Coruscant- Saturday night

[notconflicted]

All things considered, Sia looked like she was doing fine, even if she was maybe not in the best headspace right now. But when the opportunity came to actually get out for a bit, she jumped at it, even if it meant escaping through the tunnels for a little while to some creepy little bar in the underlevels.

Look, you don't acquire an escape route and never use it.

"We don't have to stay long," Sia promised as the drinks got to the table that she and Jessica had found.

[For the spider-bestie!]

Comments

[craftyladyparts]

“I’m good to stay out as long as you need. I’m on leave for a day tomorrow, so I don’t have to get to sleep soon,” Jessica said with a nod to the server for a drink well-brought. Days off were few and far between, so she was happy to use the rare one to good effect.

[notconflicted]

"I'm jealous, though you deserve it," Sia admitted. "I'm not sure when the last time anyone got time off was."

She was in charge, but not quite in charge of things like vacation time.

[craftyladyparts]

“It’s been months for me,” Jessica said, trying to run through the calendar in her head. “Probably your birthday. So thank you for that one!”

[notconflicted]

"You're welcome. You only have most of a year until the next one," Sia said, raising her glass in a toast. "Though that's not a big year, and it won't be in Fandom."

Soooo probably not a day off.

[craftyladyparts]

“Can’t you declare it a galactic holiday and give everyone the day off?” Jessica asked. “It’s a little more Dear Leader than I’d normally advise, but dictators can have good ideas one percent of the time.”

[notconflicted]

"I'd rather not start with that sort of thing." The history of Empire Day was enough. "And I don't think the rest of the Triumvirate would agree to it. But maybe after a few drinks my people will get the day off."

[craftyladyparts]

“Well, if you need an advocate for any of that, let me know,” Jessica said before taking a drink. “So how are you doing? Is everything okay?” She knew about Sia’s uncle’s death but didn’t know enough about the family connections to know how torn up Sia might be.

[notconflicted]

"I'm all right, considering," Sia said slowly, using a well-timed drink to give herself time. "I won't say I'll be over it anytime soon, but I've had a lot of practice with loss lately."

And with ordering secret executions. As you do.

[craftyladyparts]

“I’m glad you’re doing as well as you are,” Jessica said. “If there’s anything I can do to help with that, too, let me know. As long as I can do it tomorrow or in between missions.”

[notconflicted]

"Thank you. Just... normalcy is good. Things like this help," Sia admitted. "I just need to not think for a while."

Because then she was terrible.

[craftyladyparts]

“The drinks in this place will help with that,” Jessica said. “Also if you need to strip paint off a ship.” She took another drink.

[notconflicted]

"I'm fairly positive those are the only two reasons anyone comes here," Sia nodded. "The day will come that we run into Cade here, I'm sure of it."

[craftyladyparts]

“That is a terrifying thought,” Jessica said. “I’m still not used to the idea that I know two of him.”

[notconflicted]

"Neither am I. Though at least only one seems to possibly like me," Sia notes, taking a drink. "At least until he catches up in the timeline. Then, we'll see."

[craftyladyparts]

“Do you have an idea of how far behind he is?” Jessica checked.

[notconflicted]

"No idea. He knows what he does for me, so I probably won't have any idea until the temple, when I get a call from him cursing me out." It would probably be deserved.

[craftyladyparts]

“You never know. He might call and have a reasoned discussion.” Jessica was grinning throughout that sentence. She knew better.

[notconflicted]

"You're funny," Sia said, but added, "I have seen him have a reasonable conversation, but it was probably the only time it ever will happen."

[craftyladyparts]

“I’m sure I’ve seen it once or twice,” Jessica admitted. “But it is exceedingly rare.”

[notconflicted]

"Who knows, maybe the one here will even learn some maturity now that he's been through all he has." It was probably evident from both the expression on her face and the drink she took that Sia didn't believe that at all. "I'll settle for not having to deal with any of it professionally."