Ask The Celebration of New Life

Claudias Tannaras

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Saura looked at the young lord as he seemed to freeze up for a moment, ready to belt out another command, but he quickly moved into action. Saura followed up with him, hooking an arm under the cripples shoulder and hoisting him up. "Shite, ya never told me 'e was this 'eavy!" She snapped, before the four of them and Anna's unborn child made their way down the stairs. There was no audience for them-- nobody was curious to see the source of the blasterfire. It was only after a few minutes-- when they had all hopped into the speeder-- that doors began to open. It wouldn't be long after that that word began to spread.

Saura was the one who hopped into the pilot's seat. "Ai know a shortcut!" She yelped, shifting to full speed-- well past Brentaalan traffic regulations-- and tearing through the air. It was only a few seconds later that sirens would begin to blare behind them as a police speeder began trailing behind them. "MUCA!" She snarled, violently turning to the left. Anna was audibly distressed in the back, and Claudias groaned a little, swaying back and forth.

The police had heard the report of blasterfire, and seen the fancy speeder tearing through the air in the nearbye vicinity. Normally they would look away from such suspicious activity, but the insanity of the situation was to great to ignore. Reports of shots fired, fatalities, a grand theft auto and what could be the kidnapping of a highborn-- it seemed the crime of the century.

The speeder rocked back and forth as Saura wildly flew between the buildings, summoning back the courage and skill of her youth when she would race her friends through these very same narrow passageways. Things had been different than-- she'd been a girl searching for thrills, not a haggard mother-- and now, murderer, who was fleeing the snapping bite of police dogs.

The side of the speeder scraped along a wall as she twisted the wheel to the right, cutting through a tight alleyway-- and down into an open sewer tunnel. The officers would speed past, doubling back, but by the time they had they were half a kilometer inside, lights off. The four and a half of them would wait in silence for a few minutes. The cops would be confused, unable to coordinate-- it was only two patrol speeders.

While they waited, Saura's eyes would remain wide, her breathing heavy-- and than, she'd begin to quietly cry. She tried her best to hide it, turning away, covering her mouth, but in the silence of the sewers, that was the only sound that could be heard.

The girl couldn't have been older than 20-- her brother looked even younger. They'd have robbed Claudi, Tristodd and Anna-- probably beaten Tristodd within an inch of his life while they were at it... but the way the girl's eyes just looked up blankly at the ceiling had done something to her. She'd seen death before, constantly-- she knew her son had killed, often-- but to do it herself...

It didn't help that all they'd said tore her up inside. The poor were as cruel as the rich when it came to her son. She could still remember that icy look in Andronikas' eyes when he'd seen her belly, and when she'd told him about her child-- told him about his father, and what had happened. She'd watched the affection drain from his face, and watched her Andy-- her beloved prince-- curl his lip up and threaten that she and her babe would never know a single comfort if he ever saw her again.

Her neighbors in the tenements shunned her, her and the "pophrois spawn" that she had produced. She'd hated them, and she'd fed that hate to her son. She'd thought it had been right, that it was justice to hate those people who'd done her and her babe wrong-- but she'd looked that hate straight in the eye after what she'd done, and all her worst thoughts about herself cascaded down around her.

In the backdrop of her sobs, Anna, her belly, Tristodd and Claudias would sit... and the last one would begin to stir as he the woman in the front cried.




@LouJoVi
 

Tristodd Brentioch

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Together with Saura, Tristodd moved Claudias down the stairs. He didn’t answer her comment about the weight of his uncle, but he agreed with her. The Diplomat could really use a diet, he was really heavy. He wondered if his uncle had good nutrition when he was off planet.

After some struggle in walking down the stairs while carrying Claudias, they finally reached the speeder. Anna came right after them, carrying her luggage. Once all of them were inside the vehicle, Saura took control. When she started to drive, the young Brentioch placed both his hands in his seat, holding to not end being thrown due to the speed.

While Saura drove the speeder, Tristodd wondered if he was going to survive. She was going so fast that the young politician thought that they were going to crash at any moment. When the police started to come after them, he thought that this simple trip to the spaceport had now become a scene from a holomovie.

When they arrived at some type of sewer, the young Brentioch had noticed that Saura was crying. Tristodd wanted to say something that could comfort her, but he had no idea about why she was doing it. He wondered if it could be because she had killed that person in the building, because he would be crying if he killed someone.

He would remain in silence, not knowing what he should do. All that was happening to him was something new. However, Tristodd would be watching Saura. His curiosity grew with the fact that she seemed so disturbed with what had happened early.

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Claudias Tannaras

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As Claud's eyes opened slowly, he would glance around, groaning as he sat up in the back. Shining blues adjusted to the dark, and his eyes darted from Anna's, to Tristodd's, and to the raven hair of...

"...Saura?" He called from the back, leaning over the seat. She turned her head, face stained with tears. "Claud," she whispered, and reached back to hug him. The aristocrat was caught offguard, but he accepted the hug regardless. "Ai'm so sorry, Claud." She whispered, tears still slipping from her eyes. "S-sorry?" He repeated, looking around. "Where are we?" he asked, before sniffing the air and cringing at the smell.

"We... 'ad ta fly. Quick." She said, before pulling away slowly. "Ai took us down 'ere. Cops lost sight'f us." She explained, though it only confused the diplomat further. "Cops? Are... why are we h-hiding from officers of the l-l-law?!" He asked, the concern in his voice rising. "Mr.Tannaras, there was... an altercation." Anna chimed in, causing him to turn to her. "An altercation?" He asked.

"There were... gangsters, that arrived after you fell. They were going to rob us," she said, voice trembling. "Miss Saura... she... she tried to get them to leave," the girl went on, to which the older woman looked down, saying nothing. "But they wouldn't, and she had to... shoot two of them." She went on.

Claudias sat silently as the mother to-be explained everything to him, gaze falling upon Saura as he did so. He said nothing, merely reaching out and clasping her hand in his. He understood now why the woman was in such a wreck. As strong as she was and as hard and cold as she presented herself, she was no cold blooded killer. He could already picture the scene in his mind-- the bravado, the insults and provocations, all meant to terrify a bunch of second rate gangsters into leaving. She probably realized that violence was a likely possibility, and had readied herself for it-- but even still, the act was a terrible one.

"...if the officers f-find Miss Saura, she will l-likely be incarcerated immediately." He declared, sitting up. "Even if we p-pay for a lawyer, she will n-not be safe in her old apartment-- or anywhere in C-Cormond." Claud went on, as Saura looked up at him in confusion. "You and the l-lady Saura will go together to Chandrilla." He finally said, sitting up and grabbing his cane stashed to the side, opening the door and making his way out.

"Ai ain't goin'." Saura declared, sitting in the driver's seat. Claud turned, gripping the side of the speeder and making his way around. "You musn't stay. It is d-death if you do." He declared, to which Saura looked up at him, fire in her eyes. "Ai don't know where mae boy is, Claud." She went on. "'E'll never find me!"

"If you stay, he'll find you DEAD!" He shouted at her, the voice of his father coming out as he roared. "I won't see you die after you fought to protect me and my family! I WON'T!" He shouted, tears welling in his own eyes. "...I c-can't... I can't leave you h-here again, Saura." He whispered bitterly, closing his eyes and turning away.

That was when she pulled him into an embrace, crying into his shoulder. The two older folks stood there for a moment, before finally pulling away. "You're twice the man your brother ever was, Claud." She declared through bitter tears, smiling up at him sadly. He didn't address what she said, rather going on to say, "I will m-make it a point to f-find your son, Saura. When I do, I shall b-bring him to you in haste." He declared, before turning to Tristodd and Anna.

"Come. We m-must find a t-taxi to the spaceport. The sh-ship expects passage for three, b-but I will m-make the arrangements for a f-fourth ticket." He declared, walking around the back and opening the doors for Tristodd and Anna. As they began walking, Saura called, "Wait, Ai've gotta take care of tha speeder."

"...what do you mean?" Claud asked, turning to watch as she cracked open the hood, and begin fidgeting around inside. Once she seemed done, she closed it, walking up with the rest of them. "Th'at's th'at." She said. Claud gave her an inquisitive look, but didn't question anything as they walked up and out of the alley. Speeders sped past through the air, many marked as commercial transportation. He held up a hand, and before long a larger speeder showed up.

"T-to the F-freia Kallea m-memorial spaceport." he called, prompting a nod from the Twi'lek pilot. As they shuffled inside and began to fly, the sound of a distant explosion could be heard. Claudias glanced at Saura, to which she just shrugged. "Don't want 'em tracin' ya." She said, to which the aristocrat let out a groan.




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Tristodd Brentioch

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Tristodd was so distracted watching Saura’s reaction that he only noticed that Claudias had woken up when the man started to talk. Obviously, he was disoriented with everything that had happened, but seemed to be fine and without the necessity of going to a hospital.

Yes, uncle. We were attacked by criminals, but Miss Saura saved us.” he added to the explanation that the two women were giving to the diplomat. “If it wasn’t for her actions, we could have been killed. Thank you.” he said, while smiling at her. While being a bit hot headed, she was a good woman.

With the problem of the police, Tristodd agreed with his uncle. “Miss Saura will be safer with Anna in Chandrilla. My uncle and I can solve this misunderstanding when we return.” if they tried to do that right now, there was a great chance that both the Tannara and the Brentioch families would be alerted. It would give them an even bigger problem.

The young man was surprised with the conversation that happened between Saura and Claudias. It gave him the impression that the two knew each other for a long time. When she mentioned his other uncle, Tristodd was sure that there was a backstory behind all that.

However, it wasn’t the moment for him to ask. They needed to reach the spaceport immediately. Following Claudias’ idea, they called a cab. Before it arrived, Saura meddled with the speeder that they had used. Tristodd wondered what she was doing with it.

His answer came when they were already inside the cab. The explosion in the distance announced that the speeder had been destroyed. “Uncle, at least it was rented. I’ll help pay for it.” he said, while trying to comfort Claudias.

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Claudias Tannaras

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At Tristodd's compliments, Saura turned her head away. "Don't thank me fer murderin'." The lady spat. The woman knew there were circumstances where taking lives might be necessary-- she'd been ready to do just that-- but she felt sick all the same. Those two she'd shot were young-- teenagers, from the looks of it. Not unlike her own boy when he'd gone delinquent. It was his reputation that she'd used to try and intimidate him-- the mother of the black haired brutal bastard who'd made a name for himself by breaking the backs and kneecaps of people who offended whichever boss he worked for.

But it hadn't worked, and now they were dead.

"Qu-quite right. If necessary, I c-can... p-p-pull a few st-strings to prevent a... heavy investigation." Claudias said. Though he absolutely loathed corruption in all it's forms, he was honorbound to protect Saura after she had protected him, his nephew, and the mother of his grandnephew. "Or at the v-very least, I can m-make sure you're ad-dequately p-p-protected should you be apprehended." The diplomat declared. Whatever bribes the gangs might offer to give them an opportunity for a revenge killing, they couldn't match what he could pay to keep her safe.

Saura quietly nodded, none of the corruption surprising her.

When Tristodd offered to pay for the damages, Claudias just let out a sigh. "It's fine, it's fine." He said, brushing off the issue. The rest of their flight was uneventful-- Anna stared listlessly out the window, knowing she probably wouldn't see Brentaal again for a long while. Claudias sat in his seat, thinking-- about his family, about what had happened, about what could happen if anyone found out.

Saura just stared at the floor, trying her best to hide the guilt that dominated her conscience.

Twenty minutes passed, and they would land at the spaceport. Claud paid the fair and the four and a half of them would hobble out. The traffic of people going in all directions was dense, to say the least. Peoples of myriad species and cargo was being moved all around them, and they had barely arrived at the terminals. When they got to the ticket booth-- which took twenty minutes even with Claud's priority queue-- a young woman looked up at them, eyes darting at the... interesting looking assembly.

"Can Ai 'elp ya?" She asked, chewing on some gum.

"Y-yes, I b-booked a f-flight for three s-several days ago, but I'd like to amend the t-ticket c-"

"Ya wanna book another seat?" She asked incredulously, cocking her head to the side.

"...yes." He answered.

"Can't." She replied flatly.

"...Can't?" Claudias repeated, blinking as he stepped forward. "Yeah. Bookin' closed six hours ago." She said. "...why d-did you ask if I wanted to b-book another seat?"

"...anythin' else Ai can 'elp ya with?" The girl asked, blowing a bubble and letting it pop.

Claudias frowned, and he took another step forward, leaning down. "L-listen, this is v-very important. My... my f-friend's daughter," Claudias began, gesturing to Saura, then Anna, "She... she's p-pregnant, and we n-need to have her ch-checked offworld."

"And what exactly am Ai supposed ta do about th'at?" The girl asked, cocking her head, completely and utterly disinterested.

At this, Saura took a step forward, fished into Claud's wallet, pulled it out, and placed two one hundred crown chips on the counter.

The girl cocked an eyebrow, before glancing at the wallet again. As Claudias watched dumbfounded, the two would silently and slowly raise the price of the bribe until they settled on 474 crowns and 16 cents.

"...Ai'll make a last minute call." The girl declared, clicking on her commlink and pocketing the cash. "Unbelievable..." The man muttered, shaking his head and stepping away.

"She'sgot 'er own family ta feed." Saura piped up. "She prolly thinks yer some noble sleezeball cartin' 'is mistress offworld after puttin' a bastard in 'er belly." The woman elaborated, to which Claudias' lips pursed. "I would prefer if she j-just showed a b-bit of decency, regardless of whatever c-circumstance or c-class I happen to belong to." The man complained, to which a cruel, bitter laugh escaped Saura's lips.

"Yer funnier than I remember."




@LouJoVi
 

Tristodd Brentioch

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Tristodd didn’t say anything regarding Saura’s negative answer to his comment. He understood her reaction, killing someone wasn’t good. However, if she was prepared to make this sacrifice, the young Brentioch was certain that he and his uncle were going to be the ones killed.

What surprised him was the fact that Claudias offered to meddle with the investigation regarding what Saura did. His uncle always hated corruption and anything related to it. He wasn’t someone like Sibyl, who used to work under the table all the time. It was probably the first time that he saw the Diplomat acting like her.

It made Tristodd even more suspicious that Claudias and Saura knew each other for a long time. While his uncle's interest in helping her could be because he wanted to thank the woman for having saved them, the Aide didn’t think that it would be enough for the Diplomat to pass over his convictions.

After arriving at the spaceport, they went to pick the tickets and find a way to buy one for Saura. Unfortunately, the attendant was refusing to give them another one. Tristodd constantly stared at the door, expecting that the police or criminals would arrive at any moment to take them.

In the end Saura convinced the woman to at least try to help them by offering her some money. Tristodd once again stared at the two with suspicion when she said that he was funnier than she remembered. He wanted to ask about it, but he wasn’t going to do that in the middle of the spaceport. Besides, now they needed to reach Chandrila.

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Claudias Tannaras

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With the exchange done, Claudias would glance down at the tickets, brow furrowing. "These are in s-separate cars!" He declared, utterly shocked. "H-how could we be expected to t-t-travel in different cars? We're one p-p-party!" He exclaimed, to which Saura laughed again. "Cars? Yer lucky ya've got a room! Whenever me and mae boy wound up trav'lin' anywhere, we'd be lucky if we'd get ta share seats." She declared, shaking her head as they walked.

As they made their way to the ship, the security guards would appraise them. "Surrender yer luggage." An old, burly man with jet black hair and a tangly beard ordered. "I b-beg your pardon?!" Claudias stammered, glancing down at Anna's bags. "Yer luggage will be stowed-- ya can pick it up on arrival." He declared, uncrossing his arms. Claudias had taken public transit a multitude of times throughout his career-- but it was almost always a first class experience. The idea that anyone in his company would be made to surrender their bags was lunacy.

But when he moved to protest, Anna interjected, "Ofcourse. Here you go, officer." She offered, forcing a smile as she handed her bags forward. The guard's eyes narrowed as he took them, adding, "Ai ain't no muca." As he gestured for them to move along, calling for the next party.

"Wh-why would you surrender them so easily?!" He questioned once they continued, to which Anna didn't respond. "H-how can you trust that it will be safe? These t-types aren't the m-most trustworthy!" The aristocrat whispered hastily. "It's not a matter of trust, Mr. Tannaras," The girl countered, adding a quick, "We have no choice." As Claud prepared to counter, Saura interjected, saying, "They wouldn't think twice about robbin' ya blind, if ya weren't travelin' off world with a noble." Saura gestured to him, adding, "One missin' luggage complaint from 'im would prompt an investigation that'd get tha entire crew axed."

Claudias stood in silence as he listened, the competing perspectives and new information leaving him... surprised, to say the least. As they slowly bordered, his eyes darted around, looking for any sign of officers searching for them, or shady characters... or, Sol forbid, his own family.

But nothing happened, and as they were waved into the business class cabins, he breathed a sigh of relief. Anna made her way to her cabin, and Claud shook her hand. "You'll f-find us in cabin 6B-- m-meet us if you're in distress. I'll ch-check on you every few hours until we arrive." He reassured her. Anna smiled warmly at him, hugging the older man. "Thank you again-- all of you." She said, nodding at Saura and smiling over at Tristodd, before making her way inside.

They would make their way to their cabin, and find an extremely tall, overweight gran sitting in the corner, all three of his eyes glued to his datapad. He didn't even look up as they entered, nor when they sat down.

It would be a long flight.

--------

The Lord Tannaras reclined in his chair, watching the holo without much interest. The meeting at the commerce hall was tomorrow, and there were certain things he had to get finished-- certain things he'd delegate to one of his aides at the last minute, as he usually did. He sipped from his wine glass, before glancing at a nearby mirror. The man who stared back at him looked every day a bit less like him.

There came a knock, and his eyes darted to the door. "Enter," he called, and stepping through the doors stood Livia. Her eyes shown in the dark like Lapis, icy and cold. "Chairete, Pater." She called, to which he rolled his eyes. "Speak basic-- we're not in the temple, for Eire's sake." He snapped at her. The girl's lips pursed, but otherwise her expression didn't change.

"...your will be done, father." She slowly answered, stepping inside and making her way over. Of all his daughters, she was the one who'd received the least of his attention-- Junia only won more because she demanded it of him. "What is it you want?" He asked flatly, turning to look up at her. She was taller, he thought-- she always had been, but sitting down, half drunk, the older man noticed it more than he ever had.

"There are some reports I believe deserve your attention," She began, reaching for the remote-- but he stopped her. "What?" He asked. "What could be so important that you'd interrupt me? I'm busy." He said, gesturing to the holo-- he was watching huttball.

Her eyes lingered on the screen for a moment, and the faintest hint of disdain would be curl onto her lips. "On the news, father. Channel 4." She said. Normally he would've dismissed her, but there was something about the frozen look in her eyes that caused him to change it-- and what he saw and heard left him shocked.

"...neighbors report a verbal altercation before the shots were fired. While there were no cameras active, witnesses report that of the two who entered, one was unconscious upon exit, with two other women-- a young, red-haired girl who some report was pregnant-- and an older raven haired pale woman who was, apparently, carrying a blaster." The reporter droned on, before cutting to an interview with an older togruta.

Livia didn't understand a word of what he said, but Andronikas did. He'd familiarized himself with that accent well in his youth. "Ai tells ya, tha p***hrois sh**es didn't offer a single crown! Th'at crippled p**ck just 'obbled past me laike Ai was a pile o'bantha shi-" The words were cut off, jumping forward. "--than tha shots were fired and tha old crow started cawin' laike mad! Next thing Ai know they're runnin' out, carryin' luggage and an 'alf dead po-"

"WHERE WAS THIS?!" The aristocrat roared, jumping to his feet, the wine glass shattering on the floor. Livia's eyes widened and she took a step back. "I-- a tenement block in one of the slum districts. The four of them were chased by police--"

"WERE THEY FOUND?!" He asked, turning back to the holo. "--the party was pursued to the Saurian technitis district. Police failed to apprehend the suspects-- they have released no further comment at this time."

At this, the enraged aristocrat threw the remote at the holo, bellowing out a, "FUCKING USELESS!" before slamming his fist into the coffee table, splintering the wood. Snatching up his commlink, the older man began calling his aides. "Call every police captain in the fucking city-- call every port authority, EVERY FUCKING COMMISSIONER! Call every channel reporting on this and SHUT THEM UP!" He furiously commanded.

"IT'S A MATTER OF PLANETARY SECURITY YOU FUCKING MORON! THE AMBASSADOR HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED!"




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Tristodd Brentioch

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While Tristodd would have appreciated traveling in the first class, he didn’t argue against the end result. Even if his uncle was only able to buy tickets for them to travel in the more economic class, the young Brentioch was satisfied that they were already going to leave Brentaal.

Uncle, the man is only doing his job.” Tristodd said, while giving his luggage to the man. The guy didn’t have a sympathetic face, but the aide could understand. Few people would be happy working all the time carrying other people’s bags. The young Brentioch even gave the worker some crowns, as a tip for his services. Before the other could say something, he had already moved with the others.

You don’t need to thank us. We are doing what is right.” he said to Anna, before they split toward their cabins. While he walked after Claudias, Tristodd contemplated if he was doing all that because it was the right thing to do, or if he was only doing that to save his family from the shame of having a bastard.

He wanted to be a good person, but sometimes he thought that many of his actions seemed to be egotistical. He was a Brentioch-Tannaras, after all. His ancestors wouldn’t have survived the politics of Brentaal if they were good people.

—-----------------------------------------​

While Tristodd and Claudias waited for their ship to leave Brentaal, news about what happened in Anna’s building already spread across Cormond like fire. It didn’t take much time for it to arrive in the Brentioch’s household, more precisely at the ear of Livilla Brentioch.

Someone couldn’t consider her a good mother, but the truth was that she really loved her children. At least in a twisted way. During Tristodd's kidnapping, she really wanted to help him. However, Caledan was the one with the last saying. This was another reason to increase her hatred for the man and she had delivered her hatred over his latest mistress. Now a Zygerian was going to receive a new slave.

When she saw the images of Tristodd carrying Claudias with two unknown women, while the news announced a kidnapping, Livilla rose from her seat. “Prepare a speeder, I’m going to my brother’s house.” she said to her droid, before walking to change her clothes. She didn’t care if the aberration was going to die, Livilla wasn’t going to leave her son alone. Not even Caledan would stop her.

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Claudias Tannaras

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The aristocrat would give his nephew an incredulous look as he spoke in the employee's defense. He wanted to speak up in protest, but he bit his tongue, and said nothing as he tipped the man. This was an issue that wasn't worth arguing over, and it would be absurd to blame the employee for the rules he was enforcing.

When goodbyes were said, the rest of them would shuffle into their car. For most it would be considered spacious, but Claud bit his tongue as he shuffled into his seat. Saura seemed rather comfortable, glancing at a mirror close by and staring for a long time.

"Sentients, this is your captain speaking. We're going to depart from the Freia Kallea Memorial spaceport," The captain's voice blared over the intercomm, a holo image of his face appearing in the table that centered the room. As he droned on about the various accommodations afforded (based on the class of ticket,) Claudias would glance across the table at his nephew, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Tristodd," he called, leaning across. "I w-want you to know... all you've d-done, not just f-for Anna, but for b-being such an upright young man-- you've m-made me proud." He declared, smiling at him. He didn't know why he said it, but he felt like a reminder was appropriate.

Soon, the ship would lurch up and into the skies, and they would be on their way to Chandrilla.

--------

"...my archon, I don't believe I've heard you correctly. You wish for me to-"

"Ground all flights." The Lord Tannaras repeated. He was steeped in the regalia of his office, Archon ta'tianol y'Bren'taaloi, purple silks woven over heavy ornamental fabrics, a heavy electrum signet ring on his right index finger. Before him, the lord Kallea, an old, doddering fool, stared at him in shock.

"Wh... my lord, this is-- this is MADNESS! My port is one of the busiest on the planet, dozens of ships leave every few minutes! The economic blowback--"

"I couldn't care less if your house's coffers were bled DRY if it meant finding the ambassador!" Andronikas roared, slamming his fist on the table. "You want me to worry about a couple thousand crates of shit not arriving on time when a public official with private knowledge of DOZENS of interplanetary agreements and diplomatic secrets might be held HOSTAGE?!" The man snarled, not even trying to hide his fury.

The Lord Kallea sat in shock, cowering in his seat. The Archon had barely participated in the affairs of government in years, and it had been even longer since he'd so much as delivered a speech. But right now, Andronikas' voice was still silent-- for it was his father's voice that he chose to vent his rage.

There was a knock on the door to the hall, and it would swing open. The Lord Tannaras spun on his heels, wide eyed and furious that he had been disturbed-- until he saw who it was that was being let in. He seemed to forget all about the bewildered old fool that he'd just terrified as he crossed the room and, for the first time in twenty years, embraced his sister.

"Thank Deus you're here," he whispered, pulling away after a full minute. "I swear to all the Gods, Livilla, when we find the ones who took your boy... there won't be a judge or jury that can protect them." He declared, a cold venom laced in his voice. These people, whatever filthy, inbred gutter slime had decided to steal his brother and nephew from him... they would suffer in ways only he knew they could suffer.




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Tristodd Brentioch

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Tristodd’s musings about his ancestry were disturbed by Claudias’ voice. “Thank you, uncle. I never thought that I would do something like that either.” if someone asked years ago that he would be brave enough to not only adopt two Firrerreos, but also to help the pregnant lover of his brother to escape, the young Brentioch would have laughed.

When the ship started to move, Tristodd sighed with relief. Now they were leaving Brentaal and the police would not be able to catch Saura. Not only that, but his parents weren’t going to discover Anna’s pregnancy. He wondered if he would be able to reveal to Reegian that he was going to be a father. Perhaps after the child is born.

Uncle, a colleague from my time at Chandrila is going to meet us in the spaceport when we arrive. His name is Jobin Kolma and he was nice enough to help me organize the place where Anna is going to stay.” Jobin, or Job, was one of the few colleagues that Tristodd still maintained some contact with.

It was mostly due to the Chandrilan being so insistent and not allowing the young Brentioch to ever forget about him. “Jobin will take us to this place with his speeder. He didn’t ask many details about Anna, being satisfied in knowing that I’m helping a person in trouble.” he never understood why his colleague jumped on this ‘mission’ without asking many questions. Perhaps it was something that the people of Chandrila used to do. “So let’s leave things this way. I don’t want to drag him inside my family problems.


—--------------------------------------​

While their ship left Brentaal, Livilla arrived at his brother’s office. His servants and secretaries tried to stop her, by saying that he was in an important meeting. The woman had the pleasure of ignoring all of them, not even sparing a single look at their faces. A bunch of lowborns weren’t going to stop her.

The door of her brother’s office opened loudly, revealing a furious Livilla and a confused servant. The man had been knocking on the door, but the woman had so little patience that she decided to enter at once. She wanted her son back and if Andronikas had anything to complain about, he could talk with her hand.

With eyes that could turn Sullust in a ball of ice, Livilla stared at Lord Kallea. The man was a stupid old baboon, which by living was only occupying space of more productive individuals. “Out! I want to talk to my brother alone.” she ordered, making the already scared man rush out of the room. “Andronikas, I want you to send the police to find Tristodd. Caledan could have ignored what happened with that Hutt some years ago, but this time I’ll not do it. I want my son back and those criminals to suffer.

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Claudias Tannaras

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"Oh, g-give yourself some credit. I always kn-knew you would do great things," he declared with a smile. "P-perhaps not g-grand enough to warrant some t-ten meter tall naked marble statue, but enough that you'll leave s-some people's lives better off than if you hadn't." He declared, chuckling a little as he reclined in his seat. They sat quietly for awhile, before Tristodd piped up about one of his old colleagues.

"Oh, Jobin Kolma? Yes. of course." He muttered, before his brow furrowed. He'd never heard of a Jobin Kolma, or any Kolma for that matter. He certainly hoped that he was trustworthy-- though he didn't think his nephew was naïve enough to go and spoil the whole plan by sharing it with a stranger.

Tristodd's further clarifications did nothing to bait his reservations though, and he gave his nephew an incredulous look. "...he seems a r-rather g-g-generous f...FEEllow." He said flatly, before glancing at Saura, who was on the verge of bursting out laughing at the idea of such a comically altruistic person. "The Ch-Chandrillans do have such qu-queer customs when it comes to matters like these, th-though I supp-p-pose it's to our benefit in this case." He went on, to which Saura finally belted out a laugh.

--------

Livilla wouldn't have encountered many human servants, truth be told. Of those her brother employed, almost all of them were caretakers for his children. It was one of his first acts as Lord Tannaras to fire most of the palatial staff, while the entire kitchen staff had been completely replaced with droids.

Those protesting servants didn't dare protest once the doors were flung open and their lord's eyes and ears could hear and see their defiance of his sister's will, and they made a point of hastily withdrawing.

The Lord Kallea, for his part, was much less hasty. Terrified as he was by Andronikas' fury, Livilla was another manner entirely. Of all Pterygas' children, his daughter took after him the most physically, though two heads shorter. He didn't, however, understand just how close the spiritual resemblance was as well.

"Lady Brentioch, I and the Lord Tannaras are in the middle of an important--"

"Do as she wills, Theodorac." Andronikas snapped coolly, to which the old, fat lord stared at him in a mixture of shock and indignation.

"My Lord, I--"

"If it's so much trouble that you can't close your port for a couple of worthless hours, I'll be satisfied with you searching every nook and cranny of that overcrowded taxi lot you call a port and every ship departing over a few hours-- and you'll also surrender every second of video footage from every camera stationed there." He interjected, causing the lord Kallea to blink. Andronikas' mood had seemingly shifted with the arrival of his sister, and his terms, while still outrageous, were actually doable.

And he knew that, should he fail to comply, the Archon would be more than willing to dig up a number of shoddily buried secrets that could destroy him.

"...very well, my lord." He muttered, before slowly rising to his feet and waddling out of the room in a huff. He didn't bother with the traditional "thank you for your hospitality" that was common in meetings like these.

The doors were promptly slammed shut, and Andronikas made a point of tapping something on the table that would lock anyoen else out of the hall.

"A fucking disgrace, thinking he can talk to us like that." He spat, venom dripping from his voice. "That old lech gets up to enough debauchery that he makes Julias and Reegian together look like celibates. I could burn his house to the ground in a week." He hissed, nails digging into the table.

His sister's demands took him out of his own indignation, and he nodded along. "You ought to have strung him up by his balls after that fiasco," he commented, "Though I wonder if he has any. I've never known a man who lets his brother in law negotiate his own son's release." He went on. Livilla had never given Claudias the credit for rescuing the boy-- nobody had.

"I suppose it's my turn this time." He declared, a look of resolute confidence painted across his face. There were only a few things Andy had inherited from his father, but most frightening had to have been his utterly unflappable determination and stubbornness. "Every precinct in the city knows. Eirene is sending her honor guard and agents out to gather information. Livia is keeping tabs on the media and screening anything they learn."

"They won't be able to hide the two of them for long-- between them, a couple plebs have barely got enough brains to get dressed in the morning, much less kidnap an ambassador and Gubernatorial aide." He declared. "Which is why they won't escape like that Hutt did." He added coldly, in a tone that sounded as much like a promise as it was a threat.

He had the narrative spun already-- the ambassador and the aide would be recovered, but the criminals responsible would, "fail to be apprehended."

Ofcourse, they would be found-- and he and Livilla would teach them the price of attacking their family.




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Tristodd Brentioch

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Tristodd smiled at his uncle’s comment, being happy with the fact that the man thought that he was doing something great. ”Well, I don’t want a marble statue. They are a stupid tradition. Besides, I would die with shame if people stared at a naked version of me.” in his opinion, it would be so awkward. There were some traditions of Brentaal that could have already disappeared.

Well, since he was the only one of my colleagues that I remained in touch with after finishing my studies in Chandrila, I ended up seeking his help to find a house for Anna.” in the end, Tristodd decided to use a different place, rather than one of his family’s properties. This way there were less chances of his parents discovering what was happening.

When the ship entered the hyperspace, Tristodd stared at the window. The trip from Brentaal to Chandrila wasn’t so long, but it would be enough for the police to lose any possible track of them and Saura would be safe. He turned at Claudias, remembering something important. “Uncle, did you knew Ms. Saura from somewhere before we saw her in Anna’s building?

—---------------------------------------------------------​

While Tristodd poked his uncle’s past, Livilla watched Lord Kallea leaving Andronika’s office with a look that would make even Palpatine curl with fear. “Father used to say that he was even worse when young. I wonder how long he’ll last by living this way. Hopefully not much longer.” he said, when the old man left the two siblings alone.

Caledan prefers to stay with the prostitutes that he call as mistresses. With how easily they disappear, my dear husband needs to find a new one every month.” a month was the minimum time for her to discover and dispose of them. Sometimes she could do that in days.

Livilla wanted to roll her eyes with her brother’s confidence. Sometimes he looked like a boy playing being their father. “Do you at least know who did it? Was it Lassiter? You know that this bitch hates Tristodd and Claudias. She could have finally developed the courage to disappear with them.

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"St-st--stupid?!" Claud exclaimed, both amused and shocked by Tristodd's lack of respect. "I th-thought you of all p-p-people would app-preciate the art-t-TISTic vaAalue of--" he sputtered, pausing to catch his breathe.

"I... suppose I sympathize, b-but it's not like any of those st-statues are accurate. Your g-grandfather was no Adonis-- he was sk-skinnier than a twig!" Claudias declared, flashing his nephew a grin. "T-tell him, Saura! You met him, he w-was..." Claud began, trailing off as he looked at the woman, who was not amused.

"...w-well, in any case, it would st-still be a great honor. M-many second sons dream of having their likeness c-c-carved in marble?" He went on, before looking away. "I mean, I c-can't speak from experience. The artists u-usually have to embellish, but for me, well, they'd have to t-take my face and m-make something up." He went on, chuckling before he let out a sigh.

"Now, your great grandfather's st-statue is another matter-- he didn't n-need the artists to embellish, I c-can tell you that much!" He declared. Before he could elaborate on his grandfather's history though, Saura would bluntly say, "Ai need ta take a piss." Blinking, Claud quickly scooched out of the way to allow her to step out. When Tristodd asked his question, Claud looked across from him, than at the gran.

"W-walk with me." He said, before slowly sitting up. They would make their way outside, to a secluded cabin not to far from their own.

"Saura and I... we m-met several times, when I was a boy who'd j-just graduated from the wheelchair to leg braces." He explained. Claud's condition had steadily improved from the day of his birth to the present-- not that it had changed how people treated him. "Back than, y-your uncle Andronikas was the y-young, handsome ch-champion of the junior palaoi league. When he wasn't out f-fighting, or listening to m-me read him histories, he..." Claudias slowly explained, sanitizing as best he could.

But he realized that subtilty wouldn't serve him or his nephew at the moment.

"...he spent his days shagging anything that moved." Claudias suddenly, and bluntly declared. "Whether it was the ladies he beat in wrestling competition, his c-classmates, or the sisters of his f-friends-- he found a way." Claud declared, before adding, "He k-kept things discrete, of course, and he w-was responsible, b-but it was an open s-s-secret that he... got around."

"But... well, one day, he met Saura. She was... different from all the n-noble girls Andy was used to. She didn't h-humor him, or f-flatter him constantly, or sp-speak with flowery l-language or great wit." Claud explained. He could still remember listening as Andronikas went on for hours and hours about how perfect she was. "I only m-met her on accident-- she m-mistook my room for his one night, and I for him. Th-that was the only t-time she ever seemed ashamed." He joked.

"Suff-fice to say, he loved her-- and soon, she loved him. They were going to marry, he said... until..." Claud stopped than, pausing. This... no, he couldn't tell Tristodd about this part. At least, not all of it.

"My f-father-- he and Andronikas, they were eating one night-- and he s-suffered a stroke." Claud declared. "It was c-catastrophic-- t-total loss of motor function and s-serious decline in brain activity. Andy t-took my father's place, and... he and S-Saura fell out. They never spoke to each other again."

"He... I d-don't think he ever got over it."

--------

"Worse? Eire couldn't make a more base creature." He spat. Degenerate. Near every one of them was, drinking and whoring and wasting their credits on parties and balls and fashion. None were worse than Kallea in his mind, though Lassiter was a close runner up. She might not have been a whore, but her vanities were something to behold-- and her attitude. How anyone could stand to speak to her for five minutes without closing the distance to strangle her was a question even he hadn't found the answer to.

"Perhaps he'll take a hint and stop laying with lowborn trash, wanting him for his money and disappearing the second they get two crowns to rub between their fingers." The lord Tannaras spat. His father had arranged the match between Livilla and Caledan, and though he'd wanted to break the betrothal, he was honorbound to maintain it. He wished now more than ever that he'd found his sister a more suitable husband-- if there were any left.

"But the only thing smaller than the man's balls are his brains, so my guess is that he won't." He mocked. There'd been a time where he and Caledan had gotten on well enough, but his many infidelities against his sister had embittered the older brother.

"It wasn't her." Andronikas answered quickly. "Lassiter might be a gilded snake, but she's not a fool. She barely interacts with Tristodd anymore, and Claudias agreed to help co-sponsor a bill she put out a few weeks ago. She might hate them, but not enough to do something as stupid as this." He declared.

"Besides, I have three spies in her staff. None of them have reported anything alarming." He casually informed her. He didn't care for the flagrant privacy violation, especially not when his family was at stake. "No, this wasn't done by one of us-- it was done by one of them." He declared, lips curling in disgust. "Those cloystered, illiterate, inbred--" The Lord Tannaras began to trail off as his nails dug into the table, before he closed his hands into fists, slammed them down, and stood up again.

"I have men in the force-- men and women investigating, interrogating. We'll know who did this, we'll know anyone who shares a great grandfather with them." He went on, reassuring his sister-- both that they would find the culprit, and that her need for vengeance would be satisfied.

He walked over to her then, and, without an invitation, hugged her again. He let out a sigh before looking down at her. "You'll get your boy back, Livi. I promise."




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Tristodd Brentioch

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When Claudias started his passionate speech about the Brentaalan statues, Tristodd simply shrugged. Even if he was simply a second son, the young Brentioch never cared about receiving this type of recognition. His job with politics and charity were only because he liked others, not as a way of seeking glory. Many of the people that he knew would call him a fool.

Well, you can’t have a statue, but I consider you a great man, my favorite uncle.” he said, smiling at him. Tristodd was very aware that Claudias’ condition made him suffer when he was a child. While no one told him it, the young man had heard the rumors about how his grandfather treated his uncle. It was a common topic of conversation among the other nobles.

As he was asked, Tristodd followed Claudias in the corridor. If his uncle wanted to talk with him alone, there was more behind the circumstances of his relationship with Saura. The young man had suspicions, but he wanted to hear it from his uncle.

So she was Andronikas’ lover.” he said, while thinking that Claudias could have omitted the details about the Lord Tannaras’ sexual life. He didn’t want to know how much his uncle shagged when he was younger. “In the beginning I thought that you and Saura used to have an affair.

What Claudias said next was surprising. Not only the fact that his uncle wanted to marry her, but the circumstances behind his grandfather’s stroke. No one told the details about how it happened and he never asked. The young Brentioch remembers that Pterygas was already in a wheelchair when he was born, with his first visit to his grandfather ending with him crying of fear because he couldn’t stand the man in front of him.

Uncle, be honest to me. How was my grandfather? I’m used to hearing stories about him, some very terrible. However, I want to know it from someone that lived with him. Was he a monster like many people say?” Tristodd was nearly sure that it was the case. To survive as part of the Brentaalan nobility, you need to sell your soul and kill any goodness. He and Claudias were one of the few exceptions to this rule.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------​

Livilla ignored Andronikas when his brother started to rant about Kallea. She hated how her brother liked to turn even the briefest comment in a long speech. “Andy, focus! We are in the middle of a crisis here. Stop complaining about men’s balls, it looks as if you are disdainful of them.” she said, before taking a seat.

When her brother approached her, Livilla sighed. She was so used to wearing the mask of being a strong woman that sometimes it was difficult to even relax. “Please, you need to find him. I know that I’m not the best mother in the Galaxy, but I love my children. I don’t want Tristodd to get hurt like that time with the Hutts.” someday she would find a way to make Caledan suffer directly for not having intervened.

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The old man, who felt much younger than he was, couldn't help but smile when Tristodd complimented him. "Th-thank you, boy." He said, genuinely happy to hear his nephew's words. Of all in his family, Andy had been the only one who'd treated him with compassion in his youth, and now that he was older Tristodd was the only one who regarded him as anything but "the crippled uncle."

"I must say, I much prefer your praises than those offered up by a hunk of marble." He declared, before letting out a chuckle.

When Claudias finished recounting the story, he braced himself for Tristodd's reaction, and was thoroughly surprised by his nephew's lack of one. Claudias had just shared information with him that only a handful of people knew, a fact that his brother had spent decades suppressing, and Tristodd regarded it as casually as if he'd just told his nephew he was going to by a new toga.

It was Claudias who reacted instead, stumbling back when Tristodd suggested that he and Saura were lovers. "ME AND SAURA?!" He exclaimed, louder than he ought to have, before immediately clamping a hand over his mouth, before he burst out laughing. He was laughing like an absolute maniac, entirely out of character for him, but the suggestion was just so hilarious to him that he couldn't help it.

"I... I'm sorry, I shouldn't r-react like th-that, but... me, and SAURA?" He repeated, before laughing again, shaking his head. "I mean, h-her, wanting m-m-MmmMee? She only ever f-flirted with me th-th-thinking I was my b-b-brRRother!" He went on, bursting out laughing again. "And c-could you imagine? M-me, h-h-hAAAaving an affair, with anyone?" He asked, before chuckling again.

"No, no, that would all b-be absurd." He declared. "I could h-hardly s-stand on my own when sh-she and I met, while Andy was out b-breaking the ribs of men and women t-twice his size! By the G-gods, she was the m-mistress of B-brentaal's most eligible b-b-bachelor-- I was the l-least!" he went on, before shaking his head. "And I'm h-hardly a romantic! D-do you know the l-last time I spoke to my w-wife, Tristodd? You w-were still learning to r-recite The Juliad!" He added, laughing again.

It was an utterly hilarious idea to him-- of him carrying on with Saura, or anyone, for that matter. What woman in their right mind would ever pursue him, have an affair with him, carry on and be passionate, with him? It wasn't like he was interested in any of that either. He'd seen what happened when people pursued them-- he and his nephew were dealing with those consequences right now. The histories were his love, the assembly was his passion. Perhaps when he retired he and his wife could spend their days together-- though she preferred the company of girls.

No, such pursuits were not for him-- and if he ever changed his mind he'd have time. The bit of morellian blood that coursed through his veins would keep him looking younger than he was for decades... though, his father had had that same blood, and it hadn't saved he was spending his days in a wheelchair, drooling, barely able to lift a finger. His collapse earlier pulled on him now-- perhaps he ought to see a doctor, when all of this was said and done.

His ruminations were interrupted by Tristodd, who asked about a... much less amusing topic. The hint of a grin slipped off his features, and he looked down, staring at the durasteel floor. He took a moment, taking a deep breathe before turning to look up at Tristodd.

"Your grandfather... was a complicated man." Claudias declared, breathing out. "I... I d-didn't really understand him all th-that well myself, to b-be honest. When h-he had his accident, and I f-finished my history studies, I m-made a point of asking th-those who knew him." Claudias explained.

"I... I say this, b-because all I s-saw of him was... displeasure." He declared, looking down again. "Wh-whenever he saw me, there was s-something he had to criticize. Wh-when I was little, and n-needed a wheelchair, he c-called me w-weak for n-needing a servant to p-push me around. When I c-could wheel myself around, he said I was l-lazy f-for not trying to walk. Wh-when I moved on to b-braces and c-crutches, he said I was a c-coward for being af-fraid to fall." Claud went on, clutching the handle of his cane.

"That... that was when he was calm. When he was b-being nice." Claud added, pursing his lips. "When he was d-displeased, and he saw me, he'd f-find something wrong. If he s-saw me drooling a b-bit, he would go off for an hour." Claud explained. He didn't describe any more, but the memories were raw in his mind.

"What in SOL'S NAME do you THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" His father had roared, practically leaping up from his seat at the table and crossing it to where Claud had sat. He'd asked what was wrong, pleaded, and his father had just gotten angrier. "You don't know? YOU DON'T KNOW?! IS YOUR MIND AS SOFT AS YOUR BACK BOY?!" He had screeched, before ripping a napkin off the table and smearing it across his face. "You drool like a baseborn SIMPLETON! You call yourself a TANNARAS? You walk-- no, roll around my halls, wearing MY colors, carrying MY name, and you DARE to conduct yourself like THIS! Thank the Gods for my patience, otherwise you'd be out on the STREET! You hear me, BOY?!"

He would, ofcourse, start crying, and than his father would scream about that, and his drooling. If his brother ever spoke up in his defense, Pterygas would turn it on him, lambasting them both as miserable failures who would lead their family into ruin.

"...I s-spent years t-trying to please him. I spent years m-more trying to learn w-why he treated me th-the way he did." Claud went on. "Before I w-was born, he was similar to Andy, b-but he t-turned his ire on me when I was b-born. Whatever d-disappoints he had in y-your uncle, they d-didn't compare to my existing." The man spat, chewing on his lip.

"...he was g-good to your mother, though." Claud added, regarding the floor with consideration. "He r-rose his voice to h-her sometimes, and h-he was n-never satisfied w-with her accomplishments. B-but he k-kept her by his side m-much, s-spent his t-time g-grooming her for ladyship." Claudias went on. "I th-think it's only what he taught her th-that's k-kept her loyal to y-your father. Th-that, as well as y-you and your b-brother." He went on, before letting out a sigh.

"I... I d-don't know what he ever wanted from me. An able b-body? I g-grew stronger as I g-got older. He wasn't h-happy with Andy though-- something was m-missing there." He went on. "H-he was most satisfied w-with how your m-mother turned out, b-but there was something missing there, as well." He finished.

"What else... h-he hated aliens, w-was obsessed with tradition, 'de-g-generacy,' and pantomime. Gods, he loved pantomime." Claudias added. The operatic shows were one of Brentaal's oldest art forms. They were bombastic, spoken entirely in Brentaalan, and almost all of the stories were absurdly ancient. Claud had come to love it to-- it was one of the only times he could be with his father and not be on the receiving end of his wrath. They'd watch together as the curtain was pulled up, and the narrator, clothed in a purple robe and holding up a mask of electrum, began to sing-- and than the stage would explode in activity as actors and singers and props sprung out and spread out.

"....I s-suppose, it c-could have been worse."

--------

"I am focused-- forgive me for sharing in your disdain for that oafe you call a husband, sister, but the fact that he isn't here right now MATTERS. I would be tearing this planet apart if my secondborn had gone missing!" Andronikas exclaimed, gritting his teeth. His brother in law's utter lack of interest his own sons' wellbeing disgusted him. His family mattered to him, and there was nothing he wouldn't do to keep them safe. Perhaps, if Caledan proved he could not protect his own nephews, he ought not to be associated with them anymore.

When he embraced Livilla, he held her tight. The pain, the fear, the anger coursing through her... he had thought he'd been through a situation like this before, and he knew how she felt. When she spoke up again, he looked her in the eye. "Livi, look at me." He said, turning her up to face him. "I swear, we're going to find them. Claud and Tristodd both, we'll have them back unharmed." He promised. He was the lord Tannaras, archon of the assembly of Brentaaal. His word was truth, his command carried the weight of law. If he said they would be found, they would.

"You are far from a bad mother," He reassured her, smiling down. "I've never known a woman who cared as much for her children as you, who's sacrificed as much as you." He went on. She needed reassurance right now, and he would provide. "When this is over we'll sit Tristodd down together, you and I. He'll do his duty and within the year you'll have grandchildren squalling into the world, alright?" He said, smiling down at her.

When he finally released her, he turned back to the datascreen on the table. "Kallea will have the footage sent to my people in the force. If they're seen on even a single camera at the port, we'll know where they are and where they're going within the hour-- and if we don't, we know they're still on-"

Before he could finish, his commlink began to chime. Cursing, Andronikas brought it up. "Speak!" He snapped aggressively, just as Livia's figure crackled onto the screen.

"My lord father," She said, bowing her head with as much enthusiasm as a sloth and as much emotion as a rock. "I have collected some footage that may be of use in finding our beloved uncle and cousin."

Andronikas stood still for a moment, before turning on his heels and walking right out the door to the hall. "I'll be there in five." He declared, glancing at Livilla. Whether she followed or not was her choice, but regardless, he would go to meet his daughter.




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Tristodd Brentioch

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Tristodd smiled when his uncle said that he preferred his praises rather than having a marble statue. The young Brentioch shared a similar feeling, believing that a sincere expression of gratitude was far better than a monument in honor of the vanity of a noble.

After his uncle started to laugh about Tristodd’s first impression regarding the relationship between him and Saura, the young Brentioch couldn’t avoid not laughing too. Claudias was really a person that put his work in front of his romantic life, to the point of the Tristodd not remembering if he ever saw the diplomat with his wife, or ex-wives, during social events. Claudias always seemed to spend more time alone or with his nephew.

To be honest, I always thought that you had a crush on Sibyl, and she had one with you!” he said, before laughing some more. Reegian always said that their rivalry was the result of am unresolved sexual tension. “Perhaps if you two admit that love, it could change her from being that bitch.” he joked. Nothing in the Galaxy was capable of making the Governor change.

When Claudias started to talk about father, the atmosphere of the conversation changes, with any trace of fun disappearing. Tristodd had heard many bad things about his grandfather, but he never thought that they could be true. However, his uncle would never lie or joke with something like that.

He seems like my father.” he never thought that Pterygas would be so much like Caledan. A part of him was happy that his grandfather wasn’t capable of talking anymore. “Father also used to say that I’m a failure, nowadays he ignores me.” Claudias already knew all that, Tristodd used to tell the older man everything that happened with him.

It seems that Brentaal nobles aren’t the best parents.” the young Brentioch turned to look at the window. He felt happy that Reegian’s children were going to be born away from all this toxic atmosphere. “I hope that we get in Chandrila soon.

—------------------------------------------------------------------​

Even so, I believe that I could have been a better mother. Caledan was terrible to the boys and I couldn’t do anything to stop it.” even if she targeted his lovers, it would never change the way that he acted around their children. She even contemplated killing him, but it would be too obvious.

She laughed when her brother said that they were going to talk with Tristodd together. “I really need some help with that. He always escapes me when I try to discuss it with him. I even made a list of good candidates.” she was careful to at least choose people that would be good to him.

Then, Andronika received a message from Livia. “I’ll go with you.” Livilla said, before getting up from her seat. This time she was going in to help her son and Caledan wasn’t going to stop her.

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Claudias Tannaras

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The aristocrat didn't think he could hear anything funnier out of his nephew's mouth that night, but the mention of him crushing on Sibyll-- or even worse, Sibyll crushing on him-- nearly had him toppling over the railings. Claud felt as if his ribs were crushing his lungs with the force of his own laughter, cackling loud enough that people down the hall began opening their doors to see what the commotion was all about. When he noticed, the younger Tannaras clammed up, letting out a quick, "Pardon!" before turning to look down again, giggling like a schoolboy all the same.

"Gods, if I h-had any doubts about your t-tastes, they've been dashed-- no m-man who could ever w-want a woman could conf-fuse what I feel for that witch as aff-f-FECTION!" Claud exclaimed, belting out another quick laugh, smacking his knee before he wiped a tear from his eyes. "I'll adm-mit, the governor doesn't l-lack in looks, but I p-prefer my partners to have a SOUL, th-thank you!" He'd add, stifling another laugh as he moved to sit on a nearbye bench.

"And Sibyll? I t-t-tell you, Eire gave her NO desire!" The diplomat declared. Claud had known Sibyll on and off for decades, and the number of potential suitors she'd seen her with was breathtaking. Men of class, men of station, men tall, men short, men fat, men skinny, men as handsome as models and men as ugly as hutts-- and Sibyll had never taken interest in any of them. No, the governor was entirely preoccupied with her work in the assembly and in government-- much like him. Though, where he was constantly trying to better the common good, Sibyll was using her station to enrich herself-- as all the other nobles did.

At that thought, a smirk spread across his lips. "P-perhaps the g-governor m-might take an interest in me wh-when I h-have one foot in the grave-- an old, ch-childless, frail nobleman would have noone to g-give his fortune to but his p-poor, widowed wife!" He joked, chuckling again. "Th-though, that should be difficult-- me c-carrying my grandmother's genes, I sh-should have a c-century of life left in me. Th-though I suppose the governor c-could follow the example of the draoi, and st-start drinking b-blood to stay young... c-come to think of it, she has aged r-rather gracefully, so p-perhaps she already does!" He went on, laughing and hardly realizing he'd just inadvertently complimented the governor's looks-- again.

When the conversation changed topics, Claud took his time to remain silent, and let his nephew process all he had said. He knew it could be... difficult, hearing such stories. He'd heard plenty of his own when he was young, stories from servants, or from his peers. He'd seen plenty of the students in his lecture halls carrying bruises, or looking around listlessly, carrying the same look in their eyes as he did after his father let him have it for a few hours. Even the histories, many of which were glamorized and whitewashed, shared tales of horrific abuse. Perhaps the only thing that transcended class on Brentaal was in the way parents treated their children-- horribly.

When his nephew answered, Claud sat for a moment, than turned. "...your f-father is a fool." Claudias said to him, point blank. For a Brentaalan to speak of his own family in such a way, in a public space... it wasn't meant to be done, and yet, he had just said it. "Y-you have served admirably as the g-governor's aide. Y-you've participated in our g-government with notable distinction. Y-you are well read on history, the arts, and even on m-matters of business and f-finance you've performed admirably."

"M-more than any of th-that, though, you are a g-good and honorable young man. If your f-father cannot s-see any of this, than he is a f-fool-- and you ought not to c-consider the words of fools."
Claud finished, taking a long, deep breathe. His wanting of his own father's approval had brought him nothing but disappointment and feelings of regret. Others always treated him like a crippled fool. Forgetting what others thought of him, finding validation in himself instead of others-- it had been the best thing he'd done for himself in his entire life.

"Y-yes, I hope so." Claud commented, right as Saura rounded a corner. "Tha kark are you two doin' out 'ere?" the woman asked, to which the aristocrat sat himself up. "T-tristodd and I w-were just m-making conversation." He answered, glancing at his nephew. "Aight, well c'mon. Some waiter's passin' by tha cabins, Ai'm gonna order us some wine."

--------

Andy remained silent as his sister confessed further to him, pursing his lips together. "I could have been a better mother." Their own mother had echoed the same sentiment to him, the last time they'd spoken, the day Julias had been born. "I should have protected you all from him-- protected him from himself. It's all to late now, deus forgive me." She had whispered, letting out a sigh of utter defeat.

What was he to tell her? What would she have done, if she'd known what her son had become? If she'd known what words had been spoken between him and her husband the night of his stroke-- of the girl and the child in her arms that he'd sent from his palace.

His thoughts drifted back to the broadcast, of the raven hair that cut distinctly across the screen. "She's gone. Don't think about her." He thought to himself, but he couldn't put it aside. Couldn't forget.

"...we all could be better." Andy whispered to her, glancing down at the floor, unable to look her in the eye. "You can't control your husband's behavior-- but your sons are grown now. Once Tristodd's married, I'll tell Claud to take him on as his successor to the ambassadorship-- both of them ought to start advancing their careers. I'll nominate Reegian to take my place as archon-- Caledan won't raise his voice to either of them again."

It wasn't a foolproof plan-- Caledan was hardly interested in ruling, but if his sons were given high honors and positions above him, he might feel jealous. Still, they would have authority and position that existed beyond being his sons, and that was enough.

As they made their way deeper into the palatial complex, the younger Livia led them into a closed off surveillance room. Various screens usually monitoring the perimeter of the palace had been turned off, replaced with one video.

"What is this?" her father asked of him, looking at the images plastered across the screen-walls-- footage of a crowd near a large transport ship.

"Watch." She said coolly, before flicking play, and zooming in. Andronikas just stared in confusion at first, but as the camera focused on a smaller group towards one of the gangways, diamond blue eyes lit up in recognition-- and rage.

30 years hadn't made her any less beautiful than the first day they'd met.

30 years hadn't dulled the seething hatred the roiled beneath the surface.

His eyes darted to the others-- a young redheaded woman, a hand resting on her belly. An old man with auburn hair, clutching a cane, dressed in fine silks, accompanied by a young man with distinct glasz eyes.

"HOW did you find this?! WHERE WAS THIS CAUGHT?!!" Andronikas snapped, turning to his daughter and stepping closer. She barely flinched, calmly answering, "The footage was caught at the Freia Kallea memorial Spaceport, docking bay A3953," She began, before the faintest hint of a smirk spread across her lips. "Lord Kallea, cooperating with your instructions, sent the past 16.5 hours of footage. Combing through various police reports, I was able to narrow down the search to the closest possible docks to the street addresses where the police chased the vehicle presumed to carry our beloved uncle and cousin."

Andronikas, even in his anger, blinked. Such a task should've taken hours, but his daughter had done the work of a trained group of investigators in under 47 minutes. "...well done." He answered, and his daughter smiled at him for the first time since she was a toddler. Turning back to the screen, he focused on her-- and on his brother.

"They're... they're not bound. Neither of those women are carrying weapons. They're..." His eyes lingered on Saura, than on the girl, and on her belly. His eyes widened again, lips trembling, before they flattened together.

"...where is this transport headed?" He asked, in a voice that was frighteningly calm. "Hanna interstellar spaceport." Livilla answered. "What is it you would do, father?"

"...nothing."

The room froze then, and Livia, her face usually unreadable, wore a distinctly incredulous expression.

"...nothing?"

"We keep everyone in the dark. The press will continue to speculate. Many will investigate-- you and I will make sure they don't follow the trail to where it leads." Andronikas declared. "...than I should command lord Kallea to delete this footage?"

"No-- Kallea will know something is amiss if we demand the footage be deleted. We will tell him it was useless and demand he surrender more-- he will refuse, we'll come to a compromise. If he were wiser he would investigate what he sent-- but he is not wise." Andronikas continued.

"As far as the House Tannaras is concerned, what we've found in this footage does not exist. Whatever business our brother and nephew are concerned with, it is best we let them finish with it-- until we find them, and put an end to it."




@LouJoVi
 

Tristodd Brentioch

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Yes, it’s crazy!” Tristodd said, before laughing with his uncle. He didn’t believe that there was any man in the entire Galaxy that would be capable of loving Sibyl. Behind her good appearance there was a pit of darkness that would suck the happiness of anyone that tried to approach.

Besides that, it was common knowledge to those working with her that Sibyl had no desire in marrying. Unless her future husband was a rich old man that was going to die soon. The Governor wanted more money, rather than finding love.

After Saura called them, the two nobles walked back to their cabin. Tristodd declined the offer of wine, deciding to have some water. Anna did the same, being careful with her pregnancy. It would only leave Claudias and the older woman to accept the alcoholic drink that the waiter was offering.

The rest of the trip would be uneventful and soon the ship would leave the hyperspace near Chandrila. Watching the planet from the window brought so many memories to Tristodd, all from the time that his father sent him away to study here. He wondered if he was what he was because of his experience with the Chandrilans. They were very different from the Brentaalans.

Once the ship landed, Tristodd and the others would enter the spaceport. The young Brentioch waved when he saw Jobin approaching them. “Trist! Is so good to see you in person again!” Kolma immediately hugged him, making the Brentaalan blush with the awkward situation. He couldn’t understand why the Chandrilan’s were so touchy. The blonde man stared at him silently for some time before turning to the others.

Welcome to Chandrila! I’m Jobin Kolma and I’ll help you reach the house.


—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Livila nodded when her brother talked about the future of her children. At least they still had Andronikas to help them, because Caledan made the minimum to assist them. “I need to find a way to press Tristodd about marriage. He dove so deep in his job that he barely stopped at Brentaal.” it was as if he wanted to avoid his family. If it was the case, she wouldn't blame him.

She followed her brother to the room where they could watch the footage without being disturbed. What Livila saw made her more confused. She didn’t recognize any of these women, but she noticed that one of them was pregnant.

If it was Reegian, she would have said that the red haired one was pregnant with him. However, it was Tristodd in the image. He never showed this type of interest. Then, an idea crossed her mind. “Do you think that this pregnant one could be Claudias’ mistress? I’ll kill them if they are dragging my son to help them hide this abomination.

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Claudias Tannaras

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Andronikas nodded along as his sister lamented Tristodd's prolonged absences from home. He understood the feeling well; he and Claud had been nearly inseparable in their youth, but his ambassadorial post had taken him away for years at a time. It had made his own position as Dominus all the more isolating. Though surrounded by the men and women of the assembly, he always felt alone. His only respite was listening to his daughter Julia's concerts, and now, in his granddaughter's company.

He'd wanted so desperately to go back to his youth, to the days he would wheel his brother through the halls pretending they were pod racing, to their long conversations, either about his exploits in the ring, or his brother's studies on some long dead reformist politician or another.

But Claud had seemed utterly disinterested in him, or his family. He disappeared for an hour with Tristodd the night of Ariadne's ceremony like it was nothing. The first time in a year that he'd seen his brother, and he'd apparently had something better to do.

And now, here he was. Consorting with commoners-- not just any commoners, but her. How had she managed to crawl out from the gutter after all this time? How had she dug her claws into his brother? Seeing the two of them together, hurredly boarding some ship offworld. Fantasies played out in his mind, of liaisons and rendezvous much like his own youth. Was this what his brother had spent his term doing?

He hardly even registered the pregnant woman before Livilla reminded him of her presence, and her suggestion of Claudias fathering a bastard woke him from his paranoia through it's sheer absurdity. "Claudias is incapable of taking a mistress, much less fathering a bastard. I've known him since they cut him from mother's belly-- whatever desire he has, it certainly wouldn't compel him to knock up a baseborn slut."

Livia raised an eyebrow at her father's vulgarity, but she nodded. "If I may, beloved aunt; I studied under our beloved uncle for two years. He never showed any interest in the instructors, man or woman, or any of the staff. Whoever fathered the child in that woman's belly, I doubt it was him."

Andronikas nodded along at his daughter's analysis. "It could be Tristodd's-- a mistress and pregnancy would explain his reluctance to marry." He suggested. Livilla obviously wouldn't want to hear it, and he prepared for his sister's very loud and very angry protests-- but the first dissent came from a more familiar voice.

"That's very unlikely-- Tristodd isn't one for the company of women." She'd add, prompting Andronikas to cock an eyebrow. "He's not outwardly affectionate, sure, but--"

"Our cousin regards even my most... comely looking acquaintances with complete indifference. Whereas our uncle simply cares more about his work than his desires, I don't think Tristodd desires at all-- at least, not women." She explained. Andronikas pondered this for a second, before nodding.

"Than who is the father?" The Lord Tannaras thought to himself. Tristodd's presence indicated that it could be Reegian, but Claudias was there as well... could it be Julias? "He's the least responsible heir this house has seen since my grandfather. Four girls have already come out and claimed to carry his bastards-- all of them were silenced, but this..."

And she was there. Consorting with his brother, consorting with his nephew. Fitting that the mother of a bastard was keeping the company of another. He'd warned her of what would happen if she ever approached his family again. Regardless of the answer, he would keep his promise.

"I want our people keeping tabs on them-- all of them. Claudias, Tristodd, the pregnant woman and the streetrat. If ANY of them step foot on this planet again, I want to know, and I want them apprehended." He spoke, and his daughter nodded. "I assume that you would prefer our uncle and cousin to be brought before you directly?" Livia asked, to which he gave her an incredulous look. "Ofcourse. I'm not letting them get locked in a cell with some commoners. We're going to handle this quietly. Once we know everything that's going on, we'll know how to proceed."

--------

"Oh c'mooon ya fuckin' pansy, another glass!" Saura exclaimed with a laugh, punching the man's arm from across the table playfully. "Ow!" He exclaimed. "I t-told you, I don't w-want anymore-- this tastes terrible!" He protested, to which the common woman rolled her eyes. "Look at you, drinkin' wine fer it's taste! Dontcha know tha point's ta get drunk?! C'mon, another glass!" She proddded, grinning as she pressured him further. "Don't tell me yer a kriffin' lightweight!"

"F-fine, if it'll get you to c-cease your incessant yapping!" He snapped, snatching the bottle and pouring himself another glass, which he quickly downed. Claud was used to drinking the aged wines and spirits offered up on diplomatic missions by the rulers of alien worlds, and so the taste of the cheap starline booze made him gag. Saura could only laugh at her aristocratic companion's suffering.

The flight went on like that until they had landed. Claud rose to his feet, a bit buzzed, but otherwise unaffected by the cheap wine. Walking down the gangway, it wasn't long until Tristodd was... hugging it out with their presumed contact. "Chandrillans." He thought to himself. Displays of affection were common on Brentaal, but out in public it was expected that the nobility act with poise. It was one thing to hug it out with a brother in your own palace, but to do so with a... friend or acquaintance, out in public? You'd be looked at like you were a madman.

Once Jobin disengaged from the hug, Claudias hobbled a few steps forward to introduce himself, "It's an h-honor to meet you, Mr. K-k-KOolllma. I am C-Claudias, uncle to my nephew, Tristodd. He's t-t-Told me much about you." He wore awkard smiles and expressions of friendliness, extending a hand for a shake. "Th-this is my... associate, Saura, and th-this is the woman of the hour, Anna." He said, gesturing to the both of them.

"Hello!"

"Ayy."

Anna was all smiles and friendliness as she stood and outstretched her hand, while Saura, by contrast, wore a blank expression with her arms crossed-- a not so subtle indication that she wasn't interested in hugging the apparently overly affection Chandrilan.

"S-so, shall we m-make our way to the apartment, or is there other b-business we must discuss?"




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Tristodd Brentioch

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Perhaps you are right. Even if Claudias was this type of man, I doubt that any woman would have interest in him. Not even the dirtiest of the prostitutes would want to sleep with that.” Livilla said, full of disgust. Differently of Andronikas, she despised their brother. Much of it was the influence of Pterygas, who never loved his son.

The loss of composure of her brother with the idea of their brother having a mistress surprised Livilla. She didn’t remember any moment that Andronikas would use such words in a conversation, perhaps only when they were young. She wondered why he reacted this way since the solution for the problem was very easy to be applied.

When Andronikas said that Tristodd could be the father of the child, Livilla felt offended. She had teached her sons how children born out of wedlock could damage the image of a family. If she was annoyed by her brother, the woman was furious with Livia’s insinuation about her son.

The look that Livilla sent to her niece was enough to scare even a Sith. “I agree, in parts, to what Livia said. Tristodd knows very well about the troubles of having a bastard, the same for Reegian. I don’t think that he is the father.” unfortunately it didn’t explain why her youngest son was helping these women. “Perhaps she is one of the people assisted by the ISCRA.

Why apprehend them? We should dispatch one of the assassins that our father used to hire to eliminate these two.” even if that pregnant woman was being helped by the ISCRA, her presence near Tristodd would spark many rumors. The best that they could do was to eliminate her immediately.

—--------------------------------------------------------------​

It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Jobin said, while shaking Claudias’ hand. “During our time at the academy, Tristodd used to talk a lot about you. He used to say that you are his favorite uncle.” it made the young Brentaalan blush. His uncle already knew that, but it wasn’t something that he wanted to share with Anna and Saura.

After he greeted the two women, Jobin turned to Claudias. “No, we are going here immediately. I think that you’ll like it.” he said, before turning to guide the group out of the spaceport. While they walked toward the Chandrillan’s speeder, he and Tristodd talked about the time that they studied together. During this conversation, the Brentaalan noticed that he missed having someone of his age to talk with.

When they reached the speeder, Tristodd sat next to Jobim in the front. “The place that I found is out of Hanna City, so none will disturb you. It’s one of my family old properties, but none goes there anymore.” he explained, before piloting the vehicle toward the streets and away from the spaceport.

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