Private A Greater Future Together

[Cali Ziiva]

Continuation of... The Art of Science
Location: Garde Noire, Sieur Xobos Yakieer's Estate

Cali waved to the nice Guards of Adron Malvern that'd taken her back home as they sped off. With a deep inhale and a cleansing exhale, the pink woman turned in place to look up at Xobos' manor. She hoped her Miraluka would understand. After all, Cali wasn't leaving Illyria, she could still stay at Xobos' and Xobos could stay at her place in the city away from the politicians when she was there! Plus they both knew Illyria needed some serious help. Kind of unfortunate, really, they seemed to separate from the Confederacy before all this was arranged. Those resources would have been useful. Cali wasn't going to dwell on it though.

Hopefully, Xobos wouldn't dwell on it either. The whole job thing and being away at times. Well, Cali had been thinking about on the way back and she had a few ideas that should make this good news in addition to tolerable news (still being on planet).

With that in mind, the pink woman strode up the steps to enter the manor. "Xoxo," she called out, hopeful that the Sieur wouldn't be running around doing something. Could never tell. Mines always needed attention and she spent a lot of time in town with the people.

She clutched the scroll to her chest a little tighter as she waited for a response. Like, she wanted to know what was on this thing! It'd be painful to be forced to wait for Xobos' return.

Tag: Xobos Yakieer

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Azurine Capitol City, Illyria, Royal Docking Yards
Equipment: Illyria Knight Armor, Knight Saberstaff, Miralukan Eye Mask
Time of day: Evening
Tags: | Cali Ziiva |

She was nervous.

Nervous might not have been a strong enough word for the feeling bubbling in the woman’s chest, that had been growing for every moment that the Zeltron had spent prancing about the palace with her master. She knew cali could handle herself. She understood such things. That did not magically whisk away the knowledge of what her master could also do if he found Cali to be..too much. Or disagreeable. Or annoying. Or…

Too many thoughts, too many to banish even as she spent most of the day trying to busy herself with matters that even she would find trivial. Requisition requests, most often handled by those a little below her on the ladder, spent most of the day spread out over her desk in the manor, a place she refused to leave from so she could be there the moment Cali came back. Because she would be coming back. Xobos knew this..believed this wholeheartedly.

But those trivial tasks could only hold her attention for so long, and it wouldn’t be long until the Sieur found herself pacing back and forth, mind torn between trusting in Cali’s survivability and intuitiveness and the knowledge of what her master had done to those others that had displeased him. Trust in your love. Trust in her, she kept telling herself. She’s going to be just fine, and hopefully the time in the capital will be productive. Such things were the best case scenario, something even Xobos found herself having trouble believing.

It seemed as though good things did come true, however, as the doors to the living area suddnely burst open with a bout of pink loveliness, prompting Xobos to spring up from her chair, albeit, a bit quicker than she might’ve otherwise liked as to not show how nervous she was. Yet her feelings betrayed her, cursed things, and she closed the distance quickly between them and wrapped Cali into a tight hug. She held it for an extra moment, then pulled back, grinning wide at the Zeltron.

“So, you’re back. How’d the meeting go? What did he say? He didn’t touch you, did he? No new marks or anything..?” The questions poured from the Miraluka’s lips, a combination of nervousness and relief allowing the floodgates to stay wide open. Her gaze, however, eventually moved to the piece of parchment held tightly in the Zeltron’s hands.

“And..what is that?”

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Cali was sudden squished when her Miraluka swept the pink one up in both arms. She stared at Xobos with wide eyes and a large smile. That had been like super passionate. Almost like the cutey had been worried about her. Guess all the attempts are reassuring Xobos before her departure hadn't quite worked. Well, enough to keep her love from stalking her to the capitol though.

"No, Xoxo," she giggled, "no new marks. And he wasn't frisky at all. I told you we should have gone with the other outfit." Of course Cali didn't think Xobos wanted Adron to get physical with the Zeltron. Didn't mean she couldn't joke about it.

A quick blink and then Cali held the scroll up between them. "Oh, well, first," cause Cali didn't know what was on the scroll so it might totally distract if they opened it first, "the meeting went really well. I think he likes me. Not like-like, but, you know, like. Cause he offered me a job, and a residence, and per diem, and an office, and a title! Chief Manufacturing Consultant of the Court of Iron. But I totally told him despite all that pomp I had to be able to stay with my Xoxo too." Cause she didn't want to upset Xobos by suggesting she wasn't staying at the manor any more.

Another giggle followed. "I guess I'll have to make sure I keep a lot of 'respectable' outfits in the capitol. Tons of ideas to help turn things around, Xoxo. First tasks involve developing X.D. further and building some Academies, but I'm totally going to make sure Garde Noire gets what it needs too. Cause you can't have manufacturing if you don't have resources!"

"Oh, speaking of which," Cali held the scroll out for the Sieur to take, "the King [ Adron Malvern ] did ask me to give this to you personally. Can you believe he used wax and I think a stamp of some kind? Never seen anyone do that before."

Tag: Xobos Yakieer​

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Azurine Capitol City, Illyria, Royal Docking Yards
Equipment: Illyria Knight Armor, Knight Saberstaff, Miralukan Eye Mask
Time of day: Evening
Tags: | Cali Ziiva |

The look on the Miraluka’s face must betrayed such a look of surprise that rarely crossed it. The king had offered her…all of that? Not even in her wildest, most crazy dreams, could Xobos have through the meeting would’ve gone as well as it had. Not only was Cali going to be continued be welcomed on this planet, but she would be holding a position in one of the highest courts on the planet and headlining what seemed like a hugely growing industry.

“Cali!” She said, reaching out to grasp onto the pink one’s shoulders with a wide grin playing on her lips. “This is all just so amazing, you know that? You..You’re going to do such an amazing job building up this planet!” Of course, Xobos felt bad she wasn’t the one being the in the position of power to offer Cali this opportunity. She had asked Cali to come to the planet after all, and hadn’t exactly been able to offer anything of that magnitude.

Still, she was beyond happy to see that her Zeltron had garnered enough respect to pull a position like this. Enough so that she kept her hands clasped to Cali’s shoulders, barely taking in the idea that the zeltron would be in charge of building academies. Academies for what, she was not sure, but what mattered right now was that, “We need to throw a party. Immediately, to celebrate. I’ll get Legget on making the preparations, we’ll host it here and-“

Xobos was cut off when the scroll was handed out toward her. It was…for her? Why had the king sent something like this in such a antiquated method was intriguing to her. “I’m not sure why he would hold it in such a way either. Perhaps it was of such importance he felt…compelled to send it this way?” The Seiur gave a little shrug, breaking the seal on the letter and unfurling it.

If the Miraluka had had eyes, they would grow like saucers at the contents of the letter in her hands. Instead, it was her mouth that dropped slightly at the sight, her hands beginning to shake. Taking a step backward, as if the letter itself would come alive and eat her face if she held it too close, she found herself stepping into air and slamming fast down into the carpeted flooring.

Yet, even as her backside stung from the fall, her gaze managed to not leave the letter, at least not until it moved to fall upon the pink cutie standing nearby. “I’m…being made a Magnate?”

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Naturally Cali was as surprised by Xobos' reaction as the Miraluka had been at the news. The cutey even took hold of the Zeltron at arm's length while she grinned. Bright eyes widened to saucers as the excitement just poured out of the other woman. Of course, Cali grinned soon enough. It was nice being cheered on by those closest to you.

Talk of a party totally sounded right up Cali's alley too. Nothing wrong with a little celebration.

Before they started laying plans down there was the small matter of the scroll to deal with. Hopefully nothing super serious. Couldn't be anything truly time sensitive given the slow route it took for delivery, but it could dampen the mood. Naturally Cali watched unblinkingly as the Sieur made to break the seal and reveal its contents to her, uh, eyes.

Cali did a little bounce when her cutey fell backwards. Of course the pink one reached out to the Miraluka out of concern. Seemed the scroll really was something super serious! "Huh?" Like... super seriously... good?

She peeked over the top and side of the scroll at the contents. Took only a second to pick out the important piece. Then a grin sprouted and the Zeltron threw her arms about Xobos. "You got promoted! That's awesome, Xoxo. Congratulations. See, King M does recognize what you're doing for Illyria." Even if he was a meany to her partner in crime. That was really great news too. Cali might have skills Illyria needed, but her Xobos had dedication and talent -- she deserved a little recognition. No, wait, a lot of recognition.

"Magnate Yakieer. I guess we really do have to have a party now. Maybe two, cause we can't keep this news from the whole town -- and while I can share you with them, I totally want some Xoxo time." Naturally Cali was playful and bubbly, but she was also unabashedly genuine. Not a doubt in her mind they could handle all this growing responsibility and still find time for one another. Xobos should already know when the Zeltron set her mind on something it happened -- and that meant sticking close to the Miraluka.

Tag: Xobos Yakieer

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Azurine Capitol City, Illyria, Royal Docking Yards
Equipment: Illyria Knight Armor, Knight Saberstaff, Miralukan Eye Mask
Time of day: Evening
Tags: | Cali Ziiva |

Xobos just laid back for a few moments, happily embracing her pink even as she still sat on the ground with the scroll clutched tightly within her hands. It’s contents were almost totally unbelievable. Garde was doing well, that was to be sure. Outside of the pirate attacks, there hadn’t been many setbacks at all. Mines were being reopened, plans for a warehouse were being set in stone…but even then they were still a small providence. Small enough to be under her master’s eye, so him believing she had earned a promotion such as this one was…almost unbelievable.

Cali’s enthusiasm was met with a little laugh from the Sieur, not magnate, whom pulled her closer before beginning to speak. “ I suppose he does. Though I haven’t heard much about this Les Tempetes region before..I have no doubt in my mind that it comes with some sort of caveat. Like a bunch of roaming zombies..” She grinned, looking over to the Zeltron where she booped the woman’s nose. “Or hideous, huge spiders alllllll over the land. Either way, gifts from my master are almost never without their strings being attached.”

She paused, allowing her smile to grow lightly as she looked back to the piece of parchment. “Still…this does seem like a gift. We must make sure that he is invited to this party, so that I may thank him personally.” Xobos began to sit up, pulling the zeltron up with her as she did so, making sure to keep the letter as stretch free as possible as she did so. This would become quite the memorial piece for her later down the line. She needed to get it framed. Or something along those lines. Basically something that was completely Leven Jeyd proof.

Party, yes. Big party, for both of them. Xobos realized something very..detrimental to the idea of hosting a party on the manor’s grounds that had not occurred to her beforehand.

“I’ve…never hosted a party before. Attended plenty, but never…hosted one?” She admitted with a timid grin in Cali’s direction, giving her a little shrug. “Care to walk me through what we’d need for a multi-providence party that might have a king attending?”

 

[Vytal Noctura]

.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

"Eeee," Cali squealed as she rocked the Miraluka in her arms at the playful assault and threat of insidious arachnids. Zombies and spiders and Sith Lords, oh cuteness!

Naturally the Zeltron rose with her partner until they were standing with Xobos' gaze still affixed on the scroll. Even if Xobos was probably wise to be cautious, it wasn't difficult for Cali to tell the Miraluka really was thrilled by the news. And that she really wanted to thank the man despite their history. Probably a good idea to do it especially despite their history. Apprentice training was harsh.

A soft giggle followed a sudden realization by Xobos. "While huge smashes are a Party Favors specialty, Xoxo, we can do formal events." Just rarely got such requests seeing how their reputation was more 'explosive' in nature. "I'll make sure you get everything you need. But," Cali leaned in to give Xobos a kiss on the cheek, "it's a lot more work than you might think. Decorations, food, drink, staff, and invitations are just some of the big things to do. Don't worry though, with my party planning and your Illyria knowledge we'll totally get a 'proper' party to celebrate." Yeah, they'd want something 'traditional' no doubt if Xobos was inviting people from all over. It'd get the Miralukan Sieur-Magnate more acclaim instead of something that while memorable -- a big, loud extravaganza -- also screamed 'outsider.'

"The most important thing you have to prepare, Xoxo, is a speech. You know, something to win over the crowd and thank the King for bestowing such an honor or something. Other than that, it's mostly smiling, shaking hands, and pretending like you know people you just met." What? Cali knew how these things went. She'd attended a few. That's why she hadn't been in something 'skimpy' during Xobos' knighting after all.

Tag: Xobos Yakieer

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Garde Noire
Equipment: Illyria Knight Armor, Knight Saberstaff, Miralukan Eye Mask
Time of day: Evening
Tags: | Cali Ziiva |

Oh, right. To actually through a party, one needed to plan through a part from end to end. Something that Xobos had never actually been a part of or helped with. Surely it couldn’t be that hard, right?

Well, maybe it could be. Cali certainly made it seemed like there were plenty of different factors that went into this sort of thing. And if she wanted to invite the king and his new queen to the party, then making sure everything was up to the best of code would probably be in Xobos’ best interests. The last thing she wanted was to have gone through the man’s intense training, never failed him on a mission, only to finally disappoint him through a party. What a joke a story that would end up being within the royalty.

“Alright..” She laughed, pulling the Zeltron close with a grin. “I get it. Lots goes into planning a party like this. So how about you and I take the day and do it? Or at least..” there was a pause, long enough to flash a grin toward her partner in crime, trying to show her that she was taking this whole matter seriously. As serious as party planning could be, anyway. “Get started on the planning.”

The newly made Magnate gave a little shrug, releasing the Zeltron from her embrace. She made a motion down the hall, toward where both her and Cali’s room sat side by side. “Why don’t you go and put your stuff away and change into something more comfortable. I’m sure that meeting with the king was stressful…I know, it was. I’ll get the cooks started on some dinner, and we can discuss your trip and the starting details of the party over some dinner in the garden?” Was Xobos using the idea of planning a party as a thinly veiled excuse to ask her sweet pink thing on an impromptu date? Maybe. But there was no doubt that the happiness radiated off Xobos by this point, and she just wanted to celebrate the night with her closest companion.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Cali squirmed to tuck herself in nice and close with her Xobos. Arms wrapped about the Miraluka, the pink woman was comfortable and happy sitting on the floor with her partner. Like, a local job in the Court was great, but it wasn't as nice as being wrapped about Xobos at night.

What, the whole separate rooms thing? Didn't keep Cali away.

"Whatever my Magnate wants," came the purred replied with a light kiss. "We'll totally make it a party they'll enjoy -- because it's fun and respectful." Seeing how they were both not born on Illyria or descended from those born on Illyria there were politics and negative expectations from them. Fortunately, it wasn't that hard to plan a 'proper' party (with a few minor additions). They'd show these busybodies genetic 'purity' wasn't the standard to uphold.

Well, they'd try. Some people could be thick.

At Xobos' prompting, the Zeltron slowly stood up and offered a hand for her cutey to rise as well. A thoughtful hum followed the Miraluka's words. "Alright. But I think you're going to have to take me shopping sometime this week. I have a lot of clothes, but I think I need a new wardrobe just for these Nobles." An excuse to get more clothes? Never! Always. Well, a girl had to spend her money on something and Cali wasn't buying the latest custom paint job B.F.G. 9000 every month like a Mando.

"I'll be right there, Xoxo," Cali promised with a wide grin. "You know nothing could keep me away." Which was as much true now as it would be in the future. Sure, there'd be lots of work, but Cali was quite good at managing her time. Okay, and the droids she built for recreation usually helped, and the assistants Xobos hired helped... but, see, she was good at managing her time.

With a giggle, Cali bounced off down the hall to get dressed. Some personal time with the cutey was definitely desirable. Naturally, Cali wouldn't admit to the meeting being stressful at all because Xobos worried so for her Zeltron. Especially when it came to interacting with the King whose personality was largely opposite her own. Not incompatible though, as they discovered today. Not that Cali had been worried worried because she got along with everyone. Most everyone. But if the meeting had gone wrong... well, yeah, it could have complicated a lot. Maybe affected her Miraluka negatively. So, it'd been 'heavy,' but everything had gone wonderfully. Long as you knew who you were dealing with you could change your approach to things, and Cali had certainly known who she had been dealing with.

Something lighter and colorful. Yep, that's what Cali chose before making her way toward the garden. Time to plan a little fun! Not to mention more snuggles.

Tag: Xobos Yakieer

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: Garde Noire
Equipment: Illyria Knight Armor, Knight Saberstaff, Miralukan Eye Mask
Time of day: Evening
Tags: | Cali Ziiva |

Taking the soft hand into her own she pulled herself up, the grin that had been plastered on her lips was no less happy at the idea of taking Cali shopping once again. Yes, again, they had been to the capital within the last week or so. Those days typically stretched far beyond the normal confines of her schedule, which meant one of the days this week was probably going to end up completely devoted to clothes shopping for not only herself, but Cali as well. And Leven and Aymeric as well. No doubt her partner already had plenty of ideas in that pink head of hers on how to properly dress up the apprentices for an event such as this one.

The stuffier the better. Maybe it would insulate their antics through the whole night if they were clothed neck to foot in lace and velvet. Xobos could only dream.

Xobos’ gaze fell upon Cali as she bounced down the hall, the smile fading lightly until it resembled little more than a slight smirk on her lips. She was happy to see Cali so…happy. Illyira could stuff that happiness back into the box where it came from sometimes. It seemed quite clearly that Cali was immune, as she always was. It had to be a Zeltron thing. Or..maybe it just her partner’s thing. Either way, the bright pink flame in her life was far from being snuffed out.

Instead of heading straight toward the garden, she instead made her way into the castle’s kitchen area, where she found the head chef and his other helpers leaning against the center isle, happily smoking away with a bottle of Corellian whisky in between them. They started to move upon seeing the Sieur, now Magnate enter into the room, only for Xobos to swiftly motion them to sit back down. “please, my friends. I just come with a request to be had within the next hour or so. I hate to interrupt your time off, but I promise this dinner will be the last thing I request of this evening.”

It was the head chef, Montrell Malius, that spoke up first, his round bellow shaking with laughter as he regarded the smaller Magnate’s words. “I assumed it would be! I doubted you and the pink one would be heading into town once again for dinner. So, how may we serve you?” Upon coming to Illyira, Xobos had began to try plenty of new foods while on the planet. One type of food she began to enjoy quite a lot was a type of pasta and fish, served with bread baked from Garde’s own reserves.

“Baked Cushnip and Fral, if you please. I believe two plates would be plenty hearty enough for myself and Cali. If it could be delivered to the garden when it is finished as well, that would be the end of my requests for you.” Xobos bowed her head and smile, starting to head out of the room before pausing at the doorway, turning to grin her way toward the chef staff with one finally item. “And, of course, chocolate as a desert. However you please to serve it. You know how my partner loves the stuff, and unfortunately I believe I am developing a sweet tooth for it as well.” With that, the Magnate fully exited the room, now on her way to the gardens, where she would try and find her pink partner and start the planning for what looked to be the biggest party in Garde’s story.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

"Cutey!" Cali bounced through her room with the comm channel open, her hands plucking clothing options for wearing from here and there. "Prepare the Formal Festivity Package. We're totally doing a State dinner."

Patiently staring through the monitor was the cat-like droid's large expressionless face. QT-314 knew precisely what was involved in such a planned event and who to contact to begin preparations. "Standard options?"

"Nope." Cali twirled in place after she slipped he rest of the outfit on. "Going to have a chat with Cutey Xoxo about the particulars. Oh," the Zeltron bounced over to the screen to peer into the camera, "but do prep a Super Awesome Funtime Fireworks Extravaganza. We'll coordinate having the ship enter Illyrian atmosphere, airspace, and all that stuff so no one flips out. Shouldn't be too hard. 'Sides, I know the Lady of the province."

"Very well, Miss Ziiva."

Cali gave her diligent bot a grin before she darted off for dinner with the Miraluka. Having built Cutey Pie, Cali was quite confident things would be put in motion. Maybe they didn't have all the details yet, but just prepping suppliers made sure things got delivered in time. Also maybe a little up-front negotiations about fees and such. State Dinners were good for discounts though, cause you totally got to be known for supplying all the goods furnishing such a luxurious occasion to people with tons of money. You know, customers.

Naturally they'd try to use local providers, but some things might have to come from elsewhere. Like the firework show, but then Cali's ship always had tons of fireworks. Who didn't like fireworks, she always said?

Of course the moment the Zeltron saw Xobos again, she'd grin and dart straight on over to wrap her arms about the newly elevated Magnate. "Hey, Cutey. Nice night to plan a party?"

It really was good Xobos got recognition for all her hard work. She was even training some Apprentices of her own and reaching out to other provinces to ensure her ore got delivered. They'd made great strides in getting those mines operational -- they were in such better shape than the way Xobos had been handed them. Some probably would have felt like Adron was punishing them that's how bad a shape everything had been in. Sure, Xobos wasn't rolling in credits now either, but a little at a time... With new land you never knew what resources could be out there waiting to be discovered.

"Why don't you tell me what kind of gathering the King would tolerate, and the one you would like to celebrate. We'll figure out how to meet both. I already assume you don't want to rub your promotion in their face cause that would only hurt you long-term in the Court." Cali winked after her political assessment. Yeah, she doubted Xobos wanted to flout her new status in anyone's face. Like just having a party alone would do that -- but tastefully to those with a burr up their keister. In a way no one could complain about.

Tag: Xobos Yakieer