The Dark Academy on Korriban

"That is an insight worth a toast."

She raised the glass. Alcohol glittered in her eyes and lekku movements were a bit more vivid, but she didn't look tipsy yet.

He smiled a bit surprised at her response, and raised his glass.

"I made a point that stuck? The alcohol must make me a better thinker than I thought." He chuckled.

"You are becoming a better thinker if you face opposition."

She observed him keenly, letting him process that.

He chuckled, "Thanks for being a pain in the ass then."

He then winked a bit to show the teasing nature of the comment.

"My pleasure."

The wink was not even necessary. She looked almost tempted to push the metaphor further.

"So what is your favourite leisure activity, Syl?"

"Favorite?" He thought for a moment, "I don't know... Drinking, women, music... All are great in their own way. Though I must say adventure probably tops them all. The thrill of excitement matches that of women. The intoxicating feeling of success matches drinking. And the memories of adventure stick to your mind like a powerful song that you can never get out of your head."

Then smiling asked, "You?"

"The freedom to do as I please, because I am whimsical and my enjoyments are situational. I like secrets and handsome people. I enjoy coming ahead, claiming before anyone else."

She paused, her lekku being cast to the back.

"There seems to be some convergence between you and me, Syl. The same seems to be true for you and Lord Zash. She is quite an adventurer, is she not?"

"I suppose so. She's definitely always on the move about the galaxy. Why do you ask?"

"We know she's looking for a new apprentice. Are you considering it?"

Her expression turned oddly serious.

"I can tell you in advance I am not."

He nodded, "I am."

"Then you might want to check what happened to her previous apprentices, might you not?"

She sought his gaze in passing, her finger circling on the verge of the glass.

He smiled, "Would you happen to know by chance? You're making it seem as if you do. All I know is that her last apprentice died while they were out doing research."

"Just a random thought."

She lied, not hiding it too much from him.

"I won't be doing your fieldwork but maybe I'll learn something in the meantime."

"You're not being honest with me." He said smiling.

"I'm sure you have your reasons. But any info you get would be most appreciated. There's a great deal of utility in such info."

"Of course, Syl."

She smiled looking into his eyes, then took a sip of brandy.

He smiled back and took a sip of his own drink.

"A great way to end a shitty day."

She finally decided to say something about the bruise.

"One woman has already rejected your plans for the evening?"

She asked humorously, without malice

He chuckled, "In one way. Had a bit of an 'adventure' in the afternoon. Things got a bit out of hand, and my friend helped fix the problem."

"Please entertain me with the story of it."

She leaned in, supporting her elbows on the table and forming a hold for her chin from laced fingers.

He chuckled, "It's a bit too embarrassing to tell you the truth... Let's just say I was a bit beside myself after meeting with a dark prophet out in the wastes."

"A dark prophet? You mean a real one? The wastes are full of delusioned failures."

She didn't press on what was so embarrassing.

He chuckled, "This one appeared to be the real deal... but not exactly what many of us aspire to be."

He smiled, "We had a bit of an encounter with a Sith Ghost that came when we opened ourselves up to the force."

He rubbed his face gently, "They make for interesting dance partners. But fortunately our desert sage was skilled enough to know how to dispose of them."

He took what was the last sip of his drink.

"Weird day." He said thinking back on the day and it's ups and downs. Especially on his father's revelation that evening.

"But each one brings something new."

She put her glass down, clearing all but the bottommost sliver of brandy.

"I hope to reclaim the initiative tomorrow."

Sylvain reached out and clasped the back of Moyr's hand. Squeezing it once and smiling while looking into her eyes, his eyes now just a bit inebriated after his second stint in the cantina that night, "I'm sure you will."

She played with his fingers for a moment, smiling gently.

"Who knows, maybe I'll even take you on an adventure."