Private The Midwife King

[Aurelian Veruna]

Location: Rainspire, Parrlay
Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Corazona von Ascania | Makko Vyres

Aurelian leaned against the wood table, a dangerous smile playing on his lips as he gathered some of the Rainspire staff. The air smelled of expensive polish and frantic preparation for the Dowager Princess. He ignored Sibylla's dubious expression and focused on his captive audience. "We were trapped in that lift for hours in near total darkness. I didn't need instructions or support. It was pure instinct. Only kings know how to step up in a crisis like that."

He straightened his jacket, looking every bit the noble savior he imagined himself to be. "Corazona tried to hang on, but I walked her through every second of it. I delivered the heir to that dirt world of Ukatis with my own two hands." He sighed for dramatic effect, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I knew the moment I held her that I'd be the perfect godfather. Corazona even tried to name the girl Aurelia after me, but I wouldn't do that to Makko. I didn't need the galaxy thinking I was the father."

The staff stared at him with bewildered silence. Aurelian simply waved them off, his charisma masking the fact that he hadn't actually seen the child in some time. "Back to work. Everything must be perfect for their arrival. I imagine they're coming to formally thank me. It will be a change of pace to see the mother actually mothering instead of throwing herself into a war zone." He believed if he said it often enough, the title of Godfather would simply become a reality, even though she hadn't said it for certain.

He turned to Sibylla as the servants scattered to their stations. "I'm excited for you to meet my goddaughter. She's special, unlike the rest of those von Ascania types."

A nearby servant interrupted them, bowing low to announce that the ship from Ukatis had just touched down on the landing pad. Aurelian adjusted his cuffs and flashed one last confident grin. It was time to collect his due.

​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Aurelian Veruna Corazona von Ascania

"Is that so?" Sibylla's dry voice floated over towards Aurelian, the slight arch of her brows along with the subtle twist at the corner of her lips stating clearly that she was well aware of the sort of of over the top rubbish Aurelian was known for. He'd exaggerate and elaborate the details to paint himself in a better light -- much like how he did back at Dominque's inauguration, where he had drunkenly detailed just how he had saved the day for Lady von Ascania.

However, with as much as he was claiming Luciana as his goddaughter, an inevitable desire to tease him rose mischievously within her breast as the Abrantes murmured low enough for his ears.

"Well..." she went on, stepping closer at an unhurried pace, her hands folding lightly behind her back as though she were about to deliver a perfectly reasonable observation, "this is illuminating."

She gave a slight tilt of her head, the more casual braiding of her hair a sign of a more relaxed posture than that shown at court or the Senate. She was more comfortable here, that was certain, and in the wake of the events of Corellia she had come to consider the Rainspire more as her respite than merely Aurelian's home.

Then again, he had ensured it felt every inch her own as well.

"Then I take it," she continued, quipping back with dangerous innocence, though a small spark lit the gold in her hazel eyes, the curve of her mouth broadening as she added, with a mock sense of assurance and gratitude. "That when the time comes, you intend to personally oversee the arrival of your own children into this universe?"

"Oh, how reassuring for your future wife," she added, placing a hand lightly over her heart in mock sincerity, though the laughter dancing behind her gaze betrayed her entirely.

"To know they shall be delivered by their father before they even have the courtesy to be born....what a comfort that must be."

The whisper of her lovely, bright citrine colored dress caressed her legs as she released a soft exhale that was almost a laugh.

"Truly, Aurelian, you are setting a remarkable precedent. Kingship, governance, warfare -- yes, yes, all very expected, but this...." She glanced meaningfully at his hands again.

"This is quite the expansion of your duties."

Those hazel eyes flicked back up to his, bright and entirely unrepentant.

"I do hope you plan to include it in your official titles. It would be a shame for history to overlook such… talents. The Midwife King!"

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Lucy had slept for much of the flight, but as the craft broke through the cloudcover of Parrlay, she stirred awake. Perhaps the pressure change was too much for tiny eardrums, perhaps it was the surprise of waking up somewhere new - whatever it was, she let her parents know of her discomfort the only way she knew how.

By screaming.

One diaper change later, the little family disembarked, and the girl managed to settle. Now, as an attendant lead them through the precisely landscaped courtyard to the spire, baby Luciana was all smiles.

Cora reached down into the pram and rubbed a thumb gently over her daughter's cheek, wiping away the residual moisture from her earlier tears.

"Thank Ashla she’s calmed down," Cora murmured to Makko. Her daughter responded with a gummy smile.

Rainspire was everything she'd expected from the seat of Veruna power; cold, cruel elegance. Somehow, it was still a little surprising to be here and see it in person. Perhaps it was a sign that her somewhat-friendship with the king was actually that - though, she could imagine a place like this, with its endless ocean view and steeply dropped cliffs to be an instrument of intimidation in certain circumstances.

She frowned in consideration, tilting her head towards Makko. "This suits him, I think."

Makko Vyres Aurelian Veruna Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Makko Vyres]

MAKKO

Aurelian Veruna Corazona von Ascania Sibylla Abrantes

Makko kept one hand on the pram handle, the other resting lightly at the small of Cora’s back as they followed the attendant through the courtyard.

The Naboo sea breeze tugged at his jacket and ruffled the little purple streak in his otherwise black hair. The streaks were all growing out now. Redying those steaks to stand out didn't seem like his greatest priority.

Luciana was waving one tiny fist at the bright sky like she was trying to grab it. Some bad part of himself had hoped to turn up with a screaming Luciana just because he knew it would irritate Aurelian. Sharing the pain.

He let out a low chuckle at Cora’s comment.

"Yeah… cold, dramatic, and built on a cliff edge. Definitely his style," he muttered back.

"The ocean air is nice though."

The arrived at the front door, staff already in place to lead them up.

"If she cries again we're making him hold her."

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Corazona von Ascania | Makko Vyres

Aurelian narrowed his eyes at Sibylla, his grin sharpening as she tried to knock him off balance. He let out a short, mock laugh at her jab about his medical talents. "I do my duty humbly, Lady Abrantes. When a damsel is in distress, a King steps up. It is a remarkable precedent, I know, but I've never been one for half-measures." He began walking toward the grand entrance, signaling for the staff to follow.

He caught Sibylla's gaze and lifted an eyebrow, his expression sliding into something more suggestive. "My wife should be so lucky to have a man willing to step in during a crisis. Mind you, we will be far better prepared when the time comes. I'd never be so foolish as to let my wife gallivant around the galaxy while expecting. She will never find herself in a position that requires such desperate heroics." He let the implication hang in the air, giving her no room for rebuttal, as if there would be any argument against it.

The heavy doors swung open just as the guests approached. Aurelian still hadn't decided if he should address them as the Vyres or the von Ascanias, given Makko's distinctly common roots.

He pushed the thought aside and stepped forward with a flourish. "Welcome to Parrlay!" His voice echoed against the cold stone of the hall. He bypassed both parents entirely, moving straight for the pram with single-minded focus.

He leaned over the child, offering a finger for her to grab. "Ah, I see she appreciates the air here. It suits her better than that dust bowl she has come from."

As little Lucy gripped his hand, Aurelian finally looked up, though his attention remained on the infant. "How has she been? Has she shown any signs of her godfather's superior intellect yet?" He completely ignored the travel-worn state of the adults, more interested in their tiny heir.

​

 

[Makko Vyres]

MAKKO

Aurelian Veruna Sibylla Abrantes Corazona von Ascania

Glances were exchanged with Cora as Aurelian strode straight through them to the infant. Far from annoyed, he was pleasantly surprised at his keen interest in the baby.

"Thank you so much for hosting us."

Makko imagined Aurelian's interest would wane when it came to dealing with the endless stream of body fluids such a small creature could produce.

"How has she been? Has she shown any signs of her godfather's superior intellect yet?"

Makko’s eyebrow rose sharply at his comment, a crooked smirk tugging at the scar on his lip.

"Too early for a direct comparison," Makko replied. "We should be able to see by..."

He glanced at Cora for a little theatre.

"Age two or three?"

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Aurelian Veruna Corazona von Ascania Makko Vyres

She will never find herself in a position that requires such desperate heroics.

A bold claim indeed.

Sibylla felt it settle somewhere between disbelief and quiet amusement as she watched Aurelian make a very deliberate, very immediate beeline for the child the moment Makko and Cora stepped into view, her expression shifting into open disbelief… and then, quite helplessly, into humor.

Who, she wondered privately, is this man, and what has he done with Aurelian Veruna?

Those hazel eyes flicked to Cora, then to Makko, brows lifting in silent, eloquent inquiry -- are you seeing this?

Because surely, surely, this required witnesses.

SIbylla gave another small shake of her head but the smile that curved over her lips brightened as Sibylla stepped forward to greet them properly. She wrapped Cora in a warm embrace first before turning to Makko with the same welcome.

Sibylla let out a soft, entirely undignified snort regarding Lucy showing the same intellect as Aurelian by age three before she could stop herself, quickly masking it behind a composed breath as she inclined her head.

"No trouble at all," she replied quickly regarding hostig them at the Rainspire, though the amusement still colored her tone. "Aurelian was more than happy to dedicate… extensive time to the matter."

Her attention panned toward where the King of Naboo had all but claimed the child as his own personal diplomatic assignment.

"In fact," she added lightly, eyes glinting, "I would encourage you to provide him with further responsibilities...something suitably complex."

Pearly white teeth flashed as her smile broadened with a tease.

"It may be the only way anyone else is permitted to hold your daughter again."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Luciana's whole hand closed around the King's index finger with surprising strength. She gurgled contentedly from the comfort of her pram.

Aurelian had last seen her during the traumatic chaos of her birth; pink, wrinkled, and screaming. He also delivered a baby.

Now, Luciana was calmer. Fair-complected like her mother, with a head of wispy dark curls from her father. Big blue eyes stared up at her godfather-hopeful.

"Ah!" she went.

Cora exchanged a glance first with Makko, then with Sibylla as the King of Naboo floated past the new parents and honed in on the pram. This was, perhaps, the only time she'd seen Aurelian be somewhat endearing. Endearing-adjacent.

Privately, she was a little relieved that the indignity of her practically giving birth on him hadn't soured the royal on the newest member of the von Ascania family. It seemed to have had the opposite effect entirely; perhaps Aurelian developed a bond with Luciana after he'd helped to bring her into the galaxy?

"It's good to see you again," Cora sighed as she returned Sibylla's embrace. "And I think you're right. Did you hear that, King Veruna?"

The mother leveled her gaze on Aurelian as he fussed over the baby, amusement lingering in the fatigue of her expression. "You've the honor of diaper duty."

Aurelian Veruna Sibylla Abrantes Makko Vyres

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Corazona von Ascania | Makko Vyres

Directly meeting Makko's gaze, Aurelian allowed a flat, unreadable expression to settle on his face. "You know, Makko... you're actually growing on me." He didn't wait for a response, immediately dropping his focus back to the pram. A soft gurgle from the infant was met with a genuine smile as she squeezed his finger. Shaking his hand gently to entertain her, he murmured, "I made sure the Rainspire was in tip top shape for you, little one. Only the best for my goddaughter."

The suggestion of further duties from both Sibylla and Cora made him snap upright, his posture regaining its regal rigidity. "Are both of you mad? We aren't peasants. We have an entire staff for those sorts of menial tasks." He crossed his arms, looking between the two women with feigned offense. "Besides, a godfather is meant for the fun parts of life, not the actual labor. I provide the legacy and the excitement, not the maintenance."

A quick wave of his hand summoned a senior member of the household staff, a woman who had, coincidentally, performed the same services for him decades ago. "Please, let's get this taken care of so I can hold her without being a victim of whatever is brewing," he said, ushering the group further into the hall. "Inside, everyone. There is much to discuss and very little time for lingering in doorways."

​

 

[Makko Vyres]

MAKKO

Sibylla Abrantes Corazona von Ascania

Directly meeting Makko's gaze, Aurelian allowed a flat, unreadable expression to settle on his face. "You know, Makko... you're actually growing on me."

The suggestion of further duties from both Sibylla and Cora made him snap upright, his posture regaining its regal rigidity. "Are both of you mad? We aren't peasants.

Makko grinned and almost broke into a polite laugh at Aurelian's comment.

Then he summoned forth a nanny to help with duties.

"I am a peasant, remember?" he mused. He offered half a wink in Sibylla's direction.

He made light of the situation but he was also too tired to argue as they were led into the building and taken somewhere more comfortable.

They might have been through the worst of sleepless nights, but they were both very tired. Not that he would change anything. Every moment was time to bond with his daughter.

It was acceptable for a god parent to avoid it, but he didn't want to hand off parenting. His own parents had been absent from his life and there had been no staff to pick up the care.

Right now, he was more than happy to enjoy some hospitality and relaxation.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Aurelian Veruna Corazona von Ascania Makko Vyres

Sibylla rolled her eyes though the effect was entirely lost the moment her lips betrayed her with a soft, breath-warmed laugh. She couldn't help it, even as her attention slipped to Cora, sharing a look between the other woman who, in their own ways, had been subjected to Aurelian Veruna in full performance.

You see it too, yes? her expression seemed to reveal, unable to hide the way her expression softened despite the absurdity of it all. Because for all his theatrics, for all the impossible embellishments and insufferable hovering, there was something undeniably… earnest and endearing beneath it.

He truly did hold affection for Lucy. That wasn't lie or a play for sway. Aurelian genuinely seemed drawn to Lucy. Which made Sibylla wonder, if he could be this way with a youngling that wasn't his own, how would he be with children of his own?

Sibylla exhaled lightly through her nose, composure settling back into place as she turned her attention toward the scene before her where Aurelian had positioned himself with the quiet determination of a man who had already decided the child belonged, at least partially, to him.

"Alright," she said at last in a low tone threaded with unmistakable amusement, "that is quite enough."

She drew back from Cora and Makko and made her way close to the pram.

"Do stop hovering, Aurelian, others might like the opportunity to meet her properly."

She stepped forward as he ushered them along, taking full advantage of the moment to lean slightly toward the pram, her gaze softening as she finally took in Lucy up close.

Warmth filled her as she saw the lovely infant, and after a second she glanced up at Cora and Makko with that bright expression despite the fading scars over the left side of her face.

"May I?" she asked them to see if it was okay to pick up Lucy. Then her eyes flickered ever so briefly back to Aurelian, then back again to Cora and Makko, her smile turning ever so slightly in impish delight.

"At the very least," she added sweetly, "I feel it my duty to rescue her…before she is permanently claimed and cataloged under royal possession."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

As Makko reminded Aurelian of the circumstances of his birth, Cora couldn't help the way one corner of her lips lifted in a sharp flick. She had pride in who her husband was.

The amused little half smile deepened as Aurelian balked at the idea of changing diapers, waving over a stately woman who had governess written all over her.

"She should be good," Cora mused, still ticked by the King's affectionate demeanor with her baby. "We changed her just before disembarking. Still, babies are full of surprises."

With a muted groan, Cora lifted Luciana from her pram and settled the babe into her arms.

"How do you like this, hm?" she asked the infant, brushing back a wispy curl from her face. "The King of Naboo prepared all of this, just for you. Isn't that special?"

Little Lucy was enthralled by the new sights. She stared at the closest marbled column, its swirled texture capturing her attention. Her doll-like blue eyes bounced between the humans fussing over her, and the strange splendor of her surroundings.

"Do you want to meet The Voice? The nice lady who keeps your godfather-hopeful in line?"

Cora stepped closer to Sibylla, shifting her hold to hand the curious babe off. For her part, said babe didn't start to whine or cry – which was a good sign. Her focus leapt quickly from Sibylla's gentle face to the glittering ornaments in her hair.

Aurelian Veruna Makko Vyres Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Makko Vyres | Sibylla Abrantes | Corazona von Ascania

"I am a peasant, remember?" he mused.

"Don't remind me," Aurelian muttered, leaning in to inspect Makko with exaggerated scrutiny. "You look like hell, mate. You should get some sleep." He straightened his jacket, eyes following Sibylla as she maneuvered her way to the front of the line.

"May I?" she asked them to see if it was okay to pick up Lucy.

When she asked for permission to hold the girl, he gave a regal nod as if the authority were his to grant. "You may. Though she's already been catalogued under royal protection. We're bonded, Sibylla. I brought her into this galaxy."

Watching with uncharacteristic quiet, he felt a flicker of genuine pride as Cora lifted the child. The infant's wide eyes darted between the marble columns and the polished ornaments of the hall, seemingly as captivated by the Rainspire's splendor as he was.

"Do you want to meet The Voice? The nice lady who keeps your godfather-hopeful in line?"

"She does a lot more than just keep me in line," he grumbled in response to Cora's joke, though the sparkle in his eyes betrayed his affection for the Lady Abrantes.

A sharp snap of his fingers set the staff into motion, whisking the pram away and ushering the group into a private lounge. The room was prepared with plush seating and tables laden with delicacies. Ignoring the food, Aurelian crossed to the center table to retrieve a small, gift-wrapped box. He brought it over to where Sibylla held the child, his movements unusually careful.

Inside the box sat a rattle carved from black stone, polished to a mirror shine with the Veruna sigil inlaid in white. It was a piece of craftsmanship that far exceeded the needs of a nursery. Aurelian gave it a sharp, rhythmic shake, his dangerous smile softening as he watched for the baby's reaction. "Something to remember your favorite Nabooian by," he said, his voice dropping to a warm, playful tone. "A King's first gift should always be something she can use to make a bit of noise."

​

 

[Makko Vyres]

MAKKO

Sibylla Abrantes

"The King of Naboo prepared all of this, just for you. Isn't that special?"

Sometimes he was reminded, in a sudden and stark way, how different his life was to how it could have been.

The king of an entire planet was their daughter's godfather and he wanted to dote on her. Makko smiled and gave a small shake of his head.

"You look like hell, mate. You should get some sleep."

"I got six hours the other night," Makko protested.

"It was lovely," he added quietly.

Aurelian presented a gift and Makko continued smiling. It was nice to get out a little bit more too. It always felt like an adventure to leave the house for a few days now. Luciana remained relatively relaxed in Sibylla's arms.

"Thats beautiful thank you. Is it just the first gift that makes noise are are we escalating to drums for birthdays?" he asked with a soft laugh.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Aurelian Veruna Corazona von Ascania Makko Vyres

Sibylla's brow lifted ever so slightly at Aurelian's tone, as though he were the one granting permission.

A soft, silent, really? passed between them as her gaze flicked toward him, and she gave the faintest roll of her eyes before turning her attention back to what actually mattered.

Lucy.

The moment the child was placed into her arms, something in Sibylla softened in a way few ever saw. And while her posture remained elegant, it was in the way her heart-shaped face brightened and her hazel eyes shone with a soft, heartwarming glint.

"Well, hello there," she murmured, the tone of her voice dipping into a quiet coo as she adjusted her hold with ease, drawing the infant just a touch closer. And just like that, there it was. That unmistakable warmth and the soft weight of Lucy's body as Sibylla held her in her arms. None of her brothers had children of their own, and while distant cousins had babies, her proximity to them and the chance to enjoy them had dwindled with the increased demands of her responsibilities as Voice. It was why she and Aurelian took to taking advantage of every bit of downtime in between to at least be able to spend time with one another -- this particular day, the only recourse after scheduling all meetings to be conducted via holoarray to allow the time to spend it with Cora, Makko, and Lucy.

And as the faint, sweet scent of a child so new to the galaxy it still seemed to cling to Lucy like starlight, Sibylla couldn't help the broadening of her smile, the pad of her thumb brushing lightly along Lucy's arm as the baby's attention bounced between her face and the shimmer of her headdress.

"Oh, you are quite taken with the finery, aren't you?" she mused softly. "I cannot say I blame you, lovely girl."

For a moment, the world narrowed to the miracle that was the little girl in her arms. At least until the shaking rattle sound drew both hers and Lucy's attention.

With a purse of her lips, her gaze slid sideways to settle upon Aurelian, who was shaking the polished stone rattle with entirely too much enthusiasm for a man who had not an hour earlier discussed the intricacies of his hair care morning routine with an avid, serious expression and commentary about having to take the time to look 'this stunningly handsome and pretty.'

It seemed that just as with his multitude of hair products, Aurelian had spent the credits on Lucy and considered them well spent.

"…something she can use to make more noise," Sibylla repeated, her tone hovering delicately between disbelief and amusement, unable to help how her eye narrowed just slightly, a knowing look settling in as she shifted Lucy gently in her arms.

"You just may find yourself fired from that Godfather-Adjacent position with such a gift," said the woman who did far more than simply keep Aurelian in line, offering him a subtle, teasing wink at how endearing he was being. Was he like this with all children… or just Lucy, because he had helped usher her into the galaxy and now claimed himself bonded? Or was this, in some peculiar Aurelian fashion, a form of imprinting?

Should she expect a new Naboo coin to be minted with Lucy's likeness at any moment?

Thankfully, Makko seemed to take it in stride, answering with a quip of his own. Men, it seemed, had a way of settling into banter without missing a beat. At the very least, the Jedi proved more than capable of keeping pace with Aurelian's remarks.

Sibylla eyes lifted briefly, catching Aurelian again with that same quiet amusement lingering.

"Though I suppose," she added lightly, "if this is what 'bonding' looks like for you…" she began, giving a delicate tilt of her head as she turned towards Cora with a mischievous expression.

"…I shall begin preparing for the inevitable moment you attempt to commission a Naboo coin in her likeness." she sang, her lips curving upward just slightly as her brows gave an impish upward perk, "Or worse-- a parade."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora nearly snorted when Aurelian granted Sibylla license to hold Lucy. "I suppose you did help to bring her into the galaxy," she agreed while not bothering to disguise her rolling eyes. "With a little contribution from myself."

The perpetually exhausted parents looked on as Lucy was cradled by Sibylla, then offered what appeared to be a custom rattle from Aurelian. Cora peered a little closer, one eyebrow lifted as she spotted the seal of House Veruna etched onto the toy's surface.

“Please,” she tsked, returning Sibylla’s glance. “If he starts giving her coins and parades, she’ll be spoiled before she can even speak!”

She glanced towards Makko, half-expecting his expression to chill or twist; instead, it was a warm as Aurelian's voice.

The rattle immediately stole Lucy's attention. Her breathing quickened to an excited gurgle as she reached for the toy, tiny fingers curling around the rattle's handle. She gave it an excited shake, but an infant's motor skill's weren't perfect - the toy fell through her grasp, and onto the toe of Aurelian's shoe.

Lucy giggled.

Cora couldn't help a soft snort. "Like mother like daughter," she murmured while sauntering over to retrieve the rattle. Just by touching it, she could tell that the craftsmanship wasn't shoddy.

"Ah!" Lucy stuck her hand out, waving it around. Cora offered the toy back to her daughter, then paced over to where the staff had parked her pram in the corner of the room.

"This reminds me," she said, crouching to rifle through the storage beneath the stroller. Cora retrieved a bottle of alcohol and a thin, cloth-wrapped box.

"Ukatian Vodka," she declared, passing it to Aurelian. "It probably isn't to your tastes, but I figured it might be helpful in blotting out the memory of your shoes." The shoes she'd practically given birth on.

"And these…"

Cora carefully unwrapped the cloth and opened the box to reveal a pair of songsteel stakes, tapered sharply at either edge and thin enough to fit into the palm of a hand.

"One for each of you." She looked between Sibylla and Aurelian. "They're artifacts infused with the Light-side of the Force. Given how often you both seem to come in contact with Sith, they may help you defend yourselves.”

A faint, warm glow seemed to emanate from the stakes. Cora closed the box and placed it at the far end of the table, away from grabby little hands.

Aurelian Veruna Sibylla Abrantes Makko Vyres

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Corazona von Ascania | Makko Vyres

"Excellent suggestion, Makko," Aurelian chuckled, his mind already spinning with the logistics of commissioned percussion. He had originally intended the rattle as a simple token, but the idea of gifting increasingly loud instruments for every milestone was far too entertaining to pass up. "And she loves it, Sibylla. Look at her." He waved off the Voice's skepticism, but his bravado faltered the moment he focused on the two of them.

Something shifted in his chest as he watched Sibylla cradle the infant. Seeing her like this, the sunlight catching the hazel in her eyes while her expression softened into something purely maternal, was a revelation. They hadn't discussed a future involving nurseries, and he still felt far too young for the weight of a legacy, yet the sight was breathtaking. She looked entirely natural, a quiet grace that was hard to ignore. It made the Rainspire feel less like a fortress of cold marble and more like a home.

A sharp pinch of pain shot through his foot as the rattle collided with his toe. Anyone else would have faced a royal lashing for scuffing shoes that cost more than a speeder, but he merely beamed at the giggling child. Reaching out, he rested a hand on the small of Sibylla's back, soaking in the warmth of the room. This was the life he had once marked on the walls of his shoreside cave as a lonely boy; a King surrounded by people who actually liked him. The cold shadow of his father's reign felt miles away now.

Cora's offering snapped him out of the reverie. He accepted the Ukatian Vodka with an appreciative hum, popping the cork to take a bracing swig before thrusting the bottle toward Makko. "You look like you need the medicine more than I do." He set the bottle down and leaned in to inspect the second gift, only to recoil as the cloth fell away to reveal the glowing stakes.

"Ew, mysticism," he blurted out, the noble mask slipping into genuine distaste. He caught Sibylla's look and forced a reluctant, pained smile.

"Thank... you... Cora." He retreated to a chair a safe distance from the light-side artifacts, crossing his legs with practiced elegance. "Tell me, is there a chance she skips all that nonsense? Or will she be another one of you, waving glowing sticks and sensing feelings in the breeze?"

​

 

[Makko Vyres]

MAKKO

"Oh, you are quite taken with the finery, aren't you?" she mused softly.

"Just be careful, it's difficult to get her to let go sometimes."

Makko didn't really care about the headdress or the beads themselves. He was more concerned about the thin strands getting caught around her pudgy little fingers.

She gave it an excited shake, but an infant's motor skill's weren't perfect - the toy fell through her grasp, and onto the toe of Aurelian's shoe.

Makko had to place his hand over his mouth to reduce the sound he made to a polite chuckle.

"Ukatian Vodka," she declared, passing it to Aurelian. "It probably isn't to your tastes, but I figured it might be helpful in blotting out the memory of your shoes." The shoes she'd practically given birth on.

"Yeah, we didn't bring that as a gift. Just had those in the pram to get by."

Makko followed with an apologetic shrug. It wasn't the best taste in humour, but he was still quite tired. Travelling a distance with a small baby wad surprisingly hard work.

"Thank... you... Cora." He retreated to a chair a safe distance from the light-side artifacts, crossing his legs with practiced elegance. "Tell me, is there a chance she skips all that nonsense? Or will she be another one of you, waving glowing sticks and sensing feelings in the breeze?"

"We've been talking about that," Makko said.

His tone had shifted. He made a serious moment lighthearted, not he made a lighthearted question serious.

"She probably will have a connection to the Force, but we don't want that to mean her destiny is a fighter. She doesn't have to be a knight, but she will need to learn to control it."

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Aurelian Veruna Makko Vyres Corazona von Ascania

Sibylla gave a chuckle at Cora's quip, followed by the warm upward expression of joyful amusement as much as maternal awe at little Lucy's antics with the rattle.

"Alright I will give you that," she sighed, mock-exasperated, regarding Aurelian's point that Lucy did indeed enjoy the rather expensive rattle. And it appeared that the wonder of wonders would only continue as Aurelian wasn't even upset regarding the toy falling onto his very expensive shoe.

"My goodness. Perhaps Lucy is the secret weapon one needs to get away with the Veruna riches. It is a great time to take advantage Cora, perhaps you can route a few million credits to Ukatis merely by charging Aurelian a fee to be within Lucy's presence."

Although it wasn't as amusing as seeing Aurelian's reaction to not only the Ukatian Vodka -- earning Sibylla's expression of aghast, embarrassed horror at how he just simply drank it from the bottle -- to how he had the same reaction to the Force Artifacts gifted by Cora. Both earned him a look -- to which he smartly decided to stay within her good graces and provide the appropriate thank you.

"A great advantage to utilize Cora, thank you," Sibylla said in reference to the artifacts.

"I am quite willing to take what I can should a situation go south with any Force user," and while it may have seem to be said casually, there was a distinct hardening along the edges of her lips then. She thought back to the past, to Corellia, to Morrja, to the Trinity.

Indeed, their interactions with the Sith were increasing. How was she to defend herself and those she cared about against such tactics used through the Force?

They meandered towards a place to sit, and Sibylla chose to focus on Lucy instead, who only coo'd and tried to bat at the shiny dangle of a jeweled chain of her headdress.

It was about this time that Sibylla learned the hard way just how ridiculously strong a baby's grip could be, especially when they were determined to take something in hand.

The child was certainly fast when she wanted to be, and before Sibylla could blink, she had that bit of dangling gold chain from her headdress in hand and gave it a decisive, hard tug!

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

"I'll have my lawyers draw up the contract," she decided, an undercurrent of mirth beneath her dry tone. "I'm certain that her doting candidate-godfather would be more than happy to fund the appearance fees."

Cora shot Makko a look that intercepted Aurelian's proffered bottle. At least he was willing to share?

"Maybe it'll help you dull those memories," she offered. Then, in a wry murmur: "or sharpen them."

And then he…thanked her? For a gift that he clearly didn't like? Force be damned, that was the real mysticism. Sibylla's power was not to be underestimated in any circumstance.

Cora blinked away her stupor, likely enhanced by lack of sleep. It took a few moments for Aurelian's comment to land.

"We'll teach her the tenants of control," she stated firmly. "But it'll be up to her if she decides to train as a Jedi."

This was something she and Makko had begun to discuss. While Cora believed that any force sensitive child should to learn to control their abilities, lest they destroy a city block when their holopad got taken away, she didn't want Lucy to become a Jedi. It was too dangerous.

That seemed so far off, though. Cora’s gaze rested on Lucy as her daughter waved a tiny hand toward the shiny baubles of Sibylla’s headdress.

The particular wording of any Force user skimmed past her. And then-

“Oh,” she grimaced as Lucy’s tiny sausage fingers wrapped around the dangling chain. At least it wasn’t a lock of the Voice’s hair. Cora wasn’t as fast as the baby, who’d decided to yank on what was likely a very expensive piece of jewelry.

“Let’s not cause property damage,” she cooed, gently bending Lucy’s wrist. Her little fingers uncurled, and Cora gave Sibylla an apologetic look.

"Aside from Moorja, where else have you encountered Sith? They’re growing bolder.”

Aurelian Veruna Makko Vyres Sibylla Abrantes