Ask Thorns of a Rose

[Sylvise Vyzles]

Zeltros​

Sylvise Vyzles had the estate all to herself today, the household members had left and their servants were dismissed for the day. It was some time ago since the Zeltros monarchial election in which she lost. To her it seems like it was yesterday, she still feels the sting of it, she feels that only she deserved to win. She feels entitled to the throne. Even though the people have spoken, she still hasn't gotten over it even though the incumbent queen's term coming closer to ending. Every day felt like a chore to live through, her public appearances decreased,

The Zeltron noblewoman would be in her dressing room, she would look at the clock and see that it's time for her appointment. With that, she would finish up and head on to the lobby of her estate.

It turns out, Sylvise was able to make contact with some powerful people. Very powerful in fact. This upcoming election, Sylvise is determined to do anything to become Queen, it's what she deserves.

With her appointment apporaching, she would be ready. Sylvise would be wearing a long pink dress, looking fancy as usual, her pink hair big and puffy, head inclined upwards, carrying a smirk with confidence.

Soon...

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus couldn’t deny feeling somewhat surprised to have received this particular request for an audience on Zeltros. After all, the planet was nestled deep within FWA territory, and from the briefings he had read during his long flight, the woman he was scheduled to meet was a leading candidate in the upcoming monarchical election. While unexpected, the Axxilan could only see one real reason why such a person would discreetly reach out to the Sith Empire.

It certainly wouldn’t have been the first time that the Empire had ‘aided the political ambitions’ of would-be foreign rulers, and the Axxilan was entirely keen to do so today, if his own suspicions proved correct. Such deals never came without conditions, and having the allegiance of Zeltros - regardless of whatever public front their government put up - was an asset the Empire could not pass up on.

As per usual, the Axxilan donned his

signature Sith armor for official business - the ensemble of black armorweave and cloth clinging tightly to his body and lightsaber clipped to his hip, while his bronze features were shrouded behind the chilling visage of the mask he wore. It was in that armor that the Axxilan strictly went by his ISB moniker of ‘Wraith’, keeping his real name and identity separate from his clandestine operations.

The estate had been largely cleared of any prying eyes or individuals who were prone to asking questions, and the Axxilan even still made an effort to arrive and move as discreetly as possible - his civilian-marked transport licensed and with papers to avoid any questions from port authorities.

Sylvise wouldn’t have to wait very long before Jaikus entered the main lobby of estate - striding confidently through the entrance. His posture was rigid and straight, hands folded against the small of his back and slender fingers clasped together. “Ms. Vyzle,” He said, his voice heavily modulated and distorted by the filter in his mask. “What a distinct pleasure.” Jaikus dipped his head ever-so-slightly.

“I was told you have a proposal for the Empire.”

@The Good Doctor

 

[Sylvise Vyzles]

The Sith showed up, "Excellent" she muttered. The pink lady didn't have any reaction other than smiling as things can proceed. She has never seen a Sith up close like this and she heard of them and what they do. This Sith has some pretty creepy choice of attire, but he for sure can tell that this isn't someone to be trifled with.

"That I do" she snickered. "That I do indeed" she echoed. Sylvise would then say to him "Charmed to meet you as well".

Before they can get started, she would turn around and then look towards the Sith "Let's find somewhere comfortable first, then we will discuss, shall we?"

Sylvise would then lead the way towards the estates hallways. The place was huge, it was a palatial home. There would be gilded, expensive artwork and the likes. The refined Zeltron would then gesture towards inside what is a grand reading room. plenty of seats, lots of books. It would be a fine place to discuss things. "Do make yourself comfortable"

Rubbing her hands in anticipation, she would then take a seat on one of the fancy couches. "Ready to get started?" she asked after a brief pause, letting him get situated.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus gave Sylvise a polite nod of his head in response to the introduction and pleasantries- even if he had purposefully omitted a name or properly introduced himself. It was hardly necessary for their clandestine meeting. The Axxilan maintained a perfectly straight and rigid posture as he stood before the Zeltromn woman hands kept neatly against the small of his back in a dignified manner.

Even if it was not immediate, Sylvise would likely notice the chilling aura that surrounded the Axxilan. While Zeltron were known for possessing minor telepathic capacity and the ability to read the emotions of others, any attempts to read the Axxilan would prove entirely fruitless - unable to penetrate the trained Sith’s mind.

He gave yet another nod when she suggested finding somewhere comfortable to sit. “After you, my lady.” His hand came from behind his back to gesture forward, allowing Sylvise to begin to lead the way before he followed close behind - silent footsteps carrying him forward until he reached a chair opposite to Sylvise. “I am,” He said simply in response to her question, proceeding to knit his fingers together in his lap.

“How goes your candidacy?” He asked after a few long pause, tilting his head ever-so-slightly to the side. The Axxilan had no guarantee that his visit to Zeltron had anything to do with her political ambitions, but he was fairly certain they did. Political candidates didn’t have ‘proposals’ for the Sith Empire in regards to much else.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Sylvise Vyzles]

Sylvise did indeed soon sense there was a chill around the Sith. They have the Dark SIde about them. Not even Sylvise would try using her telepathic abilities or pheromones' against him.

Anyways, after they were all seated and ready, Sylvise would answer that question, her smug smile transitioning to a frown. "It goes" would sum it up. "I'm in the running for Queen of Zeltros again. But the current Queen, Queen Eren has enjoyed a popular and 'prosperous' reign and is standing for re-election." Sylvise would sigh and shake her head in annoyance, not liking how those add up and spell misfortune for Sylvise's monarchial ambitions. "If shes running, then I won't be able to win,"

Truth to told, Sylvise would probably concede defeat as it's not worth trying going against the reigning monarch because she has too much support, but then she got this idea. It just might work.

"That's why I contacted the Sith." All paths this conversation make take would lead right here, but here it is. "How interested would the Sith be in..." she her frown would then turn into a devious looking smile. "..helping put someone on the throne that would be more... agreeable with the Sith?" she made the suggestion. With that, she would see how the Sith would react. Would they find that a worthy endeavor, would they decline? Would they ask for a high price? She will see

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus listened intently as Syvise spoke, and he couldn’t help but smirk ever-so-slightly behind the chilling visage of his mask - an expression that was completely hidden from the Zeltron aristocrat. Her words were a confirmation of what he already assumed - and there was an undeniable sense of satisfaction that came with the opportunity that now lied out before him.

Zeltron wasn’t the first FWA planet that the Sith Empire had negotiated with under the table - his mind immediately going back to his own dealing with the Senator of Tanaab, as well as the recent ascension of the new Queen-Mother of Hapes. Having yet another planetary leader of the FWA under their influence would be an invaluable asset.

Jaikus was silent for a long moment after the Zeltron finish speaking, lightly drumming his fingers against the armrest of the chair where he was sitting. Whatever the Axxilan was thinking - whatever played out on his expression while he thought - would be a mystery to the Zeltron woman.

After a few more seconds, the Axxilan finally leaned forward - knitting his fingers together as he spoke. “This is an endeavor the Empire would indeed be interested in. It is high time for a new Queen to sit the throne of Zeltros.” He said very simply. Even behind the mask and the distorted voice, Svyvise would be able to tell that the Axxilan was smiling by now.

Now came the details. “You will continue your campaign for monarch as normal. The Empire will handle Queen Eren, and ensure that your path to take the throne is uncontested.” He purposefully didn’t elaborate into the details of what he intended for the incumbent monarch - still weighing the best course of action in his own mind. Perhaps to her surprise, simple assassination wasn’t what the Axxilan had in mind.

“Once you take the throne, the Empire will continue to assist you in.. Maintaining, your reign.” Political dissidents, opposing candidates.. All of them were people that the ISB could make disappear without it pointing back to the monarch, and with her at the head of government, any investigations into the matter would end without a conclusion.

He leaned back into his chair. “Your position as Queen of Zeltros will be all but guaranteed so long as you wish to be such, and you may rule the planet as you see fit.” Jaikus tilted his head to the side ever-so-slightly.

“In return for having complete and uncontested control over this planet, you will privately swear your allegiance to the Empire while maintaining your membership within the FWA." He said without missing a beat, the hollowed sockets of his mask staring back at her unwaveringly. “You will receive a contact within the Empire and encrypted channel in which to communicate, and you will follow the directives received from the Empire without question.” Her complete allegiance was demanded, in exchange for the throne she always wanted.

He didn’t elaborate as to what would be demanded of her, and the Zeltron likely knew that any such question wasn’t going to be met with a straight-forward answer. “These are the terms of the Empire.”

@The Good Doctor

 

[Sylvise Vyzles]

The pink-haired woman was liking what she was hearing more and more by the bit. The Empire will take care of the Queen, and did he say the throne will be hers as long as she wished and she can rule the planet however she wants? She would grin. That sounds great. Sure, she could do without having the follow the empires every directive, but those are the breaks that's something she is going to have to accept. It will be worth it for making her House proud and living the high life to the fullest. It will be a big pleasure indeed.

So, those are the terms of the Empire. Sylvise would process and digest this information before reaching her conclusion.

Sylvise would keep grinning, and the she would make a refined noblewoman's laugh.

"That's it?" she asked. "I accept those terms" she declared and snickered. She didn't have any additional questions for the Sith. All that she knew was that she can already visualize herself seated upon the throne of Zeltros in the Royal Palace. She knew that the Sith were very capable of such a thing. She will have what she deserves soon.

Now Sylvsie would relax and lean herself in her seat. After a few seconds, she would then ask one more thing "Well then, is that all that needs to be discussed?" she asked. Looks like their business is concluded if not?

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus gave the Zeltron a simple nod of his head, listening with no lack of satisfaction as she accepted his terms. Did the woman truly grasp what she was signing up for? Perhaps not - but that wasn’t much of a concern for the Axxilan. The deal was struck, and both parties would uphold their end of the bargain.

“No,” He said, drumming his fingers against his thigh for a moment. “That is all.”

With that, the Axxilan rose up from his seat - both hands proceeding to tuck against the small of his back. He smiled behind the chilling visage of his mask, tilting his head forward into a bow as he bent at the waist. “Thank you for your gracious invitation, Your Majesty.” Even if she didn’t sit the throne yet, she would. “We will be in contact.”

He didn’t elaborate further. He didn’t explain what would be done to the incumbent Queen, or how the Sith Empire would reach out to her again - perhaps not even until she resided within the Royal Palace. But they would - and she would know that.

Without another word, Jaikus rose up from his bow and spun on a heel - striding out of the spacious chamber. The Axxilan proceeded back the way he came, exiting the estate and taking methodical steps back towards his ship.

And then the work would begin.

/ExitThread



@The Good Doctor