Open Serenno Golden Age of the Empire

[Celeste Stythani]

And she was right. This was surely interesting. Even more interesting than she could have expected. The man didn't even know her name, but he had also heard of Rattatak and that was surely conspicuous. He had either studied well, or he was doing some research on his own. She was tempted to read his minds, but out if courtesy she didn't, but it didn't go unnoticed that the Commander was not just suprised, but maybe the slightest bit anxious.

She hadn't been greeted like that in a while and she couldn't deny that it was somewhat pleasant."Rise, Commander Habrak" she replied with the same charming, if not even pleased smile, but however not wanting to dwell too much on formalities. This night was festive and characterized by solemnity, which was why she wouldn't want him to pay more respect as needed.

She nodded gratefully when he mentioned her success on Rattatak. "Thank you, Commander. Until now, I thought that the rumors hadn't spread yet" she replied, her hand still in his. She was a little suprised that he actually knew about Rattatak, because she had taken certain precautions to avoid having the senate notice her Imperial background for now.

@Morse @Venthis Habrak

 

[Venthis Habrak]

As he was bid, so did he oblige. Venthis rose and stood erect and attentive to the lady of the Sith before him. In that moment he was in perfect form, with even the slight detail of his manner being on his mind to ensure that all propriety was kept. This was not so common for all officers, some who might break into a sweat in their rigidity, or make an attempt and undue familiarity.

Venthis could not see the officers behind him, but he did not the hard clack of boots as a pair of them took steps back to offer them privacy. Another stayed closer by, no doubt trying to sus out an advantage to perhaps speak or overhear secrets that could be useful to him later.

These thoughts did not occur to Venthis, as his eyes remained fixed towards the Lady Stythani.

"Your actions there were referenced in an intelligence report. Forgive me if I have inferred too far afield." Venthis moved his left arm behind him, keeping his posture all the straighter.

Venthis considered the Lady's impression. "Rumors do not reach me so thoroughly, yet I consider myself an admirer of your spirit to rise above the chaos of such a world. Few beings in the galaxy could claim such grace."

He noticed a serving attendant walking nearby and recognized that the Lady was without libation. "I apologize, my Lady." Venthis spoke. "Amidst my prattling I failed to see that you are without refreshment." Venthis reached out a hand to stop the serving attendant, but would not dare to select a drink for the Lady. It was his duty to offer her one.

Venthis was in that moment arrested to her power and majesty, and utterly deferential to her inquiry, though he had not come to conclude why he was chosen to be spoken to.

@LadyRen @Celeste Stythani

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Rattatak was different. The people did treat her with lots of respect there, but it was nothing compared to the manners of the Imperial across her. She had to admit that she did enjoy it though. It was oddly pleasing to feel herself in this position again. Even if she could sense his slight inner nervousity, he did a great job in hiding it on the outside.

She nodded with a smile, opening her mouth to respond, but in the exact moment she realized that one of the other Officers seemed quite interested in their conversation. She immediately placed a hand on Commander Habrak's arm so signal that he should wait a second, while she took a step forward, right into the direction of the bystander. "Leave" she plainly said with the right amount of authority, underlining her command with the Force and the Officer immediately took his leave. She stepped back, facing Commander Habrak again, her head slightly tilted to the side and her lips in a warm smile again. "It is quite alright. Out of strategic reasons, I tend to work undercover for now" she admitted honestly. It was alright for an Imperial Commander to know, but as long as the future of Rattatak was still uncertain, she had to be careful with whom she'd share that information with.

As his eyes still rested on hers, she couldn't keep herself from entering his mind for a brief moment. His admiration was honest, which was clearly good to know, but she did also notice that his perfect manners that resulted from this admiration were apparently based on two things: On her power and her beauty, and the latter made her smile a little broader. Sure the dress was pretty, but on Rattatak, appearance was not that important, so that was just another reason why this evening was a welcome distraction.

Once he stopped the waiter and offered her another refreshment, she couldn't help but to chuckle a little. "That is extraordinarily attentive of you, Commander. I've been away for quite a while, mostly living in the vast, partly savage lands of Rattatak, so I'm not used to this kind of courtesy and devotion anymore", she replied, while she chose a fruity cocktail of the waiter's tray. So far, she only had champagne, because it was offered to her. But now that she had a choice, she would always pick something sweeter.

@Morse @Venthis Habrak

 

[Venthis Habrak]

The lingering officer was given direct instruction, and Venthis turned to see it through. While they may have been of equivalent rank, the Lady of the Sith gave an order and it would be obeyed. Anything other than absolute loyalty was inconceivable and he would have none of it. Not in public, not in private, not among the rank and file, and least of all in front of this glorious creature before them. Though it was likely nothing Venthis could do would match that which the Lady Stythani was capable of.

Venthis listened to the Lady as she took up another flute of a more vibrantly chromatic drink than one that he would have chosen. He was a simple man of simple taste when it came to such pleasures of life. Such was that of his family, and it was so reinforced by his training. He would not give much thought to...

A shock came to Venthis as he realized he had reached out, almost reflexively and took up a golden colored sparkling flute. He hardly knew what had come over him. He had given complete leave of his senses and dared to stand and drink with a Lady of the Sith. This utter lapse had not happened to him before, and he could hardly tell why or how he could forget himseful thus.

There was no way to turn back, not as the Lady gave him a compliment.

His expression gave nothing away, but he racked himself in his mind for such and indulgence.

"I should hope that Rattatak does not tax you too much." Venthis remarked. "What are the troubles of this world that bring you so far away from the civility of their capitol city?" Venthis question was the most formal way he could think to ask what others might simply phrase as 'tell me more'.

As he stood their holding the champagne, he knew that if there was ever a moment that his fellow officers would rumor about it, it would certainly be now.

@LadyRen @Celeste Stythani

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Her blue eyes rested on his green ones until he took one of the shining flutes. At this point, she could sense his emotions change and she was briefly skimming through his mind again, analyzing this interesting reaction. She had to admit that he was pretty skilled in controlling his expressions, but his mind was unfortunately no safe space.

Interestingly, the Commander didn't seem to be used to such indulgences and he didn't seem to enjoy it right now. Or at least he wasn't allowing himself such wordly pleasure on a regular base. Or to be more precise, not at all. She could understand it, taking his career and upbringing into account, but then she wondered what had brought him here. For now, it seemed like all he did so far was standing here, taking to the other Imperial Commanders, but she was about to change that anyway.

She took a sip of her drink, having the sweet, cooled liquid pleasantly sliding down her throat, before she started her response. "To be honest, I have needed some time off. I've been away from the Empire for quite a while, because there were a lot of pressing matters I had to tend to. But you know what? Let's move this conversation to somewhere more private" she suggested, but it wasn't actually a suggestion but more like a declaration. She knew that regardless of what she would say, he would follow her anyway and secondly, she could really use some fresh air.

@Morse @Venthis Habrak

 

[Venthis Habrak]

The lady seemed weary of the environment. It may have been the thoughts of the question that he had asked coming back, or perhaps it was the societal stresses of the environment they were in. He interpreted a sort of exhaustion with something, though whether it was something in the past or the present he could not tell. He got the impression that she was reading him far better than he could ever hope to read her, and that may have been without the innate powers the Sith were graced with.

As she directed the conversation to somewhere more private, Venthis was now entering very unfamiliar territory. He had been alone with Sith before, but seldom had he been requested for a private audience in such a place. In a way he was made all the more nervous. The Lady had come to him directly, and she was now taking him away from the eyes of others. She knew who he was, and she knew his station.

He considered that this may be a moment that would test his resolve. The mighty Sith were known for intrigue, and he began to suspect that he may be put to a ploy. Or perhaps she wanted his attention for something less complicated. He could not know.

But he would soon find out, and he had no right nor ability to refuse her.

"As you wish, my lady." Venthis gave a head nod, and outstretched his right hand for her to lead, his left now holding the flute. "I am at your command."

What would follow he could not know, but he would know soon enough.

*Exit Thread*

@LadyRen @Celeste Stythani