More Than Words [Gunther][Valessia]

[Valessia Brentioch]

​

Pemberley, Dosuun​

Pemberley was starting to shape up as a proper estate. It had taken time, and it would continue to take time but Valessia thought it was all starting to come together these days. Initially, Valessia had been placed on suspension, after six months of no communication and confessing her affiliation with the Sith. It was then that the Brentaalan decided to take some necessary vacation time. Her last 'show' had been at Taloraan, even then that was only a courtesy invitation. Her hand came to rest on her small baby bump. Epicanthix children as she had been informed, grew larger than their human counterparts, even half-Epicanthix. "It looks rather splendid Stephan," she said to an older gentleman, "in my opinion, anyway."

"Your opinion is welcomed, m'lady," he replied with a smile as the butler looked at the banner, he held a level against it. Satisfied, Stephan took a step back and looked between Valessia and the sofa. "Perhaps your ladyship would like to sit." It was less of a question and more of a direction.

Valessia let out a breath, "alright, I know when I've been bested." She remarked with a smile as she walked to the sofa and took her seat. "Imagine that, One Sith, Commonwealth and First Order Banners."

"Side by side," he said with a tinge of sadness, "such a shame that."

"I'm certain Colonel Creed shall appreciate it all the same," Valessia gave Stephan a smile, "and the One Sith, truly wish I had gotten more involved with them when I had the chance."

Stephan turned his gaze fell upon the Baroness, "perhaps it's for the better that you hadn't, mhmm?"

She nodded in acknowledgement and sat relaxed on the sofa, Stephan excused himself to continue his rounds. Leaving Valessia alone in the sitting room, one hand against her cheek. The other on her abdomen tracing circles against the soft fabric of her dress. Eyes studying the patterns of the three banners that rested against the wall, drawing down to the awards, and medals, but more importantly the pictures. The pictures of Valessia and Gunther together, before and after her disappearance to Thule.

[member="Gunther Creed"]​

 

[Gunther Creed]

​Pemberley, Dosuun

​​Times changed and for once it was for the better.

​The First Order began war with the Galactic Alliance long brewing on the horizon, quickly adding a ton more work and field duty to his daily schedule. Not that he minded it of course the extra work kept him busy gave him purpose. But most of all the biggest change in his life was [member="Valessia Brentioch"]. A rare angel caught at a rare time in his life between careers. If someone had approached him back then prophesizing his future with her, he might've had them escorted off the premises. After so many years work became his mistress, and there were times where it certainly felt like there was only one way out for someone of his caliber. The men beside him, the officers under him were his family.

​But now he did have a family.

​It was by their choice to commit to one another, after so much time spent around each other. The emotions were in the air but it took him quite some time to see it. It was her return from whatever unexpected trip she took that did it. He understood the nature of the job and he didn't ask, she made it home safe. But where was home, exactly? Home used to be wherever he dropped his head down at when the time of sleep came. But now? Home was wherever she was. It was his chance to change the future in store for him, a chance to leave something behind besides a legacy of war, a record of battles his name in the history books. To give something back instead of taking it away.

​In lieu of her recent suspension he had hoped to spend more time with Valessia at home, but the top brass called for full mobilization. They needed everyone in the one possibly two front war with the Outer Rim Coalition so close. Gunther was in full uniform when he came through the doors of the estate, sliding the cap off of his head quickly moving it under his arm. Just as he was about to call out he could hear the distant voice of Valessia through the halls, soft but loud enough that he was able to discern roughly which direction she was in. Gunther pulled the gloves off his hands as he moved through the large, and ornately decorated home. Val's people had done an excellent job on the place he took note as he walked through.

​"I'm back we-"​ ​Gunther said entering the room his eyes briefly on Valessia before they caught the display, his eyes fixed on the banners. Carefully he approached them moving close. A strange feeling washed over the man of ice seeing the Old Sith Empire, One Sith, Commonwealth, and First Order banners side by side. Each a chapter in his life from beginning to present, and each banner a reminder of the crucible of relentless war he found himself in. Suddenly he saw the banners covered in blood torn and stained by smoke. He reached out for the banners and once more found his arm covered in combat armor, memories flashing to life before his eyes. Battlefield after battlefield flashed before him like it was yesterday, the bodies piling up when he gave the order to charge. Each and every era of servitude he had goals, wars to win in the name of his empire, his nation, his people.

​Men and women died under his command because they wanted to serve their empire, face down those their leaders had designated hostiles. They waged war across the galaxy leaving worlds aflame in their wake, each time doing as ordered because it was right.

​For what?

​Suddenly he was standing in full dress before a solid black coffin, the symbol of the One Sith Empire emblazoned on its top while a pair of soldiers brought the nations flag to a wife who had just lost her husband, yet another one of his friends lost to the crucible of war, he remembered everything about the lost ones.

​For what?

​The Old Sith Empire, the One Sith, the Commonwealth, they're all just ghosts of the past now. The faces of the dead changed and occasionally the theatre of war did. He often stayed up at night pondering what the dead would think of him now, how they would see him after all these years the 'insane' Iceman who preferred to serve right on the frontline alongside his men then hiding in a command tent, the officer who charged first out the trenches who still lived and with all of his limbs intact.

​"I'm back." He said turning to Valessia.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia rose from the sofa and stood on her feet. She watched Gunther's facial expressions shift and drew her attention to the three banners, and the Scion of House Brentioch only wished she knew what was going on in his mind. It seemed he was always at the battle, if not against the Alliance then with himself. "Welcome home," the brunette told him happily as she then gestured toward the three banners. "They were part of your life, for better or worse they became part of who you are today." The woman explained as her dress slipped over the small bump, hardly discernable she thought. Still, it was there and it was not going anywhere. Pemberley drew light from the sun and the sounds of a busy house could be heard, and still, she watched [member="Gunther Creed"]. "How long are you home for?" She asked hoping to distract Gunther from whatever was plaguing his mind now.

The Brentaalan took the Iceman's hat and gloves, "Patricia, see to it that these are placed in the Colonel's wardrobe, will you?"

"Of course, ma'am," Patricia acknowledged as she took the items and headed for the master suite.

Pemberley was on its way to becoming the ideal Imperial homestead, trinkets and statues from various eras were brought in from Valessia's personal collection. Art imported from her estate on Brentaal IV, and Panathan decorations were also on their way. Decorating would occupy Valessia during the long days, and nights that she and Gunther were apart. The suspension - both hoped would serve as a time for them to share together. And as Valessia looked at Gunther, she knew that their time together would be short lived, far and few between as War with the Galactic Alliance would no doubt be a long one. "Why don't we head to the living room, mhmm?"

"Your ladyship, the Exchange Journal." Stephan presented Valessia with her data tablet, "your lordship is there a particular journal or print that we should acquire for you?"

 

[Gunther Creed]

​When the hat and gloves were taken he embraced [member="Valessia Brentioch"] then kissing her tenderly. A disappointed sigh escaped his lips then as he replied "Not long enough. High command is calling for full mobilization." Carefully he chose to avoid the conversation about the banners, as much as his beloved understood him his struggle wasn't something she could understand. It was a struggle all soldiers in particular officers with strong minds struggled with. While there were those in the past who didn't Gunther always cared for the lives of his men, and that was what fostered so much loyalty even in the armies of the Sith. Men beneath him went above and beyond not out of fear but loyalty. Memories constantly played out in his mind of the past often stronger at times than others, but it was certainly.

​Gunther nodded at her mentions of the living room walking alongside her through the halls. The vast collection of art, sculptures, and trinkets through the halls carefully brought in and placed by Valessia's direction, it was very well done. Panathan trinkets were on the way from the barebones Creed Estate back home. The Creeds weren't advocates of their wealth and power like others, they kept what was necessary for their stature no more no less. Once again he spent more time away than home especially now with the war going on, but it was the anticipation of a reunion stuck in the back of his mind that brought a smile in quiet moments, he would always find his way back. "Yes Stephan, get me my journal on Logistics." ​Creed said, with full mobilization coming he had work to do. "How are you feeling?" ​He asked Val.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"Of course, your lordship," Stephan acknowledged the colonel and moved to collect the logistics journal.

Valessia answered Gunther with a smile, "alright, nothing major to report. We're doing well." A small pat on the bump that only just began to protrude from the outfit. Half-Epicanthix children were not exactly common fair around Dosuun. Thus a specialist from the Reach had to be secured, for now she went to the Reach and saw him. Later on in her pregnancy, the doctor would come to see her. The living room looked the part of warm and caring. "And I suspect you'll be moved toward Barkhesh or even Annaj. I'm sure the Alliance will want some sort of retaliation for Mustafar's invasion." At least if he was put to Barkhesh he need only to worry about the incursions from the resistance or what little of it there was.

She took a seat on the sofa resting her back against the corner where met an arm. If her first pregnancy left her with mild back pain then this one would make it chronic the Brentaalan suspected. Stephan could be seen coming up from the other end of the hall as he approached the colonel. "Your journal, your lordship and would there be anything else that I can do for you m'lord, m'lady."

"I'm quite alright for the moment, thank you Stephan."

[member="Gunther Creed"]

 

[Gunther Creed]

​If Gunther was guilty of one thing it most definitely was bringing work home with him.

​A logistics journal kept at home that was linked to their various properties, as well as an encrypted section linked to military information. A light smile formed on his face at the mention that she was doing okay, no expense would be spared to give [member="Valessia Brentioch"] everything she needed. The war was the variable on top of both their minds and her words of his station proved the same. Exactly where High Command was going to put him was currently unknown but sources from her end informed him that it was most likely going to be either Barkhesh or Annaj. Gunther knew they would be Val's preferred planets for him, they weren't on the front lines of the war and there wasn't as much risk as other choices.

Truthfully it didn't matter to Gunther where they chose to station him, he served at the beckon call of the Supreme Leader and all officers above his own station. When the orders came down he would obey without question, as he always did. No matter where he was stationed the Iceman would be leading from the front tossing himself into the thick of it with his men. Only...there was a certain reserve now. A certain hesitation when going into battle that kept him from being the very first one to step foot on the field. He wasn't just alone anymore. He had a family. Far too often in his youth did his father tell him how having a family changes you, and he only just grasped the true meaning of that statement now.

"That's what my sources are telling me as well. High Command has been discussing likely targets for the Alliance and reinforcing suspected worlds. I expect I'll get my assignment fairly soon." ​Gunther said sitting down on the same sofa. at the far end to give Val room to relax. "That's all for now Stephan."