Awkward Arkas Assembly

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira made her way into the water, not bothering to step gingerly in to the cool tropical waters, until she was waist deep when she was struck my a small wave. Elpsis wasn't cruel and didn't hit her with a tidal wave by any means, just enough to knock the distracted redhead down in the tide. Laira came up sputtered, but otherwise unharmed and smiling, trying to think of how to retaliate when Elpsis pounced, diving upon the redhead and planting a kiss on her lips.

The princess hardly minded this particular prank, wrapping her arms around the blind witch's hips with a strong grip on Elpsis, letting the water help them both just float in the shallows. She still needed to retaliate but Laira was having some trouble concentrating or thinking of anything original for the moment. After a moment she pulled her lips away from Elpsis, "Hey, no fair." She put on a very fake pout, sticking her lower lip out, "You got me at a disadvantage, hun. You can't see me, so its harder to distract you."

[member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"]
[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"] [member="Laira Darkhold"]
Tegaea did not make light of her wife’s words. She knew just how serious Siobhan was, and also how dangerous her expedition was.
“I love you too, Siobhan, more than I can describe or understand. You are so important to me, more important than anyone or anything else in the galaxy. I’ll come back, I promise. I’d never put you though that pain.”
Some tears fell from her eyes and she sniffed, accepting the kiss and holding her wife close.

Of course nature…and this writer…decided things had gotten too dramatic. A wave coming in suddenly surged up and splashed them with cool water.
Tegaea laughed. “Just as well we have our swimmers on!”

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laira Darkhold"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Elpsis grinned. It seemed her earlier depressive, melancholic mood had been washed away. For now at any rate. "Oh, come on. Give yourself some credit, sugar," she said, before grabbing ahold of Laira's butt. "You can be real distracting on your own. Lemme show ya how much," having said that she stole another kiss from the Ranger, slipping her tongue into her mouth.


xxx


Siobhan smiled, touched by her wife's words. Beneath all her arrogance and capriciousness, Siobhan did care. About certain people at any rate. "Good. I'm holding you to that. Because you really mean...," whatever emotional stuff Siobhan wanted to say were literally pushed away by th wave that surged up and splashed them with cool water.


Siobhan looked a bit grumpy at first. She'd been about to say something meaningful, profound and melodramatic! Then she laughed as well. "And now we're all wet. Want to get warmed up?" she asked most cornily because if Siobhan was not being dramatic or bitchy, she was using lines as corny as a maize field. "Not on the sand though. It gets everywhere," she added.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira wasn't in the debating mood, but she did let out a little yelp of surprise as Elpsis pounced and grabbed her, even though she had a similar hold on the other redhead. After what felt like forever, Elpsis took a breath long enough for Laira to manage a few words. "Alright, you have me convinced." She muttered, sputtered salt water out of her mouth as she sat in the shallows with the blind witch she was tangled up with.

Never one to take long breaks, Laira set into kissing Elpsis and trying to take control from the eager redhead and lead the pair towards getting hot and heavy in the tropical waters and on the white sand beach by kissing the woman herself, pouring burning passion into each of her movements.

She was still a kid, not really willing to be responsible yet. It seemed to be the way of teens, always too eager to look before leaping and always slow to grow and progress in a galaxy that required them to face death and suffering long before they were introduced to heartache and love.

[member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"] [member="Laira Darkhold"]

Tegaea was both disappointed and pleased when the wave splashed them. Disappointed because she did enjoy her wife telling her how much she meant – who wouldn’t! Pleased because it was all getting a bit sappy for her…and she didn’t like her wife getting as maudlin. Better to keep mind on more pleasant topics.

Like…warming up.

“Yes, no sand. I think she should head back and get warmed up in the shower, maybe Harmony can assist.”

They had a soundproofed room and everything. What for? Totally PG-13 things, this writer assures any kiddies who might be reading.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Laira Darkhold"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Verily, Harmony had manifold skills. These included an aptitude for full-body massages and being good with her tongue. By that we obviously mean that she was good at...licking envelopes for all the diplomatic correspondence the CEO of a megacorporation had to undertake, dear kiddos.


Anyhow, Siobhan grinned and took her wife by the arm. Off they went to the soundproofed room to enjoy wholesome, adult activities behind the convenient fade to black curtain. Heaven forbid that two women express their love in something other than handholding, hugs and chaste kisses. The mere sight of a bare nipple would scar the kiddies for life.


xxx


Meanwhile, things were heating up on the beach. Unlike her adoptive parents, Elpsis seemed to have less issues with sand slipping into unmentionable places. Or maybe she was feeling to passionate at the moment to give thought to such matters.


Laira took the lead, unleashing a heated barrage of kisses. Elpsis matched her burning passion stroke for stroke, kissing her heatedly and grabbing her shirt while pressing her body against her. Siobhan would have been more dominant, but Elpsis liked being led, so she yielded, surrendering to her lover. Doubtless the fire stoked inside intensified those of Laira.


At this moment, all her worries and insecurities had faded away, and so she just enjoyed the moments of bliss with a girl she cared about deeply. The scene faded to black as the two enjoyed each other in the tropical waters. Presumably it would lift again after a time skip. Just in time for dinner. Presumably everyone would be wearing clothes again then.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

After an indeterminate amount of time, Laira was sitting in a chair pulling on socks after having taken a shower to wash off all the sand and saltwater. Her hair was pulled into a single pony tail. The redhead had considered formal wear, a long elegant dress hung in her closet somewhere, with green and gold embroidery, however she had eventually settled on simple spacer's wear. Trousers, button down shirt, and a vest that she liked.

Laira sighed deeply as she finished and started looking for boots. She had the list of people from RESINT, all with suitable criminal backgrounds. Captain Kira Ul probably wouldn't have been someone Firemane would like to have along, even if most of her criminal background was reported on Sith Worlds. The others weren't so bad, just a few former Stormtroopers and Galactic Alliance Guards, a trio of scientists, and a Givin Navigator. The scientists included a Falleen female named Geva had a doctorate in Xenoanthropology, an Iyra Xenobiologist and Medical specialist whose name she couldn't pronounce, and a human male Geologist called Niko Vermal, all excellent resources to have along from the Resistance.

This probably wasn't going to go well. Who would take a look at this list and just nod, fifteen of them were revolutionaries from the Tingel Arm and Wild Space. The others all held doctorates, some more than one in the case of the Iyra and Givin, and her. She sighed once more and shrugged, she'd been the one to suggest sending everyone's actual identities.

There was that, and knowing that they reflected on her, at least to Elpsis and her parents. Hardly the company a princess should keep, and hardly what someone as cold as Siobhan would enjoy having around her wife and children.

Laira stood with the datapad, slipping it into a pocket in her vest as she found shoes and started towards the dining room. She had feelings for Elpsis, and so far so good as far as Elpsis reciprocating them, but Laira needed to pull back some, to control herself or she'd end up hurting the blind woman and herself in the process. Everyone else she had flown with ended up dead, it was only a matter of time until that fate found Elpsis.

[member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"]
[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori"] [member="Laira Darkhold"]

Time passed, and as the sun started to go down over the villa a gong was rung to indicate that dinner was ready. Because it was a big villa with many rooms, a chime in each room helpfully announced it as well.

Tegaea, now clothed in a red and gold dress, was waiting with her wife at the table for their guest to join them. Since it was only the four of them she’d decided not to use the formal dining room where she could seat twenty comfortably.

Harmony and an Eldorai girl would be there to lead Elpsis and Laira to their seats and present them with menus. There were a selection of items available on the menu, mostly using the local resources.

“Did you have a good afternoon? Enjoy the grounds?” Tegaea asked with a smile. She’d certainly had a good afternoon and so was feeling in a happy mood.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Laira Darkhold"]


After spending a delightful afternoon with her wife, Siobhan's mood had improved. However, it was still a formal occasion for her, which was reflected in her choice of attire. Speaking of fashion, her slender frame was clothed in a formal black dress that fell down to her ankles, but left her scarred arms bare. A few embellishments had been added to her outfit: namely golden earrings and a necklace, along with a platinum and onyx bracelet and ring. Her flaming red hair was done up, contrasting with the dark fabric of her dress.


"We did, yeah. Explored the ocean a bit. Had fun. You look...great, Mum. You too, Mother," Elpsis said cheerfully taking a seat. Hopefully Laira would take a seat next to her, as opposed to on her lap. She did not want Siobhan to get cross. Well, more cross than she was anyway.


"Thank you, Elpsis," Siobhan responded after a moment, glancing at the menu. Elpsis' was written in braille due to her blindness. This irked the Firemane matriarch. Far as she was concerned, the silly girl should stop being childish and get some proper eye replacements. Perhaps she was so arrogant to think that she was too good for that. She'd be forced to see reason the moment she ran into an opponent who used a ysalamiri or Voidstone.


"I will assign Leonina Varkathras to supervise you on the expedition. She is a battle-hardened Force Mistress with tactical command experience, so I expect you to follow her instructions," she told Elpsis. The girl could show some maturity and accept it, or sulk. She turned her gaze towards Laira. "Pick what you like from the menu. I presume you've thought about who you'd like to take along on the trip?"

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Laira had quickly discovered she was the least dressed up person, wearing only simple spacer's clothing compared to the two matriarchs elegant formal dresses. So much for attempting to appear modest.

Regardless, the princess put on a confident smile and kept her composure. Just because she was comfortable didn't mean she didn't compare to the rest of the party. She took her seat alongside Elpsis and managed to keep the public display of affection to a minimum, just a simple squeeze of the blind girl's shoulder as she sat down. "Yes, very much. You have such a lovely home here." The menu seemed rather expansive, clearly the hosts kept a chef with a few assistants in the kitchen for occasions like this. Laira settled on a steak with mixed greens fairly quickly as she placed the menu back on the table.

"Oh, yes. I messaged my superiors and they sent a list of nineteen people to assist." Carefully she removed the datapad in her pocket and slid it across the table. "Um, just to clarify, some of the people's backgrounds are exaggerated given the state of galactic affairs. Captain Kira Ul will be commanding the team if Firemane will have her along." Military Background, several years as a revolutionary against the Sith Empire and Resurgent Empire, a long list of what they called terrorist activities associated with her and her aliases. "I've not had the pleasure of working with her before, but she's who they want to send to oversee."

Of the rest, only a few should draw attention. The four that were listed as AWOL Death Troopers from the Galactic Empire, including one of the officers, Lieutenant Stalgis, and the rest of the Critical Skills Operators on the team were built from Galactic Alliance Guards. Normally Laira would have considered the fourteeen man assault team overkill, but given that the Firemane explorers would be packing full companies of troops, fourteen didn't sound so bad to her.

"The sent a list of equipment they'd like to have aboard as well, a pair of Recon X-Wings, an U-Wing, a few speeder bikes. Nothing extraordinary vehicle wise, I didn't have time to collect a full manifest of what equipment they'd be using." Which was likely a good thing, given the list of people the amount of explosives they'd like to have was probably expansive.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Laira Darkhold"]

“Thank you, Elpsis!” Tegaea said. She didn’t point out that taking fashion compliments from her blind daughter wasn’t the highest praise. It was the thought which counted though!

“Leonina is a very skilled woman. Her advice will be invaluable,” Tegaea replied. She rather liked the Cathar.

Tegaea next considered the list of people which was passed to her. Looking it over she managed to conceal a pursing of the lips, her usual sign she disapproved of something. Firemane was a corporation and did have dealings with many from current and fallen empires. Many of this crew though looked like waifs and strays from all over the map.

“I will need to consider the list with Siobhan. The equipment will be no problem however for those we approve.”

The starters arrived. For Tegaea that was a purple soup, Saanberry. This fruit from Kaeshana was something of a delicacy now it was gravely endangered by asteroids, fascists and long growing times.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Shopping was awkward for Elpsis because she could not distinguish colours or tell whether something look good on her. It had led to embarrassing situations. Sometimes Tegaea let her use her eyes, so to speak. This could lead to funny situations because Mum liked her in girly stuff, but Elpsis didn't.


"Oh, ok. Cool. She knows her stuff," Elpsis responded. She figured that Siobhan had been expecting her to sulk. Perhaps even hoped she would. "Can I take Lin Brakka with me? She's a Sergeant. Firemane Specops. She's quite tough."


Siobhan gave her a curt nod. "I can spare her," reaching out, she took the offered datapad and scanned the list. "A colorful collection of associates, Laira," she commented. Her tone made it difficult to discern whether she this was a good or a bad thing. "We have an insurgent, former fascist stormtroopers from the First Order's sulky roommate who made a face turn heel and GA minions," she glanced towards Tegs. "That Ul woman reminds me of Cora." Hopefully with less baggage and more reliable, she thought to herself. The woman's background as a rebel/terrorist was not a problem for Siobhan. Breaking the laws of a totalitarian empire and blowing up fascists was meritorious in her books. Firemane employed its share of shady characters. What concerned her was reliability and discipline. The trouble with insurgents was that you could never be sure that they might not one day turn their guns on you.


"At least they look like people who can handle themselves in a fight and won't belly-ache when things get violent. Tegs and I will review the list, then inform you which of them seem suitable. They will have to be vetted by our security service before the expedition starts."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Thank you miss Kerrigan." Laira said in response. Part of her wanted to distance herself from the list with remarks about how she didn't pick them or how she'd never met them before, but that just seemed like it would only make matters worse. For whatever reason the Resistance had decided to place that list of their operatives on this exploration mission. Maybe they knew something she didn't and weren't in the sharing mood. Or, perhaps they had plans for this mission that didn't involve a whole lot of exploration.

"I'm sure they'll be model crew once aboard and underway." The redhead had no idea about them, but reassuring comments might help all things considered.

Wryly, Laira turned her head and address Elpsis with a smile and some honey in her voice, "Oh, bringing along a side chick or two?" The princess was trying her best to be jovial, though if that were the case it would sting Laira's self-esteem a little. "That's alright, I think they want me to do some light recon while we are around. Not quite sure yet what all they'll have me doing." Hopefully there would be plenty of time to spend with Elpsis that wasn't just running off to find some privacy, Laira was a romantic at heart and preferred relationships when given the chance.

She began tasting the potato-based soup placed before her, "Mmmhmm, very good."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Laira Darkhold"]

Verily, great had been the spat when Elpsis discovered she’d purchased a cute pink dress with flowers on it. On the plus side the ashes had been good for the garden, on the minus side it had been a rather expensive dress!

Tegaea said no more about the list. They’d review it, and probably discount a couple of them. The key point was that the people had proven loyalty to Laira or her family. Loyalty was everything, especially in a case where betrayal could get one killed.

She did note Laira’s comment about side-chicks. It reinforced to her that the Princess clearly had more relationship feelings for Elpsis than the other way around. She hoped it would not be a problem.

“The more the merrier, as I often say,” she said, just to stir the pot a little. She’d be bringing along side-chicks for herself!

Now the main courses came, laid out before them and she tucked in to her steak.

“So Laira, I don’t know your parents too well, or Alderaan’s system too well. Is the monarchy hereditary, or electoral? I know at times in the past it’s been both or a mix.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Laira Darkhold"]


"She's straight, actually," Elpsis replied. It was hard to forget in Firemane that such women existed. "I'm bringing her along because she's good at what she does. Learned a few things from her. I'll see if Nyssa wants to come along, too." She and Nyssa were total besties ever since Elpsis had blown up her hand and [member="Maiev"] had locked her in a box.

"The Sith," Siobhan said scathingly.

"Don't be racist, mother. She's a member of the Sith species, not the cult. You two should actually get on. She keeps telling me the same things you do."

"Clear it with Tegs," Siobhan retorted irritably. Speaking of her wife, she turned to her. "I have an addition to your personal escort of side-chicks. Young Twi'lek lady. She's quite talented. I'm sure you'll enjoy her company," she said, stroking her wife's shoulder a bit. Then she proceeded to focus on her steak.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Its a little of both. Traditionally its a hereditary position but the heir is accepted or appointed by the Council after proving their worthiness." Laira smiled at Tegaea, she wasn't actually the heir yet, having yet to complete her Day of Demand. That tradition had been brought back after the One Sith occupation years ago, and had only recently been brought back. "The heir intended undertakes a series of trials that the Council deems appropriate and upon completion they are crowned as the Crown Princess or Prince. In that way, the Nobility has at least some say over their ruler." Sometimes that was tiresome, the nobility always seeking favor or demanding her to pay them lip service to secure their assistance.

"My own Day of Demand isn't all that far off, but I'm hoping to spend a little more time out in the galaxy before I have to settle down." That was what drove Laira's adventurous spirit, knowing that eventually she wouldn't be able to. She would have responsibilities that bound her to Alderaan and kept her from going to every far off star and visiting alien planets.

Laira shuffled in her chair a little, digging into her meal, waiting for the next question or remark about her. She had dealt with this type for years, House Alde and House Panteer both had wanted to court their male heirs and she'd met the parents on a few occasions. Nobles had a knack for finding insecurities and pecking at them in an effort to see more of a potential rival or ally.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
“I’ll review the file for Nyssa,” Tegaea promised. She admitted to herself that she found it hard to believe that a Sith species was not the same as Sith cultist. They weren’t one and the same, it was just that 99% of them were! Having said that, there were a lot of the formerly extinct Sith emerging from the woodwork.

“Oh? A Twi’lek, you say? Tell me more!” she said, interested. Lekku were very pretty after all, though she didn’t go gaga for them like a certain renegade Jedi did….

Switching back to Laira, she nodded. “That sounds a much more beneficial and reasonable system for a monarchy. I cannot abide a system of government which treats the cosmic accident of birth as the first, last and only requirement for rulership,” she said with a bit of passion.

“Provided the Council actually has influence and are not merely rubber stamping the heir apparent, I think it’s a useful way of ensuring the family line continues, but also making sure they are not a blithering idiot.”

Suffice to say, Tegaea would rather cut off her own arm than bow to some monarch whose only quality was luck in who they were born to.

“Do you have other siblings, Laira? What happens if there is no heir?” She was intrigued with the system.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Laira Darkhold"]


"She's very pretty, comely and has a tight butt and is a great dancer. Very dedicated. Acrobatic. Great on a pole. I believe you'll enjoy her company," Siobhan drawled, enjoying herself. That was all there was to said Twi'lek. Not a chance that she was also a ruthless Dark Force-User. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, and Siobhan did not trust Elpsis to do her job.

Tegs' little speech on government caused Elpsis to giggle a bit. "Mum has strong feelings on this," she needlessly informed Laira. "I mean, it's better when people have actual input, instead of leaving ruling to someone just because they were born with a golden spoon in their mouths. Or have Force powers," she added a bit pointedly.

"Provided it does not degenerate into chaos like the Republic, where anyone got voted in if he had enough money to bribe the sheep and yelled loud enough," Siobhan said cynically. "Democracy may work on the local level, but not beyond that. Most people are uninformed, ignorant and just vote for whoever the media tells them to. People have short memories and are eager to heap scorn on those they cheered yesterday. Hierarchy is needed. It just needs to open enough to reward merit as opposed to birth or inherited wealth."

"The Republic wasn't a democracy, mother. Just look at all the aristos and plutocrats in the senate. They got their seats because they bought them or were born into them. The average guy on the street got no say," Elpsis pointed out.

"Which proves my point. It was part federal oligarchy, part Jedi theocracy, masquerading as democracy. With all three's worst traits. Its leaders included a warmongering fool, a Jedi hippie and a would-be Selectivist dictator." Hey, at least she wasn't calling Elpsis stupid. Such progress.

Elpsis turned back to Laira. "What does this Day of Demand thing usually involve?"

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Well, in all honesty heirs have been appointed by rubber stamp and by actual proving themselves. Depends on the Council really. As far as if there is no heir, the Council can appoint an heir from any of the Great Houses. There have been Kings and Queens from Ulgo and Panteer in the past, Organa has only been the most well known rulers in the past several centuries." Laira shrugged, there was always a few nobles who wanted their child to rule instead of whomever. "Basically, the children of the current monarch only gets first crack at it."

Laira listened to the tales about the Twi'lek, not ashamed to think that she was probably just as good a dancer, but remained quiet about all that for now. There was a time and place to boast her own exotic talents and this wasn't the best one until talk of her impending doom on the throne was over at least. "Well, trials of the Heart, Mind, and Body are tradition declared by the intended Heir. The council then decides whether the trials are good enough and if they are, the Heir must complete them before their next Name Day which gives them a year. Back in the old days, they had to fight their way into the Council Chambers to declare themselves, something I have been considering returning to the custom." She smiled, quite proud of herself for that little bit, since she was a warrior first and a noble second as far as the redhead was concerned. It wouldn't be enough for everyone of the Noble Houses, but since Alde was close allies and her recent not-quite-official betrothal to Caleb Panteer, it wasn't far fetched that she felt the need to prove herself, if not to the Council then to herself.

"Elpsis, did you know I'm a trained dancer?" Laira asked, more than happy to take the subject off her Day of Demand and government leadership that she was admittedly unprepared for. "I was mentored by a few Zeltron in a few exotic styles. I'm not so shabby on the pole either, just so you know." Something for her redheaded friend to look forward to perhaps.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]
[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Laira Darkhold"]

Some people would be puzzled or even a little hurt when their wife described another woman as such and sent her along as a prize animal. Tegaea was not one of them.
“I look forward to seeing what she can do,” she said with a little smile. “Perhaps she and Laira can compete on poles for our entertainment?” she added, mainly to lightly troll the younger couple.

“One must consider the will of the subjects,” Tegaea said, “but it is important not to be bound to every whim. People singularly and collectively are usually very short-sighted and easily led. They will support any leader, any tyrant who cares for their issues, rides their hobby horse, panders to their interests. It’s important for people to govern themselves at a local level, but above that needs to be a leadership which can direct matters free of interference.”
Hence the Protectorate. She had written that constitution after all.

“Do you know what trials you will be completing? Heart, Mind and Body sound good, but what do they involve? Hopefully it’s not anything too silly.”