Who are you to change this world, silly girl? (Tarissa)

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina glanced to her mother, trying to mask her anxiousness from the redhead. It was something she couldn't help, and well, her mother was a little unpredictable sometimes. "Hello mum." The young woman said sweetly. It was an attempt to hide anything that might seem suspicious to Siobhan with loving kindness and hopefully bury any trance of emotions that had been there only seconds before.

She cringed a little at Sio's reaction, not expecting the woman to be as furious as she was. "Something like that." Galina replied softly. Her happiness faded away leaving behind an expression of confusion and sadness. The recent events that Sio had experienced, Galina had no clue about. "I'm glad to see you home."

"We were just ..." How did she explain this? I should have worn dresses more often, then she wouldn't be questioning what we were up to before she walked in. "Working on teaching me what court life is like here with the Eldorai." She sighed quietly. "You know me, in the only dress I own, ettiquete in any court isn't something I know in the least. And it's quite helpful here." And on Sigma, but Galina didn't add that part aloud.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan's eyes darted from Galina to Tarissa, then back. "It is helpful. It's nice to see at least one of my daughters is being sane and thinking of her future. Don't listen too much to what Tarissa says," she said bluntly. "How are Adril and Livia?" she asked or rather demanded from Harmony, who'd just shown to greet her Mistress.


"Uh, they are alright, Lady Mistress. Hestia is with them. Adril has trouble sleeping. I think she misses her mother," Harmony shifted uncomfortably and glanced at Galina, as if looking to her for support. She looked like the proverbial deer caught in the headlight.


"Well, she's not coming back. Ever. If she ever sets foot in this villa again, I'm kicking her out personally," Siobhan snapped, venom dripping from her voice, and stalked off.

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina nodded, sensing the anger in her mother, though it was not directed at her. At least for the moment it wasn't. "I'm just trying to gain what knowledge I can. It's not like this stuff I was born knowing." And for her part, she knew almost instinctively to filter carefully through what Tarissa had told her. That was just a simple gut feeling she had about the woman. While Tarissa did seem to care, and was invested, her views were far more harsh than Galina's ever had been. Still, she needed to find her own middle ground between people like her mothers, and someone like Tarissa. There was value in the lessons both taught that would allow her to find her own way.

Galina took a sharp breath in and took a step back from Siobhan, noting the mood, the anger relating to Nato, her adoptive sister. This Galina felt she had no place to step into. It wasn't something she could decide and help with. No, Siobhan was angry, and while she didn't know the reasons, she expected they had to be damn good reasons to provoke this kind of reaction. "Do I even want to know what happened?" Galina whispered, curiosity finally taking over.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"Probably not, but I'm telling you anyway. It's unfair for me to vent at you, but you're actually grownup. Do you know that you're the only one of my adult daughters who actually makes me proud? The one I'd feel confident to pass Firemane on to one day? You've always been my heir, Galina," Siobhan exclaimed suddenly. "I don't see Aba since she got tight with the Silver hippie cult," she all but spat the last three words, as if she was expelling something foul out of her mouth.


"And Nato's a bloody lunatic. As you know, she joined a Mando merc gang to rob a bank in the Republic capital. Why? Apparently she needed the money to get intel about her father. Stupid girl."


To be fair, later on Elpsis would join a Mando invasion, but that was a legiitmate military engagement. If Natoline wanted money and intel, she just had to go ask Ms. Valdier or Cora. Besides, the girl had dumped all her problems in Siobhan's lap and acted like someone who was wholly out of touch with reality. "I cut her out, she ran off with Althenea. I found her on Kessel. She was death charging her father's mansion all by herself, and...brought her baby with her!"


At this point, the room began to tremble. A vase standing on the windowsill suddenly shattered into a couple hundred pieces. The shaking finally stopped when Siobhan gained control over her power. "It was a war zone, and she had her baby and a friend waiting outside. How can anyone be so fething stupid? I tried to reason with her, she just rambled like a lunatic. I caught up with her when she found her father and his clones, then she summoned a small tornado and flew out. She's gone, Althenea's gone. I'm done with her." She turned around to face Galina. The young Firemane would see tears dripping down her adoptive mother's cheeks. "Am I such a bad mother?"


The only daughters left in Sio's life were Galina and young [member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]. The little bundle of joy had been an unexpected addition, but occupied a big place in her heart. What had transpired on Kessel would inevitably make the matriarch doubt herself though.

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina frowned, wondering what her mother was about to say. Whatever she thought Sio was going to say, certainly wasn't what came from her mother's mouth. Her brow creased as she listened, her frown growing deeper and her eyes looking a little sadder as Siobhan vented her frustrations. The thought of inheritance had never crossed her mind before. At least not from her adoptive parents. It just wasn't the sort of thing she'd considered. "I see." The redhead said quietly as Sio spoke of Aba first.

The part about Nato hit Galina harder. There was a flash of anger in the girl's eyes before she calmed the emotion and willed it back in place behind her mask of masks. She took a deep breath and sat down. "She did what?" Galina had to ask because it didn't seem possible. "Why didn't she go to Miss Valdier? We have an intel department for a reason. Being a weapons and defense manufacturer as well as having our own private armies, better-guarded facilities than many governments, to protect our patents, and assets, the resources are immense if one knows where to ask. You want intel, you go to Valdier. The woman may be dark, and a little scary but she knows her stuff. You also just don't go rob a bank for money. Firemane carries more liquid assets than any one bank can carry. Much less what is held in real estate." Galina really couldn't wrap her mind around what Nato had done.

Then the part about her baby. "SHE BROUGHT HER BABY WITH HER?!" In not even half a heartbeat, Galina was fiercely angry and yelling. Her usual fluid and even temper disappeared and every bit of her redheaded rage appeared so quickly. "Of all the stupid things she could have done, that was the absolute worst and most foolish. The robbery could be forgiven. At least I could. But that? The feth?!"

Rage was written on her features as Galina regally rose from the couch and crossed the room to her mother. Reaching up, she gently, kindly wiped the tears from her mother's cheeks. "You are not a bad mother in the least. Your children, however, have made foolish and down right idiotic choices in their lives. Remember they are above the age of maturity, these are their mistakes. They are not yours. They are a reflection of outside influences and events on them. They made those choices, mum, not you." She sighed once more and pulled Sio into a tight hug. "All you can do what you have. Though, perhaps some thought should be put into what you will do should they ever decide to return and beg forgiveness from you and mummy. But don't worry about that right now. Just worry about the things that are right in front of you."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan impulsively hugged her daughter, holding her close. Then she stepped back, looking more than a little embarrassed. She had not intended to vent like this, but it was clearly for the best to get this off her chest. "Thank you, angel. You're wise beyond your years. I know I've been...overbearing sometimes. Overprotective and so on. Because you're so precious to me. But I think in my desire to protect you, I've spent treated you too much like a child. You're not a kid, you're a beautiful, kind, smart young woman and I love you. You'll be a good leader one day." The Countess sniffed a bit and wiped some tears from her face.


"Nato made her choice, and Aba seems to think the incompetent hippies are more important. Fine. I have a lovely family to look after. I still love them, but I won't let what they want constrain me," she said with an air of finality. "Two of Nato's babies are still with us. Livia and Adril. They will be loved."

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina managed the tiniest hints of a smile. "It's alright mum. I understand why you are the way you are with me. In part, I needed that shelter and protection for a while. I was still a child even though my age said something different. I'd lived alone, on an island full of dangers with no protections to speak of. There were no promises that I'd even see another sunrise. Safety and security, in addition to learning to live in society again, was what I needed." She sighed softly, her smile brightening, "Thank you, mum, really. It means a lot to hear that from you." Those words went far to boost her confidence in what she was doing and in herself. They were words she'd really needed to hear from her mothers.

She gave a nod, "I just want you to be certain. There are some doors you might want to leave open, never knowing what the future might bring. And you are right we do have the little ones too. I just like to think that they both someday might see some sense and I'd hate for them to be forever barred from us."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"I'll give it thought. Maybe they'll see sense...one day," Siobhan said, though she didn't believe it. Nor did she feel forgiving. For all her flaws, she was a very loving, kind and compassionate woman. However, on the flip side she was wrathful and held on to grudges for ages. Once she'd formed a negative opinion of someone, it was almost an uphill battle to sway her.


"You're such a kind girl. I'm proud of you," she reached out to fondly stroke Galina's firemane. "I'll get washed and changed, then we can talk more." Siobhan had not yet changed out of her armour and could probably use a shower to wash away the dirt, grime and scent of Kessel. "It's time I got you more involved in the family enterprise."

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

"You can always hope," Galina said quietly. "Maybe they'll come around. Maybe they won't but that door won't be forever closed to them. I'm not even talking about right now, right this minute, but someday. Someday when everyone has had a bit of time."

Galina smiled, "I'm glad to hear you say it. I do, and have wondered sometimes." She gave a nod, "That's fine. I've got time to spare so I can wait." Her eyes darted to Tarissa for a moment, wondering what she had drawn from their conversation. "I would like to be more involved in Firemane. I want to learn and know what goes on, and learn to handle and manage it. Someday it's going to be in my hands to deal with, and I'd at least like some clue of what that is like before that day comes. But for now, go. I'll be fine here with Tarissa to keep me company."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan smiled, feeling proud her daughter. Undoubtedly the girl still had a lot to learn, there would be mistakes, stumbling blocks and arguments, but the point was that she wanted to. Instead of hiding and expecting her mothers to solve every problem in her life. No, the matriarch was not bitter at all.


"Ok, sweetie. We can talk things over. Back in a bit," Siobhan said softly and then retreated up the stairs so that she could finally get out of her armour and wash herself. After all, beskar'gam was uncomfortable and the suit could use a spring cleaning to.


Meanwhile, Tarissa had made herself comfortable on a couch in the living room. It was likely that she'd heard most, if not all of the conversation due to her delicate elf ears, for they had an actual practical use. Speaking of the aforementioned sensitive ears, presently Cyraea was occupied massaging them, earning herself pleasured moans from her mistress, who appreciated her nimble fingers.


"Natoline and Abaigeal are lucky that Siobhan is their mother and not I," she remarked primly. Or, even worse, Tarissa's mother. She made Young Cadalthor look like a kindly liberal, as absurd as that sounds. "I am glad she is receptive to giving you more responsibility though. At least something good has come out of these...sad events."

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

With her mother heading off, Galina came back to take a seat within the living room knowing full well that Sio's and her conversation hadn't been entirely private. Galina hardly cared about that at this point. Progress had been made, and she knew at least that Siobhan was proud of her. That was a fact that made all the difference in the galaxy.

She gave a nod as she made herself more comfortable. "Yes, I suppose they are." If only she knew just how bad Tarissa's mother truly was. But her vague knowledge of elf told her what she needed to know about that.

"I am too." She paused and took a breath before sighing. "This wasn't how I expected things to go, but I can live with the results." It wasn't ideal. It wasn't perfect. It was, however, a place to start. "I just need a little more time and leeway. And well, Firemane is just a stepping stone. Running a company and running a government aren't exactly the same thing. I suppose I have to start somewhere. Who knows where exactly mum will have me start."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Tarissa was cruel, smug and arrogant. She'd inherited these traits from her mother - and even she considered the late Cadalthor matriarch too extreme. This probably said a lot about their relationship. Cadalthor family dynamics were more than a little messed up.


She even had a bastard cousin in the Angelii. "Perfection is for the heavens, mortals must make do with the attainable," she said. She seemed to like her fancy, pseudo-philosophical sayings. She leaned into Cyraeae's touch, sighing pleasurably when the servant massaged her earlobe. "You have a chance now, you only need to grasp it. And fortunately your mind has not been polluted by Yedai stupidity. By the way, dear, do you ride perchance? I have a stable of horses on my estate."


The Cadalthors were the sort to go hunting on horseback. Using modern weapons was forbidden on such excursions, for the rules demanded that you showed what you were made of by slaying your prey the old fashioned way. If you were to weak for that, you weren't a real Cadalthor.

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina listened closely. She seemed to rather like what she heard from Tarissa. To some degree, they seemed to fit oddly well together, even if there may have been other motives involved behind the scenes.

She frowned at the mention of Jedi. "The Jedi are fools, and fooling themselves with delusions of how they believe the galaxy to be, locked in some black and white battle when everything is shades of gray." The redhead grumbled.

Though her irritations were soon forgotten as Tarissa asked something that Galina had not expected. "Yes, I do. I rather love riding horses and other beasts." She said with a smile. "They remind me of Sigma a bit. That and I'm much more comfortable with less advanced technology. After all, I love a good bow hunt. And it's been a while since I've been able to go about and do so. Riding and hunting just go hand in hand." At least she believed so and no one was going to tell her differently.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Presumably Tarissa would have a terribly low opinion of the Silver Jedi. Not only did they have a penchant for pardoning criminals, they had also started to consort with Sith. One imagined she'd want to punish them most severely.


"I'm pleased that Tygara is free of Jedi corruption. They're cowards and traitors," she spoke, voice dripping with scorn. "It's common tradition among the Cadalthors to go hunting on horseback. No modern weapons are allowed, only traditional ones. It builds character and makes sure we never forget our roots. You should join us on the next hunt. There's always a good turnout."


At this moment Siobhan returned into the living room. She'd replaced her beskar armour with a red dress, her hair had been washed and cascaded about her shoulders in a full mane. "Hey there. I hear you're giving my Galina lessons about courtly life, Tarissa," she commented.


"I deemed it prudent, yes. She's a very intelligent young woman, and she has will. Probably more than many young Eldorai girls of her age," Tarissa responded. Cyraea's fingers had found their way to her shoulders and massaged them.


"That's very helpful of you. I believe some lessons from Selene would be a good supplement, you agree?" Siobhan asked rhetorically. It was no secret that Tarissa really disliked Countess Selene Tarai, regarding her as a namby-pamby liberal. "When can we expect any little Cadalthors? I'm waiting for the chance to spoil your girls with nice things."


"Ah, yes. Tarai. Well, she is very worldly." Wordly was an insult in Tarissa's dictionary. "As for children of my own, in good time. I've consulted the Oracles. I'll probably produce an heiress the old fashioned way. We have potions to make sure it will be a girl." That meant knocking up a servant girl and claiming the child as her own.


"Very traditional. I guess the rigours of pregnancy aren't for you, huh? Same with me. I've got a ton of respect for Laina for going through it, but no thanks. So, Galina, what did you learn today? By the way, that dress looks lovely on you. I should buy you more."

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

"I agree, to be honest. Coryth and Phylis aside, I've not met any Jedi of any note. They are all foolish and ignorant of how the galaxy really is. After all, they had no stake in Sigma and missions if not billions have perished over the years in our brutal and unforgiving war. The evil boogymen weren't causing trouble and it wasn't a world with notable resources so ... Why in the stars would they ever help?" She knew that answer without even asking it. With a shake of her head she pushed the thoughts away. Galina wasn't fond of how the Jedi and even Sith had ignored her world. They had been on their own for far too long.

"Now that sounds delightful. It's my kind of hunting. The type that requires true skill and talent as well as brains to engage in and come out on top. I rather love it. And I would love to join your family on their next hunt if you'll have me."

Galina glanced back as her mother reentered the living room. "Yes, she has been giving me a few tips. Tarissa's been rather helpful with basic things in Court that I had no idea of. To this day, beyond meeting with the Queen once after the Netherworld events, I never have dealt with Court life in any manner. That was the closest and I was still so much a child then despite my age. I didn't appreciate it for what it was." A sigh followed as she settled further into her seat, allowing her body to slacken and relax far more with Siobhan now in the room. It seemed her posture was slipping for the moment.

Galina then grew quiet letting the two adults talk back and forth for a moment. It didn't seem her place to step in just yet. No, she'd let them have a moment first. She blushed when Siobhan mentioned the gown. "I ... uh ... thank you, Mum." She really had no idea how to take a compliment other than to stammer a bit before she could find words to thank her mother.

"We've just been talking through what holding court would be like. How a Queen behaves and treats people with just glances, and allowing a proper servant to announce to me each of my guests. That sort of thing. I suppose the dress and hair and stuff, is part of it too." Though, Galina didn't seem all that pleased with that part of things. Getting dressed up in pretty clothing, and having her hair and makeup done were so not her things. Not at all. This was a habit her moms and Tarissa undoubtedly would have to work hard to correct. Then again maybe just a week in Tarissa's home would fix that with a harsh crash course in hair, makeup, and decorum of nobility.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"You look beautiful in a dress, dear. Like a princess," Siobhan said encouragingly. "Feminine and graceful, yet also regal. Every inch a lady. Your femininity is a strength to be embraced. It has a power of its own. When it's appropriate, of course. I wouldn't want you to show up on a battlefield wearing a slinky dress and high heels."


"Silk hides steel. Project elegande and confidence, but without being ostentatious. Ladies who load themselves with outrageous jewellry are often parvenus who feel they have something to prove," Tarissa interjected, then noticed that the young firemane's body had slackened. "Galina, remember your posture," she did not raise her voice, but it was nonetheless managed to hit a very commanding tone.


Siobhan shot the duchess a displeased look. "She's not at court or going through an exercise. She's getting a break now," she said sharply., with a note of sternness in her tone. "And last I checked, you're not this family's matriarch." Why was she reacting so strongly to a simple remark? She was not sure.


"What happens at home is preparation for the public sphere," Tarissa could not help retort. "But I'm only offering advice." Was she backing down? Well, actually not, but she did not deem it wise to push things.

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Galina frowned a little. She wasn't comfortable in dresses just yet. They felt awkward against her skin, and just didn't fit on her body in a fashion she liked. It clung to all the places she usually had covered with much more plain items. "I," She started but paused, "...Uh."

The redhead shook her head trying to find her thoughts. "It's not me. And it's not comfortable." Galina complained as she tugged at the fabric a little, trying to shift the dress into a position she could live with. Somehow she didn't imagine she was going to win this one. Dresses and more regal clothing were going to be an eventual requirement. Though, somehow this one expects Galina will find a way to wear jeans on the throne just because she could, and possibly to spite a few select people.

Her frown deepened when she realized her relaxed posture had been noticed. She clearly wasn't going to get away with even the smallest infraction with Tarissa around. Galina sighed, and shifted back, straightening herself once more. Though her attention soon was drawn to her mother and she wasn't sure who to follow for a moment. "Mom, it's fine." She finally said, speaking up for herself in a rare moment. "She's not wrong. And this doesn't hurt me. It may not be the most comfortable but it's not harming me." Galina then sighed, "It's not like I visit Court here, or have a place to practice such things. So why not here and now?"

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan was not a happy camper. "Perhaps not, but it is not her place to command you. I can my daughter and teach her etiquette just fine," she spoke with more than a little haughtiness. "I think your posture is good. Do not sit too rigidly. That'll be bad for your back, unless your Taldir."


Tarissa looked somewhat amused. "Strictly speaking, Siobhan, I outrank you in the Peerage." There was a pause. "Not that I anyone else could be so foolish to give orders to your family in your house," she said brightly, as if trying to empathise the ridiculousness of the idea.


"I'm going to ask Anya to promote me. I equip your entire army and saved your race," Siobhan said more than a little smugly. "So, Galina, have you thought about what field or department in Firemane you'd like to work in?"

 

[Galina Kerrigan-Alcori]

Awkward. Galina found herself caught in the middle between Tarissa and Siobhan and this, this she did not like in the least. It also wasn't something she wanted to jump in on either. That just seemed like it was asking for trouble. However, she had her doubts that this would just end on its own. That was highly unlikely given the pairs' personality.

"It's not a matter of whether you can teach me or not, mum. An outside perspective on things like this can only help me decide the proper course for myself. It's not me disregarding what you can teach me. It's taking a little bit of everything around me and finding a middle ground. Finding what works for me, within the bounds and culture of Sigma. No two planets are the same and you both know this." Galina finally said speaking up for herself once more.

"As for where in Firemane? I'm not sure. My talents certainly are within science and physics. But that isn't exactly where I'd end up if I was running Firemane, now is it? I'd like to know and see what you and mummy do in Firemane before I really select an individual department if that makes sense." She hoped it did.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]


There were many things Siobhan wanted to say, but she held her tongue for the time being. However, she gave Galina a look that pretty much said 'we'll talk about this another time'. Anothe time might be rather soon.


"Science and physics would suit you, but I don't think you'd be happy working alongside Elanil Saedaris," she commented instead. The Eldorai scientist was as beautiful as she was smart, but sadly an uptight queen. In Sio's opinion, she really needed to remove the stick from her arse and get laid.


"Spending some time in Logistics might do you good. Resource allocation is vital, no matter if you're a general, corporate executive or ruler. But for the time being you can tag along with Tegs and me. Attend board meetings, accompany us on business trips and so on. You'd be a member of my personal staff and treated accordingly."


In other words, she'd get lots of homework. "Further down the line, you could work at one of our branch offices. Keep tabs on operations, make sure our instructions are carried out to the letter. If you want an outside corporate perspective, working with Salacia a bit might be worth considering. [member="Judah Dashiell"] is a good guy." This was high praise since Siobhan was fairly sexist.