Private Between the Noise

[Seris Mataan]

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The balcony had turned into a hallway, the hallway into a quiet exit, and somewhere after that, the evening had simply continued without either of them questioning it too much. By the time the gala existed only as distant music behind them, Coronet City had swallowed the rest. The city stretched endlessly in every direction beneath the Corellian night, towers layered atop one another in gold, white, and neon light while streams of traffic moved between them like glowing rivers suspended in the air. Even at this hour, the streets below remained alive. Conversations spilled from rooftop terraces and open cafés tucked between polished facades, while somewhere farther down the district, music drifted out into the warm night air each time a door opened.

At some point after leaving the ballroom, the pressure around Quinn had started to ease. Seris had noticed it gradually rather than all at once. The tightening in her shoulders had lessened. Her breathing no longer sounded measured so carefully between conversations. Even the silence between them now felt quieter than the silence inside the gala ever had. Seris let her eyes wander briefly over the harbor below before glancing sideways toward Quinn again.

"You seem more relaxed now. I am happy to see that," she said quietly, careful not to infer weakness. She knew Echani were both strong and proud; a careless word could insult where none was intended. Perhaps the people of Eshan were onto something; words are indeed clumsy.

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

Quinn was thankful for Seris and that no one had followed them. As the balcony opened to the gentle breeze and the bustle of the outside, Quinn felt herself relax. Everything that had built up to this moment had been exhausting and taxing. She felt she hadn't had a moment to breathe ever since the fiasco with the Jedi.

The bustling streets below created a quiet ambiance that drowned out the music and the annoying voices from the charity event. Quinn could stand here for hours, letting her mind just roll over the sounds of the streets. It reminded her quietly of Jutrand and her bedroom balcony there.

She missed home. It hadn't hit her until now, but at least Seris's comment pushed the longing for Jutrand aside.

She slowly pulled her hand away from Seris, embarrassed that she hadn't realized that while they were walking, she had been holding onto her for dear life.

"I'm sorry," She whispered quietly as she folded her hands behind her back. Her eyes settled on Seris as she spoke, and the blonde nodded, relaxing further.

"I knew I was going to have a lot of eyes on me in there, but I didn't expect to have so many people actually walk up and linger. At least they all weren't talking to me." She smiled and then let her eyes drift for a moment up towards the red hair and the slightly pointed tip of the Mandalorian's ear.

She stared for a moment until she caught herself — then forced her attention back to the Corellian evening sky.

"My apologies if this is too forward," Quinn moved closer to the balcony banister and leaned against it.

"I noticed that you're not like other Mandalorians… which I understand most are adopted and given a new hope, but…" Quinn tried to process, to word it correctly, without offending the woman.

"I've only seen ears like yours on a few people, never really could place where or why…"

Quinn instantly felt like a child asking for something stupid.

"But could you tell me more about yourself…? Perhaps, let me uh…" Her lips pursed as she decided against her question.

"I'm interested to learn more about you, Seris, and now that we have a moment to talk… we should."

 

[Seris Mataan]

​

Behind them, the charity still carried on beneath warm light and polished conversation, but out here the noise softened into something distant enough to ignore. Coronet City stretched endlessly beyond the terrace in layered towers and streams of moving light, traffic weaving through the night sky while the streets far below remained alive despite the late hour.

Seris slowed near the balcony railing, though she had not yet fully leaned against it. Quinn's hand still held hers, tight enough that Seris could feel the lingering tension beneath it even after they had escaped the ballroom. She said nothing about it. Instead, her grey-green eyes wandered briefly across the skyline, giving Quinn space to breathe without drawing attention to her need for it. The city lights reflected softly across the pale fabric of Seris's robes, the white and silver catching traces of gold from the skyline beneath the open night sky. A few strands of copper-red hair shifted faintly in the breeze near one pointed ear before falling loose against her cheek again.

For the first time since entering the charity, the pressure around Quinn seemed to ease little by little. Seris noticed it gradually, in the quieter way she breathed now and the way her shoulders no longer seemed held quite so tightly beneath everyone's attention. Until finally Quinn withdrew her hand and apologized, those grey-green eyes looked at her with warmth. "You've done nothing you need to apologize for." She didn't linger on it. Quinn had needed her in a moment, and she was happy to help. In truth, she might even admit to herself that she enjoyed the brief contact. She gently shook her head when she spoke of the crowd. "You handled it better than most. It's easy to be overwhelmed in a room like that. Just the volume of people can make it hard to breathe."

Her eyes followed as Quinn evaluated her with her own eyes, a smile touching her lips as Quinn's eyes lingered on her ears, and questions always followed. She couldn't blame anyone; there were precious few in the galaxy like her, or at least it seemed that way. The smile grew broader when Quinn averted her eyes forcefully, but still she said nothing as she let the smile fade. Her eyes continued to follow as Quinn leaned against the railing, her attention once again turning to Seris.

She was happy to indulge her curiosity. "I told you some about me on Mandalore, if you recall, I spoke of my father at length, but my mother, I kind of touched on the surface. She is a full-blooded Eldorai, but even that in itself is a long story. As for the rest of my story, I'm afraid it's quite boring. I was born and raised on Odessen, where my mother trained my brother and me in the force daily. She always said my brother was the shield and I the tactician. It was peaceful, but boring at times. You should come visit sometime. My mother seldom travels, so visitors are always welcome."

A wry smile touched her lips, and she inclined her head slightly. "As for the ears, other species in the galaxy have pointed ears, or so I have heard, but I myself am Half-Eldorai. My brother and I both inherited my mother's ears. A gift of my mother's genetics. And yes, you may touch them if you wish."

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

The small compliments were needed and well-received. Little things like that helped the Echani relax further, accepting the gestures Seris offered her. It was nice coming from the redhead, too often Adelle would try to praise Quinn, but it always sounded so forced.

Quinn wrinkled, maybe it was her own doubts about the woman — despite having read her intent when they had sparred… it was still something Quinn struggled to embrace.

Adelle was good to her, but Quinn decided right now she was someone she needed to get to know more… but —

Seris started to answer her question about getting to know her. Quinn's attention shifted instantly as she watched Series explain. She remembered hearing about the girl's father and how the one who had stolen her mother's heart was not him. Again, that part saddened her a little. Not being with someone your heart belonged to was heartbreaking.

Quinn chuckled softly at Seris calling her part of the story boring. The Echani would strongly disagree; hearing that they had similar upbringings, with their mothers as their initial trainers, brought a sense of kinship.

Being invited to visit also made her smile. No one truly invited her to visit places… There was always a reason. With Seris, it felt honest… pure, something you would request of a friend. The thought warmed her heart.

Quinn moved to speak, mostly to argue that Seris was far from boring, but then, suddenly, the question that had not been asked was answered. She was caught off guard, her mouth slightly open as she paused at the answer.

There were a few mixed feelings.

One, she was ecstatic to touch Seris's ears. Two, she felt guilty, wondering if the girl felt obligated because of her station, but that thought was quickly pushed aside.

"You're not boring Seris, and neither was your story." She smiled softly as she pushed off the railing and stepped towards the girl, her eyes focusing for a moment on the Elven girl's face. She was beautiful, and the way the light caught her eyes when she stared at the Echani was mesmerizing.

Still, her mind focused wholeheartedly on the tip of the ear that poked out from her red hair.

"I'll be gentle, I promise."

Quinn smiled, doing her best to hide the excitement threatening to spill across her face. Thankfully, the heels added just enough height that she didn't have to stretch awkwardly to reach. It made the moment feel easier, less self-conscious.

Slowly, she lifted a hand toward Seris. Her fingers hesitated for only a heartbeat before brushing aside the strands of red hair that veiled the graceful curve of her elongated ear. The touch was feather-light as she traced from the pointed tip along its delicate contour, savoring the unfamiliar shape beneath her fingertips.

It was different from anything she'd experienced before, and that alone made the moment feel strangely intimate. Quinn took her time, admiring what Seris had entrusted her to explore. As her hand drifted lower, her fingers threaded gently through the softness of crimson hair, lingering there for a moment longer than necessary.

"They're so cute, and your hair is so soft… beautiful."

 

[Seris Mataan]

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The moment Quinn stepped closer, Seris felt the shift immediately. The closeness caught her attention, yes, but the care behind it did, too. Quinn approached her carefully, as though she understood that trust had been placed in her hands and had no intention of mishandling it. When Quinn promised she would be gentle, Seris lifted her grey-green eyes to meet hers fully.

"I know, I trust you," she said quietly.

The sounds of Coronet softened around them after that. Traffic still moved between the towers beyond the balcony, music still drifted faintly from somewhere deeper inside the charity, but all of it seemed farther away the moment Quinn's fingers brushed aside the loose strands of copper-red hair near her ear. The feather-light trace along the pointed curve of her ear sent a faint shiver down the back of her neck despite herself, though what affected her more was the patience in Quinn's touch. There was curiosity in it. Quinn touched her as though she were learning something carefully rather than examining something unusual.

It felt gentle; her breathing softened slightly as Quinn's fingers drifted lower into her hair, lingering there with an absent tenderness that made it difficult to look away from her for very long. The warmth building beneath Seris' skin became harder to ignore the longer Quinn stayed close, especially when violet eyes remained fixed on her, and she found it increasingly difficult to look away.

Then came the compliment; the flush that came to her cheeks was immediate, though she wished to hide it; her fair skin displayed it all too readily.

Cute.

Beautiful.

The words settled more deeply than Seris expected them to. For a moment, she forgot entirely what she had intended to say in response. Her gaze lowered briefly toward the balcony between them, not out of discomfort, but because the openness in Quinn's expression left her unexpectedly unguarded. When Seris finally looked back at her, the usual distance she carried with most people had softened noticeably. "You are very kind to me, Quinn," she said softly, and there was something quieter in her expression now, something more open than before.

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

Quinn pulled her hand back, cupping it with the other as it became now too precious to place at her side. She smiled, with a slight tilt to her head as she watched Seris's reaction.

A part of her had not expected it; the girl's bold confidence was obvious. She carried herself in a way that could be deemed intimidating because she was so sure of herself. And yet, she stood near the Echani, blushing, quiet, that confidence still there, but gentle now.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Quinn quietly responded. It was a curious comment. Seris had been nothing but kind to the young Queen.

While others sought her attention for their own gain, Seris was just existing beside her. It made her briefly think of the clone trooper who was the head of her security. Like Seris, 312 never demanded anything from Quinn. This only made the Queen grow fonder of the half Eldorai.

"Kindness should always be repaid with kindness," Quinn continued to smile, seeing the blush on Seris's face made her do the same. So, in an attempt to hide it, she looked out of the balcony.

"You allowed me to use you as a shield, which I'm thankful for — but I hope I won't have to do that again." Her smile faltered for a moment as she thought quietly about her time on Naboo, in High Republic Space.

"Everything has been so horrible; there have been patches of good… but kindness is not something I come across often here, so I appreciate it. It's not something you had to do, but I really am grateful." Quinn looked at her hand, the same one that held Seris's when they left the larger group, and the same one that had carefully touched the woman's ear.

She turned slightly and leaned against the balcony. She wanted to remain close to the Mandalorian, but this was only their second meeting.

Even though there was that exchange, one that was more intimate than what it was planned to be. But still, Quinn behaved as she let herself only indulge in Seris's softening gaze.

She laughed softly, "You are quite disarming… You know that?"

 

[Seris Mataan]

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Seris watched as Quinn withdrew her hand, and though she did not show it openly, the sudden absence of contact felt strangely noticeable afterward. She let the feeling settle and pass on its own, allowing the quieter rhythm of the evening to return now that they stood away from the ballroom and its endless pressure. A gentle smile touched her lips again, softened further by a quiet laugh beneath her breath. "Perhaps I am a little too cynical," she admitted. "In my experience, kindness is usually accepted and forgotten about just as quickly."

Her head turned slightly then, red strands shifting faintly in the breeze as her grey-green eyes settled back on Quinn. The sincerity in the Queen's voice made it difficult to dismiss the thought entirely, especially when Quinn spoke with such simple certainty about kindness being returned in kind. "The galaxy might be a very different place if more people believed that," she said softly. "But I do not disagree with you."

The blush touching Quinn's cheeks did not escape her notice either, nor the way the blonde turned slightly toward the skyline in an attempt to hide it. Seris found herself smiling faintly at the sight before moving to rest beside her against the balcony railing, close enough that the warmth between them had not fully disappeared with the loss of contact.

"Your framing is somewhat incorrect," she said gently after a moment. "I offered myself as a shield because I wanted to." There was no hesitation in the words, only quiet certainty. "When you took my hand, I could have pulled away just as easily." The corner of her mouth lifted faintly afterward, softening the seriousness of the admission. "I never would have, of course, but it was still my choice to stay."

Coronet stretched endlessly around them while she spoke, alive beneath the balcony in streams of light and distant movement. Somewhere far below, music drifted through the night air alongside the constant hum of traffic moving between the towers. Then Quinn mentioned how difficult things had been lately, and the warmth in Seris' expression softened into something quieter. "I am sorry to hear that," she said softly. "People can already be cruel enough without politics making everything heavier."

Her gaze lingered on Quinn for a moment, "And tonight did not look particularly easy." The words remained simple observations, nothing more. For a little while afterward, Seris allowed the silence to settle naturally between them. It did not feel awkward standing there beside Quinn like this. If anything, the quiet felt welcome after an evening spent surrounded by conversations where every word seemed sharpened by intention.

Then Quinn laughed softly and called her disarming. The faintest smile returned to Seris at that, smaller now but genuine enough that it softened the composure she had slowly rebuilt around herself. "I could say the same about you," she admitted quietly, her eyes lifting fully back toward Quinn beneath the glow of the city lights."Most people do not look at someone the way you do." Her gaze held Quinn's for another moment before drifting briefly outward across Coronet again, though not very far. "It makes it very easy to forget everything else exists."

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

Kindness in exchange for kindness was something Quinn understood to be an unpopular thought. It was too easy in this world to view kindness as weakness, a tool to wield against the unsuspecting. Yet, Seris didn't berate her or suspect her of something else when she said it. The gentle, possibly childish opinion was accepted as truth.

Quinn allowed herself to fully relax and remain in the moment. Seris had proven herself to be someone honest and had been at her side when others weren't. She tried not to think of the latter, some swore blades, but those blades were only dull. It hurt, but she ignored the small pain. It was not like she was any better.

She turned her head slightly to face the redhead as she mentioned that everything was her choice. Quinn exhaled a small laugh as she nodded in agreement.

"Alright then, I accept your evidence and instead of apologizing I offer you my thanks." She did a small curtsey as she teased.

A little hum echoed from the back of her throat as she mused over what came next. Politics were never easy; they often weren't for the faint of heart — but they were nothing like her studies or lessons. Everyone was out for themselves and wanted to be above someone else, no matter the cost. She felt the Republic wanting to pull her in closer, cut her off from her home.

But this wasn't the way to do it. She thought quietly, still, and soon finally answered.

"I'm starting to learn, while the High Republic is beautiful, it may only be the surface or what they wish to show. My interactions with the Jedi, except for a few, have been very telling of the ugliness that hides."

Her sight tightened slightly as she tried not to think too much about one Jedi in particular. Quinn had questions and wondered if there were ulterior motives. Which only fed into the reality her mother had warned her about.

Quinn was thankful for the next distraction, as her attention once more wholly on Seris, she stepped closer and leaned towards the half Eldorai. The desire to touch the woman's ear and copper hair only grew as she stood close.

"Oh?" surprise written on her face as she let her smile soften and widen.

"I never knew I had that effect on anyone," she teased again, letting herself drift just a breath closer.

Another gentle, breathless laugh as the Echani shook her head, "It's easier here with you… because right now you're the only person that exists for me."

 

[Seris Mataan]

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The quiet exhale that escaped Quinn, followed by her playful declaration, drew Seris' attention fully back to her again. An amused smile touched her lips, softened further by a gentle laugh beneath her breath.

"You are very welcome, Quinn."

Her voice carried an easy warmth now as she watched her. Seris could almost see the thoughts moving behind those bright green eyes, the way Quinn seemed to weigh and feel everything so openly despite trying at times to hide it. More than that, though, she could see the difference from earlier in the evening. The tension that had wrapped itself so tightly around her in the ballroom had loosened little by little. The careful restraint was still there, but now Quinn laughed more easily, teased more openly, and looked far more like herself than the overwhelmed young monarch Seris had pulled away from the crowd. It was good to see.

As Quinn spoke about the Republic, about the Jedi, and the growing realization that beauty and ugliness often existed side by side, Seris listened quietly. She did not interrupt or rush to offer answers she did not truly have.

"My mother used to say something similar to my brother and me," she said softly after a moment. "'The brighter the light, the darker the shadows.'" Her grey-green eyes drifted briefly toward the skyline beyond the balcony before returning to Quinn again. "She meant that darkness tends to gather where people become too blinded by the light to notice it anymore. I have not seen what you have seen in the Republic, but... I suspect the saying applies here as well."

Then everything shifted again. The moment Seris admitted the way Quinn looked at her was distracting, the Queen seemed to change entirely beneath the warm balcony lights. The softness remained, but now there was confidence threaded through it too, playful and deliberate in a way that immediately put Seris off balance. When Quinn claimed she never knew she had that effect on anyone, Seris nearly laughed outright. She doubted that very much, but then Quinn stepped closer, the Cheshire grin touching her lips should have been warning enough.

Seris flushed almost instantly, warmth rising visibly across her cheeks at both the sudden proximity and the unmistakable teasing woven through Quinn's voice. She felt suddenly and unfairly cornered, not in any threatening way, but in the way a spukami stalked something smaller after already deciding it had nowhere left to run.

And the worst part was that Quinn seemed entirely aware of what she was doing now. Then came the final words.

"It's easier here with you right now, because you are the only person that exists for me."

Seris genuinely stopped knowing what to do with herself after that. Her breath caught softly as she looked away, almost on instinct, grey-green eyes dropping briefly toward the balcony as though the city below might somehow help her recover her composure. It did not. If anything, the warmth rushing through her only became worse beneath the sincerity in Quinn's voice.

A quiet laugh escaped her then, breathless and entirely lacking the composure she usually carried so carefully.

"You cannot just say things like that to people," she murmured, clearing her throat gently afterward while trying and failing to look unaffected.

Quinn had, quite thoroughly, undone her.

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

Quinn enjoyed the distraction that Seris provided. It was a small moment that she didn't have to be the Queen of Eshan, a Warden of the Mandalorian Empire, nor a Princess of the Sith Empire. Here, right now, she was just Quinn. She was able to flirt and show a playful side of herself that often remained hidden.

Only a few ever caught a glimpse of the girl beneath the weight of titles.

Seeing Seris's reaction, Quinn couldn't help but smile with a gentle laugh. She had obviously caught the girl off guard, peeling away the barrier that had been between them. It was rejuvenating in a sense; she felt happier in just this moment than she had in a long time.

Her grin only widened upon the girl's exasperation. At the same time, she understood what she meant — there was rarely anyone who told Quinn she couldn't do something. Now wasn't any different, and the Echani mused as she allowed Seris a moment to recuperate.

Her hands casually folded behind her own back, Quinn stepped forward, slightly closing the small distance that Seris may have created for them. The Queen never lets her gaze break again after meeting once more.

"Oh?" Quinn responded, feigning ignorance.

"Who would say such a thing?" Her features sharpened slightly, showing how much she knew what she was doing — while enjoying it.

"I never would have thought I could fluster a Mandalorian." Another breathless laugh as she stepped back, giving the girl some reprieve from the teasing. Quinn leaned on the balcony once more. Her hands flattened on the stone banister to let her have a better view of Cornet.

"On the subject of mothers and the Light," Quinn smiled gently, "I think our mothers would agree on that. I was warned, but as all daughters do, I assumed I knew better."

Quinn wrinkled her nose, knowing Srina was more than just right. The warning was there to protect not only her heart but also her physical safety. There was no telling what the Jedi would do — especially since it was obvious their cooperation with the Senate was astute. Once it stopped benefiting, they would do what they wanted or what they believed was right.

"As much as I'm enjoying the beautiful worlds that represent the High Republic, I think I should return to Eshan sooner than later." Her smile faded slightly.

"I fear I've been causing Adelle and Aether too many headaches by merely existing." She mused and tilted her head slightly.

"Probably have given my Mother enough headaches as well."

 

[Seris Mataan]

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Even if she was the target of Quinn's fascination at the moment, she was relieved to see her return to normal and beyond, seemingly spurred on by her reactions to Quinn. Her playful side was obvious; she had wondered if Quinn ever took the time to relax and let down all the armor she had built up. Soft laughter escaped her as she shook her head slightly before reaching up to brush a few crimson strands of hair back behind her ear. When Quinn stepped closer, still into her space, Seris turned to look at her once more, the widening grin, the clasped hands behind her back; she was enjoying tormenting her clearly. Truth be told, she was enjoying the attention herself.

Quinn's happy laugh sounded almost melodic while she bragged about flustering a Mandalorian. "I don't know about flustering a Mandalorian, but me certainly. Remember I was only a foundling not long ago." She took a deep breath as Quinn backed away, and she gratefully accepted the shown mercy and watched her settle back in against the railing. Seris finally joined her, leaning against it as well next to her. When she spoke of daughters and ignoring their mother's guidance, a gentle laugh left her again. "Yes, some daughters can be quite stubborn. I wouldn't know anything about that..." the wry smile she wore spoke otherwise. "Your mother sounds wise. Is she still on Eshan?"

Seris watched the light fade from her smile as she talked about leaving; a gentle hmm escaped her as she listened. "Of course, do what you feel you should, and while I don't know what has transpired, I would not give up too quickly. As you say, there is beauty here; there is danger as well, but there are also good people here." When she spoke of causing headaches for Adelle and Aether, a smile touched her lips. "I cannot speak for them, but from what I have seen tonight, I find that difficult to believe."

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

"Your kindness flatters me, Seris." Quinn continued to smile. It was nice to just talk to someone without having to perform.

Seris was just a person, not a dignitary or a royal… she wasn't anyone Quinn needed to prove herself to. She just had to be Quinn. Only a few people Quinn felt this level of comfort with, and Seris had easily won her place on that list.

It was exclusive, but she hoped she wasn't going to regret letting the girl in this quickly.

"And flattery gets you very far with me…" She spoke quietly, as if this was a secret only allowed to be known between them. But Quinn wasn't lying; she had a soft spot for the right kind of flattery. Most people didn't know how to do it well. Seris seemed to do it naturally. She thought quietly about the questions posed by the Mandalorian girl.

"I still don't fully understand the differences between Foundling and other rankings within the Mandalrians." She tilted her head, frowning as she figured she was going to sound ignorant.

"Isn't a Mandalorian a Mandalorian?" She winced slightly, realizing how unpolitically correct she was, but the question was honest. She had seen the battle that the foundlings were fighting in, but she didn't understand it.

The question of her mother's location was intriguing. Quinn assumed everyone knew she was the Sith Empress's daughter, but it was nice to hear Seris did not know. It meant, for once, she wasn't judged by where she came from or grew up.

"She's not on Eshan. But she is wise…" Quinn started, her smile returning as she thought quietly about her mother.

"She's on Jutrand… she's the Sith Empress…" Quinn paused to let the title and the rest of the information sink in. She always expected the worst when it came to this. Almost instinctively, she moved slightly away from Seris. Quinn prepared to be rejected, so if she moved away, she didn't have to watch or see Seris do it for them.

Her shoulders tensed again, almost forgetting the nice words that Seris had finished with. Naboo was beautiful, but for Quinn, it was a den of beautiful vipers.

 

[Seris Mataan]

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The Sith Empress.

Seris knew who Srina Talon was. Her mother had spoken of her before over the years, usually in the same way one spoke of storms, distant wars, or other powerful things that shaped the galaxy whether one stood near them or not. Formidable. Intelligent. Influential. But that was not what drew Seris' attention; it was the way Quinn seemed to brace herself afterward.

The slight shift away as the tension returned to her shoulders. The warmth that had been slowly returning throughout the evening retreated behind old defenses with startling speed. For a moment, Seris simply looked at her. Then, without thinking much about it, she reached across the small distance Quinn had created and rested her hand lightly against her forearm.

"Quinn." Her voice remained gentle. "I can understand why you expected me to react differently." There was a quiet understanding there, and her hand never left Quinn's arm. "But you are still the same person you were a moment ago." A faint smile touched her lips. "You are still the woman who spent the last several minutes completely dismantling my composure."

The humor lingered only briefly before softening again. "You are still Quinn." The lights of Coronet stretched beyond the balcony while she held her gaze. "My mother taught me not to view Sith in simple black and white terms. Some can be trusted and some cannot. The same is true of Jedi. Mandalorians. Politicians." A small breath escaped her. "Most people, really." Her thumb shifted slightly against Quinn's arm.

"Knowing the difference is the important part." Only then did she let her hand fall away. "So yes, I know who the Sith Empress is."

A gentle smile returned.

"But I was asking about your mother."

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

Quinn didn't realize what she had done. The way she anticipated being looked down on or treated differently because of who raised her. Seris reminded her, brought her back into the space between them with just a gentle touch and kind words. Quinn glanced towards the woman, listening and understanding that she was being seen as something more than a title or a station.

She was just Quinn.

Her eyes trailed from the woman's face to the hand that gently held her arm. It was a simple, small gesture, but it meant the world to a girl who often wasn't allowed even the smallest bit of kindness. Too often, she was judged for what she was rather than who she was. Seris seemed beyond that notion — another reason Quinn realized that her Mother was right.
Seris wasn't a Jedi or even a Sith. She was a place that Quinn wanted to be, something beyond a side of a coin.

"Your words, they are kind." Quinn smiled gently, her hand now covering Seris's as she held her arm.

"Typically, people just want to know what or why I'm important. The Empress is the answer they're looking for." She mulled over it, letting her mind just try to filter through the information she often rehearsed.

No one wanted to know Srina like she did; they just wanted the attention to power — the potential relationship with the Empress of the Sith Order.

Quinn brushed her fingers lightly against the copper-haired girl's hand as she tried to think of the right words to say. This part wasn't rehearsed. Seris would be getting the most candid version of Quinn by just caring.

"My Mother…" Quinn started, letting herself open up to the woman. She leaned in, let closeness happen like before.

Quinn didn't need to hide; she didn't need to coil away and prepare a way to protect herself. Seris had created a space where Quinn felt safe and could be who she wanted to be.

Just be Quinn.

"She's amazing." Her face lit up, "She's smart, wise, beautiful… everything I want to be…" Quinn sighed softly.

"I just want to make her proud. Be someone that she could rely on, not just as a daughter, but as a warrior and a sovereign." Quinn's smile faded slightly, realizing that she had not done that. She was far too busy feeding her heartbreak.

"She taught me so much… made me the woman I am today and… I wouldn't be who I am today without her guidance." Nodding, Quinn had let herself drift closer to Seris. A sign she was comfortable. Slowly, she lifted the woman's hand from her arm and carefully kissed her knuckles, and smiled.

"Thank you, I don't often get to speak of her like that… No one really gets to see Mama like I do."

Quinn was quiet as she let her gaze drift to the streets again, hearing their bustle causing her to miss Jutrand for just that moment.

"How about yours?" Her eyes returned with a gentle smile. "I'm sure she's a wonderful woman, especially if she raised a daughter such as yourself."

 

[Seris Mataan]

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Seris watched as Quinn's hand settled over her own and felt some of the tension leave her. The smile Quinn gave her was small and genuine, and Seris returned it, shaking her head slightly when she thanked her. Before she could say anything, however, Quinn's fingers wrapped around her hand, and she began to speak.

A thoughtful look settled over Seris' features as she listened. "You are used to people wanting something from you," she said quietly. A sad truth she was quietly realizing. "Not necessarily from Quinn, but from the position Quinn occupies." The thought saddened her more than she expected.

When Quinn began speaking about her mother, however, everything else seemed to fall away. Seris found herself smiling without meaning to as she listened. The change in Quinn was impossible to miss; moments ago, she had been bracing herself for rejection, yet now she seemed brighter somehow. The uncertainty faded; her tension eased. Whatever title the rest of the galaxy attached to Srina Talon seemed to disappear entirely when Quinn spoke about her.

There was no Sith Empress here.

Only Mama.

The warmth in Quinn's voice when she said it was almost impossible to miss, and Seris found herself unexpectedly fond of the distinction. More than anything, it was obvious how deeply Quinn loved her. "She sounds amazing, to be sure," Seris said warmly. "But do not be so quick to dismiss yourself. In the short time I have known you, you have proven yourself intelligent, thoughtful, beautiful, and far kinder than you give yourself credit for. As for wisdom..." The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. "I think that comes mostly from time and experience."

Her expression softened lightly at the sigh that followed, then the subtle shift close and the fact that Quinn still had not let go of her hand had not gone unnoticed. What did catch her off guard was when Quinn lifted that hand from her arm and pressed her lips gently against her knuckles. A flutter stirred somewhere in her chest despite herself. For a brief moment, she glanced away toward the city lights below, gathering herself before looking back at Quinn once more.

When the question turned toward her own mother, Seris likewise could not stop her face from brightening. "She's kind," she said immediately, as though the answer required no thought at all. "Very patient. Wise beyond her years. Compassionate. Strong too. Sometimes stronger than is probably good for her." Affection warmed her voice as she spoke. "But she is a good mother."

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

Quinn smiled, watching as Seris' face also illuminated the moment she spoke of her mother. Both girls were raised by strong women, wise and kind in their own merit. Quinn nodded, enjoying the conversation as much as she could.

Bringing up her mother warmed her heart, but it also brought back the chilling memories from Coruscant. Where she often felt comfort, she was left feeling an endless void. She worried about her mother, which was a new feeling for the young woman. In her mind, Srina had always been invincible. The woman had proven herself a thousand times over to be above simple mortality.

And yet, that day Quinn realized that her mother was not a god, but a mortal — a woman who fiercely protected her children.

Quinn was thankful Seris didn't pull her hand away. Once more, the small physical contact brought comfort to the Echani Queen, something she hadn't expected when meeting the woman not too long ago. Still, she was grateful and didn't let go as she exhaled softly, trying her best to keep smiling.

"She sounds wonderful. I hope that one day I can meet her." Quinn finally spoke, "I hope you can meet my mother too one day."

She huffed with amusement.

"She looks scarier than she really is, trust me."

A small moment of silence, then Quinn spoke again, her tone changing slightly, the lingering fear and worry bleeding through momentarily.

"Do you ever worry about her?" she asked. "Do you ever wonder what will happen if something terrible happened?"

She tried not to look at Seris; her mind had begun to think on the dark coldness she felt in her heart, the worry she felt when she saw her mother at the nightclub — everything balling into one shaking breath.

"I do, and it scares me."

 

[Seris Mataan]

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Without thinking much about it, Seris closed the last small distance between them until their shoulders rested lightly together. She gave Quinn's hand a gentle squeeze, the gesture quiet and reassuring, and did not answer immediately. Her grey-green eyes remained on Quinn for a long moment, taking in the worry she had tried so hard to keep from her voice. Seris had seen that same look reflected in the mirror often enough over the years, usually after another mission had taken her mother somewhere dangerous. Some fears did not need explaining to be understood.

"Every day," she admitted softly. The words came without hesitation. Her gaze drifted beyond the balcony, following the lights of Coronet as they stretched into the evening. Somewhere below, the city carried on exactly as it always had, speeders crossing illuminated lanes, laughter drifting faintly upward from distant terraces, life continuing with little regard for the quiet fears people carried for those they loved. "My mother has always had a habit of walking toward the kinds of places other people avoid," she said with the faintest smile. "When I was younger, there were times she would disappear for weeks... sometimes longer." The smile lingered, though there was a quiet sadness beneath it now. "I remember lying awake at night wondering whether every goodbye would be the last one. Then feeling guilty afterward for even thinking it." A small breath escaped her. "I still worry. I don't think that part ever really leaves us."

For a while, she simply stood there beside Quinn. Then another memory surfaced, quiet and unexpected. "You know..." A softer smile returned. "I remember asking my mother about yours once." Her eyes remained on the city for another moment as though she could still hear the conversation. "They served together for a time during the Confederacy. I was curious one day, so I asked her what your mother was like." She laughed quietly beneath her breath. "She didn't give me a long answer." Her eyes returned to Quinn. "She just called her formidable. Then she told me never to underestimate her." Seris smiled to herself. "Coming from my mother..." She gave the slightest shake of her head. "That was about as close to admiration as she usually allowed herself." Her thumb brushed lightly across the back of Quinn's hand again before she looked at her fully once more. "So... no." The warmth in her expression returned. "I don't think you're strange for worrying. I think you're a daughter who loves her mother."

TAG: Quinn Varanin
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[Quinn Varanin]

//: Seris Mataan //:

There was a comfort in knowing that she wasn't alone in these types of thoughts. It was normal to worry about someone who cared, who was always around. But guilt settled in under those warm feelings. While Quinn often worried about Srina, those same feelings weren't shared for her birth parents. She wondered if it tied into the idea that she had always felt abandoned by them.

When things became difficult, she was sent away.

Sighing softly, she tried to keep those shameful thoughts from her mind. While she understood the strength of Spencer and Ashin, Srina was no slouch. The woman had proven herself a thousand times over to be one of the most powerful beings in this galaxy. If she wasn't, her birth parents wouldn't have entrusted her safety to the woman.

Even as a teenager, Srina was one of the few who could tolerate being around Quinn.

She was thankful for the memory that Seris decided to share with her. It was once more a distraction from her feelings, and Quinn smiled.

"Mm, makes the galaxy feel smaller when connections such as that are revealed." Quinn mused, feeling more comfortable with the meeting of the young Mandalorian. Perhaps it was the Force's will. Their mothers were comrades in arms; it was only fitting that their daughters would meet.

The way Seris described how her mother showed adoration almost reminded her of her own. A soft laugh escaped as she nodded, agreeing.

"It's funny how similar they are in that aspect; I wonder if it's because of their common background. I'll make sure to ask mine of yours when I see her next." Quinn was now curious, more so of her mother's work in the past. The woman typically answered, but there was always something held back.

Quinn often wondered why, but knowing Srina — it was meant to protect Quinn… shield her from the terrors that lurked beyond the Blackwall.
The music behind them began to die down; it signaled that the event was coming to an end. Smiling, Quinn turned her attention back to Seris.

"Thank you, you have done more for me in just these few hours than many have done for me in the past. I appreciate it."

Looking down the hall, she could see her guard lingering, giving space to the pair. There was a silly little smirk that curled at her lips — 312 had done her job perfectly tonight as well.

"It seems my guard is waiting for us to return, ever the stalwart shadow of mine."

Quinn turned to return to the reality of why she was here. The reprieve on the balcony and the wonderful company were coming to an end. She didn't let go of Seris's hand as they returned, still feeling the need to have something a bit grounding as she reconvened with the Republic vipers.