Private Queenswalk

[Kyyrk]

S U M M O N S
​

Kyyrk cursed loudly, dropping the wrench that he'd been holding. The electrical shock still coursed through his arm, causing it to twitch and behave erratically. He stepped back, holding it out in front of him to allow the digits to calm themselves. He should have worn a resistant glove to work on his ship. But hindsight was twenty/twenty. He shook his cybernetic limb as the circuits returned to normal. They'd identified the cause of the problem, at the very least. The engines were too hot for the wiring used, causing them to melt and fuse. How Voph had failed to account for that, Kyyrk didn't know. But then, how Voph thought was often a mystery to Kyyrk.

Kyyrk sighed quietly, wiping the grime off his hands. He was wearing a simple shirt and pants tucked neatly into calf boots, with his sleeves rolled back to just above his elbows. The maintenance hanger of the Presidium was rather busy today, with a number of personal vessels of the various Viceroyalty receiving service. The newly knighted Sword of the Exarch was a rare sight, and many murmured among themselves as to why he would work on his own ship, rather than let the staff do it. He paused, looking across the hanger deck as a trio of figures walked towards him. He could tell by their gait that they were on a mission. And their direction suggested that mission was him.

As they drew closer, he could see their garb was somewhat impressive, especially for a location such as this. "Gentlemen. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Kyyrk turned from his ship, hands still clasped in the rag he had been using to clean the grime off. "Knight Verros. We come bearing congratulations, and a message." The leader of the trio bowed, then extended a hand holding a small paper envelope. A rarity, outside of certain circles. Kyyrk already didn't like where this was going. He hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take the envelope, opening it as he spoke. "Someone important wants to speak with me, I'd wager. Someone mired in tradition and fanfare." The lead steward, or whatever title he actually held, made a face at this. "The Royal Court of Naboo wishes you congratulations on your promotion to knighthood." Kyyrk snorted quietly, still reading the message. "And now the Queen wants to speak with me."

The stewards remained silent for a moment. The message was printed on the sheet of paper, there was no need for them to reiterate what he could read himself. Kyyrk's eyes flicked up to the lead steward, though his face remained angled towards the paper. "Have I got that right, Master Steward?" The man cleared his throat. "The Queen expects you within the hour. It would be unwise to keep her waiting." Kyyrk nodded, a bemused look on his face. "There is much to do, Master Steward. And precious little time in which to do it." He held the paper back out towards the man. It meant nothing to him. He'd been in the courts of royalty before, he was not desperate enough for rank nor status to clutch to a paper issued by a queen. The steward reluctantly took it, and opened his mouth to say something, but Kyyrk was already walking past them. "Within the hour. And not a moment later."

Kyyrk mused over the summons for the duration of that hour as he returned to his apartment and worked to freshen himself up. His shower was quick, yet thorough. His tunic, one saved for special occasions. he had hoped to wear it first for something besides meeting with the Queen of Naboo, but it wouldn't do to show up underdressed. Particularly because he had no idea what the summons was about. Kyyrk set out for the palace, walking briskly through the streets. He had exactly three minutes till his hour was up. His pace was deliberate. And placed him right where he wanted to be. Speaking with the servants at the gates of the palace at exactly an hour since his summons. "Knight Kyyrk Verros, answering the summons of Queen Liviana. Would you tell her I've arrived?"

Svana Neoma

 

[Svana Neoma]

Queen Liviana​

TAG: Kyyrk
WAEARING: [xXx]

It had been almost mind numbing...

The realization that everything that had been worked for, everything that had been attained, had come undone in a series of unpredictable events. All of the people who trust had been placed in were gone. All of the people who had stood up, sworn to protect and serve, to guide and aide, to catch and balance, were gone...Nearly the entirety of the Naboo royal court had dissipated, and it left the young Queen questioning her own effectiveness as a ruler just as much as it did her value as a person.

It did give her insight to those who had ruled before her, however. If such things had befallen them at such an early stage of their rule, perhaps the way they had decided to go about things could be scarily justified. It did not necessarily make them right, but the emotions that such abandonment made a person feel were hard to ignore and she could only imagine what such things could do to other people.

Svana however, would not falter. If anything it strengthened her resolve. She would not bend in this moment, and she would not break. In fact, it caused the young Queen to rely on one of the few people she had left within her court. She had sent her Lady of Whispers out in search of people who would be right to fill the roles that currently sat vacant. However, the one that she was waiting upon now had not come recommended by the shadow dancer. The recommendation had come from a higher place, though had been agreed upon regardless.

It had been torturous to wait; a missive had been sent out in a fairly old fashioned manner, and then Svana had been left to wait. Time dwindled down, and as the last dregs of the hour ticked away, a frown had pulled down the corners of her mouth. Had she trusted the wrong people to deliver her request? Had they been rude? For their sake, she hoped not. But the moments of creeping defeat ebbed when she was made aware that her guest had arrived.

Despite protocol, Svana had risen from her seat and found herself going to meet halfway from the gates. Perhaps it would make her seem a bit eager, but hopefully that would work to her advantage. This wasn't just something she needed to work, it was something she wanted to work. And while she honestly had no idea how she would convince another person of how much she needed this to work, all she could do was try. And when she saw the guards escorting her quest towards her, Svana's posture straightened and she took a steadying breath.

"Knight Verros," the Queen greeted him only once he was close enough to hear her properly. "Thank you for coming." he had no idea what just showing up meant to her. It may not be an assured thing, but just the fact that he answered the summons gave Svana a small glimmer of hope. "I hope you weren't pulled away from something of dire importance." it was a genuine statement, though admittedly filling the empty seats of her court seemed more dire than anything else, at least to her.

 

[Kyyrk]

S U M M O N S
​

"Dire importance is relative, Your Highness." Kyyrk stopped, and offered the Queen a bow in greeting. "I assure you that my task paled in comparison to the summons of a Queen." His ship wouldn't be airborne for quite some time, but that was largely due to him insisting that he be the one to work on it. But that was neither here nor there. The Queen had not summoned him to hear of his ill-fated designs. Presuming that they would not be lingering in the courtyard, Kyyrk fell in step beside the Queen. He walked calmly at her side, never straying to far in front of her, nor behind her. His hands clasped at the small of his back while they walked.

"But please, do call me Kyyrk. There is little need for such formality from your station to mine." The man, in person, was every bit the mystery he was on paper. He was tall, well muscled, and adorned with a notable number of scars. Every bit the warrior he was claimed to be. His eyes glowed with a soft violet. His skin nearly as pale as the winter's snow. His hair, black flecked with gray, was worn swept to the side. In all, he appeared about how one might expect him to look.

But there was more than that. His stance. His poise. His measured words, his soft tone. This was a man who had spent time in the higher social echelons and was completely comfortable there. If he was nervous about meeting the Queen, he did not show it. His tunic was immaculately crafted, and yet it, along with the lightsaber resting at his back, suggested that he was ready for conflict at a moment's notice. Perhaps the strangest of this was that his character did not seem to match what was known about him.

His records indicated that he was born on Naboo, and yet planetary files from the specified year found no such being. In all, he led a rather unimpressive career, the highlight of it having just been achieved: Knighthood in the Knights Obsidian, having been instructed by none other than Exarch Srina Talon . But being here? Speaking with him directly? It would be easy to get the sense that such things may not be entirely accurate, if they were true at all. The man's poise spoke of a noble upbringing. His words spoke of wisdom beyond his supposed thirty years. And in his eyes, the history of thousands. Eyes that had seen wars the like of which one could only dream.

"How might the office of Exarch Talon serve you today, Your Highness?"

Svana Neoma

 

[Svana Neoma]

Queen Liviana​

TAG: Kyyrk

"Very well, Kyyrk it is." It was intimidating, to be honest. To stand beside someone who the young Queen had heard and read such things about. She had not even been sure this was something she could do herself, and yet she understood quite well that it needed to be done by none other. Replacing people in her life, important people especially, had never been something Svana had thought she would need to do. She had never considered having to rebuild the Royal Court, and she certainly had not expected to need to rebuild her personal guard. Though that was a whole different process, and not one she should be thinking about right in the moment, it would spoil her mood if she did.

In the short time thus far that Svana had been Queen, she had lost much. Friends, family, and much more - and the worst part of it all? None of them were actually dead. They were just gone from her life, and it was a tough thing to swallow. Now all she could do was pick up and move on. To set her chin, keep her shoulders back, and pray she didn't trip over her own feet without a steady hand ready to catch her.

Luckily, it seemed there would be no beating around the bush with Kyyrk. Which was good, because the Queen was not very good at that anyhow. "Straight to the point then," she started with a soft sigh. "As I'm sure its known by now, my Court has all but fallen apart at the seams. Anything I had gained traction on since my appointment has since then given way to nothing. I have come to the quick realization that I need to fill these places and surround myself with the best voices who would offer sound advice." A sigh parted her lips once again and her brow creased just a touch in the middle. "I know you do not know me, and vice versa. All I have is word of mouth and what I have read about you, but even that is enough to make me realize that I would be honored to have you in my corner."

There was a long moment of hesitated silence, and then a half laugh that was nervous at the edges. "I also realize that this is entirely unorthodox. I apologize for that, I am clearly not very good at this..." But she was trying, and she was learning.

 

[Kyyrk]

S U M M O N S
​

Kyyrk frowned as the woman spoke of her troubles. Her inner circle had collapsed on her, and she was now alone against the galaxy. He pondered her words in silence, almost asking her what the point of his presence was, if she needed a voice of wisdom. She spoke of having read of him. But unless Talon had granted her access to the TRUE archives, many of which had been erased at his own request, Kyyrk was doubtful she knew exactly who she had studied. In contrast to her timid and faltering behavior, Kyyrk walked calmly. His head was held high. He was confident. Sword of the Exarch, this man truly was.

He turned to the queen and arched a brow as she laughed nervously. He did not respond to this gesture otherwise, instead turning his attention back to the path they walked. He suddenly understood the task that was being asked of him in a new light. She spoke of needing to rebuild her court. And he suspected he was to be her executor in this matter. But there was something else. She said word of mouth. Those that knew of him, and what he was, would have naught but ill to speak of him. Save for one. Srina must have recommended him for a reason.

"Do not speak of unorthodox, your highness. You are the Queen, all matters are bent to suit your will. Your needs." Kyyrk's voice was soft, yet firm. Like that of a respected instructor. "I cannot help but wonder if you believe what you have read." His gaze turned towards the younger woman at his side. If she really had been speaking with Srina, and she really was approaching him to seek his aid, chances were good that she knew more than most. "Perhaps there is some place we could speak without...prying ears?"

Svana Neoma

 

[Svana Neoma]

Queen Liviana​

TAG: Kyyrk

A slow and thoughtful frown pulled down the corners of Svana's mouth. There was no part of her that wanted any sort of matters bent to her will. She wanted things to happen with justified fairness, though was not naïve enough to believe that such things really ever occurred. Still, she did not like the idea of pointing her finger for things to fall into place and them happening just because she said so. Her ability to demand was lacking, it had just never been who she was even before she had become Queen. However, she was smart enough not to voice this opinion aloud.

Which was fine, considering the following question that had come from her current companion. Svana blinked a moment as she seemed to consider this inquiry; of course there were such places. And so the young Queen bobbed her head in a simple nod. "Of course," she told him. "This way."

She did not wait more questions over the matter, she merely led the way inside the palace since that had been the original destination for his arrival in the first place. Posture of guards straightened, and while curiosities were certainly piqued, they all seemed to keep their poise and positions. It had been hard at first for Svana to not stare as she passed these men and women in uniform, but over her time since taking the throne, she had become used to their presence and comforted by it. And yet when she reached her destination of choice, she stopped just outside a singular door, and she waved a gentle hand.

"Leave us, please." she told the nearby guards, and while one did as he was told immediately, the other seemed to hesitate. Which made Svana sigh and loft a brow. "If he wanted me dead, I would not have made it this far." she pointed out, and that seemed to make the lingering guard consider, salute, and then step away as he had been asked. This left Svana to gesture into the room as she looked at Kyyrk; it was a drawing room of sorts. Simple, well lit, and very clearly well used. A place the young woman frequented a lot, clearly.

"I hope this will do." she spoke out once the pair of them were easily closed within the room. "Its the best I have in this place." Well, other than her personal chambers, but that was very much so off the table for anyone.

 

[Kyyrk]

Q U E S T I O N S
​

Much akin to the Queen he walked alongside, Kyyrk did not notice the guards. He too displayed an ease around such things, suggesting that he was not as new to such things as his file would suggest. As they paused outside the room, Kyyrk finally took note of the guard as Liviana spoke to him. He fixed the guard with a certain stare, one offering a silent reprimand for not immediately obeying the Queen's orders. He remained motionless, watching the guard retreat down the hallway for a moment before joining the Queen in the room within. "Loyal, if...too loyal."

His attention turned back to the queen, and the pale man smiled thinly as he stepped within the room. "It will do. I feel with the matter you have presented, there is best a certain...secrecy kept." Kyyrk looked around the room as he spoke, his gaze eventually landing on the Queen once again. "You say that you do not know me. And yet you asked for my help anyway. Since you know of me by word of mouth, I can only assume that Exarch Talon is the one who told you of me. I will not reveal the entire truth, out of respect for my master, but suffice it to say, I have a great deal of experience beyond what my datafiles would suggest."

He turned, taking a position near one of the chairs in the room, but clearly waiting until the Queen herself was seated before he even thought of sitting. "I was once a leader, the same as yourself. A mentor. A general. And, I once served as an advisor to the Naboo court in years past." His eyes twinkled in amusement as a wry grin spread across his face. "Though I doubt there would be any still alive to confirm that story for you." He paused, watching the queen for a moment as if deciding what to say.

"I do not know if Talon expects me to find you your advisors, or to become one. Ultimately, that decision rests upon your shoulders. I know this is much to ask of a Queen, but I would ask it all the same: I will render whatever assistance I can, but I will not serve an illusion unless necessary. I have served with Queens and Kings before, and many of them were never the same person as the one who wore the crown. The less ceremony we stand upon, the more help I can be."

Svana Neoma

 

[Svana Neoma]

Queen Liviana​

TAG: Kyyrk


Well, at least she had managed to do something right without having to put hours of thought into it. An empty room was easy enough, she supposed, but it was still a small accomplishment for Svana regardless. And it seemed the perfect place to dive right into business, and that was not something that upset the young Queen at all. "You would assume correctly." she told him. While she did not know the Exarch with familiarity, Svana was no fool. She knew when she was being given proper advice and when someone was filling her full of it. So she had followed that advice, and she had reached out, and now here they were.

The things that were said to her did not fall upon deaf ears. Svana did not request this meeting just to ignore the things that were said to her, whether it was advice, or whatever else. This was something she needed; to better help and serve her people. She could not do that alone, and she could not do that without the support of those who were more wise than she was. The fact that this man standing with her had already been in these very shoes she was going to offer him did give her pause however. Not because she was concerned, not because she was worried something foul had come from his end, but because for once? She really had done right.

This was someone who knew how to navigate the things that Svana was still trying to learn.

And then of course, there was the slight pitfall. Her focus became just a little more sharp when Kyyrk spoke of the illusions of royalty. She took a deep breath through her nose and sighed it out slowly the same way. "For some, the illusion between the two lives is necessary." the young Queen stated. "One may give the other strength in ways no one else can understand. That being said," her gaze lifted back to Kyyrk's and her brow was creased gently in the middle. "The only difference between my royal persona and I are a title and a strange sense of formidable balance that I do not seem to possess in private."

Svana was clumsy, there were no two ways about it. But something about the public eye kept her upright and aware of her surroundings. "Otherwise, I guarantee that there are no significant differences. I do not see the point in hiding myself from the people. Svana - myself, is who they decided was fit to rule. What sort of ruler would I be if I tucked away and hid everything about myself that they held in high enough regard, and trusted enough to lead them?"

 

[Kyyrk]

A D V I S E
​

Kyyrk watched the woman silently as she rebuked his claim that she held two different personas. He smiled softly, and nodded. "Good. Glad to know you're one of the more rational ones." He leaned back in his chair, and lifted his right ankle to rest upon his left knee. Too many times, he had seen nations fall because the power of the throne refused to listen to reason. To listen to the voice beside them begging to reconsider their course of action. Such leaders Kyyrk was tired of following. But Liviana? This one seemed to bear some sense. He only prayed she would maintain it.

Something in Kyyrk's demeanor changed. It was slight. Barely noticeable. But there was something...different. He was...how to say...less defiant. The challenge had gone from his eyes, and he now sat stoic as ever. As if he had deemed the young ruler worthy of his aid. "But to answer your question, some things are best left away from the public light." He offered her a sympathetic smile as if he did not want to tell her this, but must anyways. "Being dedicated to your true self is an admirable goal. But beware of revealing that which may come back to haunt you. The task of ruler can be a difficult and unfriendly one. And people will use every advantage they can against you."

His head canted to the side slightly. "If you took a lover, for instance. I can think of several breeds of ilk that would use him...or her...to get to you." He watched the woman quietly for a moment, then said, "Just something to think about. I'll not tell you what of your business is best kept in private." Kyyrk offered the queen a quick smile. "But, enough of the dark and dreary. If I may be so bold, perhaps we had best discuss this plan of yours, and what role I am to play in it?"

 

[Svana Neoma]

Queen Liviana​

TAG: Kyyrk


Strange how the change in someone else's demeanor could so easily affect others. When the shift happened in Svana's guest - slight as it may be - her own slight rigidness eased. And she didn't even really notice the fact. The room just suddenly felt easier to breathe in, and while there were still a bundle of nerves wrapped tightly within the Queen's belly, they were less directed at the Knight within the room and more to her situation as a whole. Though, perhaps the topic of discussion was a touch to blame as well.

"I would hate for the public to realize how much of a bumbling klutz their Queen is," she stated quietly, looking down at her hands. "I do work on it however." She did, though she was still quite skilled at tripping over her own feet, or sometimes nothing at all. And Shiraya help her if she leaned over too quickly to pick something up from the floor. "And there is no romance in my life, to be clear." She had thought for a fleeting moment there was something budding in her life, but it was gone as quickly as it had flickered into existence.

But, the change of subject made Svana breathe in slowly through her nose and exhale the same way. "I have a court full of gaping holes," she told him, getting right to the point. For there was no reason to beat around the bush over such a topic. "I need those holes filled, I need people who would take on the jobs and responsibilities and not stab me in the back throughout." The Queen's brow creased, "I also need someone to stand as an advisor in all things. Someone to advise in these decisions, as well as teach me the things I may not know." She no longer had anyone to fit that role, to help guide her through the things she was being sheltered from now as Queen.

"Perhaps that is a large task to ask of anyone, but I would like to extend the offer to you." Svana told him. "Out of the very few people I have discussed this delicate matter with, you are the only one thus far to still treat me as a person, and still offer sound advice to me as a ruler as well." It was both impressive and important, thus why she was extending the offer to him now.

 

[Kyyrk]

A D V I S E
​

Kyyrk lifted an apologetic hand as the Queen corrected him about the state of her personal life. "My apologies. I did not mean to imply. I simply used an example." He contemplated her words for a moment, then said with some degree of jest, "My knowledge extends only so far. I'd wager you would be better off keeping your own council in matters of dress and hairstyle." A wry grin spread across his face. "But matters of state? Matters of those you surround yourself with, that I can lend meaningful advice on."

His eyes turned towards the nearby window, and his brow furrowed slightly in the light. "Rulers are people too. Many seem to forget that fact. Most would chose to place you on a pedestal. A cut above us mortals. Little do they know that you think as we do. Feel as we do. Hurt as we do." He turned back towards the queen. "No one is invulnerable. In spite of every effort to appear so."

His eyes roamed across the queen's figure once more, his contemplative expression suggesting that he was searching for something. An answer, of sorts. But to what question? That was only for him to know. "I have been tasked with worse. If such is your wish, then I will gladly accept your decree. So where do we start?"

Svana Neoma