#window dressing

I kept up the act as we stepped into Sukarian’s office. I hung off Lando’s arm like I was intoxicated and responded to the Vicebaron’s inappropriate remarks with a disarming giggle.

We sat down in  the repulsor chairs across from his massive desk and, as I turned to set my eyes on Calrissian as though he were the only thing in the room, my gaze swept across a display shelf behind Sukarian’s desk.

Holding an obvious place of honour was a glowing crystalline polyhedron: it was unmistakably a holocron.

I fought to keep my gaze moving as though that particular object was no more interesting than anything else in the room. I plastered an admiring expression on my face as I took in the tapestry of H’drachi toiling in the fields. It made my skin crawl, but I could see by the way it draped to the floor that there was a storage safe behind it.

As Lando turned on the charm to try to work the name Jorj Cardas into the conversation about his spice dealings, I leaned back against him and started playing with the fringe on the cape he’d slung over his shoulder.

Sukarian seemed disinterested in discussing Corellia this afternoon. Maybe we should try to get him to talk about something else. 

“Aren’t you bored with this conversation, my dear?” He leaned towards me, belt straining across his belly as he moved in his chair. 

“Yes.” I agreed guilelessly, “but there are so many interesting things in your office.” I took the opportunity to run my eyes around the room again: one camera on the wall opposite the safe, outputs for motion sensors and security beams, and a control panel for all of it on the Vicebaron’s desk.

“I have many treasures.” His smile had a noticeably cruel edge, “is there anything in particular that interests you?”

“Yes.” I blurted out, “what’s that?” I pointed rudely at the Holocron.

Calrissian tugged my hand back into his and squeezed warningly. He’d also recognized the glowing object for what it really was.

“Ah, the young lady Zasia has noticed my holocron. It is one of my favourite possessions. I am a collector of Jedi antiquities. This device was used for communication purposes.

“Like a holocomm?”

He chuckled indulgently, “Of course not, my dear. The Jedi used their mysterious Force powers to make them work. I might have the last one in the galaxy. Isn’t that exciting?”

He spoke to me like I was about Jaina’s age so I gave a wide eyed nod, “it’s pretty.”

“I’m so glad you like it. Let me show you something else. He stood up and ushered me over to his display shelf. Calrissian reluctantly let go of my hand as I stepped forward and surveyed the other objects. They were all Jedi tools: a focusing crystal, wobble ball, training remote, even some components I recognized as being commonly used for lightsaber construction.