Private Tempus Fugit

[Dominique Vexx]

Frego. The Frontier of Republic and Sith Order space. A stepping stone to both the Iron Covenant and Sith Covenant. Centered in contested territory ripe for battle. And a world with its own, colorful history if one bothered to crack open a history book. It wasn't on everyone's bucket list of hotspots to visit, but it was a prosperous enough world. One where mobsters and lords alike might comfortably call home.

It was only appropriate Dominique invite one Darth Carnifex to join her on a world capable of furnishing comforts worthy of his character. A gesture, she hoped, of good faith that it was on this side of the border rather than in strictly neutral space. It wasn't Denon, but it would be mighty difficult to conceal Carnifex's presence on such a populous world.

That and Dominique hoped the two of them might continue to gradually better understand one another before they toured seats of power. Naboo was the Chancellor of the Republic's seat of literal power, but Denon was her personal source. Her tempestuous world would always be number one in her heart even if she did members of the world the service of not letting it show. To the best she was able. Of course, there might be other reasons for choosing Frego. Political ones. Diplomatic ones. Not legal concerns, though she wouldn't deny avoiding Carnifex of all people meandering through highly visible areas kept things... manageable.

She'd arranged for a lavish and tall building on the side of the mountain with an open deck and a crystal clear view of the horizon. Staff ensured all creature comforts and tidiness was upheld in anticipation of a guest's arrival. Chefs toiled in the kitchen preparing a feast. There'd be savory food even for any attendants that uncomfortably occupied seats waiting for their leaders' visit to end. Just because they were working didn't mean they couldn't enjoy something memorable on the palette, or to keep hydrated. Hospitality wasn't only for the rich and powerful. Not when you wanted to make a point.

Dominique stood along the railing, one hand rested atop it with the other sporting a flute of drink. The landing pad was within view of the deck, but off to one side. Flight control's plan had the ship approach in a way that didn't intrude upon the view -- wouldn't want anyone thinking they were looking down at her. It was a short walk; more vertical than horizontal for a visitor to join her on the deck. There'd be a kindly faced staffer to escort him, of course; not because Carnifex couldn't find his way, but because it was acceptable to pamper someone with a little sense of being in control.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Spoofed transponders and falsified identification made the journey to Frego pleasant if not unmemorable. By the time the Crestfallen touched down, they'd passed through multiple Republic systems without issue. Frego had been a world existing within the purview of the Dark Lord's vast criminal enterprise, though this would mark the first that He'd ever visited the world. Historically ruled by criminal ambitions, Frego was a breeding ground for the illicit sort that were the most susceptible to the Dark Lord's magnetic wiles.

The significance of its choosing was not lost on Him, He was well-informed of the Chancellor's connections to the sinful world of Denon. In comparison, Frego was a schoolchild's playground, let alone an even further comparison to worlds like Nal Hutta and Cantonica - both of which felt the power and influence of the Dark Lord from afar. If time permitting, one day He would set foot on Denon as well, perhaps at the same pleasure of the Chancellor that He currently enjoyed.

Hydraulic steam shrouded the boarding ramp in a dense fog, heavy footfalls preceding the Dark Lord before He emerged from the haze. Clad in rich black and crimson vestments, the Dark Lord epitomized the very essence of regality. Had a crown sat upon His brow, one might have mistaken Him for a dazzling and dashing king, though such temporal titles held little interest to one such as He.

Striding forward, rathtar-skin boots announcing His arrival like triumphant fanfare, He entered the chateau. It took only a short time for the Dark Lord to join His house, gloved hand extended to gently caress hers in kind.

"Madame Chancellor," He crooned as He inclined forward at the waist, the closest thing to a respectful bow that one could ever hope to wring out of the Black Iron Tyrant. "You are positively radiant, the distant horizon can only hope to writhe in envy." Even though the words were well-honeyed, it was still just a mask. Behind every gesture, every smile, and every carefully tailored compliment was a predator, insatiably voracious.

After such quick pleasantries, He joined the Chancellor to look out across the landscape. "I have yearned for the time when we could meet again. I found your company quite an enjoyable experience."

Dominique Vexx ​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique turned slowly when Carnifex reached the lofty height of the viewing deck. Her golden eyes glowed behind the lilac glareshades ever perched upon her nose. The soft clink of glass atop the railing accompanied her setting it aside in the turn so both hands were free. Not in anticipation for a fight, of course. Obviously the man wasn't there to abduct her. Obviously.

"Darth Carnifex," she replied with warmth he undoubtedly did not enjoy under most circumstances. One he hadn't quite earned either, but she was a practiced politician. You smiled in the face of even your greatest nemesis. And whatever could he have done to warrant the need to feign pleasantries? Well, there was the time he very nearly killed her on Moorja. Not that she'd expect him to remember; she'd been escorted away from his fight with the Jedi at the start of those unpleasantries.

It was interesting to find that a man known for butchery wasn't half bad himself at flattery. Or that he cared enough to bother.

Provided one overlook his compliment being that the horizon should writhe with envy, of course.

"I admit, our time together was more productive than your detractors could ever have dreamed. Or would those having been waking nightmares?" The Chancellor smirked expecting he'd appreciate the thought of his foes being plagued with the thought of their expectations being subverted. "I was most pleased to hear you accepted this invitation. We only began to scratch the surface last time. I'm most intrigued by what topics of import might make today worthwhile for someone of your prestige."

Darth Carnifex​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Prestige," The word rolled languidly from His tongue, accompanied by the faintest curl at the corners of His mouth. "How generously you adorn me, Madame Chancellor." His eyes watched Dominique, never blinking and never wavering. It was unnerving to some, the way that His gaze always seemed to seize upon another's and burrow through them like a drill. He seemed less a man than He was a force of nature, a hurricane, a typhoon, wearing the skin of one.

Yet, there was nothing particularly tempestuous about Him now. The monster that she had witnessed cleave through armored soldiers like soft flimsiplast and was infamous the galaxy over as a despoiler of worlds stood quietly, almost introspectively, hands clasped loosely behind His back. Even without armor He seemed enormous, His dark vestments falling from broad shoulders in long folds of black and crimson. The embroidered scripture caught the light whenever He moved, fleeting lines of red burning against the black before disappearing again.

"Creatures of lesser purpose are more than sufficient to speak about the mundanity of governance, Madame. I did not cross the stars to speak of matters that are better left to an emissary." His gaze momentarily drifted from Dominique towards the distant horizon. For a moment the silence grew, punctuated only by the sound of the wind whipping through the open air, bending and snapping to the silent tune of the Dark Lord's power.

Then His eyes slid back towards her, and the faint glimmer of the smile that had been building had all but vanished.

"I want to speak of you, Dominique Vexx. You intrigue me. I have seen many come and go who wear the authority you drape yourself in, all of them inadequate for their station." The Dark Lord regarded her intensely, with the same devotion a scholar might afford an ancient manuscript. Something to be carefully read rather than hastily interpreted. Yet for all the intensity of His scrutiny, there was no hostility in it.

A hint of that smile returned, though it more closely resembled a predator's grin than anything warm.

"Let us discuss one another, Madame."

Dominique Vexx ​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique was under no delusion Carnifex was as any other Noble. His arrogance and swagger were the result of a long career of conquest and demonstration of power. Undoubtedly, in a contest of strength between them the victor was clear. That being true, it was her responsibility to be equally as confident in herself despite a lack of Force ability. The Sith could not literally smell fear, but they could see it in your eyes. The way you held your hands. How you looked away or flinched. Sweat that dew at your temples. None of which the man before her -- for all his overwhelming presence -- would find no matter how long his lidless gaze rested on her.

A Dark Lord was only different from a shrewd businessperson because of their ability to kill you with a thought. Otherwise, people were people, meetings were meetings, and negotiations were negotiations. Unless the Force entered the picture all other variables remain the same. Dominique had spent her life managing situations in those realms. She was not at such a great disadvantage as it might first seem.

As for his opening statement concerning mundane matters being better left to lesser creatures, Dominique had no objection per se. She did, however, question whether any lesser person would have gotten the time of day out Darth Carnifex -- or his emissary. There were many mundane matters they could discuss, if he were open to it. It would seem she would need to expect this exchange would be more akin to that of dealing with Mandalorians. Commerce was not foremost on their mind. Fair enough; which was precisely why she'd invited him to propose the topic of the hour.

While his smile had melted away, hers remain securely in place. Some lamented their difficulty reading her, but her mask had kept her alive on Denon; Dominique doubted shedding it now as a Chancellor would be for the best.

"That is agreeable," she conceded his interest in a more... social setting. "Provided, of course, I understand the appropriate address I use in turn. Darth and My Lord are so impersonal for two sentients that seek to better understand one another." She gazed up at the towering figure from behind her glareshades. Power and authority aside, the man had an impressive physical presence as well. Even sitting down she'd still need to look up. Fortunately, having met him once before, if they did take to comfort that accommodations had already prepared so he wouldn't be humorously folded up with knees hitting the underside of the table.

Darth Carnifex​