Aeternum Interlude: The Acquisitive Chuckle | Invite

[Natasi Fortan]

Hendersmith wasn't quite sure to make of this evening; it was rather chop-and-change, in his view.

Mrs. Bell had been given the night off from the kitchens, and Hendersmith had been instructed to send out a footman to collect an order from an Atrisian takeaway restaurant in the Garden District. No sooner had it been delivered to the residence -- where Her Ladyship, wearing shockingly informal clothing for a house that dressed for dinner, took it without even requesting any dishes! -- that Hendersmith was dispatched to the entry to await the presence of Dante Calgar, Her Ladyship's dinner guest. It was all quite unusual, the ancient butler thought as he stood near the door. Her Ladyship was expecting company, but had not ordered a real dinner?

And she was dressed quite incorrectly for dinner. Instead of an evening dress and a nice coiffed hairstyle, she was in casual slacks, a simple silk blouse, and a ponytail.

Unusual.

Meanwhile, Natasi was upstairs in the portion of Number 10 colloquially known as the Residence. The Grand Moff's private dining room was much smaller than the state dining room on the ground floor, but no less well-appointed, with Eau de Nile striped damask wallpaper above stark white wainscot paneling. The floors were parquet and polished to a shine, then covered with a rug the Grand Moff had purchased during a visit to Halm that matched the coloring of the walls. The table, a Galidraani antique of dark wood, was almost too small for the space, but it seated six comfortably and was more than large enough for the family. At present, it was piled with Atrisian takeaway in paper and styrofoam containers.

Natasi had never had Atrisian takeaway, though at a state function she had had the fine dining equivalent. Not knowing what was best or what her guest would like, the Grand Moff had ordered a bit of everything. The Grand Moff was in the mood for rather less formality than was normal, and she suspected that Calgar wouldn't mind. Anyway, it was better if the household believed this was a social call rather than a business matter. Calgar was an ally in the Cabinet; there was no reason to view their being chummy and sharing a meal as suspicious.

The truth would have been all too shocking.

The files were stacked on the sideboard. Natasi had requested them from the Ministry of Labour under the guise of looking for talented and dedicated individuals to offer awards. The truth was that they were potential candidates for the secret project she and Calgar had founded only days ago, as yet unnamed except in Natasi's mind as Aerternum. The files were chosen for their education, their skills, and their records. Those who were promising would be thoroughly investigated by the First Order Security Bureau to determine whether the candidate could be suitable for being approached for the project. Natasi wasn't quite sure how they would achieve that, but that was the general thrust.

Natasi opened a paper bag and found six bottles of Atrisian beer within. "Hm," she murmured to herself, then pulled them out and discarded the bag. She picked up one of the bottles and examined it. "Ah, twist-off. Thank goodness."

 

[Progflaw99]

"Ah, twist-off. Thank goodness."​

~ Natasi Fortan​

​

-​

​

"Low alcohol content."

Calgar's voice cut through the ruminations of the Grand Moff, a sly grin spreading at the sight of the nation's most powerful figure in government scrupulously picking through what looked to be a sizeable arrangement of take-away. "At least, that's what the blogs say. " Feigning what he imagined to be an accurate representation of the most prude of Dosuun High Society, he assumed an accent. "A twist off cap is a sure sign of a sub-quality beverage." All the while he'd made his way across the room, reaching out himself for one of the bottles. "Lucky for us, I'm not one for exorbitant tastes. Simple, if you will." Gripping the bottle tightly he turned it's cap, the subtle hiss of the carbonated beverage unsealing breaking the momentary pause as Dante bowed his head. "Your Excellency." He cracked a smile as his eyes flicked to the table so as to keep himself from lingering at the surprisingly casual attire of the Grand Moff. The two had been more cordial, almost to the point of camaraderie it seemed as of late but even so the stark contrast between the usual veneer of First Order pomp and circumstance was notable to the Minister.

"I hope you don't mind, me helping myself I mean." As his words come to a close he held the bottle up, trying to make out the branding on the label. "Atrisian import? That's new." With an eye scanning the table again he could make out a few dishes he was familiar with, others so exotic he couldn't even begin to guess what the base ingredient was. It beat the cafeteria food he was so oft subjected to aboard the Order's Naval vessels or the pre-packaged meals kept at the plethora of FOSB safe houses around the galaxy.

Dante too had dressed down for the occasion, a far more common practice for the Minister of Security. He found it helped him keep a lower profile while walking among the Order's citizens. That and it was innumerably more comfortable than wearing the stiff necked uniform that was so often required. A simple light blue, slim cut button down, a tie wrapped around its collar. Accompanying were a set of gray slacks and a dark pair of oxfords completed the look. "Hendersmith took my coat already." he nodded towards the entryway as he raised the bottle to his lips. As the liquid touched the tip of his tongue he cringed inwardly. Why he had thought it necessary to explain his lack of coat or blazer befuddled him. With an almost imperceptible shake of his head, Dante returned the bottle to an upright position, holding it delicately betwixt his fingertips.

"Had a hankering for Atrisian Cuisine?" a raised eyebrow inquired as he motioned towards the table.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi nearly jumped when Calgar made his presence known. She spun rapidly and, putting a hand to her chest, gave an embarrassed smile. "By the Balance, I didn't see you there," she said on a breathless chuckle. "I hope that's not the case," said the Galidraani woman as she held up the drink to examine its label. "But just in case, I do have some Gewürztraminer in the cooler. It's supposed to pair well with Atrisian cuisine -- if that's what this is," she said doubtfully. "By all means, help yourself. Actually, would you mind?" she asked, setting the bottle on the table and pushing it towards him. She turned and busied herself getting a pair of plates and utensils and bringing them back to the table.

"There's no need to stand on ceremony," Natasi said. "Call me Natasi. Do you mind if I call you Dante?"

Natasi went to the window and after a quick look out, she pulled them closed. "That's what butlers are for," she said dryly as she picked her drink off the table. "Don't tell my mother I'm drinking from a bottle. She'd turn in her grave." She pulled her seat out and sat down delicately. "To be honest, I did feel rather like I don't experience enough of what life is like for... you know. The people." Natasi frowned. "Even saying that makes me feel elitist. Do you think you can be elite without being elitist?" She took a sip of her beer and winced. "It's... not great. I don't know if that's because it's beer or if it's because it's bad beer. What do you think?"

[member="Dante Calgar"]

 

[Progflaw99]

Dante cracked an uncharacteristic smirk as he caught the bottle mid slide. "Of course - to both that is." Casually he twisted the cap off, a practiced hand managing to decap both in the process before handing it back to the Grand Moff. *To tell the Grand Moff's mother...* he mused as Natasi took a seat. Even in a casual environment she seemed up tight, as if there were an underlying stress to the woman. It would make perfect sense. Thrust into a position such as hers how would she find the time? She asked valid questions and yet he felt wholly unqualified to answer them - at least the first. Listening, he too had taken a sip of the imported beverage, though he was far from a connoisseur.

"It's not bad - though I have a disposition towards the local breweries." Taking another brief sip, he nodded. "Certainly not the worst I've had. What about this? I imagine it's quite the step away from Number 10's private kitchen." He raised an eyebrow as he took a seat diagonal of Natasi, eyes panning the room. It felt out of place. The dark wood of what he could only assume was some form of Galidraaani stock due to the grain adorned with take away. "You know, no take-away meal is complete without some form of entertainment. So what type of entertainment does Natasi Fortan, Mother of the Nation subscribe to?" He spoke with a hint of coyness but it was a genuine question. As he waited for an answer, the Moff began perusing the various dishes before hovering over one. *That'll do.* Reaching for a paper wrapped set of chopsticks he quickly cracked the two wooden pieces apart and grabbed one of the take away plates. "Personally..." he said as he began scooping some of the container's contents onto the plate. "...I recommend the General Oso's Chicken. Here, try this."

Extending the now loaded plate towards Natasi he waited. "Trust me on this one, I think you'll like it." General Oso's Chicken was by far one of lesser exotic dishes he'd seen on the table, but it was one that in his experience wouldn't sour the cuisine's reputation off the bat.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"Entertainment?" Natasi echoed skeptically, her dark eyes cutting to one side briefly. "I'm not sure I've got anything on hand -- although now that you've mentioned it, I do have a good documentary series on Ancient Coruscant saved up from the holovision. Somehow I doubt that's what you had in mind." She frowned and took another swig of her beer; she was really not at all well-versed in the art of drinking from a bottle, so the vacuum seal formed by her lips popped and splashed her lips with a spray of fizz from the beverage within. "Mm," came her muffled sound of protest as she covered her mouth with a napkin. "I don't know if I care for this. How does this compare to the local brewers you mentioned?"

She remained skeptical as he directed her to a particular dish. General Oso's chicken was unrecognizable as chicken; the bits of -- protein, Natasi conceded -- appeared to be battered and fried, masking its true provenance. It was also combined with assorted colorful vegetables and slathered in a neon orange sauce. "You'd better not be having a bit of fun with me, Calgar," she said as she took the offered carton and helped herself to a small portion of it before separating a pair of chopsticks. "I learned to use these in case the Atrisians ever invited me for dinner but it never happened, more's the pity."

"I thought we would entertain ourselves by reviewing some of these personnel files," Natasi said, gesturing towards the files piled on the sideboard. "But before we begin, it occurs to me that I never saw your personnel file. The Supreme Leader told me you were joining the government and there was nothing to be done about it, so I never looked at your file. So if I had been to review it, what would I have found?" She popped a piece of chicken into her mouth; she was pleasantly surprised that it was tender, crispy, and flavorful.

"You were right about that," she commented, indicating the dish with her chopsticks.

[member="Dante Calgar"]​

 

[Progflaw99]

"It's a bit drier than my personal taste allows - but let's be real. Given the choice between beer or no beer, I'd take the former every time." For a fraction of a second Dante considered how that might have sounded before brushing past it. "Next time I'll be sure to stop by and pick up a sixer." Reaching back towards the containers he filled his own plate with a few of the varied dishes as he listened. The Grand Moff had dodged his personal question, instead responding with a slick aside. "Ah, personnel files. I'd wager I've seen a few of those already." It was one of Dante's guilty habits, reading through files, reports, personnel files, the works in his free time.

As the conversation turned to his personnel file he fought back the instinct to frown. Dante Calgar's personnel file was anything but complete, shrouded in nearly as much mystery as the Supreme Leader himself - though to equate the two would have been tantamount to treason. Of course all the numbers added up, the i's were dotted, t's crossed. At a glance it would look relatively insignificant but it wasn't what was in the record that was strange, it was what was missing. No political background, no family among the nobility - he was more or less a ghost with an insignificant record jacket. "You want the truth I presume?" he half smiled as Natasi approved of his suggested choice of food. "Nothing impressive - commendations expected of any regular trooper I suppose. It's not what you'd find that would prove to be most interesting though I wager, but what you wouldn't find."

Dante wasn't sure how much she wanted to know - or how much he should reveal. Though the two had come leaps and bounds from their initial introduction the Moff found it difficult to trust, anyone. Advantage always said reveal nothing. "Officially, I spent my time as a trooper on Sump. I'm sure I don't need to explain what that means?" The running gag of the First Order military was that Sump was a dumping ground for the most ineffective of the most ineffective. That couldn't be farther from the truth. At its origin, Sump had been the exclusive basing location for the First Order's special forces. Dark ops. A bastardized amalgamation between the First Order Security Bureau and the most elite of the First Order's Armed Forces.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi frowned thoughtfully as she listened to Calgar, her fingers working around the chopsticks awkwardly but serviceably. She was aware of Sump's reputation as well as its true purpose. It didn't surprise Natasi to discover that Dante had been there; his middle name might as well have been "Dark Ops." As she listened to his commentary on the subject, she reached towards the pile of food and selected a carton, peeling it open to peek inside. "Egg roll?" she asked, holding the carton out to him. She helped herself to one as well.

"I understand the utility of keeping these things under wraps, believe me," said Natasi. "But I gather that the Supreme Leader didn't choose you to be Minister of Security based on the contents of your file or lack thereof. So what was it?" she asked. "Did you save his life when you were children or something? Are you married to his daughter?" The Grand Moff crunched into her egg roll. "Oh, that's nice," she observed. "I think it goes with this sauce?" She picked up a small plastic cup of a vaguely red-orange sauce and drizzled some of the sauce onto her egg roll then took another bite. "Definitely. Try this." She handed over the sauce.

"I hope you'll forgive my curiosity," she said once she had swallowed her food. "I'm always looking for insights into the Supreme Leader's state of mind, and you -- well, you've been a puzzle on that score for years."

[member="Dante Calgar"]​

 

[Progflaw99]

"That would be excellent." Carefully, he extended his plate, a half nod as Natasi obliged. As the Grand Moff continued, he nearly choked on a sip of his beverage as she pressed him for information in her own dry humor kind of way. He had known she was curious, Dante's arrival to the political stage had been abrupt. Shrouded in circumstances that didn't add up, it had been swept under the rug. The First Order had far too much to worry about to investigate an appointment by the Supreme Leader himself. "Oh gods, no." he replied. "I don't think Sieger has any natural born children, other than those Praetorians and those other hooded shadows of his." Dante chuckled.

"These remind me of a place in Cloud City - their noodles are average but their egg rolls? To die for." he said, nibbling at his own roll. "In any case, no - I presume it was much more practical than that." A sudden chill descended upon the Moff, his jawline tensing as his eyes almost seemed to cloud over. A silent moment passed before he caught himself. "I'm good at what I do. Or rather, what I did. If you don't mind me being candid - there was a time where the sureness of your hand, wasn't." Forcing a pause in the conversation, he took a long pull from the bottle before setting it down gently. In the pause that followed, he took the small sauce container from Natasi, adding a small splotch to his. After a conservative test, he nodded. "Yeah - made for each other. Definitely."

"Nothing to be forgiven, I've had the benefit of being at least one degree of separated.. so I'm afraid I've got limited insight of my own as to Sieger. Seeing as we're going to be working together for an indefinite period of time, anything I can do to allay your concerns consider it done."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]​