Of Nobility and Nobles

[Ria Misrani]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Beskad was quiet but that was better than the alternative when it arrived on Monastery sounding as if inhaled more tibanna gas than it should have. Amaya had spent at least a week if not two reworking the engine. After she had gone through chasing down the so-called Manda'lor.

Frustrated, she had reached out to Naboo and was to finally lay claim to her birth right. Heir to House Cardei, a house that had flatline upon the disapperance of Lady Ajira Cardei. Amaya couldn't imagine what would be going through the many nobles of Naboo, if anything at all. Instead she focused on Beskad and wondered she should have came in the Savea instead so that she might work on it here. The prototype starfighter approached the planet of Naboo with ease, the sea of black - still in her wake. Then again the stars moved neither for man nor God, as most found out in the end.

Admittedly, she was nervous, more nervous than the girl thought she would be. These people were not her kin, they were not family and yet in a way they were part of her. Part of who Ajira had been. Now, Amaya was all that was left of the noblewoman - a single thread in the tapestry of life. Beskad broke through the atmosphere and it groaned, Amaya worried it wouldn't hold, maybe she had tinkered with it just a bit too much.

It held well enough, which meant a day or two at Theed would be needed after all for the Beskad. And she was finally able to hear the communications sent her way by authorities. She replied to them, "I am Amaya of House Cardei and Clan Verd, en route to Theed."

 

[Jamie Pyne]

It had been quite some times since Jamie had seen or spoken with Ajira Cardei. In the months that had past since the woman's disappearance, Jamie had become both Jedi Knight as well as, much to her own surprise, Queen of Naboo. It had been quite a turbulent time, as multiple terrorist attacks had stricken the quiet world of late. Coupled with a Sith attack and prison breakout, and the Alliance's newest conflict with the First Order. Their armies now fully engaged with one another, Jamie found herself incredibly occupied, convening with her advisors to ensure the safety of her people.

The young queen sought to keep the Naboo neutral throughout the conflict. Naboo as a whole wished to maintain its' sovereignty, regardless of the actions the greater galaxy took to combat one another. External governments rose and fell by the dozen, but it was the people left in the wake of those rises and falls that were important.

It seemed that Ajira, the woman who had given council to Jamie herself, as well as delivered a personal letter of nomination to the girl's ascension to the throne prior to her disappearance, held a great many secrets, one being the heir to her house, Amaya Verd. By request Jamie had agreed to meet with the woman out of respect for Ajira and the hope to build further relations with House Cardei. Perhaps the girl even had information as to where Ajira had gone, but she wouldn't hold out a great deal of hope in that aspect.

Amaya would find herself welcomed, a landing pad in Hangar four already prepped for arrival once her ship's ID was confirmed. An appointed escort of Jamie would greet Lady Verd upon arrival.

From there she would be brought to the palace.

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Amaya suspected that her arrival on Naboo might cause a few waves but she wasn't here for them or even the Queen. Beskad was given clearance to land, and so she piloted the ship to the hangar, punching through the sky like a sword through the air. Clouds trailed behind her as the palace came into view and her thoughts went back to the initial conversation with Ashin Karrde. Serendipity, and of course the force by blood she should have access to the force. Feel it, know it as one knew the air or water, but she knew not of the force other than it was around her and that others wielded it. A great many others it seemed, and as she settled into the pilot's chair manoeuvring the Beskad toward the hangar.

Sometime later she disembarked from her starfighter and was greeted by an appointed escort of the Queen. The brunette took a deep breath and was glad to have been reminded that she was here to meet nobility and royals and therefore dressed in a simple gown. Otherwise, she would've felt severely underdressed - a gold trim lined deep red gown bracelets and an armband along with simple chains also accented her outfit. She'd once again have to credit Artemis only this time the dress was her own. As with each passing day and lesson, Amaya learned the hand of both diplomacy and war. When to use one and when to use another, and of course when the time would be right to mete out vengeance. As the escort led Amaya through the palace halls, the daughter of Ajira felt so foreign here. She hoped the feeling would fade soon enough as they grew closer and closer to the designated meeting room.

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Jamie Pyne]

By far Jamie's least favorite part of being queen was the regalia and makeup that came with the job. As her predecessors before her, she too donned the headdress crown that in a way, resembled the Togrutan head tails. A sunsoaked gem in the center of the headpiece shined as bright as day, reflecting sparkling rays in a multitude of directions from where the young woman sat. Pale white makeup, whiter than the natural complexion of her already fair skin covered her face, the only color that of two perfectly circular dots on either cheek, and a deep crimson lipstick that parted the center of her lower lip, yet covered the upper. The Jedi queen wore a fitted white dress, embroidered with sparkling stones along the flowing sleeves and shoulders.

Rather than address her soon-to-be guest within the throne room as a formal affair, Jamie opted for a more intimate setting in a closed chamber that functioned as both meditation and solitude, to quiet her mind and allow for the more Jedi aspect of her psyche to take hold. During times of turbulence or trouble, this was where she found herself most often, to gather herself and her thoughts. It was there Amaya would be escorted, the short walk notably past the empty throne room, save for a few gathered faces discussing nothing of importance between one another.

The chamber itself was large, with one wall entirely open to the outside elements, a massive balcony separated by pillars and railing, hanging potted plants that set the stage for the backdrop of deep green forest, lush greenlands, and an aroma of flora so delightfully potent it would tickle the senses. In the distance soft chirps of the native avian species could be heard. There she sat, atop a small plush bench, sapphire eyes closed, facing the glory that was Naboo, waiting...

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Amaya was led into the chamber and immediately took note of the empty throne room as she passed. A closed chamber had been chosen and as she walked in, the Mandalorian was greeted first by the elements and second by the rather ornate Queen. The girl had never seen so much on one person before and that included her father's ridiculous mask. In the moment all Amaya wanted and craved were the harsh sounds of welding from Taris. The sounds of hagglers and vendors arguing with one another, someone drilling into someone else's water well and swoop bikes rushing through the city. She'd even settle for a few Mandalorian brawls right now it was far too delicate here. At least so far, everything seemed to be done a certain way and instead of just being done. Then she found herself no longer escorted as they seemed to have dropped off and she stood alone in this chamber, with the Queen of Naboo.

Now she wondered, how did this work? Did she talk, did the Queen talk first? Might be best to let the Queen address her first or was that not customary. She scratched the back of her neck a bit as she tried to think on the ceremony of it all. Her nerves were working on her at the moment but no time like the present, "Amaya of Clan Verd and House Cardei, your highness." The brunette introduced herself and did note that the Queen's back was to her. Bow, don't bow? Wait until the woman turns around and then bow? All this time and she could be working on the Beskad right now, or maybe drawing up plans for a new set of turbolasers or slug launchers.

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Spoiler

Sorry! I thought I replied to this!

The young queen turned her head towards Amaya, hearing the voice and greeting. From a sideways glance the blonde could see the Mandalorian descendant a short distance away, the escorts having departed to leave the two alone, save for a single handmaiden that sat at the far corner of the room, hood drawn past the eyes and head down, looking at what appeared to be a small piece of flimsy.

"Welcome to Naboo, Amaya." A small echo carried before escaping through the air beyond the balcony. "You are the heir to House Cardei?"

Slowly the blonde stood, facing Amaya. She took a couple of steps towards the woman before pausing.

"Ajira was a good person. I've not heard from her in some time. I do hope she is well. But, what brings you here, I wonder?"

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

The sound of the Queen's voice did carry and everything here was just as she had felt thus far. Delicate, quiet and yet there was something more here she felt. Or maybe it was just her mind playing on her, Amaya watched as the Queen walked toward her. Slowly as the Nabooian noble made her way she spoke. "Uh, thanks place is pretty fancy." She replied honestly and then the next question, heir? She hardly considered herself much of an heir to anything but Ashin told her straight before. Explained all the paperwork that lawyers demanded of her on Dxun. "Yeah, yeah I am."

Amaya wondered why it took her so long to answer the queen's questions. She had asked two of them before she even approached, and so the Mandalorian chucked it to nerves and listened to the next set of well, statements and then a question. Honestly, she had no idea where Lady Cardei was because if anyone wanted to find her it was Amaya. "I'm afraid I don't know your highness, I mean I know why I'm here and that's to represent House Cardei but..." Her voice trailed and she shrugged, "there's ... I, I know so little of this place of, her... I- I was just a junk wielder, a scavanger from Taris not so long ago. I knew my father was Isley Verd but I had no idea that my mother was Lady Ajira Cardei... I'm sort of, lost. If, I may be so honest your majesty." Is that how this worked? Nobles were supposed to be good, well, so the books say but Ashin seemed to say otherwise. Even Artemis warned her of the ways of the rich and powerful, and for the moment Amaya wished that Artemis could be there with her.

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Jamie Pyne]

"Simplistic beauty, I prefer." She said in reference to the remark of the palace being fancy.

The architecture of Naboo was relatively unique for the system, and perhaps even the galaxy. Nothing quite looked like it, at least, nowhere else she had been. The typical structure found on city worlds like Coruscant were the dominant style of the galaxy. Massive skyscrapers and super structures that towered into the heavens.

The newly elected queen frowned hearing that Amaya had not heard from Ajira. She was hoping to hear news that the woman was at the very least safe and simply taking a step back from her duties to enjoy life a bit. "I see. If you do see Lady Cardei please offer her my thanks for her support in my election." Her election which to her was still quite unexpected. It seemed as the noble houses had convened to put forward her name before she was made aware. Apparently the majority of the nobility felt confident in her as the monarch to set aside their own squabbles for a time. The blonde was unfamiliar with Isley Verd, having never spoken directly to any Mandalorian clan, leader, or member. Amaya being half Mandalorian blood was the closest she had ever come herself. "If you'd wish I could show you around whatever it is you would like to see."

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Simplistic beauty was the sight of a swoop bike in her prime. At least Amaya thought but beauty was in the eye of the beholder or so it's been said. The daughter of Isley Verd looked at the Queen briefly and then averted her gaze. She wanted to ask if the woman could walk with all of that on but felt a little inappropriate. Elected Queen, the girl looked more than a little surprised. Since when were Queens elected? Then she guessed she could ask since when were scavengers from Taris nobles. Quietly she listened to [member="Jamie Pyne"] and acknowledged her, "of course."

Ah the tour, "if it's not too much trouble." A young Mandalorian could get lost in a place like this, "may I... may I ask you a question?"

Amaya wanted to prod a little bit and figure out how this place worked, what with royalty getting elected. If she was going to truly represent her mother then it would be best to get a decent understanding of it all. And then she wanted to ask about Theed Hangar, but then that felt like a question more poised for good ol' cousin Ashinm, wherever the feth she was these days.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie turned away from the balcony, her hand gesturing for the other girl to follow. Subsequently the handmaiden that had been sitting at the edge of the room also stood, silently following in the background behind the two. Rarely did the queen ever have a moment truly alone. RSF or handmaidens were typical company on any given day. It was something she had begun to put out of the forefront of her mind.

"Certainly." She said with a modest smile. The response was intended to answer both Amaya's statement and request. "What is it you would like to know?"

Out through the main doors she led Amaya, towards the many other rooms that the palace had to offer. One such of those rooms being the art and drawing rooms, where countless works of art were set on public display, crafted by masterful artists throughout the generations. There was also the amphitheater where stage plays and performances took place, as well as the gardens, the grand spire that looked out over the entirety of Theed, and so much more.

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

In a word; Everything.

How to even describe the feeling she had inside. As she looked around them, all Amaya could see were the spirits of the past moving and working and then she blinked and they were gone. The Mandalorian paid no mind to the others following them, "everything," she said in a hush movement her eyes still drinking it all in. "I know nothing about Naboo, or Nabooian ways." There was a pause, was that even right, "wait is Nabooian even the correct term?" All she knew was that the Mando people were nomadic, warriors people who knew their way around the stars, so what did that make the people of Naboo? "I'm sorry, I just..." Want to know everything there is to know, like a toddler learning the world around them, so too did Amaya want to know, want to learn.

"As a girl growing up on Taris, I didn't ever dream that one day I would be here," she admitted, "here on Naboo or even in your presence, your highness." Her hands intertwined with themselves, fiddled was perhaps the more appropriate word. While everything on her person said she was a Mandalorian part of her felt as if this could work. Work to make Naboo feel less foreign and maybe more like home, and then she thought of her adoptive mother, Macina. And she quieted down, "not that my life there was terrible but when you look up at the stars and wonder what's beyond your own horizon, you never dream of such beautiful things." Amaya gestured to the walls around them.

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie listened intently as Amaya spoke, yet of all the things she said, it was the final few words that really took Jamie's interest. "When you look up at the stars and wonder what's beyond your own horizon, you never dream of such beautiful things." The woman repeated Amaya word for word, slowly and with purpose, as if she were reading some great philosophical quote. "No truer words." She said, smiling at the other girl. "I felt that same sense of exploration and bewilderment several years ago. Where we come from is always home, but the desire to know what more there is, drives us to the stars, to explore."

Amaya's answer also helped Jamie understand where to take the girl first -- The Archive.

The queen led the way through hallway after hallway, speaking softly to her guest as they made their way to the grand room.

"As a child all I ever wanted to do was to see the galaxy. I dreamed more of visiting distant stars and meeting new people than I ever did of becoming queen. The galaxy has a strange sense of humor, I suppose. But I am happy to share with you everything I can of Naboo." She flashed another bright smile, nudging Amaya with a gentle elbow. "And Nabooian is a correct term for the people and objects of Naboo."

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Amaya looked over at the queen, caked in make-up and smiled. "In spite of their warrior ways, the Mandalorians are very much voyagers." She felt confident in this, having taken the time to read through the history that was offered through story and to listen to what had been said in song. "Finding our way through the stars, but I have found - and maybe this is a Mandalorian thing." A pause, "home is where the heart is, be it Mandalore or Naboo." It could be a ship, a little piece of duracrete next to the sidewalk - or even a bunk in a barrack somewhere.

The desire to know more, to explore and wander the galaxy, a wanderlust some might call it. She followed after the queen, her own flowing dress trailing behind. As they walked through the grand room, the Queen spoke again. This time from a more personal experience and felt the nudge of the woman's elbow in her side. A playful gesture that was preceded by a bright smile. "Does they still call to you?" A pause, "the stars, I mean to explore them and to see what's beyond the edge of the system."

"Growing up, I always remember being told that if I went beyond Taris's borders, I might never come back," a glib lip, "I think my mother was right." Macina, rest her soul Amaya thought. "Nothing wrong with Taris, although probably not the best place to grow up. Still, to laydown on the ground arms behind your head and look up at the sky."

"There's nothing like it, nothing like it - at all."

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie knew well the answer to that question. It was never in doubt for her. "Of course. The galaxy is a mystical and wonderful place. To see beyond the Naboo system was and is to this day a great desire of mine." Jamie paused as they reached a set of massive, ornate double doors that creaked an old, majestic tune as they were parted to allow the two entry into the massive archive. "Before I became queen, I took every opportunity afforded to me to explore. Sith ruins, ancient temples or keeps, distant planets long since abandoned, even those still well populated like Coruscant -- Nothing was too boring to see."

Now though she had more responsibility than ever before to both the people of Naboo and to the galaxy as a whole. Sporadic trips abroad were less frequent, save for diplomatic travel. "Duty dictates the vast majority of my focus at present, but I make due with the time I have. Exploration is the food for the curious soul." The blonde smiled, ushering Amaya further into the grand room before them.

Along the wall sat several public terminals used to access the datacrons and holodiscs that lined the incredible length of neatly organized shelving that stretched aisle after aisle throughout the center of the room. "Generations of the Naboo -- History, families, monarchs, discoveries and inventions, everything that makes us a people is archived for generations to come here."

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Instantly, the young Mandalorian woman was taken aback. Years, and years of dreams had served her well, "wow..." Her voice trailed off as she walked into the archives, graceful Mandalorian gown trailing behind her as she put her hands along their seam. She turned to hear the queen and gave a warm smile, in a way - they were kindred spirits. Explorers, adventurers a hand graced along the side of the shelves well-worn edges faced her and within them a story, a story of the people of Naboo. Everything that she could have ever dreamed to have answered and then some. "I used to think anything beyond Taris would've been great and then there was Dxun with its jungles and wild creatures, Mandalore and in spite of the tragedy there. It bore so much history, Concord Dawn, Wayland, Monastery... it's all so grand, each one playing a unique part. "Though I suspect no one can truly know, like a single piece of the thread within the grand tapestry. Or a little bolt in the design of a ship, it can't know just how important it is and yet it is. In such a way, so too are the stars and planets and this..."

She twirled around arms open, "this is amazing." Amaya stopped a moment her dress still catching up to her as she heard the Queen once more. She was directed to the public terminals and as she crossed the room nerves dogged at the edge of her thoughts. She approached these terminals with a set of unease and yet there was excitement in her eyes. Hands swept across the console, here it was. The answers to what she would learn about House Cardei, of course, the question now was; was she truly ready for it? "And I can come back here?" The brunette turned away for a moment back to the consoles as she faced the Queen. Amaya studied the other woman a moment or two, "now I get that this is a me thing here but um." Crossed the distance, closing the gap between them, "is there anything you want to ask me?"

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie paused as Amaya asked whether or not she was permitted to return. The blonde looked about the archive, dozens of others already scurrying about paying them little mind. Her head bobbed in a quirky manner, shoulders rolling in tandem as her lips pursed slightly. "Great scholars, wise councilors, house lords and ladies. Queens and kings and princes and princesses. Common folk and tradesmen, children and young adults. The archives are open to all. Our history is a public service. It too, is open to you."

The Archives were a rather splendid place. Jamie had studied for many house in her youth here. Part of her civics studies included a great many holodiscs worth of reading from start to finish. Whereas many others found it dreary and disinteresting, Jamie found it remarkable and inspiring.

"My question is what you will choose to do with your new self discovery."

[member="Amaya Verd"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Amaya shrugged, "not sure."

It was an honest answer. She could go on again about growing up, but she did not and instead she said, "I knew what I wanted to do when mom told me my dad was Isley Verd, but to know that my birth mother was this Nabooian Royal. It's still kind of mind blowing, y'know?" Hands moved to hold either shoulder and she stood there holding herself. "And I think, what if I had just one day with her to figure out who she was. Just to have those days with her." There's a sad shrug and she just didn't know what to do, "but gosh was she pretty."

The girl chuckled, she could see why her parents had their nights together but it didn't solve the hole in her heart. And her thoughts turned to her mother, the one who raised her. A sad smile crept along her face her thoughts went distant and as she got another look at the archives. "So you've travelled the galaxy, a bit... " her head bobbed a moment, her feet began to move and her arms relaxed at her side. "But have you ever climbed?" She asked, "just y'know gone out and climbed? Got some pretty landscape around here." It felt a little off the wall, but Amaya was just curious to know the woman behind the cake of paint. The queen of change the subject started to move back through the doors. "Got any spots you could recommend, your majesty?"

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgFeZr5ptV8[/media]​

 

[Jamie Pyne]

In more than one way the two were very similar people in their interests. "Would you be surprised to hear me say that I have?" She smiled cordially, continuing out of the archive with Amaya. "Quite a bit, actually. When I wasn't overwhelmed by studies and volunteer work I would lose myself in the wilds beyond the city limits. There are dozens of quarries, bluffs, and cave systems that I've explored, against my parents' wishes mind you." Several times she had nearly fallen, a fall of which by far would have been more than lethal. Still, it was something she found exciting, to explore new things. "There's one such cave by a large fall I explored a number of times, but the last time I had a partner, and we discovered a route within the cavern that contained a small pocket of crystals suitable for building a lightsaber. That was where I built my first weapon."

Of course she had later lost that blade during an expedition to Mustafar, but that was another story she wasn't about to go into.

"There are a great many places, one needn't look far to find excitement on Naboo. It just takes the will to explore what it has to offer."

[member="Amaya Verd"]