Private Beyond the Briefing Room

[Kaela Verrin]

The lounge sat just off the eastern gallery of the Senate building — far enough from the rotunda to dampen the ever-present murmur of political maneuvering, but close enough that one could still feel the weight of it in the air. Soft golden light filtered through tall, slatted windows, casting long shadows across the marble floor. Plush seating and low tables gave the space a curated elegance, but it wasn't ostentatious. Just... tasteful.

Senator Kaela Verrin had arrived early.

She stood near one of the corner couches, a slender cup of caf resting between her palms, the steam curling lazily upward. She wore something slightly more relaxed than her usual chamber attire — still sharp, still proper, but softer at the edges. Cassia had been indispensable so far — quick with insight, sharp with numbers, tactful where Kaela preferred precision. But beyond the data briefings and policy analysis, Kaela realized how little she truly knew of the woman at her side.

And in the Senate, knowing someone went a long way.

She glanced toward the entry as footsteps echoed faintly down the corridor. She straightened slightly, not with formality — just habit.

"Cassia," she greeted warmly as her advisor approached. "I'm glad you could come. I thought it was time we talked about something other than vote counts and committee reshuffles."

Cassia Fraus​

 

[Cassia Fraus]

Cassia hadn't been entirely sure what to expect this morning, when she'd been informed that Kaela wanted to meet with her at the Eastern lounge. Naturally, her mind had jumped straight to politics. Why else would she be requested?

Her footsteps echoed against the hard floor, the only sound disrupting the otherwise peaceful silence. Her pace slowed for a moment, as she took a second to simply enjoy the silence. She didn't get much of it these days. Always busy, always moving.

Cassia carried on, eventually coming into the lounge. She'd never been to this area before. It had always been something she'd planned on doing. She just never got around to it.

Senator Kaela was waiting for her.

And what she said... Well, it took Cassia by suprise. She'd been working with Senator Kaela for what, 4 years now? Something like that. And it had always been about politics and diplomacy.

Her mother used to tell her to avoid growing close to the senators as an advisor. That it would make things more difficult when it came time to tell them the hard truths.

"Senator Kaela." Cassia greeted, her tone still slightly reserved. "You... wish to speak upon other matters?"

Kaela Verrin​

 

[Kaela Verrin]

Kaela gestured gently to the seat across from her, the motion fluid and inviting, "Please — sit," she said, her voice quiet but kind. "Just Kaela, here. No Senate titles required." She set her caf down on the low table between them, letting her hands rest lightly atop one another. The steam from the cup still drifted lazily upward, curling in the stillness like a breath not yet exhaled.

Cassia's tone hadn't gone unnoticed. Professional. Reserved. Measured —exactly what had made her so valuable lately. But Kaela had also seen the sharpness behind the datapads and briefing notes. The observations too insightful to come from just training. And maybe it was time she stopped treating Cassia like just another extension of her office.

"I know this is a little… unconventional," she said, offering a faint smile, "But I realized the other day, I've trusted you to speak for me, guide me, challenge me — sometimes all in the same meeting — and yet I don't even know where you're from." She leaned forward slightly, her posture still poised but more personal now.

"How did you end up here, Cassia? In politics, in the Alliance… as an advisor to people like me?"

A pause. Then, softer, with quiet curiosity:

"Is it where you wanted to be?"

Cassia Fraus​

 

[Cassia Fraus]

Cassia took a seat as directed. She kept herself poised, not leaning back or slouching. Back straight. Even so, she appeared slightly less formal.

There were two ways she could answer this.

The first was professionally. She shouldn't make close connections. Cassia had been living by the rule for a long time.

But at the same time, a part of her did want to talk. It got lonely sometimes. She spent most of her time at Kaela's side or gathering sources of information. Socialisation didn't exactly rest high on her to-do-list.

"Sen-- Kaela." She caught herself from saying Senator. "Technically speaking, I am not to speak upon said matters. I'm just here to aid you in the Senate and upon the more diplomatic topics."

Cassia's reply was formal and well kept. She was still sticking to the rulebook. Which said that her own personal matters were of little importance.

Kaela Verrin​

 

[Kaela Verrin]

Kaela's smile deepened — not mocking, not amused, just… gently knowing. She let the silence breathe for a moment, her fingertips brushing the rim of her caf cup.

"I see," she said softly, voice tinged with something close to fondness. "You're not supposed to." Her gaze met Cassia's — curious, but without pressure.

"Forgive the question, then — but is that rule in place because you can't speak about yourself… or because you don't want to?" She leaned back slightly, still composed, but more relaxed than before. There was no judgment in her tone—just genuine interest, layered under the practiced polish of a politician who'd spent too long surrounded by only voices that said what was expected.

"I asked for you, Cassia. Not just your counsel." Kaela tilted her head slightly, the corners of her mouth still turned in that quiet, understanding curve.

"If I wanted advice without ever meeting the person behind it, I could've saved a lot of credits and gotten myself a very well-programmed droid."

A pause. Then, more gently:

"But I didn't." She didn't press further — just let that truth hang between them, like an open door Cassia could step through whenever she was ready.

Cassia Fraus​

 

[Cassia Fraus]

Cassia avoided making eye contact, her gaze instead fixed on watching the beams of light that fell across the floor.

She knew Kaela was right. And even though a droid could never have the same level finesse as a person, she knew her role was easily replaceable. If necessary. Which was the main reason she didn't want to open up. Her thoughts and ideals didn't always align with the advice she gave. Or with the person she presented daily to the world.

"It's a bit of both really." She answered after several long moments. "I was taught to not make close connections with those I aid."

Cassia's tone softened slightly. It was still respectful and still carried that air of formality she seemed to always have around Kaela, but it seemed slightly less guarded.

"I would, however, be lying if I said it's not because I don't want to." Cassia glanced back over at Kaela after admitting to that. She wanted to know what she made of it.

"And it's not that I don't trust you or anything," She added, "Just to be clear. I'd trust you with most things in a heartbeat. Except, you know. Having a closer relation than what we have now."

She stopped herself there, starting to realise her words were simply giving Kaela's request more validity.

Kaela Verrin​

 

[Kaela Verrin]

Kaela didn't press.

She simply nodded, slow and thoughtful, her expression calm and unreadable for a beat. But when she finally spoke, her voice was soft—less senatorial, more human.

"I understand," she said. "And for the record — thank you. For saying that."

She paused, taking a slow sip of her caf, giving Cassia a moment to breathe, to retreat or step closer on her own terms.

"I won't pry if it's not something you want to share," Kaela added, glancing briefly out the window where the light had shifted slightly, washing part of the lounge floor in gold. "I just think… there has to be a healthier balance than pretending we don't carry personal lives into the work. We're not statues. And pretending we are doesn't make the hard decisions any easier."

A faint smile returned to her lips as she leaned back.

"But — enough philosophy. Let me ask you something more comfortably uncomfortable."

She set the cup down and folded her hands in her lap.

"We're going to Mandalore soon," she said, voice turning contemplative. "There's talk of rekindling diplomatic ties… or at least avoiding another war now that a new Empire has risen and the Crusaders have fallen. The Alliance wants to meet with the clans and head off a confrontation."

Her eyes found Cassia's again, this time inviting a different kind of insight.

"What's your read on that situation?" A pause, then a touch more dryly, "And do you think I should pack armor?"

Cassia Fraus​

 

[Cassia Fraus]

Cassia was glad Kaela was dropping the topic. Kaela wasn't wrong. It probably didn't help anyone, separating her work life from her personal life.

Perhaps, one day, she would open up to the senator. Tell her about some of the things that where a little more sensitive.

But for now, she'd remain closed.

She leaned forwards as Kaela continued to talk, resting her arms on her legs. Brow furrowing at the mention of Mandalore.

"We're going to Mandalore?" It was more of a statement than a question. Last she'd heard, Mandalore wasn't exactly the safest place at the moment. Not for outsiders, at least.

She fell silent for a moment, thinking things over. Her hands started fidgeting idly, something she tended to do subconsciously whilst lost in her own thoughts.

"It depends on the severity of the situation. Is Mandalore actively threatening war?" She asked eventually, sitting up properly. "Or does the Alliance simply fear they will in the near future and want to douse the fire before it starts?"

In her experience, the Alliance often made over-precautions. Which was understandable. Better safe than sorry and all that. But sometimes she did find it a little too extensive.

"Although I do rather doubt you'll need armour. You wouldn't be sent in if they didn't think you could make it out alive. Besides, I'm certain half the sentinel travelling with you would willingly sacrifice themself if it meant it secured your safety."

Or maybe armour would be best. If there was a stray shot... perhaps she'll ask one of the sentinels to bring some anyways, just in case. You could never be too safe.

Kaela Verrin​

 

[Kaela Verrin]

Kaela's smirk flickered into view the moment Cassia mentioned the Sentinels' willingness to sacrifice themselves. She let it linger for a heartbeat before smoothing it back into something more composed.

"That's generous of them," she said wryly, lifting her caf again. "But no, I don't think I'll be requesting a set of beskar for this one. The comment was... mostly rhetorical."

She took a sip, then set the cup aside once more.

"No one's waving banners just yet," she continued, her voice now returning to its thoughtful cadence. "But we'd be fools not to keep our eyes open. The Neo-Crusaders held that world not long ago, and they made no secret of their disdain for the Alliance. Some of the clans backed them outright. Others stood by and watched. Either way — not exactly a ringing endorsement of trust."

Her gaze dropped to her hands, fingers gently laced in her lap.

"And now there's power shifting again. The Crusaders are broken, but something new always grows in a vacuum — and fast. There's a new Mandalorian Empire." Kaela looked back to Cassia then, this time with a bit more weight in her expression.

"I believe in peace. I do. But I've lived through enough ceasefires to know they're just quiet moments between storms if no one's honest. And the Mandalorians — they're many things, but they're not liars. If they don't want diplomacy, we'll know."

A pause, her voice softening slightly as she looked toward the tall windows again, the sun slipping lower beyond the marble columns.

"But if they do… even a little… then maybe it's worth walking into a room full of armed warriors without a weapon of our own. Sometimes, you make peace by not expecting to be shot."

She turned back to Cassia with a faint, dry smile.

"Besides, I'll have you and Nos watching my back. What could possibly go wrong?"

Cassia Fraus​

 

[Cassia Fraus]

A lot. That's what could go wrong. Cassia wasn't one to doubt Nos's abilities. She knew he was incredibly skilled at what he did. He was often at Kaela's side for a reason. But against a room full of Mandolorians? Who knew how many there would be? If things went south, chances are they wouldn't make it out.

But she didn't say any of that. There was no need to.

Instead she returned Cassia's smile with a weak one of her own. This situation was less than ideal.

"I trust we'll be in contact with them prior to the arrangments? I feel like this isn't the sort of scene we should enter unannounced."

Cassia knew, with the recent roll-over of power, people on Mandalore would be feeling more on-edge than usual. Which would mean if they arrived at an inconvenient or unfortunate time, things could get rapidly out of hand.

"If you understand where I'm coming from, Senator, you'll surely agree. Not to mention it can give us an idea as to how hospitable they're feeling at the moment."

Cassia spoke in an even tone, each word having a rather neutral feeling to it.

"I know it's true, what you said about making peace by expecting to not be shot, but we should still be prepared. I don't believe it's wise for you to put your life on the slight chance that Mandalore is interested in Diplomacy." She wasn't rebuting Kaela's statement. Merely ensuring she'd considered this from every angle.

"Beside, I imagine Nos will kill you himself if you get yourself killed." She added, preventing the mood from becoming too sombre.