Private Loyalty by Law

[Xandyr Carrick]

X A N D Y R​

Oiran Guild House, Naboo

Dominic Praxon

Xandyr sat in quiet reflection upon a swinging chair. It was the kind made for two to sit together and swing, but he was alone. He was thinking about the life he had escaped. The violence he had been exposed to.

Every companion had to be psychologically resilient. Part of his training had been to come to terms with everything he had been through. Danger looked after refugees from across the Galaxy and found them a home at a chapter house. It was healthy to occasionally reflect.

His last job had been looking after a young noble and doing little more than teaching them piano and offering diplomatic advice around the town. The job before that had been signifantly more of what could be expected of a companion. A visiting High Republic assembly member who wanted an escorted during their trip.

"Xandyr?"

He turned to see the chapter master approaching.

"I wouldn't mean to disturb you but we have another one of the more specific requests."

"Oh, you mean when I..."

"No no not that. Someone to move around high society with a repeater under their blazer," she said it with disdain. All of them were trained to defend themselves and their clients, but it was not usual work. The chapter master almost seemed to look down upon that compared to teaching the arts, looking beautiful and attending to their clients.

"Shame, I'm proud of the other thing."

By contrast, he was not proud of being the most violently capable of his house when required.

"The Praxon family, here on Naboo. His son will be attending for tea shortly. His father has a secondary mission, not to be discussed with the client."

"That is not how this normally works," Xandyr replied. Trust was an important part of the work.

"Let me finish. Dominic is rather guarded about the possibility of marriage after a rather unpleasant heartbreak. You're to assess potentials for courting based on compatibility and political convenience."

Xandyr thought about the proposition. He brought one finger up to stroke at his neatly waxed beard. He gave a shrug.

"Well then," the chapter master continued. "Go and prepare a table. And some tea."

 

[Dominic Praxon]

His thumb moved over the datapad screen. A third death threat report scrolled into view. This one was given only a cursory glance. Instead, Dominic turned his attention to the landscape passing by out the window of his ornate speeder.

Since his stated intentions to run for Senate, these threats had become routine. The family were taking precautions. And Dominic was relatively at ease with the idea. It was nothing new to have a minder, assuming that they worked for him not his father. That remained to be seen.

The beautiful buildings that were his destination appeared from behind a wooded hill that led into the lake. He offered no reaction. The beauty of the scene was verging on mundane. He had seen worse. He had seen better. He would compliment anyway.

His attention came back to the datapad, and a swipe to the left brought up his messages. One of note was from the outgoing Senator of Naboo, and his former lover. Her words were cordial. Non-committal as usual. But hinted at the desire for him to revisit their affair. He hesitated, but ultimately swiped left again.

Messages about his upcoming bill surrounding the Five Veils Trade Route, a message from his mother, donors requesting he show his face at events, thinly veiled legal threats from companies he had never heard of...it was all rather samey. And then an update on Bastila Sal-Soren 's recovery.

Inertia pulled him forward from his seat slightly, and his attention was taken away from the datapad. They were landing.

︵‿︵‿୨⚜୧‿︵‿︵​

"Right this way, Mr Praxon."

Dominic followed, half a step behind what was probably expected. It was a small attempt to assert some control in this environment. He stepped into an expectedly lavish room, the aroma of fresh-cut flowers and tea filled the air.

"Tavvian blend...you did your research," he said, acknowledging one of his favoured teas. One he knew for sure he had not mentioned int he myriad of interviews that he had done recently. It was a power move.

He felt his body tense.

The attendant dismissed herself with a bow of her head. Dominic offered a slight wave, for courtesy.

"So. What did my father tell you was wrong with me?"

Xandyr Carrick​

 

[Xandyr Carrick]

X A N D Y R​

"So. What did my father tell you was wrong with me?"

"If being threatened is a character flaw," Xandyr said, "We will have to think carefully about how I am going to work with you."

He poured a cup of tea for Dominic first. This was how it always began. It didn't matter what services were requested, it began with tea and a face to face conversation. It was civilised, it was tradition and it set the tone for any engagement.

"I'm Xandyr. How would you like to be addressed?" he asked as he poured a cup for himself. It wasn't his favourite blend of tea, but that didn't matter.

 

[Dominic Praxon]

He accepted the tea. Cupped in his hands, he allowed it to warm them, only now realising they had been cold. He needed to take better care of himself.

"Xandyr. A pleasure," he said, mostly sincere, "Dominic is fine in private. Mr. Praxon in public...Senator after I win the seat."

He was sitting at 14% in the polls, but sounded as though it were a sure thing.

Dominic was still processing the comment - or joke - about character flaws. "Work with...or for?" He said with a frown, "where will your allegiance lie...in a pinch?"

He made no effort to take a seat, nor make for friendly rapport. His father was behind this, and part of his reason for accepting the role on Naboo was to get away from daddy-dearest.

Xandyr Carrick​

 

[Xandyr Carrick]

X A N D Y R​

No one ever knew exactly what to say in any given situation. Like all companions, he always had a sense of the right cues to watch for and could strategise to manipulate people.

He always found it uncouth to use such strategies at these meetings.

"Your father brokered this," Xandyr explained. "But the agreement is between us directly. I work to your requests. He had expressed a that should the situation arrive that I assist in helping you find potential matches for the future."

"Clearly," he said, raising one eyebrow, "it would be incumbent upon you to act upon any such observations.

"Why don't you enjoy the tea. I would feel more comfortable if you sat."

 

[Dominic Praxon]

Dominic sipped the tea, but he did not rush to take a seat. Perhaps it was unwise to provoke, but he felt more comfortable standing.

"So that's it. A matchmaker..."

His gaze moved aside to some of the art hanging on the wall. It looked expensive, but not overly so. He rolled his head back, a failing attempt to dispel a growing migraine.

"...there are so many better uses for your talents than finding me a suitable wife."

But he saw the wisdom in it. He did. He just did not want it to be of his father's doing, even tangentially. He hated how Ordon Trozky still cast a pall across his existence. Though Dominic did worry for him now that the Empire had taken Brentaal. Family was still family.

Sip.

"I would consider your wisdom, if it proves worth considering," he said. That was only fair.

His hand rubbed his chin. "And what do you hope that I can do for you...companion?"

Xandyr Carrick​

 

[Xandyr Carrick]

X A N D Y R​

"It's quite simple really. There are rules the guild established some time ago. The companion chooses to accept the work, credits are exchanged."

"In this instance I offer advice and guidance and personal protection. I am no standard bodyguard. I can through high society without being a hindrance or drawing undue attention."

He smiled and tilted his head to one side.

"The wisdom, if we call it that, is optional. Now, if you would indulge me, I would like to hear about your own ambitions. Not anyone else's."

 

[Dominic Praxon]

His ambitions? He left out the daddy-issues.

Dominic finished his tea, and placed the cup down on the table. Each movement was precise, measured and purposeful. "I wish that I could say that it was altruism that drives me, Xandyr. But it is just a tool like all the others..."

"...the Republic is young. In its infant state it is vulnerable. Warmongers. Profiteers. Empire-builders."

He stood before Xandyr now, gauging his response.

"This Republic is built atop a foundation of squabbling Noble houses. It is doomed to the backroom bloodletting of lesser tacticians. Unless..."

His jaw tightened. Be it resolve or lust? It was hard to tell.

"...it is founded on a dynasty instead. Three generations...Xandyr...that is my ambition...three generations of Praxons that will guide this Republic to greatness, and set it up for a millennia of glory. Before the quibbling sycophants destroy it all."

Xandyr Carrick
​

 

[Xandyr Carrick]

Xandyr was well aware of Republic politics. He couldn't hold any strong views given his position, but he had to knowledgeable on current affairs. It was a delicate balance to talk about a subject without stirring controversy, especially with how fought with conflict the galaxy was.

Dominic had views. He could afford them. In fact, he was expected to forge his own.

"So you want to secure the throne for your family?" Xandyr asked rhetorically. Every family would establish secure rule if they could. The problem was every other house.

"I wouldn't need to know details of course," Xandyr explained. "But I would need to know when you're in danger."

Which, given the current political turmoil, was potentially all of the time.

"So why is your father concerned about your love life?" Xandyr asked. If he needed to stay close he was always able to offer more traditional services if it would suit the client.

 

[Dominic Praxon]

"Incorrect. I wish to secure the Republic for its people...on the back of my family," Dominic said, before stepping away from the sphere of conversation.

"You will have access to the same security briefings that are given to me. But I would hope that your eyes and ears are sharper than even theirs," he said, as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. There was that pressure again.

"Why is any parent concerned for his child's love life?" Dominic said, glancing over his shoulder, "he cares about legacy more than I do. He married for love...and got legacy. Lucky bastard. I feel a little more pragmatic about these matters. Legacy first. Dynasty first."

"My single status is a tool to be wielded. But it's usefulness may be coming to an end," he said, pacing.

"My father would see me wed a Sal-Soren. Bastila Sal-Soren has indicated interest. But I fear that the Sal-Soren name is too tarnished...and their innate...capriciousness...would be difficult to bridle."

He felt the sting on his cheek, as if it still lingered on his face. The caress of her lips against his from mere days before that. He blinked once, erasing the emotion from his face.

"Someone more pliable."

Xandyr Carrick​

 

[Xandyr Carrick]

The man seemed shrewd enough. He had ambitions and they didn't seem - at the face value of it - to be driven by personal greed. Xandyr didn't quite like the phrase bridle.

Xandyr didn't have to accept the work. Any companion had more than enough requests to work as much as they needed to.

"Perhaps them we need to see if the young Sal-Soren has common interests. Or an interest that could become a passion project that aligns to your own goals," he said.

Xandyr didn't hold any illusions about the nobility. He was pragmatic. If the nobility all formed exclusive, loving relationships then he would lose half of his customers.

"Is there another house that would make a more stable choice?" he asked.

 

[Dominic Praxon]

"She is in hospital near death, currently," Dominic said, the anguish in his voice unmistakeable.

His posture stiffened. And he seemed to have progressed to a more annoyed state of mind. Clearly agitated by Bastila's current state.

"I don't know who would make a good fit. But if I were to find one among the familes of either of my rivals for Senate...it would likely aide my endeavour. Look into House Astara. House Sorelle. See what you can come up with. I would field other ideas should you find something suitable."

Xandyr Carrick​