An Amicable Visit

[Alize Rosenheim]

Alize nodded as she listened to the Countess' words. She was not a fan of crowded places and found such locations suffocating. "How far do you think the smaller will cities be from New [SIZE=10.5pt]Santaissa? Not too far I hope. I am quite taken by the idea of living in a smaller, quieter city but have my business operate in New [/SIZE]Santaissa. Hopefully, it will be within driving distance," she enquired as she brushed a few strands of hair off her face and took a sip of her tea that had since gone tepid.

"It would be my pleasure to take you up on your offer of leasing up some of the Skyport's place. It sounds like quite an ideal location to open up Quaint Gardens' flagship store." Alize smiled. "By the way, how is the situation with the Eldorai now that the Xiaquo's threat is no longer of concern? If there are any displaced individuals you know of that may be in need of some pampering, please send them to my headquarters once it has been established and I will ensure that they are looked after and return to their homes an array of my company's products." After years of selfishly running from her problems, it was time for her to do a little good. Although this was not the same as compensating those who had suffered losses as a result of her actions, it was progress. Little by little, Alize aimed to build up her confidence in order to return to Panatha and make amends. This was something she had felt a strong urge to do after her last conversation with the Countess.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


"Some peace and quiet away from the capital is a good idea. The new cities should be in driving distance. I've been toying with the idea of connecting the closest to the capital with a maglev train. We'll have to see how cost-effective that is. The Eldorai are basically emulating the old cities on Kaeshana. It makes settling in easier and means they've brought a little from their home with them."


Of course, eventually memories of Kaeshana would fade. A new generation was being born that only knew the ancestral homeworld from stories. It was a sad and painful process for those who'd lived upon the motherland's soil, but inevitable.


She smiled slightly in response to Alize's kind gesture, seeing it for what it was. "I can think of a few Eldorai who'd appreciate such kindness, dear. I sponsor a few programmes to help the Xioquo now that they've been defeated. They're not evil people per se, at least no more than you and I, just raised in a vicious culture ruled by tyrants. Many are former slaves who need to see there's good in the world. I'd be happy to have you on board if you want to help in a small way."


At this moment, Bo'Sara stepped in and picked up little Riona, who was starting to fall asleep. "Pardon me, Lady, but I believe it's time for the little Baroness' nap. She's very sleepy." Of course, [member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"] would protest this assessment.


Siobhan gave her daughter a fond look and nodded. This might give her the chance to broach a more serious issue with Alize, namely the Force. She had the feeling that this subject would be an awkward one, assuming she'd read the girl correctly. "I believe so, dear. Lil Riona needs her beauty sleep. Please make sure she's comfy, and has her tauntaun. She likes to cuddle with him."


The gentle Twi'lek governess smiled and carried the little kiddo away, leaving Siobhan alone with Alize and her faithful companion Frederick. The Countess sipped her tea and took a bite from her scone, looking thoughtful while she swallowed it. Her expression was pensive. "I hope I don't cause offence by asking this, if the subject is too uncomfortable, we can drop it, but what do you know about the Force?"

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

Alize gave Riona a small smile and wave as the blue Twi'lek servant took her away, leaving Alize and her companion alone with the Countess. Under other circumstances, she might've felt uncomfortable when left in alone with others even when in the company of her droid, but after getting to know the Countess a little better, the discomfort she might have felt was non-existent. However, this moment would not last and the discomfort would resurface when Countess Kerrigan asked her question.

"I hope I don't cause offence by asking this, if the subject is too uncomfortable, we can drop it, but what do you know about the Force?"

Alize was a little startled by the Countess' question. The Force. What did she know about it? Not much, as far as the in-depth knowledge of this mysterious power was concerned, but she still had a little to say about it.

"I don't know much as far as the Force is concerned, but I do know those who are able to wield it feel a bit...different from others. I'm not sure how I am able to feel it but it's kind of like a sixth sense that I've had as long as I can remember. For example, I can feel that you're Force-sensitive." Alize paused and a solemn expression appeared on her face as she continued. "I think I might fear the Force if I am to be completely honest. My home planet, Panatha is the headquarters of an infamous Sith Lord, Darth Vornskr, God-King of the Epicanthix, a fearsome man. I have heard stories of his deeds when I lived there which has left me with not the best impression of Force users. While I know not all Force users are as evil as he, the fear has already been instilled in me."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


Siobhan looked sympathetic. The expression on her face could only described as motherly. "Kaine is a barbarian, a cruel, sadistic monster. I fought him on several battlefields. Crushed his lung and fractured his spine. I'm glad you're from free his tyranny," she spoke softly.


"Basically, the Force is an energy field a select few can tap into. Most people are sensitive to it to a small degree, but not enough to actively wield it beyond having an extra sixth sense or what they believe to be dumb luck. About 0.1% of the galaxy's population can actively manipulate the Force and shape it according to their will. That's why a tiny minority rules so much. By itself, the Force is just a tool. It's up to the wielder to use it for good or evil, for moral ends or immoral ones."


Siobhan's view of the Force was more than a little idiosyncratic. It owed a bit to Potentium, but was mostly derived from Eldorai teachings. "The Eldorai call it Sciia, which is also their word for soul. They believe it's their inner flame. I can feel that you have the Force, dear," she reached out to take Alize's hand and gently pat it.

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

Countess Kerrigan's sympathetic expression and the soft tone of her voice as she spoke eased Alize's discomfort, but anything she might have felt before was overcome with surprise when the woman mentioned that she had bested the monstrous being Alize had feared so much in battle. She was in awe of the Countess' combat prowess. If the tales that she had heard were indeed true, defeating the villainry that was known as Kaine Zambrano, this would have been a very dangerous feat for one to accomplish, requiring great valour.

Once the shock subsided, Alize could do little other than listen to the Countess' words in silence until she had finished speaking. The regal woman's gentle touch of Alize's hand brought her some comfort after she had informed her of her Force sensitivity. Shaken by this information, the Epicanthix hybrid began to tremble uncontrollably. While another may have felt great excitement at the news, Alize felt fear, and despite what the Countess had said regarding the Force, about how it is just and tool and that it was up to the wielder whether they utilize it for good and evil, Alize was consumed by fear. Of what? Of herself, of the possibility that she may not be capable of controlling this mysterious power that is said to be within her.

"What if I can't control it? What if I accidently step foot on the darkside?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Alize knew that she lacked the selflessness required to fully walk on the side of the light and furthermore, she had already shed the blood of others so perhaps, she was already on the path of a Sith. A million thoughts filled her mind as Fredrick, sensing his Mistress' distress wrapped his arms around her and held her in an attempt to console her.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


Siobhan felt bad for Alize, she truly did. The girl had shed blood, but though the Countess did not know the cause, she knew it had not been out of malice. The young woman's fears reminded Siobhan of Galina's. She appreciated the comfort Frederick tried to offer the young woman. He might be an HRD, but he was clearly attached to his mistress.


"I am what Jedi would consider 'darkside'," she would have used air quotes like the Turian Councillor, but this was a serious discussion and it would be inconsiderate to make light of Alize's understandable fears. She stroked the woman's hand gently.


"Light and Dark are sources of strength. Is the power tempting? Yes, very. That's why it must be balanced with responsibility, morals and common sense. I love my family and treat my employees well. In a way, they keep me grounded. Equally, I'll do whatever it takes to protect them from harm. You may have done bad things, dear, but you're not an evil person. You won't become evil unless you embrace it, unless you care only about power for the sake of it and lose sight of what's right and wrong. That's the path of the Sith. They're pure evil." There was a pause before she spoke once more. "It must be your choice...but I can teach you control over your power."

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

Alize remained in Frederick's embrace as she listened to the Countess' words. She did not quite understand why but she had felt a sense of comfort in the droid's arms.

"Why would you be considered darksided? You do not seem like an evil individual; on the contrary, you seem like quite a kind and generous person." Alize asked and looked up reluctantly so as not to be rude to the woman who had been so courteous towards her.

"Thank you, Countess, I am truly indebted to you," she attempted a grateful smile though still trembling. Although she did not take the news of her Force sensitivity well, Alize was glad that it had been made known to her. "Would I be a danger to anyone if I did not learn to control it? Ideally, I would like to be able to control the Force and not fear it, but right now, I’m too scared of it, and what it entails. I’m scared that I won’t be capable of controlling it, and I’m scared that I’ll accidently cause harm to others.”

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


Siobhan shrugged, not looking offended. "Jedi would consider me such because they divide the Force in Light and Dark. They have a narrow, dogmatic view of good and evil. I use powers they'd proscribe and I'll do what's needed to protect my family. I won't lie, I've sometimes crossed moral boundaries, I've done bad things...but it was to protect others."


The Countess' road to power had been lined with corpses and coated in blood. In many ways, it was probably her attachments to people who were 'weaker' than she was but had more of a moral compass that kept her from losing herself in the darkness, or at least helped a lot. Beneath the Destroyer was a woman who cared about others.


"If you don't learn control, there is the risk that you'd inadvertently hurt others. The Force responds to strong emotions, after all. Moreover, Force-sensitivity could make you a target. Tygara is a lovely planet, but not without dangers. You don't have to learn anything beyond the basics if you don't want to. I have friends who can even teach you how to hide your abilities from other Force-users." Her tone was soft throughout. "I'll make sure you don't hurt others, sweetie. I care about you."

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

A sense of helplessness filled Alize as she thought about her situation. She was so weak it was disgusting. Beneath her carefully crafted mask of a well put together young lady was a child, helpless and scared of everything. Although she should have gained much experience from travelling the galaxy for two years, she still lived in her self-constructed bubble using money to buy away her hardships until recently when the numbers in her bank account threatened her way of life and she was forced to work for the money she had been spending to frivolously.

As relieved as she was to not be forced into a marriage to a man she did not love and would inevitably find himself in the company of 'working girls' once her youthfulness faded or when he tired of her, the simplicity of the life she might have led seemed almost tempting at times. All she had to do was smile and obey and all the hard decisions would be made for her unlike now, where the power to make decisions was in her hands. Though there was the obvious decision, the right decision, Alize found it difficult to make it, more accurately, she lacked the confidence to make it. What if it somehow ended up not being the right one? She would have no one to blame, only herself.

After several minutes of silent pondering, Alize attempted a smile. "Thank you for caring about me Countess, please ensure that I do not deviate onto the path of a Sith," she replied weakly, her voice barely audible.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


"I'm proud of you, dear. You're taking a big step," Siobhan said encouragingly. She had a feeling she would be doing that a lot! Meanwhile, one of the servant girls refilled Alize's cup of tea. The young woman looked like she could use one.


"I believe you should also get some basic self-defence training, if you haven't already. Frederick is a good guardian," she gave Alize's companion a nod, "but it pays to be prepared. That way you also won't have to rely so much on the Force."


Tygara was a beautiful world, but all too often politics resembled a game of thrones. Moreover, Siobhan could not discount the possibility that some of her enemies might go after Alize if they realised the Countess was fond of the Panathan.

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

Alize forced a smile as she thanked the servant girl who refilled her cup. The fragrant scent of the tea calmed her a little as she took a sip, savouring the taste.

Although she did not like to consider the possibility, there was a chance that the day may come when Frederick was no longer able to protect her. He was a droid and a rather older model at that so it would not be unexpected if he was to experience technical malfunctions and become unresponsive one day.

"Self-defense? As in fighting with lightsabers?" she asked, curious as to what to expect from self-defense lessons. Although she was unfamiliar with the ways of the Force, it was a well-known fact that the favoured weapons among Force-users were lightsabers, noisy glow sticks waved around by Jedi and Sith alike. The idea of waving around an over-sized glow stick seemed rather inelegant and did not appeal to her.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


"Among other things, though I'm no duellist and only know the basics. I don't use them much. One of my students could teach you though," Siobhan responded. Lightsabres were 'elegant weapons for a more civilised age'!


Personally the Countess disagreed with Obi-Wan, who was probably being a bit of a romantic when he said that line. Siobhan would probably be a Djem So duellist if she actually applied herself, but her skills had atrophied over the years due to lack of use. The proliferation of lightsabre-resistant armour made the glowsticks less practical than in the old days of yore, but they were still useful.


"But for the time being, knowing how to use a small firearm will suffice. Something that you can easily conceal and carry on your person without being encumbered. Such as a shatterpistol. And this," she suddenly removed a pendant from her neck and passed it over to the young woman. "Take a good look. It's what we call a hold-out bolter."

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

"Then I assume anything beyond the basics in lightsaber combat isn't necessary?" Alize asked when the Countess had finished speaking, having regained some of her composure and delicately took the tiny bolter from the Countess' hands.

The pendant felt heavier than it had appeared at first glance – something that was probably common to concealed weapons Alize assumed as she carefully rotated it in the palm of her hand. No matter how she looked at it, the pendant looked nothing like a bolter at all. How fascinating! After having spent a couple of minutes examining the pendant, Alize returned the item to the Countess.

“What an interesting bolter, it looks nothing like a weapon, but I guess that’s the point of a concealed weapon. How do you use it?” She asked genuinely curious, she had heard of poison laced hair sticks and the like before but this was her first that she had heard of or seen such a small and unassuming firearm.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


"That'll depend on you. Basic lightsabre skills would suffice for now, though, since you're not going to death charge into battle," Siobhan said dryly. Perhaps a shoto, also called a lightsabre-dagger, would be more suitable for Alize, especially since it was easier to hide.


Her lips curled into a smile when Alize looked at the hold-out bolter. "My wife used one of these to kill a Sith Assassin once," she spoke proudly. "You can wear it around your neck like a pendant, conceal it in a handbag or secret compartment and so on. There's a mechanism to prime the weapon so that it doesn't go off prematurely. Think of it like a safe," having said this she would demonstrate by performing a series of rotations.


Once she had done so, Alize would see a small firing stud appear. She would give Alize time to familiarise herself with the device before deactivating the weapon again. Firearms safety was very important, even for professionals.


"You press the stud to fire the weapon. Fair warning: It only has point-blank range and you only get one shot. Reloading takes time, so make that one count. It has three ammo types: Buckshot, solid slug and explosive bolt. Buckshot is like a shotgun round. Nasty in close quarters against unarmoured targets, but imprecise. Solid slug is a single durasteel bullet. Silent, no risk of collateral. Explosive bolt expends all its energy on the target and blows them a new one, rather than detonating in a cloud of shrapnel."

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

Alize nodded silently in agreement with the Countess’ words. She was no fighter, nor had she ever aspired to become one, and therefore, did not feel that she needed to learn anything combat wise beyond what is necessary for self-defence.

The Epicanthix hybrid continued to listen in silence until Countess Kerrigan mentioned that her wife had used the tiny bolter to kill a Sith Assassin which prompted her to gasp. Her hand moved to cover her mouth which hung open as her well-groomed eyebrows raised a centimetre, and her eyes widened, astonished.

Killing a Sith Assassin is no easy feat and to do so with such a small and unassuming weapon must have taken much skill, or maybe it was possible because the weapon was so unassuming. No, it had to be a mixture of both, it takes skill to react in a timely manner, and aim the weapon.

With her interest in the weapon peaked, Alize watched intently as the Countess performed a series of rotation to reveal the bolter’s firing stud. Cautiously, Alize received the small firearm and briefly looked down its barrel before she flipped it upside down so that it would be aimed at the floor, worried that she might accidently discharge the weapon as she examined it.

“Are these tiny bolters produced by Firemane?” Alize inquired as she returned the weapon to the Countess when she had finished her explanation. Although she knew nothing when it came to firearms, it seemed like something quite useful to have on hand in case of emergencies. Even though Frederick had been an excellent bodyguard thus far, and gave Alize no reason to doubt his abilities, being male in appearance, he could not follow her everywhere to constantly watch over her and protect her from harm.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


"Yep, we make them. Bolters are our signature product. We made the tiny ones because the baseline model is very heavy and big and thus not applicable for personal defence when you need something concealable. Walking around with a rifle or a handcannon is a bit awkward in high society," Siobhan said with a smile.


Another reason was that a vicious Sith Assassin called Kaelin Isandros, Siobhan's old nemesis, had been able to capture her wife and torture her to the brink of death. Siobhan had taken brutal vengeance upon the monster, but the couple never wanted to be caught off-guard again.


"We sell them on the market and I give them to close friends. Feel free to take this one, I can give you a supply of ammo," she offered. The Countess furrowed her brow, looking pensive as she pondered how to address what might be a somewhat awkward topic.


"I am aware that Frederick is, well, a droid. His cover is good. I wouldn't have noticed if Chesna wasn't an empath. The secret's safe with me. If he's in need of...upgrades, I've got good technicians. One of my friends is an HK droid." The irony was that [member="HK-36"] was probably more moral than the Countess.

 

[HK-36]

Somewhere out there in the galaxy HK was sitting in a shady cantina, clad in his old armor, remnant of the Protectorate arsenal he once had access to. The cantina was filled with the sound of a Bith band playing their jazz-like music while HK enjoyed the measured solitude of bounty-hunting lifestyle he took up since his last awakening,

"I just cannot get enough of jizz."

The droid nodded to himself, referring to the Bith music.

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

"I imagine you would get quite a few weird looks if you brought a firearm to a social gathering," Alize agreed as she tried to picture the disapproving looks that would appear on the faces of the other guests in attendance if she brought a had brought a firearm to a social gathering. Rumours regarding her past had already made others wary of her so this would probably be an almost guaranteed way of ensuring she was no longer invited to such events.

"We sell them on the market and I give them to close friends. Feel free to take this one, I can give you a supply of ammo," the Countess offered.

"Thank you very much," Alize smiled gratefully and picked up the necklace. A look of surprise crossed her face when the droid gently took the necklace from her hands and carefully secured it around her neck.

"I am aware that Frederick is, well, a droid. His cover is good. I wouldn't have noticed if Chesna wasn't an empath. The secret's safe with me. If he's in need of...upgrades, I've got good technicians. One of my friends is an HK droid." The Countess said eliciting a shocked expression from Alize.

"That is not necessary," Frederick replied with a sad expression. He could sense that he did not have much longer left. Recently, his body had begun to feel odd and everyday activities had been a little harder than usual but he didn't know how to tell his mistress. For years, he was her sole companion, her only friend so doing so informing her of the inevitable would break her heart. It was better that she was blissfully unaware so that he could see her smile rather than cry in the time they had left. "Alize takes excellent care of me and I am already equipped with everything I need." He couldn't let them find out what was happening within his artificial body, this was his secret, his burden to bear. "Countess, as her protector, any day may be my last so should something happen to me in the line of duty, please look after Alize."

"Don't say such horrible things Fred, you are such a pessimist," Alize scolded him.

"Sorry," he replied simply and stared at the Countess with a serious expression.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Alize Rosenheim"]


Siobhan was not a machinist and knew little about droid maintenance, but she liked to think she was good at reading people. And HRDs kind of blurred the line between organic and machine, so some behavioural patterns were similar.


Her expression was serious when she met Frederick's gaze. "You want to protect Alize. We both want to. Ergo it's in the interest of all involved that you can perform to your very best. If there's been problems or glitches, she'd deserve to know. Especially since you've been her only companion for so long. I've got good people who can take a look at you and perform upgrades if needed, even provide a new body if needed. You've got my word that they'd treat you with respect and not tamper with your programming." This was probably not a very tactful answer, but she was a blunt woman by nature.


((Faction thread you'd be welcome to join: http://starwarsrp.net/topic/97506-witches-and-wyyrloks-tygara/))

 

[Alize Rosenheim]

"Thank you Countess Kerrigan, but that won't be necessary," Frederick smiled. He wanted to protect her, to see her smile, hear her voice address him lovingly but, he was no good for her. He was a droid, not a real man, and not what she deserved. Although he knew his decision was a selfish one and would hurt his mistress so much more, but he did not watch her fall in love with another or die when the time came if his body could support him until then. "It's for the best," he whispered barely audible. Time will heal all wounds.

Alize shot Frederick a puzzled look. "Why wouldn't it be necessary?" she asked. "It's been a while since you were last looked at by a mechanics. I think it would be a fabulous idea."

"Trust me," he whispered.

"Frederick!" Alize chastised him. He was beginning to annoy her.

"Don't call me that. That's not who I am, that's the name I was given. My slave name," he growled.

Slave name? Frederick thought of himself as my slave?

"If that is how you feel, I'll set you free. Go, be free, and do as you wish," she snapped at him in the heat of the moment before turning to the Countess. "I apologise for our rude behaviour, Countess Kerrigan," she attempted a smile, still annoyed at the droid.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]​

​

Spoiler

Thanks for letting me know but I don't think I could fit Alize into that thread since I didn't keep up with the Omega event and so much seemed to have happened.