Eternal Legacy

[Kay-Larr]

Kay stood on the balcony of her apartment in the Spire, overlooking Zakuul City. Earlier in the day she had sent word for her daughter [member="Loreena Arenais"] to meet her here at this point in time. She knew that her youngest child was here. The Scions and her security personnel told her as much. Yet with her own ship and crew, plus her Jedi training with her father [member="Veiere Arenais"] , Loreena was quite busy. So now was the time.

Tea was already brewing on the side table, as well as an assortment of baked treats. Instrumental music played softly in the background, to fill in the lulls of conversation.

Things were different on Zakuul than they were on Commenor. Life was harsher and stricter, perhaps even a bit more Imperial in structure. Kay had a lot more enemies this time, though they were thankfully a great distance away. It was difficult and expensive to send fleets on the months long journey across the Galaxy. And that gave the new Empress time to prepare.

Jareth appeared behind Kay, his footfalls as silent as ever. The Scion had a particular knack for going wherever he wished. "Your daughter has arrived. She'll be up here shortly. I trust that you'll be able to give a convincing argument?"

Kay turned to face him. She knew that Jareth served his own needs, but what his endgame was, she wasn't entirely certain yet. One thing was for sure; he played a big part in why she was here.

"Yes I will. And I won't need your help. So if you don't mind, I'd like to have some privacy."

Jareth watched her for a moment, a small smile spreading as he remained silent a few seconds longer, lingering on the spot until he finally bowed his head. "As you wish, Your Majesty." The look in his eyes betrayed the fact that he was plotting as they always did. He then turned and exited the apartment.

Kay watched him go. It wasn't until she was sure that he was gone before she left the balcony and went to the side table to pour herself some tea.

Her daughter should be there soon.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori wasn't quite sure of what this was about. But she sort of knew. Or maybe it was just a feeling.

Before approaching the Spire she had to get through security. That was a little odd, but in some ways it wasn't. She liked not being recognized on the spot. Yet there might be more to it than that.

Not long afterwards, Lori was escorted up to her mom's apartment. On her way there she spotted Jareth in the hall. He stood there with his hands clasped in front of him with an all knowing gaze on his face. It was the same look he had in her mom's broadcast a couple of weeks earlier. It was kind of creepy.

She stepped inside of the apartment and spotted [member="Kay Arenais"] with tea in hand. Of COURSE she had tea. Lori approached with a smile and gave her a big hug. "You sent for me, mom?" Immediately her eyes were drawn to the treats on the table. Oh those looked so good. She wondered how many of them she could have.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay set down her tea as [member="Loreena Arenais"] approached her, wrapping her arms around her daughter in a big hug. She missed it when she was small and would often lift her daughter up. Those days were long gone now, and although she still carried a child-like face, Lori had seen things and experienced war. Her days of being a child were long since gone.

"Yes I did. Come and sit." Of course Kay let her pick out her drink and treats first before sitting down. And as she picked up her own tea and had a sip, her eyes were fully trained on her little girl. She was just about to get a big weight put onto her shoulders and she just didn't know it yet. "I've got something important to discuss with you, regarding my work here." No doubt Lori knew plenty already. Kay was well aware of Lori's Jedi training with her Dad as well. Hopefully this wouldn't interfere too much with it. Time would tell though.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori licked her lips as she eyeballed the baked treats. One thing that didn't change between here and Commenor was the quality of the treats. So she picked up a small plate and just filled it so that it was overflowing. Then she poured herself a cup of tea to wash it down.

"Is there something wrong, Mom? You're not in trouble again, are you?" Was she going to go back to jail? There were certainly people that wanted it. Of course there had always been people that wanted her dead too.

She took her treats and tea in hand, bringing them with her as she sat down next to [member="Kay Arenais"] . "You're not dying, are you?" Her Mom didn't look sick. But you never know!

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay had to laugh. Both at the idea of being in trouble; which seemed to be a constant; and the very idea that she was dying.

"No Lori, I'm not dying. I don't plan on doing so for a few decades at least." She sipped her tea and leaned back a bit so that she was more comfortable. "But as for being in trouble...that never changes. There's always someone that doesn't like what I say or do. It's all a part of being a leader. I'm sure that you're becoming aware of that with running your own ship and crew. How is that going, by the way?"

The answer that [member="Loreena Arenais"] gave would help steer the conversation greatly. Kay hoped that her daughter had a knack for leading people. That was very important for her future.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Well that was a relief! Lori was worried that something bad had happened, like her Mom was sick with something that had no cure. But she planned on living for a few more decades? That was good!

She started to munch on one of the treats, sipping her tea to wash it down while [member="Kay Arenais"] spoke of being a leader and inquired about her ship. Lori wiped a few crumbs from her mouth with the back of her hand. "It's going pretty well. It's kinda hard to keep a good crew though. I've had quite a few leave me for bigger employers. And my last job had a huge payout, which got me to buy my ship from [member="Kaine Australis"] . Most of my crew took their share and...I dunno, maybe they got ships of their own? Or they could have retired. Either way, I have Arla that will be staying with me always. And your old friend [member="Hawk Solo"] too."

Hawk was growing on her. Most especially with that lopsided grin of his. He had a cocky attitide, yet he could back that up. Not many could say that.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded as she listened to [member="Loreena Arenais"] . She knew very well of the struggle in maintaining a group of people that would choose to remain along side. But she couldn't even do that within her own marriage. It was a fact that she had grown used to. "People come and go, Lori. It's just the way things are. Just as life changes, so too does our close circles of people that we share that life with. Look at how many different circles you/re in, for example. You have me here, your Father and brother out in Jedi Space, then you have your Mandalorian family. But despite all of that, one thing remains the same; and that is that you have support all across the Galaxy. And that's important."

She sipped her tea and then shifted in her seat a little so that she was facing Lori more squarely. "I need to ask you something. And it's fully alright if you say no." Kay reached over and tucked some stray strands of Lori's hair behind her ear. "Would you be willing to be my heir? To look after this Empire if something happened to me?"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Well that was true. She did know people in different places. But hardly as many as [member="Kay Arenais"] and her Dad. Still, it was good to know that she was following in the footsteps of her parents somewhat.

And now came the jist of why her Mom wanted to talk to her. It was all about this place and the position her Mom took. Of course Lori had faced this sorta thing before on Commenor, but over there she was the youngest; the last in line with no hope to claim anything. But now she had the chance to be first; and all without others dying.

"I suppose so. I mean, someone has to, right? I just don't really know politics other than the wars that surround it." Politics was hated by many. Yet so were the Jedi, as well as the Sith. They each had their own politics too. And they all were heavily involved in war.

No wonder there were so many companies in the military industrial complex of the Galaxy.