A Queen and a Baroness walk into a parlor

[Yoru Shakou]

With another successful soiree beneath her gown, the Baroness had a moment to relax and take a breath. Of course though there were some guest that remained even after the event was drawing to a close. Many left and a few choice guest remained, which made the Baroness more than happy at the prospect of finally having some one on one time with them. Of course her eyes had fallen upon the Queen of Naboo and was hoping that they could finally converse away from the gathering of beings from across the Galaxy. There was such few times when women of their status and alignments could come together and speak of something other than their sides respectful hatred for one another.

That was not what the Baroness wanted that night. Rather she was interested in sitting down with the Queen and speaking on no uncertain terms of their friendship and enjoy a nice glass or two of wine with the young woman. It was very rare that she got to mingle with the Nobility of other planets in the Galaxy, much less one of such prestige as the title that Naboo brought to the table.

With a soft smile, the Baroness rose from her seat behind a large mahogany desk, her hands pressing against the polished wood as she looked forward. The Nexu that always remained by its mistress' side was curled up on a large padded and fur covered bed that was kept just for it in the office. The Baroness looked over with a smile before returning to the Queen of Naboo.

"Come in. Have a seat."

She said with a smile as she stepped around the desk, her hand brushing out the few wrinkles in the gown that had grown from her relaxing in her chair. Without another word she stepped over towards the large shelf of wines and alcohols from across the Galaxy, looking for the perfect drink for the evening.

"Do you have a preference?"

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

The Queen was more than happy to spend some time speaking one on one with the Baroness. From the first time she met her, Feenarah had grown to admire and respect the woman, no matter what side politically they were on. She was always more than happy to hear the other side speak. A good servant of the people could not be expected to make an informed decision if she only had one view point.

She dipped into a short respectful bow with a smile as she was invited in. Her eyes went first to the Baroness, then they landed on the Nexu. While they were her husbands favorite animal, the family itself was never allowed to keep them, or well, anything furry as a pet, mostly because of Feena's serious allergies to animal fur. She sneezed all night the last time she'd encountered fur. That was during a party, where she'd worn a fur coat, a gift from the party host himself. The Prince of Moenia had been pleased to see her wearing his gift, but when her eyes started getting pink and puffy, she unfortunately had been forced to leave early. Still, she had considered it a successful appearance.

"Thank you. A blossom wine, if you have it," she asked, taking a seat, "if not, just tea for me please."

Feena had developed something of a drinking problem over the years. Stress of the job. Everybody had something. She knew for one of her handmaidens, the young woman had taken to abusing painkillers. She hadn't let the girl go, however. She understood the stress she was going through. The girl was expected to give up her very life for serving her Queen and planet. And she did such good work, it would be wrong to dismiss her for finding her own way of dealing with it. Good help was very hard to find, even on Naboo.

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

With a soft smile the Baroness returned her golden-yellow eyes upon the large case of wines and alcohol. Her fingers moved slowly over the bottles as she seemed to move her lips as if reading each label. It was a small habit of the Baroness' and it always remained. By now she had entirely forgotten when she had originally developed the small habit, though she seemed to not entirely care if others watched her. As she continued her hand stopped, her fingers running along a long and slender bottle before a small grin graced her lips. Both hands gently took the bottle from its rack where it had been laying, nuzzled against the soft wood and put on display.

Giving the bottle a soft blow, a small amount of dust came off of the label. It was clear that most of the bottles were either unopened or had not been touched in ages. A testimony to the fact that the Baroness herself was some what of a teetotaler, and often didn't drink the alcohol that she had on display, only pulling it out on occasions such as this when she had a guest. For that night though she would partake in a small glass of the wine.

Turning back towards her guest she approached the large desk that was between the two seats. Setting the wine bottle down on the desk, the Baroness leaned back slightly in her seat. With a small clap of her hands a door within the room opened. A servant stepped out with a tray holding two crystal glass. Without a word the young woman opened the bottle of Blossom Wine and poured the two glasses before setting one before the two women, then following a bow she was gone just as quickly as she had arrived.

"Such a beautiful and hard working young woman."

The Baroness spoke as she had watched the servant. Looking back to her guest she smiled, holding up her small glass of wine.

"To a successful night."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

When Feena drank, she typically drank just to feel a buzz, tonight on the other hand, had to be the exception. It would be rude to actually let herself get drunk here. Smiling, she raised her glass as well.

"To new and old friends."

She took a sip of the blush colored liquid, a small sip, and the taste was divine.

"So how have you been? I didn't get much of a chance to ask."

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

"Life has been life my dear Queen. With all the activity though and the conflict across the Galaxy it is hardly boring or outright uninteresting."

A small grin grew upon the Baroness' lips as it tugged at the edges. After all, with all that had been going on with in her own system alone there was much to speak about. The Baroness though knew when to speak of such things and when not to, after all, it was her place in politics and she knew how to play the game just as well as many others. Taking another sip of the liquid within her glass, she placed it down upon the large desk, a small gracing her lips now as it pushed away the grin.

"And how has the life of a Queen been?"

It would to many others sound as if she were being sarcastic, yet the Baroness was rather interested in hearing how her old friend was. The two having not seen in each other in many, many months.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feenarah returned the smile with a nod, knowing full well her meaning. It didn't matter what side they were on, there seemed to be a mutual understanding between the two. Politics were to be left out of it. That was something the Queen could appreciate.

"Busy," she answered taking a small sip from her glass, "Very busy."

That wasn't even the tip of the iceberg. She'd been not only dealing with her usual duties as Queen (which were considerable), she'd had to deal with Protectorate business directly now, after taking on the role as Exarch of the Naboo System. Then there was the troubling issue of her eldest daughters kidnapping. That was something that was being dealt with. Swiftly and quietly. Nobody needed to know that her child had been taken from the temple on Ession. It made her son appear incompetent if he could not even protect his little sister from the threat of the Sith.

"By the way, have you heard of these kidnappings lately?" she asked, pleasant as can be, "Young Force-sensitive women taken away the dead of night. I wonder what that could be about."

Perhaps she knew something. Perhaps not. And if she did, there was no guarantee she would say as much. Still, it never hurt to ask. The Baroness was a friend, regardless of her allegiances.

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

Taking a silent sip of the drink before her, the Baroness remained quiet as she listened. It was a skill that all leaders needed to have, no matter how short their patience was. Golden-yellow hues remained locked upon the Queen of Naboo, judging her movements, her posture and the way that she spoke as the Baroness listened. Kidnappings were something that were not done frequently among the nobility, though they had their place and uses. The Baroness though had not heard of such happenings, until the Queen had brought it up.

Sitting up from her rather relaxed posture, the Baroness smiled slyly as she set her glass down. Bringing her hand up, she lightly pressed a buzzer on the desk, giving a smile to the Queen as a door behind the Baroness opened. Stepping within the room was an old friend of hers, the commander of her Fenrir Guard.

"This is Colonel Mathias III, and may I present the Queen of Naboo Feenarah Mason."

Giving a quick and silent bow to the Queen, the man remained standing behind the Baroness' seat as she remained sitting up. For her, even with a friend whom was of a different allegiance, the Baroness was still ready to offer. Quietly brushing out the wrinkles in her gown from her former slouched position, she smiled to the Queen.

"If there is anything that we can do to render assistance to those affected, please allow us. Discretion will be adhered."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

The Queen felt the slightest moment of panic- just a flutter in her heart, really, but it was there. After enough attempts on your life, anything could make a woman jumpy. She watched the door behind her old friend opened up and a man, obviously a guard, stepped in. Did she take a mistep? give away her intentions?

Yes, but turns out, she had more allies than she thought. A smile found her lips. Yes. Trust. One had to give it to receive it.

"My daughter," she explained, "she was taken. Kidnapped, or worse. We do not know why, we do not know by whom. But we do know where. My husband left last night just after the party. He received a call from my son. I expect they are well on their way to getting her back."

She smiled, showing her full appreciation.

"There is... one small thing you could do for me though. Felicity, when she is found. She needs a good role model. Someone who can teach her, protect her. Perhaps... an old friend?"

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

The Baroness listened, she always listened. It was one way to ensure that all were heard, and as the old saying went, 'We were born with two ears and one mouth so that we listen twice as much as we speak'. It was a favorite of her Father's, spoken to her every night as she was growing up and now as she listened to the Queen, she understood how the woman felt. A small smile broke her otherwise stone lips as she kept her golden-yellow hues upon the Queen.

A kidnapping, least one of noble birth, was always something that could make the news, and worst yet if it had been done once before it could just as easily bring the thought to the minds of others seeking their own means of a payday. When it was brought up of the possibility of the young woman having a tutor the Baroness nodded softly. It was the least that she could do for an old friend and she was more than willing as she motioned to the Colonel.

"Colonel. Prepare a squad of your finest Guardsmen. The Fenrir Guard will have a new watch to their charge, and she is to remain guarded at all times."

With a soft smile, her hand ran along her purple gown before she looked back towards the Queen. Giving a soft nod she rose her drink to her lips, taking a small sip before returning it to the desk.

"She will be well taken care of and protected here my friend. Should you ever tire of being the Queen of Naboo, you and yours would be welcomed in the Oligarchy."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

It was the biggest favor she had ever asked of anybody. While her son was off fighting his wars, she needed someone to be able to teach Felicity the important lessons, things that Feena herself simply did not have time to teach her anymore on Naboo. she had big plans for the young Princess. Someday, she fully intended to help her win the throne herself. Her and her sister, when Celeste was old enough. But as of now, Felicity was far too immature to rise to her proper place.

"I can not thank you enough, my friend," the Queen smiled, "I will give her two months to recover on Imerria with her Father. I am sure she will need the rest after her ordeal. I will have my personal guard escort her here from Imerria. Can you think of what she should bring with her?"

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

With a soft smile upon her lips replacing the once small smirk that had been growing, the Baroness took another sip of her wine. Looking at the red liquid within the emptying glass as the young slave girl Mira stepped over to refill it. The Baroness ran her hand along the head of her Nexu as she smiled to the Queen. A large favor had implications of such a return in the future, though for now the Baroness would hold onto it. When it came up as to what she would need to bring, the Baroness took a moment.

Thinking on some of the most important things, or those that she wished she had when she had spent time away from her homeworld, her fingers rapped against the tabletop. Looking upon the Queen, she straightened up a bit more before her fingers came to a stop. Those golden-yellow hues remained unmoving as they looked into the Queen's eyes.

"She may bring whatever you deem appropriate for her stay. Most of what she will require can be provided."

Her soft smile remained as she kept her eyes upon Feena, the large nexu laying next to its mistress as it began to purr. The Colonel stood unmoving, his arms behind his back as the Baroness smiled again.

"I would though like to extend to you the invitation. Should you ever grow tired of being a Queen or dealing with the Protectorate, the Avidon Oligarchy will welcome you with open arms."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Oh yes. She knew she was going to owe her something in the future. Possibly just a small favor, of course, it could be as big as life itself. Either way, she was willing to take that risk now. Felicity, Celeste, they were both worth it. Feena smiled as she tipped her own glass back. Delicious.

"I shall provide a new wardrobe for her to blend better here. The fashion on Naboo is slightly different, I'm afraid. I will also give her the option of taking a personal guard, if you do not mind. Just to give her a traveling companion. I know how lonely it can be for a girl her age to go somewhere new and unfamiliar alone."

She raised her glass to the Baroness, saluting her kindness.

"In three years time, my friend, when I retire, I may very well take you up on your offer."

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

A favor, even one that could be traded in for in the future, was always an advantageous thing to have. One from a Queen, even if she were by that time a former Queen, was still worth its own weight. The Baroness gave a soft smile as she raised her glass, taking a sip from it as she kept her eyes upon the younger woman. Family was an important thing to the Baroness, and she could see clearly that the Queen was also one whom cherished and protected her family.

The Baroness smiled at the thought of the young woman bringing her own personal guard. Of course she had a thought that the girl might chose someone that she was smittened with, a thought in itself that caused the Baroness to decide to keep an even closer eye on the girl and whomever she brought with her. Smoothing out the wrinkles upon her gown, she shifted slightly in her seat before leaning forward a bit more, allowing her hands to come together.

"I am perfectly fine with that my friend. She may bring her own personal guard, though I feel I may need to watch them both just as closely should she chose someone that she has, let us say a sight for?"

With a soft smile the Baroness kept her eyes upon the Queen, she knew how a young woman not understanding her emotions could easily be drawn to others. Hearing that her offer would be kept in mind, she smiled at the thought. It was always useful to have those whom had a previous history with administration around. Having a former Queen would also aid the Baroness in her own ways.

"If that is the case, then I may very well have a job just for you."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

A... sight for? Her daughter? The very idea! Felicity knew better than that. Or did she? Feena was aware of one boyfriend in her life. She had been sure to monitor that though. Closely. That was over now, of course. The boy gave her up and Feena had been glad of it. Nobody was going to touch her daughter, not while she was around.

"Well, I suppose I'll have to trust you to introduce her to... the right sort, so she doesn't make that mistake," she smiled, knowing her implication was quite clear. Felicity could date, if she wanted, but only a boy that her mother approved of. Someone with a nice family, preferably. Someone that could take care of her.

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

The Baroness smiled, though it turned into a small grin as she brought her drink to her lips to take a sip. Listening to the young Queen had caused her to have fond memories of how her father had been. Always demanding that she not let her eyes wander or whom she could and could not be seen with. The Baroness though knew that if it continued then the Queen's daughter would only grow to be more rebellious, just as the Baroness had grown up and decided her own future. Then again it couldn't hurt to have another woman like the Baroness in the Galaxy now could it?

"The right sort?"

She had to muse at the thought, her finger tapping against her chin as she thought about what the right sort was. The thought of pairing one of her sons with the Queen's daughter did come to mind, though there were so many that she could choose from. Not to mention that she was sure at least one of her daughters had a wandering eye and had a preference for the fairer sex.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

The Queen smiled back at the Baroness. Yes. The right sort. Terrible way to phrase it. Feena wished she didn't have to say it that way, but she honestly could not think how else to put it. The right sort. Someone who could take care of her daughter when she and Keter were gone. Someone with connections she could use in her political future. Someone who could work together with Felicity a build something great. Yes. The right sort.

"You know what I mean. A gentleman. I don't think my daughter realizes her own worth. She's very modest, you see."

That was putting it lightly. Oh sure, the girl had an attitude the size of a galaxy, but her own sense of self worth seemed to be getting smaller by the day. Why was that?

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

Of course the Baroness knew the 'right sort' as the Queen had put it, and a small smirk had begun to tug at the edges of her lips. Running her finger along the rim of the glass, she took a moment to think to herself. It could also be a potential risk, though the reward of setting up one of her own children with the daughter of the Queen of Naboo was always a possibility in her mind. The Baroness smiled as she lift her glass up before taking a small sip from it.

"In a Galaxy torn apart by chaos and people looking out for themselves, it would be difficult to find a gentleman."

The Baroness spoke, though she knew full well that her youngest was ever the gentleman as the next spoiled noble brat, the only difference being that he had worth to himself beyond screaming about his parents. Letting her fingers rap against the table, she smiled at the thought before raising her glass to the Queen.

"To Gentlemen my friend."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Hm. She had a point. Gentleman were a difficult find in this Galaxy. Her poor girl. She'd probably be forced to settle for second rate. Well, not all women could be quite so lucky as Feena in finding a proper husband.
What was she saying? If her own Mother saw who she'd married, she would be furious. A tiny hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Here she was trying to justify controlling her own daughters love life, when she herself was married to a former slave.

Former, she said to herself, That is the difference.

The Queen raised her glass as well.

"To... True love," she said with a tiny hint of amusement in her voice.

[member="Baroness Magrath"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

A soft smile crossed her lips at the thought of true love, which in itself was often rarer than phrink. She had chosen her husband, or rather had a husband chosen for herself. Even most of her children were married to ensure that only the strongest were brought into the Magrath family to keep the lineage strong. Her eldest daughter had even been so blunt to find her own suitor and had no qualms with making it known that she was always on the look out for a more suitable partner. ​

​

"True love"​

​

She mused as she held her glass up before taking a sip. Her mind returning to the thoughts at hand and the young woman that she was to be charged with. It would at least be amusing to herself to see just how spoiled she was or acted when her mother and father were not around. The Baroness was not one to coddle a child as much as spoil one with a rod. ​

​

[member="Feena Mason"]​