Private Among Lesser Lights

[Aurellia]

“Ta'din Revali?”

Ki'la's voice broke focus on the landscape beyond the window. Evening had come, the sun seeking rest beyond the horizon and seven moons rising to take their place in the sky. Only the night was a suitable time for such ventures as she was slated. Wordlessly, Aurellia turned, an arched brow giving her advisor leave to speak. The study had been swept for bugs just yesterday - any conversation stayed between these walls.

“It is time to depart.”

“Any response from our guest of honor?”

“Not as yet, your highness.”

A frown accompanied Aurelia’s exit from the study. Uneasy could not have described the feeling evoked by considering crawling into bed with a criminal. Lack of response did anything but quell the worry. Making her way through bed chambers into a dressing room, Ki'la helped her strip the fine garb in favor of something more common. Donned in shiny black leggings, a synth leather corset, and a cloak of black, the woman made her way down halls of ivory and left the estate.

The land speeder made its way into the city, quiet country giving way to streetlights and building pressed too close together. After half an hour’s weaving through urban clutter, her driver stopped a block away from their chosen meeting grounds. Aurellia made the rest of the way to the on foot, heels clicking against duracrete.

Beneath its gleaming exterior, the Lilac Court trafficked in an age-old trade: bodies on display, skin and movement choreographed into allure. On Hapes, it lacked the shame other parts of the galaxy might assign such a place. Beauty, after all, was sacred. A well-trained body in motion was considered a form of high art - though those of noble birth were not expected to indulge with the public at large. Most kept their dancers private, discreet troupes performing behind closed doors in estate halls or luxury suites. She doubted any one of status would risk being seen here, which suited her perfectly. Neon haze and perfume clouded the air as she made her way through the lounge, nodding to the bartender whose eyes followed her. Passing through a silk curtain, she found a corner booth in the main room, and ordered something strong. All there was to do was wait and see if the woman came.

 

[Mercy]

Aurellia

Mercy arrived with great fanfare or perhaps it was more accurate to say that fanfare came with her.

A big personality, matching or even exceeding her large bulk, she stepped through the doors like she owned the place. Even though she had never stepped foot inside before. She took a drink from one of the plates being maneuvered around by hardworking employees. They took one look at her, realized they had to crane their head up just to see her chin and wisely decided to not make an issue out of it.

No, they even thanked her for allowing them to serve her.

They knew instinctively that Mercy was someone who could be easily appeased by having her ego well and properly stroked.

Predatory eyes, amber burning like a furnace, scanned the crowd and finally settled on Aurellia herself. She smirked. Then she wandered over, relaxed, lazily, not even preparing a pounce because such things weren't necessary for her. Until she finally plopped in the spot right next to Aurelia even though there was plenty of room in that corner booth.

Her arm went around the back of the seat, the eldritch one, liquid gold that shook and tremored according to designs unknown.

"You know, I must truly be lucky, to earn the attention of someone so... important." But the way her eyes had moved up and down briefly beforehand implied that was not the exact word she had been thinking of using initially.

She sipped from her drink, softly mm'ing to make a satisfied point.

"What can I do for you, darling?"

 

[Aurellia]

Despite intel painting Mercy uncouth, Aurellia was still not ready for the woman in all her glory. It was more than a lack of reservation or courtesy, but rather... a disdain for it. The notion was so starkly alien that any other day, she may have sat staring, unable to break free wonder. It was not any other day. Sheer presence of Mercy left Aurellia feeling a deer being stalked. That broke the spell. Honey locked amber sidelong, a wicked smile blooming across dark lips. One leg crossing, she leaned back to melt into Mercy's insisted intimacy.

"Luck is for those too asinine to craft their own way." Her gaze dropped to trail where their shoulders met. "I gather you are not the type."

Bringing a hand into her lap, her neck straightened again, observing the dancers on their platforms. Each moved perfectly in time with the music, unbothered by whatever took place in the boundaries beyond their stage.

"It's for that very reason I've asked you here. It is said you find a way - or forge one." Eyes flickered to view her guest without body to follow. "I have an... issue that needs dealing with, but the solution must be executed thoroughly on first attempt."

 

[Mercy]

Oh, it's one of those meetings.

Mercy smirked and her arm got bold, now moving to rest directly on her shoulders in response to Aurellia leaning into it.

"Mm, I have been known to break obstacles keeping me from my goals." It surprised her that the Hapes noblewoman came to her, she wasn't a scalpel, and the usual nobles Mercy knew would prefer something more subtle. Contacting Mercy was similar to picking up a bazooka to an honorable duel.

Surprise notwithstanding Mercy simply inclined her head a fraction.

"Tell me what you need, darling. I will let you know if its in my power to grant you." But looking the way Aurellia did, something told Mercy that she was used to getting her way.

Who could tell her no?

Except perhaps the Queen Mother.

 

[Aurellia]

Before Aurellia could muster the words, their cocktail waitress appeared, finally having noticed Mercy'c requisition of the single glass. Another lowball of emerald ichor joined the table, laid before the hapan. Nodding thanks, honey eyes watched the scantily clad woman disappear amongst the patrons. Hesitation artfully disguised itself in savoring the refreshment. A sip evoked warmth throughout her body, lending courage to cause. In truth, plans were already set in motion - but Mercy's assistance would be the stamp to seal the command.

"Surely, you wouldn't even let a word like impossible stop you?"

Laying her glass back upon the table, her now free hand floated to barely link their fingers together. The twist of her torso brought her face to float an inch from Mercy's cheek. A motion done just as much to blend as to toy the woman, it allowed her tone to hush without being drowned amongst the noise. Though a mismatched pair, they appeared to an observer's eye as many others in the place - two suitors engaged in a delicate dance of their own. It'd be a shock to know their exchange was not shifting to sweet utterances but rather radical insurgency.

"I need someone unaffiliated with court affairs - but someone capable, someone bold and daring enough to tear down a monarch and pave way for another."

 

[Mercy]

Aurellia

They discussed, they flirted and Mercy had the distinct impression the Duch'a was playing her, but there was nothing better than a beautiful woman playing with your heart.

It made you feel alive.

In the end they came to an agreement. Mercy would remove the Queen off the board and allow Aurellia to ascend to her rightful place. She agreed that the Hapes way needed to return. Men had to be put in their place, women had to take charge fully once more. In return Aurellia would become a worthwhile ally for Mercy, she'd allow her to move through the Sector unchecked and of course the usual 'riches beyond your dreams'. That part just seemed necessary to seal the deal.

______
​

Several weeks later it was a done deal.

Perhaps Aurellia hadn't expected it to go so fast or as violent as it had. But maybe she should have known better when to get in touch with someone like Mercy, her reputation proceeded her all the time. They agreed to meet in one of the farther flung places near Aurellia's new palace. It was a stable, Mercy believed.

But instead of being there on time they'd meet somewhere else entirely.

Several hours earlier when Aurellia was standing on the balcony of her new Queen's Quarters. Suddenly she'd hear Mercy from behind. "You know, being a Queen suits you, you are just radiating sunlight." Mercy drawled as she lazily settled against the edge of the balcony next to the new Queen Mother.

How she had managed to get all the way over here without any of the alarms being sounded was anyone's question.

"Does it feel as good as as you look?"

 

[Aurellia]

The voice made Aurellia jump - but she quickly settled as the red head came into view, cockiness almost palpable. The Queen Mother regarded her with a similar arrogance, playing up the compliments with a brandished tilt of her head.

"I wouldn't go that far," She teased with a smile. "But it is... better than I expected."

It was liberating. Aurellia had thought the crown would press heavily upon her brow - after all, how many necks had bent, or broken, beneath its weight? Yet, atop her head, it felt as though it had always belonged. The grumblings of men as their privileges were quietly pried from their fingers, the fall of their ancestral palace, the city still smouldering like a lover's first embrace beneath her balcony - all the price of her rule, and one she'd willingly pay time and time again.

"I would have had them fetch the champagne had I known you were coming. Could you not bear another moment without seeing the bounty of your harvest?"

To make her point, Aurellia drifted from the railing, the movement unhurried. She spun in a languid circle, letting Mercy drink her in. Her hair fell loose in silken waves, only a few delicate braids drawing it back from her face. Gone was the attire of traitors she had worn upon their first meeting; in its place, the lavish raiment of a queen.

"It is all thanks to you, after all. How do your new titles feel? Mercy, the queen slayer. Mercy, the queen maker. I've half a mind to add another to the list."