Rob Plays Matchmaker

Following his near-fatal run-in with Talon, Rob needed something to take his mind off of things. With his wealth and his women, there were any number of activities that would do the job...

So, it was even to his surprise, that the activity in question ended up being afternoon tea with Barriss Offee, but he was more than happy with the end result.

With his most charming smile, Rob refilled Barriss' tea, who was quick to mouth a thank you and nod shyly, before taking a cautious, elegant sip. Even though the two were out of the veranda in the afternoon sun, Barriss had swapped her Area-51 jumpsuit for the robes and headdress she normally wore. Now dressed in her canonical and iconic garb, Barriss seemed slightly more confident, but that wasn't saying much. Of all of the alien girls Rob found himself hosting, Barriss was the most skittish, shy, and quiet of them all. Rob had probably spoken maybe ten words with her at most before the day, and rarely was Barriss seen without Ashoka, sticking to her elder Jedi sister like a shadow.

Of course, as nice as it was to sit back, relax, an chitchat with Barriss, Rob also saw this as an opportunity to see what made the Mirialan girl tick. How could he piece her reserved, guarded persona and make her his. And with her being a Jedi - a sexless, ascetic space-monk - he was especially looking forward to this challenge.

"Well, while I am so glad to spend the day with you, Miss Offee, I do have one question." Rob said, attempting to play things as cool and casual as possible. "May I ask why you asked to speak with me? You must have some sort of burning question, am I right?"

Indeed, that was the wrinkle to all this. Rob didn't ask Barriss, she had asked him to talk, and he had figured the most civilized way to do so would be over tea. When confronted with her motives, Barriss' dark blue eyes flitted downward to her teacup, as she adopted a gaze of great concentration. Rob could clearly see the conflict forming upon the face of the woman, plain to read as the geometric tattoos along her yellow-green skin. She was having an internal debate with herself about the right course of action.

Rob leaned back in his chair and waited patiently.

"With you and your slaves, things seem... different." Barriss started suddenly, eyes never leaving her beverage. "I have encountered slavers and ****-practicing races before, and rarely do they live so comfortably and submit so willingly. From my perspective, they seem to actually love you and being your slaves." Finally, she lifted her eyeline to face Rob, furrowing her brow as she did. "Am I wrong, sir?"

"You are not, my dear. I love my girls very dearly and, I daresay, they return that love exponentially. You might find the term nonsensical, but I like to think myself an 'enlightened slavemaster', nothing like the brutish slavers from your home galaxy." Barriss showed her poker face in response to Rob's comment, slightly pursing her lips and nothing more. "But..." Rob set down his teacup and tented his hands. "I imagine that is not the question you wish to ask. Or, maybe it isn't the entire question, hmm?"

Barriss stayed silent, attempting to maintain her composure. Rob pushed forward, saying, "Would it happen to involve a certain Togruta houseguest of mine?"

A sharp inhalation, and a very visible cringing expression, Barriss' head turned away slightly, eyes downcast once more. "I am a Jedi." She began, solemnly, her voice clear and concise despite her obvious embarrassment. "We are suppose to live without connection or attachment, no family, no romance. But, recently, before our capture, I was beginning to question the purpose of the Jedi and with that, my role within them. Whether I want to continue being a Jedi, living by these tenants. And, now, living so close to Ashoka here..." Barriss sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat. "What does a Jedi know about love, anyway? This is all pointless. I don't even know if Ashoka feels the same way. She probably is much more adherent to the code than I..."

And that was the in Rob was looking for. It only made, sense, too. He knew plenty of people shipped Ahsoka and Barriss, especially as both of them could be seen as radical compared to Jedi conservatism. A forbidden love angle such as that was insanely popular. And if Rob could kindle a romance between then two, perhaps they would be so grateful to their matchmaker they would be open to other scandalous activities.

"Well, if I may say so, Miss Offee, I think you should go for it." Rob advised, going so far as to stand up, walk around the table, and put a reassuring hand on Barriss' shoulder. "We have a saying here on Earth. 'It is better to love and lose, than to never love at all'. You'll never know how Ashoka feels unless you ask her." Barriss looked up at him for a moment, once more gazing concertedly. "As for the Jedi forbidding romantic entanglement and sexual liaisons, well, pardon me, but that's just backwards nonsense. You're allowed friendships aren't you?" Barriss nodded, stiffly. "Other platonic relationships between Jedi?" Again, she nodded. "Well, romance is simple friendship... but more."

"Hmm, I appreciate your words of encouragement, Mr. Daily." Barriss said. "But I wouldn't even know where to begin with this. I have no experience with romance and Ashoka is, ah...hmm..." Eyes flickering with the light of imagination, Barriss' gaze drew distant, a blush appearing beneath her green skin, making her tattoos stand out all the more. It made her look adorable.

"Ashoka is a very beautiful woman, I agree." Rob nodded along, eagerly and lustfully. "Anyone, Mirialan or human, would be lucky to have her. But I am sure you would make her happy and vice versa. And I would love to see the two of your happy, together. So, if you need any advice about anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask me."

Barriss nodded along, rising to her feet once Rob retreated out of her personal bubble. "Thank you then, Mr. Daily." Barriss said, starting her way back into the house before pausing, turning slightly to face Rob once more. "On that note, actually, would it be okay if we made this a regular thing? Could we have tea and chat tomorrow, as well?"

Rob smiled and nodded. Oh, this was going to be fun.