Myriad Reckonings

Spoiler

would Thalassa have left Sirejj on Eriadu or taken him with her?

It had been quite boring in Tarkin's absence, but in light of recent events, that wasn't a bad thing. Sirejj had been able to wander a little more without the Governor breathing down his neck, but Lady Tarkin hadn't taken her eyes from him either. She was just as watchful as Tarkin, but better at hiding whatever distrust or suspicion she held. Sirejj had still not gone far from her side. He was the bodyguard after all.

Sirejj heard the bustling as the small party arrived back. He was outside Thalassa's quarters in the hall as she held a meeting. He stepped to the window to look down and saw the two as they arrived. He frowned and retreated back into the shadows of the hall, messaging Thalassa on her commlink that her husband had returned. That unfortunately meant that Vader was back as well. Maybe he'd get lucky and Vader would leave immediately. He had after all spent much time on Eriadu. The Emperor was probably missing his guard dog.

Spoiler

For the sake of not having to go back and write a scene on Phelarion I think she left him

Tarkin disappeared up the stairs without a word to Vader, favoring his leg. It had been dislocated when a veermok picked him up and threw him, but he and Vader had been able to set it back. He also sported a few bad gashes on his chest and arms where they'd scratched him, which he had sewn up with his usual neat stitches. He would check in with his friend after they had both rested, but for now his main focus was cleaning up.

Spoiler

that works. tarkin might flip out if he finds that sirejj was unsupervised. neither of them would volunteer that information

Sirejj stayed where he was but could sense Vader's presence a story below them. He was very focused on that, wondering where he was going and paying close attention to every step he took. His heartrate quickened slightly. He'd prefer it if Vader stayed on his own side of the house.

Spoiler

That would be great

Tarkin showered with care, then dressed and shaved before moving gingerly back into the hallway. He glanced around, then set out to find Sirejj to get an update on the goings-on here at home. He presumed he must still be here since Thalassa's transport was also there.

Spoiler

Also it does have to show something that Sirejj didn't try to peace out while Thalassa was gone. He very well could have tried if he wanted

Sirejj heard footsteps. The governor. He sounded as if he was limping more than usual. A reminder again that Tarkin was an entirely different man when he was out on the plains. Sirejj hoped to see that side of him one day, so long as he wasn't on the receiving end of his blade.

"Back so soon?" Sirejj said as Tarkin appeared around the corner. He smiled, his sharp, slightly yellowed teeth showing.

Spoiler

Oh for sure.

"Ah, there you are." Tarkin straightened self-consciously. "I'm a busy man; if I had time to be out on the Carrion all week then I would be. Unfortunately, that's not the case." He tested his leg subtly to see if it would take some more weight so he could stand evenly, but it trembled at the attempt. Fine, then; he'd stand contrapposto. "Things ran smoothly while I was gone, I presume?"

Spoiler

he behaves a little better for thalassa. tarkin's presence activates the jackassery.

also Tarkin just casually dislocating a leg and going on with life per usual is both hilarious and terrifying at the same time

"Quite. Gideon's not here, and Lady Tarkin has been attending to business as usual. No more Phindians trying to ambush people." He glanced at Tarkin's leg. "Found a little more excitement than bargained for?"

Spoiler

He's dislocated pretty much every limb at least twice at this point; it's old news

"Exactly the amount I anticipated," he said smoothly. "We'll depart for Atoa the day after tomorrow, if that's not too soon for you. I trust that nothing has gone amiss in my absence?"

"Nothing at all. It's been quite peaceful. Very little has taken place. I've done a little more meditating but I've gathered all I can from here. I believe we are prepared to head back to Atoa."

"Very good." He started limping down the hall. "I'm going to check in with Vader and see when he plans on leaving. You'll accompany me, I trust?" Vader hadn't seemed suspicious of him at any point for that week. He had seemed in good enough spirits upon their return as well; it was an apt enough time to get him and Sirejj briefly reacquainted before they went their separate ways.

Spoiler

I can take Vader for this interaction if you wish.

Spoiler

That works

also it seems like Dathomiri and cyborgs really don't get along ever

Sirejj's expression didn't change but internally he flinched a little. He was hoping to never lay eyes on the hulking machine-man again if he could help it. "I shall. I am on duty after all." He followed Tarkin, making sure his secrets were tucked well within the force-veil of Eriadu. He was still concerned Vader would go sniffing where he shouldn't if he sensed anything out of the ordinary.

Spoiler

Oh definitely not

"Excellent." Tarkin kept his gaze ahead. Now that he'd had time to rest and let his mind settle back into a state of relative security, a bit of anxiety was creeping back into his thoughts. He'd been able to forget a little of his mistrust of Vader over the past five days, but now as he walked side by side with Sirejj he couldn't get it out of his head. All he'd been told, all he suspected...and he had seen for himself how Vader could be when he lost control. Anything could happen.
He would have to take care to hide this as best he could in a few minutes.

Spoiler

honestly grievous is something right out of a horror movie. I'd like to see more of him on screen someday

Sirejj sensed a questioning in Tarkin's mind. That did not do well to settle his own thoughts. He'd hoped Vader had burned off enough steam killing wild animals that he would be a little calmer when they returned.

He couldn't wait till Vader got on his ship and left.

Spoiler

Same

Vader had not slept properly in five days.

He had dozed, to be sure, off and on for a few hours each night until the tension in Tarkin's mind eased slightly and the buzz of his thoughts and the thoughts of their constant observer had dulled to a sleepy hum. But his suit was not made to accommodate the positions he had to take in the tent, the constant upright posture that chafed his skin around the areas the prosthetics fit in.

He'd felt alive and alert in that haunted place.

Not since the Clone Wars had Darth Vader spent a night under the stars with the sounds of animals filling his ears and the threat of sharp teeth or worse sinking into his skin. He'd been truly intoxicated by the thrill of it, and Tarkin's enthusiasm was infectious.
It had been a surprise and an honor to view the Governor in his element--his true element--his mind astoundingly clear and yet with a permanent undertone of fear and deep paranoia ingrained in him by his youth. It was an almost meditative state, Vader thought; Tarkin had achieved a higher consciousness through exposure to harm and danger rather than careful introspection as the Jedi would have done. He admired it greatly.

That said, the creatures they had faced on the Plateau were staggeringly dangerous. He'd been surprised by the vigor with which the veermoks had fought, even with Tarkin's warnings and stories. They'd damaged his suit and broken skin, and at one point one of them had simply lifted Tarkin like a doll and flung him several yards into the brush. It was a miracle he'd only hurt his leg. Vader himself had been small compared to the eight foot primates, but what he lacked in size he made up for in ferocity. All but two had fallen to his lightsaber blade or Tarkin's hunting knife.

Vader had also been pleased that his friend's odd mental caginess had dissipated somewhat, distracted by being on his old hunting ground. He'd tried to pry a little when Tarkin was setting traps or slipping into vulnerable sleep, but all he found were memories, disjointed and tinged with blood. So much had happened here on the Plateau that anything else on his mind related back to it in the end. It was frustrating; if Vader could have found what was the matter, he might have been able to ease his concerns or otherwise inform the Emperor of the discomfort so he himself could find a solution. Palpatine would not tolerate a distracted Grand Moff for very long, he was sure. It was imperative they got him back into a settled state.

He was almost sure it had something to do with the Zabrak. Sirejj, the Nightbrother, was not trustworthy, and they didn't seem to like each other much at all. For a moment he wondered if Lady Tarkin had assigned him to her husband as insurance--he knew the Governor's eyes had the tendency to wander, and that had gotten him into trouble with her earlier in their marriage. But to his knowledge, Tarkin had no current paramours and Lady Tarkin appeared to have stopped caring about what he did on his own time. She didn't appear to be faithful, either, though she hid it better than her husband did. Vader was curious to know if they had reached some sort of accord and gone their separate ways, so to speak.

Whatever the case, perhaps Sirejj was not Lady Tarkin's associate. He sensed a goal more hidden than a simple watch dog might have. Vader wished he had more time to get to the bottom of all this, but he had been away from his fleet too long. There would be questions if he didn't return soon, and he couldn't very well say the past five days had been a vacation.

When he had finished having his suit repaired in his meditation chamber, he went to his ship to inform his fleet that he would be returning the next day. Having finished that, Vader headed back inside, where he found Tarkin approaching with the Zabrak in tow. His attention immediately shifted to Sirejj's mind.

"I trust you got some rest?" Tarkin asked, positioning himself slightly in front of Sirejj as if he could block Vader's prying.

"Some," Vader agreed. "I will be departing in the morning."

Spoiler

if you haven't seen the video where he's dubbed in Russian you should.

As soon as he entered the house, Sirejj immediately felt Vader trying his best to reach into his mind. However, having had a few days to meditate and turn his attention to best hiding himself from the prying eyes and mind of the Sith, he faced him with much more mental confidence now. He trusted that his thoughts were hidden well, and any scraps Vader may be able to find wouldn't be anything useful. His expression was blank and his shoulders straight. He was determined to not show any fear this time. Vader had gotten under his skin once. His pride had been eating him alive over that. He couldn't let that happen again.

Tarkin's passive body language confirmed that he suspected Vader was still prying for information. It was good he was leaving soon. Till then Sirejj would be glued to Tarkin or Thalassa lest Vader take one more crack at him before he left.

He wouldn't be sleeping that night knowing Vader still had free rein of the halls.