Smoke and Mirrors (Ruglet)

[Poludnica]

In recent months his rage quieted down. Turning into cold, gnawing hatred. No the passioned one, that pushed toward the dark side, but a righteous one. Cassius had spent recent months with his old master, an ageing human of 90 years old. He calmed down, soothed by meditation and long conversations. No one else Cassius held in such esteem as Vallo. He learned something new about himself, like always when spending time with his former master. The business tycoon stopped blaming Danica, seeing his own flaws as the father. She was a disturbed, mentally ill girl who had been taken advantage of by a Sith scoundrel. The dark side’s call was strong, alluring. No one knew it better than Cassius who spent his entire life fighting it off. He mediated and practiced, focused on perfecting his defences, instead of violent powers. Slowly, but surely the dark edges of the Force around him paled, turning bland grey and impassionate. He wouldn’t fall, not dragged down by an alien whelp.

The space station hung above a dying star. The white dwarf was an end of this star system life cycle. The inner planets had long been consumed by the red giant and those few gas giants floated into the vast, cold darkness. It was a miserable space desert. A perfect place for the meeting that awaited him. The space station was as desolated as the star system, only few miners and merchants loitered about. Smuggles liked this place to drop off illegal goods. Cassius knew this place where from days it was filled with life and busy bars. He wasn’t a man who dwelled on nostalgia or regrets, but standing in front of the tall windows took him back. The club Cassius chose for the meeting place was closed for business for some time, but it had never stopped him before.

Despite rather shabby environment Cassius decided on a classy, aristocratic look: a high end suit, perfectly cut suit underneath which rested silver vest. The clothes themselves were probably worth more than the piece of junk that sheltered it. The man made sure not even the tiniest detail was out of place. He had checked the shirt cuffs, adorned with hand made silver cufflinks. His cologne possessed a delicate, citrus aroma, betraying a refined taste. Today Cassius had no need to disguise himself as Darek. There was no point in it, the alien female knew exactly who he was. After all their children had…children of their own. Together. Cassius still shuddered at the thought this put him in a position where he was associated with Firrerreo lowlifes.

Cassius knew of Kamirille, he had seen it in Nieraan’s memories that looked more like nightmares. She had to be the parent the boy for his strength from. And savagery. Regardless, this meeting was necessary - as abhorring as they all were. Danica’s stupidity finally reached the level Cassius always dreaded. So many centuries of careful selection to keep the bloodline pure. For nothing. It was his fault, now he recognised it. From what Cassius had witnessed, Kamirille didn’t have much better parental skills.

Like always, Cassius wrapped force tightly around himself. His mind shut it off completely - it was his tactic, to surprise a possible opponent with power not many expected from an aristocratic gentleman. Cassius’ eyes shifted from the window and toward the empty seats. The furniture were caked with a layer of two decade old dust. Only the star’s choked luminescence lit the bar with its wraith like light. Yes, a good place to solve ugly family issues.

[Rugs]

Kamirille’s heels clacked quietly along the cold metal floor. He footfalls would have been white noise to even white noise anywhere else, but not here. Here, aboard this space station hanging alone on the edge of civilized space, they were the sound that broke the silence. It was nearly oppressive—the type of silence that takes nest in the bones and tarries before moving on its way.

Click. Clack. Click. Clack…

They sounded nearly like gunshots, even under Kamirille’s relaxed, easy stride.

This didn’t bother Kamirille. Nor did the silence, or the abject loneliness that smothered the station like swaddling ‘round a newborn child. There was solace in silence; strength in solitude.

Besides, neither would last much longer.

She’d given long, careful thought to this meeting. Kamirille Onin was a hard woman to find, for those she didn’t want to find her. She offered a number of services for those who lived in the deepest, darkest parts of the Galaxy’s underbelly, and she did not do so cheaply. Yet, for the occasional fish she wished to catch, she’d make herself a more visible target; a wisp of smoke on the wind, rather than a shadow lurking in the darkest corner of an unlit room.

Perhaps that was how Cassius found her. Or maybe the man had more resources to find her types than most would expect. No, resources alone weren’t a limitation, not for Cassius Liviana. But motivation?

Well, he certainly had reason to want to find her.

As she had reason to see him.

A door hissed and slid as she approached it, marking the first movement for anything beyond herself she’d seen since leaving her ship. A thin, wan light filtered through dust-lined windows into the room beyond. Cassius stood, waiting for her among a dusting of dust that looked like it hadn’t been tended in years.

Kamirille gave a slight half-smile and continued, heeled steps leaving distinct steps on the dusty floor. Her heels were modest. Her outfit was muted; black top and pants, with subtle silver highlights. Her raven hair fanned across her shoulders and upper back. The pale light seemed to highlight her hair’s dark blue tips.

She gave a glance to Cassius — acknowledgement — but did not stop. Instead she continued to the window to look out at the white, cold star hanging millions of miles away in space.

“This was a lively system once,” she said, after allowing a silence to stretch between them. “Vibrant. Thriving. Until one day, the star, that very one right there, began to die — began to grow. Eventually it stopped and shrank, of course, but not until it had consumed its inner worlds — until it destroyed the very things it created.

“And now,” she added, after a pause, “it lingers. Cold. Alone. Forgotten.”

She turned, giving Cassius a look from the corner of her eye. But she said no more. She looked back to the star for a long moment then turned around to face the man, taking easy strides toward the seats that lay between them.

“Cassius Liviana,” she said, an hint of false reverence in her voice. “The legend himself. Why have you called me here, to this abandoned place?” Unlike him, she did not hide her considerable presence in the Force, though neither did she flaunt it. But if Cassius thought himself alone in control of this meeting, well...

“I pray,” she said as she wiped a finger through the thick dust atop a chair, “you don’t intend to waste my time.”

[Poludnica]

Echo of even footsteps filled the empty corridors. Cassius felt Kamirille before he could hear her. The tall man pried his verdant gaze away from the ominous, eternal drama developing beneath his feat. The only planet left was slowly disintegrating around the dying star, leaving behind a trail of colorful dust. What a beautiful catastrophe. Cassius turned away from the thick glasslike surface. The wraithlike glow threw a long shadow on the dirty floor. The doors opened a Firrerreo female entered the scene. Even in her casual, dark apparel she had a powerful presence. Both: in force and outside it. Cassius knew the woman who gave life to Nieraan had to be powerful – as usually he was right.

No wonder it was such a chore to find Kamirille, she seemed smarter than her son, but Cassius had only fleeting hypothesis in regards to that. What immediately put him off was the amount of qualities she shared with Nieraan. Those feelings were all hidden behind a thick, mental barrier that served as an iron curtain – unfortunately betraying this bit of his power. When it came to dealing with someone like Kamirille, Cassius always employed a strategy of being underestimated. If the Firrerro tried to as much as peek into his mind, she would have met a shield not many Force users were able to create. Kamirille's presnece was not smaller than his and with twisted satisfaction Cassius noted he had found his match.

With feline grace, the female walked over to the viewport. When she glanced at him, Cassius could see nothing but cold indifference in the green orbs. Despite the same color, they bore different shade than his blood line was proud of. His were darker, almost hazel which gave them a flicker of warmth. Nieraan's and Kamirille were cool, clear green. Akin to an ancient glacier. Maybe it was just light playing tricks on him. Cassius noted the Firrerro female was attractive, but didn't possess the glamorous beauty Danica carried herself with. Kamirille was athletic and her features chiseled by years of experience. The instincts Cassius developed on Nar Shadda quickly told him how dangerous this woman was – even without the Force swirling around her. Maybe the children didn't receive the worst genes possible after all.

Cassius immediately understood the remark, it's hidden and subtle meaning. A cold smile stretched on his thin lips. ”Yet, this star will outlive most of the brash, younger ones.”” He replied and followed Kamirille to the two comfortable seats that looked oddly out of place. He snickered at the mocking flattery. Like her son, he already started to push his buttons, probably she did it to everyone else. Just in a cleverer way than that street rat of hers. ”You are a smart woman, I am sure you know why you are here.” Cassius sat down, betraying no less grace. He crossed his legs on a casual, ankle to knee manner. Cassius touched fingertips together and silently watched the Firrerreo female. From all the near humans in the Galaxy, Danica had to choose one he loathed the most. Maybe only Anzat stood lower on Cassius racist hate list.

”I certainly don't intend to waste my time” He said and titled his head to the side. ”Do you know what Danica and Nieraan have been up to as of late?” Cassius asked in a calm, detached manner. There was no point in vapid pleasantries and sharing beverages. Neither of them wanted to befriend anyone on this meeting, aside from raw power and grandchildren they had nothing in common. Maybe they used to have when Cassius was still testing his powers as a mercenary, but not anymore.

[Rugs]

”Yet, this star will outlive most of the brash, younger ones.”

Kamirrille pursed her lips at Cassius’ answer. He wasn’t wrong, truly. The star still burned, if dimly, while the planets it once nurtured were long since burned away to ash. Consumed. Destroyed. And the star remains… she thought.

But was it really living, to spend the last of its days weak and decrepit, waiting for entropy to cool its final stubborn fires to silence? After destroying what it created… No. Kamirille glanced at Cassius. “Some might argue it would have been better for the star to go out in a supernova,” she said, flicking the thick dust from her fingertip. A smile’s ghost touched her lips, showing a hint of her canines. “But I guess that’s the difference between stars and men. Stars don’t get a choose how they die.”

She allowed a heavy pause and cocked her head slightly. “Then again, most men don’t either.”

Still, she hadn’t come all the way out to the edge of civilization to have an exchange of veiled threats and parental commentary with Cassius. The man wanted something. While she was more than happy to make him wait for it, she wasn’t interested in doing so through idle chatter.

Cassius sat, and his tone and words indicated to her that he was just about as ready to move on to real business. Good. Kamirille considered taking a seat, but opted to remain standing and returned to her spot near the window. She meant no slight to Cassius, not directly; neither did she intend to fit neatly into his ideas of order and proper etiquette, however.

She gave no response except a quiet smile at his compliment. Flattery was nice, but a wasted effort on her. Fortunately, the man soon moved to the 8,000-pound rancor lurking in the corner.

“Do you know what Danica and Nieraan have been up to as of late?”

It’d be a lie to say Kamirille wasn’t tempted to smile. She lifted her raven brows and turned her face to Cassius. “Screwing?” she said, the questioning tone belying the actual truth of the answer.

“Yes, Cassius, I am well aware of their… actions,” she said, allowing a peek subtle amusement to shine through her otherwise refined mask. “And I doubt you’re unaware of the result.”

Her sharp eyes focused on him as she folded her arms beneath her breast. “So why have you called me here for that concern, I wonder?”

[Poludnica]

Veiled threats. Cassius knew how to play this game, he just didn’t bother. It wasted his precious time which literally, cost him. Swapping insults with a fellow grandparent - Cassius still shuddered at the thought - wasn’t his purpose. Making atmosphere hostile wouldn’t get him what he wanted from the Firrerro woman. “Yes, that’s true about every living being.” He concluded and watched Kamirille silently. How she elegantly trailed the decaying furniture before returning to her place at the viewport. It didn’t bother him, Cassius had low expectations about the Firrerro’s good manners. Like her son, she dwelled in a gutter of the Galaxy whereas his family lived at the highest echelons. This simple fact pained him even more. Oh, how low Danica had fallen from grace. It already brewed rumours among the Coruscant nobles. Cassius had to assure everyone important he had broke off relations with the wayward child. Still, it hurt his image, making it difficult to laundry credits through Livco which income pivoted like a broken speeder. He had to pull favours now and ask his friends to let him host events just to get false bills and fuel illegally made credits through the company. Danica had hurt his business more than he wished to admit.

Partially it was this female’s fault. She was a mother of Nieraan, the little fiend that had muddled Danica’s mind. Feigning love to her, just to get money. It was obvious to him, as Cassius was sure Sith couldn’t love. “Let us put platitudes aside and go down to business, I have few business meetings to attend in this sector.” He said, his voice neutral, even pleasant. The atmosphere grew thick, not because of subtle threats and struggle for who would dominate the meeting, but a yet unnamed issue. A thorn in his side and a horrible stain on his reputation. At least Danica hadn’t married the scoundrel, throwing away her name. Cassius believed Empire was too xenophobic for her to risk it. Fortunately, the children carried his surname as well. A sensible move, after all, who were the Onins? Nobodies. Mercs and killers, loathsome darksiders.

He met Kamarille’s gaze, imagining not many managed to maintain such eye contact. There was something cold and menacing in those verdurous orbs. “Yes, shame they were doing it so recklessly.” Cassius stated flatly. “You ought to teach your son how to be responsible.” He added with a sigh. “Why do you think I called you here?” The human asked with a chilling smile. “They are unfit to be parents. Your son is still a child in the terms of your kind and my daughter is simply disturbed. Depending on what dosage of mood stabilisers Danica takes, she can be a raging beast or a lethargic Ewok.” Cassius said, a hint of emotion in his voice. Anger? Irritation? Sadness? Frustration? Keeping force so close, blocking it from view and mental, telepathic training had a downside. It made him a cerebral being which often could name own emotional states. Whatever it was, it wasn’t pleasant nor wanted.

[Rugs]

Cassius’ consternation over his daughter mothering children with Nieraan amused Kamirille greatly. More than she cared to admit, and surely more than she’d allow him to see in this meeting. It was understandable—there were perhaps a handful of people in the Galaxy who might be totally comfortable with a grandparent to her son’s children.

And yet it was Cassius Liviana, the racist business man whose heir had chosen to take to Nieraan’s bed and bear his children.

It was hard not to laugh, let alone spend this whole meeting grinning at the man. But her face remained stoic, her expression businesslike as she let the man air his thoughts.

“And what is it you are recommending, dear Cassius?” she asked, allowing a measured amusement to filter into her words. “That we chain them to our every whim and desire?” She chuckled. “Nieraan is his own man. Your daughter is her own woman. I’m sure they understand quite well how anatomy works and that this outcome was a potential consequence of their actions.

“Say what you will of my son, but he has more influence than many suitors I’m sure you’d prefer to pluck out for Danica,” she added with a dry smile. It must hurt to know that, she added quietly.

“But go on,” she continued, motioning for him to keep talking. “Say I agree with you and think they’re subpar for the parenting role. What is your proposition then?”

[Poludnica]

(Sooo, I dun know how to English after so long time without writing, so forgive me any typos and stuff)

For a time he believed Danica had already done anything possible to hurt him. To mark her independence. What he never expected was discarding the status of the heiress to two business empires for a worthless alien. One that would live for another three centuries, leaving even a memory of her behind. Self-destructive little girl that knew nothing of life and its workings. Sometimes Cassius wished he had spent more time with Danica, to train her and respect the strong emotions that ruled over his daughter. Regret was pointless, though. There was only today which looked rather grim for Liviana’s pure genetic stock.

Cassius gave the alien woman a dry smile. He could recognise when one believed they held all the cards. “I thought it’s also in your interest.” The ageing master said. “I’ve been in his head, I have seen your…parenting methods.” There was only a hint of amusement in the lilt of Cassius words undertones. “I know you want him strong, that he is your pride” It was a dangerous game to play. This revealed a very important detail about his power. Something the human man always avoided. “Danica pulls him down. He is like a thick ivy that won’t let go. I am fairly sure the children are mostly her decision to chain Nieraan. As long as he has a family, your son will never reach the peak of his abilities.” Cassius had to fight with himself not to calling Nieraan a less favourable word.

“I fought him. He lost of course, but his potential is a rare thing.” What Cassius wanted to keep to himself was the fact Nieraan also cunningly took advantage of his enemy’s mental weakness. Pushing him into the hot rage. Amid this all disaster Cassius couldn’t deny one fact: the children had the same potential if not greater. When you don’t have what you like, you take what you were given. Every businessman knew that.

“His…influence…” Cassius had to fight the slowly building laughter. Oh, how self-important this female was. “Is nothing in comparison to what others back in the Republic could offer her. Old families, ancient bloodlines. Business empires and royal connections.” He adjusted in his seat, making sure to prepare for any incoming attack. If she was as hot tempered as Nieraan, a skirmish was unavoidable most likely. “But that is a song of the past. The future may be as follows: we can work together on taking away their children. You can take one if you want, if not at least you know Nieraan can develop his potential without any emotional burden.” Cassius finally proposed. “Knowing Danica, she will probably go back home to be with the children, maybe their relationship will fall apart. I don’t care, really.” The human man made a delicate, almost feminine gesture with his hand, indicating dismissal.