Private Bridges of Starlight and Water

[Sibylla Abrantes]

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T H E E D
Royal Conference Room
Interacting with: Aurelian Veruna John Locke
Items: x x x x x

The soft hum of the fountain in the Royal Conference Room was the only sound that filled the silence. Warm afternoon light spilled in through tall windows, glinting off polished marble and the gold filigree of Naboo's crest set in the table before her.

Sibylla sat at the conference table reviewig the notes on her datapad, the dark length of her chestnut hair left to flow freely in thick waves from under the elaborate jeweled headdress and veil she wore. On her lower lip was a maroon Scar of Remembrance, and her clothing was far more elaborate for her official capacity as the Interim Queen, heavily embroidered Karlini Silks that flowed to the ground with a soft swish with every motion she took.

She'd invited Interim Chancelor Aurelian Veruna to the meeting, not just because of his role as Interim Chancelor, but because by all rights, he was the elected King of Naboo. Especially when it dealt with the powerful man they were to meet shortly.

"It is the hypergates that interest me," Sibylla relayed to Aurelian quietly, providing him the datapad displaying the profile of John Locke. CEO of Locke and Key. Visionary. Pragmatist. A man whose reach into the hyperlane infrastructure had made him a figure worth both admiration and caution.

Her father's words echoed quietly in her mind. Build the bridge before you need to cross it.

She intended to do just that.

"But I am also interested to see what he may propose as well."

Though Naboo's green laws forbade heavy industrialization, sustainability did not mean stagnation. If Locke's new hypergate technology could be adapted within the High Republic's standards, it might offer the key to keeping trade routes secure despite the Empire's renewed aggression.

Hazel eyes rose to the door as as Corde announced their guest's arrival.

"Show him in," Sibylla said softly, rising to greet the man whose innovation might help safeguard the future of Naboo and perhaps the Republic itself.

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Royal Conference Room
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | John Locke

Aurelian leaned back, the datapad resting loosely in his fingers as he scanned the file. He let out a soft, considering hum. "Hyperlanes, then," he said, letting the word hang in the air. He glanced at Sibylla, a trace of a grin catching his eye.

As he kept reading, the grin faded quickly into genuine thought. John Locke's profile was certainly impressive; perhaps too impressive. He was a visionary and a pragmatist. But men who build empires on innovation rarely do so without demanding a significant price. Naboo had always guarded against that kind of costly bargain.

Aurelian set the datapad down, drumming his fingers quietly on the table's gilded edge. "There is profit, of course," he murmured. "New lanes mean faster trade and more reach for the High Republic. But if Locke gets his way, he holds the keys to every gate we build. We'd be trading our sovereignty simply for convenience."

His gaze drifted to the window, where the afternoon sun painted the lake in bands of gold. Aurelian smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Still," he added, "if the Empire is closing its fist again, perhaps we need a few devils who know how to keep doors open."

The subtle shift of boots in the corridor caught his attention just before Corde announced their guest. Aurelian rose smoothly beside Sibylla, straightening the cuff of his dark jacket. The emblem of the High Republic gleamed faintly at his breast. He leaned toward her just enough for his voice to carry low. "Let's see what sort of man our innovator really is."

When the doors opened, Aurelian's smile returned; easy and utterly unreadable. "Mr. Locke," he greeted the man stepping into the golden light. "Welcome to Naboo."

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[John Locke]

Wearing: Would you believe, a suit?​

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LOCATION - Royal Palace | Theed | Naboo​

Tagging: Sibylla Abrantes | Aurelian Veruna
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There was always something different about visiting the palace at Theed that was so different from stepping into any boardroom or throne room around the galaxy. He'd stood in rooms that had view that you would kill for, vista showing the light rolling over vast green gardens, mountains biting into wisps of clouds or even the depths of the ocean. Views that took your breath away, that could find a touch of the poet in even the hardiest and coldest of hearts. What they lacked though was the regal stature, the history, of the palace. This was a building that had seen the turn of the galaxy, had seen history unfold again and again, if the walls could speak what stories they would tell.

Even the liveried servants who staffed the palace must have seen things, must have so many stories, though they'd never whisper a word of it or at least, John noted with an amused thought, not to a stranger. He might have lived on Naboo for years now, it would be almost impossible to convince Gianna to relocate, but he'd never really interacted with the nobility who ran the planet, not in any meaningful way. It had just never been an issue, his focus had always been on the industrial the commercial yet, as Naboo and the republic it spawned rose to prominence amongst the stars the commercial and political were becoming evermore intertwined.

So he was here, walking through the door of a study the likes of which could only ever have been found in the most ancient of houses, which only made the couple waiting for him more impressive. After all, it wasn't everyone who could say they had risen to positions such as this at such a young age on their own merits.

"Thank you, it has been a busy year so, it's nice to be home. Although, I have to say I didn't expect to receive an invitation to the palace. I've always wondered what was behind hte locked doors and ballrooms."

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[Sibylla Abrantes]

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Location: Royal Conference Room
Aurelian Veruna John Locke

Sibylla gave an inclination of her head at Aurelian's musings. With the Empire and the ongoing wake of the attack on Atrisia, they had to think and plan for the future.

It was always better to over prepare than to be caught off guard.

At the announcement of Locke and Key's CEO, Sibylla turned toward the sound of John Locke's voice, her expression easing into one of cordial warmth and greeting.

"Then I am glad we could satisfy your curiosity," Sibylla replied with light amusement as she gestured toward the seat across from hers. "Please, Mr. Locke, do sit. I imagine you've had quite the journey."

The Naboo sunlight framed her as she moved back to her place at the table, the gold of her gown catching the light like ripples on water.

"We've heard much about your work with the hypergates. Your reputation precedes you," she continued, folding her hands neatly.

"Naboo's interests, as you might imagine, align with sustainable progress. If there's a way to ensure safe trade without compromising our world's balance, then I believe we may have more to discuss than you expect."

Those hazel eyes flicked briefly toward Aurelian, a quiet current of understanding passing between them before she returned her focus to Locke.

"Tell us, Mr. Locke," she said, her tone both curious and inviting, "what made you choose Naboo as your home?"

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Royal Conference Room
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | John Locke

Aurelian regarded Locke with a measured smile, the kind that revealed nothing and suggested everything. "You'll find Naboo full of locked doors, Mr. Locke," he said smoothly, gesturing toward the seat Sibylla indicated. "Most of them symbolic, of course. The rest… well, some keys have to be earned."

He took his own seat beside Sibylla. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were keen, watching Locke with the ease of a man who spent his life observing the dynamics of control. The CEO carried himself with the absolute certainty of one accustomed to power. Aurelian found that useful, if properly steered. If not, it was simply dangerous.

"I imagine the work you're doing makes it difficult to stay in one place for long," Aurelian continued, his tone conversational but edged with interest. "The hypergates are said to reshape the flow of entire sectors. To hear the Republic committees speak, you'd think you were weaving new arteries through the galaxy itself."

He steepled his fingers lightly. "That sort of reach changes things: worlds and people." A faint grin ghosted across his face, sharp at the edges. "And yet you chose Naboo. A world that prides itself on still breathing clean air and thinking twice before building anything taller than its mountains. That says something."

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