Private Of Common Cause

[Loria Sorelle]

OF COMMON CAUSE
A Story of a New Friendship
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LORIA SORELLE
The River Club, Theed, Naboo
Early Evening

Gentle music echoed throughout the lounge as hushed voices filled the air. Rich tapestries hung upon warm stone, complimenting the polished wooden furnishings of the club's interior. Glassed clinked, cutlery clashed and the atmosphere was nice; As was expected of an exclusive club.

Its name was simple, elegant and clean: The River Club. Unassuming to those not in-the-know, but known amongst the high society of Theed. Of course, not all patrons were nobles. Wealthy businessfolk, respected academics and various high profile individuals were often invited and granted membership- a chance to mingle with Naboo's elite.

The River Club was a favorite of Loria's; It wasn't far from home, it wasn't too busy or too loud, and one could meet all sorts of characters there. Staff were pleasant, the building was historic and the drinks were often well-made. After spending time in the lounge, one could easily pinpoint reasons as to why the club was popular.

Sip.

'Ria took a sip from her glass, a turquoise liquid appearing from within. In her hand, a holobook entitled 'The Swan of Solleu,' a richly illustrated romance, part poetry, part prose, filled with dreamy descriptions of Naboo's rivers and countryside. Mixing fable with noble intrigue, making it a favorite among the Nabooian nobility, and Loria, for light reading.

After a few moments passed, she closed the holobook with a soft sigh, tucking it gently under her arm. The river-light caught the polished wood of the club's tables, glinting off crystal glasses and casting faint reflections onto the stone floor. Voices murmured quietly around her, occasional laughter punctuating the gentle hum of conversation.

Loria rose, adjusting her dress with a careful hand, and moved toward a seat by the far window. From here, the water outside shimmered like liquid silver, a calm contrast to the small flutter of anticipation in her chest. The meeting had been arranged, the timing set- now all that remained was for her guest to arrive.

She settled into her seat, eyes scanning the lounge, aware that any moment could bring the entrance of the person she was meant to meet.

Blaire Sal-Soren

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[Blaire Sal-Soren]

The River Club

She thought the name wistfully as she strode through the dining area, the gentle click clack of her heels combining with the clatter of cutlery and cacophony of quiet conversation.

Even over the scintillating scent of scrumptious small plates of food and the unassuming but unmistakably beautiful fresh curated centerpieces, Blaire could not miss the gentle smell of the river outside. As she walked the room she could not help herself but to remember her first time here. Well, the first time she could remember at any rate.

They were six or near enough, her sister and fellow triplet, Briana, and Blaire both. It was just the two of them and Mama. Daddy had some special Sal-Soren boy lesson for Brandyn so they made a girl's day out of it. Briana wore her hair up, done in fashion like one of the old Queen's.

She realized that the way she pictured Briana was indelibly influenced by this memory she hadn't thought of in years. Six years old only and Briana was who she was. The pretty, perfectly polished, and poised in her soft purple dress, periwinkle perhaps?, future paragon of the Ee'everwest name.

That was what she remembered of her first time here at The River Club, well, that and her burning desire to leave the table and go for a splash in the cool water.

Blaire was drawn back from pleasant memories by a sort of squawking sound. She thought it must've come from some bird happily hunting in the water until it happened again and right close to her.

"B!" The sound squawked, raspily like attempting to shout a whisper.

"B!" The sound came again from behind her. Blaire turned to face the sound and found herself wrapped in a tight embrace, her face buried in thick blonde curly hair. "B, I thought that was you!" Said Charlotte Chamberlain beaming at her now that she finally released Blaire from her grasp.

"Char!" Blaire practically squealed once she finally gained some measure of composure. "Shiraya's heart, how have you been?" She rapt a kiss quickly on each of Charlotte's cheeks, which hadn't gotten any smaller since school it seemed.

Jaa had given Char the awful nickname 'skrat' because according to him they stuffed their mouths so full of crap to be saved for later they puffed out even wider than the stupid little things were long. Charlotte's cheeks weren't that big, really, though the name had made Blaire laugh.

"You remember Sebastian? From the academy?" Charlotte asked.

"Of course," Blaire lied at once. Charlotte didn't notice, so eager was she to thrust her hand in Blaire's face that it likely wouldn't have mattered what Blaire's answer would've been. There on her freshly manicured hand was an enormous and frankly hideously gaudy engagement ring. "Congrats Char!" Blaire said, again her voice going up an octave without her meaning for it.

"That Jedi of yours taking his time?" Char asked, glancing at Blaire's own hand, unadorned with rings, engagement or any other.

Blaire snorted an incredulous laugh "My what?"

Charlotte waved a knowingly dismissive hand at her protestations "Oh, we all know about it. No need to play secret keeper, Blaire."

Before Blaire could ask what the hell she was talking about, Charlotte grabbed something from her table and shoved it hastily in Blaire's hands. It appeared to be some sort of newsletter. She began reading immediately.

"…The Swan of Solleu…three children in tow…recent sightings with Jedi Knight…calculated…"

Calculated?!

Blaire turned down Charlotte's invitation to join her table which it turned out had a few of Blaire's other academy friends. She apologized profusely and promised to find a time to catch up.

Click clack

She moved through the hall again, no thoughts of fond memories filling her mind now. She read the gossip again, and again. As far as her personal reputation went, worse things had been published about her in the past but there was a tiny knot of worry building in her belly when she thought about Aiden and what he might think.

In a seat near the window, overlooking the water sat the very person Blaire had come to see.

"Miss Sorelle?" She asked approaching.

| Outfit: xxx | Tag: Loria Sorelle | Equipment: xxx |​