Everything has a price

[Bolt]

A harsh thumping knock emanated from the door to the office - surprisingly, the second that Claire finished the thought. She couldn't have known that Zaiden was on the planet seeking to find a man whom held information he wanted. Mid-journey Zaiden was surprised to see the woman he was becoming infatuated with.

When he did, something sat wrong in his gut. He was a Sith for more than a dozen years, a Hand to the Empress, among other things. He was dark, more sinister and vile then a lot. Thus when his gut said something was wrong, he knew to trust it.

As such, he had stayed near the duo as they conversed. Hiding in plain sight just outside the office, he had sent his Force Shadow inside to bear witness to everything occurring.

He could simply blow the door to microscopic dust, but instead he would await an answer. Draping his cloak tighter about his body, he stood with a calm face.

[member="Claire Organa"] [member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor shook his head to [member="Claire Organa"] with a smile.

"I serve the will of the Emperor Ms. Organa." "I don't make those decisions." "I am merely a guardian of the Emperor's will on Balmorra." "It would be up to the Sith to determine what course of action if any would be necessary."

His attention was turned towards the door when [member="Razor Shot"] knocked.

"I would much rather see your business flourish." "After all you did offer me a new suit."

He hit a button on the desk that opened the door for Zaiden.

"Can I help you?"

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire tried to laugh and nod but the knot in the pit of her stomach kept getting tighter. This wasn't about her business flourishing, this was about her freedoms being taken away.

She looked to some spot on the wall behind Viktor, "Strange you did say that if I left, no wait you said if I betray the Sith, defect, or compromise the integrity of Balmorra that my assets would be seized, my employees arrested and interrogated, and sentenced and I would be labeled a traitor and a criminal subject to capture and execution."

Claire turned her gaze back to Viktor looking into the depths of his eyes were they soulless, endless, or something else that he could say these words to her, and then just play that they were unsaid, that the actions would be someone else's not his.

"Viktor, as much I want to sell suits, and dresses it does feel rather like you are not giving me much choice, that...leaving here has consequences"

Her family her parents were safe, they were not on Balmorra. The Queen had left weeks ago and no longer stayed with them. There were blessings in this if she and Victoria were the only ones left.

Then she heard the knock on the door, "I think someone wants in" She would think, contemplate, and maybe the best course of action would be to get Victoria away from Balmorra.

She had to protect her family.

[member="Viktor Alexander"] | [member="Razor Shot"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor chuckled.

"Have you ever met a Sith Ms. Organa?" "They are not very friendly people, and even less forgiving." "You asked a question and I answered your question." "You may not have liked the answer but that does not make it any less true."

He sighed.

"I am Imperial Claire." "Lived a life dedicated to service." "Tomorrow I could be killed by the Sith for no other reason than not being Sith myself."

"Stay, go, it matters not to me." "But don't paint me the villain for being honest about the world we live on and the state of the Galaxy."

Viktor stood signalling there meeting was over.

"Come to the Summit, don't come to the Summit." "Either way we are all responsible for our own lives."

 

[Bolt]

Stepping inside the room, Zaiden stared at the young woman who was nearby, "You wished for me to be here?" He asked as he stepped within arms reach of her. Resting a hand on her shoulder he smiled down at her, then glanced up at the young man whom had been attempting passive threats.

He stared in an odd fashion, one that to the weak minded would send shivers through their spines to their socks. No words need be said. It was obvious that he was here in a protective fashion. It should also be evident simply through the gaze that this mans darkside would let him slay anyone to protect his interests.

And currently one of his interests felt threatened.

[member="Viktor Alexander"] [member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire reached over and touched Zaiden's hand slowly rising up to her feet, "Yes, Mr. Alexander has been explaining the changes coming to Balmorra, and how they can either hurt my business or enhance it. He also explained what could happen to my friends, family and employees should I be considered betraying the, powers that now govern Balmorra." She tried to smile, "I would like for us to discuss it, so that. I don't feel as threatened, as I do"

Claire stepped towards Zaiden she had no idea that Zaiden was a force user, or for which side of the force he was inclined she only knew him as a friend, and someone she was growing close to.

"Mr. Alexander, I plan on giving everything you said to me the consideration it needs in order to come to a decision either way I'll hear what is also said at this summit" She looked to Zaiden, "i'd like to leave please"

She tried to smile, looking back again at Viktor, "i'm sure I will be in touch"

[member="Razor Shot"] [member="Viktor Alexander"]

 

[Kenrath]

Viktor looked from the new arrival to [member="Claire Organa"] and chuckled. He didn't speak instead just letting it all play out. Sure he felt the little tickle on the back of his neck from the gaze. However weak minded his was not and a man that would and had murdered his own people just to depose a Governor and discredit his competition did not scare easy.

When Claire got up to leave and said they would speak again Viktor nodded.

"Looking forward to it Ms. Organa."

He would wait until Claire and Zaiden left before sitting back down to jot down a few notes. It would be another ten minutes or so before Viktor gave the Dock Master back his office.


[member="Razor Shot"]

 

[Bolt]

Zaiden nodded to Claire, but never took his eyes from Viktor. When she moved to leave, he backed up slowly until he was at the door, then turned on his heel and left the room. The door closed behind them, with a soft tap. It was one of his more polite meetings in an office he wasn't invited. He felt pride that he had not snapped and turned the place to ash.

Glancing down at Claire he used his finger to tilt her chin back, so their eyes could meet, "Are you ok?" He asked, concern evident in his voice, though it was obvious little had happened in the room.

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Razor Shot"]

Claire looked up she and Zaiden had only recently met and now it felt like he was her only friend. Things about her she would have liked to reveal slowly but Viktor's threat had immediately caused her alarm.

"Zaiden all I've ever had is my family and my business. When he said if I left all those things could happen, I felt panic and fear that it was being taken away. I didn't know who else to reach for." She looked down she knew he was a busy man with his own business to run.

He didn't know that her family came here homeless creditless everything they had came from hard work and determination to have a better life and now that unless she stayed would be gone. But. She had to be able to share with her family on Alderaan.

"I'm sorry Zaiden I'm scared and don't know what to do. What would you do?" She had not asked the other question how did he know?

 

[Bolt]

"I wouldn't worry. Because you have a friend that wants to help you expand your corporation, remember? I was not joking. I will financially back everything you need for the next store. Maybe the next 3! And have them all be bigger than a strip mall!" He said chuckling, "Maybe turn em into an everything sold here kind of store! Whatever it takes to help you succeed. If the Governor wants the shop to stay, let it stay. I will provide workers, and you can focus on the other shops.

"Also, I would like to offer my palace on Val'hala to place your family. If you accept they will be free to use everything to their advantages, and not have to worry about payment. It will be utterly free of charge." He said offering a smile, "If it matters, they would be having their own rooms, which are cool because they are bigger than the average house. They would have access to all the food they would need. Everything would be provided."

Grinning he also added, "Plus then you'd have to come to my house to visit them."

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Razor Shot"]

[SIZE=12pt]Claire was speechless as she listened to everything he was offering to her. As she shook her head her blonde hair fell over her eyes as she looked up at him[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]“Zaiden why would you offer all of that to my family? I.” She bit her lip out of nervous habit again, “don’t know what to say”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She for a moment could be very excited about more stores, excited about her family being somewhere safe. She could even be excited about working with Zaiden and seeing him during all of this.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She just did not understand why he would offer all of this.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Was there a catch?[/SIZE]