#and I'm handwaving the details that got me here because the muses haven't quite clarified that

[andveryginger]

SWTOR Fic: On the Table

Summary: The cards are on the table. Now Tabarin and Saganu must decide how to play them in the aftermath of Copero. (IA x Saganu; Adela x Saganu)

Note: Copero spoilers. Not entirely sure this is headcanon, but certainly leans that way, provided future updates don’t screw it over too badly. Draws on the headcanon established in “Unfinished Business,” over on AO3.

Adela is a non-Commander IA here, though she clearly took the mission to Copero for obvious reasons.

Posted hot off the presses, so without beta and minimal editing. If you see something too glaring, tag me.

Night settled over Csaplar as Aristocra Tabarin, House Nuruodo, returned to his apartments, unwrapping the white and bronze cloak from his shoulders, even as the door slid closed behind him. His staff dismissed for the evening, he placed it on the nearby hook himself, turning down the corridor toward his study. He took a deep breath. What was that aroma, he wondered. His brow furrowed. Was that… caf?

The aroma grew stronger as he approached the study, and a soft strain of music could finally be heard, filtering through the playback system. It was Human music -- unique arrangements with percussion and stringed instruments as the primary focus. Slow tempo, the strings wailed an almost mournful tune, percussion soft behind it, keeping time. He knew before entering that he would find his cousin, Aristocra Saganu, House Miurani, there.

Seated at the worktable, the younger Aristocra held a datapad in his left hand, others scattered across the surface. His attention, however, was focussed on the steaming cup of caf in his right as it rested on the table. The corners of his mouth were turned down, brow creased as he stared at the dark liquid. He gave a slight start as Tabarin entered, moving to rise. “Cousin…”

Tabarin shook his head, waving his hand to indicate his cousin could remain seated. He then joined him at the table, idly glancing at the datapads. The one closest to him contained an after action report submitted from Lieutenant Raina Temple, Chiss Expansionary Defense Force. Next to it, a report forwarded from the former Imperial intelligence agent now serving as an Alliance Intelligence operative, Adela Emrys.

He eyed his cousin, allowing a slight glint to his gaze as he did so. “The Council was most impressed with Commander Emrys’ understanding of our political machinations,” he said finally. “I led them to believe she had been coached by yourself and Lieutenant Temple, in route to Copero. But I reviewed the surveillance videos. She didn’t hesitate; didn’t question. She knew exactly what had to be done.”

Saganu narrowed his eyes briefly at Tabarin, a question unspoken. “I’ve said before that she is an exceedingly quick study.”

Tabarin reached, picking up the datapad containing the Alliance report, scrolling through it absently. “It saved you from tribunal,” he continued. “It also gave us a united, external focus, delaying -- if not halting -- a potential political war among the Ascendancy.” He paused, pursing his lips. “They are actions worthy of merit adoptive status to your house or mine.”

“But given that she is the external focus,” the junior Aristocra replied, “you dare not offer her such status while she is currently -- what is the Imperial term? Persona non grata, I believe.”

“You could have offered her such years ago… yet you didn’t.”

“It is… complicated.” Saganu drew a deep breath, exhaling heavily. His eyes diverted to his caf. “I could not offer her a place in my house for reasons I cannot discuss. It was my hope that she would gain your favor.”

“Yes, I suppose it might have created quite the stir, choosing one of your own merit adoptives as your consort,” Tabarin said. He regarded his cousin with an arched brow. “It might cause the Council to question your motives in doing so. Much better to allow me to take her into my house and then make a show of courting her.”

“Cousin --”

The senior Aristocra held up a hand to silence Saganu. “There’s no need for further deception, Cousin,” he said. “I know. I’ve known since the beginning.”

Saganu sat back in his chair and took a long draw of his caf, watching Tabarin over the rim of the cup. Lowering it, he gave a rueful half-smile. “How?”

“An anonymous tip had me following you all the way to Zeltros.” Tabarin placed the datapad back onto the table. “I must admit the first three days were exceedingly boring. When she first walked into that cantina that night, and you followed, I thought, perhaps, this was a curiosity -- something to explore and get out of the system.” He sighed. “And then I realized it had been over eighteen months since you had last seen her; that you had planned everything to the last detail. I knew then that she was more than a curiosity.”

Lacing his fingers together at his waist, elbows resting on the arms of the chair, he regarded Saganu. “You go out of your way to work with her, to stay with her, first on that soggy rock, and then Odessen. Very logical, yes, but nothing wrong with pairing a little pleasure with business, hm? And Tasconu -- the way he defers to her? Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

A long moment of silence followed during which Tabarin could almost see the contemplation rolling through his cousin’s mind. Finally, he asked, “Does Santasi know?”

Tabarin shook his head. “He suspects. I’ve ensured that he’s been unable to confirm said suspicions,” he replied, “though it helps that you’ve been largely discreet.”

“I have attempted to be so.” Saganu drained the last of his caf, placing the empty cup onto the table. He then looked to his cousin with a serious expression. “We… have exchanged vows, Cousin.”

“Ktah.” The senior Aristocra clenched his hands to fists in frustration before dropping them to strike the arms of the chair. His fingers splayed and he gesticulated as the emotion sought an outlet. “Always the risk taker, aren’t you?”

“It was one aspect of our relationship that was not planned,” his cousin answered. If he was taken aback by the exclamation, it did not show. “A very… organic… development, as it continued.”

“Yet now, after her actions on Copero -- despite them being of significant benefit to the Ascendancy, I cannot welcome her into House Nuruodo anytime soon.” Tabarin sighed, the exhale long and slow, almost a growl. “And you will be watched like a hawk for the near future -- by Inrokini, especially. They’ll be looking for any reason -- ”

“I am aware, Cousin.”

Each word was clearly enunciated, jaw tense, and Tabarin blinked. It the first time in many years he had heard such emotion from the younger Chiss. Anger and frustration flashed in the familiar red eyes, and he could see the tension coiling in his frame. “She has taken steps I, myself, would not have taken -- steps well beyond her own ethics -- and she has taken them for me,” he declared. “And now I cannot offer an alliance, much less the comfort of my company as her right and proper mate.”

He pushed himself out of the chair, stalking to the window opposite the table. Tabarin watched him in the reflection, noting the way in which his jaw worked, prominence at his throat bobbing as he swallowed. “My duty to the Ascendancy requires my presence and continued patience, while my duty to my En’von’ot practically demands my exile.” His attention dropped to the lower portion of the window frame before looking back up to the freezing night beyond. “I know that the Ascendancy must come first, but I find myself unable to make that choice.”

The ranking Aristocra sat, observing -- thinking -- as the silence stretched between them, a frown distorting his features. It was, indeed, an untenable situation. For himself, his cousin, all Chiss -- the Ascendancy must come first, with Houses and Family a very closely-connected second and third; personal pursuits were not considered. His cousin’s affair with Adela Emrys was an intensely personal pursuit that had slowly morphed to one of House and Family. He had made himself complicit with his silence, that night on Zeltros. Passive as that may have been, action would now be required, endangering his House along with that of his cousin.

“Had she not executed Syndic Zenta on Copero,” Tabarin began slowly, “her actions certainly would have merited her adoption. Conversely, had she not executed Zenta, then we would be in no position to do so.” He drew a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “We will begin to rehabilitate her standing with the other Houses. We will never win Inrokini, but as long as they remain out of favor, their opinions will count little. It will not be fast, but it will allow us to -- at some point -- come back to the regard with which we truly hold her.”

Saganu turned, opening his mouth to speak, but Tabarin continued. “I will also find some excuse for your absence -- soon -- and ‘Lieutenant Kal’ will have the opportunity to return briefly to Odessen.”

“Tasconu will lend assistance where necessary, as will Lieutenant Temple. Both have assisted in the past.”

“Of that, I’m certain,” Tabarin said. “But we must be sure that Santasi does not discover our machinations. While he is excellent in protecting House Nuruodo, I feel he would be… overzealous… and use the information to your detriment.”

Lips pursed, Saganu nodded. “Agreed.” He drew a cleansing breath, closing his eyes briefly. Tabarin watched as his shoulders resumed their proper position, and the lines around his eyes and mouth relaxed slightly. “Thank you, Cousin.”

“Don’t thank me until she can be properly addressed.” The senior Aristocra frowned. “Life will be quite treacherous until then.”