Faction The Scent of Bloodfin [The Diarchy]

[Tales of the Rule of Two]

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Bastion, Ravelin, Outer Rim systems;
Tags: Vyllia Sancetti | Maldor Sancetti | [ OPEN TO ALL DIARCHY ]

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"The Diarchy, born from the ashes of Sith ambition and forged in the fires of disillusionment, stands as a beacon of order in a chaotic galaxy. Founded upon the homeworld of Bastion and guided by the twin Diarchs, equal rulers inheriting the mantle of peace from the controversial legacy of Darth Kakus, their dominion expands not through blind conquest, but through the deliberate pursuit of a galactic Pax Astrum – a peace enforced and maintained by a superior power..."
-- Excerpts describing The Diarchy founded at the turn-of-the-ninth century.

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The Velvet Fin is a restaurant found in Ravelin, the capital city of Bastion, and home to the Lords of the Diarchy in the early ninth-century.

Located in the northern districts of the city, this place is a blend of modern architecture while still retaining the Imperial aesthetic of the Capital-- making use of large and opulent transparisteel planes to give customers a vast breath taking view of the city, and at night, a mesmeric sight of the moon caught in the array of colours from the nightlife below.

It serves the standard foodstuff one can expect from such an establishment: drinks (both alcoholic and plain), meals from a wide array of cultures (given the demographics of the modern day with thanks to Diarchy policies eliminating the isolationist politics of the Imperial remnants who once governed here), and the rare delicacy of the Bloodfin-- a dark red, semi-aquatic predator native to Bastion which requires specialist skills and care in order to cook a delicious, if not rare meal, which makes the establishment a stand-out in comparison to it's other competitors in the city.

Eirys Santhe , a Liann industrialist, and the head of a newly revitalized Santhe Corporation (headquartered in the Neyrix, Lianna City) is a liaison member of the Commission for the Establishment of Civilian Interests (founded on New Alderaan) and the new Chancellor for Culture in the Diarchy-Chancellorate, who has invited her cousin, and the former Santhe family matriarch (the owner of Santhe/Sienar Technologies) Vyllia Sancetti , and her husband, Maldor Sancetti (the current day Chancellor of The Diarchy) to dinner where Bloodfin is set to be served as the main course to the heads of the newly established nobility of House Sancetti.

The atmosphere is set to be tense.

During the fall of the Empire of the Lost, following the events of the Sartinaynian Crisis (a false-wing attack on The Diarchy which was orchestrated by seditious conspiratorialists known as "The Fifth Wing"), Vyllia was ousted from Imperial space by members of the Santhe family during the subsequent economic collapse of the Lost-Imperials taking with her all of Santhe Corporation's subsidiaries and assets into the Braxant Run which led to a partnership with Trigonus Industries owned by her new spouse.

These events, which coincided with the rise of a non-profit organisation known as Vūm, and whose donations into Santhe Corporation saved the company from bankruptcy, has led to divisions between the two, with one speculating that their cousin was responsible for the events which led to her leaving Lianna to join The Diarchy, and the other believing that the formation of House Sancetti, combined with the breakaway of the Santhe subsidiaries from the parent corporation, was large and in part responsible for the decline in status and power of the Santhe family on their homeworld in the modern day.

To compound matters it is rumoured that Eirys Santhe , whose application to the Diarchy-Chancellorate as a Chancellor for Culture was accepted just a month ago, is set to begin a political movement in Ravelin which shares eerie similarities to the politics that were debated during the summit hosted in the Pellaeon Gardens before it was attacked during the advent of the Sartinaynian Crisis. It is therefore understood that the dinner has an open invitation to other delegates and interests from The Diarchy to attend at tonight's venue in Velvet Fin who maybe interested to know what the new Chancellor has planned on the former Imperial stronghold turned Diarchy-Capital.

Let dinner commence . . .

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[Eirys Santhe]

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Bastion, Ravelin, Outer Rim systems;
Tags: Vyllia Sancetti | Maldor Sancetti | Tertius C. Nargath

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"The Santhe family was one of the ruling houses of Lianna. They controlled the holdings of Santhe Corporation and its subsidiaries Santhe/Sienar Technologies and Santhe Security..."
-- An old description of the Santhe family.

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The Santhe, colloquially referred to by most due to their corporate holdings, were the pioneers behind the TIE series technology-- the most famed, and acclaimed lineage of starfighters across the galaxy rivalled only in stature and performance to the X-Wings that were interlinked to those who stood up against the ideas and philosophies behind "The Empire". Their acumen for business, combined with their engineering feats, had once upon a time made them the standard bearers when it came to shipwrights, and manufacturers across the galaxy.

They also share a celebrity status across the Outer Rim systems, with their name famous even on some Inner Rim, Mid Rim and Core would worlds whence this being one of the reasons why there were paparazzi were waiting outside the Velvet Fin after rumours leaked about a dinner being hosted between the new Chancellor for Culture and heads of the new nobility of House Sancetti in a restaurant located in Ravelin's northern districts.

To the loud snaps and lights of photography, Eirys emerged from a luxurious hovercar opened with the assistance of the driver, to make her way into the venue ahead. She kept her solemn gaze low to the ground, making sure to avoid eye contact with the photographers, or journalists who had come to get a scope on a brewing story of tension and politics in the Diarchy capital, so as to not get dizzy from all the flashing photography.

Sometimes it was helpful to be a celebrity, even out here in the lands of the Braxant Run, for the show and sign of spectacle had been a thing done on purpose. She wanted to remind Vyllia Sancetti , and her new spouse, Maldor Sancetti , that even though they may have besmirched her family legacy, the name 'Santhe' still carried weight even on Bastion.

The venue was set to be hosted on the top level of the restaurant, in a room reserved for VIP events only, where the transparisteel pannels above were at it there most visible to enjoy the awe taking sights of the moon that was set to be full on this most suspicious of nights. Eirys, escorted by the owner of the Velvet Fin, was guided into the room where a circular table seated for six was situated front and centre. Other tables had also been laid out for minor guests and invitees representing other corporate interests, politics or organisations from The Diarchy to attend dinner.

But this particular one was for Eirys, her distant cousin, her husband, and perhaps the influential Tertius C. Nargath , CEO of the N&Z Umbrella Corporation, and a colleague whose company had recently opened offices alongside Santhe Corporation within the Neyrix pyramid found in Halquarn District, Lianna City, and who she had recently assisted in acquiring new assets Harridan-- a planet which had recently been brought into The Diarchy through a combination of heroism, liberation, and military power wrought by her cousin's spouse.

"Please, make sure my guests are brought up," Eirys said to the owner after she was shown inside the room.

"I do not want them to get lost."

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[Judah Dashiell]

THE VELVET FIN

Judah had meet Miss Eirys Santhe after a meeting with the Imperial Confederation. The woman harbored many of the same concerns he did and for good reason. Santhe was well known. A household name just as much as Arceneau. Their products were known far and wide, their vessels famous. Containing such a company to one small government was impossible. Judah could appreciate the want to merely do business unfettered, while also building connections of course.

Which is how he found himself arriving at The Velvet Fin. Leaving Makai to much of the day-to-day business for Dashiell Incorporated, Judah found himself more on the political and connection building side. A thought he has always entertained but was now turned reality. Given how harsh governmental laws could be, well, it was best he try and stay head of the curve.

Dressed sharply but a bit more on the casual side in a tan suit, the salvager exited a speeder at the curb. A valet grabbed the door as Judah nodded to him, entering the well appointed establishment. Flashy. Dimly lit. Expensive. It looked somewhere he might have went thirty years ago as a young CEO with wealth.

He could barely make it in the door before being stopped.

"Mister Dashiell? Right this way, the dinner is to be held in a different room from the main dining. I trust your travels were unremarkable?"

"Quite boring, thank you."

 

[Vyllia Sancetti]

Objective: Probe intentions
Location: The Velvet Fin, Ravelin, Bastion
Outfit: Black/Purple Dress
Tag: Maldor Sancetti | Eirys Santhe | Judah Dashiell | Tertius C. Nargath

Vyllia walked from the speeder valet to the restaurant her arm linked around that of her husband beside her. Shyra Calipsa had gotten a bit heated when this was discussed. Vyllia had argued with her bodyguard that Eirys was her cousin. Shyra had countered that all evidence pointed to a Santhe family member being the one who tried to have Vyllia killed on Lianna. Vyllia rebutted that being the case, Maldor and Shyra will be on high alert and Vyllia herself would be just fine no matter how the group was ordered. That seemed to win the argument for the moment.

Vyllia and Eirys were not close in youth or any time since. As such, Vyllia would not vouch for the new head of Santhe Corporation's innocence in the plot to overthrow her. That alone would make this meeting quite interesting. Hopefully, learning what Eirys' goals were with Santhe Corporation, what had made Eirys follow Vyllia to the Diarchy. To Vyllia it seemed that Eirys would be better served securing her place within the Confederation, at home, before branching out. But, there had been rumors since Eirys' application to join the Chancellorate had been received that she wished to bring Imperial thinking to the Diarchy. A somewhat odd choice since the Confederation which ruled over Lianna was not exactly without dissenters. Stretching out to the Diarchy in both business and politics reeked of something nefarious. Was this cousin out to ruin her? Was she behind the assassination attempt? Was this just some sort of revenge for moving Santhe-Sienar off of Lianna and leaving the other Santhe behind?

While she had projected an air of confidence to Shyra, Vyllia's husband would sense the true caution in Vyllia's temperament. Maldor's presence was comforting, but Vyllia was anything but comfortable going into the meeting. As they entered the restaurant, Vyllia paused. She straightened her dress, purposely purple as opposed to the more common red and blue she had been wearing since the wedding and official formation of House Sancetti. Maldor was keen enough that Vyllia knew that no explanation would be required.

The owner of the restaurant strode towards the entrance as the Sancetti party arrived. "Welcome Lord and Lady Sancetti. Your host is waiting upstairs. Please follow me."

Vyllia gave a moment's pause, she gripped Maldor's arm a bit tighter and forced a smile. "You will sense an explosion before it happens right?" she whispered, hushed to a volume that Maldor standing shoulder to shoulder would not have been able to hear it without Force aided senses. She gave a small giggle as her grip loosened, and she nodded to Maldor her readiness to move forward. They were led up to the VIP section and to the table where Eirys was waiting. Shyra hung back her head on a swivel looking for any possible threats.

"Thank you for inviting us to dinner cousin. This is a wonderful setting," Vyllia spoke both softly and firmly. "Have you had the occasion to formally meet Maldor in person? I can't imagine that your application to the Chancellorate had been accepted without some sort of interaction with the High Chancellor." she looked to Maldor with a soft smile allowing the two to exchange any pleasantries necessary.

 

[Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory]

Bastion, Diarchy, Outer Rim systems
Judah Dashiell | Eirys Santhe | Vyllia Sancetti | Maldor Sancetti​

Bastion wasn't a planet Amalia frequented that much, but still, in lieu to the change of her position within the N&Z, where Tertius C. Nargath had decided to appoint her as the new CEO of the company at large, while he retained his position as Chairman of the Board and major controlling chairholder, it happened to end up becoming the destination of one of her first outings as the new face of the company, a choice which seemed odd, but given Tertius' own reliance upon the woman over the years, a change which had to have been expected.

Contrary to the Marquis, Amalia was less of an eloquent speaker and more of a direct decision, she held no love for pointless smalltalk, she only cared about the progress, the reach she'd have and what the N&Z would gain out of anything which would require any personel of the company to be present. It was a leftover from her years as Secretary General and personal assistent to the Marquis of Valkan, and unlike that aforementioned Tertius, she did know more about the secrets the company held, the reality of its past, its present and thanks to the change in position, she would now be more in control of its future.

Though the invitation was still addressed to the Marquis, Tertius had given the woman a seal of proof, which would effectively allow her to attend any meeting and any gathering which has his name on the invitee-list. With this seal of proof in the pockets of her newest outfit; a somewhat elaborately detailed outfit with a few specific touches to make it her own, an attire which betrayed the origin of its design, as it was quite similar to the usual attires worn by the Marquis, making it a mixture of business and aristocratic styles blended seemlessly into a longtail blazer, tightfitting trousers, assymetrical knee-high boots, all in all a somewhat superb looking black and aurodium suit and tie combination which seemed to perfectly encompass the woman's figure.

As her vehicle arrived at the restaurant, a man with a strangely unsettling smiling mask stepped out first, keeping the door open for the seemingly young woman over whom this man towered with their tall, somewhat lanky-looking frame, following her as she passed through the entrance of the Bloodfin.

It only took her a moment to reveal the seal of proof, which clearly detailed the very reach of the N&Z, even when it had begun to decline in importance within the Diarchy, they still had enough power to open doors that others couldn't and to allow entry to even those whose names did not appear on even the most private of guestlists.

With a nod, Amalia calmly and practically silently allowed herself to be led to the space where there would be other leading figures in the industry, some known to her more personally, others less so, but in the end...the only one she had any interest in due to...circumstances, was Eirys Santhe after all.

 

[Maldor Sancetti]

Maldor felt the subtle tightening of Vyllia's grip on his hand outside. To the world, she could brim with confidence. But she didn't hide herself from him. Maldor had found no shortage of awe and comfort in their union. For the first time in his life, he had a true partner.

He shared a look with her that spoke of his own trepidation. Then he squeezed her hand in reassurance. He would not let anything happen to her this evening, even though the whole of the galaxy might descend upon the supper table.

To the casual observer, they were the perfect portrait of House Sancetti's nobility out for a pleasant dinner engagement, elegance and command personified, but Maldor knew well that this dinner was no mere family reunion. It was a battlefield.

As High Chancellor, such battlefields as these had become his specialty. In a perfect world, every encounter would contain the seeds of mutual advantage, planted and fostered in fertile soil. Too often, he'd found it was merely a preliminary to bloodshed, with each side jockeying for an advantage before the strike. He had hopes this was not that sort of evening... but not high hopes.

As they entered the chamber, Maldor glanced up. The transparisteel above gave the illusion of infinite sky, moonlight glinting off glass and silverware. He allowed his gaze to wander briefly, cataloguing exits, sightlines, and the disposition of those already gathered. Some faces entering the arena were familiar and welcome, like Dashiell's. Others less-so.

When they reached the table, Maldor offered the faintest of bows toward their host.

"Chancellor Santhe," he said evenly, his voice carrying the weight of ceremony without betraying warmth. "An impressive setting. Bastion has many fine establishments, but you have chosen one with both taste and symbolism. The Bloodfin is a difficult creature to master." He let the words linger just long enough before continuing, "One might say the same of politics."

He took the seat beside Vyllia, his expression inscrutable, hands folded neatly before him. He glanced across the table at Judah Dashiell and then to Amalia Visconti, smiling pleasantly. "Chief Executive Dashiell. I'm sorry I missed your previous visit to Bastion. It's good to see you again." Perhaps Dashiell was here to unsettle Maldor, wondering if their host had somehow gotten hooks into a friendly face. Perhaps he and Amalia were here as influences from beyond the Diarchy, carefully chosen to bear witness. Either way, Eirys had staged this well. "And Chief Executive Visconti, unless I miss my guess. Pleasure to meet you."

A masked face was a wildcard in the scenario, and a strange one. An N&Z corporate bodyguard?

"Your arrival in the Chancellorate is very welcome," Maldor went on, his gaze settling back upon Eirys. "The Diarchy thrives on vision, but it endures only through stability. Tell us, cousin," the word spoken with the careful neutrality of a man keen on keeping his feelings in a lockbox, "what vision you would bring? And how you believe the name Santhe should shape our future."

He leaned back slightly, letting silence fall across the table. A silence weighted not with disinterest, but with expectation. He wanted her to declare herself, reveal her intentions.

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Judah Dashiell

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Eirys Santhe

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Vyllia Sancetti

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Maldor Sancetti

 

[Eirys Santhe]

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Bastion, Ravelin, Outer Rim systems;
Tags: Vyllia Sancetti | Maldor Sancetti | Judah Dashiell | Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory

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As Judah Dashiell arrived to her venue first, Eirys met him at the door and leaned forward to plant two kisses on either cheek, with a welcoming charm to match her. "Fantastic to see you again, Judah. I liked the way you dealt with the Confederates the last time we shared a room. I'll be sure to make room in my calendar to follow up on the invitation you made before your exit soon enough."

Tonight was of importance to the revivified Santhe name and their distant cousins from House Sancetti. While the young Chancellor of Culture was a minor player when it came to politics within The Diarchy (when compared to the two 'Lords of the Diarchy' and Vyllia's new spouse, who served as High Chancellor within the Chancellorate) the same could not be said regarding the rumoured ideas surrounding Eirys Santhe and which shared an eerie similarity to those that were practised during the final days of the Empire of the Lost after they had dispatched a delegation to Bastion in order to negotiate the turn-over of the Sartinaynian system to the Kilran Administration mere hours before their disbandment and dissolution of the 'Eggman' regime that was orchestrated in concert with the false-wing attack on Ravelin from eight months ago.

Would the two Lost-Imperials, who had been invited to tonight's dinner in the Velvet Fin, be receptive to such ideas regarding the Diarchy occupation of former Imperial territory, or were their hearts now else-where from their storied days as oligarchs who once ruled and led from that certain fourth planet found in the Lianna system?

"Here is our table..." Eirys explained to Judah as she led him to his seat found in the centre of the room.

As she brought Salacia Consolidated's CEO to his designated seat other important dignitaries from all across Bastion were beginning to filter into the venue as well. Some were even from other star systems recently brought into The Diarchy as they carved their way along the Braxant Run in preparation of their march upon the galactic powers under the authority and vision of Pax Astrum, and each of them handpicked to give weight to the ideas that Eirys was to be brought to bear within the current regime ruled by the Diarchs.

"Thank you for inviting us to dinner cousin. This is a wonderful setting... Have you had the occasion to formally meet Maldor in person? I can't imagine that your application to the Chancellorate had been accepted without some sort of interaction with the High Chancellor."

Among the other guests filtering in behind Judah were Eirys' cousin, and her new husband, as they were escorted into the venue alongside N&Z's new CEO-- Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory -- and the strange, masked man accompanying her. As she turned to meet the four of them, Eirys plastered a smile upon her face and greeting them at the door as well.

"You are welcome. It is a great thing that we are all beginning to meet each other at last," Eirys replied to Vyllia as the two distant cousins finally got meet each other in person. "Tonight will be the first time I get to meet Maldor as well but I cannot imagine that my application to the Chancellorate would not have passed through his office..."

"Chancellor Santhe... An impressive setting. Bastion has many fine establishments, but you have chosen one with both taste and symbolism. The Bloodfin is a difficult creature to master."

As she led the quartet of N&Z and House Sancetti back to the table where Judah had been brought to it, Eirys left them to find their seats at the centre table where she and Judah were set to have dinner with them all, listening to Maldor as he spoke. "Thank you," she replied.

"Hopefully our politics will be less difficult to deal with then the preparation of tonight's course."

"Your arrival in the Chancellorate is very welcome... The Diarchy thrives on vision, but it endures only through stability. Tell us, cousin... What vision you would bring? And how you believe the name Santhe should shape our future?"

With the metaphor of the Bloodfin hanging between them, Eirys met Maldor's gaze as he moved their conversation away from the pleasantries and right into the main course.

"We have all evening to talk about such things, cousin. Let us get to know each other first before we dive into our shared or differing ideas, hm?"

It was a clever deflection, and an obvious one. While both of the Sancetti were eager to learn more about the young woman sitting in front of them, Eirys was comfortable with keeping them waiting. The underlying tones of suspicion regarding Vyllia's exile, attempted murder during the revolts on Lianna and Maldor's ascent to the role of High Chancellor (when taking into consideration his previous ties to the Imperial remnants) would remain bubbling beneath the surface as conversation flowed between all concerned parties and the other guests sitting at the table as they all got to know each other in this setting for nothing could be more personal than breaking bread together at dinner.

As they conversed with one another, Eirys reached forward to uncork a vintage bottle of Tarisian Wine and walked around the table to pour each of them a glass. It was not a coincidence that this particular beverage had been handpicked by her as they opened up dinner proceedings given the established lineage and traces back to the planet Taris to both the Lords of the Diarchy and the formation of their galactic power dubbed 'The Diarchy' whose ideas behind this superpower were first realized by their founder-- a Tarisian Sith Lord that The Brotherhood called KAKUS.

Returning back to her seat, Eirys raised her glass to her guests and announced a toast: "Long may we look forward to the day when the Sons of Kakus return home!"

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