Session export: Despite all our rage, we're fighting over these rats in a cage
Karran’s Dynamic-Class freighter, The Genbu came to a slow landing on the landing pad of the Vasano Estate. Light glinted off of the semi-gloss black painted hull, catching subtle bits of artwork, painted like heiroglyphs in off-black, grey, and red.
The loading ramp descended as the Zabrak’s boot heels struck the durasteel. He was dressed fully in his armor, polished black leather with deep red scrollwork that mimicked his tattoos, though clearly not pristine, showed signs of recent meticulous cleaning and maintenance. He held a helmet under his arm. He had no reason to believe that Lucine would attempt to kill him, but why take the chance?
An immaculately dressed Chiss waited for him as he walked. The Sith came to a stop and bowed slightly.
“Tabriss. I believe Lady Vasano is expecting me.”
“Indeed my lady is, sir. Please, right this way.”
Tabriss turned and escorted Karran along the path that led from the landing pad toward the estate. It led through a carefully tended garden, replete with blooming flowers, bubbling fountains and carefully tended ivy. Occasionally the path branched off into smaller side gardens, some of which had benches where a person could sit and enjoy the idyllic atmosphere.
It was a bright day, with a gentle breeze that carried the scent of flowers and fresh air. Many of the windows had been opened to allow in the natural light. The double doors, green lattice and transparisteel, similarly stood open in invitation.
They led into a spacious sitting room, it’s walls lined with bookshelves and display cases that featured some trophy or priceless historical piece. A fireplace dominated the western wall, though on this perfect day, no fires burned within it. A sitting area stood in the center of the room, the furnishings tasteful yet also comfortable in appearance.
Tabriss gestured toward the sitting area. “I shall inform my Lady of your arrival, sir.”
Once the butler had left the room, Karran paced the perimeter, examining the various sundries that decorated the walls and shelves.
“Not an eclectic choice in sight. Everything ties together by theme, of course.”
As he paced, he subtly checked his sabers. The saberstaff was slung behind his back, concealed by his cloak, but the single-blade was secured snugly in its holster on the front of his thigh. He wished he had thought to bring some poison antidotes, but there were so many options, he likely wouldn’t be able to utilize them properly if it came to that.
“She wouldn’t kill me during tea. Not proper etiquette.”
He chuckled softly to himself and continued his track around the room.
“Absolutely not, darling! Murder is more of a dinner activity,” Lucine said brightly as she swept into the room. If she was troubled by Karran’s armor and weapons, she did not show it.
She, by contrast, was clad in a black and green day dress, paired with black flat shoes and accessorized with a necklace of emeralds and diamonds cut in teardrop shapes and a matching bracelet. Her red curls were pulled back into a loose tail, though the escaping strands were far too artful to be an accident. Her outfit and jewelry were a far cry from the elaborate outfits she wore when mingling in public. Most importantly, she did not appear to be carrying any weapons. And why would she? This was her home, after all.
“Karran, darling. It has been a veritable age since we have done this. Please, do take a seat. Tabriss will be along shortly with refreshments. Unless, of course, you prefer pacing about. I would not wish for you to feel uncomfortable.”
Karran pivoted on his heel toward the voice, his right index finger just barely caressing the hilt of his saber. However, he quickly relaxed when he saw his host.
“Exactly what I thought you might say. Murder at teatime should be reserved for more…intimate reasons. Scorn, vengeance, and the like.”
The corner of his mouth pulled up in amusement.
“Why do we always wait so long to have tea? It is not as if it takes months of planning.”
“I would agree that vengeance would be appropriate for tea-time murder. Scorn though? Why, if I murdered everyone who has earned my scorn at tea, it would be long evaporated before I could get to it.” Lucine’s smile was charming, warm and genuine. The sort of that lit up her eyes with a sweet glow. It appeared quasi-retirement suited her.
She crossed the room to sit in one of the chairs, with all the grace and poise as a queen sitting on her throne. “I suspect, darling, that it is because we are both busy people with myriad responsibilities. But you are right, it is criminal how long it has been. I am so eager to hear everything you have been up to.”
As she spoke, Tabriss returned. He pushed a cart bearing an elegant porcelain tea service, as well as dishes laden with small sandwiches, scones, cookies and other baked goods. There was also condiments, pots containing honey, jams, butter and a variety of other things.
“Nothing of great note, if I am being honest. I walked the galaxy for a time. Put a dent in the slaver population in the rim, although I fear it will never be enough.”
He sighed as he plucked a scone from the tray. He brought it to his nose as one might want a glass of fine vintage.
“Lavendar?” He took a small bite, “With sea salt.”
A smile pulled the corner of his mouth.
“You know how to tailor the spread to your guest, I will admit.”
He set the remainder of the floral, savory pastry on the his plate.
“Oh, this may be of interest to you. I believe there may be an Ancient Sith Temple on Iridonia. It may predate Darth Bane.”
“I sincerely doubt it. It amazes me how many people insist on clinging to slavery as an institution, despite documented evidence that is is not an economically sound business model,” Lucine sniffed. She paused a moment, before hastily adding, “and the humanitarian cost is dreadful, of course.”
His reaction to the scone drew a smile, as she selected a small cucumber sandwich to her own plate. “The spread is all Tabriss’s doing. He truly is a marvel. For the record, he prepared the Corellian tea that you enjoyed last time.”
She raised an eyebrow at his comment about the Ancient Sith Temple. “Truly? I look forward to hearing more about it. Perhaps we could do a joint expedition. I imagine the architecture would be of significant interest to you.”