Compared to What?

[Natasi Fortan]

Talbot went back to his snail as Natasi promised to put [member="Alec Sienar"] in touch with the appropriate ministries and departments for, indeed, any friend of her husband's was a friend of hers -- and besides, the Santhe Corp didn't need to be vetted. Natasi's professional appetite was whetted; Santhe was a large and respected name in business, so achieving access to its production standards would be a boon for the First Order -- not unlike Natasi's negotiations with regard to Iron Crown Enterprises, and she referenced as much in her mini-pitch to Sienar. The two great entities could help one another grow.

The Duke of Foxfield noticed something in Natasi's eyes in a quiet moment; sadness, perhaps, or regret? Her eyes were unfocused as she listened to the tabletalk, but soon she regained herself. They didn't speak about it at dinner or after; Talbot didn't know if he wanted to know what was behind his wife's sudden loss of color.

The next afternoon, as Natasi joined with Alec's niece on a tour of the manor and gardens -- including much gossip about Tion, which Natasi was eager to catch up on after years offworld -- Talbot and Alec indulged in a bit of country sport. Alec had been kind enough to organize stalking. Talbot looked quite the country gentleman in tall boots, tweeds, and a newsboy cap as he entered the hunting armory. "Is the stock here good? I imagine you needn't compete with neighboring estates, given who you are. What is it exactly we'll be stalking, anyway?" he asked Alec as he picked up an old-fashioned projectile rifle. "Bloody gorgeous guns, I say," he muttered. "Antiques, I'd wager? Are you sure they're all right to fire?"

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

"No, we got the forests for ourselves for the most part. We allow certain people to come here and hunt for sport or game, but those are close-family friends, important business partners or other Tionese nobility to boot." He saw the look on Tal's face and Alec couldn't help but chuckle, as his hands brushed wood decoration while picking out a rifle for himself. "You know how it is here, keep up appearances, keep people happy and on your good side."

He shrugged.

"Don't matter what you really think of them." Practiced eye looked over a set of rifles, they had a B'sant finish and the crimson copper had brilliant carvings of a flock of sparrows racing down its side. "Our prey is a surprise for now."

There was that mischievous glint in his eyes that his old friend would recognise from a long time ago. It seemed that this hadn't changed after all these years. "When have I ever led you astray?" He chuckled while remembering a couple of times. "That brothel on Muunilinst didn't count. How was I supposed to know there would be only Muuns there?"

He shook his head in mock surprise. "That close to the Empire's garrison and no near-humans? A disgrace I will tell you. But yes, the guns are in perfect condition, we make sure to test them regularly so we don't get any surprises."

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Talbot studied the weapons appreciatively. "It's the same on Galidraan. Or, it was," he said with a wistful glance at his friend. "Since I married the Grand Moff of the First Order, I'm not sure how welcome I will be on my homeworld. Hopefully that will soon cease to be a problem," he added, adopting a faraway look in his eye as he imagined his homeworld liberated from the theocratic lunacy of the Silver Jedi Order. "I've left Foxfield in the sound and steady hands of Saxton. He's a stout chap, he'll see things are taken care of properly, I hope. Perhaps one day soon we'll go hunting on my estate." He gave the rifle's stock a pleasant buff with his sleeve before turning his full attention back to his friend.

"You know what they say about Imperials." He glanced over his shoulder, as if checking that his wife was not lurking. "It's always the straightest-laced of the bunch that are the most... how do I put it?" He stroked his jaw thoughtfully. "Salacious? But it was such a shock that they didn't have any. I had rather a thing for Twi'leks at that time. A relic from my adolescence, perhaps," he quipped before shouldering his weapon.

"I rather hope it's not snails again," said Talbot. "You really are too clever for your own good."

[member="Alec Sienar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

He waved his hand dismissively.

"Tionese Ways and Tionese Laws, Talbot." Alec reminded his friend firmly. "The opinions of the Jedi are irrelevant here."

Lips curled down in annoyance.

"But it might be a good idea to not provoke them too much either, I agree, those bastards are just looking for an excuse." A treaty had been made years ago, where the Silvers would stay out of the affairs of the Tion Cluster as much as possible and in return the Tionese would not try to fight them at every turn. But... they were pushing, prodding, trying to find influence and direction and were doing it without shame. Strictly speaking it was all according to the treaty.

But they knew what they were doing.

"I do know what they say about Imperials... and your wife seems the most straightest-laced one out there." Smirk curled up after the distaste left him for a moment. He started cleaning out his gun, make sure it was still in prime shape.

Oh, they had servants for that, yes.

But this was one of the ticks he had after their service. Cleaning his rifles himself... it made things easier, better to focus on. "I don't want to step on any bounds, we haven't seen each other in years, so if I need to step off just tell me straight?" After a nod from Tal, Alec continued, "But... are you two okay? You know I am not the best when it comes to gauging relationships, but I thought I detected tension several times during the dinner and even before that."

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"I don't know if I like what you're implying," said Talbot with a smirk. The mental picture of his wife, the cold and careful Lady Natasi Fortan (no, Vitalis), doing anything even remotely unconventional. She didn't even pack her hats in regular luggage, for heaven's sake. He shook his head at the thought of his wife looking twice at an alien in that way. In fact, he couldn't think of her looking at anyone that way; she was wired to strive and achieve professionally. Whether she had any base instincts or not was a matter for debate. Talbot had found her accommodating and pleasant but never aggressive in that regard. His lips twitched downwards as he considered this for a moment, then he turned back to [member="Alec Sienar"].

"Hmm? Oh -- yes, fine, fine."

Talbot hesitated a moment. "You know how it is for us. On Galidraan there are clearly defined roles for men and women, particularly men and women of our class. It's not to say that I would want Natasi to be a breeding machine -- not just Natasi, but any wife I might have. But when I first started courting her, all those years ago, she was the pretty daughter of a man I outranked in our social ranking. She was -- " He sighed and shook his head. "It sounds awful to say, but she stood to benefit enormously from the match. Now, I feel rather on the back foot with her." He paused again, switching his gun from one shoulder to the other.

"She refuses to use my name publicly; I have no official position, no influence beyond pillow-talk. I admire her, in some ways, for being a pillar that stands alone. For trying to be, at any rate; you know what they say, no man is an island. If things were reversed, she would be some sort of... official hostess, grand dame, first lady of sorts. But I don't see myself in that role, and so far she hasn't asked me to do it. I rather feel like I'm the breeding machine. She is eager to start a family -- we both are -- but that can't be the only thing I do, right?"

He tucked some spare strands of hair behind his ear, then looked up at Alec. "Sorry, what was the question?"

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

Eeph.

It was worse than Alec thought, he had assumed that this was simply some minor lover's quarrel that would eventually go away with a few nights beneath the sheets, but by the looks of it? It was far more complicated than that and it made him furrow his brows in thought. What could he do in this situation? Was there anything that he could do to actually... help? More importantly would anything that Sienar tried to do actually help or maybe damage them further? In Tionese circles it was often considered rude to interfere in marriage disputes, they had their lives and he had his, but this was his friend. "That... sounds complicated, Tal." Alec realized he had been cleaning out the barrel for several minutes now and forced himself to stop.

"I should be the last one to give you marriage advice... remember Tisha?" Sienar shook his head at that memory. Academy sweetheart, brilliant mind, refined shooter, the moment it had started to get serious Alec dropped everything and ran the other way.

Last thing Sienar heard she was happily married to some Tapani noble.

"But a wise guy once told me that communication is the one thing keeping things running smoothly. Got to be a team... a squad if you will, within your relationship." No matter what their sergeant had always been able to frame a problem, any problem, into some kind of squad tactic. It was amusing, but... perhaps in this situation he wasn't wrong? "I don't know Natasi as well as you do, obviously, but maybe you should talk to her about it? ...I wouldn't mention how suddenly your positions seem to have swapped, but bring up concerns about how you want to be more involved?" Especially that last portion would maybe do wonders with her.

From their short discussion the woman seemed to be exceptionally loyal to the First Order and their goals.

If her husband mentioned he wanted to be more involved with her baby? That couldn't hurt, he thought.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"Easier said than done," said Talbot quietly, his eyes scanning the yard quietly. For a moment, he replayed their last argument in his mind. He had broached the subject of joining the First Order armed forces -- he was experienced and dedicated to the cause, and wasn't an unskilled warrior, so perhaps he could offer something helpful. Natasi's reaction had been less than ideal; she had done everything but forbid him from joining up. "I can't lose you like I've lost everyone else," she had declared imperiously. "What would I do without you?"

It was difficult to be angry at a woman when she said she couldn't think of what she'd do without you. Difficult -- not impossible.

"She's alone, you know. Parents gone, brother killed over a decade ago in some idiotic Sith Empire war. Her closest friend is in exile, I know she has regrets about her former companion, and the Cabinet has begun to get that lean and hungry look. Naturally, her instinct is to pull within herself." He frowned and shook his head. "I thought I'd be able to help her. I've even mentioned joining up in the armed forces -- you know, do my bit -- but she nearly had a cardiac event. Maybe things will be different after we have children and the dynasty is secured, I'll get off the leash."

He paused and smirked. "But that would be telling, wouldn't it? I'm just a bloody amoeba."

[member="Alec Sienar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

Alec patted him on the shoulder as he brushed by him.

"A very pretty one, no doubt." Sienar responded with a chuckle before shrugging. "Come on then. We got game to hunt, I am most interested to see if you are still the crackshot you used to be." This was one thing that Alec could do for his friend. Pull his attention away from this entire mess and give him a couple of hours where they could just enjoy themselves. Get on with the hunt, kill a few animals and maybe brush up their marksmanship in the meantime.

"You shouldn't worry too much- if this Supreme Lord is really as good as Natasi is making him out to be? Santhe will gladly invest in his territories, I will probably head that way to supervise in the meantime." Someone had to do it and while a lot of people were looking at him to take over as the CEO of the Santhe Corporation... Sienar's heart wasn't in it.

Not yet anyway.

But in his role as majority shareholder he could influence the company regardless. His word held weight and if he decided that a Santhe-Sienar needed to personally observe the investment in that part of space?

Nobody was going to tell him no.

"So you will get to see my beautiful face more often, what do you think of that?"

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"I think you've spent too much time among sycophants and servants to be talking like that," said Talbot as he picked up a few boxes of ammunition, just in case. "Are there going to be loaders, or do I need to bring my gloves?" he asked before taking the gloves anyway and jamming them into his pockets, so the tweed pockets bulged absurdly -- one side with bullets, the other with gloves. He glanced sidelong at his friend and followed after him, glassy eyes examining the yard.

"Actually -- if you're serious about that, there is rather an interesting project you may be interested in financing. It will likely turn a profit, but will most definitely earn you a place in the Grand Moff's heart. Have you heard of the Qeravert system? Of course not, nobody has. It's a backwater just outside of First Order space. The fourth planet is a raining, ocean world -- a literal backwater this time -- with leagues and leagues of ocean covering the surface. She wants to build an underwater city there." He paused and shook his head.

"God love her, she's got grand plans for the place. She wants to turn it into a showpiece for First Order ingenuity -- prove there's more to them than destruction and war." He shrugged, holding a palm up as if to say what can you do? "It will take some money and technical know-how. She's putting together a tiger team. I can recommend you."

[member="Alec Sienar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

Grin grew wider, but he left it at that.

"Loaders? Who are we, the Hapan?" Now it was smirk playing as they stepped out and Alec looked back, curiosity made apparent. Investments were not a joke to Alec. He had made his business with the First Bank of Tion and they were slowly growing into the right direction under his personal supervision.

It helped that as a Sienar he had extensive relationships around the Tion Cluster.

Many doors were opened when it was a Santhe-Sienar doing the knocking, which still amused Alec to one degree or another. "An underwater city, you say?"

His mind immediately went to the costs.

They would be substantial, but the returns... the returns could be delicious. The first foray into the Unknown Regions, break into the new ground with a project unlike anyone has ever seen since Manaan and Dac. The reconstruction efforts after the Sith's attack had been elaborate, large and profitable to the rare few investment firms allowed to stick their fingers in the cake.

"Tourism there would be highly profitable... a showpiece? Yes, I can see that... do you know roughly where the planet is located?" He waved the question away. "Classified, of course, no matter, no matter."

Now Tal would see Alec's enthusiasm bubbling up.

"Who else will be involved in the construction effort?"

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"I'm not sure exactly. Somewhere north of the border, but beyond that I'm not sure. Recently charted, as far as I know. The rest of the system is more or less uninhabitable; I'm sure there are resources there to be plundered but no one would want to live there." He sniffed disdainfully. "The fourth planet has untold reserves of precious stones and metal -- gold, platinum, sapphires, emeralds, you name it -- the exploitation of which will help to fund the construction of the city and will provide employment for colonists there. But we're getting ahead of ourselves."

He turned his attention back to his friend.

"I'm not sure who else will be there. The Ministry of Research & Industry will play a part, I assume, and probably some of the naval engineering teams. The challenges of building in space are not unlike the challenges of building underwater, I imagine."

[member="Alec Sienar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

Part of him wanted to ask more about that particular moon.

Would have been pleasant to get in at the beginning, but Alec could stand to wait a little. If he could get a few investments in on the mining ventures there as well?

Profitable.

Alec could already hear the credit bank ka-chining in the background. "Surrounded on all sides by something that wants to kill us dead." He tilted his head in thought of that, before smirking and looking over the little path that would lead them into the woods. It was thick there, busy, lots of vegetation and fauna.

But that only made it more interesting.

"Kinda like that vacation we had on Ryloth, come to think about it."

His nostril started itching the moment Alec brought it up.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"I'm not sure I'd call it a vacation," said Talbot with a smirk. "Perhaps if those escorts you got us had turned out to be actually genetically female, but once I refused their advances and refused to pay them, things got more than a little hairy. No jokes, please," he said, raising a hand with a smirk to ward off any wordplay on the term 'hairy'. "Once we dispatched of their -- handlers, I guess we'd say -- it was rather nice." A mischief and spice-fueled romp across Ryloth, complete with big game hunting, romantic conquests, and a speeder race across the rocky nightlands had been but a few of the activities the pair had gotten up to in their salad days.

Talbot glanced over at his friend as they picked their way through the woods. "Let's agree never to mention any of this to my wife," he said. "Particularly because I was engaged to her during some of our more, ah, libertine days." The Duke of Foxfield switched his rifle to his other shoulder.

"Anyway, I'd see it as an opportunity to meet and greet with some of the First Order higher-ups. I think there'll be at least two cabinet ministers, a Grand Admiral. God knows, really, but the sky's the limit."

[member="Alec Sienar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

He inclined his head at that request.

"What happens on Ryloth stays on Ryloth, Tal." After all, Vitalis had his own ammunition against him that would presumably cause quite a few scandals in the Tion Cluster. That was what friends were for- mutual assured destruction and a penchant for getting into trouble together, then having each other's back when the time came.

Like when they had to shoot their way out of a gambling den on Zeltros.

Now that had been insane.

He switched hands, then switched back, restless direction of the gun as he kept his hands warm. Already Alec could feel the excitement build for this thing. It had been a while since the last hunt and it was the first one done with Tal in... literal years. "So, how often have you been practicing with the rifle, what with all the First Order business?"

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Talbot smirked at [member="Alec Sienar"]'s declaration and then nodded. "Appreciate the assist, old boy," he said, clapping Alec on the shoulder.

"I do get out to hunt every so often. Pheasant, grouse, the occasional stalking of a stag." He licked his lips and shifted his rifle from one shoulder to the other. "I've built a little hunting lodge in the foothills of the southern mountains. Natasi doesn't get a chance to get away from the capital very often, and her nieces -- er, cousins -- often visit her getaway, so I elected to get my own situation running. I gather it's rather disturbing to hear guns going off at all hours, so I thought it best to set something up separately. Besides, the north is better for foxes and fishing. The more challenging game is in the south. I'm thinking of going after one of Dosuun's famous Great Snow Bears. You should come for that."

He'd like having his old friend to stay at the lodge; it was usually just him and a manservant which, while they were friendly, was not quite the same as having an actual friend there. "Don't worry, I have a guest room. Three, actually. And central heating, too. It won't be like that time on Rhen Var." He smirked into his shoulder and shook his head. "You have time to consider; winter's not for a few weeks in the south."

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Talbot Vitalis"]

"I'd hope not, you are a respectable married man these days, mister Vitalis." Alec joked as they walked deeper into the woods. Just the two of them, because he didn't enjoy having manservants run around behind him and chittering like little birds all the time. No, this was a time of contemplation. Of man versus nature. Pitting one against another and figuring out which would truly triumph in the end.

"Can't go around snuggling handsome gentlemen such as myself, what would your wife think of that?" A more serious nod came right after that. The idea of going hunting on Dosuun sounded attractive.

Especially the mention of a Great Snow Bear, if there ever sounded a challenge than it was that.

"Ah well, I will be in the neighborhood anyway, so I suppose I could come and visit your lodge. Does it have a shower or are we supposed to roll around in the snow like on Rhen Var?" Another tease, but this time Alec followed it up with a shake of his head. "No, seriously Tal, that sounds great. We will need to figure out a way to make that happen for sure."

Then Alec froze, fist already in the air in a callback of their old military days.

"Hear that?" He mumbled, tone suddenly lowered. "Think our game is nearby."