Fall by Degrees [Fortans & Jens...es]

[Natasi Fortan]

Yes, you do, Natasi thought bitterly as she finally tore her eyes from [member="Gerion Ardik"] to [member="Maximilian Jens"]. "I'm afraid there isn't one to speak of," she answered Maximilian's question. "Unless I'm much mistaken I don't believe your family has any connection with House Herevan, does it, Mr. Ardik?" Natasi lifted her drink to her lips and took a sip; the drink was sweet and icy-cold, just as she liked it. She decided in that moment that if she ever married well and set up her own establishment, she would try to poach Hendersmith. Nobody mixed a sidecar quite like him, and she knew he was fond of her. He had been since she was a child. But back to the matters at hand.

"However, I know Mr. Ardik rather well. I first made his acquaintance when I was assigned to his staff during the days of the Empire." She looked over at Ardik again, her glacial demeanor thawing ever so slightly as her lips twitched upwards into a little smile. "And we reconnected when I was stationed on Coruscant with the One Sith. But we lost touch after that," she added, her eyebrows lofting as she looked to the side, catching Imogen's eye before rolling them lightly. Whatever had caused this parting of the ways, Natasi was perfectly content to leave unsaid for the moment.

"It's awfully decent of you to come," Natasi told Ardik without looking at him directly. She moved to look out the window; the stars and moons were illuminating the valley beneath the waterfall that the windows faced. "All things considered. You'll stay for dinner, of course."

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Maximilian Jens"] | [member="Natasi Fortan"]

"That's correct." Gerion answered, wincing internally at the subsequent mention of his work history.

Acts of desertion rarely went over well with the Imperial crowd. Better to keep the specifics of his job hopping unsaid if he could help it. Eventually the butler returned to him with the requested glass of water, which Gerion kindly accepted. He slid his free hand into his pocket, watching Natasi wander over to the window to look out it. Very dramatic. Gerion cast a glance towards Lord Herevan when she mentioned he was staying for dinner.

"Well, if Lord Herevan will have me, I don't see why not."

 

[Maximilian Jens]

"Of course I shall. Any friend of the old Empire is welcome here."

Jens was, of course, unaware of [member="Gerion Ardik"]'s past. It was probably best that things stayed that way, or the new Lord Herevan would be decidedly less warm to him. Still, he was a gentleman, and even if the two agreed on matters of state, that was hardly a reason to turn company away at dinner. The most that would come from it would be that Maximilian would decline Ardik as a guest in the future, if he ever found out.

For now, things were nothing but smiles and sidecars.

Maximilian took another sip of his. "Galidraan is not too cold for you I trust, Mr. Ardik?" He smiled, as the taste of the drink finally resolved on his lips. "Mm. That Hendersmith mixes an excellent sidecar."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]