Private Stellar Exchanges

[Astra Sadow]

"Well, it goes without saying I'd like to stand beside you at the height of power. You'll need a body of capable people to manage an entire planet. From there, perhaps our influence will spread to countless other worlds. I see no reason why we should stop at Brentaal once we have a tested system in our grasp." Start small, grow big. That was how Sanguine Enterprises got where it was today. It was a multi-planetary syndicate of legit and illegitimate businesses. Lysander's dream could accomplish much the same, but at an even grander scale. Why not? It would be fun.

"It won't take long before Mercy notices. Then it won't merely be talk, but proof, Lysander. Tangible evidence you can bring entire worlds into the Covenant without expending military forces." Astra chuckled. "She'll never stop crushing her enemies, but the Covenant can grow twice as fast if both of your efforts are used appropriately." Rather than constantly steeping on one anothers' feet, they could work in harmony to entice and crush those deserving of their fates.

Astra's fingers unwrapped from his hand to then press lightly upon his chest. "We could go far together, Lysander, and Brentaal will be merely the beginning. I'll claim a spot on Brentaal for myself to make it happen." And she'd do her best not to bridge the dimensions on his planet. She'd save that experiment for another world. Because like Lysander and Mercy, Astra and Lysander might clash if certain horrific elements ran amok sabotaging his well-laid plans.

Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Astra Sadow​

"I suppose we'll have to discover what that looks like when we get there. I'm not sure either of us would recognize the summit once we reach it." Lysander had tasted something of that height before, albeit in a rather different role. And he had to admit, it hadn't felt quite the way he'd imagined. Not the loneliness. There'd been something else, a peculiar feeling that stayed with him long after the responsibilities themselves passed. Even now, he couldn't put his finger on what it was. Perhaps some things only made sense once you'd lived through them a second time.

There was something else that went without saying, too. "Then you know moderation has never been one of my strengths. The tendency to keep pushing. Could prove to be expensive for you."

"That's more or less how I've come to see it. There's little sense in asking her to become something she isn't. And with our interests expanding westward, I'll have another chance to show her what mine can accomplish. Brentaal needn't be the only example. I'd rather it became the first of many too." The Covenant would leave their share of governments in smoking craters along the way. Results must be recognized one way or another. "That's another advantage of having you at my side. I'll have someone just as unwilling to let it fail."

Lysander's gaze lowered briefly to the hand against his chest. His own lifted, drumming his fingertips against hers as a smile touched his lips. Then it fell back to his side. "I'd like whatever you create there to be yours. Not just another project undertaken because it happens to advance my ambitions. Brentaal is large enough for us to leave our mark in our own way." There would be plenty of time to decide what that looked like later.

 

[Astra Sadow]

"Don't fret, Lysander, I assure you I will create something for myself on Brentaal." There was no chance Astra had became a philanthropist in the time it took for them to broach and discuss the matter. There'd be plenty that would support the grander scheme, but she would make the time for something personal. Just not bringing untold horrors across the void. Probably.

Astra drew in a deep breath. Her gaze slipped slightly before it locked on Lysander once more. Time really had gotten away from them and she could do for a bite.

"The road ahead is perilous. Countless challenges. But I have no doubt we'll make it through. To see that happen, you wouldn't refuse a gift, would you? Something more tangible than my priceless wisdom." She hadn't called it humble, he should be grateful. Though, Astra didn't believe anything about what she'd said to truly be humble. A great deal of it was from no small amount of suffrage.

Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Astra Sadow​

Lysander doubted Brentaal would leave her short of challenges. If anything, she'd likely find more than one worth pursuing.

An arch touched his brow. Knowing Astra this was less a spontaneous idea and more the glimpse of a plan she'd already been nurturing. Then again, he could've been wrong. It wouldn't be the first time the woman caught him by surprise.

“And here I was under the impression that priceless wisdom of yours was already a gift beyond measure.” He made no effort to conceal his amusement in the space between them. ”Are you telling me you've been holding something back all this time?"

"I feel a gift from you could be practically anything, Astra. Something extraordinarily useful, something extraordinarily dangerous, or, more likely, something that somehow manages to be both. If I've learned anything about you, it's that those categories tend to overlap."

His emerald gaze drifted over her at an unhurried pace before settling on her countenance. “I wouldn't refuse you. Though you ought to be careful about making a habit of this.”

 

[Astra Sadow]

"My, how am I to live up to those expectations?" Astra responded with a smirk. "I'll have it in your possession by the time we return to Lyrander." In fact, she had an idea, but with his exuberance springing it in that moment might not play as well as she'd expected.

"Now, I'm afraid I think it's time for that little lay over I had in mind earlier. I make my own schedule, but some things just cannot be put off forever." It was a call back to her saying they needed to stop somewhere on the way back. Namely, somewhere with people. Preferably enough no one would notice any of them missing in the near future. The hunger really was clawing at the back of her mind. Lysander himself was looking increasingly tempting. Just the feel of his heart beneath her hand was... maddening.

With a faint twitch of her lips, Astra drew her hand away from him before she got swept away by the notion.

Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Astra Sadow

"I'm afraid that could very well be one thing beyond your power, Astra, but I wouldn't dare rob you of the opportunity to try."

There was surely some humor in that deadline, considering the pace at which they managed to get anywhere. Between their conversations and the occasional unexpected detour, it could be quite some time before they found themselves back where they'd started.

When she withdrew her hand, Lysander yielded a single step and pivoted gracefully toward his freighter in the distance. A little mirth brightened his expression as he swept one hand toward the vessel in invitation.

"Well.. I suppose even the woman who makes her own schedule has appointments she can't argue with. Did you have somewhere particular in mind?"

He might otherwise have suggested a visit to the shipyards on Had Abaddon. The Covenant maintained its principal yards here, and there were few opportunities to see those operations firsthand. Whatever Astra had in mind for their layover, Lysander saw no reason to turn it into another tour. There would always be another day.

“Then by all means, lead the way my lady. How discourteous it would be of me to keep you from your engagements.” Or whatever the reason was.

 

[Astra Sadow]

"I don't, actually, Anywhere there are people should do. Wherever people are, services follow." Astra smiled even while the gnawing hunger dwelt within. Over time you knew where your limit was, and considering how much time it would take to get somewhere... "Somewhere nearby, preferably." True, she could potentially use her knowledge to cross vast distances in space without waiting on a ship, but was a price to pay for using such power. Her knowledge came from somewhere deeper than what most called 'The Nether' and what the Covenant exploited frivolously. Using such power could attract the wrong attention from multiple levels of reality.

Besides, it would be rude to abandon Lysander. Even if it would be to spare him her fangs if she misjudged the timing.

Astra started toward the ship at Lysander's invitation. "It won't take long. So, what else would you like to discuss along the way?" As much energy as talking took, it was a welcome distraction from the restlessness within.

Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Astra Sadow​

They were in the Core, after all, where finding a planet without people was probably more difficult than finding one with them. What was interesting was how content Astra seemed to leave the details up to chance.

Lysander wasn't especially particular himself, though there were exceptions. Tython, for one. Something about that world had never quite sat right with him, regardless of its history. Prakith wasn't terribly far away either. If anything, their proximity only made the alternatives seem more appealing.

"How about Byss?" Lysander mused. "Conveniently close, and populated enough to satisfy your sole stated requirement."

He'd grown rather fond of Byss, and for reasons that were more personal than political. Enough to develop something of an attachment to the world. Had he not been pursuing Brentaal, he might well have set his sights on Byss instead. Then again, there was no particular reason he couldn't have both.

"And we've got the hypergates nearby, should you decide this little layover warrants a longer detour." The words were wrapped in a touch of mischief. Not his best work, conversationally speaking. Sounded better before it left his mouth. Still, he'd started, so he might as well finish. "At this rate, we might even make it back to Lyrandar before the year's out."

Then again, it wasn't as if she could've suggested many places he would've argued against.

"I could think of another dozen things to ask you, Astra.. but I fear you'd never get a word in edgewise. I'm sure there's something you've been curious about yourself?"

 

[Astra Sadow]

"Byss? Very well, Lysander. Byss." Astra smiled. It was a suitable enough world. Not unfamiliar territory.

They shared a chuckle at the idea they'd run around the galaxy a bit longer before returning. Admittedly, the fact he didn't seem in a hurry to return was a bit surprising. Was she that important to him? That interesting? She'd like to think so, but then a creature like her would. Difficult to tell sometimes whether you were full of yourself, or genuinely instilled a sort of attraction in others. Especially when you were already mad.

"Why aren't you afraid?" The question came out of a lower pitch and with a hint of... resonance. Just as soon as it was put to him, however, Astra chuckled and turned to smile over at him. "After what you saw, I mean. I understand it was disturbing in the moment, but you have a sort of confidence I wouldn't expect from most others. Then again, that might just be one of the many reasons I enjoy your company." Was it a healthy quality to be so accommodating? Well, Astra wouldn't object. Who didn't like having friends even if that friendship might end up with his devoured by something. Or someone. Her, for instance.

"You've been so polite, Lysander. We've spoken on just about every topic except one another. Perhaps the past isn't as interesting as the future, but there's still the present. For instance, you ran a club on Nar Shaddaa didn't you? If you've a mind to continue that indulgence I could have a special place set aside for you in the space station." Had she not discussed her plans for the station yet? So many plans. Astra expected Lysander would like nearly all of them.

Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Astra Sadow​

As they walked toward the freighter, Lysander idly scuffed the toe of his boot through a tuft of grass. Maybe it was simple, but he enjoyed coming back to places he knew. Sith spoke endlessly of ambition, of building, conquering, becoming. All well and good, really. But he'd also seen enough of the 'extraordinary' not to undervalue the ordinary.

He glanced her way again, and the smile found no reason to leave. She'd watched him nearly come apart in the Fold. How many souls had borne witness to that particular unraveling? Not many, Lysander suspected. And none among those who had presumed to teach him, now that the matter pressed on his mind.

"Who told you I wasn't afraid, Astra?" Every topic? Not by his reckoning. The more they spoke, the more he suspected each conversation left him with better questions than he'd started with.

Another step, and he considered her properly. "I don't imagine understanding every part of someone should be a prerequisite for enjoying their company. And I can't spend every conversation waiting for the worst." Was that the Emissary in him speaking? In part.

"The Red Ronin, yes. Though I was more its custodian than its creator. As it turns out, spending enough time behind the same bar offers an intimate view of people. The longer you listen, the harder it becomes to divide people into heroes and villains." Not that he'd ever been drawn to the appetite that animated it all. A most peculiar way to live, forever pouring into a cup that somehow remained half-full. Lysander was hardly above enjoying himself, but there were other ways.

"I had grander intentions for the establishment, as it happens. Never found the opportunity to see them through. My obligations to the Covenant always took precedence."

 

[Astra Sadow]

His fear didn't upset her. Though Astra couldn't help but notice he didn't give a proper response. Admittedly, it hadn't been the question she expected to ask, but since it was out there... Why wasn't he more suspicious? More alarmed? Was he simply playing out a role to make her think he was on her side? Try to figure out how she was going to bridge dimensions in order to stop her. He shoulder stop her. Not that she'd thank him for it. But it would be an absolutely vile act to bring Them into this world. Vile and glorious.

"The worst?" Astra laughed. "You say such the sweetest things." It was true, she hadn't told him the worst. Most people would think a wider effect would be worse than the lost of their own, singular mind wouldn't they? All that 'needs of the many' nonsense. The only many that mattered was her Court. And Lysander. She really wouldn't mind sinking her fangs into his neck.

As for being a bartender giving him a non-binary view on the world, Astra had no complaints. A hero was a self-important busybody that felt they knew how the galaxy should function to protect the comforts of the ignorant masses. A villain was someone that sought to disturb that system. There should be more villains in the galaxy far as Astra was concerned; but, otherwise, it was a meaningless dichotomy.

"I'll make certain to build a club on my station just for you to explore those intentions when you have time. It'll be a great deal closer than flinging yourself to the other side of the galaxy. All that travel time would cut into your time to do what you intended." Of course, there'd be enough staff to keep the place running when he was occupied elsewhere. Visitors wouldn't stop coming just because you had to divide your attention among different projects.

Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Astra Sadow​

It might've been his own fault that conversations with Astra hadn't managed to follow a straight line for more than a minute or two lately. He enjoyed the unpredictability, even though it occasionally left him with the suspicion that he wasn't contributing to the conversation so much as supplying new content.

"I confess your criteria for sweetness continue to elude me, Astra. Still, I'd hope I've said something agreeable by now. Spending an entire afternoon in your company and failing to do so would be a fairly damning indictment of my conversational abilities, right?"

Her offer drew another smile from him, albeit a softer one. He hadn't spoken of the Red Ronin in hopes of finding a solution. It'd only been one of those pieces of himself he found himself inclined to place in her hands. The past was easier to speak of depending on who was listening.

"You do have a way of making an old ambition sound tempting again. Back then, I'd wanted to establish a fight club, of sorts. A proper ring, organized bouts, somewhere others could come to test themselves or simply enjoy a good match. I never quite found the time to see it through."

Something a little more ambitious than serving drinks and watching sentients make questionable decisions. Not that the latter hadn't proven educational. "Part of it was probably the timing too. I'd taken over the Red Ronin not long after the Galactic Kaggath, and the Triumvirate was very receptive to bringing the Academy into the arrangement. I liked the idea of giving our upcoming Sith somewhere to test themselves against opponents outside our own ranks. Before they discovered the limits of their abilities on an actual battlefield."