Private The Hidden Fortress

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

"Twenty two." She said it while moving. "And the forest is not enchanted. It is just an illusion of the white current, it is actually a small area but the stone is masked with the trees." She said it though with a smile on her face. "And I want us to be better, keeping what we have already is great it is basic... but we should want more. We should want to reach for more and advancing culturrally and technologically is part of it. That we have given refugees from Ryloth a home on their own planet here in the Atrisi system.. that your people have been settling on the world and improving aspects of it same as the zeltrons and many of the others like the chiss. We have developed much from combining and hybridizing technologies."

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

"Twenty-two?" Supisy came to a complete stop for half a second. Not because the bamboo forest was confusing. Because that number was.

She stared at Junko. Then held up both hands as though attempting to physically count hidden villages. "Twenty-two secret settlements." A beat. "Princess, at what point does it stop being a hidden fortress and become an entire hidden civilization?"

She resumed walking, shaking her head with amused disbelief. "I thought I was getting a tour of an island." Her eyes narrowed dramatically. "Instead I've apparently been dating a small nation." The moment the words left her mouth she blinked. A beat. Then another. "...Visiting." Her grin became absolutely shameless. "I meant visiting." Not a hint of remorse accompanied the correction.

The explanation of the White Current earned a thoughtful hum. "So not enchanted." Supisy gestured vaguely at the bamboo surrounding them. "Just reality being politely persuaded to stand somewhere else."

She nodded. "That's somehow worse." A laugh escaped her as she carefully followed the markers. "One day I'm going to learn enough about Atrisia to stop being surprised."

A glance toward Junko. "Today is clearly not that day." As Junko continued, however, Supisy found herself listening more closely. The joking quieted. Not vanished. Just softened.

Her people. The Twi'leks. The refugees. The Chiss. The Zeltrons. Worlds that had been given room to become something more than survivors. She knew what survival looked like. She had spent most of her life in its shadow. "You know," she said after a moment, her voice quieter than before, "most places that take refugees talk about what they can get from them."

Her fingers brushed one of the bamboo stalks as they passed. "Labor." A small shrug. "Taxes." Another few steps. "Population numbers."

Her blue eyes shifted back toward Junko. "You talk about what they can build." The smile that followed was small but genuine. "I think that's why it works."

Then, because she was Supisy Blen and sincerity could only survive so long without being rescued by mischief—She pointed accusingly at Junko. "For the record, I am deeply suspicious of your answer." A brow rose. "Twenty-two hidden settlements and not one dedicated entirely to silk?"

Her gaze dropped briefly to Junko's clothing again. Then climbed back up. "Statistically impossible." She moved a little closer as they followed the path through the bamboo. "I refuse to believe those miraculous fabrics simply appear." Another step. "They're either woven by an elite order of silk artisans..." A grin. "...or they're harvested from some rare Atrisian moon-spider that only emerges beneath starlight."

She tilted her head. "Honestly?" A thoughtful pause. "Both sound equally plausible at this point."

Her shoulder brushed lightly against Junko's as they walked. "And if there is a secret silk village, you should just tell me now." Supisy's smile widened. "It'll save me the trouble of eventually trying to sneak off and find it myself."

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

"You are not wrong, the silks from the sunless lands are a Kyushi exclusive. no one can make it like they do which is why most of Atrisia doesn't try. We have simply given them the means to properly augment it and they are able to make a little more for use as the numbers expand." She said it while looking at Supisy though and the mention of what they are getting from the refugees and how she talks is there. "You are not wrong but it is more then that. Refugees seeking aid will always get it and all that is asked is if they can aid in helping keep the cycle going. Their labor as it were is not being exploited, they make plenty for themselves and we can give them housing depending on the situation.. give them the education and chance for a new life or if they want to try and return to their world or help who is trying to liberate it we can get them there."

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

"Ah." Supisy nodded sagely. "So there is a silk kingdom, just happens to be not so secret." Her grin widened immediately. "I knew it."

She pointed triumphantly at Junko as though some great mystery had finally been solved. "You can call them Kyushi exclusives all you want, but from where I'm standing that's just a very elegant way of saying 'hidden luxury textile empire.'"

Her eyes drifted briefly over Junko's attire again. "And frankly, the evidence continues to support my position."

The bamboo shifted softly around them as they walked, the filtered light catching in Junko's hair. Supisy found herself smiling before she quite realized it. That happened more often around the Princess than she cared to admit.

Then Junko spoke about the refugees. And the smile lingered. Not because it was funny. Because it sounded real. Supisy knew the difference. She'd heard plenty of speeches from people with power. Most talked about populations. Resources. Assets.

Junko talked about choices. About giving people options. About helping them leave if leaving was what they wanted. For a few moments Supisy was quiet. "That's why people stay."

The words came simply. Matter-of-fact. Her gaze stayed ahead on the path. "If someone helped me because they expected something in return, I'd spend my entire life waiting for the bill."

A small shrug. "Most people would." She glanced sideways at Junko. "But if you help someone and then let them choose what comes next..." A soft smile touched her lips. "They remember."

The look lingered a moment longer before the familiar spark returned. "Of course, in my case, you also gave me a title, a ship, a home, and apparently unlimited access to increasingly dangerous luxury." Supisy placed a hand dramatically over her chest. "So now I have to wonder if you're running some kind of long-term strategy."

A beat. "Maybe this is how Atrisia conquers worlds." Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Not with fleets." Another step closer. "With hospitality."

She gasped. "Force." The accusation became more dramatic. "The spas." A finger pointed toward Junko. "The silks." Another. "The impossible gardens." A third. "The secret villages." A fourth. ” The most beautiful Princess in the galaxy.”

Supisy stopped and stared. "You've been building a weapon this entire time." Then she broke into laughter. "A terrifying one." Her shoulder brushed lightly against Junko's again as they continued walking.

"You realize if you'd found me ten years ago and offered me educational opportunities, a beautiful island, custom ship upgrades, and the chance to work side by side with a beautiful Jedi Princess, I'd have signed literally anything." A pause. Her smile softened. "Actually." Another glance toward Junko. "I probably still would."

The teasing lingered in her eyes as she looked ahead again. "Though at this point I'm less worried about the ship." Her brow lifted. "Now I want to know what other absurd things you've hidden out here."

A grin. "Because every time I think I've reached peak Atrisia, you casually reveal another village, another sanctuary, or another reality-bending forest."

She tilted her head toward Junko. "Be honest." The smile turned mischievous again. "Am I eventually going to discover you've hidden a palace somewhere that's devoted entirely to teaching people how to spoil me?"

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

She just looked at her. "Well that spoils the secret." She threw her hands up in joke though but was looking at more of it. "Atrisia merely offers, those who come here choose to stay because they get that chance and that choice... and you have provided plenty to me and Atrisia... and I am not just talking about how you and Latty always look good for me in micro-bikini's." She said it while she was walking and the bamboo forest gave way to a pine forest.. the larger trees surrounded by rocky canyons and as the ground dipped down the upper canopy was there. Junko pointed though while she moved and the forest gave way to groves and ringed areas where the trees surrounded mud pits of different styles and forms. The workers there taking great care with it.

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

Supisy placed a hand dramatically over her heart. "Ah, so there is a palace devoted entirely to spoiling me." She pointed at Junko triumphantly. "I knew it."

The mention of her and Latty's contributions drew a laugh. "Oh, now we're discussing my professional accomplishments. Good. For a moment I thought we were talking about trade and diplomacy."

She bumped lightly against Junko's shoulder. "And for the record, Latty deserves at least half the credit for the micro-bikini initiative." That was only true because Latty enjoyed showing off for the Princess. When Junko was not around Latty’s swimsuits were anything but micro.

The pine forest and clay groves beyond finally stole her attention. Her joking faded as she took in the carefully maintained pits and the artisans working among them. "Oh." A smile spread across her face. "So this is where it all starts."

Her gaze swept over the scene before returning to Junko. "You keep showing me hidden forests, secret villages, and now entire communities of artists." She tilted her head. "And somehow I keep ending up more impressed by the guide than the destination."

A beat. Then the grin returned. "Though I should warn you." Supisy pointed toward one of the clay pits. "I can fly through a blockade. I can survive court functions."

Her eyes sparkled. "But if you hand me clay, there's a very real chance I'll create an entirely new category of artistic disaster. You did see my attempts to paint right?" Supisy smirked again as she watched the Princess. "Of course if you were to guide my hands…”

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

She laughed a little at the memory of Supisy painting but all of it was valid and there were some who painted and it literally looked like finger paints but sold for billions so... she could work with that. "Never know with the right marketing we could sell your pieces for millions maybe even billions." She was laughing though as walking into the village proper there were Atrisians working and they were happy to see Junko, their outfits streaked with different muds but it wasn't dirty.. it was almost humble and part of their looks. Junko waas looking at them though with a look of interest. "And Supisy, you do quite a lot for us, so indulging like this is perfect."

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

Supisy let out a laugh at that. "Oh, absolutely not." She pointed a finger at Junko as they entered the village. "You are not allowed to convince people my artistic incompetence is secretly genius."

A beat. "Though if someone wants to pay billions for a lump of clay I accidentally sat on, I suppose I'd be willing to hear the offer."

Her attention shifted briefly to the villagers greeting Junko. The ease with which they welcomed her didn't escape notice. They were happy to see her. Not obligated. Happy.

That made Supisy smile. When Junko spoke again, Supisy's grin softened. "You know," she said, stepping a little closer, "most people would've stopped at giving me freedom."

Her eyes lingered on the Princess. "A home, a title, a ridiculous ship upgrade, and an island tour is setting a very dangerous precedent." The smile returned, bright and playful. "At this rate, I'm going to start wondering if you're trying to spoil me on purpose."

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

Junko looked at her. "I can do it.. I can totally find someone in the galaxy who buys twi'lek butt impressions. There is a market for anything if you look hard enough." She had a grin on her face at that thought and who the buyer would be or better yet how much they could possibly make for it cause now she was curious and she would have to check out a few things that might make it all work with Min. The mention that she was intentionally spoiling her was there and she gave a grin. "Yes." Walking for a moment as she turned to look at her and offered her arm. "Of course I can give you a title, I can give you a dozen titles and all of them will be importaant... and then give you one like Lady plus all of these titles to have them announce you at events."

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

Supisy stopped walking for a moment and stared at Junko. Then she laughed. A real, helpless laugh. "The fact that your response wasn't 'that's ridiculous' but 'I can find a buyer' is honestly a little concerning."

She shook her head, still grinning. "Though, to be fair..." Her brow lifted. "I do have a tremendous butt." The declaration was delivered with complete confidence. "If anyone in the galaxy could accidentally start a luxury art market with it, I'd probably be near the top of the list."

When Junko admitted she was intentionally spoiling her, Supisy's smile softened into something warmer. "At least you're honest about it." She accepted the offered arm without hesitation. Then came the titles. A dozen titles. Announcements. Ceremony. Supisy groaned dramatically.

"Oh no." She leaned slightly closer as they walked. "You've discovered my weakness." A beat. "I pretend to hate being fussed over, but deep down I'm exactly vain enough to enjoy hearing someone spend thirty seconds announcing my arrival."

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Especially if they have to include 'Owner of the Galaxy's Most Valuable Butt Impression' somewhere in the introduction."

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

"See you get it and thirty seconds is child's play.. no we are looking for the full five minute monologue of titles. THe kind that people hear it and wonder if you just made things up for the sole purpose of this right here." She said it and moving as she stood with one of the Atrisian woman approaching. Her skin showing darker tanlines and Junko spoke. "Lady X'zart." Junko bowed and the woman laughed while coming near. "Princess and Lady Blen, welcome welcome. We have just begun to test a fresh batch of Jade scrub." Junko gave a nod of her head to that as she was looking. "The newly harvested is the best but I am just showing Lady Blen around the island today... no indulging yet. Maybe later."

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

Supisy's eyes immediately brightened at the mention of a fresh jade scrub.

"Oh?" The single word carried entirely too much interest. She looked toward Lady X'zart, then back to Junko, then back to Lady X'zart again. When Junko delivered the devastating no indulging yet, Supisy's shoulders visibly slumped.

"Your Highness." The accusation was immediate. "That is incredibly cruel." A hand settled dramatically over her heart. "To show me luxury and then tell me I must wait for it."

Despite herself, she laughed. "Fine. I shall endure this terrible hardship."

Supisy offered Lady X'zart a warm smile and a small bow of her head. "My deepest apologies for missing the fresh batch." Her grin returned. "But I promise I'll be back for that scrub."

With that, she stepped back toward Junko, naturally closing the distance between them again. "See?" she said lightly. "I'm being patient. You should be very proud." Then she slipped a little closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "So, Princess..." Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Where are you taking me next?"

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

"Oh I have a special place in mind." She sai dit while she was walking though and the village was beautiful. THe forest after it gave waay to homes built into the trees... large interlocking roots between the estates. Families of her soldiers who moved here and handmaidens. There were more as the forest opening to a mountain itself and Junko touched the stone. The illusion shimmering as the doorway opened... the siren's trove wa shere as it opened to Junko's biometrics and a massive clear dome was above the sunken pool. A sea of greens and blues reflecting and shifting... then reds and yellow, clear white and silvers. "The siren's trove... you could say it is the ultimate indulgence. each gemstone, ingot has micro repulsors allowing it to be like an ocean."

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

Supisy followed along happily enough until Junko revealed the name. Then she stopped. "Nnno." Her eyes narrowed immediately. "The Siren's Trove?"

She looked at Junko with feigned suspicion. "That is an alarming name." A beat. "That's not a place you casually invite someone to."

As the hidden doorway shimmered open, Supisy folded her arms and shook her head. "Every spacer knows how this story goes." She stepped through anyway. "Sirens use lovely voices and attractive appearances to lure unsuspecting travelers to their doom."

Her gaze slid pointedly toward Junko, a smirk noticeable on her lips. "And I feel like you're meeting at least two of those requirements already."

The moment she entered, however, the rest of her joking complaint died completely. "Oh." The single syllable escaped her breathlessly. The shifting sea of gemstones and precious metals reflected across her blue eyes as she slowly turned in place.

The colors danced across the dome overhead. The entire chamber seemed alive. For perhaps the first time all day, Supisy was genuinely speechless. For nearly three seconds. Then she looked back at Junko.

"...You built a treasure hoard." Her hands spread helplessly. "Princess, this is a treasure hoard."

A grin slowly overtook her face. "You've somehow managed to create the exact thing every spacer dreams of finding and every insurance company fears."

She wandered a few steps closer to the shimmering ocean of gems before glancing back over her shoulder. "Be honest." Her smile turned playful again. "How many people have walked in here, seen this, and immediately agreed to whatever you wanted?"

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

SHe looked at her with a wider grin on her face as she debated how to answer that. "Well none yet, my handmaidens alrready knew about it and this is just a portion of what we have. The newest things that we have been working on." She said it with a grin though on her face when she stretched out. "THere are several of these and a handful of other worlds have made their own. To show economic growth and also to build up goodwill. It is developed for those who might need something to be able to take something." There was more and she would be able to check on it but impressing and having some fun with Supisy was a good and fun way to do it.

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

Supisy stared at her. Then at the ocean of gemstones. Then back at Junko. "Just a portion." She repeated the words slowly, as though they had personally offended her understanding of scale. "Princess, most governments would call this their entire treasury." A laugh escaped her as she shook her head. "And you casually describe it as a portion."

She wandered a few steps along the edge of the shimmering sea before turning back. The grin on her face was impossible to suppress. "You know, I was joking earlier about you conquering worlds through hospitality."

Her hands spread toward the treasure-filled chamber. "But this is not helping your defense." Supisy's eyes sparkled. "You lure people through enchanted forests—"

A finger pointed at Junko. "Yes, enchanted. I've made my ruling." Another finger. "Show them impossible luxury." Another. "Then casually offer them gifts."

She tilted her head. "At some point this becomes strategic." The teasing softened into something warmer as she looked around again.

Truthfully, the treasure was impressive. But she kept finding her attention returning elsewhere. Her gaze settled on Junko. "Though I think your success rate is actually lower than you think." A small smile tugged at her lips. "You keep showing me incredible places."

A glance around the trove. "And somehow I still spend most of my time looking at the guide." Supisy folded her hands behind her back and took a step closer. "So tell me, Your Highness..."

Her grin returned. "Am I allowed to take something from the treasure ocean, or is the real prize just getting the private tour?"

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

THat brought a smile and laugh to her as she looked. "If you wish to take something go ahead. except that ruby that one is special." She said it and pointed at the massive ocean not singling out but giving her the biggest. "But yes I am seducing and this is only a portion. I said that Atrisia was a lot better off then some knew and we have onnly continued. Since we are one of the few planets in the galaxy that has self sustaining technologies and fabrication. We are able to sell a lot more to the galaxy and it is from all citizens. If even everyone makes one item, that sells for ten credits, once a day. That is still across the commonwealth a population of one hundred trillion, six hundred and eighty billion plus people. We only need to take a tenth of it for tax."

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

Supisy followed Junko's gesture toward the massive ruby and immediately smirked. "Oh, now I want that one even more." She laughed before shaking her head. "Don't worry. I know better than to steal a Princess's favorite treasure."

Her gaze drifted out across the shimmering ocean of gemstones. "Hmm." A thoughtful look crossed her face. "You know, if I were hiding something truly interesting, I wouldn't leave it near the edge."

Supisy turned back toward Junko, blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'd hide it somewhere out in the middle." She pointed toward the deeper portions of the gemstone sea. "Which means I should probably investigate."

A beat. Then, with entirely deliberate innocence: "You'll swim out there with me, won't you?" Her smile widened. "Only problem is..."

She glanced down at herself. "I didn't exactly bring a swimsuit." The statement was delivered with just enough suggestion to make it dangerous before she smoothly changed subjects.

Then Junko started throwing around population and production figures. Supisy blinked. Once. Twice. Then let out a long whistle. "That's a lot of credits."

She looked back toward the treasure ocean. Then at Junko. Then back at the treasure. "You know, every time I think I've figured out how wealthy Atrisia is, you casually reveal another number that sounds completely made up."

Her grin returned. "Honestly, between the treasure hoards, the hidden villages, and the economic output, I'm beginning to suspect you're secretly trying to buy the entire galaxy."

A pause. Her eyes lingered on Junko. "Though judging by your success rate so far, you're doing a much better job convincing individuals."

 

[Junko Ike]

Supisy Blen

"True" She said it looking at the lack of a swimsuit with a grin. "We are just a lot smarter with our credits.... and one galaxy. Supisy you are thinking too small. We have colonies on ten galaxies now thanks to our hypergates. We are able to spread the benefits of the Commonwealth to places that the rest of the galaxy are not even able to touch." SHe said it though with a small laugh to herself when she was walking and stayed where she was before jumping backwards into the gemstones that parted for her while she swam backwards. "We have so many more things and you'd be surprised with what is in your palace in the second bathhouse."

 

[Supisy Blen]

Objective: Back to the Noble Life
Location: Junko’s Palace, Atrisia
Outfit:Casual Palace Attire
Tags: Junko Ike

Supisy blinked. "...Ten galaxies?" She gave Junko an utterly flat look. "I apologize." A hand settled over her chest. "I underestimated your ambitions."

The corner of her mouth twitched. "I'll try to think on a more intergalactic scale from now on." Then, before she could say another word, Junko threw herself backward into the sea of gemstones.

Supisy laughed, the sound echoing beneath the great dome. "There she goes." She wandered to the edge, looking down at the Princess floating effortlessly among what had to be the most expensive swimming pool in existence.

"I don't know why I'm surprised anymore." Her grin widened. "Of course the Princess swims through precious gems."

At the mention of the second bathhouse in her palace, Supisy looked up sharply. "In my palace?" Her brow arched. "I haven't even found the first reason to leave the first bathhouse." She folded her arms in exaggerated contemplation. "So you're telling me I've been living there without properly exploring it?"

A dramatic sigh. "I've failed nobility." Then she smiled down at Junko. "You'd better show me this mysterious second bathhouse." A beat. "Clearly I require additional instruction in the finer points of being thoroughly spoiled."

With that, Supisy slipped off her outer wrap and kicked away her sandals, leaving herself in the light, fitted clothes she'd been wearing beneath. She set everything neatly beside the pool's edge before looking back down at Junko with a mischievous smile. "I suppose if I'm going to investigate properly..." She stepped to the edge. "...I shouldn't leave the Princess to do all the swimming herself."

A heartbeat later she dove cleanly into the shimmering sea. The gemstones parted around her with surprising ease, glittering in every color as she surfaced a few moments later a short distance from Junko.

Supisy laughed, brushing a damp strand of hair back behind one lekku as countless gems drifted lazily around them. "I have to admit," she said, smiling warmly at the Princess, "this may be the most extravagant swim I've ever been talked into."