Private Et tu, Soror?

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Sith Empire space, on board the Cathedra.

"So, sister."

Joycelyn Zambrano turned to her half-sister Elani Zambrano , a glass of ruby liquid in each hand. She extended one out to Elani for her to take or refuse at her leisure. They did not meet in any grand chamber as distanced masters of the mysteries of the Force, but in a private room set aside for confidential conversation. The only guards present were the ones outside the chamber doors, keeping others from waltzing in, but keeping no eye on what happened inside. Though, in one of the corners, two vornskrs did lay snoring. One of them opened a single, watchful eye to look at Elani, then closed it again.

As far as Zambrano decoration went, it was tastefully simple.

A banner of the Sith Empire hung on one wall. While a series of painted panels decorated another, telling the tale of the Empire's founding in subtle pictographic storytelling. The sithsword Joycelyn often carried to battle rested on a decorative stand, not to overtly threaten, but to honour its position in the Empress' life, along with a smattering of other mementos from half a lifetime of campaigns. This was Joycelyn's own space, one she kept for herself and those she allowed to enter. Her back was against the small bar, with fine wines and spirits from every corner of the Empire and beyond. There was also a desk with a small pile of holobooks either ready to be consumed or recently leafed through.

The wine that filled the two glasses with ruby colour was from Dantooine, from a vineyard she had heard of in the wake of the battle there. Its flavour was of warm and fleeting, like a summer night spent listening to waves crashing against a shore.

"What is on your mind?"

Whether accepted or denied, Joycelyn moved toward a seating area. Two sofas of dark brown leather, comfortable but not ostentatious, faced each other across a coffee table cut from a single piece of worshyr wood, mounted together with black metal. It, like much else in the room, had a story from battle and adventure. The furniture was sized for someone of Joycelyn's dimensions, though not inaccessible for her smaller kin.

The Empress ran her fingers through a white fur tossed over the back of one of the two sofa as she moved behind it, seemingly looking to take a seat.

 

[Elani Zambrano]

Elani lifted her soft, pale hands from her sides and up to her head. She removed the veil from her face, revealing her emotionless visage. Her stare at her sister was unbroken and inexorable. As she stood there in her Murakami garb, before her sister, then now Empress of the Sith Empire, all she felt was hate, anger, and most of all pity. Most of these emotions were brought unto her at the hands of their father so she had no reason to feel this way towards her sister. But, no matter he she looked at her, all she could see was Kaine.

"We have not had time to talk much since we were last on Panatha those many years ago."

Elani reached forth and retrieved the glass of wine from her sister's hands. She pulled in close to her body and held it there for the moment. Following her sister, Elani pondered the many thoughts on her mind in an effort to formulate how she would continue the conversation with Joycelyn Zambrano without allowing her emotions to get the better of her and lead to possible disaster.

"I trust you, sister. That's more than I can say for our entire family damn near. Despite how much you remind me of that cutthroat of a man that is our father, I trust you. That is why I have come to you now to tell you I am leaving."

Elani inched closer to the sofa opposite of Joycelyn and gently took a seat, still holding the glass of untouched wine in her hand.

"I don't know why I feel the need to tell you, or anyone for that matter, but I feel better getting it off my chest instead of disappearing like I did once before."

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