[past rp] Yes, Exarch (Tegaea/Invite)

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]

"Thanks. She works so hard. Got all that responsibility on her shoulder," Siobhan said. It was strange. They were now far closer in rank - well, Siobhan came right after Tegaea - and often closer in location, except when she was directly managing the affairs of her Exarchate on Eriadu or the other worlds and dominions that belonged to it, yet there were long time spans where she saw her wife seldom. In the past she had never had to arrange meetings.

It also made Siobhan feel guilty and inadequate because from her perspective she was not much of a help to her wife. She finally finished signing her way through the mountain of paperwork, handing over the last datacard to Anya. She leaned back into the overly luxurious leather armchair, running her flesh hand through her dark brown curls before sighing. "You'd be way better at this than me and more of a support for Tegs. We both know that. I'm not much of a help for her." She was moping, but that did not change the fact that it was true! After all, there was nothing that qualified Siobhan for this position. Or for anything other than a minion role.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Anya smiled slightly. “I’ve had training in administration from my mother, and I’ve got a temperament for this sort of thing. I understand that you don’t, but also don’t think you’re of no help to her. What sort of a woman would she be if the Lady Protector kept her own wife as a mere junior officer? You wouldn’t like that, and it wouldn’t do your leadership skills any good. Much of politics is based on appearances. The Exarch’s office here and elsewhere has thousands of staff, you make the decisions and they make it actually happen. The secret of government is that most of the time it doesn’t actually matter who’s in charge, so long as people believe everything is under control.”

The Eldorai patted Siobhan on the shoulder. “Now, let’s get you ready for your date with your wife,” she joked. “I bought you a new floral dress…with pink flowers!” she said, trolling to the max.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]

Apparently when she was not trolling Siobhan Anya was fated to give her motherly pep talks when she was in a self-pitying or mopey mood. Siobhan was probably proof of the fact that tremendous strength in the Force and combat prowess oftentimes did not equal strength of personality or maturity. Fundamentally, she was a rather weak person, given to sudden rages, governed by emotions and insecurities.

It went without saying that she loved the perks her office brought her. Likewise she revelled in the feeling of adulation when she received it - whether it was feigned or real from her subjects did not matter to her, the sensation was enough. Then there was the feeling that the little girl from the gutters of Nar Shaddaa had finally made it from the sewers to the very top. There were those times when she felt that she could make a difference. Certainly when it came to fortifying the Protectorate since there was a lot of work to be done here...like beating down whoever wanted small elite groups!

However, more often than not it was tedious, dull, tiring and stressful. Moreover, she felt that she often was out of her depth. As for her leadership skills...well, this writer has never seen those on display in a single thread. As for what type of woman Tegaea would be if she kept Siobhan as a junior officer, this one thinks she would be one who recognises her wife's considerable limitations. Beneath the thick wall of arrogance and bravado, the temper of a steam engine that could burst at any moment if the right buttons were pressed and a tremendous capacity for violence lay an insecure woman, afraid of failure and rejection.

"Appear commanding and make everyone think things are under control. Well, guess I can do that. I can throw tanks with my mind after all. Sword of the Protectorate. It's something for marketing at least," Siobhan muttered, speaking more to herself than Anya. "I'm glad to have you around." Yet she would not leave and she was trying. To a certain extent Anya's words, though nagging doubts remained, resonated with her. The truth was that Siobhan probably would not have liked any of the alternate candidates for the position. At all. Well, she could appear commanding at least!

"You better appear for work in the special outfit then. I should make it compulsory. Skin-tight leather and stilettos would look good on you. Perhaps I should make you wear it the next time we visit the royal court on Kaeshana," she said with a completely straight face, apparently Anya's trolling had helped her cheer up. A perfect outfit she liked her, ahem, girls to wear at book club sessions. One wondered whether Silaqui wore it for her sometimes...behind closed doors.

"What should I wear? I'd...like to make her smile." Siobhan had never envisioned herself as a leader, Tegaea was the one for that, but, as extremely self-centred as the Exarch was, she was devoted to her wife and wanted to be the cause of her happiness. Even if that meant saying lots of cheesy lines that even to her sounded like out of a bad romance holovid. Not that she ever watched any of those. Well, perhaps once or twice. When Tegaea was not looking.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Anya considered for a moment. “I think you should wear what you wore at your first date, or something from then. Bring flowers, bring her a present, just like you’re going on a date with her!”
Who knew the Princess could be such a romantic?!

“As for that outfit, I’ll consider it. I’m not good on high heels, and the leather is uncomfortable to wear in the office. Best save that for our night-time ‘review meetings’ I think!”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]

Siobhan gave her a look, though she seemed to be considering part of what she said. "Anya, my first...well, I guess we can call it a date with Tegs consisted of me coming over to her apartment in old Jedi robes, still splattered with the blood of Imps we'd killed earlier, feeling mopey and wanting to get over breaking up with Adril by getting spanked a lot. I...don't think that fits...minus the mistress and pet part."

Obviously in this timeline Siobhan Eyrecae had neither been a vampire nor the cause of the break-up. In the future Siobhan would meet her, though long after she and Tegaea had left the Protectorate, and under very different circumstances. This writer thinks another Eldorai just took her place and events largely preceded as in the original reality, though it was Tegaea who rescued Siobhan from the energy vampires and helped her take brutal vengeance upon them, resulting in a stronger bond between the two.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

"That sounds like your usual weekend attire," Anya snarked. "But fine...wear something nice then, not formal but show you made an effort choosing it. Pull out all the stops and make her feel like the most important person in the galaxy. Sound good?" Anya asked.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]

Apparently in addition to being her political adviser, with the task of restraining Siobhan from embarking on courageous initiatives to transition the Protectorate from the Principate into the Dominate and get her to actually do her paperwork, Anya was also destined to provide counsel on her love life and fashion. Her Highness the Crown Princess deserved an award for multi-tasking, patience and an infinite capacity for trolling.

Presumably at some point in this thread there would be Exarch things to do. Like an Executive Council meeting, a speech or an appearance on the holonet for an interview, but now, back at her apartment after a few more hours in her office and then a detour into Fondor City Siobhan found herself confronted with a tremendously challenging issue. She most assuredly did not feel butterflies in her stomach, for she was not a teenager...even though she was probably just as hormonal, eternally so. She also most assuredly did not feel like a giddy schoolgirl. Well, if she did, she would not be able to be conscious of this because she had never received formal education before joining the Jedi. The education on her homeworld had consisted of working in an old factory from early to late.

Nonetheless she was...nervous, maddeningly so. It was terribly frustrating to her. She had known Tegaea for more than a decade, they had been off and on lovers since she joined Omega Pyre before eventually tying the knot and walking down the aisle. She knew Tegaea loved her - this, was one of the things Siobhan knew she could count on - and would like her in anything she wore. So by all rights she should not be rummaging through the substantial closet in her luxurious bedroom like some schoolgirl eager to impress her girlfriend on their first date, determined to find just that one right outfit.

Not that she ever watched any of those holovids. Upon reflection, perhaps she should check to make sure that Stairway to Paradise was properly stacked away and not kept in the holoplayer to make sure Tegaea did not find it. Of course, the only reason she had watched that movie was because Irena Saltari was so hot in it! Not because of any of the mushy, lovey-dovey stuff...

Her first instinct was one of the many leather outfits she possessed. Tegaea did like her in leather and it really...fit her curves well. But she had worn them all a lot. Finally her eyes fell upon a new red dress, a gift from Silaqui incidentally. Siobhan was not really the dress-up sort, at heart she was a practical woman, the fancy galas and festivities she often had to attend as Exarch made her feel awkward and out of place. Especially since she thought that behind her back the pompous aristos were mocking her. Admittedly she did not give a hang about what they thought since she was the Sword of the Protectorate, but nonetheless it had an effect. However...Tegaea did deserve the best, this night was about making her feel how much she meant to Siobhan and she had commented it would look good on her. While very beautiful, it was not too formal or ostentatious to be uncomfortable for her.

Doubtless Anya and Tegaea would troll her, but the things one did for love! Besides, if Tegaea was making jokes at least she was laughing!

A servant girl helped apply some lip gloss and eye shadow, for if Siobhan had tried she would have probably just smeared, as entertaining as that would have looked! Finally she emerged in the dining room, having completed her makeover for her hopefully beautiful night with her queen.

"So...what do you think? Do I look good...will she like it?" she asked nervously, sounding...totally like a giddy schoolgirl on her first date with her high school crush. Presumably Anya had been subjected to watching Siobhan go through various outfits, but on the positive side this should have given her both ample chance for trolling and a good look at her friend's and occasional lover's...assets.

Let the trolling commence.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Anya smiled innocently. It was too easy...far too easy.
"I proclaim you ready for your prom," Anya said. She walked around her. "Now, try and act like a lady as well as look like one. That means no slouching, no leaning against the wall, no kicking off your heels. Stand up straight!" she snapped like a drill sergeant. "That's better. Now get in there and wow her! Quick march!"
When Siobhan was gone the Princess smirked. It was almost worth the paperwork sometimes!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"]

"I...sooo hate you right now," Siobhan mock grumbled, but the effect was ruined by the silly smile on her face, though she gave the Princess' arse a good grope and a smack as she passed by. "Thanks for everything, Anya. Please make sure Grrbyrr is fed." For some reason when she was looking for shoes to put on the first she found, very obviously laid out for her by Anya, were a pair of ridiculously tall high heels.

She was most certainly not putting them on! So after finding a pair of comfortable and elegant flat shoes she was off. For a moment the Exarch felt like flying - honestly it was perfectly safe, she had tried sustained levitation at high altitudes a number of times with promising results - but then went the way any sensible person would and took her speeder, for she still drove one without chaffeur. She had been annoyed when it had been suggested that she should have one.

So off she went, probably driving faster than was warranted, her long brown hair flipping amidst the breeze of the wind. The apartment of Tegaea was not that far away, so she would be there soon. She most certainly did not have butterflies in her stomach or anything like that. For the record that phrase made no sense to her.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Siobhan was shown up into Tegaea's suite and passed into the living room. There Tegaea was waiting for her. The redhead looked tired, with dark rings under her eyes and her magnificent mane of hair disordered. She wore a business suit, but seemed to have not had the time or will to make a proper effort.
When she saw Siobhan she took a double take. "Sio? Oh...uhh...I'm sorry. I didn't realise..." she trailed off. She patted her hair, as if just noticing how out of place she looked compared. "I'm sorry, things have been busy," she apologised lamely. "It's good to see you, love," she said, coming over to give her a kiss.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Siobhan eagerly returned the kiss, pulling Tegaea into a big hug. Her flesh hand moved up to lovingly stroke her red mane. Her wife looked tired, overworked by all the stress and burdens her duties placed upon her shoulder, but in spite of the physical imperfections Siobhan just saw her beauty. Besides, Tegaea put up with her always losing limbs and having plenty of scars! She would always be beautiful to her.

"It's ok. I'm happy to see you...sorry for being so scarce." Admittedly that was not her fault, but she still felt like saying it. "I just, well, wanted to, uh, look nice for my beautiful wife. Have a night just for us, no politics, no duties. I love you. You're special...you deserve the best." No, she had not practiced saying that in front of a mirror, things were not that bad.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Tegaea melted into Siobhan's arms, her head pressed against her wife's neck. "I love you so much, Siobhan. Even now you can bring a smile to my lips." She kissed her.
"I'm sorry I've not come to see you more, it's just been so busy. I...I'm sorry."
They sat, and for once Tegaea seemed at a loss, exhausted and bereft of inspiration.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

This writer steadfastly refuses to write something about Siobhan's heart leaping with joy. Or something similarly cheesy like that.

"You've got nothing to apologise for, dear. I know it's...a tremendous burden on your shoulders. One no one else can carry," Siobhan said fervently, taking Tegaea's hand in hers and caressing it gently. Aurelia was a pompous windbag and Cater was a blustering wuss she was incapable of taking seriously.

"Just makes the...moments I get with the woman I love more precious for me. And I know you love me. Never thought I'd find someone like you." Her hand moved up to gently stroke across Tegaea's shoulder. "Would you like an, uh, massage? Hell, we can put a record from...what's her name...that girl you like so much. Amesthyst Zar." Siobhan had teased her wife mercilessly about liking teenie pop music. Fortunately Tegaea had not yet discovered her collection of...terribly cheesy romance holovids.

As far as she knew...hopefully Chesna had not been snooping during her last visit...

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Said holovids including ‘Padawan Peril’, ‘Knight Terrors’ and ‘Code of Passion’, amongst other Jedisploitation holos. Phylis would be horrified, but then, she’d mostly be horrified by the bad acting, lame effects and especially the incorrect clothing (or lack of) in them.

Regardless, Tegaea blushed a little.
“A massage would be nice. You are very good with your hands,” she said with a smile. “Let’s keep the music off for now. We can just talk, you know? You mean everything to me, Siobhan, I know you’ll never let me faill.”
Perhaps sad dramatic irony.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

In a few months time Tegaea would be abducted by a sadistic Sith Assassin, maimed and tortured almost to death. Said assassin would not have been a position to do this if Siobhan had used her brain and not acted like a lust-driven, arrogant idiot. Who incidentally would make a sexual harassment lawyer very rich if someone sued her. Of course, Siobhan would end up killing the assassin and saving Tegaea, but that could not make things better, though her wife would forgive her. Whether she deserved it was another question.


"If you were to fall, I'd catch you. But I won't let you...I promise. There isn't anyone like you in my life and over the years I've learnt you're the one I can trust...completely," Siobhan said fervently, with a strength of conviction she otherwise only showed when it came to fighting Sith, Bando Gora and the like. Her hand kept reassuringly rubbing Tegaea's shoulder.

"Sometimes...I don't think I'm cut out for this. Being Exarch. I know I'm not...you. But you have faith in me...and then I can believe I can do it. You make me believe we can accomplish anything." For a moment Siobhan seemed overcome by emotion, but then managed to compose herself.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
“We can, and we will, Siobhan. Never doubt that. Everything that we are and always will be is here right now,” Tegaea said. It was vaguely gibberish, but it made sense to her!

“I’ve not been able to cook anything. Uhh…I can order something if you want,” she said apologetically.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Gibberish or not, her wife's words resonated with Siobhan. Beneath the arrogant bravado and the fact that she seemed like a force of nature who could crush all opposition, Siobhan was an insecure woman. She might be the one who could throw tanks with her mind and fly, but Tegaea was the one who was actually strong.

Perhaps something be said for the theory that people who had to achieve something in a world of force gods without magic powers might be more balanced since they had to rise up without superpowers to fall back on. To Siobhan at times it was Tegaea who was the force of nature, as strange as that might seem. She was the one who had pulled Siobhan along with her, from the simple merc days to the very top.

"That's ok, love. Don't stress yourself," Siobhan said reassuringly. She had been doing that a lot in this conversation! "You get the menu, I brought that special massage oil you said you wanted. Just the best for you."

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Tegaea looked momentarily taken aback. Her wife was coming at her with all lovey-dovey guns blazing and she was reduced to just reacting. She tried to reassert some initiative though.
"I'll order us some steak and ice cream...just like the old days," she said, stepping forward to give Siobhan a kiss.

Stepping back she stripped off her business outfit down to a PG-13 amount anyway. Being the Protector meant she was responsible, and it would not do to corrupt any random kiddies who wandered in!
With that she lay down on the couch so Siobhan could massage her. Her wife did have very nimble fingers!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Fortunately Siobhan and Tegaea were not the child rearing type and so it was unlikely random kiddies would walk in. But one could never know! Besides, Grrbyrr might pop by somehow.

Regardless Siobhan wasted no time when it came to making those nimble fingers acquaint themselves with her wife's shoulders and back, rubbing over them. In this she was...rather skilled. One might wonder where she had learnt it. "Your shoulders and neck are a mass of knots, let me help you," she said softly, planting a kiss on Tegaea's neck as she began to rub the tension from her shoulders before her fingers moved down.

"I still remember vividly the day we first met. I was so scared...actually I was terrified. But you helped me get through it. You were this larger than life amazon superwoman...you still are, to me," she spoke as she dug into a particularly sore muscle. There was warmth in her tone. Not honey-sweet, but tactile warmth like a cat's purr and her words were heartfelt. "You've always been there. At every success, been there to catch me at every screw-up." Her fingers kept working their magic, seemingly knowing just when to apply pressure, when to be gentle and soothing, as odd as it might seem that hands that had been drenched in more blood than she could ever wash off might be capable of gentleness. "Just let me help you...lighten your burdens."

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Fortunately for them, Grrbyrr was being looked after by Chesna in their shared apartment. His habit of accosting visitors for food to Siobhan's apartment/office and trying to eat their shoelaces did not make him the best accessory for diplomacy.
"Oh, Siobhan...my Kerri," Tegaea purred as those wonderful fingers soothed and relaxed her back. "You've never understood that it was as much me as you. We're a team, we have our own ups and downs, but together we're unstoppable."

There was silence for a few moments until the doorbell rang. "Could you get that? I suspect a topless woman covered in massage oil would make their night...but not mine!"