your Order. Regardless if you fought other Jedi or not...you will be remembered for betraying them not for a Sith but for..." She cut-off her next word. What was she about to say? Companionship? Love? Is that what she felt for Sera? Love? She knew of the word but she was unfamiliar of the feeling of it. Yet, it was there.​

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She remained silent while looking down at Sera's hands on the table and pondering her own words. And what she was feeling. She weighed in her mind what would be the greatest tragedy here. Taking the risk of being together or not taking the risk and never knowing what could have been.​

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"I can not put you at risk if you are not ready," she said closing her eyes while holding back a lone single tear. "But my heart is and will always be yours."​

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[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]​

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Sera looked down again at the table, her lower lip curling underneath her upper row of teeth as her pinkish skin obscured her blushing face. Of all the twisting turn of events in her life thus far, this would be the least of those predictable events. And while she couldn't pinpoint exactly what had brought this about, nor why, all she really knew was that life throws curve balls, and this one had hit her square in the face when she wasn't looking.

She chose her next words as carefully as possible. "Then I suggest we make it a point to not be discovered. And if so, a bridge to be crossed then. And whatever will happen will do so because it has to." The Twi'lek placed her hand out and atop of Venefica's, and with a smile and nod, gently squeezed it. They were about to tread some very deep and dangerous waters. This sort of thing was not well looked upon, and while both parties could likely argue to their respective Orders about swaying the other toward Dark or Light, it would be nothing short of a hail mary that they would accept that answer from either of them.

"Mine is yours." Would be the way she finished her small speech.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Darth Venefica rarely smiled and when she did, it was because she usually achieved something that elevated her status in the pecking order of the Sith. But the smile that emerged on her face now was one of pure happiness and joy. She was relieved to find that her feelings were reciprocated by Sera and that she didn't make a fool of herself by blundering her way through her expressing of her feelings about the Jedi. She was new to these feelings, the one's that she heard the Jedi preached against, and what peers she did have among the Order would only question her about who held these feelings of hers.​

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"Agreed. If fate sees fit for me to leave the Sith...then so be it. Sith is but a title...a label...but I am more than the sum of what it means to be Sith. You...sweet Sera are everything. However, it is you that needs to be careful. But I will always be there to help you...for I will always be the one constant in your life that will never betray you."​

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The Vahla gestured for the waitress and promptly ordered two drinks when the girl arrived at their table. Darth Venefica glanced around the room locking eyes on the brimmed-hat man sitting at the table. He looked more than familiar to her but she couldn't place how and why. After a few fleeting seconds of staring at each other, he looked away. Before the Sith Lady could address this to Sera, the waitress returned with their drinks. After paying for the drinks, she handed one to Sera.​

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"To us."​

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[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]​

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Even if Venefica was not as concerned about her own discreet safety, or position within her Order, Sera was. "I would not want to compromise your life any more than you wish mine. Should anyone with malicious intent discover, it may not be only ourselves we need to worry about, but the threat of that information being used against us. I will be as careful as I can be. Though, perhaps we should think of some precautionary steps that we can use to subtly warn the other if they are a target, or if something is compromised. While I would like to think that we are well capable of hiding this, there's always that small chance."

Sera's brow lifted momentarily following the order as Venefica stared off into a daze somewhere. Turning around to lay eyes on whatever it was would be too obvious, and the waitress quickly returned with their drinks, thus breaking her fixation on whatever she was eying. Perhaps it was nothing more than an interesting patron, she didn't want to ruin the moment with something unimportant, unless Venefica recognized someone.

The Twi'lek smiled and thanked both the waitress and Venefica. "To us!"

[member="Darth Venefica"]