Common Strength of Conviction

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum listened intently. As a robot he feared that his potential contributions to this particular conversation were limited, to put it positively. However, in an attempt to become more effective for future situations akin to this, the robot was absorbing what information he could and cross-referencing it with what he already had as knowledge.

He understood [member="Lady Kay"]'s desire for a different location. It was a political movement, Ultimatum surmised. It protected her from allegations that she had orchestrated her husband's escape. It was a situation Ultimatum had not experienced: that of a betrayal by a relative. It was a particularly heinous betrayal, as far as Ultimatum could understand. The man must have fallen quite far to betray the one he loved. The droid wondered what had motivated this sentient to become what he was; it must have been a powerful motivation indeed.

Ultimatum wondered if Kay would ever again be able to wear those rings. Would her husband ever earn the right to be with her again? These complex relations hurt his mind a little. He found it difficult to understand what could do something like this to a person. How did a bond so powerful become severed that the one became two in opposition?

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"][member="Rys'sya"] [member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Rys'sya]

The assistant nodded at her queen's request to up the ante for the fallen king's bounty. But, then she felt the condemnation of [member="Connor Harrison"] directed at her. She heard his accusation as loudly as if he actively spoke the damning words. A physical flinch as the only initial response. But, as she continued entering the data, she could feel the physical response to his silent accusations. A warm, reddening of her skin, as she began blushing in her frustration.

She knew full well she was undeserving to serve [member="Lady Kay"]. But to have someone internally accusing her of having ill intentions for the queen frustrated her immensely. She tried to not to give in to her passionate desire to respond to the man's negativity. She began gnawing on her bottom lip, as she endeavored to focus on her task at hand. The queen quickly compounded the task by asking for Olivia to meet with her later.

The reminder to increase the bounty was sent along with the missive to Olivia, before the data-pad was set upon the table and glass of tea was taken in hands. A sip was taken as she followed it with a steadying breath. Don't let him get to you. Don't let him get to you. Don't let him get to you.

[member="Ultimatum"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Adron Malvern"]​

 

[Jaster Awaud]

Jaster listened to what everyone was saying. It seemed that they could all agree that [member="Veiere Arenais"] would use their once strong relationship against the People of Commenor. He was almost ready to agree with the rooms standard. That was until he remembered what Cyril Grayson had mentioned to him years ago, that the galaxy would not have a chance if Veiere ever turned his ambitions to its conquest.

The man he served with, and someone who he held such respect for that Jaster would willingly lay down his life for. That Cyril, made a warning of the mans influence and power. So why was there not a Coup, Veiere was a loved king, and an even well respected figure within the Military. He even had allies that were from all walks of life in the galaxy. It just did not make sense to him, why did he get captured, stand in front of a judge, and then escape. Then there was that thing with Kay meeting with him for a second time without telling her advisors. There was some weird unforeseen plan that was going on that he just could not piece together, seeing the puzzle, but none of it made sense.

He decided to voice his internal investigation that was going on in his head, "Kay, what did Veiere mean when he warned out about this countries weakness, was it his warning or someone else?" This did not seem to be the motivation of a terrorist, "What was his reasoning for meeting with you if he is the enemy of your state, what is his intentions here?"

[member="Adron Malvern"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Rys'sya"] [member="Ultimatum"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay was having a difficult time with this. Yet she had come clean and still there were many questions that needed answering. Heck, she even had them herself.

She cupped her tea cup in both of her hands, tracing the rim with her thumbs. Her eyes found [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] as he spoke of some of those questions. As far as she was aware, [member="Veiere Arenais"] just made a mistake, and now he was dealing with the fallout from it. If he had wanted to take over, then he'd of tried to do so already.

"It was his warning. He's..." Kay wanted to day that he was looking out for her, that he was still the loving husband that wanted to protect her and their children. But she couldn't. The others won't understand. "...He was just letting me know that others could see our instability in the government and try to exploit it. Veiere met with me one last time to...ensure that I can handle this on my own." The fact that he could never be at her side was difficult to accept.

Politics was deadly. Some say that the Darkside was bad, but politics was much worse. It caused and stopped wars. It tore families apart and forced them together. It was ruthless. It was cunning. It was a trap that one couldn't escape from. And she hated how it controlled her life.

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Ultimatum"] [member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor shook his head and rested his hands on the table.

"The man is poison. His bunch of fanatics who call themselves Dark Jedi are nothing but parasites following his lead. Veiere has infected you and your system and until you rid him from within, you will never be free from his grasp, or that of the power he holds."

He looked at the congregation. He knew nothing of them, their motives or history, but he was saying things how HE saw them; in a very blunt, raw way through eyes that had seen the best and worse in many people. Kings, queens, governors, leaders of men – behind the façade was a beating heart and a desire for power.

"If nothing turns up in the next few days, I will go myself to find him. And any of you are welcome to join me and remind this man that his bullyish tactics will not stand in galaxy where there is little room for those wanting to set the world on fire."

Without missing a beat, he looked to the girl [member="Rys'sya"] taking notes.

"What is your view, Miraluka. You’ve been awfully quiet during all of this."

[member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Ultimatum"] | [member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay swallowed while [member="Connor Harrison"] spoke of Veiere being a poison to her. Right now she couldn't quite see it, didn't want to believe it, but she knew that he was right. Veiere had told her as much; saying that her love for him bordered Stockholm Syndrome. It looked like others saw it that way too.

She had to figure out how to break free, but that was something that she had to do on her own.

At least she had a support system.

Kay looked to [member="Adron Malvern"] , [member="Ultimatum"] and [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] as Connor suggested going after Veiere. Would any of them join him? She wasn't going to try to stop them. Doing so would be counter productive to their cause. "If any of you go after him, please be careful..."

As Connor spoke to [member="Rys'sya"] and asked her opinion, Kay placed her hand on her assistant's and spoke up first. "This is Rys'sya, my new assistant. Olivia is quite busy with the the Palace work, so I hired her to help me. She knows very little of the situation with Veiere as she's not been here long." Hopefully that explained enough of her silence.

 

[Rys'sya]

The Miraluka observed. It was her job. It was what Kay had her there for. To observe, to record what was requested, and to provide a sounding board for later thought processes for the Queen to work through in private afterwards. She hated feeling the pain that her Queen was going through over the course of this discussion, but she knew it was also the natural course of things. The severing of ties with a loved one was never an easy course. But, she knew the Queen was doing what she felt she must, especially for the sake of solidarity for her people.

But then he turned on her. The Sith-slayer turned his wrathful gaze upon the Miraluka, the venom in his voice striking her almost as tangibly as a opened palm across her face, the diminutive woman visibly flinching as he addressed her. Delicate lips parted, partially in shock, and mostly in fear, before biting down on her lower lip just as her Queen placed a comforting, reassuring hand upon her own. After the Queen spoke, the Miraluka offered a slight nod of agreement. "Her Majesty speaks accurately, Master Harrison. I know little of this situation, and as such have little of value to offer directly in this discourse. I am merely present to facilitate the processing of information gained in this meeting easier for the Queen as she proceeds." she managed to reply, keeping the tremor of fear in her voice to a minimum. The intensity of the man was almost overwhelming, though the Miraluka was unsure how much of it was his own genuine aggressiveness, or her perceived ferocity generated by the memories of others she carries from her time among the Sith.

[member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] | [member="Ultimatum"] | [member="Adron Malvern"]​