Private Ships, Dating, and Being Human!

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Oleander Webb

Gerwald Lechner, the Dread Wolf, strode confidently through the dimly lit corridors of the Nightwraith, a Lykos Class Star Destroyer that served as both a symbol of Sith power and a mobile command center. The polished metal floors gleamed beneath his boots, and crimson lights cast an ominous glow over his Shadow, death incarnate, Oleander Webb . Gerwald’s presence was commanding, his black and crimson robes flowing as he gestured toward the ship’s various features, his voice resonating with cold authority.

“This vessel is not merely a weapon of war. It is an extension of my will and a symbol of unyielding power.”

He paused in the main hangar, where rows of Sith Interceptors stood ready for deployment, their sleek designs radiating menace.

“Each squadron stationed here is trained to strike fear into our enemies. Speed and precision are their tools, and failure is not an option.”

As they moved toward the bridge, Gerwald pointed out the ship’s advanced sensor arrays and shield systems.

“The Nightwraith is fortified against any Alliance treachery. Our defenses are impenetrable, and our offensive capabilities unmatched.”

On the bridge, Gerwald stopped before the central command console, where holograms of nearby systems flickered to life. He turned to face his crew, his eyes glinting with dark energy.

“From here, you can orchestrate the subjugation of worlds and the annihilation of those who defy you. Every officer you see operates with absolute discipline, for they know that failure carries severe consequences.” His gaze lingered, a subtle challenge in his expression. “Remember this, the Sith do not simply control vessels like this. We embody their purpose. And if you are to rise within the Order, you will learn to command such power with the same ruthlessness and precision.”

As he concluded, the tension in the room was palpable. Gerwald’s words left no room for doubt, this was not just a tour, but a lesson in the nature of Sith authority and the weight of command.

He motioned to the officers lounge. The bar was mostly empty, private enough for the two to have a conversation that no one would overhear if they needed it. The Dread Wolf walked right up to the droid which was working behind the counter.

“Whiskey, leave the bottle.”

 

[Oleander Webb]

TAG: Gerwald Lechner

It occurred to Oleander, as he followed the Wolf in Sith's clothing, just how much his employer had changed over the years. Not to long ago, he would've laughed at the idea of Gerwald donning the flowing robes that now moved in his wake. Stars, he would've scoffed at the formality his employer turned instructor - master? - spoke with as he conducted this tour. Now, however, under the gaze of the destroyer's crew, he opted to follow along politely, hands stuffed in pockets.

His interests were piqued when he was shown the interceptors, eyes narrowing as he studied the ships, listening to Gerwald's explanation. Failure is not an option, is it? "We shall see," he hissed, casting an appraising look at a couple crew members tending to one of the vessels. He could almost taste the trepidation radiating off of one under his gaze, albeit muted than one would expect. He had to admit, it looked as if this crew was indeed trained well.

His arms crossed over his chest as they entered the bridge, a beacon of stoicism that reflected his centuries of training. "Then your officers and I should get along splendidly, I'm sure," the words came out in a near purr, though lacking in any warmth. Those who had spent time with him, a number that was easily reduced to the single digits, would note there was an extra twinge of slowness in his response. He had something on his mind.

"You're starting to sound like them," he noted once the droid had departed. Normally, he'd keep such observations to telepathy yet this time he refrained. What made this exchange so different than previous ones? He couldn't quite put a name to it as he sank deep into a chair, a tall glass of amber liquid in hand. "Soon enough, the only name you'll need is whatever Darth is bestowed upon you." It was a fact Oleander wasn't sure he approved of. And perhaps even more puzzling so, he wasn't sure why it mattered if he approved or not. Theoretically, Darth or not, the arrangement would remain the same.

"So why are you telling me all this, then? I'm no naval commander."

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Oleander Webb

“You’re starting to sound like them. Soon enough, the only name you’ll need is whatever Darth is bestowed on you.”

The Wolf was silent as he sipped the amber liquor from his glass. Whether Oleander had intended for his words to disarm the warrior or not, they had. He could not have known that Naedira Darcrath had warned her mate that that the it was more likely the Sith would change him than he could change them. Was it a mask Gerwald wore to blend in? The Dread Wolf was not certain he was cunning enough to say it was all part of some master plan. Were it not for the fact he had surrounded himself by those he knew from the Confederacy before it fell, he would likely not be recognizable to the man he had once been.

“So why are you telling me all this, then? I’m no naval commander.”

Gerwald set the glass down on the table which was between them. A small clink and dull thud echoed as he did so. It was a gentle motion, indicative of the reflective mood the Anzat had put him in.

He smiled.

“Because this is not my ship. It is yours.”

This had not been something the Wolf had done in their previous arrangement. Gerwald had usually insisted that Oleander remained at his side. Why would he let the Anzat roam free among Confederate worlds when he was one snap away from a feeding frenzy? The same risk still existed with this decision. However, Gerwald was no longer the same, as the creature had so astutely pointed out. It was an odd turn of events considering being among the Sith should have likely made the Dread Wolf more controlling by nature. Maybe he was to a degree, but rather than try and control the Anzal, Gerwald was determined to shape the environment around him.

Oleander provided Gerwald with a unique opportunity which no one else could. He sought to take advantage of it, but not as he had done in the past. No, Oleander was more than just a tool or a student. It had been during a moment of reflection in which the Lord Commander had realized the monster was his friend. It was time to treat his as such, even if the Anzat was still his to command.

“I promised you it would be different this time. I intend to make good on that promise.”

 

[Oleander Webb]

TAG: Gerwald Lechner

Oleander's brow furrowed as he caught the moment of silence from his lupine associate. Had he struck a nerve? After all his time verbally poking at the other's often unbothered armor, this was what got a reaction? Curiosity pulled to the forefront of his mind, half tempted to start digging more right then and there.

The moment was over almost as quickly as it was started, leaving Oleander his turn to be taken aback.

"You're joking."

Oleander didn't own things beyond his armor and tools. The vessels he piloted, the rooms he rested in, even the shirt off his back were almost always either assigned to him or taken from a previous victim. Minimalism had always suited his line of work well. The less to carry along with him from mission to mission, the less evidence of his very existence, made him an effective spectre to the highest bidder (and, more recently, the Sith Order). Surely, Gerwald knew that.

"You know, if you want me to be effective against your enemies, the less they know the better. Putting my name on any deeds doesn't exactly help with that." Tactically it didn't make sense. But if it wasn't a tactical choice, what other choices were there?

Was the Wolf growing soft?

"Someone else would use it better. Like Lunara Azure . She has a better eye for these things."

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Oleander Webb

Gerwald did not laugh at the suggestion he was joking. A small smile did pull at the corner of his mouth, however. He shook his head in response to the Anzat. Oleander did not seem to understand the nature of the gift. It was not about his ability to command or oversee a fleet. The purpose was to show another measure of trust and grant more freedom. If the Shadow of Death though he could go about the galaxy in a stealth ship he was mistaken.

The Dread Wolf was about to explain himself when Oleander mentioned Lunara Azure . That made the wolf laugh out loud. It was not that the idea was funny, but Gerwald did not take the Anzat as the type to be sweet on anyone unless he was looking for a meal. That thought made Gerwald frown.

“What is she to you,” he asked as his eyes bore into the man.

Gerwald was not one to talk when it came to things of romance. His younger self had made a mad mess of his love life early on. While he wanted to blame it on the fact his mother had run off any interested girl when he was young, Gerwald knew he had to own his mistakes. The wolf was suddenly curious about what was going on in Oleander’s mind when it came to such things.

He took a sip of the whiskey which he had poured for the two of them. Suddenly the idea of the ship was and explaining it was far from Gerwald’s mind.

 

[Oleander Webb]

TAG: Gerwald Lechner

To say Oleander bristled when Gerwald erupted in laughter would not be accurate. He did have some sort of reaction though, though he did not have a name for it. He found himself both wanting to sink lower, become one with his chair and to depart from the room entirely.

He averted his gaze when Gerwald posed his question - another reaction that was a puzzle to him. He opened his mouth to answer and then closed it, repeating the process. What was she to him? That was a good question, one he hadn't considered himself.

"She's an asset to you, is she not?" He responded, tone even despite the vortex of confusion that swirled in his thoughts. "Is she not meant to be utilized protected until she's no longer an asset?"

The response was cold, clinical, as to be expected from Death itself. It was also blatantly avoiding the real question that had been posed.

Gerwald didn't need to know how Oleander's ears heat up under the Wolf's scrutiny despite the Anzat not naturally producing body heat. Or how his mind flickered to Lunara's laugh, or how her face would twitch when she noticed a fashion faux pas, or the gentle heat that radiated off her when she took his arm on the last mission they were all on together.

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Oleander Webb

“An asset?”

The question was the only thing which Gerwald could think to reply at Oleander’s insinuation that she was nothing more than a tool. Perhaps some Sith would only see her as such, or maybe the Anzat was checking to see if Gerwald still had part of his old self tucked away in the ever changing landscape that was the Dread Wolf. Was Lunara meant to be protected, yes, but not because she was a thing to be used until discarded. She was a friend…

“Don’t you mean a friend? Please tell me you know what a friend is?”

Maybe he did not know what that was, but the Wolf was younger than the Anzat by comparison, so certainly Oleander had experienced friendship before. There had to be someone he cared for or about in a way that was beyond a utilitarian ideal.

“You might actually need a different kind of training from me.”

 

[Oleander Webb]

TAG: Gerwald Lechner

"Is there a difference?" Another neutral response for Oleander found himself unsure what the correct answer would be.

If his training was to be believed, there was a glaring weakness that differentiated friend from tool. Once, he'd thought to challenge said notion, only to be promptly retaught the lesson in Carbonite. He could still hear the voices of those he might've considered friends, especially after a duel with Dimitri Vultura had resurfaced their memory.

He'd briefly began to question the mentality once more with the Confederacy, only for that to swiftly end in disaster as well. It seemed at every turn, the old masters of Anzat had only been proven right and yet, under Gerwald's scrutiny, Oleander found himself lacking in conviction.

"Oh? And what sort of training is that?" The mention of training, the teaser of a possible change in subject, had Oleander perhaps overeager in his response. As if to further manifest a change in subject, he went on. "I hope it's lightning."

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Oleander Webb

“Yes,” Gerwald answered with exasperation as he shook his head.

The Wolf sat his knife on the table between them.

“This is a tool. I use it, make it do what I want, and then when I am finished it put it back in its sheath. A friend, a true companion, is not someone you use for your own gain, but rather there is a mutual gain and benefit afforded to each other. It is something offered, not taken.”

Gerwald filled their glasses once more. Clearly they had a lot to discuss. The Dread Wolf did not really know what the Anzat knew of friendship. The species saw people as a source of food. Perhaps it made the concept something they could not grasp or understand. Yet, here they were sharing drinks and socializing, albeit a bit awkwardly.

“I think you need to learn about how to win friends and influence people. Maybe we can toss in a side of lightning if you take to that well.”

 

[Oleander Webb]

TAG: Gerwald Lechner

Oleander opened his mouth to give another jest of a response before he closed it, thinking better of it in the moment. Clearly, the differentiation held some value to Gerwald, as much as the Anzat couldn't quite see the significance. Another question tugged at his mind.

"Which am I, then?" He asked, head cocking to the side as he studied the wolf. He was certain he knew the answer - Gerwald kept him in his employ under the presumption that he could keep Death in check. The job kept him entertained enough that Oleander wasn't inclined to end their arrangement just yet.

A scoff passed the threshold of his lips as he settled further into his seat, freshly filled glass in hand and his feet propped up on a neighboring chair. "Influencing people is easy enough. All it takes is the right push. I hardly need to know anything else while we have Lunara-" Why did he bring her up again? "But sure, let's see what wisdom you have to bestow."

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Oleander Webb

“Which am I, then?”

Gerwald had not expected that particular question from Oleander. Was he certain he knew the answer? Of course he was an asset, The Wolf’s Shadow. Oleander was a student, his apprentice. The Anzat was truly the most faithful. While he had not been the first, he had certainly remained the longest.

The Dread Wolf needed to be honest. His answer, this time, was not one he could give in some casual manner to side step the question. Oleander had earned that much. A small smile graced the Dark Councilor’s lips as the truth of the matter came to mind. The monster was more than an agent or asset. Gerwald had seen to keep him alive, to stop his frenzied feeding, not for the betterment of the Order. The Wolf did it because he knew deep down that he had missed Oleander Webb.

His eyes locked with the creature, a dangerous thing considering what the Anzat was.

“You are my friend.”

It was a simple statement, but Gerwald remained quiet for a moment. The admission carried weight, and he did not want to ruin whatever it was that rested between them after one of the most honest answers the Wolf had ever given to his Shadow.

He nodded.

“You think that I know how to win friends and influence people,” Gerwald laughed. “I am not more suited to instruct in the ways of making friends than I am in selecting a suitable mate. Though, providence favored me in finding Naedira.”

Gerwald took a sip of the whiskey.

“I care for Lunara. She lost her husband around the same time I was grieving the loss of Naedira. Ironically she is well acquainted with death. She would be a better guide for you in such matters than I would ever be.”

The glass was set back down on the table.

“She likes dresses, expensive ones. If you wish to ask a favor of her, bringing her a new one will curry favor.”

 

[Oleander Webb]

TAG: Gerwald Lechner

A creature of few words, it wasn't a rare occurrence for Oleander to not have a response to something another had said. It was, however, a rarity for him to well and truly be caught surprised.

He hid his befuddlement well, keeping his reaction centralized to one raised eyebrow as if he didn't quite believe the answer he was given. That itself was partially true as well, though it was more disbelief than assumed lies, like he didn't know what to do with the answer he was given.

Did he consider Gerwald a friend? Surely he was more a took than anything. After all, the Wolf was his meal ticket, source of income, and self-proclaimed teacher, all of which Oleander was confident he didn't need. So why hadn't he killed him yet?

It was another question to keep Oleander thinking.

There was a sigh both of relief and exasperation as the conversation turned back to Lunara. "You say I need a different kind of training and then immediately refer me back to Lunrara? That's hardly a lesson."

The mention of dresses once more turned his interests. "I thought you're supposed to start small...why dresses?" He should've left it at that, let the conversation shift back to the destroyer that was now apparently his to command. And yet another question left his mouth, almost sheepish as he spoke. "How does one even begin to shop for a dress?"

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Oleander Webb

The Wolf grinned. His design had been to ensure that whatever it was he saw blossoming between the Shadow of Death and the Queen of Ice was something he maintained an accurate pulse on. They were both friends, colleagues, and people the Dread Wolf found that he cared for. It was an odd thing to think those tainted by the dark side, such as Gerwald was, could care for anyone or anything, but here he was.

Srina Talon had showed him the way forward on this matter. One could be fully consumed by the dark side and filled with the care and concern of a mother. Gerwald could be wholly dark, and as giving as a pack leader. He was a pack leader, Alpha of his clan, even if the clan he had built looked different than what Lupo tradition would call it.

His eyes turned away from the Anzat.

“Why dresses? Let’s just say over the course of her service to the Confederacy and the Sith Order, many of her dresses were ruined. It is as much a practical gesture as it is a personal one. You may find it also gives you an opportunity to make fun of me in the process.”

It was the truth. He would let Lunara tell the story however.

“And I am not passing you off, or refusing to teach you how to make friends. I am simply saying that whatever I can teach you, she can do better. You would be wise to seek out her advice and expertise. I will teach you everything I know to teach you.”

Gerwald should not have been surprised that Oleander would not know how to shop for a dress, yet there was a bit of shock in his eyes. Certainly he knew that he could go to a clothing store, or find something on the holonet. It begged the question, where did Oleander get the clothes he wore.

“Wow, I guess I do have some things to teach you.”

The Wolf pulled out his datapad.

“Here, this is her favorite boutique. I would start here. They would have her size on file, and they could help you know what she would like versus something she would not.”