Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

Delmi arrived at the chateau late that morning. There hadn’t been a summons as of yet, but she was always one to repay the kindness others showed her.

She’d help save Ziandra… and perhaps that was enough. But she needed to thank her handler for all the stuff they did together.

Xero is inside in their reading room looking out the window and the lands of Thul. They turned and said, “Lady Koor, welcome. I half expected you to move on to greener pastures.”

“My father always told me to pay my debts and thank those who help you out.” She replied.

“It’s been a bumpy road at times and the Duchess seems to hate me, but you all have been super welcoming. Your tips set me on the path to figuring out the danger… And helped figure out more about my mom and her associates…”

She paused, “Thank you.”

"She does not trust easily, and given what has happened for good reason," Xero responded.

"You're still an Associate unless you are breaking ties completely."

“I’m not sure what that means after I leave the planet. My loyalties lie first with my squad and the Republic.” She replied… but with an openness to see what Xero would say.

"It means whatever you want it to mean," Xero said. "I won't forget your service, but I understand whatever you and your SIS or Havoc buddies have going on comes first. I promise you I won't cry, I might get emotional, but no tears."

"Oh and here, these belong to you," they added as a droid brought her a small box with a photo of her mother in Thul uniform, a knife, and a bag of candy neatly sealed. "These are her effects."

Delmi nodded gratefully and accepted the box in both hands.

“Thank you… When you knew her… what was her name?”

"Salina Thul," they said.

“So she was born a Thul?” She asked.

"Yes, not off the main branch but yes as far as I can see on the old genealogical tree," Xero responded.

“So we are related somehow… You must be excited.” She replied with a smirk.

"Ecstatic, you can't tell?" they replied.

She smiled and nodded and replied facetiously, "I think I've got quite the read on you now."

She looked down at the knife and candy for a moment, "I've never really had extended family... Perhaps I shouldn't cut you all off immediately. I'm not sure how responsive I can be to the orders from the Duchess... but I can try to keep you all in mind when I can."

“I am not sure she is depending on you to do her bidding either, but if you do good out there, she’ll claim your success all the same. So really, it’s a win, win, unless you screw up and then well, she can just disavow you, so really still win, win, Lady Koor,” they said.

“But now you have a family, among many.”

"Looks like I leave Alderaan with a bit of love after all. The best kind as well. Conditional love is the most predictable form of love." She said with a half smile.

"I'll look forward to the care packages of pastries from my Auncle Xero." She said with a nod.

"I will add you to the mailing list," they replied kindly.

"Any requests for souvenirs from around the galaxy? Some metal polish from Sullust? Rakghoul specimens from Kaon in the Tion Hegemony?" She asked.

"I am not sure what a rakghoul is but that sounds like a rather poor pet. Surprise me, Lady Koor," they responded.

“Will do.” She said with a lax salute.

She extended her hand to shake.

They shook the hand firmly and said, "Best of luck to you, Lady Koor."