The Lady of Light

[Zonia Kalranoos]

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Theed Royal City​

GA Naboo​

Early evening​

Theme​

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The Republic had fallen, once again, crumbling under the weight of it's own gargantuan administration, consumed by bureaucracy and petty squabbles in the Senate, yet again unable to answer the threat from Sith-infested core. The Mandalorian crusade had delivered the final blow, disintegrating the once proud union of planets that ages ago spanned from the Tingel Arm to the Outer Rim. In times of peace, countless civilizations thrived under the Galactic Republic; its citizens saw purpose and progress, despite the imminent externalities of participatory democracy that accumulated over the centuries. Only in times of war was the Republic slow to respond, sluggish in retailiation, incompetent to defend planets against outside threat. Vested interests have weakened the fabric of freedom and responsibility through the ages, leaving a frail husk of once a glorious authority.

As Ra's armies invaded the Wookiee homeworld, it became evident the Republic could no longer hold its grip of even the most backwater of planets. A long warfront with the One Sith left commanders weary, troops spare and not as allegiant and politicians without arguments which could persuade the general populace that staying under GR authority was worthwhile. Yet, the date when a planet first joined the Republic remained special in almost every culture, marking a day when boundaries were transgressed and an entire civilization was elevated into the galactic community.

Naboo was no different when it came to tradition; The Festival of Light was still celebrated as the day of unity across the stars. Galactic Alliance officials were invited to attend the festivities, so Xan sent Zonia Kalranoos, chief economist in her stead. The Prakithan knew streets of Theed well, having studied economics at prestigous university in Naboo's capital city. On the square infront of the Royal Palace, merchants and artists gathered in a lustrous fair to celebrate. Thousands of lampions were hung from buildings and monuments, bathing iconic architecture in a pallete of warm yellow hues. Zonia was clad in a simple, form fitting black dress with a translucent cape, her hair arranged in a loose bun at the back of her head. Substance, not appearance, was she was renowned for.

"Why don't you run for office?" she repeated to herself whilst her gaze grazed the merchant stands with trinkets of all sorts. The question was asked some half an hour earlier, in a protocolar meeting she had with Naboo dignitaries. Zonia couldn't think of an impromptu answer.

"Because you are not good enough." the dark-haired woman answered her own question, then meandered through the festive crowd towards the center of the market where jewelry was sold. She had bought a jade bracelet for her late sister in the very same fair a decade ago, spending the last of her pocket money for the gift. Zonia's sister wore it on the day Sith had sold her to slavery, on the day the rest of Kalranoos family was slain, save for the girls

Spoiler

Anyone can join, who can write meaningful, multi-paragraph posts. However, I have an agenda. Just play along.

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[Rhan Komo]

The air was always fresh here on Naboo, always such clean air that could never be quite matched. Rhan enjoyed another breath before he raised his mask back over his nose. It was a delicacy, much like any dish, it must be properly handled and carefully added. Best that I don't infatuate myself with this air Rhan mused wearily. He turned and walked back over to his partners, Charles and Rebecca each had a datapad as they checked the moving crates of spices and Ripanna silently helping moving the crates to keep the spices safe.

Cinnamon, vanilla and Catabar were what Rhan had ordered before arriving on Naboo, he knew he would get decent prices on this Festival of Light the people were having. He moved closer to Charles, checking on the inventory quickly, Charles in turn nodded once and giving a thumbs up as Rebecca did the same to signal that everything was here and ready to load into their ship. Rhan nodded in returned and walked over to Ripanna as she too nodded that all the Spices were being treated carefully as they were moving the hovercrates closer to their ship.

"You're going to meet Sir Ka'nal correct?" Ripanna asked Rhan, her steel eyes stared into his golden ones.

"Yes, he'll be expecting me, he would chase us down if we left without stopping by his restaurant," Rhan explained as he walked over to the ship inspecting the cargo being loaded.

"It's bit telling that you seem excited Mister Rhan," Charles joked as he put away the datapad and helped organizing the loaded Spice crates into their holding compartments. "I'm sure he has forgiven you for dropping that bowl last time," He added. Rebacca in turn giggled as she walked over into the loading area of the ship with her twin brother Charles.

Ripanna looked over in surprise, "You dropped a bowl? In a restaurant? In front of your instructor?" She asked, wide eyed that such a man trained for perfection would mess up.

Rhan inwardly groaned as he shook his head silently, "Nein, it wasn't when he was my instructor and it wasn't exactly in his restaurant. I just had a moment of weakness and the bowl was passed to me without being cleaned off the oil, it simply slipped off my fingers, ja?" Rhan explained the incident to her. He solemnly rubbed his forehead as he walked to check the rest of the spices, assuring that they were all secured and ready for interstellar travel.

"Ah," Ripanna responded, not sure of how to make out this new discovery of her partner. As Rhan's other two partners simply choked their laughter as the continued to make sure the rest of the crates were secured.

"Let's finish quickly, I'm sure Sir Ka'nal wouldn't mind if we arrived a bit early." Rhan ordered to his partners.

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Most planets had some natural beauty about them that could be admired either from afar in space or on the surface to be awestruck with, while others were made to be beautiful or stunning like a City Planet of Coruscant. Naboo was one of the rare exception to Rhan that held both natural beauty mixed perfectly with the architecture built by the inhabitants. The lights and the festival added a different aesthetic feature to the royal city of Theed. Rhan though took little interest with the lights, they were distracting in his eyes, as he walked through the streets.

The four of them continued through the merchants before stopping by a larger area set up with several chairs and tables. Servers and such hustled to prepare the tables as a large man in a Chef's attired barked away orders as customers were slowly being led to the tables to be served. The large build chef turned around and spotted the four and his old face turned to a large smile instead of the snarl he just wore moments before.

Rhan knew he was using the word 'restaurant' loosely when he described his old instructor's restaurant but it was how Chef Ka'nal wanted to serve his customers. And serve them he would, with haste and due diligence. He approached him and hugged Charles, Rebecca and Ripanna first, all the time saying "Char's, 'Ecca and little Anna," The large man greeted warmly.

He turned to Rhan and outstretched his hand to him, "Koey," He greeted before he tugged harshly and pulled the mildly surprised but very annoyed Rhan in for a hug. "Its been too long my child," He added before releasing the man.

The other three snickered at the sound of Rhan's pet name 'Koey' but even with a glare from his golden eyes they only continued on with their laughter. "Ka'nal, a pleasure sir. I see you are already receiving customers," Rhan noted.

"Ah yes, it is getting a tad busy, and our outdoor kitchen happens to be understaffed," Ka'nal explained before pulling out four kitchen white aprons from what it seemed thin air. "And you four arrived just in time," Rhan knew what the invitation was really for when he had received weeks earlier, food was guaranteed, but never was it stated for whom.

Despite himself Rhan smiled, his mask disguised his emotion but Ka'nal too smiled at Rhan as if knowing the young man's feelings. He was and will always be a soldier, but tonight he would use his hands to cook once again.