A/N: I had a bit of writers block on this, but I was suddenly hit with inspiration. I am working on an extended version of the scene with Palpy and Isard's first night if anyone wishes to read it when it's done. I'm posting it elsewhere as I want to keep this with a T rating and it will cross that into M territory. I don't write super explicit… more tongue in cheek, but I'm still erring on the side of caution here. I'll pm the link to anyone who is interested in it once it's done. :)
Mara grit her teeth and forced herself to smile as she spied a familiar face in the crowd- Roganda Ismaren. She could never figure out why, but the woman always rubbed her the wrong way. Oh she was the perfect image of courtly grace to be sure. Always soft spoken, sweet, well mannered, never a hair out of place… she could think of no reason to dislike her as much as she did… and yet she could not bring herself to be anything more than merely civil to the woman as she walked past. "Roganda." she said, giving a slight nod of her head.
"Oh hello Mara." she said, a touch to sweetly "Are you dancing tonight?" she asked. Mara nodded again.
"I am." she confirmed, silently cursing the woman. She didn't really want to get into a conversation with her. Just observe court formalities that was all.
"Oh that's wonderful. I look forward to watching you." Roganda cooed, oblivious to Mara's annoyance. What her Master saw in the woman was beyond her. Idly she wondered if it was simply the case he didn't have the heart to kick her out.
"A word with you Mara?" Isard said, appearing behind her. For once in her life she was glad for Isard's harassment of her. It beat making small talk with Roganda.
"Of course Madam Director." Mara said "If you will excuse me Roganda." she said as she followed Isard away from Roganda a little ways. Turning to face the older woman she asked "What is it you wish with me?"
"Roganda… what is your sense of her?" Isard asked. So that was it.
"Jealous of her?" Mara quipped and Isard glared vibroblades at her.
"It is my duty to keep the Empire and the Emperor safe. Anyone close to him must be considered a threat." Isard said.
"That include yourself?" Mara asked, aware of the dangerous ground on which she tread, but also keenly aware the other woman would not dare lash out at such a formal event. No matter what their personal feelings, both were bound to maintain an image of professionalism.
"Touche." Isard said after a pause, no doubt trying to calm herself. "I ask you as the Emperor confirmed for me you are Force sensitive, and as such I believe you can read hidden intentions, or at least sense a duplicitous nature."
"It's not so simple. I wish that it were." Mara sighed. Isard observed her and waited for her to continue speaking. Mara shrugged and continued "I don't sense anything inherently dangerous in her… but for some reason I hate her more than I hate you, even though she is always pleasant." Isard snorted and Mara looked at her questioningly.
"I see our opinion of her is the same." she said. "What do you know of her and how she came into the Emperor's service?" Isard asked.
"Not much. I never bothered to enquire about the matter. I know she had to work her way up to her current position, if one can call what she does work, but that's about it." Mara said.
"I came to the same conclusion. It's curious though." Isard remarked, and Mara raised a questioning brow.
"What is Madam Director?" she asked.
"Her personal file is almost as blank as yours. No mention of when or how she came here. I have concerns with her being Alderaanian she might be a spy for the Rebels. I can not enquire too much without raising suspicion due to my position.. but perhaps as you dance tonight you can keep your ears open for whispers of a Rebel plot or any evidence of such. After all, a simple dancer is above suspicion by most." Isard proposed. Mara paused as she considered how best to answer, without revealing her abilities or training.
"I will try my best Madam Director." she responded, giving a slight bow.
"Just remember Mara… should you find any evidence which implicates her in the Rebellion… neither one of us will have to see or deal with her fro a very long time." Isard said and Mara smirked.
"I'll keep that in mind." she said, giving a slight laugh. "I must prepare for my performance now." Mara said by way of leave.
"Of course. I shall leave you to that." Isard said. "And if you hear anything…"
"You will be the first to know." Mara confirmed.
Tensions were high, though both parties kept their voices lowered as they argued. Neither was willing to take a chance of the spread of rumours should others overhear their spat. Daala had engaged the sound dampening, but a loud enough argument could still be heard outside the office they stood in. "Why must you let her ruin everything? We get precious little time as it is." Daala snapped.
"Natasi, she is my wife. What would you have me do?" Tarkin snapped back.
"Tell her to wait a few days, til you were scheduled to leave instead of cutting short our time." Daala sighed "I thought you loved me. That you didn't care about her.. it was all just political." Tarkin sighed and tried to gather Daala into his arms, but she shoved him away.
"It is my dear… but pretences must be kept. I have duties that I can not shirk no matter how much I might wish to." he explained as patiently as possible. Daala frowned, but relented as he tried once again to pull her to him. As he wrapped his arms around her, she sighed deeply into his chest.
"I don't see what difference a few days would made in the long run." she said. "Just… say you had a minor mechanical problem with your shuttle. She won't know the difference." Daala implored. A mischievous grin crossed her face "I promise to make it worth your while." she said suggestively as she pressed her body against his. Tarkin gave a groan of frustration. He knew logically he should tell her no and leave immediately, but Daala was a very hard woman to say no to. As her hands slid down his form he relented for the moment. A small delay would not be such a crisis. Pressing her back against the conference room table, he pinned her in place with a hand on either side of her resting on the table top. Kissing her passionately he gave a moan of pleasure as she met the kiss with equal force, her hands twining in his hair. Abruptly she pushed him back.
"What? I thought you wanted-" Tarkin started to say and Daala shook her head.
"I do. I don't want to rush this though, and know you are leaving as soon as we are done." she said. Tarkin bit back a curse. She knew him too well and had him cornered now. "Call your wife, tell you you will be delayed a couple days. That's all I ask." Daala reasoned. Tarkin groaned, but gave in to her wishes in the end. Stepping away from her he pulled out his comm link and dialled his wife's frequency. His wife's image appeared and he forced himself to smile at her.
"Wilhuff, are you on your way now?" she asked. Clearing his throat he shook his head.
"I regret not Thalassa. My shuttle is suffering some mechanical issues. I have the finest techs on it, but it has delayed my leaving. I didn't want you to worry about me my dear." he said. Her face fell at that.
"When will you be leaving?" she asked.
"As soon as my shuttle has been repaired. I don't anticipate it will take too long." he assured her. His wife frowned then shrugged.
"I suppose it can't be helped. You will let me know as soon as it's repaired?" she asked. Tarkin nodded.
"Of course. Hang in there my dear, I will be there soon to help sort this whole mess out." he promised. "I must go now to check on the progress. I will be in touch soon." he said. Thalassa nodded and smiled.
"Of course my dear. I'll speak with you soon." she said before disconnecting the comm. Flicking his own comm off Tarkin turned his attention back to Daala who was grinning like a nexu who'd caught a hawk-bat.
"I hope you are happy my dear." he said.
"Quite." she responded grinning. "And now I suppose I should uphold my end of the bargin. Shall we head to my quarters?" she asked, her voice sultry.
"Kriff that." Tarkin said pressing her to the table. "The door is locked and sound dampening engaged…" he trailed off and she caught his meaning.
"Trying to start a scandal Wilhuff?" she teased, murmuring appreciatively as he kissed her neck.
"Consider it a challenge of our skills not to get caught." he proposed and Daala laughed.
"Well I do love a challenge." she said, kissing him and unfastening his tunic.
"As do I. Point in fact I am in love with a challenge." he teased and she jabbed him in the ribs as she slid his tunic off.
"Less talking… unless you want to explain things when the troops do their security rotation through here in… just under a standard hour. We should probably clear out of here well before then." Daala said.
"Valid point." Tarkin said before Daala's kiss cut off anything further he might say. Surrendering to the moment he pressed her against the table, and he was left to marvel at her flexibility as she leaned back to lay against the table top with her feet still firmly on the ground. She was worth the challenge he concluded before her actions rendered coherent thought no longer possible. His beautiful, headstrong, brilliant Daala.
As Isard lay awake, curled in her lovers arms while he slept, she reflected on how the affair had begun. Neither of them had been innocent that first night together. She would not have been bold or foolish enough to approach him as a virgin. Not when she wished to please him and win his affections. No, she had made sure she was experienced enough she would not make a fool of herself. It had been effective too she reflected as they neared a decade as lovers. Reminiscing she recalled their first night together...
As the party wore on, Ysanne Isard drifted her way gradually closer to her target. She was careful not to be to overt in her path, stopping here and there to question a moff or an admiral. Gradually though she made her way through the room, gliding the last few steps to the Emperor's side. "Evening Majesty." she said, bowing formally. He regarded her with golden eyes for a moment, studying her before he responded.
"Always a pleasure to see you Ysanne. You look lovely this evening." he said, gracing her with a slight smile which brought a flush to her cheeks, and made her wonder if he knew her intent in seeking him out. He was not typically so free with his praise, but Isard recalled her father had mentioned the Emperor had the ability to read minds and emotions, so it was possible. As he observed her she suddenly realized she'd allowed an awkward silence to fall between them.
"Thank you my Lord." she said, down casting her mismatched eyes. She was less bold now directly in his presence. The Emperor was not like other men, the others she had taken to her bed. They had been easy to win over, use and discard. The Emperor… he was a complex and brilliant man. Even if it were not so improper, she doubted a simple proposition and liberal application of ambrostine would work anyways. No, she would need to prove herself worthy of his affections.
"Something on your mind my dear?" he asked, placing a hand on her back, causing the flush in her cheeks to spread to the rest of her body as a warmth filled her at the simple contact. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. Sensing her discomfort he motioned to one of the twi'lek slaves to bring a glass of wine over and handed it to Isard. She took the glass greatfully, and drank deeply before she spoke.
"My apologies my Lord… the question in my mind is one I fear is too personal to ask you." Isard said and he regarded her with a vaguely amused expression, before softening the look he gave her to one of warmth and reassurance.
"You never need fear speaking your mind with me Ysanne." he said gently. Isard opened and shut her mouth a few times, trying to will the words to form, but faltered in the presence of such greatness. Finally she decided to try a different tactic.
"Is it true what my father said… that you can read minds?" she asked. He nodded,
"It is." he confirmed, lowering his voice, and guiding her away from the crowd to a balcony where they could be alone.
"I find myself at a loss for words… but perhaps you could?" Isard broke off her sentence, but he nodded in understanding of her meaning. Reaching out in the Force he felt her desire for him, her wish to become lovers, her uncertainty of her worth to him.
"I see." he said, mulling over what he had felt in her. Beyond her affection and perhaps driving it he had sensed a power hungry nature and a ruthless ambition. Perhaps it would be wise to indulge her. Keep her close enough to monitor her and play on her desire for him. After all, one typically did not desire to kill the object of their affection or plot against them. Already she showed a high degree of loyalty to the Empire. It certainly wouldn't hurt to allow her into his bed if it ensured her complete and utter loyalty to him.
"My Lord?" she pressed softly, unsure if she had offended him with what he found.
"Forgive me my dear." he said, brushing a hand across her cheek and feeling her pulse quicken at his simple touch "I was surprised is all. Surely a woman as beautiful as you had her choice of men." he said.
"It's true." Isard admitted "But there is none I admire more than you my Lord." she said, her confidence returning in that she had not been rebuked for her thoughts or actions.
"I see." Palpatine said, stepping to lean against the rail of the balcony and motioning her to follow, placing a hand low on her back as she joined him observing the sun setting over Coruscant. She leaned into him, enjoying his soft touch as his hand grazed her bare skin where the dress plunged open on her back. Neither spoke, simply enjoying the other's company, until the sun had dipped below the horizon and stars began to dot the sky. Isard shivered as a gust of cool night wind blew across her, and she regretted leaving tuggle fur wrap inside. Alert to her discomfort, Palpatine drew her closer so his robes wrapped around her offering a buffer to the wind. "Perhaps we should go back inside." he proposed. Isard nodded in agreement, quietly thrilled at the closeness of how he held her. He smiled slightly, and she guessed he had heard her thoughts. As they re-entered the Palace proper he released his hold on her so they could resume proper form for the ball. Before he released her fully, he spoke softly for her ears only. "I will be retiring from this gala soon… perhaps you would care to join me?" he proposed, and she took a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart before she responded.
"I would be honoured my Lord." she said, smiling genuinely as she began to drift away from him and back to the ball. After all appearances must be kept.
"I will see you then my dear." he said by way of parting, giving a small smile himself.
As the party began to break up, Isard observed the Emperor leaving. Waiting an appropriate amount of time, she drifted towards the exit he had taken and was not surprised when she saw his cloaked form waiting some distance down the hallway for her. He motioned for her to follow him and she quickly closed the distance, though was confused why they seemed to be heading away from his chambers. Sensing her confusion, he favoured her with a small smile "Not everything is as it seems my dear." he said as he brushed his hand against a design engraved on the wall. To her surprise a door popped open from the wall. He motioned for her to enter and sealed the door behind them. Taking her hand in his, he guided them through the narrow winding corridor until he reached the spot he sought. Releasing Isard's hand for a moment, he brought his palm up against an identification panel and a door slid open, taking them into his private chambers. As they entered the room, Isard felt a flicker of nervousness course through her. Palpatine sensed it too and motioned for her to take a seat on the plush new sofa by the fire place while he collected glasses and wine. Sitting beside her he poured them each a glass. "I hope you do not feel I am rushing you." he said and Isard shook her head.
"Not at all Sire. I admire a man who knows what he wants." she responded, sipping the wine, some of her anxiety melting away.
"Still, I wish you to be comfortable my dear. There is no hurry. We have all night." he assured her and she smiled, leaning against him as he wrapped an arm around her.
"I must say, it's refreshing to be in the company of such a gentleman." Isard commented.
"You are experienced then?" Palpatine inquired and she nodded.
"Brutes the lot of them, but yes." she said.
"Well that is something of a relief." he said "I would worry more about my abilities were I your first." he said and she smiled at that.
"You are too kind Sire." she said.
"Perhaps." he sighed, setting his glass down on an end table and stroking her hair as she leaned further into him so she rested against his chest. A comfortable silence fell between them for a few minutes as she listened to his steadily beating heart and he allowed his hands to drift from her hair down her back, tracing her form, eliciting a moan of pleasure from her and a sharp hitch of her breath as he grazed a particularly sensitive spot on her back.
"My Lord?" she said, shifting and drawing back enough she could meet his gaze. There was a fraction of a second of hesitation before they met in a passionate kiss. As he drew her into his lap, both their hands began wandering and exploring the others form as the kiss deepened. Finally breaking the kiss, Palpatine slid her from his lap and Isard worried for a moment she had done something wrong, but he shook his head.
"I think perhaps this is best moved to the bedroom is all. I'm not as young as I used to be." Palpatine explained chuckling slightly.
"Oh." Isard mouthed, following him as he led her into his bed chamber. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Isard kicked her heeled shoes off and waited as Palpatine discarded his boots, before gathering her once more into his arms. "Now where were we?" he asked smiling.
Isard's thoughts were drawn back to the present as Palpatine shifted beside her, he golden eyes opening, glowing eerily in the darkness. He regarded her quietly for a moment as she met his gaze. "Is something troubling you Ysanne?" he asked.
"I was just reminiscing was all. Remembering a simpler time before this war." Isard said. "I apologize if I disturbed you my Lord." she added.
"You are not usually so restless when you stay my dear. What is it which keeps you awake?" he asked. Again Isard's mind flickered back to that first night. He had told her then not to fear speaking her mind with him in private. She knew now such was not always true, but perhaps it could not hurt to express her fears for his safety.
"The Alderaanian woman… Roganda. Parts of her personal file appear to be missing or corrupt. With how close she is to you, and given her home world.. I fear she may be a Rebel spy." Isard said "Furthermore, she has vanished at times from Court without any reason." she continued.
"To check her child's progress." Palpatine explained and Isard's regarded him with a mix of surprise and confusion.
"A child my Lord?" she asked. "Yours?" she pressed considering Roganda's position. The very idea of it made her bristle, but she could not let that show. Palpatine shook his head however.
"No, Irek is not mine." he said and Isard blew out a small sigh of relief. Palpatine continued speaking "In penance for her indiscretions she volunteered the child for tech enhancement and training methods experiments." he explained.
"How old is he?" Isard asked, piecing together when Roganda's disappearances began and seeking confirmation of her conclusions.
"He is four standard years." Palpatine said and Isard nodded.
"I thought as much. Can you be sure that all she is doing is visiting her son though my Lord?" Isard asked "I imagine such visits are kept low key to avoid attracting attention… which leaves her relatively free and unguarded to meet with and join in Rebel plots. Given the mounting evidence against Bail, we must consider how many Alderaanians are aware of his treason and continue to support him, covertly or overtly." she argued. Palpatine gave a shrug in response to her query.
"I suppose it is possible, but I very much doubt that is the case." he said.
"Still, would it not be wise to monitor her more closely?" Isard pressed.
"I shall consider it." Palpatine said to placate her. He had no intent of actually doing so of course, but there was no sense in ruffling Isard over it.
"Thank you my Lord." she said, content he did not argue her suggestions, and curled into his arms more at ease now.
"Of course my dear. You know I always value your input." he said, stroking back a lock of hair which had fallen into her face. In the back of her mind she considered that was not always true, but decided not to argue the point. "Now get some rest my dear." he said. She nodded and shut her eyes feeling suddenly sleepy. Palpatine watched as her breathing fell into the steady rhythms of sleep, and wondered how he had allowed his guard to slip enough around her it had taken minutes, possibly longer for him to realize she was awake and alert. Had he not kept her so controlled and loyal, that could have proved a fatal mistake. He certainly knew her capable of such acts. She had betrayed her father and in a final act to prove herself had fired the execution shot at him. He would need to be much more careful to keep a tendril in the Force attended to her when he allowed her to stay. He could not chance her desire for power outweighed her love for him one day.
