The Dark Academy on Korriban

"He ain't there anymore," she said, taking another drink. "Only way you're going to help him now is getting some payback, I guess."

The sith replaced the datapad. "So is he a wound in the force, whatever that may be, or is he not?"

"Was. I took care of it. You're welcome."

The band plays another song this time the woman taking lead vocals.

"Fire away!" she sings.

The band were really great tonight!

Jo'ren looked at her and took another swig as he called on the Force to Sense her. She seemed to mean what she said, for what it was worth. "Okaaay. Thanks. I appreciate it."

Day 7. Sense on Layne: 1eF 1 Dark Side

Her emotional state certainly didn't match what you'd expect from someone in the act of lying. She was far too calm for all that. At least until he spoke; when there was a flicker of annoyance.

"What's with that tone there?"

"You're full of surprises Layne." He shrugged. "Didn't take you for the type to just help someone. A wound in the force sounds like bad juju, but you helped him anyway. It's kind of at odds with the persona you've created around yourself."

He looked at her again. "So. I don't know why you did whatever it was that you did, but I'm glad you did it. Guess I can focus on my vengeance now huh?"

"Who says I just helped him for free?"

Well, technically that's what she'd done... but it wasn't a lie to suggest she hadn't by asking that question.

Jo'ren shrugged, feeling the swirl of emotions. "Doesn't matter to me Layne. You helped him. From the assorted accounts it doesn't sound like he was in a position to give you a riding tuk'ata and a speeder bike."

"He did give me a rundown of what happened though," she said with a shrug.

"Which explains how you know so much about it. Knowledge and a good deed then." He shrugged back and finished his beer.

She sighed. "Yeah, I'm a real hero. I'm thinking of setting up a charity for disadvantaged children next."

"Good for you Layne. I think there's an Imperial tax credit for that sort of thing." He looked over at the band to see what they would play next.

"I do it all for the smiling faces," she said.

Well, obviously she was being sarcastic.

"I'm sure it's good therapy. Do they send you a card on Family Day?"

"They'd fucking better. Least they could do."

He nodded. "Bunch of ungrateful jerks the lot of them."

The band plays a more mellow tune.

"I bless the snows down in Ziost..." the lead singer croons.

She looked toward the stage. "This is a really weird band."

Jo'ren did the same and stabbed a finger in the band's direction. "That song sounds seditious. The last few were okay though." He gave a tight smile. "What's next, Ziost in Your Hand?"

Right. Seditious... that's what's weird about it

She rolled her eyes and took another sip so she had the excuse of not having to reply to that.

Silence from Layne. Finally!

Jo'ren smiled at the bartender and ordered his final beer of the night. He reflected on the conversation and what it had revealed. He still didn't know why Layne had done what she had done, but in the end it didn't matter: it was done. There were just a few remaining matters to attend to.