You remind me of your mother

[Myra Elspeth Arceneau]

Serenno
House Bathory


There was always more that meets the eye. In Cyrena's circles, having a bit of intelligence always helped matters. Whispers in one ear were what kept the Countess up to date on what was going on in the galaxy -- and ever more was her interest piqued when word came of a particular woman.

[member="Asteria deWinter"]

There was classic beauty to her features. Timeless. And the Countess certainly appreciated beauty -- she was just surprised that the woman would still be alive at all.

Granted, considering who her mother is...

Thoughts would furrow and percolate through the Garhoon's mind. If the child was alive -- could that also mean that [member="Shery deWinter"] could be too?

This required more investigation. If found by Asteria, were she to wish, would find the trail of investigation would lead her to the estate of House Bathory.

 

[Asteria deWinter]

If there was one thing Asteria deWinter learned from her parents was that it was important to have contacts, friends and such in any business one was in. And not just for ones' business. And she remembered well some of the more influential names her parents had kept to. Petra Cavataio, she had heard whispers of being around still. That of course, reminded her of Angelo however, the blonde did not rush to the planet of Witches on a whim. There were too many tasks for her to simply give into her childish desires.

But another name had come to her as well. The Báthory family with whom her mother had been well associated with seemed to forever lurk about in the business world. She remembered little of the family other than the relevance of the Countess and her business of breeding dangerous animals. It spiked her interest now, as she was Lady deWinter. Perhaps, Asteria thought to herself, it would be wise to revive an old contact.

This train of thoughts was what had brought her to Serenno today. She had sent out a message to the Častice estate, requesting a meeting with the Countess. And once she had done that, the deWinter female merely leaned back in the pilot chair and waited as it was hardly good manners to arrive to anyone's domain without prior invitation.

[member="Countess of Báthory"]

 

[Myra Elspeth Arceneau]

[member="Asteria deWinter"]

Lady deWinter would be granted access. As soon as she would land, the tall and broad-shouldered droid guards that she'd be familiar in her childhood would stand in wait to escort her into the estate.

A thick mist would linger among the high towers, large archways leading towards thick dark woods. In the distance, the sound of distant growls could be heard; the Vornskr pens, where her babies would frolic in between every meal, waiting for the hunt.

Cyrena herself would be standing in front of a large floor to ceiling window that would overlook the path that the escort would follow. Tri-colored eyes would watch, waiting and observing. To see someone upon a holoscreen was certainly different from the flesh.

And the flesh always spoke true.

 

[Asteria deWinter]

And so it was, the response to her request had come soon. It wasn't long before Lady deWinter noted the two droid guards, her first thought of them from inside was that they used to seem taller. Nevertheless, Asteria existed her ship where she left Simon to guard the ship while she let the two mechanical minions escort her to the Častice Estate.

Turquoise eyes noted the mist as she drew near the Estate, and her ears registered the growling sounds. Those must have been the beasts the Countess bred, the blonde suspected as she continued to walk. Well within the grounds, she took in the housing within the estate itself. It was all still big, her own growth did little to affect that, unlike with the droids. Of course, Asteria deWinter herself was not a tall woman in contrast to the other females of their bloodline. Still, the droids that once seemed monstrously big now didn't seem so special. The house itself was a completely different matter.

In light such thoughts, Asteria didn't fully take into account the other features of the house. Such as its large doors and even windows. Only once she had noted one of them did she notice a figure inside. Her travel continued to the large doors, which at her approach opened inwards. A quick glance allowed to her see the droids from within, almost hiding now behind each door wing. Asteria paid them even less attention as her two escorts led her to another set of doors and opened them for her themselves.

Inside, the figure that stood by the window now had her back still turned. Asteria offered a half bow and remained so, waiting. The Force had been quick to tell her of the power residing behind that figure and only one could have such power, just as she remembered her.

[member="Countess of Báthory"]

 

[Myra Elspeth Arceneau]

[member="Asteria deWinter"]

The soft sound of a heavy skirt turning would prelude the Countess' curious gaze. Slowly, her torso would turn towards Asteria, those tri-colored eyes narrowing upon the unblemished skin, gossamer blonde hair, and pale eyes.

The slow and steady tattoo of Cyrena's heals would announce her ever growing nearness, until she was standing mere feet from the younger woman.

Care was taken, as the Countess would appraise the Sith Lord. Finally, the corner of her crimson mouth would perk in knowing.

"You remind me of your mother.... Lady deWinter." her throaty honeyed voice would coo in as much warmth as she could provide.

"I see you've come into your power... and more..." dark sooty lashes would survey that perfect skin, "And transcended the mere bounds of mortality... as well."

 

[Asteria deWinter]

She had felt the approach and remained bowed. Customs did not escape the blonde not for a second or stolen gaze. Asteria was curious, yes, but she had enough willpower to allow it to spoil her perfect upbringing.

When at first, she heard the Countess speak, it was a sign to her, allowing her to raise her head. Only did she took a good look at the female, her face, her eyes... she was exactly as Asteria had remembered her from when she was a child. Nothing but perhaps the clothing from the last time different. Such a fascinating race, she told herself.

But she had been spoken to, Asteria noted and took in what she had been told. The Countess referred to her reminding her of her mother. And wondered how much it was actually true. There was things, of course, but hardly all of it. But then, the other Lady deWinter had been her trainer and teacher her entire life. It was only natural for a young girl's heart to wish being like her mother. She offered a tiny smile and an even tinier nod of her head. "Thank you, my Lady." Whether intended a compliment or not, Asteria took it as such.

The blonde took in the woman's other remarks. Coming to power, yes. That was a good way to see it. Though Asteria saw it as merely a mark in her life. More was to come. Though the ending remark had taken her by surprise, making her tilt her head ever so slightly to the side. Transcended mere bounds of mortality? Asteria did the most natural thing she could at that point, question the statement: "Have I?"

[member="Countess of Báthory"]