Ask Serenno Putting on the Prophylactic Moves

[Darth Tiamat]

Castle Nalju​

The death of her sister and closest friend had left the woman distracted from what was occurring in the rest of the galaxy. It had brought her attention back to her loved ones, a stark reminder of how even the strongest of beings in this galaxy can be overtaken by their opponents. The grief was noticeable even by her daughter, leaving her to answer questions from the observant teen, and it had taken her attention away from her curiosity and the suspicion of Raze's dramatic rescue and wooing at the Serennian Ball. His show was purposeful, finding the lady of one of the houses and Tiamat wanted to know what exactly he was up to for simply knowledge purposes. However, if she got something out of this, then all the more power to herself.

She knew as an outsider, gathering information would be difficult; the great houses of Serenno were closed-looped, only rumors circulated, and anything that was released from the families, it was meticulous and purposeful. Now not anyone would be able to ask for an audience with the head count or countess of the houses; it helped to be wealthy and knowing her name was quickly spreading among the governments as a major competitor in ship hyperspace and navigation, she had some leverage.

Tiamat had managed to catch the attention of House Nalju; one of lesser attention, but still of the great houses that held respect and prestige to any of its members. Her ship was given escort to the palace where she would be meeting the Count of Nalju; she was determined to get what she wanted before she left that evening. Tiamat was escorted by two of her security droids, a box-or more so a gift held gently under her arm as she met the guards at the entrance where they would lead her to the hall to start her meeting with the Count.

@Raydo

 

[The Storyteller]

"My Lord, your guest has arrived." the servant said to the Count. Count Tarvar Nalju nodded his head and signed for her to be ushered into the meeting hall. He sat on a slightly raised platform at the far end of the well-decorated hall.

The middle-aged man eyed her as she walked in. His hair was just starting to grey, he wore the blue and gold, the colors of his house.

"Ms. Anat Asteria of Asteria Industries." the servant announced to her before he was waved off by the count. The Count studied her for an instant. "Ms. Asteria, Welcome to my home. I trust your travel was easy?" he asked politely. His tone was kind enough, but there was slight mistrust in his eyes as he tried to figure out exactly why this woman had requested an audience with him.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat inhaled deeply, running her hand down the front of her gown to smooth any wrinkles before entering the hall. The woman couldn't help her gaze drift from Count Nalju as she took in the layers of wealth that the family has gathered over generations. Even though they were not as influential as houses such as Demici or Serenno, Nalju still pulled weight and it would here Tiamat would start to see if the Count could be persuaded.

The servant introduced her and the woman gave a respectful bow as the count now spoke, the servant stepping to the side and out of the way so the two can address each other directly. "Thank you for your time today, my Lord." she replied and handed the box to the servant to give to the Count, "I have brought you a gift in gratitude." she explained. When the count received the box, he would immediately noticed the weight, whatever inside was dense, but not very large and could easily rest in his palm. Once he opened the box, he would see a cloudy white gem, shaped into a sphere, the light from the hall refracted through the stone, giving it a golden sheen. Collectors of the rare would call it meryx, a fossilized precious stone, only found on Kashyyyk.

"I hope it is something you may cherish for years to come." she added, waiting for him to return to the focus of their meeting before she continued. She would know he knew she didn't travel all this way to give him a rock.

"I am here, because I am looking to add weight to my name."

@Raydo

 

[The Storyteller]

The servant handed the box to the sitting Lord who studied it for a moment before opening it. "Its quite beautiful.." he glanced up at her before looking back down at the gem for a moment before closing the box with care and passing it back to the servant.

"You honor me." he tilted his head slightly, obviously pleased with the gift. He rested his hands on the armrest of his large chair.

He looked on inquisitively as she began to get to the actual reason for her visit. "On Serenno?" he asked with a slightly raised eyebrow. "...for what purpose?" he asked. He wasn't dismissive of the woman, instead only prodding for more information.

"And how do propose to do so?" he asked.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat nodded as he clarified her seeking the houses on Serenno, more specifically his own house that she was seeking. However, it was not clear to him why an outsider such as herself would come today, "I was not impressed with what I witnessed while attending the party, I was saddened by how far the families have come to be so...passive." The woman continued, folding her hands in front of her, "Rumors, squabbling, no real clear direction in leadership, and so I thought there was opportunity, to change that. I am not just any outsider, my Lord, as you know Asteria Industries is a powerful contributor to galactic infrastructure, and intend to see it remain as such." she explained.

"It has brought wealth, power, enemies...and as one woman, it leaves me vulnerable." her tone softened, "I wish to overcome this and to help you and House Nalju in the process. I will clear your debts, regardless what they are, you will owe to no one, and allowing your House to focus on rising to power, and possibly laying claim to the Count title of Serenno." Tiamat paused, letting her words settle for a moment, giving the count time to think about this proposal. She as no ordinary outsider, her name reflected claim to the stars, a queen in her own rite, something she had build from the ground up.

"In exchange, I wish to be a member of House Nalju, title of Lady if you will it." The woman stopped, watching, listening curiously as to what he would say or do.

@Raydo

 

[The Storyteller]

He nodded once, a slight frown growing on his face. He, too, agreed they had become too complacent. "The nobility was under the thumb of the Sith for far too long. They forget what it was like actually to lead their people," he said, his tone solemn.

He, of course, knew what she brought to the table, though he doubted this woman was as vulnerable as she proclaimed. He listed to her offer; it was enticing. He had debts, while not crippling, which certainly hindered his position.

Lord Nalju thought for a moment. "Would you be willing to marry into the house?" he asked. There were other ways, but this was the simplest way. "I have several suitable candidates," he said, giving her time to think over the offer.

@GABA