Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Zeno sat at the table in the dining room, chairs an table prepared with a meal he remembered Tera enjoying back during training. Though of a much higher quality than what was offered on a military space station.

Tera arrived with a bait of anger in her eyes and took a seat kicking up her feet on the table and said, “Alderaan is a trash fire, love. How do you stand this place? Even the assassins have scruples? What even is this? A lady can’t even screw over a hutt without someone crying like a child.”

"The people here are self important. I take it a plan didn't come together?" he asks.

"I can stand it because my wife and daughters are here. And you can't because there is a giant stick up the planets backside. Which is why you couldn't live back home either." Zeno smirked at that.

"I made some credits, love... no ship but it's only a matter of time. I am annoyed but not defeated. How about you, is your situation resolved yet?" she responded, spinning her lightsaber hilt a few centimeters over her right palm.

"Not as yet, but soon," he says with a nod. He took a bite of the meal he had prepared for the two of them, offering for her to join him in eating.

"I know you want your freedom to pursue whatever you want. I'm all for that for you. But there are other possibilities that can give you what you're looking for."

She adjusted herself to sit normally at the offer and said, "Love, please illuminate these possibilities."

He looks to her with a smile. "Have you ever considered getting into the 'shipping' business?"

The word shipping came coupled with matching air quotes.

"You've been around and have contacts the house could use. You could have a safe port with Thul, be considered an associate, and be provided a ship. Do a favor for the house every once in a while, split profits on any opportunity that we come up with, and do whatever you want outside of that. Plus, I might get to see you a bit more frequently."

“Are you trying to buy my services… well now this day seems to be brightening up, I get to pick the ship and I split profits sixty-forty? Fair? Oh and I get to select my crew. Yes… this could work… and I see you as well of course and my precious nieces.”

She smiled warmly and said, “What brought about this change of heart?”

"Not particularly a change of heart. I just didn't want to bring it up before running it by Ziandra. Then after I did, things got busy then crazy," he says with a shrug. "You know me, I love my family. Well, except for dad, but he's still family. So I want to see you succeed. If it can be us succeeding together that's all the better."

“One successful Sith, an almost Sith, your ruthless but wonderful wife… the Blackguards… the House… I have joined worse causes. I can agree, love, and it saves me having to string this pathetic man-child along for any longer,” she said with a shrug.

“Cute face, but a few crystals short of a lightsaber.”

"Well, do let him down easy. I can make a potential ally out of his sister for that, or at least get a favor out of her," he suggests.

"Until we arrange for a better ship, you can borrow mine if you need it. With the festival and this investigation it may take a few days. Maybe teach the twins how to get into a bit of trouble while you hang around?"

“Only because you asked nicely, dear cousin. It was never going to last anyway, he’s too soft on the inside… he’s a child still trying to figure out how his big boy pants work. I met his sister, she dislikes me, it’s amusing. I didn’t need the Force to feel her envy,” she said pulling a fruit to hand.

“So, you have gone… Thul, it’s a nice look for you. Not so bloody minded. It was my least liked quality among many of the Sith… all violence and rage and constant betrayals. It’s a wonder the Empire survived this long.”

"I have. Still care for my Deathwright family, but I find that a more controlled and comfortable life is... pleasant. I don't think they really understand just how tame their politics are. They even have codified rules for assassination. Not that I am good at politics anywhere, but at least here I get advance notice when someone is planning on assassinating me."

He takes another bite.

"You're joking? Oh my, maybe I should stay. They will never see me coming," she said warmly. "But do they accept you? The members of House Thul respect you, but what of these other families? Or the Jedi?

"Part of the problem is that they expect everyone to follow silly rules of assassination, so not doing so makes you an illegal murderer and not a sanctioned murderer. I guess there's a bit more sport in it if you have to announce yourself," he says with a shrug.

"And many will probably never accept me, others already have. That's their issue if they choose not to. But I've got one Jedi that is considering inviting me to meetings of planetary concerns, though her colleagues will likely say no. Plus I got to exchange contact information with the Duke of Ulgo, who definitely doesn't care for Thul so that may be progress. Just want to get to a point where when they think of Thul they think of plotting and scheming against us rather than exiling and destroying us. Make it fun without the world ending stakes."

"I never found all this noble pox, fun... but to each their own," she said. "Anyone I should steer of clear of, since you seem so well liked."

"Have at it. I don't limit myself," he says with a smile. "Use your judgement to try not to get into too much trouble, but I'm not trying to turn you into something you're not. We've got an associate named Xero that will probably come up with fun things. Keep them apprised of where you are and where you're heading when you go off-world and they may have or find stuff at your destination that can be useful."

"I will do that, what is this Xero like?" she asked.

"Cheeky, entertaining and exceedingly good at their job. Been with the family longer than me, same as a lot of others," he explains. "Got any ideas for a crew?"

"Only in a general sense, some muscle, a little brains, and someone to keep her flying. I can handle the rest," she said honestly. "I am willing to take suggestions, love."