Fandom Star Wars: Demesne [Closed]

[cleopat]

Faro still didn’t believe him. Thrawn frowned, but he wouldn’t defend himself any further. Not when he realized she didn’t want to change her mind. She enjoyed gossiping too much, gossip of the romantic lives of others, and this would provide her plenty.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to visit the planet myself, and thus the need to ever study their art hasn’t arisen.” He’s heard some stories of the royalty, and of their elaborate architecture and fashion, but he has yet to see any of that for himself. The new exhibit would provide ample opportunity to study them.

Cora heard the question Faro asked, and Eli’s reaction, followed by the slight frown on Thrawn’s face, had her wondering how big of a mistake did Faro just make in asking the question on his passion for art.

“My appreciation for art came to me a long time ago, during my adolescent years. I admired what art I could find back home, and as I grew older, I realized how much one can truly learn through studying art. Studying color palettes, shapes, subject matters, the medium, even down to the shading.” The frown dissipated, but he still retained a serious composure as he offered his brief explanation to Faro.

While he was talking, Cora leaned back to Eli, and in a low whisper, asked, “Does this happen often?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Faro’s frown remained as Thrawn concluded his sentiment. He appreciated art. It aided him in understanding, but, “Do you like art, though?” She asked again.

Eli had already sighed and said under his breath, “You have no idea.” Similar conversations happened all the time. Most people were polite enough to realize they didn’t want to take it any further.

He also decided to help Faro, a little, “Grand Admiral, she’s asking if you ever just look at a painting and enjoy looking at it. She’s asking if there’s ever a time when you’re not breaking it down, but just admiring it for what it is. Like food. Eating because you like the taste of the food, not the nutritional value of it.” Was that a good way to put it? He wasn’t sure. Thrawn wasn’t terribly frivolous in anything, that Eli knew of.

Everyone knew he appreciated art. Everyone knew how he used art to advance himself and his understandings, but even Eli would admit whether or not he actually liked art was a bit more of a mystery, even to him. He suspected that Thrawn did, though he wasn’t sure there was ever a time Thrawn did just appreciate the art for being that – art.

Eli wouldn’t fault him for that, though.

He never really stopped playing with numbers, but numbers weren’t meant to be enjoyed the way art was. They were two entirely different consumptions.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn frowned as he sought to understand Faro’s question better, with Eli’s explanation providing a bit of insight. “Of course I do,” he answered, as if it was the most obvious thing in the galaxy.

It baffled him when others didn’t show an appreciation for art, and some truly angered him when they continued to question why they should care about art as much.

“My genuine enjoyment of art and seeing what others possess the capability to create from their imagination started my current interest of learning through them. But to simply answer your question, yes, I still do enjoy to take a step back and admire art for art sake.”

But he multitasked. Was that so hard for people to comprehend?

Cora learned something new about the Grand Admiral. She knew of his tactic to study art to understand war strategies, but she didn’t realize his appreciation ran deeper than what the rumors told. Something to admire of him.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli translated well enough for Thrawn to understand what Faro wanted, and she was satisfied with that as he finally got what she was trying to say. She nodded, wanted to tease about that not being so hard, but refrained. They talked a while longer, and the night wore on. There were a few partings and other discussions throughout the night, but eventually, it all wound down and the guests began to leave.

The band began to disassemble, and servers started to move to clean up.

The Grand Moff made one last pass by Thrawn to bid him goodnight, before he was off and away to other matters.

“Well, I guess we should get back to the Chimaera,” Eli commented.

“What, no after party?” Faro teased, to an irritated sound from Eli, who was clearly not in the mood for any more parties. Not that she really meant it.

She considered going to say goodbye to Eira, but as the thought crossed her mind, she recognized someone else near one of the doorways, black cloak draped around his shoulders. She hadn’t noticed him before, and after a moment, she realized why.

He hadn’t been there before. He wasn’t a part of the party-goers, and her heart sunk as she recognized who it was. Count Malvern. “Yeah, I guess we should just go.” Eli arched a brow, and glanced over his shoulder to see what had caught her eye.

He didn’t recognize the figure so quickly, but he had seen Faro look off to Eira before becoming disheartened. “You can’t go without saying goodbye.” He said immediately, and before she could protest, he grabbed her upper arm and pulled her away, as Eira was turning from the stage, reassured by the band that they had it all in order.

Besides – he hadn’t even said hello.

 

[cleopat]

The evening was winding down, which Thrawn was grateful for as less and less people came up to him to congratulate him, yet again, on the promotion. Aside from the pleasant conversations with his prodigies, and the inclusion of Lieutenant-Commander Suvan, parties were decidedly not his forte. Too much politics.

And Eli constantly reminded him that he needed to learn more politics.

Tark bid him goodnight, to which Thrawn reciprocated.

He had agreed with Eli; they should get back to the Chimaera before Thrawn learned of anything else he would be forced to endure for this promotion. Including this ‘after party’ Faro mentioned.

Her drastic change in mood piqued his own curiosity. He looked over to where her gaze was directed at, and he first saw Eira, the woman he had spent a while conversing with. Then he noticed the man in the cape, who was the reason for Faro’s drop in mood.

Then they took off. He rose one eyebrow and elected to follow after them. To make sure they don’t get in any trouble. Yes, that was his reason. Not to say one last goodbye to Eira.

He would offer a slight smile as he approached, but he would offer consider Count Malvern near her. Interesting.




Cora watched the three walk over to Eira, but she wouldn’t follow them. It didn’t feel right for her to do so, when she still hardly knew any of them.

But you spent quite a bit of your time that evening with Eli Vanto.

She frowned. Hush. With her superiors now gone, and many people leaving the party, she decided to make her own way out. If Eli meant what he said in sharing their hobbies, Cora would see him again soon enough.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eira recognized the group coming towards her before she could make her own escape from the party. She did not pretend not to notice, but she paused, and greeted them with a smile. She knew Karyn Faro, of course, and Admiral Thrawn. ‘Mitth’raw’nuruodo.’ She tried to match his own voice in her mind, but knew she hadn’t.

One day.

“Who is your friend, Faro?” Eira asked, with a gesture to the brunette.

“This is Eli Vanto,” she introduced, quickly, “I just wanted to say goodbye, and thank you again for the dance.”

Eira shook her head, “Not at all, I should be thanking you, it was a highlight. And it is a pleasure to meet you, Vanto. You were mentioned well by both of your companions.”

A slight curl of her fingers, with the ungesturing hand, drew Count Malvern forward and he slipped an arm around her shoulders easily, “Count, I wanted to introduce you.”

“Oh?”

Her smile became slightly impish, “Count Adlai Malvern, this is the Grand Admiral. He’ll be at the Alderaan exhibit as well, he seems to have quite the love of art,” and for her own sake, she added, “Grand Admiral, would you please say your name again? I’d introduce you properly, but…I’m not quite there yet.” She needed to keep hearing it, if she had any hope of ever getting it right.

Malvern knew the name as Thrawn, but he didn’t interrupt, of course.

Eli, however, openly arched a brow at this request. And took note that Cora had abandoned their group. She was probably tired, though. He didn't blame her. If it weren't for Faro being hopeless he would have continued on without a word. Though, he was glad he had been mentioned by both Faro and Thrawn.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn greeted Eira with a smile as they approached, and though he extended the same to the companion at her side, the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes as he took in the man, who now had an arm wrapped around Eira.

This doesn’t bother me. I am not feeling any particular way to this display of affection.

Eira was pleasant enough to Faro, but Thrawn surmised that his officer wasn’t entirely thrilled, though being able to talk to her again helped her mood.

Then the Count was formally introduced. Thrawn took in every wrinkle and every stitch of his appearance. Every strand of hair in place. “Pleasure to meet you Count Adlai Malvern.” He didn’t reach out his hand in proper greeting, as Eli told him was customary. His hands remained clasped behind his back.

Eira’s request for him to say his name seemed odd at first. She knew he preferred his shortened name when around humans. Unless...she wanted to hear it for herself again, to practice later.

“Grand Admiral Mitth'raw'nuruodo, but as I know the name is difficult for humans to pronounce, you may call me Thrawn.”

 

[Lucyfer]

That Faro was a bit bothered was what Eli expected. Thrawn? That wasn’t expected. Thrawn knew by now how to properly introduce himself to people – but he didn’t offer his hand. He remained stiff. Distant. Yet, he offered his full name when it was asked of him, and Eli wondered at that.

Faro was visibly surprised. She’d actually never heard it before.

Adlai shared a similar expression of surprise, though for a different reason. “I…you’re quite right, I do not believe I would manage that if my life depended on it. I appreciate your understanding of our limitations, Grand Admiral.” Though Adlai could guess why Eira wanted to hear it without asking; it was beyond him, perhaps, but not beyond her.

And she did look happy to hear it again, clearly repeating it over and over again in her head. “I will look forward to seeing more of you at the gallery,” it seemed Eira had taken a liking to him. Not surprising – he was an alien of high rank in the Empire. That made him interesting by default. “Will the rest of you be joining?”

“Oh—no, I wasn’t planning to,” Faro shook her head.

Eli also shook his head, “Probably not the same day, anyways,” if he went.

Eira smiled gently at Faro. She knew she shouldn’t encourage much, “I suppose your do have your duties to tend to, even while on Coruscant. I hope you all have a good rest of your evenings,” however they would spend them.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn felt the desire to gloat when Adlai admitted he wouldn’t be able to pronounce his name. Of course not. I mentioned already humans wouldn’t be able to.

But Eira tried. And she wanted to try again, which was the reason why she wanted to hear him speak it. She was different. He almost expected her to rehearse his name several times before the exhibit opening.

“And I, you.” Would the Count join Eira? He had hoped not, but given his station, and his closeness to Eira, Thrawn surmised that they would meet each other again very soon.

Faro and Eli both admitted that they wouldn’t be joining Thrawn. It wasn’t expected, although he half-desired for the companionship of someone willing to help him navigate the social and political scene of Coruscant, as corrupt it was. With its own secondary language in thinly-veiled insults and body language.

He could demand on of them, Eli most likely, to join him if he really wanted it. “And I hope you have a pleasant evening as well, Eira.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli took note of Thrawn’s snub of the Count. Thankfully, the noble hardly seemed upset. Thrawn was fortunate – not all were that calm in the face of such things. Usually, those who only had their name were the ones to take offense.

Count Malvern wasn’t known for that, like some in the Sindian family.

Eira inclined her head, “Thank you, Grand Admiral,” and the Count pressed lightly on her shoulder, directing her out. She didn’t fight it, but let herself be led out, leaning into him. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

The Count just chuckled, “I missed you. I thought we could go spend some time at the Blue Moon.” It wasn’t the actual name of where they were going, but it was the name of the front that covered up the illicit activities that went on in there.

One of their meetings had been pushed ahead.

~***~

As the couple left, Faro let out a defeated sigh, “I was really hoping that was just a publicity stunt,” but the way Eira leaned into him? The way he so casually draped his arm around her? It was clear they knew each other.

Eli patted her shoulder, not sure what else to do. Except, “She remembered you. She might remember you for a while,” he offered, adding, “I bet next time she asks you to dance.”

Faro perked up a bit at that, “You think so?”

“Definitely. You two could still end up being friends. That’d be something, wouldn’t it?” For Outer Rim nobodies, that’d be a lot. And it’d help Faro’s ranking, too – Imperial hierarchy was one thing, but plenty in that hierarchy wanted to cross paths with stars. They were different worlds, but both influential in their way, like politicians.

“We should get going before we’re forced to clean,” he said, but didn’t move immediately. He canted his head a bit, “Why did you tell her your name?” It was still strange to Eli. He had accepted calling Thrawn, just that, although he was getting better with languages. It was just habit now, more than anything.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn’s gaze followed Eira and Count Malvern for a few seconds, watching them leave the banquet hall. He would have to research more into Aldai Malvern and his family later, to see what he could find out about him and their...relationship.

His officers talked about them for a bit longer, and he couldn’t find himself to care too much about what they said, except for Faro’s continued interest in pursuing Eira. But she’s not interested.

Well, he thought so, but Thrawn didn’t say anything. If he did, he could imagine the chastisement Eli would give him.

But Eli’s question did bring him fully back to the present. His head tilted as he considered the question. “She was curious earlier to learn my full name, and once I said it, she actually attempted to pronounce it. So when she asked for it again, I humored her. I think she intends to practice the pronunciation against before Saturday.”

And surprise him with an accurate pronunciation. He merely appreciated the attempt.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘Cute.’

Eli kept that thought to himself, and kept a smile from betraying it. Or tried, rather. He still felt the twitch of his lips, but he suppressed it, taking Thrawn’s answer with a nod. “Maybe she will.” He liked to think he was getting better at hearing some of the intonations in how Thrawn spoke even Basic.

He definitely said words that should sound the same, differently – like ‘read’ and ‘reed’. It had taken a bit for Eli to notice the intonation was different, but he had started to recognize it, and he was starting to get a feel for how Cheunh may be spoken just through exposure to how Thrawn spoke Basic. “Tell me if she gets it right,” Eli said.

He didn’t doubt that Thrawn was right about her trying to, though. And that’s what made it, well, cute. In a strange way. That and Thrawn’s behavior of being impolite to Malvern.

~***~

Adlai was having a similar thought to Eli, because as they walked, Eira was repeating the name, and over and over, adjusting her cadence and pitch some, testing out how to make it flow right. He was tempted to interrupt, but he remained silent. He was already more than aware of how Eira wanted to address people properly, of how important names seemed to her. Languages.

Things the Empire was stripping away – cultures, names, identities, entire species.

It was a small thing, perhaps, to know someone’s name, and to say it – but not to some.

Eventually, she did shake her head and snap out of it, to indulge in small talk as they moved on to the Blue Moon. The business front was still something of a hard place to get in to, known for catering to the higher-ups in the world and their need for privacy.

Of course, anyone with enough credits could breeze through that.

The Count and Eira were known figures by now, and it was one of the reasons rumors were fueled – they were seen going in together, often, supposedly to avoid the paparazzi. Thankfully, they weren’t terribly bothered on their way, even though the Imperial Square had been swarming given the party that had taken place within.

They passed from the Blue Moon down into the Eclipse, which was not directly below the Moon, but involved traversing a few underground passages, and speaking a passphrase that seemed to change every other day.

Their DJ always had it.

And in they went, “Who is it we’re looking for?” Eira asked, glancing through the room where machines blared noise. It was smokey down there, red-lighted, and a jazz beat flowed through like molasses.

Though one had to stay sharp at the games, the place itself invited indulgence and relaxation, and there were areas for it – plenty lounging on red couches and adding to the smoke.

Malvern nodded to a table where dice was being thrown, and Eira saw who he meant immediately – she was dripping in jewelry, with blonde hair, and long nails, but Eira could feel the danger around her with just a small reach outward. “Nadrine?” She still spoke to Malvern for confirmation.

“Yes,” he said, and they moved first to acquire chips for the games, before joining the table with Nadrine.

But Eira couldn’t help but feel something else in the air when she joined, though she didn’t let that distraction keep her from playing her role. The dice were eventually passed Malvern’s way to toss, and he held his hand out to her as bets were placed on how it would roll. “For luck?”

“For the dream.” She blew a kiss onto the dice.

Nadrine caught her eye over the table, and Malvern let it roll.

Nadrine had been told the number to look for, just as well. She likely believed weighted dice would replace the natural ones in some trick – but no. Merely the Force, that moved the two dice to show a pair of threes.

The blonde woman let a smirk touch her lips, as she collected the winnings for that bet, “Luck indeed. I think I owe you two a drink.”

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn noticed the small twitch from Eli. He wanted to demand what more of what he was thinking. It had to be about him, so what was it?

But he didn’t. Eli Vanto wouldn’t ever think anything malicious of Thrawn, just his quirks. And he was too exhausted from the evening to concern himself with such trivial matters.

“If you’re so curious about such a thing, then I will let you know if she succeeds.” Thrawn would be impressed if she did. Would she succeed? Would her study of music prove to be a great asset in the study of languages? He would keep that in mind – maybe something he could put to tactical use in the future.

Most of the guests were now gone – an observation Thrawn noted with some relief. “If it is acceptable,” he sent a glance towards Eli, “then I think I should get some rest now. It has been quite the eventful evening.”

~~

A cheer sounded from the roulette table. A blonde woman, adorned in an emerald green dress, laughed at her triumph as she collected her winning credits for that round. “Boys, it look like you two are my lucky charms.”

She squeezed an arm of the two men on either side of her. Skye would toss them aside soon enough. They were the ones who came up to her a few rounds ago, and she entertained keeping them by her side to distract from what she was doing to the ball spinning on the roulette wheel.

A feeling passed through her. Something was in the air, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly. She would have to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious.

Skye moved from the table, and the two men were eager to follow her. “Gentlemen, please, it’s time to go bother some other starry-eyed waif.” One opened his mouth to protest, and she immediately held up one finger to his lips, shushing him. “Please don’t make this any harder than it has to.”

Both threw her a glare, but they left without a further complaint. Good.

Her grey eyes scanned the room as she considered where to go next. What game would be easier to manipulate without any notice.

Skye paused at a craps table. Something told her to go over there. That persistent feeling in the back of her mind again. The Force? But she obeyed. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe she would score her next big hit there.

“I think I would like to join in.” She moved next to a man who nearly had a foot on her frame, and a woman stood on his other side, one she swore looked familiar.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli was curious, and he gave a nod, with a grateful, “Thank you,” because it would be interesting if a musician was the one to crack it, rather than a linguist. Not that he thought Thrawn ever truly put Cheunh to the test. Eli was just aware of how difficult Thrawn considered it to be for humans.

He must have had some experience before Eli.

“It’s acceptable,” Eli agreed, “Let’s get back to the ship.” It had been a long day, although Eli considered it good. Cora wasn’t with them, but he intended to follow up with her in the morning, and see about working a schedule.

They’d be on Coruscant at least a little bit longer, since Thrawn had an art gallery to take a look at. Until they got a mission, they would likely be the fleet stationed in and around Coruscant for its protection.

An honor…but a boring one. Still, Eli supposed they should take advantage of it.

~***~

A woman joined before they could consider bowing out, and though Malvern wanted to go on for the drinks, Eira set a hand on his arm, and took the dice. She wouldn’t have been able to explain it to Malvern, beyond a feeling – but she had learned to trust those feelings, and right then. “I think once more around the table, before we leave for drinks. A dream isn’t funded that easily.”

Adlai arched a brow, and passed a glance to Nadrine.

She wasn’t inclined to protest. If they were using dice to cheat, why not make a bit of extra money.

It was a shame she voted hard six again, though.

Malvern set his own bet on a three, and that was what Eira intended to roll, intended to use the Force to create that, not expecting an interruption to that.

 

[cleopat]

Skye didn’t think anything of the words spoken by the other woman. Many people were in there to fund their dreams. As she was.

But there was still something strange she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

The betting round began. She moved a few credits in front of her, and she offered her own bet as to what the dice will land on, “Snake eyes.”

When the dice were rolled, Skye would will them, with a twitch of her fingers, to land how she betted. But that didn't exactly happen. The dice...put up a struggle?

To onlookers, it would seem that the dice didn't want to stop rolling. Skye could feel something else at power. The Force? She frowned and focused further on the dice, but they would not listen to her.

Suddenly, one dice sharply hit the side of the craps table, preventing it from shooting off, but the other one wasn't so lucky, as it was seemingly thrown at an angle that shot it through the air and lost in a group of skirts and legs mingling with flutes of champagne in their hands.

Skye raised one eyebrow at the situation. Something was very off. Something she didn't want to stick around and find an answer to. It could only lead to a bad situation for her.

~~

Cora woke up early the next morning, the events of the party nothing but a memory for her now. The dancing, the discussions with Eli Vanto, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and Karyn Faro. The offers to hang out with discussions of hobbies and dance lessons. She wouldn’t expect Eli to actually follow up on his offers.

She wanted to, but she still held reservations that a Wild Space boy like him were even interested in such things to begin with. Small lies to keep the conversation going?

If he did reach out, she would throw those thoughts aside. But as she signed into her lab station, antsy and eager to get a little work done, she wondered if that would happen. She didn’t want to get her hopes up.

But still, Cora placed her datapad on the table beside her, sound kept on in case of a new message, as she focused on working with the notes of a recent planet excavation to place them into her system.

At least the lab would be quiet the day after a party.

~~

Thrawn had his own mission early that next morning. Eira still weighed heavily on his mind, for reasons he didn’t bother contemplating at the moment, and he sought to learn more about her.

Her home world remained elusive to him. If he could learn more about the planet she was from, he may learn why she held an interest in music. Why she was so insistent on learning how to pronounce his name.

Or maybe she would remain to be an enigma for him, counteracting everything her planet stood for. Wouldn’t that be his luck?

He strolled into the library of the Chimaera, hands clasped behind his back as he pondered on where to begin. The librarian may offer some answers, but so may the research stations, which could point him in the proper direction.

And that was where he first headed towards. A research station to see what it could tell him of Mygeeto. Its culture, history, current political situation. Anything he could find.

 

[Lucyfer]

There it was.

There was the feeling Eira had gotten, the sense of familiarity, and she knew where it came from. The new individual who had joined their table, tried to influence things to her will – and failed. They both did. There were gasps from the table, and some laughter. Eira made a point to laugh and shake her head.

“I guess I don’t know my own strength sometimes,” she chuckled, “I’m sorry, I’ll get the die that flew off.”

Malvern would step aside, and with a look, he’d gesture to Nadrine, “That drink you were speaking of earlier…?”

“Oh, of course,” she said, and offered her arm, a gesture that he accepted, as they moved to another area…where he’d still be able to keep an eye on Eira. He didn’t know what was going on, but he had some idea.

Obviously, something had interfered with her getting the roll she wanted.

Eira was able to easily find the die that had been thrown – the group it had nearly struck moved aside as they heard it clattering on the ground, and Eira was able to take it from the hands of someone else who had already picked it up, “Thank you – catch!” She called back to the table, tossing it back – with a bit of help.

The woman hadn’t quite left her sight yet, and she didn’t plan to let her.

As soon as the die had left her hand, she walked after the stranger, and reached out touch her upper arm lightly, “Excuse me,” she didn’t quite know what to say, in truth. She knew what it was to be hunted in these times – she knew what it was to need to maintain the secret.

Even if she wasn’t Jedi any longer, she was still wanted for having been one. For using the Force at all.

And she know how desperately alone that felt.

“I’m sorry for the fuss back at the table. If I had known…,” but she trailed there, of course.

~***~

Eli Vanto did not wake so early as some of the others, but still earlier than plenty of others. Not earlier than Thrawn, who he learned had gone off to the library –he wouldn’t disturb him there. He’d talk to him later; Thrawn did a lot of his best work alone, when it came to art, anyways. When he had something to show Eli or ask him, he’d be summoned.

With the Chimaera not immediately leaving Coruscant, that left Eli with few tasks to do, except run numbers and check over the supplies of the Chimaera.

It was a task that he began with breakfast, running the logs to make sure they weren’t lacking anything. He was able to do it almost thoughtlessly by now, the rows and numbers orderly. He knew the ranges they should be within, and nothing seemed abnormal as he went through it, though he made notes of where to place orders.

Not that restocking would be hard on Coruscant.

It was after he’d gone through that, and made his notes, that he considered what else the day might entail. ‘Is it actually an open day?’ Unless Thrawn called him, he supposed it was.

He hadn’t forgotten Cora. He didn’t know if she was up or not already, and so he began his message:

Sorry if I woke you, Officer Suvan.
With the Chimaera stationary, and Thrawn occupied, I seem to have time today if you wanted to pursue one of the subjects we spoke of last night.

~***~

The Grand Admiral Thrawn had built an impressive library. Impressive enough to actually require a librarian to retain not only the books, but all the datacards and holofiles, and the artifacts the Survey Corps found. Art, as well. The library was organized, but to many, it would seem half a mess for the oddities collected over time.

The librarian, Olwen Strix, usually found his job as finding things for Thrawn about various cultures. On Coruscant, he’d taken some liberties to request quite a few new things to add to their holo collection, and he was intrigued to see Thrawn in.

“Good morning, Grand Admiral,” he stepped away from examining the contents of one of the holos, “What brings you in today? Do we have a new heading?” He was always curious himself, and perhaps, always overeager to help when it wasn’t needed.

 

[cleopat]

The laughters erupted at the seemingly impossible dice, and Skye made it a point to laugh as well. “We certainly will have an interesting story to tell.”

The woman she now suspected wondered off to get the dice, and her companion accompanied another woman to the bar. Skye took this as her chance to silently leave before anything else could happen.

She didn’t feel anything dark from the woman, but was it still a risk she wanted to take? How many Jedis were alive? The numbers were too small to consider the possibilities.

Maybe she was a spy for the Empire. Maybe she had an Inquisitor ready to call.

Skye tensed when a hand landed on her upper arm, but didn’t move to grab. Her steps paused. “If you had known what?” she asked a bit more harshly than anticipated. Slowly, Skye took in a deep breath, and continued more calmly, “You just got a bit excited and didn’t know your own strength, right?”

But she desperately wanted this woman to be someone she could confide in, if they were both once Jedis.

“Nothing to worry about.”

~~

Cora broke from her concentration, by that point had lasted about an hour, by a ping at her datapad. A bit faster than she normally would, she picked it up and read the new message, a large grin crossing her face with each passing word.

She wouldn’t delay before composing a response.

You didn’t wake me at all, Officer Vanto.
I am currently finishing up some work in my lab if you wish to join me. I’ll be done soon, after which we can pursue one of those subjects.​

There was a slight pause as she reread the message before sending it off, along with the number and location of her lab.

Eli Vanto continued to surprise her, in delightful ways.

~~

Thrawn tilted his head in greeting when their librarian approached. “Good morning, Olwen Strix. No, there’s no new heading today.” And there wouldn’t be for a few days, unless an emergency came up.

“Actually, I was wondering if you could assist me in some research.” Since the librarian approached him, it would be easier to go ahead and utilize his talent, rather than wasting his own time shifting through information he already knew or didn’t wish to read then.

Thrawn would be careful to explain why he wanted the information though. As it has been mentioned before, simply saying he wanted to learn more about one person in particular bordered on creepy. “I’m wanting to look up more about the planet Mygeeeto. Do you know anything about it?”

 

[Lucyfer]

‘Fear leads to anger.’

The blonde was afraid, and it slipped in her harsh tone, but she caught herself, and tried to dismiss it. Eira could feel that she was still afraid, and she understood it. Oh, how she understood it. How did she reach out to her? How did she find out if they were similar?

She was certain, at least, that this woman meant her no harm. Whoever she was, she was trying to leave to avoid harm coming to herself, so she likely was a Jedi, or a Padawan, before all of this. Eira knew she was terrible with ages, and she’d been knighted so young herself, so she wasn’t prone to judging what this woman may have been.

“I knew it a little,” Eira confessed at the statement of the other woman. “I didn’t want you to leave so quickly, but I understand if you must. My name’s Ae—Eira Nevan,” stars, how long had it been since her old name even crossed her mind?

But it did.

She wanted to offer her contact information. She wanted to offer so much in an instant, but she didn’t want to add to her fears. So she let her hand leave the other woman’s arm, and she stepped back, inclined her head. “I am sorry. I have made you uncomfortable.” She looked back up, feeling almost foolish.

She should let her walk on. They were dangerous in numbers. Inquisitors were likely to notice. It was the fate they all shared, wasn’t it?

And yet, “I was just never taught to try. Just to do. Sometimes I forget how difficult that is for others.” To just approach. To just – reach out.

But that was Yoda’s teaching, the phrasing not quite his, but it was her last way to communicate what she was. What she knew. What she hoped. Yoda taught all younglings that. He reminded all adults.

"Do, or do not, Counsellor Kore. If you are determined to leave, then leave you will. Different paths there are, for us all."​

He had been disappointed…but he had understood, and now he was dead, and suddenly she wanted to cry again, for all of it, for her whole life and the secrecy that held her tongue now.

~***~

Eli Vanto was surprised by the haste of the message he received, but it brought a bright smile onto his lips as he saw it. Cora had time, as well.

I’ll be over soon!​

Damnit he added the exclamation mark. He should have erased that before sending. Oh well. He hastened to eat the rest of his food quickly, and was soon out of the mess hall on the ship and heading towards the lab. He knew the Chimaera inside and out, even if he didn’t go to every location himself. He didn’t get lost on the way, and when he reached the lab, he pressed the comm by the door.

It’d be rude to just enter.

He might startle her.

Of course, the buzz of the comm might startle her. “It’s Eli Vanto. May I come in?”

~***~

Olwen was always baffled by how Thrawn insisted on the full name. He’d yet to correct Thrawn, that he could use one or the other, though. “Of course I can,” Olwen answered, and when Thrawn revealed what it was he was looking into, he actually laughed, “Oh, I’m from Mygeeto!”

He used to have a few kyber, before he realized how much he could make off the stones, and he sold them. The Empire was collecting them, and he knew they had quite a significant presence on Mygeeto now.

Before them, it had been the banking clans – not that the banking clans were kicked out, but their influence was less.

And before that, Mygeeto had been quite different, with the lurmen free and not enslaved.

“What were you needing to know? I know nowadays it’s basically just a large Imperial factory for kyber, and before that, the banking clans held power over it. A few significant battles in the Clone Wars were fought there – I think that’s another reason the Empire keeps a place on there – my planet didn’t exactly pick the right side.” Separatists.

 

[cleopat]

Skye caught the slip of the other woman’s tongue. She had started to say a different name, before stating that she was Eira Nevan. Wasn’t that the name of a holoactress? She wasn’t very familiar with them.

Her eyes fellowed the hand that dropped from her arm. Still, she didn’t get any bad felling from the woman. Nothing malicious, from what she could tell. Nothing dark. Should she dare take a risk?

“Do or do not,” she mumbled, echoing the words of their great Jedi Master Yoda. But he was dead. They were all dead.

Save for a few survivors, like herself. And Eira Nevan.

Skye allowed her gaze to land on the woman’s face – not an ounce of trickery or deceit within the blues of her eyes. “Skye,” she said without warning. “The name’s Skye.”

~~

Once her message was sent, Cora couldn’t focus on her work. She kept glancing back to the datapad for a response. There wasn’t long of a wait before Eli sent his response. She eagerly grabbed her datapad, unaware of her wide smile as she read the message.

She didn’t respond, but rather kept an ear out for him as she finally focused back on her work. Not that much later, a buzz at the door interrupted her.

Cora heard who it was at the door, and she hastened to respond, “Yes, please come in!” The door would already be unlocked, and once he entered the lab, Eli would see Cora still focused on her work.

He couldn’t very well see how eager she was that he was joining her. She had to pretend to look busy.

~~

“Oh, well that’s rather serendipitous, isn’t it?” The librarian hailing from Mygeeto was unexpected, but a pleasant one. Olwen would prove to be a bigger help to him than he had initially realized.

The planet was an Imperial factory for kyber. Before, banking clans held power. A few battles took place there. Nothing that screamed out at him of what would lay on its surface. What potential art there could be.

“What can you tell me of the general population of Mygeeto? What is the art like?” As a keeper of knowledge, Olwen should be a wealth of knowledge in this area, and if not, Thrawn would simply return to his original plan of the research stations. Beyond that, he may simply have to ask Eira what she thought of her homeworld’s culture.

Did their own thriving opera scene inspire her to pursue the arts?

 

[Lucyfer]

Do, or do not.

With that mumble, a name was given. It was no name that Eira recognized, but that wasn’t something she expected. They all had to lie now. “Skye,” she repeated, “It’s good to meet you, Skye.”

She wanted to linger. She wanted to try and talk more, but she had a mission. ‘Isn’t this more important?’

Perhaps. But not right then. “I don’t come here too often,” more than she’d like to, lately, but she’d never seen Skye there. She suspected Skye wasn’t one to linger on Coruscant, given who also lingered on Coruscant. “But I’d like to make up souring that game sometime. I can give you my comm information, if you’d like?”

She could leave it to her to decide if she wanted to take the risk, later.

~***~

Eli pressed the button besides the comm after Cora noted it was opened. It slid right open for him, too, and he stepped in and looked around at the lab, at the samples that they had. He nodded to himself, before stepping forward to see what it was she was looking at.

He kept his hands off the table, and was careful with how his shadow fell, so he wouldn’t actually get into the space too much.

She seemed to just be adding notes to her system, right then.

He tried to read over what was found, but the angle, and distance, didn’t offer much.

He didn’t want to interrupt, but, “What is this all about?” He would anyways.

~***~

Art. It always came down to art.

“Well, obviously it’s mostly humans now. Prior to the Empire, it was more of a human, bith, muun, and lurmen. You’ll still find those in good numbers, but with the Empire’s arrival,” he shrugged.

Thrawn knew how it worked by now. “Lurmens are a slave class,” though they were also the natives.

He was picking out holos as he spoke, “I don’t think we have much on Imperial Era Mygeeto art,” he hummed. Not surprising. Thrawn hadn’t often wanted much that was too modern. “We do have some from within the century, though. Is that what you’re looking for?”

He didn’t think Thrawn was looking for art prior to the banking clan.

What he recalled of Mygeeto art was mostly beautiful stained glass and fractal designs. Marbled designs. The inspiration was taken from the nature around them more often than not, even when stained glass depicted summery scenes, they facets of crystals and ice were woven into the designs.

He wouldn’t have been able to tell much more than that – he wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference between art pre-Clone Wars and during the Clone Wars, the shifts in palettes and how much fracturing occurred in the art.

Their sculpted art, even when it was of real things, was also woven in with marbling rather than maintaining a pure, single hue, or even being painted to cover up the marbled stone.

 

[cleopat]

“Nice to meet you too, Eira.” She canted her head. Is it so nice to meet you? She hasn’t attacked her yet. No one jumped out of the shadows to kill her. And no warning bells have set off in her head.

Maybe Eira was a woman with a shared tragedy. They both suffered from forced isolation, but did it have to remain that way?

“I don’t come here too often either. This is actually my first time.” And tomorrow night, Skye would most likely be on a different planet. Staying in one place for too long was dangerous. Staying on a Core planet even more so.

She hesitated at Eira’s request. Sharing comm information could be a great risk if Skye’s instincts were wrong, but if they weren’t? Then maybe she could be a little less alone. She gave a slow nod. “Yes, I would like that.”

Her eyes flickered over to the bar for a moment, where she saw the man who accompanied her walked off to with another woman. “But first, I want to know who your friend is.

~~

Cora shot Eli a quick glance and a smile as she heard him enter the lab. She hoped to reach a stopping point before she allowed herself to get distracted by whatever conversation Eli offered.

And she reached the end of a sentence as Eli questioned what she was doing. “Translating and transcribing, more or less. When our team is sent to survey a new planet for the Empire, they make notes on what they find, which could be anything from the soil composition to descriptions of living creatures. I attempt to read through their notes and formally enter it into our system.”

She powered down the station she worked at, and her attention fully shifted to Eli. “It can be quite tedious sometimes, but someone has to do it.” Cora wished it wasn’t her. She wished she was the one who could join the actual survey team, but she didn’t dare complain to her superiors about it.

She didn’t want to be stuck with that task for the rest of her career.

~~

Thrawn knew quite well what the Empire did to non-humans. A great flaw, in his opinion, to dismiss potential leaders and soldiers because of their birth. He knew he was lucky to be where he was, with great help from a few.

They knew of his potential, his worth, his intelligence.

He sighed. “I would prefer Modern Era, but information from anywhere of the last century would also be beneficial.” Art, after all, evolved from previous movements, with history acting as an aide to its direct transformation.

As he expected her to practice his name before the art exhibit, would Eira be equally surprised should he begin a conversation on art pieces from her world? Or ask her for her interpretation on a particular style?

And before he could imagine Eli’s chastising voice in his mind, he added, “I thank you for your assistance in my endeavor.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Skye’s first, and Skye’s last, time. Eira wouldn’t need that clarified. Now that she was caught here, by coincidence, she would not show up here again. It couldn’t be risked. Eira was curious if anything beyond gambling had brought the woman so deep into Imperial territory.

Skye agreed, at least, to allow her to offer her comm information. She was about to reach for her datapad, tucked neatly into one of the folds of her dress, when she asked about her friend.

Her eyes sought Malvern as well, “Count Adlai Malvern, of Serenno,” she answered. There was no reason to hide that. He was no Jedi. It was possible Skye had heard of him, though it wouldn’t be a terrible surprise if she hadn’t.

After all, he wasn’t a senator. Just openly critical of the Empire. “A former separatist,” that much had to be admitted, though he had been quite young and naïve at that time. He still held separatist leanings, given how the centralization of the Empire was wreaking havoc on worlds like his own. “But not like Dooku.”

Not with the Force. Not with the Sith. Not for power.

~***~

Cora, it seemed, did not get to go down much and collect information or samples. At least, if he understood the gist of what she was saying and the complaint in it. Tedious indeed; Eli knew that only too well. His skill with languages had sometimes put him into that role himself, so he could empathize.

“Oh – really, if you’re not done, I can find something to do,” he said, not wanting Cora to stop on his account.

And also, of course, wanting it – but he could probably find some notes to read on interesting things that had been found by the Survey Corps.

“I know how tedious it can be. I used to do a bit of it, myself” he offered, “but I know how important it is, too. I can go find a holo to read, or look over some of the things we’ve catalogued if you need more time – really.”

~***~

Olwen offered a small smile, “I’ll work on getting some in soon, but we have up to the Clone Wars, at least,” he offered. That was pretty close, just a decade or so off.

He came forward with the holos for Thrawn to research, things that would hold artwork and cultural information on Mygeeto. “You’re welcome,” he said, and added, “Most of what I remember was a lot of glass work, and fractal and marbling designs, throughout,” he couldn’t really recall the changes, even between now and the when he was a child.

Not that he’d paid much attention to it. “We – that is, Mygeeto – took a lot of inspiration from what was around us. The kyber, the ice – but we added to that. Still, I always see a lot of the shatter effects, and other weird and twisting lines where they don’t belong. Or – I guess, where someone painting with oil wouldn’t naturally put them.”

It wasn’t much, but he wasn’t a great researcher into art or art styles. He didn’t know why it was done, and when he was young, he hadn’t really noticed it. It was only as he got older, and saw more of the galaxy, that he started to find it strange.

 

[cleopat]

Like Eira, Malvern’s name sounded familiar to her, but Skye was sure it was simply because he had the title ‘Count’ attached to it. She knew many nobles during her days as a Jedi before Order 66; maybe they had business with his family before.

Her brows shot up when Eira revealed he was a former separatist. A former separatist and a Jedi? That was an unusual companionship. “But do you still trust him?” To her, it didn’t matter if he wasn’t ‘like Dooku.’ They were still on the same side.

She gave him another glance. “He’s very pretty though. I see why you would keep him around.” And if he was safe, someone she wouldn’t mind sitting up close to. “I’m sure you’ve been the envy of many.”

~~

Cora was bemused by Eli, insisting he could find something else to do while she finished. Which she had. “I didn’t invite you here just to watch me work. Besides, I was simply getting ahead on some work. I don’t have to finish any of this today.”

With everything off and put away, she rose to her feet. “Now, what was it you had in mind?” Since he was the one to contact her that morning, she figured he already had an idea in mind for what he wanted them to discuss further from last night.

Though, at the realization of where they were, she offered, “Should we go somewhere else?” With the day off for most, the lab could provide a better chance to remain alone, but Cora doubted Eli would want that. It may make him too awkward or uncomfortable.

~~

Thrawn nodded. Up to the Clone Wars would be a great start, and not that far off from current society. “How interesting that a society with so much turmoil and suffering would turn to glass as a main medium,” he mused. They took inspiration from their elements, kyber and ice playing large roles, to create their works, which explained the use of glass.

Olwen offered his explanation of the art styles. “But it is not surprising to know of the suffering of your people when you mention shatter effects or unexpected designs in otherwise flawless forms.” As with unexpected oil paint.

He took the holos from Olwen, and he would do his own individual research to further look at the art himself. He asked another question first, one that the holos may not be able to answer. “What can you tell me of the music that Mygeeto produces? Any significant operas?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eira smiled easily, readily, and nodded. Did she trust Malvern? More than anyone she knew. He was the one to figure out what she was, and he had empathized with it. Perhaps others in the Shah-tehz would be equally understanding, but the risk to their lives was not worth it. Better they were all ignorant. Better if he was ignorant…but there was no way around it, now.

She laughed a bit at the deduction, “So I have heard,” Eira had found one aspect of her former life relatively easy to maintain. A couple of times, she had considered relationships, and she had tried, a couple of times, reminding herself that she was not a Jedi any longer, but it rarely held.

Malvern was attractive, objectively, but Eira had never seen him in that light. Which had made their agreement easy. “The world views us as something of an item. It’s useful,” a good cover. A way not to have to deal with questions about why she wasn’t with anyone. It was less suspicious to have someone. “You could meet him.”

Would it keep Skye around?

Perhaps their friend Nadrine wouldn’t appreciate it, but she could always step aside with Nadrine.

~***~

Eli hesitated to accept Cora’s answer, that pressure not to be a bother lingering at the back of his mind. But she had told him to come right over, and they weren’t out, actively surveying any area. It was probable that she wasn’t lying, and he wouldn’t be putting her behind on anything. “If you’re sure.”

Which, she was, indicative by rising to her feet and asking what he had in mind. He considered. He hadn’t actually put a thought to what they could do. He had just wanted to see her, most of all, and beyond that, he realized he didn’t have a plan of which hobby to pursue.

Dancing came most readily to mind, but they’d also just done that, and she probably wouldn’t want to work on that right then.

“Well, actually, you did say something about writing programs for the Survey Corps, didn’t you? Since we’re already here, we could talk about that. I could ask a droid to fetch us something to drink.”

~***~

Olwen had never thought long on it being fascinating. Though, of course, it was what he grew up with, what he was used to, and so he just shrugged. “Maybe so,” Thrawn’s insight into his culture would, he realized, at least be interesting.

Thrawn’s deductions usually were.

But why Mygeeto? Usually that meant there was a problem.

Thrawn asked of the music scene and the operas. “I wasn’t ever that posh, Thrawn,” he laughed, but still thought on it, drawing a hand up to his chin as he tried to remember. “I always heard that the bith sectors put out some good music – but bith have better hearing than us, so that’s not a surprise. I think someone in the Max Rebo band is from Mygeeto, and Eira Nevan, too, but those are the only two that come to mind.”

As for operas, he shook his head, “Operas were also more of a bith sector thing on Mygeeto, although I recall a few being advertised, I don’t know which ones might have originated there.”

He just shrugged his shoulders, “At least from what I recall, it wasn’t a huge draw so far as things that were to do, at least not among humans. Maybe the bith were told to go and make operas or music, but I was told to be a banker. I got the hoarding priceless objects thing right,” he chuckled at that.

He did. Just not quite like a banker.

 

[cleopat]

Skye found that a smile easily slipped back across her lips. They were more relaxed now, with that initial fear gone as they’ve come to accept the other as a friend, not a foe.

“So, not an item then,” she speculated. She imagined it was useful, pretending to be in a relationship with an influential man. It could do well at enforcing covers. Make people believe what they want to believe, and they won’t see what was in front of them.

Eira then suggested that she could meet him. Her grin widened, and one hand reached up to gently tousle her short hair. “That sounds like a great idea, and I’m so glad you suggested it.” She didn’t know what would come out of talking to the guy for a bit, other than a pleasant conversation with some eye candy.

“I suppose you wouldn’t mind introducing us?.” Not that Skye wasn’t adverse to walking up to him herself, but the introduction could work in her favor.

~~

“Of course I’m sure,” Cora waved off. She knew what she was doing. Besides, the idea of doing something with Eli was far more enjoyable than spending her free day hunched over a desk, transcribing scribbles.

Before she realized it, a wide grin stretched across her face after Eli mentioned her programs that she’s been working on for the Survey Corps. “Oh yes, I did say that. I could show you something I’ve been working on.”

She paused, “I wouldn’t mind some water.” They may be talking for some time, after all. Or so she hoped.

Cora continued over to a holorpojector, and she pulled out her datapad from one of the pockets of her uniform. “One thing I’ve been working on is to help better organize the planets we discover that are yet in an assigned sector or even system.” She turned the holoprojector on, illuminating a small selection of planets in some of the furthest reaches of Wild Space.

“It’s a work in progress, but I grew too frustrated at the seemingly disorganized chaos of our previous mapping system.”

~~

Thrawn hadn’t realized that music and opera were considered posh. Just like visual art, they should be appreciated by everyone, regardless of class or species.

That wasn’t reality though. And while it frustrated him, the reality also aided in his deductions on planetary society and history.

But either way, it sounded like the operas of Mygeeto weren’t common for humans to enjoy; Biths were the musicians. Curiouser and curiouser.

“Was it common for most humans to be asked to go into banking?” If so, that only proved another note of interest for Eira. While it wasn’t unheard of for individual to stray off the path of what their society expected of them, it was still unusual and noteworthy.

Individualism was prized in some circles and hunted in others.

Eira had mentioned ‘loftier’ goals than a singer, in the form of peacekeeper or humanitarian. Both far cries from banking.