Private Family, is Eternal

[Cassian Abrantes]

Deej'a Peak
Vineyards
Sibylla Abrantes
​

Morning light spilled like honey over the slopes of Deeja Peak, gilding the vineyards in gold. The air was cool and fragrant, a blend of dew, crushed grass, and the faint sweetness of ripening blossoms. Mist still clung to the valley below, and from where the Abrantes homestead stood on its rise, one could see the great mirror of Lake Deeja shimmering in the distance its waters catching the light like molten glass.

Rows of vines stretched in graceful arcs down the hillside, heavy with clusters of pale green grapes that would later become the region's famed Deeja Peak white. The fruit had just begun to take on its autumn hue, translucent against the morning sun. Here and there, Deej'a songbirds darted between the rows, their soft trills harmonizing with the gentle hum of the irrigation droids weaving through the terraces. Naboo's pastoral beauty was never loud it whispered instead, with the patience of a world that knew peace was something you tended to, not took for granted.

At the crest of the hill, the Abrantes villa stood in elegant simplicity, white stone washed by centuries of rain and sun, its verandas shaded by arches of flowering vines. The scent of morning bread wafted from the open kitchen windows, mingling with the spice of caf and fresh fruit. Cassian Abrantes had been awake since dawn, of course, reviewing a few old datapads on the terrace before finally giving in to their parents insistence that today was to be a day without reports, meetings, or holocalls. Mother and Father had plans for the day, they were to spend a family day at the vineyards. However Cassian couldn't help but feel something else was at play, perhaps it was the investigative portion in him stirring, from the long nights at the Intelligence office.

Cassian was already present at the vineyards now, as he awaited the arrival of his siblings,

Beyond, he could see a speeder was already making its way towards him. Elian, by the look of the silhouette, arm out of the sides, a smile upon his face. Sibylla was driving, apparently laughing at something Elian told her and Cassian couldn't help but laugh aloud. Whatever it was, he was sure it was mischief, but then a teasing thought came to his mind.

Sibylla was driving....

It came to a stop as Cassian's facial expression switched from happy to worried in an instant, he ran Elian's side of the speeder as he reached in and hugged him tightly.

"Brother! I'm so glad your safe!" Ignoring the gawks of protest as he he looked him over for injuries. "Are you okay?! If I would've known Sibylla was driving I would've told you to walk." Cassian laughed letting go of his younger brother and giving a small wink and teasing smirk Sibylla's way.


The vineyard was alive with warmth and color again, the ghosts of duty and distance washed away by sunlight and the voices of home. For the first time in a long while, Deeja Peak felt like what it had always meant to be not a memory of peace, but the heart of it. And today, beneath the boundless Naboo sky, that heart was strong.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

DEE'JA PEAK
Abrantes Vineyards
Interacting with: Cassian Abrantes
Items: x x x x x

The hum of the solar engine softened as Sibylla eased the speeder to a graceful stop at the edge of the courtyard. The vineyards of Deeja Peak stretched wide around them in a sea of green and gold beneath the morning sun, but her attention was fixed squarely on her brother's face.
Cassian's expression had shifted in the span of a heartbeat, from a smile of fondness to that all-too-familiar look of concern.

Ohhh no you didn't!

Hazel eyes narrowed at once.

"Oh, what is going on with that look, Cassian? I saw that!" she cried out with playful suspicion. Of course, what he said next only promptly provoked Sibylla's gasp of mock outrage. "I beg your pardon!"

Elian, ever the accomplice in her brothers' nonsense, slumped in Cassian's arms in exaggerated despair.

"Shiraya, save me, I thought my life was flashing before my eyes!"

With perfect dramatics, Sibylla set the speeder into park and turned off the ignition. The quiet tick of cooling solar coils filled the pause that followed. It was a solar-powered engine that utilized green energy to minimize its carbon footprint. Part of the green laws to keep Naboo pristine

Sibylla's head snapped toward him, her tone rising an octave as her temper flared.

"Oh would you stop it! I can drive perfectly well!" She shoved the door open, her pale blue dress fluttering as she stepped out into the courtyard. The breeze tugged at the hem as she rounded the speeder, every inch of her posture declaring war on their collective teasing.

"Both of you," she warned, pointing accusingly at them, "are insufferable."

Elian's laughter only made her pace quicken, as if she might actually swat him for it.

Across the courtyard, Caleb stood beneath the shaded portico, a fond smile tugging at his lips as he watched the familiar chaos play out.

Beyond him, among the neat rows of vines, Lord Alistair Abrantes worked with quiet purpose, coat discarded, white sleeves rolled up past his forearms, the Naboo breeze ruffling the silvered dark of his hair and the trim of his beard.

The scent of fresh bread drifted from the villa's open windows, mingling with the sweetness of crushed grapes and the echo of laughter from the drive. They were already making preparations for the Harvest Festival, and this year was promising to be a bountiful one.

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

Sibylla Abrantes
​

Cassian laughed outright then, unable to stop himself. It was good to hear their voices together again the familiar rhythm of siblings, the kind of noise that filled the empty corners of a home too long quiet. Sibylla slammed the speeder door shut and stormed around to confront them, her pale blue dress catching the sunlight like a sail, the mountain breeze toying with her hair. They had been spending time together more often than not, which to Cassian was an incredibly good thing. And even more so that they were, all going to be together today.

"Both of you,"

"are insufferable."

Elian's laughter trailed after her, bright and unrepentant. "You love us anyway!"

Cassian held up his hands in surrender, a grin tugging at his mouth. "Only out of love, sweet sister." The eldest sibling turned as he caught sight of Caleb and smiled, moving towards him.

Caleb Irons emerged from his position as proper as he possibly could, the glint of sun catching the edge of hi hair. The longtime family friend and confidante wore that knowing smile of his the one that suggested he'd seen this same scene unfold more times than he could count.

"Master Abrantes." he greeted with a half-bow toward Cassian, though his eyes danced with humor. "Your sister's driving appears to have survived another outing. A triumph of the modern age." Cassian chuckled, shaking his head. "Careful, Caleb. She's still armed with that glare." As their laughter faded, Cassian's gaze shifted toward the vineyards. There, among the rows of vines, he saw his father.

Lord Alistair Abrantes stood where he always did at this time of year at the head of the vineyard's main terrace, coat hung over a nearby post, sleeves rolled past his elbows as he oversaw the workers preparing for the Harvest Festival. The years had added silver to his dark hair and lined the corners of his face, but he carried himself with the same deliberate grace, wisdom and commanding presence as he ever did.


Alistair's hands, though calloused from decades of work, moved with practiced precision as he inspected the grapes. He paused for a moment, watching his children from a distance. Cassian could feel the weight of that gaze even before his father turned.

There was pride there quiet, restrained but also relief. To see them here.. To see them together.

Caleb moved to stand beside Cassian, following his line of sight. "He hasn't said it aloud." Caleb murmured. "But I think this year's harvest means more to him than most.... it's promising."

Cassian nodded. "He's been out here since dawn, hasn't he?"

"As always. Hunting is your mediation." Caleb said softly. "The vines are his meditation."

The two men walked down toward the fields as Sibylla and Elian joined them. The air grew sweeter with every step, filled with the scent of ripening fruit and the faint musk of tilled soil. Workers passed carrying baskets, their laughter mingling with birdsong. Strings of lanterns were already being hung between the posts, their glass orbs catching the sunlight soon to glow in the evening when the festival began.

When Cassian reached his father, Alistair turned with that rare, restrained smile. "You made it in time." he said simply, his voice deep and measured. "I was beginning to think duty would claim another weekend."

Cassian inclined his head. "Not today. Today belongs to the vineyards and to family."

"Good." Alistair said placing a hand on Cassians and giving a small squeeze. He glanced toward the others, as a more relaxed smile graced his face looking towards Sibylla and Elian. Their Father, Lord Abrantes pulled them both in for a big hug. "It's good to see you, my children."

Cassian chuckled and showed a big smile as he watched the interaction between them. It was good, loving and real.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

DEE'JA PEAK
Abrantes Vineyards
Interacting with: Cassian Abrantes
Items: x x x x x

"You love us anyway!"

Sibylla arched a brow. "That's debatable."

"Only out of love, sweet sister."

"Oh, I'll show you love," Sibylla muttered under her breath, though her lips twitched despite herself.

Elian tried to round the speeder to get away from Sibylla, his gait permeating the swagger of someone who thought himself clever.

"You know, statistically speaking, I think I've aged ten years since we left the estate. My hair might've gone grey."

"Then perhaps you'll finally start using that brain of yours," Sibylla quipped, about to bap him on the shoulder before he managed to lunge free. Sibylla merely huffed in response, lifting her chin as the flutter of her blue skirts shuffled around her legs, sweeping past Elian with her chin held high.

"The family could use another sensible Abrantes."

"Ouch," Elian said with mock offense, clutching his heart. "Mother would side with me, you know."

"She only would because she hasn't seen how you drive on turns," Sibylla shot back, earning another round of laughter that only made her glare deepen.

Sibylla fell into step beside them as they started toward the vineyard, her skirts brushing the tall grass, Elian walking backward ahead of her just to keep the banter alive.

"Don't tell me you're planning to work," she said lightly. "I'd hate to have to rescue you from manual labor again."

"Please," Elian said, "I'm the only one here with an artistic eye. Father's lucky to have me."

"Artistic eye?" she scoffed. "You tried to 'prune' a vine last year and nearly uprooted the irrigation line."

"That was... a tactical error," Elian defended weakly.

Sibylla shook her head, only for her smile to broaden as they neared their father.

"Father, I see you've decided to make it a day of it," she called out, moving in close to hug him. Lord Alistar wrapped his arms around her, and she felt the distinct strength in his embrace, inhaling the scent of rich pipe tobacco that he smoked, mixed with the earthy richness of dirt and wind.

"Indeed, but yours is a face I did not expect, your Majesty." Lord Alistar chuckled out but gave her another squeeze.

"Please... not here. And I am only the interim Queen while Aurelian oversees the Chancellery." Sibylla replied as she pulled back to smile at him, but not before her father's dark brows gave a slight incline at the informal use of King Veruna the Second's name. It was a look he shared with Cassian Abrantes as if in inquiry.

Elian, however, darted ahead with that trademark grin that always spelled trouble.

"Yes, she's not really a Queen," he declared loud enough for half the vineyard to hear. "If she were, she'd already be lording it over us -- demanding we kiss her ring and address her as Your Radiant Highness of Reckless Driving."

Sibylla froze midstep, one brow lifting with slow, imperious precision.

"Oh, is that so?" she replied in a dangerously sweet tone.

Elian only doubled down, grinning wider.

"I'm just saying, the royal temperament's there, Nez. You've got the glare, the dramatic exits, the habit of --"

"Finishing your sentences for you?" she cut in, a dangerous glint in her hazel eyes as she stepped closer until he instinctively backed up.