To Curry Favour

[Ara Zambrano]

Location: The Onyx Citadel/Arch-Queen’s Spire, Panatha

The warm breeze of the Panathan countryside floated through the open windows, twilight having nearly settled in across Canthar and the coast, darkness throwing the distant Iron Mountains into intimidating Shadow. The Arch-Queen stood against the curved durasteel railing, fingers lightly running across the intricate metal as she inhaled once, an easy relaxed expression settling across her features. In the months since she had been installed as monarch in the vacuum left by [member="Darth Carnifex"] ‘s forced abdication, Panatha had become a home to the young Zambrano as much as the distant Bastion of Ren was.

As was custom for the Master when she was staying in the palace, a simple silk dress clung to her form, her cloak settled across the back of one of the push chairs inside the parlor in difference to the warm climate. Tonight’s garment was a soft lilac, offset with silver and gold embroidery along the hem and the low-cut neckline, a simple necklace of the same colored metals featuring the Zambrano Crest resting against her clavicle. Normally, at this point in the evening, she would have shed such raiment for a far more comfortable combination of shirt, vest, and pants, but tonight she expected a visitor, a friend of the family apparently.

A soft scowl pinched the skin between her eyebrows as she contemplated, the desire for quiet and seclusion preferred to yet another audience with someone who no doubt sought favour from the new Arch-Queen. It was the burden of her new position, the requirement to be accommodating and gracious despite her private feelings as to such.

At least this meeting had been allocated to a small side parlor off the Great Hall, instead of the Throne Room itself. Ara saw no reason for pomp and circumstance for a family friend, satisfied with dismissing the bulk of her court save the two queensguard stationed on either side of the large glass doors leading to the balcony upon which she stood, a matching pair to the two stationed outside the room itself. The weight of their gazes never fully left their monarch, but she had become accustomed to their presence and largely dismissed them unless she had need of their services. For now, their presence was strictly cautionary, the saber resting against her hip ensured she could protect herself if need be without their assistance.

A sharp rap followed by the sound of a door opening preceded her own slightly disappointed sigh, it seemed her guest had indeed chosen to keep their arranged meeting.

”Your Majesty, [member="Vanessa Vantai"] has arrived.”

Turning away from the reds and coppers of the dying day, the Arch-Queen moved back into the parlor to greet her guest, a polite smile and welcoming expression expertly adopted as her voice rang out, all pleasantry and warmth in its tone.

”Send her in.”

 

[Onrai]

Panatha.

It was a world that so subtly had affected the Sith sorceress. For a long time she had been associated with the Zambrano family - well, mostly Kaine - and only recently had begun to involve herself with his many progeny. Some, like Vandra, were unstable. Others, like Azira and Farah, were appreciated to say the least for their calm, collected, and rational demeanor. But apparently one daughter of the god-king, now the god-emperor, had risen above all her brothers and sisters to become the Arch-Queen of Kaine's home planet.

It was for this reason, and for her good relationship with the Zambrano family, that she had come to Panatha to peddle her wares. What better way to assist the Zambranos than to provide equipment for what was essentially their private defense fleet? They did run the planet, after all. No reason to refuse the offer. So it was that she had come to this world to interact with... Ara, her name was. From what little she had been able to dig through, Ara was an unfortunate case of parental neglect - not surprising given who her father was - and intriguingly enough was not related to the Sith Empire directly. She was, however, more associated with the First Order, another Dark Side-leaning authoritarian regime.

And here it began.

Vanessa had chosen to wear a simple low cut black tunic, made of a particularly light and almost weightless material. Hidden within the volds of the tunic, in a false seam that would pop open were she to require it, was the first perpetuating lightsaber. It was there, along with the ninth hilt, which now had a red crystal within it and that was in a box she now carried before her. Once she entered into the parlor, her eyes gazed upon the sight of the arch-queen herself.

She certainly looked like one of Kaine's children. That was for sure.

"Queen Zambrano. A pleasure." She gave a soft bow. "Before we get down to discussion regarding what I have to offer, perhaps you would be willing to accept a gift I have to offer?" She motioned to the box, hand slowly reaching out and offering it to the half-Epicanthix woman.

"Please, open it."

[member="Ara Zambrano"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

”Your Majesty, will be sufficient, Lady Vantai.”

The gentle chiding and correction as to her proper title was offered with a soft laugh, her easy tones lessening what might have otherwise been an insult. Amber flecked crimson eyes over the blonde woman as she bowed, intelligence shining in her irises as she casually inspected the woman who had come to meet with her. A slight widening of her eyes, a small winging up of the eyebrows in surprised as a gift was presented, a simple box held out to the young Zambrano.

The two Queensguard that stood at a respectable distance behind their monarch instinctually moved up to her side, seeking to intercept the package before it’s questionable contents could be revealed. With a smooth yet sharp motion, Ara’s had held out to her side, stopping their progression. The welcoming and easy-going expression never failed to change, the Master seemingly at ease despite the reactions of those entrusted to her safety in the absence of [member="Brennan Cabrol"] .

Gaze narrowing slightly as they flashed down to the simple box, her head tilted to the side in curiosity, as she stepped forward, accepting the gift with murmured thanks.

”Your graciousness is appreciated. One I am honored to accept.”

A fissure of energy radiated outward, setting her forearms alight in a tingle of electric fire, her mind casting out over the item in a cursory examination. A sheen of crimson rolled over her eyes as the energy sparked and called to her, unthreateningly, a silent invitation to the girl to open and see what was buried in its recesses. An answer to its call rolled over her from the blade at her hip, the hunger of Ba’Vanim gnawing at her gut and sparking her own bloodlust.

The comforting wash of emotion and power curled the corners of her lips up as she lifted the lid. A small nod of appreciation was directed towards [member="Vanessa Vantai"] as she ran one hand lightly over the curves of the smooth silver hilt of a lightsaber nestled beside a surprisingly large crystal. Blood red, the crystal pulsed with the energy harnessed within, a neutral wash of power as opposed to the greedy, vicious bite of her own blade. Her gaze lifted from the items within, back to the giver, her smile slightly wider but hunger burning in the depths of her eyes should the woman think to identify it.

”Truly a wonderful gift. Please, join me.”

A wave of the hand indicated an open invitation to join the Ren at the small seating area just beyond, the package offered now closed once again and handed to the nearest guard to set aside.

 

[Onrai]

"Please, call me Vanessa, Your Majesty." She said, a smile on her face. She certainly appreciated the woman's formality, yet something about her stirred what could best be described as 'old interests.' Before her was clearly a woman who was identifiable as a predator, not prey in disguise as other Sith were. The coalescence of amber and crimson within Ara's eyes indicated clearly to Vanessa that she was filled with the power of the Dark Side. The thought of having another associate of such power, such corruption in the Dark Side - well, it sent a shudder up her spine.

She hadn't felt something like this since the last time she worked with Val'Ryss Zankarr.

Vanessa watched as Ara examined the weapon in question. "It is a perpetuating lightsaber. One of ten - now six - extant prototypes. I personally crafted it to improve upon the age-old design, and for the most part succeeded. It's a bit more unwieldy than a normal lightsaber - but much more powerful, and immune to the deactivating effects of pure cortosis. No shields, no blades - not even a hundred percent purity will cause this weapon to shut off for even a second."

As she motioned for Vanessa to join her, the Sith sorceress followed Ara into the seating area. Once the Arch-Queen had taken a seat, Vanessa would follow. "I must admit, there were many reasons I chose to come here and... approach you regarding such a particular business proposition. One of which being the close relationship I have had with the Zambrano family for decades. Another being that I have done my research on you and found your story to be interesting - even of note for a Zambrano. Had I known of your exceptionalism, I would have returned from my self-imposed exile in the Unknown Regions sooner."

A fair enough statement that was... quite possible.

[member="Ara Zambrano"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

”A remarkable feat, not even my own personal saber has such capabilities. A powerful weapon and a thoughtful gift indeed. I look forward to testing its abilities.”

Another nod of acceptance, her eyes flashing to the box as it was set aside, hungry gnawing in their depths. Nothing would replace Ba’Vanim for the Arch-Queen, but she knew all too well that depending on one weapon, be it a blade or the Force itself, was a dangerous underestimation of your enemy’s ingenuity and skill. Having such a blade to act as a secondary weapon would indeed be a valuable tool.

”A close relationship with my family, hmm? If I may inquire as to whom specifically? Purely out of curiosity, of course, we are a rather extensive bloodline.”

A soft, friendly laugh accompanied the words, a hand motion and easy glance at one of the guards ensuring a tray of beverages and snacks would be procured for the two women to enjoy while they conversed. Crimson eyes once more grazed across the figure of the lithe blonde, assessing, not just the power within, but every minute motion, the way she sat, the way she moved, even the spark in her eyes. Information had always been something Ara was a master at collecting, the easy smiles and flirtatious habits disguising the intelligence within.

”My story, interesting? Indeed.”

A darker undertone creeped in as the Arch-Queen leaned forward to pour a small amount of amber liquid into a crystal goblet from the silver tray that had been placed on the small table between the pair, a pot of tea nestled alongside a decanter of Ara’s favorite Brandy, a few small plates of sweet and savory bites to fit their fancy.

”May I offer you a beverage? Bastion Black, as seems to be a favorite among the Sith I have encountered in the recent past. Or perhaps something stronger?”

One eyebrow raised slightly in polite curiosity, her hands pausing over each offering as she spoke.

 

[Onrai]

"Kaine." She replied. "I recall back when he was but a brash young Knight. Before his first ascension to the Imperial throne. He always was headstrong, though even I never expected to find him where he is now. Seldom do former Emperors regain their place of power." She considered elaborating further, but decided to give merely a smidgen more detail. "After one of his deaths, I was responsible for performing the necessary rituals required to bring him back to the world of the living, to transfer his spiritual essence into a new body." Vanessa thought about how rarely her particular talents had become needed. Perhaps her skillset needed to be rediversified.

She gazed upon the Darkside descendant of Kaine's lineage with intrigue, noticing what she could. "Yes. Your story, of how you managed to ascend into the position of power you now possess from a... rather bleak existence." Her eyes gave but the slightest hint of sympathy. "A tale I know far too well."

She looked over at the beverages offered by the Arch-Queen, considering how best to approach it. "I'll take a cup of Bastion Black - perhaps something stronger in a bit." She smiled, giving a pleased look - the hospitality this corrupted woman was offering her, even from her position of power, was far more readily acceptable than... well, than almost anything else she had ever had to experience with regards to the Zambranos. Most were either actively aggressive, or quite possibly even malignant, yet here was one that... Well, even if it was an act, it was a very​ good act.

"I appreciate your hospitality greatly, Your Majesty. A rare thing to find on the side of darkness."

[member="Ara Zambrano"]