Smoke Gets in Your Eyes [Natasi]

[Valessia Brentioch]

Victoria, Dosuun​

It was a cool night in Victoria, low winds and while the temperature was minus three celsius in all reality, it wasn't that bad. Valessia walked along on the outside of the sidewalk looking over toward Natasi Fortan. A smile on her lips, "you wanted to critique them, didn't you?" The two had just come from a beautiful concert put on by the Victorian Music Academy. "They're first years, they'll get the hang of it - now the third years." Valessia made a little face, "those guys are going to be some of the finest musicians that the Academy has put out yet, maybe they should give some tips to the graduating class." She says looking forward as they continue to hover-walk, they've determined that this was hover-walking. "Beautiful city," she comments looking around, Victoria was a youthful place and not just because of all the Academies here but also due to its age, still. She admired it, freshly paved streets - new lamp posts that now light the way throughout the Victorian night.

She was dressed in a long overcoat and boots from a company called Soulberry. Small heeled dress boots, black of course - a red button up blouse that just barely stuck out beneath the overcoat and a comfortable pair of black dress pants. Valessia looks Natasi over, "what is it?" She asks, having heard little from Natasi during the performance and after, barely a few words before. "You love critiquing them it's like a past time with you, and you've been mum the entire night. What's on your mind?" She inquires, and then looks around. "Hot cocoa, coffee, tea? Pretty sure there's a tea place around here," she offers as a way to help, "c'mon I'll buy."

They come to a crossroads, street traffic has come to a crawl at this time of night and more particularly on this end of the city. Most of the people here were young Academy students and were most likely out by the Promenade. The Provisio River wasn't too far from where they were now, Valessia could just about make out one of the piers from here. The street they were on ran parallel to it, and of course, the river took you to Prosperia which could also get you to Avalonia. Taking a deep breath, she exhales and with a smile thinks to mention, "think the little second year from the Orchestra had a crush on you, should've seen the way he blushed when you waved to him."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi floated alongside [member="Valessia Brentioch"] in her hoverchair, her mind miles and miles away. In truth she had been barely paying attention to the music, had only attended because it had been on her calendar for months, even before the disaster at Kaeshana had ripped the focus of the nation to war. The Grand Moff made a non-committal noise in response to the Ambassador's teasing, but her mind was elsewhere until Valessia spoke again. Natasi shook herself out of her reverie and looked up at her friend. "Sorry," she murmured. "Miles away. No, I thought it was fine. Well, there's always something to improve, if you look hard enough, but..." Her voice trailed off and she sighed. "I thought the third trombone was flat, to be honest. And it's not like I just showed up. It's been on my calendar for weeks. You'd think they would practice..." Her voice trailed off as they continued down the street.

The women were flanked, as they often were, by the Four Horsemen of Natasi's personal security detail. But as the Nation was teetering on the brink of war, the Supreme Leader had ordered his top political asset to be surrounded, day and night, by a stormtrooper escort as well. While Natasi was grateful for the added protection, it did rather draw a lot of attention to her, and although the First Order state media had graciously refrained from reporting on her condition -- though it did extensively cover her injuries during the Siege of Dosuun, at the direction of Petyr Calinda -- she could almost feel the news of her injuries spreading following every curious gaze of a passer-by, every time their eyes lit with recognition.

Valessia suggested that they stop for a drink, and Natasi agreed. "Bloody freezing," she said impatiently. "I didn't wave to him -- I waved at all of them." One of the Horsemen opened the door and they entered, finding their way to a secluded conversational area near a fireplace. When the waitress came by, Natasi ordered a hot toddy. When the women were left alone, Natasi looked over at [member="Valessia Brentioch"] with a smirk. "You know I almost feel bad for Petyr. All that time and energy -- and money, Balance knows -- trying to build me up into some combination of patron saint, mother of the nation, and sex symbol, and now I've ruined it by becoming a cripple. He is outwardly sympathetic but I can tell on the inside he's fuming."

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia smirked as the doors were opened, "even better, they invited you - still. Always room for improvement right?" A pause as she stepped into the little shoppe, "which let's be honest, they're going to need it if they have any hope of joining the official state jazz ensemble." Taking off her gloves she stashed them into the left pocket of her overcoat. Taking a breath she exhaled, looking around the place now. The Ambassador had left her own security detail behind, and as she counted, "you think the Supreme Leader sent enough stormtroopers?" Might as well have brought those specialised units from the Concordia. She gave Natasi a smile, "well he could have sworn you were waving to him. Made his day."

Gesturing to a corner section of the tea lounge, "there think we can fit - everyone." She said in response to the more than typical amount of security, Val had gotten used to the four horsemen but ever since Kaeshana? Security's been just about tripled, not that she couldn't blame the Supreme Leader or anyone for protecting the First Order's beloved head of state. "Please." She says partially scoffing, "you are still, the mother of this nation, still a sex symbol - I can think of at least six people on my staff alone who blush when you walk by or was that from the little Starfighter Outpost on Varonat? Anyway, if he wants to be mad at anyone he can be mad with the... well, with them." The Ambassador dare not say scales, bristling at the memory of Dr. Ven digging around her arteries and trying to keep her from bleeding out.

"Okay so looks like we have a wonderful selection of local teas and some premiere First Order ones as well." The small menu boasted an array of teas from around the nation, "I'm almost tempted to pick this Tokmian Rose." She had visited the planet once, and was more than likely due to visit it again, looking outside Valessia watched as little flakes of snow drifted down from the sky - they wouldn't be there for long but it was still a sight to behold. "Petyr can stuff it, or he can be mildly useful and do something productive for the nation." That was her final opinion on the matter, as she shifted gears to the original reason why they were here in this random little tea lounge late at night, so far from Avalonia. "You said your mind was miles away..."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi stared at the menu, but her thoughts were back in Avalonia. She answered [member="Valessia Brentioch"] without looking up. "Isobel has shut down traffic on Park Boulevard. The Ministry of Defense is using it as a staging ground for the stormtroopers who are being deployed. The troopships land right there in the park, across from Number 10, and in they march. They seem -- stoic, but somehow excited. Off to smash the enemies of the Supreme Leader. For king, country, and the sweetheart whose picture they've taped inside their helmets." Finally, Natasi looked up, and her dark eyes were glassy. "They're children, Valessia. And we're sending them to God knows where to kill and be killed. It's -- "

Her voice broke off when the waitress returned with her drink, the steam billowing the scent of whisky and lemon juice and honey along with the strong, dark tea. Natasi forced a smile for the girl's benefit.

The Grand Moff's attention went back to Valessia, and she forced another smile -- this one apologetic and rather sad. "I'm sorry. I just -- I can't stop thinking of it. It follows me -- everywhere. I hear them and see them at home. At the office I can see the ships taking off to rendezvous with the fleet. Reports -- readiness reports, casualty reports, intelligence reports." She cradled her jaw with one hand and looked directly at Valessia, her eyebrows lofting in an expression of hopelessness. "There's no escape. Perhaps there shouldn't be any."

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia looked down at her tea. Her eyes were focused on the small crystal blue rose petals floating atop of the cup. A small ramekin of sugar cubes with a pair of tongs sitting on the edge. Taking another deep breath, the brunette slowly exhales. Attention drawn to Natasi, listening to the Grand Moff speak. The war weighed heavily on her shoulders, it would be hard to not be in her position and feel that weight. As ambassador, Valessia had the luxury, or the privilege of seeing the nation. No words would be suitable here, there is no, I can understand - no, Val had nothing that could compare with this and instead she sat up in her seat. Hand grabbing the tongs as she dropped the sugar cubes, two, into her tea. "Kark the Alliance," she said plainly, "they started this and we'll finish it."

Confidence and charm, it was all part of being Valessia. "I see what you feel every day. Trips from here to Panatha can get entertaining, especially when you stop at Tamanen." The notorious crime city of Bavva in the Anoat Sector. Val waggled her brows in the hopes of drawing one of Nat's classical eyebrow looks. The raised brow with the look of questionable intent while trying to sort out what exactly you mean. "You're wrong, they're not out fighting for King and country. They're out fighting for you, half of these kids don't even know who Seiger is, they see you, they hear you and they..." a pause, she'd already stepped into it, "they would protect you and the nation that you have built with their lives."

"Nat, may I remind you that the First Order is comprised of nearly one hundred systems with countless planets, moons and asteroids - stations..." she sighs with a smile, as she relaxes in her seat. Her slender fingers wrapped around the handle of the teacup. "And..." a sigh, "I don't know what else to say, I was going somewhere with this." The brunette brings the cup up to her lips. "I swear." Val nurses her first few sips, "oh this is good, better on Aridente." She says of the Tokmian capital, "but this is good, should try it."

"I see it, I see the fleets mobilising, the troops moving, bases being built - stations being erected." Setting the cup down, she takes a moment to unbutton the overcoat. Setting it down beside her she crosses her legs over, "and Nat, if you didn't feel the weight of the nation, if you didn't worry or think about this like you do. I'd be worried, but here we are." A pause, "I realise that there are not going to be a lot of people who know what you're going through, feth. I don't even know what you're going through, but you know what. If I could just take part of that off of you, just part of that weight. I would, you're much too beautiful for worry lines."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi rolled her eyes at Valessia's flattery, but that didn't stop her lips twitching up at the edges in a reasonable facsimile of a smile. "I always know who to go to for a draught of confidence," she murmured quietly, cupping her mug in her hands and inhaling the scent of her tea and whiskey deeply. There were very few people who could get away with calling Natasi by anything but her title, let alone a nickname, but Valessia seemed to be one of them. The Grand Moff lifted her cup to her lips and took a deep drink, feeling the warmth of the tea and whiskey warming her from the inside out. "But you'd better not let anyone hear you suggesting people fight for me rather than the Supreme Leader. I'd be mortified if anyone thought I thought that way -- and I don't, by the way," she said primly. "I serve at the pleasure of the Supreme Leader and I follow his directives in all things."

The Grand Moff took another sip of her tea and looked into the fire in silence, her face betraying no emotion. After a few moments, she said: "You're doing your part, Valessia. Solidifying our relationship with the Reach, your work in the Tamamen system -- you know. All the things." She reclined slightly in her seat, her dark eyes flickering in the firelight. After a few moments, the Grand Moff opened her purse and pulled out her silver cigarette case. "Do you mind if I smoke? I'm dying for one." She snapped the case open and offered it across the space between the two women. "Can I tempt you, dear?"

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"Heavens yes," Val would be more than tempted, truth was it brought her back to her days in the Eye. Only they were trashed out smokes and not the refined smokes of the First Order. She gives Natasi a bit of a deep laugh, "Tamanen is a dirty filthy, luxurious city that now was a Hutt sitting there with probably the biggest Palace this side of the outer rim." The brunette smirks accepting the smoke, she once again picks up the cup of tea. Sipping it she sets it back down, "I know you don't but you can't help what's been... what, Petyr has built you into. Mother of a nation, there are posters at recruiting stations of you and the words DO IT FOR HER. Scrawled across, they were down the next day, but I can tell you."

She takes a drag after the smoke is lit allowing the smoke to billow in. An exhale as it leaves her system, smoke filters out through her nostrils. "Those kids were looking to do it for you like I said, they see you not Seiger. While we all make our morning pledges, hail him every day, noon and night. They see you," Valessia says as the waitstaff bring over their best ashtray. Tipping the ash proper, she continues on to say. "Speaking of Seiger, I think they've drafted up a new anthem, the um - Music Academy." More jingoistic and to be honest if there was ever going to be a time for it, now was the time. "Of which I will be presenting at the new whatever fundraiser event, memorial fund? That worked well last year, didn't it? We'll do it again this year I suppose."

Another drag, it's short this time. "Have you," another short drag, exhale, "have you done your tour of the nation?"

"Now might be a good time, see everything - even the new cannons, recall our deal with Archangel?" Valessia gives a little grin, "installation complete and I've managed to get our hands on the blueprints. You can ask me the how when we're old women. Now then, tour."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi inclined her head as she blew out a cloud of smoke, resisting the urge to look over at [member="Valessia Brentioch"]. Her dark eyes looked into the flames thoughtfully. "I must be quite something, mustn't I?" she asked after a few moments, smirking a little. "Remind me to give Petyr a raise. If he can insitll that kind of loyalty to me -- a paperclip counting, paper-pushing glorified secretary -- then clearly there is no limit to his power." The Grand Moff took another drag from her cigarette, then reached over to ash it, in the process half-turning in her chair to look at the Ambassador. She studied the other woman for a few long moments before she reached down and heaved her left leg over her right leg using both hands.

"I did the tour after the inauguration," Natasi said. "And thank the Balance, isn't it? Can you imagine me trying to do it now? Like this?"

She sighed angrily and slammed her fists onto the armrests of her hoverchair. "I can barely do the job here. Look at me, Valessia. Look at me." She inhaled sharply through her nostrils. "They shouldn't be looking to me. I shouldn't even be here. It's -- farce!"

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia had sat through interrogations, she had sat through lectures, speeches from members of the Trade Hall. She's endured negotiations with different species, and yet, and yet none of them compared to what she was seeing here. In life, there are only so few that you could call friends, fewer that you could call family and somewhere in this was Natasi and Valessia. Somewhere in the mess that was life, during the damn cold nights and the lonely afternoons mitigating trade deals and interplanetary relations - was the crumbling of a soul. Whether that was Natasi's or Valessia's - it was up for a toss depending on the day and the hour of that day. The Brentaalian noble took a drag from her cigarette, she looked at Natasi. Stared straight into her eyes, watching them as she had when they first met so many moons ago, it felt like a lifetime.

She could argue, she could fight - Natasi wanted that right now, she supposed. Valessia's lips thinned as she looked at the cigarette, plunging it straight into the ashtray she let out the last bit of smoke. Returning her attention to the tea on the table. "You're not alone," she says to Natasi, she was hoping the night at the concert would distract her. Get her to smile, bring back a little of the Natasi she knew and loved, but like all things - and all life. Natasi was changing and Valessia didn't know if it was for the better. "If it was a farce, then you wouldn't be here, but by the balance you are here. You are here." Here in this city, here in this tea lounge, alive - breathing. "You are so much more than a paperclip- whatever," now she was upset, "so much more."

"I-" She sighs, sitting back in her seat. A hand wrapped around the tea cup's handle. "If I could fix this, I would. Natasi. I would fix this if I could." And you no idea, how desperately she wanted to fix this. She was helpless, powerless and she hated that feeling. Beneath the table she clenched up a fist, thanking the gods that her ring concealed her force aura. She felt it her fault for allowing Natasi to endure this, she should ahve gone with her out there - she should have, but no she was ... being repaired. Out of commission by a pair of claws through her leg, "But you... you are not a." A moment as she regained her composure, "you are you and you are enough."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"You sound like a self-help holo," Natasi said flatly, closing her eyes to suppress an exasperated roll. She was a Galidraani; such naked displays of emotion were taboo in her culture. True, she had engaged in it first, with venting her frustration with her condition to start things off. "I mean that in the nicest possible way, of course," Natasi said, reaching forward to take [member="Valessia Brentioch"] by the hand. The Grand Moff squeezed the Ambassador's hand, then lifted it up to put a chaste kiss against the back of her palm. "I'd be lost without your support, Valessia. I hope you know that. After everything that's happened, after everyone we've lost and everything this Empire has suffered, knowing that I can pick up the communicator and talk to you, or ask you to come over to my office or Number 10. It means everything."

She hesitated and cleared her throat. "Golly. The whisky must be getting to me already. I suppose we had both better forget the last few minutes, don't you?"

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia held a tight smile, "you're my person, Nat."

It was the best she could do, the best she could say. They were more than friends but they weren't anything romantically, come rain or shine, hail or storm. No matter the weather, or the hour if Natasi had need of her, she would be there. "And might I add," she whispers while pushing the cup of tea away from her. "I am the best damn self-help holo, you're ever going to find." The Brentaalian adds a wink at the end there, to help ease the heaviness of the atmosphere that now surrounded them. Sitting up in her seat, she looks over her shoulder and counts the security. "Do you think we could lose your friends? I've been meaning to show you a new home I've purchased here on Dosuun." It's not Avalonia, but it was close enough.

In a suburb of Prosperia, called Gloria de Vallejo or the Valley of Glory. An upscale contemporary burb that was somewhere between Avalonia's design and Prosperia's ambition. It was a bit away from Victoria that was true, and Val knew or rather had no idea just how many people would have to be notified that Natasi was not returning to Number 10 or to her office and could very well end up somewhere else that night. "I think you could use the break." If she was being honest, Natasi was long overdue for a vacation, "there will be a lot thrown our way in the coming days, weeks... months, even." She takes a moment to pause, recollecting her thoughts, "and you need to recharge."

"And I have some personal things that I need to speak with you about, I can have my guards escort us." By guards, she meant her two trusted Chiss associates.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi studied the other woman for a few moments before she smiled. "Likewise," she said. This was about as close as one got to admitting feelings of this nature to another person in public and, though the tea house was more or less deserted, it was still a public house after all. She glanced at her stormtrooper escort when [member="Valessia Brentioch"] mentioned 'losing' them, and she shook her head. "I'd say on the whole not, but if you'll let them do a sweep of your house, they'll be happy to wait outside. Well, maybe not happy, but they'll do it. I'll have a few patrol speeders sent up and they can take stakeouts there."

She set her teacup down and discussed the arrangement with the head of her detail. He didn't like it, but life was hard in the big city, and the Grand Moff got what she wanted in the end. As they exited the tea house, Natasi looked up at Valessia and heaved a dramatic sigh. "I wish you'd get a flat or a townhouse in Avalonia. It's ridiculous that you're way out here in the middle of nowhere. Nobody who's anybody has a house here. Not that it's not lovely, but it's not Avalonia -- it's not where things happen."

The Grand Moff wandered down the street with the Valessia, Valessia's guards, and her diplomatic security squad, and inhaled the cold, winter air. "I'll have to send down to S-- to, ah, someone at the office for clothes," Natasi said glumly.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"So not to barge in on any arrangements, but," Valessia took a moment as they stood outside of the tea house in what felt like the blistering cold, "you know it's not really discreet when you have a full security sweep of a house in suburbia Prosperia." It just felt like screaming, hey the Grand Moff is staying at my place tonight - please come and attack. Not that anyone would mind you, because it really was a suburbia. "It's a quiet out of the way suburb where I can find peace and quiet, and an ungodly home owner's association fee." A lighthearted joke to punctuate her statement. Natasi was right about one thing, anyone who was anyone in their circles didn't live out here. Which is exactly what the brunette enjoyed about the place. Val only gave Natasi a look when she made mention of clothes, "pretty sure I've got something in your size at the house." Valessia motions for her own guards and speaks with them about the evening's arrangements.

*****​

​

​

The Valley of Glory was to its name, a glorious sight to behold. Modern homes with Avalonian ideals and values, a darkened speeder pulled into the drive. Security folded out and began their sweep of the place, as Valessia departed the vehicle. "And welcome to house Brentioch, far away from everyone." She says introducing the home, "while they're moving about we can get you settled in for the night."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

The Grand Moff looked out the window of the secured car as the stormtroopers fanned out and two of the Horsemen went in to sweep the house. Natasi watched from the window, her eyes scanning the house. It looked nice from her viewpoint -- nice, but modern, and far away from the capital. For a moment, she wondered whether she could have lived like this -- suburban, pleasant litlte houses behind neatly manicured lawns and gardens. Could she have found herself a husband and settled down to raise a family, out of the public eye, outside of the capital-S Society that she was becoming the de facto leader of? So much of life had not gone to plan that it wasn't completely outside the realm of possibility that she might have ended up here, but she doubted whether she would be happy.

Not, she amended, that she was happy now. But she did feel a certain sense of purpose, of fulfillment. That wasn't nothing; for all her heartache over [member="Ludolf Vaas"] and @Darell Irani, she had found her way in the First Order so that she lived a life of purpose, if not personal happiness.

"Clear, ma'am," said a Horseman upon his return. They helped Natasi out and she turned to [member="Valessia Brentioch"]. "It's very nice," Natasi said pleasantly, smiling appreciatively. "You've done well, Valessia."

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"Thank you," Valessia acknowledged with a smile as she set her shoes onto the rack near the door. The commute from here to Avalonia wasn't so bad, and it wasn't as long as it had been when she was initially commuting from Brentaal IV each week. "Can I get you anything?" She offered as hostess for the evening, even if they just had tea, it seemed rude to not offer.

Inside the home was lived in, signs of a male friend as it were - were seen. His shoes on the shoe rack for instance, his large coat on the rack with his hat sitting atop. Past the entry, a shadow box of his service in the One Sith Empire it sat adoring the end table that rested against the wall. Flanked by Galactic Empire-era emblazoned stones and behind it a proud Imperial flag. One of his uniform coats laid along one of the sofas that faced the backyard. Valessia had disappeared into the master suite, "pretty sure I have something in your size and that might suit your tastes, or at least I hope it does." A large elongated sofa was the one that faced the backyard. The love seat placed squarely in front of a large holo projection and two sitting chairs with their backs to the yard.

The home itself held a fairly open view with a great room that included the living area, the dining and the kitchen the hall was maintained on the rightside of the home that led to the master suite at the end. It boasted three bedrooms and two bathrooms with an option to create a fourth from the study in the front viewable from the entry if you should turn to your left.

"If you need assistance either myself or Paddy can assist you." In that moment, Paddy as he was so called showed himself. Personal assistance droid, moved out from the study and walked to greet [member="Natasi Fortan"].

"Oh my it is you, your excellency how delightful I am Padwick or Paddy as her ladyship has often called me. I am at your service whenever you have need," the droid greeted her excellency the Grand Moff with great enthusiasm. "Goodness, you've invited the Grand Moff and I have not prepared a proper cup!"

"It was a last minute sort of thing, Paddy." Valessia told him as she emerged in a pair of long scrub-like pants with a t-shirt that was worn, faded with the barely legible Cormond Academy of Commerce printed. In her hands she held something similiar, "wasn't sure what your choice would be so," she laid out the scrub-like pants and t-shirt and went back to fetch a few other things. "I've got some other sleepwear, unless one of your guards is getting something." She recalled Natasi mentioning something about sending someone out to get things for her.

Paddy took a few moments to examine the clothes. "I shall fetch a proper cup and cakes."

"Cakes sound delightful." The brunette said to the droid who turned toward the kitchen while she plopped herself down beside her friend. "Alright, tell me all the things you're safe here."