Catching Up

[Serie Fond]

Serie walked out of her room at the Purple Rose and made her way towards the turbolift. She paused and straightened her skirt in a mirror as she was about to pass it by, looking to check her reflection before she got on the turbolift to go downstairs to one of the main lobbies. She adjusted her hair as well, first putting a loose strand behind her ear, then allowing it to flop in her face again, just to change her mind at the last minute and put it back behind her ear.

She was more than anxious for the little social activity she was about to be engaged in. Although only several months had passed since their original meeting, much had changed in both hers, and Evandus's life, as he was now know in the order. Before their meeting, she was an exile, still learning about the dark side and the force, and while she never stopped learning, she could feel as though she was light years ahead of herself a few short months ago. He, on the other hand, had been a Jedi. A rather famous one at that, a prodigy who, at even a young age, was probably more powerful in the force than ninety nine percent of the Jedi and the exiles, now called the Sith.

Here today they stood much closer together in terms of both status and strength, but Serie was not an idiot, she still suspected that it would take years before she was at the point he was currently at. Regardless, she wasn't intimidated by his status or his strength. She'd be kidding herself to say she wasn't anxious, as she was quite unsure how he would respond to her just wanting to have a get together and talk. She wouldn't admit that there wasn't some selfish reasons as well. She was all about making friends and connections. In her mind the more she had, the easier her life would be. Sometimes things needed to be done and required particular skill sets that she did not possess. To that end, she would try to keep as many beings in the galaxy as close to her as possible. She didn't trust any of them, that much was sure, her paranoia had only increased after her betrayal on Mandalore. Another reason she figured a talk with the high judge might be the thing to do.

She exited the turbolift and stood in the large lobby, stopping under the massive chandelier admiring its beauty for a few moments before sitting in on of the large comfortable chairs, crossing her legs femininely as she did so, and awaited her larger than life guest to arrive.

@Nefieslab

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Evandrus wasn't often asked to be social with people these days but he supposed that the combination of himself being a Sith Lord now, a Prince and a lot of other things. He was, admittedly, usually rather too busy to entertain requests for him to meet up with people but he had been on Serenno regardless, he was already in the suit (with his lightsabers strapped into holsters along his ribs to be hidden by the jacket but within easy reach) and the person who had asked to meet up with him was someone rather important to the Empire.

So he didn't have an excuse not to go, it would benefit them both to be on good terms and he honestly didn't mind meeting up with her - hence why his first social engagement that wasn't with friends, his pregnant wife or his disciples was with Serie Fond, a woman who he had been at odds with the last time they had met.

To be fair though, they had been on opposite sides of the conflict that day and he had been a nice guy about the whole experience regardless. Hopefully the two of them could act like nice, reasonable, adults and just bury the hatchet and enjoy some time together in Serenno.

The planet was beautiful after all.

Arriving at the lobby of the hotel from outside, Evandrus made sure that his suit was sat right before smiling brightly as he spotted Serie waiting for him. He had to admit, at least to himself, that Abigail had good taste when it came to decoration for the foyer... he didn't doubt that one of the doors led to the dungeon which lead directly to the kitchens but hey - to each their own, right? He just resolved not to try the food here.

Upon reaching Serie, Evandrus smiled a little bit,

"Thank you for waiting for me." he greeted her brightly, awkwardly scratching the back of his head a little bit, "I wanted to make a good first... second... impression, but the speeder I rented was late in being delivered."

Looking around the lobby area for a moment, Evandrus held out a hand to politely help her stand from the chair,

"I believe Serenno has some wonderful sights to show us - shall we go?"

Spoiler: Suit

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie tapped her gloved fingers on the tapestry as she took a deep breath. He was finally here, walking through the doors. She smiled widely as he scratched the back of his head, ruffling his hair slightly and explained his slight tardiness. She waved her hand at the comment with a slight shale of her head, dismissing his apology as unneeded non verbally first.

No need, really. I know better than anyone the best laid plans of men often go awry. She said as she grasped his now exteneded hand to helo her up. She delicately placed her hand in his palm and allowed him to hell her to her feet. Her other hand keeping her skirt straight as she did so.

Lets. I've been here at the hotel all weekend without anyone to go out with. You're saving me from paramounts of boredom. Not to mention, you know, we haven't seen each other since, well, then. So maybe that things are different in both our lives, we can try this again? She said with a coy smile, her fingers hanging lightly on his hand so he could lead her where he wanted her to go. She was very much enjoying his natural charm and wished their first meeting had been under these circumstances as opposed to what had happened. But she figured no sense dwelling on the past, better to make a better future than worry about things that have already happened.

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Smiling brightly, Evandrus was glad that she seemed to be rather understanding about the whole thing - in his experience people tended to get angry at you when you were late, regardless of whether or not you could actually do anything about it. But it seemed Serie was one of life's few practical people who didn't hold it against you.

"Naturally - plans never survive first contact." he agreed as he held her stand from her seat with a bright smile, noting that her hand was rather small in his own in an idle kind of way, "I tend to operate on a series of 'vague ideas'... that way whenever things don't go according to plan it's a lot easier to be flexible because no one gets upset at the loss of the plan. Might explain my tardiness a little bit better now that I say it aloud..."

Winking at her playfully, he noted that she had not actually removed her fingers from his hand yet so he took the opportunity to take her by the fingertips and lead her out of the hotel,

"Well as lovely the place is as a hotel - I imagine that would be rather dull." he agreed before smiling bright at her when she mentioned the chance to start again, "I would love that. I really don't think I came across well in our first meeting..."

He raised his free hand and admitted,

"I'll admit it - I... I was a bit of a tool back then." he admitted with a little self-depreciating chuckle as he led her down the steps to the speeder car he had hired, "Would you like to drive or would you mind if I do?"

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie tried to keep her face from redeeming as he spoke and winked at her. His voice was so soothing and relaxing she almost felt like her eyelids were getting heavy just listening to him talk for a few brief seconds. She couldn't suppress a slight sigh as she exhaled and looked up at him and smiled earnestly at him.

Ha! I think most Jedi are tools! She exclaimed at his comment, bringing her free hand up to cover her mouth as she laughed. You were just trying to fit in. She joked back, a half smile on her lips as she turned her attention to the speeder. She had to admit that he was without a doubt one of the smoothest ex-jedi she had ever run into and had the pleasure of meeting.

If you wouldn't mind. I'm good at alot of things, driving and flying are not on that list however. She said, making her way to the passenger side door. Given the way he was acting she fully expected the full service treatment to continue and awaited him to open her door. While he did so she would take the opportunity to check him out while he wasn't looking.

 

[Darth Evandrus]

She seemed to be really enjoying their time together so far - and long may it continue! Evandrus didn't like to annoy people or make enemies... partly because he was still a decent guy and partly because he wanted to make sure that any enemies he did make he was able to kill almost immediately afterwards. Serie as a friend would be something he was very much looking forward to - he had heard good things about her from the rest of the Imperials he knew to be honest.

"You have no idea how right you are."

Part of the reason he had left the Jedi, in the end, was that he had been forcing himself to act like someone else, someone he thought they wanted him to be. He had tried so hard to be a good person, to be a moral and upstanding person... only to be chastised because being a good person? Apparently wasn't the same thing as being a good Jedi. He smiled and bowed his head slightly, nodding to her,

"Of course. I'm afraid to say that flying is something my entire family is rather... enamoured with? It's a racial thing, or so I'm told." he admitted with a little joke before moving to open the door to the speeder for her, bending forwards to do so. Pulling the door open, he caught a glance she was giving him, "Miss Fond... your carriage awaits."

Because hell, lets see if he still had the charm to make a Sith blush.

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie could hardly contain herself. With his smooth voice and intoxicating charm, she felt like a dainty girl getting whisked off her feet. She did manage to sneak a peak as he slightly bent over to open the door.

And he's got a nice butt. Sheesh I can understand why the empress snagged him for herself. She thought to herself as he suddenly turned back around and gave his holovid worthy line. She realized that he probably caught her staring and tried to play it off by wiping away a bit of imaginary dust from his live handles. She was pretty sure though that he wouldn't buy it.

She felt her cheeks redden slightly at the thought, but decided that she should try a little harder to get him to blush herself, so as she stepped past him to get in she brushed ever so slightly against him, making sure both the fabric of her skirt and her hand, almost too gentle to notice, brushed against his abdominals.

Well, where will you take me first, Mister High judge. She said with a warm smile. She couldnt resit using his title instead if his name for the moment as she teased him slightly. She didn't really understand the whole titles and changing ones name thing. She figured if she ever did make it to the council she wouldn't change hers. Not to mention she couldn't think of one that sounded good enough.

She kept herself modest as she waited for him to get inthe drivers seat, although showing a bit of thigh was always in good taste she thought to herself as she crossed her legs femininely and sat her right elbow on the armrest of the speeder door, leaning her head against the back of her hand as she watched him get in and eagerly awaited his reply.

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Okay so yeah - he hadn't been imagining it and she hadn't been anywhere near as subtle about it as she perhaps should have been but hey, it was just a bit of harmless fun wasn't it? He would be lying if he said he hadn't given her a once over a few times - both when they'd actually first met and when they had met up again in the hotel. Her cheeks reddening was amusing but he knew that she wasn't going to make it easy on him.

Which was fine by him - he rather liked a little bit of a challenge and... did she...? She did. She totally just did a slide and touch move as she was getting into the speeder! He... he actually didn't have any words for a moment as he processed what had happened for a moment.

Well now... this was a thing he supposed?

"Well I've got some ideas." he admitted before adding, "But please... neither of us is 'on duty' right now. I'm not even wearing my armour - no titles today."

As he wandered on round to the driver's side of the speeder, he climbed in and as he activated the speeder he paused before adding,

"Technically Evandrus is a title too." he admitted before shrugging slightly and flashing her a smile, "I know you expected to spend the day with Evandrus, High Judge and Sith Lord... think you can live with just Cregan Drast instead?"

He did his best not to look her over so missed the amount of thigh and leg that was showing, though as they were flying the wind was blowing through their hair and Cregan was just grinning like a loon as he brought the speeder to almost it's top speed as he cruised around with Serie,

"Serie Fond... Sith Master... deadly woman with blade and Force..." he declared, smirking a little bit as he glanced at her, "What are your thoughts on churros? Very important question. Promise."

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie had a feeling that shed gotten caught staring. She didn't mind though, better for him to catch her checking him out now than the next meeting or gathering with the Sith with every one around. That would probably be much more awkward she thought to herself.

I think I would love to spend an evening with Cregan Drast, professional driver and pilot. She said with a slight laugh. Maybe it was genetics, as she had yet to meet a corellian that wasn't an ace pilot.

She laughed much harder at his question though, she wasn't expecting it at all. Her face was serious as he began his question, but then the punchline came and she had to hold herself back from laughing too hard.

These are the real questions we should be asking. She said giggling before continuing. I think I'll hate myself tomorrow but I'm not letting that stop me. My only request is that we walk while we eat. It'll make my thighs feel better about what I'm doing to them. She added with another soft giggle.

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Professional driver and pilot eh? Well as a Pamarthen, Cregan was actually rather certain that if he hadn't been collected by the Jedi and trained as a Jedi Shadow he likely would have ended up as one of those things. His people had a natural affinity towards being fighter pilots and the like and his entire family was involved, one way or another, in being taken in by the Jedi had had avoided that fate for himself.

And now apparently he was willingly taking the demotion? Ah well, it was all just harmless fun in his opinion. So he flashed Serie a grin,

"Oh well - make sure you tip your driver at the end of the night!"

She seemed all for the idea of getting some churros though! Grinning, he nodded seriously as he brought the speeder down to by the waterfront, giving them both a nice view of the waterfront for a few moments before he pulled up alongside a churro vendor. He was going to bother parking but it seemed that people were free to just leave their speeders here while they went for a little wander.

"Well alright then - you've passed the hardest test of the Sith Empire. To eat sweet treats, or not to eat sweet treats?" he smirked as he added, "I wish I was joking when I tell you that the Empress would frown on anyone declaring that sweet treats are not important in life."

Leaving the speeder, Cregan moved round to the passenger side of the speeder and opened the door for Serie, holding his free hand out for her to take. If she gave him her hand he would pull her gently to her feet and close the door before guiding her towards the churro stand,

"I've got some nice little plans for our walk." he admitted with a shrug, "Talking points so we can chat and just generally get along better you know? Fair warming though... get the chocolate dipping sauce or we might be having an argument right here and now Serie, I'll tell you no lies!"

He winked at her to assure her that he was kidding, naturally.

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie giggled at his tipping comment. She hadn't laughed like this in a long time and it was honestly one of the best dates she had ever been on. She also thought it funny that the empress was so serious about her sweets too. If they ever met face to face shed have to remember that and be sure to bring her a box of chocolates.

She smiled and gave him a bit of the side eye as he just parked the speeder wherever he so chose. She probably would have done the same though if she were driving she considered to herself.

Graciously taking his hand as he helped her out, she hooked one arm under his and let her other rest on his wrist as they approached the stand. Oh, don't tell me. I usually don't like surprises but I'm feeling spontaneous tonight for some reason. She said with a earnest smile. Don't worry. She said, giving him a wink as well. I planned on ordering some already. I mean, is there any other way to enjoy churros? She added with a quiet laugh. She was enjoying her time with him tremendously and couldn't wait to see what he had in store for the next part of their "date".

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Ah seemed that he had picked a good person to go walking with churros with - someone who knew that chocolate dipping sauce was the only answer when someone asked you what you wanted to dip your churros in. Some might say that there were cream or ice cream or fruit flavoured dips that were better but that was to be expected. In order for there to be people in the Galaxy who were right, there also had to be people in the Galaxy who were wrong.

And they would be the people who were wrong because he was right when he said that chocolate dipping sauce was the best sauce to have with churros.

"See? I knew there was a reason I wanted to clear up our initial meeting and be friends." he assured her with a laugh, "Don't worry - I'll get them now for us."

Ordering the churros with the correct dipping sauce, he came back and handed her the delicious treats that he had purchased for her and nibbled at his own for a moment before gesturing with his head for her to follow him. Walking along the edge of the river, Cregan was able to just smile and enjoy the peace of the scene and the company as they just enjoyed their churros for a moment. He chuckled, looking at both the river and the people of Serenno,

"Look at this place..." he shook his head in wonder, "You'd never have believed that there was a giant abomination rampaging through the streets with an army of smaller abominations not long ago. And now look at it! Look at them!"

He grinned at Serie,

"It's times like this, when I look around and see so many people able to just enjoy their lives, that I realise something..." he grinned wider, "We Sith are pretty awesome, aren't we? To secure something like this we'd have to be!"

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie giggled at his enthusiasm about the dipping sauce. She thought it somewhat fun that one of the highest ranking Sith in the galaxy had a sweet tooth.

She took hers from him and tried to eat it as discretely as possible as well as doing her best not to make a mess with the chocolate sauce she went with him as he walked beside the river. She also had to admit that you really wouldn't have believed a abomination was running amuck in the streets not long ago.

I agree. That's why we are expanding and growing at such a tremendous rate. It's the natural order of things. The diseased republic and the Jedi have not evolved. They remain stagnant. We continue to transcend ourselves. She paused before continuing, taking a breath and looking up at him now. We adopt new things if we think it practical. If we can't beat something at their own game, we beat them at ours and steal their tactics. That's why we will continue to march on, conquering planet after planet like we are. It's because, simply put, the republic and the Jedi are built on complacency. Whereas we are built upon progress. They are stillness. We are evolution.

She finished her somewhat drawn out thoughts with a shrug of her shoulders and tilt of her head. She hoped she had impressed him with her thoughts and opinion on the matter. She always considered herself an intellectual and hoped he might see that in her too.

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Cregan had to admit that when he saw Serie stealing a dip from his dipping sauce he felt genuinely betrayed... for all of about a second or two he would admit, but in was the principle of the thing! He scoffed a little bit as he saw her enjoying the dipping sauce but also saw her very nearly miss her mouth with the Churro so the sauce almost ended up all over her face.

Seeing a high ranking, powerful, Sith Master playing around with food like this was endearing enough that he didn't say anything about it, just smirking a little bit in amusement if he was honest. Shaking his head, he decided that he wasn't going to say anything about her successful theft of his dipping sauce or her near failure to eat the churros without getting the cause all over her.

And then they both proved that despite their choice of food they were still intellectuals.

"You know... I think you might be right. An old Jedi Master I used to know, a bit of a rebel within the Order, taught me for a bit when I was a kid... he told me that the Order was going to die. Do you know what he said? He said that the Order needed to move forward and never stop - that if it stopped it would wither and if it hesitated it would die." he admitted with a grin, shooting her a wink, "You seem to think the same way... we excel because we don't accept the Galaxy as we find it. We're not content to just leave it just because it is a 'natural state'... who's to say the natural state isn't wrong and the entire Galaxy isn't just waiting for those with the will to make the changes happen?"

He chuckled a little bit as they wandered down the waterfront, giving Serie a little nudge from the side, playfully, as they wandered at a sedate pace,

"Look at you Master Fond... acting the total package here!" he pretended to swoon a little bit, "Power? Check. Wisdom? Check. Lovely enough that you're making the local wives angry with how much their husbands are checking you out?"

True to his word, several couples were passing them and several wives were scolding their husbands. His smirk widened,

"Double check."

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie was elated that Cregan seemed to share not only her intellect but her viewpoints as well. She smiled gently at him as he spoke. He wasn't a particular eloquent speaker, but his charm, wit, humor, and intelligence made up for it. He had a smooth flow to everything he said and his accent only made it that much more attractive too.

Exactly. Like in the tenants of our new Sith order, we shall have victory. As victors, we should decide how things should be.

Then the compliments came. She tried not to blush but there was really no helping it. She felt her cheeks redden slightly as he glanced behind him and she followed suit to see a woman looking with eyes that could melt his skin off at her husband.

Ha! I'm used to that. And aren't you quite the package yourself Mr. Drast? The only reason the husband wasn't chastising his wife was because he was too oblivious to notice her staring so hard at you! She said with a playful tone in her voice. She had worded that just exactly as she wanted to, and put some emphasis on the word "package".

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Speaking with someone about the ethics and morality of the Galaxy was something that Cregan had always enjoyed doing he would freely admit. It was something of a pastime he'd had when he was a Jedi and something of a guilty pleasure hobby that he had now as a Sith Lord. What made his hobby even better though was engaging with someone who was actually intelligent. He would like to say that it was something that happened a lot...

But it was often lacking.

Serie, on the other hand, was proving herself to be a delightful conversationalist and he was enjoying chatting with her immensely. She was smart and she was rather fun to chat to. He was honestly rather annoyed at himself for not having made the opportunity to speak to her before this.

"Oh I like that..." he admitted with a smirk before adding, "Sure you're not quoting from anyone there Serie?"

He winked to let her know that he was just having a bit of a laugh with her.

She was blushing because of the compliments he had paid her but he didn't really see why - he hadn't said anything that wasn't the truth so it just made sense to him. He blinked a little bit at her comeback however, almost missing a step and almost biting his tongue as he had gone to take a bite of churro. Had she... had she made a comment about his package? No... no, he must be imagining things.

"Well I suppose we're just going to have to accept that we're some very attractive people." he joked right back as he led her down along the water-front to a statue that had been put up to celebrate those who had fought the abominations. He stopped and just stared at himself, in bronze, grinning like a loon.

It was stunningly accurate but Cregan still just scowled a little bit and gestured to it,

"I don't look like that, do I?" he asked before shaking his head and grinning, "So Serie... where can I find your statue? And if you haven't gotten one yet... where would you choose to have one? Come on, I'm curious now."

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie raised her eyebrows innocently at his question at the quote. While she had rephrased it a little bit she had heard it on a holovid she had watched not long ago.

No, totally original. She said smiling, obviously lying and having fun with it. She gave him a teasing gentle punch to the arm as she said it. She very much wanted him to pick up on the vibes she was sending him, but he seemed to remain oblivious somehow. Typical male. Blissfully unaware. She mused in her head.

She stopped in front of the statue with him and giggled at his remark. She quickly thought of a with reply. You know what they say. The sculpting adds ten pounds. She said with a stunted laugh at her own joke.

Well I don't have a statue, unlike some of us. Then he said something that sounded like music to her ears. Mostly because she wanted it so badly. She just never heard it before. Where? I never thought about it before. I. Uh. Wow I don't know. I do know I kriffin want one now though! She exclaimed, unable to hide her excitement over the idea.

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Totally original eh? Totally original his arse!

Naturally he wasn't going to call her on it - it would be a bit of a dick move to do so and it was rather amusing since they both knew that he knew she wasn't being entirely truthful with him. He pulled a face and pouted, literally pouted, as he rubbed at the arm she had punched.

A Sith Lord pouted and the Galaxy hadn't exploded... felt like there should be rules against that.

"Great, and now I'm being hit on by a pretty woman." he paused for a moment, making a show of thinking about it before adding, "Wait... did I say that wrong?"

Nope.

Nope he didn't.

Serie was really excited about having a statue huh? Grinning a little bit, Cregan just chuckled a little bit. He wrapped one arm around her and held her close as he dramatically raised his other hand to gesture at the sky,

"Just out there... just waiting... is a planet that's going to have a statue of Sith Master Serie Fond made!" he declared with a grin, turning to look back down at her, "I just know it... although..."

He made a show of 'inspecting' her,

"I think you'd probably look better in some classy marble than bronze or something. Keep that snow-white complexion you got going on there."

@anzat17

 

[Serie Fond]

Serie had to admit, when Evandus pouted it was the cutest thing ever. She tried to just watch him with her peripherals but that went out the window pretty quickly. Especially when his hand came around her shoulders and he gestured out to the heavens. She stated at him pretty hard before he turned back around to make his examination of her.

She sighed pretty deeply at his comment. She friggin loved everything he was saying right now and she wasn't trying to hide it either. Oh. Yea. Marble sounds nice. Yea. I like it. Snow White complexion huh? I could get used to that too. She said daintily, almost tripping over her words as she was just talking to say something, her mind currently afluter with a multitude of impure thoughts about the man right now.

So, um, how'd you get your statue by the way? Don't think I've heard that story yet. She asked, quite curious indeed what he would say. He seemed the type to over exaggerate the story, but right now she didn't care how exxagerated it was, she just wanted to keep him talking.

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Serie was... she was losing track of the conversation it seemed. Almost like she had something else on her mind when she spoke to him - he would have found it rude that she was so distracted when she was supposed to be speaking to him but he supposed he wouldn't hold it against her. He was, after all, talking about something she herself had claimed to have set her sights on as a goal for herself. It made sense for her to get a little bit distant when imagining actually having what she was thinking about.

The other option was that she was looking at him like that because she liked him. That she liked the way he was paying attention to her and she liked the way he spoke to her. Honestly, Evandrus wasn't trying to flirt with Serie... he was just laying out the truth as he saw it.

"Well you would suit marble I think... polished marble so that your statue can shine." he decided in the end with a flashed of a grin, "Just picture it Serie - a shining marble statue of you, illuminated in the dead of night... it'll look like a shining moon."

How did he get a statue? He chuckled a little bit, suddenly feeling a little bit more sheepish as he scratched the back of his head for a moment before answering,

"I was part of the group that fought the giant abomination here. I think we all got statues but mine? I earned mine probably from a single feat of Force power." he admitted with a shrug, "I directed survivors and I used Force Valour to strengthen my allies but I think the thing that got me a statue?"

He chuckled a little bit, his cheeks growing slightly red as he admitted,

"The abomination threw a building at us and I... well I kinda caught it and threw it right back. In it's face."

@anzat17