A Run on the Bank

[Judah Lesan]

One week had passed since Xander Blackmoore found one [member="Zarah Viren"] cased in carbonite. A day that would live in infamy saw the two become allies, but also the two had agreed to a courtship. What else was Xander to call it when she had challenged him to win her. Whether it was an official courtship or not, Xander had treated it as such. As such, he would do his best to win the cousin whom he had painted eight centuries ago. Zarah would only go to his bed if the wed, so he ensured that if he won they would do just that.

Xander knew the task was not going to be easy. His previous life and early years of waking had seen the man given to many women. The King exploited his crown and silver tongue to gain access to the beds of strangers and young noble women alike. Her perception and disgust for that version of him would difficult to defeat, though Xander was determined.

His ship touched down on Naboo’s surface as the two had come up with a plan to gain access to Zarah’s accounts. While the bank would likely not believe she was Zarah herself, Xander had formed a narrative that she was a long lost heir. Documentation was created to prove such a thing, and Xander would pose as the butler and attourney to prove the claim was legitimate. For his part he was dressed in the attire appropriate for the station he posed to be.

”Burn this image into your mind and enjoy yourself. I shall not lose as your butler after today,” Xander said to the resplendent woman seated with him in the lounge of his ship.

A smile stretched across his face as the irony of the situation played across his mind. Zarah had always sought to see him subserviant to her during her early days on Munto Codru where they had first met. Today would be her chance to have that wish made true, even if it was for less than a day.

”Shall we then, my duchess. The accounts will not empty themselves.”

 

[Yasha Cadera]

A grand delight stole across the Lady’s spine as she settled on the couch of Xander’s lounge and spread her hands down on her pale blue chersilk dress. She sat in perfect posture, grinning like a nefarious Nexu while Xander sat in his Butler’s uniform. The sheer amount of joy produced by having him serve her brought the dainty Duchess to more than one silent ‘huzzah’. Lu Sii, Zarah’s new Lady’s Maid sat up with the pilots, sent away to give the two some privacy. The girl wore a dress of midnight blue velvet with a high neck and white lace around the collar and long cuffs, for all concerned looking less the scullery maid with each passing hour. It was exactly the sort of project Zarah wanted, reforming a promising girl of some small and hidden talent until that talent grew in proportion.

“Oh I assure you I am taking all the security camera footage of this day and displaying them on my wall when I have the muse to abuse you.” Zarah laughed, sipping from her tea. She set it down and put her hand over his for an instance, before ducking her head away and removing it. “Oh Puckles, do be a dear and remind your Lady of her supposed name.”

Puckles. She insisted on choosing [member="Darth Vizios"]’ Butler name, and after a chat and giggle with [member="Chiara Viren"] came to the perfect conclusion. “You do want me to stay in character, don’t you Puckles?”

A smarmy smirk. Zarah burst out in another series of giggles, covering her hand and waving the other in front of your face. “This is the best day of my life!”

Placing her mask of cold reserve back on her face, Zarah offered Xander her hand. “Yes, lets go take what is rightfully mine... Puckles...”

Zarah coughed and covered a smirk with her hand. “If this is the only day my Lord decides to lower himself on my account, I shall enjoy it. Fully... Puckles.”

 

[Judah Lesan]

”I have no doubt you will find your fun in this for years to come. Though I cannot promise the subject of your recovery last week will remain silent should you abuse this...”

It was a veiled threat with a smirk and sarcasm. Xander rather enjoyed this new dynamic theybhad discovered. The two still competed with each other, Xander was convinced that would not change. However, the competition was a fun one which was filled with light hearted banter and flirting. It was an odd thing to flirt with someone Xander knew he would never woo to his bed without the promise of forever. Perhaps though that was where the enjoyment came from. He knew where he stood.

”And if you insist on the name Puckles then when your turn comes I shall find something equally as undignified for my dear duchess.”

Xander banded Zarah the datapad containing all the relevant information. Sarah was an easy change from Zarah, memorable and explainable should they forget. The Viren name was critical to this deception, therefore they kept it. Their aim was to keep the galaxy at large unaware of her presence, thus the secrecy and the insistence Xander had made that Chiara be required to swear to it. While they had not talked of it directly, Xander knew the other cousin was also in league, or would be.

They descended the ship, and Xander took his step behind Zarah perfectly. He knew what he expected of a butler, and delivered it to Zarah perfectly. A serious look beset his face as they moved into the bank. Every door was held for his lady, and each time she passed his head bowed.

”Your appointment is set milady, Sarah. The documentation is in the datapad. Should you need me to contend for your access, simply nod.”

His words were said just loud enough that those around him could hear. This was all part of the ruse, drawing attention and having Zarah command it all. Xander motioned to the banker.

”Lady Viren is here for her accounts. She is the rightful heir to Duchess Zarah Viren and would like to inspect her earnings.”

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Pardon, Puckles, for a brief moment it sounded as if you tainted your royal Lady’s ears with something akin to a threat. Do tend to such uncouth behaviour.” Zarah barely contained her smile under a clearing of her throat. Violet eyes dazzled upon his smirking face. He seemed both easier to handle and harder to deal with since the painting entered their lives. It was to handling the affairs of the house which eased Zarah into the delights of Ec Pand. The staff’s feathers were well and truly ruffled by the Duchess’ exacting standards, and within the week, the Blackmoore Estate was running with a more stringent budget, and the hum of a lively house. Rooms were tidied, prepared as if there were a flow of guests coming to the entire Estate. The gardens were cleaned up, gardeners rehired and some of the scullery maids and kitchen staff given double duties, vegetables and herbs planted in spare and barren areas. An old orchard was pruned and brought to life, the kitchen staff given the task of creating a sellable confection or fermented beverage to bolster the pride of those working, have a unique flavour to the House and sell to discrete nobles for profit. In a garden off Zarah’s new chambers, a waist-high maze was tidied, pruned, and the roses and flowers attended to. The Estate had inevitably woken up.

“I would expect no less, Puckles. Although, keep the suit… I do find a man in uniform to look smashing.” Aware of the need for secrecy, Zarah maintained the dignity of ‘Puckles’ position and kept her hands firmly together… instead of very much desiring to smack him somewhere inappropriate.

Other Noble Houses and families in Ec Pand were in the beginning stages of noticing the rejuvenation, and Zarah refused to be caught off guard. So Eudoxia and Yareth the Butler were holding down the Estate while [member="Darth Vizios"] escorted Zarah to Naboo and then to Sabarene to collect [member="Chiara Viren"]. Taking his hand gladly, Zarah walked clear of the ship and into the Royal Theed Bank. She tightened her light blue silk gloves between her fingers, and nodded to ‘Puckles’ as they ascended the bank interior.

“Very good, Puckles! Announce my appearance to the Manager. I will be taken to the appropriate office.” She stood tall and dainty in her new dress, giving a brief nod of her head and offering her hand to the bank manager who came to attend them.

“Lady Viren, yes please follow me, I assume your travels were easy? Where was it you came from? I hope the flight was not too tedious.” The manager pulled out a chair for the Lady Sarah, in the simple question performing a brief security check on the dear Duchess.

“The Tion Cluster. Chandler, despite the unpleasantness it is still in function. Now, are you to attend me, or have you chosen a trusted attendant?”

“Ma’am, you will find it a bit harder to authenticate the account holder after so long a time, as thus, I shall handle it myself. Your papers?” He said, offering his hand.

“Puckles, the data pad.” A Lady never touched a serving attendant, it was easier to have such things passed. “The original account was set upon by my ancestor Lord Felix Baumjardin-Viren, consort of Her Royal Highness Zarah Eudalphea Tharandi Airaela Viren, Duchess of Chandaar, Princess of Cron. I am the seventh issue of their direct line, and as the situation on Chandaar has settled from the emigrations and trouble of late, I have come to collect my ancestral fortune. Most important now as the Queen, my cousin, is dead.”

A strain of emotion tugged at her eyebrows as Zarah spoke, however briefly, of Felix. Her Butler has been her only faithful companion, a servant with the air of a confidante and friend. Yet, his betrayal caught her in an 800 year ponderance. What was it to be loved if she’d seen that, if she’d known that Felix adored her all along? To come to the bank where he set her fortune and protected her with his final acts, was to come face to face with the love she’d denied with her cold indifference, with her ignorance.

“Yes, thank you I shall... take a look at the trust recommendations.” He left them with a nod, another banker coming in with tea.

 

[Judah Lesan]

”Why mi’lady it is a threat. I am sure your cousin would find the fact that you were half naked in bed quite scandalous.”

They were proficient at teasing each other. Naturally they enjoyed the banter otherwise it would not continue. Xander dished as well as he took it, and they always had a constant flow of it between them. It was likely that servants were tired of hearing them, but it would not matter. Zarah had his house so well in order that they would not dare comment. Others had noticed the resurgence of his house, and while they were away, Xander hoped no upstart and pretentious noble didn’t try anything. If they did Xander would show Ec Pand his full strength.

Xander played his part perfectly. While he hated the name Puckles, the looks in the faces of the bank employees made it all worth it. They couldn’t seem to take him all that serious which put all the focus and control on Zarah. The plan was working beautifully. They only had to get through the authentication process.

The manager left with the information. He would find it all in order. A nervous banker came in with tea. Xander stopped him.

”Pour me a cup first. Nothing shall touch my lady’s lips that has not been tested.”

Yes, Xander accused them of having the potential to poison her. Should Zarah close the account the funds were enough to bankrupt the bank. That served them no purpose, but a significant sum did need to be liquified and moved elsewhere. They had an economy to stimulate and wealth to create. Ec Pand was about to steal the glory from Indupar. The people would see it as the working of the Galactic Alliance. Indupar would suffer while Ec Pand thrived. While Xander would never let that be, he would create the perception.

Xander tasted the tea, and after surviving it was offered to Lady Sarah. The banker shaking as he poured it. Certainly he needed work on his etiquette. “Puckles” took it from him. Xander poured it with perfection and handed it back to the man with a nod.

When the manager returned he looked as though he’d seen a ghost. He cleared his throat.

“Well yes, everything seems to be in order. You are indeed who you claim to be. Once we have the appropriate password we will add your name to the accounts. Do you have them?”[/color]

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Zarah’s skin turned the colour of her lips, as she pressed her lips together and glared at him. The entry of [member="Chiara Viren"] into their banter caused a stir in Zarah’s shoulders. “You wouldn’t! How terrible a scandal for Chiara’s ears, how driven she would be to accuse you for some form of malice or inner degradation. It is quite overcoming.”

Taking out a fan, Zarah fanned her face to put down the blush and winked over the top of it. “I do believe the scandal would thicken once those of Indupar saw their King in such a fashion.”

Sitting prim in her chair, she watched the pageantry of Puckles with the bank associate, and made no comment. It was beneath a Duchess to comment. She pulled out her fan again, gently shifting the air in front of her face, as [member="Darth Vizios"] tasted her tea. If they had poisoned her tea, her gifts in the Force would have cleared it before any damage befell her.

While her eyes perched upon the Manager, she pondered why the man had suddenly become so afraid. How much money was in the accounts?

“The password is the answer to the Duchess Zarah Viren’s security question, ‘What was the name of her childhood pet’. Puckles the Voorpah. The numbers on this sheet supply the appropriate hexadecimal encription codes.” Zarah folded the piece of paper and handed it to ‘Puckles the 2nd’, to pass off again.

“I will see my safety deposit box, and the account balances. Also, prepare a plan of liquidation for a portion of my wealth.” She sipped her tea, and set it down with the softest sound.

“Do be hasty.”

 

[Judah Lesan]

Xander fought to not role his eyes at the revelation Puckles was the name of the family pet. His mind reached out to Zarah letting her feel the sarcasm in his thoughts.

”You got my name from the family pet?!?”

He nodded as Zarah handed him the paper. His noble hands would never have done this eight centuries ago, but the callouses Zarah had felt on his hands when they had first touched were proof that Xander now did much of his own work. The King could no longer afford to think anything was beneath him.

The manager looked over the items and nodded. She was going to cost them a lot of what they had on hand. His throat cleared. “We can see you to the safety deposit box, but depending on how much you wish to liquidate we will not be able to do all of it today. Even one third of your accounts would be over the limit we can authorize on any given day.”

He looked to the banker which had nervously handled the tea.

“Take her to the safe while I develop a liquidation plan.”

The banker nodded and escorted them. The two were instructed they had one minute alone with the box. Xander had not been aware of the box, and wondered why it was important to Zarah. He looked at it quizzically.

”What is in the box that is so important, if you do not mind me asking, my duchess.”

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

‘[member="Chiara Viren"] says hello, and she cannot wait to see you... after being gracious enough to take our beloved pet’s name.’ Zarah’s face remained the perfect mask as she sat, and [member="Darth Vizios"] realized he was named after a Voorpah.

‘Puckles the Voorpah was the best and only pet I had. Chiara and I loved that creature... even when he bit us.’ Puckles. A silly child’s name now had further meaning Xander couldn’t deny. For him to know the cousins were mending and speaking, that Chiara helped in choosing the name... Zarah let a twinkle into her eye as the banker turned. That twinkle was hidden when he spoke of her wealth. She took the numbers he gave her, and inhaled deeply.

“A third will suffice. You have done well with my accounts, I will not remove myself from a good situation if you continue to handle my trust with the respect I deserve.” Zarah’s words caused a moment’s relaxation in the Bank Manager.

The walk through the vault settled a chill on Zarah’s spine. What Felix left for her was the last piece of his tomb, the icons of her rule, the clear delineation of her original plan.

“Give us two minutes, or I take more of my money.” Zarah struggled to maintain her voice as she and Xander were shut into the private room with a velvet bag beside the box.

Shivering hands gloved in pale blue pulled a bundle wrapped in silk and set it on the velvet bag, unwrapping it to pull out the Duchess of Chandaar Coronet. “My crown... Felix smuggled it out of Cron, before Chiara and the war... yet... he... his will was indomitable. He did not stop with my baubles.”

Under the Duchess Coronet, the entire box was filled with the Cronese Crown Jewels.

“Chiara never suspected that the crown she wore was crafted of bronze and chrome, the jewels glass. This is the true wealth of Cron. Crystals of power. Dragon pearls. My accoutrements of state.” Zarah hugged the Queen’s crown to her chest, before biting her lip and placing the crown almost to her brow.

“I... I can’t wear this until it’s earned... but oh how I have dreamt...” shivering hands placed the large box’s contents into the velvet sack, layer by layer of the galaxy’s most precious jewels while the clock rang down.

Zarah wiped her eyes and sniffed, hugging the bag to her chest. “We can go... I have all I need... it’s unbecoming for a Lady to carry her own bag, but... do you think anyone would mind if I held on to this? To be close to these for a few moments?”

The crowns and jewels of centuries of Cronese Monarchs in a single large bundle. “No... no I should... take them.”

She handed the bag to Xander, a supreme moment of trust for the King of Indupar. Her jewels... and her crown. The fullness of her place in the universe.

 

[Judah Lesan]

“A third,” the manager gulped. “I shall see what we can move around to accomadate you today. If it were one fourth I could manage, but the other twelfth will take work.”

The manger left in a sweat after the butler and his lady were escorted to the safety deposit box. They wanted two minutes, so a call came. “Keep her happy, if she wanted five give it to her.”

The banker nodded to Zarah and left the two alone.

When Xander was the contents of the box he understood. Though there was some deception on her part to keep them from Chiara. The crown would set on Zarah’s Head one day, but not today. There would be too much bloodshed to leave her anything with ruling if she made the claim today. No, Zarah would have to remain in the shadows. Her public figure would be Lady Sarah until the time came to reveal her true self.

”If you wish to carry them out it would be acceptable. However you would be declaring the item is of such value that you do not even trust your butler to handle. It could draw attention and encourage theft. It would fail, but why take such a risk to expose ourselves, my de... duchess.”

The emotion with which Zarah clutched the jewels told him trust would not come lightly. Even as she handed the bag to him, Xander felt as though the burden were a heavy one for this early in their alliance. Perhaps it was a test, one Xander refused to fail.

He clutched the bag to his chest. The two left the empty box behind them and met the manager. In his hands was a bag containing the credits required of he woman. Xander smiled and nodded as he accepted those also.

“Don’t spend them all at once Lady Sarah,” the manager said. “Please consider us for any future investments.”

The last words would be Zarah’s. Her emotion displayed with the jewels presented Xander with an opportunity, one he would see to taking once they took to the stars. They would be reuniting with Chiara, and Xander had brought items to ensure they looked their best. Zarah’s reaction to the jewels only cemented Xander’s next steps.

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“I suggest you make this demand work, so I can have faith in you for future.” Zarah was a hard mistress but an easily graceful person in the nature of her tone.

She took the full five minutes to pack her wealth away. “You have to understand, Puckles, the time of war was so horrific and desperate for our people, the jewels weren’t safe. I meant to give them back to her... but the...”

Frozen in time, what else could the Duchess do? Giving Xander the bag of jewels was the hardest task of her eight hundred year life. Yet, in the end he was right. It would be far too much a tell. A simple robber or even an insider from the bank who wanted to make good on the monumentally wealthy woman would try. Try and fail... Zarah pictured Xander’s calloused hands, thought of the confidence in which he spoke of his talents... he was a Far more dangerous man. She watched the way he took the velvet bag, the way he hugged it in trust and tested him. How would he handle such responsibility? How would he resist the temptation to Lord over her with her gifts?

As she walked back toward the bank Manager, Zarah stilled her breathing and offered her hand. “I am fond of Naboo, you are stable and beautiful. Continue serving my remaining account with as good an eye as your best account Manager, and sending me weekly live reports, and I shall continue to function with your establishment. Farewell. Thank you for your time.”

Once out in the clear Theed air, Zarah shuddered and inhaled, holding the breath in her chest. Hissing it out, she walked toward the ship.

“Come along, Puckles. I am eager to leave this place.” In her pocket, the last piece of the box’s content: a holorecording unit from Felix. That she would not entrust to Xander, no one but her would see Felix’s last words.

Zarah did not speak until they were on the ship, and she pulled off the gloves and handed them to Lu Sii. “How was it Ma’am?”

“Oh Lu Sii! There’s more credits that I can count! I never had near enough money to create such an amount!” Zarah put her hands on Lu Sii’s shoulders, kissing the girl’s cheeks in the fashion of a Lady’s proper greeting. Lu Sii laughed and hugged Zarah, acting more as a Cronese Lady’s Maid than an Induparan. While the girl required training to become a proper Maid, she had a particular knack for deciphering exactly what one needed. Thus, Zarah had, while in the Bank, sent Lu Sii on an errand in the city. A test.

“I bought the blossom wine you asked for, Ma’am. It’s in the cargo hold, all of it. Put a basket on the lounge table, thought you’d like some cheeses and pastries, them... I mean those little confections the Naboo like Shiraya Drops. Figured while we’re here we might as well get what good things Naboo is sellin’. A bottle’s chillin’, want me t’pour it?”

Zarah sat on the couch and nodded, inwardly appreciative that the game of Lu Sii’s errand worked. She’d been longing for Shiraya Drops. “Yes please, Lu Sii. We must celebrate... it’s an auspicious day. Pour a half glass for yourself and take two of the pastries to share between you and the pilots. Thank you.” The girl ran off and Zarah put her hand over her eyes, silent for some time.

“There is no way I had enough credits to create that amount. It had to be Felix... how much didn’t I know of his situation? He must have left it all... may I... may I have my bag please, Puckles?” Zarah opened her hands for Xander, smirking widely as he came in.

“I promise to only call you Puckles under the direst of circumstances again.” Zarah smirked and then finally broke out laughing.

“Your face!” Zarah needed the chuckle, and as she sat in her pale blue dress, she nearly cried with laughter. “The look upon it!”

 

[Judah Lesan]

Xander was already removing the butler’s uniform by the time the boarding ramp door was closed. Zarah would not be utilizing Puckles on the return trip, no they would be equals once again. While it had been his idea, taking on the form of a servant still felt slightly humiliating. The name Zarah had settled on was merely icing on the cake.

He let her Ladies Maid converse with her. Xander had been pleased to see that she found one among his staff that had been Cronese in some form of heritage. It seemed to help Zarah settle into her new role easier than it may have been. Xander pondered over the extra package which he had taken aboard with him as they left Ec Pand. There had been an extra chest Xander refused to leave without.

His attention was arrested by Zarah’s voice directed toward his.

”He loved you then? You, him?”

The question was simple, but he knew the answer would not be. Zarah had already admitted she didn’t know what it was or whether she was capable of it. Yet the emotion in her eyes when she mentioned Felix. Had this been his betrayal, his feeling when he was not supposed to have any? Xander could press further, but he did not, would not.

Xander handed Zarah the bag. ”There is a vault in my quarters if you wish to keep them locked away,” Xander suggested as he walked to his quarters. He listened to Zarah’s promise and laughed. ”I am sure that the name Puckles will ring true when you Chiara converse in private. I will have my revenge before this plot is through.”

The door of Xander’s quarters remained open. His top was replaced for his leather breastplate and cloak. He opened the case which he traveled with. Inside was another velvet bag not dissimilar to the one Zarah had taken from the bank. Xander handed it to Zarah wth caution.

”The lady of House Blackmoore should have the jewels which go with it. They were my mothers. She would have liked them on you I believe. Kazrah never impressed her, nor would she have worn them.”

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Yes... he loved me.” Zarah whispered, holding to the glass goblet of blossom wine in her hand. Steadying her demeanour with a sip, Zarah watched [member="Darth Vizios"] move through his domain and let herself be glad he took the humour as kindly as he had. The proud King Xander making a pretence of servitude, and continued to handle the deprecating name far better than Zarah expected. It gave her further pause, when he asked the question which shifted her view after 800 years of concentration.

“Blaspheming man... he never should have told me, I... lived believing the relationship between a man and woman could gladly be asexual. That I could rely upon and give to Felix without the complications of love... it was the proof of my philosophy. If I had known his unrequited love... perhaps I would have loved him. Felix, in his betrayal, taught me what love feels like... over the centuries of pondering, that I can love deeply should I release my barriers and allow it. What a terrible betrayal, to teach a woman she is not as impervious as she believed. Mutable.” Violet eyes followed his body as he ventured into his quarters, and changed. The lines of his muscles, the tone of his skin... Zarah sipped her wine. When he handed her the Cronese jewels, Zarah stood and walked to the door of the quarters and eyed him.

“We shall speak of Puckles the Butler fondly. So brief was his reign.” Zarah chuckled from her throat, “Thank you Xander, I will make use of your vault.”

She set her jewels in the vault as directed, eyebrow lifting as Xander struggled, it seemed, with another task. “What is it?”

The act of giving a woman the family jewels, was a near sacred act between a mother-in-law and her future daughter. It was a proclamation of intent, a promise in their forever game. Xander playing for keeps. Pink lips parted, unclad fingers dragging along the velvet bag. A woman’s wealth, not baubles but the promise of a daughter and hope for more to come.

“Xander... your faith in... I cannot... the Induparan Royal Jewels are paralleled to none... Xander...” the holorecorder jumbled in her pocket. Zarah fought with the urge to hug him. It was not yet her place. She took the bag and hugged it to her chest, face no longer a mask but the wonder-struck visage of a woman overcome. “You think your mother would approve of me? Not Kazrah?”

The woman with whose memory Zarah had to compete. She sat on his bed and put the bag in her lap, opened with the awe filled eyes of a supreme gift. “My gratitude is not bountiful enough for such a gift! Xander! How could you be so generous?! Help me put this on?”

Pulling out a set of deep ruby and sapphire necklace, bracelet and earrings, Zarah turned her back to Xander. It helped erase the brilliantly happy glance on her face. “Do I now look the Lady of House Blackmoore? Lovely enough to handle the jewels?”

 

[Judah Lesan]

”A thing will never be asexual between a man and a woman. There is always a push or pull. This Felix was either going to love you, or he would remain indifferent because there was no attraction. You were ignoring the obvious for your ideal, but his face was not pleased when I pressed the issue of marriage last we supped on Cron.”

Xander’s words were not at chastisement, they were simply the truth. The words were meant as a way to help Zarah realize that she would have to put up with men liking her for a long time.

”The best you can hope for is a platonic relationship, but it was clear Felix did not want this. You have his love to thank for your fortune. Were I you, I’d come to terms with it rather than view it as a betrayal. If he is the man I have to thank later, then believe me my gratitude will not be withheld.”

Naturally Xander could not avoid the chance to imply he was intent on winning Zarah’s affections. That was part of the reason behind such a gamble in presenting his mother’s jewels to her. It was either going to work, or backfire in front of him. Xander wouldn’t have dared save for the way she clutched the jewels of her own people so close to her bosom. It only gave him hope, a hope that duly rewarded.

He smiled at her words and nodded as she turned for him to place the jewels she had selected.

”Kazrah, the red huntress who had no ounce of propriety in her? No, my mother never approved. Yet I was infatuated. You, however, would have made her happy. Indupar would not have known what to do with a woman intent to rule. You would have turned heads for mare than just your beauty.”

Xander looked over Zarah, the jewels set against her porcelain skin. A smile followed by a nod was Xander’s initial response to her question.

”You look more like Lady Blackmoore with each passing moment. The jewels, as beautiful as they are, are not those of a queen. They are my promise to you that I shall put a crown on your head.”

There was a moment as their eyes locked where Xander felt as though he could have kissed her. Xander behaved only as appropriate as their courtship allowed. To rush would only make him look as though his philandering days were not yet behind him. Blue eyes closed as Xander took one step back.

”Pardon me, mi’lady. I fear that I may find myself overtaken by improper wants.”

Xander was unused to wooing a woman for the sake of marriage and relationship. His efforts had always been to find the woman in his bed, or hers, and he found that it had skewed his mind to think a game must move quickly. He bowed and moved back another two steps.

”I wonder what your cousin will think when she sees you in the necklace?”

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“I was prepared to fulfill the letter of the accord, that day, to save [member="Chiara Viren"]... Felix attempted to talk me out of it, yet it was Mother’s insistence that I marry you for power which stayed my hand, then. She was too hungry for it and I hated her... he did have quite the sour look, didn’t he?” Zarah presses a handkerchief to her eyes one at a time. Her eyes flickered to Xander’s face as he promised his thanks. It was as presumptuous as [member="Darth Vizios"]’ behaviour dared to be. If Felix was the one to thank...

“I could have loved him... if only he told me.” Her throat worked as she pondered Xander’s explanation and gently guided her past her faulty belief. How was the Sith Lord as gentle in his chiding? The man he was would have lorded over her, maybe scowled or threw a darkly veiled sexual threat. A challenge. This man... was one Chiara would never believe existed. He defined his place without stomping his foot on her drawn lines.

Kazrah, feral hunter, the ghost on his back. “I love a good tradition, your majesty, and I promise to reform the bad. How dignified for Indupar to learn a true Lady’s value, but to see one perform in beautiful and intelligent ways?”

A birth of hunger rushed through her ribcage and down her spine, settling behind her navel. The feeling remained and rendered her speech an impractical mess. Somehow the way Xander looked at her caused a stir further inside, and seemed to do the same to him. Her fingers draped across her lips, other hand holding the bag of jewels.

"The further promise of my crown, wrapped in a posthumous approval of your mother? Crafty man... Have I done something wrong, that you think such thoughts?" She sipped her wine and walked out of the room to bring a glass for him, holding it out as she saw the light of the ship interior scattering colours from the necklace.

"A toast for your gift, a toast for Felix's memory that he gave us the chance to start afresh, and well situated." The idea of Xander's thoughts hit her cheeks and she slid back a step, abruptly handling the fact she pleased him. Enticed him. Her eyes were opened, and she felt glad of the flush from the wine. Face dipped down, Zarah hazarded a smile and gazed up at his eyelids.

"I suppose she shall be silent but for disbelieving squeaks for the first bit, then after a period of distrust, come to some sense of wonderment... The jewels go well with my dress... Thank you Xander... You aren't playing with me, are you? You are in truth, working to the expectation of our... Of... My pardons, for making you uncomfortable." She stepped away, until her thighs touched the bed, and Zarah sat with a gasp. "Try th-the wine, my majesty."

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Well, far be it from to to say that would have been the better outcome. No, your mother's meddling has given us a chance at something that has eluded us both for far too long. You for thinking it unnescessary, and me for the lack of knowing what it even is."

Xander would not dare say this out loud because of the disdain the woman brought to Zarah, but it was likely he had her mother to thank for this turn of events as well. He was too caught up in how nervous the girl was behaving though. The King of Nothing had seen this look many times on the face of unsuspecting women. His flirtatious banter would finally settle in with the implication it carried and many a maiden would become as flustered as Zarah seemed to be. The thought made him smirk. Even the strongest of women could not resist his charm, and Zarah had proven the strongest of them all.

He sipped the glass as her bottom landed on the bed with audible sound coming from her flustered self. His brow lifted as he looked upon her, a scandalous comment forming in his mind.

"Please do tell me that my charm has not disarmed you so quickly? I have been enjoying this chase yet there you sit on me bed."

Xander was enough of a scoundrel to push them to the edge, though noble enough to keep them from leaping off the cliff. While it was rumored the man had no restraint, Xander was able to exercise a healthy amount of it. He finished the wine as he stepped closer. How flustered would she become before she realized he was simply offering his hand to lift her from the cusion.

"I simply meant that I desire to kiss you, my dear duchess," he said to bring some form of relief. "Yet even that is not appropriate if this courtship is to follow the rules of propriety. However, I do sense that we are making progress, yes?"

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“My mother... the great demon of Cron. In my disgust of her a good thing has been found. Funny. How fitting a thing, to find solace and grace in the rejection of her.”

Zarah flushed as she watched the great cat play with his new toy. Giving a chuckle, Zarah took his hand and stood, sliding her fingers from his wrist to his fingertips as she pulled away. “Charm! Think back, was it your charm or simple gravity which has me on your bed? The memory of my dear departed Puckles has buckled my knees! A Lady knows how to eradicate precarious circumstances with poise, you have not defeated me. Try again, your highness.”

Her chin dipped down and away, shoulder turning to give him only half of her at his admonition. “A kiss! How lurid. How terribly lurid.”

Zarah walked back to the lounge, sitting on the couch to preen and pour more wine. Wine raised from the bottle by telekinesis, swerving into two separate spheres as without lifting a finger, Zarah refilled both glasses.

“Progress, certainly. Perhaps I should be a cruel maiden and hide the progress you are making. Perhaps I should sing it out... If you want the truth of it, today you are endearing yourself to me. Your staff are wary of you, but respect you. Today at the bank and now? Yes. I will let my impenetrable pride take the hit. You are not the man I remember, and yet you are. Do keep the charm, I will keep playing to win the rapture of that painting. Sit with me. Tell me good things, a secret and one thing bad just to even out the euphoria.”

She patted the couch beside him and let her eyes say the subtext of his shift in her affections.

 

[Judah Lesan]

”Your wit defeats me,” Xander said with mock protest. ”Whatever shall I do?”

Xander said as the woman exited his cabin and moved for the common space they shared. Before their departure he’d arranged to have a cabin on his ship dedicated for Zarah as well. She was the lady of the house in every except marriage. Xander did not pretend to deny it, nor did he hide the fact. Zarah certainly did not. He wondered how she would command the House were they married. Perhaps nothing would change, and if that were so he applauded the fact she could run a house that was not hers.

He smiled at her display of the force. She was constantly showing off in various ways, but he was not concerned with her neat little tricks. Xander wanted to see her real power. They would venture into the Netherworld sooner than later for just that reason. Her power needed to be tested, as did his.

”Puckles could in no way do anything but endear himself to you,” Xander teaser using the earlier moniker and the way he handled it to garner the favor he’d drawn from it. ”So in fact you are a victim of my charm, but I in no way expected this to be easy. Progress, any amount of it, is more than fair compensation.”

Then came her request. She wanted a secret and something bad. Xander smiled at the request. It seemed his ability to be both scoundrel and noble did appeal to her. The question was how scandalous a thing she wished to here. Xander certainly had plenty secrets that would both. He scratched his chin in thought.

”I shall give you both at once.... now let us see.”

Xander looked away to his left as he pondered the story he would tell. Searching through the mental files of indiscretions past for something both scandalous yet chaste enough to be something a lady’s ears could hear.

”Since he is no longer alive to exaxf his revenge perhaps I must now finally confess that it was I that snuck into Master Hydrocus’ quarters and stole his paints...”

Xander sipped on his wine with a wry grin.

”Is this the “bad” you wanted to hear?”

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“You will take the wit like the man you are and rebuff me soon enough. You are secure enough in your manhood that my wit won’t leave you limp wristed, without a jovial battle.” Zarah smirked, knowing full well the joust would hit his mark.

“Consider your progress well won... Puckles...” Biting her lip, Zarah watched him sit and draped her hand on his arm, even as her smirk grew to a sputter of laughter at his face. The moment [member="Darth Vizios"] discovered his moniker was an old pet was burned into Zarah’s memory, to be replayed again and again. Even that surprised her. Zarah poked at his thoughts with her desire, playing with his past. What would he tell her? How salacious would he be?

As salacious as ever!

“You scoundrel! He tore up Munto Cudro looking for his paints! Strung us up by our toenails!” Zarah cackled unabashedly, picking up a pillow and tossing it at his head. “Thief!”

The laughter out of her mouth peppered clear from the lounge to their quarters and the cockpit, where Lu Sii and the two pilots sat.

“Ah! I could strike you across your beautiful grin! Ring your neck!” Zarah’s wine glass veered to the table as she picked up the other pillow and tossed it at him, her hands following in jest, and easily caught.

 

[Judah Lesan]

”You would dare strike me,” Xander laughed as he caught the pillow she tossed at him. He did not miss the fact her hand had rest on his arm. The physical contact was small, but unsolicited. Zarah chose this, and Xander took it as part of the prize their progress had earned him. He smiled. ”Were you expecting something salacious and sensual? I can make you blush even more should you desire it...”

Xander dangled their game in front of her. It was a gamble that she could not resist, but he was it fully confident. He never once exuded anything but confidence. The wine glass was picked up once again and another sip taken as Xander pumped his brows. He was clearly being overly flirtatious for the fun of it.

”Hydrocus even killed someone that he found with the paints he thought were his once. To this day I claim that one area in which I bested him. If he knew, I am certain his mercy would have come with a price he would have demanded at some point.”

The wine was set aside once more. His eyes caught hers.

”We have your funds in control, so what next? Perhaps I could convince you to stand for an armor fitting? You really must discover pants.”

[member="Zarah Viren"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Yes I would dare strike you! Twice over with a rusty blade had I the means.” Zarah tried to settle her face back to the impervious cast of the Unfeeling Duchess, but finding it impossible in his proximity, settled with an attempt at failed distain. “Salacious yes, scandalous no! I rest assured that you could tell many a scandalous story of truth without my attempt at discovering them.”

Above all, Xander made her laugh. Zarah felt an ease in conversation no one else rewarded her with, nothing but the delight of banter and the joy of words.

“I remember! He executed the poor sod in front of us! I had no fear for my life for I have no talent for art!” Zarah launched the other pillow and laughed, ready to throttle [member="Darth Vizios"] for his part in all that. Scandalous man indeed!

“Pants! You would ask a Lady to don working attire! I should be all incensed. Leave in a huff, for a short walk past a vacuumed pier.” Despite her breeding and her staunch fulfillment of the rules of courtship, Zarah slid her forehead onto Xander’s shoulder for a mere moment, letting it sit there then pulling away. The flush to her cheeks was worthwhile, she thought, as she leaned against the further arm of the sofa and watched his face.

“You have been undoubtedly picturing me in leathers for some days, haven’t you, Xander? Far be it for me to make our Netherworld journey more difficult than it is assured... yes. I will stand for a fitting. Ah! At a proper tailor! Ah! A good one! Ah! None of this vast amounts of skin I’ve been seeing on Lady’s fashion. I am not an object. I will be fully clothed.” Some of the fashions she saw were quite scandalous indeed! So much skin! Why, Lu Sii and Zarah giggled into the night with such intimate-seeming clothing on their searches.

“Pastry? Or more wine? What can I fill your hand with to distract you from the pleasure you take in glaring fondly at me?”