Private Between Occupation and Hope

[Sibylla Abrantes]

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Theed Gardens
Interacting with: Elara Veyne Tal’aris
Items: x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x

The morning Naboo sun spilled soft, warm, golden rays across the gardens, glinting against polished stone pathways and the quiet trickle of fountains tucked between flowering hedges. A few loose wisps of Sibylla's hair tickled her cheeks as a soft breeze stirred the gauzy curtains of the gazebo where she stood, carrying with it the scent of steeping tea and blooming wisteria from the terraces below. The Voice of Naboo had arranged the meeting with Lady Elara Tal'aris here, hoping that it seemed like the better choice for a conversation.

Oh, certainly, the palace was beautiful, but the palace walls had a way of turning every conversation into what one could only consider either a performance or a briefing. Out here at least, one could enjoy being beneath the open skies and the shaded vines, making things feel just a little quieter and more intimate. Or at least, Sibylla hoped they might.

An attendant waited near the entrance of the gardens for Lady Elara Tal'aris, prepared to escort the Chandrilian noblewoman through the winding pathways toward the secluded pavilion where the two of them could speak freely without worrying over wandering ears or curious court attendants.

Truth be told, there was already enough tension weaving through the Core Worlds without adding gossip to the pile.

Sibylla rested one hand lightly against the back of her chair as her gaze drifted toward the distant skyline beyond the gardens. The delicate curve of her brows pursed lightly, thinking towards the situation regarding Chandrila itself now that it was beneath Sith Covenant jurisdiction. Even thinking the words left a faint knot of unease in her chest.

Because it wasn't just Chandrila. But Alderaan as well. The galaxy had become far too accustomed to hearing about occupations and shifting borders, but what worried her more was the people impacted by them.

What were the Chandrilian diaspora thinking now? Fear? Anger? Resignation? How many worlds were quietly watching the Covenant advance and wondering if they would be next?

With a soft exhale, Sibylla told herself to push that to the side. Today was about listening first and foremost.

Sunlight caught against the gold jewelry resting at her throat and wrists as she shifted, the maroon and gold fabric of her gown stirring faintly around her. Her chestnut hair had been loosely pinned back in soft waves while the rest fell freely down her back. And though the three scars along the left side of her face had faded into pale pink lines against honey-beige skin, they remained visible enough to draw the eye if one looked too long. The last lingering reminder of what Corellia had cost her to stand up for another world, one she would do again, if only to save more lives.

As the sound of footsteps neared along the garden path, Sibylla straightened slightly, feeling that composure settle over her shoulders with practiced ease.

Right, tea first. Then the more difficult conversations.

 

[Elara Veyne Tal’aris]

Since her arrival, Elara had spent little time among Naboo's nobility and leadership; her station was a responsibility, one that bound her to the well-being of her people. Seeing to it that each of them was cared for left little time for plesantries; still, once the request was made from the palace, she couldn't refuse. As one of the few nobles from Chandrilla, someone would need to speak on behalf of their people at some point, so this opportunity could not be wasted.

Blue eyes looked up at the steps leading up to the palace, she ascended them with little fanfare as an attendant awaited to guide her. "Good morning, Lady Tal'aris, to see Lady Abrantes," she offered simply, a small recognition and a nod from the attendant before he spoke. "Right this way, my lady." Elara followed, her eyes wandering as they traveled to the garden. She paid attention, of course, but she would be hard-pressed to find her way back without a guide, truth be told. At long last, a door opened, and she was guided into the garden. Her eyes found Sibylla immediately, and the attendant announced her presence.

"Lady Abrantes, thank you for the invitation. I regret I was unable to attend sooner." The voice that flowed was firm but kind; her eyes were gentle but carried a sharpness that dared to be underestimated. Elara studied Sibylla for a moment, taking in the finery and the bright colors she wore. In contrast, Chandrila was far more muted. Elara wore a simple blue and white dress, and over her shoulders was a blue capelet, and on her head sat an intentionally slanted blue hat, contrasting sharply with her fiery red hair.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly. Elara Veyne Tal'aris, eldest of my parents and heir to my house," she made sure to punctuate eldest, and heir. That would tell Sibylla all she needed to understand about why Elara was not on Chandrilla without so many words.

TAG: Sibylla Abrantes
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[Sibylla Abrantes]

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Theed Gardens
Interacting with: Elara Veyne Tal’aris
Items: x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x

Sibylla rose smoothly from her seat as the attendant announced Lady Tal'aris' arrival. For a brief moment, she simply observed the woman approaching through the garden. She was dressed in practical elegance, her auburn hair burning brightly against the muted colors. Then there was the way the young woman carried herself, reminding Sibylla of several senators she had encountered over the years, those who had learned very early that dignity and determination often had to walk hand in hand.

The emphasis on eldest and heir did not escape her either, and Sibylla's eyes softened with immediate understanding. A precaution that spoke volumes about Chandrila's current circumstances without either woman needing to say the words aloud.

"Lady Tal'aris, welcome. It is a pleasure." Sibylla greeted warmly, inclining her head. "And please, you need not apologize for attending to your people first. If anything, I should be reassured by it."

She gestured toward the tea service waiting beneath the gazebo.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," Sibylla added with sincerity, inviting Elara to sit. As they both made way to their seats, the attendant withdrew to a respectful distance, allowing Sibylla to continue.

Once both women were seated, Sibylla began pouring tea into the waiting cups, allowing the brief silence to settle naturally between them rather than rushing to fill it with politics. Then Sibylla glanced up from the teapot.

"I confess," she said, setting the porcelain vessel down carefully, "I have spent the better part of the last several weeks hearing people speak about Chandrila."

Those hazel eyes rose to meet Elara's.

"Very few have spoken for Chandrila." There was no accusation in her voice, only quiet honesty regarding the difference. The smile faded slightly, replaced by thoughtful concern.

"And fewer still for the Chandrilians who no longer reside there." With a breath, she poured some hot water into Elara's teacup.

"So before anyone attempts to tell me what your people think, I would rather hear it from someone who actually knows." Then, in an inviting motion, she gestured for the woman to not only select which tea she would prefer, but to be honest regarding her thoughts on her people.

"What is the mood among your people, Lady Tal'aris?"

 

[Elara Veyne Tal’aris]

Elara allowed a brief silence to settle after the question, her gaze lowering momentarily to the tea service between them. The pause was not hesitation. If anything, it suggested she was giving the question the consideration it deserved. "You are kind to ask." The words were simple, but sincere.

"Many have been willing to speak about Chandrila these past months. Far fewer have taken the time to ask Chandrilans." She said softly, agreeing with Sibylla's assessment; only then did she reach for her cup, acknowledging the hospitality before lifting it. The porcelain remained cradled lightly between her hands rather than immediately brought to her lips.

A faint smile touched her features. "I think the mood depends on who you ask." There was a quiet note of amusement in the observation. "The mistake many people make is assuming Chandrilans think alike. We cultivate consensus well enough that I understand why outsiders believe it, but we are not nearly so uniform as our reputation suggests."

Her gaze drifted briefly toward the gardens beyond the pavilion. Sunlight filtered through the vines overhead, casting shifting patterns across polished stone and flowering hedges. "There is concern, certainly. Some are afraid, some are angry. Some believe accommodation is the only practical course. Others believe any compromise is surrender." Her eyes returned to Sibylla. "Most fall somewhere between those extremes." Only then did she take a small sip of tea.

"What I have found among those who left is not panic, but uncertainty. Not because they fail to understand what has happened, but because they are trying to understand what comes next." The distinction seemed important to her. "Chandrila has always valued stability, institutions, and continuity. Even those who criticized those things generally trusted they would still exist tomorrow." She paused briefly. "That certainty has become more difficult to find."

Elara set the cup gently upon its saucer. "Most Chandrilans aren't asking who to blame. They are asking what comes next." Her fingers settled lightly against the saucer. "I wish I had more reassurance to give them." For a moment her expression softened, not with sadness but reflection. "My family has lived on Chandrila for generations. We remain Chandrilan whether we reside there or not. I suspect many feel the same."

A faint smile returned. "You asked what my people think, Lady Abrantes. The truth is I do not believe they have reached a conclusion." The amusement returned, subtle but genuine. "We are still discussing it." She inclined her head slightly. "Which, in fairness, is a very Chandrilan thing to do."

TAG: Sibylla Abrantes
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[Sibylla Abrantes]

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Theed Gardens
Interacting with: Elara Veyne Tal’aris
Items: x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x

A soft laugh escaped Sibylla at that.

"Then perhaps Chandrilans and Naboo have more in common than either of us would care to admit." Sibylla quipped back gently, the amusement lingering in her hazel eyes as she lifted her own cup.

"Though I suspect Chandrilans are considerably more patient about the process." She took a small sip before setting the porcelain back upon its saucer. Elara's answer was thoughtful and, perhaps most importantly, honest and real. At the very least, the Kinetic Communication she had learned in her youth allowed the Voice of Naboo to get a bit of a read on the woman enough to make her believe that what Lady Elara told her was true.

"I think uncertainty may be the most difficult burden of all," Sibylla admitted quietly. "Fear can be confronted... anger can be directed or redirected... but uncertainty..." She glanced toward the gardens. "It leaves people wondering whether they should prepare to fight for tomorrow or simply endure until it arrives.... or even if they should fight at all." A thought went back to her own initial journey when she had been conflicted about whether she was even joining the Sovereign Candidacy for the throne of Naboo because she wanted to or because she had been expected to.

A soft hum gently left her lips, her fingers tracing lightly along the rim of her teacup. Then she turned back to Elara with a faint smile.

"For what it is worth, I do not believe your people are wrong to still be discussing it. The galaxy has developed an unfortunate habit of demanding immediate answers to questions that deserve careful consideration." Then, thinking back to all those previous situations, she added wryly. "Usually from individuals who will not be the ones living with the consequences."

The smile softened as she studied Elara for a moment, then leaned forward slightly.

"You mentioned that many are asking what comes next." she inquired, tilting her head slightly in consideration.

"What do you believe comes next, Lady Tal'aris? "