Private Fangs and Olive Branches

[Seth Denko]

OPHISSAN QUARTER, NABOO

There were a great many lessons that came with bearing the name Denko.

Speak plainly, even when you’re afraid.
Stand straight, even when you want to shrink.
And never—never—walk into someone else’s home empty-handed.

The air was heavy with the scent of the swamps this close to the Ophissan quarter, a thick, verdant warmth that clung to the lungs and smelled faintly of wet earth and life. Seth rolled his shoulders beneath the sharp line of his navy blues, the polished gold of the Royal Naboo Republic’s insignia gleaming from his chest like a sunrise over still waters. His cape, pristine white with a trim of Denko blue, shifted lightly behind him as he stepped forward—steady, deliberate.

In one hand, he carried a simple offering: a bottle of fine wine, aged and selected with care from the family holdings, its label bearing the seal of House Denko. It wasn’t the flashiest gesture, but his father had taught him well. Better to offer what is honest and thoughtful than what is lavish and hollow.

Still, his grip was just a little tighter than it should have been.

It wasn’t often that he found himself this nervous. But these were not ordinary circumstances—and the Ophissans were not ordinary hosts. No, they were exceptional. Survivors. Warriors. The daughters of the Great Serpent herself. And today, Seth Denko—Heir Apparent of a house of outworlders, merchants, and noble blood—had been tasked with the weight of first impressions.

You are not your father. You are not your uncle. You are not Abel. But you are Seth Denko. And that will be enough.

He let out a slow breath and adjusted the wine bottle beneath his arm before approaching the entrance, where the Ophissan guards waited with the stillness of statues and the eyes of hawks.

“I come as requested,” he said, voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his gut. “Seth Denko of House Denko, Royal Naboo Navy. Here to honor my appointment with Her Majesty.”

A respectful bow of the head. Just enough to show deference—but not so low as to seem meek.

There was no history of blood between their peoples. No old grudges to mend, no debts to settle. Only the space between strangers who might one day call each other friends.

And Seth was here, in all his practiced poise and buried anxiety, to make the first move across that distance.

It is good to know your neighbors, his uncle always said. But better still to break bread with them.​

Athena Karalis​

 

[Athena Karalis]

TAG: Seth Denko

The swamps that the Ophissans had claimed for their lands were well patrolled and guarded. Probably a bi-product of the Ophissan's culture of martial prowess and tensions with the Gungans. Ophissan territory was marked by their banners symbolizing the Gorgon Queen, easy enough to spot by Seth on his travels through the swamps. The two sentries posted on the one of the entrances simply looked at Seth as he spoke to them. One of the guards leaned down to inspect the Royal Republic of Naboo pinned to his clothing. With a small hiss, the guards simply gestured for Seth to step on through.
Rather than meeting properly in the Ophissan city, Athena had elected to erect a small but rather lavish encampment within their territory to meet with this Nabooian noble. Athena was sure to believe the Queen was preoccupied with more pressing matters. At least this way, Athena can continue to introduce herself to Nabooian politcial figures and nobility. Athena had no prior knowledge of House Denko, other than one of its members was interested in meeting with Athena. Whether this would be another cultural exchange like with Dreidi Xeraic , it wasn't entirely known. Athena sat up straight, her tail coiling aroud herself like a spring, as she sat by a burning fire. She saw more of her guards make way for the nobleman to step through.

"Welcome" she said in a kind tone "Pleassseee, take a sssseat." Athena gestured to a cushioned chair on the opposite side of the fire. "I do hope the trek through our ssssswampsss was not too much of a burden on you. If you require refressshmentsss we do have wine or water for you to conssssume."

​

 

[Seth Denko]

OPHISSAN ENCAMPMENT, NABOO

The path had been long enough to let Seth settle the weight of his nerves, though the sharp, green bite of the swamp air still clung to his uniform like smoke. His boots found steady ground beneath him as the guards stepped aside, their silent gestures granting passage deeper into the Ophissan camp.

The sight of Athena—coiled, regal, poised by the fire—commanded attention without need for flourish. Seth offered a polite nod of respect as he stepped into the space she had prepared, eyes briefly scanning the arrangement before settling on the woman herself.

“My thanks, Your Majesty,” he replied, voice smooth but earnest as he approached the seat she offered. “The journey was far from a burden. Honestly, it’s a welcome change of pace. Most days, I find myself tucked behind the controls of a starfighter or penned into a briefing room. There’s something grounding about walking beneath a real sky for once—feet on the soil instead of in the stars.”

With practiced care, Seth reached beneath the fold of his cape, producing the bottle of wine he had carried through the swamps. He held it out with both hands, the seal of House Denko gleaming faintly in the firelight.

“I brought this, as a small token of respect,” he continued. “It comes from the family vineyards, tended by our kin on Naboo. A modest offering, but one chosen with care. I hope it finds your favor.”

Only then did he ease down into the cushioned chair she had indicated, posture straight but relaxed, hands resting lightly on his knees.

“I am Seth Denko, heir of House Denko. I serve Naboo as a Lieutenant in her Royal Navy and as a Padawan within the Order of Shiraya,” he said, voice clear, the introduction steady and assured. “My family has deep roots here on Naboo, though our ties stretch across the stars. We’ve long believed that strength comes not just from the lands we hold, but from the bridges we build.”

He met Athena’s gaze, steady and sincere.

“There is no history between our peoples—but I would like to see a future. One built on neighborly respect, and perhaps in time, friendship. My father always taught me that it is good to know your neighbors. But I believe it is better still to share a drink with them.”

A small smile, warm but measured.

“Water would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your hospitality.”​

Athena Karalis​

 

[Athena Karalis]

TAG: Seth Denko

Athena would wave her hand one of the guards to pour her guest a glass of water. As for the gift, Athena took the wine bottle, examining it for a small bit. She didn't say much but handed it to another guard speaking into their native tongue. The guard simply nodded as she then slithered away, presumably to store the gift safely. The glass of water was then given to Seth, along with a decorated clay pitcher filled with more. Athena gave a kind smile as she sipped her glass of Ophissan wine before speaking.

"I have only been out to the great Void, once. It wassss to attend a gala for new planetssss. I will ssssaaay,that traveling in the Void issss not enjoyable to me. I much prefer the ground I can ssssslitheer on rather than being in a metal machine. At least on the ground, I am not out of my element. Though I sssuppossse timesss are changing. Evetually, I will need to adapt asss well." Athena explained as she then stared at the Royal Naboo symbol on Seth's chest.

"I am not sssuree if they talk about my people in your hissstory. But the Naboo and my people have had passsst interactionssss. Your people taught us how to domesssticate animals so we can fatten them up and eat them. Your ancestorsss, are ressssponssible for why my people no longer consume Gunganssss assssss a delicacy. Not to mention alssso keep tensionsss betweeen Ophisssan and Gungan..relatively peaceful."

Athena took another sip of her wine. "SSssooo, Ssseeth Denko of House Denko. You and your fellow Naboo have had sparse hissstory with usss. But like you, I too wisssh for the Ophissssaansss and Naboo to have much more binding agreementsss in the future. The wider galaxy growsss more chaotic from the news we hear out of Theed. Naboo hasss enemiessss. As people who also call thissss planet our home, we wouldl like to asssisst however we can."

​

 

[Seth Denko]

OPHISSAN ENCAMPMENT, NABOO

Seth accepted the water with a quiet nod of gratitude, lifting the glass briefly in acknowledgment before taking a small, respectful sip. He listened intently as Athena spoke, the weight of her words settling into him like the heat of the fire between them. History. Bloodlines. Lessons passed down through generations. There was gravity in that—and a rare honesty.

It stirred something in him.

When she finished, Seth leaned forward just slightly, resting the glass on the table at his side. His fingers steepled loosely together, elbows on his knees. His posture remained relaxed, but there was a sharpened edge to his focus now—a clarity in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“If you’ll forgive me for saying so, Your Majesty… I think what you just shared tells me exactly the kind of people you are. Not easily forgotten, not easily shaken. And I can respect that.”

He let the words hang for a breath before pressing on, the thought already building momentum in his mind.

“You’re right. The wider galaxy is growing more chaotic. And if there’s one thing my time among the stars—and in the streets of places like Nar Shaddaa—has taught me, it’s that waiting for the tides to change won’t save you from the flood.” He smiled faintly, but there was steel beneath it. “Sometimes, you have to start building the boat yourself.”

His hands opened, palms facing her now—offering the idea rather than forcing it.

“I cannot speak for all of Naboo. I’m not a senator, and I don’t carry the Queen’s voice. But I can speak for my blood. For my House.” His tone softened, but lost none of its conviction. “And I would be a fool to sit here, drink your water, and speak of friendship if I wasn’t willing to put something real on the table.”

A pause. The fire popped between them.

“I propose this, Your Majesty: a treaty—between House Denko and the Ophissans. We’ll invest in interstellar transit on your behalf. My people know the routes, the ports, the buyers across the Mid Rim and beyond. There’s value in the goods of your lands—exquisite, exotic, rare—and I believe there are those out there who would pay dearly for such treasures. Let us find them for you. Let us carry your name further than the swamps and forests of Naboo.”

Seth’s gaze held steady, his voice lowering just enough to give weight to the next part.

“But more than trade, I’m speaking of strength. Of partnership. Your people are masters of this terrain—there’s no one better suited to defend it. My people? We’re fighters of a different sort. Used to streets, starships, cities. What I propose is an exchange of knowledge. Let some of my kin learn the ways of the swamps, how to fight alongside yours. In turn, we’ll share what we know of urban warfare, of ship combat, of the tools and tactics the galaxy beyond Naboo uses when war comes knocking.”

He leaned back at last, giving the idea the space to breathe.

“It’s a bold offer, I know. And not one I expect you to take lightly. But the way I see it… if the storms are coming—and I believe they are—then I’d rather face them with my neighbors at my side.”

Another small, respectful smile. No arrogance. Just honest ambition.

“Of course… this is only the seed of an idea. Whether it grows will depend on the will of both our peoples. But I wanted you to hear it from me first.”

He reached again for the water, lifting the glass in quiet salute.

“Because as my father taught me—true friendship begins when both sides have something to lose.”

And then, with that same steady calm, he drank.​

Athena Karalis​

 

[Athena Karalis]

TAG: Seth Denko

There was an odd silence that hung after Seth explained his offer. Athena did seem to be mulling over things as she stared into the fire between her and Seth. A couple of the guards exchanged glances with another as the silence prolonged. It wasn't like Athena to be silent this long but then again, there was a gravity to the offer being provided. Athena took a deep breath as she looked to Seth, keeping friendly tone as she spoke.

"I will not pretend to know how politicssss work on your side of Naboo. I have always assssumed you all are different agentsss of your Queen. All different but bound in ssservice to her and Naboo. It did not crossss my mind that individual bloodlinessss are allowed to make treatiesss without the consssent of your Queen. I sssupposse that is different on how we operate. All Ophissssansss are in ssservice of the Gorgon and our Oraclesss."

Athena took a sip of her wine as the fire continued to crackle between them both before she continued speaking.

"You have offered out a hand in friendssship, for that I thank you for SSSSeth of House Denko. But you mussst undersssstand that even if my ambitionsss are to one day for my people to fully integrate with the Naboo, I mussst alsssso ensssure my people are not going to be usssed asss bargaining chipsss in a political sssscene I am not fully immerssed in with. Asss such I will concede thisss, to you."

Athena gestured to the swamps around her

"I will consult the Oraclesss and sssseek their wisdom about allowing Naboo to be trained in our wayssss. All Nabooiansss, not jussst the onesss from your bloodline. Asss ssssuch, my people will learn the waysss of how the Naboo fight. Your offer of building the interssstellar trade network isss not appealing to sssay the very least. The Ophisssan people very rarely travel out of Naboo, and if we wissssh to try and sell our goodsss, we would do sssoo with the Naboo. Then through the Naboo, perhapssss to the wider galaxy. But asssss of now, the trade thing isn't what isss bessst for my people."


​

 

[Seth Denko]

OPHISSAN ENCAMPMENT, NABOO

Seth said nothing during the silence.

He simply took another sip of water, calm and collected, letting the quiet stretch between them like a thread—not tense, not fraying, just waiting to see which way it might pull. When Athena finally spoke, his eyes returned to her fully, focus unbroken, head tilting ever so slightly with interest. He listened without interruption, every syllable marked with weight, with consideration.

At her first point, he offered a small nod of agreement.

“You’re right, Your Majesty. Our Houses each serve the Crown in our own way—but we are permitted to forge ties, draft treaties, make independent decisions that benefit Naboo as a whole. We operate with autonomy… but never abandon the larger duty. No House stands above the Queen. And none should.”

His tone remained even—low, respectful, honest. Not a single edge of defensiveness in his voice.

He continued to listen as she laid out her thoughts, her reasoning. And when she finished—when she made clear what she was and wasn’t open to—Seth leaned forward again, setting his glass gently back on the table between them.

“I understand,” he said simply. “And I thank you for sharing with such clarity.”

There was no disappointment in his posture, no push to convince her otherwise. Just acceptance. And something close to admiration in the way his next words came.

“It was never my intent for the Ophissan people to be leveraged—or worse, used—in the politics of the north. You have my word on that. I offered trade because it’s a strength my House knows well. But wisdom knows when to recognize the right path, and when to let another be. You’ve made it clear what’s best for your people—and I respect that.”

His gaze drifted momentarily to the swamps as she had gestured, then back to her.

“If the Oracles see value in this exchange—your warriors teaching ours, and ours doing the same in turn—I’d be honored to share that decision. With the Houses. With the Queen. I won’t overstep, and I will carry the message faithfully.”

There was a quiet beat then, the fire crackling again as if to fill the space between thoughts.

Seth’s expression softened just slightly—not in formality, but in something closer to warmth.

“In the meantime, if there’s anything House Denko can do for the Ophissans—whether that’s as small as being a friendly voice beyond your borders, or something more—I’m here to listen.”

He gave a slight incline of his head. Not a bow. But a gesture of shared respect.

“Because even if the road to unity takes time… no one should have to walk it alone.”​

Athena Karalis​

 

[Athena Karalis]

TAG: Seth Denko

"Right now, the bessst thing you and your bloodline can do isss to be a voice for usss in your Naboo politicsss. I have yet to try and meet more people of your ruling classss. But the more people I meet,the more chancesss I have to win their support for my ambition. At the very leassst, a meeting with your Queen. Though I do not expect for thisss to be eassy to accomplisssh. From what information that doessss come out of Theed, I understand Naboo as a whole isss dealing with alot."

Athena seemingly sighed as she sipped her wine for a moment before continuing. "I can be patient in waiting to make more connectionssss with yourr ruling classs. But a sssnake can only be poisssed to sssstrike for sssso long before it movessss on. There issss alot I wisssh for my people to do for Naboo, perhapsss you can best advisse on how we will go about it. I know that one of my ambitionsss is to bury the hatchet between usss and the Gungansss."

​

 

[Seth Denko]

OPHISSAN ENCAMPMENT, NABOO

Seth listened carefully, his expression steady, open. When she spoke of striking—or moving on—there was no visible unease in his features, but he didn’t miss the weight behind the words.

He nodded once, slowly.

“I’d be honored to be a voice for you in the world of Naboo politics,” he said plainly. “There’s more distance between the north and these swamps than just geography. I can’t promise every ear will be open—but I can promise yours will be represented fairly and without distortion. That matters more than most people realize.”

At her mention of limited connections, he tilted his head slightly, curiosity showing through.

“Have you had the chance to attend any formal gatherings? Dinners, ceremonies, even festivals of note?” he asked, tone thoughtful rather than pressing. “You strike me as someone who commands a room—and sometimes, just being seen in one is enough to start those connections. Nobility often puts weight on appearances, but that can work in your favor too, if the moment’s chosen well.”

He offered a small, good-natured smile before continuing.

“As for the Queen herself… I don’t have a direct line to her. My House is loyal, and we serve proudly, but we’re not in her immediate circle. Still—” his eyes met Athena’s with quiet conviction, “—if I see an opportunity to help make that introduction, I’ll take it. No games. Just respect.”

The talk of Gungans shifted the air slightly. Seth leaned forward just a touch, brow furrowing in thought.

“Truth be told… I don’t know much about the history between your people and theirs. It’s not something taught in the circles I grew up in.” He paused for a breath. “But if your goal is to bury the hatchet, that’s a start. Are the Gungans asking anything specific? Have they laid out terms? Or is it more of an old wound that’s just been left to fester?”

He let the question hang, not demanding, but inquisitive—open.

“I ask only so I know where to begin. Peace has to be more than a gesture—it has to land. I’d like to help make sure it does.”

And with that, he rested his hands calmly on the table again, patient, present—ready to listen.​

Athena Karalis​