Private Speaking Easy | Willan Tal

[Natasi Fortan]

THE PORTMANTEAU CLUB
CALAVAR, GALIDRAAN​

Natasi Fortan was nigh unrecognizable in the unevenly-lit alcove off the main bar. She had taken some effort to disguise her appearance, so as to avoid notice, and as such her typical chestnut locks were instead golden blonde, and her characteristic dark, soulful eyes were (with the help of some contacts) a vivid green. She wore modern clothes, a verdigris cocktail dress that had been bought off the rack -- another concession to the need to remain clandestine.

Beyond the bar, which was slinging classic cocktails like the Bee's Knees in front of Natasi on the table in the secluded alcove, a dance floor was crowded with couples enjoying the buoyant, effervescent jazz. Natasi had never been to this nightclub particularly, but there had been nights just like these strung through the few years she had been on the marriage market in the Calavar seasons following her coming out. Beyond the stuffy balls and theater openings, the flower shoes and gallery private views, there had been this: drinking, dancing, and -- for others, not necessarily Natasi herself -- clandestine and potentially explosive liaisons.

It made her feel nineteen again. Before life got complicated. The friends she had gone with were, by and large, still around. In fact, it had been Natasi's sister-in-law Petra Vitalis and their mutual friend Charlie Reed, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sterandel who had come out the same year as Natasi, to arrange the meeting, using their contacts with the Free Galidraani underground. It was all terribly exciting, Natasi thought, and not for the first time she reflected with a pang of regret that her position prohibited her from taking a side.

At least officially.

But Natasi was never one to go 'round by the road, and she wouldn't leave the fate of her son and heir and the family lines of her late husband and herself to chance. Hence the skullduggery and the envelope full of cash in her sequined handbag. This evening, she was the Baroness Rosamund Cotesworth-Haye sipping the cocktail, waiting for the appointed hour for a fateful conversation with the man himself: Willan Tal . All her sources had insisted that he would be the one to talk to, and therefore he was the one to whom Natasi was pinning her hopes for an amicable resolution.

 

[Willan Tal]

Tags:// Natasi Fortan

Tal had always loved Jazz, even as a free-spirited youth in the military academy on Galidraan, often heading down to the Portmaneau club or other far less splendid establishments with his gaggle of fellow academy military brats. In a way, music was a reminder of his best memories and of the times when he would go dance with some random girl and forget that he was a son of the Tal family. But that was nearly thirty-five long years ago, and Tal was but older and more reflective in his disposition; he might've envied the younger Tal if the reality of his people's predicament didn't take precedence. Still, it was nice to muse fonder times when Galidraans most significant issues were minor compared to the current circumstance.


Ironic that fate deemed that the place so fondly revered in his youth would become a central point of the free state activities on occupied Galidraan. Tals contacts and people on the homeworld often used the club to arrange deals and arms smuggling operation via contacts in the Galidraani security forces. So when the time was apt and Galidraans free army was close, their people within the system would be able to rise up and overpower the institutions that fostered Sith supremacy and eliminate Galidraanis not loyal to the cause. Tal was quite comfortably able not to warrant a disguise within the confines of the Portmaneau, as all the staff worked for the underground free state. Though as permitting any meeting of importance, Tals men were among the partygoers and outside the club if anything foul occurred.



Dressed in his evening suit and sporting a cigarra in his hand as befitted an older Galidraani noble, Tal ventured from the bar's confines and wandered over to where 'Rosamund' sat as she wanted to be known taking a seat opposite of the lady of house Fortan. He signalled a passing waiter for a drink and lit his cigarra, illuminating the older man's worn face as he laid back and exhaled smoke.

"Well, you look different Baroness... Cotesworth-Haye, I do hope the journey wasn't troublesome."

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[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi's amused half-smile flashed across the table. She hadn't expected her disguise to fool people who had a reason to know better, but it had served its purpose: getting her through the streets of Calavar and into the club with minimal attention and, as far as she could tell, no tip-off to the Sith powers that be.. When Tal lit his cigarra, Natasi pulled a silver cigarette case from her bag and followed suit, soon adding to the canopy of smoke that lingered in the room her own, the sweet-scented t'bacc that she had always enjoyed. "Not at all," said Natasi pleasantly to the man across the table, looking every inch the Galidraani aristocrat. It might have been snobbish to say, but Natasi felt comforted to be among her own kind once again. "I was coming home anyway to get my children settled. It was just a quick train journey. It's lovely to be back in Calavar. Thank you for meeting with me."

Natasi hadn't been sure that the Free Galidraanis would be interested in seeing her. After all, Natasi had been instrumental in negotiating Galidraan's privileged place in the Sith Empire some years ago. She had never been shy about the purpose of that; it wasn't that she was overly fond of the Sith Empire, though she did maintain a cordial relationship with its ruling family. Her concern was broadly for Galidraan itself, but as a more specific ulterior motive, she was acting for her children, to preserve their future and legacy by ensuring that Galidraan didn't suffer the violence that other less fortunate worlds had. Her actions had helped to preserve countless lives as wel as the independence of Herevan and Foxfield.

A dirty deal, perhaps, but Natasi would do it again in a heartbeat.

Now, the Sith Imperials -- or whatever the hell it was they called themselves now -- seemed to be losing their grip, and that again placed Galidraan in an uncertain position again. She hoped that the Free Galidraanis recognized the intention behind her actions, both then and now. She tapped a dangling ash into a nearby ashtray and then took another drag from her cigarette, exhaling another gust of billowing silver smoke before leaning forward confidentially. "How goes the struggle?" she asked quietly.

Willan Tal

 

[Willan Tal]

Tags:// Natasi Fortan

"As well as one might expect Baroness, our boys have been fighting hard and more flock to the banner of the cause by the growing months, such is the case when one finds their home under unlawful circumstances."


And it rang true, what had been a few thousand patriotic souls and a ragtag volunteer army of Galidraani exiles and spurned ex-security forces personnel had grown exponentially with each passing victory and display of bravery. Both common and noble Galidraani fought beneath the volunteer armies banners, and both died under it equally in the pursuit of home and liberation. It seemed in times of great existential crisis that it brought the class divide to a halt. Such matters seemed trivial when faced with the reality of Sith tyranny imposed on the planet, especially when said Sith deemed it wise to break said agreements. Funding from the NIO had propped up their army of exiles, and with the tales of Galidraani soldiers routing Sith formations at Helgard,

"Such circumstances you might be intimately familiar with, I imagine?"

Both Tal and Fortan knew which souls in the establishment had their part to play in the travesty that was the agreement that decided Galidraans future as a part of the then Emergent Sith Empire. Hindsight was everything, but neither Fortan nor Tal nor anyone within the Galidraani society expected such a turn of events. Now everyone would pay for it, including future generations of Galidraanis under Sith boot and heel. Galidraan would only prevail under the guiding hand of those willing to set things painfully right, even if it meant dying for it. Tal looked around the club and sighed, placing his cigarra down in the ashtray and shrugging.


"Our people are on the precipice; what will happen in the next passing months and years determines the fate of our children and their children after them."​

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[Natasi Fortan]

The 'Baroness' inclined her head in acknowledgment. Her situation had privileges and restraints, such that she could not openly endorse the Free Galidraani without causing a strain on the First Order's relationship with the Sith Imperials, and possibly committing the First Order to war against the Sith Eternals. That was unthinkable; it couldn't happen. Hence the subterfuge, the disguise, the shenanigans. And yet she couldn't stand idly by while her people were being exploited and damaged as they were now. "Indeed," Natasi confirmed. "I have been following things on the home front and the exploits of our countrymen with great interest."

She took another sip of her drink, the honey-infused gin searing down her throat so pleasantly. This was followed by another drag from her cigarette, leaving a crimson print on the filtered end of the cigarette before she tapped it against the ashtray again, knocking off a spare bit of ash.

"I understand what you mean," Natasi replied quietly. "And to be candid, that's exactly why I'm here. I want to ensure a successful future for my children and their children, something that I no longer feel confident about in the current administration." Natasi peered across the table at Tal, her gaze uncertain. "I worry what the upheaval will do to their interests on the planet, and what will become of their property once the Sith Eternal yoke is removed from Galidraan." She picked up her cigarette once more, scrutinizing Tal with her temporarily-emerald gaze. There was a question there, but Natasi hesitated. She was going to help them regardless, so it wasn't quid pro quo exactly, but she couldn't help but want to glimpse the Free Galidraani vision for the future.

"I suppose what I'd like to ascertain is -- what the plan is once the Sith Eternal's control over Galidraan is a thing of the past and how I may be able to contribute to that separate from my... official involvement."

Willan Tal

 

[Willan Tal]

Tags:// Natasi Fortan

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Tal acknowledged Fortans words intently, listening to what the esteemed scion of house Fortan had to say regarding their shared homeworlds future fate. Strange that a woman he had known from Calavars high societies balls and social functions had travelled half a galaxy away and forged an enduring legacy, reborn from the ashes of the old first order and a key role in Galidraans future once more. He had to admit admiration on his behalf, the iron lady of Fortan as some came to call her. She had certainly earned it. Seemingly ageless and given the twelve-year gap between them, it felt like Tal had gone back in time.

"Let's not beat around the bush here; when the pillars come falling, heads will roll, and the system will be reborn, so to speak."

He finished his drink and placed the empty contents to his side, leaving it for a waiter to dispose of promptly. Tal leaned over and took his half-burnt out cigarra from the ashtray dais and relit it again, silently mumbling a curse under his breath as he slightly burnt his fingers.

"When all is said and done, both you and I to know as well that your name was tied with that deal," Willan spoke matter of factly, giving the woman the benefit of stark honesty in the situation, "one could argue I ought to burn Herevan to the ground, but for your sake and the prevailing interests of our people, I will honour your request." He maintained eye contact, unyielding in his position and tone.


"But."


"As I must, unfortunately, admit on my own volition..."

​

"Others will have to take your place and become the sacrificial idol, give me the listings of all who supported the Sith administration and the deal, and I promise you, and your families legacy doesn't end in a sad footnote."
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[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi's emerald gaze narrowed slightly at Tal as he proceeded through his demands, eyebrows furrowing deeper as he reached the conclusion of his idea. Natasi was silent for a moment, and still until she reached into her cigarette case for another cigarette. She carefully placed it between her lips, then produced the cigarette lighter and lit up. The golden glow of the flame illuminated her face for a few moments as she puffed a little, causing the flame to take, then took a slow drag.

Several long moments had passed in silence before she spoke.

"Let me make sure I understand you," said Natasi, the smoke billowing from her crimson lips like so much silver fairy dust. Her voice was calm, even a little curious. "You believe that my involvement with securing Galidraan's privileged position among the Sith Empire at a time when without such an intervention (thanks to the complete and utter lack of preparedness on the part of Governor Dalterra resulting in a coup mere days before the conquerors showed up) the Sith Imperials would most certainly have crushed Galidraan beneath its garish, overwrought, baroque-meets-heavy metal boots merits burning my family's estate to the ground?"

Natasi canted her head to one side, one exquisite golden eyebrow lifting. "Surely my name would be worth condemning had I not used what authority and influence I had to guarantee that Galidraan was in the most advantageous of positions. I'm sure I don't need to remind you of the fate of worlds that did not have such a benefactor. Genocide and devastation and worse." She took another slow drag of the cigarette and blew smoke away from Tal.

Her delicate shoulders shrugged and she ashed her cigarette into the ashtray before taking another sip of her drink. "I'm known for a lot worse things than protecting my homeworld from barbarity," Natasi said idly. "But as far as your attempts to get me to name names, I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you. Myself and my husband -- deceased -- and his brother, then the provisional governor Thaddeus Vitalis -- also deceased -- were the primary negotiators of the arrangement. I have no names to offer you, and be assured that even if there were other names to give, I never would. I am a Fortan," Natasi declared imperiously, her chin rising a degree -- in pride or defiance, it wasn't quite clear. "My family was ennobled in recognition of services to the Galidraani Crown and we have always -- always -- served this world and her people faithfully. Sometimes that means making the best of terrible circumstances. But always with integrity. I signed my name to that arrangement. I'd do it again if the alternative was to see Galidraan burn."

The irony was, of course, that the very actions she was under fire for allowed this whole show to proceed. Without the Sith Imperials' endorsement of Galidraan's free status, the place would likely be a smoking crater by now. The thriving resistance had been made possible by the time bought by the Foxfield Accord. Natasi was a fan of irony.

The Countess of Herevan stubbed out her cigarette and drained her glass, setting it on the edge of the table. "If you still feel the need to burn Herevan down, I feel I should warn you, you wouldn't be the first and you probably won't be the last. We don't go quietly." Her fingers grazed the new bracelet she wore as she smiled serenely across the table. "Is this going to be a deal-breaker for you, or can we discuss business?" she asked pleasantly.

Willan Tal

 

[Willan Tal]

Tags:// Natasi Fortan

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He listened keenly to Natasi's brave act, leaning back in his seat casually and smiling at her words of Tal and his ilk not being the first nor the last. That was true; the galaxy was but a revolving stage whose actors and actresses were those who shaped it's past and future. What ultimately mattered in the grand scheme of it all was what you did with your time and ambition. Ms Fortan always did seem to have bigger balls than half the political clique that collaborated with the Sith Eternalists. He had to respect her for it, though they did not see eye to eye politically; Willan appreciated a noblewoman who was brave, especially one who was by no means a soldier. Though in some ways they were similar, though one wielded the sword and legions of nationalistic Galidraani, the other's weapon was the pen and intrigue.


"You're a strong woman, I will give you that, but you know all too well that posturing isn't going to save those who sit in our parliament and sleep with the enemy for credits."

Truly, he had no thought of ridding Galidraan of the Fortans and liquidating their holdings at Herevan. For all their sins and faults, their history and legacy were tied very much with that of Galidraans. To remove one from the other was to invite ruin on the homeworld. The same could perhaps be said for his own kin and fellow comrades in the Free state forces, the military society of Galidraan was very much an institution unto its self and was both the stalwart defender of Galidraans culture and the bedrock from which many families like the Tals and Barrans had found their legacy in. Ultimately ideologically opposed and seemingly at odds in the war for Galidraans freedom, both the monarchists and militarists would have to unite and fight against the bandits in red that trampled on their sacred home.


"Back to the business, as I'm sure you're well-acquainted with holonet news on the fighting in the caldera, our organisation is swelling by the day with new recruits and defectors, and as much as I have found myself amply backed by the new imperial order, I and the rest of the army command are in due need of funding to keep our operations moving smoothly."


"To the end of the decade if need be, the liberation of sacred Galidraan is not going to be easy, regardless of the recent successes, it'll only be won in bodies and money for the cause."
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[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi had to admire the cheek of a man who threatened her family home in one breath and solicited funds from her in the next.

It was almost sad that these were the choices for Galidraan's future: corrupted Sith or thugs. It never would have happened in my father's day, she said, a Galidraan aristocrat's equivalent of 'how to spot a boomer.' But Frejrik Fortan was dead and had been now for decades. He didn't care any more than the next moldering gravesite what the state of affairs on their beloved homeworld was.

Natasi stubbed out her cigarette and left the butt in the ashtray.

A pair of gloved hands reached into her handbag and withdrew a small envelope. Within were untraceable bearer bonds in the amount of a million credits. The envelope was rather weighty, but most important was the fact that it was clean. No fingerprints. Not yet, anyway. She made a jerking gesture and dropped it on the table in front if Tal. "A million credits," she declared quietly. "Found them under a rock in Green Square Park as far as anyone knows. Try not to spend it all in one place." She scooted to the edge of the seat and pushed herself up, carefully smoothing her frock.

"Or do," she continued. "I'm not your mother. Now, I'd better fly before someone looks too closely at my wig. Good luck."

Natasi had already paid for her drink, so she needn't settle with the barman. She left the bar with her shiny new guardsman, feeling rather dirty about the whole affair.

end.

Willan Tal | Dyrn Grav