Private How Do You Solve a Problem Like the Jedi?

[Adelle Bastiel]

Mandalorian Embassy, Theed, Naboo
Tags: Quinn Varanin | Sibylla Abrantes

To Lady Sibylla Abrantes,

We have a problem.

Mandalorian security caught on holocam someone harrassing Quinn Varanin outside the Embassy itself. Varanin herself contacted me—which should tell you something, Echani have no love for Mandos—and said the girl in the footage identified herself as a Jedi. A rank was not mentioned.

You and I both know Varanin’s presence is complicated, even with the Accords. I don’t know what authority the Jedi have within the Republic’s structure, but this is A Problem. Mandalorians already have a history with both sides of the Force philosophy and this will absolutely overshadow any progress of goodwill if this escalates beyond one confrontation.

Varanin has requested a meeting with me. I’d like to bring you in—she mentioned trusting you? You have far more familiarity with the High Republic’s laws concerning Force Users and your knowledge would be invaluable in finding a way to resolve this.

I will have to tell Aether and a security report has already been filed, but I’d like to have this problem fixed first. Or a solution in place, at least.

Here are the earliest dates and times I’d be available for a meeting.

Respectfully,
Adelle Bastiel
Ambassador of the Mandalorian Empire
Iron Lord

To the Queen and Warden of Eshan,

Please accept my apologies that this was allowed to occur on the Embassy’s very doorstep. Security had alerted me to an altercation but by the time I had been notified and able to intervene, the Jedi had already left. A report has been filed.

Concerning your presence here, the accords were very clear. So long as you operated within the High Repuplic as the sovereign representative of Eshan and obeyed its laws as any other citizen, you were to be allowed to move freely as a diplomat of the Empire. There are legal protections in place and you have kept your word so far as I’m aware. My question is: do you feel safe to continue working in High Republic space? You mentioned a preference to stay. You have the legal right to do so. Accommodations can be made to prevent further incidents.

I share your sentiment regarding the Jedi Order. My experience with Jedi led me to believe that even the Padawans are taught the basics of diplomacy. Given the security holocam footage, I am reassessing that assumption.

I have sent Lady Abrantes a message already. A meeting has been scheduled and provided it does not interfere with your own schedule, you will have the opportunity to speak with me. If a private meeting is desired, I can be flexible in arranging that.

It is my desire to resolve this quickly to keep Mandalore’s business unimpeded.

This is the date and time of the meeting.

Respectfully,
Adelle Bastiel
Ambassador of the Mandalorian Empire
Iron Lord

Adelle watched the chronometer like a shriek-hawk, even as she paced her office. It had the expansive, artistic Naboo architecture, which put the Mandalorian style of ‘decorating’ in a strange juxtaposition, form versus pure function. Adelle had swapped out some furniture pieces for locally made ones—a desk and sidebar made from Perlote wood, chairs made with locally woven fabrics, a rather plush rug in the casual sitting area covering the polished tile floors. The Mythosaur skull cast in metal still hung above her desk, front and center, unchanged.

Refreshments sat on a hovercart: tea, caf, local snacks and desserts. Alor Skirata had told her never to hold a meeting on empty stomachs and that as host, it was her responsibility to provide that option. Adelle only hoped nothing on offer would offend—barring that one time in a scummy Coruscanti club, Adelle had met Quinn exactly once. And the relations between Mandalorians and the Echani were understandably best described as ice-cold civility.

The ends of the navy blue and gold surcoat she wore brushed her black trousers as she paced. She wore one of the simpler outfits of her new wardrobe—if anything made by Aurelian’s tailors could be called simple. The hems had all been embroidered with gold thread, including the white tunic beneath, and a gold sash sat beneath a black belt around her waist, cinching everything together. It was far more loose fabric than she was used to. But beskar’gam and her Iron Lord regalia didn’t feel right for this meeting.

The chronometer clicked closer to the appointed time. Adelle took a deep breath and settled into a CorSec parade rest stance by her desk. They would meet, they would speak, and hopefully, this matter would be settled cleanly.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Adelle Bastiel //: Sibylla Abrantes //:
//: Naboo, Theed //:
//: Mandalorian Embassy //:
//: Attire //:

Quinn had refused to go on her own. As much as she was fully capable of defending herself, to do so, she would break the promises she had given. Breaking those promises also came at a cost for her own safety within the dark world of the Sith. If people knew more about what she was, safety would be in question forever.

At moments like this, she questioned her mothers, was this their plan all along? Was she meant to be more of a tool than a human? Too many questions that were often met with answers that didn't truly answer. Maybe there was no intent, only the desire for her to live.

The thought made the young Echani snort.

She walked quietly beside the guard, almost right after the altercation with the Jedi, Quinn summoned CT-312 . The woman was head of her security detail, but also one of the few who could honestly do the Queen's bidding. 312 had proven herself invaluable; it was why she was often the woman's first call.

"I apologize for the short notice," Quinn smiled as she glanced to her side towards the masked trooper. "Lucky for me you were already on Naboo." She nodded along, listening to the explanation, of course vague as the trooper often was when detailing her missions.

They arrived at the door, and Quinn sighed softly. "I should be done in a few hours. I'll call you when I'm ready if that's okay." Pausing, she looked up at the security cameras and the rest of the detail. As much as she knew she was safe, there was still something that clawed at the back of her mind.

"312, could you… just stick close by in case something happens." It seemed the clone was already thinking about doing that. Quinn smiled and entered the embassy.

Quiet pleasantries were exchanged as Quinn was guided towards the office of the Ambassador. A knock and the door opened, Quinn entered far more clothed than the last time they met. A part of her was thankful that the woman had decided against her armor. As much as Quinn has grown past the incident, the sight of the armor still caused a cold grip on her spine.

"Ambassador, it's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." The Eshan Queen smiled, holding a hand towards Adelle. She knew of the woman, had met her at that horrid club, but this was professional… a world beyond that mess.

"My apologies for how quickly this all needed to be done. I hope it didn't cause any problems." Quinn's smile was tight, small. A large contrast from the norm. She was quiet as she looked away, her eyes falling upon the mythosaur decor.

She hated it.

"How did my cousin take it…?" Quinn knew how Aether was, she did wonder if he had reached out to her Mother...

But Naboo was still in one piece... so she'd assume he didn't.

"I am sorry for causing problems, it was never my intention..."

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Tags: Quinn Varanin | Soon™: Sibylla Abrantes

The doors opened and admitted Quinn Varanin, daughter of the Sith Empress but more importantly at the moment, Queen of Eshan and reluctant Mandalorian Warden. Adelle smiled politely back, remembering to just take the hand and not the forearm like Mandalorians did.

“The pleasure’s mine, Your Majesty,” she said. She gave a firm shake and then gestured to the sitting area off to the side. “Please make yourself comfortable.”

Adelle led the way to the sitting area, three separate chairs encircling a low round table. She figured it was a better way to hold this conversation as opposed to having Varanin and Sibylla on the opposite side of her desk. Queen Varanin’s apologies were accompanied by a small smile that seemed strained. Adelle waved them off.

“This is a matter I’d rather have solved sooner than later,” she said. “I was more than willing to move whatever I needed to in order to get this scheduled.”

Quinn’s eyes fell on the mythosaur skull. Adelle watched closely, acutely aware of the painful history between their respective people and the rather tenuous understanding between them now. She slightly pulled out the chair most angled away from the skull, offering it to Varanin, before standing in front of one of the other chairs. Honestly, she’d thought about removing the skull—it had received plenty of stares and looks of all stripes and tended to distract from the conversations being held. But she could only imagine the lecture she’d get if either Renn Vizsla or Aether found out.

"How did my cousin take it…?" Quinn knew how Aether was, she did wonder if he had reached out to her Mother...

“Well Naboo still exists.” A dry, dark sort of humor layered her voice as she sat when Varanin did. “And there hasn’t been a call to crusade on the Jedi, so I think he’s taken it remarkably well. He wasn’t terribly surprised. The rest of his message I do need to relay to Lady Abrantes as well so the details will have to wait.”

Phantom came running from whatever dark hole she had found to nap in and hopped up in Adelle’s lap. Adelle sighed but made no move to stop the spukami from curling up. When the Queen started apologizing again, Adelle tilted her head.

“Forgive me for asking, but why are you apologizing?” she asked. “You didn’t ask to be accosted by someone claiming to be a Jedi. You didn’t go out of your way to antagonize them. You’ve conducted yourself accordingly and kept to the Accords. This isn’t a problem you caused, Your Majesty.”

“Have you had any problems getting your security detail the necessary clearances for the Embassy?”