Private Den of the Picquerist [Lily]

[Darth Carnifex]

"It shall be done, my lord."

Those words, spoken with soft, velvety reference, were quickly swallowed up by the silence that followed. The glow of the holoprojector dimmed and darkness rushed in to fill the void. Sophia Naberrie moved to stand, her dress of blue, pink, and white rising up off the floor from where it had pooled. She took a moment to smooth out the fabric, brushing away any lingering evidence that she'd been kneeling before adjusting the gilded gorget around her neck.

The bookcase slid open with a silent whoosh of air, slipping back into place just as quietly once Sophia had passed through. The secret chamber wasn't on any architectural schematics, it had been a secret project along with the facility located deep beneath the island. Sophia walked with calm and measure grace out into the foyer, where the large oil painting of Padmé Amidala loomed large over the entryway.

"The dignitaries are on arrival, we project half an hour at most," spoke one of the villa attendants, unknowing of the dark truth hidden below.

"Has the landing platform been readied?"

"Yes, all non-essential vehicles had been moved. There should be ample space."

"Good," nodded Sophia, "This has to go perfectly. We want to make a good impression for the Jedi." The young attendant nodded enthusiastically, her smile broad and jovial. The Jedi were well regarded by the primary staff of Varykino, and Sophia had mastered the art of mirroring their enthusiasm for the Jedi Order. Her Lord had taught her how to suppress her hatred and disdain well enough.

She took the attendant aside, quickly relaying her instructions for the coming visit. "I want a reception waiting to receive them, and I want the honor guard lined along the trail." The honor guard were a volunteer group whose sole purpose was to ceremoniously "guard" Varykino, though they had no weapons and were purely for spectacle. Nevertheless, they'd become an attraction of Varykino, and many came to see the honor guard and record their interactions with them.

Sophia sent off the attendant to relay her instructions, a grim shadow falling across her face when she was sure no one was around.

Oh how she loathed this coming visit. If she had her way with the Jedi, she'd kill them right then and there.

With her teeth.

Lily Decoria ​

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Summer Casual
Equipment: Nothing but her fists
Tag: Darth Carnifex

Lily had been somewhat surprised by her invitation to the estate, but when she had noted other Jedi were going to be in attendance, Lily knew that she was likely one of many. She had been on Sepan-8, defending the world from the brewing civil war then. Allowing for a peaceful resolution to finally occur. However, Lily still felt like a minor Padawan compared to others who were making grand moves, shifting the way the Jedi Order works. Changing the minds and hearts of others while Lily was there fighting, trying to survive for the most part. She had spent several days recovering from being shot and punched.

So attending something relaxed, calmer in the feeling it had. That appealed to Lily right now, she wanted another a break, a chance away from missions and learn more about the people who lived on Naboo. Especially those who were considered important to the economy and held planetary societal importance. Naboo was the capital of the High Republic and it was important to her Master, so Lily knew that she had to present a positive front. A demonstration of how welcoming and pleasant the Jedi were. How they were here to work in line with the residents and not be confrontational.

Her summer attire was worn to keep cool in the intense heat, as well as avoid the appearance of being someone who was stuck up, wound too tightly as a formal Jedi attire might present. It was better to offer a more welcoming presence and that she was a living being outside of the Jedi Order. The Padawan stepped out of the speeder, thanking her driver for dropping her off. Ensuring her outfit was presentable, Lily made her way to the villa. It was an impressive estate, she had seen plenty of a similar quality while living on Eshan and visiting some of those who were older families of Naboo. Like the Sal-Sorens.

Keeping her hands behind her, Lily followed the other Jedi and wandered inside the villa, unaware of the dangers that she could end up facing within the large manor.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Gardens and sculpted topiaries lined the pathway winding up to the villa's entrance, the occasional garden staff moving idly from one garden to another as the Jedi delegation passed by. The honor guard stood implacable by as well, not as well regimented as an actual military formation but nonetheless committed to their role. A colonnade of carved pillars lined the final dozen meters, crowned with a ceiling of carefully manicured flowering vines that blanketed the pale Naboo stone with refreshing shade.

Broad marble steps led up to the villa's portico, the loggias and arched windows of the villa poised like open hands awaiting their arrival. A set of tall doors, carved from seasoned wood and inlaid with the Royal Crest of Naboo, stand beneath a shallow arch painted with frescoes of lake-birds in flight. The paint is soft, faintly faded, worn by the sun and the elements. Standing in front of the door is the matron of the villa, Sophia Naberrie, her dress of soft blue, pink, and white pastels gently caressed by the warm lake-side air.

She bowed reverently as they approached, perfunctory but nonetheless respectful. "Master Jedi and honored dignitaries, the halls of Varykino are open to you." At that, the doors at her back slowly opened into the foyer. Within, the space expands into a vast chamber, far airier than it's exterior hinted. The ceiling was raised high, painted in faint clouds of pale blue and cream. Sunlight fell in vertical beams through the tall windows, scattering into bright lattices across the marble floor. Inlays of lapis lazuli and greenstone wind through the white stone like rivers on a map, converging toward the room's central axis.

At the far wall hangs the great portrait of Padmé Amidala. She gazes outward with serenity and resolve, amethyst robes embroidered in gold, her likeness haloed by the painter's light. Beneath it, a shallow pool of black marble lets water flow in a thin mirror, doubling her reflection so that she seems both above and below; both immortal and transient. Around her image, lilies in carved amphorae release a gentle perfume, and busts of Naboo philosophers line the niches, their eyes cast downward in contemplative shadow.

Sophia leads the guests through the foyer at a slow, measured pace, allowing each of them to absorb the wonder and serenity of the villa. But, beneath the cool veneer of respect and hospitality, the matron of the villa quietly seethed in anger. Just being near the Jedi was so nauseating, she almost felt physically ill just by their sight alone. She was careful not to let her true feelings draw too near to the surface, she knew how these Force-types liked to skim the surface of other's, to grasp at their emotions. Her master taught her how to hide her true self from them.

"The reception room has been prepared, as have guest chambers for those intending to stay longer than the day. We are at your disposal for anything you may require of us."

Lily Decoria ​

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo
Outfit: Summer Casual
Equipment: Nothing but her fists
Tag: Darth Carnifex

It was interesting seeing a manor of this quality open its doors after so long being secluded, seemingly abandoned in the minds of those who lived on Naboo from what Lily knew. There was a curiosity on what she would see and what could have shifted in the mind of the owner of such an estate. Seeing the grand estate and the many other Jedi only reinforced the feelings being out of place and undeserving of being here. Lily was not someone who had made much impact on the Jedi or saw herself as a champion of note, not yet at least. The Padawan always held a humbling opinion of herself when she saw how well others achieved. There were Jedi who had joined the Order after herself that were already Knights and some who were training the same time she was that were closer to becoming a Jedi Master than they were to being a Jedi Knight. Something Lily still saw as being a far-flung notion of a dream.

Seeing the grand marble, the carefully crafted wooden doors and the delicate but beautifully detailed art was just another pang of guilt that she was attending an event not meant for her. Breathing in deeply, Lily couldn't allow the self doubts, the negative thoughts continue to scream in her head. This was something she had been personally invited to and Lily knew that she needed to just relax and enjoy her time attending such an event. It was not every day that a place like this opened its doors and there might not be another time for Lily to attend.

Clasping her hands behind her, Lily walked into the foyer once the doors opened. Seeing the beauty, the way that the lights twinkled of the jewels and the manner in which everything was decorated with the deepest of care but with nothing spared in terms of cost. Whoever owned this place held a lot of money but also had impressive tastes, including an eye for style. Not something Lily often saw when she visited estates like this on Eshan, usually it was one or two of the three that people had. But this person had all three. In addition there was a the large portraits of a Queen Padme Amidala, an ancient historical figure. Someone that played a key role in the fall of the Republic but also the beginnings of the Rebellion during the First Galactic Empire.

An interesting figure but not one Lily had done a lot of studying on since Padme seemed to be more of a political figure from what Lily had seen, which was not a path that held much interest for the warrior.

Lily was watching the movements of the staff as they wandered, not using the Force to see intention or thoughts but reading the simple body language movements that were being expressed. Nothing complex as the conversations an Echani would have with another, but Lily's skills in reading body language meant that she perceived things much clearer than a normal Jedi would. It was the fact that her limited skills in the Force allowed Lily to continue to pursue her skills that did not need it. Something that allowed the Echani to survive a fight with the Force being cut off from her, allowing her to see secrets in the movements of others as they attempted to hide their thoughts in other ways.

For now, Lily did not see anything that stood out as significant. So, Lily continued to observe silently, patiently, seeing what the other Jedi would do and taking in the oddities in the way that things were positioned and placed within this grand foyer. She did wonder who would be staying here and what plans the staff had for those staying longer than a single day.