Malevolence (Siobhan)

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

“I’m pretty sure we could leverage control of Vandelhelm and Dahomey for corporate expansion. I think we can do a few things; mining, technology and security work for sure. Base it on Kaeshana for sure. I think Silaqui owes us one, and Anya would like to help out.”
She suddenly seemed more alive, more passionate than she had for a long time, even before she became Protector.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

"MICO surveys indicated there's diamonds, probably the Bando Gora's main war chest next to spice. We did conquer planet hell after all," the smile on Siobhan's turned into a broad grin as she sensed the change of mood, which was palpable. As terribly sappy as it sounded, she felt like she had 'her' Tegaea back. Vigorous, energetic, full of passion and drive.

Of course one question was how Siobhan could be of use. After all, what could she do? Dismember people and tear roofs down. Neither skill was of much use in a business environment. Unlike Anya, who would flourish with her managerial and logistical skills, and Tegaea who had run Omega Pyre during its corporate phase and then become a super-governor and finally Protector. One wondered what Siobhan had done as Exarch when she was not death charging and seducing secretaries.

She did not want to...ruin things again. But she clamped down on that thought. They had a new life to look forward to now, Tegaea was happy, she was happy. "See. That's my girl. We don't need the Protectorate; we can make our own future," she said brightly and kissed her.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

“The future is ours. Thank you, Siobhan. And I have a perfect role for you as well!” she said, “Apart from on your knees,” she joked, looking animated. “If we go into all of that tech and mining and stuff, I’ll need someone to be on site, to supervise and make sure things work and nothing dodgy happens. I know I can trust you with that.”
Suddenly Tegs looked happy again. She’d not been really happy since…well…the honeymoon.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Given the fact that just a day ago it had been Siobhan's fault that Tegaea lost an eye and got brutally tortured this one seriously questions the wisdom of giving her anything like responsibility. But on the other hand this was a minion job that should require little in terms of brainpower, which she did not have, and keep away from making relevant decisions. It was always good when people understood their level of competence.

"Sometimes you're the one on your knees, Valora," Siobhan joked but then looked apologetic, remembering the torment Tegaea had suffered just one day ago. "I'm sorry...you know I didn't mean it...that way. But yeah, sounds great. Thanks," she cracked a smile. "If we get people from the Pyre over and found some sort of PMC section, I could supervise that as well."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

For a moment a twinge passed over Tegaea’s face, but she rallied, not showing any change in mood.
“Great! But…all this is getting a bit ahead of us. It’ll be a while before I’m up to doing any of this. I’m feeling very tired again. Might have a nap for a while,” she said, yawning.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Leave it to Siobhan to be a tactless fool. But then she was inherently selfish, prideful, with a tendency to make promises she broke any moment. "Get some rest then, love. I'll be right here," she said softly, giving Tegaea's hand a squeeze, but she noted the twinge passing across her wife's face. "Tegs...I'm not her...I'd never hurt you," she said in a quieter tone almost in a whisper as she sat down on the bed besides Tegs'. Never hurt her except when she almost murdered her on Naboo so many years ago because she felt sulky. "Sleep well."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

While Tegaea slept @[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] had a welcome visitor. Anya brought the rather portly form of Grrbyrr, Siobhan’s Jester.

He even seemed happy to see her, though that lessened once he discovered she wasn’t waiting with bags of food for him.

<Hungry!> he told her and licked her hand.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Siobhan felt a stab of happiness as the little furry delight was brought in, sighing indulgingly when he informed her, no surprise there, he was hungry. "You're always hungry. How'd you get it all inside? You haven't thought about...exercising?" she joked, though her eyes did not leave Tegaea. "Sorry, big boy, been distracted. Mistress Tegs is in a bad way," she spoke, her tone soft but suggesting that he should not be mean to Tegaea any time soon. Somehow he had never warmed to her. She pressed a button on the communicator, unwilling to leave Tegaea even for a moment. Moments later a nurse entered the room, bearing biscuits and a banana. Even before the tray of food had reached Siobhan the banana had vanished.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

It was just possible that the idea of not eating the banana peel had been explained to the Jester. It didn’t matter because he went ahead and ate the whole thing anyway! He did spit out the stem though.
<Yucky!>

After devouring the biscuits he looked at Tegaea. They’d never gotten on. Tegaea was a rival for Siobhan’s affection, but he seemed to understand that harassing her at this point was a path that only led to becoming a pair of furry gloves.
<She OK?> he asked, taking a rare break from thinking about himself.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

"Not the peel too, Grrbyrr. And no spitting," Siobhan chided him gently, catching the stem with her telekinesis and tossing it into the trash, though despite herself she managed to smile, looking amused. At the telepathic query coming from the Jester she stiffened, taking a pause before responding, speaking quietly in a whisper so that Tegaea would not be woken up by her words.

"Yeah...she will be, I hope. Very...bad things happened to her. Because of me."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Jesters were not given to introspection, and generally had the attention span of a kitten in a tinsel factory. Except when it came to food of course.

And so, rather than providing valuable and wide secrets of yore, Grrbyrr started chewing hopefully on her shirt. It MIGHT be edible!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

"You so have a one-track mind," Siobhan spoke, in what should be a hilarious self-parody, as the Jester chewed at her shirt, quickly pulling the Jester away. "Not that. Bad. Already told you. Keep it up and I'll make you do regular exercise," she mock threatened, but then those cute beady eyes stared at her and she petted the adorable little furball and stroked his fur. "Alright, there you go," she passed some crackers over.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

<Don’t wanna ain’t gonna> he grumbled at the threat. Crackers cheered him up though. They usually did.
This done, he curled up in her lap and went to sleep.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

"Little exercise never hurt anyone," Siobhan responded brightly to the grumbling. Nonetheless she fondly petted Grrbyrr as he drifted off to a peaceful slumber, thoroughly sated for the moment, though he would undoubtedly awaken with a ravenous hunger as if he had been starved! But her eyes never left Tegaea, much like a watchful sentinel, even though strictly speaking from a rational perspective she knew that Tegaea was safe here, probably safer than anywhere. Still the horrific events would not leave her mind and so she watched.

She felt a stab of happiness as she considered their new future. Free from politics, the Protectorate and ungrateful wet hens. Perhaps they could make it work. Perhaps she could make it work.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Time passed, and Tegaea slowly recovered.

The day came though when Tegaea decided she had to resign from the position of Lady Protector.

Barely able to stand and with her artificial eye covered still she fronted the media.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my unfortunate duty to resign from the position of Lady Protector of the Omega Protectorate. My injuries have ensured that I am no longer able to fulfil my duties, and I have asked Exarch Ayden Cater to take my position, to be confirmed by the Council. I would like to thank everyone and my especially my staff for their help, and of course my wife Siobhan. Thank you.”

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Media questions, official forms, activity, pain. By the end of it she was deeply depressed and when she got home she told @[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] she wanted to be alone.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Siobhan had been at Tegaea's side as she made the broadcast, trying to show support, and after when the paperwork was dealt with, at every step of the day. The 'journalists' disgusted her. Bloody vultures the lot of them, No, that was unfair to the vultures! All just eager for getting a good 'story'. They were good for nothing but purging.

Finally they were alone when they had reached their apartment. Any journalist who dared come here and harass them with questions would regret it. After she heard her words she approached Tegaea a bit nervously, gently touching her shoulder. "Tegs, you did everything right. You rose from nothing to the top by your own efforts. That's more than 'I have wings', 'I'm a great mastermind' or 'I am the chosen one vote for me' can say. Far more. We'll make our own future. Without the wet hens," she spoke, sadness evident in her eyes though she tried to keep it out of her tone. "You're not alone in this."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea was not feeling in a good mood, and was not well disposed towards anyone. “If I’m so much better why am I the cripple who is resigning?” she snapped. “I am sick of being pitied, I am not a child!” She brushed off Siobhan’s hand angrily. “Just leave me alone!” she growled and painfully climbed into her bed.

Perhaps regretting her harshness she looked at Siobhan. “I’m sorry, Sio. We can talk tomorrow. For now…I just want to be alone.” She was crying, and turned the other way on the bed to hide it from @[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"].

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Siobhan looked hurt and upset at the display of understandable anger. Because I'm selfish and frakked up. There was no arguing with that assessment, though it came too late to be of any use. "It's...ok. You got nothing to apologise for. I'm sorry. If...you want to talk I'm here. I love you and that'll never change, whatever happens," she said, voice choked with emotion. She looked sadly at the crying form of Tegaea, who was averting her gaze from here, then slowly turned and left the room.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Tegaea felt bad, but just for once she decided she was allowed to be selfish. For so many years she had been forced to consider the opinions and thoughts of others. Now, at last, what Tegaea Alcori wanted could be fulfilled.

The next morning though she felt better. The weight of responsibility passed, and so she went looking for Siobhan, intending to make amends for the night before….

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Breakfast had already been made when Tegaea found Siobhan, though without fawning servant girls. Siobhan was dressed casually in trousers and a tank top. "Hey, how are you feeling? Did you...get some rest?" she asked softly, looking and sounding a bit awkward, as if she were walking on eggshells. Nonetheless with she stood up and pulled up a chair for Tegaea.