[D5 LA] Does The Void Stare Back?

[Zeno Thul]

Zeno sat at a table by a window, looking out into the blackness during their orbit. He loved the sight of it.

[Jocasta Teraan]

Zeno sat at a table by a window, looking out into the blackness during their orbit. He loved the sight of it.

Jocasta had been wandering around the ship for the past few hours. There was just so much to do, so many forms of entertainment, but she couldn't bring herself to enjoy any of it.

Her malaise was broken when she saw a man she owed a thanks to sitting on his own. She made her way over before even giving the difference in their stations a thought.

"Duke-Consort Thul, I am glad to have run into you. I want to formally thank you for aiding House Syrush with their killik problem."

[Zeno Thul]

He seemed to sense the woman's approach, since he adjusted his posture, despite staring intently out the window. But had eventually turned to her once she was close enough to talk.

"We all need to look out for one another. Most of us end up with pests on our lands at one point or another," he says with a nod. "It was Jacosta Teraan right? A friend of that Julio fellow and Delmi?"

[Jocasta Teraan]

He seemed to sense the woman's approach, since he adjusted his posture, despite staring intently out the window. But had eventually turned to her once she was close enough to talk.

"We all need to look out for one another. Most of us end up with pests on our lands at one point or another," he says with a nod. "It was Jacosta Teraan right? A friend of that Julio fellow and Delmi?"

Jocasta stiffened as she realized she had broke from protocol. "Forgive me, I have forgotten my manners. You are correct sir, I am Lieutenant Jocasta Teraan of the ADF. I was Julio's CO when he served."

She relaxed slightly after getting properly introducing herself. "I must say, it is refreshing to see a spirit of cooperation and unity amongst the Houses. I have not seen much of that these past few days and it has been disconcerting."

Looking abashed, she continues on, "I will freely admit that from my own prejudice, I had not expected it to come from House Thul, but I have had much of my perspective put into a new light these days."

[Zeno Thul]

"I suppose the Thul part of myself wasn't the only thing that surprised you about that cooperation," he said with a smirk. "The truth of the matter is that Thul is like any other house of Alderaan. Competing with the other houses and trying to get ahead, but still loyal to the world and seeking safety and prosperity for all."

"The Imperial forces may undercut that somewhat, but they enabled us to reclaim our ancestral home. And as long as so many others rattle their swords and desire our destruction or return to exile we need allies that do not feel the same. We haven't found such people on Alderaan short of the crown. And they cannot involve themselves in the same way other houses can. All in all, just a giant political mess that we are trying to navigate to safety."

[Jocasta Teraan]

"I suppose the Thul part of myself wasn't the only thing that surprised you about that cooperation," he said with a smirk. "The truth of the matter is that Thul is like any other house of Alderaan. Competing with the other houses and trying to get ahead, but still loyal to the world and seeking safety and prosperity for all."

"The Imperial forces may undercut that somewhat, but they enabled us to reclaim our ancestral home. And as long as so many others rattle their swords and desire our destruction or return to exile we need allies that do not feel the same. We haven't found such people on Alderaan short of the crown. And they cannot involve themselves in the same way other houses can. All in all, just a giant political mess that we are trying to navigate to safety."

"I believe you have brought up the heart of the problem with House Thul's welcome back to Alderaan. Many have trouble making a distinction between House Thul and the Empire. I found myself guilty of the same association."

She took a seat across the table and gazed idly out the window as she thought and spoke. "Healthy competition between the Houses aside, as long as House Thul acts in the best interest of Alderaan and of the Crown, then myself and House Teraan can stand behind House Thul."

Turning back to look Zeno eye to eye she continues, "But, that does not mean we have forgotten the previous betrayal by House Thul or your more recent connections with the Empire. I am a proponent of second chances and redemption, as well as not letting my guard down unnecessarily. My own stance is one of cautious optimism."

[Zeno Thul]

"It is appreciated," he says with a nod. "It's not an easy position to be in, but for my family and my daughters I do my best to bear the burden. Because truly, all I want is for their futures to be brighter than mine had been and to not have them suffer the same troubles that have weighed on Thul in the past. To that end, promoting the betterment of Alderaan is what is best for them as much as it is what is best for our world."

"I do not regret the actions taken to secure our return, and do not apologize for it. If those actions hadn't been taken I wouldn't even be here and neither would my daughters after all. It's just regrettable for the house that they were necessary at all. If the individuals responsible for Thul's previous sins had been punished themselves rather than the house as a whole there would not have even been a need to call on outside help. Removing the need for it is honestly my primary concern in the politicking. Trying to prove that Thul is first and foremost an Alderaanian house before any other perceived loyalties or obligations."

[Jocasta Teraan]

"It is appreciated," he says with a nod. "It's not an easy position to be in, but for my family and my daughters I do my best to bear the burden. Because truly, all I want is for their futures to be brighter than mine had been and to not have them suffer the same troubles that have weighed on Thul in the past. To that end, promoting the betterment of Alderaan is what is best for them as much as it is what is best for our world."

"I do not regret the actions taken to secure our return, and do not apologize for it. If those actions hadn't been taken I wouldn't even be here and neither would my daughters after all. It's just regrettable for the house that they were necessary at all. If the individuals responsible for Thul's previous sins had been punished themselves rather than the house as a whole there would not have even been a need to call on outside help. Removing the need for it is honestly my primary concern in the politicking. Trying to prove that Thul is first and foremost an Alderaanian house before any other perceived loyalties or obligations."

"Our children are our future. It is shameful that we have to look to a House that has been in exile for some fifty odd years to find such an honorable motivation and purpose."

As the Duke spoke on, Jocasta looked through the viewport into the darkness of space and contemplated the drive and conviction of a man who would reach his goals by any means necessary without regret or remorse. Such a man could be a great ally to the Crown or a great threat.

"Do you foresee a time in the future when House Thul will be able to make a cleaner break from the influence of the Empire? I can appreciate the need for a diplomatic presence at this tumultuous time, but it does not make it any easier for House Panteer or House Thul."

[Zeno Thul]

"It's not a shame. It's there, hidden beneath the politics. The people of this world care for their children, they're just louder about other things."

"I can see a future without an Imperial presence. It's one that I actually expect eventually. That doesn't mean that I won't always have a personal tie to some Imperial citizens. After all, I care for my family, and some of them are back there. What I don't look forward to is the day that the Empire and the Republic go to war once more and I find myself needing to answer a call where I have to kill or be killed by family that I love. The two governments may have no love for each other, but I have people I love on both sides of the divide. And I can't be the only person in that situation in this galaxy."

He looks back to the Void.

"I don't know if you or most people on Alderaan understand. When the Jedi speak of destroying the Sith or the Republic speaks of destroying the Empire it wrenches my heart to think of either side losing with such finality. The thought of my family on either side being utterly destroyed or wiped out, as a topic of casual conversation for others, is painful. I've been terrible, done horrible things, and I probably don't deserve the happiness I've found, but that doesn't keep me from wanting to protect it."

[Jocasta Teraan]

"It's not a shame. It's there, hidden beneath the politics. The people of this world care for their children, they're just louder about other things."

"I can see a future without an Imperial presence. It's one that I actually expect eventually. That doesn't mean that I won't always have a personal tie to some Imperial citizens. After all, I care for my family, and some of them are back there. What I don't look forward to is the day that the Empire and the Republic go to war once more and I find myself needing to answer a call where I have to kill or be killed by family that I love. The two governments may have no love for each other, but I have people I love on both sides of the divide. And I can't be the only person in that situation in this galaxy."

He looks back to the Void.

"I don't know if you or most people on Alderaan understand. When the Jedi speak of destroying the Sith or the Republic speaks of destroying the Empire it wrenches my heart to think of either side losing with such finality. The thought of my family on either side being utterly destroyed or wiped out, as a topic of casual conversation for others, is painful. I've been terrible, done horrible things, and I probably don't deserve the happiness I've found, but that doesn't keep me from wanting to protect it."

She listened with sympathy before speaking up. "It is easy enough to dwell on the pain and suffering we endure, and even easier to ignore the same that we inflict. You do indeed have a unique perspective.

I may be a soldier by trade and may be prepared to do harm to my enemy to the best of my abilities, but despite that, or perhaps because of it, I do not wish the horrors of war on anyone. I don't put much faith in this Treaty or in a diplomatic solution to these endless hostilities, but I hope for it."

[Zeno Thul]

"As someone that has been on the other side, the treaty's value isn't what you think it is, and isn't totally worthless. The whole point of a Sith making peace or agreeing to a ceasefire is to collect themselves and prepare for the next fight. When a Sith comes to you seeking peace, that is the same thing as saying they're coming to you seeking weakness. Peace is weakness in the Sith mind and any prolonged peace equates to atrophy. A peace will never truly last with the Empire, but periods of peace should be something used to rebuild, grow and strengthen for the next attack. That is exactly what they are doing. Right now, it's because of chaos caused by the death of the former emperor and logisitic problems I imagine. They attacked before they were truly ready which is why the round of war was short lived. They'll work out the kinks and be ready for something more protracted next time. They don't make a secret of this mindset, but it's difficult for some to grasp that they'd be willing to throw their own lives away for something that seems so pointless to others. For them it is not pointless... it is the point."

[Jocasta Teraan]

Snip

"So it is not the possibility of the future that you look toward with dread, but the inevitable. I appreciate your honest assessment Duke-Consort Thul.

It is imperative that we bolster support for the Crown so that Alderaan can prepare for the real enemy."

[Zeno Thul]

"Thul has and will continue to provide full support for Panteer," he agrees with a nod. "Many may not like the closeness, possibly fearing some nefarious desire for the crown. But nothing could be farther than the truth. With how not well liked we tend to be, any such move would likely incite open rebellion."

[Jocasta Teraan]

"Thul has and will continue to provide full support for Panteer," he agrees with a nod. "Many may not like the closeness, possibly fearing some nefarious desire for the crown. But nothing could be farther than the truth. With how not well liked we tend to be, any such move would likely incite open rebellion."

"You make a very logical argument, it would not be in the best interest of House Thul to covet the throne. Unfortunately, logic is often pushed aside in the face of prejudice and paranoia. I prefer to let people's actions speak for themselves. Continue to support the Crown, to speak for peace and unity, and House Teraan will be there with you.

I have taken enough of your valuable time. Thank you for the conversation."

She gets up and bows respectfully to Zeno. As she begins to walk away, she turns back, "May I suggest you venture around the ship, maybe enjoy a view of your recently reclaimed home rather than out there." She indicates the darkness.

/scene unless you have other thoughts.

[Zeno Thul]

He watches as she stands up, "I give myself a view of the planet pretty regularly. Like to take my ship into orbit just to think and look at it sometimes. Other times I like to watch the void, waiting to see if anything is coming for it. Don't worry, just keeping a lookout for danger."

/scene