Private Dinner for Three

[Kaila Irons]

Echnos city, evening
Taeli Raaf \ Fiolette Yvarro​

Darth Anathemous anxiously paced the dining hall up and down as serving droids laid out tonight's dinner for three. She had humbly extended an invitation to the accomplished tactician Fiolette Yvarro , explaining her situation as a lone Kainite surrounded by rivaling factions on all sides, humbly requesting the woman's advice on the defense of her planet and delicate matters of state over dinner, hoping to glean wisdom from the experience of a storied veteran who had seen more war than Anathemous had years. And in doing so, she had unwittingly invited the dark councilor, Taeli Raaf and wife of Yvarro into her momentary home. Tonight then would mark the third time she had met a member of the council, and she was starting to hate this habit.

Lord Gerwald Lechner had imparted important lessons whilst testing the youngest Darth appointed by The Empress upon these very grounds, a lesson she accepted with quiet thanks and due diligence, but also caution.

Darth Malum of House Marr had met her in perhaps the worst of circumstances, her supporting words to an acolyte for standing up to an abusive father mistaken as an endorsement of regicide. She couldn't help assuming based on his words that the man loathed her, and considering a recent assassination attempt, no one was above suspicion anymore.

And now, Darth Arcanix, the lady of secrets, would be upon her at any moment.

And so she had changed tactics entirely. Instead of the usual armor or well tailored uniform, Anathemous wore a sleek dress which she believed tastefully formal yet just tight enough to demonstrate that she was unarmed, her lightsabers currently locked away and under guard in her office. She wasn't a threat, certainly not physically, not to a bloody dark councilor at least even despite her own sorcerous ways.

Then again, would she lose respect for her choices? Would the display be so utterly pathetic enough for the dark council to deem her weak despite The Empress' decision to appoint her as Military Governor in the field?

Parts of the manor house still lay in ruin despite repairs being under way, as she had siphoned her personal funds into the city's well being rather than live like a queen while her people- or at least the people she had been assigned to lead- lived like refugees in their own city after the alliance siege which she had fought so bloody hard to win. In stark contrast, the rest of the indoor city seemed as shiny durasteel, the vast majority of housing and vital services having been repaired since the battle, if not improved beyond pre-battle conditions.

But with such careful attention given to the needs of these people, Anathemous wondered if they would see her as soft.

Especially for a Kainite, their doctrine being a thing of ruthless efficiency and sacrifice to The Sith'ari. To her master, Darth Carnifex .

"Iron within... iron without..." she muttered the last half of the mantra, exhaling slowly to steel her nerves.

They would be here any minute. There was no time for doubt, she had to make a good impression on the sith and the tactician both, else this risk would be all for naught.

 

[Fiolette Yvarro]

The shuttle carrying Fiolette and her wife Taeli Raaf arrived in due time. The couple would disembark and begin their approach to Kaila Irons 's estate.

As the grand doors of Anathemous' manor opened before them, Fiolette couldn't help the faint curl of her lip as her gaze swept the hall's lingering wreckage. Shattered archways, crumbling stone, and mismatched, hastily-repaired fixtures made the place feel half-abandoned, a makeshift refuge rather than the proud estate of a Sith lord.

Fio suppressed a sigh.

"Ancients," she muttered under her breath, casting a sidelong glance at Taeli. "This place looks as bad as Avalonia after the Ssi-Ruuvi raided it." Almost. I think Avalonia wins simply by having held out as long as it did against the bloody scales. Taeli what in the nine hells are we doing here? How did I let you talk me into this?

A soft smile tugged at the corners of Taeli's lips, though she didn't reply, and Fio knew her wife was as aware as she was that this invitation was likely a formality, a bid to curry favor. Darth Anathemous had requested Fio's advice, but beneath that was likely a hope to gain some measure of influence through Taeli's presence. That thought soured the evening further.

They moved forward, Fio's posture rigid as she surveyed the broken columns and partially plastered walls. How many of these 'Darths' are going to keep sending me invites? she thought wryly, glancing at Taeli. Each time, it seemed, the situation was the same: another young Sith, new to their title, eager to prove themselves or desperate for guidance. And every time, it was Taeli who coaxed her into showing up, softening her grumbles with that familiar, steady look. You can stop grinning at any time, darling.

"I promised," Fio said aloud with her hands raised in mock surrender, her tone laced with resignation. "I'll behave."

"Will you?" Taeli replied, arching a brow.

A faint smirk appeared on Fio's lips. "Only as much as you need me to." I am a willing participant, am I not? Stop it. That arched brow of yours will not win you favors... I said stop, Taeli. You're going to make me suffer aren't you?

They stopped just before doors, and Fio took a steadying breath, allowing a fleeting glance toward Taeli. She could sense her wife's quiet amusement, that flicker of knowing calm she always carried. Despite Fio's complaints, they both knew she would offer sound advice if it was asked of her—however grudgingly.

"Do I really need to talk much?" she murmured to Taeli, knowing she wouldn't be able to slip by in silence.

Taeli's gaze flicked over her, a silent answer in itself. Fine. She could get through this.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Garbed in a flowing gown and hooded cowl of purples and black, signifying both her family's colors and her standing within the Sith, she took a moment to observe the damage around Echnos even as her wife Fiolette Yvarro commented on it both aloud and through their bond. The planet had never been a wealthy one to begin with, and then the combination of the Alliance attack and the fearsome and frenzied defense had severely damaged it. To recover would require more resources than the new governor likely had at hand and priorities had to be made. She rather approved that she chosen to focus on the civilian reconstruction before focusing on her own residence.

It spoke to her that Kaila Irons or Darth Anathemous had either a more pragmatic outlook or at least had enough empathy to understand that a planet could not stand in their Order unless it could prove itself strong and that could only be achieved through its people.

"This one might be different than some of the other younger Sith trying to make a name for themselves," she remarked. "She was thrust into the position at the command of the Empress, and she's relatively unknown besides being an apprentice to Kaine. She likely would benefit from your sage advice on military and other production matters. So yes, I expect you to talk."

'And I'll make sure you're properly reward later,' she would add with a wink. Two options would present themselves in her wife's mind: something more intimate or a new toy for her and Bloodborn to play with. Her choice really.

Once they had reached their destination, and their presence was announced for the young governor, she would take one more glance at her wife as they prepared for dinner and some politics.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Ah!" her gaze quickly darted from the floor to the entering women from the very moment her doors slid open, a servant droid inclining it's head and gesturing for them to enter.

She too would incline her head to both women one at a time, wearing a practiced, feint smile about her black polished lips.

"Lady Arcanix, Lady Yvarro, Welcome to Echnos."

Despite her friendly, if even toned welcome, the young darth's heart was racing and her brows remained somewhat raised by the unvoiced tension.

"Please, take a seat."

She gestured to the table before sitting down herself. It wasn't a grand banquet table but it was large enough to sit several around it, and plenty food and drink had been laid out for her guests. A bottle of wine and a bowl of ice formed the center piece, with three glasses arranged on all sides. Spiced meats of Mandalorian origins sat in one corner, imported fruits from offworld in another, although they were not so fresh as Kaila would have liked, given the toxic atmosphere of her world prevented them being grown locally. Another dish had sweet protato drizzled in melted blue puff cubes for those with a sweet tooth who still wished to get a meal out of their indulgence, and even Kand and Zand rolls in another for those with dietary concerns.

That is to say, there was something for everyone.

For her part, Anathemous seemed to have more meat on her plate than anything else, and rather than pour herself a glass of wine, she waited for the last servant droid to bring a kettle of tea, which continued to steam as she poured herself a duraporcelain cup.

She gave it but a moment to cool as the droids dismissed themselves, only after which did she take a sip, and only after that did she continue with the evening's plans, glancing up at the happy couple again.

"Well, I appreciate you both coming. However, I assume you're both tired of flowery language and bureaucrats so I suppose I'll cut to the chase then. When you are ready, I was hoping to discuss military matters, particularly ways one might bolster their defenses with limited manpower, especially naval, as most able ships are bound to the front lines."

"Lady Yvarro, It was your expertise in particular I was hoping to improve my own knowledge from, as aside from an ambush I've conducted recently via interdictor, I must unfortunately admit I've no experience in naval tactics nor advisors who've seen combat."

"Lady Arcanix," she then turned to the dark councilor, hesitating for but a moment.

"...admittedly, my knowledge of your exploits is limited as a newcomer but my findings certainly paint a picture. I was hoping that, as one of few allies to my master here in the political mainland, I might petition your advice on handling a cultural obstacle to my lord's plans here, as I greatly value multiple perspectives when making decisions and those statesmen of local experience who might have advised me were behead by my master before the siege's end."

She took another sip of tea, studying their reactions, hoping that her decision to skip the excess formalities had not been too bold of her, but rather, just bold enough.

"...of if you'd prefer to think on it first, I am happy to pour us wine, or tea, or whatever strikes your fancy. I don't mind a break and I'm sure you're both busy women."



Taeli Raaf Fiolette Yvarro

 

[Fiolette Yvarro]

Well one is always ready to serve with the proper... incentive. Fiolette thought, a response to her wife Taeli Raaf at the notion of an award for good behavior. "Thank you," she acknowledged, as the young Sith Lord welcomed them to the city. The Admiral offered up a smile, although it was a practiced, polite smile for occasions such as these. As they were led by the droid, they would make it to dining room and soon enough they were seated, Fiolette opted for a simple cup of tea and then listened as the woman explained why it was she and her wife had been invited. Whilst the woman spoke, she looked at the offered delicacies and decided to go with the rolls.

The Admiral would take a measured pause before responding, letting the weight of Darth Anathemos's request settle. She'd lift her gaze, an expression of quiet confidence reflecting her years of expertise in naval warfare. Her response would be direct and pragmatic, laced with her experience and tact as an admiral and shipwright. Although, typically Fiolette lacked tact and could be rather blunt and direct.

Since they were just going to cut straight into the heart of it all, a direct approach - something she could appreciate. The Admiral reciprocated in kind, "Darth Anathemos, your strategic instinct to utilize an interdictor in an ambush speaks to an understanding of how to turn the tide in specific encounters. Yet to secure and bolster your defenses on a larger scale, especially with limited manpower, I'd recommend a multi-layered approach."

She'd lean forward slightly, her tone taking on a more instructive edge as she outlined her suggestions, "First, bolster your fleet's efficacy with automated systems. Advanced droid complements on key vessels can compensate for lower personnel, allowing you to redirect manpower where human intuition is irreplaceable. I could recommend systems I've tested personally—ones designed to coordinate defensive strategies autonomously and communicate directly with manned ships." If this wasn't already being done, then it should be taken into heavy consideration.

Fiolette with a sharpened gaze continued, "Second, consider modularity in your defenses. Ships and stations that can quickly adapt their loadouts allow for defensive flexibility. Interchangeable modules for weapon systems, communications, and reconnaissance mean that each vessel can meet specific mission demands without a total overhaul, saving both time and resources. And in naval warfare, control of space is crucial; deploy more interdictors and establish defensive zones around strategic points. This way, you don't just defend passively—you create areas of denial that force an enemy to second-guess every move."

The Galidraani nursed her cup of tea and added. "These principles aren't a quick fix, of course, but they're what I would implement first to strengthen a fleet under such constraints. And as for tactics…" She'd allow a rare, small smile. "Naval combat is as much about unpredictability as it is about discipline. If it interests you, I'd be happy to discuss methods for sowing just the right amount of chaos among your adversaries while maintaining the upper hand."

Her expression would soften just slightly, acknowledging the young Dark Lord's ambition. "Naval warfare isn't simply a matter of firepower but of strategic positioning, psychology, and adaptability. If you're committed to mastering these, then I would be honored to offer further guidance."

"I believe it is your turn, darling," a bemused look appeared on Fiolette's face as she looked over at her wife.

Kaila Irons ​