Private The Chips Are Falling

[Corazona von Ascania]

Vizier Razol stiffened in Jasper's invisible grasp, eyes wide and face stretched into an expression of shock and fear. The blade slipped from his fingers by an unseen hand, and his horror deepened as the Praetorian droids uncloaked themselves.

Faust has been watching this all play out in slow motion. His scowl grew at Razol's outlandish actions which were—thankfully—deflected without any harm coming to the Senator.

It was one thing to execute your own Princess, but another thing entirely to attack a foreign dignitary. This was turning into even more of a mess as time wore on.

"Guards," Faust's voice cut through the tension, smooth and firm as the fridghtened viziers skittered back. "Escort Vizier Razol below the palace." His gaze swept to Desric, wordlessly asking for the assurance that he would not be obliterated if he chose to remove the offending man from the situation and place him in a cell.

Razol visibly shook at the notion that he'd been so close to death, and that his life was slated to fall apart. Faust sneered in his direction as the guards dragged him away. He looked to the pistol that the Jedi Knight had placed on the nearby table. Then to Jasper. Then to Desric. He almost sighed.

"A moment, if you will."

Faust stepped away and returned to the group of viziers that huddled at one end of the room. He returned after several full minutes of harsh whispers and hand gestures from the other men.

Approaching the visitors with his hands clasped behind his back, he offered a brief condolence.

"My apologies for the poor behavior displayed by Vizier Razol. You have my assurance that he will be punished in accordance with his crime."

"As for the Princess…she will be released into your custody. However." The Vizier's voice firmed.

"Corazona von Ascania will be forbidden from ever setting foot on Ukatis again."

Jasper Kai'el Desric Terassi

--

Over the past few days, Cora had wheeled between accepting her fate and not wanting to die. When all was said and done, the Princess was still something of a child. A confused, hurt child.

She still wasn't sure what she wanted, aside from the safety and prosperity of her people. She'd failed them.

As Valery helped her towards the doorframe, she caught the way Master Noble's hand brushed against her husband's own. A simple, subtle touch that somehow spoke endlessly of their devotion to one another. The bond they shared was palpable in the Force, something Cora could feel faintly even through her suppressed connection and exhaustion.

Inhaling slow and deep, she felt the tired bones of her ribcage and shoulders crack in satisfaction. A realization drifted into her mind.

After everything that had happened, they'd come for her. Valery, Kahlil, Jasper, and Desric had put aside their time to snatch her from the jaws of death. She owed them so much. Her gaze passed over the guards, pitying the anxious way they clung to their weapons. They were her people, too. Or they had been.

"Everyone will stand down. There is no need for more bloodshed."

The captain exchanged a hard glance with his lieutenant. He placed a hand to the commlink in his ear, the voice on the other end nothing more than a murmur to everyone else. With a wave of his hand, the guards parted to either side, allowing the trio to pass.

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Ukatis
Tags: Desric Terassi , Corazona von Ascania , Valery Noble , Kahlil Noble

​

"As for the Princess…she will be released into your custody. However." The Vizier's voice firmed.

"Corazona von Ascania will be forbidden from ever setting foot on Ukatis again."

"For now, I see this as acceptable," Jasper nodded.

The 'for now' bit was loaded. Corazona would return in due time. After all, it was only the royal family that would forbid her return. Their comeuppance would come in time.

"Well, I'd love to say this has been a pleasure, but I'm rather opposed to lying," the knight continued. "Don't worry, I doubt you'll ever see me again. Well, in the flesh that is. I can't quite say what your prophetic sight may tell you."

He'd see him though. It was only a matter of time. Jasper would have a blaster to reclaim after all. He didn't wish death on anyone, at least not regularly, but this was a day he was rather looking forward to. For now he turned, placing a firm hand on Senator Terassi's shoulder.

"I believe our time here is at an end," he determined. "Thank you for your assistance. We... should regroup with the Nobles. The sooner we depart this place the better."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil let out a sigh as he glanced to Valery, then by extension down to Cora as well. No, no. He wasn't going to kill anyone. The desire to make sure these people couldn't get away with any further injustices was replaced by the desire to prevent her from seeing any more death. Horace was enough. No, even that was too much. It wasn't something she should've ever had to deal with.

"Alright."

Not that he was letting his guard down. He knew the cruelty of the royal court. There would always be an attempt on her life once they thought it was possible. Though, now that he was actively trying to look around and keep an eye out on their surroundings he paused and glanced once more to Cora. Then to her hand. His frown deepened as he held out his own. "Give me the ring, please. I need to check it for something."

Valery Noble | Corazona von Ascania | Desric Terassi | Jasper Kai'el

 

[Desric Terassi]

Desric would not voice any objections to the offending Vizier's removal - indeed, a flick of his wrist saw the droids standing down to their previous level of readiness. They did not, however, 're-cloak'.

"A reasonable compromise. I have no objections." Desric responded smoothly, leaving unsaid that which Jasper had implied. Namely, that unofficial, verbal agreements such as these were susceptible to... renegotiation. Especially if one party found itself deposed, dead, or otherwise incapable of contesting changing circumstances.

Another option was finding further leverage on the crown, but that was an issue for another day.

"I am inclined to agree," He said, giving Jasper a nod. "Farewell, Grand Vizier. I look forward to seeing the right narrative reach the public in the coming days. Unless I am mistaken, the grieving Princess spent three days in her chambers, then departed of her own free will."

Without further ado, he would follow the Jedi Knight out the door.

"My assistant has charted a route to their location, but I suppose you may be able to sense the right direction?" Now that the more pressing matter had been attended to, he seemed almost casual - and undeniably curious.

Jasper Kai'el | Corazona von Ascania ||| Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Ukatis

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Corazona von Ascania Jasper Kai'el Desric Terassi

Valery let out a soft breath of relief when the guards all decided to stand down. No more lives were going to be lost to this horror story, and hopefully, it would mean a better conclusion for her own little group too. Cora had seen enough, her husband had gone through plenty of terrible things lately... it was enough. In fact, it was far too much, and just the idea of exposing them to more horrible things frustrated her.

The gentle brush of her hand turned into a brief, but firm squeeze, and finally, she turned to Cora. The ring around her finger still symbolized her captivity, so whatever her husband wanted to do with it, Valery at the very least wanted it gone.

"Are you getting rid of it?" Valery asked him while she still kept her eyes on the guards. "We should also link up with the others. And get out of here." She then paused and considered what to do next — where to even bring her. The Temple was a good place to be, but she wanted Cora surrounded by something warmer.

"We should bring her home with us." She looked at Cora and smiled. "As long as you're okay with that."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Grand Vizier Faust only grunted in response. He did not offer his departing guests any farewells or words of assurance, but they'd understand well enough. He had not harbored any ill will towards the Princess or her family—at least, not before Horace's death. Still, releasing her into Alliance custody seemed to be the only reliable method to buy their silence.

For now.

Turning in a flourish of dark fabric, Faust signaled for the remaining viziers to retreat with him to a more private chamber. They had much to discuss, including an official story that would satisfy both the crown and the Alliance.

But Jasper and Desric would be followed.

A very plump, obviously spoiled racyon trundled from a darkened corner of the room. Lula II would stop to sniff at their feet—perhaps checking to see if they had any food—before snorting softly and ambling her way past the pair, heading for the dungeon.

She knew someone there who almost always had a treat for her.

--

Cora slipped the ring off her finger, held it out to Kahlil, then retracted her hand partway when Valery questioned whether he was getting rid of it.

"But it's mine." She said defensively. A beat passed, and she sighed. "I mean, I know what it is. I think." Her eyes narrowed as she inspected the wedding band. Dreidi had helped her decipher that it was this particular piece of jewelry that was likely squashing her connection to the Force. "I don't want to get rid of it, not yet. But I don't want to keep it." Cora frowned at her contradictory desires. She didn't know what she wanted to do with the ring, but she was tired of things being taken from her.

"I…don't have a home anymore. Yes, I would like that." She nodded eagerly, before her attention was drawn to a particular sound. Little claws echoing off of duracrete. Lula scampered from the darkness and launched herself across the room, her overflowing body jiggling with delight as she pawed at the Princess' dress. Cora laughed, then stooped down to collect the obese racyon in her arms.

"Are you hungry? Oh, but I don't have anything to give you!" She cooed to Lula's chittering.

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Jasper Kai'el Desric Terassi

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Ukatis
Tags: Corazona von Ascania , Valery Noble , Desric Terassi , Kahlil Noble

​

"Are you hungry? Oh, but I don't have anything to give you!"

"Oh, that's your friend," Jasper noted, walking up to the Nobles and Cora. A warm smile was spread across his face. "It's good to see you safe."

Jasper stepped forward, sighing a little and hanging his head.

"Sorry, Cora," he apologized. "I... know I advised you to walk your own path and choose what you thought was best, but I... I had no idea how terribly you'd be treated. I shouldn't have done that without knowing the full details. Sacrifice shouldn't be hell, not like that. But..."

His chin did lift though, and he'd place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. This wasn't about him feeling sorry for himself, this was about her. She probably thought she had failed. That was simply false.

"I'm proud of you," the knight stated, giving her a smile. "In spite of all that you made genuine improvements for your people and oversaw the clearing of a major darkside threat. If anyone dares tell you that you failed they're a damn liar."

His tone was gentle now, a far cry from his intense attitude during their meeting with the Grand Vizier. It was almost as though that encounter had never even happened.

"Lets get out of here, yeah?" he suggested. "I'm sure you'll want to get something warm in your stomach. And get something for your round companion."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"I'm not going to get rid of it. That's your choice, and only your choice. But.. It's not something for you to suffer with anymore. You don't have to keep yourself from the Force." At least that confirmed what he thought it was. Not that it quelled his anger. To think that this was another level of abuse she had to suffer while not even the Jedi did anything to help. That he didn't. He clenched a fist before letting out a sigh.

No. No more dwelling on that. Not if they really wanted to help Cora. A sad smile formed as he reached out to take the ring. He could already feel the effect even from a distance, but touching it only made it worse.

He glanced over to Jasper as he arrived, offering him a brief nod. If he was here with Desric, then things must've gone well. As well as they could.

"Real food, off world though. I've got a kitchen on the Bastion. I'm thinking pancakes."

Valery Noble | Corazona von Ascania | Desric Terassi | Jasper Kai'el

 

[Desric Terassi]

For the moment, the matter was settled. Now all that was left to do was-- what was that rotund beast doing here?

Desric would take a slight step backwards in response to its sniffing, though fortunately, it departed in peace. Bizarrely, it seemed to be going in the exact same direction as them. What were the odds that was a coincidence?

---

Zero, as it turned out the overfed Racyon belonged to Cora.

His attention was fixed on Cora herself, however - and the abysmal conditions she had been held under. There was no entertainment, the sanitation was horrific, the air quality was subpar, and the space as a whole failed to meet the minimum requirements to be categorised as 'housing' in accordance with Globex's Standard Code of Construction, v7.23.

Or so his own senses and the cybernetics embedded in his body informed him.

"Cora," Desric said, his tone more lighthearted than he felt; to those who knew him, it was clear he was shocked and appalled by the prison conditions. "You need a shower. Fortunately, leaving this pit recently became an option." It was perhaps for the best that the easily nauseated noble had not seen the worse cells.

Even the current conditions would have triggered his dust allergy were it not for his cybernetics.

Corazona von Ascania | Jasper Kai'el | Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Ukatis

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Corazona von Ascania Jasper Kai'el Desric Terassi

<Babe, look how fat she is,> Valery said before she blinked and turned to him. <The Racyon, of course.> Fuzzy was kept very active by Vera despite his laziness, and it kept him in decent shape. But Lula was very chonky, so she already suspected that to become a bit of trouble if she were to meet Fuzzy. But for now, she let those thoughts slide and turned around to greet Jasper and Desric, who had handled something the Nobles would have hated.

Politics.

"It's good to see you two, and thank you again for helping," Valery said like the overly worried Master that she was at times. Her Padawan was finally safe again, and she couldn't be more grateful for that.

Now, it was time to bring her home.

"Pancakes sounds like a great idea. The kids will love it, too." She chuckled and placed a hand on Cora's shoulder, before gently squeezing it.

This really wasn't just a dream — Cora was coming home again.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora listened closely to Kahlil's earnest words. Her choice. That seemed to quell her indecisiveness for now. Mirroring is same small, sad smile, Cora gently deposited the ring into Kahlil's palm. She was confident that he would take care of it until she decided what to do with the voidstone band.

She straightened when Jasper and Desric arrived—she'd been told that they were here, but she hadn't expected to see them yet. At least, not in this dismal place. An hour ago, she hadn't expected to see any of them ever again.

Cora's lips pulled into a frown at Jasper's genuine apology, and she sighed.

"But you didn't…none of us knew that it would've been like this." Those who'd lead less sheltered lives than her may have been able to read the signs better than Cora, but she figured that no one could have predicted exactly what would've happened. "And I pushed away anyone who expressed concern or wanted to help because…"

Cora bit her lip and clung to Lula tighter, stroking her broad back with an idle hand. Jasper's touch at her shoulder lifted her head, and his words squeezed little tears from her eyes. A contradiction of emotions swirled in her mind like a storm; ecstatic and guilty, thankful and terrified. It was overwhelming.

"Thank you." Her whispered were words were strained but sincere. Cora sniffled, turned her head to the side to wipe a few tears with the heel of her palm, then arced a brow to Desric's gentle quip. Raising her chin to him, she chuckled softly.

"Oh, I suppose you're right. A shower and a meal sound divine. You'll have to catch me up on everything that happened upstairs."

As battered as her marriage left her, Cora would feel a strange sense of sorrow as they departed from Ukatis.

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Jasper Kai'el Desric Terassi