Research Time (Siobhan)

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Phylis looked across the table into Siobhan’s face, held her gaze for a moment, then nodded.
“Yes, I can see you mean the best,” she said. “That is why I can still associate with you. You reach for commendable and lofty goals, even if your methods are not ones I would use. Your soul is not corrupted, but I fear one day that must turn. You must be eternally vigilant.”

She finished her dessert and gave the dish to Harmony. When the Dahomian was out of the room she gave Siobhan an amused smile.
“I wonder sometimes how you put up with so many ladies, all of whom demand attention and their place on top…no pun intended.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Phylis Alince"]


"Oh, I'm a giver and like pampering pretty ladies. Besides, we're good at switching. Sometimes it's Tegs who's on top, sometimes Mirien or me. Or two on one," Siobhan said with a completely straight face. Phylis was right, the Countess had no sense of shame or modesty.


"Seriously, it obviously comes with all the issues and arguments you'd expect in a relationship. Just magnified because there's more people in it. Bit of a balancing act giving everyone the attention they need. Coryth and Mirien...did not get on at the start because of their past." Well, [member="Coryth Elaris"] had tried to kill Mirien when they met, though her reasons had been completely understandable. "But I think it's really worth it."

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Phylis didn’t really know what Siobhan was talking about, but she could guess. “Hmmph, sounds…unhygienic,” she said primly. Clearly she believed Siobhan thought far too much about sex to be healthy.

“Still, I’m glad things are going well for you.” She set down her glass. “I imaging you have a grand palace now on Tygara?”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Not yet. Working on it though. I plan on having a grand throne. With some harem girls to fawn over me when I hold court and an all-female guard of amazons," Siobhan said with a completely straight face and a deadpan tone. "But Firemane's set up a base and Tegs I have a nice box house there. It's quite comfy."


After all, the bosses had to live in a luxurious manner. Oh, and in other news their ship was still moving through hyperspace. How much time had passed? This one has no clue. Presumably they would arrive on Tygara soon.

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Phylis shook her head slowly. “When you say things like that I cannot tell if you are being serious or not.”

She yawned. “I might turn in and get some sleep,” she said. “Thank you for a nice meal, Siobhan, and thank you for your service, Harmony.”

“Mistress could always give me a tip!” Harmony said.

Phylis nodded. Leaning close to the girl’s ear she whispered, “Remember to invest wisely in a range of diversified markets.” Harmony gave her a look. “You asked for a tip…Jedi don’t carry money, and I’m sure Siobhan will keep you busy, so that’s all I can do.”

Harmony laughed and headed off to bed with Siobhan. Phylis meanwhile headed to her cabin and locked the door. By the time she woke up they’d nearly have arrived.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Phylis Alince"]


Siobhan had actually been quite serious about wanting a throne. It was a bit amusing to see that she fit the common picture of the Eldorai aristo better than Anya, who these days was all modernist...and still was not interested in sleeping with her again!


In any case the ladies headed off to bed, though Phylis still insisted on sleeping alone! Siobhan and Harmony had a vivid...discussion about Zeltron gymnastics and poetry. So yeah, stuff happened and a couple hours later the left hyperspace and emerged in Tygara's orbit. While Siobhan freshened up, Harmony would be sent over to tell Phylis and presumably troll her.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth had been working with a small group of former slaves on Tygara. They had come under her care, after their Mistress had sought to end the First Contact party's lives by poison. The Vizier had made a fatal mistake and now the lovely women that had been enslaved, a few of them literally since the moment they were born, now were under Coryth's care. With help of a protocol droid, and the crystal that Chesna had bestowed upon her the redhead managed to communicate well enough with the former slaves.

Coryth had spent a long time, trying to get them proper medical care and then began the long process of trying to educate them on Basic so that they could communicate with the rest of the galaxy. These were Firestack Health and Medical Resources first clients. Though they didn't know that. It was a detail they hardly needed to know. Too much explaining when the language barrier was still too great.

After a long day, she returned to her own room having no idea that [member="Phylis Alince"] and [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] would soon be arriving. As she sat down at her desk to go over some final bits of paperwork, the redhead idly tugged at a small blue collar with a tiny silver bell around her neck. A love gift from her Mistress.

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

Phylis had slept well. The bed had been very comfortable, though she had wondered why there were secure eyebolts in the cabin wall at the head and foot of the bed. She had an idea though and was sure she wouldn’t like the answer. With a final ‘Hmmph’ she had settled in to sleep.

Waking a couple of hours out from landing she had washed, dressed and gotten some breakfast from the galley. Neither Siobhan nor Harmony seemed awake yet, which was probably a good thing, so she ate in silence, consulting the notes she had on Tygara for reference.

When Harmony did appear and they broke hyperspace, the Dahomian seemed a little peaky and seemed to be having a bit of trouble sitting. She still seemed cheerful though.
“Good morning, Mistress!”
“Hmm, morning, Harmony. I see you had an entertaining night,” Phylis replied, looking up briefly.
“Indeed! Mistress got me to-,” she began.
Phylis held up her hand. “Please, Harmony, unless you would like a two hour lecture on my book on levitation in the pre-Tython era, spare me. What you do in private is your business, but I don’t want to hear about it ever again!”
Harmony paused, deflated, a little upset.
Phylis sighed and went over to her, patted her on the shoulder. “You’re a good person, Harmony, and you’re doing what you do so you don’t have to be trapped in your past. Understand though that I am a Jedi, and whilst your games might shock me, they will not seduce me. I’ve made my choice in life, as have you, so unless you want a lecture on levitation, go see to your Mistress.” She gave Harmony a peck on the cheek and sent her on her way.
She wondered if Harmony would gloat about stealing a kiss. It didn’t matter, she had done the right thing.

The ship came in to land at the new strip cleared in the desert and surrounded with walls. This place was heavily guarded by Eldorai and Firemane soldiers to prevent curious locals, and a skyhopper transported passengers to the palace and back.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Phylis Alince"]


Siobhan would probably feel a bit jealous about Harmony managing to steal a kiss from Phylis! No, she was not obsessed with the librarian at all. Well, maybe a little bit, for the Jedi Master still resolutely refused to give in to her undeniable charms. This was obviously quite maddening for a woman who had gotten used to be being fawned over.


In any case the ship soon came down to land in the strip that had been cleared away in the desert. A landing pad had been constructed here to keep the natives away. Firemane and Eldorai soldiers stood guard, heavily armed, and supported by a few turrets. After all, you could never be too careful. It was true that the alliance could not be maintained solely through martial might, but it always helped.


Siobhan was in a chipper mood when she encountered Phylis as the ship descended and then the landing ramp was lowered. Maybe it was because she had had plenty of fun with Harmony. Or because naturally all the soldiers stood at attention because she loved being in the limelight. "Had a good sleep, Phylis, dear?" she asked chipperly. "Come on. Welcome to Tygara. The skyhopper will take us to the palace. We'll meet [member="Coryth Elaris"] there. Then later you'll get a tour of our base on the northern continent."

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

(Posting to get Phylis into a position where the short stack of fire can post.)

Phylis nodded to Siobhan. “I did indeed, thank you. I trust you did as well?”

She looked at the bleak desert, then further to where the green smudge of the irrigated lands lay.
“It’s beautiful. I will enjoy looking at it as we fly over.”

The skyhopper trip was quick and efficient, Phylis looking out as desert became farms which became settlements. As they set down on top of the palace she noticed the ordinary people looking up with a mix of amazement and dread.

“What do the Qadiri think of all this? Have you had negative reactions?”

As they stepped down onto the platform they might well encounter Coryth Elaris….

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth received a message that Siobhan and Phylis both would soon be arriving planetside. With a soft sigh, the redhead put away the last of her paperwork, and changed clothes. Before leaving, she quickly ran a brush through her hair and neatly pulled it back into a soft braid.

Finally with everything settled, and the redhead barefoot as always, she headed for the skyhopper platform, knowing the pair of them would arrive there soon enough. She did like Phylis, the kind light-sided healer and scholar. And of course, Coryth loved Siobhan being her closest friend in the galaxy and someone who had helped her through a great deal of things. Not only that but helped her find a way to preserve her memories, should ever some sith try to steal her mind from her.

Waiting patiently on the platform, Coryth was sitting on top of a crate, her legs dangling over the edge as she was skimming through a datapad of the latest numbers for Firestack Health and Medical Resources. The company was still in its infancy and needed so much of the redhead's attention, even now when she was a billion miles away from home. Being so wrapped up in her work, she hadn't noticed that her friends had finally arrived.

[member="Phylis Alince"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Phylis Alince"], [member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Mixed. There's gratitude because we beat a slaver fleet and saved one of their cities from the Xioquo. Along with fascination about the goods we brought. But also plenty of fear and dread about what we might do. Some think we're evil demons. So far there's been no rebellion, the aristos are probably trying to figure out how we fit into their games," Siobhan said with a shrug. She had never been inclined to idealism and her cynicism was strongly inherent.


The skyhopper soon landed and descended down upon the platform. "Come on," Siobhan said, smiling when she saw Coryth and so she quickly approached her. Well, as quickly as she could given her limp and cane. "Hey there, sweetie," she gave Coryth a loose hug and a gentle kiss.

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

“That is understandable. I can only imagine how they must feel to find their whole view of the galaxy subverted. To find that not only are they not alone, but there are beings more advanced who could crush them if they chose. In reply, they must alternate between accommodation and appeasement. I’m not sure how we would cope in the same situations; Clockwork and the Rapture show… perhaps not very well. Still, I am glad you come not as a conquering force, but are trying to deal with them. Culture shock can cause resentment and anger, I just hope you can contain it.”

As they touched down, Phylis caught sight of the short stack of fire. As always she had eschewed shoes and was sitting there happy as anything.

“Coryth, it’s great to see you again!”

Phylis came over after Siobhan and gave the other Jedi Master a warm smile and a brief hug. Any hopes that she’d found another reasonable, rational person though were shattered when her hug set the little silver bell ringing.

She looked down at the bell, on a collar. Suddenly she knew she was the only sane one in this cult of Sapphic sex addicts.

“Uh…hmm…nice…collar,” she said with a cough. How did one respond?

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth spotted Phylis and Siobhan both, and quickly hopped down from her perch. As Sio met up with her, she wrapped her arms gently around the woman smiling brightly. "Hi hun, always good to see a dear friend." She said sweetly.

And then to Phylis, with a quick hug to the woman who had helped save her life. "It's so good to see you too. It's been a long while."

Then the awkward moment came. "Oh thank you, I rather like it myself." The redhead said with a bright smile, hardly missing a beat, and for once not turning lobster red. Times were changing, that's for sure. "How was your trip? Good, I hope."

[member="Phylis Alince"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Phylis Alince"]


In Sio's opinion Coryth looked lovely with her shiny collar. She was very pleased with how the redhead had turned out. For one she was far less shy and more self-confident. Oh, and not turning lobster red as often as before, which was a bit of a shame because Siobhan liked that colour on her.


"I think the collar looks lovely on you, darling," Siobhan said in her sweetest tone. "Our flight was nice. Phylis is gonna be staying with us for a bit."

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

Phylis gave a little ‘Hmmph’, but her heart wasn’t in it. She wasn’t really the judgemental sort, and if Coryth wanted to wear it then Phylis wouldn’t stop her. It did make her look like a pet manka cat kitten though.

“Yes, Siobhan did invite me here. I am interested in learning the culture, the history of this world. It might also give me some peace and quiet to continue my experiments. Hmm, I guess that this is the palace of the Shahbânu Semiramis you mentioned, yes?”

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth smiled softly, "Thank you Sio, took some getting used to but I really do like it now." She gave a small nod, "Glad to hear it. Oh? She is!" The tone in her voice growing in excitement. Clearly she liked the idea of Phylis staying. "Very exciting." The redhead said with a smile.

"I'm quite glad she invited you to be honest, Phylis. You're one of the few who are still within the Republic borders that I can stand. And certainly have a mind of your own. Something I can appreciate." She said quietly. "Well, if you are working on your alchemy any further, I'd be happy to lend a hand in whatever way I can." Looking to the palace behind her, the redhead nodded, "Yes, yes it is."

[member="Phylis Alince"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Phylis Alince"], [member="Coryth Elaris"]


Siobhan was a woman of great faith. Thus she was certain that one day Phylis would see the 'light' and jump into bed with her. The fact that the Jedi librarian had never shown any interest in her was irrelevant. She had faith that one day the bookworm would be unable to resist her. There were clearly cases where faith could translate into self-aggrandising narcissism and feed delusions.


In any case she gave the little redhead a smile. Coryth was such a sweetheart and might play a vital role in Sio's evil plan to permanently lure Phylis away from the Republic and their Council. For it was self-evident to Siobhan that 'her' Phylis belonged here. "I'm glad you two are hitting it off so well. Sure you can do great things with alchemy together. If you want, Phylis, we can give you a tour of the city. The palace has a big library. Then head to the Firemane base we've set up." The outpost was the basis for a number of Eldorai settlements that were being erected.

 

[Phylis Alince]

[member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Phylis looked slightly suspicious of this apparent collusion between the two of them. Yes, of course they were being friendly, but she suspected there was more to it than that.
“Hmmph, it’s Alkahest,” she protested weakly when they called it alchemy. There was a difference, even if it was just a name and that hers was the less developed light version…but she thought it was important that there was a difference!
She gave Coryth another look, looking at the bell again. Academically, she wondered whether the Jedi Master wore it all the time or whether it would be too distracting when she slept. She decided not to ask.

“Yes, please take me for a tour. But no harems, you hear?” she told Siobhan sternly. After all, she didn’t drag Siobhan to a dusty library and insist she read her work on Levitation in the Pre-Tython Era, so she expected some courtesy in return.

The architecture was impressive though, and some of the wall carvings were exquisite.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth smiled sweetly, "I'm sure we can. I'm quite interested to hear more about, Alkahest. It's fascinating really to me, a lightsided version of sith alchemy."

"No harems. I think we can arrange that." With that she gave a nudge with her elbow to Siobhan, more of a slight hint that no such thing was allowed this time around. All for Phylis' comforts. With that she started off back towards the palace, "Come along then, we'll give you a proper tour."

[member="Phylis Alince"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]