And lost without deserving...

[Gir Quee]

Marketplace, Jar'kai, Atrisia

"This is perhaps...not your best idea," murmured Azira, tightening her green cloak around her furry body.

Gir rested his eyes on a platter of fried, doughy balls being hawked by one of the marketplace's many vendors. He could smell a certain savory herb wafting from her stall, and it seemed to the blonde man that it was filled with some sort of gooey, local cheese. An extradionary tempting proposition after living on autochef for a week while cramped up in an Eidolon-class Transport. I could almost kill for a homecooked meal right about now...Gir turned to face the bothan spy.

"Cassio isn't exactly going to go out of his way to find us."

She sighed, "No, but I just wish that you weren't deadset on finding him. You sure another person couldn't do the job?"

Gir hesitated in her gaze before turning his own back to the food stall, "It's possible, but if we can track him down, he'll be almost unequally suited for the role given his background."

"You should just buy them already," smirked the bothan, "I'll be back shortly. Don't get yourself lost...or caught...got it?"

The blonde man nodded in acknowledgement before sauntering over to the vendor's stall.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Bella was in th e market looking for herbs for the evening meal Izumi had not forgiven her for running out the other night So punishment was to shop the market.She did not mind it here though the smells, the sights the visitors.

There were many today in the market. Aromas filled the air enticing alluring Atrisian comfort food. Arabella stood still taking in a deep breath. Something tickled her nose her stomach growled perhaps a snack.

But which one. Fowl on a stick. Dumplings? Cabbage rolls? Bella thought about dumplings gooey warm and available.

She headed toward the vendor she knew it well.

She stood in line in front of her a stranger not that she knew everyone but the manner of dress told her off worlder. She moved up to stand next to him. She looked at him from under dark lashes.

"First visit to Artisia?"

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir turned his head to face the new voice. His gaze immediately fell into her cobalt blue eyes before he became aware of the rest of her. He briefly hesitated to her question, wondering if it was ideal to reveal something about himself to a complete stranger on a hostile world. Yet at the same time, if she was part of some sort of security apparatus, it would only cast more suspicion on him if he denied it. He looked back on [member="Arabella Darkhold"].

"It is," admitted the blonde-haired man, reaching into his pocket for a credit chip, "I'm guessing that it's not your's though..."

He gestured at the vendor's cart, "Am I about to make a mistake? Or is there another one that you'd suggest?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

She laughed and nodded, "I'm Bella, I was born here, and I live here." Bella moved around a bit so that she could see him a bit more, she took in the stance military training it showed in the stiffness of his shoulders, the hands the thumbs curled into the palm. But what else.

"You're in luck these are good, but you should follow it up with the fowl on a stick three stalls down, and then to give your snack and ending the stall before leaving almond cookies. Careful though the cookies are addictive." Bella put up her fingers for two, "I'll treat you since you are new, and we believe in hospitality here." Bella handed the chit over and took the containers from the vendor handing one to her new acquaintance.

"We can walk together to the next stall, I promise I do not bite" She smiled least not unless invited to but she wouldn't share that with him, she had shared that before with someone and they had given her the most quizzical look. It might not have been proper for her to have mentioned it.

"May I ask your name?" She had given hers perhaps he would share his first name.

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Military life gave some people the most peculiar habits and expectations. Gir liked to think that he managed to mostly transition fairly well from a military lifestyle to something somewhat more relaxed and conventional. Yet he knew that there were still some vestiges of that life that he would likely never fully shake. But there were ways to partially counteract or misdirect that sort of attention. He handed her a flimsiplast Lantillian Spacers' Brotherhood membership card.

"My name is Gir Antilles, but mostly I go by 'captain'," said Gir, gazing at [member="Arabella Darkhold"],"I'll respond to either...what's your name?"

Gir had registered with the guild under his first and middle name back when he was still in the service. Back then, he had hoped that in doing so that he would be able to travel a bit more discreetly. He had done a few other things under that name to establish it as something of a separate identity, but it wasn't entirely ironclad. Still, he trusted that it would hold against any casual inquiries.

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Gir Quee"]

She had said her name was Bella and he had given his whole name she looked at the membership card, ok. "I'm Arabella Darkhold, of House Togashi, everyone calls me Bella, some call me Bellie, don't ask why." She offered the food again, "Gir Antilles, I think I shall call you Gir, Captain sounds like I"m ready to follow orders. So Antilles, any relation to the Antilles of Alderaan?"

She knew a bit about House Antilles, just enough to be considered...knowledgeable. It would be quite unusual for her to meet someone who had ties to Alderaan, if he was, could he tell her about it? She smiled.

Was this luck? Was this coincidence? Was this her imagination running amuck?

She just didn't know, oh yes, lifted the food a little higher, "it's good promise"

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir blinked as [member="Arabella Darkhold"]'s comment on his lineage caught him offguard. Most of the people he had met had wondered if the man had been related to the late Wedge Antilles. But perhaps that's because of my professional circle that I hang out in...not that the Alderaanian house hasn't had anyone in the profession as well...but they've never quite reached Wedge's level of popularity...at least in these times. Gir took a moment to regain his composure as he contemplated the piece of meat.

"Supposedly, I'm a descendant of a cadet branch of that House," replied Gir, "through my mother's side. But I'm afraid that I only know a little about it; my mother passed away when I was rather young...or so I was told."

Gir tentatively put a piece of the fowl on the stick in his mouth and began to chew. This is perhaps not an area that I should want to explore with someone I don't know very well on a hostile world...yet if she knows of the House by name alone, she might be able to tell me something about some of my relatives...He hesitated. An intriguing possibility...but still...I don't know her well enough that I should trust her so easily...What did Axyon used to say about local women in exotic lands? Gir could still the academy instructor's jowly face as he lectured about his run-in with a honeypot agent on a mission that must have been several decades old by now. Perhaps I should see if she's trustworthy, or if I'm walking into a trap...He moved his eyes from the nearby cookie stand to look into her eyes.

"Do you know any of the Alderaanian Antillies?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Gir Quee"]​

​

She perhaps was too open spoke too casually she still managed to smile even as he looked at her, "My father made sure I studied Alderaan and it's houses. I have family there, I don't know any of the nobles personally, but the history of the house says Breha Antilles married Bail Organa and well the rest is history. If you are part of that house does that mean you are related to the current royal family?"

Was he a shirttail cousin of sorts? Was he a plant to find her? She for a moment considered this, someone looking for the last Princess of Alderaan, of House Organa. She did not carry her mother's name, she carried her fathers. She did not visit Alderaan, though she had infrequent contact with Faith, so...now what. She may have just opened her mouth and inserted a foot. Was he going to try and capture her?

Feth.

She smiled

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir barked a small laugh at [member="Arabella Darkhold"]'s comment in a somewhat vain attempt to conceal his thoughts about the only Organa that he had ever met. It had been some time since he had last seen [member="Faith Organa"]. It seemed that both of their paths had taken them from service within the Republic government, and to some degree, any reason to interact. Yet he found himself somewhat curious about her fate. He blinked as he turned his focus back to the present. But I have my own fate right in front of me...He gave Arabella a wistful smile.

"Perhaps distantly. I'd probably be that long-lost, twice-removed cousin to their grandma's cousin's college roommate. As far as I know, my mother never lived on Alderaan, though I have a holo of her on a world that I think is Alderaan..."

His mind briefly wandered to the holo of the young brunette seated on a stone bench among some her friends. Behind them were the bones of what Gir guessed had been a magnificent castle or cathedral of some sort. She had never told him anything about the holo or left any notes for him. But it's filename was "Mount Tesset". But what little Gir had looked up on Mount Tesset had only given him more mysteries.

"If I ever do go to Alderaan, I'd probably have to take you as a guide. It seems that you know of the place better than I."

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Gir Quee"]​

"You mean we can get lost together, I'd need map as well. The place is familiar only through holos, texts and oral stories that anyone seemed to want to share." She looked down she didn't know why was it because he offered something she had not had since leaving Voss, conversation that didn't gather around power and harm.

She smiled and looked up, "shirt tailed cousin of so many generations back that there is currently no blood between the houses now, well I can handle that" She could so he had history on Alderaan. She had to think a bit on House Antilles if she remembered right there was no connection between the Alderaan Family Antilles, and the Corellia Family Antilles.

"So what do you think of the dumpling?" She had something else that many across the galaxy shared with fervor, she was proud of her heritage, proud of who she was, the only question that had been plaguing her recently, who was she becoming.

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir briefly looked away from [member="Arabella Darkhold"] to contemplate the remains of the half-eaten dumpling. It was good in that sort of filling, savory sort of way. Though he wasn't sure what to compare it too beyond that. Most of his homeworld's food was predominantly based around seafood, and Republic rations weren't known for their culinary sophistication.

"It's good in that sort of umami sort of way," said Gir, before finishing it off, "I'm afraid that I would get too fat I lived here among the food stands. I'd probably get lost trying to search for new delicacies...speaking of getting lost, I'm not terribly familiar with this planet. Do you know any areas where expatriates or former Sith military personnel tend to hang out? I came to Atrisia in search of Titus Cassio, a scholar and one-time engineer in employ of the old Sith Empire."

Gir knew that it was a far-shot for the woman to have heard of him, but given her knowledge of Alderaan, he guessed that she had more offworld contacts than the average Atrisian. Even if she didn't, she might be able to point or lead him in the right direction. Azira might be a bit uneasy about me telling me her this...but she hasn't been back yet...perhaps her contacts have had trouble finding information about him...

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Gir Quee"]

Bella smiled glad to hear he had been pleased by the snack. Not many took to the delicacies offered in the market. "Military" She looked down was she to admit to her status here, should she say that she served the last emperor Mythos, or that her father's house had served. No.

But she knew what he was looking for, "I do know there is a place near the old palace where many former military and some that like to hear old stories go to. I've sat there myself a night of two and listened they, are men if honor"

She also hoped for word of her father, "can I take you there?" She stood still not sure that moving furtger without invite was wise.

 

[Gir Quee]

"I would be in your debt," said Gir, "perhaps I can offer something in turn to you for your time?"

It seemed to Gir that he had found a lucky break with his chance meeting of [member="Arabella Darkhold"]. Both Azira and Gir had had trouble trying to get good information about the military subculture on Atrisia. Part of this lack of information was likely from censoring for national security, but Gir guessed that the greater part of it was even simpler: such things did not need to be advertised on the net when it was simply passed by word of mouth on the street.

That was the power of knowing just the right person.

[member="Arabella Darkhold"] could potentially open up other doors for them on Atrisia. He was curious if he could eventually return the favor somehow. But that desire could cause problems of its own, depending on how political of a person she was. Much of he what he could offer was tied either to the Republic or the Directorte, and he very much doubted that she'd have much love for a known former Republic officer. Still, even bereft of that identity and all the power it could conjure, he knew that he too could just be that right person for her.

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Could he offer her something for her time? Was there something she wanted? The things she needed she didn't think someone from off world would understand, and if he knew her at all he'd probably seek to kill her wasn't that the way of the galaxy? But she wasn't really that person any more she wasn't.

She smiled and nodded, "I will consider what it is you can repay me with" It was an answer that she gave when she didn't know what to say. She would think as they walked.

"Follow me I will show you the way" She began to walk through the market place, the smells, and sounds of haggling were going to fade away to the quiet of walking along the great wall towards the palace that Mythos had lived in the little place that she had been long visiting and learning to listen in sat across of the former barracks. Once the new military school had been built there was no need for the barracks, the Jar'kai stayed at the palace, and the students stayed at the school.

The walls that had once been the old palace sheltered the teahouse.

"Why do you seek this engineer, he isn't in trouble is he?" She didn't want to be responsible for someone losing their freedom.

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir watched the landscape around him with rapt interest, noting the various motifs and conditions of the buildings around them. Part of it was simple enjoyment of a new and novel environment. Part of it was simple survival. While he doubted that [member="Arabella Darkhold"] held any maliciousness towards him, there was always the chance that they would run into someone or something that could expose his actual identity.

As they strolled further away from the market, Gir felt an unusual sense of wariness well up within him as he eyed the nearing buildings. Palaces often had important people, and with them came a watchful security. Sometimes they could be rather inquisitive about strangers and foreigners in particular. Barracks often weren't any better, given the soldiers who typically lived there. Yet as they walked further, Gir felt that the area's atmosphere was rather casual and relaxed for. It made him more curious about the place's past as they walked by the wall, but he shelved the idea of talking about it out of the fear that his interest in it might bring more unwanted suspicion upon himself. As she opened her mouth, Gir turned his head away from a carved pillar towards her.

"Why do you seek this engineer, he isn't in trouble is he?"

Gir had expected to hear the first part of the sentence during his trip to Atrisia. People who went about asking questions often received questions of their own. But he hadn't expected the second half. That made him all the more curious about the brunette and who she was. Gir quickly shook his head in denial of the latter half of her question.

"He isn't in any trouble...at least that I know of..."

But he was working on information that had to be at least several weeks old now, given that the info broker had to have taken some time to acquire it herself before selling it to him. It seemed unlikely to Gir that someone as cautious and intelligent as Cassio would get himself in a bind, but one never knew for certain. If popular stereotypes were to be believed, it was too easy to cross a Sith the wrong way. If such an incident occurred, it likely would be disastrous for those involved or those who stumbled into it. Yet his visit to Atrisia had already unraveled much of what he thought a Sith world would be like. His mind began to wonder towards the implications of that scenario. Perhaps if he is in trouble, I could help him out a bit...It'd certainly make part of this journey...easier in a way...but I haven't answered her first question yet...

"I'm here to recruit him for an engineering project, one that involves molecular break-down and reconstruction. He's an expert in a specialized portion of that field when it comes to gases and other elements and compounds with a low molecular mass. There aren't many people in the galaxy who have his mixture of skills and experience," informed Gir before he briefly lowered his voice, "though I don't know if I'll be able to persuade him to take the position. Hast would probably seem to be a strange world to him after living here so close to the Core..."

A flicker of a thought occurred to him.

"What is it that you do again?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

A project she thought interesting. But now she saw something in his eyes she saw interest. He seemed to like history. "There is a great deal of history here I can show you other places, that is, if you like" She didn't want to appear too eager too well needy.

But now she was being asked what did she do? She paused in her step. She looked over at him, a bit taken back because no one ever asked her that. What did she do?

"I tend to the care of House Togashi until the return of my father or the opportunity arises for" she stopped she wanted to say that she could join her sister. But with things the way they were it was unlikely that she would leave here ever

"Me to learn more about finances" she tried not to roll her eyes. That answer was. The worst thing she ever said. Feth.

She smiled sort of and motioned for him to come. "Who you seek may not be at this place. Is it possible he would teach privately if he is an engineer. Perhaps a nobles child also has such aspirations. You know to be an engineer."

Arabella normally skilled at conversation felt a bit retarded at the moment.

This man was stealing her tongue.

The wall was low and fallen but up ahead a section stood,high enough to shelter the opening to the teahouse. The sound of conversation could be heard floating towa4d's them

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

"The return of your father..." repeated Gir quietly to himself.

Those were poignant words to him. His own parents had gone missing when he was almost an adolescent. He had waited a long time for them never to return. Gir briefly hesitated, wondering if it was wise to bring up that part of his past, or even if it was the same situation. Was it it possible that she legitimately was waiting for her father to return from an offworld trip or some other journey? He imagined that if she was a part of a noble house, that her father could be a man of some importance. And her mention of finances seemed to reinforce that. Gir had found that the delineation between power and money was often artificial.

Gir's interest about their destination piqued as they neared the tea shop. Part of it was likely his love of tea, and part of it was the possibility of finding Cassio. Yet he could not help but think that there was possibly another influence that was slowly entering into this journey. The blonde man briefly hesitated as they neared the threshold of the place, even as the fragrant scents of teas drifted into their presence. He looked into [member="Arabella Darkhold"]'s eyes.

"I don't mean to pry...but your father...how long has he been away?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

[member="Gir Quee"]

Bella paused settling her cobalt blue eyes on Gir, she looked down not embarrassed but sad that she was going to have to say these words to someone, well to anyone really. "Long enough that the Advisors of HouseTogashi tell me that I should concentrate on ensuring the endurance of our home" In other words long enough that he was believed lost. She half smiled, she didn't want to say she was alone. That would probably be unwise.

She didn't know if he or her brother Garith were truly gone, but it was definitely too long since they had communicated with her, or gave any indication that they were able to come home. They could be captured, they could be anything any number of things, they didn't have to be dead.

Her shoulders slumped slightly as she thought about this, she wasn't proud or even confident as she thought these things.

"I could use a good cup of tea, how about you?" She knew he was looking for the engineer, but maybe they could talk too.

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir froze for a brief moment as she spoke. Endurance of our home...While Gir wasn't aware of the exact Atrisian cultural connotations of what she just said, he could fathom what that implication was not good. Am I tone deaf? That was a stupid thing to bring to the surface...He briefly wondered if he had just killed whatever feeling there was before. But it seemed that [member="Arabella Darkhold"] may have felt similarly as she brought up the idea of having tea.

"Yes, I think I could have a cup now as well," said the blonde man, fumbling for words, "on me, of course."

One of his wryly curled upwards. Covering up the awkwardness with small talk...that's almost classic... As they moved towards a table, Gir looked around them, taking not only the tea shop's decor and atmosphere, but it's patrons as well. As he followed behind her, he recalled an image of Titus Cassio to compare them to. Many of the other customers seemed to be native Atrisians to him, which immediately ruled them out to him. He knew that Cassio had originally been from Commenor, with a strong jawbone, stocky build, light blue eyes, and graying brown hair. He wasn't exactly the type of person who would look out of place on many core worlds. Yet at a casual glance, he could see that offworlders, while present in the tea shop, weren't a majority. In fact, as they neared their table, Gir thought he saw someone who looked rather like Titus, except the man now had a short beard and wore a pair of old-fashioned spectacles. The man turned his face away from him, and Gir turned his attention back to Arabella.

"Do you have a favorite tea or drink here?"

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

"On you, of course, and thank you ahead of time" She walked through the doors headed to an open table, she smiled up at the waiter. Most tea houses employed women however since this one was so near the military barracks it was males waiting tables and pouring tea. The owner tried to give everyone that wished to speak of wars, and death a place that would not look away, or help that was squeemish.

"I'll have manellan jasper tea, its is a tea that is not too strong, but is strong enough to be tea and not water" She nodded, "And you, what variety will you have?" Being a teahouse they carried many varieties, some designed specifically for the off world pallet and others just for atrisians.

She could almost sense that he was sorry he had asked about her father, "I'm use to being asked about my father it is not as uncomfortable as it once was. But it at times can be difficult. Do you have family?" Not that she wanted to turn the tables, she was just curious.

[member="Gir Quee"]