The Negotiator and the Fire Fang

The Cantina

"Dark and light. Those are very ancient terms." Kenobi noted. "Indeed." she replied, finally turning those eyes back on him.

"Then, under the three, there is an Ashla Adept and a Bogun Adept who are to trained to take over the Elders place. Under them is the rest of the Elders and Adepts."

"And you're the Ashla Adept." Kenobi commented. She began to tap her fingers gently on tabletop.

"Yes. They chose me a while ago. That's why I know so much. I am to be an Elder of Ashla, once Elder Q'Cek steps down. Biron's just a normal Adept." The general nodded. "I followed that." Cordelia nudged her chin ever so gently to the side.

"Someone is over there. I bet they're waiting for Biron to take him to that secret meeting room. I can't tell who it is though. I'm also having trouble sensing Dooku now unfortunately." she said, her voice carrying an edge. She gave an annoyed grunt as two Weequay pirates moved in front of the unknown contact.

"'allo, what do we 'ave 'ere?" the left pirate yelled over the noise of the cantina.

"Oh no." Kenobi groaned, dropping his forehead into his hand. "Hondo's crew?" he asked, lifting his head. "'ondo's crew." Cordelia sighed.

"Don't know, and don't have the time." she drawled, lifting her hand. "You will go bother someone else." she canted as she moved her hand slightly to the side, mind tricking the pirate.

"We will go bother someone else." he repeated, voice dreamlike and slurred. His head pulled slightly to the side.

"You will not bother us again." she commanded with a small, circular motion of her fingers. "We won't bother you again." he said.

"Move along." The two moved on to a table across the way with two pretty Twi'leks. The contact was still alone. Cordelia slid an elbow over the back of the booth.

"That was impressive." Kenobi remarked. She flashed him a smile. "Why thank you master Jedi." she said, pleased with the compliment.

"So, what was that all about?" she asked him, putting her forearms on the table and interlocking her fingers. He leaned back in response.

"Long story. We have a strange alliance with a pirate named Hondo Ohnaka." A dark eyebrow shot up immediately.

"Strange alliance?" she questioned, scanning the crowd once again. "It's a complicated relationship. One second he is helping the Republic, the next he is firing something at us."

"Sounds like a great guy." she drawled looking over her shoulder. Kenobi chuckled. "Oh he is a unique fellow alright." he replied. Suddenly, Cordelia jumped to his side of the booth and slid extremely close to Kenobi. She put her right hand on the back of his neck and propped herself up on his left leg.

"Oh, umm..." he stammered in confusion. He tensed up immediately. "Shh. Sykes is right behind me." she whispered, putting a gloved hand on the side of his face. Her eyes screamed her concern. "If he notices us now, the plan will fail." she ran the back of her fingers down his cheek and his jaw. The touch sent chills down his spine.

"Is he still there?" she asked softly, playing with his hair. Kenobi quickly looked past the Gray. "Is he the Devaronian in the cloak?" he asked, his mind finally catching up enough to start playing the part. He put an arm around her waist and his other hand on her hip.

"Yes." he slid his eyes away from her again. Sykes was talking to someone right next to their booth. He could clearly see the traitor's face. His skin was a reddish color. The hood covered his horns, creating two small points at the top of the fabric. His eyes were a vivid yellow and when he spoke, Kenobi could see his pointed teeth behind his lips. He had a large, muscular stature underneath his cloak. He made a motion with his hand, flicking the fabric open. Kenobi caught a glimpse of a double-bladed lightsaber before it rested against his body again.

"He is still there." he whispered, looking her in the eyes. He could see flecks of blue and yellow in her irises. The two of them were so close that with each of his breaths, an escaped lock of hair fluttered against her cheekbone. Obi-Wan reached over and tapped the comm link on his wrist. It blinked white. A second later it blinked green.

"Cody's on his way." he said as Sykes leaned his hand against the side of their booth. He made no acknowledgement of the two of them. Cordelia put a hand on his chest.

"Good." she said, sliding her fingers up to his shoulder. Kenobi had the urge to pull the cloth away and see the face beneath, but didn't. He could see her features in his mind and didn't know if that made it better or worse.

Instead, he played along and put a hand up to her jaw. He flicked his eyes over to Sykes and back to Cordelia. He was still talking, but began to walk backwards towards the Separatist contact. He turned around and headed towards the booth.

"Sykes just sat down with the contact." he informed. "Good. We just have to wait for Cody then." she replied, rubbing his neck. It felt nice. Her body was small and narrow, but well muscled under his hands. He tugged her in closer.

Her eyes were in now shadow, but he could still see the green and grays in them. Her gloved fingers were soft against his bearded jaw, shifting so she brushed her thumb against his cheek. Her eyes were thoughtful as she examined his face. Kenobi couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. Her cheekbones raised as she smiled.

"You smell nice." she said. Kenobi laughed. "Why thank you." he chuckled, touching his forehead to hers for a breath before pulling away. His comm link blinked again.

"Cody is ready." he told her, all their mirth gone. Cordelia turned her head and looked at Sykes. Her aura coldened. "Let's go get him."