Private Polish and Roughcut

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Naboo - Theed

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Tic

The Flickerfox came in low over Theed's spires, its paint-scarred hull cutting a crooked silhouette against skies too bright and too clean for his liking. Naboo looked like something out of a dream. Waterfalls, glassy lakes, stone streets polished enough to see your reflection in. People like him didn't belong in places like this.

The ship touched down at the spaceport with a hiss and the ramp clanged open. Ace lingered at the top for a second, shoulders squared but jaw tight. Naboo was beautiful, sure. It was also the kind of beautiful that made him feel dirty just for standing in it.

Tic chirped at his heel, scampering forward until the little droid paused at the sunlight beyond. A flicker of static cut across its lens as it tilted its head back at him, questioning. Ace smirked faintly and crouched to tap its dented casing.

"Yeah, I know. Don't look at me like that. I don't belong here either."

For once there wasn't blasterfire waiting, no lightsabers lit, no mad scramble for survival. Just stillness. He'd been getting more of that recently, and he still didn't know what to do with it. It left him awkward, like he was supposed to be doing something still.

Then he remembered why he'd come. Sibylla Abrantes . His chest gave this weird little kick, and for half a second his stomach flipped. Butterflies? Ace blinked, rubbed at the back of his neck, and immediately scowled at himself. He'd fought stormtroopers, bounty hunters, even gone blade-to-blade with a Sith Lord. He didn't flinch a single time then. But one Naboo noble and suddenly he was nervous? Ridiculous.

He blew out a breath, squared his shoulders, and started down the ramp. Time to find her.​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Acier Moonbound ​

It was a beautiful late summer day, the sun warming Theed's Spaceport with a softened glow as Sibylla stepped from the shade of the portico. Two guards flanked her at a respectful distance, their presence now a quiet necessity rather than choice, but she paid them little mind. Today was not about politics, nor precaution.

It was about enjoying the company and having a relaxing time.

She had set aside both her ambassador's attire and the stately gowns of court. Instead, she wore a simple summer gown of soft taupe, its flowing line comfortable yet graceful, catching the breeze as she moved. It felt right. Not the Ambassador of Mandalore, nor the candidate in the Royal Court, but Sibylla Abrantes of Naboo.

Her hazel eyes lifted at the sound of boots on the landing ramp, and there he was, Acier Moonbound, a tall figure against the bustle of the port. A smile softened her features as she took a step forward, voice warm with welcome.

"It is good to see you Acier," She beamed, coming up to a slow stop in front of him before giving him an incline of her head in greeting.

"I hope your trip wasn't too troublesome," she inquired, her hazel eyes panning up to trace over the Flickerfox.

"Is this your ship?"

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Naboo - Theed

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Tic

His eyes quickly found her. Sibylla was stood just ahead, the breeze caught the soft taupe gown she wore, simple but still carrying that quiet elegance she couldn't seem to shake no matter what she put on.

Two guards flanked her at a respectful distance, eyes scanning the port. Ace clocked them out of habit, the way their hands hovered a little too close to their weapons. Standard detail. But he couldn't help the thought that slipped in anyway: she'd probably be safer with just him alone.

A sharp chirp snapped him out of it. Tic shuffled down the ramp behind him, lens flickering as the little droid scanned the sunlit spaceport before hurrying to his heel. Ace dragged in a breath, smoothed his face into something closer to neutral, and dipped his head back at her greeting.

"Good to see you too, Ambassador." He said, voice low but steady. At her question, his eyes flicked over his shoulder to the Flickerfox.

"Trip wasn't bad." His smirk was brief, almost hidden. "Yeah. She's mine. Modified YT freighter I... picked up on Bonadan."

There was no nicer way to say "I claimed this ship from the Trandoshan crime boss I killed after he had put a bounty out on me." Hopefully Sibylla wouldn't read too much into it.

His gaze cut back to her again, catching the way the gown shifted in the breeze. He glanced down at his teal jumpsuit, at the boots scuffed from too many runs, and tugged absently at his collar.

"…Feel like I'm overdressed." He muttered, the words dry, almost careless. But the faintest grin edged at his mouth before he dropped his eyes.

He shifted his weight, thumb brushing against the worn leather of his belt. Naboo stretched out in polished stone and sunlit arches all around them, a world that felt too perfect. He gave a small shrug and met her gaze again.

"So… where do you want to start?"

Sibylla Abrantes ​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Acier Moonbound ​

Even Sibylla could not quite suppress the upward twitch at the corners of her mouth as Acier remarked that he had picked up the ship on Bonadan.

"Ah, then it seems you have secured yourself quite the bargain," she replied with a light playful jest, a rare sparkle of amusement in her hazel eyes. Whatever circumstances had led him to claim the vessel were his own, she had little doubt he possessed the proper transponder codes and registry.

And really, what Bonadan considered notable was hardly Naboo's concern, lying as it did beyond Republic space.

HEr gaze shifted to Tic, her smile softening as she inclined her head in greeting.

"And wonderful to see you as well, Tic," she said warmly, rewarded at once by the droid's cheerful trill of acknowledgment.

When her eyes returned to Acier, the smile lingered, brighter now.

"You must be proud. Your own ship, it must feel wonderfully freeing," she continued, gesturing for him and Tic to fall into step beside her. The guards followed suit just as Acier had clocked them to do.

"I confess, I am a little envious of such liberty," she admitted, before leaning in just enough to let her words carry a conspiratorial lilt.

"But come, you are perfectly presentable, let me show you the charms of Theed."

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Naboo - Theed

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Tic

Ace fell into step beside her, Tic trilling smugly like he had just won something by getting singled out for attention. The droid lingered near her side for a moment before scuttling back to Ace's heel, and he shook his head with a faint exhale that might have been a laugh.

"Yeah." He admitted, glancing back at the Flickerfox. "Well, I wouldn't call it 'proud'. But, it's freedom. Freedom I can steer with my own hands."

There was weight in the words, though he said them flatly, like he wasn't sure how much he wanted to reveal. For a moment, his lips parted to say something else but he hesitated, gently nipping at his lower lip. Then he gave her a side long look.

Y'know, Ambassador... you don't have to keep calling me Acier. Sounds too formal. 'Ace' is good." His mouth twitched faintly, caught somewhere between a smirk and something more honest. "Figured it makes sense. You already know more about me than most people ever do."

It was true, him being Aether's younger brother wasn't common knowledge. A few people within the Hidden Path knew and even less were aware of his upbringing on Bonadan. And yet? Sibylla was aware of both these facts which Ace kept closely guarded.

For a second, his eyes tracked the Theed skyline, pale towers rising over waterfalls, sunlight glinting off every curve. Then he remembered what she'd said a second ago. When she admitted to being envious. Ace had caught Sibylla's slip of court formality, an admission that, maybe, she wouldn't give anyone else. His brow ticked faintly, the smallest flash of surprise in his eyes before he hid it again.

"Tell you what," he said, voice rough but steady, "Today, you show me Naboo, and one day I'll show you the galaxy. Not the clean parts either; the real thing. Stars, dirt, and all."

The words were direct, plain, and yet the grin lingered just a heartbeat longer than usual - a flash of charm that came with the confidence he'd been growing into. Then he gestured toward the city ahead, casual again and voice even.

"But for now... Show me what I'm missing."

Sibylla Abrantes ​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Acier Moonbound ​

"Well, that is a kind of freedom most never have the luxury to claim," Sibylla replied, her voice cordial, though there was the faintest note that suggested the thought was more personal than she intended to admit.

Truth be told, the idea of moving about the galaxy at one's own choosing, unburdened by House, title, and courtly expectation, stirred something wistful in her.

The corner of her mouth twitched upward as she glanced at him, a soft chuckle escaping.

"Ace, then? Very well. But you must forgive me if, in more formal company, I slip into habit." She leaned forward ever so slightly, humor brightening her eyes.

"So tell me... what do you think so far?" she asked, having caught the way his gaze lingered on the skyline and the falls cascading beyond.

When he countered with his own offer, Sibylla's smile spread wide, teeth flashing as her brow arched.

"The real galaxy. Now that is quite the temptation, Ace. I cannot help but wonder what picture you would paint of it." Her grin softened into a nod as she gestured for them to follow toward the lifts set beside the waterfalls.

"We will head up toward the City. If you like, we can walk the palace grounds together."

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Naboo - Theed

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Tic

Ace's mouth twitched when she said his name. He didn't point it out, but the faintest flicker of satisfaction tugged behind his eyes before he looked back toward the skyline.

Sibylla had asked him what he thought of Naboo so far. His gaze lingered on the waterfalls spilling over marble cliffs, the way the sunlight caught every polished stone. "Well... it's no Bonadan. Everything is nice, pretty... calm. Can't imagine growing up here."

Her words about temptation pulled a grin from him, sharp and crooked. Ace pondered on her words for a moment, of how Ace pictured the galaxy.

"Don't think a picture would do it justice. Half the time it's stars that make you forget you're small. Other half it's smoke and dirt. That's the galaxy to me, I guess." He shrugged.

He fell into step as she led toward the lifts, Tic clattering along at his heel with a curious chirp. The palace rose in the distance, white spires gleaming against the sky, and Ace's brows drew faintly together. Then he cast Sibylla a glance.

"Yeah, okay. If you think I'd like it." He flashed her a softer smile than normal.

After a small stretch of silence, his gaze flicked to the two guards shadowing them at a careful distance.

"That always been a thing?" He asked, voice even but curious. "Or just recent?"

Sibylla Abrantes ​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Acier Moonbound ​

Sibylla's smile deepened at hearing Acier describe Theed as pretty and calm. Her hands folded lightly before her as she walked, skirts swishing softly with each step.

"It sounds as though the galaxy you picture is still very beautiful, especially if its stars can make you feel small," she mused, then added with a wry note, "Though I should confess, Naboo has its fair share of smoke and dirt... only we balance it out with swamps."

The mention drew a fleeting melancholy across her expression, thinking about Lysander. However, she quickly smoothed it away beneath a practice adjustment of her composure.

When she caught Acier's gaze flick toward the guards trailing discreetly behind them, Sibylla offered a small, cordial smile.

"Ah. Yes." A pause, then more plainly, "Ever since the attack, and after the events on Wielu, my father has been rather insistent on precautions, even here in Theed."

She drew a steadying breath and tried to soften the moment with another smile.

"So they accompany me, to ensure my safety. And by extension, yours as well." Her eyes glimmered faintly with humor as she added, unaware that Acier was also a Force user as well, "Not that I imagine you have any need for additional protection. I am quite aware Mandalorians are trained to defend themselves."

They reached the lifts and the clear transparasteel doors slid open with a hiss. Stepping inside, they'd be able to see the entire view of the lakes, waterfalls, and the space port as the door closed shut. Quietly without a hum, it began to ascend, allowing that breathtaking view to be displayed nearly 360 degrees.

 

[Acier Moonbound]

Location: Naboo - Theed

Equipment:
Training Jumpsuit | Lightsaber | Modified DL-27 | Tic

Ace's mouth twitched faintly at Sibylla's remark about swamps, but he didn't fire back with a quip. Truth was, he couldn't imagine thinking of them as unpleasant. He hadn't grown up around waterfalls or forests, not even grass. Bonadan had given him factories, smoke, the Vergeworks' steel bones stretching into the sky. Compared to that, even a swamp sounded like paradise.

But when she mentioned the attack, his expression shifted. His gaze cut back to her, sharper now, voice rougher. Ace wasn't privy to galactic events, except for what happened on Coruscant. So, the news came as a shock.

"Attack?" he echoed, concern plain in the word. He studied her a second longer, the guards in his periphery. "You alright?"

The question was blunt, but behind it something heavier stirred. He didn't like the thought of her being caught up in something violent, of blades and blasterfire close enough that she now needed an escort in her own city. He was sure the guards at her side were competent, but some stubborn part of him bristled anyway, convinced she'd be safer if it were just him. Or with Aether and the other Mandalorians.

However, her jest about Mandalorians drew a sharper look, and this time the corner of his lip tugged upward.

"Yeah, well." He muttered, "I'm really only a Mandalorian in blood only... if that's even a thing. Wasn't raised with beskar and war chants." His voice roughened, but he shrugged it off just as quickly. "Most of what I know about fighting came from growing up on Bonadan... and the Jedi that trained me."

The transparisteel doors slid open and Ace followed her inside, Tic hopping in at the last second before the doors hissed shut. The lift began to rise in silence, and the city unfurled before them - waterfalls, white towers, lakes shining under the sun.

Ace exhaled, the sound slipping out before he realized it. His dark eyes widened a fraction, his posture easing as he stepped to the railing. For a moment, all the grit and sharpness in him gave way to something unguarded. Awe flickered openly across his face; uncharacteristic, but impossible to hide with the panorama spilling out on every side.

"Whoa..." He muttered, more to himself "This is something else, Sibylla."

Sibylla Abrantes ​