There's Always Time For Tea

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

Yes, there was always time for tea. And right now was one of those times. Kay took a break from travelling, having grown a bit tired of the confines of the latest blockade runner that she had hired. Only instead of having the ship leave, she had asked the crew to wait for her. She learned her lesson from the last encounter on Bakura with a couple of ruthless assassins.

But Kay wasn't on Bakura this time. It was becoming too well known that she frequented the planet when she needed a break from Senate duties and disrupting Sempra the Hutt's slave trade. One would expect that she would stay on the planet that she represented for such breaks, but she was a real traveller at heart and loved to see new scenery.

This time she picked a planet that she couldn't remember the name of, but it resided in neutral territory. And instead of the usual forests and meadows, Kay instead opted to have her tea on an oceanside cliff, far enough away to not worry about falling over, yet close enough to see the surf and hear the waves. The tide was out a fair distance though it was beginning to come back in. And the sun was on it's way down. In about an hour it would set. She had a small table and two chairs set up, feet up on the empty chair as she lounged and watched the scenery. Her tea was cradled in her hands and her ever present satchel lay by the chair she sat on.

It was a bit windy as most beaches tend to have that kind of weather, even if the sky was clear. But it was not windy enough to block out the sound of another ship. The sand dunes in the distance however could provide a good cover, which was why she kept her ship in between them.

As Kay relaxed on the beach, she contemplated her next move against the Hutt Cartel, as well as various bills being discussed in the Senate. Most of which dealt with the One Sith and the ongoing war between them and the Galactic Republic. A war in which she had not yet been a part of, thankfully.

 

[Darth Ferus]

The Hutt Cartel had a budding.. Relationship, if one could call it that, with the One Sith. While not yet full fledged allies, they weren't opposed to one another. Which brings Ferus to this planet. [member="Lady Kay"] had been an enemy of the Hutts for quite some time, meaning there was a target on her. A target, that for the sake of friends, Ferus had taken it upon himself to collect.

However, not because he wanted to make friends with the Hutts. No, this was the perfect chance for him to be introduced to a Senator, and perhaps create himself a mole within the Republics core. Having landed quiet a distance away, he would walk to her location with both hands calmly by his sides. It would take some time for him to get there, but time only allowed him to think on his approach.

Once he reached her, he chose the simple one. He'd come into sight a few dozen feet away, stepping over in silence. Once he got close enough however, he would simply rest a hand on the empty chair, nodding his head once to it.

"Mind if I sit?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

This was becoming a new habit. But one that she couldn't complain about. Afterall, it was her decisions and actions that had brought her so much attention. And she had a distinct feeling that someone was nearby. The sudden appearance of the man a short distance away confirmed that. His approach while slow and calm did little to the warning bells going off in the back of her mind. But when did she always listen to those? No, Kay had high hopes for everyone and hoped to turn the Galaxy to the good side, one person at a time.

She removed her feet from the spare chair and sat up straight so that she was no longer slouched. He was a Dark Lord. One could tell simply by the way that he dressed, not to mention the Darkside seeming to emanate from him.

Kay nodded her head to him. "By all means, the seat is yours." She reached into her satchel and pulled out a small bundle, unwrapping it after she set her own cup down on the table. Within the bundle was another ornate tea cup, white with a beautiful bird-like creature adorning it. "Tea?" She gestured to her little teapot that still had some steam coming out of it. "To what do I owe the honour of this visit, my Lord?" She only guessed that he might have that rank. Yet even so, through her experience she had learned to show respect to everyone. That keeps you alive and gets you further ahead in life.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Silently he sat, leaning back in his seat just enough to get comfortable. His elbow rested upon the arm of his seat all while his chin rested in his palm, and the Darth's golden eyes would look over [member="Lady Kay"] . A nod would be offered to the tea, for he enjoyed such a drink. It was soothing, and he was not here for blood. For once. A smile formed on his lips as she spoke though. Respect went a long way for one such as Ferus.

"I'm here to chat. The Cartel would like you dead, and I'd want to know why exactly. Perhaps I can help?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

As the nod was given, Kay poured out a cup of Sapir tea for him, holding it out for him to take. That stare of his made her slightly uncomfortable, but it only confirmed that he was certainly here for a specific purpose in mind and was plotting on how to achieve it.

And then he said it. He wanted to help her but as always, such help came with a price. What that price would be she was certain to hear soon enough.

"Dead yes, but alive pays more than double. Or so I've heard. Quite simply, my Lord, the Cartel isn't fond of me interrupting their slave trade." She offered the information freely for it was public knowledge. Other things however, she kept to herself. Everyone had their secrets. "How would you propose to help me with that?" Even one of their top Senators couldn't have the bounty removed. But then again, Kay wouldn't stop freeing slaves even if it meant the bounty was removed.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Alive or dead, I don't think that would suit you. I can teach you how to truly defend yourself, especially with the Force. Did you know you were Force sensitive?" The Sith Lord could feel it, no matter how faint. [member="Lady Kay"] was as much of a force user as himself, if much, much weaker. A smile formed now on his face as he lifted up his cup, sipping gently at the tea. It was good, and not over powering. It seemed Kay knew her tea.

"The Jedi would have you locked away within their temple. The Senate? They would remove you. Soon you will not be able to hide this feeling of yours. I can teach you how to hide it. I can teach you how to overwhelm your enemies and keep you free to do as you want. All I ask in return is you let me know what's going on within the Senate. Nothing else." A spy would be invaluable, and it wasn't that he was going to give her too much choice. Make it seem like he was the ally, but he wasn't afraid of being the enemy to get what he needs.

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

Kay sipped her tea as he spoke and swallowed slowly as he asked if she knew that she was Force sensitive. Of course she knew. Unable to look into his eyes she instead just kept her eyes trained on his right cheek as he continued to talk about the various things that could happen to her. She figured that her connection with the Force would only grow with more training, making it easier for others to know that she was like them. But if he knew how she could hide it, well, that was a very good skill for someone in her position to know.

It wasn't until she cleared her throat a bit before speaking, that she would look upon his eyes once again. "I was taken to the Temple at a young age, my Lord. But in some aspects I wasn't the best student. After defying my Master as well as the Council and marrying a Dark Lord that I had teamed up with, I was exiled from the Order. I don't regret that decision and never will. We did a lot of great work and if he were alive today, I am sure that the Galaxy would have been a lot more peaceful than it is now." She glanced away for a moment to look at the ocean before returning her gaze to him. Speaking about her late husband always tugged at her heart as if it had happened days ago, instead of the years it has been. "It seems that after all of that I have been forgotten. And I'd prefer that the Senate didn't find out. For as you say, they would have me removed. But to tell you about everything that's going on is more than likely going to get me killed or imprisoned should I be discovered. I am...a newly elected Senator. Since I have been there, not much has happened that would interest one such as yourself."

Kay could only guess that he worked with the One Sith, for her encounters with Darksiders have been very few and she has heard that they were a terrible threat that were shrinking the size of Republican territory. But maybe she could discover what they were up to and somehow relay that information to the Senate. Yet there was no one there that she trusted or could even count as a friend.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Please, don't take any offense to what I'm about to say. But I doubt your late husband would of promoted peace. Not if he was Sith at least. They're code begins with peace is a lie after all." Another sip of his tea, and he would fall into silence for a moment longer. His eyes never once left [member="Lady Kay"] , even as her eyes diverted to the ocean. She was hesitant, something natural when dealing with the Sith, but he would press on.

"I'm not looking for a lot of information. Just on where they plan to attack next, and anything about the Jedi. Knowing when an attack might come will allow us to remove civilians from the crossfire, and the Jedi, well. We Sith have our own reasons for the Jedi."

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

He didn't know her husband or how dangerous he was. But it wasn't as though Kay was giving him a lot of information to go with. "No offence taken. But you are wrong on that, if you pardon me saying it, my Lord."

She sipped her tea and cupped her mug again in both hands. "I haven't heard of any attacks, nor am I sure that such information passes through the the Senate. We just pass bills and laws. Removing civilians out of harm's way is a noble thing, but why would you care enough to do that?" He must be playing her. Either that or he was more like her late husband than he thought.

She had to think about how to approach the subject of the Jedi. She knew how it was supposed to be between them. "I don't know many Jedi and for obvious reasons I avoid them." Maybe she was a bit defiant, but one doesn't stick their neck out on a whim and the information that he was asking for could mean life or death for some.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"You're free to speak your mind. If I wanted you dead, I would of tried such. Don't think that you need to stay on my good side to stay alive." The last thing he wanted to do was seem threatening. Or at least now that [member="Lady Kay"] seemed interested in what he had to offer. Slowly he would sip the tea with it held in one hand, the other drumming lightly against the arm of the chair he was in.

"Well, I figured the Senate would know such things. If they don't, it's no matter. As for the Jedi, it's also no matter. I only want one." There was a flicker of anger within his gaze as his mind traveled to the name. "Taeli Raaf. A Jedi Master. She is a traitor of the One Sith, and destroyed my peoples home. The Jedi are harboring a war criminal, though it was the Jedi that gave her the means to attack in the first place. I want the location or at least the ability to track a traitor, and I will teach you how to hide what you are."

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

Free to speak her mind? Well that's good news. She usually asked a lot of questions and could get on some people's nerves rather easily. It all depended on how patient they were.

Taeli Raaf. She knew that name and had met the woman once. But she had no idea on the woman's history, nor did she ever have a need to ask. "I'm sorry that she betrayed you and I know so very little about what the Jedi have been up to as of late. Forgive me but I have been hiding out for a number of years and kept away from everyone. It has been about a year since I have returned to face my future, whatever that may be. Now as for Taeli, I have only met her once. She came to my rescue on Endor when some bounty hunters were after me. I have not seen her since. I can see in your eyes that you wish to do her harm, make her suffer. But doing so isn't going to rebuild your homes."

She sighed a little. "I do want to learn how to hide what I am, but I don't have a lot to offer you by the way of information just yet. How could I reach you if I do?" Was she accepting his offer to be his informant? Maybe, maybe not. She had to be smart about it and be selective with what she would tell him.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"This is more than just petty revenge. She soiled the honor of my family with her betrayal, and honor dictates something in return, anything. In this case, the number of people she betrayed indeed demands her head." It wasn't a lie, but there was always more too it. Traitors of the One Sith were running rampant, and one needed to be made an example to the rest. The Sith would find them, and end them. His golden eyes finally dropped from [member="Lady Kay"] 's form as he glanced out towards the ocean, a sigh escaping his lips as he did so.

"I have many people who can get in contact with me. Bartenders, repairmen. I'll give you locations where you can find these people, but be warned. Ratting them out will only cause the group to change, and I will know if you do." The last part was perhaps a threat, but his golden eyes returning suggested another motive. "They will gladly give their lives for the Dark Lord, so do not worry if you yourself get caught. Whether or not this is true, you are in turn getting information on my own operations, which you can use for the Republic."

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

Kay sipped her tea and lowered her head a little. "I know full well what it's like to be hunted and to be betrayed. Though I don't condone killing. Surely there is some other way ...If I was to find another form of punishment, would you consider it?"

Darth Ferus seemed to be a lot like her late husband, which gave her hope that he would choose reason over revenge brought by emotion. She returned his gaze after he watched the ocean for a moment. "Forgive me for I have been out of the loop, so to speak. Who is the Dark Lord now? It is better that I learn this from you, than to ask the Republic for I don't want to raise any suspicions."

 

[Darth Ferus]

"A good question, and one I can't answer." Won't answer was a possibility, but even though this Sith was a Hand of the Dark Lord, he knew little about the man. Rather than try to explain it though, he changed the subject. "Death is a more natural part of the cycle than not. Her betrayal sparked an increase to the war, and I simply cannot allow it to be unpunished. Death is final, and out of all the punishments Sith would wish to deal out, the most humane." Was it a lie? Or was it the truth? No sort of tell was given as he spoke. Instead, he waited for her response.

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

She raised a brow as he had said that he couldn't tell her who the Dark Lord was. How very strange. What if she ran into him? How would she know? No doubt Ferus was deliberately keeping the truth from her. It became more evident when he changed the subject.

"...Yes, there are punishments worse than death. But for me and others that may be like me, death is the worst. I don't wish to die and meet my husband without using the extra time he's given me to make the Galaxy a better place."

Kay had a sip of her tea and tightened her jaw a bit. She needed to know more. "How did she betray you? How did it increase the war? Please, my Lord, I need to know what happened." How else could one make a proper decision without knowing the details?

 

[Darth Ferus]

"She not only joined the Jedi, but she gave them the location to my home. The Jedi came, lead by her, setting explosives all throughout it. They blew my home to pieces. My home where my daughter slept. She had the Jedi attack my child, directly or not, and that will not go unpunished." For once a flicker of anger rang throughout the form of the Sith. It was not his intention to show such feelings, but the memories of his daughter fighting against Jedi in the hallway once apart of their wonderful home caused a flash of red to form over his golden eyes. His gaze would return to the ocean as he calmed himself, knowing that anger would get him no where in this situation.

"This home also happened to be the home to many of my own apprentices, and those loyal to myself. Had I not of had the escape plans I did, Many of my people would of died, including my daughter. And to put it bluntly, you do not mess with my child like she did and live."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

It was obvious that he was telling the truth. The flash of anger and the emotions that threatened to erupt from him said as much. Kay lowered her head at the thought of such a mission. To go after children wasn't right. Even though she often fought the Cartel, she did her very best to not let innocents be hurt. Such tactics were not of the type that she would ever use.

She wanted to reach out to him, but it wasn't her place to do so. Instead she just spoke. "I don't care who's side your on, attacking children is unacceptable. Even the Cartel's Jackals doesn't do that. I understand your anger now. Thank you, my Lord. And I hope that you believe me when I say that not all Jedi are like that. Helping you is a huge risk, but I will do what I can." Just saying that made her feel as though she was sealing her fate. But perhaps she did that as soon as she had joined the Senate in the first place.

 

[Darth Ferus]

There was a slight nod from the Sith as he listened to [member="Lady Kay"] speak. Perhaps the Jedi did not know his child was there, but they attacked with the intent on burying his home. And now, with the confirmation of help from the senator, perhaps he could finally get his revenge. A smile slowly formed on his lips as he nodded once more, clearly happy with her answer.

"Then in return I will show you how to keep yourself hidden in the Force."

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Ferus"]

She gave him a small smile and nodded in appreciation before taking another sip of her tea. "Thank you, my Lord."

Learning to hide herself in the Force would be a very useful skill, especially against Darksiders and some members of the Republic that could discover that a Force user worked for the Senate.

"I take it that you are going to keep this arrangement just between us?"

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Of course. While the Sith won't care if I work with a senator for my own gain, they'd want all the information they can get from you." And as a Hand, no one would doubt why he was doing what he was doing. Of course, he wouldn't say that much to [member="Lady Kay"] , to keep it simply about trusting one another. He would finish his tea then, sipping it one last time as he savored the taste.

"Now, onto your lesson. Do you know how to feel the Force about you?"