Ascending Legend
The spaceport cantina overlooked one of Naboo's smaller landing platforms, where the open archways let in a soft breeze that carried the distinct scent of lake water and warm stone. Afternoon light spilled across the intricate mosaic floors and curved pillars, catching on the polished hulls of the various ships resting just beyond the transparisteel. Naboo was almost offensively peaceful to someone who had spent so much of her life surrounded by the cold functionality of military vessels and war zones.
Iandre sat near the edge of the terrace, where she could maintain a clear view of the docks while keeping her posture composed but not entirely rigid. She wore simple grey Jedi travel robes with the fabric layered for practicality rather than display. The sleeves were slightly pushed back at her wrists to reveal hands that bore the faint calluses from years of disciplined saberwork. Her dark hair was braided as always, keeping it neat and precise as it draped over her shoulder.
A small satchel rested at her feet because she carried no luggage beyond what she could manage herself.
She watched the ships come and go with a quiet and thoughtful expression that did not quite match the idyllic setting of the planet. The calm of Naboo had a way of stirring reflection rather than easing it for her. When the cantina door finally slid open and a red-skinned Twi'lek entered with the unhurried confidence of someone accustomed to busy ports and difficult contracts, Iandre's attention shifted naturally toward the newcomer. The pilot wore black trousers, sturdy boots, and a white tank top beneath a bomber jacket. It was an efficient, mobile outfit that clearly marked her as a pilot rather than a typical tourist.
Iandre rose as Ti'sonta approached and offered a small but genuine inclination of her head in greeting.
"Ti'sonta?" she asked, her voice warm and steady. "I appreciate you taking the time to meet me in person."
There was no inspection in her gaze, no sense that she was measuring the other woman, as she offered a simple acknowledgment.
"I am Iandre."
She gestured lightly toward the chair across from her to invite the pilot to join her. "Please."
Once they were both seated, Iandre folded her hands loosely atop the table while she gathered her thoughts.
"I was told you are reliable and that particular quality matters much more to me than speed."
A faint and almost self-aware smile touched her lips as she looked at the stranger.
"I need passage to Hoth via a direct route with no additional stops unless they are absolutely necessary for fuel."
There was no hesitation in that request and no wavering in her voice.
"The destination is not negotiable."
She paused briefly as though she were weighing exactly how much more she should add before she continued with a quiet honesty.
"The timing is somewhat flexible even if the purpose is not."
Her fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the table in a thoughtful way rather than a nervous one.
"I understand that Hoth is not a popular request for a traveler. If the cold concerns you, then I will compensate you accordingly for the trouble. I do not require any luxury and only need transport."
For just a moment, something less certain flickered behind her composure as she glanced around the peaceful cantina. It was not about where she was going, but about everything that had led her to this point.
"I have not traveled privately in quite some time," she admitted quietly as she looked back at the Twi'lek. "So if there are specific procedures or expectations on your end, then I would rather you state them plainly."
Her gaze returned to Ti'sonta's with an open and direct focus.
"I prefer straightforward arrangements."
Despite the clarity in her destination, there remained the faint sense that she was still finding her footing in the strange spaces between a lifetime of war and whatever was supposed to come after.
Ti'sonta
Iandre sat near the edge of the terrace, where she could maintain a clear view of the docks while keeping her posture composed but not entirely rigid. She wore simple grey Jedi travel robes with the fabric layered for practicality rather than display. The sleeves were slightly pushed back at her wrists to reveal hands that bore the faint calluses from years of disciplined saberwork. Her dark hair was braided as always, keeping it neat and precise as it draped over her shoulder.
A small satchel rested at her feet because she carried no luggage beyond what she could manage herself.
She watched the ships come and go with a quiet and thoughtful expression that did not quite match the idyllic setting of the planet. The calm of Naboo had a way of stirring reflection rather than easing it for her. When the cantina door finally slid open and a red-skinned Twi'lek entered with the unhurried confidence of someone accustomed to busy ports and difficult contracts, Iandre's attention shifted naturally toward the newcomer. The pilot wore black trousers, sturdy boots, and a white tank top beneath a bomber jacket. It was an efficient, mobile outfit that clearly marked her as a pilot rather than a typical tourist.
Iandre rose as Ti'sonta approached and offered a small but genuine inclination of her head in greeting.
"Ti'sonta?" she asked, her voice warm and steady. "I appreciate you taking the time to meet me in person."
There was no inspection in her gaze, no sense that she was measuring the other woman, as she offered a simple acknowledgment.
"I am Iandre."
She gestured lightly toward the chair across from her to invite the pilot to join her. "Please."
Once they were both seated, Iandre folded her hands loosely atop the table while she gathered her thoughts.
"I was told you are reliable and that particular quality matters much more to me than speed."
A faint and almost self-aware smile touched her lips as she looked at the stranger.
"I need passage to Hoth via a direct route with no additional stops unless they are absolutely necessary for fuel."
There was no hesitation in that request and no wavering in her voice.
"The destination is not negotiable."
She paused briefly as though she were weighing exactly how much more she should add before she continued with a quiet honesty.
"The timing is somewhat flexible even if the purpose is not."
Her fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the table in a thoughtful way rather than a nervous one.
"I understand that Hoth is not a popular request for a traveler. If the cold concerns you, then I will compensate you accordingly for the trouble. I do not require any luxury and only need transport."
For just a moment, something less certain flickered behind her composure as she glanced around the peaceful cantina. It was not about where she was going, but about everything that had led her to this point.
"I have not traveled privately in quite some time," she admitted quietly as she looked back at the Twi'lek. "So if there are specific procedures or expectations on your end, then I would rather you state them plainly."
Her gaze returned to Ti'sonta's with an open and direct focus.
"I prefer straightforward arrangements."
Despite the clarity in her destination, there remained the faint sense that she was still finding her footing in the strange spaces between a lifetime of war and whatever was supposed to come after.
Ti'sonta
