Sing To Me

Darth Inheris · Dec 27, 2018

Her Mother's love of frivolity had, on the whole, missed Saorise in the generational lottery. Though some of her bitterness was retained anyhow. Niamh Dalaigh had nary spent a day on attempting to improve the status of the family, she lived as she pleased, as she had always done. When a few too many glasses had tasted her lips she'd share the stories of her youth in the Core. The good days, the good, old days before she found herself trapped again, married of Aidan, Saorise's father. How cold it was, how calculated. Not what she had meant for her life at all.

And so, she'd lived it as carefree, and as bitterly as possible, periodically doing what she could to take them down a peg. Though not so much as to ruin her fortunes, there were still some benefits to a background in nobility. That included her present location.

A private room. Games, music, all set up for a particular one she'd picked up a fancy for in her youth, and one she had continued to lavish great expense for ever since. This was how Saorise and her companion found her now, chalking up a stick, ready to practice her skills,

"See you're still going at it these days Mother?" she said, walking in to the room. She knew she didn't much care for her father, but would she side with her?

@Deviant

Pierce Rathios · Dec 27, 2018

Pierce stood close behind the young woman, Saorise Kallig. He wasn’t sure what they doing in the woman’s family estate, and he wasn’t sure why he decided to tag along. All he understood was that another Imperial Agent, a Sith Acolyte, was in need of assistance. Honestly, that was all he needed to know. What she wanted out of the visit or her family was not of his concern or business. The Sith was only back-up, or moral support, however Saorise liked to think of him as. He didn’t care. As long as he could prove his value, and if she could become another fine recommendation for his father, then he was inclined to do whatever it took to succeed.

That was his job: to succeed. Always had been, always would be. Not only as a Sith but a member of House Rathios, the ruling family of Esseles. Having been enrolled into the Academy and the services of the Empire, he was determined to show his father his worth, enough to gain both his approval and one day, the throne of his homeworld. Maybe that was what Saorise wanted. Perhaps the two mirrored the same destiny and desires but in a different approach. According to her files, Pierce could recall she was a member of a noble house on Kuat. A powerful planet, and if devoted fully to the will of the Empire, it could be an essential one too.

Arms crossed behind his back, posture straight, he said nothing as Saorise seemed to confront her mother. What was between them would stay between them until he was called forth or signalled to help. Which, for the most part, he doubted. Lavish as her family was, there was no denying the will of the Sith. At least, so Pierce so blindly believed.

@Nightfall

Darth Inheris · Dec 27, 2018

Niamh eyed her daughter curiously, before blowing chalk from the top of her cue in a huff. It seemed she didn't take kindly to her game being interrupted,

"And a pleasure to see you too dear. Though, you don't even pretend to be one of us these days, do you?" she finished was a throaty laugh, coughing slightly, a smokers hoarse end "Not that I can blame you" Niamh finished, stacking the balls together and getting ready to play nonetheless. Perhaps that would be the best way to begin the conversation,

"Need partners?" she said casually, gesturing to the table. Perhaps it would get her mother chatting a little easier than normal,

"Won't say no, pull up a cue" Niamh replied, flicking her head at the sticks lined up along the wall. Saorise went over took hers, chalking it up as she'd seen her mother do. It seemed she and Pierce would be one team, her mother the other. Probably only fair, given how long Niamh had been playing it. Would she respect them more if they won? Time would only tell, but it seemed a good strategy nonetheless. And hopefully Pierce could be a little charming, try to persuade her to forget her husband when the time came.

How much did family matter, anyway?

@Deviant

Pierce Rathios · Dec 31, 2018

So, her mother was a fool. Throat rough after decades of smoking, fingers wiry and wrinkled, an abrasive personality with a bold tone. Pierce couldn’t say he enjoyed the woman’s company, even though he had met her only moments ago. In fact, he hadn’t so much as introduced himself, having felt the need not to. He preferred to keep his distance from either woman and not get too involved in such personal affairs, but with Saorise’s offer and quiet glance, the Sith knew he could not steer clear forever. While she may not have said it aloud, she wanted more out of him than a bodyguard or a silent friend. She wanted him to participate.

Fine, he thought to himself. As little as he wanted to, the man wouldn’t refuse. If playing pool and feigning charm was needed to complete the mission, as strange as it sounded, then so be it. With the flick of his hand, he summoned one of the cue sticks fastened to the wall. A display of his own power, a sign of who was truly in power during these so-called negotiations: the Sith. Not some noble woman of a minor House. Either way, he played along. Observing the tip of the cue stick and satisfied with its shape, he leaned over the table. “Hope you don’t mind if I begin.” He bore a thin smile to Saorise’s mother, trying to work his charm early, even if he wasn’t in the mood.

“Be my guest.” The older woman answered, intent to seeing how well the man could play. With the balls in order and cue in hand, Pierce hovered over the table and aimed. Drawing a deep breath, he fired. To his surprise, the shot was a terrible one, and the billiard balls were sent rolling all over the place. In the end, he was unable to score for Saorise and himself. Worse off, he scored for her mother instead, who chuckled at his laughable failure. Internally seething but playing it off with a shrug, he stepped back from the table. “Not a good start but— it’s a start.” He managed a smile, tugging at the edge of his mouth, as he fought back his own embarrassment.

He hoped Saorise would be able to make up for his mistake.

@Nightfall

Darth Inheris · Dec 31, 2018

Pacing round to the other side of the table, she watched the interaction with a sly smile, one that became far more legitimate as she watched Pierce bungle the break. Whether or not she might have done better was beside the point, she wasn't above laughing, even when it didn't exactly help her. What it might do though, was ingratiate herself a little more with her mother, who was clearly enjoying the little display she was getting to witness. With that in mind, she stepped closer round to her mother, and laughed along with her,

"Not the perfect partner clearly" she said, nudging her mother, who shook her head as she smiled before a great sigh,

"You know, there was a time when every good man knew their way around one of these tables, the galaxy gone to the dogs it has" she cackled as she lined up her own shot, knocking another ball into the hole. Glancing at Pierce Saorise mouthed 'sorry' to him. Attacking her companion hadn't been the intent, but it was doing wonders for her mothers mood. Her hit was not amazing, nor a miserable one. She was a practiced player, and it showed well enough. Not that there wasn't a chance for her to be taken down a peg anyhow,

"Fine shot, fine shot, but I shouldn't count us out just yet" Saorise followed with a wink, leaning over to line up a clean shot "And how are you and father doing?" her mother feigned a spit as his name was mentioned "That well then? when will you finally get him out of your life?" she questioned as she struck, the ball cracking against another with satisfaction, sending itself and one that had been nicely set for her right before the hole tumbling in. Even again, the night was far from over,

"Oh I've tried before, don't you know it!"

@Deviant

Pierce Rathios · Jan 2, 2019

Pierce was not exactly pleased to see Saorise throw him under the bus and elicit a biting chuckle out of her mother, but he hid it well beneath a deadpan look. He managed a thin smile to play off his embarrassing move, to make it seem like he was laughing with them rather than internally raging. He didn’t want his temperament to ruin his partner’s chances to persuade a member of her family, to take one more step closer to taking over her House. Ruthless and indifferent as the man was, his respect for the Empire and fellow Imperials was unwavering. So, he would take the punches, light as they were, and brush off the dust like it meant nothing. Because, truly, it was nothing to him.

With Saorise finished with her move, her mother came next. Drawing a deep breath, she chuckled after her last remark and fell into position. Arm snapped back and cue at the ready, she struck against the white ball ahead of her. Pierce didn’t expect much by the shot, but to his surprise, she was able to take a score herself. With a raised brow, the man of the room would clasp his hands together and move to flatter the older woman. “What a shot— I’m impressed, Lady Dalaigh. Mind lending me some of your luck?” He flashed a quick grin, continuing to work his charm.

Taking his cue, he examined the table and the many options laid out before him. Except, there were not many options. While there was on opening for him, it was a long shot, one he was hesitant to take. But while the risk was high, the reward was one much needed, one Pierce decided to take. Likewise getting into the motions, he aimed and smacked the end of his cue stick into the direction he thought best. Unfortunately, that ended up nowhere. Rather it wasn’t as catastrophic as before, it did absolutely nothing to help him or Saorise in their so-called game. With a shrug, he leaned back. “As you can tell, I’ve never been very good at this.”

He hoped to maintain an atmosphere of friendliness and nonchalance. This mission was about persuasion rather than competition, right? Or was it?

@Nightfall

Darth Inheris · Jan 2, 2019

Saorise could only hope that mother found her partners lack of skill as charming rather than anything else. Not that her next hit exactly had done much to help the team. While she'd lined up a shot less with the intent of scoring a hit than for blocking any chance for her mother to do much for the next few turns, she'd screwed that up royally. Striking the ball too low, it bounced, getting far more airtime than they were ever designed for as it rolled into the side wall, hitting nothing.

Her mothers disappointment with her hit was clear, a verbal sound of distaste leaving her cracked lips as she sipped at her drink, lining up another shot. Saorise could've closed her eyes right there and given up on the whole thing, her eyes following as her mother potted yet another with a clean shot. Years of practice would give you that. The temptation to use the force and cheat a little was ever present, but somehow she knew, however subtle it was, her mother would know. And that she couldn't abide, not at all. While the game wasn't quite lost, she knew she'd have to try something else to gain her mothers loyalty, one that left a bad taste in her mouth even as the words came out,

"You know, there would be a way I could make the business with father a little easier" she voiced as her mother slunk round the table, trying to determine her followup "We'd just need a little of your help" and there it was,

"Seems you both need more than a little of my help" came in reply, laughing and wheezing through it "but i'm interested, what can I do?" a more positive response than she'd expected. Now for how they might capitalise on her openness.

@Deviant

Pierce Rathios · Jan 3, 2019

“Your daughter wants to take the reigns. Your support can help her do just that.” The Sith made it loud and clear for the older woman. Blunt as he was being, he finished it with a smile. He was not making a demand but a request, as that was the purpose of this whole meeting. The pair were here to persuade Saorise’s mother not into submission but an alliance of sorts. One fashioned to tear down her father and for the young Sith to take his place. To take one step closer to complete Imperial control over the noble houses of Kuat. At least, that was how Pierce saw it. He was certain Saorise had other, greater ambitions in mind after House Dalaigh was her own. One of the Ten? Or Imperial royalty? Either way, he cared not. Only for the mission.

With his idea of the plan open, the woman paused to think on it. For the most part, their influence on her hinged upon the game and their skill. And while it was strange to Pierce, he assumed it was a Kuat tradition or family thing to follow. Or the game was meant to prove the Sith’s worth to Lady Dalaigh. Tricky, given pool had nothing to do with Saorise’s political machinations, but he didn’t question it. Instead, he watched her mother fall into position and take a second shot. Another successful one too. Already their chances were slipping. Perhaps not entirely for the discussion, but for the game? Surely. The two Sith needed to shift the balance into their favor. That, or Pierce would do it himself.

Inspecting the positions of every ball, he found a perfect angle to work from. As he leaned over the table and aimed his cue stick to the ball, he threw the weight of his arm into the stick and slammed against the ball. It was almost brutish, no doubt a surprise to Lady Dalaigh and her daughter, but the greater surprise was its reward. Because of his shot, Pierce managed to send the ball jumping over another and pushing one of theirs into a pocket. Of course, it didn’t end there. As a followup, he quickly aimed and fired again, scoring. And for his third shot? In a miraculous turn of events, he was able to score again, although not as how he would have liked. His final shot meant he could no longer continue his combo, but Pierce was satisfied with the results either way. He imagined Saorise was too.

Ego rising, he answered the woman's earlier remark with similar sass. "But I will add, your help isn't necessary, just preferred. I wouldn't mind the company either." There went his charm again.

@Nightfall

Darth Inheris · Jan 4, 2019

Niamh was in rather a bit of shock it seemed, as if her addled mind had suddenly seen the writing on the wall all the more clearly, and understood finally what she was being presented with, and exactly by whom. A show of skill did just that, no matter the missteps on both their parts before. The two knew what they wanted and they meant to get it.

She was no fool, despite the appearances she gave off. She saw the way the wind was blowing. And so did Saorise. Her mother putting down the cue seemed like a sign. Her shoulders dropped, her breathing slowed, her game was done for now. The two hadn't intimidated, but they had made things obvious who had the power here. She didn't have much love for her husband nor his role. She could live in a world where his authority wasn't so unquestioned. It had hardly ever deserved to be,

"Come now mother, there'll still be wine, games, and gallant gentleman like Pierce here to keep you company" Saorise offered with surprising tenderness, a cheeky smile on her face. Their little duo had worked quite well. She'd owe Pierce a drink though for the way she'd used him. Hopefully at least the day had entertained him a little, odd as it was. Her mothers face scrunched up a little as she thought it over. But, with the family name failing, what did she have to lose?

"Alright. I'm in. But that means you stay and let me show you a good thrashing" Niamh's enthusiasm back. Snatching a cue, Saorise knew she wasn't escaping that easily. But between the two of them, their goal was complete. Least they could do was enjoy the rest of the afternoon,

"Shall I break this time Pierce?" she called sarcastically.

@Deviant

/EndThread?