Ask Sullust Through Shadow and Flame

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Part of MorataCorp's creed was to aid those that were harmed; the least they could do in the liberation of Sullust was act as the intermediary medical team, when Sullust's own medical team was possibly overwrought and overwhelmed. With viral research well underway, this latest project was an opportunity to help allies of the Rangers, as her former ties as an Affiliate would allow. She had recalled the Holonet broadcast, and though she hadn't sensed him coming to any real harm, she found herself drawn to where the Jedi Valtiere had gone.

What she had found was organized chaos.

Dead, dying and wounded were filling harried triage. Jedi mingled with professionals, and even from here she could sense the thrum of the Light. However, as the Corvette the Resolute Defiance came in for a careful landing, her senses scanned for him. Maddeningly, she could feel nothing.

She didn't want to dwell on that thought too long.

That had been three days ago. Or had it been four?

Her eyes burned grittily from the heat, and from the long hours. The biosuit she wore hadn't been changed, really, since night two. The mask filtered out most of the toxins from the planet, but there were more than just the miasmic fumes to content with. Her gloves had been wet and slick with blood, but it was a blur of patients. Day in and day out, eighteen hour shifts. She worked just long enough to collapse in a corner and sleep, and then it was back up again. Energy drinks were starting to no longer help. When the heat got through her hands, she'd just shuck off the gloves and pull on new ones. So many bodies, Sullustian and not, just stacking up.

Transporting them would be impossible, at least at this volume.

"Nurse. Get me a blood pack, fast," she ordered in a flat rasp, the lascalpel poised. "Sterile packs, too, and bacta." Her hands were a blur, and soon the patient was patched enough to survive, before it was on to the next.

She was just numb. Between the virus research conferences and all the recent disasters, she felt like she couldn't breathe.

So it was just one foot in front of the other, one patient to the next.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sullust had been a great victory, but it also came at the cost of many lives. Sevrin didn’t like how well known he was becoming for leading the operation, and he attempted to keep mostly to himself. He had purposely closed himself mentally to focus solely on the Jedi Shadow mission. It bothered him to have the efforts blasted over media across the galaxy. While civilians were celebrating a Jedi victory, the entire thing risked the Jedi that participated.

Phoeya II was now in power over the whole planet, and everything was already taking a positive turn. Impoverished Sullustans were already having laws signed into place that granted them benefits and rights that had been revoked by the Sith.

Sevrin had been underground and assisting with rescues there. In truth, he went down there mainly to scope out the tunnels and find any Sith attempting to hide out. He thought differently than most Jedi - while he would absolutely help and rescue, the back of his mind was always concerned with Sith remnants.

The Sephi made his way to surface hours later and heard a bit of excited commotion about the arrival of a clinic. They had been desperately in need of medical support and the planet was far out in the Outer Rim and away from main trade routes. Sevrin mused about how the planet could benefit from joining ISC, an idea he would present to Phoeya II later.

Sevrin’s eyebrows rose as he saw the tent with the MorataCorp logo on it. He regarded it for a moment as memories washed over him rapidly. He quelled them quickly. His mask hid half his face, revealing only the piercing silvers.

“Stop helping Sith trash!” A man that had been treated for injuries burst into the tent. He had a blaster on him that he nabbed from somewhere. He vaguely aimed towards the first medical personnel he saw, firing off a bolt.

Sevrin had been arriving just as the bolt was fired and he leapt towards the tent in one move. He coiled the Force around the man and bodily tossed him far back, raising the blaster and crushing it into pieces.

“Seize him!” The Sephi ordered already approaching soldiers. Sevrin whirled around and rushed into the tent to confirm that everyone was okay.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She had been so focused on the next patient, the next body, when the aggressive individual burst in. Had she been more aware, and less exhausted, she would have been able to move swiftly, defend herself more easily.

However, she hadn't, so she wasn't.

The shot grazed past her shoulder, but it burned with such a sudden, fierce clarity that she let out a surprised yelp of pain, the lascalpel slipping from her grip as she staggered away, amber eyes wide in shock. A nurse picked up the equipment before it could harm any other individual, but already she could feel the burn as it had bitten through the biosuit and burned into the upper arm. The suit itself let out a beep to inform a breach, and she let out a snarled epithet, stalking towards the man when a familiar figure stepped in her line of sight.

Sevrin.

She froze suddenly, lips parted in shock. Was she so out of it she hadn't even noticed the Jedi's appearance? For a split moment, there was a brief relief to the surface, before she pushed it down, firming her features into a harsh glare. The brunt of her ire, however, wasn't directed at the Jedi unfortunately in her path.

It was to the guards that should have been doing their duty.

"Put him back in his berth and strap him down," she snapped through the mask, amber eyes ablaze with a combination of energy drink-fueled adrenaline, exhaustion, and bleak numbness. The suit beeped again, and she suddenly turned away from the man being hauled away, for a moment glancing up at Sevrin.

"I'll patch and get a new biosuit. K'tarka, how are we on supplies?"

"We'll need more sterile drapes, and charger batteries for the bioscanners. But your break time is soon Doctor, please take it." A middle-aged Zeltron wearing the same suit as she did gestured to the Defiance, but Amariel shook her head.

"I'll patch up and come back in an hour. Excuse me," she muttered, stalking past the Jedi. She wasn't going to take another 'restful' lecture from the head nurse, she had too much to do in too little time. The woman scowled at her back, and shook her head. "Please, could you escort her, and convince her to rest?" she asked him, giving the man a glance as she prepared to turn away. "We've had a few already try and assault us between supply runs, and she's been working constantly since we were called here."

With that, the woman turned away, prepping for the next patient.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin’s eyes widened as he saw Amariel and then the smoke that rose from her shoulder. Amariel would feel a spike of concern from him just as he felt that spike of relief from her. There was bemusement that flicked across his face as Amariel casually carried on despite the injury. He watched the exchange between her and the nurse, having to hunch slightly to stand inside the tent.

The Sephi exhaled as Amariel casually strode right past him, keeping his eyes trained ahead. He had to resist the urge to bring his face to his palm. He then turned to regard the nurse that addressed him, giving her a calm stare and nothing more in response. Back outside of the tent, Amariel would feel as if she ran into an invisible wall. Sevrin took a few steps and walked backwards till he came to stand across from her.

She would see those familiar silvers above the mask, gaze as unwavering as ever, “What are you doing, Amariel?” He asked gently.

Sevrin’s eyes flicked over to where she had been hit, “Will you at least let me somewhat heal it?” He asked quietly. He remembered to stop using the Force so that the invisible wall was no longer in front of her. It had been a barrier he had projected.

If she allowed it, he would lead her towards the Defiance. He had a feeling her nurses and other staff were still just barely coming to terms with Force use.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She thought she had escaped, temporarily, some judgement at least. It was irrational to be annoyed; even more irrational to stalk off the way she had. She knew she ought to apologize for her abruptness, but that thought was suddenly interrupted when something suddenly stopped her.

Caught mid-step, she staggered back with a surprised hiss in of breath, and she could feel her ire flare back to life. Golden eyes snapped at him as she scowled over her mask, somehow amplified by his gentle tone. She couldn't explain it, but it felt easier to be annoyed at something other than address the pile of things that added up in her life.

She worked her jaw, staring at him a moment without speaking. Then, with a curt nod, she allowed him to shadow her steps into the ship, wincing at the pain radiating down her arm.

Her good arm, dammit.

She waited until they were within the corvette itself, closer to the private captain's quarters, now refinished into a joint private sleeping room and meeting board next door.

Wheeling around on him, she waited until the doors sealed before jerking the mask off. Deep circles showed beneath amber eyes, and though normally the image of cultivated upper class, dust and ash still smudged and white hair was less pristine.

"Please don't call me Amariel in front of my staff," she managed to utter, attempting to turn sheer will into a durasteel spine. She didn't want to collapse or show weakness, and she was just exhausted enough to not care how mulish it seemed. She'd had to be stubborn the last few days, and she wasn't up to another lecture yet. "I'll be fine, just heal me a little bit, I'll bandage and go back to finish my rotation."

She didn't even really consider any implications when she started shedding the biosuit as well, mindful of the burns to her shoulder. Beneath, she wore a grey tee-shirt, but as she tried to bend to remove the rest, her head started to swim. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself upright, instead leaning against the table.

Guess changing the suit had to wait a few more moments.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin remained silent as they made their way over to the ship. He strode in behind her, feeling the spikes of what felt almost like rage emanating from her. He knew she was stubborn, and he couldn’t blame her for the irritation following an attack that threatened her life along with her staff.

His eyebrows rose slightly when she icily chided him for using her true name. Sevrin said nothing in response, continuing to follow her as they arrived near the captain’s quarters. The Sephi allowed her to begin removing the suit, and he took off his own mask. Exhaustion was apparent on his face as well, but he had buffed out the smudges on him from being in the tunnels. There were some snobby traits that he simply couldn’t shed.

Sevrin watched her almost collapse, but he didn’t think she was in the mood for him to assist. Instead, he gestured for her to sit.

The Sephi approached her and politely waited for her to move her sleeve off her shoulder. Sevrin’s face remained a stoic mask as he stepped forth to inspect the wound, his thoughts purposely clamped down shut from the bond. She would notice that his attire was partially open to reveal bandages that were wrapped around his torso. One of his arms had fresh bandages wrapped around them and she would recognize the dressing as treatment for burn wounds.

Sevrin closed his eyes and channeled the Force himself, his hand hovering slightly above her shoulder. She would feel that warm sensation not only at the site of the injury but throughout her whole body, a soft glow illuminating against her skin. The pain began to subside at once, and the angry and pulsing red burn would soften up to something far more manageable.

The Sephi shuddered a breath softly, the effort taxing him far more than it normally would. However, he didn’t let it hamper him, stepping aside to quietly grab a medpack. He opened the contents and reached for bacta and bandages. Without a word, he expertly applied it to the wound to finish dressing the injury after cleaning it.

Sevrin stepped back after he was done, his tired, silver gaze meeting ambers. As before, it looked as if he had a lot to say, but he could sense the irritation in her still.

“It is good to see you again,” He stated simply before he moved to put his mask on again. He would then turn and begin to leave the ship.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Surprisingly, he said nothing. Or was it not surprising? By this point, she wasn't sure. She knew she ought to apologize and say something polite, but the words dried up in her throat at his expression. He was deliberately keeping his distance; fitting, considering the way they last parted ways.

She noted his own exhaustion, how it taxed him even with the simple healing. She exhaled at the warmth, and as before, he did more than he had to.

She also noted his arm, and white brows lowered over a stern amber gaze. However, she kept silent, even at the application of bacta paste and bandages. He seemed to want to say something; she could almost swear it lit up his gaze, when he spoke once, then made as though to move away.

"Wait."

The word was softly spoken, but she didn't realize she had moved until her fingers caught his sleeve, and she was standing. A light tug. With some of her emotional fog alleviated as well, the irritation had abated, and she seemed calmer, if unsettled.

"Let me look at that arm." It wasn't a question or a request, but an attempt to help him out as well. He had to be a patient, after all; he was at the battle here, after all, wasn't he? So it would make sense she would look into him as a patient.

That was her best excuse, and she would keep it that way. And she was curious about what he had wanted to say.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin caught the tug at his sleeve and glanced down at her, eyebrows rising slightly again. He felt a pulse through the bond, and noticed the irritation began to fade away. Her focus turned to his arm and he followed her gaze, lifting his other hand to remove the mask he wore again. He grew tired of wearing it all the time and jumped at any opportunity to take it off.

He lifted the injured arm and she would be able to tell it was crudely and hastily bandaged. Sevrin allowed her to tend to it however she pleased, but she would find some very angry burns when she unwrapped the bandages.

“Well, the lightning injury has healed up okay at least,” Sevrin said hopefully as his various new injuries were revealed. Though the lightning had healed, the patterned scar on his chest was likely permanent.

The Sephi’s gaze never left Amariel as she worked, and he was silent for a few moments before speaking, “I saw your Holonet interview,” He said quietly as a single eyebrow rose, “Still Ilana to the galaxy?"

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Well, at least he listened.

It would give her a slight excuse to sit, as well.

She pulled on gloves once again, raising a white brow at his tone. "Is it? I'll have to take a look later," she remarked, taking the medkit back and setting it on the table.

She was mindful of the bandages, careful not to pull too hard, in case of healing skin. It was likely he hadn't had much time, nor energy, to heal himself while no doubt patrolling for Sith. At the words of the Holonet interview, her hands stilled for a moment, before she quietly sighed, eyes closing once in a slow blink.

"For now, I have to be. As Ilana, I am not directly tied to Iselti Morata. However, Amariel is a recorded name. I prefer not to use my family name for influence or wealth." At least, not directly. Instead, she cocked her head slightly, giving him a slightly bemused stare. "Did I at least look decent for my interview, then? They didn't give me any warning before descending like womp rats." It was a weak joke, but an attempt at least.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin blinked a few times in rapid succession as she casually remarked she would take a look at his lightning injuries. His face remained impassive, though the ears twitched slightly. He said nothing on the topic, letting her unwrap the bandages. Sevrin decided to toy with her a bit by purposely wincing or drawing in breath sharply as she did it, only to have amusement glint in his eyes if she hesitated.

He paused when she explained the reasons behind the name, and he couldn’t entirely fault her for it. In many ways, he understood it. There had been many times he had considered going by one of his many other names instead of Valtiere. Every now and then the topic of the Thustran king’s firstborn son came up and Sevrin was dragged back into the mess.

Sevrin was distracted from his thoughts when Amariel spoke again, gaze flicking up towards hers when he had been staring at his injuries for a moment. The Sephi stared at her for a second, “I prefer your hair down,” He stated rather matter of factly in his usual candid and direct fashion. His gaze remained on hers for several seconds longer than necessary. Sevrin cleared his throat before looking back at his injuries.

“It is a good thing you did not contact me before arriving here,” He looked at her again with a raised eyebrow, “I would have told you to stay far away,” Sevrin exhaled softly, “I’m not going to lecture you for coming here, but it truly is dangerous. There are many insurgents that haven’t been cleared yet and there have been countless attacks and sabotages.”

He looked at her calmly, “There are many places in the galaxy experiencing a crisis right now. Why did you come here?”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She had been aware of his expressions and movements, even though his features remained remote, distant, there was body language, the slightest cues to what burned in the Sephi's mind. Even someone who wasn't empathic could almost get a sense, and yet, it was easier to control how much she could sense from others. Still, nothing quite prepared her for his words.

For a moment, her hands stilled, before she cocked her head up to him. "I was thinking of cutting it short," she replied. However, the faintest humor touched cool ambers. "Less to fuss on." Deliberately, she glanced back to his own dark locks, lips on the verge of a faint smile. Not quite, though.

She wasn't surprised he would have asked her to leave, had she contacted him. And she knew why.

"MorataCorp's core tenets always answer to galactic crises. And I was summoned." It was an excuse. Pathetic at best. He assured she wouldn't sense his death when the time came for it, but she wouldn't be surprised if she did. Still, she was careful to keep on task.

"Besides, I'm fine. He was weak and slow. I've met those faster on the draw, who could have hurt me far worse. Why, worried?" She wasn't asking out of coyness, but as a direct answer, amber eyes looking straight at silvers. Almost a challenge, daring a direct answer rather than the occasional evasiveness he could pull. The Jedi wasn't the only one who could be direct when she wanted to be.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin imagined her with shorter hair, and he came to the conclusion that it would suit her any way she cut it. Her vibrant and challenging eyes would remain the same and any hairstyle would frame her face. His thoughts quickly pulled back to the present as she mentioned she was 'summoned'.

A single eyebrow rose as she said that, and it was abundantly clear he didn’t buy a word of it. The skepticism was very pointedly on his normally stoic face. Sevrin blinked at her for a beat, but said nothing on the topic, letting her sit on her obviously fabricated story.

When she tossed her question out, Sevrin caught her gaze, noting the very deliberate way she asked. The Sephi surveyed her for a moment before he answered, “I just prefer you alive is all,” He stated with a quirked brow again, repeating her exact words to him from Nar Shaddaa back to her. Amariel had met her match in fibbing.

He glanced down at her bandaging of his arm and flexed his fingers. It felt a lot better already than the crude bandaging from before. The Sephi looked around the ship, “Where do you plan on staying since I can’t convince you to leave?” He rose to stand, stepping forward to look out a window. He paused there briefly before walking back towards her.

“You will be much safer staying in the compound the Jedi are using,” He held up hand, “Please don’t fight me on this,” He stated calmly while he gazed at her.

He thought for a few moments, “Besides, I believe it is my turn to treat you to a meal.”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She let out a quiet huff, almost a laugh at his own quipped words. Quoting her. At the time, things were different. Values were different, and so was her perspective. Still, she had now expected, since they had both been somewhat patched up, to go their separate ways again. She had been putting the bacta tubes away, when she caught his question.

When he stepped towards her, she opened her mouth, but he continued talking. A glint of frustration gleamed in golden eyes, and she cocked her head. "Do I get any say?" she replied dryly, crossing her arms beneath her chest. "I stayed on the ship. It's safe enough."

Still... he expected a fight. For a moment, she debated arguing about safety. Sure, it wouldn't bear the ire of insurgents or be open to rogue Sith attacks, but truth be told, she was still buzzing from the adrenaline, which was starting to wear down, and beneath that was exhaustion that wasn't up for debate.

"I just need a new biosuit," she muttered, running a hand through her hair with a quiet sigh. "But... food sounds nice. Give me five minutes to pack."

With that, she squeezed past him to a small doorway to the left of the conference room. As like her other brief places of residence, it was full of plants of riotous color and variety. Enough to give her a screen to grab what little belongings she had brought with her, including a holo disc with a display of the small family. She had to sit for a moment before trying to pull off the rest of the biosuit; she had worn it for so long, that taking it off almost felt like removing a second skin. She was sure she looked terrible. Pulling on the other one was far more difficult; a few times, she had leaned against the wall, wincing when her injured arm made brief contact.

Still, she wouldn't keep him waiting.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

“No,” Sevrin’s response was short and curt when asked if she had any say. He crossed his arms over his chest, making it clear he wouldn’t budge on this topic. While normally an agreeable person, he wouldn’t stand around and let her stay in a ship that stood out like a sore thumb and a prime target for raids.

The Sephi tilted to the side to let her pass, his gaze flicking around her ship and looking for vulnerabilities. His sharp ears could hear some shuffling around and it almost sounded as if she lost a step. Sevrin whirled around and moved towards her, pausing as he caught her in the middle of pulling on a new biosuit. It wasn’t often that he caught her looking completely awkward and ridiculous, and the sight drew out an involuntary amused expression. He brought up a curled fist to politely look away and cough to suppress the urge to laugh.

Sevrin cleared his throat and moved towards her, “May I?” He offered. He would only step forth if she allowed it, gingerly working to help her with the suit. He stood behind her as he helped her, reaching over to brush aside her hair. His bare knuckles grazed along the nape of her neck as he did so, and his whole body stiffened slightly, jaw tightening. He was thankful she couldn’t see his face just then.

He knew then that her skin everywhere wasn’t cold like her frosty hands. Sevrin despised how that detail clung to his thoughts while he quickly focused back on helping with the suit.

He stepped back after he helped zip it up, silver gaze back to their default blank as he nodded, “All set. Let’s go.”

Sevrin put his mask back on and led the way this time, walking through uneven and unstable ground. Every now and then he glanced back to see if Amariel needed assistance, a hand reaching out before he drew it back. She likely despised being helped. He would only do so when asked.

Amariel was recognized along the way by several others, many praising her and excitedly asking her about the vaccine. Sevrin watched all this as they walked, “Looks like you’ve become quite a celebrity,” He remarked quietly.

The area he led her to had been a large corporate facility that had been repurposed into an armory and living quarters. He led the way towards a cafeteria that had a large kitchen. Amariel would notice several robed Jedi milling about along with plenty of Sullustans.

“Wait here,” Sevrin gestured towards a table and chair as he made his way over to the kitchen.

Several Jedi eyed her curiously and she would feel waves of suspicion through her empath perception. Though not all directed at her, she would sense dread, pain and also hope around her. A few Jedi were openly curious as they looked at her and then over to Sevrin and then back to her. They weren’t in the habit of seeing the stoic and aloof Sephi paying anyone any attention.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

When he came over to help her, for a moment she was grateful. It was hassling enough trying to wrangle into the new suit as it was---

The thought was interrupted by the slightest graze of his knuckles on the nape of her neck. A shallow breath was caught in her chest, and she could feel the chill of goosebumps down her spine at the light brush. Something flared to life just then; she could chase that emotion if she wanted to---

No.

One look at his own silver eyes, and she knew chasing it wouldn't be wise. Still, there had been a faint echo of something. Of curiosity, edged with a ghost of longing. A want to understand. But then they left, and the opportunity to ask was gone.

Sighing quietly, she pulled the protective hood on with the mask and followed in his footsteps. However, amber eyes looked up at him in curiosity. She had to have imagined that echo, the briefest moment of brushed understanding. But she couldn't deny that it had been alluring. He was like a flame to the moth, and she was drawn in.

A few times, she stumbled on the uneven terrain, the boots always heavy and awkward. Nothing like her usual combat gear; in this, she was limited to movements within small quarters.

Still, as others drew close, she would force herself to stand tall. She wouldn't smile, but the journey was made longer simply for her taking the time to answer their questions, making an effort to meet eyes, even shaking hands on occasion. Thankfully, few lingered talking to her for long; for many, their lives as free citizens had only just begun. There were many things left to do for Phoeya's government. Still, at his words, she glanced up at him.

Amber eyes glimmered thoughtfully as a thankful worker walked past, waving at the Jedi.

"I'm not the only one, it seems," she replied, but she smiled slightly.

She didn't mind them. Perhaps she really was too tired to care.

Still, she had to admire how efficient the Jedi could be.

Taking the hood off once safe within the former corporate building, she exhaled quietly, closing her eyes for a brief moment. At his words, she opened her gaze to nod once, but just like that he was gone again. Lips twitching once, she settled in the chair, but couldn't relax; the prickles of stares, of curiosity, began to press in. Hands rested on the table, she clasped them a bit more tightly while she waited.

At the stares, she forced herself to sit up straight, giving off a calm aura of confidence. She kept her expression open and engaging as she observed the room around her, however it seemed no one would approach for the time being.

She had to admit, she was curious why she was here too. And his cryptically quoted answer to why he would care would only work for so long.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin was too tall to stay out of view. She would be able to tell that he was actually preparing the food himself. Every now and then he picked up an ingredient and sniffed it for quality, sometimes frowning or getting a rather snobby look on his face before casually tossing it. Expert chopping ensued followed by a spark of flame as he sprinkled spices. It was clear he had no qualms with using the Force to help him as ingredients and spices casually floated every now and then. He snatched them out of the air without looking, smoke rising as a delicious aroma began to fill the air.

“Ohoho is that you cooking I see over there!” A young, twi’lek Jedi Knight called out as she walked over to lean against a counter. Sevrin said nothing in response, calmly continuing what he was doing. The twi’lek grinned widely, glancing down at the food, “I hope you’re making enough for all of us.”

“No,” He stated flatly as he continued. The smile wiped off the woman’s face. She turned to look back at Amariel sitting by herself at a table. The twi’lek stared openly at the Arkanian offshoot who unfortunately got the full blow by blow of emotions. There were emotions that ranged from curiosity and surprise, but they were also laced with twinges of jealousy.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on tunnel patrol duty?” Sevrin asked as he began to plate the flood. The twi’lek grumbled to herself and walked off as the Sephi made his way over to the table and set the warm dishes down.

It was a type of stir fry that incorporated thin slices of meat wrapped around succulent veggies. Seared bantha strips were peppered and spiced along with it. There was also a sweeter reduction drizzled above it. While flavorful and mild at first bite, it carried after it a sharp kick.

The Sephi also floated over two glasses of water before grabbing his utensil. He glanced up at her for a few moments, “If you despise it, there is some leftover cold pizza,” Sevrin said with a completely straight face, though an eyebrow rose and amusement glinted in his eye.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

A little-known fact about the physician was her own keen sense of smell. Rising above the other common kitchen smells, the touch of sulfur from the outdoors, and the other scents of others, was the cooking. Amber eyes watched him from her distance, curiosity, and envy both simmering low. Curiosity, for the ingredients were known, but the combination of them together less so. Envy, for his casual use of the Force. Even now, she struggled with using it casually, even in private settings. It wasn't for lack of practice, but discomfort. It still felt like doing something unnatural, inexplicable.

She couldn't deny her appetite flaring to life the longer he cooked, and yet...

There was an element of grace to how he did it. The intense focus he gave was never once divided, even when a female came close. She couldn't hear the conversation with the hushed murmurs and private conversations, but she could see his features and her body language. And when she turned to stare at the Arkanian, she stared right back, head cocked slightly in curiosity. Jealousy, curiosity, surprise. Was it so strange for her to be here?

Perhaps it was unwise to linger... but he was stubborn. She had the feeling she'd have to sneak out if push came to shove.

The woman's expression flickered to something else at his words as she stalked off, and Amariel cocked a brow, all the more curious as to what he might have said to tinge the woman's mood with a note of the sour. Though then again, there had been times he seemed to enjoy pressing her buttons. He did it a little too well.

At his words, her lips twitched, and for the first time, an expression lit on the Arkanian's features.

A mischievous smile.

It was a flicker, but it was there. "I'll let you know which is better, then," she replied quietly, before savoring a bite. Expectation flared suddenly to subdued surprise, then enjoyment, pleasure softening amber eyes. It was rare these days to find another whose cooking she genuinely enjoyed; not for the first time, she had to wonder at his background. Surely the Jedi weren't all just monks with time on their hands to cook for doctors.

"...This is really good," she murmured quietly, for now, gaze focused on the food, before closing for a moment in appreciation. "Really good. I might hire you on to join my crew at this rate." Her gaze flicked back up to him, and a faint smile touched her lips again, before the next bite. She was only partially joking.

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin didn’t miss that quick smile that graced her face, and he caught his gaze lingering there even after it disappeared. It had been enough to make the corners of his lips twitch to mirror her own, but he had looked back down at his food by then. He appeared visibly pleased since she mentioned she enjoyed the food, though he made no remarks on it.

The Sephi quirked his brow at her words, “Oh? So I’d serve as your repulsorlift and personal chef?” He took a few more bites and swallowed, “How do you intend to pay me? I don’t believe my services are cheap,” Sevrin stated quite matter of factly. There was no denying the clear amusement in his eyes and face. The frost that always hung around him began to crack and melt just a bit.

He finished his meal and sipped from his water. Sevrin set the glass down and glanced at her for a moment. The amusement drifted away from his face and the stoic returned. He studied her for a beat before he spoke again.

“You absolutely should not be here,” He stated firmly, but his gaze flicked away for a moment, “But I will not deny that I am pleased to see you once more.”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Amusement glimmered in amber eyes as she took another bite. Unlike last time, she was hungry enough to eat it all quickly, and rather before she knew it, the plate was empty. At his teasing, she leaned back and seemed to consider her words. She knew others were discreetly listening in, perhaps speculating. She could only wonder at Sevrin's reputation amongst this mix. There was no denying many of them held him in esteem, if not more than that.

But her?

She was an outsider and a public face to boot. Was it good PR? A Jedi and the physician trying to craft a galactic answer. She didn't care at all. Taking a sip of water, her voice was a murmur as she teased him right back.

"I'm sure we could find a suitable agreement."

And just like that, business resumed in his features. As surely as the stoicism returned to his features, a coolness descended upon her own gaze, and the warmer expressions vanished. She knew she didn't have to be here. That she was putting herself at risk, and that there were numerous dangers attached to it. "I didn't come here to see you," only, she added in her head after her retort. "I came because there had been a crisis, and Sullust was the point of a Jedi loss once. As a former Ranger affiliate, it's part of my duty to assist those that are on neutral grounds with the Rangers." Her tone was pragmatic, her expression cool.

Amber eyes traced over his expression once again, noting how he looked away. The admission seemed to ease some of the frost. A soft exhale slipped past her lips, and she set down the glass, fingers lacing together on the table as she put the dirty dishes to one side.

"Missed me already?"

Though the tone was serious, amber eyes gleamed.

"I am pleased to see you as well. And that you are..." Whole. Mostly unharmed. Safe.

"...Alive."

@Sreeya

 

[Sevrin Valtiere]

Sevrin knew he had a terrible habit of being detached and withdrawn. A lot of it had to do with being a Sephi, but part of it was also from being a Jedi Shadow. He noticed the shift in Amariel and the change in demeanor that mirrored the same frost that returned to him. Sevrin didn’t need to look at her to note the change in dynamics.

However, as she spoke, he listened and calmly thought through it. Silver gaze flicked up to meet hers for a moment, “That’s the second time you’ve explained why you are here in greater detail than I’ve asked,” Sevrin said quietly, “Who are you trying to convince. Me......or you?” The question drifted into the air like a light brush of wind, and it was clear he wasn’t concerned about her answering or not.

The frosty silvers glimmered just a bit at her words. For a moment Sevrin gazed at her intently. It was then that she would feel him abruptly lock himself up in the Force thread they had. It was then that she would realize that she had been allowing subtle things to traverse to him. Things that she likely hadn’t intended to pass. Sevrin locked it down to allow her privacy.

While he said nothing about it, he reached over to grab the dirty dishes, his hand brushing against hers as he did so. His gaze at her was direct and unapologetic as he took the dishes and rose to stand. Silvers burned from a cold frost that carried intensity of their own. Sevrin quietly walked away to clean everything off, returning after a few minutes.

The area around them had grown empty by then, people having gone to bed or on patrols.

“Let me show you to the sleeping quarters,” He said quietly, “There is a rather nice executive suite that has been repurposed that no one is using.”

@Killa Ree