Compared to What?

[Natasi Fortan]

Laid across the pristine, navy blue comforter of the bed in the master suite was a scattering of shiny items, like stars in a nebula. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Talbot Vitalis picked his way through the shinies. It was a collection of jewelry that made up part of his wife's dowry, which they had collected from the safety deposit box at a large, cosmopolitan bank in the capital of Lianna. In addition to a significant credits deposit, stock certificates, and the title to a cottage on Galidraan, the jewelry was a combination of antique pieces that were passed down from Fortan generations past, and newer pieces designed and purchased for Natasi's mother Reima during her courtship and marriage to Frejrik Fortan.

He didn't need the wealth and property; he had every intention of turning it over to his wife officially in addition to effectively, but for the moment, he just enjoyed looking through the pieces. Natasi, for her part, was sitting at the dressing table nearby in the hotel suite they shared. "You're going to love old Sienar," he informed her matter of factly as he placed an elegant diamond tiara, fashioned from platinum into a diamond-encrusted branch, complete with leaves and florettes, upon his golden locks. He stood and went over to her, collecting a pair of pearl drop earrings on his way.

"I think you should wear these," said Talbot. He managed to keep a straight face as his wife turned and spotted him in his ridiculous getup -- black tie and tiara. Once Natasi informed him that one didn't wear pearl earrings with a diamond tiara, he selected a diamond pair, and she wore those instead. He could tell, as he watched Natasi put her earrings, then the tiara on, how much she relished it. In Galidraani custom, unmarried noblewomen were not entitled to wear tiaras, and Natasi was now, finally, allowed to wear one. Her smile as she pinned it in place was perhaps as happy as he had ever seen her.

"Come along, you can't gawk at yourself in the mirror all night," he said as he picked up her coat. They made their way to the shuttle that would take them to the country estate of one [member="Alec Sienar"], an old friend of his who had invited them to his home while they were on Lianna. It was an hour later that they disembarked at Sienar's summer estate, an ornate and stately home with large, manicured gardens. Natasi made appreciative noises as he guided her to the front door and rang the bell.

 

[Arage Bao]

The summer estate of the Sienar branch had little in the way of modern twist.

It was tastefully extravagant and classic in the way of aesthetic.

The exterior was all brushed stone supported by gleaming metals, water fountains and a wide swath of garden. It was through this garden that the Vitalis moved, sparingly greeted with bows by a moderate presence of gardeners and security personnel. Even at the heartland of Santhe-Sienar might there was no lack in security presence - a practiced eye, such as Talbot, would notice their discipline and their training excellence, which Santhe Security was wildly known for.

But it were the Whiteguard (sparingly scattered around the estate for additional support) that would certainly be a call-back to ancient days long since passed. After all, both of them had served as Whiteguards in their younger days, when everything had seemed so simple.

The bell rang and within the span of six breaths the Butler carefully opened the door. The Umbaran was just as splendidly dressed as the rest of the place - he bowed, was polite and after pleasantries were exchanged; your coats, my Lord, my Lady? - and then he guided them towards the solarium. A medium-sized room it had a pleasant view of the surrounding country, the blue air and the sun shining softly on the territories. The Umbaran bowed again, ensuring them that Lord Sienar would be with them shortly.

Which happened just as promised.

Only half a minute passed before his Lordship revealed himself.

Striking in all the right ways Alec cut an imposing figure. Broad shoulders, jaw set with white teeth flashing in a brilliant smile that lured out the smiles out of everyone else, eyes twinkling with bright humor and a hunger for life. "My Lord, my Lady, had I known you would clean up this well, I would have made a better effort." The smile shifted to an apology, but it was clearly in jest as his suit was anything but low-effort in the moment.

"Talbot, it's good to see you again. Are you going to introduce me to your lovely wife?"

He approached, picking his way with grace and purpose.

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Talbot had wandered with Natasi over to a side table, and were admiring a certain objet d'art when [member="Alec Sienar"] made his appearance. He half-turned, smiled, and then crossed the room to meet him. Before their hands had even met, the banter had begun. "Still buying off the rack I see," Talbot said, gently chiding his old friend as they clasped hands. Talbot squezed Alec's shoulder with his free hand, and they remained in this gentlemanly embrace for a few moments before Talbot finally let go. He took a moment before processing what Sienar had said; it was almost as if he had forgotten his wife was in the room.

"Of course. May I present my wife? Natasi Vitalis -- "

"Fortan," Natasi interjected genially as she approached the two men. She extended a gloved hand to Sienar as she came within range.

"Natasi Fortan-Vitalis," Talbot amended, ignoring a glance from his wife. "Duchess of Foxfield, Grand Moff of the First Order, rightful Lady of Herevan, love of my life and reason for my existence. Natasi, this is my old friend Alec Sienar. I think your families have been galactic neighbors for centuries. She hails from Galidraan," Talbot explained in an aside to Alec.

Natasi shook hands. "Thank you for having us to your home," she said graciously. "I was beginning to think Talbot was embarrassed to be seen with me in front of his friends. How do you do?"

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

Alec was low-key surprised about the familiarity expressed by Tal, pleasantly surprised, but there had been a reason why he hadn't immediately gone over and done their secret handshake. Years had passed and things changed in that time, people changed in that time. The last thing Sienar wanted to do was make him feel awkward in front of his wife.

But it seemed he didn't have to worry at all.

"Ah, well you know how it is, old habits die hard." He looked at their interaction and noted the quick succession of corrections between the two of them.

A younger him might have made a joke about it, but it might be a better subject with some scotch and cigars. Her hand disappeared in his and he raised it slightly, bowing to brush a soft kiss. "For Tal? This is the very least that I could do. I think I have been at Herevan once before," Alec remarked while releasing her hand once again.

"When I was younger, a beautiful ball, if I recall correctly."

He did not, in fact, remember Natasi, but back in those days Alec's head had been completely in the clouds... instead of only partially.

"If you'd follow me? Dinner should be about done in the dining room. I have made sure to prepare your favorite dish, Tal." His laugh like a chim.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi found herself somewhat amused by her husband's antics with [member="Alec Sienar"]. She had heard stories of their time together in the Tionese Whiteguard, and it was nice to put a face to the name after all this time. His apparent attendance at a ball at Herevan was somewhat surprising. The Fortans were a Big Deal™ on Galidraan due to the longevity of their line and the stability of their estate, but she wouldn't have expected to know that non-family offworlders knew of them, let alone attended their balls.

"I have many fond memories of Herevan and its balls," Natasi answered as she took her hand back. "I don't know if you'd heard, but I'm afraid it was all but destroyed in a fire some years ago. My cousin, Maximilian Jens, inherited the title and the house from my father as the closest male relative. He hasn't done much with it since the fire, but I have hopes that it will one day return to being a great house. It's just too bad that those foolhardy Jedi lay claim to the planet." She fingered her necklace -- jet beads in old Galidraani style -- and lofted her eyebrows before looking over at Sienar with an apologetic smile. "But then I forget that it's impolite to talk politics with a stranger. Mea culpa."

Natasi slipped her hand into the crook of Talbot's elbow and walked with him to follow Alec. "This isn't going to be some horrible guilty pleasure of yours, like eels, is it?" she murmured.

[member="Talbot Vitalis"] remained uncharacteristically silent, only offering a smirk in response.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

"It's quite alright." Alec responded with a polite smile. "We are Tionese, after all, it's not a secret that public sentiment has never been in the favor of the Silver Jedi."

It didn't even really have anything to do with the Silvers or their politics.

The Tionese people were haughty, arrogant and xenophobic to a fault- the only reason Alec was not that bad was because of his cosmopolitan upbringing and study at Byblos. If he had stayed here on Lianna during his formative years it might have gone differently. But no, the Silvers were foreign invaders and occupants as far as Alec was concerned.

A shrug of the shoulders. "It could be worse, I suppose, but we cannot all be graced by the stability offered by the First Order, yes?"

He gestured towards the seats, one end for Talbot and a corner for Natasi, while he found his way towards the other end.

This wasn't the Grand Dining Hall. If it had been, they would have to shout to talk to each other from one end to another. But there was enough space that they wouldn't feel like fish in a barrel. "No, no, your husband absolutely loves-" He interrupted himself with a smirk send over to Tal, before settling himself down.

"Well, you will see, I suppose."

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"My imagination is running riot," Natasi muttered as Talbot pulled her chair out. She sat and began to peel her gloves off, and Talbot muttered, "Mine, too," before he moved to sit at his prescribed seat.

He twisted his wedding band anxiously for a moment. "What could it be? Roast bantha? Pheasant?" He paused and considered his wife a moment before lowering his voice to a stage-whisper. "You haven't got my twi'lek au pair in the back, have you?"

"Oh, Talbot," Natasi admonished quietly, casting her dark eyes down and to the side as her cheeks colored slightly.

Talbot gave his friend a smirking glance before addressing Natasi. "Sorry. I'm sorry, darling. I get carried away when I'm among my old friend." He reached over and squeezed her hand, but she seemed more exasperated than offended. Talbot turned his attention back to his friend, [member="Alec Sienar"]. "I was terribly sorry to hear about your parents, old chap. I'm sorry I couldn't make it out for the services. Things with the Tion Cluster's overlords have been... touchy... and the Security Bureau didn't think it wise that we travel here during open hostilities. Are you getting along all right? Is there anything I can do to help?"

He folded his hands in his lap and looked across the table to his friend.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

The polite smile turned into a smirk once the Twi'lek was mentioned.

"Twi'leks, really? Here I remember your fascination with this Devaronian private..." A chuckle before he waved that suggestion away. "No, no, no sentient food this time around. I think that might be a bit too extravagant for a simple dinner." They weren't in Hutt Space, after all, that would be a touch too scandalous.

"Remember that jaunt on Eol Sha?" Alec shifted to Natasi to explain. "We had some time off from the Whiteguard and decided it would be a good idea to spend our vacation camping out on an inhospitable planet and try to... survive." It had been intense, messy, lots of things they had discovered about themselves. "Now at one point-" He could already see Tal's face contorting in mild embarrassment at the story.

"We ran out of food... while out scavenging we came across this huge... snail. We hunted it down, killed it and cooked it."

The smirk was now even heavier.

"Tal found out he loved it. Didn't you, Tal?" Now the plates were put on the table- Natasi had the luck to have normal food, very luxurious imported pheasant from the Colonies and other dishes. "You can thank me later."

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Talbot gritted his teeth when [member="Alec Sienar"] began his story, and his glassy eyes glanced at his wife with a smirk. "This is a good story," he murmured to her. He sometimes ached for the days of adventuring. Following his father's death, he had felt it was somewhat irresponsible to continue this lifestyle, particularly without a suitable heir. He was still young, still fit -- the best shape of his life, actually -- and he had an itch sometimes to go out there and find something to do, outside of the studies and drawing rooms and offices that contained his life now. He found married life with Natasi to be plenty satisfying, but nothing could replace the feeling of danger and excitement of being out there, hunting or stalking or discovering.

He suddenly felt rather empty; somehow he managed to keep his smile stuck on his face.

"It was the best thing I ever tasted," he confessed. "That may have had to do with the fact that we hadn't eaten in days, but to me it tasted like mother's home cooking. Not that mother ever really cooked, exactly," he added with a smirk. He laid his napkin across his lap and took an inquisitive sniff of his plate before picking up his knife and fork. He gingerly cut into his snail filet and took a bite. He swallowed and then dabbed his lips. "When he says 'huge', darling, he doesn't mean just like this." He held his hands up about half a foot square on the table. "It was about half the size of this room, and more than twice as high as I am. It took nearly an hour to find a way to kill it."

He raised his glass to Alec and took a drink. "It's not quite as good as I remember, but then perhaps my senses have been dulled with age."

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

It was still strange for him to have it like this.

Properly made food, using a fork and knife, everything according to etiquette and to a degree this chafed. It made him feel like he was trapped in a cage after being able to fly for so many years - it was an illusion of nostalgia, of course. There was nothing free about being in the army. Especially not in the Whiteguard that gave about two shets if you were a noble or not. In fact, they probably worked them harder than the Tionese regulars would have made them work.

Because the Whiteguard had been all about the meritocracy and that showed in their discipline and strength of their veterans.

Tal's glass was countered with his own, a brief smile afforded to the couple. "Well, if you want, we could starve you to death like last time?" A small, disciplined sip before he started cutting the meat and taking one small bite after another.

"I am sure that will jog your senses." His glance went back over to Natasi. "It was Talbot who figured it out in the end- what was it that you said?"

In his best imitation of Tal's voice: "Oi! It's a snail, all we need is some salt and turn it on its side!!" The laugh that came from Alec was full, free and deep with mirth. "Well, we ended up not needing the salt, but getting it off-balance gave us a chance to off it for sure."

Another salute of the glass in remembrance.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

The Duke of Foxfield thought back to his time as an officer in the Whiteguard. Things hadn't been easy, by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a good hard. He had had a purpose then, an identity of his own. It was the one biggest thing he missed since his marriage. It wasn't that he didn't care for Natasi or find her work important. But when he had originally pursued her all those years ago, she had been the daughter of an Earl. Now, she was Grand Moff of the First Order, arguably the most powerful woman in the galaxy, trusted adviser to the Supreme Leader himself. Her decisions shaped lives and worlds, could shape the history of the galaxy. And what was Talbot Vitalis? Duke of Foxfield -- now inaccessible because of mounting hostilities between the Silver Jedi and the First Order. Executive Director of the Fortan Philanthropic Foundation -- a makework job if ever there was one.

Back then, they would both stand to gain from a match. But now, it seemed like she was stooping to his level in the match. It was embarrassing and a little frustrating that people looked at the pair of them and saw Natasi Fortan and her husband -- not an equal pairing or partnership. At least in the Whiteguard he had been Captain Vitalis, and on Galidraan a respected Duke. He frowned at his snail, lifting his head only when [member="Alec Sienar"] prodded him for his story. He forced a smile. "I don't remember," he began, but fell silent when Sienar filled in the blanks. "Ah -- yes. Well, we'll know to pack salt next time we go to Eol Sha." He bowed his head over his meal and tried to push back against the mood threatening to overtake him.

Natasi, for her part, sought to more directly engage their host: "Tell me, Your Lordship, did you see a lot of combat with the Whiteguard?"

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

If there was one thing that hadn't changed it was Alec's ability to see right past veiled diplomacy and niceties.

There was something bothering Tal, but what it was exactly? Difficult to say. He didn't bring it up now- that would probably be a better avenue later, once they had retired for the night and took out some cigars and scotch, or maybe while shooting disks. Instead his attention was pulled away from his friend to his... wife. It was strange to Alec, how different this Natasi seemed to the Natasi they knew from the HoloNet. Gone was the imperial nature of her expression, the regale stance of her shoulders and the slight downturn of her lip.

The impersonal was gone and in its place was... difficult to express. Less dominating, less in control- which made Alec wonder: which Natasi was the true one?

"Yes." Alec confirmed it with a nod, before thinking back to those days. "We enlisted at a less than... fortune time, so to speak, right Tal? The Empire had fallen, the Sith diaspora spread and it seemed that every planet had their own designated Sith 'Warlord' mucking about the place." This was not to say that Alec disliked the Sith. He just simply knew where his supposed 'place' was within their hierarchy. At the very bottom with the rest of the normals.

If you weren't Sith, you might as well be a shoe-cleaner.

"Every so often one of them would try to expand their dominion at the expanse of Tion, every time our units were send to deal with it." There was more to it than that, of course. But that was as much Alec could say without disclosing compromising information.

Suffice it to say they hadn't been there as a regular army company.

Clandestine operators all the way.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi glanced sidelong at her husband for a few moments, dark eyes thoughtful. The moment passed when [member="Alec Sienar"] answered her question; she turned her attention back to him, eyes interested, face impassive. "The Sith never met a planet they didn't think of as their birthright, or a people they didn't think of as their slaves," she quipped. "Although, before the One Sith, a Sith Empire held Galidraan that I thought could have made it work. You are familiar, I presume, with Emperor Ardik?" she asked. She paused for a reply, picking up her wine glass and taking a delicate sip. She straightened her shoulders as she set it down again, crossing her ankles primly beneath the table.

"I suppose everything happens for a reason, and the Balance moves in mysterious ways, its wonders to perform. If Ardik's empire hadn't crumbled, if the traitor Shorn hadn't turned and broke Ardik's throne, Galidraan might be in the Empire where it belongs." She half-smiled, remembering those days. She had been young, naive, easily influenced and -- she thought -- irrevocably devoted to Ardik, professionally and personally. It wouldn't do to bring it up now that she was happily (more or less) married. Ardik, one of the great loves of Natasi Fortan's life, and her first taste of rejection, though not her last. She gave a wistful sight. "Perhaps it is all for the best," she murmured, almost to herself. "Without the broken throne, would I have been free to find my true calling at the right hand of the Supreme Leader?"

She cleared her throat, flushing somewhat. "I am sorry, Your Lordship," Natasi said pleasantly. "I find myself, in surroundings such as these, enjoying the hospitality of an old and great house, waxing nostalgic for the old days."

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

That was something they could truly agree to.

"Emperor Ardik was a breath of fresh air, indeed, my father had high hopes for him." Alec agreed after a beat of silence. The consideration of what could have been had Ardik survived the coup attempt and actually pushed it off were intoxicating. A strong empire build on the very foundation of law and order- no nonsense with slavery and other filth that corrupted the very fabric of their society, the corporations supporting the Empire as one and the economy flourishing....

Ah, the things that could have been.

Perhaps his father would even be alive, if that had been the case. "It is quite alright, my Lady, sometimes I also get nostalgic for the... old days, they shine the brighter the farther we travel from them."

But perhaps there were other opportunities these days.

With the defeat of the Alliance at Hoth? The First Order seemed in the prime position to take control over its own destiny, ensure that its legacy would remain for years to come.

Lawful.

"Tell me of the First Order, if it is not a bother?"

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi took another bite of her pheasant as [member="Alec Sienar"] responded. It was really quite good, and pheasant was hard to get right. It could be filled with buckshot from the hunt, but Natasi didn't even notice so much as a discoloration in the meat. She set her fork down and leaned back in her seat, resting her hands in her lap as she looked across the table at Sienar. She paused for a moment. If it is not a bother. "My Lord, I don't know if you are encountered by this particular brand of person, but perhaps you're familiar with the proud parent who, at the slightest provocation, will unfold a bunch of photos from his wallet or her handbag and walk you through the minute details of the child's life?" She paused a moment. "Not being a mother myself -- not yet, anyway," she said with an indulgent glance at her husband, "I can say that those people have nothing on me when asked about the First Order. It is my child as much as anything in my life."

Her chin tilted up and she looked up thoughtfully. "I like to think that the First Order pursues the ideals of Ardik's Empire under the banner of the wise and powerful Supreme Leader Sieger Ren. At least, I have tried to achieve it. Past empires have had their troubles, but the First Order was founded on the principle of order and justice. We do not suffer from the excesses and infighting of the traditional Sith, who view people as mere pawns for their power struggles. We do not suffer from the petty squabbles and inherent corruption of democracies, where those in power use the people as piggy-banks, currying their favor and buying their votes with money from the national treasury."

Natasi was nearly glowing now, clearly proud of her Empire and her achievements in building it. "I have incorporated much of the culture I learned here in our great Tionese cluster into the First Order. Honor. Service. Leadership. The concept of noblesse oblige. Privilege must not come alone; it must be coupled with good works and service. Wealth and power are nothing without these. These are the principles upon which I have based my government and I hope it has been systemic." The Grand Moff -- feeling and looking very grand in this, her element -- smiled serenely. "Did you want to know something more specific? I have hours more generalized propaganda if that's what you're after."

She pretended not to hear her husband snort softly.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

It was a strange thing.

To listen her speak of the First Order as if it was her Empire, whereas in truth she was simply a representative of this... Sieger Ren. If this Supreme Leader decided to remove her from power was there anything that she could do against it? But perhaps Natasi had already considered this fact, after all, she seemed quite the intelligent woman. During her gushing Alec found Talbot's eye, inclining his head ever so slightly in a token sign of appreciation, before returning his attention to her as she finished.

"That is quite impressive." Alec admitted before shrugging lightly. "There are plenty of things that I'd be interested in, but I can't help but wonder first-"

The question might be taken in bad taste, but Alec was a nobleman. A man forged by Tionese superiority and arrogance... he firmly believed that there were no questions he couldn't ask, if he wanted to voice them out loud.

"This Supreme Leader... Sieger Ren." A quick glance to ensure he had said the name correctly. "He is one of them, is he not? A... user of the Force?"

"He does not suffer from the same issues we have come to expect from the Sith? The Jedi?"

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"No indeed," Natasi responded, dark eyes flashing with something -- humor at explaining the Supreme Leader to an outsider? annoyance at being questioned? maybe a combination of both? She brushed her lips with her index finger as she thumbed her chin, and looked up at their host. "He is powerful in the Force. As an Equilibriate, it is something I've had trouble with. But the Supreme Leader doesn't use the Force to amass power, like others. He uses his gift to divine wisdom, to inspire justice." The Grand Moff played with her napkin in her lap, fingers knotting it and unknotting it under the table.

"He doesn't suffer from the blind, destructive ambition of the Sith because he is not Sith. He sees the galaxy for what it is -- trillions of people on thousands of worlds, suffering in chaos and darkness and injustice. He doesn't see people as pawns and objects and cannon fodder like Sith. And he doesn't see the entire galaxy as his domain to be policed and interfered with and meddled with like the Jedi," she added, her lip curling with a sneer of disdain for the Jedi.

"In many ways," she concluded. "He often seems to me to be the adult in a galaxy-sized room full of children, blinded by their own ambition or self-righteousness to responsibly govern the people they rule." Natasi canted her head to one side. "I might be slightly biased, but if I am, it is only slightly. He is a remarkable man."

[member="Alec Sienar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

"In many ways," she concluded. "He often seems to me to be the adult in a galaxy-sized room full of children, blinded by their own ambition or self-righteousness to responsibly govern the people they rule."

It reminded Alec of a quote his father used to repeat over and over again in the past: "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

Sienar couldn't rightly remember where his father had taken it from. A book, or a play or something similar, but exactly those words describing the Supreme Lord made him think of that.

For a moment, at least, he wondered if he would have approved of his current intentions. But then Alec reminded himself that his father was dead and that his supposed wisdom hadn't amounted to anything. Sometimes powerful men had to take charge, guided by a strict code of moral and the willingness to do better in a Galaxy filled with strife and chaos.

"He sounds very impressive, my Lady." Alec agreed with a soft inclination of the head. "I ask all of this, because I have been considering expanding my business in that direction."

That seemed to get Tal's attention, a ghost of a hopeful smile before the curious lift of a brow replaced it.

"Yes, Tal, that does mean we will be seeing each other more often."

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Tal had been quiet; he knew better than to interrupt Natasi whens he was speaking about the Supreme Leader. But he did perk up when he heard that Sienar was planning to expand his business towards the First Order. "Positively spiffing," he declared with a grin (after swallowing a bite of snail with much difficulty). "I'm told the First Order is quite friendly to businesses that want to turn a profit in their space," he mused aloud to his friend. "Although I wouldn't know myself; my business isn't designed to turn a profit. But this does mean I can try to shake you down for donations to the cause. And I'll be able to wine and dine you directors and call it a business expense." He chuckled and took another drink of his water to wash down the snail.

Meanwhile, Natasi chimed in: "We have been working closely with a new Executive at Sienar-Jaemus Fleet Systems. I'm aware of your connection to Santhe Corporation, and naturally your name being Sienar implies a connection to Sienar-Jaemus, but are you familiar with Aurelia Volcata? She's quite the operator, if you listen to the gossip -- which I always do. Do you know her?"

[member="Alec Sienar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

Grin grew wider once he noticed the uptick in enthusiasm from Tal.

Not a surprise, Alec had already gathered that there were some tensions here and there. It wouldn't surprise him if his old friend didn't have much in the way of real social engagement back in the First Order. Not while being the husband to the Grand Moff anyway. That wasn't the kind of environment that fostered true friendships. Not when everyone wanted something and getting that was all the easier if you had an in or two with the husband of the shot-caller.

"I will be sure to forget warning my fellow board members, so you can shake them down a bit here and there." A snort. "At least for the first few weeks, until they catch up themselves."

His attention shifted once more to Natasi, inclining his head.

"Not personally, no, but we get steady reports from her department and we have been impressed with what we have read. It's one of the reasons we have been seriously considering this expansion."