Private Three at the Table

[Lysander von Ascania]

Aurelian Veruna Dominique Vexx​

News of Humbarine must have reached every corner of the galaxy by now, Lysander thought, a pulse of irritation he couldn’t quite shake. The outcome shouldn't have surprised anyone. But maybe success wasn't always the same thing as satisfaction, something he was slowly beginning to learn. Another fractured city. The phrase had a groove worn into it from use. Lysander even contributed gratuitously to that groove, but he wasn't certain how he felt about it now.

For the Republic, perhaps Humbarine would stand as a warning. The Sith didn’t take kindly to usurpers.

Though civility came more naturally to him than to most of his brethren, something felt off today; for it was clear that someone close to him had fallen into Republic custody. Whispers had dogged him since departure from Bonodan.. but reality was a harder pill to swallow. Of course, the logistics grated against his Sith sensibilities. Republic soldiers rended apart aboard the Trinity, only for their executioner to surrender later on? From his perspective, those two facts.. just didn’t belong together. Still, of all the motives that had brought him here, Acier’s name kept rising to the surface.

Granted, the call from his younger sister, Fatine, added another complication.

His shuttle came down hard on a pad near the Pentaplex. Vibrations rippled as landing struts finished their work. District One rose before him as a shrine of excess. Lysander, born to the halls of the elite, was no stranger to such displays. But even he admitted, with a detached sort of acknowledgment, that Denon’s wealth was striking. Impressive, even, if you were the type who enjoyed the sport of chasing credits, one he played with ruthless finesse.

The emissary strolled toward the entrance without hurry. Whether this was the conditioning of the Sith or the erosion of his own soul, no hint of danger registered. After all, he had already walked among the ruins of regimes from the Core to the Tapani expanse. Soon, he drew near one of the security archways; when the sensors chirped their approval and guards retreated at last, he didn't spare a single glance back.

Lysander smoothed the lapels of his peacoat, moonlit pale hair gleaming against a darker palette. Closing the remaining distance, the echoes of his footsteps faded. He looked first at the Denonite, the one who’d arranged this meeting. "Chancellor Vexx." Then he looked over to Aurelian, letting his gaze rest for a long moment. "Your Majesty."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique stood with both of her hands atop the railing, and her eyes directed out over the city-scape molded and shaped before them. Even the transportation hub had levels suspended over the floor of the District. A luxurious and central spire upon which high valued partners and guests might arrive free of the bustle from Denon's countless, crowded terminals. Fresh air of the resplendent District One passed freely over the open terrace upon which they awaited the recent arrival.

"Why ask for what you can take," Dominique breathed out. "That's what drives them. They feel empowered and wish to exercise their power. I have no illusion I can convince them to cast aside their authoritarian and warmongering ways. Prudence dictates we do what is necessary to reach an equilibrium with them. Then to let nature take its course." The Chancellor turned to look over at Aurelian. "Over extension is the downfall of many governments. It was very nearly the catastrophe of the former Corporate Authorities of Denon."

An indication popped up on the inside of her glareshades. Dominique drew in a breath and lifted her hand in order to turn. Lysander had departed the arrival gate. Her other hand fell from the banister as the High Chancellor clasped her hands at her waist with his approach.

"Emissary." The corners of her lips hiked a hair as Lysander seemed acquainted with his Majesty. "His Royal Highness, Aurelian Veruna , have you the pleasure of meeting Emissary Lysander von Ascania ?" Or perhaps Aurelian reputation preceded himself. "Emissary, the King of Naboo."

"Gentlemen, I offer you a choice: retire to one of our luxurious conference rooms, or a light tour of some of Denon's sights." The Pentaplex itself might be no Malsheem, but it was a tower the width of a city and whose peak literally pierced the sky. The fact District One's 'ground level' was no where near the original sea level obviously helped.

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Lysander von Ascania | Dominique Vexx

"Reasonable dealings are a fantasy when it comes to the Sith, dear Chancellor," Aurelian said, his gaze lingering on the glittering expanse of District One. "The Dark Side demands endless consumption. They cannot help what they are." A smile played on his lips as he turned back toward Dominique. "But I can agree on the dangers of overextension. Let us hope your optimism yields results."

Uncertainty hung in the air regarding Lysander von Ascania's true motives. If the Emissary sought the release of his captive comrade, he would find no leverage here; that arrest had been entirely out of Aurelian's hands, the man had turned himself in. Perhaps the Sith harbored darker intentions altogether. Unless Lysander intended to surrender just as easily as his compatriot, skepticism remained the safest posture.

The approach of the Emissary cut the musings short.

"We have indeed, Chancellor," Aurelian remarked, remembering their first, distinctly less pleasant encounter. His eyes locked onto Lysander, tracking the smooth confidence of the man's stride. Amusement flickered across the King's features.

"Give us the tour," Aurelian declared, stepping away from the railing. The prospect of being confined within a sterile conference room with a Sith was entirely unappealing. Adventure, or at least a change of scenery, promised a far better theater for the psychological chess match ahead.

​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Dominique Vexx Aurelian Veruna​

A breath gathered in his chest before slipping free. Conference rooms held the charm of a tomb; frankly, wandering Denon’s heights far outweighed any promise of negotiation. He'd accrued sufficient hours trapped within four walls lately to have formed a strong opinion. If ‘hope’ ever sought to wither and die it was usually around a table. Besides, a city unmarred by decay was a refreshing sight; he found his attention snagging of such small graces often these days.

Naboo had a tendency to recur in his thoughts, and it never fit neatly. The jewel of the Mid Rim was always an odd point of reference. Most worlds fell into a few categories. Allies, adversaries, or strategic interests. Somehow, Naboo refused to stay in any of them. One misstep would likely be enough to recreate the last debacle.

Stepping aside, the Emissary opened a path, expecting their guide to take the center. "That settles it, then." He let the pause do its work. Economic reports had their place, but numbers rarely told the whole story anyhow. “Lead as you see fit, Chancellor."

As the procession pressed forward, his gaze flicked toward Aurelian. "At the very least, we appear united in our distrust of conference rooms." Both hands settled at the small of his back. "I concede, the prospect of this afternoon has brightened considerably under your influence."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique did not go out of her way to convince just anyone that the Sith could be reasoned with. It was a losing proposition. Not the least which because ultimately -- being solely a matter of time -- the Sith would prove others 'right' in that they would strike. Many didn't see the benefit of deferring such violent clashes as far into the future as possible, however. They often thought such a problem should be dealt with immediately. And, were this a lone individual or a small group, Dominique would agree; the Sith Covenant and Sith Order were not small in number, however.

Were they getting larger? A matter of opinion, really. Rank and file didn't much worry her. Those of genuine influence and real power were the concern. If the number of high ranking Sith increased then matters could get out of hand. For the Republic, certainly, but also within the Sith territories themselves. The more enormous egos the less intervening distance kept them from colliding.

They could be reasonable, however. For a time. To a degree. As Darth Carnifex and her had briefly discussed.

Aurelian and Lysander gave their say in how the shape of the meeting would occur, however, and Dominique found nothing wrong in humoring it. If anything, she enjoyed showing off Denon's splendor. Aurelian well knew what her world was capable of. Cloned Soldiers, for one. But that had been all business. It wouldn't hurt to see more of the aesthetically pleasing aspects of Denon.

The Chancellor started down the walkway toward a nearby bay where a hover bus sat. Unlike most pedestrian styled ones, this one was obviously made for those of wealth and taste. It was a relatively flat vehicle with a tall transparisteel railing so it wasn't easy to fall over or through while in motion. Operational controls were at the rear with a mini bar just before them. Its design was meant to give occupants the freest view of everything around them possible; and its open canopy allowed the sampling of fresh air in Distract One. Not to mention the brrezes of made mild days or refreshing evenings that swept over passengers.

An attendant held open the door for the guests to transition from the red carpet to the vehicle. Dominique paused at the other side of the opening to allow Aurelian and Lysander to go first.

"Prospects are a specialty of Denon." Dominique smiled as she stepped inside and gave a nod for the driver to get them under way. Speed was not the primary quality of their trek. There was no need for the sights to be but a blur, after all.

"Drink?" She would play the hostess while the boys sought to get their talks under way.

Aurelian Veruna | Lysander von Ascania​

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Lysander von Ascania | Dominique Vexx

Stepping onto the polished floor of the hover-bus, Aurelian accepted the offer with an easy nod. A drink would certainly make the political posturing more tolerable. He took a seat on the sleek, upholstered bench, crossing one leg over the other with effortless royal poise.

His eyes locked onto Lysander as the Emissary boarded. Family resemblance was undeniable. The pale hair and aristocratic sharp edges mirrored his sister, Corazona von Ascania , though thankfully none of those features had passed down to his new niece . Little Lucy was safe from the genetic stamp of Ukatis.

"Why are you here, von Ascania?" Aurelian asked, swirling the liquid in his glass. Directness suited him far better than diplomatic dance steps. "As odd as I find your meetings with our dear Chancellor, it leaves me wondering what you truly hope to accomplish. I cannot see any lasting agreement outside of your full surrender of the Core."

​