Private The Queens Gambit

[Dominique Vexx]

Nearing Club Omicron Theta, District 7, Denon

Dominique settled comfortably into the leather seating with one leg crossed over the other. Her hands were folded together atop a knee as her golden eyes stared across at the other occupant in the flying carriage. The invitation had been outstanding for some time. Events, it seemed, kept outpacing them, but after everything that'd happened now was a great time for Sibylla Abrantes to get away from it all. More importantly, it was an opportune time for the two women to grow closer together.

It was obvious Sibylla and Aurelian had some sort of plot in motion. She'd long suspected some sort of... arrangement between them. Since both of them declared to run for monarch of Naboo, however, that bond had become all the more obvious to Dominique. What, exactly, they intended wasn't clear, but it seemed similar to Dominique's own machinations in order to claim power and authority over her own world -- wrestle enough control back in order to take the first few steps to a new future. She could respect that. And that their budding understanding could benefit from exploring further. For that new future those of power sought for Naboo, the Republic, and so Denon.

It wasn't long after Sibylla arrived that Dominique had guided her to a transport. "Oh, no, I wouldn't invite all my 'friends' to the office," she'd merrily replied at the time, "it's far too stuffy here. It won't take long to arrive." From the starry eyed looks and enthusiastic expectation, Dominique could tell Sibylla had some... interesting preconceptions about where they were headed. Interesting and very, very wrong. Which made it all the more exciting.

The pure white suit Dominique wore as a Director only fed into those preconceived notions, of course.

"Sibylla, what sort of social venues have you attended before, if you don't mind my asking? Besides ballrooms."

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx ​

The hum of the transport after she sat was steady beneath her, a low rhythm that seemed to carry with it all her restless excitement. Sibylla had never set foot on Denon before, and though Naboo's elegance and the Crown Worlds had been the only worlds she'd truly known, so the thought of something entirely different thrilled her. Terribly so.

She had accepted Dominique's invitation without hesitation, though perhaps without quite realizing how much it would mean to her. To step outside Naboo's polished halls and endless expectations, to see the world through someone else's lens, someone she trusted enough to follow, was liberating in a way she hadn't expected.

A rare, genuine smile lingered on her lips as she glanced at Dominique, the golden light of the city below reflecting faintly in her hazel eyes.

"Oh, well, all the classic venues as expected back home. Galas, hunts, picnics, auction events, museum showings, the opera... piano concerts... Guarlana riding events, and oh, Dejarik competitions." She let the last sit with a soft laugh, as if it betrayed something more casual of her than most would ever guess. She did enjoy playing a game or two. The piano, of course, was close to her heart... but playing that recently had come with its own battles... and memories tied to aching longing.

Denon, she was certain, would be nothing like any of those. And that thought alone was enough to make her pulse quicken in excitement.

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Dejarik competitions," Dominique echoed casually. Just about as refined and lofty an upbringing one could expect. On par with the Skyline occupants, really. One that enjoyed all the luxuries life had to offer because they had the authority, the wealth, and the social position to be spared anything else. Countless servants. Guards. Comfort and familiarity.

Not that Sibylla's companion thought less of her for it. That was what so many on Denon craved. They pined after it with every breath from birth to the grave. Few besmirched those that acquired it or were lucky enough to be born into it. Everyone was just... momentarily embarrassed, down on their luck and would one day -- quite soon, no doubt -- claim the lap of luxury for themselves. It was a nice dream, anyway. Few appreciated what you had to do and sacrifice to truly make it.

"Well, if you find yourself overwhelmed, Sibylla, just think of it like a game of Dejarik. Colorful pieces on a large, expansive board where you play the players as much as the pieces." Dominique smiled. Things were certainly about to get... interesting for her new friend. Dominique could just imagine if one of those lofty, ultra wealthy in their sky palaces were brought low among the rabble -- what a culture shock it would be. "And remember," she leaned forward to pat Sibylla's hand or knee, "I'll be right there with you."

Her golden eyes slid to the side as the vehicle began to descend. "And so it begins." Dominique reached up slowly to unravel the coils of her hair and then draw it back and tie it behind her head. "You did want to see where I learned a certain set of skills." The crisp white outfit suddenly rippled and began to turn black and reveal far more skin than it had a second ago. Nothing too outrageous. Stomach. Arms. Upper chest. There may have been overlays of a few tattoos as well -- they were just clothing of another kind. With a tap of her finger the lilac glareshades turned violet. "And one should dress for the occasion."

The change had been timed so there'd only be a few seconds before their carriage's door would slide open. Dominique lifted a knee-high boot and stepped out first. She paused bathed in the neon glow of the heart of Denon to look back at Sibylla; her finely manicured, but radiant nails shone with her hand extended back toward the other woman. "The opening move is always the hardest."

Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

Interacting with: Dominique Vexx
Items: x x x x x | Wearing: x

For a moment, Sibylla could only blink, her hazel eyes widening as they betrayed every ounce of her awe. She had just watched Dominique's white suit shimmer, shift, and dissolve into something entirely different; the black fabric clinging in daring lines with tattoos ghosting into view beneath the glow of Denon's neon. It was so quick, so seamless, that Sibylla found herself giving a double take, as though she'd imagined the transformation.

But she hadn't.

Sibylla's breath caught halfway between awe and delight, and then that grin that spread across her face was nothing short of giddy.

"Where did you get those clothes to do that?!" she blurted, sounding more like an eager girl at a market stall than Naboo's Junior Ambassador or candidate for the Sovereign of Naboo. It was utterly genuine, her admiration shining as brightly as the city lights spilling into the transport.

The moment the door slid open, Sibylla gave Dominique a quick arch of her brow, curiosity sparking in her gaze as the Denonite held out an outstretched hand to her. The teenager had trained nearly all her life to sense when there was more beneath the surface, and clearly, this was no simple outing. None the less, Sibylla slipped her fingers into Dominique's without hesitation, her smile returning in a genuine smile that brightened her whole face.

"Well," she said, unable to resist a teasing lift of her chin, "now I'm starting to feel a little underdressed. So tell me, where exactly are we going?"

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique smiled as Sibylla seemed more excited than afraid. Well, the real fun had yet to begin. Perhaps it was merely cosplay to her at the moment. Nonetheless, she wasn't trembling so far which meant there was a chance she might be able to handle what was to come. "I made them." They certainly weren't found in your local street-side clothing venue. Even the wealthy hadn't the luxury of such attire. Then again most of them didn't see the need for rapid wardrobe changes; they thought such a thing theatrics meant for stage play.

The thing was, life was stage play and theatrics. Especially when it came to credits.

"Underdressed?" Dominique echoed with a smirk. She turned to look ahead at the top of the stairs that led from the landing platform. "Club Omicron Theta is just down there."

The sound of the transport's engines spinning up preceded its gradual ascension.

With a peek back at Sibylla, Dominique started forward with the other woman in hand. "Remember to stay close. Best if we don't use our real ones here. Mine's Mastema. What should I call you?" It'd take a minute to climb down the stairs to the street-level entrance of the club, so Sibylla had time to think or respond. Below them milled a few people dressed in an assortment of colors, or a good deal of black. There weren't really any earth-tones to be found in the depths of Denon. Typically because there wasn't any earth to be found there either, and it looked black under the neon lights so what was the point?

Once they neared the bottom and got on the level, Sibylla would be able to more clearly see Denon's citizens. A few wore plainer clothes. Monotone wardrobes without any overly elaborate highlights. Most, however, wore nothing like Sibylla would see on Naboo. Even Dominique's own high fashion sense on display in chambers was a pale imitation by comparison -- on purpose so as not to arrest any beating hearts. Down here they alternated between wearing little, and wearing clothing that glowed or shone under the light.

"Here, no two people look alike. Here, everything is possible. The trappings and rules of the world fall away and everything is left bare." Dominique looked back at Sibylla with a smile. "There are no expectations, and no safety nets, but the ones you bring with you." Some found it liberating. And to a degree it was, but Dominique had also found it quite exhausting earlier on in her career. You could do anything... and so could everyone else, which made self-protection your own responsibility and that took quite the effort.

Location: Club Omicron Theta, District 7, Denon
Dominique's Alias: Mastema
Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

Dominique Vexx ​

Sibylla blinked, her brows lifting when Dominique so casually revealed, I made them. That alone was enough to make her stare in fresh wonder, but the name of the club quickly pulled her thoughts in a different direction. Omicron Theta. Even the way it sounded felt like stepping into another world.

Her grip on Dominique's hand tightened, not out of fear, but in the same kind of thrill that had her heart beating faster.

"Mastema…" she echoed softly, tasting the alias with a half smile. Her gaze flicked over the neon-lit crowd below, her lips curling in something equal parts amazed and overwhelmed.

This didn't look like the typical Dejarrik club. Sibylla was sheltered, but she wasn't stupid. A new rush raced through her, biting her lower lip as she considered what name to pick.

"Call me…" a pause, then she laughed lightly, shaking her head at herself. "Call me Lyra."

She didn't know why she chose it; maybe because it felt freer to go by a name no one else would tie to Sibylla, but the way she said it was full of that same giddy excitement that hadn't left her since stepping onto Denon.

"This isn't a normal Dejarrik club, is it?" she asked, looking around but just as giddy, her hazel eyes wide as she took everything in. Even the slight danger was a thrill. This wasn't like the danger one expected with an assassin coming over trying to kill her just because she was the Daughter of Abrantes.

No, this instead was a thrill.