Ryloth 4

{Aayla POV}

A wistful breath escaped my lips while I leaned lazily across the high table. My posterior's weight gently shifted backwards and forwards, rocking the stool as I idly made it balance on one of its four legs.

It was quiet without him.

The rhythmic drumming of my fingers did little to fill the silence, and before long it was stopped in favour of running them up and down the handle grip of my lightsaber.

I did not want to meditate today.

The task synonymous with inner peace and self discovery has been becoming increasingly monotonous lately. There are only so many hours of mental exercises you can do before you become sick of the dull activity.

Though there wasn't much else I could do.

All of my hobbies and passions are related to my identity as a Jedi…at least up until recently, and for the moment my services were unneeded. Therefore I was left with a lack of anything to occupy my time.

My, when did I become so boring.

Even since I became a Knight it has been eat, meditate, sleep, repeat. Even the brief shakeup that Lycan brought has come to an end.

I cannot speak with my Master on matters like these either. I would call it lucky if I manage to see him once a year, him being away on secretive missions leaves little time for anything else.

Sighing once again, I stared at the half empty bottle of jet juice lingering at the end of the bar. The potent scent could still be smelled despite the distance, my nose twitched and a thought spawned in my head.

Grounding the stool I was swinging on, I slid across the bar seats. Four skips later and I was seated in front of colourful liquid, leaning forwards I gave the contents a small sniff. The bold aroma was powerful and familiar, being Lycan's favoured spirit I've become somewhat accustomed to the smell.

Eyeing the bottle hesitantly, I reached over the bar and grabbed a glass. A little bit wouldn't hurt. With that, a waterfall of red fell into the empty glass.

After pouring a hint of the liquor, I capped the bottle and sat it down next to a couple of other spirits. But just as I was about to take a sip, a short electronic jingle began to play.

I paused what I was doing and looked around the apartment, only for the same tune to repeat itself. Then again, this time cutting itself off halfway through to start from the beginning.

Is that the doorbell?...

Going off assumption, it probably is. Though I haven't heard it before since everyone in the building seems to come and goes as they please.

Putting the glass down, I made my way over to the door. Before I let the visitor in, I went to look through the peephole, though the endeavour quickly failed when I was unable to reach it even when standing on my toes.

I considered just grabbing a chair but instead chose to use the force to find out who was behind the door.

This allowed me to sense the unfamiliar, human presence leaning against the elevator's interior. Impatience and expectation wafted off her, there was no malice or ill intent so I decided to open the door.

The fact that she had to have passed the others working downstairs gave me a small measure of assurance as well.

Unlocking the door, the two metal panels split to reveal an black haired human with prominent eye makeup. Her features flashed in surprise at the sight of me before she looked past in search of something.

A somewhat awkward silence ensued as she clearly wasn't expecting my presence.

That begs the question. What was she expecting?

Before I could voice my confusion the woman spoke, "Sorry, but is Lycan in?"

Blinking, a brief flash of Lycan's scandalous departure played in my mind. Should I have pushed to find out what was up? He seemed on edge since he woke up.

"No, he left an hour or two ago." I replied, watching as barely disguised disappointment flooded from her aura. Followed by a hint of confusion towards something I couldn't pinpoint.

"Is that so…" She sighed, mumbling something about useless redheads under her breath, "Any word on when he'll be back?"

Gently stroking the ends of my lekku I answered, "I'm not sure, somewhere between a week and month?"

"Too bad." The woman slid back into the elevator's interior, "Had some free time, though I could spend it catching up."

Ah, so it is one of his friends? Should I invite her in?

She was about to press the key to shut the doors when she looked up and asked, "Are you getting in?"

"...No?"

Another wave of confusion flushed and she pushed the button, leaving me with a curt, "...Alright." before her figure vanished from sight.

What was that all about?

I was considering going down the emergency stairs to send her off when my holodisc started to vibrate. Reaching into my pouch, I pulled it out and saw the caller ID that read 'Daddio' causing one of my false eyebrows to raise.

Did he change his name again? 

I've told him several times not to. What is it's an emergency and I don't recognise who's calling?

…But the point is slightly redundant, since who else would put that as their name.

Suppose I will tell him that his friend was asking for him.