What Happens in Prazhi... - [Alaska]

[Harukei]

"No! Please! Stop!" The man before her cried in fear.

The gaunt man with a dark mop of hair would slowly back away from her. Grey eyes full of fear that pleaded mercy, knowing that fully well that this was the only way out of the alley. That or simply attempt to blast her. His hand fumbled with the holster strapped to his trousers, taking a shaky hold of the blaster as she aimed at her. 

"I will shoot! Let me go!" His voice shook as he attempted to yell.

No one would hear. The rumble of the freighters sublight engines as they overflew the alley between hangars, the roar as they moved into cruise speed would muffle any sound from him. No one would see either as this section of the docks had no holo-cameras, possibly to help with any illicit business. The man pulled the trigger to the blaster, red-hot bolts emerged from the muzzle with killing intent. But the force told her where his shaky aim would go. A subtle side step, a tacit dodge. It was all Syrin needed to avoid death. 

Silence was her response as she formed a resolute fist. His long hands would seek his throat as he knelt, as if they would help him in any way to resume the intake of oxygen. If he truly wanted to survive, then he should have use what the Sith Knight assumed that he had learnt. Although by sensing the fear and being first witness of the languish skills the man possessed, she doubted that he had been anything above waste of space. Within seconds the man closed his eyes and gave out, life faded from him. 

Syrin would move to the corpse, take the blaster and credit chips he carried for herself. To pass this assassination of a dissident as a robbery gone wrong would be another one that the local enforcement would have to deal with. Giving no physical clues, the case would be most likely closed. She left the still warm corpse, pulling the gloves from her hands, placing the blaster inside the holster over her hip and moving towards a cantina which was possibly used by smugglers, pilots and newcomers to the world. 

Her usual cold and distant persona left, replaced by someone who would pass as a normal denizen of the galaxy, a smuggler or a pilot just going by the attire she was wearing. She supposed that the spacer outfit she used helped as well. After all, she might be powerful but she was in enemy territory. Syrin sat at the bar, noting the holoscreens that transmitted swoop races and other events. The mood was a lively one inside the cantina, or so she supposed. Her line of thought was interrupted when a massive Zexx drying glasses with a cloth would move down to where she was. 

"What do you want?" He grunted. 

"Corellian Whisky, on the rocks." She would respond flatly.

The mission was over, she considered. Although assassinating a dissident that had decided that the life with the Sith wasn't a preferable one wasn't exactly what she would call a mission. His death was meaningless, and it did nothing to make her stronger or help the Empire in any way. Deciding to stick to the plan and act as if she had not done anything. Just someone passing by. The Zexx would bring her drink and she would stare at it, before sipping it, allowing the burning flavor to grace her mouth, and the thoughts that lay with her assignment step aside, well hidden in her mind, for the time being.

[Alaska!]

She'd nearly forgotten what it felt like to travel. How long had it been since she'd been off planet? Ten years? Maybe more. It felt as if she was starting a new project, embarking on a new journey and it gave her a rush. Arranging transportation off of her homeworld had been eventful and challenging, but some how this felt different. Maura's forehead was pressed against the cool glass of the porthole. Her bright blue eyes took in Prazhi's surface as it grew closer and closer. Maura pulled the backpack closer to her chest as she seized in excitement. In all her years with her wandering parents, she'd never been to Prazhi. The pilot had assured her that it really wasn't anything special but Maura paid him no mind. Every planet had its own culture, it's own personality and just watching all the many ways this played out was interesting.

Maura nearly skipped down the ramp of the ship. She took several steps away before turning around and waving to the pilot.
"Thanks for the ride!" she called and grinned. He might of said something but she'd never know because Maura turned her back to him as soon as she'd bid him farewell. Now that she was planet side she needed to think up a more solid plan. Without anywhere in particular to stay and no sure way off of Prazhi her mission to find her missing parents was not on track. What she needed now was to hitch hike her way towards where her parents had last been heard from. Unfortunately, she was at the mercy of friends and good Samaritans. More likely than not Maura would have to trade work for a ride or credits. It would slow her down but would probably be necessary.

The cantina wasn't too far from the hanger which was why Maura ended up picking it out of the countless others on the planet. It was brightly lit and looked markedly less shady than the other places she'd been poking around lately. She didn't need her hearing to sense the vivacity of the place. The building practically had a heartbeat of itsown. She glanced around the place, trying to take it all in at once but couldn't do it. Her eyes landed on a man that looked to be in his early thirties and the beautiful woman beside him at the bar. She couldn't quite make out what they were saying but he quickly left her, rubbing his arm in pain. In fact, he'd nearly ran Maura over where she stood. Almost instantly she forgot about it and slid into a seat beside the window to fiddle with her backpack. Maura was only interrupted by the rude and rather rough shove to her shoulder. Instantly she jumped and glanced in the direction the shove had come from. Standing to her left was a waitress who looked rather annoyed. The young Twi'lek woman none too gently put a drink down in front of Maura.
"Umm I didn't order this," Maura said meekly, craning her neck to look up at her.
"I told you that guy over there sent it over," she gestured over her shoulder to the man Maura had seen coming in. He had apparently gotten over the rejection of the woman at the bar. "I said it like three times. What are you deaf?" the woman added.
"Well, actually I am..." The woman huffed and left, probably mumbling something to herself. Maura quickly shrugged it off and smiled at the man. She'd been raised better than to reject a free drink. She wasn't a huge drinker so she could probably nurse the drink all night and see if there was anyone in the cantina who might be able to help her. She wasn't left waiting too long on that front as the man who had bought the drink slid into the booth seat opposite of hers.
"What's your name?" he asked, luckily facing her as he spoke.
"Maura," she answered, finger spelling out her name. Both her lisp and her signing visibly caught the man off guard, though he quickly regained his cool.
"You deaf or something?"
"Yes," she answered with a smile. "Thank you for th--"
"What brings you to a place like this?" he asked, obviously not interested in whatever she had to say. "We usually don't get women this pretty in." Maura couldn't help but flush a little, though more out of embarrassment than flattery.
"I'm actually looking for a ride to the Kashyyyk. I was hoping to meet someone who might have a lead. I don't have a whole lot of credits but I'd be willing to work for it." The man's face brightened at her answer and leaned forward. Maura leaned forward too and kept a close eye on his lips.
"I could give you a ride, little lady," he grinned. "For a price." Maura never got the chance to ask what the price might be since she felt his tarantula fingers crawl up her leg. As if his fingers were made of fire, she jumped back, pressing her back against the seat. His hand gripped her knee more firmly, his eyes getting a dangerous glint to them.
"Let go!" Maura said, signing her words with as much conviction as she could muster. He didn't let her go. The drink which he had bought her tipped over, spilling its contents all over his lap. No hand had touched it, or that's how it would have seemed. The man gave a shout and leapt to his feet, sputtering something. Maura took this opportunity to escape him, quickly taking a seat at the bar beside the woman he'd bothered earlier. Maura peered over her shoulder to see if the man had followed her. It appeared he'd tried to but upon seeing who Maura had sat by thought better of it. Maura let out a sigh of relief. Her pale hand pushed back her bangs and ran a hand along the dark braid that was draped over her shoulder. Feeling a sense of security she glanced over at the woman to her left. What had she done or said to him that made him so deterred? Whatever it was, Maura had to applaud it. Maybe she owed this woman a drink. She cleared her throat and eyed her nervously.
"Hey, this might sound weird but could I buy you a drink?"

[Harukei]

While she had hoped to be left alone for the duration of her stay in Prazhi, she supposed that the fact that her appearance was alluring to men and women would often interlude in her wishes. Even as she tried to stave away from using the force, small hints would escape the retention she had wished to utilize, as she was well aware that someone was walking to her, although no danger could be perceived.  

"Well... well... What brings you here." The new arrival said with a sly smile. "We usually don't get women this pretty in Prazhi."

Through the periphery of her vision she could discern the general outlook of the man. Older than her and by other female standards, with rugged good looks. She kept sipping, absently staring at the numerous bottles of exotic drinks the locale had to offer, grasping what the man was telling her. Clearly he carried himself as the alpha male of this place and within his friends, eagerly looking to woo women only to bed them and ditch them the same day. Unluckily for him, she wasn't interested. And better for him yet as the last male she had laid with had died by her hand. 

"I am not interested in sleeping with you." Syrin interjected in his speech. "Go away."

"You have some nerve to talk to me like that." He said, his face growing red and anger touching his tone.

The Sith felt his massive claw of a hand grip tightly over her wrist and forearm as if he were trying to reaffirm his dominance over her. She sighed and with a swift motion she escaped his grasp, seizing the arm, as thick as a three branch and twisting it behind his beck in a very painful way. She remained stoic as the man wailed in pain, or at least what he thought what pain was. She could easily kill him, but it wouldn't make a difference and it wasn't a necessity. It was the problem of other people.

"I told you to stay away." She said coldly. "Now, you will leave me alone, next time I will dislocate your arm and break it in three different places. Is that understood?" 

He nodded and she released her grip, kicking him to a side before sitting back on her stool. The Corellian whisky was almost over, she supposed that it was about time she made herself scarce and made it off world. Minutes would pass and then the Sith would hear another commotion, from the same man as a woman left a booth in direction to join her. A cool glance from her would be enough to keep him at bay. Then the most odd thing happened, as the woman would offer her to buy a drink.

She didn't see the point as she had done nothing. Then a part of her argued of whether rejecting and leaving. But when she saw the woman, Syrin noted that she was beautiful and had some innocence about it. Perhaps this was the first time she had traveled. As a rule she didn't attempted to hold pity over people like her, but then again as a slave, Syrin had being in a situation in which she had no choice over what would had happen if the man had her way on the woman. Something in her made her stay, for a reason she couldn't understand.

"Sure." Was her short answer. 

[Alaska!]

Staring at people was an important part of Maura's communication. Over the years of staring at people's lips trying to get a hold of the situation had become fairly comfortable for Maura to do. However, this time was different. This time she felt a bit awkward staring at the woman's face. It wasn't that she was displeasing to look at... in fact it was quite the opposite. This woman was beautiful, the sort of beautiful Maura only saw in retouched images on the holonet. Somehow staring at it made her feel different, as if she wasn't supposed to. Maybe the woman wasn't in the mood for talking? Or Maura hadn't made herself loud enough. She was usually very good at volume control, but maybe there was something she couldn't account for. In an attempt to save face, Maura slowly turned away when some slight movement caught her eye. Her head snapped back over just in time for her to see the woman say, "Sure." Immediately her face brightened and her attention turned to the Zexx bartender.

"What can I get for you?" the Zexx man asked, or at least that's what Maura assumed. It was hard to read his mouth with those tusks in the way. Regardless of what he'd said she decided to go with the dialogue she'd imagined in her head.
"Two more of what she ordered," Maura told him, gesturing to the woman beside her. The man eyed her for a moment then nodded and turned to prepare the drink. Silence passed between them until the drinks were set in front of them. Maura pulled her glass towards her and stared at the liquid. What had she actually just ordered? To take her mind off of that thought she offered up some small talk.
"I don't know what you did to that arse clown but thanks...I think you're what's keeping him at bay," Maura let her now free hands move to her drink and take a tentative sip. The burning liquid was stronger than she'd been expecting but she held it together. She turned her head so the woman wouldn't see and made a face before turning back as if nothing had happened. This was one drink she'd for sure be nursing all night.
"So, uh, what's your name? Mine's Maura Holst," she didn't bother finger spelling her name this time instead going for the GSL short hand version.

[Harukei]

Syrin would notice how unusual the woman she was sitting with was. As she had pondered something seemed to displease her or made her look embarrassed until she had declared that it was fine that she could accompany her. Normality was to be maintained if she wanted to be under the radar. The newcomer asked for drinks and while the swig Syrin took was met with little bother, the woman to her side would feel the adverse effects that any novice would. After she had recovered, she would tell her name. Maura Holst. 

Interesting name to be certain. For a moment she meditated to whether she should tell her name to a stranger. As a general rule she didn't do so. It was a significant breach of security. But to the galaxy her handiwork as an assassin was mired in anonymity. They only knew who she had killed. And her current outlook would not betray the spacer persona she was acting as in the moment. So her name would not be an issue. She would turn to Maura, gazing her with the violet of her eyes, confirming the good looks that she had seen from afar and her periphery of vision.  

"Syrin Elar." She said with a comely smile. "Nice to meet you."

It was all an act to be certain. But while she wasn't like most Sith, she did enjoy drinking and the company of women. And she would certainly not mind hers for the time being. In a way it would have made the entirety of the mission a time well spent. Continuing the smile she would remember the threat she had laid before the man. 

"Well, he tried to hit on me." Syron told before seamlessly downing another swig of the Corellian brandy. "I told him I would break his arm in three different parts if he didn't stop, anyways, don't thank me, happens all the time. I'd supposed men should get the hint that I am not particularly attracted to them."

[Alaska!]

Maura had feared that maybe the woman wouldn't be very talkative. Many would become stand-offish once they realized they were talking to a deaf person. It was too much effort to maintain eye contact when speaking. If all the signing bothered her the woman didn't let on. Even if she wasn't the extroverted sort, Maura was outgoing enough for the both of them. By no means was the woman's aura warm and inviting but something else pulled the young woman in; something more than mere gratitude for acting as a shield.

Now she had a name for her too, something other than ‘the woman’ . Syrin. Maura imagined it was a pretty name. And unlike Syrin, Maura had held no qualms about giving out her real name. She was the daughter of two professors she had no enemies and no reason to hide. Well, aside from the man with the bruised ego sitting in the back of the cantina. Seeing Syrin smile only made Maura smile more. As she answered her question, it seemed that the two had at least one more thing in common. The man who had bothered Maura had also attempted to take Syrin to bed. To this Maura could do nothing but barely suppress a laugh. She wondered how many other women in the cantina had experienced his silicates. Perhaps it was some kind of right of passage for the female-bodied people of the planet.

“Let me guess,” Maura’s mouth twisted into a lopsided grin. “He said Prazhi usually doesn’t get women this beautiful in? I bet he uses that on everyone.” She was impressed by the woman’s threat. That was the sort of thing Maura wouldn’t have thought to do. She had the bad tendency of escalating conflicts with insults or humor. Any sort of threats she would make had no backing to them, or not usually. And the adage at the end about Syrin’s preference, or rather lack of preference for men wasn’t at all shocking to Maura. Her mother, Nora, had been a cultural anthropologist, which meant that as a child she’d gotten the opportunity to meet all sorts of people. In fact sometimes it was hard to gauge what might be normal at all. Though, she shrugged in acknowledgement of the statement.
“Some men just don’t understand the phrase ‘not interested’. I usually go with, the ‘I have a fiancé’ line. It works…usually,” Maura shrugged again and mentally kicked herself for not having used it this time around. Though, on further consideration there was a significant chance that it wouldn’t have deterred the man at all.
“So, what brings you here? Business or pleasure?” Ok, so maybe that was a stupid line but Maura refused to let herself care.

[Harukei]

"Like him, there are a dime a dozen." She said with a smirk.

It had not being the first time someone like him had tried to sweet talk her with the intent of sleeping with him and it would certainly not be the last as long as she was attractive to the eyes of others. Of course naivety wasn't part of her usual process of thought and with minds as weak as that of the man whose pride she had wounded, there was no real need to send a mental probe and attempt to discern the thoughts that he would have.

"Business." She answered. "The wonderful life of a spacer takes you from world to world." Syrin continued with a tired tone.

Her question about why she had come to Prazhi was expected. Business for certain, but not the noble work of setting up and revising planetary computer systems that her persona would offer. Syrin had followed the former initiate through several worlds. Noteworthy for someone of such low skill, yet she supposed that vermin had a great ability to delay the inevitable. Of course she would not confide this to her. 

"What about you? Business? Pleasure?" 

The fake sentiment of curiosity was present as it should be. However information as feeble as it could be was always something noteworthy. You never truly knew what sort of connection could a single individual could have in the larger scheme of things, or by how the Force willed it. In any case interest in her reasons would make her open up more. Or so she believed.

[Alaska!]

It took a moment of thought to really answer the question posed to her now. Finding her missing parents was business, probably. Nobody was paying her to do it, she was off doing it of her own accord. Not too willing to spill her guts about her missing parental units, Maura simply shrugged noncommittally.
"Some of both, I guess," she answered, her hands signing as she spoke. Her hand gestures were as vague and noncommittal as her tone. Though, on second thought she decided to clarify. "I'm looking for someone so...personal."

Maura took a bigger sip of her drink and instantly regretted it. Her mouth and throat burned as the liquid slid down her throat. She was used to drinking mixed drinks and why anyone would suffer themselves to this liquor was beyond her. However, Maura was able to conceal her distaste for the drink and took a second smaller sip. While she attempted to recover her voice, Maura took a moment to covertly look over the woman's attire. Perhaps she should have guessed her line of work by her clothing. Oh well, it was too late to take it back now. Maybe as a spacer she'd have a lead on a ride and maybe this time the price wouldn't be her dignity.

"I got dropped off on Prazhi, I'm trying to make my way towards Kashyyyk. Actually, our mutual friend offered to help me find a ride, though I'm pretty sure it wasn't the kind of ride I was looking for." Once again, Maura felt no shame, though she had the feeling it was the kind of joke her father would appreciate but would have her mother groaning in contempt. "But I think that your job sounds amazing. My parents and I used to bounce around too-- they were professors but when I got older they stopped. I've always wanted to travel but haven't gotten the opportunity to do it until now," Maura was talking for the sake of talking now. More stream of contentiousness than for the sake of conversation. "Is it bad that I'm taking advantage of them going missing? I mean, I'm happy that I finally get to get off of Alderaan again but the circumstances--" For the first time since Maura had opened her mouth she became self conscious and shut up. "Sorry."

[Harukei]

She indeed had her secrets as well. But looking for someone was something that wasn't entirely worthy of asking for. In a way she had being like this before. A part of her wanted to eventually find her sister. But such quest had faded into a child's dream. Asra was a Jedi, her enemy. If they were to meet it would be in the battlefield. The Sith couldn't suppose that it was the kind of meeting that Maura had in mind in the way she spoke of the person or individuals she referred of. 

Quelling the memories of her sister and the anger that it brought to her, she took another swig and asked for a refill. Noting that the woman that sat next to her was mired with trouble at the hour of take the drink. It was almost comical to see her try to hide such contempt of the drink, even when with the most slight shake of her body it was clearly obvious that she hated it. For her part alcohol didn't effect her much. A tacit benefit of the Force she supposed. 

"Perhaps you should drink something else." She said with a sly smile. "But jokes aside, I haven't heard of a direct flight to Kashyyyk." 

At least no freighters had come or were slated to go to the Wookie homeworld as far as she knew. Not in this particular spaceport as least. Although there was always a freighter that would take her closer to the destination. As her drink was being refilled she would look back, to where the man had stayed staring at them. But this time she noticed that he wasn't alone. A tall Nautolan, two Duros, A Human and a particularly nasty looking Nikto were advancing slowly to them, clearly with ill intent from the looks of their eyes.

Syrin considered what to do. If she wanted, she would easily fry them with Force Lightning, although it would blow her cover. A retreat was the better option, although she didn't know how much of a hindrance Maura would be. If she kept her pace good, if she didn't well, it was a shame. 

"Trouble." She said while turning to her drink and taking a big swig. "We need to move. Now." She placed enough credits to pay for both of them. 

Her right hand dropped to where the blaster was strapped to. It felt inert, unlike her more familiar lightsaber. With the other, she took Maura's hand, noting that despite having a softness to it, it had strength. A whisper indicated her that they were mere meters away. It was then with a sharp turn that she pulled the pistol from the holster as she jumped from the stool, her finger pulled the trigger causing people to shriek in panic. Three bolts flew in the air, hitting the man that had harassed them on the shoulder, one of the Duro in their forearm and the Nautolan on one of his head tendrils. 

The rest of the gang ducked behind turned tables. With the window of escape opened, she would reaffirmed her grip on Maura's hand and run as fast and hard as her natural capacities without the aid of the Force permitted. Syrin was pleased as the woman kept with her pace. It was then that she took a sharp turn into an tight alley, with just enough space for them to squeeze in and hide in the darkness. The ruckus would subside, but they would look for them. 

"Shhhh." She whispered, her face barely inched away from Maura. 

[Alaska!]

As luck might have it, Syrin did not seem disturbed by her little outburst from before. Or at least not in the way Maura had expected. She thought that maybe the word vomit would be met with annoyance. That, after all, was the typical reaction that she was met with in cases like that one. Though, she could sense something was bothering her. Syrin was strangely hard to read through the Force which was saying something seeing as how that was one of the areas Nora had trained her daughter in. That sort of perception was important in dealing with communication. Maura could read lips but not hear tones or emphasis like a hearing person might. So instead she relied on the Force to fill in the rest. Even though Syrin was strangely muddled in that regard, she did sense sadness. Perhaps she had unknowingly said something hurtful?

Syrin's mood seemed to lift a little, which was good. Maura instantly felt less guilty for going on her tirade. Seeing her smile instantly brightened Maura's spirits and reflexively, she smiled back.
"Perhaps I should find another drink,"she agreed. While the news about Kashyyyk wasn't surprising, it was disappointing. Maybe she'd be stuck on this planet a little longer than a night or two. It might be prudent of her to find some kind of means of making credits or at least find some place to sleep. Still, she made a face at the news. "Well, thanks anyways." While Syrin looked around, Maura was deep in thought about what her next move might be. Perhaps finding employment on a ship that moved around would be best. That way she might be able to sense her mother through the Force if they were closer. However, before any solid plan could develop, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Maura was starting to get a bad feeling, as if something unfortunate was about to happen.

Quickly, Maura turned in her chair, her eyes taking in what Syrin had already picked up on. The man who had bothered them before must have called some of his friends. She didn't need the Force to know exactly what was on their minds. Her imagination went wild and it just made Maura all the angrier. If the pervert thought spilling her drink was the worst she could do he was tragically mistaken. She opened her mouth to say something, offer a challenge--something, when Syrin grabbed her hand, pulling her to the side. As the men advanced on them more quickly, Syrin shot at them, hitting three of the attackers non fatally. The other ducked back behind a table, leaving an opening to escape. If Syrin had said anything about running, Maura didn't hear and didn't need to. She kept pace with the woman easily despite the prosthetic leg.

The sharp turn was unexpected, causing Maura to stumble a bit as they entered the tight space. In the trip she landed not so gently against Syrin and the durasteel wall behind them. In the tight space, Maura's left arm was pinned up against her chest while the other dangled down where Syrin had released it.
"Are you--"
"Shhhh."
Instantly Maura's mouth closed tightly. In the silence, and with her hands not free to sign, all she could do was stare up at Syrin awkwardly. An unexpected blush blossomed across Maura's face. The moment might have been ripe for a joke or something about how close they'd become in just a few minutes but they were interrupted by the arrival of what remained of the would be assailants. They remained on the semi-well lit street which the two women had just escaped. They were too far away for Maura to read their lips but she imagined they were trying to figure out which direction to look. The hand which was pinned against their bodies wiggled free and gently held Syrin's right hand down. They wouldn't need a blaster here, not this time. With the slight move of her left hand, a scrap of metal was tossed further down the alleyway across the street diagonally from them. All of the men's heads snapped in that direction and they chased after the noise. Once they were gone Maura let out a sigh and slumped against the wall. They were safe, for now. Coming down off of the rush was amazing, a feeling she had dearly missed. Maura let out what she imagined was a quiet, breathy laugh before once again turning her blue eyes up to Syrin. She was about to say that maybe the two should get out of there but stopped herself. There wasn't a rush, at least not for her.

[Harukei]

In the darkness of the alley, Syrin could hear them. Speaking in either basic or their native tongue as they looked for the two that had wronged them. A part of her was pleased with her marksmanship. After all she rarely held a blaster in her hand, much less used the barbaric device as a means of personal defense. The cool metal felt alien in her hand, much the contrary of her lightsaber that was warm to her touch.

Maura's hand would stop hers from raising the nozzle to shoot again. Instead tossing what she assumed was a piece of junk or debris. It sound hitting against a trashcan and another solid object which was either a crate or a speeder. Their shouts indicated that they followed the source of the sound. Leading them away from their current location. She was glad they had left. Even despite that these were low-lives, and that the galaxy would fare better without them, she didn't need the feel to kill them. Nor her mission demand it from her. 

The Sith would hear what she supposed was a smile from the woman. Turning to her, she would notice how Maura's blue eyes would be locked with the violent of hers. There was between them some sort of silence that lingered. One which she couldn't quite place. Her sight lowered to gaze upon the inviting lips of the woman, wondering how soft were, but at the end deciding against it. At least not now. They weren't exactly out of the pan yet and there would be certainly time for that and more later.

"Follow me." She said, slipping away from her and leading the way through the narrow alleys.

For Syrin preparation had always being of the utmost importance. After learning that her target had settled in Prazhi, she had made an endeavor to learn most avenues of escape or shortcuts to her room, after she had come to the world. In a short few days, she had all she needed and had learned of where the man was. As they progressed the allies began to widen shortly, leading to the equivalent of a plaza in this world. Leaning against the edge she would peer to a side and then another to gain a glimpse of their assailants. 

Luckily for them, they were none in sight. Easing her step she would lead the woman to one of the buildings in the right side of the plaza. A prefabricated construction that had being a new expansion of the area and that it was the residence of the new comers to the planet. Syrin punched the code of the apartment that had being designated to her as part of her alibi as a spacer. The room was a standard one, all neatly organized and barely used. A bed, a refresher, a holo-screen and personal terminal along with a small kitchen and a table.

"Make yourself at home." She said while locking the door. "I think you'd be safe here from them. At least until you get on your way to Kashyyyk."

[Alaska!]

It seemed that luck was with them once again. Maura's little trick had worked and if Syrin had noticed her use of the Force, she didn't let on. Maura didn't keep her connection to the Force a secret but she didn't flaunt it either. Nora had made it very clear that the Force was not a toy, even if it was fun to use. The relief of it all made Maura nearly laugh but she held it together. Though, something changed. Standing at such close quarters, all she could do was stare up at Syrin's beautiful violent eyes. She watched them closely, reaching out with the Force to sense what she could about the woman. The woman's eyes drifted downward to her lips, a gesture Maura had often been found guilty of. Self consciously, Maura bit down on the lower corner of her lip.

"Follow me."
Without much warning Syrin untangled herself from Maura and slipped down the alleyway. Maura swallowed hard but did as she'd been told. The streets weren't well lit and the darkness hid Maura's burning cheeks. Following, Syrin she rubbed her cheeks, trying to massage the blood out of them but with little success. She wondered now where the woman might be taking her. Certainly not to the cantina they'd come from. If Syrin was talking Maura wouldn't know. She mad sure no to lose Syrin, but her eyes dashed from one building to the next. Mentally she took note of what streets lead where and the name of stores. If she hoped to get off the planet knowing her way around would be helpful. And judging by their surroundings, they were heading towards a more residential area. Everything appeared to be new construction or at the very least newer. Maura wondered what was here before the new construction. All she'd seen on the planet so far was city and she was beginning to wonder if that was all there as to the place.
It quickly became obvious where Syrin was taking them. The room she'd rented for herself was simple by most standards but it was perhaps the best thing Maura had seen in a while. After sleeping in lobbies and seats of ships, anything vaguely vertical and padded looked good. She did a quick spin of the room before plopping down in the chair by the desk. Her eyes caught Syrin's words just in time to see what she was saying. It was all Maura could do to suppress the smirk on her face. With all the seriousness she could muster, Maura said, "Ya know, most people go on a date before they get a room together." She pushed her hand through her bangs again. If Syrin took it badly the statement could always be a joke, Maura decided. Though, the presence of a single bed made things a little complicated. Perhaps a place on the floor or in the bath would be comfortable. She quickly pushed that out of her mind and pressed on, her tone growing a more genuine serious now. "Seriously, though, thank you. I really owe you one for saving me back there and letting me stay here. You really didn't have to do any of that."

[Harukei]

"I'd say the drinks, and our friends coming for us constitute as a couple of dates." Syrin answered. 

It was her response after the jab and the thank you she had received. For someone who on a normal basis acted as if she felt nothing, she supposed the the small joke was good enough. Nothing that would have another connotation unless Maura had considered it to have. Although for how the plans of the evening were going to transpire was another matter entirely.

"Don't worry." She said with a shrug. "I don't spent enough time here anyways. It's here, back to the COM center then back here." 

The lie of her spacer persona persisted. For weeks she had being so. Just a normal denizen of the galaxy doing about their business and working in the repairing of the computer systems of the world. Which she had concluded them to be sub par by the end of her first week here. Mostly because the components which she had to work with were, at best, recycled garbage. 

"Now... before they interrupted, what were we doing?" She asked rhetorically.

It only took her small steps, but she moved to the small kitchen and retrieved a bottle of Corellian beer, nothing fancy she supposed but it might do. As a small jab back to Maura she brought a soft drink. A juice that was far too sweet for her liking. Placing a glass before her she would serve herself half of the bottle. 

"So, want to try another Corellian brew, or would you prefer to drink something easier to handle?" She said with a sly smile.

[Alaska!]

Maura's eyes followed Syrin closely, if she couldn't read her through the Force then something else would have to do. As it would happen, it seemed that Syrin took Maura's statement as a joke. It was probably all for the best anyways. And thankfully the woman also expanded on the joke. If anything that only made her more attractive. There were too many overly serious beings in the galaxy. Perhaps sharing a room with the woman wouldn't be as perilous as other roommates Maura had had in the past. What was even better, Syrin had always made her lips easy to read. Usually that took someone a few weeks to get used to.
"Don't worry. I don't spent enough time here anyways. It's here, back to the COM center then back here."
"I'm hoping not to spend a whole lot of time here either," Maura assured her hastily.

"Now... before they interrupted, what were we doing?"
Maura's back straightened and a mischievous smile spread across her face. She brought her hands up and signed as she spoke, even if Syrin couldn't see her.
"I believe I was supposed to pay for your drink," she answered. "So much for my grand gesture of gratitude." At seeing the drinks in Syrin's hands, Maura almost lost it. Had her dislike of the whiskey been that obvious? She eyed the colorful juice drink with mild disdain. Of course she would enjoy the taste of it more, but her pride was at stake here. For once, Maura watched the other woman pour the beer in complete silence.
"So, want to try another Corellian brew, or would you prefer to drink something easier to handle?"

"Of course I want to try it," Maura answered, taking the now half empty bottle and poured it into the cup. "My father wouldn't want me to give up so easily." Yes, but mother would say, "in moderation" or "don't let pride get the best of you". It was too late and no amount of motherly scolding could stop Maura now. She picked up the cup and took a large mouthful of the beer and swallowed it hard. It was unpleasant but wasn't quite as bad as the acid she'd drank earlier that night. Once she'd taken another quick drink Maura set the cup down on the desk beside her and smiled up at Syrin, feeling rather victorious.
"I'm not as weak as you think I am," she told Syrin with a grin.

[Harukei]

"I never thought you were weak." She shrugged. "I just thought you needed the help. You seem new to worlds as backwater as this one." 

Syrin took a swig of her own half of the beer. She often wondered whether Corellians had stronger stomachs than most or simply decided to act tough with everything they attempted to drink. Right now she really didn't mind, but at first, her reaction had being comparable to that of Maura, although it was in the presence of her master and thereafter she didn't have much time to express her then distaste of the beverage. 

However her previous statement was one that sparked some curiosity. Maura didn't seem to be a local from Prazhi. At least the idiot that she had almost broken an arm was right about a thing. Women like Maura were hard to find in a rock as backwater as this, even if this planet was within the expansion region. Usually she could have a pretty good idea of who was from which part of the galaxy due their accents, as long as they could speak basic without a trouble. Maura's was a bit strange, muffled she might consider.

"Say, since you're staying here, might as well tell me from where you are." 

Of course there was also the possibility that she could ask her homeworld as well. If anything she would wish to avoid talking about Dantooine. Even as the Empire had annexed the world fairly recently, she had not stepped on it again since she had left seventeen years ago. She snapped her attention back to the woman, realizing that she had dwell too much on memories. 

"I am sorry, did you said anything?" She asked.

[Alaska!]

Maura felt rather good about not losing face in front of Syrin. Though, it seemed that the other woman had taken her weak comment a little wrong. She didn't mind so much if anyone thought she was weak. So many had made that assumption when she lost her hearing and leg. Even Nora and Romny had made that mistake, but they knew better now. Normally that sort of thing wouldn't bother Maura at all. However, for some reason Maura cared just a little what Syrin thought of her. It was a feeling Maura hadn't experienced since puberty and it was not welcomed with open arms.

"Say, since you're staying here, might as well tell me from where you are."
At this, Maura grinned. It would seem that her "accent" had fooled yet another person. Normally she played a guessing game where she attempted other accents but not this time. Though, it might be interesting to figure out how the accents sounded. Maura had a feeling that her mother and father were a bit gentle with their critic of her accents. Though, in an effort to not sound like a complete idiot she opted to break that out later.
"Alderaan," she answered with a smile. "Couldn't you tell be how cultured I am? What about you? Where are you from-- and don't say 'all over', because that is not a real answer."

[Harukei]

Syrin chuckled at her response. but then, the question that had being laid before her was the one that the woman didn't truly wish to respond. After all what could she tell her about her past? The homestead, her mother and sister were good memories drowned into a sea of darkness that had being born from the time she saw her father shot her mother during one of his usual drunken bouts as a child. Even as the Sith had claimed the world for the Empire, she had not dared to set her feet over her homeworld again, even less seek the remains of the homestead during which she had lived her first years.

"From everywhere was my first answer." She said with a smile full of melancholy. "Dantooine. I am from Dantooine." 

A part of her still remembered the endless plains that surrounded the homestead. The warm sunsets and the sweet scent of the rolling grass that came with the early breeze that woke caressed the soft skin back then. The howls of the Kath-hounds in the distance when the sky had turned deep cobalt as the twin moons shone and the sky became star freckled. The warmth of her mother's and sister's embrace as they slept together in the same bed, making the little girl that she had being feel safe and protected. 

The Sith took a swig of the Corellian beer that offered no aid to the sorrow that memories so distant but so livid brought her. A part of her wondered what would have happened if her mother had not died. Would she be a normal person, a Jedi even? Or just a farmer trying to make ends meet after a long month of work. 

"I have not being on Dantooine since I was seven though." She told Maura with honesty. "Not sure if I'd like to return."

[Alaska!]

Once again, Maura immediately regretted saying something. The seemingly innocent question clearly had an affect on Syrin. The topic of home must have touched on a soft spot. For Maura is was a source of pride. She loved Alderaan, loved the people, the plants, everything about it. If given the opportunity she could sell the beautiful planet to just about anyone, or that was her opinion. Whatever planet Syrin said couldn't be that bad, could it? However, when Maura saw the planet's name she felt her stomach drop. Instantly she could empathize.

Syrin seemed far off. Maura let her stay there, let her remember. All Maura knew was silence but even now she felt that what sat between them was a special kind of quiet. Syrin broke the stillness when she took a swig of her drink. She could still sense that the sadness was there and in an effort to comfort Syrin, Maura reached her hand out and took hers. She squeezed and held it gently. Dantooine was hard, she knew. Her mother had once been there in her Jedi days. Maura clearly remembered when the Sith had taken the planet. Nora had been quiet and solemn and once she could have sworn she'd seen her strong mother cry. She'd only ever been to the planet a handful of times but she knew what the planet meant to her mother and her mother's pain had become her own.

"I'm sorry," Maura told her, her voice was soft and soothing. Through the Force she tried to sooth her as well. "It might not have been your home for long but I can tell it meant something to you." Maura hesitated but continued. "My mother was a Jedi...a long time ago so when the Sith took the planet it broke her heart. You may not want to go back now but maybe one day when the planet is free again you'll want to. I know I do."

[Harukei]

What Maura said was precisely why she never thought of Dantooine and why she never dared to return there. The planet had good memories, yes. But it also had those that still brought pain and hatred from her. The death of her father by her own hands did little to lessen the effect that such memories could have. In fact the idea of visiting the ruined homestead in which she had being born and passed the first years of her life would only serve to remember the night his drunken father would use his blaster pistol to murder her mother. 

If she deepened into her recollections of that night, the woman could remember how her mother fell before her as life ebbed away from her, pressing her hands against the scorched blaster wounds as if it would prevent death to take her, the violet eyes that Syrin had inherited from her mother had turned from worm to gazed as a last gasp and sigh would escape her lips before her body turned limp. All that was after that were her father driving his fist against her face. The crime had possibly being worse just by what Maura had stated. There had being Jedi there, there had an enclave.

Not only they the sanctimonious protectors of the republic had decided to separate her from Asra, her sister, and thus leaving her to rot in an orphanage on Druckenwell. But they had also failed to apprehend her father and his accomplices, to bring them to the so called justice they failed to upheld. Her fist tightened at the mere thought. How much injustice had the Jedi allow to transpire beneath their noses? How much suffering had they brought to countless families across the galaxy by separating them? Syrin could only feel disgust at the righteous standing of such a decadent order.

"No. Maura you don't understand." She said coldly. "Even for all the good memories I have of there. I don't wish to return to Dantooine. Ever at all."

She would ease her anger, taking a deep breath should she have her cover blown out of a fit of rage. The soft pressure that she felt of Maura's hand would serve to calm herself. She would turn to face her, locking the violet of her eyes to the woman's blue. Noting how beautiful and merciful they looked. She didn't know what would compel her, but she leaned closing the gap, brushing her own lips against those of Maura, crossing her fingers that she didn't slap-pushed her away.

[Alaska!]

Despite all of Maura's efforts to comfort her new companion it all was for naught. Strangely, it had seemed that her effort to show empathy to Syrin had horribly backfired. Instead of relaxing or finding solace in the fact that someone else understood what it was like to miss home it made her angry. Maura pulled back slightly, though kept the physical contact with her hands. And as guarded as Syrin was, Maura could sense that the woman beside her was loosing herself. Lost in a flash back, perhaps. In this memory, it would seem that Syrin was getting angrier. But why?

"I'm...I'm sorry," she said gently, though she did not fully understand her error. "I just thought that if you knew that I understo--"
Something snapped Syrin back.
"No. Maura you don't understand. Even for all the good memories I have of there. I don't wish to return to Dantooine. Ever at all." The tone was cold, the tone she imagined she'd used on the man from the cantina. Her demeanor hadn't been exactly what Maura would call warm in sunny but now her words sent a chill down her spine. Nervously, she chewed her lip and slowly began to slip her hands away from Syrin's. Maybe it was best if she left now before she did further damage. Though, she stopped when she felt Syrin's eyes on hers. Immediately Maura stopped moving and stared back at Syrin. The coolness was gone and she could feel something...different replace the rage. What, Maura couldn't say. Without warning the space between the two of them disappeared. The kiss was unexpected and initially confused the young woman. Maura might had pulled away but then she noticed how soft Syrin's lips were. With shock quickly wearing off, Maura threw decorum to the wind and leaned into the kiss.

They lingered there, mutual in their affection before Maura broke it. These sorts of things didn't make her nervous, not at all. Though, given the sudden change in mood, she thread carefully. The hand that had moved to Syrin's cheek lingered there before falling away.
"Hey," she said then chuckled, biting down on her lower lip. Being unable to hear anything, Maura decided to check in on Syrin, make sure there wasn't anything she'd missed. Communication was important in situations like this one. "Guess that's one way to shut me up. Feeling better now?"