Diner

[Lavinia Wren]

Lavinia shook her head. "No, we discussed that. She is to meet us. She- if she is our PI- will come to me." She stole a quick glance at the woman.
"Probably doesn't know who you two are, and doesn't want to chance anything," Abiran said, nodding toward Halna and Danny. Lavinia nodded, giggling suddenly. Abiran gave her a suspicious look. "What?"
"It just seems slightly absurd that we're sitting around plotting like a couple of Corellian spice smugglers just to meet with one private investigator!" she said, smiling.
Abiran grunted. "Call it absurd when you end up in the medcenter with a blaster bolt to the collarbone. We don't know who we're dealing with, which makes it doubly dangerous."
Lavinia sobered. "Poor Ailil. He would have enjoyed this."

[Halna Louvellu]

Halna nodded in agreement. "Should Danny and I go? At least outside, I mean. To see if she really is the one. After all, it's very possible that she's just leery of us, not knowing who we are. I know I would be." Even as she tacked the last sentence on, she bit her tongue, knowing it was a stupid thing to say. It was letting on that there was more to her than met the eye...

[Lavinia Wren]

Lavinia glanced at Abiran. He nodded. "If you don't mind, that would probably be the best course of action. I'd be careful in that situation too." He paused. "You're a very perceptive person, Nurse Louvellu. Should you ever tire of nursing, I would suggest the security field."

[Halna Louvellu]

Halna laughed ironically as she stood. "Well, we'd better go, honey," she said loud enough for the blonde to hear as she rested a hand on Danny's thigh. She felt every muscle in her body tighten, though whether it was from the contact with the senator's son or from Abiran's unknowingly outrageous suggestion, she couldn't be sure. "I'll keep that in mind," she murmured lightlyt to Abiran, a twinkle in her eye. Danny chuckled and raised his head to meet her dazzling grey eyes. His smile faded a bit and her heart constricted, much to her dismay. What was wrong with her?! The Queen of the Thieves couldn't be falling in love, could she?

[Lavinia Wren]

Lavinia smiled at her. "It was lovely to see you again, Halna. And to meet you," she said, holding out her hand for Danny to shake. Abiran raised an eyebrow and inclined his head toward Halna. "You do that," he said quietly.

[Halna Louvellu]

Danny swallowed hard to keep from laughing, Halna was sure. If only Abiran knew... She allowed herself a small smile. "Don't look so serious, Abiran. I'm sure I won't tire of nursing to quickly." Danny extended his hand to Lavinia. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Baab," his eyes twinkled at Abiran, "And to see you again, Abiran. I'll see you around." He grinned as he joined Halna beside the table. He slipped an arm around her waist and began to walk toward the door. Halna waved over her shoulder. "Bye!"

[Lavinia Wren]

Lavinia waved farewell and then turned back to the table. She slurped up the last few drops of her kaf shake before turning her attention back to the blonde woman. "Well, what now?" she asked.
"We wait," he replied.
Lavinia sighed. "That had better be her, or I shall be rather put out," she said. "That reception for the CorSec dignitaries is tonight, and I was hoping to have a short nap beforehand."

[Halna Louvellu]

~~~ OUTSIDE ~~~

Halna and Danny leaned against the wall of Dex's Diner. She folded her arms across her chest and turned slightly to peek through the window. The blonde casually finished her drink, picked up her purse, and headed for the 'fresher. Halna sighed. "That'd better be her. I may like Lavinia, but I'm still a bit, oh-"
"Put out at having to leave for her?" Danny finished her sentence with a smile.
She grinned and nodded. "Maybe a bit more polite than what I had in mind, but essentially, yeah."
Danny glanced back in the window. "Hey, you can stop being put out. It must have been her. She's sitting down."
Halna followed his gaze to the table to see the mysterious woman taking what had previously been her seat. She glared unconvincingly. Danny poked her.
"Oh stop it."

[Lavinia Wren]

Abiran coughed gently. "She's moving," he said quietly. Lavinia tried very hard not to look at the woman, who picked up her purse and took Halna's recently vacated seat. Lavinia tried not to let her relief be too apparent, and extended her hand, smiling politely. "How do you do, Miss...?"

[Halna Louvellu]

The woman extended her hand and firmly shook Lavinia's. She didn't smile, really, but seemed fairly happy. "Panal. Lané Panal." She set her purse on the seat beside her and then clasped her hands on the table in front of her. "All right. I don't really know much about what happened; just that there was an assasination attempt," her voice dropped an octave or two as she spoke, "Your bodyguard was shot, correct?"

[Lavinia Wren]

"The pleasure is mine, then, Miss Panal," Lavinia said. "That is correct. I had attended an opera with a few friends, and since the traffic was so terrible, Abiran- this is Abiran, my pilot, by the way- said he knew of another way through the Fobosi district. We took it and were almost out when someone took a potshot at my speeder and hit Ailil- that's my bodyguard- shattering his collarbone. I can only assume that it was an assassination attempt, but the local authorities are not very inclined to agree with me. I am hoping that you can settle the matter."

[Halna Louvellu]

~~~ OUTSIDE ~~~

Halna pouted. "Well, since it is her I'm going back in. You coming or not?"
Danny scowled at her. "Fine. But I really should get out of here."
"I know," she shrugged and opened the door. He shook his head and smiled as he watched her step inside.

~~~ INSIDE ~~~

Lané grimaced. "That's why I'm a PI. Cops only agree with a victim if it'll pad their bank account to do so. I'll need to see your bodyguard if it all possible. He is all right, isn't he?" Before she could continue, Halna and Danny entered. They walked over to the table and she set a hand on Lavinia's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to interrupt, but Danny and I were wondering if it's safe to come back yet," she smiled sweetly at Miss Panal as she talked. Danny poked her and she made a face at him.

[Lavinia Wren]

Lavinia looked surprised to see Halna again, but made introductions with the ease of long practice in diplomacy. "Oh, um, yes, I suppose so. Miss Panal, Nurse Louvellu. She patched up Ailil that night, actually. And her friend, Danny Paddie. And yes, Ailil is doing quite as well as can be expected. I'm sure a meeting can be arranged at your convenience."

[Halna Louvellu]

Halna extended a hand to Miss Panal. "It's nice to meet you," she sounded kind of abrupt, but she couldn't help it. How could somebody like her like PIs and cops? It was like oil and water. Miss Panal eyed her suspiciously but shook her hand. Danny nodded politely to her. "I'll set up a visitor's spot for you," Halna remarked. Danny pulled at her hand, trying to get her to go over to the counter and leave the others alone. She stood her ground though, waiting for the Naboo to reply. Miss Panal nodded her acknowledgement. "Thank you," she stated crisply.

[Lavinia Wren]

Lavinia noted the distinct chill in Halna's response and Miss Panal's suspicious glance, and wondered why. Abiran was right, she thought. Our nurse is not all that she seems, or is more. She smiled brightly in an attempt to disperse the tense atmosphere. "How about next week some time? I would like to come too, if that's all right with you, Miss Panal. And can I get you anything? A drink? Dex's has the best shakes, I'm told." She flashed a quick grin at Halna.