candor1 | Open RP Post

From:

Jyn was appreciative of the reassurance, no matter which way it arrived. She took a deep breath as they neared the Director, who smiled widely - insincerely - in greeting, reaching for her free hand. "Ah, speak of the devil", he practically crooned, all the while Jyn forced herself to keep from cringing away. "And how is the married life treating you two?"

She looked to Joreth, and smiled in response, far more genuinely than she had yet during the course of the evening so far.

"Better than expected", she replied, and their small audience responded with approving sentiments.

From:

candor1

He returned the smile—also simultaneously acting and genuine—then extended one hand to Krennic. His other went around Jyn's shoulders; a subtle move of 'claiming' her back from Krennic. "We haven't properly met, sir. Lieutenant Joreth Sward."

From:

shiningstardust

Jyn would have rankled if she would have believed for one moment that this was exactly what it looked like - a pissing contest between two men and the woman they thought couldn't take care of herself.

But she felt as though with Joreth, at least, it was an attempt to keep her shielded from the older man's attention. For once, it felt good that she didn't have to try to do it herself - or, rather, put up with them just by virtue of who he was.

Krennic's expression might have seemed pleasant, but Jyn knew him well enough to know that the gesture had perturbed him profusely. Still, he genially returned the shake and a nod. "Lieutenant. Admiral Grendreef speaks very highly of you. He would have to - we want only the best for our Jyn, you know."

From:

candor1

(She felt right. He was trying to make good on the promise, I can be your alibi.)

"The Admiral's too kind," Cassian answered. "And you, sir? I hear fascinating things about your current projects."

From:

shiningstardust

"Do you?", he asked, looking over Joreth with a critical eye. "We're not here to talk about work, we're here to celebrate. However, if you can steal away from the Admiral for a bit, another day, we can get together and speak."

He glanced to Jyn momentarily, and away again. "Do you mind if I steal your lovely wife away for a moment? I won't keep her away for long."

From:

candor1

Cassian glanced subtly, sidelong, at Jyn, for a cue. Then said easily to Krennic, "Of course." And to Jyn: "Can I get you a drink, love?"

From:

shiningstardust

Jyn nodded - just a minute tilting of her head before she stood up straight again, but she was certain that he'd noticed nonetheless. To appease the eyes on them, however, she gently squeezed his arm before releasing her grip, turning her smile to Joreth. "Yes, darling, if you wouldn't mind."

She could feel Krennic's gaze burning into her, but she couldn't find anything to care about other than the satisfaction she felt to know that he was seething with jealousy to see just how well they were getting along.

"Uncle?", she asked, finally shifting her attention to the older man. "Shall we?"

He simply nodded and offered her arm, which, after a momentary hesitation, she took, following as he led her a little bit away from prying ears.

From:

candor1

Cassian released Jyn and turned away, making his way toward the refreshments table. He was accosted by several officers along the way—some of whom hadn't given him the time of day, before. He still didn't understand how or why the act of getting married would make him suddenly on their radar. Perhaps Jyn or Krennic had been, and that attention extended now to himself. Whatever it was, he hoped it opened more doors for his real purpose, not prove a liability.

From:

shiningstardust

Well, Erso was a highly lauded name, after all. And the fact that there had been no rumors - as of yet - of strife in their still very-new marriage probably meant that some of them just wanted to know how he'd managed to tame her. Others just wanted to be seen with him since more eyes were sure to be on him. And none of it was genuine.

She smiled pleasantly enough once they'd reached where they were going, as private as private could be in a crowded room. "I trust that all is well?", Krennic asked, his insincerity dripping from every word. "I've been informed that your tests were stellar."

"I'm glad", Jyn replied, nodding appreciatively. "I've been doing due diligence to my studies, but I do so enjoy spending time with my husband, as well."

Her expression brightened a touch, and the hand still clutching Krennic's arm tightened just so. "Speaking of, I was wondering if I put in a holiday request it might be granted. I do believe we're allowed a proper honeymoon?"

"Of course, my dear", he practically gritted out. "I'm sure we can find the time for that."

From:

candor1

Cassian would be waiting for her near the refreshments when she was done. After a few fraught conversations of his own with, among others, Aune Grendreef. I want to really make this work, he'd told her. And she'd sighed and let him go.

From:

shiningstardust

The rest of the conversation was nothing that Jyn hadn't been expecting - the suggestion that she make nice with some of what Krennic pointed out as generous donors, and the slyly leering offer to come to him if she needed anything, which left her skin crawling in the aftermath. She knew what that meant, and no, she would not go to him seeking any of his aid.

Her mask slipped a little as she made her way to the refreshments - to the safety of Joreth's side - but she felt she managed to slip it back into place quickly enough. "The Director requests your presence for a quick talk once we've finished our drinks."

From:

candor1

Cassian handed Jyn her drink, and his now-empty hand went seamlessly to the small of her back. He used the other to raise his own drink to his mouth, to hide his expression at that; just kept it to a nod. Not unexpected, from either of them. Also not really looking forward to it.

But might as well get it over with. Cassian drained his glass, set it down empty on the table, pressed a quick, light kiss to Jyn's temple—somewhere between for show and for strength, for both of them. And crossed the room to face Krennic himself.

From:

shiningstardust

It didn't feel like a performative gesture, the reassuring weight of his hand against her back, and Jyn was grateful for it, even if the only way she could show it was with a soft, fleeting smile. For as much as she wasn't looking forward to parting - to going and charming the donors in order to get them to donate more, once he pressed the kiss to her temple and quickly stepped away, she took a breath and did the same.

The Director smiled benevolently - although with a sharp edge - once Joreth joined him. "I've got a bit of a job for you to do, my boy."

From:

candor1

"I'll have to clear it with Admiral Grendreef, sir," said Cassian dutifully.

From:

shiningstardust

"It's for the best if you don't", Krennic countered. "This is between us, of the highest importance. "I fear that our lovely Jyn is beginning to show signs of sympathy with some rather unsavory people - the kind that continually keep trying to rise up against us when, as you know, all we're trying to do is help. Since you're now the one who spends the most time with her ... I would just appreciate you keeping an eye on her, informing me of anything ... suspicious. I trust you can do that, yes?"

From:

candor1

"Which unsavory people would that be, sir?" said Cassian. Avoiding commitment and hopefully getting more intel himself.

From:

shiningstardust

"You know exactly who I'm talking about, Lieutenant, don't play dumb", Krennic replied, his congenial tone long gone. "Rebels, who we will beat into submission until they're gone. Do this for me, and you'll be rewarded handsomely. Speak a word of it to anyone, and you'll be reassigned. Pity, since you and your wife seem to be getting on famously, don't you think?"

From:

candor1

Don't challenge him. Krennic sure didn't make it easy. Cassian drew himself upright and folded his arms across his chest. He wasn't ignoring Jyn's warning; but caving in to this too easily would be more suspicious than not. "I'm sorry, Director, but I answer to the Admiral, not to you. I believe an Admiral still outranks a Director. I thank you for the warning—I will keep my eyes open for any unsavory acquaintance on Jyn's part. I could even talk to you about it. But I don't think the Admiral would approve of your threat."

From:

shiningstardust

"Disappointing that you should choose not to work with me on ... nipping this in the bud if it is, indeed true", Krennic sniffed, his rage at being denied only just simmering below the surface. "But ... I would appreciate your insight if you do see or hear anything. No threats here, Sward, just concern for my lovely niece, that's all. If you'll excuse me."

And with that, he swept away, seething under his high collar.

From:

candor1

Cassian watched him go, made sure he was well off before turning around too and making his way back to Jyn.

From:

shiningstardust

Jyn was bored out of her mind, trying to appear as invested as possible in a mind-numblingly boring conversation with some man about his vague business dealings, fighting not to roll her eyes or worse every time she caught him staring directly at her chest .

From:

candor1

"Sorry to interrupt," his voice came softly over her shoulder, just loud enough for the other man to hear too. "May I steal you away?"

From:

shiningstardust

"Of course - ", Jyn answered, smiling softly, only her eyes betraying her relief. She then turned to her speaking partner, her expression shifting into something apologetic. "If we can put a pause to this conversation?"

He looked a bit put out by the interruption, but waved her off dismissively.

She turned back to Joreth, sighing softly. "I'm all yours."

From:

candor1

He swept an arm around her waist, to shoot a smile past her at the boring man, then bring her around to his side as they walked away. He murmured in her ear, "Well, your uncle wants me to report to him, on you. What's new with you?"

From:

shiningstardust

There was no mistaking the tension in her shoulders, how stunned she was - at least momentarily - to hear what Krennic had asked of Joreth. Of all the things she could have anticipated, that possibility had not been in the forefront of her mind. She struggled to pull her expression together, not wanting to draw any undue attention to them as they walked.

"For what?", she asked, shaking her head slightly. "I - you know, fending off his propositions. Nothing new."