Ice Queen

[Lynmeira Verashy]

Expressing interest in working for Black Sun was rather crazy for a Jedi; but Lynmeira felt no warning signs. On the contrary, it felt right in ways that she knew were only her intuition and her deep immersion in the Force. That was one of the results of having been a hermit in the past years: hours and hours of meditation. Of course, she also ensured that all her abilities remained on par and eventually grew as time went on; but gardening and preparing goods were extra meditation to her, besides the actual time she spent sitting between her panthers, letting herself be one with the Force.

This was a most bizarre turn of events; but she trusted it, trusted in the Force.

There might have been a textbook way to be a Jedi years ago; but such times were long gone.

"You do," she replied with a sharp nod to Miss Lighter's remark about having a proposal to write.

"Just as you're freeing some of my time to relax, I'd hate to have you work all of tonight," she added with a wink.

"Although I like the idea of you working up a sweat."

She was genuinely excited about the upcoming night as well as the professional prospects.

"Oh, you'll see me for sure, Miss Lighter," she replied with a grin.

She bit her tongue as she realized the nickname had come out without a warning. Oh well, she wasn't going to take it back.

Lya sniffed the woman as she bowed to her and stood up to take a few steps towards her but stopped shy of being in range of touching her. The panther had thresholds of tolerance after all. Instead, she went to growl at one of the next customers who finally approached, coaxing a scolding from Lynmeira.

***

The rest of the day was busy with the usual transactions, taking in some orders for the next visit. It was already late in the afternoon, and basically night time, when the Jedi flew back to her home.

Even though she had plans for the night, she made sure that she put everything back in order, spent some time with both panthers who were always happy to reunite. She made the rounds in her plant nursery, and eventually took a long shower. She rarely indulged in those, but she couldn't help wanting to be extra pampered for that night. It was another weird benefit of being good at herbalism: she hand crafted mean soaps and skin products. It was one of her secret talents.

She didn't feel bad about not having anything fancy or sexy to wear, given the life on Ilum; but at least she had decent clothes to wear underneath her big cold jacket.

After retrieving two bottles of her home made liquor: a plain one closer to vodka, and a flavored one with peach hybrids, she stormed off and powered her ship up quickly.

It was about 800 local time she landed at the Black Sun compound. As Miss Lighter had said, her arrival was expected at the front gate and someone escorted her to the appropriate door inside the building.

She nodded to the grunt who had led the way, and then tucked both bottles in one arm, and knocked on the door.

[Kalail Rotas]

The rest of Kalail's day was filled with reports. It was a constant with her public and private persona, whether it was the wealthy banker that owned the Kasajian Exchange or the Vigo that oversaw daily operations with her Lieutenants to send on up to the Boss Kitty.

Valtor was first on her to do list, transmitting the updated recipe to him for review with detailed notes that the Vigo transcribed. She was honest with Plant Lady, not having a clue what all this stuff meant. So to entertain herself as she wrote up his report, Kalail had another screen solely for the use of looking up words and plants for giggles. Unsurprisingly everything that the healer said was confirmed but that wasn't why she did it. Kalail was a curious creature and when she was about something, or someone, she liked to do her research.

That was why she was doing a little digging on the healer too. Kalail enjoyed her intellect and playfulness, and was happy to find a someone to keep her warm, but she needed to make sure there were no red flags on the woman. Which, thankfully, there were none. Everything was on the up and up during her stay on Ilum but there was as sizable chunk of missing time since she was last on Bakura. That could mean anything. She had hired on people that had been MIA before. Only known alias Lyn had were the Panther Lady and well, the Plant Lady that she came up with. Cursory digging found no other aliases or a family name, but Kalail will put the feelers out for a thorough background check if Lyn agreed to come work for Black Sun.

She worked on a contract while sipping wine, filling in blanks for the scientific pay grade, resources allowed during the month trial run and if satisfied, would be granted a stipend for approved research that would benefit Black Sun and possible side interests with proper documentation. There were detailed information of sites that had openings for Lyn's talents and if things went well, the Vigo wouldn't mind if Corellia or Coruscant caught the healer's fancy since those were her main stomping grounds. There was also the standard nondisclosure agreement that everyone had to sign. It went without saying you don't snitch on Black Sun, but this had to deal with all research funded by the organization and sharing was not caring.

Engrossed with her work, she forgot to eat as the hours went by and blinked in confusion as to why there was a knock at her door. Tapping her lighter on the desk in annoyance, she glanced at the chronometer and laughed.

It had to be Lyn and the Vigo approved of her promptness. She moved the contracts onto a datapad and locked down the main terminal before getting the door.

She was leaning against the edge of the doorway when it slid opened, still wearing the same clothing as before minus the big puffy coat. The grey sweater was baggy on her and fell off one shoulder and hung past her hips. Lyn would notice that Kalail wasn't using the cold allergy as a complete come on either since the heat inside was a few degrees warmer than the hallway.

"Hey ..." she said after taking in the delightfully dressed Lyn, appreciating the casual choices. "I can assume my guy was nice?"

Lyn's escort, a blue skinned Twi'lek, shrugged. "You zad to expect her and bring her. I bringed her ze way youz told me to."

Kalail looked to Lyn for confirmation.

[Lynmeira Verashy]

Lynmeira's eyes took in the silhouette of the very attractive blonde. It was very un-Jedi to be attracted in a Black Sun big name, for she had no doubt that Miss Lighter was up in the food chain; but she didn't care.

Heck, it was the first nudge of the Force she had felt that strong in years. She had even made some time to meditate after putting her ship on autopilot on the way there. For some mysterious reason, she knew that wherever Black Sun would take her, she would be able to do good and be of service. It was ironic given what Black Sun could do; but hey, what mattered to the Bakura-born brunette was to help, regardless of how bizarre circumstances could be.

The exposed shoulder stirred something inside the healer that was purely carnal, and it made her grin. She had no shame in how her gaze lingered over the Black Sun woman.

"Hello there," she replied with a smile as their eyes met.

She felt how the woman's room was a bit warmer than the hallway; but she kept her quip about needing some body heat for herself as the blonde asked about her escort.

Lynmeira chuckled and nodded.

"He did the job."

She waited for Miss Lighter to dismiss the Twi'lek, but she took a step forward, arching a brow."

"Hallway scandal or the privacy of your bunk?"

She was only half-joking as she danged the bottles before the blonde.

[Kalail Rotas]

Plant Lady was enjoying the view and smiled in return once it was confirmed that her escort was acceptable.

"Cool." She tore her gaze away from Lyn's to properly dismiss him. "You can head on out. Just make sure the fuel's properly stocked for the crew coming in a couple days. I want them in and out in a few hours."

"Az you wish ..." He paused, looking at Rotas' guest and decided to leave her title off as it was her prerogative to inform the healer or not. But the Panther Lady was a savvy human and had to know that his boss had clout.

With him gone, she was pleasantly surprised by the continuing boldness of the Plant Lady.

She smirked, eyes twinkling with mischief. "If you're daring me, be careful. I really love dares so ya might find yourself in a scandal."

Kalail had pushed the envelope with PDA before with her men helping to provide a modicum of privacy. Making out in the hallway of the base was nothing, but she dropped her arm and allowed entrance into her temporary abode. "But I can't promise we wouldn't break those bottles full of yummy goodness so ... do come in ..."

[Lynmeira Verashy]

Lyn had already put together that Miss Lighter was no goon; and her exchange with the Twi'lek confirmed that. Where exactly in the food chain the blonde was remained unknown; but the Jedi believed she would eventually find that out, especially if she ended working for the Black Sun, against all odds.

When her host warned her about the dare, her smile widened and she found herself even more interested in the other woman. Finding someone with good looks, great brain, and energetic spirit was a rarity on this rock, and if she was honest with herself, the brunette missed that. She did well as a hermit, but living in isolation could be taxing and quite lonely.

"Scandal? Well now, that's an invitation by itself," she replied with a wink.

Yet she didn't push further and stepped inside the quarters when invited to. She couldn't help chuckling at the incentive to behave that the bottles provided.

"That would be a shame to break them. Trust me!"

She placed the bottles on a nearby table and took her cold weather coat off, putting it over the back of a chair.

"I didn't bring glasses."

She didn't care whether Miss Lighter went straight for the bottle or not. She was good either way.

"Also, should I call you something else than Miss Lighter?"

[Kalail Rotas]

As the door slid closed, Kalail admired the healer's spirit. She found the retorts refreshing and enticing and liked how they both agreed that breaking the bottles would be a great travesty. The Vigo was absolutely certain if not for those bottles, they would still be on the other side of that door but in a liplock.

"Psh. I've got glasses." She smiled as her guest got comfortable and padded into the kitchenette. It was modest in size and well stock with food and supplies. One of the cabinets had several choices and went for the small crystal glasses ... which was a pleasant surprise to find!

Dangling the glasses by the tips of her fingers, she returned with a delighted chuckled. "Miss Lighter's cute cuz of my tantrum. But might not be the best thing to shout out when we're in bed."

With a wink, she set the glasses down and started uncorking the first bottle with the opener she already had set aside. It was a simple metal spiral attached to a polished wooden handle that carefully pierced the center of the cork before Kalail began twisting.

"I'm Kalail. Kal for short if ya like." She lightly bit her lower lip as the cork was freed with a small pop. Waggling her brows, she began to pour for them. "Do I get to call you Lynmeira?"

Her nose crinkled playfully. "Or should I stick with what the locals call ya, Panther Lady..."

She smirked and offered Lyn a glass. "Or maybe Plant Lady?"

[Lynmeira Verashy]

Lynmeira was quite enticed by the Black Sun woman; and she was perfectly comfortable with getting some fun out of the situation, besides good business. She was still curious about that possible new job offer; but she was happy to take it as it went, for finding herself in close quarters with a hot blonde was quite great in and for itself.

She chuckled at the mention of glasses and appreciated her hostess's curves in the most unapologetic way as she retrieved said glasses and dangled them before her. It wasn't as if they were supposed to be courting in some old fashioned way. The Jedi had never really blended in when it came to proper manners and stuff, even when growing up in supposedly proper Bakuran society.

She burst into laughter at Miss Lighter's retort about what to shout out when they were in bed. She liked her spirit, and she had no concerns about whether it would or would not happen. She bet that the Black Sun woman was a hoot including in bed.

"Kal... I like the sound of it. And complicated names aren't the best to shout during sex. Hell, if you can articulate a long name in such circumstances, the sex must be really bad and boring," she replied with a wink.

"And if I had thought it could be the case, I wouldn't be here."

She kept her attention on Kal as she opened the bottle and poured them glasses. She grinned at the question and the mention of her nickname around the locals.

"Lyn is fine, though I like your new one, Plant Lady."

She took the offered glass, her fingers brushing against Kal's.

"If you use my full name though, I'll take it that I need to do much better though."

Somehow she could picture the blonde do that as a dare, at least before she totally turned her into a happy puddle.

She chuckled and clinked her glass against Kal's before downing it, the home made liquor rolling down her tongue and throat with its usual burn, with a hint of sugary citrusy flavor.

[Kalail Rotas]

Unrestrained laughter was the Vigo's response, finding the healer's wit just as attractive when they first met. She appreciated someone that could keep up with her whether it was business or in bed. Bonus if they didn't mind her unbalanced pastimes that involved a wide range pyrotechnics. Kalail Rotas wasn't dubbed the Black Sun's Firebug without reason.

She grinned and unabashedly nodded at the inferred compliment as to why Lyn agreed to be here. "I aim to please."

Her mouth twitched at the light sensation of fingers brushing against hers and the challenge. "Oh you're on, Plant Lady. Though, pretty sure we won't have to result to such drastic measures." She purred at the end before eyes twinkled with mischief. "Then again ..."

Brows waggled before she downed the liquid contents and hummed with appreciation to the exotic flavors. She never quite tasted anything so sweet after a the familiar burn of hard liquor. One could get develop a taste for the warring flavors that somehow played nicely with one another and had a feeling that Lyn was much the same.

"... maybe you'll have to guess if you're actually doing a good job or not." She winked while pouring them a second drink. "Could be fun."

[Lynmeira Verashy]

Lynmeira was already having a splendid time, and she bet that it was merely a glimpse into all the delightful mischief the night would bring. She doubted that many Jedi would suggest flings with Black Sun ladies; but really she did not give a damn. She hadn't survive so much in her life to let societal expectations corset her. Her conscience was clean; for bedding hot women had never made a healer any less efficient to help others.

Also, Kal had one hell of a sexy laughter. She loved the freedom in which the woman carried herself. It was extremely attractive to her, and not just because she had chosen a mostly solitary life on Ilum for the past few years.

She laughed as well after finishing her drink in a few sips.

"Oh, you can bet I'll make sure I am doing a stellar job, Kal," she retorted with a wink before fetching her refilled glass.

She closed the short distance between them and curled the fingers of her free hand on the other woman's waist. She tilted her head and was tempted to capture those tempting lips into a heated kiss already; but retained enough self-control for the time being for she had a question to ask.

"Would you rather discuss that job offer before, after, or in between rounds?"

After all, Miss Ligher was the one who had brought it up in the first place. Regardless of the result, Lyn was staying the night, ensuring that everyone in the area heard what was going on in Kal's quarters.