Ask Waves of Grain

[Renfry]

Renfry had returned to Felucia once again, but much in her life had changed since the last time she was here. The conquest still needed to be completed despite her more recent need to pay attention to Dathomir as well.

What hadn't changed was that she had come here once again with Lyra. Or was it Tiamat now? She supposed she should probably ask the other woman about that at some point soon. The pair were supposed to meet with a representative group of farmers from the planet with the hopes of making a deal that would give access to the medicinal crops the farmers grew.

Renfry wasn't sure how much if any diplomatic experience Lyramat had, but perhaps she'd be interested in trying her hand at it. Time would remain to be seen. And speaking of time, hopefully a bit of it had smoothed over some of the tensions the two had confronted on their last trip here. No lingering awkwardness at all, no sir.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The last time she had come to Felucia, things got a bit awkward...or really just an awkward experience the whole time. She had taken some herbs that pulled her through a trip when she visited the native Felucians. Then she had gotten too comfortable around Renfry and let her walls fall just far enough for the woman to pick up on her feelings and for her to share her own thoughts and feelings. Neither of them took it well and it was left at that.

Since then, Tiamat had heard Renfry had progressed through the ranks of the Sith, becoming a Darth and even heard she was ruling the nightsisters on Dathomir. Her mind played around with her titles, trying to figure out how she would be addressed. Was it Darth now? Or her royal highness? Queen? Darth Queen? Renfry? Though, it should have been easy for Renfry to decide what to call her, a new name, but no new titles. In fact, Tiamat felt suddenly inferior to the woman's accomplishments.

Regardless, they were to be meeting with a different group of people on Felucia: Farmers. Tiamat never had a high opinion of farmers, they were clearly hard working, simple, albeit narrow minded. Her interactions were of course limited, she knew how to handle those in cities and of course spacers, but farmers, she would be clearly feeling some apprehensions as she met up with Renfry. She just hoped things would not turn awkward...again.

"Congratulations on the new title...or titles." she greeted Renfry when she arrived, "Darth and a Queen, not very many or if any have ever laid claim to that." she grinned, finding a spark of admiration to the woman's tenacity, "Which would you prefer I address you as?" she asked.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Awkward or not after the last interaction, Renfry was glad to see Tiamat. She liked the other woman, and that was... well, perhaps not uncommon, but always welcome.

Thank you, she said with a nod and smile. Though she didn't regret what had happened, Renfry knew that the process to get here had been agonizingly painful at times. She had been forcibly subjected to a great deal of personal growth that had permanently changed her.

Your illustrious Darth Andruil, lord and supreme excellent Queen of Dathomir should be fine, she said, trying really hard and actually managing to maintain a straight face right up to the end.

Renfry is still fine, she said before stopping and frowning. Except if we're representing the Sith, then Andruil or some variant, she said. They were here to represent the Sith, and wanted some level of separation between her role as queen and her role as a Darth. As if to emphasize the point, she flipped the visor on her combat outfit's helmet down to hide her face. Probably for the best.

And I've heard you have taken on a new name yourself. Tiamat, no? she asked. Perhaps an indicator of the other woman's own growth and journey. No doubt it had been a tense process as well, she wagered.

She started walking in the direction of the meeting point. It wasn't particularly large or impressive - a large collection of huts on the largest farm in the area - where the representatives of the Felucian farmers were gathered. Oh great... negotiation and politics. Refnry's specialty...

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat felt her shoulders relax when Renfry started speaking, finding the smile reassuring that perhaps things would not be awkward unless she made it awkward. It would be short-lived relief though as she felt herself tensing again, quickly working to memorize the title and clearly oblivious that Renfry was perhaps joking. Tiamat frowned, muttering the title under her breath as she quickly as she could, getting through the line twice before Renfry emphasized her name as she knew her would be fine.

Tiamat stopped, cheeks slightly reddened as she realized she was lured into the trick and she let out clear sigh of relief. She did
emphasize about formalities with the Sith as her visor fell over her face, "Andruil, I can work with that." she grinned and shifted her own helmet from underneath her arm, but paused, thinking about the nature of the work they were about to do. Tiamat walked beside Renfry, deciding to forgo the helmet for now.

Renfry spoke again, inquiring of her current name and Tia nodded, "It is." she said, inhaling deeply as she saw the village ahead. Though hearing her name being said out loud was empowering to her, the idea of negotiating, which she had never done on this level, seemed to bite at her nerves. It was easy to manage between girls on the dance stage, coming to a compromise that satisfied everyone, but she could only hope there was some similarity with a bunch of farmers.

"They probably made a list of demands, they will probably be outrageous." she frowned, wondering if it would be as ridiculous as working with newly minted teens.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry was quite amused to see Tiamat working to quickly memorize the series of titles, which Renfry herself had already forgotten as soon as she said it.

Renfry continued heading toward the farm where everyone was gathered, thinking about what Tiamat said as they walked.

Possibly, she said with a nod. Andruil would prefer to avoid harsh or violent means of negotiation, and reminded herself that this wasn't Dathomir, but time would tell. Taking people's heads off as a means of negotiation here probably wasn't the proper way.

Do you want the practice negotiating? she asked as the pair drew closer. The Darth would "happily" do it if the other woman declined, but the offer remained.

As they drew closer, some of the farmers - short aliens who were far different than the jungle natives - started eyeing them warily.

I am Darth Andruil of the Sith, and this is my associate Tiamat. We come with the hopes of working out an arrangement that will be mutually beneficial to our peoples, she said.

Please, step this way, one of the farmers - an older one if she had to guess - said as he led the pair inside.

We were surprised when we heard your people wanted to reach out to speak with we humble farmers. What's your interest in our business? he asked in a slightly suspicious but non-confrontational manner. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat tilted her head slightly, briefly contemplated the pros and cons of leading the negotiations, she guessed if all else fails, they could heavy-hand the farmers into doing what they asked...or at least find those who would. "I can." she nodded as they approached. They were shorter than the native Felucians that they had visited first and Tiamat felt like a giant who towered over ants. Her blue eyes scanned those who stood waiting, some not even involved in the negotiation process, but wanted to catch a glimpse of those who identified themselves as Sith.

Tiamat listened closely to the ripples of the Force and to the emotions that resonated from the farmers. There was certainly wariness as well as a sliver of curiosity. The pair stopped and Renfry spoke first, introducing them both to the elder farmer who directed them to inside a lodge that could host a larger group. The elder farmer continued, inquiring further into the interest of their trade.

The redhead Sith noted the word choice of the farmer, it was not only the tone that told her they were looking to be complicit, but to emphasize how they were humble. Her blue eyes scanned the other farmers inside, her helmet still rested under her arm and she allowed her own features to soften, bringing herself down to their level before she would pull them back.

"Surprised?" she blinked, her lip curling slightly into grin, "Ah, some of us find the importance of respect over sheer domination." Tiamat explained and continued, "We are here about what you're able to produce, the Nysillin. Medical supplies for even common ailments among our brethren is hard to come by," Tiamat had no idea if this was true, but she could make it sound as dire at it seemed, "The Nysillin would help off-set some of the shortages we face."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry nodded from behind the helmet as Tiamat said that she would handle it. That was fine with Renfry, and she let the other woman speak as they headed inside the building after the farmer.

They were both waved to seats and Renfry took one of them, watching as one of the locals brought drinks for them.

No, thank you, Renfry said, waving off what looked like some sort of tea as the native moved to make the same offer to Tiamat.

The head farmer - he hadn't actually introduced himself, had he - continued to speak.

Well, that is reassuring, he said as she spoke about how she preferred techniques other than domination. Alliances were far less messy for everyone involved.

As you can imagine, we have some concerns. Primarily, we're concerned with fair prices for our crops. Is there any guarantee you can offer us that our own livelihood won't be threatened? What do we gain from this arrangement? he asked. Making deals with a single entity always leant itself to concern, but the man also couldn't deny that having a powerful ally to provide security and guarantee transport had its own benefits as well.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat accepted the offer of tea from the villager, she lifted the cup to her lips, breathing in slowly to determine if it was something she could even possibly consume. She was unfamiliar of the nutritional habits of these Felucians, and after her previous encounter with psychedelic drinks from other Felucian inhabitants, she was a bit more cautious of the beverages she would consume on this jungle world. Tiamat avoided wrinkling her nose, it smelled strongly of decaying leaves as though someone had just scooped up some leaves from the jungle's floor and stuffed them into a teabag. However, it did have a pretty red color to it.

The farmer kept talking, now expressing his concerns and Tiamat assumed it all had to revolve around the credits. She took a small sip of the tea, finding the taste to be strong, but not entirely intolerable as she listened.

He was concerned about credits and business promises. Really all Tiamat wanted from them was their willingness to cater to the Sith needs first.

"Conditionally, we can come to some agreement, if gaining access to your medicinal crops means protection of the livelihood of the farmers here." she stated, her eyes flickered from the leading farmer to gauge the reactions of others in the room. If the symbiotic relationship of the jungle and the other native Felucians were any indication to how the ecosystem works here, then it would be beneficial to keep around those who know this crop well.

"And what do you wish to gain from this arrangement, - " she paused, realizing she never got a name from the leading farmer or others, "I'm sorry, I don't recall you sharing your name."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened to the proceedings, her eyes scanning gently over the others gathered. And her mind reaching out to the Shadow. Her fingers moved slightly on the armrest of her chair, the movements generally easily mistaken for simple fidgeting. That was the point.

In truth, she let a subtle pressure apply on the lead farmers mind, just enough to make him more... agreeable to them. To form a sense of kinship rather than a direct control of the mind.

Kralla, the farmer said in response to her question. He reached up and stroked the end of his pointed nose in thought.

Security. Our world is along a major trade route, and we've had problems with pirates for as long as our people can remember. We don't want them coming back. Any losses we take as a result of piracy is reimbursed by your people. In exchange, you gain preferential access to our stock, he said, looking to both of them.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The redhead listened intently, nodding as she recognized the concerns of the farmers; it wasn't something novel, piracy outside the realm of the FWA and the Republic worlds was a constant problem. As much as some of these outsider worlds contributed with the import of the goods, the FWA at times seemed as though they could not be bothered by their concerns.

"Kralla," Tiamat repeated, giving a hint of a subtle smile, "Security is something that the Sith Order can provide, we are invested in the goods you produce, therefore it would be in both our best interests to see the medicinal herbs protected." the Sith woman, "And not let there be significant losses."

She leaned back in her seat and glanced to Renfry as she paused, taking a moment to think of the repercussions of such a request. She needed not wait for a response from the Dathomirian Queen who had her attention focused on the pair and turned her gaze back onto Kralla.

"A loss for you is a loss for us." Though Tiamat knew once word spread of Sith occupation, piracy would not be as an issue, "Is there anything else you wish in this agreement?" she asked.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Andruil listened as Tiamat made the deal on behalf of the Sith, willing to see it through. She'd make sure any pirates were dealt with in the most brutal manner possible. The woman was fiercely protective of what was hers, and as far as she was concerned, this world was now hers.

In addition, I'll put you in contact with some of the villagers from the jungles, she said. The two groups had little contact and sometimes tense relationships, but under united Sith rule, Andruil intended to see to it that the two groups got along.

Their hunters and warriors should be able to provide a constant source of protection. In addition to the Sith, of course, she said.

Andruil wasn't an expert at reading the facial expressions of Felucians, but the impression in the Shadow gave a hint of reluctant agreement.

Very well, we have an agreement, he said with a nod, not indicating further requests. In truth, little would change for the farmers. They would be given more protection and a discount to the Sith. In the end, it meant increased profit for them because even at a discount, they could at least sell their product rather than having it stolen.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Renfry spoke emphasizing the protection the farmers would receive from the sith in addition from allies of the Sith including the native Felucians who also resided on this world. There was no doubt that they would be able to handle any of the pirates if they reached the surface. Tiamat glanced at Renfry and then back to Kralla who appeared to still be reluctant to agreeing to work with them, but conceded. Perhaps deep down he knew the Sith would have what they wanted regardless of what they felt was best for them. The ones with any sense knew how to play along with this game.

Kralla voiced his agreement and Tiamat nodded, finding this task was not as impeding as she thought it would be. It would be fair for her to admit she felt relieved not needing to using heavier force to get them to bend to the SIth. However, what she did know from her time prior to her training, a majority of the galaxy just wished to continue living their lives. The higher orders of Force users and centuries of fighting between the factions were at times an annoyance to the galaxy's citizens. It was certainly how she felt, but mainly a reflection of her parent's insight to the matter.

Tiamat stood, "An agreement it is." she said, waiting for Renfry to rise also. With no other topics to discuss, the Sith took their leave.

/End Thread

@Phoenix