Ask Puppet The Pursestrings

[Darth Tempest]

It had only been a few days since Vahliri’s meeting with Trelain and Altair. Though the information wasn’t public yet, the half-Annfyn had already begun to set things into motion - leveraging what assets were at her disposal and contacting her allies within the Sith Order. While much of it could be delegated, Vahliri knew that the trip to Muunilinst required a personal presence with representatives of the Banking Clans.

For years, the Empire had effectively sat on their hands - squandering the leverage they held over the Banks. They were perhaps the most powerful tool at their disposal, and Vahliri had every intention of ensuring the loyalty of the Core Five by whatever means necessary. Whether it was against the Consortium or anyone else, the half-Annfyn knew that having Muunilinst in her corner was invaluable.

She stood within the lounge of her Starblossom-class yacht, hands neatly folded against the small of her back. She was adorned in her siganture black-and-red Sith robes, hood pulled up to obscure the upper hemisphere of her face from view - while a pair of lightsabers dangled freely at her belt. The half-Annfyn had deliberately opted to forgo fanfare or the use of Empire resources for the trip - intending to limit the spread of information and what exactly she was doing until it was done.

Her choice of companion was a curious one. Under normal circumstances, Vahliri wouldn’t have trusted an Acolyte to accompany her for such a meeting - but reports of Jeset’s success record were enough for the half-Annfyn to make an exception to the rule. She had faith he would prove useful in the negotiations and whatever else was to occur on the planetary surface.

For the moment, Vahliri remained silent as a crypt - watching as their ship began to exit Hyperspace above the planet.

@Arcangel

 

[Amun Seti]

Jeset had found it odd that he had been tapped to work with Master Kahtal on a diplomatic mission. It wasn't his place to question the orders however, rather only to comply. Of course he did plenty of questioning in the privacy of his own head, but as for his actions he was a good little acolyte who went along compliantly, determined to fulfill his role to the best of his ability.

He had spent the majority of his time since being briefed on what they were about aboard the luxurious Starblossom-class yacht doing research on everything he might need to know for the coming meeting. A quick synopsis on financial theory to wrangle terms and meanings. Plunging the depths of historical accounts of the relations between the Banking Clans and the Sith. Studying what personnel files he had access to in the ISB database on the Banking Clan leadership. The last of which had been unfortunately cut short as a repeated error cut him out of the system. Curious.

The final minutes of the trip were spent in quiet contemplation in the yacht's lounge as he stood near Master Kahtal who was eerily quiet in a way that gave him the heebie-jeebies. He himself wore simple acolyte tunic and robes, a single lightsaber dangling at his belt. He had a few other tricks up his sleeves however, a garrote stashed in the hem of his tunic and a small vibroblade at the small of his back. This was supposed to be a diplomatic mission, but it never hurt to be prepared.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Minutes passed, and Vahliri wasn’t in any rush to break the silence between herself and Jeset - standing with her face to the viewport ahead. The half-Annfyn was deep within her own thoughts - running through her own strategy for the mission ahead. Many within the Banking Clan were already partial to the Sith - due to the affiliation of their home planet - but that wasn’t nearly enough to ensure the type of results and loyalty that Vahliri wanted.

She’d done her own research - before receiving a similar error that kept her from accessing ISB files. In any event, the half-Annfyn had enough that she felt confident in what they were doing.

Vahliri finally glanced over to Jeset, studying the Acolyte for a moment or two beneath the brim of her hood. Her head tilted, amber eyes lingering upon him. “Representatives of the Banking Clan will want a good reason to invest in us - and assurances that we will make good on those debts in the long run.” She said, briefly looking away as an alarm blared through the yacht. In an instant, the blur of Hyperspace was replaced by the stillness of real space - and the globe of Muunilist hovering ahead of them.

“Our objective will be to convince the leadership of the Banking Clans that the Sith Order are still worth investing in,” She paused, amber eyes flicking towards the assortment of weapons that Jeset carried. “Or help the climb of those who do.”

“How would you approach these negotiations?” Vahliri had her own ideas, of course.. But there was little point in bringing Jeset along if she simply provided the answers. She wanted to see how the Acolyte approached the situation and what he was capable of coming up with on his own.

@Arcangel

 

[Amun Seti]

Master Kahtal remained silent and Jeset tried not to sweat in the silence. It was not his place to start the conversation on the matter at hand with the woman so high above him in the Sith Order. He almost breathed a sight of relief when she finally spoke, fully aware of her eyes on him for several moments prior.

He glanced at the Sith master, meeting her amber eyes briefly with the silvers of his own before suddenly finding a very interesting spot on the floor. His thoughts scrambled at the sudden question and he spent a moment in quiet contemplation before opening his mouth to speak.

"If... I may, Master Kahtal." He started, aware that his next words were dangerous, perhaps could even get him killed. "With the direction the war is going, it will be a tough proposition to get the Banking Clan to invest in the... Sith Empire." His words were hesitant in their boldness as he looked up once again. Assuming that the Sith Master didn't murder him on the spot.

"The Sith Empire is losing the war, that much is clear even with my limited clearance and knowledge. I would pitch it as investing in volatility." He proposed, trying to wring together an explanation that would make it all make sense. "The Sith rule the Empire... but the Sith Order existed before it established the empire, history shows that it no doubt will continue to exist after the Empire falls, in the short and long term." In some form or another, he didn't add. Whether they were a part of that order or a part of the ashes was another question, but in terms of the longevity of the Sith his reasoning was sound.

"Investing in the future of the Sith Order ensures that the Banking Clan stays in the good graces of the Sith, I think even the most stubborn and frugal banker would see the wisdom in that." Jeset nodded to himself to support his own line of thought. And if not...

"If they are unable or unwilling to see that... Then they can be made to see it, or replaced by those who will." Jeset said with a shrug at the casual implication of murder, blackmail, or various other means of convincing or replacing someone.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri considered everything that Jeset had to say - allowing the Acolyte to get out everything he had to say without interruption. She wanted to determine the type of Sith that Jeset was - what he had the potential to be, and what had already been developed by his training. The answer she received was one that genuinely surprised her, and it showed with the faint arch of her brow.

“A dangerous point of view,” She began, glancing over towards Jeset in the corner of her visions. It was a reminder of what the Acolyte already knew - that his views and the open expression of them had the potential to get him killed. That he took a gamble by allowing them to manifest past his lips at that very moment. “And one that I am inclined to agree with.” She finally added, allowing the faintest hint of a grin to appear on her expression. It was praise enough that Jeset would recognize, and would understand the implications of. Vahliri had no love or respect for Imperials alone, and a large part of her trip to the capital of the Banking Clan was to secure such assets for the Sith exclusively.

“The future of the Empire is uncertain - but the Sith Order has persisted for millennia. Will continue to persist through millennia - through every iteration of government and Empire that rises and falls. Reminding them of this fact, ensuring our financial backing, will be invaluable.

“We need to convince them that they have more to gain than they have to lose.”

Vahliri glanced towards Jeset. “You will accompany me for the initial negotiations. I will request a recess at one point, during which time..” She trailed off for a moment, considering her next words carefully. “Alternative methods of success will be explored.” It didn’t take much for Jeset to decipher her meaning. Whether it was through blackmail or intimidation, they would achieve the results that were required.

As the yacht began to touch down in the spaceport of Harnaidan, several figures approached to greet them. IGB Security droids surrounded a small group of Muun diplomats - all of them finely dressed, easily identifiable as representatives of the Banking Clans. Vahliri didn’t hesitate to begin her descent down the ramp of her shuttle - stepping forward to meet the delegation. She only briefly glanced over to Jeset, offering the Acolyte a nod of her head. Time to begin.

“Lady Kahtal, Acolyte,” The Muun at the head of the group spoke up first, sweeping out a slender and elongated hand. “Welcome to Harnaidan. I am Caern Vhill - Regional manager and representative of the InterGalactic Banking Clan.”

He gestured back to the executive building that towered behind them. “Please, right this way.”

 

[Amun Seti]

Jeset gulped slightly as Master Kahtal reminded him of the danger of his opinions, her amber eyes drilling through him with the reminder. He breathed again as she finished her statement, voicing her agreement. The fact that such an esteemed Sith agreed with him, well it was cause to celebrate and despair.

He listened intently as she continued, laying out the facts of their Order, of its existence over the millennia. Of it's continued existence. She laid out the plan and there wasn't much room for any suggestion as it was all relatively straightforwards. He would accompany her for the primary negotiations, of which he assumed that she would be doing the majority of the talking. There would be a short break, during which time Jeset might have to maim, murder, or cripple someone. Or engage in some other unsavory snooping.

Straightforward.

Jeset answered her with a simple nod to show he understood, there wasn't need for anything more at this point. Though the Sith master had asked his opinion and ultimately agreed with him, his position was still one of subservience. They descended the ship's boarding ramp and were greeted by a tall-headed Muun. The Muun barely spared Jeset a second glance, his attention firmly on Lady Kahtal and Jeset was fairly certain he could have probably snuck off right under the Muun's nose if he had needed to. But that wasn't the plan.

"I must confess we were a little surprised when you requested a meeting. The InterGalactic Banking Clan has already met with representatives from the Empress." Caern mused as he led them through the main doors and through a towering hallway, its vaulted ceiling as high as its arrogance. "Have we... displeased the Empress?" The man questioned as they walked, their footsteps echoing noisily through the large passageway.

@Altaris