Private Triple A-Okay

[Auteme]

Alicio Organa Amani Serys ​

"Aunty A! They're here! Hi, welcome. I'm Kyla, it's nice to meet you." She looked twenty-something; dark brown hair, average height, smile that could light up the sun.

"Let them in!"

"Yeah! Here, let me take those," she said, for their jackets.

The apartment felt small -- the front hallway was tight, packed in by the coat hangers and shoe rack and console table that blocked nearly half the hall. There were two doors on the left and two on the right, and the hall opened up to a larger room, what looked to be a kitchen, maybe a dining room across from it. "She's at the end. Oh, and bathroom's first left."

Wall to wall there were pictures, mostly of four-five kids, but a couple with Auteme, too; a lot of art, going from five-year-old's first crayon drawing to paintings of the skyline that matched the view from the windows at the end of the hall.

Auteme already had the table set, simple ceramics with a floral pattern on the edges, on an intimate round wood table -- real wood, from the look and feel. The Chancellor herself was hardly dressed as such, down to a fluffy orange turtleneck and jeans. She stood at the stove, three pots on top and something in the oven. She smiled as her guests entered. "Hey, welcome. How are things? How was the trip in?"

 

[Alicio Organa]

Auteme's Apartment
Coruscant
​

"...And what do we say when they give us dinner?"

"Thank you for the food!" Lia puffed out her chest a little, obviously excited to be back on Coruscant.

"Tank fooood!" August goofed, but Alicio gave him a raised eyebrow. "Thank you for the food," he amended quietly.

"Mmm-hmm." Alicio glanced over at Amani, properly pacified. It wasn't every day that the leader of the free galaxy invited you and your family to dinner. He'd always tried to instill good manners in their children, understanding that toddlers would be toddlers, but today, the Alderaanian was a little on edge. It was the first time he had the chance to speak with Auteme since her... questionable senate decision. Rumblings had begun among his colleagues, rumblings he didn't particularly like.

As the family approached the correct door, Liana pulled ahead, wanting to be the first to knock. She pounded on the door as heavily as her little toddler fist could manage, and it was opened by a woman Alicio had never seen before. There was a moment where Alicio wondered if they'd gotten the wrong place, but they were quickly invited within. Alicio gave Auteme's niece a warm, if clipped smile, and an outstretched hand to shake. "Thank you for the warm welcome. It's good to meet you, Kyla."

The little family was quickly ushered in, their coats taken by their attentive host. Alicio's eyes traveled the walls, taking note of the many family photos. He realized he'd never talked with the Chancellor about family before. She had... more than he'd assumed.

Finally, they came within view of Auteme herself. Alicio let his smile fill out, even if his eyes betrayed a bit of his fatigue. She neglected decorum, so he did too. "Thank you for having us. The trip was smooth, but I'm more impressed we all had the time." A King, a Jedi Councilmember, and the Chancellor? It was a miracle their schedules lined up.

"Anything we can do to help?"

- Amani Serys - Auteme -

 

[Amani Serys]

Alliance politics were in a messy spot. War, and the responses to it, had many up in arms. Tonight would hopefully be a break from all that. Or at the very least, a break from many of the voices involved.

Being back on Coruscant was a welcome familiarity, offset by the tension that gripped the long-standing capital of the Alliance. The fear that something might happen at any moment. The Dark Empire was only a few sectors away, after all.

The kids were blissfully ignorant. And as the door opened, Amani allowed herself to be so as well. A woman she'd never met, who promptly introduced herself as Auteme's niece, welcomed them inside, "Thank you, Kyla. A pleasure." She offered a hand after Alicio.

The Chancellor's apartment was more curious than Amani had expected. It seemed relatively small, given her position; but then again so was the Organas' when they lived here. Pictures of children decorated the walls, and the Chief Healer met the same revelation as her husband: That family was a concept that seemed wholly disconnected from Auteme. To be reminded that not only did she have one, but learn that it was as big as it was, felt like a whole side of the Chancellor secretly unraveled.

Auteme was awaiting them at the table, dressed and greeting the family casually. Amani offered her a smile, "It is impressive. When we were crowned I was sure we'd never have the time for dinner ever again. Let alone with the Madame Chancellor." She looked around and nodded, silently affirming Alicio's offer for help.

Alicio Organa - Auteme​

 

[Auteme]

Amani Serys Alicio Organa
​

"Ah, well," her expression gave welp, "I've had a few cancelled meetings. So, I appreciate you making the time for me."

Kyla was immediately on the case for Lia and August. She was clearly a pro with kids -- bright smile, silly, physical. She brought them over to the living room that sprawled out across from the kitchen and dining room. The tea table was already replete with neat trinkets and a couple of old toys, which Kyla assured the kids she still played with.

"It's mostly done, but- you could cut the bread and finish mixing the salad." She gestured to the appropriate foodstuffs resting on the counter. "Oh, and- drinks. What can I get you?"

It wasn't even close to the selection at the Chancellor's estate, but it wasn't too shabby. Auteme grabbed them glasses and set them in reach.

"And, when are you going to introduce me?" She smiled, looking over at their children.

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Any time, Chancellor." Alicio could only speculate why the Chancellor's calendar had opened. One would think with the big move, she would only be busier.

August ingratiated himself immediately to Kyla, rambling in toddler-speak to her in an excited timbre. He was quite the outgoing child, dauntless in the face of new people, and entirely engrossed in the new toys. He picked up the nearest doodad, and swung it around Kyla, making starship sounds with his mouth, and inviting her to play along.

Alicio tilted his head down to Amani, shooting her a sweet smile. "I call bread duty," he murmured, finding his place at the prep table, and cutting the loaf with an obvious familiarity. Baking was one of his favorite hobbies, so he'd gotten rather good with a breadknife. Focused on the task ahead of him, he spared a quick look at Auteme. "Do you have something on the kettle? If not, water is perfectly fine for me."

"And, when are you going to introduce me?"

"Of course." Alicio finished slicing, finding a little smirk. "Liana, August? Come say hi to our host."

- Amani Serys - Auteme -

 

[Amani Serys]

"Likewise," Amani smirked, and dipped her head.

Kyla seemed to earn the goodwill of both kids quickly. While August rambled, Liana tried to appear much more articulate for her new friend, though the resulting train of thought was only marginally more comprehensible, especially with them both vying for her attention at the same time.

"I call bread duty,"

Amani gave him an amused look, "I was going to call salad duty anyway." Just as Alicio was the specialist for baking, she was more experienced with the greens, so it worked out. "Same here," Amani replied to the mention of drinks, ready and able to go along with whatever.

"Liana, August? Come say hi to our host."

Liana and August looked up when spoken to, and shuffled over to approach Auteme. They each studied her in their own way, neither quite understanding the importance of the woman standing right in front of them. "Hi-ello" Their voices overlapped as they offered their simple greetings in tandem.

"Intooduce yourselves." Amani coaxed.

"I'm August."

"My name is Liana."

I finally post Auteme - Alicio Organa​

 

[Auteme]

Alicio Organa Amani Serys
​

Auteme seemed prepared for their answer, moving over to an electric kettle on the other end of the counter, pouring into four mugs of varying sizes, each with something silly on it. Hers had two ear-like handles and the face of a Kowakian monkey-lizard on the side. She put the mugs on a small tray with honey, sugar, and a bit of milk, depositing it in reach of her guests. "Gatalentan grey," she said, mixing in a spoonful of honey and a touch of milk. "I'm sure you know it's best shared."

To the children she gave a sweeping bow, then settled into a squat to better meet their gaze. "Nice to meet you, August and Liana. I'm Auteme, I'm Kyla's aunt. And I'm your dad's boss. I get to order him around all day."

She nodded sagely and gave them all sorts of assurances about that fact.

Kyla moved to take her tea. Closer to Auteme -- and the kids -- it became apparent she and her aunt weren't related, even as Auteme's method of child-entertainment echoed her niece's.

"What can I get you to drink? I've got something sweet I bet your parents don't let you have." On prompting she produced some blumfruit juice from the fridge, a little treat she made herself. Not soon after she returned them to Kyla's care and went to the stove.

"I'm curious -- how do you two split the parenting? Or, do you have caretakers?" She glanced back at the kids, and turned solemn for a moment. "I know it's a... demanding responsibility."

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Gatalentan grey. I'm sure you know it's best shared."

Alicio nodded, returning to his task for only a moment longer, before arranging the bread on a plate with a gentle hand. There was something deeply satisfying about sharing tea with others. He didn't usually drink it on his own, but in company, it just felt right. When a cup and kettle (with an amusing face) was put before them, the former Count took the time to pour for himself and Amani, then checked both Kyla and Auteme, to see if they wanted the same.

August drew a wide smile as Auteme bowed to them, then got down on the twins' level. He pointed an accusatory finger at Alicio, when the Chancellor revealed she was his father's boss, puzzling out a sentence in his head. "Then tell Daddy... tell Daddy... that... we no go to bed early!"

Quickly, the half-Mirialan forgot his demand when a potentially forbidden drink was on the table. His eyes lit up mischievously. "Juice!" he said confidently, before being ushered back to Kyla with his sister.

Alicio found a silly grin, before letting fall neutral as Auteme continued the conversation. "We... try to have one of us stay with them as much as possible. But that's something I worry about, too." He had less time with his family than he'd like.

- Amani Serys - Auteme - oops my b

 

[Amani Serys]

Liana seemed to be formulating a more complex demand from her father's boss, but when August made his own suggestion, she immediately forgot her own, "Yeah!" The offer of blumfruit juice got both of the kids' attentions. Amani just hoped they wouldn't make a mess of it in the Chancellor's apartment (or on themselves).

"I'm curious -- how do you two split the parenting? Or, do you have caretakers?" She glanced back at the kids, and turned solemn for a moment. "I know it's a... demanding responsibility."

Amani took her cup, nodded thanks to Alicio, and took a sip, "It works, for the most part. It always feels like someone's missing out on something, though," Whether it was the kids missing out on a parent, a parent missing out on a kid, or a parent missing out on something at work, there was too much to do and not enough time. "There are plenty of people who are more than willing to watch over them if necessary. And we've called on them plenty of times," Family friends, royal staff, the Jedi Temple, all were fair game for babysitting duty. They didn't like to rely on it, but sometimes the alternative was simply impossible. "That said, I think we do a good job managing our time, even if it can be a bit of a headache to do so." The cost was worth it, if it meant more family time.

Auteme - Alicio Organa​

 

[Auteme]

Alicio Organa Amani Serys
​

"It works, for the most part. It always feels like someone's missing out on something, though,"

"I know the feeling," she said. "Glad to hear things are going well, though. This is definitely one of the more demanding times." She watched the two kids chugging blumfruit juice. They were appropriately sated, it seemed. "Sometimes."

She took Alicio's work on the bread over to the table, then the salad next.

"Help's one thing. But, honestly... no matter how much time you spend, it always feels like it should have been more." She looked over the remaining food, stirring some greenish noodles in a pot, then doing a quick check on the oven before pulling out a tray of crisped veggies and a meaty roast, which she got to cutting rather proficiently.

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio smirked down at the children. "Mmm, or maybe you two should head right to bed when we get back to the ship." He tousled Lia's hair playfully as she walked by with her new juice, placing cups of tea on the table as Auteme laid out their dinner.

Alicio had been the dedicated family cook while they'd lived on Coruscant, but nothing he'd made could hold a candle to what the Chancellor had cooked up. A jealous smile pulled at the corner of his lip. It was a lot of trouble to go through for little old them.

Amani stated their position perfectly. They couldn't be there for the kids all the time, but that didn't stop them from trying. Most of the time, the twins had one parent with them, but rarely were they all together. It was so much easier, when they'd had their apartment...

"Help's one thing. But, honestly... no matter how much time you spend, it always feels like it should have been more."

Alicio frowned, looking back at his children. He had been happy, beyond happy, ever since marrying Amani, since welcoming Lia and August into the world. But every once in a while, a cool melancholy peeked through, an old part of him he would never shake.

"I'll take every moment with them I can manage." A longing look was sent to Amani. He'd been thinking a lot about time recently. "While we still have them to spare."

Then, Alicio made a conscious effort to lighten his mood, forcing his eyebrows to unbunch. "That smells really good. It's been too long since I've had something... home-made."

- Amani Serys - Auteme -

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani hummed in agreement, and offered a sympathetic smile to Alicio when he replied. The Chancellor seemed to understand the plight on some level. Of all people, it figures she would. Leader of the free galaxy wasn't exactly a position that offered much leniency.

The kids were pacified by their blumfruit juice, and thus far not making a mess of it. The food was looking (and smelling) quite promising. Amani couldn't help but lean in and inspect the process a bit closer, "I didn't realize the Chancellor was a culinary talent." She smirked.

Alicio Organa - Auteme​

 

[Auteme]

Amani Serys Alicio Organa
​

"Oh, it is definitely not talent. Kyla has horror stories for you about my early forays into... making food." A joking grimace.

As for the food itself, "Okay, we've got Hyellian ramen -- musical noodles, great stuff, but I've got just some white rice if the kids prefer that," she moved a small pot quickly over to the table, "both go well with the roast, which I've cut thin but if you want a bigger piece I can do that, and I've got some boiled Epochan wildfowl eggs, some mushrooms that I will not embarrass myself by trying to pronounce but they're also from Epoch... bonus veggies, bread goes good when dipped in the broth, salad on the side. Yep."

She grabbed the bowls and divvied up the ramen, added the broth, then all the bits that brought it all together. Kyla guided over the kids to the table, and they all sat down to eat.

 

[Alicio Organa]

"I'm sure your first tries were at least edible." Alicio flicked his lips into an easy smile. "I have some harrowing tales for you about my experimental breadmaking days." He would tell them about the puck incident when he wasn't worried about spoiling any appetites.

Soon enough, it was time for dinner. Despite the twins' combative, excitable natures, he trusted them to treat the meal with respect. He'd made sure to practice what to do at a fancy dinner with them a few times, especially since their move to Alderaan. Not to mention quizzing them on the way here. Accepting the bowl, Alicio helped prepare the kids' plates before starting to work on his own, until finally, everything was ready, and they all sat down.

"Alright. Liana, August... what do we say?" Moment of truth.

Lia was the first to remember, beaming at Auteme with a wide smile. "Thank you for the food."

August was a little slower. He opened his mouth, and Alicio, sensing what the boy was about to say, gave him the eye. The little prince thought again. "Thank you for the food!," he finally said, before both children began to eat.

Alicio found a smile the second he tasted the noodles. "As good as they look," he said, nodding to the Chancellor.

- Amani Serys - Auteme -

 

[Amani Serys]

"Sounds delicious. You're really pulling out all the stops, Chancellor." Amani said, taking her bowl as they sat down. The kids showed proper manners and gratitude (with some coaxing from their father), and before long everyone was ready to eat. Amani took a bite, smiled, and nodded in agreement with Alicio.

"Compliments to the chef," She took another bite. After a few moments had passed with everyone digging in, Amani spoke up to Auteme, "So, how are things going in your corner of the galaxy?" Spending much of their time on Alderaan made it hard to keep up. Especially for Amani, who's other duties were spent in more Jedi-occupied circles.

Auteme - Alicio Organa​

 

[Auteme]

Amani Serys Alicio Organa
​

"You are very welcome," she said, bright smile for the kids. She took her time with her food, carefully gathering each of the bits she'd mixed with her ramen into her porcelain soup spoon, a microcosm of the broader meal.

"Ah, well, you know- something about being cursed to live in interesting times." She loaded up her spoon again. "But personally-"

She spoke of the small things, her last trip to Concord Dawn to visit her oldest friends; her family, and all their successes. Losa and Vhi's graduations -- Kyla's siblings. Kyla's own plans for traveling the galaxy, and how glad Auteme was that she was able to stick around a little longer to have dinner with them tonight. She spoke of brief conversations she'd had with her predecessors, Chandra and Tagge (and Tithe, she remarked, though kept that bit brief as to not delve into the pain of the war).

"But enough about me," and she asked about the kids, where they went to school, showered the little ones with attention as she asked them very silly questions in a very serious tone.

And the food was as excellent as she'd hoped, and they were all full by the end, and Auteme broke open some wine anyways because why not. Kyla took the kids to see their little balcony, and the view of Coruscant just past sundown.

And though Auteme smiled that old tiredness crept to her eyes. "I'm afraid I must now reveal my ulterior motives," she joked. "Alicio, I would like you to be my Vice Chancellor. My duties are... calling me in more dangerous and precarious directions. I need someone who can hold down the fort."

 

[Alicio Organa]

It was nice, to talk about simple things for a change.

When taken in the abstract, in it's entirety, thoughts of the Alliance brought Alicio no shortage of dread. He could sense the galaxy changing around them, shadows creeping up to snuff the light they had so carefully cultivated. He often wondered if their enemies were right- if their facsimile of peace had weakened them, to the point of destruction.

But talking with Auteme, about little things like vacations and graduations, brought it all into perspective. How could allowing people to live normal lives be weakness? It was... life. Plain and simple.

Both children were a bit wordy, despite their age, so Auteme's questioning was met with enthusiasm. They told her all about their time in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, the friends they made, the games they played, what they ate for breakfast that day... until they strayed entirely from the conversation at hand. Alicio could only smile at that. Children would be children.

Finally, the night began to wind down. Kyla took the twins out to watch the Coruscanti skyline, while the parents stayed inside. The choice of alcohol made him smile, just a little. The Organas had... a sordid history with wine.

He sensed their final topic of discussion moments before the silence was broken, his face falling into carefully curated neutrality. Both Jedi-trained individuals would probably be able to sense his apprehension. His hesitance to answer. "Chancellor..." He frowned. Rethought. "Auteme."

He took a sip of wine, to mask his pause. "My work-life balance is precarious as-is. Any shift in the balance... I don't want to start choosing between my family, and my responsibility to the Alliance." He looked to Amani, a helpless sort of look in his eye, asking silently for her input. He wouldn't make a decision like this alone.

But one thing Auteme said caught his attention, enough to ask about.

"What duties of a chancellor would put you in danger?"

- Amani Serys - Auteme -

 

[Amani Serys]

Much of the conversation was pleasantly civilian. Talk of political predecessors and time at the Jedi Temple kept the subject matter from being quite what you might here at a typical dinner, but all the baggage that came with it felt distant, or perhaps even nonexistent, if just for an evening. It reminded Amani of the interwar years, when the stakes weren't so far reaching, and life could feel something close to normal.

In due time, such talk came to a close. When the kids were away with Kyla, Auteme dropped the big question. Amani had been atypically caught off guard. Alicio was often bandied as a vice chancellor (or even chancellor) candidate, but he had often shot down he notion. A new VC was needed, but talk of a replacement had seemingly died down, or at least not reached her ears. She studied his reaction thoroughly, and saw much of what she expected.

There was no doubt he was qualified. It was a question of commitments, and dangers. Amani looked to Auteme now, and spoke plainly of another matter, "If something were to happen to you… that would make Alicio chancellor, wouldn't it?" If her job was becoming more precarious, could it in turn make their lives more precarious if things took a turn for the worse? Perhaps it was selfish to bring up, but she knew Alicio would be thinking of it too. And if he were to take the position, he needed to consider every factor.

Alicio Organa - Auteme​

 

[Auteme]

Alicio Organa Amani Serys
​

Like clockwork. Even though she could not stop his expression from faltering, they kept to the topic.

She leaned back in her chair. "You didn't even know I had a family, did you?" she followed with a gently-accusing point from her wine-hand, before taking a small sip, "Not that I advertised it. But I'm a single parent, and I made time. If anything, it's less work than being Senator."

Another sip. "If you want the cynical politician answer -- it's a power calculation. I've got ten times as many people working directly for me. That doesn't mean more management, that means more delegation. That's what it's about, really. I get somebody to take care of some work for me, and they've got people who help them, and then it's on and on until it's everyone in the galaxy.

"You're part of the same web, I just want you to move up the line a bit."

And in again, like it was final word on a bill. "Alicio. I wouldn't be asking you if you didn't have the capacity. You've come this far by being steady, smart. This is the time to spend that clout. My family, your family -- the Dark Empire is on our doorstep. I want someone who values life enough to maintain this Alliance so we can keep worrying about work-life balance, have kids we want to keep spending time with."

And back again, glass raising, stopping only because she felt rude leaving their questions hanging so long. "Yes, yes. I have no plans to die, but I suppose most tend not to. But yes -- I would trust your hands in such a time. Or, I would trust you to manage an election even in the middle of a war." She suspected it would be the latter case. "My term's on its way out, anyways. I just have to hope the Senate has no plans to give me emergency powers."

A little smile behind the wine glass.

"As for my dangers -- well, beyond the usual ones, of being a symbol of the Alliance, of being the leader of a warring nation -- I'll say, ah, Solipsis is an old acquaintance. I suspect our business will be settled in the near future." A sip. She looked out the window, and saw Coruscant burning again. It was close.

 

[Alicio Organa]

"If something were to happen to you… that would make Alicio chancellor, wouldn't it?"

The thought had crossed his mind. Then crossed it again, then beat it up and demanded it's lunch money. "Not... necessarily. If circumstances allow it, the vice chancellor can initiate a succession vote. But... even if that can happen, for a brief period... they become the most powerful person in the Alliance."

Alicio's lip tightened at Auteme's point. "No. I did not." He hadn't known about Auteme's family at all. He also hadn't known about Rens Ahim 's daughter until he saw her in person, at the Senate Building. Both were... eye-openers to him. He didn't know nearly enough about his colleagues as he would like.

Alicio gently placed his glass down at his side. A small application of the Force burned the alcohol from his body, as he thought. Auteme used her family as an excuse, that she'd made time, so he could too. That being vice chancellor was less work than being a senator, never mind the fact that he was still a senator, now with added responsibilities. Alicio remained unconvinced, but as she kept talking, he felt his protestations beginning to crack.

He was... predictable. He knew it. Some might charitably call it reliability, but it didn't change the fact that his heart was on his sleeve. Auteme knew exactly what to say to get to him. How could he prioritize his family, when so many families, his own included, hung in the balance? Who else could be trusted, not just by Auteme, but by the Assembly, by the people of the Alliance, when trust was in such short supply?

"As for my dangers -- well, beyond the usual ones, of being a symbol of the Alliance, of being the leader of a warring nation -- I'll say, ah, Solipsis is an old acquaintance. I suspect our business will be settled in the near future."

"Fossk." The word was wispy coming from Alicio's mouth, unwilling to put weight behind it. "I'm aware. You're going to face him."

Alicio stared down, his gaze distant. He knew what his answer had to be. Frankly, he felt he had little choice in the matter. But that didn't stop him from looking to his wife, his guiding light. He wouldn't agree to anything without her input. He supposed that was why the chancellor had invited along his family.

Again, predictable.

"Amani. What do you think?"

- Amani Serys - Auteme -