Private The Queens Gambit

[Dominique Vexx]

"Lyra," Dominique looked over at Sibylla and reached out to take the other woman's hand, "you could have come to me any time about something like that." Admittedly, a noble wouldn't have known to trust someone like Dominique, but that wasn't the point. "I have the perfect thing in mind for you." You didn't become an Executive Director just because people liked you -- you got there because you were a successful Executive of a company. Rachne Industries could easily furnish the employment angle for Sibylla's alternate identity.

Paperwork in motion, the golden eyes turned back to Mastema's companion. "A year or two to get to the level people recognized the skill. Longer than I would have liked or needed at the time. Then priorities changed. What began as a convenience became something of a demand." Dominique leaned in closer to lower her voice, "What Darkwire didn't find good enough grew into something... bolder." Perhaps that had been the issue back then. She hadn't the same level of skill to impress the terrorists with her cover story. Didn't matter any more, of course; Dominique hadn't stopped developing the skill set once it became necessary to seize the Board.

"To be honest, Dear, chess and fencing can be quite useful in the right circumstance. All the galaxy is a chess board. With only so many resources and time, you have to prioritize your moves. Position your pieces. And when the time is right, thrust for the kill." Obvious her mentors hadn't been teaching Sibylla what the mindset was good for. No doubt they thought such things beneath a noble. Sibylla had tacticians and soldiers to handle such work.

Well, not in the lifestyle Sibylla was pursuing these days. "If you plan on being without your... ordinary protection, Lyra, you're going to need to learn how to use everything you know to survive; no matter how unrelated a skill might seem to the circumstance."

Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx
​

Listening to Dominique, Sibylla flushed at the admission that she could have come to her for something like this. It had been difficult enough to voice it at all.

"It isn't easy… admitting that," she confessed softly, taking a steadying breath before sipping her drink. "Each day I come to better understand the necessity of my role and duty, yet it still clashes with the feeling of being completely smothered by it all."

Her brow arched at Dominique's mention of having something perfect for her.

"Oh?" Sibylla leaned in, curiosity brightening her features. She listened closely as Dominique explained how long it had taken to master her skills, and what it had required. It all made sense, especially the emphasis on learning to survive, no matter how unrelated a skill might seem to the moment.

"All right… what do you recommend then? What skills should I focus on learning? And where could one possibly gain such training… without the wrong eyes watching?"

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"You do need to be careful who knows," Dominique agreed. She herself had thought not to reveal it back on Naboo for a scholarly pursuit; but Sibylla had seemed so earnest that they needed to discern the truth at the time. As it turned out, the trust wasn't misplaced and their friendship might even turn out to be a boon for both of them.

A preview of the identification profile being created appeared on the screen for Sibylla's inspection. In particular, the profession she purportedly held was that of a Sales Manager of Rachne Industries. A position that required a fair bit of mobility, would explain or excuse interacting with people in higher positions -- not merely at the street level -- and help someone think twice about accosting her. It might not be an Executive position, but she wasn't a faceless grunt in Dominique's organization. Well, there were multiple Sales Managers, but no one ever knew how faceless such Managers were unless they said far more than they should.

Mastema stopped interacting with the terminal and turned to look directly at Lyra. "You need to think on your feet. Learn how to manipulate people in the moment. Because if you can't convince them to not harm you, or hold you for ransom, then you'll have to fall back on another skillset: how to defend yourself, and if necessary how to kill someone." Dominique paused meaningfully to give Sibylla a moment to reflect on what she'd just said. "Freedom -- like power -- has a price. I couldn't forgive myself if I enabled you to walk into the hands of criminals, pirates, and other powerful factions." Mastema would forego mentioning the Sith or Imperials by name. True, no one should be able to hear them, but there was no value to mentioning them by name so why take the risk?

Sibylla Abrantes​