Vasty Nothingness [Salacia/Firemane]

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"] , [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]



Nej shook his head slightly as the white-haired one was acting like a jubilant child. The old man led the women towards the towering stone building with the copper spire. Most of the town was slowly getting back to their daily lives but many eyes remained on the visitors. Chatter scattered throughout the village. Visitors? Here? Many were confused why the outsiders chose them. Others thought it was the divine Force that had intervened on their behalf.


The elderly man took the woman into the massive building, warmed by fires and brightly illuminated throughout. He was fairly silent as he took them into a grand hall. Word must have spread throughout town, as their refreshments were ready. Various teas were laid out on the sideboard. In addition there were cured meats and cheeses, along with heaping plates of pastries and fruit. The Mirialans had gone all out for their guests. They had not had visitors in so long that it was proper to show their appreciation.


"Please Countess Kerrigan and Warrior Alzari, eat your fill. We were not sure of your tastes. If nothing suits you please do not hesitate to request a meal. We have a chef on duty at this hour."


Nej motioned for the women to partake first. It would be rude to eat before his guests.

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Judah Dashiell"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Eyrecae's eyes widened at the feast and she eagerly pulled over a plate and began to eat in an industrial way. When she had consumed enough to burst two normal people she daintily cleaned her lip with a napkin.
"You people are alright!" she declared, like it was the highest compliment in the land. Reaching into a pouch on her belt she deposited a small bag on the table. Opening it, she poured a couple of small gemstones onto the table. How she'd gotten them was probably best not to ask, but she started giving out gems to the pretty women and men.
For once Siobhan had found someone as monumentally self-centred as herself. A fitting companion in war!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"], [member="Judah Dashiell"]


Siobhan was quite happy at the feast but, as surprising as that might seem, was actually more restrained when it came to eating than Eyrecae. Perhaps part of her was still feeling a bit suspicious, or maybe she figured that gourging herself would create a bad impression.


"I thank you for organising all for this for us. This is very good," she said after she had dug into the meat and pastries, washing it down with a cup of tea. She rolled her eyes when she saw Eyrecae pass gems around. If she managed to seduce any pretty girls into her bed...she better share!


"I would like to hear of this planet and your people, Elder. I sensed several Force-sensitives when you led us inside."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]


"Warrior Alzari, I am glad we could impress you. In both refreshments and in physical attributes it seems."

Nej took a long sip of the steaming hot tea. The Elder had ate his fill of cured meats and cheeses on bread. The two visitors had been quite curious. Both ate with an appetite of one that had been starved for a long period of time. Nej would have to inform the kitchen to prepare some foodstuffs that would travel well. Cured meats and a hearty type of cracker-flatbread that did well in travel. Who knows how long the poor things had been searching through their system.

"This planet is called Tabaqui. We are not natives, you may know we are Mirialans. We came here to seek to expand and have more freedom. Yet we were not received by the locals. They were indentured slaves and did not appreciate the fact we had freedom. Rumors started about us, leaving our sect isolated. The plague hit and they blamed us further, although contact had been closed with Native Tabaqui for some period before then. Our vessel, a spacecraft, did not work much longer after, leaving us stranded on Tabaqui. We become a truly self-sufficient community and have expanded to another region, a small village known as Jana. "

"Force sensitives are in our group, yes. Mirialans have a high rate of this gift. We teach our own here in these halls. Native Tabaqui think we are wizards that tell the future during the frequent cosmic showers." Nej chuckled heartily. "What brings you here? Conquering those who oppose? Hmm?"

 

[Eyrecae Alzari]

[member="Judah Dashiell"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Eyrecae had been listening with half an ear to the history lecture. It didn’t interest her anywhere near as much as the pretty green woman sitting next to her who had the traditional face markings of her kin.
“Hey there, is that the only place you have those tattoos?” she asked the woman. Eyrecae’s approach to seduction and dating was like her approach to war; direct, abrupt and unsubtle. Still, at least she wasn’t fighting anyone.

She heard the last thing the old man said and looked over. “We only conquer those who attack us and mean us harm,” she asserted piously.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Eyrecae Alzari"], [member="Judah Dashiell"]


"I see. We come from a planet with a high rate of force-sensitives as well. I myself am a force master, specialising in telekinesis." Siobhan probably did a better job of paying attention than Eyrecae. As enticing as the pretty green women were, appearances had to be maintained. Besides, stories of collapse and bloodshed actually interested her! That said she had the feeling that a vigorous training session with her favourite Eldorai Blood Knight would be in order soon.



It appeared the Gulag Virus had really done a number on this world. Like with so many in the Galaxy. Come to think of it, it was a bit of a miracle that most of the Galaxy had pulled out of the dark age as fast as they had. Either a miracle or the fiat of Force Plot that dictated that the Four Hundred Year Darkness amount to little more than background noise in most cases. "If people use violence against us, we'll respond in kind. But I didn't come here to conquer the planet and subjugae its people. We're setting up an outpost for agricultural and medical research. If we can coexist that's to our benefit."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Eyrecae Alzari"]


The elderly man with light-green wrinkled skin was quiet for a long moment. Perhaps he was contemplating Siobhan's words. Perhaps he was thinking of all that ramifications outsiders brought to such a world that had sat dormant for so long. Either way, he shifted slightly on the cushions, eyes seeing past the one who was trying to make sexual advances on his people.


"Coexisting would be to both our benefits. Our settlements have no quarrel with your people or your ambitions. With time perhaps our people will be more integrated into the planet. With your visions. I look forward to seeing what wonders your people bring Lady Kerrigan."