Home is the Place | Invite

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi had arrived to Breakriver a day in advance of the scheduled arrival of her cousins to open the house. Mr. Hendersmith and the footmen had come down in advance to get the house ready so that by the time Natasi arrived, everything was set up. She went on a trail ride with her beloved horse, had a light supper, and then worked on the plans for the Proms that were being planned for the summer. Greye Malvarn and Petyr Calinda were working with Natasi on the logistics of it. The concerts would be taking place across the Empire, but the main thrust would be on Dosuun -- in Avalonia, at the University of Avalonia Coliseum. The concerts would be every weekend for two months, culminating with a massive, empire-wide rally on the last night of the Proms.

It would be a tremendous experience, Natasi thought, but it was a lot of work. For this reason, she felt somewhat apprehensive about having her cousins to visit, but the visit had been on the calendar for months, while the war had pushed planning for the proms back significantly, so here they were. She was just finishing up a call with Malvarn when she heard the telltale sign of the droid rickshaws pulling up outside. She went to the window and looked down from her office on the third floor to see her cousins arriving. "Greye, I'll call you back later. In the meantime, coordinate with Isobel about the security we'll need."

"Of course, Excellency."

Natasi disconnected and cleaned up her paperwork, tucking it away in her desk and locking it before taking the stairs down to the main level. She went to the front door and threw it open, inviting in the sweet scent of the Dosuun mountains and wildflowers. Natasi plopped a wide-brimmed hat over her beige tea dress and strolled out onto the landing. "Darlings!" she called enthusiastically. "Come in, come in -- oh, leave your luggage, the footmen will see to it." She waited near the door, prepared with a kiss on the cheek for each one.

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Lucinyia Yvarro often called Lucy, had been in the back looking over her schedule for the summer. She'd have the next two weeks free and then it would be off to Victoria to await her assignment for the summer. Until then the second year cadet put her tablet down and looked over at her two sisters, both had fallen asleep on the way over to Breakriver. The eldest of the Yvarro brood sat up in the rickshaw and looked out taking in the sights of the mountains. Trees moved by them and as the droid driven vehicle coursed through the path, Ryssa awoke. "Oh good and here I thought I might have to wake you," a task that she was glad to be free of. "We're nearly there."

"Nearly? You mean we aren't already, how dreadful." Ryssa quipped, she and the youngest of the three Ariel were on break from school. As she adjusted her blouse and skirt the middle daughter watched as their surroundings change ever so smoothly. "Did you hear from mum, yet?"

Lucy nodded in acknowledgment and answered, "I did, she's busy dealing with the aftermath of the Kuragin and sends her best wishes."

"Right," replied the younger sister as she looked over at the youngest, "oi, you c'mon we're almost there."

Ariel stirred and waved her sister off. "Weave me awone."

"No, and stop with that nonsense, speak properly," the oldest admonished as she leaned over and adjusted the youngest's dress so that it fit right, "not sure how you manage to turn your skirt all the way around like this." The six-year-old stretched her body out, the twenty and thirteen-year-old just sat waiting. Watching to see how long it would take Ariel Yosefina Yvarro to actually sit up before they arrived. Ryssa looked out and watched as Breakriver came into view and sighed. Lucy rubbed her temples knowing she'd have to keep the two in line, "Ariel please."

"Alright," she remarked with an exasperated sigh as she sat up in the carriage, "see I'm awake now, happy?"

"Delighted." The blonde deadpanned as she looked at her tablet as it rested on the seat beside her.

The droid rickshaw pulled into the landing with ease once it stopped the girls first poked their heads out and then one by one descended from the carriage. Their first thought was to tend to their luggage and then they heard their cousin [member="Natasi Fortan"]. With a shrug they left their luggage on the rickshaw and headed for the door all in a line. Ariel first, "cousin Nat!"

She said quite energetically, the second girl, Ryssa wasn't nearly as energetic but still just as enthusiastic. "Cousin, it is lovely to see you again." Sounded like that boarding school was working after all.

Lastly, Lucy greeted the brunette, "thank you for seeing us."

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi crouched to wrap her arms around Ariel, hugging her tightly. She deposited a kiss on top of the girl's head and scratched her back lightly before straightening up. Next she encountered Ryssa, who seemed to be in much better spirits than she had when they had last crossed paths during the Life Day holiday. Perhaps her habit of sending care packages (usually assorted luxury school supplies -- notebooks, pens, whatnot -- books, and little snacks) had finally bought a little of Ryssa's affections. She released Ryssa, held her at arms' length to give her an appraising look. "Darling, you look magnificent. Are you well? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you enjoying your classes? Oh, you'll have to tell me everything."

She released the girls and gestured for the inside. "Go on through, girls. Hendersmith, take them into the living room, would you?"

Jack, meanwhile, stood on the fifth step up, peering through the bannister at the strangers who were invading his space. The mistress seemed to be welcoming them, so there was a chance he wouldn't claw them right off the bat. He hopped down another step, craning his elegant silver neck to give an elegant little sniff of the air as the girls entered the foyer. They didn't smell wrong. His majestic green eyes narrowed somewhat, and he sat down again, tail flicking menacingly.

Outside, Natasi was pulling the eldest Yvarro cousin into an embrace. "Don't mention it, Lucy. I wish we could do this more often." She smiled and looped her arm through Lucy's. "How's..." She hesitated. "You know."

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Ariel the youngest was quite enthused after heading into the home, "kitty." She spotted him immediately but was pulled aside by Ryssa.

The middle daughter had tried to answer their cousin's questions but the rapid-fire delivery caught her off guard. Instead, she simply replied, "I shall tell you everything as much as you want to know." If she hadn't known already that was. Ryssa did quite enjoy the care packages, they were great for getting on with time, always something to look forward to and most often she ended up sharing or gifting to other less fortunate girls there at the school. The girl spotted the cat just after her sister had, and did her best to pull the child away. "Leave'im be, not used to seein' kids like you. He's got Cousin Nat and the help for company, not kids with grubby mits like you."

"Whot's that suppose' ta mean?" The youngest of the three all but demanded to know as Hendersmith guided the two into the living room, whilst having their luggage taken up to their rooms.

Lucy leaned over to peer through the hall just as she stepped inside and returned her cousin's embrace. "Indeed, it's always lovely to see you." She complimented earnestly and listened to Natasi speak, rather ask her and so she took a breath and sighed, "she is well, she is the Iron Admiral after all." There was a long pause, "blames herself as one can expect, I did get to talk with her on holo, looked frayed and unwell." Then she set the subject aside onto a shelf as she redirected the tone of the conversation. "But she was very glad to see that I had passed onto my second year and I've been accepted into a shadow officer program this summer. Not sure where I'll be assigned but my highest marks were for logistics so I imagine, I'll be following a clerical officer around." Which was to say nothing dangerous, but even clerical officers within the First Imperial Navy were taught how to operate weapon systems, defense systems - in case they needed to operate them. With the war on, there was no doubt that Lucy would be learning several skill sets to ensure that the ships in the stars kept going most especially in the midst of battle.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Jack observed the two girls imperiously from his perch, silver-green eyes blinking impassively. He tensed when Ariel took a step towards him, but relaxed when her older sister pulled her back. He would get to know these invaders visitors at his own pace; they would have to be made to understand that this was his domain. He would rely upon the mistress to help him make it all clear. As the girls went with Hendersmith into the living room, the kitten prowled down the stairs and followed, dropping to sit in the doorway. His ultimate goal was to cross the room and lay in the large rectangle of sunlight on the carpet near the bar, but he had to be sure it was safe first.

Hendersmith served drinks -- a nice, light, refreshing punch without alcohol for the girls -- and distributed snack bowls evenly around the room so that something would be on hand no matter where the girls decided to sit. He asked if he could get them anything else, and then went back towards the foyer to oversee the luggage, pausing near the doorway when Jack mewled at him, craning his neck insistently. Hendersmith gave Jack a curious look, then crouched down to scratch his head between the ears. Jack mewled again, then began to purr, squeezing his eyes shut.

Meanwhile, Natasi stopped with Lucy in the foyer, near the entrance. "Old Ironpants," Natasi agreed with her cousin. "Lucy, I wonder if we should talk about legal guardianship of the girls. You're starting your career, you'll be in and out of communication for some time -- particularly if you continue to excel at the academy and in the shadow officer program," she smiled proudly, "Which you will. Meanwhile, your mother doesn't seem particularly interested in their development. Should we discuss it while you're here? I'll defer to your judgment, of course, but if I can help I'd like to."

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

"We should, I agree. They need more than what my parents can give them right now, dad's... Dad's old and he does what he can bless him, but mum," With the door to her back, Lucy took a moment to breathe and exhale slowly as if the weight of the galaxy had been lifted from her shoulders. There was a silent nod and then her lips moved as if she were to speak and then nothing. She took another breath and exhaled again, "she's not... She's not the same," the younger woman confessed, "and I don't mean that in just the physical sense. Something's off about mum, and I'm not sure what it is." The brunette tucked loose strands of hair behind her ear, "she'd been distant before, but she always came around and spoke with us about everything. She was more open then, and now it's like she's sealed herself off and just plays the part." It hurt a lot if Lucy were, to be honest, but instead, she shoved what she was feeling aside and recalled what exactly it was Natasi was saying. It'd been something that had been in the back of the girl's mind but she never had the heart to bring it up.

A smile painted itself across her lips, "thank you." She said quietly for the acknowledgment of her success thus far. The Victorian Military Academy was among the most prestigious military schools and universities within the First Order. It was also considered one of the toughest academically although many universities challenged that notion. Lucy was among the first set of First Imperials to have graduated from these schools and their success meant a lot. Meant a lot to family, friends, and the general populace of the nation, but perhaps to Lucy, it meant more that the was continuing on a family tradition of proud service to their nation. "Best see what the girls are up to, can't leave them alone for too long." She suggested, and down in the living room as snacks and refreshments were served, Ryssa and Ariel discussed their school friends with one another.

The two attended the Avalonian Imperial School for Children, a boarding school that wasn't too far from downtown. No one believes them when they say that their cousin is the Grand Moff, but they don't care. The girls speak about their classes, the teachers and as Lucy enters the living room she takes a seat opposite of them. "What's this about your math, Ryssa?"

"Junton Bowerstone," she said with disdain, "he was rude to me in class and of course I was the one who got in trouble for knockin'im."

Lucy put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out of place, but Ryssa's face said it all. She didn't have to prod further, "was this before or after the Malippidos Zakeem incident?"

"After, so you might get a notice on the holo about it. I told Mrs. Patmoore whot he did, and said if he was gonna be rude all the time then I was gonna knock'im each time," she folded her arms across her chest and looked down at her older sister. Who in return held the gaze that they had seen before, one that once ran across Fiolette's own face, "but that's not proper for a lady of my station."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi couldn't believe her ears as she entered the room. What had happened to her sweet little darling Ariel? She sounded like a flower seller in Covent Garden -- wherever that was -- rather than a young member of one of Galidraan's most eminent noble houses. "My dears," Natasi said sternly. "I cannot allow this kind of talk here. Someone must turn you into the ladies you were born to be. Have you ever heard me say anything as coarse as gonna, or dropping my G's like some kind of farm hand? No, certainly not. You are what you seem to be, and presenting well -- putting one's best foot forward -- is incredibly important. Do I need to get an elocution tutor out this summer? So help me, I will."

The Grand Moff took a drink off the tray and sat down on the end of one of the sofas. Jack padded carefully over to her, rubbed against her leg before leaping onto the sofa and laying across her lap. Natasi's free hand rested on the back of the kitten's neck and stroked gently.

"What do you girls want to do while you're here? We can swim in the river, play at the falls, ride on the trails. We can make s'mores on the patio at the firepit, I've got all the supplies. What else? What do you girls feel like doing?"

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

The younger of the two Yvarro siblings turned their attention, "whot for?" Ariel prompted and got a small nudge in the arm from Ryssa's elbow. "Whot?"

"I think you've been hanging around that Kalast City girl for far too long," Ryssa let it slip, "see there are these girls from Kalast and Finalizer City that speak like this and Ariel thought it would be fun to try and talk like them." The middle sister looked at the youngest. Ariel looked the part of being outed in front of everyone, no one from the Tri-City area that was Avalonia, Prosperia and Victoria spoke like that. No, oddly enough they sounded almost like proper Galidraani men and women only with a slight Outer Rim twang to it.

Ariel sighed, she seemed to have resigned herself. "Alright, I will not speak like that again."

"Good," Lucy agreed as she rested self into the back of the sofa.

Ryssa thought over the options, and the question posed to them by Natasi. Swimming, riding, and s'mores all sounded good in her mind, she was sure that s'mores would be a more than agreeable activity for them, "we could start with s'mores I like that."

"Oh yes!" Exclaimed the six-year-old quite excitedly, and as it happened the sight of the cat on her cousin's lap had not escaped her attention. She eyed him more than once, but as it happened Ryssa had caught one of the looks and mouthed for the girl to wait. Lucy, on the other hand, thought of the activities offered, s'mores sounded just as well, although she wanted to do some riding before they left. Rumors at the Academy were that the second year was the hardest. If they hadn't broken you by the end of the first, surely the second would do it, and as such she was not all that eager to return.

An idea, "we could do some riding and then go for s'mores afterwards, how's that?"

"Riding?" Ryssa questioned, "alright I suppose."

Ariel didn't seem to mind, just so long as s'mores were had in the end.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"S'mores, before dinner? Never anything so absurd," Natasi said with an amused shake of her head. Ah, childhood. The truth was, Natasi didn't find childish precociousness as charming as some others did. She adored her cousins, she suspected out of some long-gone feeling of nostalgia and belonging more than anything. Most of her family was dead; her mother had died almost thirty years ago, her beloved brother now almost fifteen years dead in some war or another, the point of which no one living now remembered, and her dear Papa just over a decade ago. She still had Pierce and Hyacinth, it was true, but the recentish revelation of the existence of her aunt Fiolette and cousins was like an unexpected gift, despite their youth.

And of course, despite her feelings generally on children, she was dying to have one of her own. A child and heir to carry on the Fortan legacy, if not the Fortan name. She all but ached to cradle an infant in her arms and wonder over its every action. Perhaps things were different when they were yours.

"All right. How's this? We'll go for a ride; it should only take about an hour or so, then we'll be home in time for the gong. That way Hendersmith won't have to delay dinner." She picked up Jack, cradling him with one arm against her side; he protested with a tired mew, and narrowed his eyes at Natasi once she had set him down on the carpet. He crept over to the square of sunlight cast by a window, turned around a few times, and stretched out on the warm carpet. "Did you bring your riding clothes? I suppose anything you can wear outdoors will do." She pulled the cord by the fireplace; a few moments later Hendersmith appeared. "Will you take the girls to their rooms, and let Murphy know we'll be riding? Three horses -- I think I should take Ariel with me on Lady. We'll have dinner at the usual time, and instead of a pudding course we'll do s'mores on the terrace." She gestured for the girls to follow along with Hendersmith. "Why don't you ask Mrs. Thackeray to serve the pudding with the staff dinner? And would you please tell Banks I've gone up?"

The girls were arrayed in the three guest rooms on the first floor, a brief flight of stairs up from the ground floor. Natasi's suite was on the second floor, with a commanding view of the valley and river. When they arrived, they would find that their clothes had been unpacked into the bureaus and closets. "We'll meet back here when you're ready," Natasi said.

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

Breakriver was amazing, it was beautiful and felt like a home should feel like Ariel thought. Ariel the youngest of Fiolette's brood was just six years of age and as she was taken up to her room. Her large saucer-like eyes took it all in. Deep cinnamon brown orbs curious as to all that was around her, how did this work - and why were her most infamous of questions. The help seemed to be amused and taken with her, the air in the room was cool and as her cream colored skin caressed the edge of her bed she smiled. "I could stay here forever," she declared to the young woman who set about dressing the young girl.

In the next room over, Ryssa wondered just how long it would all last, "do you think this will happen often?" She would ask, then force a smile and wave it off. The last year and a half, perhaps two years really had been quite the astounding change in life. From the daughter of an Admiral to the cousin of the Grand Moff. The lightly auburn haired girl could scarcely take it all in at once. Despite her harden attitudes and exterior, she so desperately wanted things to go back to normal. A normal, whatever that was - she needed it, she needed it so much to happen. "Has cousin Natasi... oh, never mind." Truly, if she knew where to call home then perhaps things would look up.

Lastly, Lucinyia rather just plain Lucy. Lucy the plain, even she would be satisfied with that. As the oldest it was her job to see to her sister's security, marry well and command their legacy. Her happiness would be second to it all, she supposed. "This looks rather handsome, don't you think?" The blonde who neither looked like her mother or father, rather a mix of both families looked herself in the mirror. "You must show me how to braid such as this, I hear the second year at the academy is quite brutal and the less time spent on hair the more time I can spend on my studies."

One by one each of the girls were led back to the designated meeting spot. Ariel Josefina Yvarro who took so strongly from the Fortan line and thought of herself as a Fortan. Ryssa Noehmi Yvarro her looks were borrowed from her father's family with hints of the mother's line but one could hardly tell. Lucinyia Fiolette Yvarro the tall, blonde, cadet officer who was determined to make her one way. The three were a credit to their bloodline and each one held the other's hand. Breakriver was breathtaking but more than that this seemed to be a bold new step into the next chapter of their lives.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi stopped at the top of the stairs, her dark eyes studying the girls covertly for a moment before she descended down the stairs, brimmed and veiled hat in hand, in a pair of dark tweeds and riding boots. "No time to dawdle, girls, we're burning daylight." She led the girls out into the courtyard and across the wide expanse of the gravel drive and yard to the stable. Lady, Diamond, and Aureole were saddled and ready to go. "Lucy, you take Aureole," said Natasi, directing her eldest cousin to the chestnut stallion. "He's willful, but nothing you can't handle. Just take a firm hand. Ryssa, darling, Diamond is generally well behaved, don't let her slack."

Natasi stood back as the grooms helped Natasi's cousins onto their horses, then allowed him to help her onto Lady. She rode astride today, so that she could keep Ariel close, and once she had settled into the saddle, she waited for Ariel to be lifted on, and wrapped an arm securely around her youngest cousin. "Now, hold on tightly to the reins, just behind my hands. We shouldn't have too much trouble with Lady, but just be careful and be safe." She leaned forward and patted the horse's neck. "Did you girls ride much growing up? I never asked your mother." She suspected that things had been different for her cousins, raised outside the traditional cocoon of Galidraani society, thanks to their mother's exile.

"Well, even if you haven't, there's no reason you can't take it up now. It's good exercise."

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

The three girls followed after Natasi like young ducks all in a row from oldest to youngest. While they lacked the polish their dear cousin had they were more than up to the task. They were led out across the gravel drive and the yard before arriving at the stables, and as the horses were brought out they all exchanged a set of looks between themselves.

Grooms were on hand to assist the girls onto the horses, Lucy took to it just as well as an average rider might. Ryssa seemed to be a natural if one were to be honest, a quiet poise as she sat atop Diamond. Ariel the youngest and perhaps smallest of the bunch giggled as she was helped up onto Lady where Natasi would keep her close. The view from the horse was spectacular as far as Ariel had been concerned. She blushed and giggled a bit more, which seemed to be contagious among the Yvarro sisters.

They were then asked about riding lessons, or rather if they had before. Lucy answered on their behalf, "the short answer? No. The long answer, yes." It seemed confusing but the truth of the matter was only Lucy and Ryssa had ever really ridden and they were not from horses that their parents actually owned. Lessons were paid for when they could one afford it and two if was avaliable on the world they were on at the time. As children of military parents they weren't always afforded the time. "Time more than anything was pressed and mother was scarcely about she was often away on assignment. Father was around as much as he could be, we had lessons, Ryssa and I. Ariel on the other hand..."

The older Yvarro smiled and answered, "yes indeed it is always a good to excerise the skill, isn't it Ryssa?"

"I've learned from the last time if that's what you're after," the middle sister replied, "besides Diamond is a good one ain't ya?"

"I like Lady, she is quite pretty," Ariel commented.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi gritted her teeth slightly at her middle cousin's use of the word 'ain't'. Things would have been different if the girls had been raised in the family. Only the best governesses and tutors would have been employed to educate them; they'd have been proper little ladies, as Natasi had been. Natasi rested her cheek against the top of Ariel's head and sighed quietly, taking a better grip on the reigns. She had to consider whether that was the right thing -- for them, for any child -- to be molded into a little adult from the time they were old enough to answer back. She wondered for a moment if she would have been the person she was today if she had been raised differently.

The fond memories she had of her childhood, of her beloved brother, might have been more. Might have been better.

But then, she might not be Grand Moff of the First Order.

Perhaps it was a fair trade.

"Don't hold the reigns too tight, and don't pull," Natasi instructed the girls. "If you pull, that sends a message to the horse. Only pull if you want to slow the horse."

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]

 

[Fiolette Fortan]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUUejspPuIs[/media]​

​

By the time Natasi had given instructions, Ryssa and Lucy exchanged a set of looks. Their minds already concentrated on the trail ahead, "now let's see how much you've learned, little sister." The oldest teased as the light of day drew across the path, scattering the shadows along the ground. There was a look, a mischievous look and Ryssa had one herself as she leaned over and whispered into the horse's ear. It had been awhile since Lucy and Ryssa had had any proper time together. And as the two trotted their noble steeds out onto the path there were subtle jabs at each other. Neither one were products of Galidraan like their cousin that much was obvious but they were products of an Imperial family. Backs straight with a healthy amount of jockeying, the two looked back at their younger sister who seemed to adore being with Natasi.

"Right then, sista. Let's see what ya got, eh then cadet?"

"Oh I see, but let's remember which one of us can actually drive."

"You won't be the only one, not for long anyway."

Ariel looked up ahead at her two big sisters and watched them for a moment and then leaned back into her cousin and looked up. She gave Natasi a smile before turning her attention back onto the antics of her two older sisters. They were in the lead now, mostly the two talked about school. Ryssa's and then Lucy, mostly Ryssa's and how she's met a few boys from the school across the way and the little plays they were working on at her school. "So did you get the lead?" Lucy asked gently as she kept the horse at a steady pace.

"Nah, one of the other girls got it. I did, however, manage to get the work for the sound, so I suppose that's something. Mrs. Sadler said she'd show me everything." Ryssa explained, and the oldest Yvarro sister seemingly nodded along. Lucy had then explained her upcoming semester and the eagerness to really learn her job coming into the second year but she was also terrified of it all.

The oldest explained, "it'll be tough, full school and then leadership courses and externships on the vessels too. I won't be around much but you can drop a holo and I'll respond when I can, you know?"

"Fair, and um, Ariel did you want to say what you've been doing?"

Ariel lifted her head up and answered, "I'm going to the next level and I shall be part of the reading club. We're to have officer elections once we're back for class."

Lucy nodded in agreement, "sounds good, getting on with your classes?"

"Yes!" The youngest said with some manner of excitement.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]​