Faction [RNR & Foundation] Restoring the Balance

[Lorn Reingard]

Kahne Porte | Lossa Aureus | Briana Sal-Soren | Rook Merriex | Efret Farr

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Lorn felt a knot forming in his stomach. This whole Council of Light thing was new, and already it felt heavy. He nodded stiffly at Rook and Master Farr, trying to project an air of calm he definitely didn't feel. Vizion was right to get things moving; the longer they sat in this awkward silence, the worse it would get.

"Right then." Lorn said, his voice a little rougher than he'd intended. He stood up, his joints protesting with a series of quiet cracks. He caught Rhys, one of the younger Initiates, hovering near the doorway. "Rhys, could you bring some water for our guests? And maybe some of those little biscuits from the kitchens? Just in case."

Lorn pointed Rhys towards the others. "If you need anything at all, just ask Rhys. He'll sort you out." He winced as he lowered himself back into his chair. His back was still screaming at him from the recent… well, everything, really. He just hoped he wouldn't have to stand up again too soon.

Now that he'd done his bit as host, Lorn was eager to get to the real reason they were all here. He glanced around the table, his eyes lingering on each face in turn. Kahne looked as stoic as ever, Lossa seemed a bit nervous, and Vizion was radiating a focused energy that bordered on intense. They all seemed eager to discuss everything.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

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Interacting with Lysander von Ascania | closed

Sibylla tilted her head slightly at Lysander's words, the flicker of sincerity beneath his usual bravado catching her attention. Stubborn? Hardly a revelation. But the fact that he considered it an endorsement rather than a flaw made her hum in quiet amusement.

"I'll take that as a compliment," she replied smoothly, tapping her commlink to check for updates. "And if you're only in this for the desserts, then you're in luck -- Naboo's pastries are legendary. If you're very good, I might even let you try one."

The moment of levity was brief. As the palace loomed before them, Sibylla's gaze swept over the tents and wounded beyond the gates. Theed's scars would heal, but only if they moved quickly. Only if they played the game right.

Her voice was quieter when she spoke again, a murmur beneath the weight of responsibility. "You're right. You can't predict every threat." A beat. Then, with a wry glance, she added, "But that won't stop me from trying."

—
Enroute to House Abrantes
Gallo Mountains

Days later, the landscape had changed. Humanitarian aid flowed through the capital, dignitaries came and went, and the Junior Assembly was adjourned in light of reconstruction efforts. That left Sibylla with a rare reprieve to convene at House Abrantes' seat of power...and, apparently, a Jedi guardian.

Seated beside Lysander aboard the transport bound for Dee'ja Peak, she swept a finger over her tablet, absorbing the latest Assembly reports. Every now and then, she'd glance up, the flicker of a smirk betraying her amusement.

"You know," she mused, not bothering to look up from her screen, "if you keep sitting that still, I really might start mistaking you for a protocol droid."

After a beat, she tapped a finger thoughtfully against her chin. "Though, now that I think about it, protocol droids do tend to be a bit more talkative. More apologetic, too."

With a small sigh, she leaned back, the cool hum of the transport filling the silence. "A shame. I could've assigned you to handle all my diplomatic meetings."

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Enroute to House Abrantes
Gallo Mountains
Sibylla Abrantes

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Lysander leaned back in his seat, stillness enveloping him— a rare respite from the lingering thoughts that had been consuming him lately. His mind felt heavy with the weight of his upcoming journey to Ukatis and then Korriban; uncertainty and excitement overshadowed any duties he had here on Naboo. The allure of ancient temples and darker inclinations was a constant tug on the Padawan’s conscience

Just as he was about to lose himself in contemplation, a voice broke through the silence.

As Sibylla began to speak, his head rotated in her direction; there was an elegant arch of his brow at the jab. “Be careful what you ask for,” he started, his tone light, “you might just find yourself stuck in a long lecture on economic policies of your own planet. And unlike protocol droids, I can make any report interesting. It's obvious you already take your fashion advice from them.” A shake of his head followed, now looking towards the viewport. ”I forgot to mention.. you’re now stuck with someone who just so happens to love his own voice. My monologues could rival an entire HoloNet series. Believe that.”

His posture became more relaxed; a soft sigh escaped. "Also, there's nothing to be apologetic about either, so don't start acting like I owe it for something or to anyone. Maybe you should be more thankful that you actually have someone who can keep your constant sarcasm sharp. If anything, it's me who deserves condolences.”

The Padawan's gaze scanned over the landscape. "Dee'ja Peak," Lysander murmured, more to himself than the girl next to him. Perhaps the one constant since his arrival on Naboo some time ago was the steadfast captivation from the beauty Naboo offered. “I’m positive there are zero restaurants for dessert in this area. If there were, I would already know of them."