Administrator
To the Moon & Never Back
. . .Eshan. . .
Srina stepped down from the Ferocity with practiced ease. The ramp had only just lowered to the grasslands, before the ship began to withdraw, so as not to disturb the area. She had little doubt that her entry to the area had been silent. It was of little consequence as she didn’t intent to hide. She wore the soft colors of her House over the darker tones that she preferred while operating within the Confederacy. Not armor. Not the clothing of an Exarch…Simply, something she might have worn while home, among her siblings, and extended family.“Shhh…”, she murmured to the restless creatures that were hiding neatly in a wicker basket. There was the occasional growl, scuffle, or whine but overall—the non-sentient pups seemed to understand. The now eldest Talon had always had a way with beasts. The diminutive companion’s that she had originally obtained from Leritor were no different. They settled, mewling, but mostly for attention. “…It won’t be long.”
She had placed a soft blanket beneath them for comfort and partially enclosed the top of the basket with another. Space, despite the comfort of her frigate, could be a cold place.
For that matter—So could Eshan.
Much of her time had been split between her duties to the Confederacy and the restoration of Eshan. She coordinated efforts to ensure that the Droid Nation didn’t infringe on the sovereignty of her homeworld. It was difficult to do, while maintaining an exclusion zone, and often required taking a shortcut through Silver Jedi space. Still. When Echani Command ordered their forces to withdraw they would have no other response but to oblige. They were not conquerors, here. Not oppressors.
Srina would give her life, gladly, before ever letting that happen.
Pale blue fabric swept behind her while she walked, bending blades of grass her and there, but otherwise, she seemed to leave the area undisturbed. The blue cloak she wore had white fur lining the hood and a metallic silver belt that cinched it tight around her waist. She wore a white top beneath it with silver stitching, and tan protective leggings, that tucked unto knee high traveling boots.
She didn’t seem to be carrying any weapons—But that was never true. She was Echani, born and raised, which meant that her very being was bred for combat. In places like Geonosis they found her security, her inherent grace, strange and otherworldly. On Eshan? It was typical. Normal. Expected.
Srina wore the same face of her mother. The same face of her mother’s mother—And so on and so forth. It was easy to know she belonged to House Vail for someone that lived in the area. Especially, for someone like [member="Spencer Jacobs"]. It was her property that she approached. There were no visible guards for their Queen but that didn’t mean there weren’t any. Hiding, blending with the tree line, and observing from a distance. There was no need for sprawling castle but touched the clouds, but instead, a modest estate meant for peace. There was enough housing for domestic staff and varying workshops…But otherwise? A small retreat from the hustle and bustle of the main cities.
Eventually grass gave way to lovingly laid stone pathways and flowerbeds as far as the eye could see. This was the Eshan she remembered. Not, the one that rolled in ash and flame.
Eventually she was stopped by a pair of well-meaning guards that patrolled near the edge of the fresh water that ran through the property. They had watched and waited long enough, though, upon inspection they seemed to recognize her. Srina wasn’t sure if the Queen had foreseen her unannounced arrival or if it was something else. They requested to see what was in the basket, and she lifted the blanket, to reveal three sets of bejeweled eyes. “Gifts.”, she spoke softly, failing to elaborate, though there was no need.
They already knew she meant no harm. It was just their duty to ask.
The lightly armed guards allowed her to pass. It didn’t seem that they bothered the Queen much. Mostly, they kept an eye on the perimeter. Even if their ruler wished for a normal life of quiet anonymity, there were certain customs to be observed, especially, when it came to her well-being. They gave her the illusion of space and freedom as best they could.
The young Echani made her way to one of many gazebos that dotted the area and approached the woman she had come so far to see. “My Lady Queen.”, she announced herself lightly, respectfully, while coming to stand beside her. Srina had no eye for art, nor beauty, but it was quiet here. For just a moment, just a small moment, she could forget the drums of war and the call of duty.
She could not go home. The memory of her elder sister was still too poignant. The grief of her parents was too visceral. She had to be strong, remain strong, and she could not do so when she had to hold their hearts aloft as well as her own. Srina had never been gifted with understand emotion. She could scarcely keep her own sentiments under control these days.
“Restoration to Eshan City is progressing. It is slow, though as you predicted, conditions are improving day by day.”
