Private The Midwife King

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Makko Vyres | Sibylla Abrantes | Corazona von Ascania

Sinking into the plush upholstery of his grand chair, Aurelian listened to the rather bleak forecast for Lucy's future. The thought of his beautiful goddaughter growing up to be a stoic Jedi, or worse, a red-blade-wielding lunatic like Acier, was deeply depressing. If the magic manifested, perhaps he could simply hire someone to teach the girl how to suppress it entirely. It seemed a far better alternative than forcing her to study control and mysticism. She could just exist as she was meant to, as a royal, which was an exhausting full-time job in itself.

"I might be able to help find a tutor for that," he murmured under his breath, though the quiet thought was instantly derailed by Cora's inquiry about their recent troubles.

"Everywhere!" Aurelian interrupted, leaning forward as his dramatic flair returned. "The Sith are practically the Republic's new shadow. The fresh Queen of Eshan tried to skewer me on Wielu. One of their zealots took a shot at Sibylla on Corellia." He gestured toward the Voice, his expression hardening slightly at the memory of that particular danger before his lips curled back into a smug grin. "And don't forget the uninvited guest who recently stormed my estate right here. They absolutely love me. I simply cannot keep them away."

He threw his hands up in mock exasperation, completely comfortable turning a multi-planet security crisis into a testament to his own fatal charm.

​

 

[Makko Vyres]

MAKKO

Aurelian Veruna Sibylla Abrantes Corazona von Ascania


Makko leaned back in his chair, one arm draped casually along the back of Cora’s seat while his free hand stayed near the pram. He watched Lucy’s latest victim with a faint, tired grin. She had grip strength for days.

He gave a low snort at Aurelian’s theatrical list of Sith troubles.

"Sounds like you’re collecting enemies," Makko said dryly, blue eyes flicking to the king.

He glanced at Cora, then back to Aurelian and Sibylla, tone turning a shade more serious but still relaxed.

“We’ve had our share of close calls too," he said.

In truth Cora had suffered far more at the hands of the Sith than he had. He didn't respond to Aurelians's quiet comment. He and Cora knew we'll enough how to teach.

"This place is amazing though," Makko said, glancing around. He was trying not to sound too common in front of a king. Younger Makko would have done everything in his power to offend royalty.

"Do you both spend a lot of time here or more in the capital?" he asked, glancing towards Sibylla Abrantes and Luciana.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

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Aurelian Veruna Makko Vyres Corazona von Ascania

Aurelian was always inclined toward a touch of drama when Sith were involved, and while the most visible reminder of Sibylla's own encounters with them remained etched across her face in pale scars, a softness still settled in her hazel eyes as she absently played with Lucy. The slight pull of her headdress barely registered.

"It is alright," Sibylla assured Cora quietly. Yet the words carried a bittersweet edge. Thoughts of those who had drifted toward the Dark Side inevitably led her to wonder about Cora and how she was managing everything concerning her brother. From there, her mind wandered to Ace.

He had gone dark after Trinity. There had been attempts to keep track of him, but those trails had long since grown cold. It seemed he had fully committed himself to his place within the Covenant and whatever dangerous plan he nurtured to tear it apart from within, even if the cost was his own sense of self. The thought sat heavily in her chest and she knew Aurelian hated it. But she couldn't stop thinking about Ace or caring. He was her friend... and she couldn't give up on him. Even if their last interaction left them broken.

The conversation around her faded into a distant murmur as her thoughts drifted elsewhere. But it was the gentle pat against her cheek that brought her back.

Lucy.

Sibylla blinked and looked down, her smile immediately widening. Leaning forward, she brushed her nose against the infant's, peppering her with soft butterfly kisses. Lucy answered with a delighted squeal that drew a quiet laugh from Sibylla until Makko's question pulled her attention up once more.

"Ah, our schedules keep us rather occupied between the needs of Naboo and the Republic," she replied. "But whenever possible, we make every effort to come here."

The answer was honest enough but just as complicated. Things remained strained with Cassian's disappearance and Elian's ongoing physical therapy. Returning to Dee'ja Peak too often meant confronting a hundred worries she could do little to solve. There was guilt in admitting it, even to herself, but home had become a place where anxiety and stress waited around every corner.

Selfish, perhaps, but she needed a place where she could breathe and preserve what remained of her sanity, and Aurelian had made certain the Rainspire became that refuge for her -- that it became her home.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

If there was one aspect to Aurelian that Cora appreciated - not that she would do so out loud - it was how little he pulled his punches. One did not have to guess what the King of Naboo was thinking. He was frank in a way that many aristocrats thought crass. That she thought crass.

“Well,” Cora decided. “You must’ve done something to make yourself an appealing target.”

He didn’t have to, actually. Just being visible was enough to earn a Sith’s interest. Aurelian was more than visible; he was a symbol of the Republic.

Cora fell quiet as her gaze was inexorably drawn back to Sibylla and Lucy. Her stomach lurched for the three jagged lines scoring over the woman’s left cheekbone. Then, she couldn’t help but smile as her daughter squealed in delight beneath the Voice’s affection.

Cora glanced to Makko. Maybe they really should consider asking Aurelian and Sibylla to be Luciana’s formal godparents. Force knew that she would be loved and cared for, should the worst come to pass.

“I’ve heard rumors that the Queen of Eshan is Sith. Sorry to say,” her gaze settled back on Aurelian, “that you’re not the first person I know who has been stabbed by her.”

It was unsettling how Woostri had been only a few years ago, but still felt as thought it had happened yesterday. Cora cleared her throat.

“Did you get a name from the person who stormed your estate? I might know them.”

Aurelian Veruna Makko Vyres Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Makko Vyres | Sibylla Abrantes | Corazona von Ascania

"They are simply jealous, Corazona," Aurelian replied, flashing an unbothered smile. "They see a dashingly handsome King with all of this power and want a piece of the cake. It's my cake, though. All of it. They can't have a single bite." He momentarily broke character, turning toward Lucy to pull a ridiculous, silly face that completely undermined his regal posture.

Amusement quickly soured into a heavy roll of his eyes at the mention of the Eshan ruler. "Oh, I know she is a Sith. The woman told me so herself before trying to end my life. Unfortunately, the Republic isn't allowed to touch her now. Mandalorians, am I right?" He gave a careless shrug. Leaning forward, he caught the eyes of both new parents. "If either of you run into her, do us all a favor." He held up one hand to shield the gesture from Lucy's innocent eyes, while his other hand mimicked a blade drawing sharply across his throat.

Dropping his hands, he shifted his gaze back to Sibylla, his tone shifting into something tighter, more guarded. "We know exactly who stormed the estate." He kept the name to himself, respecting the silent boundary he shared with the Voice, though he knew the attacker, Acier, probably ran in the same dark circles as Cora's brother.

Curiosity eventually got the better of him, pushing him to bridge a topic he had previously been far too harsh about. "Speaking of Sith, how is your brother? Committing any more atrocities lately?" He remembered his quiet conversation with Sibylla about these dark-siders, and the terrifying thought of what he would do if he ever lost her to that madness. For all his usual arrogance, he genuinely hoped Cora hadn't given up on the boy, even if the kid was an absolute bore.

​

 

[Makko Vyres]

MAKKO

Makko's question pulled her attention up once more.

"Ah, our schedules keep us rather occupied between the needs of Naboo and the Republic," she replied. "But whenever possible, we make every effort to come here."

Makko gave a slow nod. He was, in many ways, glad he had shed many responsibilities to focus on Lucy.

“Did you get a name from the person who stormed your estate? I might know them.”

"Speaking of Sith, how is your brother? Committing any more atrocities lately?"

"Subtle," Makko replied.

Makko’s hand found Cora’s knee under the table and gave it a light, reassuring squeeze.

"People can't be responsible for the decisions of everyone they share blood with,” he added, tone even but with an unmistakable edge.

"We’re making damn sure Lucy grows up in an environment where she can make better choices than that."

His expression softened and he glanced at the baby again, then offered Aurelian a crooked half-smirk.

"Besides… I hear the King of Naboo’s got experience delivering dramatic rescues if she ever needs help."

Makko was afraid. They hadn't been parents before. The risk of Luciana ending up fighting g for her life or falling to the dark side of the Force weighed upon him heavily.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Interacting with: Corazona von Ascania Aurelian Veruna Makko Vyres
Items: x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x

It was the mention of Quinn that only drew Sibylla's sense of quietness to the fore. The woman was a complicated piece, and truth be told, another matter that also tugged at Sibylla's heart.

It was, however, hearing Cora mention that Aurelian was not the first person who she knew had been stabbed by her. Before she could inquire for clarification, Aurelian had proceeded to show his audible disdain, followed by mentioning only in passing what occurred with Ace. Sibylla met his eyes of expression that thanked him for keeping it quiet and leaving it up to her.

Although the mention of Lysander in Aurelian's choice words left Sibylla with the slightest of grimaces, even as Lucy drew Sibylla's attention again -- now it was the gentlest of pats along her jaw, softening the bunching of Sibylla's eyebrows as she gave a soft smile back to the cherubed face infant.

But the Voice caught well how Makko had stated that people could not be responsible for the decisions of everyone they share blood with.

Which was true.

"No, we are not privy or responsible to others decisions.. but that does not mean we do not care or wish for them to choose better. Act better. Realize the mistakes that they have made and that a better path follows."

Much like with Ace. Would he think back and regret what occurred? What he'd done?

If so, then what? What would happen then? If she saw him again... what would Sibylla say? Do?

And while Lysander had only been a part of her life for a short while, there was still a part of her that wondered with guilt if she had something to do with the finality of his decision. It was silly to consider, and certainly, there was no confusing what both had done... and the fleeting wonder if meeting Lysander had been one of the reasons why Ace had fallen to the darker path as well.

The truth of it was that it irritated her. Frustrated her. How the Force affected them and had driven their choices. Had she not had the friendship she had with Cora, Sibylla might perhaps be of the same mind as Aurelian regarding Force Users as a whole. And truth be told, perhaps she wasn't that far off as well.

However....

Hazel's eyes swept over to Makko and Cora, and then, as a follow-up question, Sibylla asked quietly, "Have you ever met anyone who had been able to be saved from the Dark Side of the Force?"

She didn't know specifically how to verbalize it, but it had been a question she had not been able to fully ask anywhere else. She had the conversation with Fenn, but he had been different. Tormented and twisted by his experiences as much as the trauma and PTSD he had felt.

But what of people like Lysander? Like Ace? Like Quinn?

Thinking back, Sibylla thought of how the conversation had ended with Ace back on the Trinity. The words she had said. Spilled. Half of them in frustration, anger, disappointment, and seeming finality.

But things were not so clear cut. Not so easy. Was that terrible of her to have a sliver of wonder. Of what could still be done? Lorn had told Ace he would be here for when Ace saw his errors.

But was there a path for him to?

Could she hope?