Private Maleficent

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Quinn Varanin | Lily Decoria | Zark San Tekka​

The plan felt different on paper than it did standing on a Naboo sidewalk. Requesting an audience in Mandalorian space was a calculated diplomatic move, but discovering Quinn Varanin was currently at her embassy on Naboo changed the optics entirely. Lorn looked at the two Jedi flanking him and felt a sudden realization.

They looked like an extraction team. The Battlemaster, the Gatemaster, and the Sword of Shiraya were not the titles one sent for a casual chat. To any observer, or to the Queen herself, it looked as though the Council had come to make an arrest. He adjusted his stance, trying to shed the martial tension that usually lived in his shoulders, but the presence of Zark and Lily made for a formidable, if unintentionally aggressive, silhouette against the embassy gates.

"Maybe Knight Decoria should lead us in?" Lorn asked, his voice low as they reached the entrance.

He glanced at Lily, realizing his earlier protest against her attendance had been short-sighted. She was the only one among them who didn't represent a direct threat or a total stranger. If they walked in behind a familiar face, it might keep the Mandalorian guards from drawing steel before they could state their business. He hoped Quinn had been warned they were coming. If not, the next few minutes were going to be exceptionally awkward.

"Both of you have a history," Lorn added, nodding toward the doors. "It's better if she sees a friend first. We're here to talk, and I'd like to actually get to the talking before someone starts swinging."

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Lorn Reingard Lily Decoria Quinn Varanin

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

It had been a long time since Master San Tekka set foot on mandalorian territory. That he was approaching an enclave in the heart of Republic space did little to ease his sense of foreboding. Some Jedi could not see past their savage nature but after witnessing mandalorian honor during old border raids he became a student of their strange culture. Eshan however remained an enigmatic mystery to him.

"Both of you have a history," Lorn added, nodding toward the doors. "It's better if she sees a friend first. We're here to talk, and I'd like to actually get to the talking before someone starts swinging."

"Are you afraid Quinn will take the first swing or I will?"

His cortosis mask distorted the dry humor into something more robotic. With some reluctance Zark took his hand off the lightsaber on his belt. He wore a traditional Jedi tunic underneath an anachronistic field jacket like something a military officer might dress in while on assignment.

"I hope you are right about her Lily," glowing yellow eye lenses turned to meet the echani Jedi's gaze, "But if you are wrong, we must be ready. Keep an open mind is all I ask. I will do the same."

He meant what he said. There was far more at stake here than just one life. Master San Tekka was wise enough to see that, just as he'd been wise enough to see that when Romi Jade recommended him for this delegation she was sending exactly the kind of message Lorn now feared. This wasn't an arrest, but if Quinn made a mistake, it could be.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo - Mandalorian Embassy
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Lorn Reingard | Zark San Tekka | Quinn Varanin

Breathing in deeply, Lily had taken steps that she had thought would ensure that whatever was discussed during this conversation would go as smooth sailing as it could. The words she had with the council, the warning she had delivered to Quinn on their knowledge and desires, the fact that Lily insisted on her presence being here for this meeting. While she was a formidable warrior and she could handle most fights that she got into, Lily also tried to be a friendly face. Smiling to those around her and reassuring through her expression as well as her actions that everything would be okay. It did not seem like Zark and Lorn were Jedi famous for being friendlier faces. At least from what Lily had observed at the moment.

"I highly doubt anything will occur on Naboo, even if this is a Mandalorian embassy." Lily hoped that nothing would go sour but she knew that there was likely a chance she would have to attempt to ease any tensions that developed during this conversation. While she was a Jedi, she did also believe that ensuring the best outcome, one that did not lead to war, meant there had to be some finesse.

Looking to Zark, "I have stated from the beginning that all I wish for is an open and fruitful conversation. I am glad to hear that you will be entering with an open mind. That is good." Lily was not going to stop what needed to be done, as long as there was no alternative and that the situation was not going to backfire. She was here to keep the Republic safe. "Understood, Master Reingard." Nodding her head to the Sword and stepped forward. Opening the doors to the room.

Lily did feel very undressed in this moment, the Echani within her desired to be dressed in her best attire but she was working as a Jedi so it felt important to reflect that. Stepping forward, Lily gave a deep, respectful bow to Quinn. "Your majesty. I and my fellow members of the Jedi Council are here in the hopes that we can have a clear and open conversation with you. Clearing the air about some rumours and accusations that have been made towards yourself."

The Jedi Knight felt it was important to stress these were mere rumours and accusations for now, since she did not wish to sour the conversation from the jump and accuse Quinn of being a Sith. Rising back up to her full height, "hopefully you will indulge us in this conversation and we can ensure this will continue to move peacefully."

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Lorn Reingard //: Zark San Tekka //: Lily Decoria //:
//: Attire //:

This week has not been going well for Quinn. Meetings had been canceled, she had to rework some of her proposals for the Mandalorian Empire, and on top of it all, she had been cornered recently by a Jedi spewing nonsense in her face.

Today was the peak of the issues; she looked down at her noodles and their lack of hot sauce. Her Dr. Yoda's was flat to top it all off. Sighing softly, she was thankful 312 had escorted her to the office. The woman had kindly gone to get some sauce and another drink.

Staring at her food, she grabbed her chopsticks and began to slowly eat. There wasn't a lot of time in her day that afforded her the luxury of staring at her food. So she began to eat, not minding much the lack of heat.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, voices lingered at her door, and she was suddenly happy. 312 had made record time to get the replacements for her meal. Everything seemed to be going right again, until…

Your Majesty…

The three figures that now stood in her office, as she had a half-mouthful of noodles, were not 312. She quietly listened to Lily and slurped the noodle that hung slightly. Quinn cleared her throat as she placed the lid back on the lunch; this was now going to be dinner.

Her eyes looked towards each face, memorizing them. Lily knew, but the other two she had never seen before. She didn't like what was happening — the Jedi should have scheduled a meeting with her… perhaps they wanted the element of surprise.

Figures.

A tight smile crossed her face as she stood to greet the three Jedi. Moments like this she was thankful her presence suppression and art of the small came as easy as breathing. To them, she would appear as a weak flicker in the force, aligned with neither Light or Dark.

"A clear and open conversation?" She echoed, then looked at the two men. The look was momentary, and then her eyes fell back towards Lily. At least Lily was there, and she wasn't alone. Quinn cleared her throat and offered the chairs that were near the desk.

"Alright, please take a seat then." Quinn sat as well, wondering if the Jedi would take a seat. She was warned this could happen, but didn't realize it would happen now.

"Rumors? Would this have been the reason a Jedi decided to corner me in the streets unprovoked? It was an unpleasant experience to be shouted at like that…" Quinn frowned, but did her best to avoid any eye contact with Zark and Lorn. Their presence alone was unnerving to the Echani… but not for the reasons they may have begun to interpret.

"May I know the accusations?"

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Quinn Varanin | Lily Decoria | Zark San Tekka​

Lorn returned Zark's look with a silent, knowing expression. He didn't know the Gatmaster's history, and while he shared the man's distrust of the Sith, he knew that a single misplaced spark here would burn down more than just this office.

He followed Lily into the room, his eyes scanning the corners. They had checked their lightsabers and any weapons at the entrance. But security cameras still tracked their movement. It was standard for an embassy, but it made him wonder who was watching the feed in real-time and what they were looking for.

When his eyes finally landed on the Warden, the image didn't match anything he had anticipated. He had expected a shroud of cold dread or a presence that felt like a void, but Quinn Varanin looked like a young woman interrupted during a mundane lunch. Her presence in the Force was almost sterile, a quiet flicker that gave nothing away.

Lorn took the offered seat, sitting with a calm, grounded posture. Unlike the Queen, he chose not to mask himself. He let his presence remain open, a soft, steady light that signaled his peaceful intent to anyone who cared to look.

"Hmph. We are sorry about that," Lorn began, responding to her mention of the confrontation in the streets. "The matter was looked into. She is not one of ours." He spoke with a quiet sincerity, his voice lacking the sharp edge of an interrogator. "I am Knight Lorn Reingard, Sword of Shiraya for this Council."

He interlocked his fingers, resting them on his knee as he maintained steady, non-threatening eye contact. "I want to make it clear that we are not accusing you of committing any crimes within this Republic. Our presence here is a matter of clarity. We have absorbed many members from the Galactic Alliance and the New Jedi Order who have expressed concerns about your history and your presence here."

Lorn leaned back slightly, his part of the introduction finished. He had set the stage for a conversation rather than an arrest, and now he looked toward Zark and Lily, waiting to see who would be the first to pull the veil back on the "rumors" they had come to discuss.

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Lorn Reingard Lily Decoria Quinn Varanin

"Your majesty."

Zark inclined his head in a gesture of respect. The echani queen's presence felt unremarkable but he knew better than to trust his senses. If rumors about Quinn were true, then she could be trained in the dark arts of deception. His own presence in the Force was muted by the cortosis mask he wore. It shielded the old man's thoughts from mental intrusions.

He hesitated just a moment longer than the other Jedi before accepting the offer to sit down.

"Zark San Tekka," the mask altered his voice not unlike a mandalorian's helmet, "I am Master of the Temple Guard."

As promised, he allowed the others to take the lead. Glowing yellow eye lenses remained fixed on their host. Quinn's reluctance to meet their gaze did not escape his notice. Master San Tekka listened to the Jedi Knights' attempts to place the sovereign of Eshan at ease. When Lorn sought his gaze, he spoke last.

"These are dark times for the Jedi. Many of us were lost fighting the Empire, and now the Sith powers seek to exterminate those who remain. The wayward Jedi you encountered is not the only one who fears the line of Varanin might have divided loyalties in this conflict."

Now he understood why Lily defended her queen. She looked so small. Regal in her own way but hardly the doom of their Order. Even Master San Tekka was beginning to have doubts.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo - Mandalorian Embassy
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Lorn Reingard | Zark San Tekka | Quinn Varanin

Lily noticed that the queen was part way through eating her meal and felt the immediate pang of guilt that she had interrupted the queen during a private moment. This should have been something discussed in a formal meeting, but that time had passed and the Jedi alongside her were desiring to resolve this situation swiftly. There was a silent apology to Quinn for the intrusion before Lily took a seat. She noted the hesitation in taking the seat from Zark. It was understandable given what had been said but she was glad that he accepted the invitation. Lily was sure that Quinn would be taking note of the hesitations and movements of each Jedi. Understanding where their motivations were and how their thoughts towards the queen would be. Thoughts were often betrayed in the way a person moved their body.

Hearing that Quinn had been accosted by a Jedi on the streets, a flash of concern flickered in Lily's eyes to Quinn, she had given the Echani queen a means to contact her if something occurred. It was unfortunate that Lily could not have been there to help resolve the issue. But if it was someone not associated with the Jedi Order then it would be hard for Lily to persuade this Jedi to leave the matter. Breathing in deeply, Lily let out a disappointed sigh, Jedi going rogue like that was not good. It did not reflect well on the Order.

"We were hoping to ensure matters like that did not happen at all, but now, we wish to prevent them in the future. I understand that you might have some hesitation in talking with us on these issues but we wish to ensure that the best possible outcomes for us, yourself and our respective factions as well." Lily stated, what those might be were different from each of the Jedi in the room from what Lily had understood but her words were not wrong.

There seemed to be some beating around the bush with the other Jedi, hints about what they wished to discuss and not outright coming forward. Lily was confused and a little surprised, she figured that a direct approach would have been the simplest and easiest manner to get the discussion going and having a resolution. "There are claims that you are a Sith Lord, that you could potentially be here to bring down the High Republic and corrupt the Padawans of the Jedi Order." Lily said in a very blunt fashion, deciding that they needed to just be very direct so that Quinn knew what they were seeking to talk about without sifting through everything else said.

"My colleagues and myself wish to discuss these accusations with you, understand your reasoning for being around Naboo and figure out what is the best approach moving forward from all sides in this matter." Not just the Jedi, but Quinn, the Mandalorians and the High Republic itself. Lily wanted to make sure this matter was ended with this discussion so that everyone could just move on.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Lorn Reingard //: Zark San Tekka //: Lily Decoria //:

With each introduction, the Echani Quinn nodded with her tight smile. At least they were kind enough to introduce themselves. Though one name lingered on the back of her mind, she only glanced for a moment towards the Sword; his face was familiar, and his name more so. She paused, letting the others talk as she tried to filter through her memory for when she had heard it.

“You mean Lorn? He is a bit of a hairy mess, but he isn’t any threat. He’s well I guess he’s my Jedi Master…”

Yes, the hairy man from the masquerade who had interfered with her attempt to draw Bastila's attention. So this was Lorn, the man who was responsible for her as her teacher. Quinn's eyes would soften slightly as she continued to listen. If Lorn was involved with this, it was only natural that his student would know as well.

That thought weighed heavily on the Echani.

Quinn didn't have much time to dwell on those matters; the other Jedi in the room were speaking, one she didn't know or recognize. His mask hid his face; everything about him was unknown besides his name. The tension returned to her shoulders as she continued to avoid the glowing gaze.

Her words were soft, showing her discomfort with the Jedi Master. She didn't look at him, even when she spoke.

"Please, Master Tekka — if you want to have a clear and open conversation, could you remove your mask… It's well known even in the Embassy that masks and helmets make me uncomfortable…"

It was the truth, and she had hoped that the man would see it as a simple request.

Finally, Lily spoke, giving her the answer to the reason they were here. Quinn let the silence fall as Lily finished. These weren't light accusations. They were something one would expect to hear when it came to Darth Carnifex or someone more prevalent in the Dark Side.

"Everyone lost people to the Empire when they decided to set their sights on Atrisia." Quinn's voice was strained, but calm. She hated this, she hated being the focus here — accused of things she was not.

"My heart goes out to your order and your people, but I am not responsible for your religious war with the Sith." She shook her head; she had always hated that they chose to constantly fight — Jedi and Sith alike. There was a neutral ground, and they could learn from each other.
Her own distaste for the Jedi stemmed from how they treated her world, her, and, above all else, her parents.

"My parents, Spencer and Ashin Varanin, that you speak of, Master Tekka. They were both Jedi once upon a time. Both were ostracized and abandoned. While we all know the stories and how often they can become exaggerated..."

She kept her gaze on Lily, never looking towards Zark or Lorn. It was already too much to feel exposed in this confrontation. The accusations, at any point and time, could turn into a crime; she knew the capricious nature of the Jedi.

"These worries shouldn't be at the forefront of the Jedi. Would you feel more comfortable if I took the name of the woman who raised me? Would Talon be more appropriate? Would it ease the minds of the Jedi?"

She knew it wouldn't; there was a reason the decision was made to keep Quinn's birth name, despite her desire to take on Srina's surname.

"I'm not what you're accusing me of, I'm not here to sully the minds of your padawans or young. I am not here to destroy the Republic from the inside."

Her back straightened in her seat as she exhaled, trying to find some resolve buried under her nerves.

"I'm here as a Warden of the Mandalorian Empire and the Queen of Eshan."

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Quinn Varanin | Lily Decoria | Zark San Tekka​

Lorn offered a slight, sympathetic wince when Lily threw the accusations onto the table with the grace of a thermal detonator. He looked back at Quinn, noticing the way she straightened her back and the strain in her voice. She looked less like a galactic threat and more like a person tired of being hunted for a history she didn't choose. When she requested Zark remove his mask, Lorn looked toward the Gatemaster, silently hoping the older man would prioritize the girl's comfort over his own traditions.

"No, that won't be necessary," Lorn said with a soft chuckle, trying to break the rising tension. "Your name is your name. Changing it won't change the past or our present concerns. We are just here to do our due diligence." He shifted in his chair, trying to find a posture that seemed less like a sentinel and more like a guest. Despite his efforts, he knew his presence was still heavy, but he kept his Force signature open and calm.

"I am glad you are here in an official capacity for the Mandalorians and Eshan. Truly," Lorn continued, his voice dropping to a lower, more conversational register. "But the testimony of my colleagues indicates there might be more to you than just those two titles. We are simply here to get a better idea of who you are when you aren't wearing a crown within Mandalorian space."

He looked toward Lily briefly, gauging her reaction to the shift in tone, before turning his focus back to Quinn. He leaned in just an inch, his expression more curious than accusatory. "If we were to meet you behind the Black Wall, away from the Republic and the diplomats, who would you be there? We aren't here to judge your parents' choices, Quinn. We just want a better sense of who you are."

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Lorn Reingard Lily Decoria Quinn Varanin

"I have taken a vow to wear this mask as a symbol of devotion," Master San Tekka said after a long uncomfortable pause, "It is an old Jedi tradition. Since we are your guests, I will...make an exception."

The request seemed preposterous. She was a Warden of the Mandalorian Empire who could not abide the presence of masks? Zark felt certain this was about the cortosis that protected his thoughts from darkside influence. With some reluctance he slowly raised a hand to unseal the mask in a hiss of suction. If Quinn expected to gain some insight, the inscrutable granite expression on a weathered and battle-scarred face might disappoint her. Calculating eyes bore into the echani queen just a fervently as the glowing lenses had.

"You give your family too little credit," he grunted in a voice that sounded different now without the mask, "Dark Lady of the Sith is an impressive pedigree for an outcast even if it was a long time ago. As Knight Reingard says, your lineage does not condemn you."

Master San Tekka did not glance over to the Jedi Knights. He kept his eyes always fixed on Varanin. His presence in the Force now unconstrained felt like the burning embers of fanaticism.

"There are fears within our Order of a connection deeper than blood. Your nefarious intentions toward the Republic are mere speculations based on those fears. This is a dangerous line of thinking. We have come only to learn the truth for ourselves."

Of course, Zark left unsaid that he'd been among those Jedi doing the speculating.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo - Mandalorian Embassy
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Lorn Reingard | Zark San Tekka | Quinn Varanin

Lily remained silent, leaning back in her chair as the other Jedi council members responded to Quinn. She had nothing more to add, she had stated why they were here and she listened to what Quinn had to say in response. For now, it was unfortunately more about what Quinn could say to convince the others that her intentions within the High Republic were well intentioned. Lily knew that anything she could say or attempt to suggest they focus on could be interpreted as her just trying to assist the queen in the situation, deflecting from Lorn's and Zark's concerns. So, she offered nothing in her words. Keeping silent.

She was thankful that Zark removed his mask. While Eshan was in Mandalorian space, that did not remove the fears, the memories, that had been forcibly placed on the Echani people many years ago. It was Mandalorians who once disrupted their lives, for Lily, their presence had changed her family completely. She was sure that Quinn no doubt had similar scars from their visit. So, it didn't matter that this was a different Manda'lor, or that they saw the Echani in a more respectful way. Some scars could not forgive the pain that had been caused already.

Her eyes did remain focused on Quinn, nodding slightly as she listened and the softness in her silver eyes as they were filled with compassion that the queen had to endure this. It was not easy and it wasn't something that was going to seemingly just go away. Lily's desires were to make sure that Quinn felt comfortable and did not feel that this was an attack on her. It was easy to feel like conversation quickly slipped from well-meaning into interrogation, or attacking, manner. Lily wanted to keep Quinn feeling that way.

Breathing in deeply, Lily kept calm and hoped that her presence and calm demeanour would be somewhat soothing to Quinn in the face of others.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Lorn Reingard //: Zark San Tekka //: Lily Decoria //:

Lorn leaned forward, and Quinn, almost in sync, moved back. She didn't want the space to become familiar; she wanted to avoid the space between them from closing. This distance was already unnerving; the lean in only made it worse despite his intentions. Quinn felt the walls closing in with every passing moment. It was only made worse by the questioning and Master Tekka's removal of his mask.

She regretted her request; she was unsure if this was worse or better. Quinn let the men speak, her eyes never looking in their direction. Their voices were enough; their presence flickered in the force that weighed against her. Two very different feelings made her feel on edge. She inhaled deeply as she tried to find her center again. This conversation, despite the ease with which Lorn and Lily had entered and settled, was never going to be anything but an interrogation.

Their questions and words were confusing. She knew the reason they were here; she knew who had called attention to her. Yet, they refused to say it. Everything felt like bait, dangling in front of her, waiting for her to misspeak. Her lips parted, and she felt the dryness in her mouth and throat as she exhaled. Zark's presence was something she had never felt before. It burned with a zealotry firmly rooted in the light.

And she thought it was only the Dark Side that could burn with this sense of fervency.

She first answered Lorn, only giving him a brief moment of her eyes. She read his face, quickly, and it was enough for her to understand. There was no right answer — only wrong ones. She looked back down at her desk; there was no decor, nothing to indicate anything of familiarity. A stark reminder that she was alone here.

"If we met behind the wall, what I am and who I am wouldn't change. My crown never leaves — everything I do reflects on Eshan, on the people I serve." She thought about her words, wondering how the Jedi would interpret them, how they would twist them in front of her.

"Behind the Blackwall, nothing changes. Even outside of the wall, I'm still who I am. I'm still Quinn Varanin, I'm still the girl who Srina raised and trained to be a strong Echani woman." It was the truth, all of it. Even though her titles often clashed — they were still hers.

"I ask you, Knight Reingard, when you leave High Republic space, are you no longer a Jedi? Do you become something other than who you are?"

Her attention would now rest upon Master Tekka, though her eyes wouldn't look at him. She couldn't look at him — he bled the force like a soldier waiting to fire upon the enemy. She wouldn't hesitate to assume he hated her and would rather deal with her than talk to her.

Again, she focused between Lily and her desk. Nothing felt calm or welcoming. No, they had lied. This wasn't a conversation; it was an interrogation meant to catch her off guard, to force a mistake they could capitalize on.

"Master Tekka, thank you for removing your mask. I wish we had met on other terms; I would have liked to learn about this tradition you have sworn yourself to." It was the truth, she often found herself studying any text she could, perhaps a trait she had learned from her own teacher.

"As for what you said. My lineage is obviously playing a part here. What have I done while I've been on Naboo that would draw the Jedi's attention? I've lived by the rules placed in front of me when the accords were drafted." Quinn shifted in her seat. It was awkward talking to her desk, but she couldn't bring herself to look at the hardened face of the Jedi Master.

"Your Order fears me? Fears something that hasn't shown any intent to be nefarious, then what would even bring them to fear this deeper connection?"

Her voice grew some strength, pushing past the burning fear in her mind and heart. "I think you should be questioning those in your order, those around your order about this groundless and pointless fear."

Quinn shook her head as she looked up towards where the security camera would be. She knew Adelle would be watching; she prayed she was.

"So my lineage, where I'm from, all things I have no control over… I'm being judged and assumed to be this monster brought here to bring ruin. My lineage plays every part in this; it feeds the assumptions causing the fears the Jedi have."

Pausing, she felt her hands shaking; she wanted to run. A part of her feared the words that she spoke would only draw ire from the Jedi, but this wasn't fair. She played by their rules, she obeyed everything…

"I'm sure you watched the footage that was sent to you? The Jedi you claim isn't your own sought to connect with me through a familial connection. So again — I would like to be judged as myself and not by who raised me and whose genetics I share."

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Quinn Varanin | Lily Decoria | Zark San Tekka​

Lorn watched her carefully, noting how she retreated the moment he moved. It was a purely instinctual reaction, like a prey animal sensing a predator. He cocked his head, then leaned back to restore the distance she clearly craved. Despite his open presence, she wouldn't stay with him. Her eyes darted everywhere but toward the men in the room, finding refuge only in Lily's familiar face.

"I am a Jedi here and outside of the Republic, your majesty," Lorn said, his smile remaining soft even as the conversation sharpened. "But that is the core of the issue we're discussing. When you move outside the Black Wall, you don't shed your other titles to simply be a Queen or a Warden. You carry them all."

He let the silence settle for a second, his voice steady but direct. "The concern isn't just about genetics or who raised you. We are looking at the assertion that you are still a Sith Lord. Specifically, one who played an integral role in battles against the Galactic Alliance and the New Jedi Order, in this instance on Woostri. Those aren't assumptions based on your name. They are reports of your actions."

Lorn stayed back, letting her address Zark's points about her lineage. He had no interest in holding her accountable for the sins of her parents, but her own history was a different matter. He watched her hands shake, realizing she was terrified. It was a strange sight for someone rumored to be a master of storms and terror, and it made him wonder which version of Quinn Varanin was the mask.

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Lorn Reingard Lily Decoria Quinn Varanin

She was trying to use their mercy against them. Worse than that, it might be working. Master San Tekka listened to her vague denials and old grievances against the Jedi who Quinn claimed persecuted her family, but each time Lorn asked her directly about her relationship to the Sith she evaded a straightforward rebuttal. One of the old man's eyebrows slowly arced in what passed for a first display of emotion.

"Many good people died on Woostri," Zark bowed his head in remembrance before raising narrowed eyes, "But sacking the world's data library created economic chaos that some even blame for the ultimate downfall of the Core Worlds."

His demeanor remained infuriatingly calm despite the grave matters being discussed. Zark could feel the tension between them. Quinn's nervous glances told him exactly where the security feed was located, and Master San Tekka wondered how long this meeting had before she ordered the mandalorians to eject them from the building.

"There are Jedi Knights who claim to have witnessed someone matching your description attack them with lightning."

Like a true Jedi Zark did not raise his voice but somehow the temple guard's eyes expressed how damning this was if true. There were few trademarks of Sith training more well known than the ability to bend electricity to one's will.

"Your true intentions toward the Republic are what we are here to establish. Taeli Raaf and Kaigann Fossk were both close allies of democracy before they revealed their true nature."

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Lorn Reingard //: Zark San Tekka //: Lily Decoria //:

Quinn listened, her body continuing to tense. She wasn't a fan of feeling attacked on all sides. Lily, at least, was here, but the woman couldn't defend her, nor did she expect her to. At the end of the day, Quinn had to stand on her two feet. This was something she should have expected, prepared for — but the Jedi had left her alone up until this point.

Also, to her understanding, she was to be left alone — until she stepped out of line.

Lies.

It was all lies.

Quinn pressed her back into her seat, still avoiding as much eye contact as she could with the two men. There was no escape from their questions or their accusations. Even as she told the truth, they weren't going to believe her. They had come with an intention: to eradicate her existence on their worlds.

The Jedi never change; they continue to persecute, assuming they know what is best.

It bothered her. They sat here, figuring they were in the right, that they were above their own atrocities. Being of the light didn't mean they were above everyone else. Like them, she had people to protect, a government to fight for.

"Thank you for finally answering my initial question." She spoke softly. It had been an annoying back-and-forth trying to get to the real reason they were here.

"Like I said. Wherever I go, I am always the Queen of Eshan, I was always a Princess of Eshan, and the Daughter of the Empress of the Sith Order." She did her best to relax, to keep the fear from bleeding into her voice as she continued.

There was no right answer, but she tried.

"That would make me a Princess of the Sith Empire… would it not?" Her eye remained locked onto the desk, the small dent in the wood from the craftsmanship of a Mandalorian. Quinn thought quietly, weighing her words. Even if she didn't value herself as a Sith Lord or felt she fit the bill of one, it would be the assumption just for being who she was.

But she never chose this alignment or lifestyle. If she could, she'd find another way… but deep down she knew there wasn't. Even if she didn't want to be what she was, that choice was made already for her. There was no alternative.

"War, Master Lorn, as you would understand, is not clean. It fractures things, blurs them, and forces decisions. When war reaches the doorstep of a throne, it doesn't wait for diplomacy." She shook her head, another chance to keep her gaze averted and allow her to collapse into herself.

"I reiterate, I am the daughter of Srina Talon, a citizen of the Sith Empire… It's my home, it's what I've known all my life. How am I supposed to not fight for my home?"

Her words, she figured, would damn her at this moment. But she hoped that there was some semblance of understanding of the difficult position she had been placed in. She could have stayed home, but as a warrior, as an Echani, as the daughter of a woman so great — how would that be justified?

"I would ask that you consider the amount of time that has passed since Woostri. It was before the planets shifted as they did. The Alliance is not the innocent party in this, nor is the Sith Order." She felt her fist clench as her jaw tightened at the mention of good people being lost on Woostri.

"Both sides lost people, Master Tekka. As a Jedi, don't you value all life? Just because one is viewed as your enemy doesn't disregard their right to live."

How blasphemous and hypocritical the Jedi were… at least a true Sith Lord was able to look one in the eye and claim what they are.

Another reason Quinn felt being labeled as such was unfair to those who had accomplished much. Zark's mention of her Master only made her withdraw further. She was an embarrassment to the woman, to the power she held in the Empire. There was never an easy day for her, and the piled-on attacks by the Jedi weren't making it any easier.

"That being said, you have accounts of what happened. I do not dispute that I was there." Another uncomfortable shift in her seat. They were still too close to her, if they wanted... within an arm's reach.

"But they are still just accounts, assumptions that it was me."

Her mind wandered briefly to Bastila. It was almost as if she had predicted this moment. Quinn remembered the dance, the almost carefree moments that led to it. But as they drew closer, the padawan had warned her… at first, Quinn assumed it was a general denial of what she had felt, what they shared. Yet, in this moment, Quinn realized it was to truly protect the Echani.

“It’s risky you being here though Quinn.”

“They will circle you like vultures, I don’t want that to happen…”

Remembering the words sullied the bittersweet memory. Her eyes welled momentarily as she exhaled softly. She needed to keep talking, try to get the Jedi to understand, even if it was impossible.

"I would hope…" her voice suddenly small, "that we are not so unkind as to assume a person is incapable of growth…"

A hand gently guided its way under the desk, fingertips feeling their way blindly, trying to find the lifeline that was installed after the encounter with the Jedi just outside of the Embassy. Her safety was of the utmost importance to the Mandalorians and the Echani.

"To take a moment from my past and hold it as something fixed… as something I am bound to be judged by indefinitely —" she paused her hand, stopping as she was unable to remember where the button was. Her voice shook as she continued.

"— that feels less like the Jedi being cautious, and more like a refusal to acknowledge change."

She did her best to steady herself, to find something that could ground her, to bring everything inward.

"Your concerns are that I'm a Sith Lord…" she acknowledged.

"What I am," Quinn returned to trying to find the panic button, "is someone who has again… honored every accord, every law, since stepping into High Republic space. I have not strayed nor have I threatened your people."

Fear continued to creep along the edge of her consciousness.

"So I would ask you all…" a slight tilt of her head as she tried to understand everything that was happening…

"Are we judging what I am —" Quinn felt her finger caress the duraplast of the button. She didn't press it, but held steady, ready if her words elicited a reaction that would cause harm.

The last thing anyone in this room wanted was more war.

"— or what you fear I could be?"

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Quinn Varanin | Lily Decoria | Zark San Tekka​

Lorn exchanged a look with Zark, the silent language of two men who had seen every flavor of trickery the galaxy had to offer. He sat back, his eyes moving from the desk to the young woman who seemed to be shrinking into her chair. He felt a prickle in the Force, a sudden sharpening of the air that suggested they were walking a very thin line. He didn't know if she was truly a girl lost in the shadow of her parents or a master manipulator playing the victim to stall them. Experience usually suggested the latter.

"Both, probably," Lorn finally said, answering her question about whether they judged her for what she was or what they feared she could be. His voice was calm, devoid of the heat that Zark's zealotry brought to the room. "But as I said, you haven't committed any crimes here. You've followed the laws and the treaties. We aren't here to arrest you for existing."

He shifted his weight, his hand instinctively twitching toward his right leg before he remembered his lightsaber was sitting in a security bin at the front desk. The habit of a lifetime was hard to break, especially when the atmosphere turned this sour. He forced himself to relax, though he remained keenly aware of the security cameras and her hidden hand.

"We are just doing our due diligence," Lorn said, softening his tone in an attempt to pull the conversation back from the edge. "You would do the same on Eshan if three high-ranking members of a foreign power sat in your system. This is an introduction, a way to put a face to the names on the reports."

He leaned back, offering a small, tired smile. "And if it truly is change you seek, or a way to step out from those shadows you mentioned, the Jedi could provide help with that. We have a long history of assisting those who want to find a different path. But that starts with more than just following the law. It starts with being honest about where you stand."

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Lorn Reingard Lily Decoria Quinn Varanin

"So you fought in the war because you were just following orders. How patriotic."

He wondered if Quinn truly believed the Sith propaganda escaping from her lips or merely treated politics as another tool in her arsenal. Master San Tekka watched her arms disappear under the queen's desk and he got the distinct feeling that she was reaching either for help or a weapon.

"Tell us about your relationship with Aurelian Veruna your majesty."

Zark chose his words carefully for maximum emotional effect. There was no love lost between the two monarchs and surprising her with his name might provoke exactly the kind of anger he was looking for.

"You stabbed the reigning King of Naboo. Is that correct?"

Again his voice remained calm despite her harsh words about Woostri. Again the unsettling focus of his gaze betrayed that calm for a lie. Zark saw in Lorn's eyes the young knight was not yet convinced of her innocence. He was running out of time to make his case. If the mandalorians weren't already on their way right now, they soon would be.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Lorn Reingard //: Zark San Tekka //: Lily Decoria //: Adelle Bastiel //: CT-312 //:

Liars…

Maybe Gerwald's history lessons were true, maybe Srina's teachings were right about the Jedi. They arrive with the facade of peace, of honor, yet they were snakes, wolves in sheep's clothing. Her eyes flickered momentarily from the desk to Lily. Everything was bubbling into that one small look of heartbreak.

Quinn had hoped the two men would be able to behave in particular with the Echani Jedi there. She looked back at the desk, the grooves of the wood still being the only thing she could find to center herself.

"Get out," she choked. Quinn had tried with all her will not to let them see her like this. She was a Queen, and Queens do not shed tears for lesser men. But this was too much. They had come into her office, unannounced, claiming to be just a conversation… to learn about her and where she stood...

But it was a trap… an interrogation to bait her to say the words they wanted her to say.

"I would never treat another government's people as you are treating me. And worst of all — I'm supposed to be an ally, I represent the Echani people, I represent the Mandalorian Empire." She wanted to look at them, but the hot tears that streaked the edge of her face forced her to remain looking down.

"Redemption isn't only through your fallacies of the Light. You are no better than the Sith in this aspect. You are not all-knowing and above the natural order or laws of a land. I do not wish to be either… I am what I am, and that is the Queen of Eshan."

Zark chimed in, belittling her and her words. Then, of course, he raised the point of Aurelian, the reason her warrant was issued. The air in the room felt as if it were sucked out. She couldn't breathe anymore, her words choking on the events that occurred on Weilu.

She stilled, her breath held as she relived that horrible moment. Yet, it wasn't just the moment with Aurelian; it was another and then another. Her reaction wasn't just because of Aurelian's title — it was defensive. He had drawn her into the situation; she didn't ask for it.

But she wouldn't let Zark have what he wanted. Her fingers pressed hard on the button under her desk. A silent alarm to the one watching everything unfold. Quinn moved as fast as she could under the desk, in case whatever was to occur next drew the ire of the Jedi.

How were they so different from Bastila? Why couldn't they see past the shroud of titles and chains?

How many times was she supposed to say who she was and what she wanted to be before someone believed her?

Quinn knew that this action might have condemned her. But was it really her actions? Or was she already condemned the moment they stepped through her door?

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Naboo - Mandalorian Embassy
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Lorn Reingard | Zark San Tekka | Quinn Varanin

Lily listened to the ongoing conversation. While part of her wanted to interrupt and say something about the way that Lorn and Zark were conducting themselves, how things were being framed poorly in her mind. Lily remained silent. The message she had received from the council meeting had been that she was too biased in Quinn's favour and did not wish to harm Quinn's standing within the High Republic by overstepping. However, things were not improving and Lily's mere presence was not enough comfort for her Queen. Lily rose from the chair and gave a deep bow.

"I apologise for my fellow council members, my queen." Lily stated, "I had hoped that this would be a conversation that could allow a welcoming and blossoming interaction between us but I fear titles and actions of the past have blinded some from the person that is appearing before us in the room." While Lily did understand one could put on an impressive performance and feign a desire to change or be better, it was never a good reflection of the Jedi to hound that person. Especially when they were tied so close to supposed allies.

Looking to the other Jedi Council members, "we must leave immediately." Lily's tone was cold and disappointed. She was hoping that there would be some semblance of an open mind as had been promised but their words came from accusatory and the inability to see past what had happened years ago.

"Once again, I offer my deepest sympathies, my queen and understand that I do wish to repair the damage caused by this meeting. Hopefully we can find a way to build trust between yourself and the Jedi." Lily's eyes were pained with humiliation of how poorly this had gone as well as the shame of allowing Quinn to be hurt by those Lily was meant to be colleagues with. She shifted towards the door and opened it for Zark and Lorn to leave before she did.

Redemption was meant to be a path the Jedi sought to inspire, it was not dictated on being a Jedi or hanging actions of the past over that person's head. While others had broken that trust in redemption for Zark, that was unfair to put that mistrust onto Quinn. Treat the individual not the group. It made Lily concerned for how the Jedi were losing their ways, not the people that Lily had been inspired to protect and work with.

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Mandalorian Embassy, Theed, Naboo
Tags: Quinn Varanin | Lorn Reingard | Lily Decoria | Zark San Tekka | CT-312

She had waited. And she had watched.

From the moment the Jedi had arrived and checked-in to the moment Quinn shrank back in her chair. Adelle clenched her jaw, grinding teeth, but stayed still. Before her meeting with Quinn and Sibylla, she would have suspected an act. But for all her attempts to project the confident, unbothered air of the ideal sovereign, Quinn was still a young woman. And she was facing down three warriors taller than her who at best suspected the worst of her.

Adelle had faced down less imposing figures and still felt small.

Quinn reached a hand under her desk as she talked, still trying so hard to be the sovereign of Eshan. The signal hadn’t been given yet—Quinn hadn’t pushed the button. But Adelle moved anyways, leaving her office and striding briskly down the halls to where Quinn’s office sat.

The emergency alert flashed across her HUD on the way.

Adelle dropped her use of Art of the Small, her Force presence now apparent, and clenched a fist as she focused on the strongest barrier she could summon around Quinn. She sprinted to the office, pausing only a moment to reach for the door’s control panel.

The door opened before she could touch it, the Echani Jedi standing just on the other side.

Ready to leave.

That rubbed Adelle the wrong way. To try and leave as quickly as possible after intimidating a diplomat into hiding oozed guilt and wrong-doing.

Adelle stepped into the doorframe, blocking the exit. Fully armored, the cloak of her station as Iron Lord draped around her shoulders, and all her usual weapons. And while she had warned Quinn this is how she’d arrive if something like this happened, Adelle was still grateful Quinn had hidden herself. Behind the desk, a silhouette suddenly revealed itself to be the head of Quinn’s security as they crashed through the window. Internally, Adelle winced, calculating the cost of repairs already.

Outwardly, she silently met the faces and eyes of the three Jedi present. Memorizing them.

“You have imposed on my hospitality long enough,” she said quietly. Her tone brooked no argument. “Your business with Queen Varanin is concluded. I, however, have business with you.”

She took a step forward into the room before settling into CorSec’s parade rest, one hand still a fist and holding the barrier strong. “If any Jedi approaches Queen Varanin without her or my express permission outside this Embassy, it will be another diplomatic incident. And if any Jedi sets foot in the Embassy without my explicit permission, it will be considered an act of aggression.”

“Further, the Republic and the Mandalorian Empire are secular governments. We don’t care about the religious debates.” Adelle lifted her chin slightly. “So keep your fething religion away from my fething diplomat.”

She stepped away from the door, a clear indication. “You are dismissed.”