Can't take you anywhere

[Susan]

After Guess who’s coming to dinner.

Senator Samuel Cromwell spent almost all of his time either on Coruscant or his home world of Corellia. He was loath to travel anywhere else, but allowed for some concessions if there was an important reason. There were only three such that Samuel believed important enough to break his self imposed ‘exile’. The first being to do with his Senatorial duties, and really that only applied during an election year – and seldom did this capacity take him away from his beloved core. The second was in service to the cause he believed in so wholly, but again it was incredibly uncommon to find any representatives of Pius Dea outside of the core. The third was to do with one of the few believers who had little to no qualms about travelling out into the great unwashed. Cassius Liviana was one of Samuel’s oldest friends, and by far the greatest. Two old, powerful men united by the knowledge of a shared truth –humans were the pinnacle of galactic life. Core humans at that, the blood traitors out in the fringes that willingly diluted their bloodlines were no better than Hutt droppings.

Hapes was far from the worst place in the galaxy, and goddess knows Cassius had taken him to more abhorrent locations, this did not mean the Senator was happy about his current location, however. He had never been to this world before, it was just far enough out of the core that he did not care for its existence. Apparently the Hapan people were somewhat beautiful, but this was clearly beauty erroneously defined by a weak willed individual who cared nothing for humanocentric purity. Which was no surprise, there were so few out there now that knew what it was to be truly human. Samuel, Cassius, and the others of their very selective organisation represented the bulk of those that did. The fact that Hapes was a matriarchal world did not bother the ageing male, in his experience women had proven to be as good as and even superior to many males. His late sister being a prime example. The only issue he had with this world was that they were unlike him, they were not human – not really. They were near, but not near enough. He did privately admit that he respected them in some manners, their breeding policies especially. It was just a shame that Hapes was so far out from the core, otherwise these pretend humans may have been almost good enough to be real people.

The two friends had arrived on this world separately, they both had busy schedules and at times there was some difficulty in synching everything up to perfection. It was little matter, however. Samuel was content to wait for the Liviana patriarch whilst he attended whatever it was he needed to do, just as long as he did not take too long doing it. It did not surprise him that his friend had brought him here, he had known Cassius long enough now that the eccentric way in which he viewed the galaxy was nothing new to him. Certainly the businessman had no qualms about getting his hands dirty, not to mention the rest of him. Anyone that knew the truth about Cassius Liviana and the life he lived – Samuel prided himself on being one of the few that did – would be aware that the occasional jaunt to a world outside of the pure core was nothing new, nor would taking out a Mandalorian platoon single handed. Hopefully this trip would involve no violence, although with Cassius you could never completely rule it out.

[Poludnica]

Theme < ha, this time fits even better.

It hurts like to oblivion and back. Cassius winced and touched his chest where a burned mark of the boy's lightsaber. That wasn't the only injury though – scoffs and cuts along his face and body from where shattered glass hit him. Blood, Nieraan's mostly on his cheeks, in his hair. Expensive suit ruined, shirt torn, same for the vest. Normally neatly arranged hair where now standing in every direction though the man did try to pat them a bit. They got all sticky with crimson liquid. From neat, clean human that landed planetside no more than a day ago nothing remained – there was an injured, battered warrior. He moved his hand to wipe away blood that trickled down thin nostrils and narrow chin: powerful telepathic attacks always took toll on him. Creating an illusion, keeping someone as skilled as Nieraan there....Damn alien.

Without any previous message Cassius unceremoniously opened the doors that led to Samuel room. Simply waved away the eager secretaries. They knew him, he had a room just next to his friends. The Senator as always had objections to go away from the Core. Unwashed this, aliens that, why not closer to home? Deep down though, Corellian liked this thrill. Like the company of a dangerous mind reader despite a batch of secrets Cassius never pried upon. Trying to tune out, catching only loose thoughts – some pretty judgmental but also hilarious. Samuel was a smart man, not many could equal his own perceptive nature so finding someone like this – with so similar values felt like discovering a diamond in a pile of mud. It was this Corellian that had brought him into the fold of Pius Dea – he believed them dead. A part of the past song, shadow made of dust and tears those that had fallen. One apparently couldn't kill an idea, a philosophy – nurtured by but a few that remembered. His family had come to power on alien ashes – and now the last of their name was fraternizing with a Firrerreo. Oh how he hated those.

Humiliating the young, insulting creature wasn't enough – in the afterthought Cassius knew he should have killed the whelp but that would only make him a martyr in Danica's eyes. No, the Firrerreo needed to abandon the wayward daughter. Show her no one would ever love such broken creature unless equally sick pup. His child was troubled, he knew it all along. Capricious, destructive mood swings paired with frivolous recklessness. Addicted to pills just like her mother. Living alone and with a Sith would destroy her and Cassius wouldn't idly stay by as his only progeny ruins herself with a scruffy alien. A riffraff from the bottom of society that had luck of being taught the divine ways Force dictated

The doors opened and a warm glow of expensive lamps greeted him. Poorly befitting a bloodied, sweaty man that stepped into it. Bringing crimson stains on his branded shoes. Cassius felt so damn tired – wounds prickled and burned, the draining lightening stealing away the stamina. Pure life force. The boy had been punished, severely – with broken bones, severe neurological seizures and crushed lungs. Despite all that the Firrerreo still managed to dive after his lost sabers. A part of him relished this image. A proper thing in a proper place. ”Samuel, so good to see you.” Cassius cleaned his throat, putting on a welcoming smile that fitted ill to this ruined demeanor. Force still pulsating around him, a silent wave that pushed furniture around him into a delicate tremble along with few trinkets: bowls, plates, bottles. Soft clicking sound followed the tall Coruscanti aristocrat as he walked toward the nearest armchair. Trying not to show how the duel had worn him out.

”I fcking hate Firrerreo...” He sighed before falling into the chair, leaving wet stains all over it from blood and sweat.

[Susan]

((Aviciiii <3))

In the absence of his companion there was very little that Samuel could do to pass the time during his stay here on Hapes. In theory there was plenty to do, but that would involve leaving the relative safety of these accommodations. Once more Cassius had selected a hotel that tried it’s hardest to pretend to be Coruscant. It was not quite the same, but it was certainly better than any alternative. On occasion the Corellian would glance out of the window at the wide world outside, but there was really very little out there that interested him. Hapes was supposedly a very beautiful world, but it did not conform with Samuel’s definition of beauty, and thus it was all moot. He would remain in this room until Cassius returned, and hopefully there would be little reason to venture out into the wilderness. With any luck the force master would return from whatever crazy scheme he was up to now before the Senator’s mood became any more sour.

In the end Samuel got tired of just glaring at the window and decided that he may as well turn this into a business trip, if only to salvage something from these few unproductive days. Whenever he travelled he always made sure he had a certain amount of files and data with him, just in case he got the chance to get the dreaded paperwork done and dusted. Something he generally avoided like a dirty rimmer, but at this point there was little else for it. Many of the files referred to requests for this that and the other to do with regards to his constituents back home on Corellia. There was one or two things though that perked an eyebrow, and something in particular that he would have to remember to broach with his nephew when he was next in Coronet. His monotony was soon interrupted as he heard the main door open up and a small smile cracked through his grim mask of a face as he realised Cassius had finally shown up.

His euphoria was soon washed away however, by the site that greeted him. The colour drained from the Corellian’s face as he came across his greatest friend in an unfamiliar fashion. For several moments Samuel could not even react as he watched the bloodied and beaten man forced himself into the chair that the frightened senator had just vacated. The fact that half the furniture was gently vibrating hardly registered, all that he was concerned with now was how damaged and defeated the younger man appeared. Cassius Liviana was arguably the most physically powerful man that Samuel had ever met. He had witnessed him despatch with ease some very dangerous adversaries. Yet here he was now, looking the worse for wear and Samuel did not have the foggiest on what to do. He was not the one who dealt with these situations, usually it was someone else’s responsibility – often Cassius’. ”Cassius what the devil- I don’t even.” The Corellian began jibbering, still as pale as a Hoth vista. His hands were trembling an likely it was not for the same reason that the bowls and vases were, he hadn’t felt like this in a long time – not since his brother’s death at any rate. He was a man who relished control, who took a conversation in hand and delicately lead it the way he wanted, the way he desired. In instances like this, he had no clue whatsoever.

After a few moments locked inside his own head, Samuel finally managed to maintain a modicum of calm, and realised that the situation was not how he was handling it – but more about the state of his friend. He began haphazardly tearing parts of the lavish hotel room, looking for something that may help. Eventually he found a first aid kit in a drawer, and hurriedly opened it up. He was not really all that sure what to do with it, never having to do anything like this in the past. By the time he had got back to Cassius and knelt beside him, he had located a kolto-injection and decided that the miracle fluid would be the best bet in this case. Despite not knowing exactly what was wrong with his friend, and a little too hysteric to actually ask, he went ahead and slammed the medicinal instrument into the weakened force master’s thigh, depressing the plunger with haste.

It was almost completely out of Samuel’s character to act in such an uncontrolled manner, to do things without thinking and rethinking, to allow fear and panic to dictate his actions. In this moment, however, Samuel was far from himself. Cassius had been his friend, advisor, and staunchest supporter for many years now – in some ways the Corellian idolised the powerful Coruscanti businessman. Seeing him like this, so broken and crushed, so completely not-Cassius, it was difficult to come to terms with – and it was mirrored by Samuel’s uncharacteristic loss of control. ”How are you? What happened? Who did this?” Questions fired quick and unrelenting, without really waiting for a response. Samuel wanted answers and he wanted instructions. He wanted to know what to do.

[Poludnica]

To see Samuel losing this controlling attitude felt surreal. The Corellian's self-discipline rivaled this of many force users. A good politician didn't differ much though – he also wielded dangerous, capricious power: people's souls. Cassius had no such gift – the CEO was a good leader, for sure but showed no patience needed to see plans coming to fruition, foiled by whims of the pleb. That was what attracted them to one another and gave birth to friendship that transcended platonic bond. Together they felt invincible...This illusion though became cracked, even shattered when the grey master went into coma after an ill fated stroke. Cassius always believed he would die in a duel, that finally someone would raise to kill him but it was his body that failed after years of abuse and poor care. The man pushed it to the limit with the Force, behaving like a twenty year old despite pushing fifty. This time Cassius would be more careful, this time his body had cybernetic measures to ward off such incidents but he still felt simply worn. Tired. Like a rag thrown onto a char.

The Corellian was near him now, asking the same worried question – shocked, probably scared. Cassius raised his hand and a faint smile crossed his lips. Tired but content, if only to put his friend at ease. He came back on a shield but it was Pyrrhic victory. The boy should have yield sooner, squashed like a bug. ”You should have seen the other guy.” The grey master chuckled, the Force still swirling around them, few glasses clanked and fell as Cassius tried to let go of those loose strands of power that clung to him. Breathe...The man raised his hand once more, in a symbolic gesture bringing it down. The soft tremble stopped.

”Don't fret Samuel, I am simply tired.” Cassius searched for the pale's Corellian gaze. He could sense fear building under the senator's expression and something in him stirred. Not many would miss him this way, not even his own child. Especially her...For Cassius it was almost impossible to feel guilt or remorse, such emotions never plagued him but self-doubt and loneliness often did. A sense of failure if he failed to raise to high, personally set standards. Keeping Samuel close was one of them: safe and at ease.

Burn across his chest hurt but it was the only real wound, he will have to operate the scar. Or maybe leave it – as a punishment for miscalculation and underestimation his foe. The scoffs bled a bit but that was all. His clothes look much worse than Cassius felt. A small wince ghosted across the man's face when Samuel injected kolto – the burn sealing ever so lightly. Saber wounds weren't easy to treat, even so shallow ones but pain eased. The Corellian knelt near, still worried. The dark haired man placed gently his hand on Samuel shoulder, ignoring the fact he was leaving crimson stains on his suit. ”Most of this blood isn't mine, Samuel.” Liviana offered in an odd comfort. ”The creature I fought is similar enough to posses red blood.” The CEO commented, finally realizing he couldn't keep the Corellian in the dark. That wouldn't be wise and fair to someone who so loyally stayed around. Cared for him at most vulnerable and in a hospital bed.

”I think it's time you learned about my daughter's recent...misdemeanors.” Cassius sighed heavily and reached his hand, calling upon Force to throw a bottle of expensive cognac his way along with two glasses. He filled them with a golden liquid, pushing one of them toward Samuel. Maybe it would relax him...Cassius was tempted to telepathically soothe him but knew Samuel didn't appreciate head probing so simply offered booze. The next best after xanax. The blood began to dry on him, creating muddy red clots in his hair and clothes. Sharp, tangy smell spread in a room but Cassius barely paid attention. As much a he was a neat businessman, the man also had been used to stench of battle.

[Susan]

There was a gentle tinkling somewhere behind Samuel’s shoulder, but soon followed was a somewhat louder smash as a delicate wine glass shattered against the hotel room floor. The Senator jumped out of his skin and looked around like a frightened critter searching for the gunshot. It took him only a few moments to calm down once he realised that the small sound wasn’t caused by Cassius’ assailant coming back to finish the job. Although he did become a little worried about the general levitating quality that many objects in the room seemed to possess. Clearly it was due to the Coruscanti man in the chair before him, and his current near-incapacitated state. Hopefully the Kolto would take some of the edge off of whatever had happened, Samuel was not quite sure what happened when a force user was in grave pain. Hopefully his friend wouldn’t accidentally use the force to throw him out of the window and to his untimely death. The Senator was far too pretty to die on such a filth ridden rock all the way out here in the dumps.

Cassius’ attempt at a joke was supposed to calm Samuel down, he recognised that, but it did not help matters any. He had known the man a very long time and was used to his sense of humour. Whilst this was not exactly out of character for Cassius, it did very little to detract from the physical evidence. ”If he is any worse than you I imagine he no longer walks the land of the living. And good riddance to him.” The assumption that whoever Cassius fought deserved to be dead was a fair one as far as the Corellian was concerned – likely it was some scummy alien stepping above their station. A crime more than deserving of death. Filth should at least have the courtesy to know it is filth. ”Nonsense. I have seen you tired. We should get you back to Coruscant immediately. The doctors there know how to care for you. They will fix whatever is broken.” It was not that long ago that the doctors had to fix Cassius last, so they would not be out of practise at least. Samuel spent years caring for his incapacitated friend, and a lot of taxpayer money may or may not have been misappropriated to give the Liviana patriarch the care he needed and deserved.

A soft smile cracked through Samuel’s features as his friend placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder. It really was quite comforting, he could feel the strength in his companions grip, and it was reassuring to know that there was more than a little life left in there – despite all the evidence to the contrary. The smile briefly turned into a twisted grimace as his suspicions about the attacker were proven correct. Alien waste of space, they were not worthy to share the air of their betters. ”When we get back to Coruscant I will have our people come back here and find what is left of him. Give him the end he deserves.” Judging the state of Cassius, he barely got out of this fight alive and probably didn’t think to dispose of the corpse of the would be assassin. Samuel would arrange for some of the lower ranked Pius Dea delegates to take care of the alien corpse, desecrating it beyond all manner of reason.

The anger boiling within the old Corellian’s blood was soon stayed by another demonstration of Cassius’ powers, but this time it was far more precise, more controlled. As the expensive bottle of Corellian Ale that the senator himself had brought here flew across the room, he watched with interest as a generous helping of the rare liquid sloshed into the two hovering glasses, with the Coruscanti force master not showing any sign of straining himself. The display brought a fair amount of relief, perhaps Cassius was not in as such a state as Samuel first thought – this was good news. He took the glass absentmindedly, more because the site of it floating unaided disturbed him a tad rather than that he felt the need to drink. Although perhaps he would need it, he knew how Cassius got at times when the subject of Danica came up. A terrible tragedy, that girl. ”She had nothing to do with this, surely? You should have married her off when you had the chance, Cassius.” The Corellian did have a sip of the brandy after all, and the warmth coursing through him was remarkably calming.

He had tried to arrange to marry off the last of the Liviana’s himself many years ago, and whilst he would not admit it, he was glad she did not marry his nephew after all. He was also glad he never had any children of his own. Far more trouble than they were worth, miserable little pissants.

[Poludnica]

There was fear thickening around Samuel, Cassius could sense it in the Force and without this help. After a decade they knew each other too well, without reading him in the strong, invisible tendrils that enveloped every being the grey master knew when the senator was upset. As much as controlled Samuel tried to be and even managed to maintain it despite strong distress. Maybe another would be pleased with an odd affection that hid behind the Corellians gestures, and maybe a part of Cassius, one that never grew to full potential, was. The humane part, weeded out through discipline, training and upbringing. The Liviana heir looked at others instrumentally. Like a puppeteer more than a true friend and only very rarely someone managed to go beyond this. They had to prove their worthiness, prove they weren't a complete waste of time. Vanya had been one of those but even for him Cassius wouldn't settle nor stay true. The only person he truly grieved when passed away, tore away last shreds of humanity left in him. The Corellian came close to prying this thick shell but now displayed same reactions Cassius didn't like in Vanya: fretting over his safety. Silently demanding him to tone down such activities. Liviana would have none of this.

”Samuel, stop behaving like a hen that lost her chick.” Cassius proclaimed with a slightly bored, indifferent hue to his words. Dismissive even. ”We are tough lot to kill.” It was almost amusing how Samuel took few scoffs and an after battle weariness for grave wounds. The burn could be bad, painful more than anything as the boy's saber only grazed his skin but still nothing to put him for longer into a hospital. In such situations though showed how different their lives had been despite similar status. Samuel was a civilian – not used to warrior's plight. ”Come on Samuel, you know my skills.” He patted his friend once more, winking mischievously at him. Trying to disarm the anger and anxiety with a charming smile of a content feline.

Kolto made its way through his veins, causing tingling and Cassius had to stretch his legs. ”Why do you keep kolto shots in your room anyway?” Liviana asked while pondering if to state Nieraan's fate when Samuel mentioned he was probably dead. ”I wouldn't count on it, roaches have more lives than cats.” The man added while forcing the glass to gently hover over his open palm. The Corellian quickly grabbed his own, tearing it away from the gentle Force strands that held it. Even after a decade he was still unsettled by this display though pretended not to. The scent of expensive brandy was ironically sobering him with sharp tinge. Pleasantly tickling his nostrils. An amused chuckle escaped Cassius when Samuel promised to deal with the assassin. Ah, good old Samuel, when nervous jumping to conclusions.

”As low ranking our members can be, I wouldn't find it fitting for them to go dive in a dumbster.” The CEO commented vaguely, recognizing an image would speak more than thousand words. With a small gesture he woke to life his comm device and immediately recent file showed in a holo projection. A golden skinned youth, with hair in two different colors climbed up into the opening that led down to the hotel dumpster and the city underbelly. His body strained and beaten, blood left in long smudges. Barely alive Firrerreo as it was. Crimson liquid pulled on the floor beneath his knees – coming from damaged head. The vid was in a loop, displaying the same scene over and over.

A bitter grin showed on Liviana features that lost the previous mirth. All when Samuel mentioned Danica and marrying her off. Oh that was a sore spot. Years ago his friend proposed a deal he had foolishly, pridefully rejected – wanting to preserve Zhell purity. Now he could have a queen daughter...And has...This. His fists clenched briefly, fingers threatening to crush the glass. Cassius quickly downed the content before pouring some more. ”Meet Nieraan Onin.” The dark haired man drawled, chugging down another glass. ”My daughter's Firrerreo boyfriend.” Another glass of harsh liquid. ”A street rat who grew into an assassin in a crime underbelly of the Core.” The expression on Cassius face was nothing but a pure disgust.

"And a Sith"

[Susan]

Samuel could never quite understand how Cassius was happy to carry on the way he did, he was quite clearly in grave health yet acted as if he had nothing more than a winter’s cold. It was very strange, and more than a little infuriating. ”Perhaps I would not have to Cassius, if you did not insist on acting with such reckless abandon. We are the upper echelon of Galactic society. Men like us should not be running around picking fights. We have less important bodies to do that for us.” The Corellian snapped, a little more than he usually did – another sign the stress of the situation was putting on him. He never really spoke back against the Coruscanti, and even when he did it was generally an act of affable ribbing. In this case his tone was less then humorous, he really could not grasp how his friend could be so cavalier in the face of death, something that he Samuel feared more than most anything.

He had seen too many people he cared out pass on to have to witness it again. ”You should know more than anyone that we all have our limits. I would have thought you’d be more careful about breaching them again.” The Senator was stern in his little lecture, referencing the last time the reckless force master had come within an inch of death. ”We are all skilful in our own ways, often some more than others – such as your own gifts. I am talented in Speechcraft and debate, yet for all my abilities I could never convince you to less of all this. We all have our limits, Mr. Liviana.” Samuel finished his little monologue in a softer tone, rising from his knee as he did so. He knew his friend did not exactly appreciate his attempts in this regard, so the older male would try not to push it to much. As far as he was concerned however, he was in the right and it needed to be said. At some point Cassius was likely to get himself killed, and that would just be bad for everyone. The galaxy would lose one of the greatest heroes it never knew it had. It would be a shame for his haphazard way of treating his own safety got him killed before they managed to cure the galaxy of it’s great illness. Or at least make some progress on the cure.


The tall senator scooped down again but this time to recover the almost forgotten about medkit, and began busying himself with the contents. Perhaps something else amongst the contents would be useful in the short term. ”An unfortunate hazard of being friends with you, dear Cassius. Every time we go on one of your little trips I make sure I have something like this just in case. Although I imagined it would be me who would require the attention.” Seeing no urgent need for the box of medical supplies, it was once more discarded to be replaced once more by the glass of brandy. Alcohol being of more imperative demand. He let out a gentle sigh but spoke no words at Cassius’ intimation that not only was the assailant still alive, but he had had previous encounters with him in the past. A little troublesome. The implication that said assailant was left to swim through a whole load of garbage did however inspire the smallest of smirks from the nervous Corellian. As Cassius went about activated the little holo projector he seemed to always carry with him, Samuel took the opportunity to sit himself down in a free seat close by. With the adrenaline of the situation starting to wear off somewhat, his legs were beginning to ache.

As the projection played out, his emotions varied from amused to loathsome. He recognised the species of the attacker, and he did not like them one bit. There were those who used the Firrerreo as an example that Humanity was not the peak of galactic evolution. They lived longer, saw better and healed faster. This was all well and good but it did not make them better. No, they were aliens and they were not of the core. Regardless of their ‘advantages’ they were still scum barely fit to grace the soles of a human boot. The more Cassius told him the more it infuriated the Corellian. Rook had dodged the laser bolt completely here it seemed. Although Samuel wasn’t completely sold on who his nephew liked to spend his social time with currently, the Queen of Onderon was a farcry from Danica the gutterwench. Samuel often forgot to keep his thoughts a little more guarded around his friend, but Cassius had promised long ago not to read his mind. Hopefully that promise still remained intact.

”A force-wielding assassin that inhabits the scummiest levels of the galaxy. Sounds a little familiar, Cassius.” He had only heard the stories Cassius had told him about his adolescent years as a weapon for hire in the rim, but there were certainly comparisons to be drawn. Perhaps Danica was just an attention seeking little brat desperately seeking daddy’s love.

And also a gutterwench.

[Poludnica]

Sometimes Samuel reminded him of mother hen. Ever after the coma, his friend constantly worried. It amuses Cassius as in most cases he would be tougher to kill than the Senator. ”Picking those fights morphed me into what I am today.” The Coruscanti man explained. ”Or have you forgotten how my skills helped the cause.” The tone of Cassius voice betrayed annoyance. His body ached enough, without the Corellian's ranting. What the senator failed to see was one couldn't become this powerful without such sacrifices or living his life behind a comfortable desk. Those hardships shaped Cassius spirit, steeled it in a flame and gore. Baptism of fire, so needed for the Force to grow.

There it was again, the jab about the coma and his body failing him after decades of abuse. ”And I took care of this weakness.” Cassius snapped dryly – remembered how much money it cost to put all those small implants that made sure his vessels worked just fine. Dispersing the pressure when he used telepathic attacks. That the heart always kept proper rhythm. That was his weapon, his tool and Liviana patriarch wasn't going to discard it. ”I know my limits, Samuel.” He assured, this time with a tired sigh rather than irritation.

”You don't need those, I promised to keep you safe.” Cassius waved his hand dismissively. No matter how selfish he could be, Liviana's word always counted for something. When he promised, he delivered. Always. That was a point of pride, like any principled sociopath Cassisu would keep his word. No matter how annoying Samuel could be at times. This didn't mean though the friend's reckless words stirred little anger at the demeaning comparison. They both seemed equally disgusted and amused by the trash dive, up until the Corellian stepped over the very thin line. Cassius features hardened into hawkish, predatory mask. The uncontrollable surge of the force shook the room, breaking the table in half – sound of shattering glass filling the luxurious interior. ”I was never an assassin, Samuel.” The man stated chillingly. ”You of all people should know that.” Cassius added, his expression as cold as words. ”Whatever I did was to gain power, the same that helped you. Don't you dare putting me on the same scale as this...” The man waved at Nieraan's broken body. ”This.” Digust in Liviana's voice was more than clear.

[Susan]

Whilst the two men were incredibly liked and almost as one mind when it came to certain important aspects of galactic society, they were not without their agreements. Cassius’ insistence to fight and wade knee deep through the guts of their enemies was something that revolted and confused the Corellian. People like that were so many rungs too high to need to do that, Cassius employed many mercenaries and ‘security experts’, so Samuel could not fathom why his friend would see fit to get himself involved in it all. There was no doubt though, the force master’s skills had aided Pius Dea over the years and done much to further their aims. Sometimes it was as subtle as picking a thought from the air, but the galaxy around them wasn’t gracious enough to always allow for nicety.

”Then I do not see why you insist to continuously test them. And my patience.” The Corellian sighed, placing the half empty brandy glass down for a moment whilst rearranging his thoughts. Every time it came to a verbal spar with his good friend, at some point or another he had to think of another approach – every time. Cassius’ was a mind far more advanced than junior politicians in the senate. ”As you say, you have helped the advancement of our cause – and you have proven to be invaluable since the first day we met. Yours is not an asset that we can afford to lose. Especially not to some trifling matter with an unwashed snake from the fringes.” If it was not so unbecoming, Samuel would have spat at that point. There was a foul taste in his mouth just thinking about the sub-human populace that was so unfortunately predominant in this galaxy. The biting snap in his tone had yet to go away, but he did not fail to notice the slightest bit of concern from Cassius – something that did a little to warm him up again. He knew his friend would protect him to the best of his ability, but it was the places they went to and those that inhabited them that he was more concerned about.

The Senator went to reach back for his glass, quite enjoying the liquid within, when something happened. He had been around Cassius’ force displays before, and in all of those occasions Samuel was terrified to the bone. This one was by far the worse, it was the first time the abilities were directed at him. As he reached for his drink, the table beneath it split in two, the glass falling to the ground and shattering into countless tiny sparkles. The panic-stricken politician rose from his chair and began to back away from the still seated Coruscanti businessman, almost tripping over his own feet in his hurried retreat. ”C-C-Cassius. My, my mistakes. A jest, I assure you.” The ageing diplomat, who so prided himself on his speech and charisma, could not prevent himself from stuttering as the fear of his friend’s apparent limitless powers shot through his spine. And then he fell down.

[Poludnica]

To lose control was to fail. Cassius had spent decades on honing iron discipline. If he was to walk the neutral path, his shield against dark temptations came before anything else. Anger – always controlled, every gesture. Every thought going through careful screening but no matter how the Coruscanti aristocrat fought to achieve, he was just a man. Pangs of irritation already sparked when Samuel went on about how dangerous this endeavor had been. Politicians are cowards. Cassius thought idly. Probably this made him so good and strong candidate for the Corellian Senator with all the disadvantages that came with such nature. Cassius was a different animal, maybe why direct politics never interested him. Boring, dull. They had a lot in common, created a good union where pleasures of flesh came second to mental connection but one thing they would never agree about. The Corellian would never understand what the Force meant. ”Because otherwise I will slip into laziness and lose them.” Cassius said with a hint of impatience. Just like Vanya, Sameul wanted to limit him due to selfish need for security.

”Are you saying that fate of my bloodline is a trifle matter?” The grey master asked coldly. ”That my daughter's life is of no concern?” He continued, betraying some anger. Irritation. Tensing his posture, despite ache in entire body from the excretion. There was deeper meaning to that – Danica's choice was his failure. As a father he let this happen, ignored the tell tales. Now her ties to the Sith order were obvious which marked her a criminal in the Core and in much worse way than his Hutt space exploits had ever been. Aligning with the dark side was the first cheek, having an alien lover another, stealing was the third. And yet still his child, a stray child. Wayward but Liviana flesh and blood. Strangely showing resourcefulness and cunning nature Cassius never expected from the moody girl. ”As flattering as your concern is, it's a private matter.” He didn't want to share how much it cost to subdue Nieraan. How much potential the Firrerreo had, fueled by primeval anger. I should have stomped all over such brat like a bug. Cassius thought with bitter anger, projecting the feeling toward the Corellian.

What? Bemused and worried, Cassius watched the Corellian getting a some kind of a panic attack. Apparently broken tables stroke a nerve...His powers didn't even lick the politicians toes, let alone caused such shut down. ”For ….f...sake.” He muttered with an annoyed sigh. Cassius was in no mood for such histrionic displays. ”Get up Samuel, you can be a drama queen sometimes.” The CEO commented and walked over to the Corellian. He placed his hand on the other man's back, this time letting the Force to create the soothing rhythm in synapses, aiming to relief any distress. Kolto already began to work its way into weary muscles and healed most cuts. Sealing also less obvious wounds in the aged body.

Nothing was without a price, certainly not such power.

[Susan]

Samuel did not understand how the force worked, and he would never pretend to. The first time Cassius revealed what he was, what he could do – Samuel’s questions were endless. Since then though he has learnt that some things are better off left unexplained. The Corellian was not force sensitive, he could not fathom what it would be like to have such power rippling through his every fibre. He could not comprehend how it felt to know what everyone else in the room was thinking, he was skilled at what he did – but in comparison to those like Cassius, he was but a man. Which was why the existence of those such as this Firrerreo abhorred him so much. It was bad enough that sub-human scum were around, but that they had abilities and enhancements that was beyond his imagination was just unfair. The Jedi should really have a purge of all the undesirables in their ranks. The Sith too, and everything in between. If only the Senator had the kind of authority to enforce such a large scale tidy up of the galactic gene pool. If only.

The Corellian’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, focused once more on his injured friend. Cassius’ response to Samuel’s last barb was well reasoned and the politician could not find a legitimate flaw in that argument. Personally, he was not one that needed to be muscular or anything of the sort – he had hirelings for that. The only thing he needed to exercise was his wit, and that was something that was never left neglected in his line of work. ”Then I cannot argue with that. I would just urge you to be more careful, Cassius. Your commitments to our cause is greater than most.” Both economically and when it came to the hocus-pocus force magic, Cassius truly was invaluable. Pius Dea had many members now, the more influential of such being not unlike the two rich old men in this room. But Cassius offered so much more. His ties with the criminal underbelly were also far more important than Samuel would ever admit, the loss of the Liviana patriarch would be one that the cabal would struggle to recover from. Samuel alone owed a lot of his more recent successes to Cassius Liviana. An eternal ally he could not afford to lose. Either through the latter’s bone headed stubbornness, or a rare slip of the tongue from the former.

Cassius’ daughter was always a topic of contention, Danica was a troublesome young woman to say the least, but Samuel had always been careful what he said. She was still the daughter of his friend, after all. This time, he may have unwittingly stepped too far. ”My apologies, Cassius. That is not what I meant to imply. Yours is one of the last great bloodlines , you know I of all people respect that.” His mind was clear, his thoughts were on his words. Around Cassius, he did not just have to be careful what he said. His friend had promised many times not to read his mind without permission, and whilst Samuel trusted the Coruscanti impeccably, there was always a limit. Such power terrified him. ”As for the child herself, I offered my aid to pair her many years ago. It is a shame we could not come to an agreement.” For Danica at least, and perhaps more so for her father. Whilst the childless Corellian could not quite imagine the pain a daughter’s antics caused to her parents, he could certainly imagine it was far from minute.

Samuel prided himself on the ability to talk almost anyone down from almost anything. It was always different with Cassius. If he thought reading a handful of thoughts was terrifying, then the furniture spontaneously breaking apart was worse than most words could describe. As it was, Samuel’s brain decided that it did not want to be a part of the following events, and decided to turn back on later. He woke shortly after he had hit the ground, his first thought being the feeling of Cassius’ hand on his back. His second being of imminent death, but his third was much more restrained. After a few moments to compose himself, the Corellian decided it was probably best if he got up off of the floor.

A few soft pats against the expensive finery adorning his tall, wiry frame, and then that was it. As far Samuel Cromwell was concerned, his little episode had not occurred, and never would it be discussed. At least, not by him. ”Ahh yes, Cassius. How are your injuries faring? I still believe that you should seek council from the doctors on Coruscant. However, if you believe you can recover fine enough here, then I will submit to your judgement. You have more experience in this field than I.” Samuel learnt from his mistakes, after a while. He knew full well that he could only push so far when it came to Cassius. The man’s stubbornness would outlast solar systems. And he really did know a lot more about combat injuries than Samuel. The Corellian was barely competent enough to deal with paper cuts. His personal physicians were on very healthy retainers.

[Poludnica]

Kolto gel eased pain but didn't seal all the injuries. The Firrerreo whelp didn't do much damage aside from few cuts, scuffs and bruises but the sheer mental strain putting this unruly child down was enough to cause flaring pain in neurons. This kind of power always came with the cost. Maybe Samuel spoke the truth; once already he had forgotten about own safety. Next time it may kill him but that was a price Cassius could pay if it meant furthering own legacy. Nieraan Onin put it all in jeopardy. Danica was easily manipulated, fell into the Sith trap likely and the alien had used this gullibility – to finally break from poverty of his own upbringing. It angered Cassius, left him livid. ”There is no 'our' cause without bloodline that will carry it.” The grey master argued, unusual irritation tugging at the edge of his words. ”We are dying Samuel, if you haven't noticed.” He added. They could harbor wealth and control part of the government. Meet and plot, push purity legislation but time wasn't moving forward. They had maybe forty years left, Cassius a bit more thanks for the Force but still just few decades. Samuel, in all his pragmatic, cold idealism lost contact with reality. Reality they both had to face.

” Danica is the last of my name, the last Liviana. She was still a fluke among plenty lost children.” The aged CEO rubbed his eyes, finally forcing himself to admit there was a price for their selective, picky genetics. It made bloodline weaker. A fact Cassius had never told Samuel, he hadn't told anyone beside Vanya. No matter how brightly Cassius burned in the Force, no power nor money could make up for that fact. To rub salty into the wound, Samuel yet once more brought up the offer he had put on the table many years ago. One he had turned down out of pride and sheer foolishness. Rook wasn't good enough, he wasn't a Zhell bred on Coruscant. Certainly something that personally hurt Samuel, giving with how much glee the Senator would remind him about it. Maybe for the best though, Danica wouldn't have been a scandalous queen. ”Your pride is still hurting it seems.” The CEO snipped, taking a degree of pleasure form Samuel's terror.

When the Senator got onto his feet Cassius was already at the mini bar, making two strong drinks. With a wave of his hand he pushed the debris onto one side of the room, away from Samuel. He could still feel the Froce pulsating in him, unsettled by recent duel. Craving something Cassius for now refused it to give – Nieraan's life. The CEO recognized this tempting whisper. It was the dark side, much more vocal than its light counterpart. ”My body will heal, those are just superficial scratches.” Cassius said dismissively, catching glimpse of his features in a mirror that hung over the bar. The thin, crimson line cut his cheek where a shard of glass hit it. Wincing at the sight, the man gently touched the wound's edges. ”I will have to remove the scar.” He complained, already irked by something like this marring his visage.

[Susan]

Cassius spoke words of truth, which made them all the more frightening. Samuel was not fawning unnecessarily when he declared the Liviana’s as one of the last great bloodlines, it was a fact. Their pure ancestry was becoming more and more infrequent in this galaxy. With how Danica was turning out, it looked like even that line may not last much longer. Thousands of years of selective breeding swept away from one hormonal little girl and her need for hanky-panky with some mangy alien dog. It was sickening. As much as Samuel wanted to further his own line himself, he was glad he was not forced to have children like Cassius did. One of a numerous great things his sister brought to this Galaxy, a remarkable woman unfairly taken away. Then there were billions of alien scumsuckers out there that continued to breathe the air – it was a cruel and tumultuous existence. The Liviana line being sullied only served to illustrate the point further. At least Samuel’s own line would live on, in a grand enough way. The Cromwell name may not go much further, but his sole surviving nephew still carried his families blood, if not their name. Soon the Corellian Senator would have to speak to the young man once again, revisiting the difficult topic of procreation. A King could not do without an heir for too long. He seemed to have a better taste in partners than young Danica did, at least.

There was very little Samuel could do to rectify the problems facing his old friend, and it did not please him. His efforts in the past were in vain, but now there was all but nothing he could do. The one option available would probably not please Cassius all that much. It remained an option if it came to it, however. ”It is a problem many of us have, too many are too willing to sully their bloodlines in this day and age. People are less selective in their consorts, and it is discouraging for our ambitions. It mean we will have to resort in being somewhat less restrictive at times, Cassius. Pureblood Zhell is just no longer an option.” The senator paused here, stopping his tongue just before he let out another biting remark. He was obnoxiously smug about how this situation had turned out, how it would have been much more preferable if Cassius had just listened to what he had said all those years ago. Yet the veteran politician knew when not to push his luck, and now was certainly one of these times. Samuel was not one to deny his cowardice, it ran thick through his blood as much as anything else. Deep down he knew his friend would never intentionally hurt him, but in this state perhaps he would not be responsible for his actions. Especially if the Corellian kept pushing the wrong buttons.

In this age of advanced technology, it was a shame there was no better way to push on their cause, to keep the purity going. At least, nothing that was completely feasible. Perhaps cloning advancements would reach a point where it would be an acceptable alternative, but it was unlikely to be in their lifetime. An almost exact replica of Cassius, only much younger, would certainly be an upgrade on the unruly Danica. So far as the Corellian was concerned. ”It is a shame what has happened, Cassius. And you have my deepest condolences. I promise that I will do what I can to help solve this. Is another child out of the question?” The way Samuel was speaking was as if Danica had passed away. If he was in Cassius’ shoes, that would be how he would see it – such an unspeakable crime would lead to disownment and she would be dead to him. Family only afforded so much. As for his question, he was already quite certain of the answer but the subject had to be broached at any rate. Cassius’ age was not in his favour, but not to the point where he would be unable to procreate. Samuel highly doubted that his friend would want to go through all this again though, it was not an appealing undertaking. If there was to be another child for whatever reason though, the Corellian would do what he could to be a part of the progeny’s life – just as he did with young Rook. Shape the child into a worthy heir. Rook Solosten was living prove that there should always be a spare.

After a few moments, Samuel followed the injured force user over to the bar – the lure of the expensive liquor for a moment overpowering his fear. Something that reared its head again soon enough – his insistence at mentioning the pairing offer from many years ago had clearly struck a nerve with Cassius. Which made sense, Samuel himself would never forget about it – at the time he felt as though Cassius had slapped him in the face. The Liviana line was more pure than the Cromwell’s or Solosten’s, yet it felt like his old friend had paired Samuel’s bloodline with that of a diseased Rodian. After this more recent bout of terror passed, the elder man continued his course and stood next to his friend in front of the mirror. The encounter had certainly taken its toll on a man who was usually impeccably groomed and radiated sheer power. ”Yes, it is an unnecessary reminder and befitting more an outer rim smuggler than a man of your great stature. Once more, I offer the services of my physicians. They really do work wonders.”

It would be the last time Samuel pressed this particular suggestion forward. He realised that he had been insistent enough so far, and if Cassius did not want to see a doctor, then that was his prerogative. The Senator was simply trying to look out for his friend. Taking one of the new drinks in his hand and raising it up to drink, the Corellian realised that this was something he may have to do more in the future. Cassius Liviana was perhaps not as indestructible as the senator had often believed.

[Poludnica]

No longer an option... Cassius would snort at this if the painful truth of those words didn't resonate with his own convictions. It was an uncomfortable truth, Zhell were dying. They were an archaic leftovers of the age long past. There was no place in the Galaxy for the first humans anymore and Cassius began to recognize that. Sadly all too late. His elitism mellowed down over the years, narrowing now to humanity as a whole – even their most similar off shoots: Lorridans, Miraluka, even Epicanthix. They all grew from the ancient Coruscant dwellers unlike Firrerreo or Zeltron with vast physiological differences. Now one of those threatened to become part of Liviana legacy. Preposterous.”I know I've made a mistake Samuel, you don't have to gloat about it.” Cassius sighed, slowly growing tired as the adrenaline left his system. A drink or two more and some sleeping was in order. Nothing ached him too bad which meant organs were in their place, unharmed.

The Senator's words of sympathy were met with a defeated, disappointed gaze from Cassius. He didn't even have to grace it with the comment, just a pointed stare that spoke nothing less but a 'are you serious' question. The Livco owner shook his head. ”Maybe you should think about getting one.” Cassius muttered, feeling Samuel simply had no idea how it felt and what it meant. Danica was his child, no matter what she had done. His pride and his fall. Flesh and blood. He knew and felt Samuel's intentions, didn't even have to ask about the solution. The Corellian would kill his daughter, no question asked. There were borders even Cassius didn't overstep and a large part of him appreciated the fact Samuel wasn't a Force user. Or the Sith would have another minion.

When Samuel showed up near the bar, Cassius offered him a drink, ending their argument in this peace offering. They had their squabbles over the years and sometimes even treated one another harshly but behind this stood firm loyalty forged by common, grand goal. No petty rows would end it. ”I have one back on Coruscant. He does miracles with aging too.” Cassius offered. It was no mystery Livco CEO regularly visited surgeon's to keep fresh, youthful appearance placing him more in late thirties than forties. Some mocked it, especially political enemies but the grey master rarely was bothered by what others thought.

”I need some rest.” The tall human concluded before unbuttoning his shirt. Beneath rest wry muscles and few faint scars. Daily training kept him fit, there wasn't a day Cassius wouldn't train at least for thirty minutes, making sure the aging body remained in peak condition which showed in gracefully sculpted physique. Cassius dismissively threw away the bloodied shirt and opened the doors that led to bathroom. ”Be so kind Samuel and call the room service. This place is a mess.” He said before vanishing behind the metal doors.

Fin