Stand Up and Face the Sun (Siobhan)

[Mirien Valdier]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Glancing back to Siobhan, Mirien smiled softly. "Still feels like I'm going to wake up and everything will be different." Sighing contentedly, she reached down to Siobhan's hands entangling her fingers with hers. "Though I must admit you are rather good at this reminding thing..."

Leaning back, she pressed herself against Sio. A most loving expression followed the kiss as she rested her head against the other brunette's. "New life? I certainly like the sound of that." Pulling away just slightly, Mirien spun around to plant a kiss upon Siobhan's lips. "Strange as it might be, the reasons I came here, just don't seem to matter anymore. Right now, I want nothing more than to see what this new life holds. Chasing the past, that can wait for another time."

Something of a silly school girl grin crossed her face, "I just want to spend time with you, for as long as you'll let me." A little wink followed as she pulled away one more time. This time though, to see where exactly her clothing had ended up the night before. "Probably should get dressed for the 'civilized' world. Not sure they'd take well to us, dressed in nothing but robes."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"]


For her part Siobhan certainy liked this side of Mirien a lot. "I don't know...I'd be down for spending the rest of the day dressed in even less than robes. In bed. Perhaps the shower for some variety. Come to think of it, the desk is quite tempting as well," she batted her eyelashes at Mirien as she said this, apparently thinking she was achieving heights of wittiness.


No, Siobhan was not oversexed at all. "I do want you to stick around, Miri. I think we think could be good friends," she said warmly. A hand travelled across and down Mirien's back, stroking across it. As had been shown Siobhan had a tendency to get rather touchey-feeley, at least when it came to pretty ladies.


"But I guess you're right, much as lots of people would pay plenty of creds to see this," stealing a kiss before stepping away. "Let's get dressed then. Can have breakfast and then get off to Kaeshana."

 

[Mirien Valdier]

A smirk crossed her lips, "Oh believe me, it'd be delightful to indulge in such matters of the flesh." Her eyes shifted to the desk following along with Sio's thought path, "The desk is rather inviting, I'll admit," A small giggle following it.

The next words were a relief to her actually, though not something she truly let show through. "I'd like that. Never really had many around at any point that I could call friend." Soon enough a bright smile blossomed on her lips, leaning a hair into Siobhan's hand, relishing the moment. "Come to think of it, been a rather lonely existence until I met you."

Grinning after the kiss, "Yeah, I'd hate to see the kind of ruckus we could cause walking out in less than what we're in now." Slowly she walked over, and lifted her bra from the chair arm where it had ended last night. "Don't entirely know how this ended up here." Musing to herself as she searched for other garments bound to be strewn about in a rather carefree manner, slowly bit by bit getting dressed in the process.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"]


Siobhan was probably a good deal slower when it came to getting herself dressed, which was due to the fact that she was oggling Mirien. However, eventually she stopped being a lazy melon and actually got dressed. After which she led Mirien to a rather luxurious dining room where a very taste dinner was set up. And, yes, by tasty dinner we mean actual food that possesses nutritional value, instead of this being yet another euphemism for carnal delights and sexual intercourse.


While the maidens who brought the dishes were very attractive and also wearing sufficiently low-cut dreses to offer enticing views of their assets, our two ladies did actually have a bit of a schedule and so there was no time to further savour them. Doubtless Siobhan experienced her share of difficulties when it came to keeping her hands to herself and one of the maidens might have felt the appreciative presence of the Countess' hand on her tight derriere and received a good grope.


After breakfast was finished Siobhan excused herself for a moment and handled check-out. All the quality 'service' probably cost a lot, but then she could afford. Then she returned to Mirien and gave her a deep kiss. One wondered whether fangirls were watching. Doubtless at least one tabloid journalist would be reporting yet another dalliance of hers.


"Ok, darlin', let's go. Your new life beckons," Siobhan said cheerfully and took Mirien's hand, leading her out of the hotel and to a speeder. Aldera had not yet been occupied by the Sith and the death star had not suddenly time jumped and vaporised the planet again, so their flight through the air to the port where her ship lay was uninterrupted. The vessel in question was a K-type star yacht. A rather luxurious craft Siobhan had first started using when she had been Exarch.

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Breakfast came and went quickly, though the allure of the women serving them wasn't lost on her. Just a detail she paid less attention to. She'd never been truly the type with a wandering eye. There'd been only one person who could keep up with her former life, that merited her being rather loyal to him at the time. And that time had passed with the Emperor gone and all now. Now with Kerrigan in her life, there was no telling if she'd change her own ways, look more openly now with all her former restrictions and concerns lifted.

Almost nervously, she pursed her lips together as together, they headed out into the new morning. Things were certainly changing, though there'd be no complaints from Mirien on that front. With a playful nudge of her elbow against the other woman's side, she fell in step along side her. At the back of her mind, Mirien did have to remind herself that it still, wasn't all a dream. That the days of masks, and secrets was nearly behind her. A thought that actually brought warmth and contentment to her heart for a change.

"I have to say, it's nice to know a little more what path I'm on. Had no idea it could end up like this."

Her eyes lit up at first glance of the ship, "That's one hell of a ship." Pausing for a moment to take it the beautiful of it before letting Siobhan lead her on board.

"Suppose it's on to Kaeshana." Turning back to Kerrigan, she leaned up to plant a soft kiss along her jawline. "If I haven't said it yet, thank you for this. All of it."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"]


Siobhan was, to put it plainly, an extreme nymphomaniac. This had not always been so. As a matter of fact she had utterly lacked a roaming eye while a Jedi Padawan. Not because she had any devotion to the Code, but due to only having eyes for Adril Tythorin. However, things had changed quite profoundly since her death. More to the point, she tended to hang out with Tegaea, decadent aristos - she was one herself - and the Eldorai, none of whom were paragons of virtue!


"You've been very good at expressing that last night...and the night before," Siobhan said rather cornily - whatever might be said about her, she was not one for wittiness and her lines tended to be as corny as a maize field, but then the girls did not seem to mind much - with a broad grin on her face.


"Make yourself comfortable, darlin' Flight to Kaeshana will be a couple hours. Until then...well, I'm sure we'll find things to do!" she gave the woman a wink. The beautiful star yacht, while by now perhaps overshadowed by the shiny ships Santhe was building, offered all sorts of amenities and creature comforts. Siobhan and Tegaea had already acquired one while while serving the Protectorate as Colonel and Exarch respectively. Obviously Tegaea's hefty salary as a politician had been the only reason they had been able to purchase it. Omega Pyre salary was good, especially if you were in charge of the unit, but it was not enough to afford a luxury craft!


So the ship, piloted by a Firemane minion since Siobhan sucked at flying things, lifted off into the air and then eventually into space, leaving Alderaan behind it. Little could the Alderaanians know that soon their peace-loving planet would come under the jackboot of the One Sith in their quest to bring 'peace and order to the Galaxy'. Since, as we all know, this particular cult was not evil but composed of misunderstood Anti-Villains using their Dark Is Not Evil superpowers because Utopia Justifies Despotism.


Still, it was probably better than...not existing at all. Since somehow the planet had been rebuilt despite being vaporised by the death star!


In any case the realm of hyperspace beckoned and the craft leapt into it, vanishing from the system. Siobhan returned to where Mirien was after having sent a quick message to [member="Tegaea Alcori"], informing her that she was bringing a new arrival and potential employee for Firemane. With a lazy gesture she opened a minibar and took out a bottle of wine, pouring herself a glass before doing the same for Mirien and offering it to her. She settled down in one of the plushy leather armchairs, crossing her legs before taking a sip from her glass. "Just made the jump. If there's anything you want to talk about or ask...about Kaeshana, Firemane, feel free. Well, I guess you know me really well now!"

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

On Kaeshana the sun was setting as the message pinged on Tegaea’s iComm. Reading it, she raised an eyebrow. It seemed like her wife had been successful in recruiting more waifs and strays. That was good. Though Siobhan might be a dedicated nymphomaniac she did actually have a good eye for business talent.

She placed a call, calculating times of arrival. “Chesna, dear, tell the staff to expect Lady Kerrigan home for lunch, and we will have an honoured guest as well. See to it.”
“Yes, my Lady,” the possible demi-hemi-semi goddess replied.
Tegaea yawned. An early night might be wise. Tomorrow would be full of surprises, it seemed. “And when that’s done, come join me tonight, if you don’t have plans….”

 

[Mirien Valdier]

At Siobhan's words, a faint pink hue began to spread across her cheeks. "I suppose that's one way to put it." As much as she enjoyed the more carnal pleasures, still to speak of it so openly, well it was going to take time for that subject not to bring a blush to her skin.

With the invitation to make herself comfortable Mirien flopped down into one of the chairs, lazily tucking her knees beneath her as she leaned heavily on one arm. To the offered wine, she reached out and took the glass with an appreciative smile. "Thanks." She said softly before taking a small sip.

Pursing her lips together, she tried to think if there was anything she wished to ask, to know. "Honestly, as to Kaeshana I can't think of anything that I want to know offhand. It'll come in time, I'm sure." To her, it was possibly a new home, a place that in time she'd get to explore and understand on her own. " Or I'll do something dastardly stupid, and then have a question about it after the fact. As to Firemane, I know a little about it, mostly what I got from the Empire really." A slight shrug followed, it was just the way it was. Her information on both Sio and Firemane merely came with the job at the time.

"And just to put this out there, you can ask anything of me, about me anytime." After all, with her stepping into this foreign realm, true honesty with those around her had to come sooner rather than later.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"]


"And Skaldi's report didn't do me justice, did it?" Siobhan asked innocently, not being massively vain at all. She took another sip from her glass, making a show out of lasciviously licking her lips. "No need to answer that. If there's anything that comes up, honestly, just ask. I don't bite...unless you want me to." Yes, it seemed that no statement of Siobhan's could be complete without thinly veiled and terribly corny innuendo, but then she was talking to a gourgeous woman so that could perhaps be forgiving.



"Well, Firemane's main businesses are mining, PMC work and tech development. Got close relations with the Queen and a mandate to help Kaeshana develop. We have Protectorate approval to sell some of their tech and Kaeshana's a nominally member state, but most of the time we politely ignore them. Not like their leadership's deserving of anything more," she said with a somewhat scathing undertone. Her opinion of the new regime was terribly low and would only drop more as time passed.


She walked over to the brunette and downed what was left of her glas, then pulled Mirien into a kiss, letting the Naboo wine flow into her mouth as they shared it. "Well, we do actually have a nice whirlpool on the ship, you know..." she spoke sweetly.


This may or may not have led to a fade to black scene. This writer is not qualified to actually describe what happened, due to the black curtain and stuff. Perhaps the two ladies did crochet or knitted a sweater. Or painted each other's toenails. Well, actually Siobhan had a thing about her nails looking perfect and a foot fetish! Or discussed bondage techniques and leather.


Anyhow, after an indeterminate amount of time passed, since likewise this writer has no clue about how long a trip through hyperspace would actually take, then their luxury yacht slid out of hyperspace and sped towards Kaeshana. From the distance the green and blue planet was a beauty to behold. Once one got closer one would be able to make out the glittering oceans that covered most of it, likewise the long mountain ranges, with the cities being built in the valleys.


Mirien would probably be able to see the enormous space station that stood in orbit. The Tirathana Skyport was made of three prongs that formed the shape of the Eldorai Queen's badge, a trinalge facing upwards. Around the central ring the three struts connected upward where large ships could dock. It was an majestic command station, docking centre and defence for Kaeshana. "Named after the present Queen and her mother. First line of defence if Sithies make a housecall. Also has nice shopping centres and a...literacy module," Siobhan said to Mirien with a wink as the yacht sped past, also passing two dagger-shaped heavy cruisers. These were the Valora's Blade and the Ashira's Wrath, the new battleships the Eldorai had built with Firemane and Silk Holdings support. While some people complained about them not being aesthetically pleasing, Siobhan dismissed such claims since the point of a weapon was to beat the enemy, not look shiny for a parade.


Their yacht broke through the atmosphere much like a kid would dive into apple cake. Before them Kaeshana lay stretched out as they sped across the vast, glittering oceans and mountain ranges towards the gleaming capital city of Santaissa, built at the ocean in a valley, with mountains crowning it. Three powerful defence bases had been erected in the mountains around it, Sapphire, Ruby and Emerald, collectively known as Ashira's Crown.


Or, colloquially, Anya's Hat!


The bases were bristling with firepower, with powerful turbolaser cannons rising up into the sky. Santaissa itself was a city dominated by white stone buildings, hence why it was called the White City. An enormous ziggurat, the centre of government, rose up into the sky and dominated the city centre. Traffic around it was busy at this time of the day. "Queenie's residence."


The transport vessel was guided through the sky, which for a change was mercifully devoid of the raging storms and tempests that so often roared across Kaeshana, away from the city, past the new quarter built around the spaceport. "Visitors' Quarter. Most foreigners live there," towards the hills overlooking Santaissa and swooped over a very large, military style compound before they reached a very beautiful, elegant villa and touched down upon its private landing pad. "Firemane HQ...and, well, that's my house. Come on, darling. Wifey's expecting you," Siobhan offered her hand to Mirien as the vessel touched down upon the ground.


This writer just realises that due to the fuzzy timeline that would make this technically a past thread, many of these installations would not have been built yet, but who cares!

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Timeline problems were always very difficult, especially in long running threads. Still, a healthy dose of handwaving can overcome even the most serious obstacles!

As the splendid ship came into land the reception party was already waiting. Tegaea, dressed in a magnificent red dress was at the fore, behind her was Sergeant Solveig and a half dozen Firemane troopers.

The ship settled onto the deck and Tegaea advanced. As the passengers disembarked she gave Siobhan a hug and a kiss.
“Welcome back! I see your trip was productive?” She turned to Miri. “Ms Valdier, I presume? Welcome to Kaeshana, I’m very pleased to meet you. Siobhan has often mentioned you,” she said politely, with real warmth. Anyone who was friends with Siobhan clearly got a pass mark at least with Tegs until she got to know them better.

“Please come inside, I have a room prepared for you, Ms Valdier.”

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Mirien chuckled softly, "Skaldi, seriously? You think she left a single detail out."

The brunette nodded slowly, "Hmmm, PMC work, might be able to find something to do within that area I think." She gave a small shrug, work about the last thing on her mind right then. A scoff came at the mention of the Protectorate, her opinion equally low of them, if not more so. "Their current leadership, reminds me of a naked idiot scrambling around searching for a towel with which to cover his butt." Clearly, thinking very, very little of them.

"Speaking of .... less clothing," A hungry grin spreading across her lips.

Yes, yes .... crochet, that's exactly how the pair passed the time between Alderaan and Kaeshana. Crochet.

"Beautiful for sure." Mirien's eyes danced across the surface of the planet, looking between each location pointed out to her. "I think I could get used to this." There was a small pause, "Wifey..." Her brain seeming to suddenly remember that detail. "Right." It's quite possible that her own nerves were kicking in at this point.

Upon seeing the grouping that Siobhan was leading her towards , she was almost certain that her heart had found it's way into the pit of her stomach. Never to her knowledge had she felt so vulnerable before. Even the saber that she always carried, didn't feel like much in that moment. Shyly she inclined her head in a tiny bow towards Tegaea. "Mrs. Alcori, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Thank you for welcoming me into your home." Softly spoken, as she followed Tegs into the residence.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Tegaea led the pair inside. Sergeant Solveig was dismissed, and Tegaea led them to the best of the guest bedrooms. "This is your room, Ms Valdier. Feel free to use any of the facilities in the house or to request any services from the maids. They are all extremely eager to serve."
She said it with a perfectly straight face, but a perceptive person might detect another meaning behind her words.
The room had an attached spa bathroom, entertainment area and large bed.

"But first, I have lunch prepared, will you join us? We weren't sure what you liked, so we made plenty of options!"
Downstairs a grand table was set with waiting attendants to serve the diners. A menu had actually been prepared for Mirien to choose from, it was rather extensive.
"Wine, Mistress?" a pretty Eldorai girl asked, offering bottles of red and white to Mirien.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Mirien Valdier"]


Even after all these years the sight of Tegaea in the red dress still managed to make Siobhan, as corny and trite as it undoubtedly sounds, weak in the knees and took her breath away. But then, in Siobhan's probably not entirely unbiased opinion, her wife looked like a queen in it. "Very productive, love. As I'm sure you'll agree. You look magnificient," she said happily, eagerly returning the embrace and leaning into the kiss.


She followed her wife and Mirien inside, giving Sergeant Solveig a wink on the way. The gruff master-of arms was another good family friend! Yes, family friend, that was the right way to word it. "Our staff is very attentive to your needs. We hire only the best," she said in an aside to Mirien. There was no hidden meaning intended at all. Most certainly not.


Downstairs a grand table awaited them and Siobhan sat down on one of the plush chairs. The attendants were all well-dressed, pretty and female. "Red for me, please. Either are great. The space elves really make great wine, Mirien," she spoke, then took a sip of her own drink after a servant girl had poured her a glass, savouring the taste. A small, handwritten note, in her usual messy handwriting that only Tegaea could decipher, was passed beneath the table into the hands of her wife.


I think she'd be great for the Order. She's good at...discipline. The order in question being the Order of the Torch, a most noble secret society that sought to promote learning and literacy via unconventional teaching methods, which somehow intersected with what some people would call bondage. This writer thinks that Mirien should be known as Mistress Nova.

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Mirien almost couldn't believe what she was seeing as she peered into the bedroom. "And you're certain this isn't a dream?" She asked quietly to Siobhan. All of it just seemed far too amazing to be real. Her lips curved into a smile, catching onto the secondary meaning behind Tegs words. Perhaps some more Crochet would be in order before the day was out.

"Of course, I'd be honored to join you both." Spoken as she fell back into line, following into the dinning room. Taking a seat, she glanced to the attendant, "Red would be great, thank you."

Idly she looked over the notably extensive menu, "You know, you really didn't have to go to all this effort on my part." With her eyes elsewhere, the note passing went completely unnoticed. A few moments more and Mirien finally seemed to come to a decision. Glancing to one of the servants, "Just the nerf steak for me." A girl of simple desires when it truly came down to it.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Crochet was indeed an important and noble task to perform whilst seeking the Goddess Ardarvia's blessing.
Tegaea took the note and just nodded. Mirien would indeed do well in their Order for the propagation of literacy. They would have to make an offer at some stage.

The meal was served, and as Tegaea ate she glanced across at Mirien. "So, Ms Valdier, have you considered staying with us here on Kaeshana and working with Firemane? Your skills and abilities are considerable, and we'd be happy to offer you profitable employment if you're interested."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Siobhan took another sip from her wine glass. Say what you might about the space elves, the wine they made was delicious. "We talked a bit about it on Alderaan. Getting her a job with Firemane. Did not discuss anything formal relating to actual position yet. Thought it best to leave that to when we got back to you," she chimed in after Tegaea had spoken, before taking a bite from her meal herself.


Her plate was probably a good deal more filled than Tegaea's for the simple reason that Siobhan was a big eater. But then her wife...tended to keep her up till late in the night and throwing tanks cost lots of energy. That said Siobhan had over the years managed to consume significant portions of food in what amounted to a graceful manner. As for crochet, it was a most noble vocation and the Goddess Ardarvia was great. Siobhan would always be grateful to her wife and Anya for bringing true faith into her life. Temporal pleasures, violence and materialism could not fill every hole in her life.

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Mirien paused a moment to think, but really, she had no need. Her options were more limited than most, and right now if she wanted to get on her feet again and be completely independent, it was going to require her having some means of employment. "Siobhan brought it up while we were on Alderaan." Her time to think on the matter over, her mind made up. "I'd very much like to stay and work for you in whatever capacity that you'll have me."

She sighed softly, taking a sip of her wine, "I suppose the question is more as to what I'd do for Firemane than anything else." In that, she wasn't so sure. Nor was she certain of how much Siobhan had told Tegs about her past, what she used to do, not so long ago. "If I'm to be perfectly honest, I'm just extremely grateful. Second chances don't often. So anything at all, would be more than I have a right to ask for."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Tegaea Alcori"]

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

"That's great! Everyone deserves a second chance, I know I was glad when I got one. So I'm happy to help you if I can, Mirien...I hope you don't mind if I call you that? I think we can drop the more obsessive formalities. You're a friend of my wife, and that makes you a friend of mine."

"So...what can you do for Firemane? Well, tell me what you can do and we'll find out how to make best use of it."
She could think of a few, shall we say, 'unofficial' things she could do. But business related she wasn't sure of Mirien's skills.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Mirien Valdier"]


"Same here. I got a chance at a better life because of Tegs," Siobhan spoke up, fondness evident in her voice as she reached out and gave Tegaea's hand a soft squeeze. "I'm sure we can drop the formalities. After all, we've both gotten to know each other very well," at that she gave Mirien a wink, clearly believing that she was being extremely witty.


Fortunately, Tegaea and Siobhan were not the most conventional couple and had an...understanding. As for skills and past, Siobhan had sent her wife a basic summation, though she would leave the actual pitch to Mirien.


"She has the Force and is a highly trained intelligence operative. I imagine someone with those capabilities would be an...asset." Oh, and she had a strong grasp of the art of command and control.

 

[Mirien Valdier]

"It's ... wonderful, truly." Still not quite believing that she fully deserved the chance she'd been given. "And of course, you may call me Mirien. I don't mind in the least." It still had a new feeling to it, being called by her first name, her true name.

"Well, Siobhan is quite correct, I've worked in intel, for as long as I can remember." Which, wasn't entirely that long come to think of it. "The roles I played, always varied by mission. It was my job to root out threats both near and far to the Empire, and dispense with the ones that were too much of a risk to leave about." A part of her, almost felt bad about that. "Made things disappear quietly when it was needed. Mostly dealt with other force users, but I was also used for special missions as determined by the Emperor."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Tegaea Alcori"]