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Tweak says, "tom loves sienna."

To Boldly Go | RPG Community (boldlygomod) wrote in toboldlyrpg,
@ 2017-05-05 19:10:00

Entry tags:

WHO: Enterprise crew and travelers.
WHEN: 226405.05
WHERE: Deck 5 Lounge
SUMMARY: ¡CINCO DE MAYO!
WARNINGS: None to start.

The Deck Five Lounge is decorated in bright colors and the drink specials are mostly tequila-based (both Terran and from elsewhere). There's an Enterprise-themed pinata. Mariachi music and dancing as well.
It's loud and raucous and everyone is encouraged to have a good time!

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	Pike/Lomea daretodobetter 2017-05-06 02:51 am UTC (link)
	He arched one grey eyebrow at the woman in front of him. No nonsense and part of her reminded him of Number One. "Lomea then. It's a pleasure. Care to join me?" He motioned with his hand, indicating one of the empty seats at the table. "Where are you from?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Pike/Lomea darth_imperius 2017-05-06 02:58 am UTC (link)
	"Somewhere far, far away, and a long time ago." She nodded at him again, taking a seat and leaning back in it. "Though there are others from the same place, if a different time. I doubt you've heard of Dromund Kaas, Yavin Four, or Aldaraan, but being on a starship is not unfamiliar to me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Pike/Lomea

daretodobetter
2017-05-06 04:26 am UTC (link)

"You realize you've just piqued my interest. I'm a historian as well, so now I'm tempted to pull out my PADD and take notes while you tell me about this place of yours," he said with a smile. He intended to make his glass of tequila last. While he enjoyed alcohol, he didn't believe in getting drunk while on duty. And on a starship, an officer was almost almost on duty.

"I have heard of Aldaraan, but not the other two. You are from the same world as General Organa then?"

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Pike/Lomea

darth_imperius
2017-05-06 04:45 am UTC (link)

"That at least gives you a frame of reference, though my era was thousands of years before she was born." She lifted her glass in a toasting gesture and took a sip, all the while keeping her attention on him. "I was only a visitor to Aldaraan. A pesky little Civil War as a proxy war between two greater powers, the Republic, and the Sith Empire. I was only there to acquire an artifact for my master, but you would not believe how many people requested my help."

She added as though an after thought. "It was the last thing I did for her as her apprentice."

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	Pike/Lomea daretodobetter 2017-05-06 05:06 am UTC (link)
	"Which means I haven't even scratched the surface," Pike said, keeping his eyes trained on her. He knew by the way she talked that he'd want to keep an eye on her. She spoke like a diplomat and well, you could never trust a diplomat. Pike knew that from years of engaging in diplomacy himself. "Sounds like the beginning of a story I wouldn't mind hearing." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Pike/Lomea

darth_imperius
2017-05-06 05:17 am UTC (link)

Diplomacy had been important in her line of work. The wrong words could lead to death. "I almost feel like telling it."

While she wouldn't go into some of the personal details as she had with certain Queens she was soft on, she was willing to discuss the generalities. "In the Empire, the strong stand on the weak. To become an apprentice to a Sith Lord, one must go through great trials, or die trying. At first, I thought I had apprenticed to the perfect master, Lord Zash. She was like me. She craved knowledge and power, the discovery of the ancient and the unknown. But I learned she had found a ritual that would allow her to increase her life span - by claiming the body of her apprentice as her own. My body."

She set her drink down on the table. "I learned some lessons in loyalty that day. That those above me would only seek to use me. And that those beneath me, if treated right, would be invaluable as allies. And in the Empire, that is a radical notion."

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Pike/Lomea

daretodobetter
2017-05-06 03:39 pm UTC (link)

The way Lomea described the Empire reminded Pike of some of the civilizations he'd encountered - and fought. There were even some in Starfleet who might subscribe to that philosophy. But the difference between discovery and domination.... well, it was a fine line.

"Sounds like quite the abuse of power," Pike said, not seeming entirely phased by what she was telling him. There were things he didn't understand about some of these other worlds, but Pike had learned to adapt and take things in stride over the years.

"I suppose that begs the question - did you use those who were beneath you. There are different ways of leadership, you know."

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Pike/Lomea

darth_imperius
2017-05-06 11:01 pm UTC (link)

"Of course I used them. No one can be in command of individuals and fleets without having to use them." Lomea waved her hand. "But I did not needlessly send them to their deaths, or punish failure with pain, or make them suffer. Not the way many of my peers would. My peers were the ones that suffered."

She leaned forward, eyes flashing. "I had but one goal. To shed my humble roots and rise as far as I might dare. To do so, required allies and followers. When others commanded with suffering and fear, I made my followers love me. And tis it not better to be loved rather than feared?"

The way she said that last sentence might leave the impression that occasionally, fear was justified. "So I decided that I would have to tear the Empire down from the inside, to save it. But reform does not always go over well."

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Pike/Lomea

daretodobetter
2017-05-06 11:58 pm UTC (link)

It was an unfortunate side effect of command and authority that Pike knew all too well. And there were times there was little alternative. He knew that desire for power and glory, had seen it often enough in the fleet.

"It is. Always. " And yet there was time there was nothing to do but command, times when being loved was not an option. Pike had been a hard ass at the Academy and there were plenty of cadets who resented him. Especially the ones whom he refused to promote.

"No, it doesn't. Were you successful? In your goals?"

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Re: Pike/Lomea

darth_imperius
2017-05-07 12:12 am UTC (link)

"Things did not go well. The Republic assassinated our Emperor, which was in all honesty for the best, at least until his spirit returned. But there were a series of crisis which led to working together. My own plans had to be put on hold. The threat to both Empire and Republic was too great and so I had to turn my resources to ensuring that both entities continued to exist."

That was the short version. The war between the Republic and Empire had been put on hold to fight Revan, and then the Emperor's spirit.

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