Myriad Reckonings

Spoiler

that was a fantastic save with Thalassa there. where's our comic book of this????

Sirejj stood up straight and watched Vader disappear around the corner. His eyes were still wide and it was everything he could do to keep his breathing subdued to a normal rate. He knew his name was on a list now. Even if he did solve this mystery and leave in peace, there would be more Sith after him. If Vader didn't kill him first.

Fighting the trembling in his arms, he brushed off the front of his shirt as if to physically brush off the terror of what had just taken place. He turned to the Lady Tarkin. If he didn't respect her before, he did now. Once the halls were silent and Vader's steps had disappeared in the distance, he spoke.

"Lady Tarkin." He said, his voice hardly above a raspy whisper. "I regret we must meet under such circumstances."

Spoiler

One day, I hope. That's another reason I should learn to draw better.

Thalassa offered him a humorless smile. "You're going to have to be made of sterner stuff if you're going to keep this job. I do wish I could say he was more bark than bite." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and started walking in the opposite direction from Vader, gesturing for Sirejj to follow. "If you let yourself be afraid, he's more likely to do you lasting harm. Show him you're not a pushover, and you'll be able to meet him at his level." Her tone was light, but beneath it was something cold and hard.

Spoiler

also I was watching a yt video of inquisitors being incompetent and there was once scene where Tarkin just ROASTED the Grand Inquisitor basically saying"It's a shame we don't have anyone around who specializes in dealing with the Jedi around here" to his face.

Sirejj inhaled sharply through his nose and exhaled, attempting to reset his nervous system. "I will remember that for next time," he said bitterly, the humiliation beginning to set in. She was right, he must find a way to stand against Vader if it came to it. A better tactic than hiding. That seemed to do little good.

He wasn't sure she truly understood what Vader was capable of. Courage was fantastic if one had the raw power to back it up. Without the latter, courage only meant a quicker death. But it didn't matter now. He'd think about all that later. Now he was just thankful he'd escaped the encounter with his mind and limbs all intact, which was more than could be said for most who made Vader angry.

Spoiler

HAH He would. That's iconic

"Now, then. I've had my things sent to my room, and I'd rather like to sit out on the balcony and ponder the wilds. That would be pleasant, don't you think? We can catch up on things out there, away from prying eyes and ears." She reached yet another of the dozens of parlors and opened the door. "I'm sure you could use the fresh air, too."

Spoiler

we need a Tarkin roasting people compilation. Most bullied being the inquisitors and Krennic.

"Indeed," was all he said. He was still trying to get his thoughts in order. He had been slacking on his training recently. Back on Dathomir, Vader would have never known Sirejj was nearby. He had to learn to connect to other worlds like he had his home. If Vader couldn't see his mind, it would put him at a disadvantage. Perhaps that was the answer.

He had hope that once they reached Atoa, he could learn from the remaining holy ones what they'd done to oppose the Dark Lord for so long. That power would mean he would have the ability to back up this courage Lady Tarkin spoke of.

Spoiler

If someone would make that I'd be so so so happy

She opened the door to a large balcony furnished with chairs, a table, and several potted plants. Over the railing was a gorgeous view into the forest below, where the calls of birds and other animals could be heard.
"This used to be nothing but the table and two chairs," Thalassa told him. "And some ugly Coruscanti sculptures that no one but the most desperate posers would buy." She snorted. "Wilhuff didn't care to redecorate, so I took charge. These are native Phelarionese ferns and Alderaanian roses."

Spoiler

on the citadel episode he also said to Anakin he wished more Jedi had his military sensibilities with Obi Wan standing literally right there. Tarkin is a savage.

He chuckled dryly, still seeming a little distracted. "The Governor does seem to appreciate practicality over beauty." He said.

It was a stark contrast to the inside of those miserable walls. Sirejj looked into the forests and felt living force moving through them, coming to life in the wild things and growing plants. He thought about escaping one night to go hunting. Tarkin had after all given him permission. If anyone followed him, he was confident he could avoid them easily out there.

Spoiler

Tarkin doesn't care at all XD I love his dynamic with Anakin in that episode.

"He's got an eye for aesthetics when he wants to," Thalassa replied, crossing her arms as she stared out at the trees. "He tailors his own clothes, you know. But I don't think he ever cared to make this place his." She looked away, walking over to one of the chairs and seating herself. "Now, then. Tell me everything I've missed. Wilhuff insisted that I shouldn't come, but of course I wanted to speak with this assassin--and with you."

Spoiler

Clone wars Anakin was also something else. He was still an actual loose canon and let his anger control a lot of what he did. The clone wars singlehandedly made Anakin perfect Darth Vader material. The prequels alone didn't quite cut it I thought.

Also we're setting Sirejj on a cool path here. Fear, anger, hatred...he's gonna have to struggle with the ideals of the Sith later down the road. His beliefs will be challenged for sure. That fear is definitely going to push him to gain more power and make him even more determined to get answers from the Atoans.

"The assassin is as good as dead. Governor Tarkin plans on handing her over to the ISB." Sirejj remained standing, too restless to sit. He leaned against the railing of the balcony and turned to her, crossing his arms tightly across his chest. "There's nothing left of her mind after he got through with her."

He felt the tooth burning a hole in his pocket. Thank the goddess Vader hasn't seen that. This would be an excellent time to glean more information about Garoche from his mother, but his mind was still spinning with so many things, that would have to wait.

Spoiler

The prequels didn't even come close. He was awful. Clone wars Anakin is like a more realized version of the prequels Anakin.

I'm so excited to see how Sirejj develops! He's already made so much progress.

"I suppose that's to be expected." She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "What was Wilhuff thinking, asking him to come here? With what we're looking into, he could have found out. He still might!"

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Tarkin's journey is super interesting. Let's see if we can dig up some of those repressed emotions.

*emotional damage*

"I'm beginning to agree with you. I don't think any of us understand what he's capable of." He felt cold despite the warm, humid climate. He still felt like Vader was lurking somewhere, watching. None of them would stand a chance if Vader went off the rails trying to find out what they were up to.

"He seemed to think..." Sirejj paused, trying to get his words together. Should he tell her? No, it may endanger her if he revealed Tarkin's suspicion of Vader to her. "Governor Tarkin seemed to think he could find something in the Phindian's mind that none of us could" He diverted, unsure if Lady Tarkin could guard her mind enough not to accidentally betray them. He did not know her well enough yet.

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He's gonna go so far into denial I swear

I have no idea how I'm gonna handle the kind of damage this will do to his outlook on the world

"What might that be?" she asked, reclining in the chair. She seemed to be perfectly at ease, if a little vexed by her husband's decision. It was as if she were simply conversing with a friend or colleague, keeping an air of practiced calm about her. Inwardly, however, was a constantly active mind of calculations and observations. Her feelings and her thoughts were ever restless, factoring in every word and mannerism Sirejj displayed. This was a woman who knew her business and did it well.

Spoiler

I'm honestly not sure either, bro might implode.

"Whoever hired her, mainly. But it seems like they were very careful. He didn't get anything of much use from her."

Sirejj studied Thalassa carefully, using her as an anchor for his focus. He wanted to see what she was capable of. If she could keep secrets. Not that Vader should suspect her, but the Sith was riled. He may suspect anyone. He wanted to tell her about the progress they'd made on Garoche's story, but he was wary. He didn't want to let idle thoughts escape them lest they be caught in someone else's net.

Spoiler

I imagine he'd slowly start to undermine the Emperor and Vader as much as he could, if not outright challenging them. But I think he'd be subtler about it.

She seemed steady--very steady. Despite the bustle within her, there was a method to it--her thoughts were orderly. She ran a tight ship. Even further down in her mind, though, buried under everything, was a deep, aching grief and anger almost too intense to describe. It was more than Garoche's death, though that was a large part of it. She was mourning something else, something much bigger. Whatever it was, she'd bundled it up and repressed it until it was barely a drop in the ocean of her thoughts. There was no more time to dwell on it, and it was too late to change whatever it was.

"Well, I'd like to know what he did get, if anything." She tapped her chin. "The ISB have ways of dredging things up from the depths, though...they're almost at good as mending as they are breaking. Well...reconfiguring, let's say. I'm sure they can piece together useful information. And you? Did you find anything out from her?"

Spoiler

His whole world would really fall apart if he finds out. This stuff with Vader is excellent foreshadowing for Sirejj finding out all of this.

This whole adventure is going to give everyone a nice amount of emotional baggage to take home with them.

Her steadyness was reassuring in a way. It made it easier to refine his focus again and plan his next words.

"She was hired by a human male official from the outer rim. Someone who has political dealings on Coruscant as well. Someone rich enough and angry enough to try and target you both." He thought through that. Now that they were both on Eriadu, it would be a good time for another attack. That is, if Vader wasn't there. The entire bodyguarding story was more to protect himself rather than either of the Tarkins.

"He's probably going to search the databanks himself. He didn't share much with me." Sirejj said, his voice now returned to its former calm tone.