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​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx ​

Sibylla let out a soft chuckle, watching as the alias was created for a Sales Manager.

"Well, what are politicians but a version of sales managers? We lobby bills and charm constituents all the same." she added wryly, taking another sip of her drink. However, her expression sobered as Dominique's practical counsel sank in. After a second Sibylla gave a slow nod.

"You are right," she said quietly. "One does not learn the limits of one's resolve until tested. If survival demands it, some will do what must be done, and some will not."

The memory of Wielu tightened something in her chest.

"I do not imagine myself eager for blood, but I will not be naive about who the galaxy can be. I would rather do all I can, fight dirty if I must, to defend myself whenever necessary."

She set her drink down, fingers curling around the glass as if to anchor herself.

"That is precisely why I want this. Not for thrills, but for agency. To defend and, if necessary, to fight dirty so I might live to choose another day." There was a distinct sense of resolve in her tone. "As we saw on Wielu, hesitation costs lives."

A pause then a grin, turning to DOminique, "Did I tell you that I managed to knock Rel on his back with a rather decisive knee strike? Oh, it was grand!"

Another chuckle, and she took another sip of her drink adding, "Served him right. He completely deserved it!"

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique smiled. Sibylla had spirit, and said all the right things, but when it came time to perform such acts... People always liked to think the best of themselves. It wasn't even arrogance. Why wouldn't you do what obviously needed done? Fear had a way to make even the brave cowardly.

Mastema leaned in a bit closer, "It was preem. A grand is how much a job is worth." Sibylla's vocabulary could be just as revealing as her outfit or name. Not a dead give away, but certainly not 'from around here.'

"You did not," she replied with a laugh. "Doesn't sound like that was training. What did Rel do?" Deserved it? Believable. Man was shrewd and capable, but at times reckless. A boldness that could serve him well at times, and nearly get him killed in others. Wielu had shown as much. In how he sustained the injury, and how he responded to it -- or the relatively lack thereof for theatrical benefit. Not that she found his methods dubious, just whether he had to be that close to death to address the Senate.

Method acting had its own price.

"Identicard'll be waiting when we get back to the pad," Mastema said as all the paperwork had been inserted. "We could get a subdermal," she mused aloud, wondering if that was necessary or wise. Less likely she'd lose it or have it found. What was the likelihood of someone scanning for it? Nobles on Naboo didn't bother with such 'accessories' far as she knew.

Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx ​

"Preem," Lyra repeated softly after taking another sip of her drink, testing the word on her tongue, only to suddenly grin as a flicker of amusement flared in her eyes.

"I'll remember that. I suppose Lyra has some vocabulary to catch up on if she's going to blend in."

When Dominique's laughter followed, Lyra's own joined it as she thought back to the circumstances of that particular bit of hilarity.

"No, it wasn't training," She admitted, her expression turning thoughtful. "More like testing out shield generators and seeing how well they could handle specific parameters. We sparred with vibroshivs, and well, we know how Rel is when he wants to get mouthy... and has no regard for personal space." Although the humor in Lyra's tone indicated that while it had been an experience, she was looking back at in good humor.

"So i simply showed him how i leverage close proximity when tested. He went down like a pile of rocks."

Her attention shifted back toward the terminal, curiosity rekindling when Dominique mentioned the identicard.

"A subdermal?" she asked, brows arching slightly. "That sounds… useful, actually. Less chance of it getting stolen or discovered right?"

She gave a small, decisive nod, the excitement returning to her face.

"Let's do it. If Lyra's going to exist, she might as well do so properly."

Her smile softened as she turned toward Dominique once more.

"After that, I think Lyra owes Mastema a drink and a favor. What would be something you'd be interested in?"

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Aurelian did take chances, but Dominique also wondered if his fall had something to do with his relationship with Sibylla. It didn't appear romantic. If it was, the man went out of his way to bury it under lechery and an all too easy boyish grin. Whether anyone else had noticed -- most nobles being hopelessly blind to real social cues -- Dominique had; they were practically inseparable. Not something she was inclined to sever either. It did keep Sibylla out of harm. Presumably.

A smile and nod of approval accompanied Sibylla's claim to taking the man down. It was good to learn how to defend one's person. Dominique, herself, knew a thing or two though she'd hardly measure up to a seasoned soldier. Cassian would be a greater physical threat by far. It was only in people underestimating her and leaving their guard down when she fell a foe even he would struggle to topple.

"Oh?" Mastema's brow lifted as she smiled at her partner in crime. "Then we're getting one done right. None of the cheap garbage so many use. I know a parlor where we could get it done." Yes, they'd have to splurge. Get one she could turn on and off in case someone scanned for one. Genuine spycraft-level hardware only someone with a planet backing them could manage -- and for good reason.

Dominique's bright eyes widened a hair before they slid to take in the interior of the club. A favor. There were so many things a woman like Dominique could want or expect in return. "Our gangs are both strong, but together we'd crush anyone that messed with us. Allies keep in touch about things they hear on the street. On the 'net. You dig?" Best to wrap the truth in the guise of those they were masquerading as. No matter how private a booth was, it wasn't fully enclosed.

"Other than that, we chill. Plenty of see and all the time in the verse for it." If Sibylla was interested in being less cooped up in the trapping of nobility, there was plenty to see and do on Denon. And elsewhere, but she'd get the best education in underworld and street-side socialization in a planet with such a massive population. Skills she could use almost anywhere else once she figured out who the players were.

Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx ​

"A parlor?!" The idea of going to a parlor for a dermal sent a fresh thrill through her. She never thought she'd go to one of those before.

"Is that where you go for things like tattoos?" Lyra asked, eyes flicking to the faint ink that had ghosted across Mastema's skin when her outfit shifted. Was it silly to be so intrigued by it?

Did it hurt?

"Or are there less permanent ways to get one?" Not that she planned on getting inked herself, but the notion was fascinating.

When Dominique switched into Denon slang, Sibylla laughed, surprised at how much of it she could follow. And while she didn't quite understand the flow of allof it yet, she knew enough to make the effort fit her new alias.

"I dig," she said with a grin, clinking Mastema's drink. "Together our gangs will crush anyone who karks us and keep our ears to the ground on what goes on the street." Even as the words left her mouth, she couldn't help but think of how ridiculous she might sound. Okay, so she would need more practice.

"All right, then, top up our drinks and see what else the night has for Mastema?"

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Mastema smirked and lifted a arm, slowly rolling her wrist to show off at Lyra's excitement.

"Less... permanent?" A quick scan of the nearby area preceded Mastema leaning in to throw an arm over her friend's shoulder. "Tattoos are a badge of honor, Lyra. Only children and Corpos get temporary ones." The smirk most would take for condescendingly informative was in fact ironic amusement, of course. Dominique was undoubtedly one of those Corpos. "Ask me later, I'll tell you where to avoid." Or how to get one if she wanted it. It wouldn't be difficult to supply a temporary tattoo. Not for free -- wouldn't want to establish an unhealthy dependence -- but no up-charges either.

A clip nod followed Sibylla's agreement in keeping her ears open.

"You still interested in that dance?" Mastema's fingers danced over the controls to clear the terminal. No need to leave any evidence behind for the next slicer to come along. "Or would you like to be introduced to one of the Fixers? They're the people that hook you up with gigs and creds, if you're good." Not that Dominique expected Sibylla to actually take up a gig, but it was a night out on the town. Might as well offer the full tour.

Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

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D E N O N
Dominique Vexx

Lyra couldn't help it, she laughed.

"Okay, badges of honor," she concurred, amusement flickering in her hazel eyes. "Just curious, I promise. I'm not planning on getting one, at least not tonight."

Still, the way Mastema said it made the idea sound more tempting than she'd admit.

Draining the last of her drink, Lyra set the glass aside and smiled over at her companion.

"But for now, I think I'd rather dance. Honestly, that sounds perfect." Her grin turned playful. "Just don't laugh if I look a little ridiculous out there."

The music outside the room was already thrumming through the floor, bold and alive, and she could feel her pulse syncing with it.

"Then again," she added, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she stood, "if I can manage a ballroom, I should be able to follow a rhythm here too."

Those hazel eyes found Mastema's and lyea' smile turned bright and daring.

"Lead the way, partner."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

They could discuss the tattoos later then. Permanent and overt ones were hardly the extent of what was possible. Yes, Dominique was sure Sibylla could explore her bad-girl phase without at least some of the lasting consequences. As interesting as the scandal would be, the Director of Denon wasn't trying to corrupt Naboo's youth -- though there were plenty of Nobles that would make that claim no matter how passionately she refuted it.

Slightly raised eyebrows followed Sibylla's expressed confidence. Well, there was no point describing what Sibylla was about to walk into. She'd figure it all out in due time. Those on the floor wouldn't give her any other option.

Mastema reached out to take Lyra's hand to guide her swiftly to the open area where people danced. No point taking it slow. Too much thinking was counterproductive in these matters. Once they were there, however, the hand-holding abruptly ended and Mastema's hands went in the air as she started to sway and move her feet to the beat.

A smile silently invited Lyra to join her. Sure, people might bump into you, or brush along side you. They'd be moving in all kinds of... non-traditional ways that would never in ten thousand years be found in a ballroom. If Lyra stood still too long, Mastema would have to reach out with both hands to help get her moving, but not with the gentleness and grace of nobility.

It was... entertaining to do this from time to time. Dominique couldn't say she would trade her 'day job' for living at street level, but it was an indulgence from time to time. One that the real 'common folk' would be none too amused at if they discovered her deception. What they didn't know wouldn't hurt them -- after all, this was the least of the things they were blissfully unaware of in their lives on Denon.

Sibylla Abrantes​