Private Collecting Stars

[Sawa Ike]

Jacen Nimdok Elise Ike Nine Lives

Atrisia was changing largely for the better... there wasn't a lot that happened here but they had progressed much further in this new Jishi era then others would expect... Sawa herself able to easily gain more influence in regions as the emperor and empress while cracking down on crimes and criminal activity gave more power and resoueces to regional leaders. The fortresses were considered often their own regions overlooking villages or cities... in this case she had three under her protection and had been given the resources to construct new walls to protect them... airships for patrolling and there was now only one private starport for the villages making the commute longer for some but it also allowed them to have better commerce and supplies throughout. There was better defensive cannons and they had improved the farming areas with richer soil and livestock.

Sawa herself had also improved with many of her soldiers taking up command posts and expanding their ranks.. the Onni were yovshin but considered ronin... dishonorable yovshin who were kicked out but they were much more then that and the darksider and she was largely in this to be selfish for herself sneered looking from her throne down upon the ones who had been brought before her. The shamed one was nearby as always in the shadows behind the screens that divided the males and the females.. she was wrapped in silk kimonos and looked every bit as beautiful. Sawa sat there though as the throne room of her fortress was spacious... white marble walls that led up to a vaulted ceiling... robust with aurodium inlaid corners... gemstones and crystalused to create sparkling displays you could see from different angles.

The center of the room and going to the back was dedicated to her throne with marble steps that led up but then fanned out going into an interior pong where silvery fish swam.. imported from the waters of lake Natth which swam around the radiated the darkside of the force.. they ate small dead skin if someone put their feet in the waters. Then it went up to the black marble throne with noback and a curve to it allowing her to sit there ramrod straight backed... cushions with a deep crimson t frame and contour to her in place. She looked out and down upon the few ones who were there.. her court of lords and ladies who oversaw the different areas of her domain. She had invited Elise here... news of her "new friend" had come and it was high time one meets the family as Aoi had been invited to come and see her daughter.. whether she would show up was questionable.

She had also invited Ni-Ne to come as off to her side K1 with his new body was prepared for anything.. the small muderbot able to defend her in case anyone tried something but few tried such things in her domain as it were... less would seek to anger her while the sounds of the ladies as some listened to poems, other tales of bravery. She made sure traditional things were done and it did help to better control her area while crops were being traded among the people but so was higher end technology they developed here using the newer advanced storage modules and mini manufacturing plants that could be set up to fabricate supplies for villages, towns and even make small hovels with one room productive.

 

[Elise Ike]

It had been a while since her last visit home and though she had been welcomed back amongst the family she still felt somewhat wary. Be it still a lingering doubt that Sawa had fully forgiven her, of the fact she was going to be in the presence of a force user that put quite a few Darths to shame. Regardless of the slight pang of feelings she knew nothing would happen, Elise had seen her grandmother mad on occasion, if something was going to happen everyone would know.

Letting out a small sigh she looked around her body in a mirror, her dress fluttering a bit before coming to a rest. "I know it may be silly to ask but you think wearing reds a bit to ironic, you know, being a vampire and all"? She stated to Jacen Nimdok who she hoped was still at her side. Last thing she needed was one of the other vampires trying to eat him. "I'm not usually one for parties and this is one of the few dresses I have". True this wasn't per say a party, but she wanted to look her best, even more so with her new, more or less husband in toe.

Getting past Kurenai was easy, the rest of the family not as much.

Jacen Nimdok Sawa Ike

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

A pale and fidgeting Nimdok sat on the edge of his chair, unable to relax. He was filled with the same sort of anxiety he had felt right before meeting Kurenai, only this time it was far more intense. He was going to be presented to Elise’s grandmother, Sawa Ike. In Elise’s memories Sawa had been a larger than life figure, a ruthless tyrant who ruled with an iron fist. She was very old, a highly skilled warrior, and had quite a temper.

Elise stood before him, looking in the mirror and twirling her skirt. She seemed equally nervous about what was to come, which certainly didn’t make him feel any better. But he trusted her. She wouldn’t have agreed to this meeting if she thought it was too dangerous for them.

“Red is a beautiful color on you,” he replied. “Ironic or not, you should wear it more often.” He turned to Miri. “What do you think?”

“She looks pretty,” Miri answered shyly. She was seated beside him, clad in the same dark purple lace dress she had worn as a flower girl at Inanna Harth ’s wedding. “You look handsome.”

“Really?” Forced to dress a bit more formally for the occasion, Nimdok wore a brown suit with a dark orangey-red tie; the outfit wasn’t exactly fashionable, but it did make him look almost dashing. “I want to believe you, but you have a history of flagrant flattery, little lady.”

“Do I look pretty?” she asked.

“Baiting me, now? Were you just telling me what I wanted to hear so that I would compliment you in return? Well, you definitely look like a lovely little vampiress in this dress,” Nimdok remarked, playfully plucking at the fabric of her skirt.

She swatted his hand away, giggling. The sound of her laughter released some of the tension that had been building in him. He sighed and turned to Elise. “I suppose we should get going. Shall we?”

Elise Ike | Sawa Ike | Nine Lives​

 

[Sawa Ike]

Jacen Nimdok Elise Ike Nine Lives

Sawa continued to stand there as she looked out upon the fortress. Elise and her husband would be arriving soon enough but there was no rush. SHe had sent a message to Ni-Ne but it was uncertain what might come of it as she walked down from the throne and changed her outfit. Going into a chamber as she changed into a vine silk kimono that hung loosely but was somehow modest. She walked more on slippers that allowed them to walk around. She was looking at the entryway of the fortress that came off of the hanger bays for the shuttles and ships they had. THe chariot that was designed and crerated for her by Maple there as well as the small armory that hhad been created for her as K2 moved by her side to be there and let them greet the people arriving.

 

[Elise Ike]

Elise made a small smirk, turning to face her lover and daughter in law as the two commented on her dress. "You both think so? Perhaps I will then, maybe when we go on a proper date I can use this again". Herself giving her hair one last brush through before moving back to Nimdok as he played around with Miri, placing her hands on her hips with am amused expression.

"Well you two are quite full of energy today, let us head off then". Elise moving to wrap her arm around Nimdoks and lead him out of the room, the trio making their way out of the ship into the hanger bay, the door making a short hiss as the ramp lowered, revealing the inside of the Ike fortress. It was an imposing but at the same time magnificent look, seeing it bringing back a feeling of nostalgia. "So many things are different, yet so much is the same".

Jacen Nimdok Sawa Ike

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

“A proper date—we haven’t had one of those yet, have we?” Nimdok hooked his arm through Elise’s. “We’ll have to amend that some day.”

Miri took his other hand in hers as the trio exited the ship. The fortress of the Ike family was an ancient, grand and imposing structure. Nimdok’s gaze wandered the place, taking in the sights in unabashed awe. How old was it, he wondered—a few centuries, a few millennia?

And what of its occupants? He had considered Elise to be long-lived when she showed him her memories, but now he would be dealing with her ancestors, who were even older. If by the end of this meeting Sawa Ike disapproved of him as a grandson-in-law, perhaps he could still speak to her as a historian and learn about what she had seen and experienced. Assuming her disapproval didn't mean she banished him from her sight forever.

“What exactly is different about this place?” he asked Elise, curious. "Is it a new paint job, or something more complicated than that?"

Elise Ike Sawa Ike​

 

[Sawa Ike]

Jacen Nimdok Elise Ike Nine Lives

"There is always something new here." The voice came from one of the silver armored men. Tall and broad shouldered with a braided beard that was beaded showing kyber crystals and a top knot. Chujo the captain of the Onna was next to K2 that had been rebuilt after their excursion. He moved forward and stood looking down at Elise as the human was mostly Atrisian Umanishu of the horselords. Kept alive long after his time by Sawa's power like several of her captains. "Lady Elise." Her cross his arms for a moment and looked down then at the others. "It is good to see you again." He smiled finally though and the droid spun around with beeps of approval.

He waited and led the way through the halls as servants moved in silk robes. THe onna standing watch in alcoves and spoke. "The master has been.... different. Whatever you helped her with seems to have pleased her enough." THat got a chuckle. "Even your mother seemed pleased when she returned to Myobi." He kept leading the way in sections of the fortress as it opened to an interior garden and the rooms at its center were the chambers for important guests. "Your old room is here still and chambers have been set up for your guests." He said it and looked back for a moment as The Shamed One passed and averted her gaze opening the doors for them.

He led the way past the servant and opened one of the chamber doors as it led into the room and the center of it was a circular bed on a platform with water steaming around it. Mist nets that shimmered and around the waters edge marble statues of lounging men and women with smooth lines that were sculpted and well made. SMall vaulted bridges leading to other rooms. "There is food if you need it Lady Elise, some of the finest from the village and noble families in the region." He said it and motioned to the room that was similar across the hall. "The master has prepared a feast for when you are ready. in the grand hall with the nobles from around the region."

 

[Elise Ike]

"No we haven't, unless you count work as such", for most probably not very romantic but it was how the two of them met, but perhaps something more normal was in plan. As the trio walked off the ram a small smile coming across Elise's face as Nimdok queried into the age and manner of the place, though before she could reply the group was greeted by a somewhat familiar figure.

"It is a 'pleasure' to be back, I assume you will be leading us"? Her question answered through actions instead of words as the trio made their way through the halls listening to the man as he went on about recent events. "Yes, I did help grandmother out with, getting back an old friend of sorts". A very touching reunion if she had to say... lots and lots of touching, with weapons, and dead people, though she wasn't going to say that in front of Miri.

"I am to sleep separate from the others? I do not suppose I can talk with Grandmother and arrange something else"? While true it was proper to have her a lady of the house sleep in her own personal room she kind of wanted to keep a close eye on Miri and Nimdok while here. Though she doubted anyone would be foolish enough to try something with her defacto husband Elise wasn't going to take any chances just yet.

"I suppose we should get our luggage sorted out and attend the feast, wouldn't want to keep the Garnd mother waiting".

Jacen Nimdok Sawa Ike

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

Before Elise could answer, a bearded man who appeared to be the captain of the palace guard appeared and answered for her. There is always something new here. “Never a dull moment, then? Good,” Nimdok remarked. He introduced himself and Miri to the stern captain, who finally cracked a smile after the little girl waved up at him.

As he led them through, Nimdok noticed the timid young woman who opened the door for them, always keeping her eyes downcast. She had to be a servant, yet she was swathed in enough finery to pass for a noblewoman. Did all of Sawa’s servants dress this way, or was she a special case? He felt a twinge of pity for her, though he didn’t know exactly why...

Upon reaching the guest quarters, Elise protested their being given separate rooms. Nimdok said nothing, his gaze flicking between her and the captain as he awaited the latter’s response. Elise’s desire to protect him was rather sweet and endearing—though it was also worrying that she thought there was enough danger here that she had to always keep him close. He doubted it was considered improper or against protocol for them to share a bed, even if they were not officially married; this might very well be an attempt at deliberately separating them so the vampires of the court could prey upon the new guests. Another wilder thought came into his mind—that Sawa intended to test him during the night by sending someone in to attack him. This was, after all, a warrior family. They might not want a non-warrior added to their ranks.

“If the servants can carry the luggage in here for us, we should go at once,” Nimdok agreed. He was making an effort to appear calm and collected for his daughter’s sake, despite his growing apprehension. It bothered him more than he cared to admit that the captain had so casually gestured to another one of the rooms, referring to the occupants as “food”...

Elise Ike Sawa Ike​

 

[Sawa Ike]

Elise Ike Jacen Nimdok

"You can always ask." He said it and was leaving to make sure the servants had their things coming in. He walked out though and continued towards the grand hall. THe was massive and designed for them all to have a seat at the large table. Sawa sitting there while she waited. Elise and Nimdok could take their time but K2 had stayed behind with the little murder droid starring down the pair. He seemed to be waiting for a moment and then spun around and led the way passing some of the other soldiers as the massive hall was filled with tables covered in food. The sounds of music could lightly be heard... the different colored kimonos and others in robes.

"They are here." Chujo said it as Sawa looked out on everyone there... lavish was important as these were the ones who oversaw her region on the planet. From houses to areas of farming and production.. the mining in the mountains and fisheries... it brought to all of them plenty as the table swere laden with veggies, fruits including some of the sweetest even though the skin of it was putrid and disgusting. but the inside was sweet and indulgent. Sawa looked out as there were massive skewers of meat being sliced in front of the people, different types of fish and fowls... the thousands of different birds from the horselords all had different tastes.

The potatos were in several types from sweet, to sliced and friend, mashed, the skins covered in cheeses and bbacon... thin or thickly cut. Breads that were for anything or garlic covered... Sawa used one of the rolls they had to absorb some of the meat juice for a moment before she ate it and the others were around her now. She could see the tables as the servants were there quickly as one spoke. "They brought a child?" She said it and held a hand up. "I see, have the nyotaimori brought to my room later." She observed it and waited for a moment but let them rush off bbefore standing when the doors opened to admit Elise and Nimdok with the child.

"Ah welcome my granddaughter." Her voice carried, her eyes silvery looking at them but the others in the hall stopped talking and turned to look as silence fell. They were glad to enjoy the party but few spoke over Shōjō who commanded them. There was a moment in the pause before she was turning her attention for a moment and to the three seats and she walked around the table looking at them. "Granddaughter and...." Her voice came off as she turned ehr eyes to Nimdok with a smile on her face. "New Husband." She said it but finished walking as she crouched down to look at the girl. "ANd don't you lokk beautiful... almost good enough." She waited for a moment. "To eat."

 

[Elise Ike]

"Well since we are about to have a feast together I see no better time", beast to ask sooner then later in case her grandmothers mood soured during the stay for some inexplicable reason. Nimdok also agreeing as the servants took care of the modest amount of luggage brought with the family.

Upon the door being opened Elise gazing up to meet Sawa, though not before scanning the buffet of food before her. Grandmother had not spared any expense in throwing this greeting, it was almost as if a small festival was taking placing within the room. The smell of varying foods washing over her like a literal wave as the Matriarch greeted their arrival, Elise giving her grandmother a coy but pleasant smile as she strode into the room.

She had to clear her throat as Sawa's blatant words upon her greeting "Greeting grandmother, and yes, I suppose you could say that". The two hadn't officially tied the knot just yet, but at this point they may as well refer to each other by those titles. Though what came as an even bigger surprise was her grandmother reaction to Miri, mainly at the last part. "Please don't be such a tease, you will scare the girl".

Sawa Ike Jacen Nimdok

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

Nimdok followed Elise into the dining room, still holding Miri’s hand. The spectacle of the feast and finely clothed diners admittedly impressed him. He understood Elise’s uncertainty about what she should wear now—he certainly felt underdressed for the occasion.

Then there was Sawa herself. She rose from her seat at the head of the table and strode toward them. Her movements were refined, as was to be expected of a noble lady; she seemed more aware of how her robes sat on her figure, and she moved in such a way as to make the loose-fitting silk ripple in sinuous ways. But she also reminded him of a cat, lithe and predatory, stalking the hall toward them and sizing them up as if they were her prey. There was a ghost of a resemblance between her and Elise, but Sawa was far more removed from humanity than her granddaughter. Hers was a great and terrible beauty, as though she were carved from ice or some cold, pale stone.

She referred to Nimdok simply as “new husband”. Before he could properly introduce himself, however, she bent at the knees and crouched down before Miri. Nimdok’s pulse beat faster, but he made no move to shield his daughter. Not yet. For one, the girl was shy around strangers and hid behind him as soon as Sawa looked down at her, peering out with wide eyes as the matriarch teased her.

It came as a relief when Elise said something, for Nimdok was afraid that if he opened his mouth he would utter a few choice words that Sawa would make him regret. Consider all of this a test, he advised himself again, lowering his eyelids to hide the darkness in them. A test of your endurance. It was no more than the typical attitude of in-laws. Except in this case, his in-laws were ancient vampires that could very well kill him.

“Greetings, Great Lady,” he said, addressing Sawa with a slight bow and a thin but polite smile. “I am Professor Errik Nimdok. This is my daughter Miri.” At a slight nudge from her father, Miri pinched the folds of her dress and dipped into a curtsy. “You honor us with your invitation.”

He’d noticed that Elise got a little breathy at Sawa calling him her husband. A mischievous smirk crossed his lips. It seemed the idea made her vampire heart race. Well, all the more reason to fix those sleeping arrangements.

Elise Ike Sawa Ike​

 

[Sawa Ike]

Jacen Nimdok Elise Ike Nine Lives

She looked at the two of them and waited for a moment so each of them could speak as her smile came. Thin and closed mouthed but it slowly crept up her face until it showed a fan. "So polite." She looked at Elise and Nimdok before speaking as she crouched down. "Do not be scared little one this is a good day." She said it and turned around walking back as she motioned with a hand to the seats set out for them. "Sit and eat." She said it going around the table as drinks were being poured for everyone. She sat down and had a drink as the sounds of the people resumed. There were some who came forward and offered gifts, others were reporting on mundane things like harvests and what they had managed to mine in the hills.

Sawa sat back and enjoyed festivities. She looked over what they had but spoke. "You came on a good day granddaughter. We are celebrating the firstborn of the regent of Ashthorne." She said it and smile as the woman was stepping forward. With her hair flowing down her back while two sides looped and were atop. The small child in her arms who was looking around and gold kimonos. her handmaidens were just as ornately dressed as she was in golden outfits with sigils of crimson and black. "Lady Shōjō thank you for this." She bowed and Sawa held out a hand over the table that had a depression in the front so she still was taller and higher then the others.

"Ah welcome finally, it is good to see you in such good health Yuki." She waited a moment as the child was brought around and to her to hold. "Such a precious one." She smile touching a finger to the childs nose and top lip. "Yourr mother has always served me well little one." THe tension was visible in the woman as she stood there and looked around at the guards but Sawa spoke letting her eyes drift up. "Oh Yuki, the gods wrote the fabric of your life long ago and you will live not one instant longer but today is one of celebration. Your child will be one of my six and your family status improved." She waited there for a moment and held a finger over the babies mouth as she sliced along the tip.

"You will serve me well little Miyo." Sawa finished sharing energy with the little girl and waited for a moment as her eyes went from silver to golden sulfer and back again. She stood and held up the child in her arms. "From today the village of Ashthorne will have its territory expanded into the hills bordering the fortress. Any within that region will be expected to show proper tribute to your new Lady." She had a servant take the child and offered a small seat at the table near her. "A lady within my court has a place of standing at the table." She grinned though and waited for a moment as she was joined. "Continue, drink to your hearts content and enjoy the entertainment."

 

[Elise Ike]

She had to admit that Miri was extremely cute in the way she hid behind Nimdok and greeted her grandmother. And, to be fair she would have probably said a similar thing if she had met Sukai or Tana when they were younger. Elise recomposing herself and clearing her throat as they were invited to sit down, herself turning to Miri. "You want to sit between the both of us at the table"? She offered with a small smile as she went to lead them deeper into the room.

Though it seemed their arrival was during a arguably much more important time, herself being a little surprised by the new Sawa brought towards her. "So it is, I must say that is quite pleasant to hear, my congratulations go out towards them, I hope that todays festivities can be a memorable event". The trio finally moving to the seat as Sawa made her speech, Elise herself rather interested in the current political ongings around here. As an anthropologist seeing how the community and people her changes and grew was always interesting.

Comes a few centuries she'd probably be out their looking at the ruins of and possible tomb of the small child being shown around by her grandmother. "Ah, change, it never gets old".

Jacen Nimdok Sawa Ike

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

Miri climbed up into the chair between her father and stepmother. Unable to reach the bowls and plates of food, Nimdok started to serve her, only to be superseded by one of the palace servants. He watched with a small smile as Miri wordlessly shook her head or nodded to indicate what she wanted. Even the servant seemed amused by her shyness.

It was indeed a good day, part of another celebration. Nimdok observed the proceedings with interest. He had never witnessed a royal court in action up close before. The courtiers seemed in good spirits, talking amongst themselves as they ate. He took in the costumes in greater detail. Gold, crimson, and black. Were these the house colors of the regent of Ashthorne?

His gaze was drawn toward the woman who now presented her infant to the Great Lady. The woman, Lady Yuki, was clearly frightened as she handed her child over to Sawa. Her hands, now empty, fretted before her, and her eyes darted as though she expected to be attacked or thrown into prison.

“Oh Yuki, the gods wrote the fabric of your life long ago and you will live not one instant longer but today is one of celebration. Your child will be one of my six and your family status improved.”

Nimdok’s blood chilled at her words, growing colder as he watched Sawa slice open her fingertip and place it over the child’s mouth. The scene certainly looked malevolent, however he had learned that appearances could be deceiving. Leaning towards Elise, he asked her, “What did she do to the child? And what about the mother—will she be...?” he trailed off, clearly asking if Yuki would be executed, or eaten.

Depending on Elise’s answers, the professor might be tempted to do something rash. Already a plan to save the young mother’s life was forming in his mind.

Elise Ike Sawa Ike​

 

[Sawa Ike]

Elise Ike Jacen Nimdok Nine Lives

Sawa listened to the two of them and waited for a moment as she sat there and spoke with a look on her face. Turning her head for a moment to look at Nimdok less knowingly and more like she wanted to see his reaction. Then she turned back to look at the Lady Yuki with a grin on her face that was more predatory as the woman sat down and was drinking. "Oh she will be fine, a lady of the court who is trained to use the force. Elise can point you to her mothers betrayer." She turned her head and looked at her. "I can smell her scent on you, she passed you in the halls my dear. The child will live as long as she has serving me as one of my most elite of guards."

She said it and just looked at Elise for a moment. "She can explain it to you if you want. The ultimate torment one can give another." The grin was there but she had moved on holding a cup as food was being brought for more. Servants were presenting the different foods as there were the cakes. stuffed with different pastes from edible flowers to veggies and soy beans to meats. The multicolored looks as well as the smells coming from all over. She sat back though as dancers came to entertain and they were able to preform with acrobatic flips and tumbling instead of just gyrations. The servants clearing the space in front of her

 

[Nine Lives]

Wearing: Progenitor's Robes (Hooded Armorweave Kimono)

Armed with: Consular's Blood

Gifting Sawa Ike with: Oni's Tooth

With: Westenra Mina (Lynda Configuration, See Bio)

Laertia Io

"Mother, Laertia is out of control!" The Westenra Copy that most often used its Gladiator form under the alias of Lynda protested to her Mother, Nine Lives in the Matriarch's throne room aboard The Castle Morpheus .

Nine, clad in her hooded green Armorweave Kimono with white roseprint embroidery say on her carved throne in a vast and nearly empty chamber with a Marble floor.

Lynda, flesh made to resemble her wearing a gold catsuit had been trying to get back here for months to talk to her. House Li-Ves was the secret manufacturer of The Nuetralizer War Bots. Laertia had been the Primary designer, but Nine had helped her work out the Anti-Rebellion architecture of their mental structure.

Lynda had been deeply disturbed encountering an Advanced Model 1 for the first time. Laertia's programming rendered it reliably non hostile and friendly, but Lynda's X-Ray scan confirmed it: The nanites were a lesser fascimile of her own organic cells. Laertia had used sample of Westenra to create them, likely donated by the copies operating as her sisters.

"Her Jedi Killing is unfortunate. Its not what I wanted either." Nine replied, hood drawn over her head, the only thing of her face visible were two glowing pinpoints of purple light where the eyes were.

"But?"

"But..." Nine continued. "The Alliance and the NIO haven't exactly been shy about wanting to bring the CIS to task either. We're run by Darth Metus , and any Darth in any position of power is too much for the NIO. We'll probably be fighting them actively someday if they defeat The Sith Empire. And Jedi in the Alliance have already expressed a willingness to help. I used to be a part of the Order, so I don't like seeing them die. But the Jedi Order is a part of my life that has been over for a very long time. Remember Daughter: Your loyalties ultimately lie with The CIS and House Li-Ves."

"Do you know how many enemies Laertia has made fighting the GA and the NIO? Those enemies are technically 'our' enemies!"

"Then we are being proactive in slaying them."

"Laertia killed Jedi and soldiers I made friends with. I was the one who brought her into House Li-Ves after Mythos invaded Atrisia. I thought she would be a boon. I thought she needed people looking out for her. I welcomed her as a sister! She took her entire reputation and burnt it." Lynda protested. "She's become unstable."

"You find my methods unsound?" asked a quiet, feminine voice behind Lynda. She turned to face Laertia, and was taken aback at how different she looked.

Her once snow white skin and scarred features had vanished, replace by a lightly toned skin and immaculate beauty free at last of scars, but still clad in her spiky black biker leathers. She looked sad. But that mutated looking Bronze and Green organic eye of hers creeped Lynda out.

"I haven't found any method at all, Sister." Lynda said quietly(Now: 90 XP).

"I am sorry for who I have killed if they were close to you."

"Sorry?! You're sorry?!" Lynda sputtered. "The Laertia Io I knew would never have raised her blade to people opposing The Sith. And she would never have killed their friends. Like you have with mine."

"They are wasting resources fighting each other. The Bryn'adul grow stronger the longer they refuse to unite. I didn't want to kill your friends. I don't even know who they were."

"That's the problem!" Lynda said angrily. "I trusted you! I brought you into my family! And you have dragged us all into war!"

"Daughter..." Nine began.

"No!" Lynda cried out, wheeling around on Nine. "Laertia may be the last of your blood but she does not have this House's best interest at heart! She has become violently unstable!"

"I only see the problem clearly. We will all fall to the Bryn'adul unless we work together--" Laertia protested.

"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!" Lynda shouted. "This war has completely wrecked you, morally and mentally! You'd say anything to justify what you've done at this point. Sister...please...please give up this war! Withdraw from it. Even if you don't turn yourself in, you could still withdraw!"

"They will never unite then! And I'll be stuck with evacuations! Holding actions against the Bryn'adul. Useless ultimately."

"Can't that be their choice? Don't they have a right to adhere to the principles they believe in? Otherwise what is the point of standing up for freedom, of peace, if you're just going to toss all that aside for naked survival by linking hands with the very monsters who've tried to take it from you?"

"The point is you survive. What good are ideals if you all die upholding them?" Laertia asked, clenching her fists.

"We die honorably." Lynda said passionately. "We die knowing we didn't become those we hate! We die fighting for what's right and just, even if the Universe utterly crushes us."

"A cold comfort to those already slaughtered. And selfish. Honor is useless if the Bryn'adul win...our honors, our history, will be wiped from memory. Utterly. And the Universe will laugh at the Jedi and the Alliance for falling on their sword as they burn in hell for their failure. As we will all deserve to burn if we fail to stop them. The leaders of the GA and NIO will not cease, nor will their soldiers. So I will make it as costly and bloody as possible for them to wage war on the Sith and not the Bryn'adul. I'll make it so bloody they have no choice but to throw in the towel where the Sith are concerned.

"And what if they don't throw in the towel? What if they just refuse to stop the way you do?"

"Then they are doomed." Laertia replied simply. "But I have confidence. The population of the Alliance at least will soon grow weary of fighting, even if their soldiers do not."

"Do you understand people, Laertia?"

"I understand as much about people as I have to." Laertia replied. "And I know what demoralization is. The Alliance was dealt a pretty devastating defeat at Generis with the NIO. How many more defeats do you think they can take?"

"Are you listening to yourself?!" Lynda hissed.

"I don't take pleasure in what I have done. I am waging a war. It is messy and people die in it." Laertia said. "I have to look at everything through cold, hard fact--"

"And deliberately ignore the suffering you've inflicted..." Lynda said bitterly, heartbroken. "You've changed, Sister. You're not the brave woman I fought alongside at Atrisia. Learning the truth on Kar Shian broke you. Now you're this cold, angry shell with a grudge against the whole Galaxy for not seeing it your way."

"This isn't about me, West."

"Of course it is! Your talk? That's not the talk of someone who wants to save the Galaxy. That is the talk of someone who wants to win at any cost, even if the Victory would destroy them."

"Enough. Both of you." Nine said. "This Alliance with the Sith is not something anyone in this room likes but its the hand we have been dealt. As long as the NIO and GA make war upon the Sith while we are allied we must inevitably assume that they will be prepared to make war upon us should they get their victory."

"Mother , its nothing but cold blooded butchery!" Lynda protested.

"War is not won by being merciful, West. Not even to good people. I am sorry you have lost friends, Daughter, but I feel in particular destabilizing the NIO is the best course of action. If they lose this war, it buys the CIS breathing room. The GA has unfortunately committed themselves to a very stubborn course of action, not considering the whole playing board before striking. Or not caring. Either way, the result is the same. That said...Laertia...I feel that this fight has become, in some ways, too personal for you. You have taken the Alliance and NIO's continued assault as almost a personal insult. That is not a healthy mindset for any leader. If you want your struggle over the NIO and Alliance to be about more than the most fethed up grudge match ever, you're going to have to act like your goals are actually a little more high minded than what you have displayed."

"War is cruelty. I can't change that." Laertia replied icily.

"Do not forget, Laertia, it is 'my' resources you use to battle your foes properly." Nine warned. "You may be the last of my Bloodline, but you risk going down the same route that destroyed the Original House Li-Ves. Without the patronage of this House, you are virtually a lone Berzerker. You must be better than violently killing simply for being opposed."

"Am I to defeat the NIO and GA with harsh language?" Laertia asked bitterly.

"You are to defeat them by being smart, not savage. Savagery didn't save the old Li-Ves family. It will not save you." Nine replied curtly, making clear her word was final on it. She rose from her throne.

"Now...I'm going to go and visit Sawa Ike as I planned. Daughter, I am deeply, truly sorry for your recent losses." Nine said to Lynda. "The fog of war is a horrible thing to try and wade through. Forces collide, and good people don't always make it."

"And good people don't always stay good it seems." Lynda spoke looking directly at Laertia.

"West--" Laertia said, reaching out...

Lynda slapped it away.

"Get away from me! I should have left you where you were when I found you! I renounce bringing you into this family!" Lynda wept. "Your morals? Your code? Its a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. You were only as good as The Galaxy allowed you to be. When the chips were down, you turned on the people who called you ally!"

"I will not follow allies off of a cliff." Laertia replied.

"WELL SOMETIMES THAT'S WHAT LOYALTY MEANS!" Lynda shouted at her again, heartbroken. "Loyalty means remaining true to your oaths even if they become inconvenient! Even if you know what everyone doing around you is wrong in your eyes!" (Ahead of the Curve: 90 XP)

"Even if it lets the Bryn'adul win?" Laertia asked cynically.

"If they win...then maybe it was simply our time." Lynda replied. "Our survival against them will mean nothing if we become them."

"You may be content with the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. I am not. If that is loyalty, it is a poisonous thing that leads to senseless ruin. How many planets have to die before this starts to make sense to you? You been hanging around the Jedi too long, Lynda. You're not one of them, no matter how much you want to be."

"At least I am more of a Jedi than you were."

"Let's see how much you'll be proud of that when you suffer because of their feth-ups and short sightedness. They could both end this silly war tomorrow if they wanted. They only fight it out of some misplaced sense of pride and completely unjustified sense of moral superiority. Speak of morals to the Kubaz and the Barabel, who lost their whole planet, whose cultures were nearly wiped out. Or those massacred at Dubrava. I didn't have the forces to save them. Couldn't even get into their systems. Why? Because I had no back up. If I had back up, I would have done everything in my power to save them. But instead half the time I'm stuck trying to force them to stop killing each other. If that's being a good and honorable person,, if that's Democracy and Heroism, accepting their right to destroy themselves while they put the whole Galaxy at risk, fighting pointless fights while the enemy that wants us all dead grows stronger, than I want none of it." Laertia said passionately.

"ENOUGH! Both of you!" Nine scolded.

Laertia stormed out of the chamber angrily. Lynda waited a moment before starting to leave.

"Daughter--" Nine called out.

Lynda spun around.

"You are enabling her!" Lynda accused, hurt and pain across her whole face. "We are on a precipice! If she drags us over it, it will be your fault, not mine!"

Nine was left alone in the throne room after Lynda stormed out.

Hours later...

Nine made her way to Sawa's fortress in a prim and proper manner, the tall woman's hood lowered, hair done in a proper and traditional arrangement, her beautiful olive skin and seductive face contrasted with her inhuman eyes, pools of black with glowing dots of purple light at the center, twitching bird-like movements, and her shoulders haunching everytime her body sensed prey around her.

The Arch Psy-Pire trotted up the path, carrying a long black box in gift wrapping. She was so distressed after her first ever real argument with her Daughter, whose pain she did not know how to alleviate, and her own Blood Descendant's slide into Extremes.

She needed Sawa. Needed to confide her fears in her.

The Onna recognized her immediately and let her through. She felt Sawa nearby, the Onna directing her past the throne to the dining table they sat at.

"Ohhh...it all smells scrumptious. A pity I'm...unable to eat any..." Nine said as she was announced by the Onna.

"Mistress, Lady Nine Lives of House Li-Ves has arrived." The Onna next to her said.

"Nice to meet you finally, Elise..." Nine said in greeting to Elise Ike , forgetting her earlier distress. She also spotted Erric Jacen Nimdok , who had done an expose on Alliance War Crimes. She heard Laertia had contacted him in secret, offering him evidence of her own "crimes" in the war, likely in some strange attempt to hold herself accountable to at least one ordinary person, even if he ended up condemning her just as hard as the rest. Laertia apparently wasn't sugar coating the grisly details either, from what her spies told her...he was supposedly getting unedited video evidence of everything she had done so far, with multiple sources to corroborate that she hadn't altered any footage. He was getting documents also. Nine was finding Laertia a confusing woman to understand. On the one hand, she refused to stop fighting the GA and NIO until they tapped out. On the other hand, she was giving Nimdok all the rope he would need to essentially hang her whether the war went in her favor or not.

No one knew Laertia and House Li-Ves were connected. Nine intended to keep it that way until she couldn't.

"I assume Professor Nimdok knows we're all vampires of some sort. If he doesn't,Hi! I'm a Vampire!" Nine joked.

 

[Elise Ike]

She turned to face her defaco husband as his question about what Sawa was doing, herself sort of forgetting he wasn't really aware of their kind. One of the small problems with being secretive family, things that seemed second nature to her were more or less completely alien to others. "She is becoming one of the family, by sharing her blood grandmother has more or less made her one of us though in a different manner to the usual conversation".

As for the betrayer Sawa spoke of, "do you remember the women we passed in the hallway? the one with her face hidden from view, she is called the Shamed One who committed transgressions against us in the past". The actions were above all stupid and now she was more or less a hostage here for Sawa. A rather lenient sentence all things considered if she had anything to say about it. Before she could continue to speak however a new presence joined them, Elise's gaze falling unto Nine Lives as she entered into the hall.

It was semi surprising the women had been late, but considering how long it had been since their last meeting she didn't want to assume anything. "Greetings, it is a pleasure to finally meet the women my grandmother has such 'care' for". Herself thinking back to their joint mission on freeing her from a certain Sith. "My daughter also speaks fondly of you, and I can see why". She seemed very elegant and strong. "And yes my partner here is very much aware that we are vampires, I would have not brought him here otherwise... or are you simply making a jest"?

Sawa Ike Jacen Nimdok Nine Lives

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

Nimdok raised an eyebrow as Sawa answered first. He had spoken quietly to Elise and didn’t think that she could hear him. Evidently, her hearing was better than he thought.

That said, her answer confused him. Lady Yuki would be fine, she was trained to use the Force… the child would be safe so long as the guard outside continued to serve… but what was the connection between the child, her mother, and the guard? Why tell Lady Yuki that she would “live not one instant longer” if there was no actual threat involved? Unless… was this all ceremonial? A ritual or tradition passed down through time which no longer had the same meaning, but was practiced all the same?

Elise made things clearer, explaining that the child had been semi-formally adopted into the family of vampires, and that the woman they had passed in the hallway, the timid creature who had roused Nimdok’s pity as she opened the door for them, was called “the Shamed One”. Nimdok began to grasp it, reasoning that the Shamed One, Lady Yuki, and the baby were all part of the same lineage, but before Elise could tell him more, they were interrupted by the arrival of another guest. Lady Nine Lives, of House Li-Ves.

What an interesting name! Nimdok observed the striking woman as she entered the hall. Despite the hood drawn over her head, he could see her face quite clearly. Elegantly arranged hair framed the features of an old world beauty, a creature that had crossed out of her own time, defying death. Her glowing eyes made it obvious that she was not human, at least, not anymore. Despite this, she was decidedly… twitchy. The birdlike movements were more reminiscent of a hawk than a sparrow, and she seemed perpetually on the verge of lunging at everyone she met, as though barely able to control her predatory instincts. She clutched a gift-wrapped box in her talons like an eagle carrying an olive branch.

Nine introduced herself to Elise, apparently for the first time. Nimdok caught the implication of Elise’s words, her emphasis on the word care. There was a personal connection between Nine and Sawa, though its exact nature eluded him. Elise’s daughter Kurenai also was apparently on friendly terms with Nine. Quite the resume. What surprised Nimdok most, however, was that Nine recognized him on sight.

Nimdok gave her jest a good-humored chuckle. “It is an honor to meet you, Lady Nine Lives.” Cutting her name down to Lady Lives didn’t sound right to his ears, so he settled on saying her full name instead. “Though it seems you have me at a disadvantage. How is it that you know my name?”

Just before Nine replied, there was a clatter of cutlery against porcelain. Nimdok glanced over at Miri, who made a very cute face with wide eyes and pursed lips. While the adults were talking, she had been struggling to cut a piece of meat and dropped her knife onto the plate. Once again, a servant swooped to the rescue before Nimdok could assist, slicing the girl’s food into small bite-sized pieces for her. Nimdok cracked a smile.

Elise Ike Sawa Ike Nine Lives​

 

[Sawa Ike]

Jacen Nimdok Elise Ike Nine Lives

She was listening and heard Elise explain it as it came... first the feeling and then the doors opened and she caught the scent. Turning her head though as Ni-Ne came forward and Sawa moved. Her body more of a blur of motion before she stopped and listened to Ni-Ne speak to Ni,dok with a personality that was infectious. She ignored the small thing from Elise about 'caring' for Ni-Ne but she waited there a moment as she spoke. "Oh there are ways my Ni-Ne to share such things." She had the food while holding a hand up. "YOu have been recovering well enough I hope." She said it and it wasn't a worry for others to hear... Elise knew much about Ni-Ne and a few others did as K2 moved forward and spun around wooping at seeing her.

"He is also excited to see you as always." She was looking at everything else here around them as her hand came out and she motioned for a seat to be prepared. She looked around as some were looking at them but they were not going to say anything when she waited and went back to sitting down. The grin playing across her lips though was there when she brought up some of the wine to her lips. She observed the little girl with the food and raised an eyebrow but didn't need to say anything with a grin on her face. "How have things been my dear Ni-Ne?" SHe said it and stayed there looking at her for the moment with a small look of concern.