Private Into the Rabbit's Hole

[Darth Angonous]

It was a rather eventful evening, Angonous entered the Casino wanting to test his skills as a Sabacc player but ended up meeting an unconventional woman. Rowena was always calm, capable of charming a room with just a smile. Angonous had been in politics for years but hasn't seen someone who displayed as much strength like Rowena did. It drew Angonous close to her, he wanted to know who she was and how she carried herself. Just through simple analysis, Rowena was able to deduce that Angonous was a force user. It was something that he was heavily guarding for years whenever became Hal yet it was Rowena who picked it up the quickest.

Angonous spent all night thinking about Rowena, she enjoyed his company to the point where she wanted to meet him again tomorrow morning for another date. Rowena was curious about exploring the jungles of Nubian Prime. Angonous though was against it because the wildlife was still dangerous despite the fact that it was relatively safe compared to planets like Felucia. Still Rowena insisted saying that she had faith in Angonous' ability to protect her. As soon as he got up, the Sith Lord placed on a Corellian vest, white shirt and pants as well as his black boots. He also unpacked his Lightsaber placing it inside his jacket pocket, one can never be too cautious in a jungle planet.

As soon as he got out, Angonous reached Rowena who was leaning on the railing looking over the forests. "By the force," he said looking over her white dress which showed a bit of her cleavage, her white heels and white purse. Her hair was pinned in an up do type, "you-" Angonous never felt himself stumbling over his words. "Look absolutely gorgeous, the light to combat my darkness. I like the contrast."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

While Darth Angonous might consider the outing to be a 'date', Rowena saw it as testing the waters of his ability to look after her in a pinch. She was hiring him for such a task, afterall.

Yet still, there were things about him that she wanted to know and learn. It was in her best interest to have a Sith Lord on her side and if she wasn't already married, then perhaps she'd allow for her attraction to grow. Their ambitions and desires were the same, however his had their own sets of challenges due to him being a Force User. With her thete was less complications.

Rowena offered him a delightful smile as he appeared, stumbling over his words. It was endearing. "Why thank you. I figured it'd make me easier to spot in a jungle. The same reason that you are wearing white, I imagine. So where shall we head to first? I will let you lead the way."

 

[Darth Angonous]

Angonous frowned looking at Rowena, while it was true he was wearing a white shirt she on the other was so white even a blind man could spot her. "If I had to guess," he said crossing his arms. "This is more of a test of my abilities as your bodyguard, I am honored to guard Rowena but going into a jungle even a jungle as safe as the one Nubian Prime is dangerous."

He looked at his clothing. "Putting a kill me sign is just going to put your life at risk my lady. Unless that's what you want." This was the first foolish thing that Rowena has done. It was as though she was begging to be killed by the things that lurked in the jungle. According to rumor, Nubian Prime hasn't done a through job of clearing out the wildlife as they should of. There were still many things lurking in there like Wildmen and ancient ruins of some sort. The Sith Empire attempted to explore the area but were occupied by the war.

"I guess we can head to a resort not too far from here," he said. "It's called the Fun in The Sun and you get a good view of the river and the mountains. They also have good drinks as well better than the Casino at least."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Disappointment.

Rowena wasn't used to getting that kind of look from others. She wasn't quite sure of how to take that at first, but then buried those feelings deep, instead of dwelling on it. "I merely wanted it to be easier for you to spot me. I wasn't thinking of anything else."

She nodded at Darth Angonous ' suggestion of heading off to a resort. "Fun in the sun. Sounds like a perfect little getaway for me." And what she was dressed for.

Another thought came to mind as she looked him up and down, taking view of him and his clothing in a different light. "Would it make things easier or better for you if I changed my outfit?"

 

[Darth Angonous]

While Angonous appreciated what Rowena was trying to do, It was a naïve statement. Sure for Angonos, It was easier to spot her but the problem was so will everyone else. However against his good judgement, it was hard for Angonous to tell Rowena to dress again. How could something so simple like her dress be affective against him? "You can keep it," Angonous said as they began to walk. He could see the disappointment etched in her face as though she was used to getting her way. Angonous had the opposite upbringing as a Sith nothing is given you must earn it.

"You look beautiful Rowena," Angonous said. "I'm just worried about the jungle that's all but what good will I be as a bodyguard If I can't protect you whether you're wearing bright clothing or not? All I ask is that you stick very close to me."

The Fun in Sun Resort was only a mile away and the road was well patrolled so it shouldn't be too hard. "It is," he said smiling. "There's some places where you can relax. Can get you a straw hat, the people there are oddly proud of them for some reason. They're just made out of cheap straw and nothing more."

Maybe this day will start off well.

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena was just half a step behind Darth Angonous as he started them on their walk. She was glad to not have to change. Her shoes had thick heels, although they were still high. It made it a little more comfortable for walking long distances. His compliment made her smile, although she knew that she didn't look hideous. However he was right in his earlier statement; she was dressed in a stark contrast compared to him.

"Let's hope that the journey is uneventful, then."

She hooked her arm into his again as he told her to stay close to him. How much closer to him could she get outside of jumping into his arms and being carried?

Rowena loved the feeling of the sun on her skin. Normally she was indoors, or just on a balcony for small parts of the day if the weather was nice. Yet despite how relaxing it was, she just couldn't drop her guard and truly let every wall down. He was still very much a stranger. "A straw hat? Well, I suppose that it would offer some protection from the sun. Do you think that they'd have any white ones to go with my outfit?"

 

[Darth Angonous]

While Angonous wasn't adverse to touch he would always feel a bit uncomfortable whenever somebody touched him. As a Sith Lord, one must always be guarded for those who would try to kill him. The Sith Empire were filled with people who would gladly backstab a person if it meant advancing in rank be it a master, apprentice to even the non force users. It was a miracle that the Sith Empire was still standing despite having the stability of house made out of wet plywood. As long as they had a common enemy to fight, the Sith will remain united the question was what would happen whenever the enemy has been wiped out?

Still Angonous smiled and surprisingly welcomed the touched when Rowena wrapped her arm around his. It felt soft and smooth, part of Angonous wanted to relax and fully embrace her touch. However he still had difficulty letting his guard down, doubt still lingered what if Rowena wanted to backstab him as well? Maybe somehow capture him and hold him ransom for the Sith Empire? Angonous knew all too well that the Sith Empire takes their sweet time whenever they try to rescue their own. A subtle sign that death was preferable to allowing one to be captured. "I hope that the only eventful thing that will happen is our conversation." Angonous said. "You are an interesting person to talk to my lady, you probably have a wealth topics that we can conserve about."

The Sith Lord frowned at Rowena's question about straw hats. "Never wore them before so I can't talk about it," Angonous said enjoying the sounds of Rowena's heels clacking against the stone floor. "They're usually cheap though so I suppose it'll do it's job."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena laughed softly as Darth Angonous suggested that she had a wealth of things to talk about, as though she was some famous storyteller. But really, what could she talk about that would interest a Sith?

"I'm sure that a life of politics is quite dull to someone like yourself. And outside of politics and my family duties, I either go shopping or relax in a hot bath." And of course there was her little casino habit as well. But that wasn't something that she did too often these days.

"This is the closest that I've had to a vacation in some time. How about you?"

 

[Darth Angonous]

Rowena was right there, Angonous could barely go five minutes in politics without losing his mind. Yet he had to engage in it due to his family obligations being a noble no matter how minor was rather irritating. "It can be," Angonous answered giving a small sigh. "You seem to be more patient at it than I am despite the fact that we both engage in politics just to survive."

The most dangerous kinds of people were those who actually enjoy the mass manipulation. Angonous had to be extra cautious with them, "shopping huh?" he smirked as he continued on the road. "Not much of a shopper myself, I only go for the bare minimum I like animals. Particularly Dogs, have two of them at home."

Angonous smiled. "I'll be honest I have a better relationship with my Dogs than people. Probably makes me strange does it?"

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

"Patience is a virtue. But not only that, it's smart. I wouldn't be here in my position now if I'd of tried to force it. I'm doing everything to prevent all that I've gained from being taken from me in one foul swoop." She looked at her situation and what she wanted through all the angles. And so far she has managed to rise in power without calling the attention of those that cause and thrive with war. Which was a good thing. It meant that she operated in the shadows.

"Dogs? How nice. I've never had any...pets before. Who looks after them while you're away from home?" Did Darth Angonous have servants?

 

[Darth Angonous]

For years Angonous had to build a tolerance for politics, despite what the Jedi may say, the Sith were patient they've plotted the Jedi's defeat for generations and succeeded many times. Angonous was taught how to better harness his emotions and strike with passion when the time is right. The difference between a Jedi and a Sith was that a Sith would strike without hesitation nor regret. "I'm doing the same," Angonous said allowing Rowena to lean closer to him. "Do you even like politics? Or do you view it as a necessary evil?"

The Sith Lord listened to the birds chirping in the trees giving a small sigh. It was rather peaceful today, part of Angonous wanted to be with the Sith Empire as they engage the Imperial Order. It wasn't going well, the Imperials have been beating back the Sith and what's worse was the Alliance joined the fray. Yet here Angonous was talking to a woman he barely knew yet was strangely interested in. He felt shame abandoning his comrades as they fought and died in the front lines. Angonous needed to be there killing as many Jedi and Imperials as he can.

"Never had pets?" Angonous asked his frown turning into bemusement. "You mean to tell me that a wealthy woman like you never had a pet in her life? Well as a show of thanks for putting me on the right path last night I can give you one of my Dogs. I've been a servant all my life and I didn't know it, I was trapped and you helped me see what I was doing wrong."

Angonous sighed. "My Dogs are at Dromund Kaas, my Droid is looking after them while I'm gone but I do miss them."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

It was an odd set of questions coming from Darth Angonous . Did she even like politics? It was a strange thing to ponder to be sure. "I don't think that it's evil at all. Necessary, yes. Otherwise there'd be Chaos. But do I like it? Well it's all that I know and all that I'm good at. What else would I do with my life without it?" She couldn't see herself doing anything else. She wasn't a Force User, so what else would she be? A waitress? A dancing girl? Rowena certainly wasn't one for combat.

As he offered to give her one of his pets, Rowena shook her head as she laughed softly. "Oh there's no need for that. I wouldn't know how to look after it. The poor thing could get sick or die. And no, I never had a pet growing up or otherwise. I wasn't as always as wealthy as I am today. My focus has always been on the future and not so much the present. And of course that focus has now turned to my daughter and her impending marriage."

 

[Darth Angonous]

Angonous nodded. "That is correct," he responded. "We need politics to maintain stability and order despite the fact that is rather unpopular to engage in it." Rowena never answered the question but Angonous can guess that she was like him and that politics was just a necessary evil. "I guess the difference between you and me is that like you said, you are good at it. It took me years to actually learn the nuances, when all you've learned is how to harness your emotion it is difficult to reign it in a place where subtly is needed.

"Strength does manifest in more than just the physical," Angonous said. "I had to learn through suffering and hardship that you must outsmart your enemy. My master pushed me to the limit, always probing my mind, beating me daily with thrashes of the force. Trying to ignite my senses, but when I did unleash my emotions, I was nothing more than a raging animal which left me vulnerable to force lightning. Day by day I had to find out what I did wrong and improve."

Angonous frowned, his master taught him well perhaps too well for Angonous didn't kill him with a Lightsaber but rather through poisoning his wine. All it took was simple observation and knowing when to strike. "How do you feel being a Queen's mother?" he asked Rowena trying to dispel his memory. "Does it bring you closer to your goal?"

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

"Not everyone finds politics unpooular. For some like me, it is their livelihood." And she was good at it.

Rowena listened to Darth Angonous as he spoke of his training. Force Users were cruel and she couldn't imagine having to go through something like that herself; to be beaten daily like some slave. It was no wonder that he thought of himself as a servant to the Force for such a long time. It was no wonder that he had that mindset...

The change in topic was a nice one. She'd be lying if she said that she didn't like attention. Rowena gave a smile that fully showed how proud of herself that she was. "Oh yes, that it does. Being a Queen's Mother will grant me much power, including over the Illyrian Court. It's just another step towards where I see myself going. And it feels wonderful..."

 

[Darth Angonous]

"It's a good thing that politics isn't my life," Angonous said looking at the trees. "I think I would've been driven insane, I prefer being a warrior. It's what I've been born to do. Yet my family expects me to be not just a Dark Side Juggernaut but also a man who would rise us out from our lowly position."

The Sith Lord frowned staring at Rowena. "I should be out there fighting with my brothers and sisters," he said. "The force is driven by conflict and through conflict we grow stronger. Yet here I am with my arm wrapped around yours talking without a care in the world. I feel like I'm growing weaker by the moment." Angonous began to frown. "The Sith Empire is starting fracture with different factions starting to arise, the Sith's home world: Korriban has been stolen by the Jedi and Galactic Alliance and all I wasn't there to prevent it."

All those years of training and yet Angonous felt inadequate, the Sith Empire was starting to crumble but there was little he could do stop it. "It'll be a matter of time before the Galactic Alliance attacks my home planet: Drummond Kaas." he said. "I'm happy that you are becoming stronger but for me all my years of training, enduring abuse. It's all for nothing it seems, the world that I knew is starting to fall and I feel helpless. I hate that feeling!"

Angonous stopped letting go of Rowena's arm, he closed his eyes reaching for the force. He had fostered his emotions but what good are they if he can't kill any Jedi or Imperial in his way? "I don't know why I'm saying this to you Rowena," he said his face sullen. "But I don't know what to do."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena listened to Darth Angonous as he spoke of the hardships and struggles that he was missing out on, as though he believed that he should be there.

Perhaps that was so. Yet Rowena had a certain point of view when it came to fate and the future. That point of view had helped her to grow, gave her confidence and moved her family forward to further greatness.

She stopped as he did, and then turned to face him, resting her hands on her hips as she looked up at him. "Empires rise and fall, only to rise again. Yours is struggling under an onslought that they might not survive, and yet here you are taking the position to be not only a survivor but a man that will help them rise from the ashes and reclaim what was lost.

You have come to the realization that you are not a servant. Don't restrict yourself with those shackles. Running over there to die in battle isn't going to raise your family's standing. It will only end it.

But being out here you have the chance to plan ahead, to prepare and develop the future that you want. And what kind of future does that look like? What is it that you want?"

 

[Darth Angonous]

Angonous expression was still sullen what did he want? Truly? The Sith Lord crossed his arms staring down at Rowena. For a woman who preferred to stay out of conflict and use her words, she was more powerful than he expected. "What I want," he said. "I want to be the strongest Sith Lord to ever live, I want to achieve that through fighting and defeating the most powerful Jedi in the Galaxy. What I want is to understand more of the force and through I must generate conflict."

He took a step closer to Rowena. "But what I want right now," he said. "Is to be with you Rowena, people expect me to either die or be used as a pawn so they can grow stronger. Yet you have shown me something that no one has: Kindness. It feels off putting I-I don't know how to react to that years of being taught to accept emotion as part of life but the way I'm feeling with you. It's..... I'm not sure."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena didn't move as Darth Angonous stepped towards her. She wasn't intimidated, nor was he even trying to overpower her at all. She was just always the type to hold her ground.

"You are at the cusp of greatness. A new path to your goal has been laid at your feet, one that you didn't see before. And now it's up to you to take it. It's new, different and maybe even exciting. You're stepping into the unknown and anyone would feel a bit of apprehension with that.

But you'll get used to it." Rowena offered him an encouraging smile, before gesturing to the trail in front of them. "Shall we carry on?"

 

[Darth Angonous]

A new path huh? Angonous stared at Rowena intently it was an uncertain path but it was something that Angonous would gladly walk this time knowing that he's no longer chained to the whims of his family or the Empire. "The Force shall set me free," he said wistfully offering his arm for Rowena to loop against. "We're halfway there," he said. "Thank you once again for helping me."

Rowena Arenais

 

[-Shelved-]

Rowena was never one to rely on the Force. Only herself. So the statement that Darth Angonous had spoken made little impact on her. It was like some old hokey tradition. However such traditions were waging havoc on the Galaxy, which in her mind was ridiculous.

She took his offered arm, hooking her own around it and kept pace with him as they walked. Really it was more of a stroll, but Rowena wasn't in any rush. She was still working, still on her political agenda and ensnaring Ang in it too. Yet she was quite certain that they'd both help eachother to accomplish their goals.

"You're most welcome. It's the least that I can do for you." Whatever more he'd need, she wasn't sure just yet. But she liked having him escort her. The resort was sure to be an amazing place that she otherwise wouldn't of visited. And shecouldn't wait to see the straw hats.