Private Only A Few Days Early

[Niki Priddy]

Outfit

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

The small, five person squad had been arranged and then promptly deployed to keep tabs on Rayne Lo'to while she remained in her accommodations. Ordered to keep their distance while maintaining security. Nothing that Rayne or even Sibylla herself had arranged for. But with the joke about Aurelian turning out to be something more substantial than jest, Niki wasn't going to play games with someone's life when it came to nobles. She'd observed from afar the ramifications of being an innocent bystander in the path of someone with clout being slighted despite being the offending party.

Was it paranoid?

Absolutely.

But you didn't survive in a galaxy where the hottest commodity was the newest form of warfare without a little paranoia.

Especially when those with social status, prestige, or a pedigree they could flaunt, all too often had someone in their back pocket for ensuring that potential issues where nothing more than forgotten potential. Or, those with such status had a sponsor that was particularly interested in making sure no issues arose around their favorite toy.

Updates would flow into her sunglasses in case of the worst. Niki was not above making a spectacle of a situation. Nor would she shy away from showing why she was fond of producing weapons of war. It helped when you started your career in the fringes with nothing but creativity and opportunity against a much larger opponent.

But her visit, well ahead of schedule by Naboo time, eighteen days to be precise, was not for delivering the ship that lingered in a secure landing zone of the Naboo Facility.

Having already sent a simple message ahead of herself only an hour prior to Sibylla forewarning of her arrival. Leaving no clear topic of that which she wanted to discuss.

Heels clacked against the paved stone of Sibylla's family home. Cold blue swept across the scene. Brow arching slightly at the value it held. Not in credits, but in sentiment. How long had it been their home? What memories did it hold that only they would know? Was there a price they would pay to keep such a place in their hands, or would they cede the building for safety?

Her eyes rolled slightly as the door opened. "Good evening!" Posture business-like and proper as the idle wonders were shaken from her mind.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Niki Priddy

Calab was already at the door when the chime sounded, his expression schooled into calm professionalism despite the short notice. He opened it with a smooth motion and stepped aside at once, bowing from the waist in proper Naboo fashion.

"Good evening, Director Priddy," he said evenly, gaze respectfully lowered for a brief moment. "Welcome to the Abrantes residence."

The elder man straightened and gestured her inside with an open hand.

"Her Excellency has been informed of your arrival and is ready to receive you. If you would care for refreshment, it can be arranged at once."

And without further ado, Calab fell into step just ahead of her, leading the way through the carved marble reliefs and greenery towards a section of the estate that Sibylla had claimed as an office for her duties when she spent time at her family's estate.

Sibylla had only just turned from her desk when the sound of footsteps reached the atrium. The cool blue light from the windows washed over the room, catching the edge of her sleeve as she straightened, composure settling into place a heartbeat after surprise flickered across her features.

Calab's voice carried first, followed by the enigmatic Niki Priddy, whom he escorted within.

"Director Priddy," Sibylla said, concern softening the formality as she came to a stop before Niki. "This is rather earlier than I anticipated." she gave a small pause, the delicate brown brows knitting just slightly.

"Is everything alright?" Sibylla asked as she gestured lightly toward the seating, an instinctive offering of hospitality even as questions gathered behind her hazel eyes.

 

[Niki Priddy]

Outfit​

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes

A small bow was given to the man that answered. "Good evening, and thank you for the welcome."

The multitude of minds she had been burdened with began to focus their attentions now. Murmurs in the back of her own mind beginning to form as her connection to the Force began to waver from the focused attention. A small shiver running down her neck while she resisted the urge to listen, focusing on her real world task.

Professionalism was donned despite the disturbance within her. The now courteous guest despite her otherwise sudden announcement of arrival and abrupt appearance despite the timeline she had provided. But such deception provided her with a chance to observe and form an opinion about the young woman she intended to meet.

And surprise served its own purpose in such meetings of opinions and understanding.

The footman led her through the house with ease. No doubt years of service under his pressed lapel given the coloration of his hair and the signs of age about him.

Slight cackles and jeers from the phantom entourage she carried with her at the ostentatious displays of wealth. Murming about power and wasted potential that amounted to nothing of meaning as the softer voices spoke in high regard of the carefully maintained appearance and warmth the place held.

Her glasses shifted to clear lenses as she entered. Recording the details of everything she passed by to review later in the privacy of her own space. When she had time to focus on dealing with the multitude of opinions she was always privy to.

"A lovely space the Abrantes family maintains. As for refreshments, tea or water would be greatly appreciated." There were no hints to deeper meaning or laced honey hidden within her words. Mild interest given that her focus lay beyond all of the adornments and finery the structure held within.

Some of those voices scoffing at the lackluster demand while others praised it.

Entering another room to finally find that very focus of her interest. A quick up and down scan of Sibylla revealed nothing of concern as Niki carefully bowed out of respect for the young woman. The more malicious voices quieted at the sight before offering their opinion on how to proceed.

Tear the information from her mind. We can help you-

Seek resolution of the matter diplomatically. Do not waste the potential good this young woman brings.

A mental war of debate raged behind her eyes for no one to see.

Niki's own opinion already formed as the thought pushed aside the hidden squabbling.

Leading a company was a daunting task itself when credits were largely the only concern. Leading a people in a secondary role behind someone foolishly arrogant was a much different Lylek.

"Ms. Abrantes." Practiced ease made the greeting and her smile softer. "I have to admit, I lied about how long Ms. Lo'to's order would take."

The warm smile shifting to a short lived grin before the topic of issues made her frown.

"Everything on my end for Ms. Lo'to is in order... for the most part." Her hand sweeping towards the seating as her head tilted slightly. "I would like to hear from you, though, as to what lead to Ms. Lo'to being treated in such an unbecoming manner. The topic interests me greatly."

Taking her own seat with an expectant stare leveled at Sibylla as her hand slid into place against her temple. The thumb of that hand sliding to a spot behind her ear before making a barely audible click. Niki knew the feeling well of activating her augmentation. Knew what it brought with it. But it still didn't help her deal with the physical consequences.

The cold blue-gray of her eyes now replaced by glowing amber.

Her stomach tightened as her world tilted before righting itself. A line of static blurring Sibylla's face for what felt like eons despite only being a split nanosecond of activation. The air suddenly alive with more than just the living Force as fine particles became overly profound with her enhanced sight.

Trajectories of those particles calculated instinctively as her brow ticked slightly in muted disdain for the air quality.

Thoughts dragged for longer than any had a proper right to. Processing the debate in the back of her mind now similar to watching a holomark movie at quarter speed in the background. Distinctly remembering why she did not activate her augmentation much anymore. Despite the intensity, her want to process the subtle physical reactions Sibylla gave to her questions outweighed her own comfort.

All of these thoughts occurring in the span of time it took her to draw in a single breath.

Clearing her throat as her gaze remained fixed on Sibylla. "Reports sometimes are... unsatisfactory in detail."

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Niki Priddy

Sibylla felt it the moment Director Priddy's eyes changed.

Not fear -- not quite -- but a tightening awareness, like the air had shifted its weight. She held herself still through it, chin lifting a fraction as the woman settled opposite her, hands folding together with deliberate calm. Years of diplomacy had taught Sibylla how to remain present when the room became something else entirely.

This felt entirely as if she was being interrogated. But why?

For a breath, Sibylla said nothing, peering at Niki curiously with a slight cant of her head.

Then she let out a slow and steady exhale and allowed honesty to step forward without surrendering control.

"Well, in that case, I am glad that the order is able to be processed quickly." she began, moving to the chair across from Niki, deciding to sit rather than stand.

"As for Ms. Lo'to," Sibylla continued with no desire to blur the details, "her treatment was not something thatwas sanctioned, nor something I would ever consider acceptable. However, in the wake of a discovery that had led to the disappearance of two Jedi, His Majesty was present and overseeing the securing of the perimeter."

She continued to explain calmly, if regretfully.

"Naboo can be… overly protective when unfamiliar variables enter its orbit. Particularly when His Majesty is involved, especially in the wake of his attempted murder on Wielu as a Senator. That instinct does not always distinguish caution from offense. Ms. Lo'to happened to approach too quickly at Aurelian, and one of the Republic's guards acted swiftly. In the wake of it all, whatever phenomena developed affected Ms. Lo'to's vehicle and caused it to disappear. Anything else would require the approval of his Majesty, so forgive me if I must stop there."

Her gaze held Niki's glowing one without flinching, though a subtle tension threaded her shoulders.

"If harm was caused, I regret it deeply. And if clarification is needed," she added, quieter now, "I would rather it come from me than from reports that strip context down to bones."

A pause, then Sibylla added with a slight tilt of her head.

"But why do you wish to know?"