Private 3:16 to Denon

[Dominique Vexx]

DENON

Dominique rested in the comforts of a lavish leather chair. Her eyes were on the holo of galactic news and market fluctuations while a servant silently poured a small amount of wine into the goblet cradled in the palm of her hand. There was rarely time to simply 'be' in her world. Something was always happening. Events always poised to topple over the cliff's edge. A Director had to act promptly when circumstances changed. So, just because she wasn't in her office didn't mean Dominique could afford to relax. Until Cassian's ship touched down on the landing pad just outside the lounge, she would continue to monitor events near or far.

There was much they could do. It wasn't their first time meeting. Why, she'd even learned a little bit about the man last time on Naboo. Handsome man. Bit forward. Liked art and music despite being a soldier. Well, he'd been brought up in the same household as Sibylla, so why wouldn't he favor refinement? Seemed the Royal Republic's fleet hadn't been as enveloped with machosim as some armed forces were. CorpSec among them. CTRLd? Well, they were a special sort. On the border. Unavoidable considering the absolute focus armed personnel had in the dogged pursuit of their missions.

What interesting sights would she show him? What would he like to see or do? Dominique wondered. It was a large world with things unlike anything on Naboo. Every vice, every taboo imaginable could be found somewhere on Denon. People spoke of freedom, but what was freer than a world where you literally could do anything? It was so vibrant and alive, and that was what Dominique liked. Opposing forces struggled and pulled at one another, never content with the status quo. Of course, it posed challenges for efficiency, but nothing was perfect.

A slow, idle sip of her wine accompanied the next story on the holo. It should be revealing, whatever they ended up doing.

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

The ship's repulsors wound down with a steady hum, sending small vibrations through its core as it landed. The sound vibrated through his boots as Cassian descended the ramp. Denon stretched before him in all its luminous sprawl, an ocean of towers and lights, a city that thrived on never drawing breath. He'd been here before, but every return felt like diving headlong into a current that could sweep you away if you weren't careful.

Dominique thrived in this world. He could already picture her, glass in hand, surrounded by luxury without being consumed by it. A woman perfectly at ease where most men would lose themselves. It was part of what unsettled him about her, she didn't just inhabit power, she wore it, like a gown tailored to her very frame.

His pace slowed as the lounge doors parted, revealing her exactly as he expected: poised, regal, utterly untouchable in that leather chair. Yet the untouchable quality only pulled him closer, the same way a painting in a gallery demanded you lean in despite the placard warning not to. Cassian took in the holo-display flickering beside her, the faint gleam of wine against her lips, the way the city's neon light carved delicate shapes across her profile. She hadn't wasted a second of waiting, of course she hadn't. Always working, even in supposed leisure.

He admired that. He envied it, too. His own training had taught him discipline, yes, but also to seek release wherever he could find it—art, music, company. Dominique didn't seem to need release. She was the tension, coiled perfectly, alive in a way few people managed.


"Director," he greeted, voice smooth but carrying the gravel of lengthy days. His eyes flicked briefly to the wineglass, then back to her face. "You make Denon look almost civilized."


The words carried a faint grin, but beneath them, truth lingered. For all its excess, the world felt steadier with her seated at its center.

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique turned her head to look over at the door. "Cassian." The goblet was swung aside to be set down on a side table. She rose to her feet with a warm smile on her lips. "There's no need for titles here." She strode forward to close the distance. "This isn't a business negotiation between strangers." A hand extended for him to take as the other gesture to the lounge. "Care to sit for a moment? Relax from your trip? You haven't already been patrolling the streets or anything strenuous have you?"

A lounge was hardly the best Denon had to offer, but it would be rude to not at least offer. In case Cassian had been working until that moment after all.

"Denon is as civilized as any other world, Cassian. We just have far more people than every other world. Our problems aren't unique, just numerous, and take time to correct." Ayumi certainly believed they could do it and in only a matter of years. Dominique was a little more conservative on the estimate, but didn't argue it. There was enough 'debate' with the Board keeping them out of their way -- certainly couldn't expect the majority to help in any capacity. You had to make them drink, or let them drown, in order to move forward.

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Cassian's stride slowed as she approached, the corners of his mouth twitching into something between a grin and a smirk. There was power in the way she moved it was measured, deliberate, but softened by the warmth of her smile. A predator's grace wrapped in civility.


"Dominique, then," he said, her name settling on his tongue with deliberate ease as he reached for her hand. He gave it the sort of clasp that carried both soldier's firmness and courtly restraint, a balance not everyone could manage. "And no, I've not been patrolling your streets. Tempting as it might be. I imagine Denon can keep even the sharpest blade dull from overuse."


He let her hand slip away, gaze flicking past her toward the city lights filtering in through the wide transparisteel wall. Vibrant, chaotic and alive. "A place like this doesn't need me marching about to feel secure. It's too vast, too stubborn to be tamed by anyone. That's its strength, isn't it?"

When he looked back to her, his expression had softened, the soldier's edge tempered with something more personal. "But I'll gladly sit, unless you have another place in mind?" Cassian said, gesturing toward the lounge with a faint tilt of his head. "What are you drinking?"

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique laughed with Cassian's remark about patrolling. "Well, there's certainly something always happening on Denon somewhere." With so many people on the planet it was hard for conflicts not to occur. Even the hundreds of levels was hardly enough to breathing room.

"Be that as it may, Cassian, I do have plans to bring a little more stability to its streets," she added after his comments about its strength. "Much as I and others find it easy to pay criminals to look the other way, they've come to hold too much power in our daily affairs. With the Black Sun's growing influence in nearby systems it's time to remind them who is in charge." If anything, the Executive Board -- and especially Dominique -- was one of those factions vying for territory. Only, the Board seemed content to cede it with ineffective action or the ease in which they were distracted.

With a smile, she gestured for Cassian to take one of the plush seats in the lounge. "There are many places we could go, you and I, but we can take a moment to ourselves." There was nothing wrong with talking. Perhaps Cassian had seen enough of Denon before, but there were still new sights to be found when the time was right. "Corporate Sector Vineyard, Black Cabra Malbec Reytha, 901. Care for a glass?" She'd gesture for the men off to the side to procure a glass for her guest, if Cassian was interested in sampling it.

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Cassian eased into one of the seats, the plush cushion sinking beneath him in a way that almost mocked the rigid posture he carried out of habit. Years of service made it difficult to ever truly relax, yet with Dominique, it was easier to allow the edges to soften, if only a little.


Her words about the Black Sun pulled a shadow across his features. He'd seen them before, saw what they did to systems left to rot under neglect or corruption. "You're right to want their hold broken," he said evenly. "Letting syndicates dictate the terms of life and death only makes every honest man a servant to their ambition. I've fought on worlds where the local government thought it easier to buy silence than enforce order. It never ends well."


Still, he didn't lecture. He wasn't here as a soldier giving report. His tone lightened, a faint smile working its way back as he added, "Though, I imagine you've already thought three moves ahead on how to remind them who's in charge. I'd almost pity them, if they weren't exactly the sort who deserved a reckoning."


When she mentioned the wine, his brow lifted ever so slightly, curiosity playing in his eyes. "Corporate Sector Vineyard, 901? I'll admit, that sounds very specific, perhaps rare?." A small pause, then his smirk grew more pronounced. "You strike me as someone who'd never settle for anything less than the rarest vintage."

He leaned back slightly, settling into the lounge at last. "Yes, I would love a glass. If nothing else, it'll tell me a little more about your taste." His gaze lingered on her as he said it, tone light but carrying a current beneath, more than just a comment on the wine.

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique smiled as she joined Cassian in claiming a seat to enjoy the other's company. She listened attentively as he spoke ill of the Black Sun's influence over systems. There was even a polite, soft laugh at his proclamation she was three steps ahead. Truth of the matter was, despite what she said, it was precisely because she thought ahead that Dominique had plans... for or against the Black Sun. The same was true for the Sith, the Galactic Empire, and even the Galactic Alliance had they been the ones to attempt to reclaim Denon. Sibylla and Cassian wouldn't much like hearing about the plain necessities of a world like Denon when it came to galactic governance. They were people of ideal and passion.

Another chuckle followed suit. "Well, I certainly don't drink common variety wines," she agreed. "And this one is rather delectable and smooth." It was expensive, but not disgustingly expensive. They weren't back in her office or her suite.

The attendant would silently draw near with a glass. They set it down and carefully pour the wine into the vessel. With a slight bow, they'd retreat to allow Cassian to sample the wine at the time of his choosing. Some liked to let it breathe; and not all agreed for how long.

"I tend to avoid hard liquor. Remaining clear of thought and perception are important in my line of work; and my day rarely ends when I leave the office." Off duty was a luxury for those without wealth and power. "A good wine also has an enjoyable aroma and taste to it. Too much alcohol content overpowers the nuances to a drink." Hard liquor wasn't usually meant to be savored so much as drank.

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Cassian accepted the glass with a nod of thanks, turning it slowly in his hand so the crimson surface caught the light. He let it breathe a moment, watching the faint swirl before finally lifting it to his lips. A measured sip, unhurried. The taste was as she promised, smooth, layered, carrying a quiet strength beneath its refinement. Fitting.


"Delectable," he agreed, setting the glass down lightly. "Though I think what I admire most isn't the flavor, but that you've chosen something that rewards patience. That says a great deal about a person."

The soldier's edge softened again as his smirk returned, a flicker of warmth in his voice. "And I'll admit, you've got a point about liquor. Too many officers I've known chased the bottom of the bottle and lost their edge long before they lost the war. Wine, at least, makes you think as you drink. Though I suspect in your case, Dominique, nothing ever dulls your perception."

His gaze lingered a fraction longer than politeness required, before he leaned back into the plush seat, swirling the wine once more. "So… what would you show a man like me on a world like this? I've seen Denon's streets and towers before, but I imagine you'd have something more enlightening in mind."

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique's brow raised slightly at Cassian's observation. Well, yes, she suppose the choice in drink did reflect a quality of the person. Some might think it just 'extravagant,' but he saw 'patient?' He wasn't wrong. There were times she had to consciously hold back, but for the most part she was willing to wait for the ideal outcome rather than the convenient one. And there times even her patience ran out.

"This is a social visit, after all." No point in dredging up crime and gangsters. Even the clubs probably wouldn't interest him. Just because they were related didn't mean what intrigued them would be similar. "If you're interested, later I could show you around a new PMC I've created for Denon's protection. First, I should show you around some of our less well-known attractions. It might give you a new outlook on my homeworld. Not just art and museums, but a full restoration of a thriving ecosystem and some of the delights of your home -- things that once existed on Denon so long ago all trace had been lost."

"I dare say there'll be a little walking involved, so make sure you've basked in the comforts of this recliners before we go." Dominique chuckled as she lifted her own glass for a drink. "We'll have a transport cover the larger distances, of course." But a little foot traffic never hurt. Especially if they were in the more scenic areas of the planet.

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Cassian turned the glass slowly in his hand, letting the drink swirl as he considered her words. There was a spark in his expression, one that came not from amusement but from recognition. "You surprise me, Dominique. Most speak of power in terms of control—territory, credits, influence. But you're talking about giving something back. About restoring what was lost."

He leaned forward slightly, setting the glass down with care. "That matters. More than most would admit. A world that forgets its roots becomes hollow, no matter how many towers it builds skyward. Soldiers fight for home, not just for governments, and home is more than markets and treaties. It's the air, the soil, the things that outlast the wars."

For a moment, his voice carried a quiet conviction, the kind reserved for thoughts rarely spoken aloud. "I've served under leaders who could never see that. To them, stability meant stamping boots louder than the opposition's. But what you're describing? That's something worth believing in."

His gaze softened as he studied her, admiration plain though not overbearing. "If Denon can remember itself through you, through the things you're building back into it, then it'll stand stronger than any Black Sun or Empire can ever hope to break."


A faint smile tugged at his lips, lighter now, a touch of warmth after the steel in his voice. "So yes, show me. Show me what you've brought back to life here. I think it'll tell me as much about Denon as it will about the woman who refuses to let it forget. And, a little walking never truly hurt anyone." He raised his glass just lightly to her. "To you, Milady, and to what hope you've brought to Denon."

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique's brow rose just a hair at Cassian's impassioned interest. Was it that important? Did it appear so grandiose on her part? Part of it had been borne from an effort to stand out. With the previous Corporate Authorities of Denon consumed with crushing Darkwire (their own monster) and enriching themselves, a humble Senator had to find ways to make an impact. They'd never listened to her. It was obvious the system was growing increasingly unstable. It had just seemed logical to try wrestling them back from the precipice.

Perhaps... perhaps she would reflect on it more later in whether it meant as much as Cassian thought it did.

A soft clearing of the throat followed. "Well, I appreciate that, Cassian. Though I didn't do it alone. As fortunate had it, another Director and former Senator had been developing certain technologies only in need of a little support." Actually, a great deal of support and shelter from the Board lashing out in fear or anger. "If you've been here before, you will be quite beside yourself with one or two features reintroduced to Denon as a result. Others might not be as stunning, but I think you'll appreciate them all the same. Some are subtle shifts. Others grand. Our plan is to continue ensuring their growth in every District in time." Tempting as it was to take all the credit, Dominique appreciated Ayumi's contributions. They both pursued what one another was best at.

Still, she'd join Cassian's cheer with her own glass.

"I'll save the greatest surprise for the morning. You won't regret it." Dominique's head tilted to the side slightly. "You will be staying for a while, won't you?" They hadn't gone into great length about his schedule yet. She hoped it would be more than a few hours. Some of the latest things were better seen in the light while most typically expected to witness Denon in its nightlife.

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Cassian lifted his glass again as she spoke, letting the faint aroma rise before he tasted it. He didn't interrupt, Dominique had a way of making even her modesty sound deliberate, as though sharing credit was its own sort of power play. But he caught the note of honesty in it too, and that struck him.

"Well, I supposed you don't need to take all the credit for me to see the mark you've made," he said after a beat. "Men and women with grand technologies or ideas are easy to find. It's rarer to find someone who can shield them, nurture them, and carry their work across the finish line. That's the kind of strength most leaders never bother to learn."

His gaze held hers, steady but softened. "You say subtle shifts, grand changes, growth across every District… those words sound a lot like a campaign, but they feel like more than that. It's easy to say 'we'll change everything tomorrow'. Harder to build something that lasts." He leaned back slightly, a wry smile curving his lips. "I'd like to see which of those subtle shifts you think I'll notice. You might be surprised how much a soldier pays attention to what others overlook."

Her mention of the "greatest surprise" drew a low chuckle from him. "Saving something for the morning, hm? You're not just patient with wine, I see." Cassian tilted his head slightly, studying her. "I'll stay. For as long as I can. It would be a waste to let you guide me through Denon's surface and then leave before I see what you've brought back into its daylight."

He lifted his glass in a quiet salute before finishing the sip. "So yes, Dominique—I'll be here in the morning. You've managed to make me curious, and I don't give in to curiosity lightly."

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique smiled. There very well might be subtle shifts he'd notice, but she intended for the sight in the morning to leave him breathless. It wouldn't have quite the same effect at night; which was not typical for Denon. "I'm delighted, Cassian." She'd have to ask where he was staying later, but there wasn't need to treat the exchange as a checklist. "You won't be disappointed."

"In the meantime, I can certainly show you some dazzling, captivating, and memorable sights. They'll just be the beginning. By the time we're done, Denon will be a shining jewel of the galaxy." They'd keep what kept their world distinct, while elevating its people to be the envy of all. Why not? They had the power, the resources, and the will; and it would reap its own rewards.

She extended a hand out toward Cassian with a smile. "Shall we?"

"Cassian," Dominique asked as she rose to her feet, "what is it you would like to build that lasts?"

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Cassian rose with her, his hand meeting hers without hesitation. The firmness of his grasp lingered a moment longer than politeness demanded, not out of presumption but as though he wanted to anchor the moment before releasing it.

Her question gave him pause. Not the idle sort of pause that came with searching for the right words, but the kind that settled in the chest, heavy and deliberate. What do you want to build that lasts? He’d been asked many things in his life, how many troops, how many ships, how many enemies slain. But rarely that.

“I’ve seen too much built on blood and ash to believe it lasts,” he said at last, his voice low, even. “Kingdoms, empires, syndicates, they rise, they fall, and the ground swallows their stones the same as any.” His eyes softened as they searched hers. “But the things that endure… are smaller, harder to see. A family kept safe. A world given the chance to breathe again. A promise kept, even when no one else remembers it was made.”

He drew a slow breath, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. “So if I build anything that lasts, Dominique, let it be something that spares others from fighting the same wars I did. A foundation sturdy enough that the next generation won’t have to lift a sword to defend it.”

Cassian’s gaze flicked to the window, to Denon’s endless sprawl of lights, before returning to her. “That’s why I admire what you’re doing here. It’s not about domination, but preservation. That… lasts longer than crowns or fleets ever will.”

He inclined his head slightly, extending his arm to her in turn. “Shall we, then? Show me this jewel you’re shaping.”

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Does it? Dominique smiled in the face of Cassian's response. She didn't know whether what she sought to accomplish would last. Nothing was certain in life, especially after death. As he said, things changed. So they did, but she wouldn't occupy herself worried what some fool might do to ruin everything. Dominique knew the extent of her ability to enact change in the galaxy, and that was where she would focus to make the greatest impact.

With his arm offered, the Denonite slipped her arm through his. "That would be my pleasure." Though, perhaps not the sights she'd shown Sibylla. Cassian could probably refrain from action, but it was meant to be enjoyable; torn between a sense of duty and leaving well enough alone wouldn't be that from where Dominique stood. So, not the shady clubs where seedy transactions occurred.

"When you were here, did you spend most of your time below, or near the surface?" she asked as they strode back toward the landing pad. Even if he'd spent a lot of time in any particular layer, she was confident there'd still be other sights or different ways of viewing them that should hold his attention for a time. "And I hope you'll let me know if you see something you want to explore closer along the way."

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx ​

Cassian let her slip her arm through his. There was an ease in it that he found… grounding. For all of Denon's immensity, Dominique had a way of making even the vast seem intimate.

"At the surface, mostly," he admitted as their footsteps echoed in the corridor. "Boardrooms, towers, gala halls, those were the places I was invited to. I've spent some time below, but not enough to claim I know it. Down there, I felt more like an intruder than a guest." His jaw tightened briefly at the memory. "Too many eyes wary of uniforms and orders. I didn't blame them."


His gaze slid toward her as they walked, the neon from the city spilling across her features in shifting colors. "The surface dazzles, but it's also where everyone performs. The deeper levels… they breathe differently. Less polished, but more honest. You see what people hold onto when all the shine is stripped away."

He gave a faint smile, his voice softening. "So wherever you want to take me, up or down, I'll trust your judgment. You know what's worth seeing. And if something along the way calls for a closer look…" He inclined his head slightly, the smirk touching his lips again. "I'll let you know. Though I suspect you already have a route in mind that will keep me guessing."


Cassian let the hum of the city beyond the transparisteel windows fill the pause, his eyes drifting out to the endless flow of speeders. "Every world has hidden truths, Dominique. What interests me is seeing which ones you choose to reveal."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique looked over at Cassian as they moved toward the transport. The surface? Yes that was to be expected, but Cassian was a bold soul so she hadn't wanted to presume. As for his sense of feeling... unwelcome, "I can't refute that. CorpSec has left quite the impression on people." A poor one despite the necessity for a well-armed, uncompromising security force. Coruscant and Denon had a similar issue with their deeper levels where the Law started to break down. Darkwire was just one example -- a famous and painfully successful one. "I hope to change that, but it will take time." Quite a bit of time, in fact. Changing opinions was no easy task. It would be easier just to keep people from revolting, which was the objective even though they'd aim for higher.

Then he had some interesting observations about people from his limited exposure below. Surprisingly on point, in fact. Desperation. Anger. Many found these things easier to manipulate than happy or content people. Dominique didn't disagree. Not everyone was going to get the luxurious lifestyle. It wasn't possible. Darkwire disagreed and thought to make everyone equal, but she didn't believe that possible. Perhaps Cassian would agree with her, but it might be too soon to bring up a... sensitive topic.

The transport had comfortable seating with viewports to look out at the city as they swept by. Dominique sat across from Cassian in their quick jaunt. She tilted her head slightly, her chin perched atop her middle finger. "Which begs the question, Cassian, how you'd know what hidden truths I try to keep from you." If he wanted to be open, she felt it appropriate to respond in kind.

"This is a social visit, so we'll skip the Abyss where nothing living lurks in long-forgotten levels; I would hate for you to only remember empty, dark corridors. Well, that and my surprise in the morning." Dominique chuckled to herself. "We're headed for District Seven. You may have heard it was the center of activity in recent years. It's one of our most diverse Districts with far more to see than even a month-long stay would allow." She was curious if that would interest him in particular, or cause some sort of relief they weren't headed for Upcity or District One where Denon shone as a beautiful gem.

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx ​

Cassian settled into the transport's seat, the hum of repulsors fading into the background as the city swept past in bright rivers of light. He watched her for a moment, chin balanced on her hand, the question in her eyes as sharp as it was playful.

"How would I know what truths you keep from me?" he echoed, a faint grin tugging at one corner of his mouth. "I wouldn't. Not for certain. But I'd recognize the shape of what you choose to show me. It's in the details, the corners people linger on, or the ones they carefully step around. A soldier learns to read silences as well as words."

His gaze drifted to the window, neon reflections breaking across his features. "That said, Dominique, I don't expect you to bare every hidden truth. No one does. What interests me is that you're willing to show something, more than most in your position would. That says more than a dossier ever could."

At the mention of District Seven, he turned back toward her, brow arching. "District Seven. Yes, I've heard of it. A lot of activity, too many voices clashing in too little space." His smile grew, thoughtful now. "A perfect place to see the heartbeat of a city, then. Not polished marble, not shadows in the Abyss, but the place where it all collides. That interests me more than another tower gala ever could."

Cassian leaned back into the seat, arms folding loosely across his chest, though his gaze never strayed far from her. "Lead the way. If you mean to dazzle me, District Seven seems a fine place to start. I've always believed you learn more about a world in the press of its streets than from the highest balcony."

The cityscape glimmered ahead, alive with promise. "Besides," he added with a quiet smirk, "I suspect what you call 'beginning' will already be more than most men could keep pace with."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

It was good that Cassian was such a grounded man. Didn't expect her to reveal all her secrets, did he? A fine expectation. Because the Director wouldn't and couldn't. It wasn't shame that held her tongue. She was well aware of activities some would find... questionable, and other activities that were quite illegal. Some of them Dominique had even helped keep out of public view. It was simply how the world -- her world -- worked. Resources to make products had to come from somewhere, and if Denon didn't make them someone else would; so why leave her people to suffer just to grandstand about having taken the high road? Whether Cassian was also a man that would understand this only time would tell; but if he claimed to be such a person, they were still classified matters of State.

"Too little space?" Dominique chuckled. "That's Denon's story. Too many people on a single planet." Not that she planned on deporting people. There were problems caused by so many people being present, but it also gave rise to Denon's character. Not to mention an endless workforce of people companies could cycle through should the need arise. It was the pragmatic thing to do.

With care, their transport circled down until it touched down on a landing platform. Dominique slowly rose to her feet with a smile for the evening's companion. "Maybe," she replied to his comment about being on the streets. "You'll certainly find things here you won't on nearly any other planet in the entire galaxy." With a hand extended, she'd escort the handsome man out into the "fresh" recirculated air. They'd started in the heart of the District where things were relatively stable. More importantly, there were wide open areas with grand views of towering constructs and towers; bridges that spanned great chasms; floating platforms with hosts of shops and bustling crowds; and countless goods for sale, especially those too embarrassing for public broadcast.

"What can I say? I'm a greedy soul that loves Denon, but can't find it in herself in only maintaining things as they are." Dominique laughed openly as she started toward the market nearby. "In time, even the people down here will have to acknowledge things have changed for the better. Not that they'll ever admit it." Corpos would remain a profanity for generations, no doubt. As well it probably should. Dominique wasn't doing it because the Jedi had finally "gotten through" to her or anything of the kind.

Cassian Abrantes​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx​

Cassian stepped down from the transport beside her, the city's low hum washing over him like a tide. The air was warm, heavy with the scent of synth-oils and spices, layered beneath the faint tang of recycled atmosphere. Neon light pooled across polished walkways, spilling upward to paint the undersides of bridges and platforms in shifting color.


"You're not wrong," he murmured with a faint smile, eyes tracing the lattice of towers and hovering plazas above. "Too many people, too little room… that's the story of every great world that thought itself the center of things. But here, you've turned it into rhythm instead of chaos."

He fell in step beside her as they entered the throng. The press of voices and the flicker of holos reflected in her eyes. "I can see why you'd want more for it. Maintenance isn't vision. You're right, Denon deserves more than surviving on habit."


His gaze lingered briefly on the bustling vendors, their stalls rich with every imaginable good, from hand-wrought art to black-market relics half-concealed under fine cloth. It was honest, in its own way. "Greed gets a bad name," he said quietly. "Sometimes it's just another word for hunger. The need to make something better, to reach for more than what's been allowed. There's nothing wrong with that."


He glanced at her, a small grin breaking through. "Besides, if you weren't greedy, you wouldn't be here trying to rebuild this place while the rest of the Board hides behind balance sheets."

For a moment, Cassian simply watched the flow of the district, the sky-bridges glittering like veins of light, the laughter of strangers rising above the hum of passing speeders. "You're right, though. They'll never admit it. People rarely thank the ones who drag them forward."


His tone softened, admiration edging back into his words. "But they'll remember. Maybe not names or faces, but the change itself. And that's what lasts."


He nodded toward a nearby walkway overlooking a canyon of towers below. "Show me more, Dominique. You have my complete attention."