The Beautiful and Damned (Novus)

[Poludnica]

There was something strange in Korriban air. Something acrid lingered, carried on every dry, hot breeze. At first Danica believed it to be a smell of seared sand and dull, red mountains but after a while she noticed how inescapable this sensation was. This planet seemed alive, somehow – stirred by dark forces left long time ago by the now extinct Sith. The tendrils resonated in Danica's soul, pulling at it but she couldn't respond this call. Too old for proper training, too undisciplined and weak. Her children though were another matter and a haunting worry began to nag the human woman. If this force would taint them from the very first breath. She stood in a half opened balcony that led to the swimming pool filled with a cold, inviting water. It sparked in the afternoon light, catching rays of unforgiving sun. Trapping them under the surface, only to return shattered in flaky rainbows. The sight was strangely soothing and Danica didn't want to move, mulling over the doubts and worries.

A service droid appeared behind the raven haired woman, it's limited virtual intelligence lacking social sensitivity that would dictate asking if it can intrude upon this serene moment. ”A shuttle is approaching the mansion.” The shiny thing communicated in an emotionless, metallic timbre. Danica tensed momentarily, still not entirely getting over from meeting Nieraan's mother. Her vigilance grew to irritating levels and this time no alcohol could ease this. The Coruscanti's woman's state became more recluse, sometimes getting out of bed sounded horrible. No mood stabilizers, no alcohol created foul mood Danica couldn't fight anymore. She blamed Nieraan of course, her father too and any other male in a vicinity. Llokin suffered just through a collateral damage but the stuck up Chiss was the easiest victim to vent stress on these days.

Recent events made her paranoid, paranoid to the point of replacing largely human staff with droids. After all everyone could be bough, corrupted. Cassius didn't kill, he destroyed people and this time her father wouldn't be forgiving. Not anymore. The metal serfs had downsides, making Danica to feel increasingly lonely in those walls. An ancient mansion which she personally designed renovation for was awfully empty with those tall walls and agoraphobic spaces. It differed from Courscant cozy penthouses that at least gave an impression of other beings living near by. Now it was just her and the two tiny cellular balls that grew to ruin her looks soon enough. Nothing showed yet but in two, three weeks, maybe four weeks gossips would travel around the Temple. Something to worry in a while, now she had a guest.

Despite terrible mood, Danica didn't let herself slip in appearances. Loose, chiffon and translucent white robe covered black bikini. Silver elements adorned it, betraying something more complex than just a simple swimming suit. The woman refused to wear things bought in the Outer Rims but imported her wardrobe from Coruscant. This strange urge to keep up with the newest fashion was clinging to what she had lost and maybe now mourned. Before leaving to greet her guest, Danica glanced in one of the mirrors, trying to catch any imperfections in the make up that concealed too pale skin and dark circles under obnoxiously verdant eyes. Too little sleep, fragmented by sessions of throwing up and nightmares. At this point Danica couldn't separate physical symptoms from mental exhaustion: humans not always mixed well with other kinds. She would hide it, playing a part of a pleasant host, just like Cassius had taught her.

The doors to the mansion opened and its owner glided toward the shuttle that sat down in a storm of dust. A doll like smile graced Danica's lips, lighting up soft features. Polite, inviting – after all the guest was a Darth. Young as she was, this Arkanian held the aristocrat could only dream about. With enemies like Cassius, every ally counted. Especially now. The invitation spoke about meeting over the pool to banish some of Korriban summer. Refreshing drinks, imported fruits and lounging music. Novus was still a mystery and their brief meeting hadn't sated the curiosity that it stirred.

Hopefully this time without the mangy dogs...

[Neology]

Novus sat ensconced in the shuttle's station chair, applying a sheen of lip color with a thin brush. The console chimed softly, the autopilot letting her know that arrival was imminent.

“Wonderful.” She muttered softly to herself. With her free hand, Novus picked up a compact mirror and checked her work. Good enough; Miss Liviana would likely expect the effort. 'And what, exactly, is the proper form of address for a subordinate's unmarried lover?' Thankfully, previous introductions spared her that particular mystery.

Not that she hadn't tried to do her homework. Frustratingly enough, the files that the Order kept on Lord Aurelius and Ms. Danica Liviana were all neatly sealed. Renata's personal encryption. While Iniquitous could overrule it, and certain very expensive civilian contractors could be hired to break it … Neither option was worth the risk. Lady Renata's wishes could not be clearer were they stamped on the couple's heads.

Nonetheless, the invitation had arrived. It was only polite to accept, and while she loathed the missing pieces of the puzzle, she could learn nothing by refusing.

Of course, it could be a trap. Secluded location, a particular dress code that made carrying a weapon obvious and inconvenient. It fit, though she felt no deception within the Force.

The shuttle set down and Novus made her way down the ramp. Proper attire for the pool had been scavenged from a an old cover's wardrobe. Red bikini and a knee-length sarong in powder blue – kept for sentimentality, thankfully free of any of the unpleasant stains that came with an assassin's work. An over sized sun hat had been added as an afterthought, the wide brim sheltering her fair skin from Korriban's harsh sun.

Her hostess met her at the foot of the ramp, smile on her face. Novus returned the smile, a flash of white teeth.

“Ms. Liviana.” She nodded her head once, voice warm with an affected cheer. “I am very pleased to see you again. I hope this afternoon finds you well?”

[Poludnica]

Among subtle threads of social games Danica recognized forced, manipulative ones and those that carried a genuine, honest affection. Too often the human woman had to wear masks that hid contempt toward many creatures in the Order. Rarely any of them belonged with upper class: Jedi wash outs, criminals, street rats. Nieraan rose above them, despite being a downtown boy but only because Danica cared to know him. Saw something beneath the abrasive layer: a hurt child that needed nurturing. Clingy and loyal. Others she didn't grace with such attention nor they deserved it. Renata was a refreshing sight – classy and soft spoken. Hopefully Darth Novus would prove at least moderately likable or pleasantly surprising though no for now Danica remained skeptical. The first impression wouldn't have been disappointing if not for the ugly hounds that ruined it for her. She didn't like animals – they were smelly, filthy and troublesome. Almost like kids. Danica thought with dismay but tried to force the idea out, preparing for a social interaction.

The Arkanian stepped out, paleness of her skin contrasting with the rusty background of brownish and red mountains looming behind. The mansion was nestled on high grounds, were temperatures were a bit lower than in the flat desert. Korriban tested its dwellers constantly with sandstorms and searing heat. No one would survive left alone in the desert, even the simplest life gave in where was nothing but a dry, dead land. Danica often felt overwhelmed by this, strangely unsettled by this and imagined Novus felt even worse. Her skin was milky white, though not chalk pale. Something between alabaster and translucent pink, more fair than even her fair pink. The local sun must have been particularly harsh on a creature whose natural habitat belonged with Arkanian snow. Danica sympathized – Coruscant naturally controlled weather spoiled her in that regard.

”Lady Novus.” She replied to oddly warm greeting that didn't entirely fit aloof Darth. The fragile, hauntingly alluring and dainty beauty about the Arkanian was pleasing. Danica took little to no interest in women as sexual objects but as an art appraisal she believed to correctly asses and enjoy their aesthetics. The human had almost laughingly delicate sensibilities that were very easy to offend. Novus gained plenty without mangy beasts hanging around. ”Hot and dry, like most of them.” Danica offered, quickly deciding the Arkanian followed the suggested dress code which immediately put her at ease. ”Was your travel pleasant?” She added, gesturing for the other woman to follow back into cool interior.

[Moonfire]

On the tail of Novus' shuttle, as though an after thought was another, kicking up the dust and dirt of the rust colored planet. Richter Kast, aid-de-camp to the cool Darth, had been busily gathering up a few of the essentials as his mistress wandered into the foreboding manse. Datapads, holo-comm linked directly to his ear-piece, a few fuzzy towels the lady had thought to bring last minute, in case they needed to make a hurried exit with some pressing business for the Order. Running a spindly hand through his slightly curly hair the young man looked up towards the new shuttle, watching as its passenger stiffly exited before hurrying forward to offer his assistance with nary a flourish.

"Would you like a hand, Miss?"

Bellinda's nose wrinkled at the feel of the oppressive heat of Korriban against her face and shoulders, clad in a rather lovely sundress in a startling lemon yellow color, white damask suitable for the occasion Sebastian had assured her. Such ridiculous rules fashion had. Levels of color and fabric acceptability, style, weight, draping. All beyond her her day to day capabilities yet incredibly important. With a skeletal hand the young woman adjusted the white lace of her blindfold, before turning to the kindly young man and his offered arm. The aura of him swirled with a light unfamiliar on this desolate planet. Even on Corellia.

"Oh thank you," Bellinda's thin, incredibly fragile feeling arm wrapped about his, her cane supporting the bum leg as they tromped towards the door and then through the expensive and tastefully decorated manse, if not rather barren feeling. Though Bellinda mentally appreciated the lack of clutter. Less distractions from her vision.

Much to Richter's surprise the blind woman seemed to know just where she was going, weaving her way about the various obstacles in her way with no difficulty and right out into the sunsoaked patio of the pool. As they moved closer a smile stretched and widened into a full blow grin across the redhead's face, twisting the gaunt pallor into something nearly pleasant.

"Danica, darling. I brought some Ruusanian wine, founder years of course, but it seems you won't be joining us." Bellinda announced cheerily with a respectful dip of her head, handing off the bottle to the serving droid beside with a flourish.

Clear as anything she could see the little ones growing and thriving within the womb of her host, the force ebbed and flowed in a glorious dance she'd witnessed in the unwitting bodies of her Nar Shaddaa associates time and time again.

"This all must be very exciting for you, twins? Oh, do you have any names picked out? How is Aurelius taking it? Hes never struck me as the fatherly type, though Renata has been pushing more responsibility on him. Perhaps he'll surprise us all." The woman mused, ornate silver cane clacking against the deck about the pool as she settled carefully into a lounge chair.

"Oh, and Sebastian sends his best wishes, says LivCo is doing fantastically according to the latest financial reports."

As the strange exchange between equally strange women went on Richter stood quite awkwardly at the entrance to the pool, datapad still in hand as he looked back and forth from the motley crew of women. What exactly was he supposed to be doing here? Oh, Maker, he'd never been invited to a women's get together before.

Thankfully a serving droid appeared with glasses, only two, and the bottle now suitably chilled in a bucket of coolant. Whisking the bottle, crackling with cold beneath his fingers, and the glasses he set about pouring one for Novus and the queer Bellinda.

With a respectful bow of his head he presenting the glass to Novus.

"My lady,"

"Personal man servants now, Lady Novus? I'll have to talk to Lady Renata about allocating some room in the budget for one of my own," Bellinda purred, graciously accepting the beverage from the now blushing young man as she settled back comfortably in her chair. "Perhaps I'll use my Adega Account to purchase one."

[Neology]

“Oh, yes. It was only a short flight.” She nodded absently, gaze shifting momentarily from their hostess to briefly follow Richter. The young soldier tended toward too kind for his own good. After all, it was a chancy thing to acknowledge the physical shortcomings of an unknown Sith.

… Or not so unknown, perhaps. A moment's further study triggered recognition: Bellinda, Darth Renata's other apprentice, known to her only by description. 'Sealed files, indeed.' Had she any doubt that whatever was said here would make it back to Renata, at least now she knew for sure. In any case Richter appeared to be quite safe for now, the Sith lady demurely on his arm.

Novus followed Ms. Liviana, murmuring appreciatively at various points of design. An aristocrat’s mansion in Korriban's desert wastes – unusual, but understandable. Was it that Lord Aurelius wanted his lover close at hand? Or perhaps it was the other way around? Either way, the temple was a dangerous place that did not offer up luxuries so readily as a private manse.

Too soon they stepped back outside into the brilliant sunshine. Novus listened curiously to their conversation, peering from beneath the rim of her sunhat as she took a seat at a shaded patio table. Ms. Liviana was pregnant? Oh, yes, staying away from the temple was a good idea then, but why stay on Korriban at all?

“Thank you. My datapad, please.” She accepted the wine with a faint nod, setting it down on the table, fingers clasped loosely around the glass's stem. When addressed, she flashed a vaguely predatory smile, unperturbed.

“Please, let me introduce my aide-de-camp. Petty Officer Richter Kast, lately of our very esteemed Imperial Navy. I do hope that you will forgive me for bringing a little of my work along; it simply could not wait.”

[Poludnica]

Another shuttle landed in a flurry of dust. That had to be Bellinda - a pleasant Miraluka woman for whom the fate wasn’t too kind. Danica felt something akin pity every time when looking at the lame Sith. Despite own disadvantages, Bellinda remained - unlike many of her peers - positively charming. Just like Renata, the Miraluka spread an aura of the Core World class. Something Danica terribly missed when on this backwater part of the Galaxy. Novus knew how to behave, didn’t seem wild like the beast she fancied but lacked certain high class mannerism. ’Bellinda.” Danica’s oval features lit up in a glowing, genuine smile. For now acknowledging the man that helped her friend with a sparse nod. She didn’t know him, nor didn’t know what to make of him - he was a Novus toy it seemed. ”Good to see you.” The Coruscanti woman confessed warmly.

”I hoped Sebastian could join us.” She commented, not really sure if to mention Bellinda’s the enigmatic lover. The man that helped Bellinda wore the Sith uniform and behaved like a servant and bodyguard in one person. Danica didn’t mind him as long as he quietly served drinks. Maybe Lady Novus just liked to keep her manservants close. Before she could answer Novus noncommittal comment about the flight, Bellinda noticed what everyone else, including Nieraan, missed so far. Danica’s already pale skin blanched even more when her friend cooed over the unborn litter. The human immediately remembered morning sickness and her humour dropped even more. ”I think it’s a bit too early…” She muttered, leaving the rest of questions open. Nieraan didn’t know yet and she had no courage to tell him - the last thing Danica wanted was for him to learn it from rumors. Many things could be said about Bellinda but being discreet didn’t belong with them.

Eager to change the subject, Danica turned to Novus who politely left things without a comment. Muttering appreciatively when they passed lavish hallway. Droid stalked them with a platter full of snacks and wine. ”When I bought this mansion, it was in ruins - a left over from the times when the Sith species could be found prowling around.” Danica explained, not without pride. Happy to stir the conversation away from her…accidents. They reached the pool nestled in the heart of the building. The loungers were spread in pleasant shade; the water’s calm surface radiated cool breeze.

The droid finally caught up with them, offering juice for Danica and wine for the ladies. Even Richter was included, at least according to droid. With open envy the human woman watched Bellinda and Novus sipping wine. Maybe just one glass? Would it hurt them? Almost biting down in frustration on own lips while drinking the alcohol free beverage, Danica nodded at Novus. ”I am sure your duties often can’t wait. As a Darth you have the entire Order to run.” The human exhaled, feeling tension building in her shoulders - for no apparent reason, other than displeasure with juice.

A faint smile ghosted across her lips at Bellinda’s comment. ”I am not sure Sebastian would be happy about it.” Danica said, remembering she had own, very blue manservant. Llokin would certainly threaten to kill her when heard such demeaning summary of his role.