Thank you so much for @ymirr-art-blog. This turned out great, just love the mood of it. Perfect amount of seriousness and regality for Darth Mortis’ official Dark Council portrait. I honestly love the entire piece, turned out exactly as I hoped.
I actually wrote a little fic inspired by it, featuring Aleena and Zane stumbling upon the portrait.
***
The halls of the Sphere of Laws and Justice are filled with the portraits of previous councillors, as well as the current one. Aleena wasn’t sure how they all were there, considering how many must have been rivals when still alive. Yet their portraits hadn’t been removed. Perhaps there was a law about that, or all of them wanted to look at the face of their predecessor as a reminder to keep their guard up. Not that any of it truly mattered.
“You could still come up with a plan to get us out of this.” Zane leans closer, his words quiet.
“It’s just lunch with dad. I mean, what could go wrong?” Well a lot of things, it was Darth Mortis they were talking about after all.
“And how many of them,” Zane nods towards the portraits, “had dinner that turned out to be their last?”
She laughs, he couldn’t be serious. “Are you implying dad would poison you?”
“Who knows. Maybe he poisoned his predecessor.”
“What? Asked mom for the poison and slipped it into the wine?”
“Could have.”
“Probably not, you are just being paranoid.”
“About my death? Definitely. It’s his last chance before the wedding.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t let him.” She kisses his cheek. He was being silly. Dad might not like that she was marrying Zane but he wouldn’t kill him knowing how she’d react.
Towards the end of the hall there’s her dad’s portrait. He was clearly just as serious back in the day as he was now. There’s the same aristocratic aura that she’s seen in later portraits of him as well. The authority he had wielded for years. Perhaps he’d always had it. The red eyes filled with contempt for his lessers.
Below the portrait there’s a small slate, reading:
Darth Mortis
Head of Sphere of Laws and Justice
15th of Muur 1322 -
Marem Daliandri, 1322
It was so easy for her to forget he’d been on the Council for over a quarter of a decade. At this point he’d survived longer than most. Force only knew how.
“You know, your father was kind of hot when he was younger.”
“What?” Her brain can barely process his words. “No! Take that back! That’s my dad!”
“I know, but come on, you have to see at least some of it.”
“Yeah, no, just no.”
He shrugs, “Suit yourself.”
Aleena ignores him, looking at the portrait next to Mortis’. Had this been the woman dad had poisoned for his seat? Was she even entertaining Zane’s ludicrous idea? Maybe a little. Sith were Sith after all. Except… “There’s a portrait missing.”
“What?”
“She died a decade before dad took office.”
“But that makes no sense… Unless — maybe it was Sajar.”
“Who?”
“He served on the Council before turning traitor. It’d be reason enough to wipe him from these halls.” There’s a sourness in his voice. Treason was definitely not taken lightly around here. “He told the Jedi everything he knew when he joined them.”
Well that sounded familiar. She hadn’t been with the Jedi when that had happened, but she had heard about it after “joining”. The example that anyone could be redeemed. Lothal Jedi had felt it more an anomaly than a realistic possibility for all Sith. “Oh, so the high ranking Sith Tol Braga turned was a Councillor. No wonder he later thought he could redeem Vititate.”
Zane chokes. “Are all Jedi that delusional or just him?”
“Mostly just him.” She moves past the portraits, they’d be late at this rate, “But look on the bright side, dad didn’t poison his predecessor.”
Introducing the twins. They were pretty much my first two OCs and I still love them.
Merrin and Zane Contara, the identical twins that are pretty much inseparable. More info will be available about each one separately in a later post once all OCs are introduced.
I really liked the Exes Questions @plotbunny-bundle made and wanted to fill it for at least one of Zane’s past relationships. So here they be, 30 questions answered (I did merge the one about regret, so only 29 on the list). Under a read more for length.
1. How did the relationship end? Did the couple break up?
Zane broke up with Trever when Trever asked him to come with him to the Outer Rim. This was just after Zane had secured an apprenticeship under Darth Cadoc. He felt that Trever was asking him to give up this opportunity just to be arm candy. The impression of which was not helped by the fact that Trever implied that Zane should be honoured he asked him to come with, considering his lineage.
2. How close were they before the relationship ended? How serious was the relationship?
They were fairly close, having been dating for six months. Zane wouldn’t say he was that serious as they were point transitioning from the Academy into apprenticeship and that did mean changes in both of their lives, changes that drove them apart in the end. Trever felt it was more serious, at least enough to think Zane might go to the Rim with him and find a new Master to make it possible.
3. When they were in the relationship did the characters love each other? Did they tell the other?
They were falling in love, perhaps at least somewhat in love already. Enough for Trever to feel confident enough to say he loved Zane when he brought the idea of him joining him on the Rim. Perhaps not the best time considering the way he presented it, enough to make Zane feel it was more another way to try to persuade him rather than a genuine confession.
4. The relationship is over, how long did it take them to get used to being single again?
Zane did not have the healthiest outlook on relationships at the time. He went from one relationship into the next without really thinking what he wants from a relationship. For him it was a way of fitting in and getting validation from circles made of Sith with actual lineages. So he didn’t really have time to get used to being single before finding himself in the next. It would take one more before he actually doesn’t date someone (or even have one night stands) for a year.
Trever got used to being single quickly. He’d moved a long way for his apprenticeship and it kept him busy. He really didn’t have time to delve on his past relationship at the time.
5. What do they about miss their ex-partner? What do they not miss?
Zane misses the good times, Trever’s sense of humour, the warmth that there was. He does not miss the dismissive attitude Trever had towards his background, or the vindictiveness that he could see on occasion.
Trever misses Zane’s self-assurance and confidence, how he could make him smile so easily. He does not miss the fact that Zane thought him equal to him in status.
6. Are the characters seeing anyone now? How do their current relationships compare to their old one?
Zane’s seeing Aleena these days. He does feel that it’s a lot healthier. He’s aware that socially Aleena is way above him, but she’s not really aware of that (or perhaps more accurately hasn’t internalised that and doesn’t care), never brings it up, never acts dismissive towards his family. He loves her and knows she loves him, and that she has never tried to use that feeling to manipulate him. And he gets all the good things as well, from just chilling out to having fun together. It’s just nice and easy, if not for Aleena’s past as a Jedi on occasion rearing its head.
Trever isn’t seeing anyone. He keeps busy on the Rim. His parents do on occasion bring up marriage, but he’ll get there when he gets there.
7. How do the characters interact now? What is their current relationship like?
They don’t really interact or see each other these days, haven’t kept in touch. Both are busy with their life and lot of Galaxy in between them. They do feel it to be for the best.
8. Do they have any mutuals friends? How did those friends react to the relationship’s end?
They do have some, some more friends and others more acquittances. If they are honest, they weren’t surprised. It’s clear that Zane dates people far above his station, they do get that it’s because his talents did get him into those circles, but he seems to forget that it is still there. If he’s not able to conform to that fact, the relationships are doomed to fail.
9. Was it known this couple was together? Was it known the relationship had ended?
Yes, both were known. Their friends were aware of their relationship and so were their parents (to Zane’s parents’ worry and Trever’s parents’ annoyance). They all also found out very quickly that the relationship had ended, considering both were open about that and stopped showing up together into things.
10. How did the people around them react to the relationship ending?
Both of their parents were relieved. Zane’s parents are scared that one of these relationships will get him killed while Trever’s parents are glad there’s no possibility of Imperial born Sith in their lineage. Most other people didn’t have much of a reaction beyond their friends lack of surprise.
11. What do they think went wrong with the relationship?
Zane feels that Trever pressured him to a too great commitment far too early in the relationship and wanted him to set aside his dreams in favour of Trever’s.
Trever feels that Zane didn’t appreciate him enough and what he was offering. Someone from Zane’s background should be happy that he was offering to find him another master on the Rim if he moved with him.
12. What do you say went wrong?
Trever being dismissive of Zane’s agency due to their differences in status/lineage. It was not going to work because Zane would end up feeling resentment over how he’s being seen as lesser and Trever was not going to be happy due to Zane not falling in line.
13. Do they have any regrets about the relationship? When the look back do they regret the relationship? Or are they each other’s one who got away?
Zane does regret it, for the same reason he regrets lot of his earlier ones. He, and his family, were usually dismissed for being Imperial, leading to his wishes being secondary in the relationship. Trever was not the first to do all that, but he did take it to a new level. He wishes he’d have put a stop to it sooner rather than even considering going to the Rim with him for few days.
Trever does regret how it ended, but not the relationship itself. He does wish he’d been able to persuade Zane to join him on the Rim, he had lot of ideas about what would happen once they got there. But calling Zane the one that got away seems a bit too dramatic way to describe it.
14. How does the ex-couple feel about each other now? Any lingering feelings?
Zane still does feel a small sting of bitterness when he thinks about Trever and what he thought about giving up to be with him, or the comments Trever made about his family. So no lingering feelings, at least of the positive kind.
Trever might still have some lingering feelings, enough to bring out his more vindictive streak out at least. He’s annoyed that Zane said no, that’s not a word he’s used to hearing.
15. What, if anything, would have prevented the break-up?
In the short run, Trever not asking Zane to join him on the Rim. In the long run, Trever starting to see Zane as an equal and not being dismissive of his family. Also learning to manage a long-distance relationship.
16. Would they ever consider getting back together?
Zane wouldn’t, there’s too much hurt on his side upon further reflection. Even if Trever changed, that request would still haunt their relationship. Trever might consider it, if Zane apologies for not coming with him in the first place.
17. What would it take for them to get back together?
At this point, time machine to make things not happen. Zane’s learned he deserves more than people being dismissive of him and his family, and even if Trever showed enough character growth, it wouldn’t take all those hurtful things he said back.
18. The ex-couple runs into each in public, what would they do?
Well they have met in a fic that needs a rewrite. But it was very awkward, then Trever said things that implied about their sex life to Aleena, Zane felt it was completely inappropriate and they ended arguing before parting ways.
19. Do you have any AUs where the couple is still together?
No, just no.
20. Do the characters have anything to remember the other by?
They did give some small trinkets to each other during the months, but Zane threw them away. He was just way too angry to even consider wanting to keep anything from Trever. There might be some pictures buried somewhere that he didn’t notice at the time, but nothing he wanted to keep.
Trever has some pictures and a small wooden bear from Meonus Zane gave him. They were in the moving boxes and he found them months after the break up. The pictures are attached to some diary entries and the wooden bear still hangs around his room.
21. How often do the characters think back to the relationship?
Zane doesn’t think back on it all that often. Only when something might remind him of that but there aren’t that many things. Some restaurant they visited or a place they visited and he might think about Trever.
Trever does a bit more often as he still has the bear in his room, so a bit more frequent reminder. Still thinks Zane made the wrong choice.
22. What was the couple’s last kiss like? Did they know it would be the last?
It was brief, one meant to be given in greeting with Zane pulling back even sooner. He knew it’d be the last, or at least one of the last ones. He’d already made the choice to break up. Trever realised that it’d be the last when Zane pulled away, suddenly the rain feeling colder on his skin than just moments before.
23. What did they learn about themselves while they were a couple? What did they learn about each other?
Zane learned to stand up to himself a bit better in these matters and look for people who appreciate him for who he is in a relationship. It would take one more relationship before he internalised that, but definitely a big part of that journey. He learned that Trever was more entitled that he’d assumed.
Did Trever learn anything about himself? No. Did he learn something about Zane? Yes, that he clearly wasn’t as aware of his position as he should have been and he was unappreciative of everything Trever offered him.
24. Have they separated before and gotten back together again?
No.
25. What were their happiest memories while together?
Zane definitely remembers their day hike fondly. Sure, Trever grumbled at first about it, but by the end he did seem to be actually enjoying it and liking the view. He seemed more relaxed and less snobbish at the end of it and it was nice.
Both also remember fondly when there was an exceptionally bad storm on Dromund Kaas and they cuddled together, watched movies, ate whatever they could find, and had sex several times during the day.
26. What is their worst memory of their time together?
For Zane definitely Trever asking him to resign from his apprenticeship to Darth Cadoc and moving across the Galaxy to be with him. Trever’s was the way Zane reacted, suddenly becoming silent and withdrawn, he’d expected at least some kind of positive reaction.
27. What was the relationship like at the beginning?
Passionate and carefree. Both of them had just graduated and the details for their apprenticeships were still being hashed out, giving them some time off. They were just very relieved for having graduated and survived, making things great at the start.
28. How long did each person expect the relationship to last?
Both did expect it to last longer. Zane doesn’t like having relationships with an end date (he’s done that a few times, and always been sad when that date came around). So definitely expected it to last longer. So did Trever, half a year is not a long time after all. So he did expect it to last at least several years before he’d have to get serious about the whole marriage business.
29. Where there any warning signs the relationship would end the way it did?
Definitely, and at this point Zane should have learned to read them loud and clear. The dismissive and belittling way Trever acted towards Imperials was always going to be an issue in the long run. The way Trever talked about Zane’s family should have been a clue that things would eventually go sideways. Also how Trever felt and acted like the relationship should bend to his needs and desires.
Silly fic ideas: Aleena commenting on something she reads with “Sith” and rolling her eyes, Zane going deadpan “Jedi” while rolling his. This leads to an eye rolling contest that ends with them laughing and giggling on the couch.
Oh yes, I’ve actually written something. It may end on AO3 later as part of a bigger fic collection, but until then, here it is.
Summary: Aleena and Zane vibing along to music, just having a good time (ignore Aleena’s crush, she’ll catch on eventually).
***
Aleena lays on the hard floor, breathing slowly in and out, coming down from the rush of combat, even that of sparring. The music blasted around the room. Zane’s new idea, practicing along to music, going with its rhythm and ebbs. And she had certainly had fun, even if she was starting to think he just wanted to listen to the music. His fingers tapping along the beat against the floor as he laid next to her. From the corner of her eye she could see his mouth moving along the lyrics. She can’t but smile, his happiness is catching and she can’t take her eyes off him.
By the next song he’s singing along, his hands moving along to the music. The pure enjoyment is a joy to watch and before she notices, she’s singing along as well. At least to the lyrics she’s learned by now. She’s off tune, but seeing him turn towards her, eyes smiling as they sing together. She can’t remember the last time she’s had so much fun.
“Five minutes until the end of reservation.” The announcement is mixed with the lyrics, but still clear. Their hour is over. Zane lets the song finish despite that, beaming by the time the final notes fade.
“Good, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Very.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for future training.”
“Just for that?”
“Who knows.” He winks as he gets up. “See you next time.”
Her cheeks warm up as he leaves the room. It was nice to have a friend here. Maybe things would be okey.
***
Today’s session had been good, and fun. Maybe she should ask if Zane wanted to see a movie next week. She had seen an ad that had looked interesting…
A bling wakes her from her thought. A new message. Her face brightens as soon as she notices the sender. From Zane!
You seemed to enjoy the music, so here’s the album!
Soon the familiar music is blasting around the room. It was very good, and catchy. She can’t but sing along as she enters the album name into a search. It had come out yesterday. It appeared that she hadn’t been all that wrong about him just wanting to listen to it on repeat. She dances around the room, smiling and singing as she lets the music take her. Today had been a good day.
***
Zane taps along to the rhythm as he’s working. Slightly distracted as he look at the clock. The concert tickets would be coming online soon. Anja had promised to come with him, provided that he got the tickets. He knew they were just as excited for it as he was, though they were better at hiding it.
“My Lord, a delivery for you.” He barely looks up, nodding for it to be placed upon his desk. He had expected more datapads but instead it’s a small basket of cupcakes with a note, a handwritten one.
Thank you for the album. I might have listened to it several times while making these. Hope you enjoy them :) - Aleena
The familiar warmth grew in the pit of his stomach as he smiles, choosing a muffin. Taking a bite, he groans. Fuck, these were good. Maybe he should buy three tickets instead and ask if she wanted to come as well.
Thank you for asking! Aleena was already answered here.
Raw power - ★★★
Zane’s an average Force user at best. His talents are better used to enhancing his combat abilities than using the Force as a weapon. Despite lacking in raw power, he’s very in control of his abilities and also has a keen strategic mind, making him more dangerous than his Force sensitivity might indicate.
Formal Training - ★★★★
His training is as good as an Imperial born Sith can receive in the Empire. Having received a sponsorship to Korriban and being chosen by a Councillor for an apprenticeship. He’s very grateful for the opportunities he’s received due to this.
Combat experience - ★★★+
Zane’s seen his share of battle since towards end of his time on Korriban. He has spend plenty of time in the front lines, even if it’s not always been in thick of battle. Being in charge of strategy does mean he doesn’t have to lead the troops on the front, but on occasion it is called for.
Willingness to kill - ★★★★
He’d be in the wrong line of work if he wasn’t willing to kill, be it in combat or through his decisions out of it. It also means he’s had to accept that his decisions will lead to the death of Imperial troops, even if that is never the goal.
Previous victims - ★★★★
Not all his victims have been by his hand, many have been due to his strategic decisions, but they are there.
