A New Start on the West Side

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smirked as [member="Ghorua the Shark"] exclaimed that he was disappointed that she thought he would be. It was hard to escape criticism and in politics criticism was everywhere. Most especially when one was uprooted from prison and put into the role of Empress.

She sipped her tea, not yet finished her cup as he had. He could take bigger mouthfuls, afterall.

Where was her faith in herself? There were plenty that had it for her, but what about herself? Perhaps it was from all of the opposition she's had, the instant enemies that she had gained when all that she was doing was trying to stabilize the region as she did with Commenor. It was much more difficult in this region. They didn't call it Wild Space for no reason.

"Do you think that I'm destined to fail?" It was an honest question. Failure either meant death, or constantly being on the run so that she wouldn't be thrown into jail again.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"Do you think that I'm destined to fail?"

Ghorua took a moment, looking at Kay, surprised by the question. But then he chortled. He couldn't remember the last time he chortled at something. But he chortled nonetheless. Perhaps it would have sounded like mocking if Kay didn't know the Shark better. It seemed so simple to him, but maybe not her. They had very different backgrounds, after all. Ghorua was no clairvoyant, no matter how impressive his skills of deduction were. But this, this he knew.

"What isn't?"

He took a moment to compose himself. His laughing had dropped to a smile. "Buildings crumble. People get old. We run out of tea." Ghorua set down his empty cup upside down, to make a point. "Does that mean the building, those people, that tea, didn't mean anything?"

"Of course not. I enjoyed the shelter that building gave me. I enjoyed those people. The tea was, honestly, a little too warm, but I digress." Ghorua still smiled, but his tone evened out, more fatherly.

"Nothing is built to last, friend."

"Now, I've never ran a Republic, Kingdom, or Empire like you," the hunter said, building back up his bravado, "But I do know this. Learned it from my dad, actually. He never concerned himself with 'destiny' or fate. Said meeting my mother was a happy coincidence." Ghorua could see his father's face in his mind. Much like his own, those same, calculating eyes, that same warm smile.

"'Don't sweat the inevitable. Work on the variable'." Ghorua looked down at his hands, which had found each other in his musing. "It means we shouldn't think about what we can't change. Whatever happens, will. But we gotta focus on what we can change. What we can do."

"To make what we build last a little bit longer."

- [member="Kay Arenais"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay tilted her head in a sideways nob. [member="Ghorua the Shark"] was right. Nothing was built to last. And nothing was. Even stars blew up eventually. Even planets were torn apart. It was silly to think that anything that she did would ever have a lasting affect. She couldn't even keep her family close.

Ghorua had such a perspective on things. He was intimidating to most, given his size, his appearance, as well as his voice. Yet Kay had seen a side of him that most didn't. She saw his vulnerabilities yet never exploited them. He was her friend and she wanted it to remain that way.

"The odds are stacked against me. But I'm stubborn. I was brought here to succeed and that's what I plan on doing. And if the worst happens and I am killed or if some intergalactic police force sends me back to jail, then please help Lori. She's my successor. She knows you and trusts you."

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua kept his smile, and turned his cup over the right way on the table, but he started thinking. It was hard for him to stop, at times. Being oblivious, being idle, would be so much easier. Kay seemed focused on her death, her failure. Did that mean something?

The Shark kept his easy smile, however. "Ah, yes. The Little Lady." It was the first time he mentioned the nickname to Kay. He liked it. She was so much like her mother. Had power, like her mother. It was fitting.

"If there's any justice in the galaxy, I won't have to fulfill this promise." The Shark finally dropped the smile. "But I'll make it." He'd never had any talk with the young Arenais that extended past greetings, and the odd story. Perhaps he would have to change that. "If anything happens to you, I'll try my hardest to help her succeed. On the condition I get the same promise from you, for my daughter."

Ghorua's mind drifted to Minna. They were around the same age, Lori and her. A dangerous few years, fraught with discovery, the making and breaking of tradition. "You know, Adamina and Loreena are going to be far better than we could ever be. If we've done our jobs right, that is."

It was a comforting thought.

- [member="Kay Arenais"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay was grateful for [member="Ghorua the Shark"] . Who better to protect her daughter? The Mandalorians were great and taught her a lot. But Lori had already lost one mentor due to war. [member="Kaine Australis"] didn't shy away from battle either, so there was bound to be a day when he would have one misstep...

She placed her hand on Ghorua's arm and gave it a bit of a squeeze. "Thank you. And you have my word that I would look out for your daughter as well." Kay had taken him to the orphanage on Commenor to adopt Minna. It was a wonderful thing to be a part of.

Kay laughed a little, removing her hand as she finished her cup of tea. "I have no doubt that our children will fair better. Afterall, they can learn from our mistakes quicker than we can. They don't share our habits or vices."

With the burden of those thoughts lifted, so did her mood become more optimistic. "We'll have to go to the theatre here some day. I have yet to experience the artistic culture of Zakuul. I'm sure that they could put on quite the show."

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"I'll toast to that," Ghorua said, lifting his cup mockingly, as if to clink it with the Empress', after they've both finished their drinks. He knew already that Minna would be better than him, at just about everything. She would make the galaxy a better place. Like Lori. Like Kay.

On the talk of the theater, Ghorua grinned ear-to-ear. Now that Kay knew about that vice of his, she'd likely use it against him. Oh, don't be cross with me, I've got two tickets to Squid Lake. It was practically extortion.

"Oh, most certainly." Ghorua stood, stretching up to over ten feet. "I've heard you can learn much about a culture based on their stage productions. Might help win the people's hearts, if you know what makes 'em tick."

Ghorua grinned again. "Don't suppose you're in the market for a Royal Adviser. Because that was a great bit of wisdom I just dropped on you."

- [member="Kay Arenais"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay laughed a little and lifted her glass in the little toast as well.

Oh the look that [member="Ghorua the Shark"] gave as she mentioned the theatre made her smile all the more. Of course she knew of his own talents, and that of his mother. At times Kay had taken to the stage too. But perhaps those days were over. Just like so many other aspects of her life were over. Her marriage wasn't, yet Kay and Veiere remained a Galaxy apart on two very different paths. So it was complicated. Yet they still loved eachother. Some couples just tended to grow apart through no fault of their own.

Kay stood up as he did and took his empty cup with her own as she carried them over to the side table. She turned as he requested the role of Royal Advisor. It certainly caught her off guard. But such a suggestion was welcomed. Her faith and trust in him was as strong as anything. "My dear, Ghorua...I could think of no one more suited for the role than yourself. I could use someone that I trust with my life to have my back. And I know that you won't hesitate to tell me if I'm wrong. And...you know how stubborn I can be."

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua widened his eyes in surprise. That's the second time he'd been surprised by Kay in that many minutes, but for very different reasons. "I'd meant that as a joke, mi'lady. I don't think..." He trailed off, giving her a dubious look. He couldn't do that. Advise the leader of an Empire? Advise Kay, who likely knew more related to statecraft than the Shark ever could?

But as he thought about it, he realized what Kay realized. If he were an adviser, he could be at her side more often. And who said advisers couldn't go around in heavy armor? And he could certainly keep an eye out better than anyone else, maybe even including Veiere.

And even though he knew next to nothing about stewardship, he certainly knew a thing or two about people. About weighing risks, staying safe, about reading someone like a book. Maybe even keeping Kay on the straight-and-narrow. He and Minna could live closer...

But... he wasn't sure.

"I don't know, Kay. I've never done anything like 'advising' before. I mean, sure, I've got a good eye for detail, but is that enough?" Ghorua let an uneasy smile flit across his face. A show of doubt that Ghorua didn't often let through.

- [member="Kay Arenais"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

At first Kay was a little saddened to hear that [member="Ghorua the Shark"] was merely joking. But then when his sentance trailed off and he went quiet, she knew that he was thinking of the implications in taking on such a task.

And then he looked to her for reassurance, almost asking her to search for something within himself that he couldn't see. Of course Kay had the utmost confidence in him.

"Ghorua...you've got more than just an eye for detail. You've got great instincts; even better than my own at times. The Scion Jareth advises me, yet there is something about him that I just don't trust. He's scheming, always plotting. Yes the Force shows him the future, yet he probably manipulates it as well.

You'll be able to provide me with a better perspective. Your tactical knowledge will help as well. And do you honestly think that anyone would try to do anything untoward during a meeting would do so with you at my side? I think they'd be too scared."

Kay could do with having a friend close by as well. She felt so isolated out here. Having enemies right off the get-go didn't help either.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua tried to keep his face neutral, but he couldn't He inflated with the praise, the smile coming as naturally as warmth from a bright summer day. He couldn't help but shake his head. Diplomacy was never something he had once considered. He had always been taught to use his gifts. His most obvious gift was his size, and he had always used that. Becoming Kay's advisor almost felt as if he were abandoning that part of him.

C'mon, Shark. You aren't just muscle.

"Be careful," Ghorua said, still grinning. "So much flattery might go to my head. Too much ego for one Herglic."

Even if he wasn't helpful, being an adviser would be the best way to stick close to Kay. Like a bodyguard allowed to speak, in a way.

"I'll add it to my list of things to do. Catch some Order Goons, be a voice in your ear... You sure you got the credits for me?" He smiled, joking. It would certainly be lucrative, working for Kay's Empire.

But something Kay said made him think. "Jareth?" He hadn't heard the name yet, but the Lady made him out to be a rather smarmy individual. "Don't know anything about him. But it'd be nice to have someone like that on your payroll, even if he's not entirely trustworthy."

Ghorua figured he should start his new job as early as possible. "What's he want?"

- [member="Kay Arenais"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay had to smile. She breathed out a sigh of relief as well as it seemed as though [member="Ghorua the Shark"] had agreed to what very much was his idea to start with. "I'm not worried about your ego. And thank you. I shall dig into the coffers and shovel the credits into your ship." Such an image; a ship such as his with piles of credits inside.

His words on Jareth were true. It was probably good to have the Scion around. She doubted that the man was scheming with her enemies. But he was certainly playing at something. "I'm not sure what he wants. I don't think that it's to become Emperor. He hasn't exactly been trying to get the spotlight. It could be just the looks that he gives that makes me feel this way. I'm not entirely sure. But it's good to keep an eye on him in any case. If I notice anything odd...I'll let you know."

It was [member="Lannis Morcus"] that Jareth had contacted in order to help have Kay rescued from prison. And all because of some visions that he had. Whether or not there as something else behind it all remained to be seen. Jareth liked to remain cryptic.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"Don't make promises you can't keep." Ghorua arched an eyebrow good-naturedly. He could, in fact, imagine a ship filled to the brim with credits. Just because he was running with the good guys now didn't mean his perfectly healthy sense of greed had diminished. "I'll be severely disappointed if I get my credits any other way."

On to more pressing matters.

Ghorua's eyebrow stayed arched, but this time sarcastically. "Do you think someone who could see the future would let you catch him in the act? 'Looks' might be all you'll get before his sudden and inevitable betrayal, should it come." The thought came naturally to Ghorua. His mind shifted to his research on Force-Users.

The Shark slipped into a posh affectation. "Therefore, as my first unofficial decree as Advisor to the Eternal Throne, I sayeth thusly; Trust your gut, Kay," he said, flipping to his regular voice for the end, and telegraphing a warm smile.

Ghorua walked for the door, hesitating at the threshold to allow the Lady to catch up.

- [member="Kay Arenais"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay grinned as [member="Ghorua the Shark"] joked about being disappointed if she didn't pay him in the manner if which she spoke. Maybe some day she would, just to make him laugh.

But then he mentioned betrayal and that caused her to shift her weight a little. Betrayal was what gave the Sith the advantage during their siege of Commenor and their victory. How many more betrayals will she have? Would her husband betray her over the rule of law and have her sent back to prison? Or would he just not stop others from doing so. Such an idea made her shoulders droop a little. He wasn't exactly a fan of her being rescued from Purgatory.

Ghorua's switch to an accent brought her out from her thoughs and back to the present. "I shall try. Though it isn't always right. If it was, I don't think that I'd of gotten into nearly as much trouble as I have."

Kay followed him to the door, stepping out first. "I'll make it all official with security so that you'll have unrestricted access. Anything else you need?"

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"A little trouble's good sometimes," Ghorua shot back, enjoying the banter. He'd seen Kay's shift in mood, and stored the observation away. She was seriously doubting who she could trust, that was clear to him. Which made the trust she placed in him all the more flattering. "Although, probably not until Zakuul's got more bite to back up it's bark."

Ghorua followed Kay as she walked out, considering her offer. "Access to some Eternal Empire mechanics. I've got a few ideas to round out my arsenal." He chuckled slightly, letting the disguise matrix finally disengage, revealing he had been heavily armed the entire time. "Like I need more."

"But besides that, I'm good. I've got my jobs. Better start researching them."

It seemed that in both advising and bounty hunting, one had to chase answers. Perhaps they had more in common than Ghorua realized.

- [member="Kay Arenais"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay winked to [member="Ghorua the Shark"] . "You're a part of how much bite we we have." And surely his bite was worse than his bark. One only needed to look at his rows of teeth to guess that, not to mention his size!

She nodded some as he gave her his request. "Oh? What other ideas do you have in mind?" Kay smirked as his armour was revealed. "Come to think of it...I could probably use something like that for myself. I have my special bracers, but those are more weapons in disguise. Something that could really disguise me would work wonders. Does it work for faces as well?" She imagined a scenario where she'd need to pretend to be someone else. Like a decoy....

"I'll let you get to work though. We could talk about it later."

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua choked down a bit of laughter as Kay spoke. Anyone he had talked to for more than five minutes could tell he talked big. But his bite was certainly bigger. He didn't say anything he couldn't back up.

That included his hunts. His new target. His new job.

"Oh, this and that," Ghorua said some coyness entering his voice. "Shield generators, sabotage droids, security blades... Just a bunch of tools that start with 's'." He should start a line of products. "And that's not a bad idea at all. Shadow Holograms are a little costly, but they're worth it. Get the right gear, and it'll change everything about you.

To make a point, Ghorua pressed a couple buttons on his wrist, and his entire body changed. His smooth faced roughened, growing tusks on his chin. His skin changed from deep black to a moldy orange. He even appeared shorter by a few inches. He was a Dowutin, by all appearances. His voice shifted from smooth and bassy, to gravelly and ornery.

"Saved me on more occasions than I can count."

He shifted back quickly, acknowledging Kay again. "Be seeing you, Kay. I'll be around. I kinda have to be."

Then, a bit more conspiratorially: "If you ever need a break from Empress-ing, which, as your personal advisor, I'm required to advise against you doing, as you need to consolidate your leadership..." He paused for effect. "Let's go to a show."

Bowing at the waist, he took his leave.

- [member="Kay Arenais"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Ghorua the Shark"] had such a way of putting her at ease. And she loved that about him. Veiere was the only other person that could do that. However now he tended to give her more tension as they seemed to be on opposite sides of not just the Galaxy, but of certain laws as well.

"Tools that start with 's' hmm? I wonder which letter you'll go for next." She smiled again at the thought of having to sort everything through the alphabet instead of by type. Or maybe both? That could become a nightmare for someone with OCD to take care of. But then again, they might enjoy putting such order to Chaos.

His sudden change in appearance AND voice caused her to raise her eyebrows. That was such a wonderful thing to have! Oh the possibilities! Of course there had to be drawbacks to it. She knew there needed to be. But still, it'd be very advantageous.

And then he offered for the two of them to catch a show together. Kay laughed some in the manner of which he said it. "I would love to, for...educational purposes for us both. Farewell, my friend." She bowed her head as he moved past her down the hall, a satisfied sigh was breathed out. It was good to have him here.