Daddy-Daughter And A Dance (Backpost)

Posted on Fri Oct 10th, 2025 @ 11:35pm by Lieutenant JG Kally Kellerman & Tessa di'Orion

Mission: A Princess Of Tial
Timeline: Concurrent with 'A Tour Into Medical'

The invitation had been a formal affair, as all such invitations to come for an audience with the Light of the Eastern Watch or, too, any of the other Watches or Reaches would be. But this one wasn't unexpected, and as the Tialan shuttle landed, thrusters blazed, even as the shielding for them rolled into place before they too turned off. Tessa checked her armor once more as she settled the weight of the cloak on her shoulders again. She was in her full regalia, white with gold and silver accoutrements, the symbol of Light's End emblazoned on her chest and even larger on her cloak. The tiara on her brow was platinum bejeweled with rubies and diamonds.

The new bodyguard, a young blonde priestess with two chevrons under her eyes in purple led her off the ship, ever vigilant and made a gesture to tell her it was all clear to exit herself. Tessa breathed in deeply before she settled her feet in the heeled sandals and followed, two attendants following with her bunched cloak, a Sentar doorman sweeping the doors to the formal receiving hall open wide, revealing an ornate hall with what looked to be a throne flanked by two smaller seats nearly a hundred meters away.

"Presenting Her Grace Tessa'e'Sera di'Orion, Heir Apparent to Light's End, Priestess Fourth Class of Urd'a'Neta." The two attendants let the cloak play out behind Tessa, trailing several feet behind her to drag along the floor as she walked forward. Her head was held high as she approached the figure sitting on the throne, who was watching her even as her guard peeled off at the threshold of the door. Each step was deliberate and paced perfectly according to custom. The meters passed by quickly and she finally stopped ten meters from the throne and went to one knee, "Your Light, you summoned me, I am come."

Vitoi'e'Beless di'Veder stood up from his throne and approached. He bearing was regal, his spine straight. He marched up to her and looked down. "Rise," he said, his voice stern but quiet.

Without even a tremble of nervousness, Tessa stood in her place, raising her eyes to meet his towering above her by several inches. Her mouth twitched as she struggled to maintain a completely neutral face, unable to read anything on his.

The demeanor cracked and Vitoi smiled at his pride and joy. "It is a relief to see you again," he said, pulling her to him and almost crushing her if not for her armor as he hugged her.

Relief flooded through her as she threw her own arms around him and the smile on her face grew to nearly split her face in two. “It’s great to see you too, Daddy!” she squealed in delight as he pulled her off her feet with seemingly zero effort at all in the hug she’d missed for so long, being spun around, cloak trailing in a whirl as she did. “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it back for a while.”

"I never had a doubt," he said, returning her to her feet. "Who could stand up to the will of Tessa'e'Sera, daughter of mine? I have no doubt you would eventually have had the galaxy trembling at your feet." He grinned at her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "You certainly seem to have conquered these Federationers. They bring you back to us on a warship, escort you to your mother's doorstep, and provide for you like servants. An interesting strategy for a superior force. I assume they are looking for an alliance?"

“Alliance? I’m not sure about that, but you would have to ask Lady Skyie about that.” Tessa gave a shrug, glancing around at the impassive faces of the guards that remained. “I certainly didn’t conquer them, and their ship isn’t actually a warship. It’s a science vessel that can still single-handedly destroy our entire fleet.” She shook her head. “They rescued me and Cass’e’Indira from captivity and brought me home out of the sheer goodness of their hearts."

"I have found, my darling, few people do things 'out of the sheer goodness of their hearts,'" her father observed, an arm around her shoulders, having her walk with him to a place they could be more comfortable, a guard and a servant following behind. "But they are an odd people, then. A science vessel that can destroy a fleet? Do they charge into battle with measuring sticks and scales?" He gave a good laugh to his own joke and gave her shoulders a squeeze. "Either way, I am in their debt for what they have done for you." He voice dropped in volume, but not in intensity. "The thought that you were lost...I say without shame, it caused me grief I did not think I could survive."

The cloak she wore dragged on behind them as they walked. "You would have been fine, daddy; you and I both knew the risks of going on that expedition and I accepted them as possible." Tessa leaned into his embrace. "And I don't want Cass'e'Indira punished for not following the protocols, do you hear me? She's really the one who kept me alive and whole until Lady Skyie and her people rescued us. If you let anything happen to her, I'll be very angry with you and won't talk to you again!" She had to get this part in and very clear. "Besides, Daddy, she may be ready for her trials to be escalated as well."

Vitoi nodded, listening. "I am of mixed feelings on her behavior," he said. "However, I cannot argue with the outcome. And if it is that important to you, then I will accept her decisions and give her the benefit of the result. After all, if she had not insisted you live, I would not be able to spoil you with the surprises I have prepared," he said, his eyes glinting as he smiled at her.

"Oh?" Tessa's eyes lit up at the thought of surprises, not that she was truly surprised. That had been one of the constants with her father: he loved giving her gifts and she loved accepting them. It wasn't a 'normal' thing for most Korashe fathers, but when one is the deadliest fighter on the planet, who was going to tell him no? "And what sort of surprise do you have for me?"

As the approached a side door, he turned to the servant following and snapped his fingers. The man stepped forward immediately, offering him a polished, wooden box. He took it and smiled at Tessa. "One of my jewelers recently had his crowning achievement. A large ruby was discovered in a recent excavation. I have dubbed it, 'The Blood of Tial.' It is a thing of absolute perfection. Since you are as well, it is only fitting you should have it enhance your beauty." He opened the box, showing a large ruby pendant on a gold chain.

Her eyes opened wide at the jewel, looking over the visible facets and how the light made them sparkle. She picked it up up gently, the weight of it making her hand dip before she recovered from it, the golden chain almost dripping from her palm, "It is gorgeous...more so than me, Father. I'm still just...me." But that really wasn't the truth. When she'd left, she'd been all arms and legs and still somewhat awkward, but in the time that she'd been off world she'd matured into what she was now. "Help me put it on?" She asked, "And then I remember you said surprises, Daddy, that means multiple."

"Indeed, it does," Vitoi said. "However, I must correct you." He placed the chain around her neck, clasping in the back and turning her around, the ruby resting comfortably at the start of her cleavage. "It cannot be more gorgeous than you, my most precious jewel." He kissed her forehead. "It can only consider itself lucky to bask in your radiant beauty." He gripped the handle of the door to the sitting room they'd stopped in front of and smiled at her. "As can he."

The door swung open, revealing a comfortably adorned room with a man sitting in a chair towards the back of it. He stood as the door opened, bowing in respect. As he stood back up, his eyes widened, seeing Tessa, the scar along his left eye darkening slightly.

"Kosac'e'Varam di'Vikral, may I present Tessa'e'Sera di'Orion," Vitoi said, his voice proud and strong. "A pairing that is guaranteed to produce a strong and worthy heir."

Kosac'e'Varam's eyes raked over her again and he drew himself up. "Your Grace," he said. "My people's joining with your Father's is a most advantageous arrangement, however this opportunity to pair with you, I believe, be the greatest gift either of us could ask for." He smiled at her, waiting to see her swoon at his 'compliment.'

Tessa had drawn herself up as she'd seen him, automatically putting herself at a defensive angle to the figure, which just so happened to accentuate her figure for him, though one hand went to rest on the hilt of her sword without conscious thought. As her father introduced him to her, her mind thought back to Henry, safely on board the Chimera still and she blessed herself for her forethought of making him stay up there.

Wordless, she inclined her head towards him as she considered several things. In a classic way, Kosac was handsome and she could have seen herself attracted to him a year and a half before, but now? She blinked twice and saw Henry standing next to him, gone after another blink and a sinking feeling came to her gut. But she knew what was going to happen when she returned home and she briefly contemplated what would happen if she drew her sword and attacked quickly. She'd have the advantage of the first movement and she was rather agile, but he was a fifth-class war priest and they didn't get there without being fast themselves. "My Lord." She stated simply, to buy herself time. Her father would certainly kill him if he so much as struck at her, but would she survive THAT?

Finally she removed her hand from the hilt of her weapon and gave him a modest bow. "Your Alliance with the Eastern Watch will be most valuable," she finally stated. "However I would ask that we delay the ceremony for several days, as I am due for my own escalation in the service of Urd'a'Neta, should that not displease you, My Lord."

Kosac's face did little to hide his disappointment. "Surely that can wait until after we have had our pairing," he said, approaching. "This negotiation has taken much time and I have no desire to delay further."

Vitoi saw Kosac's hand reach for Tessa, and as he glanced back, saw hers reach for her sword. He forgave her instincts as this was her first paring and she was used to having to resist an advance. He didn't want a misunderstanding to disrupt their new alliance, so he stepped between them, reaching behind him to surreptitiously stay her hand as he blocked Kosac's. "My daughter is correct," he said. "This ceremony is significant and time sensitive. A delay of a few days will not make much difference in the long run. If anything, it will give you both time to look forward to the joyous event."

Kosac did not look pleased, but he had no desire to begin a conflict in a foreign territory, especially when it would jeopardize everything he wanted. "Very well," he said. "I will allow you four days, or our alliance will be nullfied."

Vitoi nodded in agreement, looking at Tessa for her acquiescence.

Tessa’s face remained impassive as she gave a nod of assent, then she took a tentative step back, careful not to step on the trailing cloak and went to one knee in submission in front of the two high ranking war priests, fingers intertwined and resting on upright one, away from her blade, “It shall be so.” She stated formally. “I look forward to such time My Lord, Your Light.” Her words were hollow, but it was to be expected.

Kosac did not hide his disappointment, but her gesture cooled his fire and he nodded, his eyes still drinking her in. With his attention so focused, he missed the look on Vitoi's face, whose brow was furrowed, and his scowl deep. By the time Kosac looked up, however, the Light of the Eastern Watch was back to his formidable expression. "My Lord, I shall return in four days to collect what is mine." He looked at Tessa. "My Lady. I promise, I will not keep you waiting a moment longer than necessary."

Tessa’s nostrils flared in anger as he made the comment of ‘collecting’ her as his just due, but she managed to control her temper enough before he’d looked at her again. “I shall be prepared for travel by then, My Lord.” She got out with a measure of civility, reminding herself that it would probably only be a week in his presence, maybe more depending on… Biology. After that, she’d be able to come home again and pray that she wouldn’t have to repeat the experience.

Vitoi nodding to Kosac as he left. He waited until the sound of the War Priest's footsteps faded and the sound of a closing door cut them off completely. He then shut the door to the room they were in and put his hands behind his back, staring down at his daughter, no longer doting, but stern.

"I allow you to persuade me on many things," he said, "because my love for you knows no bounds. However, that love does come with an understanding that you will always tell me your heart. Now, what is it you would not say in front of him?"

“Your Light,” Tessa started and his expression at the title caused her heart to quail and a spike of panic to insert itself. “Father, did you hear what he SAID?” She gestured towards the closed door where Kosac had disappeared through. “‘To collect what is mine’? He sees me as his property, his to do with as he pleases, not as an equal partner in this Pairing!”

Vitoi straightened, his nostrils expressing a very similar flare as he looked towards the door. "He has all the subtlety of a huramte's organ, I will grant you that much." He looked back at her, his face stern again. "But he is a powerful War Priest, from a powerful land who brings a strong force to join with The Eastern Watch. He is to be shown respect." He face softened a bit. "You are not his property," he said, his voice less thunderous and more paternal. "But you must learn to see him as your opportunity. This is your first pairing, but it is his third. There are aspects of politics you can learn from him. Your mother is a woman to be feared and respected for her shrewdness and skill. She has earned that reputation through more than the sword. Learn from your new experience, and you will discover how it will strengthen you in the end."

Once more Tessa’s thoughts turned to Henry and she couldn’t even shake her head to rid herself of them. Her recent experiences had taught her that there were those that were kind and caring, who didn’t see the other as a ‘thing’. She’d already been shaped by how Henry had treated her, because in the beginning she had seen him himself as just ‘a potential pairing’ if ever anything and now she didn’t. She looked down at the ground between the two of them, clearly thinking over what he’d said, “I like to think that I have, Daddy,” she said quietly, “because when I was taken captive, I had all choice taken away from me. I was told that I was now ‘his property, laws be damned’ and I went from day to day on Trarim not knowing what would be demanded of me the next. Until I was rescued, then I thought initially it would just be a new captor, but it didn’t turn out to be so.”

Vitoi's face softened another degree, and he pulled Tessa to him, holding her tightly. "Do not let that experience color your thoughts now," he said. "A pairing is nothing like that. It is a moment shared to bring people together, not to make one property." He looked down at her and smiled. "And you know, as does Kosac, that if he were to mistreat you in any way, he would not live to see the sunset." He kissed her forehead. "Enough. He has wasted too much of our time together already. The midday meal is being prepared as we speak. We will eat, you will tell me of these strange people who perform science with weapons, and then I will return you to your mother, before she accuses me of monopolizing your time."

“My mother? Accuse you of that?” Tessa laughed harshly, but the mood had clearly lightened, “Besides, she’s taking a tour of that starship even as we speak, so she’ll be able to corroborate everything you can get out of me, unless,” Her tone tone turned mischievous, “You’re afraid of Mother?”

"Fear her? No. Respect her? Greatly," he said, then lowered his voice. "And I have learned during our pairings that it can be wise to agree to a woman's demands. For my own benefit." He gave her a wry smile and put his arm around her once again, leading her out of the room.

“Then perhaps, Daddy, there is much for me to learn, like how make those demands properly.” She squeezed his hand around her, having grasped it with her own. All was right with the world once more.

Maybe.