Private Unpleasantries

[Oriana Indupar]

Indupar, Royal Estate

​

Oriana hated such dealings disguised as pleasantries and networking. Such a thin veneer that forced everyone to play a part. The older she grew the more she wished those around her would speak plainly. Act plainly. Such a thing was a pipe dream. Nobility was slow to change. Some, like the Hapans, still had gendered rulers rather than birth order. If it hadn't changed in nearly a millennia then it was doubtful it would change in the next millennia.

Such was life.

Servants buzzed around the drawing room, focused on setting up an afternoon tea with Jak Meridian . Oriana knew little of him. Much of her life she had been the supporting player in the noble world. The silent daughter, the poised wife. Being thrust into a more forward facing role where the consequences were real was absolutely terrifying. A true stain on her education as well, but no one expected with her being so far down in line of succession anything of this sort would happen.

She was supposed to produce heirs, host the spouses of other nobles, and oversee charitable organizations. Her entire noble training had emphasized and prepared her for all three principles. Making her own deals and connections was a foreign concept. Just the thought alone was stifling, as Oriana noted in her ragged breathing.

Its not life and death. Not this meeting. Just potential political connections.

As she was wrestling with her own self-confidence, a servant arrived, giving a small curtsy. Oriana wished they would stop doing that but again, change was slow if not impossible at times. Head lifted in greeting, taking her focus off spiraling down a rabbit hole of anxiety.

"Lady Indupar, your guest has arrived."

Standing, she smoothed her dress, moving to prepare a formal greeting. Now this she could do.

"Send him in Jori."

 

[Jak Meridian]

"Extravagant!" His excited yet commanding voice echoed in the halls. Jak was a wild card. A man of many faces, as it were. Most days he was hunting his enemies and killing anyone else who might happen to disrupt that goal. Today, however required a different mask.

There was only one survivor that day oh so many years ago, when House Meridian was almost destroyed by the treacherous Jedi and his treasonous father, and that was Jak. But the rest of Naboo didn't know that. It was easy enough, then, to quickly create a cover story and claim the House, as well as its modest fortune and political ties, for his own.

For the last two years he had successfully built a decent reputation among several social circles across the galaxy, many of whom owing allegiance to someone else. A network of spies and backstabbers who were none the wiser that the very man they shook hands with and laughed with was truly a Sith.

This was his mask today, and his bombastic attitude reflected that. Was the stairwell truly that extravagant? He didn't really care. But it sure seems like he did.
After several minutes of being shown around the estate, Jak was finally lead to a large chamber where several chairs and couches could be found. A beautiful fireplace was lit in the corner and just before him was a large open door that lead onto a patio overlooking the valley below.

The servant extended an arm towards the patio and Jak gave a friendly smile as thanks. His mask was perfect and the show he was to put on today would, hopefully, land him yet another unknowing accomplice.

On the patio was a small circular table with two chairs positioned on either side. Standing before the table was Oriana Indupar , his host. Jak straightened himself and extended a hand forward to shake, the other placed gently behind his back. "Jak Meridian of Naboo's Royal House Meridian," he proudly introduced.

Time to put on a show.

 

[Oriana Indupar]

Two servants shared a look as Jak Meridian shouted 'Extravagant!' as if he was at a sporting event cheering on two gladiators. Quite gauche. Yet they had encountered these types before. A small nod and one drifted off to find one of the male footmen. An insurance that their Lady would be well looked after. No royal estate had true privacy - there were far too many moving parts.

As Lord Meridian was led into the drawing room with the amazing sweeping views, Oriana stood. Moving closer in greeting, she offered a small curtsy at first. This was custom on Indupar. Yet it seemed for Lord Meridian it was custom to shake hands - even with a woman. How odd. Either way, and with a poised grace, Oriana extended her hand and clasped the man's.

"Welcome to Indupar, Lord Meridian. A pleasure to receive you. Won't you take a seat? The staff has prepared a wonderful tea service on the patio. I figured you wanted the best views of the planet."

 

[Jak Meridian]

Jak had a friendly smile on his face and noted the young woman's grip. A Sith or Jedi could poke and prod at any mind they wish, and in fact it was this ability that allowed Jak to not just survive under his political guise, but thrive. However he was selective with the minds he chose to invade. There were of course more than enough simple-minded politicians who seek nothing but power. Easy to read even without the Force.

But for every simpleton there was the more determined and strong-willed. Her age perhaps betrayed her? She was younger than him by a few years at least but history has shown that a politicians age rarely reflects their cunning or intellect. It was with these individuals that drove Jak to be creative. A handshake was a physical touch. Much easier to read someone when you have them in the palm of your hand.

Without ever using the Force, Jak had begun to build a picture of the woman in his mind. She was young and perhaps this did partially influence her judgement, her experience, but she was still a seasoned noble who, unlike Jak, lived for her priorities. A formidable foe... or friend, if perhaps swayed.

As their hands separated he opened his arms dramatically and breathed in a full lungs worth of air. "Almost reminds me home," he said warmly. His gaze examined the prepared offerings: some local pastries arranged neatly on two small plates, while beside them sat two tall empty glasses. In the middle of the table sat a large pitcher with the tea.

Jak smiled and gave a small bow before taking his seat opposite of her. "Forgive my compulsion," he started, his reserved tone was interrupted by a minor chuckle, "but I have this philosophical debate with myself and I just must get the opinion of a fellow member of nobility." He honeyed his words and wore his mask well. Time for the next stage of his own personal mind reading.

"Naboo is a world of complicated history to say the least," he was of course referring to Naboo's part in conflicts long forgotten by most, save the scholars and astute such as lady Oriana Indupar . "I often find myself wondering how I want my actions to be remembered by history: do I want to be remember, or do I want Naboo and its people to be remembered?" Time to see where her morality fell, at least in Jak's eyes. Such a simple question to most but a profoundly deep one to a noble responsible for her people. "Do you want to be remembered? Or your home and it's people?"

 

[Oriana Indupar]

Oriana offered a small smile, a polite one that didn't quite reach her eyes. Lord Jak Meridian was an interesting one, to say the least. One of the many types those in her position had to endure. Nobility all had their cliques and circles. Lord Meridian did not come from one she recongized but considering her recent time on Dubrillion many things were out of her orbit.

One of the many things she was trying to rectify.

As he presented a philosophical question, Oriana wondered where this was leading to. A grand presentation? An offer? It seemed to be meandering to the point. Privately Oriana much preferred a bluntness. It was refreshing. Yet that was not how nobility worked nor was it how she was raised to speak or behave. Something kept only for those closest to her.

"An easy answer, Lord Meridian. I would want Indupar to be remembered. I was raised in service of the Indupar Crown Worlds and its people. I will continue to serve them, even if I was to be forgotten. It is foolish to believe that one person is so significant they are to be remembered over a planet or system."

Oriana paused, mixing honey into her tea.

"What is your answer Lord Meridian?"

 

[Jak Meridian]

The moral quandary presented before the noble was answered with an answer as quick as it was determined. Jak could tell: she meant what she said. An optimist, then? His mind raced with scenarios. Optimists could he easily manipulated. But not all of them.

He reached over to grab his glass of tea just as the question was turned on himself. "I don't quite know yet to be honest," he said with a warm smile, "the debate rages." He let out a small laugh before taking a sip of the tea presented them.

A lie, naturally. The only person whose life mattered was his own. Every action he took, every plan he made, it was all with the simple goal of keeping himself alive. Of keeping the game of chance in his favor.

Thus his double life: Noble of Naboo some days, the Sith known as the Crown Killer on others. Ultimately it didn't matter which mask he wore, what crime or act he committed, or who may or may not get killed along the way. As long as he was alive- as long his luck continued to guide him- it just didn't matter.

He looked out over the view before turning his gaze back to the Lady. "So I'll be honest: I of course don't represent Naboo. Merely my own House, but that doesn't mean friendship can't be beneficial."

Negotiations had begun, whether the Lady realized it or not.

"Tell me," he said, now straightening his posture and his voice gaining a new type of gravity to it, "what kind of friend do you need? These are chaotic times, I'd me amiss to not ask how I can help- one Noble to another."

Oriana Indupar

 

[Oriana Indupar]

"Hm, yes. Let me know if the debate ever ends and your answer concerning it."

Did Oriana care? Not at all. Was she raised to pretend to? Of course. Trick was to do it with enough sincerity. In public facing areas she had just come to wear a mask of duty, much like how one wears a house coat. So far it hadn't failed her, keeping her personality banal and polite and bland enough for the masses. The real Oriana remained safely behind doors that were closed and locked.

Not to say it was all a farce. She did deeply care for the citizens of her home monarchy and of those of her husband. Progress in the sectors was key, as was a strong ruling class in order to drive prosperity. It was safe to say her outward personality was built on a base of who she truly was. Made it easier to navigate public life.

"I don't think I am in the business of making friends, Lord Meridian. Not to say you aren't a fine nobleman, I'm sure you have great qualities. What is more important for me is I focus on my work. I've only just returned back to the Crown Worlds and I am finding myself having to re-learn and navigate the monarchy once again. Nothing terribly taxing but it does require a deal of focus and effort. I am for the people of the Crown Worlds, so letting them down would be unacceptable."

Oriana paused, taking a sip of her tea.

"Surely you did not travel all this way Lord Meridian to ask me to be your friend. What brings you to Indupar?"

Jak Meridian ​

 

[Jak Meridian]

Perhaps he had underestimated her? It seemed so, as the nobleman flashed a grin at her response to friendship. He'd have to adjust strategies. He silently kept his gaze fixed on her as she sipped her tea.

"Friendship can mean so many things," he mused aloud. He contemplated his next move for only a moment before continuing to speak. "I'm a gambler. Money doesn't matter much to me nor does power necessarily. See this galaxy is one big, very constant and annoying, game. A game of wits. Survival."

It was his turn to take some of the tea, drinking half of the tall glass that was presented to him before letting out another theatrical sigh, this one of satisfaction. "Excellent taste." He returned his gaze to the young noblewoman. He enjoyed it, but couldn't help but let his theatrically get the better of him. "This game we find ourselves constantly struggling in, it need not be difficult."

He straightened a bit, his gaze narrowing and his playful tone dissapating into a more serious one, "I want a public partnership between our houses- a shared investment in a new private charity fund to help refugees affected by the war." A half-truth, tbe only truth Jak knew. "I'll oversee it of course, your position clearly takes priority, as it should. You'll simply be the public co-signer, as it were."

It was a bold strategy. Even if she agreed, Jak would have to install measures to ensure the true reason for the funds would never be discovered: that being to fund his crusade of revenge. A public partnership comes with some political ammunition. After all, the credits didnt matter to him. It was all about the connections and perks they brought.

He took another swig of the tea, finishing the glass. He then returned to his previously joyous attitude, a warm smile on his face. "What say you, my Lady?"

Oriana Indupar

 

[Oriana Indupar]

Oriana listened intently, as would any noble in her position. Lord Jak Meridian was quite the talker. One of those men who liked to hear their own words rattle around the room. She had dealt with many of them in these situations. In fact if she had a credit for every time this happened she could afford to buy her own personal fleet of starships.

"Lord Meridian, the need to help refugees is admirable. The plight occuring not so distantly in the Core has been horrible to see. Indupar and the Indupar Crown Worlds have been watching the situation. As you may know, we have taken in some refugees. As a result, you would know the Indupar Monarchy gives handsomely to several charities. Additionally, many of our Ladies and Duchesses have patronages on several charity boards."

Oriana paused for a moment, taking another sip of tea.

"I mentioned Lord Meridian I am for my people. My people in the Indupar Crown Worlds. As such my focus and my credits go to our people. You would be better off appealing to my father, the King."

She wondered how little research Lord Meridian did on her family. The youngest, she was far removed from the line of succession. Her siblings had children and Oriana was basically the last of the last. As such her influence only went so far - as did her credit pool. Upon returning, her focus was building her brand back up on the planet, not elsewhere.

As for friendship...

"If you desire more pull between the Houses this will not be easily achieved over one visit Lord Meridian. Indupar is not loyal to just anyone who asks."

 

[Jak Meridian]

The more their negotiations went on, the more she presented herself and her positions, Jak simply nodded with a warm smile. He was becoming increasingly aware that she was, as he had suspected, one of the few among the many who had the will to achieve their goals. Admirable. Useless to him, though.

Despite her admitting her own limited powers, as well as giving a brief outline of the difficulties of higher pulls, Jak couldn't help but want to poke just a little bit more. If there wasn't going to be a partnership or deal of any sort then the least he could do is fish for lore information. "Surely we can find some sort of understanding," he said with a playful chuckle, "Grand alliances aren't my thing. But a focused relationship between one noble house and another, well, surely you can see the benefits."

He didn't much care for her stance, he knew he wouldn't offer her anything she either didn't already have herself or couldn't get through an already existing channel. Her idealism was clearly in opposition to the path Jak himself was going down. Though it was expected, after all sometimes luck, despite his attempts to sway it, just wasn't on his side.

Nonetheless, whatever she did say would offer something far more valuable to him. Any and all information he gathered had, for all intents and purposes, potential use, either agaisnt the one providing said information or some other.

He sat back, never losing his calmness and maintaining a friendly smile throughout. He was curious to hear where the conversation might go next.

Oriana Indupar