Ask The Celebration of New Life

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

"I think you're getting a bit off topic." Andronikas said icily, staring his sister down in a silent warning for her to keep her opinions about their brother to herself. Andronikas had absorbed some things from his father-- namely, his domineering presence. Livia observed quietly as her father loomed over her aunt. Even decades since his years in the ring, Andronikas Tannaras was a physically powerful specimen-- something even her grandfather hadn't been.

He was lucky, in a way, for his father's cruelty. While both he and his sister had been filled with varying levels of hate and bitterness, their vastly different treatments at the hands of their father had caused that hate to be directed completely different. Where Pterygas constant chastisement and verbal abuse towards Andy had fostered hatred towards his father, Livilla's treatment had been entirely different.

While their father had certainly pressured her, Livilla had never been faced with the constant psychological and verbal abuse both Andronikas and Claudias had experienced. In fact, there were several times where their father was genuinely affectionate with her-- much to the confusion of her older brothers. She was able to absorb what little affection he provided, and with it all of his hateful, disgusting ideas. Ironically enough, the child who'd turned out to be most like him was the one he'd been the most decent towards.

As the conversation moved on, Andronikas went back to nodding along, listening to his sister and daughter's inputs. Livilla's comment about the ISCRA brought an entirely different perspective to the situation-- one that, suddenly, began to make sense.

"It's... it's charity." Andronikas muttered, the words fumbling from his mouth. His daughter cocked her head, unsure if she'd heard him right. "Pardon?"

"Tristodd, Claudias-- it's obvious that neither of them are the father, so perhaps they're just... doing this because they think it's right?" He suggested. Livia remained silent for a moment-- and than, she smiled, and began to giggle.

Before he could react, Livilla made a suggestion that left him gaping at her like she'd just suggested they skin a lothcat.

"You... you want me to MURDER them?" Her older brother asked, staring at her first out of a mixture of shock and horror, and than, out of rage. "Is that what you think I am, Livilla?!" He asked louder, face twisting into a snarl. His daughter's laughter ceased as she watched her father's wrath beginning to boil over. "We're LORDS, not GANGSTERS! We don't order HITS on people-- especially not a pregnant woman and some COMMON WHORE!" The man snapped, blinking as the last insult was blurted out regarding his former lover.

Closing his eyes, he turned back to Livilla, a veil of calm suppressing the anger burning just beneath. "We... are NOT hiring assassins! If you have a problem with that, you can go off and try and solve this the way you want on your own-- I'm sure father would be proud, if he weren't busy drooling and shitting his britches like an invalid!" Andronikas spat, unable to mask his disdain any longer.

His son and eldest nephew, degenerates, his youngest daughter, an obsessive freak. One daughter was duty driven, the other was to busy with her poems, songs and baby to succeed him. His brother and younger nephew, naïve children, his sister, the spitting image of his father-- and now, her, back into his thoughts again. Her, and that brat she'd try to pass off as his son. "Look at what we're reduced to, you old fool. I hope it was all worth it." He thought, and he wasn't sure if he was speaking to his father, or to himself.

Without a word, he left the room. He needed to take his heart medication.

--------

Whatever eccentricities the young man had, he was at least polite. When he mentioned his time at the academy, Claudias couldn't help but flush with embarrassment. "You're f-far to kind, my lord." He declared, trying to avert his eyes from the rest of the party. Anna obviously thought the situation was sweet, while Saura wore a grin as she stifled the urge to call both of them pansies.

As their greetings concluded and Jobin ushered them towards the speeder, Claudias would turn to the young mother to be. "I d-do hope all this d-drama hasn't c-caused you to much trouble, my dear." He whispered, to which the girl sighed. "You don't need to apologize, Mr. Tannaras. Everything you've done... honestly, I couldn't have hoped for more-- besides Reegian marrying me." She said, a smile spreading across her face, before she swallowed a lump in her throat and wiped her eyes.

The older aristocrat sighed, pursing his lips. He wasn't sure how he might console the girl-- he'd never been in love, and what relationship experience he had was far from the young passion that Anna and his older nephew had engaged in. He was, however, intimately familiar with feelings of unrequited love.

"It's... p-painful, for love to g-go unrequited-- but just b-because that l-love isn't reciprocated doesn't m-mean it isn't there." He began, trying his best to articulate what he meant. "S-soon, you'll be a mother to a h-healthy child. You'll have a h-home, n-neighbors, friends, t-time to learn, to experience wh-what this world has to offer." He went on, and Anna's expression began to soften as she listened.

"P-pour your love into all of these th-things. Y-you might not have f-found fulfillment with m-my nephew, b-but your life c-can still be a h-happy one, if you choose to pursue it." He finished. "If you only f-focus on the pain, your s-sorrow will turn into anger, and th-that will only make things worse."

Anna was still teary eyed as they entered the speeder, but as it took off, and the ride went on, she began to relax. Claud sat silently in the back, waiting for them to arrive, while Saura stared out the window, trying her best to pretend she hadn't heard all the man had said.

Trying her best to ignore that she was living proof that he was right.

​

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Livilla raised an eyebrow when Andronikas tried to intimidate her. Caledan had tried to use the same domineering presence over her for years and it never worked. It wasn’t going that pitiful attempt of her brother that would change her opinion about Claudias, who would always remain as an aberrant creature.

However, she wasn’t going to pressure him with this topic. They have a crisis on their hands. Even if these two women were a charity case that Tristodd was working with, the presence of the pregnant girl around her son would be fuel for gossip. It needed to be eliminated, hence why she proposed the assassination.

Unfortunately, her brother does not share the same practicality as her. The worst, he also seemed to be in denial. “Andronikas, please! Don’t try to act as if you are an example of honor. Our family would have never reached where it’s if it wasn't for us doing measures like that.” she turned to look at Livia and gestured for her to leave the room.

Once they were alone, she would turn back to her brother. “If I didn’t know, I would say that you are having a relapse with your feelings for this woman.” Livilla pointed at the one with black hair. “What? Did you really think that your debauchery was a secret? I saw her coming out of your bedroom and sent a spy after her. If you hadn't finished things with her, I was going to prepare her disappearance.”

“If the Brentaalan society knew that the heir of House Tannaras was sleeping with such scum, we would have been disgraced.” she couldn’t believe how any of her brothers could think properly. They were really a disgrace, like how her father used to say. “Don’t try to act full of might, you look like a small child trying to impersonate their parents.”

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

While it happened in Brentaal, the things in Chandrila were completely different. Jobin was talking with Tristodd, this time about what they were doing since leaving the Academy. He had become a public worker in the government, while his sister was going to take over their family’s bank. “She was always better at math than me.” he said playfully, with a smile on his lips.

Tristodd trusted enough to have told Kolma about the children that he had adopted. The other man had proposed that they should bring them to Chandrila too. However, the Brentaalan was uncertain about it. The planet was too close to his homeworld.

After some time, Jobin stopped the speeder. “Here it’s! I think that everyone will be able to leave here. There is a large garden behind.” he said, showing the front of the house while he left the vehicle. “Who wants to be the first to go inside?”

@Tom

 

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

Andy didn’t expect his sister to back down immediately, but even he couldn’t believe it when she started doubling down on per position. “You question my honor? After suggesting we murder two innocents and an unborn babe?!!” He questioned, raising his voice again. When she brought up historical precedence, he looked at his sister like she’d gone stark raving mad.

“Tell me, sister, when in our family’s history did our ancestors decide that any pregnant commoner who spends time with our relatives needs to be executed?” He questioned, spitting the words out with contempt. Claud had always known Livilla to be ruthless, but neither of the brothers had ever imagined their sister suggesting something like this.

He didn’t protest when Livilla commanded his daughter to leave. He prepared to ask his sister why and how she could do something like this–

–but that died in his throat when she was brought up. Andronikas froze like a statue as his sister began speaking at length about her. About how he was apparently still infatuated with her. About how Livilla had alerted their father to their situation. About how, if their relationship hadn’t been broken off, she would’ve…

“You…” He muttered, staring at her– and for the first time in his life, he truly saw her. Livilla, his sister– the girl who was his brother’s worst tormentor besides their father. Livilla, his sister– the girl who had idealized the man who had made their lives a living hell. Livilla, his sister– who took to assassination like a fish to water. Livilla, his sister– who had helped to take the only woman he’d ever come close to loving away from him. Who would’ve had her murdered, would’ve left him hopelessly despondent until the day he died.

She would’ve destroyed him, as casually as she might have stepped on a bug.

She was his sister second, and their father’s daughter first– in all the ways that mattered, but for one.

She loved her children.

And that was how he’d put her in her place.

“...disgrace?” He muttered, syllables rolling off his tongue, eyes trailing up to the woman on the screen. “I suppose so– the heir apparent of such an esteemed house, shagging a common girl– why, it’d be the worst scandal we faced since father was born.” He said flatly, adding the last insult with obvious spite.

“I mean, I was publicly betrothed! Could you imagine how our father might have reacted if that leaked? It’s hard to even think about.” He declared, before his eyes drifted to the pregnant mother, standing next to her.

“But it could’ve been so, so much worse if she’d gotten pregnant.”

He let the words hang in the air for a moment, before continuing, “I mean, I would’ve been lucky if father just decided to disinherit me. He’d be well within his rights to exile me– Gods, he probably thought he had the right to kill me.” The man mused. Their father had always been a champion of their people’s ancient laws, which were rather punitive when it came to disobeying one’s elders and violating the sanctity of marriage and betrothal.

“It’s a good thing Caledan isn’t so cruel– right?” he asked, pointing to the screen as whatever thinly veiled pretense dropped. “No, he won’t kill his firstborn son– beat him, disown him, and exile him for daring to disgrace the flawless reputation of house Brentioch. One fabricated, false positive test and sworn testimony from the girl, and Reegian will wish he was commonborn,” Andronikas went on, indirectly describing exactly what the man would do, “If he doesn’t already. I know I’d resent my last name if I had a father half as miserable as Caledan.”

“Ofcourse, we had one who was much, much worse, didn’t we?” Andronikas questioned, snarling the words as he took a few steps forward, slowly advancing on his sister. “I mean, you’d probably disagree– you were his brownnosing pet after all, more loyal to a man who would sell her off to a political alliance than your own brothers. Loyal enough to nearly get them killed.” The man spat.

“Do you have a clue what father did when you told him about her, Livilla? Do you know how long he had her imprisoned? What he did to her? What he was going to do to me?” The man questioned, advancing further, forcing the woman further and further back. “I offered to give it up– my inheritance, my name. I offered to fly to the furthest corner of the galaxy. All I wanted was her.” He said, glancing up at the screen, at the pale girl with the raven hair, at the way her eyes sat wide and open, at how her lips always seemed turn down in a frown.

The years hadn’t been nearly as kind to her as they had been to him, and yet Saura was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever known.

And he hated her for that.

“But old man Pterygas, Pterygas the mighty, Terry the Tyrant, Terry the half bastard, half xeno born out of the love affair with a sickly morellian decided that I was the disgrace who deserved to die. That SHE deserved to die, that CLAUD deserved to die– that YOU deserved to die!” He shouted, revealing a secret he had kept since the night his father had shown what he truly was, what kind of power had roiled beneath his thin, pale skin over the years.

“You would’ve at least died quickly though– he was going to use the same poison he used on Isaac Komnenos. Me, though? He decided he’d beat me to death…” The man went on. If Livilla had any preconceptions of loyalty or positivity about who their father was, that ought to have shattered them. But Andy wasn’t stopping– she deserved to know exactly what kind of man she’d always idolized really was– and what kind of man her brother had to become to stop him.

Leaning in, Andronikas whispered, “He might’ve done it… if he had checked that I hadn’t switched his heart medication with a Placebo.”

He finally took a step back, staring down at her. A catastrophic stroke. One Andy had made sure the doctors ruled was the result of stress, and the unique heart defect Pterygas had inherited from his perpetually sickly mother. One that wouldn’t have been triggered had the man not exerted himself with the force, first trying to choke, and then physically beaten his large, professional fighter of a son.

“And now, that thing, wearing the skin of a man that I’m forced to call father, is nothing but an invalid, drooling in some forgotten hospital room. That man, who would’ve killed his sons, his daughter, and an innocent woman.” Andronikas said calmly, before asking, “So tell me, Livilla. If I’m willing to cripple my own father because he would’ve killed a random common girl– what do you think I’d do to you for threatening to kill that same woman, along with an innocent mother and her unborn child?”

There were no empty threats this time. There was no subtlety. This was the undiluted truth of Brentaalan politics– threats of coercion, assassination, blackmail.

“I’ve been forced to wear these silks, I’ve been forced to marry a stranger, bear children I hardly know, and invite monsters to my home, and to call them friends– or family.” He spat out the last word as his eyes narrowed at me. “But with all that said, I am LORD TANNARAS!” He suddenly roared, bringing his fist down so hard on the nearby console that sparks would fly and keys would shatter.

“And the Lord Tannaras will not be defied! Not by not by an old, bitter cuckoldress, whose only pastime is the murder of innocent girls! Who’d sooner slaughter the women her husband takes advantage of, than take righteous vengeance on the man who defiles her marriage and ABUSES HER CHILDREN!” He shouted again, the hatred in his voice more pure and incandescent than anything their father had ever mustered.

“If you touch that woman– if you touch the mother, or the unborn babe– if any of them die unexpectantly, if they so much as fall down some stairs, your son will spend the rest of his days an exiled disgrace.” He hissed, voice still trembling with hatred even as he seemed to calm. “I will dig up every lead on every one of your husband’s mistresses. I will make sure every fucking network from the halls of coruscant to the galactic rim knows that House Brentioch are a den of degenerates and murderers.”

“And if you think you can succeed where our father failed, I’ll make sure you’ll get to share his piss bucket.” He finally warned.

Stepping away, he took a deep breathe, clutching his chest as his heart felt like it would burst. Turning on his heels, the lord Tannaras made his way to the door, letting it swish open as he stepped out, glaring at his daughter.

“Deliver the lady Brentioch to the landing pad. She’s leaving.”

--------

The flight continued along without any drama, until they finally landed just outside their destination. None of them were sure what to expect, and all had different reactions as they stepped out in front of what was to be Anna and her child's new home. As each of them took it in, they all internally differed in their views. Claud couldn't help but think the house was modestly sized-- cozy looking and pleasant, but more suited for a retiree in his mind than for a small family.

"This l-looks wonderful." He said aloud, turning to Anna, whose eyes seemed to light up with genuine happiness. Saura, for her part, was staring like she'd just walked into Aeden, as if the quaint and pleasant look of a surburban home matched the resplendent beauty of the realm of a Goddess. Being a woman who'd grown up in a highly urbanized, and distinctly unpleasant environment, her reaction was understandable.

"I th-think the lady Anna ought to b-be the first inside." He declared, offering a hand to the young woman. She blinked, processing his words slowly before nodding. "Ah, yes... yes, I suppose so." She said, slowly taking his hand and walking to the door. "Y-you might provide us with a t-tour, Mr. Kolma?"

​

@LouJoVi

OOC: I am never writing something this long again

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Livilla watched impassively while her brother had an outburst. He still acted as a child, screaming of how he was the leader of the family and that their father was a monster. These revelations were no surprise for her. Even if she loved her father, the woman was very aware that the man could be ruthless and violent.

She learned everything from him.

However, Livilla changed her opinion about her brother still being a child when he mentioned what he had done with their father. It was impressive, she never expected that Andronikas would have the strength to do something against Pterygas, even if it was the use of poison.

“Did you finish?” she asked, her voice full of condescending. “Finally I see that you have grown up.” Livilla walked after him toward the door. “You are acting perfectly like father, I could see him finding a way of removing our grandfather to secure his own ambitions. Exactly like how you did.”

“You are even threatening innocents to stop me. I never thought that you would be capable of doing it.” Livilla stopped at the door and turned to look at her brother one last time. “Relax, I’ll do nothing against these women. I think that Pterygas would be proud of you, because you are finally acting like him.” then she left.

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

“Of course!” Jobin said with his natural excitement. “We can start with the entrance hall. I think that you will love the space.” the Chandrilan gestured for the group to follow him. While they were walking away. Tristodd discreetly approached his uncle. They could have reached Chandrila, but there were things that still needed to be done.

“Uncle, we need to see what is happening back in Brentaal.” Tristodd whispered to Claudias, not wanting the woman to hear their conversation. “People there can be concerned with us. After everything that happened, I didn’t even warn that I was going to leave home.”

@Tom

 

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

The Lord Tannaras waited with baited breath for The Lady Brentioch’s answer. His psyche was a whirlwind of emotions, a storm of suppressed pain, hatred and bitterness, finally released after decades of suppression. It almost felt liberating– to speak the truth for the first time in over thirty long, miserable years. Finally, someone else knew; it didn’t matter that in this moment, he hated his confidant more than anyone else in the galaxy. Today his solitude was over– from the day he died, there would be more than one who had to share the burden of the truth.

He continued waiting, every second longer than the last. Livilla wore a mask of indifference that he expected to shatter, to be replaced with a miasma of fear, uncertainty, anger, betrayal. Would she be furious over his betrayal? Would she be terrified at the prospect of her children being threatened? Of their father’s legacy being destroyed? He wanted to see her vulnerable– for her to know that at any moment, he could smash all that their ancestors had built into dust.

But the mask never shattered. It didn’t even crack. Livilla’s expression remained calm. Even when he blackmailed her children. Even when he smashed the console to bits. Even when he revealed that he had crippled their beloved father and consigned him to life as an invalid. Even when he called her a pathetic cuckold, striking at her deepest insecurities over her husband’s infidelity.

No. When she opened her mouth, it dripped with condescension and self satisfaction. Andronikas had to do a double take as his younger sister began praising him, sapphire eyes widening as she continued.

She praised him for his ruthlessness- for striking down their father, for threatening innocents to achieve his goals. He felt no satisfaction when she agreed to his demands. When his daughter finally obeyed his command and began escorting Livilla out, he slumped down in a nearby chair.

She had understood nothing.

He had never cared for power. Being Lord meant nothing to him. His eyes idly drifted up to the screen again, to the woman with the raven hair and the big brown eyes. To her pale skin and thin lips, to her narrow shoulders and narrower waist. To memories of her smiles, to her bawdy jokes, to her endless courage and that shrill voice he’d adored.

He hadn’t betrayed their father for power. Andy had risked everything– was willing to sacrifice all he had for her. To save her, to save his brother and sister– to save the child she’d tricked him into thinking was his.

He’d betrayed everything for her. He’d threatened to destroy everything for her, and he’d done it twice.

And all his sister had seen was cruelty, powerlust and ambition.

He sat alone, his mind empty. The monitor light fell asleep, and he was left in darkness.
–

Anna followed after the Chandrillan, hesitant at first, but Saura urged her forward. When they entered the hall, both of them would stare in shock. The hall on it’s own was larger than either of their previous apartments, with fine pieces of artwork and a number of floral displays lighting the room with color and beauty.

“It’s incredible!” Anna gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. Saura looked on in stunned silence, her eyes wide and full of wonder.

As Jobin led them through the hall, Claudias and Tristodd would lag behind. A faint smile had spread across the older man’s lips, and his eyes grew watery as Anna burst into tears of joy, hugging Saura as the older woman began reassuring her. He’d spent years sitting on the sidelines of the assembly, fruitlessly trying to bring positive change. It was a soul crushing experience, but now, finally, he could do some good.

He lingered a few minutes longer before Tristodd approached. His smile faded as his nephew broached possible concerns over their absence. He almost wanted to dismiss them– an ambassador heading offworld was no cause for alarm. It was only after he considered the dramatic circumstance of their departure that he realized his nephew might be right.

“I understand your c-concerns– but I’m s-sure everything’s fine.” He lied, reassuring his nephew that all would be well when they got back. “You’re right about us ret-t-turning home though. I’ll let everyone know we’re leaving.”

If it were up to Claudias, he would’ve stayed a day or two to make sure Anna and Saura were settled in. He could only imagine the culture shock both of the impoverished women would experience; being flown to a foreign planet to live in utopic living conditions wasn’t exactly an everyday occurrence. Anna might eventually acclimate, but Saura? She’d lived her entire life on Brentaal. The Chandrillans were a people of culture and refinement; by contrast, Saura had called him a sissy when he tried teaching her how to speak properly when they were still young.

As Anna gushed over the beautiful kitchen, and Saura thumbed through an ancient looking leatherbound book on display, Claudias would approach Jobin. “I th-thank you again for h-helping us, Mr. K-k-Kolma.” He said, before turning to Anna. “I believe this is where we must p-part, my dear– should you ever h-have need of me or my n-nephew again, ask at your leisure.”

The younger woman smiled, and as Claud reached out to shake her hand, she would hug him– again, though he wasn’t startled this time. “Thank you again, Mr. Tannaras.” She answered, before turning to Tristodd. “And thank you– for helping me, and doing all of this. It means… Gosh, it means so much.” She said, choking on her words as she bit back tears.

As Jobin moved to comfort the girl, Claud would begin to make his exit, passing Saura a final time. Glancing at the ancient tome, he quickly recognized it for an old book of Chandrillan dishes. “P-planning to cook anything?” He asked, trying to be friendly as Saura stared at the pages.

“Ai can’t.” She answered flatly. “Oh, w-well I’m sure you can! One of my ancestors, the lady Octavia Tanna-”

“Ai can’t read it, Claud.” She snapped. The aristocrat’s smile dried up on his face, and suddenly he felt like an insensitive prick. He’d completely forgotten that the woman was illiterate after 30 years since he’d last seen her try to decipher text.

“W-well… you’ll h-h-have plenty of t-time to learn; the m-maternity droid we’re sending is equipped with some el-l-Lllementary c-courses.” He suggested. Saura paused, and suddenly she was laughing, the sourness on her face melting away. “‘Ear th’at, Anna? Yer babe and Ai are gonna take classes t’gether!” She joked. As she kept laughing, Claud began to smile, and even chuckled along with her.

“T-take care, my dear.” He said, shaking her hand before he leaned in to whisper, “Should I ever track your son, I’ll see you meet again.”

With that, he withdrew, making his way to Tristodd as the two men made it to the door.

“I sh-should hope you’re wrong about these concerns; explaining th-this to my brother, or your mother, Gods forbid…”

​

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

”If you are sure about it.” Tristodd said, uncertain if his uncle was right about the situation back in Brentaal being calm. If his parents discovered what had been happening and what he did, they would be furious. He doubted that Anna and the baby would be safe even on another planet.

While his uncle talked with Jobin, Tristodd turned to look at Saura. While Anna seemed to be happy for being on Chandrila, the young Brentioch couldn’t say the same about Saura. The older woman seemed to be feeling as if she didn’t fit in this place. He wondered if she would ever get used to living in a place like this one. It was so different from where she used to live in Brentaal.

Tristodd’s musings were disturbed when he felt Jobin wrap his arm around his neck. “It’s nothing, sir! It’s good to be able to help an old friend!” the Chandrilan said, while the Brentaalan felt his friend get a bit closer with his half hug. The people of Chandrila really liked human contact.

When Saura revealed that she didn’t know how to read, Tristodd frowned. As far as he knew, the Brentaal Houses had established several public schools since the time of the Old Republic. He even worked with Sibyl to make a plan to fund new ones. He would investigate what was happening and why there were people not going to them.

After saying goodbye and having to deal with another of Jobin’s hugs, Tristodd followed his uncle back to the spaceport. “I fear what will happen if they discover what is happening.” the wrath of ten suns would be less terrible than the wrath of his family.

@Tom

 

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

It was impossible.

That was what he told himself as he and Tristodd slipped into the speeder. They’d done what they could to cover their tracks. The high speed chase had been the only thing that could’ve caught anyone’s attention, and that had been brief. How could anyone draw the connection?

Yet the more he thought about it, the less certain he became. Their chase would’ve been covered by a variety of journalists. If even one person reported on them wearing silk, it’d be a dead giveaway that they were nobles, and then every reporter and their mother in law would be scrambling for any information.

He didn’t dare open his datapad to watch the holonet as he usually would’ve. He took pride in staying informed, but these past few days had given him an appreciation for the words “ignorance is bliss.” All of these complications, these dangers– they threatened to uproot his family. As unjust as it was, it would have been easier and safer for his family if he had ignored all of this.

…but he couldnt do that.

A Brentaalan did not compromise the safety of his blood because others might mock him. A Brentaalan did what was right, even if the entire world stood against them.

His family’s public image meant nothing next to their safety. He wouldn’t compromise when Tristodd was at the mercy of the Hutts, and he wouldn’t compromise now.

But his uneasy moral convictions wouldn’t calm his nephew.


“Our f-family– your mother and uncle– care about image m-more than anything.” He declared. “C-consider what we’ve done, Tristodd. We’ve rem-m-mOved a p-possible source of shame and sc-scandal. Now Anna’s ch-child won’t g-grow up with some chip on their sh-shoulder and r-reveal themself to the world in some ch-childish, fantastical hope to become your b-brother’s heir.” Claudias explained.

As ridiculous as the situation he’d described was, houses had nearly been brought to ruin by even more minor scandals. When his grandfather’s grandmother had chosen him to succeed her, it had shocked the entire planet. The fact that the athlete had never been prepared for such a burden wasn’t what shocked them though; rather, it was the implicit legitimization of his half alien bastard, Pterygas.

It had taken 20 long years of brutal politicking and expert financial management on his father’s behalf to bring their family back to its former prominence.

“We’ve p-prevented scandal and t-t-turmoil for a family that c-c-could have ruined us, while s-saving our blood from p-poverty and ill fortune.” Claudias declared, before sucking in a bout of air.

“Sh-should, by some improbable means, what we’ve done make it’s way b-b-back to our family– your mother, uncle, father, b-brother– I will speak those words, and if our f-family has as much sense as it does p-pride, then they’ll… well, shut up.” He said, ending on a crude note.

The flight back to Brentaal felt shorter than the flight to Chandrila. For the first time since this fiasco had started, Claudias slept soundly. When they finally landed, everything went smoothly, as they received their meager luggage.

They had barely made their way off the gangway when half the court staff of the Palace D’Ta’Nnaur’ad descended on them. The servants were surrounded by combat droids– ancient and impractical, a theatrical display, but a prominent one. Fixed to their backs were poles, and fluttering from the tops were banners emblazoned with their house’s emblem; a double headed raven, sapphire blue eyes gleaming, crowned with the amber radiance of the sun, it’s golden rays tipped in burning flame, it’s wings a royal purple.

“Ambassador Claudias Tannaras Pterygas, Legatias y Filias Archon Andronikas Tannaras Pterygas, de am Ecclesia Populare Brentaaloi… your brother, rightful lord and master, commands you and your nephew to answer his summons to the palace of your mothers and fathers to answer his judgment.” a younger servant or dignitary commanded, reading off a datapad bearing the signature of his brother.

Claudias blinked once or twice– and then fainted.

​

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd nodded while his uncle talked. Rather than finding comfort in Claudias' words, the young Brentioch could only question his own integrity. He had thought that what he did was to help Anna and her unborn child be happy in a safe place. However, what the older man said made him think if it wasn’t only an attempt to “remove” a factor that could bring problems to his family.

The more Claudias talked, the more the young Brentioch questioned his own morality. He also started to question his uncle, thinking that he could have accepted helping in sending Anna to Chandrila because it would protect the Brentioch and Tannaras from a scandal. This thought made Tristodd feel disappointed with his uncle for the first time.

He always thought that Claudias was a good man, very different from his mother, father and uncle. It seemed that he was wrong. No one can escape the prejudice and vainglory that plague the Brentaalan nobility. After his actions today, it seemed that not even him. Perhaps the reason that he never brought Amaya and Izaya to Brentaal was that he feared what it would mean for his image and that of his family. He was only using their protection as an excuse to protect himself from the fact that he was full of prejudice like every single noble of his cursed homeworld.

The young Brentioch remained in silence, even after Claudias finished talking and they entered the ship back to their homeworld. During the entire flight back to Brentaal, Tristodd couldn’t stop thinking how he wasn’t so different from people like his uncles, parents or even Sibyl. The Brentaalan nobility exhaled hypocrisy and he wondered if it was possible to change that.

When the ship finally landed Tristodd woke his uncle up and they went to collect the few luggage that they had brought with them. The young man remained in silence, trying to digest the realization that he had during the flight and thinking in possible ways that he could correct himself.

Before they could even reach the exit of the spaceport, the two Brentaalan were surrounded by what Tristodd could only describe as a circus. The ceremonial droids from House Tannaras, which he always thought looked stupid, and nearly all the servants of uncle Andronikas dressed like clowns descended over the two. The cherry on the top of all this bizarreness was one said servants calling Claudias in a defunct language that no one speaks anymore these days.

While the people around them stared at the scene and the servants waited for their answer, Claudias fainted. “Uncle!” Tristodd screamed, before rushing to help the older man. He was concerned with the Ambassador, it was the second time in a few days that he fainted. Claudias needed to see a doctor.

“Don’t stay here looking like idiots! Help me with him!” the young man screamed at the servants. “If you want us to go see uncle Andronikas, it’ll be best if you help me carry him.”

@Tom

 

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

He heard muffled shouts and orders coming from his nephew. The boy had been eerily silent on their flight home after he'd provided his explanation. Perhaps he'd been to... clinical with the boy. He was young enough that he didn't quite understand the political realities that came with being a part of their family; but he knew that wouldn't last. Such a naïve attitude would bend over time-- or, one day, it would break.

These were the last coherent thoughts he had before blacking out.

The servants looked in stunned silence for a moment, but at the younger Brentioch's urging they sprang into action. An older woman grabbed one of the ambassador's legs. A droid that was programmed with some old emergency subroutine grabbed his shoulders, elevating the older man's head. When the herald of his brother's commands dropped his datapad and rushed to help the brother of his lord, all Tristodd could do was follow along as they carried him into the small shuttle they'd arrived on.

"What just 'appened?!" The woman snapped, genuinely frightened. "I don't know!" The herald snapped at her, wiping sweat off his balding head. "We need to get him to the palatial medical wing! The journos can't see him like this!" He snapped, prompting a nod from the other servant as she ran into the cockpit and started barking orders at the pilot droid.

PR focused as it was, the decision was probably for the best. The medical staff at the palace had been treating Claudias for decades. If anyone knew what was wrong, they could fix it.

As they arrived on one of the palace's many landing pads, all of them scrambled out, Tristodd being left to follow behind them as the elder Tannaras was brought in on an emergency stretcher.

--------

He woke to the sound of monitors and machinery, the clinical smell of alcohol and bacta wafting into his nose as harsh blue lights burned his retinas. Groaning, Claudias looked around, a few droids and a number of doctors, and...

"Andy..." he groaned, looking up at his older brother. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, and at the same time he was dressed in the full regalia of his house, royal silks and electrum ornaments contrasted against bloodshot eyes and dark bags. Claud couldn't read his brother's expression. He could detect hints of relief; doubtless he'd been terrified over what had happened to him.

And yet, there was something else as well.

"Claudias." He said after a moment, taking a deep breathe as he did so. A frown crossed the younger brother's lips, a concerned look spreading across his lips. "Wh...what's wrong?" He asked, looking around. "Where's T-Tri--"

"Our nephew is in the observation room. The doctors wanted total isolation while they worked on you. I granted it to them, until now." He explained in a flat, monotone voice. Andronikas remained standing, even as a chair rested a few inches away. Claudias' concern grew as he looked over his brother again, wearing the regalia befitting his office as Archon of the assembly-- and the supreme lord of the palace and master of his family. While their banners might be ostentatious, the simpler design of his dress commanded authority. He wore electrum ringlets in the relief of the sun, and patterns of electrum weaved raven's feathers weaved their way through purple silks.

He struck the image of their father to a bone chilling degree.

"M-may I see him? He'll w-want to know I'm alright." Claudias asked, before bowing his head. "...my lord."

Andronikas pondered for a moment, before giving his brother a slow nod. A flick of his wrist allowed for a nearbye door to open, inviting Tristodd inside.

"It's best that you're both here. What comes next concerns you both." He said., voice dropping to a lower octave as he stepped back.

"B-brother, I don-"

"You will address me as Lord Tannaras, supplicant." He declared through gritted teeth. Claudias' eyes widened as he lay on his bed, genuinely shocked. Andy had used this demeanor in front of him before, but it was directed at their political enemies, their rivals.

Tristodd was escorted into the room with two combat droids behind him, directing him to sit in the chair next to his uncle. Claudias gave a reassuring smile to the boy-- the best comfort he'd receive.

"We'll start with you, boy. Seeing as I'm almost certain this is your brother's doing, I think you're most capable of explaining the fiasco that the both of you have been engaging in." Andronikas declared, staring down his nephew with a glare that oozed contempt.

Compared to most of the Brentaalan aristocracy, Andronikas was a giant. He'd maintained the same muscled physique that had allowed him to dominate the planetary fighting tournaments in his youth, and the piercing, icy blue of his eyes was enough to cow most of his modern opponents into submission. Coupled with the purple he was draped in now, he looked like the relief of some monarch of old, ready to judge without pity or mercy.

"Speak."

​

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd watched while the servants of House Tannaras grabbed his uncle in a way that he couldn’t consider gentle. It was their fault for making Claudias faint and now they treated the man like he was a bag full of potatoes. It was absurd and the young Brentioch felt his blood boil.

“Be careful with him! If something happens with my uncle, you’ll need to face the wrath of House Tannaras and House Brentioch.” the young man screamed, while he walked after the group. He would join them in a speeder, which would go in full speed to the palace of the Tannaras.

Once they arrived here, Claudias was transported in a stretcher toward the medical wing. Tristodd went after him, but he was forced to remain in an observation room while the doctors treated his uncle. After some time, they would leave the Amabassador, only for his uncle Andronikas to arrive.

After Claudias woke up, the two brothers started to talk. Unfortunately, Tristodd wasn’t able to hear what they were saying. However, he was sure that it was about what they did with Anna and Saura. Then, a nearby door opened, allowing him to enter the room and face his other uncle.

Tristodd was crossing the door when he heard his uncle change the tone of his voice. As soon as he entered the room, he felt Andronikas turn his attention to him. The young Brentioch had never seen his uncle being so intimidating before, but he wasn’t going to be afraid.

He was his mother’s son and had worked with Sibyl, who was a viper. A viper is always worse than a raven.

His uncles would be able to see his posture change to a mixture of his mother and Sibyl’s demeanor. “Well, uncle, we were only doing what was the best for our family.” Tristodd talked in the same detached way that his mother would do. Even him was afraid of being capable of doing such a thing. “Indeed it was something that my brother did. As a good son of House Brentioch, I take upon myself the job of removing a possible source of scandal. Uncle Claudias was only helping me with it. We ended up having some problems with local criminals that tried to kidnap us, but it was nothing serious.”

@Tom

 

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

Lord Tannaras wasn’t used to anyone in his family challenging him, but the dispute he had with his newly estranged sister had prepared him for pushback. There was no longer any place in this universe where he could be Andronikas, and so he would wrap himself in these silks and play the part he and his exalted ancestors had played for over six thousand years.

He listened to the younger Brentioch’s testimony, his icy blue eyes laced with cruel scrutiny. It seemed as if at any moment, the man could erupt into a violent tirade that would’ve shaken the foundation of the entire palace. It was a side of him that had once only been reserved for backroom dealings with stubborn political opponents. Now, he was prepared to shout his own blood into submission.

“Best… for the family?” He repeated, enunciating the words so that the curious tone was mixed with an entire gallon of skepticism added to the recipe. “You call getting in a high speed chase with police ‘preventing a scandal?’ I don’t know what your father’s been teaching you, but in the assembly, we would call that a scandalous situation.” He said slowly, seething the last few words between clenched teeth.

“I suppose consorting openly with a pregnant commoner was also part of this brilliant plan to protect our family’s reputation? One carrying the illegitimate spawn of the heir to one of the most powerful and venerable houses to reign over this world? Maybe it was the washed up whore you had in your company that was vital to securing our family’s interests from unjust slanders and baseless speculation?!” He asked, his low baritone rising as he took a step closer to the shorter, more diminutive Brentioch.

“And how many kidnappings does that make it, Tristodd? Two? I suppose your uncle bailed you out of this one too, or was it the whore, or the foreign slut your brother debased himself with? You seem to have a knack for making our entire family look like a bunch of defenseless commoners, rather than two of the most powerful dynasties this dustball has ever known.” he spat, arms crossed as he glared daggers at the boy.

“Because you share blood with me– and nothing more– I will tell the legion of parasites we call journalists this.” He began. “You two, in a display of idiocy and incompetence that wracks the brain, managed to find yourself in one of the worst neighborhood’s this side of the hydian way. In a rush to avoid being robbed, and to reach a minor diplomatic settlement on Chandrila, you broke a number of traffic laws that will see you appropriately fined a lump sum of 2649 crowns, and the revocation of both of your piloting licenses.” He explained.

“You,” He began, turning to face his nephew with the full weight of his authority, “Will take an eight week probation from your duties as the governor’s aide. You will return to your family’s palace, where your mother and father will find a suitable punishment for your actual transgressions. Then they will arrange an appropriate marriage once this situation blows over, and you will return to your duties as the governor’s aide.” He declared. Andronikas had already worked out the details with Tristodd’s father– only omitting the presence of the pregnant foreigner.

“I have yet to decide what is to be done with you,” He snarled, turning to his brother, who had watched the affair, shocked beyond belief at the malice on display. “I think an eight week probation will give you the time you need to get your affairs in order before you step down as ambassador. We can say it’s for family business, regarding how you’re going to divorce that frigid hag of a wife of yours and remarry someone more suitable. I haven’t found any willing volunteers, though the governor was at least amused when I brought it up this morning.” he spat.

Claudias could imagine Sibyl’s reaction to the marriage proposition, her struggling to breathe as she cackled for ten minutes straight.

​

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd listened impassively to Andronikas’ speech. Arguing against would have no effect. The young Brentioch had already expected a punishment, trying to say anything would only make the situation worse. At least his uncle didn’t try to send a task force after Anna and Saura.

The only bad part of all that was going to be dealing with his parents. He shuddered with the thought of how they would punish him. Although the fact that he was going to be forced into marrying a woman that he didn’t even know and that he was gay would be enough punishment.

He only opened his mouth after Andronikas finished. “Yes, uncle.” he gave one last look to Claudias, fearing what the other Tannaras had reserved for him. “Excuse me.” after saying that, Tristodd walked out of the room as fast as he could, leaving the two brothers to deal with each other.

@Tom

 

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

Andronikas had waited to see how his nephew reacted. He’d been primed for a challenge; loud threats, curses. Any charitability in his soul had finally withered with his sister’s threats to the lives of his former love and her own bastard grandchild.

Thankfully, Tristodd had the good sense to do what most people did when they received a full on verbal assault from the Lord Tannaras; he crumbled, accepted his uncle’s words, and dutifully left the room. Andronikas fixed his gaze to the boy the entire time, sapphires blazing before the door closed behind him.

Only one of them was getting their way when this was over. No matter what happened, one brother or the other would walk out with everything they demanded.

--------

After sobbing and vomiting into the nearest waste disposal can alone for about 30 minutes, Claudias exited the room in a comically primitive looking wheelchair. The doctors had explained that he’d suffered a moderate Cardiovascular Syncope.

It was a condition– one of many that Claud suffered, but it wasn’t unique to him. His gentle, loving grandmother was also a frail woman with a laundry list of health issues, which had passed down from her only son to her two grandsons. Livilla had been spared of the family condition, but both Claud and Andy were sufferers. Millennia ago it would’ve been a death sentence, but today it simply meant that both brothers had to take a few oral supplements.

Ofcourse, heightened levels of stress could still cause complications. Claud would be wheelchair bound for a week or two, and he’d have to take double doses of his medicine– but that was all. He wasn’t about to suffer a catastrophic stroke like the one that had turned his mighty father into a vegetable.

Wheeling out into the waiting room, he smiled bleakly at Tristodd. Thanking the doctors, he motioned for Tristodd to follow him.

Before graduating to leg braces, and the cane that he now used for support, Claud’s preferred method of transportation were these very sorts of archaic contraptions– mainly because it was the only way he could actually be faster than anyone else while still using some of his muscles. This time, it would be Tristodd who would have to keep up with him.

“I… t-talked things out with your uncle.” Claud addressed his nephew. He tried his best to minimize, but it would be clear to his nephew that some harsh words had been spoken between the two of them. “Y-you don’t have to worry about your p-p-parents finding out, or any sh-shotblaster weddings in the f-f-forseeable future.” He declared, trying his best to sound positive.

The medical wing of the Palace D’Ta’Nnaur’ad was modest, and the sterile environment quickly gave way to the wide stone hallways, high arches and finery of his family home. It didn’t make him feel any more comfortable.

“I… I think I’m g-going to use these next f-few weeks to rest and re-c-cover. The doctors say it isn’t much, but with all this d-drama, I feel exh-HAU-sted.” he said, smiling weakly at the younger man. “I have a small estate up N-North, next to that old arch-chaeological site they started exc-cavating a few years back. I think writing a f-few articles about some old p-pottery or cereal fossils will help calm my nerves.” he said warmly, before deflating with a long, drawn out sigh.

“Tristodd, I… I want to let you know this. I’ve told you before, and I w-will again, b-but with… everything going on… I want to r-remind you that I love you, and I’m proud of you.” He declared, smiling up at the boy as best he could.

“Now, I-”

“AAAAGH!” a shrill voice shrieked. “JULIEEEE! JULIEEEEE! THE BABY THREW UP ON MY COLLECTION OF THE PRESIDENT’S STRAY HAIRS!” Junia Tannaras, his youngest niece screamed at the top of her lungs as she bolted out of her room. In her arms, the little Ariadne wriggled, spittle running down her mouth.

“How could you?!” She turned to the baby, looking at her pudgy brown face, sapphires wide and blinking as she looked up at her aunt, before letting out a loud belch.

​

@LouJoVi

 

[Tristodd Brentioch]

Tristodd waited patiently until Claudias emerged from the room. He was surprised that Andronikas allowed his own brother to use a primitive wheelchair. It was so… unworthy of the noble House Tannaras. It could only be part of his uncle’s punishment. Even him wasn’t going to escape from what they did.

His uncle Andronikas was really a drama queen. Delivering punishments only because they wanted to help the family. It was at this moment that, for the first time in his life, Tristodd desired to be the one delivering punishments. Dragging the pompous face of his older uncle on the floor would be wonderful.

His and all of the Brentaalan nobility that thought that were better than everyone else.

“Uncle, are you fine?” Tristodd asked, deciding to leave his day dreaming for another moment. Claudias looked terrible and the way that he talked made the young man even more concerned. While he was relieved that he wasn’t going to need to marry so soon, he felt strange with how melancholic his uncle sounded.

He was going to ask what was happening, but they were interrupted by Junia and Ariadne. Looking at the baby made Tristodd remember about the party that was thrown to celebrate her birth and he thought that his own nephew would never have something like that. The nobility was so stupid with their rulers and conventions.

@Tom

 

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

He expected to see relief on his nephew’s face at the news. Perhaps a smile, a thank you. Maybe even a joke at either of their expense. He had known Tristodd since he was in swaddling cloth, so every one of those reactions felt like they were just waiting to burst from his nephew’s lips.

Instead, for the second time over these past weeks, he’d been caught completely off guard by what his nephew had to say.

He looked up at the young man, pausing. His lips were open slightly, his eyes a little wider than usual, like a beast in the headlights of a speeder out in some wilderness. The old politician blinked– and then, a smile spread across his lips. “Considering the circum-s-stances? I most certainly am.” He declared, reaching up and giving him a reassuring pat on the back.

When was the last time he had truly lied to Tristodd? When he told the boy that if he missbehaved, the Draoi would come from his closet and drink his blood in the night? He wasn’t sure what was more embarrassing in hindsight; that the boy proceeded to spend hours balling his eyes out in terror, or that Claud had to personally take him back to his brother in law’s palace, all the way to his room and do a thorough inspection of his closet to prove there weren’t any blood drinking sorcerers in there.

Either way, he’d learned his lesson; lying to his nephew only worsened the problem.

He’d have to wait to see how that worked out this time.

In the meantime, the commotion had brought the attention of his other niece, come to rescue her belching daughter from her wailing sister.

“Mitscre, Junie, it’s just a little throw up!” his other niece said as she wiped off her daughter’s spittle from her lips, the little girl absolutely elated at her mother’s attention, giggling and wriggling in her arms excitedly. “It’s only a little throw up! I’m sure if you just run it under the water, your… collection will be fine!” Julia had reassured her, before placing the infant over her shoulder and beginning to burp her, lightly tapping her back.

“It’s all ruined! How could she do this to me, Julie?! She’s such a–” Junia began, before a quick glare from her sister stopped whatever insult she’d directed towards her baby niece, who let out a comically loud belch. “I appreciate that you were trying to introduce my little girl to your… hobby, sister, but please keep in mind that she is, in fact, two months old.” She tactfully replied, before scooping the babe up and raising her up in the air, letting out a “Weee!” which sent the babe into a bout of giggles.

“You can harang her over this when she’s old enough to string a few words together, okay? For now, if she vomits on your collection, or teethes on your presidential doll, or gets your body pillow dirt-”

“NO! She’s not allowed in my room anymore, I won’t let her get the president dirty!...er.”

/End Thread
​

@LouJoVi