Private At Bertram's Hotel | Invite

[Natasi Fortan]

NIGHT ZERO - The Afternoon of Natasi Fortan's resurrection
​

It had been a whirlwind. The resurrection. The speech. The ovation.

It had been wonderful and terrible. It had been electrifying.

It had been exhausting.

She sat in the back of a First Order staff car with her cousin, watching out the window as it pulled away from Memorial Field. Natasi smiled and lifted a hand to wave at the crowd as they strained against the security forces that had deployed to clear a path from the dais to the drive. When they were gone from sight, even from the camera drones, Natasi finally slumped into the seat. "It's good to be home." She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. "I need to rest," she said, without opening her eyes. "Resurrection can be so draining." She shifted a little, squirming in her seat before she opened her eyes and sat up.

"I'd like to be alone tonight," she declared, sitting up straight again. "Has the Avalonia Grand been rebuilt?"

​

Like most of the people in Avalonia, Charles Bertram was glued to the holovision, watching the coverage of the shocking events that were transpiring in Avalonia. He wasn't alone; a handful of others joined the general manager of the reconstituted Avalonia Grand — staff and guests alike — gathered around the holovision. As Natasi walked up the marble lobby towards the check-in desk, she caught snippets of the coverage. A grave voice of a CBC Broadcast anchor was saying: "...the stunning events at Memorial Field have stunned those who were present and would be unbelievable if we weren't able to see it with our own eyes and cameras. We turn now to our specialist, Dr. Stanford Undell, for his analysis. Dr. Undell?"

A new voice took the anchor's place: "First, you must understand that this is very preliminary and of course we'll be doing further analysis in the coming days, but we ran a comparative analysis between the woman we saw today and the public appearances of the late Grand Moff Fortan."

"And?" the anchor asked.

"There is no difference," said Undel. "The pitch, the syntax, the body language. Even the slight tilt of her head — as we understand it, the result of attempting to hide a scar from her childhood that she had surgically removed fifteen years ago upon her ascension to Grand Moff — all of it is identical. I do not mean 'very similar.' I mean identical." Natasi reached up and touched her face; she hadn't been aware of her habit, but now that she thought about it it rang true.

"What conclusions can you draw from that?"

"No conclusions," said Undel. "Not enough data. But these things — a vocabulary and a cadence and a muscle memory — take years to learn. If I had to guess, we are dealing with a genuine article, or a talented fake, extremely talented, that has spent almost as many years studying Natasi Fortan as she was in power. Without a DNA test, we cannot be sure, of course, but I will continue to update the models based on our ongoing observations."

"Thank you, Dr. Undel. We'll look forward to having you back. We are unsure as of now what, exactly, the Moff Council is doing now, though we saw Moff Westaway leave Memorial Field shortly after the speech -- that is, what we now must likely accept to be Natasi Fortan's speech -- in her staff car, heading towards Governance Row. We expect to hear something from the Moff Council over the next few hours. Elsewhere in Governance Row, members of Parliament have convened, though none have yet been willing to speak on the record. We'll keep you updated on that."

By now, Natasi had been standing at the check-in desk for a few minutes, her white dress covered by a borrowed coat, her chestnut hair free-flowing. She cleared her throat and then, when that didn't work, she reached forward to touch the pin of the old-timey desk bell. Mr. Charles Bertram turned and, with a chagrined look, came back over to the desk, spectacles hanging from a chain around his neck. "Apologies, madam," he said. "Have you seen the news? It's wild."

"I'll say," Natasi said drily. The man didn't look up from his computer system, squinting at the screen. "I'd like a suite, please. The Royal Suite, if it's available."

Bertram's eyebrows shot up. "The Royal? Oh... let me see." He tapped the computer controls. "How long will madam be staying with us?"

"Indefinitely."

He looked up, finally, at her face. He hesitated a moment. "Has madam stayed with us before?"

"Many times," Natasi said truthfully. "Though this would have been at the old Grand."

He squinted, then his eyes widened. "Could it be...?" He fumbled for his glasses and pulled them onto his face, which soon drained of all color. "Your Excellency?"

Natasi tried to smile, but the fear in his eyes struck a chord within her, and she frowned instead, truly hurt by the reaction. "I'm not an Excellency anymore," Natasi said sadly. "I'm just Natasi, now. Lady Natasi, if you prefer." Bertram glanced towards the holovision, then back to Natasi, his jaw slack. "I'm afraid it really is me, Mr... Bertram, is it?" she scanned his nametag. "I've had rather a demanding journey and, unfortunately, could not phone ahead to make accommodation arrangements. I would like very much to rest. Is there any vacancy?"

Bertram looked up at her through his spectacles. The color had returned to his face. "We'd be honored, Lady Natasi. There is just the matter of security..." He fell silent when Natasi placed a black credit chit down on the desk. He took it, swiped it, and then returned it, his eyes widening as he saw on the screen that the card would easily cover her stay at the Avalonia Grand for multiple years, if she so chose. "Thank you. Ah, is there any luggage?"

"Not at present," said Natasi. "But I will need to get some effects. I assume if I were to have visitors — dressmakers, cobblers, jewelers, Moffs, what have you — they would be directed to my suite with haste and discretion."

"Of course, of course. You can count upon the Avalonia Grand for the utmost in privacy and discretion." He slid a receipt across the desk to her, which she signed with a flourish and pushed back. "The elevators are just there -- it's 'R' for the Royal Suite on the top floor, and if you should need anything from the front desk, dial zero on the comlink. To reach your personal butler for anything at all, dial nine. Anything you need can be charged to your suite reserves, including outside vendors. If there's anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable, you need only ask. Your keys, madam." Natasi smiled and accepted the small envelope from the man. "Enjoy your stay, Lady Natasi. And, if I may be so bold... welcome back."

Natasi smiled timidly. "Thank you, Mr. Bertram. Good afternoon." Bertram watched her go into the elevators before turning back to the holovision. No one had looked up. No one had seen her. No one would believe him. But he believed, and that was enough. The comlink chimed, and he started before reaching to answer it with a graceful: "The Avalonia Grand Hotel front desk, Charles Bertram speaking, how may I direct your call?"

Life went on at Bertram's hotel.

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

"I can take care of this." Nathael Branneth remarked as he stood in front of the Avalonia Grand. "You haven't even slept."​

​

"I'm fine," Ariel retorted, hotly as she chugged another energy drink. "Honestly, it's fine, Nate, but thank you." She took a moment to breathe and patted herself down. "Cigarette?"​

​

"You don't smoke..." Nate's voice trailed off. "Are you sure you can handle this right now?" He was concerned that his cousin had overextended herself. The emergency parliamentary session had gone on all night before being dismissed, with a resolution and one that Renata nearly killed Ariel over. The half-Galidraani woman's eyes were bloodshot at best, from all the caf she had consumed. Her body shook, it had been years since she had done anything of the sort. ​

​

It was morning outside the Avalonia Grand, speeders went by and news stalls shouted their wares. The miraculous resurrection of the Grand Moff was definitely a hot topic. Ariel looked like she'd been through a few rounds with a washer machine at the very least. She seemed to wobble as she stood, Nate held her up a moment. "You don't look well, you can barely stand, this is insane. I can go in there and talk to her."​

​

"No, I- I started this Nate. I have to see this through, but I appreciate your kind offer. Go, go, and make sure everything is ready and prepared."​

​

"For the record, I am calling aunt Theodosia, something's not right here."​

​

"You go and call auntie Thea, and I'll see to our cousin."​

​

It was the hardest thing to not shout that she had been responsible for bringing Natasi Fortan back from the dead. Worse that they kept it from the rest of the family, the extended family as her mother had reminded her. As it stood the Fortan line should have died with Natasi, but now, now she was back and it was Ariel's doing. Ariel watched as Nate hailed a cab and she stood as well as she could to watch him leave. She turned to face the Grand's facade on the rather bright but cool Avalonian morning. ​

​

She wore her Moff's uniform, although it stuck to her in a rather sickly way. Her overcoat hung off her shoulders and her face was as white as ever, pale - ghastly from the lack of energy. Or perhaps it was something else entirely and Ariel hadn't a clue. Slowly, and quietly she ascended up the small duracrete steps. Through the luxurious doors and across a rather opulent floor - as opulent as the new Avalonian Grand was at least. Ariel inquired of her cousin and was directed on where to go.​

​

It wasn't until she stood in the lift with her back to the wall that her body felt as sore as ever. Ariel stopped the lift before she needed to get off as to find the powder room. She couldn't look like death, no, she thought to herself taking the time to make herself at least look decent. Once Ariel felt she was presentable did she head back for the lift and resume her ascent up to the Royal Suite.​

​

As the doors opened Ariel marched like an Imperial on a mission, head straight, shoulders square. She knocked on the door to Natasi's suite with purpose. ​

​

Natasi Fortan ​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

A butler greeted Ariel Yvarro at the door and bid her to wait in the foyer. He then walked through the massive suite to the master bedroom, where 'madam' was standing behind a screen with a pair of dressmakers. He knocked on the door and entered when she called 'Come!'. "Your Ladyship, there is an Ariel Yvarro here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment," he said, clearly affronted at the girl's unannounced arrival.

"Excellent," said Natasi. "Send her through. And we'll take tea on the terrace, please."

"Very good, madam."As the butler returned to Ariel, Natasi turned her attention to the dressmakers. The junior woman was fussing around on her knees, pinning a hemline in place just below Natasi's knees, while the senior was holding up a datapad, taking scanned measurements of the Galidraani woman. They were no Claire Organa but they would have to do in a pinch until Natasi could get a true dressmaker in. Having resurrected herself from the Netherworld the night before — as far as anyone knew — it would have been awfully suspicious for her to appear with a wardrobe full of clothes.

When Ariel was shown through, Natasi said, "Just a moment." The dressmaker hemming the measurement finished a few moments later and then carefully removed the pattern from Natasi. She pulled on the silk dressing gown that came with the suite and a pair of comfortable slippers, emerging from behind the screen with a warm smile. "Good morning Ariel. Why don't you ladies go down to the restaurant for lunch? Just give them my suite number, it's my treat. I'll send word when I'm ready for you."

The dressmakers agreed and tidied up their workspace and departed. Natasi turned her attention back to Ariel, a wry smile on her lips. "Come," she said airily, and circling an arm through Ariel's, led the woman out onto the terrace, where a the morning sun made the environment pleasantly warm. The butler wheeled in a tray consisting of a teapot, teacups and saucers, and tiered trays of snacks. "Thank you," Natasi said. "Please see that we are not disturbed unless there is some emergency."

"Very good, madam. Ma'am," he said, bowing to Natasi and Ariel in turn before leaving the two women alone on the terrace.

Natasi went to the cart and poured some tea into one of the cups, handing it over to Ariel carefully by the saucer before turning to pour her own. "Well," Natasi said without more preamble. "What's the news? CBC hasn't had a word. I'm pleased to know information security is a priority. Help yourself, by the way," she concluded, gesturing vaguely to the tea cart, before selecting one of the cucumber sandwiches for herself. She took a bite. "Mm. Just as good as I remember."

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

When the butler of all people greeted Ariel at the door, she suddenly wished that it had been Nate and not her. Nate would have given the man not just a gracious smile, but a small glib remark. Irritated was definitely an underscore to what Ariel felt with the Butler and perhaps even Natasi to some extent. Ariel knew just to make the best of it as she took off her coat and draped it over her arm as properly as she could recall. The young woman was shown through and told where to wait for her cousin. She missed being younger and finding ways around people like the butler. ​

​

Once the dressmakers had gone, and when Natasi circled an arm around her only then could Ariel feel like breathing again. It hadn't been an easy night and for once she had to make use of that rather expensive degree of hers. Thankfully Parliament's resolution made it that much easier, but it was clear that it would be necessary, sooner rather than later to have more Moffs on the council. The morning sun felt like a horrific burn on Ariel's face and skin but she said nothing of it and tossed it to the fact that she had been in session all night. ​

​

Still, the sunlight here felt good even if foreign. Some manner of color managed to return to her face but she still felt cold to the touch. The butler had been told to not disturb them and for that Ariel was grateful. Natasi asked for the results of the session while simultaneously offering food to Ariel. Ariel meanwhile seemed content to just curl up and nap, sitting down had felt so good to her. She took a moment to just close her eyes and let the sun radiate down on her body.​

​

Her cousin hadn't been one for waiting.​

​

Ariel rose to her feet and set the coat from her arm to the back of the chair. Her hands on the back of the chair she steadied herself and stood up straight as she could and looked Natasi dead in the eyes. "Parliament drew up the resolution, after long hours of ... debate, the resolution managed to pass with enough votes to rally a special resolution which went before me, Moff Terrix and Westaway."​

​

"Then there was the more... debate, not that it was necessary at all." Her words weren't quite all put together, Ariel squeezed her eyes shut and pinched the bridge of her nose and opened her eyes again. She cleared her throat and proceeded with what she needed to say, "by a vote of Parliament and approval of the Moff Council, you are being invited to assume the title of Supreme Leader of the First Order, with all the ... the attendant powers and privileges."​

​

Once more wobbly on her feet, Ariel grateful for the chair came around it and took a seat, and once more relished in the feeling of being able to sit. Her feet hurt, her back hurt - and if she hadn't been in the trenches of Prosperia in the Reclamation Campaign against the Ssi-Ruuvi two years ago. Ariel would have surely vocalized her discomfort. Instead, she held her chin high and looked over at her cousin, and smirked, she smirked and smiled in a way she hadn't allowed herself to in the past week or so. "We did it, cousin. We did it, here you are, to be Supreme Leader of the First Order."​

​

"And the First Order..."​

​

Ariel wanted to get up again but her body almost refused it.​

​

"The First Order is back."​

​

The younger woman's voice spoke of her tiredness, but to her enthusiasm and delight as well. An affirmation there in the tone, this had been what she had sought to do. "I promised you, I promised you on that night after the funeral that I would bring it back and... I have, I have brought it back and with a lot of help here you are, you're back. It will be as it should have been all along."​

​

Natasi Fortan ​

 

[Nima Vantoon]

"This is a...delicate situation."

I stared out the unmarked speeder as it darted through traffic. Absently, I smoothed over the non-existent creases in my power suit as I considered this mission.
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I had been enjoying a rare of R&R in the modest, but comfortable FOSB housing. For the past year, I had been staying here on Dosuun, when I wasn't working with OIS or on loan to OSS or FOSC. My actual home on Vardos, Château Vantoon, was in such a state of disrepair that renovation was an a understatement. How I had to wrangling the property from my ne'er-do-well cousins is another story entirely.

I opted to watch the Remembrance Week precedings from the comfort of a holo. It was a lovely service, honoring those who gave their all during the Fall of Dosuun, culminating with the Mother of the Nation, Natasi Fortan. Hearing her cousin, the Moff Ariel Yvarro, speak so glowingly of Fortan made me a touch emotional myself.

Then, all hell broke loose. A storm appeared out of nowhere, a huge lightning striking the at foot of Fortan's statue. Then out of the light came Natasi Fortan herself, apparently back to life and no worse for wear.

My com-link chirped immediately. Dispensing with the pleasantries, my CO, Walker, demanded my presence post-haste. My dinner plans ruined, I returned to FOSB HQ. From the outside it looked bland and non-assuming but within? A madhouse. People running to and fro, screaming. Walker met me at the door, shoving a manilla folder in my as he sped-walk to his office.

"It's a karking hell", Walker said in lieu of hello. "I'm assuming your referring to the return of her Excellency?", I asked obsequiously. He looked at me with pure venom, and I responded with an wide grin. "The assumed return of Natasi Fortan, which is our largest intelligence failure since the official reconstitution of the First Order, is what I am referring to, yes."

We entered his office. A dozen staff officers were arguing, or looking over security were looking at security-cam footage of the event from multiple angles. He waved them out of the room, shutting the door behind them. "Everybody's excited. Everybody's hopeful. Nobody's asking questions. The right questions. The Mother of The Nation, miraculously appearing out of nowhere? It's something out of a storybook." He sighed, pouring a glass of Corellian brandy. Taking a gulp, he coughed before continuing.

"We have tracked Fortan and Moff Yvarro to the Avalonia Grand. I cannot stress this enough: You will be acting in the official capacity of the First Order Security Bureau, representing the Office of Internal Services. This is a sanctioned operation, from the Director. You will not be operating under a cover. You will directly interview Fortan and Yvarro. Your will ascertain, to the best of your ability, if this woman is in fact Natasi Josephine Fortan. You will use your...gifts to ascertain if Fortan is of sound body and mind. Additionally, we will be coordinating with FIMS to gather a sample of Fortan's DNA. If you arrive with or before their representative, you will observe the DNA collection process to ensure compliance and that the sample is not corrupted in any fashion. Finally, you will determine if Moff Yvarro is behind today's machinations with your gifts; if it is indeed the case, then determine who her accomplices are."

"We will send you with a team to observe the Avalonia Grand, but you are to go in unarmed. Happy hunting, Vantoon."
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"Ma'am? We've arrived."

I looked up from my reverie- we had, indeed, arrived at the Avalonia Grand.

"Excellent. Make sure nobody goes in or out without my knowledge."

Getting out of the speeder, I walked into the Grand, making my way to the check-in desk. An elderly man, glued to the holo- no doubt watching the umpteenth recap of the resurrection. I politely cleared my throat, startling him. "Wel-welcome to the Avalonia Grand. How can I...I can I help you, madam?", he said, clearly caught off guard by the fact that I'm blind but recovering marvelously.

I smiled politely. "Good evening Mr...Bertram, is it?" I flashed my credentials. "I need to speak to Lady Fortan." Bertram paled, then opened his mouth. I held up a hand. "I understand the need for discretion- but I'm afraid that this is a matter of state. Rest assured, we have no desire to bring attention to this visit. You can assist us in this matter, or you can choose to be...less then accommodating. Either way, I will get there."

Moments later, I was stepping out of the elevator, on my way to the Royal Suite. I knocked on the door smartly, then waited to be admitted.

Natasi Fortan | Ariel Yvarro | Fevris Derzelas

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"You give me too much credit," Natasi told Ariel as she settled onto one of the padded patio chairs. "I just came when I was called. You did this. All of this." She nodded out to the skyline of Avalonia, stretching in every direction from the terrace, a bustling metropolis that had been naught but ashes and debris a relatively short time before. "Avalonia differs greatly from what I remember. It is not what I built. Nor is it what I would have done in your position." She favored her cousin with a warm look. "But vive la différence, I say. You've done beautifully. You've done remarkably well, Ariel, and it was you who made it all possible. Most of it I'll thank you for — rebuilding, taking care of my people, rehabilitating our good name. Putting my face on the currency... well, they can't all be winners."

"Now," Natasi went on. "As for this debate, I'd like to hear more. Who was for me and who was against? Do they care to verify my bona fides before handing me the crown? Speaking of, I don't see one with you — I suppose it is figurative for the time being." She smirked at the dry Galidraani humor of it all, and was about to say more when the butler appeared again, looking apologetic. "Madam?"

Silently, the Galidraani woman gritted her teeth. "Yes," she said, as pleasantly as she could manage. "What is it?"

"Mr. Bertram rang up to warn that a — a government officer of some kind is on her way up. Flashed a badge and all, but threatened Mr. Bertram on the way." Natasi glanced over at Ariel, a delicate eyebrow arching inquisitively. "I believe she's on the way, Madam. What shall I do?"

"Secure the elevator lobby," said Natasi. "Until we've verified her credentials and that she has no weapons, we can't let her into the suite."

"Very good, madam." The butler went to make the arrangements such that, when the elevator arrived, he was there to meet Nima Vantoon in the small but well-appointed foyer. "Good morning," he said with a slight bow, waiting for her to cross into the foyer so the weapons scanner in the doorframe could confirm she was unarmed. He held out a silver salver. "Your credentials, please."

"Have you any idea what this is all about?" Natasi asked Ariel airily as they waited for the butler to return with the intruder's identification. In theory, Moff Yvarro should be able to authenticate it, Natasi thought as she looked down, but then started when she realized she was wearing a silk dressing gown and hotel slippers. "Oh dear me, I forgot I haven't got any clothes. Well... I suppose we can always swear whoever it is to secrecy, since they've barged in. We can't have them assassinated." She looked up at Ariel and added uncertainly: "I suppose?"

Ariel Yvarro | Fevris Derzelas​

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

A very tired Ariel matter-of-factly stated, "could always chuck her out the window like I did that one lad with the Hegemony, although - that was from the top of the ol' Carida Insurance Towers." They were now the DuSang Financial Towers, but the point still stood - Ariel wasn't a stranger to chucking people out of windows. "She tripped, and fell, it was a terrible accident we tried to grab her but alas we were so slow." Once more it was evident that this was not the half-Galidraani woman's first time lying about it either. "But, only if it comes to that... and for the record, OIS is meant to be secretive even from the Moff Council."​

​

"No one is above the law, so to speak, but they do most likely want to be sure that you are you," Ariel once more stated matter-of-factly, "if I wasn't sure of their purpose here then I had no business trying to bring any of the old FOSB back at all." She stood to her feet and stretched, "bloody bastards, not a second to rest I suppose." Her curse was on an even tone, "don't suppose there's a chip of caf somewhere in your possessions here?"​

​

"I think this batch is about to be gone and I'd rather not fall flat on my arse in front of OIS, which is the most likely of departments that would be here." It was rather fast and it meant that poor Bertram would've gotten a shakedown from the sounds of it. Ariel was going to have to talk to the Director. "It helps that I run the Home Office, Renata works the Foreign Office and I'll give you the breakdown when the spook leaves."​

​

She paused and patted herself down. "I should've nicked mother's cigarras..."​

​

As she patted herself down her comlink buzzed. "Mhmmm FIMS should be en route, which means that one can wait until the Medical Rep has arrived, which gives you a chance to find something decent, or do I need to have Cousin Nate fetch you something?"​

​

Natasi Fortan | Nima Vantoon | Fevris Derzelas ​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"Not off to a good start, then," Natasi said grimly. She sighed and rubbed her forehead. Clandestine services... not so much. "Damn and blast. I can't go out," she protested. "Not like this and certainly not in public. I was having measurements taken, and -- oh, what difference does it make?" Natasi set her cup down with a jarring thud. "Ask the butler for coffee and cigarras, and I'll ring down to the front desk and see what their shops have on offer by way of clothes."

Foolish, a voice whispered in her mind. Nothing was ever so slapdash before. You're not even Supreme Leader and already making a mess of things. A Fortan family affair, what else would it be? Natasi resisted the urge to kick the tea cart over on her way back into the suite. She went into her bedroom and asked the front desk to find her something -- anything -- in the business wear category in a size four and as quickly as possible. Thus it was only twenty minutes before Natasi entered the living room in a conservative grey dress and black heels. The dress felt stiff and scratchy -- made for an everywoman, but not every woman -- and Natasi tried to suppress her irritation at the whole thing.

Even now, the double standard was glaring. Had Sieger Ren ever been intruded upon like this? Even Natasi, who on paper had open-door access to the state apartments at the Imperial Palace, had always called ahead to make an appointment beforehand. Now Natasi couldn't even be measured for a dress in peace without half of Avalonia battering her door down. She cleared her throat and told the butler to bring Nima Vantoon in and be on the lookout for someone from FIMS.

"I'm sure it won't end there," Natasi told the butler as he brought in Nima. "But we'll enjoy the polite lie that I'm entitled to any kind of peace in quiet. Then again, I've been dead for six years so I suppose I really ought to enjoy the company. Fresh coffee, please, for Moff Yvarro and our guest if she desires." Her attention turned to Nima. "Good morning, I'm Natasi Fortan. What can I do for you, Agent Vantoon?"

 

[Nima Vantoon]

I smiled politely. "Excellency. Moff Yvarro." I bowed to each of the women deeply, before gratefully accepted the coffee; Force knows how long this may take. "As you may have ascertained, I am with here under direct order of the Director, working under the official capacity of the First Order Security Bureau, representing the Office of Internal Services. The contents of this interview will be classified."

"I am here to interview you both regarding the last twenty four hours. The Bureau has been...for lack of a better word, taken aback by your return to the galactic stage, hence my abrupt entrance. My superiors feel that my...lack of participation in recent galactic affairs may allow for a degree of impartiality that others in my position simply would not. "

I paused, listening into my com-link, before looking directly at Fortan. "Allow me to be frank. My counterpart in FIMS will be determining if you are, in fact, Her Excellency- I will only ensure that the sample is collected per protocol. I am here to ascertain if the effects of your resurrection may have had...unforeseen side effects, using my talents." I used the Force to levitate a cup of coffee around my head to demonstrate my talents, before returning it to my hand. "We live in a wondrous galaxy, but the vast majority of dead individuals tend to stay dead."

My gaze slid over to Moff Yvarro. "We would also like, in your own words, to describe the events that led to the resurrection of Her Excellency. The Bureau considers anybody with the power to defy death to be a person of interest."

I set the cup aside and clasped my hands together. "So, shall we begin?"

Natasi Fortan | Ariel Yvarro | Fevris Derzelas

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

Ariel was able to obtain what she needed from the butler, the cigarette was more than welcomed. "For the record, you'll be retrained." Ariel began as she looked over at the agent. "Any person here could see that you're a spook, damn near shook down the poor sod at the desk." She took a drag and let the chemicals burn, the high that was given in return settled the Moff. "You saw for yourself, it was a cold morning, a storm." Another drag this one slower as she savored the flavors of the cigarette itself. They were the cheap sort, but they would do. "The winds grew colder, the clouds darker." ​

​

If Nima was attempting to get something out of Ariel she wouldn't. Ariel was an unnaturally skilled liar, her facial features perfected to go with her mood. It was part of her own upbringing the way she watched politicians talk out the sides of their mouths. The cigarette calmed whatever the caffeine had added to her body. Her Moff's coat still draped around the chair, and the cigarette between her fingers, ashes were flicked into a nearby ashtray. Additionally, Ariel had been brought up in part by a Sith Lord. It was in part what made her a cold-blooded killer - as it stood none of the Dosuun Hegemony members were alive - and there was a reason for it.​

​

"Lightning struck the ground," she relaxed in her posture, Ariel tilted her head to the left searching her memory, "and out she came from the light." It would be hard to forget such an event. The cigarette's ember hue burned as air dwindled it down ever so slightly. "I don't believe in miracles, but I do believe in the Force, and having lived in a house of Sith. I can tell you that whoever and whatever brought my cousin back..." Ariel shook her head. "I wonder just what they want."​

​

"But I understand that the clandestine office I built has the right to investigate, hell, what do you think I'm doing here?"​

She took a sip of coffee and was grateful that the butler threw in the cream and sugar. "To be honest, I wasn't quite sure of it myself but then - here she is." Ariel looked over at Natasi in the manner she had when she was younger, with complete adoration. "Here she is."​

​

The game was afoot, but it so happened that being head of the Home Office had its benefits.​

​

Nima Vantoon | Natasi Fortan | Fevris Derzelas​

 

[Kassandra Distorith]

She paced with a slow, deliberate grace back and forth across the small chamber off of the main room of the suite. Attending to her natural need of sustenance had been the priority after the ceremony. Powerful as she was, displays of power tempered by discretion were always more inherently difficult than simply letting loose. It was a day that demanded thought, insisted upon tact, and would have settled for nothing less than spectacular.

It had been glorious.

But instead of accompanying Natasi to her comfort and rest for some few hours and then seeing to her own needs, this...this child demanded all of their attention with a ploy that would have earned her a slow death were they anywhere other than the First Order.

As discreet as her presence was supposed to be kept, the Lordess was distinctly angry and the temptation to have the so-called Agent for a snack was strong. Her preparation to discreetly teleport out of the hotel was instead redirected, and Kassandra stepped out of a portal torn open directly in front of Miss Vantoon. It was nearly silent, save for the rumble of thunder that accompanied the portal snapping closed behind her.

Though her aura was masked and tightly controlled as ever, her gaze glowed a brilliant cerulean blue as she stepped back and availed herself of a seat. Long legs were crossed at the knee, sharp stilettos catching the light along their metal embellishments, while the satin of her custom tailored dress slid along her right leg. A touch of her mind against Natasi's gave an apology for her intrusion and her coming words, while she left the concealed channel between them open for a reply or perhaps an admonishment.

“There are several species of sentient beings, a number of cultures, and those of us with unnatural abilities who make death look foolish as a past time. Perhaps you should have begun with a trip to the library instead of barging into the Lady’s suite as if you belonged here. Your superiors lack manners and you...lack a great many things, with tact and decorum leading the way.” Kassandra’s voice emerged with a soft, melodic tone that hung richly in the air between them. Casting her gaze towards Ariel for a moment, her smile warmed before she returned her lambent eyes to Miss Vantoon, studying her intently.

A delicate bone china cup was soon filled with coffee and a touch of cream, before it and its accompanying saucer floating gently to her hands. She sipped and sighed with appreciation, before gingerly setting the cup down on the side table beside her. Her charred hands cracked and a bit of skin crumbled away as she folded them together in her lap, the blood welling up briefly in the cracked charcoal that was once her knuckles before it evaporated into steam.

Natasi Fortan | Ariel Yvarro | Fevris Derzelas | Nima Vantoon​

 

[Nima Vantoon]

I listened patiently, as Moff Yvarro began speaking. With my ears, and with the Force. If I used the former, I'd just hear the threats, the dress-down, and the deflections artfully weaved together. With the latter, I could glean one major truth from the Moff.

Ariel Yvarro was completely and utterly dedicated to the woman in front of me. That fit her profile. Furthermore, it lent credence to the resurrection of Her Excellency.

I opened my mouth to respond when I felt a surge in the Force. I stiffened, as a portal opened up and a woman stepped out in front of me. Lady Kassandra Distorith, a confidant of Her Excellency. Last spotted in Needan, assisting the humanitarian relief effort. Powerful in the Force.

I met her gaze, my milky dead eyes meeting her live ones. I resisted the urge to flare my Force presence, tamped down my fight or flight response. I considered the situation in front of me. Multiple things were true at once. The women in this room were lying to me. They were being thoroughly unhelpful- perhaps to protect Fortan. I'm pretty sure the woman in front of me was attempting to intimidate me.

But it didn't mean that they were enemies of the First Order, or necessarily my enemies. On some level (assuming that this was Her Excellency), they represented something I approved of- women of noble upbringing, bringing justice and equality to the First Order. Finishing work I left undone some 800 years prior.

A vision of fighting a Sith assassin in my burning family home jumped into my head, unbidden, and I decided that was enough of going down memory lane. I looked at Moff Yvarro.

"Quite. Here she is", I echoed. "But that's the interesting part. How is she here? Why is she here?" My gaze snapped over Kassandra Distorith. "I flatter myself for being quite versed in the intricacies of the Force. And your quite right- it can be expressed in a variety of ways, by a number of cultures. Resurrection- to rip a soul back from the Netherworld- is virtually unheard of. In fact, from our Archives- from what we can piece back pre-Gulag- we can determine one confirmed case of resurrection in the First Order. With a number of debilitating side effects on the resurrected."

"That is the concern. What are the consequences of this? Particularly on the resurrected? Does it harm the physical vessel? The mind? Do they come back as something more, or something less? That is what I am here to determine, in regards to Her Excellency."

My gaze landed on Natasi Fortan. "I can certainly understand the discomfort that my unannounced, uninvited presence may bring. But please understand: this is an unprecedented event. Hence, why I am here. And while my modus operandi may be...unconventional, as Moff Yvarro so succinctly stated in so many words, I am not here on some cloak-and-dagger, clandestine mission. My role calls for me to find the truth."

I swept the room with milky, unfocused eyes. "I have served the First Order, all of my life. If this is the role I must play for the First Order, then this is the role I shall play."


Natasi Fortan | Ariel Yvarro | Fevris Derzelas

 

[Fevris Derzelas]

It had been a restless night. But then again, she was used to restless nights.

As soon as the ceremony in the Remembrance Fields had come to its miraculous and nothing short of shocking close, the after effects had been quick to settle and spread throughout the whole city of Avalonia first, and the whole reach of the First Order not too long after. In the spanse of a brief few hours, she had seen people fall to their knees to thank the Force for the return of the Mother of the Nation, tears of joy running down their face like rivers. She had seen others question, a deep form of aguish-driven scorn while they claimed this must have been some kind of sick joke. In one way or the other, every single Imperial was had been unified by this single event.

And now it was time to shed light on it, that either joy or outrage may win the battle and claim the people but, as it always should be, that order and clarity were returned.

It had been barely twenty minutes after her presumed Excellency Natasi Fortan had left the Remembrance Fields when her commlink had burst into life as her superiors at the First Imperial Medical Services reached out to her to inform her of plans and protocols that had been jumpstarted, requested by the First Order's Security Bureau. She had expected as much, and that meant that Fevris, ever the meticulous planner, had spent most of the hours of the night gathering her trusted colleagues and preparing for the next morning.

Everything, from her hour of arrival to her uniform, had been prepared. A neat, white outfit comprised of a pencil skirt, a well-fitted blouse and a coat, the insignia of the First Imperial Medical Services masterfully embroidered on the left corner over her chest. Even if this woman was not who everyone was expecting her to be, Fevris knew to expect to be in the presence of high ranking officials and that demanded a certain care with appearances.

She had purposefully chosen to arrive slightly later, for in this way the news of this unexpected and most probably, unwelcome inquiry and investigation on the once Grand Moff herself would be better processed by the woman in question before it was time for her to gather her samples. Another added benefit of having had her counterpart of the Office of Internal Services, Nima Vantoon , arrive earlier was that one Mr. Bertram was already prepared to receive her, and so after the needed courtesies and a thorough security check, she was on her way upwards to the Royal Suite.

After being announced by the butler and allowed entry, the deep blue gaze of the Doctor glided smoothly through those present in the room. It seemed as though the women of the First Order would be the protagonists of this morning, and with the tension easily felt in the air each of them gave off a strong and determined presence, as would be expected of them. "Your Excellency, Moff Yvarro, Lady Kassandra and Agen Vantoon," She nodded her head in formal recognition of them, "Good morning."

She carried a silvery grey suitcase, within it layed the tools she would need and cooling boxes to store the samples. Her expression remained neutral and polite, hiding away her thoughts or feelings. Unlike some of the women present, Fevris was not gifted with the Force. Much on the contrary, her presence in it was nothing if not almost non-existent. Her fields of expertise and understanding were the sciences, something a lot more tangible and less esoteric than the mysterious Force. But that did not mean she was unaware of the very large extents of it. Today, she was tasked with ascertaining if it this extent was a real one or a masterful fake.

"I am Doctor Fevris Derzelas of the First Imperial Medical Services," She had personally met Moff Yvarro in another occasion, but she still went on with the needed introduction for she did not expect the rest of them to recognize her. Then her gaze set on Natasi herself, "I trust you have already been informed of my purpose here today, your Excellency."

Natasi Fortan | Ariel Yvarro | Kassandra Distorith​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi suspected that there was some kind of good-cop/bad-cop game being played here. Ariel, bless her, was not quite as good at bad-copping as Kassandra, but she had all the makings of it. Her dark eyes locked with Kassandra's and her lips turned up at the edges, and she tilted her head forward in a silent gesture of gratitude. Things were threatening to spiral out of control here, here in her charming suite at the posh Avalonia Grand Hotel.

She frowned and sat on the edge of a chair across from Nima. "Your dedication to the First Order is commendable," she said gently. "And, of course, I'll help in any way I can, but please — " She was interrupted when the butler announced a Dr. Derzelas from the First Imperial Medical Services. She pinched the bridge of her nose briefly and beckoned the new arrival to enter. "Come in, by all means. And please, call me Natasi. I stopped being an 'Excellency' when I stopped being Grand Moff of the First Order some years ago."

"Yes," Natasi confirmed to the doctor. "I'm well aware. Please proceed." She took off her blazer to bare her arm so the doctor could take a blood sample. "One or two things I'd like to settle before we continue, Agent. First, there will be no reprisal, professional or otherwise, for you undertaking this assignment." She glanced at Ariel, her gaze solemn before returning it unflinchingly to Nima's unsighted orbs. "Second, the next time we do this I would so appreciate doing it somewhere else — anywhere else, in fact — from where I'm staying. You're an impressive government with an impressive capital city; there's not an empty conference room somewhere in this city?"

She went on: "Now, I'll tell you what I remember. Bear in mind — at least for me — time in the Netherworld is nebulous and irregular. I know now how long I was dead, but until yesterday I did not understand. My experiences could have taken years or minutes. I really have no way of knowing. But — essentially — I discovered my soul was in some kind of afterlife, something my faith of the Cosmic Balance does not recognize. It took time to adjust to that concept. And I became aware of a great need. People close to my heart needed help. I believe that was Ariel's need that I first felt, and through hers, the needs of the millions of people who call this part of the galaxy their home."

That much was true, anyway. She had become aware of the need, and it had been the deciding factor in her return. Her eyes, wide and sincere, shone with unshed tears as she recalled the sensation. "I wanted to rest. I had lived a good life and died in a way that I hoped was meaningful and helpful. As far as I was concerned my business in this plane of existence was finished, and even if it wasn't, I had never been gifted with the Force, so I had no way to change that fate. But something changed; I can't really describe it, other than that I felt a connection to everything around me, and felt the need so much more. I have since learned that it was a connection to the Force manifesting itself in me, but I digress. I began to think... to think and to hope that I might help again. And it grew within me, I could feel the veil between the worlds thinning, until I could almost touch it."

She looked down into her hands. "The emotional pull became too much, and I must confess I had a strong emotional response — grief and joy and regret and a strong desire to be with my people, and suddenly I was here, in this world, in front of so many people... it was terrifying and exhilarating, I don't mind telling you. I had no plan; I didn't even know it was possible for me. I never considered myself anything but an ordinary woman." Natasi wrung her hands together, recalling those anxious few seconds after she first appeared over Memorial Field.

She looked around, first to Ariel and then to Kassandra, her smile warm and reassuring. "What else do you need from me, Agent?"

Nima Vantoon | Fevris Derzelas | Ariel Yvarro | Kassandra Distorith​

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

Before Ariel could respond to the agent properly, Lady Kassandra quite literally appeared out of nowhere. A show of her own powers perhaps, and began to address the agent. Ariel meanwhile decided to simply enjoy her cigarette and ponder on Nima's questions. The representative from FIMS arrived and began the procedure to acquire the DNA samples from Natasi, and Natasi then gave Ariel a meaningful look. Reprisals. Ariel was definitely going to give the director an earful. Clandestine operations were meant to be just that only now every bloody person in this room knew who Vantoon was. ​

​

The high given from the chemical burn of the nicotine as it flooded her system calmed what the caffeine stirred up in her nerves. She grabbed a second stick just to be ready, it didn't seem like the morning was going to go any faster. Natasi continued to speak with the agent and give her, her full account of the situation. Ariel let the cigarette burn precariously in its ashtray while she nursed the cup of caf in small sips. Only when she felt the caffeine rush through her system did she set the cup down beside the ashtray and grab the cigarette.​

​

"Unprecedented you say Agent Vantoon, perhaps then you are unaware of the Netherworld Crisis of 844 ABY?" She inquired plainly, "when the Netherworld Gates had been thrown open on every other world it seemed, and snatched away any and all in its wake. It felt as if half the people in the Galaxy disappeared and scarcely a quarter were thrown back out when the crisis had been solved." Ariel let the smoke waft into the air the stale taste of the cheap cigarette on her tongue as she spoke. "Or even more recently the resurrection of the now-retired Air Marshal Ishana Pavanos, her own wife, the Matriarch of the Sith Valkyries marched straight in with her band of warriors to pull her wife's very soul out from the Netherworld's grip."​

​

She paused to let it all sit, and marinate, while she took a drag of her cigarette.​

​

Ariel closed her eyes and savored the lush burn as it carried through to her lungs. She opened her eyes and focused her gaze squarely on the agent, "maybe then you are unfamiliar with the alarming rate in which Force Users seem to break down death's door, or just the lengths in which they will go to bring back their non-Force Sensitive partners and loved ones."​

​

"Now I grant you that the simple resurrection of my cousin is no small feat, but take into account the rather thin veil across the galaxy. How then perhaps, the pull of a people and not just one world mind you. Natasi was practically deified in her death, you heard her words." She tilted her head and placed the cigarette between her lips once more before casually removing the stick and flicking off the ashes perfectly into the ashtray. Ariel more than understood the agent's position. "Still, I commend you for carrying out your task, although one perhaps no one would want in this situation so I understand your need to be thorough."​

​

"Tact and decorum are not necessities in the work of the Bureau, Lady Kassandra isn't it?" Ariel looked over toward the woman as if it was the first time she had seen her. "I apologize for the state in which we meet Doctor Derzelas. Although, Chief Medical Officer Benitez offers high praise over your work recently. Mephout yes? Terrible situation and I am quite glad that we have good doctors such as yourself on our side."​

​

Ariel dusted the ashes off the cigarette once more before going for one final drag. "I do want to give my apologies to you Agent. It has been quite a long and lengthy day for me as you can imagine. Parliament called in an emergency session, which lasted all night and well into the early morning hours, before a resolution was passed to the Moff Council." She plunged the cigarette into the ashtray and placed her hand over the cup's handle. She gave a look over to Agent Vantoon, and then Doctor Derzelas, and then to Lady Kassandra. Taking the cup she raised it to her lips and looked over at her cousin with a knowing look of her own before she once more gave her complete attention to the OIS Agent.​

​

"So my manners are not what they should be, my cousin raised me better." She gave an inclination of her head in Natasi's direction before finishing off the caf in the cup, and then she set it down on the small table beside her. Ariel then placed the second cigarette between her lips and fished out her lighter. "Do you have any further questions, agent?" The woman inquired as she inhaled the first drag of a fresh stick.​

​

Nima Vantoon | Fevris Derzelas | Natasi Fortan | Kassandra Distorith ​

​

​

 

[Nima Vantoon]

"Unprecedented you say Agent Vantoon, perhaps then you are unaware of the Netherworld Crisis of 844 ABY?"

I was still processing Lady Natasi's statement, when Moff Yvarro opened with that inquiry. Belatedly, I realize that there was some type of event some twenty years ago when Hell literally broke loose. Even a year after I've been unthawed, I've struggled with getting a grasp on the history of galaxy. When I went into the ice, the First Order was still plotting our return to the galactic stage. A group of warlords- often referred to as the Imperial Remnant- had refused to surrender to the terms of Galactic Concordance, and were fighting the New Republic to in a grinding war of attrition. The vaunted Jedi Order had returned, led by one man. The Sith were gone, a boogeyman meant to make literal girls and boys behave.

And then 800 some odd years later, the status quo had been flipped on it's head. What's worse, because of the Gulag virus nobody seemed to remember how things were. How they should be. I was the only one who remembered- remembered how much I lost, how much the galaxy lost. It was a deeply, deeply isolating feeling.

"...My roles in the Bureau keep me isolated from galactic events, often for decades at a time", I said evasively, putting the mask on my face as emotions played across my face for a milli-second- which, for seasoned politicians, is like telling my whole life story. I schooled my face back into a polite smile. "Lady Fortan, Moff Yvarro, first, allow me to thank you for being so forthright and accommodating. "

"I can only imagine that resurrection is...quite the ordeal. But, to answer your questions, your testimonies have left me reasonably satisfied that the woman standing before me is the Natasi Josephine Fortan, of sound mind and spirit." I bowed, and took my leave, before hesitating at the door before turning to Fortan.

"Milady, a unsolicited word of advice. The power of the Force can be...terrifying. But it only brings out in us what is already there. It can make a monster, more monstrous. But imagine, with training, what it can do for somebody who is just, who is wise, and who is compassionate."

With that, I bowed once more and left the room. As I stepped in the speeder, I sighed, telling the chauffeur to take me back to HQ.

Maybe if the debrief wasn't too long, I can salvage my dinner...



Natasi Fortan | Ariel Yvarro | Fevris Derzelas |
Kassandra Distorith

 

[Fevris Derzelas]

​

The Doctor's cerulean gaze fell on Moff Yvarro, offering an understanding nod of her head. "No apology is needed, Moff Yvarro. We have all been caught unaware, at least we should rejoice in the fact it was with good news." It was the truth, tensions were incredibly high and that was understandable. But, in the Doctor's opinion, the shock-inspired disarray had been too much. Natasi Fortan had returned, it was a time to celebrate and this inquires could have indeed been conducted less invasively, with the same end results. Whether this woman was the one Grand Moff or not, the First Order would find out and there was no point in losing their level-heads over something that could potentially be the single greatest thing that had happened to the empire since the Fall of Dosuun.

She offered a thank you then, Mephout had indeed been a terrible situation, one that they had been able to overcome thanks to the efficiency of both their armed forced and the tremendous effort that the research teams had put in. Fevris was still thinking back to it on occasion, so many things could have gone terribly wrong. But they hadn't.

After, she returned to her usual, observant silence. After being given permission by Natasi to proceed, Fevris made quick work of settling the briefcase she carried on a nearby surface and getting ready to take her samples. After getting her gloves on, she dabbed the inner surface of Natasi's elbow with a cotton swab to sterilize the skin. With a hand that was so steady and skilled one would believe it belonged to a droid rather than a human, the needle went in felt only like a slight pressure, provoking no pain or too noticeable discomfort.

As she took the samples, she remained attentive to the words of the Mother of the Nation. Fevris could not pretend to know more about the Force than what science allowed, which was very little. But the cause for her attention, rather than her curiosity on the story, was to search for any signs or discrepancies that revealed any cause of worry about the woman's mental state or, at least, physical signs of dishonesty. She could find none.

When she was done with the samples, she carefully removed the needle and held another cotton swab against the puncture for a few moments, before replacing it with a band aid that blended perfectly against Natasi's skin to the point that no one that didn't know it was there would be able to take notice of it. The small vacutainer tubes that contained the samples were safely stored in the box designed to preserve them and then the Doctor stepped away to allow the woman her personal space once again.

Agent Vantoon then informed them that she was satisfied with her inquiry and left the room. Fevris then turned to the three remaining women. "The samples will be analyzed and the results sent to all pertinent authorities within the next hour." It was not necessary to say that this would be the absolute priority of her team, hence the short wait that all would be subjected to. The main concern, and the more delicate difficulty, would be confirming this samples did not belong to a clone. Fevris had no doubts that the FIMS was capable of veryfying this, and on top of that, she herself was convinced for now that this was the real Natasi.

"If I may say so, Lady Natasi, it is an honor and a privilege to have you back." It was in the brightness within her blue eyes that the more profound meaning of her return could be seen. No words could properly encompass what this meant for the First Order, but Fevris knew no more words were needed. They were all ready to welcome and follow her again, their actions would speak for them.

Natasi Fortan | Ariel Yvarro | Kassandra Distorith | Nima Vantoon​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

O B J E C T I V E

Tag: Nima Vantoon | Kassandra Distorith | Ariel Yvarro | Fevris Derzelas

Natasi framed the agent with her dark gaze for a few moments as she rendered her verdict. Natasi felt relieved, somehow, but not surprised. She was Natasi Fortan. Not a copy, not an imposter, not an actress. The genuine article. She listened respectfully to the woman's assessment and then to the advice that she offered. Agent Vantoon had apparently picked up on her newfound Force sensitivity. Natasi favored the woman with a genuine smile. "Thank you, Agent Vintoon. It will take some time for me to come to terms with this new life, and particularly this..." She hesitated. Her Equilibrate upbringing wanted to say affliction, but that didn't feel quite right. She sighed softly. "...overwhelming new sensation. But it is a comfort to know there are those among the people in the First Order who have experience with this."

She inclined her head. "Good day, Agent Vantoon. I hope to work with you again."

When the Agent had left the room, Natasi felt the temperature decrease a degree or two. She looked over to Ariel and then to Lady Kassandra. "Thank you both — for everything." She had to admit that this day hadn't been going as she had planned or hoped, but the fierce displays of the two women gave Natasi a warm, grateful feeling. Natasi felt she could speak more freely once they were alone, but for the time being she had other pressing concerns: Dr. Derzelas and her unhappy task.

"You're rather good with that needle," said Natasi with an indulgent smile as the Derzelas went about her business drawing blood samples. "I didn't feel a thing which is unusual for me. I've always had a phobia of needles, since I was a girl, but that was — well, not pleasant, but not unpleasant. Thank you." She watched as Dr. Derzelas completed her work, trying to get a feel for the woman before her. Quiet. Competent. Intelligent, obviously, given that she was a doctor. Natasi made a mental note to ask Ariel about her.

"May I ask, Doctor?" Natasi said, leaning forward. She leaned forward, folding one arm across her midsection so she could massage the puncture through the bandage. "What do you have to compare my sample against? I underwent the standard genetic testing during my pregnancy with my son George, but I assumed that the records were lost during the fall." Dark eyebrows furrowing, she leaned forward a little more. "Can we confirm that these records — not just mine, but any — are secure? I'd hate to think that anyone could have gotten access to the medical records of our citizens. Ariel — that is, Moff Yvarro — can you take a note to investigate that that?"

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

"Good day, Agent Vantoon." Ariel watched a moment longer as the agent faded from view. She processed the moment with the sweet relief of the tabac. Her attention fell to her cousin, and switched over to the doctor and then back to Natasi as she drew once more on the cigarette. Between the caf and the tabac she was sure whatever ailed her sleep deprived mind had been soothed. "Quite so, Doctor, quite so - the return of my cousin is most certainly what some might call - a miracle," Ariel remarked between puffs of smoke she watched as it dissipated into the air.​

​

She took her seat, back against the chair with the weight of the Moff's coat between Ariel and the chair. Ariel rolled her neck, her body ached, sore from the standing, the walking and the overall haul of the recent events. Between the chair and the comfort, she felt in being able to relax Ariel nearly lost herself a moment to the monster called sleep. The smell of the cigarette in her hands and the call of her name kept her from going that far. She brought the cigarette back to her lips and rose up from the chair once more. "I can assure you, Lady Natasi that FIMS' ability to keep records is not just part of their job, but of the utmost importance to them. Doctor-patient confidentality, but yes I will certainly inquire with Dr. Benitez and investigate."​

​

Ariel looked over at Dr. Derzelas and then at Lady Kassandra, ever-so briefly. The younger Galidraani woman took a drag of her cigarette and watched the embers burn a moment. She took to her cup of caf and finished it off and realized if she had anymore caf, she just might be sick of it altogether. Ariel plunged the cigarette into a nearby ash tray, she crossed the room to the small bathroom and washed her hands before she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. An idea began to form at the back of her mind but it would have to wait, Ariel didn't find this to be the time or place to ask the question. Instead, she looked over at the bed and crossed back toward the chair where she had been seated before.​

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Fevris Derzelas | Natasi Fortan | Kassandra Distorith ​

 

[Fevris Derzelas]

​

Fevris offered a nod to the former Grand Moff as she finished storing the samples appropriately. "I'm glad to hear that, Lady Natasi." Fevris was not prideful, but she was a perfectionist. Not causing greater discomfort that what was needed to her patients, needle or no needle, was something she saw as an obligation and not a talent. Once everything was in order, the briefcase was closed once more and she adjusted her coat, before reaching for the handle so that the silvery case would rest idly by her side once more.

The Doctor waited patiently and attentively as the woman asked her questions. The process was indeed a lot more easy to describe than to conduct, so Fevris would gladly offer the required explanation. "Indeed, although some of the records were lost in the fall many were saved - particularly those of great relevance such as your own." Prioritizing people was something every single person who worked on the field of medicine abhorred, but sometimes it was unavoidable. "And like Moff Yvarro has said, rest assured that they are all safely guarded and only available to the pertinent eyes."

There was a brief pause, until the Doctor decided to expand a bit on the work to be done. Natasi's question had been answered, but Fevris believed a bit more information would help ease her mind and perhaps smooth over some of the tension that this sudden intrusion had birthed. "A basic contrast against the information found on your records will be the starting point, then we will analyze the present samples to ensure the authorities that they are not the result of cloning." This last was the most delicate step, finding the almost imperceptible breakages and deviations that told natural from synthetic apart.

Her job here was done, and she had no intention of troubling the women any longer with her presence. "If that is all, I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your morning. As mentioned before, you will be notified as soon as the analysis is complete and results available. I hope you have a good day." Offering a respectful nod to the three, the Doctor would then turn and leave, headed immediately to FIMS headquarters.

Natasi Fortan | Ariel Yvarro | Kassandra Distorith​