Shield and Sword (Eclipse) [Criaxa]

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

[This takes place on the custom planet of Criaxa: Link]


Two Weeks Previously

Aerith Vand sat before the computer console in her room, sunken into a plush armchair with the early rays of morning light wafting through the large windows that looked out onto the green grounds. Every single item in her room was in its place, from the blankets to the glassware obtained from merchants. Some items twinkled in the sunlight, with reflections dancing on the walls. It was a cheery sort of morning, the kind poets made verses about, and the kind painters labored to recreate. For all intents and purposes, it was the ideal Criaxan morning. But very quickly that sensation was to be killed.

The message before her was in text, as were most of the family communications. While videos were perfectly possible, somehow the family had never really taken to using them. Maybe they all just disliked putting on their personas more than anything. Rega had to pretend to be polite and respectful of his family in the same way Aerith had to disguise her own interests and pretend to be interested in little more than riding horses and shopping for the latest fashions.

As the young aristocrat read, her face progressively darkened, as if a cloud was eclipsing the sun. Her lips were taut and her jaw was set over such words as “pregnancy” and “eight months to go.” While she knew this would be the hail of the dinner table and she’d be obliged to put on her face of polite enjoyment, this was terrible news.

Up until this moment, time had been on Aerith’s side. She was young still, while her father was old. There had been time to manipulate the family and to cast aside the roadblocks to the title ‘Countess’ that were her brothers. But now? Thanks to archaic traditions, when that child was born, he, as a male, would be placed into the line of succession ahead of Count Vand’s only daughter. Now there was no choice but to take action, to forcibly remove Dar and Rega from ahead of her and become the first in line to the title, before this little whelp could be born. By any means possible.

Aerith knew full well just how delighted Rega must have been to rub this in her face. She was a little surprised he hadn’t addressed this solely to her, with some snide little commentary. “Looks like you lost out again little sister.”

The youngest Vand seethed. Brothers were not supposed to be this way. Somehow and someway Rega had been a bad egg. Dar’s biggest flaw was that he had been too interested in numbers, and not in his family responsibilities, but Rega was a swine. A dog. Everything he’d done from those early years on had been out of spite. He was always eager to lord his superiority over Aerith, in everything from fencing to horseback riding. Try as she might, she never seemed able to surpass him. Just as he was always a step closer to the title than she was, he was always ahead of her at everything.

Well not now. What Aerith had on her side was a ruthless cunning, a willpower that Rega would be astonished at. Growing up, his little sister had become a master of showing two faces. To the outside world she was a superfluous, polite young piece of nobility, interested in fancy dresses, horses, and fine living. But inside, she was like some figure out of the Operas she was so fond of. The Aria of Aerith Vand was about power and influence, and wielding a singe-edged sword that could strike in only the direction she chose. Under the shell was a brilliant strategist, as much so as any General. And like any fearsome military leader, she was willing to make any sacrifice to reach her objective.

And that remained hidden to all but herself.

She had less than eight months…

The Present

Aerith Vand took a deep breath as she mentally ran through each step of her plan, a multi-level in-depth approach guaranteed to do the ideal: manipulate someone else into committing murders on her behalf. The evolution of the plan had been long and hard, taking the whole of her first week. But the second had been a matter of arranging the logistics, and persuading and bribing her way into the records of the Sith Order, to find her ideal assassin.

Everything was there, like an open book to those with enough wealth and influence. Hers had bought her that glimpse, and one candidate had stood out. She was a Sith Assassin named Caliga, who possessed the perfect storm of qualities. Weak enough telepathically to fail to sense a convincing lie, simple enough to be swayed by the right words, and deadly enough to ensure that both her brothers would be dead inside the month.

All that was left was for Aerith to put on the best acting job of her life.

Not a single strand of black hair was out of place on her head, every inch of her porcelain skin was clean, and her make-up was exquisitely applied. Aerith was clad in her favorite royal blue dress, embellished with bronze details, and she was the very picture of refined nobility in a savage age. Moreover, she exuded a false goodness, as if no one so beautiful and so refined could ever be interested in motives so selfish.

With any luck whatsoever, Caliga would never learn of the true motives. Aerith had requested her from the Sith Order specifically, after setting up her own need for a better bodyguard. She’d covertly arranged for a foiled assassination attempt, and arranged for a break-in on the estate grounds. The ‘culprits’ had escaped each time, but Aerith had arranged for certain pieces of ‘evidence’ to be left behind. Evidence that would make her brothers look guilty.

That was the plan. Secure a Sith Assassin as a bodyguard, have her foil an assassination attempt that left behind more key evidence, and then tearfully admit her ‘full story.’ Yes, it would be sad, sad that poor Aerith was the most successful one in the family, and her brothers had arranged a plot to eliminate her, dividing her assets amongst each other like wolves over their prey. And then, the crowning glory would be when they hoped through a broken heart their father would die and leave his title to the eldest son. Greed and lust for power would be pitted against family loyalty and true nobility. A touching tale.

One more deep breath came as Aerith sat in the cushioned armchair in one of the estate’s countless immaculate sitting rooms, one slender leg folded over the other, both blue-grey eyes fixated on the clock ticking on the wall.

Her instructions had been clear. This Sith was to be brought into the sitting room, and they would share a cup of tea together as the story unfolded. And then her surprise would come.

[10Tickler]

The Previous Week

Bright red words sprawled across the top of the Orders, sent to Zænia's quarters in the Temple of the Sith Order, carried by a rather Haughty Droid. The words were simple they simply told of the nature of the mission Secret, which informed the Sith that, while the mission was important enough to be fed through to her, it wasn't vital. So Caliga, Assassin of the Sith order took a nap.

Two days later

Finally, after Dawdling and napping, enjoying some of the slop they considered food here, Zænia finally decided it was time, or at least that she was bored enough to open the folder and peruse the document. She was decent enough at reading, private schools had seen to that, and as her eyes scanned the document, she was filled with a sense of Adventure and excitement. A Noble girl, threatened and ravaged upon by her two brutish brothers, each greedy little Blëbers who would apparently have their own family destroyed to have it all. That just wouldn't do.

It took no time at all to pack, wearing her official, "Business" clothes, mainly a thick cloak that covered her form, as well as form-fitting, flexible fabric. She was an imposing figure...well, in her own mind. Something about her Diminutive Five foot, four-inch figure seemed to make the other Sith in the temple not really fear her as much as she thought they should. That was neither here, nor there, though, and with ease, she was able to not only Borrow a Starfighter, but also bum a ride towards the Criaxa system.

Hyperdrives were, of course, a fantastic thing, and within the next forty-eight hours, the Sith Fighter she'd borrowed was crashing it's way bluntly through the atmosphere of Criaxa II, sort of like a Ballerina who'd had far too much Glitterstim and Ale. With a motion that could barely be described as graceful by any standard, Zænia brought the ship to a Stop, a few KPH short of officially crashing. From the pad, it was a short transit along public transportation until she was ringing the bell on the Vand Complex's front gate, or buzzer. Either way, Zænia hoped, deep down inside, that she was waking someone up.

Alas, that wasn't to be the case, and within a few moments of announcing herself and her business, she was greeted and led to the Aristocrat's Sitting chambers. Offered a seat by one of the staff, she raised her brow before responding. "It's statistically 63% easier to kill a seated target and 82% easier to wound them in such a way that they are permanantly incapacitated" she said in such a nonchalant way that the Noblewoman's servant was shocked back from her. "So I think I'll stand. What's the story miss?" she said, turning and tilting her head to stare at Aerith, taking in the woman with wide, chocolate eyes. "Sounds like you've been having a terrible week".

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Aerith Vand found herself raising an eyebrow at the rather morbid statement that came from the Sith Assassin’s mouth. Easier to kill a seated target? Well it was fortunate that Aerith was currently protected, by someone rather capable.

Promptly Zaenia dug into the meat of matters, and Aerith beckoned the young Twi’lek staff member over.

”Service for two please.”

She nodded and left the sitting room, leaving the Aristocrat and the Assassin alone together. When the sound of her footfalls had faded away, Aerith began to spin her tale.

”Yes, it has been a truly terrible week. There have been two attempts on my life. My droid foiled the first, but the second came very close to succeeding. I was afraid I needed special protection, so I turned to the Sith Order for it. You might want to sit after all, because it is a long story that may take a while to explain…

I have reason to believe my brothers are behind these attacks. The dead assassin carried on him a datapad authorizing his payment, from someone with the initials RV. I think that was my brother, Rega Vand. He’s always hated me. When I was a little girl he was jealous that my father loved me so, and jealous that I was a better student than he was. It only grew as the years went by. And now, I’m afraid he and Dar, my other brother, want me dead. They know my will stipulates all my wealth will go to my family, and I am a very wealthy woman. I’m afraid they also know another thing. If I were to die, it would break my father’s heart, and I am afraid he would die soon after. That would make Dar Count Vand. I know they won’t stop coming for me, and my droids are not protection enough. Let me show you all the evidence I’ve collected.”

The pale-skinned aristocrat rose and produced from a shelf a pair of datapads and a blaster, carrying them over to Zaenia. They were items she was intimately familiar with, as she’d prepared them herself. They were a part of the elaborate deception she was selling with a straight face.

”This blaster is Sith military issue, and my brother Rega is an officer in the Sith Navy. The datapads are the one I recovered from the assassin, and one that a slicer who I hired gave to me. It’s a message from Dar to Rega, discussing their plan. They’re vague about it, too vague to take to the authorities. And even if they were caught, the publicity would tear my family apart. It would destroy us in the press. What I want is for you to protect me. I only hope that with a powerful Sith guarding me, my brothers will give up on their plan.”

[10Tickler]

It was with bored eyes that Zænia actually listened to the story from the Noblewoman's mouth, She'd thought that interfamilial politics would be more amusing, but this...this was just petty, sad even. She'd honestly expected more from the wealthy, but...Looking over the evidence...It was convincing.

Turning her head to look from the proof that she'd been offered to Aerith, Zænia's eyes filled with concern. "This is a Mission for me. I do not need for you to convince me, I will protect you, and you will be safer than you have ever been to this point" she told the woman, moving around the room, to stare at the windows, her eyes tracing over the edges before she turned back around, moving to the chairs. "That said, I know I can't keep you from your Social Obligations either. Once upon a time I was quite the Socialite myself...I just found this to be way more fun. You'd be safest locked away in your home, but a woman from a Family such as yours must be public. I will be at your side at all times, however, and in public, You are not allowed to use my name in any way, for the Safety of my missions in the future" she explained, nodding a little and smiling. "Can you shoot? Or Fence? Any of those Spiffy little Noble Sports? If so, we can get you a good weapon for personal defense, but With me around, you shouldn't need it"

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Aerith listened very carefully to Zaenia’s reply, analyzing every single word as it came to find if she sensed any undue curiosity or skepticism. From what she’d read, she doubted she would see such traits, but it was her fear. And if Aerith had any pastime, it was worrying. So much was riding on this plan. Her whole future in fact, and she had to shape it. Now was her chance, and everything rested on this assassin.

A promise of protection. Good, a start. She could build on it from there, using it as a foundation. She hadn’t assumed this process would be fast. Quite to the contrary, but she’d still had hopes that it would go quickly as well as smoothly. But one step too far and it could fail.

Zaenia herself had to come up with the idea. Or think she’d come up with it. It was absolutely essential.

The terms of this protection were fully acceptable. And if Aerith was to mention this Sith woman at all, she’d likely just refer to her as a bodyguard. It was better to keep such company vague, and out of the social circles she moved in. She wouldn’t introduce the maid by name either.

As to her martial skills…

”Yes, I can fence. My saber is in my study. If you’d like I can have someone fetch it. Ah, the tea.”

The Twi’lek serving girl had returned bearing a tray that held two cups of tea and all the accessories that were needed. However, the green girl took only two steps into the room before letting out a scream and dropping the tray as the window promptly exploded, sending shards flying.

Even though Lady Vand had arranged for this attack, it still came as a surprise to her, and she genuinely yelped before falling flat on the floor, sheltering from the upcoming fray.

A pair of HK assassin droids charged in through the breach with blaster rifles raised. They took one look at Zaenia before opening fire.

[10Tickler]

Low, before the Droids had even entered the room fully, moving. If the assassins were Mechanical, the sound of Shattering Glass had been a warning, no, not even shattering, but....creaking, that slight moan that Glass gives out before finally giving way. Already, a pair of weapons were in Zaenia's hands, thrumming with the powerful vibrations that traveled along the blade's lengths from concealed generators. Modified Knuckledusters, they glimmered in the late afternoon sun, and the woman simply licked her lips, feeling the Force flow through her body, guiding her, strengthening her.

Pushing off with her legs, Zænia's body glided along the floor like a Swoop over the ground, her hands extended as she slipped between the two droids, old HK models, by the looks of them. Between the force of her blows as her outstretched arms collided with one of their legs apiece, the vibrating blades shattering durasteel armor and sending them spinning on their remaining legs.

Turning with an inhuman speed, the diminutive woman proceeded to turn the blades, launching them into the Droids bodies and tearing upwards with the vibrating steel, Not quite bisecting them, but causing a deep wound that would disable them completely. Snorting a little, she finally turned the blades off, concealing them in her cloak with a simple motion. "Your Domicile is compromised." she said, simply, shaking her head slowly. "You need to find some other place to stay"

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Aerith genuinely protested this time.

"This is my home, I can't just leave here. You can simply stay here, and take the room next to mine!"

The Sith aristocrat paused for a moment as she realized this was the ideal time to spin her tale more. Luckily she had the presence of mind to tell that it was an opportunity.

"It doesn't matter where I go, they'll just keep coming as along as my brothers are alive!"

To further sell her dilemma, she sank to the chair and averted her eyes, burying them in the sleeve of her dress and sobbing. It was, to her delight, semi-genuine. There were some real tears flowing there, which was quite fortunate.

But now she was dependent on a Sith's sense of compassion.

It was a crossroads.

[10Tickler]

'Twas with an exasperated sigh that the Sith woman listened, her short form shifting about as she used her cape to wipe oil from her blades, considering the possibilities. With a pair of Fingers, the professional murderess pinched the bridge of her nose, pressing against the Cartilage gently, relieving a small bit of stress. I should have guessed that taking an easy route would be out of the question. The room will be unneeded, Until you're safe, I will be abstaining from taking any deep, extended rests. she assured the woman. From now until I'm gone, your Security team will report to me. Failures will be dealt with Severely, and with a little Luck, perhaps the problems will...deal with themselves she continued, smiling like the cat that caught the Mouse.

Now, despite her lack of skill in Telepathy or Empathy, Zaenia wasn't stupid. She had an idea of what was going on, a battle over succession. The Sorrussian woman too, knew that HK droids weren't that easy to take down, not usually. A sneaking suspicion lurked in the Sith's mind that she was being used, as a weapon, not a Shield, but a tool of offense.

She didn't mind it.

Under the cool, collected mask of the Master Assassin, there lived a creature from another world entirely, a spoiled society girl, who craved stimulation from bright lights, music and chemicals. Zaenia had simply replaced those stimuli with those of Adrenaline and that endorphin rush that she felt each time someone died by her hand.

Not that Aerith would know or notice. Already, however, Zaenia was considering the game, how to bring about the Final act while leaving Aerith with the feeling that she'd orchestrated it unto unwilling parties. That would probably have to wait, but still, a little needle had never hurt, and with a face as serious as stone, Zaenia turned to look to her.

I'm going to be Honest with you. I know they're your family, but the Easiest way for me to Secure your Freedom from terror...well, that would be to eliminate the source of it. You say the words, and I'll make it easy on us. Alright? she asked, laying it out, into the open as she turned and moved to the door, eyes scanning the staff that awaited their mistress' orders outside of it.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Aerith's heart skipped a beat when the main thrust of her intent was addressed. That was precisely what she wanted, but it was imperative that she not show it. And she couldn't embrace it too readily, because that would reflect very poorly on her.

This was all very much like fencing, hiding your objectives, using secret strategy and sleight of hand to distract from the real move. And above all there were thrusts, that could be met by parries. It took a skilled practitioner to know when to disengage. Aerith wasn't ready for that yet. What was needed was a lull in the flow of their events. Something to give her a delay, to keep her looking pure as new-fallen snow.

"That is... Very much a challenge. I need a while to think it over. I hope you will permit me a quarter hour to contemplate this. I think I need to ride. You are welcome to join me."

Aerith rose from the chair and exited the room, heading straight to her own room and closing the door. There, she disrobed, taking off her dress and pulling on jodhpurs, riding boots, and a nice blouse on instead. A few quick touches of her makeup, and she was headed straight to the stables.

She arrived shortly thereafter, and stopped in front of her favorite horse, a black mare. Gently she stroked the creature's face, whispering soft words to it before waving at the stable hand to have him saddle the horse.

While he did that, Aerith peered out the window at the woods on the doorstep of the estate, brimming with trails and filled with warm, soft sunlight.

When she turned back, the horse was saddled. Placing one boot into the stirrup she swung herself up onto the horse's back and took one last look around.

[10Tickler]

Ride? thought the Petite Sorrusian, shifting to move and follow her, a little unsure as to what the Wealthy and bored rode to amuse themselves these days. It had been...quite some time since Zænia had been in on the Party scene and for all she knew, as she followed Aerith, the Aristocratic woman was going to do some drugs or...oh. That was what she meant.

Horses, Zænia had always hated horses.

Tall, Strong, hard as hell for someone as short as her to clamber up onto, but with the help of her Stablehand, Aerith had easily mounted the Ride she'd chosen. Another Horse was brought forward, and the Hand motioned to Zænia, indicating that this one was for her to ride. Well, it was an offer, and Rudeness wasn't one of the Traits that Zænia liked to project. Bluntness, wrath, yes, Rudeness...not as much.

Approaching the Equine slowly, Zænia remembered the lessons of her Youth, Moving slowly, letting the Beast smell her and know her presence before trying to mount. In a graceful display of cunning and quick-reflexes, she moved to hop on, and fell promptly on her rear, swearing loudly, much to the Chagrin of the Stablehand.

With narrowed eyes, Zænia called upon the Force this time, picturing herself leaping gracefully onto the Animal's back, and doing it, literally vaulting and landing astride. A'iight, let's go she said, proudly.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"I'm glad you could join me," Aerith said to her guest from horseback, mere seconds before the Sith tried to mount her horse. The first attempt was less than successful, and Zaenia tumbled back down to the ground. Aerith had a thin smile on her face over that, kept to that smile sign for two very pressing reasons.

The first was that too much levity undermined the performance she was giving, and the second was that such slapstick humor was plebeian, and reserved for the miserable masses. Her own humor was much more elevated and biting. What was funny here was that the other woman didn't seem to know how to mount a horse.

Of course, force users bounced back quickly, and in a few seconds the Sith was riding on the back of a good-natured chestnut horse. She indicated a desire to go, so Aerith nodded and went.

The aristocrat squeezed her horse's side with her legs and off the creature went at a walk, leaving behind the stable and moving out across the grounds and toward the woods. A pull on the reins and a press of the leg here and there and the course adapted to changes in direction.

While Aerith did have company, she wasn't entirely sure of what to say or what kind of host to be. With a soft sigh she decided it was probably best to engage in some kind of conversation and hope the Sith she'd chosen for pliability wasn't daft or vulgar.

The pale-skinned young woman pulled on the reins and slowed, coming up alongside her new bodyguard, in distance to easily converse.

"Tell me, Caliga, if you were in my position... What would you do? How would you handle this crisis?"

[10Tickler]

Despite her lackluster first attempt at mounting a beast that had to weigh six times what she did, Caliga felt quite comfortable once she was in the saddle, memories returning from her wealthy youth, when she had been one of the woefully privileged herself. A click of the tongue and the woody-brown beast beneath her moved, guided by rein and heel with a certain commanding style. As the unlikely pair moved away from the main part of Aerith's estate, the Sith Assassin's eyes never stopped moving, keeping a watchful gaze cast about them, gauging potential hazards and hoping that the Stirrups wouldn't disturb her motions in case quick action was needed.

A few minutes into the ride, The Petite woman's attention was drawn back to Aerith more fully by the Noble's usage of her Given name. Listening to the Question, Caliga used a little more pressure from her heels to encourage the Chestnut mare to quicken it's gait, bringing her Astride the other female. The time it took gave her a few moments to think, to consider her answer, before responding.

"The first thing I'd want to know is who you're actually asking" she put forth. "The Scary Sith Assassin, or the Person who used to enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor herself. Before I joined the Sith, I was a spoiled little shit of a Rich Kid, partying, looking for the next high, the next bit of excitement to fill my life. As a Sith, honestly, as a pragmatic person, I would eliminate the source of the threat in the Bloodiest possible way, providing a warning to any others who would be inclined to push my limits. As Zaenia Urto...I'd run, honestly, I'd go into hiding. I did it before, when I was tired and afraid of myself, of the life I'd built on my Father's Successes. You're not like either of those however. I wish I could suggest a payoff, something to get them to Vanish, but from how your Brothers sound, I don't think it would work out well."

The discourse over, Caliga let the silence sink in for a few minutes as the pair navigated easy obstacles on their mounts. Then she began to speak once more.

"With your fame, your wealth...people look at what you do carefully. To avoid being cast in a dim light among the people who count on your Family for Guidance and order, you must find a way to make anything that happens look like a preventable accident, something caused by their own stubbornness. That is...If you were to decide to Kill your own Flesh and Blood to feel safer."

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Child of wealth. There was something Aerith had neither predicted nor guessed. The woman riding next to her was definitely different. These Sith, they were so much more than typical Jedi nurtured in the confines of their temples and enclaves. These were people, in every sense of the word. They could come from any background, like some microcosm of an egalitarian society. Certainly Aerith had not expected such an upbringing for her tool, but she was now more resolved than ever to treat her tool correctly.

And, much to the aristocrat's surprise, the advice that flowed was sound, secure, geared precisely for her, and not at all foolish or poorly-planned. While the assassin may not have understood the nuances of Aerith's true plans, she knew of the same call to action Aerith had heeded and decided to let play out.

Impressive work for so short a time. And the words had come out of the horse's mouth, to speak proverbially. Exactly what Aerith wanted had just been presented as her best course of action. It was sweet to the taste, and filled her with an inner ease. Her anxiety had been weighing think on her mind as of late, and now it subsided, like an ebbing tide.

Aerith kept her completely sincere and straight face on. It was important to remain in character.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this, but you are right of course. They chose to act against me, and now I have no choice but to act against them, for my own safety. Can you do this for me Caliga? Can you kill my brothers, in such a way that it would appear to be no more than an accident? My life depends on it. But my father must never know the truth or it would break his heart."

[10Tickler]

Could only ponder the Aristocrat's question for a few moments, before finally speaking, her words quiet as the two of them discussed the options that lay before their paths.

Could I kill them? Yes. Could I make it look like an Accident? Even more so, yes. Can I keep it from breaking Daddy's heart? Probably not. He'll be broken by losing the two of them, but, if you can manage to gather the two of them in one place, It will be easier and quicker. It'll make it quite a bit easier to look like an accident if their Vehicle malfunctions mid-trip, and they go down together. If they need to be separately done, it'll be more irritating, but still possible. Give me an answer and a week and it'll be done she told Aerith Confidently.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Aerith toyed with a lock of her hair as she weighed her options, reins loosely held in her other hand. This was making her anxious again, and she could feel it gnawing at her mind. The moment she had been planning for was at hand, within her grasp. She needed only to reach out and seize the opportunity, but some unknown force was keeping her mind in the middle, unable to choose.

Was it her conscience? No, that wouldn't be it. She'd realized such steps were necessary long ago, and she'd been building up to it ever since, why would her feet suddenly get cold now? But perhaps...

Perhaps it was the collateral damage that vaguely disturbed her. Her father would be deeply distraught, and a child would grow up without a father. Yet... Sacrifices had to be made in order to prevail. Her own success had to come at someone's expense, and she owed nothing to her brothers. Dar had never been there for her, and Rega had tormented her as a child. It was no more than they deserved.

But father... She would tend to him. Aerith would make it up to him by being the best daughter she could, by making herself precisely what he'd always wanted, by inserting herself into the place of her brothers.

"Do it," Aerith said as she stared straight ahead, noticing now that her grip on the reins was far stronger than she needed or intended. Her voice was also tight, and she had to relax her throat to add more.

"If it is to be done, let it be done quickly. I will send for both of my brothers. It is my father's birthday in two weeks, and I will say I am hosting a party. I will have a speeder pick them up. They will be together then. Please, don't fail me."

[10Tickler]

It was with a nod, and a knowing smile that Caliga acknowledged the noble's assent, a plot already forming in the back of her head, The party would be planned for two weeks later, on Aerith's father's birthday, and that would have to be, simply for simplicity's sake, the time to strike. Making it look like an accident? That would be even easier for her, considering all of the parts in even simple speeders that were required to keep it afloat.

If anything else, Zaenia would be driving, if only to ensure that nothing went wrong with her plan. Another body could easily be made to take her place, should anyone care to check what would simply be charred wreckage when the deed was done. Aerith would likely be more than willing to sacrifice a nicer-styled Speeder, something befitting the brother's statuses, but it would, in the end, be a small price to pay.

In the meantime, she would allow Aerith to take center stage, arranging the party, Orchestrating the movements and arrivals, making the plans for the guests that would actually arrive to enjoy what they could of the event...until the news arrived.

The next few weeks, of course, were pretty stressful for everyone else, Caliga, on the other hand, practiced her driving, found a nice-looking suit to wear for the event, and on the eve of the party, found a Drunken man walking about, Killing him quickly, with a minimum of Blood spilled. Had to make it clean afterall. As the time for her mission drew closer and closer, she prepared, actually applying a light layer of makeup to her face, dressing in the professional-looking suit and Donning a rather, in her opinion, dapper cap.

The Vehicle was waiting for her, a Luxury-type landspeeder that she'd worked on earlier in the week, replacing several newer parts with old ones, decrepit and ready to break apart. None were really key components individually, but without them...the crash should be spectacular. Caliga would know, for sure, considering that she'd be there, ensuring that it'd happen properly.

With each step that she took towards the Vehicle, she knew that Aerith would be watching, but she couldn't acknowledge the Noble. Someone might see, someone nosier than most, who could, even with all of the precautions taken, pick and pry at the stories built up by the two of them and divine the true purpose of her presence.

(Actually going to split this into two posts to give you a chance to do/say any sort of Preps.)

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

It was almost exactly two weeks since the ride in the countryside, and now the evening of the party was at hand. For something planned in two weeks, it was quite splendid. Aerith had arranged for an event that would make any member of the Aristocracy proud, and indeed many were present.

"Viscount Hanli," Aerith said with a smile, offering her hand to an older gentleman with graying hair who pressed his lips to it. He was above her station for the moment, but she was the host, and she was a Lady. Decorum ruled over all in these settings.

The hall of the capitol's finest hotel was brimming with people in finery, all turned out for Count Marel Vand's 96th birthday.

"Count Vand!" Hanli exclaimed.

"Father," Aerith said demurely with a winning smile.

Marel stepped forth with a thin smile himself, clad in a resplendent tunic and an enormous red sash. It was a little surprising he wasn't wearing a crown, since he obviously dressed as some feudal lord.

"Viscount," He acknowledged. "Permit me a moment with my daughter?"

Marel placed his arm out for Aerith, and she took it, crossing the marble floor of the hall and heading up the stairs before finally exiting onto the balcony overlooking the front of the establishment. It was still a summer's evening, and the young aristocrat felt completely comfortable in her quintessential blue and gold dress, pale arms covered only by a translucent silk sleeve. Her dark hair was blown ever so slightly in the night breeze.

"Aerith, my dear daughter, I wanted to let you know how pleased I have been with this party you've arranged. I wanted you to know in private how I feel. You have made your father proud, and I'm sure your mother would be impressed by what a confident and beautiful young woman you have become."

The youngest Vand nodded her head deferentially, and looked out into the landspeeders arriving at the front doors, noticing one in particular, and the figure of a certain Sith assassin drawing closer to it. In the distance a great clock struck eight, the sounds echoing quietly through the streets.

When Marel finished speaking, Aerith knew exactly what words to say. The beauty of them was that they were somewhat true.

"I hope so father. I also hope we will have the opportunity to grow closer in this next year. I know I wasn't the son you favored so, but I would like to think ours is still a relationship of love and respect. I hope you will always think of me as your devoted daughter."

"Always my child," Marel answered as he softly embraced Aerith.

When he released her, the young woman smiled again, but avoided eye contact.

"Go on in father. They all expect their Count to attend to them. I will enjoy the night air for a few minutes."

With a nod, Marel disappeared and Aerith was left alone on the balcony.

Aerith looked in the crowd trying to spot Caliga again, and she failed to see the assassin. However, out of sight was not out of mind. It was too late now to alter course, too late to change the machinations she had planned. Now all she was left with was a twofold challenge: to play the part of the devoted and innocent daughter, and to banish her misgivings and qualms of conscience.

What she'd worked and waited for was at hand, and nothing she could do now would change it.

Pale hands gripped the stone balustrade as Aerith took several slow and deep breaths, gaining her composure again. It took a few seconds, but she ultimately gave one last glimpse at the clock tower in the distance and she headed back in to the banquet hall and the sounds of crystal glasses tinkling and soft string music playing.

Her face was as demure and delicate as ever, and no one would ever guess from looking at her that she was about to have her brothers assassinated.

[10Tickler]

Thrumming with it's power, the Luxspeeder was a smooth drive, each control well-tuned, responding to Caliga's commands as she piloted the well-appointed vehicle to the meeting place that Aerith had arranged. Rather than having to plan around picking up people at two locations, she would only have to stop at the Oldest's house, where the two brothers and an unspecified "guest" would be waiting. Caliga would bet cash that it would be some sort of Skanky arm-candy for the Unmarried brother.

As the Sith Assassin pulled up, outside of the Stately estate of Aerith's married sibling, she took a moment to tilt her cap jauntily before stepping out, moving to the doors intended for the passengers, opening them and bowing her head, the movement a mockery of actual respect, not that the two would ever know. However, like most aristocrats and wealth-sodden folk, they simply ignored her, flippantly getting into the Luxspeeder as they talked, their laughter punctuated by the none-too-bright tinkle of the Candy's idiotic, mindless, giggle.

Pulling the dapper cap down, covering her face, Caliga moved back to the Driver's seat, ensuring that the plastiscreen that separated her from the doomed was up, before starting the speeder's engines, pulling away from the Mansion and starting towards the long, winding path that she'd plotted. Ah! How tragic it would be! Three young people, in the prime of their lives, killed because their restraints weren't on during such a tragic accident.

It was roughly 10 minutes away from their destination that a small part finally burnt out, it's bushings wearing away within the engines, causing parts to collide unnaturally, sending the craft speeding towards a precarious sort of roadside cliff. Waiting until there were no more but a few seconds left, Caliga tensed on the door, before popping it open and flying out of the Luxspeeder, rolling as she felt the wind of the vehicle's passing, heard the whining of the over-worked engines as they pushed into the turn, then over the stone edge, sending the speeder careening into that eternal void that would be Aerith's brother's last memories.

Brushing herself off, Caliga reached into her jacket pocket, finding her comm. Scrolling through digital contacts, she found Aerith's name, knowing that the woman would be able to act heartbroken with just the basic news. Seriously, Caliga admired one thing about her current employer's skills. She was amazing as an actress.

It's Caliga. They're gone

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Aerith was right in the middle of a discussion of Coruscanti fashion with a pair of young ladies who had emigrated from the Republic when her communicator started to beep. She had of course excused herself, laughing that someone was tactless enough to call her at a birthday party. From there it was a short journey out to the balcony she'd been on before, accompanied by a quick glimpse to make sure she hadn't been followed.

Only when she was certain did the aristocrat thumb on the device and here four words, two of which pleased her.

They're gone.

Just like that, the two roadblocks to her gaining what she needed were out of the way. Rega would trouble her no more with his snide taunts and perpetual sneer. He was gone for good now, killed in a tragic accident. She'd wear black, she'd lay a flower on his grave. But she'd rejoice in her heart.

Dar was a sadder casualty, as he'd never been cruel os taunting. He had merely been absent from her life, older than her to the degree where they'd never truly interacted. Of course he'd never shown any interest in her life. Maybe if he'd been the brother she needed his life would have been spared somehow.

But they'd both failed her, and she'd led them to their doom. Their deaths had been the gateway to her success.

Now all she had to do was play the devout and grieving daughter, and bit by bit she would gain control, until the day she could persuade her father to cast aside his title and retire.

"Good," Aerith acknowledged. "Call the police and report a traffic accident anonymously. Then go and hide, and don't get picked up for questioning. I'll call you again when this all blows over."

The pale woman shut off the device and made her face once more that of the casual partygoer. Then she walked back into the fray and stuck close by her father, wearing a smile and hanging on his arm for the evening.

[10Tickler]

Apparently, the petite woman's work had pleased the Heiress' sensibilities, be it the speed, or the efficiency of it, something had apparently struck Aerith, at least that was what the Assassin could have sworn she'd heard in her voice. Chuckling a little as her orders were given, she rolled her eyes as she replied. But of Course she'd purr in return, ever careful to keep her tone well-modulated to keep Aerith from noting any sense of Sarcasm hidden within it.

After the Noble had disconnected the call, Zaenia moved away from the wreck, taking a deep breath and calling into her memory the feel, the sound of the Local's accented Basic, rolling her tongue a few times to loosen it, before setting in the Emergency Com command on her Communicator. One mock-hysterical fit later, and the Constabulary had been notified. It took only a moment to destroy the Communicator, literally dropping it onto the humming blade of her saber, turning it into little more than some untraceable ash on the wind, blowing away as she turned to face the flaming, sparking wreckage. Watching it, she slowly lifted her cloak, hiding her features in the dim shadows that her hood created before darting into the woodline, feet barely touching the ground below.

A hundred yards in, she took to the trees, leaping from strong branch to Strong branch, pausing only to check her progress along the path that she'd mapped in her mind in the previous week, one of many varied escape routes that she'd chosen. Zaenia hadn't expected to be welcomed back immediately, figuring that Aerith would want to put some sort of Spin on the entire situation, so she'd chosen one pathway that would lead into a canyon, it's walls riddled with Caverns, most short, but a few deeper ones. In one of the deeper ones, a Spare communicator, which only Aerith knew the Frequency to, and some sparse supplies would be waiting for her. Enough that she could last for a week fully functional, or a month, if she were to Meditate for most of it. It really did depend on how she was feeling, but hunger always made for a nice, sharp edge to a good fighter's skills...